A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 106

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

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The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and they are communicants of St. James parish. In politics Mr. Bernier is a democrat. His busi- ness interests, however, make full claim upon his time and energies, so that he has never sought public office, and his success is the direct result of his close application and indefatigable industry.

FREDERICK WILLIAM SEWARD.

Frederick William Seward, of Putnam, who is district manager of the North- western Mutual Life Insurance Company and also handles fire insurance, was born in Guilford, New Haven county, Connecticut, June 26, 1851, a son of Samuel Lee and Hulda (Sanford) Seward. The father was also a native of Guilford and took up the occupation of farming as a life work. He also operated a sailing vessel in the early days, carrying farm products which he had raised and those produced by other farmers from Guilford to New York city. He also carried cargoes of merchandise from New York to Guilford upon the return trip. He continued his residence in Guilford until called to his final rest, and his wife, who was born at old Saybrook, Connecticut, also died at Guilford. Both were representatives of old families of this state.

Frederick W. Seward was a pupil in the Guilford Academy, and through the period of his early boyhood and youth devoted his vacations to farm work on the old home- stead. He did not desire to engage in farming as a life occupation, however, and turned to commercial pursuits, securing a clerkship in a general store in Guilford. He afterward engaged in clerking in a shoe store at Saybrook, Connecticut, and in 1872 he removed to the middle west, locating at Morris, Illinois, where he engaged as a clerk in a law and real estate office for a time. He afterward went to Madison, Wisconsin, where he accepted a clerkship in a shoe store, but feeling that he preferred New England as a place of residence, he left the middle west and returned to Guilford, where he became one of the owners of a general store conducted under the name of the Monroe Store. In 1890 he removed to Putnam, where he established a shoe store, which he carried on until 1905, meeting with substantial success during the fifteen years of his connection with the business.

In the meantime Mr. Seward had been called to public office. In 1898 he was elected town clerk and town treasurer of Putnam, and served continuously and aceptably in those positions until 1910. In the latter year he was elected city clerk of the city of Putnam and made a most excellent record in that office until 1916, when he retired from the position as he had entered it-with the confidence and goodwill of all concerned. He gave up political office in order to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs. In 1910 he had opened an insurance office to handle life insurance, and he is now district manager of the Northwestern Mutual Life In- surance Company, while at the same time he handles fire insurance. He has secured a good clientage in this connection and his business is now large and gratifying.

In Morris, Illinois, in 1878, Mr. Seward was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Massey, who was born in Morris and who passed away in Guilford, Connecticut, leaving a daughter, Myra, who was born in Guilford and obtained her education in the schools of Putnam. She died while on a visit in Morris, Illinois, in 1899. She was a young lady of splendid attainments, of charming manner and was very popular in Putnam, her death being greatly regretted by an extensive circle of friends. Having lost his first wife, Mr. Seward was again married, his second union being with Miss Katherine

FREDERICK W. SEWARD

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Ward Leete, of Guilford, Connecticut, whom he wedded on the 26th of November, 1885. She was born in Guilford, a daughter of Edwin A. and Mary A. (Leete) Leete, the former an undertaker of Guilford and a representative of one of the prominent old pioneer families of that section of the state, the ancestral record being traced back to early colonial times. Mr. and Mrs. Seward have become the parents of four children: Ethel, who was born in Guilford and died in infancy; Clayton Leete, who was born in Guilford in 1888 and died in Putnam, February 15, 1917; Lee Sanford, who was born in Guilford and married Barbara Sawtelle, of Los Angeles, California, by whom he has one child, William Sawtelle; and Katherine, who was born in Putnam in 1897 and was married October 30, 1918, to Arthur D. Lown, and they have a daughter, Elsie Barbara, born in Putnam, Connecticut, January 7, 1920.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Seward are very active and prominent workers in the Congre- gational church, in which he is now serving as treasurer. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Quinebaug Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Putnam. In politics he is a republican, and in addition to the offices already mentioned that he has filled, he has served as selectman of the town of Putnam. He is one of the prominent and influential citizens of this part of the state, and very active in civic affairs, a progressive and energetic worker for the advancement of Putnam, and attacking everything in which he is inter- ested with a contagious enthusiasm that awakens the cooperation of others.

JAMES WARREN INGALLS.

James Warren Ingalls, the son of Warren and Hannah (Marcy) Ingalls, was born in Ashford, Connecticut, August 22, 1850. Warren Ingalls was a lineal descendant of Edmund Ingalls, who came from England to this country in 1627 and settled in Lynn, Massachusetts. Hannah Marcy was a descendant of John Marcy, who came from England to Roxbury, Massachusetts, in 1680. In 1686, John Marcy, with twelve others, made the first permanent settlement in New Roxbury, now Woodstock, Con- necticut.

James Warren Ingalls (either Jimmy or Jim as he prefers to be called) began his education, when four years old, at the South district school, sometimes called the Punkin Hill school. In due course of time he attended Ashford Academy and at vacations worked as a farmer boy; spent a year in teaching; then went to Wood- stock Academy two or three terms; subsequently was employed about three years in Mr. Asbury Nichol's grocery store at Putnam; in 1874 entered Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts, and was graduated in 1876.

Mr. Ingalls then went to Yale and was graduated in 1881; in 1884 received the degree of M. D. from the New York College of Physicians and Surgeons (Medical Department of Columbia). For nearly a year he served as assistant resident physician in the Kings County Hospital at Flatbush, Long Island, and then began private practice in Brooklyn, New York. Later he was appointed a member of the surgical staff of the Brooklyn Eye and Ear Hospital, where he continued in active service more than thirty years; was for a time assistant surgeon at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary; at present is consulting eye surgeon at the Wyckoff Heights Hospital. During the World war, he served in the eye department of the advisory board. In 1918, Dr. Ingalls was given the honorary degree of F. A. C. S. (Fellow of the American College of Surgeons).

Dr. Ingalls was married at New Haven, Connecticut, February 26, 1885, to Miss Abbie Weaver, daughter of Jabez and Mary (Wilbur) Weaver. They have three sons: James Arthur, born May 22, 1889; Edmund Ellsworth, born June 25, 1893; and Irving Weaver, born August 26, 1896. James A. was graduated at Yale in 1910, and Edmund E. was graduated in 1915; both Sheffield Scientific. Edmund E. enlisted in the Forestry Engineers and was about a year and a half in France. Irving W. enlisted in the navy.

DENNIS FRANCIS DOUGHERTY.

Dennis Francis Dougherty was a lifelong resident of Oneco, where he was born October 17, 1874, and where he passed away on the 5th of August, 1919. In the interim, covering forty-five years, he had made for himself a creditable name and place in business circles. His parents were John and Bridget (Dwyer) Dougherty, who were natives of Ireland. The father's birth occurred in Donegal, where he at- tended the public schools. At the age of seventeen years he wedded Mary Dougherty and one year later started for the United States, making his way to New Jersey. Later,

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

on account of the ill health of his wife, he returned to the Emerald isle, where Mrs. Dougherty passed away, leaving an only son, James. At a subsequent period Mr. Dougherty again came to the United States and located at West Greenwich, Rhode Island, where he obtained employment in the acid works, there remaining for a num- ber of years. Later he took up his abode in Oneco, Connecticut, where he was again employed in acid works. For his second wife he chose Bridget Dwyer and they became the parents of eight children, three of whom are deceased, while those yet living are Mary A., John, Margaret, Alexander and Delia. The death of the husband and father occurred about 1894.

Dennis F. Dougherty took up the study of pharmacy at Pascoag, Rhode Island, after completing his education in the public schools of Oneco, and later- he returned to Oneco, where he occupied the position of station agent for a number of years. He then established business on his own account in Sterling, in connection with his brother, where they conducted what was known as the Sterling Hotel. Later, in 1915, Mr. Dougherty bought a hotel property in Oneco from his brother and continued in the business to the time of his death, which occurred August 5, 1919.

On the 10th of October, 1900, Mr. Dougherty was married in Moosup to Miss Minnie Markham, a daughter of James and Catherine (O'Loughlin) Markham, who were natives of the Emerald isle. Mr. Dougherty was a member of the Catholic church and held membership with Norwich Lodge, No. 430, B. P. O. E., and with Court No. 168 of the Foresters of America, at Sterling. He was a popular hotel proprietor, genial, pleasant and courteous, and his social qualities as well as his business ability won him substantial success. Mrs. Dougherty is now a resident of Sterling and, like her husband, is a devout follower of the Catholic church.

HARRY BURT HARGRAVES.

Harry Burt Hargraves, an enterprising and successful young business man of Danielson, has become widely known as proprietor of White's Bottling Works there. His birth occurred at Danielson, in the town of Killingly, Connecticut, December 1, 1889, his parents being Charles K. and Amanda (Barber) Hargraves, the former a native of Saugus, Massachusetts, while the latter was born in Georgiaville, Rhode Island. Charles K. Hargraves accompanied his parents on their removal to Killingly " in his early boyhood and there attended school. When about sixteen years of age he began learning the machinist's trade, which he followed in Killingly for seven years, on the expiration of which period he enlisted for service in the Civil war. At the end of a year, however, he was ordered back home because of illness and for about three years thereafter was unable to engage in any occupation. When his health had been restored he opened a meat market in Wauregan, Connecticut, being at that time a young man of about twenty-five years, and he conducted business there with good success for four years. He then disposed of his interests and removed to Man- ville, Rhode Island, where he conducted a market for about one year, at the end of which time he returned to Danielson, Connecticut. Here he opened a market near the present site .of the railroad station, successfully carrying on business there until 1876, when fire destroyed his store. Undiscouraged, however, he soon resumed business in what was known as the Central House, where he continued for a number of years, when he sold his interests in Danielson and went to Williamsville, now Goodyear, as manager of the store of the Williamsville Company, in which capacity he remained for some years. Subsequently he purchased a farm in Killingly and there carried on . general agricultural pursuits until 1909, when he put aside active business cares in order that he might enjoy the evening of life in well earned rest. Though now more than eighty years of age, he is still in good health. He has an extensive and favor- able acquaintance in the town of Killingly and during the period of his active life was a highly respected business man of undoubted integrity and unassailable reputation. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party while, fra- ternally he is identified with Moriah Lodge No. 15, A. F. & A. M., of Danielson. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church.

Charles K. Hargraves has been twice married. By his first wife he had a daughter, Rose, whose birth occurred in Killingly, Connecticut, and who is now a resident of Stamford, this state. She is the wife of Harry B. Sherwood, of New York. For his second wife Mr. Hargraves chose Amanda Barber and they became the parents of two children: Harry B., of this review; and Clara, who was born in Killingly, Con- necticut, June 27, 1894, and is the wife of William Scott Dills, of Florida, and the mother of one child, Ruth. Mr. and Mrs. Dills make their home in Miami, Florida.

Harry Burt Hargraves obtained his education in the graded schools of Killingly Vol. II-44

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and when a youth of sixteen initiated his business career as a clerk with the C. L. Watson Silver Company of Attleboro, Massachusetts, remaining with that concern for about three years, during which time he also acquainted himself with auto repair work and with driving. To these lines of activity he devoted his attention. between the ages of nineteen and twenty-one years, and then returned to the employ of the Watson Company as purchasing agent, continuing in that capacity for about eighteen months. Ill health then forced him to discontinue his labors and he returned to Kil- lingly, Connecticut, where he resided for two years, and during that period was unable to do any work. In March, 1915, he went to Miami, Florida, and entered the service of the Coca Cola Company, as salesman and collector. After six months thus spent he secured a situation with the Interstate News Company of Georgia, which had an office in Miami, Florida, continuing with the latter concern for about two months. He returned to Killingly in 1916 and soon afterward became associated with Walter P. White in the conduct of a bottling works. Three years later, or in November, 1919, he purchased the interests of Mr. White in Danielson and has since conducted the establishment alone, under the name of White's Bottling Works, meeting with gratify- ing success through the careful management of his business affairs.

On the 1st of December, 1915, in Danielson, Mr. Hargraves was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Demerest White, a native of Danielson and a daughter of Walter P. and Caroline Julia (Demerest) White, the latter a native of Rutherford, New Jersey. Walter P. White is a direct descendant of the first man of that name to land on the shores of the new world. He is a native of Putnam, Connecticut, where he became widely known and filled the office of first selectman. He organized the bottling business at Danielson in 1889 and remained an active and successful representative thereof until he sold his interests to his son-in-law, Harry Hargraves. Mr. and Mrs. Hargraves are the parents of two children: Louise Caroline, who was born in Danielson, No- vember 2, 1916; and Charles Perrigrine, whose birth occurred in Danielson, February 2, 1919.

In politics Mr. Hargrave is a stanch republican, loyally supporting the men and measures of that party. He attends the Congregational church of Danielson and both he and his wife have won a large circle of warm friends in the community in which they make their home. A young man of but thirty-one years, he has already won a measure of prosperity in business that augurs well for the future.

ALFRED GALLUP.

Alfred Gallup is a well known farmer of the town of Sterling, living on Ekonk Hill, in the district where his birth occurred April 10, 1839. He is looked upon as the most historic character on Ekonk Hill, where his ancestors have lived from early colonial days. Alfred Gallup is a son of Francis and Hannah (Rice) Gallup and a grandson of Nathaniel L. and Rachel (Smith) Gallup. Nathaniel L. Gallup was born on Ekonk Hill, a half mile from the birthplace of Alfred Gallup of this review. He was a farmer throughout his entire life, living on Ekonk Hill, and he organized and was captain of a company of troops in the Revolutionary war, his fellow members of the company being all men from Ekonk Hill. In days of peace he was known as a mill owner and he passed away in the locality in which he was born. His wife was born on Sterling Hill, the hill nearest Ekonk, and died at the old Gallup homestead in 1850, at the advanced age of ninety years. Their son, Francis Gallup, was born on Ekonk Hill, in the same residence in which occurred the birth of Alfred Gallup. The natal year of Francis Gallup was 1800. He died in 1875, after having devoted his entire life to farming on the hill on which he was born and reared. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Hannah Rice, was born at Coventry, Rhode Island, and died on the old Gallup farm in 1872.

Alfred Gallup was reared on Ekonk Hill and began his education in the district schools, while later he continued his studies in the East Greenwich Seminary of East Greenwich, Rhode Island. He later went to New York city, where he secured a clerk- ship in a furniture store, there remaining for five years. He then went upon the road as a lumber buyer, buying black walnut timber to be used in the manufacture of furniture. He would make his way into the walnut forests and purchase the stand- ing trees. In the interests of this business he traveled throughout Indiana, where black walnut was then plentiful. In 1869 he returned to Ekonk Hill and took up the work of general farming, in which he has since engaged, being still identified with farming interests although he has now reached the eightieth milestone on life's journey. Upon his return to Ekonk Hill he also engaged in the manufacture of pyroligneous acid-an acid made from the hardwood that grew in abundance near his farm. The

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

manufacture of this acid was quite an industry at one time in this section, the product being used in the process of printing calico and other cotton goods.

Mr. Gallup has served on the board of selectmen of the town of Sterling for three terms, being called to the office about 1876. He was also judge of probate in the town of Sterling for a year and in 1880 and 1881 served as a member of the state leg- islature. He also served on the town school board and on the board of relief and has filled other town offices. He attends the Ekonk Congregational church and is a member of the Ekonk Grange. A very intelligent and progressive man, he is the recognized leader in the Gallup family of Ekonk Hill, where he lives with his sister. His has indeed been an active and useful life and he has come to an honored old age.

NAPOLEON PAUL BOSSE.

Napoleon Paul Bossé, overseer of the twisting department in the mills of the Connecticut Mills Company, was born at St. Anne, in the province of Quebec, Canada, September 20, 1878, his parents being Louis and Caroline Bossé. The father was a native of Oscoda, Michigan, where he spent the days of his boyhood and youth, his education being acquired in the district schools. He afterward became a woodsman and followed pursuits of that character throughout his entire life. He removed from Michigan to St. Anne, in the province of Quebec, Canada, where he was employed for seven years, but subsequently he returned to Oscoda, Michigan, where his last days were passed. His wife was born at St. Anne and died in Danielson, Connecticut, in 1902. Their family numbered three children: Napoleon Paul; Mary, who died in infancy; and Lemima, who is the wife of Victor Allen, a florist of Dedham, Massachusetts.

Napoleon P. Bossé was reared and educated in the public schools of Danielson, Con- necticut, and starting out upon his business career, secured employment in the spin- ning department of the mills of the Danielson Company. There he remained for twenty-one years, gradually advancing until he resigned as overseer of the department in 1911. He then became connected with the Connecticut Mills Company as overseer of the twisting department and occupies this position at the present time. He is thoroughly acquainted with the various phases of cloth manufacturing and his long experience enables him to speak with authority upon many questions relative thereto.

Mr. Bosse was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ellen Mertaugh, of Killingly, Con- necticut. They are well known in Danielson, where they hold membership in the Catholic church and where their sterling worth has gained them warm regard. Politically Mr. Bossé is a republican but has never manifested ambition to seek or hold public office.

REV. JOHN CHARLES MATHIEU.

Rev. John Charles Mathieu, pastor of the Sacred Heart church at Wauregan, Con- necticut, was born at St. Prime, in the province of Quebec, Canada, April 11, 1881, a son of John B. and Obeline (Robertson) Mathieu. The father's birth occurred at Ange Gardien, Quebec, Canada, where he was reared and educated and where for some time he occupied the position of government fish inspector. He made his home in Quebec during a considerable period and also lived for a time at Biddeford, Maine. In 1892 he removed to Hartford, Connecticut, with his family and there was employed as a wooden box maker in a factory. He died in Hartford in 1906. His wife, who was born on the Isle of Orleans, in the province of Quebec, also passed away in Hartford.

Their son, Rev. John Charles Mathieu, pursued his early education in the district schools of his native town to the age of ten years, when the family home was estab- lished in Hartford, Connecticut, where he attended the parochial school of St. Joseph's Cathedral. He was there graduated and afterward entered St. Thomas Seminary at Hartford, in which he completed his course by graduation with the class of 1902. Later he attended the Grand Seminary at Montreal, Canada, for two years, pursuing a course in philosophy, and subsequently he matriculated in St. John's Seminary at Brighton, Massachusetts, where he took a three-year course in theology. He was or- dained to the priesthood at Hartford, Connecticut, May 25, 1907, and his first assign- ment made him assistant to Father J. H. Broderick, the pastor of All Hallows church at Moosup, Connecticut. There he remained for six years and in May, 1913, was as- signed to the pastorate of the Church of the Sacred Heart at Wauregan, where he still remains. He has done effective work in the upbuilding of the church and the extension of its influence and he is also head of the Sacred Heart parochial school, which is

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conducted by the Sisters of the Holy Ghost and has an attendance of two hundred and ten pupils. The school buildings are thoroughly modern in equipment and the school is being most successfully conducted. It has spacious grounds and fine surroundings and the curriculum is that of the public schools.

Father Mathieu also takes an interest in civic affairs of the village and in politics maintains an independent course. He belongs to Union St. John the Baptist Society of Wauregan, of which he is the chaplain, and he is also the chaplain of the Knights of Columbus at Wauregan. He is a very popular and lovable man and his administra- tion of the affairs of the Sacred Heart church and school has been very successful. He has made many improvements in the school and is greatly interested in the welfare of the children.

JOSEPH MARTIN.

Joseph Martin, who since April, 1912, has been connected with the Connecticut Mills at Danielson and now occupies the position of overseer in the weaving depart- ment, early received the initial training which has brought him to his present re- sponsible position. Mr. Martin comes to Connecticut from the middle west, for he is a native of Earl Park, Indiana, his birth having there occurred August 15, 1880. His parents, Peter and Saleme (Lucier) Martin, were both natives of Quebec, Canada. The mother died in Indiana in 1884 and the father is now living with his son Joseph in Danielson. He was educated in the schools of Quebec and afterward learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed there until twenty-four years of age, when he came to the United States, settling in Indiana, where he again worked at his trade. Subsequently he removed to western Massachusetts, settling near the Connecticut line, in the town of Williamstown, and finally he became a resident of Danielson, where he continued to engage in blacksmithing until he put aside active business cares. He is now living retired. To him and his wife were born ten children, of whom five are yet living: Nora, Carrie, Henry, Alphonse and Joseph.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 106

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