USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II > Part 68
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F. Henry Monroe pursued his education in the public schools of Jefferson and Lewis counties, New York, and started out to earn his own living when a youth of fourteen years, being first employed at painting and decorating. He learned this business under the direction of his father, who was then active in that line, and he followed the trade as a journeyman and on his own account for a quarter of a century. He was employed by others for twelve years and then started in business on his own account, winning a good patronage along that line. His pursuit of the painting and decorating business led him to an understanding of the real estate field and at length he determined to direct his efforts along that line. In February, 1914, he entered into partnership with his brother under the firm style of Monroe Brothers and they have since conducted a successful and growing real estate business. They are now largely turning their attention to the development of Whitney Terrace, which is a naturally beautiful district, located about twenty minutes' trolley ride from Church and Chapel streets. The property extends for nearly a half mile along Whitney avenue. There is a big, broad area of dry level land, forming wide and beautiful thoroughfares, with a wonderful background supplemented by a natural sloping terraced hill. As one ascends this hill the panorama broadens and when the summit is reached there is an expansive plateau dotted here and there with beautiful trees. The district is already supplied with water, gas and electricity and has connection with the New Haven Telephone Exchange. It is being transformed into a most attractive residential district and tbe progressive methods of the Monroe Brothers promise to make it one of the most beautiful and most desirable residential sections of the city.
On the 30th of September. 1891, at Cornwall, Connecticut. Mr. Monroe was united in marriage to Miss Cynthia Rebecca Harrison, who was there born and is a daughter of Hon. George Harrison, who died at Cornwall in 1907. He was well known as a judge and was a man of marked prominence. Mr. and Mrs. Monroe became the parents of a son, George Harrison, who was born April 25, 1893, and passed away May 1, 1907.
Mr. Monroe gives his political allegiance to the republican party, which he has supported since reaching adult age. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a past grand master. In fact he has been a very active and influential member in the organization for twenty-eight years. He has an interesting military chapter in his life record, having served for five years in Company D of the Connecticut National Guard as a private and for two years in the Second Company of the Governor's Foot Guard. He started out in life a poor boy dependent upon his own resources, but possessed of courage, energy and determination. From the initial point of his career he has steadily progressed, taking no backward step, and in the course of years he has reached a creditable position among the successful business men of New Haven, where he now owns an attractive home at No. 303 Norton street, while he is conducting a business that is proving a source of benefit in connection with the upbuilding and improvement of New Haven as well as a source of individual prosperity.
C. EDWARD BULLIS.
(. Edward Bullis is president and treasurer of the Whaples-Bullis Company. printers of New Haven, and in this connection is contributing in large measure to the success of one of the important industrial interests of the city. Ile was born in New Haven, June 2, 1870, a son of Edward W. and Ellen M. (Perkins) Bullis, the former a native of the state of New York, while the latter was born in Southington, Connecticut. The father engaged in the carriage wood working business and was foreman of Dann Brothers' factory, in which connection he filled a very responsible position. He died in the year 1897. Throughout his entire life he was actuated by a spirit of loyalty and devotion to bis country and at the time of the Civil war he responded to the call for troops, joining the army with an engineering corps and rendering active and important service as a bridge builder. His wife died in New Haven in 1884. when she had reached the age of fifty years. In their family were five children, of whom two daughters are living: Mrs. Nellie J. Whaples. of New Haven; and Mrs. A. H. Hayes, of the same eity.
C. Edward Bullis pursued his education in the public schools of New Haven and when
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his textbooks were put aside began learning the printing business under the direction of C. G. Whaples. He continued active along that line for a year and then purchased an interest in the printing and book binding business of C. G. Whaples, the firm becoming known as the Whaples-Bullis Company. Their business has grown steadily under the direction of Mr. Bullis, who has had much to do with the management, and today a large and profitable business is enjoyed. He is also a director of the Pyramid Building Company. There are no esoterie phases in his business career and the secret of his success is not hard to find. He has worked diligently and persistently along well defined lines and has recognized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement. He has therefore made it his purpose to give to the publie the best that can be produced in his line and by reason of general satisfaction on the part of those who have given him their trade his business has steadily grown.
On the 2d of July, 1895, Mr. Bullis was united in marriage to Miss Nina Whaples, of New Haven, and they have become parents of three children: Helen M., who was born in 1899 and is a graduate of the Hillhouse high school with the class of 1917; Donald P., who was born in New Haven in 1901 and is attending the Hillhouse high school; and Glenna E., who was born in 1907 and is also in school.
Mr. Bullis was well known as the secretary of the New Haven Publicity Club, to which position he was called in 1916 and which he filled until March, 1917. He is well known in Masonie circles, belonging to Adelphi Lodge, Pulaski Chapter and Crawford Couneil, and he also has membership in the New Haven Masonie Club. He is connected with the Chamber of Commerce and cooperates heartily in all of its plans and projects for promoting the public welfare. His political allegiance is given to the republican party but he does not seek nor desire office. His religious faith is manifest in his membership in Plymouth Congregational church and he is at all times interested in the material, intellectual, social, politieal and moral progress of the community in which he has always made his home. New Ilaven has reason to be proud of him as a native son, for his course has at all times reflected eredit upon the city. Ile has been actuated by laudable ambition in his business career and while carrying forward important interests he has at the same time found opportunity to cooperate in all those plans which take cognizance of the city's needs, its possibilities and its opportunities.
HON. WILLIAM FREDERICK SMITH.
Hon. William Frederick Smith proudly wears the little bronze button that proclaims him a veteran of the Civil war. He has long been an active member of the Grand Army of the Republie and it is a well known faet that in days of peace as well as in days of war he has been a most loyal eitizen, proving his fidelity to the best interests of the community through faithful service in various local offices and as a member of the state legislature. In business affairs he has been well known as a representative of industrial activity but at the present time he is living retired.
Mr. Smith was born in Hamden, New Haven county, July 19, 1843, a son of John Gibb and Mary Eliza (Munson) Smith, the former a native of Hamden, while the latter was born in North Haven. The father spent liis entire life in Hamden and was a mechanic em- ployed at the Eli Whitney gun shop. He served as selectman at one time and passed away in Hamden, where the death of his wife also occurred. They were the parents of three children of whom two are living. William Frederick and John Gibb. The latter was engaged in the lumber business in New Haven for many years and is now a resident of Boston.
William F. Smith acquired his education in the schools of Hamden and had not passed beyond the point of boyhood when, in response to the country's call to arms, he joined service. He was at that time a youth of eighteen, enlisting in September, 1861, as a member of Company F, Sixth Connectieut Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for three years, being honorably discharged in September, 1864. He participated in various hotly contested engagements, including the battle of Port Royal (South Carolina), the siege of Fort Pulaski, the engagements at Savannah Harbor, Pocatello (South Carolina), the battle and capture of Morris Island, the assault on Fort Wagner, in Charleston harbor, and others.
HON. WILLIAM F. SMITH
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He was then transferred to Virginia with the Army of the James, under General Butler, in the spring of 1864 and took part in the battle of Drury's Bluff and in the siege of Peters- burg. He was holding the rank of first sergeant when honorably discharged.
Mr. Smith has engaged in mechanical pursuits throughout his active business life. He worked in New Haven and in Norwich, Connecticut, but in 1871 returned to New Haven, where he entered the employ of the Eli Whitney gun factory, with which he remained until the business was sold to the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. He was afterward with the Marlin Fire Arms Company in New Haven, with which he was associated for many years, but retired in 1909. He was a tool maker and was in the gun stock department. His has been a busy and useful life, in which there were few idle hours, and his fidelity and efficiency won him promotion from time to time until his position was one of importance.
At Norwich, Connecticut, on the 28th of April, 1868, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Sarah Lester Gallup, who was born in Griswold, Connecticut, but resided in Norwich up to the time of her marriage, while in 1871 she accompanied her husband to Hamden. She was a daughter of Alexis F. and Elizabeth L. (Lester) Gallup. Her father was born in Ledyard, Connecticut, and the mother's birth occurred in Griswold, and both passed away in Norwich. The death of Mrs. Smith occurred April 20, 1917, and was the occasion of deep and wide- spread regret not only to her immediate family but to many friends. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born six children, four of whom are living, namely: Inez Elizabeth, the wife of Charles L. Bates, a resident farmer of North Branford; Frederick Winfield, who married Julia A. Kolb and is engaged in the auto supply business in New Haven; Catherine Ward, the wife of Rollin F. Beecher, a farmer of Hamden, Connecticut; and Albert Woodruff, who married Mary Jane Adams and is living in Hamden.
Mr. Smith holds membership in Day Spring Lodge, F. & A. M., of which he has twice served as master. He is also a member of Admiral Foote Post, No. 17, G. A. R., of New Haven, and has twice been post commander. In fact, he is one of the very active and prom- inent members of that organization and is much interested in its work. In politics he has ever been a republican. He served as grand juror in the town of Hamden and in 1914 was elected to represent his town in the legislature, serving during the session of 1915, in which he was a member of the committee on military affairs. His life has been well spent and at the age of seventy-four years he can look back over the past without regret, for he has been active, diligent and reliable in business, loyal and progressive in citizenship and faithful in public office.
BARNARD B. SAVAGE.
Inheriting a good name but nothing else, Barnard B. Savage started out for himself at an early age and what he has accomplished is represented in the fact that he is now at the head of the firm of B. B. Savage & Company, conducting an extensive and profitable business in the manufacture of mattresses, spring heds and upholstered and couch hammocks at Nos. 3 to 7, inclusive, on Factory street. He was born January 21, 1852. in Portland, Connecticut, a son of the late Luther Savage, who was also a native of Portland. The ancestry of the family can be traced back to Middletown, Connecticut, in the year 1638, the original ancestors having come from England. Luther Savage was a ship carpenter and farmer and at one time owned many acres of land on the Connecticut river, being quite well-to-do. He married Mary Jane Buck, also a native of Portland and a representative of an old family of this state who were among the founders of Bucktown, Connecticut. Her father, Barnard Buck, was a carriage manufacturer. Mrs. Savage passed away in Portland. at the old homestead, in 1911, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. In the family were five children, of whom three are yet living: Barnard B .; John B., who is a resident of New Haven; and Harriett J., who occupies the old homestead.
Barnard B. Savage acquired his education in the public schools of Portland and in Chase's Academy at Middletown. His early life was spent upon the home farm with the usual experiences of the farm-bred boy who works in the fields through the summer months and attends school in the winter seasons, with a fair amount of play to vary the monotony. At the age of fifteen years he started out to earn his own living and was first employed in
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the country store owned by the Gildersleeves. This was a department store at Gilder- sleeve's Landing. His first salary was three dollars per week and all he could eat of the store's supplies, such as crackers, cheese and molasses. He there remained for two years, after which he interested his father in purchasing a mattress factory for him in Portland, at which time corn shucks were purchased from the farmers and made into mattresses. The business was established in an old barn in Portland and from that start has developed the present enterprise. In 1871 Mr. Savage removed to New Haven and started the plant. His first location was at Nos. 9 and 11 Long Wharf and there he continued to successfully conduct the business until 1897, when the plant was removed to its present location. There is a three-story building one hundred and forty by forty feet, well equipped with the latest improved machinery to facilitate work of this character. Employment is now given to fifty people and this is the largest manufacturing enterprise of the kind in the state, its products being shipped to all parts of the country, although principally sold in New England, New York, Pennsylvania and the east. The business now approximates one hundred and fifty thousand dollars per year and has become one of the important produe- tive industries of New Haven, owing to the capable management, the persistent effort and the honorable methods of Mr. Savage.
In 1872, Mr. Savage was married in Portland to Miss Carrie G. Hurlbut, a native of that place and a daughter of David and Electa Hurlbut. They became the parents of two child- ren: Jessie Isabelle, the wife of William Scott Eames, manager of the Trap Rock Company of New Haven; and Harry, deceased. The wife and mother passed away in 1902, at the age of forty-nine years. In August, 1906, Mr. Savage was married to Miss Lillian R. Corrigan, a native of New York city.
In his political views Mr. Savage is a republican, supporting the party where national issues are involved but casting an independent ballot at local elections. Fraternally his is a Mason, having been made a member of the order in West Haven. He belongs to the First Methodist church, is chairman of its board of trustees and is quite active in its work. His entire life is guided by its teachings and he is a man of many sterling qualities, reliable in business, enterprising in citizenship and at all times actuated by a spirit of progress and improvement. With the inheritance of a good name only as a capital with which to begin · life, he started out and step by step has advanced. each point in his career bringing him a broader outlook and wider opportunities.
MAXWELL LEAR, M. D.
Dr. Maxwell Lear, who started out in the business world by selling papers, is now one of the able physicians of New Haven. lle was born in southern Russia, August 2, 1888, a son of Samuel and Fannie (Freedman) Lear, who came to America in 1900. The father engaged in the grocery business in Russia in early life and has followed the same pursuit in New Haven, where he is still active in business at the age of fifty-four years. His wife has reached the age of fifty. They were the parents of ten children, of whom Dr. Lear is the eldest. The others are: Louis E., a mechanic, who was born in Russia : Joseph F. and Israel F., who are druggists of Ansonia; Bernard, who is likewise engaged in the drug business; Ida R .; and Minnie, David, Phillip and Gertrude, all of New Haven. The last four were born in New Haven and the older members of the family are natives of Russia.
In his boyhood days Dr. Lear attended the public schools and eventually he became a student in the Hillhouse high school. He afterward entered the Yale Medical School in preparation for a professional career and was graduated therefrom with the class of 1911. His first practical experience eame to him through a year and a half's service in the New Haven Hospital and thus he gained knowledge and ability that can never be acquired as ‹quickly in any other way as in hospital experience. At the end of that time he entered upon the private practice of his profession, in which he has made steady progress. His knowledge of the scientific principles which underlie his work is comprehensive and exact and he is most careful and painstaking in the diagnosis of his cases, his judgment being seldom if ever at fault.
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On the Sth of October, 1912, Dr. Lear was united in marriage to Miss Ida H. Avrutin. of New Haven, a daughter of Byman and Rachael Avrutin. Dr. and Mrs. Lear now have one child, Pearl Sylvia, born August 13, 1913.
Dr. Lear is identified with the Independent Order of B'nai B'rith and holds member- ship in the Jewish church. In politics he is independent. Along strictly professional lines he is connected with the New Haven, the New Haven County and the Connecticut State Medieal Societies and the American Medical Association. He is identified with the Menorah Society and is in hearty sympathy with all the movements which tend to safeguard youth and which aet as an inspiring element in guiding the boys of the period. His own course should serve as an example to others, for he started out by selling papers on the streets of the city and later he engaged in teaching school in order to derive the means for his college education. Undeterred by obstacles and ditbeulties in his path, he has steadily worked his way upward, actuated by a laudable ambition, and he keeps ever before him the highest standards of professional and personal conduct. He is today one of the representa- tive citizens and valued physicians of New Haven.
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EDWARD J. DUGGAN.
Starting out in the business world at a salary of five dollars per week, Edward J. Duggan has made rapid advance and as the result of his untiring industry and perseverance he has reached the position of secretary and treasurer of the Majestic Laundry Company. which owns and controls oue of the finest laundry establishments of New England. He was born in New llaven, December 13. 1871. his father being Patrick Duggan, a native of Ireland, who came to America during the early '50s and made his way direct to New Haven, where he resided until his death, which occurred when he was sixty-eight years of age. He married Bridget Gray, who had also come to America from Ireland about the same time as her future husband, whom she met in New Haven. She is still living and by her marriage she became the mother of seven children.
Edward J. Duggan, who is the fourth in order of birth, started out in the business world as a elerk in a retail grocery store at a salary of but five dollars per week withont board. He continued to clerk for ten years and in 1895 he entered the coat and apron supply business, establishing the New Haven Coat. Apron & Towel Supply Company. which he conducted individually at 505 Elm street. He still continues in that business but in 1905 he broadened the scope of his interests and activities by entering the laundry business at No. 169 East street. His interests were incorporated in October, 1905, with Moses H. Lambert as president and Mr. Duggan as secretary and treasurer of the Majestic Laundry Company. They began the business in a small way. having originally but fifteen employes. On the 12th of February, 1917, they removed to their present quarters at the corner of Ashmun and Lock streets in New Haven, where they erected the most modern and up-to-date laundry in New England. The plant is one hundred feet square. the building being two stories in height, and was erected at a cost of one hundred and twenty- five thousand dollars. Something of the growth of their patronage is indicated in the fact that today the company employs seventy-five people to take care of the trade, which is entirely local. The plant contains all of the latest and most improved laundry machinery. They have their own electrie plant, which operates all of the machinery and there is no accessory of a model laundry that is not to be found in their establishment. They give especial thought to the comfort of their employes and have made provision for supplying meals to them, having a special dining room for their service. This laundry with its splendid equipment is the visible expression of the spirit of enterprise and progress which has actuated Mr. Duggan at every point of his business career.
In New Haven, on the 14th of November, 1906, Mr. Duggan was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Conlan, a native of New Haven and a daughter of Patriek and Catherine Conlan. who were natives of Ireland. Three children have been born of this marriage: Helen, Martha and Margaret.
In his political views Mr. Duggan is independent, voting according to the exigeneies of the ease or according to the capability of the candidate as he sees it. He is a member of
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the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, of the Knights of Columbus and of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church, and for two years, in 1913 and 1914, he served as president of the Knights of St. Patrick. He was at one time a member of the Governor's Foot Guard and his record on every occasion has been a creditable one. He started out in life with little capital and that little was borrowed. but he has worked his way steadily upward, recognizing the eternal principle that industry wins. He has worked diligently and un- remittingly and has in the conduct of his laundry business given the best possible service, knowing that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement. Thus he has steadily advanced and is today in a most creditable position among the business men of his native eity.
ANTHONY J. MENDILLO, M. D.
When Dr. Anthony J. Mendillo was but ten years of age there awoke in him the desire to become a physician. He started out to provide for his own support when a youth of but eleven years and from that time forward has been dependent upon his own resources. It was in this way that he earned the money that made possible the fulfillment of bis boy- hood dreams and with the passing years he has steadily advanced in his profession, winning a very creditable position among the leading physicians of New Haven. He belongs to that substantial class of citizens that Italy has furnished to this city, his birth having occurred in Cerreto-Sannita, in the province of Benevento, January 22, 1886. His father, John Men- dillo, a native of Italy, came to America in 1887, making his way direct to New Haven, when he engaged in the shoe business. He married Margaret Dimeola, also a native of Italy, and with her husband and family she came to the new world. She was the mother of thirteen children, six of whom are yet living.
Dr. Mendillo was the third in order of birth and is the oldest of the living children. He was only a year old when brought by his parents to the United States and his education was acquired in the public schools of New Haven, but when he was only eleven years of age he started out to earn his own living. He was first employed in manufacturing plants until the age of fourteen years and during that period he carefully saved his earnings until his industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to engage in business on his own account. He then opened a barber shop, having previously learned the trade. When sixteen years of age he sold his shop and became a student in the Hopkins grammar school. After a year he passed his examinations which enabled him to enter the Yale Medical School and thus he took the first step toward the fulfillment of his boyhood's ambition. He was graduated from Yale in 1907 with the M. D. degree when twenty-one years of age, being the youngest member of his class. Following his graduation he spent three months in Italy in post graduate work and upon his return to this country became an interne in the New Haven Hospital, where he continued for three months. During the succeeding twenty months he was in the Bridgeport General Hospital, gaining that broad and valu- able experience which is secured in no other way as quickly and as surely as in hospital practice. He then returned to New Haven and opened an office at No. 613 Chapel street, where he remained for eighteen months, when he removed to his present location at No. 26 Elm street. Throughout the intervening years he has continued actively and successfully in practice, making a specialty of general surgery, for which work he is particularly well qualified. His knowledge of anatomy and the component parts of the human body is com- prehensive and his ability is manifest in the many important surgical operations which he has performed. He is the secretary of the York Square Hospital, a private hospital of New Haven. He served with the Connecticut National Guard when at Bridgeport as a member of the Hospital Corps for a year. He belongs to the New Haven, the New Haven County and the Connecticut State Medical Soeieties and the American Medical Association and thus keeps in touch with the advanced thought of the profession.
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