USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II > Part 112
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The Sperry Engineering Company. Inc., have built many vast enterprises in manufac- turing lines as well as public utilities, including electric railways and plants. One of their contracts was the famous Yale Bowl, one of the world's greatest amphitheaters, which has a seating capacity of seventy-five thousand.
On the 24th of November, 1909, occurred the marriage of Mr. Sperry and Miss Margery E. Thompson, of East Haven, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward F. Thompson. Their children are Elizabeth Cowles and William Thompson, the former born in 1912 and the latter in 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Sperry are consistent members of Center church.
Mr. Sperry is a member of the Second Company, Governor's Foot Guard, and his political views are indicated in his identification with the Young Men's Republican Club. He belongs to the Union League and the social interests of his life find expression in the Quinnipiac and Country Clubs. In Masonry he is a member of New Haven Commandery, No. 2, Knights Templar. and has attained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite. All these inter- ests, however, are made subservient to his business as far as time is considered. and yet some of these have constituted the guiding prineiples of his life, making him a man among men in all those things which work for upright character. His business record is inspiring in its accomplished purposes.
GEORGE DUDLEY SEYMOUR.
George Dudley Seymour, a lawyer of New Haven, was born in Bristol, Connecticut, Octo- ber 6, 1859. a son of Henry Albert and Electa ((burchill) Seymour. The ancestral line is traced back to Richard Seamer or Semer, who was one of the first settlers of Hartford.
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Connecticut, and other lines bring them into connection with the Churchill, Wells, Wolcott, Appleton, Spencer, Willard. Kellogg and Treat families.
George D. Seymour was a pupil in the graded schools of Bristol, Connecticut, and after- ward was graduated from the high school of Hartford. Connecticut, with the class of 1878. He won the LL. B. degree at Columbian (now George Washington) University in 1880 and the following year the Master of Law degree was conferred upon him. In 1913 he received from Yale the honorary Master of Arts degree. He has practiced continuously at New Haven since 1883 and is a member of the firm of Seymour & Earle, in which connection he specializes in patent cases.
Mr. Seymour has also been active in advaneing municipal improvements and is a recog- nized patron of the fine arts. He is secretary of the New Haven commission on the city plan, a member of the New Haven city improvement committee and secretary of the com- mittee having in charge the erection of the new public library. His identification with many societies of varied character shows the breadth of his interests. He is connected with the Sons of the American Revolution, the Connecticut Society of Colonial Wars, is corresponding mem- ber of the A. I. A., is a trustee of the Henry Whitfield House museum of Guilford, Con- necticut, is a member of the state commission on sculpture in Connecticut. is a director of the Donald G. Mitchell Memorial Library at Westville, Connecticut, a director of the Ameri- can Federation of Arts and in 1914 he purchased the birthplace of Nathan Hale in order to preserve it as a permanent memorial to the youthful hero of the Revolutionary war.
In his political views Mr. Seymour is a republican and his religious faith is that of the Congregational church. In club circles he is well known as a member of the Graduates Club of New Haven, the Century Club of New York and the Cosmos Club of Washington, D. C.
His authorship has also made him widely known, his published writings ineluding "The Familiar Hale," "The Old Time Game of Wicket," and many contributions to magazines on municipal improvements, architecture and sculpture. He is greatly interested in early colonial houses and the furniture of that period and has a large collection of New England oak furniture. He has greatly enjoyed antiquarian research and turns to travel for recre- ation. He makes his home in New Haven and also has a country home called "The Birthi Place" in South Coventry, Connecticut.
JAMES PATRICK REDDING.
James Patrick Redding is engaged in the real estate, collection and insurance business in New Haven and is proprietor of the Redding System Collection Agency. He was born in New Haven, May 17. 1890, a son of Joseph H. and Caroline Redding. His parents are also living. as are their seven children: Joseph W., who is a business man of New Haven; John Arthur, who is foreman of an extensive manufacturing plant in New Haven; James Patrick. of this review: Stephen and William, who attend school in New Haven; Helen, who is chief instructor in the office department of Sargent & Company; and Elizabeth, who is pursuing her education in the New Haven schools.
James Patrick Redding acquired a public school education in New Haven and started in the business world as a youth of fifteen years. He filled several positions but eventually became chief clerk for John MeGrail, with whom he remained for about four years. On the expiration of that period he turned his attention to the insurance business on his own account, establishing his present ageney in 1909. before he had yet attained his majority. He became the representative of the Norwich Union Fire Insurance Company and the Peer- less Casualty Company at that time and has since handled insurance for those corporations. In 1915 he added to his fast growing business a real estate department and a collection agency, which collects any kind of legitimate accounts, foreign or domestic. In this con- nection he has built up an extensive and substantial business and in fact has prospered beyond his expectations; but when one analyzes his career to find the secret of his sue- cess. it is easy to understand that his prosperity has come to him as the direct reward of persistent energy, well defined purpose and reliable business methods.
Mr. Redding belongs to St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic church and is president of its Holy Name Society. He also has membership with the Red Eagles, a secret society,
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with the Knights of Columbus and the Knights of Columbus Club. His political endorse- ment is given the democratic party and since 1916 he has been vice president of the Fifteenth Ward Democratic Club. He has had an interesting military career. In 190> he enlisted a> a member of Company C of the Connecticut Infantry as a private and won successive promotions, becoming corporal. sergeant, top sergeant and second lieutenant. He received an honorable discharge January 17. 1917. He joined the Home Guard and was elected captain of Company MI on the 17th of April. 1917, so that his military experience still continues. He is also justice of the peace and his interest in public affairs is that of an alert citizen who recognize- his duties and obligations and is ever ready to meet the responsibilities that devolve upon him.
ISRAEL KLEINER, M. D.
Dr. Israel Kleiner, a physician and surgeon with office at No. 193 York street in New Ilaven, was born March 10, 188s. in the city which is still his home, his parents being Charles and Clare (Lautenbach) Kleiner, the former corporation counsel of New Haven.
Dr. Kleiner. after attending the public and high schools, prepared for a professional career in the medical department of Yale and won his M. D. degree with the class of 1909. Following bis graduation he entered the New Haven Hospital, where he served as interne for two years and then began private practice, in which he has since continued, a liberal patronage being accorded him. He keeps in touch with the trend of modern professional thought as a member of the New Haven Medical Society, the New Haven County Medical Society, the Connecticut State Medical Society. the American Medical Association and the American Urological Association. At the present time he is secretary of the first named and he is clinical assistant in surgery at Yale University.
On the 2d of April, 1913, Dr. Kleiner was married to Miss Elma Strauss, a native of New Haven and a daughter of JJacob and Theresa (Herrmann) Strauss, representatives of old families of this city. Dr. and Mrs. Kleiner have a son, Allan David, born in New Haven, September 30, 1915.
Dr. Kleiner belongs to Mishkan Israel and he has membership in the Harmonie Club and the Civic Federation. He is interested in affairs pertaining to the progress and up- building of his city and along professional lines he has kept in touch with the trend of modern scientific investigation and advancement.
ERASTUS DUDLEY BARTLETT.
Erastus Dudley Bartlett is occupying a residence in North Guilford which was erected one hundred and thirty-two years ago and which stands upon a farm that has been in possession of the family for two centuries.
Mr. Bartlett was born in North Guilford, July 8. 1884, on the farm which is still his home, his parents being Edwin Williams and Annis (Dudley) Bartlett. The former was a son of Nathaniel and a grandson of Samuel Bartlett and all were descendants of Joseph Bartlett, a native of England, who became one of the first settlers of Guilford, where he passed his remaining days. his death occurring in 1669. The mother of Erastus D. Bartlett was a daughter of Nathan and Sophronia (Rossiter) Dudley, natives of Guilford. The Ross- iter, the Dudley and the Bartlett families have all been represented in Guilford since its earliest settlement. Edwin W. Bartlett. like all of his ancestors, was a farmer and he also engaged in the native timber business. He was quite prominent in public affairs and served as selectman for seventeen years, while for many years he filled the office of justice of the peace His deeisions were strictly fair and impartial, heing based upon the law and the equity in the case, and won for him "golden opinions from all sorts of people." He died Jannary 18, 1915, while his widow still survives.
Erastus D. Bartlett pursued a district school education and in young manhood took up mns father's business, engaging actively in farming and in the conduct of a native timber business. At the time of bis marriage he removed to his present home, the house having
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been built almost a century and a half ago, replacing one destroyed by fire on the same site on this farm. which has been in possession of the family for two hundred years. Mr. Bart- lett is very extensively engaged in general agricultural pursuits in North Guilford township, having over two hundred acres of land in cultivation and owning besides several hundred aeres of native timber. He does quite an extensive business in handling native timber, operating a sawmill and otherwise taking an active part in furthering the trade.
On the 11th of May, 1911, in Guilford, Mr. Bartlett was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Parmelee, who was born in the Clapboard Hill district of Guilford, a daughter of Edgar and Helen (Hill) Parmelee, who were natives of Guilford and of North Guilford respectively and were representatives of old Connecticut families. Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett have two children: Edwin Dudley, who was born June 13. 1912: and Edgar Parmelee, born August 22. 1916.
In politics Mr. Bartlett is a stalwart republican and in 1916 he was made selectman of the town of Guilford. in which position he is now serving. He is also a member of the North Guilford Congregational church and is a generous contributor to its support. At all times and in relation to everything that he undertakes he displays a most enterprising and progressive spirit. In his vocabulary there is no such word as fail and he is ever actu- ated by a determination to accomplish what he undertakes. He is widely known throughout hi- section of the county as Ted Bartlett. a name which has been associated with him from early boyhood and which hespeaks the goodwill entertained for him by his fellow townsmien. who appreciate the cordiality and sincerity of his greeting and who have for him warm friendship and kindly regard.
FREDERICK H. BRETHAUER.
Frederick H. Brethauer. examiner of records for the city of New Haven, was born on the 1sth of June. 1855, his parents being Henry and Anna F. Brethaner. The father, a native of Germany, was born in Hesse-Kassel and on the 10th of September, 1837, in Trinity church of New Haven, was married, his wife being born November 14. 1534. They began their domestic life in New Haven. the father having previously learned the tailor's trade, and for many years he continued active in business as a journeyman tailor. He afterward became proprietor of a grocery store. which he successfully managed and developed. continuing active in the business up to the time of his demise, which occurred in 15 ?-. In polities he was a democrat and took an active interest in political and civic matters. being naturalized a- soon as the law permitted. His wife was born in Bavaria and in early girlhood came to the United States, making her way direct to New Haven, where on the 10th of September. 1857. she was married by Rev. Harry Croswell of Trinity church to Henry Brethaner. She, too, has departed this life and of their family of six children Frederick H. is the oldest and only one now living.
In the public schools of New Haven the son pursued his early education and also at- tended business college. He started out to earn his own living at the age of fourteen years and after his graduation from a commercial school he was employed as a teacher in a business college for six months. He afterward obtained a position with the Security Insur- ance Company of New Haven as assistant bookkeeper and there remained for two years. Later he became a clerk in the office of the town elerk and there remained until September. 1874. since which time he has been continuously in public office. He was first elected town clerk in 1889 and he occupied that position until 1905. Through the succeeding three years he was engaged in searching titles and in the latter year was made examiner of records. He is prompt. systematic and efficient in the discharge of his duties as indicated in the fact that he has remained in his present position for nine years.
In 1980 Mr. Brethauer was married in New Haven to Miss Anna Frericks, who was born in the same house in which her husband's birth occurred, at No. 292 George street. near Broad street, and near the spot where the first emigrants landed on coming to New Haven. She was a daughter of William Frericks. a representative of an old German family. His widow is still living at the advanced age of ninety-two years and is enjoying good health for one of her years, age having made few inroads upon her physical and mental condition. MIr and Mrs. Brethaner have become the parents of two children. G. Henry, born in New Haven,
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is the assistant cashier of the Merchants Bank. Ile married Anna Weibel, a daughter of Joseph Weibel, a prominent brewer of New Haven. G. Henry Brethaner and his wife were married in June, 1916. The daughter Gertrude is the widow of Richard H. Tyner. son of the late Judge Tyner, and resides at No. 38 Dwight street in New Haven. She has one child, Richard H. Tyner, Jr.
In politics Mr. Brethauer is a democrat and has always taken an active and helpful part in bringing about democratic successes. He has attained high rank in Masonry in both the York and Scottish rites and is a Noble of the Mystie Shrine. He also belongs to the Elks and the Odd Fellows and he was at one time a member of the Governor's Foot Guard, in which he served as a private. He had also been a drummer in the City Guard before enter- ing the Governor's Foot Guard and his father was also at one time a member of the City Guard. His religions connection is with Trinity Lutheran church. His friends, and they are many, speak of him in terms of warm regard, for he has ever displayed sterling qualities of manhood and citizenship and, whether in office or out of it. he is loyal to the best in. terests of the community.
THE STODDARD FAMILY.
The name Stoddard has had a long and honorable connection with New Haven and for more than a third of a century it has figured prominently in business, financial and com- mercial eireles. 'The family is represented at the present time by Ezekiel Gilbert Stoddard, one of the city's best known financiers, and his son, Carlos F. Stoddard, who is prominently identified with the house of Stoddard, Gilbert & Company.
Ezekiel (. Stoddard is a representative in the ninth generation of the descendants of Anthony Stoddard, the immigrant ancestor, who came from England to Boston about 1639. The line comes down through Solomon, Anthony, Eliakim, John, Samson, Abiram and Thomas Stoddard.
Ezekiel Gilbert Stoddard, son of Thomas Stoddard, was born November 14, 1844, in Seymour, Connecticut. He was educated in private schools of New Haven and at the age of sixteen entered the wholesale grocery business. He has been a very enterprising and suc- cessful merchant and takes high rank in financial and commercial circles in Connecticut. He is president of the New Haven County National Bank of New Haven, is vice president of the Connecticut Savings Bank of New Haven, a director in the Union Trust Company, the Security Insurance Company of New Haven and an officer and director in several local and outside corporations engaged in manufacturing, gas and electric plants, in ranching and in mining.
In polities Ezekiel Gilbert Stoddard has always been prominently connected with the democratic party. In religion an Episcopalian, he is a member and has served on the vestry of Trinity church.
Mr. Stoddard was married to Mary de Forest, a danghter of Thomas Burlock, and their children are: Esther Ann, Louis Ezekiel and Carlos French. The first named was born Feb- ruary 2, 1874, and became the wife of Frank S. Butterworth, their children being Frank S., Benjamin and Esther S. Louis Ezekiel Stoddard, born January 25, 1878, married Rebecca McCullough and they have one child, Elizabeth Darlington, born January 13, 1906. Carlos French Stoddard, born July 10. 1880, married Miss S. Milliken and their children are Carlos French, Mary and Ezekiel G. Stoddard.
SAMUEL ROSZEL AVIS.
The career of Samuel Roszel Avis illustrates most clearly what may be accomplished through determined purpose and well defined plans. For years the name has been closely associated with gun manufacturing in New Haven and more recently with extensive real estate operations. While Mr. Avis has in part retired from active management of his busi- ness interests, he is still the president of the Avis Gun Barrel Manufacturing Company and has extensive investments in real estate.
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He was born in Berkeley county, Virginia, December 26, 1843, a son of William Avis. He attended the schools of Bolivar and Harpers Ferry, Virginia, and also continued his education in the Fairview Academy, a small private institution of learning which was de- stroyed at the beginning of the Civil war. It, too, was located in Bolivar. For a time Samuel R. Avis engaged in teaching in Loudoun county, Virginia, and at the time of the John Brown raid at Harpers Ferry he was a member of the Virginia militia, belonging to the Jefferson Guards of the Second Virginia Regiment. It was this company which did guard duty during the imprisonment, trial and execution of Brown and his party at Charles- town.
When the Civil war broke out his father, who was intensely Union in sentiment. re- moved with the family to Springfield. Massachusetts, and afterward Samuel R. Avis learned the trade of gun making in the employ of the firm of Field & Horton, manufacturers of firearms for the United States government. Subsequently Mr. Avis resided successively in Yonkers, New York; New York city ; Philadelphia; New Brunswick, New Jersey; Ilion, New York, and Providence, Rhode Island, in all of which places he worked at the gunsmith's trade. In 1881 he became a resident of New Haven, his purpose in removing here being to enter the employ of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, in which he was made the head of the barrel department. He continued with that concern for a period of a quarter of a century and then retired in large measure from active business. In 1906, however. he took up the real estate business and at the present time is president of the Malba Land Company, the New Haven and New York Realty Corporation, the Urban Realty Company and other realty companies, representing in the aggregate more than three million dollars' worth of property. While in considerable measure he leaves the active work to others, his sound business judgment constitutes a most valuable asset in the successful conduct of the interests of these various companies.
Mr. Avis has always taken a most helpful part in public affairs. He served for two terms on the New Haven board of aldermen and for one year represented that board on the park commission. He was also for six years a member of the board of education and served as its president for two years. doing effective work in this connection for the further develop- ment of the school system of the city. He has been a member of the New Haven library board for seventeen years and was president of that body. He was likewise a member of the committee in charge of the erection of the new library building in 1909. He was one of the advocates of securing the present system of free textbooks in the schools of New Haven and at all times he has stood for progress and improvement in public affairs, ad- vancing new ideas in relation to the schools and to other public interests which have resulted in bringing about higher civic standards. He is prominent in Masonic circles and holds membership in Trumbull Lodge, F. & A. M., of New Haven; in Franklin Chapter, R. A. M .; in Harmony Council, R. & S. M., and the New Haven Commandery, K. T. He attends the First Methodist Episcopal church of New Haven and his entire life has been actuated by high and honorable principles. His course has indeed been one of value to the city for he has ever combined practical effort with high ideality.
On the 6th of May, 1863, Samuel R. Avis was united in marriage to Miss Emma Eliza- beth Lee, of Jefferson county, Virginia, who was born March 16, 1843, and died April 23, 1892. She was a daughter of Henry and Ann ( Waters) Lee. For his second wife Mr. Avis wedded Mrs. Carrie Attwater Elliott, of New Haven, a daughter of James and Lydia (Att- water) Barker and the widow of George H. Elliott. His children were all born of the first marriage. William Henry, the eldest, born April 24, 1864, married Anna L. Chard, of Green- wich, Connecticut, and their children are: Dolly Ann; Emma Elizabeth; Susan; and Catherine. The family resides at Whitneyville, Connecticut. and William H. Avis is connected with the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Woodburn Roszel, the second of the family. born in 1866, was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Baltimore, Maryland, with the degree of M. D., and is now practicing in Boston, Massachusetts. Martin Luther, the third of the family, died in infancy.
George Elmer Avis, born June 10. 1874, the fourth member of the family of Sammel R. Avis, is a native of New Haven and a graduate of its schools. He became engaged in the real estate business and also in the manufacture of gun barrels in connection with his father. He is active in the management and control of the Avis Gun Barrel Company. which is one of the leading manufacturing concerns of this kind in the country today, Vol. II-41
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its main plant being located on Campbell and Brown streets in West Haven. The company is incorporated under the laws of the state of Connecticut, with Samuel R. Avis as the pres- ident and George E. Avis as viee president and treasurer. The business has enjoyed a steady growth. Wisely managed, its sales have now reached extensive proportions, making this one of the important industries of New Haven county. In addition, Mr. Avis operates in the real estate field with his father and controls important interests in that connection.
George E. Avis was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Quigley, of Hartford, Connecticut, and to them was born one child, who died in infancy.
Dolly Avis, the fifth member of the family of Samuel R. Avis, was born in 1879 and tied at the age of eight years.
Samuel Walter, the youngest of the family, born in 1885, was graduated from the Sheffield Scientifie School of Yale University in 1907 as a mechanical engineer and is now engaged in the automobile business in New Britain.
Sueh in brief is the history of the Avis family represented in New Haven. Through the years of their identification with the city, covering more than a third of a century, they have taken active part in promoting not only the material but also the intellectual and moral development of the community. and the family name is closely associated with many interests and projects which have contributed to civic activity and civic honor.
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