A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 88

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

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dren's garden and summer camp. It was characteristic that one of the first callers at the rectory after his death was a Jewish rabbi, who said that "New Orleans had lost her foremost citizen and he had lost his best friend." When New Orleans was fighting its yellow fever epidemic of 1905, Dr. Warner, who had just started away for a much needed vacation, heard of the outbreak of the disease and immediately re- turned to the city to enlist with citizens to assist the health authorities. In this connection the Survey said: "When a central committee of volunteers was organized with branches in each ward, he was chosen chief and worked almost without rest in the great campaign of education to make the public realize and guard against mosquitoes. The theory of mosquito transmission was comparatively new then. The public had to be aroused and in large part persuaded against open disbelief in the efficacy of fumigating houses, screening cisterns, and oiling gutters. Mass meetings were held nightly in all parts of the city, many of which Dr. Warner addressed. There were daily conferences of the volunteer boards, and all the while a vast amount of routine office work which required his supervision. Clashes of authority were not in- frequent, complaints of a thousand and one things, done or left undone, were poured into his ears. Many times discouraged subordinates brought their troubles to him. Through it all Dr. Warner never faltered or complained. He arbitrated disputes, listened to complaints, and either corrected the error complained of or, finding the complaint groundless, pacified its bringer and sent him away an enthusiast in the volunteer cause. Never for a moment was the work to which the volunteers were pledged per- mitted to flag. Inspection followed inspection, and the danger places were eliminated one by one as they were reported. At the mass meetings and through the news- papers Dr. Warner sent his appeals to the people. Not only his fellow officers and subordinates were fired by something of his own indomitable spirit, but the entire community was influenced by his enthusiasm, cheerfulness and perseverance." One of the local papers at the time, speaking of his work in the epidemic, said: "Today, he is perhaps the most powerful single private influence in the general sanitary work that is being done. He is proving anew his personal creed, that a religion that does not make a man do for others is not a religion that saves a soul. He is dis- proving the cheap cynicism of ignorant lay prejudice against church and clergy. He is standing forth conspicuously as an instance of the splendor of true manhood when touched and inspired by the necessities and the dangers that surround those about him. And there are many others in New Orleans, and everywhere, who within their spheres are doing as much as he, whose prominence is less only because nature has endowed them with less notable capacity or else because out of the experiences of their lives they have not been able to draw as fully as he the completer meaning of human destiny."

Only two of the family of James Warner are now living. The youngest daughter, Miss Mabel Warner, a trained mission worker of the Episcopal church, offered her services to the Young Women's Christian Association for work overseas when America entered the World war, and after having charge for several months of the hostess house at Brest, was sent into Italy to open a temporary clubhouse for American women workers in Rome. This has since been succeeded by a permanent Y. W. C. A. head- quarters for work among the Italian women and girls, of which Miss Warner is di- rectress.

The second sister is Mrs. Ida Warner MacLean, now living in Windham. She is the widow of Alexander MacLean, a veteran newspaper man, who was born in Belle- ville, New Jersey, July 1, 1844. When but fifteen years of age his artistic talent se- cured him employment by two illustrated New York dailies. When the Civil war broke out he three times tried to enlist in New Jersey regiments, but parental author- ity intervened because of his youth and he then went to the middle west, where he joined the Eighty-ninth Indiana Regiment. He was twice wounded and was promoted for bravery in saving the colors of his regiment after the color guard had been killed. In 1863 he became second lieutenant of the Signal Corps attached to General Grant's army near Chattanooga and before the succeeding winter was over was made first lieutenant. After the war he entered the employ of Theodore Gubelman, a photog- rapher of Jersey City, and in 1869 they together opened a photographic studio in Ponce, Porto Rico. When an earthquake destroyed their studio Mr. Maclean took passage on a ship bound for the United States that was wrecked in the Windward Passage, and of the several hundred people on board he was the only survivor. He clung to a hatch for eighteen hours before being rescued and for two weeks afterward lay in a state of delirium in a native hut. Later he went to Bermuda and after his return to the States he acted as reporter of the sessions of the New Jersey legisla- ture. In 1870 he founded the Bayonne Daily Times and two years afterward became part owner of the Jersey City Times. He was appointed by President Hayes as consul to Guayaquil, in Ecuador, in 1879 and resigned as acting consul general in 1880 to

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engage in the export business. In 1884 he became connected with the Jersey City Evening Journal and in 1890 was made New Jersey editor of The New York World. After two years he returned to Jersey City as associate editor and editorial writer of the Jersey Journal, retiring a few months prior to his death. He was probably the best known and the most popular newspaper man in New Jersey. Since her hus- band's demise in 1916 Mrs. MacLean has returned to the old Windham place formerly belonging to her father, there spending the greater part of the year. She, too, is a painter and writer of fiction.

ALBERT BINGHAM CUNNINGHAM.

Albert Bingham Cunningham, general manager of the Willimantic Daily Chronicle, was born August 19, 1877, in Scotland, Connecticut, his parents being Frederick Wil- liam and Annie B. (Beckwith) Cunningham, who are natives of Windham, Connecti- cut. The father pursued a district school education there and afterward attended a select school at Hanover, Connecticut, while later he became a student in the Knowl- ton Technical School. Subsequently he worked on his father's farm and was thus engaged while his father was on active duty with the Union army during the Civil war. Later Frederick W. Cunningham was employed in the Reynolds woolen mill, where he continued for several years. He entered the grain business following his father's death and engaged in grinding and selling grain for fifteen years but sub- sequently turned his attention to the conduct of a photographic studio in Scotland, Connecticut. He afterward continued in the same line of business at Moosup, Con- necticut, and then removed to Willimantic in 1886. Here he has since been proprietor of a well equipped photographic gallery. To him and his wife have been born but two children, the younger being Josephine S. Cunningham, who became the wife of George Kollstede, formerly a manufacturer of mill supplies, who is now engaged in the manufacture of jewelry in Providence, Rhode Island.

Albert B. Cunningham spent his youthful days largely in Scotland, Connecticut, where he pursued a district school education. He started out in the business world as an employe of the firm of Webb & Shedd at Hartford, Connecticut, with whom he re- mained for a year. He then went to Providence, Rhode Island, as shipping clerk for Willard H. Smith, with whom he continued for four years, and on the expiration of that period he enlisted for service in the Spanish-American war as a member of the Nineteenth Infantry, U. S. Army. He was on active duty throughout the Philippine campaign from 1899 until 1902.

Following his return to the United States, Mr. Cunningham was employed by Wil- lard H. Smith of Providence, Rhode Island, for three years in connection with a wholesale fruit business. Later he resigned to enter the employ of the Willimantic Daily Chronicle as linotype mechanic and has since been identified with that paper. For nine years he was city editor and since March, 1919, has been general manager, and for many years his efforts and enterprise have constituted important forces in the development and upbuilding of the Chronicle.

Mr. Cunningham was married to Miss Theresa A. Twomey, a daughter of Judge J. F. Twomey, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. The marriage was celebrated August 1, 1911. Mrs. Cunningham is a member of the Catholic church. Mr. Cunning- ham's political allegiance is given to the republican party. He is a member of H. C. Tyler Camp, No. 9, Department of Connecticut, United Spanish War Veterans, and he is also connected with the Willimantic Chamber of Commerce. He is a progressive and enterprising young business man and citizen keenly interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of his community and supporting all plans and projects which he deems of vital worth.

PETER J. CHABOT.

Peter J. Chabot. who follows farming in Plainfield, was born September 28, 1881, at L'Ange Gardien, Rouville county, in the province of Quebec, Canada, his parents being Eli and Sofranie (Poirier) Chabot, who were also natives of Canada. The father was born in the same district and was there reared and educated. Later he took up the blacksmith's trade, and, falling heir to his father's farm, he likewise engaged in general farming and was quite extensively interested in grain raising. He died at the age of thirty-two years in his native town. To him and his wife were born five

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children: Emma, Xiste, Israel, John B. and Peter J., all of whom were natives of Canada.

The last named was reared and educated at the place of his nativity to the age of fourteen years and then came to the United States, taking up his abode at Webster, Massachusetts. There he worked as a mill operative for four years and afterwards re- moved to Danielson, where he was employed in a cotton mill for a year. He next went to Grosvenor Dale, where he was employed in a mill for a brief period, and sub- sequently he secured a position with the Draper Company, setting up new looms at various places for that corporation during the ensuing period of four years. Returning to Danielson, he then worked for the Quinebaug Company for nine years and dur- ing that period lived on the borough farm and gave his time to farming and dairy- ing on a small scale. He afterward made purchase of the Baton farm at Wauregan, Connecticut, and carried on an extensive dairy business, having a milk route in Dan- ielson. He now keeps sixty-five head of cattle, mostly thoroughbred Ayrshires. He utilizes three horses and a farm tractor in the development of his place and has all modern farm implements and machinery, including a milking machine. His dairy is conducted according to the most progressive methods and the business is now proving a source of gratifying profit.

On the 5th of November, 1898, Mr. Chabot was married to Miss Mary Mande- ville, of Grosvenor Dale, and they have become the parents of three children, Poly- dore, Henry and Ely. In politics Mr. Chabot maintains an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than party. He and his family are members of the Catholic church and he belongs to the Society of St. Jean the Baptist of Danielson. His life has been characterized by untiring industry and his persistency of purpose and diligence have been salient elements in winning for him substantial success as a leading dairyman of the town of Plainfield.

LEWIS FREDERICK AVERILL.

Lewis Frederick Averill is a representative farmer and business man of Pomfret Center. He was born in Pomfret on the 15th of March, 1845, and is a son of Lewis and Hannah (Burton) Averill. The father was born in Pomfret, July 26, 1798, and devoted his life to general agricultural pursuits. He was a son of Frederick and Lucretia (Waldo) Averill. The former was a native of the town of Hampton, Windham county, and removed with his parents to Pomfret. All were farming people. Hannah (Burton) Averill, the mother of Lewis F. Averill, was born in Pomfret, September 11, 1802, and spent her entire life in her native town, her girlhood days being passed in the home of her parents, Rufus and Abigail (Burlingame) Burton. She became the wife of Lewis Averill, who long ranked with the leading agriculturists of his town and who was also active and prominent in connection with the political and moral development of the community. He represented his district in the state legislature and for more than thirty years was a deacon of the Congregational church, passing away in that faith in Pomfret on the 8th of January, 1869.

The old Averill homestead farm on which Lewis F. Averill was born has been in possession of the family for more than a century and a half and was handed down from father to son until it came into his possession and so remained until a few years ago, when he sold the property. His education had been acquired in the public schools of Pomfret and his entire life has been devoted to the occupation of farming. In 1880 the old New York & New England Railroad Company, now the New York, New Haven & Hartford, after 'experiencing some difficulty in getting a suitable agent, came to Pomfret looking for some local man to take charge of the station and also act as manager for the Western Union Telegraph Company. They approached Mr. Averill, who consented to take the position on condition that he could also attend to his own business, on the side. He therefore became station agent and the first manager for the Western Union at Pomfret and also the first agent for the Adams Express Com- pany. During this time he built up quite a business in handling the baggage of the summer visitors to Pomfret. It was about that time that the wealthy people began to flock to Pomfret for the summer. Mr. Averill realized how advantageous this would be for the community and it was largely this that led him to accept the position of station agent, in which capacity he continued to serve until 1892. He continued to carry on the local dray and express business and also conducted a livery stable, which he had built up to large proportions. He is likewise engaged in the retail coal trade and has built up a good business in that connection. During all these years Mr. Averill has continued to cultivate and improve a farm, on which he raises fine registered Jersey cows. His farm, which he purchased in 1898, comprises a tract of land south of and ad-

LEWIS F. AVERILL

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joining the railroad station at Pomfret and there he resides, having brought his place under a high state of cultivation and improvement.

On the 1st of January, 1868, Mr. Averill was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ellen Tucker, of Pomfret, where she was born, her parents being Lucius and Sarah (Phillips) Tucker, who were natives of Pomfret and among the representatives of the oldest families of that locality. To Mr. and Mrs. Averill were born five children, three of whom are living: Sarah, who is teaching school in Worcester, Massachusetts; War- ren Waldo, a merchant of Pomfret Center, mentioned elsewhere in this work; and Walter, who is superintendent of the Bennett School, a private institution of learning in Millbrook, New York. On the 6th of June, 1893, Mr. Averill was again married, his second union being with Delia Goodell Allen, a native of Pomfret. Her parents were Samuel and Eliza (Ingalls) Allen, of Pomfret. Two children have been born of this marriage: Annie Allen; and Lewis Allen, who is connected with his father in business.

Lewis Frederick Averill is a republican in his political views but would never con- sent to accept office. He has always preferred to give his undivided time and atten- tion to his business affairs, which have constantly grown in volume and importance as the years have passed. His purposes have been well defined, his plans carefully executed, and in the conduct of his interests he has advanced general prosperity as well as his individual success.

JOHN GARDNER LEWIS.

John Gardner Lewis, an enterprising young farmer and business man of the town of Hampton to whom opportunity is ever the call to action, has by well directed energy and the utilization of every chance that has come to him for advancement steadily worked his way upward. He was born on the old Lincoln homestead in the town of Hampton, September 26, 1891, and is a son of Carl Andrews and Carrie Louise (Lin- coln) Lewis. The mother was also born on the old Lincoln homestead and there passed away on the 26th of February, 1918. She and her son, John Gardner Lewis, and his children were all born in the same house.

John G. Lewis was seven years of age when his parents removed from the town of Hampton in 1898 to become residents of Guilford, Connecticut, the father accept- ing a position as teacher in the schools there. The son attended the public schools and passed through consecutive grades to the high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1910. He afterward returned to Hampton and lived with his grand- parents on the old Lincoln farm, concentrating his efforts and attention upon the de- velopment of the fields. In 1916 he purchased the William Hammond farm in Hamp- ton, comprising three hundred acres of excellent land, and has since devoted his at- tention to general agricultural pursuits and stock raising. He has built up a busi- ness of extensive and gratifying proportions and at the same time is meeting with prosperity as a farmer and stock raiser, handling registered Ayrshire cattle. He is alert to every opportunity and his laudable ambition and enterprise have proven salient features in the attainment of well merited success.

On the 25th of September, 1917, Mr. Lewis was married to Miss Lucy B. Hopkins, a native of Hampton and a daughter of Irving and Jennie (Mills) Hopkins, the former a farmer of the town of Hampton. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis now have an inter- esting little son, Gardner Hopkins, who was born on the Lincoln homestead, September 13, 1919.

Mr. Lewis belongs to the Little River Grange. His study of political questions and issues has led him to give his support to the republican party. He is a wide-awake and alert young business man, ready for every opportunity and quickly utilizing every ' legitimate advantage offered in a business way.

GEORGE FLORIDA DAVIGNON.

George Florida Davignon, who is connected with mercantile interests in Daniel- son, was born in Wauregan, Connecticut, December 16, 1886, a son of Césaire and Amable (Menard) Davignon. The father was a native of Iberville, Canada, where the mother's birth also occurred. In the schools of his native country the father pur- sued his education and in young manhood he became caretaker for Lord William Maginnis and had general charge of his farming interests and the sale of his farm products. When about forty-four years of age he came to the United States, in 1872, with his family, settling in Wauregan, Connecticut, where he was employed as out-

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side man by the Wauregan Company for about thirty-nine years, being a most faith- ful and efficient representative of the interests intrusted to him. About 1911 he re- moved to Danielson, where he resided with his son until his death, which occurred December 11, 1912, his wife passing away in August, 1911. In their family were thirteen children, seven of whom have passed away. The oldest living is Herminas, who was born in Canada and was married twice, first becoming the wife of John Martineau, of Canada, while her second husband is Henry Wells, with whom she is now living in Worcester, Massachusetts. Florine, the second of the family, was born in Canada and married Fulgence Gareau of that country but they now reside in South- bridge, Massachusetts. Amanda, born in Canada, is the widow of Alexis Maynard, who was born in Wauregan, and she now resides in Southbridge, Massachusetts. Joseph, born in Canada, married Eugenie L'Heureux, of Taftville, Connecticut, and resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dolor, born in Canada, is a resident of Grosvenor Dale, Connecticut.

The sixth member of the family is George F. Davignon of this review, who pur- sued his education in the public schools of Wauregan and at the age of fourteen years started out to earn his living as a newsboy on the New York, New Haven & Hart- ford Railroad, making the run between New London and Worcester, Massachusetts. He was thus employed from 1900 until 1904, when he left the road and afterward worked for the Wauregan Company until 1905. At the same time he was learning the shoe trade by working nights and Saturdays with E. E. Dupuis, of Moosup, Connecticut. In December, 1905, he became a passenger trainman on the New York, New Haven & Hartford and thus spent two years. In 1907 he engaged with the Connecticut Com- pany as a conductor and remained in that position for a year. In 1908 he became con- nected with Andrew E. Meech, of Danielson, in the hardware business, with which he was identified for seven years, or until 1915. On the 17th of August of that year he established a shoe business on Main street under the name of the Peoples Shoe Store and has since successfully conducted this establishment, being now classed with the representative merchants of Danielson. He carries a large and well selected stock and his progressive business methods, his reasonable prices and his earnest desire to please his patrons have secured for him a very gratifying trade.

In Danielson, Connecticut, on the 12th of October, 1913, Mr. Davignon was mar- ried to Hazel Ellen Smith, who was born in Putnam, Connecticut, a daughter of Winfield William and Chloe Ida (Geer) Smith, who were natives of Putnam. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Davignon are: Francis George, who was born in Danielson, July 20, 1915; Norman Amos, born in Danielson, August 17, 1916; and Robert Lawrence, born February 21, 1919.

Mr. Davignon gives his political allegiance to the republican party. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, belonging to Putnam Lodge, No. 574, and he is also a member of Rose of Lima Council, No. 52, Knights of Columbus, and Danielson Council, No. 52, St. John the Baptist Society. He has mem- bership with the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, belonging to Thames River Lodge, No. 496, of New London, Connecticut. He is a member of St. James Roman Catholic church, and he has a military record, having served as a non-commissioned officer of Company C of the Third Infantry of the Connecticut State Guard. The Dan- ielson Business Men's Association numbers him among its prominent representatives, and he has served as its secretary from 1917. He is actuated in all that he does by a spirit of advancement, and his determined purpose and laudable ambition have brought him prominently to the front in commercial circles in Danielson.

EDWARD FITCH JOHNSON.

Edward Fitch Johnson is the owner of an excellent farm property of two hundred acres in the town of Canterbury and is one of the most extensive dealers in cattle and horses in this section of the state, his purchases and sales during the last three years probably exceeding those of any other farmer in this part of Connecticut.

Mr. Johnson was born in Montville, Connecticut, October 29, 1893, and is a son of David A. and Jennie B. (Young) Johnson. The father was born in Montville and attended the district schools there. After his education was completed he en- tered the employ of Edward Fitch, with whom he continued for several years, but later purchased a farm in Montville. When Mr. Fitch retired from business he made his home with Mr. Johnson, to whom he left all his money and property at the time of his death. As the years passed David A. Johnson became a very progressive and prosperous farmer, conducting his agricultural interests on an extensive scale. He

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still resides upon his farm, but is now living retired, leaving the active work of the fields to others.

Edward Fitch Johnson was the youngest of a family of five children. He at- tended the public schools of Montville and later became a clerk in a general store at Uncasville, Connecticut. He spent a brief period there and then removed to Nor- wich, Connecticut, where he became a clerk in the Eaton & Chase Hardware store, occupying that position for two and a half years. He next went to Lebanon, Con- necticut, where he leased land and was engaged in general farming and dairying for two years. During this period he made a thorough study of cattle and on re- moving to Canterbury he leased the Palmer homestead near Canterbury Green, but is now the owner of the improved farm of George Larkham of Canterbury, where he now resides, devoting his attention to general farming, stock dealing and dairying and meeting with notable success in his business. His farm embraces two hundred acres of land, of which about sixty-five acres is under cultivation. He is also engaged in handling lumber and wood and is meeting with substantial prosperity. through the careful management of his business affairs.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 88

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