Mathilde Plante

Submitted by Woonsocket_Admin on Tue, 03/27/2018 - 15:40

Mathilde married William Plante on July 1, 1895 shortly after her arrival to Woonsocket. In addition to raising 12 children she worked at the Cumberland Worsted in Woonsocket as a gill box operator and a ring spinner. She passed away on June 23, 1955.

Robert Plante

Submitted by Woonsocket_Admin on Tue, 03/27/2018 - 15:26

Robert also worked at The Worcester Co in North Providence, the Malden Mills in Lawrence, MA and Joan Fabrics in Tyngsboro, MA.

William Plante

Submitted by Woonsocket_Admin on Tue, 03/27/2018 - 14:51

William Plante was born in St. Cuthbert, Canada on November 16, 1870. William migrated to Woonsocket at the age of 25. On July 1, 1895 he married Mathilde Contre who had also migrated to Woonsocket from Canada, in fact she grew up in a village not too far from William, St. Gabriel de Brandon. For reasons unknown the couple returned to Canada soon after their marriage and had two children while there. They returned to Woonsocket in 1899 and went on to have nine more children, eight of whom survived. In 1912 the family returned to Canada and while there two more boys were born.

Raoul Antonio Plante

Submitted by Woonsocket_Admin on Tue, 02/27/2018 - 16:19

Raoul was born to William and Mathilde Plante in St. Hyacinthe, Canada on April 30, 1915. He was the 13th child born to the couple, twelve of whom survived to adulthood. Raoul came to Woonsocket at the age of 16 months. Shortly after his arrival he contracted meningitis which left him with permanent hearing loss. His formal education was minimal and he began working in the mills at a young age. He became a wool sorter at the Argonne Worsted soon after his marriage to Lillian Fontaine in 1936. He stayed with Argonne until its relocation to the South.

Eugene Delphis Thibeault

Submitted by Woonsocket_Admin on Tue, 02/27/2018 - 16:17

Eugene was born to Cyrille and Emma Jean Thibeault in Woonsocket on November 18, 1909. The family lived on Gobeille Street next to the river. Eugene was the youngest of five children. When Gene was young the family moved to a 3rd floor flat on 327 Dulude Avenue, he lived here until his marriage to Marie Anne Orise Peloquin on June 8, 1935.

Alberta Lariviere

Submitted by Woonsocket_Admin on Tue, 02/27/2018 - 16:15

Alberta was the daughter of the owner of the Belmont Worsted Mill. She graduated from Hill College in Woonsocket, R.I. She was active in many senior groups incl. Fireside Club and Cercle Louise Club. Alberta died at age 79

Mary Rose Joseph

Submitted by Woonsocket_Admin on Tue, 02/27/2018 - 16:13

Mary's father, Abraham Corey, immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island from Damascus, Syria. The family lived on Ruggles Street in Franklin, MA, Mary remained in the Franklin area for the rest of her life. She raised children and grandchildren. When Mary retired she traveled the world with her husband of over 60 years. She died in 2009 at the age of 88

Lucie Joseph

Submitted by Woonsocket_Admin on Tue, 02/27/2018 - 16:10

Lucie's only job in the United States was at Branch River Mills. She worked at Branch River for 30 years.She arrived in the United States with her two sons and her mother by boat. Her mother accompanied Lucie on the voyage to the US because at that time a chaperone was required in order for her to make the trip. She reunited with her husband upon her arrival and the family settled in a 3-story tenement in Woonsocket. 

Noella Peloquin-Pepin

Submitted by Woonsocket_Admin on Tue, 02/27/2018 - 16:08

Working during the summer after high school graduation at Finkelstein's was Noella's first job before entering nursing school. She had no work or mill experience and no training and was put on "piece work". Seamstress' had boxes by their sewing machines, sewing collars or cuffs, etc.  After a box was completed,  a sticker on sheet was used to track amount of work completed. Jackets went on hangars or overhead pipes to be inspected and if not perfect, returned to be redone