USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II > Part 49
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During his boyhood Frederick A. White attended the public schools of his native city and for two years was a student at high school. He began his business career in the employ of S. E. Merwin & Sons and later was with the Merlin Fire Arms Company for three years. For the following twelve years he was with the Winchester Repeating Arms Company and in 1906 entered the service of the New Haven Water Company as chief clerk. His ability was soon recognized and promotion followed and he is now serving as assistant secretary of the company.
Mr. White was married in Rome, New York, June 22, 1905, to Miss Louise S. Palmer, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gustavus Palmer, of that place, and they now have a son, Herbert Palmer White, who was born in 1907 and is attending school in New Haven.
Since attaining his majority, Mr. White has affiliated with the republican party. He is a member of Olive Branch Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and also belongs to the Veteran Grays Association and to the Civic Federation, which has done much to promote the welfare of the city. In religious faith he is an Episcopalian, holding membership in Trinity church. He is one of the self-made men of the community for success has come to him through his own unaided efforts and his course has ever been such as to command the confidence and respect of all with whom he has been brought in contact either in business or social life.
HON. STEPHEN WHITNEY.
Hon. Stephen Whitney of New Haven, attorney at law and senator from the eighth district of Connecticut, was born August 13, 1887, in the city where he still makes his home. IHis father, the late Stephen Whitney, was also a native of New Haven and a repre- sentative of an old Connecticut family of English lineage. At the time of the Civil war he served with the rank of lieutenant in the Fourth United States Artillery and his sojourn in the south, during the period of hostilities, awakened his interest in that section of the country. After three years' service in the army he conducted plantations in Louisiana, and he also followed agricultural pursuits in New Haven county, Connecticut. He was born in 1841 and had therefore reached the age of sixty-four years when he passed away in Septem- ber, 1905. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Louisa Johnson, was a native of New York and a representative of one of the old families of that state of English descent.
Stephen Whitney of this review was their only child. He pursued his education in private schools of New Haven, in St. Paul's School of New York and in the Sheffield Scientific School, in which he pursued a two years' course, being there graduated with the class of 1908. He was for three years a student in the Yale Law School and won his LL. B. degree upon graduating in 1911. Subsequent to his graduation he entered the law office of Watrous & Day, there remaining for three years, when he entered upon the private practice of law on his own account. He has made continuous progress and is one of New Haven's prominent and successful young attorneys.
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On the 29th of March, 1910, in Boston, Massachusetts, Mr. Whitney was married to Miss Pauline Webster, a native of Bangor, Maine, and a daughter of J. Frederick and Jane (Drew) Webster. The three children of this marriage are, Stephen, Jr .. Frederick Webster and Louisa Johnson.
Mr. Whitney was identified with the National Guard as a member of the Governor's Foot Guard at Plattsburg in 1915 and 1916. He belongs to St. Paul's Episcopal church and is identified with various social and professional organizations. He has membership in the Union, Racquet, Yale and St. Anthony Clubs of New York city, in the Lawn Club of New Haven, in the Graduates Club and in the Country Club. He is also a member of the Connecticut State Bar Association. His political endorsement has always been given to the democratic party. and he has long been an active worker in its ranks. He was first called to publie office in 1913 when he was elected alderman at large for a term of two years. In 1914 he was chosen to represent his distriet in the state senate and in 1916 was reelected, so that he is now serving as a member of the upper house of the general assembly. His course has been characterized by a thoughtful consideration of the vital questions which have come up for settlement. He studies elosely publie needs and demands, and always attempts to analyze a proposed measure as to its consequent and possible results. His political record has been characterized by a marked devotion to public good. to which he has ever subordi- nated personal interests and partisanship.
SAMUEL CHARLES SCHLEIN.
Samuel Charles Schlein, an attorney practicing at the New Haven bar, was born at Elizabethgrad, Russia, on the 8th of September, 1890, a son of Charles and Rebecca Schlein, who in the year 1892 emigrated with their family to the United States. The father is now engaged in business in New Haven, but the mother has passed away. They were parents of two daughters and four sons: Jacob, Carl, William, Rose, Bessie and Samuel Charles, all still in New Haven.
It was in the year 1893 that Samuel C. Schlein was brought to the United States and the same year he arrived in New Haven. In his youthful days he attended the Webster and Cedar street schools of New Haven and also pursued a high school course. Ile next entered Yale University in 1907 in preparation for the practice of law and was graduated with the class of 1911, at which time the LL. B. degree was conferred upon him. He then spent two years in New York city with the Legal Aid Society and with the Brown Brothers Company. In 1913 he came to New Haven and entered into business relations with the firm of Slade, Slade & Slade, well known attorneys, with whom he continued for two years. In 1915 he opened an oflice at No. 42 Church street, where he has since been located, and he is now winning a good clientele that connects him with considerable important litigation.
Mr. Schlein holds membership in various Jewish organizations of a benevolent and social character. He belongs to B'nai Jacob, to the K. O. J. and to the K. O. J. Club. He is secretary of the Independent Order B'nai Abraham, and he is also connected with the Loyal Order of Moose.
HENRY ALBERT LEVI HALL.
Henry Albert Levi Hall, attorney at law of New Haven, was born December 19, 1872, in Birmingham, England, a son of Samuel and Emily (Walker) Hall. His early education was acquired in English public schools, but his professional training was received in the Yale Law School, from which he was graduated with the degree of LL. B. in the class of 1895. Ile has since engaged in active practice, specializing in conveyancing, real estate and probate work, in which lines he is particularly well qualified, his broad study in those departments of jurisprudence enabling him to speak with authority on questions relative thereto. Ile has also hecome connected with some of the financial interests of New Haven,
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being a director in the Peoples Bank & Trust Company and also of the New Haven Build- ing & Loan Association.
On the 29th of August, 1900, in West Haven, Mr. Hall was married to Miss Alice Anna Hine, a daughter of Rollin Wells and Lugevia Lyman (Prindle) Hine. Her anceators were among the earliest settlers of the towns of New Haven and Milford. She ia a descend- ant of Governor Treat and President Andrew of Yale College and others prominent in the colonial and later history of this section. Mr. and Mra. Hall have become parents of three daughters, Mary Desborough, Elizabeth Walker and Eunice Prindle.
Mr. and Mrs. Hall hold membership in the Protestant Episcopal church, and he is clerk of the parish of Christ church of West Haven. He belongs to several social and fraternal organizations, including the Masonic Lodge of West Haven, of which he was chaplain for a year, the Union Leagne Club of New Haven, the New Haven Colony His- torical Society, the Yale Alumni Association and the New Haven Chamber of Commerce. His political views are in accord with the principles of the republican party. He has been a member of the board of wardena and burgesses of the borough of West Haven for one year. He was also chairman of the charter revision committee of the town of Orange. Since 1899 he has been a member of the board of education of West Haven and has served as clerk of the board. He keeps in touch with all interests and questions of public moment and has east the weight of his influence on the side of progress along material, moral and civic lines.
A. L. CHAMBERLAIN.
A. L. Chamberlain, engaged in the real estate and insurance business with offices at 129 Church street, New Haven, is a native of this city and a son of Asa L. and Mary J. Chamberlain, whose family numbered but two children. the daughter being Hattie J. Cham- berlain. He ia, moreover, a direct descendant of Lientenant Andrew Bartholomew, who was born in the year 1744 and served as an ensign and lieutenant in Company Four of the Connecticut line in the Continental army, and thus aided in winning American independence, which he lived to enjoy for several decades, passing away in 1818. In the maternal line A. L. Chamberlain is also descended from the famous Hale family, who gave to the cause of freedom the man who uttered the worda, "} only regret that I have but one life to give for my country," and thua made the name of Nathan Hale an honored one while the American republic has existence. Another ancestor in the paternal line was killed during the battle of Naragansett in King Philip's war, while fighting against the Indians. Asa L. Chamberlain was prominent in community affairs and did not a little to mold publie thought and action in his home town. He served as town clerk of East Haven for many years and was called to various other positiona of honor and trust, the duties of which he faithfully discharged. Ile died in the year 1899. while his wife survived until 1917.
A. L. Chamberlain pursned a public school education and was a member of the last class to hold its graduation exercises in the Hillhouse high school building. As soon as his textbooks were put aside he started out in the business world and for a short time was employed by the Seamless Rubber Company. IIe afterward spent sixteen years in the employ of the New Haven Water Company, and on the 1st of July, 1906, took up the insurance and real estate business, sinee which time he has maintained an office at 129 Church street. He ia agent for the Home Insurance Company of New York, general agent for the United States Casualty Company, agent for the Glena Falls Insurance Company of New York, and handles fire, automobile, plate glass, liability and compensation inaur- ance, in fact everything except life insurance. He has built up a large busineas that is most satisfactory and is an indication of the marked spirit of enterprise and determination that characterizes him in all of his work.
Mr. Chamberlain is prominently known in Masonic circles as a member and past master of Adelphi Lodge, No. 63, A. F. & A. M .; Pulaski Chapter, No. 26, R. A. M .; Crawford Council, No. 19, R. & S. M., of which he is a past thrice illustrious master; New Haven Commandery, K. T .; and Lafayette Consiatory, A. A. S. R. He is also identified with Pyramid Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He attends St. James Episcopal church, of which
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be haa been the treasurer for a quarter of a century, succeeding his father who had alao occupied the position for twenty-five years. He cast his first presidential ballot for Grover Cleveland in 1892 and afterward voted with the republican party until 1916, when he supported Woodrow Wilson. He is eligible to membership with the Patriots and Founders of America and holda membership with the Sons of the American Revolution. His interests are broad and varied, touching many lines which have to do with the general welfare, and his activities have been 80 directed that he holda an enviable position as a representative of American manhood and chivalry.
EZRA THOMAS BATES.
The wonderful growth of the Young Men's Christian Association has had its origin in two things-its high standards of moral progress and ita thorough systematization. No other religious organization has planned its work 80 effectively, with a recognition of all of the forces that work for the harmonious development of the individual along physical. mental and moral lines. For a third of a century Ezra Thomas Bates haa labored in this field and is now state secretary of the Young Men'a Christian Association of Connecticut, having been called to the position in July, 1894. He is constantly reaching out along broadening lines for the achievement of the purposes of the organization and his labors have indeed been resultant.
Mr. Bates was born September 29, 1843, at Whitman, Massachusetts, a son of Cyrus and Mary (Alden) Bates. The father was born in Hanover, Massachusetts, in 1811. The mother was a representative in the eighth generation of the direct descendants of John and Priscilla Alden. Through her mother, who belonged to the Dyer family, she was descended from Colonel Bela Dyer, who was one of the officers of the Revolutionary war. Cyrus Bates also came of early colonial stock, being a descendant of the old Massachusetts family of that name that was founded in America in 1620 by an ancestor who came from England. He became a successful builder of Whitman, Massachusetts, where he resided during the greater part of his life. He passed away in 1885, at the age of seventy-four years, while his wife, surviving until 1893, was seventy-six years of age at the time of her demise, her birth having occurred in 1817. Their family numbered ten children, nine of whom reached adult age, and one of the sons, Solon, died in active service in the Civil war in 1863, when twenty-two years of age.
Ezra Thomas Bates, the fifth of the family, pursued his education in the public schools of his native city. becoming a high school pupil there. As a boy he learned the trade of shoemaking but did not find it a congenial occupation and followed it for only a short time. When twenty-two years of age he secured a clerkship in a grocery store in his native city and there remained until 1884. In January of that year he became secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association at Stoneham, Massachusetts, where he continued for several years and then accepted a similar line of work at Holyoke. He there aided in the formation and establishment of the association and became its first secretary, 80 continuing for eight years and two months. In July, 1894, he was called to the position of state secretary and through the intervening period of twenty-three years has devoted his entire time and attention and his best talents to the organization. Today the Young Men's Christian Association of Connecticut stands among the first of all the . states of the Union in its organization and the effective work being carried out in ite local branches. This is due in no inconsiderable measure to the efforts and influence of Mr. Bates, who studies the question from every possible standpoint and is actuated by the spirit of modern-day progress and improvement.
In 1866, in Lynn, Massachusetts, Mr. Bates was married to Miss Charlotte Dodge Porter, a native of Hamilton, Massachusetts, and a daughter of Benjamin and Abigail (Hamilton) Porter, the latter a representative of the well known Hamilton family. In 1915 Mr. Bates was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away on the 3d of July of that year at the age of seventy-four. They had traveled life's journey together for almost a half century, sharing with each other in the joys and sorrows, the adversity and prosperity which checker the careers of all, and they had become the parents of four
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children, of whom two are living; Mrs. A. E. Pickup, of Holyoke, Massachusetts; and Eldred Sumner, a photographer of Brooklyn. The former has three children, Herbert Bates, Ezra Alden and Charlotte Porter, who are a source of much comfort and joy to their grand- father, who is justly proud of them. The deceased children of the family are: Sarah Albie, who died at the age of five years; and Ernest Leslie, who was a bright and prom- ising young man of exceptional qualities and attainments when he passed away at the age of eighteen, his loss bringing great sorrow to the family and his large circle of friends.
While Mr. Bates is in his seventy-fourth year, he has none of the infirmities which one frequently associates with old age. In spirit and interest he seems yet in his prime and his strong stalwart manhood is the expression of the clean, wholesome Christian life which he has lived. To him may be applied the words of Victor Hugo:
"While the snows of winter are on his head, The flowers of spring are in his heart."
CHARLES MARTIN HAMM.
Charles Martin Hamm, a well known and highly respected citizen of West Haven, where for many years he has engaged in business as a wagon and carriage maker, was born on Lake Constance, in Baden, Germany, February 26, 1849. His parents, Matthias and Lena Hamm, passed their entire lives in their native country. The father was a boat builder and was not only highly successful in business but was also prominent in the affairs of his community.
Charles Martin Hamm attended school in Germany until he was fourteen years old. when he began learning a trade, and three years later he emigrated to the United States. After coming to this country he continued his education in night schools. For a number of years he worked in tirst one place and then another, residing for a time in Chicago, St. Lonis, Cincinnati and Louisville. At length, however, he located in New Haven and for years was connceted with industrial interests in that city, being employed at one time or another in all of the best known coach and carriage shops there. In 1882 he came to West Haven, where he has since lived. For fourteen years after his removal here he worked for others but since 1896 has been engaged in business on his own account. His long connection with this trade has enabled him to master it in all its phases and it is recognized that any piece of work going out from his shop is excellently made. He builds anything in the wagon line and takes considerable pride in the fact that the greater number of his customers are of years standing. He is a stockholder in the Orange Bank & Trust Company and in the West Haven Publishing Company.
Mr. Hamm was married on February 8, 1874, in New Haven, to Miss Johanna Bocke- meyer, born February 10, 1851, and they are the parents of four children: Max F., who is in business with his father, served as tax collector for a number of years for the school district in the town of Orange, and is captain of the volunteer fire department of Allingtown. He married Jennie Hopsia, and their children are, Hilda, Gertrude and Genevieve. Helen is the wife of Franeis D. Mooney, a representative of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Rail- road and has two children, Walter and Helen. Walter E., of Boston, is a graduate of the Boston School of Technology, and is an expert draughtsman and is also an inventor of con- siderable note, working along aviation lines. Henry C., is head statistician for Kinberly & Company, wholesale plumbers of New York city. He married Miss Antoinette McManus and they have a son, Norbert E.
Mr. Hamm hecame a member of Company B, Second Regiment Connecticut National Gnard. in 1870, and served in that connection until 1876, during which time he rose to the rank of Sergeant. He supports the democratic party at the polls and has taken an active part in politics. For six years he was a member of the board of finance for the town of Orange but the public schools have been the object of his chief concern. For a considerable period he was a member of the school board and his farsighted and highly efficient work during that time and since has been the greatest single factor in bring- ing the local school system to its present high state of development. From 1896 until 1901
CHARLES M. HAMM
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he was postmaster of Allingtown and his services in that connection were also marked by ability and devotion to the general good. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, whose projects he loyally supports, and in fact it is generally recognized that no man haa done more for the promotion of the best interests of the community than he. His recognition of the value of religious training is marked and he served on the building committee of the chapel at Allingtown, which is a non-sectarian place of worship. Since 1872 he has been connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he is also a member of the German order of the Harugari, a benevolent association. He has, to a great extent, identified him- self with his community, and he finds his greatest satisfaction in the worth-while achieve- menta along many linea that he has had a large part in bringing about.
EDGAR H. DOWSON.
There is no question as to the business ability of Edgar H. Dowson, whose atrongly marked qualities have gained him leadership among the young men who figure most prom- inently in commercial circles of the city. Alert, wide-awake and enterprising, ever ready to graap and improve an opportunity, he has worked his way upward since coming to the new world a stranger in a strange land and is now the vice president of the White Automobile Company of New Haven. He was born in Manchester, England, in 1887, a son of Ralph and Mary Dowson, who were also of English birth. The mother died during the childhood of her son Edgar and the father passed away in India at middle age. He had been identified for a long period with manufacturing interests and was the pioneer manufacturer in the Grinnell Sprinkler Company of Manchester, England. He came to America on a visit but returned to his native country.
Edgar H. Dowson was the youngest of three children and in his youthful days attended Shrewsbury College at Shrewsbury, England. When his textbooks were put aside he took up mechanical engineering, which he followed in his native land for five years and then, in 1910, came to the new world. Here he turned his attention to the automobile businesa, beginning on a small scale as the pioneer agent of the White car in Connecticut, handling and selling the first machine of that make in the state. His automobile agency proved a aucceas from the start and after a time he was obliged to secure larger and more commo- dious quarters. He then purchased the site of his present plant and erected a modern two-story building at 266 Crown Street, containing showrooms which are unsurpassed in the state. The company today employs forty experts in the handling of White, Buick and Peerless cars. The business was organized under its present form in 1910 as the White Motors Company, Incorporated, with P. R. Greist as president; Edgar H. Dowson, vice president ; Hubert Greist, treasurer; and W. A. Rutz, general manager.
On the 25th of October. 1912, Mr. Dowson was married to Miss Madeline Greist of New Haven. They attend the Episcopal church and Mr. Dowson has membership in the Quinnipiac, Automobile and Edgewood Clubs. He is connected with the Chamber of Com- merce and with the Governor's Foot Guard. In a word, his interests reach out along those ramifying lines which indicate keen insight and broad sympathy and which are based upon a recognition of the needs of the individual and of the community.
CHARLES F. McNEIL.
Charles F. McNeil, of the firm of V. F. McNeil & Company, an insurance agency of New Haven, was born at Cornwall Bridge, this state, on the 1st of April, 1872, a son of Virgil F. and Alice (Curtis) McNeil, who were natives of Massachusetts and Connecticut, respectively, and were married at Warren, this state. In 1886 Virgil F. McNeil opened an insurance office in New Haven. and since that time has made substantial advance in his chosen field of labor. becoming recognized as one of the most prominent representatives of general insurance lines in this section of the state. His interests are now conducted under the name of V. F. McNeil & Company. of which firm he is the senior member. His
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wife passed away in this city in March, 1908. In the family were two sons, the elder being Edward C. McNeil, who remained the assistant of his father in business up to the time of his death.
Charles F. McNeil, passing through consecutive grades in the public schools, was graduated from the high school of New Haven with the class of 1893. He then entered the employ of Lee & Hoyt, wholesale beef dealers, but after a short time removed to New York city, where he was employed by Charles Thorley & Company, florists. A little later, however, he returned to New Haven and became associated with his father in the insurance business, filling at first a minor clerical position. He has since risen through his own capability and diligence until he is now a partner in the undertaking and active in control of their interests.
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