A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 119

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

USA > Connecticut > Windham County > A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II > Part 119

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She displays marked capability in office and the success of the institution is attributable in no small measure to her efforts. On the 14th of October, 1919, she became the wife of Almond Colvin, of Moosup, Connecticut.

JOHN WATERMAN GALLUP.

John Waterman Gallup, who was formerly manager of the Nelson Morris Company store at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and since that time has been identified with the commercial interests of Danielson, where he is now profitably conducting a market, was born in Griswold, Connecticut, July 2, 1867, and during his infancy was taken to the town of Sterling by his parents. There he obtained his education as a district school pupil and as a student in the Plainfield Academy. When eighteen years of age he went to his uncle, James J. Williamson, of Woodstock, with whom he remained for a year, assisting him during that period in the meat business. In August, 1887, he removed to Danielson to become a clerk in the market of Frank W. Medbury, with whom he continued until December, 1888. In that year he purchased the business and in December, 1895, he removed to his present location in the Phoenix building on Main street. In 1899 his brother Arthur became a partner in the business under the firm style of Gallup Brothers. As business was somewhat dull in the year 1899, John W. Gallup accepted the position of manager with the Nelson Morris Company store in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, with which he was connected for about one year. Since that time he has conducted a profitable and growing business in Danielson, the firm having a well appointed market which is accorded a liberal patronage.

In public affairs, too, Mr. Gallup has maintained a deep interest and has always given loyal support to the democratic party. He served for two successive years as a member of the court of burgesses for Danielson and in 1907 and again in 1908 he was elected a member of the state legislature from Danielson, serving as a member of the committee on military affairs while connected with the general assembly.

Mr. Gallup was united in marriage to Miss Ida Mary Burton, who was born in Ellenburg, New York, a daughter of Henry and Josephine (Lemonde) Burton. This marriage has been blessed with four children: Dorcas Burton, who was born in Nor- wich, Connecticut, November 26, 1895; John Elmer, born September 20, 1897; Henry Ezra, June 25, 1899; and Linder Waterman, March 25, 1902.

Fraternally Mr. Gallup is connected with Moriah Lodge, No. 15, A. F. & A. M., of Danielson, and also with Quinebaug Lodge, No. 34, I. O. O. F. He is an active mem- ber of the Baptist church, in which he formerly served as trustee and as assistant superintendent of the Sunday school. He does everything in his power to advance the moral progress of the community and his aid and influence are ever on the side of right and reform. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished and has well deserved the proud American title of a self-made man, for he started out in the business world empty-handed and through persistency of purpose, capable manage- ment and honorable dealing has made for himself a creditable place in commercial circles in Danielson.

DOROTHY JONES BARTLETT.

Dorothy Jones Bartlett (Mrs. W. J.) is one of the most widely known of Con- necticut's women. She resides in Putnam, where she is now probation officer of the city court, and she is also most actively connected with various agencies and lines of work that have to do with the uplift and benefit of humanity at large. She was born at South Trenton, New York, June 12, 1870, a daughter of Edward G. and Ann (Lewis) Jones. Her education was acquired in the schools of Whitesboro, New York, and on the 5th of June, 1895, at New York Mills, New York, she became the wife of W. J. Bartlett. She now has two daughters, Dorcas and Ruth.

Mrs. Bartlett is a member of the Congregational church. For years she has been most active in work tending to alleviate the hard conditions of life for the unfortunate, to promote progress and advance the welfare of the individual and the community at large. She has long been a stalwart champion of woman suffrage and she was jailed sixty days because of her efforts to gain freedom for women. Now that the franchise has been accorded women, she intends to "vote for the men, women and measures that will make for a cleaner America-cleaner morally, mentally and physically."

The labors of Mrs. Bartlett have been most tangible and potent elements for the

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benefit of mankind. She is now serving on the Connecticut branch of the national women's party as chairman of the second congressional district. She was master of Putnam Grange in 1919-1920 and was president of the Putnam Chautauqua during the same period and has been reelected to serve in 1921.

Mrs. Bartlett represented Windham county on the state war work committee of the Connecticut Woman Suffrage Association. At the present writing she is serving the board of management as visitor for the Windham County Children's Home and is also probation officer of the city court of Putnam. She is likewise on the state committee of the Connecticut Travelers Aid Society and is a member of the state committee for the protection of girls and women. She has long been a close, thoughtful and dis- criminating student of sociological, economic and political problems and on all such keeps abreast with the best thinking men of the age. On all vital questions she has taken an advanced stand and has employed the most practical methods in working toward the high ideals which she holds.

CHARLES FREDERICK WATERMAN.

Charles Frederick Waterman, who passed away April 26, 1919, was the president of the Waterman Worsted Company and was thus associated with the manufacturing interests which have constituted the basis of Connecticut's business development and prosperity. He was a son of Charles H. and Ann H. (Lockwood) Waterman and was a direct descendant of Richard Waterman and of Amos Lockwood, who were original settlers of Warwick, Rhode Island. His birth occurred in Providence, Rhode Island, on the 29th of November, 1871, and through the period of his boyhood and youth he attended the public schools of his native city, advancing through successive grades to the high school. In young manhood he entered the employ of the Sayles bleachery, one of the F. A. Sayles interests of Providence, and there remained until 1898 when he removed to Mechanicsville, Connecticut, to accept the position of office manager of the Mechanicsville Company. After George P. Newell retired as agent of the company, Mr. Waterman was advanced to that position, the plant there being operated under the name of the French River Textile Company. Mr. Waterman continued in that important position until 1912, when he resigned and became associated with his brother, Percy Waterman, in organizing the Waterman Worsted Company at Putnam. He called on the New York trade for the sale of his product and soon built up a business of substantial proportions. His previous experience had well qualified him to carry on an enterprise of this character and the business was soon placed upon a substantial basis, Mr. Waterman remaining as presdent of the company to the time of his demise.

Mr. Waterman married Miss Isabel Frances Rowe, who survives him. He was well known socially in the community in which he made his home and his fine tenor voice constituted an attraction in all musical circles. He was a member of the Arcanum Club, also of the Masonic lodge of Quinebaug and belonged to the Putnam Country Club. His social nature and genial qualities made him popular wherever he was known and he was ever regarded as a favorite in the social circles in which he moved.

FRANK JOHNSON.

Frank Johnson, who since 1903 has owned, occupied and cultivated his present farm property in the town of Putnam, was born in Smaland, Sweden, January 13, 1860, his parents being John and Annie C. (Johnson) Johnson, who were also natives of Smaland. The father was there reared and educated and in young manhood took up the occupation of farming. Later he purchased farm land and devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits and to dairying and also conducted business as a dealer in horses. For many years he remained upon his farm, continuing the work of further development and improvement there, but eventually he retired from active business and made his home with his daughter Christine to the time of his death, which occurred about 1910. To him and his wife were born six children: Christine, who is now married and lives in Sweden; Alice, Carl and Emily, all of whom have passed away; William, who is married and follows farming in Pomfret, Connecticut; and Frank, of this review.

The last named spent the days of his boyhood and youth at the place of his nativity and acquired his education in the schools there. He afterward worked on the farm

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for his father for several years and later he was employed as a farm hand at various other places. His time was thus spent until he came to the United States, attracted by the better business opportunities which he believed he could secure on this side of the Atlantic. He landed at New York city but afterward made his way to Wood- stock, Connecticut, and was employed on various farms until he removed to West Thompson and purchased what is known as the Johnson farm in 1903. Upon this place he has since lived, giving his attention to the cultivation of the crops best adapted to soil and climatic conditions here and also to dairying. He likewise has charge of the repairs of a section of the town roads, having undertaken this work for several years. Thus he is leading a busy and useful life and is winning a substantial and well deserved competence.

Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Annie Nelson, a daughter of John and Chris- tine (Chalot) Nelson and a native of Sweden. They have become parents of six children: Gertrude E. and Hattie C., at home; Agnes C., the wife of Ezekiel McNally, also upon the farm with her father, Mr. McNally having served in the World war as a member of the Signal Corps of the Twenty-sixth Division, being for eighteen months on active duty overseas; William C. and Mildred R., both at home; and Frank, who has departed this life.

Mr. Johnson votes with the republican party, which he has supported since becom- ing a naturalized American citizen. He and his family attend the Methodist church at West Thompson and they are widely and favorably known in the locality where they reside. Mr. Johnson has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for he has here found the opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has made steady progress toward the goal of prosperity.

ADIN OLNEY MOWRY.

Adin Olney Mowry was born on the farm which he now operates on Gibson Hill, in the town of Sterling, Windham county, his natal day being September 25, 1869. He is a son of the Rev. Tyler Briggs and Mary Wilbur (Stone) Mowry. The father was born at Smithfield, Rhode Island, May 28, 1841, and there acquired his education in the public schools. He also attended Pinkerton Academy at Derry, New Hampshire, and later returned to Smithfield, where he obtained employment in a box-making shop. Later he was employed by his father, Olney A. Mowry, who was a wagon builder and wheelwright at Smithfield. There he learned his trade and after his marriage he removed to Sterling, settling on the present Mowry farm, which at that time was known as the Stone place, being the property of his wife's father, Jason Stone. He leased the potter's store in the village of Sterling and conducted the business for a few months but later sold out and was engaged in business as a wheelwright at Sterling. He then concentrated his efforts and attention upon agricultural pursuits and for twelve years cultivated the Mowry farm. While at home he had studied for the ministry and after farming for twelve years he became a licensed preacher of the Baptist church at Sterling Hill, March 20, 1880, and was ordained to the ministry at the Baptist church at East Poultney, Vermont, November 5, 1890, then went to North Tisbury, Massachusetts, where he had charge of the Baptist church, while later he was pastor of the Baptist church at Mashpee and Monroe, Massachusetts. He then retired from the ministry but afterward accepted the pastorate of the Baptist church at Mount Vernon, Rhode Island, five miles from his home farm, and his death oc- curred while he was still serving as pastor of that church. He was a man of kindly nature, beloved by all by reason of his high standards, his ready sympathy for man- kind and his efforts to uphold the cause of Christianity. He passed away December 17, 1910. His wife was born at Plainfield, Connecticut, May 27, 1842, and was a daugh- ter of Jason and Rhoda (Fry) Stone, the former a mill man of Plainfield. His father was David Stone, a native of Rhode Island and the original purchaser of what is now known as the Mowry farm. Mrs. Tyler B. Mowry still survives her husband and makes her home with her son, Adin O. To the Rev. Tyler B. Mowry and his wife were born five children, of whom two are living, the elder being Jason Stone, a drafts- man in the employ of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad at New Haven, Connecticut, but living in Sterling.

The other member of the family is Adin O. Mowry of this review, who acquired his education in the schools of Sterling and of Moosup. In his youthful days he worked at odd jobs but always made his home upon the farm where he was born, owing to the fact that his father entered the ministry, and as a young man he took charge of the farm, upon which he has since continued, devoting his attention largely to general agricultural pursuits, his labors resulting in the development of excellent crops.

ADIN O. MOWRY

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In politics Mr. Mowry is a democrat and he has served as tax assessor and was first selectman for six terms. In the fall of 1916 he was elected to represent his dis- trict in the state legislature and was made a member of the capitol and grounds committee. He was elected judge of probate for the town of Sterling in November, 1916, and on the 1st of January, 1917, took the office, to which he was re-elected in 1918, being still the incumbent in that position. He was also re-elected first select- man in 1916 and was thus chosen for the offices of first selectman, judge of probate and member of the general assembly, all in the same fall, occupying all three posi- tions at one time. Since 1890 he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Oneco and for sixteen years served as recording steward and deacon, while for a similar period he was superintendent of the Sunday school. At present he is record- ing steward, acting Sunday school superintendent and also a local preacher of said church. He also belongs to the Windham County Farmers Association and his inter- ests are thus broad and varied, his activities bringing him into prominence along those lines resulting in the material, political and moral progress of the state.

HORACE FRANKLIN TURNER.

Horace Franklin Turner, a Yale man, who has been superintendent of schools at Danielson since November, 1916, was born at Montowese, in the town of North Haven, Connecticut, November 3, 1885. His father, Horace Eleazer Turner, was a native of Fairhaven, Connecticut, and in young manhood became an oyster dealer at that place. Later he engaged in carpentering, having previously learned the trade, which he followed for a number of years and in which he was more or less active up to the time of his death. He married Sarah D. Hooper, a native of Newark, New Jersey, and they became the parents of eleven children, of whom seven sons are yet living: Joseph, who is now a contractor in San Francisco, California; Har- rison, who is the head of the electric department connected with the New Haven high school; James, a resident farmer of Montowese, Connecticut; George and Dwight, who are also farmers in that locality; Horace F., of this review; and Harold, who is now in charge of the city directory work in Newark, New Jersey. The father of this family passed away in North Haven, April 1, 1915. He was a republican in his political views but was never an office seeker. He attended the Baptist church in Fairhaven and the sterling traits of his character commanded for him the respect of those with whom he came in contact. His widow survives him and is now con- ducting a fruit and garden farm at Montowese, Connecticut.

Horace F. Turner was educated in the common schools of Montowese and after- ward pursued a four years' course in the North Hermon boys' school at Northfield, Massachusetts, from which he was graduated with the class of 1907. In the fall of that year he entered Bates College at Lewiston, Maine, and on the completion of a four years' course became numbered with its alumni of 1911. While pursuing his studies there, in the seasons of 1907 and 1908, he taught the rural school at Jay, Maine, and was acting principal of the high school at North Woodstock, New Hampshire, for a short time in 1910. He was also sub-teacher of French and Greek in the high school of South Portland, Maine, and likewise filled the position of federal census enumerator in Westbrook, Maine. Through this period he was also carrying the studies that brought him to graduation and in the fall of 1911 he entered upon a course in the post-graduate school of Yale University as a student in the school of administration and supervision. He was president of his class in the freshman year and president of the Y. M. C. A. during the 'senior year. :

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After leaving Yale, Mr. Turner was appointed principal of schools at Scarboro, Maine, where he continued for a year, and from 1912 until 1916 he was principal of the Mitchell school in Woodbury, Connecticut, consisting of eight grades and high school. In November, 1916, he accepted a call to the superintendency of the schools at Daniel- son and has since filled this position and at the same time acts as superintendent of schools in Brooklyn, Connecticut. Under his supervision are seventeen school build- ings, in which are employed fifty-one teachers. He is recognized as an able educator of high professional standards and one who imparts readily and clearly to others the knowledge that he has acquired, while his own zeal and interest in the work are reflected in the increased activities and efficiency of teachers and pupils.

In Minot, Maine, on the 1st of January, 1913, Mr. Turner was married to Miss Elsie Washburn Lowe, who was born in Albion, Nebraska, a daughter of Ernest W. and Alice (Libby) Lowe. Her father is a native of Buckfield, Maine, while the mother was born in Iowa, and they now reside in Woodbury, Connecticut. Mr. Lowe was

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formerly editor of a paper in Tennessee. In young manhood he went to what is now the town of Albion, Nebraska, and there took up a claim but in later years returned to New England. To Mr. and Mrs. Turner have been born two children: Horace Edgar, whose birth occurred in Woodbury, Connecticut, December 24, 1913; and Hazel Esther, born in Danielson, January 4, 1919. Mr. and Mrs. Turner are consistent mem- bers of the Baptist church and he is a member of the Danielson Bohemian Club. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him, as he prefers to give his undivided attention to his professional interests.

ADELARD ALBERT DAGENAIS.

Adelard Albert Dagenais, filling the position of train dispatcher for the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad at New London, Connecticut, and making his home at Attawaugan, was born August 6, 1890, in the village where he still resides, his parents being Telesphore and Rose (Hebert) Dagenais. The father, a native of the province of Quebec, pursued his education in one of the convent schools of that place and when a lad of twelve years accompanied his parents on their removal to the United States, the family home being established at Ballouville, Connecticut, where he began to earn his own living by entering the employ of the Blackstone Company, now the Attawaugan Company. The Dagenais were among the pioneer French families to settle in that section of Windham county. Later the father of A. A. Dagenais removed to Attawaugan, Connecticut, where he was employed by the Attawaugan Company in the weaving department for twenty years, and at the time of his death he was serving as loom fixer with the same company. His record was one of the utmost faithfulness as well as of capability in the line of his work. He passed away at Attawaugan in April, 1906. His wife, who was born, reared and educated in Atta- waugan, still makes her home there, living with her children. She has been a resi- dent of the place for the past half century. By her marriage she became the mother of eight children: Adelard A., of this review; Bertha, Evial and Delphine, who reside at home; Blanche, the wife of John Mathieu, a telegraph operator for the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, located at North Grosvenor Dale, Connecticut; and Arthur, Ella and Ely, all at home. The last named is attending the Putnam State Trade School.

A. A. Dagenais, whose name introduces this record, was a pupil in the public schools of Attawaugan and, when his textbooks were put aside, he sought employment in a cotton mill at Attawaugan, remaining in the spinning department for six years. During this period he studied at home and learned telegraphy. In 1912 he entered the employ of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad as telegraph operator at East Wallingford, Connecticut, and subsequently he served as operator at various places along the road and in 1913 was made operator at Central Village. Here he con- tinued until appointed dispatcher for the same company at New London. He has devoted much time and study to railroad operations, with which he is thoroughly familiar, and thus through his earnest efforts to promote his efficiency he has won his advancement to a position of large responsibility.

Mr. Dagenais, like all the members of his father's family, is an adherent of the Catholic faith. He belongs to Seaside Council, No. 17, of the Knights of Columbus at New London and he gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He is a progressive and enterprising young man, actuated by laudable ambition, and his prog- ress is the direct outcome of his study, his industry and his acquired talent.

ALVA J. DIXON.

Industrial enterprise in Moosup finds a substantial representative in Alva James Dixon, who is a contractor and builder. He was born in Sterling, Connecticut, Janu- ary 9, 1867, and is a son of Henry Dunlap and Abbie (Philips) Dixon. The father was born in Sterling and gained a practical education in the public schools there, while later he attended the Smithfield Academy at Scituate, Rhode Island. He afterward took up the profession of school teaching, which he followed in various places. Later he settled at Providence, Rhode Island, where he engaged in business as a member of the firm of Card & Dixon, dealers in the Home sewing machine. He remained a resi- dent of Providence until about 1870, when he removed to Coventry, Rhode Island,

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where he took full charge of the cranberry bog of Frank Sampson, continuing in that position until 1873. He afterward returned to Sterling, where he assumed the man- agement of the home farm for his mother and also continued in the sale of sewing machines until his death, which occurred in Sterling on the 29th of May, 1905. That he was a prominent factor in the community is indicated in his selection to the state legislature, in which he served for a year, while for forty-eight years he was one of the school commissioners. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party and he was ever a loyal adherent of its basic principles. In matters of citizenship he stood for advancement and progress and his worth was acknowledged throughout the community in which he made his home. To him and his wife were born four children.

Having mastered the branches of learning taught in the public schools of Sterling, Alva J. Dixon continued his education in the Plainfield Academy and, like his father, took up the profession of teaching, being employed in various schools in the southern part of New England. In 1887 he removed to Moosup and began learning the car- penter's trade, serving a full apprenticeship. He then removed to Oneco, where he established business on his own account, and was thus engaged until 1894. In that year he took up his abode in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he conducted business as a contractor for two years, when he located at Providence, Rhode Island, where he continued actively in the contracting and building business for a period of eighteen years. At the end of that time he again came to Moosup and has carried on business as a contractor of this city to the present time. He is accorded a large percentage and many evidences of his skill and ability as a contractor and builder are seen throughout the section in which he makes his home.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 119

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