A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 109

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

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The educational opportunities which John Matthew Cunningham received were those afforded by the district schools of Thompson, the Thompson Academy and the East Greenwich Academy. He was thus well qualified for life's practical and responsible duties when he entered upon his business career. In 1855 he became agent at West Thompson station for the Norwich & Rochester Railroad, now a part of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, and held that position for six years. In 1861 he was made head bookkeeper for the Mechanicsville Company, which then owned the mills now the property of the French River Textile Company, and he filled the position most acceptably for thirty-one years. He then entered the Putnam National Bank as book- keeper and so continued for three years, after which he returned to the Mechanics- ville Company, once more serving that corporation as bookkeeper for a period of three years, making a total connection with the mill that covered more than a third of a century. In 1898 he retired from active service as bookkeeper and spent the remain-

JOHN M. CUNNINGHAM

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der of his life on a small farm near West Thompson station in the enjoyment of a well earned rest.

On the 22d of August, 1867, Mr. Cunningham was married in West Thompson to Miss Helen Louise Gay, a daughter of Joseph F. and Louisa H. (Roberts) Gay. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham have three children, all born in Thompson. Alice Louise, born June 11, 1868, lives at home with her mother. Daniel Webster, born December 3, 1871, is chief engineer at the Grosvenor Dale mill. He married Cora Came and has two chil- dren, Walter Daniel and Charles Frederick. Charles Arthur, born January 12, 1876, became a traveling railroad auditor and died at Temple, Texas, February 26, 1913. He first married A. Iola Johnson, by whom he had one child, Maurice Dale. His sec- ond wife was Ethel Maud Whitten, by whom he had four children, Lillieus Ethelyn, Doris Arline, Verga Maud and Arthur Whitten. His widow and children now live at Madison, Connecticut.

In 1917 Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham celebrated their golden wedding, an occasion that was greatly enjoyed by all who participated therein, while the worthy couple were made the recipients of many beautiful presents. The family has always adhered to the Methodist faith, having membership in the church at Putnam. In politics Mr. Cunningham was an earnest republican, giving loyal support to the party, and for several years served as justice of the peace, in which position he rendered decisions that were strictly fair and impartial. He has also served as grand juror and was post- master at Mechanicsville some years ago. He never sought to figure prominently in public life, however, but gave his service where it was needed and at all times com- manded the respect and confidence of his fellowmen.

GENERAL EDWARD W. WHITAKER.

General Edward Washburn Whitaker was born in Ashford in 1841 and is a descend- ant of the Whitaker family who settled at Rehoboth, Massachusetts, in 1659. Lieutenant Richard Whitaker, General Whitaker's great-grandfather, was an officer in the Revo- lutionary war, also his grandfather, Amos Whitaker. General Whitaker's mother was a direct descendant of Roger Williams on her mother's side. Her father was Caleb Colgrove, of Rhode Island, and four of his family served in the Revolution, three of whom were killed.

Edward W. Whitaker was one of the sixteen children of George Whitaker. He was educated in the public schools of Ashford and in an academy at Olneyville, Rhode Island. At the age of eighteen, when, on March 3, 1860, the original Wide-Awakes were organized in Hartford, Connecticut, he became one of the members. On April 15, 1861, came Lincoln's first call for troops, and he and one brother, Daniel, enlisted in the first company and regiment organized in Connecticut. Two other brothers also enlisted at first call, one in New Hampshire and one in California. From this company he was mustered out as a corporal, July 31, 1861. He then reenlisted in the Connecticut Squadron of the Second New York Cavalry, was promoted through all grades to a captaincy, and was honorably discharged in order to accept a captaincy in the First Connecticut Cavalry Regiment. He was promoted to major, then to lieutenant colonel, and at the close of the war was brevetted brigadier general of United States Volunteers, on recommendation of General Sheridan and General Grant, "for gallantry and skill displayed in turning the enemy's left flank at Waynesboro, March 2, 1865, and for gallantry and uniform good conduct at the battle of Five Forks, April 1, and Appo- mattox Station, April 8, 1865, and throughout the entire campaign." He took part in more than eighty-two battles of the war of the Rebellion, and in 1865, at the grand review in Washington, he rode at the head of the column as inspector general and chief-of-staff for General Custer.

In March, 1867, he organized the first G. A. R. post in Connecticut and was ap- pointed provisional department commander but waived the appointment in favor of General Edward Harland of Norwich. In 1869 President Grant appointed him post- master of Hartford. In 1872 he was made general superintendent of the board of public works in Washington, and two years later he entered business as an agent and attorney in real estate, patents and claims of all kinds. In 1893 he was made an inspector in the health department of Washington. A bill passed the senate unanimously on September 22, 1917, to retire him in the United States Army as lieutenant colonel.

General Whitaker had six grandsons, four of whom were in service in the World war, all of them in France, and one, a lieutenant in the One Hundred and Forty-eighth Aero Squadron, was killed in battle August 26, 1918. He has a sister, Emma J. Whitaker, who has just returned after years of service as a missionary in India. He is the last survivor of nine brothers and the last survivor of fifty-two men from the

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state of Connecticut who reached the rank of brigadier general, and the records show that he was the youngest officer, being but twenty-three years of age at the time, to attain that rank in the war of the Rebellion.

GEORGE EDWIN SPALDING.

George Edwin Spalding is actively engaged in farming in the town of Brooklyn and occupies one of the old historic places of this section of the country, at one time the home of Israel Putnam. Mr. Spalding comes of ancestry long connected with New England. He was born in the town of Brooklyn, February 7, 1864, and is a son of Joseph and Catherine M. (Collins) Spalding. The mother was born in Richmond, Rhode Island, while the father's birth occurred in Plainfield, Connecticut. In 1839 the maternal grandfather, Joshua Collins purchased the old home farm of General Israel Putnam and there he resided until his death, which occurred in 1860. His son, James C. Collins, then purchased the interests of the other heirs in this farm, on which his sister, Mrs. Collins lived from the age of ten years until she passed away in 1915. Her husband, Joseph Spalding operated the farm until his death, since which time George Edwin Spalding of this review has had charge of the place. The house was built by General Putnam, who bought the farm in 1739, but at first occupied another house on the farm which stood near the present home of Arthur Lipsley. General Putnam occupied the new residence throughout the remainder of his life with exception of the period he was conducting a hotel in Brooklyn and here he died in 1790. A picture of this residence appears in the historical volume of this work.

At an early age Joseph Collins was employed as an assistant in the jail at Provi- dence, Rhode Island, and after a few years was appointed to the position of deputy warden and acted in that capacity for several years. At the age of thirty-six he came to Brooklyn, Connecticut, and in 1855 settled upon the old General Putnam farm. He at once began the further development and improvement of the property and successfully managed his farming interests. He was also active in town affairs and for many years was keeper of the town poor. He was married in Stonington, Connecticut, and passed away in Brooklyn, December 19, 1889.

The children of Joseph and Catherine M. (Collins) Spalding were as follows: Lury Emma, who was born in Brooklyn and lives upon the old homestead; William Penn, who is represented on another page of this volume; Martha Jane, who was born in Pomfret and is the wife of Thomas C. Bradford of Putnam; and George Edwin.

The last named was educated in the schools of his native town and in the Wood- stock Academy, where he pursued a two years' course. He then returned to his father's farm and continued to assist in its development until his father's death, when he took charge of the property. He and his sister, Lury Emma, occupy the old home together and he is busily engaged in the cultivation of his land, which is devoted to diversified crops. His labors are carefully and intelligently directed and success has attended his efforts. In his political views Mr. Spalding has always been a democrat since age conferred upon him the right of franchise but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He holds to the faith of the Unitarian church, with which the Spaldings have long been connected, and his life has ever been actuated by high and honorable principles.

FRANK WINKELMAN.

Frank Winkelman, who at the outset of his career recognized the eternal principle that industry wins. and who, by close application and unremitting effort, has gained a place among the substantial shoe merchants of Danielson, was born July 28, 1876, in the city which is still his home, his parents being Julius Frederick and Dinah (Gensley) Winkelman, who are natives of Germany. The father came to the United States about 1860, settling first in Mystic, Connecticut, where he remained for several years, engaged in business as a custom shoemaker. About 1870 he removed to Daniel- son and for some time was employed by William Keech, who then conducted a custom made shoe business. In the spring of 1877 Mr. Winkelman opened a shoe store of his own in what is now the dining room of the Danielson Hotel, there conducting a profit. able business for several years, after which he removed to the store on Main street now occupied by the Craig tailoring establishment. Some time later he purchased the building and, after remodeling it, selected a section for his own business, which he successfully managed up to the time of his retirement from active life. About

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1889 he turned his interests over to his son, Charles F., who, with his brother Frank as a clerk, carried on the business until his death, which occurred in June, 1907, when the business passed into possession of Frank Winkelman of this review. The Winkel- man establishment was the first to install gas light in Danielson and for some time the system of lighting continued a great curiosity to the people of the town and sur- rounding district, many coming from various sections to inspect it and comment upon its superiority to the light of kerosene lamps. The father is still living and is yet remarkably active, although he has now passed the eightieth milestone on life's journey. In politics he has always been a democrat and fraternally he is connected with the Masonic lodge at Mystic, Connecticut. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church and its teachings have ever guided him in his relations with his fellowmen. To Mr. and Mrs. Julius F. Winkelman were born the following named: Charles F., whose birth occurred in Mystic, Connecticut, August 15, 1869, and who died in Danielson, Connecticut, June, 1907; Julius W., was born in Danielson, July 28, 1874, and died in New York city in 1911; and Frank, of this review.

Frank Winkelman obtained a district school education in Danielson and received his early business training in his father's store, soon acquainting himself with the major points of management and with all the details of the trade. He continued to act as clerk under his father and later under his brother, Charles Frederick, until the latter passed away, when he took general charge of the business for his father and so continued until 1918, when he purchased the store and has since remained sole proprietor. He carries a large and well selected line of shoes of various grades and has gained a liberal patronage.

Mr. Winkelman has been married twice. In Danielson, on the 24th of June, 1901, he wedded Ella M. O'Neil, who was born in Plainfield, Connecticut, a daughter of Patrick O'Neil. Her death occurred in Putnam, April 15, 1914, and on the 15th of September, 1916, in Boston, Mr. Winkelman was married to Miss Isabelle Richardson Tilton, who was born in North Belgrade, Maine, a daughter of Charles Tilton.

The political endorsement of Mr. Winkelman has ever been given to the democratic party, for he was reared in that faith and has seen no reason to change his political connections. He belongs to Moriah Lodge No. 15, A. F. & A. M., of Danielson; Warren Chapter No. 12, R. A. M .; Montgomery Council No. 2, R. & S. M .; Columbian Com- mandery No. 4, K. T .; and has also attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in the Connecticut Consistory. He is likewise a member of Palestine Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. of Providence, Rhode Island, having crossed the sands of the desert on the 24th of October, 1910. He attends the Congregational church of Danielson and is a man whose sterling worth is attested in the strong friendship entertained for him by many who have known him from his boyhood to the present time. His life history is as an open book to his fellow townsmen of Danielson, where he has always resided, and as he has taken up the responsibilities and obligations of life they have found him trustworthy and reliable as well as energetic and progressive in all business dealings.

HON. JOHN ALLEN FRINK.

Hon. John Allen Frink is the owner of Hilltop Farm, a property of two hundred acres which is devoted to the general production of crops and to the dairy business. It is situated on Sterling Hill in the town of Sterling and its successful operation is due to the enterprise and progressive methods of Mr. Frink, who is a native of the town of Sterling, having been born on Ekonk Hill, April 9, 1854. He is a son of Albert and Mary Ann (Briggs) Frink. The father was born in the town of Sterling and throughout his entire life followed the occupation of farming. In young manhood he took up his abode on Ekonk Hill and purchased a farm which he further developed and improved for many years, living thereon until his death in 1907. In young man- hood he also devoted considerable attention to school teaching, being thus employed in Exeter, Rhode Island. He was a very prominent farmer and leading citizen of his community, serving as first selectman of the town of Sterling for more than twenty years. He also represented the town in the state legislature through two different terms and gave thoughtful and earnest consideration to the vital problems which came before the general assembly of that period. He was likewise justice of the peace, was grand juror and served his town and community in a number of local offices, the duties of which he discharged with marked promptness and fidelity. He represented one of the old families of the community, his parents being Sexton and Fannie (Brown) Frink, who were also natives of Plainfield and farming people. The wife of Albert Frink was born in Voluntown, Connecticut, and died on Ekonk Hill. By her mar-

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riage she became the mother of nine children, all of whom were born on the old home- stead on Ekonk Hill. Willard, the eldest, who married Nellie Bixley, was killed by accident on his farm on Ekonk Hill in 1895. Jane became the wife of John Place, a farmer of Coventry, Rhode Island. Rachel, who was a successful school teacher for twenty years, became the wife of Horace Warren, a mason contractor of Putnam, Con- necticut, but both have now passed away. John Allen is the next of the family. Emma is the widow of Alonzo P. Love, mentioned elsewhere in this work. George is a farmer of Woodstock, Connecticut, and is also represented elsewhere in this volume. Charles A. carries on farming on the old home place and married Ida Hall. Maggie is the widow of Edward Greer, who followed farming in Griswold, Connecticut. Jerusha is the wife of Walter Stanton, an engineer at the Goodyear cotton mills of Goodyear, Connecticut.

John Allen Frink spent his youthful days under the parental roof on Ekonk Hill and attended the district schools. After his school days were over he engaged in farm work with his father and in young manhood he secured a clerkship in the Williams dry goods and grocery store at Oneco. He was also employed in the store of Frink Broth- ers at Oneco for a period of three and a half years, after which he resumed agricultural pursuits by renting a farm at Coventry, Rhode Island, where he remained for five years, or from 1873 until 1878. In the latter year he returned to Ekonk Hill and rented the Elisha Gallup farm for thirteen years, during which time he carefully saved his earnings until his industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to enable him, in 1891, to purchase the Young farm on Sterling Hill, comprising two hundred acres of good land. He calls his place the Hilltop Farm, and is devoting his time and attention to general agricultural pursuits, to stock raising and dairying. He has a fine herd of graded Ayrshire cattle upon his place and formerly handled registered stock. He has made big improvements upon the farm and follows progressive methods in the further development of his land and the conduct of his various business affairs.

On the 25th of November, 1878, at Ekonk Hill, Mr. Frink was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Eva Baldwin, who was born at Griswold, Connecticut, a daughter of Wil- liam Henry and Sarah (Douglass) Baldwin, who were natives of North Stonington, Con- necticut. The father became a farmer of Griswold and both he and his wife have now passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Frink have been born three children. Albert Henry, who was born at Oneco, Connecticut, March 17, 1880, married Malinda White, of Wor- cester, Massachusetts, and they have one child, Viola. Albert H. is now an engineer on the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad and resides in New London, Connecticut. Flora Mabel, born at Oneco, Connecticut, May 31, 1881, is the wife of Clarke Benjamin Gallup, a farmer of Plainfield, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. John LeRoy was born in Coventry, Rhode Island, March 15, 1883, and is an engineer on the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, making his home in New London, Connecticut. He married Leona Kenyon, of Sterling, Connecticut, and they have one child, Robert Kenyon.

In his political views Mr. Frink is an earnest democrat, having supported the party since reaching adult age. He has served as selectman in the town of Sterling for one term, has been grand juror and a member of the board of relief and has also filled the office of constable. In 1907 he represented his district in the general assembly of Connecticut and was made a member of the agricultural committee. He attends the Sterling Baptist church, while his wife is a member of the Ekonk Hill Congregational church. Mr. Frink has been a member of Ekonk Grange No. 89 for more than twenty- five years and has filled some offices in the organization. He is well known in the community where he makes his home and where he has so long resided. He has reared a family of whom he has reason to be proud and his own sterling worth con- stitutes an example that many others might well follow.

FRED MORTIMER WRIGHT.

Fred Mortimer Wright was born upon the farm on which he now resides in the town of Ashford, Windham county. His natal day was January 29, 1870, his parents being Leander and Sally (Fisk) Wright. He is a descendant of Nathan Wright, who was born in 1735 and became the first representative of the family in the town of Ash- ford, he and his wife taking up their abode upon a farm, where his death occurred March 22, 1796, while his wife died April 19, 1825. Their son, David Wright, was reared upon the old homestead farm and it continued to be his place of residence until he was called to his final rest October 1, 1842. His first wife, Lodica Utley, died June 27, 1821, leaving a large family, and David Wright afterward wedded Sarah Amidon, of Ash-

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ford, who passed away May 15, 1877, at the age of eighty years. There were three chil- dren of that marriage.

Leander Wright, born of the first marriage, had a twin, Ledoyt, their birth occurring June 14, 1819. Leander Wright spent his youth upon the old homestead to the age of sixteen years and attended the district schools. He then went to New York, where he entered the employ of his brother Giles, but returned to Connecticut just prior to his marriage. On the 9th of June, 1828, he wedded Sally Howe Fisk, who was born in Mansfield, a daughter of William and Selyma (Whittemore) Fisk. For two years fol- lowing their marriage they resided upon the homestead farm in the town of Ashford and then took up their abode in Mount Hope, Mr. Wright being employed in the axe han- dle factory then owned by the Lelands. He afterward rented for several years the Both- well farm at Pumpkin Hill, in Ashford, and when, following the death of his twin brother, the old home property was auctioned, he became the purchaser and bent his en- ergies to the further development and improvement of the place, becoming in time one of the prosperous and representative farmers of the community. He passed away August 17, 1887, at the age of sixty-eight years, while his wife survived until 1904 and had reached the age of seventy-four years at the time of her demise. They were the parents of a family of ten children.

The youngest of this family circle is Fred Mortimer Wright, who throughout his entire life has been identified with the improvement of the old home property that came into the possession of his great-grandfather many years ago. He obtained a dis- trict school education in the town of Ashford and spent his youthful days in the usual manner of the farmbred lad, dividing his time between the duties of the school room, the pleasures of the play-ground and the work of the fields. He gained a thorough knowledge of the best methods of tilling the soil and, following the death of the father, he and his brother Clifton, came into possession of the old homestead, which is a large property of three hundred acres. This has since been carefully cultivated, the land being brought under a high state of development, so that large crops are annually produced. In addition to their farming operations they are engaged in the lumber business and both branches of their undertakings are proving profitable. They keep from seventy-five to one hundred head of cattle on the place and are well known as extensive cattle dealers.

Mr. Wright is a republican in his political beliefs and is a man of considerable influence in state politics, his activity in this field beginning at an early age. He was a messenger in the Connecticut senate in 1909 and again in 1917. He has a wide acquaintance with the political leaders and statesmen of Connecticut and always keeps well informed on the vital questions and issues of the day, his position being that of a progressive citizen, keenly interested in the welfare and upbuilding of the state. He has served as tax collector of the town of Ashford but has never been ambitious to hold political office. He attends the Baptist church and is widely and favorably known in the community in which his entire life has been passed and with which his an- cestors have been connected through four generations.

JOHN REILLY.

John Reilly, the secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Vanderman Manufacturing Company of Willimantic, was born in Franklin, Connecticut, June 10, 1862, and is a son of Patrick and Catherine (Cassidy) Reilly. His father was born in County Meath, Ireland, and there spent the days of his boyhood and youth, acquiring his education in the national schools. When eighteen years of age he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, becoming a resident of Franklin, Connecticut, where he secured employment on a farm. Later he removed to Woodstock, Connecticut, where he purchased a farm and engaged in general farming and dairying on an extensive scale. His business interests were conducted along most progressive, enterprising and scien- tific lines, and he met with substantial success in his undertakings. At length, after about thirty years, he retired from business and removed to Putnam, Connecticut, where he died five years later. To him and his wife were born seven children, five of whom survive, John of this review being the eldest.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 109

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