USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II > Part 107
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On the 10th of January, 1894. Mr. Olesen was married in New Haven to Miss Anna llayden. a native of Schleswig-Holstein. Germany. and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George
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Hayden, both now deceased. The mother passed away in Germany but the father spent his last days in New Haven. Mr. and Mrs. Olesen have become parents of six children: Anna May, the wife of Raymond Cote, of North Haven; Esther Louise; Ludwig, who enlisted in the United States navy in November, 1916; Marius George, a carpenter of New Haven; Ella Louisa; and Irma.
Mr. and Mrs. Olesen are members of the Danish Free church of New Haven, of which Mr. Olesen is one of the trustees, and his political faith is that of the republican party. His record is a creditable one. He came to America on borrowed money and arrived with but five dollars in his pocket. His condition was such as to render immediate employment a necessity, and his determination and ambition were such as prompted his close application. He soon repaid the borrowed money and started to build up his own fortunes, with the result that he is today one of the substantial residents of New Haven, his honorable life record being an exemplification of the dignity of labor and the possibilities for attainment of success in a land where effort and opportunity are unhampered by class or caste.
THOMAS GIORDANO.
Thomas Giordano, proprietor of the Meriden Monumental and Building Works at Mer- iden, was born in Italy on the 18th of May, 1876, his parents being Dominic and Francisca Giordano. The former is deceased, while the latter is still living in Italy. The son at- tended the public schools of his native land and at an early age began learning the stone cutting trade, in which he gained expert knowledge and skill before coming to the United States on the 2d of May, 1902. He went first to Paterson, New Jersey, where he remained for one month and then removed to New Haven, Connecticut, while later he became a resident of Middletown, where he continued for nine years. In 1908 he removed to Meriden, where he first entered the employ of John P. Luby, a monument builder, and on the 1st of January, 1917, he purchased from George J. Grossman his present business. Long training has well qualified him for excellent work in his chosen line and already he has gained a liberal patronage, being now in control of a business that is of gratifying proportions and which is steadily increasing.
Mr. Giordano was married in Italy, in 1899, to Miss De Rose and they have one child, Dominic, who was born in the same country, January 10, 1901. Mr. Giordano has become an American citizen and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He has membership with the Sons of Italy and with the American Italian Club. He is a self- made man and deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, for he started out in life empty-handed. His efforts have ever been characterized by a thoroughness which has resulted in excellent workmanship and he has been actuated by a laudable ambition to reach the highest standards in his chosen line. His patronage is gratifying and he is developing one of the leading monument enterprises in Meriden.
GUSTAVE X. AMRHYN.
Gustave X. Amrhyn, general superintendent of public parks in New Haven, has through long experience and thorough study become well qualified for the important duties which devolve upon him in this connection. He has filled his present position for about seventeen years, a fact indicative of his capability, his thoroughness and his reliability. A native of Lucerne, Switzerland, he was born May 20. 1860. a son of Joseph and Hedwig (Faller) Amrhyn, who were also born in the land of the Alps, and both have now passed away The father was a successful manufacturer and farmer, giving up manufacturing interests at length in order to concentrate his efforts upon agricultural pursuits. He was also active in political and eivie affairs in his native country and filled various offices of trust. He died in 1889 at the age of seventy-two years, having for some time survived his wife who passed away in 1867 at the age of thirty-four years.
Gustave X. Amrhyn, the third of a family of six children, was the only one of the
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household to come to America. He pursued his education in the schools of his native city and after leaving the high school received special training in the royal parks of Württem- berg. Germany, he being the only student from outside of Germany who attended during that three years' period. He made a specialty of landscape gardening and horticulture and was graduated with the certificate of honor in 1877.
Following his graduation Mr. Amrhyn at once entered actively upon the work of his profession and was first employed in Vienna, Austria, and later in Germany and France, spending nine years in Paris. He also heldl positions in Italy and England, and in 1889 crossed the Atlantic to New York city. For eighteen months he was connected with the public park department of Brooklyn and also engaged in general landscape work in New York city and in Westchester county. In 1900 he came to New Haven and was appointed general superintendent of public parks, which position he has continuously filled to the pres- ent time. He has been a member of the American Park Superintendents Association since its organization and at one time was its president. In 1915 he was president of tbe American Society of Florists and Ornamental Horticulturists, and he also has membership in the American Civic Society, the New England Park Institute, the New Haven County florticultural Society, of which he was president for three terms, and the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers. It will thus be seen that he keeps abreast with the progress made along all lines in any way connected with his profession, and his college training, his later study and his long experience have made him a recognized authority upon many features of landscape work and park development and improvement.
Mr. Amrhyn has been married twice. In 1887, in Paris, France, he wedded Miss Bertha Goupil. a native of Normandy and a daughter of Jolin Goupil. Mrs. Amrhyn died In New llaven on the 3d of April, 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Amrhyn became parents of six children, two of whom are living: Jane Ann, born in Paris; and Elsie, who was born in Long Island. Mr. Amrhyn was married again February 15, 1910, in New Haven, when Miss Frances Weiss of Greenwich, Connecticut, a daughter of Frank and Rose (Weber) Weiss, became his wife.
Mr. Amrhyn and his family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church and he has membership with the Royal Arcanum and the Eagles. He has always voted independently and has never sought nor desired office. His military experience has been that of a member of Troop A, of the Home Guard. From the day when he left home Mr. Amrhyn has depended entirely upon his own exertions, and his success is due to his persistent and intelligently directed efforts. Laudable ambition has prompted him, and, developing his powers along the line for which he early qualified, he is today one of the foremost park superintendents of New England.
ROBERT F. MAACCLEMMY.
Robert F. MacClemmy is now prominently known as a manufacturer of New Haven. where he has established a business for the manufacture of the Imperial Health Belt, of which he is the inventor. In this connection he has made valuable contribution to the health restoring and health sustaining devices and the value of his invention is further indicated in the fact that it won the gold medal award at the Panama Pacific Exposition in San Francisco in 1915.
Dr. MacClemmy is a native of Philadelphia. He was born April 4. 1876, a son of George T. and Martha Ann MacClemmy, the former a native of Baltimore, Maryland. and the latter of Charleston, South Carolina. The father engaged in the newspaper business for many years and passed away in Baltimore. The mother is also deceased.
Dr. MacClemmy was the fourth in a family of seven children and in his boyhood he at- tended school in Philadelphia, after which he went to New York, where he studied osteopathy. His deep interest in health problems led him to study into the needs for improvements in many of the patented health devices. He felt that as yet there had been nothing brought forth that was adequate in the way of correcting positions which are detrimental to health. He recognized, of course, just what a lowered chest, round shoulders and other bad habits of sitting and standing will do for the individual in the misplacement of organs, causing
DR. R. F. MACCLEMMY
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undhuie strain to be put upon them thus impairing their functions. He studied, too, the question of obesity and its effect not only upon appearance but upon health. He recog- nized, too, a fact which the medical profession largely acknowledges-that the introduction into the system of drugs, while it may allay or do away with certain conditions, produces other conditions of equally harmful effect. Thinking broadly and deeply along these lines, Dr. MacClemmy at length brought out the Imperial Health Belt, which after being thor- oughly tested in expert manner, proved to equal his expectations. He then decided to en- gage in its manufacture and in 1907 he came to New Haven to establish his present factory. The trade has now almost outgrown the facilities of the factory, for the belt is being in- troduced and used throughout the entire country. It keeps the body erect while riding, walking, working or otherwise engaged and reduces large abdomens. It is the highest grade garment of its kind, is extremely comfortable, washable and sanitary. In cases where tlie abdomen is unduly developed by the accretion of fat or where it protrudes through an abnormal depression of the chest, these conditions are obviated through the use of the helt, which not only holds the abdomen in place but raises all of the upper part of the torso to its normal position, causing rounded shoulders to go back into place, giving an increased space in the thorax and consequent additional breathing power. It is indeed a health brace, as it produces normal conditions, and the normal condition is one of health.
Dr. MaeClemmy was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Ford, of Bangor, Maine, and they have three children : Robert F., who was born in Pittsburgh, January 16, 1910; Dorothy M., born in Pittsburgh, January 15, 1912; and Kathryn G., born in Philadelphia, August 6, 1913.
Dr. MacClemmy is a Mason, holding membership in Philadelphia Lodge, No. 72, F. & A. M., and he is also identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He belongs to the New Haven Chamber of Commerce and is interested in all those forces which work for the uplift and development of the city. His own factory in New Haven is one of the most sani- tary establishments of the country. He believes in giving his employes every advantage in the way of maintaining health and he has surrounded them with conditions whereby light, air and comfort contribute to the desired result. His life work has indeed been a valuable contribution to health inventions of the country. Others have attempted to infringe upon his patent, but his claim has been sustained in the courts and the worth of his invention is furthermore demonstrated by the jury of awards which gave to him the gold medal for the best brace of the kind at the Panama Paeifie Exposition.
ANTONIO PEPE.
Antonio Pepe is an Italian banker and wholesale groeer, conducting a profitable and growing business. He came to New Haven a poor boy without even the advantage of a knowledge of the English language or of the customs of the American people. He started out in life in a humble way and by his thrift and industry steadily worked his way upward and step by step has advanced until he now occupies a position of honor and prominence in the business eircles of his adopted country. His life record should serve as an example to his fellow countrymen and to others, showing what may be obtained in this land where effort is not encumbered by caste or class.
Mr. Pepe was the pioneer Italian grocer in both retail and wholesale lines in New Haven. He was born in Salerno, Italy, November 7, 1860, and is a son of Donato and Rachel (Rossi) Pepe, the former a representative of a family of prominent merchants in Italy. He followed in the footsteps of his father, conducting a mercantile business at Scafti. Italy, where he passed away in 1892. After five years his widow came to America and resided with her son Frank in Waterbury until her death in 1911. She had five sons and four daughters, namely: James, Frank, Joseph, Antonio, Mrs. Angela Rosa, Mrs. Giovannina Romana, Mrs. Maria Cozzolino, Mrs. Annunziata Maisano, and Mrs. Raffaela Nastri.
In his boyhood days Antonio Pepe attended school in Italy, where he had good educa- tional advantages. On completing his studies he received his mercantile business training and in 1885 he came to America, settling in New Haven. He was unfamiliar with the lan- guage and the customs of the people. He secured a position with the Sargent Manufacturing Company, but after three years decided to return to his native land and secure a stock of Vol. II-39
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goods in order to embark in business on his own account. After purchasing his merchandise he again came to the new world in 1888, starting the first Italian retail grocery store in New Haven. He began business in a small way, as this was but an experiment, but after ten years of successful effort in that field, during which others had opened various Italian grocery stores, he decided to open an exclusive wholesale grocery house, being the first Italian house of that kind in the state. In this connection he has built up a business of large and gratifying proportions and is now the president of the Pepe Wholesale Grocery Company. He never falls short of successful completion in anything that be undertakes, overcoming all obstacles and difficulties by earnest and determined effort. His next venture was the establishment of a private bank for the purpose of dealing with the Italian people. This was in 1897, since which time he has developed one of the most successful Italian banks of the state, and today he occupies a most enviable and prominent position among the Italian residents of Connecticut.
On the 17th of March, 1881, in his native city, Mr. Pepe was married to Miss Rosa Amarante, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Felix Amarante of that place. Mr. Pepe has never heid any political office nor sought to become an influential factor in political affairs. He belongs to the Garibaldi Society, also the Fratellanza Society and a number of others, including several church societies. His religious faith is indicated in the fact that he is a communicant of St. Michael's Catholic church. While Mr. Pepe had excellent educational opportunities he is in a business sense a self-made man whose progress in commercial and financial circles has been notable and whose worth has thus been demonstrated. He is today one of the valued and representative citizens of New Haven, where he has now made his home for almost a third of a century.
OSIAS NESTEL.
Osias Nestel, president and treasurer of the Eureka Tricycle Company of New Haven, was born in Galicia, Austria, December 15, 1880, a son of Judah and Sarah (Seaman) Nestel The father was a well known merchant and is still living in Galicia, but the mother bas passed away. In their family were five children: Gedale, residing in New York; Mechel, Mendel and Minchen, who are in Austria; and Osias.
The last named acquired his education in the schools of Austria, and, ambitions for fur- ther education, he continued his studies at home, and after emigrating to America, devoting his leisure time to reading. He erossed the Atlantic in 1898, landing in New York, where he remained for eight years, engaging in mereantile pursuits. In 1906 he arrived in New Haven. and, believing that there was an opening for a delicatessen store, he established a business of that kind on Grand avenue and conducted it profitably for eight years. He then opened another store of like character at No. 748 Chapel street. These two stores he still owns and they are now profitably conducted, rendering to Mr. Nestle a very gratifying income. Ile further extended his scope of activities in 1916. when he purchased the business of the Eureka Tricycle Company. a large manufacturing company which manufactures all kinds of ehild- ren's toys, miniature express wagons, tricycles, toy automobiles and other goods of this character. This business was established by Mr. Whitmore and at his death was sold to Mr. Nestel. The trade has reached even larger proportions under the management of Mr. Nestel and the house now enjoys a national reputation, its products being shipped to all parts of the country. The business has been incorporated with Mr. Nestel as president and treasurer. He possesses excellent business ability, is a strong executive, and in conducting his various business interests he forms his plans earefully and then carries them forward to success- ful completion. He almost intuitively recognizes the real value of any business situation and eliminates the unessential and utilizes the essential elements to the best possible ad- vantage.
On the 17th of May. 1907, Mr. Nestel was united in marriage to Miss Mary Gold of New York city, a daughter of Eli and Bessie Gold. They now have two children: Sarah. born in 1908; and Eli, born in 1911. Both are in sehool.
Mr. Nestel is a member of the Independent Connectieut Lodge but concentrates the greater part of his time and attention upon individual interests. Starting out in life empty-
-
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handed. he is a largely self-educated as well as self-made man. What he has accomplished indicates his force of character, resourcefulness and adaptability. He has come to be the head of two important business enterprises of New Haven, and the methods which he has pursued have brought to him the confidence and high regard of his associates.
CHARLES COHEN.
Charles Cohen, attorney at law practicing as a member of the firm of Berman & Cohen, of New Haven, was born in New York city, January 17, 1891. His father, Louis Cohen, a native of Russia, came to the United States during the latter part of the '80s and settled in the metropolis, where he engaged in contract work and has since continued in that line of business. He married Fannie Himmelblue, a native of Russia, in which country they were reared and married. They have become parents of seven children and the family circle vet remains unbroken by the hand of death.
Charles Cohen was educated in the public schools of Hartford, where he continued his studies to his graduation from the high school with the class of 1909, and in Yale, where he completed the academie course in 1914, winning the Bachelor of Arts degree, while in 1916 he finished his law studies and received the LL. B. degree. During his academic year he was elected a member of the honorary society, Phi Beta Kappa, and was elected a member of the law school honor society, Chi Tan Kappa. On leaving school he entered the law office of Barnett Berman and under the firm style of Berman & Cohen is now engaged in general practice. He fully recognizes that he has entered upon a profession where advancement depends upon individual effort, merit and ability.
Mr. Cohen started out to earn his own livelihood when a youth of but fifteen years and was first employed in the public library at Hartford, where he remained for six years. lle also taught school at Bolton, Connecticut, and his own labors provided the means for his university course. The elemental strength of his character was thus indicated and the same determined spirit is guiding him in his professional career. His friends, and they are many, have no doubt as to the success of his future. He is a member of the New Haven County Bar Association and also belongs to the Independent Order of B'nai B'rith and to the Sons of Zion.
PASQUALE FUSCO.
A large quota of the citizenship of New Haven has come from Italy and prominent among the representatives of that sunny land now living in Connecticut is Pasquale Fusco, a New Ilaven banker and steamship ticket agent who. throughout the years of his residence in this state has made steady progress in a business way, while more and more he has won the respeet and regard of his fellow townsmen. He was born in San Lorenzello, Italy, Novem- ber 10, 1850, a son of Christopher and Giovannina (Mongillo) Fusco, who belonged to lead- ing families of the section of Italy in which they resided. The father was a well known merchant of San Lorenzello and both he and his wife spent their entire lives in Italy.
Pasquale Fusco was the younger of two children. He was largely self-educated, learn- ing his lessons by candle light and applying himself to his studies at every possible oppor- tunity until he had secured quite a liberal education. He engaged in mercantile pursuits in his native country until he came to America on the 17th of May, 1881, in the hope of finding better opportunities and advantages in the new world. He established his home first at Paterson, New Jersey, where he seenred employment with the Pennsylvania Railroad, con- tinuing there for twelve years. He then returned to Naples, Italy, as representative of an Italian line of steamships plying between Italian ports and America and for a time was located at Naples but subsequently returned to this country and came to New Haven as a steamship agent for the same line, which he continued to represent, when in 1899 he also founded a private bank under his own name. This has become one of the representative Italian banking institutions of New Haven. Following his return here he also worked for
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the Sargent Manufacturing Company, with which he continued until the widespread financial panie of 1893. He afterward secured a position as bookkeeper and did that work while continuing as agent for his steamboat line. Thus he managed to tide over the hard times, and once more reaching a point on the highroad to fortune, he then organized the P. Fusco Bank. which has been a successful undertaking from the beginning. His bank is estab- lished upon safe and reliable principles and its business methods commend him to the lib- eral support of the public. His standing among his fellow countrymen in that line of business is indicated in the fact that he has been president of the Italian Bankers Association of Connecticut for many years.
In Italy, on the 10th of May. 1873. Mr. Fuseo was married to Miss Maria Giuseppa Ruggieri, of a very prominent family of San Lorenzello, Italy. They became the parents of ten children, eight sons and two daughters. Carmine, who was born and educated in Italy, is now in business in New Haven. Nicholas, also born and educated in that country, is a grocer of New Haven. Giovannina Grillo, born in Italy, is residing in New Haven. Ralph is also a resident of this city. Louis, edneated in Springfield, Massachusetts, is city court interpreter at New Haven. Angelina is at home. Umberto, born in Naples, was edu- cated in the high school of New Haven and is now in business with his father. Ernesto and Sebastian, both born in Naples, were educated in New Haven. Alfredo, born in New Haven in 1897, is a musician and is now with the Second Regiment of Connectieut Volunteers for service with the American army in the international war.
In politics Mr. Fusco maintains an independent attitude. lle holds membership with St. Anthony's church and he purchased for the parish the ground on which the present church stands. He has been president of the various church societies, including the Holy Name So- ciety, and was the first president of the Joseph Garibaldi Society. He has likewise been president of the Dante Alighieri Society and is interested in various other Italian organ- izations. Mr. Fusco is both a self-educated and self-made man. With him the call of oppor- tunity has ever been the call to action. He has readily recognized advantages and has util- ized them and the course that he has pursued has brought him to success in the business world and gained for him the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been asso- ciated.
EMIDIO F. BALSAMO.
Emidio F. Balsamo, a partner in the firm of Verdi & Balsamo, coal merchants of New Haven, was born in Sorrento, Italy, on the 22d of November, 1867, a son of Gabriel and Rosina (Attanosio) Balsamo. The father was a seafaring man who became captain of a sailing vessel which made trips to all the large ports of the world. In 1890 he came to New Haven and remained a resident of the city for three years, after which he returned to Italy, where he passed away in 1896. His widow later again came to New Haven and made her home with her son Emidio to the time of her death which occurred in 1915.
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