USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II > Part 52
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Thomas H. Savard pursued his education in the public schools of New York, and at an early age started out to earn his own living. His first work was along mercantile lines in Waterbury, Connecticut, where he remained for a year. In 1890 he came to New Haven and entered the employ of Davis & Company, with whom he continued for four years, when he was transferred to Saratoga, New York, to take charge of one of the many stores con- trolled by the firm. He successfully managed and conducted the business until 1908, when he returned to New Haven and purchased a half interest in the Davis store in this eity, at which time the firm style of Davis & Savard was assumed. Since then the business has grown and developed into one of the largest and most exclusive of the men's furnishing goods stores of the city, its standing heing an indication of the able maner in which the business has been conducted by the present proprietors. They handle nothing but the best class of merchandise in their line and they have a large patronage among the leading people of New Haven. They demand courtesy always on the part of their employes as well as expert knowledge of the stock, and they aim ever to sell merchandise of trustworthy quality and render perfect store service and delivery. In a word they are guided by the best known business principles.
On the 28th of November, 1900, Mr. Savard was married to Miss Julia Godair, of Bos- ton, Massachusetts, a daughter of Jerome J. Godair, a representative of a well known French family of Boston. Mr. and Mrs. Savard have three children: John J., who was born in Saratoga, New York, in 1903 and is now attending school in East Haven; Ethel, who was born in Saratoga in 1908 and is also in school; and Thomas, who was born in East Haven, January 23, 1915. They occupy an attractive home in East Haven, which in its furnishings indicates culture and refined taste.
In politics Mr. Savard follows an independent course. Fraternally he is connected with the Royal Arcanum and for three years he has been the vice president of the Cham- plain Club of New Haven. He belongs to the St. Louis church of New Haven, and in every
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relation of life he displays those qualities which everywhere command respect and confi- dence. He has worked his way steadily upward through his own effort and is a well known and prosperous business man.
JOSEPH ANTHONY COOKE, M. D.
Dr. Joseph Anthony Cooke, of Meriden, has recently retired from the position of mayor with a record that reflects credit and honor not only upon himself but upon the people who elected him to the position. His administration was characterized by the adoption of vari- ous improvements of the greatest benefit to the city, improvements that will continue to be of worth for many years to come. His course was not that of a political leader but of a business man, actuated by devotion to the public good and holding at all times to the high- est municipal standards.
Dr. Cooke was born in New Haven, Connecticut, February 11, 1866, a son of Captain J. Thomas and Honora Cooke, both of whom were of Irish descent. The father died in 1868. Dr. Cooke acquired a public school education in Orange, Connecticut, and In the Hillhouse high school, attending its night sessions. He afterward had the benefit of instruction under a private tutor and then entered Yale, where he completed a course in the medical depart- ment with the class of 1897. Later he entered upon private practice. For six months during 1896 he had served as interne in the New Haven Hospital and from 1901 until 1914 was attending surgeon to the Meriden Hospital. His fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and ability, urged him to become a candidate for the mayoralty on the democratic ticket. After careful consideration he accepted the nomination and successfully made the race, thus becoming the chief executive of the city. Many most tangible evidences of his publie spirit may be cited. With his election to office he at once began studying the situ- ation and became cognizant of the needs, the opportunities and the possibilities in connec- tion with municipal life and interests. This was followed by active work done along the lines of general improvement and so satisfactory was his service that his party would have again made him a candidate for the position had he not declined a second term. On this oc- casion one of the local papers wrote: "When questioned today as to whether he will be a candidate for renomination for the office of mayor at the coming democratic convention, Mayor Cooke replied in the negative. The mayor said that demands upon his time in his .medical work are continually increasing and that he desires to be free to give his pro- fession undivided attention. The mayor added that he had informed democratic leaders of his intention several days ago. When pressed further for a statement Mayor Cooke said: 'Somewhat less than two years ago I was called upon by the representatives of the demo- cratic party to become a candidate for the office of mayor of this city. In accepting the nomination I felt that I was doing merely what any citizen should do, my duty, and that although I was inexperienced in a technical sense in local governmental affairs I could, if elected, show my appreciation of the confidence of the voters of the city of Meriden by giving to the city the best administration of which my ability was capable. In the ensuing campaign I promised the voters that, if elected, I would conduct the business of the city wholly in the interest of good government and Meriden's welfare. Whether 1 succeeded in my purpose I leave to the judgment of the people. If I did not, I am conscious only of having done what was right and just in the exercise of my authority as mayor and of hav- ing given to the affair of this city both in time and effort the maximum amount of effi- ciency that I was able to direct. Ever since I became a resident of Meriden I have desired to have the city progress, and although financial conditions and the high cost of living would not permit of carrying out projects I desired to undertake, I feel repaid for the time and efforts given to public affairs in having added improvements which have been of benefit to this city and will be of increased worth in the future. I have served the city for two years and I believe that this work should now hecome the duty of some other person. I have carefully considered the subject, both as regards my publie duty as a citizen and my per- sonal obligations to my family and to my profession. The obligations and functions of pub- lic office are perhaps less closely allied to the duties of my profession than any other. This dual responsibility which I undertook and attempted to carry the past two years is greater
DR. JOSEPH A. COOKE
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than I could feel justified in continuing beyond my one term of office. I trust that my desire to return to private life will not be construed as a lack of interest in the city's welfare, but as actuated solely by the ever increasing demands upon my time. I thank all who in any way assisted me in municipal affairs and extend to them my best wishes.'" The proof of Dr. Cooke's public service is found in many reforms which he instituted in the management of municipal affairs and many progressive movements which he introduced. He was instru- mental in reorganizing the police department and securing for it motor equipment. He also installed the Emergency Hospital at the city hall and was instrumental in securing a very efficient ambulance service for the city. During the two years of his inenmbency in the office he succeeded in reducing the city's indebtedness by one hundred and twenty-two thou- sand dollars. He was guided in all that he did by a desire to secure the highest standards of municipal service and his initiative spirit led to the accomplishment of plans that were most far-reaching and beneficial.
On the 6th of August, 1903, in New Haven, Connecticut, Dr. Cooke was united in mar- riage to Miss Susan J. Stanford, a daughter of Edward and Anna Stanford. Mrs. Cooke was born in New Haven, was educated in the public schools of that city and was active in musical circles, possessing marked native talent which was highly developed through train- ing. Her mother belonged to the prominent Carroll family of Carrollton that furnished one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Dr. and Mrs. Cooke have become parents of three children, J. Carroll, J. Stanford and Grace Louise.
The religious faith of the family is indicated by their membership in St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church. Dr. Cooke belongs to the Highland Country Club and the Yale Alumni Association of Meriden. He also has membership with the Elks, the Moose, the Foresters, the Hibernians and the Eagles. His political endorsement is given to the demo- cratic party and on the 21st of January, 1916, he became mayor of Meriden, serving for the full term of two years but declining to accept a second nomination. His military record covers three years' service as corporal with the Governor's Foot Guard. Since his retirement from the mayoralty Dr. Cooke is concentrating his undivided time and attention upon his professional interests. He has always enjoyed an extensive practice, his pronounced pro- fessional ability winning him well deserved success.
DWIGHT W. TUTTLE.
Dwight W. Tuttle, attorney at law of New Haven, was born January 11, 1846, in Ham- den, Connecticut. His father, Jesse Tuttle, was also a native of Hamden, as was the grandfather, who likewise bore the name of Jesse and who was of English descent, the ancestry being traced back to William Tuttle, who came over on the ship Planter to America in the year 1638. Jesse Tuttle, the grandfather, participated in the Revolutionary war at the time of the invasion of New Haven, when the British attempted to burn the city. He was a member of the state legislature for several terms from Hamden, and Henry Tuttle, a cousin of Dwight W. Tuttle, was at one time a member of the state senate. Jesse Tuttle, Sr., and Jesse Tuttle, Jr., were both democrats and took an active interest in politics and in civic affairs. Both also followed the occupation of farming as a life work. Jesse Tnttle, Jr., wedded Lucinda Williams, a native of Wallingford and a daughter of Willoughby and Abigail (Merriam) Williams, who were representatives of old Connecticut families that migrated to Kentucky. Both the Williams and Merriams were of English descent. The death of Jesse Tuttle, the father, occurred in 1895, when he had reached the age of eight-three years, and his wife survived until 1898, dying at the age of eighty five. They were the parents of two children: Dwight W .; and Grove, also an attorney at law. The two brothers are associated in practice but not as partners.
Dwight W. Tuttle was educated in the public schools of East Haven and in the law department of Yale, which he attended for two years. He was admitted to practice in 1868 and has since continuously followed his profession, in which he has made steady progress, his ability winning him prominence at the New Haven bar. He belongs to the New Haven County Bar Association and also to the Connecticut State Bar Asociation. In politics Mr. Tnttle is a republican and was elected to represent his town in the house in
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1881 and again in 1889 and a third time in 1891. He represented the seventh district in the state senate in 1897 and was a member from the twelfth district in 1915. He has also been one of the United States townsite commissioners and from 1899 to 1904 he was chair- man of the Muskogee, the Creek and Choctaw Indian nations commissions. His headquar- ters were originally in Muskogee and as various other cities were opened up he had offices at other places in Oklahoma. He has been the liquor prosecutor from 1881 to the present time and is the prosecuting attorney of East Haven. He was also trial justice from the time he attained his majority to the time he was disqualified by age and he has tried cases by the hundreds all over the state. He is in fact one of the best known lawyers of Con- nectieut, his ability placing bim prominently in the front rank. During his last session in the state legislature he served as chairman of the committee on education.
In September, 1879, Mr. Tuttle, was united in marriage, in East Haven, to Miss Bertha E. Lancy, a native of that place and a daughter of John and Henrietta Lancy, who were of English descent. Mr. Tuttle is a member of Adelphi Lodge, No. 63, A. F. & A. M., and has been a prominent representative of the Grange, in whieb he has served as master and has held other offices. He is senior warden of Christ church of East Haven. It is said that when in the battle of life the city hoy erosses swords with the country lad, the odds are against him. The early rising, the daily tasks, the economical habits of the country boy prepare him for the struggle that must precede aseendency. The early training of Dwight W. Tuttle was that of the farm and the habits of industry and close application which he early developed have constituted the foundation of his present success. He has long exerted a wide influence over public thought and action, and the extent and nature of his interests have brought him prominently into public light.
PHILIP T. SMITH.
Philip T. Smith, chief of police of New Haven, his native city, was born on the 31st of January, 1867. His father, Thomas Smith, a native of Ireland, made his way direct to New Haven on coming to America in 1848 and here entered the employ of Little & English, remaining with the business under the later proprietorship of Charles L. English of the firm of English & Holt. His capability and reliability were indicated by his forty-eight years' connection with these firms, who were extensively engaged in the lumber business. He died in the year 1893 at the age of seventy-six years and was laid to rest in St. Bernard's cemetery. His wife, Mrs. Mary Smith, also a native of Ireland, came with her parents to America in 1855 and was here married. To that union were born nine children, of whom four are yet living: James, who is with the Louis Mansfield Lumber Company of New Haven; Frances, the wife of John Blessington of New Haven; Philip T .; and Richard J., who is a merchant. The mother also survives and is splendidly preserved at the age of eighty-seven years.
Philip T. Smith was educated in the Wooster school of New Haven and in the high school, after which he started out to earn his own living at the age of eighteen years, being first apprenticed to a butcher, with whom he remained for a year and a half, but he did not like the business and secured a position at corset cutting. He followed that work until 1895. when he was appointed supernumerary on the New Haven police foree. In December, 1896, he was made a patrolman and in December, 1906, was advanced to the rank of sergeant, while in 1909 he became captain. In November, 1905, he was detailed as acting chief clerk and on the 20th of January, 1913, he was made chief of police. His promotions have come to him in recognition of his fidelity and ability, and he is today at the head of a well or- ganized and efficient police force, doing splendid work in maintaining law and order through the suppression of crime in this eity.
On the 19th of January, 1898, in St. Monica's church on Seventy-ninth street in New York city, the Rev. Terrance B. Smith, a cousin of Philip T. Smith, pronounced the marriage service that united the destinies of Mr. Smith and Miss Mary L. Reynolds, a native of New York city and a daughter of Bernard and Rose Reynolds. They have become the parents of four children: Frances, born in New Haven, September 13, 1901; Richard Thomas, Sep- tember 10, 1904; Philip. February 15, 1908; and Rose. July 25, 1910.
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The family are communicants of the Sacred Heart Catholic church and Mr. Smith has membership with the Knights of Columbus and also with the Elks and the Eagles. He is identified with the Chamber of Commerce and with the International Association of Chiefs of Police. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party. Practically his entire time and attention are given to the duties of his office, and he holds to high standards of public service, his record being a most commendable one.
EDWARD C. HEYL.
Edward C. Heyl. president of the Heyl & Lynch Drug Company, Incorporated, at New Haven, has condueted business under this style since 1915. While it is one of the more recently established commercial interests of the eity it has shown a marked growth indicative of the fact that the owners employ the most progressive business methods in the conduct of their interests. Mr. Heyl has been a lifelong resident of New Haven, where his birth occurred on the 27th of July, 1891. His father, Philip Heyl, is a native of New York and of German descent. He became a wood carver and devoted many years of his life to that vocation, but is now living retired. He married Nannie Marx, a native of New Haven and a daughter of Jacob Marx, who was also of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Philip Heyl have become parents of two children, the brother of Edward C. being Frederick Heyl, who was graduated from Yale with the Ph. G. degree in 1904 and is now a chemist at Kalamazoo, Michigan.
In his youthful days Edward C. Heyl attended the Hopkins grammar school at New Haven and on attaining his majority started out in the business world to learn pharmacy. The thoroughness with which he mastered his studies is manifest in the success which has attended his efforts since he established his present business in 1915, forming a partnership with William F. Lynch, under the style of the Heyl & Lynch Drug Company, Incorporated. They established their store at No. 420 Congress street, and from a modest beginning have developed a business that in the comparatively brief period of two years has shown such a marked growth that theirs is today one of the leading drug stores of New Haven.
Mr. Heyl maintains an independent course politically, while fraternally he is both a Mason and an Elk. In the former organization he has taken the degrees of lodge, chapter and council. He is fast becoming well established as a prominent young business man of his native city, and, moreover, is popular with a large circle of friends. There has been nothing spectacular in his record, which is that of persistent energy intelligently applied in the attainment of honorable success.
WILLIAM F. LYNCH.
William F. Lynch, the secretary and treasurer of the Heyl & Lynch Drug Company of New Haven, was born on the 31st of August, 1893, in the city in which he is now successfully engaged in business. His parents are William and Mary A. (Shay) Lynch, natives of Bridge- port and of Irish lineage. The son pursued his education in the public schools and under private instruction, and from the age of fourteen years has been dependent upon his own exertions, entering upon an apprenticeship to the drug business, with which he has since been continuously connected. He was in the employ of others for several years or until 1915, when laudable ambition prompted him to enter upon an independent venture and he formed a partnership with Edward C. Heyl, under the style of the Heyl & Lynch Drug Company, Incorporated. These two young men have since conducted their interests along progressive, modern business lines, and their labors have brought to them continued success. Their store is attractive in its appointments. complete in its equipment and the practical experience of the partners has enabled them to so direct their interests as to win a continually growing patronage.
Mr. Lynch is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church, being identified with St. Rose's parish. He also holds membership with the Knights of Columbus and with the
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Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In politics he is not bound by party ties but casts an independent ballot. Like his partner he has depended upon his own efforts for advancement, and their faith in their own capability is justified in their growing success.
EDWIN LUZERN WILFORD.
Edwin Luzern Wilford, long connected with agricultural interests in the town of Bran- ford, is an honored veteran of the Civil war who throughout his entire life has been a loyal citizen, actively aiding many movements which have been for the benefit and progress of the community.
He was born March 13, 1846, in the town of Branford, and is a representative of one of the old pioneer families whose ancestral line is traced back to the colonial epoch in the history of the country. His paternal grandparents were Richard and Betsey (Frisbie) Wilford and his parents were Samuel and Susan (Cook) Wilford, all of whom were residents of the town of Branford. The founder of the family in the new world was John Wilford, who came from England.
The youthful days of Edwin L. Wilford were spent in the usual manner of the farm- bred boy who divides his time between the acquirement of an education and the work of the fields, and save for one year which he spent as a sailor Mr. Wilford has always given his attention to general agricultural pursuits. He is the owner of an excellent farm, well improved and he keeps his land under a high state of cultivation, utilizing the most pro- gressive and scientific methods of farming in the further development and improvement of his place. When the country became involved in civil war Mr. Wilford, responding to the call for troops, enlisted on the 22d of August, 1862, as a private of Company B, Twenty- seventh Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded in the battle of Fredericksburg on the 13th of December of that year and was taken to the College Hospital at George- town, D. C. Later he was transferred to the hospital at New Haven and after nine months' service received an honorable discharge, having been incapacitated for further field duty. He has long been an active and valued member of Mason Rogers Post, G. A. R., of Bran- ford, and has held the offices of adjutant and junior vice commander. He has also been a delegate to the National Encampment which was held in St. Paul in 1896.
His political allegiance is given to the republican party but he has never been an aspirant for office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. He has traveled broadly over the country from ocean to ocean, and wherever he has gone he has been recognized as a man of genuine worth, commanding the respect, confidence and goodwill of all with whom he has been associated.
HENRY W. LEETE.
Henry W. Leete, president and manager of the Rowland Machine Company of New Haven, was born in Guilford, Connecticut, May 17, 1856, and after mastering the elementary branches of learning taught in the Guilford district schools he was graduated from the high school of that place. He started upon his business career as an apprentice to I. S. Spencer's Sons, with whom he remained for nine years, learning the machinist's trade and gaining expert skill along that line. On the 30th of May, 1880, he entered the employ of F. C. and A. E. Rowland in the capacity of foreman. He afterward became superintendent and when the business was reorganized in 1906 he was made president of the Rowland Machine Company. His association with the business covers thirty-seven years and since Mr. Leete assumed the presidency there has been a steady increase in the business, which now employs from fifty to sixty men, while ninety per cent of the product is sold in the city.
In 1882 Mr. Leete was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Prout. They hold member- ship in the Episcopal church and Mr. Leete belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He also has membership in the National Metal Trades Association and in the Credit Men's Association of New Haven. His political allegiance is
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given to the republican party and while interested in its success he never seeks nor desires office, preferring to concentrate his efforts upon his business affairs. He early showed con- spicuously the traits of character that have made his life a successful one. In his first position he performed all the duties that devolved upon him. however humble and however small the recompense might be. conscientiously and ably and the same qualities have char- acterized all of his later activities. Since becoming one of the proprietors of the business his strict integrity, business conservatism and judgment have heen so uniformly recognized that he has enjoyed public confidence to a notable degree and into his interests he has, moreover, infused the spirit of modern day progress and enterprise that has resulted in notable progress within the last few years.
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