Norwich bulletin., 1914-03-27

the cotton manufacturing business was begun when F years of age and in his native town. There he learned the weaving business and from the be- ginning displayed an aptness and abii- ity in the work which secured for him rapid promotion, notwithstanding his youth.
 In 1863 when he came to the United States he was first employed in his line of work in the factory of B B. and R. Knight at Hebronville R. I. He left there to accept a better posi- tion with the Grosvenordale company at GrOSVenOrdale, Conn. where the late Lucius Briggs was then agent The services of MT. Elccles with this com pany terminated after three years when he resigned to take entire charge of the weaving at the plant of the Putnam Manufacturing company, where he remained until 1871. resign ing that position and taking entire charge of the weaving at the Pone- nah mill in Taftville. He continued in this position until 1890 when he was made superintendent of the mills. Following the death of Mir. Atwood in 1885 the office of agent was disCOn- tinued until within a few years ago when It was revived and MT. ECcles was made agent
 In his other business connections MT. Eccles was president of the Bal tic Mills company. and was also a director of the company. a. director of the Ponemah Mills company at Taft tiona1 bank. Of the Crescent Fire Arms company Hopkins & Allen Arms com pany, the Norwich Industrial Inn provement corporation, a member of the Arcanum club and the Norwich Golf club and was chairman for seV- eraI years of the Ecclesiastical society of the Taftville Congregational church. where he displayed an active interest in the welfare of the church.
 FTaternally he was made a Mason in Arnoldstown, Conn, and later be- came a charter member of Quinebaug lodge, A F. and 4. NJ. at Putnam. He was knighted in Columbian com mandery, No. 4, k. T., June 19. 1874, received his Scottish Rite degrees, subsequently, being member of the Consistory here. He represented the Consistory in the Masonic Temple corporation. was a member of the Mys- tic Shrine at Hartford and took great interest in Masonry generally.
 In his political views he was a. staunCh republican. In. 1911 he was appointed by the governor with Tal- colt H. Russell and Burton Mansfield of New Haven a member of the com mission to investigate the advisabil- ity of establishing state insurance for workmen. The present compensation act is partially the outcome of the in NPSIlSaJlOQ IHdue bA tue tbHlIIllSSlpIl which reported fully to the governor after an exhaustive investigation.
 In 1885 MT. Eccles was united in marriage at Grosvenorda1e with Miss Nellie NJ. Wilkins. who died on Dec. 2S last. Both Mir. and Mrs. Eccles church. One brother, William. of Pres ton, Lancashire, England survives him. Mrs Henry F. Ulmer of this city is a niece of Mrs. Eccles. MT. Eccles lived for a large part of his life in TaftvilIe and retired from active bus mess life only a few years ago. At that time he purchased the beautiful Lanman estate on Washington street where he had since made his home. His life was one of activity and of good work and his success was due to his own efforts He was widely known through his philanthropic and char itable work.
 By his death Norwich loses one of her most valued citizens and his mem ory will long be cherished by those who were fortunate enough to have heen in one way or another associated with him
 As a business man with fine sense of honor endowed with shrewdness and business sapaCity. sincerity and positiVeness, he achieved success in his business relations and in his pri- vate life his high character kindly
 
 the confidence and respect of his fel low men who looked to him for counsel and honored him with positions of trust His was a life that well might serve as an example for any citizen.
 Mrs Isaac Leonard.
 Ella. widow of Isaac Leonard and daughter of the late Thomas and Myra Mitchell of this city. died at her home in Springfield on Wednesday at the age of 70 years. Mrs. Leonard formerly resided in Norwich, but for some years past she had made her home in Spring field She leaves one daughter, Mrs. Ella Leonard Barton, of Springfield, Mass, and a sister, Mrs Clarence Chandler, of East Bridgewater. Mass. Burial will take place in this city.
 Richard H. Rogers.
 Richard H. Rogers of Montville died Thursday at Lawrence hospital. New London. MT. Rogers was employed by Senator Fred A. Johnson.
 Mrs. Arthur Coffey.
 Kate M Coffey, widow of Arthur Coffey, died Thursday morning about o'clock at the residence of Charles R. Stoll and Alfred W. StoH 176 Bank street, New London, for whom she Lad ac-ed a E housekeaper for several years. Mrs. Ceffey had been ill about two weeks, suffering from a Walvular dis