A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 87

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 was reared and educated in the town of Riverhead, Long Island, and in young manhood he worked upon the home farm with his father for several years. He next went to Aquebogue, Long Island, where he purchased a farm and there devoted his attention to the development of his fields until he sold the property pre- paratory to coming to Connecticut. Settling in Brooklyn, he purchased the place now known as the Indian Spring Farm and has lived thereon since 1910. Upon the place is a spring which the Indians used, hollowing out a log for a basin, and they also built several dugouts on the farm. Mr. Salmon's attention is given to the further de- velopment and cultivation of his land and to market gardening. His property em- braces two hundred and forty-eight acres and is considered one of the best farms of this part of the state, forming an attractive feature in the landscape in the town of Brooklyn.

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On the 24th of October, 1894, at Riverhead, Long Island, Mr. Salmon was married to Miss Annie Hallock Fanning, a daughter of Edgar Benjamin and Mary Adelia (Rob- inson) Fanning and a native of Riverhead. She is extensively engaged in the raising of poultry, making a specialty of white leghorns. Mr. and Mrs. Salmon have four children, all born in Aquebogue, Long Island, and the three oldest are graduates of the Killingly high school. They are as follows: Evelyn Adelia, born October 22, 1896, who was formerly a teacher in the public schools of Canterbury and was graduated from Tufts College of Boston in 1920, now preparing to take up work as a missionary in the orient; Emma Jerusha, who was born January 18, 1898, and is at home; Gladys Enid, who was born June 21, 1900, and is a teacher in the public schools of Mans- field, Connecticut; and Clarence Joshua, who was born May 14, 1909, and is at home.

The family attend and support the Westfield Congregational church of Dan- ielson, and Mr. Salmon belongs to Roanoke Lodge, No. 462, I. O. O. F., at Riverhead, Long Island, and also to the Order of American Mechanics. His political endorsement is given to the republican party. During the ten years of his residence in the town of Brooklyn he has become widely and favorably known. His progressive methods and the results that attend his labors class him with the representative agriculturists of this locality and at all times his course is marked by a spirit of industry and persever- ance which produces splendid results.

WILLIAM ROPER.

William Roper, owner of a farm near the village of Moosup, in the town of Plainfield, has won wide renown as a manufacturer of jelly and in this connection has built up a business of extensive proportions owing to the excellent quality of the product which he sends out. The story of his accomplishments in this particular is an interesting one. Moreover, he has long been a respected resident of the town of Plainfield. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, May 6, 1850, and is a son of Thomas and Hannah (Hill) Roper. The father was one of the first rolling mill superintendents in the United States, being thus employed at Providence, Rhode Island. He later en- tered the employ of the Perkins Horseshoe Company of Providence and afterward worked for leading horseshoe manufacturers at Worcester, Massachusetts, at Rome, Georgia, and at Chattanooga, Tennessee, spending his last days in Chattanooga. He and his wife had a family of four children: Elizabeth, the wife of George Chubbuck of Providence, Rhode Island; William; Charles Henry; and Hannah, the wife of Thomas Schurman, of Boston, Massachusetts.

At the usual age William Roper became a pupil in the public schools of Boston and afterward continued his studies in the public schools of Providence, Rhode Island. He started out upon his business career as clerk in a grocery store at Providence and later went to Buffalo, New York, where he engaged in the manufacture of soap powder for a period of nineteen years. On account of the impaired health of his wife, how- ever, he purchased a farm near Moosup, Connecticut, known as the Robinson farm, to which he acquired title in 1895. He then took up his abode upon this place and has since made it his home. His time and energies have been given to its further develop- ment and he has an excellent property. However, he had devoted most of his life to other lines and his previous experience as a manufacturer had brought him a de- sire for activity along some such line. After taking charge of the farm he believed that he could find some profitable use for the vast amount of windfall apples on his farm and started to make apple jelly. He began this in a small way with home equip- ment, putting up some jelly which found a ready sale because of its excellent quality. His trade soon increased among the people of the district and he gradually in- creased his output until he is now at the head of a large business of this character, manufacturing jelly of various kinds. Today he has fine modern equipment for mak- ing the jelly under the most approved sanitary conditions, and all of it is sent out under the labels of the Rocky Hill Farm and Old Homestead jellies. His manu- facturing plant is in charge of his two sons, Paul W. and William A., who are as- sisted by several employes. The public is invited at all times to inspect the plant, and when one has become a customer it means a continuance of the trade. Mr. Roper has a fine patronage from all parts of southern New England, the Rocky Hill Farm and Old Homestead jellies being now famous. It is made upon the farm, is of the finest flavor and because of the excellence of the product the business has steadily grown until it is now one of large proportions.

Mr. Roper was married to Miss Julia Carder, of Providence, Rhode Island, and they became the parents of two children, Arthur T. and Charles H. The wife and mother passed away in Buffalo, New York and afterward Mr. Roper wedded Mary

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Schurman who died in Moosup, January 14, 1897. By the second union there were three children: Paul W., William A. and Jesse H., who are in charge of the jelly manu- facturing business. The son, Paul W., married Jessamine Brewer on the 29th of March, 1909, and they have five children: Charles B., Clara, George W., Howard and Harriet. Paul and his family reside upon the farm with Mr. Roper.

In political faith Mr. Roper is a strong prohibitionist. He has long been a stalwart advocate of the cause of temperance and recognizes the wrong and trouble that has been brought to the world through intemperance. His aid and influence are ever on the side of right, progress, reform and improvement and he is regarded as a valued citizen of the district in which he lives. In the manufacture of jelly he has instituted a new industry in his section and through his efforts in this connection the Rocky Hill farm has become famous.

LOUIS SESSIONS INGALLS.

Louis Sessions Ingalls, one of the prominent lumbermen of Danielson, conduct- ing a business that has long been carried on by the Ingalls family, was born in Pom- fret, Connecticut, March 7, 1879, and is a son of William and Emma W. (Sessions) Ingalls, the former a native of Abington. The ancestral history is one of long con- nection with New England. The first of this family to settle in America was Edmund Ingalls, who was born at Skirbeck, Lincolnshire, England, about 1598. He was a son of Robert Ingalls and a grandson of Henry Ingalls. Edmund Ingalls landed at Salem, Massachusetts, in 1628, in Governor Endicott's company. With his brother Francis and four others he commenced the settlement of Lynn, Massachusetts, in 1629. His name is often found on the town records, showing him to be one of the prominent citizens. In March, 1648, while traveling to Boston on horseback, he was drowned in the Saugus river, owing to a defective bridge. His heirs recovered damages from the town. His will was probated September 16, 1648, and his estate appraised at one hundred and thirty-five pounds. The line of descent is through his seventh child, Henry, who was born at Skirbeck, England, in 1627 and was one of the first settlers of Andover, Massachusetts. He took an active part in town affairs, holding many offices of trust. He was made a freeman by the general court in 1673 and died Feb- ruary 8, 1718-19.

James, the eighth child of Henry and Mary (Osgood) Ingalls, was born at Andover, Massachusetts, September 24, 1669, and there passed away on the 27th of June, 1735. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Hannah Abbott, died at Pom- fret, Connecticut, May 3, 1753.

James, the first child of James and Hannah (Abbott) Ingalls, was born at Andover, Massachusetts, August 9, 1695, and on the 5th of November, 1719, wedded Mary Stevens, of Andover, Massachusetts, who died at Abington, Connecticut, March 9, 1773, aged eighty-two years. He was a tavern keeper at Pomfret, Connecticut, where he died March 6, 1767.

Zebediah, the sixth child of James and Mary (Stevens) Ingalls, was born at Andover, Massachusetts, November 3, 1729, and married Esther Goodell, who died September 30, 1778. He was a captain in the Revolutionary war and died at Pomfret, Connecticut, June 11, 1800. His first child, Zebediah, was also a soldier in the Revolution.

Lemuel Ingalls, the second child of Zebediah and Esther (Goodell) Ingalls, was born at Pomfret, Connecticut, December 6, 1755. He married Dorothy Sumner, whose natal day was August 20, 1759, and who passed away on the 10th of March, 1851. Lemuel, like his father and elder brother, was a soldier in the Revolution. He grad- uated from Yale College, studied law and entered practice at Pomfret. He was ap- pointed judge of probate and county surveyor, represented the town of Pomfret for thirty-two terms in the state legislature and was prominently identified with educa- tional and industrial affairs of the town. He died November 17, 1839.

George Sumner Ingalls, fourth child of Lemuel and Dorothy (Sumner) Ingalls, was born at Pomfret, Connecticut, November 13, 1789. He married Delia Goodell, who was born March 11, 1792, and died June 12, 1841. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, was a farmer of Abington parish in Pomfret and represented the town dur- ing several terms in the state legislature. His demise occurred on the 23rd of Feb- ruary, 1875.

To George Sumner Ingalls and his wife were born thirteen children, of whom Lewis Goodell was the first born. His birth occurred at Pomfret, Connecticut, April 18, 1815. On the 13th of June, 1838, he married Elizabeth Osgood, daughter of Wil-

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liam and Perris (Hyde) Osgood. She was born at Pomfret, October 9, 1814, and passed away on the 21st of January, 1883. Lewis Goodell Ingalls was a farmer of Abington and served as selectman and tax assessor. He was also a deacon of the Church of Christ.

William Ingalls, father of Louis Sessions Ingalls, was the second child of Lewis Goodell and Elizabeth (Osgood) Ingalls. He was born in Abington, Connecticut, September 30, 1840, and there passed away December 19, 1911. On the 4th of October, 1864, he married Emma W. Sessions, daughter of Eliakim W. and Esther (Wilkinson) Sessions, of Abington. She was born June 7, 1842, and surviving her husband makes her home in Danielson, Connecticut. For many years William Ingalls was one of the prominent citizens of Pomfret, long identified with the agricultural interests of the town. He was more prominent as a lumberman-in fact was one of the pioneer na- tive timber men of Windham county, where he first engaged in the business. His activities later broadened in scope and importance until he had lumber interests in many sections of the state. He formed a partnership with Thomas O. Elliott, of Pomfret, and together they bought and operated the first sawmill and lumber camp in Windham county. To William and Emma W. (Sessions) Ingalls were born five children, but the first died in infancy. Hannah E. passed away at the age of thirty- two years. Henrietta E. died at the age of twenty-six years. George L, married Blanche Fuller, of Hampton, Connecticut, and is a resident of Norwich, being engaged in the lumber business with his brother, Louis S.

The last named is the youngest of the family. He acquired a district school edu- cation in Pomfret and afterward attended the Putnam high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1899. He then became connected with the lumber busi- ness established by his father, with whom he was thus associated for several years, thoroughly acquainting himself with every phase and branch of the trade. After the death of his father, he and his brother George took over the business, which they have since conducted, being among the most prominent lumbermen of this part of the state. At times they operate as many as four mills in the manufacture of lum- ber and in addition they have a fine transportation system of motor trucks, used in hauling their lumber to the railroad.

On the 21st of September, 1904, Mr. Ingalls was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ethel Gallup, of Sterling, Connecticut, a daughter of George Henry and Mary Ella Gallup, mentioned elsewhere in this work. Four children have been born of this union: George Lewis, whose natal day was June 7, 1914; James Edmund, whose birth occurred September 5, 1915; Robert Lemuel, who was born March 21, 1917, and died on the 18th of August, 1918; and Ralph Gallup, whose birth occurred September 15, 1918. All were born in Danielson.

In politics Mr. Ingalls maintains an independent course, voting according to the dictates of his judgment without regard to party ties. He belongs to Moriah Lodge, No. 15, A. F. & A. M., of Danielson, is well known in trade circles as a member of the Lumbermen's Association of Southern New England, and he attends and supports the Baptist church of Danielson. He is a worthy representative of one of the old and prominent families of New England, his life ever measuring up to the highest stan- dards, while the sterling traits of his character have gained him the warm regard and friendship of all who know him.

REV. R. P. MORRISSEY.

Rev. R. P. Morrissey, who on the 3d of August, 1919, was transferred, after an eight years' pastorate at Voluntown, to St. John's church at Plainfield, is well known as a representative of the Catholic priesthood in Connecticut, his labors having been effective and far-reaching in the upbulding of his church and in the influence which he has had upon his parishioners. A native of Ireland, he was born July 18, 1880, and is a repre- sentative of one of the old families of that country, known for its stanch allegiance to the Catholic faith, many of its members having entered the active service of the church. Liberal educational opportunities were accorded Father Morrissey, who studied both in France and Belgium and was graduated from the famous University of Louvain in July, 1905. There he was ordained to the priesthood and he has been a most zealous and earnest worker in the church. Upon the invitation of his cousin, the late Bishop Tierney of Hartford, he crossed the Atlantic to the new world to labor in this diocese and re- ceived appointment as a curate at St. Joseph's church in Willimantic, Connecticut. Later he was transferred to New Haven, afterward became connected with the church at Green- wich and still later was sent to Watertown, Connecticut. In September, 1911, he assumed the pastorate of St. Thomas church in Voluntown, with its mission church of St. Ann at

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REV. R. P. MORRISSEY

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Glasgo, and during the eight years of his connection with this assignment his work proved far-reaching and effective. One of his most notable achievements while at Vol- untown was the purchase of the property known as the Doctor Davis property, now the parish rectory. It is equipped with all modern improvements and equal to any parish rectory in the state. He further improved the church property of St. Thomas by securing a new heating arrangement and a new cement walk, yet material interests were but one phase of his activity. One of the local papers said in this connection: "Spiritually he has proved a true shepherd to his flock and has worked faithfully for their spiritual welfare. He has received more converts into the church during his pastorate than have been reecived during the previous history of this church. He was also deeply interested in the temporal welfare of his people and during the recent epidemic of Spanish influenza he labored with the health boards of Voluntown and Griswold and was instrumental in bringing to these villages a Red Cross nurse who gave relief and comfort to many stricken families. His work for the various war organizations is too well known to need more than casual mention and he was always a great aid in sending Voluntown 'over the top' on all occasions. In supporting the cause of humanity during the war Father Mor- rissey stood squarely behind the government and preached the gospel of patriotism with Christianity at every opportunity from platform, altar and pulpit. He labored unceas- ingly and untiringly for the Red Cross and other organizations engaged in relief work for the soldiers, their dependents and the suffering people of war-stricken Europe."

Already since becoming a resident of Plainfield, Father Morrissey has aided in fur- ther organizing and promoting the work of St. John's parish and has won the hearty cooperation of his people. He is a well known and popular member of White Cross Council, No. 13. K. C., of Norwich, Connecticut, and has taken the fourth degree work in the order. His scholarly attainments, his deep human interest and his zeal and devotion to the church promise much for the development of St. John's parish in Plainfield.

JAMES WARNER.

From the early '70s James Warner was more or less closely connected with Wind- ham, where he maintained his summer home, using every available opportunity to escape from the city; and when death called him, in keeping with his expressed wish, he was laid to rest in the beautiful old historic cemetery with, as he once said, "old Obweebutuc standing guard." There the interment was made in 1899 by the side of the wife with whom he had traveled life's journey for fifty-one years. He had en- deared himself to all with whom he had come in contact during the summers spent at Windham, the many sterling traits of his character marking him as the highest type of American manhood.

While Mr. Warner was descended from one of the old Massachusetts families, his birth occurred October 5, 1824, near Kingston, Canada, where his father had gone a short time before. He was a great-nephew of Colonel Seth Warner of Revolutionary war fame and a distant connection of Charles Dudley Warner, the author. His fam- ily was also the same as that which numbered among its members Mildred Warner, an ancestress of George Washington and a representative of an old English family.

In 1852 James Warner became a resident of Jersey City, New Jersey, and for more than forty years was successfully engaged in the hay and grain business, be- ing associated part of that time with Hon. John D. Carscallen. He was at all times a prominent and influential resident of his adopted city and manifested faith in its future in the early days by erecting many substantial dwellings. He was also prom- inent in the public life of the community, serving as a member of the common council in 1859, 1860 and 1861, when the whole government was vested in that board. He took an active part in having the city almshouse abolished and the county almshouse erected and was also one of the prime movers for the erection of the city hall. He took an active part in the aldermanic work connected with recruiting during the early days of the Civil war and was a member of the committee appointed to receive President Lincoln when he passed through Jersey City on his way to be inaugurated. He was the last survivor of that distinguished group. Mr. Warner also served as a member of the board of education in 1859, 1860, 1863, 1868, 1870 and 1871. He was instrumental in inducing William L. Dickinson to become a member of the board in 1860 and actively aided him in reorganizing and grading the city schools. Some years afterward he aided in securing the services of Mr. Dickinson as city superintendent-a most wise choice. During his connection with the school board Mr. Warner was also active in promoting the erection of a high school building. He belonged to the county tax board for a number of years and was a member of the board of appeals from 1892 until 1897, and at all times he put forth every possible effort for the general good.

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He served as warden in St. Matthew's Episcopal church and for eleven years was a member of the council of Christ Hospital. He was also a trustee of the Provident Savings Institution and thus in many ways left the impress of his individuality upon the commercial development, the political history and the charitable and benevolent activities of his city.

On December 25, 1844, James Warner was united in marriage to Miss Anne J. Carscallen, who ever manifested a most beautiful devotion to her home and family. This worthy couple traveled life's journey together for fifty-one years and all of their six children lived to see the parents celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary on the 25th of December, 1894, but the following October the younger of two sons, Dr. Frederic M. Warner, a brilliant young physician of New York, died from typhoid fever contracted from a poor patient. The following year, 1895, Mrs. Warner passed away. The elder daughters of the household were: Anna, who became the wife of James Bingham Bliven, a native of Windham, Connecticut; and Estelle, who died unmarried. It is certainly most fitting that more extended reference should be made to the two sons who have passed on, for each made valuable contribution to the world's work. The Medical Record of October 19, 1895, contained the following: "Dr. Frederic M. Warner died at his residence in New York, October 9, 1895, at the age of thirty-eight. A man of bright attainments, of sterling professional zeal, of brilliant future promise-his death is not alone a loss to the medical fraternity, but also to the community. Dr. Warner was born in Jersey City, July 14, 1857. He was educated at Lehigh University, and was graduated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York. After a protracted sojourn in Europe, he began the practice of medicine in New York in 1881, and at the time of his death he had acquired a large general practice, and for a man of his years no inconsiderable consulting work. His special leaning was toward internal medicine in particular diseases of the heart and lungs. In these affections he was a most astute diagnostician, and he possessed the rare faculty of being able to impart his knowledge to others in terse, descriptive terms, which marked him as a brilliant, clinical teacher. His solicitude for the patients under his charge at the City and the French Hospitals will long be remembered by his col- leagues. His unique devotion to his patients, whether pauper or rich, irrespective of personal comfort or health, profoundly impressed those who had the privilege of know- ing him well. He was just beginning to publish in the medical press the results of his observations in hospital and in private practice, and he was of material assistance to Dr. J. Lewis Smith, in the preparation of the last edition of 'Diseases of Children.' From the inception of the enterprise he had contributed to the 'Annual of the Medical Sciences' (Sajous). At the time of his death, Dr. Warner was a member of the committee on library of the Academy of Medicine, and of the committee on ethics of the County Medical Society. He was visiting physician to the City Hospital, and special consultant for heart and lungs at the French Hospital. Reserved in manner, upright in action, steadfast in purpose, those who were admitted to his friendship could not help but love as well as admire him. Although young, he has left an im- press suggestive of a most brilliant future. Dr. Warner was married to a daughter of Dr. J. Lewis Smith. The widow and two children survive him."

Perhaps even more important was the service which the other son, the Rev. Beverley E. Warner, rendered to humanity. He was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1855, and was educated at Princeton and the Berkeley Divinity School, while the University of the South and Tulane University conferred upon him honorary degrees. For eight years he was rector at Bridgeport, Connecticut, and in 1893 went to New Orleans, where he remained rector of Trinity church until his death save for a few weeks spent in a Philadelphia parish in 1905. He was well known as a lecturer throughout the south and was the author of various publications, including Troubled Waters, a novel published in 1885; English History in Shakespeare's Plays, 1894; The Facts and the Faith, 1897; The Young Man in Modern Life, 1902; Introductions to Shakespeare; The Young Woman in Modern Life; and The Love of Shakes- peare. During the seventeen years of his pastorate of Trinity church at New Orleans he was an eager worker in many fields of social and educational effort. He organized Kingsley House, the first social settlement below the Mason and Dixon line, and also the Round Table Club, patterned after the Century Club of New York. He was a director of the Poll Tax Association, a member of the board of administra- tion of the Tulane Educational Fund and at the time of his death chairman of the committee which had in hand the erection of the new Newcomb College. His in- terest in Kingsley House was constant and inspiring. He always believed that a settlement should be totally unsectarian and to this end gathered about him a board of directors which included almost equal numbers of Protestants, Catholics and Jews. He joined in the neighborhood gatherings and was a prime mover for each new settle- ment activity as it was added-vacation school, recreation center, playground, chil-

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 87

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