USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II > Part 104
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Eber G. Fisher acquired a public school education in Williams county, Ohio, and through the period of his boyhood and youth assisted in the work of the home farm. After his text- books were put aside he took charge of the farm, which he continued to cultivate and im- prove until he reached the age of twenty-five years. It was at this time, in 1888, that he removed from the west and took up his abode in the town of Guilford. New Haven county. which was the birthplace of his maternal grandparents, the Frisbies being of an okl New Haven eounty family. After being employed at farm work for a short period Eber G. Fisher purchased a small traet of land, which he cultivated for a few years and then sold. At that time he invested in his present farm property of more than one hundred aeres, becoming its owner in 1895. He has lived thereon for twenty-two years and has converted it into one of the valuable and productive farm properties of the county. It is a part of the old Colonel Fowler farm, sitnated about midway between the center of Guilford and Branford, on the main road. He has entirely changed the appearance of the place, his labors having wrought a marked transformation through the erection of new buildings, large and substantial barns, two large silos and the introduction of the most modern farm machinery. Everything about his place is conducted along progressive lines and seientifie methods of farming make his labors most effectively resultant. He was trained to farm work and practice in the west and he has applied the knowledge there gained to the development of his farm property in New England. As the years have passed he has won a very substantial measure of success, his large crops annually bringing to him a most gratifying income. He also has a fine herd of Holstein eattle and conducts a large dairy.
In 1889 Mr. Fisher was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Goldsmith, of Guilford, Con- necticut, in which city she was born, a daughter of James D. and Gertrude (Baldwin) Gold- smith, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Fisher passed away in 1901. By
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that marriage there were born four children, but only one is now living, Howard Earle. On the 10th of December, 1902. in Guilford, Mr. Fisher was again married, his second union being with Miss Mabel Jenkins, who was born in England but was brought to Stony Creek, New Haven county, when but a year old by her parents, James and Elizabeth Jenkins, who were natives of England. The father was a stonecutter at the granite quarries at Stony Creek, where he still lives, but the mother has passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Fisher have been born two children: Kenneth Chester, whose birth occurred in August. 1907; and Maude Estelle, who was born in October, 1911.
In his political views Mr. Fisher is an earnest republican but not an office seeker, al- though he has served as a member of the school board and is a stanchi champion of the cause of publie education. Ile belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and he also has member- ship in Menuneatuc Lodge, I. O. O. F., at Guilford, and with the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Stony Creek and the Woodmen of the Worldl. He is also connected with Totoket Grange at North Branford, Connecticut. Ilis interest centers in his agricultural pursuits and he recognizes the fact which George Washington stated more than a century ago that "Agricul- ture is the most honorable occupation of man." Living in the era when agricultural develop- ment has been most rapid, keeping pace with the changes made in all lines of work, he has kept abreast with the trend of modern advancement and thought concerning the de- velopment and improvement of the fields and. applying these methods to the work in hand, has accomplished most gratifying results.
LOUIS REMPFER.
Louis Rempfer, who since 1900 has conducted business under the name of the L. Remp- fer Company, stair building and cabinet work, was born November 27, 1863, in New Haven, where he still makes him home. Here his entire life has been passed and since starting out in the business world on his own aceount he has continued in the line in which he is now engaged. His father, George Rempfer, was a native of Germany who came to America dur- ing the '50s and settled in New Haven, where he was employed by the New Haven Clock Company for a quarter of a century, acting as foreman of the packing department. He died November 21, 1878, at the age of forty-five years. His wife, Wilhelmina (Haffley) Rempfer, was also a native of Germany and came to the new world when a young girl with her parents, who settled in Rochester, New York. After the death of her father and mother she came to New Haven and here she met and married Mr. Rempfer. She became the mother of five children, four of whom are yet living, George, the eldest, having died at the age of four years. The others are: Louis; Wilhelmina, who is the widow of Andrew Zwick and lives in Naugatuck, Connecticut; Henry, who is also a resident of Naugatuck; and Annie, the wife of George Behlman, of the same place.
When a lad of six years Louis Rempter entered the public schools of New Haven and eontinned his education until he reached the age of fourteen, when it seemed necessary that he start out in the business world. He entered upon an apprenticeship in stair building and cabinet making and followed those trades as a journeyman until 1900, when he estab- lished his present business, being first located at No. 142 Water street, at the corner of Olive street. In 1911 he built his present plant at No. 248 Davenport avenue. He is one of the leading stair builders and cabinet makers of the eity and in his establishment em- ploys from three to twelve skilled workmen He has a thoroughly modern and up-to-date plant supplied with the latest machinery to facilitate work of the character in which he is now engaged, and the exeellence of the output ensures a liberal patronage.
On the 3d of July, 1883, Mr. Rempfer was united in marriage in New Haven to Miss Josephine Hoppe, a native of this city and a daughter of Robert and Anna (Hess) Hoppe, the latter an Austrian by birth, while the former was of German birth. He died in the year 1879 and Mrs. Hoppe has also passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Rempfer have been born four children: Josephine, the eldest, who is the wife of John Kunde and resides at No. 252 Davenport avenue; Annie, the wife of William Burbiegler, of New Haven; George, who married Alma Conneson; and Alice, the wife of Albert Harris. All are residents of New
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Haven. There are four grandchildren, Louis Kunde, William Burbiegler and Anna Burbiegler, and also Hazel Rempfer, the daughter of George Rempfer.
Mr. and Mrs. Louis Rempfer are members of the German Lutheran church. His views concerning political questions and issues are in accord with the principles of the republican party, but at local elections, where no issue is involved, he casts an independent ballot. He belongs to Connecticut Rock Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; to Franklin Chapter, R. A. M .; and also to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He also has membership in the Harngari Sing- ing Society, with which he has been identified for thirty-two years. He was at one time a member of the Second Regiment of the Connecticut National Guard, serving for five years as a private, from 1882 until 1887. He held the rank of colonel of the Patriots Militant of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in the state of Connecticut. There are no spectacular phases in his career, but persistency of purpose and indefatigable energy have gained him a substantial position in business circles and his life indicates clearly what may be accomplished hy determined and earnest effort.
LEROY ERNEST JOYCE.
Leroy Ernest Joyce, senior partner in the Joyce Electric Company of New Haven, was born in Jacksonville, Florida, December 12. 1891, a son of Daniel and Linna Joyce, the for- mer a native of Ohio and the latter of Redding, Connecticut. When Leroy E. was but seven years of age his parents returned to Redding, where he attended the public schools and also studied for a time at Bethel, Connecticut. Afterward the family removed to the state of Washington, where he again attended the public schools, and later they returned to Bethel, where once more he was a public school pupil for four years. He then completed the branches that constituted the common school curriculum and turned his attention to electrical work.
Coming to New Haven in 1910. Mr. Joyce first worked for the Gale Electric Company for a year and for a similar period was in the employ of the Hewett Electric Company. On the 1st of January, 1913, he became the associate of Frank H. Young in the organization of the Joyce Electric Company, and while they started out with but four employes, their busi- ness has since so developed along substantial lines that they today employ fourteen work- men. They have received the contract for the electrical work in many of the leading build- ings of New Haven and vicinity, including the Church of the Messiah, the Humphreys Street Congregational church, the Howard Avenue Methodist Episcopal church, the Church of the Ascension, St. Mary's Roman Catholic church at West Haven, the Swedish church on North street, Christ church and the Seventh Day Adventist church. The firm has also done much work for the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad and has done much display and decorative work for the Yale class reunions. They have expert knowledge and ability along their chosen line and occupy a foremost position in electrical eireles of New Haven.
On the 3d of July, 1915, Mr. Joyce was married to Miss Ethel C. Barrett, of New Haven, and they have one child, Leroy Ernest. Jr., born in 1916. Mr. Joyce exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and is a member of the Republican Club. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He also belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and is interested in all those forces which work for the upbuilding of the city. While a young man, he occupies an enviable position in business eireles, having ever been actuated by a laudable ambition that has found expression, in progressive steps.
HERMAN T. PERRY.
Herman T. Perry, one of New Haven's leading merchants and the owner and founder of Perry's, the foremost store in its line in this city, is an excellent type of the enterprising, progressive and up-to-date business man. Mr. Perry was born in Elizabeth, Russia, December 23, 1891, a son of Mathew and Eva Perry. The family came to America in 1903, settling in
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Providence, where the family home was maintained until 1907, when they removed to New Haven. Here the father still resides, while the mother passed away in 1908.
Herman T. Perry was a youth of sixteen years when the family removed to New Haven Anxious to obtain an education, he attended night school and was graduated therefrom with the class of 1910. He then entered the employ of the Outlet store in Providence and later was employed by M. H. Lambert & Company in New Haven. He was anxious to go into business for himself and in August, 1911, he opened his first store in this city. This was in two small upstairs rooms at No. 14 Temple street. The business grew from the beginning and before long it was necessary to secure larger quarters at No. 65 Congress avenue, where he remained until September, 1915, when to provide still larger quarters a removal was made to No. 27 Congress avenue. About one year later Mr. Perry secured the store adjoining. These were thrown together and completely remodeled, creating one of the best appointed stores in New Haven, whose location at Nos. 27-29 Congress avenue is unsurpassed. Here has been installed a line of merchandise that includes everything for ladies' wear but shoes and hats, with a stoek of ladies' waists that is the largest in the state and one of the largest in New England. Another factor of the business is the superb line of sample suits and cloaks, unsurpassed in the state, as to completeness, values and design. Mr. Perry has studied his line of business from every point and acquired a familiarity with the trade which enables him to maintain the highest standards in every way until the name of Perry's has come to be classed with the highest of quality and best of vahie in his lines, Perry's always shows the newest things, carefully selected and embodying the latest creations of the best designers in the country. .
On the 26th of January, 1913, in New Haven, Mr. Perry was united in marriage to Miss Eva M. Fleischner, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Fleischner, of this city, and they have become parents of two children: Everett K., born December 27. 1913; and Evelyn S., born August 23, 1916.
Mr. Perry has made steady progress in the business world. possessing in large measure that quality which for want of a better term has been called commercial sense. He has ex- cellent ability as a salesman and as an executive, and his purchases are wisely and judieiously made, so that his store is at all times kept up to standard in the line of goods carried. His patronage is large, high class and is indeed well deserved, and his enterprise has placed him in the front among the successful merchants of the city.
MORRIS M. PUKLIN.
In the year 1890 Morris M. Puklin came from Russia to the new world and started out in the business world on this side the Atlantic at a salary of six dollars per week. In the interval he has advanced steadily in business until his annual income is now written in six figures and he is the well known president and treasurer of the The M. M. Puklin Company, general merchants doing business at 723 State street. He was born October 24, 1874, in Moscow, Russia, a son of Mayer and Rose (Bellen) Puklin, both of whom are natives of Russia and are yet living. The mother resides in New Haven, while the father is still engaged in merchandising in Moscow. In the family were three children, of whom Morris M. is the eldest.
In the public schools Morris M. Puklin pursued his education to the age of sixteen years, when he started out to provide for his own support. Determining to try bis fortune in America, he crossed the Atlantic in July, 1890, arriving in New York city, whence he made his way direet to New Haven. Here he secured employment with the Strouse- Adler Company, manufacturers of corsets, and continued in the employ of that firm for three years, beginning at a salary of six dollars per week. Out of that sum, small though it was, he managed to save something and in 1893 he resigned his position and entered the retail cigar business at No. 191 Meadow street. He continued to engage in the retail trade quite successfully for ten years and at the end of the decade turned his attention to the wholesale busines at the same address. When his trade outgrew his quarters he removed to 184 State street, continuing these for two years, but because of conditions brought about by the trust he was obliged to sell his business, the New Haven Tobacco
MORRIS M. PUKLIN
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Company becoming the purchaser. He then entered his present business at 723 State street, opening a wholesale stationery store. About 1905 he incorporated his interests, bia son, Herbert Puklin, becoming the secretary. From the outset the business has prospered and has shown an increase year by year, the first year's sales amounting to only twenty thousand dollars, while at the present time the trade brings in an annual income of about three hundred thousand dollars. The firm employs aix traveling salesmen and in the store and warehouse there are more than eight employes. Long since the establishment has ceased to be a stationery house, other lines being added from time to time until theirs is today one of the large general mercantile stores of New Haven. The stock is carefully selected, the prices are reasonable and the company puts forth every effort to please their patrons, knowing that there is no better advertisement. Their business methods, too, are thoroughly reliable and their undertakings are crowned with a gratifying measure of success. Mr. Puklin is also the treasurer of the New Haven Protective Association, a home builders' association, and was one of the organizers and at one time was president, having occupied that position during the first three years of the existence of the association.
On the 25th of March, 1894, in New Haven, Mr. Puklin was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Gans, a native of Russia and a daughter of Max and Eva (Dorman) Gans, the latter now deceased, while the former is a resident of New Haven. Mr. and Mrs. Puklin have become parents of six children: Herbert, William, Arthur, Sadie, Edward and Marvin, all born in New Haven.
Mr. Puklin is a Mason, belonging to Hiram Lodge, No. 1, F. & A. M., and he also has membership in Hejaz Grotto, No. 42. He is connected with the Knights of Pythias, with Yale Conclave, with the Harugari, the Automobile Club, the Masonic Club and the Chamber of Commerce, and he adhere to the religions faith of his forefathers.
During his early residence in New Haven Mr. Puklin attended night school and thua learned the English language as well as adding to his store of information. He did this as a step toward the attainment of success in business and from the initial point in his career he has steadily progressed, working his way upward from a humble place in com- mercial circles until he stands in the front rang among the leading business men of his sdopted city. Laudable ambition has actuated him at every point in his career. He has never feared to venture where favoring opportunity has led the way. He is fortunate in possessing character and ability that inspire confidence in others, and the simple weight of his character and ability has carried him into important relations. Moreover, hia life indicates what may be accomplished when there is a will to dare and to do. The door of opportunity swings open before the resolute demand of the man of energy and in a country where effort is unhampered by caste or class Mr. Puklin has steadily elimbed until hia present position gives him a broad outlook and still wider opportunities.
HUBERT L. DICKERMAN.
Hubert L. Diekerman. a Yale alumnus of 1903, since which time he has been actively engaged in the practice of law in New Haven, his native city, was born February 6, 1879, and is a son of Amos Dickerman, also a native of New Haven and a representative of one of its oldest families. the American progenitor having come from England in 1628, accompanied by his brother, at which time they took up their abode in Massachusetts. Among both the paternal and maternal ancestors of Hubert L. Diekerman were those who fought for American independence in the Revolutionary war. Amos Diekerman has for the past thirty years been superintendent of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, and is still active in that field of business. He is a Civil war veteran, having served as a private in the Seventh Connecticut Infantry. At the battle of Deep Bottom, on the 17th of Angust. 1863, he was wounded and as the result of his injury was obliged to leave the army. He has always been a stalwart advocate of the republican party and for two terms he has served as alderman of New Haven, while in 1911 he represented his district in the state senate. In public office he has been as true and loyal to his country as when he followed the stars and stripes on south- ern battlefields. He married Martha Hunt, a native of Connecticut and a descendant of an old Connecticut family whose ancestral line is traced back to the period of the Revolutionary Vol. II-38
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war, in which some of her family participated. Mrs. Dickerman also survives. By her mar- riage she became the mother of five children, three of whom are yet living, Hubert L., Eva L. and Maude E. The last named is the wife of Clarence H. Mead, and all are residents of New Haven.
After attending the public schools Hubert L. Dickerman continued his education in the Hopkins high school and then entered the Yale Law School, from which he was graduated in 1903 with the LL. B. degree. Immediately after his graduation he entered upon the private practice of his profession, in whieb he has since continued. his course being char- acterized by steady advancement. He is recognized as a clear thinker and deep reasoner. and his opinions are sound and logical.
On the 29th of June, 1910, in Brooklyn, New York, Mr. Diekerman was united in mar- riage to Mrs. Pearl D. Longeneeker, a native of New York and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Davison, the latter a representative of the Davison family, long residents of New York.
Fraternally Mr. Dickerman is connected with the Masons and with the Elks. In politics he is a stalwart republican and is much interested in public and civic affairs. He served for a term as alderman of his city, became assistant clerk of the city court in 1904, serving for seven years, at the end of which time he resigned to enter upon the duties of his present position, that of prosecuting agent for New Haven county. He helongs to the Connecticut Bar Association and has the respeet and goodwill of professional colleagues and contemporaries.
JAMES MeLAY.
James McLay, dealer in automobiles. carriages and wagons at New Haven, was born March 5. 1865. in Glasgow, Scotland, a son of the late James MeLay who in 1870 came to the United States. Coming direct to New Haven he located on the Snow farm where the Yale armory now stands. He was a shoemaker by trade and engaged in the boot and shoe business on State street to the time of his death, the business being conducted for a consid- erable period under the firm style of James McLay & Son. The father passed away March 15, 1897, in New Haven, when sixty-five years of age. He married Anna Marshall, a native of Scotland, who came to America with her husband and eight children. Ten children were born to them but two of the number have passed away. The wife and mother died in 1916, at the advanced age of eighty-one years.
James Mckay was the fourth in order of birth in his father's family. He had very limited educational advantages, being compelled to leave school when ten years of age, when financial reverses overtook the family. He then started out and has since been de- pendent upon his own resources, so that he deserves much credit for the success which he has achieved. His first employment was that of a delivery boy for Robert Veitch, a florist, who paid him two dollars per week for his services, and his hours of work were from seven o'clock in the morning until nine o'clock in the evening. He was next employed by the Diamond Match Company until he reached the age of twelve years and at thirteen years of age he secured a position with the Candee Rubber Company. When a lad of fourteen he entered the employ of Henry looker & Company on State street and there learned the trade of carriage trimming. He had become a journeyman when eighteen years of age and he was employed in that way until he attained his majority. He then started in the shoe busi- ness with his father on State street and the partnership between them was maintained for a year, at the end of which time James MeLay entered the carriage manufacturing business on his own account on Franklin street. He remained at that location for a year and then removed to Park street in order to secure larger quarters to meet the growing demands of his trade. In 1891 he purchased the old Lincoln skating rink, also called the Quinnipiac skating rink, which is one hundred and twenty feet on Grand avenue by one hundred and eighty feet on Bright street. He then remodeled the building for the purposes of his busi- ness and continued in the carriage making business there until 1909, when he turned his attention to the automobile business. Ile has since successfully continued in that line and handles the Seldon car and the Denby and Commerce trucks, being sole agent in New Haven
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county for these trucks. He also handles wagons and harness and has built up a business of large and gratifying proportions. Into other fields he has extended his activities and he is now a stockholder in the American Bank & Trust Company. He also has become inter- ested in various lines of amusement. He started the State Rolley Polo League and he estab- lished a moving picture business. He is interested in still other lines of pleasure and amusement and is very widely and favorably known in this connection. He has studied public interests and tastes and has put forth various original ideas which have proven popu- lar and profitable.
On the 23d of April, 1887, in New Haven, Mr. McLay was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Page, a native of England and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Page, who be- came residents of New Haven and have now passed away. Mrs. McLay died February 13. 1917, in New Haven, at the age of fifty-two years, and was laid to rest in Westville ceme- tery. She had many excellent qualities and there were many friends who greatly mourned her demise. In the family were eight children: Grace, now the wife of Frederick Beatson, of Fairhaven; Nettie, the wife of August Chipman, living in Westville; James, who married Phyllis Blockman and lives at Fairhaven; Harry, who married a Miss Foster; Clarence, George, Irvin and Leonard, all at home. There are also three grandehildren. The son George is a member of Troop D of the Connecticut Volunteers for service in the present war and Irvin is a member of the Second Regiment of the Home Guard.
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