Pardon Tillinghast, the grandfather of Waldo Tillinghast, was an early resident of West Greenwich, Rhode Island, and for forty years a deacon of the Baptist church. He married Mary Sweet, of East Greenwich, to whom were born twelve children. Thomas of this number was a farmer in his native town of West Greenwich, and an ordained minister of the Six Principle Baptist church. He was three times married, his first wife being Mary Howard, of Woodstock, whose children are: Harriet S., Waldo, Henry S., Jared and Caleb E.
Waldo Tillinghast was born June 10th, 1833, in Killingly, and when a lad removed to Plainfield, where he became a pupil of both the district and high schools, and subsequently attended the Plainfield Academy. An independent and self-reliant youth, he’ was during the succeeding five years employed as assistant on a farm in summer and spent the winter in teaching. Removing to the village of Plainfield he next engaged in storekeeping, beginning business with a cash capital of twenty-eight dollars. His mercantile venture prospered and grew in proportions until a large and flourishing trade was the result, begun thirtyfour years from the present date, with industry and perseverance for its foundation stone. Mr. Tillinghast is also largely engaged in farming, as in other successful enterprises.
As a republican he was appointed by President Lincoln postmaster of Plainfield, and continued twenty-eight years in office. He was for fourteen years clerk of the probate office, and for the same period judge of probate. He was for twenty-five years a member of the town board of education, and a portion of the time one of its school visitors. He is treasurer of the Robinson & Fowler Foundry Company. Mr. Tillinghast has been for nearly forty years a member of the Baptist church of Moosup, and for a long period superintendent of its Sunday school. He was married in 1859 to Mary A., daughter of Charles W. Crary, of Plainfield. Their children Are: Frank H., Fred. W., Arthur C., and a daughter, Annie L.