USA > Connecticut > Evening post annual, 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, 1885 > Part 7
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
In 1874 Mr. Joslyn was elected a member of the General Assembly from Tolland, receiving the nomination from both political parties in that town for the office. He was a member of the Judiciary Committee, and served with notable in- dustry and success in that capacity. Governor Hubbard, with whom he had studied law, ap- pointed him a member of his staff, assigning him the position of Aide-de-Camp. Mr. Joslyn has been the Secretary of the State Bar Association for a number of years. He was clerk of the City Court here from 1874 to 1878, and has been a member of the High School Committee for a con- siderable period, occupying the Chairmanship during the past year. He is Vice-President and member of the Executive Committee of the Hart- ford Trust Company, member of the Board of Directors of the Tolland County National Bank, and is a careful and conservative business man.
In 1882, and also in 1884, he received the Democratic nomination for mayor of Hartford, and received the cordial support of his party, but was defeated both years by the Republican nom- inee, Morgan G. Bulkeley, the present incumbent of the Mayor's office. Colonel Joslyn is Judge Advocate of the Putnam Phalanx, a position which he has filled with honor and credit for sev- eral years. He is a capital off-hand speaker, and some of his addresses as Judge Advocate have been models worthy of study and imitation.
He delivered the oration on the Life and Char- acter of Nathan Hale, at the cemetery in South Coventry, on the occasion of the Centennial An- niversary there in 1878, the effort proving a bril- liant and effective one. The oration will long be remembered by those who heard it, as a mag- nificent tribute to the patriotism and self-sacrifice
of one of Connecticut's most honored sons. The Putnam Phalanx were present at the ceremonies, and the address was delivered by Colonel Joslyn in the uniform of that command, of which he was then, as now, Judge Advocate. The day, the scene, the oration, were one and all worthy of the occasion. Last spring Colonel Joslyn was selected by the Grand Army Posts in Hartford to deliver the Memorial Day Oration here, a duty that he performed with great satisfaction to the veteran organizations and the public at large.
Colonel Joslyn was abroad in 1878; he is a gentleman of liberal culture and taste. He is a Democrat in politics, and has shared very largely, for a young man, in the counsels of his party. During the campaign last fall he was in com- mand of the Hubbard Escort, a political organ- ization of exceptional merit. He has been com- mander of the Escort since its organization in 1880, when it participated in the Hancock cam- paign. Colonel Joslyn is a man of pronounced political views, and capable of a great deal of independence in supporting them.
GEORGE OLIVER KINNE
Of Hartford, was born at South Coventry in 1821, and received a common school education there, fitting him for an active and successful business life. He learned the machinist trade in Coven- try, and removed to Hartford in 1853, engaging in the Colt works, located at that time on Grove street. He has been connected with the com- pany since 1853, and has held the responsible position of foreman of the machine shops for the past twenty years, a place that demands superior executive ability and decision of character. The office of Representative was in no way sought by Mr. Kinne, and he accepted the nomination of his party for the place with great reluctance. He was elected by upwards of 600 majority. He is a Democrat.
GEORGE N. PHELPS
Of Avon, is a native of Granby, where he was born, November 5, 1829. He received a com- mon school education, and is engaged in mercan- tile pursuits. In politics Mr. Phelps is a Democrat.
95
ISAAC W. BEACH
Of Bristol, is also an active business man of the town, being engaged in mercantile pursuits at Forestville. During the war he was an officer in Company I, Twenty-fifth Connecticut, Colonel George P. Bissell's old command. At the battle of Irish Bend he was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant, and was in charge of the com- pany during its service in the field. He was a charter member of Newton S. Manross Post at Forestville, and is the Senior Vice-Commander. He is deeply interested in the success of the Grand Army, and an active promoter of its inter- ests. Mr. Beach has held the positions of Post- master, Constable, Assessor, Justice of the Peace,
and Selectman. He has been a member of the Republican Town Committee for twenty years, a position which he still occupies. He is also fore- man of the Welch Fire Company at Forestville. He was elected Representative in November by the largest vote of any candidate on the Republi- can ticket, running thirty ahead of the national candidates. Mr. Beach is a man of notable per- sonal popularity in his town, and possesses the fullest confidence of his fellow-townsmen. He was born at Northfield, in Litchfield county, in 1835, and received a common school education. He has been a resident of Bristol for the past twenty-five years.
96
ANDREW J. WARNER
Of Berlin, was a member of the House during the years of 1864, 1876, 1877, and 1879. In 1879 he was on the Finance Committee, and in 1877 was a member of the Committee on Forfeited Rights. At present he is one of the Board of Selectmen at Berlin, and has held a number of local offices, including that of Tax Collector, Assessor, and Justice of the Peace. He is engaged in farming and mercantile pursuits. Mr. Warner was born in Kensington, April 16, 1836, and received a common and high school education. In politics he is a Democrat.
GEORGE FRANCIS CAPEN
Of Bloomfield, is a member of the firm of Capen Brothers at Bloomfield, and is engaged in farm- ing, stock-breeding, and the tobacco trade, trans- acting an extensive business. He was born in Hartford, September 30, 1846, and was educated in the public schools. Mr. Capen is a Democrat.
ADNA NORTH BARNES
Of Burlington, was born in that town, May 16, 1845, and received a common school education. He is engaged in farming and the lumber busi- ness. Mr. Barnes is an active and influential citizen in his town, and possesses the fullest con- fidence of the public. The present is his first term in the Legislature. In politics he is a Democrat.
HENRY L. CLARK
Of East Granby, was born there February 20, 1844, and received a common school and academic education. He has held the offices of Assessor, Acting School Visitor, member of the Demo- cratic Town Committee, and Registrar of Elect- ors for fifteen years. He is also Clerk of the School District, and of the East Granby Ecclesi- astical Society. Mr. Clark has been organist of the church there for twenty-five years. He is engaged in farming. Politically he is a Demo- crat.
CLINTON T. INSLEE
Of East Windsor, was a member of the House in 1884, and was reëlected in November. His busi- ness is that of a cigar manufacturer. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Inslee is at present Town Auditor and Ferry Commissioner at Warehouse Point. Last winter he took an active part in the House on the question of establishing a bridge between Warehouse Point and Windsor Locks. Mr. Inslee was born at Warehouse Point, April 20, 1846, and was educated in the common and select schools.
LEVI PARSONS
Of East Windsor, was born there in June, 1824, and received a good common school education. He is a blacksmith by trade, but has followed farming a good deal, and for eight years was in charge of the Almshouse and Town Farm in East Windsor. He is a Democrat.
JAMES BORLAND HOUSTON
Of Enfield, is a son of Hon. John L. Houston of that place, and a prominent young Republican at Thompsonville. He is connected with the Hart- ford Carpet Works, occupying the position of paymaster in the company's establishment. He was born at Thompsonville, January 10, 1859, and was educated in the College of the City of New York, and at the Yale Scientific School.
HENRY ABBE
Of Enfield, was born there in 1822, and was educated at Wilbraham Academy. For eighteen years he was a successful school teacher. At the close of that period he engaged in farming, which he still carries on, together with packing tobacco. He has been Superintendent of Schools, Acting School Visitor, Assessor, and member of the Board of Relief. Mr. Abbe is a Republican in politics, and has always acted with that party.
97
PATRICK GARVAN
Of East Hartford, was a member of the House in 1884, serving on the Finance Committee. He took a prominent part in railroad legislation, and was especially instrumental in adjusting, through legislative enactment, the questions at issue be- tween the public and the Hartford Bridge Com- pany. Mr. Garvan is a careful and conservative legislator, and was a member of decided influence with his associates during the session last winter. He was born in Ireland, March 8, 1835, and attended the national and private schools there until he was fifteen years of age, when he came to America. He attended school, after arriving here, at East Windsor Hill, and at sixteen years of age was apprenticed to the carpenter trade in East Hartford. At twenty-one he engaged in business for himself, and met with success-as a contractor and builder. Nine years ago he re-
tired from the building business and engaged in the paper trade at 207 State street, Hartford. where he had held a partnership interest for a considerable period. Mr. Garvan has been suc- cessful in his business enterprises, and is an able manager. He is actively interested in local affairs, and was one of the originators of the East Hartford Village Improvement Society. He was chosen its first president. For the past four years he has been the Chairman of the Board of School Visitors in East Hartford, and has been the Treas- urer of the Center District, where he resides, for a number of years. Mr. Garvan was a member of the State Convention which nominated Gov- ernor Andrews, and he has taken a deep interest in educational and political affairs in his town ever since he commenced his residence there, thirty-two years ago.
13
98
ERASTUS GAY
Of Farmington, was a member of the House during the years of 1883 and 1884, serving on the Committee on Banks, last year, as House Chairman. He was born in the town which he represents, July 26, 1843, and was fitted for college there in Principal Hart's School, but subsequently engaged in mercantile pursuits, entering into business with his father, William Gay. He has been a member of the Republican Town Committee at Farmington since he was twenty-two years of age, and has frequently represented his town in the Republican State Conventions. Three years ago he was elected Town Treasurer by both political parties, receiv- ing practically the whole vote of the town for that office. Mr. Gay is also Treasurer of the Town Deposit Fund. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the State Bank in Hart- ford, the Farmington Savings Bank, and of the Standard Rule Company of Unionville. He is also one of the managers of the Farmington Creamery, and is in all respects an able and successful man of affairs. His course in the House has been conservative, and his influence recognized by both political parties.
SAMUEL FRISBIE
Of Farmington, was a member of the House during the years of 1877, 1878, and 1879. He was Chairman of the Woman Suffrage Commit- tee in 1877, Chairman of the Railroad Committee in 1878, and member of the Joint Special Com- mittee on Retrenchment, and in 1879 he was Chairman of the Insurance Committee. In each of these positions his services were of great value to the State, and he proved himself in all respects an able legislator. Mr. Frisbie is a prominent business man, and occupies the position of Secre- tary and Treasurer of the Upson Nut Company, at Unionville, also of the Union Nut Company, and is Secretary of the Hotchkiss & Upson Com- pany. Early in life he taught school for a few years, but for the past twenty-five years he has been engaged in the manufacturing business. He was born at Southington, and is forty-six years old. Mr. Frisbie was educated in the common schools and at the Lewis Academy at Southington. He is a gentleman of the highest
personal integrity, and one of the most prominent members on the Republican side of the House during the present session.
STURGES P. TURNER
Of Glastonbury, was born there October 16, 1856, and received a common-school and acade- mic education, including three years' study at the Glastonbury Academy. He was bred a farmer, but is at present engaged in the flour, grain, and grocery business. He is a Republican.
J. O. GRISWOLD
Of Glastonbury, was born there September 1, 1843, and received a common-school education. He has held the office of Constable for a number of years, and is engaged in tobacco raising. Mr. Griswold is a Democrat.
MARSHALL A. COLTON
Of Granby, was born at North Granby, May 6, 1830, and received a common-school and acade- mic education. He has held the office of Select- man four years, and is at present a Justice of the Peace, and one of the Deacons in the Granby Congregational Church. In early life he was a joiner and carpenter by avocation, but of late years he has devoted his attention to farming. Mr. Colton is a Republican ..
CONDIT HAYES
Of Granby, has held the office of Assessor for two years, and is at present Clerk of the School District in which he resides, a position which he has occupied for several years. He is engaged in farming. During the war he was connected with the Tenth Connecticut Regiment, serving in the band. Mr. Hayes was born at Granby, September 28, 1838, and received a common- school and academic education. He is a Repub- lican.
99
GEORGE W. DARLING
Of East Hartford, was born at Rupert, Vt., Feb- ruary 13, 1825. At the age of fifteen he left his native town, with less than two dollars, came to Hartford on foot, and finally found a place to work on a farm in West Hartford. He was variously employed in this vicinity for the next five or six years, and finally settled in East Hart- ford in 1846, where he entered the grocery and provision trade, which he has since successfully prosecuted for now thirty-eight years. Commen- cing in a very small way, with a capital of less
than two hundred dollars, by hard and constant application he has succeeded to a prosperous business, and is to-day the owner of much valua- ble property, and the possessor of the full esteem of his townsmen. He has held several import- ant offices, and served last year in the Legislature. to which he is returned again the present year. He is on the Joint Select Committee for Canvass of Votes for Justices of the Peace. In politics. Mr. Darling is a Democrat.
100
ORTON B. FRENCH
· was born in Hartland, October 29, 1837, was educated in the schools of the town which he represents, and at Wilbraham Academy. He has been a member of the Board of Relief for one year, of the School Fund for six years, and of the Board of Selectmen for four years. He was chosen Selectman for the fourth consecutive year, in October. He early prepared for the profession of teaching, intending to make his home in the West. Upon the death of his mother he aban- doned his early intention and settled in Hart- land, where he has remained ever since, following mainly the business of farming, with the added business of a wheelwright. He was from an early Democratic family, and inherited firm Democratic sympathies. The change in his politics was the result of earnest thought and close observation of men and parties. For con- scientious reasons he never voted until 1864, when he helped to secure the election of Mr. Lincoln. Mr. French has always taken an active interest in educational concerns, both in his school district and in the town, and is an influen- tial citizen. He is a firm believer in the Repub- lican party, and will support it as long as it maintains a standard up to his convictions.
GEORGE WENDELL EMMONS
Of Hartland, was born at East Hartland, Novem- ber 29, 1835, and received a common and select school education. He is a farmer by occupation. He has always acted with the Republican party, and believes fully in its principles, aims, and purposes.
CHARLES H. ARNOLD
Of Manchester, was a member of the House in 1869, and is at present Registrar of Voters and Chairman of the Republican Town Committee
at Manchester. He has also held the office of Deputy Sheriff and of Enrolling Agent, the latter under Provost-Marshal Goodrich. Mr. Arnold was born in East Hartford, in 1833, and received a common-school education. He is engaged in the carriage business.
HARRY G. CHENEY
Of Manchester, is engaged in the silk manufac- turing business at South Manchester, and is a prominent young Republican in the town. He has had a thorough business training and educa- tion, and has spent considerable time in Europe in connection with the silk industry. Mr. Cheney is a native of South Manchester, where he was born July 20, 1852.
JOHN W. DAY
Of Marlboro, was born in the town which he represents, and is forty-eight years old. He was educated in the common-schools of the place, and at Wilbraham Academy. He has been a Constable for the past twenty years. He was formerly engaged in mercantile business, manu- facturing, and farming, the latter being his pres- ent occupation. Mr. Day is a Democrat.
ALONZO McMANUS
Of New Britain, was born at Hanover, Chautau- qua county, N. Y., November 30, 1830, and re- ceived a common-school education. He learned the blacksmith's trade, but since 1856 he has been engaged in the machinist business. For the past fifteen years he has been employed as a fore- man in the North & Judd Manufacturing Com- pany's works. Mr. McManus is a Republican.
101
EDWARD LIVINGSTONE MIX
Was born in West Hartford, October 5, 1834. His boyhood was spent on one of the beautiful farms situated on the ridge of land along which the main road running north and south was originally laid out. Significant of his attach- ment to locality and home is the fact that he still lives upon an estate that has been in his family for three or four generations.
His first school days were spent at the district school-house not far away. For a hundred and fifty years the town of West Hartford has been famous for its excellent schools, which early in the century were maintained by the Ecclesiastical Society. In connnon with many other New England towns West Hartford established an academy, to which the future legislator was sent in maturing youth. This ended his educational opportunities, and he went back to the farm and other pursuits, settling ere long to the acquisition of a useful trade. For many years he has been a contractor and builder in his native town, refusing some flattering offers to carry on his business in other places. He had charge of the wood-work
construction of the Granite Church, which is the chief ornament of the village. He was elected one of the building committee by the society, and it is a good illustration of his nice sense of honor that he resigned his place on the committee before putting in his bid for the erection of a wooden structure-which was originally contemplated.
Mr. Mix is a Deacon of the Congregational Church, and was for many years Chairman of the Committee of the Society.
In politics he is a Republican, with which party he has acted since the war for the Union. As the years have gone by he has been honored by his neighbors and fellow-citizens with offices of public trust, and has never disappointed the ex- pectations of those who have put confidence in his integrity.
Known to the whole community, his honor is unquestioned, his character is stainless, and his judgment is trusted ; while his large heart makes and keeps him a true friend-especially to the poor, the weak, and the sinful. Long may such men rule over us.
102
PHILIP CORBIN
Of New Britain, is descended from Puritan stock through a long line of New England ancestry. He was born in Willington, October 26, 1824, and received such educational advantages as the district schools of the time afforded. From the day he graduated from one of these humble insti- tutions he has been a man of wide reading, travel, and observation, and has been liberally educated in the schools of experience and affairs. Before reaching his majority he went to New Britain, and was apprenticed to North & Stanley, then small manufacturers in that village. He had no sooner become twenty-one, than he be- came a manufacturer himself, in company with his brother Frank. The young firm commenced business without friends, influence, business acquaintance, or experience, and little capital except their youth and courage. From this beginning has grown the corporation of P. & F. Corbin, which furnishes employment to no less than eight hundred people, and which is known as one of the leading industrial enterprises of New England. Philip Corbin has continued from its foundation at the head of the house, and to his sagacity, industry, and character, are due in great measure its success. Its history has been by no means a course of easy and constant prosperity, but, like many another of our great manufacturing concerns, it has attained success by intelligent, hard work, and after many a long and hard-fought battle against the most discour- aging circumstances. In early life Mr. Corbin was a Whig, and he identified himself with the Republican party upon its organization. Al- though he has been a zealous supporter of the principles of his party (for he does nothing by halves), he has never desired public office, but he takes a lively interest in the welfare of the pub- lic. He was active, with the late Hon. F. T. Stanley, in promoting the excellent water-works of his city, and has been, almost without inter- ruption, a member of the Water Board from the beginning. He has continued a Trustee of the Savings Bank of New Britain since its incorpora- tion, and is always found warmly and liberally
supporting all measures calculated to benefit the community. His long, laborious, and successful career fit him admirably for the duties of a legislator.
ELIAS M. STEELE
Of Newington, was born there May 1, 1844, and was educated at Wilbraham Academy, the New Britain High School, and the Cheshire Military Academy, graduating in 1867. He also spent a couple of years or more at Trinity, entering that institution in 1867. He resided in New York City for a number of years, where he was ad- mitted to the bar and practiced. He is engaged in the law and real estate business here, having an office at No. 321 Main street. He has been a Commissioner of the Superior Court, Justice of the Peace, Acting School Visitor, and acting Registrar of Voters at Newington. In politics, Mr. Steele is a Republican.
ROBERT C. USHER
Of Plainville, was a member of the Twentieth Connecticut Regiment during the war, serving as Sergeant-Major and subsequently as Lieu- tenant in one of the companies of that command. He is at present Town Clerk and Registrar, Assessor and Notary Public at Plainville, and is also engaged in the lumber and coal business there. In politics Mr. Usher is a Republican. He was born at Plymouth, April 19, 1841, and received a common-school education.
WAIT R. GRISWOLD, JR.,
Of Rocky Hill, was born at Durham, February 3, 1855, and was educated in the common schools and at Williston Seminary, Easthampton, Mass. He is engaged in the grocery business and is a Republican in politics. The present is Mr. Griswold's first terin in the Legislature.
103
EDWARD A. FREEMAN
Of Simsbury, was born at South Coventry, Jan- uary 20, 1843, and received a common-school education. He served in the Twelfth Connecti- cut, Colonel Henry C. Deming's command, dur- ing the war, being a member of Captain L. A. Dickinson's company. He was three years and nine months in the service, and was with General Butler at New Orleans, and with Sheridan in Virginia. For upwards of ten years he was en- gaged in the druggist business in Hartford, being a member of the firms of Curtiss & Freeman and E. A. Freeman & Co. For several years he was paymaster for the Trustees of the Hartford, Providence & Fishkill road, and has been Secre- tary and Treasurer of the Hartford Silk Manu- facturing Company at Tariffville since its organ- ization. He is Acting School Visitor at Sims- bury, and an honored and esteemed citizen of the town. In politics Mr. Freeman is a Republican.
HENRY O. WILCOX
Of Simsbury, is Clerk and Treasurer of the Cen- ter School District at Simsbury, a position which he has held since 1860. He has also been a member of the Board of Selectmen one year. He is a mechanic by occupation and has been en- gaged most of his life in house, mill, and bridge building. During the winters of 1854 and 1855 he was in the South engaged on bridges con- nected with the Mobile & Ohio Railroad. Mr. Wilcox is sixty-two years old. His education was derived from the common schools. He is a Republican.
DANIEL ROBERTS HUBBARD
Of Southington, was born at Cromwell, Septem- ber 20, 1836, and received a common-school and academic education in that town. At the age of sixteen he began work there for Stevens & Co., manufacturers of cast-iron toys and general hard- ware, and remained with them until the break- ing out of the war. He served as Second Lien- tenant in the Fourth Connecticut Regiment. Subsequently he became First Lieutenant in the First Heavy Artillery, and was promoted to a captaincy in the command, June 18, 1862, and remained in the service until September 20, 1864,
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.