A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 64

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

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CHARLES HENRY BLAKE.

Charles Henry Blake, an expert cabinetmaker and carpenter of Brooklyn, was born in Wrentham, Massachusetts, June 23, 1861, a son of Warren D. and Laura (Sweetland) Blake, who were also natives of Wrentham. The father was a boat builder and removed to Brooklyn, Connecticut, at the age of thirty years, here carrying on the boat building business for a number of years, after which he took up carpentering, remaining active along that line to the time of his death, which occurred in 1914. He was married in Wrentham, Massachusetts, to Laura Sweetland and their children were six in number: Catherine, Herbert, Loring, Charles H., Lynwood and Alfred.

Charles H. Blake was educated in the schools of Brooklyn and in early life learned the carpenter's trade under the direction of his father. In 1879 he went to Boston, where he occupied a position as shipping clerk for a period of ten years. About 1889 he returned to Brooklyn, where he resumed work at carpentering and cabinetmaking. In these lines he yet continues and is recognized as an expert cabinetmaker who has made many fine pieces of furniture after original designs, causing his work to be sought by those who have appreciation for originality and beauty.

On the 3d of August, 1887, in Brooklyn, Mr. Blake was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Burdick, who was born in Brooklyn, a daughter of John N. and Phebe (Rix) Burdick, who were natives of Griswold, Connecticut. Their son, Charles Edwin Blake, was born March 19, 1890, attended the public schools and afterward entered Trinity Col- lege at Hartford. He later became a teacher at Barrington, Rhode Island, and subse- quently taught in the St. Andrews school at Barrington for four years. He was then chosen supervisor of the Southwest school in Hartford, Connecticut, and filled that position until December, 1917, when he entered the service of the Young Men's Christian Association, with which he was connected for six months in France with the United States Army. He was also second intelligence officer and was identified with the censor's department in Paris. Upon returning from France he engaged with the Travelers Insur- ance Company of Hartford, which he represented in Detroit, Michigan, but later was transferred to the educational department of the company at the home office in Hartford, where he now is. He was married in Detroit in 1919 to Miss Catharine Lines Chapin, daughter of Colonel Frank and Ellie (Lines) Chapin of Pine Meadows, Connecticut. The second member of the family, Florence May, born July 1, 1895, is at home. Dorothy K., born January 14, 1900, is also at home and, like lier sister, is a graduate of the Killingly high school.

In his political allegiance Mr. Blake is a republican and is chairman of the republi- can town committee, in which position lie has served for thirty years, being the oldest

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man in point of service in his senatorial district. He was also at one time assessor and auditor and never has he been known to fail in any public duty, giving his earnest support and cooperation to every plan and project which tends to benefit the community and uphold the interests of the commonwealth. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Episcopal church. He has won for himself a creditable place in busi- ness circles and in public regard and on the list of Brooklyn's representative men his name is prominently found.

JOSEPH OCTAVE BLANCHETTE.

Joseph Octave Blanchette has for forty years been engaged in business as a baker in Willimantic, and previous to the time when he became proprietor of the establishment which he still owns he was employed along that line by his brother-in-law, Frank Gilman. He was born in St. Charles, Canada, October 16, 1850, and is a son of Ansaibe and Felicet (Roberts) Blanchette. The father was a school teacher in Canada, where he resided until 1867, when he removed with his family to Connecticut, where he became a teacher of French in local schools.

His son, Joseph Octave Blanchette, left home to start out in the business world and took up the trade of harness making, at which he worked in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, and at Webster, Massachusetts. He thoroughly mastered the business and became a good workman but removed to Willimantic at the request of his brother-in-law, Frank Gilman, to take charge of the latter's bakery. He assumed control of the business and proved his adaptability by successfully conducting the enterprise, although he had had no previous experience in that direction. He found the business congenial and in 1878 purchased the bakery from Mr. Gilman and has since been proprietor of the establishment. He has always exercised the utmost care in maintaining cleanly and sanitary conditions and also in producing a product which by reason of its excellence will insure a ready sale on the market. That his output has been highly satisfactory finds incontrovertible proof in the fact that he has for forty years continued in the business in this city.

On the 2d of June, 1873, Mr. Blanchette was united in marriage to Miss Emily Gilman, who was born in Webster, Massachusetts, on the 29th of May, 1855, a daughter of Joseph and Emily Gilman. They are both widely and favorably known in Willimantic and enjoy the warm regard of an extensive circle of friends. The life record of Mr. Blanchette measures up to high standards in every private and public relation, and whatever he has undertaken in his business career he has accomplished, knowing that persistent and intelligently directed effort will overcome all obstacles and difficulties.

JAMES H. HURLEY.

The steps in the career of James H. Hurley are easily discernible and follow in orderly progression. He has advanced steadily but surely through the force of his char- acter and ability to a prominent position in the business circles of Willimantic, being now president of the Hurley-Grant Company.

A native of Norwich, Connecticut, he was born July 22, 1872, of the marriage of James and Mary (Sugrue) Hurley, both of whom have departed this life. During his youthful days his attention was largely given to the acquirement of an education in public and private schools of the town of Norwich and Quebec, Canada. He attended Holy Cross College, where he remained as a student from 1887 until 1889 inclusive. After his college days were over he turned his attention to the plumbing business, which he followed for a year, and later spent two years as an employe in the postoffice of Willimantic, in which city he had taken up his abode in 1893. He then entered the employ of the Jordan-Hardan Hardware Company, with which he remained for sixteen years, thoroughly acquainting himself with the trade in every particular. On the expiration of that period he entered into partnership with H. T. Clark, forming what was known as the Clark-Hurley Company in 1909. A change in the partnership in 1912 led to the adoption of the present firm style of the Hurley-Grant Company, of which Mr. Hurley is the president. The success of the enterprise is due in substantial meas- ure to his efforts, for he brought broad experience and wide knowledge to the conduct of his business and, moreover, was actuated by a spirit of unfaltering determination and energy. He has ever recognized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertise- ment and has largely built up his business through his earnest desire to please his patrons.

On the 9th of September, 1907, Mr. Hurley was united in marriage to Miss Margaret

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Courtney, of Willimantic, Connecticut. They are members of St. Joseph's Roman Catho- lic church and Mr. Hurley is identified with the Knights of Columbus. In politics he is an independent voter, yet he is not remiss in the duties of citizenship and his coopera- tion can always be counted upon as a vital force to promote any well devised plan or measure for the upbuilding of the city, for the improvement of its commercial conditions or for the advancement of those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and of civic pride.

HURLEY-GRANT COMPANY.

The Hurley-Grant Company is one of the important commercial concerns of Willi- mantic, the company being extensively engaged in the hardware trade. Their establish- ment covers sixty-five hundred square feet of floor space and they have five employes. They handle farm machinery, contractors' supplies, paints, oils, varnishes, crockery, mill supplies, sporting goods, heavy and light hardware and kindred lines and they are general agents for the Dupont de Nemours Powder Company. They have one of the two magazines in Connecticut. The business has been conducted under the present partnership relation since 1912 but was established three years before as the Clark-Hurley Company. From the beginning they have made a close study of the trade, so that their purchases have been judiciously made, and in the conduct of their business they have ever recognized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement. Their commercial methods will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny and their energy has brought to them a very substantial measure of success.

PERCY LAWRENCE WATERMAN.

With woolen manufacturing in New England, Percy Lawrence Waterman was long prominently identified, being recognized as one of the leading designers in this connec- tion, and after many years devoted to designing as a representative of various well known mills he established business on his own account as a partner of his brother under the name of the Waterman Worsted Company, with factory at Putnam. With the suc- cessful conduct and management of the business he was then associated until his death, which occurred on the 10th of December, 1916, when he was in the fortieth year of his age. He was a native of Warwick, Rhode Island, born on the 21st of June, 1877, his parents being Charles H. and Sarah Ann (Rome) Waterman. He acquired his education in the city schools of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, being graduated from the high school, after which he turned his attention to cloth manufacturing, his interest centering in worsted designing. Through wide study and practical experience he gained compre- hensive knowledge and developed marked skill in the business, becoming designer for the patterns of cloth manufactured by the French River Worsted Mills at Mechanicsville, Windham county, until 1898. He then left that establishment to become assistant designer in the worsted mills at Manton, Rhode Island, where he served under George Newell. Later he became connected with the Sampson & Kirkildy mills at Woonsocket, Rhode Island, as chief designer, and afterward accepted the position of chief designer in the French River Mills at Mechanicsville, where he had started in to learn the business. There he continued until 1912, when he resigned his position in order to engage in business on his own account and entered into partnership with his brother under the firm style of the Waterman Worsted Company. They secured a mill at Putnam and Percy L. Waterman acted as superintendent of production, as designer and as vice presi- dent of the company until the time of his demise. In the interval the business under the management of the brothers had steadily grown and developed and had assumed gratifying proportions. His broad experience enabled Mr. Waterman to turn out a class of goods that found a ready sale on the market and the methods of the house measured up to the highest commercial standards.

On the 19th of January, 1916, Mr. Waterman was united in marriage to Miss Helen Cardiff, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, who was born in Boston and acquired her education in the schools of New York city and of Providence, Rhode Island. She is a daughter of John Edward and Susan (Carroll) Cardiff, who were natives of Chester, England. The father was engaged in the woolen business in that country and continued in the same line after coming to the new world, being identified with the trade in Boston for many years. He is now living retired and makes his home in New York city, but his wife passed away in Boston. The happy married life of Mr. and Mrs. Waterman covered less than a year,

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for on the 10th of December, 1916, at his home, Oak Hill, in Putnam, Mr. Waterman passed away.

He was prominent in Masonic circles, holding membership in Quinnebaug Lodge, F. & A. M .; Putnam Chapter, R. A. M .; Montgomery Council, R. & S. M .; Columbian Commandery, K. T .; and Sphinx Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He also belonged to the Elks lodge of Putnam and his political allegiance was given to the republican party. His religious faith was that of the Baptist church and his life at all times was guided by its teachings. It is not difficult to write of him, for his life and his character were as clear as the sunlight, and those who came in contact with him speedily appreciated him at his true worth and knew he was a man who cherished not only a high ideal of duty but who lived up to it. Cut off in the flower and promise of comparatively young manhood, he is greatly missed by the friends left behind, but the memory of his beautiful life and the sincerity and the simplicity of his character will not be forgotten.

ALLEN JEWETT.

Allen Jewett, now living retired at Clarks Corner in Hampton, although in former years he was closely connected with commercial interests, was born at Hampton, August 16, 1839. He is a son of Ebenezer and Maria (Jennings) Jewett. The father was born and reared in Hampton and in young manhood became a carpenter, following his trade at Hampton until he reached the age of thirty years, when he removed to Genesee county, New York. There he resided for seven years, after which he returned to the place of his nativity and continued in the carpentering and building business throughout his remaining days. He passed away in Hampton, as did his wife, who was born in the town of Windham, Connecticut.

Allen Jewett obtained his education in the Hampton schools and was graduated from the high school with the class of 1858. He afterward taught school in the town of Chaplin for one term and in early life he learned the carpenter's trade under the di- rection of his father and followed that business until appointed postmaster of Clarks Corner, in the town of Hampton, by Postmaster General Marshall Jewell in March, 1876. He occupied that position until 1878, when he resigned. His attention was afterward given to carpentering and farming and he also had a meat wagon for ten years, serving the country trade. He then opened a grocery store at Clarks Corner, purchasing the business of B. C. Grant following the death of the latter. For twenty years Mr. Jewett remained active in the grocery trade but disposed of his store in April, 1912. In 1888 he was again appointed postmaster and resigned in 1912, after serving continuously for twenty-three years, and he held the office altogether for a quarter of a century. Since 1916 he has been assistant postmaster. He was also station agent for four years, from 1908 until 1912, at the Clarks Corner station. In the latter year he disposed of his store to D. C. Hattin and resigned his position as postmaster and station agent and also sold the building in which his store was located. He then removed to his farm on the Smith road, a half mile from the station and postoffice, and is now practically living retired.

On the 13th of December, 1866, Mr. Jewett was married to Miss Fannie Elizabeth Wheeler, of Stonington, Connecticut, where she was born, a daughter of William Nelson and Susan (Wilcox) Wheeler, also natives of Stonington. Mr. and Mrs. Jewett cele- brated their golden wedding on the 13th of December, 1916, on which occasion one hun- dred and fifty guests were present, while many beautiful gifts were received by this worthy couple, who throughout all the intervening years have enjoyed in highest meas- sure the warm regard and esteem of those who know them. To Mr. and Mrs. Jewett were born five children, one of whom died in infancy, while another died at the age of six years. Three are still living. Wallace Nelson, born at Hampton, June 26, 1870, and now following farming there, married Winnie Fisher, of Providence, Rhode Is- land. Elmer Claflin, born at Hampton, January 11, 1872, was station agent at Clarks Corner, also at Franklin, Massachusetts, and at Putnam and Norwich, Connecticut, re- signing after twenty years' service. He was secretary of the Chamber of Commerce at Brockton, Massachusetts, for three years and is now manager and treasurer of the Brockton Manufacturing Company of that place. He married Elizabeth Ennis, of Hampton. Viola Frances, born in Hampton, January 2, 1889, is the widow of Edward Clark, who was a carpenter of Hartford. They were married November 30, 1915, and Mr. Clark passed away in July, 1916. His widow is now teaching at Pomfret, Connecti- cut, and has taught altogether for eleven years.

In politics Mr. Jewett has always been a stanch democrat. He was town clerk of Hampton for one year, being called to the office in 1891, a fact indicative of his personal popularity as he is the only democrat who has been chosen to fill that posi-

ALLEN JEWETT

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tion in more than a half century. For over twenty years he was a member of the school board and was school visitor. He likewise served as justice of the peace, as town auditor, tax assessor and constable. He is now acting as notary public. His official duties were always discharged with promptness and fidelity and over the record of his public career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. In religious faith he is a Spiritualist, while his wife is connected with the Christian Science church. Mr. Jewett has ever been a studious man and is the possessor of the largest private library in the town of Hampton, containing over eight hundred volumes, including some very rare and valuable books, some of which were printed in England in 1704 and others being among the first books printed in America. He has always been a great reader and student and he possesses as well a large collection of Indian relics of historic value, together with many interesting firearms of ancient workmanship and other battle relics. While he is now an octogenarian, he keeps in touch with the trend of modern thought and progress and does not live in the past as so many of his age are wont to do. His memory of events which have left their impress on the history of this section of the state is clear and vivid and his recollections of matters of public importance prove most interesting reminiscences.

JOSEPH ST. ONGE.

Joseph St. Onge, who is engaged in the grocery business in Willimantic, was born in Bozrahville, Connecticut, April 26, 1873, a son of Peter and Mattie (Clementine) St. Onge, the former now deceased. He is a representative of one of the old French families that emigrated to Canada at an early period in the exodus of French settlers to that country.

Joseph St. Onge, of this review, was a little lad of but seven years when the family home was removed from Bozrahville, Connecticut, to Willimantic. He attended the parochial school in connection with St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church and thus acquired his education. Starting out in the business world, he was first employed by H. Leonard, proprietor of a meat market, and later he was connected with the meat market of Isaac Knowlton. His third employer was Charles Whittemore, a candy manu- facturer and merchant, and later he again became connected with the meat business in the employ of J. M. Mullen, with whom he remained for ten years as an employe, at the end of which time he purchased an interest in the business, entering upon a partnership that continued until 1912. On the 16th of September, of that year, he became sole proprietor of his present business, and has a large and well appointed store which is one of the important trade centers of the city. He now has three employes and he utilizes auto delivery. His patronage is steadily growing, for he carries a very attractive line of staple and fancy groceries and puts forth his goods in a pleasing arrangement that cannot fail to attract attention. Moreover, he is always courteous and obliging to his patrons and demands that similar service shall be extended to them by the clerks in the establishment.

On the 4th of June, 1902, Mr. St. Onge was united in marriage to Miss Susan A. Britton of Willimantic. They are members of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church and Mr. St. Onge votes with the democratic party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has not been an office seeker, preferring to con- centrate his time and attention upon business affairs. He has done with thoroughness whatever his hand has found to do and his conscientious purpose and his progressive methods have carried him forward until he now occupies a creditable position in the commercial circles of his adopted city.

THOMAS PATRICK FOLEY.

Thomas Patrick Foley was, up to January 1, 1917, the efficient chief of the fire department of Willimantic and under his direction the work of the organization was thoroughly systematized and the results achieved are most gratifying. Moreover, he is well known in business circles as the senior partner of the firm of Foley & Henry, engaged in a trucking business.

He was born in Mansfield, Connecticut, March 4, 1876, and is a son of Timothy and Johanna (Warren) Foley, both of whom have passed away. In their family were ten children, namely: John, now living at Juliustown, New Jersey; Edward, of Mansfield, Connecticut; David, William and Thomas, who are residents of Willimantic; Michael, who is an engineer on a United States boat; Mrs. Nellie McShane, residing at Middle

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Point, Rhode Island; Mrs. Mary Guinel, whose home is at Charlestown, Massachusetts; Joseph, also of Charlestown; and Mrs. Margaret Hines, of Baltic, Connecticut.

Thomas P. Foley acquired a district school education in Mansfield, Connecticut, where he studied for six years. He then took up the occupation of farming, in the employ of others, and thus worked until he reached the age of eighteen years. He became a resident of Willimantic in 1894 and entered the employ of C. H. Baker, one of the old-time expressmen and draymen of the city. He continued with Mr. Baker for eight years and on the expiration of that period he and his brother purchased the busi- ness, which they then carried on under the style of Foley Brothers. This continued for a short time, after which Thomas P. Foley bought the interests of his partners and soon afterward he was joined in partnership by John J. Henry, who bought an interest in the business, so that since 1902 the firm has been Foley & Henry. In the beginning they had but two employes and eight horses. Today the firm utilizes two large Packard trucks and twenty horses and has fifteen regular employes, with ten extra men.

Mr. Foley belongs to St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church and along fraternal lines lie is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party but he has never been an office seeker. His identification with the fire department began in 1896 and after two months he was made second assistant foreman and has worked upward through successive stages of promotion in the depart- ment to the position of chief, in which capacity he continued from 1911 to January 1, 1917. His record in this connection was a most commendable one. He constantly studied how to improve the service and made the fire department of Willimantic a most efficient organization. Good equipment was secured and the thorough work done by the depart- ment received the endorsement of the press and of the general public.

HENRY FRYER.

Henry Fryer, a merchant tailor whose business record has been marked by steady progress and who has won a very substantial measure of success during the period of his residence in Willimantic, was born in Trowbridge, England, June 1, 1861, a son of Samuel and Mary (Whally) Fryer, both of whom have passed away. He was a pupil in the public schools of England until he reached the age of ten years and this is all the school training which he had, but through experience he has learned many valuable lessons and, possessing an observing eye and retentive memory, he has added continually to his knowledge as the years have passed by. He began work at the tailoring trade, being taught hand tailoring by some of the highly reputed men in that line of business in England. His entire life has been devoted to the same line of work and undoubtedly one of the elements of his success is the fact that he has never dissipated his energies over a broad field but has concentrated his efforts and attention upon a single line and has thus developed a thorough mastery of the business.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 64

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