USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 17
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Herbert A. Richards was born in Holyoke, Massa- chusetts, on June 27, 1878. His parents coming to New London county when he was only one year old, his education was received in the public schools of the village of Versailles. When he entered the world of industry, it was in the employ of the Totoket Cotton Mill Company, in the carding de- partment, which was under his father's manage- ment. He followed this work from 1887 to 1892, then rented the Baldwin Farm, near the village of Occum, going into dairying and general farming. For ten years he handled a large milk route in the adjoining village of Taftville.
In October, 1910, Mr. Richards made the change which has proved substantially and permanently advantageous to him. He bought out the general store of Hall & Hawkins, in Occum, increased the business, and developed its scope, until now he con- ducts one of the best establishments of this class in New London county. He is held in the highest esteem by his fellow-citizens, and is enjoying the fruits of well-earned success.
Mr. Richards is alive to every phase of public progress, and always interested in the welfare of the people. In political matters he reserves the right to individual decision, and gives unqualified support to no one party. He has never sought nor accepted public officc.
Mr. Richards married Iva MI. Rathbun, daughter of Isaiah and Emily (Austin) Rathbun, of Hebron, Connecticut, and they have three children: Ethel Julia, born May 4, 1908; Herbert A., Jr., born July 21, 1910; and Iva Emily, born May 11, 1912, who dicd December 16, 1920. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Versailles, and interested in all its social and benevolent activities.
HENRY RHODES PALMER-For many years Palmers have inhabited a good farm in the Road district of the town of Stonington, and there Henry Rhodes Palmer of the ninth American generation was born and there resides. He is a descendant
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of Walter Palmer, who was born in England, and who came to New England probably as early as 1629. He is credited with having built the first dwelling house in Charlestown, Massachusetts, but in 1640 he joined the organizers of the town of Rehoboth and in 1653 located in Stonington, Con- necticut, where he died, November 10, 1661. He was twice married, and had sons, descent in this line being through the founder's son, Nehemiah; his son, Nehemiah (2); his son, Thomas; his son, Thomas (2); his son, Thomas; his son, Major Alden Palmer; his son, Eugene Palmer; his son, Henry Rhodes Palmer. Thus, for two hundred and sixty-cight years, 1653-1921, Palmers have been resi- dents of the town of Stonington.
Major Alden Palmer was born July 17, 1802, in Stonington, District No. 7, and carned his rank in the military company of the town. He farmed the old homestead and built the present farm house. He was a Democrat, and a man of influence until his death, March 22, 1876. He married, October 10, 1831, Nancy D. Palmer, born February 20, 1810, died May 13, 1886, daughter of Lemuel and Abigail (Davis) Palmer. Their sixth child was a son, Eugene, father of Henry Rhodes Palmer.
Eugene Palmer was born at the homestead, November 29, 1841, and there died after a life of usefulness and honor, February 11, 1918. With the exception of four years spent in Trenton, New York, his life was spent at the homestead in the town of Stonington, and farming was his lifelong occupation. He married, June 9, 1881, Mary Adelia Chesebrough, born July 30, 1857, daughter of Gideon P. and Anna Adelia (Lasher) Chesebrough, who survives her husband and makes the old farm her home during the summer months. Five children were born to Eugene and Mary Adelia Palmer: Henry Rhodes, of further mention; Daniel Stanton, born September 25, 1884, died May 29, 1903; Mary, born May 2, 1886, died May 5, 1886; Adelia M., born December 2, 1887, married Stanley Clark John- son, and resides in Providence, Rhode Island; Jean, born August 7, 1900.
Henry Rhodes Palmer, of the ninth American gen- eration and also the ninth in the town of Stoning- ton, Connecticut, only living son of Eugene and Mary Adelia (Chesebrough) Palmer, was born at the homestead upon which he now resides and cul- tivates, October 26, 1882. He was for years con- nected with the Narragansett Electric Lighting Company of Providence, Rhode Island, and made his home in that city. He later returned to the homestead, where he continues. He is a director of the New London County Farm Bureau, and a man of modern ideas on all subjects. He is an attendant of the First Congregational Church and a generous supporter of same. In politics he is a Republican.
Henry R. Palmer married, January 1, 1908, Nancy Louise Wheeler, and they are the parents of two children: Sylvia Wheeler, born January 21, 1910; Nancy Wheeler, born September 13, 1920.
THORNTON N. M. LATHROP-Since 1915 Mr. Lathrop has been established in New London in the automobile business, having the agency for the Franklin and Studebaker cars. He is a young man, but since 1906 has been actively employed in some form of construction work, and is a thoroughly capable and efficient young man. He is a son of Edward F. and Nancy (Lane) Lathrop, who at the time of the birth of their son were living in Brook- lyn, New York. Edward F. Lathrop was born at South Hadley Falls, Massachusetts, and in early manhood became a contractor of railroad construc- tion, senior member of the Lathrop & Shea Com- pany, whose office headquarters were in New Haven, Connecticut. He was engaged in railroad construction until his death, in Brooklyn, New York, in 1910. His wife, born on Long Island, sur- vives him, and is a resident of Brooklyn, New York.
Thornton N. M. Lathrop, youngest of the five children of Edward F. and Nancy (Lane) Lathrop, was born in Brooklyn, New York, March 8, 1886. He was educated in Brooklyn public schools, finish- ing with graduation from high school in 1906. The two years following he was employed as salesman for the Brooklyn Edison Company, and for two years next following (1908-1910), he was associated with his father in the Lathrop & Shea Company, engaged in railroad construction. In 1910 he lo- cated in New London, Connecticut, and, with R. P. Smith, established a garage and agency for the E. M. F. and Hudson cars. In 1915 he began busi- ness under his own name as agent for the Franklin and Studebaker automobiles and has established a garage, salesrooms and service station on Montauk avenue, where he is meeting with merited success.
Mr. Lathrop is a member of the Auto Dealers' Association of New London; member and past president of the Harbor Club; member and director of the Rotary Club; and a member of the Chamber of Commerce, of New London. In Masonry he has attained the thirty-two degrees of Norwich Valley Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and in the York Rite is affiliated with Brainard Lodge, No. 102, Free and Accepted Masons; Union Chapter, No. 7, Royal Arch Masons; Cushing Chap- ter, Royal and Select Masters; and Palestine Com- mandery, Knights Templar. He is also a noble of Pyramid Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Bridgeport. In politics, he is a Republican, and in religious affiliation, a mem- ber of the St. James' Protestant Episcopal Church.
On June 17, 1908, Mr. Lathrop married Clara May Smith, of New London, daughter of William W. Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Lathrop are the parents of two sons: Richard T., and Donald C.
THEODORE N. HANSEN-A practical man in an eminently practical field of endeavor, Mr. Han- sen is bearing a significant part in the growth and development of the Mason & Hansen Company, of which he is president.
Mr. Hansen is a son of Hans Peter and Christina
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(Ingeberg) Hansen. The elder Mr. Hansen was born in Apenrade, Denmark, and educated in the national schools of his native land. Learning the carpenter's trade there, he followed it throughout his lifetime, first in Denmark and later in this country. le came to the United States in 1880, locating in New Haven, Connecticut, residing there until his death, in 1919. His wife, who was also born in Apenrade, Denmark, survives him, and is a resident of Waterbury, Connecticut. Their three children are as follows: Anna D., who died at the age of ten years; Theodore N., whose name heads this review; and Katie M., the wife of Thomas B. Blaikie, of Waterbury.
Theodore N. Hansen was born in New Haven, Connecticut, March 30, 1888. Receiving his educa- tion in the public schools of that city, he early made his start in the business world. Entering the employ of the Peck Brothers Company, wholesale dealers in plumbers' supplies, he continued with this house for eighteen years, for a greater part of the time in the capacity of traveling salesman. In 1920 he became associated with Orion A. Mason, of Medway, Massachusetts, and under the name of the Mason & Hansen Company, founded the present business in the same line for which the experience of both young men had prepared them. The Mason & Hansen Company, located on Sparyard street, New London, is doing a constantly increasing busi- ness in the wholesale distribution of plumbers' sup- plies, and is capitalized at $25,000. The business is at present conducted by Mr. Hansen, president of the company, and E. S. Carpenter, treasurer.
In civic matters Mr. Hansen is interested, and holds a seat in the Chamber of Commerce. Poli- tically, he affiliates with the Republican party. He is a member of Adelphi Lodge, No. 63, Free and Accepted Masons, of Fairhaven, Connecticut; of Palaski Chapter, No. 26, Royal Arch Masons, of Fairhaven; and of Crawford Council, No. 19, Royal and Select Masters, also of Fairhaven. He is a member of the Rotary Club of New London.
Mr. Hansen married Louise Harriet, daughter of Luther E. and Alice (Hewitt) Miller, of Torrington, Connecticut. They have three children: Theodore N., Jr., Henry M., and William P. The family attends the First Congregational Church, of New London.
JOHN B. BEAUVAIS, who is conducting an up-to-date service station in New London, Connec- ticut, was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, Jan- uary 27, 1880, and is a son of Albert and Margaret (Germain) Beauvais. The father, who was born and educated in Plattsburg, New York, has been a machinist all his life, and is a resident of Worcester, Massachusetts.
John B. Beauvais was educated in the parochial schools of Worcester, and after leaving school, from 1894 until 1898, he served an apprenticeship with Reed, Prentice & Company, learning the trade of machinist. At the end of his apprenticeship, Mr. Beauvais enlisted in Company I, 2nd Regiment,
United States Marine Corps, serving in Cuba and the Philippines during the Spanish-American War. He also served in China during the Boxer uprising, when he was stationed at Pekin. While in China, Mr. Beauvais received a special medal for endur- ance shown while on a "like" of two hundred and forty six miles, which was accomplished in a period of ten days. He was discharged from the service on October 12, 1904, and returned to Worcester, Massachusetts, where he filled the position of fore- man in the machine shop of Reed, Prentice & Com- pany for ten years. In 1914, Mr. Beauvais came to New London county to accept a position as ma- chinist with the New London Ship and Engine Company, where he continued until December, 1919. At the time he purchased the Willard Service Station, at No. 225 Main street, theretofore con- ducted by John B. Corbin, and has since conducted a thriving business in this line of endeavor, doing all kinds of battery repairs.
With the veteran organizations in New London, Mr. Beauvais is identified, being a member of the G. M. Cole Camp, No. 7, Spanish War Veterans, and also of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He is a member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church. Politically, he supports the Republican party.
Mr. Beauvais married, June 27, 1906, in Wor- cester, Massachusetts, Mattic Jarvis, daughter of Augustus and Meciline (Brockway) Jarvis, of New York State. Mr. and Mrs. Beauvais have four children: Lawrence J., Roland J., Bernard J. C., and Margaret M., all born in Worcester.
AUSTIN AVERY MAINE-Among the sub- stantial citizens of New London county was Austin Avery Maine, successful farmer and merchant, who during his entire lifetime lived and worked in vari- ous towns and cities of his native county. Born in the town of Griswold, New London county, Con- necticut, December 20, 1868, son of Avery Alonzo and Mary Jane (Brown) Maine, he was reared and educated in North Stonington, to which place his parents removed soon after his birth. Griswold was the birthplace of his mother, born September 16, 1847, died, at North Stonington, in 1873.
Austin Avery Maine attended the district schools of North Stonington, Connecticut, and Westerly, Rhode Island, after which he assisted his father upon the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age. He then hired a farm in Stonington, which he worked for one year, and then moved to North Stonington, rented a farm and settled down to the serious business of becoming a successful farmer. For seventeen years he worked steadily and effi- ciently, then, in 1906, he quit farming, bought out the general store of Calvin Hoxie, in the village of North Stonington, and successfully conducted the business until 1908, at which time, in December, he sold out to Brown & Stone, moved to Voluntown, Connecticut, and took over the management of the farm property and general store of his grandfather, Palmer A. Brown, who was too far along in years to continue the conduct of the business. Under this
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new arrangement, the grandfather owned the store building, while Austin Avery Maine owned and conducted the business. Here he continued until 1916, when he rtired, continuing to live in Volun- town during the remainder of his life. He died September 26, 1918.
Politically, Mr. Maine supported the Republican party. He served the town of North Stonington as tax assessor, being the candidate of both parties, and filled several public offices of trust, including that of tax collector during a term of several years. A member of the Third Baptist Church of North Stonington, he was active in its work, serving as trustee and as a member of the finance committee, as well as giving of his time and his means for the furtherance of its various lines of work. He was also a member of the North Stonington Grange, No. 138, and of Court Advance, No. 3836, Independent Order of Foresters.
On March 30, 1890, he married, at North Stoning- ton, Connecticut, Eva Angeline Burdick, daughter of Horace Franklin and Mary Frances (Shirley) Burdick, both natives of North Stonington, and both deceased. Since the death of Austin Avery Maine, Mrs. Maine has removed to the village of North Stonington, where, among the friends and scenes of her childhood, she is passing the peaceful evening of her life.
THE PRENTIS FAMILY-Three generations of the Prentis family are herein reviewed, their heads being: Captain Benjamin Prentis, a farmer and sea- faring man, sailing his own fishing smack; his son, Eldredge Packer Prentis, undertaker and funeral director of New London; his son, Samuel Mott Prentis, his father's business associate and suc- cessor. Two of these three men have passed "to that bourne from which no traveler ever returns," but the third, Samuel M. Prentis, is one of New London's active and respected citizens, successful in business, esteemed in private life, and prominent in city affairs.
Captain Benjamin Prentis was born at the Prentis homestead in Waterford, Connecticut, and was edu- cated in the district public school, attending its sessions during the winter term, and working on the farm during the summer months. The farm lay along the Connecticut coast, and at certain seasons the lad would slip on one of the smacks sailing out of New London harbor. Later he left the farm, and finding fishing a profitable business, adopted it as his regular occupation. He prospered, and finally became the owner of his own vessel, and for many years he was a regular "banks" fisherman, sailing from New London and delivering his fish to New York City buyers. He ran his schooner on her fishing trips from New London to the "banks," thence to New York City, and for many years was very succesful and widely known among the sca-going community as a brave and skillful skipper. He finally retired from the sea and lived a quiet life in New London, free from business cares, until his death. He was for many
years custodian of the Light House Department, of New London.
Captain Prentis married Miranda Beckwith, born in East Lyme, Connecticut, who also died in New London, and they were the parents of seven chil- dren, two of whom are living: Kate, wife of H. C. Holmes, of New London, Connecticut; and Ste- phen A., who married Carrie Mason, and resides in New London.
Eldredge Packer Prentis, son of Captain Ben- jamin and Miranda (Beckwith) Prentis, was born in Waterford, New London county, Connecticut, March 25, 1848, died in New London, February 15, 1921. He was the third child of his parents, and was given a good public school education. After school life was ended he became a clerk in Ralph Smith & Son's general store of New London. Hc continued in business in New London as an em- ployce until reaching the age of thirty-four, then, in 1882, purchased the undertaking business of Hammond & Caulkins, having been a partner in that firm during the previous year. In 1883 he purchased the entire interest, and from that year until his death conducted the business under his own name. He became widely known as an under- taker, maintained a well-equipped establishment, and was the leading funeral director of the city. He invested largely in New London real estate, and was highly esteemed, his sudden death carry- ing sorrow to many homes where he was well known and loved.
Eldredge P. Prentis married, in New London, Olive Mott, daughter of Samuel Mott, of Water- ford, Connecticut. She died in New London, in 1915, leaving a son, Samuel Mott, of further men- tion. Mr. Prentis was a Republican in politics, and both he and his wife were members of the Congregational church.
Samuel Mott Prentis, only child of Eldredge Packer and Olive (Mott) Prentis, was born in New London, Connecticut, September 26, 1879, and there yet resides, one of the leading undertakers of the city. He was educated in New London public schools, and in 1896 finished his course with gradu- ation from Bulkeley High School. During the ensning nine years, 1896-1905, he was an office salesman with F. H. and A. H. Chappell, of New London, his experience with that firm being most valuable and profitable. In 1905 he became asso- ciated with his father in the undertaking business, that connection existing for sixteen years, when the hand of death was laid upon the senior member. The son, Samuel M. Prentis, upon the passing of Eldredge P. Prentis, succeeded the latter as head of the business, which, since 1883, has been in the Prentis name, a period of thirty-eight years.
Mr. Prentis is a Republican in politics, and for two terms has represented the Second Ward on the New London Board of Aldermen. He is an ardent and influential party man, and works hard for the triumph of party candidates. He is a mem- ber of New London Lodge, No. 360, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he is a past
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exalted ruler; member of Nonanemtuc Tribe, No. 40, Improved Order of Redmen; New London Chamber of Commerce; Konomoc Hose Company, of New London; the Thames Club; and Connec- ticut State Funeral Directors' Association.
WALTER BODINE SMITH JEFFERS-En- gaged in a somewhat varied business carcer during a life that ended far short of the allotted three- score years and ten, the recent death of Walter Bodine Smith Jeffers removed from Palmertown, Connecticut, a man who had done his work well and whose loss was keenly felt by those with whom he had been associated. He died in Palmertown, August 9, 1920, and was buried in Hanover, Connec- ticut.
Walter Bodine Smith Jeffers was the son of Jo- siah Jeffers, a native of Atlantic City, New Jersey, who in his early life had been a seafaring man, but in later years had been employed as a mechanic in Connecticut. His death occurred in 1903, at the age of sixty years. He was buried in the family plot in Jewett City Cemetery. The mother of Walter Bodine Smith Jeffers was Lucy (Yerring- ton) Jeffers, of Jewett City.
Born in Jewett City, Connecticut, April 18, 1865, Walter Bodine Smith Jeffers was educated in the public schools there, and following this went to his father's old home in Atlantic City, where he re- maincd for a few years. Returning to Jewett City, Mr. Jeffers was employed for a time in flower cul- ture, assisting in the care of a greenhouse, later going into one of the mills in Jewett City. In 1907, accepting the position of superintendent of the Camp Grounds at Willimantic, Mr. Jeffers lived for two years in that city. In April, 1909, he came to Palmertown and entered into mill work again, continuing thus occupied until his death.
During the Spanish-American War, Mr. Jeffers enlisted at Niantic, Connecticut, and was assigned for duty at Savannah, Georgia, where he served as a corporal in Company C, Third Regiment.
Walter Bodine Smith Jeffers is survived by his widow, Mrs. Margaret Louise (Allen) Jeffers, whom he married October 10, 1900, in Hanover, Connecticut. She is the daughter of Alexander Allen, a successful farmer of Hanover, a man who had been prominently connected with affairs in that town, and was for years a deacon in the Congre- gational church there. He died in 1895. His wife was Caroline Allen, whom he married in Illinois, having met her there during a trip which Mr. Allen made through the West. Their daughter, Margaret Louise Jeffers, was born in Charlton, Massachu- setts, March 12, 1872. She had two brothers, Pratt Allen and William Allen who are now deceased.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Jeffers left two sisters, Mrs. Robert Smith, of Phenix, Rhode Island, and Mrs. Fred Gilbert, of Jewett City. Mrs. Mar- garet Louise (Allen) Jeffers is now librarian of the Community Library, Palmertown.
VIGGO E. BIRD, general manager of the Con- necticut Power Company, to which office he was appointed January 1, 1920, is a man whose ever alert public spirit and ready cooperation in all that concerns the general welfare constitute a lasting claim on the regard of the city of New London.
Regnar E. Bird, father of Viggo E. Bird, was born in London, England. When two years old his father moved to Flensburg, Slesvig-Holstein, to look after his shipping interests, and incidently served as British Counsel. The boy secured his primary schooling in Flensburg, but at the age of twelve years was sent to a boarding school near Copenhagen, Denmark. After graduating from this school he matriculated at the University of Copen- hagen, in the engineering department, and was subsequently graduated from this institution with the degree of Civil Engineer. He remained in Copenhagen, Denmark, where today he is one of the leading engineering contractors of that country. He married Regina Ewaldsen, and to them have been born four children: Svend, who married Jo- hanna Schmidt, and is an interior decorator in Copenhagen; Tagc, who married Jennie Nielsen, and is a civil engineer at Valparaiso, Chili; Uffe, who is a civil engineer, being associated with his father in business, and who married Elizabeth Olsen; Viggo E., of further mention.
Viggo E. Bird, son of Regnar E. and Regina (Ewaldsen) Bird, was born in Copenhagen, Den- mark, April 29, 1885. After graduating from the local high school, he entered the engineering de- partment of the University of Copenhagen, winning from this institution, in the class of 1902, the degree of Mechanical Engineer. Two years later he came to the United States and upon landing in New York City, remained there for a while in the employ of the General Electric Company. Some months later, however, he resigned and went to Boston, Massa- chusetts, where he entered the Masaschusetts Insti- tute of Technology, graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1908, and working for the next ten years for the following companies: Assistant engineer for Harmond V. Hayes, of Bos- ton; engineer for Stone & Webster, of Boston; general superintendent of the Fall River Gas Com- pany; and then to New London, where he secured a position as manager of the New London division of the Connecticut Power Company. In this capac- ity he proved himself to be an able organizer and executive, kcenly alert to every changing phase of the business, and as a man of keen foresight, he was promoted to his present position, general man- ager of all the divisions for the Connecticut Power Company, January 1, 1920.
The thorough business qualifications of Mr. Bird have always been in great demand on boards of directors of various institutions, and his public spirit has led him to accept many such trusts. He is director of the Lawrence Memorial Asso- ciated Hospital of New London; director and
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