USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II > Part 58
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The other member of the family and the second in order of birth is William R. Jud- son, who attended school in New York, passing through consecutive grades to the high school and afterward pursuing an academic course. He then took up the upholstering busi- ness, which he learned thoroughly and which he followed for five years. Later he served an apprenticeship at the engraver's trade and in 1905 he came to New Haven with E. Lehman & Son. In 1909 he established an engraving business on his own account and has since built up a large and satisfactory business. The work of his establishment is of the highest grade. He maintains advanced standards and the excellence of his product has insured to him a business which is steadily growing.
On the 24th of June, 1903, Mr. Judson was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Augusta Williams, of Meriden, Connecticut, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Williams, of Meriden. Mrs. Judson is a graduate of the Meriden high school and is well known socially in New Haven, and the hospitality of their home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.
Mr. and Mrs. Judson are members of Christ church of West Haven, and in his political
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views Mr. Judson is independent. He is not remiss in the duties of citizenship and gives his aid and support to many measures for the general good; but he does not seek office as a reward for his loyalty. His attention is largely given to his business affairs and as a self- made man he has gained a creditable record, being regarded today as one of the representa- tive business men and manufacturers of this city.
HERMON J. SPERRY.
Ilermon J. Sperry, a druggist of New Haven, was born in Naugatuck, Connecticut, June 19, 1845, a son of Fowler and Jeherzy (Nettleton) Sperry, both of whom were natives of Connectient, where their respective families had lived for many generations. The father was connected with the G. F. Warner Company of New Haven, iron founders, and thus figured prominently in connection with the industrial interests of the city for many years. He passed away in New Haven in 1902, when he had reached the advanced age of eighty- three years. His wife survived until 1903, when she, too, was eighty-three years of age and was called to her final rest. They were the parents of three children: Hart, who is living in Milford, Connecticut; Mrs. C. A. Tomlinson, also of Milford; and Hermon J., who is the eldest.
In his youthful days Hermon J. Sperry attended school in New Haven and afterward became connected with A. F. Wood in the drug business, which he thus learned. He entered business on his own account in 1882 and is today one of the oldest druggists of the city. Ile has a well appointed store, carries a large stock of goods, is reasonable in his prices. honorable in his dealings, and at all times he has put forth earnest effort to please his patrons, so that he has thereby won a liberal public support.
In 1881 Mr. Sperry was united in marriage to Miss Anna Craft, of New Haven, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Craft. They have become parents of one son, Harold F., who was born in New Haven in 1885 and who is a graduate of the New Haven high school and of the Yale Sheffield Scientific School of the class of 1902. He is now a civil engineer and is occupying the position of assistant engineer with the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company. He married Miss Adeline E. Stone, of Guilford, Connecticut, and they have become parents of two children, Alvin J. and Dorothy E.
In his fraternal relations Hermon J. Sperry is a Mason, belonging to Hiram Lodge, and in his life he exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft, which is based upon a recognition of the brotherhood of mankind. He also belongs to St. Paul's church and guides his life by its teachings. His has been an honorable and upright career, as he has been loyal in citizenship, trustworthy in business and devoted to the ties of home and of friendship. He is today one of the oldest druggists of New Haven, having for a third of a century conducted a store in this city, and thus his name is inseparably associated with its com- mercial development.
GEORGE R. COAN.
George R. Coan, a well known figure in insurance circles in New Haven, his native city, was born December 21, 1865. his parents being Charles R. and Anna R. (Baldwin) Coan. His father served as a lieutenant of Company E, Fifteenth Connectient Infantry, during the Civil war. In his youthful days George R. Coan attended public and private schools of New Haven and afterward became connected with his father in the book business. Subse- quently he was with Bradley & Lee in the cigar and tobacco business and later was with Stoddard, Gilbert & Company. Later he entered the insurance business with his father, who was local manager of the Security Insurance Company of New Haven and in 1907. upon his father's retirement, he admitted Henry B. Bunnell to a partnership. He gave up the position of local manager of the Security Insurance Company and he and his partner opened an oflive at No. 17 Center street, New Haven, representing the Security Insurance Company as local agents and also representing other companies. Their policy is indicated
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in their advertisement "To do business on the ground floor." In 1913 they removed to Nos. 25 and 27 Center street. On the 1st of June, 1917, the business was incorporated under the name of Coan & Bunnell, Incorporated, and capitalized for sixty thousand dollars, all paid up by the officers of the company, who are George R. Coan, president; Mrs. Mary L. Coan, secretary; and Henry B. Bunnell, treasurer. They have developed one of the largest and most important insurance agencies of Connecticut, conducting their interests along lines which lead to constantly increasing results. There is no phase of the insurance business with which they are not familiar and a spirit of unfaltering enterprise, that brooks no obstacles or ditliculties, is the basis of their growing success.
On the 21st of May, 1891, in Waterbury, Mr. Coan was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Bunnell, a daughter of John B. and Helen A. Bunnell. She is the secretary of Coan & Bunnell, Incorporated, a member of the Mary Clapp Wooster Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, is treasurer of the Elm City branch of the Universal Sunshine Society and president of the Woodbridge Auxiliary of The Red Cross. Both Mr. and Mrs. Coan hold membership in St. Paul's church of New Haven.
In 1915 Mr. Coan purchased a piece of land in Woodbridge, on which he has since erected a modern home and where he conducts a small farm, to which has been applied the name of Seven Acres. Becoming a citizen of Woodbridge, he has entered into the activities of the town and in 1917 was elected secretary of the Woodbridge branch of the State Council of Defense.
Mr. Coan gives his political support to the republican party and he is identified with the Young Men's Republican Club. He also has membership with the Woodmen of the World and the nature of his interests and activities is further indicated in the fact that he belongs to the Union League Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Historical Society, the Young Men's Institute and the Automobile Club of New Haven, being a charter member of the last named. A man of determined spirit he carries forward to successful completion what- ever he undertakes, and whether in business or in his effort to advance the public welfare along well defined lines he takes cognizance of the conditions and opportunities of the city.
PAUL C. WINKELMANN.
Paul C. Winkelmann, conducting business at 354 Dixwell avenue, under the name of the Garden Drug Company, was born April 14, 1872, at Holyoke, Massachusetts. His father, Charles Winkelmann, now deceased, came to America in boyhood and in 1860 went direct to Massachusetts, settling at Holyoke, where, during the greater period of his life he was engaged in the drug business, remaining active in that field to the time of his death in 1896, when he was fifty-two years of age, his birth having occurred in 1844. He was quite suc- cessful in his business undertakings and thus provided a comfortable living for his family of nine children, six sons and three daughters, five of whom are yet living. The sons have all followed in their father's business footsteps, becoming chemists.
Paul C. Winkelmann attended the public schools of his native city and also a private German school. He was first connected with the Young Men's Christian Association star course of western Massachusetts in musical lines and gave five concerts in the Holyoke City Hall, which netted him over one thousand two hundred dollars. He was also, during this period, with his father in the drug store until he attained his majority, and there learned the drug business. He possessed, however, marked musical talent, which thorough study has developed, and he is profieient in the use of ten musical instruments. He lived next door to the parents of Eva Tanguay and gave a testimonial benefit in the Holyoke Opera House for lier, she being then a child actress. This was before she joined the Redding- Stanton Company, and she belonged to the musical company of which Mr. Winkelmann was the head. On attaining his majority he discontinued his musical career and since then has confined his efforts to the drug business. In 1909 he came to New Haven and was first employed by William H. Hull, at the corner of State and Chapel streets, there remaining for four years. In October, 1914, his present drug store was established by a corporation, but in 1915 Mr. Winkelmann purchased the entire interest of the company and has since conducted the business as an individual concern, having today the largest suburban drug store in New
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England. It is modern in every detail. It is supplied with fine fixtures and all the latest equipment, and his patronage is now very extensive.
In Springfield, Massachusetts. June 28, 1893, Mr. Winkelmann was united in marriage to Miss Lena Duhuque, a native of Detroit, Michigan, and a descendant of one of the first settlers of Dubuque, Iowa, for whom the city was named. Mr. and Mrs. Winkelmann have become parents of four children: Charles Paul, born in Springfield, Massachusetts, January 30, 1895; Ethel P., born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, February 21, 1897; Lester Edward, born in Meriden, Connecticut, November 30, 1903; and Ruth Eleanor, born in New Haven. May 12, 1916. The eldest son married Hazel Tolles, a native of New Haven, and they have one child, Roy Edward.
Mr. Winkelmann easts an independent ballot. He is a member of the New Haven Drug- gists' Association and also of the Chamber of Commerce. Hle belongs to the local organization of the Modern Woodmen of America and to the Royal Areanum, and he is a member of the Calvary Baptist church. He was one of the organizers and became a charter member of Company L, of the Second Regiment of the Connecticut National Guard. He is interested in all that pertains to the welfare of his community, his commonwealth and his country, and he stands for progressiveness in all that has to do with business life.
THEODORE D. PALLMAN, M. D.
A notably large percentage of New Haven's successful physicians are Yale graduates and their work reflects credit upon their alma mater. Among this number is Dr. Theodore D. Pallman, who was born in this city October 6, 1876, a son of Charles Pallman, who was a native of Landstuhl, Germany. He came to America during the '50s, making his way direct to New Haven, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1905, when he was sixty- nine years of age. During the period of the Civil war he engaged in mercantile lines and continued successfully in that business up to the time of his death, being numbered among the leading and representative merchants of the city. He married Josephine Lutz, who was born in New York city, their marriage, however, being celebrated in New Haven, for she had removed to Connecticut with her parents. Her father, Antone Lutz, was a maker of custom made boots and shoes and conducted a very profitable business. The death of Mrs. Pallman occurred in 1907, when she had reached the age of sixty-five. By her marriage she had become the mother of nine children, of whom four are yet living: Henry A., who is en- gaged in the real estate business in Milford; Eugene August, who is an optician on Chapel street in New Haven; Theodore D .; and A. Oswald, an attorney and now city clerk of New Haven.
At the usual age Dr. Pallman became a pupil in the public schools and mastered the lessons taught in successive grades until he came to his graduation from the high school with the class of 1894. He next entered Yale and completed a medical course in that insti- tution with the class of 1897. Following his graduation he spent two years in post-graduate work in Berlin, Germany, and upon his return to America opened an office in New Haven, where he has since remained in active practice, specializing in obstetrics, in which branch of professional work he displays notable skill based upon comprehensive study and wide knowledge.
In New York city, on the 12th of November, 1902, Dr. Pallman was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Hall, a native of the metropolis and a daughter of Harry and Katherine (Goodrich) Hall, who were representatives of an old New York family, the ancestry dating back to the earliest settlement of the Empire state. Dr. and Mrs. Pallman have become the parents of two children: Ruth Gertrude, born in New Haven, May 15, 1906; and Theodore D., Jr., born January 2, 1911.
Dr. and Mrs. Pallman are communicants of St. Boniface Roman Catholic church. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and along strictly professional lines he has membership with the New Haven, the New Haven County, the Connecticut State and the American Medical Associations. He is a member of the medical staff of St. Raphael's Hospital of New Haven and is city jail physician, discharging tbose duties in addition to his private practice, which is constantly growing in volume and importance. His practice is
Thes & Pallman
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today very extensive and he is regarded as one of the leading obstetricians in New England, his extensive study along that line having gained him skill and ability that places him in the front ranks of the practitioners.
EYLER J. TODD.
Eyler J. Todd, president and treasurer of the Todd Rubber Company of New Haven and one of the best known men connected with the rubber tire trade in New England, has through his own unaided efforts attained a position of success and prominence in commercial circles that has caused Todd methods, service and efficiency to become a standard in his line of activity. Possessing in a large measure that quality which for want of a better term has been called commercial sense, he has made rapid progress since starting out in life empty-handed and today controls one of the largest commercial projects in its line in New England.
A native of Springfield, Ohio, Mr. Todd was born May 31. 1876, a son of Onslow and Ellamanda (Batdorf) Todd. He acquired his early education in the schools of his native city and was graduated from the Springfield high school with the class of 1893, winning valedictorian honors. He supplemented this schooling with a business college course and accepted a position on the reportorial staff of the Springfield Democrat, being for a year and a half thereafter engaged in newspaper work. During the three years immediately following the completion of his high school work his employment had been sufficiently remunerative to supply the ordinary requirements of a young man of his age. In fact, to one less ambitions, the plan of taking a college course where "working his way through" was absolutely necessary, would never have been considered. Mr. Todd, however, decided upon this plan and on the 15th of September, 1896, arrived in New Haven. He was practically without funds but had plenty of self-reliance, and despite the advice given him that "the profession of law already had too many members and he, being a poor young man, would not be able to finance himself until he became established," he entered the Yale Law School in preparation for the bar and won his LL. B. degree with the class of 1899. During that time he had more than once been the recipient of the hospitality of friends. His sleeping quarters at one time consisted of but plain boards as a bed, but afterward, through the kindness of a friend, he obtained a mattress, which was laid upon the floor. Snch strict economy was practiced that he lived on a dollar and fifty-six cents per week. His salary of six dollars per week as reporter on the New Haven Courier-Journal went a long way toward meeting expenses that were unavoidable. Whatever may have been the inconveniences or discomforts to which Mr. Todd was subjected because of his limited means at that time, there comes the satisfaction at this day in knowing that his efforts have been solely responsible for the change that has been brought about.
When his law course was completed, he decided the profession would not prove con- genial and began to devote his attention to other lines but has always been glad of his legal knowledge, which has been of value to him in the conduct of his business affairs. He entered the employ of the Springfield Rubber Tire Company as a traveling salesman, covering at different times the greater portion of the United States. In 1900 and 1901 he traveled through Canada from Sault Ste. Marie cast, covering Ontario, Quebec and the maritime provinces. On the 8th of January, 1906, he established himself in business and the out- growth of his efforts is the Todd Rubber Company. This business was started in a base- ment room on a capital of two hundred and thirty dollars and with one employe but proved a success from the beginning. Its growth has been remarkable and the business now includes more than fifty employes, nine branch stores in Connecticut and also supplies a portion of Rhode Island. Rubber "for everything that runs on wheels" is handled and in 1917 the volume of business was approximately six hundred thousand dollars, representing the largest single account carried by the Kelly-Springfield Company and absorbing the entire output allotted to the state of Connecticut. The Todd Rubber Company was incorporated in October, 1917, with a capital of three hundred thousand dollars, with Eyler J. Todd as president and treasurer, Mrs. E. J. Todd as vice president and F. H. Potter, of Waterbury, Connecticut. as secretary. Included in its service department are
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thirteen automobiles and two motorcycles, operating from the various branches whose geographical positions throughout the state cover it thoroughly. Emerson has said, "An institution is but the lengthened shadow of a man," and the business which Mr. Todd has built up is but the visible evidence of his ability as an organizer and also his ability to surround himself with a most competent corps of assistants. As an etlicient organization the Todd Rubber Company stands among the foremost in the country in its line. Mr. Todd's thorough practical knowledge of the trade in its every detail, whether in the mechanical or executive department, fully equips him for the able management and direction that has been a big factor in its success. He has traveled extensively, always on business, visiting ten countries and most of the large cities in Europe as well as traveling through northern Africa and practically every country in South America and the islands of the West Indies. He went through the Panama Canal when it was but a huge ditch. A close observer, possessed of a retentive memory, he acquired in addition to his business experience much valuable knowledge concerning countries and people which has enabled him to give interesting and instructive talks before church and social organizations, where he has frequently appeared. At various times he has lectured on salesmanship and in October, 1917, addressed the New Haven branch of the World's Salesmanship Congress on that topic.
Mr. Todd is prominent in musical circles, possessing a fine bass voice. He was a member of a boys' choir in Springfield, Ohio, that ranked with the leading choirs of its kind in that section of the west. During his university course he was a member of the university choir and also a member of the Yale Glee Club of 1898 and 1899, while for two years he was bass soloist at St. John's Episcopal church. He played on the Yale basket ball team and in 1911 joined the Governor's Foot Gnard and is now serving as corporal. In Masonry he has attained high rank and now has membership in Hiram Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Pulaski Chapter, R. A. M .; Crawford Council, R. & S. M .; New Haven Commandery, K. T .; Pyramid Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .; and Lafayette Consistory of Bridgeport. He also is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Union League, the Kiwanis and the Meadow Brook Clubs of New Haven and the Chamber of Commerce of New Haven.
On the 1st of June, 1913, in Tarrytown, N. Y., Mr. Todd was married to Mrs. Jessie Lawton Buchanan, of New Haven, and they have a daughter, Wayno Harriet. His political endorsement is given to the republican party but he does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. Wide experience, thorough study of business conditions in every possible phase and keen insight have made him a recognized authority on all matters of salesmanship, the efficacy of his methods being demonstrated in his very substantial success. In addition to some valuable down-town property Mr. Todd owns his modern home at Beaver Hills.
ROBERT GRAHAM TRACY, M. D.
Actively engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery, with office at 493 Howard avenue in New Haven, Dr. Robert Graham Tracy is numbered among the valuable acquisi- tions to professional circles that Massachusetts has furnished to Connecticut fle was born in the city of Boston, April 22, 1879, and is a son of the late Robert John Tracy, who was a native of New Haven and a son of Thomas Tracy, a native of Ireland, who became the founder of the American branch of the family. Robert John Tracy was a successful and widely known salesman in the dry goods line, which business he entered as a boy of fifteen years, continuing active in that field of labor until his demise. In 1881 he became a resi- dent of New Haven and passed away in June, 1902, when fifty years of age. In early man- hood he wedded Maria Rogers, who was born in Hartford, Connecticut, a daughter of the late Patrick Rogers, who was a native of Ireland and became the founder of this branch of the family in the new world. His loyalty in citizenship was manifest at the time of the Civil war, when he responded to the country's call for troops, serving throughout the entire period of hostilities in a Connecticut regiment. His death was occasioned by illness contracted while at the front, for he endured many hardships while defending the Union cause. His daughter, Mrs. Tracy, passed away in 1914 at the age of fifty-nine years.
Dr. Robert Graham Tracy was educated in the public and high schools of New Haven
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prior to entering Yale University in preparation for a professional career. He there studied medicine and was graduated with the M. D. degree in 1900. After his graduation he served for two years in the New York Post Graduate Hospital and then returned to New Haven, where he entered upon the private practice of medicine, in which he has since continued. He has never devoted his attention to a single line but has continued in general practice and has met with excellent success. He is very careful in the diagnois of his cases and is seldom, if ever, at fault in judging the outcome of disease. Conscientious in his practice and holding to high professional standards, he has made for himself a creditable name and place among the representatives of the medical fraternity in New Haven. He belongs to the New Haven Medical Society, the New Haven County Medical Society, the Connecticut State Medical Society and the American Medical Association and was at one time see. retary of the first named. He also served for five years on the surgical staff of the New Haven City Dispensary and is now filling the position of eity physician.
On the 28th of January, 1908, Dr. Tracy was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth J. Meehan, a native of New Haven and a daughter of James and Mary (Dowling) Meehan. The marriage was celebrated in St. Peter's church and they have become the parents of two children: Elizabeth Roberta, born in New Haven, June 2, 1909; and Robert Graham, born February 13, 1911.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Roman Catholic church, their connection being with Sacred Heart parish. Dr. Tracy is a representative citizen. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and is interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of his community, cooperating in many efforts and movements for the public good. As indicated, he holds to high professional ideals and in a calling where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit and ability he has steadily worked his way upward.
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