YOUR SILENT NEIGHBORS
Charles A. Hart, Businessman
by David K. Leff
Town Poet Laureate & Deputy Town Historian

Charles A. Hart (1855-1910) spent most of his life in Collinsville where one newspaper described him as “a prominent Collinsville citizen and business man.” Born in West Farmington, Ohio, he came to the village as a child and lived here until moving to Hartford at age 8 or 9. He later returned to work in the grocery store of Jarvis P. Harrington. The firm was renamed Harrington and Hart in 1878 when Hart was about 23. By 1883, he had established his own grocery business and afterward operated a clothing store in Collinsville. Later in life he moved back to Hartford where he became an investment broker.

Hart was a member of the Collinsville Congregational Church. He was very active in Masonic circles throughout the region and was a past master of Collinsville’s Village Lodge.

Married twice, Hart had two children with his first wife, Flora Colton, who died in 1896 after about 20 years of marriage. His son survived him, but a daughter died at age 6. In 1900 he married Inez Williams.

Hart died at Hartford Hospital on the night of Tuesday, October 18 from complications following surgery. Prayers were held at his Hartford home at 499 Sigourney Street at 9:30 Friday morning. The remains came back to Collinsville on the 11:52 Central New England passenger train. The funeral was held at the Collinsville Congregational Church at 2:00 with members of the Village Lodge of Masons attending. A newspaper called the attendance “a large gathering,” noting that “seldom has there been such a profusion of beautiful floral offerings.” Masonic services were held at graveside.

Charles A. Hart is buried in the Village Cemetery, Collinsville.

“Your Silent Neighbors” introduces readers to people out of Canton’s past.  Readers are encouraged to visit these gravesites and pay their respects to the people who have helped make our community what it is today.