USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Sutton > History of the town of Sutton, Massachusetts, from 1876 to 1950, Volume II > Part 30
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The house beyond Alphidas Bessette's, on the west side of Main Street, is owned by Joseph Roy. Former owners were Paul Brodeur and Joseph Bessette.
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Several other families lived in the two-tenement house; the Arthur Plante Sr. family, Edward Bessette's, Alphidas Bessette's, James Gray's and John Graham's families. The present occupants are Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Cook and children, Lauren, Joyce and Valerie and Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Hamilton and child Aime. Of the Bessette children, Muriel married Robert Lee, Blanche married James Gray, Claire married John Barrett and Rolande, whose twin, Roland, died, married Douglas Jones.
Next to the Joseph Roy house, going toward East Douglas, opposite Bousquet's garage, is the Manchaug Hotel. This building is also owned by Joseph Roy. The large house was built over fifty years ago for Simon Savaria by a contractor from Manville. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bessette Sr. died here. Of the Bessette children, Edward married Ida Plante, Hermine married John Danis, Mary Louisa married Arthur Matte, Alphidas married Valida Paul, Clarinda married Arthur Senecal, Sylva married Stafanie St. Jean and Henry married Levina Paul.
Gervais Avenue is the street at the left, just beyond Bousquet's garage. The only house on the left of Gervais Street is owned and occupied by Joseph Delviny and Asterie Bousquet. Mr. Bousquet is a garage proprietor, who became owner of this property, in 1909. In 1893, the house was built for Levi Bousquet, father of Joseph Delviny. The Bousquet children are Levi Jr. (1902), Joseph Delvini Jr. (1909) Theodore H. (1910). Levi married Gladys Shaw; Delvini married Simone Heroux; Theodore married Mary Bombara.
Across the street is a two-family house belonging to Delvini Bousquet, auto mechanic. Mr. and Mrs. Bousquet live there with their children, Norman (1940), Dianne (1944) and Paul (1949). The second tenement is occupied by Joseph and Cecile Renault. Joseph Matte, a carpenter, whose home is between Gervais Avenue and Darling Road, formerly owned the land between the two streets. Arthur Gervais once owned the Delvini Bousquet property. Former occupants were the Henry Provost family and that of Stanislaus Proulx. Henry Provost Jr. and Emma Proulx lived here, also. This house has been modernized.
The third dwelling on Gervais Street is the house next to Delvini Bousquet's property, owned by Peter Scott, machine-shop worker. This was also a part of the Gervais property and later owned by Joseph Matte. The families of Luke Phaneuf and Dona Belleau have also resided in the house.
In 1892, Alphonse Desjourdy chose a spot on the westerly side of Main Street, on which to build his home and a bakery combined. For years, he con- tinued his business in the Manchaug bakery and, finally, decided to use the space for two extra tenements. Mr. Desjourdy had three wives: Matilda Gendron, Herculine Messier and Mary Louise Merchant Desjourdy, all three of whom he lost by death. There were twelve children, all born and brought up in this home: Wilfred married Delvina Valcourt; Arthur married Exina Robillard; David married Mary Labonte; Oliver married Olive St. Andre; Hector married Rebecca Plante; Herman married Edith Austin. Henry became a missionary of the White Fathers and was stationed in Africa. He received his education in St. Hyacinthe, Canada. Simone, the first daughter, married Edward Mercier; Jeanne, single; Gerard married Ella Dupaul; Raymond married Margaret Biro and Cecile married Harold Kindess. Mr. Desjourdy not only provided for these children, he insisted upon their having an education. The five oldest boys were
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sent to a college in Canada. In this day of the nineteen-cent loaf of bread, we little realize how many of the twenty-four ounce, ten-cent variety, Mr. Desjourdy had to make and peddle, with a horsedrawn cart, to provide for twelve children. He sometimes sold one hundred eighty loaves to the families in a single block. On Saturdays, it was the custom for the neighbors or anybody,-to take the pot of beans down to the Manchaug Bakery for Mr. Desjourdy to bake in his brick oven. A long line of children could be seen, carrying home the beans for Sunday breakfast. No charge for baking!
After the father's death, the son Hector Leonard, a salesman, bought the property. Hector, also, lost his first wife, Ida (Abram) Duhamel, by death, and later married Rebecca Plante. There are two daughters in the Hector Des- jourdy family, Lena (1927), who is now Mrs. Hobart, and Sylvia (1935). Gerard Desjourdy, a brother of Hector, served in World War II. The present tenants, besides the Desjourdys, are Miss Irma Williamson and Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Sauve.
Just beyond the Desjourdy house is a short lane, sometimes called "Marsh Lane," presumably because the old Marsh place is at the end of the now traveled way, which used to continue to Mumford Hill. The house was built by Charles Potter. Later, it came into the possession of the Lucius Marsh family, and Abby, the wife, sold the property to Alfred Nault and he, in turn, to Alphonse Gallant of Oxford, the present owner. Remnants of other house foundations are still visible in the vicinity. On one side of the Lane is a deep gully, perhaps where the Mumford River used to flow.
The Marsh house has four tenements. Mrs. Doris Lambert lives in one with her children, Barbara, Shirley, Judith and Alfred Jr. Thomas and Alice Calman occupy another with children, Francis and Roxanne. Mrs. Sophie Smith has the third with her children, Wilfred, Harry, John and Charles. The fourth tenement is the home of Raymond and Hilda Landry and children, Roger and Dennis.
On the east side of Main Street, the home of Joseph Matte is between Gervais Street and Darling Road. Mr. Matte, a carpenter, has lived in this house for seventy years. Mrs. Celina Matte has died but there are four children. Delina married Frank Lesage; Arthur married Marie L. Bessette; Laura is single. Alice, who is a musician, is a Nun in the Holy Spirit Mother House in Putnam, Conn.
On the north side of Darling Road is the home of Maurice and Irene Brouillette. This was formerly a barn and is now an attractive and comfortable cottage. The Brouillettes have one daughter Judith Ann (1947). The property was a part of the Matte estate and Mr. Brouillette became the owner, in 1949. Mr. Brouillette is a veteran of World War II and served with the Army in the European Area. Mr. and Mrs. Herve Lesage were former tenants in this house.
The other house on Darling Lane (or Road) is owned by Archie and Emma Daziel, who bought the property, in May 1907. Mrs. Clara Vinton sold the place to the Daziels and former families that had lived here were those of Walter Paine and Frank Bousquet. There is one son, Howard A. Daziel (1912) who married Eileen Dudley, a former High School teacher.
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The Daziels have added three rooms to the house and have modern improve- ments. Mr. Daziel, though in advanced years, recently painted the French Bap- tist Church, unaided.
The Peloquin house is just beyond the Desjourdy house, on the west side of Main Street. Pierre and Malvina Peloquin have lived here for many years. Mrs. Peloquin states that she has lived in the village for fifty-two years. The Peloquins bought the property from Alfred Lebeau, who was Mrs. Peloquin's uncle. The son Pierre (1889), and wife Elsie (Millette), are living in Connecticut and now own the property.
An upstairs tenement is occupied by George and Doris Ebbling and daughter Dorothy. Mr. Ebbling is a veteran of World War II.
The next house beyond the Peloquin's is owned by John and Katherine O'Brien. Mr. O'Brien is an erecting foreman. In 1897, this place was owned by Alfred LeBeau and he sold it that year to Nellie Batchelor of Douglas. She sold it to John and Laura Conley, in 1925. In 1935, it was sold to Mrs. Adele Trudeau and Mrs. Alma O'Brien. Mrs. Trudeau passed away in 1941, leaving the property to Mrs. Alma O'Brien. In 1949, Mrs. O'Brien sold the place to Jeanette O'Brien Carter and her husband, Austin Carter. In 1951, John and Katherine O'Brien came into possession of the property and live here at present. The families of John Ford, Ford Putnam, Alfred Pineau, Alfred Nault, Wilfred Bernier, John Orlando and Joseph Arruda, Frank Lesage and Edward Sylvester have lived here. Veterans from this house include: John Ford of the Civil War; John A. O'Brien, World War II, Air Corps; John J. Orlando, Joseph Arruda and Austin Carter. The last three named served during World War II.
William and Louise McDonald live in the house beyond the O'Briens, on the west side of Main Street. Mr. McDonald built his home himself, on the site of a house, formerly owned by a Mrs. Batcheller of East Douglas and which was destroyed by fire. The McDonalds moved in during 1936 and are the present occupants. Bertha McDonald married Horace Batcheller. There are living with the McDonalds two boys, Harold Rider and Gordon Bousquet, who are now of High School age. William McDonald is a veteran of World War I and served in the Army.
In 1950, George and Jeannette Thibodeau bought a parcel of land from the Darling estate, and have built the new and modern home, opposite the McDonald house, on the east side of Main Street. There are four children, Pauline, George, Roger and Rene.
The next house beyond William McDonald's, on the west side of Main Street, is owned by John and Theresa Orlando. Mr. Orlando is employed by the Whitin Machine Co. Former owners were Philias Guertin, Wilfred Desjourdy and Exyert Lamouraux, who sold to the present occupants, John and Theresa Orlando and children, John Jr. (1945) and Mark (1950).
Albert Lamouraux was born here. This house has been modernized and a one-car garage has been built. Exyert Lamouraux served in the Army in World War I and John Orlando in World War II. He was also in the Army.
The house beyond Orlando's on the right, going towards East Douglas line, is owned by Mrs. Leonie Plante and son, Edward J. Plante, machinist assistant. It was formerly owned by Mr. and Mrs. Edward Plante. It then came to William Plante, the son, and then to the present owners. The Edward Plante children
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were: Zelia Plante, who married Edward Belville; Arthur Plante Sr., who mar- ried Olivina Bernard and William Plante, who married Leonie Picard. Edward, Alphonsine and William Plante are deceased. This house has also been modernized.
Just beyond the William Plante property on the right, going toward the East Douglas line, is the Belisle house. It is owned by Georgiana Belisle, who became owner, in 1900. Previous owners were Paul Brodeur, Frank Sarreault, Jean B. Belisle and the Belisle heirs. The children in the J. B. Belisle family were: Delia, who is now Mrs. E. Morse and lives in Webster; Georgiana; Joseph; Marguerite and Marie. Pauline Belisle, Marguerite Belisle, Delene Letendre and J. B. Belisle have died. Besides the Brodeur, Surreault and Belisle families, those of Joseph Jette and the McClure family have lived here.
The last house on the right side of Main Street, before the Douglas line, is owned by David and Marie Hemingway, as is the second house, directly behind the first. This last was formerly a barn but had been made into a two-tenement residence.
The property was owned by Charles Bell, next, by his daughter, Mrs. Marie Jane Proulx. Then Stanislaus Proulx sold to David and Pamelia Hemingway. The children of David and Pamelia Hemingway were Delia, who married Richard Ennis, Angelina, who became Mrs. Robert Wilson, and Albert, who went to Taunton, and Josephine to Hartford. The property was later owned by their son, David A. Hemingway and wife. It then became the property of the present owners, David and Marie Hemingway. The first house has one tenement and the present occupants are Mr. and Mrs. George Amour and daughter Linda.
The second house, in the rear, is occupied by the owners, David and Marie Hemingway and daughters, Charlotte (1945), Janice (1947) and Denice (1952). David Hemingway is construction foreman for R. H. White Co. David Hemingway was in the Army in World War II. Mrs. Alexandrina Clifford lives in the second tenement.
Among families who have lived on this property are Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bell, both deceased, and child, Adhenar Bell, and Mr. and Mrs. Robnan Lamouraux.
Nearly opposite the Hemingway houses, is the home of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Parkhurst. This house was long owned by Louis Pinsonneault, then by the Town of Sutton, then by Noe Lachapelle. Russell Parkhurst was the next owner and his family comprise the present occupants. The son, Russell Henry (1952), is said to be the only baby to have been born in this old house. Miss Malvina and Mr. and Mrs. Pinsonneault died here, also Mrs. Elsie Ford. Louis Pinsonneault was married to Amanda Cotnoir. This house has been modernized and a garage added.
Mr. Parkhurst is a veteran of World War II, saw service in the Army in Europe and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal.
The last house in Sutton, on the east side of Main Street, is the property of Leo Paquette. This section of land was owned by Dan Darling, brother of George Darling, who at one time owned a great deal of property in this vicinity. The next owner was Daniel Record, whose daughter, Evelyn Record later came into possession. Victor Conley was next and he was followed by Stephen Manyak,
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who sold to the present owner. The Paquettes have two children, Rose Marie and Elizabeth. Dan Darling and his son, Louis Darling died here and also Mrs. Record. Evelyn Record married C. Flinton and later became Mrs. Pratt.
This house has been modernized and improved in many ways. Mr. Paquette saw service in the Army in World War II.
THE DOUGLAS PANTHER
In the late 1880's, alarming news of huge tracks in the snow, and large animals seen late at night in the Douglas Woods terrorized this end of the County. Tracks were seen in this town and awful screeches and howls were heard from the lonely woods. One resi- dent built and set a big box trap and got his neighborhood to rally round, when he found it sprung. A large and badly scared cat was the quarry. A skating party in Uxbridge saw something big in the bushes surrounding the pond, and hysterical young ladies nearly strangled their escorts.
This party inspired an operetta, "The Pursuit of the Panther," given by the Quinsiga- mond Boat Club at the Worcester Theater.
Old Nimrod, with a box of salt to put on his tail, and a large chorus of skaters, citizens and hunters gave a very graphic and interesting account of the hunt, with the panther try- ing to hide or escape. In the end, Nimrod succeeded in landing the salt and got the tail, bringing down the curtain to a chorus of "This is the last of the Panther"-only it wasn't.
A well-known Worcester hunter organized a posse and came to Douglas with several dogs to try to track the panther down. It was a very cold day, and enthusiasm waned with daylight. The entire party had a very comfortable supper and evening in the hotel in Douglas.
On February 22, H. H. Bigelow let it be known that the panther had been shot and would be at the Roller Skating Rink all day. One admission gave the right to skate and have a view of the panther. He was there all right, but had been shipped up from Pennsyl- vania to Westboro and had been delayed in transit. The authorities followed the sleigh that met the box to Worcester and saw it opened, and then hunted fresh air.
The scare abated as warm weather came. A large dog was held responsible for most of Sutton's tracks and raccoons for the screeching, when the excitement died down. In 1910, the pupils of the Harback School reported on two occasions that a big bobtailed tomcat made faces at them while they were on their way to school. Later, two young men, rabbit hunting near Woodbury Pond, shot a large Canada lynx, which may or may not have had any connection with the panther.
MUMFORD ROAD
At the intersection of Mumford Road and Main Street, at the southwest corner, we find the home of Arthur and Alice Lapan. This property is now owned by Albert J. Durand and Arthur N. St. George, who bought it from George, Charles and Thomas Hughes.
There are six Lapan children: Arthur Jr. (1937), Lucille (1941), Barbara (1942), Shirley (1945), John (1947) and William (1952). Among the for- mer residents of this house are the families of Mr. and Mrs. Nere Picard, Mr. and Mrs. George Conley, Ira Colby and the John Hughes family. Arthur Lapan is a veteran of World War II, having spent twenty-seven months in the Pacific Area, mostly in Korea.
Many years ago, there was a small settlement and a mill, about a mile beyond the crest of Mumford Hill, in Douglas. The B.B. and R. Knight Company bought some of these dwellings and brought them down from Mumford Village to Manchaug. One of these is the Lafleur house, which was number three on the B.B. and R. Knight housing plan. Formerly, it had four tenements, but is
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now arranged for two families. For many years it was owned by Henry and Mary Lefleur, but since their deaths, the title had descended to Henry Lafleur Jr., who lives in Washington State. James and Anna Perry occupy one apartment with their children, Anna May (1941), Rosalind (1943), James (1944) and Sandra Lou (1947). James Perry was a veteran of World War II and served in the Army.
Until recently, Stephen and Pearl Rice occupied the other tenement with their children, Shirley, Joanne, Mary Ann, Victor, Patricia, Pearl and Stephen. Among families who have lived here are those of Arthur Renaud, Frank Sur- reault, Pierre Bibeau and Napoleon Raiche.
Just beyond the Lafleur property, there was a house that was burned Septem- ber 2, 1928. It was the home of Carmine and Angelina Zonfrillo. They had four sons, Olindo, Anthony, Michael and Lewis, and a daughter Bessie, who is now Mrs. Sacco.
This house was once owned by Joseph Bessette. Former occupants were the members of the family of Noe Galipeau. Anthony and Michael Zonfrillo saw military service in World War I. After the house was destroyed by fire, the land was sold to Claude Tousignant, a neighbor.
The next house, on the right, has been in the Messier family for about eighty years. A long time ago, Francois Messier married a daughter of the Dubuque family who lived nearby. Their children were: Alphidos, unmarried; Toussant, deceased; Herculine, who married J. Bernard and lives in Woonsocket and Oliva, who resides there, also, but they both call this house their home.
In 1924, this property was assessed to Frank Messier, Oliva Messier, Exec. In 1938 and 1945, it was assessed to Frank Messier.
On the left side of Mumford Road, nearly opposite the Messier house, is the home owned by Louis and Leona Giguere. It was formerly the property of B.B. and R. Knight Co. and was sold, in 1927, to Thomas Stratford. Louis and Leona Giguere were the next owners. This building has been made very attractive with its renovations. It is now a two-tenement house; one above the other. A two-car garage has also been built. The present tenants are Mr. and Mrs. Giguere and Richard and Alice Plante and children, Richard Jr. and Ronald. Richard Plante served in the Military Forces of the USA after World War II.
Among former tenants are the families of Alfred Cloutier, Edward Lesage, who moved to Blackstone, and Omer Mongeon. Omer Mongeon (1922) was in the Air Force in World War II and was a prisoner of war for several months in Germany. He is in the service at present and Mrs. Mongeon and son Kenneth are with him in England.
The property beyond the Messier house on the right, on Mumford Road, with the house well back from the highway, is owned by Claude Tousignant. He bought the property, in 1940, from Mrs. Boutilette. The Michele Bessette fam- ily lived there and the children were: Fred, Noe and Charles, who went to New Bedford; Marguerite, Mrs. St.Andre (deceased); Jean Baptiste; Michele Jr. married Louise St. Jean; Joseph married Mathilda Miette; Emma married Cleophas Gauthier and went to Manville, R.I., and Eugene. Claude and Beatrice Tousignant have one daughter Claudette. Besides the Bessettes, the families of Joseph Boutilette and Arthur Plante have resided here. The house has been reno- vated and modernized recently.
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The home on the right, above the Tousignant property, is owned by Harold and Ida Flinton. They have one son Robert (1945). This house was once owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Brule and their children, Julia, who went to Whitinsville, Supreanna, who married Joseph St. Jean and went to Auburn and Charles, now deceased, who married Ida Blanchette.
The next owners were Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Senecal. The children were: Arthur Jr., who married Clarinda Bessette; Charles, who married Flora Dupont, and went to Warwick, R. I .; Wilfred, who married Catherine Egan of Uxbridge; Leona, who married Louis Giguere; Beatrice, who married Claude Tousignant; Jeannette, who married George Thibodeau; Adrian, who married Rose John of East Douglas; Ida, who married Harold Flinton and Rudolph (deceased) .
Among the former tenants are Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Allard. The children were Laura, who married Louis Bousquet; Clara, who married George Vincent and Arthur. All three children went to live in Springfield. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Bessette also lived in this house before they moved to East Douglas.
The house above Flinton's, on the right, going south on Mumford Road, is owned by Anthony Pitula. At one time it was occupied by Michael Benoit and, later, Oliver Vasseur had the property. He left it to his niece, Georgina Belisle. E. Ernest Plante, a draftsman, bought the place from Georgina Belisle and sold it to Adrian Senecal about 1939. Anthony Pitula bought from the latter in 1947. Anthony and Jennie Pitula live in one tenement with their daughters, Jane (1939) and Dorothy (1941).
Adrian Senecal added a tenement upstairs and Maurice and Irene Brouillette and daughter, Judith Ann, occupied it and Albert Mongeon once lived there. At present, Madison and Dorothy Leno and son Barry (1949) make it their home. Anthony Pitula is a veteran of World War II.
The house on the left, going south on Mumford Road, on the other side of the street from Pitula's, is now owned by Robert Gordon King. For many years it was in the Felix Vadenais family. In 1938, it appears to be taxed to Delia Vadenais and, in 1945, to Charles King. After the death of Charles King, it was taken over by Robert Gordon King, his son.
There were seven Vadenais children: Anna, who married Joseph Godin; Clara, who married Joseph Bruno from East Douglas; Agnes, who became Mrs. Lacouture; Alice, who was Mrs. Diconstanto and later married Clifford Flinton; Mabel, unmarried; Felix Jr., who was married to Miss Auclaire and Henry, who married Miss Casey. Anna, Mabel and Felix Jr. went to live in Woonsocket. Edward Jr. married Rose Laplant and with his son lives in one of the five tene- ments in this house. Edward Jr. (1932) has seen service in the present con- flict, but has been discharged.
The present tenants, besides the Vadenais family, are Emmanuel and Ger- trude Laugiere and children, Roger (1937), Emmanuel Jr. (1941), Claire (1943) and Elaine (1946).
Joseph and Della Brisson live here with their son James (1941). The fourth tenement is occupied by Louis and Irene Dolegiewicz and daughter Susan Marie (1951). Many other families have lived in these tenements, one of which is vacant at present; among them are the families of Joseph Godin, Raymond Landry and Nelson Towle.
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The view from the rear windows of this house gives a panorama of nearly the entire village of Manchaug and is truly beautiful.
The house on the right, going south on Mumford Road, above the Pitula home, is now owned by Arthur W. and Mary E. Lavallee, who bought the prop- erty from Josepha Malboeuf in 1949. About sixty years ago, this place was taxed to Oliver Vasseur. At his death it was inherited by his niece, Georgiana Belisle, who, later, sold it to Ernest Plante. In 1946, Joseph A. Malboeuf came into possession and, when he went to Fitchburg, he sold the property to Arthur W. and Mary E. Lavallee, who live here with their children, William (1936), Arthur Joseph (1939), Francis Albert (1940), Shirley Ann (1943), and John Lewis (1944). Mrs. Lavallee's father, Paul Kurtyka, also lives in the home.
Mr. Lavallee has made extensive improvements, remodeling the interior and adding a sun porch.
The house on the left, above the old Vadenais home, is now owned and occu- pied by Truman and Josephine Pierce and their two children, Dennis Michael (1946) and Linda Mary (1948).
This property was long owned and occupied by the Cyrille Miette family. Cyrille Miette married a Miss LeMay and seven children were married from here. Henry married Rosanna Chapdelaine and lives in Millbury. Mathilda married Joseph Bessette and moved to New Bedford. Minnie married James Clouthier. Louisa married Joseph Hervieux and went to Blackstone; she has since died. Jennie married Felix Morin and went to Springfield. Marie married Henry Messier and Georgina married Pierre Lavallee. Minnie and Marie went to Woon- socket, R. I. to live.
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