A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 43

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

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On the 2d of July, 1900, at St. John, New Brunswick, Mr. Boys was married to Miss Elizabeth Isabelle Waring, a daughter of George H. and Mary Jane Waring. The father was born at St. Helens, near Liverpool, England, while the mother is a native of Scotland. Their sons are still residents of St. John, New Brunswick, where they are consulting engineers. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Boys was one of the best known marine engineers in his part of the world. He died at Goodyear, Connecticut, while on a visit to Mr. and Mrs. Boys, but his wife is still living in St. John. To Mr. and Mrs. Boys have been born seven sons: George Waring, who was born in Wil- liamstown, Massachusetts, and is a graduate of the Killingly high school; Robert Billington, whose birth occurred in Williamstown, Massachusetts; Melvin Gladstone, who was born at New Market, New Hampshire; John Willis and Ernest Morley, also natives of New Market, New Hampshire; and Richard Carleton and Ralph Welcome, who were born at Goodyear, Connecticut.

Mr. Boys gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is a member of the school board of the town of Killingly and has been deeply and helpfully inter- ested in many affairs of public concern. He belongs to the Goodyear United church and is well known in Masonic circles as a member of St. John Lodge of New Brunswick, in which he has served as junior warden; Composite Chapter, R. A. M., of North Adams, Massachusetts; St. Paul's Commandery, K. T., of North Adams, Massachusetts; and Pittsfield Council, R. & S. M., of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He is likewise connected with New Brunswick Lodge, K. P., of St. John, New Brunswick. He belongs to the Southern New England Cotton Manufacturers Club of Providence, Rhode Island, and he is the president of the New Bedford ( Mass.) Textile Associates Club, having filled the presi- dency for eleven years. He has established a factory council at the Goodyear Mills, con- sisting of himself, the representative of the financial department of the company, the two assistant superintendents of the mill and all of the overseers of the mill. This council holds regular meetings and Mr. Boys is serving as its president. They repre- sent all the departments of the mill and all problems of labor, employes, mill operation, etc., are here discussed. The factory council brings closer cooperation of all the employes and the mill has been remarkably free from strikes, labor trouble, etc., owing to its efforts. He has likewise been the president of the Goodyear Social Club for eleven years, or since it was organized, and he is greatly interested in the welfare of his

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employes and has done much to improve the living conditions of all of the people who work in the Goodyear mills. With great daring and enterprise he has entirely changed the living conditions of the mill hands; has laid out and built a new village near the mill, known as Goodyear Heights, the town being developed along lines of modern city building, with well laid out streets, splendidly lighted, and supplied with every modern sanitary condition. Here the Goodyear Company, under the direction of Mr. Boys, has built eighty-four new and modern houses for the employes, supplied with every modern convenience and equipment, including bathrooms, with hot and cold running water in other parts of the house as well. The main thoroughfare of this village has been called Boys Avenue. In the lower village there are one hundred and four houses for the mill hands, which were already in existence when the Goodyear Company took over the mill and the village. These, too, are the property of the company, which has de- veloped every phase of business and interest in the town. Mr. Boys occupies a beau- tiful residence in the village and is devoted to the interests of his home and the mills. He is actuated by a most progressive spirit not only in methods of manufacture but also in the treatment accorded the mill hands, and fairness and justice characterize the policy of the company. Starting out to provide for his own support when a lad of but nine years, Mr. Boys has steadily worked his way upward and each forward step has brought him a broader outlook and wider opportunities. He possesses sound judg- ment which precludes the possibility of unwarranted risk or failure, into which un- restricted progressiveness is so frequently led. He readily discriminates between the essential and the non-essential, possesses character and ability that inspire confidence in others and by the simple weight of his character and ability has come into important business relations.

HENRY HERBERT OATLEY, SR.

Henry Herbert Oatley, Sr., who throughout his entire life has been identified with the textile industry of East Killingly and is now master mechanic of the Aseptic Prod- ucts Company, was born January 17, 1851, in that part of the present town of Putnam which at the time of his birth was a part of the town of Killingly. His ancestors through several generations have been residents of New England. His paternal grand- parents were Jonathan and Amy (Champlain) Oatley. The former was born at South Kingston, Rhode Island, in 1792 and became a minister of the Baptist church. In 1835 he removed to East Killingly to accept the pastorate of the Baptist church which is now known as the Union Baptist church, and when not occupied with his churchly duties he worked at the stone mason's trade, thus becoming active in the industrial as well as the moral development of the community. He died in East Killingly in 1872, while his wife, who was born in South Kingston, Rhode Island, passed away in East Killingly before the death of her husband. Their son, Benedict Oatley, was born in South Kings- ton, Rhode Island, July 3, 1825, and was a lad of ten years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to East Killingly, where he spent his remaining days save for a period of a few years passed in Gloucester, Rhode Island. He was a stone mason by trade and in following that pursuit provided for his family. He wedded Caroline Mow- rey, who was born at Foster, Rhode Island, May 24, 1825, and still makes her home at East Killingly at the advanced age of more than ninety-four years.

Henry Herbert Oatley, Sr., was educated in the town schools of Killingly, now Putnam, and when his textbooks were put aside he became identified with manufac- turing interests. He has always given his attention to work in connection with the textile industry and in young manhood he was employed in the manufacturing end of the mills, while later he took up the trade of machinist, engineer and power man. He has since devoted his attention to activities of this character and is now master mechanic at the mill of the Aseptic Products Company of East Killingly. Formerly he for many years served as master mechanic at the Ross cotton mills of East Killingly. He has manifested the utmost efficiency in his work and his thoroughness and capa- bility have brought him to positions of responsibility and trust.

On the 19th of April, 1876, Mr. Oatley was united in marriage at East Killingly to Miss Ella Saunders, who was born at Gloucester, Rhode Island, and is a daughter of Joseph A. and Ruth ( Adams) Saunders. Mr. and Mrs. Oatley have two children: Henry Herbert, Jr., who is mentioned elsewhere in this work; and Edith Folsom, the wife of John H. Phillips, master mechanic with the Providence and Danielson Electric Rail- road and now a resident of North Scituate, Rhode Island.

Mr. Oatley has been identified with all the movements for the general improvement of his town and locality. He has served as register of voters and as justice of the peace and is looked upon as a thoroughly reliable and progressive citizen who enjoys

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the high regard of his fellow townsmen and in every way merits their good opinion. Thoroughness has characterized his record whether in business or in official life and his capability stands as an unquestioned fact in the lines to which he has devoted his attention.

HENRY HERBERT OATLEY, JR.

Henry Herbert Oatley, Jr., is the agent for the Aseptic Products Company and general manager of the mill and business at East Killingly, where he was born May 24, 1878. He is a son of Henry Herbert Oatley, Sr., who is mentioned above, and he is a representative of the fourth generation of the family living at East Killingly. His education was acquired in the public schools of his native village and as a boy he secured employment at the Ross mills, while later he was given charge of the cloth room at that plant. He afterward took up the study of engineering, power, etc., and was made the engineer of the Ross mills, continuing to fill that position after the mills were purchased by A. G. Bishop. At a subsequent period he became mechanic with the firm of M. H. Markus & Brother when it took over and began the operation of the White- stone mill of East Killingly, a plant devoted to the manufacture of stair pads. Mr. Oatley was afterward advanced to the position of superintendent of this mill and con- tinued to serve in that capacity for two and a half years. In 1911 he became identified with the International Cotton Manufacturing Company of East Killingly and was superintendent of the mill, which in March, 1918, was taken over by the Aseptic Prod- ucts Company, Mr. Oatley being retained in the superintendency and also made agent of the company. Theirs is one of the oldest mills on the Whetstone brook, from which it obtains its water power, used in operating its machinery. Owing to the fact that it was operated for so long a period as the International Cotton Mill, it still retains the name of the International Mill. The International Manufacturing Company was owned by the American Drug Syndicate, being one of the many manufacturing plants of the syndicate utilized in the manufacture of druggists' sundries. The International Mill manufac- tured absorbent cotton, bandages, gauze and medical packs, taking the raw cotton and turning out the above mentioned articles ready for the doctor to use, having been thor- oughly sterilized and boxed ready for the market. The mill is now operated by both steam and water power and furnishes employment to about sixty operatives. In March, 1918, the Aseptic Products Company, which is also owned by the American Drug Syndi- cate, took over the business and property of the International Manufacturing Company at East Killingly and the mill is now owned and conducted by them. The same line of manufactured goods is maintained and the output measures up to the highest standards of manufactured articles of this character. While the mill is operated largely by water power, it also has a steam plant to use in case the stream gets low. The water power is also used for generating electricity for light and for the operation of electric motors.

On the 22d of June, 1897, at East Killingly, Mr. Oatley was married to Miss Ellie Lucretia Shippee, who was born and has always resided at East Killingly, her parents, James Allen and Lucretia (Chase) Shippee, being also natives of East Killingly, where her father followed farming and where both resided until called to their final rest. Mr. and Mrs. Oatley have two children, Ina May and Allen Henry.

In politics Mr. Oatley is a democrat but has never sought or desired political prefer- ment, giving his attention entirely to his home and business interests.

ARTHUR PLEEMAN DORMAN.

The record of successful achievement on the part of Arthur Pleeman Dorman is one of which any man might well be proud, for he arrived in Boston with a cash capital of but seven cents and in the intervening period has worked his way steadily upward until he is now conducting a profitable business as proprietor of the Gem theater of Willimantic. He was born in Woolville, Nova Scotia, October 20, 1860, a son of Daniel and Mary (Benjamin) Dorman, who are also natives of Nova Scotia, where the father followed the occupation of farming until 1876, when he removed to Boston, Massachu- setts, where he has since been foreman of a large sales and livery stable.

Arthur P. Dorman acquired a common school education at Gasbrow Mountain in Nova Scotia and at thirteen years of age began providing for his own support by work- ing as a laborer in a ditch on the streets in Woolville. He was thus employed at odd jobs until he reached the age of sixteen, when he made his way to Boston, where he arrived with a capital of but seven cents. His financial condition rendered it imperative

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that he obtain immediate employment. For a time he engaged in freight handling, and worked in the Fitchburg freight yards but later entered the barn of a Boston cab com- pany, having charge of ninety head of horses, while for several years he also drove a cab in Boston. Later he turned his attention to the cafe business, owning the Palm Garden on Weybossett street in Providence, and on the 19th of April, 1909, he arrived in Willimantic, Connecticut, where he purchased a moving picture house on Bank street. In September, 1912, he erected his present building on Main street, where he conducts a most popular moving picture theater. His place has a seating capacity of nine hun- dred and the theater is equipped with all of the latest improved machinery in connec- tion with picture reproduction on the screen. The best pictures of the leading film manufacturers are secured and the house is proving most attractive to the general public, as indicated by the liberal patronage accorded. Aside from his theater interests Mr. Dorman is a stockholder in the Willimantic Development Company and also in the Industrial Company of Willimantic.

Mr. Dorman has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Ida Congdon, of Boston, who died in 1899, and later he married Alice Dufrane, of Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Every civic interest which tends to make conditions better in Willimantic has met with the strong support and enthusiastic approval of Mr. Dorman. He is generous in his gifts to churches, to the Young Men's Christian Association and charities and is ever ready to extend a helping hand to an individual in need of aid. He is public-spirited in a marked degree and his has been the record of an active and useful life. He is identi- fied with the Loyal Order of Moose. His benevolent spirit prompts him to put forth effective effort to ameliorate the hard conditions of life for the unfortunate, and all who know him speak of him as a man of many admirable qualities whom the experiences of life have not dwarfed nor stunted but on the contrary have led to the development of those characteristics which all men esteem as of worth and value in the world's work.

EDWARD FRANCIS CASEY.

Edward Francis Casey, who has engaged in merchandising in Willimantic since 1881 and is now conducting one of the well appointed furniture and house furnishing stores of the city, was born in Monson, Massachusetts, September 28, 1850, a son of James and Mary Casey. The father was employed for more than twenty years in the satinet mills, a fact which indicates his marked efficiency and fidelity and is an indica- tion as well of the trust reposed in him by the employers whom he represented. His life was characterized by marked devotion to his family, for he counted no personal effort or sacrifice on his part too great if it would enhance the welfare and promote the happiness of his wife and children. He was very desirous that his children should have excellent educational advantages and the sons and daughters of the household were given every opportunity which he could afford in that connection. His entire career commanded for him the confidence and respect of those who knew him and his children cherish his memory, realizing how much he did for them and their interests.

Edward F. Casey attended the public schools until he reached the age of eleven years, when he started out to provide for his own support. He worked for a year in the satinet mill, where they made cloth for the soldiers of '61, and his duty was to dot cloth by hand. He afterward spent another year in school, for his father realized the worth and value of education, and he freely embraced the opportunity for again resuming his studies. At the end of a year, however, he returned to the mill, and in 1867 he came to Willimantic, where he learned the carpenter's trade, beginning work along that line when sixteen years of age. He thoroughly acquainted himself with the trade and after working for others for a time began contracting in 1871. He was thus engaged until 1876, when he took over an undertaking business, and the logical step from that point was his entrance into the furniture trade in 1881. He has since extended the scope of his activities until he now sells everything in the line of furniture, stoves and house furnishings. He carries a large and well selected stock and his enterprise and honor- able business methods have won for him a patronage that is most gratifying and de- sirable.

Mr. Casey has been married twice. He first wedded Katharine Sullivan, sister of the contractor J. O. Sullivan, but she died in 1886, leaving one child, Eugene, who passed away in infancy. For his second wife Mr. Casey chose Anne Drudy, whom he wedded on the 29th of November, 1890. They have two children: Arthur E. Stanislaus, who was born in 1891, was graduated from the Temple University of Philadelphia with the M. D. degree and is now a physician connected with the General Hospital of Phila- delphia; and Elcia Eugena, who is a graduate of a normal school and is now assisting

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in her father's store. The son received a commission in the United States Medical Corps, dated November 9, 1911.

Mr. and Mrs. Casey are members of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church and he has membership with the Knights of Columbus and was its second grand knight. He also belongs to St. Vincent's Society, of which he is treasurer. In politics he is an inde- pendent democrat and has served as tax collector and assessor. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished in a business way. He is truly a self-made man, for, starting out on his own responsibility when a little lad of eleven years, he has steadily worked his way upward by persistent purpose, by indefatigable energy and by straightforward dealing until he is now one of the leading merchants of Willimantic, honored and respected by all who know him.

ELBERT LINWOOD DARBIE.

The life record of Elbert Linwood Darbie stands in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is never without honor save in his own country, for in the city of Daniel- son, in which he resides and in which he was born, Mr. Darbie has made for himself a most creditable place as a member of the bar. He possesses a mind naturally analytical, logical and inductive, and the thoroughness with which he prepares his cases and the strength with which he presents his cause have won for him a large, well deserved and enviable clientage.

His birth occurred in Danielson, December 31, 1882, and he is a descendant of one of the old Connecticut families. His paternal grandparents were David P. and Rebekah F. (Law) Darbie. The former was born in Brooklyn, Connecticut, and was a mill man. His wife, however, was born in Gloucester, Rhode Island. Charles Leonard Darbie, father of Elbert L. Darbie, was born in Danielson, Connecticut, December 9, 1846, and early took up the painter's trade, which he has always followed. He still makes his home in Danielson, where for many years he has occupied a prominent position in busi- ness circles. He married Honoria Morris, whose birth occurred in Pomfret, Connecticut, February 5, 1849, her parents being John and Bridget Morris. Her father was a native of Nottinghamshire, England, while his wife was born at Castlebar, in Connaught, Ire- land. On coming to America they settled in Pomfret, Connecticut, and after the out- break of the Civil war John Morris, loyal to the welfare of his adopted country, enlisted for active service in the Union army as a member of Company F of the Eleventh Con- necticut Volunteer Infantry. He enrolled at Pomfret and went to the front, laying down his life on the altar of liberty, for he was killed in the battle of Cold Harbor. His son, Joseph K. Morris, also enlisted at Pomfret and was killed in the battle of Peters- burg, Virginia, so that the family was called upon to make great sacrifice for their adopted land.

Elbert Linwood Darbie, spending his youthful days in his native city, mastered the branches of learning taught in its public and high schools and started out in the business world in a humble capactiy by driving the bread wagon for F. E. Wilson, a baker of Danielson. He was ambitious, however, and utilized every opportunity for advancement. He early realized, too, that industry wins and he made industry, therefore, the beacon light of his life. In 1899 he secured employment in the Quinebaug Cotton Mills of Dan- ielson and for five years worked in the cloth room, but desirous of entering upon a pro- fessional career, he made arrangements for the study of law in the offices and under the direction of Harry E. Back of Danielson, who became his instructor on the 17th of Sep- tember, 1906. After devoting every possible moment to the reading of law Mr. Darbie had sufficiently mastered the principles of jurisprudence to win admission to the bar on the 15th of January, 1913, successfully passing the required examination before Judge William S. Case at Hartford, Connecticut. He then entered upon practice in the office of his former preceptor, with whom he remained for two years, and on the 1st of Jan- uary, 1915, having demonstrated his power, ability and resourcefulness, he was admitted to a partnership by Mr. Back under the firm style of Back & Darbie. This partnership was dissolved November 30, 1918, and Mr. Darbie has since been alone in practice. He enjoys a very liberal clientage which connects him with much of the most important litigation heard in the courts of this section of the state.

Mr. Darbie is a republican who gives intelligent support to the party and its prin- ciples, for he has made a close study of the questions and issues of the day. He has taken an active part in advancing republican successes, serving as chairman of the republican town committee since 1914. In October, 1909, he was elected to the position of tax collector and was reelected to that office in October, 1910. In April, 1915, he was elected burgess of the borough of Danielson and served until April 8, 1918, and in all of these different offices has been efficient, faithful and thoroughly reliable. He was chair-

ELBERT L. DARBIE

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man of the police committee of burgesses and as such had supervision over the police department. Mr. Darbie's religious faith is indicated in his membership in St. Albans Episcopal church and he is serving as clerk of the parish. Fraternally. he is well known as a prominent Mason. He belongs to Moriah Lodge, No. 15, A. F. & A. M., of which he is a past master; and he also holds membership in Warren Chapter, No. 12, R. A. M., of which he is past high priest. He has likewise been grand master of the First Veil in the grand chapter of Royal Arch Masons in Connecticut and now serves as master of the Second Veil; and he belongs to Montgomery Council, No. 2, R. & S. M., in which he has served as thrice illustrious master; to Columbian Commandery, No. 4, K. T .; to the Scottish Rite Consistory in Norwich, Connecticut, and to Sphinx Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Hartford. He is thus thoroughly familiar with all branches of Masonry and is most loyal to the teachings of the order. He likewise belongs to Putnam Lodge, No. 574, B. P. O. E., of Putnam, Connecticut; to Quinebaug Lodge, No. 34, I. O. O. F .; and to Sedgwick Camp of the Sons of Veterans of Norwich, Connecticut. In club circles, too, he is well known, having membership in the Bohemian Club of Danielson and the City Club of Hartford.

His military record is likewise an interesting one. On the 19th of August, 1901, he enlisted as a member of Company F, Third Regiment of the Connecticut National Guard, from which he was honorably discharged February 27, 1902, when the company dis- banded. Its place was then taken by Company M of the Third Regiment of the Con- necticut National Guard and Mr. Darbie enlisted in the latter organization on the 15th of October, 1903. He was promoted to the rank of corporal, advanced to the rank of first sergeant and on the 7th of August, 1906, became second lieutenant of Company M of the Third Regiment, which was reorganized as the Thirteenth Company of the Coast Artillery Corps on the 14th of December, 1907. Mr. Darbie was made a first lientenant of this company December 18, 1907, and was advanced to the rank of captain on the 1st of December, 1909, after which he commanded the company until December 1, 1916, when he was transferred to the Connecticut National Guard Reserve Corps and is now on the reserve list as captain.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 43

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