History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III, Part 96

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 96

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Mr. Barnes finds pleasurable recreation in country life and is the owner of · "Rox-Edge," an estate of one hundred and fifty acres which is famous throughout the state. His name is on the membership rolls of the Hartford Club, the Hartford Golf Club, the Farmington Country Club and the Dauntless (Essex) Club. At the time of the World war he gave his yacht, S. S. Dauntless, to the United States government. In Masonry he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is likewise a member of Massachusetts Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and the Society of Colonial Wars. In religious faith he is a Congregationalist, while his political allegiance is given to the republican party. Mr. Barnes is a member of the Investment Bankers Association of America and his high standing among his business colleagues and contemporaries is indicated in the fact that he is now president of the Hartford Stock Exchange. His home is at 1230 Asylum avenue in Hartford.

HOWELL WILLIAMS ST. JOHN

Howell Williams St. John, of Hartford, Connecticut, was a descendant of a number of the old colonial families of New England whose members have been true patriots, withholding no service or sacrifice in time of war, and proving their sterling character and worthy citizenship in the less trying times of peace, by exemplifying the highest ethical ideals in personal conduct.

The name of St. John in early days was also spelled Sension and Sention, the latter two styles being evidently a phonetic representation of a very short pronuncia- tion of St. John.

Matthias St. John (Sension or Sention), who is the first of the family found in America, arrived in Dorchester, Massachusetts, 1631-1632, and was made a freeman there on September 3 of the following year. On January 14, 1635, he received a grant of twenty acres "at the bounds betwixt Roxbury and Dorchester." Subse- quently he became possessed of other lands. In 1638 he sold his house, and two years later removed to Windsor, Connecticut. Soon after his arrival in 1640 he was granted a lot in the Palisades, containing ten roods. As late as 1890 this was occupied by Mrs. Anson Loomis. "Mathewe Sension" was a grand juror, November 19, 1643, and in December, 1644. The name of Matthias Sension appears on a list of settlers in Wethersfield between the years 1636 and 1645. He was a juryman at Hartford on March 28, 1650, and again on May 7 of that year. On June 1, 1654, "Matthias Sension of Wethersfield" was brought before a particular court at Hartford because "he had sold syder to Indians by which they was Drunke." He was also both plaintiff and defendant in a number of small civil cases. In 1654 he removed to Norwalk, Connecticut. His name appears in a list of freemen of Norwalk, dated October 11, 1669. He was chosen townsman, February 15, 1660. He died in Norwalk in October or November, 1669.

His son, Matthias St. John, was born in 1630, and died in December, 1728-29. He served as selectman of Norwalk; was fence-viewer in 1659, and we find his name in connection with various town affairs.

His son, Matthias St. John, was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, 1667-68. His name appears in connection with a number of town proceedings. On February 21, 1700-01, he or his son was appointed to beat the drum on Sabbath days. His name also appears on record in connection with a number of real estate transactions. In 1712 he received a grant of home lot No. 16 from the proprietors of Ridgefield. In 1714 he was a grand juror, and in 1717 served as sexton of the church for an annual stipend of thirty-five shillings. In 1716 he received a grant of fifteen and a half acres in Ridgefield. He married, about 1690, Rachel, born December 16, 1667, daugh-

(Photograph by The Johnstone Studio)

HOWELL W. ST. JOHN

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ter of Jonathan and Abigail (Marvin) Bouton. Matthias St. John died in Wilton, August 17, 1748.

His son, Benjamin St. John, was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, about 1700. He was fence-viewer, 1726-40; surveyor of highways, 1730-36; grand juror in 1732; tythingman, 1749. He removed to New Canaan in 1774, and he and his wife joined the church there by letter that year. He died in 1782.

His son, Matthias St. John, was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, in 1734, and died in New Canaan, March 20, 1819. He was surveyor of highways, 1773; grand juror, December 7, 1778; was corporal in Lieutenant Curtis's company, Ninth Regiment Connecticut Militia, from October 25, 1776, to January 25, 1777; ensign of the Ninth company alarm list, Ninth Regiment, in October, 1779. He served sixteen days in Captain Samuel "Handford's" company of militia, Colonel Jonathan Hart's regiment, in alarm for relief of Fort William McHenry. He married (first) June 28, 1758, Naomi, born in 1734, died August 27, 1780, daughter of Abraham and Naomi (Pond) Weed, of New Canaan. Matthias St. John and wife were admitted to the church, March 25, 1759.

His son, Colonel Enoch St. John, was born in New Canaan, Connecticut, October 14-15, 1765, and died there April 23, 1846. He was surveyor of highways, 1790-99; lister, 1793; was pensioned at forty dollars, March 4, 1831. He married in Norwalk, November 17, 1788, Sibyl Seymour, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Rockwell) Seymour.

His son, Samuel St. John, was born in New Canaan, Connecticut, August 25, 1793, and died at Hartford, Connecticut, July 21, 1866. For many years he engaged in the cotton commission business at Mobile, Alabama, and at New Orleans, Louisiana. He left the south long before the Civil war, retiring from active business life with a competence somewhere in the '30s. He resided at Newport, Rhode Island, and sub- sequently in New Canaan and Bridgeport, Connecticut. "He was the first man to write letters upon the Government being the only authority and power for creating a currency and supplying it to the people. From this criginated the 'Greenbacks', so-called, and the National Banking System. To him was issued the first insurance policy in the United States, not, however, on his own life. He furnished the $10,000 to Texas to accomplish her Independence." He married, in Baltimore in November, 1826, Sophia Jenkins Williams, born in Brooklyn, Connecticut, August 19, 1798, and died in Bridgeport, Connecticut, December 27, 1855, daughter of Howell and Dorothy (Wheat) Williams, of Brooklyn, Connecticut. Of their five children, three grew to maturity, namely: William Henry, born in October, 1829, and died January 26, 1860; Howell Williams; Caroline Grosvenor, born August 27, 1832, married James Campbell, and resided in Pasadena, California.

Their son, Howell Williams St. John, was born in Newport, Rhode Island, near the old stone mill, April 3, 1834. He was prepared for college under private tutors, was for some time a pupil of Stiles French, a noted educator, and later graduated from Sheffield Scientific School, a member of the class of 1855, under Professor William A. Norton, in the civil engineering course, with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. He then followed engineering in central Texas and Iowa. His maternal uncle, Samuel May Williams, planted the first American colony in Texas, in associa- tion with Stephen F. Austin, and the land apportioned them was termed the Austin and Williams grant. Mr. St. John located the line of the Houston & Texas Central Railroad, and after following his chosen vocation, civil engineering, in Texas for a number of years, removed to Iowa, where he was associated with Mr. T. A. Wilcox, who later became his brother-in-law, and they there engaged in locating railroads. During this period the panic of 1857 came, and their business was deferred in consequence. Mr. St. John then went to Clearwater, Minnesota, where for a number of years he engaged in the manufacturing business with his brother-in-law, James Campbell. He also served as private in the Kandiyohi Rangers, mounted troops who patrolled the frontier to guard against Indians; and was in the State service under Captain Nelson in the early '60s.

During the latter years of the Civil war, Mr. St. John returned to Connecticut and in October, 1867, entered the employ of the Aetna Life Insurance Company in the capacity of actuary under the presidency of the father of Morgan G. Bulkeley, then president and chief executive of the company. Mr. St. John was the first incumbent of that office, and performed the duties to the time of his death, on the 25th of September, 1924, and was probably the oldest actuary in the profession.

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He was ex-president of the Actuarial Society of America, in the founding of which he was one of the prime movers, and served as its second president. He was a member of the Connecticut Historical Society; the American Economic Society; and formerly of the American Statistical Society, of which he was one of the early members; the University Club of Hartford; was made a Mason in St. Mark's Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Granby, Connecticut, also took chapter degrees there; became a member of the Council, Royal and Select Masters, while a resident in Mobile; he was the only northern man given the degrees in that lodge.

Mr. St. John married Elizabeth E., daughter of Justus Wilcox, M. D., of Granby, Connecticut. They have one son, William Henry St. John, of Hartford.

ARCHIBALD ASHLEY WELCH

Archibald Ashley Welch is the president of the Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company of Hartford and in insurance circles has not only won notable success but high honors have also been conferred upon him by his associates and contemporaries in this great field of business. Few men are able to speak so authoritatively upon insurance questions, his sound opinions being the result of broad experience and the comprehensive knowledge that he has acquired through study, investigation and close application. In his entire career he has exemplified those qualities which make for an honorable as well as a successful business career and his example therefore is well worthy of emulation. Hartford claims him as a native son. He was born October 6, 1859, his parents being Henry Kirke White and Susan Leavitt (Goodwin) Welch, and his ancestral line is traced back through several generations to James Welch, who became the founder of the family in America and who served as a soldier in King Philip's war in 1676. By reason of this he was granted land at Voluntown, Connecticut, and removed from his former home in Rhode Island to settle upon his new possession, there passing away in 1726. His son, Thomas Welch, a large land- owner of Windham county, Connecticut, was the father of the Rev. Daniel Welch, who was graduated from Yale in 1749 and was ordained minister of the church at North Mansfield, June 29, 1752, there continuing his pastorate until his death April 29, 1782. He was the father of Rev. Moses Cook Welch, D. D., numbered among the Yale alumni of 1772. He taught school and studied law but at his father's wish discontinued his preparation for the bar. He aided in the struggle for American independence until ill health prevented his farther service, after which he studied for the ministry and became his father's successor at North Mansfield, being ordained June 2, 1784. For forty years he served as pastor there, his labors being ended by death April 21, 1824. He was a member of the Yale College Corporation during his last two years and in 1824 Dartmouth College conferred on him the Doctor of Divinity degree.

Dr. Archibald Welch, son of Rev. Moses Cook Welch, studied medicine at Yale and was licensed to practice in September, 1816, after which he followed his profes- sion in Mansfield and Wethersfield, Connecticut, up to 1848, also taking up practice in Hartford in 1841 and there continuing until his death in 1853. He had been in practice for twenty years when Yale University conferred on him the M. D. degree. For ten years he was in charge of the medical department of the Connecticut state prison, and the Connecticut Medical Society honored him with election to the offices of secretary, vice president and president. He was elected to the general assembly, kept thoroughly informed on the leading questions and issues of the day and was widely known as a temperance advocate. He was returning from a meeting of the American Medical Association in New York when the train on which he was traveling went into the river through an open drawbridge and he thus met his death.

Henry Kirke White Welch, son of Dr. Archibald Welch, was born in Mansfield, Connecticut, January 1, 1821, and chose the law as his life work. He was a Yale graduate of 1842 and after preparing for the bar became a law partner of Judge Nathaniel Shipman and soon won prominence in the profession. He was also a director of the old Continental Insurance Company. His high standing as a man and citizen and his marked ability and keen mentality led to his selection for many important public offices. He was chairman of the high school committee and repre- sented Hartford in the state legislature. On October 5, 1858, he married Susan Leavitt

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(Photograph by The Johnstone Studio)

ARCHIBALD A. WELCH

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Goodwin, daughter of Edward and Eliza Amy (Sheldon) Goodwin and a descendant of Ozias Goodwin, who came to America with his brother, Elder William Goodwin, and settled in Hartford. Before leaving England he married Mary Woodward and the line of descent comes down through Nathaniel, Samuel, Samuel (11), George and Edward Goodwin to Mrs. Welch. By her marriage Mrs. Welch became the mother of five children: Archibald Ashley; Edward G., who was born January 14, 1861, and died in 1894; Frances G., who was born March 7, 1864, and is the wife of Bernard T. Williams; Henry Kirke White, who was born December 4, 1865, and became an official of the J. B. Williams Company of Glastonbury, Connecticut; and Lewis S., who was born July 19, 1867, and was graduated from Yale in 1889.

The eldest son, Archibald Ashley Welch, spent his early youtn as a pupil in the North school of Hartford, was graduated from the high school in 1878 and then matriculated in Yale but at the end of the junior year left college to start out in the business world. His initial position was that of clerk in the actuary's office of the Travelers Insurance Company of Hartford, but he resigned in 1890 to become actuary of the Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company of this city. Feeling the necessity for still more thorough educational preparation, he returned to Yale in 1891 and was awarded the Bachelor of Arts degree as a member of the class of 1882, while 'Trinity conferred upon him the A. M. degree in 1922. Kesuming active connection with the Phoenix company, he was elected second vice president in 1904 and was appointed vice president in January, 1915. He was made a member of the board of directors and in February, 1924, was elected to the presidency of the Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company, to the growth, development and success of which he has continuously contributed for a period of thirty-eight years. He is also a trus- tee of the Society for Savings, a director of the Phoenix Insurance Company (Fire) and of the Phoenix State Bank and Trust Company and the Bankers Trust Company of Hartford.

On the 24th of October, 1889, Mr. Welch married Miss Ellen Bunce, a daughter of James M. and Elizabeth (Chester) Bunce, the former well known in business circles as a wholesale grocer of Hartford and as vice president of the Hartford, Providence & Fishkill Railroad Company. Mr. and Mrs. Welch have long occupied an enviable position in social circles and he is also a popular member of the Hart- ford, Hartford Golf, University and Farmington Country clubs of Hartford, the Century Club, the Graduates Club of New Haven, the University and Yale clubs of New York city and the Delta Kappa Epsilon and Delta Kappa fraternities. His religious faith is that of the Christian Science church and in his political affiliation he is a republican. In all matters of citizenship he takes a progressive stand and for fifteen years has done effective service as chairman of the high school committee. Moreover, he is a director and vice president of the American School for the Deaf at Hartford and president of the Hartford School of Music, is a trustee for the Watkinson Library and the Wadsworth Atheneum and a director of the Art Society. In these connections are evidenced his deep interest in those organizations which make for intellectual and cultural progress and it is well known that throughout his entire life his influence and aid have been given on the side of those forces which contribute to the uplift and the advancement of the individual. In his chosen field of labor honors have been bestowed upon him, as he was chosen president of the Actuarial Society of America, thus receiving public approval of his service to the profession. From early colonial days the name of Welch has figured in connection with the history of Connecticut and the record of Archibald A. Welch has conferred added dignity and honor upon the family name.

PHILIP A. GLAZIER

Philip A. Glazier is successfully following in the business footsteps of his father and exerts a strong influence in manufacturing circles of South Glastonbury but lives in Hartford, making his home at No. 120 Whitney street. He was born in Glas- tonbury in 1885 and is a son of Frank D. and Emily S. (Williams) Glazier. His father established one of the large industries of this locality and was active in the conduct of the business until January 31, 1928, when he retired. He resides in South Glastonbury and at one time was prominently identified with public affairs, serving for a term in

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the Connecticut legislature, to which he was elected on the republican ticket. Mr. Glazier has four children, three sons and a daughter.

Philip A. Glazier attended the public schools of his native town and was graduated from Yale University in 1907. For several years he worked in his father's mill, acquiring a detailed knowledge of the industry, and in 1914 went to New York as the firm's representative. The office in New York city was closed in 1927 and on returning to Glastonbury he was made assistant manager of the Glazier mill. Since February 1, 1928, he has been general manager of the plant.

In 1917 Philip A. Glazier married Miss Clara Currie, of Ottawa, Canada, and they now have two children: Patricia, who was born in 1918; and William Stuart (II), born in 1925. Mr. Glazier is identified with the Masonic order, the Hartford Golf Club and the Yale Club of New York city. His devotion to duty and business probity are well known to his associates and have met with a rich return of personal regard as well as material prosperity.

WILLIAM STEWART HYDE

William Stewart Hyde was born in Manchester, Connecticut, February 16, 1881, the son of John and Margaret (Hunniford) Hyde. He attended the public schools, graduating from the South Manchester high school in 1898. He received his B. A. from Trinity College, Hartford, in 1902 and his LL. B. from Yale Law School in 1904. In that year he was admitted to the bar and entered the law office of Judge Herbert O. Bowers, at South Manchester, with whom he was associated until the latter's death in November, 1927.

In politics he has always been a republican. He represented the town of Man- chester in the house of representatives in the sessions of 1911, 1913 and 1915, and in the latter year was house leader. In 1918 he was chosen judge of probate for the district of Manchester, which position he now continues to occupy. He is also a director of The Manchester Trust Company, The Manchester Building & Loan Association, The Manchester Memorial Hospital and a trustee of The Savings Bank of Manchester.

In 1911 he married Miss May Chaffee, daughter of Theodore D. and Emma (Hollister) Chaffee, of Manchester, and has two children, Stewart C. Hyde and Frances Hyde.

He is a member of St. Mary's Protestant Episcopal church; a thirty-second degree Mason; a member of the Odd Fellows lodge and Encampment; of Sphinx Temple of the Mystic Shrine; also The Manchester Country Club and The Hartford Club.

He is a member of the American Bar Association and of the Connecticut State Bar Association. His practice has been a general one which has brought him a wide acquaintance throughout the state.

ALBERT NEWFIELD

Tobacco growing has long been one of the substantial industries of Connecticut and in connection therewith many firms and individuals have found a profitable field. Among this number is the Hartman Tobacco Company, of which Albert Newfield is chairman of the board. Their business has been developed along substantial lines and is now one of extensive proportions, returning a gratifying annual income to the stockholders. Mr. Newfield is a native of Austria. He was born December 27, 1883, and is a son of Adolph and Nettie (Stone) Newfield, who were also natives of Austria, whence they came to the United States in 1886, settling in Danbury, Con- necticut, where the father engaged in mercantile pursuits, retaining his residence there until his death in 1909.

Albert Newfield was educated in the public schools of Danbury and after he had completed his studies began learning the watchmaking trade, continuing in that busi- ness for ten years. In 1906 he came to Hartford, where he has since made his home, and here he was connected with the jewelry business of H. P. Levy for about a year.

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BACHRACH

ALBERT NEWFIELD

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In 1908, however, he turned his attention to the tobacco trade in connection with the firm of A. & S. Hartman and in 1910 was admitted to a partnership. Since that time he has been continuously interested in the business, has made a close study of trade conditions and has contributed largely to the success of the organization, which has extensive plantation holdings and a large trade as packers.

On the 2d of June, 1910, Mr. Newfield was united in marriage to Miss Frances Hartman, daughter of Adolph Hartman, one of the founders of the firm of A. & S. Hartman. They are the parents of three children, namely: Albert, born March 25, 1911; Richard, born March 18, 1914; and Marion, born August 15, 1916.

In community affairs Mr. Newfield is deeply interested and considers it the obligation as well as the privilege of citizenship to exercise his right of franchise and support those measures which he deems essential to public welfare. In 1926 he was elected to represent Hartford in the Connecticut general assembly and was made a member of the important finance committee. He is also a director of the Hartford Chamber of Commerce and a trustee of Temple Beth Israel. It was Mr. Newfield who organized the Tumble Brook Country Club, of which he was president for four years and which now has a membership of two hundred and fifty. He may well be proud of this achievement, as it is a credit to the social activities of Hartford. Moreover, he is one of the well known business men here, his course having been marked by a steady progress that indicates his wise use of his time, his talents and his opportunities.

FRANK ERNEST GANNETT

Frank Ernest Gannett was born at Bristol, New York. He is owner of the third largest group of newspapers in the United States in which is included The Hartford Times. As a newsboy he carried one of the papers which he now owns. As a reporter he worked his way through Cornell University, of which he is now a trustee. When he completed his Cornell course in 1898 he was chosen by Jacob Gould Schurman, then president of Cornell, to accompany him as secretary to the first commission sent to the Philippine Islands, Dr. Schurman being head of that commission.

On June 1, 1900, Mr. Gannett returned to Ithaca and became editor of the Ithaca Daily News and for a time was editor of the Cornell Alumni News. Later he spent a year as editor of the Pittsburgh Index and then purchased a half interest in the Elmira Gazette, which in 1907 merged with the Elmira Star, making the present Elmira Star-Gazette. In 1912 he extended his interests to Ithaca by pur- chasing the Ithaca Journal, which later merged with the Ithaca News, making the present Ithaca Journal-News.

In 1918 with associates Mr. Gannett purchased and consolidated the Rochester Times and the Rochester Union-Advertiser, thereby establishing the Rochester Times- Union, which has been developed into one of New York state's strongest and finest newspapers and has recently moved into a new million dollar home. Mr. Gannett then established his home in Rochester.

In 1921 Mr. Gannett and his associates purchased the Utica Observer and the Utica Herald-Dispatch and combined them into the Utica Observer-Dispatch. In July, 1923, the Elmira Star-Gazette acquired the Elmira Telegram and the Elmira Advertiser, adding them as Gannett properties, each continuing its identity, however.

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History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III, Part 96

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