USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II > Part 16
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He was born in Cheshire, November 10, 1872, and is a son of Charles H. and Betsey A. (Judson) Hall, who were born respectively in Cheshire and in Washington, Connecticut. The father passed away in 1911, when sixty-five years old, but the mother survives at the age of seventy-one, making her home in Cheshire. The father farmed in young manhood but later turned his attention to the coal business in Cheshire, in which he was engaged for a quarter of a century. He served as second selvetman of his town and was an active factor in public affairs. His political allegiance was given to the republican party. In religious faith he was a Congregationalist and the work of that organization profited by his support. He was a very enthusiastic member of the Grange and his opinion on any point in connection with farming was listened to with great respect, for he was recognized as one of the best and most successful farmers of the town.
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Milton W. Hall, who is the oldest of a family of five children, attended the public schools and also Cheshire Academy, a well known Protestant Episcopal school, from which he was graduated in 1890. In that year he took a business course in the Yale Business College and in 1891 entered the employ of the Ball & Socket Manufacturing Company, Inc., with which he has since remained. The company manufactures sheet metal and wire specialties and has a large and well equipped plant and does a business of gratifying proportions. From the beginning Mr. Hall proved himself trustworthy and effi- cient and as the years have passed more and more responsibility has been given to him and he is now in charge of the office. The work done there is carefully systematized and a high standard of efficiency is maintained.
Mr. Hall was married in 1893 to Miss Viola L. Clark, of Meriden, and following her demise, to Miss Florence H. Hanks, of New York, a daughter of Wilbur F. and Jessie (Leigh) Hanks, the former a well known publisher and at one time one of the men in charge of the Horseless Age, the first periodical of its kind. To Mr. and Mrs. Hall have been born two children: Jessie M., Angust 15, 1904; and Stewart H., whose birth occurred September 4, 1907.
Mr. Hall is a republican and although active in public affairs his interest therein is not that of the office seeker but of the disinterested citizen. He has served, however, as town treasurer since 1905, his long connection with the office indicating the high esteem in which he is held. He has served as treasurer of the Congregational church since 1910 and does all in his power to extend its influence. He is well known in lodge circles, belong- ing to Temple Lodge, No. 16, F. & A. M., of which he is master; Triune Chapter, No. 40, R. A. M., at Southington; Trinity Council, No. 30, R. & S. M., at Southington; St. Elmo Commandery, No. 9, K. T., at Meriden; Sphinx Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Hartford; and Lafayette Consistory at Bridgeport. He is very loyal to the craft and its teachings as to helpfulness find expression in his life. His record has ever been that of an efficient business man, a public-spirited citizen and a loyal friend, and the high esteem in which he is generally held is well deserved.
MARVIN M. SCARBROUGH, M. D.
Dr. Marvin M. Scarbrough, whose high professional standing is indicated in the fact that from 1913 until 1917 he was annually elected secretary of the Connecticut State Med- ical Association, received thorough and comprehensive training for his professional activ- ities and since 1910 has successfully practiced in New Haven. His life record reverses the usual order, for he did not follow the star of empire westward but left the Pacific coast to become a resident of the east.
He was born in Creswell, Oregon, September 10, 1878, a son of Lemnel Duncan and Emma (Redford) Scarbrough. The father was a native of Alabama and when a young man moved westward to Oregon. In the meantime he had entered the University of Tennesee and it was subsequent to his graduation that he went to the northwest. He settled first in Cres- well, Oregon, where he later became a well known medical practitioner, winning prom- inence as a physician and surgeon of that place. He married Emma Redford, who was born in Oregon. Her father was one of the early gold seekers in California, making his way to that state in 1852, while later he became a resident of Oregon. His daughter, Mrs. Searbrough, passed away in early womanhood, leaving four children, all of whom have departed this life with the exception of Dr. Scarbrough of this review.
In early boyhood Marvin M. Scarbrough became a pupil in the schools of Creswell, Oregon. He next became a student in the University of Oregon, where he pursued his literary course and won his Bachelor of Arts degree as a member of the class of 1902. He after- ward did post graduate work in the department of biology of the Oregon University and acted as instructor. He came to New England for the purpose of augmenting his general knowledge and of taking up the study of medicine and entered Yale, where he pursued a two years' course, winning the Master of Arts degree in 1905. He then continued as a medical student at Yale and gained his professional degree in 1907. He has practiced continuously in New Haven since 1908 and since 1910 has been medical examiner for the
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town of New Haven. From 1908 until 1912 he was instructor in pharmacology and from 1912 to the present has been instructor in therapeutics in Yale. He was clinical assistant in surgery from 1912 to 1916. He served an interneship in the New Haven Hospital in 1907 and 1908 and then began the private practice of applied medicine. His recognized ability was attested by his election to the secretaryship of the State Medical Society in 1913 and by his reelection until 1917. He was also the secretary of the Yale Medical Alumni Association, a position which he filled for four years. He belongs as well to the New Haven, the New Haven County, the Connecticut State and the American Medical Associations and he is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He belongs to the Sigma XI and the LEI Chapter of Nu Sigma Nu. He is now pathologist of Grace Hospital and there is continuous demand made upon his professional service, so that he has little leisure time.
On the 6th of September, 1913, Dr. Scarbrough was married to Miss Mabel G. Sher- wood, of Bridgeport, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry G. Sherwood. Dr. and Mrs. Scar- brough have one child, Marvin McRae. Jr., who was born June 25, 1914. in New Haven.
That the doctor is not unappreciative of the social amenities of life is indicated in his membership in the Graduates Club and in the Lawn Club. He ranks as one of the leading physicians of New Haven and stands very high in public regard.
SEYMOUR C. LOOMIS.
Lawyer and writer of note, an art connoisseur, a scientist and a statesman in his grasp of affairs, yet without desire for public office, Seymour C. Loomis has exerted marked influ- ence over public opinion along many lines. He was born in Suffield. Connecticut, November 12, 1861, a son of George Wells and Mary Ellen (Norton) Loomis, and is a lineal descendant of Joseph Loomis who came from Braintree, England, to Boston in 1638 and to Windsor, Con- necticut, in 1639, an original settler of this state.
Mr. Loomis graduated from the Connecticut Literary Institute with valedictorian honors in the class of 1878 and on the completion of his preparatory course entered Yale, receiving the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1882. He remained through the succeeding two years as a law student at Yale and, after winning the LL. B. degree cum laude in 1884, was admitted to practice. He at once opened an office in New Haven. No dreary novitiate awaited him. Almost immediately he came into prominence and his law practice today exceeds that of al- most any other attorney of the city. His is a natural discrimination as to legal ethics and being grounded in logic and accuracy he is so well read in the law and his preparation of the facts is so thorough that he is able to base his arguments upon knowledge of precedents and to present a case upon its merits, never failing to recognize the main point at issue. The year after beginning practice in New Haven he was chosen assistant city clerk and filled that position for two years, and at the same time was editor of the City Year Book. He also acted as city clerk in 1885 during the illness and after the death of the (then) city clerk.
Mr. Loomis was married on the 22nd of April, 1892. to Miss Catharine Canfield Northrop. of New Milford, Connecticut.
He was executive secretary of Connecticut in 1893-1895 and performed for several of the state departments during those years the duties now done by the attorney general. He is chairman of the committee on new business of the Connecticut Bar Association and a mem- ber of the council for Connecticut of the American Bar Association. He is one of the board of managers of the Sons of the American Revolution and in club circles of New Haven is well known, belonging to the Graduates', Country and Congregational Chibs, and to the Yale Club of New York city. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church and he is actively identified with many organized charities. He is not learned in the law alone, for he has studied long and carefully the subjects that are to the statesman and the man of affairs of the greatest import-the questions of civil government. finance. political economy and so- ciology-and has kept abreast with the best thinking men of the age. In fact, he is a recog- mized leader of public thought and opinion. Prominent in the New Haven Chamber of Com- merce, he is serving as chairman of its public health and sanitation committee. He belongs to the American Association for the Advancement of Science and for five years has been and
SEYMOUR C. LOOMIS
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still is secretary of the section on economic and social science. He is historian of the Gov- ernor's Staff Association of Connecticut. He is the representative of the provost marshal general in the fifth New Haven division in connection with the draft for the war against Germany. A supporter of the principles which underlie representative government, he was from the beginning of the war in Europe in 1914. a stanch advocate of preparedness on the part of the United States in maintaining its own rights and those of its citizens and in preventing the overthrow generally of government by the people.
Mr. Loomis has won national recognition through his writings, which cover various legal subjects, the tariff and many matters of governmental concern. He is likewise often called upon to speak upon the questions of the day. In his leisure hours he finds interest in his prints, paintings, curios. pamphlets and books. and his collection is large and vahtable.
WILLIAM HENRY GODDARD.
Prominent among the energetic, enterprising and successful business men of Walling- ford is William Henry Goddard, the president and treasurer of the Wallingford Lumber Company. He was born at West Granby, Connecticut, February 22, 1861, and represents one of the old families of the state. His father, llenry M. Goddard, was also a native of Granby and was a wheelwright by trade. He removed to South Hadley Falls in 1862 and came to Wallingford in 1871, in the employ of the Wallingford Wheel Company. which was sold to the Naugatuck Wheel Company in 1874. Mr. Goddard accompanied the business on the removal and in 1879 he returned to Wallingford, when the business became the Walling- ford Wheel Company. He was active along that line to the time of his death, which oc- eurred in 1881 when he had reached the age of fifty-one years. He married Josephine A. Converse, a daughter of Enoch Converse, of South Hadley Falls, Massachusetts. She passed away in 1883 at the age of forty-one years.
William H. Goddard spent his boyhood to the age of ten years in South Hadley Falls and acquired his early education in the public schools there, while later he continued his studies in Wallingford. At fourteen years of age he removed to Naugatuck and entered the wheel shop, thus starting out in the business world, but in the winter of 1882-3 he took a course in a business college at Poughkeepsie, New York, and in the fall of the latter year he joined the office force of the Wheel Company during the absence of Mr. Hill. He afterward spent four years in North Carolina, operating a mill and buying timber for the firm. While there he was offered the position of bookkeeper by H. B. Todd & Son, lumber dealers of Wallingford. Accepting, he entered upon the work and four years later, when Mr. Todd died and the business was reorganized in 1895, he was made the treasurer. In 1903 he became the president and treasurer and the name was changed to the Wallingford Lumber Company. This business has continuously claimed the attention and energy of Mr. Goddard and its success is attributable in substantial measure to his enter- prise, his progressiveness and his thorough understanding of every feature of the lumber trade.
It was on the 30th of July, 1890, that Mr. Goddard was married in Southington, Con- necticut, to Miss Mary E. Hart, a daughter of Charles C. Hart of that town, and they have become the parents of four children: Marjorie A., twenty-four years of age; Stanton Hart, twenty-one; Wendell C., fifteen; and Geanne M., twelve. The family resides at No. 17 Beaumont avenue.
In his political views Mr. Goddard is a stalwart republican and he has represented Wallingford in the general assembly of 1909. of 1911 and of 1917. In 1909 and 1911 he was one of the committee on education and in 1917 he was made a member of the committee on incorporations and the commitee on joint rule. He gave very careful consideration to all the questions which came up for settlement and his support of a measure was the expression of his belief in its worth to the commonwealth. He studies closely the ques- tions and issues of the day and keeps well informed on all the vital points which come up for settlement in connection with political affairs.
Fraternally Mr. Goddard is a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has passed through all of the offices of lodge and encampment and has con- tributed in substantial measure to the upbuilding of the organization. In Masonry, too.
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he is well known, being a past master of Compass Lodge, No. 9, A. F. & A. M. He has also filled tbe chairs in Lockwood Chapter, No. 48, R. A. M., of Wallingford. Five years ago a tract was purchased and a Masonic building erected thereon. Mr. Goddard became one of the leaders in that movement and was elected the president of the Masonic Temple Corporation, in which position he served for three years and since that time he has been one of its directors. He is a member of the First Congregational church and has been most active and earnest in promoting its welfare. He held the office of deacon for twenty- four years or for eight terms, and for ten years was clerk of the church, while for the past two years he has been on its board of trustees.
Mr. Goddard is deeply interested in everything that pertains to the material, intel- lectual, social, political and moral progress of his community and his worth as a man and citizen is widely acknowledged. Starting out in life for himself at the early age of four- teen years, he has since been dependent upon his own resources and whatever success he has achieved is the direct reward of his labors. Ilis sterling worth is acknowledged by all and Wallingford numbers him among its best citizens.
LEONI WARREN ROBINSON.
Leoni Warren Robinson, an architect of New Haven, was born September 26, 1851, in the city where he still resides, his parents being Warren and Sarah Howard (Woodard) Robinson, the former a native of Mansfield, Connecticut, and the latter of Jefferson, New Hampshire.
After attending the Hillhouse high school of New Haven he continued his studies in French's Preparatory School and afterward entered the office of R. G. Hatfield, a well known and prominent architect of New York city, with whom he remained for a number of years, or from 1870 until 1874. He was then in the supervising architect's office in Washing- ton, D. C., until 1877. He traveled abroad in 1877 and 1878 and has since practiced his profession in New Haven. He specializes in public buildings and structural engineering. He was the architect of the public school buildings of New Haven between 1878 and 1894.
From 1903 to 1913 he was a member of the commission to erect the Connecticut State Library and Supreme Court building and during this period was secretary of the commission.
He is a fellow of the American Institute of Architects; past president of the Con- necticut chapter of said institute; a member of the Architectural League of New York and of the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers.
On the 4th of October, 1883, Mr. Robinson was united in marriage to Miss Mina J. De Moss, of Coshocton, Ohio, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis De Moss. Three children have been born of this marriage: Lois De Moss, who is a graduate of the Hillhouse high school and of Smith College; Mrs. Margaret Osborn, who is a graduate of Hillhouse high school and also of Dana Hall, Wellesley, Massachusetts; and Faith De Moss.
Mr. Robinson is a republican and member of the Young Men's Republican Club. He was a member of the board of education of New Haven for two years and after serving for that length of time, resigned. He belongs to the chamber of commerce and cooperates heartily in its well organized plans for the upbuilding of the city. He is also a member of the Quin- nipiac Club and his religious faith is evidenced by his membership in the Congregational church.
MICHAEL P. HARDING.
Michael P. Harding, deceased, was for many years prominently identified with Bran- ford's commercial interests and in his death the community lost an honored and valued citizen. He was born in that village, April 15, 1850. a son of Francis and Ellen (Farley) Harding, both of whom were natives of Ireland. When a young man the father came to America and was one of the first Irishmen to locate in Branford, where he was engaged
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in the grocery business for several years, opening a store on Montowese street in 1856. He was a genial, pleasant gentleman, extremely charitable and a leader among the Irish of his time in Branford. He gave the land for the first Roman Catholic church erected in the village and contributed liberally to its support. Three of his daughters are now Sisters in a convent. Michael P. Harding was the oldest of the family of seven children and the first child born of Irish parents in Branford, where the parents were married and continued to make their home until death.
Michael P. Harding began his education in the public schools of Branford and later attended the Branford Academy and the Yale Business College in New Haven. He was only twenty-one years of age when his father died, leaving his mother, four sisters and one brother dependent upon him, and there were also debts to be paid, as his father had endorsed notes for parties who never paid them. Mr. Harding took charge of the grocery store and in its management met with most excellent success, so that it was not long before he was able to pay off all indebtedness. In 1902 lie retired from business, selling the store to his head clerk, but when the latter died a few years later he again took control and remained in active business until he, too, passed away on the 18th of April, 1917. He was also a director and vice president of the Branford Savings Bank from the time of its organization until his death.
At Wallingford, Connecticut, July 1, 1896, Mr. Harding was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Ann Harland, who was born at that place and was educated at the Convent de Notre Dame, of Waterbury, Connecticut. Her parents, Matthew and Mary (McCabe) Har- land, were natives of Ireland, and her father was related to the Harlands, famous ship- builders of Ireland. He was educated at the University of Dublin and shortly after his graduation came to America, locating at Wallingford, Connecticut, where he engaged in contracting for the manufacture of silverware in the factory of R. Wallace & Company, and became one of the prominent citizens of that place. He was honored with several town offices and was a director of a bank in Wallingford, being prominently identified with both the public and business interests of the town. His wife had come from Ireland with her parents during girlhood and settled in Wallingford. Both Mr. and Mrs. Harland are now deceased. Of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Harding, Mary Eleanor (1st) passed away in infancy. The living daughters are Franees Margaret, Sarah Irene and Mary Eleanor.
The family still occupy the Harding home on Montowese street, which is over two hundred years old, but was entirely remodeled and made up-to-date by Mr. Harding. He was a member of the Holy Name Society and a very devout Catholic, doing all within his power to promote the interests of the church. He was also a very charitable man, giving liberally of his means to the poor and needy, although his gifts were unostentationsly made and few knew of his many acts of kindness. For many years he was one of Bran- ford's most prominent business men and his death was widely and deeply mourned, for he left many friends as well as his immediate family, and all who knew him held him in the highest regard.
JOHN F. PENDERS.
Since taking up his duties as postmaster of Meriden, John F. Penders has instituted many improvements in the administration of the office, and his work has received the hearty commendation of the business men of the city.
He was born in Hartford, Connecticut, but when six months old was taken by his parents to Meriden, where his father, Edward Penders, is still living. The mother, who " bore the maiden name of Mary Lyons, passed away in 1913. The other living members of the family are: James, a resident of Hartford; and Andrew J., Mrs. Julia Kenney, Mollie and Helen, all residents of Meriden.
John F. Penders received his education in the public schools of Meriden. While yet in school he sold newspapers and thus earned his way in part, and his life has been one of continual effort, so that the success which he has gained is attributable entirely to his own industry and good management. During school vacations he worked as a clerk
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in a grocery store but later took up the study of telegraphy. He became a good operator, but not finding conditions to his liking, he entered the employ of the Meriden Britannia Company, with which he remained for about ten years. He then became connected with the Journal Publishing Company and after traveling for a time in the interests of the job department became identified with the circulation department and later with the ad- vertising department. He advanced until he became the head of both the advertising and circulation departments, which indicates the high estimate placed upon his business ability by the officers of the company. For a decade or more he was identified with the business management of the Journal but on the 6th of July, 1914. was appointed postmaster of Meriden and severed his connection with the Journal Company and on the 1st of August took charge of the postoffice. He has in many ways improved the service since taking office and has applied business principles to the handling of the mails. There are now fifty-six employes in the postoffice, not counting the sixteen substitutes, and there are in addition to the main office eight substations and one classified station. To successfully supervise the work of those under him and to keep in touch with the various departments and substations demands of the postmaster a high order of executive ability and this Mr. Penders has manifested to a marked degree. The same qualities which enabled him to win rapid promotion in the management of his private business interests have made him more than usually efficient in the discharge of his official duties.
On the 20th of October, 1914, Mr. Penders was married to Miss Agnes A. Conway, of New Haven, and they have two sons, John F., Jr., born December 6, 1915, and Edmond, born November 14, 1918.
In politics Mr. Penders is a democrat but has ever been nonpartisan in spirit, plaeing first the welfare of his community. It is well known that all forward movements receive his heartiest support and he has cheerfully given mueh of his time to work for the benefit of the eity. He is a director of the public library and is active in the work of the eham- ber of commerce. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church and for nine terms he was president of the Young Men's T. A. B. Society, of which he is now a trustee. His fraternal connections include membership in Silver City Couneil, No. 2, K. of C., of which he is chancellor, and in the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Along strictly social lines he is connected with the Colonial Club, one of the lead- ing organizations of the kind in the eity.
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