USA > Connecticut > Illustrated popular biography of Connecticut > Part 64
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EDWARD F. PARSONS, THOMPSONVILLE : Phy- sician and Surgeon.
Dr. Edward Field Parsons was a member of the house of representatives from the town of En- field, in 1887, and was appointed on the committee on insurance. He was born in Enfield, Nov. 21, 1833, and received a clas- sical school education, completing his studies at Williams College. Sub- sequently he graduated from the College of Phys- icians and Surgeons, New York city. His life has been devoted to his pro- fession, and he is one of the best known practi- tioners in his section of the state. He is post sur- E. F. PARSONS. geon at Enfield, medical examiner, member of the board of school visitors and of the district commit- tee, and is connected with the First Presbyterian church in that town. In politics Dr. Parsons is a republican. He is associated with the Good Tem- plar, Knights of Honor, and Temple of Honor organizations, and is an active public leader. He has resided in Farmington, Williamstown, Mass., and New York city. The most of his professional life, however, has been spent at Enfield. Dr. Par- sons has been married three times. His first wife, Mary H. Bowman, of Brooklyn, N. Y., died Feb. 15, 1875, and the second, Ellen M. Bates of Worces- ter, Mass., died Aug. 13, 1879. The third, Mar- garet J. Harrison of New York city, is living. There are no children in the family.
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BIOGRAPHY OF CONNECTICUT.
ISAAC NEWTON BARTRAM, SHARON: Archi- tect and Builder.
Isaac N. Bartram is of Scotch descent. His father, Isaac Bartram, was a son of Isaac Hamilton Bartram, who, with three brothers, served through the revolutionary war from the town of Red-
ding. His mother was Lydia Platt, daughter of Isaac Platt, who was an artificer from that town during the same trying period in the country's history. Isaac N. Bar- tram, the subject of this biography, was born in Redding, March 25, 1838, where, and in the town of Sharon, his whole life has been spent, and of which I. N. BARTRAM. latter town he has been since 1864 a prominent and influential citizen. He received a common school and academic education, the latter having been ac- quired at Redding Ridge Academy. His marriage was with Miss Helen D. Winans, which union has been blessed by two daughters. Mr. Bartram's business connections have been as an iron founder, architect, builder, and contractor. He is now superintendent of the Sharon Water Company. His religious affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics he is an ardent democrat. He is a member of the Masonic frater- nity, the "Old Put Club " association, and the Connecticut Sons of the Revolution, and was elect- ed last May one of its directors. He has held numerous public offices, having served his town as selectman, treasurer, and in several minor capac- ities. His legislative record is one of long, im- portant, and almost continuous service for more than a score of years. He represented Sharon in the general assembly in 1868, 1872, 1876, 1886, 1887, and 1890, and is again serving as a member of the house the present year. He represented the nine- teenth district in the state senate in 1889, when he was chairman of the committee on roads and bridges, and took an active part in making the old Hartford bridge a free avenue of public travel. He presented the bill for making all bridges de- pendent upon the counties in which located for their support and maintenance. The towns on the Housatonic River are indebted to him for the bill making their bridges free, under support by their respective counties. He is a strong believer in and advocate of the farmers' rights, and was the only democratic senator in the session of 1889 that voted to pass the farmers' bill over the governor's veto. In the house he served on various committees, in- cluding the state prison committee of 1876, origi-
nating the plan of extensive improvements on the state prison buildings, which was subsequently carried into effect. He also originated and intro- duced the resolution respecting the Putnam en- campment that secured to the state the gift of land and ercetion of the monument near his old home in the town of Redding. Mr. Bartram was appointed by Governor Lounsbury one of the commissioners to take charge of the encampment and erect the monument. He carried out the plans with great satisfaction, and was again appointed by Governor Bulkeley as chairman of the commission; was sub- sequently elected superintendent of the encamp- ment, taking an active charge of the same, and devoting much time and careful attention to improv- ing and beautifying the grounds and approaches.
Mr. Bartram's distinguished service at the state capitol has given his name prominence at all cau- cuses and nominating conventions of his party; and at the senatorial convention in Falls Village last October, he was unanimously nominated for sen- ator from the nineteenth district, which honor, however, he thought best to firmly but respectfully decline, although realizing that his election would follow his acceptance beyond the shadow of a doubt. But his townsmen felt that his services were needed in the legislature the present year, and insisted on his representing them in the house, which he consented to do. Mr. Bartram is a man of positive opinions, frank and outspoken some- times almost to the point of abruptness; but he in- tends always to be right, and very properly holds that firmness is an important factor in the effective advocacy of a righteous cause.
CHARLES McNEIL, TORRINGTON: Druggist.
Mr. McNeil was born in Litchfield, Feb. 25, 1829, and received a common school education. In 1850 he removed from Watertown, where he had spent a number of years, to Torrington, and es- tablished the drug bus- iness, which he has since managed, Mr. Mc- Neil is the oldest drug- gist in the Naugatuck Valley, and is at the head of one of the largest drug houses in Litchfield coun- ty. He is a lifelong demo- crat and has taken some part in politics. In
1873 he was elected to the CHARLES McNEIL. legislature from Torring- ton, and was returned in 1874. He was also a member of the house centennial year, his colleagues from Litchfield county in 1876 including Henry B.
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Graves of Litchfield, Nicholas Staub of New Mil- ford, John Cotton Smith and Isaac N. Bartram of Sharon, and Henry Gay of Winchester. He was appointed postmaster under President Cleveland, being the first of the democratic appointments in this state. Prior to President Cleveland's adminis- tration, he had been in charge of the office for twenty-five years. He was also in charge of the Western Union telegraph office from the time of its establishment in Torrington until he became post- master. He was one of the incorporators of the Tor- rington Savings Bank, and secured the passage of the act incorporating the Torrington Water Company. He was also one of the original promoters of the Tor- rington Electric Light Company, and has been ac- tively associated with the business interests of the town. Mr. McNeil has visited Europe twice, the last trip occurring two years ago. He is an Episco- palian, and belongs to Seneca Lodge, No. 55, F. and A. M., of that place. His wife was Emeline Loveland prior to her marriage. The two sons are associated with him in business.
MAJ. NATHAN R. GARDNER, BALTIC: Cot- ton Mill Agent.
Nathan R. Gardner was born in South Kingston, R. I., April 15, 1839. He was educated at the Kingston Classical Seminary. For six years he was paymaster of the extensive woolen mills owned by the late General Isaac P. Rodman, a lead- ing manufacturer of that town. He enlisted early in the war of the rebel- lion. President Lincoln appointed him captain and commissary of sub- sistence. At the close of the war President John- son brevetted him major N. R. GARDNER. " for faithful and efficient services in the subsist- ence department of the U. S. army." Directly upon his return from the army, in August, 1865, he took the position of paymaster of the Baltic cotton mill, one of the largest plants belonging to the Spragues of Rhode Island. In 1880 he was ap- pointed by the trustee, agent of the Baltic mill es- tate, which position he now holds. For twelve years he held the office of treasurer of the town of Sprague, and has been elected to other minor offices. Has been secretary and treasurer of the Sprague Butter and Cheese Company since its formation. In politics he is a republican, and has held the office of chairman of the republican town committee for twenty-five years. He became a
Freemason twenty years ago. His wife, a lady of many accomplishments, is the daughter of Geoffrey Watson, one of Sprague's most esteemed citizens. His only child, a daughter, who is highly cultured, completed her education at the New England Con- servatory of Music. Major Gardner has held re- sponsible and important positions of trust, etc., all his life, and besides the integrity of his character, he is a man of most kindly disposition, of generous impulses, a true and manly friend, broad in his sympathies, and fair in his judgment.
RUFUS WARREN BLAKE, DERBY: Piano and Organ Manufacturer.
Mr. Blake was born in Norfolk, Mass., May 3, 1841, the son of a farmer of moderate means. The activity and energy that have characterized his life were potent in him as a boy, and the dull routine of farm work didn't suit him. He earned his first money as bobbin boy in a cotton factory, in which position he remained until he was 15 years old, at- tending school during the winters. He then learned the painter's trade, after- wards (in 1861) taking up the cabinet-maker's trade. And here really be- R. W. BLAKE. gan his connection with the music business. In 1863 Taylor & Farley of Worcester were manufacturing melo- deons, in a small way, and Mr. Blake engaged with them. Here he had excellent opportunity to learn the reed business in a thorough manner, for as the firm employed only three men, each one became familiar with all points. He continued here until about 1867, when he formed a partnership with Mr. J. W. Loring, under the firm name of Loring & Blake (afterwards Loring & Blake Organ Company), and commenced the manufacture of organs. The business was prosperous, but in 1873 Mr. Blake took advantage of the opportunity he saw of pur- chasing an interest in the Sterling Company, of Derby, Conn., with which he has been actively iden- tified ever since, and of which he is now president.
Mr. Blake possesses great mechanical ingenuity, and much of the success of the Sterling Company is due to the fact that he is able to do his own design- ing. In this line he has few equals. His styles always seem to meet the popular taste, but he is ready to receive suggestions from the trade and make the required changes. As a financier he has had many opportunities to test his abilities, and always successfully. A few months after he entered
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BIOGRAPHY OF CONNECTICUT.
the business came the demoralizing Black Friday; then, in 1875, the fire that swept away the entire plant. In 1887 came the McEwen failure that in- volved the Sterling Company to the extent of $75,000; but through Mr. Blake's skillful financier- ing the company pulled through without any great loss. So it will be seen that in the past seventeen years there have been many stormy times in the financial life of the Sterling Company, but Mr. Blake has been at the helm, and the ship is now sailing in calm water. At the last annual election, August, 1890, the capital stock was increased to $210,000.
Mr. Blake is an active business man, whose only recreation seems to be a spin behind his spirited horses, a handsome pair of Hambletonians which don't take anybody's dust. He has held several public positions of trust and honor, and discharged the duties to the satisfaction of all. He is one of the burgesses of the borough of Birmingham, is a member of the Baptist church, and in politics is a republican. He is still in the very prime of life, and full of the enthusiasm that is part of every suc- cessful man's make-up.
GEORGE E. TAFT, UNIONVILLE: Attorney-at- Law.
George E. Taft was born in Sheffield, Mass., November 4, 1855, and was educated at the Con- necticut Literary Institute. His parents died be- fore he was seven years of age, necessitating his removal to the town of Harwinton, where he re- ceived the care of an uncle, the late L. U. Olm- sted of that place. He studied at the Torring- ton High school, and after completing his
course at the institute, he entered the law office of Judge G. H. Welch in Torrington. From 1878 G. E. TAFT. until 1883 Mr. Taft was engaged in teaching in the towns of Litchfield, New Hartford, Simsbury, and Canaan. He completed his legal studies in the office of Judge A. T. Rora- back in Canaan and was admitted to the Litchfield county bar. He immediately removed to Union- ville, where he has since resided. In 1878 he mar- ried Miss Julia M. Barber of Harwinton, who died April 27, 1891, and three children survive her. He has been a member of the board of selectmen in Farmington and is now a justice of the peace and one of the prosecuting agents for Hartford county. In 1887 and 1888 he was a member of the republi-
can state central committee from the fourth dis- triet. He is connected with the Congregational church at Unionville, and is a member of the in- surance firm of Hitchcock & Taft.
J. W. WINCH, MASHAPAUG (UNION): Merchant.
John Wesley Winch represented the town of Union in the general assembly of 1886, serving as a republican. He was a member of Company F, Fourth Massachusetts Cavalry, during the war, and was forage master of the Cavalry Brigade, Ar- my of the James. For the past six years he has been the commander of D. P.Corbin Post,G.A.R., at Union, and belongs to Wolcott Lodge, No. 65, F. and A. M., of Stafford. He founded the Union Post and is greatly inter- J. W. WINCH. ested in Grand Army af- fairs. Mr. Winch is con- nected with the Methodist church. He was born at Fall River, Mass., March 31, 1838, and received a common and high school education. Since 1875, he has resided in Connecticut, and is engaged in the business of a merchant and farmer. The wife of ex-representative Winch, who is living, was Helen M. Moore. There are two children in the family. Mr. Winch has held every office within the gift of his townsmen and is at present constable, notary public, and commissioner of the superior court.
E. C. STEVENS, NORFOLK: Hotel Proprietor.
Edward C. Stevens, who is one of the best known hotel managers in Litchfield county, was born in East Sheffield, Mass., August 29, 1837, and received a common school educa- tion. He remained at home on the farm until he was twenty years of age, when he removed to Winsted and engaged in the hotel, business with his brother, remaining there for nine years. In connection with the hotel and livery establisment, he managed the stage line between Canaan and Hartford. After spend- E. C. STEVENS. ing a couple of years in Michigan he returned East and spent two years in a hotel at Fulton, N. Y. Afterwards he engaged in the hotel business at Waterbury and at Morris
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Cove. He then returned to Winsted, remaining there until nine years ago, when he assumed the management of a summer hotel at Norfolk. Dur- ing the summer of 1890, in company with his son, Harry Stevens, he visited the Pacific Coast, spend- ing a portion of the time in Washington. Thence he proceeded to San Diego, where he remained un- til the time for returning East. The wife of Mr. Stevens, who is still living, was Miss Sarah L. Deming of Winsted. There are two children, a son and a daughter, in the family. In politics Mr. Stevens is a democrat. He belongs to the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias, and is a gentle- man of most enjoyable personality.
WILLIAM SHERIDAN TODD, M.A., M.D., RIDGEFIELD: Physician and Surgeon.
Doctor Wm. S. Todd, one of the best known and most successful physicians in the town of Ridge- field, was born in Coleraine, Mass., January I, 1840. He was the son of a Methodist minister, and his education was picked up in the various towns where the itinerant sys- tem placed his parents. He finished his prepara- tory course at Deerfield academy, entered Wes- leyan University at Mid- dletown in 1860, graduat- ing therefrom in 1864, his course having been dis- W. S. TODD, M.D. turbed by the excitements of the war. In 1864-65 he was principal of Hills academy in Essex, and commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Chas. H. Hubbard of that place. In 1866, 1867, and 1868, he was a teacher in W. O. Seymour's school in Ridgefield, still pursuing his medical studies. In 1869 he graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York city, since which time he has been practicing his profession in Ridgefield. May 6, 1873, he was married to Miss Mary Jane Conklin, daughter of Deacon Gamaliel Conklin of Essex, who is the mother of his two boys. Doctor Todd has held no political office, except that of representative in the state legislature, to which he was elected in 1888, when he served as chairman of the committee on humane institutions. He has, however, officiated for several successive years as school committee, has been president and treasurer of the " Ridgefield Press Printing Company," and a frequent contributor to the editorial columns of the local paper. He is now a member of the school board, and deeply interested in all efforts for the improvement of the public school system and
management. He is a member of the Twilight. Club of New York, Pilgrim Lodge, I. O. O. F., Jerusalem Lodge, F. and A. M., and its secretary for several years; member of the Fairfield County Medical Society, Danbury Medical Society, and the American Academy of Medicine. In religious belief and church membership he is a Congrega- tionalist, and in politics a republican.
GEORGE F. TILLINGHAST, CANTERBURY : Farmer.
Geo. F. Tillinghast comes of Revolutionary stock. He was born in Griswold, this state, December 31, 1838, the son of a farmer of moderate means. He was the fourth child in a family of seven. His father died when he was but five years of age, and for several years there- after he was "a boy of most all work." He re- ceived a common school education, remaining on his mother's farm until he was seventeen years of age, when he became an operative in a woolen mill. He took a deep interest in the stirring events of 1861; G. F. TILLINGHAST. and, neglecting bright business prospects, was one of the first men to enlist from his native town at the earliest call of his country for volunteers. He was a member of Company B, under Captain Ches- ter, Second Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers, un- der command of Colonel A. H. Terry. He partici- pated with his regiment in the first battle of Bull Run, the Connecticut brigade being one of the last to leave the field of battle, partially covering the retreat and saving millions of dollars' worth of public property for the government. After being discharged from the three months' service he re-en- listed for three years in the Eleventh Connecticut Regiment, familiarly known as the "fighting Eleventh." He served as a non-commissioned officer in Company D, following the fortunes of this regiment up to the siege of Petersburgh. He was honorably discharged on the 26th day of Novem- ber, 1864, by reason of expiration of term of ser- vice. In the fall of 1865 he started on a journey southward, as a traveling agent, and traveled through many of the southern and western states. In 1867 he spent his time in Nebraska and took an active part in the capital contest which resulted in wresting the seat of government from Omaha and making Lincoln the capital of the state. It is generally conceded that he contributed his full share in various ways to accomplish that result.
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He has held real estate in Lincoln ever since the city was founded, which is now very valuable. In the summer of 1868 he returned East in quite poor health. Was for several years engaged with his brother, Gideon G. Tillinghast, Esq., in the book trade. Since the year 1876 he has followed the occupation of a farmer; has lived in Canterbury the last ten years. Mr. Tillinghast married Miss Rosa Wilcox of Griswold, by whom he has two sons and one daughter. He has held public posi- tions of trust and discharged the duties to the satisfaction of all. He believes in and tries to follow the golden rule. He is an attendant and supporter of the Baptist church at Packersville, of which his wife is a member. He acted with the republican party until 1888, when he became an ardent prohibitionist. He regards the open saloon as the greatest curse to the laboring man, and the sum of all villainies. He is a member of Sedgwick Post, G. A. R., and also of Canterbury Grange, No. 70. He enjoys a reputation for sound practical sense and good judgment.
F. P. BISSELL, TURNERVILLE (HEBRON): Farmer.
Frederick Phelps Bissell was born in Hebron, April 23, 1822, and received a common school edu- cation. He has pursued the business of farming, insurance, and teaching, devoting his attention to the latter during his early years. He was formerly connected with the state militia, holding a lieuten- ant's commission in an independent company. He was one of the origi- nal members of the Know Nothing party, and was actively connected with it as an organization. In 1862 he represented the town of Hebron in the F. P. BISSELL. house, serving on the republican side. In IS71 he was elected to the senate from the old twenty-first district. He was also judge of probate in the Hebron district for a number of years. Judge Bissell is a prominent member of St. Peter's Epis- copal church in Hebron, and has been connected with it in an official capacity since 1844. He was a vestryman until 1854, and has been one of the wardens since the latter year. He has also been the treasurer of the church for twenty-nine years. His wife, who is still living, was Miss Almira J. Carver, daughter of Joseph Carver, Esq., of Hebron. There is one son living. Mr. Bissell has been a public-spirited citizen through the whole of his life, and has been honored practically with
every office within the gift of his town. In all of the public positions which he has held his career has been characterized by the strictest loyalty to his constituents and the state.
SAMUEL FITCH, ROCKVILLE: Manufacturer of Stockinets and Plushes.
The progenitors of Mr. Fitch were of French de- scent. His father, Samuel Fitch, was born in Bol- ton, Tolland county, and removed to Albion, N. Y., where his death occurred. He married Nancy Atwell of Montville, Conn., and had one child. Samuel, the subject of this biogra- phy, was born December 2, 1821, in Enfield, Hart- ford county, where the greater portion of his youth was spent. After several terms at the com- mon school, he pursued his studies at North Wil- braham, Mass., and until his twenty-second year SAMUEL FITCH. continued the healthful employment of a farmer. He then engaged in the sale of merchandise in New England, frequently extending his trips to the Canadas, where he received furs in exchange for other commodities. Mr. Fitch finally, becoming weary of the nomadic life which his business neces- sitated, settled in West Stafford, and, renting a factory, embarked in the manufacture of knit goods, continuing for thirteen years in this location. Dur- ing the years 1858 and 1859 he was selectman of that town. He then removed to Rockville, and. renting a factory, engaged in manufacturing at that point. In 1874 he purchased his present site, which has since that date been greatly enlarged and improved. Here he continues the production of a great variety of knit goods, certain specialties of which have given the mill a deservedly high reputation.
Mr. Fitch was, on the 9th of January. 1845, married to Mariette, daughter of Daniel Spencer of Enfield. Their children are Spencer S., Sarah E. (wife of C. H. Strickland), and Fred. H. (de- ceased). The son is identified with the business which is now a corporation under the firm name of " The Samuel Fitch & Sons Co." Mr. Fitch was formerly a whig, and later became an exponent of the principles of the republican party. He has held various local offices, and during the years 1$60. 1861, and 1877, represented his town in the state legislature. He was from 1863 to 1869 state railroad- commissioner. He was also one of the incorpora- tors and is a director in the People's Savings Bank
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of Rockville. In 1889 he was chosen vice-president of the " United States Central Railroad Company," and in the same year, on the 2d of December, his sixty-eighth birthday, he was elected the first mayor of the city of Rockville for the term of two years. Mr. Fitch was a supporter of the Second Congregational church of Rockville during its existence, and Mrs. Fitch was a member.
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