USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Waterbury > History of Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 23
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MARK LEAVENWORTH SPERRY.
The attractiveness of Waterbury as a place of residence and its advantages as a business center are indicated in the large number of the native sons of the city who have remained its inhabitants and have found here a profitable field of labor. Among this number is Mark Leavenworth Sperry, the vice president of the Scovill Manufacturing Company, and with the passing years he has contributed to the further growth and development of an enterprise now mammoth in its proportions and most far-reaching in its extended business relations.
Born on the 23d of October, 1842, he is a son of Corydon Stillman and Catherine (Leavenworth) Sperry, and in both the paternal and maternal lines he comes of old Con- necticut families. His maternal grandfather, Mark Leavenworth, was one of the pioncer manufacturers of Waterbury. He was born in New Haven, August 30, 1774, a grandson of the Rev. Mark Leavenworth, a well known divine of the early colonial days and a son of Captain Jesse and Catherine (Conkling) Leavenworth, who in 1784 removed to Caledonia county, Vermont. But their son was not content with the wilderness life of that undeveloped region and made the journey of nearly three hundred miles to Connecticut on foot and alone. While living with his uncle, Mark Leavenworth, of New Haven, he studied geometry, navigation and surveying and then took up mechanical pursuits. Removing to Water- bury, he became an apprentice of Jesse Hopkins in the manufacture of silver-plated knee buckles and shoe buckles, but changing fashions led to the discontinuance of the use of those articles. On attaining his majority Mark Leavenworth began the manufacture of axes, steelyards, ramrods, bayonets, and other small steel articles, also Whitney cotton gins. In 1810 he began the manufacture of clocks, in which business he continued until 1836, when he began the manufacture of buttons in partnership with his son-in-law, Corydon S. Sperry, and Willard Spencer. He afterward took up clock manufacturing and broadened and developed his interests as the years passed. He continued in the gilt button business as a member of the firm of Leavenworth, Spencer & Sperry and later turned his attention to the manufacture of cloth buttons, in which he continued until his death. It was in the year 1835 that Corydon S. Sperry came to Waterbury and, as previously stated, became identified with his father-in-law, Mark Leavenworth, in manufacturing interests. Here he reared his family and his two sons, Mark L. and Charles Stillman, have won distinction although in widely different fields. The latter after graduating from the naval academy at Baltimore in 1866 became an active member of the navy, in which he steadily advanced, his record constituting a most creditable chapter in America's naval history.
Mark L. Sperry was a little lad of but two years when his parents removed to Brooklyn,
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New York, and was but ten years of age at the time the family home was re-established in Waterbury. His education, begun in Brooklyn, was continued in the schools of Water- bury until he reached the age of fourteen years, when he left school and entered the employ of the Waterbury Knitting Company, with which he continued until 1862. In August of that year he became connected with the Scovill Manufacturing Company in the capacity of bookkeeper and his identification with that house has continued for fifty-five years. Gradually advancing through intermediate positions, he was elected secretary of the company in January, 1869, and became a director on the 21st of December, 1877. He is still secretary and also vice president.
On the 14th of March, 1878, Mr. Sperry was united in marriage to Miss Julia Sherman Porter, a daughter of Ansel C. Porter, and they became the parents of six children: Ethel, the wife of Walter Makepeace; Leavenworth Porter, who married Olive Smith and is employed by the Scovill Manufacturing Company; Ruth Sherman, at home; Roger Sherman, who married Pauline Denklau and is a mining and metallurgical engineer of Waterbury; Evelyn Stillman, who died in infancy; and Mark Leavenworth, Jr., a lieutenant in the United States navy.
The religious faith of the family is indicated by their membership in the First Congre- gational church. Mr. Sperry votes with the republican party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Waterbury Club, of which he has been president, the Waterbury Country Club and the Home Club. In a review of his career it will be noted that his course has been marked by steady purpose and his persistency, his thorough- ness, his indefatigable energy and his initiative have brought him to the front in con- nection with a business that has had to do largely with the making and upbuilding of Water- bury. The marked contrast in his business activities, their nature and scope, and the interests of his grandfather, Mark Leavenworth, indicate the notable development of Waterbury as a commercial and industrial center. Remarkable changes have occurred even during the experience of Mark L. Sperry, who for more than a half century has figured in connection with the productive interests of the city. His name is today honoreu wherever he is known, his life record being the history of a man to whom opportunity has ever been the call to action and who in the faithful performance of each day's duties has found inspiration and encouragement for the efforts of the succeeding day.
ROBERT WAKEMAN HILL.
Robert Wakeman Hill, deccased, was for many years a leading architect of Connecticut and a well known citizen of Waterbury, where his birth occurred September 20, 1828. He represented a family whose ancestry can be traced back through many generations in England, in Ireland and in Scotland. On the family annals appear the names of those who have won distinction in diplomacy and in military affairs. The American branch of the family was started on the soil of the new world almost two centuries ago. It has produced men of strong intellect and marked business capacity and women of equal capability and virtuc. The founder of the family in the new world was William Hill, who came from England and arrived at Boston as a passenger on the ship William and Francis, June 5, 1632. He removed with the colony to Dorchester, Massachusetts, and was inade a freeman of the Massachusetts colony, November 5, 1633. Three years later he was chosen a selectman of Dorchester. He afterward removed to Windsor, on the Connecticut river, where he received a grant of land, and in 1639 he was appointed by the general court to examine the arms and ammunition of the colony. He filled the position of auditor of accounts, and from 1639 until 1641 was deputy to the general court and again in 1644. Later he removed to Fairfield, Connecticut, and there his remaining days were passed. He was also prominent in connection with public affairs in Fairfield and served as selectman in 1646. His will was dated September 9, 1649, and undoubtedly lie passed away the same year, for in the town records his wife was mentioned as a widow in that year. In Great Britain the family had been granted a coat of arms, described as follows:
Arms. Sable a fess argent between three leopards passant or, spotted sable. The fess is charged with three escallops gules. Supporters: Dexter a leopard gules, spotted or, ducally collard or. Sinister, a stag, attired gules.
Crest. A stag's head and neck, azure, attired gules, on a wreath, over a ducal coronet. Motto. Per Deum et Ferrum Obtinui.
PER
OBTINVI
FERRUM
DEUM ET
Rille
HILL COAT OF ARMS
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With the establishment of the family on American soil the spirit of independence and of democracy became stronger and stronger in succeeding generations. William Hill, son of William and Sarah Hill, was born in England and came with his parents to the new world. He removed with his father to Fairfield and there received an allotment of land from the town, where he became a very prominent citizen. In 1650 he served as town recorder. The town records show that on February 1, 1673, he received a portion of his father's estate from his stepfather, Mr. Greenleaf. He passed away December 19, 1684. In Fairfield he had married Elizabeth Jones, a daughter of the Rev. John Jones.
John Hill, son of William and Elizabeth (Jones) Hill, was born in Fairfield, Connecticut, and died in 1727. He was the owner of considerable real estate and a prominent citizen of his town, but removed from Fairfield to New Haven.
Obadiah Hill, son of John and Jane Hill, was born in October, 1697, and wedded Hannah Frost, who was born in June, 1706. Their son, Lieutenant Jared Hill, was born in North Haven, Connecticut, on the 10th of August, 1736, and wedded Eunice Tuttle, a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Mansfield) Tuttle. Jared Hill owned the district known as the Waterbury Hills, where he removed with his wife in 1784, purchasing a farm on East mountain. He became a soldier of the French and Indian war and made an excellent military record. To him and his wife were born twelve children. His death occurred April 20, 1816, and his wife passed away December 28, 1826.
Samuel Hill, representative of the family in the sixth generation, was born in Water- bury, September 4, 1784, and after acquiring a public school education learned the car- penter's trade. He was a man of scholarly attainments and during the winter months taught school in Waterbury while working at his trade in the summer seasons. He also had considerable musical talent and served as fife major of the Second Regiment from 1807 until 1818. He likewise possessed considerable ability as a poct and in that connection was well known in Waterbury and vicinity. In 1807 he married Polly Brockett, a daughter of Giles and Sarah Brockett. His death occurred April 26, 1834, and subsequently his family removed to Naugatuck, where his wife died October 8, 1853, their remains being interred in the Grand street cemetery. They were the parents of the following named: Henry Augustus, who was born January 19, 1809; Junius Fayette; Saralı Maria, who was born April 14, 1816, and died in January, 1822; Eunice Hortensia, who was born November 8, 1818; Ellen Maria; and Robert Wakeman, whose name introduces this record.
Junius Fayette Hill, second son of Samuel and Polly Hill, was born in Waterbury, July 11, 1811, and after attending the public schools learned the carpenter's trade, which he made his life work, winning place among the leading contractors and builders of this section of the state. He also exerted considerable influence over political affairs and left the impress of his individuality upon public thought and action. The democratic party nominated him for the state legislature but he declined to become a candidate. He enjoyed in the highest measure the respect and confidence of all who knew him and his death which occurred in Naugatuck, March 31, 1859, was the occasion of deep and wide- spread regret. He belonged to Shepherds Lodge, F. & A. M., of Naugatuck and attended St. John's Episcopal church of Waterbury. His wife bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Augusta Porter and she was a daughter of Samuel Porter, of Naugatuck, where her birth occurred September 21, 1812. She died January 9, 1899, in Waterbury, where the greater part of her life had been passed. Their children were: Marie Louise, living in Woodmont, Connecticut; Ellen Augusta, the widow of Henry Leach, of Waterbury; Susie Elizabeth; Caroline Eunice, who died at the age of three years; and Lucy Brown, who became the wife of Joseph Ives Doolittle and died in May, 1914, being survived by tivo sons, Trubee J. and Clarence Lewis, who reside in Woodmont, Connecticut.
Robert Wakeman Hill, son of Samuel and Polly (Brockett) Hill, received his early education in the schools of Waterbury. He later removed to New Haven, Connecticut, and there attended the Young Men's Institute. After completing his studies there he entered the offices of Henry Austin for the purpose of studying architecture. After thoroughly mastering the technicalities of the profession he went to the state of Wisconsin and there engaged in business in the city of Milwaukee. After several years, during which he built up a splendid career, he returned to Waterbury and there engaged in his work for the remainder of his life. Several of the most important public buildings of Waterbury, New Haven, Hartford and other large cities of the state of Connecticut are monuments to his genius as an architect. During his lifetime he was recognized as the leader of his profession in Waterbury. He was affiliated with the republican party, but although he took a keen interest in politics he remained outside the circle of political influence. He was a well known figure in the financial life of the city, and at the time of his death Vol. III-8
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was a member of the board of directors and vice president of the Manufacturers' Bank of Waterbury. He was also a member of several social and fraternal organizations, a founder of the Waterbury Club and a member of Clark Commandery of the Masonic order. He was a communicant of St. John's Episcopal church. Robert Wakeman Hill died July 16, 1909.
His niece, Miss Susie E. Hill, made her home with her uncle from early girlhood, ministering much to his happiness and comfort through her companionship and her capable control of the affairs of his household. She is a lady of refined tastes, of liberal culture, much interested in many of the activities which have had to do with the upbuilding of the city, and she has an extensive circle of warm friends in Waterbury, where the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded her. She is a member of Melicent Porter Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Mattatuck Historical Society and the Naturalist Club.
JESSE DEVINE.
Jesse Devine, a Yale man whose name not only figures in connection with law practice but also with the framing of the laws of the state of Connecticut, was born August 31, 1884, in Waterbury, where he still makes his home. His father, Jeremiah Devine, who died February 1, 1911, was a well known business man of Waterbury. His birth occurred in Holyoke, Massachusetts, May 15, 1846, and at the age of fifteen he came to Waterbury with his parents, John and Margaret (Nolan) Devine, who were natives of Ireland. In the eity of New York, Jeremiah Devine was married to Miss Delia Scully, a native of Madison, New Jersey, who is now living in Waterbury. Jesse Devine was the second of four children, the other three being Helen, a teacher in the Waterbury public schools; Margaret, who is cashier in the Curran dry goods store of Waterbury; and William, a business man of New Haven.
Passing through consecutive grades in the public schools, Jesse Devine was graduated from the high school of Waterbury with the class of 1901 and had the honor of being elass president. He was also manager of the high school basket ball team during his senior year. In the fall of 1901 he entered Yale University and won the Bachelor of Arts degree as a member of the class of 1905. The succeeding year was spent on a North Dakota ranch and in the fall of 1906 he entered the law department of the New York University, from which he was graduated with the LL. B. degree in 1908. During the suc- ceeding two years he was connected with the legal department of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company and later spent two years at Lake Saranac, New York, entering upon practice in his native city in 1912. In a profession where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit and ability he has made steady progress and in the five years of his connection with the Waterbury bar has made for himself a substantial place and name.
In September, 1909, Mr. Devine was married to Miss Isabella Clare Dempsey, of New York city, by whom he has three children: Isabel Clare, David Alan and Flora Eulalie. The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and fraternally Mr. Devine is an Elk. In politics he is a democrat and in 1914 was elected a member of the general assembly and was chosen democratic leader on the floor of the house. In 1916 he was a candidate for the nomination on the democratie ticket for state senator but was defeated.
FRANCIS SAGE.
Francis Sage is a well known resident of Winsted, who is now serving for the eighth year as assessor of Winchester. He was born at Canaan, Connecticut, January 7, 1844, and comes of Welsh ancestry. The records can be traced back in direct line to David Sage, who was born in the little rock-ribbed country of Wales in 1639 and who in early life crossed the Atlantic to the new world. He was one of the first settlers of Middletown, Connecticut, in 1652 and there spent his remaining days, passing away March 31, 1707, according to the record on the gravestone in Riverside cemetery, on the Connecticut river, in Middletown. In February, 1664, he was first married. His wife, Elizabeth, daughter of John Kirby, was born September 8, 1646, and died in 1670. In 1672 David Sage wedded Mary Wilcox, daughter of John Wilcox and a granddaughter of John Wilcox, who was the American immigrant. She died December 7, 1711. David Sage was granted a house lot
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"on the other side of the river on the other side of the highway beyond the corner of Goodman White on the west side of the highway leading to Hartford," a site now occupied by the bank building. On the 16th of February, 1671, he exchanged homesteads with his father-in-law, John Kirby. The children of his first marriage were three in number: David, who was born in Middletown, February 1, 1665; Elizabeth, born June 1, 1666; and John The children of the second marriage were: Mary, who was born November 15, 1672, and became the wife of Samuel Johnson; Jonathan, born in 1674; Timothy, born August 14, 1678; and Nathaniel and Merey, twins, born in 1680.
John Sage, the son of David Sage, was born in Middletown, March 6, 1668, and on the 10th of January, 1693, wedded Hannah Starr, of Middletown, who was born Mareh 24, 1674. and was a daughter of Comfort and Rachel (Harris) Starr. On his tombstone were engraved the words: "Here lies interred the body of Mr. John Sage who departed this life Jan. ye 22 A. D. 1750-51 in the 83d year of his age. He left a virtuous and sorrowful wife with whom he lived fifty-seven years and had fifteen children: 12 of whom married and increased the family by repeated marriages to the number of 29. Of these 15 are alive. He had 120 grandchildren, 105 of them now living, 40 great-grandchildren, 37 of them now living, which makes the number of offspring 189." The epitaph of his widow reads: "Here lies interred the body of Mrs. Hannah Sage, once the virtuous consort of Mr. John Sage, who both are covered with this stone; and there have been added to the numerous offspring mentioned above 44 by birth and marriage, which makes the whole number 233. She fell asleep Sep. 28, A. D. 1753, in the 83d year of her age." The original inscription was cut in a lead plate stolen to make bullets in the Revolution, as was also the plate on the table- stone of Rev. Joseph Smith. The present insert of white marble was cut by Thomas A. Sage, who was born in Berlin, Connecticut, in 1845. In the family of John and Hannah Sage were born the following named: Hannah, born December 21, 1694; John, April 28, 1696; Elizabeth and Mary (twins), 1699; Elizabeth, 1701; Ann, 1702; Benjamin and David (twins), 1703; Jemima, 1704: Nathaniel; Ebenezer, 1709; Comfort, 1711; Prudence, 1713; Thankful, Feb- ruary 8, 1717; and Gideon, 1718.
Nathaniel Sage, the direct ancestor of Francis Sage in the third generation, was born in Middletown in 1707 and his life record spanned the intervening years to 1780, when he passed away. He married Rebecca Hart and their children, all born in Cromwell, Con- nectieut, were: Samuel. born in 1732; Jedediah; Lucia, born in 1737; Rebecca, in 1739; Thankful, in 1742; Hepzibah, in 1745; Hannah, in 1747; Hezekiah, in 1752; and Nathaniel, in 1755.
Jedediah Sage, whose birth occurred in Cromwell, Connecticut, in 1734, married Lucy Smith of that place and passed away in 1798. Their children were all born in Cromwell and were: Elisha, born in 1756; Abiel, in 1758: David, 1760; Amos, 1762; Simeon, 1763; Sylvester. 1765; Jedediah; Sarah, 1769; Jerusha, 1771; Mary, 1773; and Diantha, 1775.
Jedediah Sage, son of Jedediah Sage, Sr., was born at Cromwell in 1766 and became a resident of Sandisfield, Massachusetts. where he passed away in 1804. He married a Miss Wright and their children were all natives of Sandisfield, namely : Lucy, born in 1788; Calvin, in 1790; Mehitable, in 1793; Harvey, in 1796; Hiram, in 1799; Jedediah, in 1801; and Diantha, in 1803.
Calvin Sage, of the fifthi generation in America, was born in 1790 and spent his entire life as a farmer of New Marlborough, Massachusetts, his death occurring May 17, 1857. He wedded Clara Smith, who passed away February 6, 1883, at the age of eighty-seven years. Their children were: William Henry; Ebenezer, born in 1819; Harvey S., in 1820; Mariette, in 1822; and Elisha P., who was born in 1824 and died while serving as a soldier of the Union army in the Civil war.
Of the above mentioned family William Henry Sage became the father of Francis Sage of this review. He was born in New Marlborough, Massachusetts, August 12, 1816, and acquired a publie school education at Canaan, Connecticut, where he afterward worked at the trade of cooper for a number of years. Subsequently he returned to his native eity and followed farming throughout the remainder of his days. On the 20th of November, 1838, he wedded Caroline A. Sage, of Sandisfield, who was born September 14, 1817, and was a daughter of Lyman and Anna (Kellogg) Sage. Their children were: Francis: Charles, who was born October 14, 1849, and died June 10, 1887; and Henry Calvin, who was born December 8. 1856, and departed this life August 8, 1863. The religious faith of the parents was that of the Methodist church and William H. Sage gave his political allegiance to the democratie party. He passed away September 20, 1881, at the age of sixty-five years.
Francis Sage, whose name introduces this record, pursued his early education in the public schools of New Marlborough and afterward had the benefit of further instruction in
1
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the South Berkshire Institute. He was reared to agricultural life and for a number of years engaged in farming on his own account at New Marlborough. He afterward removed to the town of Barkhamsted, Connecticut, near the boundary line of Winsted, in 1885 and for five years filled the position of superintendent of the Meadowbrook stock farm. He afterward took up his abode upon a farm in Barkhamsted and there engaged in dairying. Since 1900, however, he has concentrated his efforts and attention upon the real estate business in Winsted, Connecticut.
Mr. Sage has been married three times. On the 12th of October, 1864, he wedded Emma A. Joyner, who was born July 14, 1845, a daughter of Frederick C. and Eineline (Soule) Joyner. She died November 27, 1879. Her children were: Ivic, who was born in 1865 and died in infancy; and Frederick Joyner, who was born April 14, 1869, and who was a clerk in the railway mail service between New York city and Boston and is now a passenger brakeman on the New Haven Road between Stamford and New York city, making his home in Stamford. On the 13th of April, 1881. Francis Sage married Fannie A. Barker, a daughter of Sylvester Barker, of Sandisfield. Her death occurred November 11, 1883. Her only child, Wilmer Barker, born November 2, 1883, died in infancy. On the 3d of September, 1890, Francis Sage was united in marriage to Georgia M. Clark, of Barkliam- sted, who was born August 17, 1848, a daugliter of Orlando and Melissa (Race) Clark. the former born December 25, 1817, and the latter January 25, 1821. The third wife of Mr. Sage passed away January 20, 1913.
In politics Mr. Sage lias always given loyal support to the republican party and has filled various positions. He was selectman of Barkhamsted for three years, was selectman of Winchester for two years and is now serving for the eighth year as assessor of the town of Winchester. He belongs to the Second Congregational church of Winsted and his life has in all respects been honorable and upright, measuring up to the highest standards of the church. He is a representative of one of the old and honored families of the state and is fortunate in that his lines of life have been cast in harmony therewith. The repre- sentatives of the family have ever been loyal to the best interests of community and of commonwealth and Mr. Sage manifests the same spirit of patriotic devotion to his country.
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