USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 46
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Lyman Buckingham Smith, son of Henry A. and Harriet Eliza (Mitchell) Smith, was born in the
historic Stoddard homestead, October 15, 1865. This property was formerly owned by a sea captain whose name was Church, and of whom was written the story "Before the Mast." The childhood of Lyman B. Smith was spent on his father's farm, and most of his time was spent in helping the older man with the work about the place. His oppor- tunities for attending school were meagre, and after his brief terms in the local school he remained at home. Upon the death of his father, the son suc- ceeded to the management of this property, and in 1913 purchased the farm of eighty-five acres, which hie now owns in Montville, and which is considered one of the finest and most productive farms in the community-due in no small measure to the tire- less energy of Mr. Smith. He is a Democrat, and has identified himself closely with the local organiza- tion of his party, which, until his business cares necessitated his declining more honors, elected him to numerous important offices. He has been a member of the Board of Relief, of the Board of Assessors, and justice of the peace. In religion, he is a Congregationalist and attends the First Con- gregational Church, of Montville.
Mr. Smith married, September 13, 1893, at Mont- ville, Connecticut, Harriet Champlin, daughter of Captain Azel Fitch and Harriett (Smith) Champlin. Azel Fitch Champlin, who was a sea captain for forty years in the coasting fleet, was the son of Samuel Champlin, who was one of seven sons, all sea captains. Mrs. Champlin was the daughter of Asa and Miranda Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of one son, Lyman Earl.
Lyman Earl Smith was born January 4, 1896. During the World War he enlisted in the United States Army and went to Camp Upton, New York, from which place he was transferred to Camp Meade, and from there ordered across seas, attached to Company M, 79th Division, 313th Infantry. He was wounded in the Argonne Forest, September 26, 1918, and sent to the hospital at Chaumont, where he remained until sent home on the hospital ship "La France," landing in New York December 24, 1918, and being mustered out January 3, 1919. Lyman Earl Smith married Bessie Agnes Bushnell, daughter of Irving Henry and Agnes Jane (Gill- ney) Bushnell, and they are the parents of one child, Elsie Mae, born March 20, 1921.
MERITT ELY TOOKER, for twenty-two years has been postmaster of Uncasville, a village in the town of Montville, New London county, Con- nectient, on the Thames river, six miles north of New London. The village and villagers have greatly changed since 1898, when Mr. Tooker first assumed the duties of custodian of the village mail, and administrations have come and gone, but the village postmaster has survived all changes, and no post- master-general of whatever faith has ever inter- fered with the veteran postmaster of Uncasville.
Mr. Tooker is a son of William B. and Mary Jane
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(Capron) Tooker, his father an engineer, running on boats of the Norwich Line, New London to New York, his home in Montville. He served his town as selectman, town clerk, and in other capaci- ties until his death in Montville in 1912. His wife, Mary Jane Capron, born in Sharon, New York, died in Montville, Connecticut. Mr. Tooker is a mem- ber of Thames Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Loyal Order of Moose; and Oxotoxo Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. He was born in the town of Montville, June 8, 1872, and here he has spent his life.
GEORGE ALEXANDER CHAGNON-Many hardy Canadians have crossed the borderline and come into the United States, where they have en- gaged in agriculture, or in some other line of busi- ness connected with the wood pulp and paper in- dustr .. Among these was Alexander Chagnon, born in the Province of Canada, but brought to the State of Massachusetts when a child. He is now a man of sixty-two, and engaged as an operator in a cotton mill in the city of Lowell. He married Nellie Blanchette, born in Quebec, Canada, daughter of Eli Blanchette, and they became the parents of six children, George A. being the eldest.
George A. Chagnon was born in West Boylston, Massachusetts, June 10, 1880, and attended the pub- lic schools of West Boylston. After leaving school he went on a farm and for twelve years was a tiller of the soil. At the end of that time, feeling that there was greater opportunity in other directions, he went into the Climax Paper Tube Company's employ, and worked there for another twelve years, from 1903 to 1915, when he formed a partnership with A. J. Huggard, under the name, Chagnon, Huggard Company, and established a paper tube business in Montville, Connecticut. This business has steadily prospered and increased, and at the present time is doing a flourishing business, which gives steady employment to a number of people of the village. Mr. Chagnon is a Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of St. John's Roman Catholic Church. Politically, he supports the Republican party.
Mr. Chagnon married Bella Levesque, who was born in Quebec, Canada, December 7, 1888, and they are the parents of seven children: George A .; Irene, who died in infancy; Roland; Paul; Lucien; Robert; and Joseph, who died in infancy. The fam- ily home is in Montville, Connecticut.
FREDERIC A. BARNES-Among the represen- tative citizens of Old Mystic, Connecticut, no name stands out more prominently than that of Frederic A. Barnes, a native of this place, his birth having occurred here January 6, 1866. Mr. Barnes was the son of Amos T. and Mary A. (Browning) Barnes, who had, beside Frederic A., a daughter, Ida, who married Dr. W. H. Gray, of Mystic.
The education of Frederic A. Barnes was ob-
tained in the public schools of Old Mystic, where he acquired the fundamentals that have enabled him, from observation and experience, to attain a general knowledge of men and things, especially fitting him for the management and successful car- rying on of the large enterprises he has been at the head of. After leaving school he assisted his father for several years in the lumbering business, which was carried on in a small way. In 1903 he purchased the farm upon which he now lives, and a little later built the large house he now lives in, which is a model home and equipped with all known modern conveniences. The farm is considered in inany ways the "banner farm" of the town of Ston- ington. It is bounded on the west by the Mystic river, which has a channel at this place twelve feet deep. Every acre of it can be worked by machinery and is very fertile. Inheriting from his father a love of lumbering, Mr. Barnes has for the past fifteen years made this his main business, and no man in the town of Stonington has run as many sawmills or furnished as much material for the government and for private construction as he has.
In politics he is a Republican, but he has never been an office seeker. His Masonic membership is found in Charity and Relief Lodge, No. 72, Free and Accepted Masons; Benevolent Chapter, No. 21, Royal Arch Masons; Mystic Council, No. 29, Royal and Select Masters; Palestine Commandery, No. 6, Knights Templar; Pyramid Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Bridgeport, Connecticut. He is a member of King Solomon Lodge of Perfection, fourteenth degree; Van Rens- selaer Council, Princes of Jerusalem, sixteenth de- gree; Norwich Chapter of Rose Croix, eighteenth de- gree; and Connecticut Consistory of Supreme Princes of the Royal Secret, thirty-second degree, Valley of Norwich, Connecticut. He also is past master of Char- ity and Relief Lodge, No. 72, and of Stonington Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, No. 68, and frater- nizes with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Stonington Lodge, No. 26, of Mystic.
In 1893 Mr. Barnes was united in marriage with Eliza H. Chapman, and to them have been born eight children, namely: Clark A., Esther B., Charles F., Mary E. (deceased), Henry T., Amos A., Ruth A., and Lucy, H. Mr. Barnes and family affiliate with the Old Mystic Methodist Episcopal Church.
HUGH R. WHITMAN-A leader in agricultural affairs, not only of a local nature but of general interest throughout the county, Mr. Whitman, of Waterford, New London county, Connecticut, is a noteworthy figure. Mr. Whitman comes of old Ver- mont ancestry, and is a native of that State. He is a son of Clarence D. and Sarah J. (Redway) Whit- man, and his father, reared on the farm and ex- perienced in various branches of farm endeavor, came from Vermont in 1902, bringing his family and locating on Fisher's Island. He later came to Waterford, but eventually returned to Fisher's Is-
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land, where he still resides. The mother, who also is a native of Vermont, resides on Fisher's Island.
Hugh R. Whitman was born in Brattleboro, Ver- mont, in 1881. When the family removed to Fisher's Island he was old enough to be deeply interested in the farming business, which formed the chief activity of the place, later becoming manager of the poultry farm. Coming to Waterford with the family in 1912, he became his father's associate in the purchase of the Newbury farm, in this town, of which he is now the owner and manager. This farm consists of 225 acres, and carries fifty head of cattle, the milk being disposed of entirely in the city of New London. Mr. Whitman also has an extensive poultry plant here, and carries on some diversified farming. His interest in farm progress throughout the county has long been well known, and with the organized endeavors of recent years in county farm affairs he has been brought into prominence. He has for the past year been presi- dent of the New London County Farm Bureau, and for the past three years has been president of the Waterford Farmers' Exchange, which is doing a splendid work for the agricutural interests of this community. He is also a member of Konomoc Grange, No. 91, Patrons of Husbandry, of Water- ford. Politically, Mr. Whitman supports the Re- publican party, and is a worker for civic advance, but has never sought political honors.
Mr. Whitman married, on Fisher's Island, in 1907, Bessie May Webber, of New York State, and they have one daughter, Margaret Sarah.
JAMES OTIS SWEET-During the years, eighty-two, granted James O. Sweet on earth, he compiled a record of usefulness and success as a business man and public-spirited citizen that will long linger in the memory of his many friends. "In his business life he gave unto every one his just measure, and often more, and he did not seek his own but in a temperate way."
Formed on the good old plan, A true, a brave, and downright honest man.
Loathing pretense, he did with cheerful will What others talked of while their hands were still.
Mr. Sweet was a wise counsellor, a fatherly guide and friend, who kept in touch with progressive ideas in his many business activities. In his private business, and in public affairs, his business ability was strongly manifested. He became treasurer of the town of Griswold when the town was bur- dened with debt, and for fourteen years held that office, leaving to his successor a town free from all indebtedness. In his private business he pros- pered abundantly, but his wealth was fairly earned and when he was called away he took with him the respect and esteem of the community in which the greater part of his life was passed. Benevolent and sympathetic, he aided all good causes; was an ardent lover of his home, and with kindly word and
pleasant smile, greeted his friends and acquaint- ances, his disposition so sunny that seldom, indeed, was he moved to anger. He was deeply interested in young people, and was happiest with his chil- dren and grandchildren about him. He was of honored New England ancestry, and the life rec- ord of this descendant was a tribute to their sterling virtues reflected in him.
James Otis Sweet, son of Constant and Eliza (Greene) Sweet, was born in Kingston, Rhode Is- land, May 7, 1831, died at his home in Sylvandale, in the town of Lisbon, New London, Connecticut, March 27, 1913. He attended the public schools of the district and finished school years at Wickford Academy. He taught school for a short time at Wickford Academy, also at Newport, Rhode Island, but at the age of sixteen entered business life as a clerk with W. H. Allen. Later he started in business for himself in Lafayette, Rhode Island, but in 1858 he moved to Jewett City, in the town of Griswold, New London county, Connecticut, there purchasing from George H. Howard the store for- merly belonging to the old Ashland Cotton Com- pany. He operated this store until 1864, then en- tered the employ of the Ashland Cotton Company as bookkeeper, still, however, continuing his store business. He continued in the employ of the com- pany in the recording department for twelve years, becoming thoroughly familiar with the business de- tails of textile manufacturing. In 1876 he was ap- pointed agent for the company, and five years later, in 1881, was made treasurer and general manager. Until January 8, 1909, he filled this dual post, and during that more than quarter of a century he controlled manufacture and company finances so well that two mills owned by the company were kept in continuous operation save for a short time when the hard times compelled their closing. He retained control as treasurer and general manager until January 8, 1909, when weight of years (he was then seventy-eight) and ill health caused his resignation. But he did not sever his connection with the company, retaining his place on the board of directors until his death, four years later. The company prospered under his management of the departments, and his business ability was fully tested during the period 1876-1909, when as agent, treasurer and general manager he was salesman, financier and in general charge of the business.
While this period of forty-five years with the Ashland Cotton Company was the chief business interest of Mr. Sweet's life, there was another in- terest of equal importance covering nearly the same period. He was one of the organizers of the Jewett City Savings Bank, and upon its incorporation, June 11, 1873, Mr. Sweet was chosen director and vice-president of the company, and until July II, 1901, hield that office, only giving it up to accept the presidency, an office he held eight years until his passing.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Sweet, during his
Jamie Streit
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residence in Jewett City, was elected to all the offices he could be prevailed upon to accept. He was township treasurer for fourteen years; a mem- ber of the Board of Education for several years; warden of the borough of Jewett City, 1900-1902; and representative from the township of Griswold to the State Legislature in 1876. He was chairman of the Ecclesiastical Committee of the Second Congre- gational Church of Jewett City, during which time the church now standing was built; was a member of Mt. Vernon Lodge, No. 75, Free and Accepted Masons; charter member of Reliance Lodge, No. 29, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and member of the National Manufacturers' Association.
Mr. Sweet married, January 1, 1862, Ellen M. Cole, of Jewett City, who died August 8, 1905, and they were the parents of seven children, four daughters surviving their father, as follows: I. Rena Ellen, who married A. N. H. Vaughn, of Norwich. 2. Clara Agusta, who married John J. Crawford, born in Boston, and who died in New York; they were the parents of a son, James Sweet, who was drowned at the age of seven years. 3. Maud May, who mar- ried Edward A. Faust, a sketch of whom follows. 4. Ruth Clementine, who married Frederick D. Ballou, of Providence, Rhode Island, they the par- ents of two children: David Sweet, and Ruth Ald- rich. Mr. Sweet was laid to rest in Jewett City Cemetery with his wife and three children. Chil- dren: Otis Greene, who died at the age of ten years; Willard Anthony, who died at the age of two years; and Alice, who died in infancy.
EDWARD ANDREW FAUST came to Jewett City in 1896 as clerk in the office of The Aspinook Company, and there for a quarter of a century has been employed, being now the capable superinten- dent of the plant. He is a son of Andrew and Louisa (Eimer) Faust, his father born in Germany, June 10, 1843. Andrew Faust remained in his native land until seventeen years of age, and in 1860 came to the United States, landing in New York City, where he remained three years. In 1863 he came to Norwich, Connecticut, where he died May 23, 1917, having for half a century been engaged in market gardening. He married, in 1863, Louisa Eimer, born in Germany, in January, 1843. She came to the United States in 1860, and died in Nor- wich, May 24, 1911, They were the parents of five children, all born in Norwich: Elizabeth Willi- mena, now residing in Norwich; Louisa Caroline, married Lucius A. Fenton, of Norwich; Edward An- drew, of further mention; May Nellie, married John H. Hoffman, of Norwich; Natalie Orene, deceased.
Edward Andrew Faust was born in Norwich, Con- necticut, June 20, 1872. He attended the Norwich public schools until 1889, when he became a clerk in the office of the New York Transportation Company, New York City. He remained in that position for seven years, when he removed to Jewett City, Connecticut, there entering the em-
ploy of The Aspinook Company. He displayed an aptness and ability which won him promotion to the position of paymaster, and in 1905 he was made superintendent of the mills. The Aspinook Com- pany have large mills in Jewett City, where they bleach, finish and print fine quality cotton goods. Mr. Faust has made a close study of his business and ably fills the important position which he holds. He is a director of The Aspinook Company and has other interests.
Mr. Faust is a member of Mount Vernon Lodge, No. 75, Free and Accepted Masons, of Jewett City; Franklin Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and is af- filiated with all bodies of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, in which he holds the thirty-second degree. He is a member of Sphinx Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Hartford. He is a Republican in politics, and for five years, 1910-15, he was a member of the Electric Light Commission of the borough of Jewett City. He is a trustee of the Slater Library Corporation of Jewett City, elected in 1914. In religious faith he is a member of the Second Congregational Church of Jewett City.
Mr. Faust married, in Jewett City, Connecticut, October 11, 1899, Maud May Sweet, daughter of James O. and Ellen M. (Cole) Sweet, of the town of Griswold, New London county (see preceding sketch). Mr. and Mrs. Faust are the parents of three children, all born in Jewett City: Edward Andrew, Jr., born December 14, 1903, now a stu- dent in Loomis Institute, Windsor, Connecticut; Harold Eimer, born February 11, 1905, also a stu- dent in Loomis Institute; and Ellen Clementine, born September 14, 1907.
WALTER ALLEN OLDREAD-The Oldread family of Norwich, Connecticut, came to that city from Saco, Maine, where Robert Oldread has long been a cotton mill official, and where his son, Wal- ter Allen Oldread, was born and spent the first thirty-five years of his life. They are of English blood, Robert Oldread being born in that country. Both father and son are expert textile workers and both capable of filling high positions in textile manu- facturing.
Robert Oldread, born in England, came to the United States in 1862, and located in Lewiston, Maine. He secured employment in the "slasher" room of a cotton mill as a "back tender," the busi- ness of that mill being the making of cotton warp and yarn. He became foreman of the "slasher" room of the York Manufacturing Company, Saco, Maine, and for thirty years remained with that com- pany in Saco. He married Frances Harnett, born in Saco, and there they yet reside. They are the parents of twelve children, their eighth child a son, Walter Allen Oldread, of further mention.
Walter Allen Oldread was born in Saco, Maine, August 28, 1880, and there was educated in the pub- lic schools and Thornton Academy, graduating from
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the latter institution in 1905. The year following, he pursued post-graduate courses at Thornton Aca- demy, going thence in 1906 to the University of Maine, there completing the freshman year. That closed his school work, and in the latter part of 1907 he entered the employ of the York Manufac- turing Company at Saco, in the designing room, and there remained eight years, becoming assistant de- signer. He resigned that position in 1915, and in 1916 came to Norwich, Connecticut, there entering the employ of the Falls Company cotton mills as overseer of the beaming and slashing departments. In June, 1920, Mr. Oldread was appointed assistant superintendent of the same plant and is now (1922) holding that position.
In politics, Mr. Oldread is a Republican, and is a communicant of St. James' Protestant Episcopal Church, Norwich. He is affiliated with Unity Lodge, No. 15, Knights of Pythias, of Saco, Maine; and with Osgood Lodge, No. 39, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Norwich.
Mr. Oldread married, October 18, 1910, Ethel Hearn, of Saco, Maine, daughter of Luther and Elizabeth Phillips Hearn. Mr. and Mrs. Oldread are the parents of four children, all born in Saco: Ethel May; Elizabeth Martha; Robert Luther; and William Roland Oldread.
JOHN R. STERLING, automobile liveryman of the village of Old Lyine, is of an old family of the town of Lyme, son of John R. Sterling, a steamboat man, and grandson of James A. Bill, a farmer, both of these men now deceased, John R. Sterling dying when his son was but a child. John R. Sterling mar- ried Elizabeth Bill, who was born in Lyme and died in January, 1918, aged seventy-eight. She was of ancient New England family, long seated in Con- necticut. They were the parents of four sons, all born in Lyme: John Randall, James Alexander, Gilbert Bill, and Simon Smith. James Alexander married, in October, 1893, Mendana Merice Rey- nolds, daughter of Ephriam Reynolds, her mother a Brockway. They had one son, Merice Reynolds, born October 20, 1895. Gilbert Bill married, in December, 1897, Florence Mather Ely, daughter of Dr. Josiah and Elizabeth (Chadwick) Ely, and they have one daughter, Elizabeth, born in December, 1901, and one son, Esmond, born in July, 1909. Simon Smith married, in May, 1908, Ruth Leaven- worth, daughter of Esti and Jennie (Dolph) Leaven- worth, and they had one son, Herbert Bill, born in July, 1920, died March, 1921, and one daughter, Violet May, born in August, 1921.
John Randall Sterling was born in the town of Lyme, New London county, Connecticut, August 23, 1868, and there was educated in the district school. He was left fatherless when young and most of his boyhood and manhood was spent at the farm of his grandfather, James A. Bill, in the town of Lyme. He was a young man of thirty when he left his grandfather's employ and forsook the
farm, locating in the village of Old Lyrne, there establishing a business which he now conducts, an automobile livery. He keeps six cars in daily use, and has gained high reputation for the quality of service he renders. He has prospered in his busi- ness which he has so conducted, and is one of the substantial men of the community. Mr. Sterling is a member of the village Board of Relief, is af- filiated with Crystal Lodge, No. 48, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
He married, at Lyme, March 14, 1894, Minnie Amanda Marvin, born in Lyme, June 24, 1868, daughter of Augustus and Emma (Hall) Marvin, who were also the parents of Bertha Elizabeth Mar- vin, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Sterling were the parents of three children: Myrtle Marvin, born in Lyme, January 20, 1895; their second child died in infancy; Myra Elizabeth, born in Lyme, December 23, 1899, died September 25, 1900. The family home is in the village of Old Lyme, which has now been Mr. Sterling's residence since 1905. He is highly regarded in his community and has a host of friends.
CHARLES W. BURTON, superintendent of the Norwich Water Works, was born in Norwich, Con- necticut, March 8, 1872, the son of William and Mar- garet (McFarland) Burton. William Burton was born in England, and came to this country when a young man, locating in Norwich. He was a con- tractor and builder for many years, and died in Norwich, in 1895. He was prominent in politics, and was the first Republican member of the Assembly from the town of Preston, Connecticut. To Mr. and Mrs. Burton were born six children, among them Charles W., of further mention.
Charles W. Burton was educated in the public schools of Norwich, and at Snell Business College. Upon completing his education, he learned the trade of bricklayer and later became a contractor and builder, which occupation he followed for twenty- eight years. In 1915 he was made cashier of the Norwich Water Works, and five years later, in June, 1920, was appointed to his present position, superintendent of the department. Mr. Burton also deals largely in residential real estate properties.
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