USA > Connecticut > Representative citizens of Connecticut, biographical memorial > Part 17
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John McClarp
and witnessed the assassination of the great President, and experienced all the excitement and violent feeling of those days. He did not give up his posi- tion in the Signal Service at the end of the war, but retired for a time and, returning North, took up his abode with his sister, Mrs. Mary Wetherby, in Springfield, Massachusetts. He made his home with his sister in Spring- field for a number of years and during that time became associated with Colonel Bartholomew and James L. Thompson in the Adams Express Com- pany, a connection which continued for a considerable period. In the latter part of the year 1868 Mr. McClary resumed active work for the Signal Ser- vice and went West with his young wife, whom he had recently married. His work was in connection with the Weather Bureau, and involved con- siderable moving from place to place, so that they resided at different times in Chicago, Texas, and various parts of Idaho, and, indeed, wherever they were ordered. Their last home in the West was in California where they were stationed about 1890, and the following year he gave up active service and returned to the East. Mr. and Mrs. McClary now made their home in Hartford, Connecticut, and there he bought out the woodworking factory and from that time on devoted his attention to its operation. In this enter- prise he was highly successful and developed a very large business, taking his place among the ranks of Hartford's substantial business men. He con- tinued actively in this line until within a short time of his death.
Although a very strong Republican in politics and keenly interested in the issues which confronted the country in that day, Mr. McClary never cared to enter the political arena actively, though he did his best as a private citizen to further the causes in which he believed. He was, however, very active in the social and club life of Hartford, after taking up his residence in that city, and his name was included in many of the most important and influential organizations. He was, for instance, a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Army and Navy Club and the Masonic order, in the latter of which he had attained the thirty-second degree, and was a member of Washington Commandery, Knights Templar, and Mecca Temple, Mystic Shrine. His affiliations in the matter of religion were with the Epis- copal church, in the work of which he was also active, one very effective way in which he served for many years was as a chorister, he being possessed of a very fine voice.
On September 28, 1868, while still a resident of Springfield, Massachu- setts, Mr. McClary was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Cutler, of Bos- ton, a daughter of Nathan M. and Columbia (Shearer) Cutler, of that city. Mr. Cutler was himself a native of Farmington, Maine, a son of Judge Nathan M. Cutler, but lived the major part of his life in Boston, where he held a position as inspector in the United States Customs House until his death. His wife was born in Palmer, Massachusetts, and was the daugh- ter of Judge Daniel and Sarah (King) Shearer. Sarah (King) Shearer was a daughter of Jesse King, 3rd, of Palmer, Massachusetts, of an early and prominent family in that neighborhood. Jesse King, 3rd, married Mary Graham, daughter of Rev. Mr. Graham, of Pelham. Mr. and Mrs. Cutler both died when their daughter, Mrs. McClary, was a little girl, and she was brought up by her aunt, Mrs. A. V. Blanchard, of Palmer, Massachusetts.
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John erClary
Mr. McClary erected a very handsome residence at No. 56 Highland avenue, Hartford, all the fine woodwork used in the construction of which came from his own factory.
The life which is most worthy of honor is that which has been of the greatest value to the greatest number of its fellows, and surely those should rank high in the scale who have given up their time and individual ambitions in the service, of one kind or another, of their country, as did Mr. McClary. For many years he and Mrs. McClary were denied what might be called a really permanent home, and wandered hither and yon about the West in the discharge of duties for which he was paid but a small return, when gauged by what his abilities afterwards earned when directed to his private ends. But at no time did it ever enter his mind to complain, and it was character- istic of him that he worked as cheerfully and energetically at the public tasks as at his own. It is pleasant to set down the record of such a life as this, which may well serve as an example to his community in the future.
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John Coddington Kinney
JOHN CODDINGTON KINNEY, whose death on April 22, 1891, caused universal mourning throughout the city of Hartford, Connecticut, which had been his home for so many years, was one of the best known and most beloved citizens of that place, having been identified with all that was best in its growth and progress during the long period of his residence there. He was not a native of Hartford, nor of New England at all for that matter, although his people had origi- nally come from the Nutmeg State, and his father was born there. Some time previous to his birth the family had moved to New York State and settled in the town of Nassau, where his father, the Rev. Ezra Dennison Kinney, had charge of a church.
John Coddington Kinney, or Major Kinney as he became, was born in Nassau, New York, February 21, 1839, but the following year was taken to Darien, Connecticut, by his parents, and ever thereafter made his home in that State. He grew up in Darien and attended the excellent local schools of the place, where he obtained the preliminary portion of his education. He was very bright in his studies, and both at this time and later distin- guished himself in his classes to the extent of drawing the favorable notice of his professors and instructors upon his work. After completing his course in the schools and gaining a first rate foundation in the essentials, he matriculated in Yale College, where he soon made a large reputation for himself both as a student and a popular member of the undergraduate body. The class of which he was a member held a number of celebrated men, who afterwards took prominent places in different departments of life in various parts of the country. Among these was Simeon E. Baldwin, who later became Governor of Connecticut ; Tracy Peck ; Justice H. B. Freeman; Bray- ton Ives and S. H. Lyman. There was also the late E. R. Sill, the well known lyrical poet, of whom Major Kinney was a warm friend and admirer, a strong attachment existing between the two, who had many points of sympathy and many grounds of congenial interest and common belief. Major Kinney graduated with the class of 1861 and though his subsequent life, of course, took him away from any close association with the college, yet he always retained his feelings of profound love and veneration, as well as gratitude for his alma mater, and it was, indeed, one of the honors which he most prized, that on the occasion of the inauguration of Professor Dwight as president of Yale, he was chosen marshal for the occasion.
During his childhood and early youth Major Kinney had been strongly under the influence of religious feeling and belief, and it had been his inten- tion to enter the ministry as had his father before him, but this determina- tion was rudely altered by the outbreak of the Civil War. The enthusiasm and patriotism of times like that are hard to appreciate in the midst of more quiet circumstances, and we find it difficult to picture to ourselves the strengh of emotion which will reverse in a moment the cherished projects of
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a lifetime. Yet so it is. Joining with the great wave of those who placed patriotism and the cause of the Union before all personal considerations, he enlisted in the United States Army as a member of Company A, Thirteenth Regiment of Infantry, Connecticut Volunteers. He was offered a commis- sion at the time, but this he declined, preferring rather to serve as a private in the ranks until through merit he had actually won his promotion. His experience in the war was a perilous and eventful one, and through those long years between November, 1861, when he enlisted, and August 12, 1865, when he was mustered out, he had much hard campaigning and fighting to do. The Thirteenth Connecticut was quickly in the midst of active service, and it was not long before the young private won his commission for bravery and efficient service. Wounded at the battle of Irish Bend, Louisiana, he was soon able to join once more the colors, and was with the expedition under General Banks early in 1864. In the month of May in the same year, he was detailed to the signal service, and had the distinction of being placed with Admiral Farragut, on board that officer's flagship, "Hartford." Farra- gut's fleet was at that time preparing for the ascent of Mobile Bay, and in the famous engagement that followed, Major Kinney was a participant. Not only that but he was actually in the mainmast with Farragut, and with his signals, transmitting his orders to the fleet. It was a position and an office of peril, but the young soldier performed it well and lived to enjoy the recollection of it. Indeed, his recitals in after years of these and many other experiences during the dreadful war, were the delight of many, possessing as they did a simplicity and directness which robbed them of the least sug- gestion of ostentation, and a vividness of description which brought before his hearers with wonderful distinctness the scenes of long ago. There was a great charm in these tales and many times did he have to repeat them for the entertainment of his household and friends. On August 12, 1865, he was honorably discharged from the service, but he did not return North to his Connecticut home at once, having become interested in property and farm- ing in Florida. In association with Judge V. B. Chamberlin, he went to that State and there conducted a plantation for a period of two years. In 1867 he returned to Connecticut, where he took up newspaper work, in which he continued until within a year of his death. For some time he was in Water- bury, Connecticut, where he was connected with the "Waterbury Ameri- can," much of the time in the capacity of editor, but in 1872 he removed to Hartford and joined the staff of the "Courant," remaining for eighteen years. During this time he served in many varying capacities for the paper, and always retained the strongest interest in the success of the publication, even after retiring from active connection with it, and always continued an occasional contributor and a daily visitor. His influence on public opin- ion while on the staff of the "Courant," through the medium of the sheet, was certainly very great, and not less admirable, his pure, disinterested atti- tude setting a high standard for newspaper utterance.
No man was ever more retiring and less anxious to stand in the public eye than Major Kinney, and, though always keenly interested in political issues and the conduct of public affairs, both local and national, he never sought to hold office. His ability was so marked and his disinterestedness so
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John Coddington Kinney
obvious, however, that his fellow citizens would not let him remain in the obscurity of private life, and on a number of occasions elected him to offices of various kinds. In the year 1882 he was appointed United States Marshal and served in that capacity for four years, and in 1890 he was appointed by President Harrison postmaster of Hartford. It was on the occasion of his taking this new office that Major Kinney gave up his connection with the "Courant," as he felt that his duties were of so large and responsible a kind that they should not divide his attention with any other matter. It is a remarkable fact and one well illustrating the essential disinterestedness of the man, that for both these important offices, that of marshal and that of postmaster, his name was proposed by others quite unknown to himself, so that the appointments both came as surprises to him. In these posts, as in all the others he had at any time filled, the duties of the offices were filled to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens, political friend and foe alike, all of whom united in praise of him. The conduct of the postoffice had never been better than under his rule, and he would doubtless have caused still further improvements had not his death occurred only the following year and stopped the good work.
It was not alone in newspaper and political circles that Major Kinney was active in Hartford. During the nineteen years in which he made that city his home, there was scarcely a department of activity of real value in which he was not a participant. No movement could be proposed for the advancement of the community which was not sure of his aid and support, if in his judgment it was feasible. His judgment, too, was excellent, and while generous in the extreme he nevertheless quickly detected what was weak or impracticable. He was a prominent figure in the social world of the city, and a member of many of the most important clubs and other organ- izations there. It was, of course, natural that military organizations and those based on military service of some kind should be particularly interest- ing to him, and such was the case. The company known as the Governor's Foot Guard was particularly dear to him and for many years he gave it con- stant attention and thought. He was largely instrumental in securing the new armory for the body, and in many ways was of the greatest service to it. He was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati, of the Sons of the American Revolution, of the Grand Army of the Republic and of the Loyal Legion. He was one of the original members of the Army and Navy Club of Hartford, and its secretary from the time of its foundation until his death. Major Kinney was greatly interested in the problem offered by our treat- ment of the American Indians, and was a recognized authority on the sub- ject. He was accordingly appointed secretary of the Mohonk Indian Con- ference, and held that office for a number of years.
Major Kinney was married, March 7, 1867, to Miss Sara E. Thomson, of New Haven, a daughter of Dr. Charles Steele and Susan Coit (Belcher) Thomson. Mrs. Kinney was a most congenial companion for her husband, being fond of most of the things of which he was, and with many tastes and beliefs in common. She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and for fourteen years was State Regent for Connecticut. She
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survives her husband and is one of the most prominent figures in Hartford social life.
Major Kinney was undoubtedly a most unique character, combining, as he did, so many traits which are not often met together in one personality. His life was grounded on the basic virtues of honor, sincerity, justice, and a strong unshaken purpose. Yet withal he was one of the most gentle souls, and easily moved by the misfortunes of others, and always ready to hold out a helping hand to the unfortunate, without stopping to inquire too curiously how they had come by their ill luck. It was not only with material aid that he assisted his needy fellows. His whole nature went out to theirs with such a ready and spontaneous sympathy, that hearts were healed by the very atmosphere of cheer that emanated from him. Honesty spoke in his every word and manner, so that people instinctively trusted him and felt no further concern for that for which he had made himself responsible. Particularly was this so in the matter of public office, and the conduct of whatever matter he was put in charge, was left without question to him, in the confidence that his honor and judgment would amply safeguard it. Nor was he more lacking in the graces of culture and refinement than in these more funda- mental virtues. As a companion he was simply charming, his conversational powers being of the greatest, though one of their chief charms was their delightful simplicity-one might almost call it naiveté. The vivid fresh- ness of his tales of his past experiences has already been commented upon, and to this power he added that of wit and quiet humor and the ability to "speak on his feet." He was consequently in great demand as a speaker and was that rara avis, one who can make a delightful and instructive after- dinner address. His home life was an ideal one, the relations of the house- hold harmonious, and his companionship with his wife one of the strongest factors in his life. His death, which occurred at the early age of fifty-two years, cutting short a most valuable career at its very zenith of achievement, was felt as a personal loss, not only by the members of his immediate family and the host of devoted friends which his winning personality had gathered around him, but by the community at large, but few of whose members had not benefited by his activities and example. It seems fitting to close this sketch with the words of the paper, which in an article written at the time of his death, said in part as follows:
A brave, loyal and honest heart * * everyone knew him, and everyone who did respected him for courageous devotion to what was right, his frank, outspoken way and his honesty. The only use he had for duplicity was to despise it. There was never any doubt as to where he stood on any question, and yet there was always an almost womanly gentleness of nature that endeared him to all.
He was a singularly helpful man, always ready to serve another. In private life he was always freighted with the cares of others who turned to him because of the certainty of his sympathy and aid, and in public affairs when anything was to be done, the rest of us ceased to be anxious about it if Major Kinney agreed to undertake the work. *
* * * * * * *
The man who came to Hartford a stranger in 1872, he dies, one of the most widely known men in the city, leaving it better for the work he has done.
Cajas Edwin Strang
Edwin Strong
M AJOR EDWIN STRONG, whose death on April 6, 1911, at the age of sixty-seven years, deprived the city of Hartford, Connecticut, of one of its best known and most honored citizens, was a member of old New England stock, his family having made their residence in Hartford for many years. His parents were Ezra and Harriet (Rowley) Strong, whose fine, old-fashioned dwelling at No. 79 Church street on the corner of Ann street, still stands as the family home. Ezra Strong was engaged in the business of book binding and making of maps, and he estab- lished an enviable reputation for himself as a responsible and capable man of business. He died at the early age of forty-one years, just in the prime of life, leaving a considerable fortune to his family, consisting of considerable Hartford real estate and other valuable property.
Major Edwin Strong was born November 19, 1843, in the old family mansion on Church and Ann streets, where he continued to make his home during his entire life. He received his education in the schools of his native city, attending for some years the local public schools, including the high school, and later taking a course at Bird's well known school for boys. He was possessed of an alert mind and did well in his studies, drawing the favor- able attention of his teachers to himself and his work. The elder Mr. Strong had shown great foresight in his selection of sites for investment, and among the properties which had come to the hand of his son was that very valuable plot adjacent on the north to Exchange corner on Main street, together with the business building standing thereon. With so great an estate to look after, Major Strong's time and attention were well filled, and to this he also added the management of other financial interests.
From an early age he had taken a keen interest in the political questions and issues with which the community were confronted. He was equally interested in local and national issues and turned to the principles and policies of the Republican party as the best solutions to be found. He was always a staunch supporter of these principles, and cast his ballot for the candidates of that party. Wishing to identify himself more closely with the organization, he became a member of the Republican Club of Hartford, and was speedily drawn into active participation in local affairs and politics. Possessed of considerable energy and strongly interested in the cause, he made himself valuable to the party, and was soon under consideration by the local leaders as a possible candidate for office. His strength and availability were greatly increased by the large following of personal friends and admirers, which his attractive and manly personality had made for him among the young men of the district, and in 1873 he became the candidate for city councilman for the old second ward. After an exciting campaign, in the course of which the youthful candidate did some excellent work, he was triumphantly elected. Major Strong was at the time of his election not yet thirty years of age, but he served his term to the eminent satisfaction of
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Edwin Strong
his constituents and the community generally. He was twice returned to the office, in 1882, and again the year following. Major Strong's interest was not of the personally interested sort that actuates only too many of our politicians of to-day. On the contrary, it was of a very public-spirited and altruistic order, and its mainspring was the real good of the community. As time went on he became more and more interested in the question of provid- ing for the poor of the city, and in 1903 was appointed by Mayor Alexander Harbison to serve on the Board of Charity Commissioners. He was also deeply interested in the cause of education and served for twelve years as a member of the board of the Brown School, serving in that capacity at the time of his death.
He was a very young man at the outbreak of the Civil War, but in 1865 he enlisted in Company F, Hartford City Guard, or as it was then called, Battery D, Connecticut National Guard, and served with his company for a term of five years. Later he entered the Veteran City Guard Battalion and was very prominent in the organization. He was the recipient of rapid pro- motion and in 1908 was made major of the corps. He was a faithful sup- porter of the Pearl Street Congregational Church, of Hartford, materially aiding with effort and money many of the philanthropies and benevolences connected with the work in the city.
The name of Major Strong was closely identified in the minds of the people of Hartford with the development and progress of their city. Con- servative and prudent as was his mind, it was none the less open to convic- tion and the innovation which really offered a substantial advantage did not have to await its establishment before enlisting his sympathy and aid. This characteristic of the man was well typified in his home, the old house at the corner of Church and Ann streets, a landmark of the olden times, the venerable dwelling being the first in Hartford to be fitted with gas fixtures and to use that new illuminating medium at the time of its introduction. This structure was sold by Mrs. Strong to the Young Women's Christian Association.
Major Strong was a man of very broad views and sympathies, which found expression not only in what is known as public spirit, but in charity and tolerance and that most altruistic virtue, a democratic attitude towards his fellow-men of whatever position and wherever found. His generosity was great. It has already been remarked that he was greatly interested in the question of public charities, and served for some time on the commission which had that branch of the city's activities under control. This activity naturally brought him very largely into public notice, and he became one of the most conspicuous figures in Hartford, where the respect and admiration in which he was held amounted to a very genuine affection. Not less was this so in the purely private relations which bound him to his family and friends. This being so it is not surprising to note how deeply and generally was felt the loss occasioned by his death.
Major Strong married, October 29, 1874, Annie Forbes, a native of East Hartford, daughter of Charles and Mary Ann Forbes, of that town. To Major and Mrs. Strong were born four children: I. Grace Carleton, died aged fourteen months. 2. Edwin Allen, a member of the well known Wall
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Edwin Strong
street firm of Harris, Winthrop & Company ; married Theodora Beinicke, of New York City, where they reside; they have one child, Elizabeth. 3. Louie Palmer, who was well known in insurance circles, having been connected with the Aetna Life Insurance Company, of Hartford; he died on Decora- tion Day, 1911, at the age of thirty-two years. 4. Annie Strong Baxter ; has one child, Barbara Strong Baxter ; they are residents of New York City.
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