USA > Connecticut > New London County > A modern history of New London County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 7
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In Stonington, on July 3, 1887, Joseph Francis Leahy was married to Ellen Louise Conners, a resident of that town. She is the daughter of Mathew and Bridget (Harvey) Conners, both natives of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Leahy have seven children : 1. Sarah L., the wife of Dr. James M. Crowley. 2. Josephine E., living at home. 3. Mathew T., whose wife was Clara Vargas, of Stonington ; he is assistant postmaster at Stonington; during the World War he served in the American Expeditionary Forces, in Company B, 177th Regiment, 77th Division, and was in active service in France. 4. James L., a printer in Boston, Massachusetts; during the war he enlisted and was stationed at Camp Devens, Ayer, Massachusetts, in charge of the printing depart- ment. 5. Helen, who died in infancy. 6. William J., living at home. 7. Daniel C., also at home. Mr. and Mrs. Leahy and their family are members of St. Mary's. Roman Catholic Church of Stonington.
LOUIS IRENCE PRATTE, M.D .- Over a quar- ter of a century has elapsed since Dr. Pratte began private practice in Taftville, Connecticut, these years, 1887-1920, having returned him richly the honors of his, the oldest of professions. Dr. Pratte is a native of Louisville, Province of Quebec, his parents, Louis and Philomena (Woisard) Pratte, both born in the Province of Quebec. Louis Pratte, his father, lived his entire life in Louisville, and until his death, which occurred in 1900, he owned a large meat market there. His wife died in 1905.
Louis I. Pratte was born in Louisville, Province of Quebec, December 10, 1854. There he attended the parochial schools and then entered Three Rivers Sem- inary, from which latter institution he was graduated in 1875. Having already decided upon the profession of medicine for his life work, he matriculated in the Medical Department of Victoria College, from which he received his degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1879. Immediately after graduation he went to Baltic, Con- necticut, and there entered private practice. Eight years later, in 1887, he came to Taftville, and here he has
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since been engaged in the practice of his profession. He is a member of the American Medical Association, Con- necticut Medical Society, and the New London Medical Society, and holds the high esteem of his professional brethren. In politics he is a Democrat, and served one year as a selectman. In religion he is a Roman Cath- olic, a member of Sacred Heart Church, and is a mem- ber of the Knights of Columbus, Ponemah Council, No. 34, of Taftville, Connecticut.
Dr. Pratte married Mary N. Brophy, a native of Bolton, Connecticut, August 1, 1887, and they are the parents of two children : Louis Edouard, and Marie B. Mrs. Pratte died February 27, 1921, at Taftville, Con- necticut.
The success of Louis I. Pratte is a distinct personal triumph, for without the advantage of wealth or influ- ence he has won his way to high position in a profession not lacking in able men, and with that position has come the material reward which accompanies professional success.
LOUIS HALE MAPLES, founder of the Nor- wich Buick Company, agents for the Buick auto- mobile, is widely known in Norwich, and in addition to his prominence in business is identified with various other features of municipal life.
Louis H. Maples is a son of Judson A. Maples, who was born in Norwich, Connecticut, and there died, in 1895. He was engaged in farming through- out his lifetime, was a Republican in politics, and a prominent member of the Westside Baptist Church, of which he had been deacon for many ycars. He married Mary E. Birchard, daughter of Asa Hyde Birchard, a butcher, well known through- out his community. To Mr. and Mrs. Maples were born two children: Louis Hale, mentioned below; and Frederick Judson, born in Norwich, Connec- ticut, July 6, 1884, now a resident of Albany, New York, where he is engaged in the coal and gravel business. He married Mary Rubeck, of Hagaman, New York.
Louis Hale Maples was born in Bozrah, Con- necticut, July 31, 1881, and obtained his education in the primary and grammar schools of Norwich. After a year and a half spent on his father's farm, he entered the meat market of A. G. B. Hunt, as clerk, and was there about one year when he de- cided to learn the silk business. He secured em- ployment at a local mill, but owing to ill health he gave up his position and secured employment on the farm of John M. Moore, of Norwich. At the age of twenty he was appointed janitor of the Backus Hospital, but six months later resigned and for the next few years was engaged in the meat and grocery business. In 1910 he became inter- ested in the automobile business, and for seven
years was located in a building at the rear of the Davis Theatre, on Broadway. There he did an excellent business until 1918, when the Buick Com- pany began business in the Majestic building. In 1919 Mr. Maples organized the Norwich Buick Company, for the handling of the Buick car, with
salesrooms located at No. 319 Main street, and there is continuing his former success.
In politics he is a Republican, but takes no active part in political affairs. Ile is affiliated with Som- erset Lodge, No. 34, Free and Accepted Masons; Franklin Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons; Franklin Council, No. 3, Royal and Select Masters; Columbian Commandery, No. 4, Knights Templar; and all bodies of the Connecticut Consistory, An- cient Accepted Scottish Rite, in which he holds the Thirty-second degree. He is also a member of Sphinx Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Hartford, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He attends the Westside Baptist Church of Norwich, the Arcanum Club, and Norwich Grange, Patrons of Husbandry.
On April 30, 1904, Mr. Maples married Josie L. Bailey, daughter of Marvin L. and Lydia (Wilcox) Bailey. Mr. and Mrs. Maples are the parents of one child, Frederick, born December 31, 1907.
WILLIAM EDWARD PECK-During the last two decades of his life William Edward Peck was connected with the Baltic Mills Company, of Baltic, Connecticut, coming to that company in the second year of its existence and continuing in official posi- tion until his passing away, filling the position of office manager, director, agent and general man- ager. There were advantages in the association which contributed to make the connection a mutually profitable onc. The Baltic Mills Company was a comparatively new corporation, their plant, erected in 1900, one of the most modern in arrangement and equipment. Their product was a fine grade of cotton cloth, and they needed a modern textile manufacturer to set its equipment in motion and market its product. Mr. Peck was a man in the prime of life, trained in the New England school of experience, who had risen from the ranks of the army of office workers, and was thoroughly capable of filling any position in textile mill management. Thus, the man and his opportunity were brought face to face, and the enterprise which lacked its leader was supplied, and success followed. The relations which existed between the board of di- rectors of the Baltic Mills Company and Mr. Peck were most cordial and helpful, the hearty coopera- tion of the board giving their agent practically full authority to carry forward the plans and policies he felt were wise and necessary. In this unity there was strength, and the Baltic Mills Company assumed a position among the prosperous textile mills of New England and returned an income most satisfactory.
Mr. Peck, whose memory is herein honored, was the second to bear the name of William Edward Peck, his father bearing it with honor before him. William E. Peck, Sr., was born in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, and dicd at Napolconville, Louisiana, August 3, 1865, being stricken with a chill which caused his death two hours later. After completing his education in public schools and East Greenwich
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Academy he began the study of law in the office of Richard W. Green, of Providence, Rhode Island, his preceptor later becoming a justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court. When war broke out be- tween the states of the North and South, Mr. Peck enlisted in a Rhode Island regiment of cavalry as a private, but later attained the rank of first lieu- tenant. He was on duty in the State of Louisiana when he was appointed judge advocate and trans- ferred to Napolconville, Louisiana, where he was stricken with a fatal illness. He married Harriet E. Newell, who survived him and later died in Hyde Park, Massachusetts. They were the parents of a daughter, Harriet A., now deceased, and a son, William Edward, Jr., of whom further.
William Edward Peck, Jr., was born in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, March 1, 1857, died in Baltic, Connecticut, April 7, 1921. He was educated in the public schools and East Greenwich Academy, finishing his studies at the last-named institution in 1876. During that same ycar he became a book- keeper in New York City, and later returned to East Greenwich, where he was employed for a time in the office of the Union Cotton Mills. He filled office positions in Providence, Rhode Island, and was for several years with the Ladd Watch Case Company, entering that employ as bookkeeper and later becoming general manager. The positions were all preparatory to the great work of his life, his connection with the Baltic Mills Company.
In 1901, Mr. Peck resigned his position with the Ladd Watch Case Company to accept the office management of the Baltic Mills Company. This association, formed in 1901. continued unbroken until 1921, when it was severed by the death of Mr. Peck, who had become agent and general manager of the mills and was also a member of the board of directors. His management had been attended with the greatest success, and so harmonious had been his relations with the directors that his passing was felt not more as a corporation than as a personal loss.
Mr. Peck was appointed a trustee and general man- ager of the Quidnick-Windham Manufacturing Com pany, of Willimantic, Connecticut, and Quidnick, Rhode Island, after that company went into the hands of a receiver, and also was a director of the Chelsea Savings Bank of Norwich, Connecticut. He was a member of the National Association of Cotton Manufacturers. In his political views he was an influential Republican ; his religious conviction was with the Episcopal faith.
On April 19, 1882, Mr. Peck married, at East Green- wich, Rhode Island, Mary E. Tibbetts, who died without children, in Baltic, April 18, 1914, daughter of Henry A. and Clarinda (Enos) Tibbetts. Such was the life story of William Edward Peck, a story so intimately inter- woven with the history of the Baltic Mills Company as to be inseparable. With that company he made his greatest success in life, and under his management the company took place with the prosperous industries of the State. The man has gone, but the corporation lives as a testimonial to his broad vision and wise man- agement.
ARTHUR PETER COTÉ-Providing for the daily needs of the people is the line of business endeavor in which Arthur Peter Côté, of Baltic, Connecticut, is win- ning substantial success.
Peter S. Côté, Mr. Côté's father, was born in Weedon, Province of Quebec, and educated in the parochial schools of that city. He came to the United States when fourteen years of age, locating in Southbridge, Massachusetts, where he was employed in the machine shops. He came to Baltic, Connecticut, in 1860, and here went into business with his uncle, Treffle Côté, and was associated with him in the general store from that year until 1900, when he died in Baltic. He mar- ried Eliza E. Trempe, who was born in Sorel, Province of Quebec, Canada, and who still survives him, being a resident of Baltic at this time. They were the parents of five children, of whom Arthur Peter is the eldest. The other children are: Alby G., one of the leading ice dealers of Baltic, who married Mary Bouch- ard; Emile L., who married Julia Bouchard, and resides in New York City; Blanche, now the wife of Edward Case, of Norwich; and Melville P., who bore a gallant part in the great struggle of the World War, and now resides in Baltic, and is a traveling salesman, handling a standard line of drugs.
Arthur Peter Côté was born in Baltic, Connecticut, in the town of Sprague, on September 2, 1877. He received his early education in the parochial schools of the town, then completed his studies at the Holy Cross College, in the city of West Farnham, Canada, where he remained for three years. In 1897 he returned to Baltic, and for a short period was associated with his father in the general store. Following this he went to Willimantic, and was employed as clerk in one of the prominent retail stores of that day, conducted by the firm of Mullen & St. Onge. Later on he gained valuable experience in the employ of other merchants, and in 1914 bought the retail meat business theretofore conducted by T. Douville & Company. He found the business congenial, and has thus far made it increas- ingly profitable. He is considered one of the prominent men of the town, and the outlook for the future is bright.
Mr. Côté takes a deep and constructive interest in the public affairs of his native town. Politically, he is a member of the Republican party, but he is held in such high esteem by the people of the town that his name has repeatedly been placed on both tickets. He is now town clerk and town treasurer of the town of Sprague, having held the former office for sixteen and the latter office for twenty-one years.
Fraternally, Mr. Coté is widely known. He is a mem- ber of Lodge No. 430, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Norwich; of Court Sprague, No. 90, For- esters of America; of the Union St. Jean de Baptiste ; and Ponemah Council, No. 34, Knights of Columbus. He is in close touch with the business world of Nor- wich, being a member of the Norwich Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the Immaculate Con- ception Roman Catholic Church.
On January 21, 1909, Mr. Côté married Alma Bibeau,
arthur Caté
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of Baltic, daughter of Louis and Milina (Lucien) Bibcau, of this town. Mr. and Mrs. Côté are the parents of five children, three of whom are living: Joseph A., deceased ; Wilfred; Henry; Rena, deceased ; and Estella, the young people still residing at home.
JAMES HORATIO HYDE-A well-known farmer and cattle dealer of Franklin, New London county, Connecticut, Mr. Hyde tills his acres of the farm upon which he was born, and has won high reputation in his community for energy, integrity and public spirit. He traces lineal descent from William Hyde, one of the original proprietors of Norwich, Connecticut, in 1660, although he is recorded in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1636, his name appcaring on the monument erected to the founders of that city. He was a member of the Board of Selectmen of Norwich, and there died, Jan- uary 6, 1681. He married, and descent in this line is through his son, Samuel.
(II) Samuel Hyde, son of William Hyde, was born in Hartford, Connecticut, about 1637, died at his home, Norwich West Farms, in 1677. He was one of the original proprietors of Norwich in 1660, with his father and others, and had lands assigned to him in that sec- tion known as Norwich West Farms. He continued there, a tiller of his own acres until his death. Hc married, in June, 1659, Jane Lee, of East Saybrook (now Lyme), daughter of Thomas and Phoebe (Brown) Lee, her father sailing from England for New England in 1641, but dying on the passage. Eliza- beth Hyde, daughter of Samuel and Jane (Lee) Hyde, born in August. 1660, is said to have been the first white child born in Saybrook.
(III) Jabez Hyde, youngest of the eight children of Samuel and Jane (Lee) Hyde, was born in Norwich, Connecticut, May, 1677. died at Norwich West Farms. September 5, 1762. The part of Norwich West Farms in which he settled, lived and died, is now known as Franklin. He owned a large tract of land and became a wealthy farmer; was a justice of the peace, and rep- resentative to the General Court. For many years he was clerk of the Franklin church. He married, De- cember 21, 1709, Elizabeth Bushnell, born January 31, 1686, died August 21, 1768, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Adgate) Bushnell, of Norwich. They were the parents of three sons and two daughters.
(IV) Jabez (2) Hyde, eldest son of Jabez (1) and Elizabeth (Bushnell) Hyde, was born in Norwich West Farms, September 16, 1713, died in Franklin, Con- necticut, March 6, 1805. He was a large landowner, a magistrate, and a man of considerable importance. He married, December 8, 1736, Lydia Abel, born July 28, 1719, in Norwich, died June 25, 1805, daughter of Ben- jamin and Lydia (Hazen) Abel. They were the parents of eleven children, born between 1738 and 1762.
(V) Joseph Hyde, eighth child of Jabez (2) and Lydia (Abel) Hyde, was born about 1755, at Norwich West Farms, Connecticut, settled in that part of Nor- wich now known as Franklin, where he died, March 29, 1809. He married, September 6, 1780, Susannah Waterman, born January 19, 1762, died November 6, 1810, daughter of Nehemiah and Susannah (Isham)
Waterman, of Norwich. They were the parents of ten children.
(VI) Horatio Hyde, youngest child of Joseph and Susannah (Waterman) Ilyde, was born in Franklin, Connecticut, September 6, 1801, died there February 26, 1889, and is there buricd. He learned the stone-mason's trade, but his health would not permit him to follow it, and he turned his attention to farming. He bought a farm in Franklin, which he cultivated with excellent results until his passing away. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of Franklin Congregational Church. He married, January 10, 1847, Laura A. Gager, born in Franklin, May 19, 1822, died April 8, 1895, daughter of Levi and Sybil (Hyde) Gager. Children : I. Eunice, born January 15, 1848, formerly a school teacher, who died December 1, 1920. 2. Phoebe, born November 10, 1849, a teacher for several years, then resided with her brother at the homestead. 3. Laura Sybil, born February 20, 1852, died March 21, 1893, a teacher. 4. Otis B., born February 25, 1854, died at Norwich, February 9, 1902, a teacher; he married Catherine Kahn, and left a son, Leslie G., now a resi- dent of Jewett City. 5. Arthur G., born February II, 1856, resides in Franklin. 6. John T., born February 7, 1858, removed to Providence, Rhode Island. 7. Jen- nie, born January 1, 1860, and always resided at the home farm. 8. James Horatio, of further mention.
(VII) James Horatio Hyde, youngest of the children of Horatio and Laura A. (Gager) Hyde, was born in Franklin, New London county, Connecticut, September 26, 1864, his present home the house in which he was born. He was educated in the public school and early became his father's assistant. He managed the home farm for several years prior to his father's death, and then became its owner through the purchase of the interests of the other heirs. He has continued the operation of his farm until the present time, the area of which has been considerably increased by purchase until it now covers 200 acres, conducting it as a dairy and stock-raising farm. He has followed that line of activity all his life with profitable results, and has also for many years carried on auction sales all over the county, being a remarkably good auctioneer.
In political sentiment, Mr. Hyde is a Republican, and in 1911 represented his district in the Connecticut State Legislature. He was chairman of the Town Committee for twenty years, and has creditably filled a number of town offices. He is a member of Oliver Woodhouse Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of Colchester, Connecticut, and of Bozrah Grange. He has never married, his sisters residing at the homestead with him and making it a most pleasant place to live. Mr. Hyde is well- known, highly esteemed, and a good citizen and neigh- bor.
DAVID SUSSLER, M.D .- Among the younger pro- fessional men of Norwich, Connecticut, who bore a noble share in the recent World War. is Dr. David Sussler, M.D., whose office is in Taftville, a suburb of Norwich.
Dr. Sussler is a son of Frank and Viola (Smernoff) Sussler, both parents having been born in German Po-
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land. Frank Sussler came to the United States about 1885, and located in New York City, where he became a cigar manufacturer. He was very successful in the land of his adoption, and remained in New York City in the same line of business until his death, which occurred in 1899. His wife now resides in Boston, Massachu- setts. Of the three children born to Mr. and Mrs Sussler, Dr. Sussler is the second.
David Sussler was born in New York City on No- vember 2, 1892. He received his early education in the public and high schools of New Haven, Connecticut, and was graduated from the latter institution in 1910. Choosing the profession of medicine, he entered the Fordham University Medical School, from which he was graduated in 1916, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He went into hospital practice in the Ford- ham Hospital in 1916, then later to the South Side Hos- pital, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This was in 1917, and Dr. Sussler had not yet completed his studies in surgery when the United States entered the war with Germany. He enlisted at once, and was called on October 3, 1917. As a member of the United States Medical Corps he was assigned to the Officers' Training Camp, at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, where he remained until December of that year. He was then trans- ferred to Camp Sevier, in South Carolina. He was then assigned to the 30th Division, Ambulance Corps, No. 119, and was sent to France in June, 1918. On arriving there this division was assigned to the British Fourth Army, and was in active service from July to October, 1918, when he was gassed. He was then sent to Lon- don, to the Army Base Hospital, where he convalesced, remaining until November 15, of that year. Returning as soon as possible to France, he went back to his same division and company. He arrived home the following March, landing in Charleston, South Carolina. He was mustered out of service at Camp Devens, Massachu- setts, on April 3, 1919, with the rank of first lieutenant, and was recommended for the Distinguished Service Cross, for devotion to duty under the most trying con- ditions at St. Quentin and Ypres.
Dr. Sussler is now established in Taftville, a suburb of Norwich, in the private practice of medicine and surgery, and his friends feel the utmost confidence in his success. He is a member of the Norwich Medical Society; of the New London County Medical Society ; of the Connecticut State Medical Society; and of the American Medical Association. The doctor is a Re- publican by political affiliation, and sincerely loyal to the principles of the party. He is a member of Quine- baug Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
CHESTER SANDS MAINE-From early days in Stonington, Connecticut, the name Maine has been a familiar and honored one. Ezekiel Maine, the first per- manent settler of that name in Stonington, came in 1670, and in 1672 received a grant of land from the town, and ten years later was again granted lands lying south of Shunnock river. In 1674 he joined the Stonington church, and on June 19, 1714, died. By wife Mary he had children: Ezekiel, Mary, Jeremiah, Thomas, Phoebe, and Hannah. Ezekiel and Mary
Maine, through their sons, founded numerous families, and they are the ancestors of those of the name in Eastern Connecticut who trace to early Colonial days. In Stonington and North Stonington the name has always been prominent, the prevailing occupation in this branch having always been agriculture, although many Maines have been successful merchants.
Chester S. Maine of this review, a descendant of the pioneer, Ezekiel Maine, is a son of John S. and Frances Abby (Wheeler) Maine, both father and son born in North Stonington. John S. Maine was a farmer, dealing extensively in cattle, and from his birth, May 9, 1833, until his death, March 25, 1881, he lived in the town of North Stonington. He was buried in the cemetery on the old John Maine homestead, but at the death of his wife the body was removed to the River Bend Cemetery, at Westerly, Rhode Island, where they were buried side by side. His wife, Frances Abby (Wheeler) Maine, was a daughter of Captain Allen Wheeler, and born in the same house as was her son, Chester S., the Maine home being the old Captain Allen Wheeler farm and homestead. Mrs. Frances Abby (Wheeler) Maine died in May, 1915.
Chester Sands Maine was born at the homestead, on the Captain Allen Wheeler farm in North Stonington, New London county, Connecticut, December 16, 1860. He attended the district school, and later was a student at Ashaway Academy in Rhode Island. While yet attending school he opened a little store at Clarks Falls, Connecticut, near his home, serving his customers in the morning and evenings, closing during school hours, Saturdays keeping open all day. After leaving school he engaged in farming and had a milk route, also bought, sold and traded horses and cattle, and was a breeder of light harness horses for the trotting track. In 1880 his father bought the farm upon which Chester S. Maine now lives, and when, ten months later, John S. Maine died, his son, Chester S., assumed the manage- ment. In December, 1881, he came of legal age and became the owner of the property and has ever since devoted himself to the cultivation and care of its three hundred acres. All the improvements on the farm, dwelling, barns and other buildings, have been built by Chester S. Maine and are all modern in design and equipment. The farm is conducted as a dairy and stock farm, the grade of cattle and the dairy products rank- ing very high. The stock and dairy business is con- ducted under the firm name, Chester S. Maine & Son, Mr. Maine's partner his son, Carroll Chester Maine.
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