USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 7 > Part 16
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Almon Blake Phelps was born in Sarahs- ville, Ohio, November 26, 1866. He was only a child when his father died. He attended the public schools of his native town, studying assiduously, as he realized that in a large measure he had his own way to make in the world. When he was sixteen he came to Connecticut, and from that time until he was twenty-
one worked on farms of his relatives, giving good, honest labor in return for the assistance they gave him. He lived at Copper Hill, East Granby, for many years, following farming. He won the confidence and respect of all who em- ployed him, and the good-will of his fel- low-workers. By economy and industry he won his way to a competence, and bought his present home in 1912. This is the historic old farm where the first keeper of Newgate Prison, Captain John Viets, lived. Mr. Phelps grows about seven acres of tobacco, and twelve acres of corn. At times he has as many as seventy-five head of cattle on the place. He deals extensively in live stock, and sells about one hundred quarts of milk per day, sending it to Hartford. He is one of the practical, progressive business men of the town, interested in public af- fairs, always willing to serve in any capacity where he can advance the public welfare, but not an office seeker. He is Republican in political affiliations, has served for twenty years as assessor, has also been selectman, and represented the town at the Legislature in 1899, when he was on the excise committee. Socially Mr. Phelps is much sought. He is a director of the Old Newgate Coon Club, a well known hunting organization, which has become widely famous for its din- ners. He has owned the prison property for about fifteen years, and until a year ago catered to parties of tourists who came to visit the old landmark. He is a member of the Old Newgate Lodge, Knights of Pythias.
Mr. Phelps married (first) Florence Mary, daughter of Julius G. Viets, of Granby. They had two children: I. Nellie Esther, who married Alfred Mad- igan, of Hartford, and has two children : Florence Phelps and Almon Russell. 2. Mary Viets, employed with the Trav-
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elers Insurance Company of Hartford. Mr. Phelps married (second) Lena E. White, born in Forestville, Connecti- cut, in 1866, daughter of Jolin and Ellen (Russell) White, of Forestville. John White was a native of Hartford, resided for a number of years in Forestville, and descends through many generations of John Whites in this country.
BENNETT, Ossian Sanford, Business Man.
An ideal is a beautiful thing, and the courage which upholds that ideal is glor- ious. It was this admirable quality in the character of Ossian S. Bennett that enabled him to leave college before com- pleting his full term, and with a brave heart take up the mantle of responsibility which the premature death of his father placed upon his shoulders.
Joseph Bennett, father of Ossian S. Bennett, was a native of Tilsit, Germany, born there in November, 1870, died in New Britain, Connecticut, in 1917. At an early age he left his native land and came to Montreal, Canada. At the time of his arrival there he was practically penniless, and finding work he remained only long enough to get sufficient funds to travel to Boston. In the latter city he secured work as a jewelry salesman, fol- lowing this occupation for a year. Again the desire for change and travel seized him and he went to Laconia, New Hamp- shire, engaging in business for himself as proprietor of a barber shop. This he iater disposed of to purchase a street sprinkling business. Soon after this an opportunity presented itself to Mr. Ben- nett to become the owner of a thriving laundry business in Laconia. He was quick to grasp it and within a year pur- chased a second laundry. The latter was located in Lakeport, New Hampshire.
Disposing of his entire interests in the latter State, Mr. Bennett removed to San Pedro, California, and was there engaged in the same line of business. Preferring the climate of the Eastern States, he again returned to New Hampshire, and was living there until 1904, in which year he moved with his family to New Britain, Connecticut. His greatest success in business was in New Britain, having pur- chased the Union Laundry of that city, one of the largest in the immediate vicinity. Thirteen years later Mr. Bennett died, in his prime, and his only son, Ossian S., who receives extended mention below, now carries on the business. Mr. Ben- nett married Mable De Merritt, a native of Laconia, and she survives him.
Ossian Sanford Bennett, only child of Joseph and Mable (De Merritt) Bennett, was born in Laconia, New Hampshire, July 6, 1896. His first education was re- ceived in the schools of that town, and in 1904 he began attendance at the public schools of New Britain. He continued through the New Britain High School, from which he was graduated in 1915, following which he was a student for a year at the Peekskill Military Academy. There he prepared for entrance to the Syracuse University and would have been a member of the class of 1920. As above stated. Mr. Bennett was obliged to re- linquish his course, and returning to New Britain immediately took up the manage- ment of the business of the Union Laun- dry Company, of which he is now presi- dent and treasurer. The business acumen of Mr. Bennett is worthy of a man many years his senior. He has inherited the commercial instincts of his father, and possesses a rare talent for organizing and ability to execute his plans. The area over which the business of the Union Laundry extends is a large one, compris- ing Waterbury, Bristol, Southington,
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Plainville, Forestville, Collinsville, and Hartford. Originally located at No. 86 Arch street, the plant has been removed to No. 266 Arch street, where large, new buildings equipped with the most modern and up-to-date machinery have been erected.
Despite the demands made upon Mr. Bennett by his business interests, he heeded his country's call for men, enlist- ing July 1, 1918, in the United States Naval Reserves. He was located at the Submarine Base, New London, Connec- ticut, and was honorably discharged from the service, December 12, 1918. Frater- nally he is a member of Centennial Lodge, of New Britain.
On June 8, 1917, Mr. Bennett married Gertrude Sarita Linke, daughter of Ed- ward and Gertrude Linke, of New Britain.
ANDREWS, Charles, Substantial Citizen.
The tie of a common language unites the two English speaking nations, be- tween which rolls the broad Atlantic. Coming to this country a man of to-day, or looking back upon a long line of an- cestry to an early founder of our Repub- lic, we are brothers, and as such all inter- ests, whether of business, society or fam- ily, unite as naturally as the waters of two mighty rivers flowing together. In Charles Andrews, a steam fitter of East Hartford, we find all the sturdy and up- right qualities that a Scottish born father can give to America of to-day, in his only son.
The name of Andrews signifies manly or courageous. It was originally An- drew, and Andrews is Andrew's son. Mr. Andrew's father, Hugh Andrews, was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, and came to America when he was nineteen years of age. After working in different parts of
the West for a year or so, he settled in Hartford, working for a time for the old firm of Hawes & Smith, dealers in flour and grain. He then entered the employ of S. S. Chamberlain, on State street, and remained with him more than thirty years, or until his death. His wife, Char- lotte (McLairen) Andrews, was born in Kilpatrick, Scotland, and Charles was their only child.
Charles Andrews was born in Hart- ford, June 8, 1858. He was educated in the public schools of that town, after which he learned the trade of steam fitter in the establishment of N. A. Bosworth and Pitkin Brothers. About twenty-eight years ago he started in business for him- self, in which he is still actively engaged. In so few words can a story of a business career be told, when a man's whole life has been an example of steadfastness of purpose, turning not to one thing after another, going not hither and yon, but choosing one long, straight path, and fol- lowing it to success. Mr. Andrews is a man of tireless industry, with a strict sense of business honor. He has done some important work in his line, yet it is difficult to induce him to talk of his own achievements. He is very highly esteemed among his business associates, as well as those who know him in his home life. He is one of the solid men of East Hartford.
Mr. Andrews married Olive Rebecca Douglas, born August 17, 1857, daughter of Jonathan Dart Douglas, of New Lon- don. Her family have been in New Lon- don since 1640. To trace them down through the early history of our coun- try is interesting.
Mr. Andrews has lived most of his life in East Hartford, and is considered one of the substantial, solid business men of the community. His children were born
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there and have grown up around him. They are: Douglas Hugh, who married Isabelle Mercer, and has one child, Doug- las Hugh, Jr. ; May Louise, who married Wallace E. Frohock, and has one child, Wallace E., Jr .; Charlotte S .; and Ed- win Giles. The latter served in the Sig- nal Corps at Fort Leavenworth during the war with the Teutons. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews are members of the South Bap- tist Church, and Mrs. Andrews is a mem- ber of the Order of the Eastern Star, and the Olive Court of Amaranth, which she organized in East Hartford. It is a source of congratulation to any commun- ity to number among its citizens men of Mr. Andrew's character. They give per- manence and stability to the social order of the town and are examples of business sagacity and progress which the youth of the community may do well to emulate.
Deacon William Douglas, ancestor of Mrs. Olive R. (Douglas) Andrews, was born in 1610, in Scotland, and married, about 1636, Ann Mattle, who was born in 1610, in Ringstead, Northamptonshire, England, daughter of Thomas Mattle. William Douglas came to New England in 1640, and settled in Gloucester, Massa- chusetts, then removed to Boston. The next year he went to Ipswich, then back to Boston in 1645. In 1660 he removed to New London, where he was a prominent man, and held many offices. He died De- cember 26, 1682, and his wife died in 1685. Robert Douglas, the oldest son, born in Scotland in 1639, was twenty-one years of age when his parents moved to New Lon- don. He was a cooper. He married, September 28, 1665, Mary, daughter of Robert Hempstead, of New London, who died December 26, 1711. He died Janu- ary 15, 1715-16. Thomas Douglas, the next in line, was born May 15, 1679, in
New London, and married, November 25, 1703, Hannah Sperry, of New Haven. He was admitted to the church, April 9, 1710, and held numerous town offices. He died March 3, 1724-25. Robert Douglas, born December 28, 1705, in New London, mar- ried, August 5, 1731, Sarah Edgecome. Both were members of the church, being admitted October 5, 1737. He died in October, 1786, and his wife died in 1797- 98, at Wallingford, Vermont. Samuel Douglas, the next in line, was born Feb- ruary 26, 1744-45. He married, February 26, 1781, Rebecca Avery, daughter of Elisha Avery, of Stonington, a farmer, very highly respected in the community. He died April 20, 1821. His widow died in Newfield, New York. Elisha Avery Douglas was born there, February 7, 1782, and married, August 8, 1802, Mar- garet Dart, daughter of Solomon Dart, of Waterford. He was a surveyor and held public office. He died August 30, 1864, and his wife died May 16, 1863. Jonathan Dart Douglass was born in Waterford, April 2, 1818, and married Sarah Ann Smith, November 10, 1839, daughter of Jacob Smith, of New London. He was a manufacturer of cast steel hammers and stone cutter's tools. His daughter, Olive Rebecca Douglas, married Charles An- drews.
Family tradition says that Mr. An- drews' father was descended from the family of Robert Burns, who was a cou- sin of the generation then living, the ma- ternal name was Boland.
Mr. Andrews has been active in Ma- sonic orders and has several times been honored in having conferred on him dif- ferent offices. He is past master of Orient Lodge, No. 62, of East Hartford, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; member of Washington Commandery, No. I, Knights Templar ; Connecticut Consistory of Nor-
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wich; Sphinx Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine ; Bige- low Chapter of the Eastern Star, of which he is past patron. He is past thrice illus- trious master of Wolcott Council; past thrice potent master of Charter Oak Lodge of Perfection ; past patron of the Order of the Amaranth, and past grand patron of the Amaranth of the State of Connecticut.
HUGINS, Charles Ozro, Business Man, Public Official.
One of the oldest continuous undertak- ing establishments in Connecticut was that conducted by Charles O. Hugins, of Collinsville. Mr. Hugins was born May 9, 1858, in West Granville, Massachu- setts, son of Ozro and Sarah Cordelia (Marcy) Hugins, and died March 10, 1919, at his home in Collinsville.
The business was founded by Bradford Marcy, grandfather of Mr. Hugins, and has been in the family for four genera- tions. At one time it was the only under- taking business within a radius of twelve miles and its members were known throughout the State. Ozro Hugins, father of Charles D. Hugins, was a great- great-grandson of Zachariah Hugins, who came from England and settled on the Housatonic lowlands in the town of Shef- field, Massachusetts. He was a farmer and also lived in Tyringham, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, where his son, Ebenezer Hugins, was born. The latter was a farmer of Sheffield most of his life, but died in Granville, Massachusetts. His son, Ozro Hugins, was born in Sheffield, Massachusetts, in 1829, and died in Collins- ville, Connecticut, in 1889. He grew up on the farm, but did not follow the occupation of farming, going instead under the in- struction of Bradford Marcy, who had
established in the undertaker's business in 1846. Mr. Marcy taught him the cabi- netmaker's trade, and also the undertak- ing business, instructing his apprentice in that branch from the making of the coffin to the final rites. He remained with Mr. Marcy (whose daughter he married) as journeyman, then as partner, and when the founder of the business passed away succeeded him. Ozro Hugins was a se- lectman of West Granville for two years ; was a member of Village Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Collins- ville; Columbia Chapter, Royal Arch Ma- sons; and in politics was a Republican. He married Sarah Cordelia Marcy, daugh- ter of Bradford Marcy, and they were the parents of two children: Charles O., of further mention, and Clara, who became the wife of A. A. Cushing, of Collinsville, Connecticut, where she now resides.
Charles Ozro Hugins was a lad of seven years when his parents removed to Collinsville, and with the exception of five years spent in New Haven, Connecticut, (at which time he was superintendent of the Hendrick's Manufacturing Company there) it has been his home. He was educated in the public schools, but from boyhood worked with his father in the shop, and literally grew up in the cabinet- making and undertaking business. He became an expert worker in wood, that being the part of the business first learned. Later he learned the duties of undertaker and funeral director and con- ducted his first funeral when he was but sixteen years of age. Upon the death of his father he succeeded to the ownership and management of the undertaking busi- ness first established by Bradford Marcy in 1846. Mr. Hugins was the first under- taker in his section of the State to aban- don the practice of making his own coffins and use the ready made caskets now in
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general use. He had adopted all other improvements in caring for the dead. During the campaign of 1896, Mr. Hugins withdrew his support from the Republi- can candidate and from that time acted with the Democratic party. lle was a member of the Collinsville School Board, and his interest extended to all depart- ments of the public life of the town. At his death the town of Collinsville lost one of her most prominent and upright citi- zens. Ile was a member of Village Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Ma- sons, and until its charter was surren- dered he was affiliated with Collinsville Lodge. Knights of Pythias. He was also a member of Summit Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in religious affiliation was an Episcopalian.
Mr. Hugins married. November 24, 1881, Idella A., daughter of Isaac Hall, of West Granville. They were the parents of three children : Harold O., married Lil- lian Silby; Sarah, wife of Basil M. Par- sons; Charles O., Jr.
SMITH, Charles Hanno,
Head of Important Business.
Careful attention to his duties and up- right conduct as a citizen have placed Mr. Smith in a position of responsibility and he has justified the expectations of his employers. He is a descendant of an an- cient American family, whose founder was Rev. Henry Smith. He was a mem- ber of the party of Rev. Thomas Hooker, which came from the neighborhood of Watertown, Massachusetts, to the Con- necticut river in 1636. He became the first minister of Wethersfield, Connecti- cut, and there died in 1643. No record of his wife appears. It is easy to trace the origin of the name of Smith, which was adopted as a patronymic something like four centuries ago. In those days any-
one who worked in metals was called a "smith," and thus we have a greater num- ber of people bearing this name than any other, because it was adopted as a sur- name by so many people when an edict of government compelled everyone in England to have a surname. Descendants of this family have been conspicuous in Connecticut and have included Governor John Cotton Smith, Rev. John Cotton Smith and Rev. Roland Cotton Smith, rectors of the Protestant Episcopal church.
(I) Samuel Smith, the eldest son of Rev. Henry Smith, was born 1638-39, in Wethersfield, and from 1666 to 1680 was a farmer in Northampton, Massachusetts. He subsequently settled in Hadley Falls, Massachusetts, to care for his aged mother, widow of Rev. John Russell Smith. There he died September 10, 1703. He married, about 1662, Mary, daughter of James Ensign, of Hartford.
(II) Ebenezer Smith, second son of Samuel Smith, was baptized in 1668 in Northampton, lived at Hadley until late in life, when he removed to Suffield, Connecticut, then a part of Massachu- setts, and there died September 15, 1728. He married, about 1693, Sarah, widow of James Barlow, of Suffield and Springfield, Massachusetts, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Spencer ) Huxley, of Hartford and Suffield, born about 1672-73. She mar- ried (second) Martin Kellogg, of Suffield. (III) Ebenezer (2) Smith, eldest son of Ebenezer (1) and Sarah (Huxley) Smith, was born April 12, 1699, in Suffield, and was admitted to the church there February 27, 1725. His wife's baptismal name was Christian.
(IV) Rev. Jedediah Smith, eldest child of Ebenezer (2) Smith, was born January 31, 1727, in Suffield, was graduated from Yale in 1750, with the degree of A. M. in 1754, and was elected pastor of the church
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at Granville, Massachusetts, August 5, 1755. He was ordained December 1, 1756, and was engaged at a salary of one hun- dred fifty pounds (£ 150) which was sub- sequently raised to two hundred pounds ( £200). He was a loyalist and became unpopular with his parishioners, and in 1776 started with a party to settle at Natchez, Mississippi. After enduring many hardships he was taken ill at Fort Adams, forty-five miles below Natchez, and there died September 2, 1776. He married, in Granville, Sarah Cook, and they were the parents of twelve children, all of whom except the eldest went with the expedition to Natchez.
(V) Jedediah (2) Smith, eldest child of Rev. Jedediah (1) Smith, was born April 5, 1752, in Granville, Massachusetts, and after living a short time in Bland- ford, Massachusetts, settled at Enfield, Connecticut. He served as a soldier of the Revolution from that town, as a mem- ber of the Ninth Company, Captain John Watson, of Canaan, Fourth Regiment, commanded by Benjamin Hinman. This regiment was raised on the first call in April, 1775, and in May, 1775, was at Ticonderoga, and suffered much from illness during that campaign in October and November, and many of its members were discharged. When taken prisoner at The Cedars, May 19, 1776, he held the rank of corporal. Mr. Smith again en- listed June 9, 1776, and was made ser- geant of Captain John Stevens' company, later commanded by Captain Jesse Kim- ball, both of Canaan, and the muster roll, dated November 25, 1776, at Mt. Inde- pendence (Ticonderoga) includes his name. His name appears in the list of pensioners residing in Vermont under the Act of 1818, so it is probable that he re- moved to that State before his death.
(VI) Wheeler M. Smith, son of Jed- ediah (2) Smith, was born in Canaan,
where he was a farmer and stock raiser, also in the adjoining town of Colebrook, Connecticut, and was well known as an Abolitionist. He married, May 9, 1821, at the Colebrook Second Church, Malinda Fellows, a scion of one of the earliest families of Canaan.
(VII) Henry Ames Smith, son of Wheeler M. Smith, was born in Cole- brook, June 2, 1824, and died in Collins- ville, April 29, 1906. As a young man he settled in Canaan and was employed as mechanic. In the latter part of his life he engaged in the produce business in New Haven, and after living there some years he returned to Canaan and later settled in Norfolk, Connecticut, where for some few years previous to his death he lived in retirement from active business. He married Eletheah Hildreth, daughter of Nathaniel and Lucinda (Fisk) Hil- dreth, natives of New Hampshire. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were members of the Congregational church. They were the parents of two sons: Ward D., now a resident of Hudson, New York, and Charles Hanno, of further mention.
(VIII) Charles Hanno Smith, son of Henry Ames Smith, was born March 4, 1856, in New Haven, and was reared in Canaan, Connecticut, attending the pub- lic schools there and later in Norfolk, Connecticut. In the latter town he be- gan work in a carriage axle factory, where he mastered the details of the business and was for many years its manager. In 1891, Mr. Smith removed from Norfolk to Collinsville, where he became assist- ant superintendent of the Collins Com- pany, and about one year later was ad- vanced to the position of superintendent. This is one of the great industries of the Farmington River Valley and is described at considerable length elsewhere in this work. It is thus apparent that Mr. Smith's ability and standing are of no
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mean order because of the great respon- sibility of the position which he holds. He is a very patriotic and public spirited citizen, of broad and generous character, eager to assist every worthy public en- terprise, and is a member of the Con- necticut Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution. He married (first) Mary, daughter of William Peck, of Canaan, and (second) Mary Priscilla Barker, of Ames- bury, Massachusetts. They attend and support the Episcopal and Congregational churches of Collinsville.
KONOLD, Frederick W., Business Man.
Prior to the German Revolution of 1848, Frederick Louis Konold with his parents and his brothers and sisters left Germany and came to the United States, Frederick L. then being a young man of nineteen years. The family found a home in Collinsville, Connecticut, the male members finding employment with the Collins Company. This review follows the fortunes of one Frederick L. Konold and his son, Frederick W. Konold.
Frederick L. Konold, son of Matthew Konold, was a native of Mainz, also writ- ten in English, Mentz and Mayence, the largest city in the Grand Duchy of Hesse, capital of the province of of Rhenish Hesse, and one of the principal fortresses of Germany on the left bank of the Rhine opposite the mouth of the Main. He was born June 13, 1829, and died in Collins- ville, Connecticut, October 6, 1898. He learned the trade of blacksmith in Mainz, where he was educated, and resided until 1848, when he came with the family to Collinsville, Connecticut. He secured employment with the Collins Company, and for half a century, until his death at the age of sixty-nine years, he continued in that employ. He married Elizabeth
Swing, born in Hesse Cassel, Germany, who yet survives him aged eighty-two years, a daughter of William Swing. Mr. and Mrs. Konokl were the parents of five children, four of whom grew to manhood and womanhood: Minnie, deceased ; Net- tie, married G. H. Samlow, of New Brit- ian; Mary, married Charles Leming, of Meriden : Annie, married W. R. Wagoner, of Collinsville ; Frederick W., of further mention. After coming to Collinsville, Matthew Konold, head of the family, did not engage in any stated occupation, but in Mainz he had been an iron worker. Frederick L. later bought a farm at Avon, where he resided.
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