USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II > Part 37
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On the 26th of January, 1900, Dr. Cohane was married to Miss Catherine A. Brady, of New Haven, the wedding being celebrated in St. Joseph's church. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Brady and by her marriage has become the mother of three children: Timothy F., Jr., who was born in New Haven, July 27, 1914; Katherine F., born January 10, 1917; and one child who died in infancy.
The parents are members of the Catholic church. The record of Dr. Cohane should serve as an inspiring example to others, for he started out in boyhood empty-handed, stimulated only by the laudable ambition to succeed. He wisely used his time and talents and em- braced every opportunity that pointed toward advancement. At length he decided upon the
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medical profession and began preparation for the calling. From that point he has steadily progressed, utilizing every opportunity to promote his knowledge by study in this country and abroad and today his position in professional circles is an enviable one.
WELLS ROCKWELL.
The name of Meriden has become a synonym in America for silver manufacturing. Many important interests of this character center in the city and are controlled by men of marked business enterprise, discernment and notable capability. Among this number is classed Wells Rockwell, who is the treasurer and general manager of the Rockwell Silver Company, manufacturers of sterling silver hollow and deposit wares at Meriden, his native city.
Mr. Rockwell was born March 7, 1888, a son of Curtis and Isabelle (Chaffee) Rockwell. He attended the public and high schools and afterward took up the plumbing business, to which he devoted a year. He then became connected with the International Silver Com- pany and since that time has been associated with the silver manufacturing interests of this section of the country. He continued with the International Silver Company for a year and a half.
The Rockwell Silver Company had its inception in 1907, when it was organized by Lucien Rockwell and E. F. Skinner, who became president; James W. Mackay, who was made vice president; Lucien Rockwell, treasurer, and Wells Rockwell, secretary. At that time the firm employed six men. In 1913 the business was reorganized, James W. Mackay becoming president, Harry S. Clark, vice president; Lucien Rockwell, treasurer, and Wells Rockwell, assistant treasurer and secretary. While the original employes numbered six and the floor space of the plant was fifteen hundred square feet, today the business has grown until there are now twenty-four employes and the plant has been increased to in- clude eleven thousand, two hundred and fifty square feet of floor space. Curtis Rockwell, father of Wells Rockwell, is the superintendent of the factory, and the output is sold by traveling salesmen all over the United States and is also exported to foreign lands.
On the 14th of September, 1910, Wells Rockwell was united in marriage to Miss Bertba May Clark at Prospect, Connecticut, and they have become parents of four children: Lucien, born August 14, 1911; Shirley, born June 6, 1914; James Arthur, January 20, 1916; and Wells, Jr., November 21, 1917.
The Rockwell coat of arms is a shield upon which appear three boar heads with the motto "All for my God and my king," denoting that the family is of old and distinguished English origin and it may be said that they have kept alive the meaning of this motto, for the Rockwells of this day keep true their pledges as did their ancestors of old.
Mr. Rockwell has recently purchased the old Merriam farm on Johnson avenue, the house thereon having been erected in 1744 and was burned in 1916. It is one of the old landmarks of this section of the state. In his political views Mr. Rockwell is a republican, his ballot always supporting the men and measures of the party, in the principles of which he firmly believes. He attends the Methodist church, being a member of its choir, and he is interested in all that has to do with the musical development of the community. He has always resided in Meriden and is numbered among its representative business men, finding in silver manufacturing an avenue of opportunity which is leading him forward to the goal of success.
MORITZ SPIER.
Fifty years of successful achievement in business is a record of which any man has reason to be proud and it is a record which Moritz Spier can justly claim.
He was born in Cassel, Germany, Angust 10, 1850, a son of Ascher and Bertha (Fleisch- hacker) Spier, who were natives of Germany, where they remained throughout their en- tire lives. The father was a well known educator and in the latter part of his life con-
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ducted a boarding school for American boys. He was a graduate of the University of Marburg, Germany, and was well known in the educational field. He passed away in 1892, at the age of eighty years, his birth having occurred in 1812. His wife died in 1896, at the age of seventy-six years.
Moritz Spier was the fifth in their family of five sons and a daughter. He was ap- prenticed to the wholesale dry goods business, but, attracted by the opportunities of this country, he sailed for New York, where he arrived on the 28th of August, 1867. He came to New Haven, where he joined his brother, but after two weeks went to the home of an uncle at Norwich, Connecticut, who was at that time proprietor of a large dry goods store there. After two months spent in his unele's employ he returned to New Haven and in 1868 became an employe of Julius A. Preston, a coal merchant. After a brief period he started in business on his own account as senior partner in the firm of Spier & Bulford, and a little later he entered into another partnership under the firm style of Lewis & Spier. At that time they opened an office in the Hoadley building, of which they were the first tenants.
Mr. Spier's association with Mr. Lewis covered a few years, at the end of which time Mr. Lewis disposed of his interests to Mr. Spier, who has since been sole proprietor. He is one of the few coal dealers of the city that during the panics have carried on their books accounts of hundreds of families, enabling them to pass through the periods of depression until times improved. It is said that no other coal dealer in the city has been as generous to the poor as Mr. Spier, assisting them with gifts of fuel, again and again, when aid was needed.
On the 25th of November, 1875, Mr. Spier was married to Miss Fannie Asher, of New Haven, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Asher, and they have three children: Leopold A., who was born in New Haven in 1877 and married Miss Hattie Shenfeld, of Brooklyn, New York; Benjamin H., born in 1879; and Elsie C., the wife of Louis Bamberger, of St. Marys, Ohio. The sons are high school graduates and the daughter completed a course in Miss Cady's Boarding School.
Mr. Spier is a member of the Royal Arcanum and a member of the Harmonie Club and was president of the Temple Mishkan Israel for seven years. He furthered the building of the Jewish Temple on Orange street and he is perhaps best known outside of business relations by reason of his charities and benevolences, yet his giving is always of a most unostentatious character. During the administration of Mayor Driscoll he served on the board of charities as its superintendent. He is always ready to extend a helping hand to those who need assistance and his is a nature that sheds around much of the sunshine of life.
EDWARD C. OLDS.
Among New Haven's most progressive young men who through their energy. foresight and cooperation in well defined plans have contributed much to the city's growth and de- velopment, Edward C. Olds stands high. His interests are many and varied and rank him with the capitalists of this section. He was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, February 26, 1887, and is a son of Charles L. and Eliza J. (MeLaughlin) Olds. The father, a native of New York, was taken to Fort Wayne by his parents when a little lad of five years and was there reared, educated and there he later married. He entered into the electrical man- ufacturing business, afterward selling out to the General Electric Company, and since then he has bad charge of the local branch of the interests which constitute that great cor- poration. His wife was born at Fort Wayne and they still reside in that city.
Edward C. Olds, the youngest of their six children, mastered the branches of learning taught in the public and high schools of Fort Wayne and pursued his more specifically literary course in the academic department of Princeton University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1909. He then turned his attention to the banking business in connection with N. W. Halsey & Company. private bankers of New York city. with whom he continued until 1914. In the previous year he became the representative of N. W. Hal- sey & Company at New Haven and in 1914 he decided to embark in business on his own account. Prior to that date he had become connected in an official capacity with a number
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of the leading enterprises of New Haven and had become a large stockholder of several business interests. It was this that necessitated his severing his connection with the Halsey Company to look after his own investments. He became president of the Connecticut Realty Company, controlling a large business in real estate operations, and since 1915 has been president of the Colony Advertising Company. He is also president of the firm of H. D. Rollins & Company, of 61 Broad street, New York city, and he is connected with other enter- prises and interests. He displays notably sound judgment in making his investments, his sagacity is keen and his efforts are attended with success. He readily discriminates between the essential and the nonessential and with notable prescience foresees the outcome of any undertaking.
Mr. Olds is connected with many clubs and social organizations. He has member- ship in the Graduates, Country, Lawn and Princeton Clubs of New Haven and in the New York Country Club. He is also a member of the Advertising Men's Association and of the Chamber of Commerce and is in hearty sympathy with the purposes of these organ- izations to further the upbuilding and promote the interests of New Haven. His co- operation can always be depended upon to further any project for the general good. Oppor- tunity has ever been to him a call to action and indefatigable energy has led him into fields of successful achievement where many a man of less resolute spirit has not had the courage to venture. He is well qualified for leadership and his position is one of prominence. When the call to arms came in 1917, Mr. Olds placed his services at the disposal of his country, enlisted and is now serving with the American expeditionary forces in France.
WILLIAM THOMAS FLANDERS.
William Thomas Flanders, who is regarded as an authority upon anything connected with galvanizing, having gained expert knowledge and skill along that line by reason of long experience and wide study, has been instrumental in installing many of the galvaniz- ing plants in the leading productive industries of the country. New Hampshire numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Moultonboro, Carroll county, October 2, 1853, his parents being E. H. and Melissa Bloomfield (Smith) Flanders. The father was born in Alton, Belknap county, New Hampshire, and was a son of Thomas Flanders. The progenitor of the family in America was one of the original settlers of Massachusetts and his grandson blazed his way up to New Hampshire through an un- broken wilderness and became one of the first settlers in that state. E. H. Flanders obtained his education in Carroll county, New Hampshire. He became a prosperous farmer and spent practically his entire life at Moultonboro but eventually retired from active business and removed to Nashua, New Hampshire, where he made his home until his death, which occurred at the home of his daughter. His wife was born in Moultonboro and she, too. passed away in Nashua.
William T. Flanders was educated in the schools of Laconia, New Hampshire, where he made his home with a sister in order to have the advantages of the sehools of that place. After attending the district school near the farm he studied at the Guilford Academy at Laconia. Later he served an apprenticeship in the office of the Laconia Democrat, learn- ing the printer's trade, which he afterward followed in various towns of New England and of Pennsylvania, spending some time at Manchester, New Hampshire, at Boston and at Philadelphia. He was connected with the printing trade from 1869 until 1876 and in that year entered the employ of the White Mountain Ice Cream Freezer Company, being assigned to duty in the galvanizing department of the factory. He learned the galvaniz- ing business there and between 1876 and 1889 had charge of the galvanizing and tinning department for that company. He had made a complete study of galvanizing and had developed expert skill in that connection. In 1889 he resigned his position to engage in the business of equipping and installing galvanizing departments in large manufacturing plants. These were of his own design and construction and he took contracts for their installation, putting in plants for the Reading Iron Company at Reading, Pennsylvania, and for the American Tube & Iron Company at Middletown, Pennsylvania, these being the two largest galvanizing plants in America at that time. He also installed many others.
WT Flanders
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In 1901 he entered the employ of the Malleable Iron Fittings Company at Branford to take charge of the galvanizing department and has remained in this connection since that time. He is one of America's leading authorities on galvanizing and tinning and in 1911 he published the results of his experience and knowledge in a volume entitled "Galvanizing and Tinning," this being a compilation of many articles which he had previously written on the subjeet and which had appeared in the Iron Age, the Metal Worker and other in- dustrial and trade papers. In 1915 he put ont the second edition of this work, which is an exhaustive one, covering every process of coating metal. He stands today in the front ranks as a representative of galvanizing work and is called in consultation by many of the largest iron manufacturing companies of the country for advice on galvanizing sys- tems and for assistance in solving their galvanizing difficulties. He also receives letters from all over the world seeking information and advice concerning this subject.
On the 19th of March, 1876, Mr. Flanders was united in marriage at Laconia, New Hampshire, to Miss Julia Dallison, who was born and reared in Philadelphia and went to Laeonia with her parents, George and Mary (Marston) Dallison, who were natives of Leicestershire, England, where the father learned the trade of stocking making by the old hand Fram system, which was then used in England. He afterward emigrated to Phila- delphia, where he engaged in stocking manufacturing and later removed to Laconia, New Hampshire, where be continued in the same line of business. Both he and his wife passed away in Laconia. To Mr. and Mrs. Flanders have been born two children: Harry, who was born in Laconia and died in infancy; and Bessie May, who was born in Laconia and is the wife of Harry A. Smith, who is associated with her father in business. They have two children: Warren Flanders, who was born in Branford; and Barbara, also born in Branford.
In politics Mr. Flanders is a republican and for three years he served on the board of finance of Branford but bas never been an office seeker and has constantly refused to become a candidate for political positions. He is a prominent Mason, belonging to Widows Son Lodge, No. 66, F. & A. M., of which he is a past master; to Pulaski Chapter, R. A. M., of Fairhaven; Crawford Council, R. & S. M .; and to Hejoz Grotto, No. 2, M. O. U. P. E. R., of New Haven. He is likewise a member of Woodland Lodge, K. P., of Branford, and he belongs to the Masonic Club of New York city, to the Union League Club of New Haven. to the Branford Business Men's Association and to various local social clubs. He has erected a fine residence in Branford, where he is now pleasantly located. His constant progress in his business eareer has won him success, but more to him than the material rewards of his labors are the results which he has achieved in his given line, his contribution to the world's. work being indeed valuable, his name in connection with galvanizing being known throughout the length and breadth of the land.
MARK THOMAS SHEEHAN, M. D.
Dr. Mark Thomas Sheehan, a physician of Wallingford, who in May, 1917, enlisted in the Medical Officers' Reserve Corps of the United States army, was born in Pittsfield, Mas- sachusetts, February 22, 1885. His father, Jeremiah Sheehan, is also a native of that place and devoted his active business life to merchandising but is now living retired in Pittsfield. He wedded Mary Coughlan, a daughter of Thomas Coughlan, while the paternal grandfather was Daniel Sheehan. Both the paternal and maternal grandparents of Dr. Sheehan came from Ireland. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah Sheehan numbered six children, all of whom are residents of Wallingford.
At the usual age Dr. Sheehan became a pupil in the Wallingford schools, passing through consecutive grades to the high school, while later he studied in the Holy Cross Preparatory School and College of New Haven. After two years there passed, he entered Yale as a medical student and completed the regular four years' course, being graduated with the M. D. degree as a member of the class of 1910. During the following year he was connected with St. Francis Hospital and in 1912 was made superintendent of the Hartford State Tubercular Sanitarium. For a year he continued in practice in Hartford, and in April, 1914, opened an office in Wallingford, where he has since remained, devoting Vol. 11-14
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his attention to general practice, in which he has been very successful. Realizing fully the duties and obligations which devolve upon him in his efforts to restore health and check the ravages of disease, he has put forth every possible effort to promote his knowledge and thus advance his eflieiency. He has taken post-graduate work in the Manhattan Eye and Ear Hospital, has also made a special study of diseases of the nose and throat and in the line of his specialty has made substantial and rapid progress.
Dr. Sheehan is a communicant of the Holy Trinity church. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party but he is not an active worker in its ranks. lle belongs to the Wallingford Medical Society, the New Haven County Medical Society. the Con- necticut State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. As stated, he enlisted in May, 1917, in the Medical Officers' Reserve Corps of the United States army for service in France and he has responded to the call of duty that his country issued. America feels a thrill of pride in all of those who have offered to aid in the gigantic task of making the world safe for democracy and none deserve in greater degree the gratitude and honor of their fellowmen than the physicians and surgeons, whose position is often more difficult and whose tasks more heart-rending and who are often more exposed to danger than the men of the first line trenches.
DWIGHT WOODWARD BALDWIN.
In that period when New Haven was taking on added commercial activity which has carried it far along the path of progressive business, the manufacturing plant was estab- lished that is now conducted under the name of D. W. Baldwin & Company, Inc. This business was originally that of manufacturing carriages and dealing in harness, whips. blankets, etc., but later was changed with the progress of the times to the present lines.
Dwight W. Baldwin. the head of the business for many years and until his death, was born March 21, 1850, in Washington, Litchfield county. Connecticut, and received his educa- tion in the Waterbury high school and the National Business College in New Haven. Mr. Baldwin came to New Haven in 1868 and for a time was a bookkeeper for the firm of I. N. Whittlesey & Company, dealers in erockery ware. In 1870 he became connected with the manufacturing firm of C. Pierpont & Company, manufacturers of carriages and wagons, with which concern he was connected for more than a quarter of a century, in time becoming superintendent and manager. In January, 1896, he purchased the business and continued in the old lines until the development of the automobile caused him to extend the scope of the factory to include the building of motor cars for commercial use. Mr. Baldwin con- tinned in active connection therewith up to the time of his demise, which occurred Feb- ruary 20, 1912. He was a elean ent, energetic. farsighted business man and one of New Haven's substantial citizens. He served at one time in the common council of the city for a term of two years but was never a politician in the sense of office seeking. In 1812 he was married to Mary Ada Dickerman, a native of New Haven and a daughter of Elisha Dickerman. To Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin were born four children, of whom two have passed away, the surviving ones being Caroline Trowbridge Baldwin and Howard Dwight Baldwin.
Howard D. Ballwin was born in New Haven, June 16, 1886, and received his early education in the Webster school and afterward attended the Boardman high school. When his textbook- were put aside he became assistant to his father in the vehicle manufacturing business. He thoroughly mastered cach phase of the business, so that he was well qualified to assume its direction and management at the time of his father's death. In Mareh. 1913. the business was incorporated under the name of D. W. Baldwin & Company. Inc .. with Howard D. Baldwin as the president and treasurer, and the manufacture of auto truck bodies was established. The plant is equipped with modern machinery of the very latest pattern for carrying on the work, and employment is given to from forty to fifty people. making this an important productive industry.
In November, 1908, Howard D. Baldwin was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Norton. of New Haven, a daughter of George S. and Amy Norton, formerly of Guilford, Connecticut. but now of New Haven. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin have one child, Janet, who was born in Orange, Connecticut, October 8, 1916.
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Mr. Baldwin has had some military training as a member of the Second Company of the Governor's Foot Guard. He belongs to the Automobile Club, the Gun Club, the Union League and the New Haven Yacht Clubs and is popular in club and social circles. In fact he has a very wide and favorable acquaintance in this city, where his entire life has been passed and where he has also won a notable and well deserved reputation as a business man.
CHARLES F. CLARKE.
In the field of law practice Charles Franklin Clarke has made for himself a credit- able name and place. He has been actively engaged in the practice of law since 1903 and with the passing years his practice has become continually more extensive and important.
Mr. Clarke was born in Columbia, Connecticut, February 6, 1859, a son of Willard B. and Lucy (Ford) Clarke, who were natives of Columbia and Lebanon, Connecticut, re- spectively. the latter being a sister of the manager of the New York Tribune and also aunt of Mr. Ford, the novelist. Willard B. Clarke devoted his life largely to agricultural pursuits, owning and occupying a large farm which he cultivated scientifically and prof- itably. He was for many years a well known resident of Columbia and his fellow towns- men, recognizing his worth and ability, frequently called him to public office. He served as first selectman, as tax collector and as justice of the peace and he was a prominent member of the Congregational eburch, guiding his life according to its teachings. In No- vember, 1916, he and his wife went to the home of their son, Charles F. Clarke, in New Haven for a long visit, and there on the 13th of March, 1917, Mr. Clarke passed away at the advanced age of eighty-two years. His widow survives, as do their children: Charles F .; Willard B., of New Haven; Mrs. George Burton, of Whitneyville; Joseph M., of Colum- bia; Mrs. Edith Little, who is living in Hartford; and Mrs. Emily Randall, of Rocky Ford, Colorado.
Charles F. Clarke had attained the age of sixteen years when he began teaching in Columbia, Connecticut, devoting six years to that profession. He afterward entered the high school at Willimantic and his college course was pursued in Yale, where he studied theology and law. He completed the academic course at Yale in 1886, his religious course in 1889 and his law course in 1903. He was ordained after completing his preparation for the ministry, becoming pastor of a church at Machias, Maine, where he remained for five years. He was afterward pastor of the Congregational church at Whitneyville for eight years and on the expiration of that period turned his attention to law practice, which he undertook in 1903 as a partner of Henry G. Newton. After four years, however, the con- nection between them was discontinued and Mr. Clarke has since been alone in practice. He possesses wide general information as well as comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence. He is felicitous and clear in argument, thoroughly in earnest, full of the vigor of conviction, never abusive of his adversaries, imbued with highest courtesy and yet a foe worthy of the steel of the most able opponent. In addition to his -prac- tice he is a director of the Atlas Manufacturing Company and a director of the Mount Carmel Railway Company of New Haven.
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