A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 75

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

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ALLIE WIRT MARCY.

There are few men in Connecticut more widely or prominently known in connection with tool manufacturing than Allie Wirt Marcy, who has made a special study of steel and steel tool making, and his inventive genius has occasioned him to be called upon many times for the manufacture of special tools; but the growth of his trade in the line of standard manufacture has become so great that he is now practically concentrating his entire efforts and attention upon the conduct of the tool manufacturing plant which he has established in Putnam. He is, moreover, prominently known in other connec- tions and at the present time is serving as mayor of his city.

Windham county numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred at Eastford on the 7th of March, 1880. He is a son of Gurdon Bradford and Mertis E. (Baker) Marcy. His grandfather, Edwin Marcy, was born in Windham county, Con- necticut, and spent the greater part of his life in Westford and Kenyonville, where he was an axe manufacturer and general blacksmith. He made axes at the time they were in great demand in Connecticut by the woodsmen, and his reputation for producing high-grade hand-made axes brought him a large trade. He spent one year at Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, in an axe factory, but the greater part of his life was passed in Windham county and his business, as it were, constituted a preliminary step to the development of the line in which his grandson is now engaged. His son, Gurdon Bradford Marcy, was born in Westford, in the town of Ashford, Windham county, and spent the greater part of his life at Kenyonville and at Eastford. Inheriting the mechanical trend and in- genuity of his father, he, too, took up general blacksmithing and conducted a shop at Eastford for many years. He became an expert worker at his trade and also an expert tool maker and thus, in accordance with the demands of the times, the labors of grand- father, father and son have developed, leading to the establishment of the tool manu- facturing plant of A. W. Marcy of this review. On leaving Eastford, G. B. Marcy estab- lished his home in Putnam and later removed to Southbridge but is now living at Worcester, Massachusetts, where he is still engaged in blacksmithing. His wife, how- ever, who was born in Woodstock, Connecticut, passed away when their son, A. W. Marcy, was but two years of age.

Reared in Eastford to the age of twenty-one years, Allie W. Marcy there attended the district schools and at the age of fourteen began learning the general blacksmithing trade in his father's shop and soon manifested the mechanical skill and ingenuity which

ALLIE W. MARCY

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

have ever characterized the family. He not only did the work that comes under the head of blacksmithing but began studying the best way of improving tools and as the result of his investigation and experiment became an expert tool maker. At the age of twenty-one years he went to Ansonia, Connecticut, to enter the employ of the Farrel Foundry & Machine Company as tool dresser, and later he went to Boston, Massa- chusetts, where he gave a course of instruction on steel work and tool making in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Removing from that city to Pittston, Pennsyl- vania, he there established a tool manufacturing business in connection with a partner for the manufacture of machinists' tools, but the partnership relation did not prove satisfactory and the connection was dissolved. Mr. Marcy then returned to Eastford and in 1902 came to Putnam, where he established the Marcy Tool Works, which he has now conducted for a period of about sixteen years. He manufactures forged lathe tools of the highest quality and tool specialties and also manufactures tools for carpenters and plumbers, together with automobile tools and other lines. He has made important and useful changes and improvements in the style, shape and design of mechanics' tools, permitting mechanics to work with greater convenience and ease. In the past he has spent a large part of his time in making and designing tools for special uses, being called upon by manufacturers to get up tools for their particular needs, but of late years the demand for his regular tools has become so great that he has, with few exceptions, devoted all of his time to the manufacture of regular mechanics' tools. He has a plant completely equipped for this purpose and employs ten to twenty men in his shop. He has throughout his entire life made a special study of steel and steel tool making and that his opinions are largely accepted as authority upon questions of this character is indicated in the fact that he was chosen as one of the instructors in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

On the 30th of October, 1901, Mr. Marcy was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hattie Clark, of Eastford, Connecticut, who was born in Phoenixville, in the town of Eastford, Windham county, and is a daughter of Darwin T. and Mary Clark, also natives of Windham county, where her father follows the occupation of farming. Mr. and Mrs. Marcy have become parents of two children: Gerald Philip, who was born October 5, 1907; and Austin Merrill, who was born in Putnam, September 15, 1913.

Fraternally Mr. Marcy is connected with Quinebaug Lodge, No. 106, A. F. & A. M., of which he is now senior warden; and in Putnam Chapter, No. 41, R. A. M., he is high priest. He also belongs to Montgomery Council, R. & S. M., of Danielson; Columbian Commandery, K. T., of Norwich; and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scot- tish Rite in the Norwich consistory, and is a member of Sphinx Temple, Mystic Shrine of Hartford. He is likewise a member of the Putnam Chamber of Commerce and was on the committee that built the State Trade School in Putnam. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party and in 1913 he was appointed alderman of the second ward. In 1915 he was elected to the office and served until November, 1917, when he was elected mayor of the city and is now serving his second term as its chief execu- tive, devoting a considerable portion of his time to municipal problems and interests and actuated in all that he does by a marked devotion to the general good. He is not only adequate to the demands for capable direction of municipal and civic affairs but also the added demands which fall upon the mayor by reason of war conditions, and in this, as in other connections, his administration is proving highly satisfactory to his fellow townsmen.

CHARLES DE VILLERS.

Charles de Villers, who since 1900 has been engaged in the drug business at Willi- mantic, was born November 26, 1869, at St. Ours, in the province of Quebec, Canada, his parents being Charles and Cleophire (Clermont) de Villers, also natives of that place. The father acquired a parochial school education in his native town, and when a young man went to sea as a common seaman. He afterward became a navigator and always followed that life, winning advancement until he became captain of a ship making trips between Montreal and Chambly. Eventually he retired from the sea and spent his last days in his native town. His wife passed away at Willimantic, Con- necticut, October 4, 1883. In their family were nine children, of whom four are yet living: Charles, of this review; Alexander, who was graduated from the Royal Military School at St. Jean, province of Quebec, and enlisted in the regular United States army during the Spanish-American war, serving in the Philippine islands and continuing in the army after the war, eventually securing a commission, is now captain of infantry in the United States army for twenty years; Anna M., the wife of A. M. La Touche,

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

chief clerk in the custom house at Montreal, Canada, for twenty-five years; and Albina, who is the wife of Wilfred Talbot, manager of a general store at Victoriaville, Quebec.

Charles de Villers pursued his education in parochial and private schools of his native city to the age of fourteen years, when he came to the United States, settling first in Syracuse, New York. There he worked in a grocery store for eight months and afterward removed to Willimantic, Connecticut, where he attended the public schools in order to learn English and acquire further knowledge along other lines. He was subsequently employed in the drug store of A. D. David as a clerk for a period of ten years and then went to Putnam, Connecticut, where he served as manager of the drug store of George Farley for four and a half years. Returning to Willimantic, he then purchased the drug business formerly owned by A. L. Gelinas, acquiring this store in 1900, since which time he has been the owner and manager. In this connection he has built up a business of extensive proportions and his energy and close application have been the salient features in the attainment of his success.

On the 12th of June, 1913, Mr. de Villers was married to Miss Amanda Groulx. Politically Mr. de Villers is a republican, recognized as one of the leaders of his party in Willimantic, where he served as city alderman from the first ward in 1918 and 1919. He belongs to St. John the Baptist Society of Willimantic and he and his family are connected with the Catholic church. From a humble clerkship he has worked his way steadily upward in the business world until he is now proprietor of one of the leading mercantile establishments of his adopted city and ranks with the most pro- gressive representatives of commercial activity here.

PAUL PELTIER.

Paul Peltier is the capable manager of the store of Dearnley & Clarke, the largest general merchandise establishment at Plainfield. He was born in Baltic, Connecticut, June 25, 1871, and is a son of Edward and Mary (Lemoine) Peltier. The father's birth occurred at Sorel, in the province of Quebec, and the mother was also a native of that place, where they were reared and educated. After his school days were over Edward Peltier secured employment as a farm hand and tbus worked for several years. In 1877 he came with his family to the United States, settling at Baltic, Connecticut, where for twenty years he was employed in the Baltic cotton mill. He afterward went to Natick, Rhode Island, where he again worked in a cotton mill for several years, but he is now living retired, still making his home in Natick. His wife there passed away in 1914. In their family were thirteen children, of whom three have departed this life.

Paul Peltier spent the period of his minority in his native city and pursued his education in a convent school. He was one of a large family and early began to provide for his own support, securing employment in the carding department of the Baltic mill, while later he was advanced to a position in the weaving department, there remaining for four years. He afterward went to Natick, Rhode Island, and for four years occupied a position in the weaving department at the Natick mill. He next obtained a position in a store conducted by the Natick Company and while acting as clerk made a thorough study of the business, gaining comprehensive knowledge of commercial methods and principles. For a number of years he was identified with that establishment and later he purchased a store at Lisbon, Connecticut, which he conducted for a year and then sold. On the expiration of that period he became a resident of Jewett City, Connecticut, and secured a clerkship with Dearnley & Clarke, with whom he continued at Jewett City for eight years. In 1912 he removed to Plainfield to accept the position of manager in the store of Dearnley & Clarke, which is the largest general merchandise establish- ment of the town. He is now directing the further upbuilding and development of the trade at this point and is a most trusted and valuable representative of the company.

At Natick, Rhode Island, November 12, 1895, Mr. Peltier was united in marriage to Miss Delia Bombardier, a daughter of Cleophas and Victoria (Deragon) Bombardier. Mr. and Mrs. Peltier have become the parents of six children: Pauline,. who resides at home and is acting as bookkeeper in the store of her father; Agnes, who is taking a nurses' training course at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford; Edward, who passed away at the age of eighteen years; and Paul, Theodore and Richard, all at home. It was on the 16th of October, 1918, that the parents were called upon to mourn the loss of their son Edward, bringing to them a grief almost impossible to bear. He was a very popular and capable young man. He was graduated from the public and high schools of Plainfield and was attending Holy Cross College at Worcester, Massachusetts, at the time of his demise. During the epidemic period he was sent home, and a few days later he contracted the influenza which terminated his life. Genial, courteous, full of

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life and good spirits, his personal characteristics made for popularity among the young people of the community and he enjoyed the respect and goodwill of all who knew him.

The religious faith of Mr. Peltier and his family is that of the Catholic church. Politically he is a republican and he belongs to the Knights of Columbus, having mem- bership in Leo Council No. 71 of Natick, Rhode Island, and to the Union St. John the Baptist, of Plainfield, of which he is a charter member and treasurer since its organization. Enterprise and energy have ever characterized him throughout his entire career. He never loses sight of his purpose, nor stops short of the successful accom- plishment thereof. Wherever known he is held in high regard by reason of his personal worth, while his business qualifications are acknowledged by all who know aught of his commercial career.

FRED CHOLLAR LEAVENS.

Fred Chollar Leavens, who throughout his active life has been identified largely with farming and cattle raising interests, is now located in Wauregan. He was born in Coventry, Rhode Island, September 26, 1866, and is a son of Charles and Ann (Cornell) Leavens. The father was born in the village of Wauregan, in the town of Plainfield, and was there reared and obtained a public school education. He afterward entered the employ of the Wauregan Company, with which he remained throughout his active life. Upon his retirement he removed to Danielson, where he passed away May 18, 1919. His wife, who was born in Rhode Island, now resides in Moosup, Connecticut.

Fred C. Leavens, their only child, is indebted to the public school system of Wauregan for the early educational privileges which he enjoyed and which were supplemented by study in Storr's Agricultural College of Mansfield, from which in due time he was graduated. He later became boss farmer for the Atwood Brothers at Wauregan, and occupied that position for several years. Subsequently he removed to Brooklyn, Con- necticut, where he became boss farmer for Charles Bush, thus serving for a year. He then transferred his labors to the south and had charge of a large farm near Marietta, Georgia, for a period of five years. He afterward leased a farm at Canterbury, Con- necticut, and carried on general agricultural pursuits on his own account for some time. After removing to Brooklyn, Connecticut, he became associated with Edward M. Marlor in the cattle business, which they carried on successfully for a number of years. Later Mr. Leavens removed to Williamsville, Connecticut, and was boss farmer for the Williamsville Company for seven years. On the expiration of that period he took charge of the farm for the town of Killingly and was in that business for five years. In 1916 he removed to Wauregan, where he has since been located, and is now superintendent of all outside work in connection with the Wauregan Company. He has thoroughly acquainted himself with every phase of farming in its intricate scientific lines, and his labors have been resultantly valuable.

On the 12th of November, 1890, Mr. Leavens was married to Miss Mabel Isella Griggs, a daughter of Stephen and Harriet (Cady) Griggs and a native of Pomfret, Connecticut. Her father was a most popular auctioneer of New England and for sev- eral years he filled the office of marshal at the Brooklyn fair, his death occurring in Brooklyn. To Mr. and Mrs. Leavens have been born four children: Mildred, deceased; Mattie, residing in Hartford; and Barbara and Priscilla, at home.

Mr. Leavens votes with the republican party and is keenly interested in its success but has never sought nor desired office as a reward for party fealty. He and his family attend the Congregational church and he contributes generously to its support. His life has been characterized by worthy purposes and high principles, and he has at all times been found loyal to every trust reposed in him.

JOHN THOMAS HANTON.

John Thomas Hanton, who since 1912 has been connected with the Manhasset Com- pany at Putnam as overseer of the twisting and beaming department and in other connections, was born in Bradford, England, May 28, 1878, therefore coming from a country in which cloth manufacture had perhaps reached the highest state of develop- ment. His parents were John T. and Eliza (Bravery) Hanton, who were likewise na- tives of Bradford, England. Crossing the Atlantic to the new world in 1881, the father established his home at Huntingdon, in the province of Quebec, Canada, where he con- ducted a farm. Later he removed to Cornwall, Ontario, and was superintendent of a paper pulp mill at that place for a number of years. He next became a resident of

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Holyoke, Massachusetts, where he resided until his death, which occurred June 5, 1920. For a considerable period he was connected with the operation of a paper mill at that place but later lived retired, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil. To him and his wife were born fifteen children.

John T. Hanton, Jr., the eldest of this family, was largely reared and educated in Cornwall, Ontario, and in Boston, Massachusetts. He went to the latter city as an employe of the Union Switch & Signal Company, with which he was connected for a year. He then removed to Fitchburg, Massachusetts, where he was an employe of the Park Hill Company, manufacturers of cotton yarn. He worked in the beaming depart- ment, making a study of the work in that phase of the business, and later he was em- ployed in various places. For a time he worked for the West Boylston Company at Easthampton, Massachusetts, manufacturers of tire fabrics, having charge of the twist- ing department for a year. He next went to Wilkinsonville, Massachusetts, where he was overseer of the twisting department in a large cotton mill for two and a half years. In March, 1912, he came to Putnam, Connecticut, and since has been with the Man- hasset Company as overseer of the twisting and beaming department in a plant that is devoted to the manufacture of tire fabric. With every phase of the work in this depart- ment he is thoroughly familiar, so that he is most capably filling the position of overseer.

At West Fitchburg, Massachusetts, on the 29th of April, 1901, Mr. Hanton was married to Miss Mary Joslin, of Fitchburg, and they have become the parents of two children, Enice May and Mildred Joslin, both born in Putnam. The parents attend and support the Congregational church, and Mr. Hanton is identified with the organiza- tion of Eagles at Putnam. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire office, his undivided attention being given to his milling interests.

WILLIAM CHARLES OLIVER.

William Charles Oliver is a highly respected citizen and retired farmer living at Clarks Corner in the town of Hampton. He was born at Oak Ridge, Passaic county, New Jersey, February 28, 1862, and is a son of Charles and Margaret (Eckhart) Oliver. The father was born at Boonton, New Jersey, where he was reared and educated and learned the wheelwright's trade. In young manhood he went to New York city, where he remained for about five years, engaged in the manufacture of wheels for fire engines. He was an expert workman and had no difficulty in obtaining employment. He after- ward went to Hackensack, New Jersey, where he purchased land, built a shop and made his home, there engaging in general blacksmithing, wheelwright work and wagon and carriage building. He remained at Hackensack from 1855 until 1858 and then went to Oak Ridge, New Jersey, where he purchased farm land, retiring from industrial activity to devote his attention to agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1885. He was a consistent Christian man, served as elder of the Presbyterian church at Oak Ridge for more than twenty years and his example was at all times worthy of emulation. His wife was born at Newfoundland, New Jersey, and after the death of her husband she lived upon the home farm with her son, William C., and in 1910 re- moved with him to Hampton, Connecticut, where she passed away in 1911. She was the mother of two children, the elder being a daughter, Sarah E., who was born in New York city in 1853 and became the wife of Albertus G. Vandewater, who was principal of the school of Englewood, New Jersey, where he passed away in 1892, having since 1880 survived his wife.

William Charles Oliver is the only survivor of the family. He acquired his educa- tion in the district schools of Oak Ridge, in the Oak Ridge Academy, a college prepara- tory school, and in the public schools of New York city. In young manhood he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed between the ages of seventeen and twenty-five years, teaching at Passaic, New Jersey. From 1885 until 1910 he cultivated the old home farm in New Jersey and also conducted a general country store at Oak Ridge from 1887 until 1898, when he sold the business. He was also identified with various other business activities. In 1910 he sold the old home farm to the city of Newark, New Jersey, which built thereon a watershed, using twenty-five thousand acres for the purpose. Mr. Oliver also conducted a summer boarding house on his farm from 1887 until 1910. In February of the latter year he bought twenty-one acres of land at Clarks Corner in the town of Hampton and has since lived retired, dealing to a limited extent in real estate but having practically put aside all business activities.

On the 8th of October, 1884, at Preakness, New Jersey, Mr. Oliver was married to Miss Mary Blaine Nesmith, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, a daughter of James P. and Mary C. (Blaine) Nesmith, of that city. To Mr. and Mrs. Oliver have been born

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four children. William Blaine, who was born at Oak Ridge, New Jersey, November 28, 1886, married Helen L. Ferguson, of Manchester, Connecticut, who died in May, 1917, leaving a son, Stuart. William B. Oliver is a graduate of the dental department of the University of Pennsylvania, of the class of 1910, and is engaged in practice in Putnam, Connecticut. He participated in a number of engagements with the American forces in France during the great World war, being first connected with the Three Hundred and Second Field Artillery in the Seventy-sixty Division, while later he was trans- ferred to the Twenty-sixth Division. Charles, the second of the family, born April 16, 1890, is an instructor of the Theodore N. Vail Agricultural School at Lyndon- ville Center, Vermont. He was graduated from the Connecticut Agricultural Col- lege with the class of 1913. After the outbreak of the great war he became a first lieutenant of the Fifty-second United States Pioneer Infantry and was assigned to Headquarters Company. He served in France with the American Expeditionary Force and was on a number of battle fronts and in various important drives but was not wounded. James Nesmith, the third of the family, born at Oak Ridge, New Jersey, September 17, 1891, attended the University of Pennsylvania and is now in the railway mail service at Springfield, Massachusetts. Clinton Allen, who was born at Oak Ridge, New Jersey, April 27, 1894, and is pay clerk in Colt's Patent Fire-Arms Manufacturing Company of Hartford, Connecticut, was in the United States Aviation Corps.

In his political views Mr. Oliver is a republican and has held a number of town offices. While in New Jersey he was town clerk of West Milford and he served on the town committee when a resident of that state. He is now justice of the peace in Hamp- ton. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church, although he was reared in the faith of the Presbyterian church. He has been quite active in political affairs and has been rated as a most substantial and valued citizen of Hampton. His worth is widely recognized by all who know him and his many acquaintances speak of him in terms of high regard.

HON. INGOLDSBEE WORKS TROWBRIDGE.

Hon. Ingoldsbee Works Trowbridge, who was for thirty years well known in Pomfret as a breeder of Guernsey cattle and whose progressive spirit was manifest in the fact that he was the builder of the first silo in his district, was a lifelong resident of Wind- ham county, his birth having occurred in Eastford on the 9th of March, 1845. He was a son of Philander and Harriet (Durfee) Trowbridge.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 75

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