USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > History of Litchfield county, Connecticut > Part 53
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· Sce Chapter V.
t Among the names on the foregoing list were Jamies R. Baldwin and Henry C. Kont, who woru In the assault at Cold Harbor, and were never econ aftorwards. They were doubtless killed, and the remains buried during some of the following nighte by fatigue-parties, who could curry no lights without drawing the fire of the rebel batteries In close vielulty of tho battle-field. Private Baldwin was son of Mr. Ezra Baldwin, of Winated ; youthful and cheory, tonderly reared and religiously educated, beloved of his parents and comrades.
15
222
HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.
The following deaths occurred in the service :
Private Columbus C. Wright, died at Brashear City, La., May 23, 1863. Privata Samuel C. Barber, died on the Mississippi.
Private Charles Maddra, died at Great Barrington, Mass., Ang. 23, 1863. Private Cassius Watson, died at Brashear City, La., May 23, 1863.
Private Mark H. Wheeler, killed at Port Hudson, La., June 14, 1863. Private Howard S. Wheeler, died soon after renching home, of disease contracted in the service.
Private Michael Hnggarty, of Co. II, died of wounds received at Port Iludson, Ang. 12, 1863.
The following Winchester men served as officers of the First Regiment Louisiana Colored Engineers :
Willard S. Wetmore, first lieutenant and quartermaster. Edward Hewitt, first lieutenant.
The following Winchester men served in the navy :
Marens Baird, ensign and acting sniling-master, Gulf Squadron.
David W. Coe, executive officer's clerk, United States frigate "Sabine."
Solomon R. Hinsdale, assistant paymaster on the Mississippi flotilla, above Vicksburg.
Henry Overton, transferred from Second Heavy Artillery to the United States navy.
Ausel Rowley.
The following is a list of soldiers of the town who died in the service :
Robert Arnold, corporal, Co. 1, 5th Inf .; killed at Cedar Mountain Ang. 9, 1862.
Jacob T. Brown, sergeant, Co. C, 12thi Inf. ; killed at Fisher's Hill Sept. 19, 1864.
James M. Burton, private, Co. E, 2d Inf .; died in hospital at New Haven May 13, 1861.
George Bellows, Jr., private, Co. E, 7th Iuf. : mortally wounded at Hamp- ton, Va., Oct. 19, 1864.
James R. Baldwin, private, Co. E, 2d Heavy Art .; killed at Cold IFar- bor June 1, 1864.
Sammel C. Barbar, private, Co. F, 28th Inf. ; died of fever on the Missis- sippi Rivor.
Albert Burdick, private, Co. E, 7th Inf .; died at Beaufort, S. C., July 29, 1862.
John Biederman, private, Co. E, 7th Inf .; died Oct. 13, 1864.
Alfred Comins, private, Co. E, 2d Heavy Art. ; killed at Cold Harbor June 1, 1864.
Wolcott Cook, private, Co. K, 2d Ileavy Art .; died at City Point, Va., June 16, 1865.
William F. Cogswell, private, Co. E, Hth Inf .; killed at Sharpsburg, Md., Sept. 17, 1862.
Frederick W. Daniels, sergeant, Co. E, 2d Heavy Art .; killed at Cold Harbor June 1, 1864.
Robert Dempsey, lieutenant, Co. E, 7th Inf .; killed at Olustee, Fla., Feb. 20, 1865.
Lewis Downs, private, Co. E, 2d Heavy Art .; killed at Cold Harbor June 1, 1864.
George C. Downs, private, Co. C, 13th Iof .; died on the Mississippi Sept. 13, 1863.
Lewis Dayton, private, Co. D, HIth Iuf .; killed at Sharpsburg, Md., Sept. 17, 1862.
James Dolphin, private, Co. G, 14th Rhode Island Col. Art .; died at Plaquemine, La., Aug. 5, 1864.
Lucius B. Eggleston, private, Co. F, 28th Inf. ; died at Memphis, Tenn. Jared P. Evarts, private, Co. E, 2d Heavy Art .; killed at Cold Harbor June 1, 1864.
Myron Ferris, musician, Co. E, 2d Heavy Art .; killed at Cold Harbor June 1, 1864.
Elliott Fleming, private, Co. G, 16th Inf .; killed at Sharpsburg, Md., Sept. 16, 1862.
Mathew Fitzgerald, private, Co. E, 2d Heavy Art .; died a prisoner at Salisbury, N. C.
Birdsey Gibbs, private, Co. E, 2d Heavy Art .; killed at Cold Harbor June 1, 1864.
James A. Green, quartermaster-sergeant, Co. E, 2d Heavy Art .; mortally wounded at Cold Ilarbor.
Manwaring Green, private, Co. E, 2d Ileavy Art. ; killed by railroad ac- cident Oct. 17, 1864.
Charles Gilbert, private, Co. E, 7th Inf .; died of wounds in Charleston, S. C., July 9, 1862.
Benjamin F. Hosford, captain, Co. D, 2d Heavy Art .; killed at Cedar Creek Oct. 19, 1864.
Willard Hart, private, Co. E, 2d Heavy Art. ; killed at Cold Harbor June 1,1864.
George W. Hurlbut, private, Co. E, 2d Heavy Art .; died at Alexandria, Va., March 27, 1863.
William S. Hurlbut, private, Co. E, 2d Heavy Art. ; died at Fort Worth, Va., Oct. 25, 1863.
William R. Hubbard, private, Co. E, 2d Heavy Art. ; died at Fort Worth Feb. 28, 1864.
Asa Humiston, private, Co. E, 2d Heavy Art .; mortally wounded at Ope- quan, Va., Sept. 19, 1864 ; died Sept. 21, 1864.
Alonzo J. Hull, private, Co. E, 2d Heavy Art. ; killed at Cold Harbor June 1, 1864.
Lewis Hazzard, private, Co. G, 29th Col. Inf .; drowned at Plaquemine, La., Oct. 5, 1865.
Michael Haggarty, private, Co. H, 28th Inf .; mortally wounded at Port Iludson Aug. 12, 1863.
Davis llart, private, Co. A, Mass. Inf .; killed at Fredericksburg, Va.
Henry C. Kent, private, Co. E, Second Heavy Art .; killed at Cold Harbor June 1, 186-4.
Walter Martin. private, Co. E, Second Heavy Art .; killed at Cold Harbor June 1, 1864.
Charles E. Palmer, captain, Co. E, Seventh Inf .; died at Jumes' Island, S. C., July 7, 1862.
Jerome Preston, private, Co. E, Second Heavy Art .; died at Alexandria, Va., Oct. 24, 1863.
Hiram Roberts, private, Co. E, Eleventh Inf .; killed at Sharpsburg, Md., Sept. 17, 1862.
Edward E. Rowe, private, Co. E, Second Heavy Art .; died at Petersburg, Va., March, 1865.
Julius Rogers, private, Co. E, Second Heavy Art .; died at Petersburg, Va., Sept. 21, 1864.
William 11. Slack, private, Co. D, Eleventh Inf .; mortally wounded at Newbern, N. C., March 22, 1862.
Darwin S. Starks, private, Co. E, Second Heavy Art. ; died at Alexandria, Va., Aug. 23, 1863,
Joho M. Teeter, private, Co. E, Second Heavy Art .; killed at Cold Har- bor June 1, 1864.
Albert M. Tuttle, private, Co. D, Eleventh Inf .; killed at Cold Harbor June 3, 1864.
John K. Twiss, sergeant, Co. E, Eleventh Inf .; died at Richmond, Va., May 1, 1864.
Julius Thorne, private, Co. M, First Cav .; died at New IIaveo Dec. 14, 1864.
Joho B. Welch, assistant surgeon, Twelfth Inf .; died at Ship Island Feb. 13, 1862.
Howard S. Wheeler, private, Co. F, Twenty-eighth Inf .; died of scurvy at home after muster out.
Mark II. Wheeler, private, Co. F, Twenty-eighth Fof .; killed at Port Hudson, La., June 14, 1863.
Julius Woodford, private, Co. E, Second Heavy Art .; died at Alexandria, Va., Jan. 30, 1864.
William S. Watson, private, Co. K, Second Heavy Art .; died at Alexan- dria, Va., Ang. 28, 1863.
Columbus C. Wright, wagoner, Co. F, Twenty-eighth Inf .; died at Brash- ear City, La., May 23, 1863.
Cassius Watson, private, Co. F, Twenty-eighth Inf .; died at Brashear City, La., May 23, 1863. ..
From the foregoing data we gather, as the effective force of Winchester men, regularly mustered and en- gaged in the military and naval service, and honorably discharged therefrom, three hundred and fifty-two efficient men, thirty-fonr of whom re-enlisted for sec- ond terms of service early in the war, and twelve or more re-enlisted as veterans after three years of ser- vice. To these are to be added not less than seventy- five substitutes, purchased by the town authorities in the bounty-jumping shambles, who never resided in the town, and whose names it would be superfluous to
223
WINCHESTER.
give. Of this class full forty deserted,-most of them immediately after receiving their bounty; twenty were unassigned or not taken up on the rolls; and a small number were killed, or honorably discharged at the end of their terms of service, and are named among the effective men.
. SUMMARY.
Whole number of effective man. 352
Men enlisting and serving second terms.
46
Deserters, bonnty-jumpers, and "dead beats"
75
473
The pecuniary outlay of the town in bounties, ex- penses of filling quotas, and aid of soldiers' families, as appears by the accounts of the selectmen, was as follows :
1861 .- Paid volunteers and their families.
$851.63
1862 .-
expenses of filling quotas.
492.59
bounties on enlistments
6,500.00
1863,-
bounties and expenses of filling quotas ... 46
16,110.00
1864 .- 16
4
16,481.05
1865 .-
46
2
...
300.00
1867 .-
2.53
$54,977.25
The individual contributions, as far as ascertained, were as follows :
Balance of cash raised in 1861 by citizens for purchase of ma- terials for soldiers' uniforms, and for support of their fum- ilies, and not refunded by the State ...
$676.14
Cash paid by individuals for filling quota in 1864 664.42
Bounties of $10 each tu 100 men by Elliot Beardsley 1,000.00
Bounties paid by other citizens (estimated). 2,000.00
$4,340.56
A large amount of hospital stores, clothing, bed- ding, provisions, and cash were furnished by female societies, only a portion of which can be ascertained, by reason of the imperfect records made of the same. We compile from such records and memoranda as have been preserved the following items :
Making up 103 uniforme from materials paid for by tho Sinto .. $-112.00
112 shirts (cloth furnished) 84.00
200 linen havelocks.
100.00
Sent to Christian Commission 16 boxes and barrels of clothing, bedding, nud hospital stores, valued at. 688.18
Cash, proceeds of tableau exhibition ..
252.50
To Sanitary Commission, hospital articles and stores ... 176.39
To Mrs. Harris, superintendent uf hospitals, Philadelphia, hos- pital articles and stures .. 370.71
To Freedmen's and Refugeo Aid Societies.
1,550.50
To Soldiers' Aid Society 31.70
To soldiers in Connecticut regiments 06 barrels and 15 boxes vegetables, provisions, and stores.
635.00
$4,600.98
The above articles, estimated below their value, and comprising an infinite variety, were mainly furnished by one of our two female organizations. Of the num- ber and value of articles supplied by the other society we have obtained no statement, but may safely esti- mate them at $2081.21; and so estimating them, we have the following summary of town expense :
Town oxponses. $18,977.25 Cash Items by citizens of the town .... 4,340.56
Clothing, bedding, hospital stores, provisions, and cash from West Winsted Soldiers' All Society .... 4,600.98 Similar articles furnished by other societies and individuals (estimated). 2,081.21
Grand total .. $60,000.00 -
The contributions furnished by the female society above named are specified with grent partieularity
and precision, and are largely made up of the most valuable and indispensable articles of clothing and bedding, the cost of materials worked up and paid for in cash making a large part of their estimated value.
One item of hospital stores, nowhere enumerated, was the product of ninety-five bushels of blackberries, which were gathered in one day, mostly by females, on a proposition of Gail Borden, Esq., that he would convert into jam all the blackberries so gathered in one day, at the condensed milk-factory owned in part by him, the sugar and eans being paid for.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
GEORGE DUDLEY.
George Dudley was born at Bloomfield, Conn., Sept. 17, 1803 ; married, at Winsted, April 28, 1831, Electa, daughter of Samuel and Mercy (Sheldon) Camp, and died at West Winsted, Sept. 11, 1880.
Mr. Dudley began life poor. A trivial incident fixed his residence in Winsted in 1822, where, after a few years as a shoemaker, he became a tanner, in the line of bookbinders' leather. From a small begin- ning his business grew until, at the time of his death, he was the owner of four tanneries in constant and successful operation. Without early advantages, he had a native executive ability, which, with his strict integrity, unquestioned honesty, and untiring indus- try, enabled him to build up and maintain a large business and accumulate a considerable property. His residence of fifty-eight years in Winsted covered much the larger part of its history, with which Mr. Dudley was closely identified, a large part of which he was, and no man commanded more universal re- speet.
He assisted new manufacturing enterprises not only by money subscriptions, but in the unpurchasable commodities of kind, hearty interest, words, and counsel.
As member of the board of directors, and for thir- teen years president of the first bank in town, twice postmaster, member of both branches of the Legisla- ture, Presidential elector, corporator of the Savings Bank, director of the Hurlbut National Bank, and director of the Connecticut Western Railroad Com- pany, he both proved his willingness to share in the burdens of society and showed his hold on the confi- dence of those who had important interests to be cared for.
His wish not to have the particulars of his bene- factions published shall be respected here, but it is due to his memory that it should be known that ho was a frequent, open-handed, liberal giver. Being a man of large sympathies, he heartily enjoyed oppor- tunities to do public or private good with his money.
...
14,233.45
1866 .- 44
224
HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.
The same characteristics appeared in reference to his relations with his employees, many of whom were unusually long in his service, frequently becoming in- dependent in their circumstances; serving him faith- fully and well, they were standing examples of the possibility of harmonious and satisfactory relations between employers and employed.
An ardent and impulsive man, Mr. Dudley was hearty and outspoken in his dislike of measures his judgment did not approve; but his opposition was al- ways manly, never crafty or underhanded. No one could doubt his position on any current question of interest.
He was equally interested in the welfare of the church ; was a constant attendant,-nothing but ill- ness ever detaining him from the regular services of public worship, in support of which, during the later years of his life, he was always foremost.
His death left a large gap.
His name is honored, his memory cherished, at home and abroad by a wide circle of acquaintance, and it will be many years before his place in Winsted is made good.
JOHN BOYD.
John Boyd was born in Winsted, Conn., in 1799. May 17, 1831, he united in marriage with Emily Web- ster Beers, daughter of Elias and Jerusha Fitch Beers. She was born in New Hampshire, in March, 1805, and died Nov. 25, 1842. He was married a second time Dec. 10, 1843, to Mrs. Jerusha Rockwell Hinsdale, widow of Theodore Hinsdale, and daughter of Solo- mon and Sarah McEwen Rockwell. Mr. Boyd grad- uated at Yale College in 1821, studied law, and was admitted to the bar of New Haven County in 1825. He has ever been an active and influential citizen, prominent in the councils of the county and State. He was a member of the General Assembly, Lower House, in 1830 and 1835, county commissioner in 1840, '49, and '50, town clerk 1829-33, 1837-41, and from 1855-77. He was judge of probate for fifteen years, until dis- qualified by age in 1869. In 1854 he was elected State senator, and from 1859 to 1861 was Secretary of State of Connecticut. He was an active business man, and from 1827 to 1850 was a member of the manufacturing firm of J. Boyd & Son. From 1850 to 1853 he conducted the business as sole proprietor. Although engrossed in the multifarious duties of an active business and public career, Mr. Boyd has found time to indulge his taste for literary and genealogical pursuits, and a few years since compiled and pub- lished an elaborate history of Winchester, which is an invaluable contribution to the historic literature of the State, and takes front rank among the standard local works of our times .* Mr. Boyd is a man of
firmness, integrity, and marked strength of mind, and is now enjoying his otium cum dignitate within the limits of the beautiful village, which he has seen ex- pand from a small hamlet to a thriving town of trade and manufacture.
DR. JAMES WELCH.
Dr. Welch was born at Norfolk, Conn., Jan. 7, 1807, in the house now occupied by his brother, Hon. W. W. Welch, M.D. This house was built in 1800 by his father, the elder Dr. Benjamin Welch, and for more than eighty years has been the home of some Dr. Welch.
Trained up in an atmosphere of medical practice, educated by study with his father and older brothers, Hon. Asa G. Welch, M.D., of Lee, Mass., and Dr. Benjamin Welch, of Salisbury, he took the prescribed course at the Berkshire Medical Institute, at Pittsfield, Mass., and graduated there in 1830.
For a few months after receiving his diploma Dr. Welch was located, in the practice of his profession, at Sandisfield, Mass., but in 1831 removed to Win- sted, and, except an absence of about five years, while associated in practice with his brother, Hon. Asa G. Welch, M.D., at Lee, Mass., he has been an active physician in this town until the present time, with a prospect of years of usefulness still before him. It should be said that his removal to Winsted resulted from a meeting of some prominent gentlemen of that place to consult in regard to a physician. After free conversation, it was decided to ask Dr. Welch to settle in the village. The next day Lucius Clarke, Esq., went to Sandisfield, and had an interview with Dr. Welch. The consequence was the doctor came to Winsted, and has been a leading physician for fifty years, having done an extensive consulting business in the county. It is worthy of note that the doctor, his four brothers, and their father were all practicing physicians within an area of thirty-five miles, and so often met in consultation.
In the winter of 1880-81, in recognition of half a century of hard work among them, and as an expres- sion of good will to Dr. and Mrs. Welch, a few of his friends took occasion to present to the doctor an elegant Elgin watch, a gold hunting-case, with all the modern improvements, as a souvenir.
Dr. Welch was married, May 18, 1831, to Miss La- vinia M. Hubbard, of Salisbury, and the golden wed- ding anniversary was appropriately observed in 1881. Mrs. Welch has borne the burdens and perplexities of a country physician's wife with unwavering energy and cheerfulness, and her ready sympathy and tact have always been a help to her husband and his patients in difficult places.
Six children were born to them,-one promising daughter, who died in childhood, and five sons,-of whom but three survive, viz., James H., Esq., so long a druggist at Apothecaries' Hall; Dr. William C., of
* From his interesting work much of the history of Winchester con- tained in this volume was compiled, for which the author is under special obligatione.
Bonos FiTily Holm Boyd
Mil Thick
.
Jaksich
C
Doughty, Photographer, Winstod, Conn.
225
WINCHESTER.
Norfolk; and Dr. Edward H., associated with his father in practice. Another son, Dr. John B., a young man of sterling worth, was assistant surgeon of the Twelfth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, and died at Ship Island, Feb. 13, 1862, aged twenty-four years, in circumstances peculiarly trying to his friends.
Dr. Welch has long been a consistent member of the Congregational Church, and has been unusually regular in his attendance upon its public service. With his wife, he was among the original members of the Second Church when organized in 1854.
The doctor was a Whig, and then a Republican, in his political sympathies, and, though not devoting much attention to politics, has always been influential in these matters. While decided in his sentiments and straightforward in his course, he has so tempered his utterances by his kindness of heart and good sense as to win the respect and affection of many of different views.
In a word, Dr. Welch is surely deserving of the title of the " beloved physician." Of unvarying cheer- fulness, quick to discriminate in regard to character, of remarkable memory of names and incidents, of ready sympathy and special tact, slow to speak ill of any, thoroughly acquainted with so many families in this and adjoining towns through several generations, perfectly at home in his profession, and to an unusual degree keeping abreast with the times, he has given to the community a standard of attainments with which every coming physician for years must be compared.
JOIIN WELCHI BIDWELL.
John W. Bidwell, now a leading physician in the village of Winsted, was born in South Tyringham, Berkshire Co., Mass., Oct. 20, 1824. He was educated at the celebrated private school of the late Alexander Hyde at Lee, and at the Norfolk Academy. Having decided upon the medical profession as a life-work, he commenced his studies with his uncles, Drs. Asa and James Welch, then leading physicians and sur- geons at Lee. For four years he continued his studies with diligence and attention at this place, and then passed some time with Dr. Benjamin Welch, of Lake- ville, in this county, who was distinguished as a sur- gcon. He also studied for a brief period with Dr. William Welch, of Norfolk. He attended one course of lectures at Woodstock, Vt., and graduated at the Berkshire Medical College at Pittsfield.
Dr. Bidwell commenced practice in Lec, where he remained one year; and in 1849, during the mining furore, went to California as surgeon to a government train. He was in Portland, Oregon, when there were but twenty buildings on the site of that now flourishing city. He located on Feather River, Cal., and engaged in mining, which he continued with success three years, when he longed for his native New England hills, and in the spring of 1852 came to Winsted and
formed a co-partnership with Dr. James Weich for the practice of his profession. After practicing with Dr. Welch a number of years he retired from the part- nership, and has since continued the practice alone and with great success. His huge and lucrative prac- tice and the present proud position he occupies among the physicians of this section have not been attained without a struggle. He is not only prompt in the discharge of his professional duties, but is a thorough student, keeping abreast with the marvelous progress which has characterized the realm of medicine for the past twenty years.
June 2, 1863, he married Alice J. Hart, of Bark- hamsted, a granddaughter of Dr. Amos Beecher, a prominent physician in the town. They have one child, Alice Louise.
Dr. Bidwell is a Republican in politics, and repre- sented the town in the Legislature in 1855. In relig- ious matters he is a Congregationalist and a member of the Second Church of Winsted.
ELLIOT BEARDSLEY.
Deacon Elliot Beardsley was born in Monroe, Conn., Dec. 26, 1801, son of Elliot and Abigail (Pat- terson) Beardsley. He moved from South Britain to Winsted in 1840, and engaged in business, în com- pany with Theodore Hinsdale, and after the death of the latter became sole owner of one of the largest manufacturing establishments in the society, and managed it with consummate ability during his re- maining active life. Reticent and deliberate by na- ture and habit, he minded his own business entirely, yet had an eye on all that was going on around him, and participated influentially, though quietly, in public affairs. No man in the town was more looked to for advising and giving a direction to all measures for public interest, and none more respected for purity of life, religious example, and earnest patriotism. IIc was one of the first office-bearers of the Second Con- gregational Church, a director and president of the Winsted Bank, a representative of the town, and senator of the Fifteenth District, in the State Legis- lature, and held various other otlices. The war of the Rebellion opened near the close of his active life, and no citizen of the town exceeded him in energetic and persistent efforts to aid the Union cause. He died Jan. 19, 1871.
WILLIAM HI. PHELPS.
Prominent among the leading bankers of this State, and one of Winsted's most enterprising and honored citizens, was the late William II. Phelps, who was born in Colebrook, April 5, 1818. Hle married, May 28, 1840, Lucy C., daughter of Dr. Luman Wakefield. Ilis first business transactions were at Riverton, in a country store, where he remained a short time and then removed to Winsted, and went into the mercan-
226
HISTORY OF LITCHFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.
tile business with Normand Adams at East Winsted. He continued there about three years and then re- moved to Chicago, and became a member of a large mercantile firm, and was eminently successful. After a number of years he returned to Winsted, and was the first president and organizer of the Hurlbut National Bank, and remained as such until his death, Aug. 27, 1864. Mr. P'helps manifested a lively in- terest in municipal affairs, and was the first warden of the borough of Winsted. He was a Democrat, and attended the Episcopal Church. He was in all re- spects a thorough business man, active, energetic, and upright. Two children survive him,-George W. Phelps, of this village, and Elizabeth N., wife of Ed- ward L. Soule, of Boston, Mass.
Upon the death of Mr. Phelps, the directors of the bank, by vote on record,-
" Resolved, That we are fully sensible of the loss to this institution of an able financier, whose faithfulness and diligence in managing the af- fairs of the bank are fully apparent in its success, and the character it has sustained at home and abroad for its soundness and prosperity.
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