USA > Connecticut > Windham County > A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II > Part 53
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Simeon Danielson was educated in the district schools of Killingly, in the West Killingly Academy and in the New Britain Normal School. Before entering the latter institution, however, he taught school for a year in Sterling, Connecticut, and also for a year in Putnam. After completing his normal school course he engaged in teach- ing in Plainfield, Putnam and Chestnut Hill, now East Killingly. Later he became a teacher in Brooklyn Center, Connecticut, and afterward followed his profession for five years in Williamsville, now Goodyear, Connecticut. He was also a teacher in the schools of Woodstock, Dayville and Danielson and devoted altogether twelve years to the work of the schoolroom. In the early '70s he retired from teaching and took up his abode on the old Danielson homestead in Killingly in that section of the town known as between the rivers, where he successfully conducted the farm and was also actively interested in dairying to some extent. He was thus engaged until
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1909, when he removed to Danielson, where he lived retired until called to his final rest.
In Lansing, Michigan, on the 15th of March, 1883, Mr. Danielson was married to Mary Christine Harris, who was born in New York, a daughter of John S. and Celestia E. (Whitney) Harris. Mrs. Danielson survives her husband and occupies an attractive home on Main street in Danielson. There are also two living children: Adah Amelia, born in Danielson, September 3, 1884, and now teacher of science in the Danielson high school; and Florence Harris, who was born in Danielson, June 4, 1886, and was a teacher for a time but is now the wife of Dr. Joseph S. Davis, formerly of Pennsylvania and at present an instructor in Harvard University.
In his political views Simeon Danielson was a republican but never an office seeker. He became a charter member of the Killingly Grange, belonged to the Pomona, Quinebaug, State and National Grange Associations and served at different periods as master, overseer, lecturer and steward. He was a member of the Westfield Con- gregational church and in 1902 was elected a deacon. His life ever conformed to the highest standards that were maintained by the family from the time of the earliest settlement in Connecticut. In business he was thoroughly reliable as well as pro- gressive and in the educational field he made an excellent record, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. He stood for all those forces which make for the uplift of the individual and the betterment of the com- munity at large, and he left to his family a memory which is both an inspiration and a benediction.
RALPH MARION SHOALES.
Ralph Marion Shoales is the proprietor of the largest and best equipped confec- tionery establishment in Danielson, conducted under the name of the Keep Smiling Candy Kitchen. He is a most alert, wide-awake and progressive young business man and has already attained a position in commercial circles that many a man of twice his years might well envy. He was born in Wauregan, in the town of Plainfield, Connecticut, January 4, 1900, a son of Louis E. and Eva (Hutchins) Shoales. The father was a son of Albert E. and Mary Shoales, the former for many years a prominent farmer and business man of the town of Plainfield who is now living retired, occupy- ing a small farm in Wauregan. His sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Louis E. Shoales was born in Central Village, Connecticut, and acquired a district school education. In young manhood he worked for his father upon the farm and later went to Providence, Rhode Island, where he was employed as a machinist for several years. Subsequently he took up his abode at Danielson, where he began work at the painter's trade, which he has since followed, becoming an active representative of industrial interests of his adopted city. Mr. and Mrs. Louis E. Shoales have had a family of three children: Ralph Marion; Bernice E., who died in infancy; and Ruth Pauline, at home. The mother was born in Killingly, Connecticut, and is a daughter of Marion and Emeline Hutchins, also natives of Killingly, so that in both the paternal and maternal lines Ralph M. Shoales of this review is descended from early New England families.
In his youthful days Ralph M. Shoales was a. pupil in the public schools of Wauregan and of Providence, Rhode Island, where he pursued his studies for two years. Later he went to Danielson, where he completed his public school education in the work of the grades and then entered the Killingly high school at Danielson, from which he was graduated in 1917. His high standing and his popularity among his fellow students are indicated in the fact that he was president of his class. Mr. Shoales has ever been a very ambitious and energetic young man. When he was a lad of but ten years he was employed by Edwin McRoy to sell confectionery in the Orpheum Theatre and in 1911 he bought out his employer in this undertaking and catered to the theatre trade for seven years. While thus engaged his ambition to become proprietor of a confectionery store was aroused and he bent every energy toward ultimately accomplishing this purpose. While still in the theatre he also worked in the drug store of A. P. Woodward as soda clerk when his time was not claimed by his school and his business at the theatre. He afterward purchased a store on Woodward's corner, where he conducted a small confectionery business, start- ing out in this way in 1915. Eager to develop his interests, in 1919 he purchased the largest confectionery store in Danielson and has since conducted the business under the name of the Keep Smiling Candy Kitchen. He has today the largest and best equipped confectionery establishment of Danielson and, moreover, is one of the young- est business men of the state. He is most progressive and determined, is always
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pleasant and genial and caters to the best class of trade in the town, his patronage now having reached extensive proportions.
Mr. Shoales is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Danielson and is not only one of its liberal supporters but is most generous in support of all those public interests and projects which have to do with the upbuilding and welfare of the community and the advancement of the highest civic standards.
C. WINFIELD NOYES.
C. Winfield Noyes, a dealer in automobiles and supplies of Willimantic, also en- gaged in the sale of bicycles and bicycle supplies, has developed a business of substan- tial proportions. Connecticut names him among her native sons, for his birth occurred in Lebanon, October 29, 1873, his parents being Charles and Eliza J. (Kingsley) Noyes, both of whom have been called to the home beyond.
C. Winfield Noyes began his education in the schools of his native town and afterward continued his studies in the high school of Willimantic, while in 1893 he was graduated from the state normal school. He then took up the profession of teaching and was principal of the grammar school at South Coventry, Connecticut, for a year. He worked for the American Thread Company for seven years, thus start -- ing upon his business career, and gradually in that connection he advanced, progress- ing step by step and making for himself a creditable place in business circles. He was secretary of the Willimantic Gas Company for seven years. For two years he served as salesman for the Boston Westinghouse Company and in 1914 he established his present business, which has developed to creditable and gratifying proportions. He now has three employes and for two years he has been agent for the Maxwell cars. He also handles everything in automobile supplies and at the same time has a good trade in bicycles and bicycle supplies.
On the 28th of September, 1904, Mr. Noyes was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Gallup and they have two children, Doris Elizabeth and Charles Russell. The religious faith of the parents is that of the Congregational church, to which they make generous contribution, taking an active interest in all lines of church work. Mr. Noyes belongs to the Masonic fraternity and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was secretary for two or three years in the local lodge of the latter organization. He is likewise identified with the board of trade. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and he keeps well informed concerning the leading questions and issues of the day but has never been an office seeker. He deserves great credit for what he has accomplished in a business way, for he started out to provide for his own support when very young, and without financial assistance from anyone has worked his way upward, proving his worth and ability and achieving a measure of success that has brought substantial results.
JOHN ARVED COLLINS.
America is continually calling to the citizens of Europe by reason of the fact that she offers to them better business opportunities and also many advantages which they cannot secure in their native land. John Arved Collins is numbered among those who have come from Sweden to the new world and through the wise conduct of business affairs have won substantial success. He is now a prosperous farmer of Woodstock and is engaged in market gardening and dairy farming.
He was born in Skede-Jönköping, Sweden, on the 16th of June, 1877, his parents being John August and Wilhelmina Christine (Johnson) Collins. The father was a native of the same locality as his son John and there spent his entire life save for the period when he was in active military service as a member of the Swedish army. He held an official rank in the army and during much of his connection with military affairs he was an instructor in the cavalry school at Stockholm, Sweden. He died while in the service in 1901, at the age of fifty-one years. His wife was born in Carlstorp, Sweden, and is now living in Holsby in that country. They were the parents of nine children, all of whom are living: Teckla; Theodore; John Arved, of this review; Christine, who is the wife of Milton Carlson, of Hartford, Connecticut; Oscar; Judith, who gave her hand in marriage to Gustave Bjornberg, a farmer of Woodstock, Connecticut; Eric; Henning; and Ernest.
John A. Collins spent his youthful days at the place of his nativity and acquired his education in the public schools there. Starting out in the business world, he
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worked in a general store in his native town, being employed in that way until he attained his majority, when he became a member of the Swedish army, with which he served for two years. He then returned to his native town, where he established business on his own account, opening a general store which he conducted for eight years. On the expiration of that period he sold out in 1905 and came to the new world, attracted by the broader business opportunities offered on this side of the Atlantic. He had heard many favorable reports from his fellow countrymen who had come to the United States and he resolved to try his fortune in America. Making the long voyage, he took up his abode in Woodstock, Connecticut, where he purchased a run-down farm of thirty acres. He rebuilt the house and did much repair work on the other buildings, putting all in good condition. He also built a new barn and a silo and he secured every modern facility to promote the work of his place, includ- ing the latest improved machinery. He has since concentrated his efforts and atten- tion upon market gardening and upon dairy farming and is meeting with excellent success in his undertakings. In 1910 he purchased thirty-five acres of land adjoining his original purchase. This was pasture land at the time but is now under the plow and has been highly cultivated according to modern scientific methods, thus bringing substantial results.
On the 19th of May, 1905, Mr. Collins was united in marriage to Miss Emma Christine Esther Ask, of Woodstock, who was born in Stockaryd, Sweden, and when eighteen years of age came to America. She is a daughter of John Andrew and Matilda Sophie (Magnason) Ask. The father was born in Moheda, Sweden, and was a soldier in that country until 1905, when he came to the new world and established his home in Thompson, Windham county, where he now carries on the occupation of farming. To Mr. and Mrs. Collins have been born five children: Spencer Gustave, whose birth occurred March 28, 1907; John Folke, born November 16, 1908; Sieg- fried Theodore, whose natal day was June 2, 1911; Sylvia Christina, born May 21, 1912; and Esther Carola, born September 7, 1915.
In his political views Mr. Collins is a republican and has supported the party since becoming a naturalized American citizen. He belongs to the Congregational church and since 1907 has been secretary of the Swedish Congregational Church Society. He does all in his power to promote the interests of the organization and advance the moral progress of the community. His own life has been actuated by high and honorable principles and his sterling worth is recognized by all with whom he has been brought in contact through business or social relations. He has never had occa- sion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for he has here found the opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has made for himself a substantial position among the progressive and prosperous farmers of Woodstock.
·AUGUSTUS H. JOHNSON.
Augustus H. Johnson, an enterprising business man of Willimantic, is a whole- sale and retail dealer in, and a manufacturer of, ice cream, confectionery and cigars. He has built up a business of substantial proportions as the result of close applica- tion, sound judgment and keen sagacity.
A native of Brooklyn, New York, he is a son of Francis and Louise (Hammond) Johnson, both of whom have passed away. They removed with their family to Wood- stock, Connecticut, when their son Augustus was but three months old and he pursued his education in the schools of Putnam and of Willimantic, becoming a resident of the latter city in 1882. He sold papers for two years after leaving school, thus starting out in the business world as many another has done; in fact, there are few successful business men who cannot claim at some time or another to have had a newspaper route. He also sold papers on Sunday while yet attending school and after his textbooks were put aside he established a news stand and was agent for all the different papers sold in Willimantic. He likewise began handling cigars and this eventually led him into the wholesale cigar business. He purchased his present busi- ness in 1900, at which time he employed but one clerk, and something of the increase in his trade is shown in the fact that he now has nine employes to care for the trade in ice cream, confectionery, cigars and similar lines. He has an auto delivery and he sells to both the wholesale and retail trades and engages in the manufacture of ice cream. The excellence of the product which he handles ensures for him a growing patronage and his business ability has brought to him a measure of success that is very gratifying.
On the 6th of July, 1899, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth May Farnsworth and they have two children, Louise May and Mildred Savilla. Mr.
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Johnson attends the Methodist Episcopal church and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to Willimantic Benefit Association, connections which indicate the nature and breadth of his interests and his humanitarian spirit. He is also connected with the Chamber of Commerce and stands loyally by the efforts to upbuild the city and extend its trade relations. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is never remiss in the duties of citizenship but cooperates in all plans to upbuild Willimantic or promote its civic standards.
JOHN WILLIAM DAWLEY.
John William Dawley, who follows farming in Plainfield, was born in the Goshen school district, near Moosup, Windham county, on the 6th of May, 1858, and is a son of William and Mary Ann (Dawley) Dawley. The grandfather also bore the name of William Dawley and was a representative of the third generation of the Dawley family to reside in Exeter, Rhode Island, the original ancestor coming from England. William Dawley, father of John William Dawley, was born at Exeter, Rhode Island, and there took up the occupation of farming. He was left fatherless when a small boy and early had to start out to provide for his own support. He was employed at farm labor and in various other ways around Exeter and in South Kingston, Rhode Island, and became thoroughly acquainted with every phase of farm life and became an expert in the development of the fields. For many years he was the boss farmer on the estate of Governor Sprague at Natick, Rhode Island. In 1856 he removed to Moosup, in the town of Plainfield, Windham county, and purchased a fine dairy farm, upon which he resided to the time of his death in 1899. His wife, a native of Exeter, Rhode Island, passed away on the same farm. They had a family of six children, the last two born on the farm in Moosup, while the others were natives of Rhode Island. Four of the family are still living: Hannah, who is now the widow of Alfred Arnold, of Providence, Rhode Island; Ella, who makes her home with her brother, John William, on the farm; John W., of this review; and Sarah A., the wife of E. C. Dawley, of North Kingston, Rhode Island.
John William Dawley spent his youthful days at Moosup and attended the Goshen ' school. As a young man he became his father's assistant on the home farm and later he carried on farming independently in the town of Brooklyn and subsequently in the town of Plainfield. Eventually, however, he retired from agricultural life and turned his attention to the conduct of a general store at Hope Valley, Rhode Island, there engaging in merchandising for five years. In 1900, however, he returned to the old home place, upon which he has since lived, his time and energies being now given to the further development and improvement of the old Dawley homestead.
At Moosup, Connecticut, Mr. Dawley married Jennie Kennedy. He has one child, William K. In politics he is an independent republican but has never been an office seeker, devoting his attention to his general farming interests.
PRESTON BISHOP SIBLEY.
An unmistakable indication of the high regard and friendship which were uni- formerly felt for Preston Bishop Sibley throughout Windham county was the fact that when death called him his funeral was the largest ever held within the county's borders. He was a man whose integrity of purpose no one questioned, whose life was characterized by the highest principles, whose generous spirit was manifest in many tangible but unostentatious ways. He was constantly extending a helping hand to those who needed assistance and even in the discharge of his official duties as sheriff, while always loyal and just, he was ever ready to speak an encouraging word, ready, if possible, to "awake the little seeds of good asleep throughout the world."
Mr. Sibley was one of Windham county's native sons, having been born at East- ford on the 25th of June, 1840, his parents being Samuel and Rhoda (Preston) Sibley. He was a representative of one of New England's oldest families, founded in America in 1629 by a progenitor who came from England and settled in the town of Salem. The family record is preserved in an unbroken line from John and Richard Sibley, who were supposed to be brothers and were married, united with the church in Charlestown in 1634, and the following year John Sibley took the freeman's oath. He served as a selectman of the town of Salem and attended the general court in Boston. He passed away in 1661, leaving five daughters and four sons. This included Joseph Sibley, who was born in 1655, became a fisherman and while returning from a fishing
PRESTON B. SIBLEY
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voyage was pressed on board a British frigate and released only after six weeks of hard labor. To him and his wife, Susanna Sibley, were born several children and they became the progenitors of the present family of Sibley. One of the sons, Joseph Sibley, was born November 9, 1684, and he in turn became the father of another Joseph Sibley, born in 1709. The latter married Hannah Marsh, who was born December 29, 1713, and their family included Peter Sibley, who was born May 13, 1751, and was a lifelong resident of Sutton, Massachusetts, where he followed farming. He married and had five children, the third being Samuel Sibley, who was born July 5, 1789, in Sutton, Massachusetts, where he acquired his education. Following his marriage he removed with his wife and family to Eastford, Connecticut, where he purchased farm land two miles out of the village of Eastford, thereon spending his remaining days. He was married twice. In 1809 he. wedded Sally Harwood and it was in 1827 that he removed with his family to Eastford, where he became the owner of one hundred and forty acres of land. His first wife died in 1838 and on the 28th of August, 1839, he married Rhoda Preston, of Eastford, who passed away February 25, 1889, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. She had for three decades survived her husband, whose death occurred September 28, 1859. He was a member of the Congregational church, and his political allegiance was given to the whig party.
Preston Bishop Sibley was the only child of his father's second marriage. He ac- quired his education in the schools of Eastford and when seventeen years of age took charge of the home farm, devoting his attention to its cultivation until he reached the age of twenty-eight. He then concentrated his efforts upon carpentering, which he followed in and about Eastford until 1881, when he removed to Brooklyn to take charge of the county jail, in which position he continued until February 1, 1895, when he resigned and was appointed assistant factory inspector of the state of Connecticut. He acted in the latter capacity until 1899. In the meantime, upon resigning as county jailer, he moved his family to Danielson, this occurring in the year 1895. At the republican county convention held in Putnam, October 12, 1898, he was nominated for the office of high sheriff of Windham county, receiving all but sixteen votes of the entire convention. He had previously served as deputy sheriff from 1869 until 1881, when he was made county jailer, and thus his experience in the two positions well qualified him for the duties of the office to which he was called in 1898. He was elected to the office of high sheriff by a handsome majority and so capably discharged the duties of the position that he was nominated by acclamation and re-elected in 1902. He was again chosen for the office in 1906 and once more in 1910, continuing in the position until his death, which occurred in Danielson, January 7, 1914. It was while boarding a trolley car in that city in the performance of his duties that he sustained an injury which terminated his life five days later. One of the local papers said: "Struck down in the performance of his duty, never to regain consciousness, was the untimely end of one of Danielson's most beloved citizens. Few men in the state were better known than Sheriff Sibley. His long years of faithful service to the state, county and town, his hand and purse ready to help all in distress, his untiring efforts in all things which might benefit his fellowmen, will stand as a monument that can never be re- placed by the finest monument of mineral or marble." For sixteen years he had served as high sheriff and his record was a notable one of faithfulness, fearlessness and capability. He never hesitated in the performance of any duty, at all times was just, and yet when he saw opportunity to call forth the latent good in any individual he did not hesitate to do so. He was recognized throughout Connecticut as the most able sheriff that the state ever had. The same loyalty was manifest in every office that he filled. While a resident of Eastford he had served as selectman, and in 1873 and 1874 represented Eastford in the state legislature, where he was made a member of the committee on probate districts and the committee on cities and boroughs.
Mr. Sibley was also identified with business interests of Windham county, in con- nection with which he displayed sound judgment and keen discrimination. His name was on the directorate of the Brooklyn Savings Bank and for a time he was the secretary-treasurer and one of the directors of the Brooklyn Creamery Company and was its president at the time of his death. He was likewise the president of the Windham County Agricultural Society, took a most active interest in promoting its work and was its president when he passed away. He was also an active member of Killingly Grange and a past master of Quinebaug Pomona. He was likewise super- intendent of the Juvenile Granges of Connecticut and did everything in his power to promote the interest of the children in the task of developing fields and gardens, with an intelligent understanding of the scientific principles back of their work. He had the greatest love for children and was most deeply interested in their welfare.
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