USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume II > Part 62
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Mr. Manning married, December 28, 1908, Maud Powers, daughter of Frank and Ellen Powers, of Waterford, Connecticut.
JAMES HOOKER COMSTOCK-Some men are gifted with such a personality that their resi- dence in any locality makes for public welfare. Such a one is James Hooker Comstock, now a resi- dent of Stonington, Connecticut, who is regarded by his fellow-citizens as a public-spirited man, ever ready to assist in any movement for the betterment of his town or its inhabitants.
James Hooker Comstock comes of good, old Connecticut stock; his father was Captain Amos Comstock, veteran of the War of 1812, who was born in Montville, New London county, Connec- ticut, in 1794. He was educated in the district school of his native village, and after leaving school was engaged in the shipping business along the coast for a time. During the twenties, of the last century, he went to Troy, New York, where he became captain of a boat plying up and down the Hudson river. Captain Comstock followed this for years, then retired and moved his family to New York City, where he died in 1876. His wife was Caroline (Lockwood) Comstock, a native of Troy, New York. Her death occurred in Brooklyn, New York, in 1866. Captain and Mrs. Comstock had a family of eleven children: 1. John L., who died in 1864. 2. Joseph H., who married Mary Clark, of Brooklyn, New York; his death occurred in 1869. 3. Sarah, who married George Whelpley, of New York; both deceased. 4. Elizabeth, became the wife of Frederick Peoble, of New York; both
Clifford B. Thompson
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deceased . 5. Mary, married Alfred LaForge; both deceased. 6. Frances A., a school teacher in New York City for fifty-four years, in the Borough of Manhattan. 7. Emily A., wife of Frank B. Polley; both deceased. 8. Ellen, married Frank B. Polley, of New York, also deceased. 9. Charlotte, died in infancy. 10. Alice, died in infancy. II. James Hooker.
The youngest child of this large family, James Hooker Comstock, was born in New York City, September 1, 1847. Attending the public schools there, the boy acquired a good education, and when grown to young manhood learned the trade of a marine machinist with the W. & A. Fletcher Com- pany of New York, remaining with them for seven- teen years. When he resigned from their employ, Mr. Comstock had advanced to the rank of master mechanic of this company. He left New York to accept the position of master mechanic of the New England Steamship Company, in charge of their mechanical department at the Newport, Rhode Island, shipyard.
For twenty-seven years Mr. Comstock remained with this concern in Newport, then lie was trans- ferred, still with the same company, to Stonington, Connecticut, as master mechanic here, until he was retired by them on a pension in 1913. He now resides in Stonington, where he is enjoying a quiet, retired life after many years of faithful, efficient service. During his residence in Newport, Mr. Comstock was an active member of the Republican party, taking a prominent part in the conduct of municipal affairs. He was a councilman for fifteen years, and a member of the Board of Aldermen for five years, being president of the board for two years. He also served on the poor committee for seven years. In the early years of his life in Ncw- port, Mr. Comstock and eight other influential resi- dents organized the Newport Building & Loan Association. This institution is now capitalized at $1,250,000, and stands high in the estimate of the public.
Mr. Comstock has always been greatly interested in fraternal matters. He is a member of St. John's Lodge, No. 1, of Newport, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and worshipful master in 1891; of Newport Chapter; also of De Blois Council, of Newport. In addition to these he is affiliated with Ocean Lodge, of Newport, Ancient Order of United Workmen. During his residence in New- port, Mr. Comstock and his family attended the Unitarian church, but since he has lived in Stoning- ton he has been connected with the Congregational church, and is an ardent upholder and supporter of it and its work.
In September, 1868, James Hooker Comstock was united in marriage with Mary C. Canfield, a
resident of New York. Of this union eight children were born: 1. Caroline, now the wife of Harry Wil- son; she resides in Brooklyn, New York. 2. Eme- line, married Packer Braman, residing in Newport, Rhode Island. 3. Ada, single, resides in Newport. 4. Grace E., wife of George Brownell, of Newport. 5. Frances A., living at home. 6. Mary, who mar- ried Henry Shalling, of Stonington, and now re- sides in East Cleveland, Ohio. 7. Andrew F., mar- ried; living in Newport. 8. Catherine, lives at home. Mrs. Comstock died in Stonington in July, 1918.
CLIFFORD BABCOCK THOMPSON-On Pen- dleton Hill, in the town of North Stonington, Connecticut, one of the old familiar names is that of Thompson, and the Thompson Homestead is a typical old New England home. Clifford Babcock Thompson, who now farms the ancestral acres, is a young man of prominence in the community, suc- cessful in his individual enterprises, and standing high in the esteem of the community.
(I) Aaron Thompson, great-grandfather of Clif- ford B. Thompson, who himself was a native of North Stonington, was the one who settled upon this farm and founded the homestead for his chil- dren and his children's children. He married El- mira York.
(II) Benjamin Thompson, son of Aaron and Elmira (York) Thompson, was born in this house, and spent his entire life on the home farm, carrying on the interests of the place and improving the property. He married Frances Hilliard, who was born in North Stonington, and both died on the Thompson farm.
(III) Albert Thompson, son of Benjamin and Frances (Hilliard) Thompson, was born on the homestead, and he also spent his entire life on the farm, following agricultural pursuits. He died at the early age of thirty-two years, February 20, 1898. He was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of North Stonington; in the Pendleton Hill church he took an active interest in all church work, and served as one of the trustees for many years. He married Jennie June Babcock, who was born on the old Babcock homestead, on Pendleton Hill, and has spent all her life in this community. She still survives her husband, living on the old Thompson farm.
(IV) Clifford Babcock Thompson, son of Albert and Jennie June (Babcock) Thompson, was born on the Thompson homestead on Pendleton Hill, March 4, 1890. He received his early education in the district schools of Pendleton Hill, then attended the Hopkinton, Rhode Island, High School, there- after taking a course in the Westerly Business Col- lege. Having been only eight years of age at his father's death, he returned to the home farm at the
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close of his studies, and cared for the place in his mother's interest. In 1914, his brother, Irving Hil- lard Thompson, became half owner of the place with him, both having passed their twenty-first birthdays. Irving H. Thompson now resides in Westerly, Rhode Island, but still holds his interest in the farm, and Clifford B. Thompson conducts all the farming operations. It is a farm of one hundred acres, always well tilled, and cared for and improved by the successive generations to whom it has been a much-loved home as well as a means of livelihood.
In the social, political and religious life of the town, Mr. Thompson is bearing a constructive share. He supports the principles of the Repub- lican party, and is always interested in every form of public progress. He has been a member of the Board of Relief of North Stonington for a period of five years. He is alert to every forward move- ment which bears relation to the agricultural activi- ties of the day. He is a member of the First Bap- tist Church, of Pendleton Hill, is one of the trustees of the church, and is superintendent of the Sunday school.
Mr. Thompson married, March 4, 1914, in Asha- way, Rhode Island, Marcia Stanton Bentley, who was born in Bozrah, New London county, Connec- ticut. She is a daughter of Lathan Nelson and Martha Altana (Frink) Bentley; both her parents were born in North Stonington and both are now deceased. Mr. Bentley had charge of the White Rock Farm at White Rock, Rhode Island, for twenty-one years, this farm being the property of B. B. and R. Knight. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have one little daughter, Kathryn Bentley, born on the old Thompson farm, January 1, 1915. Mrs. Thompson is also active in the church work at Pendleton Hill. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are inem- bers of North Stonington Grange, No. 138, Pa- trons of Husbandry, of which he is at present master; New London County Pomona; Connecticut State Grange, both having taken the seventh degree.
HENRY LATHAM BAILEY-The Baileys of Groton, New London county, Connecticut, trace to early Colonial days, although in this branch of the family two generations lived in Ashtabula county, Ohio, and for a time Henry L. Bailey lived there, his father marrying in Groton, going west in 1865, and in 1880 returning to Groton, Connecticut, where he worked on his father's farm. Henry L. Bailey, since 1884, has been intimately connected with the business and official life of Groton, the many public offices he has held and holds being strong evidence that he possesses the confidence of his townsmen to an unusual degree. He is a great-grandson of Jonathan Bailey, of Groton, a
soldier of the Revolution, who from May 26, 1781, served in Captain Matthew Smith's company in the battalion commanded by Brigadier-General David Waterbury. In July, 1781, that battalion joined General Washington's army, then at Philipsburg, New Jersey, and for a time was under the command of General Heath.
Gurdon Bailey, son of Jonathan Bailey, the Revo- lutionary soldier, was born in Groton, but with five brothers and two sisters left Groton and journeyed westward until reaching that part of Ohio known as the Western Reserve, where they settled in Baileyville, Morgan township, Ashtabula county. He married, before leaving Groton, Phoebe Will- iams, of Mystic, Connecticut, she making the jour- ney to Ohio with him in a wagon drawn by oxen. They spent the remainder of their lives in Ashta- bula county, Ohio, and at the home farm in that county their children were born.
Elijah Williams Bailey, son of Gurdon and Phoebe (Williams) Bailey, spent his youth in Ash- tabula county, Ohio, and there learned the car- penter's trade and engaged in farming in Lenox and Morgan townships. He returned to Groton, Connecticut, and here married Mrs. Melinda (Latham) Fiske, widow of John Fiske, and daugh- ter of George Latham. He returned to Ohio with his bride, and there Louise, their eldest child, was born. The next two children, Henry Lathan and Gurdon F. Bailey, were born in Groton; their youngest child Helen E., in Lenox township, Ash- tabula county, Ohio. In 1880 the family removed to Groton, Connecticut, where Elijah Williams Bailey died in 1885. He was long survived by his widow, who spent her last years with her daughter Helen E. in Derby, Connecticut. Children: I. Louise M., born in Ohio, there married David M. Leslie, of Trumbull, and had children: Charles L., John E., Carrie M., and Helen Leslie. 2. Henry Latham, of further mention. 3. Gurdon F., born in Groton, a Congregational minister, married Mary S. Chapman, of Groton, and has four children: Harold C., Marian L., Louise P., Lucile D. Bailey. 4. Helen E., born in Ohio, married William H. Williams, and resides in Derby, Connecticut.
Henry Latham Bailey, eldest son of Elijah Will- iams and Melinda (Lathan-Fiske) Bailey, was born at the Latham homestead, two miles north of Groton, July 23, 1861, his mother having been born in the same house as her son. Later he was taken West by his mother to the Bailey home farm in Ashtabula county, Ohio, and there he spent the years until 1880. He was educated in the district schools nearest his homes in Lenox and Morgan townships, Ashtabula county, and at Rock Creek Institute in the same county. He remained at the home farm until the family removed to Groton,
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Connecticut, and there engaged in farming for four years after his return.
Leaving the farm in 1884, a young man of twenty- three, he entered the employ of the Wilson Manu- facturing Company, in New London, Connecticut, there acting as shipping clerk until 1887. In 1888 he formed a partnership with Walter J. Starr, they opening a grocery in Groton, under the firin name of Starr & Bailey. The firm continued until April 1, 1890, when Mr. Bailey sold his interest in the business to Mr. Starr, and established an insurance office and agency in Groton. In January, 1891, he entered into a partnership with Jason L. Ran- dall, they engaging in the grocery business as Bailey & Randall. In November, 1892, Mr. Bailey, after purchasing Mr. Randall's interest, joined in partnership with Ernest Coe and formed the firm of Coe & Bailey, that firm continuing until 1908. In the year 1900, Mr. Bailey bought the Groton insurance agency, owned by Asa Perkins, an agency for certain companies covering the territory be- tween the Connecticut river and the State of Rhode Island.
In politics a Democrat, Mr. Bailey has given much of his time to the public service. In 1890 he was chosen assessor of taxes, the vote by which he was elected being the largest ever polled in the town for that office. In 1902 he was delegate to the State Constitutional Convention, and since 1907 has been town clerk (fourteen years). He was treasurer of Groton Fire District, No. I, treasurer of the Groton Monument Association, and for sev- eral years chairman of the School Board. Since May 10, 1897, he has been a member of the Sons of the American Revolution; is a Master Mason of Union Lodge, No. 31, Free and Accepted Masons; a companion of Union Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; a member of Fairview Lodge, No. 101, Independent Order of Odd Fellows: Groton Con- clave, No. 382, Improved Order of Heptasophs, and Thames Lodge, No. 13, Ancient Order of United Workmen, of Groton. In religious connection he is a member of the Congregational church, Groton.
During the World War, Mr. Bailey was very active in promoting all bond drives, also served as chairman of committees for town of Groton for the promotion of War Savings and Thrift stamps.
Mr. Bailey married, in April, 1889, Louisa S. Hol- loway, of Groton, and they are the parents of four children: 1. Cassie Williams, pursued special course in music in the Connecticut College, now at home. 2. Lewis Porter, born in Groton, who served in the United States navy during the World War, sta- tioned at Newport during the entire period of the war; enlisted April 7, 1917, placed on reserve Jan- uary 29, 1919; discharged, June, 1921. 3. Henry Latham, Jr., born in Groton, Connecticut, Decem-
ber 1, 1901, at home. 4. Alfred Starr, died in in- fancy.
FRANK WARE GUILD-A good example of the successful business man who has risen through his own efforts to a position of prominence which he now holds in the business circles of Norwich, Connecticut, is Frank Ware Guild, jeweler, at No. 21 Broadway. It is not, however, with this interest alone that Mr. Guild has been actively identified, but in everything essential to the progress and well-being of the community he takes a keen in- terest.
William Guild, father of Frank W. Guild, was born in Franklin, Norfolk county, Massachusetts, and died in Milford, Massachusetts, in 1896. When a young man he was employed in a felting mill, of which he was stationary engineer, going later with the H. E. Barrows Company, of North Attleboro, Massachusetts, as chief engineer. He was a Repub- lican in politics, taking a lively interest in that phase of public administration which makes for the highest good of the community. He married Mary Ware, and to them were born five children, three of whom are still living: William A., a resident of North Attleboro, Massachusetts; Frank Ware, men- tioned below; Arthur, now a die-cutter in North- Attleboro.
Frank Ware Guild was born in Wrentham, Massachusetts, January 19, 1864. He was educated in the district school of City Mills and the public schools of Franklin, Massachusetts. At the age of fifteen he entered upon his business career, securing a position in the jewelry factory of J. G. Cheever & Company in North Attleboro, Massachusetts. During the thirteen years that he remained here he gained a thorough knowledge of the different branches of the industry, but wishing to specialize in watch repairing he took a special course in watch making in the Chadsey & Young School. In 1893 he established himself in the jewelry business in Holliston, Massachusetts, but after three years sold out and returned to Franklin, Massachusetts, where he carried on a successful business in this particular line for many years, subsequently selling out to accept the position of manager for the D. A. Hison Jewelry Company at Lockport, New York, where he remained for two and one-half years. In 1907 he was made manager of the jewelry department of the Plant Cadden Company on Main street, Nor- wich, and seven years later opened his present jewelry store, which is located at No. 21 Broadway. In politics Mr. Guild is a Republican. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and attends the Central Baptist Church of Norwich. In the Masonic order he has been very active and has attained the highest rank, holding the coveted
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thirty-second degree of the Ancient Accepted Seot- tish Rite. He is a member of Excelsior Lodge, of Franklin, Massachusetts, Free and Accepted Ma- sons; Miller Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Frank- lin, Massachusetts, Council, Royal and Select Mas- ters; Columbian Commandery, Knights Templar; Connecticut Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. He also holds membership in the Arcanum Club of Norwich.
On August 19, 1918, Mr. Guild was united in mar- riage with Mabel Zappie, a native of Melrose, Massachusetts, daughter of John C. and Mary Zappie, of Dutch descent, the latter named born in Norwich, Connecticut. They are the parents of two children, born in Norwich: Frank Ware, Jr., born October 1, 1919; Joclyn Alida, born December 3, 1921.
CHARLES FRANCIS MORGAN-A successful business man, popular with all classes, genial, gen- erous and open-hearted, thoroughly alive to his re- sponsibilities as a citizen, Charles Francis Morgan, postmaster at Pachaug, is recognized as one of the leading citizens of the community.
Charles Francis Morgan, Sr., was born in the town of Griswold, Connecticut, and attended the district school of his native place. Later he moved to Pachaug and there became owner of a general store, and postmaster, holding the latter office until his death in 1918. As in private business, so in public life, Mr. Morgan was progressive, public- spirited and loyal. He met every obligation of his life fairly, and while modest and quiet by nature, he shirked no duty and left a record of tasks well per- formed. He married Ardelia C. Wood, and to them were born five children: 1. Pearl D., who is in the advertising department of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Hartford, Connecticut; married Ida Fawley, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. 2. Susan L. 3. Willis H., a farmer in Griswold; married Annie Anderson. 4. Charles Francis, of further mention. 5. Edwin H., twin of Charles F., who died when an infant.
Charles Francis Morgan was born April 15, 1888, in Pachaug, Connecticut. He obtained his educa- tion in the schools of Griswold, after which he entered his father's store and there continued as clerk until his father's death, since which time the business is carried on by the estate. In 1914 he was appointed postmaster of Griswold, post office in Pachaug village, which office he still retains. He is capable, earnest and sympathetic.
During the World War, Mr. Morgan was called to the service of his country, October 2, 1918, and served in Company C, of the adjutant general's department in Washington, D. C. Here he remained until January, 1919, when he was ordered to Camp
Meigs, Md., where he received his honorable dis- charge. In polities he is a Republican. He has. never sought publie office, neither has he shirked any duty, public or private, but has met squarely every demand made upon him, and in a public- spirited manner discharged every obligation of eiti- zenship. He is a member of the Pachang Grange, and the Pachaug Library Committee, and affiliated with the American Legion, Orville LaFlamme Post, of Jewett City, Connecticut. In religion he is a Congregationalist and attends the church of that denomination in Pachaug.
On April 7, 1919, Charles Francis Morgan was united in marriage with Minda Tanner, daughter of John and Harriett (Burdick) Tanner, the former of Sterling, the latter of Voluntown, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan are the parents of one child, Ruth, born January 24, 1920.
JEREMIE BOURDEAU-The Bourdeaus herein mentioned came to the United States from Canada, Moses Bourdeau removing from his native village,. St. Valentine, in the Province of Quebec, to Spring- field, Massachusetts, in 1859. He was a brickmaker in Canada, and in Springfield followed the same occupation, becoming a foreman. He later bought clay lands, set up brick-making machines, and con- tinued in business as a brickmaker until his death. His wife, Elizabeth (Choroug) Bourdeau, was also born at St. Valentine, Quebec, Canada, and died in the same province at the age of sixty.
Jeremie Bourdeau, son of Moses and Elizabeth (Chorong) Bourdeau, was born at St. Valentine, Quebec, Canada, November 3, 1849. He remained in his native village until sixteen years of age, but in 1866 came to the United States, settling in Dan- ielson, Connecticut, where he found work in a cotton mill. From Danielson he went to Voluntown, Con- necticut, where he was employed in the Briggs. Manufacturing Company mill. Later he was in South Bridge and Taunton, Massachusetts. In 1890, he bought a small tract of land in Stonington, New London county, on which he made his home until ten years later, when he bought a farm in the Anguilla district of the same town, and there has spent the years which have since elapsed. He has. prospered as a farmer and owns a well improved and fertile farm.
Jeremie Bourdeau married (first) in Voluntown, Connecticut, November 13, 1878, Flora Plant, born in Province of Quebec, Canada, died in Stonington, August 20, 1905, the mother of eight children: Jeremie (2), a carpenter of Norwich; Flora, widow of Arthur Cote, of White Rock, Rhode Island; Hebe, deceased; Fred, a soldier of the regular United States army, who was accidentally killed in 1902, while on duty in New Mexico; Eva, deceased;
oseph J. Bourdeau
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Louisa, deceased; Joseph J., see forward; Zilda, deceased. Jeremie Bourdeau marricd (second) in Stonington, in May, 1916, Mary Rock, born in St. Edward, Quchec, Canada, widow of John Rock. The family are members of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. and Mrs. Rock were parents of five children: Emma, Lena, Leda, Mary, Alexander.
JOSEPH J. BOURDEAU-At the age of twenty- two, Joseph J. Bourdeau, of Pawcatuck, Connec- ticut, an American soldier, made the supreme sacri- fice, death coming to him on the field of battle, and there in the Argonne Forest he lies, his resting place the spot on which he fell. He was a good soldier and by his quiet unassuming manner, his obedience to orders and his bravery in battle, won the admiration of officers and comrades. He met a soldier's death with his face to the foe, and helped to bring the great victory which so soon followed his passing. Of the many young men who entered the army from Pawcatuck, he was the only one who fell in battle.
Joseph J. Bourdeau, seventh child of Jeremie and Flora (Plant) Bourdeau, was born in Pawcatuck, in the town of Stonington, New London county, Con- necticut, February 8, 1896. He was called for serv- ice from the selective list, May 22, 1918, and after a month's training at Camp Upton on Long Island, he was sent overseas as a private in Company "I," 39th United States Infantry, American Expedition- ary Force, and with his regiment went to the front line. The regiment saw hard fighting almost from the first and was in the fighting in the Argonne Forest, where on September 23, 1918, private Joseph J. Bourdeau was killed. He was found by his com- rades during the advance from hill 304 to the Bois de Boret and there was buried, his grave being marked with a cross to which is fastened his identi- fication tag.
Soldier rest! thy warfare o'er, Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking.
Dream of battled fields no more, Days of danger, nights of waking .- Scott.
WILFRED STANLEY LAMB - Among the business men of Mystic, Connecticut, Wilfred Stan- ley Lamb takes rank with the practical, progressive group of younger men who are carrying the town forward in the county, and placing it in the lead as a business center.
Mr. Lamb is a son of Prentice Lamb, who was born in Mystic, and educated in the public schools of the town. He was a young man of resource and ambition, and with this equipment for the battle of life entered the employ of the New York, New
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