History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III, Part 123

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 123

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On the 30th of June, 1896, Colonel Robinson was married to Miss Elizabeth Hart Jarvis Beach, a daughter of Cyprian Nichols Beach, of Hartford. She survives her husband, still making her home in Connecticut's capital city, where she is a promi- nent figure, as she is also in Newport, Rhode Island. Colonel and Mrs. Robinson became parents of four children: Caldwell Colt, mentioned elsewhere in this work; Elizabeth Alden, who was born November 30, 1900; Hettie Hart, who was a twin of Elizabeth and died December 1, 1900; and Francis, born May 19, 1903.

A contemporary biographer has said: "Colonel Robinson was a man of vigorous intellectual endowment, and his interests in life were many and varied, his literary tastes sincere, and highly developed, as is evidenced by the unusually fine library which he collected from all quarters of the globe. He had a deep interest in Ameri-

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can history and traditions, and a portion of his library was devoted exclusively to collection of manuscripts and rare data of this type. F. B. Gay, of the Watkinson Library of Hartford, an eminent authority on books, said of him: 'Many of the people who knew the late Colonel C. L. F. Robinson as a famous yachtsman, or as actively connected with numerous business enterprises and companies, or as an enter- taining and lavish host, will be surprised to learn that there was another and very different side to his likings and activities. In his beautiful house on Prospect avenue he had gathered probably the finest private library in Connecticut. Beginning with the books that every gentleman of taste must have, in later years he had left the field of French illustrated works, editions de luxe, etc., and gone very extensively into that much rarer field for the true collector-early Americana. And what a pleasure he took, apparently, showing the treasures partially hidden behind those library doors. Sitting in a large easy chair, surrounded with early American pictures and prints, with that vast and wonderful view from his library windows, stretching away to Mount Tom on the north and the Bolton hills on the eastern limit, with the nearer Talcott range on the west, the Colonel would show a volume, or a hundred volumes, that would make the true book lover gasp in astonishment. Manuscripts of the highest rarity relating to American history; books in magnificent bindings, on the same subject; specimens of the great painters and historic periods of the art preservative-and then what the man knew about them! The sweet, fine, appreci- ative way he handled them, gloated over their immaculate condition and bibliopegic splendors; their points of historic, literary or pictorial interest. Oh! he was an amateur on that side well worth knowing.'"

Another writer characterized Colonel Robinson as follows: "A man's man, of magnetic personality, the broad human understanding and sympathy which endears itself to men in every walk of life, and a sense of honor which recalled the days of chivalry, he had formed friendships and attachments among men of all types and in all conditions of life. He had aided scores of men in the struggle upward toward success, and possessed the faculty of putting himself on a footing of equality with the lowly and with those high in the walks of life."

One of the best characterizations of Colonel Robinson was from the pen of Dr. Samuel Hart, dean of the Berkeley Divinity School and president of the Con- necticut Historical Society, who wrote: "The vigor of his nature, and of his plans for life and the earnestness with which he was carrying them out, added to the strength of body which had endured the test of a serious accident, seemed to fore- show a continuance of the success to which he had, while still comparatively a young man, attained. As president of a great manufacturing company, he had carried it even beyond the prosperity of its early years, and had proved its adapta- bility to new opportunities; as a citizen, he was taking an important place in the responsibilities of the community in which he lived; and he was making his beau- tiful new home a treasure house of carefully chosen works of literature and art, bearing on the departments of history and on the progress of the handiwork in which he found special delight. His business relations, as well as his happy mar- riage to one who carried on the memories of his beneficent personality, destined him to an important place in the life of Hartford; and that place he was filling to the benefit of the city, and, we cannot but believe, to the furtherance of his own best desires." The life work of Colonel Robinson continues, inasmuch as his activities were a stimulus to the commercial and financial development of New England and to the intellectual, moral and cultural progress of the land. His years of life were comparatively few, but because he lived the world is better and richer in those things which endure.

FRANK ELLSWORTH LAMSON

The man who achieves success through his own unaided efforts is deserving of the highest commendation, and of this type was Frank Ellsworth Lamson, whose ability and energy enabled him to rise from a lowly position to the vice presidency of the Sessions Foundry Company, one of the large corporations of Bristol. Consci- entious and thorough, he faithfully performed life's duties and obligations and his

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example may well be emulated by all desirous of cultivating strength of character and stability of purpose.

Mr. Lamson was born May 27, 1861, at Southington, Connecticut, and was a son of Samuel and Lydia Lamson. His early life was spent in Burlington, Connecticut, and later he went to Cleveland, Ohio, but subsequently returned to Connecticut. On April 1, 1882, when a young man of twenty-one, he became a clerk in the shipping department of the Sessions Foundry Company and was thus employed for several years, gaining a comprehensive knowledge of that branch of the business. In 1919 he was promoted to the responsible position of traffic manager and in 1920 was elected to the office of vice president, acting in that capacity until his death on Sep- tember 7, 1927. For forty-five years he had remained with the same corporation, to which he gave his best energies, and his labors became an integral part of the business. As an executive he was far-sighted and efficient and in his treatment of subordinates he was always courteous, just and considerate.

On September 10, 1882, Mr. Lamson was married in Bristol to Miss Mae E. Bradley, who survives him, and he also left a son, Ellsworth F. Mr. Lamson enjoyed home life and was an ideal husband and father. In all matters of citizenship he was loyal and patriotic but never aspired to public office, being deeply engrossed in business affairs. By nature he was genial, unselfish and sympathetic and these quali- ties endeared him to all who were privileged to know him. Mr. Lamson was a man of exceptional worth and his sudden death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret.

EDWARD FARNSWORTH DUSTIN

Among the more recently established banking institutions of Hartford, organ- ized to meet the financial needs of this growing city, is the Capitol National Bank & Trust Company, of which Edward Farnsworth Dustin became the vice president on the 1st of December, 1926. Back of his association with this institution was a broad experience in business and financial affairs, which combines with a laudable ambition to wisely, safely and profitably direct the interests now under his control. A lifelong resident of Hartford, save for a brief period of two years, he was here born Septem- ber 21, 1882, and is a direct descendant of Hannah Dustin of Haverhill, Massa- chusetts, one of the outstanding heroines of American history, who suffered capture by the Indians and in whose memory a monument has been erected in Haverhill. His parents were Charles E. and Loraine (King) Dustin, the former an electrical manufacturer of New York, who died in 1924, having for a brief period survived his wife, who passed away the previous year.

The public schools of Hartford accorded Edward F. Dustin his early educational advantages and later he entered the Hotchkiss Preparatory School of Lakeville, Connecticut, while subsequently he became a student in Yale University and there won his Bachelor of Arts degree at the completion of his course in 1906. The same year he entered business circles by securing a position in an electrical manufacturing establishment of New York, with which he remained until 1908, when he returned to Hartford and here conducted the agency for the Burroughs Adding Machine Com- pany, devoting several years to his duties in that position. He was next made adver- tising manager for G. F. Heublein & Brother of Hartford and later he sold securities for seven years as representative of the local office of Lee, Higginson & Company. Thus his varied experiences added to his knowledge of business methods and pro- cedure and especially in his last position did he gain a comprehensive understanding of financial affairs that well qualified him to take up the responsible position of vice president and director of the newly organized Capitol National Bank & Trust Com- pany. He was elected to the office December 1, 1926, and is proving a capable executive. He is also president and director of the Capitol National Company, which is the local correspondent for Kidder, Peabody & Company, investment bankers of New York.

On the 15th of September, 1910, Mr. Dustin was married to Miss Harriet Marsh, a daughter of Andrew K. and Margaret E. (Baldwin) Marsh, of Brooklyn, New York. Politically Mr. Dustin is a republican, his interest in politics being that of a good citizen, but he has no desire for official preferment. He holds membership in

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the University Club, which he is now serving as treasurer. In his entire business career progressiveness and conservatism have been well balanced factors and consti- tute features of great worth in the successful conduct of the banking business with which he is now identified.

LOUIS G. ALLEN

Louis G. Allen, the efficient town clerk of Suffield, was here born February 2, 1870, a son of Alonzo C. and Abbie H. (Austin) Allen. The father was at one time engaged in the jewelry business but subsequently was chosen for the office of town clerk of Suffield and, like his son, proved a capable incumbent in that position.

Louis G. Allen pursued his education in the Suffield schools and when his text- books were put aside started out in the business world as an employe in a local grocery store. A few years later he became connected with the Suffield post office and since that time he has been continuously in positions of public trust. In 1915 he was elected to the office of town clerk and by successive reelections has been retained in this position, which he has now filled for thirteen years in a most capable and acceptable manner, being always earnest, prompt and faithful in the discharge of his official duties. His identification with public office in Suffield now covers a period of thirty years, a fact which stands in incontrovertible evidence of his loyalty to duty.

In 1910 Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth C. Firtion, of Broad Brook, Connecticut, and they are widely and favorably known here. They hold membership in the Congregational church and Mr. Allen gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He formerly served as chief of the voluntary fire depart- ment, an honorary position, and in every possible way he has given evidence of his progressiveness in citizenship.

DUDLEY CARLETON

Dudley Carleton, treasurer of the Merchants Bank & Trust Company and re- garded as a substantial factor in financial circles in Hartford, was born in Delvin, County Westmeath, Ireland, on the 22d of October, 1886, and is a son of William and Charlotte Matilda (Payne) Carleton, who were also natives of the Emerald isle. The father was a surgeon in the British navy for ten years and made three trips around the world. He qualified for professional service by a study in Trinity College at Dublin, from which he was graduated, and he became one of the best known surgeons of the British isles. He passed away in Ireland, after which his widow became a resident of Montreal, Canada, where she now makes her home.

Dudley Carleton pursued his education in Ellesmere College at Shrewsbury, England, from which he was graduated with the class of 1905. Later he was employed in the Royal Bank of Ireland at Dublin for a time and then crossed the Atlantic to become a resident of Montreal, where he secured a situation in the Sovereign Bank of Canada. At different periods he also worked in the Eastern Townships Bank and in the Canadian Bank of Commerce and in 1923 he arrived in Hartford, where in January, 1924, he assumed the duties of treasurer of the Merchants Bank & Trust Company. Since leaving college he has devoted his entire time and attention to the banking business and is familiar with every phase of it, so that his long experience, combined with his sound judgment, has made him a valued factor in the conduct of the institution with which he is now associated.

In June, 1913, Mr. Carleton married Miss Bessie Gibson, of Montreal, Canada, and they are the parents of two children, Russell Wainwright and Beverly Bayne. They make their home at No. 41 Tower road in East Hartford. Mr. Carleton is well known in musical circles, being a member of Christ Church Cathedral Choir and Oratorical Society. Fraternally he is connected with Prevost Lodge, A. F. & A. M., at Dunham, in the province of Quebec, Canada, and was master thereof in 1923. He also belongs to the Order of the Eastern Star and he has membership in the City Club and the Reciprocity Club of Hartford and in the Hartford Fish and Game Club.

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His social qualities have made hin many friends in these different organizations and he is a valued representative of musical interests here, but he never allows outside interests to interfere with the faithful performance of his duties as treasurer of the Merchants Bank & Trust Company.

HOWARD C. CONE

Howard C. Cone, well known in the mercantile circles of Suffield, was born in Enfield, Connecticut, in 1873, his parents being Orlow T. and Huldah B. (Pease) Cone. The father was for many years in railroad employ. The family numbered three sons and three daughters.

At the usual age Howard C. Cone became a pupil in the public schools of Enfield and when he had completed his course of study he began providing for his own support by entering the employ of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company in the capacity of clerk, remaining in that connection from 1893 until 1899. In the latter year he obtained the position of bookkeeper with W. W. Cooper, who in 1900 sold the business to the firm of Spencer Brothers. Mr. Cone continued with the house, working his way steadily upward, and in 1913 he was made secretary and assistant treasurer of the company. Five years later he was elected treasurer of the company and has remained in that official position to the present time. Since 1913 he has been overseer of the business and was very active in its management and control until 1926. He thus became widely known as a merchant of Hartford county, building up a business of substantial proportions, and with every phase of the business he is thoroughly familiar, knowing quality and prices and giving to the patrons of the house most efficient service. As the result of his labors the business has steadily grown and Mr. Cone has gained an enviable position as a representative of the commerial interests of Suffield.

In 1897 he was united in marriage to Miss Cora H. Krauss, of Windsor Locks, and they now have a daughter, Florence, born at Windsor Locks, July 12, 1898. The parents are members of the Congregational church and of the Country Club and are interested in all that pertains to the material, intellectual, social and moral progress of the community. In his political views Mr. Cone is a republican and his party called upon him to represent his town in the state legislature from 1925 until 1927. He there gave thoughtful consideration to all the vital questions which came up for settlement and his influence was ever on the side of improvement, so that he labored diligently to promote legislation of genuine worth to the commonwealth. He finds his recreation largely in fishing and hunting and is now president of the Game and Fish Club of Suffield.

GEORGE LUMBY DAMON

George Lumby Damon, who occupied a high position in the business circles of New Britain, where for forty-five years he conducted one of the best known shoe stores in New England, was born in Conway, Massachusetts, October 16, 1855, a son of Cyrus and Maria L. (Simons) Damon. The public school system of Northampton, Massachusetts, accorded him his educational opportunities and he spent the greater part of his life to the age of sixteen years in Northampton, after which he became a resident of New Britain, where he remained until his death. Here he entered the employ of F. Whittlesey & Company, with which concern he continued as bookkeeper for several years, when he resigned his position to engage in the shoe business on his own account in the year 1877. He remained active in that field for forty-five years and as a shoe merchant became widely known throughout New England. His first store was in the Strickland block at the corner of Main and East Main streets. His business rapidly increased, necessitating his removal to larger quarters, which he found in the Commercial building at the corner of Main and Commercial streets. A later removal saw him installed in still more commodious quarters in the Booth block in the center of the business section of the city and there he conducted one of the best equipped and best furnished shoe stores in New England. His position

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as a New Britain business man was a very enviable one, for his integrity and fair dealing, as well as his ability, were generally recognized. Aside from his mercantile interests he became a director of the New Britain Trust Company and of the Burritt Mutual Savings Bank.

At Middletown, Connecticut, on the 25th of March, 1884, Mr. Damon married Miss Anna Mary Bailey, who was born in Arlington, Vermont, February 25, 1863. They became the parents of a daughter, Ruth, now the wife of Lawrence Cole Huma- son and a resident of New Britain. They have three children: John Damon, Florence Mary and Hala Cole Humason.

Mr. Damon was a member of the First Congregational church and his political faith was that of the republican party. He was ever interested in community and civic affairs and he rendered efficient service as a director of the Charity Association, later the Welfare Association of New Britain. Fraternally he was a Mason, holding membership in Centennial Lodge, and that he was appreciative of the social amenities of life was manifest in his connection with the New Britain Club and the Shuttle Meadow Club. He enjoyed all phases of outdoor life, but fishing and golf constituted his principal forms of recreation. He passed away April 30, 1923, and in a review of his career it is noted that his mental make-up was of a constructive character, that he was thoughtful and public-spirited and that he represented the highest type of citizen and business man. Death claimed him in the evening of a life filled with sound enterprises, loyal friends and wholesome happiness.

DWIGHT H. STOUGHTON, M. D.

Dr. Dwight H. Stoughton, a member of the medical profession in Hartford, limiting his practice to dermatology, was born in this city October 2, 1892, a son of Dwight G. and Mary A. (White) Stoughton. The father was for many years a druggist here and died in 1909, while the mother survived until 1916. The son obtained a public and high school education and then became a student in the High- land Military Academy at Worcester, Massachusetts, while later he devoted two years to the study of pharmacy in Notre Dame University. His preparation for a profes- sional career was made in McGill University at Montreal, where he won his M. D. degree at graduation with the class of 1918. He put his theoretical training to practical test in his service as interne in the Montreal General Hospital through a period of one year and later he became assistant dermatologist in the Cornell Uni- versity Medical Clinic of New York city, acting in that capacity from 1919 . until 1921. In the latter year he opened his office in Hartford, where he has since remained, and his course has been in keeping with the tendency of the times, which in all the professions is toward specialization.

On the 27th of November, 1918, Dr. Stoughton was married to Miss Aileen Dickson-Otty, a daughter of G. O. and Emily (Murphy) Dickson-Otty, of Hampton, New Brunswick, Canada. Their children are: George Dwight, born November 27, 1919; Peter Van Cortlandt, born April 15, 1921; and Judith Aileen, born June 19, 1923.

Fraternally Dr. Stoughton is a Mason. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party but has never had time nor inclination to seek public office. He belongs to the Hartford, Hartford County, Connecticut State and American Medical Associations and thus keeps abreast with the trend of the times in matters of medical practice.

JOHN FRANCIS BARRY, D. M. D.

Dr. John Francis Barry has always made his professional duties his first con- sideration, being most thorough and conscientious in the performance of his work, and is regarded as one of South Manchester's leading dentists. He was born in Moodus, Connecticut, in 1891 and is a son of Michael J. and Mary (O'Brien) Barry, natives of Middlesex county, this state. His father, who was a member of the Moodus Fife and Drum Corps of Moodus, removed to Manchester in 1904. He has been identified

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with the firm of Cheney Brothers for a period of twenty years and his life is devoted to the printing business.

Dr. John F. Barry, his only child, was thirteen years of age when the family left Moodus and his high school education was obtained in Manchester. He completed his course in 1910 and for six years was in the employ of J. H. Quinn. Going to Boston, Massachusetts, Dr. Barry matriculated in the Tufts Dental College, which he left in 1918 to enter the service of his country, and was sent to Fort Warren. In 1919 he was honorably discharged and now holds the rank of first lieutenant in the Dental Reserve Corps. After his release from military duty Dr. Barry returned to college and finished his dental course in 1919. For a year thereafter he followed his profession in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada, and in 1920 located in South Man- chester, opening an office in the Orford building. His scientific knowledge is supple- mented by the mechanical skill and ingenuity so essential to the successful dentist, and his practice has assumed large proportions.

On the 15th of June, 1927, Dr. Barry was united in marriage to May E. D'Arcy, of Hazardville, Connecticut, daughter of Thomas F. and Helen (Lehan) D'Arcy. Dr. and Mrs. Barry are prominent in social affairs of South Manchester, are faithful communicants of St. James' Catholic church and the Doctor gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He taken an interest in public affairs and is one of the energetic members of the Chamber of Commerce. He also belongs to the local Kiwanis Club, the Hartford Equity Club, the Knights of Columbus, Dilworth Cor- nell Post, No. 102, of the American Legion, Phi Omega, a college fraternity, and the Hartford County, Connecticut State and American Dental Associations. Dr. Barry is a young man of marked strength of character and fills an important place in the life of his community.

EDWIN HENRY BINGHAM

Edwin Henry Bingham, vice president of the Jewell Belting Company of Hart- ford, is a representative of one of the oldest New England families, as indicated in his present connection with the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Connecticut, of which he is now governor. In the direct paternal line his ancestry is traced back to Deacon Thomas Bingham, who was baptized at Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, June 1, 1642, and was about eighteen years of age when with his widowed mother, Anne Bingham, he crossed the Atlantic. He became a resident of Saybrook, Connecticut, about 1659 and for a time resided in New London but later settled in Norwich, Connecticut, with his mother and her second husband, Mr. Backus. Thomas Bingham became one of the original proprietors of that town in 1660 and on the 12th of December, 1666, he married Mary Rudd. In 1693 he established his home in Windham, Connecticut, where he became very prominent in the civic and church activities of the place, serving as selectman, as sergeant of the military company and as deacon in the church. He died January 16, 1729-30, at the age of eighty- eight years.

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History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III, Part 123

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