USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. I > Part 28
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II
In New Haven, city of churches, the influence of the gospel preacher as a maker and monkler is as great now, in a different way, as ever since the pilgrim days. The city has had some men of marvelous power in the modern period. Its day of long pastorates, as we have seen, is not wholly past, though in most of the churches the present leaders are comers within a decade. Their leader- ship is acknowledged, their aid sought, in many a work not a little ont of their line.
In the course of progress, denominational distinctions are often lost, and especially the institution now called the Yale School of Religion has doffed its sectarian garb, and become recognized as a broad leader. In these days this is not a little due to the strength and genius of the man who came to be head of this school about 1912, Dean Charles R. Brown. He has been called one of the ten great preachers of America. That is of less moment, however, than the fact that he is a man of rare idealism and discernment, who wins men of all creeds and ranks, and is heloved of all. However, his own church has men strong out- side of their denomination. Doctor Maurer admirably maintains the traditions of Center. Rev. Robert C. Denison and Rev. Artemas J. Haynes have been a great pair in the old North Church. Doctor Phillips was a power for twenty years and more at the Church of the Redeemer, and had an unusual holl on all the city. Rev. Roy M. Houghton has ably taken up his work. Rev. Frank R. Luckey has for thirty years kept the faith at the Humphrey Street Church. Rev. Harry R. Miles has ably followed the work of Doctor Leete in Dwight Place Church and New Haven, as has Rev. Orville A. Petty followed Doctor
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McLane at Plymouth. Rev. Edward F. Goin does a noble service for his people at Dixwell Avenue Church, and a broader work for the people of the city. Rev. Harris E. Starr, east of the Quinnipiac, and Rev. Clair F. Luther, west of West River, with Rev. William C. Prentiss in the old Grand Avenue Church, make np a group of strong men.
The other churches have had, through men of faith and brotherhood, no less an influence in this later period. The Episcopal churces have a great quartet in Rev. Stewart Means at St. John's, Rev. William A. Beardsley at St. Thomas, Rev. Charles O. Scoville at Trinity and Rev. George L. Paine at St. Paul's. Rev. Frederick Lent at the First Baptist is a man who commands great influence throughout the city. There have been several recent changes at Calvary Bap- tist, but they have not weakened the influence of this live, spiritual church, in whose pulpit Rev. James McGee, following such men as Hoag, Munro and Poteat, now wields an enviable power. The Catholic Church, through such vet- eran pastors as Father Coyle at St. John's. Father Russell at St. Patrick's. Father MeGivney at St. Joseph's in Westville, Father Mckeon at Sacred Heart and Father Harty at St. Joseph's in the city, has been a mighty force of com- munity blessing. From the Temple on Orange Street has radiated, in the past twenty years, an influence for service and for good that has reached far beyond the followers of the faith of Israel, through such teachers as Rabbi Levy and Rabbi Mann. The Methodist Church has covered the city, and through a long list of consecrated men has worked for its upbuilding. Some among them, like Doetor Dent and Mr. Laird at the First Church, Mr. Munson and Doctor Good- enough at Trinity and Mr. Smith at East Pearl Street have entered largely into New Haven's general life. Churches numerically smaller have had, through men of good will, a part above proportion to their size. Rev. Theodore A. Fischer of the Universalist has been found shoulder to shoulder with the work- ers of New Haven in every task attempted, always a welcome comrade. Mr. Timm of the German Lutheran Church was for many years a participant in many public affairs, and long a valued member of the Library Board. Rev. James Grant, though denied by ill health the privilege of having his own church, has been a welcome preacher in every church, a joy at every feast and always an uplifting power. The city will never lose the good of the long service of Rev. William D. Mossman as leader of the City Mission work and one of the founders of the Organized Charities.
These men of the church are leaders now, as ever, in the universal war work. The Congregational group especially shows just now a notable record. Six of these ministers from New Haven and nearby are now in active sevice on the war fronts. Rev. Orville A. Petty of Plymouth went out with the One Hundred and Second as its chaplain. Doctor Maurer of Center, Mr. Starr of Pilgrim, Mr. Houghton of the Church of the Redeemer, Mr. Miles of Dwight Place and Mr. Brown of West Haven are in the Young Men's Christian Association war service, most of them in France. In the Episcopal Church, Rev. George L. Paine has just resigned from St. Paul's to enter a similar service, and now Mr. Laird, lately of the First Methodist, has joined the war service.
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The influence of the leaders in the Congregational ehurehes made New Haven the place of a national church gathering in 1915. This was the sixteenth National Council, which brought to the city some thousands of delegates and guests from all parts of the country and beyond. A capable commitee of ministers and lay- men, headed by Rev. Oscar E. Maurer, handled the arrangements, and were so well supported by citizens in general that the visitors testified that no council up to that time had been so satisfactorily entertained.
III
There is a long list of educators who have had more than a professional influence on their community. The presidents of Yale have given their first thought to that great institution, and that has been enough to take all their attention. But also, with few exceptions, they have been active citizens of the community. This has been especially so in the cases of Doetor Dwight and Doctor Hadley, presidents in the recent period. Both were born in New Haven, and their city has markedly felt the influence of each. Doetor Dwight, released in 1899 from the duties of the presideney, never eeased to the time of his death to have a keen interest in public affairs, and served the city in more ways than most of his fellows knew. The burden of the presidency in the years since would have been enough for an ordinary man, but Doctor Hadley. as is well known, is in a way a superman. ITis public service and interest have been national as well as local, and they have been great. Not far behind these has been Rev. Anson Phelps Stokes, for many years secretary of the university, who has thrown himself into the life of New Haven with the enthusiasm of a native.
Many might also be mentioned among the teachers of the university who have exerted a positive influence in the formation of the eity, and contributed by personal work to its progress. Foremost among them, no doubt, is Prof. Ilenry W. Farnam, in every way a live. valuable eitizen. A man with very wide affiliations and constant demands on his attention, he has never failed to respond to every local appeal for his help. Prof. Irving Fisher, as busy a man in many ways, has been as assiduous in serving New Haven. Prof. Charles Foster Kent was the first president of the Civic Federation, and has participated in many church and civic works. Dr. Russell H. Chittenden, head of the scientifie school, has been a loyal citizen in many ways, and the contribution of Prof. L. P. Breckenridge of the same institution has been material. Prof. Hiram Bingham has "mixed" well with the men of New Haven, always ready to lend a hand. and George Parmly Day, treasurer of the university, has participated in many good community works.
The contribution, direct and indirect, of Arthur B. Morrill to the welfare of New llaven has been considerable. An educator of eminent rank. the head of the Normal school, has been an inspiration and example of good eitizenship to old and young. Superintendent Frank HI. Beede of the schools has never
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been a detached citizen, busy as he has been, though his contribution through the upbuilding of the schools has been all that the city could ask. In this he has been ably assisted, of late years, by the associate superintendents, Claude C. Russell, Junius C. Knowlton and Jolm C. McCarthy. Nor should mention be omitted of George T. Hewlett, since 1900 secretary of the Board of Educa- tion, who has been identified with many a public work. Charles L. Kirschner, principal of the high school. Frank L. Glynn and Robert O. Beebe, successively directors of the trade school, should also be mentioned. In business education a leader who has aided the community in no small way is Nathan B. Stone of the Stone Business College.
IV
A community with a legal history based on such traditions as the record of Roger Sherman and James Abram Hillhouse is competently maintaining its standards in the modern time. For almost two centuries New Haven, jointly with Hartford, administered the law for the state, and provided temples of justice. It later came to have the only school of law in the state, and from that, as well as from the standing of its lawyers, it still retains its prestige as a leader of the Connecticut bar. From the ranks of its lawyers have come three of the four governors which the city has furnished in the past forty years. It has always been well represented on the benches of state and nation, and in the present period has had a chief justice of the State Supreme Court, Hon. Simeon E. Baldwin. It now has a circuit judge in the United States District Court, Hon. Henry Wade Rogers, called from his high place as dean of the Yale Law School; a United States commissioner, William A. Wright ; an associate judge of the State Supreme Court of Errors. Hon. John K. Beach ; one judge of the Superior Court who is a resident of the city, William L. Bennett, and another who has his office in the city, James H. Webb.
New Haven, as the county seat, is now occupying its fifth courthouse since the first primitive structure on the Green was built in 1717. That building served until 1767. for the requirements of the courts were then very modest. according to our standards. The next structure, standing on Temple Street, midway between where Trinity and Center churches now stand. was bare, but it served for almost fifty years. Then the courts moved into what New Haveners of this generation have known as the old State House, on the Green west of the churches. Their requirements outgrew it before a new courthouse could be provided, and we find them using, from 1861 to 1871, spare room in the City Hall. In that period the county took active steps to provide a new building, and the result was the brown stone edifice which still stands north of the City Hall. This was completed in 1873, and was palatial for those times.
But soon after the new century came in, New Haven County, though in the meantime it had provided a fine building in Waterbury where some of the courts of the district were held, felt that it must have a new and adequate courthouse at the county seat. A committee appointed by a meeting of the county's senators and representatives at Hartford on February 20, 1907. found
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that the then existing county courthouses were not adequate, and submitted as its report a vote of the Bar of New Haven County, resolving that it approved the decision of the committee to recommend a new building. The committee and the lawyers agreed on the northwest corner of Elm and Church streets as a desirable site, and the latter appointed a committee consisting of John K. Beach, Isaae Wolfe, Harry G. Day, Henry C. White and John H. Webb to act in eon- junction with the county committee.
The committee for the county, appointed June 27, 1907, consisted of Hon. John Q. Tilson, speaker of the flouse: John K. Beach of New Haven and Senator Dennis A. Blakeslee and the county commissioners, who then were Edward F. Thompson, Jacob D. Walter and James Geddes. About two years later John K. Beach resigned, and Frank S. Bishop of New Haven was appointed in his place. The committee continued in charge of the work until the building was completed. except that James F. Cloonan of Meriden succeeded Mr. Thomp- son as county commissioner.
The architects chosen were Allen & Williams of New Haven, and the plan they submitted was similar in effect to St. George's Hall in London. It was in 1909 that the work was begun, with the Sperry & Treat Company of New Haven as the general contractor. It was reported finished, furnished and ready for occupancy on March 24, 1914, at a total cost of $1,324,869.35. It surpasses any county building in the state, and is one of the finest in the New England region. Standing at a prominent corner of the Green, it makes one of the mnost distinguished features of the central group of architecture. Within it is substantially and luxuriously appointed, with ample provisions for all the county courts and offices. Its distinguished mural paintings have been done, including the decorating, by T. Gilbert White, and the sculpture, which includes two figures of heroic size before the building, by J. Massey Rhind.
In such a home meets a distinguished company of lawyers. There were 228 of them in New Haven in 1917. The three governors whom they have recently furnished are Hon. Henry B. Harrison. 1885-87 ; IIon. Enzon B. Morris, 1893-95; Ifon. Simeon E. Baldwin, 1911-15. The last was the first governor to be elected for a second term since the term was made two years in 1884. More recently the bar of New Haven has provided a secretary of state, Hon. Frederick L. Perry. In this period New Haven lawyers have provided two members of Congress. IIon. James P. Pigott. in 1893-95, and Hon. John Q. Tilson, who was niemher-at-large from 1909 to 1913, was chosen from the Third distriet in 1914 and re-elected in 1916.
These are not the only ones who have been called to higher office. Hon. Bur- ton Mansfield, justly honored in many circles of his fellow citizens, leader among ehurehmen as well as lawyers, was appointed insurance commissioner of Connecticut by Governor Morris in 1893, and when Governor Baldwin wanted the right man for the place he reappointed him in 1911. So admirably has he filled the office that Governor Baldwin's Republiean successor continued him in it. Besides that he holds numerous positions of trust, financial and indus- trial, as well as legal. John Currier Gallagher, who succeeded Edward A.
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NEW HAVEN COUNTY COURTHOUSE, NEW HAVEN
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Anketell as clerk of the New Haven County Superior Court in 1907, and remained in the position until his death in 1912, had been assistant for years before that, and was one of the honored members of the New Haven group. Mr. Anketell, on his part, had been clerk of the courts of the county for eighteen years before that, and stood high in his profession.
William K. Townsend, native of New Haven, long one of the most dis- tinguished members of its legal group, was another who rose to the rank of a federal judgeship, being appointed to the United States Circuit Court in 1892. Henry G. Newton is another whose departure is so recent as to make his memory very vivid. He was one of the most respected members of the New Haven bar for over forty years, and at the time of his death had long been a referee in bank- ruptey. His place in many relations in New Haven was a very large one. Charles Kleiner, for thirty-four years a member of the New Haven bar, has just closed a remarkable term of eight years as corporation counsel, a period in which he has abundantly justified the confidence of his fellow lawyers and citizens in his sterling character, fine legal training and careful judgment. Livingston W. Cleaveland, who though eminent in his profession, oeeupies an even higher place in New Haven esteem, has held for several terms the probate judgeship, and is prominent in many efforts for the common good. John P. Studley, for three terms New Haven's mayor, rounded out his public career by a service as judge of probate, and was succeeded by John L. Gilson, the present able and popular holder of the office. Roceo Ierardi, one of the able younger lawyers, was for several years prosecutor in the police court.
New Haven has several law firms which are notable in their history, though their individuals have been no less distinguished. One of the more prominent of these is White Brothers, unique in the fact that four generations, from Dyer White of the colonial days to Roger White, 2d, served the publie as conveyaneers, substantially on the same site. A younger firm by far, but as distinguished in its way, is Clark, ITall & Peck, which has a statewide reputation for skill and reliability in the searching of titles. One of the most prosperous firms in these days is Stoddard, Goodhart & Stoddard, a group of strong men whose ability covers a wide range. Bristol & White is a firm now including some of the ablest members of the bar, John W. Bristol, Leonard MI. Daggett, Henry C. White and Thomas Hooker, Jr. Watrous & Day is made up of George D. Watrons, just regarded as one of the leaders of the bar, an attorney of the highest ability, a professor in the Yale Law School and a citizen of sterling worth ; and Harry G. Day, who divides his attention between eminent service in his profession and the executive guidance of the New Haven Hospital.
A notable group ineludes men who have retired, others who have had their eulogies written. Besides Judge Townsend and Judge Newton, already men- tioned, there is Earliss P. Arvine, who rests from a useful life and service. Henry T. Blake is still active, though not in legal praetiee. John W. Alling, after long serviee as president of the Telephone Company, has also somewhat relaxed the strenuous life.
The list might greatly be extended. Seymour C. Loomis has a high standing
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in his profession, but finds time for much non-professional publie work. Donald A. Adams, though continuing his legal work as a teacher as well as a prae- titioner, has carried the secretarial work of the Civic Federation for two years past and done much other public service. Harry W. Asher has an enviable place in his profession. Bernard E. Lynch is trusted as a counselor and hon- ored as a citizen. Matthew A. Reynolds, an attorney of high ability, has also served the city as a public official, notably as a member of the Board of Fire Commissioners. Eliot Watrous, in addition to a handsome private practice, is often found engaged in unpaid publie endeavor. George W. Crawford occu- pies a high position among his fellows, and peculiarly and ably serves the people of the colored race. to whom he always gives wise and reliable eounsel. A. MeClellan Mathewson, in addition to his private practice, has rendered the community a large service, in his time as poliee court judge and sinee, in work for the boys of New Haven. For many years he headed the local council for the Boy Scouts, and his interest in the rising generation is real and constructive.
V
In nothing has New Haven made greater advances in the recent period than in the benefits derived from the practice of medicine. It was never backward in that respect. for in it for generations some of the ablest of American physicians have labored. But it was unfortunately true that, in the period just before the beginning of this century, the tide of wealth that was aiding the science of medicine through the schools was running stronger in alnost every direction than toward Yale. And on Yale Medieal Sehool New Haven depended in great measure for its medical inspiration.
The "beloved physicians"-and New Haven has had many of them-worked on in zeal and faith. They have kept New Haven in the front rank. And in this time the fruit of their works appears. Friends with wealth and the love and pride of Yale have eome to the rescue of its medical school. They are making it one of the foremost in the eountry, and greater things are ahead for it. This reaets in a direct way on New Haven. For there has been materially strengthened an allianee which has existed from the beginning between Yale Medical School and the New Haven Hospital. The leading hospital in the city, recently greatly enlarged in its space and equipment, is to have more than ever the service of Yale-the new Yale. The New Haven Dispensary, which has for forty-six years existed to serve at the lowest cost those who most need medical advice and assistance, is also to have its scope and serviee inereased. The general medical advance has for some years reacted on the New Haven public health service, which has been reformed on modern standards.
All this has been the work of faithful men who have industriously applied their learning. Most of them have been identified with the trio. Yale, the hospital and New Haven. Some have branehed off from this allianee to form other hospitals, and sorely New Haven has needed them. At one time, and that rather recently, this city was far behind others of its size in its hospital
NEW HAVEN HOSPITAL, NEW HAVEN
THE GRADUATES CLUB, NEW HAVEN
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accommodations, and still its growth keeps up the pressure. To meet the need physicians of the homeopathie school founded Grace Hospital some twenty-two years ago, and though never oversupplied with funds, it has done an excellent work. A few years later the private institution known as Elm City Hospital, of which Dr. Clarence E. Skinner was the inspiration, was started in a build- ing erected for its purpose at the southern end of Park street, and continues, under changed management, its able service. St. Raphael's Hospital, under the auspices of the Catholic Church, was founded soon after 1900, and has so well served the people that those who wish good treatment and care, seek it without paying attention to the limitations of religious creed.
Of the physicians of New Haven in these days of the new development of Yale, it is natural that the dean of that school should be regarded as the leader. Dr. George Blumer has that position by right of eminent attainment, and with- out jealousy. There are okler physicians, of whom most persons would mention first Dr. William H. Carmalt, old in practice, general and special, old also in the confidence, respect and affection of his fellow citizens. Dr. William C. Welch, of a long line of distinguished physicians, eminent in his profession, rarely fine in his personal character, devoted as are few men to the welfare of his fellows, true friend as well as reliable healer, is rounding out a long service for the people who love him. Dr. B. Austin Cheney, veteran of the war, sterling practitioner of the old school, a man whom all New Haven honors for his personal as well as his professional qualities, completes a remarkable trio.
A group of those who have finished their work is too distinguished to receive less regard. "Old Doetor Sanford" was not so many years ago one of the true type of "beloved physicians." whose presence did good like a medicine. Ilis work is carrried on by Dr. Leonard C. Sanford, scholar, lover of nature, physi- cian of eminent attainments. New Haven still remembers with gratitude and tears Dr. Otto G. Ramsey, brilliant surgeon, sacrifice to the demand of the people which his skill ereated. A multitude of those whom he served for the pure love of humanity still grieves at the untimely ending of the work of Dr. William J. Sheehan. Dr. Jay W. Seaver, though his work was mostly with the university in an official capacity, was long a resident of New Haven, and many friends recall his work with tenderest memories.
Two who stand out as surgeons maintain ably the high standard set by that department of healing. Dr. William F. Verdi has demonstrated a skill which has spread his fame far beyond the bounds of his community. Dr. William P. Lang, younger, with already an enviable reputation for careful, skillful work, is coming to fill a large place in the needs of New Haven, and to be demanded in many other communities. There is a group of notable specialists, from whom, in incomplete justice, may be selected Dr. Oliver T. Osborne, Dr. William C. Wurtemburg, Dr. Henry W. Ring, Dr. John E. Lane and Dr. Allen R. Diefendorf.
Dr. Stephen J. Maher, also a specialist, has made a place for himself of inter- national as well as state and local eminence by his study of tuberculosis. This has justly placed him at the head of the state commission, in which position he
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is doing a work for the healing of humanity and the lengthening of life which this generation will inadequately appreciate. Dr. Charles J. Bartlett, whose work at present is largely with the Medical School, has in recent times served New Haven in other highly important ways. His work as president for several years of the Civic Federation has already been mentioned. Ilis service for New Haven's health in connection with the health department covered several years, and its fruits are abundant. In this connection it should be said that, though his name appears less prominently in the reports, the contribution of Dr. C .- E. A. Winslow of the University to the same eause is not a small one. And Prof. Yandell Henderson, through the Medical School and through his frequent pub- lie service in such canses as charter revision, is a citizen not to be overlooked.
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