Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

Mr. Skinner purchased what was known
as the Bowker place, in Wethersfield,
Connecticut, where he moved, accom-
panied by his wife, and continued to
reside there until his death, April 20,
I9 T 3-
Mr. Skinner married, February 23, i860,
Louisa G. Lewis, daughter of Xelson and
Sarah (Weaver) Lewis, of Glastonbury,
Connecticut, and they were the parents of
the following children : Eleanor G., born
November 27, i860; Emma. January 30,
1869, died 1872; George L., January 14,
1870. The elder daughter became the
wife of Joseph Saunders, son of James
and Sarah (Barnes) Saunders, who
came from the parish of Lee, in Bucking-
hamshire, England, to America, in June,
1870. With his elder brother, James
Saunders, he was employed as an expert
carriage wood worker. He married
Eleanor G. Skinner, December 21, 1881,
and they were the parents of the follow-
ing children : Grace Emma May, born
May 13, 1883; Clifford Joseph, Febru-
ary 2, 1885, married Annie Higginson, of
Meriden, and has children: Helen Irene,
born March 31, 1914, and Efne Viola,
March 10, 1916; Ethel Rose, September
1, 1889, wife of Melvin Perry, of Chester,
Connecticut, mother of Harold Melvin.
born February 28, 1914, and Rose
Henrietta, February 26, 1917; Edward
James, August 25, 1893 ! Beatrice Claire,
April 30, 1898; William Theodore, September
19, 1901. Mr. Saunders is a mem-
ber of the Society of Sons of Saint
George, a regular attendant of the Epis-
copal church, and politically a Republi-
can. Mrs. Louisa G. Skinner died at her
home in Wethersfield, January 30, 1917.
RYAN, James Bardwell,
Hotel Proprietor.
In the ancient town of Farmington
stands the Elm Tree Inn, established two
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
320
hundred and fifty years ago. It has been
and still is the resort of people from
many sections of the country, many of
whom find there a summer home.
Its present owner, James Bardwell
Ryan, was born June 5, 1854, at Mooers
Junction, New York, and there spent his
early boyhood, with limited opportunities
for education. Very early in life he became
connected with hotels, starting as
a bell boy at Burlington, Vermont, where
he continued about one year, in the Lake
House. Thence he went to Winchendon,
Massachusetts, where he was employed
in the American House for more than
four years, serving in various capacities.
He was next at the Pequoig House in
Athol, Massachusetts, where he was clerk
at the age of fifteen years, and continued
for four years, going thence to the
Revere House in Brattleboro, Vermont.
Subsequently he became clerk in the Putnam
House at Orange, Massachusetts,
returned to Athol, and was later manager
of the Mansion House at Orange.
For more than four years he was man-
ager of the Lake House at Miller's Falls,
Massachusetts. He spent a year on the
road as a travelling salesman, was nearly
three years proprietor of the Amherst
House, Amherst, Massachusetts, and in
1889 became proprietor of the Rockville
House at Rockville, Connecticut, continu-
ing more than two years. After one year
in the United States Hotel in Hartford,
he removed to Farmington and purchased
and conducted the Elm Tree Inn. For
some years he was interested in restau-
rants and cafes in Hartford, and for the
last fifteen years has been proprietor of
the Elm Tree Inn. By extensive addi-
tions, he greatly increased its capacity,
and also has added garage and stables,
making the establishment a modern one.
While his schooling was limited in youth,
Mr. Ryan acquired an excellent business
training, has been an intelligent observer