USA > Connecticut > Men of mark in Connecticut; ideals of American life told in biographies and autobiographies of eminent living Americans > Part 10
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Frederico Johns Kingsbury
FREDERICK JOHN KINGSBURY
K INGSBURY, FREDERICK JOHN, LL.D., a successful banker of Waterbury, was born in that city on the first day of Janu- ary, 1823. He comes of an old and distinguished New Eng- land family. Henry Kingsbury, his first American ancestor, came to this country from Assington in Suffolk County, England, with Governor John Winthrop, and was one of the founders of Ipswich, Massachusetts. Later he settled in Haverhill, where he became one of the influential citizens of the town. Henry Kingsbury's son and grandson, each named Joseph, left Haverhill in 1707, coming to Nor- wich, where they took an active and prominent part in town, church, and military affairs. Mr. Kingsbury's father was Charles Denison Kingsbury, a prosperous merchant and farmer, who held the offices of town treasurer, selectman, and member of the school board. He was a large landowner and is remembered as a quiet gentleman of refined manners and of strong intellect.
The early days of Frederick were passed in the town in which he was born. He was a quiet boy, had delicate health and suffered much from dyspepsia. He grew from childhood under the watchful care of his mother, who was his teacher for several years. She taught him to read and made his early lessons easy by teaching him childish poetry and many old rhymes and tales. In this manner he early acquired a fondness for books, a characteristic which he has retained through life. He was the favorite of both his grandfathers, who were professional men and taught him many things which have been useful to him in later life. After first playing at work with the men on his father's farm, he gradually learned to make himself really helpful, and before leaving home to go to college, he had become a practical farmer. Hav- ing learned his first lessons from his mother he was sent to Waterbury Academy, where, under the care of Seth Fuller, he was prepared for college. Like every Connecticut young man who is fortunate enough to have the opportunity, he went to Yale, where he was graduated with the class of 1846. He then studied law at the New Haven Law School,
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where he received his first legal lessons under the guidance of Chief Justice William L. Storrs, and later he entered the office of the Hon. Charles G. Loring in Boston. After acquiring his preliminary legal knowledge, he began the practice of law in Waterbury. He was successful as a young lawyer, but after four years he gave up his grow- ing practice to engage in the banking business, an occupation which he has since continued.
Mr. Kingsbury became a bank officer in 1850 and for the past half century he has been engaged in large financial, manufacturing, and railroad enterprises. He has steadily prospered and now holds an enviable position in the business world. He is president of the Citi- zens National Bank, and director of the Scovill Manufacturing Com- pany. During his long career he has been director in many corpora- tions, and secretary, treasurer, and president of railroad companies, steamboat companies, libraries, and hospitals. Although his business interests have made heavy demands upon his time he has always found opportunity to aid his fellow citizens, both as a holder of public office and as a private individual.
When a young lawyer his integrity and ability soon attracted attention and he was chosen by his townsmen to represent Waterbury in the State House of Representatives. This was in 1850, and it was while in the Legislature that Mr. Kingsbury first conceived the idea of starting a savings bank in his city. In 1850, 1858 and again in 1865 he was reelected to the legislature, where, in order that the public might reap the advantage of his experience in the banking world, he was made chairman on the committee on banks. When in 1876 the great International Centennial Exhibition was held in Philadelphia, Mr. Kingsbury was selected to represent Connecticut as member of the state committee. He was afterwards urged to accept the Republican nomination for governor of Connecticut. Owing to the pressure of business he was compelled to decline this high honor, but he consented to become the party's candidate for lieutenant-governor. As the Republican ticket was defeated, Mr. Kingsbury was not forced to leave private life. He has always remained true to his political party, but has never held any other political office. He has, however, made himself useful to the community as an active member of many clubs and societies, especially of those which have for their object the dis- semination of useful knowledge. For several years he was president of the American Social Science Association, of which he is still an active
member. He is a member, also, of the Society of Colonial Wars, of the New Haven History Society, of the American Antiquarian Society, and of the American Historical Association. He was a member of the Corporation of Yale University from 1887 to 1899.
Mr. Kingsbury has greatly enhanced his scholarly attainments by general reading, by careful study and by taking a live interest in intellectual pursuits. His efforts have been recognized by the leading educational institutions of the country. In 1848 he received from Yale the degree of A.M. In 1892 the honorary degree of LL.D. was conferred upon him by Williams College, and in 1899 the same distinc- tion was given him by Yale University. Like most intellectual men, he finds pleasure in the companionship of educated people. He is a member of the Century Club, and of the University Clubs of New York City and of New Haven.
In 1851, shortly after beginning the practice of law, Mr. Kings- bury married Alathea Ruth Scovill. He became the father of five children, three of whom are living. He is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and his religion finds practical expression in his belief that every man should do his duty in whatever position in life it has pleased God to place him. It is this idea, supplemented by a modest ambition, which has made Frederick John Kingsbury work for success in life. In looking back over his long life he feels that he has done as well as he had any right to expect. He is now very fond of driving, but in his younger days horseback riding and walking were his favorite methods of relaxation from the usual cares of an active busi- ness life.
A man who has passed the age of eighty, and the story of whose success in life contains not a single dark page, has a right, if not a duty, to give to the generations which are following him, the benefit of his advice. Mr. Kingsbury's words to younger men are: "Be honest in your purpose. Practice truthfulness, courtesy, and the cultivation of a kindly feeling toward all men. Be industrious and persevering. Neither court nor shun responsibility, but discharge all obligations to the best of your ability. Do the most honorable thing that offers and keep at it until something better comes. Beware of procrastination." These are the principles which he has followed and they have guided him to a high and honorable position among his fellow men.
RALPH WILLIAM CUTLER
C UTLER, RALPH WILLIAM, president of the Hartford Trust Company and one of the most able and prominent bankers in Connecticut, was born in Newton, Massachusetts, February 21st, 1853, of a long line of distinguished ancestors, the first of whom to settle in America was James Cutler, who came from England to Watertown, Massachusetts, in 1634. James Cutler was assigned twenty-eight acres of land in the "First Great Divide" and later moved to Lexington, where the cellar of his house is still to be seen. His son, James Cutler (second), served in King Philip's War and was the father of Thomas Cutler, who purchased in 1750 in Warren, Massachusetts, a farm of three hundred acres, which is in the family to-day. Deacon Thomas Cutler, son of Thomas Cutler, was prominent in the history of Warren, Massa- chusetts, and his son, Ebenezer Cutler, was a lieutenant in the Revolution, Eben Cutler, Mr. Ralph Cutler's father, was a jeweler in Boston and a member of the Massachusetts House of Representa- tives in 1865-6. He was a man of marked integrity, energy, and thrift. Mr. Cutler's mother, whose maiden name was Caroline Elizabeth Holman, was a descendant of Ensign John Holman, one of the original settlers of Dorchester, Massachusetts, in 1630, who came from England in the ship "Mary and John" and afterwards served as selectman, and as ensign in the Pequot War. He was a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston. Mr. Cutler is also able to trace his ancestry to Governor George Wyllys, Governor William Pynchon, Major William Whiting, Captain Daniel Clark, and the Rev. Manasseh Cutler, a pioneer settler of Ohio and the Western Reserve.
Ralph Cutler's boyhood was spent in the city of Boston and he received his education at the English High School, where he was graduated at the age of sixteen as a "Franklin Medal scholar." He was strong and athletic and was brought up on the principle that what was worth doing at all was worth doing well and he believes that
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his parents' confidence in his ability to succeed was the greatest inspiration of his life. He was as active mentally as he was physically and he has always enjoyed broad general reading as much as he has golf, tennis, rowing, and baseball, in which he has taken great interest and pleasure.
The first work which Mr. Cutler entered upon after leaving school was in the wholesale grocery business in Boston and his few years' experience in mercantile life was valuable for the knowledge of men and of business methods which he gained thereby. In 1880, when Mr. Cutler was twenty-seven years old, he came to Hartford to become treasurer of the Hartford Trust Company, thus entering upon the banking career which he has pursued ever since. In 1887 he was elected president of the company and became the youngest bank president in the State. He still holds this responsible position, for which his intimate knowledge of the details of banking, his clear judgment, and rare executive ability make him particularly well fitted.
In public affairs Mr. Cutler is as active and as prominent as he is in banking affairs. He is a Republican in political affiliations and in 1883-4 he was a member of the Court of Common Council. He was appointed fire commissioner in 1896 and served two terms of three years each. In 1905 he was appointed commissioner of the Board of Finance under the amended charter of the city of Hartford, and he has been treasurer of the Connecticut Humane Society since its organization in 1880. He is a member of the Society of Colonial Wars, was Gentleman of the Council at the organization of that society in 1893 and is now its treasurer. He is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, of the Twentieth Century Club, of the Hartford Club and of the Republican Club of Hartford. His religious views connect him with the Congregational Church.
OL the sixth of January, 1880, Mr. Cutler was married to Grace Dennis, daughter of Rodney Dennis, a founder and former secre- tary of the Travelers Insurance Company. Three children, a son and two daughters, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cutler: Char- lotte Elizabeth Cutler, born March 2nd, 1882, married November 22nd, 1905, to Joseph H. Woodward, Actuary of State of Connecti- cut; Ralph Dennis Cutler, born April 16th, 1885; Ruth Holman Cutler, born October 2nd, 1886.
ALFRED SPENCER, JR.
S PENCER, ALFRED, JR., president of the Ætna National Bank of Hartford, was born in Suffield, Hartford County, Connecti- cut, on October 29th, 1851. He is the son of Alfred Spencer, a prosperous farmer, and Frances Caroline (Reid) Spencer. His ancestors were English. The first to come to America was Thomas Spencer, who settled in Hartford.
Mr. Spencer spent the early days of his life on his father's farm. He was a sturdy youngster and performed the usual tasks expected of a country boy of his day. Early home influences had a great effect upon his later life. The influence of his mother on his moral and spiritual nature was very marked. Among other valuable les- sons he was taught that to work was honorable. His school train- ing was received at the Connecticut Literary Institution at Suffield and later at the Edward Place School at Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
When, in 1872, he started out to earn his own livelihood, a position in the First National Bank at Suffield seemed the most promising one which presented itself. He remained in this bank for nearly twenty years, becoming first bookkeeper and then cashier. In 1891 he moved to Hartford and became cashier in the Ætna National Bank. After being cashier for eight years he, in 1899, became presi- dent of the bank, a position which he still holds.
In 1879 Mr. Spencer was married to Ella Susan Nichols. They have had two children, both of whom are living. In politics Mr. Spencer is a Republican, but, although he takes an interest in party affairs, he has never held public office. He attends the Baptist Church, he is prominent in the Masonic Order and is a noble of the Order of the Mystic Shrine. His favorite form of amusement is out- door sports of all kinds. His entire life has been devoted to the banking business and his success in this line is the result of natural aptitude and persistent effort. He made but one change in his business career. After he became cashier of the bank, which he entered as a messenger, he moved to a larger city to accept a similar
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position in a larger institution. The story of his career should encourage younger men to have patience and persist in their present occupation, remembering how Mr. Spencer rose from messenger boy to bank president with but one change in his business connections.
WILLIAM DENISON MORGAN
M ORGAN, WILLIAM DENISON, was born in Brooklyn, New York, December 19th, 1873. His father, William Gardner Morgan, is a descendant of James Morgan, of Wales, who settled in New London, Connecticut, when the city was only a hamlet,-a few families gathered together for mutual help and pro- tection. His mother, Elizabeth Cook (Hall) Morgan, is a woman of strong though gentle character, and her example was an important influence in her son's spiritual and moral life.
In childhood Mr. Morgan was strong and healthy, and at the age of thirteen began earning a partial livelihood working as a news- paper carrier on both a morning and evening route. This was in addition to his school work, and had the effect, he believes, of making him regular in his habits and giving him the desire to increase his independence. His favorite books during childhood and youth were those of Washington Irving, Dickens, and Thackeray, and later, on banking subjects.
Mr. Morgan had desired and planned to attend a technical college after his course in the common schools of Hartford, but this idea had to be given up, circumstances forbidding its being carried out. In 1890, at sixteen years of age, he decided that it was necessary for him to become self-supporting, and accordingly he took the first position that offered,-that of runner for the Ætna National Bank. Here he has steadily risen, being promoted to the position of general clerk in 1892, discount clerk in 1894, and in 1899 he was elected cashier of the bank, and is still serving in that capacity.
.On October 17th, 1900, he married Lucile Snow Couch, of Provi- dence, and they have one child, a daughter. Mr. Morgan is an authority on banking, having given it an exhaustive study, and in 1898, in collaboration with Mr. Henry M. Sperry, published the Bankers' Maturity Guide and Holliday Calendar. Mr. Morgan at- tends the Episcopal Church, is a member of the Church Club of Hartford, and of the Bachelors' Club of Hartford. He finds his
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WILLIAM DENISON MORGAN
recreation in the companionships which these organizations afford, and in out-of-door sports,-principally hunting, canoeing and horse- back riding. In politics he is a Republican.
FRANK LANGDON WILCOX
W ILCOX, FRANK LANGDON, represents a family that has been prominent and influential in New England since early Colonial days. On his paternal side Mr. Wilcox is a lineal descendant of John Wilcox, who came from England about 1630, and was one of the original proprietors of Hartford. On his maternal side he is descended from Deacon Paul Peck and the Rev. Thomas Hooker, the latter the famous divine and statesman, and both proprietors of Hartford in 1639. Another distinguished ancestor was Major John Mason, the apostle to the Indians. Several other ancestors, both Peck and Savage by name, fought in the Colonial, Indian, and Revolutionary wars. Mr. Wilcox's ancestors have always been extensive landowners in Berlin and East Berlin and Middle- town, Connecticut, and instrumental in building up the industries of those towns.
Samuel Curtis Wilcox and Anna Scoville Peck were Mr. Wilcox's parents. His father was a manufacturer and farmer. He was a man of exceptionable business ability, and his business career was most interesting and prosperous. His marked characteristics were in- dustry, honesty, perseverance, and common sense. He was at various times representative and selectman of his town and an officer in many manufacturing, commercial, and financial institutions. He con- solidated various factories manufacturing similar lines into the Peck, Stow & Wilcox Company, and was vice-president of the company until his death. He started the Berlin Iron Bridge Company, and was its first president. Until it was absorbed by the United States Steel Corporation it was one of the leading bridge companies in the world. Mr. Wilcox's mother was his "chief inspiration and guide to every- thing that was good."
The date of Mr. Wilcox's birth was January 6th, 1859 ; his birth- place Berlin, Hartford County. Brought up in the country and endowed with excellent health, Mr. Wilcox was chiefly interested in out-of-door life and athletic sports. He has always kept up his
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FRANK LANGDON WILCOX
interest in athletics, and his favorite recreations to-day are baseball, cricket, golf, and all outdoor sports. His favorite authors as a boy were Scott and Cooper, but most of his leisure of recent years has been given to general reading.
Beginning his education in a district school Mr. Wilcox continued it at the Berlin Academy. He then prepared for college at St. Paul's School, Concord, New Hampshire, and went to Trinity College, Hart- ford, graduating in 1880 with the degree of M.A.
The following fall he began work as a clerk in the office and pack- ing room of the Kensington factory of the Peck, Stow & Wilcox Com- pany. Parental wishes and his own "natural affinity" determined this course. His desire for success was an outgrowth of family and personal pride.
Mr. Wilcox rose rapidly to responsible business positions. In 1885 he became manager of the Kensington plant, the company in which he began as clerk, and later became the vice-president of the company. After the Kensington plant was destroyed by fire, Mr. Wilcox became associated with the Berlin Iron Bridge Company, and was its treasurer from 1890 to 1900. He is director in several corporations and banks. In 1893 he was Republican representative from Berlin, and in 1903 he was senator from the second district. He has held several of the minor offices in his native town; been chairman of some of the important legislative committees and was president of the Connecticut Commission to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis in 1904. He has taken an active part in the Second Congregational Church, Berlin, and is the superintendent of its Sunday school. He is a member of the college fraternity of "Delta Psi," of the Knights Templar and other Masonic Orders, of the Engineers Club of New York, the Hardware Club of New York, the Hartford Club, the New Britain Club, and the Country Club of Farmington. He is also a member of the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Connecticut, and Judge Advocate on the staff of the first Company of Governor's Foot Guards.
The secret of Mr. Wilcox's success lies in the virtues which he recommends as antidotes for failure-"Promptness, square dealing, industry, and temperance."
EDWARD BROWN BENNETT
B ENNETT, HON. EDWARD BROWN, lawyer, postmaster of Hartford, president of the Farmington River Power Com- pany, and of the Hartford City Gas Light Company, and holder of many public offices, was born in Hampton, Windham County, Connecticut, April 12th, 1842. His early ancestors were sturdy New England farmers, the first of whom came from England to Ipswich, Massachusetts, and later to Hampton, Connecticut. Mr. Bennett's father was William Bennett, a farmer, who was representative in the General Assembly, selectman, and otherwise prominent in the public life of the community. Mr. Bennett's mother was Marina Brown Bennett.
Until he was eighteen years old Edward Bennett lived on his father's farm, attending school in season, and "farming" the rest of the time. He left home in 1860 to take a two years' course at Williston Seminary, after which he entered Yale University and was graduated in 1866. He then returned to Hampton and studied law with Gov. Chauncey F. Cleveland, and afterwards with Franklin Chamberlain in Hartford. He was admitted to the Windham County Bar in 1868, and began to practice law in his native town, and in 1869 he opened a law office in Hartford. In the same year in which he began his legal practice, that is in 1868, he was made representative to the General Assembly of Connecticut, and the following year he was made assist- ant clerk of the House, and in 1870 he was made clerk of the Senate. From 1872-3 he was clerk of the Hartford Police Court, and in 1872 he was made a member of the Common Council. From 1878 to 1891 he served as judge of the Hartford City Court. In May, 1891, he became postmaster of Hartford and served until 1896, and in 1900 he was reappointed and still holds the office. He has always been a strong supporter of the Republican party, and has served on the State central committee as its secretary.
In addition to his profession and his public offices Judge Bennett has had many business interests. He has been president and treasurer
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of the Farmington River Power Company since 1890, and president of the Hartford City Gas Light Company since 1894. He is a director of the American School for the Deaf at Hartford. He is a member of no secret societies or Masonic orders. His religious connections are with the Asylum Hill Congregational Church. Always blessed with robust health, Judge Bennett delights in physical activity. When in college he was on the 'Varsity crew for three years. Bicycling is his favorite exercise now.
Mrs. Bennett, whom he married in April, 1877, was Alice How- ard, daughter of the Hon. James L. Howard. Their home is at 67 Collins Street, Hartford.
GEORGE DUTTON WATROUS
W ATROUS, GEORGE DUTTON, D.C.L., attorney at law, instructor in Yale Law School, and one of New Haven's well known citizens, was born in that city September 18th, 1858. His father was George Henry Watrous, a lawyer and president of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad from 1879 to 1887 and a leader in local affairs, who was several times a member of the General Assembly. He was characterized by a high sense of honor and justice and by an extraordinary capacity for hard work. Mr. Watrous's mother was Harriet Joy (Dutton) Watrous, a daughter of Governor Henry Dutton, who died when he was but thirteen years old, but whose influence was especially strong on his moral and spiritual life.
After the regular course at the common schools and a year at Professor Henness's German school George D. Watrous spent six years at Hopkins Grammar School and then entered Yale University. He took his B.A. degree in 1879 and during the following year he earned his living by teaching a private school of his own at Litch- field, Connecticut. In 1880 he entered Yale Law School, where he remained a year. He then spent a year at Columbia Law School and then a year abroad, after which he returned to the Yale Law School and took his LL.B. degree in 1883 and his M.L. degree in 1884. He supported himself by tutoring during almost his entire course in the law school and he continued his studies until 1890, when he took the degree of D.C.L. From 1892 to 1895 he was an assistant professor in the Yale Law School and in 1895 he was made professor and has filled the chair ever since. He has praticed law in New Haven ever since his admission to the bar in 1883 and his practice has been active and varied.
In addition to his work as a lawyer and as an educator George Dutton Watrous has been identified wth many business and mu- nicipal interests. He is a director in several local corporations, including the New Haven Water Company, the New Haven Gas
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Light Company and the City Bank and he was a director in the local street railway company until they sold out in 1904. He has served on the boards of councilmen and aldermen and was a member of the commission to draft a new charter for New Haven in 1893-1894. In 1905 he was appointed a member of the Commission on Uniform Municipal Charters. He has been a director in the Free Public Library of New Haven. In politics he has always been an adherent of the Republican party. He is a member of the American Bar Association, of the American Historical Association, of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, of the American Forestry Association, the National Geographic Society, of the University Club of New York, the Graduates Club, the Union League and Quinnipiack clubs of New Haven and of the Deta Kappa Epsilon and other college fraternities. He attends the Center Church (Con- gregational). His most congenial out-of-door recreations are bicycle riding, tennis, and gardening. Mrs. Watrous was Bertha Agnes Downer, whom he married on June 7th, 1888, and by whom he has had six children, all now living.
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