A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 82

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

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The last named supplemented his public school education, acquired in Moosup, by a course in the National Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York, being thus thoroughly trained for life's practical and responsible duties. He started out in the business world as an employe in the office of the American Woolen Company at Moosup, filling the position of assistant paymaster for a period of four years. He then obtained a situation with the William Boardman & Sons Company, wholesale grocers of Hartford, Connecticut, with whom he continued for two years. On the 1st of April, 1906, he entered his father's store and has since been identified with the active management of the business. Upon its incorporation in 1909 he was elected secretary and has continued in this official capacity to the present time, bending his efforts and energies to the further development of the trade, which has already reached very gratifying proportions.

On the 19th of June, 1902, Mr. Main was married in East Lyme and Niantic, Con- necticut, to Miss Daisy Oldham, a daughter of the Rev. John and Alice (Roberts) Oldham. They have become parents of three children: Eleanor Emma, who was born at East Hartford, Connecticut, August 21, 1905; Arline Lily, born in Moosup, October 2, 1907; and Marjorie Adaline, born in Moosup, November 18, 1911 ..

While never ambitious to hold political office, Howard E. Main has always given stalwart support to the republican party since attaining his majority. He is well known in Masonic circles as a most faithful and exemplary follower of the craft, and is now a past master of Moosup Lodge No. 113, A. F. & A. M. He also belongs to the Eastern

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Star of Moosup and to the Methodist Episcopal church and his life has always been guided by high and honorable principles, which have found expression in his every relation of life.

MRS. RUHAMA A. BAKER.

Mrs. Ruhama A. Baker is residing upon a farm near Moosup, giving her supervi- sion to the further development and improvement of this place. She was born in Charlotte, Maine, November 4, 1859, and is a daughter of Thomas and Charlotte (Davis) James, the latter a native of the Pine Tree state. The father was born, however, in Wales and on coming to the United States settled at Charlotte, Maine, where he fol- lowed farming throughout his remaining days.

His daughter, Ruhama A. James, attended the public schools of her native city and afterward became a student in the Damon Ridge high school. She later lived at home with her parents for a number of years and afterward came to Connecticut. It was in Willimantic, this state, on the 29th of July, 1901, that she became the wife of the Rev. John H. Baker, Jr., who was born at North Truro, Massachusetts, October 11, 1845, a son of John H. and Almira (Harding) Baker, both of whom were natives of Boston, Massachusetts. The father gained a practical education in that city and afterward became first mate on a fishing vessel, devoting his life to sailing, in connec- tion with which he visited many parts of the world. He died of malaria in the West Indies. His son, the Rev. John H. Baker, attended school on Cape Cod and afterward became a college student in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He determined to devote his life to the work of the ministry and studied to become a preacher of the Methodist church. He was at length ordained and for a number of years engaged in preaching the gospel in Connecticut and Rhode Island. He was afterward transferred to the Maine conference, with which he was connected for a number of years, and eventually he removed to East Thompson, Connecticut, where he labored in the interests of the church for a time. He next became a resident of Sterling, Connecticut, accepting the pastorate of the church at that place, but his health became impaired there and he was obliged to give up the active work of the ministry. He then retired to a farm which had been willed to him by a friend and which is located near Moosup in the town of Plainfield. For twelve years prior to his death he lived upon this place but was in very poor health throughout the entire period.

Rev. Baker was three times married. He first wedded Eliza Damon and they became the parents of two children, Morris and Henry. For his second wife Rev. Baker chose Edna Gilley and they had one child, Harley J. For his third wife he wedded Ruhama A. James, who survives him.

The death of Rev. Baker occurred on the 6th of August, 1912, and was the occa- sion of deep regret to all who knew him, for he was a man of scholarly attainments, of most kindly and sympathetic spirit, and was constantly extending a helping hand to fellow travelers on the journey of life. His influence was indeed a potent factor for good in the communities in which he lived and labored, and his memory remains as a blessed benediction to all who knew him. His widow, Mrs. Ruhama A. Baker, still occupies the farm left to her by her husband, and in Moosup and throughout the surrounding district she has many warm friends.

PIERRE BOUTHILLIER.

With agricultural and industrial activities in New England, Pierre Bouthillier has been identified for many years but is now living retired in the enjoyment of well earned rest, making his home with his son, Napoleon P. Bouthillier, on a farm which he previously owned. He is of Canadian birth, the place of his nativity being Longueuil, in the province of Quebec, and the date July 2, 1837, so that he has now reached the eighty-third milestone on life's journey. His parents were Casimer and Henrietta (Benoit) Bouthillier, the former born at Longueuil, Quebec, where he followed the occupation of farming to the time of his death, while his wife was also born and died in the same locality. Casimer Bouthillier was a son of Pierre and Marie (Trudeau) Bouthillier, who were likewise natives of Longueuil.

Pierre Bouthillier, whose name introduces this review, was educated at the place of his nativity and after his textbooks were put aside followed farming there until he reached the age of twenty-five years, when he went to Farnham, Quebec, where he carried on agricultural pursuits for six years. He next went to St. Cesaire, in the

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province of Quebec, where he carried on farming for a decade. The year 1878 wit- nessed his arrival in Connecticut, at which time he took up his abode at Grosvenor Dale, Windham county, where he was employed in the cotton mills. He was among the first of the French settlers to locate in that village. After eighteen months there spent he removed to Danielson and for a time was employed in the card room of the Sherman mills. In 1881 he became a resident of Wauregan and obtained employment in the card room of the Wauregan mills, there remaining until 1891, when he purchased the old Putnam farm of two hundred and eighty acres in the town of Brooklyn. He then bent his energies to the cultivation and development of his land and carried on farming successfully until 1904, when he sold the property to his two sons, George and Napoleon Bouthillier, and retired from active business. He then removed to Danielson, where he resided until 1914, when he and his wife returned to the farm and now make their home with their son, Napoleon.

On the 28th of January, 1862, at St. Hubert, Quebec, Canada, Mr. Bouthillier was married to Scraphine Dubuc, who was born at Longueuil and is a daughter of Joseph and Louise (Emard) Dubuc, who were also natives of Longueuil. To Mr. and Mrs. Bouthillier have been born the following children: Joseph; Marie, wife of George Bernard, of Wauregan, Connecticut; Napoleon P .; Clerinda, the wife of Philias Lavigneur, of Wauregan; George; Rosanna, the wife of Alfred Brodeur, of Wauregan; Aimee, of Brooklyn, Connecticut; Maximillien, a sister of the Franciscan order at the convent in Auburn, Maine.

It is fitting that in the evening of his days, after a life of energy and industry such as Pierre Bouthillier has lived, that he should enjoy a period of rest, and for some years he has now lived retired, being most pleasantly situated upon the old Putnam farm, of which he was formerly the owner and which is now the property of his sons.

NAPOLEON PIERRE BOUTHILLIER.

Napoleon Pierre Bouthillier, who follows farming on Allen Hill, in the town of Brooklyn, was born at St. Cesaire, in the province of Quebec, Canada, March 9, 1866. He is a son of Pierre Bouthillier, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. In 1878 the family removed to North Grosvenor Dale, there remaining until 1886, when they became residents of Danielson, Connecticut. There Napoleon P. Bouthillier was em- ployed in the cotton mills for about two years, when the family home was established at Wauregan and he secured employment in the mills of the Wauregan Company, spend- ing his time in that connection until 1904, when his father purchased the Putnam farm on Allen Hill, in the town of Brooklyn, and he gave his attention to the develop- ment of the home place. In 1911 he and his brother George purchased the Cox farm of one hundred and thirty acres on Allen Hill and in 1914, when their father retired from active business, the brothers purchased the old Putnam farm from the father and have since resided thereon, giving their attention to the further development and improvement of the land. Each family has a separate home, one on the Cox farm and one on the Putnam farm, which adjoin. The brothers carry on general agricultural pursuits, raising the crops best adapted to soil and climate, and they also handle stock and conduct a dairy business.

In May, 1892, at Wauregan, Napoleon Pierre Bouthillier was married to Miss Rose Alma Chartier, a sister of the wife of his brother George. To Mr. and Mrs. N. P. Bouthillier have been born twelve children, of whom ten are living, the eldest being Marie Ann, at home. The second, Joseph Napoleon, born May 13, 1896, was a member of the Thirteenth Company of the Coast Artillery Corps of the Connecticut National Guard, and at the time of the World war this company was reorganized, becoming Battery D of the Fifty-sixth Regiment Coast Artillery, U. S. A., and was sent to Fort Terry, Connecticut, in April, 1917. Joseph N. Bouthillier went to France with this battery, sailing March 28, 1918, and served for eleven months overseas. He was at Chateau Thierry and at the Fismes front, also in the Argonne Forest and in the Verdun offensive and on the Meuse River sector, thus taking part in some of the most important military moves of the American army in the World war. He was discharged at Fort Schuyler, New York, January 28, 1919, and is now at home, being engaged in the manufacture of ice cream upon the farm. He has secured a large patronage, selling to the wholesale trade. Cecelia, the third member of the family, is a sister of the Franciscan order. Beatrice and Omer are at home. Lygia and Roma have passed away. Leo, Romaine, Archile, Alpherie and Marie Jeanne are yet under the parental roof.

The family are communicants of the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic church and Mr.

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Bouthillier belongs to the Union St. John Baptist. His life has been a busy one and industry and determination have been the salient features in winning for him the success which is today his.

GEORGE BOUTHILLIER.

George Bouthillier, who is a prosperous farmer of the town of Brooklyn, was born at St. Cesaire, in the province of Quebec, Canada, August 23, 1870, and is a son of Pierre Bouthillier, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. After spending the first eight years of his life in his native country George Bouthillier removed with his parents to North Grosvenor Dale, Connecticut, where he remained from 1878 until 1886. In the latter year a removal was made to Danielson, Connecticut, and George Bouthil- lier, then a youth of sixteen, secured employment in the Sherman cotton mill, where he continued for two years. On the expiration of that period the family home was located at Wauregan, where he worked in the mills of the Wauregan Company until 1904. His father then purchased the Putnam farm on Allen Hill, in the town of Brooklyn, and George Bouthillier began assisting him in the further development and improvement of the property, working with his father until 1911, when he and his brother Napoleon purchased the Cox farm of one hundred and thirty acres on Allen Hill, adjoining the Putnam farm. In 1914, when the father retired from active busi- ness, the two brothers also acquired the ownership of the Putnam farm, which they purchased from the father, and they have since continued to live on Allen Hill, each brother with his family occupying separate homes-one on the Cox farm and the other on the Putnam farm, which are adjoining properties. They are carefully and profitably carrying on the farm work, producing good crops and also successfully raising stock. They likewise engage in the sale of milk and the careful management of their business affairs constitutes the foundation of a substantial success.

On the 17th of August, 1904, at Wauregan, Mr. Bouthillier was married to Cresel- lia Chartier, who was born at St. James, in the province of Quebec, Canada, a daughter of Moise and Rosalie (Goyette) Chartier, the former born at Chambly and the latter at Iberville, in Quebec, Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Bouthillier have three children: George Joseph, who was born May 8, 1905; Armand Gabriel, whose birth occurred July 13, 1908; and Martha Mary, whose natal day was February 6, 1910. The religious faith of the family is that of the Roman Catholic church and they are communicants of the Sacred Heart church. Mr. Bouthillier belongs to the Windham County Farmers Association and he is keenly interested in all that has to do with the progress and development of the agricultural interests of this section of the state.

GEORGE ELISHA BURNHAM.

George Elisha Burnham, engaged in the wagon manufacturing business at Willi- mantic, was born March 9, 1884, in the city which is still his place of residence. He was here reared and pursued his education in the public schools of Willimantic and in the Windham high school. He afterward went to Waterbury, Connecticut, where he remained for a year, employed in a carriage hardware store. He then returned to his native city and entered the employ of his father, serving an apprenticeship at wagon making and building. He has since been identified with the business. Follow- ing the death of his father he became associated with his brother, A. R. Burnham, in the management of their business in connection with the estate left to the mother. They are now active in control of one of the important industrial enterprises of Willimantic and have built up a business of substantial and gratifying proportions.

On the 21st of July, 1906, George E. Burnham was married to Miss Olive Blair, a daughter of Henry Blair, and they have one child, Doris E., at home. Politically Mr. Burnham is a republican but not an office seeker. Fraternally he is connected with the Elks Lodge, No. 1311, and also with Natchaug Lodge, No. 22, K. P., while he also attends and supports the Congregational church. His has been an upright and useful life and he has made for himself a creditable position in the manufacturing circles of his native city.

Abel Rouse Burnham, Jr., who is associated with his brother, George Elisha Burnham, in the conduct of a wagon manufacturing plant at Willimantic, was here born February 11, 1883. He, too, spent his youthful days in his native city and supplemented the public school education which he acquired at Willimantic by study in the Windham high school. He then began working in his father's shop, learning the business of

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blacksmithing and painting, and after the death of his father he became associated with his brother, George E. Burnham, in the further conduct of the wagon manufac- turing plant. They are now the owners of the business and in connection with the manufacture of wagons they make truck bodies, conduct a blacksmith shop and do all kinds of painting and upholstering. Their patronage has reached extensive propor- tions and their enterprise places them with the leading business men of the community.

On the 6th of November, 1912, Abel R. Burnham was married to Miss Florence Wilson, a daughter of Chauncey and Emma (Rood) Wilson. They attend the Con- gregational church, to the support of which Mr. Burnham makes generous contribu- tion. His political endorsement is given to the republican party, but while he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, he has never sought or desired office as a reward for party fealty, his attention being given in undivided manner to his business affairs.

VERNON TRUMBULL WETHERELL.

No history of Woodstock would be complete without extended reference to Vernon Trumbull Wetherell, now living in East Woodstock, owing to his long connection with the educational development of this section of the state. For sixty-seven terms he engaged in teaching and in the profession displayed marked ability, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired., In all of his school work he was actuated by the highest standards, desiring that his instruction should be a thor- ough and adequate preparation for life's practical and responsible duties. He now owns a fine farm in East Woodstock and from this property derives a substantial annual income.

Mr. Wetherell has passed the seventy-fifth milestone on life's journey, his birth having occurred in North Oxford, Massachusetts, on the 18th of September, 1842. He is a son of Alfred and Louisa (Munyan) Wetherell. His father was born in Thompson, Wind- ham county, and there acquired his education, after which he sought and obtained em- ployment in the mills. He afterward removed to North Oxford, Massachusetts, where he worked in the cotton mills for several years, and later he went to Greenville, Con- necticut, where he took charge of a cotton manufacturing plant as its superintendent. He was overseer of the carding department of the cotton mills at Jewett City when Captain John Smith, of New Hartford, Connecticut, established the Greenwood Mills at that place and offered Mr. Wetherell a position, which was accepted, and he became superintendent of the Greenwood Mills, in which capacity he continued to serve for more than ten years. On the expiration of that period he retired and made his home on his farm on the Green Hollow road, in the town of Killingly, south of Danielson. In the spring of 1862, however, he sold his farm in Killingly and removed to South Wood- stock, where he purchased land and carried on general farming for some time. Later, however, he exchanged his farm land for village property in Southwest Woodstock, where his death occurred. His wife was born in East Thompson, and after the death of her husband she removed to the village of East Woodstock, where she made her home with her son Vernon, with whom she resided until called to her final rest. This worthy couple were the parents of six children, Ellen Elizabeth, Alvin Jerome, Vernon Trumbull, Alfred Ellis, George A. and Mary, but Vernon T. is the only one now living.

While spending his youthful days in his parents' home Vernon T. Wetherell acquired his education in the schools of Killingly and of Woodstock and utlimately was graduated from the Woodstock Academy, being thus well qualified by educational training for any task which he might decide to make his life work. In young manhood he went to Worcester, Massachusetts, and became a nurse in the State Insane Asylum. He re- sponded to the country's call for troops, enlisting as a member of Company E, Forty- second Massachusetts Infantry, on the 22d of July, 1864, to serve for one hundred days. He continued at the front, however, for five months and when his regiment went to Alexandria, Virginia, he was detached from his company and detailed on hospital work because of his previous experience in nursing.

After the war Mr. Wetherell returned to Woodstock, where he took up the profession of school-teaching in addition to farming. He taught sixty-seven terms of school in all and for forty terms was a teacher in two schools in Woodstock. He also taught in Sterling, in Brooklyn and in Pomfret, Connecticut, and for five years was a teacher at Southbridge, Massachusetts. In the early days he received fifty cents a day and his board in compensation for his work in the schoolroom. He had been prepared for teach- ing by a private tutor, Professor Clinton L. Young, of Killingly, Connecticut. His training was very thorough and he was imbued with a spirit that made him put forth the most earnest efforts in his own teaching in order that the boys and girls under him should be qualified to the greatest possible extent for the duties and responsibilities of later

VERNON T. WETHERELL

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life. Perhaps no other teacher has taught for a longer period in Woodstock than Mr. Wetherell, who in 1903 retired from the profession. His influence is yet felt, however, by many who came under his instruction, for he ever made it his purpose to imbue his pupils as far as possible with high ideals, while at the same time he instructed them in the branches of learning that constitute the public school curriculum. At different periods in his career Mr. Wetherell has been identified with other business interests and activities. In the spring of 1871 he was one of three who purchased an old mill property in East Woodstock which at one time had been a large manufacturing plant containing forty looms used in the manufacture of cotton goods. At the time of this purchase, however, the mill had not been operated for several years. It was bought by Mr. Weth- erell, his father and a Mr. Partridge, who installed therein machinery for the manu- facture of twine and warp, conducting the business under the firm style of Wetherell & Partridge. This mill was operated under the management of Alfred Wetherell, the senior partner, and a successful business was carried on for three years, at the end of which time the firm was dissolved. Vernon T. Wetherell was very active in the business during that period. He owns a fine farm in East Woodstock and for a long time was engaged in market gardening, in which connection he conducted a profitable business.

On the 13th of March, 1867, Mr. Wetherell was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Jane Hyde, of Putnam, Connecticut, who was born in Plainfield, this state, and when four years of age came to the town of Woodstock with her parents, Ira and Olive (Wil- son) Hyde, who were natives of Plainfield, where her father followed the occupation of farming and later carried on the same pursuit in Woodstock. Mrs. Wetherell pursued her education in the schools of Woodstock and after a happy married life of forty-six years passed away on the 16th of April, 1913. There were two children of that marriage. Cora Elizabeth, who was born in Woodstock, became the wife of Charles F. Thompson, a foreman carpenter of Worcester, Massachusetts, and they have two children, Milton and Wallace. George Alfred Wetherell was born in Woodstock, where he follows the occupation of farming, and has served as selectman for three years. He married Flora S. Steere, of Woodstock, and they have five children, Vernon T., Franklin Steere, Constance, George Alfred and Presley Hyde.

In his political views Mr. Wetherell is a democrat. He served as selectman of Woodstock and for thirty years was a member of the board of education. The cause of public instruction has, indeed, found in him a stalwart champion and for ten years he was superintendent of schools of Woodstock. He is now register of voters. Fraternally he is connected with Putnam Lodge, No. 46, A. F. & A. M., and for eight years was secretary of his lodge. He is now a veteran Mason, having been identified with the lodge for thirty-five years. He is also connected with the Ancient Order of United Work- men and with the Grand Army of the Republic, and in all matters of citizenship he has been as true and loyal to his country as when he followed the nation's starry banner on the battlefields of the south and aided in defense of the Union.

OLIVER PIERSON BANCROFT.

Oliver Pierson Bancroft, proprietor of a garage at Putnam, was born in East Wind- sor, Connecticut, May 6, 1889, his parents being William A. and Emmaline (Drake) Bancroft. The father's birth also occurred at East Windsor, while the mother was born in Windsor, Connecticut. The former, while still a youth in his teens, began farming with his father, with whom he continued in business until the latter's death, when he took over the farming interests and has since carried on general agricultural pursuits in . a very successful manner in East Windsor. He is a democrat in his political views and is a Congregationalist in religious faith, attending the church of that denomination in East Windsor. To him and his wife have been born three children: Louis T., who was born in East Windsor, October 12, 1874, and is now engaged in the building of aeroplanes with the Bancroft Aeroplane Company of Wilmington, Delaware; Herbert W., who was born in East Windsor, October 6, 1876, and is a farmer of his native town; and Oliver P., of this review. The second son married Elizabeth Wallace and has eight children.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 82

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