USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II > Part 105
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In his political views Mr. MeLay is an earnest republican but does not seek nor desire office. He belongs to the New England Order of Protection and the rules which govern his life are indicated in the fact that he holds membership in the East Haven Congregational church. His entire career has been one of unremitting industry, intelligently directed. Starting out when most boys are in school and are engrossed with boyhood pleasures. he developed a spirit of industry which has been a dominent factor in his later years and which has led him out of humble surroundings into a position among the representative, respected and valued business men of his city.
REINHOLD J. DABERGOTZ.
Reinhold J. Dabergotz, proprietor of one of the leading fur stores of New Haven, now doing business at No. 138 Orange street, was born in Finsterwalde, Germany, September 20, 1861, and is the youngest in a family of nine chiklren, whose parents were August and Julia (Richter) Dabergotz, lifelong residents of Germany. The father was a ladies' tailor and quite successful in business. He died in Mareh, 1862, at the age of fifty-six years, and the mother passed away in 1886 at the age of seventy-one.
Reinhold J. Dabergotz attended school in his native city until fourteen years of age and then started out to make his own way. in the world. He served a four years' appren- ticeship to the furrier's trade and at the same time acquired a good general knowledge as well as a business training which has been of great vahie to him in later years. For some time he was employed as a furrier in Berlin, and Braunschweig, Germany; Basel and Geneva, Switzerland; Paris, France; and London, England; and in May, 1888, he arrived in America. For a time he worked at his trade in New York city and was similarly employed in Chicago for three years, but in 1901 came to New Haven, being for ten years in the fur department of the store of Friend E. Brooks. In 1911 Mr. Dabergotz embarked in the fur business on his own account at No. 138 Orange street, where he is still located. Although he started with a small stock he has gradually increased his business to meet the growing demands of his trade and is now one of the leading furriers of New Haven.
On the 1st of May, 1898, Mr. Dabergotz was married in New York city to Miss Katharine Wagner, who was born in Vienna, Austria, December 27, 1862, and was reared and educated in that city. They have one daughter, Margaret, now the wife of Frederick Ahern of Springfield, Massachusetts.
Before leaving his native land Mr. Dabergotz served for three years in the German army. Since becoming a naturalized citizen he has voted with the democratic party and is today a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Harngari and the New Haven Crema- tion Society. In religious faith he is a Lutheran. In 1909 he took a trip abroad, visiting
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Germany, Switzerland, Italy, England and France, and he has also traveled extensively over this country. While in Florida he met a number, of Indians in the Everglades and negotiated with them to buy their furs but this contract was never carried out. He is a man of con- siderable business ability and is deserving of great credit for the success he has achieved for he came to this country empty handed and has built up a profitable business through his own well directed efforts.
WILLIAM F. HANDEL.
William F. Handel, the efficient and enterprising young manager of the Handel Com- pany. Inc., was born in East Hartford, December 17, 1882, and is a son of Christian and Paul- Ine Handel. After completing a public and high school education he was for two years em- ployed in an insurance office.
At the end of that time or in 1901 he came to Meriden and entered the Handel Com. pany's factory with the intention of learning the business thoroughly. In the intervening years he has worked his way up from the bottom and has had experience in every department, thus fitting himself for his present position of manager, which he has held since 1914. When he first became connected with the company there were only about forty employes while at the present time there are one hundred and fifty, the business having made a steady and rapid growth.
The company manufactures all kinds of electrical and gas lighting fixtures and its product is marked by a happy combination of the practical with the beautiful. The de- signs worked out in the decorative and art glass and in the metal departments are especially attractive and "Handel Ware" is the frequent choice of interior decorators. The company ยท has met successfully all competition, whether domestic or foreign, and its trade extends throughout the United States and to other countries as well. The business was established in 1885 by the late Philip J. Handel and in 1904 was incorporated with a capital of fifty thou- sand dollar>. In addition to the Meriden plant there is a branch factory and office at New York city.
ANTONIO VICTOR LAZZARI.
The life history of Antonio Victor Lazzari indicates clearly what can be accomplished in a land of opportunity where individual effort is unhampered and where labor finds its just reward. Here the individual is allowed free scope and if he possesses diligence, determination and keen judgment the results are certain.
Liberally endowed with those qualities Antonio Victor Lazzari is today one of the prom- inent and successful residents of Stony Creek, where he has made extensive and judicious in- vestment in real estate and now owns and occupies one of the most beautiful homes of that place. Ile was born in Milan, Italy, March 1, 1852, a son of Frank and Carolina (Macki) Lazzari, who were also natives of Milan, where they spent their entire lives, the father there engaging in merchandising. The son, Antonio V., was the second in order of birth in a family of three children.
He acquired his education in the city of his birth and there learned the trade of watch- making. Ile was married in his native country and after the birth of one of his children he left sunny Italy for America in 1880, leaving his wife and child in Milan while he was pre- paring a home for them. lle made his way to Bayview, Massachusetts, where he fomid em- ployment in the stone quarry of Colonel Frank Butler, and being convinced that he wanted to make America his place of permanent abode he sent for his wife and child after six months. In 1882 he removed to Boston, where he conducted a fruit store for a year and then went to Milford. Massachusetts, where he was employed for eight years in the Noreros- quarries. On the expiration of that period he settled in the village of Stony Creek, in the town of Branford, New Haven county, where he has now made his home since 1890. For twenty-four years he was here employed in the Norcross quarries, advancing step by step
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to a position of responsibility and importance. As his wages were correspondingly in- ereased, making him in time the possessor of a substantial annual income, he invested in real estate and has beeome the owner of considerable property in Stony Creek. He remained an active factor in business until 1914, when he retired to private life and is now enjoying a rest which be has truly earned and richly deserves.
It was on the 14th of January, 1876, that Mr. Lazzari was married to Miss Carolina Ambrosoli, of Milan, Italy, where her birth occurred. She passed away August 6, 1916. In their family were twelve children, seven of whom have departed this life, while five are living. Amelia, who was born in Milan, Italy, is the wife of Alexander Banca, of Stony Creek, and they have three children: Marie, Attilio and Anita. Lena Antoinette, born in Bayview, Massachusetts, is the wife of Joseph Colombo, a quarry man of Stony Creek and they have three children: Albert, Agnes and Carolina. Annie, born in Braggville, Massachusetts, is the wife of Louis Magnette, a salesman of imported Italian silk and other goods in New York eity, and they have two children, Gerald and Mary. Adelina Antoinette, born at Stony Creek, is at home. Victor, born at Stony Creek, is a machinist of his native city. The fam- ily are communicants of the Roman Catholic church.
Mr. Lazzari is a republican in his political views and for more than fifteen years he served as constable of Stony Creek. His two daughters, Annie and Adelina, after completing their education in Connecticut, studied in a convent in Milan, the former specializing in singing and piano and the latter in piano and drawing, while both pursued courses in French and Italian. Mr. Lazzari has given his children excellent educational advantages, realizing the value and worth of intellectual training as a preparation for life's practical and responsible duties. His military record covers three years' service, from 1872 until 1875, with the First Regi- ment of Italian Grenadiers, which is the king's guard, on duty at the royal castle at Rome. Mr. Lazzari is the possessor of a very large and interesting collection of antique guns, coins, stamps and swords, which he has gathered from all parts of the world. He is one of the highly respected and valued residents of Branford and in the new world he found the busi- ness opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has won a handsome competence that has enabled him to provide liberally for his family and make for himself a most at- tractive home.
HERBERT S. MARKS.
Herbert S. Marks is president of the Mercantile Adjustment Company. Ine., engaged in making collections for business and professional men and providing credit reports. The company has clients all over the state and does a very extensive business in this line, largely owing to the enterprise, close application and carefully defined and promptly executed plans of Mr. Marks, who is one of New Haven's native sons. He was born September 6, 1885, a son of David W. Marks, a native of New York, who followed agricultural pursuits as a life work. He was descended from one of the old families of the Empire state, of English line- age, and he married Hattie Amelia Sperry, who was born in New Haven and represented one of the prominent old families of this city.
Herbert S. Marks pursued his education through consecutive grades in the public schools of New Haven to the age of eighteen, when he left high school in order to start out in the business world. He was first employed as a elerk in a grocery store at a salary of eight dollars per weck, out of which he was to provide for all of his expenses. After two years devoted to that position he took up the work of canvassing trom house to house in introdue- ing and selling food specialties. A year later he seeured a position as traveling salesman with the A. C. Blenney Company of New Haven. with Connecticut as his territory. He also be- came a traveling representative of the Great Western Cereal Company of New York eity, covering the south, and he continued to travel for various commercial concerns for several years. He was afterward with Kaufmann Brothers, importers, of New York, whom he repre- sented through the New England territory until 1914. He then became a solicitor with the Mercantile Adjustment Company and has since been advaneed. becoming president of the company on the 12th of May, 1915, with Frederick W. Fowler as treasurer and Miss Minnie G. Segar as secretary. They are engaged in making collections and adjustments for busi-
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ness and professional men and also provide for them credit reports. Their connections have extended to all parts of the state and their clients now number between ten and fifteen hun- dred, their business having become one of the largest in this line in sonthern New England. Since Mr. Marks assumed the presidency the patronage of the company has increased fully fifty per cent. Mr. Marks and Mr. Fowler are also directors of the Western Mercantile Cor- poration of Providence, Rhode Island, a similar business undertaking, in which the former holds the office of secretary, with Mr. Fowler as president and treasurer.
On the 29th of June, 1910, in New Haven, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Marks and Miss Amelia C. Graver, a native of this city and a daughter of John II. and Amelia (Hagenstein) Graver, the former now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Marks have three children, Lillian, Howard and Alberta.
In politics Mr. Marks is a republican and fraternally is connected with the Odd Fellows and the Eagles, while his religious faith is manifest in his membership in Trinity Episcopal church. He has never held any false ideas of life's opportunities and from an early age has recognized the fact that honorable business advancement is dependent upon individual effort. His persistency of purpose has enabled him to pass on the highway of life many who have started out under more advantageous circumstances and he is now occupying a ereditable and enviable position among the young business men of New Haven.
HON. CHARLES J. MARTIN.
Hon. Charles J. Martin, a judge of the town eout of Orange, is well known as an able member of the New Haven county bar. Ile was born June 16, 1887, in the city of New Haven. Ilis grandparents were natives of Ireland. For many years his father, James F. Martin, was a merchant of Sioux City, lowa, but is now living retired. He married Annie Kalaher, a native of New Ilaven and a daughter of Michael Kalaher, a representative of one of the old families of this city whose ancestors came from Ireland. Mrs. Martin is still living in New Haven. There were two sons by that marriage, Charles J. Martin, the subject of this sketch, who resides in West Haven; and Edward J. Martin. who resides in New Haven.
Judge Martin attended the Lovell grammar school, from which he was graduated in 1902, and later he entered the Yale Law School, winning his LL.B. degree in 1908. Such was his immediate success that in 1909 the Master of Law degree was conferred upon him. Long before he entered upon preparation for his profession, however, he had made his initial step in the business world, being employed in a clerical capacity in Edward Malley's depart- inent store in New Haven. IIe also worked as a conductor on the Connecticut Street Rail- road during one summer and thus provided part of the means necessary to meet the expenses of his university course. Following his gradnation he entered upon active practice and was associated with William A. Bree and subsequently became associated with Williaim T. Minor of the New Haven county bar. On the 23d day of June, 1908, he was admitted to practice in all of the courts of Connecticut and in 1910 was admitted to practice in the federal courts. The same year he was appointed assistant prosecuting attorney of the town court of Orange and so served until 1913, when he was made prosecuting attorney, filling that position until June 3, 1915. At the latter date, he was made deputy judge and by re- appointment has continued in office to the present time, his term expiring in 1919. His fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and ability, have also called him to various other oflices. He was at one time a member of the burgess board of West Haven, also served as police commissioner and in 1914 was chosen a representative of the town of Orange in the 1915 general assembly. He served as chairman of the excise committee in that session and also as a member of the committee on house rules. As chairman of the excise committee, he secured the passage of the so-called "high lieense bill" and the enactment of the club law. The state of Connecticut as a result of his efforts received almost one million dollars from liquor license money where it never received any of these proceeds before the passage of the bill. Ile was also the father of the "Martin Liberal Sunday" bill which in 1917, was passed by both houses but was vetoed by Governor Holeomb. Ile is at present a member of the house of representatives, having been reelected a member of the 1917 session. At the
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last session he was chairman of the committee on federal relations and ranking member of the committee on cities and horoughs. He gives earnest consideration to all questions which come up for settlement and his position upon any vital issue is never an equivocal one, for he fearlessly announces his views and stands loyally by what he believes.
Judge Martin in 1917 was nominated by Governor Holcomb and appointed by President Wilson, federal representative of the local board, Division No. 7 for New Haven county, and as such represents the provost marshal-general.
Aside from his law practice, he has become well known in business circles as a director of the Orange Bank and as an officer of several other corporations, and aside from his purely political service he has been active in civic matters in the town of Orange. It was largely through his efforts that the street railway was built in Orange through Second avenue and he promoted the bill that secured the building of the public sewer system there. He has likewise been closely associated with various other public improvements and at all times loyally advocates those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. He is a large owner of real estate in West Haven and has made himself a progressive and representative business man and citizen, his private interests being largely of a nature that have contributed to public progress and the best interests of the community.
On the 17th day of April, 1912, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Judge Martin was married to Miss Anna Chew, a native of Bridgeport and a daughter of William and Mary (Campbell) Chew. the latter of Seotch and English ancestry, while the former was of English birth. Judge and Mrs. Martin have three children: Dorothy Mary, horn May 27, 1913; Charles J., born July 23, 1914; and Anna Elizabeth, born July 7, 1916. All are natives of West Haven. The parents are communicants of St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church.
Judge Martin is a private of West Haven Reserve Company Home Guard. He has al- ways been a republican, very active in support of the party, and holds membership in the Young Men's Republican Club of New Haven and with various other social, fraternal and professional organizations. Ile has membership in the Phoenix Club of West Haven, the Knights of Columbus, the Woodmen of the World, the Elks, the Red Men and the Alhambra. Ile is likewise identified with the New Haven County, the Connecticut State and the American Bar Associations. He is actively concerned in all those affairs which touch the general interests of society, is alert to the questions and the needs of the hour, keeps in touch with the trend of modern progressive thought and in a word stands as a high type of American manhood.
FRANK P. CRONAN.
Frank P. Cronan, president and treasurer of the W. A. T. Smith Heating Company of New Haven, was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut. on the 5th of August. 1872, and is a son of the late Michael Cronan, a native of Ireland who was brought to this country at the age of four years by his parents, Patrick and Bridget (Riley) Cronan. The family arrived in Amer- ica in 1852 and located in New Haven, Connecticut, where Michael Cronan was reared and educated. In early life he learned the trade of a marble cutter and subsequently became a member of the firm of Barr & Cronan of Bridgeport, theirs heing one of the largest monument concerns of the city. Ile married Miss Henrietta Martin, a native of New Haven and a daughter of Michael and Margaret (Quirk) Martin, also of Irish lineage. Her father was a soldier of the Civil war and a descendant of Michael Martin, who came to America in the early part of the seventeenth century from the Emerald isle. Mrs. Cronan is still living at the age of seventy-three years and makes her home in New Haven. She is the mother of eight children, those living being Mary, John, Frank P., Thomas and Frederick, while those deceased are Harold, William and James.
During his boyhood and youth Frank P. Cronan attended the public schools of New Haven and was also a student at Loverridge's Business College, from which he was graduated in 1891. On leaving that institution he entered the office of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company in a clerical capacity and remained with that concern for seventeen years, working his way upward from the bottom until he ocenpied one of the highest clerical positions in the estab- lishment. In 1897, however, he resigned his position and became one of the incorporators of
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the business of which he is now at the head, carrying on operations under the name of the W. A. T. Smith Heating Company. This business was originally established in 1867, being one of the pioneer plants of its kind in New Haven. The company does plumbing and installs ventilating and heating apparatus, with plant and office at 9 Pitkin street and their products are shipped all over the state. They now furnish employment to an average of thirty people and are doing a large and flourishing business.
On the 29th of November, 1900, Mr. Cronan was married in New Ilaven to Miss Bridg- itta Galligan, who was born in this city and is a daughter of John and Ellen (McGovern) Galligan, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Cronan have four sons: Francis Hooper, born Decem- ber 11, 1901; John Martin, born February 29, 1904; Joseph, born April 16, 1908; and Paul Galligan, born May 17, 1909.
In politics Mr. Cronan is independent and in religious faith is a Roman Catholic. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus the Knights of St. Patrick and the Automobile Club of New Haven, and for three years served in the first organization of the Connecticut Naval Reserves. Ile is a self-made man whose success is dne entirely to his own efforts. He earned his first money by selling newspapers and in this way provided the means for an edu- cation. Since the age of ten years he has earned his own livelihood and through his un- tiring industry, guided by sound judgment, he has built up a good business and he is now at the head of one of the important industrial concerns of New Haven.
JERRY MINER HAYES.
Jerry Miner Hayes, who for fifteen years has been engaged in the real estate business in New Haven, was born in Savannah, Georgia, June 28, 1856, a son of Richard W. and Sarah Hayes. The father was born in Delaware and became a minister of the Methodist church, devoting his life to that calling. He passed away at the age of sixty-eight years. llis wife was a native of Olio.
On starting out in the business world Jerry M. Hayes became connected with the cloth- ing trade and later he turned his attention to the railway supply business, in which he was engaged until he determined to concentrate his efforts upon real estate dealing. He has now maintained a real estate office in New Haven for the past fifteen years and has made for himself a very creditable and gratifying position in real estate circles. He has negotiated many important property transfers and carries on a business which in extent and importance places him among the representative men in his line in New Haven.
It was in this city, in 1896, that Mr. Hayes was united in marriage to Miss Harriet L. Mathes, a daughter of Jacob Mathes, and they have a wide acquaintance in New Haven, where they have long resided, the hospitality of many of the best homes being freely ac- corded them. Mr. Hayes votes with the republican party but has not been an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his time, efforts and attention upon his business affairs, which, carefully directed, are bringing to him substantial snecess. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Publicity Club, and a charter member of the Real Estate Board and Anto- mobile Club of New Haven.
GIUSEPPE VISSICCHIO, M. D.
Well known among the Italian citizens of New Haven is Dr. Giuseppe Vissicchio, who began practice in this city in 1903 and is now liberally patronized. He was born January 7, 1873, in Atrani, in the province of Salerno, Italy, a son of Philip Vissicchio, who re- sides in Atrani and is now eighty-four years of age. He was a very successful merchant and became a large property owner, making judicious investment of his earnings in real es- tate. While living a quiet, unassuming life, his enterpris . and business integrity won for him high regard and he has always been a devout member of the Roman Catholic church. He wedded Mary Di Lieto. also a native of Italy. who has now passed away.
Dr. Vissicchio was the third in order of birth in a family of five children, and was edu-
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cated in the public and high schools of Italy and in Trinity College, which is under the auspices of the Benedictine order. From that institution he received his degree whereby he was able to enter the university and he became a student in Naples University, where he pursued the study of medicine and was graduated in 1901 with the M. D. degree. He then received the official degree from the government and entered upon active practice in Naples, there remaining until 1903, when he determined to try his fortune in America. Crossing the Atlantic. He landed at New York in the month of March and immediately afterward came to New Haven, where he soon passed the required examination that enabled him to enter upon private practice in this city. He has since given his attention to the general practice of medicine and surgery and his ability has been demonstrated in his work. He bas proven equal to the demands made upon him and has successfully coped with the intricate problems which continually confront the physician. He is the author of many medical articles which have been published in Italian journals.
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