A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 90

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

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John Henry Renshaw, spending his youthful days under the parental roof, pur- sued his education in the public schools of Putnam and started out to earn his own living as coremaker in the Putnam Foundry, being there employed for two years. On the expiration of that period he entered the Nightingale Mills and worked in various departments. In 1884 he went into the machine shop as a mechanic and has here since remained, being gradually advanced until at his father's death in 1906 he succeeded him as master mechanic.

Mr. Renshaw has been married twice. His first wife was Susan Tobin and to them were born three children: Joseph, who died in infancy; Arthur, who married Miss Fabeola Pereault and who served in the World war as a member of the Medical Corps, although he was not sent overseas; and Marion, who is a school teacher in Putnam. The wife and mother passed away in Putnam and Mr. Renshaw afterward married Josephine Sponcey, of Putnam. They, too, became parents of three children; Irene, Viola and Mildred.

In politics Mr. Renshaw has maintained an independent course. He belongs to the Ancient Order of Hibernians and he and his family are all communicants of the Catholic church.

ALFRED TITUS HILL.

Alfred Titus Hill is the well known proprietor of the Green Hollow Farm, largely devoted to dairying and to poultry raising. In all that he undertakes he displays progressive methods that have won him classification with the representative farmers of Windham county. He was born January 25, 1856, in the town of Plain- field, a son of Harry W. and Ruth (Miller) Hill, who were also natives of Plain. field. He attended the public schools near his father's home and afterward became a student in the Plainfield Academy. When his textbooks were put aside he worked on the home farm for his mother for a time and subsequently took up his abode in Moosup, where he entered the employ of Aldrich & Milner in the general store run in connection with the mills, thus receiving his first experience along commercial lines. He afterward engaged in the meat business on his own account and conducted a market at Moosup for a period of twenty-four years. He next purchased the Daniel Spaulding property on the Green Hollow road in 1905 and has since owned and con- ducted what is known as the Green Hollow Farm, whereon he is engaged extensively in the raising of poultry and also conducts a large dairy business. Both branches

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of his business are proving profitable, for he employs progressive and scientific methods in the care of his stock and poultry and in the handling of his products.

On the 21st of August, 1879, Mr. Hill was united in marriage to Miss Clara Ams- bury, a daughter of Edgar and Maria Howe (Levans) Amsbury. In young manhood her father worked as a farmer and later was employed as a shoe salesman in various parts of the country. At the time of the Civil war, however, all business and personal con- siderations were put aside, for he joined the army as a member of the Eighteenth Con- necticut Volunteer Infantry and fought under Generals Sigel, Hunter and Mcclellan. After the war was over he returned to his home with a most creditable military record, having bravely faced the enemy on many a hotly contested battlefield in the south. He then accepted a position as traveling salesman for a shoe house and was thus employed until his later years, when he retired from active business and now makes his home on the Green Hollow Farm with his daughter. To Mr. and Mrs. Hill has been born one child, Abby Maria, whose birth occurred at Moosup, October 21, 1887. She married Warren L. Hopkins and they are the parents of one child, Alfred Elmer.

Mr. and Mrs. Hill are members of the Union-Plainfield Baptist church of Moosup, and in his political views Mr. Hill is a republican. He has never sought or desired office, preferring to concentrate his efforts and energies upon his business interests, and his close application, keen discernment and unfailing enterprise have been the dominant factors in winning for him his present day success.

JEROME M. WOODWARD.

Jerome M. Woodward is a prominent farmer of the town of Hampton, whose success has been the direct outcome of intelligently directed effort and undaunted- enterprise. In all business affairs he has displayed sound judgment and the con- sensus of public opinion places him in the front rank among leading agriculturists of his section of the state.

He was born May 8, 1866, in the northern part of Brooklyn, his parents being Elisha Adams and Julia B. (Millard) Woodward. The father was born in Brooklyn, June 15, 1835, and was but ten years of age at the time of his mother's death, when he went to live in the family of Deacon Edwin Scarborough, a farmer of Brooklyn, who was to accord him the privilege of attending the winter terms at school and his board and clothing in compensation for his farm work until he reached his eighteenth year. When sixteen years of age, however, Elisha A. Woodward started out in the business world independently, working for twelve dollars per month, and was thus employed at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war. Prompted by a spirit of patriotism, he responded to the country's call on the 28th of July, 1862, enlisting as a member of Company I, Eighteenth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, for three years. His company was commanded by Captain Knapp and his regiment by Colonel John Ely, with whose troops he participated in all of the engagements of the Eight- eenth Connecticut until the battle of Winchester, on the 15th of June, 1863. On that day-his twenty-eighth birthday-he was taken prisoner and sent to Belle Isle. A month later he was paroled and sent home to spend a week with his wife and infant daughter. Later he was exchanged and eventually rejoined his regiment at Martins- burg, West Virginia, remaining with that command until honorably discharged at Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, June 26, 1865, having in the meantime refused several offers of promotion, preferring to serve in the ranks as a private. At the close of the war he rejoined his family in Brooklyn and worked at the stone mason's trade for many years in various parts of Windham county. In 1887 he rented land on Kimball Hill, in the town of Hampton, and there lived until 1895, when he removed to Brook- lyn, owning and cultivating a farm in the western part of that town. In March, 1897, he purchased what was formerly the Captain Havilah Taylor farm, comprising one hundred and five acres of land, and he concentrated his efforts and attention upon its further development. He was married December 23, 1859, in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, to Julia B. Millard, who was born, May 3, 1840, in East Greenwich, a daughter of William Bowen and Etherline (Edwards) Millard. Mrs. Woodward was one of seventeen children, seven of whom reached adult age. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Elisha Woodward are Lillian C., who was born October 5, 1862, and became the wife of Elwood E. Sweet; Jerome M .; Ninette, who was born February 24, 1871, and in 1890 married Lester H. Burnham, of Hampton; Edwin Ward, who was born Oc- tober 28, 1875, and married Minnie Ludke; and Frederick Stetson, who was born August 13, 1882. The parents were consistent members of the Episcopal church, and Mr. Woodward gave his political allegiance to the democratic party. He died in Brook- lyn, Connecticut, in July, 1911, while his wife survived until March, 1917, also passing

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away in Brooklyn. Their daughter Lillian C. died at Foster, Rhode Island, in August, 1911.

Jerome M. Woodward, whose name introduces this review, was a strong and well developed boy who at the age of thirteen years was able to do almost a man's work. He then started out in the business world and was employed by neighboring farmers, receiving six dollars per month for the first season, while by the time he reached the age of sixteen he was commanding a man's full wages. Through the winter months up to this time he had attended school and he arranged with his father that the latter should keep his wages until he reached the age of eighteen, so that he might have some- thing with which to start in life. Later he went to Whitewater, Wisconsin, where he was employed from 1884 until 1888, spending a part of that time in working for his uncle, Walter Parrish. In the latter year he returned to Connecticut and for three years was employed on the farm of W. H. Lincoln, of Hampton. He next turned his attention to the lumber business, buying lots which he cleared of timber, employing from ten to fifteen men through the winter seasons in getting out railroad timber, lumber and cordwood. In February, 1895, with his earnings from the lumber business, he purchased the Kimball Hill farm, on which his father had previously been a renter and which comprises two hundred and sixty acres of land. He has since concentrated his energies and efforts upon agricultural pursuits, and to his original holdings has added other property, now owning land in the towns of Hampton and Brooklyn. His farm property is now very extensive and his land has been brought under a high- state of cultivation, responding with large crops to his efforts in the further develop- ment of the fields. He has also continued in the lumber business, which has proven an important source of revenue to him, but the greater part of his attention and energy is concentrated upon his agricultural interests. He carries on farming along the most modern scientific lines, uses the latest improved machinery to develop his fields and care for his crops, and the value of his methods is demonstrated in the excellent re- turns which have come to him. He has carried on a profitable dairy business and in all business affairs has demonstrated his sound judgment, his keen discrimination and his unflagging industry.

On the 30th of April, 1895, Mr. Woodward was united in marriage to Miss Esther Evans, who was born in Brooklyn, August 8, 1861, a daughter of Elisha and Dilla M. (Cady) Evans. Mrs. Woodward had been a very successful school teacher for sixteen years prior to her marriage, imparting readily and concisely to others the knowledge which she had acquired. She began her work as a teacher when but seventeen years of age and at all times she had the faculty of holding the interest and attention of her pupils.

Mr. Woodward votes with the republican party where national questions and issues are involved but at local elections does not hesitate to cast an independent ballot. He has served as selectman of Hampton for three terms and was first selectman for one term. He has also been tax assessor and is ever keenly interested in the welfare and progress of his community and a champion of all those interests and projects which seek to upbuild the district and uphold its standards of civic betterment and civic development.

REV. JOHN JOSEPH ELTY.

Rev. John Joseph Elty is a well known representative of the Catholic clergy located at Pomfret. He was born in Winsted, Connecticut, July 21, 1875, and is a son of Charles A. and Ellen (McKenna) Elty. The father was born in Holland and came to America at the age of sixteen years. After living for a short time in New York city he went to Winsted, Connecticut, where he engaged in business as a barber, spending his remaining days there, his death occurring in 1914. His wife was born in Ireland and was but four months old when brought to America by her parents, who settled in Winsted, where she, too, spent her remaining days and ultimately passed away.

Their son, the Rev. John Joseph Elty, pursued his education in parochial schools of Winsted and in St. Bonaventure's College in Allegany, New York. from which he was graduated with the class of 1895. He afterward became a student in the St. Bernard Sem- inary at Rochester, New York, and was ordained to the priesthood on the 9th of June, 1900, by Bishop McQuade. He was then appointed a curate at Waterbury and at Middle- town, Connecticut, and in 1906 was sent to Stratford, this state, to organize a new parish, which task he successfully accomplished and. built St. James Catholic church there. In 1908 he became pastor of the Sacred Heart church at Mechanicsville and also of Holy Trinity church at Pomfret, having his headquarters, however, at Thompson, Connecticut. He resided in Thompson for six months and then removed to Pomfret,

REV. JOHN J. ELTY

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where he now makes his home, still retaining pastoral charge of both churches. He has made a host of friends in Pomfret since he located there in 1908 and is very popular among his parishioners.

Rev. Elty takes a deep interest in civic affairs and improvements and in all that has to do with the benefit and upbuilding of the district. In politics he maintains an independent course yet rather leans toward the republican party. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Knights of Columbus at Middletown, Connecticut, and has attained the fourth degree of the order. He is also connected with the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Stratford and is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, belonging to Lodge No. 771, at Middletown. He belongs to the Catholic Temperance Union of Con- necticut and acted as president of the organization for three years.

THOMAS JACKSON SEATON.

Thomas Jackson Seaton is closely associated with the great manufacturing in- terests of Windham county as superintendent of the mills of the Floyd Cranska Manu- facturing Company at Moosup. He is a native son of New England, his birth having occurred in Portland, Maine, March 7, 1887, his father being Charles Dean Seaton, a native of Bathhurst, New Brunswick, Canada, while his grandfather was Thomas Seaton.

In his youthful days Thomas Jackson Seaton was a pupil in the public schools of his native city and afterward entered the Wilton Academy, from which he was graduated in 1905. He also studied for a time at Colby College at Waterville, Maine, but after completing three years of his college course put aside his textbooks to start out in the business world, accepting a position as civil engineer with the Canadian Pacific Railroad Company. He continued with that corporation from 1908 until 1915 and then entered the employ of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, with which he remained until 1917 in the position of civil engineer. In the latter year he came to Moosup to accept the superintendency of the Floyd Cranska Mills and has here re- mained to the present time. His experience in previous lines is of much value to him in this connection and he is proving most capable in the discharge of his duties.

On the 17th of October, 1916, at Moosup, Mr. Seaton was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Atwood Cranska, a daughter of Floyd Cranska, mentioned elsewhere in this work. They have two children: Evelyn Ferguson, born November 5, 1917; and Isabelle, born May 20, 1919, both being natives of Moosup.

Throughout his entire business career Mr, Seaton has been actuated by a laudable ambition that has caused him to make wise use of his time, talents and opportunities. Step by step he has advanced, each forward step bringing him a broader outlook and wider chances, and today his position is one of responsibility in his present connec- tion.

MISS EMMA MOISON.

Emma Moison is proprietor of one of the leading millinery establishments of Willimantic, in which connection she has built up a business of gratifying extent and importance. She was born in Acton Vale, in the province of Quebec, Canada, Septem- ber 9, 1871, a daughter of Joseph and Julia (Lavine) Moison, who were also natives of the same province. The father was reared and educated at St. Hyacinthe in the province of Quebec, and in young manhood learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed throughout his entire business career. He came to the United States in 1876, settling first at Baltic, Connecticut, where he worked as a carpenter for two and a half years. He afterward removed to Willimantic, Connecticut, where he followed his trade until his death, which occurred December 24, 1883. His widow survived him for a number of years and passed away in 1896. They were the parents of eight children: Albina, the wife of Louis Cote, a merchant of Willimantic; Arzelie, the wife of Paul DuBrueil, a millman of Willimantic; Delia, the wife of William Piche, a machinist of Willimantic; Cordelia, who was formerly engaged in dressmaking in Willimantic but is now living retired; Eliza, who married Arthur Lapierre; Joseph, deceased; Emma; and Rose, who is the wife of Peter Vigierd, a barber of Fitchburg, Massa- chusetts.

The lady whose name introduces this review was educated in a parochial school at St. Césaire, in the province of Quebec. This was a boarding school, which she at- tended for some time. Following the removal of the family to Willimantic she learned the millinery business under the direction of Mrs. E. T. Grimes, with whom she re-

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mained for ten years. Finding the business congenial and profitable, in 1905 she purchased the store of her former employer and has since conducted the millinery busi- ness on her own account, having one of the largest and most attractive establish- ments of the kind in the city. She has been very successful in its conduct and has a large number of patrons from among Willimantic's people.

Like the family, Miss Moison is identified with the Catholic church and she is also a member of Union St. Jean the Baptiste and a member of the Ladies Catholic Benevolent Association. She is interested in all those activities which lead to the up- building of the church and the moral progress of the community. At the same time she is a most alert and energetic young business woman whose study of trade con- ditions and earnest desire to please her customers have brought to her an extensive and steadily growing patronage.

IRVING FRANCIS ANDERSON.

A notable record of faithfulness and capability is that of Irving Francis Ander- son, who for thirty-nine years has been the engineer in the boiler room at the mills of the United States Finishing Company. No higher testimonial of his capability and fidelity could be given than the fact that he has so long been retained in this position. He was born in Sterling, Connecticut, March 28, 1865, and is a son of James and Annie (Howland) Anderson, who were also natives of Sterling. The father was a pupil in the public schools of Sterling and afterward took up the occupation of farm- ing, eventually purchasing land in North Sterling, where he carried on general agri- cultural pursuits to the time of his death, which occurred in 1872. To him and his wife were born three children: Irving Francis, Nellie and Herbert C.

The elder son, Irving F. Anderson, mastered the common branches of learning in the public schools of Sterling and in early manhood became a fireman for Daniel Madi- son, of Sterling. Later he went to the Sterling Dye & Finishing Company in the capacity of fireman and remained with the house when the business was sold to the United States Finishing Company. He was promoted to the position of engineer in the boiler room, and his record is a creditable and enviable one by reason of the length and fidelity of his service.

On the 2d of July, 1890, Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Annie M. Tew, of Coventry, Rhode Island. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He and his wife attend the Methodist church, to which they make generous contribution, and Mr. Anderson is identified also with the Odd Fellows Lodge of Sterling and with Moosup Lodge, No. 113, A. F. & A. M. He is loyal to the teachings and purposes of these or- ganizations, and his life has been characterized by high and honorable principles and by marked fidelity to duty.

MISS OLIVE MARGUERITE MILOT.

Olive Marguerite Milot, who after thorough preliminary training and broad ex- perience in the field of nursing is now in charge of the Emergency Hospital of the Grosvenor Dale Company Mills at North Grosvenor Dale, Connecticut, in connection with which she does public health and welfare work, was born in Putnam, Connec- ticut, a daughter of Leger and Marie D. (Cartier) Milot, who were natives of the province of Quebec. Her father was there reared and educated and in young man- hood learned the tailor's trade. He afterward came to the United States, settling first in Putnam, Connecticut, where he established a tailoring shop which he con- ducted for many years. He subsequently retired from the business and went to Worcester, Massachusetts, where he resided for fifteen years, his death there oc- curring in May, 1918. To him and his wife were born seven children, of whom four are yet living: Rosalie, the wife of Albert Champigny, of Worcester, Massachusetts: Omar, deceased; Olive Marguerite; Marie O., the wife of Amidee L. Perrault, of Fall River, Massachusetts; Omar J. of Putnam, who wedded Isabelle Grosvenor; and Henry N. and William, both of whom have passed away.

Olive Marguerite Milot obtained her education in the parochial schools of Put- nam and afterward took up the trade of dressmaking, which she followed for several years. Later she went to Danielson, Connecticut, where she was employed in the Boston Store for a time and later opened a dressmaking establishment, which she carried on for several years. At length she went to Hartford, Connecticut, and entered

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the St. Francis Hospital, where she took the training course, covering three years. She then received a diploma as a trained nurse, being graduated in 1912. She after- ward pursued post-graduate work on public health and passed the state board of examiners, going then to Saranac Lake, New York, where she was connected with the tubercular camp. Returning to Connecticut, she took up public health work in Hart- ford, where she continued for a year and then again became a resident of Putnam, where for five years she was the representative of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Nursing Service in public health work. In December, 1918, she removed to North Grosvenor Dale, Connecticut, and has since had entire charge of the Emergency Hospital of the Grosvenor Dale Company mills, in connection with which she does public health and welfare work among the people of the village. Her professional activities have been far-reaching and beneficial and she is splendidly qualified for the tasks which she has undertaken.

Miss Milot is a member of the alumni association of St. Francis Hospital Training School of Hartford, and during the period of the World war was an active Red Cross worker. Her religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church.

FRANK ABBOTT SPAULDING.

Frank Abbott Spaulding, conducting a motor bus service between Danielson and Brooklyn, carrying both mail and passengers, was born in Plainfield, Connecticut, July 6, 1847. His father, who was a representative of an old English family, died before the birth of his son Frank. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Olive Dorrence, was like her husband, a native of Plainfield.

His son, Frank A. Spaulding, was educated in the schools of Plainfield and in an academy at Woodstock, Connecticut, and when about nineteen years of age took up the study of photography, in which he developed expert skill. He carried on the business in Woodstock and in Providence, Rhode Island, as well as in other towns, for about fifteen years, after which he turned his attention to farming in Central Village, where he remained for four years in the employ of Arnold Fenner. Through a long period he has been known most widely and favorably as mail carrier and he has also conducted a stage line, carrying passengers from Brooklyn to Danielson for a period of thirty years. This has brought him a very wide acquaintance and wherever known he has gained many friends. He removed to Danielson about 1885 and for four years engaged in teaming. About 1889 he became a resident of Brooklyn and took up the work of carrying the mail over the Brooklyn and Danielson route and at the same time has conducted a motor bus line, giving his attention to the business at the present day.

Mr. Spaulding was married first in Canterbury, Connecticut, to Miss Mary Kinney, who was born there and by her marriage became the mother of four children: Frank Daniel, Lillian May, Lyra Belle and Wilfred James, the last named now de- ceased. On the 8th of July, 1891, Mr. Spaulding was married in Brooklyn to Miss Emma A. Spaulding, of Norwich, Connecticut, a daughter of Harvey and Christiana (Blaisdell) Spaulding, the former a native of Plainfield, Connecticut, while the latter was born in Franklin, Maine. By his second marriage, Frank A. Spaulding had a son, Harold Floyd, who was born in Brooklyn, Connecticut, February 24, 1893, and died when but nine months old.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 90

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