A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 84

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

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Mr. Parkhurst was united in marriage July 1, 1899, to Miss Elizabeth J. Burdick, a daughter of Leonard and Ellen ( Babcock) Burdick, and they have become the parents of seven children: Alice I., George C., Ellen M., Edith B., Amy L., Fred W. and Benjamin E. Mr. and Mrs. Parkhurst and their family attend the Methodist church of Sterling.

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In politics Mr. Parkhurst is a republican and in 1901 was appointed by President Mckinley to the office of postmaster of Sterling, in which position he has remained to the present time. He served for four years in the office of first selectman, was deputy sheriff under Sheriff Charles B. Pomeroy, and is keenly interested in all that has to do with the welfare and progress of his community. Fraternally he is connected with the Loyal Sterling Lodge, No. 7144, I. O. O. F., at Sterling; with Ekonk Grange, No. 89, and with Moosup Lodge, No. 113, A. F. & A. M., exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft. He is a self-made man whose success is attributable entirely to his earnest labors, for he started out in the business world empty-handed and by per- sistent effort, energy and honorable dealing has worked his way steadily upward.

JOHN EDWIN BROWN.

John Edwin Brown, engaged in farming and dairying in the town of Putnam, was born in Brooklyn, Connecticut, August 13, 1852, his parents being Benjamin and Emeline (Mason) Brown. His paternal grandparents were Benjamin and Susanna (Cooper) Brown, both natives of Rehoboth, Massachusetts. The latter was a daughter of Na- thaniel Cooper, also a native of Rehoboth, who removed to Brooklyn, Connecticut, about 1805 and bought the farm which for about one hundred years was known as the Brown farm. He purchased the place from Peter Schuyler Putnam, a son of General Israel Putnam, and at his death it came into possession of his daughter and son-in-law, Benjamin and Susanna (Cooper) Brown. Upon this place our subject's father, Benja- min Brown, Jr., was born and in his boyhood he attended the district schools of Brooklyn. Later, he studied with Urial Fuller, an attorney of that town, and thus prepared for entrance to a private school in Westfield, Connecticut, in 1824. At the age of seventeen years he went to Charleston, South Carolina, where he spent three years, and then returned to Brooklyn, Connecticut, after which he taught school through the winter months and assisted his father on the farm during the summer. Subse- quently he taught in Pomfret, Killingly and Eastford, Connecticut, and later went to Providence, Rhode Island, where he established a private school, which he conducted as a preparatory school for Brown University for five years. Among his pupils was Ezekiel G. Robinson, who afterward became president of Brown University. After closing his school in Providence Mr. Brown taught in Attleboro, Massachusetts, but in 1839 returned to the old home farm in Brooklyn, Connecticut. He later taught two terms of school near his home in Pomfret, but devoted the greater part of his attention to the operation of the home farm. At the death of his father in 1852 he purchased the latter's share of the farm and continued to engage in its cultivation until 1900, when he sold the place to Arthur B. Lapsley and retired, moving to Brooklyn village, where he made his home until his son, John E., removed to Putnam Heights. He then lived with his daughter, Mrs. Joseph K. Potter, at Brooklyn village, until he passed away October 14, 1906, when he had reached the notable old age of ninety-nine years. His wife, who was a native of Providence, Rhode Island, died on the old homestead in Brooklyn. He was an able educator, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired, and he had the faculty of awakening the zeal and interest of the pupils. He was a stalwart advocate of the prohibition cause, was un- tiring in his efforts for its promotion and delivered many lectures on the subject of temperance. In fact his aid and influence were always on the side of the weak and oppressed and when in Providence he espoused the anti-slavery cause and attended the meetings to advance the interests of the cause when no church would open its doors to "such fanatics." He lived to see his opinions upon the question justified by the constitution of the United States. Following his return to Brooklyn, Connecticut, he devoted most of his time to the moral welfare, doing all in his power to promote knowledge that would bring forth the best in men's character. On the 2d of May, 1858, he was made a deacon of the Baptist church of Brooklyn and was retained in that honorable position to the time of his death. His life was indeed a potent power and influence for good and his memory remains as a blessed benediction to many who knew him. In his family were nine children: George T., a resident of Providence, Rhode Island; Ardelia M., the wife of Theodore D. Pond, of Brooklyn, Connecticut; Ann C., the wife of Joseph K. Potter, also of Brooklyn; Benjamin, of Providence, Rhode Island; Susan C., deceased; Charles J., also deceased; John Edwin, of this review; James A., a Baptist minister residing at Clovis, California; and William H., a farmer of Brooklyn, Connecticut.

John Edwin Brown pursued his education in the public schools and in the advanced schools of Brooklyn, Connecticut. He afterward worked upon his father's farm in Vol. II-35

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Brooklyn until 1900, when he purchased farm land in Brooklyn, which he cultivated for a year and a half. In 1902 he removed to Putnam Heights and bought what is known as the Brookfield Farm of seventy acres, upon which he has since made his home, giving his attention to general agricultural pursuits and to dairying.

Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Utley, a native of Hampton, Connecticut, and a daughter of William and Christina (Foster) Utley, who were natives of Chaplin, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Brown were married in April, 1885, and have become the parents of four children, the eldest being Benjamin Carlton. The second son, Edward Utley, is instructor in mathematics and mechanical drawing in the plant of the General Electric Company at Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Winfred Clifton is now in the employ of Gaston, Williams & Wigmore, of New York city. He enlisted for service in the World war November 30, 1917, and was sent to Fort Slocum, New York, after which he trained in various camps. He went overseas on the 26th of May, 1918, in connection with the ordnance department, later was made corporal and afterward sergeant and during most of his service was interpreter for the officers. He was discharged from the service September 3, 1919. Florence Mabel is a student nurse at the Staten Island Hospital, Staten Island, New York.

Mr. Brown and his family are members of the Baptist church and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. They occupy an enviable position in those social circles where true worth and intelligence are received as the passports into good society. Mr. Brown is also a member of the Windham County Farmers Association.

RAPHAEL SENEY.

Raphael Seney, conducting a confectionery store and also dealing in periodicals and newspapers at Plainfield, has spent the greater part of his life in Windham county, although he was born at Hope, Rhode Island, March 1, 1897. His parents are Charles and Ellen (Lemeaux) Seney, both of French descent. The father was born in Sheffield, Quebec, but was only three months old when his parents crossed the border with their family and took up their abode at Baltic, Connecticut. His parents were Raphael and Phebe (Shepard) Seney, who were also natives of Shefford, Quebec. The father was a farmer and lumberman who spent his last days at Hope, Rhode Island. To him and his wife were born sixteen children, nine of whom are yet living: Louis, Adeline, Josephine, Peter, Charles, Felix, William, Raphael and Rose.

Of this family Charles Seney was reared at Baltic, Connecticut, and in his youth secured employment in a cotton mill. He followed that line of business throughout his entire life to 1918, when he gave up mill work and is now assisting his son Raphael in the store. To him and his wife were born six children: Raphael, Dora, Ella, Rose, Irene and Arthur, all at home.

The youthful days of Raphael Seney were largely spent as a public school pupil at Moosup, Connecticut, and when his textbooks were put aside he began earning his living by working in a cotton mill. He was a lad of but fifteen years when he started out in business for himself, establishing a confectionery store on Prospect Hill in Moosup, where he remained for six years, developing a 'large and profitable trade. Eventually, however, he sold out there and in 1918 he purchased the business of Frederic Racine in Plainfield, where he is now conducting a well appointed store, car- rying an attractive line of confectionery, periodicals and newspapers. He is yet a young man, but has already gained a place in commercial circles that many a one of twice his years might well envy.

Like the others of the family, he adheres to the faith of-the Catholic church and he belongs to General Lafayette Court No. 114, of the Foresters of America at Moosup. He likewise has membership in All Hallows Council, No. 270, of the Knights of Colum- bus. He is an alert and progressive young business man who has already gained a creditable position in commercial circles, while his personal characteristics have made for popularity among his many friends.

JOSEPH WILLIAM LAVALLIE.

Joseph William Lavallie, proprietor of a well appointed and attractive drug store at Willimantic, was born in Moosup, Connecticut, June 23, 1875, his parents being William and Adele (Boulais) Lavallie, both of whom were born in a suburb of Montreal, Canada. The father there spent his boyhood and youth to the age of fifteen years,

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when he crossed the border into the United States and became a resident of Danielson, Connecticut, where he was employed in the cotton mills for a number of years. Later he removed to Moosup, Connecticut, and for several years worked in the Union mills. Eventually, however, he retired from active business and now makes his home with his son, Henry J., at Moosup, Connecticut. To him and his wife were born six children, of whom four died in infancy, the two surviving being Joseph William and Henry J., a registered pharmacist, who is now in business at Moosup, Connecticut, and lives with his father, the mother having passed away June 6, 1916, at Moosup.

Joseph William Lavallie is indebted to the public school system of Central Village for the early educational advantages which he enjoyed. He afterward studied in Moosup, Connecticut, where he completed his schooling. Later he worked for the Floyd Cranska Company, thread manufacturers, for a period of five years and afterward was employed in a grocery store for eight years. On the expiration of that period he took up his abode in Willimantic and for two years was in the employ of the New York Clothing Company. He then again went to Moosup and was manager of the grocery store of Morrissey & Mckay for a period of two years, at the end of which time he purchased the business and conducted it for six years. In 1911 he removed to Baltic, Connecticut, and was associated with his brother, Henry J., in the purchase of a drug store which they conducted for five years under the name of J. W. Lavallie & Company. On the expiration of that period Joseph W. Lavallie came to Willimantic and purchased the Rogers drug store in 1917. He now has a splendidly equipped drug store which is one of the oldest and finest establishments of the kind in the city. He carries a large and well selected line of drugs and druggists' sundries and his progressive methods and enterprise have gained for him a very liberal patronage.

On the 15th of February, 1898, Mr. Lavallie was married to Miss Phoebe Lebeau, a daughter of Andrew and Celina (Stacey) Lebeau, who were natives of Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Lavallie had two children, but lost their first-born, Ambrose. The surviving son, Leo Edward, who was born in Moosup January 10, 1902, is a student in St. Thomas Seminary at Hartford, Connecticut, and is preparing for the priesthood.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Roman Catholic church, and Mr. Lavallie is a member of the fourth degree of the Knights of Columbus, belonging to Father Mullen Assembly at Norwich, Connecticut .. He is a charter member of All Hallows Council, No. 2700, at Moosup, of which he was the first financial secretary. He is likewise connected with Willimantic Lodge No. 1311, B. P. O. E., and with the Loyal Order of Moose, while in politics he maintains an independent course.

ALBERT CLARKE SQUIRES.

Albert Clarke Squires has largely devoted his attention to carpentering but is now practically living retired at Westford. He was born in the town of Ashford, Windham county, August 13, 1848, a son of Henry Nathan and Julia (Snow) Squires, both of whom were natives of Ashford. The father passed away in October, 1880, while the mother is also deceased. Henry N. Squires obtained his education in the schools of his native town and throughout his life followed the occupation of farming in Ashford, owning and selling several different farms. He was also active in the interests of his town and gave loyal support to the democratic party, while at various periods he held town offices, including that of member of the board of relief, and for several years he served as justice of the peace. He was a member of the democratic town committee of Ashford and did everything in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party. Mr. Squires held membership in the Baptist church, of which he was a loyal supporter. He was married in Ashford and the children of this marriage were as follows: Carolyn, who was born in Ashford, married George Simons, of Mansfield, Connecticut, and passed away in 1918, leaving a daughter, Addie. Ralph, the second of the family, is a native of Ashford and now resides in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He married Almira Perrin and following her demise was married again. Andrew, born in Ashford, was married, and died in 1907. Albert C. is the next of the family. Addie, born in Ashford, was the wife of George Russell of Wolcott, Connecticut, and died about 1914. Sophronia, the youngest of the family, died in girlhood.

Albert C. Squires was educated in the schools of Ashford and worked with his father until about twenty-one years of age. He was always interested in carpentering and gradually acquired a practical knowledge of the business. He became a reliable master of the trade, doing expert work along that line until about four years ago, when he was largely disabled through lameness and has since lived retired.

Mr. Squires has been married twice. In Ashford, in November, 1876, he wedded Ella G. Shippee, who was born in Ashford and died October 10, 1910. He was married

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December 1, 1916, to Rosamond C. Waite, a daughter of Edwin Emerson and Elizabeth (White) Waite, of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Mrs. Squires is a native of Boston, where she attended the Girls Latin School, and later continued her education at Tufts College and Mount Holyoke College. She successfully engaged in teaching in various parts of New England, including Westford village in the town of Ashford, Windham county.

Mr. Squires has always given stalwart allegiance to the democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and has held most of the town offices, formerly serving as a member of the board of selectmen for eight years, as member of the board of assessors for three terms, as grand juror for a year and at the present time he is a member of the town school committee and served as chairman of the committee for three years. He is a member of the Ashford Grange. His life has been one of untiring activity, guided by sound judgment and by honorable principles, and thus he has commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been associated.

JEROME B. BALDWIN.

Jerome B. Baldwin, who conducted a general insurance agency in Willimantic, was born in Mansfield, Connecticut, September 14, 1843, of the marriage of Raymond and Amanda (Lull) Baldwin, both of whom have passed away. In his youthful days he attended the district schools through the winter months, while the summer seasons were devoted to farm work, and thus his youth was a period of earnest toil and study. He was thus engaged until he reached the age of seventeen years.

In 1862 he put aside every other consideration than duty to country and joined the Union army as a member of Company D, Twenty-first Regiment of Connecticut Volun- teer Infantry, with which he served for three years, his command being assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He participated in a number of important engagements, including the battle of Fredericksburg, the siege of Suffolk, the battle of Drury's Bluff, Cold Harbor and all of the engagements around Petersburg, where he was severely wounded, being forced to remain in the hospital for four months. He afterward returned on detached service and went to Richmond, Virginia, on the day on which that city was captured.

When the war was brought to a successful termination he returned to his home in Willimantic in 1865 and there embarked in the clothing business in connection with his brother, who had already taken up his abode in Willimantic. They formed the firm of G. R. & J. B. Baldwin and the junior partner was associated with the undertaking for a year. He then entered the employ of George C. Elliott in a clerical capacity, remaining in his service for two months, after which he became a clerk for John G. Keigwin, for whom he worked until he purchased the store, which he conducted in connection with a partner, Mr. Webb, carrying on the business under the firm style of Baldwin & Webb for nine years. On the expiration of that period he bought out Mr. Webb's interest in the business and conducted the clothing store alone for ten years more, making a very substantial success of the undertaking. At the end of the decade he disposed of the business and in 1906 took over an insurance agency that had been established by A. B. Adams many years ago. He handled life, fire, accident and other lines of insurance and built up a good clientage in this connection, his business reaching gratifying proportions.

Mr. Baldwin was united in marriage to Miss Ella M. Adams and they became parents of three children: Mrs. Belle B. Riggleman, who is city librarian; Jessie M., who is a teacher in a high school of New York city; and George B. Lee, who is superintendent of girls' camps and dietetician superintendent at Wilmington, Delaware. Liberal educa- tional advantages have been accorded the children. The daughter Jessie, after attending high school, pursued a course in Mt. Holyoke College, and has since taken post graduate work in the state normal school. Georgie is a graduate of Pratt Institute of Brooklyn, New York.

In politics Mr. Baldwin was always a stalwart republican from attaining the right of franchise. He filled the office of town assessor for two years and was water commis- sioner in the old borough. He was also tax collector of Windham for ten years and tax collector of Willimantic for several years. In 1885 and 1886 he represented Windham county in the state legislature and gave careful consideration to the important and vital questions which came up for settlement. He attended the Congregational church and belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic, filling all of the offices in the Francis S Long Post, No. 30, and serving as post commander. He thus maintained pleasant rela- tions with his old army comrades. In all matters of citizenship he was as true and loyal to his country as when he followed the stars and stripes on the battlefields of the south. Mr. Baldwin was an enthusiastic sportsman, being a prominent member of the Willi-

JEROME B. BALDWIN

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mantic Rod and Gun Club. His death occurred January 19, 1918, and many were those to whom his passing was a personal loss and who expressed their deeply felt sympathy to the bereaved family, for he had many sincere friends who esteemed him highly for his splendid traits of character and his unselfish and modest, yet forceful personality. He ever stood for progress and improvement, placing the public good above partisanship and the general welfare before self-aggrandizement.

THEODORE MORRISETTE.

Theodore Morrisette is the owner of an excellent farm property of one hundred and fifteen acres in the town of Brooklyn. Like many of the substantial citizens of Con- necticut, he comes from Canada, his birth having occurred at Granby, in that country, on the 11th of April, 1861, his parents being Nelson and Calisique Morrisette, who were natives of the province of Quebec, Canada. The father was a farmer who also operated a sawmill and was a prominent business man. He died when about sixty years of age. The mother passed away when her son Theodore was but four years old, both dying at Granby, Canada. The children of the family were as follows: Nelson, who was born in Granby, Canada, is now deceased. He married and had four children. The second of the family of Nelson Morrisette, Sr., was a daughter, who has departed this life. Theodore was the next of the family and two others have passed away.

Theodore Morrisette was educated in the schools of Granby and there worked with his father in the sawmill and upon the farm until he reached the age of eighteen. He then crossed the border into the United States, settling first in Webster, Massachusetts, and during his six months' residence there he worked in a linen mill. When nineteen years of age he went to Wauregan, Connecticut, where he learned weaving in the Wauregan mill, being employed at that work for about twenty years. On the expira- tion of, that period he removed to Brooklyn, Connecticut, in April, 1895, and purchased what was the old Cheney farm, upon which he has since resided and which he has successfully cultivated. He is now a well known agriculturist of the community, having one hundred and fifteen acres of rich and productive land which he carefully cultivates.

Mr. Morrisette was married in Moosup, Connecticut, April 13, 1879, to Miss Louise F. Dumas, who was born in Barrytown, Massachusetts, a daughter of John and Mary (Bruso) Dumas. She came from Vermont, while Mr. Dumas was a native of Canada. In young manhood he made his way to the United States, living in Ashburnham, Massa- chusetts, for a number of years but afterward removing to Connecticut, his death occurring on Allen Hill, in the town of Brooklyn, in July, 1915. Mrs. Dumas still survives and resides in Brooklyn. To Mr. and Mrs. Morrisette have been born six children: Arthur, born in Plainfield, Connecticut, February 29, 1880, died at the age of three years. Lucy Louise, born in Plainfield, February 18, 1884, died in infancy. Nelson Albert, born in Plainfield, August 1, 1885, also died in infancy. Theodore, born in Plainfield, March 12, 1888, and now a resident of Chicago, married Annie Pierce of that city and has one child, Frances Anne. Walter, a resident of Rockland, Massa- chusetts, who was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, July 31, 1889, married Sadie Condon and has two children, Walter, Jr., and Robert. Alice Lena, born in Brooklyn, November 1, 1893, is a graduate of the Killingly high school and spent two summers as a student in the Massachusetts Normal School at Hyannis, Massachusetts, after which she taught for seven years in the district schools in the town of Killingly and is now a teacher in Freehold, New Jersey.

The religious faith of Mr. and Mrs. Morrisette is indicated in the fact that they are communicants of the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic church. They are now well known in the town of Brooklyn and Mr. Morrisette is accounted one of the representa- tive farmers of the community, having acquired his property entirely through his own labors, while in the further conduct of the place he is displaying the most progressive methods.

JOSEPH WILLIAM CONGDON.

Joseph William Congdon, deceased, who was identified through an active business life with the farming interests of Windham county, was born at Abington, Pomfret, Connecticut, December 4, 1845. He was a son of James Monroe and Rebecca (Osgood) Congdon. The father was a native of Lebanon, Connecticut, where he acquired his education and in young manhood he there did farm work. After his marriage he purchased land at Abington, in the southern part of the town of Pomfret, and there

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devoted his attention to farming for twenty years. At length the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad extended its line through his farm and he sold the property and made investment in a farm of more than three hundred acres in the southern part of the town of Hampton, at Howards Valley. This was once the Howard farm, rated as the best farm property in Hampton. Mr. Congdon acquired possession of this place in 1864 and continued its further development and improvement to the time of his death, which occurred when he was fifty-five years of age. His wife, who was born in Pomfret, died on the farm in Hampton which he purchased, having survived her husband for many years and passing away at the age of eighty-eight. They had a family of three children, of whom one died in infancy, the others being Joseph Wil- liam and Fannie Scarbrough. The latter was born in Pomfret and became the wife of Henry Stone, a farmer of Hampton, by whom she had three children: Elmer, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume; Myrtie; and Alfred. Mrs. Stone passed away in 1892 and is still survived by her husband who yet makes his home in the town of Pomfret.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 84

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