History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III, Part 53

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 53

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Mr. Meech has also figured prominently in the public life of the state. From early manhood he has given unfaltering support to the republican party and in 1920 he was elected to the state legislature from West Hartford and was reelected for a second term in 1922. He was house chairman of the insurance committee in 1923 and did important committee work in other connections as well. In 1924 he was elected state senator by a plurality of more than eight thousand, the largest majority ever given in the election of a state senator in Connecticut. As a member of the upper house he was made senate chairman of the insurance committe and he took a most active, helpful and progressive interest in senatorial affairs. He is now a member of the Metropolitan Charter Commission, which is the outgrowth of the agitation during his term in the senate resulting in the passage of a bill creating the commission in 1927. In local affairs he is also keenly interested and is now serving as a member of the town board of finance of West Hartford, as treasurer of the Center Fire District of West Hartford and as treasurer of the republican town committee.

On the 20th of September, 1905, Mr. Meech was married to Miss Nina M. Robinson, of Beverly, Massachusetts, and they reside at No. 54 Westland avenue in West Hartford.

Fraternally Mr. Meech is connected with Wyllys Lodge, F. & A. M., and he also belongs to the City Club of Hartford. His religious faith is that of the Congregational

(Photograph by The Johnstone Studio)

HON. HUNTINGTON P. MEECH

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church and from 1905 until 1913 he served as deacon of the South Congregational church of Hartford. He is a broad-minded man, alert to the opportunities of the day not only for business advancement but for public progress, and he has labored just as earnestly and effectively to secure the latter as the former.

FREDERIC S. GARRISON

Frederic S. Garrison, who has been assistant secretary of the Travelers Indem- nity Company since October, 1916, was born in Chatham, Morris county, New Jersey, March 19, 1879, and is a son of Frank B. and Ida E. (Pollard) Garrison, also natives of New Jersey, the Garrison family, however, being of English lineage. The father is a manufacturer with offices in New York city.

Having completed a public school education by a course in the Chatham high school, Frederic S. Garrison at the age of sixteen years started out to provide for his own support by entering the office of the United States Mutual Accident Association of New York city. After a brief experience as a filing clerk with that corporation he became identified with the United States Casualty Company, which he represented in various capacities, working his way upward to the position of assistant cashier and remaining with the company from 1895 until 1901. He was afterward with the New Amsterdam Casualty Company of New York city, advancing from minor posi- tions to that of assistant treasurer and assistant secretary. On the 1st of January, 1915, he became identified with the Travelers Indemnity Company in the home office and established and organized the burglary and plate glass insurance departments, acting as superintendent. On the 9th of October, 1916, he was made assistant secre- tary of the company, which now has the largest amount of burglary premiums of any insurance company in the world. The development of this branch of the Trav- elers is attributable in notable measure to Mr. Garrison, who has helped to make the department one of the world's best.

On the 26th of April, 1906, Mr. Garrison was married to Miss Katherine Angel- man, of Newark, New Jersey, and they have three children: Pollard, Mary and Katherine, who is the wife of M. C. Brachhausen, of West Hartford, and the mother of a daughter, Joan. Mr. Garrison and his family reside in Hartford.

Something of the nature of Mr. Garrison's recreation is indicated in the fact that he is a member of the Hartford Golf Club and of the Hartford Club. He is keenly interested in the public welfare and has filled the office of water commissioner, having been appointed to the position in May, 1924, for three years and reappointed in 1927 so that he is now serving in that capacity. In May, 1927, he was elected president of the water board for one year and reelected in 1928. Mr. Garrison has taken a keen interest in this work and has endeavored to continue Hartford's reputation of having one of the best water systems in the country.

TRACY WATROUS SMITH

Tracy Watrous Smith, superintendent of agencies, casualty department, of The Travelers Insurance Company, was born in Middletown, Connecticut, July 15, 1887, his parents being Nathan H. and Annie B. (Bailey) Smith, the latter also a native of Middletown. His father, who was born in New London, Connecticut, was a carriage builder in early life and later turned his attention to the building of automobiles. The family ancestors came from England at a very early period and representatives of the name were pioneer residents of New London and New Haven counties.

Tracy W. Smith received his early education in the schools of Middletown, grad- uating from the high school there in 1905. In that year he became connected with an automobile company with which his father was associated and for the next nine years was identified with various phases of the automobile business from manufactur- ing to sales.

In 1914 Mr. Smith entered the engineering and inspection division of The Trav- elers Insurance Company, his first assignment being New York city. Following a brief period in that division, Mr. Smith was transferred to the agency department and

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assigned to various branch offices. Later, following the World war, he was assigned to the home office where he advanced by successive stages to superintendent of agencies.

Mr. Smith was a second lieutenant of field artillery in the World war, receiving his preliminary training in an officers' training school at Fort Benjamin Harrison, In- diana. Mr. Smith served with several divisions in the United States, was graduated from the School of Fire for Field Artillery at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, assigned as an instructor at the Brigade Firing Center, Camp Doniphan, Oklahoma, and honorably discharged after the war at Fort Sill, Oklahoma December 16, 1918.

Mr. Smith is married, his wife being the former Lillian MacDonald, daughter of James Hall MacDonald and Addie Hatch MacDonald of West Hartford, Connecticut.

Mr. Smith is a member of The Hartford Club, The Highland Country Club, and The Wethersfield Country Club and the Military Order of Foreign Wars. His present address is 11 South Highland street, West Hartford.

CHARLES DECKELMAN

The strong organization which operates under the name of the Travelers Insur- ance Company results from the concerted effort of executives well qualified for their respective duties, and in this connection mention should be made of Charles Deckel- man, who is now manager of the compensation and liability claim division of this corporation. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, April 2, 1875, and is a son of Charles and Margaret (Kurz) Deckelman, both of whom were natives of Bavaria, whence they came to the United States about 1860, after which the father engaged in the meat packing business in Brooklyn.

There Charles Deckelman pursued his public school education and afterward attended New York University for the law course, completing it in 1895. He then went west, settling in St. Louis, Missouri, where he was admitted to and practiced at the bar of that state until he joined the Travelers Insurance Company in New York, in 1901, in the capacity of investigator. He was promoted to the position of adjuster at Buffalo in 1904 and in 1908 he was advanced to the office of adjuster in Philadelphia, where he continued until 1911, when he was transferred to the home office in Hartford as assistant manager of the claim division. Ten years were passed in that connection and in 1921 he was made manager of the compensation and liability claim division and so continues to the present time.

On the 1st of October, 1901, Mr. Deckelman was married to Miss Anna Marie Duls, of Brooklyn, New York, and they are now the parents of three children: C. Walton, Elsa E. and Robert C. The family residence is at 745 Farmington avenue in Hartford. Mr. Deckelman belongs to the Avon Country Club and the City Club of Hartford and his social qualities make him popular in the membership of those organizations.

ARTEMAS ELIJAH HART

There are few men who pass from life leaving a deeper or more lasting impres- sion upon the history of a community than did Artemas Elijah Hart, who for many years was classed with the leading bankers of Hartford and whose passing on the 13th of February, 1920, terminated a connection of direct association of nine genera- tions of the family with the history of Connecticut. He was born in New Britain, June 20, 1842. More than two centuries before Deacon Stephen Hart had left his home in Braintree, England, braving the dangers of an ocean voyage in that day to accompany the Rev. Thomas Hooker and his colony to the new world about 1632, and in 1635 he became one of the original proprietors of what is now the city of Hartford, securing a lot on the west side of what is now Front street, near the intersection of Morgan street. Tradition has it that he discovered and used a ford across the Con- necticut in time of low water that was known as Hart's Ford and that from this the city derived its name. While there is probability in this tradition, there is also great reason to believe that the city took its name from the family that from early colonial

(Photograph by The Johnstone Studio)

ARTEMAS E. HART

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days through all the different generations was so prominently and honorably repre- sented here. The branch of the Hart family to which A. E. Hart belonged was estab- lished at New Britain by Deacon Elijah Hart, of the fourth generation, but going back to the American progenitor who settled in Hartford in 1635, it is learned that he became one of the eighty-four proprietors of the town of Farmington in 1672, and the records of that town chronicle his membership in the church in 1652. His youngest son, Captain Thomas Hart, born in 1664, was a captain of militia in 1695, was deputy to the general court from 1690 to 1706 and was speaker during the last seven years of that period. He served as justice of the peace from 1698 to 1706 and divided with John Hooker the distinction of being the most prominent man in the town. To Cap- tain Thomas Hart and his wife, Ruth, daughter of Anthony Hawkins of Farmington, was born Deacon Thomas Hart, who was born in Farmington in April, 1680. He moved to Kensington, Connecticut, where he was recognized as a leading and valued citizen. On the 17th of December, 1702, he married Mary Thompson, who died in October, 1763, and on the 11th of January, 1764, he married Mrs. Elizabeth Morton. He attained the venerable age of ninety-three years, passing away in Kensington, January 29, 1773.

Deacon Elijah Hart, son of Deacon Thomas and Mary (Thompson) Hart, was born at Kensington, June 18, 1711, became a prosperous farmer, and both he and his wife were charter members of the First church of New Britain, of which he served as deacon for many years. He was married December 26, 1734, to Abigail Goodrich, who was born December 14, 1714. He passed away in New Britain, August 3, 1772, and his widow died in Simsbury, Connecticut, January 21, 1809, at the remarkable age of ninety-five years.

Their son, Deacon Elijah Hart (II), was born in Kensington, September 26, 1735, was one of the original members of the First Church of New Britain, formed in 1758, and served as deacon and leader of the singing. In business life he was a successful farmer. On the 11th of May, 1757, he married Sarah Gilbert and he passed away in New Britain, December 10, 1800, while his widow survived until September 22, 1809.

Their son, Deacon Elijah Hart (III), was born at New Britain, May 7, 1759, profit- ably followed farming and milling and made extensive shipments of his mill products to the West Indies. He enlisted March 18, 1778, and served for three years in the Revolutionary war, being with the army that forced Burgoyne to surrender at Sara- toga. He was married December 21, 1780, to Anna Andrews, who was born September 6, 1760, and he passed away August 4, 1827, while his wife died December 2, 1835. They were parents of Jesse Hart, who was born at New Britain, April 20, 1789, and died February 21, 1825. For many years he conducted a blacksmith shop at New Britain. On the 5th of April, 1810, he married Lucinda Cowdry, who was born Septem- ber 17, 1788, and they became parents of a son and a daughter, the latter being Lucina C., who was born December 3, 1821, and became the wife of John H. Goodwin, while she died in Paris, France, in 1885. The son was Artemas Ensign Hart, who was born at New Britain, February 11, 1812, and died at West Hartford in 1884. For many years he was employed in a jewelry store in his native town, and although his last years were spent in West Hartford, his remains were interred in New Britain. He had been a lifelong and faithful member of the Congregational church. On the 24th of August, 1836, he had married Ann Elizabeth Clark, who was born December 7, 1816, a daughter of Abel and Catherine (Eckerst) Clark, of Litch- field, Connecticut. The five children born of this marriage were: Virginia Veeder, who following the death of her first husband, Harry Pember of Rockville, married John Charles Smith, of Hartford; Charles R., deceased; Artemas Elijah; Lucinda, who died in infancy; and Ann Elizabeth, who became the wife of Charles Mackin, of Newark, New Jersey, and after his death married Alfred Huber, of Paris, where she now lives, but her husband died there in 1909.

Artemas Elijah Hart, whose name introduces this review, was born at New Britain, June 20, 1842, and following the completion of his high school course there he became a pupil in the boarding school conducted by Edward Hall at Ellington, Connecticut. He made his initial step in the business world as a clerk in the drug store of W. H. Coggswell at Rockville, Connecticut, and in 1860, when a youth of eighteen, he estab- lished his home in Hartford, where his ancestor, Deacon Stephen Hart, had located more than two hundred and twenty-five years before. After clerking in the dry goods house of H. E. Mather until 1861 he accepted a clerical position with the Society for Savings and there remained for an extended period, winning promotions from time to

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time until advancement brought him to the office of treasurer in 1890. His labors were in large degree instrumental in the growth and success of that institution and he l'anked with the ablest financiers of the state. In 1888 he became a director of the State Bank and Trust Company and he also served on the directorate of the Eagle Lock Company of Terryville, Connecticut. He early demonstrated his power as a factor in successful business management, for whatever he undertook he carried forward to completion, never stopping short of the accomplishment of his purpose. His methods, too, were such as never needed disguise but would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny.

On the 12th of October, 1865, Mr. Hart was united in marriage to Miss Katherine A. O. Litchfield, of Hartford, who was born September 29, 1845, a daughter of Thomas J. Litchfield, for many years a leading grocer of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Hart lived to celebrate their golden wedding, on which occasion not only their children but many friends gathered to do them honor. Their family numbered: Elizabeth Katherine, deceased, who was the wife of Harmon S. Graves, an attorney of New York; Alida May, who died at the age of three years; Sarah Litchfield, wife of Ogle Tayloe Paine, of Rye, New York; and Harold Gross, mentioned elsewhere in this work.

Mrs. Hart was a member of Ruth Wyllys Chapter, D. A. R., and Mr. Hart held membership with the Sons of the American Revolution. He also belonged to the Hart- ford Club and the Country Club of Farmington and the Laurentian Club of Montreal. The cause of education ever found in him a stanch friend and he served as treasurer of the Second North school district and later as a member of the committee of the West Middle school. In politics he always maintained an independent attitude. In religious faith, however, he followed in the footsteps of his forbears and for many years was an active member in the Congregational church. A man of splendid qualities and of high ideals, he left behind him countless friends when he passed from this life February 13, 1920, leaving to his family not only a substantial competence resulting from his years of active business but also that priceless heritage of a good name which is rather to be chosen than great riches.

GEORGE SYLVESTER BUTLER

George Sylvester Butler, a man of varied and important business interests who has led an active life and is now meeting with gratifying and well deserved success as the president of G. S. Butler, Incorporated, is numbered, too, with those men who in the field of political service have likewise rendered valuable aid to their respective communities. He was born in Cromwell, Connecticut, March 20, 1866, and is a son of George Henry and Lucinthia (Hutchinson) Butler, the father a farmer of Crom- well. The son is indebted to the public school system of that place for his early edu- cational training and later he attended the Middletown high school until his gradua- tion with the class of 1884. It was then that he established a fruit and nursery business in a small way on his father's farm, but close application and unremitting industry enabled him to develop his interests until his patronage was one of extensive proportions and the business had become a profitable undertaking. He started out in 1884 and in 1894 was joined by Harvey Jewell in a partnership relation under the firm style of Butler & Jewell, this connection being maintained until 1904, when they sold out to Gardner's Nurseries, under which name the business is still being carried on.

It was at that date that Mr. Butler turned his attention to real estate, handling Cromwell properties. Subsequently, however, he removed to Hartford and in 1916 bought out the old established real estate business of W. J. Pierce and incorporated it under the name of G. S. Butler, Inc., of which organization he has since been treasurer. Later they also took over the business of George L. Storrs, which was one of large proportions and added greatly to the clientage already enjoyed by G. S. Butler, Inc. Mr. Butler is today a large operator in real estate, thoroughly familiar with property values, and his study of the market enables him to wisely direct investors and to make profitable purchases and sales on his own account. His business methods have ever been such as would bear close investigation and scrutiny and the spirit of advancement has actuated him at all points in his career. In financial circles he also figures, being a director of the Cromwell Dime Savings Bank.

On the 24th of June, 1891, Mr. Butler was married to Miss Carrie Savage, a

(Photograph by The Johnstone Studio)

GEORGE S. BUTLER

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daughter of Ralph B. and Sarah (Strickland) Savage, of Cromwell. They are parents of two sons and a daughter. Sylvester Benjamin, the eldest, born July 26, 1892, was graduated from Yale College in 1913 and is now teaching history in the School of Ethical Culture in New York. He was a captain in the motor transport service of the United States army and for one year was on duty overseas. He married Eva Lutz, of Pleasantville, New Jersey, and they have one child, Sewall Talbot, who was born August 25, 1920. The second son, Ralph Savage, born April 10, 1894, and now manager of the Albany branch of the Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company of Hartford, married Winifred Russell of Cromwell, Connecticut, and they have three children: Dorothy Bennett, Robert Savage, and George Sylvester (II). Lucinthia is now the wife of Burt H. Carroll, a chemist with the bureau of standards in Wash- ington, D. C., and they have one child, Ruth. Mr. and Mrs. Butler reside in Rocky Hill and he is a member of the Rocky Hill Club and the Rocky Hill Grange. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and he was a representative in the general assembly from the town of Cromwell in the session of 1893. He took an active part in the public life of that community and he is equally interested in civic affairs and community progress at Rocky Hill, where he has served on the school board. His aid and influence are ever given on the side of reform, upbuilding and improvement and his efforts have been far-reaching, resultant and beneficial. In his business career he has achieved success along lines which have made his example one well worthy of emulation and the most envious cannot grudge him his prosperity, so worthily has it been won and so wisely used.

FRANK G. SMITH

Frank G. Smith, special agent for the Travelers Insurance Company at Hartford, has prospered in his undertakings, utilizing those qualities of industry, energy and determination which always lead to the accomplishment of a given purpose. He was born in Wethersfield, Connecticut, September 7, 1855, and is the youngest child of George and Lucy Robbins (Griswold) Smith, who were also natives of Wethersfield and representatives of old and well known Connecticut families identified with the state from pioneer times. George Smith devoted his early manhood to teaching school but afterward became a tobacco grower and also purchased and packed tobacco for a New York firm. He was prominent and influential in the community in which he lived and was recognized as a most valuable citizen, his aid ever being given on the side of progress and advancement. He filled the position of postmaster at Wethersfield from 1835 for four years-and the worth of his service being indi- cated by his reappointment in 1867 for another four years.

The schools of Wethersfield accorded Frank G. Smith his early educational opportunities and later he entered the Hartford high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1876. The succeeding year was spent in work upon his father's farm and in fact from early boyhood he was familiar with the duties that were involved in the cultivation of the fields and the care of the crops. Agricultural life, however, did not make strong appeal to him and in 1877 he came to Hartford, where he secured a position as clerk with the Austin Dunham & Sons' Company, extensive dealers in wool. Various changes occurred in the personnel of the firm, leading finally to the adoption of the name of Dwight, Skinner & Company. Through all these years Mr. Smith remained with the establishment, his connection therewith covering the period from 1877 until 1904, during which time he rose from the position of junior clerk to that of salesman. In the latter year he turned his attention to insurance by becoming a special agent and for a period of twenty-four years he has now operated along this line, having built up a large and prosperous agency with headquarters in the Travelers' office building of Hartford. He handles all kinds of insurance and is a recognized leader in this field, ranking with the most successful agents of the Travelers Insurance Company. He also handles business for other insurance companies, both local and foreign, writing accident, health, life, automobile, liability, fire, burglary and workmen's compensation insurance. He now has many clients, his business having reached extensive proportions, and that his success is well merited is acknowledged by all who know him.

On the 8th of October, 1884, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Harriet Seymour

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Cutler, a native of Hartford and a daughter of William and Mary (Eaton) Cutler. Charles McLean Smith, son of Frank G. and Harriet Seymour (Cutler) Smith, made the supreme sacrifice during the World war and his record is given on another page of this work. His sister, Lucy Marguerite, is at home. Mrs. Smith is an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and is prominent in the social circles of the city. Mr. Smith is a member of the Travelers Club and of the Wads- worth Athenaeum. He is one of the commissioners of the east side fire district of West Hartford and is vice president and a director of the Landlords' and Taxpayers' Association. He is also a member of the board of appeals of West Hartford and that his interests cover a wide scope and are of a constructive nature is further indicated in the fact that he belongs to the Wethersfield Business and Civic Club and to the Historical Society, to the Horticultural Society, to the Get-Together Club and to the Congregational Club. He is a member and senior deacon of the First Church of Christ, has served on various important committees of the church and withholds his support from no project which he deems of vital worth to the community. He has served as a member of the city council from the third ward. While maintaining an independent attitude in politics, his sympathy leans toward the democratic party. Along the line of business he has become connected with the Hartford Board of Fire Underwriters and the Connecticut Life Underwriters' Association. A man of well- rounded character, his interests and activities are broad and varied, keeping him in touch with the world's thought and progress, while at the same time he has directed his efforts in the field of business in a manner that has brought substantial returns and made him a leader among the insurance men of Hartford.

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History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III, Part 53

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