USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II > Part 48
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HON. EDGAR WILLIAM MUNSON.
Hon. Edgar William Munson, member of the state legislature, serving during the session of 1917, is a public-spirited citizen whose devotion to the general good is unquestioned. He has loyally defended the interests of his community at the polls, in legislative halls, through military service and as a substantial business man he does much to uphold the stability and advance the material improvement of his community.
He is extensively and successfully engaged in market gardening at Hamden, where he was born April 4, 1875, a son of William Isaac and Fannie Maria (Doolittle) Munson. The father was born in Hamden and in early life engaged in the retail milk business in New Haven. He is now engaged in market gardening in Hamden, being the senior partner of the firm of William I. Munson & Son, his business associate being Edgar W. Munson of this review. In community affairs the father has taken an active and helpful interest and served as selectman of the town of Hamden in 1886, 1887 and 1888. His wife has spent her entire life in Handen, and they are most highly esteemed citizens of the community.
Edgar William Munson acquired a district school education in Hamden, supplemented by study in New Haven in the public schools and in a business college. He then engaged in the ice business as a producer and retailer for six years, on the expiration of which period he became associated with bis father in market gardening which business is con- ducted on a large scale. Everything is most systematically done and they hold to the highest standards in the quality of vegetables and other market produets which they raise. Their dealings are thoroughly reliable and unfaltering enterprise has been one of the basic elements of their growing success.
On the 8tb of April, 1896, Mr. Munson was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Ida Clark, of Hamden, Connectieut, where she was born, a daughter of George Luther and Lizzie (Morse) Clark. The father was born in the west but the mother was a native of Ham- den. Mr. and Mrs. Munson have become the parents of one child, Malcolm Clark.
In bis political views Mr. Munson has always been a republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He served as register of voters for six years and for a similar period was deputy town judge. In 1916 he was elected to the state legislature and served during the session of 1917, being a member of the committee on incorporations. He has always been an active factor in politics, recognized as one of the republican leaders of his community, and for eight years he served as chairman of the republican town central com-
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HON. EDGAR W. MUNSON
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mittee. He is also widely known in other connections. He belongs to Day Spring Lodge, No. 30, F. & A. M., of which he has been senior deacon, and he has membership in the Elks lodge at New Haven. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. His military record covers service from February, 1908, until 1915 in the Second Company of the Governor's Foot Guard, with the rank of sergeant, and he is now a lieutenant in the Home Guard. All fields to which he has directed his activity have been of a character that have contributed to the public welfare as well as to individual success and he is accounted one of the valued and representative residents of New Haven county.
GEORGE K. MOREHOUSE.
George K. Morehouse, proprietor of the George K. Morehouse Piano & Music Company and one of the representative and influential business men and citizens of New Haven, was born in Brooklyn, New York. November 12, 1864, a son of Edward A. and Mary Louise (Von Kurtz) Morehouse. The father was born in Brooklyn, New York, while the mother was a native of New Orleans, Louisiana.
George K. Morehouse spent his youthful days under the parental roof and attended the public schools of Brooklyn to the age of eleven years, when he started out to earn his living, securing a position as office hoy in the music house of S. T. Gordon & Son, of New York city, with whom he remained for five years, when he resigned to take a more responsible and remunerative position with the music firm known as the Anderson-Wissner Company of Brooklyn. He continued with that firm also for five years and then went on the road as a traveling salesman for twenty years, representing various manufacturers of pianos and musical instruments, traveling from Maine to California and from the Mexican border to Canada. He was considered a very successful musical instrument salesman. He determined to leave the road and in 1906 came to New Haven, where he organized the George K. Morehouse Music & Piano Company, which from the beginning has proven a profitable business enter- prise. Few men have a wider acquaintance in music trade circles in the country than has Mr. Morehouse. Moreover. he was one of the organizers of the Connecticut Piano Dealers' Association and has held an executive position in that association for eleven years and is still a member of its advisory board.
On the 6th of October, 1886, Mr. Morehouse was united in marriage to Miss Belle R. Murray, of Bridgeport. Connecticut, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Seymour Murray, repre- sentatives of one of the prominent colonial families of Connecticut. To Mr. and Mrs. Morehouse has been born a daughter. Mrs. E. V. Soons, whose birth occurred in Brooklyn. New York, in 1887. She is a graduate of a New York high school and is now a resident of New Haven and of Prospect Beach. She has become the mother of four children: Edwin Valentine, George William, Marion Roberta and Beatrice S. B. Soons.
The Morehouse family is well known socially in New Haven and Mr. Morehouse shares in public popularity by reason of the place which he has made for himself in business con- nections. Opportunity has ever been to him the "call to action," and to it he has made ready response. Ever watchful for advancement, he has progressed step by step and there is no one who speaks with greater authority or from broader experience concerning the musie trade of the country. He deserves the success which has come to him as the direct outcome of well directed energy and laudable ambition, combined with a comprehensive and thorough knowledge of the musie trade.
GEORGE A. KILBORN.
There is much that is stimulating in the life history of George A. Kilborn, if one thought- fully considers the methods that he has employed in winning the success which is now his. He is at the head of the Kilborn & Bishop Company, drop forgings and forged hardware, sit- uated on East Chapel. Lloyd and River streets, which is classed among the largest enter- prises of the kind in Connecticut.
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He was born in New Haven in 1853 and is a son of George F. and Sophia P. (Davis) Kilborn, whose ancestors came to Connecticut in 1635.
All down the line the Kilborns have been especially interested in mechanics. One, a Jonathan Kilborn, invented the first machinery for cutting screws. This was about 1750. Another was associated along mechanical lines with Eli Whitney, inventor of the cotton gin
The grandfather of Mr. Kilborn, whose name was Aaron, owned and conducted a manu- facturing plant on Whitney avenne and Audubon streets, manufacturing steam engines and boilers, about the first in New Haven.
The father of George A. Kilborn of this review, George F., conducted a paper and twine business on State street for a number of years.
George A. Kilborn received a public school education with a year at the Boys' school in Armenia, New York. Later he went to Plantsville, Connecticut, where he was employed along mechanical lines, learning the die sinking trade, and afterwards moved to Derby to become superintendent of the Wilcox & Howe Company. Here he spent four years, and then went back to Plantsville to become a partner in the Blakeslee Company, where he remained eleven years. From there he came back to his old home city, New Haven, and started a small manufacturing plant at Lloyd and River streets which through his perseverance and self denial, as well as that of his partner, maintained a steady growth for a number of years. This plant now covers four-fifths of a block and employs eighty-five to one hundred workmen.
It is one of the most complete drop-forging plants of the state being equipped with the latest improved machinery and having excellent tracking facilities for receiving its stock and shipping its output, being known through the world for the excellence of its tools and forgings.
Mr. Kilborn is also owner of the paper and twine business, formerly conducted by his father, under the name of Kilborn Bros., at 494 State street.
In 1876 Mr. Kilborn was married to Miss Mary Charlotte Bliss, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Bliss, of an old Massachusetts family.
Their children are four in number: Charlotte Sophia, who died in 1901; Marjorie Bliss, who is well known in the vocal profession; Myra Cannon, a graduate of Wellesley College; and Holloway, who received the first degree of electrical engineer conferred by Yale Univer- sity. He is now associated with his father in the Kilborn & Bishop Company.
Mr. Kilborn is a member of the Dwight Place Congregational church where he has been a deacon and superintendent of the Sunday school.
ROGER SHERMAN WHITE II.
Roger Sherman White II. attorney at law practicing at the New Haven bar, was born in Westville, Nova Scotia, December 11, 1876, a son of Willard Wetmore White, a native of New Haven. The founder of the American branch of the family came from Wingham, England, in the latter part of the eighteenth century and settled in New Haven. During his early life Willard W. White was prominently identified with commercial pursuits in New York city, but at the time of his death was manager of the Black Diamond colliery at Westville, Nova Scotia. There he passed away in 1880 at the comparatively early age of forty years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Anna E. Adriance, was a native of St. Louis, Missouri, and of Dutch lineage. Her ancestors, who came from Holland, originally settled in New York. On the maternal side she came of French and Irish extraction and both the paternal and maternal ancestral lines are traced back in America to a period antedating 1800. Mrs. White passed away in New Haven, Connecticut, in October, 1911, at the age of seventy-nine.
The only son, Roger Sherman White, was educated in the Riverview Military Academy at Poughkeepsie, New York, and in Yale University, from which he was graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1899. He then continued as a law student and won his LL. B. degree in 1902. Following his graduation he entered upon the practice of his profession and became a member of the firm of White Brothers, composed of Rogers S. and Oliver S. White.
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They specialize in title searching, probate work and conveyaneing, this branch of the business having been founded by their father, Henry White. For sixty-five years and until a recent date the business was carried on at No. 69 Church street, in the White building. but not long since a removal was made to the Law Chambers at No. 177 Church street. Mr. White is also one of the incorporators of the New Haven Savings Bank.
On the 7th of July, 1899, in New York city. occurred the marriage of Roger S. White II and Miss Laura Stoughton, a native of Bellows Falls and a daughter of the late Charles B. and Ada Ripley (Hooper) Stoughton, the former a native of New York and the latter of Boston, Massachusetts. Mrs. White's father was an officer in the Union army during the Civil war and Mr. White's father also served in the Civil war, being connected with the commissary department. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. White: Willard Stoughton, born in Passaie, New Jersey, Angust 6, 1900; Olivia Ripley, born in New Haven, August 10, 1908; and Roger Sherman White III, born in New Haven, January 5, 1911.
The parents are members of St. Thomas' Episcopal church and Mr. White belongs to the Graduates Club. the Country Club, the New Haven Lawn Club and the New Haven Bar Association.
CAPTAIN CHARLES P. LYMAN.
The career of Captain Charles P'. Lyman, vice president and general manager of the Connectient Brass & Manufacturing Corporation of Cheshire and Waterbury, refutes com- pletely the idea. often expressed, that the day of rapid advancement is past, for, although but thirty years of age, he has risen through his ability and enterprise from a factory helper receiving one dollar a day to his present high executive position, in which he is coordinating interest» into a complex but most harmonious whole and then successfully di- reeting these interests under conditions which are demanding a rapid increase of facilities and of output. While thus controlling gigantic interests, Captain Lyman has also found time to make himself felt as an important factor in the promotion of the civic interests of his community.
A native of New Jersey, he was born in Plainfield on the 26th of March, 1888, a son of Charles H. and Nellie (Pangbourne) Lyman, the former a real estate operator and lead- ing citizen of that place. Captain Lyman acquired his early education in private schools and at the age of sixteen years entered Lehigh University but was obliged to give up his studies there on account of a lack of finances. After leaving college he entered the employ of the Ingersoll-Rand Drill Company at Easton, Pennsylvania, thus becoming connected with the most important concern in the United States engaged in the manufacture of rock drills. In early youth he manifested deep interest in industrial pursuits and this led to his deter- mination to become a representative of the mechanical engineering profession. He had been in the employ of the Ingersoll-Rand Drill Company for less than a year when ill health forced him to resign his position. When he had sufficiently recovered to once more enter business life he secured a position at the plant of the Waclark Wire Company at Elizabeth, New Jersey. one of the interests controlled by Senator W. A. Clark. With the thorough- ness which has always been one of his marked characteristics, Mr. Lyman had determined to thoroughly master the brass and copper business in every detail, and with that end in view he accepted a minor position at a salary of a dollar per day. While working for the regular number of hours each day he devoted his evenings to further study along the line of his chosen profession and thus through experience and wide reading he was constantly promoting his effieieney and won steady advancement during the nine years of his eonnee- tion with the Waclark Wire Company. Ere severing his association with that interest he had reached the position of general sales manager of the company, whose volume of business is indicated by the fact that they use about five million pounds of copper and brass prod- ucts per month. The "Earning Power" of November, 1917, wrote of Mr. Lyman as follows: "In 1915 Mr. Lyman decided to branch out into business for himself and established an office in New York, where he conducted a raw metal brokerage and acted as factory rep- resentative for various industries, He was not to remain unattached for very long, how- ever. as in September, 1916. he received an extremely tempting offer from the interests
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which were taking over the plant of the Connecticut Brass Company at West Cheshire, Connecticut. Ile was engaged first as an efficiency expert and then, as a result of the ability which he displayed in this capacity, was induced to become general manager of the corporation. During the past year under his management the corporation has made really wonderful strides, some details of which are related elsewhere in this publication. Acting on Mr. Lyman's advice and initiative the corporation has acquired the very modern Pillings plant at Waterbury, Connecticut, and to Mr. Lyman has been entrusted the work of weld- ing these two plants into one harmonious and efficient unit. Of his success in this regard, viewed in the light of his past performances, there can be no reasonable doubt. Mr. Lyman has recently been elected to a vice presidency and directorship in the corporation." To Mr. Lyman therefore helongs the major part of the credit for building up the business of the company to its present large proportions. Its products and earnings have increased one thousand per cent within a year and it is now one of the most prosperous industrial enter- prises of New Haven county. The factory buildings have been remodeled and a complete change has been made in the business methods employed in the conduct of the company's affairs. Mr. Lyman and his associates have been very successful in meeting the changed conditions brought about by the war and under their direction the company has proved equal to the opportunities and the demands presented.
Mr. Lyman was married early in 1908 to Miss Marguerite Serrell, of Plainfield, New Jersey, a daughter of Harold and Anna E. Serrell, the former a prominent patent attorney of New York city. They have become parents of two children, Charles S. and Marjorie.
Mr. Lyman has much at heart the welfare of his community and can be depended upon to give of his time as well as of his means to the successful prosecution of projects cal- enlated to promote the public good. However, he has never been an aspirant for political office. lle was one of the organizers and is captain of Company I. Battalion A, Connecticut Ilome Guard, of Cheshire. In religious faith he is a Methodist and along stricty social lines he is connected with the Highland Country Club of Meriden and the New Haven Country Club, the Park Club of Plainfield and the National Democratic Club of New York eity. The respect in which he is held because of his unusual accomplishments in business is equaled by the warm regard felt for him as a man, for he possesses attractive personal qualities and easily wins and retains friendship.
EDWARD TROWBRIDGE CARRINGTON.
Edward T. Carrington. manager of the Carrington Publishing Company, publishers of the Journal-Courier of New Haven, comes of a long line of American ancestors, the progenitor of the family in the new world being of English birth and among the first of the colonists in the new world. The family through various generations has produced men prominent in journalism and in literary and publishing circles and it was in that field that Edward T. Carrington, Sr., the father of Edward T. Carrington of this review, became well known. A native of New Haven, he was here reared and educated and then entered the field of journalism in connection with his father's paper and at the time of his death was one of the foremost newspaper men and publishers of the state. He passed away in New Haven in February, 1883. His wife who bore the maiden name of Sarah Humphrey, belonged to one of Farmington's prominent families and was a lady of marked culture and innate refinement. She passed away in New York. The children of the family were: Mary E .; Edward T .: Roswell T., who died in infancy; and Harriet Hayes.
Of this family Edward T. Carrington was born in New Haven, May 16, 1875. After pursuing bis studies in the schools of his native city and of Farmington be continued 93 a student in the Hartford high school and eventually completed a scientific course at Andover, Massachusetts, in June, 1896. He afterward represented a typewriter concern of the middle west, but gave up that position in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to become secretary of the Carrington Publishing Company, of which his uncle, John B. Carrington, is the president. His father had been associated with the uncle in the business and at the time of the father's death his family retained a working interest in the business,
EDWARD T. CARRINGTON
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which is now under the management of Edward T. Carrington of this review, who austaina the high and well merited reputation won by the family in literary and journalistic circles.
In his fraternal connections Mr. Carrington is a thirty-second degree Mason, a Knight Templar and also a Shriner, as well as a member of the Elks, Odd Fellowa, Knights of Pythias and Red Men. Appreciative of the social amenities of life his club membership is an extensive one and among others includes the Quinnipiac, the Knights Templar, the Rotary, of which he is a charter member, the New Haven Yacht and the Madison Clubs.
A stanch democrat ever since he became a voter, he has always taken an active part in political affairs. He was but little past twenty-one years when he was the democratic candidate for representative in Farmington, Connecticut, his opponent being Adrian R. Wadsworth, one of the strongest men in the republican ranks in that town; yet, Mr. Carrington's defeat was by a margin of but six votes. He is prominent in the ranks of his party in New Haven, where, owing to the pressure of private business affairs, he haa declined the most important candidacy in the city. He is a generous supporter of philan- thropy, is social, genial, easy of approach and is one of the best known young men of New Haven, representing a family of high position and standing as a aplendid example of American manhood and chivalry.
SAMUEL WILLIAM HENRY BOYCE.
Samuel William Henry Boyce, president of the James N. Boyce Garage, Incorporated, 1 doing business at 915 State street in New Haven, comes of a family noted for mechanical skill and ingenuity. His grandfather, Samuel William Henry Boyce, for whom he was named, was a noted inventor of his day and one of his inventions was a machine for weaving figures in fine damask and linens, including table cloths, napkins, etc. This machine is still generally in use. The father, James N. Boyce, was the founder of the business now carried on by S. W. H. Boyce of this review. Ile, too, was a prominent mechanic of New Haven and was originally a builder of steam engines, some of which are still in use, including the engines in the Moran Laundry, the Nonpareil Laundry and those of the New Haven Dairy Company, the Bauman Rubber Company and others. He also built one of the first dynamos, two of which are still doing service in New Haven. He was a mechanic of marked ability and was offered positions by many prominent manufacturers but preferred to work independently. His reputation as an expert mechanic was not confined to New England. In 1898 he estab- lished a bicycle business at No. 938 State street and ten years later, having outgrown those quarters through the development of a rapidly growing automobile business, he purchased land at 915 State street and erected a building there. He wedded Mary C. Doherty, who is the secretary and treasurer of the company. The other members are: Mrs. Lillian Boyce Kimberly, a married sister, who is the vice president: and Samuel W. H. Boyce, who is the president.
The last named was born in New Haven. February 8, 1896, and acquired his education through attendance at the public schools, passing through consecutive grades to the high school. He had entered the garage when but a boy and all his spare time when not at school was spent there. He is now actively connected with the business, which is one of the oldest of the kind in New Haven. They employ eight men and have capacity for the storage of twenty-five cars besides their own. They also handle bicycles and are agents for the Pope wheels. They carry a complete stock of supplies and automobile accessories, including a large line of tires, and are agents in New Haven for the United States, the Diamond and the Goodrich tires. The company specializes on first-class repairing, with Felix T. Bergeron in charge of the repair department. He has been with the company since its inception. In their garage are two steam engines which were built by the founder of the business, James N. Boyce. The Sheffield school attempted to get one of these engines for demonstrating purposes but Mr. Boyce would not sell.
In January, 1917. occurred the marriage of Samuel W. H. Boyce and Miss Grace E. MeAllen, of New Haven. They attend St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church and they are well known socially in the city, where they have many friends. Throughout the entire period of his business career Mr. Boyce has concentrated his etforts along a single line. He gives Vol. II-18
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great credit to his father, whose mechanical skill was undoubtedly of high quality, while the influence and counsel of his mother has been no small factor in the son's progress, but Mr. Boyce also deserves recognition for his successful and able management of the business, which under his guidance has grown and expanded.
FREDERICK A. WHITE.
Frederick A. White, assistant secretary of the New Haven Water Company, was born in New Haven on the 7th of November, 1872, and is a son of William W. and Elizabeth (Black) White, also natives of New Haven, where for many years the father was engaged in the book bindery business. Here he died in 1906 at the ripe old age of eighty-two years, and the mother passed away in 1907 at the age of seventy-two. In their family were six children, of whom Frederick A. is the youngest, the others being William R. and John W., both residents of New Haven; Herbert H., deceased; and Nathan S. and Clarissa E., also living in New Haven.
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