USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 3 > Part 38
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Elm street, on Mill river, including the Judge Dewey or President Seelye place. Thereon, William Clark built a log house which was their habitation until de- stroyed by the incendiary act of a negro slave. In its place he then erected a sub- stantial frame house which remained a landmark until 1826, and became known as the Elihu Clark house. He was a man of worthy characteristics, and became prominent in the governmental affairs of the colony; was selectman for twenty years after 1660, and deputy to the Gen- eral Court after 1665, gaining place also in Colonial church history as one of the famous "seven pillars" of the church at Northampton. His military title came by service during King Philip's War as a member of the military company of North- ampton. Anterior to his removal to Northampton, William Clark was in 1646-47 selectman of the town of Dor- chester, and after his reëntry to civilian life following the military campaign, again became prominent in the local administration ; he was appointed com- missioner to terminate small causes, and subsequently became associate judge of Hampshire county, enjoying that dignity for many years, and attaining the vener- able age of eighty-one years, which he reached in the year 1690.
Twice married, his first wife died on September 6, 1675 ; his second, whom he married November 15, 1676, was Sarah, the widow of Thomas Cooper, of Spring- field. She died May 8, 1688. The nine children of William Clark were all born to his first wife, seventh among them being his son John, who was born at Dor- chester, Massachusetts, in 1651, and died at Northampton, September (or Novem- ber) 3. 1684. John Clark was elected deacon of the Northampton church in 1691 ; was sergeant of the military com- pany ; deputy to the General Court for
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fourteen sessions after 1699; and died "of fatigue and a cold taken in a violent snow storm, on returning from Boston in 1704," at Windsor, Connecticut. He married, July 12, 1677, Rebecca, daughter of Thomas Cooper, of Springfield, and, in the year following that of her demise, married, on March 20, 1679, Mary, the thirteenth child of Elder John Strong. Lieutenant Ebenezer Clark, son of Deacon John and Mary (Strong) Clark, was born at Northampton, October 18, 1683 ; became lieutenant of the Northamp- ton company, and attained prominence in the local administration. He was elected selectman in 1731, and lived to be nearly one hundred years old, and father of eight children by his wife, Abigail Par- sons, of Springfield, whom he married in 1712. His second son, Ezra, was born in Northampton in 1716, and had an event- ful life. From the first alarm in August, 1777, Ezra Clark gave national military service during the Revolution. Prior to that, he had entered actively into public affairs, and had occupied many town and Colonial offices ; was delegate from Northampton to the Congress at Stock- bridge, September 22, 1774; was member of the committee of inspection in 1774-75 ; was member of the Committee of Safety, and a selectman in 1776; and generally was esteemed in his community. Among his ten children was Jonas, who was born in Northampton in 1751, and who, with his father and brothers, served the nation during the Revolution, his service being of particular note, in that he was present at the battle of Bunker Hill. Eventually Jonas Clark, having inherited the ances- tral homestead, applied himself to the responsibilities of its upkeep. His son, Ezra (2), was born in Northampton, but when a man removed to Brattleboro, Ver- mont, where he became a druggist, and gained the courtesy title of "doctor."
Eleven years later, in 1820, he sold his drug business and removed to Hartford, Connecticut, where he acquired a part- nership in the firm of David Watkinson & Company, iron and steel merchants and manufacturers. He prospered in that con- nection, and in course of time became principal member of the firm. With expan- sion and time came many changes in the constitution of the firm, with correspond- ing changes in name, successively as Clark, Gill & Company, Ezra Clark & Company, Clark & Company, and, finally, L. L. Ensworth & Company. Ezra (2) Clark married Laura Hunt, and their third son, Ezra (3), who was born on September 12, 1813, in Brattleboro, Ver- mont, was eventually admitted to the firm of which his father had become principal owner, the admission being the cause of the first change in the firm name from that of David Watkinson & Com- pany to that of Clark, Gill & Company. A period of serious trade depression in 1857 brought financial disaster to Ezra Clark, Jr. However, in course of time, he returned to Hartford, and redeemed every legitimate liability in full. A man of convincing presence and strong per- sonality, he became a director of the Ex- change Bank, and president of the Na- tional Screw Company of Hartford, which corporation later consolidated with the American Screw Company, of Providence, Rhode Island. In public activities he took prominent part ; was at one time a member of the Common Council of Hart- ford, advancing to the Board of Alder- men, and subsequently was appointed judge of the city court. He held numer- ous other offices of importance in Hart- ford affairs, and came into National and State distinction as representative from the Hartford Congressional District to the National House of Representatives. He was elected to the Thirty-fourth
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United States Congress, and reëlected to the Thirty-fifth. In local administrative office he, as president of the Hartford Water Board, was responsible for the establishment of the greater part of the original system of water works of the city, and later of the West Hampden reservoirs. He also laid out Reservoir Park, connecting the several reservoirs of the city by a picturesque driveway through the woods. The large Tumble- down Brook Reservoir was planned and built under his supervision. He also for many years was president of the Young Men's Institute of Hartford. On October 14, 1841, he married Mary, daughter of Daniel P. and Mary (Whiting) Hopkins, of Hartford, and their older son was Charles Hopkins Clark, of whom further. The Hon. Ezra (3) Clark died at Hart- ford, on September 26, 1896, and his wife, Mary (Hopkins) Clark, on May 28, 1866.
Charles Hopkins Clark, son of the Hon. Ezra (3) and Mary (Hopkins) Clark, was born in Hartford, on April 1, 1848. His primary education was obtained in the public schools of Hartford, and at the Free Academy in New York. Later, he attended the Hartford F Public High School, from which he was graduated in the class of 1867. He then proceeded to Yale College, graduating in 1871. Appar- ently he had decided to enter upon a journalistic career, for very soon after leaving Yale he joined the staff of the "Hartford Courant," known as "the old- est newspaper of continuous publication in the country." With that journal he has since held close and responsible con- nection. He did good work, and steadily advanced in the esteem of his employers, Hawley, Goodrich & Company ; so much so that in 1887 he was admitted to the firm, and, when it took corporate powers as the "Hartford Courant Company," he was chosen secretary. After the death
of Stephen A. Hubbard, for many years managing editor of "The Courant," Mr. Clark became editor-in-chief of that in- fluential and widely-circulated journal. The editorial direction of that important organ of Republicanism has since re- mained with him. The paper's policies, which of course are in the main his own, give indication of his broad conception of responsible government, and of his readi- ness and ability to act forcefully when necessary in the public interest. Mr. Clark, while in service of "The Courant," worked under distinguished men, among them Charles Dudley Warner and United States Senator Joseph R. Hawley, who were part owners of the newspaper. Later, when he became president, General Arthur L. Goodrich was made treasurer, and Frank S. Carey, secretary. A genea- logical sketch of the Clark family written for and included in the "Genealogical and Family History of the State of Connec- ticut" (Lewis Historical Publishing Com- pany, 1911) records the following regard- ing Charles Hopkins Clark and the Hart- ford "Courant :"
Under the administration of Mr. Clark, the newspaper has gained in prestige and influence, even as it has grown in circulation. Its plant has more than kept pace with the progress of the art of printing and the enlargement of the scope and
usefulness of the modern daily newspaper
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It is one of the few newspapers that have been likened to the Bible in the confidence accorded by its readers, and in hundred of families this news- paper has been a regular and welcome visitor, generation after generation.
In Volume I, page 233, of "Men of Mark in Connecticut" (1906), is a bio- graphical sketch of Mr. Clark, edited by the late Samuel Hart, D. D., president of the Connecticut Historical Society; it opens :
Personal accomplishment is one measure of a man's life. The influencing of others to achieve-
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ment is another, hardly secondary, and if in fact less appreciated, it is because it is not always fur- nished by those influenced, and is of itself more difficult of apprehension by the world at large. Both measures are invited by the life of Charles Hopkins Clark. of Hartford. And one is as readily applied by the reviewer as the other, since the result of his endeavor with and through others is as clear to the public mind as is his one "life work," the editorship of the Hartford "Courant." As editor of such a journal, through a consider- able period of years, he naturally would have great influence in a wide circle of most intelligent readers; that is the function of every worthy editor, and that-the public has often learned- is what Mr. Clark prizes above all other honors. But there is another source and method of his in- fluence, as of his achievement, and that is to be found in the versatility of his genius, his quick grasp of a situation in its entirety, his frankness and keenness as an adviser. The question put, the answer comes like a flash, sometimes convulsing one with its wit, but always unerringly straight to the point.
Among the noteworthy public activities of Mr. Clark may be stated the following : He was a delegate to the Connecticut Constitutional Convention in 1901 ; prior to that "his business acumen had been requisitioned by the State when the Tax Commission made its exhaustive investi- gation and published its valuable report ;" he was a member of Secretary (later President) Taft's party in the expedition to the Philippines, in 1905. And in execu- tive capacity, he is identified with the following: The Associated Press, direc- tor ; the Connecticut Mutual Life Insur- ance Company, director ; the Phoenix Fire Insurance Company, director ; Wads- worth Atheneum and Watkinson Library, Hartford, treasurer ; the Collins Company, vice-president : the State Reformatory, director ; and with several other institu- tions.
In 1910 Mr. Clark was elected to a fellowship of the Corporation of Yale University, and at that time Trinity Col- lege conferred on him the degree of L. H.
D. He has membership in the Univer- sity, Century, and Yale clubs of New York, in the Hartford Club, and the Graduates' Club, of New Haven, and others. He is a member of the Asylum Hill Congregational Church.
In December, 1873. Charles Hopkins Clark married Ellen, daughter of Elisha K. and Matilda (Colt) Root, the former prominent in Connecticut industrial circles in his capacity of president of the Colt Firearms Company. Mrs. Ellen (Root) Clark was born November 6, 1850, and died February 28, 1895. About five years later, in November, 1899, Mr. Clark married Matilda C. Root, sister of his first wife. To his first wife were born two children: 1. Horace Bushnell, who was born June 22, 1875; graduated at Yale in 1898; became associated in editor- ial capacity with his father, being now secretary of the "Courant," and has taken good part in the public activities of Hartford, coming into public note as the president of the Hartford Board of Fire Commissioners. 2. Mary, who was born May 13, 1878, and married Henry K. W. Welch.
HATCH, Edward Buckingham,
Man of Affairs.
Edward Buckingham Hatch, one of the representative business men of Hartford, attaining his present high position by the exercise of industry, perseverance, ability and aptitude for detail, is a descendant of a family that has for several gener- ations been prominently identified with the general business interests of the com- munities wherein they resided. For many years the name has been esteemed and honored in the State of Connecticut, and closely associated with straightfor- ward methods and all that is character- istic of honorable industry.
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Edward Buckingham Hatch is of the eighth American generation, a lineal de- scendant of Nathaniel Hatch, who came to this country from England in 1635 and settled at Falmouth, Massachusetts. His son, Zephaniah Hatch, was a sea captain, and the founder of the Connecticut branch of the family, residing at Guilford. His son, Major Timothy Hatch, enlisted in the Revolutionary army when a mere lad, was taken prisoner at White Plains, was a major of the Connecticut State militia after the war, and in 1804 settled in Hartford, Connecticut. His son, Tim- othy Linus Hatch, was a man of sub- stance, active in the affairs of the com- munity. His son, Walter S. Hatch, was also identified with the varied interests of the section wherein he made his home. His son, George E. Hatch, was a mer- chant of Hartford, and a prominent citi- zen. He married, June 4, 1855, Laura Stanley Stiles, and they were the parents of Edward Buckingham Hatch, of this review. Mrs. Hatch died March 14, 1870.
The Stiles family is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and resided in the southeastern part of England long before the Con- quest. The family coat-of-arms is as follows: Sable, a fesse engrailed, fretty of the field or and sable, between three fluers-de-lis or and a border, or. John Stiles, the immigrant ancestor, was bap- tized in St. Michael's Church, Milbroke, Bedfordshire, England, December 25, 1595. He married Rachel -, in Eng- land, and came to America in 1634, and was forty years of age when he settled in Windsor, Connecticut, where he died, June 4, 1662-63, aged sixty-seven years, and his widow died September 3, 1674. Their son, John Stiles, was born in Eng- land about 1633, died December 8, 1683. He settled at Windsor, Connecticut. He married Dorcas, daughter of Henry Beers, of Springfield, Massachusetts, October 28,
1658. She was born in 1638. Their son, John Stiles, was born December 10, 1665, died May 20, 1753. He settled at Wind- sor, Connecticut, and was the first of the name to settle on the east side of the Great River, then known as Windsor Farms; that was probably in 1699 or 1700. His first wife was Ruth, daughter of Samuel Bancroft, of Westfield, Massa- chusetts, who died in 1714. Their son, the Rev. Isaac Stiles, was born at East Windsor, Connecticut, July 30, 1697, O. S. He worked as a weaver until he was nearly twenty years of age. He then prepared for Yale under a private tutor, was graduated Bachelor of Arts in 1725, and was given the Master of Arts degree, being the first of the name and blood in America who had a liberal education. He was a good classical scholar, especially in Latin, and gave considerable attention to the study of oratory and the Bible all his life; his valedictory oration made in 1722 is a piece of elegant Latin. After his graduation he studied theology for a time, preached for a short time in the "Jerseys," returned-to New England, and conducted a school at Westfield, Massa- chusetts, also preaching there on proba- tion. While a resident of that place he married Keziah, daughter of the Rev. Edward Taylor. He was ordained, No- vember II, 1724, at what is now North Haven. He is thus described by his son, President Stiles: "He was of above medium stature (the largest of the fam- ily) upright, alert and active, unbowed to the day of his death. Had a small pierc- ing black eye, which at times he filled with flame and vengeance. Quick in his temper and passionate to the last degree. On occasion none could be more cheerful and merry in company, but when alone, or with his family only, he was gloomy or perpetually repining. His discourses were in the declamatory way. None could give
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more animated descriptions of Heaven and Hell, the joys of the one and the damnation of the other." He was of a very high strung temperament, very changeable in his moods, passing quickly from one extreme of pleasurable emotion and cordial sociability to the other of petulance and taciturnity. This was largely due to a physical constitution none too robust. He was a celebrated preacher, a powerful controversialist and one of the most influential clergymen of his time. In public ecclesiastical affairs of the colony of Connecticut he was much en- gaged and esteemed for his sound views and judgment. In October, 1728, he mar- ried for his second wife, from whom Ed- ward B. Hatch is descended, Esther, daughter of Samuel Hooker, Jr., of Farm- ington, Connecticut. He died May 14, 1760, in the thirty-sixth year of his minis- try, and his widow died January 2, 1779, aged seventy-seven years. Their son, Ashbel Stiles, was born at North Haven, Connecticut, September 11, 1735, died at Huntington, in October, 1810. He inher- ited the family mansion and a comfort- able property, but lost all through endors- ing a note for a friend. He removed from New Haven to Windsor, and then to what is now Huntington, Massachusetts. He served in the Revolutionary War, and was at Horse Neck from May, 1781, to March, 1782. In February, 1759, he mar- ried his cousin, Hannah, daughter of Lieutenant Samuel Stiles, of Windsor. She died one month before her husband. Their son, Samuel Stiles, was born De- cember 3, 1762, died at Windsor, October 15. 1826. He lived at Northampton, Mas- sachusetts, Windsor, Connecticut, Ches- ter, Massachusetts, and returned to Wind- sor. He served as a private in a Windsor company in the War of 1812, and was at Fort Trumbull in February, 1813. He married, in 1787, Hannah Ellsworth, of Windsor, Connecticut, and she died at
Chicopee, Massachusetts, January 12, 1828. Their son, Benjamin Stiles, born at Chester, Massachusetts, August 3, 1799, married Mehitable Booth, born January 13. 1790, daughter of Nathan and Fanny Booth, and they were the parents of Laura Stanley (Stiles) Hatch, aforemen- tioned.
Edward Buckingham Hatch was born in Hartford, Connecticut, December 20, 1861. He completed the courses of study in the public school, then attended the high school, after which he entered Trin- ity College in 1882 and was graduated Bachelor of Arts, class of 1886. He then entered the employ of the Johns-Pratt Company, then recently formed by Henry W. Johns, of New York, president, in association with Rufus N. Pratt, of Hart- ford, secretary. The company, capitalized at $100,000, began business in 1886 as manufacturers of "Vulcabeston" packings and electrical insulating materials. Mr. Hatch began in the capacity of clerk, but quickly began to ascend the ladder of promotion. He applied himself assidu- ously to the task in hand, filling each posi- tion so well that he was soon called to a higher one. The company expanded rapidly and in 1892 increased their capital, taking on new lines of manufacture. In 1893 Mr. Hatch was elected secretary and manager of the company, thus becoming a much more important factor in the man- agement. In 1898 the manufacture of "Noark" fuses and electric protective de- vices was begun, and in the same year Mr. Hatch was elected president and treasurer. From that time he has been the executive head, and to his ability, judgment, progressive spirit and energy the growth and prosperity of the company is largely due. In 1905 the capital stock was doubled and facilities for manufac- ture and distribution largely increased. In addition to their line of "Vulcabeston" packings, which include all classes of
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engine room packings, the company manufactures a variety of electric protec- tive devices, etc., their patents covering a wide range. The H. W. Johns-Manville Company of New Jersey are sole selling agents, and through the many branches maintained by that company the special- ties manufactured by the Johns-Pratt Company are distributed to the world.
Mr. Hatch has grown and expanded in executive and managerial strength as greater responsibilities have been imposed and is one of the strong men of the city. He is a director of the Hartford Aetna National Bank, the Dime Savings Bank, the Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company, and has other busi- ness interests. He is a trustee of the Colt Bequest, in charge of the large estate left by Samuel Colt and his widow, and is a trustee of Trinity College, his alma mater. He is a director of the Holyoke Water Power Company, the Standard Fire In- surance Company of Hartford, and the Hartford County Mutual Fire Insurance Company.
Mr. Hatch is a warden of Trinity Prot- estant Episcopal Church, and in politics a Republican. His fraternal connection is with the Masonic order as a member of St. John's Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons: Pythagoras Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Wolcott Coun- ci!, Royal and Select Masters ; Washing- ton Commandery, Knights Templar ; and Sphinx Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. His college fraternity is Alpha Delta Phi, his clubs, the Hartford, Hartford Golf, Farmington Country, Twentieth Century, Republican, University, Church of Connecticut, and Alpha Delta Phi of New York. In early life he gave five years' service in the Con- necticut National Guard, as a member of Company K, First Regiment.
Mr. Hatch married, at Hartford, Sep-
tember 12, 1889, Georgia, daughter of George W. Watson, of Hartford. Chil- dren: Helen, James Watson, Edward Watson.
HUNT, Henry H.,
Attorney.
A descendant of Governor John Web- ster, of Connecticut, and other worthy pioneers of New England, Mr. Hunt has manifested the traits which are naturally inherent in most of the descendants of such ancestors. The Hunt family is a very ancient one, beginning with John Hunt, who came late in life to Connec- ticut, and died before 1659. He married, ir England, Mary Webster, probably eld- est daughter and perhaps eldest child of Governor John and Agnes Webster of Warwickshire, England. About 1633, John Webster came to Cambridge, Mas- sachusetts, and was a member of Rev. Thomas Hooker's company which settled Hartford three years later. After filling many official stations of importance in the colony, he was elected Governor in 1656, and served for several years in that capacity.
Deacon Jonathan Hunt, son of John and Mary (Webster) Hunt, was born about 1637, in Sudburrow Thrapstone, North- amptonshire, England, and came to Con- necticut in 1658. He was a malster by occupation ; removed about 1660 to North- ampton, Massachusetts, where he was made freeman of the Massachusetts colony in 1662 ; was deacon from 1680 to 1691 ; representative, 1690; and died Sep- tember 29, 1691. He married, September 3 1662, Clemence Hosmer, born about 1642, daughter of Thomas Hosmer, who was in Cambridge as early as 1632, made freeman May 6. 1635, was among the first settlers of Hartford, where he served as constable, selectman, representative and died leaving a good estate.
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Ebenezer Hunt, fifth son of Deacon Jonathan, was born February 5, 1675, in Northampton, and about 1723 settled at Lebanon, Connecticut, where he died February 23, 1743. He married, May 27, 1698, Hannah Clark, born May 5, 1681, died June 10, 1758, daughter of William and Hannah (Strong) Clark, of North- ampton, the latter a daughter of Elder John Strong, a prominent New England pioneer, who left a numerous prodigy.
William Hunt, third son of Ebenezer and Hannah (Clark) Hunt, was born Oc- tober 12, 1705, in Lebanon, and lived in Lebanon Crank, now the town of Co- lumbia. He married, in 1734, Sarah Ly- man, who was born January 24, 1713, died 1746, daughter of Lieutenant Jonathan and Lydia Loomis Lyman, of Lebanon. Their fifth son was Eldad Hunt, born October 21, 1742, in Lebanon, lived in Columbia, and died 1822. He married, December 9, 1778, Hulda Benton, born July 15, 1752, died April 24, 1814. Her seventh son was Dr. Orrin Hunt, born January 12, 1793, in Columbia, a very suc- cessful physician, a man of high Chris- tian character, sympathetic nature, and widely beloved and esteemed both as a physician and citizen. After passing several years in Bolton, he removed to Glastonbury, but returned to Bolton and died there August 24, 1850. He read medicine under Dr. Fuller, of Columbia, and was among the most capable and skillful physicians in his day. He mar- ried (first) Louisa Little, who died April 14, 1824; married (second) September TI, 1826, Adeline Cone, who was born in February, 1803. She was the mother of Henry Hale Hunt, who was born about 1827, and lived in Glastonbury, then moved to Clinton, Connecticut, where he engaged in paper manufacturing, he died in Vernon, Connecticut, in 1911. He married, in 1849, Charlotte N. House.
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