A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 34

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

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FLOYD CRANSKA.

The history of Moosup would be incomplete and unsatisfactory were there failure to make prominent reference to Floyd Cranska, whose life's labors were brought to an end on the 3d of February, 1920, but whose career was one of signal usefulness and benefit to his city and state. A native of Thompson, Connecticut, he was born Septem- ber 16, 1849, being a son of James Cranska, a native of Portland, Maine, who in his boyhood removed to Providence, Rhode Island, and afterward became a resident of Thompson, Connecticut, where he established a shoe business that he conducted success- fully for nearly thirty years. For two decades he filled the position of station agent at Grosvenor Dale and was likewise the postmaster at that place, thus contributing in substantial measure to the activities of his community and the support of all interests for the public good. He was united in marriage to Miss Asenath Randall, whose father, Calvin Randall, was the manager and proprietor of mills in the eastern part of Thomp- son. To Mr. and Mrs. Cranska were born five sons and three daughters.

At the usual age Floyd Cranska, one of this family, began attending the public schools of the town and his thorough educational training well qualified him for life's practical and responsible duties. Following the removal of the family to Grosvenor Dale he became assistant station agent and assistant postmaster of that village and a little later he was offered the position of head clerk and paymaster in the mills of the Grosvenor Dale Manufacturing Company. He accepted the proffered position and entered upon a period of ten years' service with the company, his long connection there- with plainly indicating his capability and fidelity. In January, 1880, he established business on his own account by the purchase of the cotton mill at Moosup that had formerly been known as the Gladding mill. He then turned his attention to the manu- facture of cotton yarns for the weaving trade and as the years passed developed a busi- ness of gratifying and substantial proportions. The original mill had been erected in 1832 by Joseph S. Gladding for the manufacture of cotton cloth and was a three-story structure, one hundred by forty-two feet in dimensions. Successive changes in owner- ship made it the property of James B. Ames, Hale & Miller and David Harris before it passed into possession of Mr. Cranska, who with characteristic progressiveness made great improvements in the mill and installed machinery for the manufacture of fine thread yarns of the highest grade. So excellent was the quality of the output that a large demand was created for the yarns there made and the steady growth of the trade led to the erection of a stone addition to the mill in 1886, this being one hundred and twelve by forty-two feet and three stories in height, so that the capacity of the plant was thereby doubled. Even yet this was inadequate and in 1907 a second addition, one hundred and eighty-three by forty feet, was built, followed by a third addition of equal size in 1916. As the years passed Mr. Cranska always introduced the latest improved

Floyd Granska

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

machinery obtainable and his mill was thoroughly modern in every particular, un- surpassed in its equipment throughout New England. At the time of his demise the mill contained twenty-two thousand spindles and employment was given to one hun- dred and sixty operatives. Nor were the efforts of Mr. Cranska confined entirely to this establishment, for in July, 1899, he opened a thread finishing plant in Worcester, Massachusetts, under the name of the Cranska Thread Company, and to the latter plant the entire product of the Moosup mill was sent for finishing. The capacity of the new plant was so great that yarns were purchased from other spinners for finishing in the mill and the product then distributed to the trade. With the reorganization of the business the Moosup plant came under the control of the Floyd Cranska Company and Mr. Cranska remained as treasurer and supervisor of both the Moosup and the Worcester companies, while his son Lucius acted as president thereof and his son-in-law, T. J. Seaton, became superintendent of the Moosup mill. It would be to give an impartial view of the life and activities of Mr. Cranska if one did not speak of the feeling that ever existed between him and his employes. A most cordial relation was ever mani- fest and Mr. Cranska always felt the keenest interest in the welfare of those in his employ. He was always willing to pay a living wage and the operatives in the mill recognized the fact that faithful and capable service on their part meant promotion as opportunity offered. Aside from his milling interests Mr. Cranska was a director of the Danielson Trust Company and trustee of the Brooklyn Savings Bank, and his active business and banking interests brought him into prominent connection with financial affairs in Windham county.

On the 3d of October, 1877, Mr. Cranska was united in marriage to Miss Evelyn C. Briggs, a daughter of Lucius Briggs, who at that time was agent of the Grosvenor Dale Manufacturing Company. Mrs. Cranska passed away on the 26th of March, 1900, and was survived for almost twenty years by her husband, who at his death left the fol- Jowing children: Annie, now the wife of Rev. William A. Hill, educational secretary of the Northern Baptist Convention; Lucius, who had been closely associated with his father in the conduct of the two milling companies; Harriet, the wife of T. J. Seaton, of Moosup; and Evelyn, at home. In the family circle Mr. Cranska was a devoted hus- band and father and found his greatest happiness in providing for the welfare and interests of his wife and children.

In his political views always a stanch republican, Mr. Cranska took the deepest interest in matters of general concern and did everything in his power to promote the public welfare yet never sought or desired office. However, he was called upon to represent his district in the state legislature and gave the most thoughtful and earnest consideration to the vital questions which came up for settlement during his service in the general assembly, serving upon the appropriations committee and being house chairman of the finance committee. He was also chosen one of the state presidential electors, casting a ballot in the electoral college for Roosevelt and Fairbanks. For many years he was a most loyal and faithful attendant of the Moosup Baptist church, of which he served as treasurer and was also clerk of the ecclesiastical society. He was likewise chairman of the district school committee for a number of years and was keenly interested in the cause of education while the cause of temperance found in him a stalwart champion. In a word his aid and influence were ever on the side of right, reform and progress, of improvement and the public welfare, and thus through an active and useful life he left the impress of his individuality and ability upon the material, social, intellectual and moral development of the county in which he lived.

JOSEPH DWIGHT CHAFFEE.

The silk manufacturing industry has long been one of the chief sources of business enterprises and commercial progress and prosperity in Connecticut. Active in this line is Joseph Dwight Chaffee, of the Chaffee Manufacturing Company, in which connection he has built up a business of substantial proportions. Throughout his entire life he has been connected with silk manufacturing interests and there is no phase of the business with which he is not thoroughly familiar and of which he does not have expert knowl- edge.

He was born in Mansfield, Connecticut, August 9, 1846, and is a son of Orwell S. and Lucinia A. (Conant) Chaffee, both of whom have been called to their final rest. The Chaffees are an old Massachusetts family, but Joseph D. Chaffee, of this review, has spent the greater part of his life in Connecticut. He acquired his education in the public schools of Mansfield and of South Windham and, during the period of his school days, spent the vacation months in farm work. When sixteen years of age he went to Boston,

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

where he engaged in clerking for a year, but in 1863 he returned to Mansfield and became associated with his father in a silk mill. He was a silk operator until 1890 and in 1891 the present business of which he is now the head was established. The father had pur- chased this business, however, in 1884. Today the manufacturing plant contains twenty thousand square feet of floor space and there are one hundred operatives in the silk mill. The company manufactures high grade silk and the output is sold throughout the country. The house has always maintained a high standard by the excellence of its product and its reliable business methods, and Mr. Chaffee is largely regarded as an authority upon the complex questions of silk manufacturing among his colleagues and contemporaries in the business in New England.

On the 12th of September, 1867, at Mansfield Center, Mr. Chaffee was united in mar- riage to Miss Martha W. Armstrong, who passed away January 17, 1912. They were the parents of three children. Arthur D., the eldest, a resident of Middletown, Con- necticut, married Abbie Risley and they have become parents of four children: Ruth Risley; Marion and Dwight, twins; and Barbara. Gertrude Armstrong, the second of the family, is the wife of Charles Thayer, of Putnam, Connecticut, and they have three children: Allen, Harry C. and Martha. Charles Howard, the youngest, is yet in school.

Mr. Chaffee is a member of the Congregational church and guides his life accord- ing to its teachings. In politics he is a republican and represented his district, the old twenty-fourth, in the house of representatives and in the state senate of Connecticut but otherwise would never accept public office. As a legislator he proved faithful, far- sighted and sagacious, and at all times manifested a public-spirited devotion to the general good, carefully considering the vital questions which came up for settlement and lending the weight of his aid and influence to those measures which he believed would advance the interests of the commonw >Ith. It is as a business man, however, that he is best known, having long ranked with the leading silk manufacturers of cen- tral Connecticut.

HON. IRA D. BATES.

Loyal and patriotic service during the Civil war, progressiveness, enterprise and reliability in his business career and marked devotion to the welfare of the state during his service in both branches of the general assembly made Ira D. Bates a man whom to know was to esteem and honor, and when death called him the occasion was one of deep regret throughout the community in which he had lived and wherever he was known throughout the state.

Ira D. Bates was born in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, December 25, 1843, being the eldest of the children of Peter and Mary (Lamson) Bates. The ancestral line is traced back through several generations to Laban Bates, who was one of the leading and influ- ential residents of Bellingham, Norfolk county, Massachusetts, his prominence being indicated by the fact that for twenty-seven consecutive years he represented his town in the state legislature and did much to shape the statutes of the state. He was also a man of considerable wealth, his business affairs being wisely and carefully conducted. Peter Bates, the father of Ira D. Bates, was born at Bellingham, Norfolk county, Massa- chusetts, and afterward became a resident of Blackstone, that state. There he was reared as a farm boy and after reaching manhood took up the occupation of farming as a life work. Later, however, he became connected with manufacturing interests as a partner of his brother, Albert Bates, at New Ipswich, New Hampshire, to which place he removed, concentrating his attention upon the manufacture of cotton goods. He operated successfully in that field for a number of years and later removed to Uxbridge, Massachusetts, while subsequently he became a resident of Milford, where his last days were passed, his remains being interred in the Pine Hill cemetery at Uxbridge, Massa- chusetts. His life was ever an upright and honorable one, guided by his belief as a member of the Universalist church. In politics he was an earnest republican. At New Epswich, New Hampshire, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Lamson, daughter of Joseph and Mary Lamson, and the eldest of their children was Ira D. of this review. The mother reached a very advanced age, passing away in 1915 at Southbridge, Massachusetts.

Ira D. Bates attended the public schools of Mendon, Massachusetts, and later con- tinued his studies in Uxbridge Academy. In his boyhood days he was keenly interested in the discussion of conditions which preceded the Civil war and it was a matter of the deepest regret that he was not yet of military age when the country became involved in that long and bitter conflict between the north and the south. However, in August of that year he succeeded in enlisting in the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry as a musician of Company B and with that command went to the front. Nine months

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

later he was made principal musician and served throughout four years with his regi- ment, being mustered out at Charlotte, North Carolina. He was on duty in some of the most hotly contested battles of the war, his command taking part in some of the hardest fighting that led up eventually to the victory which ultimately crowned the Union arms.

Before going to the front Mr. Bates had served a short apprenticeship at the shoe trade and resumed work along that line at Blackstone, Massachusetts, following his return to the north. Two years later he went to North Grosvenor Dale, where he obtained a clerkship in the general store of Edward F. Thompson. Later he spent three years in the employ of the firm of Williams & Arnold at Grosvenor Dale and in 1871 he removed to New Boston, where for three years he was manager of the store of G. T. Murdock & Son. He afterward conducted business on his own account at Holden, Massachusetts, as proprietor of a general store for three years, and for two years he was engaged in a similar business at Millbury. In 1880 he removed to New Boston and opened a general store which he conducted for an extended period, becoming one of the leading merchants and most progressive business men of the village. He also filled the position of assistant postmaster and in many ways he contributed to the develop- ment and upbuilding of the district in which he lived.

On the 9th of January, 1865, Mr. Bates was united in marriage to Miss Abbie M. Whittemore, of Uxbridge, Massachusetts, who passed away July 25, 1892, leaving two children, while two others had died in infancy. The surviving members of the family are: Gertrude M., the wife of Eugene D. Ide, of Southbridge, Massachusetts; and Irma Kendall, the wife of Burton Murdock, also of Webster. On the 4th of January, 1897, Mr. Bates wedded Lydia A. Chaffee, a lady of many admirable traits of heart and mind. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bates figured prominently in the social life of the community. He was a prominent member of A. G. Warner Post, G. A. R., of Putnam, and he became a charter member of Cornerstone Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of North Grosvenor Dale. When the centennial celebration of Putnam Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Woodstock, was held in December, 1901, Mr. Bates composed a poem which at the request of the lodge was placed in its archives and which is not only of high literary merit but shows the in- tensely religious spirit of the writer. It reads as follows:

Grand Master of Heaven, we bow low before Thee, Great ruler of earth, the sea and the land, We thank Thee and praise Thee, as we bend to adore Thee, And acknowledge all mercies that come from Thy hand, Thou rulest in secret, but Thy justice is given Impartial and equal, Grand Master of Heaven.

Grand Master of Heaven, supreme and eternal, Thy chastening hand is softened with love, Waft us a blessing from regions supernal, Thy guidance bestowing as onward we move. May the boon of Thy grace in our hearts be the leaven, That shall bind us together, Grand Master of Heaven.

Grand Master of Heaven, be Thine all the glory, Our guide and our shield is Thine all-seeing eye, Thy word is the light that revealeth the story, The seal and the sign of the clan's mystery. Help us to keep them to eternity, even, Help us to keep them, Grand Master of Heaven.

Grand Master of Heaven, be our compass and level, Spread the mortar of love with the trowel of peace, Make us act on the square, and keep us from evil, And bid all our inward dissensions to cease; Though we err yet again, may we still be forgiven, For mercy is Thine, Grand Master of Heaven.

Grand Master of Heaven! Oh, help us to cherish The memory of those who have passed on before, That the work of the faithful never shall perish, But like the Rock of the Ages endure evermore; Thou knowest the goal for which they have striven! And justice is Thine, Grand Master of Heaven!

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

Mr. Bates was ever actuated by the highest ideals in all the relations of life. In political office, where so many are prone to step from the path of rectitude, he served his town and state most faithfully, ever regarding a public office as a public trust, and it is well known that no public trust was ever neglected by him in the slightest degree. He served as one of the selectmen of his town, also as tax collector and assessor for a number of years and for more than two decades was justice of the peace. In 1887 the republican party made him its nominee for the state legislature and he was elected to the house of representatives, while the following year he was returned to the general assembly as a member of the senate and did important committee work in that connec- tion. His life at all times measured up to the highest standards of American manhood, patriotism and chivalry. His career was ever an inspiration to his associates and his memory remains as a benediction to those who knew him. He died at Fabyan (New Boston ) Connecticut, August 5, 1912.

CHARLES EDWIN BARBER.

Charles Edwin Barber, who for fourteen years prior to his death filled the office of county commissioner of Windham county and was one of the most valued and sub- stantial citizens of his section of the state, was born at Exeter, Rhode Island, April 14, 1848, a son of George and Hannah (Merris) Barber. In his youthful days Charles E. Barber was a pupil in the public schools of his native town and at the age of ten removed with his mother to Central Village, in Windham county, where he completed his educa- tion. He made his initial step in the business world as an employe in the mills of the village and afterward learned the trade of a tinsmith, devoting three years to his apprenticeship, which covered the period from 1868 until 1871. He later entered the employ of the Central Hardware Store at Central Village, there continuing from 1871 until 1880, when he purchased the business from Mr. Dean and was thereafter proprietor of the store for a period of thirty-two years. His name is thus inseparably interwoven with the commercial development of Central Village, where he conducted a most attrac- tive store, carrying a large line of shelf and heavy hardware, while his business methods measured up to the highest commercial ethics.

On the 11th of June, 1889, at Plainfield, Connecticut, Mr. Barber was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Tiffany, who survives him and still makes her home in Central Village. Mr. Barber attended the Congregational church although not a member. He lived an upright and honorable life, in harmony with the teachings and principles of the Masonic fraternity, of which he was long an exemplary representative. He had mem- bership in Moosup Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Warren Chapter, R. A. M .; Montgomery Council, R. & S. M .; Columbia Commandery, K. T., of Norwich, Connecticut, and in Sphinx Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Hartford. He also belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and to Adelphia Club of Central Village. He was very prominent in politics as an influential member of the republican party and in 1894 was a candidate for repre- sentative to the legislature and received the largest vote given to any candidate for that office from the town of Plainfield-a fact indicative of his marked personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by the public. At the time of his death, which occurred June 4, 1913, he was serving for the fourth term as county commissioner of Windham county, in which office he had been an incumbent for fourteen years. His duties were discharged with marked faithfulness and capability, and all who knew him attested his genuine worth and spoke of him in terms of high regard. His life measured up to advanced standards of manhood and citizenship, and his memory is cherished by all who knew him.

HON. JAMES NELSON TUCKER. 1

Hon. James Nelson Tucker, a valued citizen of Windham county, has been identified with the development, upbuilding and progress of this section of the state in many ways. For a long period he has followed farming but this has been only one phase of his activ- ity. He has been called upon to fill various positions of honor and trust, the duties of which he has discharged with marked capability, promptness and fidelity. He has also figured in newspaper circles and aside from this has written largely for publication. Mr. Tucker was born at East Killingly, in Windham county, Connecticut, October 8, 1848, a son of George Ambrose and Betsey (Young) Tucker. The father was born on the old Tucker homestead in East Killingly, January 20, 1823, the farm being situated about one mile east of the village. He was a son of Elisha and Huldah (Brown)

Charles & Barber

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

Tucker and the former was a son of Richard Tucker, who was born in Gloucester, Rhode Island, in 1732. He devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits and in 1781 he bought the farm in the eastern part of the town of Killingly, east of the village of East Killingly and just over the state line from Gloucester and Foster, Rhode Island. To this place he removed his family, being the first of the Tuckers to locate in the town of Killingly, where he continued to carry on general agricultural pursuits throughout his remaining days, his death occurring in 1805. His son, Elisha Tucker, was born in Gloucester, Rhode Island, on the 1st of May, 1777, and was a little lad of but four years when taken by his parents to the old Tucker farm in East Killingly. He, too, continued upon that place until called to his final rest, his death occurring September 12, 1849. In early manhood he wedded Huldah Brown, who was born at Foster, Rhode Island, in 1790 and died at East Killingly on the 8th of July, 1856. They were the parents of George A. Tucker, who was born on the old homestead in East Killingly, January 20, 1823, and there he followed farming in young manhood. In 1855, however, he sold the farm and removed to the village, purchasing from Waldo Bartlett the old Reuben Bartlett grist and saw mill, which was the next mill above the site of the mill of the Interna- tional Cotton Company on the Whetstone brook. He operated this mill for about eight years and then disposed of the property. For a few years thereafter he engaged in making shoes at home, as was the custom in that day, taking the work from the factory and doing it at his place of residence. In April, 1866, he bought the present Tucker farm-a small tract of land located on the outskirts of the village of East Killingly. This is the present home of Judge James Nelson Tucker. The father retired in later life from active business and spent the residue of his days on the farm in the enjoyment of a well earned rest, passing away June 20, 1904. His wife, who was born in the Mashentuck district of the town of East Killingly, January 23, 1824, died in East Kil- lingly, November 1, 1909.

James Nelson Tucker, who was born on the old homestead farm, was educated in the town schools and after his textbooks were put aside he concentrated his efforts and attention upon farm work in connection with his father. He had previously worked with him in the grist and saw mill in the village of East Killingly. In 1897 he was appointed to the office of deputy judge of the town court of the town of Killingly and continued to serve in that connection until October 8, 1918, when, having reached the age of seventy years, he was retired from the bench by operation of the state law, which provides that a man of seventy shall be retired from judicial office. Mr. Tucker had served the town of Killingly for twenty years as tax assessor and as a member of the board of relief. He is now a member of the town school board. Still higher political honors, however, were accorded him. In 1881 he was elected to the state legislature, of which he was a member in 1882, serving on the committee on cities and boroughs. He was again elected to the general assembly of Connecticut in 1890 and was in the famous deadlock legislature of 1892. During his second term's service he was on the railroads committee. He gave thoughtful and earnest consideration to all vital questions and problems coming up for settlement and his support of a measure indicated his firm belief in its efficacy as a factor in good government and the welfare of the state. In 1915, at the request of the stockholders of the Windham County Transcript, a weekly newspaper published at Danielson, he became editor thereof and so continued for two years, during which time the circulation of the paper greatly increased and the Tran- script became well known for the high tone of its editorial writing.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 34

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