USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Canton > Canton sesquicentennial, 1806-1956; a short illustrated history of Canton > Part 12
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Guy Davis House
This house was built in 1854 by Mr. Orrin Case and hold to Mr. Sabra Weeks, father of Mrs. Almado Davis, who left it to her husband's nephew, Mr. Guy Davis, who now resides here, so it has virtually re- mained in the same family.
Amos W. Driggs House
This house, for many years the home of Mr. Bleeker Forbes, Fore- man of the Box Shop and the grandson of Phoebe Humphrey, was built in 1863 by a Mr. Dewey, whose widow married Mr. Forbes. After Mr. Forbes death it was purchased by Mr. Adam Brucker, who sold to Mr. Walter Reed. Its present owner and occupant it Mr. Reed's daughter, Mrs. Amos Driggs.
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Elizabeth Terry Folley House
This house was built in 1858 by Mr. John Baker, and the map of 1869 shows it as the home of Mr. William Perkins. The family of Mr. Harry Terry lived here for many years, his daughter, Mrs. Folley, now being the owner.
Mrs. Terry inherited it from the Helen M. Wright Estate.
CEMETERY ROAD Florence Buttles Katzung House
The 1869 map shows place as the property of Mr. T. M. Curtiss, who at one time owned the Hugins' place burned some years ago. Later the Quinn family lived there. Mrs. Katzung acquired it from the Cemetery Association.
HIGH STREET Fernan Vaillancourt House
This house on High Street was built in 1858 by Harvey Barbour, being acquired by Mr. Rollin D. Lane as the 1869 map shows. Mr. Lane was a machinist at the Collins Co.
Collins Company (French Blocks, so-called)
These blocks of six tenements each were built in 1863 and 1864, at the top of Main Street Hill. One of them, the south one burned in 1944.
W. F. Provost House
This house on East High Street was built prior to 1869 by A. W. Bentley, Supt. Canal R. R. (Collinsville Branch), later it became the home of Mr. Richard Wagner, Sr. and was sold by the heirs to Mr. W. F. Provost, whose widow now resides here.
I believe at one time it was used as a parsonage by the short-lived Methodist Society.
Dale McDonald House
This house on High Street was built by Mr. Bleeker Forbes before 1869, and occupied by various tenants, the last one, Mr. Hiram Jones finally purchasing it.
Mr. McDonald bought it from the heirs of Mr. Jones' daughter.
Louis H. Ehrhardt House
This house is located on High Street and was the home of Mr. J. Gerber, in 1869, who had a barber shop and Bathing Rooms.
It later became the property of Mrs. Alice Marcy Williams. Mr. J. Richard Wivagg next bought it and sold to its present owner, Mr. Louis H. Ehrhardt.
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Uno Johnson House
This house standing on High Street was built by Martin Pease be- fore 1869, or was occupied by him at that time and sold to the Hugins Estate.
It is now the property of Mr. Uno Johnson, who resides here.
Louis Tuomala
This house built before 1869 and was occupied by Mr. Rodney Carr.
Mr. Carr was a wagon maker and had his shop on the site of Mr. James Grant's Garage, recently washed away by the great flood of August 19, 1955.
Mr. Carr's heirs sold to Mr. George Downey, then Mr. Maurice Clark acquired it, selling to Mr. Tuomala, its present occupant.
Charles Roncaioli House
This was the property of Mr. John E. Wheelock, who doubtless built it as he was a builder, before 1869. Mr. Wheelock sold to Mr. Aaron Smith who lived there for many years, his heirs selling to Mr. Ron- caioli, now living here.
The house immediately in back of Mr. Roncaioli and his property, has always been part of the property and has had many tenants.
E. H. Crippen House
Mr. W. W. Bidwell, a lawyer, built this house and resided here in 1869. After that it became the property of his daughter, Jessie, Mrs. E. H. Crippen, whose daughter now resides here.
Mr. Bidwell was commonly called "Lawyer Bidwell," he served long and faithfully on the "School Board," was active in all civic affairs and "dispersed law" between times.
SOUTH STREET Dewey Rote House
The land this house stands on was purchased by Elizabeth Rust from the Collins Co. in 1848. In 1860 a Mr. F. F. Smith came into the employ of the Collins Co. and produced the beautifully curved plow- share of today (From History of Collins Co. 1926). He was known as "Plow Smith." He resided here. Mr. A. S. Brainard eventually bought the place and resided here until his death. He was followed by Dower, Driggs and Mr. Dewey Rote who now resides here with his family.
I believe at one time it was used as a boarding house.
Nixon House
This house is listed on the 1869 map as the home of a Mr. F. H. Sears, possibly a brother of the late Mr. E. H. Sears, President of the Collins Co.
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Next a Mr. Scott occupied it, then Mr. Murray Buttles, then Mr. Edward Belden, and it is now the property of the Nixon's, who reside here.
Theodore Demski House
This house was the home of Mr. F. Bradley, having been built before 1869.
For many years it was owned and occupied by the William Phillips family, recently having been bought by Mr. Theodore Demski, who resides here.
Olga Krutsky House
This house was built by Mr. Lucius Converse in 1854, next Mr. Stephen Mallory took possession, a relative, possibly Mrs. Mallory was his daughter, it passed on to their daughter Mrs. Frank Mills. Mr. Dexter Parish, a Shaw family, then Mrs. Olga Krutsky acquired it and resides here now.
F. W. Konold House
This house was built by Mr. D. B. Hale, U. S. Inspector and Town Registerer, on land bought of Collins Co. 1838. His heirs sold to Mr. F. W. Konold and his widow now occupies it.
F. W. Konold House
This house directly east of the other F. W. Konold house, was origi- nally the home of Mr. J. Grow, who sold to Mr. James Smith. After Mrs. Smith's death it was sold to a Mrs. Ericson, who sold to Mr. Konold, who remodeled it into two tenements. Its present occupants are Mr. Edwin W. Snow and Mr. John L. Thivierge.
Brown House, South Street
This house was the property of Mr. Charles H. Blair, and used as a cottage home for tenants for many years. Afterwards Mr. Blair's heirs sold to Mr. Samuel Brown, whose son now owns it. Mr. David Repp now occupies it.
Collins Company, South Street (Home of the late Frank Wilder)
This house, occupied by Mr. Charles H. Blair, Jr., undoubtedly stood on the corner of the Green, the house where Mr. Leonard Hough now lives, and was probably moved to its present location to make room for the corner house.
This house was built for Mr. Sears, about 1880.
RIVER STREET
Collins Company (Albert Hudon and Fred Sharp)
This house on the corner of River and North Streets was originally the Collins Co. Office, being moved to its present location, when the
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Company built its new office in 1868. After its removal to its present location it was made into tenements and has always been occupied by Collins Co. employees, now being the home of Mr. Albert Hudon and Mr. Fred Sharp.
Mary P. Lewis House
This house was built in 1846 by Mr. Henry A. Shepard, sold to Mr. Benjamin Wingate, whose widow married Mr. F. J. Smith. It was later purchased by Dr. George F. Lewis, well known physician, father of the present owner.
Richard Wagner
This house really facing River Street but having an entrance on Center Street was built by Mr. William D. West, a blacksmith and car- riage maker in town for many years, leaving Collinsville in 1867. Mr. O. A. Beckwith bought the place. Mr. Beckwith ran a dry goods and grocery business. Mr. Beckwith's son-in-law and daughter acquired the place after Mr. Beckwith's death, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Bidwell, Mr. Bid- well being a well known banker. Mr. Bidwell sold to Mr. W. R. Wagner, father of the present owner and occupant, Mr. Richard Wagner.
Everett Eaton House
This house has an entrance on Center Street and was the property of Mr. A. T. Farwell in 1869. Mr. Amos Hart, great grandfather of Mr. Everett Eaton, acquired it in 1872. It has been remodeled and sold and resold but finally came back into the family now being the home of Mr. Eaton.
Geraldine Grant House
This house was built on land sold to Mr. Levi Hough by Nodiah Case January 14, 1848. Mr. Howell C. Hough, son of Mr. Levi Hough, came into possession of it at his father's death. Mrs. Dexter Parish, daughter of Mr. H. C. Hough sold it and eventually Mrs. Geraldine Grant bought it and resides here.
SPRING STREET
Collins Company (Mr. G. W. Graham)
This house was built by Mr. G. H. Nearing in 1856; who was in the knife handling department of the Collins Co. The Collins Co. now owns it, after being the property of several others and is now the home of Mr. G. W. Graham.
John Blanchard House
This house on Spring Street, was built by Mr. S. N. Codding before 1869 sold to Mr. A. F. Alderman, then occupied by his son, Mr. Theron Alderman, whose heirs sold to Mr. John Blanchard, now residing here.
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Collins Company (John Fletcher and P. Hopkins)
This cement house on Spring was built by the Collins Co. in 1864 for its employees. Mr. John Fletcher and Mr. P. Hopkins now reside here.
Collins Company (Edward Reuber and Theodore Zommer)
This house was built in 1858 by Mr. Lawrence Colton on the west side of Spring Street, whose heirs sold to The Collins Co. The Reubers and Zommers now make their home here.
MAPLE AVENUE Ward Potts House
This house was built in 1867 by Mr. Albert Williams, dealer in flour, grain, feed and coal. It passed thru several hands, finally being bought by Mr. Ward Potts. Both Mr. and Mrs. Potts have died and it is now for sale again.
Frank Cox House
This house was moved from the junction of Maple Avenue and River Road about 1867, being first used as a store. It was remodeled into a dwelling house after a succession of owners, Mr. Charles A. Farnham bought it and his daughter and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cox now own and live here.
The Harrington House
This was originally the Harrington Homestead, having been built on the River Road, being moved by the Collins Co. to Maple Avenue about 1868 after the Company built their dam and there was trouble with high water. It has always remained in the family, and is now the property of the great grand children, Lucelia and Burton Harrington and has been made into a number of tenements.
Herman Case House
This house built before 1869 on Maple Avenue was known as the Creighton Place and was sold to Mrs. Marshall Case, leaving same to her daughter, Mrs. Inez Case Gwynne, who sold to Mr. Porter Case. Since Mr. Case's death, his son Herman has resided there. It is a two family house with Mr. Robert Gehring occupying the other part.
Burton Harrington House
This house was built by Mr. James Clark, probably about 1860 the great grandfather of the present owners and occupants, Burton and Lucelia Harrington. It is a two family and Mr. Norman Lambert lives in one of the apartments. It has always been in the family.
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William C. Haury House
This place was built by Mr. Cyrus Harvey in 1868, and bought by Mr. W. C. Haury in 1892. Mrs. Haurey still living here.
E. J. Parmelee House
This house was owned in 1869 by E. C. Pettibone and was known for years as the Pettibone place. Mr. Pettibone sold to Mr. Cyrus Har- vey, and at his widow's death it was inherited by her nephew, Mr. William Barber, who sold to Mr. E. J. Parmelee. Mr. Parmelee's widow now resides here.
Frank and Avis Nelson House
This house was built by Mr. Jarvis Harrington, before 1869, his widow leaving it to her niece Mrs. Nelson. Mr. Harrington had a gen- eral country store, dry goods, groceries and miscellaneous items.
James Barraclough House
This house was built about 1853 for Mr. Rollin O. Humphrey, whose wife was the daughter of Mr. Ephraim Mills. Mr. James Carr resided here for a while finally was bought by Mr. S. E. Brown, a feed and coal dealer here for many years. Some years after his death his daughter Mrs. Frank Case made it her home, but sold a few years ago to Mr. James Barraclough now occupying it.
Dexter and Lulu Parish House
This house was built by Mr. J. L. Sanborn, probably about 1860. It passed on to his son, Mr. Howard L. Sanborn, his widow leaving it to her niece, Mrs. Parish.
The Specia House
This house at the junction of Maple and Dyer Avenues was built by Mr. Jasper E. Barber who resided there for many years. It was origi- nally the average type of house of those days, a two story main part with an ell.
After Mr. Specia bought the place, it was enlarged and modernized with several tenements and is owned by his heirs. Mr. Specia acquired the place from Anna Gibbs estate in 1898.
Gay Conlin House
This house on Maple Avenue was built before 1869 by Mr. James R. Andrus, an inspector in the Collins Co. Tempering Shop.
He sold to Mr. Marshall T. Burgess, who in turn sold to Mr. H. D. Lavanway. Miss Marie Rollins was the next owner. Miss Rollins selling to Mr. Conlin, present owner and occupant.
Ljongquist House
This house was the property of Mr. James Atwater, the original farm house being some rods east of the present Donald Viering house
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and long since burned. Mr. Atwater was a farmer, his son Clayton, having a nursery on the farm for many years, finally removing it to Agawam, Mass. It was owned by the late Mr. Arthur Johnson, whose heirs sold to the Ljongquist Family, who reside here.
John Tabel House
This was the "Old Dan Frisbie" place and stood where the Potts place now stands. It was bought by Mr. E. C. Pettibone and moved a quarter of a mile up the road to his Tool Works on Ned's Brook. For many years a blacksmith shop was part of the property. It has had vari- ous owners, the present owner being The Town of Canton. Miss Mabel Bossardt has continued to live here since the death of her brother, John Tabel.
ALLEN PLACE Kellerman House
This house on Allen Place was built in 1868 by Mr. Alfred Allen and remained in the family for many years. In 1912 Mr. George F. Pratt purchased the property but died before occupying it. The Kellerman Family then acquired it and still reside here.
Leroy Miner House
This house was built in 1865 by Mr. William Shook, a Contractor in the Plow Shop. The land was a part of the Orange Mills Farm, and when built was in the open lot with no road near, being reached from the Canton Road across the lots. The Shook Family resided here for many years and in due time a road was constructed to it from the Can- ton Road. It passes thru a succession of owners and tenants finally be- coming the property of Mr. Miner, who now resides here.
Elmer Anderson House
Mr. Warren Case built this house in the late sixties and resided there until he sold to Mr. Marcus Upson about 1900. Upon Mrs. Upson's death in 1933 Mr. Anderson purchased the place and now lives here.
Charles Allen House
This house was built in the late sixties by a Mr. Goddard. Owners have been Mr. Michael Ronan, Mr. Sherman Bidwell, then the present owner. The place was bought by Mr. Allen in 1893. Mr. Allen's widow still lives here.
Harold Allyn House
This house was built by a Mr. Goddard during the construction of the Connecticut Western R. R. The basement being intended to be used as a saloon.
This venture was shortlived.
The place has been bought and sold many times, many of the owners being transients. Mr. James Reidy and his family owned and resided
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here for many years, it coming to Mrs. Reidy from her mother, a Mrs. Lynch.
Its present owner and occupant, Mr. Allyn bought it in 1943.
GILDERSLEEVE AVENUE Joseph Durkin House
This place on Gildersleeve Avenue was built before 1869 by Mr. Fay Brown who sold to Mr. William H. Dale, foreman of the foundry at the Collins Co. It remained in the Dale family for many years, passing thru several hands to Mr. Andrew Nissen, whose daughter, Mrs. Durkin and husband now own and occupy it.
Herman Bristol House
A Mr. Gildersleeve for whom this street was named built this house prior to 1869. Mr. Gildersleeve had a small shop on Swett Brook (Ned's Brook, and remarked Rattlesnake Brook by the State) for fulling and dyeing homespun woolens. His daughter, Sarah married Mr. E. Brock- way and resided there for many years. After her death it changed hands a number of times and is now owned and occupied by Mr. Her- man Bristol.
SIMONDS AVENUE Addison O. Mills House
This house was built by Mr. Benjamin Dyer for his son Thomas in 1756.
Mr. W. E. Simonds in an article in the Connecticut Quarterly of 1895 writes : "It has descended from the original builder thru an un- broken line of the ladies of the family to its present owner, who is of the same gentle persuasion," meaning Mrs. Simonds. Mrs. Simonds was the daughter of Orange Mills, so-called, but really Addison Orange Mills. He also writes: "Its beams, as hard as iron, its floors put down with oaken pins, its latch bolts wrought by a skillful blacksmith and adorned with little brass knobs of the shape and size of a pigeon's egg, all attest its antiquity." At her death it passed on to her nephew, Mr. A. O. Mills , the present occupant.
Mr. Mills is the grandson of Mr. Addison Orange Mills.
Paul Olson House
This house is on the corner of River Road and Simonds Avenue and was built in the late 1700's probably 1784 by Rufus Garrett, finally coming into the possession of Mr. Theodore Pettibone. When Mr. Samuel Collins first came here before he built he boarded with Mr. Pettibone. The 1869 map lists the place as the property of Mr. O. Brown, who probably sold to the Sage Family, who occupied it for several generations. It has had several owners, Mr. Thomas Hewes
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selling to Mr. Paul Olson, who now lives here. It is of the old colonial type and has been restored.
RIVER ROAD George H. Redford House
In 1839, Mr. Nodiah Case sold about 21/2 acres of land to Mr. Athuel Gridley, his estate sold to George Merrill who sold to A. O. Mills. Mr. Mills sold to Mr. Nathaniel Wright in 1853. Mr. Edward Ackart bought of Mr. Wright in 1863, whose widow left it to Mr. H. W. Humphrey. Mr. Humphrey sold to Jessie Mason Janes, then Mr. John J. McKim bought it and sold to Mr. Redford. At present it is the home of Mr. George H. Redford, just being done over after the ravages of the August (1955) flood. For many years it was used as sort of inn and a place for Stage Drivers to change horses. In 1868 Oliver Couch started a stage coach from Hartford, thru Farmington and Collinsville to Winsted, every other day.
Thomas Small House
This house was probably built by Jesse Case who settled in West Simsbury about 1763. His son Augustus then lived there followed by his son Harlow, then on down to Harlow's son another Augustus. His heirs sold to Mr. Joseph Johnson, bought later by Dr. J. B. Flint, who sold to the Collins Co. Mr. Small bought from them. The present owner restored it about 15 years ago. It has the original windows, 6 x 8 panes, some original latches and hinges, etc. Two large fireplaces with brick oven, original stair case, some panelling, well on back porch, bayonet fire place crane, hand made nails. Vine outside stone foundation, called matrimony vine grows between partition of house and reappears in attic window.
E. Raymond Bristol House
This place was built about 1750 by Capt. Daniel Wilcox who resided there until the 1801 flood, which swept away the forge in the bend of the river, he losing the property by being bound by the owners of the forge.
Mr. Luke Case then became owner, same being passed on to his son, Mr. Julius Case. Upon the death of Mr. and Mrs. Case the Parson's inherited it.
The Parsons sold to Mr. Roscoe Bristol, who in turn sold to Mr. E. Raymond Bristol, now residing here.
Delos Hart House
This house in 1869 was the home of Mr. Orville Case, whose wife was the daughter of Rufus Tuller, whose family lived on the A. W. Bristol, Jr. place. It passed into the hands of Mr. G. A. Codaire, whose heirs sold to Mr. Harold Edgerton, who in turn sold to Mr. Delos Hart. Mr. Orville Case was a dealer in tobacco and cigars.
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ALBANY AVENUE Sterling Bristol House
Philip Harris was the first owner of this place, followed by Asher Hinman who married his daughter, Mr. Hinman being born in 1741. From them it passed into the hands of Thomas Bidwell, 3rd, who came here as early as 1787.
This place was known for more than forty years as Bidwell's Tavern. After Thomas' death in 1848, his son Lucien occupied the place, passing on to his son Oliver, in 1861. Mr. Anson W. Bristol, Sr. bought from Mr. Bidwell and Mr. Bristol's Son Sterling now owns and occupies the place. I rather doubt if the present house is the original house, partly due to the style and from rumors (unconfirmed) that Mr. Oliver Bidwell built "This splendid place."
W. Bradley Thompson House
On the Albany Turnpike, a short distance north of the Sterling Bristol place, on the west side of the road the Old Bidwell Homestead stands. The Bidwells settled here in 1740. The original settler being Mr. Thomas Bidwell. The present house was built in 1815 by Col. Jasper Bidwell, grandson of Thomas the first. Col. Jasper Bidwell left it to his grandson, Sherman W. who sold to Mr. Michael Ronan. Mr. Ronan sold to Mr. Thompson, the present owner and occupant.
John Marfyak House
This house belonged to the property of Oliver Bidwell. Mr. John North lived here, Mr. Charles Wilson also occupied it for a while. When the State Highway Department straightened Route 44, it was moved back to its present location. Mr. John Marfyak now owns and occupies it.
Joseph Gerath House
This house was probably a part of the Merrill farm and eventually was bought by Mr. John Ronan. Eventually Mr. Gerath bought and occupies it.
The Berton Bidwell House
This property was originally owned by the Merrill family and for many years an old red house stood here and was used as a tavern. It is the last house in the Town of Canton on Albany Turnpike, before the town line of New Hartford. The Present house was built about 1855 by Mr. Bidwell's great grandmother, Mrs. Olive Pike. Mr. Bidwell's son Thomas now resides here.
POWDER MILL ROAD
This road runs parallel to Albany Avenue on the opposite side of the river. Its name comes from the fact that at one time there were powder mills at the mouth of the Nepash. At one time it was quite a
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thriving little community, but the powder mills moved away with the coming of the railroad due to the danger from sparks from the passing engines, one by one the houses burned or fell into disuse so at present only two houses or rather what is left of them after the August 1955 flood remain. But as they are old land marks, they seem worthy of mention.
Dr. George Baker House
This is undoubtedly one of the oldest houses in town but just what year it was built, it has been impossible to ascertain. Probably a Wilcox was its first owner and builder. Mr. Asher Hinman moved here in 1786, it remained in the family thru several generations finally being bought by Mr. B. Saunders, who sold to Mr. Edward Mahl, later Dr. and Mrs. George Baker (Mrs. Baker being Mr. Mahl's daughter) took the place, using it as a summer home.
It was of the old style architecture, salt box type, still in its original form, but sad to say it suffered greatly from the 1955 flood, and its future hangs in the balance.
Joseph P. Wilusz House
Mr. Julius Hinman, grandson of Mr. Asher Hinman built and occu- pied this house for many years, then owned and occupied by his son, Mr. Zerah Hinman. It was originally the property of the Wilcoxes, the old house being moved back to make room for the present house. It has had a number of owners since the Hinman's and is now owned by Mr. Wilusz, but like the Baker House was all but washed away by the 1955 flood. Its future too is uncertain.
WEST SIDE OF THE RIVER
Lina Hall House
This house was the farmhouse belonging to Mr. Samuel Collins' estate and Miss Hall's father ran Mr. Collins farm. It is probably the former home of Joseph Seger, Jr. who had a grist mill near the site of the Miner Lumber Co., crossing the river each day in a boat to tend the mill. In winter time he crossed on the ice. He resided here previous to 1795.
Abiel Brown relates a little incident in connection with Mr. Seger's mill. A Mr. Gleason a trader in the east village then called Suffrage brought in some sulphur (it was used sometimes at that time in fami- lies) to be pulverized. It was put into the corn mill and in the process it soon took fire, flamed up and made quite a scare. Mr. Gleason's broad- cloth coat was ruined, the mill became thoroughly scented with the "itch antidote" and was well noised about. A neighboring family brought in a small grist of Indian corn soon afterward and in trying to bake some johnny cakes before the fire their cakes ignited and blazed up. A man named Bethuel Parker, an apt poetical genius, wrote a poem entitled : "Hell on Earth or Brimstone in the Grist Mill." He compared
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the episode to Mt. Etna in a blaze and closed with these lines :- "Then Seger cries out in bitterness of soul Have mercy, Lord, though I did take large toll."
Mubarek House
This house at the foot of Main Street on the west side of the river was built on land sold to the Grady Family by Bradford Marcy in 1852.
From the Grady family it became the property of Mrs. Mary Giersch. Later Mr. Philip Reichert bought same and occupied it with his sisters for many years. Some years ago, his sister Miss Anne Reichert sold to Edward Mubarek.
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