USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 4 > Part 27
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His wife, with whom he was acquainted in Scotland prior to his emigration, and who soon joined him in Hartford, where they were married, was an earnest mem- ber of the Scotch Presbyterian church, but both attended and became good sup- porters of Wethersfield Avenue Congre- gational Church, Hartford. They were blessed with six children, five of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, al- though Robert Douglas Bone is the only child now living. John Bone was a loyal Mason, and although resident for so many years in this country, he never re- linquished his membership of the lodge in Scotland in which he had been initiated in his early days.
Robert Douglas Bone, third son of John and Catherine (Douglas) Bone, was edu- cated in the public schools of Hartford, graduating creditably from the high school in 1881. Securing employment in a clerical capacity in the Woodruff Iron Works, he in a short while became book- keeper, later serving in the same capacity under the Hartford Engineering Com- pany. Knowledge of his father's busi- ness, perhaps, with also executive train- ing he had received in the offices of the before-mentioned manufacturing com- panies, influenced him in forming part- nership with John M. Taylor, in 1884, under the firm name of Taylor & Bone, for the purpose of establishing a pattern- making and metal business. The part- nership was, however, dissolved in 1886, in which year Robert Douglas Bone be- come a part, even though a minor part, of the city administration. He entered the office of the town clerk, John E. Hig- gins, in 1886, remaining at that duty and at work in the probate court for Judge Freeman, until 1888, when he was elected a member of the board of assessors, tak- ing office on the first of the following June, since which time he has been in continuous office, being reelected repeat- edly, a tribute to his personality and in- tegrity, as well as to his ability. He has been a lifelong Republican and was chair- man of the Seventh Ward committee for eighteen years, resigning that position to become a member of the State Central Committee in 1914. He served for many years as a member of the Republican Town Committee, and his present mem- bership of the State Central Committee holds until 1918.
Mr. Bone is very popular in Hartford, and takes considerable interest in the affairs of many fraternal and social or- ganizations. He is a member of Hartford Lodge. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he is past exalted ruler ;
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he is a member and past chancellor com- mander of Crescent Lodge, Knights of Pythias ; member of the Republican Club ; of the Hartford Chamber of Commerce ; of the Automobile Club of Hartford ; and of the Republican Club. He is also a member of Lafayette Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Hartford.
Mr. Bone has also some important business affiliations; he is president of the Hartford Mortgage Investment Com- pany, of which he was one of the organ- izers; and is treasurer of the Hartford Land Mortgage and Title Company.
He is a member of the South Congre- gational Church, and owes much of his Christian faithfulness to the example set him by his mother, whose Christian ethics were those of the old God-fearing Scotch family from which she sprang, in the village of Kirkcudbright, in the high- lands of Scotland.
CHANDLER, George Perry,
Representative Citizen of Hartford.
George Perry Chandler, president and treasurer of the Sisson Drug Company of Hartford, is a worthy representative in the ninth generation of one of the oldest families of New England, a family that has contributed its full quota of members of the learned professions, efficient and conscientious public officials, military pa- triots and successful business men, all of whom have performed the duties and re- sponsibilities of life in a manner to reflect credit upon themselves and upon their ancestors, ever ready to sacrifice personal benefit in order to improve conditions for their fellow men.
The English antecedents of the Ameri- can family of Chandlers has not been traced, but that it is of ancient lineage there can be no doubt. The family coat- of-arms is handsome and unique, and is
technically described thus: "He beareth Checkie, Argent and Azure, on a Bend of the First Sable, three Lyons passant Gules. By the name of Chandler." The following is given as its significance : "The crest borne on the closed helmet above the coat-of-arms is that of the Peli- can in her nest, wounding her breast to feed her young with her own blood-an emblem of parental affection expressive of the family motto, Ad mortem fidelis. The mantle, cut and jagged, hanging from the helmet, indicates the faithful service of the wearer ; the gauntlet, his prowess."
William and Annis Chandler, the pro- genitors of the line herein followed, set- tled in Roxbury, Massachusetts, in the year 1637, accompanied by four children. From a reference in the will of Deacon George Alcock, of Roxbury, dated 1640, it has been supposed that Annis Chandler was his sister. William Chandler, whose family at that time consisted of seven persons, was the owner of twenty-two acres of land in the year 1638. He was made a freeman in the year 1640. His death occurred about the following year, and he left for his posterity an honored name, having been noted throughout his lifetime for his high character and piety.
Captain Thomas Chandler, son of Wil- liam Chandler, was about seven years of age when he came with his father to Bos- ton, Massachusetts, from whence they re- moved to Roxbury, Subsequently he was one of the original proprietors and the twenty-third settler in Andover, and he with others was employed by the General Court to lay out lands. His first military title was that of "Lieutenant in ye ffoot Company in Andover. John Stephens, En- sign, under the command of Dudley Brad- street, Capt." He served as representative to the General Court in 1678-79, and was one of the prominent men in the commu- nity. He was a blacksmith by trade, con-
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ducted "a considerable iron works," was prudent and thrifty, and consequently be- came a wealthy man. He married Hannah Brewer, whose death occurred October 25, 1717. He died and he was the first person buried in the South Parish bury- ing ground. His will was probated Feb- ruary 8, 1702-03.
William (2) Chandler, son of Captain Thomas and Hannah ( Brewer) Chandler, was born May 28, 1659, o. s. He married, April 21, 1687, Eleanor Phelps. The church record of Westford, Massachu- setts, has this entry: "Admitted 10 Nov. 1728, Eleanor Chandler, widow."
William (3) Chandler, son of William (2) and Eleanor (Phelps) Chandler, was born July 20, 1689, died July 27, 1756. He is named in a deed as a "clothier," and his name appears in connection with a num- ber of real estate transactions. He mar- ried Susanna Burge.
Benjamin Chandler, son of William (3) and Susanna (Burge) Chandler, was born about the year 1718, and died at Peter- sham, June 14, 1798. He married (first) October 2, 1743, Hannalı Dutton, of Westford, Massachusetts, and her death occurred at Petersham, June 3, 1777, aged thirty-two years, eleven months. He mar- ried (second)
Benjamin (2) Chandler, son of Benja- min (1) and Hannah (Dutton) Chandler, was born August 4, 1752, o. s., and his death occurred in Petersham, March 15, 1826. He followed agricultural pursuits throughout his active years, working in connection with his father. He was a man of small stature, had red hair, was noted for his droll wit, and he "sympa- thized with the 'Shays men'." He mar- ried, intentions published December 28. 1776. Jerusha Negus, who was born April 6. 1755, and died November 10, 1834.
Abel Chandler. eldest child of Benja- min (2) and Jerusha (Negus) Chandler.
was born June 9, 1778. He married, June 22, 1806, Mary Burrell, who was born June 13, 1784, daughter of Benjamin and Mary ( Damon) Burrell. She survived her husband and married a second time. Her death occurred February 10, 1871.
Abel Gardner Chandler, son of Abel and Mary ( Burrell) Chandler, was born November 14, 1810, and died January 25, 1870. After completing his studies in the schools of his native place he served an apprenticeship at the trade of machinist, becoming a thoroughly practical man, and he followed that line of work at Saxton's River, Vermont, earning a comfortable livelihood for his family. He was a man of ability and integrity, and was highly respected in the community. He married, June 2, 1836, Jane MI. Hopkins, born No- vember 20, 1808, daughter of David and Zilpha (Searls) Hopkins. In early life she was deprived of her mother by death, and was then adopted by Silas Pratt, and was known by the name of Pratt there- after. She died in February, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Chandler were the parents of two children: George Perry, of whom further, and
George Perry Chandler, son of Abel Gardner and Jane MI. (Hopkins-Pratt) Chandler, was born at Saxton's River. Vermont. September 15, 1844. He at- tended the public schools in the vicinity of his home, and by giving special atten- tion to his studies was thoroughly com- petent at the early age of seventeen years to accept a position as teacher, in which capacity he served for a short period of time. He later removed to Greenfield. Massachusetts, and there learned the busi- ness of retail druggist, and on January I. 1865. he took up his residence in Hart- ford, Connecticut, and entered the employ of Sisson & Butler, proprietors of a suc- cessful drug store, and from that time to the present (1916) a period of over half
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a century, has been identified with that firm through its various changes. In 1871 he was admitted to partnership in the firm, the name becoming Sisson, Butler & Company, and in 1907 the business was incorporated under the name of The Sis- son Drug Company, with George P. Chandler as its president and treasurer, the onerous duties of these offices being fulfilled by him in a masterly manner, in- dicating his thorough familiarity with this particular line of work and his execu- tive skill and ability. The business is now mostly wholesale, and the concern is known far and near for the purity of its products and its straightforward methods of business transactions.
Aside from his business interests, Mr. Chandler has devoted considerable time and attention to outside affairs in which he has rendered valuable service. He is the vice-president of the Prison Reform Association, and for many years prior to 1915 served as chairman of its finance committee, and since 1871 has been ac- tively identified with the Charitable So- ciety of Hartford, at the present time (1916) holding the office of almoner. He is a charter member of the Baptist church, to the work of which he has contributed generously of his time and means, also to other charitable organizations, and his political allegiance has been given to the Republican party. He holds membership in Lafayette Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Washington Com- mandery, Knights Templar; and Sphinx Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
Mr. Chandler married, January 30, 1868, Mary L. Rich, born July 29, 1825, daugh- ter of John and Louisa (Gillerrt) Rich, of Greenfield, Massachusetts. They are the parents of two children: I. Charles B., born April 23, 1870, died April 23, 1903. 2. George A., born August 31,
1874; secretary and assistant treasurer of The Sisson Drug Company ; married Augusta White; two children - Mary White and Olive Augusta. November 24, 1904, Mr. Chandler married (second) Mrs. Cora Pease Weissheimer, of Wilbraham, Massachusetts, daughter of Monroe Pease.
Mr. Chandler is quiet and unostenta- tious in manner, public-spirited and enter- prising, practical and sagacious, excellent business man and consistent Christian, and has gained and is able to retain the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has dealings whether in business or other relations of life. A keynote to his success in his varied undertakings is his executive force and mastery of detail in whatever engages his attention. His ca- reer has been one of signal honor and is well worthy of emulation.
SLOPER, Andrew Jackson, Man of Affairs.
There is a world of useful lesson for the young man in tracing the career of Andrew J. Sloper, president of the New Britain National Bank, one of New Brit- ain's true "Captains of Industry" and most eminent citizens. He is not a child of fortune, but worked hard for an educa- tion, and no job offered him was too humble if it was honest and promised to add to his slender income. Even when obliged to leave school, he could not con- sult his own wishes in choosing a line for which he was best fitted, that of account- ant; but a valuable year was wasted in a position for which he had no liking, as the salary was needed. But when finally started in the path he would pursue, every ounce of energy and every talent he pos- sessed were employed in what may be roughly expressed as "making good." Now from the heights of success attained by persistent and earnest endeavor, he
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adds to the example of his life this word to those who would emulate that example : "Be temperate and don't be afraid of work. When you have attained a fair position, stick, even if reward is a long time coming. Make friends wherever you can, and go out of the way to help the other fellow. Be regular in church attendance : it helps you to be decent the rest of the week."
Mr. Sloper is of the seventh American generation of the family tracing to Rich- ard Sloper, an early settler of Dover, later of Portsmouth, where he died October 16, 1716, aged eighty-five. John Sloper, son of Richard and Mary Sloper, was the father of Robert Sloper. the first of his family to settle in Branford, Connecticut, where he married Experience Johnson. From Branford he moved to Southing- ton and died April 5, 1767, his wife having died in May. 1765.
Their son, Captain Daniel Sloper, was born in Branford, January 5. 1727, and accompanied his parents to Southington, where he died September 9, 1789. He was with Washington's army in New Jersey in 1776 as captain of Connecticut troops. and aided in the defence of Danbury against the British in 1777 : also was cap- tain of the Southington military com- pany. He married Rachel Langdon ; (sec- ond) Hannah (Woodruff) Newell.
Ezekiel, son of Captain Daniel Sloper and his first wife. Rachel Langdon, was born at Southington. June 5, 1762, died March 22, 1816. He married Mehitable Barnes, of East Haven, born March 3. 1777. daughter of Isaac and Lois (Pardee) Barnes.
Their eldest son, Lambert E. Sloper. was born at Southington. June 3. 1810. He was educated in the public school, but all his life was a student. He spent his early life on the farm, later learned the car- penter's trade at Southington, finally
moving to New Britain, where he fol- lowed his trade for several years. He was a man of exemplary life, possessed a strong will, and was unusually well in- formed, his love of reading overbalancing his lack of educational advantage. He married Emma Barnes, a woman of high- ly developed Christian grace, whose life was one of the influences strongly affect- ing the character of her children, six daughters and a son, Andrew J.
Andrew J., only son of Lambert E. and Emma (Barnes) Sloper, was born at Southington, Hartford county, Connecti- cut. July 14, 1849. He completed a course of public school study, and when but four- teen years of age was graduated from the New Britain High School. He had an inherited taste for military drill. the ardor of his great-grandfather, Daniel Sloper, reappearing in the lad, who for three years was captain of a company of boys at New Britain. But his hours of play were limited, as he was able to finish his high school course only by earning money to pay for his clothes and necessary ex- pense. He drove cows to pasture. took care of gardens, and did all sorts of odd jobs that came his way. In the same manner he financed a year at State Nor- mal, then bade adieu to educational halls. His school record, however, was a brilli- ant one, particularly so in declamation and mathematics. He was urged by an instructor to seek a position as an ac- countant, but his needs were great and as the first position offered was with a New Britain photographer it was accepted. This was in 1865, at the age of sixteen. He stuck to his job, however, until the following year, when a better one as clerk in a dry goods store was received. In 1867 he became an employee of the New Britain National Bank, and there "found himself." He began as messenger boy. the lowest position in the bank, but soon
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began to climb, and although reward was apparently slow he persisted, and in 1885 reached the cashier's desk. Ten years then elapsed, years of steady application and preparation, the year 1895 witnessing his elevation to the presidency of the in- stitution he had entered as messenger boy twenty-eight years earlier, a lad of sixteen.
Were this his entire record, it would suffice to stamp Mr. Sloper as one of the remarkable men of his day and generation. But his managerial and exclusive ability had been sought and secured by many important corporations both of New Brit- ain and other cities. He is president and treasurer of the New Britain Gas Light Company; treasurer of the American Hardware Company ; director of the Rus- sell & Erwin Manufacturing Company, of Landers, Frary & Clark, of the North & Judd Manufacturing Company, the Union Manufacturing Company, the New Britain Machine Company, the Corbin Motor Vehicle Company, the National Spring Bed Company, the Adkins Print- ing Company, the Edward Miller Com- pany of Meriden, the Trumbull Electric Manufacturing Company of Plainville, the Meriden Realty Company ; treasurer and director of the Russwin Corporation ; treasurer and director of the Russwin Lyceum ; and president of the Olmstead Thompson Manufacturing Company. It will be observed that these are mainly companies engaged in manufacturing standard goods and not speculative stocks, many of them standing at the
very head of their respective lines of manufacture. This is in strict accord with Mr. Sloper's high ideals, nothing re- ceiving the endorsement of his name that will not bear the closest scrutiny and in- vestigation.
To so full and useful a business career he has added years of valuable public ConD-4-13
service, serving his city as councilman two years, as alderman one year, as serv- ice commissioner two years, as police commissioner one year, as president of the park commission, and as such de- veloped Walnut Hill Park; and as presi- dent of the cemetery committee. In 1900- 02 he represented his district in the State Senate, served on important committees, and was largely responsible for the pass- age of the Server filtration bill for New Britain. He was chairman of the incorpo- ration committee of the General As- sembly in 1901-02 which framed the pres- ent law governing corporations, con- cededly one of the best in this country.
Politically, Mr. Sloper is a Republican. His religious affiliation is with the First Baptist Church, which he has served as treasurer for many years. His Masonic memberships are with Centennial Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Giddings Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; the Coun- cil, Royal and Select Masters ; and Wash- ington Commandery, Knights Templar. He is a member of the Union League of New York City; the New England So- ciety, Sons of the American Revolution ; the Hardware Club of New York; the Hartford Club of Hartford ; and the New Britain Club, of which for several years he was president. His favorite recre- ations are those of the great out-of-doors, horseback riding preferred to all others.
He married, October 8, 1873, Ella B., daughter of James Thomson. Children : Harold T., William T., and Kenneth T.
LOOMIS, Bernadotte,
City Official, Athlete.
A native of New Britain, Mr. Loomis has been identified with the humanizing and uplifting influences of the city and with several of its fraternal organizations. His ancestors were very early located in
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Connecticut, and his line of forbears has always lived in the State. The family is of English origin, and for a long period its principal home has been in the vicinity of Derbyshire. For more than a century the name has been spelled Lomas in Eng- land, but earlier Lummas, Lommas or Lomes were used. Other variations are Lomys, Lomis, Lomas, while the Ameri- can spelling is generally Loomis. The Lomas coat-of-arms is: Argent between two palets, gules three fleurs-de-lis in pale sable a chief azure. Crest : On a chapeau a pelican vulning herself proper.
Joseph Loomis, probably born about 1590, was a woolen draper in Braintree, County Essex, England, and sailed from London, April 11, 1638, in the ship "Susan and Ellen," arriving at Boston, July 17. 1638. He settled at Windsor, Connecti- cut, and February 2, 1640, was granted twenty-one acres of land adjoining the Farmington river, on the west side of the Connecticut, by purchase and grant. He is supposed to have come to Windsor in company with Rev. Ephraim Huet, who arrived there August 17, 1639. Joseph Loomis brought with him five sons and three daughters. His house was near the mouth of Farmington river, on what was known as the island, because at every freshlet it became temporarily one. His wife died August 23, 1652, and he died November 25, 1653.
Deacon John Loomis, second son of Joseph Loomis, born 1622. in England, was in Windsor before 1640, and was ad- mitted to the church there October II, 1640. He had a grant of forty acres at the plantation in Windsor, May 3. 1642; from 1652 to 1660 lived at Farmington, after which he returned to Windsor. He was deacon of the Windsor church; was deputy from Windsor to the General Court, 1666-67-75-87 ; and owned land on both sides of the river. He died Septem-
ber 1, 1688, and is buried at Windsor. He married, February 3, 1648, Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Scott, of Hartford. Their third son, Thomas Loomis, was born December 3, 1653, died 1688; he was a farmer at Hatfield, and married Sarah, sister of Captain David White. Their elder son, Ensign Loomis, born January 1, 1681, at Hatfield, lived at Windsor and Lebanon, Connecticut, and died in 1755; he married (first) October 30, 1706, Mar- tha Osborn, born April 10, 1687. Their second son, Israel Loomis, was born Sep- tember 29, 1715, lived at Lebanon and Coventry, and died October 2, 1801. He married (third) April 8, 1747, Mary Marsh, who died October 18, 1795. Their youngest child, Simon Loomis, born Au- gust 24. 1760, in Lebanon, was a soldier of the Revolution, a member of the State Leislature in 1805-06, and died December 28, 1841. He married, October 23, 1783, Sarah Holbrook, who died April 2, 1838. Their third son. Hezekiah Loomis, was born October 24, 1790, in Lebanon, where he lived, and died March 28, 1845. He married, October 25, 1812, Eliza Bennett, and they were the parents of Henry Ash- man Loomis (third son), born January 19, 1817, in Lebanon. He was a carpenter by trade, residing successively in Plainville and New Britain, Connecticut. In politics he was an ardent Democrat, ever ready to sustain his principles, always seeking to promote the general welfare.
He married, June 19, 1867. Mary Jane Mitchell, who was born November 18, 1835. in Plymouth, Connecticut, daughter of Henry Alexander and Sarah Jane (Hoadley) Mitchell. They were the par- ents of four children; the eldest and youngest died in infancy; the second, Edward Augustus Loomis, is a commer- cial traveler, residing in New Britain.
Bernadotte Loomis, second son of Henry A. and Mary J. (Mitchell) Loomis,
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was born March 31, 1873, in New Britain, and was educated in the public schools of the city, spending two years in the high school. An ambitious youth, he early set about working out his own career, and found employment in the Stanley Works, one of the leading industries of New Brit- ain. His industry, capability and faithful- ness are amply shown by the fact that he has continued with the establishment for a period of twenty-four years, during which he has risen to a position of responsibility. Mr. Loomis has long been active (for twen- ty-eight years) in Young Men's Christian Association work, and for ten years was a player on the local society's basketball team, being its captain at the time it held the "world's championship." For two years he was the champion "all-around" athlete of the State, and received second place at pole vaulting in the American championship in 1894. He is a charter member of Lexington Lodge, No. 72, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows; a mem- ber of Harmony Lodge, No. 20, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; and of Chamberlain Council, Junior Order of United American Mechanics. His church affiliations are Episcopalian. He is a prominent member of the First Ward Re- publican Club of New Britain, has served on the Republican town committee, and in 1914 was elected tax collector of the city, receiving a plurality of 2,075 votes and a clear majority of 1,853 over all opposing candidates. No further evidence of his popularity is needed. Mr. Loomis is a man of kindly nature and genial man- ners, and easily makes and retains friend- ships, being ever ready to discharge every obligation of manhood and good citizen- ship.
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