History of Windham County, Connecticut, Part 108

Author: Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: New York, Preston
Number of Pages: 1506

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James Arnold was born in Glocester, Providence county, R. I., on the 5th of May, 1822. His father, David Arnold, was also a native of that place, and his grandfather, William Arnold, was born in Smithfield, R. I., May 30th, 1750. The latter served in the revolution, and both William and David Arnold were mem- bers of the legislature. The family is of English descent. James Arnold received a limited education, and at the age of twenty-one started in business for himself. Until the age of forty-five he lived in his native state, where he held various local offices. For the past twenty-two years he has resided in Thomp- son, where he owns a fine farm and home. Mr. Arnold has al- ways been a republican in politics, and is a member of the Meth- odist church. He was married, first, to Abby Ann White, of

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

Glocester, by whom he had three children: David, Joseph and Daniel, of whom the latter only survives. Mrs Arnold's second wife was Miss Caroline Withey.

William J. Arnold was born in 1823 in East Greenwich, R. I. He is a son of Larned, grandson of Charles, and great-grandson of Israel Arnold. He came to Thompson in 1839, where he was a cotton mill operative. He was overseer from 1841 until 1884, ex- cepting three years, when he was in the war of the rebellion, in Company D, 18th Connecticut volunteers, from July, 1862, to June, 1865. Since 1884 he has been repairing belts for the Gros- venor Dale Manufacturing Co. He was married in 1849 to Al- mira Upham. They have three children : Hamilton W., Ange- line A., and Ransom L., who was born in 1859, and has been station agent at North Grosvenor Dale since May, 1882. He was married in 1881 to Abbie J. Lombard.

Stephen Ballard was born in 1841 in Thompson. He is a son of Winthrop H. and Salome Ballard. He is grandson of Lynde, he a son of Zaccheus Ballard, whose wife was Elizabeth, daugh- ter of Thomas Valentine, son of John Valentine, whose wife was Mary, daughter of Samuel Lynde, whose wife was Mary, daugh- ter of Jairus Ballard, who died December, 1697. Mr. Ballard was educated in the schools of Thompson. He taught school some 18 years. He is now a farmer. He has been a member of the school board of Thompson 25 years in succession. He represented the town in the legislature in 1873. He married Sarah D., daughter of William Barber. They had seven chil- dren : Newton, Alice, Ella, Laura C., Bertha, Winthrop and one that died. Mr. Ballard is a republican.

Jerome K. Barnes, born in 1834, is the oldest son of John and grandson of Josiah Barnes. His mother was Catharine (Stone) Barnes. Mr. Barnes is a farmer, living on the homestead where his father resided from 1848 until his death. He was for ten years in Boston, came from there in 1878, and has been a farmer since that time. He was married in 1854 to Malinda A. Cope- land, and has three children : Hattie M., Lillie A. and Herman J. He is a republican.

Edgar L. Bates was born in 1861, in Dudley, Mass. He is a son of Winsor Bates, who is a brother of Walter Bates of Thomp- son. His mother is Mary K. (Fay) Bates. He was educated in the schools of Thompson, and took a commercial course in Trenton, N. J. He has been for ten years connected with a

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

pottery manufacturing house in New Jersey, and for the last few years has been commercial traveler for the firm. He was married in 1883 to Virginia S. Smith. They have two daughters, Helen G. and Alice B. Mr. Bates' father is a farmer, and has been connected with the Methodist Episcopal church of East Thompson for nearly sixty years. He is the father of ten chil- dren, of whom five are living.

Ira D. Bates, born December 25th, 1838, in Uxbridge, Mass., is a son of Peter Bates. In 1861 Mr. Bates offered his services to the government, but was thrown out, owing to his size, but fi- nally, in August of the same year, he was taken as musician in Company B, 25th Massachusetts volunteers, and nine months later was promoted to drum major, and served until 1865. Since that time he has been engaged in the mercantile business. He has owned and operated the store at New Boston since 1880. He represented the town in the legislature in 1887, and in 1888 he was state senator. He was married in 1866 to Abbie M. Whitte- more. They have two daughters.

Ira J. Bates was born in 1827, in Dudley, Mass. He is a son of Nelson, son of "Captain " Alanson, son of John, son of Jacob Bates. His mother was Lucia Jacobs. Mr. Bates is a farmer. He owns part of the shore of Webster lake, and has several summer cottages, and arrangements for a summer watering place, known as Bates' Grove. He was married in 1849 to Maria Davis, and has nine children: Hezekiah D., Martha J., Emma F., George H., Elmer E., Hattie S., Minnie L., Benjamin E. and Frank E., and one that died. He is a member of Webster Meth- odist Episcopal church and a republican.

William N. Bates, born in 1852 in Thompson, is a son of Wal- ter, son of William, son of Elijah, son of Jacob Bates. His mother is Mary J., daughter of Thomas Elliott. He was educated in the schools of Thompson. Mr. Bates has been for several years associated with his father in the undertaking business, and a general cabinet and mechanical business, which his father has run at Thompson since 1841. Mr. Bates has been deputy sheriff and constable for about ten years, and has proved himself very efficient. In 1889 he captured and brought to justice a gang of thieves that had been defying the law in this town, and also in Massachusetts and Rhode Island for the past six years. He is a republican, and a member of the Thompson Congregational church. Mr. Bates' father was deputy sheriff twenty-six years prior to 1879.

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

Lemuel K. Blackmar, born in 1819, is a son of Joseph and grandson of Jacob Blackmar. His mother was Mahala, daughter of Ebenezer Munyan. He went to Providence at the age of six- teen, where he remained eleven years; since that time he has re- sided in Thompson. He had charge of the grist and saw mill at Grosvenor Dale for sixteen years, beginning November, 1864. He was appointed postmaster at Thompson in August, 1885, and since September of that year has filled that office. He was mar- ried in 1846 to Mary M., daughter of Edmund Cooper, of Wick- ford, R. I., and has three children: Martha (Mrs. John W. Bal- lard), Lewis E. and Mary E.

Lewis E. Blackmar, born in 1851, is a son of Lemuel K. Black- mar, mentioned above. In 1870 he went to Grosvenor Dale, where he learned the machinist's trade, continuing there until January, 1880, when he took charge of repairs at Mechanicsville mills, where he has been since that time. He was married in 1874 to Ida, daughter of William Cummins. They had one son, William E., who died in infancy. He is a republican, and a member of Quinebaug Lodge, No. 106, F. & A. M.

Joseph Bowdish, son of Nathaniel, was born in Smithfield, R. I., in 1810. He is a farmer, and has lived in Thompson since 1858. He was married in 1834 to Harriet Young, who died in 1855, leaving three children. He married in 1859 Sarah Jacobs. She died in 1887.

James Buckley was born in 1829 in England, and is a son of James Buckley. He came to America in 1848, and in 1850 to Thompson, where he was for several years employed in a cotton mill. Since 1872 he has kept a livery stable and hotel at North Grosvenor Dale. He was married in 1852 to Martha Hawthorn. They have eight children living and have lost one.

Benjamin Bugbee, born in 1814 in Pomfret, is a son of Leonard and Martha (Buck) Bugbee, and grandson of Elijah and Sarah (Bacon) Bugbee. He has lived in Thompson since about 1830. He was for about twenty-five years a shoemaker. He was station agent at Thompson about ten years, and for the past ten years has been a farmer. He was married in 1840 to Betsey Johnson and has one son, George D. He is a democrat, and a member of the Putnam Advent church.

Warren A. Burgess, born in 1842, is a son of Danforth Burgess. He served in the war of the rebellion in Company D,

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

18th Connecticut volunteers from August, 1862, to May, 1865. He is now a farmer. He was married in 1869 to Ellen M. Cope- land and has one daughter, Edith M. He is a member of the G. A. R. Post, of Putnam Lodge, No. 46, F. & A. M., and a republican.

Loren Chaffee, born in 1820, is a son of John, and grandson of Chester Chaffee. His mother was Lydia Elliott. He is a farmer and owns and occupies the homestead of his father. He was married in 1845 to Nancy C. Hall. They have five children: Ellis H., H. Marilla, John F., Emma L. and Lydia A. One died named Frederick. Mrs. Chaffee died in March, 1888. He is a member of the North Grosvenor Dale Methodist Episcopal church.

David Chase, born in Killingly, Conn., in 1848, is a son of Giles Chase mentioned in Killingly. Mr. Chase was educated at the schools of Killingly, and taught one term in that town. He came to Thompson in 1868, and in 1870 began his mercan- tile career as clerk in Mechanicsville. One year later he went into business for himself, and has been in business in the town continuously since that time. He has been in the store at Me- chanicsville since 1874. He has been selectman two terms, and was representative in the legislature in 1881 and 1884. He was married in 1884 to Anna H., daughter of William I. Bartholo- mew. They have two children-Lillian F. and Julian D. Mr. Chase is a republican.

Fred. R. Child was born in 1856 in Thompson. He is a son of Otis, son of Nathaniel, son of Nathaniel Child, His mother was Elizabeth M. (Rice) Child. He went from Thompson to Web- ster at the age of eighteen, where he has been engaged in the baking business since that time. In September, 1884, he pur- chased his present business. The firm is F. R. Child & Co.

Otis N. Clark, born in 1828 in Woodstock, is a son of Lathrop and Lucy (Perrin) Clark. He was a mill operative and farmer in early life, and has been station agent at East Thompson on the N. Y. &. N. E. R. R. for twenty years. He has been a local preacher in the Methodist church for twenty-four years. He was married in 1853 to Ardelia Benson, who died in 1862, leav- ing two children-Joseph B. and Fannie E. He was married in 1864 to Mary A. Wallace. They have four children-Carrie E., Arthur M., Jennie M. and Ethel W. He is a republican.

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

Frank O. Coman, born in 1853, is a son of John G. and grand- son of Stephen Coman. His mother was Diana Tylor. Mr. Co- man is a farmer and owns the farm where his father made brick for several years prior to his death in 1877. He was married in 1875 to Anna, daughter of Thomas Smith. They have two children living and have lost three.

Phineas Copeland, born in 1813, is a son of Abner and grand- son of Phineas Copeland. His mother was Rebecca, daughter of William Towne. He is a farmer. He was married in 1835 to Emeline Upham, who died in July, 1883. He was married in February, 1886, to Mary L. Brown. He is a republican and a member of North Grosvenor Dale Methodist Episcopal church.

Japheth Corttis was born in 1824 in Thompson. He is a son of Japheth and he a son of Japheth Corttis, son of Francis Cort- tis. His mother was Clarissa (Comstock) Corttis. He is a farmer and cattle trader. He has been justice about thirty years, assessor and member of board of relief. He represented the town in the legislature one term. He was married in 1848 to Lucy Ann, daughter of James H. Davis. They have three children living: Mary L., E. Herbert and Elmer J. They have lost two boys: Frank and Frederick. Both sons are graduates of Amherst College. Mr. Corttis is a republican.

Albert Converse, born in 1818, is a son of Riel and grandson of Elijah Converse. He is a farmer and owns and occupies the homestead of his father and grandfather at Wilsonville. During Johnson's administration he was instrumental in the establishing of a post office at Wilsonville, and filled the office of postmaster for about eight years. He was married in 1840 to Rebecca T. Kelly, who died in September, 1878, leaving six children: Noel E., Helen M., Alice A., Ann R., Etta and Ada B., all of whom are married. Mr. Converse was married again in 1883 to Ruth A. Battey.

Jesse F. Converse, a son of Hezekiah and grandson of Chester Converse, was born in 1815 in Pomfret, and is a blacksmith by trade. He was in the war of the rebellion from August, 1862, to July, 1865, in Company D, 18th Connecticut volunteers. He was married in May, 1837, to Mercy Prince. She died in 1872, leaving one daughter, Mary E. He was married in 1873 to Mrs. Caroline Joslin, widow of John J. Joslin. He is a republican.

George S. Crosby was born in February, 1844. His father Stephen, was a son of Stephen, and grandson of Stephen

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

Crosby, who was born in 1734, served in the war of the revolu- tion, and lost his life in the service. Mr. Crosby was in the Thompson Hotel with his father from 1859 until his father's death, in November, 1884. He afterward conducted the hotel until 1886, when he sold it and built' him a fine residence near by, and since that time has been a farmer. He is a director in the national bank at Thompson. He was married in 1879 to Mary B., daughter of Joseph D. Jacobs. They have one daught- er, Sarah C. Mr. Crosby is a democrat, a member of the Central Congregational church, and clerk and treasurer of the same.

Nicholas Curtis, born in 1838 in Ireland, is a son of Thomas Curtis. Mr Curtis came to this country thirty-five years ago. He is a farmer. He married Mary Mahr, and has three children -Frank, Henry and Lizzie. He is a member of the Catholic church.

Ebor Davis, born in 1814, is a son of Thomas, and grandson of Thomas Davis. His mother was Susan Vinner. He is one of four children-Rebecca (Mrs. William Jacobs), Sarah (de- ceased), Ellen B. and Ebor. Mr. Davis is a farmer, owns and oc- cupies the homestead of his father and grandfather. He was married in 1841 to Chloe, daughter of James Cudworth. They have had two children-one that died in infancy, and Lucinda, who married Charles Howard. She died, leaving one son, who was drowned, aged 14 years.

Marcus Davis, born in 1830 in Thompson, is the oldest son of George, and grandson of Thomas Davis. His mother was Bet- sey Grover. He is a shoe cutter by trade, having followed the business for about thirty years. He owns and occupies the homestead farm of his father, and is now a farmer. He was in the war of the rebellion from January, 1864, to June, 1865, in Company F, 11th Connecticut volunteers. He was married in 1851 to Laura M., daughter of Wright Porter. They have four children: Arthur M., Lowell C., Ada A. and Cora M. (Mrs. E. C. Gammage). He is a democrat.

David E. Day, born in 1838 in Thompson, is a son of David, and grandson of "Deacon " Thomas, who was in the war of the revolution. David was a farmer. He married Louisa Cady, daughter of James Cady. They had two children, Louisa E. and David E., who is a farmer and lives on the homestead. The father died in 1873, aged 81 years.

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

Henry H. Dike .- In 1729 James Narramore came to what is now Thompson, near Brandy hill, and bought 63 acres of land. His daughter Mary, married James Dike in May, 1741, and to James and Mary was given the small farm at the death of Mr. Narramore. James Dike's 'son Thomas, married in December, 1770, Dorothy Davison. Their son Samuel, married Rachel Da- vis in 1808. She died, and he married her half sister Mary Da- vis in 1810. Their son George Dike, was born in February, 1815. He married Hannah Snow of Massachusetts. Mr. Dike died in 1879, having survived his wife seventeen years. His six children were: Samuel W., Henry H., Mary H., Harriet W., An- cel G. (deceased), and Josiah W. The oldest son is a clergyman, and the other two sons, with the two daughters, own and occupy the old homestead. Their 175 acre farm embraces the original 63 acres which has been in the family since 1729.

Horace Eaton, born in 1808 in Plainfield, is the eldest son of Ebenezer and grandson of " Captain " Ebenezer Eaton. He has been for many years a woolen mill operative. He was married in 1836 to Mahala Doty, who died in 1850. They had four chil- dren: George (deceased), Gilbert, Horace and Edward. He was married in 1852 to Eleanor Young, who died in 1880. Their two children were Albert (deceased) and Ellen (Mrs. Charles Kelly).

Joseph Egan, son of Thomas Egan, was born in 1835 in Ire- land. He came to this country in 1851, and to Mechanicsville in 1861, since which time he has been overseer of finishing in the woolen mill. He was married in 1861, and has nine children. He is a member of West Thompson Catholic church.

Arad U. Elliott, born in 1824, is a son of John W., and grand- son of David and Chloe (Wakefield) Elliott. His mother was Sophia, daughter of Chester and Caroline (Walker) Chaffee. He was a farmer until thirty years old, then began carriage making and blacksmithing, which he continues. He has held some of the town offices, and in 1889 represented the town in the legisla- ture. He was married in 1848 to Abigail B. Kelton. She died in 1886, leaving three children -- George A., Henry L. and Dyer S., one son having died. Mr. Elliott is a republican, a member of the Masonic order, and also of the Grange.

Francis N. Elliott is a son of Dyer N. Elliott, who was born in . 1797, he a son of John and he a son of Francis Elliott. Dyer N. Elliott owns and occupies the farm where he has lived since

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1798. He was married in 1825 to Eliza Greene. She died in March, 1884, leaving four children-Ophelia (Mrs. Albert Prince), Francis N., Mary (Mrs. J. Arnold) and Lucy (Mrs. Albert Far- rows).

John Elliott, born in 1849 in Thompson, is a son of Marcus A. and grandson of John Elliott. His mother was Sarah C. Ormsbee. He was educated in. the schools of Thompson, was fourteen years clerk in the Grosvenor Dale store, and for the last seven years of the time was also bookkeeper. In February, 1882, he came to North Grosvenor Dale, where he has since been a merchant. He has been postmaster since October, 1885. He was married in December, 1879, and has five children. Mr. Elliott is a dem- ocrat, and one of the directors in the Thompson Savings Bank.

Luther Elliott, born in 1833 in Thompson, is the eldest son of Loren and grandson of David Elliott. His mother was Caroline Chaffee. He is a carpenter by trade, and has a farm of sixty acres, where he now lives. He was married in 1854 to Mary M., daughter of George Kelton. They have two children-Nancy A. (Mrs. G. Tirrell) and Burton W.

Marcus A. Elliott, born in 1853, is a son of Marcus A. Elliott (mentioned above). He was educated in the schools of the town, and one year in the Woodstock Academy. He has been sales- man in the Grosvenor Dale store eight years. Since 1882 he has been clerk and bookkeeper for John Elliott at North Grosvenor Dale, where he is assistant postmaster.

Smith Emerson was born in 1823 in Thompson. His father Orrin, was a son of Willard, and grandson of Simeon Emerson. Mr. Emerson is a farmer, and owns and occupies the residence which his father built in 1834. He was married in 1848 to Orrilla Taft. They have four children living : Defonzo, Ellen, Orrin and Cora, and they have lost four.

Albert Farrows, born in Thompson, June, 1841, is a son of Paine, and grandson of Ebenezer Farrows. His mother was Mary Briggs. He was educated in the schools of Thompson and at Dudley Academy. He is a farmer, but has taught more or less for thirty years. He was married in 1864, to Lucy A., daugh- ter of Dyer N. Elliott, and has one son, Olin D. Mr. Farrows is a republican.

William A. Frederick was born in 1861 in Westford, Mass. He learned the machinist's trade in Westfield, Mass., and in May, 1887, he came to Grosvenor Dale, where he has been master

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

mechanic for the Grosvenor Dale Manufacturing Company since that time. He was married in 1886 to Clara B. Brayman.

Orton G. Greene was born in 1841 in Oakland county, Mich. He is a son of Johnson and grandson of Ebenezer Greene. He is a carpenter by trade. He was in the war of the rebellion from July, 1861, to November, 1865, in the 5th Michigan Infantry. In 1865 he was married to Harriet O., daughter of Samuel Greene. They have five children: Chauncey A., Benjamin P., Charles G., Harry R. and Cleon M.

Charles K. Griffith, son of Sidney Griffith, was born in 1837 in East Greenwich, R. I., came to Killingly in 1857, where he was engaged as mill operative for many years. He was overseer of spinning in "Himes'" mill (Killingly) for seventeen years. He came to Grosvenor Dale in January, 1888, where he has had charge of spinning. He was in the war of the rebellion from August, 1862, to July, 1865, in Company K, 18th Connecticut volunteers. He was married in 1860 to Ellen Jordan and has one son, Fred. N. He is a member of Moriah Lodge, No. 15, F. & A. M.

Arthur H. Gulliver was born December 13th, 1856, in Nor- wich, Conn., and is a son of Doctor Daniel F. Gulliver. He graduated from Norwich Free Academy in 1873, and from Yale College in 1877; was with the Wauregan Manufacturing Com- pany from 1878 to 1886, and in November, 1887, came to Gros- venor Dale, where he has superintended the mill since that time. He was married April 8th, 1885, to Frieda A., daughter of David Emerson. They have one daughter, Edith E. He is a repub- lican.

Daniel E. Hickie, born in 1846 in Boston, is a son of John Hickie. He came to West Thompson from Boston in 1876, and for ten years he was a farmer, having bought a farm of 90 acres. In 1886 he began the baking business, which he has continued since that time, running two wagons on the road.

George B. Howard was born in 1850 in Baltimore, Md., and is a son of George F. Howard. He moved to Norwich from Balti- more when a small boy. He is a mason by trade, but has been engaged in the manufacture of small beer for the past eleven years in the summer season. He was married in 1878 to Ellen M., daughter of Nelson Frink, and has five children: Mabel C., George N., Byron E., Wesley W. and Ethel M. He is a member of the Broadway Congregational church of Norwich, a prohi- bitionist and a member of the Masonic order.

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

Thomas Hutchinson, born in 1850 in Plainfield, son of Chris- topher Hutchinson, came to Grosvenor Dale in 1876, and for eleven years was clerk for H. G. Ransom. In April, 1887, he, in company with John Elliott (firm of Thomas Hutchinson & Co.), bought out Mr. Ransom, and he has carried on a general mercan- tile business since that time. He was married in 1872 to Sarah Bragg. They have two children-Ida L. and Albert B.

Barton Jacobs was born in 1843 in Thompson. He is a son of Cyril, son of Amasa, son of John, son of Nathaniel, son of Joseph Jacobs. He is a farmer, owning the homestead of his father and grandfather. He was representative in the legislature in 1880, and has been justice since 1876. He was married in 1872 to Lucy M. Jenkins. They have five daughters: Lottie M., Laura E., Lucy J., Louisa A. and Ruth E. Mr. Jacobs is a republican and a member of Putnam Lodge, No. 46, F. & A. M.

Parley Jordan was born in 1793, a son of William Jordan and Comfort Palmer. Mr. Jordan was a natural mechanic, and he was for many years engaged in the manufacture of edged tools, especially axes. He died at his home in New Boston in 1874. He was five times elected to the legislature from Thompson. He was married to Sophia Phelps and had three daughters: Mary P., Frances E. and Ellen L. (Mrs. William Soule). Mr. Jordan was a republican.

George C. Johnson was born February 23d, 1822, in Pomfret. He is the oldest son of William Johnson and grandson of Smith Johnson. His mother was Betsey, daughter of George Cundall. He was in the war of the rebellion, in Company D, 18th Connec- ticut volunteers, from August, 1862, to June, 1865. He was a shoe manufacturer about twenty years, and since then has been a farmer. He was married in 1842 to Mary A. Wakefield, who died in 1844. He was married in 1850 to Jane Wilkes. They have one son, William S. He is a member of the West Thomp- son Methodist church, and a member of A. G. Warner Post, No. 54, G. A. R.

Albert E. Jones, born in 1853 in Dudley, Mass., is a son of Eb- enezer Jones. In 1873 he began work in the Mechanicsville Mills, and since 1875 he has had charge of the dyeing depart- ment. He was married in 1881 to Henrietta J. Baker. They have one daughter, Mabel A. He is a republican and a member of Putnam Lodge, No. 46, F. & A. M.

Welcome B. Joslin was born in 1814 in Thompson. His father, Jesse, was a son of Edward and grandson of Israel Joslin. Mr.

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HISTORY OF WINDHAM COUNTY.

Joslin is a farmer. He has filled the offices of selectman, asses- sor and justice, and in 1874 he represented the town in the legis- lature. He was married in 1840 to Ann G., daughter of Hail M. Jacobs. They have three children-Emily, Sarah and Charles A. Mr. Joslin is a member of the East Thompson Baptist church, and a republican.

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History of Windham County, Connecticut, Part 108

Author: Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather) Publication date: 1889 Publisher: New York, Preston Number of Pages: 1506

Author: Bayles, Richard M. (Richard Mather)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: New York, Preston
Number of Pages: 1506