Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

in a foreign country, comes to this land
of America, and there nol only learns the
new language and the differenl customs,
but devotes his life to the spiritual wel-
fare of Ins brethren. Rev. Stanislaw P.
Federkiewicz, pastor of St. Adelbert's
Roman Catholic Church, of Thompson-
ville, Connecticut, proves himself to be
possessed of more than the ordinary
amount of those sterling traits.
In far off Poland, in the city of Ryma-
now, Father Federkiewicz was horn April
29, 1897. His forefathers were men who
tilled the soil for their livelihood, men of
worth and stamina. 1 1 i -s father, Joseph
Federkiewicz, was a native of Rymanow;
he married Mary Moczarska, and they
were the parents of eleven children, seven
of whom survive, and three came to
America. One of these, John, was in the
World War, and has returned to his na-
tive home, where he is planning to follow
agricultural pursuits, and in his way
assist in the reconstruction of his father-
land.
The early education of Father Federkiewicz
was ohtained in the puhlic schools
of Poland, followed by normal and college
courses in Praga. In 1906 he came
to America and attended St. John's Seminary,
in Brighton, Massachusetts. His
education for the vocation of priesthood
was completed at the Catholic College in
Baltimore, and there, in 1912, he was ordained
a priest by Cardinal Gibbons. His
curacies were served in the parishes of
Colchester, New London and New
Britain, and in 191 5 Father Federkiewicz
was appointed pastor of St. Adelbert's
Roman Catholic Church, in Thompsonville,
by Bishop Nilan, of the Hartford
Diocese. At the time of his coming, there
were about twenty-five hundred com-
municants, the greater part being natives
of Poland. The call of the Fatherland
and the work in cities where munitions
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
251
were made for the war attracted almost
half of thi^ population, so that to-day
there are only about fifteen hundred souls
in the congregation. Now that we have
peace, il is to be hoped man) of these
former residents will return and the fold
will again be complete. With tireless
energy and implicit faith, Father Feder-
kiewicz labors for the L, r,i "d of his people;
he is highly respected by the citizens of
Thompsonville, who have nothing but
crood wishes for his success and welfare.
LASBURY, William Morgan,
Manufacturer.
During the recent World War there
were many American business men, who
though practically retired from active
business duties, came again to the front
at their country's time of need, and who
were important factors in many phases of
the work necessary to carry on that great
struggle to a successful close. One of
these men was William Morgan Lasbury,
of Broad Brook, and Enfield, Connecticut.
He possessed capabilities of great value
which he used untiringly, thereby receiv-
ing well deserved merit.
The name of Lasbury is derived from
Lasborough, a parish in County Glouces-
ter, England, a section long famed for the
honesty and integrity of its citizens.
George Lasbury, father of our subject,
was a son of Benjamin and Sarah Lasbury.
The latter lived and died in England,
and after his death, his widow,
Sarah, came to America, where she re-
sided with her son, George, until her
death, which occurred in the early seven-
ties. George Lasbury, above mentioned,
was born in England, October 25, 1819,
and died in 1906, at Broad Brook, Connecticut.
At an early age he left home and
school to help his parents, as he was the
oldest of a large family of children. He