USA > Connecticut > Illustrated popular biography of Connecticut > Part 50
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worked at the blacksmith's forge in Roxbury and in an edge tool factory at Seymour, earning the means to send him through college. In the ma- ture years of life he has been one of the state's most trusted counselors, and the honored standard- bearer of a great political party. In every position he has been a citizen deserving the utmost honor and respect. His family consists of a wife and six children, three sons and three daughters, each of the latter being a graduate of Vassar. The maiden name of Mrs. Morris was Eugenia L. Tuttle.
GEORGE LUCIUS BEARDSLEY, BIRMINGHAM: Physician and Surgeon.
Dr. Beardsley is the son of Dr. Lucius N. Beards- ley (deceased) of Milford, where he was born May 12, 1848. At the High School in that town, and subsequently at the Hop- kins Grammar School, New Haven, Dr. Beards- ley prepared for Yale Col- lege,graduating with high honors in 1870. In 1873 he received, also, the de- gree of A.M., and in the same year was graduated at the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, N. Y. From 1871 until 1873, Dr. Beardsley was assistant to the distinguished sur- G. L. BEARDSLEY. geon, Dr. A. B. Mott, and the chief of his clinic in the " Outdoor Poor Depart- ment, Bellevue Hospital." In 1874 Dr. Beardsley commenced his practice in Birmingham, where he now resides. He was appointed assistant surgeon of the Second Regiment, C. N. G., and served five years under Colonels Smith and Graham. For the past seven years he has been post surgeon for Derby.
Dr. Beardsley is now the acting school visitor of Derby, and has been elected to the office four times. He has been a member of the town board of edu- cation thirteen years. For five years Dr. Beards- ley has been the medical examiner of the town of Derby, being rated by Coroner Mix as one of his best. He is a member of the town board of health, has been twice elected a burgess of the borough of Birmingham, and is an officer of the Derby board of trade. His political preferences are republican; his religious tendencies, Methodist. As a writer he has contributed several medical essays of merit, is the medical examiner for seven life insurance companies, and president of the local medical society. His wife is a daughter of Mr. A. H. Alling, the senior member of the firm of A. H. & C. B. Alling, woolen manufacturers of Birmingham.
BIOGRAPHY OF CONNECTICUT.
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CHRISTIAN HAUSER, WATERBURY: Clothing Merchant.
Christian Hauser was born at Wurttemberg, Ger- many, June 6, 1848, and was educated in the com- mon schools of that country. He removed to the United States in 1865, and resided for a number of years in the town of Southington, where he held at one time the office of tax collector. For the last four years he has re- sided in Waterbury, and is at present chairman of the board of relief. In politics he is a democrat. For the last twenty years he has been engaged in the ready-made clothing CHRISTIAN HAUSER. business, and is the pro- prietor of the Waterbury One Price Clothing store, being one of the leading establishments in that city. Mr. Hauser has been the grand master of the German Order of Harugari of this state, and a prominent member for sixteen years. He has been the president, and is now the treasurer, of the Con- cordia Singing Society of Waterbury, one of the favorite German societies in Connecticut. The wife of Mr. Hauser, who was Miss Mary C. Erbe of Southington, is still living. The family includes three children.
ANDREW T. SMITH, HARTFORD: Superintend- ent of Agencies Hartford Life and Annuity In- surance Company.
Mr. Smith is a native of the city of Bridgeport, Conn., where he was born on the 15th of October, 1851. His father early removed to New Haven, and the son was educated in the schools of that city. After graduating, Mr. Smith was for a time as- sociated with his father in manufacturing, but soon turned his attention to special work in life under- writing, in which business he has been engaged for nearly twenty years. In I S79 he became associated with the late H. P. Duclos in perfecting and intro- A. T. SMITH. ducing the safety fund plan of life insurance, which was shortly after adopted by the Hartford Life and Annuity Insur- ance Company. Upon the adoption of that plan by the company, Mr. Smith, together with Mr. Duclos, took charge of the agency department, and
during their administration the company's business became an exceedingly popular and progressive one. Upon the death of Mr. Duclos in 1885, Mr. Smith became sole superintendent of agencies, which position he has since held, and in which his wide experience, together with his ability, energy, and push, find full scope.
In 1872 Mr. Smith married Miss Mary E. Perkins of New Haven, and has four children, the oldest being seventeen years of age, and the youngest an infant daughter. His home is in the western part of Hartford, on Prospect avenue, a handsome suburban villa, with artistic surroundings, over- looking the capital city.
HON. JOSEPH W. ALSOP, MIDDLETOWN: Phy- sician and Farmer.
Dr. Joseph W. Alsop was born in New York city August 20, 1838, and was educated in the Yale and Columbia Scientific Schools and in the medical school of the University of New York. He is a descendant of New Eng- land stock, being the third of the name belonging in Middletown. Dr. Alsop's father was born and brought up in that city, and on his mother's side he is a Bostonian by de- scent. Most of his active life has been in Middle- town where he has held important and responsi- J. W. ALSOP. ble public trusts. He has served in both branches of the court of common council and represented the city in the general assembly, serving on the democratic side of the house in 1873. During that year he was assigned to the chairmanship of the school fund committee and discharged the duties of the position with great credit and fidelity. He was elected to the senate from the Middletown district for three consecutive terms, during two of which terms he was chair- man of the committee on agriculture, the six years of continuous services beginning in ISSI. As a state senator Dr. Alsop won the approval of all parties, his course from first to last reflect- ing honor on his district and state. He has been a member of the State Board of Agricul- ture since ISSI, and is now a member of the state commission on the diseases of domestic animals. He is a trustee of the Connecticut Hospital for the Insane at Middletown, having held the position since ISSo, and being at present the secretary of the board, and has been a director of the Connecti- cut Industrial School for Girls at Middletown since
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1881. He is also a director of the Russell Library Company, and of the St. Luke Home in Middletown for aged and indigent women. Dr. Alsop was nominated for lieutenant-governor by the demo- cratic state convention, which was held in this city September 16, 1890, and received a majority ex- ceeding 500 in number at the election November 4th. The personal popularity of the Doctor, who is known and honored throughout the state, added strength to the democratic ticket. In addition to his professional life he is a special partner in the firm of C. E. Jackson & Co .; he is also one of the most successful stock breeders in the state. The truth is the Doctor is a genuine farmer and values the avocation for its own sake. At the election last fall the farmers extended to him a most gratifying support. Dr. Alsop has five children living.
[Dr. Alsop died in Fenwick, June 24, 1891, after the above sketch had been prepared .- ED.]
WILLIAM H. HAMILTON, DANIELSONVILLE : Publisher " The New England Fancier."
William Hunter Hamilton was born at Winsted January 8, 1857, and was educated in the Killingly High School. He is a printer by avocation but has for a number of years pub- lished The Fancier at Danielsonville. This peri- odical is devoted to poul- try interests and is an ably-conducted journal. Mr. Hamilton is an au- thority in his line of re- search and is prominently connected with poultry associations throughout New England, being a member of the Ameri- can Poultry Association, W. H. HAMILTON. the Bay State, the North Middlesex, and the Quinebaug Valley Associa- tions, and is a member of the American Lang- shan Club, the American Pekin Bantam Club, the American Brown Leghorn Club, and the American White Wyandotte Club, being one of the founders of the first-named of these clubs at Boston in 1887. He is known all over the country for the work which he has accomplished in behalf of. the breeding and raising of poultry. Mr. Hamilton is connected with various orders, including the Ameri- can Mechanics, the Ancient Order of United Work- men, and the Odd Fellows. His life has been spent at Winsted, Worcester, and Danielsonville. He is a republican in politics and is connected with the Episcopal church. His wife, who is living, was Miss Marceline P. Dumas. The family consists of three children, two sons and one daughter.
D. W. C. SKILTON, HARTFORD: President Phœ- nix Insurance Company.
DeWitt Clinton Skilton was born in that portion of the present town of Thomaston which was then known as Plymouth Hollow, on the IIth of January, 1839. His first American ancestor was Doctor Hen- ry Skilton, who was born in the parish of St. Mich- ael, Coventry, England, November 19, 1718, and sailed for America in a "gun ship," April 1, 1735, in his seventeenth year. He left the ship the same year on its arrival in Bos- ton, boarded awhile in Roxbury, and is next D. W. C. SKILTON. heard of in Preston, Conn., where he was married in 1741 to the daughter of Joseph Avery of Norwich. He removed to Southington in 1750, ten years later to Woodbury, and finally in his old age to Water- town, where he died in 1802 at the age of eighty-four. Henry Skilton was the first physician to commence the practice of medicine in Southington. He built a house in Southington which is still standing. Mr. Skilton's ancestors were among the early and most distinguished settlers of Hartford county, including such historical names as Hon. John Steel (who came to Hartford with Rev. Thomas Hooker from Massachusetts in June of the year 1636), Hon. John Wadsworth (the half brother of Captain Wadsworth who is said to have removed and concealed the Connecticut charter in the old charter oak), Sir William Southmayd, Hon. Matthew Allyn (one of the original parties to the royal charter), and Hon. John Allyn (who is called in the " History of Con- necticut " "the great secretary "), William Pyn- chon, Esq., Governor Thomas Welles, Captain Wil- liam Judd, and Timothy Judd, Esq., the last two the representatives of Waterbury in the colonial government almost continuously for forty years,- and many others of equal prominence in colonial and state history.
The subject of this sketch removed from Ply- mouth Hollow to Hartford in 1855, and began his business career in the dry-goods trade. In October, 1861, he first entered the insurance business as a clerk in the office of the Hartford Fire Insurance Company. In 1862 he joined Company B, of the Twenty-second Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers, and was elected second lieutenant, serving with distinction in the army until he was mustered out, having been promoted in the meantime to first lieutenant. On his return from the army he re- sumed his old position with the insurance company. In November, 1867, he was elected secretary of the
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BIOGRAPHY OF CONNECTICUT.
Phoenix Insurance Company, and remained in that capacity until August 1, 1888, when he was elected vice-president and acting president; and February 2, 1891, was elected president of the company. He ranks unquestionably among the expert under- writers of the country, and the Phoenix owes much of its success to his able management.
Mr. Skilton was married, August 8, 1865, to Miss Ann J. Andrews, daughter of Lyman Andrews of Hartford. They have had two children, a son and daughter, neither of whom is now living. In addi- tion to his official connection with the Phoenix In- surance Company, Mr. Skilton is a director in the Hartford National Bank, a corporator and trustee of the State Savings Bank, president of the National Board of Fire Underwriters, a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, a member of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic, and of the Hartford Club. He held the office of committeeman of the West Middle school distriet in Hartford for several years. He is a republican in politics, and his religious connections are with the Asylum Avenue Congregational church, of which he has long been an active member.
E. K. CHRIST, NEW BRITAIN: Teacher of Draw- ing and Penmanship.
Ernest Konrad Christ is a native of Germany, where he was born September 10, 1848. He was educated in the public schools and the gymnasium in his native country, and at the age of twenty left Germany to evade con- scription for military ser- vice and came to the United States. He settled in New York, made artis- tic pen work a specialty, and engaged in teaching drawing and penmanship to private pupils and in the public schools. He removed to New Britain in 1871, where he has since E. K. CHRIST. remained, engaged in the same profession. He now holds the position of supervisor of drawing and penmanship and teacher of German in the public schools. He is often called upon to engross resolutions and testimonials, which he does in an exceedingly artistic and attrac- tive style. Mr. Christ was a member of the New Britain court of common council in 1878, and has held other public positions. Hc is a member of the Odd Fellows and other benevolent societies, of the First Church of Christ in New Britain, and of the republican party. He is married, his wife being Miss Jennie B. Wilson before marriage, and they have six children.
HOXIE BROWN, COLCHESTER: Farmer.
Hoxie Brown, who is one of the most suc- cessful and influential farmers in his locality, was born in South Kingston, R. I., Nov. 1, 1819, and resided there until he was ten years of age, when he removed to Lebanon, in this state. He was edu- cated in the common schools of Rhode Island and Connecticut, amply preparing him for busi- ness life. Mr. Brown re- sided at Lebanon until 1865, when he transferred his interests to the town of Colchester, where he has since lived. In 1879 he represented that town HOXIE BROWN. in the general assembly, being a member of the house. His associates from New London County included such men as Senator Robert Coit and ex- Mayor George F. Tinker of New London, ex-Mayor Increase W. Carpenter and Jabez S. Lathrop of Norwich, and William T. Cook of Ledyard. Mr. Brown was associated with the democratic side of the house. He has been the recipient of many recognitions from his townsmen, and has occupied public office most of the time since he became a resident of Colchester. In early life he was con- nected with the state militia. His wife, Mrs. Esther Hoxie Brown, is still living at the age of sixty-nine years. Three children are also living.
EDWARD E. CULVER, WINSTED : Lumber Dealer.
Edward E. Culver was born in Colebrook, April 19, 1828, and received a common school education. The first twenty years of his life were spent in Colebrook, three years were passed in Litchfield, and the remainder of his career has been identified with Winsted. He has been a member of the board of selectmen four years and of the board of water commissioners for thirteen. He is connect- ed with the Second Con- gregational church and is a member of the repub- lican party. Hc is also a member of the Royal Ar- E. E. CULVER. canum and the American Mechanics. His wife. who is still living, was Miss Mary Ann Bowker prior to marriage. There are three children, one son and two daughters, in the family.
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ELI DEWHURST, BRIDGEPORT: A Retired Con- tractor.
Eli Dewhurst, eldest son of James and Elizabeth Dewhurst, was born in Berry, Lancashire, Eng- land, July 24, 1824. When three years old his parents sailed from Liv- erpool in the Mayflower
bound for Plymouth,
Mass. After landing they immediately pro- ceeded to Pawtucket, R. I., where the father soon found employment in the woolen mills as a superin- tendent of the loom de- partment ; from thence they removed to Andover and remained there until ELI DEWHURST. 1833, when they took the stage for Boston, and thence from Boston to the old Franklin Inn at the cor- ner of State and Main streets, Bridgeport. Although Bridgeport had not yet become a city, the Bunnells woolen mills had made the place known throughout the trade, and here the father again obtained employ- ment; and it was at this time that the lad Eli, then but nine years of age, formed an attachment to the place in which the greater part of his life was to be spent. From Bridgeport they moved to Zoar Bridge, and from thence to Birmingham. During these years he had learned that industry and the practice of temperance and economy were the nec- essary requisites to prepare for the comforts of old age. Shortly after his arrival in Birmingham he met the helpmeet of his life, Elizabeth Simpson, whom he married in 1845. In 1849 they removed to Woodbury, where Eli and Mr. Simpson pur- chased a farm, which they worked together; after- wards he moved to Waterbury and from there to Watertown; and notwithstanding he had become proficient in his trade as a spinner, he foresaw the future of the sewing-machine business and aban- doned his trade to accept a position as screw- maker in the Wheeler & Wilson Manufacturing Company. At that time the company employed only one other person in that department. In 1856 the factory was removed to Bridgeport, and Eli, having formed an attachment for its new locality, willingly came with them. As the business in- creased, instead of working by the day he took the work by contract and had in his employ at times upwards of sixty employés. During his contract of twenty-five years with the company, having commenced saving from his individual hard earn- ings in youth, with careful investments he had ac- cumulated sufficient in 1881 to retire from active business. Not only did his employers regret to lose his valuable and trustworthy services, but his
employés also who had worked for him many years equally regretted the change. He was a man who always demanded a fair price for his services, and also believed that the laborer was worthy of his hire, and paid his workmen liberally for their ser- vices, which the writer can personally testify to. While his early days were spent in the mill or on the farm, and no opportunity offered for educa- tional training such as is open to the lad of to-day, yet he embraced every opportunity to acquire what self-education and training he could. He is a keen observer of human character, and has delight in assisting those who have tried to help themselves. He has served in the common council of the city, and for sixteen years served as one of the board of fire commissioners. He is a firm believer in pure and simple democracy. He is and has always been ready and willing to labor for the good and welfare of the beautiful Park City. A few years ago he built two substantial brick blocks on Harriet street, and then selected a commanding site on the corner of Barnum avenue and Noble street, facing on Washington park, where he erected a home under which roof during the summer months he enjoys the results of the labors of youth and early man- hood. While not a devotee of society, yet those who enjoy his friendship can testify to the hearty and whole-souled hospitality that is dispensed to the intimates of his household. The time is ap- proaching for them to celebrate their golden wed- ding; and of the many who start in life with good resolutions and promises to each other, if success attend them and they reap the golden harvest, few appreciate the same as fully as does Eli and his wife; the writer can truthfully say that they have worked together, they have lived for one another, and their greatest delight is to see each other happy.
He was made a mason in King Solomon lodge of Woodbury, but afterwards became a charter member of Corinthian lodge, No. 104, of Bridgeport. They helped the late Rev. Dr. N. S. Richardson to plant St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal parish of East Bridgeport. Eli has been an active worker in its vestry and Mrs. Dewhurst has gone along continu- ously doing good among the needy in a quiet unos- tentatious manner. They are firm believers in the pure and simple form of worship as promulgated in the book of Common Prayer, and strenuously oppose all invasions that tend toward high ritual- ism.
May their lives be spared for years to come so that they may enjoy many more winters in Florida, as has been their custom of late, and their pleasant and happy home in Bridgeport during the summer; and may the purity of their lives and character prove a living example of a life well spent, is the earnest desire of the writer. W. H. C.
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BIOGRAPHY OF CONNECTICUT.
ALFRED T. RICHARDS, HARTFORD: General Agent Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Com- pany.
Mr. Richards was born at Pembroke, South Wales, August 28, 1843. While attending the country school of his native place, one day a strolling gypsy came into the schoolroom and sought to tell the fortunes of the teacher and pupils. She fixed her eye on young Rich- ards, and pointing at him exclaimed: "That boy will go to America and get rich!" The predic- tion did not so far over- come the lad as to occa- sion any neglect of his studies, but it proved true so far at least as his emi- A. T. RICHARDS. grating to this country was concerned. Mr. Richards received from his parents a careful religious training. His mother impressed upon his young mind the importance of a strict adherence to the truth, and of living a God-fearing life. The teachings and example of a Christian mother generally have a more restraining and controlling influence upon a child's life than any other agency can accomplish; and in the case of the subject of this sketch it is certain that his mother's kindly and oft-repeated precepts have been the guiding star of his early and later career.
Before coming to the States, Mr. Richards was for some time a resident of New Brunswick, where he held the office of postmaster. He came to Hartford in 1871, and was for some years engaged in mercantile pursuits, a part of the time as the business representative of the firm of Keney & Roberts. Latterly for several years he has repre- sented the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Com- pany as general agent for Connecticut, and he is also president of the Connecticut Life Underwriters' Association. As general agent of the Connecticut Life, with headquarters at the home office, hc has labored most earnestly and conscientiously, and to the great satisfaction of the management. His ideas and methods are entirely in harmony with the honorable policy which distinguishes this company, and his habits of persevering industry have been re- warded with a degree of success which still further strengthens the attachments that bind him to his principals.
Mr. Richards is a republican in politics, and has acted with that party since becoming a voter. He is a member of the Asylum Avenue Congregational church, in which he holds the office of deacon. He has a wife and four children, three of whom are daughters. Mrs. Richards was Miss Laura R.
Johnson prior to her marriage; a graduate of Mount Holyoke Seminary, and a most estimable lady. Mr. Richards is a man of excellent literary in- stincts, and an enthusiastic admirer of Carlyle, Ruskin, and Emerson. He is not unaccustomed to public speaking; his addresses on special lines of research have been particularly interesting. He is in every way a valued citizen of Hartford.
GEORGE DANIEL COLBURN, UNION: Farmer and Lumberman.
George D. Colburn was born at the old home- stead in Stafford, February 11, 1819, is of the fifth generation in descent from Daniel Colburn, who was one of the twelve original settlers of the town in 1718, and the seventh from Daniel Col- burn who landed in Bos- ton in 1631. He removed to New Haven with his parents in 1828; was edu- cated in the common and private schools of that city; served three years at a trade; at nineteen was working as a jour- neyman ; at twenty-two G. D. COLBURN. went into business; at twenty-five married Elizabeth, daughter of Gard- ner Wallace of Holland, Mass., and had four children born to them, three of whom are living, all daughters. In 1848, on account of his health, he removed to the town of Union, and engaged in farming and lumbering. He returned to New Haven in 1853, and again engaged in manufactur- ing. Health again failing, in 1856 he went back to the farm in Union. In 1862 (at the urgent request of his brother, the late Colonel Ledyard Colburn of the 12th Connecticut Volunteers) he went to New Orleans and took the position of superintendent of construction on the railroad running from New Orleans to Brashear City, Colonel Colburn having been detailed by General Butler as military super- intendent of all the roads in the department. In 1863-64 he also assisted Colonel Colburn in building transport steamers for government use. By order of General Banks, one was finished and put on com- mission, and was so useful that it was kept in ser- vice longer than any other vessel of its class in the department. He experienced some exciting times and had several narrow escapes during his service on the road. He returned home just before the close of the war, and has since been, and is now, actively engaged in farming and lumbering, at the age of seventy-two. He has held numerous town offices, and has been five times honored with a seat
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