USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 7 > Part 14
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58
The Yale family is one of the oldest of Connecticut families. The derivation of the surname holds an added interest be- cause it has been derived from the mater- nal side of the family, which is very rare.
95
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Previous to the thirteenth century there were practically no surnames, and as the need for names grew it became custo- mary to take a name from location of residence, occupation or some personal attribute. Yale belongs to the class of place names. Originally it was spelled Ial and Yal, and comes from the com- mune, hundred or district of Yale in Powys Fadog, Wales. The Yales are descended from Osborn Fitzgerald, through his descendant, Ellis ap Griffith, who married Margaret, the heiress of Plas yn Yale. From that time the sur- name was adopted by their descendants, the first to definitely assume it being Dr. Thomas Yale, 1577.
(I) The immigrant ancestor of the fam- ily herein under consideration was Thom- as Yale, who was born about 1616 in Chester, England, and died March 27, 1683, in New Haven, Connecticut. In 1637 he accompanied his father-in-law to America, and settled at New Haven the following year. In 1659 he returned to England, but 1660 finds him a resident of the Connecticut Colony. He was one of the most prominent men in New Haven ; he was active in every movement there and was highly regarded by the other settlers. In 1645 he married Mary Turner, a daughter of Captain Nathaniel Turner, of New Haven.
(II) Captain Thomas (2) Yale, son of Thomas (1) Yale, was born in New Haven about 1647, and died January 26, 1736, at Wallingford, Connecticut. He was among the first settlers of the latter town, having moved there in May, 1670, and was instrumental in forming the first church of that town, February 15, 1675. Captain Yale was one of the only two surviving members of the signers of the Wallingford Plantation Covenant in 1710, the second being Rev. Samuel Street. He served as justice of the peace; captain of
the train band; surveyor of lands, and held many other minor offices. He married, December 11, 1667, Rebecca, daughter of William Gibbards, born in New Haven, February 26, 1650, died in Wallingford.
(III) Captain Theophilus Yale, son of Captain Thomas (2) Yale, was born No- vember 13, 1675, and died September 13, 1760. He served as magistrate from 1724 until his death, and was always engaged in some form of civic work, and as one writer has aptly said, "He was a true servant of the people." He married Sarah, daughter of Rev. Samuel and Anna Street, of Wallingford, and her death occurred November 28, 1785.
(IV) Elihu Yale, son of Captain The- ophilus Yale, was born in May, 1703, and his death occurred while on the Louis- burg Expedition, at Cape Breton, Decem- ber 31, 1745. He was a farmer. His second wife was Judith Howe ; they were married January 19, 1732, and after his death she married Daniel Dutton, remov- ing soon thereafter to Waterbury.
(V) Captain Elisha Yale, son of Elihu and Judith (Howe) Yale, was born Au- gust 29, 1742, and died April 1, 1825. He followed agricultural pursuits. In 1761 he married Rebecca North, of Farming- ton.
(VI) Elisha (2) Yale, son of Captain Elisha (1) Yale, was born December 8, 1763, and died July 31, 1840. He mar- ried Rhoda Culver, and like his ancestors was a farmer.
(VII) Anson Yale, son of Elisha (2) Yale, was born February 27, 1805, died May 2, 1849. At different periods he lived in South Canaan, Waterbury and Middletown. Mr. Yale removed to East Hartford in 1880 and there he made his home until his death. He married, No- vember 8, 1832, Mary A. Fields, who was born April 25, 1811.
(VIII) Charles Fields Yale, son of
96
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Anson Yale, was born December 14, 1842, in Middletown, and died August 21, 1901, in East Hartford. He was one of twins, the other, a sister, died young. He married, February 11, 1873, in Hartford, Isabella Viney Miller, who was born December 9, 1845, in New London, Con- necticut, a daughter of Albert J. Miller, of Wallingford. They were the parents of a son, Charles Miller, and three daugh- ters: Maribel Agnes, wife of Clarence Belcher, of Hartford, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Annie Louise, born October 6, 1876, wife of Albert Phillips, of Hartford; Fanny Isa- bel, born July 7, 1880, resides at home. The family are attendants of the First Baptist Church.
(IX) Charles Miller Yale, only son of Charles Fields and Isabella Viney (Mil- ler) Yale, was born July 13, 1876, in Hart- ford. He attended the public schools of that city and the Huntsinger's Business College. His first employment was with the New England Car Service Associa- tion of Boston as a stenographer, in which position he continued for about five years. Thinking that he would like to engage in the retail grocery business he secured work as a delivery clerk in order to learn the business. The experiences and knowledge thus gained soon con- vinced him that he was not fitted for that business. On December 28, 1899, Mr. Yale became associated with The Hart- ford Electric Light Company, as a stock- room clerk. Feeling that his opportunity was near at hand, Mr. Yale applied him- self to his work with an earnestness that soon received reward. Added responsi- bilities were given him, and in due course of time he was placed in charge of the stock room, also attending to the pur- chasing.
Although a man may possess many business attributes, unless he also has a
concentration of purpose they are value- less. It is this latter attribute which has been an important factor in the rise of Mr. Yale-concentration. In 1909 Mr. Yale was made assistant general superin- tendent, holding this position until 1913. In June of the following year he was made general superintendent of distribution, and for the past five years he has capably discharged the duties incumbent on this position. Mr. Yale is still a young man, and there remains a few more chapters of his life yet to be told ; it is safe to assume that the future holds much of promise for a man of his capabilities and faithfulness. Fraternally, Mr. Yale is a member of Hartford Lodge, No. 19, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, holding the office of esquire ; member of the Jovians ; charter member of the City Club and of the Wethersfield Country Club. For fourteen months Mr. Yale was a member of the Governor's Foot Guards.
Mr. Yale married, October 11, 1895, Kathryn F., daughter of John P. Crowley, of Hartford. Mrs. Yale is an attendant of the Immaculate Conception Church.
GRANT, Frank Harlow,
Man of Enterprise.
The name of Grant has been a promi- nent one in the history of the town and city of Rockville for many years. Its members have been identified with the growth of that city, and among them have been business men of ability, public officials, and professional men. The name, itself, is of French origin, and is found very common among the Scotch. It is probably a corruption of the French, grand, a name bestowed on an early an- cestor on account of his size. The early life of Queen Mary was spent in France, and upon her return to Scotland she was accompanied by many French people and
ConD-7-7
97
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
this fact accounts for the origin of many French names in Scotia.
Matthew Grant, the immigrant ances- tor of the family in America, is traced in England to William Graunt, of Roxby, Yorkshire, who lived in the middle of the fifteenth century. He married Jane, daughter of William Burton, of Ingman- thorp. His son, John Graunt, of Roxby, married Jane, daughter and co-heiress of Edward Belford, of Exilby. Their son, George Grant, married, November 7, 1570, at Roxby, Julian, daughter of Mar- maduke Claryonette or Clargennet. Their son, John Grant, born May 6, 1573, mar- ried July 7, 1600, Alice Turberville, daughter of Matthew Turberville, of Woolbridge, Dorset.
Matthew Grant, the ancestor, son of John Grant, was born October 27, 1601, at Woolbridge, Dorset, England. He married, November 16, 1625, Priscilla Grey, daughter of Rev. Anthony Grey, rector of Burbach, Leicestershire, and Magdelena, daughter of William Purifoy, of Caldecot, Warwickshire. Priscilla Grey was baptized March 14, 1609, at Banbury, Leicestershire. Matthew Grant, with his wife, embarked on the "Mary and John" at Plymouth, England, March 20, 1630, and settled at Dorchester, Mas- sachusetts. He was admitted a freeman at the latter town, May 18, 1631. In Oc- tober, 1635, he formed one of the party who went overland and formed the first settlement at Windsor. His home was in the Palisado, near the town lot. It is said that he was a carpenter. He bequeathed his land to his son, John, with whom he spent the declining years of his life. Mat- thew Grant held many offices; he was surveyor, recorder, deacon of the church, selectman, and withal, an important man of the town. Dr. Stiles, in his history of Windsor, states: "Few men indeed filled the large place in the early history of
Windsor or filled it so well as honest Matthew Grant." Matthew Grant was the compiler of a book of records and of church records that have been of untold value in writing of the early families of Windsor.
Samuel Grant, son of Matthew and Priscilla (Grey) Grant, was born Novem- ber 12, 1631, in Dorchester, and died Sep- tember 10, 1718, in East Windsor Hill. He was engaged in tending the ferry at the age of eighteen years, and was a farmer by occupation. He married, May 27, 1658, at Windsor, Mary Porter, born in 1638 in England, daughter of John and Anna (White) Porter. In 1672 he re- moved to East Windsor Hill, and joined the church in 1685.
Samuel Grant, son of Samuel and Mary (Porter) Grant, was born April 20, 1659, in Windsor, and died May 8, 1710. He lived in East Windsor Hill, where he was a carpenter and owned a cider mill, and was also part owner of a saw mill. After his death his widow conducted a tavern. Ile married (second) at Stonington, April II, 1688, Grace Miner, born there, Sep- tember 20, 1670, died April 16, 1753, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Booth) Miner.
Samuel Grant, their son, was born Sep- tember .19, 1691, and died April 7, 1751, at East Windsor. He married at Wind- sor, January I, 1718-19, Theophyle Bart- lett. In 1726, he was living in Bolton, having exchanged five hundred acres of land in Bolton for five hundred acres on which a large part of the present city of Rockville now stands, then called North Bolton. He was a prominent man and held many offices. In later life he re- turned to Windsor and there died.
Ozias Grant, his son, was born in 1733, in East Windsor, and died May 22, 1823, in Rockville. He was a farmer and owned a grist mill. He was pressed into the
98
O
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
English army and took part in the Quebec campaign, and marched on the Lexington alarm. In description, he is referred to as a stalwart man, and of quaint manner- isms. He married, June 30, 1761, in Windsor, Lorana Strong, born February 8, 1739, died at Bolton, June 25, 1817. daughter of John and Hepzibah (Wol- cott) Strong. In 1761, he removed to Vernon.
Francis Grant, his son, was born De- cember 6, 1777, in Rockville, where he died February 11, 1856. He engaged in farming. On November 18, 1807, he mar- ried (first) Lora Root, born September 17, 1787, in Coventry, died November 25, 1809, in Vernon, daughter of Captain Na- thaniel and Elizabeth (Kingsbury) Root.
Harlow Kingsbury Grant, son of Fran- cis and Lora (Root) Grant, was born February 5, 1809, in Rockville, and died there, September 25, 1854. Between 1836 and 1848 he was a resident of Rushford, New York, returning to the homestead in Rockville in later life. He married, June 4, 1834, at Vernon, Emily Ann Rathbun, born September 20, 1810, died March 9, 1861, in Rockville, daughter of Rodney and Ruth (Redfield) Rathbun.
Nathaniel Root Grant, their son, was born March 20, 1836, in Rockville, and died there August 1, 1909. His education was received in the district schools and during the vacation periods he assisted in the tilling of the paternal acres. As the years passed and the town grew in size, Mr. Grant was often employed in grading sites for new residences. In this work he gained experience and knowledge that were of use to him later, when he held the office of superintendent of streets. He was also selectman, and a member of the old fire department for thirteen years. A member of the Baptist church, he held the office of treasurer there for several years. He married, April 6, 1859, at Thompson-
ville, Agnes Susan Anderson, born there March 4, 1837, daughter of William and Margaret ( Reed) Anderson. He lived in Rockville and owned thirty-five shares of the original five hundred purchased by his ancestor, Samuel Grant, of previous mention. Mr. and Mrs. Grant were the parents of the following children : Frank Ilarlow, of whom further; Mary Louise, born March 16, 1867, in Rockville, wife of Frank Herbert Potter, of Glastonbury ; Bella Lilla, June 26, 1871, married Wal- lace Erksine Strong, and was a resident of Rockville, now deceased.
Frank Harlow Grant, eldest child and only son of Nathaniel Root and Agnes (Anderson) Grant, was born December 20, 1864, in Rockville, and in that city he has spent the entire years of his active and useful life. He is the owner of eigh- teen of the original acres owned by the Grants in Rockville and disposed of sev- eral to make building lots, necessary to keep pace with the consistent growth of the city. Subsequent to completing his schooling, Mr. Grant became interested in the raising of poultry for exhibition purposes, and in 1885 started in business as a breeder of fancy stock. To-day, he is widely known for the remarkable suc- cess he has attained. His specialty in- cludes white and barred Plymouth Rocks, single comb White Leghorns, and many prizes have been won by Mr. Grant. He exhibits annually in New York, Boston, and in his own State of Connecticut. His reputation has extended even to New Mexico, where he has made several sales, and his flocks now number as many as four hundred pedigreed fowls. Although Mr. Grant has now practically retired from the more arduous cares of business, his interests are efficiently looked after by his son, Harlow Rheel Grant. The busi- ness and home interests of Mr. Grant have occupied the greater part of his time,
99
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
so much so, that he has not been very active in fraternal organizations, but is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and with his family is a regu- lar attendant of the Union Congrega- tional Church, of Rockville.
He married (first) at Rockville, Febru- ary 5, 1885, Nellie Lydia Mc Pherson, born there March 29, 1866, died February 17, 1893, daughter of John and Emma (Bilson) Mc Pherson. He married (sec- ond) March 28, 1895, Agnes Eva (Rheel) Mac Gregor, born March 29, 1868, at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, daughter of Henry William and Mary Jane (Smith) Rheel, and widow of James Mac Gregor. By his first marriage, Mr. Grant was the father of two daughters: Bernice Louise, born December 8, 1888, married George Bluteau, of Springfield, and is the mother of a son, George Grant Bluteau; Nellie Agnes, born February 6, 1893, married Walter S. Billings, of Wapping, Connecti- cut, and has one son, Stanley Russell Bill- ings. By his second marriage, Mr. Grant is the father of a son, Harlow Rheel Grant, born July 10, 1898.
THOMSON, William Wallace, Florist.
A descendant of worthy Scotch ances- tors, William Wallace Thomson has in- herited those qualities which make for success, and through his business acumen has attained a prominent position among the business men of West Hartford. Mr. Thomson was born May 21, 1881, son of Paul and Jeanette D. (Metcalf) Thom- son.
Paul Thomson, his father, was born April 15, 1846, in Perthsire, Scotland, and died in February, 1909. He was a son of William and Annie (McArthur) Thom- son. His early education was acquired in his native town, and until his emigra-
tion to America in 1871, he was engaged in agricultural work with his father on the paternal homestead. During those years he laid the foundation of the prac- tical knowledge which proved of immense helpfulness to him afterwards in his flor- ist business. A year after coming to Hartford he purchased the Powell farm, located in West Hartford, and until 1899 did a large and thriving wholesale market gardening business. His complete mas- tery of his work and his indefatigable efforts to make it a successful one, re- sulted in its being one of the largest busi- nesses of its kind in the vicinity. In the latter year he disposed of the land which he had formerly owned, and devoted his attention to gardening purposes and built extensive greenhouses. From that time he devoted all of his attention to floral work, making a specialty of English vio- let cultivation, in which he was highly successful. Mr. Thomson continued in this line until his death, at which time the responsibility passed to his son, William Wallace Thomson. Mr. Thomson was a staunch adherent of the Republican party and was several times honored with offices of trust. He served as justice of the peace of West Hartford in 1897 and 1898, and for several years was master of the West Hartford Grange, an organization devoted to the interests of those engaged in agri- cultural work. Mr. Thomson was an active worker in the Congregational church and was a member of its Ecclesi- astical Society for many years. He mar- ried, June 24, 1880, at Keene, New Hamp- shire, Jeanette D. Metcalf, of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Thomson were the parents. of three children: William Wallace, Ru- pert Roy, and Carlyle C. Thomson.
The elementary education of William Wallace Thomson was received in the grammar and high schools of West Hart- ford, and during the intervals between
100
Fre. et Grepold;
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
school periods he was accustomed to as- sist his father in work about the green- houses, and at an early age was well instructed in different phases of the busi- ness. After completing his schooling he spent several years in scientific study of horticulture, and thoroughly applying himself to his work soon acquired an ex- tensive knowledge of the subject. From a modest start with a small greenhouse, occupying a space of 185 x 22 feet, the business has steadily and surely grown until now there are seventy-five thousand square feet under glass. Mr. Thomson makes a specialty of growing roses, car- nations, violets, sweet peas and chrysan- themums, although at all times is alert to the desire of the public and produces those varieties for which there is a popu- lar demand. Now and then Mr. Thomson grows a crop of hot house vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce. For all of his products, flowers and vege- tables, there is always a ready market, as the high grade of their excellence is widely known. Mr. Thomson is a mem- ber of the Hartford Florist Association, in which organization he holds the office of treasurer. He is a public-spirited man, and takes a keen interest in any move- ment that will better the general welfare; however, Mr. Thomson's business inter- ests and home ties occupy the greater part of his time, and he does not seek to hold public office, performing his share in the rôle of a private citizen.
He married Rebekah Wheeler, daugh- ter of Benjamin P. Wheeler, of North Stonington, Connecticut, and they are the parents of the following children : Jean- ette Metcalf. Emily Kimbly, William Pomeroy, Douglass Wallace. Mr. Thom- son and his family are regular attendants of the Congregational church, in which Mr. Thomson takes an active part. He has held various offices and is at the pres-
ent time a member of the society com- mittee.
REYNOLDS, George Albert, Useful Citizon.
A well known and distinguished citizen of Hartford, Connecticut, identified with the best interests of that city for many years, George Albert Reynolds, clerk of the fire board for over twenty years, held a high place in the esteem of his contem- poraries.
Mr. Reynolds was born October 23, 1846, in New Haven, Connecticut, son of William and Jane D. (Linde) Reynolds, and died July 24, 1918, at Hartford, that State. He was a descendant of worthy ancestors, among them being the Rev. John Davenport, of New Haven, and the Hon. Henry Wolcott, of Windsor. Mr. Reynolds' early home in New Haven was the old Davenport place on Elm street, where the regicides were concealed. His education was received in the public schools, and when but a boy he began his career in the business world as paymas- ter's clerk aboard the United States gun- boat "Paul Jones," under paymaster Thomas L. Tullock. After the close of the Civil War, Mr. Reynolds entered bus- iness in civil life in the New York office of the Hartford Life & Accident Insur- ance Company, remaining there for four years. He then returned to his native city, and the ensuing decade was spent in the carriage building business asso- ciated with George T. Newhall, a well known manufacturer. In 1880 Mr. Rey- nolds became identified with the business life of Hartford, and from that time until his death was an active worker in all mat- ters pertaining to the general welfare of the city. He was employed in the office of the Pratt & Whitney Company for many years, and at the time of his resig-
JOI
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
nation he held the office of cashier and head bookkeeper. For the next seven years, from 1900 to 1907, Mr. Reynolds was connected with the Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company, resigning to accept the appointment as permanent clerk of the fire board, which he had previously served as clerk and book- keeper. He discharged the duties incum- bent on this office with efficiency and ability until his retirement from active business life in May, 1915.
Mr. Reynolds was especially active and prominent in fraternal organizations. He was a past exalted ruler of Hartford Lodge, No. 19, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, having the distinguished honor of being the oldest past exalted ruler of the Elks in the world, and simil- larly the oldest past chancellor of Lincoln Lodge, No. 55, Knights of Pythias. He was a member of Hartford Lodge, No. 88, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; Pythagoras Chapter, No. 17, Royal Arch Masons; Wolcott Council, No. I, Royal and Select Masters. Mr. Reynolds was a member of the Reynolds Family Asso- ciation and of the Wolcott Family Asso- ciation. In both of these organizations he was highly esteemed, and always at their annual meetings delighted all with his humorous and interesting accounts of some matter pertaining to the histori- cal events and happenings.
Mr. Reynolds married, September 16, 1905, at Port Jervis, New York, Elizabeth R. Robinson, born January 9, 1866, at Bethel, Sullivan county, New York, daughter of John P. Robinson, of Port Jervis.
VIETS, Scott Benjamin,
General Farmer, Public Official.
Steadfastness of purpose is not lack of initiative. The man who sticks to one
thing and spends his life in one place is not necessarily a man devoid of resource and incapable of doing more than that one thing. To make one line of work a life- work and carry it through successfully is to fill a wide field of usefulness, though the geographical bounds are very narrow. And in agriculture, if we are to esteem the opinion of so great a man as George Washington, a man is most useful to his fellow men. In recent years, since the world has come to realize its dependence on the producer of foodstuffs, proper re- spect is being paid to the man who is willing to forego white collars and soft hands, and get out and wrest from the soil the means of life and comfort for the other fellow. In the valley farms of Con- necticut one is very likely to find tobacco fields of one or more acres, even where the weed is not the main crop. Of such a well rounded character have been the activities on the farm of Scott Benjamin Viets, of East Granby.
We find the Viets family among the early settlers of that section of the State; but the name was an old and respected one before its bearers turned their faces toward the young country across the ocean. It was originally derived from an old Teutonic given name, Veit or Viet. The records say that this is a name corre- sponding with the English name, Guy, which is a shorter form of Guido, the meaning of the word being guide. The letters W and V are equivalent to au in Italian and French words. We find in the "Dictionary of the High German Dia- lect," (Adelung), "Veit, Latin Vitus, a man's given name of ancient German ori- gin, and contracted from Guido." Cal- isch, a Dutch scholar of high standing, states that Veit and Guy are correspond- ing Dutch and English forms of the same name. We find the origin of the name described thus; taken from the meaning
102
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
of three kindred words, the Gothic vitau, meaning to take heed; the Anglo-Saxon witau, to know, the English, wit; the German urts, meaning wit, acuteness, good sense. The necessity of a guide being one who takes heed, sees and knows, gives an added assurance that these records are correct.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.