USA > Connecticut > Representative citizens of Connecticut, biographical memorial > Part 47
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Lyman Wetmore Coe was a member of one of the old Connecticut families, his forbears having resided in that State from earliest Colonial times, and it was from these, who throughout the history of the region dis- tinguished themselves in its affairs, that he inherited the talents displayed by him. The first notice of the Coe family in England of which there is any record occurs in that famous old work "Fox's Book of Martyrs" in which it is stated that one Roger Coe, of Milton, Suffolkshire, was burned at the stake by order of Queen Mary in September, 1555, at Oxford in Suffolk- shire, a full account of his trial and defense being given. The founder of the family in this country was Robert Coe, born in Suffolkshire in 1596, who came to Boston with his wife and three children in the month of June, 1634, landed in Boston and settled later in Wethersfield, Connecticut, and finally in Stamford. Mr. Coe's father was the Hon. Israel Coe, a native of Goshen, Connecticut, where he was born December 14, 1794. He lived to the venerable age of ninety-seven and retained to the end of his life in a remarkable degree the powers and faculties of his youth. He was a man of versatile abilities and was the founder of the brass industry in 1834 which afterwards, reorganized and changed in name, became in the hands of his son, the largest of its kind in the country. The name of the old concern was the Wolcottville Brass Company and this it retained through many vicissitudes up to the time of its reorganization. The elder Mr. Coe lived in a number of places both in and out of Connecticut and everywhere was accorded a position of honor. He served a number of terms in the Connecticut Legislature, in both houses, and when more than four score years of age was elected commissioner of deeds of Essex county, New Jersey, where he was then residing. During the latter part of his life he took a keen and intelligent interest in the local history of his native region and was the source of much of the interesting information contained in Orcutt's "History of Torrington."
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Lyman Wetmore Coe
Lyman Wetmore Coe was born January 20, 1820, at Torrington, Con- necticut, but it was with Waterbury, in the same State, that his childhood associations were connected, for to that place his parents moved when he was a mere infant. It was in Waterbury, also, that he gained his education, in the common schools and the high school up to the time that he was four- teen years of age. In 1834 his family returned to Torrington and there he completed his schooling in the Morris Academy. Upon leaving school he secured a clerical position in a mercantile house and continued therein for about six years. The Wolcottville Brass Company was just entering upon its first period of prosperity under the able management of Mr. Coe, Sr., and in 1841 the young man was chosen secretary of that concern, having already become a stockholder therein. For a period of four years he continued in this office and then resigned and sold his interest, to accept the management of the Waterbury Brass Company which had been offered to him. He removed to Waterbury and there took up his new duties, remaining therein for a period of eighteen years, during which time the concern prospered highly. During this period Mr. Coe set himself to accumulate sufficient capi- tal to enable him to realize a long-cherished ambition to engage in business on his own account. While he was accumulating the capital he was also gain- ing something equally necessary to success, namely, a profound knowledge of business methods generally and of the brass industry in particular. In 1863 he severed his connection with the Waterbury concern and returned to Tor- rington with the purpose of purchasing the old Wolcottville Company. This concern had, meanwhile, passed through a number of vicissitudes, and had changed hands several times, coming at last to almost complete de- moralization. Mr. Coe purchased the whole plant and the business for the sum of forty thousand dollars and organized the Coe Brass Manufacturing Company with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars. Of this he held the controlling interest and was elected to the presidency. The old plant was at once opened and a period of aggressive expansion followed, resulting in an increase of business truly remarkable. For the first time in his life Mr. Coe had a free and unobstructed field for the expression of his talent and he took advantage of it, concerning himself with every depart- ment of the business, organizing the forces actually engaged in the manu- facture, regulating the output, increasing the efficiency of the plant and extending the market and the outside connections on a very large scale. Steadily the business increased and expanded until he had the satisfaction of seeing it the most important factor in the brass interests of the United States. For over thirty years he remained at the head of the great establish- ment, its directing force, and it is wholly to his genius that this mastership of organization is due.
Despite the tremendous demands made upon his time and energy by the great business he directed, Mr. Coe took a keen interest in the general affairs of the community and, like so many of his ancestors, participated in the conduct of them not a little. He was elected to the Connecticut State Assembly and served on that body from 1845 to 1858, and later was sent to the State Senate, serving in 1862 and from 1877 to 1882. Mr. Coe could not, in the nature of the case, take a very active part in the social life of the place,
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yet he was fond of intercourse with his fellows and sought them out in so far as his time and strength permitted him. He was a member of several clubs and organizations, chief among which should be mentioned the Union League Club of New York City and the New York Yacht Club.
On November 3, 1841, Mr. Coe was united in marriage with Eliza Sey- mour, born November 3, 1820, a daughter of Samuel and Lura (Taylor) Seymour. To Mr. and Mrs. Coe were born three children, as follows: Adelaide E., born October 29, 1845, and now Mrs. William H. K. Godfrey, of Litchfield, Connecticut (a sketch of Mr. Godfrey precedes this in the work) ; Edward Turner, mentioned below; and Ella Seymour, born Feb- ruary 23, 1854, and now a resident of Litchfield.
Edward Turner Coe was born June 1, 1848. He was educated in the private schools of Waterbury, later at the famous Gunnery School at Wash- ington, Connecticut, and finally at General Russell's school in New Haven. In 1863 he accompanied his parents upon their removal to Torrington, Con- necticut, and there, three years later, began his business career in the great Coe Brass Works founded by his grandfather and reorganized by his father. He began with a humble position in the shop where he learned the details of the actual manufacture and from that capacity was transferred to the office where he took up the other side of the business and gained an exhaustive knowledge thereof as a bookkeeper. Somewhat later he was made treasurer of the company and held that most important and responsible position until 1907, when he retired and went to New Haven. He made his home in that city for two years or until his death on October 5, 1909. Upon the formation of the gigantic concern known as the American Brass Company by the merg- ing of the great independent companies, Mr. Coe became a member of the board of directors of the new corporation and continued in that office during the remainder of his life. He was also a director of the Torrington Water Company and a trustee of the Torrington Savings Bank. He was a promi- nent member of the Episcopal church in Torrington, and represented his community both in the State Assembly and Senate, being of the third gener- ation in direct descent to do so. On October 9, 1873, Mr. Coe was united in marriage with Lillie A. Wheeler, a daughter of Amos and Martha (Chid- sey) Wheeler, of Avon, Connecticut.
John B. Parsons
I F THERE IS a lesson well worth while learning to be found in the records of men, whose achievements in their own interests have been marked with success, how much greater and more worthy is that lesson contained in the careers of those which have been chiefly concerned with the good of others, whose efforts have been directed towards the expres- sion of some altruistic ideal, with the service of which they have allowed not even those ambitions most dear to the hearts of their fellows to interfere. The names of John G. Parsons and Mrs. Parsons, his wife, will long be remembered in Hartford for their disinterested lives, and the earnest, efficient work for the unfortunate in that city. Their influence was not confined to any one place, however, but in connection with the great cause of temperance, has spread abroad no one can say how far, and affected a number of people not to be reckoned by human skill or ingenuity.
Mr. Parsons was born June 2, 1821, in Windsor, Connecticut, a member of a fine old New England family, and the son of Erastus and Clarissa (Bronson) Parsons, lifelong residents of that town, Mr. Parsons, Sr., having been born there in 1782. The death of the elder man occurred when his son was but fifteen years of age, and after this event, the lad left his home and native place and went to Hartford, where it was his intention to find employ- ment and earn his own livelihood. He soon found a position with Brown & Drake, one of the leading firms of the city in the book-binding business, and there set about learning the trade. He was quickly successful in this, his apt mind and willingness to learn and apply himself, recommending him to his employers so that he found a speedy advancement in the concern. It was not a great while, indeed, before he was admitted to the firm, which even- tually became known as Drake & Parsons. The establishment was situated on Main street, Hartford, and was connected with the important publishing house of Bliss & Company. The business was an exceedingly prosperous one, and was regarded as one of the most successful mercantile enterprises in the city.
Successful as he was in business, it was not in that connection that Mr. Parsons was best known in Hartford, but rather in the relation which he held to reform movements of all kinds, in politics, in charities, in education and in religion. He was very active in the political world, and allied himself with the local Republican organization, but without any interest in any- thing but the question of instituting reforms in the city government, and a general campaign of enlightenment in political issues among the people. He was urged by his fellow Republicans to run for office, but this he refused absolutely to do, preferring to maintain the absolute independence of opinion and action, that only the private citizen enjoys. But though he would accept no political office, he did join the volunteer fire department in 1840, and con- tinued a member until his death, a period of fifty years. He was greatly interested in the welfare of this department, and was very popular therein,
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beginning in the ranks and being promoted until he finally reached the rank of chief engineer of the department. In 1849, while acting as assistant engineer, he received from his fellow members a handsome silver speaking trumpet in token of their regard for the man and his work. Besides this, Mr. Parsons also consented to serve as chairman on the school board for several years, during which time he performed an invaluable service in the cause of education in Hartford. The matter to which he gave the most unwearied effort, however, was combatting the liquor evil with the weapons of religion. He was a staunch supporter of temperance principles and was for many years an active and prominent member of the Order of Rechabites.
John G. Parsons was united in marriage, May 5, 1844, with Miss Betsey M. Knox, a daughter of Samuel and Lydia (Benton) Knox, old residents of Manchester, Connecticut, where Mr. Knox was a prominent farmer. Mrs. Parsons, who was born December 9, 1823, was the youngest of ten children, and, her father dying when she was a mere child, she was taken by her uncle, Deacon Elijah Knox, and brought up by him as one of his own children. Elijah Knox was deacon of the old South Congregational Church of Hartford for many years, and also the principal of the Brown School in Hartford, a man beloved by all who were privileged to know him. To Mr. and Mrs. Parsons were born two children, a daughter Alice, who died in early childhood, and a son, John Knox, who after a short but very success- ful career, died April 4, 1892, at the age of thirty years. He was educated in the schools of Hartford and then learned the gold-beater's trade in the employ of James H. Ashmead & Son. He remained about five years in this business and then embarked in the hardware trade on his own account. He did not continue this venture a great while, however, as delicate health forced him to retire for a period. He accordingly sold his business and after a period of rest, became interested in hotels. For three years he conducted a hotel at Lake Dunmore, Vermont, with great success, at the end of which time he started the erection of a much larger house in the same location, with every modern appliance, and at the cost of one hundred thousand dol- lars. The house was to accommodate three hundred guests, but while it was in course of construction the young owner died, and did not see its comple- tion though it was finished by his mother, Mrs. Parsons, later. John K. Par- sons was married to Miss Nellie Frisbee, now deceased, as well as their only child, Bessie.
Mrs. John G. Parsons is the great-grandaughter of the immigrant an- cestor of the family, Archibald Knox, who settled in Ashford, Connecticut, in 1762, whither he had come from his native land of Scotland. Both he and his descendants have always occupied a conspicuous place in the community of which they have been members. On the maternal side of the house Mrs. Parsons is descended from John Benton of East Hartford, a man of strong character, who also exercised great influence in his neighborhood. Mrs. Parsons is indeed a worthy descendant of her distinguished forbears. Though ninety-one years of age, she retains all her faculties and is still active in the causes to which she has so unselfishly devoted practically the whole of her long life. She is typical of that splendid class of women which
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John 5. Parsons
flourished in that part of the world during the past, and which shall always be famous under the beautiful title of the New England gentlewoman. She, as one of them, finds it not difficult to be at once womanly and highly edu- cated, at once familiar with the best in literature, art and science, and the practical director of her household and home, qualifications which to-day, alas, are too commonly considered incompatible. She is now the only person living in Hartford who was a member of the congregation of the old "Melodian Building," since organized into the Fourth Congregational Church. Both she and Mr. Parsons were devoted to the interests of the group of sincere Christians, and Mr. Parsons, who had an excellent voice, sang in the choir in the old building. After the founding of the Fourth Con- gregational Church, they retained their membership in the body, Mr. Par- sons until the time of his death, and Mrs. Parsons to the present time. In her youth she was assistant superintendent of the Sunday school for many years, under the rectorship of the celebrated Rev. Mr. Burton, and during this time was often sent as a delegate to the Sunday school conventions in various parts of the country. Mrs. Parsons has always been identified with the progressive movements of her sex, and was the first woman of Hartford to join the woman's suffrage movement, originated at the meetings con- ducted by Isabella Beecher, a sister of Henry Ward Beecher. She was one of those who acted on the committee appointed to assist Miss Beecher in her work. But probably the most characteristic work that Mrs. Parsons has done, has been that in connection with the temperance movement, in which, like her husband, she engaged heart and soul. She was for many years presi- dent of the local Women's Christian Temperance Union, and kept that institution most active in the fight. She has personally known and enter- tained at her house most of the great speakers on the subject for many years past, including the Rev. Graham Taylor, Miss Frances E. Willard, John B. Gough and Colonel Bain, of Kentucky. She is still a member of the Board of Temple Trustees in Chicago and a director in the American Publishing House, of Hartford. During the life of her son, Mr. John Knox Parsons, Mrs. Parsons traveled with him extensively, partly in connection with her various works, and partly for pleasure. Mr. Parsons, Jr., spent a number of winters prior to his death in San Antonio, Texas, and his mother was often with him there.
Not often does one see so fortunate a union as that of Mr. and Mrs. Parsons, not often does one find husband and wife so completely of one mind in what they regard as the duties and pleasures of life, terms wellnigh synonymous in their case. It was as with one heart that they undertook the tasks which seemed to them to most need accomplishing in their quarter of place and time. The ills only too obviously attributable to the immoderate use of liquor appealed with especial vividness to them, and awakened an ardent desire to do something to banish them. They joined with the great- est enthusiasm, therefore, the movement to that end which at that time was particularly active in New England, and united their efforts with those men and women, whose disinterested services in this cause have won them a place in the memory of their fellow countrymen. They united their efforts with these with a degree of efficiency which was doubtless all the greater
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from the fact that they received mutual encouragement, inspiration and support from one another in that ideal union which held them until death intervened. Their work was appreciated in Hartford, and their names came to be associated together with all that was noblest in the hearts of those who were benefited thereby. There are few fortunes so happy as this, and few people who better deserved it. If we may say with Carlyle, "blessed is the man who has found his work," surely we may add that twice blessed are they that have found a true companion therein.
howard Samuel Collins
H OWARD S. COLLINS, of the well known Collins family of Collinsville, Connecticut, is descended from ancient American lineage, tracing directly to the Pilgrim ances- tors.
John Collins lived in Brampton, County Suffolk, Eng- land, where he died and was buried. His third wife, Abigail Rose, daughter of Thomas Rose, of Exmouth, County Devon, England, was buried at Braintree, County Essex, England. Two of their sons settled in America, Edward at Cambridge, and John at Braintree, Massachusetts. John (2) Collins was born about 1616, and lived in Boston and Braintree, Massachusetts. He was admitted to the Boston church, April 4, 1646, and having thus qualified for citizenship, was admitted a freeman, May 6 following. He was a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artil- lery Company of Boston, in 1644, had a grant of land at Braintree, and was active and prominent in the colony. His wife, Susanna Usher, accompanied him from England. They were the parents of John, of whom further.
John (3) Collins was born about 1640, in Boston, died December 10, 1704, at Guilford, Connecticut. He first located in Branford, Connecticut, and moved to Guilford in 1669. He was one of the patentees named in the charter of Connecticut, 1685. He married, in 1662, Mary Trowbridge, and they were the parents of John, of whom further.
John (4) Collins was born in 1665, at Saybrook, died January 4, 1751, in Guilford. He married, June 23, 1691, Ann Leete, born August 5, 1671, died November 2, 1724, daughter of John and Mary (Chittenden) Leete, granddaughter of Governor William Leete, a pioneer of Guilford. They were the parents of Daniel, of whom further.
Daniel Collins was born June 13, 1701, in Guilford. He married, March 15, 1725, Lois Cornwall, baptized February 18, 1702, at Middletown, Connecticut, daughter of William Cornwall. They were the parents of Augustus, of whom further.
General Augustus Collins, born August 7, 1743, was a soldier of the Revolution, and died April 30, 1813, at North Guilford, where he made his home. Between the years 1783 and 1813 he represented Guilford at thirty- five sessions of the State Assembly. He married, June 9, 1768, Mary, daugh- ter of Simeon Chittenden, who survived him seven years, dying January 21, 1821. They were the parents of Alexander, of whom further.
Alexander Collins engaged in the practice of law at Middletown, Con- necticut, where he died in 1815. He married Elizabeth Blair Watkinson, September 2, 1801, who after his death removed with her family to Hartford, Connecticut. Her sons, Samuel Watkinson, of whom further, and David C., were the founders of the great manufacturing business at Collinsville. Eliz- abeth Blair Watkinson was a daughter of Samuel Watkinson and Sarah Blair, of Larenham, Suffolk county, England.
Samuel Watkinson Collins was born September 8, 1802, at Middletown,
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Doward Samuel Collins
Connecticut, and was early employed in the iron business at Hartford by his uncle, David Watkinson, with whom he became a partner very soon after attaining his majority. His younger brother, David C. Collins, was taken into the family and store of Mr. Watkinson, where his attention was early attracted to the crude condition of axes as they were placed on the market. Becoming convinced that a better system was feasible, as soon as he attained his majority he interested his elder brother, and the firm of Collins & Com- pany began business in 1826, at what was then South Canton. This was changed to Collinsville in December, 1831, upon the establishment of a post office at that point. Samuel W. Collins became the business manager of the establishment, and the business was organized in 1834 as the Collins Com- pany, with a capital of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. This was in time increased to one million dollars, and since 1835 the business has never failed to pay an annual dividend. In 1867-68 the company constructed a dam across the Farmington river, eighteen feet high and three hundred feet long, made entirely of native granite. At the beginning of business the workmen received from twelve to fifteen dollars per month, with board, and were able to turn out eight axes in a day. These were ground upon the premises, and were fit for use on leaving the factory. Some idea of the extent of the business may be gathered from the fact that more than six hundred tons of grindstones are worn out each year in finishing the product. The Collins Axe is known throughout the world as of standard quality, manu- factured upon honor. Samuel W. Collins was a keen judge of men, and surrounded himself with efficient assistants, in whose welfare he took a sincere interest. In his endeavor to prevent the sale of liquor at Collinsville he bought in time two hotels and a drug store. He sold to many people, on favorable and liberal terms, land for houses, and every deed contained a provision which prohibited the manufacture or sale of liquor on the premises. He was one of the founders of the Congregational church at Collinsville, and among the most public-spirited citizens. When the Collins brothers pur- chased the water power at South Canton, the village consisted of a grist mill and one house. He died April 30, 1871. His wife, Sarah Howard (Colt) Collins, was a descendant of John Colt, who was an early resident of Wind- sor, Connecticut, where he married (first) Mary Fitch, and (second) Ann Skinner.
Howard Samuel Collins, son of Samuel Watkinson and Sarah Howard (Colt) Collins, was born in Hartford, Connecticut, July 24, 1827, and died at his summer home, Watch Hill, Rhode Island, June 22, 1914. He was taken by his mother, when an infant, together with his elder brother Richard, from Hartford to Collinsville. Richard Collins died at the age of seventeen years. Other children of the family, born in Collinsville, died in childhood. Howard S. Collins attended the public school, and schools in Hartford and Lee, Massachusetts, and when a young man entered the sales department of the Collins Company, and was subsequently a partner with his uncle, Harris Colt, and in its store on Water street, New York City. Afterward he returned to the manufacturing plant in Collinsville, which was constantly growing in size and importance. Here he opened a private bank, and also operated a large farm, which was stocked with the finest of graded cattle,
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