A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 79

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

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Alfred E. Mignault received his education in Putnam and Quebec. In the latter city he graduated from the St. Casaire College. In 1896 he and his brother Eugene came to Dayville and here they bought the grocery business of Kennedy Brothers. Subsequently Mr. Mignault, of this review, acquired his brother's interest and conducted the business alone. He was very successful and kept an attractive store. His prices were reasonable and his goods as they were represented to be and he therefore gained a large and satis- factory patronage and built up a trade which was a credit to his establishment and to himself. Naturally his financial returns increased and a good measure of prosperity resulted from his honest business dealings. He continued as the head of the store until called by death April 22, 1912. His passing caused deep regret to all those who knew him, for he was not only esteemed as a prominent merchant but also as a man of high qualities of character and of kindly ways who was ever ready to help those who came to him in an hour of need. Many are the friends whom he left in Dayville and his memory is still with them.

On August 15, 1900, Mr. Mignault was united in marriage to Miss Annie E. Casey, the ceremony being solemnized at Dayville. Mrs. Mignault was born in this town and graduated from the Killingly high school at Danielson. She is a daughter of Peter and Catherine (McEntee) Casey, natives of Ireland and old residents of Dayville. Mr. Casey has been for many years connected with the woolen industry and for over thirty years he was "boss" of the carding department of the woolen mills at Dayville. After years of strenuous labor he retired in the enjoyment of a comfortable competence and bought a fine farm in Killingly, near Dayville, where he and his wife now make their home in the evening of life. To Mr. and Mrs. Mignault were born three children, all of whom call Dayville their native town: Anita, born May 19, 1901; Frank, December 15, 1903; and Alfred, December 11, 1911.

Mr. Mignault was a republican and exercised his right of franchise in support of the measures and candidates of this party. Although not desirous of public honors he served on the school committee, his interest in the cause of education prompting him to accept the office. His religious faith was that of the Roman Catholic church, and fraternally he belonged to Cargill Council of the Knights of Columbus of Putnam. He was con- nected with the fire department of Dayville and took an interest in all of its public activities, doing everything in his power to promote the prosperity and general advance- ment of his town.

In building up a large grocery business he not only built for himself but also con- tributed to the general prosperity and all of his activities have had a beneficent influence upon the growth of his town. The store is now under the direction and management of Mrs. Mignault, who, following in the footsteps of her husband, has not only main- tained its standing and its patronage but has extended it. A very well selected and ex- tensive line of goods is carried and everything is done to ensure satisfaction to patrons. Mrs. Mignault has proven herself a business woman of no mean ability and is respected in business circles and highly esteemed in the social life of her town. She is a woman of many admirable qualities of character and many are the friends whom she has made in Dayville.

FRED WILFRED PARKER.

Fred Wilfred Parker operates a valuable farm property of four hundred acres in the town of Thompson. He has lived thereon since 1907, and his progressiveness is constantly manifest in the further improvements which he is adding to the property and in the modern methods which he displays in further developing his fields and handling his products. Mr. Parker is a native of the state of New York, his birth having occurred at Willsboro, March 23, 1871, his parents being Edward J. and Martha (Helms) Parker. The father's birth occurred at Morristown, Vermont, and he acquired a district school education at that place. In young manhood he worked as a farm hand and carefully saved his earnings until his industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase farm property in the same town. He then gave his attention to the development of his fields for several years, after which he bought a farm at Hyde Park, Vermont, where he lived for some time. His next purchase of land made him owner of a farm at Elmore, Vermont, and there he engaged in general farming and dairying throughout the remainder of his active business life. At the present time he is living retired, enjoying a well earned rest at Webster, Massa- chusetts. He was very successful in his farming interests and thus acquired the handsome competence that now supplies him with all the comforts and many of the

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luxuries of life. To him and his wife were born three children: Fred W .; Alice, the wife of Roland Goodell, who is a lawyer and real estate dealer of Waltham, Massa- chusetts, where he occupies a place of prominence; and Ethel M., a teacher in the public schools of Newark, New Jersey.

Fred W. Parker largely spent his youth at Morrisville, Vermont, where he attended the public schools, while later he became a student in the People's Academy of the same town. He completed his education in the Albany Business College of Albany, New York, and then started out to earn his living by renting a farm of Edward Hill of Dudley, Massachusetts, where he remained for seven years. He was ambitious to engage in business on a larger scale, and in April, 1903, made his way to Fabyan, in the town of Thompson, Windham county, where he leased the best four hundred acre farm in the county. In the intervening period he has prospered and is today one of the leading farmers of this section of the state. He owns a fine herd of registered Holstein cattle, his experience teaching him that it always pays to handle thoroughbred stock. He also has a large number of fine hogs. The farm is thoroughly modern in its equipments and appointments. He uses the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields, and in the production of crops his labors are attended with substantial results. His place is splendidly divided into farming and meadow land, and in addition to his cattle raising he has a large milk route in Webster, Massa- chusetts.

At Webster, Massachusetts, August 19, 1895, Mr. Parker was married to Miss Agnes I. Klebart, a native of Ansonia, Connecticut, and daughter of Edward and Eliza- beth (Barnes) Klebart. Her father was superintendent of woolen mills in various towns in Connecticut. There has been but one child born to Mr. and Mrs. Parker, Leighton, now deceased.

Mr. Parker is an earnest republican in his political views and has filled several offices at Dudley, Massachusetts. He belongs to the United Workmen of the World at Webster, Massachusetts, and his religious faith is that of the Congregational church, while his wife is a communicant of the Episcopal church at Webster. They occupy an enviable position in social circles and their many sterling traits of character have gained them warm friendship and kindly regard wherever they are known. In business affairs, too, Mr. Parker is a representative citizen and the laudable ambition and un- tiring industry which he has displayed have brought to him gratifying prosperity.

SAMUEL JAMES KING.

Moosup lost a most substantial citizen and enterprising business man when Samuel James King passed away on the 10th of December, 1910. He had long been popular as a hotel proprietor and was also widely known as a breeder of fine racing stock. He was born in Sterling, Connecticut, March 21, 1845, and was a representative of one of the old families of New England. His grandfather, Rhodes King, who long resided in Scituate, Rhode Island, married Ann Young, daughter of Jedediah and Annie (Foster) Young, also representatives of one of the old families of that state. Mrs. Ann King passed away at the age of sixty-three years. By her marriage she had become the mother of four children: Rhodes, who died about 1859; George G., who became the father of Samuel James King of this review; Elihu, a merchant, who married Lavina Johnson, of Vermont, and removed to that state; and Lucinda, the deceased wife of John Edwards, of West Greenwich, Rhode Island.

George Green King, the father of Samuel J. King, was born in Scituate, Rhode Island, July 11, 1815, and from the age of two years was reared at that place by his uncle, Elihu Fish, who was born August 9, 1756, and who in 1783 wedded Catherine Green, whose birth occurred March 2, 1758. Following her demise he married Mrs. Amy Aldrich, the widow of Angell Aldrich, and his third wife was in her maidenhood Miss Fanny Whitten. The death of Squire Fish occurred September 5, 1840. It was in the home of this uncle that George G. King had spent his boyhood and youth and in early manhood, on the 8th of March, 1835, he married Abbie Love, who was born January 20, 1817, a daughter of Leonard and Sarah (Johnson) Love. The ancestry in the Love line is traced back to Gabriel Love, a native of Scotland, who married Elizabeth Gould and settled in Coventry, Rhode Island. They were the parents of six children, which number included Leonard Love, who was born in Coventry, Rhode Island, and died February 14, 1849, at the age of eighty-two years, while his wife passed away at the age of fifty-two, their remains being interred at Oneco, Connecticut. These worthy people were the grandparents of Samuel J. King of this review. They had a family of eight children. William, who was born February 24, 1797, married Roxanna Youngs and died November 23, 1825. Samuel married Hulda Vaughn and died August

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21, 1874, at the age of seventy-six years. Josiah, born in 1800, married Martha Dor- rence and after her death wedded Tabitha Tillinghast, while later he married the widow of Thomas James. His death occurred when he had reached the advanced age of ninety-four. Leonard married Mahala Knox and died at the age of eighty-seven. Johnson, born in 1807, married Esther Potter and died January 10, 1863. Comfort married Cynthia Case and when death called him was laid to rest at Oneco, Rhode Island. Abbie, as previously indicated, became the wife of George Green King. Thomas G., born December 6, 1818, married Sarah Case and died February 20, 1889. Mrs. Abbie (Love) King survived her husband and in August, 1886, became the wife of Gideon Reynolds, of Coventry, Rhode Island, who died March 18, 1895. She was extremely bright and active and had a remarkable memory. She spent her last days at the Love homestead in Coventry, passing away in February, 1902. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. George G. King were born seven children, two of whom went to the west, residing in Butte, Montana. George A., who was born December 16, 1836, and died November 26, 1897, married Laura Waide. Silas F. was born July 26, 1838. Alva D., who was born November 4, 1840, and died September 17, 1867, married Lucy Gibson. Lyman T. A., born May 5, 1843, made his home at Coventry, Rhode Island. Samuel J. is the subject of this review. Leonard, born September 13, 1850, died January 24, 1864. Sarah A., born June 25, 1854, was married February 4, 1873, to Lafayette Blanchard.

Samuel J. King was largely reared in Rhode Island, where his father and grand- father had previously lived and where his early education was obtained. He started out to provide for his own support about the time that he entered his teens, beginning work in the summer as a farmi hand and receiving a wage of five dollars per month. From that time forward he depended almost entirely upon his own exertions. For two years he was employed on the farm of Deacon Edgar Bissell in South Windsor, Con- necticut, and then went to Moosup, where he obtained a position in the large manufac- turing establishment of Sampson Almy, with whom he continued for two years. He afterward spent one year as farm manager for Allen Gibson and another year was with George Sanderson in the same capacity. He was, however, a born horse trader, and in connection with E. A. Card, of Oneco, Connecticut, he soon secured a position for which he was eminently fitted-the management of Mr. Card's horse business. The buying and selling were entirely intrusted to Mr. King and he displayed such enter- prise, ability and sound judgment that his efforts brought immense profits to his employers and he was retained in that position for eight years. Desirous, however, that his labors should more directly benefit himself, he went to Central Village in 1877 and there on the 9th of April established a hotel and sales stable. His labors were again notably successful and he became one of the most prominent horse dealers in his section of the state. He purchased a large number of horses in southern Canada and western New York and always kept from fifteen to twenty in his stables. After twelve years spent at Central Village he removed to Moosup and rented a hotel near the station, in connection with which he opened a livery stable. There he suffered a serious loss by fire in July, 1892, the premises being entirely destroyed, his loss amounting to four thousand dollars. He did not allow this to discourage him, how- ever, and immediately rebuilt, so that on Christmas day of the same year he moved into his new home and early in 1893 he opened to the public one of the largest hotels in the vicinity, a three-story modern building, equipped with heat, light and running water and with all modern conveniences. His new hostelry was at once liberally patronized and the business became a very profitable one. After the fire Mr. King continued to deal in horses on even a more extensive scale than he had previously done, and such was his success in that line that in the fall of 1901 he gave over the management of his livery stable to his two sons, Alva G. and Samuel L. Later he conducted a private stable, in which he kept fine racing stock, which he always entered in the New England circuit. Besides dealing in horses he made a great success of breeding, training and driving horses and owned some of the best bred stock in the state, becoming widely known in that connection throughout New England.

In 1874 Mr. King was married to Miss Helen M. Sanderson, daughter of George and Maria (Gates) Sanderson and a granddaughter of John Sanderson, who was born in Lancashire, England, and wedded Ann Mills. They came to America and after living for a time in Mexico and in Canada finally took up their abode in the United States. They had four children, Charles, Ann, George and James, all of whom reached adult age and were married. Of this family George Sanderson became the father of Mrs. King. He was born in England, November 27, 1823, and when a youth of sixteen came to America. After varied experiences he took up his abode at North Adams, Massa- chusetts, and later he became an extensive manufacturer. For some time he resided in the town of Plainfield, Connecticut. At North Adams, Massachusetts, he married Maria L. Gates, who died in July, 1847, and later, in Windsorville, Connecticut, Mr. Sanderson married Elizabeth Attwood, who was born in Mansfield, Connecticut, and

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passed away June 3, 1891. By the first marriage there was born but one child, who became Mrs. Samuel J. King. There were two children of the second marriage: George Henry, who was born August 3, 1851, and was married in 1875 to Hattie H. Mills; and Charles A., who was born April 13, 1855, and married Freelove Hill. The elder son is deceased. The father, George Sanderson, while living at North Adams began working in a woolen, mill and later was employed in the old Frank mill at Rockville, Connecticut, and subsequently spent two and a half years in a factory at Worcester, Massachusetts. From July, 1857, until 1862 he worked in a mill at Uxbridge, Massa- chusetts, and on the 1st of May of the latter year became manager of a mill at Otter River, in the town of Templeton, Massachusetts. On the 7th of May, 1864, he removed to Almyville, in the town of Plainfield, Connecticut, and was made superintendent of the Sampson Almy Company's woolen factory. Following the failure of that company Mr. Sanderson formed a partnership with Messrs. Mitchell, Crow and Laraway and purchased the business, which they conducted for three years. Mr. Crow then with- drew and Messrs. Sanderson and Laraway carried on the business for three years longer, but in his later years Mr. Sanderson lived retired at the home of his son, Charles, near Moosup.

As stated, his only daughter became the wife of Samuel J. King, and they became the parents of four children. Alva G., born February 20, 1875, became senior partner in the King Brothers livery business at Moosup. He was graduated from the Toronto Veterinary College of Canada and practiced his profession in connection with the livery business. He now resides at Cambridge, Massachusetts. Henry, born September 22, 1876, became well known throughout southern New England as a horseman and carried on the business in partnership with his father. After the latter's death he took over the hotel and concentrated his efforts upon its management. He married Florence Thayer, of Dorchester, Massachusetts. Harry, the third son, born April 26, 1879, died August 23, 1898. The youngest son, Samuel Love, born December 1, 1882, is now engaged in the wood and ice business. In 1919 he was elected the first selectman of the town of Plainfield. He married Ethel Chipman, of Moosup, Connecticut, who passed away April 18, 1918.

Such in brief is the history of one who was long a most valued and representative citizen of Moosup and of his family. He was a most energetic and progressive business man, at all times alert and determined, and whatever he undertook he carried forward to successful completion. To his friends, and they were many, he was a most genial and companionable gentleman, and wherever he went the sterling worth of his char- acter commanded for him the respect of those with whom he came in contact.

RICHARD WALTER BABBITT.

One of the attractive mercantile houses of Putnam is the sporting goods establish- ment of Richard Walter Babbitt, a representative business man and a native son of Putnam, where he was born on the 19th of May, 1869, his parents being Edward and Emily (Fuller) Babbitt. The father was also born in Putnam, while the mother's birth occurred in Killingly, Connecticut. The former obtained his education in the schools of his native city and afterward learned the blacksmith's trade in the shop of his father, Seth Babbitt, who had carried on a smithy in Putnam from early man- hood. Edward Babbitt was about twenty years of age when he began work at the forge, and he followed that pursuit for many years-in fact continued in the business up to the time of his death, which occurred in his native city in 1901. His wife long survived him, passing away in Putnam in 1917, at the age of seventy-seven years. In politics Mr. Babbitt was a republican, and his religious opinions were evidenced by his attendance on the services of the Methodist church. To him and his wife were born five children: William Manchester, who was born in Putnam, where he died in 1916; Seth, who is married and resides in Putnam; Emily Zerviah, the wife of Clarence E. Heath, of Putnam, and the mother of three children; Ellen Maria, the deceased wife of Fred Bradshaw, a native of England; and Richard W. All were born in Putnam.

The last named was a pupil in the public schools to the age of sixteen years, when he sought and obtained employment with the Putnam Foundry & Machine Company in order to learn the trade of iron moulding. He remained with that company for three years and when nineteen years of age accepted a position with the Bradley & Hubbard Manufacturing Company of Meriden, Connecticut, there spending six months. He was next identified with the Garry Bloomfield Company of Meriden, contractors and builders, with whom he remained for three years. All through this period he was making steady progress along business lines and at length he felt that his experience and his capital justified his embarkation in business on his own account. In 1891,

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therefore, he began contracting and building in Meriden, where he conducted his interests for four years and then disposed of his business to remove to Springfield, Massachusetts. In the latter place he became connected with the Bausch & Harris Machine Company, but after three years thus passed returned to Meriden and for four years was in the employ of the Aeolian Organ & Music Company. In 1901 he joined the Charles Parker Company of Meriden as a pattern maker, occupying the position for five years. In 1906 he went to Panama for the Isthmian Canal Commission, occupying a government position as pattern maker on the Isthmus for eight years.

In March, 1914, Mr. Babbitt returned to Putnam and took charge of a sporting goods business which he had previously established on Pomfret street and through the intervening period he has successfully conducted this store, in which he carries a large and carefully selected line of goods, a liberal trade being now accorded him. He has ever recognized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement, and his earnest efforts to please, combined with his progressive spirit and reliable methods, have constituted the basic elements of his growing success.

In Meriden, Connecticut, Mr. Babbitt was married to Eleanor M. Sweet, of that place, and they became parents of two children: Grace Sweet, who was born in Meriden, December 2, 1894, and died at the age of fifteen years; and Adaline Emily, who was born in Meriden, October 2, 1896, and is now a teacher in Bristol, Connecticut. For his second wife Mr. Babbitt chose Grace Wells, who was born in Putnam, a daughter of John D. and Susan R. (Herendean) Wells, the former a native of Annapolis, Mary- land, and the latter of Rhode Island. By her first marriage Mrs. Babbitt had two children: Earle, born in Providence, Rhode Island, March 12, 1887; and Beatrice I .. born in Riverside, Rhode Island, April 17, 1889.

In politics Mr. Babbitt has been a stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. Fraternally he is connected with Sojourners Lodge No. 874, A. F. & A. M., and also with Pacific Lodge No. 78, I. O. O. F., of Meriden. His religious belief is that of the Baptist church and high and honorable principles have ever been the guiding forces in his life. He is a progressive man who started out in the business world empty-handed, but by persistent effort he has achieved success. From the outset he has recognized the fact that when one avenue of opportunity has seemed closed he can carve out other paths whereby to reach the desired goal. In his vocabu- lary there is no such word as fail and his course is indicative of what can be accom- plished through individual effort intelligently directed.

BURT KIMBALL DOW, V. S.

Dr. Burt Kimball Dow, of Willimantic, enjoys a just and well deserved reputation as a veterinary surgeon, for he has been successful in his profession and as his fame has spread his practice has increased. Moreover, he is a lecturer and as such has earned the thanks of a number of agricultural organizations and individual live-stock owners throughout the state for instruction along his line, and that he is considered an authority in his profession is evident from the fact that he is on the faculty of the Connecticut State Agricultural College.

Burt K. Dow was born in Derby, Vermont, June 7, 1874, and is a son of George and Lucy (Pratt) Dow, both of whom have passed away, the mother in 1885 and the father in 1913. In the acquirement of an education Dr. Dow of this review attended the public schools in the towns of Holland, Morgan and Cabot, Vermont, where the family resided at various times when our subject was in his childhood. When not attending school he worked on his father's farm engaged in general agriculture and live-stock raising. While attending the Cabot high school he worked for a physician taking care of his horses and doing chores around his office to provide for his living, and while there became interested in medical science and began the study of anatomy and phys- fology. Deciding to remain in that or a similar line, he next found a position in the State Hospital, where he gained further knowledge along these lines, and there re- mained for two years. During this period he carefully husbanded his resources in order to be able to take up the study of veterinary medicine and surgery and subsequently went to Toronto, Canada, where he entered the Ontario Veterinary College which is af- filiated with the University of Toronto, taking the regular course and graduating in 1900 with the degree of V. S. He applied himself thoroughly to his lessons and the sub- jects in hand and graduated with high honors being second in the class to pass the best general examination.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 79

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