USA > Connecticut > Representative citizens of Connecticut, biographical memorial > Part 60
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James Church Dratt
retired entirely from active business life and makes his home in these delightful surroundings.
Captain Pratt has all his life been a strong supporter of the principles and policies of the Democratic party, but entirely lacking in political ambi- tion, has never sought public office and always shrunk from public life generally. He has thus held himself aloof from the local organization of his party and shut himself out from the career which his talents and position would undoubtedly have held open to him. But it has been only in this direction that he has not taken an active part in the life of the community ; in all other departments he has been a conspicuous figure. In 1867 he joined the Governor's Foot Guards, a prominent military organization of Hartford, as a private, but was gradually promoted to the rank of captain, which office he held about nine years when he resigned and then joined as private; he is still a member of that company.
It was shortly after his return to Hartford and while still on parole, to be more precise, on August 16, 1864, that Captain Pratt was united in mar- riage with Jennie A. Peck, of Norwich, Connecticut, in that town. Mrs. Pratt was the daughter of John H. and Abbie (Hyde) Peck, of Norwich, where they were well known and highly respected as members of good old Connecticut families. It will be recalled that Captain Pratt bore that title as an officer in Company F of the Eighth Louisiana Regiment, so that it was a decided coincidence that his wife should have been the sister of Lieutenant William H. Peck of Company F, Eighth Connecticut Volunteers, and this coincidence was rendered still more striking by the fact that both were present at the wedding of the former, the one on parole, the other on fur- lough. The two young officers were always the best of friends despite the difference in their political opinions. Five children have been born to Captain and Mrs. Pratt, the eldest of which, Joseph, died when but seventeen months of age. The second child, Carrie, now deceased, was the wife of George Barton, of Hartford, to whom she bore three children: Beatrice, now the wife of Lieutenant Ralph Risley, United States Navy ; Agnes H. and Russell. The third child, also named Joseph, married Mary D. Bailey and they have one son, Joseph, Jr. The fourth child of Captain and Mrs. Pratt is a daugh- ter, Esther, now the wife of the Rev. J. Howard Gaylord and the mother of five children, Esther, Helen, J. Howard, Jr., Mary Elizabeth and Carrol. The youngest of the five children is Louise, who married George Jewett and is the mother of one child, William Kennon. She lives with her parents.
Captain Pratt is very justly regarded as one of the prominent citizens of the city where he was born and which has for so many years been the scene of his activities. He is now in his seventy-eighth year, but his life still pre- serves its strong current, his faculties are unimpaired and his outlook as broad and genial as ever. He is a man who has passed through many experi- ences and who has seen and done much, but who has brought to all the occur- rences of his life the same steady, consistent sense of duty, so that his long career is stained with no blot and contains no record which he might wish to cover. All is as clear and open as his countenance, a countenance which bespeaks the candid mind, and when it is passed in review it is by one and all acclaimed as worthy of the best traditions of a soldier and of a man.
CONN-Vol II1-33
Edward Alfred Smith
T 'HE TRUE MEASURE of a man's worth, the true criterion of where he should be placed in the scale of our admiration and respect, is not, after all, his possession or lack of strik- ing abilities and qualities, but the perfectly simple matter of the amount of good done his fellows. It is not, of course, an easy matter to decide just who has done the greatest good to the greatest number, opinions differ so greatly that there is no possibility of a definite conclusion and each must decide for himself. But though this is indubitably true, there are certain indications whereby the opinions of all men are governed, which, when they appear, we all bow our heads in acknowledgment of general services rendered. Such is emi- nently true when we pass in review the life of such a man as the Rev. Edward Alfred Smith, whose death in Hartford, Connecticut, October 26, 1895, was a severe loss to all the best interests of the city.
The Rev. Mr. Smith was a member of old Connecticut families on both sides of the house, his father having been a native of Derby, Connecticut, and his mother of New Haven. They were Isaac Edward and Emily (Walker) Smith, the elder Mr. Smith becoming connected with large lumber interests with headquarters in New York City, in which city he lived and carried on his business the greater part of his life. He had two children, one besides Edward Alfred, a younger son, Ernest Walker, now deceased, who was engaged with his father in the lumber business in his native city.
Rev. Edward Alfred Smith was born July 22, 1835, at Woodstock, Con- necticut, and continued to live with his parents in New York, though he attended the Russell Preparatory School in New Haven, Connecticut. He was possessed of a great fondness for all kinds of studies, and was naturally a scholar by birth and inclination. He distinguished himself highly in school and still more so later in his college course which he took at Yale University, graduating therefrom with the class of 1856. His career in Yale was good and he was a conspicuous member of a class which contained an unusually large proportion of brilliant men, among whom may be numbered Justices David J. Brewer and Henry Billings Brown of the United States Supreme Court, General John Wager Swayne, of New York City, Captain Charles E. Bulkeley, of Hartford, who lost his life in the Civil War, Chauncey M. Depew, of New York, and Charles E. Fellowes, long the honored clerk of the Hartford County Court of Common Pleas. Early in his youth Mr. Smith had determined upon a religious career, and accordingly followed up his general education by a course in a theological seminary. His first year was spent in the Yale Divinity School at New Haven, but he later went to An- dover, and it was from this institution that he finally graduated. He also spent two years in European travel, principally in Germany for the purpose of completing his education and broadening himself as much as possible. He returned to New York City shortly after the outbreak of the Civil War and served in Virginia for some months therein, under the Sanitary Commission,
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Coward Alfred Smith
being finally invalided home with a prolonged illness of typhoid. On No- vember 13, 1865, he was ordained at West Springfield, Massachusetts, and shortly afterwards was called to the pastorate of the Second Congregational Church of Chester in that State. He remained nine years in his first charge, and in 1874 was called to take charge of the Congregational church of Farm- ington, Connecticut. Here he remained fourteen years, discharging the duties of his work in the most highly capable manner and with that high Christian devotion which won for him the admiration and affection of all. He was the victim of poor health, however, and though he made a coura- geous struggle against it, was finally obliged to give up active work of the arduous kind entailed in his life as pastor. Accordingly in the year 1888 he retired from the ministry and removed to Hartford where he made his home during the remainder of his life, his residence being situated on Elm street in that city. In the year 1892 the Rev. Mr. Smith joined the First Congrega- tional Church of Hartford, the pastor of which at that time was his second cousin, the Rev. Dr. George L. Walker. Between the two men there existed the closest kind of friendship and intimacy, and Mr. Smith at once threw himself into the work of the church with all his might. He was a faithful attendant at divine service and at the mid-week meetings, often participating in leading the former.
But although Mr. Smith never returned to the active work of the minis- try, he took a great interest in church affairs generally, and was a prominent figure in religious and educational circles in the city. From the year 1883 to his death he was a director of the Missionary Society of Connecticut and a trustee of the fund for ministers. During his whole life he retained the strongest devotion to his alma mater and remained an active member of the Alumni Society in Hartford. He was honored by Yale University in 1889 by being chosen one of the clerical members of the corporation and was given the honorary degree of M. A. at the same time.
Rev. Mr. Smith was united in marriage, March 3, 1868, with Mrs. Melissa K. Heath, the widow of - - Heath, of Chester, Massachusetts. Mrs. Smith had been a Miss Knox, a daughter of Charles W. and Olive (Clark) Knox, and a member of a very influential family in Chester and its environs. Mrs. Smith survives her husband and is now a resident of Hart- ford. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were the parents of two sons, Herbert Knox, a graduate of Yale University, now in business in Hartford and with a home in Farmington where he lives with his wife who was Gertrude Dietrich; and Ernest Walker, also a Yale graduate, married Hilda Rankin Johnson, a daughter of the Rev. James G. Johnson, of Farmington, deceased. They are the parents of two children, Hilda Rankin and Barbara Hope.
Two characteristics were apt to impress most forcibly all those who came into contact with Rev. Mr. Smith, his goodness and his scholarship. The former was the very cornerstone of his nature, the goal for which he was continually reaching, the spirit that informed him and made him what he was, and only second to it was his love of the things of culture and the under- standing. He was essentially the student, the man of broad culture and cosmopolitan outlook and sympathies. Unassuming as such men are apt to be he was a potent force for the uplifting of the community where he dwelt.
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Coward Alfred Smith
Quietly, yet none the less effectively, he influenced those about him for good, whether as a preacher, or as an example of conscientious fulfillment of duties and obligations and the living up to the highest standard in every relation in life. Public-spirited he was in the highest degree, continually concerned about the welfare of others; charitable in the highest sense of the term, taking thought how he might increase the happiness of those about him. Nor was this the case only with those whom he personally knew and associated with, but in the larger sphere of civic activity, since he saw clearly that on a greater scale disinterested interest in governmental problems and political issues was the counterpart of that more personal charity which begins at home. His wisdom was recognized by all and men voluntarily sought his advice in private disputes and quarrels, just as those in trouble sought his aid. And to both he gave liberally and without stint, yet so quietly that few besides the direct recipient ever guessed the secret. The highest compliment of all which his fellows paid him, the tribute that most pleased himself was the universal affection accorded him, an affection more valuable than wealth or honors, and which is the reward only of perseverance in welldoing and the highest Christian virtues.
Amos Downs Bridge
T HERE IS A disposition to-day to look upon the attainment of wealth with suspicion, and to regard those who are favored of fortune in a special degree as stumbling blocks in the way of general prosperity, rather than instruments for its advancement. And it must be admitted that there is con- siderable reason for this in the purely selfish careers of many of the modern captains of industry and finance. Such has not always been the case, however, either in popular opinion or in fact, as an examination of the records of those men connected with the rise of American industries during the last generation, most clearly shows. In that period the great figures, whose names are associated with the development of many of our greatest industrial, commercial and financial houses, were strongly imbued with that true patriotism which works, not alone for personal aggrandizement, but for the benefit of their respective communities, and dis- played in this the true wisdom which gave voice to such healthy sayings as "honesty is the best policy," and recognized the obvious fact that only the success which is based on virtue and a corresponding good fortune for those about them can in the long run assure happiness and satisfaction. For worldly wisdom and the strong altruistic instincts, which alone entitle men to be called civilized, are much more nearly related than is popularly sup- posed, and both tend to the same ends and objects. In the midst of this great group of Americans of genius whose efforts have accomplished such startling results in the world of manufacture and business, there may be found an- other group of those who, though of foreign birth and parentage, have made this country their home and, being originally of such strong character and personality, and identifying themselves so completely with its traditions and customs, have been able to take their place side by side with their co-workers of native birth, and measure favorably with them by their own standards. This group is, of course, a relatively small one, but in absolute numbers it is large ; it numbers in its ranks men of all nationalities, but, at least so far as New England is concerned, the majority is made up of Englishmen.
Such a figure was that of Amos Downs Bridge, a member and typical example of that dominant race which did the major part of the pioneering in the wilderness of the North American continent, and whose descendants still form the preponderant element in the people who, adopting the name of their new home, call themselves Americans. He was born August 27, 1838, in the town of Milton, Kentshire, England, the son of John and Mary (Prickett) Bridge, respected residents of that place. He died in September, 1906, at Hazardville, Connecticut. The elder Mr. Bridge seems to have pos- sessed no small share of the enterprise that later made his son so successful, and leaving his affairs and home in England he came to the United States to try his fortune in a newer, more open land. To him and his wife had been born five children in England before their journey abroad, as follows: George, deceased ; John, who died at the age of twenty-one years; Ruth, who
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Amos Downs Bridge
became Mrs. H. D. Adams, of Attleboro, Massachusetts; Amos, the subject of this brief notice; and Ephraim. And all of these they brought with them to the new home. Thereafter two more children, Ebenezer and Stephen, were born to them. They settled in the little town of Enfield, in the near neighborhood of the thriving town of Hazardville, Connecticut, and there Mr. Bridge, Sr., found employment with the Hazard Powder Mills. He removed to Thompsonville, where he remained for a short time, but returned to his first home and opened a store in Hazardville, where he engaged in a general mercantile business very successfully. The building occupied by his store he erected himself in the year 1850, and he subsequently disposed of it and it is now the property of E. C. Allen, who still conducts a store there.
Amos D. Bridge was but three years of age when in 1842 he accom- panied his parents to this country, so that practically his whole life was spent here, and even his early childish associations were of America as represented by the attractive New England town. His early years were passed in En- field in the pursuance of an education, first in the local public schools, and later at the Connecticut Literary Institute at Suffield, Connecticut. He was a bright, alert lad, and would doubtless have made a first rate scholar had his father's means been sufficient to send him to college, for even as it was he distinguished himself in his classes. As it chanced, however, it was neces- sary for him to find employment at a comparatively early age, his first posi- tion being as a clerk in a general store, in which capacity he served four years. He then was given a position with the Hazard Powder Company, where his intelligence and industry soon marked him out for promotion. He continued with these employers for a period of eighteen years, and in that time had worked his way upwards to the position of chief clerk in the cor- poration. During the latter years of this employment his enterprising and intensely original nature had urged him to leave this work and embark in business for himself. But Mr. Bridge possessed what few natures of this kind can boast of, a sober judgment and great self control. Instead, there- fore, of precipitating himself unprepared upon the no very tender mercies of the world of competitive business, he waited until he had saved the product of his labors to a considerable amount, and the arrival of a favorable oppor- tunity. His first venture was only partly independent, when he began the manufacture of keys for the company in whose employ he had so long served, but the experience of depending upon his own judgment in the man- agement of the factory added greatly to what was already his no inconsider- able self-confidence, and gave him some very valuable experience in the direction of affairs. He next established himself in the lumber business and operated a sawmill, continuing in this business until the time of his death. This he first operated under the name of A. D. Bridge, but it has grown to great proportions at the present time, and is still conducted by his sons under the name of Amos D. Bridge's Sons, Incorporated. The erection of the saw- mill took place in 1878, and just ten years later he began the operation of a gristmill, which brought him in a handsome income for many years. One of the largest enterprises was a contracting business which he started, in connection with which he did some of the most important construction work in that portion of the State, erecting many buildings and building many
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Amos Downs Bridge
miles of macadam roads in Connecticut, Massachusetts and even Rhode Island. For the proper prosecution of this enterprise he kept a large stable of thirty or more horses, which he also employed to do the necessary trans- portation of the Hazard Powder Company's output from the mill, having never entirely severed his connection with this company.
The neighborhood of Hazardville was enjoying a rapid growth in popu- lation and importance during this period, no small portion of which was traceable to the enterprise of Mr. Bridge, who in all possible ways made it his object to stimulate the enterprises and ventures of others, and attract out- siders to the district. This increasing population and importance brought with it the inevitable rise in real estate values, and of these Mr. Bridge wisely took advantage and, his judgment never failing, became in course of time the owner of a very large estate of most valuable property. His holdings included in all several thousand acres of land lying in the various towns of Enfield, Somers, Suffield, Windsor Locks and Longmeadow. Among his various accomplishments Mr. Bridge was an expert surveyor and was employed by the Hazard Powder Company to make them a series of maps of the region thereabouts, including the powder works themselves, the town of Hazardville and the Shaker settlement in the neighborhood. The two enterprises which illustrate most clearly the benefits he has bestowed upon his home community, were those of his erecting and operating at his per- sonal expense and risk of the present water works of Hazardville, which he continued to own until his death, and his instrumentality in securing for the town the trolley line, which has since proved such a convenience to the people and such a factor in its growth.
In the realm of public affairs, he has not been less active than in that of business. Public-spirited to a degree, and possessed of a keen interest in all political questions, especially those local ones which concerned directly his town, he threw himself energetically into the political situation as it existed there, and allied himself with the local organization of the Republican party, with the principles and policies of which he was in hearty accord. A man so successful and well known as Mr. Bridge was in Hazardville and the adja- cent regions could not fail to be a strong candidate for wellnigh any office, and it was not long before his political co-workers began to press various nominations upon him. Nor did Mr. Bridge show himself reluctant to accept them. Although not personally ambitious in this direction, he was clear-sighted enough to perceive that he could be of great service to his fel- low citizens, and not being one to shrink from what he believed a duty, he cheerfully took upon his shoulders what must have been considerable in view of the onerous nature of his business. He served as selectman for one year in Enfield, for seventeen years as assessor and for twenty years as auditor of accounts. He also acted as a member of the Enfield School Board for ten years and of the Board of Relief for a number of terms. In the year 1891 he was the Republican candidate for State Senator from the Third Senatorial District, and being duly elected he served for a term with great ability and success. Religiously he was affiliated with the Methodist Epis- copal church, and was very active in working to advance the church of that
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Amos Downs Bridge
denomination in Enfield, serving as trustee, steward and class leader for many years.
Mr. Bridge married, February 24, 1859, Elizabeth Gordon, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, and a daughter of William and Jean (Bachop) Gordon. Mrs. Bridge was the eldest of nine children, her parents both being natives of Scotland, where Mr. Gordon operated a hand loom. Her brothers and sisters were as follows: Margaret, who became Mrs. Andrew Holford, and is now deceased; David; William; Andrew; George; Jennette, who is now Mrs. Ephraim Bridge, having married a brother of our subject; Mary and Peter, twins, the former being Mrs. Samuel McAuley, of Windsor Locks. To Mr. and Mrs. Bridge nine children were born, as follows: Jean, died in early youth; H. Stephen; Allyn G .; Annie, now Mrs. L. H. Randall; Wil- liam; Homer; Emily; Mary, deceased, and Charles. Mrs. Bridge survives her husband and is now residing in Hazardville, where she devotes much of her time to her fifteen grandchildren.
Energy, self-confidence and a strict adherence to the moral law were the traits which seemed to lie at the bottom of Mr. Bridge's character and shape and guide its whole development. His business success, as must all true success, depended quite as much upon his character as upon the knowl- edge which was a later acquirement. It was this element which differenti- ated his career, so similar in external appearance, from a kind of success, common enough to-day, which, as already remarked, is popularly regarded with so much disfavor. In all that he did for himself, Mr. Bridge kept the interest of those about him ever in sight, and made no step, however con- ducive to his own ends, if to his candid judgment it appeared inimical to theirs. It was in line with this-it should not be called policy, for it was too spontaneous for that-but in line with this instinct, was his behavior in his family. He would not allow the extremely exacting demands of his business to interfere with what he considered due his wife and children, any more than he erred the other side and allowed domestic ties to interfere with the discharge of his obligations to the outside world. Indeed the only person whose inclinations and comfort he consistently sacrificed to the rest of the world was himself, for he rose early and retired late to fulfill his obligations to others, and minister to their desires. The town of Hazardville has the best reason to regard him as its benefactor.
Lucian Sumner Wilcor, M. D.
T HE LEARNED PROFESSIONS, or rather those that prac- tice them, have received from time immemorial a measure of respect greater than that accorded to those who follow other callings with the exception, perhaps, of religion and war. The present age is undoubtedly more niggardly than the past with this especial regret, and has the name of being irreverent towards all things, yet even to-day we instinc- tively pay a certain degree of consideration to the men who have perfected themselves in such great and profound subjects as the law, teaching, medi- cine. In the case of the last named, there is an added ground for honor, for besides the distinction that attaches to learning and scholarship, it is obvious that there is scarcely any occupation in which a man may labor in which such a great demand is made upon his self-denial and courage. From the outset, if he approaches the matter in a proper spirit, this must be his inten- tion, and, if he fall not from the tradition of his great profession, he must thenceforth live his life chiefly for the sake of others and devote the best of his energies in their service. This then is the reason why most of all we should pay respect to the physician, this even more than because of the knowledge that he must possess, because, with the possible exception of the man who surrenders the things of the world in order to give his service to religion, the man of medicine must live the most altruistic of lives. If we would seek for an example of such as have really adhered to this great tradition and devoted their powers to the good of others we could scarcely do better than take the record of Dr. Lucian Sumner Wilcox, late of Hart- ford, Connecticut, whose death on November 26, 1881, was felt as a severe loss, not only by his numerous patients, but by the community generally.
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