USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II > Part 77
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
Captain Griswold is a man of firm purpose but of kindly spirit. He allows nothing to interfere with the faithful performance of his duties, whether of a publie or private nature. He stands today as one of the successful financiers of New Haven county, honored and respected by all, not alone by reason of the success he has achieved, but also owing to the straightforward business policy which he has ever followed. In matters of public concern he is as true and loyal to his country as he was when he followed the stars and stripes on the battlefields of the south and no history of Guilford would be complete without a tribute to his life and worth.
SEYMOUR L. SPIER, M. D.
Dr. Seymour L. Spier, a well known physician and representative citizen of New Haven, was born September 20, 1872, in New Haven, being the eldest of the children of Siegwart and Isahella (Zunder) Spier. The mother was a daughter of the late Meyer Zunder, one of New Haven's leading citizens and manufacturers. The father was born in Cassel. Germany, and came to America at the age of thirteen years, making the trip alone. He made his way direct to Norwich, Connecticut, where he secured employment with an unele, and there he continued his education in the Norwich Free Academy. Three years after arriving in this country he entered Yale University and was graduated with the class of 1866, becoming a member of Phi Beta Kappa, a Greek letter fraternity, while attending that institution. He won his LL. B. degree upon the completion of his law course and then entered upon the practice of his chosen profession in New Haven. He also gave considerable time to musical interests. Nature endowed him with a love for and also a talent for music and he became identified with various prominent German singing societies. He is still living in New Haven at the age of seventy- three years, but some time ago retired from active life. His wife is now sixty-five years of age. In their family were three children, Dr. Spier being the eldest. One of the number died in infancy and a brother, Julius A. Spier, is bookkeeper for M. Zunder & Sons, of New Haven.
Dr. Spier attended the public schools of New Haven and the Hillhouse high school, after which he entered Yale as a medical student and won his professional degree upon graduation with the class of 1904. He then located for practice in the city of his nativity and was not long in winning recognition as an able member of the profession, capable of coping with the intricate and involved problems which continually confront the physician. He is today re- garded as one of the most efficient physicians and surgeons of New Haven and commands & large practice and has been police surgeon of the city of New Haven for the past eleven years. He is a member of the examining board of the New Haven Medical Society, which position he has occupied for two years. He is a member of the Yale Medical Alumni Association and was its president for two years from 1914. All of these duties he performs in addition to an extensive private practice and he keeps in touch with the trend of modern thought and
6:25
AND EASTERN NEW HAVEN COUNTY
research as a member of the New Haven, New Haven County and Connecticut State Medical Societies and the American Medical Association.
On the 4th of August, 1896, Dr. Spier was united in marriage to Miss Alice Fechter, at Selkirk, Albany county, New York, a daughter of Henry and Alice Fechter. One child has been born to them, Robert Seymour, whose birth occurred on June 11, 1907, and who is now a student in the public schools of New Haven.
Dr. Spier holds membership in Hiram Lodge, No. 1, and B. P. O. E. Lodge, No. 23, and Is a member of the Home Guard, Field Infantry, holding the rank of major. He is a most pub- lic-spirited citizen, interested in all that pertains to the general welfare, and gives active aid and cooperation to many plans and measures for the public good. Moreover, he has won for himself a well deserved reputation in professional circles and has reached a gratifying measure of financial success. The family occupy a most attractive home at No. 359 Crown street.
CLARENCE P. WILSON.
Clarence P. Wilson, who occupies a position of prominence in insurance circles, was born in New Haven on the 15th of July, 1867, and is a son of Charles and Sarah (Porter) Wilson, both natives of Connecticut. The father, who was also a well known insurance man of New Haven, died here, June 13, 1906, the mother' passing away a number of years before him. Charles Wilson was the father of two children but Clarence P. is the only one of his father's second marriage.
During his boyhood Clarence P. Wilson attended the public schools of New Haven and completed his education at Russell's Military Academy. On leaving school Mr. Wilson entered his father's office and in due time thoroughly mastered the business. He started at the bot- tom and has risen by his own merits to a place of prominence in insurance circles, heing now at the head of a vast institution. He is a wide-awake, energetic business man, possess- ing keen insight and sound judgment and to these eliaracteristics may he attributed his won- derful success.
On the 19th of March, 1891, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Eliza- beth Horton, of New Haven, who died January 7, 1916. To them were horn two children, of whom Charles Henry, born in 1892, was educated at Mt. Pleasant Military Academy and is now in business with his father. Florice, born in 1904, after attending school is continuing her education at Penn Hall, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.
In politics Mr. Wilson is independent, endeavoring to support by his ballot the men best qualified for office regardless of party affiliations, and he takes a commendable interest in public affairs. He has never cared for official honors, preferring to give his undivided atten- tion to his business affairs, which, being extensive, make heavy demands upon his time and energy.
REV. HENRY STONE.
Rev. Henry Stone, pastor of the Advent Christian church of Wallingford, was born in Winsted, Connecticut, March 18, 1851. He was one of a family of five children born to Tim- othy George and Jane Aun (Fowler) Stone. By a former marriage the father also had five children. Timothy G. Stone was a native of Ellsworth, Litchfield county, and passed away there December 12, 1867, when fifty-five years of age. The mother, also a native of Ellsworth, died December 4, 1896, at the age of seventy years.
Rev. Henry Stone pursued his education in the public and high schools of Winsted, Con- necticut, supplemented by a correspondence course and by home study. For the past forty- five years he has been engaged in house and sign painting at Winsted and has probably the largest business in this line in the county, thus becoming a prominent representative of indus- trial activity. This, however, is but one phase of his life, for in 1889 he was ordained to the ministry in Bridgeport and was at once assigned to Wallingford, where he has since re- mained as pastor of the Advent Christian church. He had been an itinerant minister for
626
A MODERN HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN
several years previous. The denomination had never had a church edifice in Wallingford but met in halls and homes, but within six months after the arrival of Rev. Stone, he instituted a movement for the erection of a church and the work was steadily carried forward until the church was dedicated in 1891. Today the congregation owns church property valued at fifteen thousand dollars and free of all encumbrance. For years Rev. Stone has been presi- dent of the American Advent Home and Foreign Missionary Society, with offices in Boston. He is also vice president of the Advent Christian Publication Society, which is the parent organization of that body and which also has its headquarters in Boston. He is president of the Connecticut & Western Massachusetts Advent Christian Conference for the same district and is president of the Sunday School Association. For the past thirteen years he has been president of the Connecticut Camp Meeting Association and thus he is closely and prominently identified with all lines of the church work. He has established a branch mission of the Wall- ingford church in Meriden, which was opened in 1900, and he also acts as pastor of that con- gregation.
On the 15th of May, 1872, in Winsted, Connecticut, Rev. Stone was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Sutton, a daughter of Isaac Sutton, of New Paltz, Ulster county, New York. In his political views Rev. Stone is a prohibitionist, of which canse he has ever been a faithful advocate. His entire life has been actuated by the most lofty principles, prompting him at all times to reach out a helping hand to his fellowmen. He has been identified with many branches of uplift work and his labors and teachings have been of farreaching effect, and he has not been denied the harvest and will reap the aftermath.
WALTER RICE CLINTON.
Walter Rice Clinton, the proprietor of a well patronized machine shop at 34-36 Elm street, and another shop at 123-125 Water street, West Haven, was born here August 21, 1872. a son of John A. and Hattie (Rice) Clinton, the latter a representative of one of the old Con- necticut families. The father was a tool maker by trade and had the reputation of being an unusually fine workman.
Walter Rice Clinton was reared at home and in the acquirement of his education attended the publie schools. In early manhood he learned the machinist's trade, which he followed in the employ of others until 1897, when he went into business on his own account. For the past twenty years he has conducted a machine shop and does all kinds of auto and machine work but gives particular attention to steam, gas and gasoline engines. He himself is an expert machinist and pattern maker and is recognized as an authority on gas engines, his thoroughly practical knowledge and trained skill enabling him to efficiently direet the labor of others. In addition to conducting a machine shop he deals in new and second hand gas and gasoline engines, automobiles, trucks and machinery, and that branch of his business is equally profitable.
Mr. Clinton married on October 19, 1905, Miss Louise Foster, whose parents reside in Meriden, Connecticut, and who prior to her marriage taught in the North Branford schools. Mr. and Mrs. Clinton have one child, Foster Rice, born on November 24, 1917.
Mr. Clinton takes the interest of a good citizen in civie affairs, but has never been an as- pirant for office. His life has measured up to high moral standards and he is a man of gen- uine worth.
WILLIAM D. PALMER.
William D. Palmer, the president of the Brown & Dowd Manufacturing Company of Meriden, was born December 24, 1852, in Griswold, Connecticut, on a farm that has been in the possession of the family since 1738. His parents were George D. and Harriett (Benjamin) Palmer. He attended the public schools and through the period of his boyhood and youth was employed upon the home farm until he reached the age of eighteen years. Thinking to find other pursuits more eongenial than agricultural life, he then learned the carriage mak- ing trade under the direction of Charles Johnson at Mystic, Connecticut, spending two years there. He was afterward employed by the Brown Cotton Gin Company at New London, Con-
627
AND EASTERN NEW HAVEN COUNTY
necticut, for nine years. He had a natural talent along mechanical lines and during this time he tested and inspected all kinds of machinery. On leaving New London he returned to coach work at Merrimac, Massachusetts, where he was in the employ of II. G. and H. W. Stevens for twelve years. He then came to Meriden, where he reorganized the Brown & Dowd Company, was made president, continuing to serve in that capacity to the present time. This concern manufactures household and hardware specialties. At the beginning they employed but a few men. That the trade has constantly increased is indicated by the fact that there are now thirty-two employes and their goods are sent to all parts of the world, their export business taking about two-thirds of their output. They have a well equipped plant and the excellence of their produet has insured to them the liberal patronage which has come to them. Their business methods are progressive, their aims are highly com- mendable and the thorough reliability of the house is widely recognized.
In 1874 Mr. Palmer was united in marriage to Miss Isabella Phillips, who passed away in 1884. One of the interests of his life is the collection of firearms, of which he possesses nearly four hundred varieties, his old guns and pistols numbering three hundred and fifty, while his modern firearms number about fifty. This is one of the greatest private collections to be seen. He has guns and pistols dating back as far as 1650, together with those which the latest science and invention have brought forth. Mr. Palmer is himself a wonderful shot, holding every record on the range. Rifle shooting has been his hobby and previous to coming to Meriden he was classed among the ten best shots in the country. He is a member of the Meriden Rifle Club. One viewing his collection can find almost everything that has been produced in the way of pistols and guns and these indicate most clearly the marvelous improvements which have been made along this line. Some of his old pistols have the most beautiful carving, while others are quaint or severely plain, according to the customs of the times or the uses to which they were to be put. Mr. Palmer is widely and favorably known in this section of the state, in which his entire life has been passed, and he is a worthy repre- sentative of one of the most honored old colonial families, whose settlement in this section dates from the earliest period of its development.
S. B. WARREN.
S. B. Warren is the secretary and manager of The Record Publishing Company, pub- lishiers of The Commercial Record, a weekly publication devoted to the business interests of Connecticut and western Massachusetts. The Record was founded in 1882, and for eighteen years Mr. Warren has directed its development, making it, as he says, "A business necessity." He is well qualified for work of this character, and through his efforts the paper has for many years enjoyed a most substantial circulation throughout the field which it covers, and the value of the paper is attested by the liberal patronage accorded it.
Mr. Warren is a native of New Canaan, Connecticut, born February 27. 1864. His parent -. James D. and Mary E. (Smith) Warren, were also natives of this state. The father, who was a well known contractor and builder, died in New Canaan in 1915, while the mother passed away in New Haven in 1916. The second in a family of three children, Mr. Warren started in the business world in a clerical capacity and after a time removed from New Canaan to New Haven, where he became connected with the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. He spent ten years at that place, after which he resigned to enter into active connection with The Record Publishing Company, which was organized by his brother in 1882.
On the 2d of May, 1888, Mr. Warren was married to Miss Minnie Stanton, of Norwalk, Connecticut, daughter of Henry M. Stanton. Two children were born to them, Harold S. and Ruth E., in 1890 and 1892 respectively. Mrs. Warren died in 1910. The son, after his graduation from the Sheffield Scientific School, spent six months in Costa Rica with the United Fruit Company, afterwards going with the New Haven Pulp & Board Company, leaving there to serve his country in the United States Navy. The daughter, after graduation from the Walnut Hill school, of Natick, Massachusetts, was married to Harvey Chalmers, HI. of Am- sterdam, New York, where they now reside. They have two children. both boys, Harvey, DJI, born in 1915, and Arthur A., born in 1917.
Mr. Warren has for many years been active in the Calvary Baptist church, where he has
628
A MODERN HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN
served as superintendent of the Bible school and as deacon and in various other capacities. He has also been active in promoting the growth and development of the Edgewood section of the city, where he has resided for twelve years, and was one of the founders of the Edge- wood Civic Association. He has a high standing among the business men of the community and is well and favorably known throughout the state.
ALFRED EMIL HAMMER.
Alfred Emil Hammer, of Branford, is prominently identified with the business interests of that city as manager and treasurer of the Malleable Iron Fittings Company and is also connected with banking interests there. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on the 8th of March, 1858, and is a son of Thorvald Frederick Hammer. The early home of his ancestors was in the fortified castle of Hammerhus, on the island of Bornholm, in the Baltic sea, off the southern coast of Sweden but belonging to Denmark. The early members of the Hammer family were very strong and powerful people and many were experienced navigators. Peter Hammer, grandfather of our subject, was the father of a large family, among whom were several sons who became distinguished personages of their time. Thorvald Frederick Ham- mer, son of Peter Hammer and the father of Alfred E. Hammer, was born at Copenhagen, Denmark, on the 14th of Angust. 1825. and died in Branford, Connecticut, May 24, 1901. In early life he devoted his attention for a short time to navigation interests and upon relinquishing a seafaring life settled in Boston, Massachusetts, where his talents as an engineer and inventor came to light, and many of the ideas which he set forth entered into the construction of the first successful locomotive and steamboat engines. In 1864, in connection with his brother, Emil C. Hammer, and several New York and Boston business men, he founded the Malleable Iron Fittings Company of Branford, Connecticut, which under his capable management proved a successful venture from the beginning and de- veloped into one of the most important productive industries of the county. Mr. Hammer was united in marriage to Miss Delphina Lundsteen, who was born in Boston on the 10th of July, 1833. and died at Branford, Connectient, on the 28th of January. 1885. The chil- dren of this marriage were Alfred Emil, Thora Delphina, Laura Joanna, Julia Henrietta and Valdemar T.
Alfred E. Hammer spent the first seven years of his life in the city of Boston and was then taken by his parents to Branford, at which time the family home was established in the city where he still resides. The greater part of his boyhood was passed in Branford and he attended its public schools, while later he had the benefit of instruction in the New Haven high school and afterward became a student in the Russell Military Academy at New Haven. He decided to follow the same line of business in which his father had engaged and he began the study of metallurgy under a private teacher, who directed his reading for three years. He began his life work in connection with the chemical laboratory of the Mal- leable Iron Fittings Company and thus added practical experience to the theoretical training which he had previously received. Gradually he mastered the various duties assigned him and worked his way upward step by step until he is now manager and treasurer of this company, which is one of the foremost companies operating in their line in Connecticut. In connection with his chemical work it should be recorded that he was the first to bring the process of making malleable casting to an exact science. He succeeded in working ont the chemical equilibrium necessary for the production of the so called "black heart" malleable casting process. In 1878 Mr. Hammer began his investigation of the chemistry of malleable iron and after three years' work at the problem he made his important discovery. The busi- ness of the Malleable Iron Fittings Company is extensive and of an important character and the output of the house is sent to various sections of the country. Its ramifying trade inter- ests are constantly broadening and the business connections of the house are continually be- ing extended by reason of the excellence of the output and the unassailable reputation of the company. In addition to his connection with industrial interests at Branford, Mr. Hammer is a director of the Second National Bank of New Haven and one of the trustees and cor- porators of the Connectieut Savings Bank.
Mr. Hammer has been married twice. On the 27th of September, 1887. he wedded Cor-
alfre JE Hammer
631
AND EASTERN NEW HAVEN COUNTY
nelia H. Foster, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, on the 25th of October, 1865, and who passed away in 1896. She was a daughter of William Hammond Foster, a native of Petersham, who afterward became a well known Boston banker. In 1905 Mr. Hammer was again married, his second nnion being with Edith Rosamond Swan, a daughter of Dr. Charles Walter Swan. The children of the first marriage are: Foster Lundsteen, who was born Sep- tember 17, 1888; Rosalind Cornelia, born February 9, 1891; Delphina Lundsteen, April 27, 1892; and Thorvald Frederick, Jr., December 5, 1893, the last named being so called in honor of his grandfather.
In community interests Mr. Hammer has taken a deep and helpful part. He is a trustee of the James Blackstone Memorial Library Association and his aid and cooperation can be counted upon to further all movements for the general good. He attends the Unitarian church and in politics he is a republican. In 1889 he was chosen to represent Branford in the general assembly of Connecticut and in 1907 he was state senator from the twelfth district. During the period of both connections with the general assembly he carefully considered all vital ques. tions which came up for settlement and did important committee work as well, acting as chairman of the committee on education and also as a member of the committee on the state library. He made a most creditable record as a legislator, ever placing the general good be- fore partisanship and the welfare of the community before personal aggrandizement. He is a member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers and of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and ranks very high professionally. He is fond of athletics and out- door sports, especially fishing, and he greatly enjoys pedestrian excursions and the study of botany and mineralogy.
JOHN EDWIN MARTIN.
The Emerald isle has made valuable contribution to the citizenship of New Haven county. Those who have had their nativity in Ireland or trace their ancestry to that country have been active and prominent factors in developing the material, political and social progress of this section of the state.
Among the number is John Edwin Martin, whose birth occurred in Farmington, Con- necticut, Angust 12, 1866, and whose parents were born in Ireland. The father, Thomas Martin, was born at Mullingar, in County Westmeath, and about 1847 crossed the Atlantic to the new world, settling in Brooklyn. He afterward removed to Farmington, Connecticut, and in 1872 became a resident of Cheshire, where he was engaged in the nursery business and in farming, devoting the last ten or fifteen years of his life to agricultural pursuits. He passed away in 1898, at the age of seventy-seven years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Margaret Cunningham, was born in Dyserth, in County Westmeath, Ireland, and came to America with her mother, brothers and sister in the year 1846. Her deathi occurred in 1904, when she had reached the seventy-first milestone on life's journey. There were nine children in the family, five of whom reached adult age: Margaret, who is deceased; John E .; Edward, living in Wallingford; Thomas, who died in December, 1909, in Waterbury, where he was foreman of the Waterbury Clock Company; and Mary E., who is living in Wallingford.
John E. Martin acquired a common school education at Farmington and at Cheshire and after putting aside his textbooks began learning the trade of machinist and tool maker with the firm of Pratt & Whitney in Hartford. Later he was with the Waterbury Clock Company for two years and subsequently spent a similar period with the Benedict & Burn- ham Company. In November, 1896, he removed to Wallingford and entered the employ of the H. L. Judd Company as a tool maker and after five years was advanced to the position of foreman of one of the departments, in which capacity he is still serving. being one of the most trusted employes of the company and occupying a position of responsibility. He is also interested to some extent in real estate in Wallingford.
Mr. Martin gives his political endorsement to the democratic party and has been au active worker in its ranks. His fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and public spirit, have chosen him to serve in several positions of honor and trust. He was a member of the court of burgesses from 1906 until 1912 and in November of the latter year was elected warden, to which position he was reelected in 1914, 1915, 1916 and 1917, so that he now
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.