A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 112

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

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ROMEO MAYNARD.

Romeo Maynard, engaged in the bakery business at Wauregan, was born in L'Ange Gardien parish, Rouville county, Quebec, Canada, September 18, 1892, and is a son of Dona and Sophie (Bombardier) Maynard, who were also natives of Quebec. The father was educated in Catholic schools there and afterward took up the occupation of farming, which he followed for a number of years in Canada. In 1895 he removed his family to Wauregan, in the town of Plainfield, Windham county, and entered the employ of the Wauregan Company, there retaining his residence until his death, which occurred De- cember 1, 1917. He had for eight years survived his wife, who died in 1909. They were parents of ten children.

Romeo Maynard, who was the sixth of the family, was reared and educated at Wauregan, attending the public schools, and later was employed at various places as he made his initial steps in the business world. In 1907 he began learning the bakery business with the firm of Blanchard & Jacques at Wauregan, after which he worked along that line in the employ of others until March 11, 1916, and then purchased the bakery business of Camiel Lague at Wauregan. He has since owned this business in connection with Joseph Brodeur as an equal partner. They have built up a trade of very gratifying proportions and their undertaking is now proving a profitable one.

On the 7th of September, 1915, Mr. Maynard was married to Miss Merence Plantier, of Wauregan, a daughter of Moses and Eglae Plantier, who were natives of New York state. Mr. and Mrs. Maynard have become parents of three children: Ellen V., Law- rence M. and Ernest R., all born in Wauregan.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and in political belief Mr. Maynard is a republican. He does not take active part in politics as an office seeker, however, but concentrates his efforts and attention upon his business and in this connection is winning a substantial trade.

ALBERT S. KENNEDY.

Albert S. Kennedy, a farmer of Plainfield, Connecticut, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, May 18, 1872, and is a son of Alfred H. and Louisa F. (Graves) Kennedy. The father's birth occurred in Plainfield, Connecticut, and at the usual age he became a district school pupil. When his textbooks were put aside he turned his attention to farm work, in which he engaged until 1862, when he left the farm in response to the country's call for troops to aid in the preservation of the Union. He enlisted in the Eleventh Connecticut Volunteer Infantry and served with that command throughout the remainder of the Civil war, participating in a number of hotly contested engagements. When the war was over he again took up his abode in Plainfield and learned the car- penter's trade, which he followed to the time of his death, being employed in eastern Connecticut and in the neighboring towns of Rhode Island. He passed away as the re- sult of an accident. His death occurring in Plainfield, Connecticut, October 21, 1894. His wife died in Plainfield, November 17, 1900.

Albert S. Kennedy, an only child, was brought to Plainfield by his parents in his childhood days and he, too, was a district school pupil, while later he concentrated his efforts and attention upon farm work. He was industrious and energetic and care- fully saved his earnings until he became possessed of capital sufficient to enable him to purchase the place known as the Greendale farm, which he bought in the fall of 1904. The farm is located near the village of Plainfield. He has since carried on general farming on this tract and also conducts a dairy business, while to a limited extent he engages in dealing in cattle. His business affairs have been wisely, carefully and profitably conducted.

On the 8th of November, 1899, in Danielson, Connecticut, Mr. Kennedy was united in marriage to Miss Edith Mabel Barber, a native of Exeter, Rhode Island, and a daugh- ter of George W. and Sarah A. (Perkins) Barber, who were farming people of Exeter.

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Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy have become parents of five children: George A., Sybil L., Frederick S., Emily M. and Mildred E. All were born in Plainfield.

In politics Mr. Kennedy has always maintained an independent course. He has served as steward of Plainfield Grange No. 140 for the past nine years and his wife is also a member of the Grange. She has likewise been a most untiring Red Cross worker, doing everything in her power to aid the chapter during the period of the war. She is an ardent worker in the Plainfield Woman's Christian Temperance Union and is secretary of the same. Mr. Kennedy is a member of the Windham County Farmers Association and Mrs. Kennedy is director of the association for the town of Plainfield. He and his family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Moosup and in social circles they occupy an enviable position, the hospitality of the best homes of this section of the county being cordially and freely extended to them.

HON. FAYETTE LAWSON WRIGHT.

Hon. Fayette Lawson Wright is connected with Windham county not only as a resident but also as one of its most prominent and progressive agriculturists, largely devoting his time and attention to the management of an extensive farm property which is highly improved. He has carried on dairying in a very extensive manner and his activities in that direction have expressed the last word in improved dairy methods. Mr. Wright is not a native of Connecticut, as are so many of Windham county's citizens, but was born in the neighboring state of Rhode Island, his birth hav- ing occurred at Foster on the 18th of September, 1853. When Henry Wright came to the new world from England in 1634 and settled at Dorchester, Massachusetts, he became the founder of the family of which Fayette L. Wright is a representative. In 1643 he removed to Providence, Rhode Island, obtaining one of the original home lots by purchase from John Throckmorton. He lost his life while serving in King Philip's war. His life was dominated by strong religious opinions and he was an earnest fol- lower of Roger Williams, of whom he was the nearest neighbor while at Providence from 1643 until 1676. Successive generations of the family lived in Rhode Island, and Benjamin Wright, grandfather of F. L. Wright, was a resident of Foster, where he long followed farming, passing away when nearly ninety years of age. He was twice married and had a family of ten children, all born of the first marriage. This num- ber included Albin Wright, whose birth occurred in Foster, February 14, 1818. He was but twelve years of age when he was bound out to farmers in Coventry, Rhode Island, there remaining for several years. He was afterward employed as clerk in a store in Scituate, Rhode Island, by Welcome Matterson, whose daughter he afterward married. Several years later he embarked in business on his own account and afterward became proprietor of the Rising Sun Hotel at Coventry, and the signboard of that establishment, indicative of his name, is in the possession of his son, F. L. Wright, of this review. He possessed natural mechanical skill and ingenuity and, leaving the hotel, took up expert loom work, starting the looms of several large cotton mills in Connecticut and Rhode Island. Failing health caused him to abandon this work in 1862, at which time he took up his abode on a farm at Bush Hill, Brooklyn, Connecticut. In 1864 he re- moved to Pomfret and after renting the Spaulding farm for a year purchased the place, which he occupied through his remaining days, but died while visiting in Foster, Rhode Island, January 8, 1869. Prior to the Civil war he voted the democratic ticket but after the war became a republican. His religious faith was indicated in his at- tendance at the Congregational church. He was married twice, his first union being with Lucinda A. Matterson, of Scituate, Rhode Island, a daughter of Welcome and Betsey (Knight) Matterson. She passed away in Foster, Rhode Island, October 14, 1853, when but twenty-eight years of age, leaving the following children: Amanda L., who became the wife of Owney Brayton; Eugene, who died in childhood; Delos C., who married Julia Graves and died in May, 1879; Clayton F., who was a member of the state legislature of Connecticut in 1901, and who married Ameda Ann Crossman; Anna A., the wife of Daniel Wood; and Fayette Lawson of this review. For his sec- ond wife Albin Wright married Sarah Matterson, a sister of his first wife, and there were four children of that union: Byron S., who married Susan Blackmore; George F., who wedded Alice Hall; Eulalie, who died in childhood; and Clara.

After acquiring his education in the district schools of Brooklyn and Pomfret and in Howe's Business College at Worcester, Massachusetts, from which he was graduated in 1876, F. L. Wright . became an active assistant in the management of his father's farm and also began the sale of agricultural implements as local agent for E. L. Allen & Company of Philadelphia. In February, 1882, he accepted' a position with the S. Pennock & Sons Company, of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, going upon the road for

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this firm of road machinery manufacturers. On the 1st of January, 1885, the Pennock interests were combined with those of the George W. Taft Company of Abington, Connecticut, under the name of the American Road Machine Company, and of the new corporation Mr. Wright became manager, with headquarters in Boston, but retained his residence in Pomfret. The American Company manufactures the Champion Road machinery and, as representative of the company, Mr. Wright visited every state and territory of the Union and also traveled in Guatemala, Mexico, and other foreign countries. He became a director of the American Road Machinery Company in 1895 and afterward confined his travels as its representative to New England, making his headquarters at No. 36 South Market street, Boston. In 1891 he purchased what was known as the Lake farm at Pomfret Center from his father-in-law, Joseph Chandler, thus becoming owner of three hundred acres of valuable land which is now highly im- proved with substantial buildings, while the farm has been brought under an advanced state of cultivation. There is a good fish pond upon the place and everything about the farm indicates his careful supervision and careful and progressive methods. His in- vestments also include many other holdings, so that his landed possessions aggregate fourteen hundred acres, of which five hundred acres are situated in the town of Wood- stock. He became extensively engaged in the dairy business in Windham county and his operations along that line have ever been conducted in a most advanced way. His equipment is most thorough in this connection and few men are able to speak with greater authority upon any subject bearing upon the dairy business. Mr. Wright is strong and resourceful, alert and energetic and never stops short of the successful fulfillment of his plans and the accomplishment of his purpose.

On the 1st of May, 1879, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Wright and Miss Adaliza W. Chandler, a daughter of Joseph Chandler, of Pomfret, and, like her husband, she is descended from one of the oldest New England families, the American pro- genitor of which was William Chandler, who became a resident of Roxbury, Massa- chusetts, in 1637, was admitted a freeman in 1640 and who died November 26, 1641. To him and his wife, Annis, were born four children, including Deacon John Chandler, whose birth occurred in 1610 and who married Elizabeth Douglas. He removed from Old Roxbury to New Roxbury in 1686 and died in Woodstock, Connecticut, April 15, 1703. His son, Captain Joseph Chandler, born June 4, 1683, was married to Susan Perrin, who died June 22, 1755, while his death occurred in Pomfret, January 5, 1749-50. They were the parents of Joseph Chandler, who was born June 16, 1710, and became a farmer and saddler of Pomfret, where he passed away July 4, 1780. His wife, Eliza- beth Chandler, was born June 30, 1709, and her death occurred January 22, 1797. Their son, Joseph Chandler II, was born August 30. 1745, served as first sergeant of the First Company, Eleventh Regiment of Connecticut Militia, and made farming his life work. He married Olive Backus, who was born November 21, 1757, in Woodstock and died in Pomfret, November 13, 1832. Their son, Stephen Chandler, was born on a farm in the northern part of Pomfret, April 20, 1787, and after his marriage took up his abode on the farm which was ultimately purchased by F. L. Wright of this review, thereon erecting a residence in 1843. He married Abby Holmes, of Pomfret, a daugh- ter of Ebenezer Holmes. She was born July 21, 1789, and died March 7, 1880, while Stephen Chandler survived until November 17, 1865. Their family included Joseph Chandler, who was born July 10, 1817, in Pomfret, and supplemented his district school education by study in the Brooklyn high school and in the academy at Dudley, Massa- chusetts. For some time after attaining his majority he worked for his father upon the home farm, and following the death of his father came into possession of the property, which he sold in 1891 to Senator Wright but continued to reside on the old home- stead until the time of his death. He was married April 12, 1853, to Mary Storrs Wil- liams and to them were born several children, including Mrs. Wright. Mr. Chandler was a republican in politics and both he and his wife were devoted members of the Congregational church, in the faith of which they reared their family.

Mr. and Mrs. Wright have become parents of two sons and a daughter: Fred Chandler, born April 18, 1880; Joseph Albin, born December 4, 1887; and Gladys Wil- liams, born November 15, 1891.

The Wright family are identified with the Pomfret Congregational church and Mr. Wright belongs to Putnam Lodge, No. 46, A. F. & A. M., of South Woodstock, ex- emplifying in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft. He has figured most prom- inently in republican circles and in 1895 became chairman of the republican town committee, a position which he long occupied. In 1897 he received the appointment from Governor Cooke as a member of the state sewerage commission and acted in that capacity until 1899, when a salaried commission was established. In 1898 he was chosen to represent Pomfret in the general assembly and was made chairman of the committee on education, in which connection every report made by him was sustained in both houses of the legislature. He was especially influential in defeating the bill

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which would have closed the State Normal School at Willimantic and he was also equally successful in opposing the bill to deprive every town in the state of a part of its state appropriation for schools. He was likewise a strong opponent of bills to cut off the school district libraries and evening schools and made it possible to enforce properly compulsory school laws. In a word he proved himself a stalwart champion of the cause of education and thus made definite contribution to, the intellectual de- velopment and progress of his state. His excellent service as a member of the house led to his selection as a candidate for the state senate and he was chosen to that position from the seventh senatorial district in 1901. His stand upon any vital ques- tion is never an equivocal one. He loyally supports that which he believes to be right and his judgments are not hastily formed but are the conclusion of careful consideration of any vital problem which comes up for settlement. None questions the integrity of his motives and though men may differ from him in policy and belief they ever respect him for his fidelity to principle.

JOHN FRANKLIN LEWIS.

John Franklin Lewis is a well known figure in amusement circles, conducting three leading theatres of eastern Connecticut, and one at Holyoke, Massachusetts, in which he not only displays moving pictures but also presents many attractions of the legiti- mate stage. He makes his home in Danielson, from which point he superintends his business interests. He was born in Plainfield, Connecticut, August 4, 1859, and is a son of Richard S. and Lucy (Gates) Lewis. The father, also a native of Plainfield, was there reared and educated and afterward went to West Greenwich, Rhode Island, where he purchased a farm and for many years engaged in general agricultural pur- suits and dairying. He likewise conducted a blacksmith shop for a number of years and eventually he retired from active business and moved with his family to Central Village, where he remained for a few years. He afterward went to Providence, Rhode Island, to live with his daughter, Mrs. William B. Hanlon, and his death occurred about 1909. For three years he had survived his wife, who passed away in 1906, both dying in Providence. In their family were four children: John F., of this review; Georgiana, who died at the age of thirteen years; Helen M., the wife of William B. Hanlon, who is a collector at Providence, Rhode Island; and Walter S., who married and passed away, his family now residing in New Haven. He was employed as molder in a foundry at. Irvington, New York.

John F. Lewis acquired his education in public and select schools of West Green- wich, Rhode Island, and afterward went to Packerville, Connecticut, where he worked in the cotton mill of J. H. Leavens & Sons for three years. That company removed its business to Central Village, Connecticut, and there Mr. Lewis was employed for several years, at the end of which time he resigned, having, however, worked his way upward to the position of overseer of the weaving department. He afterward pur- chased a restaurant in Providence, Rhode Island, which he conducted for some years, and he then took over the catering on the Providence, Fall River & Newport Steam- ship Line, conducting that business for fourteen years. During this time he likewise arranged to do all of the catering at Crescent Park, having all the hotel dining rooms and restaurants there. When he assumed the management at Crescent Park dinner was being served to about a thousand guests each Sunday and after five years his busi- ness had so increased that he was serving thirty-five hundred each Sunday at Crescent Park. This was one of the greatest resort parks on the Atlantic coast and Mr. Lewis contributed much to its popularity by reason of the excellent meals which he served. In 1910 he gave up the park and also sold his interest in the catering business of the steamboat company. He then turned his attention to the theatrical business, becom- ing associated with Stephen B. Brown, his cousin. They established the Palace Theatre in Rockville, Connecticut, and later Mr. Lewis opened the Orpheum Theatre at Thomp- sonville, Connecticut. He afterward sold that and purchased the Princess Theatre in Bristol, Connecticut, while in 1914 he leased the Orpheum Theatre in Danielson and at a recent date purchased the Orpheum. All these theatres are general showhouses, presenting the legitimate plays and also motion picture plays. Mr. Lewis remains the general manager and the treasurer of the business. His cousin, Mr. Brown, has passed away, his wife now holding his interest. They conduct the Orpheum at Daniel- son, the Palace at Rockville and the Princess in Bristol, Connecticut, and are thus in charge of three of the leading playhouses of this section of the state, as well as the Strand Theatre at Holyoke, Massachusetts.

Mr. Lewis has been married twice. He first wedded Mary A. Leach, of Wauregan,

JOHN .F. LEWIS

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Connecticut, who died leaving two children: Maud E., now the wife of Winfield S. Bromley, assistant superintendent of a jewelry house in Providence, Rhode Island; and Ruth H., the wife of Leon Shippee, a farmer of Killingly, Connecticut, and they have two children: Ruth H. and Harriet. For his second wife Mr. Lewis chose Ruth Parker, of Portsmouth, Rhode Island. They are well known in the social circles of Daniel- son and have many friends throughout eastern Connecticut.

Mr. Lewis is a republican in his political views and holds membership in the Congregational church of Providence. Throughout his career he has been actuated by a most progressive spirit, bringing him prominently to the front in the various lines of business to which he has directed his efforts, and in the theatrical world he is today a well known figure, giving to the public the best attractions of the speak- ing stage and the film world as well.

HON. HARRY E. BACK.

Hon. Harry E. Back, of Danielson, Connecticut, is a representative of one of the old families of the state, the first records of whom are found in the vicinity of Preston, Connecticut. George, Daniel, Elijah and Judah Back, perhaps all brothers, served in the French and Indian wars. George and Judah Back were of the same company, Judah serving from May 17 to November 20, 1758, under Colonel Samuel Coit, of Preston, in the Second Regiment; George from April 2 to October 15 of the same year (see Vol. II French and Indian War Rolls, Conn. Hist. Society.) Daniel Back served in 1755 in Stonington, Preston and vicinity. Elisha and Simeon Back were soldiers in the Rev- olution. Evidently Judah was the only one to remain in Connecticut, and for a time all of the family left Connecticut except the family of his son Judah.

Lieutenant Judah Back, progenitor of the branch of the family to which Harry E. Back belongs, was a soldier of the French and Indian war. He was born probably as early as 1738 and became a resident of Hampton, Connecticut. He was married De- cember 30, 1761, at Hampton, and both he and his wife, Priscilla, died there. Their son Judah was born in Hampton, August 26, 1768, followed farming and for a few years lived in Vermont and later at Holland, Massachusetts. He was married Novem- ber 22, 1801, at Hampton, to Elizabeth Abbee or Abbey, of an old Windham county family. She died at Holland when more than ninety years of age.

Lucius Back, the eldest of the children of Judah Back, was born at Hampton, May 26, 1803, and died at Holland, Massachusetts, September 18, 1879, having removed to that place with his parents when four years of age. He engaged quite extensively in farming and attained success. In politics he was a democrat and his probity and good judgment were so uniformly recognized that he was frequently called upon to settle estates. He was married January 27, 1835, to Sophia Moore, who was born December 12, 1802, and died July 15, 1852. On the 3d of September, 1855, Lucius Back wedded Sarah Richardson, of Willington, who was born March 31, 1821, and died October 2, 1879. His death occurred in Holland as the result of a runaway accident.

Roscius Back, son of Lucius Back and father of Hon. Harry E. Back of this re- view, was born February 4, 1837, and was a twin brother of Rosetta Back. He was educated in the schools of Holland, Massachusetts, and in the Mashapaug district in Union. He remained at school until he was twenty-one years of age and afterward as- sisted his father in his agricultural and lumbering interests. For a time he worked at Colt's Armory in Hartford and on the 27th of March, 1862, removed to Mashapaug, a village and school district in the town of Union, where he purchased an interest in the mattress factory and grist mill, being associated in business with Albert E. Weld under the firm name of Weld & Back, Mr. Weld having previously been the proprietor of the business. They engaged in the manufacture of excelsior mattresses and also operated a grist mill, which proved a profitable enterprise until destroyed by fire in October, 1864, involving the owners in great loss and proving a great detriment to the indus- trial interests of the community. After his retirement from milling interests Mr. Back was actively engaged in farming and in the management of a lumber business until 1908. He became one of the leaders in this line in the town, which is a pine lumber section. He owned hundreds of acres of timber both in Connecticut and Massa- chusetts and occupied himself with his lumbering interests during the winter, while his attention in the summer months was given to farming and dairying. He had about seventy-five acres under cultivation and in pastures. In 1865 he built his Union rest- dence, which he occupied until 1908, when he erected a residence at Southbridge and removed to that town. Since 1908 he has disposed of his large real estate holdings in Union, Holland and Sturbridge. In politics Mr. Back has for many years been a prominent republican and represented his town in the state legislature in the term

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of 1891-2 through the noted deadlock session. He was a member of the agricultural committee, was constant in attendance and stood faithfully by his party during the continual contests of that exciting two years' session. In 1907 he again represented the town and served on the roads and bridges committee. He has also been assessor, constable, tax collector and member of the board of relief. From 1890 until 1906 he was clerk and treasurer of the Union Congregational church, of which he is a de- voted member. He belongs also to Mashapaug Grange, No. 101. He has ever displayed a public-spirited interest in all matters pertaining to the progress and advancement of his section.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 112

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