Genealogical and biographical record of New London County, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the early settled families, Part 54

Author:
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1568


USA > Connecticut > New London County > Genealogical and biographical record of New London County, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the early settled families > Part 54


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 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163 | Part 164 | Part 165 | Part 166 | Part 167 | Part 168 | Part 169 | Part 170 | Part 171 | Part 172 | Part 173 | Part 174 | Part 175 | Part 176 | Part 177 | Part 178 | Part 179 | Part 180 | Part 181 | Part 182 | Part 183 | Part 184 | Part 185 | Part 186 | Part 187 | Part 188 | Part 189 | Part 190 | Part 191 | Part 192 | Part 193 | Part 194 | Part 195 | Part 196 | Part 197 | Part 198 | Part 199 | Part 200 | Part 201 | Part 202 | Part 203 | Part 204 | Part 205 | Part 206 | Part 207 | Part 208 | Part 209 | Part 210 | Part 211 | Part 212 | Part 213 | Part 214 | Part 215


(VII) Levi Woodward, son of Samuel, was born at Dresden Mills, Maine, and in that place he spent his entire life, following the occupation of farmer. He died at an advanced age. He married Mary Muzzy, born Oct. 23, 1795, daughter of Jonas and Abigail (Lamb) Muzzy, of Spencer, Mass. They had six children, as follows: (1) Gilbert, re- sided at Dresden, Maine, where he was engaged at farming. (2) Sarah married a Mr. Austin, and re- sided in Decatur, Il1., where she died. (3) Philinda died in young womanhood. (4) Russell was born Sept. 6, 1832. (5) Harriet married a Mr. Lewis, and resided in Elwood, Kans. (6) Alvin, born July 20, 1835, became a physician, and in 1861, located in the city of New York, where he practiced his profession until his death May 20, 1904; he married Mary E. McDowell.


Mrs. Mary (Muzzy) Woodward, the mother of Russell G. Woodward, descended from the old Muzzy family of Massachusetts, which for more than a century and a half was among the leading influen- tial families of Lexington ; and which family was of patriotic blood. Her Muzzy lineage from Benjamin and Alice (Dexter), of Malden, Mass., is through Benjamin (2) and John, Sr., John and Abigail (Reed), of Lexington and Spencer, Jonas and Abi- gail (Lamb) of Spencer, Mass. Of these ancestors John Muzzy, referred to as a most honorable and respected man, was a member of the Lexington company which met the enemy on that memorable occasion in 1775, and was with the army at Cam-


bridge during the siege of Boston in 1776; and nas Muzzy ( 1748-1824) served for a time as copral in Capt. Ebenezer Mason's company, and und Col. Jonathan Warren, and went out at the Lex ton alarm, in 1775. He also served for a time in : om- pany commanded by Capt. John White, in alegi- Mich the in ment commanded by Col. Samuel Denny, marched in 1777 to Hadley, on the alarm northward. At another time, and for a per September and October, 1777, he was a priva and served as a member of Capt. David Prouty's fm- pany, Col. Samuel Denny's regiment, when [ di- vision of that regiment under Asa Baldwin ma hed to join the northern army by order of the cou fl.


(VIII) Russell G. Woodward, son of evi, passed his boyhood in his native town, and the re- ceived his elementary education in the cfrict schools. He later studied at Wesleyan Seminal, at Kent's Hill, and then learned the machinist's fade at Lawrence, Mass. On May 27, 1854, Mr. Hod- ward was married at Oakland, Maine, to Mis for- delia C. Burgess, daughter of David H. and rah


this


(Harvey ) Burgess. Two children were born union : Henry R. and Miss Alice H., of No fich, Conn. The mother died Nov. 29, 1886, and o fuly 2, 1888, Mr. Woodward married Emma Louiselay, of Norwich, who survives him. One child wa forn to them, Mary Emma, who died in infancy.


In 1855, a year after his first marriag \r. Woodward removed to Elwood, Kans., who he remained until the breaking out of the Civil we, in 1861. He then returned to Lowell, Mass., a in 1863 located in Norwich, Conn., which was hi field of operation and place of residence until the tre of his death. On removal to Norwich he enteredthe employ of the Norwich Arms Company, andwith the exception of three years, when he was part owner and overseer of the silk mill in Prest | he was employed in the one building, with the di ent concerns which had occupied it, for thirty-six fars. Mr. Woodward was a skilled mechanic and afrost trusty and valuable man. Of a social and plfing disposition, he made and held friends amor his fellow associates, and with those of the comr ity with whom he came in contact. He was of niet manners and a man of charitable and genero" im- pulses, and a home and family man. His re ous connections were first with the old East Main reet Methodist Church, and later, on its consoli tion with the Central M. E. Church, under the nale of Trinity Church, he became identified with the ter. He served as trustee and steward. A Christia ren- tleman he was esteemed and respected.


Mr. Woodward was a member of the Soc: ยท of the American Revolution. In politics he was one time a Republican, but later he voted the Proh tion ticket, being himself a stanch temperance man-fem- perate in all his habits.


HENRY RUSSELL WOODWARD, son of E sell Gardner Woodward, and a well known jewel of Norwich, was born in Elwood, Kans., Feb. 21, 358,


231


GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


nd die to Norwich with his parents. There he at- the district schools and the Free Academy, nd v; later at East Greenwich (R. I.) Academy, le graduated in 1876. In 1877 he started in In elry business as a traveling salesman.


opened a store in Norwich, at No. 163 Main and later owned stores, one in Gardner, and one in Stonington, Conn. Politically he publican, and fraternally is a member of No. 46, K. P., of Norwich. Mr. Woodward April 28, 1880, Louise F. Wilbur, who was Providence, R. I., daughter of William B. and granddaughter of Calvin and Maria d) Wilbur. Her father was a soldier in the r, in the 4th Rhode Island Heavy Artillery. ave had two children, Alice Louise and Burgess, the former of whom graduated orwich Free Academy in 1899, and Mt.


Holyd College, in 1904; and the latter is still a tuderin the Norwich Free Academy.


JOUN ECCLES, agent and superintendent of he cebrated Ponemah Mills, at Taftville, Conn., who l romi: of the


for more than a third of a century had a it identification with that Company, is one est known men in connection with the cot- on m ufacturing industry in New England. A ly practical man in his line, his experience, ack to his early boyhood days, extends the mechanical as well as the business por- horou ating roug 01 0 'resto


the business. Mr. Eccles is a native of Lancashire, England, and was the eldest of fami


of three children, two sons and a daugh- r, an


was the only one to locate in the United tates.


Hisarly connection with the cotton manufactur- g butess was begun by Mr. Eccles when 12 and in his native town. There he learned ing business, and from the beginning dis- aptness and ability in the work which se- pred fi him rapid promotion notwithstanding his buth. In is firs B. t the nord late vice irs, V ploye the1 tnam


med 1 wea The ut o t w nt fo rseerh


03, when he came to the United States, he employed in his line of work in the factory &. R. Knight, at Hebronville, R. I. He to accept a better position with the Gros- Company, at Grosvenordale, Conn., where icius Briggs was then agent. Mr. Eccles' with this company terminated after three en he resigned, much to the regret of his , who offered him inducements to remain. ook entire charge of the weaving in the Manufacturing Company's plant at Put- n., remaining until 1871, when he re- accept the position of overseer of the en- ig force in the Ponemah Mills at Taftville. onemah Mills at that time (1871) were -half their present magnitude. Edward hen president ; and James S. Atwood was the company. Mr. Eccles continued as the weaving until 1890, when he became


superintendent of the mill, a position he has since held. Following the death of Mr. Atwood, in Feb- ruary, 1885, the office of agent was dropped until a few years ago, when it was revived, and Mr. Eccles made agent. The Ponemah Mills are among the largest cotton mills in the world; the total capital stock is $3,000,000. The building of the first dam was begun in 1866, the first machinery being put in operation in 1871. The product is probably the best known in the country in its line, and comprises a great variety of fine woven fabrics such as fine India linons, Persian lawns, fine mull, and all kinds of fancy cottton goods. About 1,500 people are given employment, with a pay roll of $600,000. There are more than 120,000 spindles in operation, and about 3,250 looms. The annual consumption of cotton is more than 7,500 bales, and the output about 25,- 000,000 yards. The company owns more than 200 tenements in Taftville.


In his other business connections, Mr. Eccles is Vice-President of the Baltic Mills Company, at Bal- tic, Conn. Fraternally he was made a Mason at Arnoldstown, Conn., and later became a charter member of Quinebaug Lodge, A. F. & A. M., at Putnam, being one of but four surviving charter members. He has attained the thirty-second de- gree in Masonry, and is a member of the Mystic Shrine at Hartford. Politically he is a stanch Re- publican, and manifests a keen interest in the suc- cess of the party.


Mr. Eccles was married at Grosvenordale in 1865, to Miss Nellie M. Taintor, a native of Taun- ton, Mass. They are both members of Christ Church, Norwich. Mr. Eccles has taken an active interest in the affairs of the Congregational Church at Taftville, and is chairman of the Ecclesiastical Society.


REV. ELI DEWHURST, who for twenty years has been pastor of the Voluntown Baptist Church, is a native of Rosedale, England, born April 3, 1827. He received his early education in the national schools of the home neighborhood, and learned the trade of molder. When a young man he came to America, locating first in Lowell, Mass., where he worked in the machine shops.


Mr. Dewhurst's inclination, however, was for the ministry, which his mother also wished him to enter, and he had continued his studies while work- ing, in Lowell studying under Rev. Dr. Eddy, of that place. He was ordained in 1853 at Bradford, Maine, at the Baptist Conference, and preached at that place for two years. Subsequently he had charges at several places in Massachusetts, among them Templeton and Hinsdale, at Bangor and Dex- ter, in Maine, and at Groton Heights and Old Mys- tic, Conn. In 1883 he came to Voluntown, Conn., where he has been pastor ever since, and where there has been much improvement in the affairs of the church during his long period of service.


Mr. Dewhurst was married, in 1852, to Diantha


'ars c le w ayed


rom


om Vill Leo1 Civi They Carri


arri


he j


her


888 treet Iain s a od


:232


GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Richards, of Lowell, Mass., the ceremony being performed by Rev. Dr. Eddy. Four children blessed this union, two of whom died young. Rev. Fred- erick is pastor of the University Congregational Church, Chicago, Ill .; he married Miss H. May Taylor, of Danielson, Conn., and they have had four children. Clarence E. is a commercial man of Seattle, Wash. The mother of these died in Hins- dale, Mass., and in 1876 Mr. Dewhurst married Helen Robertson, of Harrisburg, Pa., daughter of Rev. James Robertson, a Baptist minister of that city. They have had three children: Daisy Alice, who died when thirteen years old; Robertson, of New Haven, Conn., who married Ida S. Ebberts, of Norwich ; and Theodore, who resides in Sterling, Connecticut.


HOPKINS. The family of Hopkins of which Henry H. Hopkins, a venerable resident of the town of Preston, and Charles L. Hopkins, a prominent citizen of Norwich, are members traces down from Thomas Hopkins, through (II) Major William; (III) William; (IV) Gov. Stephen; (V) Rufus; (VI) Col. Silvanus; (VII) Joseph O .; (VIII) Henry H. ; (VIII) Charles W.


The Hopkins family is an old and distinguished one in the New England States, and those now living bearing the name may justly feel proud of their illustrious ancestry. The immediate descendants of the family of which this article treats have upheld the name to a marked degree, having occupied prom- inent positions in the manufacturing interests of New London county, Connecticut.


(I) Thomas Hopkins, the common ancestor of many of the numerous families bearing the name of Hopkins, now residents of Rhode Island, and of others scattered throughout the various States of the Union, was the son of William and Joanna (Arnold) Hopkins. He was born in England April 7, 1616, and died at Providence prior to Dec. 27, 1692. The mother of Thomas was a daughter of Thomas and Alice (Gully) Arnold. Her brother, William Arnold, was the father of Benedict Arnold, who was the first governor of Rhode Island, under the Royal charter granted in 1643.


Thomas Hopkins married about 1648, his wife (according to Savage) being Elizabeth, daughter of William Arnold, and a sister of Gov. Benedict Arnold. He appears to have contributed from his talents to the public weal, having been a deputy to the General Assembly from Providence for the years 1652, 1659, 1660, 1665, 1666 and 1667, and a mem- ber of the town council in 1667 and 1672. His chil- dren were William and Thomas.


(II) Major William Hopkins, the eldest son of Thomas, was made a freeman of the Colony April 30, 1672. He married, about 1680, Abigail, widow of Stephen Dexter, and daughter of John and Sarah Whipple, early settlers of Providence. The Major was a man of marked ability, serving the Colony both in a civil and a military capacity. He was


also a noted surveyor of lands throughout th Col- ony. He died July 8, 1723, leaving a large p: gerty. He had but one son, William.


(III) William Hopkins, the only son of ajor William and Abigail Hopkins, died in Scitt.f., R. I., in 1738. He married, early in life, Ruth, lugh- ter of Samuel and Plaine (Wickenden) Wi fison, early settlers of Providence. Their children jere: William, Stephen, John, Esek, Rufus, Hope Sam- uel, Abigail and Susanna.


(IV) Gov. Stephen Hopkins, the second ded of William and Ruth Hopkins, was born in Cr ston, R. I., March 7, 1707. Numerous and ab. pens have portrayed the exalted character of Sphen Hopkins, one of the signers of the immortal . plar- ation of Independence. His praises are up the lips of every student of history at all conversa with the public records of the period of his acti life, and his character shines forth with resp; lent brilliancy. He was for many years gover 1. of Rhode Island, also chief justice of the Sprior court, and from time to time the recipient of the most important offices in the gift of the Cony. Though then far advanced in life, his signa je to the Declaration of Independence bears evide je of purpose of firmness in placing before the wot his approval of that document, and the tremblingpal- sied hand, though it failed to show his abilityas a penman, failed not to perpetuate his name ong the heroes that dared to brave the despoti at- tempting to crush out the liberties of their loved country.


In 1731 Stephen Hopkins removed with hipar- ents to Scituate, and at the age of twenty-fou fears was the first town clerk, which office he held fisev- eral years. He represented the town in theen- eral Assembly for the years 1732, 1733, 1735 736, 1737, 1738 and 1741, after which we find him rep- resentative from his new home in Providence He also served in the Continental Congress of th Jni- ted States, and was a member of the commit : on Naval Affairs with John Adams, who becar the second President of the United States.


The Governor married, for his first wifeOct. 9, 1725, Sarah, daughter of Sylvanus and .nna (Jenches) Scott. She died Sept. 9, 1753, agi for- ty-six years. For a second wife he married Jan. 2, 1755, Anne, widow of Benjamin Smit and daughter of Benjamin Smith, father and hpand bearing the same name. The children of Go Ste- phen Hopkins and his wife Sarah were Rufus pohn, Ruth, Lydia, Silvanus, Simon and George.


(V) Rufus Hopkins, the eldest son of Go Ste- phen Hopkins, was born at Cranston, Feb. 10 727, and died in Scituate, Nov. 13, 1812. He ea en- tered upon the activities of a busy life, an, was prominent in promoting industries instituted de- velop the resources of his native State. Hi: arly manhood was spent in maritime pursuits, and : at- tained a high rank as a nautical commander. The public life of his father afforded opportunit for


A Hopkins


233


GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


of ty, of


his Ivancement in political knowledge, and many yea of his life were devoted to the service of his tow and State. He filled various positions of trust in management of affairs connected with the Revutionary period, was for several years a judge court of Common Pleas for Providence coun- d for a season justice of the Superior court State; was repeatedly elected to represent Scit te in the General Assembly ; and was a trus- tee ( Brown University from 1782 until his demise. Abc the year 1766 he was associated with his fa- ther nd Messrs. Nicholas, Joseph, John and Moses Bro and Jabez Bowen, in a project to utilize a bed of ] amo duri iron ore found in Cranston, and the building pe Furnace followed, in which was cast, other articles, cannon for use in the army the struggle for independence. This fur- nacewas located at Scituate, several miles from the 11 of ore, and ox teams were used to convey the to the furnace. Rufus Hopkins was the mana r of the concern.


F us Hopkins married, first, Oct. 13, 1747, Abig -, daughter of John Angell, and she died July II, I] 3, aged twenty-seven years. His second wife bore e maiden name of Sarah Olney, and they were arried Nov. II, 1759. She was the daugh- ter o: apt. Joseph Olney, and a sister of Col. Jere- miah lney. She died Oct. 2, 1785, aged fifty- three ars. By his first wife Rufus Hopkins had


three ildren: John, a daughter and Silvanus, all of wl 'n died in infancy. By his second marriage he ha children as follows: Stephen, Silvanus, Ru- fus ar Joseph Olney.


(W) Col. Silvanus Hopkins, the fifth child of Rufus Hopkins, was born June 25, 1764, and mar- ried Fry, daughter of Capt. Peter and Elizabeth Garc r) Wanton. He, was for many years a res- dent Scituate, and engaged in the manufacture of cotip goods. A respected citizen of Providence, vhose esidence during his youth and early man- 100d of the vere 1 ociety ectio grity gton ashier ibseq die s in Scituate, speaks in the highest praise aracter of the Colonel and his family. They arded as sustaining an enviable position in :o which they were entitled by their con- courteous deportment and unswerving in- About 1819 the family removed to Wash- llage, Coventry, R. I., and Silvanus became f the "Bank of Kent" there located. They tly removed to Norwich, Conn., where Aug. 18, 1824, and his widow died on the 3th of ildre le same month, aged sixty-one years. The of this couple were: Sarah Olney died mne I. J 321, aged twenty-nine years ; Joseph Olney, 22, 1794, died Dec. 1, 1841; William anton lied Nov. 24, 1824, aged twenty-six years ; now died Oct. 16, 1826, aged twenty-six ward A., born July 4, 1802, died Sept. 16, rge Silvanus, born Dec. 3, 1804, in Scit- Dec. 12, 1863, at Colchester, Connecticut.


mtiel ars ; 36; ( te, cli (VI Joseph Olney Hopkins, son of Col. Sil- hus al Mary (Wanton) Hopkins, was born Jan.


22, 1794, in Scituate, R. I. He removed with his par- ents to Norwich, Conn., where he worked at his trade of machinist, later going to Bozrah, Conn., and there had charge of the machinery of the Fitch- ville Mills for several years. He then returned to Norwich, and in partnership with Seymour Morse ran a machine shop under the firm name of Hopkins & Morse, at the "Falls." They made factory ma- chinery. He remained in partnership with Mr. Morse for several years, finally selling his interests, and for several years previous to his demise having charge of the machinery at the Falls Mills. He was an excellent mechanic and a good workman. In politics he was a Whig. Religiously he was a conscientious Methodist, and in his latter days was very active in church work. He was somewhat frail in his make-up, but of an industrious nature.


On Jan. 1, 1818, Mr. Hopkins married Lydia P. Hazen, who was born Nov. 19, 1792, and died Jan. 17, 1866, while he died Dec. 1, 1841, at Nor- wich. Their children were all born at Norwich ex- cept Charles W., who was born at Bozrah, Conn. The names of these children were: (I) Joseph W., born Dec. 3, 1819, died Sept. 25, 1820. (2) Henry Hunt, born Oct. 18, 1821, is mentioned below. (3) Sarah Olney, born March 17, 1824, married George Martin, of Norwich, an engraver by trade. They both died at Norwich, leaving one son and one daughter: George Martin, who is a Presbyterian minister, located at Lowell, Mass .; and Estelle H., now Mrs. Lucius Tuttle, of Boston. (4) Jane Eliz- abeth, born June 7, 1827, married William Lam- phere, of Norwich, an overseer in a spinning mill, and they are both deceased. (5) Samuel Snow, born Jan. 9, 1830, married Amanda Dow, of Glas- tonbury, Conn. He was formerly connected with the Hopkins & Allen Co., of Norwich, but is now living in New York City, retired. (6) William W., born Jan. 9, 1830, twin brother of Samuel S., died Nov. 27, 1833. (7) Charles Wesley, born May 29, 1833, at Bozrah, Conn., is mentioned elsewhere in this sketch.


HENRY HUNT HOPKINS was born Oct. 18. 1821, in Norwich, Conn., near the "Falls," and received his education in the Falls district schools, leaving the same at the age of sixteen years. His father being a machinist, young Hopkins's mind naturally was turned in that direction, and he be- came an apprentice to the trade in Allen's machine shop, at Greeneville, of which shop his father was at that time superintendent. Here the lad remained for about two years, when his father returned to Norwich Falls and became superintendent of the Abner Pearce machine shop, and here young Hop- kins was also employed until the death of his father, at which time, although but twenty years of age, he was made superintendent to succeed that gentle- man. He remained in this capacity about one year, when he became employed in the Allen & Thurber shop, continuing there until the firm removed its plant to Worcester, Mass., and after working for


234


GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


the concern at Worcester for some time he returned to Connecticut, purchasing a farm of 120 acres in Preston, upon which he settled.


About one year later he became employed by Christopher Brand, at Norwich, working on whale guns, at which he continued for about eighteen months. He then returned to his farm in Preston, and about a year later bought stock in the Hopkins & Allen Co., of Norwich, which company had re- cently been formed. Of this concern Mr. Hopkins became superintendent, remaining in this capacity for several years, when he sold out his stock and returned once more to his farm, where he has since resided, being engaged in general farming. Mr. Hopkins's place is in a good state of cultivation, and is one of the best farms in the town. It is well stocked with cattle, and for a number of years he conducted a milk route at Norwich, but now sends his cream to, the Jewett City Creamery. He keeps on an average about twenty cows.


In politics Mr. Hopkins is a stanch Republican, and has served his town in several offices of trust, having been a member of the board of selectmen for two years, a member of the board of assessors and a member of the school committee for several terms.


On Nov. 20, 1842, Mr. Hopkins was married to Lucy Lathrop Sherman, daughter of Nathaniel Sherman, of Norwich. She died Jan. 5, 1899, in Preston. The children born of this union are as follows: Joseph H., born Aug. 12, 1843, in Nor- wich, is unmarried and conducts the home farm. Henrietta V., born Sept. 7, 1852, married Aug. 14, 1883, Herbert I. Prentice, of Preston City, where she died June 7, 1886, although they lived at Mar- shalltown, Iowa, where he was engaged in a gen- eral merchandise business; they had no children. William H., born April 2, 1856, passed away Oct. 28, 1870. Sarah Jennie, born Jan. 21, 1859, mar- ried Sept. II, 1888, John H. Wilson, of Preston, where he is engaged in farming on the Hopkins farm ; they have no children.


Mr. Hopkins is one of the honored and highly respected citizens of Preston, and one of that town's prominent agriculturists. During the time he was employed with Allen & Thurber Mr. Thurber in- vented a machine for the use of blind people, and upon this machine Mr. Hopkins, together with Horace Smith, who later became a member of the famous Smith & Wesson firm, worked, bringing the machine to completion. This machine formed the nucleus of the now universally used typewriter. For over fifty years Mr. Hopkins has resided upon his farm in Preston, and during that half a century has seen many changes, not only in his township, but in the country. His life has been a useful and well-spent one, filled with kindly actions and unsel- fish deeds, and in looking back over the years which have passed he may feel well satisfied with what he has accomplished. As a private citizen and public official he has displayed the same conscientious, un-


tiring energy which is so characteristic of 1 . and which has enabled him to accomplish what has.


CHARLES WESLEY HOPKINS was born . fv 20. 1833, at Bozrah, Conn., and removed to lfwich with his parents when but an infant. Ther He re- ceived his education at the Falls district and upon leaving school he went to W Mass., where he worked for Allen & Thu two or three years. He returned to Norw


fester, for


arts 'ears. Co. bbb & & Co.


and again attended school for some time, after with he entered the employ of the Bacon Manufactur t. Co .. located at the Falls, where he worked on t of small firearms, remaining there severa He next worked for the Manhattan Firea of Norwich, which had formerly been the Bacon Co., and later the Bacon Manufactur In 1868 Mr. Hopkins, in company with Hoce 1. Briggs, the late Charles H. Allen, Samuel . Hop- kins (now living at Brooklyn, N. Y.) and . late Col. Charles A. Converse, organized the Hopkins & Allen Co., and purchased the interests fi the Bacon Manufacturing Co., and, with a capit stock of $6,000, became engaged in the manufaore of breech-loading pistols, which at that time jas a new improvement over the muzzle-loading fistol. The first officers of the Hopkins & Allen Covere: Horace A. Briggs, president ; Charles W. Hokins. secretary ; Col. Charles A. Converse, treast . A year or two later Henry H. Hopkins, of JI'ston, purchased an interest in the concern, as befo stat- ed. Their plant was first located at the Fall here they employed from twenty-five to thirty-five fands, but the business so increased in volume tlf they were compelled to seek larger quarters, in 1 , re- moving to the corner of Franklin and [illow streets, Norwich, where the plant has since [n lo- cated. Upon moving to the present locati the capital stock was increased to $24,000. M Hop- kins continued as secretary for several yea |until his brother, Henry H. Hopkins, sold his




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.