History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III, Part 122

Author: Burpee, Charles W. (Charles Winslow), b. 1859
Publication date: 1928
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 1390

USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III > Part 122

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Joseph R. Ensign, son of Ralph H. and Susan (Toy) Ensign, was born at Simsbury, November 24, 1868, and after attending the public schools there entered the Hartford high school, from which he was graduated in 1885. He then entered upon an academic course at Yale and is numbered among its alumni of 1889. Later he took postgraduate work at Yale and the Master of Arts degree was conferred upon him as a member of the class of 1891.

Mr. Ensign had returned to Simsbury in 1890 to enter the Ensign, Bickford Company, of which his father was then president. His original position was of a clerical nature, but he was steadily advanced until called to executive office and in 1917, upon his father's death, was elected to the presidency of this extensive fuse manufacturing concern, which now sends its products out into every section of the country, its trade connections being most comprehensive. Nor does Mr. Ensign confine his efforts alone to this field. He has become a director of the Hartford Fire Insurance Company, of the Hartford Steam Boiler Company, the Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company, the Hartford County Mutual Fire Insurance Company and of the Hartford National Bank & Trust Company.

On the 5th of April, 1894, in Simsbury, Mr. Ensign married Miss Mary J. Phelps and they have become the parents of a daughter, Mary Phelps Ensign.

Mr. Ensign is a republican in his political views and represented his district in the state legislature in 1911. His interest in the public welfare is furthermore manifest in his effective service as a director of the Connecticut Children's Aid Society and as a member of the board of trustees of the Hartford Seminary Foundation.

HON. ALICE PATTISON MERRITT

To Alice Pattison Merritt has come an honor that can never be accorded any other individual-that of being the first woman to serve in the state senate of Con- necticut. Moreover, her efficiency and acceptability to the voting public is indicated in the fact that she has been reelected and is therefore serving for the second term. She was born in Simsbury, Hartford county, May 13, 1876. Her father, Joseph Pattison, was a native of the north of Ireland and on coming to the new world in early life settled in Simsbury, where he conducted business as a tobacco farmer. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Delia Sceery, was also born in Ireland.

In pursuing her education Mrs. Merritt completed the work of the grades and then entered the Hartford high school, from which she was graduated as a member of the class of 1895. She then turned to the business world and for eight and one-half years was in the employ of an insurance company. She also became widely known in musical circles as the contralto soloist in several Hartford church choirs and not only was she winning favor through the exercise of her talents in that direction but also gaining friends through social qualities and building up an acquaintance that stood her in good stead in later years.

On the 7th of October, 1903, Alice Pattison became the wife of Joseph Merritt, now president of the Hartford Machinery Company, who was born in Port Chester, New York, and came to this city about 1890. Their family numbers three children: Virginia, who was born September 19, 1907, and is now a student in Wellesley Col- lege; Robert, who was born June 30, 1911; and Philip Joseph, born April 5, 1917.

Mrs. Merritt has always been interested in the problems that affect the public welfare and has become well informed on the leading issues and questions of the day. Because of her advanced and practical views she was elected to the state senate in November, 1924, from the second senatorial district in Hartford, and endorsement of her first term's service came to her in the substantial majority accorded her at the time of her reelection in 1926. She was appointed a member of the committees on education, capitol house and grounds and federal relations during the first session, and when she was returned to the senate by popular suffrage she was made chairman of the committee on humane institutions and a member of the capitol house and grounds committee. She belongs to the National Woman's Republican Club and has had much influence among the women of her district. She is an honorary member, representing Connecticut, on the board of the American Woman's Association.

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During the last eighteen months of the World war, Mrs. Merritt served as lieutenant of Hartford Chapter of the Red Cross Motor Corps, receiving her commission from Woodrow Wilson. She is particularly interested in the welfare of young girls and by reason thereof has become commissioner of the Hartford Girl Scouts, Inc. In eight years, under her administration, the membership has grown from three hundred to eighteen hundred, this being one of the largest Girl Scout organizations in the country. She is ever ready for friendly advice and encouragement to assist them and aid in solving their problems and her influence is indeed far-reaching and bene- ficial. Mrs. Merritt is likewise a member of the Business and Professional Women's Club and of the Community Club of Simsbury. She is widely known as a public speaker on welfare and educational topics, as well as the leading political issues of the day, and she has been active as a campaign speaker during the last two presi- dential campaigns and also at the time of municipal elections. Holding to high ideals, she works along practical lines and her activities are the result of careful study and thorough comprehension of conditions, needs and the possibilities for successful achievement. She is today one of the outstanding women of Connecticut.

HON. PHILO TOUSEY PLATT

There is real cause for Hon. Philo Tousey Platt to be mentioned among the representative men of Connecticut, where at the time of his death, on the 13th of May, 1928, he was most acceptably filling the office of commissioner of agriculture, having been the first appointee in that position, the work of which he organized and promoted. Aside from his official service, too, there were other quali- ties which gained him the high respect and lasting regard of those with whom he was associated. He was born in Newtown, Connecticut, May 20, 1880, and was a son of Theron Eugene and Mary C. (Russell) Platt, the former a native of Newtown and the latter of Southbury, Connecticut. The ancestral line of the Platt family traces back to England, Richard Platt being the first of the name in the new world, where he arrived in 1638, settling in New Haven, Connecticut, while subsequently he removed to Milford, this state. The line comes down through Isaac Platt, of Hunt- ington, Long Island, who married Elizabeth Wood and died July 31, 1691. Their son, Jonas Platt, was born August 10, 1667, and married Sarah Scudder. They were parents of Obadiah Platt, who was born about 1706 and on the 10th of August, 1722, married Mary Smith. Obadiah Platt (II) was born August 8, 1729, and died November 25, 1784. His wife, Thankful Scudder, died December 19, 1816. Their son, Jarvis Platt, was born September 6, 1759, married Ann Nichols and died in 1841. David Platt, son of Jarvis and Ann (Nichols) Platt, was born February 6, 1782, was married May 18, 1803, to Lucretia Tousey, of Newtown, and devoted his life to farming, passing away April 19, 1814. His son, Philo Tousey Platt, was born September 3, 1811, and was married November 24, 1841, to Jeanette E. Tutt'e, of Southbury, Connecticut. He engaged in the cultivation of the old homestead farm until his death, March 10, 1880. He had two sons, Johnson T. and Theron E. The former, a graduate of the Harvard Law School, became a prominent attorney and also a notable figure in connection with public life in Connecticut. The younger son, Theron E. Platt, took up the occupation of farming and also became prominent in local affairs, holding a number of offices. He was likewise vice president of the New- town Savings Bank and he was widely known as a collector of rare books, possessing a very fine private library. He died July 26, 1927, three days before his wife, who passed away July 29, 1927. Of their two children one died in childhood.

The other son, Philo T. Platt, acquired his preliminary education in a private school of Newtown and afterward attended the Union Business College at Bridgeport, Connecticut. When his textbooks were put aside he became associated with his father in the machinery business and upon the father's retirement took over the business, which he wisely and profitably conducted until 1920, when he sold out. Under the guidance of his father, who was regarded throughout the state as an authority on agricultural matters, Philo T. Platt assumed the operation of the home farm, which he developed according to scientific principles, utilizing the most advanced knowledge concerning agricultural methods in the cultivation of the fields and the care of the crops.

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Aside from the important work which he accomplished in this direction he was widely known because of his activity in political circles. He always gave his allegiance to the republican party and worked along constructive lines in the field of politics, the results accomplished being far-reaching and beneficial. In 1921 he was persuaded to accept his party nomination for representative from Newtown, which is generally regarded as a democratic stronghold, but he had little difficulty in carrying the election. During his term's service in that office he gave thoughtful and earnest consideration to the vital questions which came up for settlement and his record led to his election to the state senate in 1922, while in 1924 he was reelected by a very flattering majority. During the first session he was chairman of the incorporations committee and he was instrumental in securing the passage of a number of bills. During the second session he was chairman of the committee on appropriations and in 1925 he was appointed by Governor Trumbull as the first commissioner of agriculture, which office he filled to the time of his death. He was likewise a director of the State Chamber of Commerce, was a trustee of the Con- necticut Agricultural College, a director of the Connecticut Milk Producers Associa- tion and a member of the National Association of Commissioners of Agriculture. His connection with all these organizations contributed to the experience which made him a valuable official in the office of state commissioner of agriculture.

On the 15th of October, 1902, Mr. Platt married Miss Elsie May Sanford of Redding, Connecticut, daughter of Charles and Hannah L. (Sherwood) Sanford. They became the parents of a son, Raymond Johnson, who was born May 30, 1906, and is a sophomore in the Connecticut State College. The family residence is in Newtown on the same tract of land which has been occupied by several generations of Mr. Platt's ancestors. At the time of his death Mr. Platt was president of the New England Association of Commissioners, governor of the Connecticut society of the Order of Founders and Patriots of America and was vice president of the Israel Putnam Memorial Park Association. Fraternally he was a Mason, belonging to Hiram Lodge, No. 18, A. F. & A. M., and he likewise had membership in the Newtown Country Club. From an early period the Platt family has contributed to the sub- stantial upbuilding and progress of this section of the state and the record of Philo T. Platt was in harmony with that of an honored ancestry. His life span covered but forty-seven years yet in that period he accomplished much and the beneficial effect of his labors will continue for years to come. Governor Trumbull said in this connection : "I deeply regret to hear of the death of Philo T. Platt and I extend my sincere sympathy to his family. Commissioner Platt has served the state of Con- necticut well and faithfully. Under his leadership the department of agriculture has made splendid progress. He took keen interest in his work and in his death the farmers of Connecticut have lost a real friend." All who knew him have felt sorrow at his passing-not because of his successful achievement in business nor even by reason of what he accomplished in public life but because his personal qualities endeared him most warmly to his associates. His was an honorable manhood and .eft to his family the priceless heritage of a good name.

CALDWELL COLT ROBINSON, D. S. C .; N. C.

Caldwell Colt Robinson, born April 17, 1897, was the eldest son of Colonel Charles L. F. and Elizabeth Hart Jarvis (Beach) Robinson, extended mention of whom is made on another page of this work. His record has become an integral part of the history of Connecticut, inasmuch as he made the supreme sacrifice for the country in the World war. His mother is a member of Ruth Wyllys Chapter, D. A. R., at Hartford, and through the maternal line his ancestry is traced back to Major General William Hart and Colonel William de Groot. He attended Taft school and later the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University. He became a member of the Delta Phi fraternity and he also held membership in the Masonic order, in the Society of Cincinnati and in the Order of Descendants of Colonial Governors. His initial military experience came to him through training in the New York Military Academy, from which he was graduated with the class of 1916, and

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he attended two camps at Plattsburg in the same year, becoming first sergeant in both and rising to the rank of first lieutenant and battalion adjutant. He displayed great interest and enthusiasm in military affairs and volunteered with Troop B for service on the Mexican border in 1916. Later he was enrolled at the Brooklyn Navy Yard as a second lieutenant (provisional) in the Marine Corps Reserve. From the 28th of July, 1917, to October 24, 1917, he was at Quantico, Virginia, with the Marine Corps Camp and Officers Training School. He was transferred to the Eighty-second Company of the Sixth Regiment of the Third Battalion and was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant of the Marine Corps on the 18th of September, with the rank from August 27th. He embarked at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the United States steamship Von Steuben, October 24, 1917, and arrived in France on the 17th of November, proceeding to lines of communication early in March. He was with the troops on the Verdun sector and with his command proceeded to Belleau Wood in May. He was on detached duty with the United States army from November 18, 1917, until June 6, 1918. He was cited and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (posthumous) July 5, 1918, for conspicuous gallantry and service in the face of the enemy June 6, 1918, for it was on that day that he was killed in action in the Bois de Belleau in Aisne, France. The following is his record as furnished by the United States Marine Corps :

1917 July 5. Enrolled as second lieutenant (provisional) in class 4, Marine Corps Reserve.

July 21. Appointed a second lieutenant (provisional) in class 4, Marine Corps Reserve.

July 28. Reported for active duty at Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia.

Sept. 13. Disenrolled from the Marine Corps Reserve and accepted appointment as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps with rank from August 27, 1917.

Oct. 24. Detached to foreign shore expeditionary service in France; embarked on the U. S. S. Von Steuben Oct. 24th, 1917, and sailed from Phila- delphia, Pa., Oct. 25th, 1917, attached to the 82nd Company, 6th Regt. of Marines. Arrived in France, Nov. 18th, 1917, and disembarked Nov. 19th, 1917, and on detached duty with the U. S. Army in France from that date.

1918 June 6. Killed in action in the Bois de Belleau Woods, France, while attached to Company "I", 6th Regiment, U. S. Marines.

July 5. Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, posthumously, for con- spicuous gallantry and service in the face of the enemy June 6th, 1918. "Second Lieutenant Caldwell Colt Robinson, Co. 'I', was distinguisneo for his bravery in charging machine gun nest positions on June 6th, 1918, in the Bois de Belleau, and was killed while performing his duty."

(Signed) F. C. CUSHING, Captain, U. S. Marine Corps, Assistant Adjutant and Inspector.

Mrs. Robinson has in her possession a letter of which the following is a copy:

HEADQUARTERS U. S. MARINE CORPS. COMMANDANTS OFFICE, Washington, D. C., August 8th, 1918.

My dear Mrs. Robinson :-

I am pleased to inform you that I am in receipt of an official communique from the Commanding General of the American Expeditionary Forces, which mentions, among other things, the fact that your son, the late Lieutenant Caldwell Colt Robin- son, Marine Corps, was awarded the distinguished service cross, posthumously, for gallantry in action. The following testimonial to the courage of Lieutenant Robinson,

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appended to the remarks of General Pershing in awarding this high honor, gives evidence of the extreme value of your son's fine devotion to duty until the end.

"Killed in action at Chateau Thierry June 6th, 1918, he gave the supreme proof of that extraordinary heroism which will serve as an example to hitherto untried troops."

Very sincerely, (Signed) GEORGE BARNETT, Major General Commandant.

Mrs. C. L. F. Robinson, 1161 Prospect Avenue, Hartford, Conn.

Lieutenant Robinson was cited and awarded Navy Cross posthumously Novem- ber 11, 1920. Victory medal bears star and two clasps: Aisne: Defensive Sector.

Lieutenant Robinson was the first member of the Society of the Cincinnati killed in the World war and his remains were laid to rest in Grave 12, Row 10, Block A, of the Aisne-Marne American cemetery at Belleau, Aisne, France. The Caldwell Colt Robinson, D. S. C .; N. C. Post, No. 254, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, installed November 5, 1919, at Hartford, is named in his honor.

COLONEL CHARLES LEONARD FROST ROBINSON

A gentleman of the broadest and highest culture, a business man of marked capacity and power, a sportsman with the keenest sense of honor and fair play, the life record of Colonel Charles Leonard Frost Robinson contributed to the establish- ment of standards of American manhood and citizenship that place him in the fore- most ranks among those whom New England has delighted to honor as her native sons. His career illustrated a perfect balance between business enterprise, apprecia- tion of sports and love of all of those arts which have promoted the cultural develop- ment of the race, and his social qualities endeared him to those who came within the more intimate circle of his acquaintance as brother to brother. He was born July 9, 1874, in the town of Sayville, Long Island, and died on board his yacht at Woods Hole, Massachusetts, July 5, 1916. The intervening period of forty-two years seemed a brief life span, but such was his native talent and his acquired ability that he accomplished what many never attain in a lifetime of twice that period. His parents were Frank Tracy and Ida May (Frost) Robinson. His ancestry in the paternal line goes back to Rev. John Robinson, leader of the Pilgrims in Leyden, Holland, and the associate of Elder William Brewster, who was the leader of the Pilgrim band in the new world. Rev. John Robinson was born in England in 1575 and was ordained to the ministry of the established church but later became a pastor of the Separatist church. Some years later he went to Amsterdam, Holland, and in 1609 to Leyden, where he was chosen pastor of the church. His son, Isaac Robinson, became the founder of the family in the new world and the line of descent comes down through his son, Peter Robinson, who established the family in Connecticut. The direct ancestor of Colonel Robinson in the fourth generation was Peter Robin- son (II) and his ancestors in successive generations were Jacob, Vine, Francis and Frank Tracy Robinson, the last named the father of Colonel Robinson.

Frank Tracy Robinson was born August 11, 1847, attended the Newport Naval Academy and was engaged in blockade duty with the Union Navy in the Civil war, holding the rank of lieutenant. He afterward became associated with his father in business and later succeeded him in the firm of Robinson & Hayden and as a director of the Maryland Coal Company. He was a noted yachtsman and owned several water craft well known in the waters around New York. He was married February 20, 1873, to Ida May Frost, daughter of Charles Leonard and Caroline Augusta (Bailey) Frost, and he died October 31, 1898.

His son, Colonel Charles L. F. Robinson, pursued his preparatory course in the Halsey School of New York city and then entered the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University, completing his course as a member of the class of 1895 with a degree of Ph. B. He at once started out in the business world in the employ of the firm of Robinson & Hayden, of which his father was senior partner, and was actively

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engaged in that business until the time of his father's death in 1898. Colonel Robin- son then retired and for several years thereafter traveled extensively in America and in Europe, finding great delight in visiting the leading art centers of the old world and familiarizing himself with the traditions and history of its medieval strongholds. Several years of his life at this point were devoted to acquiring a knowledge of the arts which make for liberal education and culture and his interest in these fields never for a moment wavered in later years. He gained thereby that richness of life which lifts the individual above the sordidness of a purely business career and he was widely recognized as an art connoisseur.

With his return to his native land Colonel Robinson resumed his residence in Newport, Rhode Island, and again actively entered the business world. He also became a prominent figure in the political and public life of Newport, serving fre- quently as a delegate to conventions and also as a member of the board of park com- missioners of that city. Moreover, he won his military title by service in the New- port Artillery Company. He was greatly interested in the Naval Training Station there and in 1914 presented to the station a silver cup for use in the drill compe- tition. As a business man, too, he made his presence felt, for he possessed splendid powers as an organizer and executive. He became associated with the Colt Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company of Hartford and in 1909 was elected to the vice presidency of that corporation, succeeding to the presidency a year later and con- tinuing thsu to serve until his demise six years afterward. He well deserved to be numbered among America's captains of industry and his opinions on questions of finance were of the greatest value, being based upon careful analysis, keen discrimi- nation and broad business vision. He served on the directorate of the Travelers Insurance Company, the Newport Trust Company, the Fidelity Trust Company, the Phoenix National Bank, the Connecticut Trust & Safe Deposit Company, the Hart- ford Fire Insurance Company, the Shore Line Electric Railroad Company, the Ameri- can Hardware Corporation of New Britain and the Standard Wrench Company of Providence, Utah Copper Company and Butte and Superior Company, and many other companies.

Colonel Robinson was widely known as a sportsman and enjoyed an international reputation as a yachtsman, cruising in all navigable waters throughout the entire world and giving to the public an interesting narrative of his experiences under the title "Thirty Thousand Miles in the Wanderer." He held membership in the New York Yacht Club, the Royal Thames Yacht Club of England, the Imperial Yacht Club of Germany and the Royal Yacht Club of Belgium. From 1900 until 1903 he served on America's cup committee and he watched with keen interest the development of the Yale University crews, many of whom he entertained on his yachts. A few months prior to his demise he gave the Yale crew new headquarters and at different times presented other gifts to the crew, including a racing shell. He found great enjoy- ment in fishing off the coasts of Florida and Cuba and spent several months each year in Atlantic cruises.

Colonel Robinson was also widely known in Masonic circles in New York and Connecticut, holding membership in Washington Commandery, K. T., of Hartford, in the Connecticut Consistory, thirty-second degree, and in Sphinx Temple of the Mystic Shrine and Holland Lodge of New York city. He held membership in the Church of the Good Shepherd of Hartford for many years and served as one of its vestrymen. In club circles he was a prominent and well known figure, having membership in the Farmington Country Club, the Dauntless Club of Essex, the Hartford Club, the Hart- ford Golf Club, the Army and Navy Club, the Metropolitan Club of Washington, D. C., and the Knickerbocker, Racquet, Union and Brook clubs of New York city.

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History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III, Part 122

Author: Burpee, Charles W. (Charles Winslow), b. 1859 Publication date: 1928 Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Number of Pages: 1390

Author: Burpee, Charles W. (Charles Winslow), b. 1859
Publication date: 1928
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 1390