USA > Connecticut > Illustrated popular biography of Connecticut > Part 6
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succeeding Commissioner Barber of this city, whose death occurred while the erection of the capitol was in progress. He brought to the commission the taste and culture of a man who had devoted his life to intellectual pursuits, and became one of its most valued members. Mr. Chamberlin is one of the most honored citizens of Hartford. He is at the head of the law firm of Chamberlin, White & Mills, and is connected with the Park Congrega- tional church. His wife, who was Miss Mary W. Porter prior to her marriage, is still living. The home occupied by them is one of the most charm- ing and cultivated centers in the city.
HON. A. HEATON ROBERTSON, NEW HA- VEN : Judge of Probate.
Judge Robertson comes of one of the old fami- lies of New Haven, where he was born September 25, 1850. He prepared for college at the Hopkins Grammar School, grad- uated from Yale College in 1872, and in 1874 from the Columbia Law School. He was an aide upon Governor Ingersoll's staff with rank of colonel in 1873, '74, '75, and '76. From 1877 to 1881 he was an alderman from the Sixth Ward of New Ha- ven. For a time he was at the head of the im- portant lamp department. A. H. ROBERTSON. In 1880 he was the junior, and in 1882 the senior, representative from New Haven in the legislature. In 1880 he was a mem- ber of the committee on railroads and on contested elections, and in 1882 of the committee on the judici- ary and the Governor Buckingham statue. He was senator from the Eighth District in 1885 and 1886, serving both years on the committees on roads and bridges and contingent expenses. He was elected judge of probate of the New Haven district in 1886, re-elected in 1888, and again in 1890-the last time receiving the nomination from both the great political parties. His business connections are as director with the New Haven & Northamp- ton Railroad Company, Southern New England Telephone Company, Co-operative Loan and Trust Association, and Young Men's Institute. He is a member and vestryman of Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church of New Haven; a democrat; and belongs to the Knights of Honor.
Judge Robertson is the eldest son of Hon. John B. Robertson, ex-mayor of New Haven, who is the grandson of Alexander Robertson, an officer of Marion's Brigade of South Carolina. He is a
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BIOGRAPHY OF CONNECTICUT.
grandson of Abram Heaton of New Haven on his mother's side, who was a descendant of a brother of Theophilus Eaton. Judge Robertson married Miss Graziella Ridgeway of Philadelphia, Penn., and they have two children: Heaton Ridgeway and Mabel Harriet Joy Robertson.
Judge Robertson has been constant and success- ful in the practice of his profession, and has a high standing before the bar of New Haven county and the state.
DR. CHARLES J. FOX, WILLIMANTIC: Physi- cian and Surgeon.
Ex-Surgeon-General Charles James Fox was born in Wethersfield, Dec. 21, 1854, and was edu- cated in the Hartford High school and the New York University of Phy- sicians and Surgeons. In April, 1877, he became a resident of Willimantic, where he is engaged in the practice of his profes- sion. Governor Louns- bury appointed him sur- geon-general on his staff, and he is known through- out the National Guard as a popular and efficient officer. Since 1883 he has held the place of United States examining sur- C. J. FOX. geon for pensions, and is one of the medical exam- iners for Windham county. Dr. Fox is ex-presi- dent of the Windham County Medical society, chairman of the committee on matters of profes- sional interest in the Connecticut State Medical society, member from Windham County of the centennial committee for 1892, for the coming cen- tennial of the State Medical Society at New Haven, a frequent contributor to state, national, and inter- national medical journals, and was elected in ISSI and 1882 to represent the American Medical Asso- ciation before the medical organization in Europe. In December, 1890, he was appointed on a com- mittee of fifteen to draft Willimantic's city charter and present it to the General Assembly of 1891.
Dr. Fox is a member of the Putnam Phalanx of Hartford; an officer of Eastern Star Lodge, F. and A. M., of Willimantic; member of the Knights Templar Commandery ; Grand Junior Warden of the Grand Commandery Knights Templars of the state of Connecticut; charter member of the Odd Fellows Lodge in Willimantic; and charter member of the Willimantic board of trade. He is a republican in politics. Dr. Fox is a widower without children, and a member of the Congrega- tional ehurch. He is a gentleman of extensive and influential acquaintance throughout the state.
HION. JOSEPH R. HAWLEY, HARTFORD: United States Senator ; Associate Publisher Hartford Courant.
Joseph Russell Hawley was the son of a Congre- gationalist minister who in 1826, being engaged in some missionary work in North Carolina, was tem- porarily residing there with his family. J. R. Hawley was born on the 3Ist of October of that year, and is thus a native of North Carolina, from which state, however, his father shortly removed his family, to settle at Peterboro in central New York. Here the lad grew up, gaining his education at the public schools of the district, and closing it J. R. HAWLEY. at Hamilton College, from which he graduated in 1847. In 1850, at the sug- gestion of his Uncle David, who was the well- known city missionary of Hartford, he removed to this city and began the practice of law, having pre- viously spent three years in preparation therefor. He prospered in his profession, and in five years after his settlement in Hartford he married Miss Harriet Foote, daughter of General Foote of Guil- ford, on Christmas day, 1855.
Gen. Hawley early distinguished himself as one of the leaders of the Free Soil party, became active in politics, and soon decided to abandon the law and devote himself to journalism. He was con- nected and thoroughly identified first with the Hartford Evening Press, and subsequently with the Hartford Morning Courant, of which latter journal he is still the leading proprietor. At the breaking out of the rebellion Hawley was one of the very first to enlist for active service, and was made first lieutenant of Company A, First Regi- ment, which was mustered into service for thrce months on the 22d of April, 1861. He served nintil his term of service expired, again enlisted, and was in active service entirely through the war, being honorably mustered out on the 15th of January, I866. He enlisted as a private, was advanced through all the grades of promotion, and when finally discharged held the rank of major-general of volunteers. Returning home he was nominated by the republican party as its candidate for governor, to which office he was enthusiastically elected. In 1872 he was chosen president of the United States Centennial Commission. The same year he was elected to the forty-second congress to fill the va- caney occasioned by the death of Congressman Julius L. Strong, and was re-elected for the full term in April, 1873. He was defeated in 1875 and
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1876, but elected to the forty-sixth congress in 1878, taking his seat March 4, 1879. Thence, March 4, 1881, he was transferred to the senate, and was re- elected for a second term in 1887. His record in congress is one of loyalty to his state, of fidelity to his party, and of patriotic devotion to the welfare of the republic.
General Hawley is a vigorous campaign speaker, and is always in demand when important elections are pending. He rarely prepares his speeches in detail, but relies upon the inspiration of the moment, and in purely extemporaneous effort has few superiors. He has strong and earnest convic- tions, and possesses the courage to avow them on all proper occasions.
HON. ALEXANDER WARNER, WOODSTOCK : Ex-Treasurer of Connecticut.
Colonel Alexander Warner was born January 10, 1827, at Smithville, R. I. In 1834 the family moved to Woodstock, Conn., where the son received an academical education. After leaving school he engaged in business. The year 1861 found him part owner and manager of a prosperous twine manu- factory in Woodstock. An aptitude for military mat- ters had already drawn him into the state militia, and he was then lieut .- colonel of the Seventh Regiment.
A spirit like his could ALEXANDER WARNER. not move on in the routine of ordinary life, however attractive the surround- ings, when a great crisis was calling the brave to arms. Among the earliest to enlist, he was ap- pointed by Governor Buckingham major of the Third regiment, Connecticut Volunteers, and took part in the battle of Bull Run. After the disband- ment of the three months' troops he was made lieut .- colonel of the 13th Connecticut regiment, and served in that capacity till near the close of 1863, when a severe attack of sickness compelled him to withdraw from active service.
In the autumn of 1865, Colonel Warner purchased one of the finest plantations in Mississippi, located in Madison county, near the center of the state. Without preconcert about twenty families from the north simultaneously bought homes in the same neighborhood. They brought with them wealth and intelligence. Curiously enough the new comers made the acquaintance of each other in an attempt to recover a large number of horses and mules which had been stolen from them with absolute im-
partiality by a gang of desperate villains. In the pursuit, which was swift and successful, the bril- liant talents of Colonel Warner gave him at once the position of leadership, which thenceforth con- tinued undisputed.
Colonel Warner pursued the most exact and scru- pulous methods in dealing with the large number of freedmen whom he employed. This kind of ed- ucation aroused the somewhat dormant minds of other freedmen to a perception of the injustice they were in many cases suffering at the hands of their old masters. Among the whites the new and exact way of treating the negro provoked deep resent- ment. A little later, as agent of the freedmen's bureau, he stirred up more violent antagonisms by compelling the planters to fulfill their contracts with emancipated slaves. During this period his life was in constant danger, but he never faltered in throwing around the blacks the full protection of the law.
The home of Colonel Warner was a center of pro- fuse and elegant hospitality. He was unavoidably drawn into politics and played a stirring part in the stormy drama of reconstruction. He was secretary of state, trustee and treasurer of the state univer- sity, six years a member of the state senate, four years chairman of the republican state committee, and a delegate to three national conventions.
Long before leaving Mississippi Colonel Warner had taught the old régime to respect and admire him. In fact he was importuned to enter into the closest business relations by several prominent na- tive capitalists. He decided, however, to return to Connecticut, and in 1877 purchased a farm in Pom- fret. In the fall of 1886 he was elected state treas- urer, and his administration of the office marked an epoch in its history, as by modernizing the methods of conducting the business he brought it into har- mony with present requirements.
While still a resident of Pomfret, Colonel Warner has extensive interests in Baxter Springs, Kansas, being president of the Baxter Bank, the local Light and Power Company, the Baxter Springs Milling Company, and the Baxter Springs Manufacturing Company. His son, Benj. S. Warner, now a per- manent resident of Baxter Springs, is associated with him in these various enterprises.
Colonel Warner married, Sept. 27, 1855, Mary Trumbull Mathewson, a woman of great sweetness and force of character, whose ancestors in different lines have been among the foremost people of New England. Her great-grandfather, General Samuel McClellan, of Woodstock, married, 2d, March 5, 1766, Rachel Abbe of Windham, one of the social queens of the period. Their eldest child, John Mc- Clellan, married, Nov. 22, 1796, Faith Williams, daughter of Wm. Williams, a signer of the Decla- ration of Independence, and granddaughter of Gov-
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BIOGRAPHY OF CONNECTICUT.
ernor Jonathan Trumbull. The wife of Governor Trumbull was a daughter of Rev. John Robinson of Duxbury, Mass., and a direct descendant of John Alden and Priscilla Mollines of the Mayflower.
CHARLES M. JOSLYN, HARTFORD : Attorney- at-Law.
Mr. Joslyn was born in Tolland, Conn., March 26, 1849, his ancestors being prominent citizens of that town. He was educated at the Tolland High School and at Monson Academy, at which insti- tutions he took a high rank as writer and speak- er. He fitted for and ex- pected to enter Yale Col- lege, but entered the Law office of Waldo, Hubbard & Hyde instead. He was admitted to the bar in May, 1873, and for two years was associated pro- fessionally with Hon. Wm. Hamersley and Hon. C. M. JOSLYN. George G. Sumner. On the first of April, 1875, with E. H. Hyde, Jr., he formed the law firm of Hyde & Joslyn, which has ever since continued. The firm has steadily won its way to the confidence of the public, and stands second to none in the State for ability and integ- rity and in the volume and character of the busi- ness entrusted to its care.
Mr. Joslyn has always been a democrat in poli- tics, believing in cleanliness and good morals there- in, and of much influence in the councils of his party. By reason of his ability as a parliamenta- rian and speaker he has frequently been called to preside over its state conventions. In 1874, he was a member of the legislature from his native town, receiving the unanimous vote of both par- ties. In 1877-8, he was on Gov. Hubbard's staff. In ISS5, he was the senior representative from Hartford, and the candidate of his party for speak- er. He was also the democratic candidate for mayor of Hartford, but was defeated. He has been chairman of the Hartford High School eom- mittee for the past eight years ; is president of the Hartford Library Association, vice-president of the Hartford Trust Company, and a director in vari- ous other corporations. Has always been in de- mand as a speaker on public occasions, and some of his addresses have been models worthy of study and imitation. Among his best known orations may be mentioned his address on the life and char- acter of Nathan Hale at South Coventry in 1878, his Memorial Day address at Hartford in 1884, his address at Storrs Agricultural School in ISSs, and
his oration at the dedication of the statue of Gov- ernor Hubbard in 1890. He has been president of the Hubbard Escort since its organization in 1880, when it participated in the Hancock cam- paign.
Mr. Joslyn was married, in 1878, to Miss Minnie L. Brown, of Providence, R. I. They have one child. His religious connections are with the South Congregational church of Hartford, of which Rev. Dr. Parker is the pastor.
THEODORE SEDGWICK GOLD, WEST CORN- WALL : Secretary State Board of Agriculture.
The subject of this sketeh was born at Madison, N. Y., March 2, 1818, and is a son of Dr. Samuel Wadsworth and Phebe (Cleveland) Gold. During that year his father re- turned to Cornwall, Conn., which was his na- tive place. In 1824 he removed to Goshen, where he remained in the practice of his profession fifteen years. He then returned to Cornwall to till his ancestral acres. Theodore S. Gold gradu- ated at Yale in 1838. He spent three years after graduation as teacher of T. S. GOLD. Goshen and Waterbury academies, and as a student of medicine, botany, and mineralogy at New Haven. In 1842 he began farming with his father on Cream Hill, Cornwall, with no resources but their much-neglected farm. In 1845 they established on their farm the Cream Hill Agricultural School, which was successfully conducted till 1869. The advancement of the gen- eral agricultural interests of the state has been his favorite work. He originated the movement in IS50 which resulted in the formation in 1852 of the Connecticut State Agricultural Society, and from the beginning has held some official position in its control. In 1866, at the establishment of the Con- necticut Board of Agriculture, he was chosen its secretary, which office he still holds. In 1864, he, with the aid of the names of the other corporators. obtained from the general assembly a charter for the " Connecticut Soldiers' Orphans' Home." This was located at Mansfield, and during its mainte- nance, or until 1874, he was secretary of the corpo- ration. He was one of the editors of The Home- stead, an agricultural paper published in Hartford from 1856 to 1861; and in 1878 published a history of Cornwall, Conn. He is a member of the board of control of the Connecticut Agricultural Experi-
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ment Station, and one of the trustees and secretary of the Storrs Agricultural School at Mansfield.
He was twice married: first, at Bridgeport, Sep- tember 13, 1843, to Caroline E., daughter of Charles and Eunice Lockwood, who died April 25, 1857; and second, on the 4th of April, 1859, to Mrs. Emma (Tracy) Baldwin, daughter of A. W. Tracy of Rockville. He has had nine children, of whom six are living. The oldest son, Charles Lockwood, a graduate of the Sheffield School at Yale in 1883, is a farmer on Cream Hill; the youngest, James Douglas, a graduate of the same institution in 1888, is a student of medicine.
PROF. J. M. HOPPIN, NEW HAVEN : Art Pro- fessor Yale University.
Professor James Mason Hoppin was born in Providence, R. I., Jan. 17, 1820, and graduated from Yale College in the class of 1840. This class contained some able thinkers and leaders of the present generation, including the Rev. Dr. John P. Gulliver, who oc- cupied the presidency of Knox College, at Gales- burg, Ill., for a number of years, ex-Governor Charles R. Ingersoll, the late Rev. Drs. Henry M. Dexter of Boston, and Lavalette Perrin of this J. M. HOPPIN. city, and the Connecticut historian, the late Gideon H. Hollister of Litchfield. Professor Hoppin pur- sued a thorough course of theology and was settled as a minister in Salem, Mass., for nine years. He was appointed to a professorship in the Yale Theo- logical Seminary thirty-two years ago, and was an instructor in that institution until 1879. For the past twelve years he has been connected with the Yale School of Fine Arts as professor of the history of art. He has studied in Germany, and has traveled extensively through Europe, being one of the most scholarly and polished representatives of the university. In 1870, the degree of S.T.D. was conferred upon him by Knox College on account of his exceptional attainments as a theological writer. He has written several books, among them being "Old England, its Art, Scenery, and Peo- ple," which passed through eleven editions, " Hom- iletics," " Pastoral Theology," and "Sermons upon Faith, Hope, and Love." He is also the author of the " Life of Rear-Admiral Andrew Hull Foote," one of Connecticut's naval heroes during the war. This varied list was dealt with in the ablest and most attractive manner, the theological writings
being not less enjoyable than the volumes of biography and travel from his pen. He is also a magazine writer of noted ability. Professor Hoppin is a good preacher, and his pulpit minis- trations during the time that he occupied one of the most important professorships in the Yale Theological Seminary were of an exceptional order of merit. His sermons as well as his writings are models of English. The treatise on " Pas- toral Theology" is one of the ablest produc- tions of New England scholarship, and will ensure Professor Hoppin permanent renown as a theologi- cal thinker and scholar. He has the entree to the most distinguished literary societies throughout the country, while his career as the professor of the history of art in the great university at New Haven has made him an authority in that field. During his early years the professor was in the military service of Rhode Island for six weeks on the side of the state in the Dorr insurrection. His wife, who is living, was Miss Mary Deming Perkins prior to her marriage. There are two sons, one of whom, Benjamin Hoppin, graduated from Yale in 1872 and afterwards became an in- structor in the university. Professor Hoppin is a member of the Yale College church. In politics he is a republican, with a leaning towards the inde- pendent party.
GEORGE LEWIS CHASE, HARTFORD : Presi- dent of the Hartford Fire Insurance Company.
George L. Chase was born in Millbury, Worcester County, Mass., January 13, 1828, and was educated at Millbury Academy, receiving a thorough Eng- lish course of studies. At the age of nineteen years he engaged in the insur- ance business as the agent of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Georgetown, Mass., and was subsequently elected a member of the board of directors. He became an efficient can- vasser, operating at first - through southern Massa- chusetts and eastern Con- necticut, and within a G. L. CHASE. short time his agency included four companies, transacting business on the mutual plan. One of the number, the Holyoke Mutual of Salem, is still engaged in successful operations. - In 1848 Mr. Chase was appointed traveling agent for the Peo- ple's Insurance Company of Worcester and retained the position until 1852, when he was appointed assistant superintendent of 'the Central Ohio? Rail-
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BIOGRAPHY OF CONNECTICUT.
road Company and removed to Ohio. Soon after- wards he was advanced to the office of general superintendent of the road. He was one of the first representatives who organized the first asso- ciation of railroad superintendents in the United States, the meeting for the purpose being held at Columbus, Ohio, in 1853. President Chase re- sumed the fire insurance business in 1860, accepting the western general agency of the New England Fire Insurance Company of this city. This position was held until 1863, when he received the appoint- ment of assistant western general agent of the Hartford Fire Insurance Company. In this posi- tion, as in all others which he had occupied, Mr. Chase displayed ability of the highest order, attract- ing from the outset the attention and approval of the board of directors. In 1867 the presidency of the company was placed at his acceptance. After thorough deliberation Mr. Chase consented to assume the duties and responsibilities of the posi- tion, and in June of that year he succeeded Timothy C. Allyn as president. From that time until now he has been at the head of the Hartford Fire, one of the oldest and most successful insurance institu- tions in the United States. His management of the company's business and interests has been matchless in character, placing him in the foremost rank of fire insurance representatives.
The standing of President Chase as an insurance manager was recognized from the outset by his associates and competitors in the business. In 1876 he was elected president of the National Board of Fire Underwriters and is at present the board chairman of the committee on legislation and taxa- tion, in all respects the most important committee- ship in the organization. President Chase's con- nection with the national board has been one of commanding influence and leadership. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Society for Savings in this city, which is the largest savings bank in Connecticut, and is also a trustee of the Connecticut Trust and Safe Deposit Company and a director in the American National Bank. He is a leading member of the Hartford Board of Trade and is thoroughly interested in the industrial development and prosperity of the city of which he is so prominent and influential a citizen. President Chase is a member of the Asylum Hill Congrega- tional Church in Hartford, and was elected presi- dent of the Connecticut Congregational Club for the fourth annual term in March. This club is the most important lay organization connected with the congregational churches in the state and wields the most extended influence. The late United States Senator Lafayette S. Foster of Norwich was its first president. The wife of President Chase, who was Miss Calista M. Taft prior to her marriage, is still living. There are two children, one son and
one daughter. The former, Mr. Charles E. Chase, is assistant secretary in the company of which his father has been the president for so many years. The most of President Chase's life has been passed in this city. He has also resided in Chicago, Ill., and Dubuque, Ia.
WOOSTER A. ENSIGN, NEW HAVEN : Iron and Steel Merchant.
The subject of this sketch was born in New Haven, June 14, 1823, being the son of Thomas and Esther Ensign, and of a family which is identi- fied with the early history of his native city and of the commercial industry there which he now rep- resents. He was edu- cated in the common schools and at the famous Lancasterian school then under the charge of John E. Lovell of educational fame. At the age of fif- teen he left school and en- gaged in business as a clerk in the employ of W. A. ENSIGN. English & Mix, then in the hardware trade. At the end of an engagement with this firm covering nine years, he began busi- ness on his own account as a dealer in iron and steel goods, which business has prospered and in- creased, requiring in 1876 the erection of the spacious store which is now occupied by himself and his eldest son, who constitute the enterprising and solid firm of Wooster A. Ensign & Son. Mr. Ensign was married June 24, 1846, to Miss Char- lotte A. Prescott, daughter of Roger Sherman Prescott of New Haven. They have three children. He holds or has held many important connections with the financial institutions of New Haven, hav- ing been for twenty-five years a director in the City Bank, vice-president and director in the New Haven Watch company until the removal of their factory to New Jersey, and a director in the Maryland steamboat company of Baltimore, Md. He has been prominent among the business men and inter- ests of New Haven for nearly half a century, out- living many of his early contemporaries. From small beginnings he passed uninterruptedly through the various grades of success to the honorable position which he occupies to-day among the most prosperous and wealthy establishments in his line in New England. Mr. Ensign is a member of St. Paul Episcopal church of New Haven, and is still active in religious work as he is in the secular duties of life. In politics lie is connected with the demo- cratic party, in whose honors he has repeatedly been called to share.
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