Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

Abel Wright, of Springfield, who married
Martha, daughter of Samuel Kritchwell,
of Hartford, December i, 1659. She was
scalped July 26, 1708, and died October
19, 1708. He died October 29, 1725, in
his ninety-fourth year. He was selectman
of Springfield in 1689 and 1698, also
deputy to the General Court. Sarah
(Huntington) Wright, wife of Ebenezer
Wright, was the daughter of Deacon Joseph
and Rebecca (Adgate) Huntington.
Deacon Joseph Huntington was born September,
1661, in Norwich, and died December
29, 1747. He married, November
28, 1687, Rebecca, daughter of Deacon
Thomas and Mrs. (Bushnell) Adgate, died
November 28, 1748.
At the age of fourteen years, Major
Preston went to Hartford to begin his
career in the business world. Such was
his application, intelligence and thrift that
we find him eleven years later, at the outbreak
of the Civil War, a member of the
firm of Griswold, Griffin & Company,
manufacturers of shirts. On April 22,
1 861, he offered to give temporary assist-
ance as a clerk in the office of Adjutant-
General J. D. Williams. On July 17,
1861, in response to the request of Colo-
nel Orris S. Ferry, Mr. Preston was ap-
pointed as quartermaster of the Fifth
Connecticut Regiment, with the rank of
first lieutenant, going to the front July
29. Later he was detailed by Colonel
Dudley Donnelly, and afterward by Gen-
erals G. H. Gordon and A. S. Williams to
be acting assistant quartermaster of the
First Brigade, General Bank's division,
and remained in that position until Janu-
ary 1, 1862, when he was returned to his
old place in the Fifth Connecticut. In
March, 1862, Lieutenant Preston was detailed
as aide-de-camp on the staff of Gen-
eral Ferry, who had received a brigadier's
commission. During a part of the time
until February 19, 1863, he served as act-
ing assistant quartermaster of the divi-
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
77
sion. On that date President Lincoln
commissioned him as "additional paymas-
ter, United States Volunteers, with the
rank of Major," and this position Major
Preston held until July 31, 1865, when he
was honorably discharged by the Secre-
tary of War. Millions of dollars passed
through his hands during the war, and in
the final settlement with the government
his accounts balanced to a penny. At the
close of the war he became a special agent
for the Travelers Insurance Company
After two years in this position he was
appointed superintendent of agencies, and
in 1898 was promoted to be general man-
ager of agencies and has held that posi-
tion continuously since that time to the
present writing, October 22, 1917. This
position calls for executive ability of the
highest order, with a gift for diplomacy
equal to that of a foreign ambassador.
Major Preston is a man of poise, and
while he possesses a determination that
enables him to surmount every obstacle
to the accomplishment of his purpose, he
achieves results through the exercise of
tact that makes every one his friend. In
the course of his work, Major Preston
has travelled all over the United States,
Europe, Canada and Mexico, having made
seven trips to Europe and there traveled
much and is familiar with the countries
there.
He is a member of Hartford Lodge,
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, being
one of its eight oldest members ; Massa-
chusetts Commandery, Military Order of
the Loyal Legion; the Fifth Connecticut
Infantry Reunion Association; Society of
the Army of the Potomac, representing
the State of Connecticut on its board;
Robert O. Tyler Post, Grand Army of
the Republic, being one of the trustees of
the ten thousand dollar fund owned by
the post; Army and Navy Club of Connecticut,
of which he is president; Hartford
Club; Red Cross Association; Con-