A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 31

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

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PRENTISS WALDO MORSE.

Prentiss Waldo Morse is devoting his time and energies to agricultural pursuits in the town of Woodstock and displays thoroughness and discriminating judgment in the conduct of his business. His entire life has not been devoted to farm work, how- ever, for at different periods he has been connected with manufacturing interests.

He is a native son of Connecticut, his birth having occurred in Stafford on the 9th of November, 1843, his parents being George and Diantha J. (Mckinstry) Morse. The father was born in Southbridge, Massachusetts, on the 19th of February, 1814, and passed away in Woodstock, May 2, 1876. His wife was born in Southbridge, October 5, 1821, and was a daughter of Daniel Mckinstry, who was born in Southbridge in 1789 and passed away in 1841. The paternal grandparents of Prentiss Waldo Morse were Manson and Hannah (Richmond) Morse. It was on the 17th of November, 1840, that George Morse and Diantha J. Mckinstry were married, and Mr. Morse took up the occupation of farming in Woodstock, owning and occupying the farm that is now being further developed and cultivated by his son Prentiss. In their family were seven children: Charles P., Prentiss W., Rachel J. and Eliza, all of whom were born in Stafford, Connecticut; Daniel H., born in Southbridge, Massachusetts; and Emer- son A. and Ida E., born in Sturbridge, Massachusetts.

Prentiss Waldo Morse, whose name introduces this record, pursued his education in his native town and in his youthful days devoted his attention to farming, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He assisted his father in farm work for a time, but ultimately felt that he would prefer other occupations and became a clerk in a store in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. At a later date he entered a thread mill at Mansfield and after leaving that employ he went to Montreal, Canada, where he occupied a position in the silk mills of Belding Brothers for five years. It was while there engaged that his brother Daniel was killed by a bull on the home farm at Woodstock. Daniel Morse had succeeded his father, George Morse, in the management and operation of the home farm and upon the death of Daniel, Prentiss W. Morse, of this review, returned to Woodstock, purchased the old homestead property and now resides thereon, concentrating his efforts and atten- tion upon general farming, stock raising and the native timber business. He has a well developed place, improved with good buildings, and none of the accessories and con- veniences of the model farm of the twentieth century are lacking upon his land. He is actuated in all that he does by a progressive spirit and he therefore secures the latest improved farm machinery and employs every effort that will enhance the pro- ductiveness of his place and add to the results in his farm work.

Mr. Morse has been married twice. He first wedded Julia Penrie, of Willimantic, and to them were born two children. Mrs. Morse was born in Stafford, Connecticut, May 22, 1844, and her death occurred in 1910, while her daughter, Ida E., born in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, July 18, 1868, became the wife of Jerry Hall, of South- bridge, Massachusetts, and has two children, George P. and Hettie M. Cora E., born in Sturbridge, March 24, 1870, is the wife of John Johnson, of Willimantic, Connecticut. For his second wife Mr. Morse chose Ellen Bolles, of West Woodstock. She was born in West Woodstock and became the wife of Robert McNally, who was superintendent of the Belding Brothers silk mills at Montreal, Canada, and passed away in Buffalo, New York, leaving a widow and five children: Ernest; William, who was a member of Troop H of the Twelfth United States Cavalry in Nebraska while in the service; Harry; Fred; and Robert.

In his political views Mr. Morse has always been a stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has represented his district in the state legislature and proved an able member of that body, being identified with much constructive work. He was selectman of West Woodstock and has been justice of the

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peace. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Congregational church, take a most active interest in its work and do everything in their power to promote its growth and extend its influence. Mr. Morse was the organizer of the Sunday school and has done much to surround the young with influences that will work for moral development, realizing that as the proverb of old expresses it: "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." His efforts have ever been directed along lines which have been of great public benefit, and he has ever believed with Lincoln that "There is something better than making a living -making a life."

GEORGE HARRISON NICHOLS.

When death called George Harrison Nichols on the 22d of November, 1910, Wind- ham county lost a citizen who was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him. For many years he had been closely associated with the agricultural development of this section of the state and with various business enterprises that contributed in marked measure to the welfare, progress and improvement of the district in which he lived. His name was an honored one in commercial circles and he effectively labored to promote the banking interests of this section of the state. Moreover, he was a repre- sentative of one of the honored pioneer families of New England. He was fortunate in having back of him a distinguished ancestry and was happy in that his lines of life were cast in harmony therewith. The progenitor of the family in the new world was William Nichols, who was born in England in 1599 and on crossing the Atlantic to Massachusetts was granted land in Danvers in 1638. In 1652 he took up his abode upon a six hundred acre farm and he probably passed away about 1695, his will being probated February 17, 1695-6. His wife, Mary, survived him, the records showing that she was living in 1696.

Their eldest child, John Nichols, born in Danvers, Massachusetts, in 1640, passed away October 12, 1700. To John and Lydia Nichols there were born ten children, the line of descent coming down through Thomas Nichols, who was born January 20, 1669, and married Johanna Towne, of Topsfield, Massachusetts. In 1725 he removed to Sutton. Their family numbered eight children, the fifth in order of birth being Jonathan Nichols, who was baptized on the 17th of October, 1703, at Salem, Massa- chusetts. In 1763 he became a resident of Thompson, Connecticut, and at the formal organization of the town was the first man to receive the title of Mr. On the 14th of May, 1731, he wedded a Miss Phelps and their children were eight in number. Elijah Nichols, Sr., son of Jonathan Nichols, was born in Thompson, November 25, 1743, and took up the occupation of farming as a life work. In 1766 he wedded Martha Flint, who passed away. April 28, 1772, and he afterward married Miss Mary White, who died August 14, 1827. Elijah Nichols, Sr., had attainded the notable age of ninety-six years when he passed away in Thompson, February 22, 1839. His son and namesake, Elijah Nichols (II), was born in Thompson in 1770 and became one of the prominent farmers and landowners of Windham county. He was originally associated with his father in business, but in 1807 a division of their property was made and Elijah Nichols then made investment of his five thousand dollars in the Stroud place, a tract of three hundred and sixty-one acres, in Northeast Grosvenordale, valued at six thousand dollars. Within a year he had cleared away his indebtedness of one thousand dollars and within seven years his investment had netted him a capital of seven thousand dollars. He prospered in his business affairs as the years passed and left a handsome legacy to his children when on the 17th of March, 1850, in his eighty-first year, he passed away. He was associated with his father and uncle, Jonathan Nichols, in organizing the Methodist church, of which he was the steward. He married Millicent Brackett, of Thompson, who passed away January 16, 1850, at the age of seventy-nine years. They had a family of five children.

Captain George Pickering Nichols, son of Elijah Nichols, Jr., was born in Thomp- son, Connecticut, December 14, 1796, and married Lucy Alton, daughter of Thomas Alton. She passed away in 1826 and he afterward wedded her sister, Mary Alton. By his first marriage there was one child, Mary, who became the wife of Samuel D. Crosby, of Thompson, and died in New York at the age of thirty-four years. There were five children born of the second marriage, of whom George Harrison Nichols was the youngest son. The father was a successful farmer who owned and cultivated two hundred and sixty acres of land, and at the same time he was a prominent figure in the public life of the community and filled various local offices, while in 1851 he was called to represent his district in the general assembly and later served for several other terms. His early political allegiance was given to the democratic party, but eventually

George Harrison Nichols

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

a change in his opinions led him to ally himself with the republican forces. It was characteristic of him that he stood loyally by any cause or principle in which he be- lieved and his position upon any vital question was never an equivocal one. He served as a captain in the state militia and he was keenly interested in everything that had to do with the progress and development of the community in which he made his home. He was largely instrumental in the erection of the Fisherville Methodist church and afterward served as steward and trustee for many years. He died July 27, 1877, and his wife passed away September 25, 1882, at the age of eighty-two years. Captain Nichols was honored and respected by all who knew him and most of all by those who knew him best-a fact indicative of an upright and well spent life.

Upon the old homestead farm of the family George Harrison Nichols was born April 26, 1837, and the district schools afforded him his early educational opportunities, while later he became a student in the Thompson Academy. He was seventeen years of age when he left home and started out in the world independently. From an early age it is said that he displayed an almost intuitive knowledge concerning the value of cattle and could judge within a few pounds of the actual weight of any animal. He always maintained his headquarters on his farm in Thompson and made extensive trips to New York state and to New England points, buying cattle which he shipped to his farm, on which he had as many as three or four hundred head of cattle at one time. He became widely known as a cattle dealer and it was said of him that he bought more cattle on the hoof during his lifetime than any other man in Connecticut. When his father retired from the active management of the home farm, Mr. Nichols took up the duties which the former had laid down on account of advanced years. He prospered in the conduct of his business affairs and, adding to his holdings from time to time, became the owner of seven hundred acres of valuable land, much of which was covered with timber. He was a man of very sound business judgment, displaying keen sagacity in all things, and his enterprise and business discernment enabled him to escape the pit- falls into which unrestricted progressiveness is so frequently led. He recognized and utilized opportunities that brought valuable results to the community and at the same time promoted his individual fortunes. He was one of the organizers of the electric street railway of Putnam and Grosvenor Dale and for several years was a member of its board of directors and the first president. He became one of the investors in the stock of the Thompson Savings Bank, of which he served as a director for many years and as president for three or four years. For several years he was the president of the Windham County Brick Company and for almost two decades was a director of the Thompson Savings Bank of Putnam, occupying the position of president for sixteen or seventeen years of that period. He likewise was called to the presidency of the Thomp- son National Bank of Putnam and as an executive officer contributed in marked measure to the successful conduct of these various corporations.

While a most active and enterprising business man who carried forward to suc- cessful completion whatever he undertook, Mr. Nichols nevertheless centered his in- terests in his home. He was married in 1857, in Thompson, to Miss Mary Johnson, a daughter of James Johnson, and they reared a most interesting family, including Lucy A., who was born September 9, 1858, and was married November 21, 1895, in Hartford, Connecticut, to Edmond S. Backus, now a general merchant of Thompson. Mr. and Mrs. Backus have two children, Muriel Nichols and Lawrence. Mary, born May 9, 1861, died September 22, 1878. George E., born April 25, 1864, became connected with the Nelson Morris packing interests of Chicago as a stock buyer. He first wedded Mary Means, of Louisville, Kentucky, and following her demise married Mabel Space. He has one child, Everett Lee. Warren F., born June 6, 1867, married Sadie Gerbrick and as a stock buyer for the Nelson Morris Company removed to St. Louis, Missouri, and later to St. Joseph, Missouri. He has one son, Leslie. Earl P., born November 25, 1870, married Josephine Steinacker, of St. Joseph, Missouri, and is engaged in the commission business in that city. John Monroe, born September 7, 1873, is with the Nelson Morris Company at St. Joseph, Missouri. He first wedded Mary Carter, of St. Joseph, Missouri, and after her death married Lura Hall, of Tarkio, Missouri. He has three children: Mary, Martha and Margaret. The mother of these children, Mrs. Mary (Johnson) Nichols, passed away May 12, 1879, her death regretted by all who knew her as well as by her immediate family. On the 27th of March, 1897, Mr. Nichols was married to Miss Mary Abigail Blake, a native of Medina, Michigan, and a daughter of Alexander and Susan (Crosby) Blake. The former was a son of Robert Blake and the latter, a native of Thompson, was a daughter of Charles Crosby. Mrs. Mary (Blake) Nichols was educated in the public schools of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and in Mrs. Bryan's Seminary at Batavia, New York, after which she pursued a thorough course in the Boston School of Art. She then became superintendent of art and drawing in the schools of Grand Rapids, Michigan, occupying that position for several years. After her marriage she soon made for herself a most enviable position in the social

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circles of the neighborhood in which her ancestors had lived. She has served as presi- dent of the woman's board of the Day Kimball Hospital; was a charter member of the Elizabeth Puter Putnam Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, of which she has been regent and in fact has held most of the offices in the chapter and represented it many times at the Washington congress. She is now president of the Equal Suffrage League of Thompson and for ten years has been superintendent of the West Thompson cemetery. For the same length of time she has also managed her husband's farm.

In his political views Mr. Nichols was an earnest republican and in 1881 he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature, where he became connected with much important constructive work that proved of substantial benefit to the com- monwealth. He also held various local offices, including that of first selectman, in which capacity he remained for three or four terms. From 1888 until 1898 he was a trustee of the Connecticut Hospital for the Insane and on the 21st of January, 1865, he was appointed by Governor Buckingham to the position of sub-recruiting agent under his brother, Captain Monroe Nichols, for the state of Connecticut. It is said that his life was filled with deeds of helpfulness and charity, that he ever bore an untarnished name and never swerved from the path of rectitude and of justice. He died November 22, 1910, and his memory is still cherished and revered by all who knew him. Throughout his career he measured up to the highest standards of man- hood, fully met every duty and obligation that devolved upon him and did whatever lay within his power to promote the interests and welfare of his community, the com- monwealth and the country at large.

CHARLES L. BOSS.

Watchful of every opportunity pointing to success and cognizant of the chances for advancement that open in the natural ramifications of trade, Charles L. Boss has been an active factor in the development and prosperous upbuilding of the interests of the Lincoln & Boss Lumber & Coal Company, Inc., of Willimantic and ranks today with the valued and representative residents of his city. He was born July 1, 1852, in Willi- mantic, a son of Harry and Isabel (Russ) Boss. His educational opportunities were somewhat limited, although he made good use of his time in that direction until he reached the age of seventeen years. He started in the business world as an employe of the Willimantic Linen Company and that he was capable and faithful is indicated in the fact that he remained in the employ of the company for thirteen years, working his way upward from the position of office boy to that of chief clerk and paymaster. On the 1st of April, 1882, he became connected with the interests that are now being conducted under the name of the Lincoln & Boss Lumber & Coal Company, Inc. He has since been identified with the business and for thirteen years has been practically the sole manager, as Mr. Lincoln has been retired for that length of time. The com- pany deals in lumber and all kinds of masons' and builders' supplies and Mr. Lincoln remains as the president of the company, with Mr. Boss as the treasurer and L. B. Lincoln as the secretary. They have two yards and large buildings, one being ninety by two hundred and forty feet and another one hundred by three hundred feet. There are also large sheds and other storage equipment. They have sixteen employes and utilize two trucks and three teams for hauling. They have thirty-three thousand square feet of floor space in the building and fifty-one thousand, six hundred square feet of ground space. Their business has steadily grown, reaching substantial proportions, and has long been one of the profitable commercial concerns of the city. In addition to handling masons' and builders' supplies the company also conducts an insurance and bonding business. They represent fifteen different insurance companies, including the American Central, Albany, Concordia, Detroit, Franklin, Great American, Glens Falls, Phoenix (London), Westchester, Standard, Equitable, Genesee Fire, Merchants & Farmers and Worcester. In connection with the bonding business they represent the United States Federal & Casualty Company and the Mutual Plate Glass Company.

Mr. Boss has been married twice. On the 17th of November, 1874, he wedded Ida E. Pinney and they became parents of two children: George E., deceased; and Florence C., at home. On October 9, 1884, Mr. Boss was married to Nellie L. Grace, a repre- sentative of one of the prominent old New England families, and her patriotic interest in her country is manifested by her connection with the Daughters of the American Revolution. They have one child, John G., who was born in 1887. He has been ac- corded liberal educational privileges and after completing the high school course en- tered Tufts College, from which he was graduated in 1909 with the Bachelor of Arts

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degree. He married Lois Endicott on the 25th of December, 1914, and they have one child, Clara Endicott, who was born August 9, 1917.

Fraternally Mr. Boss is connected with the Masons, holding membership in lodge, chapter, council and commandery, and of the last named he has been recorder for a number of years. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and from the incorporation of the city he was its auditor for many years, continuing in that position until 1915. He also served at one time on the board of burgesses and his de- votion to the best interests of the community is marked, his aid and support being given to all those plans which work for public progress and improvement. At the same time his close application, keen sagacity and undaunted enterprise, as manifest in his business career, have brought him to a prominent position in mercantile circles.

HOWARD SUTHERLAND WOOD.

Howard Sutherland Wood is well known in the woolen industry, enjoying a repu- tation as one of the experts along that line, and at present fills the important position of agent of the Whitestone Worsted Mills. He was born at Providence, Rhode Island, August 5, 1883, and is a son of Howard F. and Mary (Grove) Wood, natives of Rhode Island.

Howard S. Wood received his education in his native city and upon completing the same entered upon an apprenticeship with the Riverside Worsted mills of Providence and after having mastered the details of the trade and of manufacture gradually rose in his line and subsequently became superintendent of the Concord mills at Concord Junction, Massachusetts. He then was employed in a similar capacity by the Excelsior mills at Farnumsville, Massachusetts. His next position was that of designer for the Wood mills at Lawrence, Massachusetts, and he subsequently held a similar position with the Puritan mills at Plymouth, Massachusetts. In January, 1915, he was called to Elmville, Connecticut, to accept the position of agent of the Whitestone Worsted mills and he has since held this responsible executive position. His former extensive experience, his natural ability and his executive qualities well fit him for the position and he has in large measure contributed toward the successful conduct of the mills. The Whitestone Worsted mills at Elmville employ about forty looms and they manu- facture worsted and woolen cloths for men's wear. The quality of their goods is high and their trade is of a representative character. Otis P. Wood, of Plymouth, Massa- chusetts, is president of the company, while the position of secretary is held by Arthur G. Bill, of Danielson, and that of agent, in charge of the mills, by Howard S. Wood. The mill is situated on Whitestone brook, in the town of Killingly, Connecticut.

Howard S. Wood was married on June 29, 1908, to Miss Leonora Moorhouse, of Providence, Rhode Island, the ceremony taking place in that city. Both are favorably known in Killingly for their admirable social qualities and have many friends in the town.

Politically Mr. Wood is a republican and has held no public office although he is interested in political issues and takes his part in promoting matters of public welfare as a private citizen. His religious faith is that of the Universalist church and frater- nally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Plymouth, Massachusetts, and also is a Mason, belonging to Moriah Lodge, F. & A. M .; Warren Chapter, R. A. M .; Montgomery Council, R. & S. M .; and Columbia Commandery, K. T.

Mr. Wood enjoys the full confidence of those with whom he comes in contact. He is well liked by the employes, is highly esteemed by his co-laborers and is thoroughly appreciated by the officers of his company. He has agreeable social qualities and has made many friends in Killingly since locating in this vicinity.

GEORGE ORLANDO BALCH.

George Orlando Balch, who is engaged in general merchandising in Warrenville, where he is also filling the position of postmaster, was born in Mansfield, Connecticut, September 26, 1855, his parents being Henry and Mary (Small) Balch. The father was born in Mansfield and acquired his education in the district schools of that locality. When a young man he worked as a farm hand for his father for several years and later purchased a farm in the town of Mansfield and carried on general agricultural pursuits and dairying on his own account. His wife was born in Cherryfield, Maine, and both have now passed away. Their family numbered two children, the younger

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being Rufus Conrad, who always lived at home and who passed away at the age of thirty-two years.

George O. Balch, spending his youthful days under the parental roof, acquired his education in the district schools of Mansfield, and in young manhood he worked on his father's farm to the age of twenty-seven years, when he took up his abode in Warrenville and secured employment in the general store of John A. Murphy, by whom he was employed for three years. He then purchased the business of Mr. Murphy and has since conducted the store with good success, carrying an attractive line of goods, while the reliability of his business methods insures to him a liberal and well deserved patronage. He served as postmaster of Warrenville from January 22, 1907, to December 8, 1913, when he was succeeded by his son, who is now postmaster.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 31

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