USA > Connecticut > Illustrated popular biography of Connecticut > Part 37
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Colonel Osborn's conduct of The Register since he has been its editor has been as notable in its way as was that of his father, Minot A. Osborn, who practically founded the paper, and won for it a wide circulation throughout Connecticut. He has developed and broadened the scope of the paper, so as to keep in touch with the most en- lightened and progressive journalistic spirit of the age. While he has always defended the sound principles of Jeffersonian democracy, he has shown that the true journalist seeks to mould, and not follow slavishly, public opinion. He has not hesi- tated to use his influence against prevailing ten- dencies in his party which he deemed unwise, and has always had the courage of his convictions. The Register was an earnest advocate of tariff reform some time before the action of President Cleveland made it the leading issue of his party. It has also been an admirable newspaper - enter- prising and thorough in its gathering and exposition of news, both in the local and national field. As
dramatic critic of the paper Mr. Osborn has shown himself a thorough and scholarly student of the drama, and displayed the insight of a keen and fearless critic.
In the councils also of the democratic party Mr. Osborn has maintained the family name and proved the worthy son of a worthy sire. Always a patriot more than a partisan, he has opposed tactics that, while they might secure a temporary or question- able advantage, sacrificed equity and justice. Mr. Osborn's winsome nature has won for him a large circle of friends, many of whom are found among his political opponents. A capital story-teller, with a cheery, responsive nature, and sterling spirit of good-fellowship, he is always a welcome comrade in any social circle.
WILLIAM BURR WOOSTER, ANSONIA: At- torney-at-Law.
Colonel William B. Wooster represented the state with honor and distinction in the field during the war, and is deserving of the highest recognition on account of his services. He was the lieutenant- colonel of the Twentieth Regiment, under Colonel Ross of the regular army, and won a brevet colo- nelcy for meritorious con- duct. When the first colored regiment in Con- necticut, the Twenty- ninth, was organized in 1864, Lieutenant-Colonel Wooster was selected by Governor Buckingham as W. B. WOOSTER. its commander. Thereg- iment was mustered into the service at New Haven, March 8, 1864, Colonel Wooster four days afterwards assuming the control. A few days be- fore the organization left for the front it was pre- sented with a set of colors by the colored women of New Haven, Fred Douglass making the presenta- tion address. March 20th it left New Haven, under Colonel Wooster, for the front, and won the proudest of records in the field. Its behavior at the capture of Fort Harrison was especially com- mended. It was also particularly mentioned for gallantry on the Darby-town road, and at Chapin Farm, before Richmond. When the confederate capital succumbed, the Twenty-ninth was the first infantry to gain access to the city. Colonel Wooster's associate officers in the regiment in- cluded Lieutenant-Colonel David Torrance, now of the supreme court of errors; the late Rev. Edward W. Bacon, son of Dr. Bacon of New Haven; and Captain George H. Goodwin of the Travelers In-
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surance Company. After remaining at Richmond for a few days after the capture of the city the Twenty-ninth was transferred to Texas, reaching Brazos de Santiago in July, 1865. Thence the command marched to Brownsville, where it re- mained until ordered home in November. The organization was paid off and mustered out in Hartford, Nov. 25, 1865. Colonel Wooster re- turned to his home in Derby and resumed the prac- tice of law. He is a prominent member of the Grand Army, the Army and Navy Club of Connec- ticut, the Society of the Army of the Potomac, and of the Connecticut Union Prisoners' Association. He was honored with the position of assistant marshal on the staff of General Joseph R. Hawley Battle Flag Day, Sept. 17, 1879, an occasion of un- surpassed military interest in the history of Con- necticut. But it is not for the service alone which Colonel Wooster rendered during the war that he is to be held in honor by his fellow-citizens of the state. Prior to the war he had won place and dis- tinction in the public service. In 1858 he was a member of the house of representatives from the town of Derby, his associates in that body includ- ing the late Governor R. D. Hubbard of Hartford, Governor Charles R. Ingersoll and the Hon. Hiram Camp of New Haven, ex-Congressman Augustus Brandegee of New London, Robbins Battell of Nor- folk, A. H. Byington of The Norwalk Gazette, who subsequently proved himself one of the most brilliant of war correspondents; A. A. Burnham of Windham, who occupied the position of speaker; the Hon. A. P. Hyde of Hartford, and the Hon. Hezekiah S. Sheldon of Suffield. In 1859 he rep- resented the old Fifth Senatorial District in the senate, his colleagues in that body including Judge Dwight W. Pardee of Hartford, Judge James Phelps, and the Hon. Hiram Willey of East Had- dam. In 1861, the initial year of the war, Colonel Wooster was again a member of the house. Ex- Congressman Brandegee was elected to the speaker- ship, while on the floor were such men as the late Colonel Henry C. Deming of Hartford, Thomas H. Seymour, who had been governor of the state and minister at St. Petersburg; Abijah Catlin, the late Green Kendrick of Waterbury, and Carnot O. Spencer of the school-fund office. The legislative career of Colonel Wooster reflected honor on the state. In politics he has been a republican from the outset, and the honesty and uprightness of his political views have been exemplified in every step of his career. He believed in abolition, and led his troops with the idea uppermost in mind that the war would result in the extinction of slavery. But it required great moral courage not less than loyalty to one's convictions, to assume the leader- ship of a regiment of colored men even in 1864. All honor is due to Colonel Wooster for the frank-
ness and manliness of his course. He was born in Oxford, Aug. 22, 1821, and received a common school and academic education, pursuing the latter course at the South Britain Academy. He grad- uated from the Yale Law School in 1846, being a classmate of Tilton E. Doolittle of New Haven. He is at present a member of the law firm of Wooster, Williams & Gager. He has traveled ex- tensively, spending upwards of three years in Europe. His wife, who is still living, was Miss Jay A. Wallace. There are no children in the family. Colonel Wooster was formerly paymaster-general of the state, and is one of the worthiest citizens of Connecticut.
HON. SAMUEL A. YORK, NEW HAVEN: Attor- ney-at-Law.
Samuel A. York was born in North Stonington, May 25, 1839, and was educated in the Connecticut Literary Institute at Suffield, and at Yale College, graduating from the uni- versity in the class of 1863. The members of his class included Pro- fessor William G. Sum- ner, William C. Whitney, secretary of the navy under President Cleve- land; General Erastus Blakeslee of the first Con- necticut Cavalry, now a prominent divine in Mas- sachusetts; and the Rev. Dr. Leander T. Chamber- lain. The class was a S. A. YORK. brilliant one and its representatives have been distin- guished throughout the country. Judge York grad- uated from the Albany Law School in 1864 and practiced in Michigan for three years. He then re- turned to Connecticut and was elected clerk of the house of representatives in 1873, which was con- trolled by the democrats, ex-United States Senator Eaton of Hartford being speaker. In 1874 he was elected clerk of the senate. From 1867 to 1874 he occupied an editorial position on the New Haven Register, the manager and proprietor of the paper. the late Minot A. Osborn, being his father-in-law. He became judge of probate in the New Haven district July 4, 1876, and retained the position until Jan. 1, ISS7, when he became the mayor of the city, occupying that office for two years. Judge York is a leading democrat in New Haven county, and is a gentleman of high social prominence. His career as judge of one of the most important pro- bate courts in the state was characterized by the highest sense of honor. He is universally honored in the city where he resides.
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BURTON HAMILTON MATTOON, WATER- TOWN: Merchant.
B. H. Mattoon is a native of Watertown, Litch- field county, Conn., and has lived there from in- fancy until the present time. He was born Octo- ber 15, 1850. When he became of age, with a thorough education ob- tained at the Watertown Academy and Stamford Seminary, he embarked in mercantile business in his native town, opening the store there in 1871, which he still owns and manages. In 1875 he
married Miss Estella Min- erva Scott; their family B. H. MATTOON. includes six children, three sons and three daughters. He is a member and vestryman of the Episcopal church, and a Mason of high degree. As a republican he has held the offices of town clerk and treasurer for a number of years, also clerk of the Center School district, of Watertown. He is now town clerk and treasurer, as well as registrar of births, marriages, and deaths.
GEORGE B. EDMONDS, BRIDGEPORT: Optician. George B. Edmonds, collector of customs at Bridgeport, was born in Torrington, June 30, 1838, and was educated in the public schools of South- bridge, Mass., his people removing from Connec- ticut when he was but a child. He established himself in business in Bridgeport in 1878, as a manufacturer and dealer in optical goods. Prior to that period he had resided in Lowell, Mass., Paw- tucket, R. I., and at Phil- adelphia. Collector Ed- monds is an enthusiastic G. B. EDMONDS. . republican, and was in- strumental in organizing the Bridgeport republican club. He has been on its executive committee for five years, and is a recognized leader. In 1886 he was elected a member of the council board from the first ward, and a member of the board of aldermen in 1887. He was appointed collector by President Harrison, April 15, 1890, the term being for four years. His first year in the office has been eminently satisfactory, the duties of the place being discharged with the utmost fidelity. He is a member of the order of
Odd Fellows in Bridgeport, and is a man of excep- tional popularity in that city. His family consists of a wife and two daughters. The former was Miss Mary Hopper of Winsted, prior to her mar- riage. The first vote of Collector Edmonds was cast for President Lincoln.
S. P. WILLIAMS, PLAINVILLE : Principal of the Graded and High School.
Schuyler P. Williams is one of the most success- ful public school instructors in this state. He is the president of the Connecticut State Teachers' Association, and an in- fluential member of the State Council of Educa- tion. Seventeen years ago he was appointed principal of the Plainville Graded and High School, and has succeeded in making it one of the model schools of the country. When he assumed the duties of the principalship the school had no regular course of study, or high school S. P. WILLIAMS. grade, and only five teachers. Now the corps of instructors has been advanced to eight, and a high school grade, with a complete course of study, established. A class is graduated each year. Formerly the pupils pre- ferred to go elsewhere and complete their studies. Under the management of Mr. Williams the town now possesses a high school whose graduates have very creditably entered Wellesley and other colleges. In 1888 the subject of this sketch was offered the prin- cipalship of the Meriden High School, but declined the position, preferring to remain at the head of the institution in which the best work of his life has been performed. Mr. Williams prepared for col- lege at the Hudson River Institute, a military school at Claverack, and became a colonel of bat- talion in the military department. He entered Yale in 1869, graduating in 1873. His classmates included Judge Samuel O. Prentice of the superior court, Alderman Atwood Collins of this city, Prin- cipal A. B. Morrill of the State Normal School at Willimantic, Frank B. Tarbell, Gardiner Greene, Jr., and S. T. Dutton, formerly superintendent of the New Haven schools. His family removed to Southington when he was nine years of age, and his home was in that town during his collegiate career. After graduation he taught for one year in the select school conducted at Granby by Rev. T. D. Murphy, and in 1875 was called to the posi- tion which he has since occupied. He is an in- fluential member of the Plainville Congregational
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church, and has held the chairmanship for several years of the society's committee. He was also superintendent of the Sunday-school for five years. During the current year he declined a unanimous re-election to the superintendency of the school, being compelled to adopt this course on account of increasing duties in other directions. Mr. Williams is a member of Friendship Lodge, No. 33, F. and A. M., of Southington. His family consists of a wife and daughter, the former being Miss Josephine E. Woodruff of Southington prior to her marriage. The daughter is Miss Martha J. Williams. In politics Principal Williams is a republican. He is secretary and treasurer of the Plainville Cemetery Water Company, and as a citizen of the town is held in the highest esteem.
NELSON MORSE, NORTH WOODSTOCK: Farmer.
Nelson Morse was born in East Woodstock, May 3, 1818, being now in the seventy-third year of his age. He is a descendant in the eighth generation from Anthony Morse, who emigrated to this country from England and settled in Newbury, Mass., in 1635. To this same line belonged also Jedediah Morse, author of the well- known Morse Geography, and Samuel F. B. Morse, inventor of the telegraph. Nelson Morse lived at home on his father's farm until he was seventeen years of age, when he left the farm and learned NELSON MORSE. the trade of blacksmithing and general carriage ironwork. He followed the business of country smithing several years, manufactured carriages and wagons in company with L. M. Dean, in 1840 and 1841, and for a short time afterwards alone. He changed his business later to that of carriage spring making, which he carried on until 1866 when he re- turned to farming, in which occupation he has since been engaged. His early education was such as the common schools of his native town afforded, and his entire life has for the most part been spent in North Woodstock. Mr. Morse is at present liv- ing with his third wife, who before her marriage was Miss Lucia A. Bass; his first wife, Pamelia Lyon, and his second, Jane Carey, both being de- ceased. There are three children living, Sidney Nelson, who graduated at Yale University in the class of 1890, Anna Clift, and Henry Waldo. He is a republican in politics, and has held the offices of justice of the peace, selectman, county commis- sioner, and representative in the state legislature.
In religious matters Mr. Morse is a Congregation- alist, and a member of the Third Ecclesiastical society of North Woodstock.
L. J. NICKERSON, CORNWALL: Attorney-at-Law.
Leonard J. Nickerson was born at Cornwall, Oc- tober 23, 1857. After leaving the Alger Institute, in Cornwall, where he acquired his education, he taught school for several years and studied law with Hon. A. D. Warner, then of Cornwall. He was admitted to the bar April 22, 1879, a few months after becoming twenty-one years of age. He entered at once into the practice of his profes- sion in Cornwall, and was admitted to practice in the United States courts in April, 1882. From that time on he has devoted L. J. NICKERSON. his time almost exclusively to his legal business Mr. Nickerson is a republican, and as such has been called to fill various public offices. He repre- sented Cornwall in the state legislature in 1883, and drafted the temperance law which was passed by the general assembly of that year. He was secretary of the Cornwall board of education for nine years, and has held other positions of public trust.
COMFORT S. BURLINGAME, CANTERBURY : Agent Brooklyn Creamery.
Comfort Starr Burlingame has been a member of the general assembly through three sessions, his first term occurring in 1879. He was returned for the consecutive sessions of 1887 and 1889. His colleagues from Windhanı county in 1879 were ex- Speaker E. H. Bugbee of Killingly, Clark E. Bar- rows of Eastford, at pres- ent deputy United States marshal for eastern Con- necticut, Randolph H. Chandler of Thompson, Charles P. Grosvenor of Pomfret, William C. Jill- son and John L. Hunter C. S. BURLINGAME. of Windham, and Colonel Wm. E. Hyde of Killingly, who served as aid-de- camp on the staff of Gov. Henry B. Harrison. Windham county has not often been represented by a finer group of men. Mr. Burlingame was ap-
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pointed on the committee on manufactures, at the head of which was Congressman Frederick Miles, then a state senator from Litchfield county. His services have been of a valuable character in the legislature. In politics he is a democrat. He has for fourteen years been school visitor in his town, and is connected with the Unitarian church. He is the agent of the Brooklyn Cream- ery and a director of the Windham County Na- tional Bank and Insurance Company. He is also associated with the Grange. He was born at Canter- bury, Jan. 5, 1853, and received a common school education. Formerly he was engaged in teaching. Most of his life has been spent in Canterbury. He is unmarried.
REV. GEORGE RUSSELL WARNER, HART- FORD : Rector St. Thomas Episcopal Church.
The subject of this sketch was born at Ellington, Conn., March 22, 1838, and is a son of Dan War- ner and Mary E. (Chaffee) Warner. He was reared on his father's farm, a portion of which had been in the Warner family for two genera- tions.
His great-grandfather on his mother's side was a soldier in the war of the American Revolution; he enlisted in Colonel Meigs' regiment, and took part in the capture of Stony Point, where he was wounded. His grand- G. R. WARNER. father was in the United States service in the Florida war. Like all farmer boys of his time, Mr. Warner received his primary education in the district school, and at the age of seventeen entered the Ellington High School, which for many years was celebrated as a college prepara- tory. Later on he began teaching in his native town, continuing his studies with the view of enter- ing college. In 1858, he married Miss Sarah M. Hyde, and, as the fruit of that union, there are living three sons and three daughters. In 1862, he enlisted in the Twenty-fifth Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers, serving the full time of the regiment, and was regularly mustered out in August, 1863. Returning to his native town, he resumed teaching, and finally took charge of the Ellington High School, where he remained until 1871, when he was called to the charge of the Collinsville High School at Collinsville, Conn., and, after nearly three years service, severed his connection to accept an appoint- ment from the American Missionary Association, as an instructor in Tougaloo University, in the state
of Mississippi. In 1875, he was ordained a Congre- gational minister, occasionally supplying the pulpit in his native town and elsewhere. The same year he was elected principal of the graded and high school at West Stratford (now East Bridgeport), and continued in charge six years. While located at West Stratford, he entered the Protestant Epis- copal church, and, in addition to his duties as teacher, became assistant to Rev. N. S. Richard- son, D.D., rector of St. Paul's Church at Bridge- port. In 1880 he was ordained deacon, and in October, 1881, was called to St. Peter's parish in the town of Monroe, Conn., and there ordained priest in 1882. After nearly three years service he was called to the charge of St. Albans' church at Danielsonville, Conn. After five years of remark- ably successful work, by which St. Albans' was greatly strengthened and built up, he was elected rector of St. Thomas' parish, Hartford, Conn., where he now resides. His ministrations have been abundantly successful here. During the first two years of his rectorship, one hundred and twelve members were added to the church, of whom eighty were confirmed, and thirty-two were received by letters of transfer.
During his ministerial life he has been actively identified with the cause of education. Before leav- ing his native town he served three years as chair- man of the school board, and school visitor, and while rector in Danielsonville he was elected chair- man of the board of education, and served as special visitor of the high school.
Being of a social and generous nature, he natur- ally has sought and found companionship within the lines of the Masonic brotherhood, where he has won the friendship and confidence of the craft wherever he is known. He was made a Mason in Fayette Lodge, No. 69, at Rock- ville soon after his return from the war, and while located at Danielsonville transferred his membership to Moriah Lodge, No. 15, and since has affiliated with St. John's Lodge, No. 4, at Hartford. He also became a member of Warren Chapter, No. 12, and Montgomery Council, No. 2, at Danielsonville, and in these bodies held some of the most important offices. He has also served several terms as grand chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut. March 27, 1891, he was knighted in Washington Commandery, No. I, Knights Tem- plar at Hartford. These fraternities he holds in high esteem, for here he has found much to assist in strengthening the better elements of his nature and stimulating the mind to more active service in the cause of humanity and in the service of the Divine Master. There are richly blended in Mr. Warner's composition the elements of a character that fit him for successful labor in his profession, possessing, as he does, abundant zeal and tact, a
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kind, genial, and compassionate spirit, with ear- nestness in causes that he may espouse, that inspires confidence and reaches the great heart of humanity. In fact he lives among men, striving by his teach- ing and example to lift humanity to a higher and better sphere, depending,
" Not by the helplessness of men - But by the strength that God supplies, And sends in mercy from the skies."
Mr. Warner is also a member of Charter Oak Lodge, No. 2, I. O. O. F., Robert O. Tyler Post, No. 50, G. A. R., the Army and Navy Club of Connecticut, and the Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
J. K. W.
GEORGE M. LANDERS, NEW BRITAIN : Vice- President " Landers, Frary & Clark."
George M. Landers, son of Capt. Marcellus Lan- ders, and grandson of Capt. Asahel Landers (the latter having served for two years in the Revolution- ary war, and having been with Gen. Wayne at the capture of Stony Point), was born at Lenox, Mass., February 22, 1813.
In Camp's History of New Britain we find the following sketch : " In 1820 he came to Hartford with his father, who for several years was a teach- er in that city. He re- mained in Hartford until his father's death in 1824, G. M. LANDERS. when he returned to Len- ox to live with his grandfather. He came to New Britain at sixteen years of age and learned the car- penter's trade, but speedily engaged in manufac- turing, and in due time incorporated his business, which corporation now exists under the style of Landers, Frary & Clark, of which he was president until he retired from active business in 1870. He is still a director and the vice-president of this com- pany, and a director and the president of the New Britain Gas Company. He was for many years a director of the New Britain National Bank, resign- ing to accept his appointment as bank commis- sioner. He was one of the incorporators of the New Britain Bank, of the gas company, the New Britain and Middletown Railroad, and the New Britain Institute, all of which received special char- ters from the general assembly. He has for many years been a director in the New York & New Eng- land Railroad Company. He has been identified with most of the important measures of progress in the town and city of New Britain since their incor-
poration. He was one of the water commissioners when water was introduced into the borough, and was one of the original members of the board of sewer commissioners, remaining in office until the principal trunk sewers were constructed. He served for several years on the school committee. He has several times been elected to the general assembly as a democrat, being a member of the house of representatives in 1851, 1867, and 1874, and of the senate in 1853, 1869, and 1873. At this time Hartford, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Rocky Hill, Berlin, New Britain, and Southington were included in the first senatorial district. Mr. Lan- ders was chairman of the committee that changed the original plans for the state capitol to those of the present building. He was elected to congress in 1874, and again in 1876, being a member of the forty-fourth and forty-fifth congresses. He has twice been appointed state bank commissioner, was chairman of the committee having charge of the erection of the normal school building, and has been called to other offices, in all of which he has done much to advance the interests of New Britain and of the state."
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