USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 25
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The son of Joel Henry and Addie (Woodmansee) Fox, Albert John Fox, was born in Montville on his father's farm, July 28, 1875, spending his boyhood and youth on the farm and attending the local schools, where he acquired an education. When twenty-two years old Mr. Fox came to the town of Montville, in 1897, and obtaining employment in one of the mills went to work as an ordinary mill hand, beginning at the
bottom and working his way upward until now he is foreman of the mill. Not only has Albert John Fox made good in the mill : he has a large farm just outside the town (Oakdale), this being the homestead place of which Mr. Fox is manager, and he has made a great success of it, working carly and late to bring it to its present prosperous condition. In the matter of politics, Mr. Fox is not bound to any party, but follows the dic- tates of his conscience in voting for a candidate for office.
Albert John Fox was united in marriage with Ellen C. Johnson, a native of Hartford, Connecticut, born September 18, 1876. She is the daughter of Bernard and Mary (Anderson) Johnson. Of this union two children have been born: Albert Henry and Charles Raymond, both born on the homestead place in Oak- dale, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Fox are members of the First Congregational Church in Montville Center.
THOMAS JOSEPH LYNCH was born in Leb- anon, Connecticut, March 26, 1875, the son of Michael and Eleanor (Sullivan) Lynch. Michael Lynch was born in County Cork, Ireland. He came to this country at the age of seventeen years, locating in Lebanon, where he purchased a farm and subsequently became employed by the Haywood Rubber Company factory in Lebanon, in which industry he continued until the fac- tory closed. He then returned to his farm in Lebanon and has conducted it to date, having purchased the farm in 1873. Mrs. Lynch was also a native of Ireland; she died in Lebanon, September 25, 1917, and is buried in Greenville. To Mr. and Mrs. Lynch were born seven children : 1. Katie, born in Lebanon, wife of Thomas Craney, of Norwich. 2. Timothy, born in Lebanon, now lives in Norwich. 3. Thomas Joseph, mentioned below, born on the Lynch farm, Lebanon, as were all later children. 4. Mary, died in infancy. 5. Mary, employed in Palmer Brothers' Mill, Fitchville, Con- necticut. 6. Nellie, at home. 7. Anna, died in infancy.
The boyhood of the lad Thomas Joseph was spent on his father's farm, and most of the time was given in aiding the elder man in his work about the place. After terminating his studies in the Lebanon schools, he con- tinned to reside with his parents, and was employed by the neighboring farmers so that he gained a wide and extensive knowledge of the subject, and became well skilled in agricultural methods generally. Thus he con- tinued until 1902, when he came to Fitchville and accepted his present position as head farmer of the Palmer Brothers' Mill farm in the town of Bozrah, which consists of 600 acres, and he also has charge of all outside work, such as teaming, hauling, etc. Upon coming to this community Mr. Lynch purchased an attractive little farm, and together with his sister he has continued to reside here up to the present time. His spare time is devoted to the cultivation of his own property, which he has already brought to a highly productive state. Mr. Lynch is one of those men who take a deep inteerst in the welfare of the community in which they reside, and as such identifies himself with all that makes for the betterment of civic conditions. He is a Democrat in politics, and attends St. John's Roman Catholic Church, Fitchville, Connecticut.
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VINCENT MASTRODDI-John Mastroddi, a merchant of Rome, Italy, died there in December, 1910, at the age of seventy-four years, and there was buried. He married Catherine Chicarelli, also born in Rome, who after the death of her husband came to the United States and joined her children. She now resides in New Britain, Connecticut, aged 56 years.
Vincent Mastroddi, son of John and Catherine (Chi- carelli) Mastroddi, was born in Rome, Italy, July 4, 1882, and there spent the years of his minority, securing .a good education. He came to the United States in 1913, and for ten years was variously employed, his last position prior to coming to New London county being with Armour & Company, of Chicago, in their Hart- ford, Connecticut, branch. In 1920 he opened a general store near New London, Connecticut, there remaining until recently, when he moved his business to Palmers- town in the town of Montville in the same county, and there is successfully conducting a general store.
Vincent Mastroddi married (first) Rose Filippo, born in Buenos Aires, South America, April 30, 1889, died December 4, 1918, daughter of Dominick Filippo. They were the parents of five children : Catherine, born Au- gust 10, 1907; John, born September, 1909; Loquina, born October 28, 1913; Anna, born June 4, 1916; Rose, born November 20, 1918. Mr. Mastroddi married (sec- ond) Mrs. Anna (Johnson) Daniel, born in Montville, Connecticut, daughter of Swanty and Ida Johnson, and by her first marriage was the mother of two children, William and Clinton, the first named killed in an auto- mobile accident, October 28, 1920. Mr. Mastroddi is a member of the Woodmen of America, the Catholic church, Pequot Council, No. 125, Knights of Columbus, of Montville, and Norwich Lodge, No. 430, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
ERASTUS DENISON MINER-In 1646 Lieu- tenant Thomas Miner, an officer of Colonial soldiers, settled in New London, Connecticut, and from that year Miner has been an honored New London county name. Erastus Denison Miner, born in Stonington, Connecti- cut, December 16, 1830, died April 23, 1907, was of the eighth generation in Connecticut, and son of Elias and Betsey (Brown) Miner, his father a farmer of Ston- ington all his life. His wife, Betsey (Brown) Miner, was also born in Stonington, and they were the parents of four children, Erastus D., the youngest.
Erastus D. Miner was educated in the district schools .of the town of Stonington, and early became a farmer. In 1858 he bought a farm of fifty acres in the Hinckley Hill section in his native township, and there he resided until his death at the age of seventy-seven years. He was a Republican in politics, although he took no part in politics, but he was a devoted member of Broad Street Congregational Church, of Westerly, Rhode Island, and served that church as deacon for forty years. He was a man of upright life and industrious habits, highly esteemed in his town.
Erastus D. Miner married, August 15, 1852, Jane Breed, who died in Stonington, july 1, 1910. On August 15, 1902, they celebrated their Golden Wedding day. Five years later the husband died, his widow surviving
him three years. Four children were born to Erastus D. and Jane (Breed) Miner : I. Herman E., married (first) Fannie Savitte; (second) Fannie Wilcox; (third) Ethel Thorpe, who survives him, a resident of Westerly, Rhode Island. 2. Sarah, married (first) Herman Brown; (second) Henry L. Allen, of North Stonington, Connecticut. 3. Mary E., married Frank E. Wilcox, and resides on the home farm. 4. Annie E., married John Seymour, and resides in Pawcatuck. The home place of fifty acres is run by Frank E. Wilcox.
STAVROS FRANCIS PETERSON - Widely known in New London and Norwich, Connecticut, as owner of the favorite confectionery shops, Stav- ros F. Peterson is a leading manufacturing confec- tioner of the State.
Mr. Peterson was born of Greek parents, in Bathy Erdek, Asia Minor, on March 20, 1887. Re- ceiving a limited education in his native land, he came to the United States as a boy of thirteen to work for his uncle, who was also a confectioner.
Thoroughly familiarizing himself with the busi- ness, Mr. Peterson established a store in New Lon- don in 1907 under the name of Paterson & Peterson. In I911 he opened a branch store in Norwich, under the title of Peterson & Tyler. Later, under title of Peterson & Nichols, Inc., he engaged in the inanufacture of confectionery at Waterbury, Con- necticut. This business was subsequently brought to New London and established in the old Boss cracker factory, but was later discontinued. In 1913 he purchased the William Frisbie store in Norwich, which business, combined with the larger and more important store in New London, was incorporated for $50,000, and has come to be a leader in the confectionery business not only in the county, but in the State. Mr. Peterson is presi- dent of the company. They make the finest candies and also handle an extensive catering business. In the New London store alone he employs twenty- five people.
Mr. Peterson is a member of the Chamber of Commerce of both New London and Norwich. Dur- ing the World War he enlisted in the United States navy, and was stationed at the Cloyne School, Newport, Rhode Island, as chief of the Commissary Division. He entered the service on April 20, 1917, and was discharged on December 24, 1918. He is now a member of the John Coleman Prince Post, American Legion.
Politically, Mr. Peterson supports the Republican party. Fraternally, he is a member of Brainard Lodge, No. 102, Free and Accepted Masons; Union Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons; Cushing Coun- cil, Royal and Select Masters; Knights Templar; and the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of Mo- hican Lodge, No. 85, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and of New London Lodge, No. 360, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the Rotary Club and the John Winthrop Club, both of New London.
On June 16, 1920, Mr. Peterson married Henrietta
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L. Costigan, of New York City, and they attend St. James' Episcopal Church, of New London. They reside at the Mohican Hotel.
FREDERICK WILLIAM CHAPEL-The old Hill estate now owned by Frederick W. Chapel and his brother, Charles L. Chapel, has been in the Hill family for over sixty years. Mr. Chapel is a resi- dent of the village of Montville, and there is engaged in milling and farming. He is a son of Leander Davis Chapel, born in Chesterfield Society, town of Montville, New London county, Connecticut, the Chapel family being one of the old families of the county. He married Sibyl Fox Hill, daughter of George Washington Hill, of Montville. They were the parents of two sons: Frederick W., of further mention; Charles Leander, born March 16, 1879.
Frederick W. Chapel was born in the village of Palmerstown, New London county, Connecticut, May 14, 1870. He was educated in the village pub- lic schools and Norwich Business College, finishing courses at the latter institution with graduation. His first mercantile position was with Sherman & Larkin as clerk in their grocery store in Montville, but later he went in the same capacity with F. C. Sherman, a merchant of Palmer, Massachusetts. He remained there but seven months, then returned to Palmerstown, where he has since resided, et- gaged in mill operations and farming. He owns, as stated, in company with his brother, the old Hill homestead, and is a man of high standing in his community. For seven years he has been a mem- ber of the Board of Relief for the town of Mont- ville, member of Montville Centre Congregational Church, member of Thames Lodge, No. 22, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and a Republican in politics.
JACOB DICK is one of those men whose suc- cess is in every sense of the word self-made, the result of his own indefatigable belief in his ability to succeed. Coming to this country when but fif- teen years of age, he has won his own way to the position which he holds in the community to-day.
Jacob Dick was born in Bavaria, April 1, 1875, the son of the late Frederick and Gertrude (Fuss) Dick, both natives of Bavaria. The boy Jacob went to school in his native place until he was twelve years of age. The business of life then began for the lad, and he apprenticed himself to the bakers' trade. In 1890, at the age of fifteen years, he came to this country and located in Brook- lyn, New York, where he secured employment as a baker until 1893, when he went to New London, Connecticut, and worked at his trade in various places until 1918, when he purchased the A. C. Weeks Bakery in Mystic, Connecticut, since which time he has conducted this enterprise under the name of The Mystic Home Bakery. Previous to buying this business, Mr. Dick had been manager of it for Mr. Weeks for seven years, and during
this time gained a thorough knowledge of its vari- ous branches.
In politics Mr. Dick is a Republican, and while he has never consented to hold office is nevertheless somewhat active in political circles, and always as a good citizen gives loyal support to measures calcu- lated to promote the welfare of Mystic. He is active in church work, and is a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church of Mystic. Mr. Dick is also affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Stonington Lodge, No. 26.
On June 11, 1897, Jacob Dick was united in mar- riage with Elizabeth (Muller) Dieter, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Fischer) Muller, widow of the late Emile Dieter, who died in New London, 1894, and the mother of three children: George D., married Nellie Menge, resides in Mystic; Catherine, married to Augustus Dick, resides in Norwich; Augusta, married Otto Hoppe, resides in Montreal, Canada. To the marriage of Jacob and Elizabeth Dick were born six children, as follows: Carrie, who married Francis Brown, of Reading, Massachu- setts; Gertrude, who married Charles Phee, of Waterbury, Connecticut; Minnie, who married Har- old Fox; Winifred, Jacob F., and Edward J.
CLARENCE A. COOGAN is the youngest child of six children of Edward C. and Lucy E. (Crumb) Coogan, of Mystic, Connecticut. Edward C. Coogan, born in Boston, Massachusetts, came to Putnam, Connecticut, when a boy and there at- tended public schools. Later he located in Mystic, obtaining employment with the Standard Machine Company and there continues, having been receiv- ing and shipping clerk for the past twenty-one years, 1899-1920.
Clarence A. Coogan was born in Mystic, Connec- ticut, August 1, 1898. He obtained a good grammar school education in the Mystic public schools. He completed his studies in Stonington High School in 1917, and at once began farming as a business in the town of Stonington, near Mystic. He rented the Walter Morgan farm of one hundred and twenty acres near Mystic, and there has since con- ducted profitable farming and poultry raising opera- tions. He is a member of Mystic Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, and in politics a Republican.
Mr. Coogan married, March 5, 1919, Clara Avery Morgan, daughter of Walter C. and Martha (Wheeler) Morgan, of Mystic. They are both mem- bers of the Congregational church. They are the parents of two children: Clarissa Avery, born in the town of Stonington, October 10, 1920; Edward Carle, born January 27, 1921.
TORRES OLSEN-From Mandal, the southern- most town of Norway, twenty-three miles from Christiansand, on the Skagerrak, came Torres Olsen, now and for twenty-five years engineer with the T. A. Scott Company, of New London, Connecticut. He is a son of Ole and Bergetta Olsen; his father also born in Mandal, where he died at the age of
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forty-five, in 1897, leaving the following children: Elias, Torres, Olaf, Christian, and Tobine.
Torres Olsen, second son of Ole and Bergetta Olsen, was born in Mandal, Norway, August 15, 1877, and there spent the first eighteen years of his life. He obtained his education in the public schools, and continued his father's helper until 1895, when he came to the United States, finding employment and a home in New London, Connec- ticut. Soon after coming to New London he en- tered the employ of the T. A. Scott Company as engineer and there he has continued for a quarter of a century. The T. A. Scott Company are wreck- ing contractors, and during his service with them Mr. Olsen has had many exciting experiences, for wherever there is a wreck the Scott Company is found, and wherever the Scott Company wrecking outfit is found there will Torres Olsen be found, sometimes in a diver's suit ready for a descent into the dark places beneath the surface, sometimes in the engine room or on other duty, but wherever you find him you will find a man of efficiency, devoted to his employers' interests, and ready for duty. He has worked on many wrecks all along the coast, and made many descents as a diver. He is highly regarded by his employers and by his associates in the often hazardous business in which they are engaged. Men learn to value fidelity and faithfulness in such a business, a business where a man's life hangs on the cooperation of another, and where a slight deviation from the agreed plan may mean disaster to all. So Torres Olsen has gained the reputation he holds, for on his quick action and promptness, his clear head and strong arın, men know they may confidently rely.
Torres Olsen married Hulda Lofholm, born in Finland, July 24, 1875, daughter of Carl Lofholm. Mr. and Mrs. Olsen are the parents of three chil- dren: Carl Olaf, born October 7, 1903; Walter Will- iam, born October 7, 1905, died April 18, 1920; Edith Johanna, born February 10, 1908. The family home is at No. 53 Sherman street, New London, Connecticut.
LUTHER CLINTON TEFFT-The first position Luther C. Tefft ever held in a mill was with the Palmer Brothers Quilt Mills, and since that time he has filled many positions, now being assistant superin- tendent of the Bank's Paper Mills in Montville, Con- necticut. He is a son of Elmer Tefft, a farmer of the town of Griswold, New London county, Connecticut, but later moved to a farm in Oakdale, Connecticut, where he is now living, aged fifty-four years. He married Jessie McClure, born in Griswold, Connecticut.
Luther Clinton Tefft was born at the home farm in the town of Griswold, Connecticut, August 28, 1891. He attended public schools until fifteen years of age, then secured employment with the Palmer Brothers Quilt Mills in Montville, his parents having previously moved there. He remained three years with Palmer Brothers, going thence to what is now the Keyes Prod- ucts Company's mill, where he remained until 1915.
In that year he came to his present position, assistant superintendent of the Bank's Paper Mills in Montville. Mr. Tefft is a member of Oxoboxo Blue Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, in Montville, Connecticut, and in politics is extremely independent.
Mr. Tefft married Mabel La Flame, born in Yantic, Connecticut, February 11, 1892, daughter of James and Grace (Windsor) La Flame. Mr. and Mrs. Tefft are the parents of four children: Dorothy T., born Feb- ruary 7, 1912; Ruth, born January 26, 1914; Elsie, born February 16, 1917; Luther, born May 5, 1920. Mr. and Mrs. Tefft are members of the Episcopal church of Norwich, Connecticut.
ROBERT THOMAS BAKER-James Baker, of early Colonial family, was born in Brooklyn, Con- necticut, and all his life was a farmer in different Connecticut towns. He died in the year 1900, aged fifty-five years. He married Sophia Fitch, who died in 1890, aged forty years. They were the parents of sons, James Albert and Robert T .; and daughters, Mary, married Luciun Bishop, and Elizabeth, married George Kimball.
Robert Thomas Baker, son of James and Sophia (Fitch) Baker, was born in Woodstock, Connecticut, June 29, 1870. His parents moved to Pomfret, Con- necticut, in 1871, and there the boy grew to manhood. He remained at home during his minor years, then was employed in various places until 1892, when he spent three years in Bozrah, Connecticut, engaged as a painter. The next fifteen years were spent in farming in Pom- fret, on the Sawyer place, after which Mr. Baker spent two years in farming in the town of Norwich, then spent two years in Bozrah, then bought his present farm in the town of Montville, in the Raymond Hill District, i11 1914.
Mr. Baker married, in Bozrah, November 1, 1893, Jessie Sawyer, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Perkins) Sawyer. Joseph Sawyer was of a Lynn, Massachusetts, family of manufacturing people. He died in 1910, and was buried in Hartford, Connecticut. Mary (Perkins) Sawyer, born in Bozrah, August 18, 1850, was a daugh- ter of Samuel Perkins. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have no children. He is an enthusiastic trapper and hunter and very skillful. In politics he is a Republican. They attend and support the Congregational church.
HENRY HASKELL GALLUP-The Norwich of today is the outgrowth of constructive effort on the part of men endowed with breadth of vision and the practical business ability which carries an individual or a com- munity far and high along the "Way of Progress." Henry Haskell Gallup for nearly twenty years president of the Norwich Belt Manufacturing Company, and for more than fifty years active in the mercantile and indus- trial interests of Norwich, is one of the men who have done most for the development of this city.
In the closing years of the eighteenth century, when the echoes of the Revolutionary guns had scarcely died away in the hearts of New London county citizens, Isaac Gallup, Mr. Gallup's grandfather, was born in that
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part of Groton which is now called "Ledyard." He grew up to be a youth of courageous bearing, and a man of ambition and resource. Seeing both duty and oppor- tunity in the constructive industries which were to develop the new-fledged nation, he became a carpenter and builder, later broadening the scope of his activity by taking up surveying. In 1828 he came to Norwich, bringing his little family with him, but remained for only a year in the town. The year following, he removed to Preston, bought land, and built a home for his family. This property has ever since been known as the Gallup homestead, and is still in the family. He carried on the farm in connection with his other activities, until his death in May, 1867. He married Prudence Geer, who was born in Ledyard, and died at the Gallup home farm in Preston, in the year 1871.
Isaac (2), son of Isaac (1) and Prudence (Geer) Gallup, was born on the farm in the town of Ledyard, New London county, Connecticut, in 1820. With his parents he removed to Norwich in 1828, and was nine years of age when the farm in Preston was bought and the home built. As a young man he assisted his father on the farm, and upon his father's death inherited the property. He continued to conduct the farm until he was able to retire from active work, but lived there throughout his lifetime. He died there in 1906, at the age of eighty-six years, having spent seventy-seven years on the home farm in Preston. He married Maria Theresa Davis, who was born in Preston, and died at the homestead, December 30, 1910. Isaac and Maria Theresa (Davis) Gallup were the parents of three chil- dren, all born on the Gallup homestead in Preston, near Poquetanuck (spelled Poquetannoc in Connecticut State Register and Manual). Henry Haskell, whose name heads this review; Ella Maria, who is now the widow of Avery D. Wheeler, of Norwich, Connecticut; and Charles Davis, who is superintendent and vice-president of the Norwich Belt Manufacturing Company, of whichi his elder brother is president.
Henry Haskell Gallup was born in Preston, January 2, 1846. He received his early education in the district schools near the farm, then completed his studies in private schools. He then taught school for four win- ters, in Ledyard, North Stonington, and Norwich, help- ing on the home place during his vacations.
But the young man was not interested in a profes- sional career, and the future of the city of Norwich appealed to him as full of business possibilities. He came to Norwich in 1868, and secured a position as clerk in a retail clothing store, a little later working as bookkeeper for Barstow & Palmer, in their hardware store. This gave Mr. Gallup practical experience, and a comprehensive grasp of the business situation of the time and the place. In 1871 he made the start which has developed to the important business interest of which he is now the head. He formed a partnership with George S. Smith, and as Smith & Gallup the new firm conducted a business in leather findings, saddle hardware, etc. This arrangement continued until July 10, 1873, and on that date the partners with Frank Ulmer, organized the Norwich Belt Manufacturing Com- pany. They retained the partnership arrangement, which
continued for ten years unchanged, and in that first decade the business was placed on a sound basis and developed to become one of the most promising indus- tries of the city. On September 1, 1883, the senior part- ner, Mr. Smith, retired from the firm, and Mr. Gallup and Mr. Ulmer continued the business jointly. This arrangement continued for ten years, a period of steady growth and development for the firm. The beginning of the twentieth century saw the business developed to such a point that a different form of organization was advisable, and January 1, 1902, the incorporation of the Norwich Belt Manufacturing Company, with a capital of $300,000, became a fact.
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