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 8
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a period of three years and four months, when he received an honorable discharge. Mr. Hubbard has been Clerk and Treasurer of the First Con- gregational Church at Southington, member of the Society's Committee, and is at present one of the Deacons of the Church. He is in the employ of the Southington Lumber and Feed Company, but was formerly engaged in farming. Mr. Hub- bard is a highly respected citizen and a valued member of the Legislature. In politics he is a Republican.
ELISHA J. NEAL
Of Southington, was a member of the House last year, serving on the Democratic side during the session. He is a good working member, giving strict attention to his duties. Mr. Neal was born at Bristol, December 16, 1848, and received a common-school and academic education, being a graduate of Lewis Academy at Southington. He has been Deputy Registrar of Voters for sev- eral years, and Chairman of the Democratic Town Committee, having held the latter position for ten years. He is employed by the Peck, Stow & Wilcox Company as book-keeper and sales- man. While not a practiced public speaker, he knows how to express his convictions when occa- sion demands.
OLIN WHEELER
Of South Windsor, was born at East Haddam. March 14, 1846, and received a common and select school education. He ocenpies the position of Tax Collector at South Windsor, an office which he has held for three years. He is engaged in farming, and is the agent for the sale of fertil- izers and farming implements. In politics Mr. Wheeler is a Democrat.
EDMUND HALLADAY
Of Suffield, is a native of that town, where he was born May 8, 1852. He was educated in the common schools and at the Suffield Literary In- stitute. He has held the offices of Constable and Assessor, and is at present Chairman of the Board of Assessors. Mr. Halladay was constable during the years of 1879 and 1580. He is a farmer and a Republican.
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JAMES P. SPENCER
Of Suffield, was born in that town, September 6, 1848, and was educated at the Connecticut Lit- erary Institute, and the Eagleswood Military Academy at Perth Amboy, N. J. He has been the Registrar of Voters for five years, member of the Republican Town Committee since 1874, and Chairman for nine years. Mr. Spencer is engaged in farming.
GEORGE W. HARRIS
Of Wethersfield, was born in Hartford, March 25, 1847, and attended the South School of which his father, the late Chauncey Harris, was principal. He entered the Hartford High School in 1861, and attended there three years until he entered the Senior class, and shortly after en- tered the State Normal School, graduating with the honors of Valedictorian in the class of '66. He is engaged in farming and stock-breeding, being an importer and breeder of thoroughbred Swiss cattle. He is a Director in the Comstock, Ferre & Co. Seed Company. In politics he is a Republican.
W. L. WILLARD
Of Wethersfield, was born there in 1849, and re- ceived a common-school and academic educa- tion. He is a partner in the clothing firm of F. W. Warner & Co., Nos. 108 and 110 Asylum street, Hartford, and is Clerk at the State Prison. Mr. Willard is a Republican in politics, and makes a good working member of the House.
FRANCIS F. CURRY
Of Windsor, was born at Philadelphia, February 1, 1833, and received a common-school educa-
tion. During the war he served as a private in the Twenty-second Connecticut, Colonel George S. Burnham's command, and was a good soldier. Mr. Curry is engaged in the manufacture of cigars. He is a member of the Republican party.
HENRY J. FENTON
Of Windsor, was born at Poquonock, May 21. 1850, and received a common-school and busi- ness education, graduating from Bryant & Strat- ton's Commercial College, in Hartford, in 1868. He is Superintendent and Treasurer of the Fen- ton Trout-Breeding Company, and is employed by the State Fish Commissioners as Manager of the hatching and distribution of trout, salmon, and shad. He has held this position for five years and has done admirable work for the State. During the past three years he has developed two valuable shad-hatching stations in Connecticut, one on the Farmington River at Poquonock, and the other at Birmingham, on the Housatonic. He was one of the House messengers last year, and is a member of the Republican Town Com- mittee at Windsor. He has served four years on the School District Committee at Poquonock, and has been Tax Collector in the district for two years.
EDWARD D. COOGAN
Of Windsor Locks was born at North Lee, Mass., April 2, 1841, and received a good common- school education. He has held the offices of Selectman, Agent of the Town Deposit Fund, and member of the Board of Education at Wind- sor Locks. He is at present Chairman of the Board of Education. Mr. Coogan is engaged in mercantile pursuits and is a leading member of the Democratic party in his town.
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ALEXANDER TROUP
Of New Haven, the senior Representative from the largest city in the State, was born at Halifax, N. S., March 31, 1840, and, after receiving a common school education, came to New England, serving his time as an apprentice printer. He went to New York, became thoroughly acquaint- ed with the duties of a journalist, and some twelve years ago founded in New Haven, as a Workingmen's and Greenback journal, what is now the very successful New Haven Union. He
afterward became a power in the Democratic party, stumping the State and actively engaging in the conventions. In 1883 he was a member of the Legislature, and served upon the Commit- tees on School Fund and Sale of Lands, of which latter he was chosen House Chairman. Mr. Troup is no mean antagonist in debate, and occu- pies a prominent position at the head of the minority in the Legislature.
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JAMES PROTUS PIGOTT
Of New Haven, was born in that city of Irish parents, and is now about thirty years of age. He graduated from Yale College in 1878, and two years later from the Law School. He is now enjoying a considerable legal practice. Always a politician, he has been chosen for two terms Clerk of the City of New Haven, and at the elec- tion last fall was elected second Representative. He has quite a reputation as a wit, and is in demand as a diner-out.
HOMER D. BRONSON
Of Beacon Falls, is a Republican, quite popular among his towns-people, and a self-made man. He has had experience enough in various walks of life to make him a good legislator.
DWIGHT L. JOHNSON
Of Bethany, was born in Prospect, March 4, 1847, and is now 37. The educational advant- ages which he enjoyed in his youth were such as were afforded by the common school. Most of his life has been spent on the farm, to which business he has added that of a constructor of public highways. Mr. Johnson is a Democrat.
HENRY D. LINSLEY
Of Branford, who has been well known to his towns-people as Constable, Deputy Sheriff, and Tax Collector, is a native of Branford, was born February 12, 1843, and is, therefore, now forty- one years of age. He received a substantial edu- cation in private and public schools, and since his majority has been actively engaged in farm- ing. He still holds the office of Tax Collector. The present term is his first in legislative experi- ence. In politics, he is a Democrat.
HENRY E. HOWE
Of Cheshire, was born in Canaan, Conn., April 30, 1843, and after enjoying the advantages of a common school education, became a landlord, Constable, and a Collector in Canaan for three years. At Hartford, in 1880 and 1881, he was a Councilman from the Fifth Ward. He has gen- erally followed the occupation of farming and hotel-keeping. He is a Democrat.
EDWARD T. CORNWALL, M. D.
Of Cheshire, is among the youngest members of the House, being but twenty-six years of age. He was born in the town which he represents, September 22, 1858. His education was acquired principally at Mr. Abbott's School in Hartford, at the Episcopal Academy in Cheshire, and at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City, from which latter institution he graduated in 1881. Since his graduation he has been engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Cheshire. Doctor Cornwall identifies himself with the Democratic party.
FRANKLIN D. JACKSON
Of Derby, was born in Birmingham, February 8, 1847. After studying in the common schools he entered the mercantile business, and is now a dealer in dry-goods and groceries. He was a member of Co. I, First Connecticut Heavy Artil- lery, enlisting at the age of sixteen, and received a slight wound in the shoulder in front of Peters- burg, Va. He is now Registrar of Voters, a member of the Republican Town Committee, and of State Committee for the Seventh District-a position to which he was chosen at the convention that nominated William H. Bulkeley for Gov- ernor. He has been Chairman of the School District Committee, and Clerk of the School Dis- trict. In 1884 he was a member of the House. He was Chairman of the Committee on Canvass of Votes for Justices of the Peace, and Clerk of the Committee on Cities and Boroughs.
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AFBECKLEY WEST-MERIDEN-CT.
WILLIAM WALLACE LEE
Of Meriden, long a prominent figure in secret society matters and in politics, was born in Bark- hamsted, July 20, 1828, of a family that has furnished recruits for all American wars for the past 200 years. Seven members of it served in the old French war, sixteen in the War of the Revolution, ten or twelve in that of 1812-14, and from 50 to 100 in the late Rebellion-all de- scendants of John Lee, the 250th anniversary of whose settlement in the Connecticut colony was celebrated in Hartford last August, the subject of the present sketch presiding. Mr. Lee was one of the charter members of Company I, Second Regiment C. N. G., holding a Lieutenant's com- mission for four years. He enlisted in the Nine- teenth C. V., but was rejected on account of
a broken arm. He studied at the Southwest District School in Barkhamsted and graduated from his father's mill, at the east end of the bridge over Tunxis river, Pleasant Valley. Mr. Lee will be remembered as the compiler of a descriptive volume entitled " Barkhamsted Cen- tennial," published by him in 1881, wherein his historical address appeared in full. In 1848 he espoused the cause of the Free Soilers, and was a delegate to the first convention of the Republi- can Party held in Hartford in 1856, and has been a staunch Republican ever since, except in 1872, when he voted for Horace Greeley for President. He has been twice elected an Alder- man in Meriden from a Democratic ward; has been Constable in New Haven, Derby, and Meri-
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den, and a Justice of the Peace, besides being a frequent Delegate to Republican Conventions and member of Town and Ward Committees. He is a total abstainer, but enjoys a good cigar. For five years he was a fireman, and is very prominent as an active as well as a veteran Free Mason and Odd Fellow, having been Grand Master of both bodies in this State. In 1860 his father and five sons voted solidly for Lincoln and Hamlin. Of these sons only two survive. Mr. Lee is a machinist.
JONAH C. PLATT
Of Derby, a Republican, was born in Milford, Conn., November 30, 1832, and is, therefore, fifty-two years of age. He is a graduate of the common schools, and his fellow-townsmen liave chosen him for fourteen years Treasurer of the First School District, and Collector of Taxes for the Town of Derby in 1875, 1876, and for the present year, 1885. He is a Director in the Ansonia Savings Bank, and has generally pur- sued mercantile and the building business. He was a member of the Legislature of 1884.
JUSTIN BRADLEY
Of East Haven, is sixty-nine years of age, having been born at East Haven, February 28, 1815. He was educated in the common schools, and has pursued farming as an occupation. He acts with the Democratic party.
WALLACE G. FOWLER
Of Guilford, was a member of the House in 1880, and is forty-nine years of age. His birth occurred
at Guilford, October 19, 1835. He has a farm at Guilford, but was engaged in the management of the cotton mill of the Granite Mill Company, at Stafford Springs, for fourteen years. For three years past he has kept the books and assisted in the management of the Williams Brothers Manu- facturing Company, Naubuc (Glastonbury). He is a graduate of the Hartford High School, and a Republican.
EDGAR P. ROSSITER
Of Guilford, was born in North Guilford, Decem- ber 19, 1826, and educated in the common schools. He has been a farmer for years, is still engaged in that occupation, and is attached to the principles of the Republican party. For several years he was a Selectman and Assessor.
HENRY W. MUNSON
Of Hamden, a Selectman and manufacturer, is a Republican, and was born in Hamden, February 4, 1835, being now forty-nine years of age. He is a graduate of the common schools.
HARVEY E. CRUTTENDEN .
Of Madison, is a native of that town, and was born in 1821. The common schools and Lee's Academy furnished him an education, and the people chose him, at different times, First and Second Selectman, Constable, Justice of the Peace, Collector of Taxes, and member of the Board of Relief. His regular business has been that of a farmer. He is a Republican.
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GEORGE M. GUNN
Of Milford, was Senator from the Fifth District in 1881 and 1882. He had served in the House in 1879 and 1880, making a creditable showing. Mr. Gunn was born in Milford, August 10, 1851, and after a course at General Russell's New Haven School entered Yale College, graduating
in 1874. He took the regular course at the Yale · Law School, and in 1878 began to practice in New Haven. He has served on a number of important committees. His father and grand- father were legislators also.
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CHARLES HENRY STANLEY DAVIS
Of Meriden, was born in Goshen, Conn., in 1840. His father, Dr. T. F. Davis, practiced medicine in Goshen, Litchfield, and Plymouth, and in 1850 removed to Meriden. Dr. Charles H. S. Davis was graduated from the medical department of the New York University, and after attending lectures at the Harvard Medical School, and the University of Maryland, he succeeded his father in the practice of medicine in Meriden. In 1872 he spent seven months in Europe in travel and study, visiting Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. He represented Meriden in the Legislature in 1874, and was Chairman of the House Committee on Education. Dr. Davis has been a member of the School Board of Meriden thirteen years, was Acting Visitor five years, and has been Chairman of the Board three years, and is also a member of the High School Committee. He is one of the founders and Secretary of the Meriden Scientific Society. In 1863 Dr. Davis, in connection with Rev. Dr. Nathan Brown, formerly Minister to Assam, Rev. W. M. Scott, now a missionary in Burmah, and others incorporated the American Philologi- cal Society, and was the First Vice-President, and afterwards Corresponding Secretary. In 1870 Dr. Davis published a History of Walling- ford at Meriden, a work of nearly one thousand pages, and has also written a work on the " Mu- sical Voice," published by Oliver Ditson & Co., and a " Manual on the Classification, Training, and Education of the Feeble-Minded, Imbecile, and Idiotic." He edited the first volume of the Boston Medical Register, and for four years edited the "Index to Periodical Literature" for the American News Co. He has also contributed largely to the medical and scientific press. Dr. Davis is a member of the Connecticut Medical Society, corresponding member of Societé d'An- thropologie of Paris, and is a member of twelve other historical and scientific societies, and is also a member of St. Elmo's Commandery of Knights Templars, the Royal Arch, and Free Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Honor, Knights of Pythias, Knights of Labor, Ancient Order of United Workmen, Order of United American Mechanics, Order of Chosen Friends, Royal Arca- num, Ancient Order of Foresters, etc. Besides attending to a large practice, Dr. Davis is deeply interested in scientific and literary pursuits, and
has one of the finest private libraries in the State, of over six thousand volumes. Dr. Davis was sent to the Legislature in 1874 by the Democratic and Liberal party, and was the first Democratic Representative from Meriden in over twenty years. This year he was nominated by the Democrats and indorsed by the " People's Party."
EDMUND B. HOYT
Of Middlebury, a Republican who has been a Selectman, was born in Bethel, November 8, 1830. Until 1868 he was a hatter, afterwards a farmer. He studied in the common schools.
HENRY CARRINGTON MILES
Of Milford, was born there, and is 61 years of age. His is a common school education, fortified with much after experience. In 1875 he was chosen School Fund Commissioner, to which office he was reelected in 1878, and was a member of the House in 1870-4-5. In 1874-5 he was Chairman of the State Prison Committee, and in 1870 a member of the Committee on Incorporations. At the age of seventeen he went to New York as a clerk, but his present occupa- tion is that of a farmer. On strict party ques- tions he is a Democrat; on others an Indepen- dent. During the session of 1875 he was frequently called to the Chair by Speaker Durand. In Milford he has been Town Agent and member of the Board of Education.
GEORGE SIDNEY ANDREW
Of Naugatuck, Democrat, was born in Orange, Conn., January 29, 1833, but when six years of age went to Naugatuck, where he graduated from the common schools and the High School. He is now a member of the Board of Education, and has generally pursued a mercantile and farm- ing business. From 1857 to 1861 he was Post- master, and has also been Assessor and Town Treasurer.
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HOSS ING. CO.N.Y.
ISAAC L. STILES
Of North Haven, represented this town in the Legislature in 1854, and again in 1884, after an interval of thirty years. He is a Republican, has generally pursued the business of a manufac-
turer, received a common school education, and is now sixty-five years of age, having been born in North Haven, June 28, 1819. Last year he served on the Committee on State Prison.
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JOSIAH A. SMITH
Of North Branford, was born in New London, November 24, 1842, and is 42 years of age. He secured his education in the common schools, became a mechanic, and served four years lack- ing a month in Company C, Tenth C. V., being a Sergeant when discharged. For the last five years he has been clerk in a grocery store. He is a Republican.
CHARLES H. BUTLER
Of Oxford, a Republican, was born in Seymour, July 21, 1844, and has generally pursued the mercantile business. As a private of Company H, Second Connecticut Heavy Artillery, he was wounded in the arm at Cold Harbor, June 14, 1864, and lost a leg at Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864. For fifteen years past he has been Post- master and Town Treasurer, and is now also Treasurer of St. Peter's Episcopal Parish. From 1868 to 1872 he was Doorkeeper of the House, and in 1873 Doorkeeper of the Senate. He was chosen Representative by 55 majority, although Mr. Cleveland had 16 majority, and Mr. Waller 13.
GEORGE R. MORSE
Of Prospect, was born there April 1, 1852, grad- uated at the common schools, and has for some time been a Constable, an office which he still holds. He is a Republican.
HORACE Q. JUDD
Of Seymour, was born at Bethel, Conn., Feb- ruary 21, 1841, prepared for college at Hudson River Institute, Claverack, N. Y., and on August 13, 1862, enlisted in Company G, Seventeenth
Regiment, C. V. He participated in two of the greatest battles of the war-Chancellorsville and Gettysburg-and at its close was honorably dis- charged as a Corporal. From 1865 to 1870 he taught in the public schools of Washington, Conn., and in April of the latter year entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, be- coming a member of the New York East Con- ference. Since that time he has been engaged in the active work of the ministry, having had the following appointments : Cornwall, Wolcottville, Watertown, Thomaston, Bridgeport (First M. E. Church), and Seymour-all for three years ex- cept Bridgeport. He has always been a Repub- lican. His father, Ebenezer S. Judd, represented Bethel in the Legislature of 1867, having been a life-long Whig and Republican.
GEORGE N. PLATT
Of Southbury, was born in Southbury in 1827, and is 57 years of age. He studied in the com- mon schools, and was at one time a classmate of Hon. Orville H. Platt at the famous " Gunnery " in Washington, Conn. Save for a period of six years, when he was a cattle drover, has been a farmer. For four years he was a Selectman, and Justice of the Peace; for two years a member of the Board of Relief, and for one year a Grand Juror. He is a Republican.
GEORGE MARTIN WALLACE
Of Wallingford, was born in North Haven, April 11, 1855, and after graduating from Yale College in 1881, went to Europe for a year. Then he took the regular course at the Yale Law School, and became a practicing lawyer in New Haven. He is a Democrat and did considerable speaking in the last campaign, but believes in good measures, no matter by whom originated.
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JAMES GRAHAM
Of Orange, was born in Albany, N. Y., January 23, 1831, and had the advantages of a common school education. He has been a Selectman (for two years), a member of the Board of Warden and Burgesses (for seven years), and a Repre- sentative in 1878. He is now an Assessor. Although a staunch Republican, his friends are
in all parties and among all classes. He is senior partner of the firm of James Graham & Co., brass founders, New Haven, and a Direc- tor in the New Haven Car Trimming Company. West Haven Water Company, and the Pursell Piano Stool and Chair Company, West Haven.
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THOMAS KENNEDY, 2D,
Of Wallingford, was born in Lispole, County Kerry, Ireland, December 21, 1841, and supple- mented a course at the National School there with one at the common schools of Holyoke, Mass., to which city he emigrated in July, 1855. He has been for fifteen years a burnisher at Simpson, Hall, Miller & Co.'s, for three years a member of the School Board and Board of Relief, and a Borough Assessor for one year. He is a Demo- crat.
CALVIN H. CARTER
Of Waterbury, was born in the town he repre- sents, and is fifty-five years old. He was grad- uated at Yale College in the class of 1851, and subsequently studied law in the Yale Law School. He practiced law in Waterbury from 1853 to 1861, when he was appointed Postmaster. He resigned this office in 1863 to go into active busi- ness. In 1859 he was Clerk of the State Senate. He was a member of the House of 1883, and House Chairman of the Committee on Claims.
FREDERICK JAMES BROWN
Of Waterbury, was born there, September 30, 1855, was for two years a member of the class of '78 of Yale College, and is now a member of the
Democratic State Central Committee for the Fifth District, a Director in the American Pin Company, and a member of the Board of Educa- tion. He has served in the Court of Common Council. In the House of 1883 he was a member of the Finance Committee, being alone in his op- position to the abatement of the Connecticut Valley Railroad Company taxes. He drafted the Brown amendment to the bill for the reduc- tion of railroad taxes, which was adopted by the Legislature, but vetoed by the Governor after adjournment. He is a Democrat.
CHARLES S. TUTTLE
Of Wolcott, a Republican, was born in Old Say- brook, April 28, 1860, and is therefore one of the youngest members of the House, being only twenty-four years of age. He graduated from the common schools, is clerk of the Wolcott Drum Band, and Treasurer of the School District.
ELIAS T. CLARK
Of Woodbridge, was born in Orange, Conn., November 15, 1819, received a common school education, and devoted his life to farming and seed-growing, always refusing office. He is a Republican, and has lived in Woodbridge for forty years.
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MUSS ENT C
GEORGE WILLIAMS
Of New London, was a member of the House in 1884, serving on the Committee on Military Affairs. He was born in England in 1814, and was educated in the common schools of that country. In 1837 he removed to America and has been a resident of New London since 1845. He has been an active participant in political life or a number of years, serving in the Common
Council Board at New London for five years, and in the Board of Aldermen for nine. He has also held the position of Chief Engineer of the Fire Department, and is very popular with his fellow- citizens. In 1877 he was a member of the House from New London, serving on the Democratic side of that body. By occupation he is a baker and confectioner.
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WILLIAM MOLTHROP STARK
Of New London, was born in Portland, Oregon, September 14, 1855, and graduated from Trinity College in 1875, and from the Columbia Law School at New York in 1879. He was admitted to the bar in New London County in 1879, and has since practiced his profession in New London. In 1883 he received the degree of Master of Arts from Trinity College, and is an able and scholarly gentleman. In politics, Mr. Stark is a Democrat.
DAVID S. GILMOUR
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