Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

native town where he attended the pub-
lic and high school. After his graduation
from the latter, he entered the University
of Pennsylvania, from which he was
graduated in 1904 with the degree of
M. D. In order that he might gain the
knowledge of practical experience which,
together with his natural ability, has
enabled him to climb to his present posi-
tion, he was an interne at various hospi-
tals in Philadelphia and New York City.
He then opened an office in Suffield, Con-
necticut, and remained there for five
years. Not satisfied even at this point
with his knowledge of his profession, he
took a post-graduate course at the New
York Post-Graduate College, the New
York Polytechnic Hospital and the New
York Hospital, which covered almost a
year. In July, 1910, Dr. Stockwell was
one of the organizers of the new State
Sanitorium for Tuberculosis at Shelton,
Connecticut, and also was superintendent
there until 1916. There were then one
hundred and forty patients there. Dr.
Stockwell was then made superintendent
of the Newington Sanitorium, which posi-
tion he held until he entered the service
of his country in the present World War.
Dr. Stockwell is a Republican in political
affiliations, and a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church. He is a member
of the County, State and American Medical
societies ; the Society of American
Bacteriologists; National Association of
Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis,
and Society of American Sanitoriums.
He is also a member of the Phi Sigma
Kappa fraternity, and of Masonic Lodge,
No. 59, of Suffield.
On June 8, 1909, Dr. Stockwell mar-
ried Clara Simmons Phelps, daughter of
Gilbert Wells and Alice (Simmons)
Phelps. They have two children : Beatrice,
born October 2, 1910, and David
Phelps, November 29, 1912.
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
339
HOLT, Thomas,
Public Official.
A highly esteemed citizen and one of
the most efficient and progressive dairy
men of the State, Thomas Holt, State
Dairy and Food Commissioner, is giving
to the Commonwealth the benefit of his
observation and experience. He is a
native of England, born January 21, 1863,
in Littleboro, Lancashire, son of John and
Alice (Fletcher) Holt, of that place.
Before attaining his majority, Thomas
Holt came to the United States and spent
four years on the Western Plains engaged
in grain raising, thence he removed to
Alabama and conducted a dairy farm at
Fort Payne. Subsequently he spent some
time in Central New York, and in 1895,
after having been a resident of the United
States for thirteen years, he settled at
Southington, Connecticut, where he built
up a very extensive dairy business. He
continued to make his home in that town
until May 20, 1918, when he removed to
Newington and located on a farm which
he has just purchased in that town. He
still retains his large dairy farm in the
northwestern part of Southington, which
is under the management of his eldest
son. About seventy cows are maintained
on the two farms, one-half of them pure
bred Jerseys, and Mr. Holt usually maintains
about the same number of young
stock, thus keeping his dairy up to stand-
ard. For many years he delivered milk
to customers in Bristol, Connecticut,
where the business is still conducted by
his son-in-law, James C. Gilbert. Thus
it is apparent that Mr. Holt is a practical
farmer. He is thoroughly familiar with
all the details of his business, and is still
able to milk eighteen cows at an early
hour in the morning. Possessed of excel-
lent business qualities, he has achieved
success and is recognized throughout the