A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 37

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

USA > Connecticut > Windham County > A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II > Part 37

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

FRANK NEWELL MAY.

Capability and fidelity are well illustrated in the career of Frank Newell May, whose connection with the Fabyan Woolen Company dates from 1910, throughout which period he has represented the company as master mechanic. A native of Woodstock, Connecticut, he was born July 20, 1868, his parents being Carlo and Sarah (Child) May, who were also natives of Woodstock. The father, having attended the district schools at the place of his nativity, continued his education in the Woodstock Academy and afterward followed the profession of teaching for several years. Later he took over a portion of his father's farm, erected a residence thereon and devoted his atten- tion to general farming and dairying throughout his remaining days. Yet he did not give up his work as an educator and was long regarded as one of the ablest and most efficient teachers of singing in his section of the state. He was not always connected with public schools as a teacher but while farming he likewise conducted singing schools in different towns of eastern Connecticut for a number of years. He passed away February 25, 1895, at the age of sixty-five years, while the death of his wife occurred November 15, 1904. Their family numbered four children: Lillie, who died at the age

1198

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

of twelve, March 27, 1868; Ezra, who follows farming in East Woodstock, Connecticut; Mary L., the deceased wife of William R. Barber of Putnam, Connecticut; and Frank Newell.

The last named, after acquiring his education in the public schools of Woodstock, Connecticut, and in the Woodstock Academy, turned his attention to agricultural interest, which he followed for a time. Later, however, he learned the carpenter's trade and con- tinued to work along that line for several years in the employ of others. Eventually he took up contracting and building on his own account and engaged in the business for fifteen years. Later he learned the machinist's trade, which he followed for five years as master mechanic for the Intervale Mills Corporation and then took a position with the Fabyan Woolen Company as master mechanic and since 1910 has been continu- ously with the business in that connection, having entire charge of the mechanical work of the plant.

Mr. May was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Moore, a daughter of Frank and Annie (May) Moore. They have become parents of three children: Laura L., the wife of Rudolfe Miller, an automobile machinist at Newark, New Jersey; Gladys and Mary, at home.

Mr. May votes with the republican party, of which he has been an advocate since attaining his majority, but he has no time nor inclination to fill public office. He has long been connected with industrial pursuits in this part of the state and his thorough- ness and efficiency have brought him to the responsible position which he is now filling.

JUDGE SABIN SAYLES RUSSELL.

Judge Sabin Sayles Russell, who since his admission to the bar of Windham county on the 21st of January, 1908, has engaged in the practice of law in Danielson, where he is accorded a liberal clientage, was born in Dayville, in the town of Killingly, Connecti- cut, October 23, 1883, a son of Charles Addison and Ella Frances (Sayles) Russell.

The ancestral line is one of long connection with America and her interests. The lineage comes down from William and Martha Russell, who were early residents of that part of Cambridge, Massachusetts, which became Menotomy. William Russell died Feb- ruary 14, 1661, while his wife passed away about 1694 and in the meantime had twice married again. Their son, Jason Russell, born November 14, 1658, was married March 27, 1684, to Mary, daughter of James Hubbard, or Hobart. They lived in Menotomy, where Jason Russell served as selectman from 1707 until 1712. He died about 1736, while his wife's death occurred May 14, 1738. Their son, Hubbard (or Hobart) Rus- sell, was born May 20, 1687, and on the 9th of May, 1710, wedded Elizabeth Dickson. His death occurred June 4, 1726. He was the father of Jason Russell, who was born January 25, 1716-17, and who on the 28th of January, 1739-40, married Elizabeth Win- ship. A contemporary writer has said of him: "He was killed by the British on their retreat from Lexington, April 9, 1775, aged fifty-eight years. He was buried in the ancient burying-ground, and with praiseworthy liberality and patriotism the citizens of Arlington have erected a handsome granite monument to mark the resting place of this early martyr of American liberty and his slaughtered companions." His widow died August 11, 1786, aged sixty-five years. Their family included Hubbard Russell, who was born March 25, 1749, and in 1772 removed to Mason, New Hampshire, where he spent his remaining days, passing away November 6, 1836. In 1774 he had married Sarah Warren, of Weston. They were the parents of Moses Russell, who was born December 2, 1793, in Mason, New Hampshire, and who on the 27th of May, 1819, married Betsey Dunster, who was born April 20, 1801, and was a descendant in the sixth generation of Henry Dunster, a native of England, who came to the new world in 1640, and was the first president of Harvard College. From him the line of descent is traced down through Jason, Jason, Henry and Iona Dunster to Betsey Dunster, who became the wife of Moses Russell. In 1842, Moses Russell removed from Mason, New Hampshire, to a farm in what is now Greenville. He had a family of four children, including Isaiah Dunster Russell, who was born August 1, 1820, in Mason, New Hampshire, and was married April 7, 1845, to Nancy Maria Wentworth, who was born September 27, 1825, a descendant of Elder William Wentworth, who according to records was living in Exeter, New Hamp- shire, July 4, 1639. In 1843 Isaiah Russell embarked in business at Worcester, Massa- chusetts, as a dealer in hardware and tinware and became one of the leading and pros- perous merchants of that place. In 1841 he united with the Mason City Center Congre- gational church and at Worcester became a member of the Union church. To him and his wife were born but two children.

The son, Charles Addison Russell, father of Sabin S. Russell, was born in Worces- ter, Massachusetts, March 2, 1852, and there acquired a public school education, while

1199

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

later he prepared for college under the direction of Rev. Harris R. Green, after which he entered Yale, where he not only displayed aptitude in his studies but became socially very popular by reason of his enthusiasm in college sports and his genial disposition. He was graduated in 1873 and entered the field of journalism, being city editor of the Worcester Press for many years prior to 1878. He was afterward connected with the Worcester Spy out later turned his attention to manufacturing at Dayville, Connecti- cut, becoming treasurer of the Sabin L. Sayles Company, owners of large woolen mills. He was likewise very prominent in the public life of the community. In 1881 Governor Bigelow appointed him aide-de-camp on his staff and his popularity continued in official circles. In 1883 he was chosen to represent Killingly in the general assembly and was made chairman of the committee on cities and boroughs. He became a prominent debat- ing member of the house and was connected with much constructive legislation. In 1885 he was chosen for a two years' term to the office of secretary of state, being elected on the republican ticket, and in 1886 he became republican candidate for congress in the third district and won the election. He served for eight terms in congress, making a most creditable record by his stalwart championship of measures designed for the public good. In fact, his entire public career reflected credit and honor upon the people and the state that honored him. In 1880 Charles A. Russell was married to Miss Ella Frances Sayles, a daughter of Hon. Sabin L. Sayles, of Killingly, Connecticut, and she is now living in Danielson. They had but two children, Sabin S. and Deborah.

Sabin S. Russell, whose name introduces this review, acquired his education in the public schools of Dayville, in the Worcester Academy, the Hopkins grammar school of New Haven and in Yale University. His college days were devoted to the study of law and he completed his course by graduation with the class of 1907. On the 21st of January, 1908, he successfully passed the required examination that admitted him to practice at the Windham county bar and he at once entered upon active practice in Danielson, where he has since remained. He enjoys a liberal clientage and he prepares his cases with great thoroughness and care, so that he is well qualified to handle his cause when he enters the court room. He is logical in argument, clear in reasoning and at all times resourceful and he is seldom, if ever, at fault in the application of a legal principle.

On the 3d of June, 1914, Mr. Russell was united in marriage to Miss Alice P. Fish, of Danielson, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, a daughter of Charles P. and Fannie (Parkes) Fish. The father was born in Mystic, Connecticut, and for many years was connected with Butler Brothers of New York city. He has now passed away, while his widow is still residing in Mystic. Mr. and Mrs. Russell have one child.

In religious faith they are connected with the Congregational church and fra- ternally Mr. Russell is identified with Quinebaug Lodge, I. O. O. F .; and with Moriah Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a past master. He has advanced through various degrees of Masonry, being now connected with Warren Chapter, R. A. M .; Montgomery Council, R. & S. M .; Columbia Commandery, K. T .; and Sphinx Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He also is a member of John Lyon Lodge, No. 45, K. P., and at all times is loyal to the teachings of these organizations, which are based upon a recognition of the brother- hood of mankind and the obligations thereby imposed. Mr. Russell has always been a stalwart champion of republican principles and, like his father, has been honored with various offices. He was elected assistant clerk of the house of representatives of Connecticut by the state legislature in 1909, became clerk in 1911 and again in 1913, and in 1915 was chosen clerk of the senate. In 1917 he was made clerk of bills in the state legislature. In 1914 he was elected judge of probate in the town of Killingly to fill out the unexpired term of Judge Getty, was reelected to the position in 1915 and again in 1917, so that he is still serving in that position, in which he has made a most creditable record. He is yet a young man who has not reached the zenith of his powers and from past indications his future record will be well worth the watching, as it will undoubtedly contain many points of general interest by reason of his professional ability and his commendable ambition.

BENJAMIN INGALLS TAFT.

Benjamin Ingalls Taft, of Attawaugan, master mechanic at the mills of the Atta- waugan Company, was born in Smithfield, Rhode Island, June 30, 1850, a son of Lyman Arnold and Delotia Ann (Sweet) Taft. The father was born in Amboy, New Jersey. and in childhood accompanied his parents on their removal to Smithfield. Rhode Island, where he was reared and educated. He became a machinist in the Georgiaville cotton mills near Smithfield and afterward was made master mechanic of those mills, while later he was appointed to the superintendency of the Lymansville cotton mills at Ly.

1200

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

mansville, Rhode Island, which position he filled until his retirement from active busi- ness life. He then removed to Ballouville, Connecticut, where he passed away in 1877. His wife, who was born in North Providence, Rhode Island, also departed this life at Ballouville.

Benjamin Ingalls Taft spent his youthful days in Georgiaville and Smithfield, Rhode Island, pursuing his education in the public schools of both places, while later he attended the private school known as the Ginks-Mowry school, which was located on Sky High Hill in North Providence. As a young man he started upon his business career as an employe in the spinning room of the cotton mills at Georgiaville, but after a brief period he gave up that position to learn the machinist's trade and served an ap- prenticeship in the machine shop of Vonley W. Mason at Providence, Rhode Island. This was a manufacturing machine shop, making friction pulleys, etc., and he continued therewith for many years after he had completed his apprenticeship, doing job work for the establishment. In 1880 he entered the employ of the Attawaugan Company as a machinist at the Ballouville mills and there continued for ten years, when in 1890 he was transferred to the Attawaugan mills of the company as master mechanic and has since continued in this position of trust and responsibility. He has been continu- ously employed by the company since 1880 and no higher testimonial of efficient service and increasing powers could be given. He is undoubtedly one of the oldest employes of the company at the mills and one of the most trusted and respected.

On the 2d of March, 1871, at North Scituate, Rhode Island, Mr. Taft was married to Miss Ellen Maria Newman, who was born in Georgiaville, Rhode Island. She is a daughter of Noah and Maria Newman and by her marriage became the mother of eight children five of whom are living: Gertrude, born in Providence, Rhode Island, is now the widow of Arthur Baker, and has three children: Harold, a member of the United States navy; Cecil; and Lillian. Ethel, born in Ballouville, is the wife of Frank Beattie, of Providence, Rhode Island, and has a daughter, Alice. Mattie, born in Ballouville, is the wife of Percy Tourtellott, engineer of the North Grosvenordale cotton mills. Ruth, born in Ballouville, is the wife of Charles Miller, of Webster, Massachusetts, and they have three children: Charles, Lyman and Howard. Lyman Arnold, born in Ballouville, is engineer at the Grosvenordale cotton mills and married Edith Wicks, their children being two in number, Wealthy and Benjamin.

Mr. Taft belongs to the Attawaugan Methodist Episcopal church and has ever guided his life according to its teachings. His political allegiance is given to the repub- lican party and he served on the school committee at Ballouville, when the old system required a committee for each district, before the town school committee system was adopted. Mr. Taft is a man of very kindly spirit whose circle of friends is equal to the circle of his acquaintance and all who know him speak of him in terms of the warmest regard.

GEORGE ASAHEL HAMMOND.

George Asahel Hammond, whose career has been an active, useful and honorable one, has for many years been prominently identified with silk manufacturing in Put- nam and has done much for its material development and its upbuilding along many other lines. Mr. Hammond is a native of Hampton, Windham county, Connecticut, born on the 26th of May, 1841, and is a son of George Robinson and Sarah Elizabeth (Bottum) Hammond. He is descended from one of the oldest of the colonial families of New England, the ancestral line being traced back to Thomas Hammond, who was baptized in Melford, Suffolk, England, on the 2d of September, 1603. Ere leaving his native country he was married November 12, 1623, to Elizabeth Casou, who was born before 1604. Thomas Hammond came to America about 1635, settling first at Hingham, Massachusetts, but afterward removed to Cambridge about 1650. His son, Thomas Hammond, was born in England in 1630 and died at Newton, Massachusetts, October 20, 1678. He was married on the 17th of December, 1662, to Elizabeth Steadman, who passed away in 1715. Their son, Isaac Hammond, was born in Newton, December 20, 1668, and his life record covered the intervening years to January 1, 1715. His wife, Ann Kenrick, whom he wedded December 7, 1692, was born July 3, 1672, and died in 1719. They were the parents of Josiah Hammond, who on the 1st of October, 1723, wedded Mary Davis, who was born in 1701 and died September 13, 1778. Soon after his marriage he removed to Woodstock, becoming the founder of the family in Wind- ham county. He passed away in Woodstock, Connecticut, October 5, 1793. His son, Hezekiah Hammond, the direct ancestor of George A. Hammond in the fifth generation, was born November 4, 1733, in Hampton, Connecticut, and died in the same town on the 9th of December, 1813. His marriage to Lucy Griffin was celebrated November 15,

1203

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

1758. She was born September 17, 1737, in Hampton, and there passed away August 20, 1824. Hezekiah Hammond was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, responding to the Lexington alarm of 1775 and serving with the rank of corporal. His son, Colonel Asahel Hammond, was born May 10, 1778, in Hampton, and died in Brooklyn, Connecticut, November 13, 1861. His title was won by service in the state militia, with which he was long identified. He was a director of the Windham County Bank and was pres- ident of the Windham County Fire Insurance Company. On the 9th of December, 1801, he wedded Betsey Robinson, who was born January 9, 1779, and died May 25, 1865. They were the parents of George Robinson Hammond, whose birth occurred May 28, 1814, on a farm in Hampton, and who engaged extensively in farming, stock raising and dairying, and also taught school for five years. He, too, served in the state militia with the rank of captain and he filled various civic offices and was a repre- sentative of his town in the state legislature of 1867. His entire life was dominated by his Christian faith, his membership being in the Congregational church, in which he served as deacon for many years. He voted with the whig party until its dissolution, when he joined the ranks of the new republican party and continued one of its sup- porters until his death on the 16th of January, 1892. On the 30th of March, 1840, he married Miss Sarah Elizabeth Bottum, daughter of Joshua and Phoebe A. Bottum, of Mansfield, Connecticut. They became the parents of eight children, of whom two are yet living.

The elder son, George Asahel Hammond, pursued his education in the public and high schools of Hampton and at the same time aided with the work of the home farm. Later he became a student in Williston Seminary, where he developed exceptional skill in penmanship and became an assistant tutor. He later engaged in teaching for a period of five years, spending three years as a teacher in Hampton and the remaining time in Canterbury and Abington. Soon after he had attained his majority a call was made for Hampton to furnish nine men for service in the Union army. Mr. Hammond, spurning any offer of a bounty, at once responded and his example was followed by eight others, thus preventing a draft in Hampton. He enrolled as a private on the 6th of September, 1862, and became a member of Company G, Twenty-sixth Con- necticut Volunteer Infantry. He was promoted to orderly sergeant of his company, and following the death of his captain in the assault on Port Hudson, Louisiana, May 27, 1863, he was acting lieutenant, with which rank he served until mustered out at the end of his nine months' term of enlistment, on the 17th of August, 1863. He after- ward sent a substitute for three years' service in the war and gave his attention to business. After a year devoted to teaching he went to Mansfield, Connecticut, and took up the business of silk manufacturing, with which he became thoroughly familiar in the mill of his uncle, Charles L. Bottum. He made it his purpose to thoroughly ac- quaint himself with every phase of the business and after eight years' connection there- with he was admitted to the firm, as was his cousin, Charles C. Knowlton, who had been previously in business in Boston. In 1878 Mr. Hammond withdrew from active connection with the Mansfield business and on the 1st of that year established a silk manufactory in Putnam, his partners in the undertaking being George M. Morse, who became a special partner, and Mr. Knowlton, who became an active partner. They or- ganized under the firm style of Hammond, Knowlton & Company and opened a mill on the west side of the river. Success attended the new undertaking and after three years Mr. Morse sold his interest to his partners and in 1885 a removal was made to the Harris mill, to which large additions were made in 1892, more than doubling the pro- ductive capacity. The company has always maintained the highest standards in the excellence of the product and all of the sewing machines operated on the grounds of the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago in 1893 used silk supplied exclusively by Hammond, Knowlton & Company, the firm receiving a medal for producing the best machine twist and sewing silk. Mr. Hammond felt the greatest pride in making the output of the house standard in every particular and was determined that no silk man- ufacturing establishment should surpass his own in the quality of goods placed upon the market. The house soon gained a well merited reputation and its trade steadily increased. Mr. Hammond has always been most deeply interested in the welfare and progress of Putnam and cooperated in many movements which have led to its ma- terial development. He was one of the first champions of the establishment of electric light and water systems, and electric lights were installed in his home and factory be- fore they were established in any other buildings of Putnam. For several years he was the president of the Putnam Electric Light & Power Company and he was also a prime mover in the organization of the Putnam Foundry & Machine Corporation, serv- ing as a member of its board of directors for five years. He has also been president of the Putnam Box Company and the Hampton Silk Company. He was also instrumental in the formation of the Putnam Business Men's Association, of which he served for some time as president.

Vol. II-17

1204

HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

Mr. Hammond has always been a republican in his political views yet has not been bitterly aggressive nor unduly partisan. He has ever recognized the duties and obligations as well as the privileges of citizenship and has been ready to aid in move- ments for the general good or to fill public offices if his fellow townsmen desired his services in that direction. He has done effective work as an official in connection with the schools of his town and in 1876 he was elected to represent Mansfield in the gen- eral assembly at Hartford, where he was made a member of several important com- mittees, including that on school funds. In 1885 and 1886 Putnam elected him as its representative to the general assembly, where he was made chairman of the com- mittee on manufactures and a member of the railroads committee. In the previous year he had introduced a bill authorizing the organization of the Putnam Water Com- pany, which was passed by the house. He gave thoughtful and earnest consideration to all questions which came up for settlement, stanchly supporting any measure which he believed would prove of benefit to the commonwealth and as stanchly opposed any bill that he had reason to feel was detrimental to the best interests of the community. He was chosen as a member of the state central committee of he republican party in 1888 and continued to serve through ten successive years, exercising marked in- fluence in its councils. In 1893 he was made a commissioner to the World's Columbian Exposition. In 1896 he was chosen a member of the electoral college which made William Mckinley president of the United States, and he was a delegate to the national republican convention in Philadelphia which renominated Major McKinley for the highest executive office in the land. In 1900 he was a delegate to the Philadelphia convention of his party and nominated Theodore Roosevelt for vice president. He was again a delegate in Chicago in 1904, and in 1908 and in 1912. In the meantime, in 1905, he was made a member of the house of representatives in the state legislature and served on the committees on railroads and education. He was likewise chairman of the committee on capitol, furniture and grounds, before which committee came bills aggregating between two and three million dollars. In 1911 he was elected to the state senate and was chairman of the finance committee and education. He has ever been most deeply interested in the cause of public education and for fifteen years was chair- man of the school committee, while for more than thirty years he was a member of the school board. For two years he served as a member of the executive committee of the Home Market Club of Boston and thus formed the acquaintance of many of the brightest minds of New England. Mr. Hammond joined Israel Putnam Lodge, 33, I. O. O. F., as one of its charter members, served as treasurer for a number of years and was the first member honored with that office. He belongs as well to Putnam Lodge, No. 18, A. O. U. W., and to Putnam Council, No. 340, of the Royal Arcanum. In Masonry, too, he has attained high rank and is now affiliated with Quinebaug Lodge, No. 106, A. F. & A. M .; Putnam Chapter, No. 41, R. A. M .; Columbia Commandery, No. 4, K. T., of Norwich; and Sphinx Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Hartford. He has also been identified for many years with A. G. Warner Post, No. 54, G. A. R., of which he is a past commander, and through his association with that organization he keeps in close touch with his old army comrades. One of the most salient features of his entire career has been his fidelity to duty, and his course has ever measured up to the highest standards of manhood and citizenship.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 37

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