A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 55

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

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

ments upon his place, and in addition he built a tannery within a few rods of the dwelling and operated it for many years. He likewise opened a shoe and saddlery establishment, in which he employed several men and throughout his remaining days carried on that business. He was a progressive and enterprising man whose well directed activity brought to him a substantial measure of success. He held member- ship in the Baptist church, guiding his life by its teachings, and all who knew him held him in the highest esteem. He passed away December 16, 1853, having twice married and reared a large family. He first wedded Sally Brown, who was born October 3, 1782, and following her demise he was married in May, 1816, to Candice Irons, who was born in Rhode Island, July 20, 1782, and who passed away at the home of her grandson, Daniel Newton Medbury of this review, at the notable old age of ninety-seven years.

Daniel Medbury, son of Daniel Medbury, Sr., and father of D. N. Medbury of this review, was born upon the old homestead farm in Pomfret on the 2d of July, 1819, and in his youth gained intimate knowledge of all branches of farm work and also of the tanning business. After acquiring a district school education he became assist ant manager of his father's tannery and to that business devoted his time and energies until he reached the age of thirty-four, when upon the death of his father he came into possession of the home farm and took full charge of the business, which he successfully conducted for many years. On the 15th of April, 1840, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah L. Sawyer, who was born in Pomfret, December 24, 1820. a daughter of James and Huldah (Holmes) Sawyer. Mrs Medbury passed away at the home of her youngest son, Daniel N., on the 5th of January, 1899. She had reared a family of twelve children. Harriet E., born January 20, 1841, was married on the 4th of July, 1857, to Lebbeus A. Kinney, who became a grain dealer of Chebanse, Illinois, where he passed away. The next two children of the family were twins, born on the 10th of March, 1842, but they lived only a few hours. Amelia S., born January 19, 1845, was married in January, 1867, to Albert Hicks, now deceased. George C., born January 25, 1847, was married November 23, 1869, to Emma E. Grant and became a real estate dealer of Kansas City, Missouri, where he passed away March 6, 1900. Edgar E., born January 16, 1850, was. married in February, 1879, to Estella Reading and became a stationary engineer of Chicago, Illinois, where his death occurred April 21, 1893. Serena H., born July 11, 1852, was married on the 6th of October, 1875, to George W. Burns, a druggist of Morrison, Illinois. Lucian H., born April 4, 1853, was a slate roofer and was killed by falling from a roof in Worcester, Massa- chusetts. Susan, born July 24, 1854, became the wife of L. Frank Eaton, a photo- engraver of Detroit, Michigan, on the 23d of August, 1882. Alice S., born April 17, 1857, became the wife of William Tufts. Ada E., born June 16, 1859, was married March 30, 1881, to Frank Miller, a farmer of Plainfield, Connecticut.

The youngest of the family is Daniel Newton Medbury, whose birth occurred on the old homestead farm, May 25, 1861, and who at the usual age became a district school pupil, continuing his studies through the Putnam high school. He was only fifteen years of age at the time of the death of his father and upon his young shoul- ders devolved the management of the home farm and the care of his widowed mother. For twenty years he gave to her all filial devotion and he also surrounded his grand- mother in her old age with loving care and attention. At his mother's death he came into full possession of the old homestead and has always carried on general agricul- tural pursuits. He has brought his farm under a high state of cultivation, has added many modern improvements and the neat and thrifty appearance of his place indi- cates his practical and progressive methods and indefatigable industry. In 1887, while still engaged in the cultivation of the home farm, he established an ice business in Pomfret, where for a long period he successfully operated in that field. He also engaged in the sale of fertilizers and in the sale of the Walter A. Wood farm machinery. He now concentrates his efforts and attention largely upon general farming and dairying and his careful direction of his business affairs has brought to him gratifying and well deserved success.

On the 9th of April, 1884, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Medbury and Miss Caroline Perrin Randall, who was born in Putnam, May 11, 1864, her parents being Sanford and Caroline E. (Holmes) Randall. Mr. and Mrs. Medbury have become the parents of four children. S. Elizabeth, who was born March 19, 1885, and was gradu- ated from the Putnam high school, became the wife of Alden Cole, a civil engineer, who is now in the employ of the Liability Insurance Company of Boston and makes his home in North Wilmington, a suburb of that city. Their marriage was celebrated in October, 1909, and they have become the parents of five children: Newton R., born October 27, 1910; Randall S., September 21, 1912; Caroline E., April 23, 1914; Mary Alden, August 24, 1916; and Alden B., July 20, 1917. Gertrude R., born September 21, 1888, became the wife of John F. Ash, a resident farmer of Pomfret, Connecticut, and

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

they have three children: John, Alice and Robert. Daniel S., born March 20, 1890, is employed by a photo-engraving company of Detroit, Michigan. Raymond S., born April 9, 1893, was married October 24, 1917, to Miss Mary A. Stoddard, a daughter of Joseph E. Stoddard, and is occupying an attractive modern residence on the old homestead.

Mr. and Mrs. Medbury hold membership in General Putnam Commandery, No. 348, of the United Order of the Golden Cross. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and in 1892 and 1893 he served his town on the board of selectmen, his second elec- tion coming to him in recognition of his able service during his first term. He has always been loyal to the best interests of the community, progressive in business, reliable in citizenship and faithful to the ties of home and of friendship. In a word, his sterling traits of character are many and among his friends and neighbors, in whose midst he has spent his entire life, he is held in the highest regard-a fact that indicates his fidelity at all times to honorable, manly principles.

HAROLD BRADFORD ATWOOD.

Harold Bradford Atwood, of Danielson, is maintaining the high standard of business enterprise and integrity that for many years has been associated with the name of Atwood in connection with operations along manufacturing lines in Windham county. He was born in Williamsville, now Goodyear, in the town of Killingly, July 25, 1891, a son of Henry Clinton Atwood.

It is believed that the progenitors of the Atwood family as represented in eastern Connecticut were Nicholas and Olive Atwood, whose son John was the father of Harman Atwood, of Sandersted, Surrey county, England, and who is first mentioned in America at the time of his admission as an inhabitant of Boston, Massachusetts, in 1642. In 1644 he was a member of the artillery company and the following year was made a freeman. On the 11th of August, 1646, he wedded Ann Copp, whose father, William Copp, was one of the passengers on the ship Blessing in 1635. Harman Atwood died in 1650. His son, John Atwood, born September 1, 1647, was a member of the artillery company in 1673 and was admitted to First church in 1675-76. He became a deacon in the old North church in 1693. Two years later he was made a lieutenant in the artillery company. He died August 24, 1714. His son, John Atwood (II), was born February 16, 1693 or '94, in Boston, Massachusetts, and was married October 28, 1715, to Hannah Bond, of Haver- hill, Massachusetts. His death occurred in Bradford, Massachusetts. In tracing the line of direct descent to Henry Clinton Atwood the records make mention of John Atwood, his great-great-grandfather, who resided at Scituate, Rhode Island, where he married Roby Kimball, a daughter of Captain Joseph Kimball, in whose company John Atwood had served as sergeant, his name appearing on the com- pany rolls March 8, 1777. After thirty days' service with that command John Atwood later became a sergeant in Captain Perk's company of the First Division, Colonel John Matthewson's regiment, in the expedition against Rhode Island. He died in Scituate in October, 1802. His son, Kimball Atwood, was born in Scituate, December 5, 1781, and on the 4th of April, 1803, wedded Salinda Colgrove, who was born April 20, 1786. Their eldest son, John Atwood, was the first of the family to become identified with the manu- facturing interests at Williamsville, Connecticut. He was born February 16, 1805, and married Julia A. Battey, soon afterward removing to Williamsville, now Goodyear, where he entered the mill, then owned by Caleb Williams and which was built in 1827. In 1849 he became part owner of the business, with which he remained in active connection until his death. He died July 31, 1865, while his wife survived until August 31, 1872.

Their family included William Allen Atwood, who was born August 4, 1833, and passed away June 26, 1881. After attending the Danielson high school he had studied in the Scituate Seminary of Rhode Island and in Wilbraham and at Middleboro, Massa- chusetts. He then sought employment in the mill of which his father was at the time superintendent and gained a practical knowledge of the business in its various branches. As his father's health failed the son more and more largely assumed the management of the business, which he developed along substantial lines, the patronage steadily and rapidly growing. He also became prominently connected with other business interests of that locality and was also a stockholder in the large mills at Taftville. He was married October 4, 1854, to Carolina .A. Hargraves and they had a family of four children, the eldest of whom was Henry Clinton Atwood, who was born at Williamsville, in the town of Killingly, February 12, 1856. After mastering the elementary branches of learning he attended the Friends and the University grammar schools at Providence, Rhode Island, and eventually became a student in Brown University, from which he was graduated with

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the class of 1878. With his return home he became connected with the company's store and continued in that business until his father's death in 1881, when he succeeded to the position of agent and superintendent of the Williamsville Manufacturing Company and in 1890 he was elected to the office of treasurer. He made the business one of the im- portant industrial enterprises of that section of Windham county, establishing an extensive factory four stories in height, the building being four hundred and seventeen by forty-nine feet. Constantly watchful of every detail bearing upon the successful con- duct of the business, Mr. Atwood brought wide experience and sound judgment to the solution of the problems which confronted him and his activity and enterprise brought very substantial results. He became recognized as one of the foremost manufacturers in his part of the state.

On the 22d of October, 1878, Henry C. Atwood was united in marriage to Miss Lillian B. Whitford, of Apponaug, Rhode Island, a daughter of Thomas W. and Mary Ellen (Cole) Whitford. To them were born two sons, Clinton William and Harold Bradford, who have taken over the business left by their father, being still actively connected with the Wil- liamsville Buff Manufacturing Company. Henry Clinton Atwood passed away in 1913 and in his death the community lost one of its most valued and representative business men and citizens. He had attained high rank in Masonry and he was identified with the Sons of the American Revolution. In politics he was always a stalwart republican and in 1884 was elected to represent the town of Killingly in the general assembly, in which he served as a member of the committee on new towns and probate districts. He took an active part in shaping important legislation during his connection with the house and in this, as in many other ways, he left the impress of his individuality for good upon the history of county and state.

His son, Harold Bradford Atwood, acquired a public school education in Williams- ville and afterward attended the Killingly high school. He later became a student in Clark College of Worcester, Massachusetts, where he won his Bachelor of Arts degree upon graduation with the class of 1912. He then became the secretary of the Williams- ville Buff Manufacturing Company at Danielson and through the intervening period has been prominently associated with this enterprise. The company is engaged in the manu- facture of buff wheels, which are shipped to all parts of the world, and they also manu- facture parcel post mail bags. Their patronage in both lines is extensive and their business has constantly grown. They utilize a very large factory in the conduct of their business and it is operated under most sanitary conditions, being thoroughly modern in every respect. Harold B. Atwood is also associated with his brother, Clinton W., in the ownership and conduct of the School Street garage in Danielson.

On the 24th of November, 1914, was celebrated the marriage of Harold B. Atwood and Miss Charlotte Mae Wallace, who was born in Williamsville, Connecticut, and acquired her education in New London county. She is a daughter of William and Zana (Goddard) Wallace and by her marriage has become the mother of an interesting little son, Harold B., Jr., who was born in Danielson on the 17th of February, 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Atwood attended the Congregational church and they occupy a very prominent position in social circles.

mis political endorsement is given to the republican party, and while he has not been an office seeker, he has given stalwart allegiance to the party and has put forth every effort in his power to advance progressive citizenship and uphold the highest civic standards.

FREDERICK EVERETT MILLER.

For almost twenty-three years Frederick Everett Miller has been successfully engaged in the grocery business in Brooklyn, his native city. He was born on the 13th of May, 1868, and is a son of Jabez and Betsey Ann (Cole) Miller, the former a native of Utica, New York, and the latter of Foster, Rhode Island. The father acquired his education in his native city and in young manhood served an apprenticeship to the harness making trade at Utica. He was afterward employed there at his trade for a number of years and then removed to Putnam, Connecticut, where he established a harness shop. After a short time he removed to Danielson, Connecticut, where he again set up a shop, but with the outbreak of the Civil war he closed his shop and enlisted as a member of Company K, Eighteenth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, enrolling at Danielson. He served for a little more than three years, or until the war was ended, and participated in a number of hotly contested engagements. He had five brothers who were also soldiers of the Union army, all enlisting at Utica, New York, and all returning home, although one-Benjamin-was wounded. After the war Jabez Miller resumed business as a harness maker at Danielson and in 1867 removed to Brooklyn, Connecticut, opening his harness shop in the west vil-

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lage of Brooklyn, where he continued in business until 1901. He then retired, closing out the shop when eighty years of age. He continued a resident of Brooklyn until his death, which occurred August 15, 1911. He never sought nor desired public office, but was always a stalwart supporter of the republican party and was a valued member of the McGregor Post, No. 37, G. A. R., at Danielson. It was in Danielson that he married Betsey Ann Cole and they traveled life's journey together for sixty-two years, being separated by the hand of death when Mrs. Miller passed away June 7, 1909. At the celebration of their golden wedding five generations of the family were represented.

Frederick E. Miller acquired a public school education at Brooklyn, attending the Center school, and in young manhood he secured a position as clerk in the postoffice. He also became a clerk in the grocery store of Louis Searles, who was a general merchant as well as the postmaster, and when he had been in Mr. Searles' employ for a year he was made assistant postmaster and continued in that position for two years. He later worked for Alfrey Pray, a general merchant of Brooklyn, with whom he remained for five years, and on the 2d of April, 1897, he established business on his own account as proprietor of a grocery store. His present location is the building next to the historic General Putnam Inn. Here he has remained since opening his store, which he has successfully and profit- ably conducted for nearly twenty-three years.

Mr. Miller has been twice married. In Brooklyn, Connecticut, on the 2d of Sep- tember, 1902, he wedded Ida Celestia Brigham, who was born in Coventry, Connecticut, January 17, 1858, and is a daughter of Louis and Lucy (Starkweather) Brigham. Her father was a native of Coventry, Connecticut, and for many years was a grain merchant at Mansfield Depot, Connecticut. Mrs. Miller acquired her early education at Willimantic, Connecticut, and then became a student in Wellesley College. Following her graduation at Wellesley she was chosen a teacher at Manchester, Connecticut, and also taught for a time at East Hartford and later at South Coventry. In 1893 she came to Brooklyn as the principal of the Center school, which position she held from September, 1893, until June, 1902, when she resigned. She was also a devoted worker in the Congregational church of Brooklyn and was a member of the Brooklyn Grange, with which she was identified for about five years. Her sterling qualities were such as won for her the respect and loving friendship of the people throughout the entire village of Brooklyn and the memory of her many helpful acts will long live with the people. Her untimely death, which occurred in Brooklyn on the 7th of August, 1903, was an occasion of deep and widespread regret to all who knew her and by request her remains were interred in the family lot at North Coventry, Connecticut. On the 6th of December, 1906, Mr. Miller was again married, his second union being with Emma E. Martenson, of New York, a daughter of Martin and Annie (Oleson) Martenson, who were natives of Sweden.

In his political views Mr. Miller is a republican, but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He attends the Congregational church and his life has ever been characterized by high and honorable principles. In business he has made steady progress owing to his persistency of purpose and reliable methods. In trade circles he sustains an unassailable reputation and his worth is widely acknowledged by all.

THEODORE RAYMOND PARKER, M. D.

Dr. Theodore Raymond Parker, actively engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Willimantic, has throughout his entire career been actuated by the laudable purpose of attaining the highest degree of efficiency possible, owing to his early recog- nition of the heavy responsibilities which devolve upon the physician. He was born in Montville, Connecticut, July 19, 1856, and is a son of Augustus A. and Harriet R. (Dol- beare) Parker. In both the paternal and maternal lines he is descended from old New England families.

The Parker family was founded in the new world by James Parker, a native of England, who was born about 1617 and in 1640 had become a resident of Woburn, Massa- chusetts. Later he established his home at Chelmsford and later resided at Groton, where he passed away in 1701. He was married in 1643 to Elizabeth Long, of Woburn, who was born in 1623, a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Long, of Charlestown, Massa- chusetts, who came from Dunstable, England, with their family in 1635. Josiah Parker, the direct ancestor of Dr. Parker in the second generation, was born at Groton in 1655, and from 1693 until 1695 resided at Woburn, while in 1696 he became a resident of Cambridge, where his death occurred in 1731. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Saxton, was born in Sexton. Their son, Thomas Parker, born in Cambridge in 1700, was graduated from Harvard in 1718 and in 1721 became a minister at Dracut, Massachusetts, where he passed away in 1765. He was the father of Jonathan Parker, who was born in Dracut, where he wedded Dollie Coffin. He devoted his life to the

DR. THEODORE R. PARKER

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practice of medicine and surgery and won notable distinction in that field, being accorded an extensive practice at Litchfield, New Hampshire, where for many years he made his home, passing away there in September, 1791.

Eliphalet Parker, the son of Dr. Jonathan Parker, was the grandfather of Dr. Parker of this review. He was born in 1776 and in 1808 married Sarah Comstock, daughter of Jared and Rachel (Chester) Comstock. He followed farming in Montville, Connecticut, and was a prominent member and choir leader of the Congregational church. He died March 1, 1835, while his widow survived until August 14, 1860. Their son, Augustus Alden Parker, a native of Montville, Connecticut, was reared to farm life and before attaining his majority took up the profession of teaching, which he successfully followed for several years. Following his marriage he settled on a farm near the Montville church and for a time also conducted a general store, but made farming his life work and occu- pied the old homestead for more than a half century. For more than fifty years he was superintendent of the Sunday school of the Congregational church. He was a republican and represented his district in the state legislature. He married Harriet R. Dolbeare and they lived to celebrate their golden wedding. Mrs. Parker came of Welsh ancestry, the 'family being founded in America by John Dolbeare, who arrived in Boston in 1720. His son, George Dolbeare, was born in 1715 and in 1740 wedded Mary Sherwood, whose birth occurred in 1710. He was a large landowner and passed away in March, 1772, while his widow survived until 1790. Their son, John Dolbeare, was born in 1745 and in 1769 married Sarah Raymond, daughter of Christopher and Eleanor (Fitch) Raymond. They took up their abode upon a farm at Montville which he inherited from his father, and there John Dolbeare passed away April 9, 1806, while his wife died June 9, 1828. Their son, Lemuel R. Dolbeare, was born in 1793, and on the 6th of December, 1818, was married to Eleanor Raymond, a daughter of Mulford and Eleanor (Bradford) Raymond. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lemuel R. Dolbeare were devoted members of the Montville Center church. He died May 14, 1859, having for several years survived his wife, who died January 29, 1851. It was their daughter, Harriet R., who was born November 19, 1819, that became the wife of Augustus A. Parker and the children of that marriage who lived to adult age were: Jennie E., who attended the Norwich Academy and for several years was a capable teacher but died at the age of twenty-eight; and Theodore R., of this review.

Dr. Parker supplemented his early educational privileges by a course in the Norwich Free Academy, from which he was graduated with the class of 1876. He determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work and for a time pursued his reading under the direction of Dr. Lewis S. Paddock, of Norwich, but in 1877 entered the Yale Medical School and was graduated from the University of New York with the class of 1880. He located for practice at Columbia, Connecticut, where he remained for two years, but feeling that he might have a still broader field in Willimantic, he took up his abode in this city in June, 1882, and has here practiced through the intervening years, now num- bering three and a half decades. He has won success in his chosen calling by reason of his marked devotion, his broad study and his interest in everything that tends to bring to man the key to the complex mystery which we call life.

On the 22d of September, 1886, in Willimantic, Dr. Parker was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte E. Buck, a daughter of Edwin A. and Delia M. (Lincoln) Buck. They have one son, Raymond Augustus, born in June, 1889. Dr. Parker has always been a stalwart republican but never an aspirant for office. He belonged to the First Congrega- tional church and served on the society's committee. Along strictly. professional lines he has connection with the Windham County Medical Society and the State Medical Society. He has never become a club man nor entered into membership relations with fraternities but has concentrated his time and efforts upon his professional duties, which are ever discharged with a sense of conscientious obligation, and he does with all his might whatever his hand finds to do.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 55

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