A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 100

Author: Lincoln, Allen B
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke publ. co.
Number of Pages: 960

USA > Connecticut > Windham County > A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II > Part 100

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Highly developed skill has enabled John Wood Lees to command important and re- sponsible positions in engineering circles. He has been employed as engineer by various companies and is now occupying the position of chief engineer of the Lawton Mills Cor- poration at Plainfield. Mr. Lees is of English birth. He was born in Lancashire, Eng- land, February 3, 1879, and is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Wood) Lees, who were also natives of that country. The father was born at Oldham, England, and attended the public schools of that town, while later he worked as a mill man in Lancashire, be- ing thus employed until he came to the United States. Hoping to have better business

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opportunities and advantages in the new world, he crossed the Atlantic and settled in southwestern Pennsylvania, where he engaged in farming. He afterward removed to New England and was employed as a mill man in various places in Rhode Island. Eventually he retired from industrial life and took up his abode on a small farm at Wash- ington, Rhode Island, where he passed away in 1905. His family numbered three chil- dren: John Wood, Herbert and Eva, the younger son being now deceased.

John W. Lees was but two years of age when brought to the United States by his parents. He attended the public schools in the various villages of Rhode Island in which his father worked and after completing his public school education he pursued a course through the American Correspondence School of Chicago, Illinois. In early manhood he entered upon an apprenticeship as an engine builder with the Laurie Engine Company of Montreal, Canada, with which he was connected for five years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Providence, Rhode Island, and for five years was employed in the erecting of steam engines for the George H. Corliss Engine Company. He next became an employe of the General Electric Company at West Lynn, Massachusetts, building and erecting steam turbines for a period of two years. Removing to Baltic, Connecticut, he accepted the position of chief engineer in the Baltic Mills, a position which he capably filled for seven years, and then came to Plainfield in 1911. Through the intervening perod he has resided in this village, occupying the position of chief engineer of the Lawton Mills Corporation through the entire period. His experiences have been broad and his power has been constantly developed along the line which he has chosen as his life work.

On the 3d of June, 1905, Mr. Lees was married to Miss Margaret Fowler, of Wash- ington, Rhode Island, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Fowler, natives of England. Mrs. Lees came to the United States in 1903, landing in New York, where for a time she made her home and then became a resident of Providence, Rhode Island, where she was employed in the Boston Store, having charge of the ladies' neckwear department. The other members of her father's family are still in England.

In his political views Mr. Lees is an earnest republican and fraternally he is a prominent Mason, belonging to Moosup Lodge, No. 113, A. F. & A. M .; Warren Chapter, R. A. M., of Danielson, Connecticut; Montgomery Council, R. & S. M., of Danielson; Columbian Commandery, K. T., of Norwich, Connecticut and Sphinx Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. of Hartford. He is a past master of the blue lodge. He is likewise identified with Court Sayles Independent Order of Foresters, at Baltic, Connecticut, and is a member of the Association of Stationary Engineers at Norwich. He and his wife at- tend and support the Congregational church of Plainfield. They are highly esteemed people, displaying many sterling traits of character, which have won for them warm regard, while in business circles Mr. Lees by reason of his highly developed powers and ability has made for himself a most creditable position.

JOHN MARSHALL DOWE.

John Marshall Dowe, an alert and energetic young man, has recently taken over a business that has been conducted under the Dowe name for sixty years, having been established and promoted by his grandfather. Danielson is proud of the record of the family and proud to claim John Marshall Dowe as a native son. He was here born September 1, 1896, his parents being John Marshall and Helen Safford (Winter) Dowe. He attended the Killingly high school, from which he was graduated in 1914, and then entered Brown University as a member of the class of 1918, but ere the time of graduation rolled around he had left college to enlist in the United States army, which he joined on the 26th of April, 1917, becoming a member of Battery A, Rhode Island Field Artillery. Later this command became Battery A, of the One hundred and Third Field Artillery of the Twenty-sixth Division, and Mr. Dowe was engaged in active overseas service for eighteen months from the 8th of October, 1917, until the 10th of April, 1919. His military record is that of the Twenty-sixth Division-the famous Yankee division whose history constitutes one of the brilliant pages in the military an- nals of the country in relation to the World war. He was discharged as corporal and fortunately returned home without sustaining wounds.

Following his discharge from the army Mr. Dowe entered the employ of his mother and eventually purchased from her the business which he is now conducting and which is one of the old historic commercial establishments of Danielson. It was begun in 1854 in a small way, when Amasa Dowe, proprietor of a jewelry store which he founded and the great-grandfather of John M. Dowe of this review, gave counter room to his son, Marshall P. Dowe, for the sale of stationery. The Norwich Bulletin of December 7, 1919, speaking of this, said:

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"The little business enjoyed a healthful growth and in 1860 had become sufficiently well established to warrant the opening of a new and separate store in what is now known as the Dowe building, on Main street. Books, newspapers, periodicals, school supplies and kindred lines were added-and the expanded business continued to pros- per.

"In the nearly sixty years that have passed since the business was transferred to its new location practically every contemporary business firm has passed out of ex- istence.

"M. P. Dowe continued as sole proprietor of the business from 1860 to 1883, when the firm was changed to M. P. Dowe & Sons. In 1887 Mr. Dowe, having received an ap- pointment as postmaster, sold his interest in the business to his sons and they continued to conduct it until 1898, when Mr. Dowe's eldest son, John M. Dowe, became the sole proprietor and so continued in the business until his death in 1902. Since his death Mrs. H. S. Dowe, wife of John M. Dowe, has successfully continued it, and in turn now relinquishes the proprietorship to her son, John M. Dowe.

"Back in the early '80s Danielson's first telephone exchange was established in a room in the rear of the Dowe store and this remained the central station for the Daniel- son division during all of the early days of telephone development and up to 1898, when the telephone company erected its present building at the corner of Mechanic and Academy streets."

As proprietor of the business established by his grandfather John M. Dowe of this review is winning for himself a most creditable place in the commercial circles of his native city. On the 17th of February, 1920, he married Miss Muriel Harwood Clark at Providence, Rhode Island, a daughter of Ernest E. and Ida (Parkinson) Clark, of that city. Her father, who is now deceased, was for a time superintendent of the Wil- liamsville Manufacturing Company, Williamsville, now Goodyear. Her mother is still a resident of Providence, Rhode Island.

In his political belief Mr. Dowe is a republican and his religious faith is that of the Congregational church. He is now a prominent member of the American Legion, belonging to Leo J. L'Homme Post of Danielson, of which he is the treasurer. No one who knows Mr. Dowe, and he has a wide acquaintance, feels the least hesitancy in pre- dicting for him a successful future, recognizing in him those qualities which have made the name of Dowe an honored one in the business circles of Danielson for many decades.

FREDERICK DUMAS.

Frederick Dumas, who since 1907 has capably filled the position of superintendent of streets in Putnam under both republican and democratic administrations, was born October 28, 1866, in the city where he still makes his home, his parents being Frank and Sophrona (Lemoth) Dumas, who were natives of Canada. The father came to the United States when seventeen years of age and located at Stoneville, Massachusetts, where he engaged in shoemaking for about two years. He then returned to Canada, where he resided until twenty-four years of age, working at the shoemaker's trade. He again came to the United States and took up his abode in Putnam, Connecticut, where he became interested in farming. For eleven years he was engaged in farming in Rhode Island but made his home in Putnam, going to and from his farm daily. At length he retired from active business and he and his wife still reside in Putnam, enjoying well earned rest. His political support is given to the democratic party and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in St. Mary's Roman Catholic church. He and his wife became the parents of thirteen children, all born in Putnam, namely: Frederick, of this review; Adelos, who married Elise Catnoir and resides in his native city; Soph- rona, who lives in West Gloucester, Rhode Island; two who died in childhood; Zoe, the wife of Nerbert Boudreault; Delma, the wife of Hermidas Lebonte; Eugene, who mar- ried Victoria Beaulac; Josephine; Henry, who married Melena Brothers; Cordelia, the wife of Alex Beaudrault; Alphonse, who married Delia Cornoyer; and Victoria, the wife of Albert Morin.

Frederick Dumas obtained his education in the schools of his native city and then took up the occupation of farming, which he followed with his father for a few years. He afterward accepted a position in installing steam sawmills and thus was active for about nine years. In 1907 he was elected superintendent of streets in Putnam and has since continued to serve in that capacity most satisfactorily under both democratic and republican government. He does everything in his power to improve the system of pub- lic highways and keep the streets in excellent condition and his work has been highly satisfactory.

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At Dayville, Connecticut, on the 7th of May, 1886, Mr. Dumas was married to Miss Agnes Catnoir, who was born in Canada, a daughter of Anthony and Margaret (Bruno) Catnoir, who were natives of Canada. The children of this marriage are as follows. Joseph, born in Putnam, April 24, 1887, married Donald Boucher and they have five chil- dren. Angelina, born in Putnam, July 20, 1888, is the wife of Eugene Brothers and re- sides at Webster, Massachusetts. Blanche, born in Putnam, July 10, 1890, is the wife of Peyser Silverman, a civil engineer of St. Louis, Missouri. Eva, born in Putnam, Jan- uary 27, 1891, is the wife of John Fanning, of Putnam. Ara, born October 3, 1893, is the wife of Eugene Bibault, of Putnam. Henry, born December 26, 1895, married Bessie McCormick, of Putnam. Louise, born January 16, 1897, Cordelia, April 8, 1899, and Leana, January 26, 1902, complete the family. All of the children were born in Putnam.

Mr. Dumas votes the democratic ticket and he is connected with several fraternal organizations, including the Red Men, the Knights of Columbus, the Eagles and the Moose. He has been financial secretary of Cargill Council, K. C., of Putnam, and be- longs to St. Mary's Roman Catholic church. His interests are broad and varied and he is actuated at all times by a progressive spirit that prompts him to seek the public good as well as the promotion of individual interests.

GEORGE PARKER MOTT.

George Parker Mott is numbered among the successful business men of Moosup, where he is conducting a general store. He was born in Sunbury, New Brunswick, Canada, March 21, 1864, and is a brother of Mack C. Mott, represented elsewhere in this work. He came to the United States a year after his father crossed the border and was employed for some time in woolen mills at various places. In 1888 he came to Moosup and secured a situation in the Aldrich Mills, thus working for a brief period. Later he was given a position in a grocery store conducted by A. P. Taber, acting as clerk for three years. During that period he thoroughly acquainted himself with the trade and with mercantile methods and he afterward established a meat market at Moosup, which he conducted for a period of four years. He next went to Oneco, Connecticut, where he represented H. A. Gallup in the meat business for eight years, and later he removed to Attawaugan, where he had full charge of the meat market for the Attawaugan Company. He later returned to Moosup and after being employed in various places he purchased in 1914 the grocery store formerly owned by A. P. Taber and has since con- ducted a good business, having now a liberal patronage which brings to him a very gratifying income.

Mr. Mott was united in marriage, October 2, 1896, to Miss Evelyn Fiske, daughter of William Fiske, of South Killingly. Politically he is a republican and fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Moosup Lodge, No. 113, A. F. & A. M. He attends the Baptist church, and his aid and influence are ever given on the side of progress and im- provement, his labors contributing to the upbuilding of the district in which he lives. His business advancement is the direct result of his close application, his indefatigable energy and his reliable dealing. While he started out in the business world empty- handed, he has steadily worked his way upward and today is one of the prosperous merchants of Moosup.

JOHN M. DEAN, SR.

John M. Dean, Sr., is a well known retired manufacturer of Putnam. He was born in Leeds, England, where he acquired his education and learned the trade of pin making in one of the large factories of that kind in his native land, where he remained until after his marriage and the birth of two of his children, Mary and Charles E. He then came to America with his family and spent a few months in Newark, New Jersey, after which he removed to Lowell, Massachusetts, there establishing business in 1899. He began the manufacture of textile pins, talking machine needles, comp, faller, feeder and card pins. The business was begun on a small scale but the trade steadily grew and in 1910 the plant was removed to Putnam, where buildings were erected, especially designed and equipped for the manufacture of pins. Still the trade steadily increased and in 1913 the business was incorporated under the name of the John M. Dean Com- pany, Incorporated, with the father, John M. Dean, as the treasurer, John M. Dean, Jr., as the secretary, and Charles E. Dean, as the president. This became one of the important manufacturing concerns of the city and was carried on by father and sons until September, 1917, when the business was sold to the Otto Heineman Phonograph

JOHN M. DEAN, SR.

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Supply Company of New York city and is now known as the John M. Dean division of the Otto Heineman Phonograph Supply Company. When the sale took place the father retired from active business and now makes his home in Putnam, where he is enjoying a well earned rest.

While still in England, Mr. Dean was united in marriage to Miss Mary Dudley, a native of that country, and they have five children: Mary and Charles E., born in England; and Sarah, Rhoda and John M., Jr., born in Lowell, Massachusetts. The two sons, who have always been associated with their father in business until his recent retirement, are still active along the line in which they were thoroughly trained by him. Both are mentioned on other pages of this work.

Mr. Dean is one of the highly respected citizens of Putnam-a man of genuine, sterling worth-and his progressiveness, industry and determination have brought him to the front in a business way and won for him the success which now enables him to live retired.

KARL DORFLINGER.

Karl Dorflinger, identified with general farming in Plainfield township, his home being near Moosup, was born in Lenaker, Germany, January 30, 1866. He is a son of John Asal and Mary (Dorflinger) Dorflinger, and while spending his youthful days in his na- tive land he attended the public schools, thus acquiring his education. He afterward took up the occupation of farming, which he followed in Germany until he determined to try his fortune in the United States. He then came with his family to the new world, arriving on the 28th of September, 1910. They landed in New York city and thence removed to Plainfield, Connecticut, where Karl Dorflinger purchased a farm from his brother, Albert A. Dorflinger. He at once began the further development and improve- ment of the property, has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and has successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits to the present time. He annually gathers good crops as the reward of his labors and his business is bringing to him merited success.

On the 26th of September, 1891, Mr. Dorflinger was married to Elizabeth Kra- mar, a native of Hillstein, Germany, and they have become the parents of six children: Mary, Karl, Emil, Elise, Fritz and Hilda. Five of the children were born in Hillstein, Germany, while the youngest was born in the town of Plainfield.

Mr. Dorflinger has taken out his first papers and is about to become a citizen of the United States. During the great World war he strongly supported the interests of his adopted country, proving the same by his generous assistance to the Red Cross and his liberal purchase of Liberty bonds. He and his family attend the Methodist church and guide their lives according to its teachings. They have taken an active part in the social life of the community and hold membership in the various social and fra- ternal organizations. Mr. Dorflinger has never had occasion to regret his determina- tion to come to the new world, for here he has found the opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has made steady progress toward the goal of success.

HON. HENRY CLAPP.

Hon. Henry Clapp has represented his district in the general assembly of Con- necticut and has not only been a leader in public thought and action in connection with the political interests of the state but also has had marked influence in shaping the material, social and intellectual progress of the community in which he makes his home. For a long period he was identified with farming interests in the town of Hamp- ton but is now living retired, occupying a beautiful home on Hampton hill.

He was born in Hampton, June 5, 1847, and is the only survivor of a family of ten children born of the marriage of Deacon David and Temperance D. (White) Clapp. The family has long been represented in. New England. Jonathan Clapp, the grand- father of Henry Clapp, was a prominent citizen of Norton, Massachusetts, and through his business career followed the profession of civil engineering. He was married twice and had twelve children. Late in life he removed to Hampton, where he made his home with his son David, there passing away in November, 1864, at the advanced age of ninety-six. His political allegiance was always given to the whig party and he served as sheriff of Norton for some time. He was a member and deacon of the Congrega- tional church at Hampton and was a man actuated at all times by the highest moral principles.

His son, David Clapp, was born at Norton, Massachusetts, April 30, 1807, where

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he spent the period of his boyhood and youth. He suffered from ill health in early manhood but in 1833, when his health had improved, he removed to Hampton, where he purchased a farm in the North Bigelow district. A few months later, in Easton, Massachusetts, he was married on the 17th of September, 1833, to Temperance D. White, who was born May 8, 1814. The death of David Clapp occurred May 31, 1873, while his widow survived until October 1, 1893, passing away as the result of apoplexy. In poli- tics David Clapp was a republican and filled a number of town offices. His religious faith was that of the Congregational church, in which he served as deacon for a number of years. He became one of the successful farmers of Hampton and, although all days in his career were not equally bright and he at one time met with financial reverses, he nevertheless persevered and gained a place among the prosperous men of the com- munity. In 1868 he sold his first farm and purchased the Utley place, on which he spent his remaining days. The ten children born to him and his wife were as follows: Cordona, born March 5, 1835, died March 19, 1850. David, Jr., a mechanic, was born April 15, 1836. He married Harriett P. Holly and died in Willimantic, Connecticut, June 5, 1889. He was a soldier in the Civil war. Charles, born March 2, 1839, mar- ried Miranda Wilson. He enlisted in the Twenty-fifth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry as a private and at the time of his death, at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was lieutenant of his company. Christopher, born June 6, 1841, was a carpenter by trade and re- sided at Worcester, Massachusetts. He wedded Frances Tiffany and is now deceased. He too was a soldier of the Civil war. Dyer, deceased, was born October 15, 1843, and wedded Mary Deegan, their home being in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Milton, a school teacher, was born December 14, 1845. He married Ellen Martin and died February 21, 1871, in Hampton. Henry, the subject of this review, is the next in order of birth. Delia, born April 16, 1849, married E. D. Goodell and died in Brookfield, Massachu- setts, May 31, 1883, and was survived by her husband, who died January 31, 1920. Ellen, born February 14, 1851, married Riley B. Witter, of Brooklyn, Connecticut, and died February 13, 1879. Abbie was born March 22, 1857, and passed away August 21, 1876.

Hon. Henry Clapp was born on the old homestead farm in Hampton and was about twenty years of age when his parents removed to the Utley place. He acquired a com- mon school education and also attended a select school taught by Dr. Rienzi Robinson and a Miss Carey of Scotland. When eighteen years of age he became a teacher, hav- ing charge of the Tatnic hill district of Brooklyn for one term. The following year he taught in the Jericho district and nearly every year thereafter until 1896 was a teacher in Hampton or in Pomfret, becoming the veteran teacher of his section of the state. He inherited the old home farm upon his father's death, a tract of one hundred and fifteen acres, upon which he lived for forty-three years, or until 1911, when he sold the property and retired from active business, removing to a fine residence on Hamp- ton hill which he now occupies.

On the 26th of November, 1874, Mr. Clapp was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Belle Kinne, who was born in Plainfield, Connecticut, in 1853, a daughter of Erastus Kinne, a farmer of Plainfield. Mrs. Clapp passed away April 25, 1897. On the 16th of March, 1898, Mr. Clapp wedded Mrs. Mary C. Webster, who was born in Hampton, a daughter of Christopher and Sarah (Durkee) Hevey. By his first marriage Mr. Clapp had a daughter, Nellie Frances, who was born March 8, 1880, and was graduated from the high school of Brookfield, Massachusetts, where she became a teacher. She also completed a course in a kindergarten training school there and afterward taught both school and music in Brookfield. She became the wife of Charles A. Sweet, a native of Hampton, Connecticut, where he followed farming, and later they removed to Brook- field, Massachusetts, where Mr. Sweet again carried on agricultural pursuits. He died while on a visit to Hampton, December 12, 1917, leaving a widow and one son, Clif- ford Lincoln, who was born in Hampton, February 12, 1909, and who is with his mother in a pleasant home in Brookfield. By her former marriage Mrs. Mary C. Clapp had a son, Clarence Merton Webster, who was born in Hampton, September 16, 1892, his par- ents being Merton and Mary Clyrana (Hevey) Webster. He attended the district schools of Hampton and was graduated from the Windham high school in 1911, after which he entered the Clark College at Worcester, Massachusetts, and there won the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1915. For further college training he entered the Uni- versity of Michigan, where he won the Master of Arts degree in 1916 and also won the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Michigan. The entrance of America into the great World war, however, changed his plans, for in July, 1917, he enlisted in the Medical Corps of the United States army, becoming connected with the Harper Hospital Unit of Detroit. With this unit he went to France and was at Base Hospital No. 17, where he served until March, 1919, when he entered the Paris Univer- sity for a four months' course as a military student, completing the course in July. He then returned to America, where he was discharged, having served for two years

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 100

Author: Lincoln, Allen B Publication date: 1920 Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke publ. co. Number of Pages: 960

Author: Lincoln, Allen B
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke publ. co.
Number of Pages: 960