A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 123

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

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On the 18th day of July, 1896, at Atlanta, Georgia, Mr. Como was united in mar-

CHARLES COMO, JR.

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riage to Miss Anna C. Archer, a native of Edgefield, South Carolina, and a daughter of Robert C. and Susan P. (Taylor) Archer. Mr. and Mrs. Como are communicants of the Catholic church and during the period of their residence in Plainfield have gained many friends who esteem them highly for their sterling worth. While Mr. Como has passed the sixty-third milestone on life's journey he still remains an active factor in the business world and his record should put to shame many a man of less resolute spirit, who, grown weary of the struggles and trials of business life, would relegate to others the burdens that he should bear.

SVEN PETER SANDSTROM.

Sven Peter Sandstrom, engaged in general farming and dairying in the town of Thompson, was born in Sweden, August 14, 1866, his parents being Mandis and Sarah L. (Swanson) Sandstrom, who were also natives of that country. After being educated in the public schools of Sweden, the father took up the occupation of farming in young manhood, which he made his life work, retiring in his later years from active business and passing away about 1900. His family numbered six children: Emma, Carl, Alexander, Ida, Jonas and Sven P.

At the place of his nativity Sven P. Sandstrom of this review pursued a public school education and in young manhood started out in the business world as a railroad employe. He also worked on a farm and at the age of twenty-one years he bade adieu to friends and native country and sailed for the United States, hoping to find better business opportunities on this side of the Atlantic. He landed at Boston, Massachusetts, and soon afterward went to Thompson, Connecticut, where he became a coachman for Mrs. George Dresser, filling that position for a period of eleven years. At the same time he was conducting a farm of his own and later he took up his abode upon his farm and has since given his attention to its further development and improvement. He raises the crops to which the soil is best adapted and he also carries on a dairy busi- ness, both branches proving profitable because of his unflagging industry, his careful management and his progressiveness.

Mr. Sandstrom was married to Miss Caroline Anderson, who also was born in Sweden, and there spent the days of her girlhood. Coming to the United States, she settled in Thompson, Connecticut, and on the 24th of July, 1888, in Putnam, she became the wife of Mr. Sandstrom. She passed away July 16, 1916, her death being deeply deplored by many friends as well as her immediate family. She had become the mother of ten children: Oscar, who is now deceased; Ellen N., the wife of Charles Clemons, a farmer of Putnam, Connecticut; Esther, who has passed away; Edith, a nurse at Worcester, Massachusetts; Oscar, who served in the World war as a mechanic in connection with the naval air service and is now at home; Esther, Elsie, Edmond, Ethel P. and Milton, all under the parental roof.

Mr. Sandstrom votes with the republican party, which he has supported since becoming a naturalized American citizen. He is a worthy follower of the Masonic order, his membership being with the lodge at North Grosvenor Dale, and he and his family attend the Methodist church of West Thompson. His has been an active and useful life and through indefatigable energy and laudable ambition he has reached a position among the representative farmers of his section of the state.

ALFRED TABOR DAVIS.

Alfred Tabor Davis, identified with the milling interests of Quaddick, where he owns and operates a water-power mill, was born at Harrisville, in the town of Wood- stock, Windham county, October 14, 1868, his parents being Frank and Helen Eliza- beth (Tabor) Davis. The father was born in Danbury, Connecticut, in 1839 and attended the public schools there to the age of fourteen years. In 1853 he removed to South Woodstock and for a brief period resided with his sister, Mrs. Melissa Chandler. The same year he entered a general store owned by Samuel Fenner and during the period of his residence at that place he attended the Woodstock Academy and thus completed his education. He made his home at Woodstock until 1855 and then took charge of the store, which he conducted on the commission plan for three years. In 1858 he turned his attention to the establishment of a business for the manufacture of shuttle blocks made of apple-tree wood and continued in that enterprise for a period of ten years or until 1868, also manufacturing other mill supplies, including picker sticks. In 1868 he removed to Gloucester, Rhode Island, where he leased the

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Dephonzo Williams place and was engagd in the manufacture of mill supplies and shingles for a period of two years. In 1870 he became a resident of East Putnam and took over the Henry Cady place, continuing in the same line of business until 1873. In the latter year he removed to Belgraham, in the town of Putnam, where he was engaged in the same line of business for several years, subsequent to which time he purchased the farm known as the Potter place in East Putnam and gave his attention to agricultural interests until within two years of the time of his death. In 1909 he suffered a stroke, from which he passed away in 1911. His wife, who was born in Woodstock, Connecticut, died at Quaddick, in the town of Thompson, in 1915. They were the parents of seven children, of whom four are living. Annie became the wife of William Humes, a brother of Frank Humes and a resident farmer of Putnam. Alfred T. is the next in order of birth. Ethel is a resident of Putnam. Henry mar- ried Grace Geer, of Attawaugan, Connecticut, and is identified with manufacturing interests in Putnam. Mabel, the eldest, became the wife of Frank Humes, a farmer of the town of Putnam, and died about 1905.

Alfred T. Davis attended the district schools of East Putnam to the age of thir- teen years, after which he began working in his father's shop and thus learned the business. In 1890 he went to East Thompson, where he established a shingle mill which he operated for two years, but in 1892 sold that business and established a shoddy mill, making shoddy out of rags, etc., and doing custom work. He started with one picker and after five months had three pickers. In 1897 he removed the business to Quaddick due to the lack of space at the former place and built a mill which is operated by water power. Here he was associated with his father, who had an interest in the business. After the death of his father Alfred T. Davis bought out the interests of the other heirs and continued alone. He also took up the manufacture of picker sticks, cloth board and other mill supplies and is con- ducting business of this character to the present time. He has a water privilege on the Quaddick reservoir of thirty-five horsepower.

On the 23d of June, 1898, Mr. Davis was married to Miss Leora Stevens, of East- ford, Connecticut, a daughter of Ezra and Augusta (Wetmore) Stevens, who were natives of Charlton, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have three children: Frank E., Henry M. and Hanel, all at home, the last named now attending high school. Mr. Davis and his family are members of the Freewill Baptist church at East Putnam and he gives his political support to the republican party. His life has been one of untiring industry and the thoroughness with which he has mastered every task that has come to his hands has been one of the salient elements in his continued success.

AMEDE LUSSIER.

Amede Lussier, overseer of weaving for the Killingly Worsted Company at Dan- ielson, was born in St. Denis, Quebec, Canada, September 27, 1890, his parents being Joseph and Rosana (Bousquet) Lussier, who were also natives of St. Denis. The father was there reared and educated, attending a convent school at St. Denis, and later he took up the occupation of farming, purchasing a tract of land in that locality which he devoted to general agricultural pursuits. In 1902, however, he left Canada and crossed the border into the United States, settling at Danielson, where he resided for six years, during which time he was employed in the Quinebaug mills. In 1908, how- ever, he returned to his native town, where he has since remained and is now living retired. His wife passed away February 14, 1920. In their family were ten children, but only two are yet living: Amede, of this review; and Elzeard, who married Alma Charron and follows farming on the old homestead in Canada.

Amede Lussier was reared in St. Denis to the age of twelve years, when in 1902 he came to the United States with his parents. The family home was established in Danielson and he there secured employment in the Quinebaug mill, with which he was connected for eighteen years, spending five years in the spinning department and thirteen years in the weaving department, so that he became thoroughly familiar with the work to which he gave his attention. On the 1st of April, 1920, he removed to Elmville to accept the position of overseer of weaving for the Killingly Worsted Company and is now occupying this responsible position. His previous long and thorough training well qualified him for the work that devolved upon him and he is giving thorough satisfaction to the company which he represents.

On the 2d of May, 1911, Mr. Lussier was married to Miss Mary Jane Bouley, of Danielson, a daughter of Frank and Arzillia Bonley who were natives of Ontario. Mr.

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and Mrs. Lussier have become parents of three children: Jeannette, Clarence and Ronald, all at home.

In 1917 Mr. Lussier, having taken out his naturalization papers, became a full citizen of the United States. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is interested in all that has to do with the progress and welfare of his com- munity and the upbuilding of the country's interests. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church and he is a member of St. John Baptist Society of Danielson.

JOSEPH NAPOLEON PERREAULT, M. D.

The reputation and fame of Dr. Joseph Napoleon Perreault are not only well established in Danielson, but his name as a successful general physician and surgeon is well known all over Windham county. He has been established in Danielson, Connecticut, since 1909 and has acquired a very generous and highly satisfactory clientage. He was born in Manchester, New Hampshire, November 23, 1879, and is a son of George Napoleon and Virginie (St. Cyr) Perreault. The father was born in St. Pierre, province of Quebec, Canada, and his wife is a native of St. Monique, in the same province. At the age of fifteen years George N. Perreault, Sr., moved across the border to New Hampshire and became connected with the contracting and building business but later engaged in the grocery trade and was successful in that line. He passed away in October, 1916, being survived by his widow, who makes her home in Manchester, New Hampshire. In their family were five children: Mary Jane; Eugenie, the wife of Dr. Nazaire E. Biron, D. D. S., of Manchester, a man who is not only professionally very prominent in his city, but has also taken part in its public life, serving on the board of aldermen and in other capacities; Rose Anna; Alida, the wife of Leon Tessier, a man well known in musical circles of Manchester, particularly as an organist; and Joseph Napoleon.

The last named received his education in the city schools of Manchester and then pursued a business course in St. Anselius College of the same city. To improve further upon his education he entered the Ste. Hyacinthe Seminary at Ste. Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada, from which he was graduated in 1903, with the degree of B. A. Upon his preliminary education he built his professional knowledge and, to acquire it, entered the Tufts Medical College of Boston, Massachusetts, in 1903, being gradu- ated in 1907 with the degree of M. D. To improve this theoretical knowledge by prac- tical experience he served as interne at the Boston City Hospital, where he was in the south department, or the department devoted to contagious diseases. Thus well pre- pared, he entered upon practice in Manchester, New Hampshire, but in June, 1909, came to Danielson, Connecticut. Soon success came to him and, as he had success in the treatment of his patients, his reputation spread, so that he has gradually acquired one of the largest practices in Windham county. He is careful in diagnosis and is decisive in action after making a decision. His practice is of a general char- acter along medical as well as surgical lines and his ability is appreciated not only by the public, who esteem him as a conscientious physician and surgeon, but his ability is equally recognized by the profession. He is a member of the Windham County Medical Society, the Connecticut State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.

In politics Dr. Perreault is a republican and upholds the standards and principles of the party although he has shown no desire for any public or political activities. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church and he is a member of the Union St. John the Baptist Society. Fraternally Dr. Perreault is a member of the Foresters of America and he also belongs to Putnam Lodge, No. 574, B. P. O. E.

E. LINCOLN WHITE.

E. Lincoln White, who has extensive and important farming interests in the town of Ashford, Windham county, was born in New London, Connecticut, April 23, 1861, a son of Amos Aldrich and Amanda L. (Jepson) White. The father was born at Griswold, Connecticut, and was a son of Bezaleel and Phoebe (Aldrich) White. The former was born at Burrillville, Rhode Island, April 25, 1804, and acquired his educa- tion at East Douglass, Massachusetts. He was the first of the White family to settle in Windham county, where he purchased farm land in the late '50s. Soon afterward he took possession of his property and then went to Slaterville, New London county,

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where he was employed by the Slater Mills Company, doing teaming and other such work. He afterward returned to the farm in Ashford and became a very successful agriculturist, winning prosperity, as the result of the thoroughiness of his methods and his unfaltering industry. He died in Ashford, December 15, 1893. He married Phoebe Aldrich on the 23d of January, 1833. She was born at East Douglass, Massachusetts, October 7, 1804, and died January 18, 1897. Their son, Amos Aldrich White, was born in Griswold, Connecticut, and was only a year old when taken by his parents to Ashford, where he attended the district schools. Later he was graduated from the New Britain Normal School and afterward taught school in Ashford, Willington and New London, Connecticut. His work as an educator was effective and valuable, but he retired from the school room to engage in the insurance business at Providence, Rhode Island, being connected with the Charter Oak Life Insurance Company. In 1870 he turned his attention to the real estate business in Providence and there remained to the time of his death, which occurred on the 11th of March, 1895. His wife was born and died in Webster, Massachusetts. It was the father of E. Lincoln White who in 1862, when engaged in teaching school, built the house that is now occupied by his son and which stands upon land adjoining the grandfather's first purchase.

E. Lincoln White was with his father in Ashford between the ages of two and seven years and then went to Providence, Rhode Island, where he attended school to the age of fifteen. He then went to live with his grandfather in Ashford and in 1886 he inherited from the grandfather his present home farm, upon which he has since resided. It comprised a tract of one hundred and twenty-five acres, to which he has since added through the purchase of the McLean farm of one hundred and fifty acres, so that his total holdings are now two hundred and seventy-five acres. He carries on general farming and stock raising, meeting with excellent success, and he also has a modern creamery upon his place, devoted to the manufacture of butter. He is one of the two most prominent farmers of Ashford, holding extensive and im- portant interests which feature prominently in connection with the agricultural de- velopment of this part of the state.

On the 25th of October, 1881, Mr. White was married to Miss Ellen Amelia Burn- ham, a daughter of Caleb and Elizabeth (Jones) Burnham. The marriage was cele- brated at Ashford. In the social circles of their section of the county they occupy an enviable position. They are consistent members of the Free Will Baptist church and in his political views Mr. White is a republican. He has served as tax collector, tax assessor, grand juror and justice of the peace and in 1897 was elected to the state legislature. His interests have thus been broad and varied. He has never allowed the accumulation of wealth to monopolize his time to the exclusion of other duties and activities but has met every responsibility that has devolved upon him as a man and as a citizen. Moreover, he has never deviated from a course which he has believed to be right between himself and his fellowmen and his progress and advancement have come as the direct recognition of his ability, his close application and his inde- fatigable energy. His sound judgment has been sought in connection with many affairs of public importance and his aid has always been given on the side of those things which are of vital interest and value to the community.

ARTHUR JUDSON WILLIAMS.

Arthur Judson Williams, who throughout his life has successfully engaged in farm- ing and is now living retired, at Windham Green, was born in Franklin, Connecticut, January 4, 1855, and is a son of George Lathrop and Wealthy Avery (Randall) Wil- liams. The father was born in Franklin, Connecticut, February 16, 1820, and the mother's birth occurred in North Stonington, this state, on the 11th of January, 1821. After ac- quiring a common school education in his home town, George L. Williams worked upon the home farm of his parents, Lathrop and Abbie (Prentice) Williams, whose land was located at Williams Crossing, in the town of Franklin, New London county, a district named in honor of the Williams family and so called to the present time. After his father's death, George L. Williams purchased the interests of the other heirs in the old homestead, comprising about two hundred acres of land, and there carried on general agricultural pursuits throughout the greater part of his life, although in his later years, he sold that property and made investment in another farm about a mile beyond, known as the old Perkins Johnson place, which he farmed until he retired from active farm work. At that time he sold the place and purchased the Tibbits farm near Windham Center, in 1884, his son Arthur J. taking charge thereof. After several years residence at that place, he and his wife made their home with their daughter, Mrs. J. B. Johnson,

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at South Windham, where he died December 11, 1889. His widow survived him for almost eighteen years, and passed away September 17, 1907, at the home of her daughter. Mr. Williams was always a very active and prosperous farmer and exten- sively engaged in raising cattle and sheep. His business affairs were characterized by a progressiveness and reliability that won him prominence and high regard. He was respected by all who knew him and was generally depended upon as a counselor and adviser in his vicinity. In politics he was a strong republican and was always keenly interested in the affairs of town and county. He attended the Congregational church at Franklin, Connecticut, of which his wife was also a faithful member. Their children were three in number. The eldest, William Lathrop, born in Franklin, Con- necticut, September 13, 1849, was married, and died in October, 1918. Sarah Abbie, born in Franklin, September 9, 1853, is the widow of John B. Johnson, by whom she had ten children, and she now makes her home in Hastings-on-the-Hudson, New York. The third member of the family is Arthur Judson Williams, who after attending the common schools of his native place completed his education in Willimantic. He later devoted his time to work on his father's farm in Franklin, where he remained until his marriage, when he engaged in farming for himself at Windham. Three years later, he took charge of the Tibbits farm which his father had purchased, and after his father's death he bought the place and farmed there until 1900. He had successfully engaged in the cultivation of crops there for about seventeen years but in 1900 sold that property and soon after purchased a tract. of land in Lebanon, Connecticut, on which he resided for seven years. He then again sold and soon afterward removed to Windham, where in 1910, he purchased a farm at Historical Frog Pond and has since lived in this locality. Like his father, he has been very successful in his farming operations. He has kept in touch with the trend of modern progress along agricultural lines and has a well equipped and highly developed home, where he now lives retired, enjoying the fruits of his many years of farm activity.

On the 22nd of January, 1879, Mr. Williams was married in Windham to Mary Angie Maine, who was there born, a daughter of Sumner Babcock Maine, whose birth occurred in Windham, December 10, 1822, and of Hannah Marietta (Sprague) Maine, who was born in Scotland, Connecticut, April 8, 1827. Her father was a brickmaker in Windham throughout his entire life and there passed away December 16, 1877, while his wife died March 21, 1899. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Williams was Helen Jeanette, who was born in Windham, November 16, 1879, and died April 21, 1900. She had married Raymond S. Gaines, of East Hartford, Connecticut.

Mr. and Mrs. Williams are consistent members of the Congregational church on Windham Green and in politics he is a republican, stanchly supporting all measures and interests which he deems of value in the upbuilding of community and com- monwealth.

JOSEPH LAPALME.

Joseph Lapalme, who died February 15, 1920, was one of the leaders among the French colony of Putnam and was a most progressive business man, conducting an extensive grocery trade, his patronage being well merited by the fact that he was alert and energetic in all that he undertook and thoroughly reliable in all of his business activities.

He was born in Rockston Falls, in the province of Quebec, Canada, October 14, 1871, and came of sturdy French ancestry, his people being among the respected and esteemed members of the French Canadian colony in the city which was his home. He was a son of Mathias and Arthimise (Sceney) Lapalme. The father, a native of the province of Quebec, was there reared and educated and followed the occupation of farming. He removed to Rockston Falls when that country was opened up, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of the district, building the first house in that locality. His home stood in the midst of a dense forest and it was necessary to clear away the timber around in order to begin the development of the land, but this work was successfully accomplished and year after year he carried on farming until November, 1877, when he removed with his family to Putnam, Connecticut, and secured employment with the Morse mills as outside man. His duties included the care of the garden and the farm which were then attached to the mill. He was thus employed for a considerable period but at length retired and made his home with a daughter up to the time of his death, which occurred in February, 1917. His wife also died in Putnam in February, 1912.

Joseph Lapalme was but six years of age when he accompanied his parents to Con- necticut and in the public and convent schools of Putnam he pursued his education.

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After his textbooks were put aside he secured employment at the Morse mills, where he worked for four years, and on the expiration of that period he entered the employ of the Farley grocery store, where he continued for five years. He was afterward employed by Godfrey Chaput, a grocer, for two years and on the 22d of May, 1897, he embarked in business on his own account by opening a small grocery store in the St. John's Hall building on Providence street in Putnam. While he had a limited stock in the begin- ning, owing to the fact that his financial resources were small, he soon built up a business of substantial proportions. His invested capital was what he had saved from his earn- ings as a grocery clerk. He had, however, acquired keen knowledge of the business and had won the confidence of the people, and from the beginning he prospered in his under- takings and became the owner of one of the fine grocery stores of the city. His place of business was in the center of the French Canadian quarter of the city, known as the Rhoadesville section of Putnam or the Upper Village. He carried a large and carefully selected stock of staple and fancy groceries and his progressive business methods won for him a liberal and well deserved patronage. He was the originator of the agitation to have all the local retail merchants close their stores on Thursday afternoons during July and August, thus giving to clerks a half holiday. This custom is now in vogue and is much appreciated by salespeople.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 123

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