Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

the close of the Van Buren administra-
tion. He was the Democratic candidate
for Governor of Connecticut in 1839 and
1840, and was again a United States Sen-
ator, 1843-49. In 1 85 1 he made a tour of Eu-
rope, and on his return abandoned politics,
devoting himself to agriculture and horti-
culture, and to his books. He amassed a
comfortable fortune, which at his death
he dispensed with judicious benevolence.
His largest bequest was one of $70,000 in
trust to the city of Hartford, directing
that the income therefrom should be bestowed
upon the worthy poor. He accumulated
a valuable library which he left
to the Connecticut Historical Society. He
was the author of a number of volumes
"The Independent Whig," 1816; "Ga-
zetteer of Connecticut and Rhode Island,"
1819; "History of the Revolution in Mex-
ico and South America, with a View of
Texas," 1829; "The Civil Office," 1840;
"Loss of the Brig Commerce upon the
West Coast of Africa," 1842.
Mr. Niles married (first) June 7, 1824,
Sarah Howe, daughter of William Robin-
son, and widow of Lewis Howe. She died
November 23, 1842. He married (second)
November 26, 1845, Jane H. Pratt,
of Columbia county, New York, who died
several years before him, in September,
1850.
PIMM, Alfred Bladon,
Business Man.
Possessed of a strong determination to
achieve his aims and that quality of good
judgment and business acumen necessary
to the man who would make a success of
his chosen calling, Alfred B. Pimm, of the
corporation Blake Brothers & Pimm,
dealers in commercial paper, although
comparatively a young man, has attained
an enviable position among the younger
business men of the city of Hartford. Mr.
:
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
286
Pimm was born September 5, 1875, in the
town of Newington, Connecticut, son of
Ebenezer and Anne (Bladon) Pimm.
The name of Pimm is a very old one and
is found as far back as 1250, at which time
it was located in Somersetshire, England,
and was originally spelled Pym.
Ebenezer Pimm, father of Alfred B.
Pimm, was born in Birmingham, England,
in 1840, and was a son of William
Pimm. His educational opportunities
were limited, but availing himself of every
opportunity he acquired a knowledge of
the carpenter's trade, and at the age of
eighteen years went to South Africa,
where he followed this occupation for
the succeeding three years. Returning to
England, he remained a short time before
sailing for America. On arriving in this
country, he first located in Detroit, Michi-
gan, where he was at work at his trade
until 1869. In the latter year he came to
Hartford, and in a small way engaged in
business on his own account as a contrac-
tor. He continued in this manner for
some years, meeting with success in his
undertaking and making a reputation as
a high class workman. Mr. Pimm is now
retired from active business cares, enjoy-
ing a well deserved rest. He married,
just before coming to this country, Anne
Bladon, daughter of James Bladon, na-
tives of Birmingham, where James Bladon
was long engaged in the business of
glass manufacturing. The Bladon family
is one of the oldest in Birmingham. Mr.
and Mrs. Pimm were the parents of seven
children, five of whom grew to maturity.
They are : Lillian, wife of Charles Yea-
ger; Annie, married Lynde May; Effie
William and Alfred Bladon, of
Frances ;
;
extended mention below. Mr. and Mrs.
Pimm are regular attendants of the Newington
Congregational Church, active in
its good works and contributors to its
support.