A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 92

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

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ELMER CONGDON STONE.

Elmer Congdon Stone is a representative and highly respected farmer of the town of Hampton, his birth having occurred March 13, 1886, on the old homestead farm, which he now owns and occupies. He is a son of Henry Levi Stone, who was born in Central Village, in the town of Plainfield, August 9, 1854, his parents being Larkin and Sarah (Aldrich) Stone. Larkin Stone was born on a farm at Foster, Rhode Island, and devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. He removed to Putnam, Connecticut, and there learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in Putnam for some time and was also employed along the same line at Providence, Rhode Is-

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land, in Central Village and at other places. At length he took up farming, renting land in the town of Brooklyn. He was afterward boss farmer of the company's farm of the Ballouville Mills at Ballouville, Connecticut, occupying that position for a period of three years. In 1873 he bought a farm in Hampton, near Elliott Station, and devoted his attention to its further development and improvement until his death, which occurred when he was seventy-one years of age. His wife was born at Chest- nut Hill, in the town of Killingly, and died on the old homestead farm in Hampton.

Their son, Henry Stone, spent the greater part of his life as a farmer of Hampton, where he took up his abode in 1873 in company with his father, for and with whom he engaged in farming in his early manhood. Upon the father's death he inherited the old homestead and continued its further cultivation and improvement until May, 1919, when he sold the property to his son, Elmer C. Stone, who is the present owner. Henry Stone lived upon that farm from 1873 until 1919, or for a period of forty-six years. He then retired from active business life and removed to Abington, Four Corners, where he now makes his home. He was married in early manhood to Miss Fannie S. Congdon, of Hampton, Connecticut, who died upon this farm, and they had three children: Elmer C .; Myrtie, the wife of Frederick Laraway, of Waterbury, Con- necticut; and Alfred H., who follows farming in Somers, Connecticut. Having lost his first wife, Henry Stone was married to Bessie M. Gill, of Hampton, who is still living, and they became the parents of three children: Harold A., Mildred L., and Marion E. The father was tax assessor of Hampton for five years and has long been regarded as a representative resident of this section of the state.

Elmer C. Stone obtained his education in the district schools of Hampton and lived upon the home farm until he reached the age of twenty-five. During this period he became thoroughly familiar with every phase of farm work through the assistance which he rendered his father. He later entered the employ of the Ingalls Lumber Company, operating portable sawmills in the woods in various parts of New London county, Connecticut. He afterward went to Worcester, Massachusetts, and was em- ployed as motorman on a trolley line for more than five years. He next removed to Somers, Connecticut, where he worked on a large farm, mainly devoted to the rais- ing of fruit. He did this in order to gain a knowledge of fruit growing. This farm was conducted along the most progressive lines. Scientific methods were applied to the care and development of the orchard and Mr. Stone gained valuable knowledge during the year which he spent upon the Mountain View Orchard Farm. On the 1st of April, 1919, he returned to Hampton and purchased the old Stone homestead and thus became the owner of one hundred and forty-five acres of land, upon which he now resides and which is devoted to general agricultural pursuits, stock raising and dairying. He also to some extent engaged in the sawmill business. His farm has fine equipment for all branches of his work, which is being conducted along the most progressive and scientific lines. He is a very energetic and enterprising man and in addition to all of his other interests engages to some extent in teaming. His suc- cess is the direct and logical result of his industry and close application.

Mr. Stone was married October 14, 1915, at Worcester, Massachusetts, to Miss Evelyn Richardson Nims, who was born at Worcester, a daughter of Francis W. and Lucy (Richardson) Nims. Her father was a native of Leominster, Massachusetts, and for a considerable period occupied the position of bookkeeper with the Whittall Carpet Company at Worcester. He passed away in Worcester, where the mother still makes her home. Mr. and Mrs. Stone became the parents of two children: Ruth Evelyn, born in Worcester, July 26, 1916; and Francis Elmer, born in Somers, Con- necticut, February 28, 1919.

Politically Mr. Stone is a republican, having given liis allegiance to the party since reaching adult age. He belongs to the Hampton Congregational church and in its teaching finds the guiding spirit of his life. He is also identified with the Wind- ham County Farmers Association. His life of activity has wrought substantial results not only in a financial way but also in winning the esteem and warm friendship of his fellow townsmen.

S. C. HOOKER.

S. C. Hooker was for many years a prominent figure in hotel circles in Connecticut. He is now living retired in Willimantic, having passed the eighty-second milestone on life's journey, and his former activity well entitles him to his present period of rest.

Massachusetts numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Sturbridge, February 23, 1836, his parents being Levines and Caroline (Clements) Hooker. He had very little opportunity for acquiring an education, attending school

S. C. HOOKER

MRS. S. C. HOOKER

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mostly at night, and the entire period which he devoted to his studies would probably cover only three or four years. His life's lessons have been learned in the school of experience and therein he has been an apt pupil. He began to work in a cotton mill at Fiskdale, Massachusetts, when quite young and was there employed for five years. He afterward entered an auger shop as a polisher, spending three years in that connection, on the expiration of which period he went to Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, where he worked at the same trade in the employ of Cook's Patent Bit & Auger Company. He was with that firm for ten years, during which time he thoroughly learned the trade and developed a marked degree of efficiency. The firm sold out and the Civil war came on, at which time Mr. Hooker went to Northampton, Massachusetts, to do gun work, spend- ing two years at that place. He afterward removed to Meriden, Connecticut, where for five years he was in the employ of the Parker Gun Company. He next went to Middletown, Connecticut, where he was employed for three or four years in a gun factory, after which he joined the Cook Bit & Auger Company in Seymour. He spent three years with this firm in Seymour and then went to Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he purchased a restaurant and extended the scope of his business by establishing a billiard and pool hall, having the first billiard parlor in Bridgeport. He conducted the business for three years and then sold out, removing to Milford, Connecticut, where he conducted a pool and billiard parlor for three years, or until his establishment was destroyed by fire.

Mr. Hooker afterward became engaged in the hotel business at Southington, Con- necticut, where he conducted the Bradley House, having charge of this, his first hotel, for five years. Later he removed to Colchester, Connecticut, where he erected a fine hotel, which he conducted successfully for four years and then sold. In 1882 he came to Willimantic and opened the Brainard Hotel. In 1886 he began the building of the present Hooker House, which he opened in 1887, conducting it for twenty-two years, one month and one day. He thus became widely known as a hotel proprietor throughout New England and made the Hooker House one of the popular hostelries in this section. He conducted the business most capably and successfully until 1909, when he retired and has since given his attention to the management of his private affairs, owning consider- able property in Willimantic, his investments in real estate being most judiciously made.

On the 16th of June, 1867, Mr. Hooker was united in marriage at Woodbridge, Con- necticut, to Miss Sarah S. Lounsberry, who is still living. Mr. Hooker is identified with various hotel associations and is the oldest living hotel man in Windham county. His political allegiance is given to the republican party but he has never been an office seeker, although he has kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day and does not hesitate to express his honest convictions. His has been a most active and useful life. During his business career he worked about sixteen hours per day and was recognized as a most energetic man, to whom difficulties and obstacles seemed but to serve as an impetus for renewed effort. He has always enjoyed remarkable health, having to spend only two days in bed in forty years. In 1904 Mr. Hooker organized the Venerable Club, every member of which was over seventy years of age. It was formed with fifty-one members and Mr. Hooker gave to the club a big dinner every year, but its membership is fast being decimated. He is one of the honored citizens of Willimantic whose life has been crowned with success and also with the goodwill and high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.

MISS DOLLY BREWSTER STANTON.

No history of the mercantile development of Willimantic would be complete with- out mention of Dolly Brewster Stanton, who owns one of the attractive commercial establishments of the city, dealing in fine embroideries and fancy merchandise. She was born in Norwich, Connecticut, February 7, 1881, a daughter of Irvin Henry and Adelaide H. (Kimball) Stanton. Her father was born in Jewett City, Connecticut, where he spent the days of his boyhood and youth, acquiring his education in the dis- trict schools. He afterward served an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade under the direction of his father, who was a contractor and master builder. Later he ob- tained employment in the Ponemah cotton mills at Taftville, Connecticut, where he learned the business of cotton manufacturing. His health became impaired through the confinement of mill work and he afterward removed to Willimantic, where he purchased a farm on what is now West Main street. He then devoted his attention to the tilling of fields and to the dairy business. He developed a large dairy and operated a milk route in Willimantic and also carried on a dairy business in Nor- wich, Connecticut, in New London and Hartford. He thus steadily extended his activities in that direction, becoming one of the prominent dairymen of his part of the state. He likewise became a large cattle dealer and purchased cattle throughout

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New England and the state of New York. He handled hundreds of head of cattle an- nually and made large profits in that business as well as in dairying. He continued actively along both lines to the time of his death, which occurred in Willimantic, December 26, 1906, when he had reached the age of forty-seven years.

In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Stanton there was but one child, Dolly Brewster Stanton, who now resides with her mother upon the home farm. She was educated in the public schools of Willimantic and in the Windham high school, becoming a mem- ber of the class of 1899, with which she graduated. She afterward remained at home for several years but in 1910 became a factor in the business circles of the city, estab- lishing a business in the Card block as a dealer in embroideries and gift merchandise. She has a most beautiful and attractive line of goods. In 1913 she removed to a store in the Arnold block on Main street, where she is now located. She displays ex- cellent business ability and executive force in the conduct of her business, which has now grown to extensive proportions, her store being a most attractive establishment and a favorite trading resort with the public. Miss Stanton attends and supports the Episcopal church and is most highly esteemed in Willimantic, where the greater part of her life has been passed.

THOMAS A. RENSHAW.

Thomas A. Renshaw, office manager of the Nightingale-Morse mills of Putnam, was born December 25, 1876, in the city where he still resides. He is a brother of John H. Renshaw, in connection with whose sketch on another page of this work ap- pears extensive mention of their parents. He obtained his education in parochial schools of Putnam, which he attended until fourteen years of age, and then became a pupil in St. Augustine's preparatory school at Hartford, Connecticut, which he at- tended for a year. He afterward entered St. Charles College at Ellicott City, Maryland, and was there graduated with the class of 1897, having pursued a classical course. He later spent a year in St. Mary's Seminary at Baltimore and there obtained the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He was instructor in Latin for a year at St. Charles and later went to Hartford, Connecticut, teaching in Salette College for a year.

On the expiration of that period Mr. Renshaw returned to Putnam and secured em- ployment at the Nightingale-Morse mills. He has worked in the various departments of the plant and in 1916 went into the office, succeeding W. E. Moss as cost accountant. Later he was advanced to the position of office manager and so continues to this time. His father was for a half century master mechanic in the mills-a position that is now occupied by his brother, John H. Renshaw. The family have thus been prominently connected with the development and upbuilding of one of the important productive industries of Putnam. During 1916 Thomas A. Renshaw also taught in the night school of the Putnam high school, giving instruction to the largely unedu- cated foreigners of the city. He has been very active in Americanization work, do- ing everything in his power to bring to the foreigners of Putnam a knowledge of American ideals. He has been particularly helpful to the employes of the mill and is much gratified to see the results obtained in his work.

Mr. Renshaw belongs to the Catholic church and holds membership in Cargill Council, No. 64, of the Knights of Columbus. His political support is given to the republican party, and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but with him the public good transcends all partisanship and the welfare of the nation is of more vital interest to him than the success of any party. He labors un- tiringly to advance American ideals among those who have come to these shores to make their homes and gain a living, and his efforts have been far-reaching and re- sultant in his Americanization work.

ALPHONSE GILBERT.

Alphonse Gilbert, proprietor of a well appointed garage on Furnace street in Dan- ielson, was born in the district of St. Hyacinthe, Canada, January 3, 1858, and is a son of Francois and Eloise (Gendron) Gilbert, who were also natives of St. Hyacinthe. The father followed farming during the greater part of his life but in his later years came to the United States and made his home with his son Alphonse, who had crossed the border some years before and soon afterward settled in Kingman, Maine. It was there that the father passed away in 1890. He was twice married, his children by his first wife being Alphonse and Eli, but the latter died in infancy. For his second

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wife Francois Gilbert married Miss Celine Godett, of Canada, and they became the parents of four children: Alphonsine, who was born in Canada and died at the age of fifteen years; Eloise, who was born in Canada and still makes her home there; and two sons who died in early life.

Alphonse Gilbert was educated in the schools of his native town and there worked with his father until about eighteen years of age when, thinking to find better busi- ness opportunities in the United States, he came to this country and for about a year remained at Grand Lake Stream, Maine. He was there employed in manufacturing brick and building chimneys for the tannery of Shaw Brothers, which was the largest plant of the kind in the locality at that time, the chimney reaching a height of one hundred and eleven feet. Mr. Gilbert afterward removed to Kingman, Maine, where for a time he did general work and became familiar with boiler construction and operation. For about thirty years he was employed by manufacturing plants at King- man as a fireman and first class engineer. When about forty-eight years of age he removed to Gilbert, Maine, and there built a sawmill in the woods and from that time on he continued to develop his interests to include mill building. The town of Gil- bert derived its name from him, for the district was barren and undeveloped when he went there and he became the founder of the town and the means of influencing various people to settle there. He remained at that place for nearly fourteen years, but in the early part of 1918 disposed of all of his interests at Gilbert and removed to Daniel- son, Connecticut, in February, 1919, where soon afterward he opened a thoroughly modern and up-to-date garage on Furnace street, which he has since successfully con- ducted.

In Kingman, Maine, Mr. Gilbert was married on the 28th of July, 1885, to Miss Emma L. Peltier, who was born in Frenchville, Maine, now St. Agatha. She is a daughter of Thomas and Leah (Michaud) Peltier. Their children were all born in Kingman, Maine, and are as follows: Philip Joseph, who married Maude Goodchild and is a merchant at Brooklyn, Connecticut; Lydia, who died at the age of seven years; Leo, who died when seventeen years of age; Flossie, who died at the age of fourteen months; Nina, who resides in Maine and is the wife of Henry E. Lapointe; ' Minnie, at home; Thomas, who is associated with his father in the garage; Clifford, a mechanic with the Franklin Automobile Company at Syracuse, New York; and George A. and Peter E., both with their father.

Mr. Gilbert is a member of the United Workmen of America and also of the Order of American Foresters. He belongs to St. James' Catholic church of Danielson and has long been interested in those forces which make for the moral as well as the material development of the community in which he resides. He has led a busy and useful life, developing his interests according to his opportunities, and today is con- trolling an extensive and profitable garage business.

HIRAM WEBSTER HAWES.

Hiram Webster Hawes, who enjoys a very wide reputation as a manufacturer of fishing rods, began business at Canterbury in 1909 and through the intervening period has continued active in this field of labor. He was born at Honesdale, Pennsylvania, October 31, 1857, and is a son of Dwight H. and Ann (Leonard) Hawes. The father attended the public schools of Ithaca, New York, and afterward learned the carpen- ter's trade, which he followed for a number of years, while subsequently he acquainted himself with the gunsmith's trade and began the manufacture of guns and rifles at Honesdale, Pennsylvania, where he continued in the business to the time of his death in 1868. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Dwight H. Hawes were seven children: Irving L., Loman N., Frank H., Theresa E., Elnora, Hiram W., and Merritt E.

Hiram Webster Hawes was a pupil in the public schools of his native town and afterward went with a circus as a musician, being thus employed for a year. He next learned to make fishing rods with H. L. Leonard, of Bangor, Maine, and subse- quently removed to Central Valley, New York, where for twenty-eight years he was employed by H. L. Leonard, who was one of the most prominently known men in con- nection with the manufacture of fishing rods in the country. From 1869 until 1881 he was thus engaged at Bangor, Maine. In the latter year he entered into a partner- ship with William Mills & Son, owners of a sporting goods house of New York. In that year Mr. Leonard began the manufacture of fishing rods at Central Valley, New York, with the Mills house as the selling agents. In 1888 the business was incor- porated as the H. L. Leonard Rod Company, with Messrs. Leonard and Mills as the principal owners, while the son of the latter continued as sole selling agent. This relationship was maintained until the death of Mr. Leonard on the 30th of January,

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1907, subsequent to which time Mrs. Leonard sold her interest in the corporation to her husband's former partner, Mr. Mills.

As indicated, Mr. Hawes entered the employ of Mr. Leonard at Bangor, Maine, and accompanied him upon the removal of the business to Central Valley, New York. He thoroughly learned the rod manufacturing business under the direction of Mr. Leonard and upon the death of the latter he continued in the employ of the company until 1909, when he severed his connection with the Leonard & Mills interests and removed to Canterbury, Connecticut, where he began the manufacture of fishing rods on his own account and sent out under his own name. He established his plant under the firm style of H. W. Hawes & Company, and such was his former experience and such the expert skill that he had developed that the Hawes rod has become as pop- ular as those manufactured by the Leonard house. His product is all handmade and enjoys a most wide and favorable reputation. The entire output of his factory is sold to the Abercrombie & Fitch Company of New Cork city. Mr. Hawes is himself an enthusiastic fisherman and is the possessor of many cups and other prizes which he has won in tournaments for fly casting, having a record of ninety feet with a four ounce rod and one hundred and two feet with a five ounce rod in contest. He also holds the record for switch fly casting of one hundred and two feet, which he estab- lished in 1887, and this record has never been exceeded. Mr. Hawes also has a record of one hundred and thirteen feet and one inch with heavy, single-handed fiy rod and a record of one hundred and thirty-eight feet with a salmon rod.

On the 7th of June. 1898, at Brooklyn, New York, Mr. Hawes was united in mar- riage to Miss Cora Leonard, a daughter of Hiram L. and Elizabeth (Head) Leonard, the former born in Sebec and the latter in Bangor, Maine. In his native city her father pursued his education and early in life began the manufacture of fishing rods, continuing the business at Bangor, Maine, for many years, his output fast gaining a wide and well merited reputation. He was a son of Lewis Leonard, a native of Rox- bury, Massachusetts, who was engaged in the manufacture of oars at Sebec, Maine, and was regarded as the best oar maker in the world, his product being shipped to England and many other countries. Mr. and Mrs. Hawes have become the parents of two children, Elise L. and Merritt E. Since removing to Canterbury the Hawes family has taken an active part in the social activities of the town and has furnished music for all the leading social functions for the past ten years, Mr. Hawes being a fine violinist, while Mrs. Hawes is equally skilled as a pianist, and the daughter seems to have inherited the musical talent of her parents and is now a student at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.

Mr. and Mrs. Hawes hold membership in Canterbury Grange, No. 70. They at- tend the Congregational church and are widely recognized as people of sterling worth, enjoying the warm friendship and high regard of all with whom they have been brought in contact. Mr Hawes concentrates his efforts and attention upon a rapidly developing business and in his chosen field has attained a degree of efficiency that has made his product one of country-wide renown.

FRANK MELVIN LINCOLN.

Frank Melvin Lincoln, conducting a large general insurance agency at Willi- mantic, was born at North Windham, Connecticut, July 17, 1880, and is a son of Melvin Eugene and Edith M. (Lincoln) Lincoln, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. In the acquirement of his education he attended the public schools of Willi- mantic and later he became a student in the Windham high school. Starting upon his business career, he made his initial step in trade circles in the employ of Henry Howey, proprietor of a meat market, under whose direction he learned the trade. Later he engaged in the meat business with his father for a period of six years but eventually sold out. He and his father then purchased the insurance agency of F. F. Webb and continued in the business until June 1, 1908, when they formed a partner- ship with his brother, L. B. Lincoln, and Charles L. Boss under the name of the Lin- coln & Boss Lumber & Coal Company, Inc. This was a consolidation of the Lincoln Insurance Agency and the lumber and coal business of Charles L. Boss. Of the new company Frank M. Lincoln became secretary and continued to fill that position until January, 1919, when he purchased the, insurance department of the company, which he now carries on under the style of Lincoln's Insurance Agency.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 92

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