USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II > Part 67
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It was on the 19th of May, 1904, that Mr. Larkin was married in Willimantic, Connecti- cut, to Miss Ann Haseltine Payne, a native of Utica, New York, and a daughter of Wil- loughby and Lucy Payne, the former now deceased, while the latter is yet living.
Mr. Larkin has for the past nine years served as captain and as quartermaster of the Second Company, Governor's Foot Guard. He belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks at New Haven; also to the Union League, in which he is serving on the board of governors; to the Raeebrook Country Club; the New Haven Yacht Club; and to the Cham- ber of Commerce, while his religious belief is that of the Christian church. His life has ever been actuated by high and honorable purposes and worthy motives and his entire course commends him to the confidence and goodwill of all with whom he has come in contact. Moreover, his example should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, showing what may be accomplished by determined effort. It is through persistent energy and indefatigable industry that he has reached the place which he now fills in the business cireles of New Haven. standing in the front ranks of its successful and enterpris- ing men.
ROBERT E. WYANT.
In connection with public utilities is demanded the most efficient service and this the New Haven Gas Light Company finds in the efforts of Robert E. Wyant, who is now its superin- tendent and engincer. He made his initial step in the business world along this line and in fact has continued in this field throughout his entire active business career, most of the time being spent in Connecticut, although for a brief period he was in the west. His present posi- tion is one of large responsibility, including the direction of the efforts of three hundred and fifty workmen.
Mr. Wyant was born in Orange, New Jersey. February 13. 1868, and is a son of the late Leonard N. Wyant, who was a native of New York and a representative of one of the old families of that state.
He was engaged in mercantile business and was quite successful in his undertakings, bis last days being spent in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where he passed away in 1900, at the age of sixty-eight years. In early manhood he had wedded Mary H. Capen, a native of Massa- chusetts who belongs to one of the old families of that state of English descent. She is descended in the maternal line from the Coffin and Bridger families, botb prominent and well known in early colonial days in Massachusetts and Virginia. Mrs. Wyant is still living and yet makes her home in New York.
Robert E. Wyant was the fifth in order of birth in a family of six children. He supple- mented his early educational privileges by study in the Stevens Institute of Technology at Hoboken and was there graduated in 1889 on the completion of a course in mechanical engi- neering. He started out to earn his own livelihood at the age of twenty-one years and his first position was with the Derby Gas Company of Derby, Connecticut. He entered that serv- ice with a view of learning all branches of the gas manufacturing business. accepting a minor position and from that initial point working his way steadily upward. Soon after entering the service of the company he was assigned to the electrical department as superintendent of the Derby Gas Company, where he remained until 1904 with the exception of eighteen months when he was superintendent of the Colorado Springs Gas & Electric Company in Colorado Springs, Colorado. On the expiration of that period he returned to Derby, where he resumed his electrical and engineering work with the company in whose employ he had formerly been. In December, 1904. he became connected with the New Haven Gas Company as superintendent and has since acceptably and successfully filled this important and responsible
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position. During this period the business lias greatly developed and he now has three hun- dred and fifty employes under his direct supervision.
On the 17th of February, 1892, Mr. Wyant was married, at Cornwall-on-the-Hudson, to Miss Mary E. Reveley, a native of that place and a daughter of Henry R. Reveley. They have become the parents of two children: Robert R., who was born January 3, 1896, in Shelton, Fairfield county, Connecticut; and Charles, who has passed away.
In his political views Mr. Wyant is a republican and gives stalwart support to the party but does not seek nor desire the honors and emoluments of office, preferring that his public service shall be done as a private citizen. His influence and aid, however, are always on the side of progress and improvement and he stands for all those activities which are a matter of civic virtue and of civic pride. He is a member of the Graduates Club, the New Haven Country Club, the Chamber of Commerce and various technical associations, while his re- ligious faith is that of the Unitarian church.
ALEXANDER P. BERGMAN, M. D.
Prominent among the most skilled and efficient physicians of New Haven is Dr. Alexan- der P. Bergman, who is specializing in Roentgen ray practice. He is thoroughly qualified for this field of activity by broad preparatory training. He was born May 2, 1869, in Stockholm, Sweden, a son of Peter Bergman, who was also a natve of that country and was a very prominent agriculturist. In fact he was one of the first scientifically educated farmers of Sweden, having graduated from the National Agricultural College of that coun- try. He lived and died in Sweden and long occupied a position among the influential residents of his native land. His business affairs were so wisely and carefully conducted that he became fairly well-to-do in that country for the times. In 1885 he passed away at the age of sixty years, leaving behind him many friends who sincerely mourned his death because of the sterling traits of character which he had displayed. He married Emma Lundin, a native of Sweden, who died in 1884 at the age of forty-nine years. In their family were two children: Dr. Bergman; and Pauline, who is now the widow of Gustavus Rastrom of Stockholm, Sweden.
Dr. Bergman acquired his preliminary education in the schols of his native country and also attended the Stockholm Real Gymnasium, from which he was graduated in 1888 with the Bachelor of Science degree. His father's deep interest in education naturally led him to give his son excellent opportunities in this direction and, prompted by laudable ambition, Dr. Bergman has ever taken advantage of his opportunities and has steadily progressed in the learned professions. While still in Sweden he served for two years as a member of the Heavy Artillery branch of the army. In 1890, however, he bade adieu to friends and native country and sailed for the new world. Arriving in New York on April 30, he at once took up the study of medicine and in 1892 entered the New York University, where he pursued his medical course and was graduated with the class of 1895 in which year his final papers in citizenship were issued. Immediately afterward he spent a year in Bellevue Hospital in connection with the dispensary department, making a specialty of women's and children's diseases. He then opened an office at Fly Creek, New York, where he remained until 1899, when he came to New Haven, arriving in this city in the month of April. Since that time he has been an active member of the medical profession in the city of elms and has specialized in Roentgen ray practice, being one of the foremost representatives of this branch of the profession. He has studied broadly in that field and his work is an exemplification of a high degree of efficiency. He is a member of the staff of St. Raphael's Hospital and does all of the X-ray work for the New Haven Dispensary.
On the 2d of January, 1895, Dr. Bergman was married in New York city to Miss Christina Scholz, a native of New Haven and a daughter of Julius and Christina Scholz, who belonged to old and prominent New Haven families of German descent. Dr. and Mrs. Berg- man have a daughter, Gertrude Pauline, who was born in New York, February 13, 1896.
In politics Dr. Bergman follows an independent course, voting according to the dictates of his judgment without regard to party ties. He is a Mason, holding membership in
DR. ALEXANDER P. BERGMAN
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Trumbull Lodge, No. 22, F. & A. M., having been initiated into the order at Cooperstown, New York, on the 7th of February, 1899. He joined the Odd Fellows lodge at Coopers- town and now has membership with the Svea Lodge of that order in New Haven. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Foresters as well as a number of other fraternal and social organizations. Along strictly professional lines his associa- tion is with the New Haven, the New Haven County, the Connecticut State, the American Medical Association and the American Roentgen Ray Society.
Dr. Bergman had a capital of but fifty dollars when he landed in New York and upon that foundation he has builded his success. His deep interest in professional advancement led him to take up the study of medicine and in that field he has made continuous progress. He is very conscientious in the performance of his professional duties, bolds to high ideals and is most careful in the diagnosis of his cases. His judgment concerning the outcome of disease is seldom, if ever, at fault and he enjoys in large measure not only the confidence of the public but also the confidence of his professional colleagues. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he bas found the opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has made for himself a most creditable position as a successful medical practitioner.
JOSEPH B. CLARK.
Joseph B. Clark is well known in the industrial circles of New Haven as manager of the P. J. Cronan Paper Box Company. Throughout his entire business career he has been connected with this undertaking, working his way steadily upward from a humble position until he stands as the chief directing force of the operations which are carried on at the plant located at Wall and State streets in New Haven.
Mr. Clark was born in Hartford, Connectient, September 1. 1862, and is a son of Bernard Clark. a native of Ireland, who came to the United States in 1845 and first settled in New York state but afterward removed to Hartford, where he followed the trade of carriage blacksmithing. About 1860 he became a resident of New Haven, where he is now living at the advanced age of eighty-two years. He has retired from active business life and well merits the rest which has come to him, for his has heen an active and useful career. He wedded Mary Galligan, also a native of the Emerald isle, who came to America when a young girl of ten years. She also is living. By her marriage she became the mother of seven children, of whom Joseph B. is the second.
It was in the public schools that Joseph B. Clark began his education and later he attended the Giles private school. He started out to provide for his own support in 1879, when a youth of seventeen years, securing employment in the paper box works of P. J. Cronan, with which he has since been identified. He was employed at various positions in the plant until 1893, when, having been promoted through intermediate positions, he was then made general manager. He so continued to represent Mr. Cronan until 1896, when the business was sold to the White & Wells Company of Waterbury, and since that time Mr. Clark has continued as general manager of the New Haven plant. The company em- ploys upwards of eighty people in New Haven and the output is largely sold to the local trade. They manufacture cartons and small paper boxes and their plant is among the largest and best equipped of the kind in New Haven. Mr. Clark is thoroughly familiar with every phase of the business, for he started out in a humble way and has steadily pro- gresscd step by step through all the different branches, so that he has gained a most intimate and accurate knowledge that enables him to wisely direct the efforts of those in his employ.
In 1891, in New Haven, Mr. Clark was married to Miss Mary J. Kelly, a native of the state of New York. Their children are six in number: Ann, Marian. Gertrude. Ray- mond, William and John, all of whom were born in New Haven.
Mr. Clark is indeed a self-made man and one whose record is deserving of high com- mendation. He has always been actnated by a spirit of unfaltering diligence and his thor. ough reliability is indicated by the fact that he has always continued with the company by which he was employed in early boyhood. He is a man of steady habits, thoroughly efficient, and is held in the highest esteem by employes as well as by the members of the
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corporation. Politically Mr. Clark maintains an independent course. He is a Catholic in religious faith, having membership in St. Joseph's church, and he belongs to the Knights of Columbus and to the Manufacturers' Association. He has been a close student of busi- ness conditions and the signs of the times as affecting the interests with which he is con- nected, and the spirit of enterprise that actuates him at all times has brought about much of the success which is his.
TREBY W. LYON, M. D.
Broad hospital experience, supplementing thorough collegiate training, well qualified Dr. Treby W. Lyon for professional activity and he has won for himself a most creditable position among the successful physicians of New Haven. He was born in New London, Con- necticut, June 6, 1881, a son of Charles H. and Addie (Williams) Lyon, both of whom were natives of New London. In his later life the father engaged in the grocery business for a considerable period and won a substantial measure of success but is now living retired in New Haven, having acquired a handsome competence that enables him to rest from further labor. His wife passed away in New London. In their family were two children, the brother of Dr. Lyon being Charles, who also resides in New Haven.
Dr. Lyon of this review spent his youthful days attending the public schools of New London, Connecticut, mastering the work of successive grades until he was graduated from the high school. Reviewing the broad field of business activity, he determined upon the practice of medicine as his chosen life work and entered the Yale Medical School, from which he was graduated in 1903 with the M. D. degree. He decided to make New Haven his place of residence, but to add to his knowledge of the medical science he first pursued an extended post-graduate course in New York at various clinics. After service in clinics, Dr. Lyon spent one year as interne in the Elizabeth General Hospital at Elizabeth, New Jersey. In January, 1906, he opened an office in New Haven, where he remained until April, 1912, when he took a course in rectal diseases at the New York Polyclinic Hospital, where he was later appointed clinical assistant, remaining there until November, 1913, when he returned to New Haven.
His well earned reputation soon gained for him a liberal practice which has constantly increased in volume and importance as the years have passed on. He is now considered one of the city's leading and representative physicians and surgeons and his business has reached very gratifying proportions. He belongs to the New Haven, the New Haven County, the Connecticut State and the American Medical Associations and he enjoys the high regard of his professional brethren because of his close conformity to the highest standards of the ethics of the profession.
In his political views Dr. Lyon maintains an independent course, casting his ballot according to the dictates of his judgment without regard to party ties. He belongs to St. Paul's Episcopal church and his life is guided by high and honorable principles in all things. His profession naturally requires the greater part of his time, thought and attention, and he is now serving on the clinical staff of the City Dispensary and also as clinical assistant in the Yale Medical School. Broad recognition of his acquired powers has come to him and his life record shows what may be accomplished through determined effort, close application and broad study.
JOHN F. MeNAMARA.
John F. MeNamara, the president and treasurer of the James Reynolds Manufacturing Company, doing business at No. 99 Mill River street in New Haven, was born February 21, 1867, in the city where he still makes his bome, a son of Bernard MeNamara, who was a native of Ireland and came to America in 1848. He made his way direct to New Haven, where he engaged in railroad work, becoming a foreman with the Derby & Consolidated Railroad Company, a position which he occupied for many years. He passed away in 1897, at
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the age of sixty-four. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Bridget Mealia, was also born on the Emerald isle and in the latter '40s eame to this country. She was married in New Haven, where she formed the acquaintance of Mr. MeNamara, and by her marriage she became the mother of six children, five of whom are living. Her death occurred in 1907, when she had reached the age of sixty-three years.
John F. McNamara was educated in the public schools of New Haven, pursuing his studies to the age of fourteen years, when he began providing for his own support. Until twenty years of age lie was employed in various manufacturing plants, working along mechanical lines, and when he had completed his second decade he was apprenticed to the James Reynolds Company, with whom he learned the machinist's trade. With the exception of a period of fourteen montlis, when he was employed by Sargent & Company of New Haven, he has since continuously been connected with the James Reynolds Company and gradual promotions have brought him at length to the position of president and treasurer. In 1890 the business was incorporated and his first official position was that of superintend- ent, in which capacity he served from 1891 until 1897. In the latter year he was elected to the presidency of the company and has since been its chief executive officer. This company is engaged in the manufacture of set and cap screws which are used for machinery purposes. The business is now a very profitable and growing one and the company employs on an av- erage of twenty-five people. The output of the plant is sold all over the United States and the company easily finds patrons because of the excellence of the product. The plant covers several acres and the industry ranks with the leading manufacturing concerns of New Haven.
On the 27th of April, 1914, Mr. MeNamara was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Hayes, a native of New llaven and a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Connory) Hayes, who came from Ireland and were carly settlers of New Haven but have now passed away.
In his political views Mr. McNamara is a democrat. He belongs to St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church and also to the Knights of St. Patrick. He started out in life empty- handed-a poor boy facing the necessity of providing for his own support- and that he has made good use of his time, talents and opportunities is indicated in the fact that he is now at the head of a successful manufacturing establishment and is the owner of an attractive home, his residence being at No. 624 Orange street. His life should serve to inspire and en- courage others, showing what may be accomplished through determination and well directed energy.
GEORGE WILLIS KEELER.
George Willis Keeler, who is engaged in the undertaking business in Cheshire, was born in the town of Cheshire, April 6, 1861, his parents being George and Sarah (Ells) Keeler. The father was born in Ridgefield in 1831 and the mother passed away in Norwalk, Connecti- cut, in 1915, when seventy-four years of age. In young manhood he removed to Cheshire, where he took up his abode in 1860. The following year, in response to the country's eall for troops, he enlisted at Cheshire as a member of Company A. Twentieth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, with which he saw active service throughout the remainder of the war. He then returned home with a most ereditable military record, having bravely faced the enemy on many a southern battlefield, while without complaint he participated in the long, hard marches and the strenuous campaigns. Returning to Cheshire, he entered the hardware and plumbing business, in which he engaged until eventually he turned his attention to the undertaking business, continuing in the latter line for thirty years. He is now living retired, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and rielily deserves. For about forty years he has been a deacon in the Congregational church and his life has at all times been guided by its teach- ings. He has never been active as an office holder but has given his support to the repub- lican party and has been active in upholding those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride.
George W. Keeler was the eldest in a family of three children, the others being Edwin J. and Mary Lanyon. He pursued his education in the famous Cheshire Academy at Salem, New Jersey, and also in the Colgate Institute. On attaining his majority he began business with
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his father in the plumbing shop and continued active in that line for about twelve years. In 1887 he turned his attention to the undertaking business, in which he has since been en- gaged, having now one of the oldest undertaking establishments in Cheshire, in which con- nection a liberal patronage is accorded him. He deals in real estate in a general way and has promoted some important realty transfers.
In 1888 Mr. Keeler was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Gilless, of Cheshire, a danghter of Mr. and Mrs. John Gilless, who were natives of England. The father came to the United States as a young man and settled in Cheshire, where for many years he was employed as an engineer and for a considerable period was also identified with the Ivy Button Company. He was of a retired disposition and a Methodist in religious faith.
In politics Mr. Keeler has been a stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. For twenty-five consecutive years he was tax collector, a fact which indi- cates the faithfulness and capability with which he discharged the duties of the position. He has also been a member of the school board for six years and in 1901 he was chosen to represent his district in the general assembly and in 1911 was again elected to that office. He has been very prominent in the political circles of the town and does all in his power to promote the growth and ensure the success of the principles in which he so strongly be- lieves. He is prominent in the local ranks of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and for twenty years, from 1897 until 1917, served as treasurer of L. A. Thomas Lodge, I. O. O. F. He also belongs to Temple Lodge, F. & A. M., to Trumbull Camp of the Sons of Veterans at Southington, in which he has been camp counsel. and in the Odd Fellows lodge he has filled all of the offices. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church. He is a man of retiring disposition and of genuine worth and enjoys the confidence and goodwill of all with whom he has been associated. He has made an excellent record in every relation of life and enjoys in marked measure the friendship of those who know him.
F. HENRY MONROE.
F. Henry Monroe is a partner in the real estate firm of Monroe Brothers and in this connection is handling some of the most desirable property in New Haven, including Whitney Terrace, which the firm is developing. Ile was born September 8, 1863, at North Wilna, Jefferson county, New York. His father, Alexander Hamilton Monroe, was born in the Em- pire state and came of Scotch and English ancestry. The founder of the American branch of the family was John Monroe, who crossed the Atlantic in early colonial days and settled in Lexington, Massachusetts. One of the ancestors, Thomas Monroe, was a soldier of the Revo- lutionary war and also of the War of 1812. The family was very prominent in Massachu- setts through many generations. In the maternal line of the Monroe ancestry there was close connection with the Carpenters, of whom William Carpenter was the founder of the family on American soil. Major Nathaniel Carpenter won his title by service in the Revolu- tionary war and was a prominent figure in the colonial epoch in the history of his commun- ity. William Carpenter was a surveyor and filled other offices at Rehoboth, Massachusetts. Thus from Revolutionary war ancestry Alexander Hamilton Monroe was descended in both the paternal and maternal lines. lle followed various pursuits, devoting some time to edu- cational work as a teacher, and he was also connected with mercantile interests as a dealer in wall paper and paint. He hecame a resident of New Haven in December, 1881, and here continued to make his home until called to his final rest on the 28th of March, 1887, when he was sixty-three years of age. In early manhood he had married Lucinda J. Churchill, a native of Bethlehem, Litchfield county, Connecticut, and a daughter of Samuel C. and Re- liance (Byington) Churchill, both of whom belonged to old families of this state. Josiah Churchill became the founder of the Churchill family in Connecticut and was a very early settler of Ilartford. He was of English lineage. Mrs. Monroe passed away February 20, 1907, at New Haven at the age of seventy-seven years. By her marriage she had become the mother of six children, of whom four are yet living: Eva, the wife of Elmer Purdy, a resident of Jacksonville, Florida; Ida Estelle. who is living in New Haven: Charles T., also a resident of New Haven: and F. Henry, of this review. the last two constituting the firm of Monroe Brothers.
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