A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 60

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

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Their only child, R. A. Harris, attended the schools of Attleboro and of North Wind- ham and also the Natchaug school of Willimantic. In 1893 he went upon the road as a traveling salesman and devoted nineteen years to commercial traveling throughout the west. On the expiration of that period he returned to North Windham to take charge of the business which had been established by his father and is now engaged in the manufacture of high-grade jewelry, which includes a full line of chains, fobs, knives and cigar cutters, in which he uses the best material obtainable, his product always repre- senting the highest standards in manufacture. Mr. Harris still makes trips to the west, calling, however, only upon the wholesale trade. His business is large and profitable, constituting one of the important manufacturing interests of North Windham.

In 1899 Mr. Harris was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Neff, of Brooklyn, New York, a daughter of T. L. Neff, who was the first president and the founder of the Bottlers' Association of New York. He was the pioneer in putting pop, soda water and root beer on the market, and Neff's root beer became famous throughout the country. His sons still continue the business in Brooklyn under the firm style of T. L. Neff's Sons. Mr. and Mrs. Harris have become the parents of a daughter, Thelma.

In politics Mr. Harris is a republican, but has no aspirations for public office, never seeking to figure in any public light save that of a successful business man. He attends the Congregational church and is a member of the lodge and chapter in Masonry and also of the Elks lodge in Willimantic. Like his father, he greatly enjoys clean sport and is well known as a hunter and fisherman, going into the wilds for game or fish whenever opportunity offers. He is always approachable and genial, is kindly in spirit and not only among his fellow citizens in Windham county, but among all the acquaintances that he has made in the many years that he spent as a traveling salesman, he is held in warm regard and high esteem.

AIME J. MARTINEAU.

Aime J. Martineau, a furniture dealer and undertaker of Willimantic, was born in Quebec, Canada, February 22, 1881, his parents being Tellesphore J. and Julia (Lamon- tagne) Martineau, who are still residents of Quebec. The son acquired a public school education in his native city and afterward attended Levis College at Point Levis, Canada. There he pursued an academic course and while in that school he won a scholarship for meritorious work and was enabled to secure six months' business training with his scholarship. Starting in the business world, his first work was for the Canadian government in connection with its greenhouse and florist department. He devoted four years to activity of that character and thoroughly acquainted himself with the business. In 1900 he became a resident of Willimantic, Connecticut, where he accepted a clerkship in the store of H. E. Remington, with whom he remained for five years. This was one of the large clothing establishments of the city and Mr. Martineau proved an able assistant in the conduct of the business. He afterward became connected with a grocery store, which enabled him to engage in both inside and outside work, for at times he assisted in clerking and also in delivering. He continued in that position for four years, during which he carefully saved his earnings until his economy and industry had brought to him sufficient capital to enable him to embark in other lines. He pursued a course in the Barnes School of Embalming and Science of Anatomy College in New York city, from which he was graduated in 1910, after which he passed the required examinations in Connecticut and began business at Willimantic as an undertaker. He prospered in the business and afterward purchased property at his present location, at which time he opened his furniture store, carrying

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a full and well selected line of furniture, stoves and other household furnishings. He has a very fine store and an extensive stock of goods, his establishment being thor- oughly modern in every way, and he now enjoys a very liberal patronage. He has closely applied himself, never taking a vacation, and his business is now in a most flourishing condition, his large trade bringing to him a gratifying annual income.

On the 1st of June, 1902, Mr. Martineau was married to Miss Alphonsine Bacon, a daughter of Napoleon Bacon, one of the foremost French Canadians who became resi- dents of Connecticut. Mr. Bacon is now deceased. Mrs. Martineau was born in Willi- mantic, February 26, 1884, and she assists her husband in the business. Both are members of the Council Union and of St. Jean le Baptiste and Mr. Martineau is captain of the team in the latter organization. His wife is also connected with the Ladies' St. Anne's Society. They are both members of St. Mary's Roman Catholic church and Mr. Martineau is advocate of the Naturalization Club and assistant secretary of the French Society. He was twice president of the Franco-American Brigade of the New England states, comprising three thousand members, was secretary for one term and brigadier general for two terms. He also was captain of Guard Florimond of Willi- mantic, the local department of the Franco-American Brigade. He belongs to the board of trade, is an independent voter and is a director of the United Charities. These associa- tions indicate the variety and nature of his interests. He stands for all that has to do with public progress, with individual benefit and with a recognition of one's responsi- bilities to one's fellow men. His record in business should serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what may be accomplished through personal effort, as he started out in life independently and has worked his way upward, reaching a most creditable and en- viable position in business circles.

ISAAC SANDERSON.

Isaac Sanderson has lived retired from active business life since 1899, enjoying the fruits of his former well directed energy and judicious investment. He was prior to his retirement at different times connected with hotel management, with the conduct of restaurants and with the breeding of fine horses and it was as a horseman perhaps that he became most widely known.

A native of Lunenburg, Massachusetts, he was born on the 7th of April, 1840, a son of Abijah and Chestina (Davis) Sanderson, the former also a native of Lunenburg, while the latter was born in Shirley, Massachusetts. The family has been represented in Massachusetts from the early part of the eighteenth century, when Abraham Sander- son took up his abode there. He had a son, Jacob, who was one of the minutemen of the Revolutionary war, while another son, Samuel Sanderson, served in the colonial wars as well as in the war for independence.

Jacob Sanderson was the father of Jonathan Sanderson, who became a prominent and influential farmer, occupying the family estate at Lunenburg. He married Mehitabel Spafford, a descendant of John Spafford, of Yorkshire, England, who came to the new world in 1639 in company with Rev. Ezekiel Rogers and was one of the first settlers of, Georgetown, Massachusetts. The Spaffords trace their ancestry from the Earl of Spaf- ford and the first of the name in America was John Spafford, who married Elizabeth Scott of Ipswich, Massachusetts. Their son, John Spafford, was born in 1648 and in 1675 married Sarah Wheeler. They were parents of Jonathan Spafford, who was born in 1684 and wedded Jemima Freethe, of York, Maine, by whom he had a son, David Spaf- ford, who was born in 1710 and in 1735 married Hannah Cheney. They were the parents of Abijah Spafford, who was born in 1736 and married Sarah Towne. It was their daughter, Mehitabel, who was born in Boxford, New Hampshire, in 1771, that became the wife of Jonathan Sanderson, of Lunenburg, Massachusetts. They were the grandparents of Isaac Sanderson of this review, whose father, Abijah Sanderson, was born in Lunenburg, Massachusetts, and there resided until 1840, when he removed to Lowell, Massachusetts, where for eleven years he served as a member of the police force. He then returned to Lunenburg, where he followed farming until his death at the age of sixty-six years. His wife survived for some years and passed away at the home of a daughter in Boston. Mr. Sanderson was a democrat in politics but never an aspirant for office. He was a lover of good horses and when not occupied with business affairs greatly enjoyed driving.

Isaac Sanderson of this review pursued a common school education in Lunenburg, but his opportunities in that direction were quite limited, for the sessions of the district schools were brief and ofttimes the heavy snows prevented attendance. He continued upon the home farm until he reached the age of twenty years and in the summer months devoted his attention to the work of the fields. He was employed to some

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extent by neighboring farmers and afterward worked as a farm hand at Cape Cod, Massachusetts, for one season. He returned to his father's home in the fall of 1859 and after spending the winter there was married on the 7th of April, 1860, and began his domestic life on the old homestead farm, which he leased and for several years cultivated. In 1863 he took up his abode upon his father's farm in Athol, Massachusetts, but a year later embarked in business independently, becoming proprietor of a livery stable in Townsend, Massachusetts. He also conducted a livery stable at Ayer, Massa- chusetts, and in 1869 removed to Hampton Hill, Connecticut, where he carried on a hotel for a year. He was proprietor of the Chelsea House at Hampton, Connecticut, during the building of the railroad through that district and was accorded a liberal patronage. Later he spent one year as proprietor of the Atawagan House at Danielson, Connecticut, and later he became proprietor of a restaurant in Norwich, where he resided until 1876, when he took up his abode in Willimantic, where he conducted the Brainard Hotel. He has been a resident of Willimantic since 1876 and was proprietor of the hotel for thirteen years. While thus engaged he began breeding horses, and it was Mr. Sanderson who raised the famous Lady Alcyo, which made a record of 2:10. He has also raised other fine animals, many of which have brought fancy prices, but since 1899, he has not been known as an active horseman, for in the previous year he disposed of most of his stock. In this connection a contemporary biographer wrote: "Mr. Sanderson is a horseman by nature, loves to handle the ribbons and is a thorough sportsman." When he began breeding and dealing in horses for the development of speed he paid a thousand dollars for Louise, a pacer, and he raised some of the best stock ever seen in the state of Connecticut. He also raised the fastest yearling, Lady Alcyo, ever produced in New England. He devoted thirteen years to the business and had his horses upon every noted track in the eastern part of the United States. For many years he was a member of the Breeders' Association of Boston.

On the 7th of April, 1860, Mr. Sanderson was united in marriage to Miss Esther Adams and to them was born a son, Fred A., whose birth occurred in Athol and who is with the Windham Silk Company, being the bookkeeper and a director and stock- holder of that corporation. In politics he is a prominent democrat. He is married and has three children, Herbert I., Esther May and Frank.

Mr. Sanderson holds membership with the Knights of Pythias and his wife has been somewhat active with the Pythian Sisters and also in the church guild. Mr. Sanderson has been burgess of the borough and has served as third, second and first selectman. He has always voted with the democratic party and cooperates in many movements for the general good. While he has retired from active business life, he is still a stockholder in the Windham Silk Company. He has now reached the seventy-eighth milestone on life's journey and his has been an active career, marked by steady progress in business and by activity along various lines that have brought him prominently before the public. He is spoken of as "a man of fine personal qualities who has a host of friends all over New England and is beloved for his genial nature and unaffected humor."

SANFORD PRATT.

Sanford Pratt, identified with farming interests on the old Mitchell farm of Wind- ham county, was born in Killingly, July 11, 1856, a son of Albert and Eunice (Green) Pratt. The father was born near Killingly Center and throughout his entire life fol- lowed agricultural pursuits, but death claimed him when he was only forty years of age. His wife, who was born in Brooklyn, Connecticut, passed away in Warwick, Rhode Island. The Pratt family, however, has long been represented in New England, for Albert Pratt was a son of Albert James and Sarah (Wilbur) Pratt, the former a native of Raynham, Massachusetts, and a soldier of the Revolutionary war. He devoted his life to the occupation of farming and removed to Killingly, Connecticut, where he purchased farm land, giving his attention throughout his remaining days to the further development and improvement of the fields. His wife, who was born in Raynham, passed away in Killingly at the notable old age of ninety-one years.

Sanford Pratt was reared on the old homestead farm and in early life took up the carpenter's trade but in 1899 returned to the occupation which had claimed his attention in his youthful days, establishing himself on the old Mitchell farm, which he is still cultivating. On the 3d of July, 1887, he wedded Eleanor Charlotte Marcy, of Killingly, who was born on the old Mitchell farm, where she and her husband now reside and which has become their property. She is a daughter of Jolin Newton and Emma (Corpse) Marcy. Her father was a native of Woodstock, Connecticut, and with his parents removed to the village of Daniels in early life. Following his marriage he began the development of the Mitchell farm but afterward established his home at Woodstock, where he passed

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away. His widow afterward became the wife of Richard Alexander, a Civil war veteran, and spent her last days in Killingly. Mrs. Pratt's father, John Newton Marcy, was the son of James and Betsy (Lyon) Marcy, the former a native of Daniels village, Connecticut, and a farmer by occupation, engaging in the tilling of the soil in Woodstock for a time but later turned his attention to merchandising. He there passed away. At the time of the Civil war John Newton Marcy put aside all business and personal considerations and joined the Union army, with which he was connected for a short time but saw no active service. The mother of Mrs. Sanford Pratt, who bore the maiden name of Emma Corpse, was a daughter of Lyman and Susan (Mitchell) Corpse. Her father was a black- smith of Killingly, Connecticut, and went to the west, leaving his wife with her parents on the old Mitchell farm. This was in 1849 and he was attracted by the discovery of gold in California. His wife, Mrs. Susan ( Mitchell) Corpse, was a daughter of Abram and Charlotte (Mitchell) Mitchell and her father was born on the old Mitchell farm property in Killingly, so that several generations of the family have lived upon this place. He devoted his entire life to its cultivation and improvement and died upon the farm. The ancestral record can be traced still farther back, for Abram Mitchell, who married Susie Ballard, was the son of Ezekiel and Sarah Mitchell, the former born on the Mitchell homestead, where he continued to reside until his life's labors were ended in death. He was the son of Smith Mitchell, who also spent his entire life on the Mitchell farm. His father in turn was Experience Mitchell, a native of England and the first of the family to come to Killingly. The Mitchells at one time owned over a thou- sand acres of land in Killingly. The old homestead has been continuously in possession of the founder of the family and his descendants and Sanford Pratt and his wife now own eighty-five acres. He is devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits and dairying, having fine Jersey cows upon his place. They are well known in the com- munity where they reside and Mr. Pratt is recognized as a reliable and enterprising business man. Both belong to old New England families and merit and enjoy the respect of those who know them.

JAMES PORTER BATH.

The prosperity of any community, town or city depends upon its commercial activity, its industrial interests and its trade relations and therefore among the builders of a town are those who stand at the head of the business enterprises. Prominent in this connection is James Porter Bath, the secretary and treasurer of the H. C. Murray Com- pany, Inc., owners of the Boston Store, one of the largest commercial establishments in Connecticut. He has earned for himself a reputation as a careful man of business and in his dealings is known for his prompt and honorable methods, which have won for him the deserved and unbounded confidence of his fellowmen.

Mr. Bath was born in Willimantic, July 29, 1873, his parents being James Porter and Mary Monroe (King) Bath, both of whom have now passed away. Spending his youthful days in their home, James P. Bath, of this review, acquired a district and grammar school education and on starting out in the business world spent two weeks as an employe in a five and ten cent store. At the end of that period, or in 1887, he went to work for H. C. Murray in the store of which he is one of the owners. He has been con- tinuously connected with the company for thirty years, working upward from the position of errand boy to that of clerk and buyer and finally becoming secretary and treasurer of the H. C. Murray Company, Inc., which position he has now filled for a number of years, more and more assuming responsibilities of management and control as the president, Mr. Murray, has retired from business, ultimately severing his connection with the active management of the business in February, 1918. The Boston Store is one of the large mercantile establishments in this part of Connecticut. The building is four stories in height and fifty by ninety-two feet and in it are employed thirty-eight people. There is an auto delivery system and a very attractive and carefully selected line of goods is carried, while the utmost care is exercised in the selection of goods, in the personnel of the house and in the methods of business conduct. The equipment of the store is thor- oughly modern and every possible effort is put forth for the convenience and comfort of patrons. Mr. Bath has closely studied every phase of the trade as he has worked his way steadily upward and his long experience has given him a knowledge that is most valuable in shaping the conduct of the enterprise.

In Willimantic, Mr. Bath was married to Miss Jennie J. Rose, and to them was born a son, James Porter III, who died, however, when but two years of age. In politics Mr. Bath is an independent voter, supporting the candidates whom he regards as best qualified for office without regard to party ties. He belongs to the Congregational church and is serving on the ecclesiastical committee. He has also been pastor's assistant and

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one of the deacons of the church. In Masonic circles he is well known by reason of his connection with the lodge, chapter, council, commandery and the Mystic Shrine and his life is an exemplification of the teachings of the craft, which is based upon a recognition of the brotherhood of man and the obligations thereby imposed. Entering upon his business career at an early age he proved himself in every position to which he was called to be the right man for the place, well qualified to assume new and greater responsibilities and he has discharged them well and profitably.

ALEXANDER GILMAN.

Alexander Gilman is filling the office of postmaster of Putnam and he has the dis- tinction of being the youngest man that was ever honored with election to the office of alderman in his city. He was born July 16, 1874, in Putnam, a son of Alexander and Mary (Bellerose) Gilman, who were natives of the province of Quebec, Canada, but in early life accompanied their respective parents on the removal from Canada to the United States. Becoming a resident of Putnam, Alexander Gilman, Sr., engaged in the building business and later became a building contractor. He was married in Putnam, where his widow still resides, his death having occurred in 1880. They were the parents of nine children, of whom five are yet living. Joseph, who was born in Canada, is now master mechanic with the Oakland Street Railroad Company of Oakland, California. Mary, born in Putnam, is the widow of Lawrence Biellargeon, of Putnam. Fred is a builder of Putnam. Alexander, of this review, is the next of the family. Eugene is a mechanic of Hartford. The four younger children were all born in Putnam.

Alexander Gilman, spending his youthful days in Putnam, attended the city and parochial schools to the age of fifteen years and then became a student in St. Cesaire school and business college of Quebec, Canada, from which in due course of time he was graduated. Returning to Putnam, he entered the employ of Chandler & Morse, pro- prietors of a hardware store, and in 1895 he secured a position with Lebbeus E. Smith, owner of the leading furniture store of Putnam. He continued in that position until appointed postmaster by President Wilson on the 1st of April, 1915. He had for twenty years been continuously employed by Mr. Smith and had built up a large trade for the establishment among the French Canadians. The value of his service was recognized and appreciated by his employer and many patrons of the store always thought of Mr. Gilman when they wished attention. He is making an excellent record in his present position, having carefully systematized the business of the office, while his prompt and courteous attention to its patrons has made him a popular official.

On the 8th of November, 1904, Mr. Gilman was united in marriage to Miss Senora Rivard, of Putnam, who was born in St. Anne, Canada, and was eight years of age when brought to Putnam by her parents, Joseph and Lumina (Laganiere) Rivard, who are natives of Quebec, where they resided for many years. The father was a farmer of the province of Quebec and on coming to Connecticut with his family settled at Putnam, where both he and his wife are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Gilman have become the parents of two children, Reina Sybella and Leonard Alexander, both of whom were born in Putnam. The religious faith of the family is that of the Roman Catholic church and Mr. Gilman is identified with Cargill Council, No. 64, of the Knights of Columbus, in which he formerly served as treasurer. He was also at one time 'treasurer of Putnam Lodge, No. 574, B. P. O. E., and he has membership with Court City of Putnam, No. 116, of the Foresters of America, in which he is a past chief ranger. He belongs to St. Jean the Baptiste Society, is an ex-president of the Canadian Naturalization Club, having been its chief presiding officer for three years, is vice president of the Chamber of Com- merce and vice president of the Putnam Building & Loan Association, which he aided in organizing. In politics he is an earnest democrat and for eight years he filled the position of town auditor. In 1900 he was elected a member of the city council, being the youngest man ever chosen to the position in the history of Putnam. His work there was of an important character and it is said that Mr. Gilman has put new life into the Chamber of Commerce. He is rated as one of the most prominent citizens among the French Canadians of Putnam. He enjoys the full confidence of the French colony and his advice is often sought by those of French Canadian birth or descent. As postmaster he has made a most efficient record. Under his administration the Postal Savings Bank has made wonderful strides. Among eight thousand five hundred and sixty postal savings banks in the United States on January 1, 1917, only one hundred and thirteen had deposits amounting to over one hundred thousand dollars and the Putnam postoffice was one of these, having more on deposit than many of the large cities of the United States, and yet it was the smallest city in the one hundred thousand dollar class. This splendid result is attributable in large measure to the efforts of Mr. Gilman, who is a

ALEXANDER GILMAN

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most progressive man, constantly studying conditions having to do with the welfare and benefit of the individual and of the community at large. Very fine new postoffice quarters have also been recently secured in the same block, giving double the room for the trans- action of business in the old office, and this change is largely due to the efforts of Mr. Gilman, the new and convenient facilities being appreciated by the public. Mr. Gilman is actuated always by a spirit of determination and of enterprise in what he under- takes, and in his public work is ever looking beyond the exigencies of the moment to the opportunities and possibilities of the future.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 60

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