USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 9 > Part 27
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(III) William (2) Wadsworth, son of John Wadsworth, was born in 1671, and died October 26, 1751. He represented Farmington in the General Assembly from 1718 to 1740. He married (second), in 1707, Sarah Bunce, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Bunce, who was baptized Au- gust 14, 1670, and died September 8, 1748.
(IV) William (3) Wadsworth, son of William (2) Wadsworth, was born De- cember 2, 1709, baptized March 16, 1710, died August 6, 1769. He lived in Farm- ington, where he married, May 15, 1740, Ruth Hart, born August 14, 1713, in Ken- sington, third daughter of Deacon Thomas and Mary (Thompson) Hart.
(V) Asahel Wadsworth, son of Wil- liam (3) Wadsworth, was born in Ken- sington, December 20, 1743, died May 5, 1817. He married (first), February 2, 1769, Mercy Woodruff, born March 23, 1741, died December 29, 1810, daughter of Matthew and Susanna (North) Wood- ruff.
(VI) Thomas Hart Wadsworth, son of Asahel Wadsworth, was born August 25, 1771, in Farmington, died there Septem- ber 28, 1853. He married for his second wife, January 9, 1812, Elizabeth Rowe, born in 1781, died July 29, 1870, daughter of Isaiah and Mary Rowe.
(VII) Winthrop Manna Wadsworth, son of Thomas Hart Wadsworth, was born November 27, 1812, in Farmington, and died there November 24, 1891. He was educated in the public schools of that town, and when he reached manhood's estate engaged extensively in agricultural pursuits. He owned the old family home- stead, and was prominent among the leading citizens of his native town. He was president of the State Dairymen's Association, the Farmington Creamery Company and Union Agricultural Soci- ety, and represented Farmington in the General Assembly. Mr. Wadsworth mar-
ried, December 21, 1853, Lucy Anna Ward, born 1820, died February 10, 1883, daughter of Comfort and Plumea Ward, of Middletown.
(VIII) Adrian Rowe Wadsworth, son of Winthrop Manna Wadsworth, acquired his primary education in Deacon Hart's celebrated academy at Farmington, and was a student at Professor David Camp's school at New Britain, Connecticut, where he prepared for college. He was gradu- ated from the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University in the class of 1880. Mr. Wadsworth immediately took up the profession of engineering, and two years later held the office of city engineer of the city of Shamokin, Pennsylvania. He was subsequently in the employ of the Clark Bridge Company of Baltimore, and was engaged by it on important contracts in Virginia, Maryland and Minnesota. Upon his return to Farmington, Mr. Wads- worth continued the practice of his pro- fession and was one of the organizers of the Farmington Water Company, hold- ing the position of secretary and treas- urer. He held the same offices with the Farmington Creamery Company, one of the oldest organizations of its kind in New England. He was president of the State Dairymen's Association in 1897; secretary and treasurer of the Connecti- cut Association, Civil Engineers ; justice of the peace, first selectman of Farming- ton. Mr. Wadsworth is a Republican in political principle and was the represen- tative of his town to the General Assem- bly in 1897, at which time he was house chairman of the committee on contingent expenses. In 1899 and 1901 he served on the committee on roads, rivers and bridges, and in 1901 was chairman of the agricultural committee. Fraternally Mr. Wadsworth affiliates with Evening Star Lodge, No. 101, Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons; Royal Arch Masons,
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Royal and Select Masters, Knights of Pythias.
Mr. Wadsworth married, April 16, 1890, Charlotte B. Steel, daughter of Wil- liam C. and Mary W. Steel, of Hartford. She died November 7, 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Wadsworth were the parents of the following children: 1. Helen B., born April 10, 1891. 2. Adrian Rowe, Jr., born February 25, 1895 ; was second lieutenant of artillery with the American Expedi- tionary Forces in France ; is now at home. 3. William Steel, born December 16, 1899; was formerly at the Central Officers' Training School at Camp Lee, Virginia ; is now at home.
REYNOLDS, Hugh, Merchant, Business Man.
During the seventeenth century there were many families from England who removed to Ireland, and this accounts for the great number of English names found in later generations in Ireland. One of these is the Reynolds family, whose sur- name has been thus derived. It is Saxon and is taken from "Rhein" and "hold." The first part of the name means sincere or pure, and the second part is from the old English word for love, consequently the name means pure love or sincere love.
The first of the Reynolds family herein described to come to America was Pat- rick Reynolds, who was born in Ireland, and as a young man came to this country, settling at Cheshire, Connecticut. There he went to work on a farm, and through his industry and thrift was soon in a position to buy a farm of his own. Mr. Reynolds was the father of Hugh Rey- nolds.
Hugh Reynolds, son of Patrick Rey- nolds, was born in Cheshire, Connecticut, and died March 17, 1918. He was brought up on a farm, and while yet a lad removed
with his parents to New Haven, Connec- ticut, where he attended school and in spare time worked in a dry goods store. When he was about fifteen years of age the family moved to New Britain, Con- necticut, and there the boy, Hugh, went to work for Landers, Frary & Clark. Not finding the confined work of the factory to his liking, young Reynolds tried vari- ous kinds of employment until he found something more to his liking. He worked at the mason's trade with his uncle, who was a contractor, and later completed an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade. His brother, John F. Reynolds, was a contractor, and together they put up the Reynolds block, and then formed a part- nership to go in the coal and wood busi- ness under the name of the Reynolds Coal Yard. Soon after this time Mr. Rey- nolds went West and traveled through that section for several years, following his trade as a carpenter and engaged with others in a building syndicate. Difficul- ties with bankers made this venture un- profitable, and upon his return East in 1890. Mr. Reynolds established himself in the hay, grain, feed, and fertilizer busi- ness. This was the business which he followed for many years and in which he was very successful. At his death he was among the oldest merchants of New Brit- ain, and also among the most prominent citizens of that city.
Mr. Reynolds married Theresa Haslip, of New Britain, and they were the parents of nine children, six of whom grew up. They are: 1. Marguerite T., graduated from Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York, and also pursued a summer course at Columbia University. Subsequently she taught in New Britain and Hartford for several years, and is a member of the Business and Professional Women's Club of the former city. 2. Mary, a graduate of Columbia University, is now a teacher
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in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and is a mem- ber of the University Club of Philadel- phia. 3. Hubert Conroy, born October 9, 1894, educated in the public schools of New Britain, graduated from high school in 1914, and has since been identified with the business founded by his father. Upon the death of the latter, the business was incorporated as the Hugh Reynolds Grain & Feed Company, with the son as presi- dent, and his sister Marguerite T., as a member of the firm. During the World War, Hubert C. Reynolds served in the 4Ist Coast Artillery for about fifty days. He is a member of the Knights of Colum- bus, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Kenilworth Club; and the Young Men's Christian Association. 4. Thomas B. 5. James J. 6. Richard. The family are members of St. Mary's Roman Cath- olic Church, of New Britain. The mother of this family died in 1918.
O'CONNELL, Daniel W., Physician, Hospital Official.
Daniel W. O'Connell, prominent physi- cian and citizen of New Britain, Connec- ticut, was born in New Hartford, that State, May 25, 1881, son of John and Bridget (Duffey) O'Connell. His father was a native of County Cork, Ireland, where he was born about 1816, and died in New Hartford, in 1898. He came to America as a young man, locating in New Hartford, where he was engaged in farm- ing during the active years of his life. He married Bridget Duffey, and they were the parents of ten children: Thomas, de- ceased ; Margaret, wife of Patrick Smith, now deceased; Patrick, of New Britain ; John, of New Britain; Beatrice, wife of Charles Madigan; Catherine; Jeremiah ; Dennia; Mary ; Daniel W., of extended mention below.
Daniel W. O'Connell attended the pub-
lic schools, and the New Hartford High School, later becoming a student at Holy Cross College in Worcester. He gradu- ated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Baltimore in 1905, with his medical degree, and spent the year 1906, at St. Francis Hospital as an interne. Subsequently Dr. O'Connell was in New York City, where he was engaged in post- graduate work at the New York Post- Graduate Hospital, and four months in the Lying-In Hospital in that city.
He has made a specialty of obstetric work, and has been singularly successful in developing a large practice. Since es- tablishing himself in New Britain, he has placed himself among the leading phy- sicians of that city, and is a member of both the New Britain General Hospital staff and of the staff of the City Hospital. In the interests of his profession, Dr. O'Connell holds membership in the Amer- ican Medical Association; the Hartford County Association; the Connecticut Medical, and the American Medical as- sociations. He is also active in the public life of New Britain, and although not seeking public office, desires to see the best interests of that city forwarded. Fraternally he is a member of the Benev- olent and Protective Order of Elks; the Knights of Columbus, and of the For- esters.
Dr. O'Connell married Helen May Cur- tin, daughter of James Curtin, of New Britain, and they are the parents of three sons : John, James, and William.
BARRY, John Charles,
Man of Many Activities.
A native of Portland and one of its most progressive citizens, John Charles Barry has contributed in no small degree to the growth and prosperity of the town. Like most public-spirited men, he has received
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both thanks and blame for his consistent course. He was born July 9, 1870, a son of James and Mary (Geary) Barry, both of whom were natives of Ireland. James Barry came to America in 1854 and lo- cated in Portland, where he found em- ployment in the quarries. Later he was a packer in the shops of the United States Stamping Company for many years, and died June 10, 1897, at the age of sixty- two years. A man of spirit and independ- ence, he was respected; was a faithful member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, and a Democrat of independent tendencies. It is said that he was dis- charged from the quarry, because of his independence of political dictation by the bosses, which never swerved him from the assertion of his manhood privileges. When well settled in Portland, he sent for his parents, whose last years were passed here in comfort.
James Barry married, in Portland, Mary Geary, and they were the parents of four sons and five daughters, only four of whom are now living, four having died in infancy. Bessie, the eldest, resides in Hartford; Margaret C., is the wife of Thomas F. Dooley, of Brooklyn, New York; James H., now living in Hartford, was secretary of the New England Enam- eling Company of Portland, later secre- tary and treasurer of the Portland Spec- ialty Company ; Catherine, now deceased, was the wife of Dennis J. McGrath, of Brooklyn; and John C., of further men- tion.
John C. Barry attended the schools of Portland, including a year and one-half in the grammar school. Being an ambi- tious youth, he strove to excel in his classes, and was also eager to begin a life of business activity. At the age of eleven years he entered the office of the Strong & Hale Lumber Company, as office boy. The date was April 25, 1882, and he still
cherishes among his treasures, the soap box on which he stood in order to reach the desk. He was fortunate in having for a preceptor the late Asaph T. Hale, a kind and genial soul, and a master of mathematics. In time, young Barry rose to the position of bookkeeper, which he occupied ten years, and was long general manager of the lumber yards. For over thirty-nine years, until 1921, he has con- tinued in association with the establish- ment, which was incorporated and taken over by Mr. Barry, in association with John A. Dodd, in 1912, since which date Mr. Barry has been its president. Under the present management, the business has been greatly extended and is now in a prosperous condition. In association with his other activities, Mr. Barry sold life insurance during a period of ten years. He has long been active in real estate operations; is president of the Portland Homestead Company; treasurer of the Portland Realty Company ; president of the Portland Board of Trade; and the Portland Building and Loan Association ; and is a director of the Connecticut Lum- ber Dealers' Association. He has served as town treasurer, and has been nine years a member of the school board, the last four years chairman of the Commit- tee on Teachers. A Democrat of rather independent standing, in a town with nor- mal Republican majority, he has won and retained the friendship and esteem of his fellows in all parties, as evinced by his continuous choice to fill important official stations. His fellow-citizens unite in fav- orable report on his activities during the recent World War; his participation in every movement to further the policy of this Nation; and his efficient action in caring for the welfare of the men in the field and their families at home. As a member of the war bureau and in many other ways, he was especially useful and
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effective. Every movement for local up- lift and public benefit has received his support by word and deed, and he may be truly described as one of the most public- spirited citizens of the State. A promi- nent member of St. Mary's Church of Portland, he has often played its organ during service, and is among the most cheerful contributors to its various up- lifting activities.
John Charles Barry married, October 27, 1897, Jennie Flynn, born in Portland, daughter of Jeremiah and Catherine (O'Brien) Flynn, of that town. Jeremiah Flynn was for many years the leading blacksmith of Portland, and a respected citizen. All the children of Mr. and Mrs. Barry are graduates of the Portland High School. Mildred, the eldest, is now the wife of Albert F. Scharf, of Hartford. John Harold is pursuing an architectural course in the class of 1924 at the Univer- sity of Michigan. Genevieve graduated in a secretarial course at Bay Path School, of Springfield, Massachusetts, and is em- ployed in her father's office. Gertrude is employed in the office of the Hartford Accident Insurance Company. James G. died in infancy.
MILLER, William Shelley,
Manufacturer, Public Official.
For several years an active business man of Middletown, William Shelley Miller descended from one of the pioneer families of that town, whose early gen- erations are described at some length else- where in this work. The founder of the family was Thomas Miller, who came from Birmingham, England, to Rowley, Massachusetts, and was enrolled there as a freeman in 1639. In 1653 he removed to Middletown and built the first mill in the town, on Miller's brook, at the site now occupied by one of the Russell Man-
ufacturing Company's plants. When fifty-six years old, he married Sarah Bran- ford, daughter of Samuel Branford.
(II) Benjamin Miller, fourth son of Thomas and Sarah (Branford) Miller, was born July 20, 1672. He was one of the first three settlers in that part of Middletown, which is now Middlefield, locating in the southeastern part near the Durham line. He was a man of affairs and large influence, especially with the Indians, and because of his large landed holdings and influential character was frequently called "Governor Miller." About 1700, he settled at what is known as "Miller's Farms," where he died, No- vember 7, 1747. He married, December 15, 1709, Mercy Bassett, born in 1677, in New Haven, died February 9, 1756. Both are buried in the old cemetery at Middle- field.
(III) David Miller, the third son of Benjamin and Mercy (Bassett) Miller, was born October 3, 1718, and lived in Middlefield until his death, February 28, 1789. He married, July 21, 1743, Eliza- beth Brainerd, of Haddam, born October 5, 1722, died October 8, 1773, fourth daughter of Hezekiah and Dorothy (Ho- bart) Brainerd, granddaughter of Daniel and Hannah (Spencer) Brainerd, found- ers of the town of Haddam, mentioned at length elsewhere in this work.
(IV) Hezekiah Miller, fifth son of Da- vid and Elizabeth (Brainerd) Miller, was born May 28, 1765, and settled on the east and west road in Middlefield, where he continued to reside until late in life. He married September 21, 1786, Sarah Brad- ley, of North Haven. After her death, he married her sister and removed to North Haven, where he died.
(V) Hiram Miller, third son of Heze- kiah Miller, was born August 17, 1801 ; lived in Middlefield Society; and married (second), April 8, 1845, in Durham, Cath-
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erine Shelley, of Durham, born October 30, 1815, daughter of William and Polly (Chalker) Shelley, of that town.
(VI) William Shelley Miller, son of Hiram and Catherine (Shelley) Miller, was born July 9, 1862, on the paternal farm in Middlefield, and attended the pub- lic schools of the vicinity. He remained with his father on the farm until man- hood, when he went to Rhode Island, and soon after to New York City, where he was for many years actively engaged in business. On reaching the city, he found employment in a straw-board factory, where he continued for some years and then for a time conducted a trucking bus- iness in New York. Later he established a paper box factory, and in time admitted one, Reissman, as a partner. Together they conducted the business about sixteen years, when Mr. Miller sold his interest to his partner and removed to Middle- town. On August 7, 1907, he purchased the Burdick plant on lower Washington street, and there continued the manufac- ture of paper boxes until his death, Au- gust 13, 1914. After his death the busi- ness was continued by his widow, who has doubled the capacity of the plant and greatly extended the business. Mr. Miller was a member of the Church of the Holy Trinity, and united with the Masonic fra- ternity in New York, affiliating with Eureka Lodge, and was also a member of Pyramid Lodge, of the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows of that city, in which he passed the principal chairs. After re- moving to Middletown, he became a member of Apollo Lodge, No. 33, Knights of Pythias. In political principle, he was a Democrat, and was honored by his fellow-citizens with election to the City Council and Board of Aldermen. He took pleasure in gaining possession of the pa- ternal homestead which had been owned by his ancestors for several generations,
and which he greatly improved. There his last days were spent.
Mr. Miller married in New York City, June 3, 1895, Susan Irene Reid, a native of that city, daughter of Nathan and Louisa S. (Lenhart) Reid, granddaughter of Thomas and Jane (Applegate) Reid. The latter couple were of Scotch lineage and were born in Kansas. Louisa S. Len- hart was a descendant of an old Pennsyl- vania family of Dutch antecedents. Mr. and Mrs. Miller were the parents of the fol- lowing children: Ruth Louise, born Au- gust, 1897, in Jersey City, resides with her mother in Middletown ; William Wal- do, born February 5, 1900, is employed in the factory and resides at home. He was a soldier in the World War, serving twenty-two months. He entered the Motor Transport Corps and in 1918 was sent across the seas. There he held the rank of district sergeant, in charge of 125 men, and was discharged with honors. At the time of his enlistment he was a stu- dent in the Middletown High School. The third child, Ralph Stanley, born No- vember 28, 1902, is now a student at school. Mrs. Miller and her children are communicants of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Middletown. She is a woman of much business capacity, as is demon- strated by her success in conducting the business and extending its volume.
BULLARD, John Embree,
Representative of Ancient Family.
A representative of a very old New England family of the fourth generation in Connecticut, Mr. Bullard was born August 15, 1858, in Yalesville, Connecti- cut, son of Henry and Sarah Ann (Goff) Bullard.
(I) Robert Bullard, ancestor of the family, was born in England in 1599, and died in Watertown, Massachusetts, a few
Conn-10-13
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years after he came over, June 24, 1639. His widow, Anne, and evidently his sec- ond wife, married (second) Henry Thorpe. She received a grant of land in Watertown in 1644, while the widow of Robert Bullard. Henry Thorpe was a proprietor of Watertown.
(II) Benjamin Bullard, only son of Robert Bullard, was probably born in England in 1634, and was about five years old when his father died. One of his uncles in Dedham, Massachusetts, brought him up, and he was admitted a townsman there, January 1, 1655. When he set out for himself it was in the wil- derness of Boggestow, or Bogistow, later Sherborn, about twenty miles from Ded- ham. In company with George Fair- banks he bought a large tract of land and built his home thereon. They also built a garrison, which was carefully preserved by his descendants until 1785. In 1662 Benjamin Bullard signed the first peti- tion for the incorporation of a town. In 1674 he signed a second petition for the incorporation of Sherborn, when their prayer was granted, and he with twelve other petitioners, and twenty more of such as they might consent to receive as inhabitants, constituted the proprietors of land now composing Sherborn, Holliston, and large districts of Framingham and Ashland. He was one of six brethren to constitute the church at its formation. He was tythingman in 1688 and served on the committee to seat the meeting house. Benjamin Bullard acquired much land by purchase and grant, and at his death, Sep- tember 7, 1689, his estate was appraised at £235 16s., besides the land and stock. Benjamin Bullard married (first), at Ded- ham, April 5, 1655, Martha Pidge, born at Roxbury, January 12, 1642, daughter of Thomas and Mary Pidge. He married (second), in 1677, Elizabeth Thorpe, daughter of Henry Thorpe.
(III) Benjamin (2) Bullard, son of Benjamin (1) and Martha (Pidge) Bul- lard, was born March 1, 1670, and died in- testate about 1760. He inherited the land that had been assigned to his father, southwest of Brush Hill, and built his house on the road to Holliston. Subse- quently he received grants of land in 1715, 1716, and 1730. He served as tything- man and was repeatedly surveyor of highways. He was a farmer, and his last years were spent with his son, Benjamin, in Holliston. The Christian name of his wife was Tabitha.
(IV) Jonathan Bullard, son of Ben- jamin (2) and Tabitha Bullard, was born October 24, 1706, and died in Barre, Mas- sachusetts, June 4, 1784. He was early admitted to full communion in the church in Sherborn, whence he removed to Wor- cester, in 1748. Later he removed to Holder and thence to Barre. He mar- ried (first) Sarah, and he was married a second time, but the name of his wife has not been preserved.
(V) Isaac Bullard, eldest son of Jon- athan Bullard, was born about 1730, and died about 1764. He settled in Rutland district, Massachusetts, afterward called Barre, and married at the former town, December 14, 1753, Lucy Stephens, of Rutland, a descendant of an old and hon- ored family of Worcester county.
(VI) Lemuel Bullard, youngest son of Isaac and Lucy (Stephens) Bullard, was born at Barre, Massachusetts, March 5, 1762, and settled in Paxton, an adjacent town. He served in the Revolutionary War from Paxton, in July, 1780, at which time his age was given as eighteen years ; he served six months in Captain John Cutler's company, Colonel Luke Drury's regiment. He removed to Cheshire, Con- necticut, and there he married Lucretia Newton, of Kensington, Connecticut.
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Both were buried in Cheshire, Connec- ticut.
(VII) Timoleon Bullard, eldest son of Lemuel and Lucretia (Newton) Bullard, was born June II, 1807, at Cheshire, Con- necticut, died February 9, 1862, and is buried in the Indian Hill Cemetery at Middletown, Connecticut. He lived at Hartford for fifteen or twenty years and owned property there. He married, Feb- ruary 5, 1827, Harriet Sage Belden, fifth child of Seth (2) and Sarah (Smith) Bel- den, of Cromwell (see Belden line). Mrs. Bullard was baptized February 14, 1807, and died July 2, 1887. With her hus- band she owned a burial lot in the North Main Street Cemetery at Hartford.
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