USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III > Part 61
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In June, 1910, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Johnson, of Cheshire, who died in September of that year, and in June, 1914, he married Frances C. Dickermann, of Milldale. They are well known socially, the hospitality of many of the best homes in this section being freely accorded them.
Mr. Smith has always been more or less actively identified with public affairs. While employed at Plantsville he served in the fire department and had become its foreman ere he removed to Waterbury. After returning he was for two years a member
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(Photograph by Burrill Studio)
WILLIAM E. SMITH
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of the board of fire commissioners and he served for two terms on the town school committee and then after an interval of one year was again elected to that position in 1923. The cause of public education finds in him a stalwart friend and his labors in behalf of the schools have been effective. He took an active and helpful part in the various drives during the World war and was a member of the Home Guard from its organization until it was mustered out, at which time he was holding the rank of captain. He is interested in Fraternal affairs and is widely known in Masonic circles, being a Knight Templar and a member of Sphinx Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise has membership in the Plantville Congregational church, which indicates the rules that govern his conduct and shape his relations with his fellowmen. His entire course has been one of steady progress and his success indicates what can be accomplished when there is a will to dare and to do.
ISAAC D. RUSSELL
Isaac D. Russell, prominent in manufacturing circles as the treasurer of the American Hardware Corporation of New Britain, was here born in 1866 and is a son of Henry E. and Mary Augusta (Hance) Russell, who in 1864 removed from New York city to New Britain, where the father became well known in business circles in connection with the Russell & Erwin Manufacturing Company. In the course of a few years Henry E. Russell became secretary and eventually was elected to the presidency, thus continuing an active factor in the industrial circles of the city until 1898, when he retired.
While spending his youthful days under the parental roof Isaac D. Russell attended the New Britain schools until graduated from high school. He also had the benefit of further instruction in Trinity College for two years. About 1892 he became identified with the Russell & Erwin Manufacturing Company in the capacity of clerk and thus from an humble position worked his way steadily upward, being chosen vice president and treasurer of that company. Since 1902, when it was merged with the American Hardware Corporation, the enterprise established by his family has been conducted under the name of the American Hardware Corporation and Mr. Russell still continues at the head of its financial interests in the office of treas- urer. He is also identified with the Savings Bank of New Britain and with the New Britain Trust Company.
In 1892 Mr. Russell was married to Miss Elizabeth Rockwell, who was here born and is a daughter of George P. and Eliza (Ames) Rockwell, her father having for- merly been manager of the New Britain Knitting Company. Mr. and Mrs. Russell have five children: Henry E., who is attending Yale University; Mrs. Donald R. Hart, of New Britain; Mrs. Rodman W. Chamberlain, of New Britain; Mrs. Samuel Seymour Holmes, of New York city; and Margaret Elizabeth, who is employed in New York city. Mr. and Mrs. Russell are members of St. Mark's Episcopal church and the latter is also interested in philanthropy and is well known in the social circles of the city. Mr. Russell turns to fishing for recreation. He has a wide acquaintance in the city where his entire life has been passed and where he has so directed his interests and activities as to win the respect, confidence and good will of his fellowmen.
ARTHUR F. WOODFORD
A lifelong resident of Bristol, Arthur F. Woodford has made his opportunities count for the utmost and is an important factor in the operation of one of the city's largest industries. He was born November 13, 1866, and his parents were Milton M. and Juliana (Hitchcock) Woodford. In the acquirement of an education he attended the public schools and his first commercial experience was gained in the employ of the J. H. Sessions & Sons Trunk Manufacturing Company, with which he spent a year. In 1883, at the age of seventeen, he became a member of the office force of the Sessions Foundry Company and soon demonstrated his worth to the firm. He was advanced through the various departments, mastering every phase of the indus-
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try, and since 1908 has been secretary of the corporation, with which he has been identified for a period of forty-four years, giving to it the best efforts of his life.
At Forestville, Connecticut, Mr. Woodford was married, December 4, 1889, to Miss Florence E. Wood and they have become the parents of three children: Char- lotte, Lester J. and Leland M. Mr. Woodford is a past grand of Stephen Terry Lodge, No. 59, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and a thirty-second degree Mason. In the Masonic order he was past grand master of Connecticut for the term 1911-12. He is a member of the Bristol Baptist church and a director of the Chamber of Commerce of Bristol. In politics he is a republican and takes the interest of a good citizen in public affairs, heartily cooperating in movements for the growth and bet- terment of the community. His life has been one of quiet devotion to duty and his genuine worth has won for him a secure place in the esteem of his fellowmen.
JOHN TUTTLE CHIDSEY
Endowed with the requisite ability and the equally essential qualities of diligence and perseverance, John Tuttle Chidsey, truly a self-made man, has advanced beyond the ranks of mediocrity, taking his place with the successful few, and is now at the head of one of the large productive industries of Bristol.
Mr. Chidsey was born August 16, 1866, and represents one of the oldest families in Connecticut. In a direct line he is descended from John Chedsey (as the name was originally spelled), who was born about 1621. He was one of the signers of the New Haven Colony Constitution in 1655, and became a deacon of the First church in New Haven. Caleb Chedsey, his son, was born November 20, 1661, and on May 10, 1688, married Anna Thompson. They were the parents of Abraham Chedsey, who was born March 31, 1699, and was thrice married. His last union was with Bathsheba Grannis, by whom he had a son, Abraham Chidsey (II), born September 23, 1741. He was married March 27, 1766, to Hannah Goodsell, and they became the parents of Abraham Chidsey (III). His wife was Abigail Beach, and their son, John Har- rington Beach Chidsey, was born June 8, 1800. He married Mary Bishop, by whom he had a son, Abraham Beach Chidsey. He was born November 7, 1832, and his second wife was Mary B. Tuttle, a daughter of Huthwith Tuttle.
Their son, John Tuttle Chidsey, attended the East Haven public schools, at the same time working on a farm, doing chores and assisting in the milk delivery. While thus employed he undertook to attend school half a day but had to give up school in his fifteenth year. In the winter of 1884-85 he studied stenography, and on May 9, 1885, took a position as stenographer and bookkeeper with Sessions Foundry Company of Bristol, working under the late William E. Sessions for twenty- two years, being gradually promoted, finally to office manager and purchasing agent.
The Root Company was started about 1866 by Joel H. Root, a well-known resi- dent of Bristol, in a small wooden building on that portion of land in the central part of the town known as Root's Island. Various types of small hinges were manu- factured here by means of the small water power available by the diversion of water through a canal from the Pequabuck river. The business was continued on a modest scale by Mr. Root until about 1885, and after that by his son, Charles J. Root, until his death in 1907. In the settlement of the estate of Charles J. Root, the adminis- trator called in John T. Chidsey, then an expert accountant with the Sessions Foundry Company, to assist in making the factory inventory. In was from Mr. Chidsey's acquaintance with the industry during the following weeks of checking the inven- tory that the idea of purchasing the business occurred to him. 1907 was the year of the serious financial panic, and it was difficult to raise money for any new project, but through the assistance of friends and the Bristol banks Mr. Chidsey secured the funds necessary to finance the formation of a new corporation known as the C. J. Root Company, of which he became secretary, treasurer and general manager. Carlyle F. Barnes was elected president and held that office until 1915.
Under the wise and efficient management of the new owners, the business grew and prospered. The old wooden structure of two stories, was about sixty-five by thirty-five feet in dimensions, providing approximately four thousand, five hundred and fifty square feet of floor space, and in 1910 this was supplanted by a modern three-story fireproof building of brick construction, affording about twelve thousand
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BACHRACH
John IChiorey
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square feet. A second building adjoining the first was completed in 1913, giving a total floor space of twenty-five thousand square feet. In 1919 a third section was built, increasing the floor space by about nine thousand square feet. In 1925 a fourth building, four stories in height, was erected, making a grand total of sixty-four thousand square feet of floor space, an increase since 1907 of about fourteen hundred per cent in the amount of space employed.
The number of employes has grown from the original twenty-six to about two hundred, an increase of approximately seven hundred and seventy per cent. The name was changed to The Root Company and, in May, 1928, this company merged with the Veeder Manufacturing Company of Hartford, Connecticut, thus becoming the leading manufacturer of high grade automatic counting equipment in the country. The combined companies cover a wide range of manufactured product-small hinges, for special purposes, continuous hinges for pianos, automobiles, boats, etc. The firm has also developed one of the best job-plating establishments in New England, doing work for concerns all the way from Brooklyn, New York, to New Hampshire. Experts have called this plating room one of the finest in the country, and visitors going through it are amazed at its cleanliness and special equipment for the various processes. The Root Company has been among the pioneers in developing the difficult art of chromium plating. The development of this industry from its humble beginning sixty years ago to its status among the large and important industries of a manu- facturing community is a characteristic and noteworthy accomplishment of the spirit of adventure in the business world.
Since 1907 Mr. Chidsey has been treasurer and general manager of the business, and in 1915 became president as well. He is now the president, treasurer and general manager of the combined Veeder-Root, Incorporated. He is also a director of the Bristol National Bank, the American Trust Company, the Bristol Realty Company, and the Bristol Building and Loan Association, all of which are profiting by his wisdom and experience. He is a former president of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce.
At Ansonia, Connecticut, October 22, 1891, Mr. Chidsey was united in marriage Miss Ida J. Cook, a daughter of Henry C. Cook, founder of the H. C. Cook Company. Mrs. Chidsey has been a true partner in the home, and their thirty-seven years of married life have been singularly happy.
During the World war, Mr. Chidsey furthered the sale of Liberty bonds, and was chairman of the local war savings committee. In politics he is a republican and served for twelve years as city auditor. In religious faith he is a Congregationalist and takes a prominent part in the activities of the First Congregational church of Bristol. He is a member of the Lions Club of Bristol, the Chippanee, Pequabuck and Farmington Country Clubs, the Hartford Club, Old Colony Club, the National Travel Club, Lake Placid Club, Central Congregational Club of Connecticut, and the Account- ants Club of New York. Along fraternal lines he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the National Association of Cotton Manu- facturers, the National Association of Credit Men, the National Association of Cost Accountants, the Manufacturers Association of Connecticut, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, the Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, and the Bristol Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Chidsey is a broad-minded man whose activities and interests are well balanced, and the rules which govern his life are such as never fail to inspire confidence and command respect and esteem.
EDWIN B. LASHER
Edwin B. Lasher, with business headquarters in the new Strand building at New Britain, is becoming widely known as a contractor in concrete work, operating throughout Hartford county and to some extent in New Haven. Based upon the substantial qualities of efficiency and reliability, his business has steadily increased until his position in his line is one of leadership. A native of Kingston, New York, Mr. Lasher was born in 1888 and is of Holland lineage, his ancestors coming from the land of the dykes in the early part of the seventeenth century, making settle-
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ment in New York city, while through many successive generations representatives of the family have lived in the Empire state, so that Edwin B. Lasher has every right to be termed a Yankee. His maternal grandfather, Christopher Krantz, was killed while serving the Union cause in the Civil war. His parents are J. C. and Tina B. (Krantz) Lasher, of Kingston, New York, where the father is engaged in busi- ness as an orchardist.
After attending the public schools of his native city Edwin B. Lasher pursued a course of study in the Spencer Business College at Kingston and in 1907 he entered the employ of New York city in the engineering department, thus serving for about two years. On the expiration of that period he came to New Britain, where he has since remained, and in association with L. C. Baker he organized and incorporated a company under the style of Baker & Lasher, concrete contractors. Mr. Baker has since retired from the firm to engage in the real estate business in Florida. Mr. Lasher's contract work covers the period between March 15 and December 15, when weather conditions prevent further activity in that field for about three months. As a concrete contractor he has become widely known, doing much heavy work of this character throughout Hartford county, while various contracts have also been accorded him in New Haven county. He has built up his business upon a thorough foundation of trustworthiness, progressiveness and reliability and each year has chronicled a steady growth in his patronage until he now ranks as the most promi- nent contractor in this field of business in Hartford county. As the years have passed he has also acquired real estate holdings in New Britain and in Florida.
In 1912, in Wallingford, Connecticut, Mr. Lasher was married to Miss Laura M. Burt, who was there born, and they have become parents of two children, Edwin B., Jr., and Barbara H., who are fourteen and twelve years of age respectively and are high school students. Mrs. Lasher is widely and popularly known in connection with the social activities of New Britain, where she has many friends. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lasher hold membership in the Congregational church and fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to the lodge, chapter and council. He is also a member of the Improved Order of Red Men and the Patriotic Order Sons of America. . During the World war he was with the government in the shipyards at Portland, Connecticut, acting as paymaster there. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and he is an earnest worker in its ranks, believing firmly in its principles as factors in government control. He has served as commissioner on the board of compensa- tion of assessments of New Britain for some time and he neglects no opportunity to advance public progress or to further any interest which will promote the material, intellectual and civic welfare of his community. He and his family occupy a most beautiful home in New Britain, which is the visible evidence of his well directed energy and progressive business spirit.
CHARLES CHAUNCEY BISSELL
The life labors of Charles Chauncey Bissell have ended, but for a number of years he was classed with the prominent business men of Suffield, where he was born August 18, 1867. He represented one of the old American families, being a direct descendant of John Bissell, Sr., a native of England, who was born in 1591. His son, John Bissell, Jr., was born in England and became the pioneer of the family in the new world, he passing away in Hartford county, Connecticut, in 1693. He was the father of Jeremiah Bissell, who was born February 22, 1677, and married Mehit- abel White. Their son, Samuel Bissell, was married August 1, 1746, to Mary Kibbe, of Enfield, Connecticut, and died September 18, 1759. He was the father of Isaac Bissell, who was born in Windsor, January 25, 1749, and was the first of the family to settle in Suffield. On the 4th of July, 1776, he married Amelia Leavitt, who was born in 1757 and died November 15, 1809, while he passed away July 28, 1822. Their son, Asaph L. Bissell, of the sixth generation of the family, was born in Suf- field, January 1, 1791, became a successful physician, married Lucy Norton and died August 2, 1850. Among their children was Charles S. Bissell, who was born in Suffield, April 5, 1821, and was the father of Charles Chauncey Bissell.
The last named is therefore of the eighth generation of the family whose ances- tral line is traced back to John Bissell of England. He was reared and educated in
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Suffield and was thoroughly trained to business life, for while his father was a man of means, he believed that his sons should be qualified to earn their own living. On leaving home Charles C. Bissell came to Hartford and obtained a position with the Travelers Insurance Company, being associated with that corporation until 1891. He then entered financial circles as assistant cashier in the Suffield National Bank and continued in that capacity until 1898, capably and efficiently discharging his duties.
About nine years before, or in 1889, Charles C. Bissell was united in marriage to Miss Clara J. Spencer, of Suffield, whose parents, I. Luther and Julia (Pease) Spen- cer, were well known residents of that town. Mrs. Bissell was of English descent, her ancestry being traced down from Hezekiah Spencer, of Suffield, who immedi- ately responded to the Lexington Alarm and fought in the Revolutionary war. Spen- cer Hall, the ancestral home of the family, still stands in England. To Charles
Chauncey and Clara Julia (Spencer) Bissell were born a daughter, Helen, and a son, Charles Spencer, whose sketch is given below. Charles Chauncey Bissell purchased what was known as the Cline place in Suffield and there developed one of the beauti- ful and attractive homes of that locality. He was an admirer of good horses and always kept some fine animals in his stables. After purchasing his land he con- ducted an extensive leaf tobacco business in Suffield as a member of the firm of L. P. Bissell, Brother & Company and was widely known as a representative tobacco dealer in his part of the state. He displayed sound judgment in what he undertook and his enterprise and diligence brought very gratifying returns. At the same time he enjoyed an unassailable reputation for integrity and reliability and thus he gained that good name which is rather to be chosen than great riches. He held member- ship in the Baptist church, to which his wife also belonged, and she likewise held membership in Sybil Dwight Kent Chapter, D. A. R., of Suffield, of which she was vice regent. Mr. Bissell was well known in fraternal circles through his membership with the various branches of Masonry, including the Knight Templar commandery and the Mystic Shrine, both of Hartford. He also belonged to the Knights of Pythias lodge. His political endorsement was given to the republican party and he kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day, although he never sought or desired political preferment. He had many admirable qualities which gained for him the trust and friendship of all who knew him and thus the community lost a valued and substantial citizen when he passed away.
CHARLES SPENCER BISSELL
Charles Spencer Bissell, assistant auditor of the Travelers Insurance Company of Hartford, maintains his home in the capital city during the winter seasons, while the remainder of the year is passed in Suffield. It was in that town that he was born October 18, 1893, his parents being Charles Chauncey and Clara Julia (Spencer) Bis- sell, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work. The father was of French Huguenot and the mother of English descent.
Charles S. Bissell attended the Suffield school, in which he completed a course in 1912, and then matriculated in the Yale Sheffield Scientific School, winning his Bach- elor of Philosophy degree at his graduation with the class of 1915. He has always retained his residence in Suffield but since 1917 has spent the winter seasons in Hart- ford. He entered the employ of the Travelers Insurance Company November 1, 1915, and received his initial training as cashier in various branch offices. In 1918 he was appointed traveling auditor and has since been elected assistant auditor of the com- pany, in which capacity he is now serving, his record being a most commendable one. He is likewise a director of the First National Bank of Suffield.
On the 10th of May, 1919, at Suffield, Mr. Bissell was married to Miss Dorothy Adeline Fuller, who was born in Suffield, December 12, 1898, and is a daughter of the late Charles S. Fuller. Both she and her husband can trace their ancestry back to Gideon Granger, who was one of the first to hold the office of postmaster general in America. They have four children: Emily Adeline, Helen Fuller, Charles Spen- cer and Sumner Fuller.
Mrs. Bissell is a member of the Junior League of Hartford. Both hold member- ship in the Second Baptist church of Suffield and in all civic projects they are deeply and helpfully interested. Mr. Bissell is one of the directors and officials of the Com-
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munity Chest, Inc., of Hartford, and is a trustee of the Suffield School. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and he always keeps in touch with the vital questions and problems of the day. He has membership in the Chi Phi frater- nity and in York Hall at Yale, while in Masonry he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and is a Noble of Sphinx Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs also to the Sons of the American Revolution, the Hartford Golf Club, the University Club, the Twentieth Century Club, the Suffield Country Club and the Hartford Gun Club, and in these affiliations is disclosed the nature of his interests, his activity and his recreation outside the strict field of business.
CHARLES KELLEY, M. D.
For forty-four years Plantsville numbered Dr. Charles Kelley as one of its esteemed citizens and valued medical practitioners. His sterling worth was recog- nized by all and he long enjoyed an extensive practice that grew year by year as his powers developed through study and experience. He always kept in touch with the trend of modern professional thought, research and investigation and ever readily adopted improved methods, while at the same time he never hastily discarded the old and time-tried practices of his calling.
Dr. Kelley was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, November 11, 1859. Both of his parents passed away at the age of sixty-three years, the father in 1893 and the mother in 1894. The Doctor early determined upon the practice of medicine as his life work. He acquired his public school education in his native city and when a youth of nineteen began reading medicine in the office and under the direc- tion of his uncle, Dr. C. H. Yelvington, of Susquehanna, Pennsylvania. Later he entered the Eclectic Medical College, situated at No. 1 Livingston place in New York city, and was there graduated with the class of 1883. In August of the same year he opened an office at Moores Mill, New York, where he remained only until May, 1884, when he came to Plantsville. Here he continued to the date of his death, or for a period of forty-four years, and throughout the entire time he enjoyed a substantial practice that steadily grew in volume and importance as the years went by, being at all times thoroughly conscientious and earnest in the performance of his duties. Study and investigation kept him in touch with modern-day methods and progress and his pronounced ability was manifest in his successful handling of many difficult problems.“
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