A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 22

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

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THE "MODERN HISTORY" IN LIBRARIES

Copies of "TheModern History of Windham County" may be found in public libraries and in several high school libraries of the county; also in the State Library at Hartford, at the Connecticut Historical Society, New Haven Colony

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Historical Society, Yale University Library, Bridgeport Public Library; the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society at 226 West Fifty-Eighth Street, New York City.

DAY KIMBALL HOSPITAL

One of the most beneficent institutions of Windham County is the Day Kimball Hospital at Putnam, founded in the autumn of 1893. Its beginnings were due to the generous activities of the Misses Gertrude and Elizabeth Vinton, of Pomfret, with the Rev. T. M. Peck, then rector of St. Philip's Church at Putnam. The "Windham County Infirmary" was opened March 1, 1894, in a house on Bolles Street, Putnam, with a matron, one trained nurse, and a house maid; a salary of $20 per month for the nurse having been guaranteed by friends. The first matron was Mrs. A. E. Ogilvie, whose services were given. The original trustees were James W. Manning, Rev. T. M. Peck and George W. Holt, who rendered substantial aid, while Drs. J. B. Kent and F. A. Morrell gave invaluable medical aid and counsel. Other friends in Putnam and vicinity gave liberally in funds and provisions for maintenance.

Within a few months Mrs. M. Day Kimball, of Boston, one of the contributors to the infirmary, gave $5,000 for the erection of a hospital building in memory of her son, Day Kimball; other members of her family gave $4,000 additional. Thus, on July 1, 1894, the trustees of the infirmary were succeeded by a new corporation known as the Day Kimball Hospital of Windham County. A board of nine trustees was named with James W. Manning president, John A. Carpen- ter treasurer, Rev. T. M. Peck secretary. Land was secured on the southeasterly slope of Perrin Heights, a beautiful location overlooking the City of Putnam; a three-story building was erected in a pleasing style of architecture and was dedi- cated in October, 1895.

The larger financial needs were met by other friends, because the hospital soon proved its need and rendered a large measure of invaluable service. The original building soon became too small and in 1901 the Louise Harrison wards were added, also the Agnes Hoppin operating room. In 1904, spacious sun parlors were built in memory of Mary Grosvenor. In 1910, the George L. Brad- ley addition was built, also the Emma Bradley ward. A "white solarium" was provided.

During 1920, a substantial briek wing has been added, with many private rooms, a maternity ward, nurses' dining room, kitchen, etc., at a cost of about $75,000, of which sum $25,000 was given by manufacturers of the county through the efforts of W. Irving Bullard, $25,000 was provided by the state, and the re- maining $25,000 by popular subscription through the Putnam Patriot. The com- pletion of this addition brings the capacity of the hospital to about eighty beds, with equipment for surgical, medical, obstetrical and X-ray work which com- pares favorably with metropolitan hospitals.

Cooperating most efficiently with the generous donors, a Woman's Auxiliary Board has been organized and had provided large sums of money and liberal supplies and equipment. Their most recent gift is a motor ambulance. A feature of their work is the annual "May breakfast," through which the interest of peo- ple in many surrounding towns is awakened. No large endowment has been re- ceived but the support comes through genuine popular appreciation of the great value of the institution. From the first the town of Putnam has supported a free

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bed; another has been maintained by friends in Pomfret; the town of Thompson another ; the Woman's Board one and sometimes two.

Generous as has been the financial backing, still more notable is the devoted service of a long list of faithful physicians and nurses. Few hospitals have on their staff a surgeon of such wonderful skill as Dr. S. B. Overlock and a large measure of the success of Day Kimball Hospital is due to his loyal and efficient service.

"SOUVENIR" TAYLOR

William Henry Harrison Taylor, popularly known as "Souvenir" Taylor, and whose life work is referred to by different contributors in "The Modern His- tory," died suddenly at his home in Hartford, Monday, November 15, 1920, at the age of fifty-eight, and thus ended a career which was unique. He was buried at Grove Cemetery in Putnam. He was born at Arctic, R. I., May 2, 1862, son of George H. and Susan Bennett Taylor, but in his early childhood his parents removed to Putnam, where he attended district and high schools. He learned there the printer's trade, and in very early life developed the energetic and aggressive personality which was to make his career notable among public men. He served as reporter and editor in Putnam and Rockville; on January 16, 1888, founded the Connecticut Editorial Association, particularly for editors of weekly newspapers; published legislative souvenirs in Connecticut and Rhode Island, was himself elected to the Connecticut General Assembly from Putnam in 1901; published history of the Constitutional Convention of 1902, also of the Legislative Centennial of 1919.

Through these experiences he acquired a wide acquaintance among public men, not only in his own state but in other states and also among men of national fame. He had an effective way of offering congratulations to public men on any favorable event in their lives, so that he was in receipt of many distinguished acknowledgments. He would scan records for notable anniversaries, personal and civic, and write a newspaper story about it. He was always giving away "souvenir" cards-hence his popular name. His slogan "Keep your memory green" indicated the spirit of his publications of legislative biographies. He fairly radiated a spirit of good cheer and optimism. One enthusiastic admirer declared that "Billy Taylor has accomplished more good than all the Billy Sundays in the world !" He had letters of appreciation from presidents of the United States, senators, representatives, college presidents, governors, etc. Ella Wheeler Wilcox once wrote him a letter in verse. In 1888, he wrote a letter to Benjamin Harrison urging him to be a candidate for President and declaring Connecticut would support him. Mr. Harrison replied promptly and said he had decided to be a candidate and this letter was published, giving the public the first authentic news of Harrison's decision.

Elizabeth Jewett Brown, of Pomfret, and her sister, Susan Jewett Howe, of Norwich, contributors to this volume, are daughters of the Rev. Ebenezer Jewett III, of Hampton, and have published many short stories and sketches in maga- zines and newspapers. Mrs. Howe is the author of that charming story and character sketch, "Kate Ford's Family," which has been widely read; also of Historical Sketches of Hampton. Together these sisters wrote "Nell Beverly, Farmer," "The Gates of Bakapplein" and "The Prestons of Preston Hill."

The Editor is indebted to Elmer C. Jewett, of Brockton, son of Allen Jewett, for the excellent likeness of Governor Cleveland.

BIOGRAPHICAL

2.4 Letters

BIOGRAPHICAL

FRANK GILBERT LETTERS.

Time establishes the relative importance of a man's position in his community, and looking at Frank Gilbert Letters through the perspective of the years, we find that he occupied a prominent position in Putnam and had much to do with all those interests and activities which have been most worth while as factors in the material, intellectual, social and moral progress of the community. He was a man of well balanced capacities and powers and the high ideals which he cherished found embodiment in practical ef- forts for their adoption, and because of the innate refinement of his nature he rejected everything opposed to good taste. For many years he occupied the position of post- master of Putnam, was prominently connected with its commercial interests as pro- prietor of a music store and by reason of his inherent love for and talent in music he did much to advance and cultivate musical tastes among his fellow townsmen.

Mr. Letters was born in Monson, Massachusetts, on the 13th of April, 1865, and came of English ancestry, being a grandson of John and Charlotte (Halford) Letters, who, leaving their home at Manchester, England, came to the new world. They were the parents of William H. Letters, of Warren, Massachusetts, who after reaching adult age was united in marriage to Emeline R. Skinner, of Boston, Massachusetts, a daughter of Harvey and Huldah (Bradway) Skinner. The father was for many years the owner of a music store in Putnam which he founded in 1870 and which, after an ex- istence of forty-five years, was closed out by Mrs. F. G. Letters following the demise of her husband. The marriage of William H. and Emeline R. (Skinner) Letters was celebrated in Springfield, Massachusetts, and they became the parents of two sons, Frank G. and Charles M., the latter a native of Putnam.

Although born in Massachusetts, Frank Gilbert Letters spent practically his entire life in Putnam and after attending the public schools to the age of fourteen years en- tered his father's music store and on reaching manhood was admitted to a partnership in the business. In 1899, by purchase, he became sole proprietor of the store and personally managed and directed its interests until his demise, his attention, however, being divided between the store and his duties as postmaster of Putnam, to which office he was called in August, 1894, through appointment of President Cleveland. He remained continuously in the position until April 1, 1915, when he voluntarily re- signed. He had been continued as postmaster through democratic and republican ad- ministrations alike, being appointed successively by Presidents Cleveland, Mckinley, Roosevelt and Taft. He made an excellent record for efficiency and fidelity and New England numbered him among the most competent of her postmasters. Under his ad- ministration the Putnam office advanced its rating and the business was greatly in- creased. During the first year of his service as postmaster he established at his own expense letter boxes at various points in the city and daily collections of mail were made, this constituting the initial step in the establishment of the city delivery system. Mr. Letters was also the promoter of the parcels post and postal savings departments of the office. During his incumbency the receipts of the office were trebled and owing to the continuous growth of the business in all departments it was necessary almost every year to add to the working forces of the office. Mr. Letters was largely instrumental in securing a congressional appropriation for the erection of a new postoffice building and it was his great desire to see this completed ere his term of office should expire. The government selected a site for the erection of the building, but this did not meet with the approval of the business men on the west side of the river and the work was ac- cordingly delayed, so that while the new postoffice is the direct outcome of the efforts of Mr. Letters he did not have the satisfaction of witnessing the completion of the build- ing. After twenty years' service-years marked by notable capability and trustworthi- ness in office-Mr. Letters resigned his position in order that he might concentrate his attention upon the conduct of the music trade and other commercial interests. His business methods had won for him a constantly growing patronage and he further broadened the scope of his activities by becoming connected with the Putnam Savings Bank in July, 1902. Six years later he was appointed one of the trustees of the in-

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stitution and in August, 1914, was elected its vice president, which position he continued to fill until his life's labors were ended. He was also a director of the Putnam Foundry & Machine Company and was widely recognized as a man of unusual business discern- ment, keen sagacity and sound judgment. He made judicious investments in real estate and about a quarter of a century ago inherited from his father all of that sec- tion of the city known as Grand View. It was a tract of wood land when it came into his possession but has become one of the most beautiful districts of Putnam .. His own residence, occupying the crest of a hill and overlooking the entire country for miles around, is a monument to the enterprise and to the cultured taste of the owner.

On the 28th of June, 1888, Mr. Letters was united in marriage to Miss Genevieve Hart, a native of Providence, Rhode Island, and a daughter of Mandly Bateman and Abbie D. (Dodge) Hart, the former a native of Cranston and the latter of Warwick, Rhode Island. The father was a son of Edwin E. and Lucelia (Gorton) Hart, repre- sentatives of pioneer Puritan New England families whose ancestors had come to the new world on the Mayflower. Mandly B. Hart devoted his life to extensive agricultural interests and to the management of estates of wealthy men. His wife was a daughter of Joshua and Mary (Mott) Dodge, of Block Island, and a descendant of one of the oldest New England families. Mr. and Mrs. Hart became the parents of three children: Leila, who married Albert L. Arnold and resided in Putnam, but both have now passed away; Eleanor, who became the wife of John L. Shaw, of Springfield, Massachusetts. connected with the Springfield Republican; and Mrs. Genevieve Letters. To the mar- riage of Mr. and Mrs. Letters were born a son and a daughter: Frank Halford, who was born in Putnam in 1901; and Genevieve Eleanor, who was born in 1906.

The family circle was broken by the hand of death when on the 30th of April, 1915, just one month after his retirement from the position of postmaster, Mr. Letters suc- cumbed to an attack of pneumonia. The news of his demise carried with it a sense of personal bereavement to many of Putnam's citizens. Few were more widely and more favorably known in this section of Windham county. His acquaintance extended through- out the state and from many prominent citizens his widow received letters of con- dolence expressing the high regard which the writers had for her husband, attesting his high standards of manhood and bearing evidence to the nobility of his character. His love for and keen interest in music had made him put forth effective effort for the advancement of musical tastes and standards in his city and he became one of the or- ganizers of the Music Block Orchestra, which became a most popular musical organiza- tion of the city and surrounding towns, its membership being drawn from among the most skilled musicians in this section of the state. Mr. Letters played the bass viol and was ever alert to any interest which would promote the welfare of the organization. He was one of the supporters of the Congregational church, in which his wife and children hold membership, but he never became identified with lodges or clubs, preferring to spend his leisure hours at his own fireside, where he found his greatest happiness in the companionship of his wife and children. He was of a very charitable nature and benevolent spirit and was constantly extending a helping hand to those who needed assistance. He held friendship inviolable and judged his friends not by wealth but by worth. In him there was combined admirable business ability and a just and upright character with a genial disposition and sunny nature. The forces in his life were well balanced. He fortunately lacked that quality which leads the individual to greet every- one as a valued friend, but he had the keenest desire for the welfare and happiness of others, put forth his efforts for good where assistance was most needed and awakened in others a feeling of friendship that grew and strengthened with the passing years. No man in public life in Putnam perhaps has had so few enemies. Even those who op- posed him politically entertained for him the warmest personal regard and admiration and the story of his life has become an integral chapter in the history of the city in which he so long made his home.

CHARLES L. TORREY.

For more than a quarter of a century Charles L. Torrey has engaged in the practice of law in Putnam and through his devotion to the highest standards of the profession has added another creditable chapter to the life history of a family whose ancestral line can be traced back to William and Thomasyne Torrey, who lived at Combe, St. Nicholas, Somersetshire, England, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth.

The death of William Torrey occurred in June, 1557. The direct ancestors of Charles L. Torrey in the second generation were Philip and Jane Torrey, and in the will of Philip Torrey, dated in 1604, are mentioned his children, William and Dorothie. Wil- liam and Alice Torrey were of the third generation and the wife was survived by her

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husband when in 1639 she passed away. Their son, Philip, died in June, 1621. He had four sons, all of whom came to America, the ancestral line being traced down through Captain William Torrey, who was born at the old ancestral home in Combe, St. Nicholas, England, in 1608, and on the 17th of March, 1629, wedded Agnes Combe, who died in England, after which Captain William Torrey joined his three brothers, James, Philip and Joseph, who had already emigrated to the new world in 1640. He was accom- panied by his two sons, Samuel and William, and the family home was established at Weymouth, Massachusetts. Captain William Torrey became a magistrate and captain of the train band of the colony. He represented Weymouth in the general court for several years and his excellent penmanship caused him to be sought for duty as clerk and secretary. He was a man of scholarly attainments and a treatise which he wrote, entitled "Discourse Concerning Futurities," is still in existence. His son, William Torrey, was born in England in 1638 and came to America with his father in 1640. He was the father of Joseph Torrey, who was born in Weymouth and engaged in trading, often with the Indians. His son, the Rev. Dr. Joseph Torrey, was born in Weymouth, Massachusetts, October 8, 1707, became a physician, was graduated from Harvard in 1728 and on the 17th of May, 1732, was ordained to the ministry and assigned to the church at Tower Hill, Kingston, Rhode Island, where his pastorate continued until his death on the 23d of November, 1792. He married Elizabeth Wilson and they became the parents of seven children. In 1748 he married again, his second union being with Elizabeth Fisk, a daughter of the Rev. John Fisk, the first pastor of the Congregational church at Killingly, Connecticut. There were also several children of that marriage, the second of whom was Oliver Torrey, born March 24, 1756, in South Kingston, Rhode Island, while his death occurred at Killingly, now Putnam, Connecticut, March 7, 1843. He was married September 23, 1784, to Tama Davis, daughter of Daniel Davis, and they reared a large family, Oliver Torrey providing for their support through the occupation of farming. He was known as a man of high Christian character.

His son, Daniel Davis Torrey, the direct ancestor of Charles L. Torrey in the tenth generation from William Torrey, was born in Killingly, February 20, 1788, and passed away in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, October 17, 1860. On the 29th of September, 1813, he wedded Olive Cutler, who was born in Killingly, May 14, 1791, a daughter of Benjamin Cutler and granddaughter of Asa Cutler. Her death occurred August 19, 1829. They had a family of five children, and after the death of his first wife Daniel D. Torrey married Susan Torrey Bishop, who was born March 4, 1790, in Killingly, a daughter of Dr. Jonathan P. and Hannah (Torrey) Bishop, of Killingly. They had but one child. Mrs. Torrey passed away May 16, 1859, and afterward Daniel D. Torrey married Mrs. Aliza A. (Bent) Davis, who was born in 1811. Daniel D. Torrey is described as a man of unusual stature, standing six feet, two inches in height, and robust in proportion, an ideal farmer and blacksmith, which occupations he followed. He was a whig in his early political life and later became a republican. In his community he was known as a man of reliability and was elected a justice of the peace, although he did not care enough for public office to qualify. For twenty years he was a deacon in the Congrega- tional church at Putnam Heights and in every way was a worthy man. It is mentioned of him that although quiet and unassuming in manner, he dearly loved a good joke when it did not create any ill feeling.

Erastus Torrey, son of Daniel Davis Torrey, was the grandfather of Charles L. Torrey, of this review, and was born in Killingly, June 28, 1814, while his life record covered the intervening years to the 23d of December, 1885, when he passed away in Putnam. In early life he became a worker in the cotton mills and acquired skill in all departments, following the trade of a mule spinner for a long period. In his later years he concentrated his efforts and attention upon the management and development of his farm in Putnam Heights, which property had come into the possession of the family in 1713. He was a man of high personal worth and served for a quarter of a century as grand juror and for several years as assessor. In early life he became a member of the Baptist church and Christian faith guided him in all of his relations. Politically he was a republican. On the 3d of March, 1839, he wedded Sybil Allton, who was born in Pom- fret, Connecticut, May 29, 1812, and passed away in Putnam, October 29, 1886.

The eldest of their children was Charles Davis Torrey, long a leading farmer and representative citizen of Putnam. He was born March 8, 1840, in Pomfret, and was a prominent educator of Windham county for many years. After mastering the branches of learning taught in the schools of Putnam he pursued a three years' course in Nichols Academy at Dudley, Massachusetts, and then took up the profession of teach- ing, which he followed in both Putnam and Thompson. He afterward devoted three years to cultivating his father's farm and later spent a year as a clerk in Woodstock but at the end of that time returned to the farm. Subsequenly, however, he again spent a year in clerking and in 1867 resumed agricultural life, to which he devoted

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the next four years. He was afterward again identified with commercial interests in the employ of others and in 1879 returned to his valuable farm, comprising two hundred and fifty acres, which had been in possession of the family since 1713. There, in addition to carrying on general agricultural pursuits, he gave considerable atten- tion to dairying. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he was a public-spirited citizen who rendered valuable aid to his country in many ways. For a decade he was a member of the board of selectmen, serving as first seleetmen for three years and as clerk of the board for three years. He was assessor for five years and for an extended period was a member of the old high school board. In 1886-7 he represented his town in the state legislature and was made a member of the committees on education and woman suffrage. In the latter year he served as chairman of the committee on revision of rules and as clerk of the committee on insurance. He was well known in fraternal circles, attaining high rank in Masonry and becoming a prominent member of the Grange. He was also a devoted member of the First Congregational church of Putnam Heights. He died May 10, 1907. On the 8th of September, 1861, Mr. 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.

Charles Louis Torrey, the eldest of the five children of Charles D. and Martha W. (Warren) Torrey, was born in Putnam, December 14, 1862, and after mastering the branches of learning taught in the public schools of Putnam, Killingly and Sprague, Connecticut, he entered the high school of his native town and completed his preparatory course by graduation with the class of 1883 and immediately took the examination which permitted him becoming a student at Yale. He pursued a four years' course there, being graduated with the class of 1887, and during the following year he engaged in teaching in Putnam. His leisure hours were devoted to the study of law under the direction of Judge Edgar M. Warner and after three . years' preliminary reading he was admitted to the bar, in January, 1891. He then opened a law office in Putnam and almost from the beginning has enjoyed a liberal clientage. No dreary novitiate awaited him. His powers and ability won almost immediate recognition, for he soon demonstrated his resourcefulness in solving intricate problems of law and through all the intervening years he has won many notable verdicts which have been gained as the result of his careful preparation of his cases and his correct application of legal principles to the points in litigation. He is strong in argument, logical in his deductions and clear in his reasoning.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 22

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