A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 97

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

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The youthful days of Alexander Rukstela were passed in his native land and at the age of twenty-three years he bade adieu to friends and country and sailed for the United States, landing at New York city. His financial condition was such as to make it necessary that he secure immediate employment and he began working as a farm hand on Long Island, New York. He spent some time in that way but was desirous of en- gaging in business on his own account and later rented a farm at Riverhead, Long Is- land, there living for five years. He made money in the conduct of that place and after- ward purchased property near Jamesport, town of Riverhead, Long Island, which he farmed for six years, success again attending his efforts. At length he disposed of his land there and removed to the town of Brooklyn in Windham county, where he pur- chased what is known as the Harris farm, having lived thereon since 1911. The prop- erty embraces one hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land and his at- tention has been given throughout the past nine years to general farming and dairy- ing. Again his unfaltering labors and diligence have been attended with prosperity. He keeps fourteen head of cattle, has all modern improvements and farm machinery upon the place and has converted the land into one of the valuable and productive farms of his section of the state.

Mr. Rukstela was married to Miss Antinnina Donoris and they have become the parents of eight children: Amelia, Sarah, George, Catherine, John, Alfred, Peter and Martha. The family are adherents of the Catholic church. In politics Mr. Rukstela maintains an independent course. He concentrates his efforts and attention upon his farming interests and has never had occasion to regret his determination to try his fortune in the new world, for here he has found the opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has gained not only a good living but also a very substantial competence.

JOHN MARTIN BRANSFIELD.

John Martin Bransfield, chief clerk at the freight office of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad at Willimantic, was born in Portland, Connecticut, October 7, 1867, and is a son of Morris and Ellen (Desmond) Bransfield, who were natives of Ireland. The father spent his boyhood and youth in that country, attending the national schools, and when twenty-five years of age left the Emerald isle for the United States, settling in Portland, Connecticut, where he engaged in business as a quarryman throughout his remaining days. Both he and his wife passed away in Portland. In their family were five children: John Martin; Michael, who died at the age of ten · years; Mary, who became the wife of Paul Doyle, a baggage master on the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad at Northampton, Massachusetts; Richard, deceased; and Morris, who wedded Susan Griffin and is a pressman at Easthampton, Connecticut.

John Martin Bransfield, spending his youthful days in his native city, there pur- sued his education in the public schools and after his textbooks were put aside he worked in a tin factory for a short time. Later he turned his attention to railroading, becoming a clerk at the Portland station for the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad. Advancing in that connection, he at length became a telegraph operator and since 1885 he has been associated with the railroad company, being now chief clerk in connection with the freight office at Willimantic.

Mr. Bransfield was married to Miss Elizabeth A. Dineen, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Twomey) Dineen. They have become parents of two children. William H.,

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who is a graduate of the University of Maine, in which he completed an electrical en- gineering course, is now in the employ of the General Electric Company of Schenectady, New York. He served overseas as a sergeant in an artillery division, doing electrical work. The daughter, Helen E., is employed as stenographer by the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad at Willimantic, Connecticut. She is a graduate of the State Normal Training School at Willimantic and is thus qualified for teaching.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and Mr. Bransfield is identified with St. Jose Council, No. 14, of the Knights of Columbus. He also be- longs to the Elks Lodge No. 1311 and to the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics he is a democrat and for six years he filled the position of city auditor. He is much interested in the political situation and vital questions of the day and gives loyal sup- port to the party of his choice. Throughout the greater part of his business career he has been connected with the railroad service and his long identification with the cor- poration which he now represents is proof of his capability and fidelity.

ANDREW EZRI MEECH.

One of the progressive business interests of Danielson is the hardware store of Andrew Ezri Meech, who has been engaged in this business on his own account since 1908. He was born in Griswold, Connecticut, February 23, 1882, and is a son of An- drew Huntington and Elizabeth Cooper (Reynolds) Meech. The father was born in Gris- wold, Connecticut, and the mother in Rhode Island. The former took up the occupation of farming at the place of his nativity and also became engaged in cattle raising, de- voting the greater part of his life to agricultural pursuits in that locality. About 1910 he gave up active work and removed to Danielson, in the town of Killingly, where he lived retired throughout his remaining days, his death occurring June 18, 1911. His widow survives and is still living in Killingly. In his political views Mr. Meech was a republican but never sought or desired public preferment. At the time of the Civil war, however, he proved his patriotic loyalty to his country by enlisting as a private and serving for two years with the Twenty-sixth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was also a consistent member of the Congregational church, guiding his life by its teach- ings. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew H. Meech became the parents of two children, the elder be- ing Grace Lucy, who was born in Griswold and now resides in Killingly.

The son, Andrew E. Meech, pursued his education in the schools of Griswold and in the Norwich Business College, which he attended for about three years. When seven- teen years of age he became an accountant with the American Thread Company at Glas- gow, Connecticut, occupying that position for about two years, after which he removed to Danielson, taking up his abode here in 1901. For three years he was in the employ of E. H. Keach, proprietor of a hardware store on Main street, for whom he acted as clerk and bookkeeper. He next entered the hardware store of L. A. Nado on Main street and continued as an employe there until July, 1908, when he purchased the business and has since conducted the store most successfully, carrying a large and well selected line of shelf and heavy hardware. His business methods, his enterprise and his diligence commend him to the support of the public and his trade is now extensive.

On the 27th of April, 1909, in Danielson, Mr. Meech was married to Miss Ethel Louise Baker, who was born in Moosup, Connecticut, a daughter of John Fred and Bessie (Nutting) Baker, both of whom are living, her father being now overseer in the Aldrich mills of Moosup. Mr. and Mrs. Meech have one child, Mildred Elizabeth, who was born in Danielson, February 28, 1913.

Mr. Meech is a republican in his political views and a firm believer in the prin- ciples of the party but has never been an office seeker. He belongs to the Masonic lodge of Danielson and he attends the Congregational church. Throughout his entire business career he has continued in active connection with mercantile interests and, advancing step by step, he is now at the head of one of the important commercial en- terprises of Danielson.

JOSEPH PLESSIS.

Joseph Plessis, who is engaged in the general insurance and real estate business in Putnam, was born at St. Aime, in the province of Quebec, April 23, 1873, his parents be- ing George and Adeline (Mathieu) Plessis. The father's birth also occurred at St. Aime, where he was reared and educated and eventually took up the occupation of farming. In 1888 he came to the United States, settling at South Adams, Massachusetts, where he

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was employed in a paper mill for one year. He then returned to the place of his na- tivity, where he carried on farming for three years, and then once more came to the United States, settling in the town of Putnam, Connecticut, where he resided for four years. Once more he returned to St. Aime and has since there resided. He has served for two years as a member of the city council and was also for two terms mayor of St. Aime, giving to the city a businesslike and progressive administration. His wife was born in St. Louis, in the province of Quebec, and passed away in 1915.

Joseph Plessis is indebted to the parochial schools of St. Aime for his early educa- tional privileges, which were supplemented by a course in St. Croix College at that place, in which he pursued a three years' commercial course. He next came to Connecticut with the family, settling in the town of Putnam, where he entered the employ of the Chandler & Morse Hardware Company, with whom he continued for twenty-four years as a clerk. No higher testimonial of his capability and trustworthiness could be given than the fact that for almost a quarter of a century he remained with the one house. In 1917 he went to Ballard & Clark as manager of their hardware store, remaining in that capacity for two years, or until 1919, when he opened a general insurance and real estate office in the Union block and has since successfully conducted business on his own account. He has negotiated various important realty transfers, has written a large amount of insurance and is a member of the Putnam Fire Underwriters.

On the 26th of October, 1897, Mr. Plessis was married to Miss Anna Cadoret, a daughter of Maxime and Seraphine (Bernier) Cadoret and a native of St. Hyacinthe, in the province of Quebec. Mr. and Mrs. Plessis have become the parents of three children, all born in Putnam: Bertha, who is working in her father's office; Gertrude, who is bookkeeper at the Manhasset Mill in Putnam; and Arthur H., who is now a pupil at Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Mr. Plessis and his family are members of the St. Mary's Roman Catholic church, in which he has served as collector for eleven years. He is identified also with Cargill Council, No. 64, K. C., belongs to Putnam Court, No. 95, of the Artisans of Montreal, and also to Union St. John the Baptist, No. 47. He has been quite prominent in the public life of the community and in politics is an earnest advocate of republican prin- ciples. He has served as county auditor for a period of two years, was a member of the board of relief of the town of Putnam for ten years and its chairman for five years. In 1913 he was elected to represent the town of Putnam in the state legislature for a term of two years and was reelected in 1915 for another term of two years. He served on the committee on education and while a member of this committee was instrumental in having the State Trade School established at Putnam. He is constantly actuated by a desire to advance public interests and utilizes the most practical methods in the at- tainment of high ideals.

GEORGE BURLEIGH GUILD.

George Burleigh Guild, superintendent since 1917 for the Crystal Water Company of Danielson, is a native son of Connecticut, having been born in Hampton, December 26, 1858. His parents were Morris S. and Sarah A. (Safford) Guild. The father was born at Woodstock, Connecticut, and there spent his youthful days, obtaining a dis- trict school education. In young manhood he learned the trades of harness making and shoemaking and afterward removed to Hampton, where he conducted a shop and also carried on farming for several years. He passed away there about 1900, while his wife, who was born in Hampton, died at that place about 1903. Their family numbered ten children, six of whom are yet living, namely: John, who wedded Mary Appley and is a resident of North Dakota; Sidney, who is married and is engaged in the contracting business in Boston, Massachusetts; George B., the next of the family; Jennie, who is the widow of Dr. Nathaniel Smith, formerly of Norwich, Connecticut, and she now makes her home in Hampton; Charles, who married Laura Hopkins and has charge of the shipping department of the Woolworth store in New London, Connecticut; and Eva E., the wife of Henry Harwood, who is engaged in clerking in Los Angeles, Cali- fornia.

George B. Guild, after pursuing his education in the district schools of Hampton, took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for two winters in his native town, while the summer seasons were devoted to farming. He afterward went to Nor- wich, where he was employed in connection with the express business of S. Park for nearly a year. Subsequently he removed to Danielson and for a few years was in the employ of Albert Dewing, a merchant. He was next with E. W. Haywood, pro- prietor of a clothing store, and later he followed various pursuits until 1897, when he became associated with A. G. Bill, an attorney of Danielson, in the insurance business

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under the firm name of Guild & Bill. In 1906 Mr. Guild purchased the interest of his partner and continued alone until 1910, when he sold the business to E. B. Wilber & Company. Mr. Guild afterward went to Athens, Vermont, and spent a year upon a farm. He became a salesman for the Eclipse Company and after a short period removed to Danielson, Connecticut, where he spent a year and a quarter as a clerk in the Windham County National Bank. He then returned to the Eclipse Company, occupying a clerical position in the office for a year, and afterward he was employed in the house furnishing establishment of K. A. Darbie. In 1917 he became identified with the Crystal Water Company as an all round man but has been superintendent since 1918.

On the 1st of January, 1884, Mr. Guild was married to Miss Eva Brooks. They are numbered among the prominent and influential residents of Danielson, where they have an extensive circle of warm friends by whom they are most highly esteemed. Mr. Guild and his wife are consistent members of the Westfield Congregational church, in which he has served as deacon for eighteen years and as treasurer for a number of years. He has also been superintendent of the Sunday school for thirteen years and is keenly interested in all branches of the church work and does everything in his power to promote the growth of the church and extend its influence. He is also an exemplary representative of Moriah Lodge, No. 15, A. F. & A. M., while in politics he is a republi- can and for two terms has served as a member of the board of burgesses. His activities have ever been of a character which have contributed not only to his advancement in business but to the uplift and benefit of the community. The sterling traits of his char- acter are widely recognized and all who know him speak of him in terms of the highest regard.

ARTHUR VICTOR MATHIEU.

Arthur Victor Mathieu, who is a partner in the largest grocery store in Plainfield and is numbered among the most enterprising and progressive business men of the community, was born in Versailles, Connecticut, March 21, 1885, a son of Charles and Julia (La Rock) Mathieu. The father was a native of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, where he was reared and educated. Starting out in the business world, he became con- nected with the cotton mills, working in the spooling department for a time. Later he removed his family to Versailles, where he resided for several years, and was again employed in the cotton mills. In 1883 he took up his abode in Danielson, where he has since remained. For some time he worked in the spooling department of the Quinebaug mill but is now living retired, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil. To him and his wife were born twelve children: Frank, who married Alice Blanchard, of Danielson, and is a merchant of New Bedford, Massachusetts; William, who wedded Rose Sarosin and is a millman of Danielson; John, who is a millman of Dayville, Connecticut, and married Emma Metty, of Danielson; Frederick, who is em- ployed in the mills in Putnam and who married Delia Bedard, of Danielson, and after her death wedded Albena Cloutier, of Putnam; Hattie, the wife of William Pickett, formerly of Danielson but now foreman of the public market at Brockton, Massachu- setts ;; George, who is a millman and resides with his parents; Albert J., who is in part- nership with his brother Arthur at Plainfield, Connecticut, the latter being the eighth in order of birth in the family; Nellie, who is the wife of George Fogerty, of Boston, who is a mason by trade; and Julia, Dora and Adelard, all at home. The last named served in the Medical Corps during the World war.

Arthur V. Mathieu spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Danielson, where he attended the parochial school. He started out in the business world as an employe in the carding department of the Quinebaug mill, with which he was connected for a year. He was afterward employed by the Singer Sewing Machine Company, with of- fices in Danielson, and subsequently he went to Stamford, Connecticut, where he acted as salesman for ten years. In 1914 he became associated with his brother, Albert Joseph, in establishing a grocery store in Plainfield, which they have since conducted, hav- ing now been numbered among the merchants of the city for six years. They have the largest store in the town and are most progressive in their methods. They carry a large and carefully selected line of staple and fancy groceries and in fact their store includes everything that the best markets afford. They are thoroughly reliable as well as enterprising in all of their dealings, and their success is the merited reward of their persistency of purpose and business capability.

On the 4th of October, 1916, Mr. Mathieu was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Millett, of Central Village, Connecticut, a daughter of Patrick and Lena (Cournoyer) Millett. They have become the parents of two children, Beatrice and Irene, both at home.

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The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church. Politically Mr. Mathieu is a republican but without ambition for office yet never neglectful of the duties and obligations of citizenship. He concentrates his efforts and attention, how- ever, upon his business affairs and, actuated by a spirit of progressiveness, has made for himself a most creditable place in the commercial circles of Plainfield.

HON. MERRITT MANNING WELCH.

Hon. Merritt Manning Welch, who was at one time representative of his district in the state legislature and who for many years engaged in the meat business at Chaplin, was there born on the 27th of February, 1838. His entire life was passed in Windham county and he was well known here as a substantial and representative citizen. His parents were Lucius and Sophia (Backus) Welch and under the parental roof he spent his boy- hood days while attending the common schools of Chaplin. When his textbooks were put aside he became connected with the meat trade and for twenty-five years engaged in handling cattle among the farmers, building up a business of substantial proportions and enjoying an unassailable reputation for the integrity and enterprise of his business methods.

At Springhill, Mansfield, in 1862, Mr. Welch was married to Miss Ellen L. Bennett, a daughter of Nathan and Harriet Bennett, and to them were born the following named: Martha, the wife of Giles S. Potter; Edith, who married William Smith; Burton M., who married Lydia J. Ide; Merritt, who wedded Ella Beardsley; and Wilbur, Emily and Emerett, who have passed away.

In his political views Mr. Welch was a democrat and for two years served as select- man of the town of Chaplin, while in 1890 he was chosen to represent Chaplin in the state legislature. He took deep interest in the work of the assembly and gave careful consideration to all the vital questions which came up for settlement. His support throughout his entire life was given to every measure which he deemed of value and benefit to the community.

THAD LOREN WILSON.

Thad Loren Wilson is now prominently identified with farming and stock raising interests in the town of Canterbury but for many years was actively identified with im- portant civil engineering projects in the east. He was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, April 24, 1860, and is a son of Jesse B. and Patience M. (Washburn) Wilson. The father was born at Greenfield, Massachusetts, and in his childhood days became a resident of the Empire state. He was largely a self-educated as well as self-made man. He never had any assistance in his business career and in early life began work as a farm hand, ever afterward devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits and to work in the lumber woods. He died in St. Lawrence county, New York, in 1908.

Thad Loren Wilson, an only child, was reared and educated in his native county and attended the State Normal and Training School at Potsdam, New York, pur- suing a course in the academic department. He specialized in the study of civil en- gineering and afterward went to the west, where he worked along the line of his chosen profession in various states. At length, however he returned to St. Lawrence county, where he took up the occupation of farming. In 1892 he went to Ogdensburg, New York, where he entered the employ of the state as a civil engineer, having his head- quarters at Rochester and at Syracuse, New York. While thus employed he did active work in the Adirondack mountains in making surveys and also in construction work on canals, bridges and highways.

In the year 1903 Mr. Wilson went to New York city, where he was engaged in en- gineering work. In 1905 the family took up their abode in New York city and Mr. Wilson was afterward employed at various civil engineering projects, principally sub- way construction work. He was thus active in business until 1916 and the important projects with which he was associated established his position as one of the leading engineers of the metropolis. In the year 1913 he bought a farm in Canterbury and re- moved his family thereto, while in 1916 he took up his abode upon this place, where he is now giving his attention to the raising of fine hogs and sheep, and also has a flock of registered Angora goats. His farm is one of the most progressive of the modern farm properties of this section of the country.

Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Jackson, a daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Mills) Jackson, natives of Canada. Three children were born of this mar-

MERRITT M. WELCH

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riage. Emma M., the eldest, is now the wife of Judson Wainwright, a farmer of Macomb, New York. Lelia B. is the wife of Dr. Ralph G. Reed, of Long Island, New York. Walter W., born August 24, 1902, in De Peyster, New York, came to Canterbury with his parents and at the outbreak of the great World war he enlisted in the Canadian army in January, 1915, serving with various units. He went overseas and into active service in January, 1915, with the Forty-ninth Battalion. He was at Ypres, where the Canadian troops suffered hardships unsurpassed throughout the great world con- flict. He was also in other important battle sectors and was killed in action on the Somme, October 9, 1916.

Mr. Wilson and his wife attend the Congregational church of Canterbury, of which she is a member. Fraternally he is connected with De Peyster Lodge, No. 573, F. & A. M., also with Ogdensburg Chapter, No. 63, R. A. M. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and along professional lines he is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Brooklyn Engineers Club.

CLYDE SAWYER MILLER.

Clyde Sawyer Miller, identified with farming interests in the town of Plainfield, Windham county, was born June 25, 1885, on the Maple Crest Farm, in Plainfield, his parents being Frank and Ada (Medbury) Miller. The mother is a sister of D. Newton Medbury, of Pomfret, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. The father was a pupil in the public schools of the town of Plainfield and afterward turned his attention to farming and the dairy business, along which lines he continues active to the present time. His political endorsement is given to the republican party, and he has filled the offices of selectman and tax assessor. In community affairs he is deeply interested, and his aid and cooperation may at all times be counted upon to further various plans and measures for the general good. He and his family attend and sup- port the Baptist church.

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A modern history of Windham county, Connecticut : a Windham county treasure book, Volume II, Part 97

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