A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 94

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

USA > Connecticut > Windham County > A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II > Part 94

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On the 3d of December, 1902, Mr. Wilson was married to Miss Elizabeth Messer, of Dover, New Hampshire, daughter of Charles and Emily (Leathers) Messer. They had but one child, Emily Janice, who died at the age of six years.

Politically Mr. Wilson is an earnest republican, keeping well informed on the ques- tions and issues of the day. He belongs to South Berwick Lodge, No. 32, I. O. O. F .; St. John Lodge, No. 51, A. F. & A. M., and Unity Chapter, No. 32, R. A. M., at South Berwick. He is also a member of the Congregational church.

ALBA HYDE STEVENS.

Alba Hyde Stevens, engaged in general farming and dairying on the old family homestead in the town of Canterbury, was born December 22, 1834, in the town which is still his place of residence and which was also the birthplace of his parents, Darius and Edith (Hyde) Stevens. The father was reared and educated in the same district in which he was born and when sixteen years of age became a school teacher. Later he returned to the home farm with his father and devoted his attention to general agricultural interests to the time of his death. He was born in 1776 and passed away in the year 1860. He wedded Edith Hyde and they became the parents of three children -Alba H .. Robert and Samuel.

The first named was reared in the town of Canterbury and when his school days were over he became an active factor in the development and improvement of the home farm, on which he remained for a number of years. He afterward worked in various places and on leaving New England made his way westward to Great Bend, Kansas, where he resided for a decade, devoting his attention to farming in the Sunflower state from 1878 until 1888. He then returned to Connecticut, making his way to New London, where for seven years he devoted his attention to the care of an invalid. On the ex- piration of that period he came back to Canterbury and took over the old homestead in 1897. Through the intervening period of twenty-two years he has carried on general farming and dairying and is still giving his supervision to the development and con- duct of the place, although he is now eighty-six years of age, being the oldest resi- dent of the town of Canterbury. The farm upon which he resides was purchased by his grandfather in 1765 and in the house which he occupies his father was born and died. This house was also the birthplace of Alba H. Stevens.

In Hartford, Connecticut, Mr. Stevens was married November 24, 1877, to Miss Olive Tyler, a daughter of Henry C. and Tirzah (Moss) Tyler of Griswold, Connecticut. He attends the Methodist church and his wife is a member of the Congregational church. In politics Mr. Stevens has always been a democrat since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and at the polls he gives earnest allegiance to the party.

CHARLES E. DEAN.

Charles E. Dean is actively identified with manufacturing interests at Putnam, where he is one of those who have charge of what is known as the John M. Dean division of the Otto Heineman Phonograph Supply Company. The plant is devoted to the manufac- ture of pins, phonograph needles and kindred lines and was established by the father of Charles E. Dean.

The latter was born in Leeds, England, November 1, 1870, a son of John M. and Mary (Dudley) Dean, by whom he was brought to America in early boyhood, the family home being established in Lowell, Massachusetts, where he acquired his education in the public schools. Throughout his entire life he has been associated with his father in business until the father's recent retirement and the sale of the business of the John M. Dean Company to the Otto Heineman Phonograph Supply Company. His father hav- ing established a pin manufactory, Charles E. Dean became an active worker at the plant, taking up the manufacturing end of the business, with which he became thor- oughly acquainted as the years passed on. His duties and responsibilities were increased

CHARLES E. DEAN

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as he mastered the various phases of the business, which was established by his father in Lowell in 1899, at which time he undertook the manufacture of textile pins, talking machine needles, comb, faller, feeder and card pins. The business was begun on a small scale but the trade steadily grew and in 1910 the plant was removed to Putnam, where buildings were erected especially for the purpose. Still the patronage increased and in 1913 the business was incorporated under the name of the John M. Dean Com- pany, Incorporated, with the father, John M. Dean, as the treasurer, John M. Dean, Jr., as the secretary, and Charles E. Dean as the president. The business greatly increased and the trade grew by leaps and bounds after the present war put a stop to importation of goods of this character from Europe. The company maintained the highest standards in the excellence of its product and the output was sold all over the world. In September, 1917, the company sold the business to the Otto Heineman Phonograph Supply Company, but the two brothers, John M. and Charles E. Dean, were retained as managers of what is now known as the John M. Dean division. Their broad experience and comprehensive knowledge of the trade well qualifies them for the duties which are devolving upon them in this connection.

On the 21st of December, 1898, Charles E. Dean was united in marriage to Miss Marion Elliott, of Fulton, New York. She was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, but acquired her education in Fulton, New York, while spending her girlhood days there in the home of her parents, William and Harriet (Franklin) Elliott. Her father was engaged in the dyeing trade but has now passed away, while Mrs. Elliott is living with her daughter, Mrs. Dean, in Putnam. Mr. and Mrs. Dean have become parents of one child, Elliott Dudley, who was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, in March, 1902.

In his political views Mr. Dean has always been a republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. Fraternally he is connected with Putnam Lodge, No. 574, B. P. O. E., and is the present exalted ruler. He also belongs to Quinebaug Lodge, No. 106, A. F. & A. M .; Putnam Chapter, No. 41, R. A. M .; Montgomery Council, R. & S. M., of Danielson, Connecticut; Columbia Commandery, No. 4, K. T., of Norwich, Con- necticut; and the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and he is classed with that progressive and alert element in the citizenship of Putnam that is bringing about radical changes not only in connection with its manufacturing and business affairs but also in the methods of conducting municipal. interests and upholding the highest civic standards.

CHARLES R. UTLEY.

Charles R. Utley, now living retired in Windham, was for forty years engaged in business at Willimantic as a dealer in books and stationery. He was born at Chaplin, Connecticut, December 2, 1839, a son of James R. and Almira (Holt) Utley, who were also natives of Chaplin. The father, after acquiring his education there, devoted his life to farming, his labors being ended in death in 1896. For more than two decades he had survived his wife, who died in 1875. They were the parents of two children, the younger being Helen A., the widow of Dr. Orin Witter, of Chaplin, and now a resident of Hartford, Connecticut.

Charles R. Utley attended the district schools of Chaplin and a select school in his native village. He afterward worked upon the home farm for his father until 1871, when he took up his abode in Windham, where he conducted a general store for about four years. In 1879 he removed to Willimantic and opened a store for the sale of books, stationery and kindred lines at 684 Main street and remained proprietor thereof for about forty years or until his retirement on the 1st of July, 1919, when he closed out his business and took up his abode in Windham.

At Windham, on the 11th of November, 1863, Mr. Utley was married to Miss Annie E. Robins, a daughter of John W. and Anne Robins. They had a family of three chil- dren: Herbert D., who married Clara Cottrell, of New London, Connecticut, and is now engaged in the stationery printing business there; Marion, who died in 1881; and Annie M., who is the wife of Dr. Albert E. Woehnert, of Buffalo, New York, by whom she has three children-Emily, Nancy and Marion. Mr. and Mrs. Herbert D. Utley are the parents of three children: Marion, Elizabeth and Evelyn. Mrs. Annie E. Utley passed away in 1875. Four years later, in 1879, Mr. Utley was married to Abbie L. Swift, of Windham, Connecticut, daughter of William and Harriet (Byrne) Swift and a sister of Rear Admiral William Swift of the United States navy, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work.

Mrs. Utley is the only surviving sister of Admiral Swift. By her marriage she has become the mother of three children. Walter B., born December 18, 1881, died in 1916. Helen L., born in November, 1884, is the wife of Dr. Chester Cole, of Brooklyn, New

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York, by whom she has two children, Elizabeth and Barbara. Rowland, born Septem- ber 10, 1886, wedded Mary Larrabee, of Willimantic, and is now a lumber salesman of Chicago, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Rowland Utley have one child, Dorothy.

Mr. Utley gives his political allegiance to the republican party and he has served as a member of the board of burgesses of Willimantic, also as alderman of his city and as chairman of the board for two years. He attends and supports the Congrega- tional church.

JOHN AVERY GALLUP.

An excellent farm property of two hundred acres situated near the village of Plainfield is owned and operated by John Avery Gallup, now recognized as one of the progressive young farmers of Windham county. He was born in Sterling, Connecticut, October 6, 1896, a son of Herbert and Martha E. (Palmer) Gallup, also of Sterling. The father attended the public schools there and later in Plainfield, where he completed his education. Subsequently he worked as a farm hand in the town of Plainfield and after- ward removed to Woodstock, Connecticut, where he engaged in the meat business for a number of years. At a subsequent period he conducted a meat market in various localities and eventually removed to the town of Plainfield, where he opened a market in 1908. In the intervening period of more than eleven years he has conducted his busi- ness with constantly growing success. He has a well appointed establishment with every facility for the sanitary care of the meat, and his sales now reach a gratifying figure. To Mr. and Mrs. Gallup have been born three children: John Avery, Helen P. and Lewis H.

In the acquirement of his education John A. Gallup attended the public schools of Plainfield and passed through consecutive grades to the Plainfield high school. When his education was completed he began working for his father and later he bought a farm of two hundred acres near the village of Plainfield, known as the Newton Farm. Throughout the intervening period he has since carried on general agricultural pursuits and has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation, annually gathering rich harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the land. He also carries on dairying and has a herd of thirty head of fine cattle, mostly Ayrshires, which he is breeding. Everything about the place indicates his progressive spirit. There is modern farm machinery and all the equipment and accessories incident to the model farm of the twentieth century.

At Plainfield, Connecticut, on the 8th of November, 1918, Mr. Gallup was married to Miss Alice Nella Bradford, a daughter of George and Nella (Babcock) Bradford, and granddaughter of William S. Babcock, of Plainfield, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work.

In politics Mr. Gallup maintains an independent course, voting for men and meas- ures rather than party. He and his family attend the Plainfield Congregational church. He is a wide-awake, alert and enterprising young business man and one who has already made for himself a most creditable position in agricultural circles.

WALLACE NELSON JEWETT.

Wallace Nelson Jewett is following farming in the town of Hampton, Connecticut. He was born at Clarks Corner, in this town, June 26, 1870, and is a son of Allen and Fannie (Wheeler) Jewett, mentioned elsewhere in this work. He obtained a district school education and in early life took up the work of farming, entering the employ of Samuel Bennett, a noted educator, whose farm is situated in the south end of the town of Hampton. For four years Mr. Jewett remained in that position and during that time never left the farm over night. He afterward bought the Asa Whitter farm in the Bigelow district and carried on general agricultural pursuits there for five years, at the end of which time he sold out and accepted the position of superintendent of the farm of J. Alden Weir, the noted artist, giving his attention to agricultural pursuits on the Weir estate at Windham Center, the farm comprising two hundred and fifty acres. He was in charge there for two years and then went to Columbia county, New York, where he was foreman for the A. S. Haight estate, comprising sixteen hundred acres near Lebanon Springs and devoted to sheep raising and dairying. Upon the farm was a herd of three hundred cows and five hundred sheep. This was an extensive prop- osition to manage. Mr. Jewett remained there for a year, after which he returned to Hampton, where he did farming and contract teaming for the Tuttle Brick Company

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of Middletown, who were getting out wood from the forests at Hampton. Mr. Jewett hauled wood for that company under contract. Eventually he purchased a farm of one hundred acres on Hampton hill, at the south end of Hampton street, in 1912 and be- gan farming and stock raising on his own account. He gets out wood, lumber and logs for the Tuttle Brick Company and at the same time he carefully manages his farm- ing interests, which are profitably conducted. By civil service commission he was appointed to the position of foreman of repairs on the state road for the district from the city limits of New London to the city limits of Norwich. On leaving that position he became connected with the Groton Iron Works at Groton, Connecticut, and was there engaged in shipbuilding during the war. He has since returned home, where he is giving his attention to his farming interests and to his lumber business.

On the 25th of January, 1893, Mr. Jewett was married to Miss Winnie E. Fisher at Providence, Rhode Island, where she was born and remained to the time of her mar- riage. She is a noted pianist, recognized as one of the most talented in Connecticut, and was a teacher of music prior to her marriage. She is a daughter of John and Sarah (Perrigo) Fisher, the former a native of New Hampshire and the latter of Scotland, Connecticut. Her father was a railroad engineer and machinist and both he and his wife are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Jewett had one child, Frank Allen, who was born in Hampton, September 28, 1899, and passed away on December 22, 1901.

In politics Mr. Jewett is a stalwart supporter of democratic principles and for two years he served on the board of relief at Hampton and at his last election was nom- inated by both the democratic and progressive parties. He has also acted as grand juror. He closely studies vital questions and issues and has made a particular study of taxation. He believes the present system of taxation in country towns to be wrong, the taxes not being shared equally by all who benefit thereby, and when he served on the board of relief he labored earnestly toward equalizing tax assessments in the

town. This resulted in a thorough readjustment of Hampton's tax assessments and was bitterly opposed by those who hitherto had escaped some of the taxation which they should bear. One of the cases in question was taken to court, where Mr. Jewett's method was upheld by the superior court of Connecticut. He has appeared before the taxation committee of the state legislature in the interests of taxation. He was a mem- ber of the executive committee of the Connecticut State Tax Officials Association. He believes in single tax-a tax on land only and not on improvements and does not in- dorse a tax on thrift.

Fraternally Mr. Jewett is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He was also one of the first to be initiated into the mysteries of the Grange in Windham county, being connected with the Little River Grange at Hampton. He is a man of broad intelligence, giving earnest study to every question that he believes to be of vital interest to the community. He possesses a broad humanitarian spirit that has prompted generous contribution to the poor and needy, ever extending a helping hand where it is possible to do so and endeavoring at all times to assist others on the journey of life.

WILLIAM HARRISON SARGENT, M. D.

Dr. William Harrison Sargent, residing at Moosup, was long connected with the practice of medicine but is now living retired, enjoying a well earned rest after many years of devoted service in the interests of his fellowmen. He was born in Hubbards- ton, Massachusetts, May 9, 1839, and has therefore passed the eighty-first milestone on life's journey. His parents were F. F. and Susan Hove (Rice) Sargent, both of whom were also natives of Hubbardston.

Spending his youthful days under the parental roof in his native city, Dr. Sar- gent there attended the public schools and as he neared young manhood he determined to make the practice of medicine his life work. With that end in view he matriculated in the Eclectic Medical College of Chicago, Illinois, from which he was graduated with the class of 1876. Because of impaired health he then joined the United States police force, with which he was connected until 1878. This enabled him to live out of doors practically all of the time and he was much benefited thereby. In 1878 he returned to his old home at Hubbardston, Massachusetts, and began studying the drug business. In the year 1880 he removed to Moosup and began practice as a phy- sician and surgeon. He also established the first drug store in the town of Plainfield and continued the conduct of the business in connection with his medical practice until 1904, when he disposed of his drug business to his son, William G. Sargent. In 1895 Dr. Sargent purchased a piece of land from Dr. F. S. Burgess and built thereon the Sargent block, which is situated on Main street in Moosup and is two and a half

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stories in height. The upper story was used as his residence. Dr. Sargent continued actively in the practice of medicine until July 1, 1919, when he retired from pro- fessional life and is now enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly de- serves.

In 1867 Dr. Sargent was married to Miss Fannie E. Clark, of Hubbardston, Massa- chusetts, and they had one son, Willie Gilmore. For his second wife Dr. Sargent chose Mettie L. Davis, of Providence, Rhode Island, whom he wedded at Moosup on the 14th of March, 1883. They became the parents of two children: Pearl Estelle, whose birth occurred December 7, 1885; and Reinald Harrison, who was born October 14, 1888. The wife and mother passed away June 5, 1916.

In politics Dr. Sargent has always been an earnest republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party and doing everything in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence. He is a member of Moosup Lodge, No. 113, A. F. and A. M., and in 1903 he erected and gave to the lodge the building which is now known as the Masonic Hall. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and in these asso- ciations are indicated the rules which have governed his conduct and shaped his re- lations to his fellow man. While in active practice he was continually extending a helping hand to those who needed assistance. He responded with the same willing- ness to the call of the poor as well as of the rich and never refused to give his profes- sional aid where it was needed. His career has been fraught with good deeds, making his life of great usefulness and worth to the community in which he has so long made his home.

FRED WARREN CUNNINGHAM.

Fred Warren Cunningham, a farmer and cattle dealer of the town of Pomfret, was born in Norfolk, Massachusetts, February 18, 1864, and is a son of Alexander Washing- ton and Harriet Martin (Jones) Cunningham. The father, a native of Baltimore, Mary- land, was born in 1816 and there obtained his education. He became a civil engineer and was employed by the Boston, Hartford & Erie Railroad, now a part of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad system. He surveyed this road from Boston to Southbridge, Massachusetts, at the time the latter place was the terminal of the line. He later worked in a granite quarry at Sharon, Massachusetts, and was killed by some falling stone. His wife was born in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, and passed away at East Providence Center, Rhode Island.

Fred Warren Cunningham, spending his youthful days in Norfolk, Massachusetts, to the age of nine years, there began his education and afterward went to Hyde Park, Massachusetts, where the family home was then maintained. Following the father's death the mother removed with her family to East Providence Center, Rhode Island. While at Hyde Park, Mr. Cunningham worked as a newsboy and telegraph messenger and thus made his initial step in the business world. Following the removal to East Providence Center he engaged in farming and also ran a meat wagon. He further ex- tended his business activities by trading in cattle and thus remained an active factor in the business circles of that locality until 1890, when he removed to Pomfret and pur- chased the Captain Pellet farm, upon which he lived for fourteen years, the property being situated near Elliott Station. During that period he carefully and systematically cultivated and developed the farm, which, however, he sold in 1903. He then pur- chased the Marshall farm of three hundred acres, adjoining the Pellet place, and has since carried on' general farming and stock raising and is now extensively engaged in dealing in cattle, handling a large number of cows annually. His business affairs have reached gratifying proportions, bringing to him a substantial annual income. In busi- ness matters he displays sound judgment as well as undaunted enterprise, which, com- bined with his progressiveness, have been salient features in the attainment of his present prosperity.

Mr. Cunningham has been married twice. In 1891, at East Providence, Rhode Island, he wedded Miss Mary Irving, who passed away in 1894. On the 10th of June, 1896, he married Miss Annie Irving, a sister of his first wife, their wedding being celebrated in the town of Pomfret. Her death occurred October 23, 1912. She and her sister were daughters of Thomas and Marion N. (Small) Irving, natives of Nova Scotia, whence they came to the United States, where Mr. Irving followed farming. To Mr. Cunningham's second marriage was born a son, Harold Earl, whose birth occurred in Abington, in the town of Pomfret, September 6, 1898. He is now associated with his father on the home farm.

In politics Mr. Cunningham is a democrat and he has filled several local offices, serv- ing as tax assessor. town auditor and member of the school committee. His religious

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faith is that of the Baptist church. He is deeply interested in all that pertains to the welfare and upbuilding of the district in which he makes his home and gives earnest aid and support to various plans and measures for the general good. His business af- fairs, however, claim the major part of his time and energy and his son Harold is now associated with him in business and has been a prominent factor in winning for the firm its well deserved reputation as prominent cattle dealers. They handle a very large amount of stock annually, and the sound judgment which they display in their purchases and sales has made their business a very profitable one.

REV. IGNATIUS KOST.

Rev. Ignatius Kost, pastor of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church at Dayville and also of the Church of the Five Wounds at Ballouville, Connecticut, is a native of Bavaria, Germany, his birth having occurred June 16, 1866, in the village of Hoefen, near Bam- berg. He is a son of Ignatius Kost, who devoted his life to farming and came of a family that through various generations has engaged in tilling the soil. To him and his wife, Kunigunda, were born five children, two of whom died in infancy.

When Rev. Ignatius Kost was a little lad of six years he became a pupil in the parish school, which he attended for three years and afterward became a student in the Bamberg high school. Meritorious scholarship brought him the opportunity of becoming a student in the Academy of Munnerstadt in Germany, where he displayed special aptitude in his studies, eagerly embracing the opportunity of pursuing a more advanced course. He mastered the branches of classical learning and became an apt French scholar. From this school, which was conducted by the Augustinian Fathers, he was graduated in 1886 and the following year he entered upon the inevitable military duty that Germany im- poses. While thus engaged he devoted every leisure moment to the study of philosophy. His desire to become a representative of the priesthood was awakened by Father De Bruycker, pastor of St. Joseph's church in Willimantic, Connecticut, who was visiting in Germany and spoke of the need of a German priest to attend to the Catholics of that nationality in his parish. Rev. Kost then volunteered to study theology and prepare for that work in America. He met parental opposition to this plan but in time this was overcome and he went to Louvain, Belgium, where he was graduated in philosophy and French in St. Michael's Seminary. He afterward studied English and theology in the American Seminary, completing his course when twenty-two years of age. Because of his comparative youth consent had to be obtained from the bishop and from the authori- ties at Rome before he could be ordained to the priesthood, but on the 24th of June, 1889, he received holy orders at the hands of the Bishop of Covington, Kentucky, who was then a visitor in Belgium. He celebrated his first mass July 7, 1889, in his native town and temporarily served the parish there, but in September of the same year bade adieu to friends and native country and sailed for America to undertake the work to which he had dedicated his life. Upon reporting to Bishop McMahon of the Hartford diocese he was sent to Willimantic to assist Father De Bruycker and afterward had charge of the parish for a brief period, when he was assigned to duty as assistant to Father Van Oppen, of the French Catholic church at Meriden, the congregation there also including many German Catholics. He thus became thoroughly familiar with the needs of his people and in 1891 organized the German Church of St. Mary's and a building was erected which served both for church and school. Later as the attendance at the school increased another building was erected and the school was placed in charge of two Sisters of Notre Dame from Baltimore. Frequent additions and improvements were made to the church edifice and other church property under the direction of Father Kost, who remained at Meriden until 1900, when he visited the land of his birth and while in Europe gave further attention to the study of modern languages. He then returned to the Connecticut diocese and became pastor of St. Mary's church at South Coventry in Tolland county. In 1911 he was transferred to St. Joseph's church in Dayville, where he succeeded the Rev. Father Grenier, who had died while serving as pastor there. Shortly before Father Kost took charge, St. Joseph's church had suffered from a fire and upon him devolved the duty of repairing and redecorating the church, which work he energetically undertook, soon producing good results in that connection. He also installed a new modern heating plant and made many excellent improvements in the church and in the parish house. He also organized the Holy Name Society of St. Joseph's church and he has thoroughly systema- tized the work of the church in its different branches and the various societies are well organized and in good working condition.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 94

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