A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 132

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

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1795

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

Berry, of Mystic, Connecticut, and has one son, George Maxon, of Providence, Rhode Island; Amos, who was a sea-captain and lives in Chicago, Illinois; and James a sea- captain who married Jane Noyes, and has three children. Oliver, the fifth member of the family, was married and had three sons and three daughters, and died in Vir- ginia. Mary, the sixth member of the family, is the widow of Daniel Davis, who died at Clinton, Connecticut, and their daughter, Mary, is the wife of Elijah Morgan, of Mystic, Connecticut, by whom she had three children. Sarah, the seventh member of the family, is mentioned as Mrs. Clark. Emma, the eighth in order of birth, is the wife of Roswell Maynard, a member of the Twenty-second Connecticut Volunteer In- fantry, and they had two children; Edward, who married and had three children; and Anna, the deceased wife of Merton Reynolds, and the mother of one daughter. Frances, the ninth of the family, married Nealand Ward, and after his death, Nicholas Allen. She had a daughter, Alice, by her first marriage and by the second a son, Merton, now in the postal service of New York city. Nancy, the tenth member of the family, mar- ried Frank St. John, after his death, Frank Grant and her third husband was Charles Swain, a grocer of Clinton, Connecticut. By the first marriage there was a son; by the second, two children; Herbert, who married Elsie Stewart of Sprague, Connecticut; and has one daughter, Edith, who married Miles Standish, of Norwich, Connecticut; and Julia, who married Captain John Ashcraft. By the last marriage there were six children: Oliver, superintendent of the Waterworks at Clinton, Connecticut; Amos, a grocer at Clinton, Connecticut; Fred, a plumber, living at Hartford, Connecticut; Elma, who married Clarence Eelman; Minnie, wife of George Champlain; and Mabel, who married Lovell Carter. Ardelia, the eleventh member of the family, married Andrew King, and after his death, Deacon Lay, of Clinton, Connecticut, becoming by the first. mar- riage, the mother of two sons: Andrew, now deceased, and Nelson, a carpenter at Clinton, Connecticut.

ANTHONY PARANZINO.

Anthony Paranzino, who is the overseer of the Floyd Cranska Mills at Moosup, was born at Castelvetere in the province of Benevento, Italy, February 12, 1884, his parents being Nicholas and Mary Esther (Brunno) Paranzino. The parents were both natives of the place where the son, Anthony, was born, and there the father followed the occupation of farming and at the time of his son's birth was considered one of the most prosperous farmers and stock raisers of the town, but through misfortune and lawsuits was reduced to the place where he must seek a better home. In 1879 the father left the sunny clime in which his life had thus far been spent, and crossed the Atlantic to New York city, where he obtained work for a while. From there he worked in several of the western and southern states of the Union, mostly in railroad and mechanical employment. He was one of those who miraculously escaped death in the Johnstown flood, the home where he was living being carried over one mile by the torrent of water. A short time afterward he returned to New York and then sent for his wife and two small children. The family was thus reunited and made their home for five years in New York. Thence the family moved to Newton, Massachusetts, where they lived for five years. In 1900 the family settled in North Sterling, Con- necticut, where his attention was given to farming to the time of his death, which occurred October 22, 1900. His wife, also a native of Italy, passed away in Moosup, Connecticut, May 13, 1912.

They had a family of two children, both born in Italy, the daughter being Fanny, now the wife of Frank Marenaro, of Arctic, Rhode Island, a prosperous business man, who has a family of five children: Nicholas, Josephine, Rose, Lena and Mary.

The son, Anthony Paranzino of this review, was an infant when the family home was established in New York city, where he attended school and afterward continued his education at Newton, Massachusetts. He then removed to Sterling, Connecticut, with his parents and did farm work with his father for four years. After his death Mr. Paranzino secured employment at the plant of the United States Dyeing & Finishing Company at Sterling, occupying the position for four years. He then sold out and went to Big Soldier, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in the wholesale meat and grocery business until May, 1906. At that date he returned to Windham county, Con- necticut, and for two years was a weaver in the mills of the American Woolen Com- pany at Moosup. In 1908 he entered the employ of the Floyd Cranska Mills at Moosup as overseer of the packing room and still occupies this position of responsibility.

On the 14th of May, 1903, Mr. Paranzino was married to Miss Fannie Rachael Rose at Moosup. She, too, is a native of Castelvetere, Italy, and a daughter of Antonio Jarosso. To Mr. and Mrs. Paranzino have been born four children, of whom three are

1796

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

yet living: Mary Julia, who was born at Arctic Center, Rhode Island; Angeline, whose birth occurred at Reynoldsville, Pennsylvania; and Rose Liona, born in Moosup, Con- necticut. One daughter, Margaret, has passed away.

Politically Mr. Paranzino is a republican. He belongs to the Union-Plainfield Baptist church and is a member of the ecclesiastical society committee and for many years teacher of the men's Bible class, in the Sunday school. He is also a worthy exemplar of Moosup Lodge, No. 113, A. F. & A. M., and belongs to Loyal Rose Lodge, No. 6960, I. O. O. F. He is a most progressive man, manifesting a spirit of thorough enterprise and progressiveness in business, while in community affairs his aid and influence are always on the side of progress and improvement, his activities leading to the social and moral as well as the material welfare of the community.

DAMASE BOULAIS.

Damase Boulais, who since the spring of 1903 has been engaged in business in Danielson as a general contractor, was born at Rouville, in the province of Quebec, Canada, November 9, 1870, and is a son of Joseph and Marceliene (Tetreault) Boulais, who were also natives of the same place. The father obtained his education in parochial schools there and afterward worked with his father upon the home farm for several years. He then purchased land and was engaged in general farming and dairying in that locality until 1874, when he rented his farm and crossed the border into the United States, settling at Danielson, Connecticut. Here he and his family obtained em- ployment in the cotton mills and he thus worked until 1881, when he returned to his native town and again took over his farm, which he continued to cultivate until 1892. He then came again to the United States and once more settled in Danielson, where he lived for three years, returning to Canada on the 15th of April, 1895. Three weeks later, or on the 5th of May, he passed away. His widow survives him and now re- sides with her son Felix in St. Angele, in the province of Quebec. In the family were eight children: Joseph, who married Victorine Brodeur and is a painting contractor now living retired at Webster, Massachusetts; Pierre, who wedded Meilina Boulais and is a retired farmer residing at Rougemont in the province of Quebec; Celina, the wife of Armidee Deslaurier, a farmer of Rouville, Quebec; Marie, the deceased wife of Phelias Davagnon, a farmer of Rouville, Quebec; Damase, of this review; Regina, the wife of Alfred Deslaurier, a retired farmer of Rouville, Quebec; Felix, who married Rose Jarvis (now deceased) and resides with his mother in Rouville; Armidee, who married Clara Boulais and after her death wedded Yvonne Trahan. The last named now makes his home in Danielson, Connecticut, where he is engaged in carpentering.

Damase Boulais largely acquired his education in the public schools of Danielson, which he attended for about six years, and then accompanied his parents on their re- turn to Rouville, where he completed his studies in a convent school. He afterward worked on a farm for his father and later took up carpentering. At the age of twenty years he once more came to the United States, settling in Danielson, Connecticut, and he completed his apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade under the Tetreault & Comeau Company of Moosup. Later he was associated with Philip S. Maynard of Danielson for about ten years and in the spring of 1903 he. established business on his own ac- count as a general contractor. He has since been very successful and has received the contract for building some of the most important structures of the town, including the mills of the Connecticut Cotton Company, also their warehouses and dwellings. These constitute what is known as the village beautiful, being among the most modern mill buildings in the state. The village contains about seventy-five up- to-date homes, and with the exception of three of these, all were built by Mr. Boulais. He also built the large addition to the mills of the Danielson Cotton Company and as a partner of H. Couture, of Moosup, built the mills of the Central Worsted Com- pany at Central Village. He also built the St. James parish house at Danielson, the St. Paul Episcopal church of Plainfield and hundreds of residences throughout southern New England. He employs on an average of fifty men at all times and is one of the most prominent contractors and builders of this state.

On the 20th of January, 1891, Mr. Boulais was married to Stephanie Vegard, a daughter of Joseph and Stephanie (Poirier) Vegard, natives of the province of Que- bec. Mr. and Mrs. Boulais have become parents of seven children: Albina, who became the wife of Eugene Gillette, a railroad man of Central Falls, Rhode Island, and died October 9, 1918; Oscar J., who married Doris Marlow, of Danielson, and is a carpen- ter in the employ of his father; Lea, who died in infancy; Clara, the wife of Luke Potras, a carpenter working for her father; Arthur E., who married Ida Duhamel, of

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

Danielson, and is paymaster for the Connecticut Mills Company at Danielson; Ray- mond D., now a student in St. Cesaire College of Rouville, Quebec; and Olive, at home.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and Mr. Boulais belongs to St. John the Baptist Society of America, being connected with Danielson Lodge, No. 52. He is also a member of the Bohemian Club of Danielson. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and for eleven years he served as a mem- ber of the town school committee and for ten years was a member of the court of burgesses. In April. 1919, he was elected Warden of the Borough of Danielson and is now giving to the city a progressive and businesslike administration, seeking to further its civic standards and promote all vital municipal interests. He has, moreover, made a most creditable record in business circles, having advanced steadily since taking up the line of work in which he is now engaged, and his position is today that of one of the foremost contractors of eastern Connecticut.

ERNEST ELLSWORTH TORREY.

Ernest Ellsworth Torrey is extensively engaged in farming on the old Torrey home- stead in connection with his brother, Charles L. Their interests are of an important character and 'they are prominent representatives of the agricultural development and progress of the town of Putnam. Ernest E. Torrey was born in Putnam, May 15, 1867, a son of Charles Davis and Martha Westcott (Warren) Torrey. Back of them is a most interesting ancestral history, traced through various generations to William and Thomasyne Torrey, who resided at Combe, St. Nicholas, Somersetshire, England, where William Torrey, a man of considerable local prominence, passed away in June, 1557. The next generation is represented by his son Philip, who in his will, dated 1604, men- tioned his wife, Jane, and children, William and Dorothy. This William Torrey was known to be living in 1639, when his wife, Alice, died. Their son, Philip Torrey, died in June, 1621, leaving four sons, all of whom came to America.

From this time the records of the family are of a more specific character. Captain William Torrey, son of Philip Torrey of the fourth generation, was born in the old ancestral home at Combe, St. Nicholas, England, in 1608, and on the 17th of March, 1629, married Agnes Combe, who passed away in England, after which Captain William Torrey joined his three brothers, James, Philip and Joseph, in their emigration to America in 1640. He was accompanied by his two sons, Samuel, born in 1632, and William, born in 1638, and the family home was established at Weymouth, Massachusetts. Captain William Torrey married a second time and six children were born of this mar- riage at Weymouth, namely: Naomi, Mary, Micajah, Josiah, Judith and Angel. Cap- tain William Torrey became a magistrate and captain of the train band of the colony and for a number of years represented Weymouth in the general court. That he was a broad-minded and intelligent man is indicated by a treatise which he wrote, entitled: "Discourse Concerning Futurities, etc."

William Torrey, son of Captain William Torrey, born in England in 1638, came with his father to America in 1640. He was the father of Joseph Torrey, who was born in Weymouth, Massachusetts, and there engaged in business as a trader. His son, the Rev. Dr. Joseph Torrey, was born in Weymouth, Massachusetts, October 8, . 1707, was graduated from Harvard in 1728, and was ordained to the ministry May 17, 1732, taking charge of the church at Tower Hill, Kingston, Rhode Island, where he remained until called to his final rest. By his marriage to Elizabeth Wilson there were seven children. Deacon Joseph Torrey, who was born February 22, 1733, was married in December, 1757, to Hannah Fisk, who died September 25, 1805, while her husband died February 19, 1804. The second of the family, Dr. Samuel Holden, was born in 1738 and died December 1, 1786. He married Anne Gould, a lady of wealth and prominence. Oliver, the next of the family, died in early life. Elizabeth became the wife of Edward Adams, of Killingly. Ann, born May 4, 1737, in Kingston, Rhode Island, was married to Thomas Hawkins. Mary became the wife of A. B. Pollock, of South Kingston, Rhode Island. Lucy was the wife of Rev. Osgood, of Boston. In 1748 Rev. Joseph Torrey married Elizabeth Fisk, daughter of Rev. John Fisk, the first pastor of the Killingly Congregational church. The children of this marriage were: John F., who was born in 1750 and died July 1, 1816; Oliver; William, who married Hannah Plank and after her death wedded Zilpah Davison; Abigail; Sarah; Elizabeth; and two who died in infancy.

Of this family Oliver Torrey, born in South Kingston, Rhode Island, March 24, 1756, died March 7, 1843, in Putnam, Connecticut. He was married September 23, 1784, to Tama Davis, daughter of Daniel Davis. The children of Oliver and Tama Torrey were:

1798

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

Elizabeth, who was born August 10, 1785, in Killingly, married Rufus Davison in 1813 and died in Putnam; Daniel D .; Sarah, who was born May 26, 1790, in Killingly, became the wife of Asa Cutler of that place and died in Putnam; Lucy, who was born August 30, 1792, in Killingly and died May 2, 1814; Susan, who was born in Killingly, August 22, 1794, married Jeremiah Dana, of Oxford, Massachusetts, and died June 17, 1859; George, who was born in Killingly, October 25, 1796, and died in Putnam, May 20, 1859; Sophia, who was born in Killingly, February 25, 1799, and died in Put- nam; Hannah Bishop, who was born March 30, 1801, and died in Putnam; Mary, who was born in Killingly, February 24, 1803, married James Howe and died in Putnam; Elvira, who was born in Killingly, February 11, 1805; Almira, who was born in Killingly, September 29, 1807, and became the wife of Benjamin Brayton, of Putnam, where she passed away; and Abigail, who was born in Killingly, March 29, 1811, and became the wife of Moses V. H. Bishop, of Medfield, Massachusetts, where her death occurred November 28, 1852.

The direct ancestor of Ernest Ellsworth Torrey in the tenth generation was Daniel Davis Torrey, who was born in Killingly, February 20, 1788, and died October 17, 1860, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He was married September 29, 1813, to Olive Cutler, who was born in Killingly, May 14, 1791, and died August 19, 1829. They had five children, Erastus being the eldest. Joseph Wilson, born December 4, 1816, in Killingly, died in Putnam. He was married July 4, 1841, to Isabella Perry and they had two children. Rebecca Larned, born May 16, 1819, in Killingly, passed away there in 1830. Mary Cutler, born November 3, 1821, in Killingly, died September 26, 1829. Walter Davis, born in Killingly, October 27, 1825, died in Manchester, Connecticut, October 20, 1851. He was married in October, 1848, to Mary Augusta Truesdell. For his second wife the father, Daniel Davis Torrey, married Susan Torrey Bishop, who was born March 4, 1790, in Killingly, a daughter of Dr. Jonathan P. and Hannah (Torrey) Bishop. One son was born of this marriage, Daniel Davis, Jr., whose birth occurred March 27, 1832, and who died in Killingly, September 27, 1849. The mother passed away May 16, 1859, and Daniel D. Torrey afterward wedded Mrs. Aliza A. (Bent) Davis, born in 1811. Daniel Davis Torrey was a farmer and blacksmith and a man of notable physique, being six feet, two inches in height and well proportioned. His early political support was given to the whig party and he later became an adherent of the republican party. For twenty years he was a deacon in the Congregational church on Putnam Heights.

Erastus Torrey, son of Daniel D. Torrey, was born in Killingly, June 28, 1814. In early life he worked in cotton mills, showing great adaptability in various depart- ments. In his later years he gave his attention to the management of his land on Putnam Heights, a property that had been in possession of the family since 1713. He was highly esteemed as a reliable and progressive citizen and for twenty-five years he served as grand juror and for several years as assessor. In politics he was a republican and his religious faith was that of the Baptist church, while his wife held membership in the Methodist church. He was married March 3, 1839, to Sybil Alton, who was born in Pomfret, Connecticut, May 29, 1812, and died in Putnam, October 29, 1886, while his death occurred in Putnam, December 23, 1885. Their children were: Charles Davis; George Louis, who was born in Putnam, September 21, 1843, and died December 4, 1845, in Woodstock; and Olive Elizabeth, who was born in Putnam, June 5, 1847, and was married June 3, 1866, to Silas L. Babbitt.

Charles Davis Torrey, the eldest son of Erastus Torrey, became one of the prom- inent farmers and valued citizens of Putnam. He was born in Pomfret, Connecticut, March 8, 1840, and after attending the public schools spent three years as a student in Nichols' Academy at Dudley, Massachusetts. He took up the profession of teaching when twenty years of age and was thus engaged in both Putnam and Thompson. He afterward conducted the home farm of his father for three years and later accepted a clerkship with S. M. Fenner, of Woodstock. After a year, however, he returned to the farm but the next year accepted a clerical position with Wood & Thomas, of Day- ville. In 1867 he again resumed farming, which he followed for four years, and later he spent a similar period in the general store of M. & A. Wood. He afterward became connected with the manufacturing firm of S. L. & T. D. Sayles, serving as bookkeeper for three and a half years. In 1879 he once more took up his abode upon the farm, devoting his attention to the cultivation of the land, comprising two hundred and fifty acres, and to the conduct of an extensive dairy, the milk of which was shipped to Boston. His fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and ability, frequently called him to public office. He was a stalwart supporter of republican principles. For three years he served as first selectman and was a valued member of the board for a decade, serving as its clerk for three years. He was assessor for five years and for a long period he was on the old high school board. In 1886 he was called to represent

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

his district in the general assembly of Connecticut and served on the committees on education and woman's suffrage. In 1887 he was made chairman of the committee on revision of rules and clerk of the committee on insurance. He became a charter mem- ber of Quinebaug Lodge, No. 106, A. F. & A. M., of Putnam and also held membership in the chapter and commandery. He was likewise prominent in the Grange and he was a devoted member of the First Congregational church of Putnam Heights, in which he long served as deacon. On the 8th of September, 1861, Charles D. Torrey was married to Martha Westcott Warren, who was born August 22, 1840, in Killingly, a daughter of William S. and Freelove U. (Page) Warren. They became the parents of five children. Charles Louis is associated with his brother Ernest in extensive farming interests; Martha Louise, who was born September 20, 1864, in Woodstock, Connecticut, became the wife of Irving P. Spencer, of Killingly, on the 9th - of March, 1887. She afterward married Albert Wheelock, a farmer of Hardwick, Massachusetts. Ernest Ellsworth is the third of the family. Olin Westcott, born May 2, 1868, was the next in order of birth. Corinna Josepha, born February 13, 1870, died in Putnam, June 30, 1872.

Ernest Ellsworth Torrey, was married on the 22d of December, 1892, to Miss Bertha Hessie Jordan, of Killingly, and they have become the parents of four children: Harry Ellsworth, who was born October 14, 1893; Robert Jordan, born December 19, 1894; Hessie Marguerite, January 22, 1897; and Mildred Sybil, June 19, 1899.

Through the years of his active business career Ernest E. Torrey has been engaged in general farming, occupying the old home place, which has been in possession of the family since 1713. Throughout the intervening years those who have had charge of this property have followed progressive methods, keeping in touch with the trend of advancement made in farm work, and Ernest E. Torrey is now developing the farm in a most scientific manner, practicing the rotation of crops and employing all those forces which keep the land in excellent condition and make the farm work a direct source of income. His progressiveness is manifest in everything about the place, which presents a most neat and attractive appearance, and there are none of the accessories and equipment of the model farm property that are lacking on the Torrey homestead.

WILLIAM KIMBALL LITCH.

William Kimball Litch is the secretary and treasurer of the Killingly Worsted Company and a well known figure in the manufacturing circles of Windham county. Not only does he display a most progressive and enterprising spirit in the conduct of the business, but also takes an advanced stand in connection with the treatment of the operatives of the factory, as is indicated in the absence of all strikes among the em- ployes. The story of his life is the story of earnest endeavor intelligently directed, bringing him to a creditable position in the business circles of Danielson.

Mr. Litch was born in South Orange, New Jersey, June 20, 1879, and is a son of Edward H. and Fannie N. (Hillman) Litch and a grandson of Aaron K. and Abigail (Newton) Litch, natives of Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Aaron K. Litch was a hard- ware dealer throughout his entire business life and when he at length retired from commercial pursuits he removed to Worcester, Massachusetts, where his last days were spent. To him and his wife were born five children, of whom three are yet living: Edward H .; Alfred N., who married Mary Potter and is located in Leominster, Massa- chusetts; and Abbie K., the wife of F. C. Thayer, living at Worcester, Massachusetts. Edward H. Litch, the father of William K. Litch of this review,. is a native of Fitch- burg, Massachusetts, and was there reared and educated, passing through consecutive grades in the public schools until he became a high school pupil. When his textbooks were put aside he entered into active connection with the woolen business as repre- sentative of the sales end at Boston, Massachusetts. There he continued for several years and in 1915 removed to Killingly, Connecticut, to become president and office manager for the Glenn Worsted Company, with which he continued for several years. Later this company made some changes in the personnel and afterward the business was reorganized under the name of the Killingly Worsted Company, with Edward H. Litch as the president and office manager and William K. Litch as the secretary and treasurer, while William F. Mulligan was made superintendent. To Mr. and Mrs. Edward H. Litch have been born but two children, the daughter, Alice G., wlio is the elder, being now in New York city.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 132

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