USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > West Simsbury > Historical sketch of the Congregational church and parish of Canton Center, Conn., formerly West Simsbury. Organized 1750 > Part 7
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For two years he was associated with Dr. Everest in prac- tice, and afterward removed to Marcellus, New York, where he at once took a prominent position in his profession. He was also engaged in business, became clerk of the board of trustees of the Presbyterian society, and leader of the choir.
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In 1823 he removed to Auburn, N. Y., became President of the Cayuga County Medical Society, and surgeon of the Auburn State prison. In 1840 he was converted to the Homeopathic system of medicine, to which he strongly held for the remainder of his life. He afterwards resided at Syra- cuse, at Utica, and New York city, and finally returned to Utica, where he died, March 9, 1848. He was largely instru- mental in building up Homeopathy in Central and Western New York. He left a brilliant professional record.
Dr. Solomon Everest .- Was a native of Salisbury, Conn. He began the practice of medicine in Avon, Conn., formerly a part of Farmington, and removed to Canton in 1796. Here he resided till his death in 1822. He married Amelia Everitt, of Winchester, Conn., May 15, 1782. He was a conscientious and skillful physician, an honored citizen, and a practical and benevolent Christian.
The following incident occurred in his medical practice : " He was called to see a young girl supposed to be under the influence of witchcraft. When he reached the house he found her lying on a bed in great consternation, suffering intensely. She implored the doctor for help. She imagined that witches were pinching her arms and limbs, which caused her to cry out in agony, and visible marks of pinches appeared on her flesh. The doctor told her that witchcraft was a common complaint, and he could cure it. There were two ways, either burning or drowning the witches. He ordered a cistern filled with water, and the patient immersed in it when the witches should begin their attack. This was done, and at the repeti- tion of it the witches began to withdraw. When the doctor left he told the patient that if the water did not cure her, he had a large witch iron, which, when heated red-hot, would surely effect a cure. She listened, and concluded that the remedy was worse than the disease. Two days after he ordered two of his students to call and report progress. They returned, saying that the patient was well and peace restored to the family."
Dr. Everest left by will about $8,000, the income to be ex- pended in the education of worthy young men for the minis-
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try. This fund is administered by the Connecticut Missionary Society. Ilis widow left $500 to aid the needy female mem- bers of the church in Canton, and to furnish the communion table.
Orren B. Freeman .- IIe was born in 1796. He was edu- cated in the schools in Canton and at Westfield Academy, Mass. He studied medicine with Dr. Solomon Everest of Canton. He began practice in Canton; continued it for about one year in Wolcottville, Conn .; returned to Canton for a short time, and in 1847 moved to Sandusky, Ohio, where he remained about two years, and then returned to his native town and settled in Collinsville, where he died Nov. 20, 1880, aged 84 years. He was a fine example of a gentleman of the old school.
Dayton Spencer .- He was born Aug. 20, 1801. He studied medicine; practiced a few years in Deerfield, Mass. He afterwards enlisted in the United States Army, and died in the hospital in the State of Alabama, Sept. 30, 1836.
Israel Lewis Graham .- He studied at Amherst Academy, then took a medical course in New York. He practiced first in Bristol, Conn .. then moved to Hudson, Western Reserve, Ohio, thence to Muscatine. Iowa, where he now owns a drug store, and occasionally practices his profession. He has built for himself a fine residence.
Luther Lee .- Studied medicine with Dr. Brown of Hart- ford, and attended lectures in New York. He commenced the practice of medicine in Boston, Mass., where he is now a successful physician.
James Weed .- Son of Dr. Benjamin Weed. Is now a dentist in Muscatine, Iowa.
Albert R. Adams. - Son of Oliver C. Adams. Born Au- gust. 1848. Received his medical education in New York; practiced there till his death at his father's house in Canton, November. 1884.
Erastus E. Case .- Was educated at Easthampton, Mass., and graduated at Yale in 1872. Studied medicine (Homeo-
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pathy) in New York, and began to practice in Rockville, Conn. He soon settled in Hartford, where he now resides.
Solomon Forbes .- IIe removed to Milton, Florida, where he practiced medicine, and became mayor of the city.
Willard E. Case .- IIe was the son of Erastus, who was the son of Elisha. He resided in Auburn, New York, practiced medieine there, and has died since 1880.
Ellsworth E. Colton .- He is a practicing physician near New York city.
Miss Ida R. Gridley .- She was graduated from the Collins- ville High School in 1880, and from Wesleyan University, ยท Middletown, Conn., in 1885. In 1885-6 she tanght a private, seleet school at Canton Center, and began the study of medi- cine with Drs. Roberts and Abrams of Collinsville. She is now further proseenting her studies at the Woman's Medical College in New York city.
SKETCHES OF BUSINESS MEN BORN IN CANTON.
MEN PROMINENT IN CHURCH AND TOWN AFFAIRS, WHO LIVED AND DIED IN CANTON. - YOUNG LADIES WHO RECEIVED A PUBLIC EDUCATION ABROAD, AND A LIST OF THE SOLDIERS WHO SERVED IN THE UNION ARMY.
Deacon John Brown. - Brother of Owen Brown, born 1767. A noted religious worker. His memory lives yet in his home, New Hartford. Died 1849.
Owen Brown. - Born 1771. Father of John Brown, the martyr. After leaving Canton, he lived in Torrington, Conn., where John the martyr was born, then moved to Ohio, and was one of the chief movers in building up Western Reserve College. After a time, a negro applied for admission to the college. On the refusal of the trustees to admit him, Mr. Brown withdrew his support, and soon after aided in building Oberlin College. IIe died in 1856.
Reuben Humphreys. - ITe was the son of Oliver, and was born September 2, 1757. He married Anna, daughter of Capt. Ezekiel Humphrey. He was in the War of the Revo-
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Intion as private, captain, major, brigade major, and inspector of the first division of Connecticut militia. He was twice a representative to the General Assembly. He was elected justice of the peace, and superintendent of Newgate at Simsbury, the first State prison in Connecticut. He after- wards removed to Onondaga Co., New York, and in 1804 was appointed judge of the county by Gov. Morgan Lewis. In 1807 he was elected a member of Congress and served one term of two years. From 1811 to 1815, he was four times elected to the Senate of the State of New York. He is said to have been a portly man, weighing at his maximum, two hundred and fifty pounds. Several of his children were like him in this respect. His wife was remarkable for her executive ability. She managed the household and farm, while he managed the outside world. On a certain occasion, when lamenting his large family of twelve children, his grand- mother, then nearly one hundred years old, said : " Why Reuben, children are a blessing." " Yes," he replied, "so is snow, but who wants it twelve feet deep."
Allen Humphrey. - He was born in 1777, son of Capt. Elijah. He married Polly, daughter of Benjamin Bidwell of Simsbury .. In 1811, he removed to Claridon, Ohio, making the journey with two yoke of oxen and a canvas-covered wagon. He served in the war of 1812, commanded the post at Cleveland at the time of Gen. Hull's surrender at Detroit. He died at Claridon, December 22, 1825.
Riverius Bidwell. - He was born in 1785. He went to Gustavus, Ohio, in 1811. He built flonring mills at San- dusky, and represented his town in the Ohio legislature. He has recently deceased.
Gad Humphreys .- IIe was born, 1786 ; son of IIon. Reuben. HIe married Mary S., daughter of Sylvester Larned of Pitts- field, Mass. In 1808, he was appointed first lieutenant of United States Infantry, became captain, was wounded in the capture of York, Upper Canada in 1813, and became major in 1814. He was afterwards appointed lieutenant-colonel. He was appointed United States agent to the Seminole
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Indians in Florida. He subsequently removed to St. Angus- tine, Fla., where he resided until his death, August 31, 1859.
Decius Humphreys. - He was born April 19, 1789, son of Col. George. He married Jannary 1, 1809. Laura, daughter of Ezra Adams, Esq., of North Canton. He was a farmer and manufacturer. He was lieutenant of a regiment of artillery that was stationed at New London in 1813. He was afterward elected major, lieutentant-colonel, and colonel. IIe was offered the position of brigadier-general, but declined. In 1826, he removed to North Canton, was elected justice of the peace in 1830, holding that position until the town of Canton was incorporated in 1806. In 1842. he removed to Huron, Ohio, and in 1853 to Muscatine, Iowa, where he con- tinued to reside until his death, June 14, 1878, in his 90th year.
May Humphreys. - He was born July 15, 1792, son of Ilon. Reuben. . He married Nov. 4, 1829, May Anne, daugh- ter of George. W. Hoppin of Providence, R. I. He resided successively in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York city. He made frequent business trips to the West India Islands. He was the manager of large cotton operations, and in 1837 he went to Liverpool and established the house of Humphreys & Biddle. IIe died in a good old age, esteemed by all who knew him.
General Ansel Humphreys. - Born June 1, 1792. It appears that he spent most of his life in Muscatine, Iowa, where he died April 21, 1873. His life was one of great activity. He had a vigorous constitution, large intellectual faculties, high moral attributes, indomitable resolution, and was clearly born to be a leader. While he lived in Connecti- cut, he was brigadier-general of the first brigade of Connecti- cut militia, and retired with the rank of major-general. After removing to Iowa, he was deputy sheriff, sheriff, justice of the peace, and U. S. Commissioner. The latter position he held till his death. Ile was widely known as a Mason, having filled the highest positions in that order. He died an
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old man full of years and honors, and his death was widely and deeply mourned.
Solon Humphreys. - Son of Decius. Born October 27, 1821. Ile was educated in Wright's Academy, East Hart- ford, and spent one year in St. John's College. Annapolis, Md .. under his uncle, Dr. Hector Humphreys. His life has been one of marked success in the business world. He has held many positions of trust and responsibility. Has been a noted railway manager and largely interested in railways. Ile has been vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce in New York, and at one time its treasurer. He is a man of decided religious character, having been warden of the Trin- ity Protestant Episcopal Church at Bergen Point, N. J., where he resides. His place of business is New York city, and he is a member of the firm of E. D. Morgan & Co. He is a man of great wealth.
Reuben Humphreys. - He was the son of Hon. Reuben. He married Diantha, daughter of Col. Peter Lawrence of Marcellus, N. Y. Hle enlisted in the regular army, at Buffalo in 1813, and served through the war. He was appointed second lieutenant of infantry, and captain. He was stationed in the South at Mobile Point, and died there in 1822, while in command of his post.
Loyal Wilcox. -- He was born in 1800. He was engaged in mereantile business in Chillicothe, Ohio, and in Madison, Ind. He then removed to Hartford, Conn., where he continued his business. He became an active member of the Center Church, and was deacon in the same for many years. He was successful in business, and benevolent. He gave $1,000 towards the erection of the Methodist Episcopal Church in North Canton, and 81.000 as a permanent fund. He is described by one who knew him as a man "upright and honorable in all his business transactions, genial and courte- ous in his social relations, a man of strict integrity, and entitled to the fullest confidence and respect of his fellow- citizens. He died in Hartford.
Elisha Huron Humphrey .- He was born June 30, 1805.
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Ile removed to Ohio. In carly life he was a saddler and harness-maker, but afterwards became a lawyer, and practiced in Ohio. Hle resided for several years in Claridon, Ohio, and removed to Blissfield, Mich., where he was still living in 1884. He served in the war for the Union, was appointed colonel, was engaged in the defense of Frankfort and Lexing- ton, Ky., and in the pursuit of the guerilla John Morgan. He was the leader of the scouting party that captured the well-known rebel Scott.
Jarvis P. Case .- IIe was born in North Canton, June 9, 1805. Son of Philetus and Lucinda Case. At the age of twenty-four he removed to Dansville, N. Y., and became agent for the sale of clocks, and was also a large farmer. The following is given as a true picture of the man : " Mr. Case has been successful in business relations; but he will be known by future generations and remembered by his neighbors, not by the number of acres he has owned, but by the influence of an upright, Christian life. He became a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church in 1840. He has been one of the most prominent and useful men in the town. For more than twenty-five years he has been deacon of the church, and clerk and trustee for a great many years."
Newton Cuse .- IIe was born in 1807; the son of Deacon Jesse Case. IIe labored upon the farm until he was twenty- one years of age; then went to Hartford and worked for his board in a copper-plate printing establishment. He soon began to receive wages, continuing in the same business. In 1830 he and Mr. E. II. Wilcox formed a copartnership, which existed little more than one year. He then man- aged the same business alone for two years, after which Mr. A. D. Waters was admitted as partner. At that time almost all the school geographies of any valne in the country were published in Hartford. Mr. Case married Lemira B. Inrlbut in December, 1832. In 1836 Mr. Case and Mr. E. D. Tiffany purchased of J. Hubbard Wells, his printing office, located in what was then known as the Mitchell building, on State street. Two years later they added, by
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purchase, the printing office of Philemom Canfield, and re- moved to the corner of Pearl and Trumbull streets.
The years 1834-5 had been years of business depression, but in the year following business revived and brought pros- perity to the enterprise.
In 1838 Mr. Case sold his interest in the copper-plate printing establishment to Mr. Waters, and at this same time purchased Mr. Waters' interest in the firm of Case, Tiffany & Co. Soon after Mr. Leander C. Burnham was admitted as a partner. In 1840 the company purchased the stereotype plates and publishing rights of the " Cottage Bible," and sold all they could print.
In 184S Mr. Burnham died, and two years after Mr. Edmund Shattuck became manager of the bindery, but at the end of four or five years retired. In 1853 Mr. James Lockwood and Mr. Albert G. Cooley were admitted to the firm. In 1857 Mr. Tiffany and Mr. Cooley both retired, and in 1858 Mr. Leverett Brainard became a partner. In 1574, under charter from the Legislature, the new company was organized under the name of "The Case, Lockwood & Brainard Company"; this is still (1886) the name of the house.
About twenty years ago Mr. Case gave up active con- nection with the company. in the hope of finding the rest his busy life had earned; but other business cares have come upon him, and at the age of nearly eighty years he is still active and vigorous.
For many years Mr. Case has been an influential and valued member of the Asylum Hill Congregational Church. His life speaks for him. He is widely known as a man of open-handed, Christian benevolence.
. The following statement of his connection with the Hart- ford Theological Seminary, is by Dr. William Thompson :
"It is now thirty-one years since Mr. Newton Case became a trustee of Hartford Theological Seminary. Of the lay members of the Board when he was elected, J. B. Hosmer, Pliny Jewell, Lucius Barbour, and others, have passed away. After the seminary was removed to Hartford twenty-one
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years ago, he served for a considerable period as a member of the Prudential Committee. Between the annual meetings of the Trustees, this committee is not unfrequently called upon to deal with questions closely connected with the welfare of the seminary.
" When in 1878, the generous gift of Mr. James B. Hosmer enabled the Trustees to provide satisfactory accommodations for the institution, Mr. Case was appointed on the building committee, and gave assiduous attention to all the details pertaining to the erection of the spacious hall on Broad street. To him and his associates, the friends of the semi- nary are deeply indebted for their gratuitous and faithful services.
"For aid in another direction, Mr. Case ranks among the chief benefactors of the institution. During its early years it had less than eight thousand volumes, and many of these were of little .value. To Mr. Case belongs the lasting honor of unstinted outlays for the benefit of the library. His dona- tions for this object amount to thirty thousand dollars. The library now contains more than forty thousand volumes. In the judgment of eminent scholars it is one of the foremost collections of theological works in the country.
" During the ten years that Mr. Case held the office of treas- urer, investments of this general fund, and of scholarships for indigent students were so judiciously made that no losses occurred, and the shrinkage of interest was less than what many loans suffered during the same period. If a few prosperous friends of theological learning would cooperate with Mr. Case, important professorships in Hartford Theo- logical Seminary would not long remain unendowed, nor would the wants of needy students be inadequately supplied."
David Humphrey. - He was born April 24, 1813, son of Col. Decius. He entered Amherst College, but graduated at Union College, Schenectady. He studied law, but had not commenced practice at the time of his death. Mr. M. S. Dyer of Canton, writes of him as follows: "The aptitude of the Humphreys to learn and retain was illustrated in David,
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son of Decius, and brother of Solon Humphrey of New York. While David was at school at Amherst. he wrote a short poem which he showed me. I read it over twice, and the next time I saw him, I repeated the whole of it to him. He remarked that he wished he could remember as well. I told him he could if he would try. After two or three months he called on me and said that he had followed my instructions and could repeat anything that he carefully studied, telling me to write one hundred names of any persons or places and he would read them and repeat them next day. I wrote the one hundred names of any that I could think of, mostly ancient, some modern. He read them over twice, handed the paper back to me, and the next day or two after, called and repeated them backward and forward without a mistake. I never saw any other person that could do it."
George Humphreys Foote. - IIe was the eldest son of Deacon Lancel. Born 1814. and died, 1842, in Ohio. Though not a college graduate, he was a scholarly man, a ripe thinker, a profound mathematician, and a successful teacher. He was the author of a Juvenile Primer, which was the earliest pub- lication of the kind introducing " Object Teaching"; and it is believed that this was one of the first developments in this country of the Kindergarten system. He was a noted musician and flutist. He was engaged at the time of his early death on a work of great practical value to architects and builders, which was never completed.
Wolcott J. Ilumphrey. - Ile was born November 11, 1817, one year before his father, Theophilus, the son of Dea. Theophilus, moved from Canton to Sheldon, New York. He married Amanda, daughter of Major William S. Martin- dale of Dorset, Vt. He has been farmer, tanner, and mer- chant ; also President of the National Bank of Warsaw, N. Y., since 1868. When twenty years old. he was elected Colonel in the New York State militia. He has held various offices: Census Marshal, and Postmaster ; was twice elected to the New York Assembly ; was chairman of the Commit- tee ou Railroads, and reported the Central Railroad bill;
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was selected to take charge of the Prohibitory Liquor Law, and made an able speech in its behalf. In 1855 he removed to Bloomington, III., where he was the means of securing the return of Owen Lovejoy to Congress, against Judge Davies. He subsequently resided for a short time at North Java, N. Y., where he still resides. Since taking up his residence in Warsaw, he has served two terms in the New York Senate, and acted on several important committees. He is said to be a gentleman of fine presence, great nervous energy, warm friendships, and good impulses.
George D. Humphreys .- HIe was born Dec. 3, 1827. son of Col. Decius. He carly removed to St. Louis, Mo., where he married Sarah F. Young, and engaged in the wholesale grocery business, and was president of the Mississippi Glass Co. He had great natural ingenuity, and developed remarkable power as a musician. He died Aug. 20, 1875.
Edward Hubert Foote. - IIe was the sixth son of Deacon Lancel. Born in 1827, and died at Bristol, Conn., in 1854. He developed at an early age great mechanical ability, with rare inventive genius. At the time of death, when only twenty-seven years of age, he had already filled various posi- tions in the highest grade in his profession as mechanical engineer. Ile had great taste for physics, especially in chem- istry and electricity. His early death prevented the perfect- ing of several important inventions in Telegraphy and other developments of electricity applied to mechanics.
Jeremiah Brown .- His father came from Lyme, Conn., to Canton. Jeremiah early removed to Hartford and engaged in the West India and European trade. IIe was agent for the United States Bank in Hartford when he died.
Lucius Barbour .- HIe removed to Hartford and became a successful business man. He was distinguished for his Chris- tian character and liberality. Hle was deacon in the First Congregational Church for many years. He was for a long time a valued member of the Board of Trustees of the Hart- ford Theological Seminary, and in his will gave one thousand dollars, the income to be given in aid of needy students.
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Thomas Wilcox .- IIe was the son of Jedediah, and was engaged for several years in selling clocks in the South. Ile afterwards settled and carried on the clock business in Bristol, Conn., where he died. He was prosperous, and highly esteemed as a benevolent. Christian man.
Merrill J. Mills .- He removed to Detroit, Mich., and was connected with a stove manufacturing company, and with the fur trade. He was agent of the Hudson Bay Company. He became mayor of the city.
Thomas Dyer .- IIe went Sonth as a clock peddler, and about 1842 he moved to Chicago, and became mayor of the city.
Alfred A. Bliss .- He removed to Ohio, and represented his district in the United States Congress.
Harvey Pike .- Ile is still living -October, 1886 - in Nel- son, Portage Co., Ohio, at the advanced age of ninety-two years. Although born in Barkhamsted, he early moved to Canton, and in 1816. under the ministry of Rev. Mr. Hallock, he, with thirteen others, united with the Congregational Church on confession of faith. It is possible that he is the only living member who united at that time. IIe was a sol- dier in the war of 1812.
Ezekiel Hosford .- Brother of Deacon Uriah. After leav- ing Canton he engaged in the mercantile business in New Haven, Conn., and afterwards went into private banking business in New York city. Hle was an earnest Christian man, and a devoted friend of the church in Canton Center. He was superintendent of the Sabbath-school in Canton for two years.
Imri L. Spencer .- IIe removed to Bloomfield, Conn., and afterwards to Waterbury. He was a successful business man.
Charles Mills .- He was a successful merchant in New Or- leans, and died there of yellow fever in 1857.
Samuel Forbes .- He is a brother of Solomon, the physician, and at this time, 1886, resides in Toledo, Ohio, and is mayor at the present time of the city.
John Howard Foote .- IIe was born Nov. 11, 1833, the son
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of Deacon Lancel Foote. He resides in Brooklyn, New York. He is an importer and manufacturer of musical instruments in New York and in Chicago. Mr. Foote has been successful in business, and has built a beautiful summer residence in Canton, on a part of the ancestral farm. He is a substantial friend of the Congregational Church in Canton Center.
Edward M. Mills .- He was born June 26, 1834. He fitted for college at Williston Seminary, Easthampton, Mass., and was graduated from Yale College, 1858. Since leaving col- lege he has been engaged in business, and now resides in Northampton, Mass.
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