The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1901-04-19

Summers Linsley, and grandson OF
Daniel Linsley, who lived and died in
his native town.
Daniel Linsley marrieda Miss Jones,
of Branford, and their son, Harvey j.,
was also native of that town. He
learned the cabinet-maker'S trade
when a boy, and by economy and indus
try saved money enough to start in
business in small way as a cabinet
maker and undertaken. In 1922 he
purchased a lot of land in Woodbury.,
where he built a small shop, and here
engaged in the manufacture of house
Aold furniture. He brought with
lin h 2arSe; AMI. as it WIS tn, fir
me Seen in to VT, it was an object OF
wonder. His furniture business soon
beginning to increase, he took in a
number of apprentices, and enlarged
his factory, which eventually grew to
generous proportions, and was fur
nished with horsepower to turn out
bedsteadS. This curious machinery his
son has preserved. Harvey J. Linsley
was reputed the finest mechanic ever
known in Woodbury., and the fame of
his skill spread far and near. His
taste also was admirable, and the
trees which he planted are to-day a
pleasing ornament to the town. He
became quite wealthy, and was large
property owner at the time of his
death, which occurred in 1853 Politi-
cally, he was member of the old
Wing party. He was public-spirited
and generous and was universally re-
spected In religious belief he was a
Congregationalist. Mr. Linsley was
twice married. His first wife, Laura
Clark, of Southington, died in 1924,
leaving one daughter, Mary A. His
second wife, Mary Summers, who was
a daughter of William and Joanna
Summers, of Huntington, died on
January IL, 1879, of old age. She was
the mother Of three children: James
H., the subject of this sketch; Laura,
wife of E. F. Bassett; Jane, who died
December p, 1856, aged 81 years.
James H. Linsley received his edu-
cation in the public schools of Wood
bury. He served as an apprentice
under his father, and adopted his
motto, ''Good work always" and in
1852 he took full charge of the bus:-
ness, disposing of the furniture manu-
featuring industry about 1880 but re-
tanning the salesrooms and the under
taking department.. In the mean
while he devoted his spare time to
farming and cattle-dealing, purchasing
largely in the West. For years
he carried on an extensive trade
in live stock, and he also owned several
farms, including the Nathaniel Smith
and the Curtis farms on Good Hill and
the Benedict and Minor farms on the
Pomeraug river. AS he was the only
undertaken in town, the demand for
him in that line was very great. He
had charge Of over $500 funerals, in
Guiding the obsequies of a number of
centenarians. Mr. Linsley inherited
bis fathers fine taste, and his beauti-
full home, surrounded by we'll kept
lawns and shaded by magni Gcent elm
trees, which he planted in 1850, is one
of the handsomest pieces Of residential
property in the county. About two
years ago, owing to failing health, Mr.
Linsley disposed CT his undertaking
business to G. w. Swan.
October9 1S49 Mr. Linsley married
Harriet f., daughter of John and
Maria (Gilbert) Curtis, of Woodbury.,
and received from his father home
and land for a welding present. Mrs
Maria G.. Linsley died in 1879, at the
age of so. She was the mother of three
children: Sarah E., born in September,
1851, who died March Ii. 1871; Anna,
who died June Is, 1869, in childhood:
and Wilbur c., born in May, 1855.
Mr. Linsley was again married Septem-
Der %, 1880, taking for his second wife
Sarah E., daughter of Samuel Smith,
of South Britain.
Politically republican, James H.
Linsley represented the town in the
Legislature IN 1870 and 1887. He was a
deacon of the First Congregational
church of Woodbury. and treasurer OF
the society 20 years. For As years be
was member of the choir, of which
he was leader II years, and his pro-
ticiency in music caused demand for
his services as singer on various pub
lie occasions. In his passing away the
community loses good neighbor, and
the town a citizen of the best type.
HOTCHKIssVILLE AND VICINITY.