A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume I, Part 19

Author: Lincoln, Allen B
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke publ. co.
Number of Pages: 930

USA > Connecticut > Windham County > A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume I > Part 19

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

One day he went with her while she bought a pair of new shoes at Potter's. After examining several pairs, she said, "Well, I guess I'll take this pair," placing them in Arthur's hands. He felt them quickly and then said, "That's a good shoe, but they are not mates." "Why surely they are," said the dealer. "No," rejoined Andrew, "one is a trifle longer than the other." The dealer carefully placed the shoes in juxtaposition, and sure enough, there was a dif- ference in length of perhaps an eighth of an inch, indicating that in handling two pairs of the same make had been misplaced in the boxes, and neither the dealer nor Mrs. Andrew had detected it.

One day the writer had occasion to ask Mr. Andrew to let him see a certain fire insurance policy to obtain a description of the property insured. "I will get the policy for you if you wish," said Mr. Andrew, "but I can tell you about the property." Whereupon he proceeded to give me an accurate state- ment of location and dimensions. Finally I said, "Pardon me, Arthur, but will you tell me how you know the facts you have given me?" "Why," was the instant reply, "I've been down there and seen the property." "But how can you see it?" persisted I. And the conversation drew from him that he had upon his brain or in his consciousness the same visualization as any one with eyes to see. "Only," said he, "I get my mental picture through the ear, by what my attendants or others tell me, instead of through the eye, as you do. As we stand here I see that property in my mind's eye, just as you do," and the accuracy of his description proved that he did.

He can tell you about the view and the scenery of the picturesque country round about Willimantic, and is thoroughly familiar with the physical features of the region for miles around. From his daily conversation, one would never suspect his blindness.

And withal he carries a splendid spirit of good cheer and a keen sense of humor. He enjoys a good story and can always match yours with another. He is a genuine optimist, and his business associates and a wide circle of friends greatly enjoy his companionship. He has been particularly fortunate in his life companion, who was Hattie Post, daughter of Frank Post, who came to Willimantic when a young man, from Hebron, and was for many years a car- penter and builder here, and an esteemed citizen of exemplary character. Mr. Andrew's reminiscences of Willimantic business men and enterprises, written

151

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

at the request of the editor, will be found very interesting. He has recently retired from business.

VICTOR ENANDER

One of the most interesting and valuable of later-day civic careers in Wil- limantic was that of Carl Victor Enander, next to the oldest in point of service on Willimantic police force at the time of his death last May. He was born in Vastergotland, Sweden, May 28, 1867, a son of Per. Johan and Laurentia Reddien Enander. He came to this country about thirty-five years ago and was employed in Mansfield and at the J. A. Lewis Nurseries in this city before his appointment to the force, February 21, 1900. He was one of the city's most conscientious employes and a credit to the force during his long term of service.

He was especially popular as a traffic officer at the city's busiest point at head of Railroad Street and his tall form, dignified attitude and genial smile were regarded with interest and pleasure by the thousands who watched for his signal. He was a thoroughly loyal American and fully appreciated American opportunity. He was an active member of the Swedish Lutheran Church and of the Knights of Pythias. He leaves a widow, who was Augusta Johnson, and a son Fred C. Enander who attended Windham High and Tufts College Medical School and will follow the medical profession.

WINDHAM SCHOOLS

The schools of the Town of Windham, public and parochial, have been fairly typical of the similar schools in the larger towns of Windham County, and because of the editor's personal knowledge thereof are here fully described. Opportunity was offered other towns to make similar report of schools, but because of the strenuous conditions of these post-war days, responses were not forthcoming. The story of the schools of the Town of Windham as related below will certainly be found of general interest.

Among the effects of the late Frank F. Webb of Windham Center and Willi- mantic was found a remarkably interesting old volume published in 1809 and entitled, "Elements of Useful Knowledge"-containing a historical and geo- graphical account of the United States; prepared for "the use of schools," by Noah Webster, Jr., afterwards famous as the lexicographer and author of "Webster's Spelling Book." It is especially interesting to reflect that only 111 years ago this volume, which contained chapters on a wide variety of sub- jects-as "Of the Solar System," "Geography," "Of the Discovery and First Peopling of America," "Of Indian Wars, Political and Military Events," "Bills of Credit," "Privacy in the American Seas," "Of Diseases and Remark- able Events," "Of Controversies and Dissensions Among the Colonists," etc .- was thought to contain substantially all that the children of the public schools needed to be taught, aside from the great fundamentals of "readin', writin' and 'rithmetic," with some drill in "algebray" in the finishing rooms! .

Paragraph 473 on page 162 of this volume reads as follows: "Establish- ment of Public Schools: The first planters of New-England, aware of the im- portance of knowledge and learning among a free, Christian people, extended their care to the education of their children; and as soon as the first difficulties of obtaining subsistence were overcome, passed laws for encouraging the gen-

152

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

eral diffusion of knowledge. In Massachusetts and Connecticut, every town containing a sufficient number of householders, was obliged to procure a teacher for such children as parents wished to put under his care. In Connecticut, this provision extended to females as well as males. And the better to induce every town to avail itself of this provision, the law grants and appropriates to each town or school district a sum of money payable out of the treasury of the state, equal to one five-hundredth part of the value of taxable property of the inhabi- tants, as rated in the grand list or public assessment. In addition to this, each town has the command of a large fund arising from the sale of a tract of land called the Western Reserve. In consequence of which, almost every child in the state has access to a school, some part of the years.

On the foundations for public school education as thus established, it would appear that five centers of schooling were gradually developed in the Town of Windham; first at Windham Center, then at North and South Windham, then at the Old Stone School House (followed by Natchaug) and in the First District.

WINDHAM CENTER SCHOOL

Probably the principal figure in the educational development of Windham Center in the nineteenth century was John Gideon Clarke, first as teacher then as acting school visitor for a period covering the years 1836-1878.

He was born March 25, 1805, in North Franklin, son of Silas Clark and Rhuhanna Cross. He married Lucy L. Hartshorn of Franklin, in 1829. He early developed sturdy qualities and strong convictions of right and duty. He was of genial nature, however, fond of a joke, and one felt happier after meeting him. He grew up as a farmer's boy, but his especial fondness for children and young people drew him into the teacher's work in early manhood, following the custom of the time, of farming summers and teaching winters. He was espe- cially successful in managing the big boy, a necessary qualification for the school- master in those days. He taught district school in the Gager District in Frank- lin, also on Zion's Hill in Windham and at Windham Center; also for several terms in "the Old Stone School House" in Willimantic. During the earlier years of his own teaching he would in the fall attend a select school on Wind- ham Green, taught by Ebenezer Gray, in a building that stood near the site of the present Congregational Church-doing this to "brush up for the winter's work," as he expressed it.

He was a fine penman and took pride in teaching that art. His reports of the census of the towns of Franklin and Windham, in 1830, received especial commendation from Washington for accuracy, neatness and penmanship. As schoolmaster, he prepared the "Copy Books" for the pupils, also made and mended their quill pens. Later as school visitor he encouraged plainness of lettering and neatness of books and took pleasure in remarking improvement from year to year. In 1840 he bought a farm in Windham Center and made his home there until after the death of his wife in 1878. During his service as acting school visitor he was associated on the school board with the Rev. Samuel G. Willard and Porter B. Peck, certainly a notable triumvirate in the super- vision of the schools of the Town of Windham.

Mr. Clark died April 22, 1881, at the age of seventy-six. The foregoing facts concerning his life were furnished by Mrs. Julia Ayer Verplanck, mother of Supt. Frederick A. Verplanck (Natchaug, '80), of the South Manchester schools. Mrs. Verplanck was herself teacher in the schools of Windham and

153

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

South Windham in her young womanhood, and taught under Mr. Clarke and Doctor Fitch. She retained an active interest in affairs up to the very last days of her life, and died March 23, 1919, at the age of ninety-one. Mrs. Annie B. Smith-Perry, widow of W. R. Perry of New London, and now living at Lebanon, is a granddaughter of John G. Clark. She attended Natchaug High in 1872-73.

OLD STONE SCHOOL HOUSE

Best known and in many ways most influential among the principals at "The Old Stone School House" (which stood on a rocky knoll near the present east end of the American Thread Company's Mill No. 5), was Frederick F. Barrows. He was a native of Mansfield, Conn., born September 4, 1821, and the only school he ever attended as a pupil was in Spring Hill District in that town. At eighteen he became teacher of that school, and when the money was paid in the spring for his services, it was paid to his father and not to him, in accordance with the custom of that time. Later he secured a position in Spring- field, Mass., and then came to "the old stone school house" at Willimantic, probably about 1845 or '46, remaining there several years, and exerting & marked influence by the thoroughness of study and discipline which he enforced.

Older residents of Willimantic used to tell especially of an encounter which Principal Barrows had with one "tough" lad who was ruling the school when the new master came. The decisive struggle came one day when one of the commiteemen informed the master that there was a plan on foot to throw him out, and a certain husky, strapping fellow of eighteen was going to do it. The trouble began that day with disorderly whisperings and the master requested the big offender to come forward. "Not by a d-n sight!" was the reply. Thereupon the master went down the aisle and took hold of the young man, who clung to his desk, but the master took him-desk and all-to the front of the room, shook him free from the desk, and then applied "the birch" in a way that inspired wholesome respect and settled the law and order of that school for the remainder of the Barrows' regime, and left its mark upon the school for the benefit of future masters. Principal Barrows later became principal of the Brown School of Hartford, serving these for forty years. Among other principals who taught at the "Old Stone School House" were Henry W. Avery, Jonathan Allen and Remus Robinson, father of Judge Otto B. Robinson of the Windham Probate Court.

PORTER B. PECK SCHOOL

One of the most remarkable district schools in Eastern Connecticut in its day was that of Porter B. Peck at North Windham. Mr. Peck was a born teacher, and had a wonderful faculty to inspire youth with an ambition to excel, and to insist that their efforts be thorough and efficient. His daughter, the late Julia M. Peck, taught for many years in the grades and high school of Natchaug, with qualities and success much like those of her father. At a reunion attended by seventy-two of Porter B. Peck's former pupils at North Windham in 1896, Miss Peck in a notable tribute to her father, said : "Earnest, enthusiastic, helpful, ready to spend strength and money for the good of the school, he kindled in many minds a love of learning and desire to do, not better than their classmates, but their very best. For he learned by experience that the spirit of emulation did not encourage a spirit of kindness and brotherly

154

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

love." That his teaching was calculated to inspire, encourage and train his pupils to become teachers is sufficiently proven by the fact that nearly fifty of them have taught and some have achieved reputation in that line-notably, William Collar, the well-known principal of the Roxbury Latin School, and Osmer H. Parker, superintendent of Indian schools. It is interesting to note in this connection that a grandson of Porter B. Peck, namely, Robert Peck Bates, Windham High School, '89, Trinity, '93, is now principal and proprietor of the Chicago Latin School and makes his summer home at Mr. Peck's former home at North Windham, which Mr. Bates now owns.

OLD SCHOOL HOUSE, NORTH WINDHAM Porter B. Peck, famous old-time schoolmaster, taught here many years.

Thirty years before the study of physiology was made compulsory in Con- necticut public schools, we find Mr. Peck establishing (December 22, 1854) two classes in that subject, and he said: "I see no reason why physiology should not be as commonly taught in our schools as geography or arithmetic. It is quite as interesting, and surely quite as necessary to acquaint ourselves with our own physical structure as with the conformation of Ethiopia, or with the intricacies of complex fractions; and far more important to know the direction in which the blood flows through the veins and arteries than to be able to describe the course of the Natchaug or any other important river; better to know the strength of our stomachs and their powers of defense than the strength of Sebastopol ; better spend time to acquire knowledge of the alimentary canal than of the Imperial or Grand Western Canal."

Mr. Peck received the munificent salary of $30 a month, and once spent $26 of his own money to secure a new apparatus from Boston to illustrate the movements of the heavenly bodies. With occasional interruptions he taught "winter terms" at North Windham for nearly forty years; was twice chosen

155

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

to the Legislature and once to the State Senate. Later he was clerk of the United States marshal's office in Hartford and clerk of the commissioner of the school fund. He died in North Windham, June 28, 1884, aged sixty-eight years.

JABEZ C. FITCH-SOUTH WINDHAM

Much of interest and value as to early school days in South Windham clusters around the name of Dr. Jabez Carey Fitch, who was master of the Fitch "Academy" during the years (about) 1848 to 1867. A little story-and-a- half frame building which served as the "academy" stood (until torn down a few years ago) on the hill crest just back of what is now the South Windham Hotel, but the hotel was then the boarding house for the Fitch pupils who came from other towns.

Mr. Fitch studied medicine, but for some reason abandoned that profession for teaching. He came to South Windham shortly before 1850 and left in 1867. He taught first in what is now the dwelling house occupied by Richard Serviss. Then two leading citizens, Elisha Holmes and Giles Taintor, became interested in him and erected the building above referred to as the "academy." The hill was then covered with a splendid growth of pines and was an ideal spot for the school, which became known as Pine Hill Seminary. At first the boys boarded with Alfred Kinne and the girls with Elisha Holmes, as the boarding house was not built until about 1855.

It is recalled that Doctor Fitch was pronounced in the Baptist faith, and finally decided to transfer his school to Norwalk, because it was becoming too expensive to transport his pupils on Sundays to the Willimantic Baptist Church. He left South Windham about 1867 and afterwards built up a strong academy at Norwalk, many pupils following him thither from his former clientele. He died at Norwalk February 26, 1885. No information is at hand as to his place of birth or his life before his appearance in South Windham. Dr. S. H. Hunt- ington, one of his former pupils at South Windham, and now as for many years past a successful practitioner at Norwalk, states that Doctor Fitch's widow sold his school property at Norwalk to Mrs. Elizabeth B. Mead, who conducted there a select school for girls.

WILLIAM L. WEAVER-EDITOR AND VISITOR

William L. Weaver was a man who exerted a marked influence upon the intellectual and moral life of Willimantic and the surrounding community dur- ing the period about 1836 and 1868. He was born in 1816 in the "Bricktop" district (so-called, tradition says, because some enterprising citizen built there the first brick-topped chimney ever seen in those parts). Even as a boy he was always digging at difficult problems in books and was known as a remarkably bright scholar. In early manhood he began teaching in distriet schools. He taught for several terms in the First District of Willimantic when Fred F. Barrows was teaching at the Stone School House; and later taught for several years in the Sessions District (now abolished). at the west end of the town. Meanwhile he developed also a successful faculty to do mercantile business, and established in the old Franklin Building a store where school books, school supplies and newspapers were sold; and there also he established the first express agency. Later James Walden became his partner and the firm was

156

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

Weaver and Walden. Mr. Walden later took over the business and finally moved it to the present Walden Block, where William J. Sweeney now conducts it.

Mr. Weaver was an indefatigable worker along intellectual lines. While in business he would employ his evenings in teaching classes in penmanship in the surrounding villages. He also gave most instructive lectures on current topics. He served on the town School Board, and was for several years acting visitor, which in those days meant supervisor of the teaching. He was for ten years editor of the Willimantic Journal, a weekly paper which attained marked influence under his leadership. In this connection he engaged in original research of genealogical records, and compiled and published much valuable family data, which he put in pamphlet form; and these records together with files of the Journal are lodged with the Connecticut Historical Society. The Journal files contain much of local historical value.

Mr. Weaver's editorials and special articles were a constant uplifting influ- ence in the community. He was able to complete only a part of the genealogical research he had planned because his health and strength failed. His genea- logical data as far as published were issued in pamphlet form and may be found in local and state libraries. He was practically an invalid all his life, and only an indomitable will and unflinching courage enabled him to do the remark- able life work above outlined. For several years he was unable to leave his room, and yet he continued his writing and publishing and his heroic life was an inspiration to the entire community.

The only son of William L. Weaver was none other than he who for the past twenty years has been Hartford's superintendent of schools, Thomas Snell Weaver. "Tom" Weaver was born in Willimantic; attended the "Old Stone School House"; as a mere lad entered his father's printing office and learned. the trade; was editor of the Journal for a year and a half after his father's death ; then struck out for himself in the newspaper life, and became one of the most successful and best known paragraphers and editorial writers in the busi- ness. More particular reference is made to him in another article.

JOHN D. WHEELER-FIRST DISTRICT

During the "Old School and Old Home Week" celebration in June, 1915, there was a notable gathering in Willimantic of former pupils of the late John D. Wheeler, principal of the schools of the First District (west end of Willi- mantic) for many years, and deserving rank among the earlier schoolmasters of the Town of Windham and who exercised a strong and lasting influence upon his pupils because of the thorough and rigid methods which he followed.

Mr. Wheeler was born in North Stonington, Conn., in 1820, and died in Willimantic August 25, 1893. His early schooling was in his native town, and he went thence to Bacon Academy, Colchester, one of the famous schools of those days. He took up teaching in district schools in Stonington and adjoin- ing towns, and taught in Mystic seventeen years; thence to Willimantic. The unruly boys had hung his predecessor out of the window with a rope under his arms and let him down to the ground; so a strong disciplinarian was sought for, to subdue the disorderly element. Horace Hall (father of the late John M. Hall, judge and railroad president) was the committeeman who went from Willimantic to Mystic to hire Mr. Wheeler, and it is stated that he proposed to hire two men who should be secreted in the school woodshed to aid the new

157

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

principal in case of riot. But John D. Wheeler rejected all aid and soon mas- tered the situation, and remained principal there for about twenty years. After retiring from school work he was chosen town clerk; also judge of probate for the Windham District. His only surviving son, Louis E. Wheeler, now lives at East Cambridge, Mass.

Principal Wheeler's former pupils rallied with much enthusiasm for "Old School and Home Week," and made themselves felt in the general movement. Mayor Daniel P. Dunn, who was born in Willimantic and attended school under Mr. Wheeler, was chosen president of the Wheeler Association, and Arthur C. Andrew was, with Mayor Dunn, a moving spirit in the Wheeler Association.

"OLD NATCHAUG"

Succeeding "the old Stone School House" was the Natchaug Building, the big frame structure which was dedicated in March, 1865, and torn down in July, 1914, to make way for the modern building now in use.

The first principal of Natchaug was Mr. S. W. Powell, who came from Boston and remained only one year. He was succeeded by David P. Corbin, who had previously maintained a very successful "select" high school known as Willimantic Institute in the upper story of the old Franklin Hall Building,

OLD NATCHAUG SCHOOL, TORN DOWN IN 1914, WILLIMANTIC

which was burned in 1868 and replaced by the present brick structure of the same name.

When the new Natchaug Building was opened, March, 1865, Mr. Corbin gave up his private high school and taught a year at East Hartford. But in the fall of 1866 he was recalled to Willimantic to become principal of Natehaug.

158

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

He set out at once to perfect there a thorough graded system and the success and popularity of his private school were soon transferred to Natchaug. He built up both the grade schools and the high school to a remarkable degree of efficiency, and pupils came to the high school from all the surrounding towns. He was not only a thorough instructor and disciplinarian, but inspired the enthusiasm and affection of both teachers and pupils, and lasting benefits resulted to all concerned. He entered heartily into the sports and recreation of his pupils ; organized numerous "school exhibitions" and "dramatics," which are remembered with intense interest even to this day. He realized the demand of youthful energy and enthusiasm for "something to do," and he directed their play into channels not only delightful, but worth while. A surprising number of his former pupils came back to the Willimantic celebration of 1915 to do him honor.

Ill health, due to excessive devotion and overtaxing a constitution never robust, compelled him to resign from the Willimantic position in the fall of 1869. After a few months' rest, however, he regained sufficient measure of health to take a post as principal of the West Middle District in Hartford, and he remained there for about ten years, when his health again failed. In Octo- ber, 1879, with his brother, the late William M. Corbin, he went to Colorado in hope to regain his strength, but the dreaded consumption had progressed too far, and he died at Larned, Kan., March 18, 1880. His widow, Mrs. Mary S. Corbin, survived him many years, residing in Hartford, where she died in 1918. The Hon. William H. Corbin, Yale's famous football star and for several years state tax commissioner, is a nephew.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume I, Part 19

Author: Lincoln, Allen B Publication date: 1920 Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke publ. co. Number of Pages: 930

Author: Lincoln, Allen B
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke publ. co.
Number of Pages: 930