USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 4 > Part 28
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He married, July 3, 1896, Louise Seiple, who was born June 15, 1872, in New Brit- ain, daughter of Adam and Annie (Hol- netz) Seiple, of that city. Their eldest
child, Royal Emerson, died in infancy. The others are: Howard Wesley, born November 22, 1898; Irene Louise, No- vember 4, 1900; Dorothy Mitchell, Au- gust 19, 1902.
COATS, John,
Member of Judiciary, Educator, Litterateur.
The life record of Judge John Coats, of New Britain, is pleasing reading to those Connecticut people who take interest in the preservation of the histories of the old colonial families of the State. His gene- alogy connects him with John Alden, who came to America on the "Mayflower," the line to the Alden family being through his maternal great-great-grandmother, Eliza- beth Peabody. Judge Coats' grandfather, David Coats, was a man of prominence in North Stonington, Connecticut, where he owned landed estate which had been in the family since the original apportion- ment of public lands. His father, Ansel Coats, had an eventful life in which were many noteworthy achievements. Born in North Stonington, Ansel Coats entered business life as a merchant in Milltown, a suburb of North Stonington. He pros- pered, and gained additional wealth by the operation of a manufacturing plant he had established in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. He rendered military service during the War of 1812, gaining a captaincy. He was a resident of North Stonington practically all his life, and served as selectman there for many years. He married Eunice, daughter of Colonel William Randall, of Stonington.
John Coats, fifth child of Ansel and Eunice (Randall) Coats, was born in North Stonington, Connecticut, on May 9, 1842, and received elementary instruc- tion in the public and private schools of the township. Subsequently he attended the Connecticut Literary Institute in Suf-
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field, where he was prepared for college. Eventually he entered Yale University, and graduated therefrom in 1868 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, the major degree, Master of Arts, being conferred upon him in 1871. For a year after gradu- ating he took professorial capacity as a member of the faculty of the Connecticut Literary Institute. He then resolved to enter the legal profession, and so regis- tered as a law student in Hartford, sub- sequently proceeding to the Law School of Columbia University, New York City. In due course, in 1871, he graduated in law, and in the same year was admitted to practice at the legal bar of Hartford county. Soon thereafter, however, he went to Chicago, and although he returned to Connecticut in 1872, he did not then take up the practice of law. He had returned to take an academic appointment, and educational work kept him from the prac- tice of law for a decade. For a year after his return to the State, he was principal of the high school at Hazardville, resign- ing that appointment in 1873 to become vice-principal and instructor in Latin at Suffield. In 1877, he gave up this appoint- ment, but in the following year again be- came an educator, accepting the position of principal of the Windsor Locks High School, Windsor Locks. There, three years later, Mr. Coats opened a law office, and maintained it for four years, with some success. However, he then resolved to take up legal work in New Britain.
Establishing his office in New Britain in 1885, he has since been held closely to matters of law, his knowledge of law and ability as an advocate bringing him good return, and his logical mind and unshak- able impartiality early marked him for advancement to the judiciary. He be- came associate judge of the New Britain City Court. and from 1895 to 1901 was judge of probate for the Berlin district.
In 1901 he was appointed judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Hartford county, and in 1912 he was retired from that office on account of the constitutional limit of age and was appointed as State referee and holds that office still.
During the Civil War, Judge Coats ren- dered national service, enlisting in Com- pany G, of the Twenty-second Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Regiment, and eventu- ally in June of 1863 receiving honorable discharge. He is an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and has throughout his life taken active part in public affairs. While residing in Windsor Locks, he was in 1884 elected representa- tive from that district to the Connecticut General Assembly, and he has also sat in the common council of New Britain. He is identified with many fraternal, civic, and religious organizations, and is a com- municant of the Baptist church of New Britain.
On June 2, 1871, he married Josephine L. Walker, daughter of the Rev. William C. Walker, of Hartford, Connecticut. They have no children.
JUDD, William S.,
Public Official.
A native of New Britain, where he was born in 1844, former Postmaster William Samuel Judd comes of a family resident for many generations within the State of Connecticut. The name is encountered in the early colonial records in connection with the settlement of that part of the State in which New Britain lies. Judd is one of the oldest of English surnames. and when originally adopted indicated that the bearer was a son of Jude; that name is now almost obsolete.
Deacon Thomas Judd, progenitor of the family in America, emigrated from Eng- land in 1633 or 1634. His name appears
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in the official records of the colony at Cambridge, Massachusetts, the entry noting that in August, 1634, he received a grant of land from the town, in the sec- tion designated the West End. This land was situated on the northeastern side of the road to Watertown. In 1635 he re- ceived other land grants, and on May 25, 1836, was admitted a freeman of Cam- bridge. In that year he removed to Hart- ford, Connecticut. There in 1636 he was voted two acres of land upon which to erect a house. His land was located on the south side of the Wyllys lot, near the Charter Oak. The expansion of the Hartford colony caused Thomas Judd in 1644 to become one of the original eighty-four proprietors of the Farmington settlement, which formed on the site of the Indian village of Tunxes. In the di- vision of public land he was granted for his home lot the third lot from the north end of Main street, on both sides, and ex- tending to the Farmington river. He was prominent in the settlement, and three years after its foundation was chosen, in association with Deacon Stephen Hart, to represent the town at the General Court, and was fifteen times reelected deputy. A man of steadfast Christian interest, he actively engaged in church matters; was a member of the Rev. Thomas Hooker's church in Cambridge, and later in Hart- ford, and "became one of the seven pillars of the Church" later founded at Farming- ton, becoming deacon there, in succession to Stephen Hart, who was the first. He died on November 12, 1688.
Sergeant William Judd, son of William Judd by his first wife, was born about 1633 (or 1636). He was prominent in the town of Farmington, and was reputed to have had much wealth. On March 30, 1658, he married Mary, daughter of John and Rachael Steele, of Farmington, who died October 27, 1718. Sergeant William
Judd was about fifty-five years of age at the time of his demise; the exact date cannot be ascertained, but the inventory of his estate bears date of November. 5, 1690. John Judd, sixth child of Sergeant William and Mary (Steele) Judd, was born in Farmington, in 1667, and there lived his whole life. He died in 1710, and in September of that year the inventory of his estate was presented, stating its value to be £380. His wife, Rachael, died in 1717.
William Judd, first-born of John and Rachael Judd, was born in Farmington, Connecticut, in 1698 or 1699, and died there on September 1, 1751, having ac- crued an estate inventoried at £6,095. He married Ruth, daughter of John and Eliz- abeth (Loomis) Lee.
Captain William Judd, sixth child of William and Ruth (Lee) Judd, was born in Farmington, July 20, 1743; graduated from Yale College with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, in 1763; and two years later was admitted to the legal bar of Hartford county. As an attorney he gained prominence. Establishing his law office in the town of his nativity, he even- tually became justice of the peace there, and otherwise took active part in local adminstrative affairs. Ultimately he be- came a State legislator, and during the Revolution took rank as captain under Colonel Willis in the Connecticut regi- ment. He was a leader of the Whig party in Connecticut, and a charter member of the Connecticut branch of the Society of the Cincinnati, incorporated in 1786, Gen- eral George Washington having signed his certificate of membership. His death oc- curred at Farmington on November 13, 1804. On December 8, 1765, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Ebenezer and Mercy (Sedgwick) Mix, and widow of Caleb Merrill.
Major William Samuel Judd, eldest
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child of Captain William and Elizabeth (Mix) Judd, was born in Farmington, January 10, 1766, and was graduated in 1787 from Harvard College, gaining the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He engaged in the mercantile and shipping business in New Haven, and did an extensive busi- ness with the West Indies. Upon retiring from business he removed to Middletown, and later to New Britain, with which town the family has since been identified. He died there on March 27, 1835. On March 26, 1789, he married Esther, daugh- ter of Captain Gad and Mary (Judd) Stanley, the former a soldier of distinc- tion during the Revolution. She was born September 25. 1768, and died June 25, 1830.
Philip Samuel Judd, third child of Ma- jor William Samuel and Esther (Stanley) Judd, was born in Farmington, October 14, 1801. He eventually entered business life as a clerk in New Britain. Later he became bookkeeper to Alvin North, now the firm of North & Judd, and to the firm of Landers & Smith (now Lander. Frary & Clark). He took energetic part in re- ligious work in New Britain, and was one of the founder members of the St. Mark's Episcopal Church there. He married Elizabeth, daughter of James Hoard, of East Hartford, and to them four chil- dren were born. Philip Samuel Judd died May 3, 1851, and his wife on September 9, 1883.
Their son, William Samuel Judd, was born on July 7, 1844, in New Britain, where he was educated. He attended the high school until he had reached the age of sixteen years. After short periods of clerical service with other firms, William S. Judd entered the employ of P. & F. Corbin, of New Britain, in the capacity of clerk in the packing room, advancing to the position of shipping clerk, and finally to the direction of the order department. His busi- ness responsibilities did not prevent Mr.
Judd from participating in community af- fairs. A man of strong personality and un- selfish purpose, Mr. Judd gave much of his leisure to the governmental matters of the town and to the furtherance of Republi- can policies, to which party he gave firm and active allegiance. On several occa- sions he accepted public office ; from 1874 to 1877 he sat in the city councils as a member from the Third Ward; for seven years he served the city as alderman ; he has held the chairmanship of the finance committee, and at one time was a mem- ber of the committee on streets and claims. He also took keen and active interest in the health and sanitary problems of the city of New Britain, being of much assist- ance to the administration in his capacity of member of the Board of Health, and of much greater assistance when he became chairman of the board. In 1893 he was elected selectman, and served the city so until February 5. 1898, when he resigned to take federal office as postmaster at New Britain. Mr. Judd received his appointment as postmaster of New Britain in January, 1898, from President Mckinley, and held the office until 1903, establishing a high standard of efficiency in the branch, and so bringing his administrative capability into favorable notice. As a citizen, Mr. judd has won general esteem, and as a conscientious churchman has gained re- spect. He has been an earnest member of the Baptist church of New Britain for very many years. and has served the church as deacon for a long period. Fra- ternally, he is connected with the Im- proved Order of Heptasophs: the Order of United American Mechanics, for which he has been councillor for the State of Connecticut ; and the Society of the Cin- cinnati, of which society his ancestor was a charter member, and of the local branch of which society he also has been president.
William S. Judd married, on Noven- ber 20, 1867, Helen Grace. daughter of
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Deacon William and Rhoda (Judd) Hart, of New Britain.
She was born in New Britain, on March 31, 1846, and during her long life in the city was esteemed for her good works and community interest. To Mr. and Mrs. William Samuel Judd were born three children: I. Laura Jane, who was born September 2, 1870, and became the wife of O. Bertini, of New Britain. 2. Wil- liam H., who was born May 7, 1877, and is now assistant cashier of the New Brit- ain National Bank. 3. Thomas H., who was born February 17, 1879: is clerk in the State Treasurer's office in Hartford.
DIMOCK, Henry E., Manufacturer, Public Official.
The life record of the late Henry E. Dimock, a resident for many years in New Britain, Connecticut, and one of its responsible citizens, was one of useful profitable industry, and able public serv- ice. While aiding the industrial develop- ment of the city by applying himself en- ergetically and well to the expansion of his own business, he also participated in its government, to the advantage of the community.
Henry E. Dimock was born in Chester, Massachusetts, October 27, 1845, the son of Harvey and Caroline (Elder) Dimock, the former a son of Thomas Dimock, a native of Huntington, Massachusetts. There Harvey was born, and there he later found employment in the cotton and woolen mills. Acquiring substance, and preferring agricultural occupations, he be- came a landed proprietor, purchasing a farm of one hundred acres which for the remainder of his life he tilled to advan- tage. By political allegiance a Whig and later a Republican, he followed the en- deavors of the party with intelligent in- terest, and, being a man of definite pur- pose and high principle, gave particular
note and support to all measures that might tend to elevate the moral standards of political government. He and his fam- ily were members of the Congregational church, and during his long life of ninety- four years he held steadfastly to its teach- ings. His wife was Caroline Elder, of Chester, Massachusetts; she also at- tained the venerable age of ninety-four years, her decease not occurring until Sep- tember, 1899. Their children were: I. Augustus, a grain dealer at East Hamp- ton. 2. Abbie Lucinda, who married Charles Upham. 3. Henry E., of whom further.
Henry E. Dimock was well educated, remaining at his academic studies until within a few years of his majority. His primary education was obtained in the public schools of Huntington, Massachu- setts, and was supplemented by study in private schools of the vicinity. His stud- ies were interrupted by the outbreak of the Civil War, during which he gave the nation personal service militarily. He en- listed in Company F, of the Forty-sixth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer In- fantry, in August, 1862; served at Kins- ton, Goldsboro, and White Hall, and was mustered out in August, 1863. He then resolved to at once enter business life, and, choosing the wood-working industry, became indentured for three years in Chester, Massachusetts, applying himself with assiduity to the acquirement of effi- cient workmanship, and a thorough understanding of all phases of the trade. He became expert, gaining also much knowledge of architecture. He spent ten years as a journeyman in Chester, then a similar period in like capacity in Hart- ford, followed by three years in Bridge- port, Connecticut, and seven in Westfield Massachusetts.
Returning to Connecticut, he purchased the New Britain Variety Works from Charles Woods, in October, 1892, and con-
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verted the factory into a planing mill, which he named the New Britain Planing and Moulding Works; and, at the outset, undertook the whole of the labor con- nected with its operation. The high stan- dard of his product brought recognition and expansion in due course, so that the New Britain Planing and Moulding Works was a plant of consequence in New Britain long before his death, which occurred May 30, 1914.
Mr. Dimock was a Republican, and gave valued service to the party. He also interested himself in local governmental affairs; for two terms was an alderman : and his understanding of public matters brought him into many offices of respon- sibility in the municipal administration, notably the chairmanship of the com- mittee on streets, and the committee on buildings and encroachments. Frater- nally a Mason, Mr. Dimock was a mem- ber of Harmony Lodge, No. 20, Free and Accepted Masons ; Giddings Chapter, No. 25, Royal Arch Masons; Washington Commandery, No. 1, Knights Templar : and Sphinx Temple, No. 2, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and held all the offices within the giving of the chapter. Mr. Dimock was a member of the Baptist church of New Britain, and gave earnest heed to its endeavors and needs. His widow still attends the church, in active membership.
He married Mary A., daughter of Enos and Mary Gibbs Smith, of Chester, Mas- sachusetts. Their children were: 1. Carrie M., who married E. M. Ezekill, of Spring- field, Massachusetts. 2. Frederick W., who is now living in New York City.
LONERGAN, Augustine,
Lawyer, Congressman.
The recent election of Mr. Lonergan to another term in Congress by virtue of the
splendid endorsement of his neighbors of the city of Hartford, is a well deserved tribute to an indefatigable worker, an able, aggressive and conscientious public official, who has ever commanded the re- spect of his opponents and the admiration of his friends. The true test of a man's record and popularity is in his ability to continue in public favor; and it is a sig- nificant fact that whenever Mr. Lonergan has asked for the support of the electorate of Hartford, the answer has been a vote expressed in numbers most emphatic. His success in professional and public life has not been through fortuitous circumstance nor by a lucky turn of Fortune's Wheel, but through those strong personal quali- ties which attract and hold men to him. The degree of loyalty which his constitu- ency and clientele show for him is re- markable. and in its steadfastness never falters. His Hartford plurality in the re-
cent election (1916) was 3.627, a record- breaking victory, his vote being largely in excess of his associate candidates upon the Democratic ticket. When a candidate for reelection to Congress in 1914, he was defeated by a small margin by the outside towns, but in 1916 Hartford voted so overwhelmingly in his favor that the out- side vote only reduced his plurality to 1,71I.
He is a son of Michael and Mary (Quinn) Lonergan. His father. born in Tipperary, Ireland, came to the United States at the age of nineteen, having just completed his education. He learned the trade of wool spinner at Webster. Massa- chusetts, gained rapid promotion and be- came foreman of the spinning department of a woolen mill there. From Webster he removed to Putnam and thence to Thompson. He resided in Rockville the latter part of his lifetime. He died in 1894. respected by all who were associated with him. He married Mary Quinn.
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daughter of Thomas Quinn, a sea captain, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, who in as- sociation with his brother ran a line of vessels between Boston and Nova Scotian ports. She was a woman of splendid in- tellect and was highly esteemed. She died in 1899.
Augustine Lonergan was born in Thompson, Connecticut, May 20, 1874. He was educated in the schools of Rock- ville and Bridgeport, by private study at night, while employed days, and at Yale Law School, whence he was graduated LL. B., class of 1902. Before and after his admission to the Connecticut bar, he became associated with the eminent law firm of Perkins & Perkins, and for three years continued in their employ, gaining the practical experience he needed in the preparation and trial of causes. At the end of this period of practical training he opened an office in Hartford, under his own name, and, excepting the years in Congress, he has since been continuously and with marked success engaged in pro- fessional work. He enters upon a client's cause with the same earnestness and fer- vor as though it were his own, and, over- looking no detail, prepares in a most thor- ough manner for its trial. His personal- ity, ability and methods inspire confidence and have brought him not only a large clientele, but a wide circle of loyal friends. His practice extends to all State and Fed- eral courts of the district, and to the Su- preme Court of the United States. He is a member of the City, State and Ameri- can Bar associations, and is highly re- garded by his professional brethren. He is also identified with a number of fra- ternal and charitable organizations.
From an early age Mr. Lonergan has taken an active part in public affairs, his political faith being Democratic. He be- came a well known and effective party worker, and as an orator is most eloquent
and convincing. His public speaking is not confined to political campaigns and the court room, but he is much in demand as a speaker at important gatherings, for Congressman Lonergan is a thoughtful student of all those questions which con- cern the political, social and economic welfare of the people, and his views, which are well worth hearing, are pre- sented in an interesting and forceful man- ner. In 1910 he was the Democratic nominee for Congress from the First Con- necticut Congressional district, then com- posed of Hartford and Tolland counties, but was defeated by his Republican oppo- nent, E. Stevens Henry. Two years later he was the successful candidate for the same office, although Hartford county went Republican. In 1914 he was again defeated for Congress; but the faith of his party was strong, and in 1916 he was again their candidate. He stood squarely in support of the policies of President Wilson and won handsomely, his own city of Hartford outdoing itself in the sup- port it gave him. Hardly yet in life's prime, Congressman Lonergan with so proud a record of achievement behind him may confidently regard the future.
In his interest in public affairs, he has not neglected his duty as a loyal citizen of Hartford, but has aided in many move- ments to further the public good. He was a member of the city plan commission ; was assistant to corporation counsel, the late William Waldo Hyde; was citizen member of the dedication committee of the municipal building and has estab- lished a high reputation for fidelity to duty and efficient service. He is a direc- tor of the Chamber of Commerce, a di- rector of the American Industrial Bank and Trust Company, director of the Somers Electric Light & Power Com- pany, and is otherwise actively identified with the business interests of Hartford.
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DEWEY, Edward Watson,
Public Official.
Edward Watson Dewey, sheriff of Hartford county, Connecticut, needs no introduction to the contemporary readers of this work, for he has been honored with public office for more than a quarter of a century, and has occupied his present posi- tion for nine years. He is a representa- tive of one of the oldest and most re- spected families of New England, the members in the various generations being men and women of worth and integrity, performing well their part in whatever circles they moved.
(I) The first of the name to come to this country was Thomas Dewey, a native of Sandwich, County Kent, England. He was one of the original grantees of Dor- chester. Massachusetts, and on August 12, 1635, he sold his Dorchester lands. He then, with other men of Dorchester, set- tled in Windsor, Connecticut. In 1633 he witnessed the will of John Russell. On May 14. 1634. he was admitted freeman, and in 1642-45 he served as juryman. His estate was inventoried, May 19. 1648. He married, March 22, 1639, a widow, Mrs. Frances Clark, who married a second time after the death of her first husband. She died September 27, 1690.
(II) Israel Dewey, son of Thomas and Frances Dewey, was born at Windsor, Connecticut. September 25. 1645, and died there, October 23. 1678. He was a farmer by occupation. At the time of his mar- riage he resided at Northampton, and later he was granted eight acres of land in the town of Westfield, Massachusetts, and there remained until about the year 1674, when he returned to Windsor, Con- necticut. The administrators of his estate were appointed December 5. 1678. He married, at Northampton, August 20, 1668, Abigail Drake, born at Windsor. Connecticut, September 28, 1648, died
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