USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 68
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now being the chief engineer of the plant. Mr. Yer- rington married Alice Summers, born in Norwich.
JACOB ALFRED PAHLBERG-Since 1873 Jacob Alfred Pahlberg has been engaged in deep-sca diving, and as such holds the record of having been under water for a longer period than any other per- son living. Although having passed the three score years and ten mark, Mr. Pahlberg is still hale and hearty, this being justly proven by the fact that he is still active as a diver.
John Eric Pahlberg, father of Jacob Alfred Pahl- berg, was born in Sunndswell, Sweden, in 1839, and there died in 1901. He was a glass-blower by trade. He married Johanna Strandsel, who was also a na- tive of Sweden, born in 1841, died in 1903, at the age of sixty-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Pahlberg were the parents of eight children: John, who is en- gaged in business in New York City; Christine, who married, and to whom has been born four children, Theodore, Hannah, Albert, and Anna; Charlotte, who was twice married; Uldrick; Jacob Alfred, of further mention; Frederick, died in 1921 in Sweden; Gustave, died in Sweden; Theodore, died in Sweden.
Jacob Alfred Pahlberg was born in Sunndswell, Sweden, July 15, 1847. At the age of ten he moved from his native place, and for a time he worked as a glass-blower. In 1861 he secured passage as a cabin boy on a full-rigged brigg called the "Fram- oat." One year later he shipped as an able-bodied seaman on the ship "Rosa," but subsequently trans- ferred to the German ship, "Vera," which was later wrecked. In 1871 Mr. Pahlberg came to New York, where he became on of the crew of the schooner "Pearl," which was sunk in New York harbor, No- vember 24, 1872, while carrying stone for the build- ing of the Brooklyn bridge. The T. A. Scott Com- pany wreckers came to raise the schooner "Pearl," and it was at this time Mr. Pahlberg secured a position with Captain Scott, who moved his busi- ness from New York to New London, Connecticut. The former became interested in deep-sea diving at this time, and his first experience along this line for the Scott Company was at Race Rock, outside of Fisher Island, at the time of the building of the lighthouse there. Since that time Mr. Pahlberg has devoted his entire time to diving, and has travelled from Key West to New Brunswick, making a total of forty-seven years as a diver. He affiliates with the Mohegan Lodge, No. 55, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Rebecca Lodge of Odd Fel- lows (Orient). He is also a member of the Golden Cross Society. In politics, Mr. Pahlberg is a Re- publican.
Jacob Alfred Pahlberg was united in marriage with Mary Louise Larson, a native of Carlstad, Sweden, her birth having occurred August 26, 1853. Her father died when she was a child, and her mother came to this country, dying in New York City. Mrs. Pahlberg had two sisters: Annie (Mrs. Russell), of Brooklyn, New York; and Josephine. Mr. and Mrs. Pahlberg are the parents of three
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children: Alfred Theodore, who was born in New London, 1879, unmarried, follows the sea for a live- lihood; Carrie Ethel, born in New London, married Nelson Weymouth, of Soco, Maine, who is in charge of the telephone station at Norwich, Connecticut, and has one child, Nelson, Jr., born in 1916; Char- lotte Ethel, born in New London, and is employed by the T. A. Scott Company.
EUGENE HULBERT CHAPMAN, one of the successful farmers of this locality, in which occu- pation he has been engaged since 1916, was born in Sterling City, January 25, 1865, the son of the late Lyman Griswold and Nancy (Brown) Chapman. Lyman G. Chapman was a native of Lebanon, and died at Moosup in 1911, at the age of seventy-thirce years. He married Nancy Brown, who died in 1908, at the age of sixty-four years. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman were the parents of seven children: Sarah, Minnie, Lavinia, Adelbert, Fred; Ernest, deceased; and Eugene Hulbert, of further mention.
Eugene Hulbert Chapman attended the schools of his native place where his opportunities for educa- tion were very meager. He then went to work in the cotton mills of Moosup and worked in this capa- city until he was eighteen years of age, when he moved to Plainfield and engaged in farming until 1888, when he made another change and went to Norwich, Connecticut. Here he secured employ- ment with the railroad, working in various capacities until he had attained the position of yard conduc- tor. In 1916, desirous of returning to agricultural pursuits, he purchased his present farm at Mont- ville and has resided here continuously up to the present time. In politics, Mr. Chapman is a Demo- crat, and while he has never sought public office he has always taken a keen interest in the affairs of his chosen party.
Eugene Hulbert Chapman married (first) Celia Marcy. To them was born a child, Therox. Mr. Chapman married (second) Augusta Tolland. There have been no children from this union.
FRED H. CROSS was born in Adamsville, Que- bec, Canada, April 27, 1881, son of Jerome L. and Clarcy (Beauregard) Cross. Jerome L. Cross was born in Burlington, Vermont, June 18, 1852. Hc married in Chicopee, Massachusetts, June 21, 1872, Clarcy Beauregard, born in Fairfield, Vermont, a niece of General Pierre G. T. Beauregard, a gen- eral of the Confederate army during the Civil War. Mr. and Mrs. Cross were living in Quebec, Canada, at the time of the birth of their son, Fred H., where Mr. Cross followed his trade, that of a brick- layer.
In 1886 Fred H. Cross was brought to the United States by his parents, who settled in Springfield, Massachusetts. He attended school until ten years of age, then became errand boy in a meat market, holding that place three years. At the age of thir- teen he went to Adams, Massachusetts, where he attended school for two years, then, at the age of
fifteen, he began learning carriage painting, be- coming an expert. When twenty-one years of age he returned to Springfield, where he was employed by the Birney-Berry Skate Company for two years, then spent two years in the baking business. His next work was at his trade, that of a painter, work- ing with Thomas O'Brien in Springfield for two years, and since then has traveled and worked at his trade in many parts of the United States.
At Trenton, New Jersey, he enlisted in the United States army as a cavalry man, entering the service May 29, 1917, and serving principally at Fort Meyer, near Washington, District of Columbia, until hon- orably discharged, June 14, 1919. Soon after his discharge he entered the employ of the Blue Ribbon Auto Body Company, in the painting and finishing department, remaining until May 9, 1920, when he located in New London, Connecticut, opening a shop on Bank street, on May 11th, and there con- tinuing for a year as a painter, having a partner. The next year that partnership was dissolved, Mr. Cross then establishing in the same business at No. 6 Raymond street, under the firm name of the Blue Ribbon Auto Paint Shop, and there has de- veloped a prosperous business.
Fred H. Cross married, July 5, 1920, Sarah Girard, daughter of Emory and Ermine (Susprenant) Gir- ard, of Adams, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Cross are the parents of a daughter, Enid, born May 10, 1921.
FRANK O. BARBER-The Barbers are of an ancient New England family, settled in 1635 by Thomas Barber, who was the first of his name in the Colonies, and an early settler of Windsor, Con- necticut. Descendants settled in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, and the name has been borne by some very eminent men. The branch of the family of which Frank O. Barber is represen- tative is of the Washington county, Rhode Island branch, Leander, father of Frank O. Barber, set- tling in Mystic, Connecticut.
Leander Barber was born in Ashaway, Washing- ton county, Rhode Island, and there attended the public schools. Later he entered Mystic Valley In- stitute, whence he was graduated, class of 1860. In the business world he was head of the Mystic River Twine Company, an enterprise with which he was connected until his death in Mystic, Connecticut. He married Mary Burdick, who also died in Mystic. They were the parents of three children: Helen, wife of Major Lloyd P. Horsfall, of the United States army, now stationed at Pekin, China; Frank O., of further mention; and Abbie E., wife of John Noyes, who resides in Mystic, Connecticut.
Frank O. Barber, only son of Leander and Mary (Burdick) Barber, was born in Mystic, Connecticut, January 1, 1883, and attended the public school, go- ing thence to Norwich Free Academy and there fin- ishing with the class of 1903. The same year he en- tered Rhode Island State College, completing his studies there in 1908, having pursued full courses
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in electrical engineering. For a time lic was en- gaged with the General Electric Company, as engi- neer, then became interested in the automobile busi- ness, opening a garage at Mystic, which he success- fully conducted until 1918, when he opened another garage, service station, and selling agency for the Hudson and Essex cars at No. 392 William street, New London.
Mr. Barber is a Republican in politics; a member of Charity and Relief Lodge, No. 72, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, of Mystic; Mystic Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Mystic Council, Royal and Select Masters; Narragansett Commandery, Knights Templar; Providence Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite (thirty-second degree); Pyramid Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mys- tie Shrine; Westerly Lodge, No. 678, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and of the Charity and Relief Club of Mystic. In his religious belief he is a Baptist, a member of the church of that denomina- tion of Mystic.
Mr. Barber married, October 14, 19II, Anna N. Wood Knight, of New York, daughter of Rufus M. and Ladora (Bank) Knight. Mr. and Mrs. Barber are the parents of two children: Hclen L., and Robert F. Barber.
HALLECK LEECH GILLETTE-Prominent among the progressive farmers of the town of Waterford, New London county, Connecticut, is Halleck L. Gillette, whose place lies in the Gilead section of the town. Mr. Gillette is of old New London county family, and is a son of Pascal and Ellen Clarissa Chapman. His father was for many years a farmer of Lyme, and his mother, who was born in East Lyme, was a daughter of Solomon Chapman. Both are now deceased. They were the parents of four children, of whom Halleck L. was the eldest, the others being May Ellen, Everett C., and Gertrude.
Halleck Leech Gillette was born in the town of Lyme, December 19, 1874, and was reared and edu- cated in his native place. He helped about the farm out of school hours, until about thirteen years of age. He then struck out for himself and worked in various places for a time, after which he returned to Lyme. In the fall of 1917 he came to Water- ford, where he now has a large farm which he operates successfully.
During his stay in Lyme, Mr. Gillette served the town for some years in the capacity of first se- lectman, and also served on the Board of Relief. He was master of Lyme Grange, No. 147, Patrons of Husbandry, for a period of two years, and long active in the interests of that order. He is also a member of Crystal Lodge, No. 88, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically, he supports the Republican party, and he is a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church.
Mr. Gillette married Alma Whiting, who was born in East Lyme, July 8, 1876, and is a daughter of James Whiting. Mr. and Mrs. Gillette have five
children: Rose Irene, Ralph, Norman, Robert, and Winship.
FRANCIS EDWARD LE BLANC, son of Fran- cis A. and Eliza (Herbert) Le Blanc, was born at Williamstown, Massachusetts, October 21, 1886. Francis A. Le Blanc was born in Napierville, Prov- ince of Quebec, Canada, and educated in the paro- chial schools of that place. About 1874 he came to the United States and located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, where he has worked as a farmer and gardener for the remainder of his life. His wife was also born in Napierville. They had seven chil- dren, the first being Francis Edward, of whom further.
Francis Edward Le Blanc attended the public schools of Williamstown, Massachusetts, and in 1900, at the age of fourteen, became a clerk in the grocery store of Herbert & Son, of Williamstown. Five years later he associated himself with Neeland & Quinn, of Williamstown, and worked as clerk in their general store until 1916, when he formed a partnership with young Albert Eli Paquette. The young men bought the Paquette Domestic Bakery in New London, which is one of the oldest-estab- lished bakeries there, and was founded by Paul P. Paquette, the father of Albert Eli Paquette, in 1907. Politically, Mr. Le Blanc is a Republican. He is a member of the Foresters of America, Lodge No. 176, of Williamstown, Massachusetts; and a mem- ber of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, of New London.
Mr. Le Blanc married Margaret Victoria Paquette, daughter of Paul P. Paquette, of North Adams, Mass- acliusetts, November 7, 1905, at Williamstown, Massachusetts. To the union were born four chil- dren: Norbert E., Roland H., Bernard A., and Marie A .; all born at Williamstown except Marie A., who was born at New London.
EDWIN WALLACE ELY, who is a lifelong resi- dent of Old Lyme, comes of an old family of New London county. He is a son of Enoch Ely, who was born at Ely's Ferry, in the town of Old Lyme, and later removed to Baltimore, Maryland, there engaging extensively in the lumber business. He spent the greater part of his life in Baltimore, and died in that city in the year 1913.
Joseph C. Ely, son of Enoch Ely, and Mr. Ely's father, was born in Baltimore, September 27, 1855, and was reared and educated in his native city. Coming to Old Lyme as a youth of sixteen, he has since been engaged in farming on a large scale, his place in this town being now one of the finest farms in the county. He has long been a staunch Republican, and a leader in party councils, and served the community for many years as justice of the peace. He married Elizabeth Tooker, of Lyme, daughter of William and Mary Elizabeth (Marrin) Tooker. The Tooker family is also an old one in this county. Mr. Tooker was a prominent farmer of a generation or two ago; he died in 1878 at
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the age of fifty-five years. William and Mary E. (Marrin) Tooker were the parents of five children: William Nathan, William B., Albert, Laura, and Elizabeth. Joseph C. and Elizabeth (Tooker) Ely are the parents of the following children: Edwin Wallace, whose name appears at the head of this review; Lila Cortright, born December 12, 1878, in Old Lyme, who died at the age of twenty years; John Christopher, born May 9, 1880; Mabel Glad- win, born May 20, 1882; William Beckwith, born June 28, 1883; Samuel, born in the year 1885; Pearl Jennie, born March 10, 1891; Earl, born March 10, 1893; and Blanch, born April 17, 1899. The other children died in infancy, and all were born in Old Lyme.
Edwin Wallace Ely was born in Old Lyme, Aug- ust 15, 1877, and received a thoroughly practical education in the district schools of the town. From boyhood interested in the work of the farm, he chose farming as his life-work, and has thus far fol- lowed it most successfully. He stands among the prominent and highly respected men of the com- munity, and politically, has always supported the Democratic party, but has been too busy to accept political preferment, although broadly interested in all progress. He is a member of Crystal Lodge, No. 88, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Ely married Mary Nobel, who was born in Old Lyme, and is a daughter of John and Josephine (Gibson) Nobel. Mr. Nobel died in 1911, and his wife, who is a native of New Jersey, survives him. Edwin W. and Mary (Nobel) Ely were the parents of three children: Laurence, born August 15, 1898; Harry, born in November, 1900; and Leslie, born April 23, 1902. The family are members of the Congregational church.
CHARLES STEPHEN PECKHAM-Prominent- ly identified with the automobile business, with which he has been actively associated for the past five years, Charles Stephen Peckham occupies a place of importance in the business circles of Nor- wich, Connecticut. He is a son of Stephen and Phoebe E. (Williams) Peckham, and was born in Ledyard, Connecticut, January 2, 1869. Stephen Peckham was born in Ledyard, and there received his education in the district school. He then as- sisted his father with farm work, later becoming the owner of a farm in the north end of the town, where le resided until his death in 1908. Phoebe E. (Wil- liams) Peckham also was born in Ledyard, where she still resides. Two children were born of this union: Mary E., who became the wife of Charles A. Gray, a farmer of Ledyard; and Charles Stephen, of further mention.
Charles Stephen Peckham attended the district school of his native place, and Snell Business College at Norwich, Connecticut. While still a youth he entered upon his business career, securing a posi- tion as clerk in the grocery store of J. M. Young, at Norwich, subsequently, in 1892, becoming a clerk in the New London office of the New York, New
Haven & Hartford railroad, where he remained for two years, at the end of which time he was em- ployed by Allen Beeman, as clerk and travelling salesman. In 1911, while travelling, he met with a severe accident, which necessitated his giving up work for three years. In 1915 he established him- self in the automobile business, and it is with this business that he is occupied at the present time (1920), holding the agency for the Studebaker cars.
In politics, Mr. Peckham is an Independent, hold- ing to an independent course where the most im- portant consideration is the capability of the can- didate for the performance of business connected with his office. He is a member of Trinity Metho- dist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Peckham married, in 1895, Mary Hagberg, of Norwich, Connecticut, and they are the parents of two children: Everett S., a resident of Norwich, who married Eva Atwood, of Waterbury, Connec- ticut; and Charlotte E. Mrs. Peckham passed away in 19II.
THEOPHILUS HYDE HANNEY was born in San Francisco, California, January 25, 1863, the son of Samuel and Katherine (Doley) Hanney. Samuel Hanney was born at Trowbridge, England, Septem- ber 21, 1837, and came to this country at the age of seventeen years, locating in Connecticut. Here he married Katherine Doley, born in New York, 1835, and shortly afterwards moved to California, later in life returning to Salem, Connecticut, where he died. Mrs. Hanney survives her husband and resides at Quaker Hill, Connecticut. To Mr. and Mrs. Hanney were born five children: Theophilus Hyde, of further mention; Samuel David; Sarah Rhoda; Mary Katherine; Isabella Agnes.
Theophilus H. Hanney returned with his parents to Connecticut when he was but a child. The fam- ily lived in various places in the eastern part of the State until 1876, when they finally located at Salem, where the elder man purchased a farm. Theophilus H. continued to reside with his parents until 1887. At this time he married and removed to Montville, where he rented a small farm, but subsequently re- turned to his father's home. In 1901 he went to Waterford and purchased his present place, which is located on Durfee Hill. Having throughout the preceding years gained a wide and extensive knowl- edge of farming, he had become well skilled in agricultural methods generally, and the property which he purchased, being naturally a fertile one, he developed and cultivated it, bringing it to a highly productive state, and from the beginning has carried on successful farming operations here. The house itself is an old Colonial structure, having been built in the style of a century previous, the entire place being regarded as one of the well conducted properties in this region.
Mr. Hanney is one of those men who are in- stinctively interested in the welfare of the com- munity where they reside, and he has given no little time and energy to the conduct of public affairs. He
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has served the town as auditor and also as assessor, and has always taken a keen and active interest in everything pertaining to its welfare. He is a mem- ber of the Farm Bureau and the Konomoc Grange, No. 41, and affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Mohegan Lodge, No. 55.
On March 16, 1887, Mr. Hanney was united in marriage with Jennie Marie Forsyth, a native of Nor_ wich, Connecticut, born July 16, 1860, daughter of George and Julia Forsyth. To Mr. and Mrs. Han- ney were born five children: Theophilus Forsyth, May 22, 1888; Harriet Grace, October 24, 1889; Floyd Latham, August 28, 1892; Ernest John, July 144, 1899; Harold Edwin, February 23, 1903. Mrs. Hanney passed away December 29, 1917. She was a woman whose kindness and thoughtfulness endeared her to all who were brought within the sphere of her fine influence. She was an ideal wife and mother, making her husband's fireside the place where he passed his happiest hours, devoted as he was to the ties of home and family.
HENRY ALBERT GAUCHER, the well known merchant of Baltic, Connecticut, was born in Milton, Province of Quebec, Canada, and there received his education in the public schools. His father, who was born at Saint Damase, Province of Quebec, died at Milton, and is buried there. He followed farming during all his active lifetime. He married Philomene Lagain, and they were the parents of ten children, five boys and five girls, among them Henry A., of further mention.
Beginning his career on the farm at the age of fifteen years, Henry A. Gaucher soon became inter- ested in the great world of industry outside, and came to this country, locating in the village of Oceum, one of the suburbs of the city of Norwich, Connectient. Here he became interested in the manufacture of textiles, and was employed in the mills for a time. Wlien sixteen years of age he returned to Canada, going to Montreal to supple- ment his early education with two terms of study at the Royal College there. He was graduated from that institution at the age of twenty-two years, and thereafter returned to Taftville, where he was once more employed in the mills, this time in the spinning room. In 1899 Mr. Gaucher went into business "on the Hill," continuing for thirteen years in that location, then, in 1912, he came to Bal- tic, and established himself here, where he has been located ever since.
Mr. Gaucher married, and is the father of ten children, five sons and five daughters, among them a son, Joseph, who was a graduate of the University of Maryland Medical School, at Baltimore; he died on December 17, 1917. Another son, Lorenzo, an interne at the Bridgeport Hospital, will also take up the practice of medicine.
ETIENNE RIEL-In the village of Baltic, Sprague township, Connecticut, many prosperous, pleasant farms are to be found, showing the care
and thrift of the owners. Among them is one which gives evidence of the energy and perseverance necessary to develop a successful farm. It is owned and managed by Etienne Riel.
Etienne Riel is a native of Canada, as his father and mother were before him; the former, Neol Riel, was born at St. Patrick, Sherrington, Canada, No- vember 2, 1839, and is still living there, having cele- brated his eighty-first birthday anniversary in 1920. The wife of Neol Riel was Messelin (Bordeau) Riel, who died in 1889, at the age of forty-eight years. She was the mother of fifteen children, her son Etienne being the third child in this family.
Born at St. Patrick, Sherrington, June 11, 1864, Etienne Riel grew to early youth in Canada, and when seventeen years old came to the United States. He was employed as a mill worker in various places for many years, among them being North Adams, Massachusetts, where he was located for quite a long period. In 1913 Mr. Riel came to New Lon- don county, Connecticut, and buying a farm in Bal- tic, Sprague township, has enjoyed the life of a fariner, and has improved his property considerably during the past year.
Etienne Riel married Mary Leaclerc, also born in St. Patrick, Sherrington, Canada, November 4, 1866. They have had thirteen children, of whom cleven are now living: Margaret, deceased; Leon- ore, deceased; Clara; Anthony; Anne Goss; Bene- dict; Mary; Etienne, Jr .; Patrick; Ambrose; Joseph; Leo; Marceline.
RAYMOND J. JODOIN-The career of Mr. Jo- doin has been one of industry and at no time has he ever been discouraged to the point of surrender. He has been a worker since the age of nine, having had to work both for a living and an education at the same time. He acquired both, then went for- ward to a business success which has placed him among the sunbstantial men of his county. He has earned it all, and richly deserves that often mis- used title, "a self-made man."
Raymond J. Jodoin was born in St. Hyacinthe, Province of Quebec, Canada, September 15, 1865, one of eleven children born to his parents, his father a factory worker. The family moved to Baltie, Con- necticut, in November, 1865, and there Raymond J. yet resides, a man of prosperity, established in busi. ness, and high in the esteem of his townsmen. He began as a mill worker at the age of nine, and each week carried home three dollars, his weekly wage. As the other children of the family became wage earners, the lad Raymond J. was able to save a part of his earnings, and soon he was operating a livery stable in Baltic, in a small way. He was not satisfied with that business, sold it, went to Provi- dence, Rhode Island, and secured a position as a travelling salesman with the wholesale grocery house, Waldron, Wightman & Company. He built up a good trade in a territory that an experienced salesman had been covering for years, and remained with the firm ten years, receiving frequent salary
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