A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II, Part 36

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 36

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Captain Townshend was married on the 26th of April, 1871, to Mary Anne Hotchkiss, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Daggett (Prescott) Hotchkiss, and they became the parents of two sons, the younger being Raynham, born in New Haven, July 10, 1878, a prominent physician of New Haven and who is mentioned elsewhere in this work.

The elder son, Henry Hotchkiss Townshend, was graduated from Yale with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1897, and continuing his course in the Yale Law School, won his LL. B. degree upon graduation with the class of 1901. The same year he was admitted to prac- tice at the Connecticut bar and opened an office in New Haven, where he has since followed

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his profession. Aside from his law practice he figures in the financial circles of New Haven as a director of the Union & New Haven Trust Company.

On the 21st of January, 1913, Mr. Townshend was married to Miss Hannah Draper Osgood, of Boston. In politics Mr. Townshend is a republican and he was a member of the board of aldermen of New Haven from 1904 until 1909, serving as president in 1907. He has had military experience as first lieutenant and battalion adjutant of the Second In- fantry of the Connecticut National Guard. In club circles he is known as a member of the Graduates', of the New Haven Country and the New Haven Lawn Clubs, while in strictly professional lines he has connection with the Connecticut Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Ile is also a director of the New Haven Colony Historical Society.

EDWARD FOWLER BISHOP.

Watching the trend of events, taking cognizance of conditions and improving his oppor- tunities, Edward Fowler Bishop has won for himself a position in the foremost ranks of the real estate men of New Haven, developing a business of extensive proportions. He makes his home in Guilford, where he was born March 11, 1852, a son of Elisha Chapman and Charlotte G. (Fowler) Bishop. Nine generations of the family have been represented in Guiford, where the original American ancestor, John Bishop, a native of England, settled at the time the village was founded in 1639. he heing one of the original settlers. He was the second person of the twenty-five who signed the Plantation Covenant June 1, 1639, on the passage over from England. He was one of the four who at the first had the sole direction of the affairs of the colony until the foundation of the church. His home lot, containing eight acres, fronted on the east side of the Green at about the center. The line of descent comes on down through John Bishop (I), John Bishop (II), John Bishop (III), David Bishop (I). David Bishop (II). Jonathan Bishop (I), Jonathan Bishop (II) and Elisha Chapman Bishop. The last named was the father of Edward F. Bishop and was born April 10, 1824, in Guilford, remaining upon the home farm until he reached the age of twenty years. He then hegan learning the machinist's trade, which he afterward followed in Guilford on his own account. In 1861 he began operations in the oil fields at Titus- ville, Pennsylvania, where he remained for ten years, meeting with substantial success. He returned to Guilford in 1870 and then took up the occupation of general farming. In 1874 he built one of the finest homes in Guilford and equipped it in a most modern manner. In politics he was originally a republican but afterward became a prohibitionist. He was an ardent supporter of the abolition party from the time that he reached his majority in 1845. In 1882 he represented his town in the state legislature and he held various local offices. His religious faith was that of the Congregational church. On the 5th of July, 1846, he married Charlotte G. Fowler and they became the parents of twelve children. six of whom are living: Robert Allen; Edward Fowler; Mary Cornelia, the wife of N. G. White, of Hartford, Connecticut; Eva B., the wife of Edward M. Leete, of Guilford; Ida, the wife of William J. Canfield, of New Haven; and Marilla Canfield, the wife of F. C. Spencer, of Guilford.

Edward Fowler Bishop pursued his education in the schools of Guilford to the age of eleven years, when be accompanied his parents on their removal to Titnsville, Pennsylvania, and was there graduated from the high school. He was a clerk in the Merchants & Mechanics Bank of Titusville until 1874, when he returned to Guilford and in 1878 he removed to New Haven, where he purchased a half interest in a blacksmith and horseshoeing shop owned by Charles E. Palmer. The firm of Palmer & Bishop was thus formed and Mr. Bishop continued in the business for twenty-one years, after which he retired, being suc- ceeded by his son, Frederick Chapman Bishop, who conducted the business as owner for five years. On the expiration of that period he in turn was succeeded by Charles Edward Bishop, who incorporated the business under the name of the Bishop Horseshoeing Company. This business is located on George street in New Haven and has been one of the profitable industries of the city. When Edward F. Bishop retired from hlacksmithing he turned his attention to the real estate business in New Haven and afterward admitted his son, Fred- erick C., to a partnership, since which time their interests have been conducted under the

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firm style of Edward F. & Frederick C. Bishop, with offices at No. 865 Chapel street in New Haven. Mr. Bishop is one of the foremost real estate dealers of the city. His fore- sight and sagacity enabled him to foresee the future development of the city and his in- vestments were accordingly made. He bought property at a comparatively low figure and with the growth of New Haven the property has greatly enhanced in value. In 1907 he removed to Guilford and took up his residence in the old Bishop homestead opposite the Green at the corner of Broad and State streets, this being the finest and largest res- idence in Guilford.

In 1878 Mr. Bishop was married to Miss Anna G. Spencer, of Guilford, a daughter of Diodet Spencer, who was a native of Connecticut. They became the parents of three chil- dren: Edna Fowler, the wife of Leon M. Bemis, of New Haven, who is associated with her father in the real estate business and by whom she has two children. Louise Gardner and Leona Bishop; Frederick Chapman, who is his father's partner and who married Mary Ware Williar, of Baltimore, Maryland, by whom he has two children, Frederick Ware and Edward Williar; and Charles Edward, who is president and treasurer of the Bishop Horse- shoeing Company of New Haven. He married Elizabeth Palmer Norman and has one child, Dorothy Elizabeth. On the 19th of May, 1897, at Detroit, Michigan, Edward F. Bishop was married to Miss Edith Emily Ashley, who was born in England and in her childhood days went to Sarnia, Canada, with her parents, George and Matilda (Grant) Ashley, who were natives of England. Her father, now deceased, was a banker of Sarnia, Canada. Mrs. Bishop is one of the social leaders of Guilford and is very active in behalf of many henev- olent interests and public projects, being now president of the Red Cross auxiliary. In politics Mr. Bishop is generally a republican but supported President Wilson in the last election. He has never aspired to office but was elected the head of the borough board of Guilford hy fellow townsmen who were anxious to secure certain civic improvements, in- cluding the building of sidewalks, the establishment of electric lights and other interests which have been of great benefit to the community. Mr. Bishop took the initiative step in bringing about those improvements and his labors were crowned with success. He be- longs to the First Congregational church and is a member of St. Albans Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; of Crawford Council, R. & S. M., of Fairhaven; of Pulaski Chapter, R. A. M., of Fairhaven; of New Haven Commandery, K. T .; and of Pyramid Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Bridgeport. He enjoys the respect and confidence of those around him and has con- tributed in substantial measure to business progress and development, his life record being an indication of what may be accomplished through personal activity. Such a record should serve to inspire and encourage others. His business affairs have ever been capably con- ducted. Tireless energy, keen perception, honesty of purpose, a genius for devising the right thing at the right time, joined to everyday common sense and guided by resistless will power, are his chief characteristics.

CAPTAIN WILLIAM HENRY AVIS.

William Henry Avis, who for many years has been connected with the industrial de- velopment of Connecticut, is one of the best known residents of New Haven. He was born in Philadelphia, April 27, 1854, a son of Samuel R. Avis, a sketch of whom appears else- where in this work. He attended school at Trenton, New Jersey; Ilion, New York; and Providence, Rhode Island, but was only fourteen years old when he put aside his text books in order to devote his entire time to providing for his own support. In early years he began carrying milk, for which he received a dollar a week. On leaving home he found employ- ment in a jewelry factory at Providence, Rhode Island, and later became connected with the Providence Tool Company, which concern was at that time filling large contracts for arms for the Turkish government, which was then engaged in war with Russia (1877-78). While with that company Mr. Avis was employed in the polishing department. In 1881 he went to New Haven and entered the employ of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, working under his father. He remained with that famous corporation for a third of a century. Dur- ing that time his ability led to repeated advancement and he hecame one of its most trusted employes. When the American Gun Barrel Company was formed he became interested in

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that concern and the company has furnished lucrative employment to many men and has returned a good profit to its stockholders. His long years of connection with the business have given Mr. Avis a thorough knowledge of everything connected with the manufacture of arms.

Mr. Avis was married in 1888 at Greenwich, Connecticut, to Miss Anna M. Chard, a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Boyd) Chard, the former an oyster grower and a well known resident of Greenwich. To Mr. and Mrs. Avis have been born four children: Dollie, the wife of Austin Turner, of Hamden; Emma Elizabeth; Susan W .; and Catherine Mead.

Mr. Avis is prominent in the ranks of the progressive party, which he has served since 1912 as a member of the state central committee. In the last campaign he did a great deal of efficient work in different parts of the state. Although a firm believer in the principles for which the progressive party stands, or perhaps from the very fact that he is so thoroughly in sympathy with those principles, he has never been a narrow partisan but has at all times placed the public welfare above mere party success. He was a member of the board of edu- cation of the town of Hamden and his influence has been strongly felt in the upbuilding of the school system. He is a charter member of the Whitneyville Improvement Association, of the Ilamden Civic Association, of the Humphreys fire department. of the Whitneyville fire department and of the Avis Mutual Aid, a benefit association. He is also connected with Relief Lodge, No. 86, I. O. O. F., with the Angusville Rod and Gun Club and with the New Haven Automobile Chib.

Mr. Avis has gained some note as a big game hunter and is also keenly interested in fishing and yachting. He has contributed many articles to Forest and Stream, Sports-Afield and other outdoor magazines. He has a wide acquaintance among sportsmen of the east. He has also written extensively on politieal topics for many of the best magazines and news papers of the country and in 1914 and 1915 was a general writer on the New Haven Reg- ister. He was the first recruiting officer appointed in West Ilaven after the declaration by the United States of war against Germany, and raised Reserve Company A, of the Connecticut Home Guard at West Haven, of which he is captain. and which has the distinction of being the first company in the state to provide the needed uniforms and arms without state aid. He has thrown himself heart and soul into the promotion of the interests of the guard and is now the editor of a paper known as the Home Guard. His salient characteristics of keen insight into conditions, discrimination and resourcefulness, have made him an important factor in the ac- complishment of every undertaking to which he has turned his attention. He is a fine type of business man, realizing that to gain material prosperity and even to spread it among others is not enough to satisfy the standards of a good citizen who owes a higher duty to his com- munity that cannot be delegated to others, the duty of furthering civic and general advance- ment along the broad lines of human uplift and betterment.

CHARLES W. BILGER.

Charles W. Bilger, president of the Peerless Manufacturing Company, was born in Meri- den, March 15, 1890. He acquired a public school education and afterward learned the ma- chinists's trade in the employ of the Edward Miller Company, with which he remained for three years. He afterward worked with the Westinghouse Company and subsequently was connected with the Sears Roebuck plant, thus gaining broad experience along lines which have been of marked value to him since he has entered his present business connection.

The present company was reorganized on the 26th of April, 1917, as the outgrowth of the Peerless Tool & Gauge Company. The company employed no outside help at the start and the growth of their business in indicated in the fact that they now have ten hands. Their plant is all electrically equipped and contains two lathes, one milling machine, one planer and grinder, one cylinder grinder, one drill press, seven foot presses and five power presses. They make all their own tools and dies and ganges and are constantly adding ma- chinery. The factory is unique in America. They manufacture tuning pipe for all known stringed instruments and also for the human voice. This was formerly made in Germany, but the patents of the Peerless Company insure a product which is a distinct improvement over the German. They also make tuning pipes for schoolrooms, chromatic pipes and are soon to

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begin the manufacture of harmonicas. The patents are all owned by the company and the entire output of the plant is sold to one concern who would use a still larger amount if it could be secured. The business is thus growing steadily and has already become one of the important manufacturing enterprises of Meriden. The other officers of the company are Ernest V. Peterson, who is the vice president, and Peter L. Sorensen, the treasurer.

In his political views Mr. Bilger is a democrat but has never been an office secker, pre- ferring to concentrate his time and efforts upon his business affairs. He is yet a young man, having but reached the twenty-eighth milestone on life's journey, but laudable ambi- tion has carved out his career and unfaltering enterprise has enabled him to accomplish much, while the future undoubtedly holds still greater things in store for him.

PETER L. SORENSEN.

Peter L. Sorensen, treasurer of the Peerless Manufacturing Company, was born in New Haven, September 29, 1882, and after acquiring a public school education he spent three years in the employ of the F. B. Shuster Company. Subsequently he was employed by the Singer Sewing Machine Company and afterward by the American Graphophone Company. He later entered the employ of the Winchester Company and for a time was with the Columbia Elec- tric Company and with the Manning-Bowman Company. He then entered into his present business relations with Charles W. Bilger and Ernest V. Peterson in organizing the Peerless Manufacturing Company, with which he has since been identified, bending every energy to the upbuilding of the business, which is constantly and steadily growing.

On the 4th of April, 1908, Mr. Sorensen was married to Miss Catharine Callahan and they have become parents of four children: Margaret, Elizabeth, Louise and Peter L. The parents hold membership in St. Rose's Roman Catholic church. Mr. Sorensen gives his political sup- port of the democratic party and he is a member of the Amaranth Club.

ERNEST V. PETERSON.

Ernest V. Peterson, the vice president of the Peerless Manufacturing Company, was born in Sweden, March 2, 1885, but has been a resident of Meriden since 1905, arriving in this city when a young man of twenty years. He learned the machinist's trade in his native country and after coming to the United States entered the employ of the New England Westinghouse Company, while subsequently he was employed by the M. B. Schenck Company. On the ex- piration of that period he became connected with the Peerless Manufacturing Company as its vice president and is now concentrating his efforts and attention upon the further upbuild- ing of the business.

The three officers are enterprising young men, actuated by a spirit of progress in all that they do. and their efforts are bringing very gratifying results.

On the 3d of July, 1907, Mr. Peterson was married to Miss Alice Jackson and they have become the parents of three children: Eveline, Edith and Frederick. Mr. Peterson is iden- tified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He casts his ballot without regard to party ties, considering the capability of the candidate rather than his party affiliation. He has already made for himself a creditable place in business circles and as the years go by is steadily progressing.

WILLIAM CHARLES MCGUIRE, M. D.

Supplementing thorough training at Yale by broad hospital experience. Dr. William Charles McGuire has developed a degree of efficiency that ranks him among the most capable of the younger members of the medical profession in New Haven. He was born March 6, 1887, a son of James Charles and Winifred (McNamara) McGuire, both of whom were also

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natives of New Haven. Their parents, however, came from Ireland, Both were reared and educated in New Haven and the father became connected with the railway mail service on the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad. He is now in the postal service as super- intendent of the general delivery window in the New Haven office. To him and his wife were born two children: Mrs. Jane MeCormick, of West Haven; and William Charles.

The last named attended the public schools of New Haven and then entered the Hill- house high school, from which he was graduated in 1906. Having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he then entered the Yale Medical College and was gradnated with the class of 1909. He began active practice as an interne in St. Vincent's Hospital of New York city, with which he was connected for two years. He next entered the New York Family Hospital, where he remained for a year, and for a similar period he was in St. John's Guild Hospital, after which he returned to New Haven and opened an office for the private practice of medicine. Through his efficiency, which has developed with the passing years, he has built up a large and lucrative practice and is now at the head of a profitable and growing business. He belongs to the New Haven, the New Haven County and the Connecticut State Medical Societies, and the American Medical Association and thus keeps informed concerning the most advanced methods of the medical profession and all of the scientific researches and discoveries.

In politics Dr. McGuire maintains an independent course, considering the questions and issues of the day as measures of public policy when he casts his vote. He is identified with the Roman Catholic church and with the Knights of Columbus. His attention, however, is chiefly concentrated upon his professional interests, which are steadily growing in vol- ume and in importance, and in addition to his large private practice he is acting as physi- cian in the children's department, St. Raphael's Hospital. He has worked his way steadily upward in a calling where merit is the force which wins progress, and his steady advance- ment has brought him to a creditable position in the ranks of the profession in his native city.

HON. JOHN L. GILSON.

Hon. John L. Gilson, judge of the probate court of New Haven and a recognized author- ity on probate matters in the state, has throughout his professional career reflected credit and honor upon the bench and har and at the same time he has been an active and influ- ential factor in political circles. He was born in New Haven, March 21, 1878, his parents being John Williams and Anna (St. Lawrence) Gilson, natives of Hartford. They were both reared and educated in this state and the father in early manhood took up mercantile pur- suits in New Haven, becoming one of the prominent business men of the city, closely con- nected with its commercial growth and development for thirty-five years, during which he maintained an unassailable reputation for integrity and made a most creditable record for enterprise and progressiveness. He died in New Haven in 1905 at the comparatively early age of fifty-four years. Both he and his wife were descended from prominent New England families. The latter is still living in New Haven, where she reared her family of nine children.

Judge Gilson, the second in order of birth, completed a high school education here with the class of 1895 and then entered Yale University, being graduated from the academic de- partment in 1899. He continued his studies at Yale as a law student and won his professional degree in 1902, after which he located for practice in New York city. A year later, how- ever, he returned to New Haven, where he took up the active practice of law, and it was not long before he was accorded a liberal and growing clientage, winning for himself a creditable position among those who are most resourceful in the conduct of their cases and whose suc- cess results from a comprehensive knowledge of legal principles correctly applied. After some time Mr. Gilson was appointed clerk of the probate court under Judge Studley and in 1912 was elected to the bench on the republican ticket, serving out the term of his pre- decessor, after which he was reelected in 1914 and again in 1916 when he received the en- dorsement of the democratic party, so that he is now serving for the third term. He is thoroughly familiar with probate law and carefully conducts the business of his court.

HON. JOHN L. GILSON

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On the 17th of April, 1907, in New York city, Judge Gilson was married to Miss Alice E. Mulgrew, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Augustus Mulgrew, who were natives of Maine. Judge and Mrs. Gilson have two children: Alice St. Lawrence, who was born in 1908 and Constance, born in 1912.

Judge Gilson is connected with the Governor's Foot Guard, serving as chief of staff, and he formerly held membership with the New Haven Grays. His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church. He is identified with college fraternities, also with the Red Men, the Elks and the Moose. Appreciative of the social amenities of life, be has connection with the Graduates Club, the Republican Club, the Union League, of which he is now serving as one of the board of governors, the New Haven Lawn, New Haven Country and New Haven Yacht Chibs and Yale Club of New York. He is also connected with the New Haven County, the Connecticut State and the American Bar Associations, and he enjoys the warm regard, goodwill and confidence of his professional brethren, for he has ever been most careful to conform his practice to a high standard of professional ethics.

TIMOTHY F. COHANE, M. D.

Dr. Timothy F. Cohane, physician and surgeon of New Haven, whose pronounced ability is the result of comprehensive study in America and abroad, was born in New Haven, July 29. 1875, of the marriage of Daniel and Catherine (Vaughan) Cohane, both of whom were natives of Ireland, and who in childhood came to the new world and were reared in Connecticut. The father engaged in carpentering and continued active along that line to the time of his death, which occurred in 1898 at the age of fifty years. He had for a considerable period survived his wife, who passed away in 1878. In their family were five children: Mrs. Elizabeth Sullivan. who is residing in New Haven; Jeremiah, who was born and died in New Haven; William and John, who also passed away in New Haven; and Timothy F. of this review.

The last named lost his mother during his childhood and went to live with his aunt, Mrs. Mary Mccarthy, from whom he received a mother's care. She was a resident of New York city and there he attended the public schools, acquiring a fair education. Upon starting in the business world he was employed along various lines for four years, during part of which time he studied with Dr. William Kraus, of New York city, under whose direction he read medicine for a year and a half, having determined to make its practice his life work. In 1894 he entered the medical department of Yale and was graduated in the class of 1897. He then put his theoretical knowledge to the practical test by serving in St. Joseph's Hos- pital of New York city, where he remained for a year. He afterward went abroad and entered the Coombe Lying-In Hospital of Dublin, Ireland, where he continued for a year. Later he studied in Berlin, Edinburgh, Paris, London and Brussels and in all of those cities engaged in hospital work. He remained abroad for almost three years and came under the instruc- tion of some of the most eminent physicians and surgeons of the old world, thus becoming particularly well qualified for the onerous and responsible duties of the profession. With his return to America he located in New Haven, where he has since built up a large and lucra- tive practice, and is today regarded as one of the most capable physicians and surgeons of the city. Such is his well earned reputation that his professional duties make constant de- mand upon his time. He keeps in touch with modern scientifie investigation and research as a member of the New Haven, New Haven County and Connecticut State Medieal Societies and the American Medical Association and he enjoys the full respect and confidence of his professional colleagues.

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A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II, Part 36

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