A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 86

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

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GEORGE ADAM COOK.

George Adam Cook, who is serving as a member of the board of selectmen of the town of Windham, where for many years he has successfully engaged in farming, is the owner of the Mamosqueag Farm, near Windham Center, a name that was given by the Indians to a tract of land extending along the Shetucket river. Mr. Cook is a native son of Connecticut, having been born at Goshen, November 14, 1866, his parents being John Martin and Anna (Weber) Cook, who were natives of Germany but were brought to the United States in childhood. After acquiring a public school education in his native land John Martin Cook crossed the Atlantic and settled in New York, where he was employed at various occupations. He there learned the carpenter's trade and afterward removed to Goshen, Connecticut, where he turned his attention to farming, which he followed at that place for several years. Subsequently he took up his abode at Cornwall, Connecticut, where he carried on farming and also worked at the car- penter's trade, giving his attention to the two pursuits until his death which resulted from an accident in 1874. His wife passed away April 13, 1917. In their family were five children: George A., of this review; Kate, the wife of George S. Carey, a farmer of Scotland, Connecticut; Mary, the wife of Eugene Hanna, a machinist located at South Windham, Connecticut; John M., who married Grace Hall and is a ma- chinist connected with the Ship & Engine Company at Groton, Connecticut; and Charles, who died at the age of twelve years.

George A. Cook of this review largely spent his youth at Cornwall, Connecticut, where he acquired a public school education. He started out to provide for his own support by working as a farm hand and was thus employed for several years, but he was ambitious to engage in business on his own account and afterward removed to Windham, Connecticut, where on the 26th of April, 1891, he purchased the farm of which he is now the owner. He has here one hundred and twenty-nine' acres of rich and productive land, which he is carefully and systematically cultivating, his fields annually producing substantial crops. He also makes a specialty of handing thoroughbred Hol- stein cattle.

On the 28th of August, 1895, Mr. Cook was married to Miss Lillian Baldwin, a daughter of Eden H. and Emma P. (Safford) Baldwin. They have become parents of two children: Eden C., a student in the Worcester Polytechnic Institute at Wor- cester, Massachusetts; and Marguerite E., at home. The parents are members of

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the Congregational church, in which Mr. Cook has served as deacon for ten years. In politics he is a republican and in 1918 was elected to the office of selectman. He belongs to the Windham County Farmers Association and is keenly interested in everything that has to do with the development of the farming interests of this section of the state, where he is widely known as a progressive and enterprising citizen.

WILLIAM PATRICK STUART KEATING, M. D.

Dr. William Patrick Stuart Keating, who since 1902 has engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Willimantic, has recently seen service on the Mexican border and with the United States army in the World war. He was born in South Manchester, Connecticut, March 31, 1874, and is a son of William M. and Mary J. (Stuart) Keating. The father was born in Borris, County Carlow, Ireland, and pur- sued his education in the national schools of that country. He afterward studied music in Dublin, Ireland, where he was graduated, and subsequently he taught music in the national schools of the Emerald isle. He next went to London, England, where he was also a teacher of music for a short time, and then sailed for New York. Soon afterward he located at Newington, Connecticut, where he remained for a brief period and then went to Windsor Locks, where he taught music and also occupied the position of organist in the Episcopal church. He was afterward at New Britain, Connecticut, where he likewise taught music and also filled the position of bookkeeper with the firm of Russell & Erwin for several years. Removing to South Manchester, Connecticut, he was there organist in the Catholic church and also acted as overseer in the Cheney Brothers silk mill for a number of years. During that period he likewise became organist in the South Manchester church and was also organist in the North Manchester Catholic church. Later the two churches became individual parishes and Mr. Keating took the South Manchester church, remaining as organist, while his sister became organist in the North Manchester church. Mr. Keating continued to serve in St. James' church until his death, which occurred July 31, 1906, while his wife passed away in October, 1901. They had a family of seven children, of whom Dr. Keating of this review is the eldest. The others are: Hannah; Arthur E., who married Ida Anderson and is an overseer with the Cheney Brothers Silk Company at South Manchester, Connecticut; Emma, the wife of John Doyle; Elizabeth, who has passed away; Rev. Paul F. Keating, who is a priest at Stamford, Connecticut, having been the first priest ordained at Hartford, Connecticut, by Bishop Nilan; and Mary J., who is the wife of Henry Mathieu, a merchant of Willimantic.

Dr. Keating pursued his education in the public schools of South Manchester and in the high school there, and, having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he then entered the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, in which in -. stitution he completed a four years' course, being graduated with the M. D. degree in 1898. He then served as interne at St. Agnes Hospital, Philadelphia, for a year, gaining that broad and valuable practical experience which can be more quickly secured in hospital work than in any other way. Later he went to South Manchester, where he practiced for two years, and in 1902 he came to Willimantic, where he has since fol- lowed his profession, being recognized as one of the capable physicians and surgeons of Connecticut. While residing in Willimantic Dr. Keating has also served as city health officer from 1905 to the present time (1920). He was likewise a member of the board of education from 1908 until 1917 and in 1919 was again elected to that office after his return from France.

Dr. Keating was married in Willimantic on the 12th of October, 1914, to Elsie W. Greene, a daughter of B. Frank and Elizabeth (McGinn) Greene and a direct de scendant of General Nathaniel Greene of Revolutionary war fame. Dr. and Mrs. Keat- ing have one son, Stuart William, born in Willimantic, August 24, 1916.

In 1913 Dr. Keating became a reserve medical officer in the Connecticut National Guard, with the rank of first lieutenant, and was very active in all of the encamp- ments of the state military organization. In February, 1916, he was appointed and commissioned first lieutenant in the sanitary detachment and was assigned to the First Connecticut Infantry. During 1916 he went to the Mexican border and was sta- tioned at Nogales, Arizona, for three months. During this period he became widely known throughout Connecticut and in fact throughout the United States for saving the life of Private Charles North of Co. A, 1st Connecticut Infantry, of Rockville, Connecti- cut, who was struck by lightning. He was given up for dead by the regimental surgeon, but Dr. Keating took over the case and labored over Private North for four and a half · hours, at the end of which time he regained consciousness. He remained then in Dr.

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Keating's care for several weeks, or until he was sent home, and he now enjoys compar- atively good health. This was widely mentioned in the newspapers throughout the entire country. Dr. Keating was mustered out of the Mexican border service October 26, 1916, and on the 26th of March, 1917, he was again called to the colors, being mobilized at New Haven, Connecticut, and assigned to the One Hundred and Second Infantry, Twenty- sixth Division, as a first lieutenant of the medical department. With that command he went overseas and later was transferred to the One Hundred and First Infantry, Twenty-sixth Division, as battalion surgeon. He served in the front line trenches in the Soissons sector and on the 26th of June, 1918, was transferred to the One Hun- dred and Forty-eighth Field Artillery as medical instructor. He was on active duty at Chateau Thierry, where he was wounded and gassed. As it was necessary then to transfer him, he was sent to Bordeaux, France, as sanitary officer that he might regain his health and there he remained from September until December, 1918. Later he was 'in charge of the German prison camp, where there were a thousand prisoners, and while thus engaged he was advanced to the rank of captain. He left France on the 3d of July, 1919, for the United States and was mustered out at Camp Upton, New York, on the 21st of July, having served twenty-three months in France. His wife, who is a graduate nurse, having completed a course in St. Luke's Hospital at Newburgh, New York, established an emergency hospital in the Willimantic State Armory while her husband was overseas and had full charge of the same during the influenza epidemic of 1918.

In politics Dr. Keating is a democrat and he and his family are all members of the Catholic church. Fraternally he is connected with the Elks Lodge, No. 1311, of Willi- mantic; is past dictator of Willimantic Lodge, No. 1440, of the Loyal Order of Moose, and is past deputy grand knight of San Jose Council, No. 14, of the Knights of Colum- bus and has taken the fourth degree in that order. He is a veteran companion of Connecticut Commandery, Military Order of Foreign Wars of the United States, and at present is vice president of the Yankee Division Club at Willimantic. He is also post commander of James J. Shea Post, No. 19, of the American Legion. He belongs to the New England Jefferson Medical College Alumni Association; is also connected with the American Medical Association; the Connecticut State Medical Society; the Wind- ham County Medical Society, of which he was the secretary for six years; and the Willimantic Medical Society. He keeps in close touch with the onward trend of the profession through his researches and discoveries and is recognized as one of the able physicians of his native state. He has a naturally inherited talent for music and under his father's tutorage became an organist. For six years prior to entering the United States army he was organist at St. Joseph's church in Willimantic and is still greatly interested in musical affairs, playing not only the organ but the piano and several other musical instruments.

AGNES BURLEIGH ALLEN.

For an extended period Agnes Burleigh Allen has been numbered among the most capable, resourceful and successful teachers of Windham county and for the past thirteen years has been a teacher in the old Plainfield Academy, now a grammar school. Her work has indeed given wide satisfaction, for her duties are most con- scientiously, earnestly and capably performed. Miss Allen is a daughter of Daniel Meach and Harriet (Burleigh) Allen. Her father was born July 2, 1836, in Canter- bury, Connecticut, was educated in the local schools there and afterward learned the molder's trade in the shops of the Robinson Fowler Foundry Company, which later re- moved its business to Plainfield. Mr. Allen was among those transferred to the new scene of labor and his was the unusual record of employment as a molder for the same company for forty years. Eventually he retired to what is now known as the old Burleigh farm and thereon passed away on the 30th of November, 1917. It was in October, 1871, that he wedded Harriet Burleigh, who had attended the public schools and the Plainfield Academy and later was married on the Burleigh farm. She was much devoted to her home and her church and was a very earnest student of the Bible. She passed away July 24, 1893. In their family were but two children: Agnes Burleigh and Edward Milton.

The former was a pupil in the public schools of Plainfield and afterward attended the Plainfield Academy, while subsequently she matriculated in the Willimantic Normal School and thus qualified for teaching. After leaving the normal she re- turned home and lived with her father for a number of years, while later she took up the work of teaching in the public schools of Plainfield and has thus been identified with its educational interests for twenty years. During the last thirteen years of

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this period she has been a successful teacher in the grammar school which was formerly the Plainfield Academy. She has the ability to inspire pupils with much of her own zeal and interest in the work and she imparts readily and clearly to others the knowledge that she has acquired. Miss Allen is a member of the First Congrega- tional church of Plainfield, of which four generations of the Burleigh family have been members.

CHARLES SMITH.

Charles Smith, who for many years was a representative farmer, stock raiser and dairyman of Windham county, was born on the old Smith homestead at Abington, in the town of Pomfret, June 17, 1839, his parents being Stephen Crowningshield and Abby Ann (Gifford) Smith. The father was born in the town of Rockland, Rhode Island, March 24, 1812, and in young manhood crossed the border into Connecticut, establishing his home at Abington with his father, Stephen Smith, Sr., who was also a native of Rhode Island and upon his removal to Connecticut purchased the tract of land which has since been known as the Smith Farm, in the town of Pomfret. It was upon that property that Stephen C. Smith was reared, and his youthful experi- ences were those of the farmbred boy. When his father died he took over the prop- erty, which he continued to cultivate and further improve until the time of his de- mise on the 19th of February, 1890. His wife was born in Norwich, Connecticut, and died on the old Smith Farm, May 5, 1904. Through almost a century the farm has been in the possession of the family, as it passed originally to the ownership of Stephen Smith, Sr., who was born in Rhode Island, January 24, 1788. He married Rhody Potter and after living in Rhode Island for a number of years they came to Con- necticut and Mr. Smith became identified with the agricultural interests of the town of Pomfret, where his intelligently directed labors made him a representative farmer and valued citizen. He died March 7, 1874.

No event of unusual importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Charles Smith in his boyhood and youth. He acquired his education in the schools of Abington and remained upon the home farm, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. After reaching man's estate he began general farming on his own account and his work upon the home place also included stock raising and the dairy business. He sold milk to Boston dealers and always lived a busy, useful and active life.

On the 4th of August, 1868, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Adlia Frances Brown, of Providence, Rhode Island, who was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, a daughter of Daniel and Polly (White) Brown, the former a carpenter of Woonsocket. Mrs. Smith now occupies the old homestead which was left to her by her husband.

In politics Mr. Smith was ever an earnest democrat and kept well informed con- cerning the vital questions and issues of the day but never sought nor desired public office. He belonged to Putnam Lodge, A. F. & A. M., in which he held membership for a half century. He departed this life January 8, 1918, and his lodge brethren recognized the fact that they had lost a worthy exemplar of the craft, for he was always true and faithful to its teachings. The sterling traits of his character were many-a fact attested by all who were associated with him.

FRANK HALSEY FOSS.

Frank Halsey Foss, police court judge and attorney of Willimantic, was born in Bay City, Michigan, October 24, 1880, a son of Samuel S. and Rebecca (Brewster) Foss, both of whom were representatives of old Connecticut families. The mother belonged to the Brewster family, one of the most famous names in Connecticut history. The Foss family came from Mansfield, Connecticut, while the Brewsters were from Poquetanuck, four miles south of Norwich.

Samuel S. Foss was a Civil war veteran, having loyally defended the country during the period when the north and the south were at arms. When his son, Frank H., was but a year and a half old the father was killed in a runaway accident. His widow after- ward returned to Norwich, Connecticut, and Frank H. Foss was accordingly educated in the public schools there. He passed through consecutive grades to the high school, which was then called the Norwich Academy and from which he was graduated with the class of 1897. For further educational training he entered Trinity College and won his Bachelor of Arts degree upon graduation with the class of 1901. He afterward spent one

FRANK H. FOSS

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year in Mexico and Cuba on account of his health and, having sufficiently recovered, he then entered the Columbia Law School, which conferred upon him the Master of Arts degree in 1904 and the degree of LL. B. in 1905. He did extra work in order to win his degrees and displayed marked aptitude in the mastery of his studies.

Following his graduation Mr. Foss located for practice in Hartford, Connecticut, where he remained until 1908 and then removed to Wayne, Pennsylvania, where he con- tinued for a year. He next went to Norwich, Connecticut, and continued in the active practice of law in that city as a member of the firm of Foss & Bailey from 1909 until 1913. In the latter year he engaged in newspaper work and also in the practice of law and in 1914 he became associated with his present partner, George E. Hineman, who is now attorney general of the state. Mr. Foss has some time ago given up newspaper work in order to concentrate his time and attention upon his professional interests, his clientage having constantly increased in volume and importance.

On the 25th of February, 1907, Mr. Foss was married to Miss N. May Henderson, of Norwich, Connecticut, their marriage being celebrated in Hartford. They have one son, Halsey Henderson Foss, who was born March 22, 1911, and one daughter, Sally Brewster, born January 9, 1918. The parents are members of St. Paul's Episcopal church.

Mr. Foss is identified with the Loyal Order of Moose. Politically he is a prominent republican and was assistant prosecuting attorney in Hartford in the years 1907 and 1908. He was a member of the town school board of Norwich from 1910 until 1912, inclusive, and was acting school visitor in that place. In February, 1917, he was elected judge of the police court of Willimantic and is now serving in that capacity, doing im- portant work through his fair and impartial rulings and often tempering justice with mercy when he feels that an appeal to the manhood of the culprit will produce desired results, recognizing that the basic element of law is not to provide punishment but to place the individual in such a position that he will become a good and law-abiding citizen. He is deeply interested in the activities of the Chamber of Commerce and is at present serving as the president of the organization and is also the secretary of the Willimantic Young Men's Christian Association.

EDWARD FRANKLIN PERRY, M. D.

Dr. Edward Franklin Perry, who since 1905 has engaged in the practice of medi- cine in Putnam save for the period of his service in the World war, was born in Pom- fret, Connecticut, October 8, 1871, a son of Franklin White and Cornelia M. (Williams) Perry, the former a native of Dudley, Massachusetts, and the latter of Pomfret, Con- necticut. The father obtained his early education in the Nichols Academy of Dudley, Massachusetts, and was graduated from the Phillips Academy of Andover, Massa- chusetts. In 1861 he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting as a mem- ber of the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry in defense of the Union. He served with that command until the close of the war, being appointed first sergeant of his company and acting as a non-commissioned officer during most of the time. On his return home he completed his education in Howe's Business College, at Wor- cester, Massachusetts, and afterward took up the profession of teaching there, being thus engaged for a time. He later was employed as a bookkeeper for about six years in Worcester. Early in 1870 he removed to Putnam, Connecticut, and established a hardware store in connection with Charles H. Brown, conducting business on Main street under the firm style of Perry & Brown and later removing to Union street. They continued in business for forty-seven years or for a longer period than any other firm in Putnam, no business of the city being maintained for so long a time under the same firm name. Mr. Perry was very widely and favorably known, being recognized as a most honest, reliable and progressive business man, and moreover he displayed the keenest interest in Putnam and the welfare of her people. He was a republican in politics and served as alderman at large in Putnam and also as mayor of the city for two years, and represented his district in the Connecticut legislature. He was like- wise a member of the Putnam high school committee and at one time was president of the Putnam Light & Power Company. At the time of his demise he was serving as president of the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts Regimental Association. He belonged to the Second Congregational church of Putnam, served as one of its deacons and was also a member of its society committee. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Perry were as follows. George Williams, born in Worcester, Massachusetts, and now city en- gineer of Putnam, married Jane Gertrude Fisher. Edward Franklin was the second in order of birth. Robert Gilbert, born in Putnam, is now a practicing lawyer of New York city and married Agnes Hutton. The father passed away in Putnam, April 1, 1917.

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY

Dr. Perry, whose name introduces this review, obtained his early education in Putnam and afterward spent two years as a student in Amherst College, while his pro- fessional training was received in the Long Island College Hospital, where he won his degree in 1897. He served as interne in St. John's Hospital at Yonkers, New York, and at Brooklyn Hospital of New York city. He afterwards entered upon the practice of medicine at Wellfleet, Massachusetts, and there remained for about six years. In 1905 he removed to Putnam, Connecticut, where he opened an office and has since suc- cessfully engaged in practice. At the time of the great World war he was commissioned first lieutenant of the medical corps, August 8, 1917, and went to France, where he served for seven months as assistant surgeon, being assigned to the Twentieth En- gineers and also serving at Base Hospitals No. 6 and No. 22. He went across in June, 1918, and was discharged on the 17th of January, 1919, at Camp Dix, New Jersey. He now enjoys a large, liberal and important practice. He is adjunct surgeon of the Day Kimball Hospital and also medical examiner of the United States public health service, and at all times he keeps in close touch with the onward trend of modern professional thought and progress.

In New York city, on the 17th of February, 1899, Dr. Perry was married to Miss Edith L. Smith, who was born in Washington, Connecticut, a daughter of Albert Mansfield and Elizabeth E. (Beeman) Smith of Washington, this state. Their children, all born in Putnam, are: Edward Franklin, Jr., May 27, 1907; Ruth Bee- man, November 2, 1908; Alice Cornelia, January 21, 1911; and Myron Albert, Jan- uary 3, 1914.

Dr. and Mrs. Perry attend the Second Congregational church of Putnam and he is a member of George W. Child Camp of the Sons of Veterans, serving as its first com- mander. He also belongs to Quinebaug Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and to Israel Putnam Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is commander of the Anselm Mayotte Post of the American Legion. His political allegiance is given to the republican party. Along strictly professional lines he is a fellow of the American Medical As- sociation and holds membership in the Connecticut State Medical Society and the Windham County Medical Society, having served as president of the last named. He is most conscientious in the performance of his professional duties, holds strictly to professional ethics and has gained an extensive practice that is the direct outcome of his broad sympathy combined with marked skill in his chosen calling.

CLARENCE EVERETT SALMON.

Clarence Everett Salmon is the owner of the Indian Spring Farm, a valuable and attractive property situated on Allen Hill in the town of Brooklyn. Here he is en- gaged in general farming and market gardening and his business interests are care- fully and profitably conducted. Mr. Salmon was born at Riverhead, Long Island, April 4, 1870, a son of Joshua Crosby and Jerusha Caroline (King) Salmon, who were also natives of Long Island. The father was born at Southold, Long Island, obtained a district school education and in young manhood worked with his father upon the farm. He afterward purchased farm land at Southold and devoted his attention to the cul- tivation of crops best adapted to soil and climate and to the raising of garden prod- uce. He afterward sold that property and removed to the town of Riverhead, where he again purchased land that he devoted to general farming and the raising of small fruits, his remaining days being passed upon that place. He died in October, 1890, and his wife departed this life in 1898 at Southampton, Long Island. Their family numbered four children: Crosby J., who married Elizabeth Casey, of New York city, and has passed away; Emma J., who is the wife of Gilbert E. Aldrich, a farmer of Mattituck, Long Island; Addie C., deceased wife of Herbert Robinson, a farmer of Roanoke, Long Island; and Clarence E., of this review.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 86

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