A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 74

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

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JOHN SCOTT LEWIS.

John Scott Lewis, who for many years was connected with the iron industry in Pennsylvania, spent his later life in Thompson, Connecticut, and during the thirty- seven years in which he lived in that village he became a most prominent and highly respected member of the community. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, August 3, 1839, his parents being Samuel and Elizabeth (Balliet) Lewis. The father in young manhood went to Allentown, Pennsylvania, where he established five furnaces for the production of pig iron. He was one of the pioneer representatives of the iron industry in that state.

John Scott Lewis attended the public schools of Allentown and afterward became a pupil in the private school of Henry S. Parker in Thompson, Connecticut. Returning to Allentown, he was connected with the iron industry established by his father and remained in the business for a considerable period. The interests under his charge were extensive and about 1880 he retired from active business life and removed to Thompson, Connecticut, where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred October 26, 1917.

In early manhood Mr. Lewis was united in marriage to Miss Mary Rawson, a daughter of the Rev. Alanson and Martha (Russell) Rawson, who were natives of New Hampshire. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis had one child, Harriet R., who was born in Thompson, Connecticut, where she still makes her home. For eighteen years Miss Lewis filled the office of librarian of the Thompson public library. Mr. Lewis gave his political allegiance to the republican party, but was never an office seeker. He stood loyally for the best interests of the community and was a man of high principles and moral force who enjoyed the respect of all with whom he came in contact.

CARL EVALD OMAN.

Carl Evald Oman is the vice president and general superintendent of the Smith- Winchester Manufacturing Company of South Windham, to which position of prom- inence and responsibility he has risen entirely through his own efforts. His initial step in the business world was a most humble one and it has been through his close appli- cation, persistent energy and commendable ambition that he has reached a place as one of the prominent representatives of manufacturing interests in his adopted state.

Mr. Oman is a native of Sweden. He was born in Eskilstuna on the 19th of January, 1866, his parents being Lars Frederick and Edla Carolina (Ljusberg) Oman. The father was a gunsmith in the government employ for many years and later in life conducted a small shop of his own, devoting his attention to the manufacture of guns, locks and similar goods in Sweden.

Carl E. Oman acquired a public school education, supplemented by a year's study in a high school of Sweden, and when eleven years of age he entered upon an apprentice- ship to the machinist's trade, his term of indenture covering three years. He came to America in 1882, when a youth of sixteen, making Westhampton, Long Island, his des- tination. There he worked for a year as a farm boy and then went to Brooklyn, where

CARL E. OMAN

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he entered the employ of Cranston & Company, attending at the same time the night school of the Y. M. C. A., there completing a thorough course in mechanical engineering and drawing. He was connected with that establishment until they sold out to the Smith-Winchester Manufacturing Company of South Windham, Connecticut. It was in 1899 that he became a resident of South Windham, being employed as general super- intendent of the factory, and in 1905 he was elected to the vice presidency of the com- pany. He is still acting as general superintendent, his long experience well qualifying him for the responsibilities which devolve upon him in this connection, and as vice president of the company he is also recognized as a man of strong financial standing

Mr. Oman was united in marriage to Miss Maria Wilhelmina Boklund, of Stockholm, Sweden, who came to the United States in 1884 and was a resident of New York to the time of her marriage. To them have been born four sons: Carl Wilhelm, a draftsman with the Pratt-Whitney Company of Hartford; Albert Julius, a machinist with the Smith-Winchester Manufacturing Company; Nils Johan; and George Evald.

Mr. Oman and his wife are very active and prominent members in the Swedish Lutheran church in Willimantic and he is a stalwart champion of the prohibition party, doing everything in his power to advance the cause of temperance. His aid and influence are always given on the side of progress and improvement and in support of those measures which work for higher standards of manhood and citizenship. His own career has been marked by steady progress and advancement, close application and industry having enabled him to rise through successive promotions to positions of marked re- sponsibility, and his thorough practical experience enables him to carefully direct the efforts of the men who serve under him. His life history is an indication of what may be accomplished through genuine worth on the part of the individual.

HENRY NATHAN AMIDON.

Henry Nathan Amidon, a well known farmer of Ashford, was born on the old Amidon homestead, December 7, 1887, his parents being Gilbert Eliphalet Strong and Julia Sophia (Whiton) Amidon. The ancestry of the family can be traced back to a very remote period in the history of New England and is given at length in the sketch of G. E. S. Amidon elsewhere in this work.

Henry N. Amidon pursued a district school education and in young manhood worked upon the home farm and was also employed at farm labor by others. In 1910 he took charge of the farm upon his father's retirement from its active operation and manage- ment and has since conducted the place, which he does in a profitable manner, his enterprise and industry constituting the basis of well deserved success. He carries on general farming and stock raising, handling sheep and Devon cattle, and in connection therewith he conducts a dairy business.

Mr. Amidon gives his political allegiance to the republican party and holds to the religious faith of his fathers, that of the Congregational church. The Amidon family is one of the old families of New England, with an untarnished record of fidelity to duty in civic affairs, of loyalty and patriotism in times of national stress.

JOHN EDWARD ALLEN.

John Edward Allen, long connected with farming and dairying interests in Wind- ham county, now makes his home on the Danielson-Brooklyn road, where he has recently purchased a farm property. He was born in the old Allen homestead on Allen's Hill, in the town of Brooklyn, June 16, 1857, his parents being Arba Adams and Mary (Prentice) Allen. The father was born in Brooklyn, March 6, 1827, and spent his entire life on the old homestead on Allen's Hill. The old home place is one of the landmarks of that section of the county, the ancestors having lived there through several genera- tions. Arba A. Allen was a most progressive farmer, displaying expert skill in the development and improvement of his place, and he was also active in affairs of vital importance to the town. He continued his farming interests to the time of his death, which occurred April 21, 1905. His wife, who was a native of Voluntown, Connecticut, died in Brooklyn on the 3d of May, 1892. They became the parents of four children. Elizabeth, who passed away in October, 1918, was the wife of William Barstow, of Windham, and the mother of two children, Byron P. and Cassius A. Mr. Barstow has since married Mrs. Hattie Kingsley, of Plainfield. John Edward, of this review, is the next of the family. Annie J. is the wife of Livingston Fiske, a resident of Upton,

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Massachusetts. William P., who married Delia Loden, of Windham, resides in Newark, New Jersey, and has one child, Doris.

John Edward Allen pursued his education in the public schools of Brooklyn, and after his textbooks were put aside engaged in farming with his father on Allen's Hill. He has always carried on agricultural pursuits, and after a time he took over his father's farm, which for twenty-two years he conducted on an extensive scale. He also maintained a large dairy and supplied Brooklyn and Danielson with milk for twenty-two years. About twelve years ago he sold the old homestead property and leased the Prentice farm, which he has since further developed. He has recently, however, purchased his present home on the Danielson-Brooklyn state road and is here giving his attention to general agricultural pursuits.

It was in Brooklyn, on December 12, 1883, that Mr. Allen was married to Miss Martha G. Shepard, who was born in Plainfield, Connecticut, a daughter of Simon and Louise (Gardener) Shepard.

Mr. Allen votes with the republican party, having supported its principles since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and is now one of the selectmen of the town. He is one of the charter members of the Brooklyn Grange, a past noble grand of Quinebaug Lodge, No. 34, I. O. O. F., of Danielson, and past patriarch of Unity Encampment, No. 21, I. O. O. F., of Danielson. He has also served as a delegate to the grand encampment. Mr. Allen attends the Baptist church. He has led a busy, useful and honorable life and his work has been a contributing factor to the agricul- tural development of the section in which he lives.

FRED LITCHFIELD.

Through the years of an active and honorable business career Fred Litchfield was identified with farming interests in the town of Hampton, where he was born on the 4th of March, 1859, and where he passed away on the 6th of December, 1918, when in the sixtieth year of his age. His well spent life won for him the respect of all who knew him and at his demise he left behind him a host of warm friends. He was a son of Uriah Litchfield, who laid down his life in defense of his country in the Civil war, and a grandson of Colonel Andrew M. Litchfield, who won his title by efficient service in the state militia. The ancestral line is traced back to Lawrence Litchfield, whose early arrival in America is indicated in the fact that he belonged to a military organ- ization in Boston in 1640. During the latter part of his life he made his home in Barnstable, Massachusetts, but died in Scituate, Massachusetts, in 1650. His widow, who bore the name of Judith Allen, afterward became the wife of William Peaks. The old homestead of Lawrence Litchfield still remains in possession of his descendants. Uriah Litchfield, ancestor of Fred Litchfield in the second generation, was born May 24, 1766, and became a resident of Hampton, Connecticut, in 1815, settling on the farm afterward occupied by Fred Litchfield, whose name introduces this review. There Uriah Litchfield passed away July 30, 1833, while his wife, who in her maidenhood was Sarah Witter and who was born September 12, 1767, was called to her final rest May 8, 1843. Their family of seven children included Colonel Andrew Modock Litch- field, who was born in Brooklyn, Connecticut, October 28, 1801, and was a lad of fourteen years when the family home was established in the town of Hampton. He acquired a public school education and then turned his attention to mechanical pursuits, working at the wheelwright's trade and along other mechanical lines. He afterward became a prominent lumber dealer and, prospering in that undertaking, extended the scope of his business until he was the owner and the operator of a saw and shingle mill and also of a clover and grist mill in Hampton, the extent and importance of his business interests enabling him to furnish employment to more men than any other citizen of the town, where he remained in active business for more than half a century. He afterward sold his lumber and milling interests and became identified with farming, at one time being the largest landowner in the town of Hampton, his possessions aggregating more than four hundred acres. Later he sold much of this, retaining, however, one hundred and twenty-five acres, which afterward descended to his grand- son, Fred Litchfield. He was a very prominent figure in the Connecticut state militia and received seventeen different commissions during a period of seventeen years. He was made sergeant of First Company, Fifth Regiment, on the 2d of September, 1824; a lieutenant of Grenadier Company, Fifth Regiment, May 15, 1826; captain of the Fifth Regiment, September 18, 1826; adjutant of the Third Regiment, August 28, 1831; adjutant of the Fifth Regiment, September 1, 1836; major of the Fifth Regiment, April 20, 1838; and lieutenant colonel of the Fifth Regiment, May 12, 1841, resigning his position as lieutenant colonel on the 2d of June, 1842. He was a man of splendid

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

military presence, being five feet ten inches in height, weighing more than two hundred pounds and possessing a notably strong voice. Moreover, he was very popular with those who served under him and with the community at large by reason of his many sterling traits of character. He was long a devoted member of the Congregational church and a generous contributor to its support. In politics he was originally a Jeffer- sonian democrat, then joined the know nothing party, later voted with the whig party, and upon the organization of the new republican party became one of its stanch sup- porters. He filled all the various town offices and officiated as justice of the peace until age exempted him from duty. He also represented Hampton in the state legis- lature.

Colonel Litchfield was married to Caroline Fuller, of Hampton, daughter of Isaac and Rebecca (Dixon) Fuller. She passed away December 25, 1882, while Colonel Litch- field was in his eighty-ninth year at the time of his death, which occurred February 14, 1890. The helplessness which usually attends old age never came to him. He was remarkably well preserved, both physically and mentally, to the last, and maintained the keenest interest in the questions and affairs of the times until death called him to the home beyond.

The third of the children of Colonel and Mrs. Litchfield was Uriah Litchfield, who was born on the old homestead in the town of Hampton, March 12, 1836. He attended the public schools and a select school of Warren, Connecticut, and being mechanically inclined, he rented a shop in early life and employed a man to teach him blacksmithing, which he afterward followed profitably in Hampton for a considerable period. He later became a resident of Baltic, Connecticut, where he remained until 1860, when he returned to Hampton. In early manhood he wedded Diantha C. Fuller, of Hampton, daughter of Philander and Mary (Church) Fuller, and they became parents of two children, Fred and Andrew M. Soon after the return of Uriah Litchfield to Hampton he joined the army, becoming a member of Company F, Eighth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry in August, 1861. His regiment was with the army doing duty on the hotly contested battlefields of Virginia, including Fredericksburg, Antietam and others. Mr. Litchfield was usually detailed as ambulance driver or to boat service on the Potomac river. He became ill in October, 1863, and was sent home, but steadily grew worse and passed away February 14, 1864, at the age of twenty-eight years, thus giving his life as a sacrifice to the Union cause. He was a republican in politics and his citizen- ship measured up to the highest standards, his entire career being characterized by a lofty patriotism. His widow afterward became the wife of Archibald H. Stewart and had one son, Archie T.

The elder son of the first marriage, Fred Litchfield, was left fatherless when a little lad of but five years. He, however, was reared in the home of his grandfather, Colonel Litchfield, with whom he remained until he reached the age of twenty years, and during that period acquired a good common school education. He also learned much con- cerning farm work and he seems to have inherited the mechanical taste and ingenuity that has characterized various generations of the family. Starting out in the business world, he was first employed in the sawmill of J. B. Hamlin, and his efficiency is indi- cated by the fact that he represented that gentlenian in work at Hampton, Oneco and Brooklyn, Connecticut. He afterward accepted the position of foreman of a farm owned by Dr. Seth Rogers in Pomfret, but a year later resumed mechanical pursuits, entering the employ of George W. Taft, proprietor of a road machine shop in Pomfret, where he remained for two years. He then returned to the occupation of farming and for a year lived upon rented land at Springfield, Long Island, and in 1890 became manager of the P. W. Turner farm at Turnerville, Connecticut. On the death of his grandfather he inherited a part of the old homestead and purchased the interests of the other heirs, so that he became sole owner of the Litchfield farm property of one hundred and twenty-five acres, constituting one of the valuable farms of the town of Hampton. This property he made most attractive by reason of the improvements that he placed upon it and the high point of cultivation to which he brought the fields.

In January, 1879, Fred Litchfield was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Botham, a native of Woodstock, Connecticut, born February 28, 1861, and a daughter of Edwin F. and Medelia ( Holbrook) Botham, who removed to the town of Hampton during the early girlhood of their daughter, Mrs. Litchfield, who was one of a family of eleven children, eight sons and three daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Litchfield have but one child, Delia Cleveland, who was born December 25, 1879, and who in her school life displayed special aptitude in her studies. Although she did not enter school until she reached the age of ten she qualified for teaching in the schools of Hampton when sixteen years of age and later completed a three years' course in the State Normal School at Willi- mantic in two years, being there graduated in June, 1899. She afterward taught school in Hampton, Bolton, Stepney Depot, in the town of Monroe, and in the grammar grades at Sterling, also at North Haven, Lyme, Portland and Hanover, Connecticut, teaching

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

sixteen years in all, five years of which were in Hampton. On the 2d of May, 1914, she became the wife of William A. Weeks, of Pomfret, a blacksmith by trade, who, how- ever, since the death of her father, has been conducting the Litchfield farm.

Mr. Litchfield was a devoted and valued member of Little River Grange, No. 36, of Hampton and also of Pomona Grange. His wife belongs to the same organizations, and in 1895 took the degree of Ceres in the National Grange, which met at Worcester, Massachusetts. Politically Mr. Litchfield was an earnest republican, doing everything in his power to promote the growth and secure the success of his party because of his firm belief of its principles as factors in good government. Several times he filled the position of second selectman of Hampton and for many years was justice of the peace, occupying that position at the time of his demise. He also served as grand juror and as a member of the school committee and at all times was loyal to the best interests of the district in which he made his home. The sterling worth of his char- acter, his progressiveness and fidelity in citizenship, his devotion to the welfare of his home and family, made him a man whom to know was to respect and honor. His widow still resides upon the old Litchfield farm, in the Bigelow district of Hampton, where she has an extensive circle of warm friends.

CARL GUSTAVE HENRY JOHNSON.

Carl Gustave Henry Johnson, a progressive farmer whose sound judgment in business matters is winning him success, makes his home at Fabyan, in the town of Thompson, Windham county. He was born at Freedry, Jonkoping Lan, Sweden, November 20, 1885, a son of John and Charlotte (Johnson) Johnson. The father is also a native of that place and throughout his life he has followed the occupation of farming. He and his wife still make their home in Sweden.

G. Henry Johnson was reared and educated in his native country, and after his textbooks were put aside worked for his father and others at farm labor until 1902, when he came to America, landing at New York city on the 25th of March. He at once made his way to Woodstock, Connecticut, where he had friends, and began working on the Mcclellan farm. He also spent three and a half years in the employ of George Frink, a farmer of Woodstock, and then again worked on the Mcclellan farm for Miss Jessie Mcclellan for another period of three years. On the 1st of April, 1909, he removed to a highly improved farm proprety of ninety-six acres in the village of Fabyan, in the town of Thompson, having purchased the property in the fall of 1908. He has since made his home thereon and is carrying on general agricultural pursuits, stock raising and dairying, each branch of his business bringing him a sub- stantial income owing to his sound judgment and unfaltering enterprise.

At Fabyan, on the 20th of May, 1909, Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Carrie Frederickson, who was born at Vreinland, Krapstad, Sweden, a daughter of Larson and Annie (Olsen) Frederickson, the former a native of Dolsland, Sweden, while the latter was born at Vreinland. Mrs. Johnson came to America in 1904, crossing the Atlantic to Boston and thence going to Lowell, Massachusetts. She was afterward at Worcester, Massachusetts, and in 1906 came to Woodstock, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are the parents of one child, Marion Charlotte, who was born in Fabyan, Connecticut, March 30, 1914.

The parents attend the Woodstock Swedish Congregational church, and in political faith Mr. Johnson is a republican, having supported that party since becoming a naturalized American citizen. It often seems that native born citizens come by the privileges of American life too easily to appreciate them to the fullest degree. At least some of those who have sacrificed and suffered to obtain them value these blessings more highly than those to whom they come as a matter of course. Mr. Johnson main- tains the strongest attachment for the land of his adoption and is most loyal to its interests, giving earnest support to all measures which he believes will prove of public benefit.

ISRAEL M. DURAND.

Israel M. Durand, proprietor of one of the attractive mercantile establishments of Putnam, where for a number of years he has engaged in business as a shoe merchant, was born in Joliet county, in the province of Quebec. His educational opportunities were somewhat limited and in young manhood he came to the United States, seeking better business opportunities. He settled first in Webster, Massachusetts, where he

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remained for about a year, learning the shoe business during that time. He then removed to West Boylston, Massachusetts, where he took up the occupation of farming, which he followed for about nine years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Canada, where he resided for several years and carried on farming during that interval. When forty-two years of age he returned to the United States and settled in Putnam in 1896. He first engaged in clerking in the grocery store of P. M. Leclair on Providence street, where he remained for a year and a half, and then worked for about four years in the repair department of one of the local shoe stores. At the end of that time he opened a grocery store and meat market at 300 Church street, where he conducted business for about eighteen years, enjoying a very substantial trade. In 1916 he disposed of his business and for a time lived retired, but indolence and idleness are utterly foreign to his nature, and he could not be satisfied without some business pursuit. He accordingly, in August, 1917, opened a shoe store on Providence street in Putnam and has since conducted it with good success.

On the 17th of May, 1875, Mr. Durand was married in St. John Mathe, Joliet county, province of Quebec, Canada, to Miss Emilie Robert, who was born in Canada. They are the parents of nine children, all of whom were born in the province of Quebec with the exception of the two youngest, who were born in Putnam, Connecticut. Joseph, now residing in Putnam, married Rose St. Martin and has one child. Emery, who makes his home in the province of Quebec, Canada, lost his first wife and after- ward married Donaldo Sumie, by whom he has three children. Emilien, conducting a grocery store in Putnam, Connecticut, married Rosie Peche, of that place, and they have four children. Benoni, residing in Putnam, married Annie Riel and has four children. Mariane is the wife of Eugene Page of Putnam. Marciale served overseas with the Canadian army during the World war. Edmond, William and Omer are all residents of Putnam and the last named is now completing his course in the high school.

Mr. and Mrs. Durand are members of St. Mary's Catholic church, having been reared in that faith, and they also belong to Union St. John the Baptist. Mr. Durand's life has been one of intense and well directed activity and whatever success he has achieved is the direct outcome of his own labors.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 74

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