Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 179

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Beers
Number of Pages: 1502

USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families > Part 179

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On March 15, 1805. Mr. Speaker was ghin- ried to Rosa E. Hill, who was hom 10 West brook, in 180%, daughter ni Edwm E al Cornelia &Spencer) Hill. One duld, Gilbert 1 .. has been added to the londild. \ Ke- publican in politics he is strong in This confere tions of the justice of these Practic. Bali he and wife are valued in the royal Church. By the exercise I elengy. ledte ty and perseverance. Mt, Spencer Jas . coron lated a competency, and has won the right to be considered one of the substantial and sep Presentative men of the town of Western

THADDEUS R SPENTER the leading business men of Moher nie occupy a higher place de merell ou des than deres Huddens R. Spencer, whose finely equipped merenalle Joodse gives est dence of his enterprise men and sterling honesty

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Calvin Spencer, his great-grandfather, was born in Lyme, Conn., October 8, 1765, and died March 31, 1813. On November 1, 1789, he was married to Mehitabel Brainard, who was born in 1766, and who died September 2, 1851. She, too, was a native of Lyme, Conn., and a member of the Baptist Church, in which her husband was a deacon. The death of Cal- vin Spencer was a very sad one, inasmuch as it was due to his kindness and charity. A member of a ship's crew had died of yellow fever, and as no one else would bury him, Mr. Spencer performed that service, thus contract- ing the disease, from which he died three days later. To himself and wife were born : Nancy, Hope, Jedediah, Calvin J., Elijah, Charles M., Betsy and Slewman.

Elijah Spencer, the grandfather of our subject, was born December 26, 1798, at East Lvme, Conn., where he learned the trade of blacksmith. As he was quite young when his father died he was early forced to earn his own living. When a young man he located at Moodus, established a blacksmith shop, and worked at his trade until his death, which oc- curred March 24, 1861. On September 5, 1824, he married Mary Biglow, and to them were born : Charles T., Harriet, Caroline E., Thomas Elijah, Mary Mehitable, Israel and Nancy Maria.

Charles T. Spencer was born in East Had- dam February 23, 1826. Learning the trade of blacksmith, he followed it until his death, January 5. 1866. His untimely demise was deeply deplored by his many friends. In poli- tics he was a Republican, and in religion a sincere member of the Baptist Church, in which he was an active worker. On June 30, 1850, he was married to Wealthy B. Rich.

Thaddeus Rich Spencer was born in Mood- us, Conn., May 28, 1852. After finishing the common school course, he attended a private school for one year, which was conducted by the Rev. Silas Robbins. Entertaining the be- lief that a boy could not begin to learn the de- tails of commercial life too early, he went into the store of William R. Brainard, at the early age of fourteen years. One year later he ac- cepted a position as clerk for Gates & Barton, and continued there for seven years, during the last two years of which time he was inter- ested as a partner. At that time David S. and Albert E. Purple offered him a very good po- sition, which he accepted and filled for some

ten years. His next venture was with L. D. F. Gates & Co., and in April, 1883, he pur- chased the stock of this concern, and three years later the building which he now occupies. The stock carried is one of the finest in Mood- us, and is contained in a large double store, well supplied with all modern fixtures, show cases, etc. So large is his trade, that in addi- tion to his own efforts, he requires the services of two assistants, and all his surroundings give evidence of the prosperity that is his.

On December 4, 1872, Mr. Spencer was married to Ethelinda G. Palmer, and they have one son. Charles T., who was born May 6. 1880. In politics Mr. Spencer follows the ex- ample of his revered father, and is one of the pillars of Republicanism in Moodus, as well as the surrounding district, and in 1900-01 he represented his district in the Legislature. In church work both he and his estimable wife are active supporters of the Baptist Church. and they are as popular in this organization as they are among their many friends.

CARL FREDERICK OLSON was born in Finspong, Ostergothland, Sweden, June 21. 1842, and in 187I came to the United States. In Sweden he was reared to farming and re- ceived but limited schooling. The parents were people of limited means and young Carl had to walk four miles to school, which was a poor enough affair when he reached it. He was the youngest child in a family of four sons and three daughters. One brother, John, had pre- ceded him to the United States, and had mar- ried and settled in Collinsville, Conn., where he died, leaving a family. Mr. Olson's mother died when he was four years old, and he went to live with his married sister, Margaret. When he was eleven years old he was put to work, and had a life of labor before him from that early age. He labored from morning un- til night. and earned his board and clothes. with a nominal allowance of money. This he saved, and it was enough when he was of age to take him to the United States, where he knew that a poor man had advantages not to be obtained in the Old World. He sailed in May, 1871, from Liverpool, and after a voyage of nineteen days landed in New York. coming from there to Saybrook, Conn., where he earned his first money in the United States by shovelling dirt on the Valley Division of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Rail-

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road, then in course of construction. He worked on the railroad that summer, and spent the following winter at Tariffville, Conn., where he chopped cord wood, and attended school, even though he was a full grown man. In the following spring he came to Portland and entered the Middlesex quarry. He spent several seasons at quarry work, and even after he bought his present farm was engaged there two summers.

Mr. Olson and Miss Anna Charlotte John- son were married in 1871. She was born in Sweden June II, 1841, was an old acquaint- ance of Mr. Olson, and came over on the same ship with him. Mr. Olson was industrious, prudent and saving, and when he wanted a home of his own was able to buy a farm of fifty-three acres, in company with Andrew Lar- son. They farmed together for four years, and then our subject bought out Mr. Larson. He bought more land, and now owns a farm of eighty acres, well cultivated and in fine con- dition. He has spent considerable money on his place, and, as he has done his own work, his good management has enabled him to make many improvements that otherwise would have been impossible. He is honest and up- right, and everybody has a good word for him. Mr. Olson started a dairy very soon after com- ing to the farm, and he is to-day the oldest dairyman in Portland. He is the oldest mem- ber of the Portland Swedish Church, in which he has held the position of deacon for several years. Mrs. Olson died November 4, 1898. and is buried in the Swedish cemetery in Portland. They had two children, both of whom are now deceased : Hulda Matilda, born January 13, 1872, died August 14, 1872; Ellen Maria, born October 5. 1877, died in August, 1878. Mr. Olson has a foster child. Anna Amelia, born in July, 1899. He is a Republican and is a close student of American politics.

THEODORE FULLER, one of the sub- stantial farmers of Moodus, Conn., and a man of practical ideas, sound principles and sterling honesty, was born November 15, 1821, a son of Selder and Julia ( Cone ) Fuller.

Johiel Fuller, his great-grandfather, was a lifelong resident of Moodus, where he engaged in farming. He died December 16, 1796, aged sixty-two years.

Johiel Fuller (2), son of Johiel, was born

on the place where our subject now lives. April 18, 1760. On June 24, 1783, he married Re- liance Smith, who was born April 8. 1,60. Their children were: Selden : Julia, born Jan- uary 23, 1787, died aged nineteen : Philon, born July 31. 1789: Sarah, born August 12. 1791; Mary, born October 15. 1793: Statira, born October 1, 1797: and Nancy, born Oc- tober 13. 1803. Johiel Fuller (2). died at North Bolton, Conn .. March 11. 1815. and his wife passed away April 22. 1810.

Selden Fuller was born in Moodus. Conn .. May 16, 1785, where he grew to maturity. He was an extensive farmer. and owned at times between 200 and 300 acres of land. and had about 100 acres at the time of his death. He married Julia, a daughter of Josiah Cone, and she died January 27. 1831, at the age of forty. His children, who were all born on the old homestead, were as follows: Marietta. Theo- clore. Frederick and Francis.

Theodore Fuller received a common school education, and the lessons he gained in the school of life have proven of much value. At his father's death he inherited considerable property, to which he added until he is now one of the most wealthy men of the com- munity. When but sixteen he commenced to loan money, at first under the direction of his father, but gradually as his experience in- creased, upon his own responsibility, and all his life he has taken great interest in this branch of his business. In addition to his farming property. Mr. Fuller owns bank stock and real estate throughout the city. He is a director in the Moodus Savings Bank.

On October 8. 1856, Mr. Fuller married Sarah Rogers, a daughter of Amasa and Mary ( Chase) Rogers, natives of Colchester, where the father was a blacksmith. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers spent their declining years in East Haddam, the former dring at the age of fifty three and the latter at eighty three They were the parents of the following children: Will tam Sherman : Elihu; Gordon : Daniel . Sarah ; Horace: Harriet : John and Henry. Mis Ful ler's grandfather. Frastus Rogers, was a na tive of Salem, where he was a farmer One daughter, Julia, was born to Mi and Mrs Ful ler. November 8, 1800, but she entered into rest August 25, 18&0)

Politically Mr Fuller is a Democrat and has held many of the local offices, being vers popular in the ranks of his pats But le dial

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his estimable wife are highly esteemed, and their lives are examples to the present genera- tion.

JOHN FREDRIKSON, one of the well- known and prosperous business men of Ivory- ton. Middlesex county, was born in Regna, Sweden, August 26, 1860, son of Frederick Sodergren and Anna Sophia ( Helene) Fred- rikson, the former of whom is a blacksmith living and conducting his business in Regna. Frederick Sodergren and Anna S. (Helene) had the following children: Peter G., who married Augusta Moberg, and was an em- ploye of The Comstock-Cheney Co., at this place, but is now in the dairy business ; Matil- da, who married Andrew Nilson, and lives on a farm in Sweden; Anna, deceased at the age of five; John; an infant that died unnamed; and Alfred, who in 1893 was a resident of Chi- cago, Illinois.

Until he was fifteen years of age, John. Fredrikson had the advantages of the district schools of his native place, his summers being usually spent in labor on a farm, the first year after leaving school also being thus employed. During this year he earned only board and clothes with a scant allowance of pocket money, and as this was not very remunerative, he de- cided to learn the trade of shoemaker. Ac- cording to the regulations he received no wages for three years, his pay for the fourth and last year being his board, clothes and seventy-five crowns.

In May, 1882, desiring to better his con- dition, and see something of the world, Mr. Fredrikson left his home for the United States, sailing from Goteborg to England and thence to New York. His brother, who had pre- ceded him to America, had secured congenial employment in Ivoryton, and had sent the means to pay his passage on the "City of Ber- lin," of the Inman line. After twelve days on the water. New York was reached, from which city John went to Essex by boat. In the shoe shop of G. F. Buckingham he at once secured employment, where he remained a few weeks, until he had become accustomed to American speech and ways, going then to Westbrook, where for one year he remained with Amos Wilcox, in his repair department.

By strict economy Mr. Fredrikson had saved some money and went to Deep River, where he found an opening for a cobbling es-

tablishment, remaining there seven months. when a better opening was found in Portland. and there he carried on business for three years. Returning to Ivoryton he entered The Com- stock-Cheney & Co.'s shop for six months. In the spring of 1888 he made a visit to his old home in Sweden, remaining six weeks. Upon his return he went into partnership with his brother, under the name of Fredrikson Broth- ers. They opened a shoe and repair shop, in the Savage building, where they continued un- til 1893, when our subject built his present commodious store, and has been in business there ever since. In connection with his regu- lar trade he carries a line of tobacco, cigars and confectionery, and by his honesty and en- ergy has built up a large and increasing trade.

On August 5, 1893, Mr. Fredrikson mar- ried Annie S. Peterson, daughter of Peter Peterson, who was born March 4. 1864, in Regna, Sweden, and came to the United States in 1886. To this union have been born : John G., born June 5, 1894; Gustavus A., Septem- ber 23, 1895, died September 1, 1896; Hulda Sophia, born April 12, 1897; and Selma C., October II, 1899. In politics Mr. Fredrikson has chosen the Republican party as best em- bracing his principles, and he is an active sup- porter of the same. In business circles he has won the confidence of the community, and is among the most highly respected citizens of. Ivoryton.

ABRAHAM LINQUIST. As the reader may guess from his name, Mr. Linquist comes from Scandinavian stock. His father, whose name was Yons Larson, was a well-to-do farm- er at Gunnajji Linhult, in Elsparlane, in Northern Sweden, and died there in February. 1899. His widow, whose name before mar- riage was Bittalana Pierson, survived her hus- band, continuing to reside in her Swedish home. They reared a family of four children, of whom Abraham was the youngest, and also the only one to win fortune on American soil. His eldest brother. Christian Yonson, with his wife, Johanna, cultivates a farm in the Father- land. Carl Peter Yonson, the second son, mar- ried Annabrito Pierson. Annabrito, the youngest daughter, is the wife of Johannes Oison, a wealthy farmer in Sweden.

Abraham Linquist-having changed his name from Yonson to Linquist-was born upon his father's farm August 18, 1863. Between

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the ages of six and fifteen he attended school, and remained at home until he was seventeen years old, assisting his father upon the farm. He then began to seek employment for him- self as a farm hand during the summer months, although still aiding his father during the win- ter months. He was robust, athletic and strong, fully capable of performing a man's work, and he earned a man's pay, which in Swedish money was then about two American dollars. Industrious, thrifty and frugal from boyhood, his small savings began gradually to accumu- late. Friends of his had already emigrated from Sweden to America, and had settled in Portland, Conn., and he resolved to emulate their example. His own hard earned money paid for his passage, and he bade adieu to the shores of the Eastern Hemisphere, at Liver- pool. He landed at New York, but at once set out for Portland. His entire cash capital con- sisted of seven dollars, and out of this slen- der fund he paid his passage to the Connecticut town by boat. Being carried past his point of destination and landed at Hartford, he bought supper in a restaurant conducted by a Swede, who, taking advantage of the evident ignor- ance of his needy compatriot, further depleted his resources by charging him two dollars for the meal. That same evening he took a re- turn boat for Portland, where for a short time he remained with friends. It was not long. however, before he obtained work on the large farm of Charles E. Lyman, in Middlefield, con- tinuing in that gentleman's employ for a year. during which period, his quick intelligence and unwavering integrity, gained for him the full trust and confidence of the employer. On leav- ing the service of Mr. Lyman he returned to Portland, where for eight years he worked in the Middlesex quarry. His duties there were various, and for the last two years he was em- ployed as a blaster. He was hard-working, temperate and frugal, and during the time in which he was working as a farm hand and a quarryman he saved enough to purchase from Mrs. Henry Wilcox, the thirty-five acres in Middlefield, known as the "Smith Birdsey Farm." To this he has since added ten deres. and on this last tract he carries on fruit grow- ing and market gardening in addition to gen cral farming. While Mr. Linquist's life has been one of toil, his labors have borne abund ant fruit in the financial success with which they have been rewarded, as well as in the

hearty respect paid him by the community in which he resides. He is a Republican in poli- tics, but not an active party worker, and an in- fluential and honored member of the Middle- field Grange. He is an ardent patriot and an outspoken champion of American institutions. In the winter of 1899-00. he revisited Sweden, setting sail December 9th and returning Jan- uary 25th. He returned firmer than ever in his convictions that for the poor and industri- ous no other land offers such opportunities as this.

Mrs. Linquist's maiden name was Jennie Yonson. She was born in Sweden and came to this country in 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Lin- quist have four children : Esther. Henry, John and Alma. The family all attend the Middlefield Congregational Church.

FREDERICK H. PERRY, who comes of a well known family of Middlesex county, was born June 2, 1858, son of Noah Clark and Anna ( Bailey ) Perry.

Frederick Perry, the grandfather of our subject, was probably born in Ohio, but came to Connecticut when he was middle-aged, first settling at Haddam : later he removed to Ches- ter and erected the factory building subsequent- ly occupied by F. H. Perry & Co. There he engaged in the manufacture of satinet and woolen goods, following that line for a 1111- ber of years, and later he was engaged in the manufacture of bright wire goods, being one of the pioneers in the production of this class of goods in the United States. His son, Then- dore, was associated with him in this latter business until the young man died and was sie ceeded by Noah C., father of our subject. Frederick Perry died in Chester, aged seventy five, and is buried at Deep River Di his mu- riage six children were born: (1) Ohver married (first ) : Miss Webb, by what he he one child, and (second) Hennesta Dad, w bore him four children ; he was a fortier all resided in Chester (2) The Second was & soon who was drowned when a small boy (R) Noah Clark is mentioned belos: A11 Es chức niried Alred Dickeraos 000wvol in Nev York City, where Her linskand ww esgazel Eva and Fbesie PSV Theshare matrial Sale via Lande tor Inela became Mes LoRos. three chi then, Bersani Life and Poco

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Noah Clark Perry, father of our subject, was born in Haddam in May, 1826, and there spent his boyhood days, removing with his par- ents to Chester, and assisting his father in the factory for a number of years, also in a wood turning factory operated by his father and George S. Gladding. After the death of his brother, Theodore, he succeeded to the latter's interest, and upon the death of his father, bought out the other heirs, and continued in the manufacture of bright wire goods the re- mainder of his life, his death occurring in Chester in 1891. In politics he was a Republi- can and he served as justice of the peace for many years; at the time of his death he was deputy sheriff under Sheriff Thomas S. Brown. Noah C. Perry married Anna Bailey, daugh- ter of Harris Bailey, and she died in 1894, the mother of four children: Frederick H. is our subject ; Belle J. married a Mr. Duff, and re- sides in New York City; Clara A. married Frederick F. Hammond, of Marblehead, Mass., and has three children, Mildred, Harry and John; and Theodore S. is living at Hadlyme, unmarried.

Frederick H. Perry received his education in the district schools of his neighborhood, and when fourteen entered the employ of his uncle Theodore, and later was employed by his father in the manufacture of bright wire goods. Upon the death of the latter in 1891, he assumed charge of the business, but dis- posed of it in 1896 to a corporation, which oc- cupied the factory building for a little over a year. In February, 1898, the firm of F. H. Perry & Co. was established, the members be- ing Frederick H. Perry, John Ferguson and Frank H. White, for the manufacture of double cut bits, German bits, German and double cut gimlet bits, screw driver bits, nail sets, reamers, etc. The product of the firm soon gained a wide-spread reputation for qual- ity and excellence of workmanship. Having been in this line of business all his life, Mr. Perry thoroughly understands every detail, and he superintends the work himself.

In 1882 Mr. Perry was married to Jennie E. Ferguson, who was born in Chester April I, 1861, a daughter of James and Jeanette (Robbins) Ferguson. One child, Mabel, has been born of this union. In politics Mr. Perry is a Republican, and he was chairman of the Republican town committee in 1899; in .1899 he was elected second selectman. Fraternally

he is a member of Webb Lodge, No. 81, I. O. O. F., of Deep River, and of the New England Order of Protection, Lodge No. 250, of Ches- ter. Possessing ability, industrious by nature, Mr. Perry succeeds in his enterprises and wins to himself many friends, by whom he is highly respected.

PETER G. FREDRICKSON is a well- known and successful dairyman, who resides at Ivoryton, in the town of Essex, and is one of the most highly esteemed citizens of the com- munity. He is a native of Sweden, where he was born in Bjorke, May 6, 1851. Practically he had no educational advantages, and al- though no one could suspect him of any lack, he has been obliged to learn by observation in- stead of books. His native town had no school within its borders until he was about twelve years of age, and it is doubtful if he could have attended it, as his father's means were very limited, and as early as the age of ten years the lad was obliged to provide for himself. At that age he went to make his home with his grandfather, who was a blacksmith, and here he was to have board and clothes and a very little bit of spending money while he learned the trade. After four years of hard work Mr. Fredrickson was obliged to give it up on ac- count of poor health which, in the eyes of his grandfather, who was a hard master, was not a good excuse. At the age of fifteen Peter went into the wood chopping business and fol- lowed it for eight years, cutting down the tim- ber during the winters and splitting it into cordwood in the summers. Although he was a faithful worker and was known as an expert chopper, he was paid but seventy-five cents a cord, and some idea of the work he did in one year may be obtained when it is stated that he cleared $750. in the last year of wood chop- ping in the old country. His average wages were about $2.15 a day, and these were un- usually good.

Mr. Fredrickson early entertained the idea of emigrating to America, on account of the prosperity of one of his friends who had lo- cated in Essex, Conn., and at length he decided to join him. On May 6, 1878, accompanied by his estimable wife he sailed from Gote- borg, Sweden, bound for Essex, Conn., via Liverpool, England, and New York. Their ves- sel was the "Erin," of the old National line, and after a voyage of eleven days, they landed tired

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but safe in New York, and came to Essex by boat. Here Mr. Fredrickson soon found em- ployment in the shoddy mill owned by William C. Hough, and continued there one year, but on July 22, 1879, he entered the key board shop of what is now The Comstock, Cheney & Co., Ivoryton, where he was a faithful and trusted employe, remaining in their employ, in the same department until May 4, 1901, when his increasing dairy interests required all his time, and he reluctantly severed his relations with the company, which had been so bene- ficial and so pleasant on both sides. During this extended period of twenty-two years, he lost little time from his work, nine weeks of absence, on account of an accident, practically covering it all. In 1883 Mr. Fredrickson pur- chased his farm, and in 1884, he erected his present comfortable residence. Here he has sixty-three acres of valuable land which has been greatly improved under his ownership. His dairy business was started in a very small way, but it has steadily increased, and now he not only has an excellent paying route through Ivoryton, but the business is rapidly increasing.

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Commemorative biographical record of Middlesex County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Part 179

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Chicago : Beers Number of Pages: 1502

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Beers
Number of Pages: 1502