Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

suth, Jr., died July 3, 1900, at the age of
fifteen years. 2. Helen Louise, born November
10, 1886; married George H. Cor-
nish, of Brooklyn, New York, whose biography
follows this. 3. Walter Burley,
born January 1, 1890; learned the plumb-
er's trade, and was for a long time in
business for himself; during the World
War was engaged with Richards '& Company
in the manufacture of gun-cotton ;
was for a time postmaster of Sound
Beach ; married Mildred Perry Ellis, and
has one child, Millard Ellis, born March
3.
IQ i7-
Millard Kossuith Palmer is a fine type
of the self-made man, and as such has a
record in which his children and grand-
children may take a just and laudable
pride.
CORNISH, George H.,
Manufacturer, Volunteer in World War.
The name we have just written will be
instantly recognized by very many as
that of one who, during the late World
War, gave his best efforts and eventually
his life for the cause of human freedom.
The death of Mr. Cornish occurred while
he was in the discharge of the very im-
portant duties of an instructor in Frank-
ford, Pennsylvania.
George H. Cornish was born October
15, 1886, in Brooklyn, New York, and
was a son of Louis H. and Minnie (Nich-
ols) Cornish. He learned the trade of a
toolmaker. and held the position of inspector
of tools for the Yale and Towne
Manufacturing Company, of Stamford,
Connecticut. The absorbing nature of
his duties left Mr. Cornish little time for
politics, but he was intensely civic-spirited,
never failing to do his utmost toward
the promotion of reform and good government.
He affiliated with Acacia Lodge,
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
i6t
Greenwich, receiving the thirty-second
degree in Philadelphia. When the United
States entered the World War, Mr. Cor-
nish was one of the first to respond to the
call of the Federal government. On April
9, 1917, he became a member of the Con-
necticut State Guard, and on July 14,
1917, was appointed sergeant. On December
13, 1917, he reported at New Ro-
chelle, and on May 31, 1918, became ser-
geant of ordnance. In August, 1918, he
was appointed ordnance sergeant, the
highest non-commissioned officer, but was
retained in the United States on account
of his exceptional value as an instructor.
Mr. Cornish married Helen Louise Pal-
mer, daughter of Millard Kossuith Palmer,
a biography of whom precedes this, and
they became the parents of one child,
Helen Rhoda, born January 1, 1916.
Having been appointed instructor in
optical repair work in Frankford, Penn-
sylvania, Mr. Cornish, in the full tide of
ardent devotion to his responsible duties,
and having one hundred and twenty-five
men under his charge, fell seriously ill,
and on October 5, 1918, breathed his last,
giving his life for his country as truly as
if he had fallen on the battlefield. A few
days after his commission as lieutenant
was received from Governor Holcomb.
George H. Cornish was a true patriot. In
time of peace he was a loyal citizen, and
when war spread its dark cloud over the
land he hesitated not to make the supreme
sacrifice.
BATES, John S.,
Business Man.
The Bates family has long been iden-
tified with the history of Connecticut. It
appears in the earliest Colonial records,
and is found previous to this time in the
English records. The surname is sup-
posed to have been derived from Bartho