h/o Lora Talcott
"PHINEAS TALCOTT was born Aug. 7, 1793, in North Bolton, now Vernon, Conn., and in the public schools of that period and the locality, he received training that enabled him to teach school himself, and in the fall of 1820 he became so occupied in Colchester, teaching there for one year. This experience was followed by similar work in Glastonbury until 1822, when he went to Hartford and assumed charge of what was known as the stone school house, where ten teachers were employed and some 600 pupils were in attendance. At the beginning of the year 1828 he was appointed steward in the Connecticut Insane Retreat, at Hartford, a position he filled with fidelity and ability until May, 1835, when, his wife having died some time previous, he removed to his mother's home in Vernon, taking his two small sons.

"Mr. Talcott, accompanied by his brother Ralph, then made an extensive tour through the West, chiefly prospecting for land, going by way of Buffalo. From there he crossed the lake to Sandusky, Ohio, where he purchased horse and saddle, with equipments for traveling, and on Nov. 7, 1835, his trip was begun, riding through to Quincy, Ill., where he remained a short time, and then returned to Rockville, ready for new enterprises.

"On Jan. 19, 1837, Phineas Talcott became the agent of the Rock Manufacturing Company, at Rockville, with a salary of $800 per year, but this position he resigned in March, 1842, to engage in farming. He bought of Dr. Scottaway Hinkley, the farm which then included land now considered the choicest residence section of Rockville, and upon which are located many of the city's finest homes. In April, 1846, he removed to the house where he died—the same one which is now the residence of his son George, on Prospect street. After purchasing this farm, Mr. Talcott carried it on with his other interests. In 1846 this energetic and far-seeing man began the construction of the American Mills at Rockville, of which he was the largest stockholder and its president until his decease. He also controlled a one-third interest in the Springville Mill, was treasurer of the Aqueduct Company, president of the Rockville Railroad Company, and in 1859-60, was president of the Savings Bank of Rockville. With Samuel P. Rose he carried on a paper mill, for one year, in Rockville.

"For many years Mr. Talcott was a potent influence in political circles in Tolland county, and for a long time held public positions of trust and honor, the duties of which he administered with great fidelity and ability. From 1844 to 1846, from 1847-1850, from 1851-1854, and from 1857-1858, he was judge of probate for the Ellington district, and for many years was a prominent justice in Tolland county. In 1849-58-60 he was first selectman of Vernon and town agent, was a representative in the State Legislature in 1844, and State senator, in 1851. Religiously, Mr. Talcott was of the faith of the Congregational Church. While at Hartford, he became a member of the South Congregational Church of that city, and in 1835 of the church of that denomination in Rockville. He was an honorary member of the board of Foreign Missions, and ever a cordial promoter of many enterprises inspired by public spirit and philanthropy.

"On Nov. 17, 1823, Mr. Talcott was married to Miss Lora McLean, daughter of Col. Frances and Roxy (McKinney) McLean, the former of whom was one of the founders of Rockville and one of the best-known men of his time. Two children were born of this union: Frederick, born Dec. 27, 1824, was connected with the firm of Hunt & Talcott, of Mt. Morris, N. Y., and died Sept. 2, 1849, in his father's home, in Rockville; and George, born Jan. 20, 1827. During the progress of the Civil war, Phineas Talcott was one of the strongest supporters of the administration. He was formerly a Whig, but became an ardent Republican. A man of heavy weight and commanding figure, a fall on the street resulting in concussion of the brain, caused his death, June 6, 1863, his burial being by the side of the wife whom he had mourned for thirty-one years. So closed the life of one of the most capable, most valuable and brainiest men of Tolland county."

--Commemorative Biographical Record of Tolland and Windham Counties Connecticut Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and of Many of the Early Settled Families, Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1903, p. 102.

h/o Lora Talcott
"PHINEAS TALCOTT was born Aug. 7, 1793, in North Bolton, now Vernon, Conn., and in the public schools of that period and the locality, he received training that enabled him to teach school himself, and in the fall of 1820 he became so occupied in Colchester, teaching there for one year. This experience was followed by similar work in Glastonbury until 1822, when he went to Hartford and assumed charge of what was known as the stone school house, where ten teachers were employed and some 600 pupils were in attendance. At the beginning of the year 1828 he was appointed steward in the Connecticut Insane Retreat, at Hartford, a position he filled with fidelity and ability until May, 1835, when, his wife having died some time previous, he removed to his mother's home in Vernon, taking his two small sons.

"Mr. Talcott, accompanied by his brother Ralph, then made an extensive tour through the West, chiefly prospecting for land, going by way of Buffalo. From there he crossed the lake to Sandusky, Ohio, where he purchased horse and saddle, with equipments for traveling, and on Nov. 7, 1835, his trip was begun, riding through to Quincy, Ill., where he remained a short time, and then returned to Rockville, ready for new enterprises.

"On Jan. 19, 1837, Phineas Talcott became the agent of the Rock Manufacturing Company, at Rockville, with a salary of $800 per year, but this position he resigned in March, 1842, to engage in farming. He bought of Dr. Scottaway Hinkley, the farm which then included land now considered the choicest residence section of Rockville, and upon which are located many of the city's finest homes. In April, 1846, he removed to the house where he died—the same one which is now the residence of his son George, on Prospect street. After purchasing this farm, Mr. Talcott carried it on with his other interests. In 1846 this energetic and far-seeing man began the construction of the American Mills at Rockville, of which he was the largest stockholder and its president until his decease. He also controlled a one-third interest in the Springville Mill, was treasurer of the Aqueduct Company, president of the Rockville Railroad Company, and in 1859-60, was president of the Savings Bank of Rockville. With Samuel P. Rose he carried on a paper mill, for one year, in Rockville.

"For many years Mr. Talcott was a potent influence in political circles in Tolland county, and for a long time held public positions of trust and honor, the duties of which he administered with great fidelity and ability. From 1844 to 1846, from 1847-1850, from 1851-1854, and from 1857-1858, he was judge of probate for the Ellington district, and for many years was a prominent justice in Tolland county. In 1849-58-60 he was first selectman of Vernon and town agent, was a representative in the State Legislature in 1844, and State senator, in 1851. Religiously, Mr. Talcott was of the faith of the Congregational Church. While at Hartford, he became a member of the South Congregational Church of that city, and in 1835 of the church of that denomination in Rockville. He was an honorary member of the board of Foreign Missions, and ever a cordial promoter of many enterprises inspired by public spirit and philanthropy.

"On Nov. 17, 1823, Mr. Talcott was married to Miss Lora McLean, daughter of Col. Frances and Roxy (McKinney) McLean, the former of whom was one of the founders of Rockville and one of the best-known men of his time. Two children were born of this union: Frederick, born Dec. 27, 1824, was connected with the firm of Hunt & Talcott, of Mt. Morris, N. Y., and died Sept. 2, 1849, in his father's home, in Rockville; and George, born Jan. 20, 1827. During the progress of the Civil war, Phineas Talcott was one of the strongest supporters of the administration. He was formerly a Whig, but became an ardent Republican. A man of heavy weight and commanding figure, a fall on the street resulting in concussion of the brain, caused his death, June 6, 1863, his burial being by the side of the wife whom he had mourned for thirty-one years. So closed the life of one of the most capable, most valuable and brainiest men of Tolland county."

--Commemorative Biographical Record of Tolland and Windham Counties Connecticut Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and of Many of the Early Settled Families, Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1903, p. 102.