USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 7 > Part 20
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(IX) George E. Bidwell, son of Albert F. Bidwell, was born December 21, 1858. After completing the public school course in his native town he attended the Con- necticut Literary Institute for a year, and completed his formal education by a course at Hannum's Business College in Hartford. His father having died when he was only a lad, he began at the age of fifteen to earn his own way, working as a farm hand. Strong, vigorous and am- bitious, he was able at that early age to hold his own with his fellow-workers of mature years. Soon after his marriage Mr. Bidwell began farming on his own account by working a farm on shares. Prudent and thrifty, with the rewards of his unflagging industry he was able in April, 1883, to purchase his present farm of one hundred and forty-seven acres in East Granby. This farm has been brought into high productivity, while the residence and buildings are so far above the average as to attract attention. Mr. Bidwell has always taken an active inter- est in public affairs, and is a consistent adherent of the Republican party. In 1895 and again in 1911 he represented the town in the State Legislature.
On January 5, 1882, Mr. Bidwell mar- ried (first) Minnie Bristol, daughter of Anson Wheeler and Sarah E. (Williams) Bristol, a sketch of whom appears else- where in this work. She was born in Canton, September 15, 1861, and educated in the public schools of that town, subse- quently attending a select school where she was trained to become a school teacher, and followed this vocation until her marriage. She was the mother of a son, Jasper W. Bidwell. Mr. Bidwell married (second) Mary M. Bristol. born AAugust 27, 1873, sister of his first wife. Her early education was received in the Collinsville schools and this course was followed by other courses in Hartford.
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Mrs. Bidwell became a school teacher and for several years was engaged in this pro- fession in the Hartford schools.
COTTER, Daniel F., Automobile Dealer.
Opportunity is supposed to be a fleet- footed goddess who designs to pass only once. But perhaps opportunity has learned to respect certain level-headed men who are gifted with an infinite capacity for painstaking, persistent hard work. For the sake of these she may now and then take a leisurely pace, accommodat- ing her steps to the stately movement of those evolutionary forces which bring about business changes, and really spell progress. Certain it is that the man who keeps everlastingly at it, holding his mind on the alert for every change in business conditions, still never losing his compre- hensive grasp on the work in hand, is the man who wins.
Daniel F. Cotter, of Hartford, Connec- ticut, is a man who has followed one line of business, growing with its growth and reaching out with its development, chang- ing as time changed the conditions gov- erning his work, and thus evolving his success. Constancy of purpose and de- termination make success.
The name of Cotter is very old. Ac- cording to Burke, "The Irish patronymic of this family is O'Corteoir, signifying a cottager, a boat builder." According to Gibson, in his "History of Cork," the family is of Danish origin. The head of the Cotter family in Ireland during the Commonwealth period was William Cot- ter, who forfeited his estate for his activi- ties in the Irish War in 1641. The Cotter coat-of-arms is :
Arms-Azure, three evetts in pale propre.
Crest-A lion passant, reguardant, propre.
Motto-Dum spiro spero, which means, While I live I shall have hope.
Mr. Cotter's grandfather, Thomas Cot- ter, was born in Ireland. His father, Wil- liam J. Cotter, was born in Portland, Con- necticut, about 1851, and died August 19, 1899, aged forty-eight years. He grew up in Portland, attending the public schools there. When he was about sixteen he went to work for Fred Russell, of that town, and was with him about ten years. He then came to Hartford and went into the livery business for himself on Trinity street. Later he removed to Buckingham street, and continued there until his death. He numbered among his regular patrons many of Hartford's leading families. He was one of the first telephone subscribers in the city of Hartford, when that con- venience was first being installed in the city in the face of much indifference and opposition. His wife, Mary (Fitzgib- bon) Cotter, was a daughter of Daniel Fitzgibbon, and was born in Chicopee, Massachusetts. She died January 6, 1919, aged seventy years. William J. Cotter was the father of four children: Daniel F., Thomas W., Mazie and Josephine. The family were members of St. Peter's Church.
The Fitzgibbon family is of Italian origin, and emigrated to Ireland in 1171. The founder of the family was Gerald, a grandson of Otho, who was an Italian Baron, a descendant of the Duke of Tus- cany. Gerald built the Castle of Pem- broke, and married Nesta, daughter of Rees Gryffidh, a Prince of the Welsh. Her sons were the ancestors of the FitzGer- alds, FitzHenrys and FitzGibbons. De- tails of the Griffin ancestry, the name be- ing a form of Gryffidh, will be found else- where in this work, under the name of Griffin.
Daniel F. Cotter was born in Hartford, December 5, 1876. He was educated in the public schools, and later was asso- ciated with his father in the livery busi- ness until his father's death, then suc-
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ceeded him in the business. He con- tinued at the old stand until 1906, when he removed to Beach street. Automo- biles were then coming into general use, and Mr. Cotter saw the future of the busi- ness as it must expand to meet the new conditions. He enlarged his buildings and added a garage. As time passed, and the use of horses was discontinued in favor of the more convenient automobile, Mr. Cot- ter met the requirements of his trade with such changes and additions as became necessary. In 1917 he removed to his present quarters on Jewell court and abandoned the livery business entirely, as all his old patrons had by that time re- placed horses with automobiles. This is a striking example of the quiet evolution of business. Many of the important garage men of the State were formerly in the livery business, and seeing the trend of progress, gradually worked out of the livery business and coincidentally into the new business that was destined to sup- plant it, the care and repairing of auto- mobiles. Mr. Cotter's new garage covers fifteen thousand square feet of ground, and is one of the largest between New York and Boston. Mr. Cotter is a pro- gressive, substantial citizen, by no means a one-sided man. The spirit that keeps abreast of the business world keeps up also with the general progress of the world of men and affairs. He is a mem- ber of the Knights of Columbus, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Mr. Cotter married Charlotte, daughter of James and Bridget M. Langdon, of Hartford, and has two children, Ruth Langdon and William Lyman. The fam- ily are members of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church.
BALDWIN, John,
Decorator.
The family of Baldwin has many worthy and distinguished representatives,
and is among the oldest of the early Colo- niał families. According to Arthur, the author of "Family Names," the name of Baldwin signifies the speedy conqueror or victor, and is thus derived : Bald, mean- ing quick or speedy, and win, meaning victory. The name was common as early as 1066.
(I) The ancestor of the family herein traced was Nathaniel Baldwin, who was a first settler of Milford, Connecticut, and a free planter there, November 29, 1639. By occupation, he was a cooper, and was living in Fairfield in 1641. He married Abigail Camp, and she joined the church in Fairfield, June 9, 1644, and died there on March 22, 1648.
(II) Daniel Baldwin, son of Nathaniel Baldwin, was baptized in 1644 at Milford, and died about 1711. He married, June 27, 1665, Elizabeth Botsford, a daughter of Henry Botsford, who was an original settler of Milford. Daniel Baldwin and his wife joined the church, June 27, 1669. (III) Daniel (2) Baldwin, son of Dan- iel (1) Baldwin, was born March 3, 1668. He married Sarah, whose surname is be- lived to have been Camp. She joined the church, June 28, 1691, and died De- cember 18, 1710.
(IV) Caleb Baldwin, son of Daniel (2) Baldwin, baptized November 29, 1702, in Milford, died March 9, 1772, in Newtown, Connecticut, where he settled later in life. He was among the foremost citizens, held many offices of trust, was town clerk, represented the town, and served as en- sign of the local military company in 1740. His first wife was named Mehitable, and she died September 5, 1758.
(V) Caleb (2) Baldwin, son of Caleb (1) and Mehitable Baldwin, was born De- cember 13, 1728, in Newtown, and like his father was an active man of affairs. He was known as Colonel Caleb and held the office of town clerk. He married, March 8, 1756, Naomi, daughter of Joseph Hard,
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and she died January 18, 1770, at the age of thirty-seven years.
(VI) Dr. John Baldwin, son of Caleb (2) Baldwin, was born October 18, 1763, in Newtown, and died there on January 22, 1837. He was a physician. He mar- ried Sarah Hatch, who died April 28, 1835.
(VII) William Baldwin, son of Dr. John Baldwin, was born November 28, 1803, and died January 12, 1848. He mar- ried, October 19, 1825, - -
(VIII) William (2) Baldwin, son of William (1) Baldwin, resided during most of his life in Hawleyville, in the town of Newtown, Connecticut. He died there at the age of forty-three years. He married, after 1827, Emeline Leavenworth, born August 14, 1807, daughter of Russell and Althea (De Forest) Leavenworth, and a direct descendant of Thomas Leaven- worth, who was early in Woodbury.
(IX) James De Forest Baldwin, son of William (2) Baldwin, was born February 21, 1832, and died in Bethel, February I, 1888. The greater part of his active life was spent in Bethel and Danbury. He was always interested in public matters, and as a business man and citizen was held in high repute. He early learned the painter's trade, but not finding it to his liking engaged in mercantile business, in addition to which he operated a mill and carried on a flourishing livery establish- ment in Bethel. In the early seventies, Mr. Baldwin began the manufacture of fancy combs, for ladies, from horns. He possessed unusual skill in coloring these combs so that it was difficult to tell them from the real tortoise shell comb. In the latter part of his life he was in the hotel business, and for almost eight years con- ducted a hotel at Belle Island. Although his business interests were inany and heavily taxed his time, he found an op- portunity to serve his fellow-citizens in
many ways. A Republican in political principle, Mr. Baldwin represented his town in the Lower House in 1872, and also held several town offices. His fra- ternal affiliations were with the Masonic order, he a member of Bethel Lodge, and with his family attended the Congrega- tional church. Mr. Baldwin married, May 29, 1853, Margaret Blackman, daugh- ter of James Blackman. The latter was a drover on a large scale in Newtown and Brookfield. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin were the parents of eight children : Mary Eliz- abeth, wife of William Wheeler, now de- ceased ; William D., resides in Danbury ; Jennie Margaret, wife of W. F. Godfrey ; Louis Turner, deceased ; Robert James, deceased ; John, of further mention; Dwight De Forest, deceased.
(X) John Baldwin, son of James De Forest and Margaret (Blackman) Bald- win, was born in Bethel, August 6, 1866, and his early education was supplied by the schools of that town. He was very ambitious as a boy, and sought oppor- tunities to better equip himself for his future life. As a small lad he was em- ployed as a cash boy in a department store, and when eighteen years of age en- tered the employ of Hall & Rogers, mer- chants of Danbury, Connecticut. His natural traits, especially along the lines of artistic furnishing, made his services more valuable, and when twenty years of age he was made buyer for this firm. He continued in that position for four years, removing then to Bridgeport, Connecti- cut, where he followed similar employ- ment, and thence to Fall River, Massa- chusetts. In 1892 Mr. Baldwin was located in Providence, Rhode Island, and that year also marks the beginning of his venture into business on his own account. It will be remembered that a financial panic swept over the country at that period, making it very precarious to
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Peler Reagan
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
undertake any new business, especially that of house furnishings. With the char- acteristic tenacity which has marked his entire career, Mr. Baldwin continued to struggle against adverses for more than a year, and finally went to Danbury, where he remained for a year, obliged to dis- continue his business. During the suc- ceeding years until 1906, he was employed in his work in several different cities, eventually coming to Hartford, where he was with the firm of Brown, Thomson & Company, and subsequently with the Post Carpet Company. Undaunted by his first experience. Mr. Baldwin started in business again in 1906, and has met with signal success. Steadily and consistently his business has grown. He does not ad- vertise, but his superior workmanship and exquisite taste appeal to refined people. Mr. Baldwin is a lover of Chinese art, and has made an extensive study of it. He has imported many articles of Chinese bric-a-brac, and has then shipped them to various parts of the country. His natural artistic tastes have been cultivated along the practical lines of interior furnishing and decorations. His perception of what is needed is intuitive. Possessed of a most pleasing personality, Mr. Baldwin enjoys well deserved esteem among his con- temporaries.
Mr. Baldwin married Laura Irene, daughter of Ebenezer Pierce, of Fair- haven, Massachusetts. She is a grand- daughter of David R. Pierce, a noted builder of New Bedford. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin are regular attendants of the South Park Methodist Episcopal Church, and active workers in the charities of that church.
REAGAN, Peter,
Tobacco Grower.
America has proved the land of oppor- tunity to many born under another flag,
and this is especially true of those who come to this country from Ireland. The Irish have those freedom loving charac- teristics and qualities which go to make the ideal American citizen. Long before they leave their native soil, these princi- ples have been well established, and their open-heartedness and true Democratic spirit guarantee them a welcome wherever they may choose to locate. A splendid example of the success achieved by one of this race is illustrated in the career of Peter Reagan, tobacco grower of Sims- bury. We find him possessed of the qual- ity of indomitable pluck in the face of every adverse circumstance, combined with sheer force of will, concentration of mind, and the determination to amount to something, these being uppermost in his character.
The Reagan family has long been known in County Wickley, Ireland, and it was there that Peter Reagan was born about 1860. the son of Dennis and Wini- fred Reagan, one of four children. The others were: John, who died in West- field, Massachusetts; Margaret, died in England; Elizabeth, wife of Michael Burns, resides in East Granby, Connecti- cut.
The advantages of an education were denied to Mr. Reagan, but every oppor- tunity was eagerly seized by him to fur- ther his knowledge, thereby increasing his efficiency. And so it has been through- out his entire life : he has ever been alert and ambitious with the result that he has attained a well deserved and respected place in his community.
At the age of eighteen years Mr. Reagan came to America, locating in Granby, Connecticut. For the seven years subsequently he was employed as a section hand on the railroad. During all these years he never lost sight of his am- bition to own a farm of his own, and by practicing the most rigid economy, and
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regardless of sacrifice of time and pleas- ure, he was enabled finally to possess him- self of what was long known as the Dan- iel Holton farm, consisting of one hun- dred and fifty acres. He has always been a farmer of the progressive type, and was among the early raisers of tobacco in his section. At the beginning his crop was only an acre in size, and now fifty acres of shade grown tobacco are produced annually on his farm. Consistent with the years has been the growth of his busi- ness, and at intervals new buildings and additional equipment are added in order that the necessary facilities for taking care of this increase will be at hand. In as many years he has built four new tobacco sheds, with a capacity of seven acres, and in addition has two small sheds. In the busy season it is necessary to employ as many as sixty to eighty men in order to harvest the large fields of tobacco. As soon as the two sons of Mr. Reagan reached their majority, they were admitted into partnership, and the tobacco business is now carried on under the name of Reagan & Sons, each one having some detail work under their immediate jurisdiction.
Mr. Reagan married Nora Fahey, of Simsbury, and their union was blessed with two sons and a daughter: I. Wil- liam J., born February 23, 1883, is super- intendent of the farm. He married Lena Peck, of Hartford. 2. John J., born Janu- ary 18, 1884, was educated in the public schools, and has always been associated with his father in the business, now in charge of the employees of the farm. He married Hattie E. Baker, of Springfield, Massachusetts, and they have four chil- dren: Roy, Edith, Rose and Lewis. 3. Mary, is the wife of Edward O'Brien, of Fall River, and the mother of a daughter, Loretta O'Brien.
Mr. Reagan is a man of simple tastes,
unostentatious in manner, a friend to all who are worthy of his regard. He is held in high esteem for his upright business methods, and is well known among the tobacco growers of his section.
BACKES, Frederick W.,
Business Man.
The force of environment is an impor- tant factor in the upbuilding of character, and the youth who rises out of his sur- roundings and becomes a prominent and influential man in his community proves himself to be possessed of more than the ordinary amount of will power, ability and intelligence. In the life and career of Frederick W. Backes, member of the firm of Blake & Backes, sugar brokers of Hart- ford, this truth is admirably illustrated.
Mr. Backes was born March 3, 1853, in Linc-on-Rhine, Germany, son of Wilhelm and Eliza (Wagelein) Backes. At the tender age of ten years he was left an orphan by the death of his father, his mother having died four years previous. To one of less determination, the start in life by young Backes would have been most encouraging, but to him it served as a zest to higher goals. From several generations of right living forbears, he inherited a splendid physique and fine mentality. The necessity of upholding the high standard of this heritage devolv- ing upon him, Mr. Backes endeavored throughout his career not only to main- tain this standard, but to add further honor to an already honored name and family.
The name, Backes, is found in both the German and French forms, and it is im- possible to tell which is the earlier. The significance of the name is "to contend," and against the many obstacles which confronted him throughout the years he was struggling and striving for success,
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Mr. Backes has contended as only one possessing the undeniable traits of up- rightness, progressiveness and good judg- ment, as he does, could contend, or suc- cessfully surmount.
Wilhelm Backes, father of Frederick WV. Backes, was a worthy scion of this old family. His grandfather held the po- sition of cashier for the Prince of Wied, sufficient indication of the prestige of the family. His father, Wilhelm Backes, was also the encumbent of a government posi- tion, one corresponding to our civil serv- ice. He was a progressive man, of up- right character, and held in high esteem. He took an active and leading part in the famous revolution of 1848. He died in 1865, having survived his wife, Eliza (Wagelein) Backes, four years.
Subsequent to the death of his father, Mr. Backes was placed in the hands of his relatives, and attended school, con- tinuing through the grammar course, which is equivalent to high school train- ing in this country for the first or sec- ond year, remaining there until fourteen years of age. Like many youths who are not quite certain of the vocation for which they are adapted or which would prove most congenial, he learned the baker's trade. He served two and one-half years at this occupation without one cent of compensation, and before he could receive his papers as a journeyman it was neces- sary for him to make his masterpiece ; that is, do the entire night's work in the bakery himself. After having success- fully performed this task, he passed his examination in the theory of baking, cov- ering those principles of chemistry and physics upon which the science of baking rests. Having passed successfully the various tests in practise and theory, Mr. Backes received his papers which per- mitted him to travel from place to place seeking to broaden his practical knowl-
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edge of his trade. It is this ancient prac- tise that has given us the word "journey- man" as applied to a competent mechanic. Mr. Backes was employed in Elberfield, Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Leipsig, in fact, most of the principle cities of Ger- many. In 1871-72 he was obliged to tem- porarily change his occupation owing to the depression in the baker's trade at that time, which year will be remembered in America as famous for its financial panic. Mr. Backes found work in a freight depot, and was one of eight chosen from a group of 250 workmen to work in the Custom House. Six months hence he was drafted for the army, and through a friend in America was successful in eluding the German authorities and arrived in the land of freedom and opportunity. He was a stranger in a strange land and language, and a large amount of credit is due to Mr. Backes for the material success he has achieved through his own efforts, aided by no favor of fortune or circumstance. The date of his arrival in America was August 12, 1873, and being fortunate enough to escape the usual formalities confronting the immigrant at Ellis Island, Mr. Backes went to work at his trade the very next day for the modest stipend of six dollars per week and his board, receiv- ing an increase of one dollar per week after working for three weeks. He was subsequently employed in different sec- tions of the State of New York until 1876, in which year he located in Providence, Rhode Island, where he remained a year, returning at the end of that time to New York City.
In 1878 Mr. Backes removed to Hart- ford, and became associated with his brother-in-law in a bakery business lo- cated under the Allyn House. Mr. Backes had always been thrifty, prudent and ambitious, and was now rewarded in being able to take an interest in the business,
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which was conducted as the Vienna Bakery. At that time there were three members of the firm, and in 1883 Mr. Backes bought the interests of one part- ner, acquiring the remaining interest a few years later, becoming sole owner of the business. In 1889 Mr. Backes pur- chased the building at Nos. 167-169 Asy- lum street and remodeled it, fitting it with the most modern equipment of that time. From the time Mr. Backes became associated with the business, it was a con- stantly growing success. He gave it his undivided attention, and worked as if there was no limit to his strength and endurance. Naturally such diligent efforts were rewarded and Mr. Backes acquired a competence, and decided wisely to take a rest from his arduous labors, and in 1903 he retired from the bakery business.
In 1905 he made a trip back to the scenes of his youth and early boyhood, visiting his relatives and also those of his wife. Returning to Hartford, an advan- tageous opportunity to reënter business life presented itself, and Mr. Backes was unable to resist the promptings of that instinct which lay at the foundation of his success. He formed a partnership with Max Strassen under the firm name of Max Strassen & Company, and they opened a bakery and restaurant on 125th street, near Lenox avenue, New York City, Mr. Backes being in charge of the financial end of the business. This part- nership continued for over a year and a half, at the end of which time Mr. Backes sold his interest to his partner and re- turned to Hartford. In 1905, the same year he became interested in the New York business, Mr. Backes also purchased an interest in the sugar business of E. G. Blake, under the firm name of Blake & Backes. They sell to grocers and large consumers, and handle more sugar than any other firm in the State. The record
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