A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 66

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

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ARCHIBALD RANDALL SHARPE.

Archibald Randall Sharpe, an architect of Willimantic, who occupies a position in the front rank of the profession in Windham county, was born in Seymour, Connecticut, on the 19th of February, 1892, a son of Ernest C. and Florence (Randall) Sharpe. The father was also born in Seymour but the mother's birth occurred in Wales. Both are still living. The father was formerly a contracting builder and a wholesale dealer in hardware and masons' supplies. He is now living in Willimantic and is superintendent with the firm of Hillhouse & Taylor. While a man of retiring disposition, he is recog- nized as a citizen of sterling worth.

Archibald R. Sharpe pursued his early education in the public schools of Seymour and Norwich and afterward attended the Norwich Free Academy and the Willimantic high school, being graduated from the latter with the class of 1909. He then began work at the carpenter's trade, which he followed for two years, and from 1911 until 1913 he was a student in Pratt Institute of Brooklyn, New York, where he devoted his atten-

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tion to the study of architecture, and has made most creditable progress through the intervening years, having designed some of the most modern, attractive and beautiful homes in Willimantic and in the adjoining towns in the county. His residences combine utility, convenience and beauty and his work has been a valuable contribution to building interests in this section of the state.

On the 6th of April, 1915, in Toledo, Ohio, Mr. Sharpe was united in marriage to Miss Nellie B. Schilling, of that city, and to them has been born a daughter, Elizabeth Louise. Mrs. Sharpe is a prominent worker in the church and Sunday school, also an active member in the Woman's Club and in other organizations looking to civic better- ment and to cultural advancement. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sharpe are earnest workers in the Congregational church and he, too, is active in the Sunday school and in all matters of citizenship his aid and influence are given on the side of progress and improvement. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and he is the secretary and treasurer of the Boy Scout organization of Willimantic. In a word, he stands for all those forces which work for the betterment of the individual and the community and is a student of the great sociological, economic and political questions of the day, keeping abreast with advanced thought in connection with all those problems to which business men are directing their attention and at all times giving his aid and influence on the side of advancement and improvement.

GEORGE LAWRENCE PERKINS.

George Lawrence Perkins stands as a notable example of what men of wealth are doing for their country in its hour of crisis. Hundreds of men have flocked to the nation's standard-men who cannot follow the colors perhaps into the trenches but who are doing no less important service through civilian duty or through active effort for the welfare of the army, men who are giving freely of their time, their talents and their · means to uphold the high standards of citizenship, to make effective every ounce of man power and machine power and who are seeking to hold to the highest the moral stand- ards of our fighting forces. It is in this last branch of the work that George Lawrence Perkins is engaged.

He was born in Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 10, 1868, and is a son of Benjamin and Josephine Evans (Welsh) Perkins. His educational advantages were those accorded by St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire. Belonging to a family of wealth, his opportunities have been many and these opportunities he has fully met and utilized. In connection with his brother, Russell Perkins, he became owner of a farming property in Windham county that constitutes one of the finest country estates, comprising five hundred acres of valuable land near Pomfret. Material interests, how- ever, have by no means monopolized the time and efforts of Mr. Perkins. He is a man of kind heart, of genial and lovable disposition and his life has been studded with results which make for the betterment of mankind in general. He is now in France, having gone-abroad in October, 1917, serving as expeditionary secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association.

MICHAEL E. SULLIVAN.

Michael E. Sullivan, the district agent for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company at Willimantic, was born on the 25th of March, 1867, in South Coventry, Windham county, a son of James and Mary (Jordan) Sullivan. The father was born in County Kerry, Ireland, on the 1st of May, 1832, and when twelve or thirteen years of age came alone to America, his parents having previously passed away. He had no educational oppor- tunities and could not read or write, yet he was a man of much native ability and pos- sessed a remarkable memory. He kept abreast of the times, had his children read to him, and it seemed that what he once heard he never forgot. Throughout the period of his active life he was employed on farms in South Coventry, spending many years in the employ of the late James Slaight, a very prominent agriculturist. Mr. Sullivan retired to Willimantic in 1883 and there spent his remaining days, passing away on the 25th of August, 1896. His wife was born in Ballangary, County Limerick, Ireland, on the 12th of March, 1832, and died on the 13th of April, 1908. They were members of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church and were people of genuine worth, enjoying the respect of all with whom they were brought in contact.

Michael E. Sullivan attended the common schools of Mansfield Center and for a brief period was a student in St. Joseph's School of Willimantic, but when thirteen years

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of age started out in the business world. He began learning the printer's trade on the Willimantic Chronicle, and in 1896 he became identified with insurance interests, accept- ing an agency for the Metropolitan Insurance Company. In 1901, having made good and developed a business of considerable proportions, he was appointed assistant district superintendent and after eleven years spent in that position was advanced to district superintendent in 1912. In his present place he has seventeen sub-agents under his direction. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, as his promotions have been won entirely through individual merit, fidelity and ability.

In 1906 Mr. Sullivan was married to Miss Kathryn A. Cavanaugh, of Colchester, a daughter of Michael and Mary (Flynn) Cavanaugh. The father was born in Dublin, while the mother was born in County Longford, Ireland. Mr. Cavanaugh was for many years employed in the rubber works of Colchester, Connecticut, and was a very prom- inent member of the democratic party and served in various official positions. Mrs. Sullivan is a lady of liberal culture and innate refinement. She is a graduate of the Boston Conservatory of Music and prior to her marriage was very prominent in the musical circles of New England. She takes an active interest in social affairs, and is especially helpful in the work of St. Joseph's Hospital, serving now on a number of prominent committees. To Mr., and Mrs. Sullivan has been born a daughter, Tharsilla.

In politics Mr. Sullivan has always been a stalwart democrat since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and while he has never had aspirations for office, he has done much important and helpful work in promoting democratic successes. He, too, is a consistent member of St. Joseph's church. Fraternally he is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and was the first secretary of Lodge No. 1311, of which he is now Loyal Knight. He is also identified with the chamber of commerce and cooperates heartily in all well defined plans and purposes of that organization to advance the interests of the city, to broaden its business connections and to uphold its civic standards.

STANTON DOANE WICKS.

One of the most progressive agriculturists and stock raisers of Windham county is Stanton Doane Wicks, of Pomfret, who has two hundred and forty acres of valuable land on which he is extensively engaged in the raising of registered Percheron horses and registered Berkshire hogs.

Mr. Wicks is a native of Chicago, Illinois. He was born January 4, 1892, of the marriage of Frederick and Lilly (Doane) Wicks and is a representative of one of the oldest and most prominent and prosperous families of Windham county. He pursued his early education in Hamet Lodge, a private school of Pomfret, Connecticut, and in the Hackley School at Tarrytown, New York. He also attended the Connecticut State Agri- cultural College, which he entered as a member of the class of 1914 but did not continue his course to graduation. He has always concentrated his efforts and attention upon agricultural interests and he purchased two farms in the town of Pomfret, Windham county, on which he is engaged in the raising of registered Berkshire hogs and registered Percheron horses. He devotes two hundred and forty acres to this business and has supplied his farm with the most modern equipment for the protection of his stock. He has large hog houses, very elaborate and extensive barns for his horses and these are built and equipped in the most thoroughly scientific way, with dipping vats, various kinds of machinery and a complete water works system throughout the barns. He raises feed only for his own live stock and upon his place he likewise has a fine apple orchard. He purchased the farm in 1912 and it is characterized by an air of neatness and thrift which classes it with the fine farms of this section of the state. Mr. Wicks is one of the largest exhibitors of Berkshire hogs and Percheron horses in eastern Con- necticut and has won many prizes on stock which he has raised, at the various fairs of New England. He is interested in everything that tends to improve the breeds of stock and belongs to the Percheron Society of America and the American Berkshire Associa- tion. He is also a life member of the Windham County Agricultural Society, a life member of the Woodstock Agricultural Society and a member of the American Genetic Association of Washington, D. C.

On the 28th of January, 1913, Mr. Wicks was united in marriage to Miss Gladys Ann Noyes, of Pomfret, who was born in Steuben, Maine, a daughter of Nathaniel and Ann (Smith) Noyes, who were also natives of Steuben, where the father engaged in business as a lumber merchant. Both he and his wife have now passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Wicks have been born three children.

Politically Mr. Wicks is a republican and his religious faith is that of the Episcopal church. He is identified with the Boston Chamber of Commerce and the Putnam Cham- Vol. II-28

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ber of Commerce, indicating his interest in those things which have to do with public welfare, especially along the line of material upbuilding and civic progress. He is also connected with the Young Men's Christian Association of Boston. He stands as a type of the progressive agriculturist and stock raiser-the man who recognizes the fact that great scientific principles underlie his work-and he has closely studied all the modern questions of breeding and the care of stock and is today numbered among the most prom. inent and progressive breeders and agriculturists of Connecticut.

EDWARD WILLIAM MULLAN.

The inheritance of wealth often seems to foster indolence and idleness. The indi- vidual who comes into possession of a competence has not the stimulus for activity that necessity brings, but there are notable exceptions to the rule that the son of the rich man does not become a forceful factor in the world's work, and Edward William Mullan is among the number, who, taking over the important business interests left to him, has further developed these interests to the benefit of the community as well as to the advancement of his individual success.

A native of Putnam, Connecticut, he was born on the 1st of July, 1890, and at the usual age became a public school pupil, passing through consecutive grades to his grad- uation from the high school with the class of 1908. He then entered the grocery busi- ness of his father, Edward Mullan, and on the 1st of February, 1915, having proven his adaptability, capability, initiative and forcefulness, his father turned the business over to him and Edward W. Mullan has since been in charge. He is today one of the leading grocers of Putnam and is a most alert, energetic merchant, who, using the business which he inherited from his father as a foundation, has developed his interests to a still larger extent, making good at every point along the line.

On the 12th of October, 1914, Mr. Mullan was united in marriage to Miss Irene Bernadette Gillespie, of Boston, Massachusetts, in which city she was reared and edu- cated, her parents being James and Catherine (Crowley) Gillespie. Mr. and Mrs. Mullan have become parents of two children: Robert Anthony, born March 21, 1916; and Catherine Loretta, born August 5, 1917.

In politics Mr. Mullan is a democrat and is serving as alderman of the fourth ward of Putnam, having been appointed in April, 1916, to fill out an unexpired term, and on December 3, 1917, having been elected for the ensuing term. His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church and he is grand knight of Cargill Council, No. 64, of the Knights of Columbus. He also has membership in the Putnam Lodge, No. 574, B. P. O. E., of which he is now exalted ruler. He is appreciative of the social amenities of life and has an extensive circle of warm friends but never allows outside interests to interfere with the capable conduct of his business, and aside from his connection with commercial interests he has become a factor in financial circles of Putnam as one of the incorporators and promoters of the Putnam Savings Bank. In a word, the in- terests of his life are evenly balanced, making his a well rounded character.

FRED C. MOTT.

Fred C. Mott is conducting a profitable business under the name of the Thread City Collar Company at Willimantic, of which he is sole proprietor, and his success is the direct result of close application and indefatigable energy.

He was born in North Coventry, Windham county, January 16, 1867, and is a son of Fred C. and Margaret (Jones) Mott, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father died in 1894 at the age of seventy-four years, while the mother survived for a decade and passed away at the age of seventy-two years. On coming to the new world the father settled in Lebanon but afterward removed to North Coventry, where he fol- lowed the occupation of farming, and at the time of his death he was a resident of Mans- field. His religious faith was that of the Congregational church and he was a worthy and substantial citizen of the community in which he lived.

Fred C. Mott pursued his education in the public schools of Mansfield until he reached the age of ten years, when he ran away from home, desirous of starting out in the business world and earning his living. He has since been dependent entirely upon his own resources and whatever success he has achieved is the direct result of his persistency and energy. He worked in the silk mills of Conantville for a period of five years and then came to Willimantic, where for about seven years he was employed in the old Chaffee mills. For eighteen years he occupied the responsible position of over-

EDWARD W. MULLAN

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seer in a silk mill, a fact which established his business capacity. In 1900 he became connected with the Thread City Collar Company, but remained there only until 1903, when he entered the employ of the Holland Silk Mills, and at the same time he conducted a farm. In 1914 he purchased the business of the Thread City Collar Company, of which his son, Harold C. Mott, became the president and secretary, while Mr. Mott of this review is the treasurer and his daughter is assistant treasurer. The company engages in the manufacture of high grade waterproof collars, cuffs, shirt fronts and also neckwear, and it is the only establishment of the kind in this district. The company manufactures collars and cuffs in various styles and designs, each collar being made to fit and give comfort to the patrons, as many of their customers attest. The material used is such that dampness will not wilt it, nor will it absorb perspiration; neither does it fray on the edges, and it will outwear several linen collars, while it is very difficult for the unaided eye to detect the difference between their goods and linen. The business of the company is steadily growing and has now assumed very gratifying proportions.

Mr. Mott was married to Miss Elizabeth Kramer, of Colchester, Connecticut, who died in 1915, leaving two children: H. C. Mott, who is the president of the Thread City Collar Company and is employed by the Connecticut Safe & Trust Deposit Company of Hartford; and Dorothy E., who is likewise connected with the business as assistant treasurer and is acting as her father's housekeeper. The son is married and has a little daughter. Mrs. Mott's death was deeply regretted not only by members of her immediate family but by the many friends whom she had made in this section of the state.

Mr. Mott supports the Congregational church and in politics he gives his allegiance to the republican party where state and national questions are involved, but at local elections maintaining a nonpartisan attitude, nor has he ever sought or desired public office, preferring always to concentrate his energies and attention upon the business affairs which have claimed his time. Gradually he has worked his way upward, his faithfulness and efficiency constituting the rounds of the ladder on which he has climbed to success.

GEORGE EDWARD GIFFORD.

George Edward Gifford is connected with business interests of Willimantic, being identified with a furniture and carpet house, which has built up a trade of substantial proportions.

He was born in Ashford, Connecticut, December 17, 1869, and is a son of Charles J. and Mary C. (Fitts) Gifford. In the maternal line he is a representative of one of the oldest families of New England, the ancestry being traced back to Robert and Grace (Lord) Fitts, or Fitz, who were among the first residents of Salisbury, Massachusetts. Tradition says that Robert Fitts settled at Ipswich, Massachusetts, in 1635, and that after residing in Salisbury for a number of years he returned to Ipswich, where his death occurred May 9, 1665. His wife there passed away April 25, 1684. His son, Abraham Fitts, who was probably the child of a former marriage, was born in England about 1629 and therefore was nearly ten years of age when the family home was estab- lished in Salisbury. "He was married in 1655 to Sarah Thompson, a daughter of Simon Thompson, and for a few years they resided in Salisbury but afterward removed to Ipswich, of which city his wife was a native, and there her death occurred June 5, 1664. In 1675 Abraham Fitts went with the Narragansett expedition and in 1690 was one of the expedition that went forth for the capture of Quebec. His military service won for his descendants grants of land. Abraham Fitts passed away March 27, 1692. The line of descent comes down through his son, Abraham, who married Margaret Choat, daughter of Sergeant John and Anna Choat. She died February 28, 1692, and later Abraham Fitts (II) married Mary Ross and his death occurred in 1714. His son, Abraham Fitts (III), a child of the first marriage, wedded Phoebe Fuller on the 3d of March, 1722, and she died on the 25th of August, 1739. Abraham Fitts (III) afterward married Mrs. Elizabeth Cross, a widow, and died in June, 1763.

Daniel Fitts, direct ancestor of George Edward Gifford in the fifth generation of the Fitts family, was baptized May 2, 1725, and on the 15th of December, 1750, married Christian Smith. He removed from Ipswich, Massachusetts, to Pomfret, Connecticut, and a year later took his family, numbering ten children, to Ashford in 1770 and purchased a farm of three hundred and sixty acres. His military spirit was aroused when at Concord "was fired the shot heard 'round the world" and he served for ten days in the Ashford company of Captain Thomas Knowlton, which in April, 1775, was the first organized body of troops from beyond the state to arrive in the vicinity of Boston. Not- withstanding the fact that he had a wife and five young children and was fifty years of age, he reenlisted on the 6th of May, 1775, in the company of Captain Thomas Knowlton,

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known as the Fifth Company of the Third Regiment, commanded by Colonel Israel Put- nam. He laid down his life upon the altar of liberty, dying near Boston, September 7, 1775. His son, Stephen Fitts, was baptized April 11, 1762, and was quite young when the family home was established in Connecticut. He made farming his life work and died at Ashford, February 16, 1841. He had been married on the 1st of January, 1793, to Polly Knowlton, who was born January 11, 1767, a daughter of Colonel Thomas Knowl- ton, of Revolutionary war fame. Colonel Knowlton was descended from Captain William Knowlton, who left England for Nova Scotia about 1633 and died on the voyage. His wife, Ann, continued to the new world with their family and later removed to Ipswich. The line of descent comes down through John, John (II), Nathaniel, Nathaniel (II), William and Colonel Thomas Knowlton to Polly (Knowlton) Fitts, who died September 27, 1845.

Stephen Fitts, Jr., son of Stephen and Polly (Knowlton) Fitts, was born October 29, 1798, and in his youth divided his time between the acquirement of a district school education and farm work. He inherited the old homestead upon his father's death and continued to occupy the farm until he reached the age of about sixty, when he purchased an adjoining property and thereon followed farming and stock raising until his death October 23, 1875. He was a stanch democrat and filled various prominent offices in the community, including that of selectman and of representative to the state legislature in 1852. He married Waity Moore, of Union, Connecticut, who was born January 8, 1808, and died July 15, 1858. They had a family of four children, the youngest being Mary C., who was born February 21, 1845, and became the wife of Charles J. Gifford, who was a well known farmer of Ashford for many years and in 1870 removed to Willimantic, where he engaged in business as a machinist. He died in 1883 and is still survived by his widow, who is now living in Ashford at the age of seventy-three years. They were the parents of two children, the younger being Kate E., now the wife of Arthur J. Hanna, of Willimantic.

The only son, George E. Gifford, acquired his education in the public schools of Willimantic and in the Willimantic high school and when seventeen years of age became a law student in the office of George W. Maloney. However, he abandoned the idea of becoming a member of the bar and entered the employ of the H. C. Murray Company, dealers in carpets and furniture. He remained with that establishment for twenty-eight years, having charge of the carpet department, and his capability and fidelity are indis- putably proven by his long connection with the one house. In 1915 he began business as a dealer in house furnishings, furniture and carpets, and concentrates his entire efforts and attention upon the upbuilding of his trade, which is constantly growing.

Mr. Gifford has been married twice. He first wedded Jessie Metcalf, of Willimantic, who died in 1914, leaving four children: Marion Knowlton, Charles James, Waity Moore and Catherine May. On the 23d of January, 1917, Mr. Gifford was again married, his second union being with Miss Lillian Johnson, of Willimantic, who had been a clerk in the dry goods department of the store of the H. C. Murray Company and who is a daughter of Meredith Johnson, a prominent Mansfield farmer.

Mr. Gifford and his wife are members of the Congregational church and he is very active in church and Sunday school work. He is a public-spirited man and his support and cooperation can always be counted upon to further any measure or movement for the general good. For seventeen years he was connected with the volunteer fire depart- ment as a member of Hilltop Company No. 3, of which he served as secretary and treas- urer for eight years. He has always stood for advancement and improvement in the public life of the community and has ever felt that public interests as well as individual business concerns should be actuated by a spirit of constant advancement.

REVEL M. HYDE.

The Hyde family in both its lineal and collateral branches has been distinctively American through many generations. The Hydes were among the earliest settlers of Hartford and later the branch of the family of which Revel M. Hyde is a representative was established at Norwich, where the first white child born was Elizabeth Hyde. Mem- bers of the family have always been prominent in the affairs of the town in which they have lived.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 66

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