A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 58

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 58

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DR. RIENZI ROBINSON

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value of which had been proven, he was ever ready to take up any new and progressive idea and lived to see remarkable changes in methods of practice during the fifty years of his connection with this science.

GEORGE CLIFTON MOON.

George Clifton Moon, a Willimantic optician of pronounced skill, was born in North Grosvenor Dale, Connecticut, March 9, 1874, and while spending his youthful days in the home of his parents, Darius and Eliza (Hincks) Moon, he pursued a public school educa- tion in that city and in Rockville, Connecticut. When his textbooks were put aside he went to Southbridge, Massachusetts, to accept a position in an optical factory, where he was employed for eight years. He then went to New Haven, where he worked at his trade for a similar period, being in the employ of two different optical firms of that city. On the 12th of September, 1912, he returned to Willimantic and embarked in business on his own account. His thorough training and experience in former years enables him not only to take exact measurements of the eye and prepare prescriptions for glasses, but also enables him to do his own grinding and his work has given such general satisfaction that his patronage has steadily and continually increased and his business is now one of substantial and gratifying proportions.

On the 12th of June, 1900, Mr. Moon was married to Miss Elizabeth Georgina Gray. Mr. Moon has membership with the Sons of Veterans, being entitled to membership in the organization through the fact that his father was a soldier in the Civil war, serving throughout the entire period of hostilities as a member of Company A, Thirty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, being attached to the Army of the Potomac, so that he participated in all of the engagements in which that army took part, and from his first baptism of fire until the war closed he rendered active and valuable aid to his country. His son has become a charter member of D. E. Smith Camp of the Sons of Veterans and is also a member of the Masonic lodge of Willimantic and of the Willimantic lodge of the Knights of Pythias. In the latter organization he is a past chancellor commander and is also a member of the grand lodge. His advanced professional standing is indicated in the fact that he has been made a member of the executive committee of the Connecticut State Optical Society. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce, of which he has served as a director. His political support is given to the republican party and his religious faith is that of the Congregational church. He belongs as well to the Young Men's Chris- tian Association and is greatly interested in many activities which are looking to the benefit of mankind and the amelioration of hard conditions of life for the unfortunate. He is now serving as a member of the United Charities and a broad humanitarianism actuates him in many of his interests. Cordial and genial in manner, he belongs to that class who shed around them much of life's sunshine.

EDWARD B. WILBUR.

Edward B. Wilbur is well known in insurance circles of Danielson and conducts a business of that kind, the ramifications of which extend far over the limits of his city and county. He has been quite successful in this line and by conscientiously attending to his clients has built up a reputation for trustworthiness, enjoying the full confidence of the public.

He was born in Lewiston, Maine, October 12, 1855, and is a son of Joseph W. and Mary A. Wilbur, the former a native of that city and the latter of Lowell, Massachusetts. He received his education in that city and subsequently turned to the cotton textile in- dustry, in which line he was engaged until 1910, having gained an expert knowledge in all branches thereof. He began to learn the mill business at Lewiston and also worked in mills at Taunton, Massachusetts. In 1886 he entered the employ of the Attawaugen mills in Killingly, Connecticut, and so well was he pleased with his position and the town that he decided to make it his future home. Shortly afterward business called him to Mont- ville, Connecticut, in connection with some cotton mills, and from there he proceeded to Newberry, South Carolina, where he also was connected with cotton mills and lived for about twenty years, or until 1910, when he retired from the textile industry. He then came to Danielson, town of Killingly, Connecticut, and here he engaged in the insurance business and has in the eight years, since he first came, built up a clientage which ex- tends all over Windham county, his agency being recognized as one of the foremost in his part of the state. His office is located in the Windham County National Bank build-

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ing, well equipped and comfortably arranged, and many an insurance deal of importance has been transacted there.

Mr. Wilbur is a member of the Baptist church and takes a laudable interest in its activities, being officially connected therewith as clerk of the Baptist Church Society. He is a true Christian and all of his activities are guided by high Christian principles. Fraternally he is prominent in Masonry, being a member of Moriah Lodge, F. & A. M .; Warren Chapter, R. A. M .; Montgomery Council, R. & S. M .; Columbia Commandery, K. T .; and Omar Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Charleston, South Carolina. Politically he is a republican and although he has not held public office he stands always for those things which make for civic progress and is ever ready to support measures which will promote the prosperity and growth of the town which he has selected for his home. He has many friends in Danielson, both of the business and social kind, and all who know him speak of him in the highest terms.

ALEXANDER A. VARBEDIAN.

Alexander A. Varbedian, for more than twelve years numbered among the successful merchants of Putnam, was born in Killis, Armenia, August 16, 1884, a son of Allahverdy and Mary (Chilengerian) Varbedian. He pursued his education in the schools of his native country and came to the United States in October, 1901, hoping to enjoy better business opportunities in the new world. He made his way to Putnam, Connecticut, and began working at the shoemaking trade with his brother Toros, who had come to the United States some years before. He remained with his brother for about a year and then started in the shoe business for himself on a small scale and by hard work and honest dealing gradually developed his interests until his patronage had brought to him a sufficient sum to enable him to open a retail shoe store. This he did on Main street about 1903 and has since profitably conducted the establishment, being today recognized as one of Putnam's leading shoe dealers.

Returning to his native land, Mr. Varbedian was married October 30, 1911, to Miss Dicramoohi Eramian and immediately afterward returned with his bride to the United States. Their children are: Helen, who was born in Putnam, July 28, 1912; Newart, born in Putnam, April 11, 1913; Gladys, born July 6, 1914; Dorothy, September 22, 1916, and Serivart, August 25, 1918. All were born in Putnam.

Mr. and Mrs. Varbedian are members of the Congregational church at Putnam and his political support is given to the republican party. He keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire office. He is thoroughly American in spirit and interests, however, and having come to the new world, he adapted himself to changed conditions and surroundings here and by the utilization of his oppor- tunities has worked his way steadily upward until he now occupies an enviable position in the commercial circles of his adopted city.

ROBERT ERNEST MITCHELL.

Robert Ernest Mitchell, civil engineer and surveyor, who is filling the position of city engineer in Willimantic, has back of him an ancestry long connected with the history of New England. His parents were Kim and Harriet (Parker) Mitchell, both now de- ceased. The latter belonged to a very old New England family, her great-grandfather, Ephraim Squires, participating in the battle of Bunker Hill and fighting for the cause of independence throughout the Revolutionary war. Another ancestor in the maternal line was Colonel Squires, a commissioned officer of the War of 1812.

Robert E. Mitchell was born in Ashford, Connecticut, March 26, 1875, and was edu- cated in the district school of that place and also in the high school of Willimantic, where he had taken up his abode in 1882, when a lad of but seven years. After completing his high school course he made his initial step in the business world by entering the office of Robert Fenton, a civil engineer, under whom he served a term of apprenticeship, remaining in that connection for four years. He thoroughly studied surveying and civil engineering, having practical experience to supplement his theoretical knowledge, and after leaving Mr. Fenton's office he spent four years in the office of H. D. Cord. It was in November, 1900, that he embarked in business on his own account for the practice of civil engineering and surveying. In the intervening period he has gained a good clientage and his business has now reached substantial proportions. He is also filling the office of city engineer and in this connection considerable responsibility devolves upon him.

On the 29th of November, 1910, Mr. Mitchell was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle

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Jennie Taft, of Willimantic, and they have become parents of a daughter, Harriet Myrtle. While the parents of Mr. Mitchell have passed away, he has one brother and four sisters who are yet living, namely: Mrs. Mary Bashore, of Detroit, Michigan; Mrs. Eva N. Johnson, living in Hartford, Connecticut; Ella, a twin sister of Eva and a resident of Bridgeport, Connecticut; John L., who is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Harriet, also living in Bridgeport.

Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are valued members of St. Paul's Episcopal church of Willi- mantic, in which he is now serving as vestryman, and in the work of the church they take an active and helpful interest. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and is a past master of his lodge. He has also taken the degrees of capitular Masonry in the chapter, cryptic Masonry in the council and of chivalric Masonry in the commandery. He is likewise a past noble grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and became a char- ter member of the Elks lodge of Willimantic. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and he has been prominently connected with the fire department for twenty-three years. Four times he has acted as its foreman and is now a member of Alert Hose Company No. 1 of the volunteer fire department. Politically he is a democrat and for four terms has filled the office of selectman, while for seventeen years he has been city engineer. He is ever loyal and true to the trusts reposed in him as a public official and he is a public- spirited citizen, interested in all that has to do with the general welfare and giving his earnest support to all measures which tend to advance the interests and promote the up- building of the community. In a business way he may truly be called a self-made man, for whatever success he has achieved has come as the direct result of his labors, his am- bition and his determination.

NAPOLEON BACON, JK.

Napoleon Bacon, Jr., is an enterprising grocery merchant of Willimantic, where he is conducting business as a partner in the firm of Chagnon & Bacon. He was born in St. Norbert, Berthier county, Canada, September 7, 1875. His father, Napoleon Bacon, Sr., was also a native of St. Norbert and spent his last days in Willimantic, where he passed away November 17, 1913. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Simerez Routhier, was born at Lanoraie, Canada, and is now living in Willimantic at the age of sixty-four years. He was married in Willimantic, February 5, 1871, and afterward returned to Canada. He was a baker by trade, learning the business at Joliette, Canada, and for some time he conducted business along that line at St. Norbert. He afterward again became a resident of Willimantic in 1880 and established a bakery business. For twenty-three years he was in the wood and coal business on his own account. He became a very prominent and in- fluential citizen of the community and was one who enjoyed the fullest regard and con- fidence of those with whom he was associated. In business life he was truly a self-made man, working his way steadily upward from a humble position and justly earning the success that came to him. He was a most active member of the St. Jean Baptiste Society, was a prominent member of St. Mary's church and was a public-spirited citizen. His educational opportunities were quite limited, but he was ever greatly interested in educational affairs, especially for the benefit of the younger generation. He had a family of thirteen children, namely, Joseph, Trefflez, Napoleon, Cordelia, Marie-Louise, Edmond, Parmelia, Alphonsine, Arsene, Olive, Adelard, Eugene and Laura.

Napoleon Bacon, Jr., whose name introduces this review, pursued his education in St. Joseph's school and at Terrebonne College at Terrebonne, Canada. He was twenty- five years of age when on the 1st of August, 1899, he embarked in the grocery business on his own account, and on the 8th of August, 1900, the present firm of Chagnon & Bacon was formed for the conduct of a business in the sale of groceries, meats and provisions. They now have a very extensive trade. They carry a large and well selected line of goods and put forth every effort to please their patrons, so that their business is steadily grow- ing. Mr. Bacon is also engaged in the fire insurance business, representing a number of companies, and he deals in real estate, handling a large amount of property individually. He likewise became one of the original stockholders in the Willimantic Trust Company and is a stockholder of the Willimantic Industrial Company.

Mr. Bacon belongs to the Chamber of Commerce, in the work of which he takes an active and helpful interest. He is truly a self-made man and one whose progress is the direct result of the high ideals which he has entertained and the progressive business methods which he has ever followed. He is a devoted member of St. Mary's church and L'Union St. Jean le Baptiste. He has held offices in all of these. He also belongs to the French Naturalization Society, of which he was one of the founders, the object of which is to assist all of the French to become better citizens, teaching them the high ideals of true Americanism. He has taken a very active interest in the society, and his aid and

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influence are always given on the side of progress and improvement for the benefit and upbuilding of the district in which he lives. He has always recognized the obligations and responsibilities as well as the privileges of citizenship and his influence has been a potent force for winning the support of the French Canadian citizenship for good gov- ernment as indicated in American standards.

CLAUDE RUSSELL MORAN.

Throughout his entire life Claude Russell Moran has been identified with the mill interests of Windham county and is now at the head of the bleaching department of the Aseptic Products Company at East Killingly, where he was born March 6, 1887. He is a son of Daniel J. and Emma (Saunders) Moran. The father, a native of Boston, removed in young manhood to East Killingly and worked in the Ross mill. He was also employed in the Whetstone and in other mills in this section of the state, always in the power department and the engineering department. He died at East Killingly and is still sur- vived by his wife, who was born at Foster, Rhode Island, and now lives at East Killingly. They had a family of seven children, all of whom were natives of East Killingly, and six of the number are yet living: Charles, a painter; Frederick, a mill employe; Herbert, a. farmer; James, also a mill employe; Claude Russell, of this review, and John. All are yet residents of East Killingly.

Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, Claude Russell Moran acquired a public school education and in young manhood started out in the business world as an employe in the Ross mill. He afterward became clerk in the grocery store of A. M. Paine at East Killingly, continuing there for three years, and in 1907 he secured a position in the bleaching department of the Whetstone mill, with which he was thus connected until 1911. He then obtained a position in the bleaching department of the mill of the International Cotton Company, which is now the mill of the Aseptic Products Company of East Killingly. He has since remained with this concern, covering a period of eight years, and at the present time is at the head of the bleaching department in the mill, most capably discharging his duties in this connection.

On the 29th of February, 1908, at North Scituate, Rhode Island, Mr. Moran was mar- ried to Miss Lillian Darling, a daughter of William and Jennie (Munyon) Darling, of East Killingly. They have secured a legal separation. There was one child of this mar- riage, Ada May, who was born at East Killingly, September 9, 1908.

In politics Mr. Moran is a democrat, and while never an office seeker, he has ever been actively interested in the welfare and progress of his community and has served as grand juror. He is an earnest and interested worker in the Union Baptist church, in which he has long held membership. He is now serving as one of the deacons of the church and for the past two years has been the superintendent of the Sunday school, tak- ing active part in promoting the church work in every particular. His has been an active and useful life and the sterling worth of his character is recognized by all with whom he has been brought in contact.

ADAM KINGSLEY MILLER.

Adam Kingsley Miller, who has departed this life, was for many years a substantial farmer on the old Providence-Hartford pike road in East Killingly. He was born in that village on the 17th of September, 1812, a son of Welcome Miller, who was also a native of East Killingly and became a farmer in the Mashentuck district, carrying on general agricultural pursuits until advanced age caused him to put aside the work of the farm. He then removed to Dayville, Connecticut, and made his home with his son, Esquire B. Miller, until death called him to his final rest. He was a son of Peter Miller, who was born in Cumberland, Rhode Island, and in early life removed to East Killingly, where he became a prominent mill man. He was one of the pioneers in the woolen mills of this district and was one of the first to recognize the possibilities for the development of water power in connection with milling operations in Windham county, utilizing the Whetstone brook, which runs through this district. He with others built mills and was very prominent in the operation of mills upon this stream.

Adam K. Miller, whose name introduces this review, was reared and educated in East Killingly and when but a boy in years secured employment in the mills. He first worked as dressing tender in Young's mill at East Killingly and after a time left his native village and was employed in mills in various places in Connecticut and Rhode Island. He lived a life of thrift and industry and carefully saved his earnings and was at length enabled

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to make investment in farm property, becoming the owner of a good tract of land on the Providence-Hartford pike road in East Killingly. He then began the development and improvement of his farm, which was situated on the old stage coach line.

Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Phoebe Moffett, of East Killingly, a repre- sentative of one of the old families of the village. They became the parents of five chil- dren, all of whom have passed away. Following the death of their mother Mr. Miller married again, his second union being with Lucinda Chase, whom he wedded on the 9th of April, 1855. She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Chase, members of an old East Killingly family. Mr. and Mrs. Miller had four children: Edgar, who was born November 29, 1857, and is a mill weaver in the Davis & Brown mill of East Killingly; William Adelbert, who was married April 27, 1889, to Laura Frances Bartlett, of East Killingly; Laura Estella, who died in childhood; and James, who died in infancy. Mrs. Laura Frances (Bartlett) Miller was a daughter of Albert and Louisa (Miller) Bartlett and passed away December 20, 1918, leaving one child, Louise Bartlett Miller, who was born at East Killingly on the 19th of November, 1898.

The death of Mr. Miller occurred May 27, 1893. He passed away in the faith of the Advent church, of which he was long a devoted member, guiding his life according to its teachings, so that his entire career measured up to high standards. William Adelbert and Edgar Miller are the only living children of Adam K. Miller and they, together with Louise, the daughter of William Adelbert Miller, occupy the old Adams farm on the Providence-Hartford pike road in East Killingly. The brothers are both mill weavers.

CHESTER EVERETT MAY.

Chester Everett May, of Woodstock, is a representative of a family that traces its genealogical line back to the mother country in the days prior to the landing of the Pilgrims on American shores. Beginning with John May, who was born in England in 1590, the line comes down through John II, John III, John IV, Thomas, Silas, Chester and Eliphalet Lyman May to the subject of this review, all of whom have been men of character and high standing in their time and have exerted a powerful influence for good on New England society.

John May, becoming the founder of the family in the new world, spent his last days in Roxbury, Massachusetts, where he passed away April 28, 1670. His son, John May II, was born in 1631 and married Miss Sarah Brewer, while his death occurred in Rox- bury in 1671. John May III, born in 1663, married Prudence Bridge and died in Roxbury in 1730. John May IV, born in 1686, wedded Elizabeth Child and passed away in Wood- stock in 1770. Thomas May, born in 1723, married Lucy Goddard and died in Woodstock in 1803. They were the parents of Silas May, who was born in 1753 and wedded Dorothy Morse, while his death occurred in Woodstock in 1805. Chester May, son of Silas, was born in 1781, married Hannah Lyman and died in Woodstock in 1854. They were the parents of Eliphalet Lyman May, who was born in 1816 and died in Woodstock in 1901. He passed his entire life in the place of his birth and there on the 26th of May, 1847, he was united in marriage to Harriet Louisa Stone, who was born in Thomp- son, Connecticut, May 28, 1824. She survived her husband for about a decade and was called to the home beyond on the 1st of April, 1911.

Chester Everett May, whose name introduces this review, was born in East Wood- stock, June 10, 1848, and began his education in the schools of his native town. He afterward attended the Woodstock and Dudley academies, also the East Greenwich, Rhode Island, Academy, and pursued a course in bookkeeping in a business college in Worcester, Massachusetts. He took up the occupation of farming and has devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits, making a specialty of the raising of Holstein cattle. He has a large acreage devoted to corn and potatoes and has a fine apple orchard of twelve acres upon his place. He has prospered in his undertakings, being a man of excellent judgment, of keen business discrimination and unfaltering energy. As his financial resources have increased he has added to his holdings in land, also to his buildings and has greatly improved his place, which is today one of the finest farming properties of his section of the state. He has always utilized the most progressive methods in his work and his labors and ideas have largely been accepted as a standard by people of the community. This fact is indicated in his election for many years to the office of director of the Woodstock Agricultural Society, while for two years he was honored with the presidency of that organization. He was also the president of the Woodstock Thief Detecting Society for two years.

On the 14th of March, 1877, in Pomfret, Connecticut, Mr. May was united in mar- riage to Miss Emma Harriett White, a daughter of David Marsh and Jane Anne E. (Squire) White, of Pomfret, Connecticut. Mrs. May traces her ancestry back to Revo-

CHESTER E. MAY

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lutionary war times and is connected with the Sheffield, Trumbull, Squire and White families, all of whom were represented in the Revolutionary war, the War of 1812 and the Mexican war. Her father served as a soldier in the Civil war and the same patriotic and loyal spirit is manifest in Mrs. May, who is ever willing to do her part at her country's call and for the community in which she lives.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 58

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