USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 4 > Part 17
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perfected the means by which any one can produce it ! This magnificent faculty, which means so much to every man or woman lacking musical genius and educa- tion, has been conferred upon universal mankind by Mr. H. K. White, his sons and grandsons, in the conception and perfection of the Angelus, by which everyone, from the child of three years to the musical artist, can play the piano with perfect technique and expression, limited only by the power of the player to feel the music being played. * * * The Angelus holds its position of pre- eminence because it is an original inven- tion, whose inventors still live-father, son, grandson-all of unquestioned mus- ical genius, still adding constantly to its powers, making it more human in its possibilities, more artistic in its wonder- ful effects. The imitator who must ferret his way around patent laws is naturally handicapped and his machine is merely mechanical. The Angelus alone gives soul to the music. Dominant, live, ener- getic, ambitious, capable genius makes the Angelus, to-day as ever, the pre- eminent and incomparable piano-player."
James Henry White is not only suc- cessful as a business man, but is also active in promoting the best interests of his home city, where he is popular and his worth highly appreciated. He is in- terested in several important enterprises of the city aside from the Wilcox & White Company; is a director of the Home National Bank, City Savings Bank, Meriden Trust and Safe Deposit Company, and the Connecticut Telephone & Electric Company. An active member of the Congregational church, he has long served that body as a trustee; is a member of the Highland Country Club and the Home Club, and a sincere sup- porter of Republican principles and poli- cies in public affairs. He has never
sought for political preferment for him- self, but has served as councilman from the Fifth Ward of Meriden as one of the duties of a good citizen. Wherever mus- ical instruments are known, used and en- joyed, the name of Mr. White is a fam- iliar one. He married, December 1, 1868, Kate Cheney, of Brattleboro, Vermont, born March 3, 1848, daughter of Samuel T. R. and Martha (Brown) Cheney, of that city. They have children as fol- lows: 1. Frank Cornwell, born October 28, 1870. in Brattleboro; was educated in the public schools of that city, and is now vice-president and mechanical super- intendent of the Wilcox & White Com- pany, and is the author of various impor- tant improvements in the Angelus; he married, December 19, 1893, Charlotte Foster, daughter of Henry Foster, of Meriden, and has children: Ruth, born February 3, 1896, married, April 18, 1917, Frederic Parkman Warfield, of New York City: Henry Foster, born July 23, 1897; Frank Cornwell, Jr., born Decem- ber 22, 1908. 2. Grace Ella, born Janu- ary 26, 1874 ; was married, April 28, 1906, to Edward C. Goodwin, librarian of the United States Senate at Washington, D. C. 3. Flora May, born December 29, 1876; was married, June 15, 1904, to Harry H. Smith, son of Philip Smith, of Meriden ; they have a son, Philip Hunt- ingdon Smith, born August 3, 1905.
Edward H. White, inventor of the An- gelus, son of Henry Kirke White (Strong) and Lucy (Cornwell) White, was born April 5, 1855, in Washington, New Jersey, and died September 15, 1899, in Meriden. From the time his father removed to Brattleboro, Vermont, the son was closely associated with him, and when the Wilcox & White Organ Com- pany was established at Meriden, he su- perintended the tuning and voicing of the instruments. The original inventor of the
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Angelus, he is justly entitled to a place among the great originators of the cen- tury. Ile was secretary and superin- tendent of the Meriden establishment, a man of domestic habits, devoted to his home, kind and considerate to employes, of a thoroughly lovable and attractive personality, a Republican in politics. He married, November 18. 1885, Mary, daughter of Bela and Mary Ellen Carter, who survives him, and has devoted her life to carrying out the benevolent and charitable work undertaken jointly by herself and husband. They had one child: Allan Hubbard.
Howard White, youngest son of Henry Kirke White, was born September 9, 1856. in Somerville, New Jersey, and died in Meriden, December 9, 1897. His educa- tion and training were similar to those of his brothers, and he was active in the de- velopment of the Wilcox & White Organ Company. He was instrumental in the improvement of the Symphony and An- gelus, was a well known and valued citi- zen of Meriden, a social favorite, and gen- erous to the poor and unfortunate. He was a member of the Home Club, and an earnest supporter of the Republican party in politics. He married, in 1880, Flora A., daughter of Russell J. Ives, of Meri- den, and they had two sons: Russell S. and Stanley Butler, both of whom are connected with the business of the Wil- cox & White Comany.
CORNING, Henry Franklin, Business Man.
The career of Henry Franklin Corning sets at naught the old adage that a prophet is never without honor save in his own country, for in Hartford, the city of his birth, Mr. Corning has attained high rank among business men and a reputation to be envied. He has based his business
principles and conduct upon strict adher- ence to the rules which govern industry, economy and strict, unswerving integrity. He is in full sympathy with all the great movements of the world about him and watches the progress of events with the keenest interest ; is a generous friend and a warm advocate of those who are battling for right and of principles and policies for the public good.
The maternal grandfather, Ralph Good- win, was a resident of Hartford, Connec- ticut. Ile learned the silver plating trade in the days of close plating, the process being as follows: The iron work was filed smooth ; it was then tinned and brushed very smooth and then two sheets of silver were put on with the soldering iron ; then the article plated in this manner was dressed off with leathers and cloths. These old cloths were saved when they had served their purpose, the accumula- tion was burned and the value of the sil- ver recovered in this way amounted to eighty or ninety dollars per barrel of cloths. In those days they rolled their own silver. The business was originally located in a cellar on Church street, but after a few years it was removed to Kings- ley street, from there to Central row and from there to Main street opposite Grove street. At one time Mr. Goodwin had twenty close platers at work, the profit from each worker amounting to about five dollars per day. This was the beginning of the business now known as H. F. Corning & Company, formerly Corning Brothers.
Henry Corning, Jr., father of Henry Franklin Corning, was born in Hartford, Connecticut, August 12, 1818, and died in January, 1904, attaining the great age of eighty-six years. After completing his studies in the schools of Hartford, he en- gaged in the dry goods business in New York City and so continued for fourteen
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years. In 1858 he entered into business relations with his brother, Franklin Corn- ing, and they were admitted to partner- ship in the father's business, which at that time was strictly silver plating, but short- ly afterward they added carriage supplies, leathers, etc., conducting a jobbing busi- ness, handling coach and saddlery hard- ware. About the year 1877 they began making harness, and also began to add trunks and bags to their stock, and ten years later they also added to their stock small leather goods, such as pocket books, card cases, etc., for which they found a ready sale. Their harness trade increased to such large proportions that it became necessary to keep three men constantly on the road. Henry Corning, Jr., continued a member of the firm until February, 1900, when weight of years compelled him to withdraw, he being then eighty-two years of age. He was an excellent business man, upright and honorable, conducting his business upon a high plane. He was a Democrat in politics, served for several years as a member of the Common Coun- cil, served as police commissioner, was a candidate for the offices of city and town collector against Mr. Strong, and took an active part in every movement for the advancement of his native city. He was for many years senior warden of St. John's and Trinity Protestant Episcopal churches. Mr. Corning married, at Christ Church, Hartford, May 4, 1847, Mary Jane Goodwin, daughter of Ralph Goodwin, of ancient New England family, aforemen- tioned. They were the parents of four children : Henry Franklin, of whom fur- ther ; Jennie, died in childhood; Mary Elizabeth Kappell; Caroline Goodwin, died in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1892. Mrs. Corning was a descendant of the well known Goodwin family, and her uncle on the maternal side, Eben Spear, was a ship carpenter and made a cane from a
piece of timber taken from the old ship, "Constitution," when it was brought into New London for repairs. He cut the original timber and from that made the cane which is now in the possession of Henry Franklin Corning. He said it was so saturated with salt water that it was the hardest piece of wood he ever at- tempted to polish. He gave it to Ralph Goodwin, aforementioned, who had a gold head put on it. Henry Franklin Corning also has another cane made by his grand- father, Ralph Goodwin, which was given by the maker of it to his father, Moses Goodwin.
Henry Franklin Corning was born in Hartford, Connecticut, July 28, 1849. He attended the public schools of his native city, and completed his education in board- ing schools at Windham and Cheshire, Connecticut. He began business life on February 22, 1865, as clerk in the leather goods store of Corning Brothers, having previously served in that capacity during his school vacation in the year 1864. He received for his services for the first year $150, the second $175 and the third $200. He has never been engaged in any other line of business nor connected with any other enterprise than the one he entered as a lad of sixteen, more than half a cen- tury ago. Nine years after becoming a clerk he was admitted as a partner, and from that year, 1874, the firm name has been H. F. Corning & Company, Mr. Corning for many years having been senior member and controlling head. For more than sixty years the store has been located at No. 83 Asylum street, and the stock carried comprises a complete line of horse goods, trunks, bags, pocket books and leather findings. The customers of the store are legion, many of them having dealt there all their lives, succeeding their fathers and their grandfathers as patrons. The principles upon which the business
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was founded have been strictly adhered to by each succeeding owner, fair and lionorable dealing coupled with wise busi- ness management winning and holding public approval. Mr. Corning is a mem- ber of the Chamber of Commerce, the So- ciety of Founders and Patriots, the City Club, and Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church.
Mr. Corning married, November 12, 1873, in Trinity Church, Hartford, Con- necticut, Mary Ellen Keney, daughter of Aaron Keney, of Hartford.
BUCKINGHAM, Charles Booth, Manufacturer, Merchant.
As president of N. Buckingham & Com- pany (Inc.), manufacturers and dealers in furniture, Mr. Buckingham occupies a position in the business life of Bridge- port formerly filled by his honored father, Nathan Buckingham, who when his son was sixteen years of age made him his business associate. He is a descendant of Thomas Buckingham, the Puritan, who arrived from England, June 26, 1637, and on March 30. 1638, settled in New Haven, removing to Milford, Connecticut, in 1639. He was one of the seven charter members oi the church organized at New Haven, August 22, 1639, and his name is fifth in a list of the "Free Planters" of Milford. November 29. 1639. His son, Rev. Thom- as Buckingham, was ordained in 1670, but in 1665 had begun preaching in Saybrook, Connecticut, and was pastor of the Say- brook Church until his death, April 1, 1709. He was also one of the founders of Yale College and a fellow from 1700. On the maternal side, Charles Booth Buck- ingham traces descent from Richard Booth, who came from England to Strat- ford. Connecticut, in 1640.
Charles Booth Buckingham was born in Bridgeport. Connecticut, September 20,
1847, son of Nathan and Mary (Booth) Buckingham, his father a manufacturer of Bridgeport. He was educated in the city public schools and until sixteen attended Strong's Military School, leaving to enter the employ of his father. From that time until the present he has been connected with the business, having begun at the bottom in the factory and worked his way to the topmost round. There is no detail of factory, store or office with which he is not personally familiar, and as president of N. Buckingham & Company (Inc.) he is at the head of an important business enterprise. The company are manufac- turers and dealers in furniture and under- taker's supplies, transact a large business and are rated among the foremost houses of the city in their line. Mr. Buckingham is also treasurer of the company, trustee of the City Savings Bank, member of the Board of Trade and of the Business Men's Association. He is a man of energy and sterling worth, upright and honorable in all his dealings and highly esteemed.
Through his patriotic ancestry he gained admission to the Sons of the American Revolution, was a member of the State Board for six years, and in 1905- 06 was president of General Silliman Chapter of the order. He is also a mem- ber of the Society of Patriots and Foun- ders; Arcanum Lodge, Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows : and the Seaside Club. He is a Republican in politics, and in re- ligious belief a Universalist. During his younger years he rendered five years of military service in the Connecticut Na- tional Guard.
Mr. Buckingham married (first) in March. 1875. Justine H. Bellows, who died in September, 1905. leaving two sons, Nathan C. and Earl M. Buckingham. He married (second) January 1. 1908, Chris- tine S. Gillette, a native of Milford. Con- necticut.
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GROZIER, James H.,
Builder and Contractor.
It has now been nearly thirty years since Mr. Grozier first located in Holyoke, Mas- sachusetts, later coming to New Britain, Connecticut, where he superintended the erection of the First Methodist Church, also the railroad station arcade. He then removed to Hartford, a city in which he has erected many important edifices and beautiful houses which may be regarded as monuments to his skill as a builder and to his reliability as a contractor. Nearly a quarter of a century has elapsed since he began contracting in a small way, but his strict fulfillment of every contract, his conscientious regard for every detail and l:is manifest intention to pursue a policy of fair dealing, won him public confidence and enviable reputation. When his busi- ness became so extensive that greater capital and managerial force became a necessity, he incorporated as the J. H. Grozier Company, of which he is presi- dent and treasurer, thus adding to his staff of assistants men with a financial interest in the success of the business. He is a son of Alexander and Margaret (Hamilton) Grozier, of Linlithgow, Scot- land, and grandson of James Grozier, of Linlithgow, a custom shoemaker, the Gro- ziers an old Linlithgow, West Lothian, family. Alexander Grozier was a con- tractor and builder and taught his son his trade and business.
James H. Grozier was born in Stirling- shire, Scotland, and there was educated. He learned his trade under his capable father in Linlithgow Bridge, and remained in his employ until coming to the United States in 1888. He went direct to Hol- yoke, Massachusetts, upon his arrival and worked at his trade one year before going to New Britain, Connecticut, where he remained three years. In 1892 he perma-
hently settled in Hartford and a little later began business as a contractor and builder. With a thorough technical knowledge of building construction, strong native busi- ness ability and a well fixed principle of square dealing, there is little wonder that the business he so quietly and unostenta- tiously launched soon began taking on the dignity of an established enterprise. As completed contracts became his refer- ences, business increased, his force of workmen doubled, trebled and quad- rupled, and in course of time there were few important contracts awarded in Hart- ford upon which he was not invited to estimate and bid. He remained in sole control of his large business until 1910, when it so far outgrew the ability of one man to manage its many details that he organized a stock company and incorpo- rated it as the J. H. Grozier Company, general builders and contractors. He was chosen president and treasurer of the com- pany, and with the enlarged opportunities of a corporation he has broadened his lines and increased his business. Among the many contracts of importance Mr. Grozier has fulfilled to the perfect satisfaction of municipality and owners, the following show the scope of his work and the char- acter of those who entrust him with their property interests. He built the second section of the Hartford High School, Brown School Annex, Washington Street School, Manchester High School, Bloom- field Center School, Hockanum School, Burnside School, Bloomfield Town Hall, Hartford Hospital Addition, Institute for the Blind for the State of Connecticut, the spire of Trinity Episcopal Church, and was one of the contractors on the beauti- ful Prospect avenue house of Colonel C. L. F. Robinson. The industrial buildings he erected include the new addition to the Underwood Typewriter Company's plant, Whitney Manufacturing Company, Lan-
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Gers. Frary & Clark addition at New Britain, Peter A. Frassee plant, C. J. Bates factory at Chester, Connecticut ; addition to Billings & Spencer plant, Ilart- ford; additions to the plant of the Colt Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Com- pany, to the Cushman Chuck Company plant, the Hartford Special Machine Com- pany, the Hartford Rubber Works, and many others, including his own beautiful residence at No. 91 Warrenton avenue.
Although essentially a business man and devoted to the interests he so ably manages, Mr. Grozier is a man of social habit and is associated with his fellow- men in fraternity and club. He is a mem- ber of Clan Gordan, No. 19, Order of Scot- tish Clans; Summit Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Thistle Bowl- ing Club; Hartford Lodge, No. 19, Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks ; the Hartford Curling Club, the Hartford Automobile Club, the First Presbyterian Church, Wethersfield Golf Club, Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York, and the Putnam Phalanx of Hart- ford.
He married, in Westbrook, Maine, Margaret McClellan Struthers, born in Glasgow, Scotland, daughter of William Struthers. Mr. and Mrs. Grozier have three children: Margaret S., married William H. Miner ; Alexander Hamil- ton ; Clarence James.
HALL, Russell,
Manufacturer, Wholesale Dealer.
It is the lot of Russell Hall to be blessed with length of years, and few men have to their credit a better life record. From his eighteenth year until his arrival at octogenarian honors he has been engaged in business in Meriden as manufacturer and wholesale dealer in grocer's supplies, with a trade covering a large field, a man of energy and vision, honorable and up-
right in all his dealings, a man at once respected and loved. In his later years the heavier burdens of business manage- ment have been surrendered to younger but capable shoulders, although he pre- serves a deep interest and concern. In direct paternal line he traces descent from John Hall, born in England in 1605, died in Wallingford, Connecticut, in 16,6. Through his mother, Anna G. (Hall) Hall, he also traces to Rev. Samuel Hall and his wife, Anne ( Law) Hall, a daugh- ter of Governor Jonathan Law, of Con- necticut, granddaughter of Rev. Joseph Eliot, and great-granddaughter of John Eliot, the Apostle to the Indians, and of Governor William Brinton, of Rhode Island.
John Hall, the American ancestor, was one of the early settlers of Hartford, Con- necticut, where he was granted six acres in a division of land. He married, in 1641, Jane Wollen, who bore him nine children, all of whom lived to mature years and married.
Thomas Hall, fourth son of John Hall, the founder, was born in New Haven, Connecticut, March 24. 1649, his marriage to Grace Watson being the first to appear in Wallingford records. Their son. Jona- than Hall, died at the age of eighty-one years : his wife, Dinah (Andrews) Hall. whom he married May 12, 1703, survived him to the great age of ninety-nine years. Ezekiel Ilall, son of Jonathan and Dinah (Andrews) Hall, was born at the Hall homestead. May 13. 1719. He married. October 20, 1743. Anna Andrews. Their eldest son. Benajah Hall, was born in that part of Wallingford. now included in the town of Meriden, October 24. 1744. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and a pensioner. He married Ruth Fran- cis. August 19. 1784. and they were the parents of Orrin Hall and grandparents of Russell Hall, of Meriden.
Orrin Hall, eldest son of Benajah Hall,
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Russell Hall
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was born June 5. 1785, grew up at the home farm, but in early manhood became an itinerant merchant, traveling through the towns and villages of Virginia, sell- ing, exchanging and buying after the fashion of the day. That class of mer- chants, known as "tin peddlers," formed an important feature of country life and were welcome guests at the farm houses not alone for the household necessities they brought but for the news they car- ried from the outside world. Later Mr. Hall retired from the "road," returned to Meri- den and thereafter engaged in farming un- til his death, which occurred in July, 1853. He married Anna Guy Hall, of Meriden. They were the parents of : Almon ; Mariette, married Stephen Ives ; Nelson Philo; El- vira, married Silas Ives; Margaret, died aged eighteen; Russell, of further men- tion ; Martha, who died young.
Russell Hall, youngest son of Orrin and Anna Guy (Hall) Hall, was born at the homestead in Meriden, Connecticut, July 26, 1835, and there grew to youthful man- hood, obtaining his education under the instruction of the veteran Meriden teacher, John Atkins. At the age of eighteen years, with a very slender capital, he began manufacturing tinware which he sold to the peddlers. His little venture proved profitable, and after eight years he added to his line of tinware manufacture a line of woodenware, and eventually a full line of grocer's supplies, dealing in wholesale quantities only. His business grew until he became one of the largest dealers in his line in the State, his salesmen cover- ing a large territory. This business built upon quality of goods and upright dealing is a monument to the energy, enterprise and ability of its founder and lifelong manager, who in addition to oversight of manufacturing and selling departments, kept in touch with his customers through- out the entire territory covered by his
salesmen, through regular visits. He be- came well acquainted through these regu- lar visitations and very popular with his many customers, his genial, kindly nature and spirit of fairness winning him the regard of all with whom he came in con- tact, his being one of those rare natures whose good qualities shine brightest where acquaintance is closest, and in both busi- ness and private life he possesses a host of warm friends. In addition to his manu- facturing and wholesale business, Mr. Hall acquired large real estate interests and did much to improve the properties he owned. He was a Democrat for years. but for some years past has been a Re- publican in politics, always taking a deep interest in public affairs, but never desir- ing nor accepting public office. Mr. Hall is a director of the Puritan Trust Com- pany, of Meriden; an attendant of the Baptist church, and liberal supporter of the same.
Mr. Hall married (first) Emily Pres- ton, daughter of Ira Preston. He mar- ried (second) January 28, 1866, Mary E. Baldwin, daughter of Ransom and Sarah (Twiss) Baldwin, granddaughter of James Baldwin, a Revolutionary soldier, son of Moses (2) Baldwin, son of Moses (I) Baldwin, son of James Baldwin, son of Joseph (2) Baldwin, son of Joseph (1) Baldwin, the first of the Baldwin name in Connecticut, his residence beginning in Milford in 1639, he coming from England with his two brothers, Nathaniel and Timothy. Moses (2) Baldwin served in the French and Indian War, while his son James rendered similar service during the Revolution.
Russell and Mary E. (Baldwin) Hall are the parents of six children: Luther Russell, died aged six years ; Irving Bald- win, died aged four years; Lena Augusta, died aged two years; all succumbing to diphtheria in the month of December. 1875 ;
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