USA > Connecticut > Illustrated popular biography of Connecticut > Part 54
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E. C. DENNIS, STAFFORD SPRINGS: Flour and Grain Merchant.
Ebenezer C. Dennis was born in Hardwick, Worcester County, Mass., July 26, 1834, and re- ceived a public school education. He represented the Twenty-fourth sena- torial district during the sessions of 1881, 1882, ISS3, and 1884, serving as chair- man of the committee on claims during a portion of the time. His senatorial career was marked by the strictest devotion to the interests of the state, and was creditable in every sense of the word. Ex- Senator Dennis formerly resided in Worcester. For twenty-four years he was E. C. DENNIS. engaged in the wholesale hide and leather business, but a number of years he has been at the head of an extensive flour and grain trade. Mr. Dennis is a republican in politics, and has held the office of assessor at Stafford for several years, is chair- man of the board of selectmen, and has been a director of the Stafford National Bank for many years. He has also been warden of the borough of Stafford, and has taken a prominent part in local affairs. He is a bank director, and a man of thorough business training. He is a member of the Business Men's Club and of the Grange. His reli- gious associations are with the Congregational church. The ex-senator's family consists of a wife and one son. The former was Miss Sophironia M. Fuller prior to her marriage.
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FREDERICK JESUP BANKS, BRIDGEPORT: Cashier City National Bank.
Frederick J. Banks has always resided in Bridge- port, where he was born, July 20, 1854. He was educated in Strong's Military Institute, where he received ample prepara- tion for the business career which he has since developed. His first start in business life was as bookkeeper and teller for the banking firm of Hatch & Watson for three years. His faithfulness gained him promotion to a posi- tion in the City National Bank in 1874 as a book- keeper, from which he F. J. BANKS. was advanced to be the receiving teller, and later for ten years the courteous and very efficient pay- ing teller. He now fills the honorable and very responsible position of cashier, most acceptably to the institution, and to the gratification of his many friends. Mr. Banks married, January 23, 1889, Miss Julia L. Whitehouse of Brooklyn, N. Y., and their beautiful and hospitable home is on Clinton
avenue. Mr. Banks has never sought public honors or distinctions; he is, however, the trusted treasurer of the Bridgeport hospital, and is deeply interested in its welfare-as of everything that tends to promote the social, moral, and charitable interests of his native city. He is a member of St. John's Episcopal church of Bridgeport.
HENRY R. ADKINS, WINSTED: Harness-maker.
Henry R. Adkins has spent most of his life in the business of harness-making. He is a well- known resident in his section of the state. He com- menced life in the old town of Plymouth, and afterwards removed to New Hartford. Thence he transferred his inter- ests to Winsted, where he has since resided. He is a member of the First Congregational church of that place, and a man of exemplary life and char- acter. His wife, who is still living, was Miss Ruth H. R. ADKINS. Ann Baker prior to mar- riage. Both of the child- ren, the fruit of this union, are dead. Mr. Adkins was born in the town of Plymouth, January 30, 1815, and received a common school education.
GEORGE H. CLOWES, WATERBURY: Manufac- turer of Sheet Brass and Copper, Seamless Brass and Copper Tubing, Brazed Tubing, etc.
George H. Clowes was born in Clinton, Oneida county, N. Y., June 17, 1842, at which place his father, the Rev. Timothy Clowes, LL.D., was principal of the Clinton Liberal Institute. A year later his parents moved to Philadelphia and re- sided there about four years. From that city they went to Hempstead, L. I., where they resided until he was about eleven years of age. During this time he attended school at the Hempstead Seminary, and later on at G. H. CLOWES. Jamaica Academy. at Jamaica, L. I. At the age of eleven he was sent to Thetford Academy, Thetford, Vt., and remained there until he became fifteen years of age. He then went to De Pere, Wisconsin, and spent one year in the banking office of his brother there. Subsequently he at- tended St. Lawrence University at Appleton, Wis- consin. His father died in 1847, and a few years later his mother removed to Brooklyn, which city was chiefly his home up to the year 1875.
Shortly after the commencement of the war he took a course of military instructions under Col. Tompkins, who was appointed by the U. S. Gov- ernment to fit officers for positions in the army. Having passed a creditable examination before the board of the U. S. Government examining officers, he received the appointment of adjutant of the McClellan infantry, then under the command of an experienced French officer (Col. Levy). After spending several months and considerable money in helping to raise the regiment to the number of 600 men, there was an order from the war depart- ment to stop recruiting and to consolidate all incomplete regiments. His regiment was consol- idated with one of about 400 men, and the whole staff of the larger contingent thrown out; owing entirely, as is believed, to political influence. The young adjutant became somewhat chagrined at the treatment he had received and determined to let army matters alone. On the second call for troops, however, he joined the 47th regiment, N. Y. N. G., and shouldered a musket. Shortly after joining the regiment he was appointed sergeant- major and held the position until mustered out of the three months service for which the regiment was mustered in. In the spring of 1863 he ac- cepted a position as paymaster's clerk on board the U. S. gunboat Flambeau, doing duty off the
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coast of North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, during a period of about one year and a half. Shortly after the evacuation of Charleston he was transferred to a similar position on the United States store ship Home, and had eharge of the accounts and naval stores on board that vessel and several smaller ones, and held this position until all were ordered home in the summer of 1864. After settling his accounts with the government, he became engaged in the large manufacturing hat house of Gardner & Co., New York, where he remained two years, at first as a bookkeeper and subsequently as salesman. This position he gave up to accept one with the Middlefield Fire and Building Stone Co., whose works and office were situated at 1269 Broadway, New York. After re- maining about two years with this company, he re- ceived an offer of the appointment of paymaster's clerk on the U. S. gunboat Juanita, ordered to the European station, which position he accepted, and went on board the vessel twenty-four hours after the appointment. The vessel sailed for the Euro- pean station July, 1869, and did not return to the United States until July, 1872. His next pos- ition was with the New York Loan Indemity Co. as loan and discount clerk. During the two years he was with this company he influenced to it deposits to the amount of upwards of a quarter of a milllon of dollars, more, it is be- lieved, than its president, secretary, and nineteen directors combined. January 1, 1875, he became head bookkeeper of Brown & Brothers and held that position up to the time of change in manage- ment, when Franklin Farrel assumed control of the company, at which time he was reappointed office manager and assistant treasurer, and remained in such position until they made an assignment in January, 1886. After the assignment Mr. Clowes remained several months with the trustees of the company or up to the time when he purchased that portion known as their seamless tube, brazed tube, and boiler business. After building this part of the business up to what was generally considered a great success and outgrowing the occupied prem- ises, the present partners (Randolph & Clowes) pur- chased the old rolling mill of Brown & Brothers, and the remainder of the property. The past two years have been devoted to getting that part of the plant in a good condition for doing a successful business, and the proprietors have good reason to feel satisfaction and pride in the results they have achieved. They started in April, 1886, with about 50 men and one clerk, with a small office about fourteen feet square; they now employ nearly 400 men and have three depots, one in New York, one in Chicago, and one in Boston. It is understood that they paid the trustees of Brown & Brothers for the property they bought of them, in all, about
$125,000, and have expended in improving the property about $275,000 more, making the cost of the plant to them about $400,000. Had the busi- ness not been made a suecess the original cost of the property would have been considered large; but, having made a success, the additional expen- diture for putting the property in good shape has given it a value more than double the amount actually expended on and for it. From starting with about 200 customers on their books, they now have nearly 3,000, a remarkable result to have ac- complished in so brief a period. Although Mr. Randolph has been more than liberal in his assist- ance in furnishing the large capital necessary ($800,000) to carry on the business, yet he has given no time to the management of the business; and, beyond his financial aid, Mr. Clowes has had no assistance whatever. It is owing entirely to his energy, great executive ability and perseverance, that Randolph & Clowes to-day stand second to none in their line. This success is all the more marked and creditable, from the fact that he has succeeded where others had failed who were sup- ported by a large coterie of encouraging and admiring friends.
F. S. CROSSFIELD, HARTFORD: Physician and Surgeon.
Dr. Fred S. Crossfield was born in Keene, N. H., July 29, 1854, and received an academic education, completing his general studies at the Keene High School and Dean Acad- emy in Franklin. He pursued a thorough med- ical course in New York and has been engaged in practice in Hartford for thirteen years. He is the medical director of the National Life Association and belongs to the City, Hartford County, and State Medical Societies, and is also a member of the American Medical As- sociation. He is assistant F. S. CROSSFIELD). surgeon on the Putnam Phalanx staff, and is con- neeted with the Order of Red Men. Dr. Cross- field is one of the vestrymen of Christ church. In politics he is a republican. His wife, who is still living, was Miss L. 1. Hill, daughter of Hon. E. B. Hill of Glastonbury, prior to her marriage. There are no children in the family. Dr. Crossfield occu- pies a prominent position professionally in this city and is regarded with the most genuine esteem by his associates. He is equally honored as a citizen.
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S. W. HAUGHTON, BOZRAH: Farmer.
Mr. Haughton was born in Utica, N. Y., Septem- ber 30, 1831, and was educated at Christ Church Hall, Pomfret, Conn. He has followed farming for the greater part of his life, and has resided in Boston, Buffalo, and Bozrah, being assistant postmaster in the latter town during the Cleve- land administration. He is of the democratic po- litical faith, and religious- ly connected with the Episcopal church. His wife was Harriet W. Smith, and she is still S. W. HAUGHTON. living. They have no children. Mr. Haughton is a gentleman of excellent ability and earnest convictions. He is careful and methodical in all business affairs, and his life thus far has been one of great usefulness. He is highly esteemed by his townsmen and all who enjoy his acquaintance.
GEORGE E. ELLIOT, CLINTON: Merchant.
Mr. Elliot was born in Killingworth (now Clin- ton) April 17, 1819, and comes of noted ancestry. His father was Ely A. Elliot and his mother Susan M. Pratt of Old Saybrook, and he is the direct de- scendant in the seventh generation from John Eliot of Roxbury, Mass., well known as the " Apos- tle to the Indians," and the first to translate the Bible into the native tongue of the American aborigines. The subject of this sketch was edu- cated in the public schools G. E. ELLIOT. and at Amherst, Mass., Academy, and has been a successful merchant in Clinton for many years. He has been justice of the peace, judge of probate, and postmaster, but at present holds no public of- fice except that of member of the board of school visitors, which he has held from 1844 to the present time. He was one of the original trustees of the famous Morgan school of Clinton, and is its secre- tary and treasurer. He was a member of the lower house of the Connecticut legislature in 1853. He is connected with the Union Manufacturing Company, and with the Clinton Paper Company. In politics he is a democrat. He is connected with the Con- gregational church in Clinton, and is influential in
its work. His wife, who was Cornelia C. Red- field, is living, and they have four children. Judge Elliot is very well known in that stretch of towns on the Sound line, and has also an extensive ac- quaintance in all parts of the state. He is univers- ally esteemed for his upright character, and for his earnest interest in educational affairs.
JOSEPH HUTCHINS, PLAINFIELD.
One of the most respected and honored citizens of the ancient town of Plainfield, in Windham county, is Joseph Hutchins, the subject of this sketch. He is a native of the town, and was born March 4, 1820. During his youth he attended the district school, and com- pleted his education at Plainfield academy, one of the oldest and most reputable institutions of its class in the state. He became a farmer, from the active pursuits of which avocation,however, JOSEPH HUTCHINS. he retired some years ago. At the present time he is a director of the Uncas National Bank of Norwich, agent of the Plainfield Town Deposit fund, and trustee of the David Gallup fund of that town. He is also a trustee of the Chelsea Savings Bank of Norwich, of the Ecclesiastical Society fund of Plainfield, and of various personal estates. In 1858 and 1875 he was a member of the Connec- ticut house of representatives, a legislative experi- ence repeated in 1885. He was elected to the state senate from the Seventeenth district in the fall of 1886, and in the session which followed he was ap- pointed on the committees on banks and on consti- tutional amendments, being the senate chairman of both. He has held many local offices, including first selectman, and has enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his townsmen through an uninterrupted business career covering over half a century. Sena- tor Hutchins was originally a whig, but became a republican when the latter party was organized, and has remained a consistent member of it ever since. He married Lucy R. Woodward, daughter of Lemuel Woodward of Plainfield, and she is still living. They have one daughter, born May 22, 1853; she is the wife of Mr. Joseph C. Noyes of Cincinnati, Ohio, where they now reside. Mr. and Mrs. Hutchins have spent considerable time in Cincinnati since that city became the home of their daughter.
The church membership of Mr. Hutchins is, and has long been, with the old First Congregational
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Society of Plainfield. He has no membership with clubs or fraternities. His early life was full of business and social activity, but for the last few years he has been quietly enjoying the fruits of his success, and devoting his time to the intelligent direction and management of his own affairs and of various accepted trusts.
JOHN G. BAIRD, ELLINGTON : Congregational Clergyman.
Rev. John G. Baird was born in Milford, Conn., November 27, 1826. He was educated at the Mil- ford High school, graduated at Yale College in 1852, and at the Andover Theological Seminary. His life has been spent in ministerial and educa- tional work. He taught in Ellington from '52 to '54; was a student at An- dover from '54 to '57; was pastor of the Second Con- gregational church in Saybrook from '59 to '65; was in educational work in New Haven from '65 to '78; resided in Hart- ford, in same occupation, J. G. BAIRD. from '78 to '83; resigned his position in the office of the state board of education in '83, and removed to Ellington in 1884, where he has since resided. His wife was Miss Eliza Hall of Ellington. They have no children. Mr. Baird is a republican, but has never held any elective office. He is a member of the First church in Hartford.
SETH BARNES, BRISTOL: Clock-Maker.
Seth Barnes was born in Norfolk, March 13, 1846, and was educated in the common schools at Tor- rington, where his early years were passed. His father died in 1853, and at the age of fourteen he commenced work on a farm, where he remained for three years. He then engaged in the employ of the Seth Thomas Clock Company. On the 13th of March, 1866, when he was twenty years of age, he entered the employ of the E. Ingraham Clock Company at Bristol, where he has since remained. SETH BARNES. He has been an active and influential citizen of the place, and has been a member of the High school committee since IS87, and of the building committee, which has had the
erection of the High school in charge, the structure costing $30,000. He was a member of the Bristol fire department for fifteen years, serving as assist- ant chief engineer during the last two years of the time. Mr. Barnes is a past master of Franklin Lodge, No. 56, F. and A. M., of Bristol, and is a prominent representative of the order. He holds the office of a trial justice of the peace. He is a republican in politics, and has been a member of the town committee for a number of years. His wife, who was Miss Margaret E. Phetzing prior to marriage, died in June, 1890, leaving two sons, Arthur S. and Fred H. Barnes. The former is a member of the junior class in Yale, while the latter is studying at Bristol. Mr. Barnes has taken an active interest in education, and has served as com- mittee of his district for a number of terms, in ad- dition to the place which he has held on the High school committee. He is a public-spirited citizen, and is held in high esteem in Bristol.
GEORGE AUSTIN FAY, MERIDEN: Attorney- at-Law.
The subject of this sketch was born at Marlboro', Mass., Aug. 29, 1838. His early life was spent at home upon the farm, and afterwards at the bench in the manufacture of shoes. He received his education in the common schools of his native town, graduating finally at the Marlboro' High school. In 1859 he left his native place and went to Meri- den, Conn., where he has since resided. During his early residence in Meri- den he was employed as a clerk in the office of the Adams' Express Com- G. A. FAY. pany, and was at the same time the Western Union telegraph operator at that place. Two years later, in May, 1861. he entered the law department of Yale University, where, in 1862, he was graduated as LL. B. After his gradua- tion he entered the office of Hon. O. H. Platt, now United States senator, where he remained a year. In May, 1863, he was admitted to the Connecticut bar as an attorney-at-law, since which time he has practiced in that profession. In 1865 he married Jennie M. Curtis, only daughter of Alfred P. Cur- tis of Meriden. In 1871 he was elected by the re- publicans to the state senate from the Sixth sena- torial district, where he served as chairman of the committee on incorporations, and also as chairman of the committee on elections, to determine who was elected governor of the state. The canvass
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for state officers during the preceding campaign had been an exceedingly exciting one, and resulted, as will be remembered, in a declaration of the election of Hon. James E. English of New Haven, on the face of the returns, by a majority of thirty- nine votes. On account of alleged frauds in the vote of the Fourth Ward of New Haven, the elec- tion of Mr. English was contested and an investi- gation instituted, with the result of unseating him, and awarding the gubernatorial office to Hon. Marshall Jewell, who was duly inaugurated gov- ernor of Connecticut. Mr. Fay has a very proper sense of gratification still, that he was able to par- ticipate officially in the action of the committee by and before whom this important investigation was conducted. Since that legislative term he has not taken any active part in politics, beyond casting his vote for the candidates of the republican party, feeling obliged to devote his time wholly to his profession. Mr. Fay is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
REV. S. H. HOWE, D.D., NORWICH: Pastor of Park Congregational Church.
Rev. Samuel Henry Howe was born in Fleming county, Ky., December 18, 1837. He graduated from Hanover College in Illinois in 1861. He taught Greek and mathematics for two years previous to his graduationin McNair's academy in Louisiana. He pursued a course of theological studies at Princeton, graduating from the Theological Sem- inary there in 1864. In 1865 he was ordained as a Presbyterian minister, and has occupied four pastorates in the Presby- terian church. His first S. H. HOWE. field was at Vincennes, Ind., where he remained for two years. In 1867 he was settled at Independence, Mo., occupying the pastorate there until 1869. In 1870 he removed to Cortland, N. Y., and in 1872 he accepted the pastoral charge of the church in Georgetown, D. C., and continued his pulpit ministrations there until 1883. In 1877 he received the degree of D.D., his scholar- ship and attainments entitling him to that recogni- tion. He became the pastor of the Park Congrega- tional church in Norwich in November, 1883, and has since remained there. He is a member of the New London association, and has one of the largest churches in eastern Connecticut. The membership is about 300, and the cost of the church edifice was $125,000. Dr. Howe was married in 1873, and has a family of four children.
DAN A. MILLER, BRISTOL: General Manager Burner Department, Bristol Brass and Clock Company.
Dan A. Miller was born in that part of the town of Farmington which is now known as Avon, December 5, 1823, and received a common school and academic education, completing his studies in theold Hartford academy. He is an accountant by profession, and in 1867, also in 1871, represented the town of Southington in the general assembly, serving on the democratic side. He has held various offices in Bristol, includ- ing member of the board of selectmen, board of re- D. A. MILLER. lief, and assessor, and is at present a notary public. Mr. Miller is a past worshipful master of Franklin Lodge, No. 56, F. and A. M., of Bristol and is held in high esteem in the fraternity. He has been identified with the settlement of different estates in Bristol and is an honored business man in the com- munity. He was married in 1847, November 26th, to Miss Sarah M. Bishop, who is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have three sons. Their home is at Forestville.
ANDREW J. GARDINER, DANIELSONVILLE : Cotton Manufacturer.
Andrew J. Gardiner, whose name is quite familiar to a large number of cotton manufacturers and business men in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, was born in Windham, Ct., January 18, 1832, and received his education in the common schools. The activity that has characterized his life from boyhood up has placed him in the front ranks in his line of busi- ness. He earned his first money in the cotton mill at the age of thirteen years. Mr. Gardiner in 1850 entered the employ- ment of Paul Whitin & A. J. GARDINER. Son of Whitinsville, Mass., the well-known and ex- tensive builders of cotton machinery; and by force of his ability and character soon rose to prominent positions in their employ, and remained with them upwards of twenty-five years. In 1879, on the or- ganization of the Danielsonville Cotton Company, Mr. Gardiner was engaged as the resident agent,
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and the excellent success of that company during the eleven succeeding years is due in no small de- gree to his practical skill and business experience as a manufacturer. Mr. Gardiner is one of the stockholders originally forming this company, which interest he still retains. He is also president of the Suffolk Manufacturing Company, a large corporation in Boston, Mass.
Mr. Gardiner is a member of the Congregational church, and in politics a staunch republican. His activity in business has always prompted him to decline all political honors. He takes great interest in all improvements in the locality where he resides, and is a gentleman of excellent judgment and valuable opinions and views respecting financial affairs. He married Miss Annie F. Andruss, and they have three sons. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
SAMUEL GREGORY BEARDSLEY, TRUMBULL: Town Clerk and Justice of the Peace.
Samuel G. Beardsley was born at Long Hill, Trumbull, December 7, 1824, where his home has ever since been. His father, Samuel Beardsley, Esq., was confessedly one of the ablest and most prominent men his native town ever produced, hav- ing been twice represent- ative, once state senator, sheriff, and commissioner of Fairfield county, trial justice for many years, largely employed in the settlement of estates, hav- ing acted as executor or administrator of more than one hundred, and S. G. BEARDSLEY. was universally respected and esteemed. The subject of this sketeh was ed- ucated in the common schools of his own, and the academies of adjoining towns ; was admitted a member of Yale College, but was compelled to dis- continue study through failure of sight; taught school several terms, engaged in the manufacture of cotton in partnership with the late Alonzo Sher- man for six years, and afterward, on the death of his only brother, assisted his father in farming, which has since been his chief occupation. He has held numerous town offices ; was a member of the general assembly of 1865, and of the centennial senate of 1876, defeating for the latter position Hon. David B. Plumb, a distinguished citizen of Shelton, whose father, Noah Plumb, Esq., was also beaten for the same office by liis father just forty years before ; and now holds the office of justice of the peace, which he has held since 1860, and of
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