A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II, Part 4

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

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Frank Ives Thompson was educated in the public schools and in Russell's Military Academy of New Haven and when seventeen years of age became a clerk in the store of D. S. Glenny, who was a dealer in paints and glass. There he spent sixteen years in a clerical capacity and during that period gained intimate knowledge of commercial methods. In 1884 he embarked in business on his own account, forming a partnership with F. H. Belden under the firm style of Thompson & Belden. They began dealing in paints, oils and glass in a store on State street, where they built up one of the largest business enter- prises of the kind in Connecticut. By good management and strict attention they grad- nally increased their patronage and Mr. Thompson continued an active factor in the successful conduct of the business until his demise which occurred on the 5th of July, 1911.

Mr. Thompson is survived by his wife and two children. On the 11th of October, 1882. he wedded Mary II. Hubbell, who was born at Bridgeport, Connecticut, a daughter of Albert and Sarah Jane (Wilson) Hubbell and a granddaughter of Elisha Hubbell, who was a well known malleable iron manufacturer of Bridgeport. Mrs. Thompson spent her entire married life in New Haven and by her marriage became the mother of two sons. Fred- erick Abraham, who was born July 5, 1883. in New Haven, pursued a public and high school education and afterward engaged in business with his father. He is now treasurer of the Oriental Emery Company of New Haven. He married Elsie Roehm Gilbert. The younger son, Harold Wilson, born December 7, 1888, attended the public and high schools and the Sheffield Scientific School and is now a chemist with the Du Pont Company at Barksdale, Wisconsin.

Mrs. Thompson is a member of Mary Clapp Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and of St. Paul's Episcopal church. She is a faithful Christian and has been a most devoted wife and mother. Mr. Thompson also held membership in St. Paul's Episcopal

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church and his fraternal relations were with Hiram Lodge, No. 1, F. & A. M .. Sterling Lodge, A. O. U. W., and the Red Men. In polities he was independent, voting according to the dictates of his judgment rather than according to party ties. He served for a number of years as a member of the city council of New Haven and exereised his official pregroga - tives in support of many plans for the benefit of the city. He was a successful business man, noted for his exeentive ability and good judgment, and, moreover, was most highly esteemed as a man of sterling character, being most honored where best known.

REV. JAMES J. SMITH.

Rev. James J. Smith, pastor of St. Francis Catholic church, 397 Ferry street, New Haven, was born in County Cavan, Ireland, March 17, 1854, a son of llugh and Mary (Lynch) Smith both of whom were natives of Ireland, where they spent their entire lives. They had a family of seven children. They were devout members of the Roman Catholic church and reared their family in that faith. Their son, Rev. James J. Smith, attended the national schools of Ireland and afterward became a student in Holy Cross College at Woreester. Massachusetts, from which he was graduated in 1876. He was ordained to the priesthood May 22, 1880, by Bishop MeMahon and after taking holy orders became assistant pastor to the Rev. M. F. Kelly of Windsor Locks, Conneetient, where he spent four years. Hle was afterward for four years at St. Augustine's in Bridgeport and later was assigned to pastoral duties in Guilford, Connecticut, where he remained for five years. Later he became officiating priest at St. Lawrence church in Hartford, where he continued for four years, and then spent fourteen years at St. Mary's Catholic church in Norwich. His next assignment made him pastor of St. Francis church of New Haven, of which he took charge on the 1st of May, 1911. Since then he has been active in this place, doing splendid work in the upbuilding of the cause. While in Norwich in 1902 he was instrumental in building the convent, the parochial school and the rectory. He has also built the convent in connection with St. Francis church. which is the finest convent in the state.

Father Smith is a member of the Knights of Columbus and is taking an active interest in all civie matters and is helping his people in many relations, being interested in their material growth and moral welfare, and his efforts on their behalf are far-reaching and beneficial.

NOAH PORTER, D. D., LL. D.

Fortunate is the man who has hack of him an ancestry honorable and distinguished and happy is he if his lines of life are east in harmony therewith. In person, in talent and in character Dr. Noah Porter was the scion of a distinguished raee and his own life reeord added new laurels to an honored name. Ile ranked with the eminent seholars that Ameriea has produced and as the eleventh president of Yale he promoted the standards of an insti- tution which has been the pride of America sinee its foundation.

. A native of Connecticut, Dr. Porter was born at Farmington, in Hartford county, December 14, 1811. His father, Rev. Noah Porter, D. D., was also a native of Farmington, his natal year being 1781. He was graduated from Yale University with the highest honors as a member of the class of 1803 and in 1806 he was ordained pastor of the Congregational church in Farmington, administering that eharge until his demise in 1866. He was a man of exalted Christian character, zealous and devout, and a theologian of rare learning. It was in his study at Farmington on the 5th of September, 1810, that the American Board of Com- missioners for Foreign Missions was organized and held its first meeting. For more than a generation he was a member of the Corporation of Yale College and during the greater part of the time served upon its most important committees. He married Mehitable Meigs, who also passed away in Farmington, where both were laid to rest. Their children ineluded Samuel Porter, who was a well known educator, winning world-wide fame in connection with his professorship in the National Deaf Mute College at Washington, D. C. Another

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member of the family, Miss Sarah Porter, was the founder of the Porter School of Farm- ington, Connecticut.

Dr. Noah Porter, also of this family, received his early training under Simeon Hart, who was principal of the Farmington Academy, and for a short period was under the instruc- tion of John H. Lathrop, who was afterward chancellor of the University of Wisconsin. Dr. Porter likewise studied under the direction of Elisha N. Sill. In 1824 an arrangement was made with hia uncle, Dr. Humphrey, president of Amherst College, whereby he was received into the family of Dr. Humphrey, one of whose sons took the place of Noah Porter in the home at Farmington. This was an arrangement common among New England families at that period. While at the home of his unele Dr. Porter studied under the direction of Eb- enezer Snell, who afterward became professor of natural philosophy in Amherat College. He also spent a term or two in the school at Middletown, Connecticut, and when sixteen years of age he became a freshman in Yale College, matriculating as a member of the clasa of 1831, which possessed an unusual number of students of marked ability. He took high rank aa a scholar and his course during hia college days won him the high esteem of the authorities of the university, while at the same time he had the confidence and friendship of his classmates, among whom he formed many warm attachments that proved lifelong.

Following his graduation Dr. Porter became the rector of the Ancient Latin school in New Haven, which had been founded in 1660 and which is known as the Hopkins grammar school. There he won an enviable record for his ability as an instructor and especially for his success in administering discipline in a school which was proverbially unruly. In 1833 he was elected tutor in Yale and served in that capacity for two yeara as the Greek instructor of the somewhat famous class of 1837. While tutoring there he pursued the regular course in theology in the Yale Divinity School under Dr. Nathaniel W. Taylor and in April, 1836, was ordained to the ministry, after which he became pastor of the Congregational church in New Milford, Connecticut, one of the largest churches in the state. For nearly eeven years he remained as its pastor and became recognized as one of the eminent divines of New England. It was while settled in the country parish that he began his writings, which were published so extensively in the leading periodicals of the day and which attracted to him wide attention as an original and vigorous thinker on theological and philosophical sub- jecta.

In the same year in which he accepted his pastorate at New Milford, Dr. Porter was married in New Haven to Miss Mary Taylor, a daughter of the Rev. Nathaniel W. Taylor, D. D., of that city. They became the parents of four children: Martha Day, who residee at the old family home on Hillhouse avenue; Rebecca Taylor, deceased; Nathaniel Taylor, who died in early childhood; and Sarah, who died just before reaching womanhood.

In 1843 Dr. Porter left New Milford to become pastor of the South Congregational church at Springfield, Massachusetts, where he remained for four years. In 1846 he waa called to the professorship of mental and moral philosophy in Yale and after occupying that chair for twenty-five years, on the resignation of Profcesor Woolsey in 1871, Dr. Porter was elected president and entered upon his duties as the head of the institution. It was considered at that time a very fortunate circumstance that a president was secured who was acquainted with all the traditions of the college and was in thorough sympathy with them. His views on the subject of collegiate education were set forth in his inaugural address and in his writing on American colleges. His ideas were conservative although he was by no means indiaposed to seek for improvements on the past, as is shown by the fact that during his administration very important changes were made in the methods of instruction. During his presidency the college prospered exceedingly, several costly build- ings were erected and the corps of instructors was much enlarged. The department of philosophy and the arts was reconstructed so as to include instruction for graduate students and the different departmenta of the college were officially recognized by the corporation, having "attained to the form of an university." Dr. Porter continued as president of Yale until 1886, when he was succeeded by Dr. Dwight. However, he retained hia professor- ship of philosophy and maintained his active interest in the university up to the time of hie death.

He was a most clear and virile thinker and as a writer was indefatigable. His work covered the widest range and a complete bibliography includes at least one hundred and twenty-seven separate volumes, essays, reports and lectures, including his works on "The

A MODERN HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN

Human Intellect"; "Books and Reading"; "Science and Sentiment"; "Elements of Moral Science": "Life of Bishop Berkeley"; and "Kant's Ethics," a critical exposition. He also edited the successive editions of Webster's Dictionary from 1847 until his death. His repu- tation as a philosopher and theologian was world-wide, while his knowledge of the classies, of New England history and of English etymology was exceptionally deep. He also published in 1840 a "Historical Discourse in Commemoration of the Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Settlement of Farmington," and he was the author of the "Educational System of the Puritans and the Jesuits," published in 1851, and a "Review of the Philosophy of Herbert Spencer" and "Evangeline," published in 1882.

Dr. Porter was undeniably one of America's most scholarly metaphysicians. His labors a> a lexicographer in connection with the revision of the second and later editions of Webster's Unabridged Dictionary of the English language were very arduous and brought lim great fame as well as universal recognition of his scholarly attainments. The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by the University of the City of New York in 1858 and that of Doctor of Laws by the Western Reserve College in 1870, by Trinity College of Connecticut in 1871 and by the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1886. After coming to New Haven, Dr. Porter located with his family on Hillhouse avenue, where his wife passed away April 14, 1888, while his death occurred on the 4th of March, 1892, their remains being interred in the Taylor family lot in the Grove Street cemetery. His record reflected the utmost credit upon the city of his residence and the state of his nativity and "When the weary wheels of life at length stood still" he left to his state a priceless legacy in his contribution to the literature of the world and in the effective work which he had done for the upbuilding of one of America's greatest educational institutions. There was nothing spectacular in such a career, but the seeds of thought which germinated through the stimulus of his efforts, becoming a living thing, will have their influence upon the world's history through all the eyeles of the centuries.

BENJAMIN F. ENGLISH.

The history of real estate activity of New Haven county would be incomplete were there failure to make prominent reference to Benjamin F. English, one of the largest in- lividua. operators in the field of real estate in New Haven. Moreover, he is connected with some of the oldest and most honored families of the city and is happy in that his lines of life have been cast in harmony therewith. Born in New Haven on the 25th of June, 1873, he is a son of Benjamin R. and Teresa (Farren) English, natives of New Haven and Fair- haven respectively. and connected in lineal and collateral branches with a number of the most prominent families of this section of the state. His father, Benjamin R. English. became one of the leading factors in the business life of the city, being prominently identi- fied with real estate dealings and banking and financially interested in various commercial undertakings. So wisely and carefully did he direct his activities and investments that he came to rank with the men of wealth of New Haven. He was also numbered with those publie-spirited men who seek ever the welfare of the community. and at one time he served as postmaster at New Haven. The city lost one of its most substantial and respected citizens when in 1915 he passed away. Ile is survived by his widow and one son.

Benjamin F. English, the second in order of birth, supplemented his public school «duration by a course in the Hopkins grammar school of New Haven and then started out in the business work as an employe of the Merchants National Bank of New Haven. He > was afterward with the First National Bank of this city and later was associated with Peck Brothers, while subsequently he spent some time in Utah and California, where he war engaged in mining. He then returned to the middle west and did clerical work for the Union Pacific Railroad Company in Kansas City, Missouri, for four years. On the expira- tion of that period he came to New Haven, where he entered the field of real estate, estab- fishing a business which has grown to be one of the largest, conducted individually, in this city. Mr English has comprehensive and accurate knowledge of realty values. and his investments have been most wisely and judiciously made. resulting in the acquirement of

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substantial and well merited success. He became one of the organizers of the New Haven real estate board and was elected its second president.

In October, 1904, Mr. English was married to Miss Augusta A. Moeller, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Moeller of New Haven, and they now have two children, Augusta T., who was born in Kansas City in 1905; and Benjamin F., born in Kansas City in 1906. Both are now attending the schools of New Haven.

Mr. and Mrs. English are members of St. Paul's church and Mr. English holds mem- bership in the Quinnipiac and Pine Orchard Country Clubs. He is also identified with the New Haven Historical Society, the Sons of the American Revolution, his eligibility to mem- bership in the latter coming through both paternal and maternal ancestral lines. He is now secretary of the New Haven County Auxiliary of the Connecticut State Council of Defense; secretary of the New Haven Chapter of the American National Red Cross; and is a member of Company F, Home Guard. He is identified with the Chamber of Commerce of New Haven and is in sympathy with all of its carefully organized and directed efforts for the upbuilding of the city. In faet he stands for progress and improvement along the lines of material, intellectual, social and moral development and the force of his example constitutes a weight of influence that has far reaching effect.

LEONARD SHERMAN HORNER.

Leonard Sherman Horner, vice president and manager of the Acme Wire Company of New Haven, was born in Marshall, Virginia, March 26, 1876, his parents being Dr. Frederick and Elizabeth (Sherman) Horner. The father was also a native of Virginia, where the family was represented through many generations. Three of the family were signers of the Declaration of Independence and various representatives of the name fought in the early colonial and Revolutionary wars. The name is also prominently associated with educa- tional interests, as one of the ancestors of Leonard S. Ilorner was among the founders of William and Mary College. His father, Dr. Horner, was a distinguished physician and surgeon of Virginia and during the Civil war he was a post assistant surgeon of the United States Navy. After the war he engaged in the practice of medicine in Marshall, Virginia. He made valuable contribution to the literature of the profession, being the author of several volumes which have been widely read and largely accepted as authority concerning the subjects of which they treat. He met an accidental death at Marshall, Virginia, in 1902, when sixty-seven years of age. His widow, a native of Brighton, England, comes of a prominent family of that country and is a lady of culture and refinement, still making her home in Marshall. They were the parents of four children: Mrs. John S. Bunting, of St. Louis, Missouri; Mrs. P. F. du Pont, of Wilmington, Delaware; First Lieutenant F. C. Horner, Signal Corps, United States Army, Baltimore, Maryland; and Leonard S., who is the eldest.

In his hoyhood days Leonard S. Horner attended the Bethel Military Academy of Warrenton, Virginia, and afterward entered Lehigh University in South Bethlehem, Pennsyl- vania, where he completed a course in electrical engineering by graduation with the class of 1898. He joined Squadron A, New York Cavalry, as private in June, 1898. Spanish-American War; accompanied them to Porto Rico; was present with General Miles at the signing of the Protocol at Coamo; returned to New York in September, 1898; mustered out of the service, United States Army, in December, 1898. He joined Squadron A Cavalry. New York National Guard, and served five years all but a few months.

In 1899 Mr. Horner entered upon the practice of his profession with the New York Telephone & Telegraph Company and later with the American Telephone & Telegraph Com- pany, New York city, with which company he remained in the electrical engineering con- struction department for a time. He then secured a position with the Crocker-Wheeler Company, of Ampere, New Jersey, becoming later one of the directors of that company. He moved to New Haven, Connecticut, in 1902 as manager of sales for Connecticut and in 1909 became one of the partners of the Acme Wire Company. Since then he has filled many important positions in the various departments of the business and step by step through an orderly progression has advanced to his present position as sales manager and vice

A MODERN HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN

president of the company. He is thus active in the management of one of the most important industrial enterprises of New Haven, and his powers have proved adequate to the demands made upon them. One of his marked characteristics has ever been indefatigable industry, while thoroughness has also been a feature in his advancement.

In November, 1902, Mr. Horner was united in marriage to Miss Julia Stuyvesant Barry, of Warrenton, Virginia, a daughter of Major and Mrs. Robert P. Barry, the former a retired army officer, who won distinction and honorable mention for gallantry at the battle of Shiloh and also upon other southern battlefields. Mr. and Mrs. Horner have two children : Horace Mansfield, who was born in New Haven in 1903 and was graduated from the grammar school in 1917; and Helen Neilson, born in Warrenton, Virginia, in 1913.

In community allairs Mr. Horner has taken the deepest interest since becoming a citizen of New Haven. He has been a cooperant factor in the Chamber of Commerce, has served on its executive committee and has done much to further its progress and aid in the upbuilding of the city. lle is a member of the American Society of Electrical Engineers, Society of Automotive Engineers, United States Chamber of Commerce, and the Geographic Society. He helongs to the Masonie fraternity and has attained the Knight Templar degree. He is a vestryman of St. Paul's church and is a member of the managerial council of the Neighborhood House of New Haven. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has membership in the Young Men's Republican Club. He also belongs to the New Haven Country Club, the New Haven Lawn Club, the Graduates Club and the Quinnipiac Club, showing that he is appreciative of the social amenities of life. He is approachable and genial, kindly in spirit and readily recognizes true worth in others. Worth and not wealth is the standard by which he judges his fellowmen. His own traits are pronounced sterling by those who know him and his business ability has brought him to the front among the leading manufacturers of New Haven.

In July, 1917, Mr. Horner was appointed as manager of one of the production divisions of the Aircraft Production Board, under Colonel E. A. Deeds and Colonel S. D. Waldron, and is actively engaged in securing the necessary output of airplanes and their accessories. In August, 1917, he was appointed as major in the Signal Corps, United States Army; later to chief of technical staff to Colonel E. A. Deeds, commanding officer of the Equipment Division, Signal Corps. He moved to Chevy Chase and joined the Army and Navy Club, Columbia Country Club, and Chevy Chase Country Club.

HON. HENRY GLEASON NEWTON.

llon. Henry Gleason Newton passed away on the 21st of March, 1914, but his memory remains as a blessed benediction to those who knew him and of him it may well be said that he has joined "the choir invisible of those immortal dead who live again in lives made better by their presence." lle ranked with the most distinguished lawyers of Connecticut, but marked as was his professional ability, it was but one phase of a many-sided character. There was no period in his life at which he did not recognize his obligations to his Maker and to his fellowmen and he was constantly putting forth resultant activity for the benefit of those with whom he came in contact. A native of Middlesex county, Connecticut, he was born at Durham, June 5, 1843. and was descended from one of the oldest and best known families of the state. Among his ancestors of the colonial period were the Rev. Roger Newton, the first minister of Farmington and the second minister of Milford, the Rev. Thomas Ilooker, the first minister of Hartford; Major Matthew Mitchell: Captain John Taylor; Cornet Joseph Parsons; Ekler John Strong; Elder William Brewster; Rev. John Lathrop; Major John Freeman; Lieutenant-Colonel John Taleott: Captain Samuel Newton; Lieuten- ant Miles Merwin, and many others. Ilis grandparents were Abner and Abigail (Fairchild) Newton. His father, Deacon Gaylord Newton, was born in Durham, Connecticut, July 31, 1×04. and there spent his entire life. For a long period he engaged in teaching school and was for thirty-five winter terms connected with public or select schools in or near Durham. For forty years he was a deacon in the Congregational church and he also served as assessor and selectman of his native town. He married Nancy M. Merwin, who was also a descendent of old Counretient families and was a successful teacher. They spent their lives in Durham

Henry ho lierMon

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and were there laid to rest. They had a family of three children: Ellen Maria, who was born June 24, 1841, and died October 7, 1863; Henry Gleason, who was born June 5, 1843; and Caroline Gaylord, who was born January 21, 1845, and became the wife of Henry Hunt- ington Newton.

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A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II, Part 4

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