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 12
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GEORGE A. OLCOTT
Of Clinton, was a member of the House during the sessions of 1880 and 1881. Hc was born at Clinton, June 5, 1836, and was educated at the common school and academy. Mr. Olcott has followed the sea the greater part of his life, and has been engaged principally in the coasting and fishing trades. Politically he is a Republican.
HENRY W. STOCKING
Of Cromwell, is forty-five years of age, having been born in Cromwell, October 18, 1836. He attended the common school in that town and is a graduate of the academy. For the past eighteen years he has engaged in business as a dealer in Connecticut seed-leaf tobacco. For several years he has occupied public offices in his town, among them being those of Registrar of Electors, mem- of the Board of Relief, and member of the Town Committee ; the first two named he now occupies.
Formerly he was Captain of Company B, Sixth Regiment. He is a Republican.
TALCOTT PARSONS STRONG
Of Durham, enlisted at the beginning of the war of the Rebellion in the Twenty-fourth Regiment, C. V., and received his discharge after serving thirteen months. He at onee re-enlisted in the Fifteenth Regiment, C. V., and served until the close of the war. He also served five years in the Connecticut National Guard as Second and First Lieutenant and as Captain. Captain Strong was born in Durham, January 15, 1840, and will reach his forty-second birthday this month. He was educated at the common schools, and since the war has been in the employ of the Merriam Manufacturing Company of Durham. Politically he is a Republican.
JULIUS DAVIS
Of Durham, is one of the youngest members of the House, being but twenty-six years of age. He was born in Killingworth, June 22, 1855, and. received his education in the common schools. Until the age of seventeen years he engaged in farming, and then went into the coal business, in which he continued until 1874. In that year he entered the grocery and feed business, and has engaged in it ever since. He is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of the Central School Committee in Durham. He was formerly a Con- stablc.
169
JAMES LAWTON
Of Middletown, serves his second term in the Legislature at this session, having been a men- ber of the House last year, when he served on the Committee on Roads and Bridges. Ile was born in Portland, September 5, 1843, and is thirty- eight years of age. In his youth he attended the common school, and his education was derived therefrom. For the past sixteen years he has
engaged in the grocery and provision business in Middletown, and is senior member of the pros- perons firm of Lawton & Wall. Mr. Lawton eu- joys in an eminent degree the confidence and esteem of his party, the Democratic, as is shown by his re-election as representative by an in- creased majority. He has many friends through- out the State generally, who respect him highly.
170
NATHANIEL C. JOHNSON
Of Chatham, for many years followed the sea, but has now retired from active pursuits. He was born in Middle Haddam, Marclı 22, 1816, and, after attending the common schools, at the age of sixteen years became a sailor and led a sea-faring life until 1876. During the last thirty-thrce years of this time he was Captain. He is a Re- publican.
JOSEPH W. HUNGERFORD
Of East Haddam, was chosen a member of the Legislature by the Republicans of his town at the recent election. He has previously been a mem- ber of the Board of Relief, in which body he served two terms. He was born in East Had- dam, September 21, 1829, and is now in his fifty- third year. In his youth he attended the common schools, and this course of study was supple- mented by a six-months' term at the Williston Seminary in Easthampton, Massachusetts. He is engaged in agricultural pursuits, and is a Repub- lican.
RICHARD H. GLADWIN
Of East Haddam, is a Republican, and has held the offices of Selectman and Grand Juror and others of trust and importance in the school dis- trict, parish, and corporations of East Haddam. He is now Clerk and Treasurer of the School District and of the Cemetery Association. Born in East }Haddam, March 21, 1827, he was edu- cated at the common and high schools in that town, and has through life pursued the avocations of ship and house joiner and builder.
WILLIAM F. McCRERY
Of Essex, is fifty-seven years of age, having been born in Hamburg, August 8, 1824. His educa- tion was acquired at the common schools and the Hills Academy at Essex. After leaving school
he entered upon a sea-faring life and followed it for thirty-six years, serving upon both steam and sailing vessels and visiting American and foreign ports. For the past three years his time has been occupied in farming. He is a Democrat, and was a member of the Board of Selectmen in Essex in 1879.
HENRY HUBERT BRAINARD
Of Haddam, is a native of Higganum, in the town of Haddam, and is fifty years of age. In his youth he attended the common school and the selcet school kept by the Rev. James Noyes, located at Walkeley Hill. He has held the office of town assessor, and is now and has been for several years a member of the Board of Select- men. He is a farmer and a Republican.
ORRIN SHAILER
Of Haddam, was born in that town September 22, 1824, and is now in his fifty-eighth year. He was educated at the common and select schools, and in active life has engaged in the sale of seed- leaf tobacco and farming. He is a Democrat.
AUGUSTUS W. STEVENS
Of Killingworth, was a member of the General Assembly in 1881. He was brought up on a farm, but at the age of twenty years began to work at wood-turning, following this in the win- ter and farming in the summer. In a short'time he became one of the owners of an ivory-turning manufactory, and subsequently combined with this the running of a grist mill and saw mill. He has been sealer of weights and measures, grand juror, member of the School Committee, and member of the Society Committee. He was born in Killingworth, January 25, 1824, and is fifty-eight years of age. Politically he is a Democrat.
171
DELOS D. BROWN
Of Chatham, is Chairman of the Republican Town Committee, a position which he has held for the past three years. He was born at Orleans. Barn- stable County, Massachusetts, in 1838, and is now in his forty-fourth year. His education was ac- quired at Chase's Institute in Middletown, and at Wesleyan Academy in Wilbraham, Massachu- setts. During active life he has engaged in manufacturing and the mercantile business, and during one session of the Legislature was House reporter for the New Haven Morning News. At the outbreak of the war Mr. Brown enlisted in the Federal service, raised a company for the Twenty-first Regiment, C. V., was commissioned First Lientenant and afterwards promoted to the rank of Captain. During the war he participated in nearly all of the battles in which the Twenty first was engaged, including Fredericksburg, the siege of Suffolk, Drury's Bluff, Cold Harbor. Petersburg, and others. The father of Repre-
sentative Brown enlisted in the war of 1-12, but did no active service. His grandfather served in the war of the Revolution. All of the male members of his father's family were in the army or navy during the war of the Rebellion. His father is Rev. Thomas G. Brown, who when over sixty years of age was appointed chaplain of the Twenty-first Regiment, and became known as the " fighting chaplain." At the battle of Drury's Bluff the Rev. Mr. Brown was wounded. He is now living, being in his eighty-third you. an l on Battle-Flag day. September 17, 1879, marched the entire distance from the Arsenal over the route of procession to the State Capitol in Hart ford at the head of his regiment Two brothers of Representative Brown served la the miss di - ing the war, and a mother-in-law, lieutenant l' W. 11. Buell, was with hun in the Twenty first Regiment. Lieutenant Bhell died in the soviet
172
SIDNEY TALCOTT DAVIS
Of Killingworth, is a Democrat, and was a mem- ber of the House last year. He was born in the town which he represents, June 24, 1837, and was educated at the common schools. His avo- cation is that of a farmer. In previous years he has been a selectman of the town, and is now a grand juror.
ALVA B. COE
Of Middlefield, has held a number of local offices in the town which he now represents, among them being justice of the peace, school visitor, and first selectman. The position last nanicd he still holds. He was born in Middletown in 1826, and reached the age of fifty-five years on Decem- ber 14th last. During his life he has engaged in farming, and is a Republican in politics.
OZIAS H. KIRTLAND
Of Old Saybrook, served in the House of Repre- sentatives in the session of 1852, and has been town clerk of Old Saybrook continuously since 1864. He has also been a member of the Board of Selectmen. He was born in the town which he now represents, September 24, 1819, and is in his sixty-third year. Educated at the common schools, he has through life pursued the lumber and fish business, and is senior member of the firm of Kirtland & Clark. He is a Republican.
JOHN M. PENFIELD
Of Portland, was born there September 28, 1829. He was educated at the common schools, and during life has followed agricultural pursuits. This is his first term in the Legislature, to which he was elected by the Democrats.
JOHN CHILD
Of Saybrook, was born in Higganum, in the township of Haddam, December 25, 1819, and is now sixty-two years of age. He enjoyed the ad- vantages of a common school education, and dur- ing active life has been engaged in ivory working. Politically he is a Republican.
E. J. B. SOUTHWORTH,
The junior member of the delegation from Say- brook, was born in that place in 1844, and is thirty-seven years old. The greater part of his life has been passed in his native town, where he is engaged in the dry-goods business, being a member of the firm of L'Hommedieu & Sonth- worth. He was educated at the common schools, and is a graduate of the Deep River Academy. In carly manhood he was employed as an ivory worker in the establishment of Pratt, Reed & Co. Afterwards, when the Connecticut Valley Rail- road was built, he accepted a position under the contractor, remaining in charge of a section of the track for some years after the road was com- pleted. It has been the custom of the voters of Saybrook to elect one representative from the older citizens and the other from the younger men. Mr. Southworth was the candidate of the latter class. He is a straight out-and-out Repub- lican and a zealous worker. This is his first experience in a legislative body.
JOHN A. POST
Of Westbrook, was born in that town February 26, 1832, and is forty-nine years of age. At the age of eighteen he began to follow the sea, and in 1854 took command of a steamship, and con- tinucd the same until the outbreak of the war of the rebellion. When the port of New Orleans was opened he became captain of the steamship George Cromwell, running between New York and New Orleans, and commanded that vessel until the close of the war. He is a Republican and is now living in retirement.
173
ALVAN NORTON BELDING
Of Vernon, is a prominent silk mannfacturer, who was elected by the largest vote, proportion- ate to the whole number cast, ever given in the town. He was born at Ashfield, Mass., and at about the age of twenty removed to Michigan. After clearing some wild land he began to travel with silk, and some few years later in company with two of his brothers opened a house for the sale of silks in Chicago. Soon after the brothers formed a partnership with E. K. Rose of Rock- ville for the manufacture of silk. Within two years they had houses in New York and Cinein- mati, and four years later moved into larger
quarters at Rockville. The business continued to increase and an additional factory was started at Northampton and another in Montreal, the whole giving employment to nearly 800 hands Alvah N. Belding has the entire charge of the manufacturing departments of the mills at Rock- ville and Northampton, and is a director in varions home institutions. He has not been active in politics, being, as he says, too busy a man, and his election was a mark of the conti dence of his towasmen of his business ability and his disposition to look after the interests of the place. In politics he is a Republican
174
CHARLES YOUNG
Of Tolland, was born in that town October 23, 1845, and received a common school education. Hc followed farming for several years and then became a traveling salesman, going out from Springfield and Boston for three years, since which time he has kept a general store and been Manager of the Western Union telegraphı office. He has served as Constable and Tax Collector for three years, also six years on the Board of Edu- cation and several terms as Town Auditor. In politics he is a Democrat.
HENRY E. STEELE
Of Tolland, is at present a farmer and has followed this business through life, except during seven ycars in which he was Oversecr at the House of Refuge, N. Y. He was born in West Hartford, February 27, 1833, and received his education in the common schools of the state. He has held several local offices including that of Assessor for two years. In politics he is a Democrat.
ERASTUS D. POST
Of Andover, was born at Hebron, July 13, 1818. He is a lineal descendant of the first family by the name of Post coming to Connecticut. He was once a resident of the town of Columbia, but for the past thirty-five years has resided in Ando- ver. He follows the vocation of farming. He at- tended the district schools in his childhood, and af- terward at various academies received a thorough business education. The confidence of his towns- men in his ability and integrity is shown by his repeatcd election to nearly every office within the gift of the town. He is well informed in all local matters, and a wise and discreet counsellor. In politics he is a Republican
JOSEPH CLARK ALVORD
Of Bolton, is the youngest member of the House and was born at Bolton, October 1, 1858. He received his education in the public schools of his native place, and in the Hartford High school, which he entered at the age of thirteen years, be- ing the youngest member of his class. He is a far- mer by occupation, has been somewhat active in
politics, and is now a member of the Board of Se- lectmen. He is a Republican and elected from a town which was steadily democratic for many ycars, the first break occurring when a Republi- can was chosen to the last legislature.
SAMUEL BRAINARD WEST
Of Columbia, has served as United States Internal Revenue Gauger, Registrar of Electors, Grand Juror, and member of the Town committec. He was a member of the Union army serving as Ser- geant in Company E of the 1st Connecticut Cav- alry. He was born at Delaware, Ohio, August 5, 1841, and received a common and · high school cducation. His present occupation is the man- agement of a farm, and he has always been a vigorous adherent of the Republican party. Mr. West is the fourth in line of his family who has served in the Legislature. Captain Joshua West represented Lebanon in 1776; his great-grand- father Samuel West, Columbia in 1809; his grand- father Samuel West, junior, in 1813 ; his father Samuel F. West the 21st Senatorial District in 1847. His grandfather Samuel West, junior, was a colonel commanding a regiment at New London in 1812.
WILLIAM F. SWEET
Of Coventry, is the senior partner in the firm of Sweet Brothers in South Coventry. He was born in West Greenwich, R. I., February 23, 1846, and received a common school education. At the age of 21 he began to act as a book-agent for Hartford firms, and subsequently acted as book- keeper and clerk until 1877, when he commenced business on his own account. He has been Clerk of the court of Probate for several years and As- sistant Town Clerk, besides filling a number of other local offices. In 1873 he was a member of the State Central committee. In politics he is a Democrat.
EDGAR BASS
Of Coventry, counts as a Democratic gain, being clected to the place filled by a Republican last year. He is a farmer by occupation and received a common school education. He was born in Scotland in Windham county, Sept. 17, 1834.
175
MUSS.FAU
LOUIS PHILIPP
Of Vernon, is by birth a German, but came to this country at the age of fourteen and was em- ployed as clerk in a commission house for about four years, until 1858, when he removed to Rock- ville, where he has since lived, being chiefly engaged in mechanical pursuits. He enlisted as a private in Company E, First Connecticut Cav-
alry, in 1863, and served until the end of the war. He is a Republican and a good representa- tive of the large German element in the population of the town. He was born in 1840, and received a thorough education in Germany up to the time of his removal to this country. He has held a number of local offices.
176
JOSEPH ABBOTT THOMPSON
Of Ellington, was a member of the House in 1874, and by occupation is a farmer of the old fashion, living on the homestead which has been in possession of the family 141 years. He is a director in the Connecticut Central Railroad, and in addition to his other business carries ou cider-making on a large scale, and has systemat- ized the manufacture so thoroughly as to make his works known all about that part of the county. He was born at Ellington, April 29, 1827, and educated at the Ellington High School. Politi- cally he is a Republican.
ALFRED WILLIAM HUTCHINSON
Of Hebron, is a farmer, and has held a number of local offices, including those of Assessor, mem- ber of the Board of Relief, and School Visitor, for a number of years. He was born in Hebron, January 3, 1841, and received a common-school education. In politics he is a Republican.
JOEL JONES
Of Hebron, has been twice engaged in the taking of the census, in 1870 as Deputy Marshal, and in 1880 as Enumerator. He has served repeatedly as School Visitor and Justice of the Peace. His business is farming and teaching, in which latter occupation he feels a special interest, and he has & taught successfully twenty-three terms in New York, Kentucky, and Connecticut. He was born at Hebron, July 1, 1822, and received a common- school education. He is a strong Republican.
OLON S. CHAFFEE
Of Mansfield, is a young man engaged in the busi- ness of manufacturing, in his native town. He is said to inherit some of the temperament of his grandfather, Joseph Conant, who was known as being connected with every enterprise in town, and was one of the first to begin the manufacture
of silk in this country. Mr. Chaffee was born in Mansfield, November 20, 1854, and received his early education in the schools of the town and at Fitch's Norwalk school. Hc has been Chairman of the Town Committee since his majority, but has avoided local offices. He is a Republican.
GEORGE W. MERROW
Of Mansfield, is a member of the firm of J. B. Merrow & Sons, manufacturers of hosiery and dealers in general merchandise. He comes of a stock which is accustomed to appear in the Legis- lature ; his father, J. B. Merrow, having served in both branches, and his brother having occu- pied a scat in the House of 1879. The present member was born at Merrow Station, June 18, 1852, and received his early education partly in Hartford and partly at the Munson Academy, at Munson, Mass. He holds the office of Post- master, is a member of the Republican Town Committee, and has been active in the party.
LORENZO WOOD
Of Somers, was born in the town he now repre- sents, and is about sixty-four years of age. In early life he came to Hartford and learned the trade of a mason, and subsequently worked here for many years. After a time he returned to his native place, where he carries on his trade and also works at farming. He has not been specially active in politics, and this is his first appearance in the Legislature. In politics lie is a Republican.
RANDOLPH FULLER
Of Somers, is a farmer by occupation, and is about 54 years old. He occupies the farm that was held by his ancestors before him, and is favorably known in the community which he rep- resents. He was born at Somers May 25, 1827, and received his early education in the common and select schools. Politically he is a Republi- can.
177
WILLIAM ALBERT KING
Of Stafford, was born at Greenfield, Mass., and is now 25 years old. He was educated at Mon- son Academy, and Amherst College, graduating in the class of 1878. He was admitted to the bar, and is located at Stafford Springs. This is his first office. He is a Republican in politics and was elected by a large majority, running 65 ahead of his ticket.
MALCOLM REGINALD GRISWOLD
Of Stafford. was born at Burlington, March 19. 1848, and attended the Wilbraham Academy. Subsequently he studied dentistry at the Phila- delphia Dental College, and settled in Stafford, where he has devoted himself to his profession with marked success. He has been active in politics during the last five years, and in 1880 was made chairman of the Democratic Town Committee.
HARTLEY WALKER
Of Union, was born at Westford, December 22, 1814, and received a common school education. He is now engaged in farming, but for a long period was engaged in the boot and shoe business. He has served as selectman and justice of the peace, but has had no previous experience in leg- islative duties. In politics he is a Democrat.
THOMAS J. YOUNGS
Of Union, like a large part of the representatives of his county, traces his descent back to the
early settlers of the country. The family was originally established on Long Island. and his grandfather, after serving three years in the Rev- olutionary war, removed to Farmington, Conn. Thomas J. Youngs was born there in 1>30, and is now about 51 years of age. He has at differ- ent times followed teaching, lumbering, and farming, and has been chosen justice of the peace, assessor for seven consecutive years, and to various other town offices. He served as sur- geon's steward on a gunboat on the Mississippi during a considerable portion of the war, and was at Fort Pillow. Memphis, and Vicksburg. In politics he is a Democrat.
MATTHEW BURDICK
Of Willington, is one of the oldest members of the House, and was born at Hopkinton. R. I., October 17, 1805. He has filled a considerable number of local offices, including those of Select- man, School Committee, Assessor, and member of the Board of Relief. He has been Postmaster for the past sixteen years. By occupation he is a farmer, and in polities a Republican. His early education was obtained in the common schools.
WILLIAM DORR IRONS
Of Willington, was born at Slatersville. R. I., June 19, 1942, and went at the age of five years to Willington, where he has chiefly resided since that time. He served in the Union army, and is by ocenpation n farmer and fish dealer. He has always been active in politics and a vigorous ad- herent of the Republican party, He has filled number of loenl offices and acted ns principal presenting officer of the town.
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LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES, ETC.
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEES.
ON THE JUDICIARY.
Senator Bradstreet, 20th District.
Messrs. Johnson of Enfield, Cothren of Wood- bury, Sill of Hartford, Ripley of Norwich, Sco- field of Stamford, Northrop of Middletown, Rob- ertson of New Haven, King of Stafford.
ON SCHOOL FUND.
Senator Strickland, 3d District.
Messrs. Wood of East Windsor, Jarvis of Cheshire, Reynolds of Lyme, Taylor of Danbury, Loomis of Chaplin, Reed of Sharon, Davis of Durham, Philipp of Vernon.
ON BANKS.
Senator Hammond, 16th District.
Messrs. Stanton of Stonington, Treadway of Bristol, Bradley of Orange, St. John of New Canaan, Deming of Hampton, Norton of Win- chester, Lawton of Middletown, Steele of Tolland.
ON STATE PRISON.
Senator Upson, 4th District.
Messrs. Paige of Sherman, Griswold of Weth- ersfield, Bartlett of Oxford, Mahan of New Lon- don, Elliott of Pomfret, Hurlbut of Washington, Penfield of Portland, Cliaffee of Mansfield.
ON NEW TOWNS AND PROBATE DISTRICTS.
Senator White, 10tli District.
Messrs. Chapman of Waterford, Harger of Granby, Tomlinson of Milford, Foster of Red- ding, Newton of Plainfield, Sackett of Colebrook, Gladwin of East Haddam, Fuller of Somers.
ON ROADS AND BRIDGES.
Senator Mills, 8th District.
Messrs. Post of Andover, Galpin of Berlin, Hill of Madison, Chapman of North Stonington, Glover of Newtown, Wheaton of Eastford, Wil- liams of North Canaan, Hungerford of East Haddam.
ON INCORPORATIONS.
Senator Coit, 9th District.
Messrs. Cleveland of Brooklyn, Cowles of Man- chester, Fox of New Haven, Lathrop of Griswold, Gillespie of Stamford, Yale of Winchester, Gil- bert of Chester, Belding of Vernon.
ON CLAIMS.
Senator Dennis, 24th District.
Messrs. Cowles of Norwalk, Clark of Suffield, Austin of North Haven, Barnes of Preston, Hyde of Pomfret, Allen of New Hartford, Child of Saybrook, Merrow of Mansfield.
ON EDUCATION.
Senator Cooke, 18th District.
Messrs. Robbins of Wethersfield, Mitchell of Southbury, Palmer of Stonington, Couch of Ridgefield, Wright of Killingly, Hurlburt of Salisbury, Stevens of Killingworth, Jones of Hebron.
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