A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 95

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

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Father Kost is an accomplished linguist, speaking various modern languages, in- cluding, French, German, English, Polish, Russian, Greek and Spanish, and he delivers his sermons in both English and French at St. Joseph's, for about one-half of his parish-

REV. IGNATIUS KOST

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ioners are French. He is a most democratic man, greatly loved by the people who come under his teaching and respected by both Catholics and Protestants alike. A broad- minded man, he is continually reaching out along lines of helpfulness for the individual and for the community and his zealous work in behalf of the Catholic faith has been productive of most excellent results.

FRANK M. BENOIT.

Frank M. Benoit, who since 1906 has been numbered among the active business men of Putnam, now giving his attention in large measure to the development of the Central Auto Supply Station and the upbuilding of a trade in that connection, was born in Pomfret, Connecticut, May 8, 1876, a son of Louis and Margaret (Canet) Benoit, the former a native of France and the latter of Canada. The father on leaving France crossed the Atlantic to Canada in his boyhood days and there learned the baker's trade in Montreal, where he continued to work for a number of years. When about thirty years of age he crossed the border into the United States and made his way to Putnam, Connecticut, where he engaged in the bakery business for a few years. Later he re- moved to Pomfret, where he took up the occupation of farming, continuing in active connection with agricultural interests until a few years ago, when he retired from active work, now making his home in Putnam. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Benoit are : Louis, who was born in Canada while his mother was visiting there but was brought to the United States during his infancy and is now deceased; one other who died in childhood; Frank M., of this review; Henry; Rena; Celia; Rosie; and Laura.

Frank M. Benoit was educated in the schools of Pomfret, Connecticut, and when still a youth removed to Putnam and entered the employ of Bosworth Brothers, whole- sale grain dealers on Main street. He remained with that firm for about four years and then entered the employ of Ballard & Clark, hardware merchants, with whom he was connected for about five years. In 1906 he embarked in business independently, opening a cafe on Providence street in Putnam, and has continued in this successfully but has recently become interested in the auto supply business and has opened a place on Front street under the name of the Central Auto Supply Station. He is enjoying sub- stantial success in the development of his business there and it has already reached gratifying proportions.

On the 14th of June, 1897, in Putnam, Mr. Benoit was married to Miss Evaline Gomond, who was born in Putnam, a daughter of John and Ida (Dragon) Gomond. Their children are: Louis, who was born in Putnam, December 25, 1898, and now con- ducts the supply station for his father; and Edward, who was born in Putnam, November 19, 1914.

Mr. Benoit holds membership with the Moose Club, is a member of St. Mary's church and in his political views is a republican. He stands for all that is progressive and worth while in citizenship and his aid and influence are ever on the side of progress and improvement where the welfare of the community is concerned. In business he has made steady progress and has justly won the proud American title of a self-made man.

MACK CHINNIE MOTT.

For nine years Mack Chinnie Mott has been engaged in the grocery business on Main street in Moosup, in which connection he has developed a large trade from a small beginning. He was born in Sunbury, New Brunswick, Canada, November 29, 1870, his parents being James Edward and Sarah (Boone) Mott. The father, also a native of Sunbury, New Brunswick, spent his youthful days in the acquirement of his education and in the work of the home farm, and later he took over the management of the farm property, which he conducted for several years. At the age of forty he came with his family to the United States, settling at Occum, Connecticut, where he was employed in the woolen mills. He afterward removed to Hanover, Connecticut, where he worked in a woolen mill for four years, and then went to Moosup, Connecticut, where he was em- ployed in the mills of the American Woolen Company for a considerable period, con- tinuing his residence in Moosup to the time of his demise. His wife was also a native of Sunbury, New Brunswick, Canada, and the ancestry of the Boone family can be traced back through several centuries in Scotland. Mrs. Mott also departed this life in Moosup. Their family numbered nine children, of whom six are yet living.

Mack C. Mott began his education in the public schools near his father's home. He came with the family across the border in 1881 and has since been a resident of Con-

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necticut. He, too, obtained employment in the woolen mills, working at various places and remaining with his father until the family home was established in Moosup in 1888. Here he secured a situation with the American Woolen Mills Company, with whom he continued for a short period, and later he spent six years as an employe in the store of E. Batty. He was afterward with Charles Salsbury, a grocer and hardware merchant, for nine years and thus became well acquainted with the hardware trade. In 1909 he established a small grocery store and as the years have passed he has developed his business until he now has one of the large and high grade grocery stores of the city, occupying a part of the Telephone building on Main street. He carries an attractive line of staple and fancy groceries, and his reasonable prices and his earnest desire to please his customers have brought to him a gratifying trade that brings to him a- substantial annual income.

In 1891, at Moosup, Mr. Mott was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Pettit, who died at that place in March, 1897, and on the 1st of December, 1903, he was again mar- ried in Moosup, his second union being with Miss Lena M. Johnson, a daughter of Stephen and Phoebe (Fish) Johnson, of Rhode Island. By the second marriage there is one son, Ernest Johnson.

In politics Mr. Mott is a republican. He and his wife are active members of the Union-Plainfield Baptist church at Moosup, of which he is a deacon, and for the past several years has also been superintendent of the Sunday school. They occupy an en- viable position in social circles, for their good qualities have gained them the friend- ship and warm regard of all who know them.

THOMAS MORTON HILLS, M. D.

Dr. Thomas Morton Hills, who was the dean of the medical profession of Willi- mantic when death called him on the 23d of January, 1909, had practiced in the city from 1866 and throughout the entire period to the time of his demise had occupied a position of leadership by reason of his careful preparation, his wide study and his con- tinued scientific research and investigation. He ever held to the highest standards of the profession and was most careful to conform his practice to its most advanced ethics. At the same time he was a man who in every relation of life enjoyed the respect and confidence of his fellows by reason of a kindly spirit, a generous disposition and a uniform courtesy which he extended to all.

Dr. Hills was born at Lovell, Maine, May 12, 1839, and was a direct descendant of William Hills, one of the founders of Hartford, Connecticut. His father, the Rev. Israel Hills, was for many years a prominent clergyman of Maine, but after a quarter of a century devoted to the work of the ministry his health failed and he removed from Maine to Bolton, Connecticut, in 1854, there continuing to reside until called to his final rest on the 6th of September, 1874.

Dr. Hills was fortunate in having back of him an ancestry honorable and dis- tinguished and was happy in that his lines of life were cast in harmony therewith. He prepared for college in the East Windsor Hill Academy and after determining upon the practice of medicine as a life work he spent nine months in reading under the direc- tion of Dr. S. F. Pomeroy, of Staffordville. He next entered Yale University as a med- ical student and at the close of his first course of lectures he became office assistant to Dr. P. A. Jewett and Dr. T. B. Townsend, both of whom were eminent surgeons, the former being professor of diseases of women at Yale, while both he and Dr. Townsend had large experience in surgical work. Dr. Jewett was in charge of the Knight Military Hospital at New Haven and Dr. Hills became his active assistant there, so that he had splendid opportunity for securing valuable surgical training and thus developed powers which were of great value to him in his later practice.

Following the outbreak of the Civil war Dr. Hills in October, 1862, went to the front as first assistant surgeon of the Twenty-seventh Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. At Fredericksburg, Dr. Hills was a member of the operating corps of surgeons located in the hospital nearest the battlefield and occupying a most exposed position. He was almost continuously at the operating table from 10:30 in the morning on Saturday until nine o'clock on the following Monday night. The last patient was conveyed across the Rappahannock to the general hospital at that time and at three o'clock the next morning orders were received to move on, at which time the brave little band of three surgeons, three hospital stewards and three ambulance drivers started across the pon- toon bridge, which was destroyed behind them. Dr. Hills was accorded his medical de- gree in 1863 and went at once to Norfolk, Virginia, in answer to a call from the mayor of that city for physicians. In May, 1864, he left Norfolk to become chief surgeon and agent for Drs. Brown and Alexander, government embalmers to armies operating against

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Richmond. For them he opened an office at Bermuda Hundred and City Point and later went near the Petersburg front. On the day when Richmond fell he had decided to locate in that city and he accepted an invitation to go from Bermuda Hundred to the fallen Confederate capital on the government side-wheeled tub Blackbird, which was the first craft to pass through Dutch Gap and proceed up the James river over torpedoes, through obstructive spiling, between sunken vessels and past the recently destroyed monitors of the Confederacy.

Dr. Hills continued in the private practice of medicine at Richmond for a year and was also connected with the Freedmen's Bureau there, at the same time having charge of the Chimborazo hospital. The attitude of the south, however, made his residence there uncongenial and he returned to the north, opening his office at Willimantic, Con- necticut, in 1866. Throughout the intervening years to the time of his death he re- mained an active practitioner of medicine and surgery in this city and long occupied' a position of leadership not only in the length of but also in the character of his pro- fessional service. His entrance into a sickroom was like a ray of sunshine. He was al- ways cheerful, kindly and encouraging and his very presence as well as his professional aid acted as a tonic to those in need of his services. In 1870 he was appointed local surgeon for the New York & New England, the New York, New Haven & Hartford and the Central Vermont Railroads and gave long years of service to his duties in that con- nection, performing many important surgical operations upon the railroad men. In 1888 he built a large private hospital on North street in Willimantic, there maintaining his home and his office to the time of his demise. The first floor was splendidly equipped for operations and the care of patients and the hospital was continually full of those who needed his assistance. Dr. Hills was a member of the Windham County Medical Society and of the Connecticut Medical Association and of the latter was elected presi- dent in 1887. He became a life member of the American Medical Association in 1870 and also became a member of the National Association of Railway Surgeons in that year. One who knew him and was a fellow practitioner said of him following his death: "He was the dean of the medical profession of this vicinity, having been a permanent resident here since 1866 in the uninterrupted pursuit of his chosen profes- sion. He has made always a specialty of gynecology and surgery, being well equipped with private hospital facilities, and he was especially noted for his inventive success and genius, having made many kinds of splints and surgical dressings, made in his own workshop and under his personal supervision. .... He was wedded to his pro- fessional rather than his social life but was public-spirited in many ways, was of high professional standing and of excellent character and discreet judgment in his daily in- tercourse with his associates."

On the 6th of June, 1862, in New Haven, Dr. Hills was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Hill, daughter of the Rev. William and Mary B. Hill, of that city. They became the parents of but one child, Minnie Morton, who was born December 8, 1863, and passed away ten days before the death of her mother at Norfolk, Virginia, January 16, 1864. On the 7th of July, 1864, Dr. Hills was married at New Castle, Delaware, to Laura S. Heath, of Magothy, Anne Arundel county, Maryland, and they became the parents of four children: Arthur Thomas, who died in Baltimore in 1898; William Morton, who passed away at Willimantic in 1886; Mary Lucinda, now Mrs. Dickerson G. Baker, of Willimantic; and Dr. Laura Heath Hills, also of Willimantic.

Dr. Hills always gave his political support to the republican party from the time when he cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He was greatly interested in the success of his party because of his firm belief in its principles, but he had no time nor inclination to hold public office. He always stood loyally for every cause or interest which he believed to be of benefit to the community, was an interested sup- porter of the Board of Trade and did everything in his power to advance the general welfare. One of his most recent public acts prior to his death was his effort to maintain the purity of a spring near the town. He belonged to the Congregational church and guided his life by its teachings. He was deeply interested in history, especially that concerning his town and state, and he possessed an extensive collection of historical books and documents and historic articles. When his professional activities gave him a little leisure he turned to gardening and horticulture for rest and recreation and found the keenest delight in developing flowers and vegetables in his large garden north of Bolivia street.

Of him it has been said: "He was a remarkably well read man, keeping well posted on many subjects. His courtesy was never-failing and his charities were far-reaching and intelligently dispensed. He was a faithful physician, a skilled surgeon, a broad- minded man and a public-spirited citizen. In his death, therefore, the community has sustained a great loss." Another said of him: "Pen would fail to portray many ster- ling qualities of this man's individuality. Naturally endowed with a pleasing manner,

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a commanding physique and a gentlemanly presence, these all rendered more strik- ing the charms of his personality.

A whiter soul, a fairer mind, A life with purer course and aim, A gentler eye-a voice most kind, We may not look on earth to find- The love that lingers o'er his name Is paramount, and more than fame."

Abraham Lincoln said: "There is something better than making a living-making a life" and this is what Dr. T. Morton Hills did-a life that measured up to the highest standards of manhood and citizenship, that sought ever the good of his fellowmen and the welfare of his community, a life that was constantly reaching out in helpfulness to those who needed assistance.

LAURA HEATH HILLS, M. D.

The name of Hills has been an honored one in connection with medical practice at Willimantic for more than half a century, for in her professional career Dr. Laura Heath Hills is following in the footsteps of an honored father, Dr. T. Morton Hills, who for many years was a most successful physician and surgeon of this place and who is mentioned at length on another page of this work. Dr. Laura H. Hills was born at Willimantic, March 1, 1872, and pursued her education in the public schools, while later she attended the Windham high school. Determining to engage in the practice of med- icine, she then became a student in the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, from which she was graduated with the M. D. degree in 1896. She after- ward returned to Willimantic, opened an office and through the intervening period has been engaged in the work of the profession, now enjoying a large practice. For some time she had the benefit of association with and advice from her father, Dr. T. Morton Hills, long an eminent physician of Willimantic and the dean of the profession here at the time of his death in 1909. Dr. Hills of this review during the World war served on the advisory board of the local draft board. She is a member of the Willimantic Medical Association, the Windham County Medical Association and the Connecticut State Medical Association.

WILLIAM WALTER JEWETT.

There are many reasons why William Walter Jewett should be numbered among the representative citizens of Windham county. He belongs to one of the oldest families of the town of Hampton, is actively identified with the agricultural interests of this sec- tion of the state and has figured prominently in connection with public affairs, serving now as supervisor of roads in the town of Hampton and as member of the state legis- lature from Windham county.

His birth occurred in Hampton, January 12, 1870, his parents being Lester Ham- mond and Sarah (Burnham) Jewett. The father was born in Hampton, Connecticut, where he obtained a district school education and devoted his life to farming and team- ing. He was also a representative to the state legislature and was the first selectman in the town of Hampton, serving on the board for several years. He likewise filled minor offices and at all times was a loyal supporter of plans and projects for the general good. He died in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1917. His wife was born in Hampton, where she has spent her entire life, now living on the old homestead.

William W. Jewett obtained his education in the district schools of Hampton and in early manhood followed farming on his father's home place for a few years. He after- ward removed to Waterbury, Connecticut, where he engaged in farm work, and he was similarly employed in other sections of the state. He also worked in stores and clerked for a time in local stores in Hampton. In the fall of 1896 he purchased farm land in the north end of Hampton, near Hampton Station, and continued the further develop- ment and cultivation of that place until ten years ago, when he rented his land to others and removed to Springfield, Massachusetts. There he worked for the E. Stebbins Man- ufacturing Company, manufacturers of brass goods and plumbing supplies. Later he returned to Hampton and occupied a position in a local store until he bought a home on Hampton hill. Here he has since remained save for a short period which he passed in

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Springfield, Massachusetts. He is now giving his attention to agricultural interests and has a well developed farm property.

On the 7th of March, 1892, in Willimantic, Connecticut, Mr. Jewett was married to Miss May Robinson, who was born in Mendham, New Jersey, and obtained her educa- tion in the schools of that state. She is a daughter of Marius and Margaret Ann (Garabrant) Robinson, the former a native of Hampton, Connecticut, and a brother of Dr. Rienzi Robinson, of Danielson. Marius Robinson went to New Jersey when twenty- one years of age and was married there. He followed school teaching at Hampton in early life and later in New Jersey and was for some time engaged in merchandising in Mendham, New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Jewett have had a family of three children. Mar- ius Robinson, born in Waterbury, Connecticut, February 19, 1893, is now with the Aetna Insurance Company of Hartford. He was in the Headquarters Company of the Twenty- sixth Division of the American Expeditionary Force, being connected with the army for two years, of which period nineteen months were spent in France. He went across with a machine gun company of the Twenty-sixth Division but was afterward transferred to the Headquarters Company of that division. Margaret Sarah, who was born in Hampton, April 7, 1896, was graduated from the Willimantic high school and the West- field (Mass.) Normal School and for three years taught in Amherst, Massachusetts, and for a year at Dedham, Massachusetts, while at the present time she is teaching at New- ton Highlands, Massachusetts. The son is also a graduate of the Willimantic high school. Isola Annetta, born in Hampton, April 20, 1895, died at Springfield, Massachusetts, May 30, 1901.

In politics Mr. Jewett is a republican and has served on the board of relief, also as grand juror and in the fall of 1918 was elected to represent his district in the state legislature, where he served in the session of 1919 as a member of the claims committee. He attends the Congregational church of Hampton and is serving on the church com- mittee. He also has membership in Little River Grange, with which he has been iden- tified for thirty-two years and of which he is a past master and past secretary. He is a man of high personal worth, respected by all who know him. At the present writing he is serving as supervisor of roads in the town of Hampton and there is no doubt as to the efficiency which he will display in this connection, for it is a well known fact that he is loyal to every trust reposed in him.

JOHN GOODELL BILL.

John Goodell Bill is a well known merchant of Willimantic. Few men of his years remain actively in business, for Mr. Bill has passed the seventy-second milestone on life's journey. In spirit and interests, however, he seems yet in his prime. Old age should not as a matter of course suggest idleness nor want of occupation. There is an old age which grows stronger and brighter mentally and morally as the years go on and gives out of its rich stores of wisdom and experience for the benefit of others. Such is his record, and it is one which has won for him the high respect and honor of those with whom he has been associated.

A son of Lester and Mary (Goodell) Bill, both of whom have passed away, he was born in Chaplin, Connecticut, July 23, 1845, and his youthful days were devoted to the acquirement of a district school education and to farm work, the former occupying his attention through the winter months, while the summer seasons were devoted to the labors of the fields. He continued to assist on the farm until he reached the age of eighteen years. He attended high school but did not graduate, and his more advanced lessons have been pursued in the practical school of experience. After leaving home he was employed in a paper mill for a year or more and then started for the west, spending several years in the state of Minnesota, where he engaged in farming until he reached the age of twenty-six. His removal was made for the benefit of his health, which was greatly improved by the change, and when sufficiently restored he returned to Willi- mantic, being at that time about twenty-six years of age. Here he purchased a soda water business and entered into a partnership relation, under the firm style of Edgerton & Bill, but after a year disposed of his interest in that business. He then removed to Danielson, Connecticut, where he carried on a similar enterprise for eight years, after which he disposed of his soda water manufacturing plant. For a year thereafter he acted as agent for the Adams Express Company and then turned his attention to the trucking business. Again taking up his abode in Willimantic, he devoted two years to the conduct of an ice business but on the expiration of that period sold out and accepted the position of superintendent of streets, in which capacity he served for a year. Later he purchased his present store and has since conducted business as a dealer in stoves, light hardware and similar lines, carrying on the establishment since 1887, or

JOHN G. BILL

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for a period of thirty-one years. He not only sells the lines indicated but also conducts an extensive roofing business as a contractor. Throughout all the intervening period he has enjoyed an extensive and growing patronage, the community recognizing in him a thoroughly reliable merchant and one who has put forth earnest effort to please his customers, therefore deserving the liberal trade which has been accorded him.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 95

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