Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1923-04-13

Farm and the Chandler homestead
and lands At the time of his death
Mr.. Grosvenor was the second largest
landholder in Pomfret, and for many
years he was the largest, his holdings
now being only exceeded by those OF
DR.. F. G. Goodridge.
Meanwhile on his property and
under his own direction Mr.. Grosyen-
or was constructing many additional
buildings. First he included the house
now known as the Middlehrook cot
tage, formerly the pastors house Of
the Congregational church. On the
Hill below the Inn he built eomforta-
Bile homes for the ever increasing
number Of his faithful employees. Then
he built the Orchard. Olive, South and
North cottages, all forming a part of
his Inn, 70 which some years ago he
added a large and extensive addition.
When the Pomfret School was es-
tablished another period Of activity
was added TO Mr. Grosvenor's life
in that the house was opened for all
of the year. attracting the parents and
visitors TO the school and beginning a
close relationship between the Inn
and the School which continues today.
In all town matters. throughout his
life Mr. Grosvenor took leading part.
He was largely instrumental for many
improvements IN Pomfret and il was
largely due to his influence that the
handsome and substantial railroad
station at Pomfret was erected.
But the chief interest Of his life
was his Inn To il and its guests he
was passionately devoted and here he
was quite truly monarch Of all that
he surveyed He was a man of
quick decisions He was most careful
Of the type of people who registered
as his guests and that one who met
with his displeasure or who was not
to his liking was assured of a brief
stay and no return. To those whom
he liked there was not enough that
he could do for their comfort.
The Inn has always maintained its
position, through Mr.. Grosvenor's
effort. as first class country hostelry
Many prominent people have stopped
there and on the register one will find
the names Of Henry James. Judge
Ebert Gary, Joseph c. Lincoln.
William Rockefeller. Herbert l.
Satterlee, Dir. W. S. Rainsford, Rear
Admiral Selfridge, General Sehenk.
Edmund Clarence Stedman, General
Powell Clayton. Thomas Hastings.
Mrs. O. H. P. Belmont, Ben Ali Hac-
gin, and MANY others.
III Many Years
Besides his widow, Mr. Grosvenor
leaves two children, John p. Grosve-
nor, who succeeds him as head Of the
Ben Grosvenor Inn, and Mrs. John
Douglas Campbell. who was Miss
Charlotte Grosvenor. also three
grandchildren, son and daughters Of
Mr. and Mrs John p Grosvenor,
Benjamin. Florence and Constance
Grosvenor.
Mr. Grosvenor's long illness began
IN 1904. when he suffered a paralytic
stroke from which he seemed to make
an excellent recovery But in 1914
he suffered "A more serious shock and
1t gradually became necessary for him
10 give up active business. Two years
ago his feeble condition neeessitated
the care of nurse. Lawrence Ryan
Of Pomfret, who tended the old gen
tleman's every wish until his death.
on Saturday last at Ids o'clock
During the long years of Mr.. eros
Venor's illness John T. Grosyenor has
maintained the Inn and properties.
endeavorine in every way to conduct
them in the manner in which they
were developed BY his father and he
will conduct them. as he said. as near
Is as possible as his father establish
ed them, monument To a remarkable
personality and ability.