A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 104

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

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In October, 1915, Mr. Gingras was married to Miss Lena Heneault, of Danielson, a daughter of Nelson and Mary (Lucier) Heneault, natives of Canada. One child has been born of this marriage, Lucille Annette.

In politics Mr. Gingras is a republican and for the past six years he has been a notary public. He belongs to the Catholic church, is a member of St. John Baptist Society of Goodyear and of Oak Grove Court, No. 69, of the Foresters of America at Danielson. He is also identified with Cargill Council of the Knights of Columbus at Putnam.

SAMUEL EDWIN LEWIS.

Samuel Edwin Lewis, farmer, gardener and florist, who is carefully and success- fully conducting his threefold business interests, his home being near Moosup, in Plainfield township, Windham county, was born at Plainfield, February 15, 1879, his parents being Joseph Denison and Susan (Brown) Lewis. The father was a pupil in the public schools of Plainfield through the period of his early youth and when a lad of sixteen years he responded to the country's call for troops to aid in sup- pressing the rebellion in the south and rendered valuable service to the Union in the Civil war, doing active military duty for four years and three months. Subsequently he was a resident of Plainfield, Connecticut, where he worked as a mill hand and as a farmer. Later he attended the Corey sisters and cared for them during the last two

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years of their lives. At their death he received the property known as the Corey farm through the terms of their will and began truck gardening. He was associated with the business until his death and was one of the representative truck gardeners of his section of the state. He passed away on the 19th of April, 1912, but during the last eighteen years of his life had been in poor health. He was married in the town of Plainfield by the Rev. Elder Brown, who was pastor of the Baptist church of Moosup for over twenty years. He won wide renown owing to the large number of marriage ceremonies which he performed. At the marriage of Joseph D. Lewis and Susan Brown the minister gave them a statement concerning their marriage and said that the original certificate would be sent later, which it was, for the widow received it thirty-five years afterward from Rev. Brown, who was then a resident of New London, Connec- ticut. To Mr. and Mrs. Joseph D. Lewis were born two children: , Etta Mabel, the wife of Irving Tourtelotte, of Hartford, Connecticut; and Samuel Edwin. The father was a republican in his political views and stanchly supported the principles of the party. Fraternally he was connected with the Masons, holding membership in Moosup Lodge, No. 113, A. F. & A. M., while he likewise belonged to the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 19, of Central Village. He and his family attended the Methodist church and were deeply interested in everything having to do with the material, intellectual, social, political and moral progress of the community.

Samuel E. Lewis attended the public schools of Plainfield and afterward worked in the mills. When he had devoted some time to industrial interests, he returned to the farm with his father and for many years was associated with him in truck gardening, the partnership being maintained until the father's death. Since that time, Mr. Lewis of this review has conducted the farm on his own account and has added to it a greenhouse and developed a florist's business. His work is successfully managed and his enterprise has been the basic element upon which he has built his success.

Mr. Lewis has been married three times. On the 11th of April, 1900, he wedded Rose Beers and they became the parents of two children, Mildred Viola and Morris Edwin. In 1908 Mr. Lewis was again married, his second union being with Mary Louise Weeler, who passed away in 1910, and their only child, Catherine, died in infancy. On the 17th of November, 1915, Mr. Lewis married Georgetta Barber, who died November 14, 1918, leaving one child, Susan May.

Mr. Lewis has always remained the support of his widowed mother, tenderly caring for her in her declining years. In politics he is a republican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but has never sought nor desired public office for himself. He stands for every project or plan that has to do with the welfare and upbuilding of the community, and his interest and support are manifest in many tangible ways.

CHARLES AYER FRINK.

Charles Ayer Frink, engaged in general farming and dairying, was born No- vember 23, 1858, on the same farm and in the same house which he now owns and occupies, in Sterling, Connecticut, a son of Albert and Mary Ann (Briggs) Frink. The father was a native of Plainfield and a son of Saxton and Fanny (Brown) Frink, who were also born in Plainfield, where the grandfather spent his entire life as a farmer. Albert Frink attended the public schools and also the Plainfield Academy. Subsequently he took up the profession of teaching in Plainfield and also conducted a farm in that locality. At a later period he removed to Ekonk Hill, in the town of Sterling, and in 1849 purchased the property that is now known as the old Frink homestead and erected the present residence. He at once began its further development and improvement and continued its cultivation until the time of his death, December 21, 1904. To Mr. and Mrs. Albert Frink were born, two children who have passed away, and the fol- lowing who are yet living: Jane, the wife of John Place, a farmer of Coventry, Rhode Island; Emma, the widow of Alonzo P. Love, of Sterling, Connecticut; John who mar- ried Hattie Baldwin, of Voluntown, Connecticut; George, who wedded Emma Lyon, of Woodstock, Connecticut, and is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Charles A., of this review; and Maggie, the widow of Edward Geer, of Griswold, Connecticut, where he follows farming.

Charles A. Frink was a pupil in the public schools of Sterling and when his school- days were over he began work upon the home farm with his father, whom he assisted until the latter's death, when he became owner of the old homestead property, upon which he has since lived. He raises the crops best adapted to the soil and climatic conditions here and annually gathers good harvests as a reward of his care and culti-

Vol. II-43

IRVING E. FRINK

LEON H. FRINK

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vation. He also keeps a good herd of cows and engages in the dairy business, which constitutes an important source of revenue to him.

On the 12th of November, 1884, Mr. Frink was married to Miss Ida P. Hall, of Voluntown, a daughter of Nathan and Permelia (Watson) Hall, and they became the parents of eleven children, one of whom has passed away. The others are Belva, the wife of Frank Irons of Plainfield; Irving, of Sterling, who married Beatrice Wilcox and is represented elsewhere in this volume; James Henry, who wedded Annie Spauld- ing and makes his home in Norwich, Connecticut; Clara, the wife of Claude Shippee, of Sterling; Leon, who married Grace Brown, of Plainfield, and is also represented on another page of this volume; Ernest E .; Herman; Elma, who married Helen Herbert, of Plainfield; Lloyd, who married Irene Trumbull, of Plainfield; and Mortimer.

In his political views Mr. Frink is a democrat, giving unfaltering allegiance to the party and its principles. He has been somewhat active in local political circles and has filled the office of selectman of Sterling, of justice of the peace and grand juror, acting in public capacities for a number of years. His family attend the Bap- tist church of Sterling. They are well known in this part of the county, where Mr. Frink has so long resided and where his enterprise and earnest toil have brought him to a most creditable position in agricultural circles.

IRVING EDMOND FRINK.

Irving Edmond Frink, first 'selectman of the town of Sterling, is well known in busi- ness circles as a member of the firm of Thompson & Frink, garage proprietors. He was born at Ekonk Hill, in the town of Sterling, December 29, 1886, his parents being Charles A. and Ida P. (Hall) Frink, mentioned elsewhere in this volume. His youthful days were largely devoted to the acquirement of an education in the Ekonk Hill district school and when his textbooks were put aside he concentrated his efforts and energies upon the farm work on his father's farm, being there employed for a few years. In 1904 he secured a position in the mill of the United States Finishing Company in the village of Sterling and there remained for three years. In 1907, however, he established an automobile and garage business, doing a livery business in this way and trucking in the village of Sterling. He won a liberal patronage and enjoyed continued success in this connection. On the 1st of March, 1919, he formed a partnership with Ernest L. Thompson.

On the 28th of June, 1909, at Oneco, Connecticut, Mr. Frink was united in mar- riage to Miss Beatrice M. Wilcox, who was born on Ekonk Hill, a daughter of Edgar and Carrie (Frink) Wilcox. Her father was a prominent farmer of Ekonk Hill and his widow still owns the home farm but resides in Plainfield.

Mr. Frink gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is keenly inter- ested in the vital political problems of the day. In 1916 he was elected to the office of second selectman and was reelected to that position for the years 1917 and 1918. In the latter year he was elected first selectman and is now filling that position in the town of Sterling. He makes his home in the village of Sterling and is a progressive, enter- prising young man whose ability and public spirit are manifest in the fact that he was chosen for first selectman, as few men of his years are called to that important office. Whatever he undertakes he carries forward to successful completion and his enterprise and energy are always guided by sound judgment, while his citizenship is the expression of a lofty patriotism.

LEON H. FRINK.

Leon H. Frink, a garage proprietor of Plainfield, was born in Sterling, December 29, 1892, a son of Charles A. and Ida (Hall) Frink, who were also natives of Sterling and are mentioned on another page of this work. Leon H. Frink attended the public schools of Sterling and was reared in the usual manner of the farmbred boy who divides his time between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the farm. After his schooldays were over he assisted his father on the farm for a time and subsequently obtained employment in connection with the lumber busi- ness, with which he was associated for a number of years. He afterward removed to Plainfield and established a trucking business, which he conducted for several years, and eventually purchased the garage of Albert Gordon, of which he has since been pro- prietor. He has greatly increased the business and is now accorded a liberal patronage. He has a well equipped garage, which enables him to do any kind of repair work, and

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

in addition he has the agency for the Reo cars and trucks and carries a complete line of automobile supplies and tires. His progressive business methods have brought him a constantly increasing trade, and his patronage is now most satisfactory.

On the 5th of January, 1914, Mr. Frink was married to Miss Grace May Brown, of Plainfield. They attend the Baptist church of Plainfield and are people of genuine worth, enjoying the high respect, confidence and warm regard of all who know them. Mr. Frink is a member of Plainfield Grange, No. 89, and gives his political allegiance to the democratic party but has never been an office seeker, feeling that his time and atten- tion should be given in undivided manner to his business affairs. His close application has been one of the salient factors in his growing success.

J. LE ROY GODBURN, D. D. S.

Dr. J. Le Roy Godburn, who, although one of the younger representatives of the dental profession in Danielson, is already building up a good practice, was born in Meriden, Connecticut, March 18, 1895, his parents being John and Sarah (Jepson) Godburn, who are still residents of Meriden. His father is a republican in his political views and is active in community affairs. He belongs to the Masonic lodge, is a member of the Sons of St. George and is a faithful communicant of the Episcopal church, his life being at all times guided by high and honorable principles. In his family were two children, the daughter being Florence Rosina, who was born in Meriden, April 27, 1916.

Dr. Godburn at the usual age became a pupil in the public schools of Meriden and passed through consecutive grades to the high school, from which he was grad- uated with the class of 1911. Having determined upon the practice of dentistry as a life work, in 1915 he matriculated in the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery at Balti- more, Maryland, where he studied for two years and then put aside his textbooks to join the army, enlisting in Baltimore in 1917 with a dental unit, being stationed at Fort McHenry, where he remained until December 14, 1918, when he was dis- charged. He afterward returned to college, where he completed his dental course, and was there graduated on the 16th of June, 1919. Soon thereafter he opened an office in Danielson. He has a well equipped suite of rooms on Main street and his practice is steadily growing as the public comes to recognize his ability and the skill with which he applies his scientific training to practical professional work.

EDWIN BENNETT.

Indolence and idleness are utterly foreign to the nature of Edwin Bennett, and although at one time he decided to retire from active business, he found it impossible to be content without some commercial connection and resumed his place in the world of trade. He is now conducting a general store in Brooklyn and in addition is engaged in the sale of automobile accessories. Connecticut numbers him among her native sons, for his birth occurred in Pomfret, July 14, 1854, his parents being Erastus P. and Elizabeth (Baker) Bennett, who were also natives of Pomfret. In the schools of that place Edwin Bennett pursued his education, but his opportunities were very limited, for at an extremely early age he started out to provide for his own support. It was in 1861, when a lad of but seven years, that he obtained employment in the mill at Williamsville, where he continued for several years. He then went to Putnam as a second hand in the mill there, for in the meantime he had won steady advance- ment as his powers developed and his business experience grew. He afterward spent about three years with the Ashton Cotton Company of Jewett City and later he engaged with the Colchester Rubber Company, where in a short time he was advanced to the position of foreman of a part of the plant and continued to act in that capacity for about nineteen years. Later he removed to Waterbury, Connecticut, where he con- ducted a restaurant, and he next became a resident of Providence, Rhode Island, where he continued in the same line of business for approximately seven years.

Mr. Bennett then decided to retire from active business and purchased a farm in Pomfret, but after about three years spent thereon he had an excellent opportunity to Sell and did so. For a few years thereafter he engaged in conducting real estate transactions in Brooklyn and Colchester and at one time owned the old Atwood home- stead in Brooklyn, in which he conducted a grocery business for about seven years. He is now the owner of what was formerly the old Brooklyn Academy and therein is carrying on a general store and also dealing in automobile accessories, having gained

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

a substantial trade which furnishes employment for his time and contributes to his happiness, for Mr. Bennett is never content to be idle.

Mr. Bennett has been twice married. He first wedded Miss Addie A. Austin and they became the parents of two children: Franklin T., who is now a resident of Willimantic; and Gertrude, who passed away several years ago. For his second wife, Mr. Bennett chose Maria E. Blisch, who was born in Willimantic, a daughter of Albert S. and Elizabeth (Riley) Blisch. To them was born a son, Arthur Willard, who is now connected with the Goodyear Company in the village of Goodyear.

In his political views Mr. Bennett is a republican and he has been active in local political circles and in connection with town affairs. He served for five years as deputy sheriff and has been town constable for about twelve years. His public duties are discharged with a marked sense of conscientious obligation and he is always loyal to the best interests entrusted to him. He belongs to Brooklyn Grange and fraternally is a thirty-second degree Mason, being a member of Moriah Lodge, No. 15, A. F. & A. M .; Warren Chapter, R. A. M., of Danielson; Columbian Commandery, K. T., of Norwich, Nor- wich Consistory; and Sphinx Temple of the Mystic Shrine, of Hartford. He is also a mem- ber of Quinebaug Lodge, No. 34, I. O. O. F. He attends the Baptist church and in these associations are found the rules that govern his conduct and shape his relations with his fellowmen, who ever recognize in him a citizen of sterling worth and one who in busi- ness relations is at all times thoroughly reliable as well as progressive.

GEORGE HENRY PRAY.

The great milling interests controlled by the Attawaugan Company have been built up through the activities of a most efficient corps of managers and executives. Through the past six years George Henry Pray has been boss carder of the Attawaugan mill at Ballouville, broad experience along that line qualifying him for the responsi- bilities of the position which he is now filling. He was born in East Killingly, Con- necticut, March 16, 1875, and is a son of William Henry and Abigail Avery (Smith) Pray, the former a native of Gloucester, Rhode Island, while the latter was born in Thompson, Connecticut. In his youthful days William H. Pray engaged in farming, cultivating land belonging to his father at Gloucester- a task that he undertook when rather young, for he was only about fourteen years of age when he left the farm and went to East Killingly. He there continued to work along agricultural lines for about two years in the employ of Thomas Pray, a farmer of Killingly, and at the age of sixteen years he obtained employment in the Greenslit mills of Killingly, where he continued for a few years, during which time he learned carding. He was next identified with the Thomas Pray mill in Killingly as a carder and subsequently was appointed boss carder of the mill, continuing to fill that position efficiently for nearly twenty years. On leaving the Pray Company he removed to Putnam, Connecticut, and for about a year and a half occupied the position of second hand in the Manhasset mill, after which he returned to Killingly, where he resided for another period of twelve years, during which he was overseer in the carding department of the Ross mill. He next spent a period in Central Village, and was identified with what is known as the Little Brick mill until 1900, when he returned to his home in East Killingly and has since engaged in no business, occuping his time with his garden and his poultry, and enjoying in well earned retirement the fruits of his former toil. He has led a busy and useful life and his rest is well deserved. In politics he is a democrat. but has never filled office. He is identified with no fraternal orders or clubs, but attends the Baptist church of East Killingly. To him and his wife were born two children, the elder being Sybil, whose birth occurred in Killingly in 1864 and who passed away at the age of fifteen years.

The son, George Henry Pray, was educated in the schools of East Killingly and when sixteen years of age entered the Ross mill of East Killingly, where he was employed for about six years, learning carding during that period. About 1898 he went to Danielson, Connecticut, and for a short time was a carder in the Sherman mill at that place. Later he was in Central Village, where he spent about six months as assistant boss in the carding department of the Levins mill, and on the 20th of August, 1900, he removed to Ballouville, where he engaged with the Attawaugan Com- pany, being soon appointed second boss of the carding department, which position he continued to fill acceptably until 1914, when he was advanced to boss carder of the mill and is now acting in that capacity.

On the 20th of June, 1900, in East Killingly, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Pray and Miss Mabel Frances Jacques, who was born in East Killingly, a daughter of George W. and Angenette (Simmons) Jacques. Her father is a mason by trade and

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a man of much prominence in Killingly, where he has long been widely known. Mr. Jacques is mentioned at length elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Pray have been born two daughters: Abbie Frances, whose birth occurred in Ballouville, June 30, 1903; and Ruth Estelle, who was there born April 23, 1906. Both are yet at home.

Mr. Pray is a democrat in his political views but has never been an office seeker, He belongs to Moriah Lodge, No. 15, A. F. & A. M., of Danielson, and he attends the Methodist church. His life has ever been guided by high and honorable principles, and the sterling worth of his character is attested not only by his steady advancement in business but also by the warm regard that is uniformly tendered him by those with whom he has been brought in contact.

ARTHUR ATKINSON LOVE.

Arthur Atkinson Love, filling the position of mail carrier in connection with the Moosup postoffice, was born in the village of Sterling, Windham county, October 5, 1894. He is son of Alonzo P. and Emma (Frink) Love. His father was born in Coventry, Rhode Island, June 10, 1854, and was a son of Henry and Susan ( Babcock) Love. The grandfather was also a native of Coventry, where he followed farming in young manhood, but afterward he removed to Sterling, Connecticut, and became a farmer on Gibson Hill, where he resided to the time of his death. His wife, who was also a native of Rhode Island, likewise passed away in Sterling, this state. Alonzo P. Love was a young child when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Sterling, Connecticut, the family home being established on a farm on Gibson Hill. He there- fore early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agri- culturist and in young manhood he took up the occupation of farming for his father. Later he left the home place and was employed in the Sterling mills, while at a subsequent period he engaged in general merchandising, conducting a store in the village of Sterling for a period of fifteen years. At the end of that time, on account of ill health, he sold the business but continued in light work around the village, for indolence and idleness were utterly foreign to his nature and he could not content himself without something to do. He passed away in Sterling in August, 1904. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Emma Frink, gave him her hand in marriage at Ekonk Hill, in Sterling, on the 2d of September, 1879. She survives her husband and by her marriage she became the mother five children. Gurdon Henry, who is a farmer of Sterling, married Adeline Burton, of Sterling, and has one child, Gurdon Henry, Jr. Mertie Edna is the deceased wife of Claude Shippee, a mill worker of Sterling. Minnie Esther is the wife of James Sims, a mill worker of North Adams, Massachusetts, and they have four children: Alice H., Milton James, Florence E. and Albert Gladstone. Gertrude May is the wife of Adelbert Gallup, a resident farmer of the town of Plainfield, and they have three children: Russell Kenneth, Bernice Clara and Norman Adelbert.

The youngest of the family is Arthur A. Love, who acquired his education in the district schools of the town of Sterling and on starting out in the business world secured employment in the mill of the United States Finishing Company in the village of Sterling, there working for a year and a half. On the expiration of that period he entered the employ of his uncle, John A. Frink, a farmer, with whom he re- mained for three years, after which he returned to the mill and was there employed when he responded to the call to the colors on the 3d of October, 1917. He entered the United States army and was sent to Camp Devens, Massachusetts, for three weeks, after which he was transferred to Camp Gordon, Georgia, and became a member of Company D, Three Hundred and Nineteenth Machine Gun Battalion of the Eighty- second Division. He was there for three months, when he was transferred to the Quartermaster's Department at Camp Gordon, with which he was thus connected until discharged on the 11th of January, 1919.

Mr. Love then returned to Sterling. In July, 1917, he had taken the civil service examination for mail carrier and received an appointment while still in the army. He took up the work on the 1st of February, 1919, and has since occupied this position.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 104

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