A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 103

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

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GEORGE EDGAR WHITNEY.

George Edgar Whitney, who since 1916 has had full charge of the company farm of the Grosvenor Dale Company in the town of Thompson, was born at South Woodstock, Connecticut, July 27, 1885, his parents being John Francis and Emma (Burton) Whitney. The father, a native of the town of Putnam, was there reared. and educated to the age of sixteen years, when he enlisted in the Union army in the Civil war. He enrolled at Norwich, Connecticut, as a member of Company G, First Connecticut Regiment of Volunteers. He served from 1863 until the close of hostilities, rendering valuable aid to the country in the suppression of rebellion in the south. After the war he went to Putnam, where he served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade for three years. About 1870 he entered the employ of Henry Wright of Pomfret, with whom he con- tinued for several years, and later he purchased land in South Woodstock. He remained thereon for thirty-five years, engaged successfully in general farming and dairying, and at length retired, putting aside the more active cares of business life in 1917. He is now a resident of Putnam and his wife, who was born in Harrisville, Rhode Island, is also living. In their family were five children: George Edgar; Herbert N., who was born and died in Woodstock, passing away at the age of thirteen years; Walter O., who died in Woodstock at the age of sixteen; Olive A., residing in Putnam; and Ethel B., who died in Putnam when twenty years of age.

George E. Whitney is indebted to the public schools of South Woodstock for the early educational advantages which he enjoyed and later he was graduated from the Woodstock Academy with the class of 1904. He then took up the occupation of farming, to which he had been reared, working for his father for a year, and in 1905 he removed to North Grosvenor Dale, where he became office messenger in the Grosvenor Dale Mills and afterward was advanced to the position of foreman of all outside work on the company farm. In 1916 he was given full charge of the company farm and has since occupied this position, fully meeting every requirement and dis- charging his duties with marked capability and fidelity.

On the 22d of October, 1919, Mr. Whitney was united in marriage to Miss Ruby

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Isabelle Judson Clarke, of Canterbury, Connecticut, a daughter of Andrew T. J. Clarke, a prominent farmer of this county, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work.

In politics Mr. Whitney is a stalwart republican and at this writing is serving as justice of the peace, his decisions being strictly fair and impartial. He has also been town fire warden. Fraternally he is connected with Cornerstone Lodge No. 122, A. F. & A. M., of North Grosvenor Dale, and he belongs to Quinebaug Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Putnam, and to J. E. Tourtellotte Camp, No. 5, of the Sons of Veterans at North Grosvenor Dale. He is likewise identified with the Grange at Thompson and he attends and supports the Baptist church. In these associations is indicated much of the nature of his interests and the rules which govern his conduct and he is ever found to be a man loyal to the business interests which he represents and equally faithful in his allegiance to the highest duties and obligations of citizenship.

WALTER AVERY STANTON.

Walter Avery Stanton, who since 1914 has been stationary engineer in the mill at Goodyear and who makes his home at Danielson, was born in Sterling, Connecticut, June 13, 1863. He is a son of Avery Amos Stanton, who is now living retired on Ekonk Hill and who has for many years been a leading and prominent figure in connection with the agricultural and political interests of Windham county. He was born in Preston, Connecticut, April 5, 1837, a son of Lodowick B. and Hannah (Stanton) Stanton and a grandson of Amos Stanton. He is a representative in the third generation of the descendants of Thomas Stanton, who embarked at London, England, January 2, 1635, on the merchant ship Bonaventura, bound first for Virginia and thence to Boston. He settled in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1637 and there married Ann Lord. In 1650 he established a trading house on the Pawcatuck river, where the family took up their abode after living for several years in New London. Thomas Stanton died December 2, 1676, while his wife passed away in 1688.

Thomas Stanton, Jr., who was one of their ten children, was born in the town of Hartford in 1638 and there married Sarah Denison, daughter of Captain George Denison, of Stonington, Connecticut. She was born March 20, 1641, and died December 19, 1701, while her husband's death occurred April 11, 1718. History says: "Thomas Stanton, Jr., had shown so great aptitude for the language of the Indians as to be desired in 1654 by the commissioners of the United Colony of New England to be employed in the public service with his younger brother by training at Harvard College for interpreter, and seven years this colony made grant of land and money to the father for the benefit of him and them." On the 11th of November, 1698, Thomas Stanton bought of Owaneco, chief sachem of the Mohegans, a tract of six hundred and fifty acres lying in the north parish of New London, which land he afterward sold to Lieutenant James Harris in 1721. The direct ancestor of Walter A. Stanton in the third generation was Samuel Stanton, who was born May 21, 1682, and on the 23d of January, 1729, married Rebecca Worden, of Stonington, his second wife, who died in that town January 19, 1770. His son, John Stanton, born May 13, 1736, was married June 9, 1763, to Susanna Champlin, daughter of Stephen and Mary (Hazard) Champlin, and made his home in Stonington until his death in 1819. He served in the French and Indian war and also in the Revolutionary war and it is said that he sustained eighteen bullet wounds in the course of his military experience.

Amos Stanton, great-grandfather of Walter A. Stanton, was born in Stonington, Connecticut, May 25, 1768, and there died June 18, 1841. He was married March 5, 1789, to Amelia Babcock, who passed away January 7, 1844. He owned and occupied a farm three miles northwest of Westerly, Rhode Island, in the town of Stonington, and was one of the prominent and influential farmers of that locality. At his death he left a large property, which was divided among his children. His son, Lodowick B. Stanton, was born in Stonington, January 28, 1795, and married Hannah, daughter of Deacon John Stanton, of Stonington. He soon afterward removed to Ledyard, Con- necticut, and later to Preston, this state, but afterward returned to the old homestead, in the town of Stonington, where his death occurred in 1874. His wife had passed away in February, 1866. In politics he was a democrat and in religious faith was connected with the North Baptist church.

Avery Amos Stanton was one of a family of five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Lodowick Stanton. His youth was largely passed in Norwich and in Voluntown and when fifteen years of age, to supplement his early educational opportunities, he entered the Connecticut Literary Institute at Suffield, there remaining as a student for a year and a half, defraying the expenses of his course with money which he had earned as a teacher. He was recognized as one of the ablest educators in this section

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of the state during his early manhood and taught at various points. In 1862 he took up his abode in Sterling and purchased one hundred and ten acres of land on Ekonk Hill and also leased the adjoining farm of one hundred and ninety acres, a tract which he afterward acquired by purchase. He then extensively engaged in general farming and stock raising, meeting with very substantial success, and he likewise invested in timber lands at various points in eastern Connecticut. As the years passed he prospered in his undertakings and now with a most substantial competence is living retired. He has always voted with the republican party and has held many important local positions, the duties of which he has discharged with marked faithfulness and capability. He served on the town central committee of the republican party for more than thirty years, acting as its chairman during the greater part of that time; for seven and a half years was a member of the board of county commissioners and in 1874 was a member of the state legislature. He has likewise been officially con- nected with the schools and the cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart champion. He became one of the organizers and charter members of Ekonk Grange, of which he was the first lecturer, and he and his family are members of the Voluntown Baptist church, in the work of which he has taken a most active and helpful part, serv- ing for a time as Sunday school superintendent. He married Laura C. Gallup, daughter of Benjamin and Caroline L. (Kinne) Gallup and also a representative of one of the early New England families, the ancestral line being traced back in America to 1630.

Walter Avery Stanton was one of the family of eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Avery Amos Stanton. He obtained his early education in the public schools of Sterling and afterward attended the Plainfield Academy. He then became the active assistant of his father upon the farm and still later was associated with his father in the lumber business for a number of years, operating a steam sawmill in cutting the timber from the land which the father had acquired. Eventually, however, he withdrew from the lumber business and took up his abode in the village of Sterling, where he accepted the position of stationary engineer in the Sterling dye works, thus serving for two and a half years. He then removed to Danielson and became chief engineer at the Dyer dam power house for the Connecticut Electric Railroad Company. After eleven years in that position he became connected with the Goodyear Company in 1914 as stationary. engineer at the mill and has since occuped this position of responsibility, his previous experience of varied character contributing to the excellent record which he has made in this position.

On the 18th of August, 1885, Mr. Stanton was united in marriage to Miss Jerusha Caroline Frink, of Sterling, Connecticut, a daughter of Capt. Albert Frink. Mrs. Stanton is a sister of John A., Charles A., and George Frink, whose sketches appear elsewhere in this volume. Two children have been born of this marriage: Grace May, who is a teacher in the schools of Danielson and resides with her parents; and Methel Miner, who is teaching at Hartford, Connecticut.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Stanton has given his political endorsement to the republican party and is a most earnest supporter of its principles. He belongs to Ashland Lodge, No. 24, A. O. U. W., at Jewett City, Con- necticut, and he and his wife are consistent members of the Baptist church of Daniel- son, loyal to its teachings and doing everything in their power to promote its growth and extend its influence. Mr. Stanton's life has in every respect measured up to high standards and the sterling worth of his character is attested by the warm friend- ship entertained for him by all with whom he has been associated.

MICHAEL HENRY GRIMSHAW.

Throughout the long years of his residence in the town of Killingly, Michael Henry Grimshaw was held in the highest esteem. He filled various political positions with capability and efficiency and he was the owner of an excellent farm property on the main road of the town, near the village of Attawaugan. There he made his home, giving his attention to his agricultural interests and to his official duties, for he was long retained in public office. He was born in Putnam, Connecticut, January 27, 1863, a son of Francis D. and Bridget (Mullen) Grimshaw. The father was born in England and as a young man went to Providence, Rhode Island, while later he removed to Vermont, where he wedded Bridget Mullen, who was a native of Ireland. Subsequently he established his home at Providence, Rhode Island, and later became a resident of Putnam, Connecticut. After a time he went to Southbridge, Massachusetts, and thence to Attawaugan, Con- necticut, where he passed away. He was a machinist by trade and throughout his entire life worked as a machinist in the mills, being employed for some time in this way in

MICHAEL H. GRIMSHAW

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the mills of the Attawaugan Company. Both he and his wife spent their last days at Attawaugan.

Michael Henry Grimshaw was indebted to the public school system of his native city for the early educational advantages which he enjoyed. He afterward continued his studies in Southbridge, Massachusetts, and Ballouville, Connecticut, and made his initial step in the business world as a teamster in connection with the Attawaugan Mills Com- pany. For fifteen years he did all the hauling for the mills, his contract in this connec- tion bringing him a large business, necessitating the employment of a number of teams and men. Later he took charge of the boarding house for the mills and conducted this with the assistance of his wife for many years. He was also the owner of a fine farm on the main road in the town of Killingly, near the village of Attawaugan, and thereon made his home. He continued to conduct the boarding house until his demise, which occurred at Attawaugan on the 7th of October, 1918, since which time Mrs. Grimshaw has continued the boarding house for the mills. The period of his connection with the Attawaugan mills in various capacities covered more than forty years.

It was on the 20th of December, 1883, at Danielson, Connecticut, that Mr. Grimshaw was married to Miss Mary Susie Lambert, who was born in Putnam, this state, and has spent her entire life in Windham county. She is a daughter of Frank and Sarah (Godrue) Lambert, who were natives of the province of Quebec, Canada, where her father was a mill worker. Mr. and Mrs. Grimshaw became parents of three children, all born at Attawaugan: William Henry, who is now a farmer and operates the old home place; Michael, who married Josephine Perkins and has two children, Francis and Susie; and John Henry, who wedded Mary Blanchard.

In politics Mr. Grimshaw was an earnest republican and took a keen interest in the political activity of his county. His fellow townsmen, appreciating his worth and ability, called him to various public offices and for more than a quarter of a century he filled the position of constable in the town of Killingly. He was also deputy sheriff under Sheriff Sibley, was game warden for the state of Connecticut and was deputy warden for the town of Killingly. He also served as fire warden and he was a member of the Danielson fire department. Moreover, he acted as dog warden for the town of Killingly, held the position of state humane officer for Windham county and served as police officer for the Putnam division of the Shore Line trolley lines. His religious faith was manifest in his membership in St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church of Day- ville and he was one of the trustees of St. Ann's Roman Catholic church of Ballouville. He took a keen interest in everything that pertained to the welfare and progress of his community and as the years passed his carefully directed business interests brought to him a measure of success that enabled him to leave his family in comfortable financial circumstances. He had a wide acquaintance throughout the town of Killingly and all who knew him entertained for him warm esteem.

JOHN ELBERT TANNER.

John Elbert Tanner has since 1914 owned and occupied the farm upon which he now resides, known as the East Side Farm, on Ekonk Hill in the town of Sterling. He has since carried on general agricultural pursuits and dairying and is meeting with substantial success as the reward of his intelligently directed labors. He was born in Voluntown, Connecticut, March 8, 1869, and is a son of Joseph Cyrus and Abbie (Saunders) Tanner. The father was a native of Richmond, Rhode Island, but when a child removed to Voluntown, Connecticut, where he attended the public schools. Later he became a pupil in a select school of the same town and thus qualified for the profession of teaching, which he followed for a number of years in Rhode Island. He afterward returned to Voluntown, where he worked on the farm of his father, devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits and dairying. He at length came into possession of that property and resided thereon until his death, which occurred March 26, 1915. Through the later years of his life his time and attention were always given to agricultural pursuits and he became one of the representative farmers of his district. Mr. and Mrs. Tanner had a family of three children, namely :. John Elbert; Edmond Allen, now deceased; and Walter Cyrus, who wedded Mary Abby Lewis, of Glasgo, Connecticut. They also reared an adopted daughted, Marguerite E.

John E. Tanner of this review was a pupil in the public schools of Voluntown and afterward attended the Plainfield Academy, in which he pursued his studies for a year. He next entered the Mystic Valley Institute, which he attended for a year, and in young manhood he worked upon the home farm for a period of two years, while later he took up the profession of teaching. which he followed continuously and successfully for thirty-two years He proved most efficient in his work in the school-

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

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room, having the faculty of holding the interest and attention of pupils and strongly impressing upon them the points which he wished them to master. After almost a third of a century devoted to teaching he removed to the town of Sterling and pur- chased the property now known as the East Side Farm, of which he became owner in 1914. Through the intervening period of five years he has carried on general farming and dairying and has met with success in this undertaking

At Line meeting house on Ekonk Hill, on the 1st of March, 1886, Mr. Tanner was married to Miss Hattie E. Burdick, of Jewett City, a daughter of Palmer and Marinda (Douglas) Burdick. Mr. and Mrs. Tanner have become the parents of two children but one has passed away. The living daughter is Minda Abbie, now the wife of Charles Francis Morgan, of Griswold, Connecticut, whom she married on the 7th of April, 1919, and who follows farming in that locality. They are the parents of one child, Ruth Esther, who was born January 24, 1920.

In his political views Mr. Tanner is a democrat and is now filling the office of justice of the peace and of tax assessor of his town. . He was the first master of Ekonk Grange and was one of its organizers. He likewise belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen at Voluntown, in which he is a past officer, and to Central Village Lodge, No. 19, I. O. O. F. He and his family attend the Congregational church of Ekonk Hill. His has been an active and useful life, his capability and success in the educational field being but a forerunner of his continued progress in agricultural circles. He has also found time and opportunity to engage in matters of public concern and is vitally interested in everything that has to do with the general welfare and the upbuilding of community and commonwealth.

WILLIAM IRA LEWIS.

The great milling interests of New England have constituted the foundation upon which has been built the progress and prosperity of this section of the country, and connected with the manufacturing activity of Windham county is William Ira Lewis, who makes his home in Ballouville, occupying the position of master mechanic in the mill of the Attawaugan Company. Connecticut numbers him among her native sons, for his birth occurred at Wauregan, in the town of Plainfield, July 4, 1870, his parents being Barber and Eliza (Watson) Lewis, the latter a native of England, while the former was born in Sterling, Connecticut. In young manhood the father became a mason and followed the trade in and near Sterling and also at Moosup, Connecticut. Later he became interested in machinery and was for a number of years a master mechanic in the mills of Putnam, Willimantic, Wauregan, and other towns of this state, where he was well known and highly respected. He finally left Connecticut and went to the west on a business venture, spending his last days in Denver, Colorado, where he passed away about 1897. He always voted with the republican party and was greatly interested in town affairs but held no public offices. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the country's call for troops to aid in the preservation of the Union and served for nearly four years with Company B, Fifth Connecticut Regiment, known as General Colt's Regiment. He belonged to Moriah Lodge of Masons at Danielson and his life was ever actuated by high and honorable principles, which made him a man whom to know was to esteem and honor. His widow passed away in Ballouville in March, 1919, having long survived her husband. They were parents of two children, William Ira and Harry Barber. The latter was born in Putnam, Connecticut, and died in Williamsville, this state, about 1897.

William I. Lewis removed with his parents from Wauregan to Putnam, then to Williamsville, now Goodyear, Connecticut, during his infancy. He obtained his educa- tion in the schools of Williamsville and of Scotland, Connecticut, and when about seventeen years of age became identified with mill work at Wauregan, where he began learning the weaving business. He there continued for three years and about 1890 he turned his attention to farming, removing to East Killingly, where he resided for about five years. He then disposed of his interests in that locality and returned to milling in East Killingly, learning spinning, carding, weaving and other branches of mill work. About 1901 he became interested in the mechanical branch of the work and followed that line for nine years, during which time he thoroughly acquainted himself with every phase of the business. In 1910 he was appointed master mechanic of the mill of the Attawaugan Company in Ballouville and has most satisfactorily filled the position to the present time.

On the 30th of September, 1901, in Pequot, Connecticut, Mr. Lewis was married to Miss Eva Emerson, who was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, a daughter of John and Georgianna (Munyon) Emerson, of Worcester. The children of this marriage are:

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Harry Edwin, who was born in Danielson and died at the age of eight weeks; one who died in infancy; and Iva Elizabeth, who was born in Putnam, July 4, 1916. The parents attend the Methodist church and Mr. Lewis has membership with the Sons of Veterans. His political endorsement is given to the republican party, but he has had neither time nor inclination to seek office. He has ever recognized the fact that thoroughness and industry are salient features in the attainment of business success and therefore he has applied himself closely to the mastery of the tasks assigned him and by reason of his persistency of purpose, his diligence and his fidelity and capability has worked his way steadily upward.

NAPOLEON PETER GINGRAS.

Napoleon Peter Gingras is a leading merchant of Dayville, where he is engaged in the conduct of a general store and also of a meat market .. He was born at Wil- liamsville, in the town of Killingly, December 8, 1887, and is a son of Danase and Melina (Charbenneau) Gingras. The father's birth occurred at Farland, in the province of Quebec, Canada, where he was educated in the parochial schools. As a young man of twenty years he came to the United States, settling in Williamsville, now Good- year, Connecticut, where he worked in a machine shop for the Williamsville Cotton Company. He was employed there throughout his remaining days, his long con- nection with the business indicating his faithfulness and capability. He died at Dayville, in the town of Killingly, in 1910, at the age of forty-nine years. His wife, also a native of Farland, Quebec, still resides in Dayville. They became the parents of sixteen children, of whom seven are yet living: Lucy, who is the wife of Adelard Gerard, a native of Quebec, now residing in Dayville; Exilina, the wife of Louis La Mont, of Killingly, and a resident of Dayville; Napoleon P., of this review; Wilfred, who married Melia Berthiaume, of Dayville, where they reside; and Alfred, Anna . and Alma J., at home with their mother.

Napoleon P. Gingras obtained a public school education in Goodyear and in young manhood was employed for a year in the Attawaugan mill at Dayville. In 1902 he became a clerk for William E. La Belle of Dayville, proprietor of a drug store, with whom he continued for sixteen years. In, 1918 he formed a partnership with Alicde Heneault, of Danielson, and purchased the Migneault general store at Dayville, the oldest general merchandise establishment in the town. Since that time many im- provements have been made in the store and the enterprise has become one of the leading business establishments of the town. In May, 1920, Mr. Gingras further extended his business activities by purchasing the meat market of Gillette & Walker in Dayville, of which he is the sole proprietor. He has splendid equipment and carries an excellent line of fresh and salt meats, while his business methods secure to him a liberal patronage. His trade in both the market and in the general store is large and profitable and his success is continuously increasing, owing to his progressive methods and his earnest desire to please his customers.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 103

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