A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 96

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

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On the 31st of April, 1867, Mr. Bill was married in Chaplin, Connecticut, to Miss Maria E. Lincoln and they have one child, Mrs. Alma M. Bullock, a resident of Cam- bridge, Massachusetts, and the mother of two children, Reynold and Richard.

Mr. Bill votes with the democratic party, which he has long supported, being a firm believer in its principles as factors in good government. He is a charter member of the Odd Fellows lodge of Willimantic and he is well known in Masonic circles, hav- ing taken the degrees of lodge, chapter, council and commandery. He is a prominent Knight Templar, having for two terms served as eminent commander of the command- ery. In his life he exemplifies the beneficent teachings of the craft, which is based upon a recognition of the brotherhood of mankind and the obligations thereby imposed. He is equally loyal as a follower of the Congregational church, he and his wife holding memberships therein. They are highly esteemed in the city, the hospitality of the best homes being freely accorded them, while the good cheer of their own fireside is greatly enjoyed by many who know them.

ARTHUR CLARENCE BENNETT.

Arthur Clarence Bennett, of Canterbury, engaged in the buying of raw furs and railroad ties, was born August 19, 1886, in the town in which he still resides, his father being Elmer E. Bennett, who is likewise a native of Canterbury, where he attended the public schools. He took up the occupation of farming. On February 2, 1885, he was mar- ried to Bertha Pellett, also a native of Canterbury. In 1909 and 1911 he represented his town in the state legislature. He devoted his leisure to the study of veterinary surgery and at length became qualified to practice, after which he removed to Plain- field, Connecticut, where he is now active in the work of the profession.

Arthur C. Bennett is the only child of Dr. Elmer E. Bennett and in the public schools of Canterbury he acquired his education, while later he worked upon the home farm for his father for a number of years, eventually buying for himself what is known as the Francis place at Canterbury Green. There he has since remained and is well known in business circles of that locality.

Mr. Bennett was united in marriage, November 30, 1911, to Miss Dorothy B. Ben- nett, a daughter of A. Hale Bennett, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. A. C. Bennett has been a successful school teacher in Canterbury for several years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bennett belong to Canterbury Grange, No. 70, and they attend the Con- gregational church of Canterbury. In politics he is a republican. In 1919 he was elected to the state legislature, where he served on the fish and game committee. He is keenly interested in all that has to do with the progress and welfare of community and commonwealth, and his aid can be counted upon to further any project calculated for the general good.

GEORGE ALVAH GARDNER.

George Alvah Gardner is the superintendent for the Nightingale Company at Put- nam and as such is a prominent and well known figure in the manufacturing circles of the city. He was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, May 4, 1872, and is a son of George C. and Lucy A. (Schofield) Gardner. The ancestry of the Gardner family can be traced back to 1683, when George Gardner settled at Newport, Rhode Island. George C. Gardner was born at Pawtucket, Massachusetts, now a part of Rhode Island, and there spent his early life, acquiring his education by attendance at the East Greenwich Academy. After his schooldays were over he became an employe in the B. B. & R. Knight mills at White Rock, Rhode Island, and was advanced to the position of overseer of carding. He remained there for several years and eventually was promoted to the posi- tion of superintendent for the company. Removing to Selma, Alabama, he there ac- cepted the superintendency with the Mathews Cotton Company and so served for a period of five years. Returning to New England, he made his way to Lowell, Massa- chusetts, and was superintendent of carding for the Appleton Company for a number of years, while afterward he went to Fitchburg, Massachusetts, as overseer of carding with another company, with which he continued for five years. He retired from active

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business at the age of sixty-five and passed away at Littleton Common, Massachusetts, on the 10th of December, 1912. He had been married twice. His first wife was Betsy Wilcox, who passed away at Whitinsville, Rhode Island. His second wife is now re- siding at Littleton Common. By the first marriage there were born four children and an equal number by the second marriage.

George A. Gardner, whose name introduces this record, attended the public schools of the various towns in which the family lived. He pursued his high school course at Westerly, Rhode Island, and started upon his business career as an employe of the Crompton Company at Crompton, Rhode Island, working in the various departments of the cotton mills and making a thorough study of cotton manufacturing. Gradually he was advanced, winning promotion from time to time until he became overseer of card- ing. He continued with the Crompton Company for a period of twenty-seven years, a fact indicative of his capability, efficiency and fidelity. On the 1st of April, 1919, he came to Putnam to accept the position of superintendent with the Nightingale Company and since taking up this work has introduced many improvements, one of which is a new power plant that is operated by water power, resulting in the conservation of power with a saving of many thousands of dollars annually to the company, for under normal conditions this power will run the whole plant at a cost of about eight dollars per horse power, while by steam power the expense was much greater. Mr. Gardner is also interested in the welfare of the employes, carefully looks after sanitary conditions and everything that will promote the interests of the operatives of the mill.

In his political views Mr. Gardner is a republican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire office. He belongs to the Elks Lodge, No. 14, at Providence, Rhode Island, where he has a wide acquaintance. He attends and supports the Episcopal church, and his life is at all times guided by high and manly principles and is characterized by sterling qualities that have gained for him the respect, confidence and goodwill of all who know him in the various locali- ties in which he has lived.

JOHN HOLDEN LIPPITT.

John Holden Lippitt, engaged in general farming and dairying in the town of Putnam, was born in the Sawyer district on the 27th of November, 1888, and is a son of Holden Hosie and Sarah M. (Chaffie) Lippitt. The father, a native of Woodstock, Connecticut, was reared and educated there and in young manhood learned the cabinet- maker's trade. He afterward took up carpentering, which he followed for several years, and later he purchased a farm in the Sawyer district of Putnam. He then concen- trated his efforts and attention upon the further development of his land, carrying on general farming and dairying throughout his remaining days.

John Holden Lippitt, the only child of Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Lippitt, attended the district school near the home farm and afterward took up agricultural pursuits in the interests of his mother, whom he assisted in conducting the home place until her death, which occurred in January, 1915. At that time he inherited the property and has since continued its further development and improvement. He now has an excellent place, devoted to general farming and dairying, and both branches of his business are prov- ing profitable owing to his unfaltering industry, sound business judgment and capable management.

In his political views Mr. Lippitt is a democrat and his religious faith is evidenced in his membership in the Baptist church of Putnam. He has always lived in this dis- trict, where he is widely known, his many excellent traits of character gaining for him the friendship and high regard of those with whom he has come in contact.

MOSES A. LINNELL.

Prominent among the energetic, far-sighted and prosperous business men of Moosup is Moses A. Linnell, who is conducting a jewelry establishment that by reason of its large and carefully selected line of goods and the business methods of the owner has been accorded a liberal patronage. Mr. Linnell was born in Providence, Rhode Island, May 25, 1845, a son of Moses and Martha (Hall) Linnell, the former a native of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, while the latter was born in Sterling, Connecticut. The father worked as overseer in the carding and spinning rooms of the Gladden Mills and later engaged in the operation of a mill on his own account in Canterbury, Connecticut, the plant being devoted to the manufacture of carpet warp which was sold to other mills.

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After the outbreak of the Civil war he put aside all business and personal considerations and went to the front in defense of the Union. During the period of his service he be- came ill of typhoid fever and passed away. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Moses Linnell, Sr., were nine children: Almond, William, Benjamin W., Anna, Moses A., Frank S., Abbie, Philetus E. and Fernando.

In the days of his boyhood and youth Moses A. Linnell was a pupil in the public schools of Plainfield and of Danielson, Connecticut, and following the time when his textbooks were put aside he went to Ansonia, Connecticut, where he learned the jewelry and watch repairing business and engraving. He developed marked efficiency along these lines and in 1880 removed to Moosup, where he established a jewelry shop in the William Simmons block. He there conducted business from 1880 until 1889, when he purchased four acres of land on Main street and built thereon what is known as the Linnell block. Later he built on the same tract two tenement houses facing on Linnell street. He is still actively engaged in business in the Linnell block, having a well ap- pointed jewelry store and enjoying a liberal patronage by reason of his thoroughly re- liable methods and his conformity to the highest commercial standards.

On the 2d of September, 1875, at Thompson, Connecticut, Mr. Linnell was united in marriage to Miss Laura J. Botham, and they became the parents of one child, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Linnell attend the Methodist church, to the support of which they generously contribute. He belongs to Moosup Lodge, No. 113, A. F. & A. M., and is a worthy follower of the craft. In politics he is an earnest republican and in the years 1898 and 1899 represented the town of Plainfield in the state legislature, giving thoughtful and earnest consideration to all the vital questions that came up for set- tlement before the general assembly. His interest in public affairs has been manifest in many tangible ways, and his aid is always to be counted upon for the further develop- ment and upbuilding of community and commonwealth.

MOSES HENRY BERTHIAUME.

Moses Henry Berthiaume, proprietor of a drug store at Danielson, is a native son of Connecticut, having been born at Mechanicsville, January 25, 1886, his parents being Moses and Mary (Daigle) Berthiaume, both of whom were of Canadian birth. The father pursued his early education in the schools of that country but was only eleven years of age when he came to the United States and went to live with his brother, Joseph Berthiaume, at Grosvenor Dale, Connecticut, the latter having removed from Canada to this state some years before. Not long after his arrival Moses Berthiaume, Sr., began working in the cotton mills and was thus employed for about a year. He afterward removed to Mechanicsville, where he secured work in the mills, and in a short time he learned weaving and spinning. He followed those lines of work at Mechanics- ville for about eighteen years. When he was thirty-one years of age he removed to Day- ville, in the town of Killingly, Connecticut, and obtained a position with the Dayville Woolen Company, the predecessor of the Assawaga Company. He continued with that company as a weaver for about ten years, after which he worked in the woolen mill at Elmville, Connecticut, where, however, he remained for only a year. He then re- turned to Dayville and has since been employed as a spinner there, thus having de- voted his entire life to mill interests. He is a member of L'Union St. Jean Baptiste of America, is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, also of the Foresters of America and is a communicant of St. Joseph's church of Dayville. He has been married twice. At West Thompson, Connecticut, by the Rev. J. H. Fitzmaurice, he was married to Miss Mary Daigle, and the children born of that union are seven in number. Moses Henry is the eldest. Joseph, who was born at Mechanicsville, May 4, 1887, married Emma La- fave, of Dayville, where he now lives with his wife and four children: Leona, Lillian, Agnes and Joseph. Edward Theodore, who was born at Mechanicsville, September 22, 1888, and now lives at Dayville, married Eva Labossier, of Putnam. Leona, born at West Thompson, is the wife of Arthur Marchessault, of Dayville, and they have one child, Normon. Agnes, born at West Thompson, is living in Dayville. Mary Ann, born in West Thompson, is also at the family home in Dayville. Amelia C., born in Dayville, is the wife of Wilfred Gingras, of that place, and has one child, Leodore. Mrs. Berthiaume, the mother of the above named, passed away in Dayville, May 31, 1898, and Mr. Ber- thiaume afterward married Amanda Bousquet, of Putnam, Connecticut, by whom he has one child, Anita, who was born in Dayville.

Moses Henry Berthiaume, whose name introduces this review, pursued his educa- tion in the public schools of Mechanicsville, West Thompson and Dayville and when fourteen years of age secured a position as clerk in the drug store of W. E. Labelle of Dayville, with whom he remained for four years. During two years of that period he

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also studied under the private instruction of Professor A. T. Boland, now the Rev. A. T. Boland. In September, 1904, he went to Boston, Massachusetts, where he pursued a year's course in the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and soon afterward successfully passed the examination for registered pharmacist at Hartford, Connecticut. He con- tinued in the employ of Mr. Labelle in Dayville as a registered pharmacist and man- ager until May 1, 1913, when he came to Danielson to accept a similar position in the drug store here opened by Mr. Labelle. He was thus engaged until January 8, 1918, after which he spent a short time in the employ of the Windham County National Bank as a solicitor. Later he was connected for about two months with the Bristol Drug Company but returned to the bank and there remained until August 1, 1918, when he bought out the established drug business of A. W. Williams on Main street in Danielson. He has since conducted a successful business, having a well appointed store in which he carries a large line of drugs and druggists' sundries. The neat and tasteful arrangement of the store, his reasonable prices and his progressive business methods have been forceful elements in the attainment of a well deserved and gratifying success.

On the 12th of September, 1914, Mr. Berthiaume was married in Putnam, Con- necticut, to Miss Corinne Tetrault, a native of Canada, who lived in Putnam with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Tetrault, also of Canadian birth. Mr. and Mrs. Berthiaume have one son, Maurice Edward, who was born in Danielson, January 20, 1917.

Mr. Berthiaume belongs to St. James Roman Catholic church of Danielson and to Rose of Lima Council, No. 52, Knights of Columbus. He also belongs to L'Union St. Jean Baptiste of America at Goodyear, Connecticut, of which he is president. He is likewise connected with the Foresters of America and is past chief ranger of Court Oak Grove, No. 133, of Danielson. His political support is given to the republican party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but has never sought or desired office as a reward for party fealty. His attention is given to his business in- terests. Starting out in a humble clerkship, he has steadily worked his way upward, gaining efficiency through wide study and experience and advancing step by step, en- joying at all times the trust and confidence of his employers and eventually reaching a point where he could engage in business on his own account. He is thus active at the present time, being one of the leading druggists of Danielson.

HENRY DORRANCE.

Henry Dorrance, proprietor of the Home Hill Farm, in the town of Plainfield, was born January 10, 1870, in that section of Windham county in which he still resides, his parents being George Samuel and Lydia Caroline (Palmer) Dorrance. The father was born in Brooklyn, Connecticut, and was a pupil in the public schools there. He afterward took up the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a number of years, and in 1849, attracted by the discovery of gold in California, he went to the Pacific coast as a prospector. Later he returned to Brooklyn, Connecticut, where he engaged in farm- ing, and afterward he established his home in Plainfield. In his later years he retired from active business and passed away in 1870. His wife was a native of Plainfield and a daughter of Samuel and Lydia R. (Ormsbee) Palmer.

Their only child, Henry Dorrance, attended the public schools of Plainfield and afterward became a student in the Westminster private school of Canterbury, Con- necticut. On starting out in the business world he was engaged in farming at Packer- ville and afterward returned to the town of Plainfield, where he purchased the Home Hill Farm, upon which he has since resided. When the property came into his pos- session it was in poor condition and with characteristic energy he lent himself to the task of making it a highly cultivated tract of land. His labors have been far- reaching and resultant and upon the farm he has placed many modern improvements in the way of buildings and has every equipment and facility for the further development of the farm. He uses the latest improved machinery in the fields and also has a milk- ing machine and every modern device that is of real worth to the farmer. He owns one of the best herds of Ayrshire cattle in the state, most of which are advance registry cattle. He also has a flock of Hampshire sheep and of Shropshire sheep and his live stock interests constitute an important feature of his business. His farming interests are carried on along the most progressive lines and his intelligent direction of the work of the farm has been a most potent element in his continued success. For several years he has been selling agent for the Providence & Willimantic Milk Producers As- sociation, of which for two years he served as president, and he is now the president of the Connecticut Sheep Breeders Association, a fact which indicates his high standing among the sheep raisers of the state.

On the 15th of February, 1904, Mr. Dorrance was married to Miss Sarah E. Francis, Vol. 11-40

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a daughter of the Rev. J. M. and Sarah J. (Kinne) Francis. They have become the parents of four children, one of whom has passed away, the others being Joanna, Sam- uel F. and Amy R.

In his political views Mr. Dorrance is a democrat and for three terms served as selectman of his town, while for three terms he was also town auditor. He likewise served on the school board for six years and in 1919 was elected to represent his dis- trict in the state legislature, where he has been doing effective work for the advance- ment of those interests which are vital to the commonwealth. He was a member of the agricultural committee during the session of 1919 and presented "an act concerning the encouragement of the sheep industry" which authorized the trustees of the Connecti- cut Agricultural College to establish distribution and demonstration flocks of sheep as they should see fit throughout the state. This bill carries with it an appropriation of ten thousand dollars annually, which money comes from the funds in the state treas- ury received from dog tax licenses. The bill was passed and is proving of great benefit to the sheep raisers and farmers of the state. Mr. Dorrance belongs to Plainfield Grange, No. 140, and he and his family are members of the Congregational church of Plainfield. Mr. Dorrance is a most progressive and enterprising citizen whose aid and influence are always given on the side of advancement and whose labors have been a direct force in promoting the material and moral progress of the community.

GEORGE HENRY HICKS.

George Henry Hicks, a farmer of Abington and the first selectman of the town - of Pomfret, was born on the 18th of April, 1857, in the town of Pomfret, his parents being Calvin Newcomb and Mary (Medbury) Hicks. The father's birth occurred on the old Hicks farmstead in the northwestern part of the town of Pomfret and there he spent his entire life, becoming a prominent and influential farmer and a leader in matters pertaining to educational interests for many years. He served on the school commit- tee for more than twelve years and everything that had to do with the cause of public education awakened his interest, and every progressive measure received his support. He was twice called upon to represent his district in the state legislature. After spend- ing his entire life on the old homestead he was laid to rest in the cemetery at Abington, which has been the burying place of the Hicks family for many generations. His father, Darius Hicks, was also a native of Pomfret. The mother of George Henry Hicks was born and died in Pomfret, her birth occurring on the old Medbury homestead, and she, too, was a representative of one of the old families of the state.

In the acquirement of his education George Henry Hicks attended the public schools of Pomfret and for a year was a student in the old Natchaug high school of Wil- limantic. His parents desired him to continue his course there, but like many another young man he was desirous of earning his own living and after a year in high school did not return. On the other hand he concentrated his efforts upon the work of his father's farm and continued to thus engage in agricultural pursuits until the death of his parents. He afterward sold the old homestead in order to settle up the estate and in 1885 he purchased a farm at Abington Station, Pomfret, which he still owns and occupies. Several years ago the dwelling was destroyed by fire and he then erected an attractive residence which is now his home. He carries on general farming and to some extent engages in raising live stock.

On the 8th of November, 1904, Mr. Hicks was united in marriage to Mrs. Isabelle Weeks, the widow of Reuben Weeks. She was born in Willimantic, a daughter of the. Rev. Ebenezer and Lucy (Ormsby) Jewett, who were natives of Windham county. Both of her parents are now deceased, the mother having died when Mrs. Hicks was but five months of age. Mrs. Hicks was reared in Hampton to the age of seventeen years and then went to Pomfret, where she married Reuben Weeks, who was a lum- berman. They became the parents of seven children, six sons and a daughter, all of whom are yet living.

In his political views Mr. Hicks has always been a stalwart supporter of the re- publican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He served as auditor of accounts at Pomfret for a few years. He was elected second selectman for four successive years and was then chosen first selectman, filling that position for fifteen consecutive years, thus serving altogether for nineteen years on the board of selectmen, a fact which indicates his splendid service, his fidelity to duty and his capability in managing municipal affairs. In 1916 he was defeated owing to the fact that the progressives had a candidate in the field, but in October, 1917, was again chosen for the office, in which he is now serving. There is no one in all Pomfret per- haps who is more familiar with the duties of the position and the conditions which

GEORGE H. HICKS

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exist in public affairs, and he is continually actuated by a spirit of enterprise in all that he does relative to the welfare and upbuilding of his town. He is a member of Wolf's Den Grange and thus keeps in close connection with advancement made along agricultural lines. He is a man of genuine worth, of strong character and of positive convictions and he stands loyally for the right as he sees it at all times.

ALEXANDER RUKSTELA.

An excellent farm property of one hundred and forty acres in the town of Brooklyn pays tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it by the owner, Alexander Rukstela, who has resided thereon since 1911. He was born in Lithuania, Russia, in the fall of 1867, and is a son of Zigamon and Catherine (Glabus) Rukstela, who were also natives of Lithuania. There the father took up the occupation of farming, which he followed throughout his entire life. To him and his wife were born nine children, five of whom are yet living: Catherine, Mary, Alexander and Ruchulia, now in America; and Charles, still in Lithuania.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 96

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