I was recently reading an online copy of the History of New Haven County which was
written in 1892. This 800+ page book contains a chapter for each of the towns
in the county, with the history of Wolcott occupying the last 20 pages. While
there is much other information here which I may blog on later, for this entry
I’d like to comment on the last part of this chapter which is 12 biographical
sketches of men who were prominent in the town at that time.
Each of these biographical sketches tells where the man came
from, a little about his ancestral line, who he married, his children, what he
did for a living, etc. There is limited information about why these particular
individuals were chosen for this honor other than they seem mostly to be people
who have either served the town in some capacity or who were prominent
businessmen, but obviously they were men of some importance in the town. Most
of these individuals were cousins of mine as indicated below (generally 3-4
times removed because of the timeframe of the sketches).
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Samuel M. Bailey, born in Wolcott, in 1831, is a son of Luther and grandson of James Bailey, who served in the war of the revolution and held a lieutenant's commission. He was twice married, his second wife being Phebe Pomeroy. Their son, Luther, married for his first wife Henrietta Brockett. They had three children: Samuel M., Sarah and Hobart L., who enlisted in the 7th Connecticut Volunteers and was killed at the battle of the Wilderness. Samuel M.
enlisted in the 20th Regiment in 1862 and served until the close of the war. Luther Bailey married for his second wife Mrs. Margaret Blakeslee. Their children were: Sarah M., James B., Minor E. and Abbie. Samuel M. Bailey previous to the war was a resident of Southington several years, and after the close of the war resided in Pennsylvania, returning to Wolcott about 1878. He has been selectman, treasurer of school fund, and representative in 1881 and 1882. He married, in 1864, Martha Elton. [Brother-in-law of first cousin]
Benjamin L. Bronson, born in Wolcott in 1849, is a son of Stillman, whose father, John, was a son of John (who lived to be 103 years -and 4 months old), all of whom were residents of Wolcott, and farmers. John, the second, was a soldier in the war of 1812. He married
Hannah Root. Their children were: Jarvis A., Sarah, Stillman and Pitkin. Stillman Bronson was born in 1812 and died June 21st, 1891. He married Charlotte Linsley. Their children living are: Elliott, Lucy, Edith and Benjamin L. Those deceased are: Emmerson, Bruce, Harriett and Esther. Elliott married Margaret Sanford. Lucy married B. C. Lum. Edith married Cornelius Tracy. Benjamin L. Bronson is engaged in farming. He has held the office of selectman, and
represented his town in the legislature. [4th cousin]
Henry B. Carter, born in Wolcott December 2d, 1839, was the son of George W. and Sarah A. (Bronson) Carter. His father, Deacon George W. Carter, represented the town in the legislature of the state, also the Fifth senatorial district. He was deacon of the Congregational church in this place, and held many offices of trust within the gift of the town. Henry B. was the oldest of a family of six, viz.: Henry B., Mary M., Sarah S., Hannah J., Frederick W. and Walter S., who died in infancy. Early in life the subject of this sketch married Mary R., the only daughter of S. L. Hotchkiss, of Wolcott, who has been for many years a local correspondent for newspapers and is at present editor of the Woman's Department of the Connecticut Farmer. Mr. Carter was elected to represent the town in the legislature two consecutive years, has served as chairman of the town committee and chairman of the board of education, assessor and first selectman. He is also president of the Wolcott Agricultural Society and master of Mad River Grange, No. 71. He has served on the committee of the Congregational church, has been superintendent of the Sunday school for a term of years, and was elected deacon after the death of his father in 1881. His only child, Charles Hotchkiss, died in 1888, at the age of 28 years. Mr. Carter in politics is a staunch republican. His business is farming and heavy and light teaming. [4th cousin]
Francis E. Cole was born in Beekman, N. Y., in 1868, and settled in Wolcott in 1884. He was married in 1888, to Martha A. Upson. They have two daughters: Martha E. and Mary A. Mr. Cole is a farmer. [husband of 4th cousin]
Gustave Cornells was born in Belgium in 1849, came to America in 1872, and located at Winchester, Conn., going soon after to Goshen, Conn., and later to Waterbury, where he learned the business of silver plating. In 1883 he settled in Wolcott and purchasing the plant of the Wolcott Paper Company, engaged in the business of rolled plating gold and silver, which he continued until the works were destroyed by fire in December of 1890. He then sold out the business to New Jersey parties, and turned his attention to horse breeding. He married in 1875, Julia Bernier. Their children are Laura and Emily. [not a relative]
David L. Frisbie, born in Wolcott in 1841, is a son of David B., he a son of David, he a son of Judah, and he a son of Elijah, who was a son of John and Abigail (Culpepper) Frisbie, who came from Wales and settled in Branford, Conn. Judah Frisbie was a soldier in the revolutionary war. David B. Frisbie married Charlotte Hall, of Cheshire. They had one son, David L. He enlisted in Company C, 14th Connecticut Volunteers, in 1862, and served three years. He married in 1868, Anna C. Downs. They have two sons: Frank D. and Berkeley L. [3rd cousin]
Ransom B. Hall.— John Hall, an emigrant, came to America prior to 1660, locating in Boston and afterward removing to New Haven and later to Wallingford. He had a son, John, who had a son, Nathan, a resident of Wallingford. His son, Lieutenant Heman Hall, was the first of the family to settle in Wolcott. He had a son, Captain Heman, whose son, Sergeant Heman Hall, was a prominent man in the town in his time. His son, Deacon Orrin Hall, was born in Wolcott in 1797. He had a son, Heman Willsey Hall, born in 1824, who was the father of the subject of this sketch. He married Betsey Ann, daughter of Joseph and Abigail Sperry, of Wolcott. Ransom B. Hall was born in Wolcott, July 12th, 1852. He received his education in the public school and early engaged in farming, which he followed with much success. He was one of the influential men of the town, always taking an active interest in public affairs. He was an active member of the Congregational church of Wolcott, and was honored with various offices in the town, being first selectman at the time of his death, which occurred October 3d, 1889. He was a consistent Christian, living up to his profession in all his dealings with' his fellow men. He married in 1874, Miss Anna E., daughter of Timothy and Mary (Goodwin) Root. There were born to them four children: Nettie J., George R., Daisy M. and Robert R., all of whom are living. [5th cousin]
Henry Minor was born in Wolcott, December 17th, 1809. His father, Archibald, was a son of Joseph, whose father, Jedediah, came from Lyme, Conn., and settled in Wolcott, being among its early settlers. Joseph served through the revolutionary war. Archibald Minor was one of the prominent men of the town in his time, holding the offices of town clerk and justice of the peace for many years and also that of representative in the state legislature. He married Betsey Tuttle, of Plymouth, Conn. Their only son was Henry Minor, who has been prominently connected with town affairs for the greater part of his life, being elected town clerk in 1848, which office he has held continuously since that time. He has also represented the town four terms in the general assembly and held many minor offices, being one of the selectmen for upwards of 20 years. He married, in 1837, Sarah J. Clark, of Waterbury. They have one son, Theron Minor. [4th cousin, husband of 2nd cousin]
George W. Seymour was born in Carmel, Putnam county, New York, in 1833, and is a son of Elijah and grandson of Jesse Seymour. Elijah married Amanda Farrington, and their children were: Serena, Phebe, Abbie J., Alexander, James N. and George W. Mr. Seymour came to Connecticut about 1871, and for the last 16 years has lived in Wolcott, where he has been engaged in farming. He married, in 1857, Marguerite J. Leslie. [not a relative]
John R. S. Todd, born in Wolcott in 1846, is a son of Robert C, whose father, Street, was a son of Hezekiah, whose father also bore the same name, and was a descendant of Christopher Todd, who came from England, and was one of the pioneers of New Haven. Robert C. Todd was born in 1820, and in 1843 married Louisa Barnes. Their children were: Ellen E. (deceased), John R. S., Emily J. (deceased), James A. and Edwin A. John R. S. Todd has been selectman several terms and has held other town offices. He was married in 1889, to Edith M. Williams, of New Haven. They have one child, Ruth Irene. [4th cousin]
Evelyn M. Upson. — The earliest knowledge of this family dates back to Thomas Upson, who was one of the early residents of Hartford. He was one of the original proprietors and settlers of Farmington. He married, in 1646, Elizabeth Fuller. Stephen, their son, removed to Waterbury and became a proprietor in 1679. He married, in 1682, Mary Lee. Thomas, their son, had a son, Timothy, who had a son, Selah, whose son, Miles S., was the father of the subject of this biography. He was a deacon in the Congregational church and one of the representative men of the town. He married Mary A., daughter of Ira Hough. Their children were: Emma A., Mary E., Evelyn M., Eugenia L. and Martha A. Evelyn M. Upson, one of Wolcott's most prominent citizens, was born in 1852. He is engaged in farming, and to his enterprise and untiring industry is due his success. His political relations are with the republican party, which has honored him with all of the offices of importance in the gift of the town, including selectman, town treasurer, assessor and justice of the peace. In 1887 he was elected to the state legislature, and in 1891 was again elected to the same office. He is secretary of the Wolcott Agricultural Society and a deacon and prominent member of the Wolcott Congregational church. In 1876 he married Elsie S., daughter of Albert N. and Melissa Lane, of Wolcott. They have two children living: Mabel E. and Florence A. [4th cousin]
James A. Wakelee, born in Waterbury, Conn., in 1850, is a son of John, who was a son of Almus, he a son of David, and he a son of Ebenezer, who was one of the pioneers of Wolcott. The farm which he owned is still in possession of the family. Almus married Eliza Bement. Their children were John and Hannah. She married Willis Upson. John married Salinda Hickok. Their children were: James A., Bement T., Edward and David. The two latter died young- Bement J. died in early manhood. James A. Wakelee has always been engaged in farming. He has been selectman and has held other town offices. He married in 1875, Ella J. Rose. Their children are: John B., Harold A., Florence H. and Robert A. [3rd cousin]
Samuel M. Bailey, born in Wolcott, in 1831, is a son of Luther and grandson of James Bailey, who served in the war of the revolution and held a lieutenant's commission. He was twice married, his second wife being Phebe Pomeroy. Their son, Luther, married for his first wife Henrietta Brockett. They had three children: Samuel M., Sarah and Hobart L., who enlisted in the 7th Connecticut Volunteers and was killed at the battle of the Wilderness. Samuel M.
enlisted in the 20th Regiment in 1862 and served until the close of the war. Luther Bailey married for his second wife Mrs. Margaret Blakeslee. Their children were: Sarah M., James B., Minor E. and Abbie. Samuel M. Bailey previous to the war was a resident of Southington several years, and after the close of the war resided in Pennsylvania, returning to Wolcott about 1878. He has been selectman, treasurer of school fund, and representative in 1881 and 1882. He married, in 1864, Martha Elton. [Brother-in-law of first cousin]
Benjamin L. Bronson, born in Wolcott in 1849, is a son of Stillman, whose father, John, was a son of John (who lived to be 103 years -and 4 months old), all of whom were residents of Wolcott, and farmers. John, the second, was a soldier in the war of 1812. He married
Hannah Root. Their children were: Jarvis A., Sarah, Stillman and Pitkin. Stillman Bronson was born in 1812 and died June 21st, 1891. He married Charlotte Linsley. Their children living are: Elliott, Lucy, Edith and Benjamin L. Those deceased are: Emmerson, Bruce, Harriett and Esther. Elliott married Margaret Sanford. Lucy married B. C. Lum. Edith married Cornelius Tracy. Benjamin L. Bronson is engaged in farming. He has held the office of selectman, and
represented his town in the legislature. [4th cousin]
Henry B. Carter, born in Wolcott December 2d, 1839, was the son of George W. and Sarah A. (Bronson) Carter. His father, Deacon George W. Carter, represented the town in the legislature of the state, also the Fifth senatorial district. He was deacon of the Congregational church in this place, and held many offices of trust within the gift of the town. Henry B. was the oldest of a family of six, viz.: Henry B., Mary M., Sarah S., Hannah J., Frederick W. and Walter S., who died in infancy. Early in life the subject of this sketch married Mary R., the only daughter of S. L. Hotchkiss, of Wolcott, who has been for many years a local correspondent for newspapers and is at present editor of the Woman's Department of the Connecticut Farmer. Mr. Carter was elected to represent the town in the legislature two consecutive years, has served as chairman of the town committee and chairman of the board of education, assessor and first selectman. He is also president of the Wolcott Agricultural Society and master of Mad River Grange, No. 71. He has served on the committee of the Congregational church, has been superintendent of the Sunday school for a term of years, and was elected deacon after the death of his father in 1881. His only child, Charles Hotchkiss, died in 1888, at the age of 28 years. Mr. Carter in politics is a staunch republican. His business is farming and heavy and light teaming. [4th cousin]
Francis E. Cole was born in Beekman, N. Y., in 1868, and settled in Wolcott in 1884. He was married in 1888, to Martha A. Upson. They have two daughters: Martha E. and Mary A. Mr. Cole is a farmer. [husband of 4th cousin]
Gustave Cornells was born in Belgium in 1849, came to America in 1872, and located at Winchester, Conn., going soon after to Goshen, Conn., and later to Waterbury, where he learned the business of silver plating. In 1883 he settled in Wolcott and purchasing the plant of the Wolcott Paper Company, engaged in the business of rolled plating gold and silver, which he continued until the works were destroyed by fire in December of 1890. He then sold out the business to New Jersey parties, and turned his attention to horse breeding. He married in 1875, Julia Bernier. Their children are Laura and Emily. [not a relative]
David L. Frisbie, born in Wolcott in 1841, is a son of David B., he a son of David, he a son of Judah, and he a son of Elijah, who was a son of John and Abigail (Culpepper) Frisbie, who came from Wales and settled in Branford, Conn. Judah Frisbie was a soldier in the revolutionary war. David B. Frisbie married Charlotte Hall, of Cheshire. They had one son, David L. He enlisted in Company C, 14th Connecticut Volunteers, in 1862, and served three years. He married in 1868, Anna C. Downs. They have two sons: Frank D. and Berkeley L. [3rd cousin]
Ransom B. Hall.— John Hall, an emigrant, came to America prior to 1660, locating in Boston and afterward removing to New Haven and later to Wallingford. He had a son, John, who had a son, Nathan, a resident of Wallingford. His son, Lieutenant Heman Hall, was the first of the family to settle in Wolcott. He had a son, Captain Heman, whose son, Sergeant Heman Hall, was a prominent man in the town in his time. His son, Deacon Orrin Hall, was born in Wolcott in 1797. He had a son, Heman Willsey Hall, born in 1824, who was the father of the subject of this sketch. He married Betsey Ann, daughter of Joseph and Abigail Sperry, of Wolcott. Ransom B. Hall was born in Wolcott, July 12th, 1852. He received his education in the public school and early engaged in farming, which he followed with much success. He was one of the influential men of the town, always taking an active interest in public affairs. He was an active member of the Congregational church of Wolcott, and was honored with various offices in the town, being first selectman at the time of his death, which occurred October 3d, 1889. He was a consistent Christian, living up to his profession in all his dealings with' his fellow men. He married in 1874, Miss Anna E., daughter of Timothy and Mary (Goodwin) Root. There were born to them four children: Nettie J., George R., Daisy M. and Robert R., all of whom are living. [5th cousin]
Henry Minor was born in Wolcott, December 17th, 1809. His father, Archibald, was a son of Joseph, whose father, Jedediah, came from Lyme, Conn., and settled in Wolcott, being among its early settlers. Joseph served through the revolutionary war. Archibald Minor was one of the prominent men of the town in his time, holding the offices of town clerk and justice of the peace for many years and also that of representative in the state legislature. He married Betsey Tuttle, of Plymouth, Conn. Their only son was Henry Minor, who has been prominently connected with town affairs for the greater part of his life, being elected town clerk in 1848, which office he has held continuously since that time. He has also represented the town four terms in the general assembly and held many minor offices, being one of the selectmen for upwards of 20 years. He married, in 1837, Sarah J. Clark, of Waterbury. They have one son, Theron Minor. [4th cousin, husband of 2nd cousin]
George W. Seymour was born in Carmel, Putnam county, New York, in 1833, and is a son of Elijah and grandson of Jesse Seymour. Elijah married Amanda Farrington, and their children were: Serena, Phebe, Abbie J., Alexander, James N. and George W. Mr. Seymour came to Connecticut about 1871, and for the last 16 years has lived in Wolcott, where he has been engaged in farming. He married, in 1857, Marguerite J. Leslie. [not a relative]
John R. S. Todd, born in Wolcott in 1846, is a son of Robert C, whose father, Street, was a son of Hezekiah, whose father also bore the same name, and was a descendant of Christopher Todd, who came from England, and was one of the pioneers of New Haven. Robert C. Todd was born in 1820, and in 1843 married Louisa Barnes. Their children were: Ellen E. (deceased), John R. S., Emily J. (deceased), James A. and Edwin A. John R. S. Todd has been selectman several terms and has held other town offices. He was married in 1889, to Edith M. Williams, of New Haven. They have one child, Ruth Irene. [4th cousin]
Evelyn M. Upson. — The earliest knowledge of this family dates back to Thomas Upson, who was one of the early residents of Hartford. He was one of the original proprietors and settlers of Farmington. He married, in 1646, Elizabeth Fuller. Stephen, their son, removed to Waterbury and became a proprietor in 1679. He married, in 1682, Mary Lee. Thomas, their son, had a son, Timothy, who had a son, Selah, whose son, Miles S., was the father of the subject of this biography. He was a deacon in the Congregational church and one of the representative men of the town. He married Mary A., daughter of Ira Hough. Their children were: Emma A., Mary E., Evelyn M., Eugenia L. and Martha A. Evelyn M. Upson, one of Wolcott's most prominent citizens, was born in 1852. He is engaged in farming, and to his enterprise and untiring industry is due his success. His political relations are with the republican party, which has honored him with all of the offices of importance in the gift of the town, including selectman, town treasurer, assessor and justice of the peace. In 1887 he was elected to the state legislature, and in 1891 was again elected to the same office. He is secretary of the Wolcott Agricultural Society and a deacon and prominent member of the Wolcott Congregational church. In 1876 he married Elsie S., daughter of Albert N. and Melissa Lane, of Wolcott. They have two children living: Mabel E. and Florence A. [4th cousin]
James A. Wakelee, born in Waterbury, Conn., in 1850, is a son of John, who was a son of Almus, he a son of David, and he a son of Ebenezer, who was one of the pioneers of Wolcott. The farm which he owned is still in possession of the family. Almus married Eliza Bement. Their children were John and Hannah. She married Willis Upson. John married Salinda Hickok. Their children were: James A., Bement T., Edward and David. The two latter died young- Bement J. died in early manhood. James A. Wakelee has always been engaged in farming. He has been selectman and has held other town offices. He married in 1875, Ella J. Rose. Their children are: John B., Harold A., Florence H. and Robert A. [3rd cousin]
Note that this is taken verbatim from the History of New Haven County. However, in the last bio for James Wakelee, the name of John's wife is given as "Salinda", but the correct spelling is "Celinda". This is confirmed by a family member who has both things signed by her as well as it is on her tombstone.
ReplyDelete