USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Seymour > Seymour, past and present > Part 21
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the ministry, studied under Bishop Williams and took a four years' course at the Berkeley Divinity school at Middletown, was ordained to the Diaconate, in 1899, and was ordained to the priesthood May 17, 1900. During his course of study he had charge of the parish in Yalesville three years, and one year at Oxford. After ordination he was appointed by the bishop, minister in charge at Oxford and Quaker Farms, where he remained for a year, coming to Seymour in July, 1900, to take charge of Trinity parish.
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REV. M. F. RIGNEY.
The present rector of the Church of St. Augustine, was born in South Norwalk, Conn., studied at St. Charles College, Elicott City, Md., and was ordained at St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, in 1883. His first pastorate was at Cornwall Bridge and he was afterward in charge of the Church of St. Bernard in Sharon.
He succeed to the pastorate of the Church of St. Augustine April 1, 1894, and his success attests the energy with which he works for
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the interest of the parish. During his pastorate the wooden steps in front of the north and south entrances have been removed and ir their place, steps of granite have been built, the basement has been finished, making a commodious hall, a church bell has been secured, and the cemetery has been improved. The parish now numbers about 500. The church, which has cost $13.000, has a seating capacity of 600 Father Rigney attends also the Oxford and Beacon Falls stations.
REV. PAUL E. T. LEMPKE.
Rev. Mr. Lempke, pastor of the German Lutheran church, was born in Pommern, Germany, and studied theology in Berlin, came to the United States in 1896, and located in Hartford as pastor of the German Evangelical Lutheran congregation, was pastor of congregations in Derby and Shelton, and from there came to Sey- mour to take charge of the German Lutheran church, where he has been very successful in pastoral work.
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REV. HENRY DAVENPORT NORTHROP.
Rev. Henry Davenport Northrop, whose summer home is in Seymour, was born in Poultney, Steuben Co., New York, March 10, 1836, graduated from Amherst College, Mass., in 1857 was pastor of the Congregational church in Seymour until the fall of 1858, then attended theological lectures at Yale College and preached in the Howe Street Congregational church of that city. He went to Lon- don in 1862 and founded the Victoria Park Congregational church. In 1864 he returned to this country and until 1874 was pastor of the West 23rd St. Presbyterian church, New York city. He was then pastor of the Fourth Congregational church in Hartford, until 1880, when he removed to Philadelphia, where he was pastor of the Tenth Street Presbyterian church until 1886.
He then connected himself as author and editor with the Na- tional Publishing Co. His best known works are "Earth, Sea and Sky," "Bible Stories for the Young," "History of America for Young People," "Crown Jewels," and "Peerless Reciter." He is also the author of the American story entitled "John Winslow."
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Mr. Northrop's elder son, Dr. Herbert L. Northrop, is Professor of Anatomy in the Hahnnemann Medical College. Philadelphia, and senior surgeon in the hospital of the same name.
The younger son is Dr. Edward R. Northrop of Grand Forks, British Columbia, who is doctor and surgeon to a branch of the Northern Pacific railroad and the Granby Mining and Smelting Co.
VIEW FROM CHURCH HILL, LOOKING EASTERLY.
REV. H. A. CAMPBELL.
Rev. H. A. Campbell, son of Charles L. and Eliza Kelsey Campbell, was born at Agawam, Mass., Dec. 17, 1858 ; pursued his preparatory studies at Connecticut Literary Institute at Suffield, Conn., graduated at Williams college in 1883, attended Hartford Theological seminary in 1886, was pastor of the Congregational church of Monowa, Iowa, and later of the Congregational church of Montague, Mass. In 1891 he became pastor of the Congregational church in Seymour, which position he has since filled. He wa; chosen a director of the Seymour Public Library in 1897, and sec-
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retary of the board in 1900. In 1901 he was chosen one of the ex- aminers of Hartford Theological seminary. He is the author of Part I of this book, having devoted much time to investi- gating the history of the early residences of the town, and other historical topics. He married Delana L. Alden, April 11, 1887, and has a son, Colin Alden Campbell, born in Seymour, Sept. 14, 1898.
FRANK A. BENEDICT, M. D.
Dr. Frank A. Benedict was born in Bethel, Conn., August 12. 1861. He attended the public schools of his native town, and Dan- bury High School ; afterward attended Williston Academy, East Hampton, Mass., where he graduated in the class of '81. He then took a course of study at Sheffield Scientific School, Yale Univer- sity, graduating in the class of '84, following with a course at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city, where he grad- uated in 1887. He spent two months at the Chambers Street Hos- pital, New York, and a year at the Jersey City Charity Hospital.
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He practiced at Bethel a little more than three years and ir 1892 came to Seymour. In that year he married Miss Jennie L. Bassett, daughter of the late Edward F. Bassett, who died Aug 23, 1900. Dr. Benedict is the health officer of the town and is a mem- ber of the 2d Company of the Governor's Horse Guards of Connec- ticut. He is also a member of Citizen Engine Co. and of the orders of Red Men, Foresters and N. E. O. P. He has won the confidence of the people of Seymour and vicinity by his unvarying courtesy and strict attention to his practice.
CHARLES H. PULFORD, M D.
Charles Henry Pulford was born in Stafford Springs, Conn., Dec. 18th, 1859, the son of F. W. Pulford, M. D. Dr. Pulford was first educated in the public schools of Seymour and the Collegiate Institute of Hackettstown, N. J., and then received his medical ed- ucation at the Homeopathic College of New York city, and at the Hahnemann College of Chicago, where he graduated in 1888.
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He has practiced medicine in Seymour since graduation, first with his father, and since his death, in 1893, as his successor, and is member of the State Homeopathic Society. He is also a member of Morning Star Lodge, No. 47, F. & A. M., of Seymour, is a fine inger, a careful and painstaking physician, and has a large practice.
EDWARD WYMAN DAVIS, M. D., was born in Paxton, Mass., m 855. Dr. Davis was educated in the public schools of Paxton, and ilso at the Leicester Academy, Leicester, Mass., and at the Wor- :ester Academy, Worcester, Mass. The following year he entered Yale University, and pursued a full four years' course, graduating in 880, but on account of ill health was obliged to give up his studies or a number of years, although later he returned and pursued a course of study at the Yale Medical College, graduating in 1892. He ame to Seymour the same year, and has practiced his profession iere ever since. He is known as a thorough student of medical cience and a careful practitioner. He married Miss Eliza Dodd of Paxton, Mass., and has had four children, of whom two are now liv- ng. He is a member of the local lodges of the Masons, Odd Fel- ows and Ancient Order of United Workmen.
P. F. STRAPP, M. D., was born in Collinsville, Conn., but came o Seymour with his parents at an early age. He attended the chools of Seymour, studied four years at the Holy Cross College, Vorcester, Mass., two years at Yale University, and three at Belle- 'ue, New York city, where he graduated in 1892. He then located n Seymour, where he has had a large and successful practice, and tis services are especially in demand in surgical cases. He was for line years a member of the Seymour School Board and is a member of Aurora Council, Knights of Columbus, and of Valley Lodge, V. E. O. P.
WILLIAM L. WARD, born in Naugatuck Oct. 31, 1858, is a son of ames B. and Jane E. ( Hotchkiss) Ward, grandson of Lewis, and great-grandson of Richard Ward, also a direct descendent of Cul- epper Hoadley, a soldier in the Revolution. The children of James 3. and Jane E. Ward are William L. and Elmer J. Ward.
Until 1889 William L. was a resident of Naugatuck, when he emoved to Seymour and purchased the furniture and undertaking business which for fortytwo years had been carried on by E F. Bassett. During the twelve years of Mr. Ward's management the business has greatly increased, so that he has found it necessary to
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add to the floor space several times, until now he occupies the en tire Bassett block. In 1899 the building was greatly improved b. the addition of a new front, in which large plate glass windows werd placed, making it one of the most attractive furniture stores in thi section of the country.
WILLIAM L. WARD.
To the persevering efforts of Mr. Ward is due the fact that Sey mour is enjoying the benefits of a national bank. The town wa: without a bank from 1860 until the organization of the Valley Na tional Bank, June 4, 1900, at which time W. L. Ward was elected president, and a call was issued for the first payment of fifty per cen of the capital stock payable July 1, 1900. The certificate to com mence business was received from the comptroller of the currency July 16, 1900, and the bank opened its doors for business Aug. 14
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1900. Mr. Ward was re-elected president at the annual meeting Jan. 8, 1901.
In politics Mr. Ward has always been a staunch Republican. He was elected town treasurer in 1900, which office he holds at the present time. He is a member of New Haven Commandery, Knights Templar, and other orders. He was married in 1889 to Lulu J., daughter of Isaac B. Tolles, of Naugatuck.
FREDERICK A. RUGG.
Frederick A. Rugg, son of Harvey and Jane M. (Terrell Rugg, was born in Hamden, Sept. 10, 1854. When he was six years of age his parents moved to Ossining, N. Y., where his · father was foreman of the auger and bit works. He attended the schools of Ossining, graduating at the High School there, and when his parents removed to Seymour in 1870 he became the book-
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keeper for the F. L. Ames auger and bit works, remaining in that position during the ownership by the Douglass Manufacturing Co., and after the purchase of the works by James Swan. In 1879 he entered the employ of the New Haven Copper Co. and in 1895 he was elected treasurer of the company.
In 1892 he was elected a member of the school board, and school treasurer, which offices he has held since that date. He is treasurer of the Camp & Rugg Company, and in 1900 he was elected vice- president of the Valley National Bank. He was for several years a vestryman of Trinity church, is a veteran fireman, and is a Knight Templar, a 32º Mason, and a member of other fraternal orders. He married Louisa E. James, daughter of Thomas and Minerva Rowe James, Oct. 25, 1876. They have one daughter, Mrs. Clarence G. Smith, of Seymour.
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CLAYTON S. BOIES.
Clayton S. Boies, son of Harper and Susan E. (Brownell) Boies, was born in East Haddam, July 1, 1872, was educated in his native town, where he was employed in a store for five and a half years, and was teller in the National Bank at East Haddam five
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years, coming to Seymour in July, 1900, to take charge of the Val- ley National Bank as cashier. He is a member of Columbia Lodge F. & A. M., of East Haddam, of which he was Master two years. He married Louisa B. Goodspeed, of East Haddam, daughter of William R. and Hattie Smith Goodspeed.
FREDERICK BEECHER.
Frederick Beecher, son of John and Jane Hawkins Beecher, was born in Oxford in 1835. He was the grandson of Capt. Philo Beecher, who died Dec. 7th, 1815, and the great-grandson of Isaac Beecher, who during the Revolutionary War had the charge of the furnishing of clothing for the soldiers who went from the town of Derby. Mr. Beecher learned the trade of carpenter and joiner in New Haven and studied draughting and civil engineering at Char- lottesville, Schoharie county, N. Y. In 1857 he went to Georgia, where he followed the business of builder until the breaking out of the civil war, returning in July, 1861. During the war he was on duty at the U. S. Arsenal at Springfield, Mass. In the fall of 1865 he again went south and remained until 1869, since when he has made his home in Seymour and has been in business as a builder.
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He was married Jan. 5, 1869, to Alice Church, daughter of f Sheldon and Laura Church, of Oxford. They had two daughters, . Etta Alice, a graduate of the Seymour High School, and Annie Laura, also a graduate of the Seymour High School, who died Mar. 30, 1899.
Mr. Beecher is a member of Morning Star Lodge, F. & A. M., and one of the trustees of the lodge. He is also a charter member of City Lodge, No. 36, I. O. O. H., of New Haven, and a past mas- ter and trustee of Castle Rock Lodge, No. 6, A. O. U. W., of Sey- mour. He has served the town of Seymour as assessor, member of the board of relief, and justice of the peace, filling each of these of- fices for several years and to the entire satisfaction of his con- stituents.
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THEODORE B. BEACH.
Theodore B. Beach, son of Sharon Y. and Adaline Beach, was born in Seymour, in 1855, and was educated in the schools of Sey- mour and Bridgeport. He has been agent of the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad since 1875, and secretary of the S. Y. Beach Paper company since 1880. He is treasurer of the Citizen Engine company, treasurer of Morning Star Lodge, F. & A. M., treasurer of Nonnawauk Tribe, I. O. R. M., and a member of New Haven Commandery, K. of T., and other orders. He was a mem- ber of the board of education several years, and in 1895 and 1897
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represented the town of Seymour in the legislature. He is secre- tary and treasurer of the Beach Trading Co. and a director of the Valley National Bank.
S. HART CULVER.
S. Hart Culver, son of Stephen H. and Sarah J. Culver, of Sey- mour, was employed in S. H. Canfield's drug store nearly thirty years. For about twentythree years of that time Mr. Canfield was postmaster and Mr. Culver assistant. They also had charge of the Western Union Telegraph Co.'s business. Mi. Culver was also for many years assistant town clerk and in 1889 was himself elected to that office, which he has since held. In 1900 he was elected to rep- resent the town in the legislature. Mr. Culver is a notary public and an insurance and real estate agent, and in 1900 was elected and itor for New Haven county.
SHELDON MILES was for many years a manufacturer of clock cords, having built for that purpose on the southerly slope of Bnn- gay, where waterpower was available, both his house and cord works being on land which had been handed down for several gen- erations. Mr. Miles has been a prominent member of the Metho-
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dist Episcopal church, of which he has been a trustee for many years, was for a number of years the church treasurer, and in 1868 was the superintendent of the Sundayschool. Mr. Miles has one son, David S. Miles, and one daughter, Mrs. John Schofield, both of Seymour.
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CLARK CHATFIELD, son of Joel R. and Lucinda Hitchcock Chat- field, was with the W. & L. Hotchkiss Company of Derby from 1843 to 1862, and in 1844, as their representative, was employed on the building of the Congregational church in Southbury, and two years later he had charge of the building of the Methodist church in South- bury. Mr. Chatfield has represented eastern enterprise in the west, was at Suffolk, Va., from 1874 to 1878, and since 1878 has lived in Seymour. He has been a member of Solomon Chapter and Union Council of Derby since 1861, and is a member of New Haven Com- mandery, K. T. He is also a past warden of Trinity church, Seymour.
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ROBERT HEALEY.
Robert Healey was born in London, England, in 1842. He came to Seymour when a mere lad and attended school here. He was living in the South when the war broke out, but passed through the southern lines and joined the 22d Regiment, In- diana Volunteers, at Jefferson City, Mo., Aug. 15, 1861. He served through the campaign in the southwest, and received four gunshot wounds at Perryville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862. He was dis- abled nine months, and on rejoining his regiment was pro- moted color bearer, which rank he held until the end of the war. He was with Sherman in his march to the sea and was with his regiment in twenty battles, in Arkansas, Kentucky, Ten- nessee, Georgia and North Carolina. He was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 24, 1865, and soon after returned to Seymour. He is a member of Morning Star Lodge, F. & A. M., and is past commander of Upson Post, G. A. R. He has served the town as first selectman and assessor and has twice represented the town in the legislature.
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S W. BUCKINGHAM is the son of the late Ebenezer and Betsey (Sperry) Buckingham of Oxford, and great-grandson of Capt Ebenezer Buckingham, who in Revolutionary times was one of the most active of the Derby committee for assisting in carrying out the plans of the Continental Congress for establishing the independence of the United States. Mr. Buckingham is a descendant of Thomas Buckingham who was one of the first settlers of Milford in 1639. He may well be counted one of the business men of Seymour, although his home is just over the Oxford line, as he has been engaged in the meat business here for twentysix years, and is the owner of considerable real estate in the central portion of the town. In 1896 he was elected to represent the town of Oxford in the Gen- eral Assembly. He is a member of the Seymour Congregational church and of the Seymour Board of Trade. Possessed of excellent business ability, energy, and a determination to meet every demand of the public, he has built up a business of which he may feel justi- fiably proud, and is one of the representative business men of the town. THOMAS SHARPE.
Thomas Sharpe, son of Lugrand and Olive M. ( Booth ) Sharpe, was. born in Southbury, his parents re- moving to Humphreysville, now Seymour, when he was seven years of age. He was educated in the Bell and Center schools and Glendenning Academy, Seymour, and studied architectural drafting and kindred branches in Water- bury. He learned the trade of carpenter in Waterbury and was for five years in business as con- - tractor and builder in Forsyth, Ga., coming north on the break- ing out of the war in the spring of 1861. He has most of the time since then been in the same busi- ness in Seymour.
He has for some twentyfive years been one of the trustees of the M. E. church, and for a number of years was president of the
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board of trustees. He was for seven years superintendent of the Sundayschool. He was a justice of the peace for several years and served three years as assessor. He is a member of Nonnawank Tribe, I. O. R. M., of New Haven Commandery, K. T., and other Masonic orders.
WILLIAM B. SWAN.
William B. Swan is the eldest son of James and AAgnes Bell Swan. He received his education in the public schools of the town and at the Cheshire Military Academy. He was foreman of Citizen Engine company in 1893, and is a member of Mechanics Lodge and Wildey Encampment, I. O. O. F., and of Castle Rock Lodge, A. O. U. W. He became superintendent of the auger and bit fac- tory owned by his father, and on the organization of the James Swan Company, manufacturers of mechanics' tools, he became a stockholder and assistant treasurer.
He married A. Augusta Smith, daughter of John W. Smith, of Seymour, April 7, 1880, and has one son, James W. Swan.
WM. N. STORRS, son of Edmund and Eunice ( Loveland Storrs, has been for many years one of the most prominent members of the Methodist church, having been one of the trustees for some forty years, for many years one of the stewards, and for five years super-
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intendent of the Sundayschool. He was also for some years one of the acting grand jurors. He married in 1852 Lavina E. Chad -! wick, and has one daughter, Mrs. Frank G. Bassett, of Seymour. Mr. Storrs is a member of New Haven Commandery, Knights Templar, and other orders.
WILLIAM A. BALDWIN, son of George and Cynthia M. (Johnson) Baldwin, of Derby, came to Seymour in 1863 and was in the employ of Henry E. Clinton, in his store at the corner of Maple and Bank streets, for eight years, was with Storrs & Davis a year, and re- turned to Naugatuck, where he was with Andrews & Smith nine years. He was in business in Waterbury for a time and in 1885 re- turned to Seymour and was in the market business where the store of the Camp & Rugg Co. now is about fifteen years, until the store was burned out Dec. 23d, 1890, when he opened a market on the other side of the street, where he has for the last six years been in partnership with Andrew J. Miles.
Mr Baldwin married in 1872 Ida E. Lewis, of Woodbridge, and has one daughter, Miss Edith L. Baldwin. He is a member of Morning Star Lodge, F. & A. M., and of Evening Star Chapter, R. A. M.
ANDREW J. MILES, son of Benjamin F. and Sarah (Stevens) Miles of Cheshire, came to Seymour in 1878 and was a clerk in V. H. McEwen's store for two years, returned to Cheshire for two years, was with S. R. Dean seven years, and in 1892 went into bus- iness for himself, and for six years has been associated in business with W. A. Baldwin. Mr. Miles is a member of Morning Star Lodge. F. & A. M., Olive Chapter, O. E. S., and Mechanics Lodge, I. O. O. F., and is a veteran fireman. He has served the town as select- man and assessor. He married Dec. 31, 1885, Arabella E. Leaven- worth, and has two children, Frank B. and Ruth Olive.
MATTHEW C. KEIR, born in Glasgow, Scotland, learned the dry goods business in Glasgow, came to America, in 1880, was first in New London, in 1884 went to Buffalo, in 1887 to Tennessee, and in May 1891, came to Seymour and was manager of W. A. Fel- lows & Co.'s store for seven years, and in 1898 went into the cloth- ing business on his own account.
He married in New London in 1884 Fannie McFarland, and has four children, Robert Malcolm, Margaret, Jean and John. He is a member of Mechanics Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Castle Rock Lodge, A. O. U. W., and of Citizen Engine Co.
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OWEN D. SYKES, born in Woodstock, Conn., in 1846, is a son f Joseph and Phillis (Kenyon) Sykes. Joseph came from York- hire, England, about 1844, and settled in Woodstock, Conn. He ad two children : Ruth, who died in 1848, and Owen D., who was n Ansonia from 1864 to 1874, and then in Winsted until 1882, when e came to Seymour and engaged in the stove and plumbing busi- ess. He married in 1867 Nellie E. Moore. Mr. Sykes is a mein- er of the Methodist Episcopal church and one of the trustees. He also a member of Morning Star Lodge, F. & A. M., Mechanics Lodge, I. O. O. F., and other orders.
CLIFFORD J. ATWATER.
Clifford J. Atwater was born in Collinsville, Conn., Novem- ber 8th, 1858, graduated at Bates College, Lewiston, Maine, in the class of '83, studied law with Wil- liam W. Bidwell at Collinsville, and was admitted to the bar at Hartford in 1885, locating in Sey- mour in November, 1885. He married Jennie C. Taylor of Sey- mour in March, 1890. He has been superintendent of the Con- gregational Sundayschool nearly twelve years, and a justice of the peace for a number of years. He is the attorney for the town of eymour and is known as a well read and thoroughly informed law- er. He has been tax collector for fifteen years, and in 1899 he epresented the town in the legislature.
JOHN DAVIS, son of Capt. Truman Davis, of Naugatuck, and randson of Col. John Davis, of Oxford, learned the trade of car- enter and builder, in New Haven, with John Lindley and Treat ohnson. He came to Humphreysville in 1846 and built numerous ouses there and in adjoining towns. He has served the town of eymour as selectman eight years, having been elected to that of- ce in 1861, '62, '79, '80, '81, '82, '83 and '91.
He has been a member of the order of Odd Fellows for nearly ftysix years, having joined Ousatonic Lodge of Derby in 1846, and
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was a charter member of Mechanics Lodge, of which he is a past- grand, and was the treasurer for nearly thirty years. He has also been a member of Morning Star Lodge, F. & A. M .. for thirtysix years.
He married Janette Allen Oct. 1I, 1847, and has two daughters, Mrs. E. M. North, of New Britain, and Miss Ella G. Davis, of Seymour.
GEORGE A. DIVINE.
George A. Divine, first selectman and town agent, is the son of Capt. George W. Divine, who served in the Seminole War, a grandson of Abel Bassett, who served in the War of 1812, and a great-grandson of Abram Bassett, who served in the Revolutionary War. He was elected second selectman in 1898, and in 1899 was elected first selectman and town agent, and was re-elected to that office in 1900 and 1901. He is a member of Morning Star Lodge, F. & A. M., of Citizen Engine H. & L. Co., is treasurer of Humphrey Lodge, K. of P., is a charter mem- ber of Nonnawauk Tribe, I. O. R. M., is a member of the Concor- dia Singing Society, and is the leader of the Seymour Band.
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