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- 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]
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Thrale history
1835 - 1915 (79 years)
[1, 2]