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 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13
BENJAMIN A. JARVIS
Of Cheshire, is one of the veterans of the House, his experience beginning in 1845 and continuing in the years 1851, 1863, 1865, 1866, 1868, and 1877. Mr. Jarvis is a native of Cheshire, and is sixty-eight years of age. He is a trustee and
treasurer of the Episcopal Academy in that place, Judge of Probate and First Selectman. Of local offices he has held those of Assessor, Collector of Taxes, and member of the Board of Relief. He was educated at the common schools and Episco- pal Academy, and has followed farming. He generally acts with the Democratic party.
CHARLES B. TERRELL
Of Cheshire, who also represents Cheshire, is another of the young members, he now being in his twenty-fifth year. He is a native of Cheshire, and was born on April 1, 1856. He is a member of the fraternity of farmers, and in politics is a Democrat. He was educated at the common school and at the Cheshire Episcopal Academy.
WILLIAM E. DOWNES
Of Derby, a graduate of Yale, class of '45, repre- sents his town this year, a duty he also per- formed in 1855. Mr. Downes is a native of Milford, and is fifty-seven years old. During the last eighteen years he has been connected with manufacturing enterprises. He is a Repub- lican.
111
CHARLES H. PINE
Of Derby, whose experience in mercantile and banking pursuits well fits him for a place upon some of the important committees, has his first experience as a legislator this session. Mr. Pine was born in Riverton, town of Barkhamsted, on September 20, 1845, and is therefore in his thirty-seventh year. He left the public schools at the age of sixteen years to enlist as a drum- mer in Company E, Nineteenth Connectient Vol- unteers, afterward the Second Connecticut Vol- unteer Heavy Artillery, and served three years and until the close of the war. At its termina- tion he engaged in mercantile business with N.
B. Lathrop, in Wolcottville (now Torrington), remaining two years. In 1867 he entered the Ansonia National Bank as clerk, and was subse- quently made book-keeper and then teller, and in 1878 was elected cashier of the institution-a position he now holds. He is also president of `the Seymour Manufacturing Company, treasurer of the Fourth School District of Derby and the Pine Grove Cemetery Association, and in 1-79 and 1880 was treasurer of the borough of Aus- nia. Ile is a Republican, and in 1576, 1578, 6nl 1850 advocated the cause of that party "on the stump."
112
ORLANDO B. THOMPSON
Of East Haven, who was born March 26, 1817, represents his native town, an office for which he was nominated in 1876 and again in 1880. In the latter year he unsuccessfully contested the claim of his competitor to an election. Mr. Thomp- son was educated at the common schools, and the winters of his early years were passed in fishing in Georgia waters, and his summers in taking menhaden in the North. He introduced Salton- stall-Lake ice into New Haven in the spring of 1844. He has held the office of Registrar since the passage of the act creating it, he has been Town Treasurer since 1879, and is also Treasurer of the Town Deposit and School Funds, Senior Warden of Christ Church, and Treasurer of the parish. He is a staunch Democrat, but is ready to act regardless of party when it is for the pub- lic weal.
ELISHA CHAPMAN BISHOP
Of Guilford, is a native of the town he repre- sents, and was born April 10, 1824. From 1861 to 1871 he was engaged in the production of pe- troleum in the Pennsylvania oil-fields, and while a resident of Titusville, the great oil center, served as member and President of its School Board, and also as a director of one of its banks. Returning to Guilford in 1872, he was elected First Selectman, was re-elected in six of the suc- ceeding years, and still holds the office. He has been a Warden of the Borough, and is a corpor- ate member of the Guilford Savings Bank. Dur- ing the last ten years he has been a farmer, to which calling he was bred in his youth. He is a Republican.
113
EDWARD GRISWOLD
Of Guilford, a native of the same town, and now in his forty-second year, will be remembered with pride and pleasure by all who served during the war in the First Light Battery of Connecticut Volunteers. When the civil war broke out he was twenty-two years old, and in September, 1861, he, with another resident of Guilford, en- listed thirty-four of the young men of that place as members of the First Light Battery, and served with them as a private soldier in that or- ganization three years. At the end of that time his record showed that he had participated in one more engagement than any other member of the battery. Returning from the war, he was solie- ited by the late Governor Buckingham and by Generals Russell and Kellogg to recruit a section of artillery for the Connecticut National Guard. This he did, the condition of many enlistment> being that he too should become a member, and upon organization he was unanimously elected commander-a position he most sutisfactorily
filled six years. It was the first battery that ever appeared with the State militia fully equipped for mounted service. He has been an active member of the Grand Army from its organien- tion. During the past fifteen years he has kept a " country store " of general merchandise, and for several years has been business manager of the Guilford Canning Company, a concern which packed over $50,000 worth of fruits the past season. He is public-spirited and popular, espe cially with the young people and labeling classes. lle was born June 80, 1889, and studied at the common schools and at the Guilford Institute Hle cast his first ballot for Abraham Lincoln, Atal has always voted with the Republicans
BELA ATWATER MANN
Ut Hausen, now in his forty seventh year, was born in Naugatuck on September 1, 15, all
15
114
was educated at the common schools He votes with the Democrats. ITis business is that of manufacturing tapes and webs.
HORACE O. HILL
Of Madison, Republican, served the cause of the Union as a member of Company I, Twenty-sev-
enth Connecticut Volunteers. He was born in. Madison on March 2, 1836, and attended its common schools and academy. He has been collector, member of the Board of Relief, and Justice of the Peace-the latter office having been held by him since 1875. He gives most of his time to farming pursuits.
115
WILLIAM WORCESTER LYMAN
Of Meriden, comes to the Legislature for the third time, having been a member of the House in 1859 and 1881. He is busily engaged in manufacturing, being president of the Meriden Flint Glass Company (which establishment turns out unquestionably the finest goods made in the country, with none superior any where in the world) and director in various other large coll- cerus in that city, and was formerly president of the Meriden Cutlery Company. It is claimed for him that he introduced air-tight fruit-jars into
the markets, and was the first to issue printed directions as to their use-being thus the pioneer in an important branch of industry which to-day represents millions of dollars annually. He is a leading and representative citizen of Meriden. and has been a member of both branches of it- city council. In polities he is a Repubhean. H is a native of Woodford, Vermont, was born on March 29, 1821, and was a pupil at the common schools.
117
DR. GROVE HERRICK WILSON
Of Meriden, Republican, is the colleague of Mr. Lyman in the present Legislature. He was a member of the House in 1880 also, and was Chairman of the Committee on Humane Institu- tions. He was born in Stockbridge, Mass., on March 25, 1824, and was educated at its public schools, at the Lee ( Mass. ) Academy, and by private tutors. Thereafter he taught school in Massachusetts and Delaware until he entered the Berkshire Medical Institution at Pittsfield, Mass., from which he graduated with a doctor's diploma in 1849. He at once began the practice of medi- eine, and has since uninterruptedly toflowed it. He has held various local offices in this State and Massachusetts, particularly that of Chairman of the Board of Education, many years. The doc tor's tastes and studies are in the direction of scientific and liberal culture. He is versed in modern progress and discovery, and has positive individual opinions on such matters. Though not a member of the church, he holds to a rigid
morality and is moved by high religious senti- ments, and on religions subjects think- broadly and deeply, and one of his aims is to make profit- able his social as well as his professional life. He comes by direct descent from Erick the For- ester, whose long war with the Angles resulted in his necession to a belt of land extending en- tively across England and embracing the counties of Leicester and Warwick. The family return a manor at Great Streton, Leicestershire, Ils American ancestor was Henry, son of Sa W Ham Herrick, who settled in Salem, Mass., in 1019. and whose grandson settled in Preston, Colin , in Ho2, and servat grandson in Coventry Conn . in 17:80, where was born Dr. Daniel Herjak, the material grandfather of the death, who, though born m another State, min teds chem to be a representative of this State, Og his father's wie he is connected with som Resolutionny stock through James Wilson, some of the Học- laration of Independence
118
GEORGE O. ELLIS
Of Middlebury, is now in his sixty-sixth ycar, and was chosen by the Republicans to represent this town. Mr. Ellis is a manufacturer of repute. He is a grand juror and member of the Board of Education. In his youth he attended the com- mon schools. He was born on September 7, 1815, in Attleboro, Mass.
CHARLES A. TOMLINSON
Who represented Milford in the House in 1876 and 1877, is in the Legislature for the third time this session. Though but thirty years old, he has " made his mark in the world," and has held many important offices, those of county commis- sioner for New Haven County, and member and secretary of the Board of Education being among them. He is a director in several manufacturing concerns, and holds various local offices. As a dealer in coal he has been quite successful. He was born in Milford on July 19, 1848, and was educated at its publie and high schools. He is a Democrat, but professes to be ready to act on all questions unbiased by party or personal preju- dices.
THOMAS W. STOW
Of Milford, makes his first appearanec in the House at this session. He has often been called to the local offices of town clerk, justice of the peace, grand juror, commissioner of the Superior Court, and auditor of town accounts. He was born in Milford on May 4, 1842, and is therefore thirty-nine years of age. He enjoyed the advant- ages of the common schools. He votes with the Demoerats.
DR. FRANKLIN B. TUTTLE
Of Naugatuck, is this year called upon to repre- sent his native town in the Legislature, having been the Democratic nominee for that office. He is forty-two years old, and has practiced med- icine since his graduation from Yale Medical College in January, 1864, having previously re- eeived a practical and thorough English educa- tion. He was elected school visitor by his towns- men seventeen years ago, and has since continu- ously held that office.
WILLIAM BRONSON CURTIS
Of North Branford, is a native of Exeter, Otsego County, New York, and is sixty-nine years of age. After the usual course of instruction at the common schools, lie entered Yale College, grad- uating therefrom in 1840, and in 1843 was or- dained to the ministry at Humphreyville, now Seymour. Nearly up to the time he entered Yale he worked upon his father's farm, and now employs his otherwise unoccupied time in assist- ing in the care of his son's farm. He has never held political or civil office until now, and has not been a politician in the popular sense. He is a Republican.
ANDREW F. AUSTIN
Of North Haven, a native of the town, repre- sents it in the Legislature for the first time this ycar. For fourteen years, beginning with 1866, he was a seleetman of North Haven; cleven years, beginning with 1869, town agent; twenty years school visitor, and nineteen years justice of the peace. The last two offices he now holds. He was also enumerator for the 102d district, employed in taking the tenth census in this State. Mr. Austin was born in North Haven on March 26, 1834, and is now nearly 48 years of age. He is a farmer and a member of the Republican party.
119
EDWARD E. BRADLEY
Of Orange, was born at New Haven, January 5. 1845, and was educated in the public and private schools of that city. In his sixteenth year he was appointed to a clerkship in the New Haven Wheel Company's establishment, and has re- mained there continuously until the present the, with the exception of eight months in 1865, when he was with John English & Co., also of New Haven, in the iron trade. In the fall of 1865 he accepted the treasurership of the Wheel Company, and has since retained the position, discharging its duties with eminent ability and success. The company is one of the largest business concerns in the State, employing n corps of workmen the year round. Its reputation is widely known, not only throughout the United States, but also in foreign lands, where it has extensive business transactions. But it is not wholly as a slecess- ful business man that Colonel Bradley is known and honored. His ussoeintions with the National Guard of Connecticut, and his efforts for the pro-
motion of its interests have given him an enviable distinction in the State. In May, 1861, he joined the military organization at New Haven known as " The Independent Company of New Haven Grays," which was organized after the departure of the active command for the war. Two years later he was an active and foremost worker for the re-organization of the Grays ns a company under the State military laws, and was commis- sioned Second Lieutenant. The command was assigned to the Second Regiment, and Ins she been known as Company P. of that organization He was promoted to First Lieutenant, November 9. 1-68, and was commissioned Captain, October 6, 1565. In June, 156%, he was elected laenten- ant-Colonel, and August 16, 1569, he was cont missioned as commander of the regiment. Cdo not Bradley was one of the Best others the See ond Regiment ever had, and added essentially in developing the splendid military teching which existed in that command for ten of a dogen years
120
after the war. The New Haven Grays were his especial pride, and during his eaptainey, from 1865 to 1868, the company was recruited to the maximum of 101 offieers and men, the limit then preseribed by law. Under his eommand it be- eame the model military organization of the State. On assuming command of the regiment he ear- ried the same spirit of emulation with him, and was amply rewarded by seeing the old Second respond warmly and heartily to his ambitious. In August, 1871, he resigned his eommand, hav- ing been in the service for nearly nine years. In every position which he held, his record was one of loyalty and devotion to the National Guard. He was appointed Paymaster-General, with rank of Brigadier-General, by Governor Hubbard in 1877, and held the position two years. He has been a member of the Board of Burgesses at West Haven, and is one of the leading residents of the town whieli he represents. The present is his first term in the House, but his extensive business and military experience fits him for rendering valuable service. General Bradley is a Demoerat in polities, a man of strong and honest eonvietions, and is the first Democratic repre- sentative from Orange since 1851.
JAMES II. BARTLETT
Of Oxford, who' satisfactorily represented this town in the House in 1879, has again becu ealled · to perform that office. He is now fifty-two years of age, having been born in Washington, Dutchess County, New York, on October 7, 1829. He was educated in the common sehools, and about the year 1857 removed to Freeport, Ill., where he engaged in mercantile business. He remained
there a number of years, and was one of its Alder- men in 1858 and 1859. He is at present, as he has been for nine years, a seleetman of Oxford, and has abandoned mereantile pursuits for farming. Ile aets with the Republican party. In 1852 he voted for General Seott, in New York eity, and did aetive political work in the Fremont eam- paign of 1856, and was also an ardent supporter of Abraham Lincoln.
GEORGE F. TYLER
Of Prospect, who served his town in the House in 1870, again assumes the office of representa- tive. Members of the old Twentieth Conneeti- eut will remember him as a private in company A. He was born in Prospeet on November 23, 1833, and is therefore but a little way along in his forty-ninth year. His oeeupation is that of brazing hoe and fork ferules. For four years he was seleetman of Prospect, and is now one of its grand jurors. He was educated at the public sehools, and is a Republican.
JOHN W. ROGERS
Of Seymour, has been baggage-master at this place during the last nineteen years, and has also followed the oeenpation of a farmer. He is a justiee of the peace, and has been eonstable and grand juror. He was born at Woodbury on August 20, 1813, and had no other educational advantages than those of the common seliool. Ile is a Republican.
121
MOSs-IND CONT
ASAHIEL F. MITCHELL
Of Southbury, a native of Woodbury, was born in 1823. Ilis boyhood was spent upon the farm. and he was educated in the common schools and academy. In early manhood he removed to Vir- ginia, and was employed in mercantile pursuits by his uncle, and later continued in that business in Wisconsin upon his own account. In 1849 he went to California. At the first he worked in the mines, engaged in freighting, and with his brother, J. W. Mitchell, opened grocery and pro vision stores at Murphy's, Calavaras county, and Sonora, Tuolumme county. These he disposed of when the mines began to fail, and settled in Stockton, where, having a knowledge of dentistry, he opened an office, and had a herative practice until his return in 1863 to his native town. In the spring of 1864 he went to Fayette county,
Ohio, to cultivate a large farm he had bought for speculative purposes. In consequence of the war help was scarce, but with the aid of seven families living upon the farm he raised in that year 400 acres of corn besides other crops, one- half the corn being harvested by the wives, girls, and boys of the farm hands who were serving in the army. During his residence m Clio he was conspicuously active in procuring enlistments at the most critical period of the war. In the fall of Istit he removed to Brooklyn, N. Y , and en gaged m real estate dealing. Eleven years ago he purchased the turm where he principally re- sides He has held many lecal ofhees in this and other States He has voted for every Repub- Hean presidential maince since the organisation of the party
16
122
PHINEAS T. IVES
Of Wallingford, who was a member of the Honsc in 1863, re-appears as a representative the pres- ent year. Hle is one of the leading business men of that place, and is widely known as a manu- facturer of matches. He is fifty-nine years of age, was born in Cheshire on February 15, 1822, and enjoyed the educational advantages offered by the common school. He has held the various town and borough offices, and is now a water commissioner, and director in the Dime Savings Bank of Wallingford. He is a member of the Democratic party.
JOHN W. BLAKESLEE
Of Wallingford, a farmer and dealer in cattle, has always been concerned in or connected with large grazing or stock farms, and has given little attention to political offices. He is a native of Wallingford, and became forty-one years old on tlie 22d day of October last. He has been Justice of the Peace, Grand Juror, and member of the Board of Relief, but has declined to serve as Selectman or Assessor. He was the Democratic candidate for Representative.
JUDGE CHARLES W. GILLETTE
Of Waterbury, a Republican, appears for this town at this session. Ile is fifty years of age, and has practiced law since 1856. Formerly he was postmaster of Waterbury, and a member and clerk of its city council, judge of its city court, and is now judge of probate for the Water- bury district. He was born in that portion of Oxford now included in Beacon Falls, and was educated at the common schools and academy, and by private instructors.
HENRY C. GRIGGS
Of Waterbury, represents this busy city in this legislature. He was born in Tolland on Decem- ber 18, 1834, but has lived in Waterbury since 1845. At fourteen years of age he found em- ployment in the dry-goods store of Elisha Turner. In 1851 he became connected with the Water- bury Hook and Eye company, and subsequently engaged in several business enterprises until 1864, when he organized the Smithi & Griggs com- pany, John E. Smith being the senior partner. During the last few years he has been engaged in the manufacture of metal goods. He has sev- eral times been a candidate for the Legislature, and has been an alderman and one of the road commissioners of Waterbury. He was educated at the common schools and the academy. His politics are those of the Republican party. He is a clear headed, shrewd, prompt business man and a genial and courteous companion.
SAMUEL M. BAILEY,
A native and much esteemed citizen of Wolcott, also represented the town in the legislature of 1881. He became 51 years of age on the 7th of January. In the late war he served in company E, Twentieth Connecticut Volunteers. He is a farmer, a graduate of the common schools, and a Republican.
CHARLES THOMAS WALKER
Of Woodbridge, dealer in pianos and organs and teacher of music, is called for the first time to represent this town. He is 42 years of age, having been born in Oxford, on July 12, 1839. He studied at the common schools and the acad- emy, and at present holds no office. He will support the measures of the Republican party.
123
GEORGE COIT RIPLEY,
The well-known lawyer, sits in the House for the first time as a representative of Norwich. He is a native of that place, and is in his forty-third year. After passing through the graded schools of Norwich he entered its famous Free Academy. and was a member of its first graduating class. Subsequently he entered Yale and graduated with the class of 1862. Soon after leaving college he enlisted in the Tenth Connecticut Volunteers, and was discharged at the close of the war a
first lieutenant. Returning to Norwich he opened a law office, and has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession. He has been city clerk, city recorder, and city attorney of Nor- wich, has sat in its city council, and has been associated with the State's attorney in the prose- cution of many of the important criminal cases in the courts of New London County. Colonel Ripley is a Republican, and has done effective campaign work for that orgam at on-
124
HENRY BISHOP DOWNER
Of New London, was reëleeted by a handsome majority to serve in the present Legislature, lis course as a member of the House of 1881 having been entirely satisfactory to his constituents. He aets this year, as last, with the Democrats. Mr. Downer is one of the oldest and most popn- lar eonduetors on the New London Northern road, being now in the twenty-seventh conseeu- tive year of service in that eapacity. He was born at Bozrah on November 18, 1816, and was educated at the common sehools.
BRYAN F. MAHAN
Of New London, the eolleague of Mr. Downer, is a native of the town he has been called for the first time to represent, and is in his twenty-sixth
year, the date of his birth being May 1, 1856. When 16 years old he graduated from the Bart- lett High School in New London, and immediate- ly apprentieed himself for three years to the plumbing trade, an occupation he followed until the fall of 1877, when he gratified a desire to read law, and for that purpose entered the office of ex senator Ralph Wheeler, with whom he re- mained until the following year, and then entered the Albany Law School, for which he passed a ereditable examination, and graduated therefrom in 1880. Immediately after graduation he was admitted to the bar of the State of New York, and in Mareh, 1881, to that of Connecticut. His success has been attained by patient and persist- ent toil, and not without encountering many ob- staeles and discouragements. He is an industri- ous and patient student, and one of the most aetive and energetic members of the Demoeratie party loeally.
125
WILLIAM STEBBINS CONGDON,
Second representative from Norwich, is a native of that town, where he was born Jannary 1. 1851. After a course in the common schools, he passed through the Free Academy, graduating valedieto- rian of his class in 1870. He subsequently eu- tered the Sophomore class in Brown University, and graduated in 1875. In 1877 he was admit- ted to the bar. Soon after, he formed a partner- ship with the Hon. Allen Tenny, which has con- tinued to the present time. In 1879 he was chosen
clerk of the city court, a position he still holds. Mr. Congdon is an earnest Republican, did effec- tive work in the last Presidential campaign, making speeches in various parts of Eastern Connectient, and materially aiding to swell the unprecedented majority which that section gave for Garfield and Arthur. He was elected to the House of Representatives last fall by n large majority. This is his first legislative term.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.