A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II, Part 41

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 41

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In Holyoke, Massachusetts, Mr. Preston was married by the Rev. R. J. Adams on the 11th of April, 1874, to Roberta E. Stow, who was born in Wallingford, Connecticut, a daughter of Hon. William W. Stow, a prominent and highly esteemed citizen of Wallingford, who represented that town in the legislature for several terms. Mrs. Preston is still living making her home on Humphrey street in New Haven. She has been a most devoted wife and mother and a loyal Christian, holding membership in the Baptist church. She is also a member of Mary Clap Wooster Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. By her marriage she became the mother of one child, Elizabeth Vincy, who became a missionary and was stationed at Madras, India, and later at Impur, Naga Hills, Assam, India. In Madras she was married to Dr. Walter A. Loops, a physician, and in 1909, on account of ill health, they returned to America, settling first in California and afterward becoming residents of Austin, Colorado, where they are now engaged in farming. To Dr. and Mrs. Loops were born the following named: Hope, who was born August 6, 1907, and died in infancy; Dwight, who was born June 20, 1908, and passed away in infancy; Faith Elizabeth, born July 5, 1909; David Preston, born February 15, 1911; Sherwood Charles, born Sep- tember 14, 1912; and Walter Lester, born January 26, 1916. The adopted children are: Sherwood Dean Preston, who resides in Cheshire, Connecticut, and who was married March 4, 1912, to Emma Grenier, by whom he has one child, Mildred Althea, who was born June 29, 1917; Celia L. Preston, who died in childhood; and Roberta Viney, who was married April 19, 1916, to Donald A. Dibble, of New Haven and they have one daughter, Barbara Sherwood Dibble.

Mr. Preston died at his home at 324 Humphrey street, New Haven, October 24, 1912, and was buried in Evergreen cemetery. Many resolutions of respect were passed and many letters of condolence received by his family from those who knew this man of sterling worth and his many acts of Christian charity. He was a Christian in the highest and fullest sense of the term. His fight for the right was often a hard one but through his persistency he overcame evil with good and like St. Paul he kept the faith and fought a good fight. He was a faithful member of the Baptist church, serving as superintendent of the Mission on Nash street for nine years and for four years superintendent of the Sunday School. In Hope church he also served as deacon and when the churches united he became a deacon of the First church. In 1893 he was made a member of the Connecticut Prison Association and served continuously on various committees of that society, doing much to further prison reform and to stimulate the "little seeds of good asleep" in every individual. He belonged to St. John's Lodge, No. 8, F. & A. M., of Stratford, Connecticut, and was

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connected with the Sons of Temperance and with other societies seeking to benefit humanity. He was identified with Company K of the Eighth Regiment of the Connecticut National Guard. His home life was an ideal one and he was a most devoted husband and father. He also held to the highest standards of citizenship. His charity was unbounded and, like his Master, he was a lover of the young and the innocent. He adopted three children whom he and his devoted wife reared and cared for as though they were their very own.

At his death the New Haven Times-Leader said of him: "Mr. S. O. Preston, who died yesterday, was a man to whom the people owed a big debt of appreciation and gratitude. He accomplished more in respect to organized and well directed work for charity than has been accomplished by all other efforts combined in this city. He was the uncompromising toe of the professional beggar. He was the never failing friend of the deserving poor. More than a quarter of a century ago he discovered that indiscriminate charity was breed- ing professional paupers in New Haven. He found many instances where bank accounts were being added to regularly, whole families supported and daughters furnished musical instruction from the proceeds of systematic begging of those who were led to believe that applicants were actually suffering. He established a system of investigation that very soon stopped a large part of the professional begging. He established a system of employ- ment and insisted that those able to work should give adequate service for what they received. His belief was that all able to work ought to earn enough for their needs and he provided the work. It was the right policy and the Preston way of enforcing it has had farreaching influence for good in this city and all over the country. In 1889, when it was discovered that fraud and professional pauperism had for some time been successful in raids upon the public treasury, Mr. Preston gave valuable and gratuitous aid in exposing the grafters and establishing a system of investigation in the public charities department which has been continued from that time and which will never be abandoned. Mr. Preston handled many thousands of dollars which were given him to spend at discretion. No man could have been more faithful and upright in his stewardship. Mr. Preston was a man of high and conscientious purpose-honest to the heart's core. His work in behalf of those in trouble-the unfortunate, the wayward young-and the good results of that work are fully known to no living man or woman. Only the God who gave and who has taken away knows all that this good man accomplished for humanity in New Haven. He lived a life of faithful self-sacrifice. He literally wore himself out in a service few men are fitted for and which no other man in this city could have performed so well. In a sense perhaps not commonly understood or realized Mr. Preston filled a large place in this com- munity and all who knew him today mourn his loss and profoundly respect his memory."

CAPTAIN DANIEL LOYAL BARBER.

Captain Daniel Loyal Barber, of Wallingford, is widely and prominently known in con- nection with silver manufacturing interests and also in military affairs and in Masonic circles. In fact, he has been closely and prominently identified with many of the interests which go to make up the sum of existence in a community, furthering its material, intel- lectual, social and moral progress.

A native son of Connecticut, he was born in Litchfield on the 19th of March, 1855, and comes of Welsh ancestry, two brothers of the name leaving the little rock-ribbed country of Wales to become residents of America, at which time they took up their abode in Windsor, Connecticut. His great-grandfather was Lorin Barber, who married a Miss Murrell and his grandparents were Asa and Mindwell (Rossiter) Barber. His father, Loyal Rossiter Barber. was also born in Litchfield and became a farmer and timber operator at Litch- field and at Harwinton. His death occurred in the latter place in 1884, when he had reached the age of seventy-three years. His political allegiance was given to the whig party until its dissolution, after which he joined the ranks of the new republican party and was an active worker for its support. He married Lucretia Buell, a daughter of Norman Buell, of Litchfield, her death occurring in 1909, when she had reached the notable old age of ninety-five years.

Captain Barber was the eighth in order of birth in a family of nine chiklren and has

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two sisters surviving, Mrs. Edgar Il. Chipman, who resides in Waterbury, and Mrs. E. F. Perkins, of Litchfield. In the public schools of Litchfield, Captain Barber began his educa- tion, which he also pursued in the academy there. He likewise attended the schools of Harwinton, to which place his parents removed when he was a lad of thirteen years His textbooks were put aside when he reached the age of eighteen and he then started out in the business world. He first had charge of an engine at the Parker & Dayton Spring Bed and Scaffold Bracket Company's plant, with which firm he continued for about a year and a half, when the company failed. He next entered the employ of the Standard Rule & Level Company of New Britain, Connecticut, having charge of a woodturning machine. Later he went to Burlington, Connecticut, where he had charge of woodturning works until he came to Wallingford in 1879. In March of the following year he entered the employ of the R. Wallace & Sons Manufacturing Company, with which he has since been identified He spent nine years as foreman of the buffing department and then became a contractor in German silver flatware, trimming and polishing, and for the past twelve years, since the abolishiment of the contract plan, he has been foreman of that department. His identification with the company therefore covers thirty-seven years and his efforts have been a contributing element to its success.

It was the year before his removal to Wallingford that Captain Barber was married in Harwinton, on the 26th of June, 1878, to Miss Emma J. Butler, a daughter of Louis L. and Perla A. Butler of that place. They reside at No. 131 Church street in Wallingford. That Mrs. Barber is descended from colonial ancestry is indicated by the fact that she now holds membership in Ruth Hall Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Captain and Mrs. Barber hold membership in the Congregational church and he is identified with the Wallingford Club. His political allegiance has long been given to the republican party and he has served on the republican town committee, while for two terms he was a member of the court of burgesses.

Captain Barber has a most interesting military chapter in his life record. In 1875 he enlisted in the First Infantry Regiment of the Connecticut National Guard, with which he served for three years. He became a private of Company K, Second Infantry of the Connecticut National Guard, on the 20th of September, 1883, and passed through all the grades of promotion save that of first lieutenant, being made captain on the 7th of No- vember, 1891. He was placed on the retired list November 7, 1896, after spending five years as captain, and at the time of his retirement was presented by his company with a beautiful lamp. He has since given to his old company a silver cup, to be retained only in case they won three successive matches of competitive shooting with other companies of the regiment. This feat the company has accomplished and therefore retains the cup. On the 1st of January, 1900, Captain Barber was appointed inspector of small arms prac- tice and was placed on the retired list on the 1st of January, 1901. He still retains an active interest in military affairs and was a recruiting officer for the Home Guard during the winter of 1916-17 and enlisted one hundred and fifty-six men. He has been very active in Memorial Day affairs and in connection with the Grand Army. In April, 1917, he was made grand marshal of Decoration Day ceremonies "for life or as long as able to perform the duties." When it was decided to celebrate in honor of Lyman Hall in 1916 he was made chairman of the general committee of the Lyman Hall Day Celebration. Upon him devolved the bulk of the initiative work in that undertaking and to his efforts and his direction the greater credit is due for the phenomenal success achieved in that historic event, of which all Wallingford is proud.

Captain Barber became a charter member of Ivy Lodge, No. 43, K. P., upon its estab- lishment more than thirty years ago, and upon the organization of a company of the Uniformed Rank twenty years ago, he became its first captain. At the organization of the Second Regiment of the same he became a major and about 1896 was made colonel. After two years he resigned and was appointed on Major General Cunningham's staff with the rank of colonel, holding that position until the death of General Cunningham about eight years ago. Colonel Barber took his regiment to Washington to the encampment of 1898 and had a larger regiment than the Second Regiment of the Connecticut National Guard. For the past thirty-two years Captain Barber has been a loyal Mason and has taken the Royal Arch degrees. He was also chief ranger of the Court of Samuel Simpson of the Order of Foresters for the first two years after its organization.

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Not to know Captain Barber in Wallingford is to argue oneself unknown. He is one of its most prominent and influential citizens, highly esteemed by all, and the part which he has taken in public affairs has contributed much to the welfare and progress of the city. He has made an excellent record in business circles, has done much to uphold the highest military standards and in fraternal relations he has given proof of the value of the organizations which he represents hy exemplifying in his life the beneficent principles upon which they are founded.

GEORGE BLUMER, M. D.

Dr. George Blumer, dean of the Yale Medical School and eminent as a scientist and physi- cian, was born in Darlington, County Durham, England, March 16, 1872, a son of John George and Julia Edith (Walford) Blumer who were also natives of England, whence they came to the new world in 1886, establishing their home in Sierra Madre, Los Angeles county, California, where they still reside. The father was engaged in the wholesale coal business. In their family were six children, of whom Dr. George Blumer is the eldest. The others are: Mrs. John W. Hart, who is living at San Gabriel, California; Mrs. William Thacher, whose husband and his brother conduct the Thacher School at Nordhoff, California; Edith, of Sierra Madre, California; Philip W., who is located at Eagle Rock, California; and Fred Blumer, who is living in St. Louis, Missouri.

Dr. George Blumer attended the grammar school of Queen Elizabeth, England, until 1886, when as a youth of fourteen he accompanied his parents to the new world. He afterward studied for a year in the public schools of Sierra Madre, California, and later entered the Cooper Medical College at San Francisco, now the medical department of Leland Stanford Uni- versity, from which he ws graduated with the class of 1891. He then entered the City and County Hospital of San Francisco and afterward went to Baltimore, Maryland, where he became staff and house physician of the Johns Hopkins Hospital, with which he was asso- ciated for three and a half years. He later became the director of the Bender laboratory of Albany, New York, with which he was connected for seven years, or from 1896 until 1903. In the latter year he returned to San Francisco, where he devoted three years to the private practice of medicine. He left California in 1906 to come to New Haven and has since heen identified with the faculty of Yale University. He was professor of medicine from 1906 until 1910, but this was not his initial step in the educational field. He was assistant in pathology at the Johns Hopkins University in 1895-6 and was a post graduate student of the University of Munich in the summer of 1897. He afterward became director of the Bender Hygienic Laboratory of Albany, New York, where he remained from 1896 until 1903, after which he was professor of pathology and bacteriology in the Albany Medical College until 1903. He became associate professor of pathology in the Cooper Medical College, with which he was thus connected in 1904-5, and was then assistant in medicine at the University of California in 1905-6. Returning to the east, he accepted the John Slade Ely professorship of theory and practice of medicine at Yale and in June, 1910, he was made dean of the Yale Medical School, in which connection he still continues. He has written many articles on medical subjects which have wide circulation and he is a recognized authority on many diseases. Dr. Blumer is a member of the board of trustees of the Mansfield State Training School and Hospital and a member of the New Haven board of education. He belongs to the Association of American Physicians, to the American Medical Association, to the Interurban Clinical Club, to the New York Academy of Medicine, to the Connecticut State Medical Society and the National committee on mental hygiene. He is likewise a director of the New Haven Hospital and of the New Haven Dispensary.

On the 20th of August, 1906, Dr. Blumer was married to Miss Anna Evans, of San Diego, California, who died September 26, 1907. On the 26th of June, 1909, he wedded Mabel Louise Bradley, of New Haven, Connecticut, and they have become parents of three children: Mary Kimberly, who was born in 1910; Elsie Walford, who was born in 1913; and Bertha Bradley, born July 19, 1917, at Haycock Point, Branford, Connecticut.

Dr. Blumer is a member of the Graduates and of the Lawn Club. He turns to tennis and fishing for recreation but there are few leisure hours in his career. He ranks very

DR. GEORGE BLUMER

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high in professional circles and enjoys the fullest confidence and goodwill of his colleagues and contemporaries, who regard association with him as equivalent to professional expansion and elevation. His work, actuated by high purpose, has been crowned by successful accomplishment.

JOHN H. THOMPSON.

John H. Thompson, of New Haven, is manager of the M. Sonneberg Piano Company. controlling most important interests in connection with the music trade in Connecticut. He was born in Newark, New Jersey, January 6, 1877, a son of George T. and Susan A. Thomp- son. His educational opportunities were quite limited as it was necessary that he early pro- vide for his own support, and in 1889, when a lad of but twelve years, he entered the employ of the Sterling Company and learned the business of piano tuning, eventually becoming "boss" tuner. He was also in the factory in various positions, gradually working his way upward to places of trust and responsibility, his activity in the factory continuing until twelve years ago. In 1905 he was given charge of the Bridgeport office in recognition of his efficiency and ability and in 1907 further responsibilities were added in his appointment to the position of manager of the New Haven and Danbury houses as well as that of the Bridge- port house. His record is the story of consistent progression brought about through the development of his powers, and his record proves that activity does not tire when intelligently directed but is a source of increasing strength.

On the 1st of January, 1904, Mr. Thompson was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Hathaway in St. James' Episcopal church at Derby. He belongs to Housatonic Lodge, No. 6, I. O. O. F., and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He has mem- bership with the chamber of commerce and is interested in everything pertaining to the wel- fare and progress of his city, many movements for the general good receiving his hearty en- dorsement and cooperation. He is best known, however, in connection with the piano trade, having a wide acquaintance in trade circles throughout the state.

THE M. SONNEBERG COMPANY.

The M. Sonneberg Company, of New Haven, which John H. Thompson is representing as manager, was established in 1850 by B. Sonneberg in the same building and at the same lo- cation where it is now found. so that the business has here been carried on for sixty-eight years. In the beginning B. Sonneberg handled violins, melodeons and probably sheet music, and he lived above the store which was then about thirty by seventy feet, and he had no em- ployes. The building has since been remodeled and enlarged at various times until it now has over ten thousand square feet of floor space and four floors. In 1897 the business was changed to M. Sonneberg. The present lease of the company extends to 1928, the premises being now owned by the New Haven Orphan Asylum. This is the only site in New Haven that has been used as a piano and musical sales room since 1850 and the New Haven branch now em- ploys nine people. In 1907 The M. Sonneberg Company sold its interest to the Sterling Company, of Derby and of Shelton, Connecticut.

The Sterling Company is one of the largest, most successful and popular piano manufac- turing concerns in the United States. It is an incorporated company with Paul Schubert, as president; J. T. Brewster, as treasurer; and F. W. Beardsley, as secretary. This company employs four hundred and twenty-five men in the factory at Derby and two hundred and fifty men in the factory at Shelton, Connecticut. It manufactures the Sterling pianos and the Sterlitone piano player, also the Sterling piano player. The business was established in 1860 and was incorporated in 1864 with a capital of four hundred and twenty thousand dollars. The surplus today amounts to over five hundred thousand dollars. The factories are splendidly equipped and the capacity is eight thousand Sterling pianos per year. These are sold all over the country by responsible dealers. The house enjoys a wide popularity and its piano is regarded as one of the most salable instruments made. Wholesale and retail

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branches are maintained in Brooklyn and Pittsburgh and the Sterling Company now controls the M. Sonneberg retail stores at New Haven, Bridgeport, South Norwalk and at Yonkers, New York.

CHARLES H. TREDENNK K.

Charles H. Tredenniek, treasurer of the H. T. Smith Company, is a self-made man, who from the age of twelve years has been dependent entirely upon his own resources. He is now one of the officers in a successful express business which has long been established and has enjoyed steady growth. He was born in Cornwall. England, September 6, 1858, a son of Nicholas and Elizabeth Tredenniek. The family came to the new world about 1865, settling first in Nova Scotia, Canada, where Charles H. Tredennick attended sehool. He afterward continued his education in Cheshire, Connecticut. Subsequently he went to Nevada, where he prepared for teaching school. To support himself while continuing his education he worked at the carpenter's trade, which he started to learn at the age of twelve years. In 1881 he returned to Cheshire but later in the same year came to Meriden, where he worked at his trade. Subsequently he became connected with the Derby & Kilmer Desk Company of Boston and was superintendent of their factory for about eight years. Through his connection with the office furniture business he became associated with E. C. Swift of Swift & Company of Chicago and was made manager of the Summerville Desk Company, hav- ing charge of their large factory at Cambridge, Massachusetts, owned by Mr. Swift. When that plant was consolidated with the Derby & Kilmer Desk Company Mr. Swift persuaded Mr. Tredennick to go into the wholesale meat business in New York city. where he managed one of their branches for three years. On the expiration of that period he became connected with the H. T. Smith Company. which had been founded by his father-in-law. Horace T. Smith, who had established an express business in Meriden many years before. The business has steadily grown and as treasurer of the concern Mr. Tredennick has contributed in no small measure to its success. The company today regularly employs from fifty to sixty men, with twenty to thirty extra men. and utilizes fifty-five horses and forty horse-drawn vehicles. They also have ten auto trucks of from one to four ton- capacity and in connection with the business the company maintains its own horse-shoeing shop, repair shop. wagon manufae- turing shop, paint shop and feed mixing and eleaning shop and garage. They do all of the repair work there save that which is necessary in connection with the harness.

On the 1st of June, 1884, Mr. Tredennick was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Smith, a daughter of Horace T. Smith, and they have one son, Charles, who was educated in the public and high schools of Meriden, the Staunton Military Academy and the University of Pennsylvania, where in April, 1917, he enlisted in the Fifth Regiment of Marines and is now on duty in France, being among the first of those called to the colors abroad.

Mr. and Mrs. Tredennick are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. His fraternal relation- are with the Masons, his membership being in Meridian Lodge. No. 77, F. & A. M .: Keystone Chapter, R. A. M .; and St. Elmo Commandery, K. T., of which he is past eminent commander. He also belongs to Hamilton Council, R. & S. M .. to Lafayette Consis- tory, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and to Pyramid Temple of the Mystic Shrine. In politics he is a republican and in 1917 he was made chairman of the Red Cross strategy board. He stands for progressive citizenship and his patriotism is a large part in his life, his support having ever been given to those matters and activities which work for the best interest of community. commonwealth and country.

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A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II, Part 41

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