USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II > Part 63
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Mr. Chamberlin was married in 1916 to Miss Amanda E. Runnelin, of New York city, and they have a son, Philip LeRoy. Mr. Chamberlin supports the republican party at the polls and in 1909 and 1910 filled the office of assessor, while since 1911 he has been justice of the peace. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge, in which he is past chancellor ; the Masonic blue lodge, chapter and council; and the Tribe of Red Men, of which he was a charter member and its first prophet. He was one of the organizers and is a lieu- tenant of Company A, First Regiment, Connecticut Home Guard, and his publie spirit is further indicated in the fact that he is a member of the executive board of the Village Im- provement Association. It is generally acknowledged that no man has done more than lie to promote the best interests of the community. He belongs to Christ church and in 1909 was one of the founders of the Knights of Washington, a fraternal organization connected with the Protestant Episcopal church.
WALTER ROBINSON SHINER.
Walter Robinson Shiner is the senior partner in the firm of Shiner & Appel, archi- tects of New Haven, with offices in the Chamber of Commerce building. He has made for himself a creditable position and is now accorded a liberal patronage, so that his life record stands somewhat in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is not without honor save in his own country, for Mr. Shiner is a native son of New Haven, his birth having occurred in this city on Christmas day of 1883. The family had long resided here. His grandfather, Stephen Shiner, was a prominent carriage and coach builder of New Haven, and the father. Henry S. Shiner. also born in this city. followed the same line of business
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for a considerable period. He is now active in manufacturing lines with the Winchester Company. He married Phoebe Robinson, a native of New York, and to them were born two sons, Henry S. and Walter Robinson.
The youthful experiences of the latter were those of most boys of the locality and period. His time was largely devoted to school work until he reached the age of sixteen, when he started out to provide for his own support and secured employment in the office of Allen & Williams, the leading architects of the city. With them he served his apprentice- ship and in 1906 he was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, devoting two years to an architectural course. Later he spent two years with Horace Traumbauer, a leading architect of Philadelphia, after which he returned to New Haven to become head draftsman tor the firm of Brown & Von Beren. He remained with that firm for two years and then went to Europe for further study and travel, remaining for a period of six months, during which time he made a close study of ancient architecture and gleaned much knowledge of value to him in his profession. Upon his return to the new world he opened an office at 902 Chapel street, where he remained for two years, when he became- associated as a partner with Mr. Von Beren, his former employer. That connection was continued for three years, when Mr. Shiner withdrew and in October, 1914. entered into his present business relations with T. O. Appel as the senior partner of the firm of Shiner & Appel. The firm today has a very extensive and important patronage. As architeets they have prepared the designs for the Colonial building now in course of construction at the corner of Church and Elm streets, one of the finest office and store buildings of New Haven, together with many other leading public buildings and fine private residences of this city and vicinity.
In February, 1910, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Shiner and Miss Ruby Hoyt. a native of Meriden, Connecticut, and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. Franklin Hoyt. They have one son, Graham Hoyt.
Mr. Shiner is a member of Company F of the New Haven Grays, in which he holds the rank of corporal, and he served for four months on the Mexican border. In polities he is a republican but without ambition for oflice. He aided in organizing the Architects Club of New Haven in 1916 and is now filling the position of its secretary. He may well be termed the architeet of his own fortunes and in this connection he has builded wisely and well, for he started out in life without financial assistance and has depended upon his own resources for his educational training and for his advancement. He is today thoroughly acquainted with all forms of architecture as exemplified in the leading buildings of the old world and of the new, and in making designs he has been successful in accomplishing a harmonious unity between utility, convenience and beauty.
WALLACE SIMON MOYLE.
Wallace Simon Moyle, engaged in the practice of law in New Haven since 1893, was born in Devonport, England, May 19, 1867, and comes of English ancestry. his parents being John and Elizabeth (Lee) Moyle. The parents arrived with their family in the new world during the early boyhood of their son. Wallace S., who became a pupil in the grammar schools of Hyde Park, Massachusetts, and afterward attended the high school at Sharon, Massachusetts. He then continued his education in the Phillips Andover Academy, from which he was graduated with the class of 1886. Having determined upon the practice of law as a life work, he then entered Yale, in which he completed his classical course in 1891, and for two years thereafter he devoted his attention to the study of law in the Yale Law School, winning his degree in 1893. He has since engaged in general law practice in New Haven and his ability has brought him prominently to the front in the ranks of the legal fraternity. He served as city attorney from 1915 until 1917 and outside the striet path of his profession he has also been an official, having heen chosen a member of the board of aldermen.
On the 26th of November, 1896, in New Haven, Mr. Moyle was married to Miss Clara Belle Adams, a daughter of Clifford B. Adams, a prominent surgeon. To Mr. and Mrs. Moyle have been born two sons and a daughter: Wallace Adams, who is now with the United States army; Edgerton Lee; and Elizabeth Wallace.
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Mr. and Mrs. Moyle are members of the College church and in his political views Mr. Moyle is a republican. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and has been master of old Hiram Lodge, No. 1, F. & A. M., having occupied that position in 1898. He was eminent commander of the New llaven Commandery in 1897 and was grand senior warden of the grand lodge of Connecticut in 1917. His high standing in Masonic cireles and the valuable service which he has rendered to the order are indieated in the fact that on the 18th of September, 1917, the honorary thirty-third degree was conferred upon him. For ten years he has been president of the Masonic Home and has largely furthered the interests of that institution. While perhaps not without that honorable ambition which is so powerful and useful as an incentive to activity in public affairs, he regards the pursuits of private life as being in themselves abundantly worthy of his best efforts. He has ever subordinated personal ambition to public good and seeks rather the benefits of others than the aggrandize- ment of self. Endowed by nature with high intellectual qualities, to which have been added the discipline and embellishments of culture, his is an attractive personality. Well versed in the learning of his profession and with a deep knowledge of human nature and the springs of human conduet, possessing great sagacity and tact, he is in the courts an advocate of great power and influence. Both judges and juries always hear him with attention and deep interest.
JOHN P. SMITH.
A well known figure in manufacturing eireles in New Haven is John P. Smith, who began business on his own account in November, 1905, and is now proprietor of the interests conducted under the name of John P. Smith & Company, manufacturers of wire goods, wire cloth, office railings, etc., the plant being located at Nos. 493-501 State street. In this connection he has developed a business of growing and gratifying proportions, constituting a substantial element in the commercial activity of the city. The greater part of his life has been passed in New Haven, where he was born on the 10th of December, 1870. His father, Michael F. Smith, a native of Ireland, eame at once to New Haven after crossing the Atlantic to America in 1865. Here he engaged in mechanical lines and continued his residence up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1878, at the comparatively early age of thirty-four years. He wedded Margaret Moran, a native of Ireland where they were reared and married. She died in 1889 at the age of thirty-nine years.
John P. Smith was the eldest of their six children. Fle was a little lad of but eight years when his father passed away and was eighteen years of age at the time of his mother's death. He began his education in the public schools of New Haven, but when a lad of only nine years was obliged to start out to earn his own living. After working for a time as a newshoy he became a messenger with the Western Union Telegraph Company and later was a cash boy in Malley's store, being there employed at the time of the fire. He was afterward apprenticed to the Connectieut Wire Works, conducted by A. A. Arnold, and later he was with the Union Form Company. When a youth of eighteen he went to New York, where he worked for eight years at his trade, learning the wire business in all its departments. He spent fifteen years at hench work and for the past eighteen years has been connected with the business in New Haven. For about a decade he has conducted business under his own name. He began business for himself in November, 1905, and from a small beginning has developed his interests until he has the largest business of the kind in New England. His first year's sales amounted to five thousand, three hundred and eight dollars and eighty-seven cents, since which time his trade has steadily increased until in 1916 his business amounted to fifty-six thousand, two hundred and seventy-three dollars. During the present year the proportionate increase is ahead of that of any previous year and his trade in the month of April exceeded his first year's business. His firm now employs from twenty to twenty-five people on an average. The plant originally had four thousand square feet of floor space and today there is twenty thousand square feet. Mr. Smith devotes his entire time and attention to his business, having no other interest. He began with a capital of but seven hundred dollars, which was money that he had earned and saved.
JOHN P. SMITH
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On the 19th of June, 1892, in New York city, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Sarah Gardner, who was there born, a daughter of John and Sarah (Wheaton) Gardner, both representatives of old families of Schenectady, New York, and both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have become the parents of two daughters. Irene M., born in New York city in July, 1894, is now the wife of Edward R. Potter, who is associated with her father in business, and they have one child, Edward J. Potter, born in New Haven, February 10, 1916. Florence May born in New Haven in June, 1904, was graduated from the grammar school in June, 1917.
The parents are members of Christ's Episcopal church. Mr. Smith votes with the republican party but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He is identified with many social, business and civic organizations. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Loyal Order of Moose. He has membership in the Publicity Club, in which he is a very active worker, in the Kiwanis Club, the Chamber of Commerce and the Business Men's Association. He takes a most active and helpful part in civie matters and his influence is always on the side of progress, advancement and improvement. He is like- wise connected with the Automobile Club and the breadth of his interests is further indi- cated in the fact that he is a member of the Connecticut Fish and Game Protective Asso- ciation. He takes a most active and helpful part in civic matters. He is now identified with the Home Guard and is a member of the motor vehicle department. His interests are many- sided. He has never concentrated his attention upon business to the exclusion of duties and obligations along other lines, but is found loyal and progressive in citizenship and is a supporter of those measures which he regards as conducive to the public welfare.
KENT LEGRAND BRADLEY.
Most of the progressive and prominent business men of today are those who have worked their way upward from the ranks, climbing step by step. The majority of the world's leaders have not been college men but have gained their knowledge in the school of experi- ence. It is under the pressure of adversity and the stimulus of opportunity that the strong- est and best in men is brought out and developed, an illustration of this fact being found in the life record of Kent LeGrand Bradley, the president and general manager of the Progressive Tool Equipment Company. Incorporated, of New Haven. He is yet a young man but in his native city has made for himself a most creditable position.
Mr. Bradley was born September 4, 1890, a son of Henry LeGrand and Bessie Lee (Kent) Bradley, who were also natives of this city, while their ancestors for several generations have been Connecticut born. With various prominent New England families they are con- nected. The father was a manufacturer of hardware specialties for many years, a business which the family has followed from generation to generation. llenry L. Bradley passed away in New Haven in 1912, at the age of forty-eight years, and is still survived by his widow. They became the parents of four children: Kent L .; Franklin Curtiss: Marion Louise; and Mrs. Katherine Chirgwin, of New Haven.
A course in Boardman's Manual Training School supplemented the public school train- ing of Kent LeGrand Bradley, who attended the Westville grammar school. After a three years' course in mannual training he went to Newfoundland, where he was employed in various machine shops. He afterward removed to Calgary, Canada, where he worked as a machinist, and after an absence of two years, in which he gained very broad and valuable experience, he returned to the United States, working his way from coast to coast in the machine shops in the various states through which he passed. He acquired valuable knowl- edge not only of his trade but of men and business methods-a knowledge which has served him well in bis present relation. He arrived in New Haven on the 1st of December. 1915, and established his present business on a small scale. Within a very short time this has grown to large proportions and in 1916 his sales amounted to about one hundred and twenty- five thousand dollars. The business was incorporated on the 29th of July of that year. with Mr. Bradley as president and general manager: Robert A. Chirgwin as secretary and treasurer; and Henry B. Thompson, consulting engineer. Their business has shown more wonderful development than that of any of the newer coneerns in this line in New Haven.
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On the 4th of April. 1912. Mr. Bradley was married to Miss Martha W. Bauman, of Meriden, Connecticut, a daughter of John Il. Bauman, and they now have a daughter. Marion Kentwod, born in New Britain, Connecticut, May 4, 1913. They lost one son. Kent L., Jr., who died at the age of six months.
In politics Mr. Bradley follows an independent course. He has membership in the Masonie fraternity and in Center church, associations which indicate the principles which govern his conduct. Ile is social and genial in disposition and ranks with the coming business men of his city and state. standing very high in public regard.
REV. LAWRENCE A. GUIN.AN.
Rev. Lawrence 1. Guinan. pastor of the Holy Angels Roman Catholic church of South Meriden, was born in Hartford, Connecticut, a son of John and Mary (Myres) Guinan, both of whom were natives of Ireland but came to this country many years ago. It was not until after they had crossed the Atlantic that they became acquainted. In their family were several children. The two living brothers of Rev. Guinan are: Joseph C., of New York city; and John F., living in Hartford. Two brothers, both of whom were named Charles, have passed away. The living daughters of the family are: Mary, a resident of South Meriden; Mrs. Catharine Fagin, of Hartford; and Louise, a teacher in the schools of Hartford. Four daughters, Alice. Elizabeth. Agatha and Josephine, have passed away.
Rev. Lawrence A. Guinan was a pupil in the public and high schools of Hartford and puistied his classical course at St. Geraldl's College at Ellicott, Maryland, from which he was graduated in 1889. Ile then took his theological course in St. Mary's College, at Balti- more. Maryland, and was graduated in 1894. On the 22d of December of that year he took holy orders, being ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Gibbons. Father Guinan was first assigned to duty as assistant pastor in St. Peter's church at Plymouth, Massachusetts, and later became assistant at St. Rose's Catholic church in Meriden, with which he was con- nected from December 27. 1895, until March 1. 1908. At the latter date he became pastor of the Holy Angels Roman Catholic church, which has a membership of three hundred and fitty. The parish has an excellent church property and rectory, which have been recently remodeled, redecorated and refurnished. The church was worth about three thousand dollars when he took charge and it is now worth about twelve thousand. In addition to his pastoral duties in connection with the Holy Angels church Father Guinan is pastor of St. Bridget's Catholic church at Cheshire. Connecticut, and is chaplain of the state reformatory at Cheshire, having been appointed July 20. 1914. In his work he has one assistant. the Rev. Leo M. Finn. Father Gininan belongs to the Knights of Columbus and to the Ancient Order of libernians, and his political endorsement is given to the democratic party.
ALEXANDER CAIN.
Alexander Cahn, a civil engineer of New Haven, his native city, was born August 31. 1-25. his parents being Sally and Betty ( Arnstein) Cahn. both of whom were natives of Germany. The father came to America in 1847 and established his home in New York, whence in 1549 he removed to New Haven. He was a custom tailor and aside from business he took an active part in religions work and civic matters. Ile was born in 1827 and was therefore in the eighty-sixth year of his age when he passed away on the 16th of December, 1912. Ilis wife died in New Haven. November 16. 1890, at the age of fifty-six years. Their family numbered eight children. seven of whom are yet living. Alexander being the youngest.
No unusual advantages occurred to vary the routine of life for Alexander Cahn in his boyhood and youth. After leaving high school more liberal educational opportunities were accorded him and he was graduated from Yale University with the Ph. B. degree in 1895. having completed a course in the Sheffield Scientific School. He was a lad of but fifteen when he began earning money by selling newspapers on the streets of the city and his first
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regular position was that of an employe in a eigar factory, receiving two dollars per week for stripping tobacco. Ile took this work with the purpose of earning the money that would enable him to pursue a more advanced education and it was by personal effort along that line and in other employment that he secured the capital to meet his tuition. He remained in tbe eigar factory for five years and during his college days he also engaged in tutoring. Following his graduation he entered upon the practice of civil engineering with the firm of Bogart & Sperry of New Haven and in 1900, upon the dissolution of the firm, Mr. Cahn became associated with A. William Sperry. In 1909, however, he entered business independently and from the beginning has been very successful, being now accorded a liberal clientage as a eivil engineer. His college training and his practical experience have enabled him to capably perform many difficult engineering tasks and his work has been highly satis- factory.
On the 14th of November, 1905, Mr. Cahn was married in New Haven to Miss Harriet Aguilar Kleiner, a daughter of Isaac and llelen ( Bretzfelder) Kleiner, who are still living and are connected with old families of this section. Mr. and Mrs. Cahn have two sons: Charles Alexander, born October 7. 1910; and Henry Kleiner, born July 2, 1915.
Mr. Cahn has membership in the Masonic fraternity, in the Harmonie (lub and in the Connectient Engineering Society. Ile is also a member of the congregation of Mishkan Israel and is chairman of its cemetery committee, of its music committee and also one of its trustees. Ile is very active in eivie matters and holds membership in the New Haven Civic Federation, serving on its committee on streets and buildings. lle is intensely inter- ested in the beautifying of New Haven. in the planting of trees and in otherwise adding to the attractiveness of the eity, and is doing splendid work in that field.
HARRY M. BOWMAN.
Harry M. Bowman of the New England Coal Ageney, wholesale dealers in bituminous and anthracite eoal, was born December 13, 1880, in New Haven and was the fifth of the six children of Peter E. and Mary (Crampton) Bowman, both of whom are now deceased. They were natives of Kingston, New York, and of Madison, Connecticut. respectively. The father came to New Haven in early life and was with the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad as freight agent and superintendent both in New Haven and at Harlem River for a period of forty years. le long held membership with Trinity Methodist church, taking a most active part in its various branches of work. ineluding that of the Sunday school, of which he was superintendent. He was also most helpfully interested in charitable work throughout his entire life. In politics he was a republican, but never aspired to office. Hle passed away in New Haven, May 4. 1913, at the age of sixty-nine years, having long survived his wife, whose death occurred in 1892, when she was forty-two years of age.
Leaving high school at the age of sixteen years, Harry M. Bowman then started out to earn his own living and was first employed in the local freight ofliee of the New York, New Hlaven & Hartford Railroad. He continued in railroad service until 1903, at which time he had worked his way upward to chief clerk of the fuel department. llis advancement had come in recognition of his worth and fidelity. for he had begun in a very minor position. At length he resigned and went to Boston, where he secured a position with Curran & Burton. wholesale eoal dealers, with whom he continued for three years. Hle then returned to New Ilaven and established his present business, forming a partnership with W. H. Elliot, formerly fuel agent of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, and with W. H. Lewis. The business was conducted under the firm name of the New England Coal Agency Company. On the 1st of March, 1916, Mr. Elliot passed away and his interests have since been taken over by the other members of the company. They are among the leading whole- sale dealers in their line in New Haven and their business extends over a wide territory in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
On the 27th of October, 1903, Mr. Bowman was married to Miss Grace A. Leonard, a native of Westville, Connecticut, and a daughter of John N. and Martha F. Leonard, the former now deceased. while the latter is a resident of New Haven. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman
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have two children, Eunice P. and Ruth E., both born in New Haven, the former October 15, 1904, and the latter February 4, 1909.
In politics Mr. Bowman is a republican but has never been an office seeker. He served in the New Haven Grays and is now a member of its veteran organization. Socially he has connection with the Automobile Club and the Edgewood Club and is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce. He is widely and favorably known through his social and busi- ness connections, having a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
CHARLES HENRY JACKSON.
Charles Henry Jackson, proprietor of the best general store in the town of Cheshire, is a native of Colorado, his birth having occurred in Central City, September 2, 1880. His parents, Elisha and Mary J. (Jenkins) Jackson, were natives of Cornwall, England. The father engaged in mining in England and on coming to the United States lived for a time in Cheshire, Connecticut, but following his marriage went to Colorado, where he worked in the inines. He was killed in a mine accident in Central City in 1887 and later his widow returned to Cheshire, where she still resides.
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