USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II > Part 75
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114
tore it b _ luat
C.W. Gaylord M.D
609
AND EASTERN NEW HAVEN COUNTY
class of 1870. He then matriculated in the medical department and won his professional degree in 1872. His initial professional experience came to him in connection with Bellevue Hospital and for a time he was also associated with the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York city. Following his graduation he engaged for a brief period in the practice of medicine in Wallingford but in December of that year removed to Branford and is today the oldest physician of the city continuously connected with practice. Steadily progressing as the result of wide reading, careful study and investigation and long experience, he stands today as one of the eminent physicians of his part of the county, enjoying a large practice. Since 1896 he has been medical examiner and health officer of Branford and he is a director and member of the board of the New Haven County Anti-Tuberculosis Association. He is likewise vice president of the Gaylord Farms Sanatorium, which was established by the New Haven County Anti-Tuberculosis Society, which purchased the farm of Dr. Gaylord's father at Wallingford and established the sanatorium thereon. Dr. Gaylord was formerly president of the New Haven County Anti-Mosquito Association and was one of the strong and ef- fective workers for the elimination of the deadly mosquito, assisting in organizing the so- ciety. He is an ex-president of the New Haven County Medical Society and is a member of the Connecticut Medical Association and the American Medical Association. He is likewise the president of the Blackstone Memorial Library and is a member of the International Society for the Prevention of Tuberculosis. His investigations bave been carried on along most scientific lines and he has kept in touch with the trend of modern research work and with all that has to do with high efficiency in medical and surgical practice.
On the 27th of February, 1873, Dr. Gaylord was united in married to Miss Anna Rose, a daughter of Asa and Electa A. (Bushnell) Rose, of Essex, Connecticut. She passed away in February, 1916. There were six children in the family. L. Vincent, residing at Cleveland, Ohio, married Miss Alice Francis and has one child, Charles Francis. Bertha R. is assistant librarian of the Blackstone Memorial Library at Branford. Anna E. is a graduate of Vassar College of the class of 1905 and is at home. Charles W. was graduated from the Yale aca- demic department with the degree of Bachelor of Arts and from the medical department at Yale with the M. D. degree in 1915. He was interne in the New Haven Hospital, also in the Roosevelt Hospital of New York city, and in the Ellis Hospital at Schenectady, New York, for a year, and is now practicing medicine at Branford, Connecticut. Ruth Marguerite is engaged in teaching in New Haven. Donald David, the youngest of the family, is a graduate of the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University, having won the degree of Ph. B. in 1913. He also graduated from the Yale University School of Forestry in 1915 with the degree of Master of Forestry and was in the United States government forestry service at Norfolk, Connecticut but is now a corporal in Company E, Tenth Engineering Corps in France.
Dr. Gaylord is a republican and was for twenty-seven years a member of the school board of Branford. He holds to the Congregational faith and in club circles is well known, having membership in the Home Club of Branford and the Graduates Club of New Haven. He is a man of scholarly attainments, holding at all times to high professional ideals and keeping in touch with those interests which have to do with the sociological, economic and political resources and interests of the country.
SIMON PERSKY.
Marked business enterprise and the keenest sagacity have found expression in the life record of Simon Persky, now a prominent real estate dealer of New Haven, who was born in Russia, October 15, 1864. His parents, Abraham and Rosa Persky, are still living in Russia, where their son Simon attended school until he reached the age of fifteen years. For three years thereafter he was employed in various ways and did considerable trading during that . period. At the age of eighteen years he accepted a position with a big lumber concern and was made foreman of the rafting gang, having at times as many as fourteen hundred men under his supervision. He was thus engaged for five years. For a year thereafter he did no actual work, being occupied during that time with the effort to obtain a big mail contract. Not succeeding in this, he determined to try his fortune in the United States and in March, 1888, arrived in New York city, where he remained until June of that year, when he came to
610
A MODERN HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN
New Haven. He had a cash capital of but a dollar upon his arrival here. This he invested in chair seats, which he peddled, and in this way he made from twelve to fifteen dollars per week. He gave his attention to that work until January, 1889, when he returned to New York city, where he established a small clothes pressing business, which he conducted for three months. On the expiration of that period, however, he returned to New Haven and again engaged in peddling. By this time he had learned considerable concerning the language and customs of the American people and he began to expand his line of business, adding table- cloths, clothing, carpets and other goods. His patronage increased so that after a time he was able to purchase horses and wagons and to employ several people in conducting the busi- ness. He carried quite an extensive stock and further expanded his interests by introducing the installment plan of sale. It was about this time that he brought his family. consisting of his wife and children, to the new world.
Mr. Persky's first venture into the real estate field might be said to have been made in 1894, when he made arrangements for the purchase of a house, making a cash payment of twenty-five dollars and arranging to pay ten dollars per month thereafter until the purchase was completed. From this beginning he has developed a real estate business that has in the course of years made him the owner of over three hundred renting properties in New Haven and today he pays taxes on over six hundred thousand dollars worth of property. Those who read between the lines recognize marked ability, keen discrimination and unfaltering en- terprise. He owns one building, called the Congress Square block, which contains thirteen stores and twenty-two offices. Another building contains five stores and apartments. Still another has two stores and apartments and in addition he owns many smaller ones. His investments have been judiciously made, indicating his sound judgment and close study of real estate conditions and vahies.
In Russia, on the 14th of March, 1887, Mr. Persky was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Frankel and they have become parents of six children. Samuel A., who is a graduate of the University of Michigan and is now an attorney of New Haven, is married and has one son, Frank. Harry is a graduate of the Connecticut Agricultural College and is a prosperous farmer. Robert is a graduate of Yale University and is now with his father in the office. Clara D. is a graduate of the New Haven high school of the class of 1917. Eli will graduate from the high school with the class of 1918. Gertrude, who completes the family, is a public school pupil.
Mr. Persky belongs to Congregation B'nai Israel and has membership in the Inde- pendent Order of B'nai B'rith. He is also identified with various Hebrew charities and with the Hebrew Institute, and is continually giving of his means to aid others who are struggling to reach the goal of success. His political endorsement is given to the republican party. His has been a notably successful record and he deserves great credit for what he has accom- plished.
JOSEPH I. LINDE, M. D.
Dr. Joseph I. Linde, one of New Haven's representative professional men, now serving as city physician, was born April 1, 1886, in New Haven, a son of George and Mary (Bertzfelder) Linde. The mother was a native of the state of Connecticut. The father came to America with his parents when six years of age, the family home being established in New Haven, where he was reared and educated. He started out in the business world and chose a pro- fessional career. He took up the study of pharmacy and later engaged in the drug business on his own account, continuing active in that field until his death, which occurred in 1906, having long occupied a prominent position as one of the leading druggists of the city. He was forty-nine years of age at the time of his death. His widow was reared, educated and mar- ried in New Haven and is still a resident of this city.
Joseph I. Linde, their only child, attended the public schools of New Haven and after- ward became a pupil in the Hillhouse high school, from which he was gradnated with the class of 1904. In preparation for a professional career he entered the Yale Medical School and completed his course by graduation with the class of 1908, at which time the M. D. degree was conferred upon him. He has since benefited by post graduate work in the Harvard Medical
611
AND EASTERN NEW HAVEN COUNTY
School in the summer of 1911. In 1910 he located for practice in New Haven and it was not long before he had established a high reputation for skill and efficiency and through the intervening years to the present time he has built up an extensive practice and ranks very high in professional circles. He finds a ready solution for difficult and complex professional prob- lems and he is deeply interested in everything that tends to bring to man the key to the mystery which we call life. He therefore studies broadly, thinks deeply and keeps in touch . with the trend of scientific investigation and modern research. He helongs to the New Haven, New Haven County and Connecticut State Medical Societies and to the American Association, and also to the New England Pediatric Society. He has filled the office of city physician since February, 1910, and his long incumbency in the position, covering a period of more than seven years, is indicative of the confidence reposed in him and of the splendid work which he has done in this connection.
Dr. Linde was united in marriage on the 7th of June, 1915, to Miss Stella A. Mann, of Baltimore, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Mann, of that city. Fraternally lie is con- nected with Hiram Lodge of Masons and in club circles is well known as a member of the Race Brook Country Club and of the Harmonie Club. Dr. Linde is appreciative of the social amenities of life, is possessed of a genial nature, is ever courteous and kindly in disposition and has won an extensive circle of warm friends, while his professional precedence is acknowledged by colleagues and contemporaries
HENRY M. BOOTH.
Henry M. Booth, of the H. M. Booth Company, handling farms and suburban properties, with office at No. 831 Chapel street, in New Haven, was born in Southington, Connecticut, November 6, 1879, a son of Thomas and Mary (Lawlor) Booth.
After acquiring a public and high school education, which he completed by graduation with the class of 1896, he at once began learning the tool maker's trade, at which he worked for eight years. In March, 1900, he came to New Haven, where he followed his trade for a time, and then turned his attention to the real estate business, representing a prominent New York firm. In 1905 he engaged in the same business on his own account, opening his first office at No. 127 Orange street. He afterward removed to his present address at No. 831 Chapel street. During the first year he lost money as it is often the case with beginners in this lines of business in which it is difficult to gain a footing, but he persevered, feeling that industry and good faith on his part must ultimately triumph. Every year since then his business has shown a goodly increase. He handles farms and suburban properties exclusively and is selling agent for farm properties all over the state of Connecticut, mostly, however, in the lower tier of counties. He also handles some realties in Massachusetts and in the state of New York and his efforts have done not a little to develop suburban properties. He has made for himself a most creditable position in real estate circles and he is a valued member of the New Haven Real Estate Board.
On the 24th of June, 1914, Mr. Booth was married to Miss Genevieve Russ of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He belongs to St. Brendan's Roman Catholic church and he is identified with fraternal organizations, including the Knights of Columbus, the Elks, the Knights of St. Patrick, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Crocodile Club and the Order of Foresters and his attractive social qualities render him personally popular.
E. SHEPPARD GORDY.
E. Sheppard Gordy, manager and treasurer of The Underwriters Agency Company, at New Haven, and also doing a large general insurance business, was born in Salisbury, Mary- land, November 22, 1858, a son of Elijah M. and Martha (Sheppard) Gordy, representatives of old southern families. Both parents were born in Maryland, where the father engaged in farming throughout his entire life, passing away on the old family homestead near Salis-
612
A MODERN HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN
bury in 1902, when seventy-two years of age. His wife died in 1907. at the age of sixty-nine years.
E. Sheppard Gordy was the fourth in order of birth in a family of five children. In early boyhood he attended the country schools and later continued his education in the Salis- bury high school. He afterward took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for "five years in the country schools near his home. Ile then resumed his studies at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut, and was graduated from that institution in 1884. He afterward became principal and superintendent of schools at Ansonia, Connecticut, remain- ing in that connection from 1884 to 1890, or for a period of six years. He then resigned to take up life insurance in Boston, Massachusetts, as a representative of the Hartford Life In- surance Company, holding the position of state agent for three and a half years. In October, 1893, he came to New Haven to occupy a similar position, in which he continued until April, 1897, when he resigned to take the state agency for the Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance Com- pany of Philadelphia and in that connection he still continues. In 1894, at Ansonia, he opened a general insurance office, representing four leading fire insurance companies. This business has assumed large proportions and he now has the distinction of being at the head of an ex- tensive general insurance agency, representing thirty leading insurance companies. In Janu- ary, 1911, he became treasurer of The Underwriters Agency Company of New Haven and in October of the same year he assumed the position of manager, in which connection he still continues. He has also been one of the directors of the Savings Bank of Ansonia, Connecticut, for many years.
In July, 1888, Mr. Gordy was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Cotter, of Ansonia, Connecticut, a daughter of Samuel A. and Harriet S. Cotter, who were representatives of old New England families, the latter being a sister of the wife of Hon. Stephen W. Kellogg, of Waterbury, Connecticut. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gordy. Sheppard Bliss, who was born in Ansonia in 1889 and is a graduate of the Derby high school, after- ward entered the Yale Sheffield Scientific School and won the Ph. B. degree in 1910. He com- pleted the mining engineer's course in the Yale Sheffield School in 1912 and is now with the Guggenheim Copper Company in Chile, South America. Lucia Hosmer Gordy, born in 1894 in Derby, Connecticut, is a high school graduate and completed the course in Vassar College with the class of 1915. Elizabeth Cotter was born in Derby. January 22, 1903. Charles Kel- logg was born in Derby in April, 1905, and was graduated from the grammar school in 1917.
In connection with his business interests Mr. Gordy has always found time to further public progress and improvement by cooperating with many plans and measures for the general good. He is, and has been, since its organization, a director and secretary of the Derby public library. He is also one of the trustees of the Griffin Hospital of Derby and was for four years chairman of the board of education. He was also president of the Young Men's Christian Association of Ansonia for five years and superintendent of the Congregational Sunday school of Derby for four years. He is a member of the New Haven Chamber of Com- merce, also of the Manufacturers Club of Ansonia, and is a member of the Derby and Shelton Boards of Trade at Derby. lle belongs to Psi Upsilon, a college fraternity. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and he recognizes the obligations and responsi- bilities as well as the privileges of citizenship. In all things he stands for progress and improvement and is actuated by an onward spirit in everything that he undertakes.
REV. JAMES PAUL ALDRIDGE.
Rev. James Paul Aldridge, pastor of St. Mary's Roman Catholic church of New Haven since October 10, 1914, was born June 10, 1876, in Steubenville, Ohio, a son of the late William Aldridge, who was a native of Pennsylvania and was of English descent. The founder of the American branch of the family was his father, who was an iron worker by trade. He came to America from Birmingham, England, and was actively connected with the iron industry in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for a time. His arrival in this country was in the year 1842. After living in Pittsburgh for a few years Thomas Aldridge removed to Ohio, where he again worked at the iron molder's trade. His wife bore the maiden name of Esther Canby and was born in Chester, England. Their son, William Aldridge, was reared and educated in Steubenville, Ohio, and became a successful retail grocer, there
to
n-arx - mpanies
ompany of New Haven on in
wLico connection ne
Dig efficientog ato Ent of Ansona Con tient
st :
A dride: why
-
After
Them where the manin
be gun Wirk
..... an Karan Marily
du ted in St .bon
nı bram a
rasi_l retail her
-
-
=
I. P. aldridge
615
AND EASTERN NEW HAVEN COUNTY
conducting business for many years. He passed away in 1904, at the age of fifty-one. He married Sarah Caniff, a native of Steubenville and a daughter of Bernard and Margaret (Connors) Caniff, both of whom came from Ireland and established their home in Ohio in 1841. Mrs. Aldridge is still living and yet makes her home in Steubenville, Ohio. She had a family of five sons and three daughters.
Rev. James Paul Aldridge is the eldest of this family. He began his education in the public schools of his native city and also attended a private school at Springfield, Kentucky. Later he became a student in St. Rose's school, which was founded in 1806 and which was the same school that Jefferson Davis attended. Father Aldridge completed his studies at St. Joseph's at Somerset, Ohio, and was ordained to the priesthood June 29, 1905, by the Rev. Bishop James J. Hartley, the present bishop of Columbus. After his ordination he was sent to Rome and there studied at the Minerva for a period of three years, taking his degrees in philosophy and theology and also completing courses which he had formerly begun. He specialized in common law there and with splendid intellectual equipment he returned to America to take up his chosen life work. For three years he taught in the Immaculate Conception College at Washington, D. C., and was afterward sent to Columbus, Ohio, where from 1911 until 1914 he was pastor of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church. On the 10th of October of the latter year he was assigned to the pastorate of St. Mary's church in New Haven, where he has since remained and here he has done splendid work in the development of Catholic interests, giving continuous service to his church, while his sympathy with and understanding of his parishioners and of their needs has done much to upbuild the congregation. He is a member of the Order of Dominican
ROBERT E. PECK, M. D.
Dr. Robert E. Peck, who is at the head of the Elm City Private Hospital of New Haven and also is conducting a private hospital at Woodmont, Connecticut, for the treat- ment of nervous and mental diseases, in which he has long specialized and in which he is regarded as an authority throughout Connecticut, was born November 8, 1866, in New Haven, his parents being Leonard E. and Jeannette W. (Clark) Peck, who were also natives of this state and representatives of early New England families. In later life the father became a government employe in connection with the postal service. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted from Connecticut with the Seventh Regiment of Townsend Rifles and became sergeant. He served throughout the entire period of civil strife and was wounded at the battle of Olustee, Florida. At the close of hostilities he was honorably discharged and returned to his home in New Haven, devoting many years thereafter to his duties in the government service. Ile passed away in 1903 at the age of sixty-eight years, while his wife, surviving for a decade, died in New Haven in 1913 at the age of seventy-two. They had a family of three children, of whom one died in infancy. The surviving daughter is Mrs. Mary L. Hall, of New Haven.
Robert E. Peck, the youngest of the three children, attended the public schools of New Haven and later entered the Stowe Military Academy to prepare for the Sheffield Scientific School, from which in due course of time he was graduated, completing the course there in 1890. He afterward hecame a medical student at Yale and won his pro- fessional degree in 1893. While in the medical college he became assistant to Professor Smith in chemistry. Following his graduation he took up the private practice of medicine and while thus engaged he devoted much time and study to nervous and mental diseases, becoming a recognized authority on those subjects. He has built up a large practice in the line of his specialty and his work has been attended by notable results.
In March, 1913, he became connected with the Elm City Hospital, of which he was made the head. This institution is one of the best equipped for all lines of general prac- tice in the New England states. It is a large, commodious building, well lighted and ven- tilated, and has many private rooms as well as a dormitory for nurses. The institution is supplied with every facility for the accommodation of patients who require medical surgical attendance. Dr. Peck also conducts a private sanitarium for nervous and mental diseases at Woodmont. His study along that line has resulted in remarkable achievements and
616
A MODERN HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN
his treatment represents the most advanced scientific investigation and research in this field. Dr. Peck is a member of the Connecticut State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
In December, 1898, Dr. Peck was married in New Haven to Miss Eva L. Seward, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Seward. Dr. and Mrs. Peck hold membership in the Dwight Place church. He is identified with the Graduates' Club. He is appreciative of the social amenities of life and enjoys association with his friends, but concentrates his efforts and attention mostly upon his professional duties, which are ever discharged with a sense of conscientious obligation. Colleagues and contemporaries speak of him in high terms, while his work is the proof of his pronounced ability in his chosen field.
CHARLES KLEINER.
Charles Kleiner, corporation counsel of the city of New Haven, was born June 4. 1834, in this city, a son of Israel and Eva (Meyer) Kleiner, both of whom were natives of Ger- many. They came to America about 1848 and established their home in New Haven, where their son Charles attended the public schools. He afterward entered Yale for his law course and was graduated in 1883 with the LL. B. degree, but in the meantime other interests had claimed his attention, he having devoted ten years to the printing business. Following his graduation from Yale he was admitted to the bar and at once entered upon active practice, since which time he has given his attention to professional interests and has won recogni- tion as a prominent and able lawyer of New Haven. He was called to the office of corpora- tion counsel in 1910 and by reelection continues in the position, his present term extending to 1918
On the 27th of January, 1886, in New Haven, Mr. Kleiner was united in marriage to Miss Clara Laudenbach, a daughter of David and Babette (Zunder) Laudenbach. Mr. and Mrs. Kleiner have become the parents of four children, Israel, Leah R., Estelle and Manfred. The parents are members of Congregation Mishkan Israel, of which Mr. Kleiner was president from 1899 until 1908. Fraternally he is a Mason and he also has membership with the Ancient Order of Foresters and the Free Sons of Israel. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and aside from the office of corporation counsel he has served in other official positions. For three years, from 1885 until 1887 inclusive, he was a member of the city council of New Haven and was president of the board of councilmen in 1886 and 1887. In 1888 he was elected to the office of alderman and served for two years. He was also a member of the first board of directors of the free public library of the city of New Haven, act- ing in that capacity from 1887 until 1890. He has been closely associated with public affairs in his native city and has done much to direct public thought and opinion leading to the sub- stantial progress, growth and upbuilding of New Haven.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.