A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 127

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 127

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Were swept like grass before the scythe,

On those remembered days.

Then lay the slain on every hand,

Unheeded and unknown,

The pride of many a mother's heart,

The idol of his home.

But on they speed, that rebel horde, Upon their homeward flight,

Yet mourn they for that charge that day On Cemetery Height.

How many who so proudly came Across Potomac's wave,

With them to invade our northern homes,

There found a traitor's grave.

But, glorious thought, the stripes and stars, Defended by that band,

Still proudly waves upon that hill,

Bright emblem of our land.

Waft, waft ye gales from north to south, The glorious sound afar, Our starry banner yet shall wave Her every stripe and star.

Till from New England's rockbound shore To Louisiana's coast, Upon that banner evermore . Sweet liberty shall perch.

Mr. Keegan had served with Company K of the Forty-third Regiment of New York Infantry and was wounded at the Battle of the Wilderness. After recovering from his injuries he was made one of the bodyguard to President Lincoln and, while acting in that capacity, was at Ford's theatre at Washington, D. C., when President Lincoln was shot. As a young man he learned the jewelry engraving trade, which he followed for a number of years. About 1868 he entered a woolen mill and became overseer of the carding department. He was thus employed in various places throughout the United States and at different periods made his home in sixteen states, passing away, however, at Uxbridge, Massachusetts, in 1905. His wife, a native of Schaghticoke, New York, passed away at Woonsocket, Rhode Island, in November, 1919. In their family were five children: James H. L., who is married and resides in Leavenworth, Kansas; Charles I .; Beatrice, deceased; John M., who

1769

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

is married and resides in New York; and Sadie, the wife of Joseph Adams, a resident of Woonsocket, Rhode Island.

Charles I. Keegan was educated in the public schools of various places in which the family resided and when a boy of fourteen years he began working for the Calumet Woolen Company at Uxbridge, Massachusetts, connected with the dye de- partment. Here he remained for eight years and it was during that period that he became thoroughly familiar with the methods of dyeing woolen goods. At the age of twenty-two years he became overseer of the dyeing department of the Lippitt Woolen Company at Woonsocket, Rhode Island, with which company he continued for four years, or from 1894 until 1898. Through the succeeding twenty years he was employed in various places and in 1914 he removed to Danielson and accepted the position of overseer of the dyeing department of the Killingly Worsted Mill at Elmville, of which he is now part owner. He is thoroughly efficient in this connec- tion and in fact has developed expert skill in his chosen line of work.

At Uxbridge, Massachusetts, in 1894, Mr. Keegan was united in marriage to Miss Emma Webster, of Armley, England, near the city of Leeds. She is a daugh- ter of Benjamin and Mary (Parish) Webster, who were also natives of England. To Mr. and Mrs. Keegan have been born three children. The eldest, Leslie A., is a graduate of the Rhode Island State College and was a professor in the University of Maine, and is now a professor in the Rhode Island State College. During the war he was a second lieutenant in the aviation corps, stationed at the Longley aviation field in Virginia as an instructor in flying. He married Annie Turner, of Providence, Rhode Island. The other children of the family, Gwendlyn and Gordon, are at home.

In his political views Mr. Keegan is a republican and fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to the lodge at Uxbridge, also to Whitensville Chapter, R. A. M., Danielson Council, R. & S. M., Woonsocket Commandery, K. T., and to Palestine. Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Providence, Rhode Island. He is also a Consistory Mason, being connected with the Scottish Rite order at Norwich, Connecticut. He likewise belongs to Putnam Lodge No. 574, B. P. O. E., to Uxbridge Lodge No. 120, I. O. O. F., and is a member of the National Association of Overseers of America. His religious faith is that of the Universalist church. His life has been one of intense and well directed activity, his industry, laudable ambition and enterprise constituting the forces of his advancement and progress, whereby he has made for himself a prominent position in connection with the manufacturing interests of Connecticut.

JOHN FREDERICK BAKER.

John Frederick Baker, who since 1911 has been overseer of the silk department of the Aldrich Mills at Moosup, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, January 25, 1860, his parents being Charles and Fredericka Louise (Kuehn) Baker, both of whom were natives of Germany, the former born in Baden and the latter in Frankfort. The father attended the public schools of his native city and afterward learned the shoe- maker's trade. Subsequently he came to the United States, landing at Boston, Massachusetts, where he engaged in the shoe business, there continuing until his death, which occurred about 1904. It was in Boston that he married Fredericka Louise Kuehn, who removed to that city from Germany when a child of about six years. Mr. and Mrs. Baker became the parents of twelve children. The list includes Frank and Francis, twins, while others of the family were Charles, George Augustus, John, Emelia, George W., Louise and Charles H.

J. Fred Baker, by which name he is usually known, attended the public schools of Boston until 1875 and in that year became an employe in a store, devoting five years to the trade. In 1880 he entered the employ of the New York & New England Railroad Company as clerk in the machinists' department and was employed in various divisions of the road until 1892, when he removed to Moosup, Connecticut, to accept the position of station agent with the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company. From 1892 to 1900 he occupied that position but left the rail- road service in the latter year and entered the Plainfield Woolen Mills in the capacity of bookkeeper, a position which he filled until 1902. He then worked in various places until 1911, when he came to the Aldrich Mills as overseer of the silk department and is serving in that connection at the present time. In the year 1913 he established a florist's business in Moosup as a side line to his other interests and has developed this business until he now has one of the best florist's establishments in the city. He takes great pride in this and is noted for his ability as a floral designer, displaying great skill in this connection. He designed the delivery

1770

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

truck which is used in connection with the business and as the years have passed the patronage given to his floral establishment has constantly increased, making the business now one of substantial and profitable proportions.

Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Nutting, of Boston, Massachu- setts, a daughter of Hiram Nutting, and they have become the parents of three children: Florence E., whose birth occurred in Boston, Massachusetts; Ethel Eloise, born in Hyde Park, Massachusetts; and Pauline, who was born in Providence, Rhode Island.

In politics Mr. Baker is an earnest republican and for two years he served as juror but has never been an office seeker. He belongs to Moosup Lodge, No. 113, A. F. & A. M., also to the Odd Fellows Lodge of Central Village. He likewise has membership with the Association of American Florists, the Florists Telegraph As- sociation and the National Florists Association and is widely known by reason of the business which he has developed along floral lines. He is constantly seeking to improve the business in every possible way and he shows great initiative in planning floral decorations. He and his family attend the Methodist church and they are well known in Moosup, for Mr. Baker has won an enviable position a's a business man and as a citizen.

ABEL ROWSE BURNHAM.

Abel Rowse Burnham, now deceased, was identified with the industrial develop- ment of Willimantic for more than a half a century as a carriage and wagon maker. He was born in Hampton, Connecticut, September 28, 1838, his parents being Elisha and Eliza (Manchester) Burnham. The father was born in Hampton, Windham county, Connecticut, where he attended the public schools, and there learned the stone mason's trade, which he followed in Hampton until 1864, when he removed to Willimantic and again engaged at his trade to the time of his death. His wife, who was born in Tiverton, Rhode Island, also passed away in Willimantic.

Abel R. Burnham obtained a public school education in Hampton and in young manhood went to Willimantic. He worked as a farm hand in that locality in early life and when eighteen years of age began learning the trade of carriage and wagon making and blacksmithing. He followed those pursuits in Willimantic and in other towns of Connecticut until about 1860, when he established a wagon and carriage making and blacksmith shop on his own account at the corner of Valley and Church streets. He afterward removed to Main street and conducted a shop where the Jordan block now stands. Later he was located on Valley street, where he remained until 1912, when his shop was destroyed by fire. He afterward built the present shop at the corner of Bridge and Pleasant streets and there continued in business until his life's labors were ended in death on the 13th of October, 1918. He had started out empty-handed, but he learned his trade thoroughly and for more than a half century he was rated as Willimantic's leading carriage and wagon maker and blacksmith. By reason of his diligence and efficiency he was accorded a liberal patronage and thus came into pos- session of comfortable competence, while at the same time he was highly regarded as a business man. In the early days he had a partner at various times, but afterward engaged in business on his own account. In addition to carriage and wagon building he did painting on vehicles and horseshoeing. At his death two of his sons, Abel R. and George E., who had acquired a knowledge of the business under his instruction, became his successors and are still continuing the business under the firm style of Burnham Brothers.

It was on the 22d of June, 1881, that Mr. Burnham was united in marriage to Miss Mary Louise Kramer, of Colchester, Connecticut, who was there born, a daughter of George and Marie (Fedder) Kramer, the former a farmer of Colchester. To Mr. and Mrs. Burnham were born four children, of whom three are living. Abel Rowse, who is now associated with his brother, George E., under the firm style of Burnham Brothers, married Florence Wilson, of Windham Center, Connecticut. George E. is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Clark Williams is the treasurer of the East Hampton Bank & Trust Company at East Hampton, Connecticut, and married Julia Denman, of South Willington, Connecticut. The third child of the family, Morton Harrison, died in infancy.

In politics Mr. Burnham was a republican. He was interested in the old volunteer fire department and he became one of the organizers and charter members of the Ex- celsior Hook & Ladder Company. He was well known in Masonic circles, belonging to Eastern Star Lodge, No. 44, F. & A. M .; Trinity Chapter, No. 9, R. A. M .; Olive Branch Council, No. 11, R. & S. M .; St. John's Commandery, No. 11, K. T., and Sphinx Temple,

1771

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

A. A. O. N. M. S., of Hartford. His religious faith was that of the Congregational church. His life record should constitute an inspiring example to all who knew him, for it is the story of a man who by unremitting industry and diligence rose to a position of influence and prominence in his adopted city. He established business in a small way, but constantly developed his interests until he had one of the leading business enterprises of this character in Windham county. What he undertook he accomplished, and at all times he maintained an unassailable reputation.

ROYAL GEORGE CHOQUETTE.

Royal George Choquette, who is conducting a well appointed bakery in Danielson, is numbered among Connecticut's native sons, his birth having occurred at Ansonia, January 13, 1895. His parents, Moses and Octave Choquette, are natives of Canada. When Moses Choquette was about seventeen years of age he came to the United States, settling first at Burlington, Vermont, where he engaged in farming until about thirty- three years of age. He then removed to Ansonia and for five years was employed in a copper mill. About 1895 he took up his abode in Danielson and purchased a farm which he cultivated and for some time also dealt quite extensively in beef cattle and carried on business as a wholesale meat dealer. He conducted a profitable business along those lines for a number of years but has more recently ceased to engage in handling beef cattle and carry on the meat business, his attention being now given solely to the management of his farm. He is a republican in politics but has never been an office seeker. His religious faith is shown in his membership in St. James Catholic church. To him and his wife were born seven children: Arthur, who was born in Ansonia, March 13, 1893, and is now a second hand in the Connecticut Mills; Royal G., of this review; Aldric, who was born in Killingly and is employed in the Connecticut Mills; Leonne, who was born in Killingly and occupies a position in the Connecticut Mills; Emilinne, who was born in Killingly and is a nurse in Connecticut; Philip and Ulysse, twins who were born in Killingly and are also working in the Con- necticut Mills at that place.

Royal G. Choquette obtained his education in the grammar schools of Killingly and then started out in the business world as a worker in the Connecticut Mills, in which he remained for about two years. Owing to ill health, however, he was then compelled to engage in light outside work and for the next five years drove a delivery wagon for the Danielson bakery. This outdoor employment served to restore his health, and being ambitious to acquire a practical knowledge of the bakery business, he bought out the establishment of J. J. Boucher on Main street in Danielson on the 23d of April, 1919, and has since steadily conducted an increasing business through the intervening period. He is at the present time making designs for the remodeling of his place, which will greatly increase his floor space and facilities and which will lead to the installment of most modern bakery equipment. He is actuated by a most progressive spirit in all that he undertakes and his is a nature that could never be content without attaining the highest degree of efficiency possible. He thus maintains advanced standards in the conduct of his bakery and the excellence of the output is indicated in the liberal patronage accorded him.

On the 14th of June, 1919, in Danielson, Mr. Choquette was married to Miss Lucy Jane Shippi who was born in Foster, Rhode Island, a daughter of John Everett and Ida (Mason) Shippi. Mr. and Mrs. Choquette are members of St. James Catholic church and they have many friends in the city in which they make their home.

HERBERT COSTELLO ANDERSON.

Herbert Costello Anderson occupies the responsible position of overseer of the dye- ing department in the mill of the Sterling Dye & Finishing Company. He was born in North Sterling, Connecticut, July 28, 1870, and is a son of James and Annie (How- land) Anderson. The father's birth occurred in Sterling and his educational oppor- tunities were those accorded by the public schools of his native town. Starting out in life on his own account, he was employed at farm labor and later purchased farm land in North Sterling, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred about 1872. To him and his wife were born three children, Irving, Nellie and Herbert Costello.

The last named was a pupil in the public schools of Sterling and when his text-

1772

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

books were put aside he sought employment as an operative in the mill of the Sterling Dye and Finishing Company. Throughout his business career he has been identified with this concern and through successive promotions has worked his way steadily upward until he is now occupying a position of responsibility as overseer of the dyeing department. He is thoroughly acquainted with the various branches of the trade and his present position is one requiring the utmost care and skill else all the work previously done in the manufacture of cloth would be rendered valueless.

On the 15th of September, 1892, Mr. Anderson married Miss Viola Cora Nichols, a daughter of W. A. and Lucy J. (Greene) Nichols. They have one child, Lula May, who attended the public schools of Sterling and the Killingly high school, from which she was graduated with the class of 1917. She then entered a private school at East Greenwich, Connecticut, and studied French, Bible history and music. She is now at home with her parents and acts as bookkeeper for her father in the mill.

In politics Mr. Anderson is an earnest republican but has never sought office as a reward for party fealty. He and his family attend the Methodist church at Sterling. Mr. Anderson turns to hunting and fishing for recreation and is also very fond of motoring. His has been an active and useful life, in which concentration of purpose, diligence and laudable ambition have figured as valuable assets in the attainment of success.

LEWIS MORSE.

A life of persistent and honorable activity has brought Lewis Morse to a position in which he is now enjoying a period of well earned rest. He is a retired farmer of Wood- stock, in which town he was born on the 20th of January, 1842, his parents being Albert and Martha (Morse) Morse.

The father was born in the same house that is now the home of his son, Lewis Morse, and there was reared to the occupation of farming, which he continued to follow through- out his entire life, although he did not continuously reside upon the farm upon which he was born. He became a leading agriculturist of his community and employed the most progressive methods in the care of his fields and the development of his crops. He was much interested in the public welfare and gave generous aid and support to all plans and movements for the public good. He stood stanchly for high ideals in civic life and in the several town offices which he was called upon to fill he proved a most capable incumbent. His wife was born in Ticonderoga, New York, and in young womanhood became a resident of Woodstock, where both Mr. and Mrs. Morse passed away. They had a family of four children, of whom two died in early life, the others being Lewis and Edward L., the latter at one time a prominent farmer of Woodstock, where he eventually passed away.

Not only has Lewis Morse knowledge of his immediate ancestors but is cognizant of the fact that he is a representative of old families of this section of the state. His pater- nal grandparents were Leonard and Remember (Meacham) Morse, both natives of Wood- stock, a fact that indicates that his great-grandparents also resided in this section of Windham county. In the maternal line Lewis Morse likewise comes of old Connecticut and New England families. His grandparents were Stephen and Mehitable (Henderson) Morse, the former a native of Woodstock, while the latter came from Vermont, their marriage being celebrated in Springfield, that state. They afterward removed to Ticon- deroga, New York, settling on Lake Champlain, where Stephen Morse engaged in farming, and it was there that Martha Morse was born. Leonard Morse, the paternal grandfather of Lewis Morse, was a son of Abel Morse and he in turn was a son of Parker Morse, who was a physician, born near Oxford, Massachusetts. He removed to Woodstock and was probably the first physcian to practice medicine in the town. He was also the first of this branch of the Morse family to come to Windham county. The progenitor of the Morse family in America was Anthony Morse, who on his emigration to the new world settled in Newbury, Massachusetts, in 1635, while his death occurred in 1686. His son, Deacon Benjamin Morse, was born in March, 1640, and married Ruth Sawyer. He was the father of Benjamin Morse, Jr., who was born in 1668 and who married Susannah Merrill. Their son Abel was united in marriage to Grace Parker, whose son, Dr. Parker Morse, A. M., married Miss Hannah Huse and became the father of eight children, one of whom was Abel Morse, who wedded Sarah Holbrook and had a family of twelve children. They were the parents of Leonard Morse, the grandfather of Lewis Morse, who was born October 27, 1770, and spent his entire life in Woodstock. He wedded Remember Meacham, a daughter of Joseph Meacham, and they became the parents of six children: Albert, Nathan, Nelson, Stephen, Joseph M. and Charles D., the first named being the father of Lewis Morse.

1773

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

Spending his youthful days in his father's home, Lewis Morse acquired a public school education in the district schools and later attended the Woodstock Academy. After his textbooks were put aside he concentrated his attention upon farm work upon the old homestead which had come into possession of the family in 1740. He early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops and as the years advanced he kept apace with the progressive methods of farming which were being continually introduced. He utilized the latest improved machinery to pro- mote the work of the fields and in the care of his crops displayed sound judgment and keen discrimination that brought most substantial results. Year after year he continued active in farm work and year after year added to his possessions. In 1914 he retired from farm life and sold the old home place, at which time he took up his abode on one of the old Morse farms just east of the village of East Woodstock, a place which has been in possession of the family for more than a century.

Mr. Morse has always taken a deep interest in civic affairs and in everything per- taining to the welfare of town and county, yet he has never consented to accept public office, preferring that his public duty should be done as a private citizen. Many years ago his deep interest in the conditions of Cuba and Mexico was awakened and he has given considerable study to the revolutions in those countries. He has written several articles on conditions affecting those two southern lands and these have received favor- able comment. In a word, Mr. Morse is a student, deeply interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress not only of his native land but of foreign countries as well. He attends the Congregational church and his has been an active and useful career, for at all times he has recognized his obligations in citizenship and to his fellowmen. As the years passed he advanced in wealth and he ranks today among the most substantial citizens of Woodstock, his property holdings and his investments being the visible evi- dence of his life of well directed energy and thrift. He certainly deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, as his prosperity has come as the direct and merited result of indefatigable energy, of keen sagacity, judicious investment and persistency of purpose-qualities which any may cultivate.

GEORGE HORACE KIMBALL.

George Horace Kimball, identified with farming in the town of Brooklyn, was born on the old Kimball homestead on Kimball Hill, in the town of Hampton, Windham county, July 14, 1855, and is a son of Asa and Sophronia (Baker) Kimball. The first seven years of his life were spent upon the old homestead and in 1862 his father sold that place to Sam Hubbard, who in turn sold it to Jerome M. Woodward, the present owner. At the time of the sale Asa Kimball removed to the Baker-Nye farm in the same neighborhood in the town of Hampton, and upon the latter place George H. Kimball remained until he had attained his majority, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. When he reached man's estate he determined to engage in the occupation to which he had been reared and rented the old Kimball place upon which he was born, continuing its further development and improvement until he reached the age of thirty. In the meantime he had carefully saved his earnings until his industry and economy had brought him a sufficient sum to enable him to purchase the Griffin farm in Hampton, upon which he lived for twenty years, successfully cultivating it during that period. He next purchased the Ki Ham- mond farm and removed to that place, continuing to develop both properties but living on the Hammond farm for six years. In 1913 he acquired the ownership of the Woods Hill farm in the town of Brooklyn and later in the same year disposed of his other two farms in the town of Hampton. The Woods Hill farm, his present place, is one of the best properties in Windham county. It is situated on Woods Hill and commands a fine view of the surrounding country, which spreads out before him in a beautiful landscape. He has more than two hundred acres of excellent level land, naturally rich and productive and responding readily to the care and labor which he be- stows upon it. His landed possessions comprise altogether three hundred and fifty acres. In addition to general farming pursuits he carries on dairying and has one of the finest herds of Holstein cattle in the state of Connecticut. His stock is all thoroughbred and registered and he has himself raised most of his own cows. He has held eight cattle auctions upon his farm, which have been largely attended by stock raisers from far and wide, for Mr. Kimball enjoys a well deserved reputation as a most prominent and successful breeder of fine Holsteins and his cattle are in great demand, bringing to him the highest market prices.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 127

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