A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 133

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

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The son, William Kimball Litch, completed his education in the Adelphi Academy at Brooklyn, New York, and starting upon his business career, became identified with the cotton manufacturing house of Cantlin & Company of New York city, with which

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he remained for four years to learn the business. Later he became a designer for the C. A. Root Company of Uxbridge, Massachusetts, with which he continued for ten years, and later he worked up to the position of superintendent, thoroughly mastering every branch of the business as he was advanced from one position to another. He was next connected with the Glenn Worsted Company of Harrisville, Rhode Island, as superin- tendent, occupying that place of responsibility for several years. He afterward went to Elmville, Connecticut, where he took over what was formerly the mill of the Davis & Brown Manufacturing Company but which had been idle for some time. He developed this plant to a great extent and afterward reorganized the business under the name of the Killingly Worsted Company, of which his father, as previously stated, is the president and office manager, with William K. Litch as the secretary and treasurer. The business is capitalized for fifty thousand dollars and the plant includes one hun- dred and sixty looms. The business has steadily progressed since it was taken over by the present company and their fair and just policy with their employes is indicated by the fact that there have been no strikes in the factory. They recognize merit on the part of their operatives and accord promotions as opportunity permits. Their out- put, too, measures up to the highest standards and therefore finds a ready sale on the market.

On the 28th of August, 1907, Mr. Litch was married to Miss Edith N. Ellsworth and they have become the parents of a daughter, Ruth M. Mr. Litch maintains the family home at Danielson. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and has become a member of Columbian Commandery, K. T., of Norwich, has taken the thirty- second degree in the consistory and is a member of the Mystic Shrine at Hartford. He also belongs to Uxbridge Lodge, No. 574, I. O. O. F., and to the Elks Lodge, No. 574, at Putnam, Connecticut. He attends and supports the Congregational church at Daniel- son and is keenly interested in all those forces which make for the material, intellectual, social and moral progress of the community.

BERNARD P. MURPHY, M. D.

Dr. Bernard P. Murphy, a capable physician whose liberal training well quali- fies him for the onerous duties of the profession, was born in Putnam, Connecticut, September 8, 1872, a son of Anthony and Mary (Fallon) Murphy, who were natives of Ireland. The father came to the United States when nineteen years of age and set- tled at Worcester, Massachusetts. Soon afterward he offered his services to the country during the Civil war, enlisting July 12, 1861, in Company E, Fifteenth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry under General Hancock. He was color bearer of his regiment most of the time and was on active duty for four years, being discharged April 28, 1864. He was a brave and fearless soldier, actuated at all times by a most patriotic spirit, and he participated in many important engagements. Three times he was wounded and some time after his return from the army he had parts of shell re- moved. He took up his abode in Putnam, Connecticut, after the war, when about twenty-five years of age, and for a time engaged in mill work. He then established business of his own on Canal street in Putnam and so continued to the time of his death, being identified with the business interests of the city for about thirty years. He was known as a man without an enemy, for he was friendly to all and proved the truth of the Emersonian philosophy that "the way to win a friend is to be one." His political allegiance was given to the republican party and fraternally he was connected with the Warner Post, Grand Army of the Republic at Putnam. His religious faith was that of the Roman Catholic church. To Mr. and Mrs. Murphy were born four children, namely: Bernard P., of this review; Thomas, who was born in Put- nam and has now passed away; Margaret, who was born in Putnam and is a normal school graduate, while at the present time she is a nurse and teacher in Hartford, Connecticut; and Michael, who was born in Putnam and now resides in Utica, New York.

Dr. Murphy pursued his early education in the district schools of Putnam and afterward spent three years as a student in St. Charles College of Baltimore, Mary- land. He next went to Ottawa, Canada, and was there graduated on the completion of a classical course in 1891. The following year he entered the Jefferson Medical Col- lege of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was there graduated in 1896. He first opened an office in Waterbury, Connecticut, but at the time of the Spanish-American war enlisted for active service and upon his return home established an office in Putnam, Connecticut, where he has engaged in a successful and rapidly growing practice. He makes his home, however, in Pomfret.

On the 19th of January, 1901, in Pomfret, Dr. Murphy was united in marriage

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to Miss Catherine Shelly, a native of Ireland, as were her parents. Their chil- dren are Eleanor Mary, George Anthony, Francis Henry and Charles Edward, all born in Pomfret.

In his political views Dr. Murphy is a republican but has never been an office seeker nor has he been identified with fraternal orders. He has, however, always been keenly interested in athletics since his boyhood days and was at the head of athletic sports for the entire Second Army Corps during the Spanish-American war. He played on the champion team of Ottawa, Canada, and also of the University of Penn- sylvania and he has thoroughly mastered most athletic sports. He is a member of Walter Merriman Camp, United Spanish War Veterans, and is also connected with the Windham County Medical Society, the Connecticut State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He is now giving his undivided time and attention to his professional interests and constant reading keeps him in touch with the trend of modern professional thought and progress.

ROLAND HILTON GRAY.

Roland Hilton Gray, who since 1911 has been connected with the Connecticut Mills Company and is now filling the position of office manager and purchasing agent at Danielson, was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, March 10, 1891, his parents being Albert M. and Fanny E. (Piggott) Gray, who were also natives of Lowell. In the acquirement of his education the father attended the public and high schools of that place and afterward started upon his business career as an employe of his father in a meat market in Lowell, with which he was thus connected for several years. Later he established a meat business on his own account there and was very successful in its conduct. He carried on the business for a number of years, enjoying an extensive patronage that brought to him the comfortable competence which now enables him to live retired, for he has put aside business cares and is resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil in a pleasant home in Lowell. To him and his wife have been born seven children, five of whom are living: Ethel, who is acting as a private secre- tary in New York city; Marian, the wife of Dr. E. J. Clark, of Tewksbury, Massachusetts; Daniel E., who married Lura Hawkins and is sales manager for the Medford Woolen Company of Hempstead, Long Island; Guy B., who married Maud Bennett and is a millman of Lowell; and Roland Hilton of this review. Loring and one other have passed away.

Like his father, Roland H. Gray pursued his education in the graded and high schools of Lowell, Massachusetts, and starting out in the business world, he entered the employ of the Beacon Falls Rubber Company as clerk in the office, there remaining for a year. In September, 1911, he removed to Danielson to become clerk in the office of the Connecticut Mills Company, with which he has since been identified, and, steadily working his way upward through various intermediate positions, he has become office manager and purchasing agent in connection with this important pro- ductive industry. He is systematic and thorough, efficient, progressive and reliable, and has gained for himself an enviable position in the business circles of his adopted city.

On the 8th of May, 1915, Mr. Gray was married to Miss Fannie L. Keech, of Danielson, a daughter of James E. and Emma Keech, the former a merchant of Daniel- son. Mr. and Mrs. Gray have one child, James C. The parents are members of the Westfield Congregational church, in which Mr. Gray is serving as treasurer. He belongs to Mysia Lodge, No. 15, A. F. & A. M., of which he is now worshipful master, and in his life he exemplifies the beneficent spirit and purposes of the craft. He is also a member of the Bohemian Club of Danielson and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He is not only an alert and progressive business man and substantial citizen, but is also the possessor of many admirable personal qualities which make for popularity among all who know him.

EUGENE AUGUSTUS WHEELOCK.

When death called Eugene Augustus Wheelock, Windham county mourned the loss of a citizen whose activity had covered a wide scope, for he was not only prominently identified with the woolen manufacturing interests of this district but was also a prominent figure in the public life of the community and in connection with the

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leading fraternities. He came of a distinguished English family and his record was in harmony with that of an honored ancestry, of whom the following account is given by a contemporary biographer: "The Wheelocks, an old distinguished English family, intermarried in the early days with the Leversages. In 1285, during the reign of Henry II, Hugh De Wheelock, through his Knight, Richard De Maston, secured from Roger Manning all claim to the village of Wheelock. To this estate Thomas De Wheelock fell heir and became lord of Wheelock Manor. The family possessed a coat of arms, described as follows: 'Wheelock and Leversage of Wheelock.' Wheelock Arms: Argent, chevron between three Catherine Wheels, sable. Leversage Arms: Argent, chevron between three plowshares, sable. Crest, a leopard's head, face jessant, a fleur de lis."

Ralph Wheelock was probably a brother and at least a relative of Abraham Whee- lock, who became the first professor of Arabic in Cambridge University and was afterward librarian there. Ralph Wheelock was born in Shropshire, England, in 1600 and was educated at Clare Hall, Cambridge University, where he was graduated in 1626, winning his Master of Arts degree in 1631. He was married in England and to him and his wife, Rebecca Wheelock, there were born nine children. Among his descendants were two presidents of Dartmouth College, and the family has always been recognized for its strong mentality, manifest in business as well as educational lines. While at Cambridge, Ralph Wheelock became a confirmed Puritan and after leaving the university was a nonconformist minister. In 1637, accompanied by his wife and daughter, Rebecca, he crossed the Atlantic and in 1639 was made a freeman. Here he took up the profession of teaching and after residing for a time at Watertown removed to Dedham, where he erected his residence in 1651 or 1652. Four years later he became the master of the first school there opened and so continued for a consider- able time. He had previously been appointed one of the founders of the village of Med- field and thus he was closely associated with the development of New England. He died in November, 1683, and his wife passed away in 1680. He was one of the few men honored with the title of "Mr." in Dedham. He served in various public offices of the community, represented his town in the general assembly and was a signer of the famous Dedham covenant. He was one of the committee appointed to collect funds for Harvard College and he remained active in educational and religious work through- out his days.

His son, Benjamin Wheelock, Sr., born in Medfield, Massachusetts, January 8, 1640, was married in 1668 to Elizabeth Bullen, of Medfield, and in 1685 he removed with his family to Mendon, where his remaining days were passed. His son, Benjamin Wheelock, Jr., who was one of five children, was born in Medfield, Massachusetts, and passed away at Mendon. He was married December 9, 1700, to Huldah Thayer, of Mendon, and they had a family of eight children, including Silas Wheelock, who spent his entire life in Mendon, there following the occupation of farming. On the 20th of May, 1740, he married Hannah Albee and their family numbered ten children. Lieutenant Simeon Wheelock, the direct ancestor of Eugene A. Wheelock in the fifth generation, was born in Mendon, Massachusetts, March 29, 1741, and when twenty-one years of age became a resident of Uxbridge. On the 28th of November, 1763, he married Deborah Thayer, of Mendon, and they became parents of eight children. Lieutenant Wheelock figured prominently in connection with military interests and as adjutant of a Rhode Island regiment under command of Colonel Christopher Harris and General Amerest par- ticipated in the expedition against Crown Point in 1760. On the 6th of July, 1774, he was appointed a member of the Uxbridge Revolutionary committee and when hostili- ties began against the mother country he enlisted as lieutenant of a company of minute men under Captain Joseph Chapin, and they marched from Uxbridge, April 19, 1775, upon the Lexington alarm, and later particiated in many engagements. At a subse- quent period Lieutenant Wheelock served in Shay's Rebellion and while thus engaged at Springfield met his death, which was occasioned by a fall upon the ice while descending Arsenal Hill.

His son, Jerry Wheelock, was born in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, September 19, 1784, and for many years was a prominent manufacturer there. On the 24th of January, 1811, he wedded Suky Day and they had a family of six children. Jerry Wheelock was one of the first to manufacture and operate woolen mill machinery in Uxbridge, and in 1810, with his father-in-law, Daniel Day, he became a member of the first woolen company in that place. Several years later he disposed of his interest in the business and at Holden, Massachusetts, engaged in the manufacture of woolen mill machinery for Artemus Dryden, Jr., with whom he was connected for many years, being frequently delegated to visit other towns and set up machinery in new mills. He was at Falmouth in 1814, when the place was bombarded by the British warship Nimrod. In the same

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year he purchased an interest in the Rivulent Manufacturing Company at Uxbridge and continued a member of the firm for about four years, while through the succeeding sixteen years he engaged in the manufacture and repair of woolen mill machinery, admitting his sons to a partnership in the business in 1834. He died in Uxbridge, October 10, 1861, having previously lived retired for several years.

Hon. Silas Mandeville Wheelock, father of Eugene A. Wheelock, was for more than a half century a dominant figure in the development of the woolen industry in New England. He was born in Uxbridge, November 11, 1817, and he supplemented his early education, limited to five months' attendance yearly at the district schools, by three or four terms' training in a select school and by study under the direction of E. Porter Dyer, later a Congregational minister, and C. C. Jewett, afterward librarian of the Smithsonian Institute at Washington and of the Boston Public Library. When but ten years of age Silas M. Wheelock began working in a woolen mill for fourteen cents a day and board. He made continuous advancement and at different periods was employed as operator, foreman and mill superintendent, as manager and financier of private companies and corporations. In 1846 he formed a partnership with his brother under the style of C. A. and S. M. Wheelock for the manufacture of satinets, plaid linseys and tweeds. The factory was enlarged in 1855, steam power introduced and their attention was then given only to the manufacture of cassimeres. In 1870 S. M. Wheelock organized the Putnam Woolen Company and purchased property that consisted of a factory, one-fourth of the Quinebaug river at that point and various dwelling houses. He became treasurer and manager of the new company and so con- tinued until 1887, when other business interests elsewhere caused him to resign as treasurer. In 1883 he had aided in organizing the Calumet Woolen Company of Uxbridge, of which he became treasurer and manager, the firm purchasing the New Village mill property, which included factory, machinery, houses for the mill hands and the whole of the Blackstone river at that point. There the company took up the business of manufacturing fancy cassimeres and in 1886 purchased the Uxbridge woolen factory, which they began operating in connection with their other business under the name of the Hecla mill. Mr. Wheelock's contribution to the manufacturing development of New England was of a most important character, for he always stood in the vanguard of progress and improvement, establishing standards which many others followed. He was also identified with the Uxbridge Savings Bank and was a director of the Blackstone National Bank of Uxbridge from 1858 until his death. Mr. Wheelock also exerted wide influence in political matters and was a stalwart sup- porter of the republican party. He filled various local offices and in 1887 was elected by a large majority to the position of state senator, while in 1900 he was made a delegate to the republican national convention, which met in Philadelphia.

On the 5th of May, 1841, Silas M. Wheelock was married to Irene Taft, who was born in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, September 19, 1816, a daughter of Luke Taft and a descendant in the sixth generation of Robert Taft, who came from England about 1678. He resided for a time in Braintree, Massachusetts, and in 1679 sold his home property there and removed to Mendon, where he was prominent in the public life of the town. To him and his wife, Sarah, were born five sons who reached manhood, and to each he gave a farm, showing that he had been very successful in his business of carpentering. His son, Joseph Taft, Sr., resided at different periods in Mendon and Uxbridge, his farm, received from his father, being at the latter place. He was active in the management of town affairs at both places and did much to shape public thought and action. The line of descent comes down through Moses, James and Luke Wheelock to Mrs. Silas M. Wheelock, who was a woman of strong Christian character and passed away in Uxbridge, January 26, 1900.

Eugene A. Wheelock, the second of a family of five children, was born in Uxbridge, February 15, 1846, and he supplemented his high school education there acquired by study in the Williston Academy of Easthampton, Massachusetts, where he remained as a student until seventeen years of age, displaying special aptitude in his studies. However, he had worked in his father's mills from the age of ten and under his father's direction had become thoroughly familiar with the business of woolen manufacturing. He was continuously employed in the Uxbridge factory until 1867, when he was given charge of the mill of S. M. Wheelock & Company at Wilsonville, Connecticut, where he had supervision over one hundred operatives. There he remained for three years and in June, 1870, he became superintendent and agent of the Putnam Woolen Com- pany's No. 1 mill at Putnam, which had recently been purchased from the Harris Company. There he contributed largely to the development of the business, which in 1880 was increased by the purchase of the mill of C. F. Mason & Company at Putnam, Mr. Wheelock of this review becoming manager of both factories. He was elected to the position of treasurer when his father resigned that office and continued as one

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of the chief executives in control of the business to the time of his death, which occurred September 12, 1912. Like his father, he ever stood for progressiveness and enterprise in relation with the woolen manufacturing industry and his efforts were far- reaching and resultant, contributing not only to the success of the mills under his control but also to the upbuilding of the community at large.

On the 17th of June, 1868, Eugene A. Wheelock was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Smith Taft, a daughter of Zadok Arnold and Mary Mowry (Brown) Taft, of Uxbridge, Massachusetts. Mrs. Eugene A. Wheelock also traced her ancestry back to Robert and Joseph Taft, from whom Mrs. Silas M. Wheelock was likewise descended. Her death occurred in Putnam, December 20, 1901. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Eugene A. Wheelock, all in Putnam. Silas Mandeville, born March 10, 1871, was graduated from the Putnam high school, attended Cushing Academy at Ashburn- ham, Massachusetts, for some time, and then, with the intention of becoming a manu- facturer, entered the employ of the Putnam Woolen Company. After acquiring suffi- cient knowledge of the business he was made suprintendent of the company's mills on the 1st of October, 1901. On the 18th of October, 1899, he married Ruth E. Shaw, daughter of George E. and Ellen S. Shaw, of Putnam. Mr. and Mrs. Wheelock have become parents of four children: Sylvia; Elizabeth; Sarah, who has passed away; and Silas Mandeville, Jr. Ellen Maria, born March 20, 1873, was graduated from the Putnam high school in 1890, and afterward attended the Bishop Hopkins Seminary, at Burlington, Vermont, and the Burnham school, at Northampton, Massachusetts. She is a charter member of Elizabeth Porter Putnam Chapter, Daughters of American Revolution, and has served as corresponding secretary for several years. Mary Taft, born August 8, 1875, attended the Putnam high school. She is a charter member of the Daughters of American Revolution, and their librarian. Irene Taft, born April 7, 1881, was graduated from the Putnam high school in 1899 and attended Smith Col- lege two years. Henry Arnold, born August 27, 1883, was graduated from the Putnam high school in 1900 and spent two years in Phillips Academy, at Exeter, New Hamp- shire. In 1902 he entered the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale College.

The father of this family was prominently known in fraternal circles. He had membership in Uxbridge Lodge, I. O. O. F., of which he became a representative on attaining his majority. He belonged also to Quinebaug Lodge, No. 106, F. & A. M., of which he was worshipful master for four years. He was identified with Putnam Chapter, No. 41, R. A. M., and Columbian Commandery, K. T., of Norwich, Connecticut, and he crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of Aleppo Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Boston. At one time he had membership with the Knights of Pythias. He was always deeply interested in the public welfare, served as a member of the republican town committee and in 1888 and 1889 was a member of the state central committee of the republican party. The cause of education received his most earnest endorsement and for many years he served on the school board of Putnam and was also a trustee of the town library. His active support was never withheld from any project which he deemed of benefit to the community at large and the success which he achieved was shared with his fellowmen in his liberal support of projects and measures for the public good.

SETH KIMBALL.

Seth Kimball, devoting his attention to farming in the town of Pomfret, was born at Kimball Hill, in the town of Hampton, Windham county, February 19, 1847. He is a son of Asa and Mary Ann (Sharpe) Kimball. The father was born on the same farm on which occurred the birth of his son Seth and devoted his entire life to the cultivation and improvement of that property. He was a son of Asa Kimball, Sr., who was likewise born on the old family homestead and spent his entire life there, ranking with the prominent farmers of his section of the state. The Kimballs settled on what is known as Kimball Hill, in the town of Hampton, in 1632, the ancestry being traced back to one of the name who was of English birth and in 1632 crossed the Atlantic to become a resident of Ipswich, Massachusetts. In connection with two others, Messrs. Bennett and Grow, he started out from the Ipswich colony to find a home. Mr. Kimball settled in the town of Hampton, as did Mr. Grow, the district in which the latter took up his abode being now known as Grow Hill. Mr. Bennett went to the town of Brooklyn, where he established his home. They probably were the first three white men to settle in the above mentioned towns. Since that time the Kimball family has been represented in Windham county. Asa Kimball, father of Seth Kimball, spent his entire life as a farmer on Kimball Hill and there passed away

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 133

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