A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 70

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

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George Mason Holt was born in the house that stood on the site of the present res- idence of Mr. Spalding. His education was acquired in the district schools and until he was eighteen years of age he employed himself in farm work. At that age he went to Plainfield, Connecticut, to learn the carpenter trade, apprenticing himself for two years to Gardner Rouse; for his first year's labor he was given a salary of forty dollars and sixty dollars for the second year. He remained with Mr. Rouse for three months longer and then went into the employ of Samuel Underwood, a contractor of Pomfret, and was made overseer of a number of carpenters who were employed by Mr. Under- wood. Later he filled a similar position for Samuel Truesdale where he had charge of a large force. Mr. Holt remained with both these employers for several years and worked through Connecticut and Rhode Island at various places. Still later he was foreman for George A. Bodge, a large contractor and builder in Hartford, and there had from six to twenty men under his direction. Mr. Holt continued to fill responsible positions of this kind for several years in Hartford and then went to Providence, where for two years he was employed as boss carpenter for Moulton & Ingraham. after which he opened a shop of his own there and found employment for from six to ten men. For two years, or until 1857, he remained thus engaged in Providence, but when the whole country became involved in financial distress, he closed out his business in Rhode Island and returned to Hampton. There he worked quietly at his trade for several years and finally located on his father's farm, as the latter was getting to be advanced in years. He assumed the care of his parents, smoothed their way during their last days, and after his father's death purchased the farm, which comprised one hundred and eighty acres. He then followed general farming and dairying. He erected a new house and commodious barns and was considered as good a farmer as he was a carpenter, and that is high praise, for few excelled him in his locality in the latter line. Many of the attractive homes in Hampton are examples of his taste and skill. Mr. Holt was the principal contractor and builder for many years in Hampton and the surrounding towns.

On November 1, 1854, in Hampton, Mr. Holt was married to Miss Abby C. Dor- rance, born April 18, 1829, in West Woodstock, Connecticut, daughter of Deacon Alex- ander and Mary Lucretia (Fox) Dorrance, the former of whom was born February 15, 1796, and died September 11, 1870. The latter was born in 1801 and was instantly killed September 9, 1849, by being thrown from a wagon. Mrs. Holt was a descendant of Rev. Samuel Dorrance, who graduated at the University of Glasgow in 1709 and became the first pastor of the first church in Voluntown, Connecticut. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Holt, namely: Helen C., August 10, 1855, widow of George L. Cleveland, who was born October 29, 1835, and who died January 18, 1888; Mary Louisa, April 18, 1859, who married William Penn Spalding; and Frank H., born Jan- uary 15, 1865, who died March 18, 1865.

In politics Mr. Holt was a stanch republican and held many of the local town offices. For a number of years he served on the board of selectmen, being its chairman for two years, and also served as trial justice for a number of years. In 1877 his fellow citizens made him their representative in the state legislature and he served

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acceptably on the fisheries committee. Mr. Holt took a very active interest in the Grange movement and was the prime mover and organizer of Little River Grange, No. 36, of Hampton, the organization being completed in Mr. Holt's residence, December 30, 1885. He served as first master and subsequently held the office during two more terms, and in 1901 and 1902 his accomplished daughter, Mrs. Cleveland, was made master, both daughters being interested members of the order. Mr. Holt belonged also to Moriah Lodge, No. 15, A. F. & A. M., of Danielson, a pleasant connection which lasted through more than four decades. Although not a member of the Hampton Con- gregational church, to which his family belongs, he attended the services and gave it a generous support. Mr. Holt was held in high esteem in Hampton and was regarded as one of the town's representative men. He died April 6, 1912, and his wife passed away April 22, 1915, both dying on the old home farm in Hampton.

Mr. and Mrs. Spalding have become the parents of a daughter, Helen Holt, who was born in Pomfret, August 25, 1894, and is now the wife of Ray P. Fuller, a railroad man who makes his home in Hampton. They have two children, Alden Holt and George William Fuller.

In his political views Mr. Spalding is a democrat. He has served as a member of the school board of Hampton for ten years and served on the board of selectmen of the town a few years ago for one term, while in 1918 he was again elected to the office which he is now filling. He attends the Unitarian church and has led an upright and useful life, giving his attention largely to general farming and stock raising. At all times he has been honorable and upright, commanding by the sterling worth of his character the respect and confidence of those with whom he is associated.

MAX LEVINE.

Max Levine, conducting a plumbing and steamfitting business in Putnam, was born in Russia, September 15, 1885. He there obtained his education and studied draughting, drawing plans for railroads. He also had acquired some knowledge of the plumbing business when at the age of twenty-four years he came to the United States, making his way to Detroit, Michigan, where he learned the plumber's trade with a Mr. Friedman. He later worked at the trade for a time in Detroit and then removed to Boston, Massachusetts, where he was for a time in the employ of Samuel Harris on Prince street. He afterward established a plumbing business on his own account but later disposed of his interest there and located on Phillips street in Boston, and subsequently removed to Norwich, Connecticut, where he conducted a similar estab- lishment. He afterward came to Putnam and opened a plumbing and steam fitting business on Bridge street, where he has since remained, having gained a liberal pat- ronage as the years have passed. He is a member of the Master Plumbers Association.

On December 24, 1910, before leaving Europe, Mr. Levine was married near the German border to Miss Rose Goldman, a native of Russia, and they have one child, Joseph L., who was born in Boston, Massachusetts, August 27, 1915. It was the desire to enjoy better business opportunities and conditions that brought Mr. Levine to the new world, nor was he disappointed in the hope that led him to cross the Atlantic. Since coming to the United States he has made steady progress in his business career and the thoroughness with which he mastered the plumbing and steamfitting trade has enabled him to do most excellent work. His patrons, thoroughly satisfied, have spoken favorably of him and thus his trade has grown until he is now accorded a liberal patronage that is most gratifying and from his business he is deriving a substantial annual income.

GEORGE HATCH.

George Hatch is prominently known in Windham county, where for many years he was identified with manufacturing interests. At the present writing, however, he is devoting his time to the further development of a valuable and improved farm, and he was born in the house in South Windham in which he now resides.

His father, Jonathan Hatch, was also a native of Connecticut, his birth having occurred in Lebanon, October 21, 1817. There he resided until he reached the age of sixteen years, when he entered upon an apprenticeship in the shops of the firm of Phelps & Spafford at South Windham. Later he acquired an interest in the business of Smith, Winchester & Company, with which he was connected for thirty years, retiring on the 21st of October, 1877. He possessed an inventive turn of mind and secured

JONATHAN HATCH

GEORGE HATCH

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

various patents on paper making machinery, his life's labors constituting a valuable contribution to business of that character. A stalwart republican in politics, he served for four years as selectman and he also represented his district in the state legislature. He was married in 1845 to Miss Alma Armstrong, of Franklin, Connecticut. A spirit- ualist in religious faith, he was keenly interested therein and he had the courage of his convictions, though at times he was almost a martyr for his faith. He died in the year 1905.

George Hatch pursued his education in the school of Dr. Fitch and in the Willi- mantic high school and at eighteen years of age he began learning the machinist's trade in the factory of Smith, Winchester & Company, in which his father was one of the partners. He, too, was connected with the enterprise for more than thirty years, or until he retired from manufacturing interests in 1905. He was a pattern maker of no small ability, possessing natural aptitude in that direction, having been endowed by nature with mechanical skill and ingenuity, which he developed through the exercise of effort along mechanical lines. During much of his connection with the firm of Smith, Winchester & Company he was the general superintendent. Since 1905, however, he has devoted his attention to farming interests and has three hundred acres of land con- stituting a very valuable property. He has remodeled the place in many particulars and today has one of the finest properties in South Windham. He does nearly all of his own designing and he is devoting his attention largely to the raising of live stock, while he is also engaged in the raising of grain.

Mr. Hatch and his sister, Mary A., a lady of culture and refinement, occupy the old home of the family. In politics he is a republican and in religious faith a spiritualist. He is now serving as president of the Farmers' Club, of which he was one of the organ- izers, and he is most deeply and actively interested in everything that tends to advance agricultural development and raise the standard of farming activities in this section of the state. He has ably served as a member of the board of assessors for more than ten years and in 1905 represented his district in the state legislature, making a most enviable record in that connection.

HOWARD FRANKLIN HOXSIE.

Howard Franklin Hoxsie, a merchant of Canterbury Green, who is manager of the store which his father had conducted for twenty-five years, is fully maintaining the well earned reputation that has ever been associated with the name of Hoxsie in mercantile circles of this section of the state. A spirit of enterprise and progress actuates him in all that he does and is contributing to his substantial success.

Mr. Hoxsie was born in Stonington, Connecticut, May 12, 1891, a son of Frank and Eva M. (Newton) Hoxsie. He is descended from one of the old New England families, the ancestral line being traced back to Lodowick Hoxsie, a native of England, who with courageous spirit, severed home ties to become a resident of the new world. Since that time various branches of the family in different generations have spelled the name Hoxsie, Hoxie, Hawksie, Haxie and Hoxsey. Records show that Lodowick Hoxsie was a resident of Sandwich, Massachusetts, in 1664. In December of that year he wedded Mary Presbury and the line of descent is traced down through his son John and the latter's third son, Stephen Hoxsie, who was born November 28, 1713. . On the 27th of February, 1735, he married Elizabeth Kenyon, a daughter of John Kenyon. She was born April 5, 1720, and was thus in her fifteenth year at the time of her marriage. She passed away September 25, 1778, while the death of Stephen Hoxsie occurred May 2, 1744. He had been a man of prominence and influence in his home community and had represented his district in the general assembly of Rhode Island. John Hoxsie, the son of Stephen Hoxsie, was born May 28, 1752, and was married February 14, 1779, to Bridget Tripp, a daughter of Peregrine Tripp, of Exeter, Rhode Island. The line comes on down through his son Henry, who was the great-great-grandfather of Howard Franklin Hoxsie and whose eldest son was John Hoxsie, who married Elizabeth, daugh- ter of Enoch and Elizabeth (Tefft) Hoxsie, both of Richmond, Rhode Island. They had a large family, including Enoch Franklin Hoxsie, who was born in Richmond, Rhode Island, where he acquired a common school education. At the age of seven he obtained employment in a mill and worked in that way when not busy with his school duties. In time he became overseer of the weaving in the mill and for forty years was thus connected with the manufacture of woolen goods. In the later years of his life he lived retired, making his home in Hopkinton, Rhode Island. In politics he was always a stalwart republican. In Richmond, Rhode Island, he wedded Susan Johnson, a daughter of Gideon B. Johnson, and they became the parents of but two children, Estella and Frank.

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The latter was born in Richmond, Rhode Island, September 10, 1858, and after acquiring an excellent public school education secured employment in one of the lead- ing woolen mills, becoming an expert in weaving. He was advanced step by step to the position of overseer or superintendent of the weaving and thus continued for about ten years, being employed principally in mills in Woodville and Niantic, Rhode Island. He afterward went upon the road as traveling salesman for the Atwood interests of Stonington, Connecticut, and for a year he occupied a position in the stock room of their factory. In July, 1894, he removed to Canterbury, where he established business as a general merchant. After five years the growth of his trade demanded that he secure more commodious quarters and in 1898 he purchased the Marvin Sanger place and adjacent property and erected thereon a well equipped business block. He con- ducted the only general merchandise store of the town and carried a large and at- tractive stock, which eventually he turned over to his son, Howard F., after twenty- five years' identification with the business interests of Canterbury. He is now pro- prietor of a store at Westbrook, Connecticut, and his son Paul is associated with him in business. In politics Frank Hoxsie has ever been an earnest republican and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him at various times to public office. He served for several years as probate judge, as town clerk and treas- urer and was also treasurer of the town deposit fund at Canterbury. He and his wife hold membership in the Congregational church. On the 3d of July, 1883, Frank Hoxsie was united in marriage to Miss Eva Newton, who was born in Hopkinton, Rhode Island, September 6, 1883, a daughter of Nathan and Mary (Chappell) Newton, who were born in Rhode Island but are now residents of Canterbury. The children of this marriage are the two sons previously mentioned.

The elder, Howard Franklin Hoxsie, obtained a district school education at Can- terbury and for one year attended the Connecticut Agricultural College at Storrs, Con- necticut. He also spent a year in the Proctor Academy at Andover, New Hampshire, and thus well equipped for life's practical and responsible duties, returned to his father's home at Canterbury and entered the store as an employe. In 1917 he became manager of the store. He carries a large and attractive stock and his progressive busi- ness methods have won for him a very liberal patronage.

On the 30th of June, 1917, Mr. Hoxsie was married to Miss Edith M. Williams, of Canterbury, Connecticut, where she was born, a daughter of Frederick W. and Edith (Tracy) Williams, of Canterbury. Prior to her marriage Mrs. Hoxsie successfully en- gaged in teaching school. She has become the mother of one child, Delton Royal, born in Canterbury, March 21, 1920.

In politics Mr. Hoxsie is an earnest republican and for the past two years he has been town clerk and treasurer of Canterbury. Fraternally he is connected with Pro- tection Lodge, No. 19, I. O. O. F., of Central Village and is a past master of Canterbury Grange, No. 70. He and his wife attend the Congregational church and are prominent in the social circles of the city, while the hospitality of their own home is greatly en- joyed by their many friends.

DANIEL JOSEPH WEEKES.

Daniel Joseph Weekes, conducting a confectionery store on Main street in Putnam and also acting as agent for the United Cigar Stores, having the largest cigar business in the town, was born in the city in which he still resides, November 27, 1896, his par- ents being James and Catherine (Carey) Weekes, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The father, when seventeen years of age, came alone to the United States, settling in Putnam, Connecticut, where he was employed by the Putnam Woolen Company in the spinning department for several years. He made a thorough study of the work, his ex- perience gaining him an intimate knowledge of the business, and he was afterward ad- vanced to the position of overseer of spinning, in which capacity he continued until he resigned in 1916. He is now employed at the Manhasset Mill in Putnam. To Mr. and Mrs. Weekes were born five children: Annie, who is now chief bookkeeper at the Ham- mond & Knowlton silk mill; James, who is a drug clerk at Saranac Lake in New York; David Joseph, of this review; Margaret, at home; and Mary, who died in infancy.

Daniel J. Weekes after attending the public schools of Putnam secured a clerkship in the C. D. Arnold fish market, where he remained for eleven years. In 1917 he joined the United States army as a member of the Two Hundred and Ninety-eighth Aerial Squadron at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was entered as a radio mechanic and did service in that connection until discharged, January 17, 1919. Later he established a confectionery business on Main street in Putnam, where he has since remained in busi-

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ness, and he is also the agent for the United Cigar Stores Company, having the largest cigar store in the town.

Mr. Weekes, like all the members of his family, is connected with the Catholic church, and he belongs to Cargill Council, No. 64, of the Knights of Columbus. His political endorsement is given to the republican party, and he is a stalwart advocate of its principles. He was a young man not yet twenty-one years of age when he enlisted in the army. He is now but twenty-four years of age and already he has made for himself a most creditable position in business circles, and the success which he has already achieved indicates that the methods which he follows are such as will win for him steady advancement as the years go by.

JAMES GRENIER.

James Grenier, who since 1919 has been owner of a blacksmith shop in Central Village, was born in Richford, Vermont, March 25, 1887, his parents being William and Rosana (Jettie) Grenier. The father was born in Augusta, Maine, and there spent the period of his boyhood and youth, his education being acquired in the public schools, after which he learned the trades of blacksmithing and wagon building. He fol- lowed these pursuits throughout his entire life in various places. For several years he conducted the shop that was formerly owned by the Torrey Brothers of Central Village and after many years' connection with the business he put aside the cares of active industrial life and is now living retired, making his home in Massachusetts. His wife resides in Montville Connecticut. They were the parents of twelve children, all of whom are yet living.

James Grenier largely spent his youthful days in Scituate, Rhode Island, where he pursued his education in the public schools, and later he took up his abode in Cen- tral Village, where he served an apprenticeship in the blacksmith shop of his father, thoroughly learning the trade of general blacksmithing and wagon building. After his father sold the shop James Grenier continued there as an employe, being identified with the business for a period of fifteen years. In 1919 he established business on his own account, however, by the purchase of the shop of F. C. Tillinghast, of Central Village, and has since conducted his interests independently. His long experience in the trade has produced marked proficiency in his work and he is accorded a liberal patronage. He is a member of the Master Horseshoers Association and is keenly in- terested in everything that pertains to the development of the business or the introduc- tion of much better methods of work.

On the 17th of May, 1907, Mr. Grenier was married to Miss Mary A. Maynard, of Mossup, Connecticut, a daughter of Frank and Pauline (Gagnon) Maynard, both of whom were natives of Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Grenier have become the parents of three children, Alice T., Mary J. and Joseph A., all yet under the parental roof.

In his political views Mr. Grenier is a republican but has never been an office seeker. He belongs to the Master Horseshoers National Protective Association of New London, his membership being in the local organization, No. 426. He adheres to the Catholic church, which is the faith of his family, and he is a man whose well spent life has gained for him the respect of those with whom he has been brought in contact.

CHESTER HUNT, M. D.

Dr. Chester Hunt, who for many years was engaged in the practice of medicine, took up his abode at the southwest corner of the Windham Green in 1819 and there his re- maining days were passed. He was born in Columbia, Connecticut, February 24, 1789, and was a son of Eldad and Huldah (Benton) Hunt, of Tolland. The former was a son of William Hunt and the family is of English descent, the first of the name coming over in the Mayflower and settling at Concord, Massachusetts.

Chester Hunt studied medicine under the direction of Dr. Silas Fuller of Columbia, who was later head of the Hartford Insane Asylum, and after thorough preliminary read- ing he entered Yale College as a medical student and was graduated on the completion of his course. In his early life he had worked upon the home farm with his father, thus spending his time until he began preparation for a professional career. He there- after devoted his attention to the practice of medicine and surgery. He bore the reputa- tion of being most careful in the diagnosis of his cases and his ability was pronounced as attested by the liberal practice accorded him.

In his political views Dr. Hunt was a stanch republican and for many years he

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filled the offices of sheriff and judge of probate, making an unassailable record in those connections. Fraternally he was a Mason. He attended the Congregational church of Windham and generously contributed to the support of both the Episcopal and Congrega- tional churches, although he did not hold membership.

Dr. Hunt was married twice. At Columbia, in May, 1815, he wedded Lucina Bar- stow, a daughter of Deacon Samuel Barstow, of that place. Her father was a very religious man and one whose well spent life gained for him the honor and respect of all who knew him. His record, too, is proof of the fact that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously, for in the conduct of his business affairs he became a large landholder and ranked as the wealthiest man of Columbia in his day. Mrs. Lucina Hunt passed away April 5, 1821, leaving a daughter, Delia Benton Hunt, who was born May 3, 1817, and on the 26th of November, 1845, became the wife of James Monroe Hebard, of Scotland, her death occurring February 28, 1902. For his second wife Dr. Hunt chose Lucretia Lathrop, of Windham, whom he wedded March 2, 1825. She was a daughter of Captain John Lathrop, of Windham, and died August 2, 1863. The four children of that marriage were: Sarah Louise, who was born March 1, 1827, and died March 31, 1828; Chester Darwin, who was born August 11, 1829, and died in September, 1835; Elizabeth, who was born March 22, 1831, and died August 9, 1835; and Thomas Chester, who was born December 7, 1833, and passed away January 23, 1845.

Dr. Chester Hunt, as previously stated, purchased his home at the southwest corner of the Windham Green in 1819, following the death of Sheriff Abbe, who had occupied that place. Dr. Hunt, both of his wives and all of his children died in this house. His last child, Mrs. James M. Hebard, bequeathed the entire property to the present owner, Miss Mary Delia Little, who was a daughter of Dr. Hunt's sister, Nancy (Hunt) Little, of Columbia. Miss Little was born in Columbia, her parents being George and Nancy (Hunt) Little. She acquired her education in the district and private schools of Co- lumbia and then took up the profession of teaching, which she followed for many years in Columbia, Glastonbury, Burnside and East Hartford, contributing much to the educa- tional advancement of the communities in which she put forth her efforts. She now occupies the old Hunt home, one of the most attractive residences bordering the Wind- ham Green.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 70

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