USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II > Part 10
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HOWARD ELLSWORTH ADT.
Howard Ellsworth Adt, identified with various corporations that figure prominently as assets in the business development of New Haven, has thus contributed in large measure to the progress and upbuilding of the city. He is a forceful and resourceful business man, ready to meet any emergency and at all times directing circumstances and shaping conditions to the benefit of not only his individual or company interests but to the welfare of the com- munity. Ile is perhaps best known as the secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Geometrie Tool Company. Massachusetts claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred in Haydenville, June 18, 1862, his parents being Ferdinand F. and Catherine (Kar- mann) Adt. The father was born in Germany and came to America with his father when late in his teens, crossing the Atlantic in 1844, at which time he became a resident of Tor- rington, Connecticut. Ilis education was completed on this side the water and he became a papier-maché manufacturer, establishing an American plant at Torrington and later at Haydenville, where he afterward took up the business of manufacturing gold pens, becoming the pioneer in that field in the United States. He afterward removed to New York city and established business on Maiden Lane, where he began the manufacture of gold pens on a much larger scale. He originated the diamond point and placed upon the market a product of great value, and success attended the undertaking from the beginning. During the last twenty years of his life Mr. Adt lived retired and passed away in New Haven in 1913 at the age of eighty-five years. He possessed inventive ingenuity, was a thoroughgoing business man, and with a spirit of unfaltering determination he accomplished whatever he undertook. The papier-maché plant which he founded was the first established on this side of the water, although his ancestors for several generations had been active in the same line of business in Bavaria. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Karmann, was born in New Haven and was a daughter of Sebastian and Elizabeth (Winter) Karmann, who were of German and of French descent, the Winters being among the old French families established on American soil. Mrs. Adt passed away in Torrington. Connecticut, at the age of seventy- six years. By her marriage she had become the mother of three children, of whom two are living, while one son, Frank C., has passed away. The others are Evie W. and Howard E., the former a resident of Torrington.
Howard E. Adt was educated in the public schools of Torrington. It was said that his mother wished him to be a clergyman, while his father wanted him to be a musician and his own wish was to become a physician. At the age of fourteen he took up the study of medicine with the idea of specializing in surgery and at seventeen years of age he took the examinations for entering upon a medical course. However, his purpose was diverted through the influence of his uncle, John Adt, who persuaded him to enter the business field. and at the age of eighteen years Howard E. Adt was designing special wire working machinery. His ready adaptability soon made him proficient in that field and he continued as designer and superintendent of construction for fourteen years, after which he was made manager of the business. Five years later, or in 1899, he organized the Geometric Drill Company, now the Geometrie Tool Company, of which he is the secretary, treasurer and general manager and, in fact, is the only active stockholder or director. He continues the directing head of this business, which is now a very important one, ranking with the leading productive industries of the city. This does not cover the scope of his interests and activities, however, for he is also the secretary and one of the directors of the New Haven Dairy Company. He is a director of the New England Machinery Company; a director of the Yale National Bank; a director of the New Haven Morris Plan Bank, and a member of the New Haven Jury Com- mission, all of which indicates something of the nature and breadth of his interests. Alert
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and energetic, he accomplishes what he undertakes, never stopping short of successful com- pletion, and the methods which he has pursued should serve as a stimulus to others.
Mr. Adt was married in Springfield, Massachusetts, to Miss Henrietta Billings, a native of Putnam, that state, tracing her ancestry back in a direct line to the Mayflower. Mr. and Mrs. Adt have become the parents of two children: Frank, who has passed away: and Ruth Marion.
In polities Mr. Adt has taken an active and helpful part as a supporter of the republican party. He is deeply interested in civic questions and heartily supports and promotes all plans which tend to advance the welfare of city, state and nation. He belongs to the indus- trial committee of New Haven, has been a member of the city council and of the Second Company of the Governor's Foot Guard. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce, to the New Haven Young Mon's Christian Association and to the Cavalry Baptist church. He also has membership with the New Haven Country Club and the Quinnipiac Club and when leisure permits he turns to the wilds for recreation, his friends bearing testimony to the fact that there are few "better huntsmen, better fishermen or better story tellers." He recognizes the fact that if the even balance which nature demands is maintained one must play well and work well, or, in other words, that the upbuilding of one's business powers depends also upon one's ability to take needed rest and recreation with its consequent relaxation. One of the secrets of his success is his power to concentrate. The matter in hand receives his entire attention This has ever been one of his distinguishing characteristics and one of the basic clements in his success.
REGINALD W. MILLARD.
While there has ot necessity been much change in the personnel of the company conduct - ing business under the name of Foster, Merriam & Company, there has been no lowering of the high standards which have always characterized the business from its inception, and with the passing years the business has been developed in its scope and has reached out in its ramifying trade interests until it covers a very wide territory. The president at this writing. in 1917, is Reginald W. Millard, whose plans are well formulated and whose energy enables him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
Reginald W. Millard was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, March 13, 1886, a son of James W. and Christina Millard. Hle acquired a public and high school education and after- ward entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston, from which he was gradu - ated with the class of 1904 with the S. B. degree. He then returned to Canada and became engineer for the Hydro Electric Development Company at Ragged Rapids, Ontario. He has been identified with the interests of Meriden since 1910, when he became engineer for the International Silver Company. a position which he acceptably filled until January 1, 1913, when he became associated with the Foster-Merriam Company as general manager. He thus continued until September 14. 1914. when he was appointed president upon the death of Mr. Rutherford, and in that capacity he has since continued. The firm manufactures various kinds of castings and something of the volume of the business transacted is indicated in the fact that their employes now number about five hundred and fifty. The company of which he is the president is one of the oldest in Meriden. The business is divided into three departments: factory manufacturing; "cabinet hardware and casters; and a brass and iron foundry. There is also an extensive iron foundry at Rocky Hill.
The product of the company is soll throughout the United States and is exported in considerable measure to foreign countries. The plant covers a ground space of about one hundred and five thousand square feet and the floor space altogether is about three hundred and fifteen thousand square feet. Many of the builtlings are four and five stories in height. The company maintains a New York office at No. 225 Canal street for the care of the metro- politan and the export trade and the house is represented upon the road by seven traveling salesmen.
In November, 1914. Mr. Millard was united in marriage to Miss Jeannette Grantham, of Hamilton, Ontario, and they have become parents of one child. James William.
Mr. Millard is identified with various Masonic bodies. He belongs to Meriden Lodge.
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No. 77, F. & A. M .; to Keystone Chapter, R. A. M .; and to St. Elmo Commandery, K. T. He is prominent as a member of Greek letter fraternities, including Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Theta Nn Epsilon. He is a member of the Highland Country Club, of the Home Club of Meriden, of the Technology Club of New York eity and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and, like a true American citizen, he studies the questions and issues of the day, giving intelligent support to the measures and principles which he deems of greatest worth to the country. His religions faith is that of the Episcopal church and constitutes the guiding force of his life, character- izing his relations to the public, and exerting influence upon his business connections and in matters of friendship.
CHARLES HINE NETTLETON.
Charles Hine Nettleton is president of the New Haven Gas Light Company and president and treasurer of the Derby Gas Company. He has long been identified with the development and conduct of gas interests in this section of the state and his business ability has brought him to a prominent position. He is alert, energetie and determined and well defined plans have been carefully executed, so that he has along the line of steady progression advanced toward success.
He was born in New Haven. June 29, 1850, and is descended from Samuel Nettleton, the founder of the American branch of the family, who came from England about 1640, settling first in Wethersfield, Connretient. He was afterward one of those who bought Totoket, now Branford, in the year 1644, and to that place he removed the same year. His descendants afterward settled in Milford. Connecticut, and later became residents of Washington, Con- necticut. It is from the last named branch of the family that Charles H. Nettleton comes. His father, who also bore the name of Charles Nettleton, was a lawyer by profession. He married Ellen Hine, a woman of very strong moral influenee.
In his boyhood days Charles Hine Nettleton attended the public schools of New York city. where the tamily home was established, and after completing his studies there he spent one year at the "Gunnery" at Washington, Connecticut. Immediately afterward he entered the College of the City of New York, in which he pursued the seientifie course, being graduated in 1870 with the B. S. degree. Following his graduation he went to Mount Vernon, New York, to act as manager of the gas plant. In 1873 he was made secretary and continued to fill that position until 1890, when the company sold out. In 1871 he also went to Derby, Con- necticut, to take charge of the construction of the plant of the Derby Gas Company which was then being built. On the organization of the company he was elected its secretary and treasurer and filled the dual position until 1900, when he was chosen president, retaining also the office of treasurer but retiring from the position of secretary. Since 1900 he has also been president of the New Haven Gas Light Company. He has from the outset of his busi- ness eareer been identified with the gas industry and there is no phase of the business with which he is not thoroughly familiar, and in every department is most competent, having comprehensive knowledge of practices of manufacture while displaying equal skill in admin- istration and in the performance of executive duties.
Mr. Nettleton has served as president of the Birmingham Bank of Derby and as general manager of the Birmingham Water Company of Derby, occupying the latter position con- tinuously sinee 1874 or for a period of forty-four years. His business affairs have always been of a character that have had much to do with public welfare and comfort and it has ever been his purpose to extend the best service possible-an excellent service thoroughly adequate to the demand.
On the 11th of November, 1874, Mr. Nettleton was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Arnold, a daughter of the late Joseph Arnold, who for many years was cashier of the Birming- ham National Bank of Derby. Two children have been born of this marriage, Katherine Arnold and Ellen Arnold.
Mr. Nettleton is a republican in his political views. He served as warden of the bor- vugh of Shelton during the first two years of its existence but he has never been a politician in the sense of the office seeker, although always interested in the vital questions and issues
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of the day. llis religions faith is that of the Protestant Episcopal church. He is a member of the Alpha Delta Phi and of the Phi Beta Kappa. He also belongs to the Graduates' Club, the Quinnipiac Club and the Union League Club, all of New Haven, and the Lotos and Alpha Delta Phi Clubs of New York. In Masonry he has attained high rank, having reached the Knight Templar degree of the York Rite and the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, while in his life he exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft. He turns for diversion to fishing and golf and when business cares permit greatly enjoys those sports. The steps in his orderly progression are casity discernible. At the outset of his career he applied himself with thoroughness to the mastery of the duties assigned him and gained such an intimate and accurate knowledge of the business that promotion logically followed. Thus step by step he has advanced and in a position where he is subject to public censure or to public endorsement he has rendered such service as to win the latter in notable degree.
HOADLEY BRAY IVES.
Ives is one of the old historic names of New England, and has been represented in Connectieut since the settlement of William Ives, the American ancestor of the family, in the colony as early as 1642. The various descendants of this man have played a part in the making of a great nation, and Hoadley Bray Ives was no unworthy representative of the name.
Hoadley B. Ives was born in North Haven, in 1814, a son of William Ives, Jr., and a grand- son of William Ives, Sr., the latter a farmer of North Haven, where he spent his entire life. William Ives, Jr., was born in North Haven, and followed farming as an occupation. He died when about seventy-five years old. His wife was born in East Haven, and died at the age of sixty-five. She became the mother of five children.
Hoadley B. Ives was reared in North Haven, and was early set to learn the tinner's trade, but he ran away from his employer, and found a position as a clerk in a grocery in New Ilaven in which connection he remained until he was nineteen. At that age he set up in the grocery business on State street, and after a few years moved to Church street, and there purchased two buildings. He was quite successful, and was so engaged for a number of years. Mr. Ives was one of the originators of the National Savings Bank, and filled a position in it as treasurer as long as he lived, his period of active work as treasurer and director covering some twenty-five years. He was president of the Fair Haven & Westville Street Railroad Company, and saw that enterprise grow in importance until it has become one of the important lines of this part of the state.
In his politics he was a republican, and for three years was an alderman; eight years a member of the common council, and he always took an active part in all the affairs of the city. He was a director of the Yale National Bank and at one time owned nearly half its capital stock, being intimately associated with all its important transactions.
On May 25, 1853, Mr. Ives was married to Mary E. Fisher, a native of the city of New York, and a daughter of Daniel M. and Mary (Watrous) Fisher, prominent in old New York circles. Daniel M. Fisher was well known in business for many years in the metropolis, and died at the age of eighty years. Mary (Watrous) Fisher was born in New York of French Huguenot extraction, and became the mother of four children, one of whom was Mrs. Mary E. Ives. Mrs. Fisher died at the age of forty-one. Both she and her husband attended the Methodist church and Mrs. Ives attended Christ church. The death of Mr. Ives occurred March 19, 1894, his demise causing deep regret to his many friends who greatly appreciated him for his many fine traits of character.
Mrs. Ives began a tour of the world February 6, 1895, and was away from home two and a half years. She spent one month in Ceylon, three months in India, three months in Japan, and made a prolonged stay in Italy, where her health was much improved. In 1895 Mrs. Ives gave ten thousand dollars to build the chancel of Christ church, and in 1599, gave two thousand dollars for the furnishing of the new Maternity Hospital. In August, 1901, she made a donation of ten thousand dollars to the Y. M. C. A. for the library, and the interest on five thousand dollars with which to buy books for the library.
HOADLEY BRAY IVES
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this money to be given them at her death. She left in addition to these gifts many others of a most substantial character. She was a woman of high character and generous spirit, and possessed a host of friends in the community who appreciated her good qualities.
EUGENE MAURICE BLAKE, M. D.
Comprehensive post graduate study abroad has splendidly qualified Dr. Engene Maurice Blake for the active practice of medicine and surgery. He is now specializing in treatment of diseases of the eye and has gained more than local distinction in this connection.
He was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, December 31, 1882, and is a son of Frederick E. Blake, a native of New Haven, representing one of the ohl families of the state, of English lineage. The founder of the American branch of the family was Reuben Blake, who came to the new world about 1725. Among the ancestors of Dr. Blake were those who participated in the Revolutionary war, including this Reuben Blake, who enlisted from Danbury and served as a private. Frederick E. Blake became a successful dry goods merchant of Bridge- port. He was a son of another Reuben Blake, also a native of New Haven, who served as a soklier of the Civil war with a Connecticut regiment and was wounded and taken prisoner, after which he was confined in Libby prison until exchanged. He then reentered the service and continued to give active aid to the government until at last victory crowned the Union arms. The mother of Dr. Blake, Mrs. Corabel (Cottrell) Blake, was a native of Sharon, Connecticut. and a daughter of George Wesley and Julia (Rowley) Cottrell. The Cottrells came from New York and were of French descent, the family being established in Connecticut at an early period. Mrs. Blake is still living.
Dr. Blake was an only child and was reared and educated in Bridgeport and in Worcester. Massachusetts, afterward entering Yale in 1902. He there pursued the full course in medicine and was graduated in 1906 with the M. D. degree. Afterward he was interne at Hartford Hospital, where he remained for seven months, and then entered practice with Dr. A. N. Alling, of New Haven, with whom he was associated for six years. On the expiration of that period he began practice alone, specializing in the treatment of diseases of the eye, in which field he has attained marked distinction. He is the author of many articles which have been published in the leading medical journals, especially of those treating of the eye. He has fbeen lecturer on the eye in the Yale Medical School and staff officer in the New Haven Dispensary. He was formerly a member of the medical staff as ophthalmologist at St. Raphael's Hospital and he is now serving on the staff of the New Haven Hospital. In 1909 be took post graduate work in Vienna. Paris and Heidelberg and remained five months abroad, during which time he came under the instruction of some of the most eminent oculists of the old world.
On the 17th of October. 1910 in Charleston. West Virginia, Dr. Blake was united in marriage to Miss Mary Caperton, a native of West Virginia and a daughter of George Henry and Anna (Chambliss) Caperton, both of whom are still living. The only daughter born to Dr. and Mrs. Blake died in infancy.
Dr. and Mrs. Blake are members of Trinity Episcopal church. He belongs to the Gradu- ates' Club, also to Nu Sigma Nu, a medical fraternity, and to Sigma Psi. He is a first lieutenant of the Medical Reserve Corps, U. S. A. Dr. Blake holds membership in the New Haven, New Haven County and Connecticut State Medical Societies, the American Medical Association, the American Ophthalmological Society, and the New York Academy of Medicine.
LEONARD MAYHEW DAGGETT.
Prominent among the leading members of the Connectient bar is Leonard Mayhew Daggett, of New Haven, who for thirty years has been an active representative of the bar. He was born November 23, 1863, in the city in which he makes his home, his parents being David Lewis and Margaret Donaldson (Gibbons) Daggett. The ancestry in the paternal line is traced back to John Daggett, who came to the new world with Governor John Winthrop
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in 1630 and settled in Watertown, Massachusetts. His son, Thomas Daggett, married a daughter of Thomas Mayhew, who was governor of Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard and the Elizabeth islands. David Daggett, a representative of the family in the fifth generation in America, came to New Haven from Attleboro, Massachusetts, was graduated from Yale in 1783 and at once entered upon the practice of law in New Haven. Many times he was elected to the general assembly of the state and for one term he served in the United States senate. In 1826 he was appointed Kent professor of law in Yale and for a brief period he served upon the supreme bench of Connecticut as chief justice. His son, Leonard Augustus Daggett, was graduated from Yale in 1807, and his son, David Lewis Daggett, was graduated in 1839. The last named was born in 1820 and following his graduation from the medical department of Yale entered upon active practice in New Haven, remaining for fifty-three years a member of the medical profession of this city. In 1854 he wedded Margaret Don- aldson Gibbons and they became the parents of three sons: David, who was born April 3, 1858, and died July 3, 1916; William G., who was born January 8, 1860, and died September 18, 1910; and Leonard Mayhew. The father passed away in February, 1896, at the age of seventy-six years, and in his passing New Haven lost one of its distinguished and repre- sentative citizens.
Leonard M. Daggett pursued his preparatory studies in the Hopkins grammar school and in his college days he became a member of the Kappa Sigma Epsilon and the Psi Upsilon. Following his graduation he taught for a year in the Hopkins grammar school and subse- quently studied in the Yale Law School, from which he was graduated with the class of 1887. After a year's elerkship in the law offee of Townsend & Watrous in New Haven he entered upon the private practice of law but soon became associated with Henry C. White, under the firm style of White & Daggett. He is now a member of the firm of Bristol & White. From 1894 until 1910 he was instructor on the law of wills in the Yale Law School. In 1915 he succeeded William Waldlo Hyde of Hartford as one of the board of five trustees appointed by the United States court to hold and operate the Connecticut Company, the trolley system formerly owned by the New Haven Railroad. In 1917 he was appointed a member of the district exemption board for the second district, of which he served as chairman. He is a director of the Second National Bank.
On the 17th of February, 1906, Mr. Daggett was married in New Haven to Miss Eleanor Evelyn Cutler, a daughter of the late Evarts Cutler, formerly of this city. Mr. Daggett has always given his political allegiance to the republican party and in 1890 was elected a member of the board of councilmen of New Haven. In 1894 he became judge advocate general on the staff of Governor Coffin and filled that position for two years, while in 1901 he became corporation counsel of New Haven, a position which he admirably filled until 1908.
WILLIAM RUSSELL GILBERT.
William Russell Gilbert, deceased, was well known in journalistic circles in Wallingford, where he made his home from 1869 until his death. He was born at Waldlens Ridge, Tennes- sce, October 23, 1853, a son of Raphael and Angelica (Freeborn) Gilbert. The father spent the greater part of his life in New York, where he was engaged in the silverware manufac- furing business. He afterward removed to Meriden and later went to Springfield, while his last days were spent at Northampton. His wife also passed away in Northampton.
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