History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 48

Author: Whittemore, Henry, b. 1833; Beers, J.B. & Company, publishers
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 818

USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men > Part 48

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Mr. Russell's life in China is thus briefly described by one who knew him intimately and enjoyed his lifelong friendship:

" While he lived no friend of his would venture to mention his name in print. While in China, he lived for about twenty-five years almost an hermit, hardly known outside of his factory except by the chosen few who'enjoyed his intimacy, and by his good friend, Hoqua, but study- ing commerce in its broadest sense, as well as its minutest details. Re- turning home with well earned wealth he lived hospitably in the midst of his family, and a small circle of inmates. Scorning words and pre- tensions from the very bottom of his heart, he was the truest and staunchest of friends; hating notoriety, he could always be absolutely counted upon for every good work which did not involve publicity."

The house of which he was a member had a world- wide reputation, and the name of Samuel Russell was potent wherever commerce reached. It is said of him, personally, that his word was as good as his bond.

In 1837, he returned to Middletown, where he had his father some years, but died at the early age of 31. made previous arrangements for the erection of the ele- gant mansion on the corner of Washington and High streets. This was done under the supervision of Hon. Samuel D. Hubbard. He did not sit down, on his return, simply to enjoy his wealth, but entered heartily into pub- lic and private enterprises. He founded the Russell Manufacturing Company, and was its first president. He was president of the Middlesex County Bank nearly ten years, and was a large stockholder. During the panic of 1857, he advanced $75,000 of his private fortune to sus- tain the bank through the crisis. He was constantly as. sisting private individuals who were in financial trouble, and while he frequently lost large sums in this manner, it never occasioned him any regret. His motto was " Duties are ours; events are God's."

He was a man of broad and liberal views, and gave freely to the support of all' religious denominations. He gave liberally toward the building of the Roman Catholic church, and induced the quarry companies of Portland to contribute the stone. He assisted nearly all the other churches by large contributions. He made judicious in- vestments of his money, which yielded large returns, but it is said of him that he gave away, and lost by assisting others, a sum fully equal to all he made in China.

Mr. Russell was twice married; first, on the 6th of Oc- tober 1815, to Mary Cotton Osborne, in New York city, daughter of David and Mary Cotton Osborne, of Strat- ford, Connecticut, an orphan (both parents having died in the West Indies), by whom he had two sons: George Osborne, and John Augustus Russell. During Mr. Russell's first absence, in China, his young wife died suddenly at the early age of twenty-three, leaving his two little children in charge of his sister, Frances. After having completed the five years' engagement with the Providence house, Mr. Russell returned from Canton for a brief stay, during which time he married Frances A., the sister of his first wife, and again returned to the East. George and John, his sons, did not inherit strong consti- tutions, and although sent to Europe for travel and treat- ment, and living much in the West Indies, neither of them attained far beyond the age of early manhood. George Osborne, the eldest, married Amelia C., daughter of Thomas Mather, and left two sons: Samuel and George Osborne. John A. married Helena E. Webster, of Cuba, and left one son, Frank W., who died while a youth.

Mr. Russell had one son by his second wife, Samuel Wadsworth Russell, who married Clara A. Casey, daugh- ter of Dr. William Casey, of Middletown, by whom he had three children: William Wadsworth, Mary Alice, and Cornelia Augusta. This third son of Mr. Russell was much younger than his half brothers, and survived

SAMUEL RUSSELL, son of George Osborne, and grand- son of Samuel Russell, the East India merchant, lost his father when but three years of age, and was brought up by his grandfather. He represents the family in Mid- dletown, and is in possession of the fine old residence, built by his grandfather, and maintains with pride the characteristics of the old mansion.

He married for his first wife, Lucy McDonough, second daughter of Hon. Henry G. Hubbard, and granddaugh- ter of Commodore McDonough, by whom he has three children: Samuel, Thomas McDonough, and Lucy Hub- bard. He married, for his second wife, Sarah Chaplin Clark, daughter of John Clark jr., and Caroline Madison Pickering, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, by whom he had one daughter, Helen Pickering. Mr. Russell has been, for some years, the vice-president and a director of the Russell Manufacturing Company, and also holds several directorships elsewhere.

EDWARD AUGUSTUS RUSSELL was born in Middle- town, Connecticut, on the 16th day of June 1797. He was the second son of John Russell and Abigal Warner, his wife, and was born in the old family homestead, which had been owned and occupied by four generations before him, among whom were the Rev. Noadiah Russell, and the Rev. William Russell, who were consecutively together pastors of the North Congregational Church in this city for seventy-three years-or from 1688 to 1761.

In his business he was very methodical and painstak- ing; in his private life was frugal and economical, avoid- ing all display or ostentation, but very hospitable. His friends always found a hearty welcome under his roof. At an early age he was apprenticed to Mr. Samuel Mr. W. continued in business in Middletown. Mr. Rus- In his private charities no one but himself and the re- ( Wetmore, merchant, with whom he remained as long as cipients ever knew the extent of his gifts.

Reef first on the oth with

Tempo DEyearling in Mary Lottor O aree, in New York city. ofer of Mimvid and Mary Coton Osborne, of Sto card apersone ser goed : . r. the ; ford, Connelleet, an orphan (both parents having of matin of five yours, in the West Indies), by whom he Had two Sons: George Oshoiny, kod john Angosta. Russell, During Mr. Amente Rusel & Co, at Cation Russell's first absence, in Chmay, his young, wife died! suddenly at the early age of twenty-three, leaving his two little children in charge of his sister, Frances. After m pro pongas omnis sel men a. Phillip Ami ning completed the live years' engagement with the Im MES IMF Er Trū. Wilp Henry Low, John C . Provnimore house, Mr. Russell ret. rned from Canton for pro Jahr "upp Poste Joseph Coolidge, A. A.

brief's , during which time he miriled Frances A., Hunter, Edward King, Robert 1 For the mer of his first wife, and again returned to the East

Forge W ned Defend jr., and Russell Starkes Hier ed Jorn, his sons, did not inh Mit strong collett. Mr Kula.l'a life in Chine is thus brief, descre & osjustin and although sent to europe for travel and trees. m. who knew him mimaris and cheved my prelung, wenn, and living much in the West Indies, neither of them attained for beyond the age of early manhond. George Osborne, the elles, o sred Amelia C., daughter Jo prix. While in China, Verylow cost ety rende of Thomas Maker, and fi evo bons: Samuel and George Osborne john & marito Helena E. Webster Cuba, and left one en, Erik W., who died while a · I had one sin by his second wife Sammel Past, vi married Clare A. Casey, daugh- -x, D' Middlerown, by whom he WiMan: Wad worth, Mary Alice This thed son of Mr. Russell car bis had brothers, and survived father 01. bud'died at the early age of 31.

Som MEL. con of Geor Osborne, and grand. an of Sa opel Russ Hl the Bad India merchant, cost Li: 1 lit three years of ageand was brought to y Mir mandfather. I. represent. the Tumily in Mic- Helen, and is in paraty ton of the line old residence,

and infant with pride the

TI Married Omsafety Me Donough, second The Bus Rawhard, and gianduau- "Hammer of Don agh by whom he has that. - How Und M- Donough, and Licy Tam Il married for his second wife, Strah Comp'm There! ] In Clark jr., and Caroline Medison -

of Cambridge, Massachusetts by whom he . . no daughter, Helen Pickering Mr. Russell h:

some years he mich president and a director Russell Manufacturing Company, and also holt fre Conen Cache Sever i directorships elsewhere.

Acht'! the other 1

EDWARD AU. "STUS RUSSELL WAS born in Middle- town, Connecticut, on the roth day of Jons 1707. He was the second son of John Flissell and Abigal Warner, comme L'un his wife and was born in the old family homestead, which had been owned and occurdiej by fourgenerating: more him, among wi cm were the Rev. Noadich Russell. od the Rev. Wilnam Bastell. who were consecutively nether pastore of the North Congregational Church (.Sety @@ seventy-three veor - treat 1688 (> 1701 At an cally ag. he was our diced to Ar Samuel laure, merchant

SALAT M. RIS

This was do

mand mate entdelvis founded

og the crisis.

Samuel Russel

171

MIDDLETOWN-BIOGRAPHIES.

sell then went to Providence, R. I., as clerk to Edward Carrington & Co., in the East India trade.

On the 12th of September 1820, he married Miss Elizabeth Brown Hall, daughter of William Clark Hall, a native of Boston, but more recently of Middletown, and moved to Petersburg, Va., where he was engaged in business for about two years, when he returned North to enter the office of Mr. George Douglas in New York. He had not been there long, however, when offers of strong inducement caused him to sever his connections with Mr. Douglas and to seek a home from which he then supposed he might not return for many years. In the spring of 1825, he sailed from New York for China, to take part in the house of Russell & Co., in Canton, which had been formed the year before by his elder brother, Samuel, in partnership with Mr. Philip Amidon, of New York. He was, however, within two years from the time of his arrival there, stricken down with that dread scourge of the East-liver complaint-and after a long and protracted illness was obliged to return to his native country.

Again entering the office, in New York, of Mr. Doug- las-this time as partner-he continued for some years, and until this connection was severed by his being called to the presidency of the Royal Insurance Company in that city, which position he held until he retired from active business, and returned to Middletown in 1838.

During the remainder of his life, he was interested in the affairs of his native town, and held many trusts out- side as well as at home. He was mayor of the city from May 1857 to January 1861, was representative to the Legislature, delegate to National Convention, president of the Charles River Railroad, as well as director in other roads, and was also interested in the development of the manufacture of silk in the State of Massachusetts.

By his marriage he had seven children, three of whom, with one grandson, now occupy the old homestead.

He died in Middletown, April 4th 1874, on the sanie spot where he was born, and which has now been owned and occupied by seven generations of the same family.

ABRAM M. SHEW, M. D.

When it is considered that one out of every 300 inhab- itants of this country is hopelessly insane, it becomes a matter of the deepest importance to every citizen to know what means are provided for the care of these poor unfortunates, and to learn something of the character of the individual who is intrusted with their care and pro- tection. Most of the people of Middlesex county are somewhat familiar with the condition and general man- agement of the State Hospital for the Insane (located at Middletown), either from personal observation or from published reports; but of that great motive power and creative genius that moves, guides, controls, and regu- lates that ponderous piece of human machinery, made up of hundreds of helpless human beings, they know but little.

iron will of a Napoleon, combined with the gentleness, the thoroughly sympathetic nature, and tenderness of feeling peculiar to the weaker sex.

To what extent the present incumbent fulfills these re- quirements must be determined by his eighteen years' experience as manager of that institution.

Abram M. Shew, M. D., the subject referred to, was born in Le Ray, Jefferson county, New York, on the 18th of September 1841. He was the youngest child of God- frey J. Shew and Betsey, daughter of Abram Beecher, of Kent, Connecticut.

At the age of II, he removed with his parents to Watertown, New York, where he received his academic education at the Jefferson County Institute. He had in- tended to enter Union College, Schenectady, but the breaking out of the war, in 1861, aroused in him the spirit of patriotism, and caused him to forego his cher- ished plans. He had already spent one year in prepar- atory studies; he therefore decided to enter at once upon collegiate preparation for medical duty. He entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, where he was enrolled among the pupils of Professor W. H. Pancoast. He received great encouragement and aid from the late Professor Dauglison.

In 1862, Dr. Bates, who was then Inspector of Prisons, offered to Dr. Shew the office of assistant physician of the New York Asylum for Insane Convicts, at Auburn. On the expiration of his services at Auburn, he returned to Philadelphia, prosecuted his studies with diligence, and graduated with honor.

Immediately after the receipt of his diploma, Dr. Shew presented himself before the army examining board, and was appointed assistant surgeon of the United States Volunteers. Three days later he was ordered to report to the medical director of the Department of the South, and was by him assigned to duty as post surgeon and health officer at Hilton Head, South Carolina. Six months after this he was ordered to Beaufort to assume the charge of the post hospital. This position he held till the close of the war.

On his return to Philadelphia he was appointed one of the resident physicians of the Philadelphia (Blockley) Hos- pital. While there his early interest in mental disorders was re-awakened, and led to the decision to make mental pathology the specialty of his professional life. In the spring of 1866, he received the appointment of assistant to Dr. Buttolph, superintendent of the New Jersey State Lunatic Asylum at Trenton. In that relation he gave special attention to plans of hospital buildings and methods of construction, and the best modes of providing for the wants of different classes of patients. The re- sults of his studies were then embodied in plans for an ideal hospital, which attracted the notice of specialists, and were finally adopted by the board of trustees of the Connecticut Hospital for the Insane.

In September 1866, Dr. Shew was appointed to super- intend the construction and organization of this institu-

To manage successfully such an institution requires tion, and entered upon the performance of his functions the genius, the sagacity, the wisdom, the tact, and the [ on the 15th of the following month.

I72

HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.

On the 27th of January 1869, Dr. Shew married Eliza- beth Collins Palmer, eldest daughter of Hon. Lewis Palmer, of Watertown, N. Y. Her death occurred on the 19th of January 1874. On the 12th of June 1878, he married Clara, only daughter of S. L. Bradley, of Auburn, N. Y. She died on the 22d of September 1879.

Two children were the issue of his first marriage, viz: Lewis Palmer, born February 26th 1870; Alma Eliza- beth, born December 27th 1873.

WILLIAM WILCOX.

William Wilcox comes from the old hardy stock of pioneers who were the original proprietors of the planta- tion at Hammonassett, subsequently called Kenilworth and finally Killingworth. In October 1663, the General Court of Connecticut resolved that there should be a plantation at Hammonassett. Joseph Wilcox the pro- genitor of William Wilcox, was one of the 27 proprietors who established their claim under this act. The first marriage and birth recorded in the town are as follows:

" John Meigs and Sarah Wilcox were married the 7th day of March 1665."

" Hannah, the daughter of Joseph Wilcox, was born the 19th day of January 1665."

There is no family name more thoroughly identified with the history of Killingworth than that of Wilcox. From 1790 to 1805, Joseph Wilcox, Joseph Wilcox 2d, and Nathan Wilcox represented their town in the State Legis lature.

Thomas C. Wilcox, the father of William, was born in Killingworth and followed the occupation of his ances- tors, viz., farming. About 1815, he married Eunice, daughter of Jonathan Smith,of Haddam, by whom he had ten children: Philander S., Thomas C., William, Jonathan E., Carlos, Samuel B., Charles W., Saphronia, Eunice J., and Rebbeca M .; all except the first son and daughter are now living.

William, the subject of this sketch, was born in Kil- lingworth, October 10th 1819. His childhood was spent like that of most boys of the period, working on the farm during the summer and attending the district school in the winter. At the age of 18 he left home and came to Middletown and entered the gun manufactory of Smith & Cooley, successors of the Johnsons, where he remained for three or four years. Under the then existing laws, the father was entitled to the services of his children until they became of age, and William paid his father $130 out of his hard earnings for the three years time. In January 1842, he commenced the manufacture of locks in company with William H. Lewis, and continued for about two years. In 1845, he removed to Zoar, the present location, and formed a copartnership with Lot D. Vansands for the manufacture of locks, principally plate or stock locks for the Southern trade. He subsequently commenced the manufacture of padlocks. For forty years he has continued in the same place. His uniform success in business indicates good judgment, honesty, and fair dealing, and those who know

him best speak in the highest terms of his social qual- ities as well as of his business qualifications. Mr. Wil- cox in his manner is modest and retiring, avoiding all means that would tend to draw him into public life. He has been for a number of years a member of St. John's Lodge, F. & A. M., and was at one time junior warden; but declined further advancement to which he was justly entitled.

On the 27th of August 1847, he married Sarah G., daughter of Horace Edwards, of Middletown. She died on the 4th of June 1883, leaving no children. Mr. Wilcox occupies a large and beautiful residence on South Main street, where he has surrounded himself with all that can conduce to his comfort and happiness.

The grandmother of Mr. Wilcox, who was a Ventres from Haddam, lived to the extraordinary age of 106 years, lacking a few days.

NORMAN C. STILES.

The centennial celebration of the incorporation of the city of Middletown, held on the 13th of July 1884, at which time the leading industries and manufactures were represented in the procession, awakened a desire on the part of the citizens of Middletown not only to learn the history of the rise and growth of these great industries, that have contributed so much to the wealth and pros- perity of the city, but to know something of the individ- uals connected with them.

Among the most prominent of those represented in the procession was the Stiles & Parker Press Company; and several of the other manufactories represented on that occasion, as well as some of the largest manufacto- ries in the country, are dependent to a great extent on the goods made by this company, the founder of which was Norman C. Stiles, who commenced life as a poor boy, and, by his own efforts, pushed his way from the lowest to the top round of the ladder, and succeeded in establishing one of the most important industries in the country.

Mr. Stiles was born at Feeding Hills, a village of Agawam, Mass., on the 18th of June 1834. His father was an industrious farmer, a raiser of tobacco, and also engaged in the manufacture and sale of whip lashes, an important article of manufacture at that period. When Norman was but five years of age, his father lost his property, and the son was thus deprived of the educa- tional facilities and other opportunities enjoyed by most boys of his age. The inventive genius and mechanical taste were early developed in the lad, and when but ten years of age he had thoroughly investigated the "true inwardness " of a clock, by taking it apart and putting it together again, leaving it in good running order. When he was but 12 years of age he built an ell to his father's house, doing all the work alone, including the painting. He constructed various other devices about this time, displaying remarkable mechanical ability as well as in- ventive genius. He made a miniature steam engine and a fire engine, and constructed a violin.

At the age of 16, he removed to Meriden, and engaged

172

mosWola, of his bus nese qualifiction Mr Wa khi manner a modest and retiring, voiding a os Mei would tend to draw Lim into publicwife H u. men for a number of wars a member of St. John's ode 071 on the 2nd of SeptemberE-op . F. & A M, andwas at one time binior warden. ble . clined further advancement to which he was justly

On the 27th of August 2847, he married Sarah G. Lighter of Horace Edwards, of Middletown. Sho WILLIAM WINDX Lied on the ath of June 1883, leaving no children. Mr. Micome onries a large and bea. tiful residence on South W41: w Wi or comes from the old :triv des Mails met, where he has surrounded himself with all percep of were des original proprietors . the plate. . that can conduce to his comfort and happiness. The grandmother of Mr. Wilcbs, who was a Ventres Hadde m lived my the extraordinary age of ich yea. , lacking a few days

poin : Hammonasset. subsequently calle ) Podle. and anally hallinguma In October 160 ; die Gu bb L'arett Connecticut A.solved that there should i plantation at Hammonassett. Joseph Wilcox the pro Center of Withan Wilcox was one of the 2; p' prietors the established their elan urder dineat The fire! marriage and birch recorded in the town fre s Allows.

Jen Ning and Sand Wiley were married the " with tarde the leading industries and manufactures vere

Hamp 1, the daughtry f Joseph Y

all day of jeaber; the b

h And Wirton of Kales

Aghan Vilco: repres. ..

Vinny the most prominent of those represented in processing was the Stile & Parker Press Company; Thomas (. Wilcox, the fall of William was borgmesterel of the other manfactories represented on

billhep worth and followed the cupational w wie for. si fanning. About 1815, he maglu daughter of Jonathan Smith, of Haddam, A white . bildien: Philander S., Thomas C, Wali.m. jord. Cabos, Samtel B., Charles W., Sagmama Comes Libel M; all except the first saat chi subject of this sketch. you bo 5% Vol. 1819. His childhood 100 10 % of the period some. .. aver, and attending the fen. At the age of 18 he left h.

station, se well as some of the largest manufacto- Prin the courby, De a pendant le a great extent on All goods nivel frommyday, the founder of which Norman. latermerged of as & poor ho and be hã te adoro, phen has way from the at & the Joy and of De finder, and succeeded in Woking one of the new reportant industries in the

Mr. Sites was When at Feeding Hills, a village of Mentre, M. on the 18th of June IS3.1. His father industrious farmer, a raiser of tobacco, and also und in the manufacture and sale of whip lashes, an Flestered the gun man. waar jurortart ar icle of manufacture at that period. When war of the Johnsons, where worman was but five years of age, his father ost his Under the thet property, and the son was thus deprived of the educa was called to the service of tional facilities and other opportunities enjoyed by most William pomi boys of his age. The inventive genius and mechanical ur .he Thvec 'caste were early developed in the lad, and when but tel. into the years of age 'he had thoroughly investigated the " true Iheardness " of a clock, by taking it apart and putting is together again, leaving it ir goal running order. When He was but 12 years of age le but an ol to his father house doing all the well done, Including the painting He constructed period of . drie about this time. displaying remarkable Papel : luis as well as a The same ventive ginius He man tain ve steam engine and tre chaine, and constructed a vionn.

Place Ha in !

judgment, honesty, and fair dealing, and those who know

The centennial celebration of their fposition of the of of Middletown, held on the th of July 188, at is the procession, awatered a desire on the ne :f Middletcent not only to learn the wok and growth of these great industries, .nuch to the wealth and pros- on banko know something of the individ-

At the age of 16, he removed to Meriden, and engaged

William Milay

VELENCE W Boston

Norman C. Stiles

173

MIDDLETOWN-BIOGRAPHIES.

with his brother in the manufacture of tin ware; but this gave him no opportunity to develop his mechanical tastes, and he soon after became connected with the American Machine Works, at Springfield, Massachusetts, where he remained until he was of age. He subsequently engaged himself to a Mr. Osgood, who was a contractor for the Holyoke Machine Company. He soon after returned to Meriden, Connecticut, and entered the employ of Snow, Brooks & Company, now known as Parker Brothers & Company. He was employed in making dies, and other small work requiring great skill and ingenuity. This ex- perience proved of great value to him. He subsequently entered the employ of Edward Miller & Company, Mer- iden, where he remained until 1857, when he concluded to " paddle his own canoe." He at first hired bench room of B. S. Stedman, and soon after bought out the stock and tools of his landlord. In 1860, he invented a toe and instep stretcher, which proved quite a success. In 1862, his factory was destroyed by fire, involving a

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History of Middlesex county, Connecticut, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 48

Author: Whittemore, Henry, b. 1833; Beers, J.B. & Company, publishers Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 818

Author: Whittemore, Henry, b. 1833; Beers, J.B. & Company, publishers
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 818