USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 4 > Part 2
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Qualities of the brain, strength of character or its lack, and the seeds of genius in an individual, are usually early manifested by their possessor and mark- edly affect the conduct of his career ; but it is seldom that at so early an age as in the case of Dr. Tourtellotte such decided characteristics develop as clearly to indi- cate and point out the future capabilities of the man. He had not terminated his educational course ere it became evident that here was a descendant of the Colo- nial founders possessed of rare mental attributes and intellectual force ; as a boy he was animated by a tireless energy ; unweariedly studious of his country's glorious history, and the achievements of the great departed in this and otlier lands; while in the comtemplation of their lives and labors he resolved upon his own future and an emulation of their high example. Those high standards of conduct which later exemplified and typi- fied his every action then became the self-elected guides of his life ; in the pur- suit of knowledge he never desisted and was even then, as he always remained, a student and profound observer of men, of things, and of events.
Prior to entering upon the study of that profession of which he was to be- come so distinguished a member, Dr. Tourtellotte's superior abilities, in an educational capacity, were availed of as teacher in the public schools of Ohio, where he gave instruction for about one year, and also as principal of public schools at Oxford and Dudley, Massa-
chusetts. His labors there were, how- ever, but preliminaries to the important tasks of the future. Of all the learned professions open to his selection, Dr. Tourtellotte felt none possessed for him so irresistible an attraction as that of medicine, and having once definitely settled upon his life career, he was not slow to begin work upon the necessary preparation. Selecting as his alma mater the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York, the most famous seat of medical learning in the United States, and which was later amalgamated with Columbia University, he began his studies in the profession of his choice, through his active labors wherein he was to acquire prestige as one of the most able practitioners of his day. He was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1861, at a period when inter- necine warfare was threatening the con- tinuity of those high basic principles, the bulwarks of its greatness, upon which the Republic has been builded ; to Dr. Tour- tellotte, with his strong and active pa- triotism, his love of country, but one course seemed open ; he must enroll him- self a volunteer, for the preservation of an indissoluble nation, and for the exten- sion to those unfortunate beings of an- other race and color, inhabitants within the nation's boundaries, of that heritage of freedom to which his Colonial fore- fathers had made him heir. When, therefore, Dr. Tourtellotte found himself equipped with expert knowledge in med- ical science, he both voluntarily and im- mediately tendered those skilled services for the use of the Federal government ; not for a few brief months to perform the difficult, wearying and unending labors as physician and surgeon, but almost to the close of the war ministering toward the alleviation of the sufferings of the wounded, sick and dying. His profes-
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sional services were availed of in the navy, to which he had been assigned, and his sphere of duty covered service on three different warships. Dr. Tourtel- lotte decided, however, that the termina- tion of hostilities between the North and South should not see the relinquishment of his services on behalf of the govern- ment, where the need of men of his skill and energy was almost as great as there- tofore; his association with the Navy Department was therefore resumed and continued at the close of the war and he performed duty on board the "Nyack" during the period of its voyage to Chilian waters and its station at Valparaiso for three years.
The years which Dr. Tourtellotte thus devoted to service in the navy could not but prove an excellent foundation upon which to build a future career and a most useful experience for those high and creditable purposes to which he had de- termined to dedicate his maturer years; but the plans which he entertained re- ceived a blow so crushing as would, if opposed with less strength of character and determination than his, well nigh have effectuated a lasting detriment to all ambitious hopes. At Chile while ac- tively engaged. a serious impairment of his health occurred-a disorder of the heart, both sudden and dangerous to life, which rendered further service in the navy impossible, and, indeed, presented an apparent impracticability for profes- sional activity in any capacity, while an immediate cessation of the duties of his career became imperative and a return to New York obligatory. It was indeed fortunate for Dr. Tourtellotte that at this most trying hour of his life. he had the comfort and affection of his devoted wife to which to turn in this his "hour of need." Before his departure for Chile, Dr. Tourtellotte had been united in
matrimony with Harriet \. Arnold, who, like him, was a native of the little city of Thompson, and during Dr. Tourtellotte's sojourn in southern waters, Mrs. Tour- tellotte had maintained her residence in New York City. When returning to New York, therefore, Dr. Tourtellotte had the solace of that loving companionship and devotion and care which he enjoyed the remainder of his life, and through which he found. and ever frankly owned, his wife the benefaction of his days. In New York still further discouragement awaited him, for the great physicians of the metropolis assured him with the utmost positiveness that residence in any of the eastern coast states would be accom- panied with fatal results and a choice of a new residence. in some milder and more kindly atmosphere, became to both Dr. Tourtellotte and his wife the urgent question of the hour. In making a decis- ion, however, they fortunately had the advantage of possessing independent for- tunes, and in selecting their future abode and the scene of Dr. Tourtellotte's later distinguished career were unhampered by considerations of monetary expedi- ency.
Thus Dr. Tourtellotte had hardly be- gun to climb the ladder of achievement, when his course seemed stayed indefi- nitely from all further effort or accom- plishment ; but that portion of his career which Dr. Tourtellotte had devoted to his country might be likened to a proba- tive period in the years of his life during which those qualities of steadfastness, persistence, diligent attention to duty and intellectual advancement were all con- stantly exercised, and all cultivated into habit by him. His absorption in his duties with the navy was characteristic of his faithful nature. and in the dedica- tion of his years there he performed with skill, efficiency and reliability the highest
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duties of the citizen. When, therefore, a residence in a new environment became imperative, not only did Dr. Tourtellotte possess a foundation of previous effort and accomplishment upon which to rely, but he could also avail himself of greater treasures than these, superbly endowed mental powers in conjunction with in- domitable energy, determined persever- ance, and an ambition to attain the high- est and greatest good in the world's "broad field of battle," which neither ill- health nor adverse circumstance could overcome and which found him his place in life and held him there.
A brother of Dr. Tourtellotte had some time previously removed to Wisconsin, and his advice strongly influenced Dr. and Mrs. Tourtellotte in the selection they ultimately made of their future home, and thus the year 1870 saw Dr. and Mrs. Tourtellotte domiciled at Winona, Minnesota, in which State for almost half a century he was to be an esteemed and distinguished citizen. The arduous nature of a physician's duties created too great a strain upon his health, but as inaction was impossible to one of his temperament, he determined with the financial resources at the command of himself and his wife to find occupation and a useful purpose for his ensuing years in the career of a private banker in his new home city. The execution of this purpose, from its conception in thought, to fulfillment in actuality and establishment in fact, marked his first entrance into the realm, of business, as differentiated from his former strictly professional activities. To make a be- ginning in a totally new field of endeavor requires initiative power, and to risk a goodly portion of one's financial re- sources, albeit small in comparison with the whole, demands courage of a high order ; of these qualities Dr. Tourtellotte
could boast; and when he took this initial step in the banking field at Winona, he began a career as a financier which was destined to return him both fortune and distinction.
The possession of means alone does not suffice to raise to prominence and position the worthily ambitious from that dead level of the great mass of the people to which all are born; environment, de- clares Emerson, is one of the most diffi- cult things to overcome, and for a man in a new community and handicapped by precarious health, to carve his way in a new enterprise to a place of foremost position among his fellowmen, is an achievement as great as it is difficult ; many have essayed and are essaying it daily, only to fall back, defeated by the hostility of circumstance. For the prob- lems of the financier, Dr. Tourtellotte had long known himself temperamentally fitted, and in the conduct of his business he found opportunity for the exercise of his discriminative opinion, sound judg- ment, and prompt decision. He was eminently successful from the inception of the enterprise, and for over twenty years continued increasingly prominent and prosperous ; his selective judgment in the matter of lending the funds under his control, in making investments, in the management of property, were all of the best, greatly adding to his fortune, and gaining him a reputation as an able and astute financier whose advice was eagerly sought by intending investors. He early perceived the unearned increment lying dormant in Minnesota real estate, and with entire reliance upon the wisdom of his judgment concerning its future im- provement in value, invested largely therein ; to him Winona, the city of his adoption. is indebted in great measure for its prosperous upbuilding : and his management of his own lands and build-
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ings was such as to afford an encourag- ing inducement to residence in Winona on the part of intending settlers; and as he by his activity continued to contribute to the wealth, upbuilding and prosperity of the city, he was repaid by an increase in his properties fitting and commensur- ate to the judgment observed in their selection and the care bestowed in their management. Throughout his career. Dr. Tourtellotte's business operations and dealings were tempered by a fine justice and a spirit of helpfulness to those less fortunate than himself; he was generous of his means, and forbearing and kindly in his relations whether as a landlord to tenants, or as a lender of his funds, and while always exercising a capable business control, yet was never exacting, never impatient, and a firm friend to the needy, to the struggling, honest, business man, the small independ- ent householder or the tenant dweller on his extensive properties. As an exten- sive owner of real estate, he had, per- force. large dealings with a great number and variety of tenants and proved him- self a lenient and just landlord, never dis- possessing an occupant, and earning, in the very many instances where he had extended his generosity, the lasting grati- tude, respect and esteem of those with whom he dealt ; his generous actions to- ward the unfortunate and needy among these tenant dwellers and, indeed. throughout the city and its vicinity, express more loudly than can any words of praise or laudation, the kindly sym- pathy and the gracious Christian charity which radiated from his heart.
Dr. Tourtellotte was endowed with a rare and unusual ability to properly esti- mate current, and the effect of future world events ; he possessed a perspica- cious insight, amounting almost to pre- vision, of the ultimate trend and move-
ment of population and its effect upon localities and property values; he like- wise observed astute cognizance of the intense industrial activity more and more manifest in the interior of our country, and had a courageous confidence in the correctness of his convictions; he had in addition a spirit of enterprise to adven- ture into the new and untried and an enthusiasm tempered by sound, good sense which carried him. past the shoals of disaster. In the conduct of his finan- cial affairs, Dr. Tourtellotte gave his attention to the smallest details and every transaction was conducted with such skill and business acumen as to in- sure a successful outcome ; he possessed a wonderful power to succeed where others failed ; to create prosperity out of apparent failure. His genius for organ- ization was in great measure responsible for this, and he had, too, an instinctive perception of those underlying causes which serve to make a failure of many projects however brilliant in conception. Throughout every act of his business life and every operation in real estate in which he bore a part, Dr. Tourtellotte maintained, not only unblemished, but in- creasingly proven, his character for un- deniable honesty, unswerving integrity and fair dealing.
Dr. and Mrs. Tourtellotte continued their residence in Winona. Minnesota, until 1892. and enjoyed the satisfaction of not only seeing the city grown greatly in population and prosperity but the con- sciousness that they themselves had done much to contribute to its upbuild- ing. The active life which Dr. Tourtel-
lotte led there had been made largely possible by his careful attention to diet- ary rules and the most regular habits. It was, in short, his own force of character which made his work in life possible and his self-reliance sprang from his intel-
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Harriet Arnold Pourtillate
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
lect ; and he possessed in addition a won- derful enthusiasm, without which 110th- ing great in life was ever achieved. These qualities it was which enabled him to succeed in his banking business and in his large real estate operations and in the many different investments which he selected, after the most eminent medical authorities had pronounced upon his health and numbered the sands in his hour glass; and it was these qualities which carried him forward, undaunted in the battle of life.
But not alone to business matters, were the time and attention of Dr. Tourtellotte wholly devoted. He was deeply inter- ested in every movement having for its object the uplift and betterment of the human race ; he was an advocate of civic improvement ; desirous of the extension of educational advantages throughout every part of the country; and actively engaged, so far as his health permitted, in the furtherance of those philanthropic projects which received his approval.
After 1892, Dr. and Mrs. Tourtellotte removed from Winona, that city wherein so many years of usefulness and accom- plishment had been passed by them both ; they then became residents of the beau- tiful western city of Minneapolis, having purchased a handsome mansion in the midst of attractive grounds, in that ex- clusive and beautiful portion of the city which faces Loring Park. This imposing residence, on West Fifteenth street, fac- ing the park, with its exquisite furnish- ings and elegant appointments, continued the home of Dr. and Mrs. Tourtellotte until the death of Dr. Tourtellotte, and since then Mrs. Tourtellotte has contin- ued her home there. In Minneapolis, be- sides their residence, Dr. Tourtellotte ac- quired large holdings of real estate with many fine buildings. all of which by their improvement in value and increase in
revenue, displayed again his keen and wise judgment in the matter of invest- ment. In Minneapolis, Dr. Tourtellotte was a member of Rollins Post, Grand Army of the Republic.
In Mrs. Tourtellotte her husband found a nature strongly sympathetic with his own and possessing a similarity of objec- tive effort, which rendered their joint efforts on the upward path of life a source of joy and happiness to both. In Mrs. Tourtellotte her husband found in all his work, by her sympathetic understanding and wise advice, an encouragement and inspiration to effort. Possessing abilities of a high order, Mrs. Tourtellotte was often able to render valuable assistance to her husband, an assistance to which he ever fondly referred and gratefully testi- fied.
The marriage of Dr. and Mrs. Tour- tellotte occurred on June 26, 1865 ; Mrs. Tourtellotte's maiden name was Harriet A. Arnold, a daughter of William S. Arnold, a wealthy and influential citizen of Thompson, Connecticut (see Arnold).
Mrs. Tourtellotte's generous and warm-hearted nature perhaps is nowhere better displayed than when extending the hospitality of her beautiful home to her kinsmen and friends ; here her grace and charm of manner make her the most de- lightful of hostesses ; her spirit emanates the Christian graces, and many a tired and lonely heart, many a one weary and heavy-laden, has found refreshment and cheer and health and comfort under the roof of the generous host and hostess, Dr. and Mrs. Tourtellotte.
Many projects for charitable relief and philanthropic purposes were conceived and forwarded by Dr. and Mrs. Tourtel- lotte ; deeply interested in educational matters, they undertook and carried to completion the costly and beautiful memorial high school building now
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standing in the city of Thompson, Con- necticut ; the imposing site of the edifice was the choice of Mrs. Tourtellotte; and the handsome building which adorns it, the free gift of Dr. Tourtellotte and his wife, not only enriches the educational facilities of the city and affords an oppor- tunity, in a modern, handsome and com- modious building, for the education of the young people fortunate enough to enjoy its advantages, but it also stands a last- ing monument to its generous donors, who though many years resident in a dis- tant city, did not forget the needs of the inhabitants in their native village. This memorial gift, made in 1910, comprised $100,000 and a $300,000 endowment, and was given in memory of two daughters, Frances Harriet, who died in 1870, and Harriet Frances, who died in 1886.
To attempt to here enumerate all the generous gifts and benefactions conferred by Dr. and Mrs. Tourtellotte upon their native city would be impossible ; in addi- tion to Tourtellotte Memorial High School, their presentation of art objects, paintings and statuary ; their pensions to the worthy aged and infirm, and their gifts to charitable objects, have ever been as unceasing, on the part of both hus- band and wife, as they were unostenta- tious. Since Dr. Tourtellotte's death, Mrs. Tourtellotte has had several costly memorials constructed in his honor both in Minneapolis and elsewhere, all being valuable acquisitions to the communities where they are situated and all breathing that spirit of charity and grace which ever animates Mrs. Tourtellotte as it always did her husband; both of whom joyed in sharing their worldly possess- ions with others less fortunately en- dowed.
In the different communities wherein Mrs. Tourtellotte has passed her life. she
has been an influence for good, and the admired, esteemed and respected friend of rich and poor ; the friend of the suffer- ing and the helping hand of the unfor- tunate : to the fulfillment of a gracious Christian character is added a natural charm of manner; while from her pres- ence there radiates a benignant influence ever arising from that beneficent Chris- tian peace eternally attendant on "good deeds, nobly done."
A review, even in brief outline, of Dr. Tourtellotte's career, displays plainly the unusual qualities of the man. He who had been declared as fitted only for a brief, impotently unoccupied existence upon earth; whose life work was sup- posedly closed to all further effort or accomplishment : and who was believedly condemned to a hopeless contemplation of his rapidly approaching death, by a dauntless spirit supported by unyielding fortitude, gained for himself, in despite of circumstances, a place among the use- ful and effectual things of the earth. The unconquerable determination to go for- ward which animated him, and which same resistless energy led his ancestors to battle with the "Red Man" and the wilderness to gain a foothold and a heri- tage for their descendants, was his by virtue of descent and individual force of character : and be his death near or dis- tant he would be found, valiantly labor- ing onward to the goal of his ambition and undismayed by the approach of death, determined to prove, for whatever span of life the Creator granted him, that his life should know none other than a high and useful purpose. He died at Minneapolis, Minnesota. September II, 1912. Issue of Dr. and Mrs. Tourtellotte : Frances Harriet, died in 1870: Harriet Frances. died in 1886.
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ARNOLD FAMILY,
Prominent in Colonial History.
The family of Arnold and its allied lines bears the distinction of a lineage authentically traceable to a period ante- dating the advent of the Normans in England; that great conquest, the re- nowned Crusades, the terrific wars of the Roses, all were posterior in date of its origin ; drawing its lineage from both a Saxon and a Norman source, its repre- sentatives preserved their station and their patrimony throughout the centuries until all distinction between conqueror and conquered had been completely merged in an undivided mighty nation. Included in the total of its numbers is a roll of names renowned in history's annals as valiant and heroic leaders of men, great dignitaries of church and state, wise statesmen, and the foremost of the notable in military ranks; and whether prince, noble or knight of long- spent generations fought for the Cross in sun-scorched eastern lands, or battled for crown and kingdom in the West, they earned alike a place with those distin- guished few whose deeds the tempering hand of time has chronicled down the ages. In England and in France the lineage is found represented through centuries of epoch-making history, while in America, enrolled within the opening chapters of the nation's history, it stands among the lists of the pioneer "first set- tlers."
(The Ancient Lineage Line of Arnold).
The arms of the Arnold family are as follows: Arms: Sable, a chevron be- tween three dolphins embowed argent. Crest : Out of a ducal coronet an ante- lope's head. Motto: Celeste et profundus.
(I) Ynir, King of Gwentland, A. D. II00, paternally descended from Ynir, second son of Cadwalader, King of the
Britons, builder of Abergavenny, in the county of Monmouth, and its Castle. Married Nesta, daughter of Jestin ap Curgan, King of Glamorgan. The Gla- morgan arms: Gules three chevronels in pale argent. (II) Meiric, King of Gwent- land and Glamorgan, married Elenor, daughter of Onived of Jerworth of the House of Trevor. (III) Ynir Vichen, King of Gwent, married Gladice, daugh- ter of Rees ap Mancnerck, Lord of As- trudyn. (IV) Carador, ap Ynir Vichen, Lord of Gwent, married Nesta, daughter and heir of Sir Rydereck le Gros, Knight. (V) Dyfnwall ap Carador, Lord of Gwent, married Joyes, daughter of Ham- let, son of Sir Druce Drake, of Baladon, in France. Her brother rebuilt the Castle of Abergavenny. (VI) Sylsylth ap Dyfnwall, Lord of Upper Gwent, mar- ried Annest, daughter and heir of Sir Peter Russell, Knight, Lord of Kent- church, in Herefordshire. (VII) Arthur ap Sylsylth, married Jane, daughter of Lein ap Meriedhec Harwin, Lord of Kantrsblyn. (VIII) Meiric ap Arthur, married Annest, daughter of Cradock ap Enon ap Golhroyn. (IX) Gwilliam ap Meiric, married Jane, daughter and co- heir of Ivor ap Syssylth, Lord of Lyhs Tally-bout. (X) Arnholt (Arnold) ap Gwilliam ap Meiric, married Janet, daughter of Philip Fleming, Esquire. (XI) Arnholt (Arnold) ap Arnholt Vichan, married Sybil, daughter of Ma- doc ap Enon ap Thomas. (XII) Roger Arnold of Llanthony in Monmouthshire, Esquire, the first of the family to adopt a surname, married Joan, daughter of Sir Thomas Gamage, Knight, Lord of Coy- tey. (XIII) Thomas Arnold, Esquire, of Llanthony, married Agnes, daughter of Sir Richard Warnestead, Knight. (XIV) Richard Arnold removed into Somerset- shire and resided in the Parish of Street. He married Emmote, daughter and heir-
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ess of Pearce Young, of Damerhan, in Wiltshire. (XV) Richard Arnold re- moved into Dorsetshire and became seated at Bagbere in the Parish of Mid- dleton. He was Lord of the Manor of Bagbere and possessed other estates in that county. His manor house was still standing as late as 1870. His will was dated May 15. 1593, and proved July 9, 1595. He desired to "be buried the Par- ishe Churche of Milton in the He called Jesus Hle as we goe to the Tower." Mar- ried twice. (XVI) Thomas Arnold, of Melcombe Horsey, from whence he re- moved to Cheselbourne. Married (first) Alice, daughter of John Culley, of North Over, in the Parish of Tolpuddle. (XVII) William Arnold, the founder of the family in America.
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