A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 110

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

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John Reilly was reared at Woodstock, Connecticut, where he pursued a district school education, which he supplemented by study in the Eastman Business College, Poughkeepsie, New York, from which institution he was graduated in 1889, and he was thus well qualified for the responsibilities of the business world. Prior to this time he had worked upon his father's farm and had been employed by John O. Fox, who conducted a lumber business in Putnam, Connecticut. After completing his course at Eastman's he went to Willimantic, where he entered the employ of William Vanderman.

JOHN REILLY

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Later Mr. Vanderman organized the business now conducted under the name of the Vanderman Manufacturing Company, and Mr. Reilly became secretary and assistant manager of the undertaking. Upon the death of Mr. Vanderman in 1914 Mr. Reilly became the treasurer and general manager as well as secretary of the company, and so continues, giving his attention to constructive effort and executive direction of the business.

On the 18th of October, 1899, Mr. Reilly was married to Miss Eleanor A. Edington, daughter of John and Catherine (Nolan) Edington, of Pomfret, Connecticut. To this marriage has been born a son, Walter E., who is now a student at Harvard College. He was a soldier of the World war, enlisting in the Student's Army Training Corps of Georgetown University, Washington, D. C.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church. Mr. Reilly is secretary of the board of directors of St. Joseph's Hospital, Willimantic. He is a charter member of the Elks Lodge, No. 1311, and a member of San Jose Council, No. 14, Knights of Columbus. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party, and he has served one term as alderman, but prefers to give his attention to business rather than political interests, and aside from his official connection with the Vanderman Manufacturing Company he is a director of the Willimantic Savings Institute and of the Natchaug Industrial Company. He has made for himself a creditable position in business circles, working his way steadily upward through industry, capability and merit, and is now a prominent representative of the manufacturing interests of the city.

EDWIN STEWART GALLUP.

Edwin Stewart Gallup, who follows farming at Ekonk Hill, in the town of Sterling, Windham county, is a native son of Connecticut, his birth having occurred at Volun- town, in New London county, January 1, 1877. His parents were Edwin Byron and Hannah Mary (Burdick) Gallup. The father was born on the old Gallup homestead in Voluntown on the 13th of August, 1846, and was long identified with agricultural interests. The son, Edwin S. Gallup, was reared on the old homestead farm, which is just across the line of the town of Sterling, in New London county. There he attended the district schools and in young manhood he assisted his father in the work of the fields, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. After his education was completed he devoted six years to the butchering business at Oneco and later he was married and became boss farmer for J. W. Cutler on Putnam Heights, there remaining until 1906, when he returned to Ekonk Hill, in the town of Sterling, and leased the John Gallup farm of six hundred acres, upon which he has since remained. For fourteen years he has now rented this large, modern farm, which is a model property that has been brought to a high state of cultivation and annually returns a most gratifying income as a reward for the care and labor bestowed upon the fields. Mr. Gallup is also engaged quite exten- sively in buying cattle and in the butchering business and is regarded as one of the most progressive farmers of his section of the state.

On the 17th of November, 1904, Edwin S. Gallup was united in marriage to Miss Lena Gordon Gallup at her home on Ekonk Hill. She is a daughter of Ezra Allen and Olive Augusta (Knight) Gallup. Mrs. Edwin S. Gallup is a representative of one of the oldest New England families, the ancestral line being traced back to John Gallup, who came from the parish of Mosterne, in Dorsetshire, England, sailing from Plymouth on the 20th of March, 1630, on the ship "Mary and John." He landed at what is now Hull, Massachusetts, May 30, 1630, and in 1633 was joined by his family. He settled at Dorchester but soon afterward removed to Boston, where he was admitted to the First Church on the 6th of January, 1634, and the same year became a freeman. He owned Gallup Island, where he carried on farming, and also had lands in other localities in addition to his home in Boston. He was likewise a skilled mariner and after the settlement of Rhode Island and Connecticut his vessel furnished about the only means of communication between the two colonies. In September, 1633 he achieved distinction by piloting the ship "Griffin" of three hundred tons burden, through a newly discovered channel, and among the more than two hundred pas- sengers on the ship were the Rev. John Cotton, Rev. John Harker and Rev. Stone. Captain John Gallup passed away in Boston, January 11, 1650, while his wife, Mrs. Christobel Gallup, died September 27, 1655. Their son, John Gallup (II), came with his mother, two brothers and a sister to the new world in 1633 and ten years later he wedded Hannah Lake, daughter of John and Margaret Lake. Both he and his father served with the Massachusetts troops in the Pequot war and his bravery won for him a gift of one hundred acres of land from the general court of Connecticut.

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About 1650 he settled at New London, Connecticut, and in 1654 removed with his family to the east side of the Mystic river, now Stonington, where he took up his abode upon the land that had been given him. He represented his town in the general court from 1665 until 1667, and then when King Philip's war broke out, although more than sixty years of age, he became a captain and led his men into the fearful swamp fight at Narragansett, where he gave up his life in defense of the cause for which he was striving. The next ancestor of Mrs. E. S. Gallup in direct line was John Gallup (III), who was born in 1646 and in 1675 married Elizabeth Harris, of Ispwich, Massachusetts. He then settled in Stonington on land which had been received by his father from the government. He became a prominent and respected citizen and represented his town in the general court in 1685 and again from 1696 to 1698 inclusive. He, too, served in King Philip's war and was present in the terrible Narragansett battle. He had become acquainted with the language of the Indians and often served as inter- preter. In 1701 a committee was appointed to renew the bounds of the Winthrop lands purchased at Plainfield, Connecticut. This committee consisted of prominent men of the town and a large body of Indians who acted as guides, while Mr. Gallup served as interpreter. Although he was the owner of land at Plainfield, he never took up his abode there but continued at the old home in Stonington, where he passed away April 14, 1735. John Gallup (III) was the father of John Gallup (IV) and the latter was born at Stonington, Connecticut, in 1676. In 1709 he married Elizabeth Wheeler, who was born at Stonington in 1683, a daughter of Isaac and Martha (Park) Wheeler and a granddaughter of Thomas Wheeler, who emigrated from England to the new world in 1630. About 1710 John Gallup (IV), removed to Voluntown, where he took up a large tract of land that is still in possession of the family. He was chosen a member of the first board of selectmen of the town in 1721 and his name is mentioned in all important affairs of the community during his lifetime. He was ruling elder of the First Church, Presbyterian, and in 1726 was captain of the first militia company. His wife died in 1735 and he passed away in 1755.

John Gallup (V) was born at Voluntown, Connecticut, June 9, 1724, and was married April 9, 1747, to Hannah Frink, who passed away December 1, 1773, while Mr. Gallup died in his native city on the 6th of April, 1801. He always resided there and reared his family in Voluntown. The direct ancestor of Mrs. E. S. Gallup in the sixth generation was Nathan Gallup, who was born at Voluntown, February 11, 1763, and on the 19th of January, 1786, wedded Jerriah Gallup, daughter of Benjamin and Amy (Kinne) Gallup. They settled on what is called Ekonk Hill, in the town of Sterling, Windham county, where Nathan Gallup successfully carried on farming until his death, which occurred on the 1st of June, 1829, while his wife died October 31, 1838. Their son, John Gallup, was born in Voluntown, February 25, 1787, and on the 9th of May, 1816, married Mathilda Kinne. They established their home in the south- western part of the town, on Ekonk Hill, and there John Gallup of the seventh gen- eration died April 10, 1864, at the age of seventy-seven years. He was a prominent member of the Baptist church and lived a life of loving kindness, making him greatly esteemed and revered by all. His wife was born in August, 1800, and died in December, 1885. Their children included Daniel A. Gallup, who was born in Sterling, March 21, 1819, and made farming his life work. He was a prominent democrat and twice represented his district in the state legislature. He died June 22, 1888, while his wife passed away April 4, 1885. She bore the maiden name of Barbara P. Gordon, was a daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Campbell) Gordon and was born in Voluntown in January, 1825. She became the wife of Daniel A. Gallup on the 1st of October, 1843.

Ezra Allen Gallup was one of the three children of Daniel A. and Barbara P. (Gordon) Gallup and was born in Sterling on the 23d of September, 1844. His educa- tion was acquired in the district schools and in his youthful days he had the exper- iences that usually fall to the lot of the farm-bred boy. When twenty years of age he was employed at farm work in the town of Griswold, Connecticut, where he remained for a year, and upon his return to Sterling he rented the farm upon which he lived for many years, purchasing the property in 1870. As time passed on he greatly developed this property and stocked it with fine cattle and horses, while for many years he successfully carried on dairying. He also directed his efforts into other lines and for five years operated an acid mill. During 1877 and 1878 he engaged extensively in dealing in horses and cattle, which he purchased in New York and Canada and sold to local buyers. He was a most progressive and representative business man and sterling citizen, who enjoyed the high regard of all with whom he came in contact. He married Olive Augusta Knight, who was born in Johnston, Rhode Island, July 31, 1843, a daughter of Benoni and Celia (Austin) Knight. Her father was born in Johnston, Rhode Island, April 10, 1813, and died January 27, 1877, while his wife was born in Coventry, Rhode Island, in September, 1815, and passed away February 11, 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Ezra Allen Gallup became the parents of seven children. John

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Waterman, mentioned elsewhere in this volume, was born July 2, 1867, and married Ida May Burton, of Danielson. Arthur Allen, born January 24, 1869, married Ethel Roscine Young, who was born June 24, 1876, in Sterling, Connecticut. John W. and Arthur are the proprietors of Gallups Market, Danielson. Frank Ezra, born April 1, 1872, is a farmer of Sterling and was married December 25, 1898, to Hattie Alice Frink. Jennie Augusta, born October 21, 1873, was married on the 19th of October, 1893, to Dudley B. Williams, of Moosup, Connecticut, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Edward Earl, born March 15, 1875, was married June 27, 1901, to Lucinda Etta Brown, of Voluntown, Connecticut. Lena Gordon, born September 8, 1876, was a suc- cessful teacher prior to her marriage to Edwin Stewart Gallup. Daniel Benoni, born May 7, 1884, married Mabel Brown of Voluntown, Connecticut.

Mr. and Mrs. Edwin S. Gallup have become parents of four children: Florence Elizabeth, Arthur Stewart, Laura Esther, and Evelyn Gordon. All were born in Sterling except the youngest, who is a native of Plainfield, Connecticut.

In politics Mr. Gallup is a stalwart republican and is now filling the office of fire warden. He attends the Ekonk Congregational church, of which his wife is an active member and also the secretary of the Sunday school. They are well known in this section of the state, where they have always resided and where they have many warm friends. Mrs. Gallup is a representative of one of the oldest New England families and the name is one which has figured prominently and honorably upon the pages of history through many generations.

WALTER SCOTT DIXON.

Walter Scott Dixon, boss carpenter with the American Woolen Company at Moosup, is a native of Sterling, Windham county, his birth having there occurred on the 16th of February, 1865. His father, Henry D. Dixon, was also born in Sterling and in young manhood took up the profession of teaching school, which he followed for several years in different districts in the town of Sterling. Subsequently he abandoned the work of the schoolroom and turned his attention to farming on the old homestead, which is situated in North Sterling and which had belonged to his father, James Dixon. There Henry D. Dixon carried on general agricultural pursuits to the time of his death, which occurred in May, 1907. In politics he was a democrat and much interested in affairs of the community, giving his support to many public projects for the general good. Twice he represented his town in the state legislature and for nearly fifty years he served as a member of the school board, the cause of education finding in him indeed a stalwart champion. He likewise served as selectman and in other town offices and at all times was actuated by a most progressive spirit in relation to public interests. Fraternally he was connected with the Masons as a member of Ionic Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Greene, Rhode Island, and his interest in religion was manifest in his attendance at the Baptist church. For some years he survived his wife, who in her maidenhood bore the name of Abbie E. Phillips. She was born in Foster, Rhode Island, and by her marriage she became the mother of four children. Wilfred, who was born in Voluntown, Connecticut, now resides in Worcester, Massachusetts. He married Ida Chapman, of Brooklyn, Connecticut, and they have one child, Laura Belle. Walter S. is the second of the family. Alva J., born in Sterling and now residing in Oneco, Connecticut, married Cora Gibson, who passed away, leaving one daughter, Abbie Christina. Whipple, the youngest of the family, died at the age of three years.

Walter S. Dixon passed through the period of youth without any special event to disturb the serenity of a well ordered boyhood. He attended the schools of Sterling and completed his studies in the Plainfield Academy, after which he learned the carpenter's trade, beginning work when twenty years of age in the employ of George Rathburn, of Foster, Rhode Island, with whom he remained for two years. Later he engaged in carpentering on his own account for a few years and then engaged as carpenter at the Sterling mill, where he was employed for eight years. On the expiration of that period he entered the employ of the American Woolen Company at Moosup and for the past eight years has been boss carpenter with that concern.

On the 30th of April, 1890, Mr. Dixon was married in Voluntown, to Miss Lydia Ellen Campbell, a native of that place and a daughter of John and Mary J. (Larkham) Campbell. Her father died in 1890, in Voluntown, where the mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Dixon have become parents of a son, Henry Campbell, who was born in Sterling, April 28, 1891. He was graduated from Bowdoin College with the Bachelor of Arts degree and then matriculated in the Bowdoin Medical School, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in June, 1917. He is now a practicing physician and surgeon of Danielson, Connecticut, having previously practiced for one year at

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Kensington, Connecticut. During the World war he entered the Medical Corps of the United States army and was first stationed at Camp Devens, Massachusetts, and later at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. From the latter place he was sent overseas with Evacuation Hospital No. 33 and was subsequently transferred to Base Hospital No. 118 at Savenay, France. After the armistice was signed he returned to America and was discharged at Camp Dix, New Jersey.

Mr. and Mrs. Dixon attend the Methodist church and his political endorsement is given to the democratic party. His life has been one of industry. He early recognized the fact that opportunity slips away from the sluggard, plays as a will-o'-the-wisp before the dreamer but yields its rewards to the man of persistent and earnest purpose, and therefore throughout his entire life he has manifested unremitting diligence that has brought him to a creditable place as a representative of industrial interests in Moosup.

ALBERT EUGENE SHOALES.

Albert Eugene Shoales makes his home in Wauregan, where he is living retired, in the enjoyment of a rest that he has truly earned and richly deserves, for through a long period he was actively connected with agricultural interests and his life of industry and thrift brought to him the competence that now provides him with all of the necessities and many of the comforts of life without recourse to further labor. Mr. Shoales was born in Canterbury, Connecticut, February 12, 1853, his parents being Orin and Ardelia (Sweet) Shoales, who were natives of Brooklyn, Connecticut. The father, attending the district schools there, afterward took up farm work, which he followed for several years, and later devoted some time to carpentering. He subse- quently turned his attention to shoe making in Brooklyn and for twenty years followed that business. He passed away in February, 1882, while his wife died in October, 1880. They had a family of eight children: Mary E., who became the wife of Abner Johnson, a farmer of Canterbury, and both are now deceased; Georgiana, who became the wife of Nathaniel Child, a farmer of Woodstock, Connecticut, but both are now deceased; Emeline, who died at the age of eight years; Charles F., who died in the Civil war while serving in the Thirteenth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry; Louis, who was a farmer of Brooklyn, Connecticut, and died during the Civil war; Henry P., who was a member of the First Connecticut Cavalry and also laid down his life on the altar of his country; Edward P., who served in the First Connecticut Cavalry and has died since the war; and Albert Eugene of this review.

The last named was reared in Plainfield, Connecticut, and attended the district schools to the age of thirteen years, after which he engaged in farm work for some time. When eighteen years of age he obtained employment in the Central Mill in Central Village, there remaining for several years, but eventually he returned to the farm and for some time was again connected with agricultural interests. He worked for several years in the employ of others and then went to Plainfield, where he con- ducted the town farm for eleven years. Afterwards he took up his abode upon a small farm, which he purchased and cultivated. For two years he resided in Central Village and afterward removed to Wauregan, having charge of the Wauregan company farm for three years. He next leased the Wauregan company farm, which he operated for eight years and then retired in 1906. Since that time he has made his home in the village of Wauregan. All through his active life he displayed most practical and progressive methods in tilling the soil and caring for the crops and his careful management brought to him a substantial financial reward.

Mr. Shoales has been married twice. On the 12th of May, 1872, he wedded Anna Clark, who died leaving a daughter, Mabel, who is now a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At Moosup, Connecticut, on the 17th of May, 1875, Mr. Shoales married Miss Susan Marietta Palmer, who was born in Killingly, Connecticut, a daughter of Clark Waldo and Susan ( Blanchard) Palmer. The former was a native of Putnam, and the latter of the town of Foster. Mr. Palmer was a farmer of Killingly. Mr. and Mrs. Shoales became the parents of a son, Louis, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work in connection with the sketch of his son, Ralph M. Shoales.

Albert E. Shoales has long been an earnest republican and for two years he filled the office of selectman of Plainfield and for twelve years has served as assessor, occupy- ing that position at the present time. He served for one year as a member of the board of relief and he is the vice president of the Central Worsted Company of Central Village. Fraternally he is connected with Moosup Lodge, No. 113, A. F. & A. M., at Moosup, is also a member of Protection Lodge, No. 19, I. O. O. F., of Central Village and is a past noble grand of the latter lodge and also past district deputy. He and his wife

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are members of the Congregational church of Central Village and are people of the highest respectability, enjoying the warm regard of all with whom they have been brought in contact.

JAMES HERBERT DIXON.

James Herbert Dixon, engaged in general merchandising in Oneco, was born in Voluntown, Connecticut, January 2, 1864, a son of Robert H. and Hannah B. (Kennedy) Dixon. The father was a native of Sterling, Connecticut, and after completing his education in the public schools there he worked in the Campbell woolen mill, there learning the business. He afterward operated a woolen mill in connection with Mr. Potter at Voluntown under the firm style of Potter & Dixon, and on the dissolution of that partnership he removed to Atlanta, Georgia, where he accepted the superin- tendency of a mill for the Campbell Company, remaining in the south for several years. He afterward returned to Voluntown and made investment in farm land, devoting his attention thereafter to general agricultural pursuits. To him and his wife were born tive children, but only two are yet living: James Herbert; and Annie B., now the widow of James W. Foley, who was formerly proprietor of a grocery store in Oneco, but is now deceased.

James H. Dixon, having mastered the branches of learning taught in the schools of Voluntown, started out in the business world as clerk in the grocery store of John N. Gardner of that place, thus receiving his initial business training. He afterward learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for about twenty years, and at the end of that period turned his attention to the 'luniber business in connection with his father. He later took over the business and for several years owned, and operated a sawmill, but in 1916 he returned to the occupation in which he was first employed- that of merchandising. He purchased a general store in Oneco from his sister, Mrs. James W. Foley, and has since continued it with good success. He carries a large and attractive line of goods, and his enterprising methods have brought to him a patronage that is gratifying and satisfying.

On the 10th of June, 1891, Mr. Dixon was married to Miss Grace M. Sherman, a daughter of Robert A. and Anna (Sayles) Sherman. Two children have been born of this marriage, but the elder, Edith May, has passed away. The son, Robert James, is now in business with his father. He was born February 9, 1896, in Sterling, and served as a member of Company I, Three Hundred and Twenty-seventh Infantry, during the World war.

Mrs. Dixon is a member of the Baptist church of Sterling. Mr. Dixon gives his political endorsement to the democratic party and for about fifteen years was a select- man of Voluntown. In 1917 he was appointed postmaster of Oneco under President Wilson, and is still filling this position, his time being divided between the duties of the office and the conduct of his commercial interests. His activities have been well directed and have constituted the foundation upon which has been built the super- structure of his success.

LOUIS PELOQUIN, JR.

Louis Peloquin, Jr., night superintendent for the Connecticut Mills Company at Danielson, was born in Sorel, Quebec, March 3, 1881, his parents being Louis and Adele (St. Martin) Peloquin, who are also natives of that place. The father obtained a parochial school education there, after which he went to Montreal and there learned the brick mason's trade, which he followed in that city for several years. In 1893 he came to the United States, settling first at Oakdale, Massachusetts, where he engaged in brick mason work for nine years. In 1902 he removed his family to Easthampton, Massachusetts, where he again followed his trade for some time. He still makes his home at Easthampton but is now living retired, a well earned period of rest coming to him after long connection with industrial activity. In his family were eighteen children, of whom eight are yet living.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 110

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