USA > Connecticut > Evening post annual 1882: biographical sketches (with portraits) of the state officers, representatives in Congress, governor's staff, and senators and members of the General Assembly of the state of Connecticut > Part 11
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GARNER B. CURTISS
Of Litchfield, was a member of the House in 1875, and is a Democrat in politics. He has held the offices of Selectman, Assessor, and mem- ber of the Board of Relief. His occupation is farming. Mr. Curtiss was born at Litchfield, March 27, 1826, and was educated in the com- mon schools.
WILLIAM H. WARD
Of Barkhamsted, was born at North Adams, Mass., and is fifty-one years old. He received a common school and academic education, and was formerly engaged as railroad and steamboat agent. He has also been occupied in mercantile and mechanical pursuits, but at present is retired from business. He has been a member of the Board of Selectmen at Barkhamsted, and politi-
cally is a Republican. This is his first term in the Legislature.
HUBERT B. CASE
Of Barkhamsted, is a native of that town and was educated at Wesleyan Academy, Wilbraham, Mass., and at Hannum's Business College in Hartford. He has been Assistant Postmaster and Town Treasurer at Barkhamsted, and is an active and energetic citizen of the town. Few men of his years have a stronger personal follow- ing in Litchfield county. Mr. Case is engaged in mercantile pursuits and farming. In politics he will generally act with the Democratic party. He is twenty-six years of age.
NEHEMIAH LAMBERT BLOSS
Was born and has always resided in Bethlehem, and received a common school and academic education. He was formerly engaged in teach- ing, but has spent most of his life in farming. He lias been a member of the Board of Selectmen for three terms, member of the Board of School Visitors six years, and Assessor for ten years. He still retains the latter office. Mr. Bloss is a Democrat in politics, and will generally act with that party. The present is his first year in the Legislature. His age is fifty-four.
PETER WOOSTER
Of Bridgewater, was born at Bridgewater, April 6, 1820, and received a common school education. He has held the offices of Selectman, Town Treasurer, Auditor, and member of the Boards of Relief and Education, still occupying the last three positions. He was formerly engaged in the manufacture of hats, but is at present occu- pied with farming interests. In politics Mr. Wooster is a Democrat.
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SAMUEL W. BRADLEY
Of Canaan, was a member of the House in 1879. For the past twelve years he has been the secre- tary and superintendent of the Hunts Lyman Iron Company, and is an active business man. He is a member of the Democratic party, and an
advocate of temperance measures. Mr. Bradley was born at Cornwall, July 26, 1847, and was educated in common and select seliools, and re- ceived a thoroughi business training.
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ANDREW J. TERRELL
Of Colebrook, is engaged in mercantile business, and is a justiee of the peace. He was born at Simsbury April 7, 1846, and received a common school education. In politics Mr. Terrell is a Democrat, but on general questions lie will vote independently of party. He has not before been connected with the Legislature.
SOLOMON SACKETT
Of Colebrook, was a member of the House ill 1870, the Legislature being in session that year at New Haven, and is at present a member of the Board of Selectmen. He has been engaged as a commercial traveler, representing Winsted cutlery and agricultural implements produced there, having been employed in the business for twenty-five years. He is an independent Repub- lican, and a firm advocate of civil service reform. Mr. Sackett was born at Sandisfield, Mass., and is fifty-eight years of age. He was educated in the common schools, and is a man of resolute opinions and convictions.
CHARLES H. HARRISON
Of Cornwall, is a member of the Board of Asses- sors of that town, but has not before been a mem- ber of the House. He was born at Cornwall January 12, 1852, and received a common school education. He is engaged in farming, and in politics is a Democrat.
LUMAN C. WICKWIRE
Of Cornwall, was born at Cream Hill, December 26, 1846, and received a common school and academic education, including a course at the South Berkshire Institute. He has held the office of assessor at Cornwall, and is identified with the Democratic party. Mr. Wickwire is [a farmer by occupation.
HUBERT S. SCOVILLE
Of Goshen, is the collector of taxes for that town, and a member of the Republican Town Conll- mittee. He is a carriage maker by occupation, and is an industrious and energetie citizen. He was born at Goshen March 14, 1847, and was ed- ucated in the common schools and the academy at Goshen. This is his first term in the Legisla- ture.
FRANKLIN E. WADHAMS
Of Goshen, was a member of the Thirteenth Con- necticut Regiment during the war, and is a Re- publican in politics. He was formerly engaged in the wholesale and retail grocery business at Omaha, Neb., with the firm of McGavock Broth- ers, and also in the hardware trade with M. J. Bellows at New York. Mr. Wadhams was born at Goshen July 17, 1844, and received a common school and academic education. He was a mem- ber of a military school at the outbreak of the war, and enlisted at his earliest opportunity in the service. He is a highly esteemed citizen of Goshen, and a valuable member of the House.
CHESTER ALONZO HAYES
Of Harwinton, was born at Granby May 2, 1821, and remained there from 1821 to 1845, when he removed to Harwinton, where he has since resided. He is engaged in farming, and in poli- tics is a Republican, having been a member of that party since its organization. The present is his first term in the Legislature.
HORACE W. BARBER
Is a native and resident of Harwinton, having been born there October 21, 1821, and was edu- cated in the common schools of the town. He is a Republican politieally, and is engaged in farming. This is his first term in the Legisla- ture.
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CHARLES LEE
Of Kent, is a farmer by occupation, and in pol- ities is a Democrat. He has served as Constable in his town for two or three years, and is an active political worker. Mr. Lee was born at Kent, August 13, 1853, and received a common school education.
WILLIAM GRISWOLD
Received a common school education at Morris, where he was born November 21, 1847, and has since resided. He has had experience in the Board of Selectmen, of which he is still a mem. ber. He is engaged in farming, and has aeted with the Democrats in the House. He has not before been a member of that body.
THADDEUS L. ROOT
Of New Hartford, was born at Canaan, July 12, 1829, and received a common school and aca- demic education. His early life was spent in Winsted, but since 1860 he has resided in New Hartford, where he is engaged in farming. His mother was the danghter of Ichabod Loomis, who removed from Windsor to Winchester. His father, Hiram Root, was a native of Canaan, as was also his grandfather. Mr. Root is a Repub- lican, and is thoroughly interested in the temper- ance eanse.
ANSON J. ALLEN
Of New Hartford, was born at Barkhamsted, October 27, 1835, and was educated at the Con- nectient Literary Institute at Suffield. He is engaged in mercantile pursuits, and in polities is a Democrat. The present is his first year of service in the Legislature.
FREDERICK S. RICHMOND
Of New Milford, has held a mumber of local offi- ces, and has been Deputy-Sheriff in Litchfield
County for twelve years. By occupation he is a farmer, cattle-drover, and tobacco-dealer. and conducts a good business. He acts with the Democrats in the Legislature, being identified with that party. Mr. Richmond was born at New Milford, October 21, 1823, and was educated in the common schools.
AMOS H. BOWERS
Of New Milford, is Acting School Visitor of the town, and was Census Enumerator for District No. 30, in 1880. He is engaged in teaching and farming, and politically is affiliated with the Democratic party. Mr. Bowers was born at New Milford, February 2, 1845, and received a common school education.
HENRY G. WILLIAMS
Of North Canaan, was born there January 24. 1839, and received a common school education. After attaining his majority he spent a number of years at the West and South, engaged in mer- cantile pursuits. At present he is carrying on a farm, and resides on the old homestead where he was born. Mr. Williams is a Democrat, and on general issnes acts with that party.
PLUMB BROWN
.Of Norfolk, was a member of the House m 1857. and has held a number of loenl offices, mehidding that of Selectman and Member of the Board of Relief. He is at present Assessor, member of the Board of Education, Bank Director, and member of the Board of Trustees of the Nortalk Savings Bank. Mr. Brown is a staunch Repub- lican, having been a member of the party ever since its organization. lle is engaged in tarm ing, and is a native of the town which he repre sents, having been born there October 11, 1-22 He was educated in the common schools and academy
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ENOS BLAKESLEE
Of Plymouth, a native of the town, was born August 15, 1820. After receiving a common school education he learned the trade of a car- riage-maker, and has been for some time engaged
in that business in the village of Plymouth. Mr. Blakeslee is an earnest Republican, although he has not been active in politics, and the present is his first term in the Legislature.
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MYRON W. ODELL
Of Roxbury, was born at Washington, June 28, 1839, and received a common school education. He has served on the Board of Selectmen at Roxbury, and is a Democrat in politics. The present is his first term in the Legislature. Mr. Odell's business is that of a cattle-dealer, and he is well known throughout the western section of the State.
LEWIS PHILLIPS ASHMAN
Of Salisbury, was a member of the Seventh Con- necticut regiment, serving in that command for three years. He has held the office of Constable and Deputy-Sheriff under John D. Yale. He is engaged in farming, and is an Independent Democrat, reserving the right to vote in the legis- lature without reference to partizanship. Mr. Ashman was born at Sharon, April 15, 1842, and received a common school education.
EDGAR J. REED
Of Sharon, has been the Collector of Taxes of the town for four years, and is familiar with local interests. Hc is farmer by occupation, and in politics is associated with the Democratic party. Mr. Rccd was born at Salisbury, October 3, 1834, and receivd a common education.
ALVA S. COWLES
Of Norfolk, has served on the Board of Select- men, and is at present one of the town Assess- ors and Justice of the Peace. He is engaged in farming, and in politics is a Republican. Hc was born at Norfolk, August 1, 1839, and re- ceived a common school and academic education. Mr. Cowles's ancestors were among the first set- tlers of Norfolk.
WILLIAM DAKIN
Of Sharon, was born there, November 15, 1852, and was educated in the common school. He has held the offices of Registrar of Voters and Constable, and is a farmer and stock dealer by occupation. In politics he is a Democrat. The present is his first term in the House.
JOSEPH KITCHELL JUDSON
Of Thomaston, was born there, February 18, 1840, and received a good common school edu- cation. He has held the office of Constable, and is at present a member of the Board of Assessors, Fire Commissioner at Thomaston, and Justice of the Peace. He is engaged in mercantile pursuits and farming. Mr. Judson is a Republican in politics. The present is his first term in the Legislature.
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JOHN H. HURLBURT
Is the first representative from the town of Sal- isbury. The ancestors of the Hurlburt family are traced to England, a member of which emigrated to America in about 1630, and settled in the south- eastern part of Connecticut near New London. His progeny spread out over different portions of the state, one settling in Westport, from which branch the subject of this sketch is descended. During the period of the French wars his ances- tors were eminent in the commercial world, Cap- tain James Hurlburt losing many ventures upon the ocean in those stormy times. His paternal gandmother was a Nash, a sister of Daniel Nash late of Westport, well-known in business circles as an eminent financier. His maternal grand- father was Abel Burr, n man of superior mind, distantly related to the celebrated Aaron Burr. When about twenty-one yours of nge his father Isane Hurlburt removed to Wilton, Fairfield county, where he still resides. In that town in 1810, January 21, the subject of this sketch was
born. His early years were spent in attendance upon the public schools and the academy of his native town. In 1858 he entered Trinity College. Hartford. After leaving college he devoted him. self with great assiduity to his chosen profession of teaching. He was engaged for a number of years as classical instructor in Mr. Selleck's celebrated school at Norwalk, Conn. In 1-64 he removed to Lime Rock in the town of Salisbury. Conn., und beenme principal of Rocky Dell In- stitute, which position he has retained up to this time.
He is widely known as nu eminent Instructor He has trained many teachers who are very site cessful in their calling, and has fitted young men for college. His methods of instructie an original and peenhar Discuding the went out systems of the books, he presents every siffert in an entirely new and attractive manier, thus securing interest and Attention and greatly shurt eming the time of nequiring the subjects studied
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In addition to his duties as principal of a private school, always making great demands upon his time and energies, he has served for nine suc- cessive years as Secretary of the Board of school Visitors of Salisbury, and is now serving the tenth.
Under his management the schools of Salisbury have improved in a wonderful manner, attracting attention from those interested in schools in dif- ferent parts of the state. During his adminis- tration a system of graded schools has been es- tablished in different parts of the town, affording unusual advantages to the children of the entire town. A high standard of qualification has been required of teachers, and nearly every school building has been in that time rebuilt or repaired, so that the school-houses of Salisbury attract the . attention of strangers. Mr. Hurlburt has been prominent in the politics of his adopted town, but owing to his professional duties, has never filled any civil office.
He has always interested himself in every pro- ject to advance the welfare of liis fellow-towns- men. Pleasing in his manner, kind and courte- ous, he wins the esteem of all with whom lie comes in contact. He received the unsolicited nomination of his party and the votes of many prominent republicans who appreciate his labors in behalf of schools and other matters of public importance.
He has been twice married; his former wife was Rebecca Maria, daughter of B. O. Banks, Esq., of Norwalk, by whom he had two children, Sarah Elizabeth and John Henry. His present wife is Roxanna Sophia, daughter of C. H. Glens, Esq , of Salisbury, by whom he has five children, Catharine Glens, Marian, James Edward, Chris- topher Henry, and Charlotte Augusta. Mr. Hurl- burt is a man of more than ordinary ability, clear- headed and energetic. He has managed his large school for many years without assistance, and with the approval of his patrons. As an educator he has few superiors, and his manage- ment of public school interests has called forth commendations from the state authorities.
FREDERICK DEVOE
Of Torrington, was born in New York city, No- vember 29, 1840, and was educated at the colle-
giate school. He is engaged in the paint and paper-hanging business, and in politics is a Re- publican. During the war he served in the Sixth New York artillery. He was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant in company K of that command, for services in the field at the battle of Spottsylvania Court House. He was inspec- tor at Petersburg, Va., after the evacuation of the place by the rebels, and held the position of Provost-marshal at Burksville Junction, Va., for some time. He has not before been a mem- ber of the Legislature.
GEORGE A. ALLEN
Of Torrington, is a farmer by occupation, and received the cordial support of his fellow towns- men at the election in November. He was born at Torrington, February 28, 1850, and was educated in the common schools of that town. He has held the office of Assessor, and is at present a Justice of the Peace. In politics he is a Repub- lican.
CLARK S. SWIFT
Of Warren, is the oldest member of the House, being now seventy-six years of age. He was born at Warren, and received a common school education. He was a member of the House, dur- ing the years of 1847 and 1848. His occupation is farming, to which he has devoted most of his life. In politics Mr. Swift is a Republican.
ERASTUS J. HURLBURT
Of Washington, was born at Dover, N. Y., Oct. 9, 1825, and received a common school education. He has lived in Washington since he was eleven years of age, and has held various local offices, including that of Town Treasurer and also Treas- urer of the Town Deposit Fund for twenty years. He is engaged in general merchandise and freight- ing business, and is an active and influential resident. Mr. Hurlburt is a Democrat.
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JOSEPH H. NORTON
Of Winchester, was born in Tolland, Mass .. March 29, 1814. He was reared on a farm and educated at the common schools. At the age of fifteen years he engaged as a farm laborer, and subsequently, for four seasons, tended a carding machine and made linseed oil, in East Otis vil- lage, with an uncle. Joseph Hunt. In 1835 he engaged as clerk in the store of Lucius Gibbs, at East Otis, where he remained but a short time, and then entered the employ of Isaac Miller, of West Granville. He subsequently traveled for another firm, for $600 and a per cent. of profits, and finally went into business for himself, which he conducted until December, La11, when he purchased the mercantile establishment of Pome- roy & Norton, at New Boston, Mass, He coll ducted this business about sixteen years with marked success While there he served as select-
man, assessor, justice of the peace, and for n number of years was postmaster. Having been solicited by a number of the leading business
men of Winsted to remove there and take the management of the Winsted Manufacturing com- pany, he finally accepted. September 4. 1962, he entered upon his duties as agent, secretary and treasurer of the establishment, which posi tions he has held to the present time, except that of secretary, his son, Allen H. Norton, having been secretary for the past few years, This is one of the largest scythe manufactories in the country (there being but two whose operations are more extensive), and it is not too much to say that its present prosperity is largely due to the excellent management of Mr Norton Hels a director in the Hulbut National Bank, a ) las been for years : IS also a director in the Me ban les' savings bank, and president of the Wistel Real Estate company. Mr. Norton Is a pull- spirited oflien, and has done much to Fall of and advance the interests of the borough of With sted He Is a Republican in politics having fach a member of that party since its examination
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JOHN D. YALE
Of Winchester, was born at Canaan, August 30, 1826, and received a common school education. He has held the office of sheriff in Litchfield county, one term, and is a prominent Democrat. For twenty-three years he has been a traveling agent for a New York house, and is an efficient business man. The present is his first term in the legislature.'
GOULD C. WHITTLESEY
Of Washington, was born at New Preston, in the town of Washington, and is 62 years of age. He is one of the veteran teachers of Litchfield coun- ty, having been engaged in the profession for 35 years, and is the principal of Waramaug academy at New Preston. He has held various public offices, including that of registrar of voters, no- tary public, justice of the peace, and acting school visitor, and is an active and prominent citizen of the town. He is a Republican.
AUGUSTUS N. WOOLSON
Of Watertown, was born at Hopkinton, Mass., and is 47 years of age. He was educated at the common schools and at Wilbraham academy. For a number of years he was engaged in farm- ing in Illinois, but for the past seventeen years he has been oceupied in manufacturing at Water- town, where he has a factory for the production of umbrella and parasol trimmings. Mr. Wool- son has always voted the Republican ticket.
WILLIAM JUDSON CLARK
Of Woodbury, was born at Woodbury, October 25, 1841, and received an academic education. He has been a member of the board of selectmen, and is at present secretary of the board of educa- tion, and acting school visitor. He is engaged ir. farming, and in politics is a Republican. Mr. Clark has not been a member of the legislature before this ycar.
WILLIAM COTHREN
Of Woodbury, was born at Farmington, Maine, November 28, 1820. He prepared for college at the Farmington academy, and graduated at Bowdoin College, Maine, in 1843. He received his second degree, in course, at the same college, in 1846, and the degree of Master of Arts ad eundem, at Yale College, in 1847. He studied law under the direction of Hon. Robert Good- enough, of Farmington, Maine, a member of con- gress from his district, and Hon. Charles B. Phelps, of Woodbury, in this State. He went to Woodbury in 1844, and was admitted to the bar of Litchfield county in October, 1845, and has practiced law at Woodbury ever since. He ranks among the leading lawyers of the State. As a citizen he is public-spirited and generous. He was elected a county commissioner for Litchfield county at the May session of the General Assem- bly, in 1851, and senator of the sixteenth sena- torial district, in 1855. In April, 1856, he was admitted an attorney and counselor of the United States Circuit Court, and on the 8th of March, 1865, he was admitted an attorney and counselor of the Supreme Court of the United States. He was elected corresponding member of the New England Historic-Genealogical Society, at Bos- ton, Mass., May 5, 1847, and a member of the Connecticut Historical Society, November 23, 1852, of which, for many years, he has been a vice-president; an honorary member of the Old Colony Historical Society, at Plymouth, Mass., April 24, 1854; a corresponding member of the Wisconsin Historical Society, Jan. 17, 1855; a corresponding member of the Vermont Histori- cal Society, February 3, 1860; a corresponding member of the Maine Historical Society, Septem- ber 18, 1861 ; an honorary member of the Rut- land County Historical Society, October 8, 1868, and a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, Alpha, of Maine, September 20, 1873. From the twentieth year of his age he has been a con- tributor, in prose and verse, to the press and magazines of the day. A short time after his settlement in Woodbury he turned his attention to the collection of the historical data of the town. The result has been the publication of an elaborate history of the town, in three volumes of twenty-five hundred pages. The first volume was issued in 1854, and was the pioneer work, as a full history of the town, that had been issued.
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DAVID WARD NORTHROP
Of Middletown, was a member of the House in 1871 and also in 1881, when he served upon the judiciary, engrossed bills, and state house and grounds committees ; was chairman of the school fund committee, and member of the select com- mittee on canvass of votes for Governor, when the close contest was decided. He was born at Sherman, February 19, 1844, and graduated from Wesleyan University in the class of 1868. He prepared for college under Ex-Governor C. B. Andrews, finishing his preparatory course at Amenia seminary, New York state. After grad- uating from college he entered the Albany Law school, completing his course of study there in 1870. Since that time he has been practicing law in Middletown in partnership with the Hon. A. B. Calef. He was elected Judge of Probate
of the Middletown district in 1873, and served for eight years. He was formerly a member of the Middletown City Council, Secretary of the city district Board of Education, and Assistant Clerk of the Superior court in Middlesex county. The latter position he occupied for ten years. He is at present a member of the Board of Trustees of Wesleyan University. For several years he was a member of the Democratic State Central committee and was elected by that party at the last election. Mr. Northrop is the third in line of direct succession as members of the Honse, in his family, his grandfather, David Northrop, having represented the town of Sher- man in Is10, and his father, David Northrop, the same town in 1535
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ALEXANDER HAMILTON GILBERT
Of Chester, was a member of the House in the session of 1860, and was elected at the November clections by the Republicans. He was born in East Haddam, October 6, 1806, and is now in his seventy-sixth year. He was educated at the common schools, and in early life engaged in the manufacture of woolen fabrics. From 1845 until 1860 he' constructed extensive docks for repairs on government ships in the United States and Austria. Politically he is a Republican.
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