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 9
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Of Norwich, was a member of the House in 1884, serving on the Committee on Cities and Bor- oughs. He was born at Paisley, Scotland, and is thirty-nine years of age. His parents moved to this country and settled at Simsbury when he was but a child. In 1852 he removed to Greene- ville, where he received a common school educa- tion. For the past sixteen years he has been con- nected with the firm of Gilmour Brothers, Iron Founders and manufacturers of specialties in hardware at Greeneville. In 1873 he was elected President of the Greeneville Fire Association. He was re-elected 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 Council at Norwich. Mr. Gil- mour has traveled extensively, both in this country and abroad. In politics he is a Republican.
FRANK ARTHUR MITCHELL
Of Norwich, was born in that city, February 7, 1855, and graduated from the Norwich Free Academy in 1873. He was a member of the
class of 1877 at Yale College, but was obliged to leave on account of sickness towards the close of Senior year, and seek the restoration of his health in Southern California. On his return he was made the Indianapolis Agent of the Thames Loan Trust Company, a banking institution of New London. He is now engaged in the iron manufacturing business. Mr. Mitchell is a mem- ber of the Republican Town Committee at Norwich.
HENRY N. FORD
Of Bozrah, was born in that town in 1836, and received a common school education there. He has served on the Town Board of Assessors, and also on the Board of Relief. His business is that of farming and lumbering. In politics Mr. Ford is a Republican.
EDWARD M. BROWN
Of Colchester, is a member of the firm of Brown Brothers, paper manufacturers, and occupies the office of Postmaster. During the war he was a member of the First Rhode Island Cavalry, leav- ing the Providence Seminary, where he was studying, in order to engage in the service. After returning from the war he graduated from East- man's Business College at Poughkeepsie, and en- gaged in business. He is a Trustee of the Day School Fund at Colchester, and has been honored with a number of local offices. Mr. Brown is an active member of the Republican party and has served on the Town Committee very accept- ably. His firm has built up a large business at Colchester, and possesses a large amount of real estate, both at Colchester and in Florida, includ- ing an extensive orange grove. Mr. Brown was born at Willimantic, September 11, 1844.
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ALLEN B. BURLESON
Of Griswold, was born at West Greenwich, R. I., and is 66 years of age. He received the advant- ages of a common school education, and engaged in manufacturing business, which he has pursued
through life. In 1874 he served in the Legisla- ture from the town of Windham, it being the last session held in New Haven. Mr. Burleson is a Republican.
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CLARENCE HORATIO NORTON
Of Colchester, was born in Hebron, October 24, 1853, and received a common school and acade- mic education, including a course of study at Williston Seminary, Easthampton, Mass. He has held the offices of School District Clerk and Treasurer, and is engaged in the grain and feed business at Colchester. Mr. Norton is a Demo- crat. The present is his first term in the General Assembly.
CALVIN S. DAVIS
Of East Lyme, was born at Waterford, and is thirty-seven years old. He received a common school education, and was for several years en- gaged in the grocery business. He is now con- nected with the Granite Monumental Works at Niantic. He is a member of the Board of School Visitors, Treasurer of the School District, and an officer of the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows, being District Deputy Grand Master for his section of . the State. Mr. Davis is a Democrat.
JOHN OWEN SMITH
Of Franklin, was born in Groton in 1819, and re- ceived a common school education, fitting him for an active business life. From 1840 until 1860 he was engaged in carriage manufacturing, but since that time he has devoted his attention to farming and real estate transactions. He has held the offices of Selectman, Town Clerk, and Treasurer, member of the Board of Relief, and Justice of the Peace. He has always been Treasurer of the Ecclesiastical Society at Frank- lin, and Superintendent of the Sunday-school for fifteen years. Mr. Smith is a member of the Republican party.
ENOCH BURROWS BROWN
Of Groton, was a member of the House in 1884, and was reelected in November. He was born at Stonington in June, 1833, and was educated at Greenwich Academy. He was formerly Town Agent and has been the manager of the Lantern Hill Silex Company, and also for Messrs. Mallory
& Williams. He is also engaged in stock breed- ing and farming. Mr. Brown is a Democrat.
EDWIN S. WHITE
Of Groton, was born there September 28, 1834, and received a common school education. He has spent a good deal of his life on the sea, and until recently, was the captain of a whaling ves- sel. Mr. White is a Democrat.
J. HENRY KING
Of Lebanon, is a native of that town, where he was born April 13, 1841, and received a common school education. He is a carpenter and joiner by avocation, and in politics is a Republican. The present is his first term in the Legislature.
JOSEPH G. DAVOLL
Of Lebanon, was born at Portsmouth, R. I., October 11, 1833, and was educated in the com- mon schools. He has held the offices of Grand Juror and School District Committee, and is at present Superintendent of the Methodist Church Sunday-School at Willimantic. He was engaged in blacksmithing for twenty years, but for the last ten he has been occupied with farming. During the war he was a member of Company C, Eighteenth Connecticut Regiment. In poli- tics he is a Republican.
CHARLES AVERY SATERLEE
Of Ledyard, was connected with the United States naval service as an acting Assistant Engi- neer during the latter part of the war. Subse- quently he entered the revenue marine service and remained for thirteen years, the last six being commissioned as Chief Engineer. At pres- ent he is engaged in farming. He holds the offices of Selectman and Justice of the Peace. Mr. Saterlee was born at Gale's Ferry, Septem- ber 17, 1835, and received a common school education. In politics he is a Republican.
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HENRY CLAY BURNHAM
Of Lyme, was born at East Haddam, August 6, 1844, and is now forty years of age. His education was obtained at public and private schools in his native town, following which he became engaged in mechanical pursuits. At the age of twenty-five he accepted a special agency for the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, which position he subsequently abandoned to engage in mercantile business. For the last ten years he has been proprietor of a leading dry goods and grocery store in Hadlyme, with interests also in the lumber and wood business. He was largely instrumental in securing the 1
location in Hadlyme of the prosperous manufac- turing business of H. E. Taylor & Co., and was an active promoter of the Hadlyme Steam Ferry. recently established. Mr. Burnham has served his townsmen in the various capacities of Grand Juror, Constable, Justice of the Peace, etc., but has not had previous legislative experience. He possesses good qualifications for this work, how- ever, and may be relied upon for a conscientious discharge of the duties of the position. In poli- tics he is a Republican, and has always been an active worker in the local organization of the party in his own town.
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JOHN D. SULLIVAN
Of Lisbon, is engaged in farming and the lum- bering business. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Sullivan was born in the County of Cork, Ireland, June 20, 1832, but has spent most of his life in this country. He has not been connected with the Legislature before, and has not held public office.
JOHN R. STERLING
Of Lyme, was formerly engaged in school teach- ing, but for the past sixteen years he has been a clerk on the Hartford boats. He is at present a member of the Board of School Visitors. Mr. Sterling was born at Lyme, October 18, 1841, and received a common school and academic education. In politics he is a Democrat. [Mr. Sterling was prostrated by illness soon after his election, and died at his home in Lyme on the 20th of December.]
CHARLES W. COMSTOCK
Of Montville, was born there October 9, 1857, and was educated at the Norwich Free Academy. He was formerly engaged in teaching, but is now actively in practice at the bar. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace, and has been Chairman of the Democratic Town Committee at Montville for the past four years. Mr. Comstock is a Democrat.
THOMAS S. WHEELER
Of North Stonington, was a member of the House in 1884, and was reelected in November. He served on the Insurance Committee last ses- sion. He has held the office of Postmaster, Town Treasurer, Treasurer of the Town Deposit Fund, and also Treasurer of the North Stoning- ton Ecclesiastical Society. Mr. Wheeler was born in Stonington, October 14, 1815, and re- ceived a High School education. He is engaged in mercantile pursuits, and is a Republican.
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EBENEZER P. COUCH
Of Stonington, has been a member of the House for two sessions. In 1883 he was House Chair- man of the School Fund Committee, and in 1884 Chairman of the Committee on Engrossed Bills. He has proved himself a capable legislator, and faithfully discharged all duties devolving upon
him. He was born at Brockton, Mass., January 16, 1840, and graduated from Harvard College in the class of 1864. He is by profession a civil engineer and was employed for several years by the Commissioner of Public Works in Brooklyn, N. Y. In politics, Mr. Couch is a Republican.
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EDWIN P. CHAPMAN
Of North Stonington, was a member of the House last year, and was also reelected in Novem- ber. He is a Republican in politics, and is engaged in mercantile business. Formerly he occupied the office of Postmaster. Mr. Chapman was born at North Stonington, in 1834, and was educated in the common schools.
CHARLES E. PECK
Of Old Lyme, was born there October 29, 1842, and received a common school education with two terms at Lyme Academy. He was elected Second Selectman at the October election in 1883, and First Selectman at the October elec- tion in 1884. He was engaged for a number of years as clerk in the retail department of the wholesale drug house of Suire Eckstein & Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, and for four years as salesman and commercial traveler for the firm of McKes- son & Robbins, wholesale druggists and manu- facturers of pharmaceutical preparations, New York city. He has for the past ten years been
engaged in farming and speculating in produce, etc. Mr. Peck is a Democrat.
STEPHEN D. MOORE
Of Preston, was born at Bozrah, January 11, 1841, and received a common school education. He has held the office of Grand Juror, but has not generally taken part in politics. Mr. Moore was elected by the Democrats, and acts princi- pally with that party. His business is that of a machinist on locomotive building.
EDWIN BENJAMIN
Of Preston, was a member of the House in 1875, and also in 1879. He has also held the office of Selectman, School District Committee, Clerk, and Treasurer, and has taken an active interest in local affairs. In early life he was engaged in the whaling and merchant service, but of late years has been occupied with farming. Politi- cally, Mr. Benjamin is a Democrat. He was born at Preston, September 4, 1833, and was educated in the common schools of the town.
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PELEG S. BARBER
Of Stonington, was born in North Kingston, R. I., April 29, 1823. He received the advantages of a good common school education, and has been engaged largely in mercantile and manufacturing business, although at present retired from an act- ive participation in business pursuits. Mr. Barber comes from an ancestry which have been promi- nently identified with the Whig and Republican parties ever since their formation. He has always
been an ardent supporter of Republican princi- ples, and is also a consistent advocate of temper- ance. Mr. Barber is largely interested in the Pawcatuck National Bank, and is also one of its Directors. He has held various offices in the town in which he resides, and is so highly esteemed by his neighbors and townsmen that he has always received a large majority.
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J. RAYMOND DOUGLASS
Of Salem, was born at Waterford, September 3, 1839, and received a common school education, including a term of study at the Waterford High School. He has held the office of Assessor, and is at present a member of the Board of Select- men. He has generally been engaged in team- ing, but for the past four years he has given most of his time to farming. In politics, Mr. Douglass is a Republican.
THOMAS H. ALLEN
Of Sprague, was born at Hanover, September 3, 1862, and was educated at East Greenwich Academy, and the Highland Military Academy, at Worcester, Mass., where he held the rank of Captain. He is engaged in the woolen manufac- turing business at Sprague, and is personally very popular. He was elected in November by a plurality of 96 votes, the largest ever given a Republican candidate in that town.
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EDMUND HALL
Of Voluntown, was a member of the House of Representatives in 1870, and is present Town Collector. His life has been spent in mercantile pursuits. Mr. Hall was born in Stonington, September 23, 1839, and received a common and high school education. He is a Republican.
JOHN ROBERTSON
Of Waterford, was a member of the Board of Selectmen of Waterford in 1878, and also 1879, and Assessor for 1881 and 1882. He is engaged in the paper manufacturing business, succeeding his father, the late John Robertson, who founded the paper company of Robertson & Bingham in 1851. Mr. Robertson was only nineteen years old when his father's business fell to his charge. He was born at Waterford, June 5, 1854, and received a public school education in that town and at New London. He is an active and success- ful business man. In politics he is a Democrat.
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HENDRICK H. WILDMAN
Of New Fairfield, is a Democrat who proved an effective debater in the House of 1879, serving on the Committee on Education. Hon. Henry C. Robinson said: "I regard him as one of the clear heads of this Legislature," and Hon. Henry B. Graves : "He is a perfect sledge-hammer." Although not a lawyer he has such excellent common sense that he practices in Justice Courts, and occasionally acts as assistant counsel in the higher courts. He was born in New Fairfield,
March 25, 1834, and studied in district schools and Peck's Academy. He has held most, if not all, of the local offices and has been a Commis- sioner of the Superior Court for twenty-four years, Town Auditor for sixteen years, and Reg- istrar of Voters ever since the office was created. He is also Town Auditor, member of the Board of Education, and a Justice of the Peace. He is a farmer, teacher, Superintendent of the Poor. and Road Contractor.
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JOHN O. PHELAN
Of Bridgeport, was born in Wexford, Ireland, June 24, 1851, and, after taking a course of pri- vate instructions, graduated from the Christian Brothers' Monastery, and is now an attorney-at- law, having completed the regular course at the law department of the University of the City of New York on May 8, 1878. Prior to this date he carried on the marble and granite business in Bridgeport. In 1881, 1882, and 1883 he was a Councilman in Bridgeport, and is now an Alder- man and attorney for the town, the latter of which positions he also held in 1882. He is a Democrat.
LUCIUS MYRON SLADE
Of Bridgeport, President of the Bridgeport Bar Association, twice elected to the office, was born in Hartland, Conn., June 19, 1829, being, there- fore, fifty-five years of age. His was the usual life of a farmer's boy, but he resolved to become educated. Having no means to enter college, he taught school in various towns of the State, and finally founded a private school of high grade. At last he entered the law office of F. A. Palmer of Stonington, in 1859, and was admitted to the New London County Bar, September 13, 1860. He began practice in Mystic, and in 1863 re- moved to Bridgeport, where he was for two years Judge of the City Court, and for six years, begin- ning with 1866, Judge of Probate. He finally declined à continuance of the Probate honor, and applied himself with success to his profession. He is a Democrat, but opposed secession, and dares to pursue the right despite consequences.
SAMUEL S. AMBLER
Of Bethel, is a Republican, and a staunch friend of temperance. He was born in Ridgefield, Conn., May 22, 1839, attended the common schools, learned the hatters' trade, and, in 1860, removed to Bethel, where he enlisted in Com- pany G, 22d Connecticut Volunteers, ranking as Sergeant. Ile was a prisoner for ten days at Brashear City, La. In 1867 he began the manu-
facture of hats with George M. Cole under the firmn name of Cole & Ambler. In this he has been quite successful. For two years he was a Selectman. Since 1878 he has been Treasurer of the Water Fund, and is now Town Treasurer, having held the office four years. He is a mem- ber of Eureka Lodge, No. 83, F. and A. M., and of other masonic bodies, and also belongs to James E. Moore Post, G. A. R.
THOMAS P. BRISTOLL
Of Brookfield, is a Democrat, and was born in Brookfield, September 1, 1845. He received the usual common school education, and became a farmer, serving the public as Grand Juror and member of the Board of Relief. He has been Registrar of Voters for the past five years.
ALFRED N. WILDMAN
Of Danbury, a hat manufacturer and Republican, and President of the National Pahquioque Bank, was born in Danbury, December, 1838. He was educated in the common schools.
SAMUEL GREGORY
Of Danbury, was born there February 26, 1823, is a builder, and a prominent Democrat, though not a blind partisan. He has held the office of Constable one year, member of the Board of Relief three years, and a Justice of the Peace for eight years, and was recently elected Justice for a term of two years. He has also been a Notary Public for four years. He served in the State Militia twenty-two years, during which time he was Adjutant of the Fifth Cavalry four years, held office in the infantry eleven years, rising from the position of Third Lieutenant to that of Lieutenant-Colonel. He was Adjutant of the Twenty-third Regiment, under Butler and Banks, in the late war, and acquitted himself with credit in all his positions.
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VINCENT COLYER
Of Darien, was born in New York city in 1824, and was educated at the public schools, New York Medical College, Read's Academy, College of Pharmacy, and National Academy of Design. New York. He at first inclined to the Medical Profession, but afterward chose the occupation of an artist, bearing off laurels as a portrait, figure, and landscape painter. He has always been a Republican, although in 1872 he voted for Hor- ace Greeley. In 1877 he was Chairman of the Committee on Federal Relations in the House ; in 1879, Chairman of the Committee on Humane Institutions and Debenture, and in 1880, Chair- man of the Committees on Education, Reduction in Railroad Fares, and Debenture. He was one of the founders of the Artists' Fund Society of New York, and its Secretary ; has been an associ- ate member of the National Academy of Design, New York; Secretary of Merchants' Committee for Relief of Colored People suffering from the Riots in 1873; Superintendent of Colored Re- cruits in New York under the Union League Club; Superintendent of Poor at Newbern, N. C., under Major-General Burnside in 1861; Super- intendent of the State Soldiers' Home of New York; Secretary of the Board of Indian Commis- sioners, and Trustee of the Connecticut Reform School. He was the founder of the United States Christian Commission. As Secretary of the Indian Commissioners he visited all the Indian reservations, and in 1873 went South and disbursed relief to the yellow fever sufferers. His services in New York, superintending the passage of 80,000 Union soldiers through that city, and in caring for the sick, were quite re- markable. Mr. Colyer has been a resident of Darien for the past seventeen years.
GEORGE S. PLATT
Of Easton, was born in Ulster County, N. Y., August 15, 1833 ; enjoyed a common school and academic education, began the milling and mer- cantile business in 1857, which he still follows, and is now a Justice of the Peace, having been Postmaster seventeen years, and Selectman for
three years. He is a Republican, and from 1851 to 1556 taught school most of the time.
ANDREW P. WAKEMAN
Of Fairfield, was born there January 17. 153 -. graduated from the common schools and the academy, and has been engaged in farmning ever since. For four years he was First Selectinau, and he has held various other offices. He is a Democrat, and served in the Houses of 1881 and 1884.
COL. ALEXANDER R. T. NICHOLS
Of Fairfield, is the youngest son of the late Rev. Samuel Nichols, D.D., and was born at St. Mat- thew's Rectory, Bedford, Westchester Co., N. Y., April 5, 1840. His parents moved to Greenfield Hill, Fairfield Co., Conn., while he was yet an infant. He received his education in part at the Adams Academy in Fairfield, Conn., and in part at a collegiate high school in the city of New York. Arriving at manhood, he became an act- ive and prominent member of the N. Y. Gold Exchange. Soon after the close of the war he retired to his present residence at Greenfield Hill, where, since that period, he has divided his time between agricultural pursuits and supervis- ing family interests. He was enthusiastic in all measures for the suppression of the Rebellion. He is a man of stern integrity, sound judgment. and large sympathy. His life has been character- ized by many deeds of kindness and benevolence.
Though a decided Republican, his popularity among his constituents is such that while the district has long been largely Democratie, vet Colonel Nichols, whenever a candidate for office. has received not only the entire Republican vote, but has been very largely sustained by the Demo- crats. He was twice before nominated for Repre- sentative. On his first nomination he declined to accept. In 1876, and again in 1854, he was elected by large majorities. In politics, as well as in business, he has always been actuated by a desire to do that which he believed to be right, and has thereby seenred the general good-will and respect of the community in which he lives.
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NEHEMIAH H. HUSTED
Of Greenwich, is a Democrat who served with ability in the Houses of 1883 and 1884. He was born in Greenwich, Conn., April 14, 1843, and became a farmer, after studying in the common schools. He was a Selectman for three years, and Town Treasurer for a similar period. The latter position he still holds.
CORNELIUS MEAD
Of Greenwich, was born there in 1829, and is fifty-five years of age. He had an academic edu- cation, and served with much ability in the Houses of 1873, '74, '77, '80, '81, '82, and '84, serving, the last year, on the Finance Committee. He is a farmer and a Democrat, although the people, irrespective of party, elected him after he had declined the Democratic nomination.
EDWARD S. HAWLEY
Of Huntington, was born in that town May 2, 1851, is a Republican, and a fit Representative from the town. He has been connected with agriculture and the profession of school teacher for several years, and has held many of the minor offices.
ORVILLE H. HULL
Of Monroe, was born there July 25, 1839, edu- cated in the common and select schools of the town, and is now a farmer and carpenter. He has held most of the minor town offices for sev- eral years, was Doorkeeper of the House in 1879, and Assistant Superintendent of the Capitol in 1882. He is now Registrar of Voters and Col- lector of Taxes. His attachment is to the Re- publican party.
BENJAMIN PENFIELD MEAD
Of New Canaan, a Republican, was born at Bridgeport, September 20, 1847, educated at the
Greenwich Academy, and elected Town Clerk of New Canaan for one year, and First Selectman for four times, including the present term. He is also Secretary and Treasurer of the New Canaan Reading-room and Circulating Library Corpora- tion. At the age of twenty-one he started in the general grocery and jobbing business with Mr. Burtiss, the firm name being Burtiss & Mead. Mr. Mead received 319 votes, leading the most popular candidate on the ticket, Senator Walsh, by six votes.
MICHAEL J. HOULIHAN
Of Newtown, was born at Newtown, January 7, 1858, and is now a Registrar of Voters and a Liquor Dealer. His education was secured in the common schools and the academy. He is a Democrat.
DANIEL CAMP
Of Newtown, is forty-eight years of age and a native of Newtown, where he has been Registrar of Voters, Grand Juror, Constable, and member of the Board of Relief-a position he still holds. 'He is a stove, tin, and hardware dealer, a Demo- crat and a war veteran, having served as Sergeant of Company H, Fifteenth C. V.
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