A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 113

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

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On the 31st of August, 1863, at Thorndike, in the town of Palmer, Massachusetts, Roscius Back was married to Miss Harriet Cutler, a daughter of William A. and Mary (Wallace) Robbins, of Holland, Massachusetts, who was born June 2, 1840. Mrs. Back was for forty years a leader in the social, religious and musical life of the town of Union, serving throughout almost that entire period as organist of the Con- gregational church. Prior to her marriage she taught school for many years in Holland with marked success, her work being especially complimented in the reports of the town school committee. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Roscius Back were two sons: Roscius Harlow, born May 28, 1865; and Harry Eugene, born July 8, 1869.

Roscius Harlow Back, the elder, was born in Union and was educated in the dis- trict schools of Mashapaug, and the Hitchcock Free High school of Brimfield, Massa- chusetts, from which he was graduated in 1885, with a post-graduate course the fol- lowing year. He then entered the Boston University Law School and was graduated in June, 1889, winning the LL. B. degree. He opened a law office in Boston, where he practiced for eight years, when ill health obliged him to leave the city. For nearly a year he lived in Stafford Springs, Connecticut, and when his health was restored opened an office in Athol, Massachusetts, in 1898, conducting an extensive practice there until 1903 and ranking with the leading lawyers of Worcester county. In November, 1903, he went to the Pacific coast and has since spent most of his time at Vancouver, Washington, where he has won recognition as an eminent attorney and counsellor. In 1908 he was elected city attorney and in 1912 was elected judge of the superior court of Clarke county, Washington, for a four years' term and in 1916 was reelected to that position, so that he is still serving on the bench. While in Boston he was one of the active forces in republican politics but directed his political efforts to placing others in office rather than seeking political preferment for himself. He was also a charter member and one of the first presidents of the Park Street Club, connected with the Park Street church of Boston. On the 1st of December, 1888, he married Katherine Elizabeth Hart, who was born in Manchester, England, May 3, 1865. On the 2d of October, 1906, he wedded Ann Phillips.

Harry Eugene Back, whose name introduces this record, was born in Union, July 8, 1869, and acquired his early education in the common schools of his native town, while his preparatory work was done at the Hitchcock Free High school in Brimfield, from which he was graduated in 1888. He then entered the College of Liberal Arts of Boston University and was graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1892. During his college days he occupied a leading position among his fellow students. In his freshman year he was elected secretary of his class and was chosen associate editor from Upsilon Chapter of Boston University of the national catalogue of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. From his sophomore year, throughout his college course, he was the Boston University reporter upon the Boston Globe. As a sophomore he was toastmaster at the sophomore-senior banquet; a director of the Boston University Athletic As- sociation; business manager of the University Beacon, the college paper, and a director of the University Beacon Association. When a junior he was business manager of the college annual, treasurer of the University Beacon Association, president of the Uni- versity Debating Club, local editor of the University Beacon, secretary and later vice president of the Upsilon Chapter of the Beta Theta Pi and delegate to the national con- vention of that fraternity at Chautauqua, New York. When a senior he was made editor-in-chief of the University Beacon, president of Upsilon Chapter and a member of the Monday Club of Boston University, an honorary literary society of the college. Following his graduation he was made alumni director of the Boston University Athletic Association. He took up newspaper work on the completion of his college course, serving as reporter on the Boston Globe, as city editor of the New Hampshire Republican of Nashua and telegraph editor of the same paper, and also a managing editor of the Worcester Evening Post. In the fall of 1893 he entered the Boston Uni- versity Law School, completing a three years' course in two years and working at the same time on the Boston Globe to pay his school expenses. In the fall of 1895 he returned to newspaper work as night editor of the Lower Mail with which he was con- nected until July, 1896, when he returned to Union. In the fall of that year he was elected to the Connecticut legislature and during the session of 1897 made the ac-

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quaintance of people who induced him to go to Danielson, in the town of Killingly, to open a law office. On the 1st of May, 1897, he was appointed prosecuting attorney for Killingly and by reappointment occupied the position until May 6, 1901. On the 5th of August, 1897, he was appointed prosecuting agent for Windham county for a term of two years and in April, 1899, through appointment of Governor Lounsbury, be- came commissioner of the bureau of labor statistics of Connecticut for a four years' term. By legislative appointment in 1901 he became judge of the town court of Killingly for two years and by succeeding legislatures was reappointed and still holds the office. During his term in the legislature he originated, drew, introduced and took the lead in securing the passage of the bill creating the office of attorney general. He has also been a member of the republican state central committee from the twenty-eighth sen- atorial district. Since taking up his abode in Danielson he has had an extensive cor- poration practice, especially in railway law. On the 3d of November, 1914, he was elected to the Connecticut general assembly of 1915 by the town of Killingly and was reelected in 1916, serving as a member of the judiciary committee in both sessions. In May, 1915, he was appointed by the governor of Connecticut as one of the committee to revise the general statutes of Connecticut. He is thus leaving the impress of his individuality upon the history of his state, in which his family has figured prominently through many generations.

Mr. Back is now senior partner in the law firm of Back & Chase, with offices in the Connecticut Mutual Life building at Hartford, and is devoting his attention to general practice, although he has specialized largely in corporation practice and is particularly skilled in railway law. Thoroughness in the preparation of his cases has even been one of the marked characteristics of his practice, in which he has ever been careful to conform his actions to the highest professional ethics and standards. He has ever been regarded as an able minister in the temple of justice. His devotion to his clients' interests is proverbial, yet he never forgets that he owes a still higher allegiance to the majesty of the law. Aside from his professional interests he has served as a director in the People's Tramway Company, the Danielson & Norwich Street Railway Company and the Webster & Dudley Street Railway Company. He was one of the organizers and first directors of the Thompson Tramway Company, the name of which was later changed to the Worcester & Connecticut Eastern Railway Company and later still to the Consolidated Railway Company. He has thus had much to do with public utilities, the wise and careful management of which has contributed much to public comfort and to the saving of time, which is so essential in the conduct of business affairs at the present day.

On the 8th of January, 1902, Mr. Back was married to Miss Ella Davenport, a daughter of the late Dr. Samuel Hutchins, one of the most skillful surgeons in the state in his day. The children of this marriage are: Samuel Hutchins, born January 9, 1903; and Harry Eugene, born August 3, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Back are members of the Congregational church and he is identified with a number of fraternal organiza- tions. He has taken the degrees of lodge, chapter, council and commandery in Ma- sonry and is identified with the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Elks. He is also a member of the Bohemian Club and has membership in the local Grange. From 1904 until 1909 he was a private of Company M, Third Regiment of the Connecticut National Guard. He has served as a burgess of the borough of Danielson, has been a director of the Danielson Free Public Library and of the Danielson Young Men's Christian Association. In fact he is active in all efforts for civic betterment in his community and has most ably and creditably served in various local offices as well as in the state legislature, taking an active part in the business that is transacted in the council chambers of the commonwealth. His course has ever been above suspicion. The good of the nation he places before partisanship and the welfare of his constituents before personal aggrandizement. He commands the respect of the members of the general assembly and at home, where he is best known, he inspires personal friendships of unusual strength and all who know him have the highest admiration for his good qualities of heart and mind.

WILLIAM PRENTICE ALLEN.

William Prentice Allen, well deserving mention among the men of business en- terprise in Willimantic, is now widely known as the secretary and treasurer of the Asher Manufacturing Company and of the Maverick Laundry Company. He was born in Brooklyn, Windham county, April 28, 1867, and is a son of Arba and Mary (Prentice) Allen, and a grandson of John Allen, who. was one of the prominent early settlers of Brooklyn. Arba Allen was born in Brooklyn, Windham county, and was a prominent

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farmer, also extensively engaged in the dairy business and in cheese manufacturing. As he prospered in his undertakings he made investment from time to time in land and his holdings of real estate were extensive. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he was prominent in public affairs, serving as a selectman and in other offices. His religious faith was that of the Baptist church.

William P. Allen was the youngest of a family of five children. He pursued his early education in the public schools of Brooklyn and afterward attended a business college at Norwich. In 1890 he became connected with the firm of Hathaway & Company, ship brokers and commission merchants of Boston, in the capacity of bookkeeper. In 1892 he accepted the position of bookkeeper and statistical clerk with Smith, Winchester & Company of South Windham, and in 1902 he was made assistant to the New England manager of the Grand Union Tea Company, being relief manager of the various stores and also acting as auditor for the company. In 1905 he became identified with the Maverick Laundry Company, Inc., as secretary, and has since remained one of the of- ficers of the corporation, which is doing an extensive and growing business. The com- pany has agencies in all the neighboring villages and their patronage is steadily increas- ing. Mr. Allen is also the secretary and treasurer of the Asher Manufacturing Com- pany of Willimantic, a corporation engaged in making laundry mangles, which were patented by W. J. Asher, president of the corporation, and also a full line of laundry ma- chinery. They have their manufacturing plant at Irvington, New Jersey, and their product is well known all over the country. Mr. Allen has charge of the business office, while the president has charge of the manufacturing end of the business, and together they have built up an extensive patronage which is most gratifying.

In 1902 Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Delia Lowden, of Windham, who in early girlhood was left an orphan. She is a very active member in the Methodist Episcopal church and is also widely and prominently known in social and club circles of Willimantic. They have one child, Doris.

Mr. Allen has no political aspirations but has served on the republican town com- mittee, and he is deeply interested in civic affairs and all movements for the general welfare receive his hearty support. Fraternally he belongs to Eastern Star Lodge, No. 44, F. & A. M., of which he has served as master. He also belongs to Trinity Chapter, No. 9, R. A. M., of which he has been high priest; Olive Branch Council, No. 10, R. & S. M .; and St. John's Commandery, No. 11, K. T. He also has membership with the Mystic Shrine at Hartford and belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge at Danielson. His life has been an exemplary following of the teachings of the craft, and he is ever found ready to extend a helping hand to a fellow traveler on life's journey.

JOHN WILLIS WHIPPLE.

John Willis Whipple, a wide-awake, alert and energetic business man, is engaged in the lumber trade at Abington, where close application, indefatigable energy and straightforward dealing have won for him a liberal patronage. He is numbered among the native sons of Massachusetts, his birth having occurred in Sutton, August 19, 1871, his parents being Richard and Olive (Streeter) Whipple, who were natives of Sutton, where the father engaged in the teaming business and in farming. He spent his entire life in that locality and both he and his wife passed away there.

In his youthful days John W. Whipple acquired a good public school education in Sutton and then started out to provide for his own support. In young manhood he fol- lowed the teaming business in Sutton and in Worcester, Massachusetts, and at all times he was watchful of opportunities pointing to success. The steps in his orderly progres- sion are easily discernible. He has never hesitated to take a forward step when the way was open and has been constantly alert to the opportunities which have come to him. After following teaming for some time he turned his attention to the lumber business and to sawmill work in Scituate, Rhode Island, and in 1895 he removed to Putnam, Windham county, where he continued in the lumber business, handling native timber and operating a sawmill in the woods. For the conduct of this business he formed a partnership with E. N. Joslyn under the firm style of Joslyn & Whipple, and not only did they concentrate their efforts upon the lumber trade, but also began deal- ing in ice, coal and wood. At a later period the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Whipple continued his operations in the native lumber and timber business and con- tinued to operate sawmills in the woods, cutting the timber, for which he found a ready sale on the market. For some time he was associated with Chester E. Child and the Child Lumber Corporation of Putnam was formed. Mr. Whipple had charge of the manufacture of the lumber and timber, directing the work at the sawmills, while Mr. Child had charge of the selling end of the business. The labors of the one ably sup-

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plemented and rounded out the efforts of the other, and their patronage steadily in- creased. Upon the death of Mr. Child, Mr. Whipple became president of the com- pany and in addition to having charge of the field work he also took up the task of supervising the sales and is today one of the foremost representatives of the lumber trade in his section of the state. In fact, he is regarded as one of the largest and best known lumber dealers of eastern Connecticut. The company buys standing timber, which it cuts and manufactures into telegraph poles and ties. The company today owns and controls large plants and employs an extensive force of workmen. Their equipment is adequate to the demands of a large and growing business and they have in their service men of broad experience in this line, so that the output of the plant meets the most exacting demands of patrons. Mr. Whipple in his business connections has operated all over the eastern part of Connecticut and to some extent in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. He used to live in the lumber camps, but on the 28th of May, 1912, he purchased a farm at Abington, Connecticut, where he now makes his home.

Mr. Whipple married Mrs. Mary Emma (Greene) Paine, of Westfield, Massachu- setts, who was born near Summit, Rhode Island, but at the age of four years was taken to Canterbury, Windham county, and later became a resident of Apponaug, Rhode Island. She first married Frederick Augustus Paine, a farmer of Killingly, Connecticut, who spent his entire life there and who was a son of Louis and Lillis (Hopkins) Paine, who were natives of Killingly. Mrs. Whipple is a daughter of Charles Fuller and Julia Ann (Jordan) Greene, the former a native of West Greenwich, Rhode Island, while the latter was born at Greenwich Station, Rhode Island. Her father followed the occupation of farming at Apponaug, Rhode Island, for many years and there both he and his wife passed away. By her first marriage Mrs. Whipple became the mother of two sons, Frank Ray and Alfred Henry, both of whom were born in Killingly.

In his political views Mr. Whipple has always been a stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. His religious faith is that of the Con- gregational church and his life is guided by its teachings. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Elks and the Royal Arcanum and in his life ex- emplifies the beneficent spirit which underlies these organizations and which work for higher standards of manhood and citizenship. He also belongs to the Connecticut Lumbermen's Association. His has been an active and useful life. His intellect early grasped the eternal truth that industry wins and industry became the beacon light of his life. He realized that there is no success without effort; that the purpose of life is to afford opportunities for physical, mental and spiritual development, and that in this country these opportunities are offered in turn to everyone who is willing to em- brace them. Such opportunities slip away from the sluggard and tauntingly play before the dreamer, but surrender to the individual with high purpose, undaunted purpose and indefatigable determination. These qualities are possessed by Mr. Whipple and, steadily working his way upward and broadening the scope of his opportunities, he is today one of the foremost lumbermen of eastern Connecticut, controlling interests of large ex- tent and proportions.

HENRY WILLIAM FONTAINE.

Henry William Fontaine is active in control of amusement interests in Plainfield, where in 1916 he opened the Lillie theatre, a moving picture house, and in 1919 estab- lished a bowling alley and poolroom. His entire life has been spent in Connecticut, his birth having occurred at Taftville, January 19, 1886, his parents being Henry G. and Carilda (Clouthier) Fontaine. The father was born in the province of Quebec, where he spent his boyhood and youth to the age of seventeen years and then came to the. United States, settling at Taftville. At the outbreak of the Civil war he joined the Union army as a member of a New Jersey regiment, and when hostilities were over and the country no longer needed his military aid he returned to Taftville and for forty years was employed in the Ponemah mill as section hand in the spinning department. In fact he is still occupying that position. To him and his wife were born ten chil- dren. Louis J., who married Rose Reeves, of Baltic, Connecticut, is engaged in the insurance and real estate business at Norwich, Connecticut. Emma is the wife of A. H. Disco, proprietor of a wholesale and retail tea store at Norwich, Connecticut. Leon married Clara Bissonette and is a mill man at Taftville. Victor wedded Cassie McCarthy and is a mill man of Taftville. Herman is a mechanic of Detroit, Michigan. Henry William is the next of the family. Joseph is married and is a barber of De- troit. Blanche is a music teacher living at home. Leona is also under the parental roof and Amanda died in infancy.

Henry W. Fontaine pursued his education in the parochial schools of Taftville

HENRY W. FONTAINE

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

and after his textbooks were put aside spent a year as a farm hand. Later he be- came a clerk in the drug store of John F. Griffon at Taftville, where he remained for a year and then removed to Baltic, Connecticut, where he engaged in clerking in the drug store of his brother, Louis J. Fontaine. He spent a year and a half in that connection and then went to New York city, where he was clerk for Jaugmann & Com- pany, wholesale druggists, with whom he continued for two years. On the expiration of that period he became a resident of New London, Connecticut, and for eight years was proprietor of a cafe there. On selling out his business he joined his brother, Louis J., in the conduct of an insurance and real estate agency at Norwich for two years and in 1916 he opened the Lillie theatre at Plainfield and has since given to the public the best screen attractions to be secured. His theatre is liberally patronized and is proving a profitable venture. In October, 1919, Mr. Fontaine opened a bowling alley and poolroom in Plainfield, which he is also conducting in connection with the theatre.

Politically Mr. Fontaine maintains an independent course. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Norwich Lodge, No. 430 B. P. O. E., and his religious faith is that of the Catholic church, in which he was reared.

EDWIN TROWBRIDGE WHITE.

Edwin Trowbridge White, identified with farming interests at Pomfret Landing, where he was born on the 26th of December, 1851, is a son of Lewis and Margaret (Morrill) White. The father was born on what is now known as West Land Farm in Pomfret in January, 1812. He devoted his entire life to general agricultural pursuits in the town of Pomfret and was a quiet, unassuming man, highly respected. He never sought nor would he hold any public office. He died in Pomfret at the age of eighty-three years. His great-grandfather, Samuel White, was one of the first settlers of Pomfret, taking up his abode on a hill about a mile west of where the Pomfret station now stands, and for many years the region was known as the Sam White Hill and is still so called by the old families. Mr. White was a native of Massachusetts and became the founder of the family in Windham county. The mother of Edwin T. White was born in Man- chester, Maine, and was twenty years of age when she became a resident of Pomfret, where she passed away August 1, 1895.

Edwin Trowbridge White pursued his education in the district schools of Pomfret and save for a period of six months in 1882, when he was in the town of Brooklyn, he has spent his entire life in Pomfret. Soon after his marriage in 1882 he purchased a farm at Pomfret Landing and has made his home thereon continuously since, devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits and to stock raising. He has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and utilizes the most progressive methods in the care of his place, which in its neat and thrifty appearance indicates the supervision and intelligent watchfulness of an enterprising and progressive owner.

On the 25th of January, 1882, Mr. White was united in marriage to Miss Jennie I. Phillips, of Killingly, Connecticut, who was born in the town of Brooklyn and was ten years of age when she went to Danielson, where she pursued her education while spending her girlhood days in the home of her parents, George A. and Mary H. (Phipps) Phillips. Her father was born in Lisbon, Connecticut, and in young manhood removed to Ohio, where he followed the stone mason's trade. He afterward returned to Danielson, where he followed his trade for many years. In young manhood lie was a drummer and toured the state of Connecticut as a member of a drum corps during the campaign when Abraham Lincoln was candidate for the presidency. After he retired from active busi- ness he made his home with Mr. and Mrs. White at Pomfret Landing and here passed away. His wife was born at Thompson Hill in Windham county and there resided until her marriage, after which she became a resident of Brooklyn. She, too, made her home with Mr. and Mrs. White during her last days but passed away in Brooklyn. To Mr. and Mrs. White were born six children, all born in the house which is still the family resi- dence. Sadie Phillips, the eldest, attended the district schools and was graduated from the Killingly high school with the class of 1901. She was later graduated from the State Normal school at Willimantic and is now a teacher in the Arsenal school at Hartford. Louie Edwin is accountant and treasurer of the Gilbert Ship Construction Company of Stonington, Connecticut. He married Dora Elizabeth Smith, of East Weymouth, Massa- chusetts. Norman Earle, principal of the grammar school at Bedford, Massachusetts, married Louise Olive Fitts, a daughter of Arthur Lucius and Emma (Richmond) Fitts, who were farming people of Pomfret. Mr. and Mrs. Norman E. White liave two children, Norman Edwin and Richmond Phillips. Gladys Helena is secretary to the superintend-

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 113

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