Connecticut

Biography of James S. Atwood

James S. Atwood, born in Scituate, Rhode Island, on March 17, 1832, was a significant figure in the cotton manufacturing industry. He began his career in his father’s mill and eventually managed the Wauregan mills, where he oversaw substantial expansion. Married to Julia A. M. Haskell, he fathered three children. Atwood was known for his integrity, community service, and support for local moral and religious initiatives, including the establishment of a church. He passed away on February 20, 1885, leaving a legacy of compassion and industriousness.

Biographical Sketch of Charles Henry Osgood

Charles Henry Osgood, born on June 3, 1841, in Abington, Pomfret, was the son of Charles and Lucy Holbrook Osgood. He received his education locally and dedicated much of his career to public service, starting as deputy sheriff before serving a total of sixteen years as sheriff of Windham County. An advocate for the Republican Party and member of Quinebaug Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, he married Anna E. Hart in 1878.

Biography of William Stuart Babcock

William Stuart Babcock, born in 1822 in North Stonington, Connecticut, descended from a colonial family that settled in Rhode Island. The youngest of eleven children, he worked on a farm and became an educator. In 1865, he moved to Plainfield, where he gained recognition for his inventive spirit, earning patents for agricultural improvements. Babcock served in various public capacities and was involved in local business and community affairs. He married Frances E. Main in 1859, and they had six children together, fostering a legacy of public service and inquiry.

Biography of Colonel Alexander Warner

Colonel Alexander Warner, born in 1827 in Rhode Island, grew up in Woodstock, Connecticut, where he became involved in his family’s cotton manufacturing business. He distinguished himself in the Civil War, rising from private to major and then lieutenant-colonel, actively participating in key battles. Post-war, Warner became a prominent figure in Mississippi, advocating for freedmen’s rights as an agent for the Freedmen’s Bureau. He held various political roles, including state treasurer and secretary of state, while also managing agricultural interests. He married Mary Trumbull Mathewson and had two children.

Biography of Floyd Cranska

James Cranska, Floyd Cranska’s father, was a successful businessman in Thompson, Windham County, where he worked in the shoe industry and served as postmaster. Floyd, born in 1849, was educated locally and worked in various roles, including assistant station agent and postmaster. In 1880, he purchased the Gladding mill in Moosup, transforming it into a leading producer of fine thread yarns. A Republican and community supporter, Floyd was also involved with the local Baptist church and served as treasurer and clerk. He married Evelyn Briggs, with whom he had four children.

Biography of Ambrose H. Bates

Ambrose H. Bates, born February 21, 1832, in Coventry, Rhode Island, was the son of William Bates and Mary Hopkins. Limited in early education, he became an avid reader, developing a disciplined mind. At eighteen, he embarked on a two-decade whaling career, ultimately becoming a vessel owner. After settling in Oneco, he ran a country store and later an undertaking business. A man of strong personality, Bates was active in politics, serving in the Connecticut legislature, and was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity. He passed away on February 21, 1885.

Biography of Albert C. Greene

Abel Greene, the grandfather of Albert C. Greene, lived in West Greenwich, Rhode Island. Albert, born on February 21, 1823, faced challenges early on after his father’s death, working in a factory at age eight. He later became a skilled carpenter and farmer. In 1849, he married Louisa Brown, with whom he had three children. Active in politics as a Democrat, Albert served in the state legislature in 1876 and held various local offices, while also being involved in Masonry.

Biography of James Pike

John Pike, a key figure in the Connecticut branch of the Pike family, settled in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1664. From him descended Jonas Pike, who had four sons, including David. David’s son, William, advanced dyeing techniques in the early 19th century and eventually founded William Pike & Co. His son, James Pike, born in 1826 in Sterling, excelled in the dyeing industry, creating a superior black dye and establishing the Sterling Dyeing and Finishing Company. James was also active in local politics and civic duties.

Biography of Joseph Hutchins

Joseph Hutchins, born March 4, 1820, in Plainfield, Connecticut, descended from Nicholas Hutchins, an English emigrant. Educated in local schools, he balanced teaching and farming before marrying Lucy R. Woodward in 1846. Engaging in agriculture for seven years, he later ventured into real estate while spending winters in Cincinnati. Politically active, Hutchins served as a selectman and representative in both the Connecticut House and Senate, while maintaining leadership roles in various banks and community trusts, reflecting his strong civic engagement.

Biography of Avery A. Stanton

Avery A. Stanton, born in 1837 in Preston, Connecticut, is the son of Lodowick Stanton and descends from General Thomas Stanton. His lineage includes notable ancestors like Warrior Stanton, a soldier in both the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War. After his father’s death in 1847, Avery moved to Voluntown and later embarked on a career in education, farming, and business in Sterling, where he held several town offices and served as a county commissioner. He married Laura Gallup and has eight children.

Biography of Edwin Milner

Edwin Milner, born December 1, 1842, in Horbury, England, emigrated to America at a young age. He began working in a woolen mill at nine and, after a brief education, returned to wool manufacturing. In 1865, he established his firm in Connecticut and eventually moved to Moosup, where he managed a successful woolen mill employing 300 workers. An active Republican, Milner served in the Connecticut legislature and championed education. He married Sarah M. Harding in 1867, but tragically, both of their children passed away young.

Biography of William H. Putnam

William H. Putnam, born on February 2, 1812, in Holland, Massachusetts, was a lineal descendant of the notable patriot Israel Putnam. After moving to Brooklyn in his youth, he married Eliza Day in 1834 and eventually took ownership of her father’s farm. A modest man, Putnam held various local offices as a Republican but shunned broader political aspirations. He served as a director at local banks and was a long-standing member and senior warden of Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church, contributing significantly to his community.

Biographical Sketch of Charles Platt

Charles Platt, born in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1852, is a prominent figure in Malheur County, having moved to Nevada in 1877 to engage in the sheep business. After relocating to Baker County, he continued in this trade and became significantly involved in local affairs. His political career includes serving as county assessor and county clerk, solidifying his reputation as a steadfast Republican leader. Platt is widely respected for his contributions to the community both as an individual and public official.

Biography of Hon. John S. Phelps

Hon. John S. Phelps, born on December 22, 1814, in Connecticut, was a prominent lawyer and politician from Greene County, Missouri. After establishing a successful legal career in the West, he was elected to the Missouri General Assembly in 1840 and served eighteen consecutive years in Congress, where he was influential on key issues such as the admission of California and the Civil War. Elected Governor of Missouri in 1876, Phelps retired with a legacy of public service, marked by his commitment to Democracy and legal integrity.

Biographical Sketch of Collins F. Tillotson

Collins F. Tillotson, born December 7, 1846, in Onondaga County, New York, settled in Maple Township, Ida County, Iowa, in 1874, acquiring 417 acres of wild prairie land. He was educated in local schools and Monroe Collegiate Institute. His ancestry includes a Revolutionary War soldier and a participant in the War of 1812. At 24, he married Mary J. Clark, with whom he had six children. Tillotson’s homestead featured various structures and livestock facilities, reflecting his dedication to farming.