A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 69

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

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John Hoffman spent the period of his boyhood and youth in his native country and after attending the public schools there went to London, England, where he learned the bakery business, serving an apprenticeship of two and a half years. He later came to the United States, landing at New York city, where he resided for seven years, working as a baker in the metropolis. In 1889 he removed to Willimantic, Connecticut, and entered the employ of J. O. Blanchette, with whom he continued for twenty years. Later, associated with Edmond Gelinas, he bought out the business and six months afterward, when Mr. Gelinas passed away, Mr. Blanchette acquired his interest in the business, which since 1909 has been conducted under the firm style of Blanchette & Hoffman. This is the largest bakery in the town, doing an extensive business and holding at all times to the highest standards in the quality of the output which they handle.

Mr. Hoffman was married to Miss Lena Klopstein in Willimantic in May, 1898, and they have become parents of three children: John, Martha and Edith. When America entered the World war the elder son enlisted in the United States navy and is now stationed on the United States Steamship Pittsburgh, being rated as a first-class baker.

After arriving in New York city Mr. Hoffman renounced his allegiance to Germany and became a citizen of the United States, to which land he has ever been most loyal. In politics he is a democrat and in religious faith he and his family are Lutherans. He is a member of the American Benefit Society. He has been prompted by a most progres- sive spirit in his business career and his energy and enterprise have enabled him to overcome all difficulties and obstacles in his path and work his way steadily upward. One element of his success is that he has always continued in the line of business in which he embarked as a young tradesman and by reason of his close application he has steadily developed his powers and capabilities and is today one of the most com- petent bakers of Connecticut.

WALTER ERSKINE FRISSELL.

Walter Erskine Frissell, manager of the mercantile department of the Attawaugan Company at Attawaugan, having charge of the company's stores, was born at Daniel- son, Connecticut, December 9, 1862. He is a son of Edwin and Mary J. (Randall) Fris- sell. The father was born in Thompson, Connecticut, where he was reared and edu- cated, spending his youthful days upon his father's farm. After leaving the home place Edwin Frissell entered the employ of the Quinebaug mills at Danielson, Con- necticut, serving an apprenticeship in the machine shop. Later he was made master mechanic of these mills but died several weeks after taking up the duties of this position, passing away in 1867. He was a representative of one of the old New England families, having been a son of Elisha Frissell, who was a native of Thompson, Con- necticut, where he followed the occupation of farming. The mother of Walter Erskine

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Frissell bore the maiden name of Mary J. Randall and was born in Thompson, Con- necticut, being a daughter of James and Nancy Randall, of that town. Her father was a manufacturer of twine and for many years conducted a twine mill in the town of Woodstock, Windham county, near the village of South Woodstock, where he re- sided and where he remained to the time of his demise.

Walter Erskine Frissell spent his youthful days in Thompson, where he pursued a district school education. He had no special advantages at the outset of his career but has made good use of his time and opportunities. In young manhood he entered the business that he still follows. He became clerk in a general store at Harmony, Rhode Island, and was there employed for several months, when he became imbued with the desire to try his fortune in the west and made his way to Chicago, where he occupied a position in a grocery store for about a year and a half. He was only seven- teen years of age at the time he went to Illinois and after eighteen months spent in Chicago he returned to Connecticut, settling at Lisbon. Later he lived at Yalesville, Connecticut, and afterward at Windsor Locks, in all of which places he was a clerk in a store. In 1883 he came to Attawaugan as clerk in the general store of the Atta- waugan Company and remained in that position until 1887, when he was made man- ager of and placed in charge of the company's store at Ballouville, Connecticut, one mile distant. There he continued until 1907, when he was made general manager of the company's stores and placed in charge of the store at the mills at Attawaugan, where he has since continued, at the same time acting as manager of the store at the Ballouville mills.

On the 25th of April, 1887, at Norwich, Connecticut, Mr. Frissell was married to Miss Lillian J. Appley, who was born at Canterbury, Connecticut, a daughter of Edwin and Mary (Brown) Appley, who were likewise natives of Canterbury. Mr. and Mrs. Frissell had three children, all born at Ballouville, namely: Gladys, Ruth and Edith. The first two died in infancy. The last named became the wife of Alfonso J. Lecrenier, an insurance man of Hartford, Connecticut, and passed away on the 31st of October, 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Lecrenier were the parents of a daughter, Elizabeth, who was born in Hartford and who now resides with Mr. and Mrs. Frissell.

In politics Mr. Frissell is a republican and for five years served as selectman of the town of Killingly. Fraternally he is connected with Moriah Lodge, No. 15, A. F. & A. M., of Danielson, and is a worthy exemplar of the teachings of the craft.

THEODORE DWIGHT POND.

Theodore Dwight Pond is now living retired in the town of Brooklyn. He has passed the seventy-eighth milestone on life's journey and through many years has maintained his residence in Connecticut. He was born in Brooklyn, Windham county, March 21, 1842, and is a son of Enoch and Sarah (Utley) Pond. The father was born in Wrentham, Massachusetts, in 1810, while the mother was a native of Mansfield, Connecticut, and a daughter of James and Phoebe Utley, of Chaplin. Enoch Pond became a resident of Windham county when fourteen years of age and here learned the cabinetmaker's trade. He was bound out, serving an apprenticeship with Moses Clark until he was twenty-one years of age. In company with a son of Moses Clark he removed to Georgia, where he completed his trade, and afterward returned to Brooklyn, Windham county, being at that time about twenty-one years of age. Here he worked at cabinetmaking and also took up the undertaking business, which he fol- lowed for several years in connection with a Mr. Herrick. At length, however, he was disabled by ill health and passed away in 1892. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Pond were six children, all of whom with the exception of the eldest were born in the Pond homestead in Brooklyn, which is now the residence of Theodore D. Pond of this review. Three of the number are yet living. They were named as follows: Lydia; Theodore D .; Mary Ann; George Enoch, who was a retired major general of the United States army; John Clark, a contractor residing in Kansas City, Missouri; and Charles Fremont. Like his brother Theodore, George Enoch Pond served in the Union army during the Civil war as a member of Company K, Twenty-first Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, and he was severely wounded at the battle of Drury's Bluff, Virginia. After he had recovered and was honorably discharged he entered the United Military Academy at West Point, from which he was graduated. He became an army officer and had reached the rank of major general when he retired from the service. His demise oc- curred at Salem, North Carolina. Charles Fremont, who was graduated from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, attained the rank of rear admiral and retired from active service in 1919. He is now a resident of Berkeley, California.

Theodore Dwight Pond obtained a public school education in Brooklyn and was

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twenty-one years of age when, in response to the country's call for military aid, he joined Company K of the Twenty-first Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, with which he served from August 6, 1862, until July 7, 1865, taking part in a number of hotly con- tested engagements. He afterward went to Pennsylvania, where he remained for a brief period, engaged in a business venture, but soon returned to Brooklyn, Connecti- cut, where he joined his father in the cabinetmaking business. As the years passed they extended the scope of their activities to include the undertaking business and the partnership between father and son continued until the former's death. Mr. Pond of this review then conducted the business alone but retained the old firm style of E. Pond & Son until 1917, when he retired from business.

It was on the 28th of April, 1869, that Mr. Pond was united in marriage to Miss Ardelia M. Brown, who was born on the old Putnam farm in Brooklyn, a daughter of Deacon Benjamin and Emaline (Mason) Brown, of Brooklyn, a sketch of whom ap- pears on another page of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Pond became the parents of five children. Theodore Hawley and George Horace, twins, were born May 1, 1870, but the latter died at the age of six months. The former is now in charge of foreign ship- ments of the Nicholson File Company at Providence, Rhode Island. Wallace L., born February 8, 1872, is now sales manager for the Nicholson File Company of Providence. Mary L., born September 26, 1873, is the wife of Ralph P. Bennett, of Providence, Rhode Island. William R., born December 30, 1889, is an employe of the Connecticut Light & Power Company at New Britain, Connecticut.

In his political views Mr. Pond has been a stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He was elected constable and also tax collector, serv- ing in the latter position for nine years, and he likewise filled the office of justice of the peace and that of town clerk. He was also made judge of the probate court and filled that position until 1914, when he retired from the probate bench, having reached seventy years of age. In all the public offices that he has filled he has made a most excellent record by the promptness and capability with which he has discharged his duties. He belongs to the Baptist church and his religious belief has characterized his life, making him a man whom to know is to esteem and honor. He has filled the posi- tion of superintendent in the Sunday school and for about a quarter of a century has been deacon in the church. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, be- longing to McGregor Post of Danielson, of which he was at one time the commander. He greatly enjoys this association with his old army comrades and proudly wears the little bronze button that proclaims him a veteran of the Civil war. His has been an active and useful life and in every relation with his fellowmen he has been straight- forward and reliable, winning an untarnished name through his fidelity to duty.

JONAS MAGNUS JOHNSON.

Jonas Magnus Johnson was the first permanent Swedish settler of Woodstock and has always maintained his position as the leading representative of his nationality in the town, where his thrift and industry, his honesty and his sterling worth have gained for him the high regard, confidence and goodwill of his fellow townsmen. As the years have passed he has worked his way steadily upward along business lines and is today the owner of a very valuable and attractive farm of one hundred and ten acres situated on the state road, and in addition to this he owns other property in the county, all of which has been acquired through his persistent, earnest effort, intelligently and sys- tematically directed. He was born in Jelleren, Sweden, on the 23d of December, 1848, and is a son of John Johnson and Christine Magnuson, who were natives of the same locality. The father devoted his life to farming and continued his residence in Sweden until called to his final rest. A year after his demise his widow passed away.

Jonas M. Johnson spent the period of his boyhood, youth and early manhood in Sweden, remaining upon the home farm with his father until he reached the age of twenty-four years. In 1872 he learned from one of his old-time boyhood friends who had been reared in the same neighborhood that America offered excellent opportunities for the farm laborer and that Dr. Bowen, of Woodstock, was desirous of having fifteen young men from Sweden come to America to work upon his farm. Mr. Johnson determined to embrace this opportunity and crossed the Atlantic, arriving in Woodstock in May, 1872. He secured a position on Dr. Bowen's farm and there remained for seven months, after which he obtained work with Henry T. Child, a prominent farmer of Woodstock, who paid him two hundred and ten dollars for the first year. He continued in Mr. Child's employ for six years and his faithful service was greatly appreciated by his employer, who did much to teach him American ways and customs as well as the English language.

JONAS MAGNUS JOHNSON

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While in Mr. Child's employ Mr. Johnson saved his earnings and afterward married his boyhood sweetheart, who had also come to the new world and was living in Woodstock.

After carefully saving his money until his industry and ecenomy had brought him a sufficient sum to enable him to purchase property, Mr. Johnson in 1878 invested in a small, run-down farm of thirty-two acres in the Bugbee neighborhood. There were old buildings upon the place and nothing seemed to be in very good condition. In fact, an air of dilapidation pervaded the place, but with characteristic energy Mr. Johnson took up the task of bringing about a change and his previous experience in farm work soon enabled him to produce a marked transformation in the appearance of his home. In the course of years he developed a model farm there and he extended its boundaries by the purchase of sixteen acres additional. He continued to further develop and improve that farm from 1878 until 1906, when he purchased a fine place of one hundred and ten acres splendidly improved on the state road in Woodstock and upon the latter farm he still resides, his son, Harry George, now owning the Bugbee neighborhood farm. He carries on general agricultural pursuits and stock raising and is engaged as well in the dairy business and each branch of his business is carefully and wisely managed and is bringing to him success.

In November, 1873, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Anna Marie Scrrine, of Woodstock, the ceremony being performed in the parlor of Mr. Child's home. Mrs. Johnson was also born in Jelleren, Sweden, and came to Woodstock on the 9th of May, 1873. She passed away in the same town on the 28th of January, 1890. In the family were six children, one of whom is deceased. Augusta Elizabeth married Gustaf Bjorn- berg, a native of Sweden, who now follows farming in Woodstock. She died, leaving two children: Ruth Elizabeth, who is a graduate of the New Britain (Conn.) Normal School and is now teaching in Woodstock; and Helen Victoria. Henry Tore, the second of the family, is engaged in the grocery business in Bellingham, Washington. Anna Marie is at home. Bert Jonas, who is farming with his father, served as selectman of Woodstock from 1913 until 1917, inclusive, and in 1916 was first selectman. Nellie Amanda, the next of the family, is also at home. Harry George, a farmer of Woodstock, married Annie E. Johnson and has two children, Howard Dexter and Homer Philip.

Mr. Johnson is a republican in his political views, having given stanch support to the party since becoming a naturalized American citizen. He was one of the prime movers in organizing the Swedish Congregational church of Woodstock, is serving as one of its deacons and has taken a most active and helpful part in its work, doing all in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence. He has also been a gener- ous supporter to its finances. Mr. Johnson is held in very high regard by the people of Woodstock, who have many times prevailed upon him to accept public office and who have ever regarded him as a man worthy of unqualified confidence and warm esteem. He came to the new world empty-handed, hoping to find better business opportunities than he could secure in his native country, nor was he disappointed in this hope. Steadily he has worked his way upward in a land where labor is unhampered by caste or class, and his diligence and worth have brought him to the goal of success. His life record should serve to inspire and encourage many others, showing what may be accomplished when there is the will to dare and to do.

DUDLEY BAILEY WILLIAMS.

Dudley Bailey Williams is a dairy farmer living near Moosup. He was born at Ledyard, Connecticut, March 18, 1866, and is one of the ten children of William A. and Jane (Stoddard) Williams. The father was born in Montville, Connecticut, and there pursued his education, while in young manhood he secured employment in a cotton mill. He afterward learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for many years in the employ of the Smith & Winchester Company of South Windham, Connecticut, filling the position of pattern maker. Eventually he bought a farm at Lebanon, Con- necticut, and concentrated his efforts and attention upon the further development of the soil and the improvement of his property. There he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1903. The children of the family were Eliza, deceased; William H .;. Lucy, the wife of George H. Hoxie, a farmer of Lebanon, Connecticut; John E .; Dudley Bailey; Frank, deceased; Charles, deceased; Frederick, deceased; Arthur; and Jane, the wife of Francis Sherman of Windham Center.

Dudley B. Williams obtained his education in the schools of Niantic, Connecticut, and was afterward employed at farm labor at Lebanon, Connecticut, until he reached the age of twenty years, when he began learning the blacksmith's trade at New London, being employed in the shop of N. Waley & Son. When he had mastered the trade he removed to Moosup and entered the employ of his brother, who was owner of a black-

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

smith shop and with whom he remained as an employe for two years, after which he purchased a half interest in the business. Together they conducted the shop for a number of years, but later Dudley B. Williams purchased the Bertha Gallup farm near Moosup and has since carried on general agricultural pursuits and dairying. He started in the dairy business in a small way but has won success therein, buying thoroughbred Holstein cows and bringing his dairy herd up to a high standard. He now has a large number of fine milk cows and his dairy products find a ready sale upon the market.

On the 23d of October, 1893, at Sterling, Connecticut, Mr. Williams was married to Miss Jennie A. Gallup, a daughter of Ezra A. Gallup of whom mention is made in the sketch of Edwin Stuart Gallup, on another page of this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have become parents of eight children, all of whom were born in Plainfield, namely: Harold; Jennie; Lester, who has passed away; Helen; Stuart; William; and John and Olive, twins.

The family is widely and favorably known in their section of Windham county, where the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them. In politics Mr. Wil- liams is a republican and in religious faith is connected with the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a man of genuine worth whom to know is to respect and honor, for he has ever been faithful to the high principles inculcated by the church.

WILLIAM PENN SPALDING.

William Penn Spalding is a resident farmer of Hampton and an influential citizen in his community, serving now as selectman of his town. He was born in Brooklyn, Connecticut, December 13, 1857, in the house in which General Israel Putnam died, and he is a son of Joseph and Catherine Matilda (Collins) Spalding. The father was a native of Plainfield, Connecticut, and a son of Cyril Spalding, who was a native of Plainfield, Connecticut, where he spent his entire life as a farmer. In young manhood Joseph Spalding was employed as a farm hand. For some time he served as deputy warden of the Rhode Island state prison at Providence and also held similar positions in the Massachusetts state prison and in a penal institution at Albany, New York. Eventually he took up his. abode in Brooklyn, where for more than forty years he lived in the old house in which General Israel Putnam spent his last day. The farm was the property of his father-in-law, Joshua Collins, and Mr. Spalding concentrated his efforts and attention upon the further development of this property, which passed from the ownership of Joshua Collins into that of his son, James C. Collins, and is now in possession of the latter's son, James C. Collins, Jr., an attorney of Providence, Rhode Island. The mother of William Penn Spalding was born in Richmond, Rhode Island, and was a girl of but eight years when she came with her parents to live in the old Putnam place in Brooklyn. She passed away in that house at the age of eighty-five years, having there resided for more than three-quarters of a century. To Joseph and Catherine M. Spalding were born four children: Lury Emma; William Penn; Martha Jane, the wife of Thomas Bradford, of Putnam, Connecticut; and George Edwin, a farmer, who lives with his sister, Lury Emma, on the General Putnam place at Brook- lyn, Connecticut.

William Penn Spalding obtained his education in the schools of Brooklyn and he occupied what was once the old Putnam home for nearly thirty years. He was edu- cated in the district schools and in the Woodstock Academy and in young manhood taught school during winter seasons in Brooklyn, in Plainfield and in other localities. The summer months were devoted to the work of the home farm up to the time of his marriage in 1891, when he purchased a farm in the town of Pomfret, Connecticut, and there carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1908. In that year he sold the property and removed to the Bigelow district in the town of Hampton and has here since devoted his attention to the work of tilling the soil and producing the crops best adapted to climatic conditions here.

On the 15th of April, 1891, Mr. Spalding was united in marriage at Pomfret, Con- necticut, to Miss Mary Louisa Holt, who was born in Hampton and remained a resi- dent of this town to the time of her marriage. She is a daughter of George Mason and Abby C. ( Dorrance) Holt. Her father was ownee and operator of one of the most highly cultivated estates of Hampton, Windham county, known as the Elm Dale farm, and was also one of the leading citizens of the town. James Holt, father of George Mason Holt, was born February 17, 1786, in Hampton, and in early manhood learned the trades of tanner and shoemaker and followed them for many years. Later in life he abandoned the former pursuit and followed farming during the summers and worked in his shoe shop during the winters. He occupied several rented farms in Hampton at various times and finally purchased a farm of Charles I. Grosvenor, which

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was later occupied by his son and now occupied by Mr. Spalding. There James Holt passed his last years. He was an extensive farmer and also dealt largely in live stock, driving many head of stock thirty-six miles to market in Providence, Rhode Island. In almost any line of business Mr. Holt would have been a successful man, for he possessed rugged health and great industry combined with business sagacity which enabled him to accumulate large means. In his early political life he was a democrat, but after the formation of the republican party he adopted its principles as being more in accord with his views. He efficiently filled many of the town offices and was well and favorably known through the town. The cause of his death was a stroke of paraly- sis, which rendered him somewhat of an invalid for the last six years of his life. His death occurred December 23, 1865, and he was interred in the burying ground north of his home.

Abigail (Ashley) Holt, the mother of George Mason Holt, was born March 1, 1790, daughter of Samuel Ashley, a farmer of Hampton, and her death took place October 24, 1873. The children born to James and Abigail (Ashley) Holt were as follows: Mary Ann, born August 25, 1810, who married Joseph F. Holmes, a bookkeeper, and resided for many years in Providence, Rhode Island, but died in Hampton, April 17, 1880; Sylvester G., born November 1, 1812, a farmer in Hampton, who married Eliza Ann Curtis (who died May 3, 1887), and died June 24, 1898; James H., born April 21, 1815, deceased August 4, 1842; Lucy Maria, June 12, 1817, who died at the age of twenty years; Angelina A., May 2, 1820, who resided in Hampton and is now deceased; Cornelia A., June 7, 1826, who died April 17, 1901, in Hampton, unmarried; George Mason, January 2, 1829, who died April 6, 1912; and Charles, September 8, 1831, a farmer in Hampton, who married Sophia Simmons and died May 26, 1871.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 69

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