thrale & thrall family history

Alfred Olcott Thrall

Male 1835 - 1915  (79 years)


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  • Name Alfred Olcott Thrall  [1
    Birth 11 Sep 1835  Kelloggsville, Ashtabula, Ohio, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2
    • Now Talcottville
    Gender Male 
    Land
    • After the Civil War, Alfred and his wife returned to the old homestead which he had inheireted from his father, loctaed in Vernon, Connecticut. His ancestors had lived on it ever since the land was ourchased from the Indians. Tradition has it that the Indian Chief, Tankanhooson is buried on this farm, and the stream that runs through it bears his name. Arrow heads and other evidence of their presence are frequently unearthed.
    Occupation
    • Alfred was engaged in tobacco raising for a while then turned his attention to dairying on a large scale. He experimented with corn and selected a few ears to send to the Columbian World's Fair in Chicago. He won a bronze medal for the best yellow corn exhibited. The yield harvested on September 5th was from forty to seventy bushels to the acre and the weight was fifty-six to sixty-four pounds to the bushel.
    Death 25 Jun 1915  [1
    Notes 
    • Secured his education at the home schools. When he reached the age of eighteen years he came to Rockville and secured employment in the finishing room of the Rock Mill. In this establishment, and also in the American Mill, he was engaged for some five years, and then worked at Hartford for a time. At Stafford he was made a quarry foreman, and while in that city became acquainted with his future wife, Miss Julia E. West.

      In 1865 Mr. and Mrs. Thrall returned to Vernon and located on the old Thrall homestead, which he had inherited from his father. This land was originally purchased by his ancestors from the Indians, and has been in the possession of the family from that remote day.

      At one time this homestead was very extensive comprising many hundred acres, but, as it was passed through the various generations, was much broken up and divided, so that only a fraction of the original body is in the hands of Mr. Thrall. Tradition has it that the Indian chief, Tankanhoosen, is buried on this farm, and the stream that runs though it bears his name. Indians were undoubtedly numerous in this vicinity for many generations, as arrow heads and other evidences of their presence are frequently unearthed.

      Since their location in this neighborhood, the Thralls have built four homes. The one now occupied by Mr. Thrall was built by his grandfather, and reconstructed by himself. The third house, which stood some two or three rods east of his present location is well remembered by Mr. Thrall. The other two were a little less than a quarter of a mile south from the present location, and they stood close together. The ruins of the old well can still be traced. A more charming spot particularly in summer can hardly be imagined than the place Mr. Thrall has his home. The house is in a valley surrounded by hills. From a bay window at the south of the house, through a break in the hills, Talcott Mountain may be seen. Mr. Thrall owns a farm of a hundred acres, and engages in general farming quite extensively. Before 1890 he was much engaged in tobacco culture, but since that time has been giving his attention to dairying on a large scale.

      In 1888 he was one of the organizers of the Vernon creamery, of which corporation he has since 1896 been the president, and has always been on the board of directors.

      This creamery is well managed, and has an enviable reputation for its butter, of which it produces about ten thousand pounds a month. The present directors are John Risley, E.B. Lathrop, H.P. Rick, Henry Burke, George Dart, George Fisk and A.O. Thrall. Probably to Mr. Thrall more than any other man, is due the credit for valuable services in the early start of this institution.

      Mr. Thrall cast his first vote for James Buchanan, but since that time has supported the Republican party. He has always interested himself in local matters, and has held various positions of trust and honor, serving as assessor, justice of the peace, and at present is a member of the board of relief. At one time he allowed his name to be presented as a candidate for the Republican nomination to the General Assembly, but before the meeting of the convention withdrew in favor of Mr. Kuhnly, of Rockville.

      Mr. and Mrs. Thrall united with the Vernon Centre Congregational Church in 1869, and from time to time have served in important places in that society. Mr. and Mrs. Thrall, and their daughter, Mrs. Smith, belong to the Vernon Grange. Mrs. Smith is lecturer of that grange, now serving her second term. Mr. Thrall has been treasurer of the Vernon Grange for years. At the request of the committee having in their charge the preparation of sample Connecticut farm products, Mr. Thrall selected a few ears from his crib, and sent them for exhibition at the Columbia World's Fair at Chicago. When the awards were made, Mr. Thrall received a bronze medal for Yellow King Corn of the best quality. It was planted May 1st, in hills 3x3 1/2 feet in soil well fertilized, and was harvested Sept. 15th. The yield was from forty to seventy bushels to the acre, and the weight fifty-six to sixty-four pounds to the bushel. [2]
    Person ID I1858  US Thrall family
    Last Modified 28 Feb 2005 

    Father Ira Thrall,   b. 24 Sep 1803, Vernon, Tolland, Connecticut, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 12 Jul 1878, Colchester, New London, Connecticut, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 74 years) 
    Mother Larissa Sparks,   b. 14 Apr 1802   d. 23 Nov 1869, Vernon, Tolland, Connecticut, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 67 years) 
    Marriage 18 Oct 1826  Vernon, Tolland, Connecticut, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    Family ID F504  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Julia E West,   b. 23 Aug 1836, Stafford, Tolland, Connecticut, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Yes, date unknown 
    Marriage 11 Mar 1856  [1
    Children 
     1. Alfred G Thrall,   b. 15 Dec 1862   d. 12 Jul 1864 (Age 1 year)
     2. Nellie West Thrall,   b. 16 Apr 1867   d. 21 Jan 1875 (Age 7 years)
     3. Eva M Thrall,   b. 15 Dec 1871   d. Aft 1903 (Age 32 years)
    Family ID F690  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 6 May 2004 

  • Sources 
    1. [S5] Compiled by D Stephen Thrall., Thrall Genealogy 1630-1965, (Grant Leslie Thrall 1976), 75 (Reliability: 3).

    2. [S4] Internet, http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Fields/4791/alfredolcottthrall.html (Reliability: 3).

    3. [S5] Compiled by D Stephen Thrall., Thrall Genealogy 1630-1965, (Grant Leslie Thrall 1976), 120 (Reliability: 3).

    4. [S5] Compiled by D Stephen Thrall., Thrall Genealogy 1630-1965, (Grant Leslie Thrall 1976), 45 (Reliability: 3).