Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-05-07

| FINN.
| the Ashland mills His trustworthy
| character made him highly esteemed
there and he kept his position until his
/ death, Feb. r. 1899. He was a con-
sistent member of the Catholic church
! and was buried in ST. Marys cemetery
| at Sylvandale. In politics he was al
ways a supporter Of the principles Of
| the democratic party
Surviving Relatives.
The mother of the deceased. who
anaugh, in Galway, ireland, being mar
ried in Norwich. Mr.. Finn is also sur
vived by a sister, Mrs. Dennis Barnett,
and a brother, Daniel T. Finn, three
nephews. Daniel Finn and John and
Thomas Barnett and by two nieces,
Katherine and Alice Barnett.
A SeIf-Made Man.
James II. Finn was ten years of age
when his family located in Jewett City.
At that age he went to work in the
Ashland mills, having attended school
previously. When he had been en-
ployed here about year he met with
a serious accident. His right arm
was caught by moving machinery and
was so injured before he was rescued
that amputation was necessary. This
accident incapacitated him as a wage
Garner and he was sent to the district
school and later to the Norwich Free
Academy, from which he graduated in
the class of rs.
Became a Teacher.
Still ambitious, Mr.. Finn became
teacher, at which profession he spent
one year, and then embarked in the
mercantile business, beginning in a
small way. His close attention to the
wants of his customers and his genial,
pleasant manners soon won the conf
dence and patronage of the people Of
Jewett City. The business steadily de-
veloped until at his death he was at the
Of the borough, established thirty years
ago. During his long illness the bust
ness has been ably conducted by Dan
Tel F. Finn. the Junior member of the
firm, and by Mr.. Firms brother-in-law,
Dennis Barnett.
Built Finn Block.
In 1893 Mr.. Finn completed the cree
ton of the three-story brick block
known as the Finn block, the largest
and most imposing in the borough. It
contains three stores, the United States
postoffice, the opera house, three large
lodge rooms and various offices, shops
and private apartments.
His Official Life.
Mr.. Finn was elected to the state
legislature on the democratic ticket in
1891 the year of the deadlock. He has
served his town in numerous capacities.
He was town clerk and treasurer for
two terms, has been justice # the
peace, tax collector and first selectman
for six years, finally declining renomi-
nation. At the time of his death he
was a member Of the Twelfth school
district committee and also Of the
board Of Soldiers monument trustees.
In 1885 Mr.. Finn was appointed post
master by President Cleveland and
served with general satisfaction for
four years. A change in adminfstra-
tion made a change in the. incumbent.
but upon the return of Mr.. Cleveland
to the White House Mr.. Finn in 1898
was reappointed postmaster and COM
pleted his second term of four years,
his service closing again with the de-
feat of the party.
Impartial and Fearless.
He was for a long time one of the
leaders of his party, but in official
positions he recognized no political
division, attending to his duties with
fidelity and due regard for the welfare
of the public. Not only In this section,
but at Saranac Lake N. Y, where he
spent about three years in his long
fight for life there are scores who will
be deeply saddened by the loss Of such
kind-hearted, honest friend.
A DeVout Catholic.
Mr. Finn has always worshipped with
his mother at st. Mary's church and
his benefactions to it have been as
generous as his means would permit.
Fraternal Affiliations.
Fraternally he was a. member Of the
N. E. o. p, the A. o. u. W. and the
Catholic Benevolent legion.
The delegates appointed Wednesday
night from the Congregational church
to attend the New London county con-
ference at Stonington on the 18th are
Deacon and Mrs. J. G. Hawkins, Mrs
F. E. Robinson and Mrs. w. H. Cane.
DR.. Cane attends as pastor of the local
church.
Mrs. William O'Neil of Providence is
visiting her cousin, Mrs. G. II. Prior.
The Fifth grade of the Riverside
grammar school walked 10 the home
of their teacher, Miss S. Nettie John
son, in Lisbon. on Thursday evening
and hung her a May basket Miss
Mary e. Soule also received one from
her Sunday school class.