WILLIAM F. BROUGHTON, the leading
meat merchant of Stonington, was born in Providence, R.I., April 19, 1857,
son of James Broughton. The father, who was born in Manchester, England,
December 10, 1833, came to this country in 1856, and sent for his wife
six months later. She arrived in Providence, R.I., on April 16, 1857, three
days before giving birth to William F. Of her five children four were born
in this country, and three are living. The first, James, died in infancy
in England. The others are: William F., the subject of this biography;
Walter M., who is now deceased; Charles W., a machinist in Worcester, Mass.;
and George E., a butcher in Brooklyn, N.Y. James Broughton, the father,
is a master mechanic in Hope Valley, R.I., and has the enviable record
of having been with one firm, the Nichols & Langworthy Machine Company,
for thirty-two years, entering their employ in August, 1866.
William F. Broughton was educated in Hope
Valley and in a Bryant & Stratton business college of Providence. Afterward
he entered the meat business, in which he has since prosperously continued.
His residence and place of business are 61 to 67 Water Street, a valuable
piece of property, with a frontage of some eighty feet, embracing his market
and a drug store, which he rents. The market is well arranged, and has
a perfect cold-storage house of large capacity and perfect ventilation.
By the compressed ammonia method of reducing temperature Mr. Broughton
is able to keep beef sweet for sixteen months. In 1884 restarted in the
fish business with a partner, under the name of Broughton & Lawlor.
Three months later he bought his partner's interest, and continued for
two years with his fish market in the Old Sail Loft. Then he removed to
his present location in 1886, purchasing it July 3, 1888, and going in
debt for the larger part of it. It is needless to say that this debt has
been long since cancelled.
Mr. Bronghton is a Mason, a member of Palestine
Commandery, No. 6, K. T., and the Master of the Asylum Lodge, No.
57, at Stonington. In politics he is a Democrat. He has held the position
of Constable for three years, is a Burgess of the borough, and also Deputy
Sheriff. At the age of twenty he was married to Frances T. James, daughter
t)f Peleg W. and Sally (Lewis) James, both of whom are now deceased. Mrs.
Broughton has three brothers and one sister. Three children have blessed
her union, namely: Maud I., now a young lady of seventeen years and an
accomplished performer on the piano; Mabel Gertrude, fifteen years of age,
who is also musical; and William F., Jr., now thirteen years of age, a
violinist of more than ordinary ability. Mr. and Mrs. Broughton do not
regret their early start in life, and they are to be congratulated for
their bright and most interesting trio of children.
(Photo attached)
Biographical Review Volume
XXVI
Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens
of New London County Connecticut
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1898
pgs 448 - 451
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