USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 64
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William A. Wilcox and his father, Horace G. Wilcox, were both born in Stonington, but Horace G. Wilcox removed to the State of Maine in later life, and died in the city of Portland in 1895. He was a blacksmith by trade, but for ycars was asso- ciated with the Smith Granite Company at their quarry in Westerly, Rhode Island, later establishing a quarry business of his own at Stonington, Maine, which he continued to conduct to the time of his death. He married Mary C. Barber, of Carolina, Rhode Island, who died in Pawcatuck, Connecticut, in 1873. They were the parents of two sons: George S., now a resident of Boston, Massachusetts; and William A., of further mention.
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William A. Wilcox was born in the town of Ston- ington, New London county, Connecticut, February 17, 1873, and received his education in the public school of that town and in the Pawcatuck High School, from which he was graduated with the class of 1892. He began teaching in the same year and until 1907 taught in various Southern New England towns. Meantime, in 1900, lic began, in his spare hours and during vacation times, to deal in real es- tate. His judgment of real estate values proved to be excellent, and by 1907 the business begun as a side issue had grown to such proportions that he felt justified in giving up his school work and devoting his entire time to the real estate business. He opened an office at Pawcatuck, and the business continued to grow and prosper until by 1914 the development was ready for another long step for- ward. In that year Mr. Wilcox formed an associa- tion with Wayland B. Batson, of New York City, opening an office on Fifth avenue, of which Mr. Batson became manager. This venture, too, has been successful.
Mr. Wilcox specializes in farm property, and throughout New England is known as the "farmi specialist." He is widely known personally, and his catalogues are distributed over a very wide ex- tent of territory. Business men in New York City who tire of cobblestones and pavements and long for the charms of country life and the farm find in Mr Wilcox a resourceful and expert aid in finding the right place. Those who seek a home within commuting distance, and yet far enough away to be free from the noise and confusion of the city, may also go to Mr. Wilcox, or to his partner on Fifth avenue, in New York City, and there receive expert advice and help. Mr. Wilcox himself still conducts the office in Pawcatuck, and is a resident of that town. In politics, he is a Republican, as assistant prosecuting attorney of the town of Ston- ington, and takes an active interest in the welfare of the community. He has served as chairman of the Stonington School Board since 1914. Frater- nally, he is a member of Pawcatuck Lodge, No. 90, Free and Accepted Masons; and Palmer Chapter, No. 28, Royal Arch Masons. He is also a member of Westerly Lodge, Ancient Order of United Work- men, of Pawcatuck. Pawcatuck is on the Pawca- tuck river, directly opposite Westerly, Rhode Is- land, two places being practically one community, although in different States, and many residents of Pawcatuck give their address as Westerly, Rhode Island.
In Pawcatuck, Connecticut, William Avery Wil- cox married, on February 5, 1897, Augusta L. Sweet, daughter of Leonard and Anna (Baird) Sweet, of Stonington. Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox are the parents of two children: 1. Byron Edward, born May 15, 1898, who is an inspector for the Western Electric Manufacturing Company, stationed in Chicago, Illi- nois. He served in the Students' Army Training Corps during the World War in the aviation branch.
2. Rutlı Gertrude, born March 12, 1900, in Stoning- ton; she is a graduate of Bryant & Stratton's Busi- ness College, of Providence, Rhode Island, and of Miss Mcclintock's School for Girls, of Boston (1922), and is now holding a position as private stenograplier in Boston, Massachusetts.
HENRY A. BECKWITH-The Beckwiths of New London county trace their descent to Matthew Beckwith, born in England, in 1610, who came in 1635 to Saybrook Point, Connecticut, thence to Branford in 1638, Hartford in 1642, and is recorded among the first settlers of Lyme in 1651. He be- came the owner by purchase of large tracts of land lying in both Lyme and New London, and the bark "Endeavor," the first vessel launched at New Lon- don, was built for and owned by him. He died De- cember 18, 1681. From Matthew and Elizabeth Beckwith sprang numerous families, the branch of which Henry A. Beckwith, of New London, is rep- resentative, settling in Waterford, New London county, Connecticut, where Daniel A. Beckwith was born and spent his youth. Daniel A. Beckwith was for twenty-six years clerk and bookkeeper with the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad at New London, and is now (May, 1921) cashier at the Municipal docks in New London. He married Han- nah N. Perkins, and they were the parents of three children of whom the third was a son, Henry A.
Henry A. Beckwith was born in New London, Connecticut, December 29, 1888, and there was edu- cated in the public schools. He began business life as shipping clerk for the R. & J. Warte Company, of New London, but later became manager of a storage battery company, a position he retained for three years. In 1919 he formed the partnership of Beckwith & Tooker, and opened an electrical shop for doing all kinds of electrical work along storage battery and kindred lines, automobile wiring and battery, and is also agent for the Indian motorcycle.
Mr. Beckwith married Etta M. Williams, of Col- chester, Connecticut, and they are the parents of a daughter, Doris S., born January 23, 1912. The fam- ily are members of the Third Baptist Church, of New London.
CHARLES HAWLEY PHILLIPS-During his lifetime Charles Hawley Phillips occupied a promi- nent position in the town of Baltic, and when death removed him in his middle age, his passing out was felt to be a great loss to the community, not only because of his extensive business affairs, but of his ever ready willingness to assist in all things pertain- ing to the welfare and advancement of his home town.
Born in Griswold, Connecticut, October 21, 1864, Charles Hawley Phillips was the second son of Ralph and Jane (Burdick) Phillips. Early in life he gave evidence of fine business abilities, conducting for years a prosperous lumber and grain trade, and in addition to this, carrying on a large trucking busi-
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ness. Mr. Phillips was also one of the most pro- gressive farmers in the locality, taking much pride in keeping his farm in every way abreast of the times. He was what might be called a self-made man, and his success in life was entirely due to his own perseverance and good judgment. Though keenly interested in public affairs and in general politics, Mr. Phillips several times declined to accept political office, though frequently urged to do so by his townspeople, even when nominated for it, always giving as his reason that he would be unable to do justice to his friends and to his many other interests as well. Mr. Phillips was a member of the fraternal organization, the Modern Woodmen.
Charles Hawley Phillips married (first) Evelyn James, of Canterbury, Connecticut, from whoin he was afterwards separated. Two children were born of this union: Charles Elmer, who married Editlı Rouse, of Preston, Connecticut; Bertha, now the wife of Augustus Condon. Mr. Phillips married (second) Mabel Helen Ferrell, born in Wilbraham, Massachusetts, February 16, 1886. She was the daughter of George Henry and Mira (Stewart) Fer- rell. One daughter was born of this marriage, Mil- dred Alma, born June 18, 1910.
When Charles Hawley Phillips died he left an exceedingly prosperous and well paying establish- ment, which has been carried on by his widow, now Mrs. Mabel Helen Cole, she having married again quite recently into the Cole family.
WALLIN T. MURPHY was born in New Lon- don, Connecticut, April 21, 1887, son of John H. and Mary A. (McGarry) Murphy, his father one of the first minstrels in the show business.
Wallin T. Murphy attended grade and high public schools, finishing his school years at New London Business College. He began business life as clerk in the New London Savings Bank, but soon re- signed his position to accept appointment as treas- urer of the Lyceum Theatre, at that time under the managerial control of Mr. Jackson. That was in 1905, and later he became acting manager, Mr. Jackson going to Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he died in 1907, Mr. Murphy then succeeding him as manager of the Lyceum Theatre in New London.
In 1912 the Wallin T. Murphy Amusement Com- pany was organized, which co-leased the Lyceum Theatre, and in 1914, when the Crown Theatre was built in New London by the New England Amusement Company, it was leased by the Wallin T. Murphy Amusement Company. That company built the New Capitol Theatre in New London, which opened to the public, November 21, 1921, these three playhouses, Lyceum, Crown, and Capitol, be- ing under the direct management of the Wallin T. Murphy Amusement Company.
Mr. Murphy is a man of friendly, genial nature, a good business man with a host of friends. He is an honorary life member of New London Lodge, Benev- olent and Protective Order of Elks, a fourth degree
member of the Knights of Columbus, and chairman of the New London Athletic Commission.
ALBERT BASSETT-Public responsibility, busi- ness endeavor, and the tilling of the soil-all these have helped to fill the busy life of Albert Bassett, now retired, of Voluntown, Connecticut.
Mr. Bassett is a son of Ralph and Sarah M. (Hill) Bassett. Ralph Bassett was born in Voluntown, Connecticut, in the early years of the nineteenth century. His education was limited to the oppor- tunities of the district schools of the day, and as a young man he took up farming in the vicinity of his home. Later the lure of the precious metal beckoned him Westward, and in 1858 he went to California, as a prospector. The gold rush of his- tory was still at that time a living force in the de- velopment of the West, but while the young man met with more than a little success, he returned East in 1862, locating in Voluntown. Again, in 1872, Mr. Bassett went to California, this time taking his entire family with him. In 1882 he returned permanently to Voluntown, retiring from active work, and making his home with his son Albert, who had preceded him some years earlier. He died in February, 1912. His wife, who was born in New London, Connecticut, died in 1884. They were the parents of seven children, among them Albert, of whom further.
Albert Bassett, fourth child of Ralph and Sarah M. (Hill) Bassett, was born in Voluntown, New Lon- don county, Connecticut, on June 26, 1848. Receiv- ing his education in the district schools of the neigh- borhood, he assisted his father on the farm until he was twenty-one years of age, then went to Provi- dence, Rhode Island, where he worked as guard at the State Prison, remaining in that capacity for a period of four years. He then accompanied his father to California, but remained only for two years, then returned to Rhode Island, and located at Cranston, where he again became a guard in the State Prison, this time remaining in the work for eight years. At the end of that time Mr. Bassett purchased a farm in Coventry, Rhode Island, which he conducted for fifteen years. He then bought a farm in Voluntown, where he still resides.
A number of years ago Mr. Bassett retired from the active work of the farm, turning over to younger hands the care of his interests along this line. For a considerable time, however, he has been dealing in farm real estate, and this business he continues to conduct with appreciable success and profit. His activities along this line are not only of personal benefit to him, but they tend to forward the progress of the community and the general prosperity.
Mr. Bassett is interested in every matter which involves the public welfare, and while always de- clining public office, is a staunch supporter of the Democratic party. He is a member of Providence Lodge, No. 3, Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a member of the Baptist church.
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Mr. Bassett married, on September 17, 1875, Dolly Burdick, of Voluntown, a daughter of Jowell and Caroline Burdick, and they have five children, all living: Lillian, who became the wife of Simon Corp, now residing in Washington, Rhode Island; Ralph, who married Dorothy Crandall, and now lives in Boston, Massachusetts; Grace, who became the wife of Alfred I. Bennett, of Rockland, Rhode Island; William, who married Bessie Gulisipy, and now re- sides at Coventry, Rhode Island; and George H., a resident of Providence.
JEREMIAH A. DESMOND-The family of which Jeremiah A. Desmond is a member is of Irish descent, Ireland having been the birthplace of liis father, Jeremiah H. Desmond, born in 1864. His inother, Bridget (Healy) Desmond, was born in Boston, also in 1864, and they were the parents of two daughters, Mary and Katherine, and three sons, Joseph, Harold and Jeremiah A. In Norwich, his birthplace, Mr. Desmond has been identified with mercantile operations since boyhood, and is now a partner in an enterprise established in 1921, Quinn & Desmond, which has made substantial progress in its special field, men's clothing and furnishings.
Jeremiah A. Desmond was born January 29, 1889. He obtained his education in the public schools and Norwich Free Academy, entering business life as a cash boy in the employ of Porteous & Mitchell, leading merchants of Norwich. Successive promo- tions put him through various grades of service to the position of manager of the men's furnishings department, and his association with this well known firm extended over a total of seventeen years. Mr. Desmond resigned from this employ early in 1921, and on April 21, 1921, he formed a partnership with James A. Quinn, who had been with the same firm for eleven years, under the firm name of Quinn & Desmond. They opened a gentlemen's clothing and furnishings store at No. 283 Main street, Nor- wich, and the long experience of both partners in this line of work has formed the basis of a success- ful and flourishing undertaking.
Mr. Desmond has a wide acquaintance in civic and social affairs, is secretary of the Democratic town committee, and in 1917-1919 filled the office of city clerk. He is a member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, St. Joseph's Sodality, the Knights of Columbus, and the Norwich Chamber of Com- inerce.
Mr. Desmond married, in Norwich, in 1917, Helen Gertrude Hinchey, of this city. They are the par- ents of Jeremiah A., Jr., born in May, 1918; John, born in November, 1919; and Helen, born in Octo- ber, 1921.
DWIGHT BAILEY RICHMOND-The Rich- monds of this review came to East Lyme, New Lon- don county, Connecticut, from Wyoming county, New York, but the family originally were of Glas- tonbury, Connecticut, from whence Edmund Rich-
mond took his departure for Wyoming county. They resided in that county about fifteen years, Dwight B. Richmond being then a lad of thirteen. It was in 1868 that the family returned to Con- necticut and settled in East Lyme.
Edmund Richmond was born in Glastonbury, Connecticut, in April, 1833, died in East Lyme, New London county, Connecticut, in 1901. He spent his boyhood in Glastonbury and there attended the public schools. Later he resided in Meriden, Con- necticut, where he was employed in the silver manu- factories. Hc next moved to Wyoming county, New York, and there remained until his son Dwight B. was thirteen years of age, when the family re- turned to Connecticut, locating at Niantic Hill in the town of East Lyme, New London county. There Edmund Richmond engaged in farming until his passing in 1901. He married Phoebe Elizabeth Bailey, born April 6, 1833, daughter of Dwight and Annis Electa (Cook) Bailey, her father passing away May 6, 1879, her mother born May, 1811, dying July 26, 1847. Dwight Bailey and Annis Electa Cook were married January 23, 1831. Mrs. Phoebe (Bailey) Richmond still survives her husband now aged eighty-eight years, and makes her home with her eldest daughter, Mrs. Olive Isabella Donals. Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Richmond were the parents of four children, their first born dying in infancy. The second child was their only son, Dwight B. Richmond, of further mention. Their eldest daugh- ter, Olive Isabella, married Albert Donals, of Gro- ton, Connecticut. The youngest daughter, Nellie Christine, married Walter Watrons, of Willimantic, Connecticut.
Dwight Bailey Richmond, only son of Edmund and Phoebe E. (Bailey) Richmond, was born in Wyoming county, New York, August 11, 1855, and there spent the first thirteen years of his life. In 1868 the family returned to their native Connecti- cut, locating at Niantic Hill, in the town of East Lyme, New London county, on a farm, and there Dwight Richmond continued a farmer until after his marriage. He then spent some time in Mun- son, Massachusetts, engaged as a housepainter, but not long afterward he returned to Niantic Hill, where he bought a farm, near the farm of his par- ents. This farm was known as the "Elisha Miller Place," and a great deal of local history attaches to it. Soon after his return to Niantic Hill, Edmund Richmond fell ill, and in 1901, Dwight sold his Niantic Hill farm and purchased the Norman Rogue farm of ninety-four acres, located near the village of Flanders, where he still continues a prosperous farmer. He is a member and chairman of the Board of Relief, and formerly served on the school committee. In politics he is independent, in reli- gious faith a Baptist.
Mr. Richmond married at Waterford, Connecticut, November 11, 1881, Rose Holland, born in Bridge- water, Vermont, August 22, 1862, only child of Thomas Holland. Dwight B. and Rose (Holland)
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Richmond are the parents of five children: Harry Barton born January, 1883, deceased; Grace Chap- man, born February 29, 1885, at Munson, Massachu- sctts, married Percy Hart, of Bristol Connecticut, when a widow with three children, Clayton, Gor- don, and Elizabeth; Roy Bailey, born in Munson, Massachusetts, June 17, 1887, married Helen Harold, of Munson, Connecticut, and has a daughter, Doris; Myrtle Frances, born in 1889, married William An- drews, of Willimantic, Connecticut, and has two children: Kenneth and Evelyn Andrews; Helen Elizabeth, born at the farm at Flanders, Connecticut, June 29, 1905.
ANTHONY SILVA, born in New London, Con- necticut, September 11, 1872, has in the near half century which has since intervened resided contin- uously in his native city, where he has since 1912 been successfully engaged in the real estate and fire insurance business. His parents, John C. and Isa- bella Silva, were of Portugese ancestry, the father born in Lisbon, Portugal, the mother in the Azores, but now living in New London, a widow, aged sixty-eight.
Anthony Silva attended New London public schools, but at the age of eight years began selling papers on the streets after or before school hours. He literally grew up, developing a prosperous news- paper business, and for eighteen years was a wholc- sale dealer, supplying a great part of New London county with his papers and periodicals. He con- tinued the wholesale business until 1912, when he engaged in his present business, real estate and fire insurance. He is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and the Niagara Fire Department.
Mr. Silva married Hattie Maria Ayres, born in Westfield, Massachusetts, daughter of Henry and Emma Ayres.
MICHAEL B. RING-Although Michael B. Ring's death occurred but half a decade ago, he be- longed to a business which was of an early pioneer period, a business in which half a century of his life was spent-carriage building. He founded car- riage works and a blacksmith shop in Norwich, and continued both until the automobile came, then transferred his energy to the latter, and established a business now continued in Norwich by his sons.
Michael B. Ring, son of David and Margaret (Killiker) Ring, was born in Norwich, Connecticut, March 31, 1852. After completing public school courses, he learned the carriage maker's trade at the corner of Willard and Chestnut streets, Nor- wich, having as a partner Lyman L. Whipple, they doing business as Whipple & Ring, carriage builders. Mr. Ring acquired the property, Nos. 11-17 Chest- nut street, and about 1898 bought the land at Nos. 19-31 Chestnut street, which included the Converse property. He continued in business as a carriage builder and blacksmith until 1908, when, seeing that
a new mode of transportation had come to stay, he entered the automobile business, being one of the first men in that activity. He continued active in that business until his death in Norwich, May 21, 1917. But the Ring name was not to disappear from the roll of Norwich business men, for the vet- cran builder of vehicles left two sons, M. Bernard, and Josepli F., who succeeded their father and con- tinue the business under the firm name, Ring Brothers.
Mr. Ring was a member of the Catholic Benevo- lent League, life member of the New London Agri- cultural Society, Norwich Chamber of Commerce, a member and one of the promoters of the Gentle- man's Driving Club of Norwich, a one time organiza- tion of lovers of the light-harness horse. At one time Mr. Ring was president of the Connecticut Horse Shoers' Association, and vice-president of the national organization.
Michael B. Ring married, May 31, 1876, Mary Terry, of Norwich, born December 15, 1859. They were the parents of five sons and a daughter, namely: I. Charles B., born January 17, 1879, a manufacturer of automobile bodies, of Springfield, Massachusetts, with branches at Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Portland, Maine. 2. M. Bernard, born September 31, 1884, his father's successor in business; member of the Knights of Columbus, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. 3. James T., born May 6, 1886, deceased; was a pharmacist of Nor- wich until his deccasc. 4. John F., born April 22, 1888; deceased; until his death he was engaged as an undertaker, a member of the firm of Ring & Cummings, of Norwich. 5. Joseph F., born March 31, 1891; his father's successor in business, he and his brother, M. Bernard, conducting the automobile business in Norwich under the name of Ring Broth- ers; he served in the United States Army during the World War, 1917-18; he is a member of the Knights of Columbus and of other organizations in Norwich. 6. Mary B. P., born November 6, 1896.
CHESTER LEON HUSSEY-As a mechanical draughtsman, Mr. Hussey has been employed in dif- ferent places, his residence in Norwich, Connecticut, beginning in 1915 with the Hopkins & Allen Com- pany, manufacturers of firearms. He is a son of George A. and Ora (Harrison) Hussey, his father born in Chicago, Illinois, his mother in Buffalo, New York. George A. Hussey, after completing his edu- cation in Chicago public schools, learned the car- penter's trade, which he followed all his life. He and his wife now reside in Belchertown, Massachu- setts.
Chester Leon Hussey, eldest of the five children of George A. and Ora (Harrison) Hussey, was born in Spencer, Massachusetts, August 7, 1895, and there was educated in the public schools. He then studied mechanical drawing in Bridgeport, Connec- ticut, for one year under a capable instructor and made such progress that at the end of a year he
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was able to fill a draughtsman's position. He was so employed in several places until 1915, when he located in Norwich and entered the employ of the Hopkins & Allen Company. During the period of war between the United States and Germany, 1917- 18, the Hopkins & Allen plant was turned over to the Martin & Rockwell Company, manufacturers of machine-gun parts, and was utilized for that pur- pose during the entire war period, Mr. Hussey con- tinuing with the operating company. Later the Hopkins & Allen plant was sold to the J. B. Martin Company, manufacturers of velvets, Mr. Hus- sey still remaining with that company as mechanical draughtsman.
In his political faith Mr. Hussey is a strong sup- porter of the Henry George theory of the single tax. He is affiliated with Somerset Lodge, No. 34, Free and Accepted Masons, of Norwich, and with the United Congregational Church of the same place.
Mr. Hussey married, in March, 1918, Alice M. Jackson, daughter of George and (Crocker) Jackson.
ADELARD GADUE-Although of Rhode Island birth, Adelard Gadue came to Connecticut from Canada, his father, Anthony Gadue, moving to Can- ada in 1874 and remaining there, later returning to the United States, locating in Baltic, New London county, Connecticut, there securing employment as a mill worker.
Adelard Gadue, son of Anthony Gadue, was born in Rhode Island, in 1873, and there spent the first year of his life. The next few years were spent in Montreal, Canada, then the family returned to the United States. He was for a time employed as a mill boy; at the age of twelve he became an em- ployee of a lumber yard at Versailles, and later be- came clerk in a general store at Occum, Connec- ticut. He has since become proprietor of his own store in Occum, and conducts a grocery and pro- vision store in his own building. He is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, and of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church.
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