USA > Connecticut > Evening post annual 1884: 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 10
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115
PARDON M. ALEXANDER
Of Groton, was born in the town which he rep- resents, October 19, 1834, of parents whose an- cestors were English. He received his education in the common schools, including a course of studies with D. A. Daboll. He is an active and prominent Mason in his section of the State. He has held the office of Registrar of Voters for a number of years in his town, also that of School Committee. During the Rebellion he was engaged
in carrying commissary store- to the army and navy in and around the Gulf of Mexico ; at the same time engaged in the sich, door, and blind business, which he has followed for the last twenty eight years. In politics Mr. Alexander is a Democrat, but reserves the right of inde pendent action. He was a member of the House in the session of 153. He serves this year on the Committee on Education.
116
ANDREW JACKSON BENTLEY
of New London, was born in Norwich in 1827, and is a son of the venerable Elder D. N. Bentley, of the Methodist church, now living in that city at the age of ninety- nine years. He received a common school education, and at the age of eighteen engaged as a sailor on a coasting vessel. At twenty he became a captain, and, in command of various vessels, continued in the coasting trade until 1859. He then went into the shipping business in New York city and became senior partner in the firm of Bentley, Gildersleeve & Co., of South street. The business of the house was largely with the South, and in 1867 Mr. Bentley removed to Jacksonville, Florida, where he represented the interests of his firm and also engaged largely in shipping yellow pine lumber, having become the owner of extensive timber tracts in that State. In 1879 he started the Columbia Steam Saw Mills at New London, and in 1880 removed to that city, where he has since resided. The firm of Bentley, Gildersleeve & Co. was dissolved in 1880. While a resident in Jacksonville Mr. Bentley took a prominent part in public affairs. He served as an Alderman of that city, and as a member of the Board of Public Instruction of Duval County, and Chairman of the Finance Committee of that board. He acts with the Republican party.
JABEZ S. LATHROP
Of Norwich, was a member of the House during the years of 1879 and 1881, and is at present a member of the Board of Selectinen and also of the School Board. He has held the position of Postmaster at Norwich Town, and has been an active member of the Republican party since its organization. Forty years of his life have been spent in teaching, though he is not at present engaged in that profession. He was a valued member of the House during both terms that he was connected with that body, and served on important committees. Mr. Lathrop was born
at Bozrah in 1825, and received a common-school and academic education.
DAVID S. GILMOUR
Of Norwich, was born at Paisley, Scotland, and is thirty-eight years of age. His parents removed to this country and settled at Simsbury, when he was but a child. In 1852 he removed to Green- ville, where he received a common-school educa- tion. For the past fifteen years he has been con- nected with the firm of Gilmour Brothers, iron founders, and manufacturers of specialties in hardware at Greenville. In 1873 he was elected president of the Greenville Fire Association. He was reëlected in 1874 and served until the district was annexed to the city of Norwich in 1875. He has had four years of service in the Court of Common Conncil at Norwich. Mr. Gilmour has traveled extensively, both in this country and abroad. In politics he is a Republican.
GEORGE O. STEAD
Of Bozrah, was a member of the House in 1881, and is at present Postmaster at Bozrah. He is an active and influential Republican in his town, and is a popular member of his party. He is engaged in mercantile pursuits. Mr. Stead was born in Norwich, and is thirty-five years of age. He received a common-school education, fitting him for business life.
ENOCH B. WORTHINGTON
Of Colchester, the colleague of Mr. Otis in the House, is a Democrat, and by occupation is a fariner. He was born at Colchester, December 17, 1837, and received a common-school edu- cation. The present is his first term in the Legis- lature.
117
J. HERMAN TUBBS
Of Old Lyme, was born at East Lyme, September 14, 1559. He finished his education at the Broad- way School in Norwich. He was employed in a dry-goods house at Ionia, Mich., but returned in 1879, and at the age of 19 commenced business for himself, engaging in the dry-goods and gro- very trade. He was elected by sixty nine ma
jority, being the largest ever given by the town. For several year- previous the Democrats lend carried the town elections by large majorities. Mr. Tubbs is a Republican, and the youngest member of the House, and was appointed by Speaker Harrison a member of the State I'nin Committee.
118
WILLIAM B. OTIS
Of Colchester, has served two years in the Gen- eral Assembly, having been a member of the House during the years of 1871 and 1879. He was Town Treasurer for five years, and is at present Treasurer of the Town Deposit Fund. He is engaged in mercantile pursuits, and in poli- tics is a Republican. Mr. Otis was born at Col- chester, December 10, 1841, and received a common-school education.
JOHN J. COMSTOCK
Of East Lyme, is a member of the Republican party, and is First Selectman of his- town. He lias held the position of Postmaster, Assessor and Registrar of Voters, Treasurer of Ancient Second Society, and of Lyme School Fund for the past twelve years. He was born at Lyme, June 22, 1822, and received a common-school education. He is a farmer by profession. The present is his first year in the General Assembly.
ALBERT W. HILLARD
Of Franklin, was born at North Stonington, Oc- tober 18, 1828, and was educated in the public schools and at Snffield Institute. He has held the office of Assessor, member of the Board of Education, and for the past five years he has been Constable and Collector. Hle was formerly en- gaged in teaching ; but for the past twenty years or more he has been occupied with farming. Mr. Hillard is a Republican in politics.
CLARK C. PALMER
Of Griswold, was born in Washington County, R. I., and is forty-nine years old. He was edu-
cated in the common school. For the past twenty years he has been engaged in farming. Pre- viously he occupied the position of overseer in a cotton factory, having advanced step by step until he was in charge of the department where as a boy he had begun work at the lowest round in the ladder. His health gave out and he was obliged to engage in farming. He has been identified with local interests very generally, giving espe- cial attention to improvement in the public schools. Although a Republican, a large number of Dem- ocrats voted for him for the Legislature, raising his majority up to 117. Last year the Demo- cratic candidate was elected by a majority of .thirty-three votes. Mr. Palmer has held the offices of Selectman, Collector, and also that of Assessor, which he still retains. He has been a resident of Connecticut most of his life.
ENOCH BURROWS BROWN
Of Groton, was born at Stonington, in 1833, and was educated in the public schools and at East Greenwich Academy, gradnating in 1851. He is the agent and general manager of the Lantern Hill Silex Company, and for Messrs. Mallory & Williams. Mr. Brown has not before held public office. He is a member of the Democratic party, but reserves to himself the right of independent action in the Legislature.
ALBERT G. KNEELAND
Of Lebanon, was born at Andover, April 11, 1852, and received a common and select school education. He has been engaged in teaching in winter for a number of years back, and in sum- mer has devoted his attention to farming. Mr. Kneeland is a member of the Republican party.
119
LEVI J. BRANCHE
Of Spragne, was a member of the House during the session of 1888, and was returned at the November election by a plurality of forty-two votes in a strong Democratie town, although a Republican in politics. His personal popularity and his upright and creditable course in the House last year gave him a large vote from the Democrats. He was one of the founders of the Reade Paper Company, and superintendent and president of the organization for a number of years. In 1577 he retired from the company and
since then has devoted his attention to farming. Hle was one of the incorporators of the dessett City Savings Bank, and for forty-one year- he has been a prominent member of the Newent Ecclesiastical Society at Lisbon. He has held various town offices, including that of Constable. Collector, Justice of the Peace, and member of the Board of Relief. He was born at Leben. August 19, 1517, and received a common seful education
120
WALTER G. KINGSLEY
Of Lebanon, was born there Jannary 4, 1834, being the eldest son of the late Shibael W. Kingsley, who was a member of the House in 1867, and grandson of Capt. Asahel Kingsley, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, and who also was a member of the Honsc in the May and Octo- ber sessions of 1818. Mr. Kingsley is the eighth generation in succession from John Kingsley, one of the seven who founded the church in Dorches- ter, August 23, 1636, for Richard Mather, and who was the last survivor of the number. The subject of this sketeh received his education in the common and select schools of his neighbor- hood, and at the age of seventeen commenced his career as a teacher in the public schools ; which avocation, alternating with farming in the sum- mer season, he followed for nearly twenty years with unnsnal success, and giving almost invariably universal satisfaction to the patrons of the schools under his care. Mr. K. is in politics a conserv- ative Republican, not failing to detect short- comings in his party, nor so prejudiced as to fail of recognizing merit in his political opponents. He has held the position of Justice of the Peace for a long period of years, and has been the prin- cipal Trial Justice in Lebanon since he has held the office. The records of the higher court show that no judgment rendered by him has ever, on appeal, been reversed. Mr. Kingsley has held the office of Selectman for several years, also the offices of Town Clerk, and Treasurer, which latter position he now holds. Mr. K. is serving the present session on the Judiciary Committee.
STEPHEN IIAZARD PECKHAM
Of Ledyard, was born at Ledyard, November 11, 1835, and received a common-school education. He has held the offices of Assessor and Selectman, the latter position for two years, serving as First Selectman during 1883. Mr. Peckham is en- gaged in farming. He is a member of the Demo- eratie party, but reserves the right of independent action.
EDWARD C. HYDE
Of Lisbon, is a farmer by oeenpation, and a mem- ber of the Democratic party. He has been a member of the Board of Selectmen for four years, holding the position of Chairman of the Board during two years of that period. Ile has also been Collector of Taxes, Constable, and member of the Board of Relief. He was born at Lisbon, December 28, 1841, and received a common-school education.
ROBERT M. JEWETT
Of Lyme, was a member of the Honse from Lyme in 1871, serving on the Committee on Humane Institutions. He has been the Repub- lican Registrar of Voters during the past ten years. He has also held the position of Consta- ble. Mr. Jewett was born at East Haddan, February 22, 1839, and received a common-school and academie cducation, including eonrses of study at the Stamford Boarding School, and at the Suffield Literary Institute. He resided at East Haddam until 1870, being engaged in farm- ing. Since that time he has lived at Lyme, and is engaged in business as a commercial agent. While a resident of East Haddam he lield the offices of Collector of Taxes and Constable. Mr. Jewett is a Republican and a member of the Town Committee at Lyme.
CHARLES STARK
Of Lyme, was a member of the House in 1872, and has been Postmaster at North Lyme since 1859, with the exception of the year during which he was connected with the Legislature. He also had eight years of service on the Board of Select- men, and has served as Town Clerk. Mr. Stark was born at Lyme, October 29, 1830, and received a common-school and academic education. In politics lie is a Demoerat. .
121
EBENEZER P. COUCH
Of Stonington, was a member of the Legislature during the session of 1883, serving as House Chairman of the Committee on School Fund. He proved himself a capable legislator, and faith- fully discharged all duties devolving upon him. lle was born at Brockton, Mass., January 16, 1840, and graduated from Harvard College in
the class of 1564. At the November election he was reelected by an increased majority, his course in the Legislature being fully approved by his constituents. He is by profession a civil en- gineer, and was employed for several years by the Commissioners of Public Works in Brooklyn. N. Y. In politics Mr. Conch is a Republican.
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122
JEDEDIAH RANDALL GAY
Of Montville, was born at Montville, March 14, 1838, and was educated in the common and select schools of New London County and at the East Greenwich Academy. He is a nephew of Dr. J. R. Gay, a retired surgeon and physician of Mont- ville, and also of Dr. Benajah Gay, who repre- sented the town of Griswold in the Legislature twenty-five years ago, and was subsequently State, Senator. Mr. Gay is at present Secretary of the Board of School Visitors and Acting School Vis- itor at Montville, Justice of the Peace, and Town Auditor. He is engaged in school-teaching and farming. At the election in November he re- ceived a majority of ninety-four, being the largest that was ever given there for Representative. During the war he served in Company H, of the Tenth Connecticut Regiment, and was in the Burnside Expedition. At the battle of Roanoke Island he was severely wounded, incapacitating him for active service for more than a year. He rejoined his command during the siege of Wag- ner, S. C., but on account of his disabilities he was detailed on special duty as clerk. He re- turned with his regiment and was mustered out at Hartford, September 29, 1864. Subsequently he reënlisted for one year in the Sixth United States Veteran Volunteers, General Hancock's corps, making four years of service in all. Mr. Gay is a Republican.
THOMAS S. WHEELER
Of North Stonington, was born at Stonington, October 14, 1815, and received a common and high school education. He has held the position of Treasurer of the Ecclesiastical Society at North Stonington for a number of years, and is also Treasurer of the Town Deposit Fund. He is engaged in mercantile pursuits, and is a Repub- lican in politics.
EDWIN P. CHAPMAN
Of North Stonington, was born there September 26, 1834, and received a common-school and aca- demic education. The only public office which lie has held was that of Postmaster at Clark's Falls, where he resides. He is engaged in the
mercantile business, and is a Republican in pol- itics.
AUSTIN A. CHAPMAN
Of Preston, was a member of the House in 1874. Hle was born at Preston, May 28, 1828, and was educated in the common schools. He is a mason by trade, and belongs to the Democratic party.
SETH MAIN
Of Preston, was a member of the House in 1871, and, like his colleague, is a member of the Demno- cratic organization. He has held the office of Tax Collector, Justice of the Peace, member of the Board of Relief, Treasurer of the Town Deposit Fund, and also of the School Fund belonging to the town. He was born at Ledyard, September 13, 1824, and received a district-school education. By occupation Mr. Main is a farmer and miller.
ELIJAH B. HARVEY
Of Salem, was born in Norwich, Conn., August 4, 1812; attended the Bacon Academy (of Col- chester), also the common schools of that town. At the age of 23 commenced steamboating on the Hudson river, between New York and Albany. By strict attention, and having a thorough knowl- edge of the business, was soon promoted to en- gineer, which position he has held in different places since ; the last being the Norwich & New York Transportation Company, in whose employ he has been for the past thirty-three years. Dur- ing that time supervised the building and putting in of the engines of the steamers "City of Bos- ton " and " City of New York." The former has since made the fastest time on record-6 hours and 5 minutes between New York and New Lon- don. He is, without doubt, one of the oldest engineers in existence, having been forty-six years steamboating; two years ago last June resigned, "having had enough steamboating." Always having been away from home, lie has never taken any active part in politics. At present he is one of the Selectmen of this town. He is a Democrat.
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123
WASHINGTON R. GARDNER
Of Waterford, was born at Waterford, March 1. 1842. Ilis elementary education was acquired at the district schools in his native town, to which in later years was superadded an academic course at the Bartlett High School in New London. Mr. Gardner has descended from elmice News England ancestry, his paternal and maternal pro- genitore having been men of note and plentities! with the early history of the State. They were all residents of New London of Newport for many generations, as is determined by tracing back through the genealogy for over two hundred years. His father, the late Henry Gardner, 20. was the esteemed Postmaster of Waterford for thirty years. The present residence of the widest of Mr. Henry Gardner, kimown as the " old Balke les tavern stand," was bought in Tese, and less remained the family homesteal to this play. In Ist Mr. Gardner married the youngest daughter
of Gardon T. Chappell, E-q. a gentleman of note in Waterford, and who at least once (in 1957) represented that town in the Legislature. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Gardner, Griswold Avery. Esq., was evidently a prominent figure in the early history of Waterford. Hewas a Justice of the Peace at the time of the incorporation of the town in tool, and in that capacity warned it- first town meeting, of which he was appointed the moderator. Afterwards, in Food-7, he was elected Representative to the General Assembly. His con, Griswold Avery. 24, succeeded him In Isus, and Charle . Avery, a brother, in 115 16 1. Others of the family lasse from time to time lo ld positions of trust within the gift of their towo- men, including frequent deation to the lerda tur. The bill of Representatives as romaled at the State Capitol, dietet the meeting that during the last century Nr Gandie's Folly
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has been represented by one or another of its members, in the Legislature, no less than twenty- eight times. Mr. Gardner is a Democrat in poli- ties, inherited from father and grandfather, of the Jacksonian type, and a pronounced advocate of temperance. His first election to the position which he now occupies was in 1882, when his majority was greater than the entire vote of his opponent. His reelection the succeeding year was a still greater triumph, inasmuch as he re- ceived the total vote not only of his own party but of the Republicans, who at their caucus in- dorsed unanimously the Democratie nominee. This action was chiefly attributable to the satis- factory record of Mr. Gardner on the prohibitory amendment before the Legislature in 1883, which received his active support. Mr. Gardner is at present a Justice of the Peace for the town of Waterford, and a member of the Board of Relief. He carries on the farm npon which he resides, the homestead of Rev. Gurdon T. Chappell, de- ceased, and additionally is engaged more or less as a carpenter and builder. Last year was his first in the Legislature, when he served on the Committee on Humane Institutions; this year he is on the Finance Committee.
HADLAI AUSTIN HULL
Of Stonington, was born at Stonington, Angust 22, 1854, and was educated at Amherst and the Yale Law School, graduating from the latter in the elass of 1880. He taught school for three years after leaving college, and is a member of the Board of Education at Stonington. Since 1880 he has been engaged in the practice of the law. Mr. Hull is a member of the Democratic party.
CALEB P. POTTER
Of Voluntown, was born at Voluntown, January 14, 1824, and received a common and select school education. He was a member of the House in 1860, and has held varions local offices, including that of Judge of Probate for the Voluntown dis- trict. Ile is at present Town Clerk and Treas- urer. He was formerly engaged in teaching, but for the past eighteen years he has been occupied with farming. For five years he was also in the employ of the Norwich & Worcester Railroad Company. Mr. Potter is a Democrat in politics, but reserves to himself independence of action on · general questions.
125
WILLIAM H. NOBLE
Of Bridgeport, was born Angust 15, 1-13, his father being Rev. B. S. Noble, rector of Christ Church at Middletown for a number of years, and one of the founders and trustees of Washing- ton College, now Trinity of Hartford. Mr. Noble himself was matriculated at Washington College, but graduated from Yale, with honor-, in the class of 1-32. Ile studied law with the late Judge Joseph Wood, and was admitted to the Fairfield County bar in 1536. In that year he was instrumental in seenring the charter of the Housatonic railroad, and was secretary of the company for a considerable period. For several years he was Clerk of the Courts in Fairfick! County, and was State Attorney there in 1546. He was largely interested in the development and progress of East Bridgeport, manifesting a sound und liberal public spirit. The public improve ments have been largely due to his instrument nity. In these enterprises he was assisted bis und was in partnership with P. T. Barnum. In
1×50 General Noble was nominated for Congress in the Fourth District, but his handsome majority in Fairfield County was more than offset by the adverse vote in Litchfield County. In Isto be was a Douglas man, and in Isol he was avtive in organizing the Union party in Connecticut, and in the nomination of Governor Buckingham. He engaged in the war, and served with honey and distinction in the field. He was commissioned Colonel of the Seventeenth Connectient, und par- ticipated with his regiment in a number of hard fought engagements in Virginia, South Carolina, and Florida, including Chancellorsville and Fort Wagner. While Stationed at St. Augustine, bo was detailed on Court Martial serviceat Jackson ville. He was captured by guerrillas on his was back, and incarcerated at Macon and Anderson ville. From the latter place he was sent to Vicksburg, Miss, and exchanged. At the drive of the war he was brovetted Brigadierdie newton the recommendation of General Grant Geral
126
Noble aeted with the Republican party during the war and until the nomination of Horace Gree- ley, when he united with the Democrats, and is still a member of that organization. He has been a Commissioner of the Bridgeport Water Com- pany, and also of the Bridgeport Hydraulic Com- pany, for several terms, Alderman and Common Conncilman in Bridgeport, and for six years past Chairman of the Board of Park Commissioners of that eity.
ALBERT M. TALLMADGE
Of Bridgeport, was born at Fairfield, February 22, 1854, and graduated from Wesleyan Univer- sity in the class of 1874, and from the Yale Law School in 1877. Hle has held the office of As- sistant Judge of the Bridgeport City Court, and is in active practice at the bar in Fairfield County. Mr. Tallmadge is a Democrat in poli- ties. The present is his first term in the Legis- lature.
ERI WOOD
Of Bethel, was born at Danbury, January 23, 1822, and received a eominon-school education. He is a hatter by trade, and in polities is a Dem- oerat. He has not before held publie office of any kind.
JOHN H. BARLOW
Of Brookfield, was born at Brookfield, May 6, 1841, and received a common-school education. He is a member of the Board of Relief, and Con- stable at Brookfield, and is connected with the Demoeratie party. By occupation Mr. Barlow is a carriage-maker and carriage-painter. The present is his first term in the Legislature.
CHARLES H. ANDREWS
Of Darien, was a member of the Honse last year, serving on the Democratie side. He is a native of Danbury, where he was born September S, 1830. He was educated in the common schools
of the place, and learned the saddlery business, which he has followed as a pursuit through life.
JOHN H. FANTON
Of Danbury, is engaged in the foundry and machine business, and is at the head of one of the largest firms conducting that business in Fairfield County. He is a man of 'excellent executive ability, and his large knowledge of business inter- ests make him a useful member of the Honse. Although often solicited to allow his name to be used in the candidature for the Assembly, he deelined doing so until last fall, and the large majority which he received will attest his personal popularity in Danbury. Mr. Fanton was born at New Fairfield, and is 46 years of age. Ile received a common-school education. Formerly he was a director in the Union Savings Bank of Danbury. During the war he served in Com- pany K, of the Twenty-Third Connectieut. In polities Mr. Fanton is a Republican.
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