USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 21
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Albert Eli Paquette was born September 8, 1886. He attended the schools of Williamstown, Massa- chusetts, and then served an apprenticeship in the Paquette Domestic Bakery. Continuing with his father, he acquired a thorough knowledge of the business, and in 1916 formed a partnership with Francis E. Le Blanc. They bought the Paquette Domestic Bakery from Paul Paquette, the father, and have successfully continued the business. The young men have a modern, sanitary plant, and are carrying on an increasingly successful business.
Politically, Mr. Paquette is independent, voting for those candidates who seem to hiim best fitted to fill the office for which they are nominated. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Seaside Council, No. 17, New London, Connecticut; a mem- ber of the Chamber of Commerce, of New London; and a member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, of New London.
MORRIS LUBCHANSKEY-A prominent mem- ber of the New London county bar, with offices in the city of New London, Connecticut, Morris Lub- chanskey is bearing a part in the general progress of the community.
Mr. Lubchanskey is a son of Max and Anna (Wolfe) Lubchanskey. Max Lubchanskey came to the United States from Russia, the land of his birth, in 1892, his family coming later, in 1898. He began life in the new country in the wholesale junk business, and has developed an extensive and important interest in the reclamation of iron and metal waste. He died in 1911.
Morris Lubchanskey, youngest of the six children of Max and Anna (Wolfe) Lubchanskey, was born in Russia, on April 7, 1890, and came to this coun- try in 1898, after the Spanish-American War. Re- ceiving his early education in the public schools of New London, he was graduated from the Bulkeley High School, in the class of 1908. He early deter- mined upon a professional career, and was largely instrumental in working out the financial problems involved. During the four years of his high school course he worked on the New London "Tele- graph," one of the city dailies, as city reporter,
and in connection with this work, gained much valu- able experience as well as funds for his higher edu- cation. Entering the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, in 1909, he was graduated from that institution in 1912, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. In the same year hic was admitted to the Connecticut bar and the Michigan bar, and began the practice of law in New London. He has won his way to success and a position of influence in his profession.
In various interests, Mr. Lubchanskey is active. He is a member of the Connecticut State Bar Asso- ciation and of the New London County Bar Asso- ciation. Politically, he thinks and acts indepen- dently. He is a member of Golden Rule Lodge, No. 359, Frec and Accepted Masons, of Ann Arbor, Michigan; of the Independent Order of B'nai Brith, of New London, and also of the John Win- throp Club, of New London.
On June 27, 1916, Mr. Lubchanskey married Mil- dred C. Frankel, of New York City, daughter of Aaron H. and Lillian (Shapiro) Frankel. Mr. and Mrs. Lubchanskey have onc son, Harold F., born September 21, 1918. The family attend Ahvat Chesed Synagogue.
CHARLES L. MAXSON-Well known among the business circles of New London, Connecticut, is Charles L. Maxson, owner and proprietor of the "Kosy Korner" Restaurant, which is one of the best in the city, and caters extensively to business men. Being a good citizen, as well as an able business man, Mr. Maxson is ever ready to co- operate with everything pertaining to the welfare and advancement of his home community.
Charles L. Maxson was born at New London, Connecticut, July 7, 1886, the son of the late George W. and Adelaide (Cann) Maxson. George WV. Max- son was born in New York City and died at New London, October 11, 1911. At the age of twelve years he came to New London and here in the local public schools continued his education until he entered Amherst College. Following his college career, he early became interested in the laundry business. To Mr. and Mrs. Maxson were born five children, among the number being Charles L., of further mention. Mrs. Maxson survives her hus- band and resides at New London.
The education of the boy Charles L. was ob- tained in the public schools of his native city, after which the business of life commenced for him. His first employment was in the G. M. Williams Hard- ware Store, where he worked as a clerk for eight years, resigning at the end of that time to become a clerk for Palmer Brothers. Here lie remained until 1917 when, on March 20th, of that year, he enlisted in the United States navy, was appointed chief commissary steward, and was stationed at Newport, Rhode Island. On May 20, 1919, he was placed on the reserve list, and at this time re- turned to New London, where he became assistant paymaster of the Groton Iron Works, subse- quently resigning to establish himself in the res-
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taurant business, and this he accomplished on Sep- tember 20, 1920, when he opened the "Kozy Kor- ner" Restaurant. The enterprise has already proven successful, for although it is comparatively but a short time since its inception, business men in large numbers have acquainted themselves with the place, and its popularity is widespread, which is due in no small measure to the capable manage- ment of Mr. Maxson.
Mr. Maxson is a member of the Masonic frater- nity, being affiliated with Brainard Lodge, No. 102, Frec and Accepted Masons; Union Chapter, No. 7, Royal Arch Masons; Cushing Council, No. 7, Royal and Select Masters; Palestine Commandery, Knights Templar; Pyramid Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Bridgeport, Connec- ticut ; Tall Cedars of Lebanon, New London For- est No. 72; and a Thirty-second degree member of Norwich Valley Consistory, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. He is also a member of Mohegan Lodge, No. 55, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is a past grand master; of Orrin En- campment, No. 4, of which he is past chief patriot; and past commander of Canton Unity, No. 19, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Maxson is char- ter member of the Northwest Hose Company, No. 7; and in religious faith is an Episcopalian, attend- ing the church of this denomination in New Lon- don.
On July 14, 1907, at New London, Charles L. Maxson was united in marriage with Mabel Shep- ard, and to them has been born one child, Dorothy F., born January 1, 1913.
CHARLES B. TINKER, of New London, Con- necticut, son of Matthew A. and Carrie (Powers) Tinker, was born in Salem, New London county, Connecticut, June 14, 1888. Matthew A. Tinker was born in the town of East Lyme, New London county, and all his life has been spent as a farmer. He is now a resident of Montville, Connecticut, where he has a farm. He married Carrie Powers, and they were the parents of nine children, Charles B., being the eldest.
Charles B. Tinker was educated in the public schools of Montville. He was first employed by the New York Telephone Company, where he was foreman of construction. He then was employed by the Southern New England Telephone Com- pany, where he filled various offices. From there he went to the Stevens, Duryea Motor Car Com- pany, where he was tester of new chassis, and held other positions. In 1915 he became manager of the Frisbie & McCormick Garage, now W. R. Fris- bic, in New London, and still holds that position. He is a Republican in politics; an attendant of the Baptist church; member of Pequot Lodge, No. 85, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Oxoboxo Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Montville; and New London Lodge, No. 360, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Tinker married Amy Eva Rip, daughter of Howard A. and Eva (Howard) Rip, of
Salem, Connecticut. Children: Elizabeth, Charles B. (2), and Matthew H.
JOHN HENRY WILSON-At "Hillside Farm" in the town of Preston, which has been his home for three decades, Mr. Wilson has proved himself a skillful agriculturist, his farm bearing all the evidences of careful, intelligent cultivation and effi- cient management in all its branches or depart- ments. He is a man of progressive ideas and spirit, a careful, conservative man, and not afraid to trust his own udgment.
James Wilson was born in Jewett City, Connec- ticut, and there learned the trade of machinist. He worked as a journeyman machinist in Norwich, Connecticut, for many years, being employed in the old car shops, becoming boss machinist. He later went to the South, where he died. His wife, Lucy (Harvey) Wilson, was born in Jewett City, and is also deceased. They were the parents of John Henry Wilson, of this review.
John Henry Wilson was born in Preston, New London county, Connecticut, May 1, 1863. He was educated in the public schools, and as a young man was employed in farm and mill work. In 1883 he came to the farm in Preston, which is now his home, as an employe of H. H. Hopkins, and there has since conducted general farming, dairy farming, stock and poultry raising operations. He is a Re- publican in politics, and a member of Preston City Congregational Church. He is a very active mem- ber of the old Preston City Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, and has made "Hillside Farm" an attractive and profitable estate.
Mr. Wilson married, September 11, 1888, Jennie Sarah Hopkins, daughter of Henry H. Hopkins, and a descendant of Governor Stephen Hopkins, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
HENRY HUNT HOPKINS, father of Mrs. John Henry Wilson, was born in the town of Preston, Connecticut, 1808. He was the son of Joseph Olney and Lydia P. (Hazen) Hopkins, grandson of Col- onel Silvanus and Mary (Wanton) Hopkins, and the great-grandson of Rufus Hopkins, who filled many positions of trust in the Revolutionary times, such as judge, assemblyman, and one of the owners and builders of Hope Furnace, which cast cannon for the use of the Continental army. Rufus Hop- kins was the eldest son of Governor Stephen Hop- kins, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Governor of Rhode Island, chief justice of the Superior Court of Rhode Island, and of the fourth American generation of the family which was founded by Thomas Hopkins, the founder of this very old and distinguished family. The line of descent to Governor Stephen Hopkins is through Major William Hopkins, son of the founder; his son, William Hopkins, is the father of Governor Stephen Hopkins.
From such distinguished ancestry came Henry Hunt Hopkins, whose career is herein traced. He
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was educated in the public schools of the "Falls" district of Norwich, and at the age of sixteen years became a machinist's apprentice, attracted to that trade through his father's skilled mastery of metal working. The lad remained two years in Allen's machine shop in Greeneville, his father being superintendent of that plant, but the latter becoming superintendent of the Abner Pearce shop in Norwich Falls, he obtained a position there. He completed his years of apprenticeship, became a good machinist, and when his father died the young man was appointed his sucessor as super- intendent of the plant, although at that time he had not quite reached the age of twenty-one years. He retained that position one year, then trans- ferred his services to Allen & Thurber, going with that firm to Worcester, but later returned to his native State.
He bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Preston, New London county, Connecticut, after returning from Worcester, and there lived for a year, after which time he began working for Christopher Brand, of Norwich county, who was manufacturing whale guns for the use of the whalers, shooting the harpoon instead of hunting it by hand. He continued at that work eighteen months, then returned to his farm in Preston, and about a year later he purchased a block in the newly formed Hopkins & Allen Company, of Nor- wich county, of which firm he became superin- tendent. That company manufactured firearms, and after several years' connection there, Mr. Hopkins sold his stock and returned again to his Preston farm and its management. There he continued his residence until the end of his life, bringing his farm to a high state of cultivation, and con- ducted almost as successfully a dairy proposition. For more than fifty years he lived upon his Preston farm, and no man in town was more genuinely esteemed. He served the town in official capaci- ties, as selectman, assessor, school committeeman, and was most conscientious in the performance of his duties.
His connection with the inventions leading to the typewriting machine is perhaps not well known. During his connection with the firm of Allen & Thurber, Mr. Thurber invented a machine for the use of blind people, and upon this machine Mr. Hopkins, together with Horace Smith, later senior member of the famous Smith & Wesson Arms Company, worked until it was brought to perfec- tion. That machine formed the nucleus of the typewriting machine later invented.
Mr. Hopkins married, November 20, 1842, Lucy Lathrop Sherman, who died January 5, 1899, in Preston, daughter of Nathaniel Sherman, of that town. They were the parents of the following children: I. Joseph H., born August 12, 1843, in Norwich, died in Preston in 1914. 2. Henrietta V., born Septem- ber 7, 1852; married, August 14, 1883, Herbert L. Prentice, and later with her husband moved to Marshalltown, Iowa, where Mr. Prentice engaged
in business as a general merchant; Mrs. Prentice died June 7, 1886; no children. 3. William H., born April 2, 1856, died October 28, 1870. 4. Jennie Sarah, born January 21, 1859, married, September II, 1888, John Henry Wilson, of Preston.
FRANK HORACE BROWN-Long active in mercantile pursuits, and now a leading business man of North Stonington, Connecticut, Frank Hor- ace Brown has for years also taken a progressive and constructive part in the public life of the community.
Mr. Brown is a son of Smith and Rebecca (Miner) Brown, old residents of this vicinity. Smith Brown was born in North Stonington, and there received his education in the district schools near his home. He was a man out of the ordinary, not content always to tread the beaten track. While obviously taking up for his occupation work along agricultural lines, he made his way into a wider field, becoming an extensive dealer in real estate, largely in farm properties. He died in North Stonington in 1892. His wife, who was also born in North Stonington, died about two years pre- viously. They were the parents of six children, of whom four are now living.
Frank Horace Brown, youngest child of Smith and Rebecca (Miner) Brown, was born in Volun- town, Connecticut, September 14, 1851. He also received a practical education in the district schools of the town, then became associated with his father in his farming interests. Continuing along this line until he was twenty-one years of age, the young man then entered the business world. Familiar, as he was, with living conditions in the rural districts, and with the needs of the family under these cit- cumstances, he found the clerkship in the general store in Voluntown the stepping-stone to success. He worked in several different stores in this county, then in 1895 went to Westerly, Rhode Island, and there engaged in business along mercantile lines, remaining there until 1908. In that year he became associated with George H. Stone, whose life is also reviewed in this work, and together they purchased the general store, theretofore conducted by Austin Maine. The partnership still continues Brown & Stone, and this store is the largest and most im- portant in the town of North Stonington.
Mr. Brown has repeatedly been called to the public service. Politically he is a Democrat of the old school, and in 1909 he was elected town repre- sentative to the State Legislature, and again in the election in 1913. During his stay at the Capital he was a member of the Railroad Committee, and also of the State Prison Committee. He served as selectman of the town of North Stonington for a period of five years. Mr. Brown is also a member of the North Stonington Grange, No. 138.
In Voluntown, Connecticut, Mr. Brown married Mary Geer, daughter of Henry C. and Mary (Geer) Gecr, of North Stonington. Their two children, Mary and Henry, died in infancy.
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Frank H Brown
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BIOGRAPHICAL
ERNEST DELANO CHAPMAN-In Clark's Falls, Connecticut, in the eastern part of North Stonington, New London county, the general store of the village has for many years been in the hands of the Chapmans, father and son. Ernest Delano Chapman, the present head of the business, is con- sidered one of the leading men of the village, and of the town of North Stonington, of which this vil- lage is a part.
Mr. Chapman is a son of Edwin Prentice and Carry L. (Whitford) Chapman. Edwin Prentice Chapman was born on Pendleton Hill, North Stonington, September 26, 1835. He received l.is education in the district schools of the neighbor- hood, and for several years taught school here in the winters, working on the farm during the sum- mers. About 1864 he bought out Pelig Clark, of Clark's Falls, for years theretofore the owner of the village store. From that time until the present the store has been in Mr. Chapman's hands. He enlarged the scope of the business, and in 1872 built the large and for that time handsome structure which still accommodates the business. Mr. Chap- man's wife was born in Cranston, Rhode Island, and died in 1900. They were the parents of three children: Ernest Delano, whose name heads this review; Arthur E., now deceased, who married Grace Snow, of Providence, Rhode Island; and Addie C., who became the wife of Elbert W. Clark, in Clark's Falls, where they now reside.
Ernest Delano Chapman was born in Clark's Falls, December 10, 1865. Receiving his early edu- cation in the district schools of the village, he com- pleted his studies at the Providence, Rhode Island, High School. He then became associated with his father in the general store at Clark's Falls. He is still in this business, now taking the management largely into his own hands on account of his father's advancing years. This store is considered one of the leading establishments of its class in the section. In the public interests of the com- munity Mr. Chapman bears a part, as far as his limited leisure will permit. He is affiliated, politi- cally, with the Republican party. His church membership is with the Baptist denomination. He is postmaster of Clark's Falls, having been appointed March 19, 1894.
REUBEN PALMER SMITH-As one of New London's youngest automobile dealers, Mr. Smith has met with decided success in the business in which he has been engaged since 1910, and since 1915, under his own name. He is a son of William W. and Althea (Whiteman) Smith, his father, born in New London, a grocer in that town, conducting a prosperous business.
Reuben Palmer Smith was born in New London, Connecticut, March 12, 1890, and educated in the public schools of the city. He finished his school work in the New London Vocational Training School, and in 1910 began his connection with the automobile business. In that year, in association with his brother-in-law, Thornton N. M. Lathrop,
he established a garage service station and sales- rooms for the E. M. F. and Hudson cars. They operated very successfully until 1915, when the firm dissolved, each partner continuing in the same business. Mr. Smith secured the agency for the Dodge Brothers and Overland cars, and has a garage service station and show rooms at No. 555 Bank street, New London. He is a young man of energy and ability, well-liked and widely-acquainted.
Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics. In his church affiliation he is a member of the Second Congregational Church. He is a member of the New London Auto Dealers' Association, the Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Harbour Club.
Mr. Smith married, in January, 1914, Jeannette Franklin Smith, daughter of Frank Smith, of New London. Mr. and Mrs. R. P. Smith are the parents of a son, Laurence P., and a daughter, Virginia.
EDWIN WEST-Three generations of Wests in this branch have tilled the acres they owned in North Stonington and Stonington, New London county, Connecticut. The first of these was Will- iam West, who came from Rhode Island to North Stonington and bought a farm which at his death went to his son Edwin, and when the latter was "gathered to his fathers," his son Herbert took charge of it.
William West was born in Westerly, Rhode Is- land, in 1810, and died in North Stonington, New London county, Connecticut, in 1886. His early life was spent in Rhode Island, but later he became a farmer of North Stonington and there continued a well known and substantial tiller of the soil until his death at the age of seventy-six. He married Demarius Sisson, who survived him until 1891. They were the parents of eleven children, all of whom have joined the "innumerable throng" except Emily, Mrs. John Johnson, of Ashaway, Rhode Island. Two of the sons, Alfred and Robinson, served in the Union Army during the Civil War, Alfred giving up his life for his country. The fourth child was Edwin, to whose memory this review is dedicated.
Edwin West was born in North Stonington, Con- necticut, January 24, 1831, and died in the village of Stonington, Connecticut, in 1901. He was cdu- cated in the public schools, and early in life became his father's farm assistant. After the death of William West, in 1886, his son, Edwin West, suc- ceeded to the ownership of the home farm, but ill health compelled him to surrender its manage- ment to his son in 1891. Edwin West then left the farm and for the following ten years lived in Ston- ington and there died. He was a man of quiet, industrious life, devoted to his family, and a good citizen.
Edwin West married Sarah Ann Yerington, who died in January, 1912. They were the parents of four children: Edwin Everett, married Elizabeth Chapman, and resides in North Stonington; Jennie, married Charles E. Chapman, of North Stonington;
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Ella, resides with her brother Herbert; Herbert, of further mention.
Herbert West was born at the West homestead in North Stonington, Connecticut, February 18, 1866. He was educated in the public schools, and remained at the home farm as his father's assis- tant until the latter's death in 1901. He continued the operation of the farm until 1905, when he with his sister, Ella West, bought a farm north of the borough of Stonington known as the Hull Farm, part of the Hull Estate, containing one hundred and seventy-five acres, where they reside, both un- married. The home overlooks Long Island Sound and commands a view of Long Island. They also own the Chase farm adoining, the two farms, form- ing an estate of three hundred acres. They are members of the First Congregational Church of Stonington, of which Herbert West is trustee, Stonington Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, and highly esteemed residents of their town. Politically, Mr. West is a Republican.
FRANK G. AUBREY-1t is often difficult to realize how much of time, thought and executive effort must be expended on the ordinary daily needs of the people. Frank G. Aubrey, general manager of the Mohican Market, Norwich, Connecticut, is a man of fine executive ability, whose foresight and judgment have much to do with the daily well- being of the people.
Mr. Aubrey is descended from New York State and Vermont families. His father, Elias A. Aubrey, was born in Albany, New York, where he was edu- cated in the public schools, later becoming & mna- chinist. He followed the same trade all his life, and now resides in New Haven, Connecticut. He married Josephine Thibodeau, of Vermont birth, and they have had nine children, of whom Frank G. is the eldest.
Frank G. Aubrey was born in Albany, New York, July 24, 1881. His parents removed to Norwich, Connecticut, and he received his education in the public schools of that city. He made his start in life as a clerk for Welcome A. Smith, a local grocer. The young man was ambitious, and it was the farthest from his intentions always to remain in a subordinate position, so he made the most of every opportunity to increase his knowledge of the busi- ness, and of business principles in general. He remained in this connection for five years, then became bookkeeper and foreman for R. W. Mar- shall, remaining for a short period. In 1910 he was offered the opportunity to become a member of the working force of the Mohican Market, which he accepted, acting in the capacity of clerk for a time, then rising to positions of greater responsi- bility, until now he is general manager of the mar- ket. The Mohican Market Company is one of the large corporations operating a wide chain of stores throughout the Eastern States. Mr. Aubrey is a Democrat by political choice; he was a member of the Common Council in 1918 and 1919. He is a member of Norwich Lodge, No. 430, Benevolent
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