USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 11 > Part 31
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large figure, standing six feet in height and weighed two hundred and forty pounds. He married, May, 1843, Maria Louise Crossley, who was born May 22, 1826, in Middletown, eldest daughter of David and Maria (Chamberlain) Crossley of that town. His widow continued to reside at the family home, No. 60 Ferry Street, erected in 1852, until May 1, 1901, when she went to reside with her young- est son in Middletown. Mr. Stow and wife were attendants of the Baptist Church in Middletown, of which Mrs. Stow was a member.
James Pomeroy Stow was born August 16, 1851, on Ferry Street in Middletown, where he grew up, receiving his education in the public schools and Wesleyan Uni- versity, from which he was graduated in 1875. As a boy he had charge of his father's books and subsequently became secretary and treasurer of the Middletown Electric Light Company, upon its organi- zation, continuing in that capacity for several years, after which he became gen- eral manager and continued as such to July I, 1896. He was also a director of the E. T. Burgess Cut Glass Company from its organization, and in time became its secretary and treasurer. In 1880 he was elected a member of the Common Council and in the following year was made clerk and treasurer of the city of Middletown, in which capacity he has served continuously with the exception of one year. He was also treasurer of the town of Middletown from 1881 to 1893, and from 1895 to 1920, when another was elected to that office. His long continu- ance in these various capacities of re- sponsibility and importance, testify to his standing as a business man and his popu- larity with the voters of his native town. This is especially emphasized by the fact that he is a Democrat, while the normal
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majority of both town and city is Repub- lican. In 1921 and 1923 he was nomi- nated by both parties, being elected with- out opposition. Mr. Stow is a life trustee of his father's estate and of the Middle- town holdings of his deceased uncle, James P. Stow, formerly of Meriden. He continues as director of the Middletown Electric Light Company and is also inter- ested in various social organizations. He is a member of Holy Trinity Church of Middletown, of which he was some years treasurer, is now secretary of Middletown Lodge No. 2341, New England Order of Protection, is a member of Central Lodge No. 12, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and Souhegan Encampment No. 6, of the same order ; of Middletown Lodge No. 771, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; of Arawana Tribe No. 17, Im- proved Order of Red Men and of Mata- besset Council No. 12, Order of United American Men. He is a member of Mid- dletown Yacht Club and also of the Chamber of Commerce and is ever ready to favor any movement calculated to benefit the interests of the community in general.
Mr. Stow was married, October 17, 1883, to Mary Dyas Stevens, a native of Louisiana, reared in Middletown, daugh- ter of Frederick Stevens. She died Janu- ary 8, 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Stow were the parents of two sons and two daughters: James P. Stow, Jr., born July 12, 1884, is superintendent of construction for a large contracting firm in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Frederick Stevens, born October 9, 1886, is assistant superintend- ent of the Baker Dunbar Allen Company of Pittsburgh; Dorothy Mary, born No- vember 6, 1890, is the wife of James P. Hasselman, an instructor in the college at East Lansing, Michigan; Sarah Nan- Mr. Smith married, April 21, 1874, Ella nette, born April 14, 1897, was married, Julia Burr, who was born April 15, 1849.
October 5, 1922, to Rev. Lloyd Young Graham, 3d., rector of Grace Church, New York City.
SMITH, Clifford Burr,
Engineer.
A native of Middletown, born June 13, 1879, second son of the late Herbert E. Smith, the subject of this sketch is a mem- ber of the well known English family which brought the art of jappanning to this country. James O. Smith, father of Herbert E., introduced this business to Middletown, and founded a business that is still in successful and growing oper- ation.
Herbert Edgar Smith, fifth son of James O. and Mary A. (Smith) Smith, was born January 28, 1849, in the Westfield sec- tion of Middletown, where he attended the public schools until fourteen years of age, when he accompanied his parents to New York City. There he was a student in the public schools and the College of the City of New York, graduating from the latter institution in 1871. After a post-graduate course in civil engineering at Yale Scientific School, in 1872 he was employed in railroad construction at Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and later in Ohio, on the Continental Railroad, now part of the New York, Chicago & St. Louis Line known as the "Nickel Plate." In 1873 he returned to his native place and became a part of the working force of the J. O. Smith Manufacturing Company, with which he continued to be identified until his death, May 1I, 1904. On the reorgan- ization of the concern in 1878 he became secretary and treasurer, and was treasurer and manager many years, aiding no little in building up the business.
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in Berlin, Connecticut, daughter of Julius W. and Julia Ellen (Cornwall) Burr of that town. Her ancestors were among the leading citizens of Connecticut. The founder of the family was Benjamin Burr, one of the original proprietors of Hart- ford, Connecticut. The first evidence of his presence in America appears in the land division in Hartford in 1639, where he is spoken of as an original proprietor and settler, indicating that he was there in 1635. He was probably in Massachusetts before that time, as the settlers of Hart- ford came from the vicinity of Boston. His allotment in the division of 1639 was six acres, and in 1658 he was admitted freeman, showing that he was then a member of the church. It is apparent that he was a thrifty and well-to-do man, as he owned more than one house lot in Hartford, beside houses and lands at Greenfield and Windsor. His name has been given to one of the streets in Hart- ford, where he died March 31, 1681. His name appears on the monument to the original settlers in the First Church cem- etery. His son, Samuel Burr, born in England, was a freeman in Hartford in May, 1658, and he died there September 29, 1682, leaving a good estate, whose in- ventory value was placed at £541, IOS. IId. He married Mary Baysey, daughter of John and Elizabeth Baysey, among the early settlers of Hartford. Jonathan Burr, youngest child of Samuel, born 1679, set- tled after 1696 in Middletown, Connecti- cut, where he united with the First Church, and died January 1, 1735. He married Abigail Hubbard, born February 16, 1686, in Middletown, daughter of Na- thaniel and Mary (Earle) Hubbard and granddaughter of George Hubbard, found- er of a numerous family in America and a pioneer of Middletown. Nathaniel Burr, third son of Jonathan and Abigail, was
born March 23, 1717, in Middletown, set- tling in the adjoining town of Haddam, where he was a farmer, built a house on the present site of the Methodist Church, and died September 12, 1802. He married (second), August 19, 1743, Sarah Por- ter, who was born October 28, 1724, died May 21, 1797. The name of his first wife is unknown. His fourth son, Jonathan Burr, born April 11, 1756, in Haddam, joined the Continental Army at the age of twenty-one years and became a corpo- ral in the company commanded by Cap- tain Martin Kirtland, in Colonel Erastus Wolcott's regiment. After his discharge from the army he engaged in farming, was captain of the local militia company and died February 10, 1804. He married Lydia Bailey, and their fifth son, Daniel Burr, was a farmer and contractor resid- ing in Haddam, where he died in 1833. He married Betsey Wilcox, and their sec- ond son was Julius Wilcox Burr. The latter, born June 21, 1822, in Haddam, began learning the blacksmith trade at the age of sixteen years. He settled in Ber- lin, Connecticut, and was among the founders of the Peck, Stowe & Wilcox Company of East Berlin. He was also a director of the Berlin Bridge Company and was active in the management of the J. O. Smith Manufacturing Company of Middletown. He was a member of the Congregational Church, a consistent Re- publican in political principle, essentially a business man with no itch for office, a good neighbor and useful citizen. He married, October 1, 1845, Julia Ellen Cornwall, born November 21, 1823, in Middletown, daughter of Joseph and Lu- cinda (Miller) Cornwall. Ella Julia Burr, daughter of Julius W., became the wife of Herbert E. Smith, as previously related. They were the parents of three sons: I. Herbert Eugene, died in infancy. 2. Clif-
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ford B. 3. Edson Eugene, who died in March, 1913, aged thirty-one years.
Clifford Burr Smith, second and only surviving son of Herbert E. and Ella J. (Burr) Smith, born June 13, 1879, in Westfield, grew up there and received his education in the schools of the town, in- cluding the high school, from which he was graduated in 1896. He began his business career as a draughtsman appren- tice in the office of the Berlin Iron Bridge Company of East Berlin. Here he ap- plied himself diligently and made rapid progress, finding the work agreeable to his taste. At the age of twenty-three years, in 1902, he was employed in the construction of the Hudson River Tun- nels in New York, often called the Mc- Adoo tunnels, because they were the result of the genius and steadfast deter- mination of William G. McAdoo. After several years in this employment, Mr. Smith returned to Connecticut and en- tered the employ of the Berlin Construc- tion Company, which is engaged in the erection of bridges and other iron and steel structures. Here he has continued to the present time, sound evidence of his capability and faithfulness. He occu- pies a pleasant residence on Mt. Vernon Street, Middletown, and endeavors to ful- fill the duties of a good citizen. Though not a blind partizan, he usually supports the efforts of the Republican party in securing capable and upright government. He is vice-president of the J. O. Smith Manufacturing Company, and is identified with various Masonic bodies up to the thirty-second degree, through Scottish Rite. He is a member of St. John's Lodge, No. 2, Ancient Free and Accepted Ma- sons ; Washington Chapter, No. 6, Royal Arch Masons; Cyrene Commandery, No. 8, Knights Templar; Columbia Council; and Sphinx Temple, Ancient Arabic
Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Hartford. Through descent from Michael Smith, he is a member of the New York Society, Sons of the Revolution. Mr. Smith married, April 12, 1909, Bessie E. Burns, born January 13, 1882, in West- field, daughter of Edgar H. and Laura Edith (Mildrum) Burns, the former a native of Westfield and the latter of East Berlin, Connecticut. Mr. Burns is an active and useful citizen of Westfield, identified with the J. O. Smith Manufac- turing Company as foreman.
SPEAR, William Perkins, Merchant.
A native of Middletown, Mr. Spear is continuing the mercantile business estab- lished by his father more than half a cen- tury since, in that town. Aaron Spear, grandfather of William Perkins, was born in 1827, near Frankfurt, Germany, and came to America before 1850, settling in Hartford, Connecticut. Having little capital, he started out in business in sell- ing goods from a pack which he bore on his back. He persevered and, in time, saved sufficient capital to engage in busi- ness in the city, having a partner, under the style of Spear & Kohn. They con- ducted a general store on Asylum Street, and were started on a successful career when an unfortunate accident closed Mr. Spear's life. In 1860, while passing a building under construction, he was struck by a falling board studded with nails, some of which penetrated his brain, and led to his death within a short time. At first he seemed to recover, but his death occurred suddenly soon after, and was attributed to his injuries. Soon after coming to Hartford, he brought his par- ents from Germany to that city. He mar- ried, in 1854, Nannie Kohn, who was born
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January 3, 1834, in the same locality as himself. On his death the widow was left with three sons to rear and care for, the eldest being seven years old and the youngest a babe. With limited means, she performed her task well, lived to see her sons well established in business, and able to bless her last years with every comfort. In 1890 she moved from Hart- ford to Middletown, where she died Feb- ruary 10, 1899.
and since that date the business has been conducted under the name of Spear Brothers. In 1886 the store was moved to Nos. 400 to 402 Main Street, and there continued until after the death of both proprietors. Two enlargements of the building were made in their time and the scope of the business was extended. In 1890 Jacob Spear retired and the younger brother, Simon Spear, took his place. He died May 29, 1921. Isaac Spear was a member of the Middletown Board of Trade from its organization. He died June 19, 1921. Mr. Spear married, April 15, 1891, in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Caroline Elizabeth Pitman, a native of that city, born March 1, 1864, daughter of George W. and Elizabeth (Perkins) Pit- man. George W. Pitman, born in Fall River, was a carpenter and builder, and married (recorded in Newport, Rhode Island), April 1, 1850, Elizabeth Perkins, of New Bedford, whose paternal grand- father, Henry Perkins, was a member of the famous "Boston Tea Party," which demonstrated the determination of the colonists to resist the tax on tea, one of the movements which precipitated the American Revolution. Later, Henry Perkins was a soldier of the Revolution.
Isaac Spear, second son of Aaron, was born December 25, 1858, in Hartford, and there attended school until twelve years of age, when he started out to earn his livelihood, with such aids as his natural ambition, energy and industry. His first employment was in the store of Bernhard Levy in Hartford, as utility boy, at the salary of two and one-half dollars per week. Here he continued eight years, in that period acquiring a thorough knowl- edge of the business, becoming buyer for the store and enjoying a salary of eighteen dollars per week. That was long before the World War had established the pres- ent ruling wages and prices. He became very proficient as a sign-writer, and now determined to engage in business on his own account. His savings had gathered a little capital, but his employer gave such The Pitman family had several repre- sentatives early in New England. At the comparatively recent date when English- men took surnames the founder of this family, probably, dwelt near a pit or was employed in one. In the Hundred Rolls of 1273 Johannes Piteman is mentioned. A family of the name was seated at Dun- chideock-house, County Devon, for sev- eral generations, and appears in the parish registers from 1552, Geoffrey Pit- man was sheriff of Suffolk County in 1625, and the name appears in Yorkshire pedigrees. The arms of the Suffolk fam- material aid as to prove the integrity of the young man, as well as to testify to his business ability. Mr. Levy introduced him to wholesale dealers in New York and guaranteed his bills, which was a wonderful aid to one about to launch in business. After looking about Mr. Spear decided to establish a store in Middle- town, and the result justified his judg- ment, for he was immediately successful. His first location was on the east side of Main Street, in the building where his sons are now conducting business. In 1880 his brother, Jacob Spear, joined him, ily are: Gules two poleaxes in saltire or,
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headed argent, between four mullets of the last. Crest, a Moor's arm proper escarroned gules and or, advancing a pole- axe, handle or, headed argent. Thomas Pitman, born 1614, and Mark Pitman, born 1622, were early at Marblehead, Massachusetts. William Pitman, born 1632, settled at Oyster River, New Hamp- shire. Nathaniel Pitman was at Salem, Massachusetts, as early as 1639. John Pitman settled at Charlestown in 1658.
As far as known, the first of this fam- ily was Henry Pitman, one of the first set- tlers of Nassau, Bahama Islands (about 1666), where he built a dwelling and made considerable improvements, and died at the end of fifteen years. His son John Pitman, born 1663, lived for some time on the plantation established by his father, established a shipyard and built several vessels, continuing on New Prov- idence Island until his house was burned by the French and Spaniards in July, 1703. For seven years he lived on the other islands and, in 1710, moved to New- port, Rhode Island, where he died No- vember 21, 1711, aged forty-five years. His wife, Mary Saunders, survived him ten days, dying December 1, 1711. Their graves are marked by a double stone in the old cemetery at Newport. They had seven sons. The third, Benjamin Pitman, was born 1697, on New Providence, was a freeman at Newport in 1741, and died September 12, 1762. His wife, Mary, died November 19, 1746, aged forty-nine years. They had five sons. The second of these, John Pitman, lived in Newport, where he died December 27, 1768. He married, May 6, 1750, Abigail, daughter of Andrew and Abigail (Plaisted) Nich- ols. She was admitted to Dr. Stiles' Church, November 10, 1771, and her four surviving children were baptized at the same time, namely : John, Mary, Thomas
Gilbert and Benjamin. The eldest of these, John, born June 27, 1757, died May 25, 1809, was the father of Charles Pit- man, first postmaster at Fall River. John Pitman married Nancy Bennett, born 1756, died September 16, 1828.
Charles Pitman, born March 3, 1790, in Newport, went to Fall River early in the history of that place as a city and was its first postmaster, opening the first mail February 12, 1811. Subsequently he was a farmer and successful merchant. He was the father of George W. Pitman, whose daughter became the wife of Isaac Spear, as previously related. Mrs. Spear died June 26, 1909, and was buried at New Bedford. She was a member of the South Congregational Church. She was the mother of three sons, George Pitman, William Perkins and Robert Lyndon. The eldest died unmarried in 1917. The others receive further mention below.
William Perkins Spear was born June 5, 1896, in Middletown, and graduated from the city high school in 1914, after which he was a student at Lehigh Uni- versity. In 1917 he entered the store of which he is now senior proprietor, and has since given his attention to business, meantime giving considerable time to public affairs. His public spirit is re- markable, and he is often called to pub- lic service in many ways. For thirteen months he was in the air service of the United States during the recent World War. Since then his share in the social, benevolent and fraternal activities of Mid- dletown has been an important one. He is a member of the South Church; of Central Lodge, No. 12, Independent Order of Odd Fellows ; St. John's Lodge, No. 2, Free and Accepted Masons; Washington Chapter, No. 6, Royal Arch Masons; Cyrene Commandery, No. 8, Knights Templar; and Sphinx Temple, Ancient
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Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Hartford. He is a member of the col- lege fraternity, Sigma Phi, of the Cham- ber of Commerce, Young Men's Christian Association, member of executive com- mittee Community Service, chairman of the merchants' committee of the Chamber of Commerce, and president of the Mid- dlesex County Republican Club. He is also a member of the common council of the city, and has flattering political pros- pects. Of genial nature, engaging manners and frank and upright character, he easily gains and holds enduring friendships.
Mr. Spear married, August 4, 1917, Viola Starr, who was born June 8, 1896, in Butler, Pennsylvania, daughter of Wil- liam Matthewson and Isabella (Orr) Starr. Mr. and Mrs. Spear are the par- ents of two daughters, Caroline Elizabeth and Patricia.
SPEAR, Robert Lyndon, Merchant.
The youngest son of Isaac Spear, born May 25, 1898, in Middletown, Mr. Spear has been identified with the business founded by his father from an early age. After graduating from the city high school in 1917, he permanently entered the store where he has continued to the present time. He has charge of the books of the firm and is buyer for the mil- linery department. Wide awake and ener- getic, he has made himself thoroughly acquainted with the details of the busi- ness, is courteous and efficient, thus pro- moting the continued prosperity of the store so long ago established by Isaac Spear. In 1923 the brothers purchased the building in which their father began business and now occupy a double store, with numerous departments, a thoroughly modern establishment, catering to the
most critical custom of the city and main- taining the original policy which has car- ried the concern along through more than half a century of success. Mr. Spear is identified with social and fraternal organizations, thus taking part in those movements calculated to advance the in- terests of the community and the best uplifting agencies. He is a member of the South Congregational Church, of the Middletown City Club, and Chamber of Commerce. A consistent Republican in principle, he has never sought any part in political movements, beyond the nat- ural duty of a good citizen, in caucusing and voting. His influence is always with what he deems the right. Mr. Spear is affiliated with the great Masonic frater- nity, which seeks to inculcate sound prin- ciples and aid in promoting the progress of the world, and is a member of its lead- ing bodies, including St. John's Lodge, Washington Chapter, Cyrene Command- ery of Middletown, and Sphinx Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Hartford. He married, July 22, 1921, Clara Hedin, who was born in Portland, Connecticut, daughter of the late Edwin P. and Emilie (Martin) Hedin, natives of Sweden and Norway, respect- ively. Mr. and Mrs. Spear have a son, Robert Lyndon Spear, Jr.
REYNOLDS, Wilson S., Automobile Dealer.
The successful career of Mr. Reynolds cannot be described as a lucky accident, because it is the result of his own initi- ative, industry and intelligent action. From worthy leading men and women among his forebears, he has inherited those qualities which make for personal progress and esteem among one's fellows. The family was founded in America by
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John Reynolds, born about 1625-30 in England. The name in early New Eng- land records appears as Renalds, Ranals, Runnels, and in other forms. John Rey- nolds appears first of record in Wey- mouth, Massachusetts, where he was granted five acres in the first division of land, December 14, 1663. This was the seventy-seventh lot from the Braintree line, and he received an additional fifteen acres in the second division of the same date. He sold out his holdings in the autumn of 1664 and in the spring of 1665 located in Westerly, Rhode Island. Here he suffered hardship and oppression be- cause of the dispute with Connecticut about the boundary. He soon removed to Stonington and purchased one hundred acres on the east side of the Mintucket River, January 28, 1677. He received a grant of fifty acres May 25, 1679, and one hundred acres adjoining March 8, 1680. Again, November 14, 1690, he received twelve acres. He died late in that year. He married Anne, daughter of Thomas Holbrook of Weymouth. Their young- est child, John Reynolds, born about 1662, received the homestead in consideration of care of his parents in their old age. In 1701 he exchanged this property for a large tract of wild land near Lake Amos, in Preston, and subsequently acquired other tracts. His property was divided among his children before his death, which occurred April 13, 1734. His wife, Abigail, was received in the Stonington Church, April 2, 1689, and was living in 1733. He was received in full communion at Stonington, May 29, 1705. Their third son, Jonathan Reynolds, was baptized June 21, 1700, in Stonington and lived in Preston, where he cared for his aged par- ents, inherited the homestead and died January 7, 1743. He married (second), April 6, 1727, Hannah Tracy, born April
27, 1709, daughter of Christian and Lydia (Parrish) Tracy. Ebenezer Reynolds, fifth son of Jonathan, born February 24, 1738, bought land in Stonington, was an innkeeper and farmer near the line be- tween north Stonington and Griswold, and died December 16, 1820. He married, October 27, 1759, Sarah Eggleston, a de- scendant of Joseph Eggleston who set- tled in North Stonington about 1670. He died August 26, 1826. Their third son, Jonathan Reynolds, born November 6, 1778, was an innkeeper and farmer in Stonington, died August 16, 1839, in Franklin and was buried in Stonington. He married, in 1795, Susanna Billings, born January 19, 1775, died February 10, 1829, daughter of Peleg and Mary (Stan- ton) Billings, granddaughter of Robert and Mary Billings, great-granddaughter of John and Mary, great-great-grand- daughter of John and Hannah (Thomp- son) Billings. The last named John was son of John and Hannah (Lord) Bil- lings. Hannah Lord was daughter of Thomas and Dorothy Lord, of Hartford, in 1636.
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