"JAMES S. ATWOOD, son of John, and father of J. Arthur and J. Walter, was born in Scituate, R. I., March 17, 1832, and died Feb. 20, 1885, at Wauregan, Conn. After receiving a liberal education, at Smithville Seminary, in Scituate, and Woodstock Academy, in Woodstock, he entered his father's cotton mill in Williamsville, town of Killingly, and there mastered every detail of cotton manufacturing, serving in the various positions from bobbin-boy to general manager, and thus making himself perfectly familiar with the construction and working of every machine in the mill.
"On Sept. 17, 1855, Mr. Atwood married Julia A. M. Haskell The family born to this marriage consisted of three sons, namely: William Hamilton, who was born Nov. 8, 1859, and died Jan. 18, 1862; and James Arthur and John Walter, twins, born May 18, 1864.
"In 1853 James S. Atwood became connected with the mill interests at Wauregan, Conn. The mill privilege at this point was purchased by A. D. Loockwood and others, and in 1853 54 a structure 253 feet in length and 49 feet in width, three stories in height, was erected for the manufacture of plain and fancy cotton cloth. Business became so prosperous that in 1858 59 the length of the building was doubled, and in 1866 67 a new building, 500 feet in length, and four stories high, was built on the other side of the trench, and the two parallel buildings were connected in the middle by a building 167 feet long, extending across from one to the other. This made a total length in three parts of about 1,250 feet. This great factory is built of rough stone, quarried in the vicinity. Water from the Quinebaug is carried through five turbine wheels, giving what is estimated as equal to 1,050 horse-power. In addition the building contains two steam engines of 750 horse-power, which are made use of as occasion requires.
"At the opening of the mills Mr. Lockwood was agent, but he soon afterward disposed of his interests, and Mr. Atwood, who had been superintendent from the start, was made agent, and remained in that position until his death. The financial success of this great industry can be directly traced to the supervision of James S. Atwood, who was there when the first machine was put in place, and witnessed the business expand to its present magnitude. Although Mr. Atwood was financially interested in mills at Williamsville and at Taftville, he always made his home in Wauregan. He took great pride in the village which he saw, under the fostering care and ownership of the company, develop into one of the model hamlets of the vicinity, where the employes could find attractive and comfortable homes near their daily tasks, and lived to see the newly planted trees expand their limbs and foliage until they almost screened the great mill from sight.
"The large concern known as the Poneman Mills, at Taftville, Conn., was an enterprise in which he also took pride, and in which his managing hand was very evident. It was built after his own plan and under his direct supervision, and, like the business at Wauregan, enjoyed phenomenal success. At this time the manufacture of the fine goods turned out by these mills was in the nature of an experiment, and it was largely owing to Mr. Atwood's good judgment, careful oversight and ability to adapt means to the desired ends that success crowned the work. Of these mills he was agent from the beginning until his death. His judgment was reliable, and he was not one to risk the money of the corporations he represented in any foolish experiments. During one of the changes which are liable to occur in business enterprises in this country, it became necessary for him to assume control of the mills at Williamsville, in which he and his brother William A. were largely interested, and his financial credit and wise judgment carried them through difficulties that might have proven disastrous in less careful hands .
"In political life Mr. Atwood was identified with the Republican party, and he was a useful member of the State Legislature in 1862 and again in 1868, and a Presidential elector (on the Republican ticket) in the campaign of 1884. While Mr. Atwood was acknowledged to be the peer of practical manufacturers and the possessor of large means, he was a man of most simple tastes, without the shadow of a desire for display, on the other hand always hiding his ability, with a modestry which was as rare as it was commendable. While he despised shams and hollow pretense, he was kind in judgment, tolerant of the imperfections of others, ready to overlook mistakes, and ever ready to see in every man a friend and brother. Upon his open countenance he bore the stamp of true worth, and no one feared to trust him implicitly. The poorest and humblest member of the community could always approach James S. Atwood with the assurance that he would receive the same respectful attention which would be accorded one possessing high position or great wealth. His heart throbbed in sympathy with the sorrowing and the suffering, and his hand was ever open in relief. No one will ever know the extent of his benevolences. Irreproachable in character, gentlemanly in bearing toward every individual, it was no wonder that every one with whom he came into contact felt that he could say, 'He is my friend.'
"It was through Mr. Atwood's efforts that the Congregational Church in Wauregan was erected, a structure which is a gem of architectural beauty and a fitting memorial of one who sought not alone his own but also his neighbor's welfare and happiness ."
Commemorative Biographical Record of Tolland and Windham Counties Connecticut Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and of Many of the Early Settled Families, Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1903, pp. 72 73.
Biographical Directory of the United States Congress:
HASKELL, William T., (nephew of Charles Ready), a Representative from Tennessee; born in Murfreesboro, Rutherford county, Tenn., July 21, 1818; privately tutored; attended the public schools of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; attended the University of Nashville, Nashville, Tenn.; soldier, Seminole War, 1836; First Brigade, Second Regiment, Tennessee Volunteers, Mexican War; lawyer, private practice; member of the Tennessee state house of representatives, 1840-1841; elected as a Whig to the Thirtieth Congress (March 4, 1847-March 3, 1849); died on March 12, 1859, in Hopkinsville, Christian county, Ky.; interment in Riverside Cemetery, Jackson, Tenn.
Sarah Jane Paralee Porter was the first woman state librarian of Tennessee.
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Find-a-Grave
Haskell, Sarah Jane Paralee (m.Porter) Mrs.Born:Feb.3,1820 in Vernon, Texas-Died: Mar.27,1893 Helena, Ark. Buried:Evergreen Cemetery, Helena, Ark.Among the noted persons who have lately passed from the scenes of earth, the South lost a former citizen, one of the truest and best, in Mrs. William Turner Haskell, who died a few weeks ago at the residence of her daughter, Mrs.Viola Rightor, in Helena, Ark.
Gen. Haskell is proudly remembered as one of the finest orators who ever charmed an audience, and who had the power of almost literally enchaining his listeners until the silver sentences ceased to flow from his lips.
After his death Mar.12,1859 in Lexington, Ky.,his wife, for some years, had charge of the State Library at the capital of Tennessee, and made many friends by her amiability and kindness. She was ardently attached to her people of the South, and even in the feebleness of advanced age took an active part in keeping green the memory of the past. She had written a history of the Governors of Tennessee, and that of her husband. She was anxious for the success of the former that she might send out a memorial volume in honor of the latter.
22128. William Charles Haskell
Compiled Service Records: Confederate
Enrolled June 4, 1861 at New Madrid, Missouri
Company H., 154th Senior Regiment, Tennessee
Age 20
Elected chaplain of regiment
Discharged September 6, 1864
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Find-a-GraveBorn about 1840. He died in Memphis during the Civil War, date unknown.
According to the Memphis Daily Appeal, May 12, 1881, W. Haskell is one of the "comrades who sleep at Elmwood Cemetery" but that wasn't actually true in 1881. W.C. Haskell was originally interred at Elmwood but was removed in November 1868.
Public Ledger
November 20 1868
Removal of the Remains of the Late Rev. W.C. Haskell--We are informed that the remains of the Rev. W.C. Haskell, Chaplain of the 154th Senior Tennessee Regiment, will be removed on Sunday morning from Elmwood cemetery to jackson, Tennessee, for Interment, and will be accompanied to the depot by the surviving members of his old regiment.Military records show he was 20 years old in 1861.
He was originally a private in Co. H 3rd Cav (Forrest's) TN but was later elected Chaplain of the 154th Senior Memphis Regiment. His records show that he was still alive in Oct 1862. His name also appears in the Memphis Daily Appeal dated November 8 1862, page 1, in an article entitled "Memphis Conference."
Elmwood Cemetery Biographical Sketches 1874
Capt. William N. Porter, served through the Mexican war as Captain of a company of Cavalry, gathered in Memphis, which was a part of the only cavalry regiment from Tennessee. He died in New Orleans, on his way home from Mexico, in 1847. His remains were interred in Morris Cemetery, and removed to Elmwood.