A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 33

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

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SAMUEL TAYLOR BUTTERWORTH.

Samuel Taylor Butterworth, agent for The Lawton Mills, Incorporated, at Plain- field, was born in Oldham, Lancashire, England, May 6, 1865, his parents being James and Elizabeth (Wood) Butterworth, who were likewise natives of Oldham. The father was a plumber and gas fitter who spent his entire life in the place of his nativity. His widow afterward came to America, bringing her son Samuel with her, and she is now living at Washington, Rhode Island.

Samuel T. Butterworth obtained his education in his native town, pursuing his stud- ies to the age of sixteen years, when in 1881, he came to the new world with his mother. His father had died when the son was a young lad and from an early age he has been dependent upon his own resources for a living. Arriving in America, he made his way to Sharon, Pennsylvania, and for two years worked in the coal mines there but in 1883 decided to abandon coal mining and took up cotton textile manufacturing, which he has since made his life work. In 1883 he came to Windham county, Connecticut, and secured employment in the Grosvenor Dale cotton mills at North Grosvenor Dale. He there worked in the spinning department for two years and then removed to Arctic, Rhode Island. Later he was located for a time at Manville, Rhode Island, and then in Ashton. that state, working in cotton mills in all three places. While at Ashton he was married and later he worked in the cotton mills at Quidnick, Rhode Island, but sub- sequently returned to Ashton and thence went to Centerville, Rhode Island, where he was employed in various departments of cotton mills. In 1890 he removed from Center- ville to Montreal, Canada, where he accepted a position in the office of the Merchants Manufacturing Company, owners of cotton mills. After serving for a time in the office he was made overseer in the mill and spent twelve years altogether in Montreal. In 1902 he became assistant superintendent of the cotton mills at Baltic, Connecticut, and in 1905 he was advanced to the position of superintendent and so continued to serve until July, 1911, when he resigned to accept the position of superintendent of The Lawton Mills of Plainfield. Thus he remained until the 1st of January, 1917, when he became agent for The Lawton Mills Corporation and has so continued to the present time.

It was on the 17th of May, 1888, at Quidnick, Rhode Island, that Mr. Butterworth was married to Miss Susanna Bradshaw, who was born in Oldham, Lancashire, England. She is a daughter of Samuel and Anna (Jones) Bradshaw, who were natives of Oldham, England, where her father was engaged in the spindle and fly manufacturing business. Mr. and Mrs. Butterworth have become the parents of one child, Florence May, who was born in Montreal, Canada. The parents guide their lives according to the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal church and in political belief Mr. Butterworth is a republican Fraternally he is well known as a Mason, belonging to Prince Consort Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Montreal; Warren Chapter, R. A. M., of Danielson, Connecticut; and Mont- gomery Council, R. & S. M., also of Danielson. He is likewise a member of the South- ern New England Cotton Manufacturers Association of Providence, Rhode Island, and

Samuel Butterworth

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he also belongs to the National Association of Cotton Manufacturers. In addition to his activity in the mills he is the vice president of the First National Bank of Plainfield. The greater part of his life, however, has been devoted to mill work and long experience has made him familiar with almost every phase of the business. By study at night he has educated himself and is now a man of broad vision, well informed, and at all times keeping himself conversant with leading questions and issues of the day. His concentra- tion upon the milling business has enabled him to work steadily upward in that con- nection. The first part of the mill was built in 1906 and was then about one-fourth of its present size. It is today a model textile mill, thoroughly modern in all of its appoint- ments. Under Mr. Butterworth's administration a new era of social welfare has come into the life of the mill and he now has supervision over many employes who are thoroughly satisfied with conditions. Those who occupy mill houses live under the best conditions. Several new houses have been built which are thoroughly modern in con- struction, equipment and conveniences. They were built under the supervision of Mr. Butterworth and are equipped with electric light, running water, bath and every modern facility that makes home pleasant. These houses are in a residential section. apart from the homes of the village of Plainfield, are well kept, are surrounded by at- tractive gardens and have about them an atmosphere of comfort, convenience and pleasure. Mr. Butterworth has also installed a modern hospital in a dwelling separate from the mill building. It is an institution of which any city might well be proud, furnishing the most modern appliances for the care of the mill hands and their families, two graduate nurses being regularly employed, while every facility of the twentieth cen- tury hospital is to be found therein. It has also been during the administration of Mr. Butterworth that the mill power boilers have been changed from coal to oil. He is constantly studying every feature of mill development and his labors have been most far-reaching and beneficial. He has long advocated a community club or center for the employes and as a result the board of directors of The Lawton Mills Corporation have erected a fine new building known as Lawton Hall, which is in the community center and on the property of the company. This is a regular club building with a swimming pool, bowling alleys, pool tables, card room and library; also class rooms to be used for instruction and domestic science classes. There is to be a tower on this building and in this tower are to be illuminated clocks with Westminster chimes. There will also be a bronze tablet placed in the entry of the hall. This is all done as a memorial to the late Harold Lawton, formerly manager and vice president of the company, who was the founder of this corporation and who did so much for this village. They have also built a modern inn which is named after Mr. Lawton-Lawton Inn. This is of stucco con- struction, contains a large number of rooms and is the only hotel ever built by a Connecticut milling firm for the housing of its employes. It has a large dining room and a lounging room for the men and a lounging room for the ladies. One of the nurses resides there and has excellent apartments. Mr. Butterworth is alert to everything that has to bear upon the development of the business and the welfare of employes. He believes that these things are inseparable and that the best results can only be obtained by the best possible care of those who work in the establishment. He believes that efficiency and fidelity are fostered in well developed bodies and well nurtured minds and that recreation as well as labor should form a part of every individual's life. He has worked along. most modern lines, therefore, in the further development of the milling interests of the Lawton company and stands as a high type of the modern employer, to whom financial success is only one phase of a business, believing that humanitarianism should also have a part in the management of such an establishment.

ALFRED BONNEVILLE.

Alfred Bonneville, a clothing merchant of Putnam, conducting a profitable and growing business, was born June 24, 1871, in Forestdale, Rhode Island, being a son of Anthony and Azilda (Disilets) Bonneville, who were of Canadian birth. The father came to the United States about 1869 and settled in Forestdale, Rhode Island. After a few years he made a short visit back to Canada but returned to the United States and took up his abode in Putnam, Connecticut, where for about twenty-five years he was connected with the Manhasset Company. He retired about a quarter of a century ago, after having long been identified with the business interests of his adopted city. He was married in Canada to Miss Azilda Disilets and their children were as follows: Alexina, who was born in Canada and is now Sister Norberta, a nun at Hartford, Connecticut; Amelia, who was born in Canada and is the wife of Edmond Bazinet, of Worcester, Massachusetts; one deceased; Alfred Aurise, who was born in Putnam, Connecticut; Eugene, who was also born in Putnam and is married and now resides in the town of

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his birth; Anna, who was born in Putnam and is the wife of Paul Archambault, of Worcester, Massachusetts; and Herman, who was born in Putnam and lives in Bridge- port, Connecticut. He married Nora Lucey, of Willimantic, Connecticut.

Alfred Bonneville was educated in the common schools of Putnam and in St. Cesaire College of Canada, where he pursued a commercial course. He then returned to Putnam and entered upon his business career in the insurance field. After a time he accepted a clerkship in the grocery store conducted by the Ponemah Company in Taftville. He afterward returned to Putnam as clerk in the clothing store of Simon Farley, with whom he remained for about eight years, and later he was connected with the Hulberts and also with the Seder Clothing Company, thus spending about ten years, five years with each. On the expiration of that period he opened a clothing store for himself in August, 1914, and has since successfully conducted the business. He has a large and well appointed store and carefully selected stock and his progres- sive business methods and enterprise are bringing to him merited success.

In Putnam, Connecticut, Mr. Bonneville was married to Miss Marie Louise Miour, a native of Canada and a daughter of John B. and Angelique (Rouiz) Miour. Their children are as follows: Leo, who was born in Putnam, Connecticut, March 2, 1894, and married Eva Rickey, by whom he has two children, Leo and Lillian; Arvellino, who was born in Putnam, November 10, 1896, and married Antoinette Desantels, by whom he has one child, Rene; Antonio, whose birth occurred in August, 1897; Claire, whose natal day was March 24, 1898; Bella, born July 3, 1901; Alfiere, born May 29, 1903; and Cecelia, whose birth occurred on the 25th of November, 1905.

In his political views Mr. Bonneville has always been a democrat since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has served as a city official, being tax collector of Putnam for four years. He was appointed selectman of the town of Putnam by the board of selectmen to fill out the unexpired term caused by the death of Joseph Lapalme. He is a Catholic in religious faith and a communicant of St. Mary's church, in which he has been one of the ushers for the past twelve years. He also belongs to St. John Baptist Society and to L'Union St. Jean Baptiste, and is keenly interested in all that has to do with the growth of the church and the extension of its influence. Practically his entire life has been passed in Putnam, where he has a wide acquaintance and where the sterling traits of his character have won for him the high regard of his friends and his business associates.

HON. CHARLES F. MARTIN.

Twenty-seven years have been added to the cycle of the centuries since the Hon. Charles F. Martin passed to the home beyond, but his memory is yet cherished by those who were his friends and neighbors in Elliott, for he was a man of genial disposition and kindly spirit who won the regard and esteem of those who knew him, while in business circles he made for himself a creditable position.

He was born in Brooklyn, Connecticut, March 3, 1857, a son of Jasper and Eme- line S. (Taylor) Martin. The father, also a native of Brooklyn, was born October 11, 1810, and for many years continued his residence at the place of his birth, where he became owner of an extensive farm which he successfully conducted and operated. In addition to tilling the soil he engaged quite extensively in buying grain and made that branch of his business a profitable one but later in life, through misplaced confidence, he lost nearly all that he had acquired. In 1873 he removed to Elliott, where he erected a building in which he opened the first store of the village. There he conducted a sub- stantial business for a number of years but some time prior to his death turned the business over to his son Charles. He was ever keenly interested in community affairs and his aid and influence were always given on the side of progress, reform and im- provement. He was a stalwart champion of the cause of public education and did much to further the interests of the schools. He also represented his district in the state legislature for one term. He was a consistent member of the Unitarian church and his entire life, upright and honorable, won for him the respect, confidence and goodwill of those with whom he was associated. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Emeline S. Taylor, was a daughter of Captain Havilah Taylor, a well known mason and contractor of Brooklyn. To Mr. and Mrs. Martin were born seven children. The death of the father occurred May 22, 1885, while the mother passed away at the age of ninety-one years.

Charles Fremont Martin, the youngest of their children, began his education in the common schools of Brooklyn and continued his studies in the high schools of Brooklyn and of Putnam, thus being well trained for life's practical and responsible duties. His business training was received in his father's store, where he soon became manager.

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At that time the trade of the store was at a low ebb. The goods were owned by Kirk Hammond and were being sold on commission. Mr. Martin resolutely set to work to bring about changes in this business condition and after a year and a half he was able to purchase the stock of Mr. Hammond, and from that time forward his business career was attended by a substantial measure of success. He added other lines of goods, transforming his establishment into a general store, and when the farmers were unable to pay in cash he took wood in payment and made arrangements whereby he sold this to the railroad company. His patronage had greatly increased and his business had become a prosperous undertaking when on the 24th of March, 1891, his life's labors were ended in death. The community had come to regard him as a representative mer- chant, as an alert, energetic and wide-awake business man, and his death therefore proved a loss to the village in which he lived.

On the 6th of April, 1882, Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Chappell Elliott, who was born in Thompson, Connecticut, November 3, 1849, her parents being Ira and Susan (Osgood) Elliott. Mrs. Martin proved herself to be possessed of splendid business ability and executive force. Only about two months after her hus- band's death, the store was destroyed by fire. With determined courage she at once erected a new building, which she restocked, but after a short time sold out the business, still, however, retaining the ownership of the property. She also engaged in dressmak- ing and provided a good income for herself and children. To Mr. and Mrs. Martin were born two daughters. Clara Elliott, who was born January 26, 1883, was graduated from the Central Falls high school in Rhode Island with the class of 1900 and afterward spent a year as a student in the State Normal School at Willimantic. She then took up the profession of teaching and she is now the wife of Clement Andrew Sharp, a son of C. A. Sharp and now engaged in the native lumber business in Pomfret. The younger daughter, Abbie Susanna, was born July 9, 1886, and is the wife of Henry N. Holbrook a resident farmer of Abington, and they have four children: Catharine, George, Charles and Mary. Mrs. Martin displayed splendid qualities and marked courage when her husband passed away, leaving to her the care of their two little daughters.

Mr. Martin had enjoyed the highest respect of all with whom he came in contact. He held membership in the Unitarian Society and he belonged also to the Royal Arcanum, to the Knights of Pythias lodge at Putnam and to the Masonic lodge in South Woodstock. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he was called upon to fill various local offices, including that of postmaster of Elliott, in which position his father had previously served. He frequently acted as grand juror and as a member of the board of relief, and in 1887 he was called upon to care for the interests of the town of Pomfret in the state legislature, being the youngest member ever sent to the general assembly from the town of Pomfret at that time. His military record covered service from 1876 until 1881 in Company F of the Third Regiment of the Connecticut National Guard. He easily won warm friends whose high regard he ever retained by reason of his upright life. He was always faithful to the ties of friendship and he counted no personal effort or sacrifice on his part too great if it would promote the welfare and hap- piness of his wife and children.

WILLIAM A. BUCK.

William A. Buck, one of the prosperous merchants of Willimantic, is at the head of a business enterprise which has grown by leaps and bounds under his able management. The firm was established in 1883 by E. A. Buck, father of our subject, who passed away May 13, 1905, at which time there were two employes and one team to carry on the business. That William A. Buck is successful in commercial affairs is evident from the fact that he now employs eight clerks and uses two auto trucks and four horses in order to carry on the trade. The firm occupies a four story building and a lot fifty by one hundred feet and their floor space is twenty thousand square feet. They handle flour, grain, feed, oil and fertilizer and their trade connections are very extensive, for their reputation for honest dealing has spread far and wide and year by year the firm has gained new customers.

William A. Buck was born in Westford, Connecticut, June 22, 1866, and there passed his youthful days. He received his early education in the grammar schools and subse- quently attended high school, there preparing himself for the serious duties of active life. Upon laying aside his textbooks he engaged in work for his father, entering the business of which he is now the head in 1885. Ever since that year, or for a period of nearly a third of a century, he has been connected with the establishment. His methods are progressive and yet he preserves that conservatism of judgment which has won him the confidence of his customers. He adheres to the strictest principles of, commer-

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cial honesty and all of his business affairs have been above board. His force of character and energy and his managerial ability have had much to do with the continuous growth of the E. A. Buck Company.

On November 16, 1892, Mr. Buck was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Phillips and they are the parents of four living children, all of whom received, or are now receiv- ing an excellent education. Lucy K. received her preliminary education in the grammar schools, subsequently attended high school and finished her studies in Wellesley Col- lege. Elizabeth H .. the second of the family. also studied in the grammar and high schools and later rounded out her education in the Cushing Ladies' Seminary. Philip Edwin has passed through grammar and high school, while John T., the youngest of the family, is still in school. There was another son, Philip, who has passed away.

William A. Buck is a democrat and follows this party in voting upon national issues, yet preserves a great deal of independence as far as local political affairs are concerned, taking in consideration the qualifications of each candidate for the office to which he aspires and the usefulness of each measure proposed, in regard to the general benefit, and irrespective of. by which party it was originated. Although he is numbered among the substantial citizens of his community he has not devoted all of his time to the advancement of personal prosperity but has cooperated to a large extent in the pro- motion of public measures tending toward the benefit of his community. He is a promi- nent member of the Chamber of Commerce and in this connection has done much toward building up the trade importance of Willimantic, devising with others new channels by which the commercial activity of his city may be promoted. His religion is that of the Congregational church and he takes an active part in its work as he gives his sup- port to all measures which are intended to contribute to the moral and intellectual advancement of his community.

FREDERICK CORTLAND MOULTON.

Frederick Cortland Moulton, who for twenty-two years has been agent at Wil- limantic for the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, is a native of the city in which he still makes his home, his birth having occurred on the 25th of July, 1857. His parents were John and Eunice (Dean) Moulton, and while spending his youthful days under the parental roof he mastered the branches of learning taught in the district schools, while later he had the benefit of three years' study in the high school. He started upon his business career as a clerk in a store and in December, 1875, became connected with railroad interests, entering the service of the Central Vermont Railway Company, now the New York, New Haven & Hartford. He was employed in the freight station until the two roads were consolidated and for one winter he was not connected with railway susiness but clerked for the Lincoln & Boss Lumber Company, this being in the winter of 1887-8. In the spring, however, he returned to the railroad company and in 1896 was made agent at Willimantic, which position he has con- tinuously filled, covering almost a quarter of a century. He has made a courteous, obliging, efficient and faithful representative of the road in this connection, which fact finds indisputable proof in his long retention in the position.

Mr. Moulton has never married. He has one brother and one sister living, Hender- son S. and E. Adelle, the latter living at home. The brother has for years been superintendent of the water works at Willimantic. Politically Mr. Moulton is a democrat and gives stalwart support to the party at the polls but is not an office seeker. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Royal Arcanum, while his religious faith is manifest by his attendence at the Congregational church. He is widely and favorably known in the city in which his entire life has been spent and his record is as an open book which all may read

ALBERT E. GAY.

Although he has passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, Albert E. Gay is yet an active factor in business circles, being now a general merchant of Attawaugan. He was born at Pineville, in the town of Killingly, Windham county, January 29, 1847. He pursued his education in the little red schoolhouse that was just above the old settlement known as Daniels Village, in the town of Killingly, and as a young man he learned to make shoes, taking the material home and there making the shoes, as was the custom in those days. Later he removed across the boundary into Rhode Island and was engaged in the sawmill business, being thus employed at the time

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of the outbreak of the Civil war. Responding to the country's call for troops to aid in the preservation of the Union, he enlisted as a member of Troop C of the First Rhode Island Volunteer Cavalry, with which he served until honorably discharged at Relay House, Maryland, in August, 1865. When the war was over and the country no longer needed his military aid Mr. Gay returned to Gloucester, Rhode Island, and continued to work at the sawmill business there until 1881, when he again became a resident of the town of Killingly, Windham county. He was employed in the sawmill of Sabin Sayles for many years and then embarked in business on his own account in 1903 by opening a small general store at his residence near Attawaugan, where he has since remained. In 1891 he bought the property where his store is located and in 1894 he built the residence and the store building. A few years ago his store was destroyed by fire and he suffered quite a financial loss, but with renewed energy and spirit he rebuilt and has continued in the business, enjoying now a good trade.

Mr. Gay was united in marriage at Gloucester, Rhode Island, to Miss Nellie Shippee and they had a daughter, Grace, who is the wife of Samuel Chase, of Pascoag, Rhode Island. The wife and mother is deceased.

In politics Mr. Gay is an earnest republican and, while never an office seeker, he has served as grand juror. He became an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to Marvin Waite Post, G. A. R., of Dayville, Connecticut, of which he once served as commander. When the membership of this post had become so deci- mated by death that the organization could not be maintained he transferred his mem- bership to A. G. Warner Post, G. A. R., of Putnam. He proudly wears the little bronze button that proclaims him a veteran of the Civil war and at all times he has displayed the same loyalty and spirit that caused him to follow the starry flag on the battlefields of the south.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 33

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