USA > Connecticut > Illustrated popular biography of Connecticut > Part 62
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the state board of charities, and is at present a di- rector of the Second National Bank of Norwich, and vice-president of the Dime Savings Bank in that city. He was on the staff of General Bacon, having the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He is a member of the Episcopal church. His wife was Miss Mary McComb prior to marriage. She is still living ; also one son. In 1883 Mr. Austin, with his family, spent the year in Spain ; 1884 was passed in Northern Africa, and 1885 in traveling generally through Europe. It goes without saying that Mr. Austin is one of the most cultivated men in the state. He is a clear and forcible speaker, when the occasion requires, and his judgment is entitled to the fullest deference.
CHARLES F. BROWNING, MIDDLETOWN: Man- ufacturer.
Mr. Browning was born at Griswold, in this state, April 22, 1822, being a son of Hon. Welcome A. Browning, farmer. He was educated at the public and private schools of the town, taught school about two years, and at the age of twenty-three went to Middletown, and began a mechanical education with the Sanseer Manu- facturing Company. He filled every position there, including the presidency of the company, and finally sold out the facto- ry and business in 1871. C. F. BROWNING. He has manufactured iron castings, machinery, and numerous other articles in that line. In 1849 he was married to Sarah P. Lewis, only child of Elias Lewis of Middletown. She is still living. They have no children. He is connected with the society of the South Congregational church, Mid- dletown; has no connection with orders or clubs. He was reared in the old democratic party and continued to act with that party until they aban- doned the principle of free soil. In 1850 and '51 he became disgusted with both the old parties, and in '52 voted for John P. Hale for the presidency. Early in 1856 he was one of the few who organized the republican party in Middletown, and has con- tinued to act with that organization ever since. He has held various local offices in the town; was selectman for seven years, city councilman and alderman nine years, and a member of the board of education nine years. He is at present, and has been for the last fourteen years, treasurer of the city school district of Middletown. Early in the history of "the Industrial School for Girls " Mr. Browning was invited to accept the position of a
director in that institution; soon after was appointed treasurer, which position he now holds. For some years he had especial charge of the new buildings, during and after their erection. Three of the large buildings and the reservoir were constructed under his supervision. By taking advantage of the mar- ket, and close personal attention, he succeeded in reducing the cost of a home from $22,000 to $10,500. He was formerly a director of the old Hartford & New York Steamboat Company, also of the Middle- sex Quarry Company, and the Middletown Ferry Company, a director and president of the Middle sex Manufacturing Company, and is connected with several others in various capacities. He retired from active life as a manufacturer in 1877, and has been since that time occupied with settling estates and the other matters above referred to.
Mr. Browning was major of the old Eighteenth Regiment, Connecticut state militia, at twenty-one years of age. In the late war of the rebellion he was an ardent supporter of the government, con- tributing liberally to the cause, though unable to take an active personal part in military service. He placed a man in the navy at his own expense, while he remained at the factory and made battery trimmings for the army.
HON. JAMES D. SMITH, STAMFORD: Banker.
Mr. Smith is a native of New Hampshire, having been born at Exeter, in that state, November 24, 1829. He was educated at Wilton academy with a view to entering Yale College, but finally decid- ed on a business life, and has achieved exceptional success in the branch to which he turned his atten- tion. He commenced his business career at Ridge- field, but removed soon afterwards to New York, where he became cashier and first bookkeeper with the firm of Hoyt, Sprague & Co. Subsequently, he J. D. SMITH. became a member of the Wall street firm of Jameson, Smith & Cotting, with which he was associated for upwards of twenty years. The style of his present firm is James D. Smith & Co. He is one of the ablest business men and financiers in Connecticut, with large and suc- cessful experience, covering a wide range of opera- tions and many years of earnest personal applica- tion to his business. He is a member of the New York Stock Exchange, and was for two years its president. He has also held membership in the Produce Exchange, the New York Mining Ex- change, directorship in the New York Elevated
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BIOGRAPIIY OF CONNECTICUT.
Railroad, and in a number of large corporations, including the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, the Union Pacific, and the Kansas Pacific Railroad companies, the Panama Railroad Company, the Quicksilver Mining, and the Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph companies. He was one of the founders of the Woodlawn cemetery, and was largely instru- mental in its success. He has visited Europe a number of times, and among the first-class securi- ties which he has successfully placed abroad, may be mentioned $2,000,000 of St. Louis City Park and Sewerage bonds, $4,000,000 of Mississippi and Illi- nois River Bridge bonds, and $6,000,000 of North Missouri first mortgage bonds. In 1882 he was ap- pointed treasurer of the state of Connecticut, and discharged the duties of that important office with singular ability and fidelity- the previous year having served the state in the capacity of repre- sentative in the general assembly from the town of Stamford. His eminent fitness for both these po- sitions was heartily recognized throughout the state, and the appointment met with the unanimous approval of republicans and democrats.
Mr. Smith's personal popularity and influence in New York were exemplified in the most gratifying manner during the presidential campaign of ISSo. He organized and was the president of the Bank- ers and Brokers New York Stock Exchange Gar- field and Arthur Club, one of the most powerful and influential organizations in the campaign, and labored most efficiently at its head. This club fur- nished the impetus for the organization of the Pro- duce Exchange and Dry Goods Exchange Garfield and Arthur clubs, and developed largely the senti- ment among business men throughout the country that national prosperity and success depended upon the retention of the republican party in power. Mr. Smith has always been an ardent republican, and is a representative of the party's best impulses and purposes.
Mr. Smith is a gentleman of the most agreeable social traits, as exemplified in his numerous affilia- tions with the most celebrated and reputable social organizations of New York and other cities. He has been for five years president of the New York Club; a member of the Union League Club, of the New York Club, the Players' Club, the Athletic Club, the Manhattan Athletic Club, commodore for two years of the New York Yacht Club, all of New York ; and of the Stamford Club of Stamford, Conn. He was owner of the celebrated yacht Es- telle,-the envy of New York yachtmen-with one of the fastest records of the New York fleet.
Mr. Smith's religious connections are with the Presbyterian church, of which he is an honored and influential member and a generous supporter. He married Miss Elizabeth Henderson, now deceased, and has two children, a son and a daughter.
H. G. COLT, WINSTED: Agent Strong Manufac- turing Company.
Henry G. Colt was born in Torrington, Novem- ber 2, 1832, and received a common school and academic education, completing his course at Wil- liams Academy in Stock- bridge, Mass. During the war he served in the Second Connecticut three months volunteers. In
1863 he was a member of the house of representa- tives from Torrington. Mr. Colt is independent in politics. He is the agent of the Strong Man- ufacturing Company at Winsted and a director in several manufacturing H. G. COLT. enterprises in that place. He is associated with the Second Congregational church in West Winsted. His wife, whose name was Annette Griswold prior to marriage, is not living. There are three children in the family. Mr. Colt has resided through life at Torrington and Winsted.
JOHN PIERCE, SOUTHBURY: Farmer.
John Pierce of South Britain (town of Southbury) was born in that place, May 31, 1839, and received his education in the Western Reserve College of Ohio. He is one of the most noted farmers and breeders in the state, owning a tract of 1,000 acres, a large part of which he keeps under cultivation. He is per- haps better known by his efforts to improve the breed of coach and draft horses in this country, having followed the busi- ness of importing and breeding French coach and Percheron horses, in JOHN PIERCE. which he is assisted by his son, the firm being John Pierce & Son. He has been town treas- urer of the town of Southbury for eight years, and in IS78 and ISSo represented that town in the legislature. He has always been an earnest repub- lican, and active in the affairs of liis party in that section of the state. In religious faith and mem- bership he is a Congregationalist. His wife was Caroline E. Garlick, and they have five children living. At present he holds no public office, but he is esteemed by the citizens of his immediate neighborhood for his business qualifications and honorable dealing, and as a man of publie spirit.
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REV. S. K. SMITH, NAUGATUCK: Methodist Epis- copal Clergyman.
Rev. Sidney Ketcham Smith was born in Hunt- ington, L. I., March 14, 1838, and graduated from the Wesleyan University in 1865. He entered the Methodist ministry imme- diately after his gradua- tion, uniting with th New York East Confer- ence. He has been as- signed to pastorates in Middlefield, Clinton, Sims- bury, Torrington, Water- town, Westville, Middle- bury, and Naugatuck. In all of these fields he has met with marked success. Mr. Smith has a wife and five children. The for- S. K. SMITH. mer was Miss Mary Fran- ces Barnard of Marlboro, Mass., prior to marriage. In politics Mr. Smith is a prohibitionist. He has served on the school boards in Clinton, Torrington, and Watertown. His pulpit appointments have been of a high order, indicating the standing which he holds in the conference.
DAVID STRONG, WINSTED: Manufacturer.
David Strong is one of the leading manufacturers in Winsted, being associated with the Strong Man- ufacturing Co., the Winsted Hosiery Co., the New England Knitting Co., the Winsted Silk Co., and the Winsted Shoe Manu- facturing Co. He is also connected with the Win- sted First National bank, and with M. H. Tanner & Co. He is a member of the First Congrega- tional church, and is a re- publican in politics. He has held the offices of selectman, warden of the DAVID STRONG. borough, and has served two sessions in the gen- eral assembly. In 1872 he represented the town of Winchester in the house, his colleagues from Litch- field county including Railroad Commissioner George M. Woodruff of Litchfield, ex-Senator I. N. Bartram of Sharon, and the late N. Taylor Baldwin of Plymouth. The distinguished members from other localities in the state included the late Gov- ernor English of New Haven, ex-Governor Waller, Judge John M. Hall, and Colonel John A. Tibbits. The subject of this sketch was born in Chatham, August 17, 1825, and was educated in the district school at East Hampton. During the war he held
a commission in the Twenty-fourth Connecticut, being the first lieutenant of Company C of that command. His life has been spent mainly in farming and manufacturing. His wife, who is liv- ing, with three children, was Miss Emerette L. Colt prior to her marriage.
LESTER L. POTTER, HARTFORD.
Lester L. Potter was born in Colebrook, Litch- field county, March 30, 1858. His father, the Rev. C. W. Potter, was for fifty years an honored Bap- tist clergyman in country parishes of Connecticut. Mr. Potter left home at the age of fourteen years, and became literally the architect of his own for- tune. His education was secured at Burnfield Academy, the Connecti- cut Literary Institute, and at Rochester Theological Seminary.
After leaving the semi- nary at Rochester he L. L. POTTER. taught Greek and Latin at the Everett Seminary, near Boston, and supplied the churches of Everett and West Newton, Mass. He was called from there to succeed the Rev. Dr. George B. Ide at the First Baptist church in Springfield, Mass., where he ministered till the spring of 1885. As early as his second year at Springfield the church building became too small to accommodate the congregation at many services. The organ was taken from the rear and placed in front, in order to secure a larger seating capacity. Newspaper comments show the popularity of his ministry, and his strong hold upon the people of Springfield. In April, 1885, he accepted a call to the First Baptist church in Hartford, but resigned in December, 1887, on account of a change of views as to the tenets of the Baptist denomination. He was immediately called to the North church in Springfield, the Park church of Hartford, and re- ceived the unanimous vote of the committee of the Union church in Boston. In February, 1887, he began his ministry with the Park church in Hart- ford, as the successor of the Rev. N. J. Burton, D.D., continuing this charge until his resignation about four years later. Under the name of " Forrest Linwood," Mr. Potter has written upon art and nature for many papers, religious and secu- lar. He has also lectured with success in New England and other northern states. His printed addresses and sermons in The Watchman of Bos- ton, The Examiner of New York, The Spring- field Republican, and papers of Hartford, have appeared frequently through the past eight years.
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BIOGRAPHY OF CONNECTICUT.
CHARLES GRISWOLD, GUILFORD: Banker.
Mr. Griswold is a native of the town where he now resides, and was born July 26, 1841. He was educated at Guilford Institute, and has followed the mercantile and bank- ing professions. He served in the Union army three years and a half, or during the greater part of the civil war, and was mustered out of the ser- vice as captain. He has lived for the greater part of his life in Guilford, and has been honored by the citizens of that town by an election to nearly ev- ery office in their gift. He CHARLES GRISWOLD. was postmaster for sev- enteen years, and represented the town in the lower house of the legislature in 1887, serving on the com- mittee on banks. He was treasurer of the Guilford Savings Bank ten years. He was appointed bank commissioner in 1890 and still holds that office, win- ning the respect and esteem of the banking men of the state by his thorough knowledge of banking and his sense of honor in conducting the examina- tions connected with his office. He is a republican, a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is connected with the First Congregational church of Guilford. He is married and has two children.
JOSEPH PEABODY, JR., WATERFORD: Farmer.
Mr. Peabody was the second lieutenant of Com- pany A of the Twenty-sixth Connecticut Regiment during the war, and commanded the company at Port Hudson, both of his superiors being wounded during the siege. He was born in Salem, Nov. 16, 1835, and received a dis- trict school education. He is a democrat in politics, and represented his town in the legislature in 1889. He has been a member of the board of selectmen, occupying the office for seven years, and is now a member of the board of JOSEPH PEABODY, JR. relief and of the school committee. He is a member of Union Lodge, No. 31, F. and A. M., of New London, and also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Peabody, with the exception of one year in Wisconsin, has been a resident of Connecticut. His family con- sists of a wife and four children. The former was Miss Marietta Austin prior to her marriage.
ISRAEL PRIOR, STAMFORD: Physician.
Dr. Israel Prior of Stamford was born at Perth Amboy, N. J., Dec. 7, 1842, and was educated in the Stamford High school. Subsequently he pur- sued a course of medical studies, and commenced the practice of his profes- sion in Danville, Ill., where he remained for five years. Returning east he established him- self in North Stamford, continuing there for cigh- teen years. Three years ago he removed to the borough of Stamford and has since resided there. He was originally a stu- ISRAEL PRIOR. dent under Dr. Trow- bridge of Stamford, and also under Professor Wood of New York. Dr. Prior is connected with the order of United American Mechanics, and is medi- cal examiner in the order of the Iron Hall. His family consists of his wife and three children, the former being Miss Mary F. Brown prior to her marriage with the Doctor. They are associated with the Congregational church and society in Stamford. He is a republican.
E. STEVENS HENRY, ROCKVILLE: Banker.
The subject of this sketch is a descendant of the first settlers of the town of Coleraine, Massachu- setts, and was born in Gill in the same state in 1836, removing at an early age to Rockville, and receiving his educa- tion in the excellent pub- lic schools of that city. He has resided continu- ously in Rockville, and been intimately connected with the business inter- ests of that enterprising city, especially with its financial institutions. He also has large investments in local real estate, is a successful farmer and E. S. HENRY. breeder of thoroughbred stock, and has been uniformly successful in all his business undertak- ings. Mr. Henry has also found time to occupy many positions of public trust. He was an active trial justice for fifteen years prior to the adoption of a city charter in Rockville. He represented the town of Vernon in the house of representatives in 1883, and the twenty-third senatorial district in the senate of 1887-ISSS, serving as chairman of the
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committee upon appropriations, also as chairman of the temperance committee, obtaining in the first- named position an intimate knowledge of the financial necessities of the state. He was a dele- gate-at-large to the republican national convention at Chicago in 1888, was elected state treasurer in 1888, and received the somewhat unusual honor of a re-nomination for the same position upon the republican state ticket in 1890, being the only one of the state officers elected in 1888 to receive a re- nomination. This unexpected and unsolicited honor was doubtless due to Mr. Henry's successful administration of the treasury office, in which he claimed and demonstrated that direct state taxes in Connecticut were not only impolitic, but unneces- sary; that, properly administered and collected, the state possessed ample revenues from other sources, especially from taxation of corporate franchises granted by the state. Mr. Henry is an earnest student of economic questions, and has been greatly interested in the reform of the crude, and often unjust, system of taxation at present pre- vailing in Connecticut. As a member of the general assembly he gave his influence to needed reforms; and the passage of the somewhat novel "investment tax law " by the general assembly in 1889, was largely due to his influence. Although a lifelong republican, Mr. Henry has always been honored by receiving the votes of many of his fellow- citizens of the opposite political faith, whenever a candidate for local or state office.
HON. D. WARD NORTHROP, MIDDLETOWN : Attorney-at-Law.
David Ward Northrop was born in Sherman, Conn., February 19, 1844, and is of Scotch descent. His early life was spent on a farm, and he attended the district school in his native town. Afterwards he prepared for college at Amenia Seminary, New York, and entered Wes- leyan University in the class of '68, graduating with honors. For a year afterwards he taught lan- guages in Fort Edward Institute, New York, at the same time reading law. He graduated at the Albany Law School D. W. NORTHROP. in 1870, and was that year admitted to the bar in Middlesex county. In 1873 Mr. Northrop was elected judge of probate for the district of Middletown, and served in that capacity until 1881, when he declined to be again a candidate. In 1871 he was elected to the legisla-
ture, and again in 1881 and 1882, and was recog- nized as a leader of the democratic side of the house. He was secretary of state during the ad- ministration of Governor Waller in 1883-84; was elected mayor of Middletown in 1884-85; and was appointed postmaster of Middletown by President Cleveland, serving from 1886 to 1890. Aside from his various public positions, he has enjoyed a large law practice, and is president of the Middletown Electric Light Company, and of the Great Barring- ton, Mass., Electric Light Company. He is a prom- inent member of the Reform Club of New York, and takes an active interest in all forward move- ments in politics and in the Methodist church, to which he belongs. He is an earnest democrat, but enjoys an unusual degree of popularity with all classes. He was married in 1870 to Mary A. Stewart, and has four children.
REV. SUMNER ABRAHAM IVES, THOMPSON: Pastor Baptist Church.
The subject of this sketch was born in Suffield, Conn., Oct. 21, 1839. When he was five years of age his father, Dr. Sumner Ives, (a brother of Rev. Dwight Ives, D.D., pas- tor of the Suffield Baptist Church,) died, leaving him the only son in a family of five children. Soon after this, his mother, Sarah Humeston Ives, removed to Holyoke, Mass., and this place con- tinued to be his home until manhood. After attending the district schools and academy of Holyoke, he became a S. A. IVES. student successively of Williston Seminary, East Hampton, Mass., Bridge- water Normal School and Newton Theological Seminary, from which latter he was graduated in 1875. Eleven years previous to this date, on July 30, 1864, he had received an unsolicited license to preach from the First Baptist Church of Holyoke, of which he had been a member for some years. This same church also ordained him after gradua- tion. His first pastorate was at Alfred, Maine, where he remained from Sept., 1875, to June, 1884. On Sept. 19, 1881, he was united in marriage to Alice Dunbar, daughter and youngest child of Rev. A. Dunbar of Alfred. Two sons, now living, were born there. From Alfred he removed to Barnston, P. Q., Canada, where he remained nearly four years, and was instrumental in much good. His third and present pastorate is at Thompson, Windham County, Conn.
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BIOGRAPHY OF CONNECTICUT.
REV. FRANCIS WILLIAMS, CHAPLIN: Pastor Congregational Church.
The Williams genealogy in this country, almost without exception, is traced through Robert Wil- liams, who came from Wales to Roxbury, Mass. The family held a high position in the mother country, and it is said no name in this country shows as many graduates from Oxford and Cam- bridge, England, and the colleges in this country, as the name of Williams. The ancestry of Oliver Cromwell was Williams, one of his not distant fore- fathers taking a change of name that a large estate FRANCIS WILLIAMS. might come to him, his name being enrolled upon the public document, " Cromwell, alias Williams." The grandfather of the subject of this sketch, Ephraim Williams, Esq., was one of the original settlers in Ashfield, Mass. Both himself and his wife were from families of wealth and position. On their marriage trip from eastern Massachusetts, two ox carts were con- nected by long timbers (ox wagons not then being in use), the furniture needful for housekeeping was placed upon it, the bed, table, and chairs arranged for use, two large yokes of oxen were attached to the extemporized home, food taken, and the happy bride and groom set out on their long journey. When mealtime and bedtime came, the oxen were turned out to browse, while they enjoyed the hon- eymoon in their cosy home. With sparkling eye he said to a wealthy granddaughter, as she set out after her wedding, " You cannot have such a de- lightful wedding trip as we had." When ninety years of age, he had on the list of his descendants ten children, sixty-seven grandchildren, and forty- seven great-grandchildren, and all within six miles of him, whether living or in their graves. He gave all his sons and sons-in-law a good farm, and en- joyed the late evening of a Christian life with the somewhat pleasant title by which he was known, " Rich Ephraim." Capt. Israel Williams, his son, was the father of the subject of this sketch. His mother, Lavinia Joy, was the daughter of Capt. Nehemiah Joy of Cummington, Mass. He was a successful teacher, and his daughter and William Cullen Bryant were pupils under his instruction. Rev. Francis Williams was born in Ashfield, Mass., January 2, IS14. He was one of a family of nine sons and two daughters. Neither the father nor one of his sons ever used tobacco, or strong drinks after the temperance question began to be agitated. Before this, it was thought necessary in haying sea-
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