A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II, Part 111

Author: Hill, Everett Gleason, 1867- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 986

USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II > Part 111

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On the 23d of June, 1897, Mr. Kipp was united in marriage to Miss Anna Magg, of New Haven, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gustavus Magg, of New Haven. They have three children: William H., who was born in New Haven in July, 1898; Anna, born in 1903; and Fred, born in 1908. All are attending school.

In politics Mr. Kipp maintains an independent course. Fraternally he is well known, having taken the degrees of lodge, chapter and council in Masonry, also becoming a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Knights of Pythias and is likewise identified with a German singing society. He has never had occasion to regret his determin- ation to come to the new world, for here he has found the business opportunities which he sought and in their utilization he has worked his way steadily upward. He owns his home property and plant at No. 197 Chatham street and has a fine auto truck delivery. His business is the expression of well defined energy and perseverance and as the years have gone on he has made steady progress in his chosen field of labor.

WILLIAM BACON BAILEY.

William Bacon Bailey, professor of practical philanthropy at Yale University, to which professorship he was appointed in 1916, and also agent of the Organized Charities Association of New Haven since 1911, is regarded as an authority upon many lines of practical reform and of practical benevolence. He was born May 7. 1873, in Springfield, Massachusetts, a son of William Leonard and Ellen Henrietta (Bacon) Bailey. The father was born in Agawam, Massachusetts, in 1842, and the mother in Granville of the same state, in 1840. During the later years of his life William L. Bailey engaged in the real estate business. He was a descendant of one of the old families of Springfield, Massachusetts, and many of the collat- eral branches settled there in 1636. Two boulders were recently placed in Springfield in

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memory of two famons Indian fighters, both of whom were ancestors of Professor Bailey of this review. The family comes of English, Scotch and Scotch-Irish ancestry.

In the acquirement of his education William Bacon Bailey was gradnated from the Williston Seminary with the class of 1890 and won his Bachelor of Arts degree at Yale College in 1894. Two years later the Doctor of Philosophy degree was conferred upon him by Yale University and in 1897 he was instructor in economics in Yale. In 1905 he was made assistant professor of economics in Yale College and from 1916 to the present time has been professor of practical philanthropy in Yale University. He has carried his investi- gations and researches far and wide into the realm of sociology, economics and of polities inasmuch as political enactment has to do with the conditions of the various classes in which he has been so deeply interested. Since 1911 he has acted as agent of the Organized Charities Association of New Haven and he is also president of the Connecticut State Prison Association, is chairman of the board of directors of the Connecticut State Farm for Women, is chairman of the social hygiene committee of the Connecticut Society of Social Hygiene, and is a director of the Connecticut Society of Mental Hygiene. He is also editor in chief of the quarterly publications of the American Statistical Association. His investigations and researches have covered the widest scope having to do with crime and poverty and the remedy for such conditions. Another field of his activity is indicated in the fact that he has been president of the Covington Trust Association since its organization in 1902.

On the 15th of June, 1905, in Syracuse, New York, Professor Bailey was married to Miss Sheila Mackenzie Jewett, a daughter of John Howard and Sarah (Phelps) Jewett. Her father was for twenty-five years business manager of the Worcester Gazette and is the author of about twenty books for children. Professor and Mrs. Bailey have a daughter, Dorothy, born October 26, 1909.

The parents are members of College Chapel and Professor Bailey has membership in the Union League and also with Beta Theta Pi. In politics he maintains an independent course and has never been an aspirant for public office, serving only as supervisor of the census of the state of Connecticut in 1910. He is well known as a writer, being the author of three volumes written along the line of statistics and sociology, while many articles of a similar nature that he has penned have appeared in the leading magazines of the country.

THOMAS F. FELTIS.

Thomas F. Feltis, an automobile dealer of New Haven whose business has reached sub- stantial proportions, was born in Milton, Connecticut, July 15, 1873. His father, Patrick Felti-, a native of Ireland, came to America during the '508, making his way direct to New York, where he engaged in railroad work. He afterward removed to Milford and throughout his remaining days was connected with the New York & New Haven Railroad. His death occurred in Milford in 1905, when he had reached the advanced age of seventy-six years. His wite, who bore the maiden name of Ellen McCann, was also a native of Ireland and with her parents came to America, settling in Philadelphia. She was married, however, in Milford, Connecticut, and there passed away in 1886 at the age of fifty-six years. The three children of the family were William, Elizabeth and Thomas F.

The last named became a public school pupil in Milford and at the age of fourteen years started out to earn his own livelihood, securing a position in a straw hat tactory at Milford, where he received a wage of seven dollars per week. He there remained for two years and afterward was employed as keeper of the horses on a private estate. Still later he became superintendent of the shipping department of the Baldwin hat factory at Milford. He remained there for a decade and then came to New Haven to take charge of the business inter- ests of the same firm in this eity. being given the management of their New Haven place.

It was in 1910 that Mr. Feltis turned his attention to the automobile business, establishing a general storage and repair shop at No. 606 State street. In 1914 he became actively con- nected with the automobile trade, taking up the sale of such well known cars as the Stude- baker, the Stearns-Knight and the Lexington. His business is today equal to that of any of the automobile dealers of New Haven. He has now discontinued the sale of the Studebaker car and is concentrating his efforts upon the sale of the Knight and Anderson machines. He

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also carries a full line of automobile supplies and accessories and conducts a service station at No. 666 State street, while his office and show rooms are located at the corner of Olive and State streets. His business has now reached very gratifying proportions and he is today controlling a trade that makes his interests profitable.

Mr. Feltis was married in New Haven, September 1, 1908, to Miss Nellie Keehan, a native of Ireland and a daughter of John Keehan, now deceased. They are of the Roman Catholic faith, being communicants of St. Mary's church. In politics Mr. Feltis maintains an inde- pendent course. He belongs to the Automobile Club and he is interested in everything that has a bearing upon his line of business. His efforts and energies have been a potent force in bringing him to his present day business standing and success,-and his life indicates what may be accomplished when one has the will to dare and to do.

GABRIELE LUPO.

Gabriele Lupo, a banker and steamship ticket agent, doing business at 819 Dixwell avenue in New Haven, was born October 24, 1877, at Castelpagano, province di Benevento, Italy, a son of the late Peter Lupo, who was a carpenter and builder by trade, conducting a very successful business in his native city. His wife, Eda Greco, was also a native of Italy, and they became the parents of six sons and a daughter.

Gabriele Lupo, the third in order of birth in the family, attended the high school of his native city and a local college, and when eighteen years of age started out in the business world as a bookkeeper. At twenty years of age he joined the army and served for three years, holding the rank of corporal. After leaving the army in 1901 he came to America, arriving in New York in July of that year and making his way direct to New Haven, where he was immediately employed by the Greist Manufacturing Company and the Winchester Arms Company. In 1901 he entered the banking business at 21 Goodrich street, New Haven, and during his banking career he also studied chemistry and embalming, being graduated from the Barnes School of Anatomy in New York city. He there won his diploma in January, 1916, and received a license on state examination on the 9th of April .- 1917. In November, 1913, he erected a building at 819 Dixwell avenue in New Haven, which is his bank and residence, and he has won a creditable position among the leading private bankers of his adopted city. He also deals in real estate and makes a specialty of a foreign money business. His bank is capitalized for ten thousand dollars.

In 1903, in New Haven, Mr. Lupo was married to Miss Theresa Cocco, a native of Italy, and they have become parents of six children, four sons and two daughters, Peter, Ralph, Eda, Angelina, Luke and Salvatore, all born in New Haven.

The family are communicants of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Lupo is identified with several Italian societies, holding membership with the Sons of Italy, the Castelpagano Society, of which he is the president, and the Liberty Society. He was also, at one time, president of the Sons of Italy. He took ont his naturalization papers in 1905 and since securing the right of franchise has given his political allegiance to the republican party. He has met with substantial success in the conduct of his business affairs and has never had occasion to regret his determination to try his fortune on this side of the Atlantic.

CARMINE SPEZZANO.

Carmine Spezzano, one of the most progressive farmers of North Branford, was born in Agra, Italy, in March, 1865, a son of Joseph and Rosa (Caschigmano) Spezzano, who were also natives of that sunny land. The father was a farmer by occupation and died in Italy but the mother is still living in that country.

Carmine Spezzano spent his youth and early manhood in Italy, where he remained until 1890, and then went to Long Island, where he was employed by a sand contractor for eight and a half years. He made his way from town to town on Long Island, always, however, in the employ of the same man. In 1900 he returned to Italy, where he married, and then

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again came to the new world, making his way in 1900 to Totoket, in the town of North Branford, where he purchased a farm of forty-one acres. It was a run-down place, needing much care and attention to make it cultivable, but with characteristic energy he began the work of transformation and soon brought the land under a high state of cultivation and it was not long before he was prodneing the best crops in the neighborhood. Untiring energy and industry were the factors which he brought to play in bringing about this result. He afterward improved the farm with new buildings and added every modern accessory for trans- forming the place into one of the model farms of the twentieth century. Later he bought a fourteen acre tract of land and still later added twelve acres more and today he has one of the most valuable farms in North Branford. His neighbors bear testimony to the fact that he has made more progress than any other farmer of the locality. He utilizes the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and employs the most modern and scientific methods in the care and production of his crops.

On the 4th of February, 1900, in Italy, Mr. Spezzano was united in marriage to Miss Marie Joseph, who was born in that country, a daughter of Pasquale and Marie (Fran- chesci) Joseph, who were also natives of Italy, where the father followed the occupation of farming. Mr. and Mrs. Spezzano have become the parents of five children, all of whom were born in Totocket, namely, Rosa, Marie. Franchesci. Giuseppe, and Amelia.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. Spezzano is one of the highly respected citizens of North Branford. His sterling worth, upright life and successful efforts have gained for him the high regard of all. He has given constant at- tention to his farm and has won splendid success through close application and indefatigable effort, guided by sound judgment.

LOUIS YOLEN.

Louis Yolen is proprietor of Yolen's Mineral Bottling Works and also of the agency for the Liquid Carbonic Acid and Fountains at No. 116 Hamilton street, in New Haven. He was born in Russia, January 10, 1889, and his life illustrates what may be accomplished by citi- zens of foreign birth who adapt themselves to the conditions of the new world. He is a son of Sampson and Minnie Yolen and while spending bis boyhood days in the home of his par- ents he attended the public schools. He also beeame a student in a mechanical school of that country, where he learned the bottling and allied trades, and further acquainted himself with the business through actual experience. He was drafted into the Russian army and served for one year, after which he went to Germany, where he was employed as foreman of a large champagne bottling establishment.

It was in 1912 that Mr. Yolen eame to the United States, making his way direct to New Haven, and while he could not speak the English language lie soon obtained a position with a large bottling house and received full pay ou account of his previous broad experience. He at onee entered night school in order to acquaint himself with the English language and with the customs of the people as well as to gain a knowledge of the branches which he studied. It was his purpose to become an American citizen in spirit and interests, for he meant to make this land his future home. Soon afterward he embarked in business for him- self in a small way, having at first but one employe. He established his present place of busi- ness in 1914 and has steadily expanded and developed his interests until he now has five employes and utilizes two trucks and two teams in the delivery of his product, the output being sold mostly in New Haven. He uses bottles especially made for the trade with his monogram blown in. Close application and indefatigable enterprise have been the founda - tion upon which he has builded his present success. In June, 1917, in company with his uncle, Harry Hyatt. the business was incorporated as Yolen & Hyatt, Inc., and on the 1st of the following September they purchased the Connecticut Weisbeer Company, which they consolidated with their own business.

Mir. Yolen has been married twice. After coming to the new world he sent tickets for his three sisters and his affianced wife to make the trip. His first wife, Mrs. Nellie Yolen, however, died after a year of married life, leaving one son, William, who is now three years of age. In 1915 Mr. Yolen wedded Gertie Patuosico, of New Haven, and to them has been born a daughter, Ruth. Mrs. Yolen also has another daughter, Rebecca, by a former marriage.

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Mr. and Mrs. Yolen attend the Bradley Street synagogue and he is a member of the Independent Order of B'nai B'rith, of the Jewish Club and of several prominent Jewish so- cieties. He belongs also to the New Haven Protective Association. His life is indicative of the progress that can be made when energy and ambition point out the way and from a linmble start he has advanced to a point of success in commercial circles.

VICTOR ALEXANDER KOWALEWSKI, M. D.

Dr. Victor Alexander Kowalewski, a prominent and progressive physician and surgeon, practicing in West Haven, was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, October 6, 1873. His father, Josef Kowalewski, was born in Czeslino, province of Plotsk, Poland, October 19, 1825, and his mother, Elizabeth (Eberhardt) Kowalewski was born in Metthin, Canton Thurgau, Switzer- land, January 3, 1844. His father, who was a coach and carriage trimmer, came to the United States from France when twenty-four years of age and lived in Bridgeport, Connecti- cut, until 1873, when he became a resident of City Point, New Haven. Here he spent the remainder of his life and passed away on January 18, 1901, leaving his widow, who at present resides in West Haven.

Victor Alexander Kowalewski attended the public schools of New Haven and was graduated from Hillhouse high school in 1895. He then entered Yale and was graduated from the academic department in 1899, and from the Yale Medical School in June, 1902. During his senior year in Hillhouse he was editor-in-chief of The Radiator, one of the high school papers and in college he was business manager of the Yale Medical Journal from July. 1900. until June, 1902, After being graduated from Yale, Dr. Kowalewski was connected with the Bridgeport General Hospital and upon finishing his service there became associated with Dr. Benjamin L. Lambert of New Haven until July 25, 1903, when he removed to West Haven. In addition to being medical examiner of the town of Orange, an office to which he was appointed by Coroner Eli Mix on August 5, 1910, he is one of the attending physicians of the Dwight Blakeslee Memorial Deaconess Home in New Haven and of the Florence Crittenden Mission in West Haven. One important factor in his success is his progressive spirit and his familiarity with new discoveries in the field of medicine and surgery which enables him to give his patients the most modern and efficacious treatment.

Dr. Kowalewski was married in New Haven, Connecticut, October ~ 14. 1903, to Miss Mabel Edna Lane, the only daughter of Frederick A. and Ida (Lees) Lane of New Haven. Mr. Lane, who was a well known oyster grower of City Point, died suddenly September 2, 1913. They have four children: Victor Alexander, Jr .. whose birth occurred August 3, 1904; Frederick Lane, born November 2, 1906; Helen Elizabeth, born March 8, 1908; and Margaret Eberhardt, born May 28, 1913.

Although never actively engaged in politics, Dr. Kowalewski has always been iden- tified with whatever pertains to the welfare of the community. He is a member of the American Medical Association: the Connecticut State, New Haven County and City Medical Societies. Fraternally, he is a thirty-second degree Mason and a Noble of Pyramid Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the Automobile Chib of New Haven, and also of the Graduates Club, the Knights' Templar Club, the Quinnipiac Club and the Congregational Club. As indicated by his membership in the last named organization. his religious faith is that of the Congregational church and he is always ready to promote its interests in every way possible. Dr. Kowalewski has always been an enthusiastic automobilist and has the distinction of having owned the first automobile in West Haven- a 1903 Cadillac. At present he holds a commission as first lientenant in the Medical Reserve Corps of the Home Guard.

ROCCO IERARDI.

Rocco Ferardi, practicing at the bar of New Haven, was born in Italy on the 20th of May, 1877, a son of Pasquale lerardi, who was likewise a native of that sunny land, where

DR. VICTOR A. KOWALEWSKI

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for thirty-five years he devoted his attention to the profession of civil engineering and sur- veying, having charge of the old ducal palace of Sforza. He was likewise active in civic affairs and in the public life of the community took a helpful interest. He wedded Marie Francolini, also a native of Italy, and she still survives her husband. They became the parents of nine children, all of whom are yet living.

Rocco Ierardi, the third in order of birth, acquired a grammar school education in his native country and at the age of twelve years came alone to the United States, making his way direct to New York, where he lived with his uncle, Joseph N. Francolini, president of the Italian Savings Bank of that city and one of the organizers of the leading Italian savings banks of the United States. While living with his uncle Mr. Ierardi attended the public schools of New York and when his textbooks were put aside he entered his uncle's bank, which was then a private banking institution. After living with his uncle for five years he removed to New Haven and was employed in various manufacturing plants of this city, doing much hard labor in that connection. He also spent six months as timekeeper at the Branford lock works and afterward secured a position in the private bank of Paul Russo. He devoted some time to journalism as a member of the staff of the Star of Italy, an Italian paper, and in 1896 he was appointed a teacher in the night schools by Professor Kendall, then superintendent of schools of New Haven. He taught elemental classes in the evening schools and continued in educational work for five years. In the meantime he was ap- pointed interpreter of the city court of New Haven in 1898 and continued in that position for a period of eight years. This awakened his interest in the law and constituted the initial step of his preparation for the bar. Entering Yale, he was graduated from the law department in 1904 with the LL. B. degree and immediately entered upon private practice, in which he has since continued. His clientage has constantly grown in volume and impor- tance and he has been connected with various cases which have called forth pronounced ability. He has never specialized along a single branch but has continued in general practice and in a profession where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit and ability he has made steady progress. He belongs to the New Haven County, the Connecticut State and the American Bar Associations.

In politics Mr. Ierardi has always been a stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. In 1908 he was appointed assistant city attorney by Judge Mathewson and in 1913 he received the appointment of city attorney from Judges Booth and O'Meara. In 1915 he was appointed clerk of the city court for a two years' term and is therefore the present incumbent in the office, He has always taken an active part in politics and civic matters and is much interested in all those questions which have to do with public welfare and municipal improvement.

On the 21st of September, 1908, Mr. Ierardi was married in New Haven to Miss Angio- lina Nicolari, a native of Italy and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Diego Nicolari, who were early settlers of New Haven, where the father was well known in musical circles as master of the Nicolari Band. He died in 1903, while his widow still survives. Mr. and Mrs. Ierardi have two sons: Francis P., born in New Haven, Angust 11, 1909; and Ernest M., born Novem- ber 24, 1912.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Roman Catholic church, and they are connected with St. Anthony's parish. Mr. Ierardi also has membership with the Knights of Pythias, the Red Men and the Elks, with the Union League Club and the New Haven Yacht Club. He has ever been a man of broad interests, taking active part in the social and political life of the city, but makes his professional duties his chief interest and has made for himself a most creditable position as a law practitioner of New Haven.

A. WILLIAM SPERRY.

A. William Sperry, president of The Sperry Engineering Company, Inc., and one of the best known civil and constructing engineers of New England, was born in New Haven, January 22, 1870, a son of Alfred N. and Lois E. (Ryerson) Sperry, the father a native of Westville, Connecticut, and the mother a native of Abington, Massachusetts. The name of Sperry has a conspicuous place in the history of New Haven from its early settlement to the present day. The first of the name, of record here, was Richard Sperry, whose

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name appears as early as Jannary 4. 1683, and who owned Sperry's farms in Woodbridge, near the Judge's Cave and westward of West Rock. Richard Sperry was the last friend and protector of the regicides, Goffe and Whalley, at a time when their pursners from England were trying to find their hiding places. Alfred N. Sperry, father of the sub- ject of this review, became interested in manufacturing pursuits and for many years con- - tinued active in manufacturing fields. He still makes his home in New Haven, but his wife passed away in this city May 21, 1902. They were the parents of two children, the brother being Dr. Frederick N. Sperry, a leading physician of New Haven and clinical professor of laryngology and otology at Yale.

A. William Sperry attended the public schools of his native city and in 1886 he began to learn the profession in which he has achieved such marked success. He entered the employ of Sylvanus Butler, the local land surveyor and former town clerk of New Haven, and the following year entered the employ of the local engineering firm of Bruen & Shep- ard. the former a graduate of the engineering department of Cornell University and the latter of the engineering department of Yale. Mr. Sperry concentrated his efforts and at- tention upon the mastery of the work which he had undertaken and day by day added to his knowledge and efficiency. In 1890 the firm of Bruen & Shepard was dissolved, the last named having disposed of his interest to his partner, and Mr. Bruen continued alone for two years, when he sold the business to James P. Bogart, Mr. Sperry remaining with the business during these changes and in 1893 became a partner. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American war in 1898, Mr. Sperry entered the engineering corps in the coast forti- fications department, and worked in connection with the eastern defenses of New York city, at New Haven, Stonington, New London, Phim Island and Gull Island. Later he was transferred to the ordnanee department. Upon his return home in 1899 the business of the firm was divided and although Mr. Sperry and Mr. Bogart remained in adjoining offices, they conducted their interests individually. This continned up to the time of Mr. Bogart's death in 1901, when Mr. Sperry purchased his business from the estate and organ- ized The William Sperry Company, Inc., engineers and surveyors. In 1903 the Sperry Engi- neering Company, contractors, was organized, and in 1905 the two corporations were merged under the present name, Mr. Sperry being president and directing head of the corporations from their inception. The company have a branch at Bristol. Connecticut, established in 1895 by Mr. Sperry and being conducted under his name for a number of years, until it was incorporated under the present name of Sperry & Buell.

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A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II, Part 111

Author: Hill, Everett Gleason, 1867- [from old catalog] Publication date: 1918 Publisher: New York, Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company Number of Pages: 986

Author: Hill, Everett Gleason, 1867- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 986