A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 26

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

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April 6, 1795; Nathaniel, grandfather of Mrs. Frink, born August 17, 1798; Chester, born April 10, 1801; and Cynthia, born March 23, 1812.

Nathaniel Gallup, son of Benadam, born in Sterling, August 17, 1798, married Sally Barber, May 14, 1817, and lived on the paternal homestead, where he died May 2, 1856, his wife surviving him until November 11, 1885. Their children were: Bena- dam, born August 14, 1818; Margaret, born December 8, 1819; Sally Maria, born March 18, 1821; Lucy Ann, born June 15, 1823; James, born November 13, 1825; Joseph, born September 4, 1827; Elizabeth, born April 22, 1831; Hannah Jane, born March 13, 1833; Nathaniel, father of Mrs. Frink, born October 18, 1835; Chauncey, born October 4, 1839; and Martha Ann, born March 2, 1842.

Nathaniel Gallup, son of Nathaniel, father of Mrs. George Frink, was born in Sterling, October 18, 1835, married Mary E. Mathewson, October 11, 1858, and farmed on the paternal homestead in the southern part of the town of Sterling, where he died June 27, 1900, his widow surviving him until May 15, 1907. To himself and wife were born the following children: Jannette, born August 25, 1859; Mary E., born October 12, 1861, wife of George H. Gallup; Julia A., born December 2, 1863, wife of John A. Baton, of Plainfield, Connecticut; Avis I., born April 10, 1872, wife of George Frink, of Wood- stock; and George S., born March 26, 1874, who married Sadie Dailey and lives in Providence, Rhode Island. Two daughters were born of this union, Avis Isabel and Mary Virginia.

Mr. and Mrs. Frink have become the parents of two children; Estella Gallup, who was born April 10, 1898, and is a graduate of the Woodstock Academy and Dana Hall and now a student at Wellesley College; and Wallace Lyon, who was born September 19, 1899, and is now attending the Woodstock Academy. The family is one of the most prominent in the community, occupying an enviable position in social circles.

Mr. Frink gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, of which he has always been a stanch advocate. He has served as a selectman of Woodstock and at one time was tax assessor. Mrs. Frink and her daughter, Estella, belong to the East Woodstock Congregational church and Mr. Frink is serving as a member of the church committee, while his wife belongs to the Ladies' Aid and is active in all branches of church work. All are members of the Woodstock branch of the American Red Cross. The family are connected with the East Woodstock Community Club and are very popular among an extensive circle of friends.

ALEXANDER AUGUSTUS HOUGHTON.

Death called Alexander Augustus Houghton on the 16th of January, 1920, and in his passing the community lost one of its valued and representative citizens-one who for many years was identified with the manufacture of cotton yarns and who in later years gave his attention to the control of his invested business interests. He was born at West Gloucester, Rhode Island, September 2, 1850, and belonged to one of the old families of Massachusetts. His grandfather, Abel Houghton, who was born in Princeton, Massa- chusetts, died at Holden, that state. He had married Lucretia Phelps, a native of Leo- minster, Massachusetts, who passed away in Putnam, Connecticut. Their family included Augustus Houghton, who was born in Princeton, Worcester county, Massachusetts, No- vember 18, 1822, and died in Putnam, Connecticut, July 14, 1899. He attended school at Princeton and at Uxbridge, Massachusetts, to the age of twelve years and then obtained employment in a cotton factory at West Boylston. He carefully saved his earn- ings and after six years was able to lease a small mill at Holden, Massachusetts, where he began manufacturing on his own account, successfully conducting the venture. After three years he became connected with the Smithville Manufacturing Company and four years later went to Worcester, Massachusetts, where for seventeen years he was superin- tendent with the Hartshorn, Trumbull & Waters Company, envelope makers. With his removal to Putnam in 1864 he purchased what is now the C. M. Fisher Company shoe factory, intending to engage in envelope manufacturing; but about that time, in com- pany with G. A. Hawkins, he purchased the yarn mill and water privilege at East Put- nam, the mill having been established by Calvin and William Randall in 1860. The new owners immediately doubled the capacity of the mill, made many improvements and successfully operated it until ten years later, when Mr. Hawkins sold his interest to C. J. Allton, with whom Mr. Houghton continued in business until 1882, when the entire plant was sold to Norwich parties.

In politics Augustus Houghton was an earnest republican and served for one term in the legislature and for several years as chairman of the board of selectmen. He was likewise justice of the peace. His religious faith was that of the Methodist church, in which he had been a trustee. His was an upright and honorable life-one which reflected

A. A. Houghton

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

credit upon an untarnished family name. On the 30th of October, 1844, he married Eliza Roper, who died February 5, 1848, in Holden, Massachusetts, leaving one child. On the 22d of September, 1849, he married Elizabeth Hawkins, who was born December 14, 1826, in Gloucester, Rhode Island.

The children of this marriage included Alexander Augustus Houghton, who was yet an infant when his parents became residents of Worcester, Massachusetts. He had at- tained the age of sixteen years when the family home was established in Putnam, where he further attended school, and later he completed a commercial course in the Wilbraham Academy. Throughout life he remained an.earnest student in the school of experience and therein learned many valuable lessons. He initiated his business career when a youth of nineteen by entering the yarn mill of his father at East Putnam and acquainting himself with every phase of the business. Steadily as his skill and knowledge increased he won advancement and became superintendent of the plant, occupying that position for three years.

At a later period Mr. Houghton acquired a sawmill in West Gloucester and erected on its site a three-story stone mill, which he operated under the firm style of Hawkins & Houghton, conducting there an extensive business in the manufacture of cotton yarns. He continued to operate the plant for fourteen years and at the end of that period leased his interest to James Stockard. The mill was destroyed by fire in January, 1902, and thereafter Mr. Houghton concentrated his efforts and attention upon the management of the large estate of his father and the conduct of his private business interests. He at all times displayed sound judgment and unfaltering enterprise in business affairs and his intelligently directed activities made for substantial success.

On the 4th of July, 1868, at Putnam, Mr. Houghton was married to Miss Anna Mary Cady, a daughter of James and Caroline E. (Bailey) Cady. To this marriage were born three sons. James Elbert, born September 26, 1871, in Putnam, was graduated from the Worcester Academy and became an interior decorator. He was married April 20, 1890, to Gertrude Bradway, and they have become parents of one son, Charles Alexander, born November 9, 1897. Winfred Augustus, born January 5, 1875, in Putnam, also attended the Worcester Academy and on the 24th of July, 1894, married Minnie Mills, daughter of James Mills, of Thompson, Connecticut. Harry Alexander, born July 27, 1884, was graduated from the Putnam high school in 1902 and afterward took up the study of dentistry in the Philadelphia Dental College, from which he was graduated in 1905. He is now practicing in Putnam. He was married in Philadelphia, May 25, 1905, to Miss Harriet Addie Douty, of Putnam, a daughter of Jerome N. and Alice (Day) Douty, of whom mention is made on another page of this volume. Dr. and Mrs. Houghton have a little daughter, Madelyn Alice, born September 20, 1910. These three sons together with their mother were left to mourn the loss of a devoted husband and father when Alex- ander A. Houghton passed away.

From the time of attaining his majority Mr. Houghton gave his political allegiance to the republican party and for a long period served as a member of the central com- mittee of his town. He occupied the position of selectman for three years and in 1902 became a member of the state legislature, where he gave thoughtful and earnest con. sideration to vital questions that came up for settlement. He was also a member at one time of the directorate of the First National Bank and he was keenly interested in all that pertained to the welfare and progress of the community along business and public lines. For thirty-two years he served as a director of the bank and ever enjoyed the highest regard and confidence of his associates in that connection.

Mr. Houghton was also well known in fraternal circles, belonging to Quinebaug Lodge, No. 106, A. F. & A. M., of Putnam; and Putnam Chapter, No. 41, R. A. M. He was likewise connected with Israel Putnam Lodge, No. 33, I. O. O. F .; Putnam Lodge, No. 19, A. O. U. W .; Putnam Council, No. 340, Royal Arcanum; and Putnam Lodge, No. 574, B. P. O. E. His faithfulness to the teachings and high purposes of these organ- izations was well known and he was equally a valued member of the Baptist church of East Putnam, taking great interest in religious work. The many sterling traits of his character endeared him to all who knew him. He was a devoted husband and father, a faithful friend, a loyal and patriotic citizen and a business man whose name was a synonym for all that is honorable and progressive in business life.

EDWARD WILLIAM AVERY.

Edward William Avery, postmaster and general merchant of South Windham, was born, where he now resides, on July 28, 1858. His father, William C. Avery, was born in Willimantic and passed away in 1881, at the age of fifty-four years, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Harriett Brewster, died in 1878, at the age of forty-

Vol. II-13

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eight years. William C. Avery learned the trade of a machinist in the mills of Wil- limantic and, prior to the Civil war, was in the employ of H. B. Weaver, and when Mr. Weaver's business was closed out he entered the service of Smith, Winchester & Company at South Windham, continuing in that connection throughout the remainder of his days. He had removed to South Windham at the time of his marriage. He was never active in politics or in church. He was strongly opposed to Masonry and all secret societies and never hesitated to express his honest convictions.

Edward William Avery, whose name introduces this review, attended the district schools of South Windham and was also a pupil in the one-time famous school of Willimantic conducted by John B. Welch. When sixteen years of age he took up the pro- fession of teaching in the district school near his home and afterward served an apprenticeship to the machinist's trade in the plant of Smith, Winchester & Com- pany, where he remained for more than a decade. On the 1st of April, 1890, he embarked in business on his own account as a retail dealer in dry goods, groceries, shoes and provisions at South Windham under the firm style of Avery & Rood. He became sole proprietor of the business in 1895 and has continued alone in the trade to the present time. He is a prominent and representative business man of his section of the county, accorded a liberal patronage by reason of his honorable dealing and his earnest desire to please his patrons.

In 1881 Mr. Avery was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Woodworth, a native of Norwich, Connecticut, who has lived, however, through the greater part of her life in Windham. Her father, Charles Woodworth, died during her early girlhood and the mother removed with the family to South Windham. Mr. and Mrs. Avery have two children. Clarence E., who is with his father in the store, lives at South Windham and is married and has two children, Helen A. and Florence E. The younger son, Harry W., is a traveling salesman with the Beechnut Packing Company of Canajoharie, New York. He is married and makes his home in South Windham.

Mr. Avery has long been a deep student of spiritualism and also of Masonry. Unlike his father, he is a stalwart advocate of the fraternity and has attained high rank in the order. He was master of Eastern Star Lodge, No. 44, F. & A. M., in 1901 and 1902; and for seven years he was high priest of Trinity Chapter, No. 9, R. A. M. He also be- longs to Olive Branch Council, No. 10, R. & S. M .; and St. John's Commandery, No. 11, K. T., of which for two years he was the eminent commander. He has membership in the consistory at Norwich and for the past eleven years has been a member of the grand chapter of Connecticut and is the present grand high priest, having previously filled all of the other offices in the grand chapter. In politics Mr. Avery is a republican without aspiration for office or activity in political lines, save that in 1903 he was appointed postmaster and has since continued in this position. He thinks for himself in all things, clearly reasons out any situation or problem, and arrives at a conclusion which he believes to be just and fair, yet he is not given to the display of his ideas but, on the contrary, is rather reticent in expressing his views except when the occasion demands. He is keenly interested in the development of his home town and at all times keeps abreast with the trend of public thought and the current of public events.

J. EDWIN GRANT.

J. Edwin Grant is a partner in one of Willimantic's most important commercial enterprises, being identified with the Hurley-Grant Hardware Company. He was born June 30, 1889, in the city which is still his place of residence, and is a son of William Grant, long widely and prominently known in Willimantic. His mother bore the maiden name of Hattie Clapp and died in 1891.

J. Edwin Grant supplemented the work of the grades in the public schools by a course in high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1906, and he entered upon his business career as a clerk in the employ of the Jordan Hardware Company, with which he remained for four and a half years, thoroughly acquainting himself with various phases of the hardware trade. In 1911, he became a partner in the Clark-Hurley Company, at which time the name of the Hurley-Grant Hardware Company was assumed. Theirs is one of the important business enterprises of this character in Willimantic. They have sixty-five hundred square feet of floor space in their store and they employ five people in the conduct of their business, which includes the sale of farm machinery, contractors' supplies, paints, oils, varnishes, crockery, mill supplies, sporting goods, and heavy and light hardware. They are also general agents for the Dupont de Nemours Powder Company and have one of the two powder maga-

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zines located in Connecticut. The firm is conducting a very extensive business, their annual sales having reached a large figure, and their trade is constantly growing.

Mr. Grant was married on the 30th of October, 1915, to Miss Maud Hyde, of Hamp- ton, Connecticut. They are well known socially in the city in which they make their home and they enjoy the warm regard of an extensive circle of friends. They hold membership in the Congregational church and Mr. Grant gives his political allegiance to the republican party but does not seek nor desire office, feeling that his business interests are sufficient to claim his entire time and attention. He is making an excel- lent record as the secretary and treasurer of the Hurley-Grant Hardware Company and the public accords him a prominent place in commercial circles of the city. He is alert, energetic and farsighted. He closely studies business situations and readily discrim- inates between the essential and the nonessential, quickly discarding the latter and so utilizing the former that substantial results accrue.

BYRON EDGAR EDDY.

Byron Edgar Eddy is a representative farmer of Woodstock and is widely known by reason of the active and important part which he has played in public affairs in his community, his sterling worth commending him to the confidence and high regard of all who know him.

He was born in Webster, Massachusetts, November 25, 1857, and is a son of Reuben Thurston and Harriet (Foskett) Eddy. The father was born in Oxford, Massachusetts, and in young manhood gave his attention to farming, while later he removed to Webster, where he opened a meat market and conducted business for many years. Ultimately he retired from active life and spent his remaining days in well earned rest there, his death occurring in that place. His wife was born in Charlton, Massachusetts, and acquired her education in Charlton, but her last days were spent in Webster.

Byron Edgar Eddy is the only survivor in their family of three children. He was educated in the schools of Charlton and of Webster, Massachusetts, and at the age of sixteen years he began learning the tinsmith's business in Webster but did not find that occupation congenial and in young manhood came to Woodstock, where he was employed at farm labor by John Holbrook Child on the same farm which he now owns and occupies. Mr. Eddy worked as a farm hand for various agriculturists of Woodstock and at length determined to engage in business on his own account, feeling that his experience justified this step. He then rented from Mr. Child the farm which he now owns, continuing its cultivation as a renter for two years. He was afterward employed in a meat market in Putnam and operated a meat wagon through the country. In 1884 he went to the west, making his way to Denver, Colorado, where he spent two years, being employed during that period in a meat market. He then continued his westward journey until he reached the Pacific coast and for a time he was employed in the Star Meat Market in San Francisco. Later he secured a situation in the California Market in Oakland. In 1886 he returned to Woodstock, where he rented a farm which was the old Stephen Morse place, and while engaged in its cultivation he also drove a meat wagon for H. S. Morse, of Putnam. In 1891 he purchased the John Holbrook Child farm of fifty acres near the village of East Woodstock and he also purchased the grocery store of Rufus Town at East Woodstock and extended the scope of the business to include the sale of meats in addition to groceries. He conducted his mercantile interests in connection with farming for eighteen years, when he sold the store in the village to C. S. Bosworth and opened a grocery store and meat market on his farm, where he has since conducted business, dealing in all kinds of farm supplies. He has built up a trade of large and gratifying proportions and his success is the direct result of indefatigable energy, keen business discernment and unfaltering perseverance. He also collects milk from the farmers to be shipped to Boston, carrying on this business for a quarter of a century.

On the 12th of May, 1886, at Boston, Massachusetts, Mr. Eddy was united in mar- riage to Miss Flora Elizabeth Buttrick, who was born in Medford, Massachusetts, but was reared and educated in Boston. To Mr. and Mrs. Eddy have been born six chil- dren, as follows: Marion, who was born in Putnam, Connecticut, and died at the age of six years; Mabel Buttrick, who was born in Woodstock and is now the wife of Carl Morse, an agriculturist of Woodstock, by whom she has one child, Ermone; Edith Allen, whose birth occurred in Woodstock and who follows the profession of school teaching at Stafford, Connecticut; Ralph Thurston, who is a native of Woodstock and is with the United States Army in France; Clara Foskett, a school teacher of Woodstock; and Ray Emerson.

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In politics Mr. Eddy is a progressive republican and a stanch admirer of Theodore Roosevelt. He was elected first selectman of his town in October, 1917, and is now filling that position. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church and fraternally he is connected with the Royal Arcanum. His entire life record is a credit- able one and his genuine personal worth has gained for him the respect, confidence and goodwill of all who know him. All days in his business career have not been equally bright, but persistent energy has enabled him to overcome difficulties and obstacles and work his way steadily upward. He has ever recognized the fact that when one avenue of opportunity seems closed he could seek out other paths that would bring him to the desired goal and, today, he is at the head of commercial and agricultural interests which place him among the men of affluence in the town of Woodstock.

HON. LUCIUS HENRY FULLER.

Hon. Lucius Henry Fuller, whose name figures prominently in connection with the business, political and military history of Windham county, in each of which relations he has rendered valuable and important service to the general public, was born in Tolland, Connecticut, August 31, 1849, and was the fourth son of Lucius S. and Mary Eliza ( Bliss) Fuller.

He is a descendant in the eighth generation of Robert Fuller, who was born in England and was of English and Scotch lineage. In 1638 Robert Fuller sailed on the ship Bevis for America and made his home in Salem and Rehoboth, Massa- chusetts, passing away at the latter place May 10, 1706. He was the first and for many years the only bricklayer and builder of brick buildings in all New England. His son, Jonathan Fuller, was born in Salem, Massachusetts, about 1640 and died in Attleboro, that state, February 10, 1709. On the 14th of December, 1664, he married Elizabeth Wilmarth and they were parents of Decaon David Fuller, who was born in Attleboro, September 11, 1667. In 1716 he removed to Coventry, Connecticut, and the following year served as selectman there. He was twice married and his son, David Fuller (II), was born March 10, 1710, in Attleboro, Massa- chusetts, his death probably. occurring in Hampton, Connecticut. He was married May 17, 1741, to Hannah Fuller and they became parents of Sergeant Abijah Fuller, who was born in Hampton, Connecticut, August 5, 1753, and there passed away May 5, 1835. He was a sergeant of the Revolutionary army and was delegated by General Putnam to take charge of the work of fortifying Bunker Hill, where under his direction earthworks were thrown up the night before the memorable battle. He was afterward granted a pension in recognition of the valuable aid which he ren- dered his country. By occupation he was both farmer and cooper. He served as a deacon in the Congregational church and was a highly honored citizen. On the 15th of May, 1777, he married Abigail Meacham, who was born in Scotland, Connecticut, and died July 24, 1840. Their son, Seymour Fuller, was born in Hampton, Con- necticut, August 15, 1787, and in 1816 removed to Tolland. He, too, was a cooper and farmer and upon the land which he developed and farmed at Tolland he made his home until his death, which occurred February 20, 1862. On the 10th of Feb- ruary, 1811, he had married Loisa Butler, a daughter of William and Loisa (Hunt- ington) Butler, the latter a niece of Samuel Huntington, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and governor of Connecticut from 1786 until 1796.

Hon. Lucius Seymour Fuller was the eldest of the children of Seymour and Loisa (Butler) Fuller. He was born March 27, 1812, in Hampton, Connecticut, and was but four years of age when his parents removed to Tolland. He supplemented a common school education by study in the academy at Monson, Massachusetts, and then took up the profession of teaching, which he followed until 1846, devoting the winter seasons to the work of the schoolroom and the summer months to the labors of the fields. In 1846 he became proprietor of the County House, a hotel at Tol- land, and for three years he operated the stage route between Tolland and North Woodstock, Connecticut. He afterward purchased a farm at Tolland and divided his attention between its cultivation and the conduct of an insurance business. Various public interests and duties also claimed much of his time until his death. In June, 1872, he was elected president of the Tolland County Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany and continued so to serve until his demise. In 1869 he became a director of the Tolland County National Bank, was elected vice president in 1871 and president in 1878. He was also a director and vice president of the Savings Bank of Tolland. In politics Mr. Fuller was a stalwart republican and a leader in party ranks. He served as a delegate to the republican national convention which was held in Phila- delphia in 1872, and for more than twenty years he was a member of the republican

HON. LUCIUS H. FULLER

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 26

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