A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II, Part 87

Author: Hill, Everett Gleason, 1867- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 986

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While in business in Stony Creek, Mr. Norton conducted a roller skating and dancing hall under the name of Norton & Wallace and in fact the firm had a circuit of such places of amusement at Branford, Stony Creek, Guilford, Durham and Northford. In 1909 Mr. Norton purchased a meat and grocery business in East Haven under the name of his son Arthur, where the business was conducted for two years and was then sold. A short time afterward he admitted his son Arthur to a partnership in the meat and grocery business in Guilford, the establishment being then conducted under the firm style of R. II. Norton & Son. In 1911 Mr. Norton purchased a moving picture theater on Chapel street in New Haven which he conducted for four years and during that time he leased and owned thirteen different theaters, most of which were conducted under the firm name of Norton & Gentile. These were located in New Haven, Savin Rock, Derby, Ansonia, Southington, Bristol and Guilford. At this time Mr. Norton also purchased a piece of property on Church street in New Haven for one hun- dred and fifty thousand dollars and two years later sold it at a handsome profit. He then pur- chased property on State street in New Haven in connection with George Walter, to whom he afterward sold his half interest in the property. About that time he bought out the interest of his son Arthur in the meat and grocery business at Guilford and the market was once more conducted under his own name, so continuing until March, 1917, when the firm style of R. Il. Norton & Sons was assumed, for his sons, Arthur and Leslie, became partners in the undertaking. In 1912 Mr. Norton sold a half interest in the ice business to Fred D. Roberts, thus forming the firm of Norton & Roberts. About a year later they purchased the coal and grain business of George Walter and leased the property in which it was located. A year later they moved their office to the brick block which Mr. Norton had secured. They then purchased property from F. M. Page and F. C. Hart near the railroad, where a coat pocket and side track were built, so that cars may be unloaded with an elevator and can be run on their own property. The firm has since conducted an extensive coal business.

On the 13th of November, 1889, Mr. Norton was united in marriage to Miss Laura Noble Roberts, of Meriden, Connecticut. She was reared and educated in Somerville, Maine, her birthplace being Bay View, Massachusetts. Her parents were Daniel Q. and Sarah Stanwood Roberts, who were natives of the Pine Tree state and Massachusetts respectively. To Mr. and Mrs. Norton have been born five children: Arthur Julius, who was married August 27, 1916. to Winifred Reynolds, a daughter of John and Catherine Reynolds; Hazel M .; Earl Daniel; Leslie Roberts; and Robert Henry.

During an active life Mr. Norton has been called upon at various times to fill offices, beginning when a boy, when he was made captain of a base ball nine. He was treasurer of the Young Men's Christian Association of Guilford and also president of that society. He has been president of the Guilford Business Men's Association, president of the Guilford Mutual Fire Insurance Company, treasurer of the Motion Picture Exhibitors of the State of Connecticut, burgess of the borough of Guilford for fourteen years, chairman of the finance board of Guilford and agent of the Connecticut Military Census of 1917. He has likewise been a member of the school board and treasurer of the Methodist Episcopal church for four-

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teen years. of which he has also been trustee. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce of New Haven and the board of trade of Guilford, and serves as a member of the State Council of Defense.

His entire career has been marked by steady advancement and the steps in his orderly progression are easily discernible. There have been no spectacular phases in his career yet his record is one most commendable and interesting, for he started out empty-handed when a lad of thirteen years and since that time has been dependent entirely upon his own exer- tions. Obstacles and difficulties in his path have seemed to serve as an impetns to renewed effort and his career is an illustration of the fact that it is under the pressure of adversity and the stimulus of opposition that the strongest and best in men is brought out and de- veloped. Honesty has characterized his every act from the time when he first seeured a little loan from his unele to purchase a few fish that he might sell them and aid in providing for the support of the family. His success is due to his elose application, his unremitting energy, his keen business sagacity and wise investments, and his life shoukl serve to inspire and en- courage others, showing what may be accomplished through individual effort when one has the will to dare and to do. It is a well known fact that opportunities slip away from the sluggard, tauntingly play before the dreamer but yield to the man of resolute, determined purpose, and recognizing this, Robert Henry Norton has so directed his efforts as to wisely and quickly use every opportunity that came his way. Thus step by step he has advanced and his position in business circles in Guilford is a most prominent and commendable one.

FRANK G. ATWOOD, D. V. S.

Dr. Frank G. Atwood, veterinarian and a consulting sanitarian of national reputation, was born February 24. 1875, in Woodbury, Litchfield county, Connecticut, which was also the birthplace of his father, Frank J. Atwood, who was a representative of an old Connecti- cut family of English descent. The ancestor of the family came to the new world as a passenger on the Mayflower and settled in Plymouth. Massachusetts. Later generations of the family settled in what is now Woodbury and some of its members were represented in the Revolutionary war. Frank J. Atwood, father of Frank G. Atwood, became a veterinary and was also a farmer and stock breeder, conducting very successfully his two lines of business up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 27th of May, 1917, at the age of seventy- three years, as the result of an injury caused by a fractious horse. Mr. Atwood served as selectman in Woodbury and he took a keen and helpful interest in all civie matters. He married Ellen Capewell, who was born in Woodbury and was a daughter of Joseph Cape- well, of London, England. Her mother belonged to the Pitt family, a most distinguished family of England. Mrs. Atwood is still living and has become the mother of six children : Frank G .; Edna R., now deceased; Ellsworth J., a veterinary surgeon and farmer who is living in Woodbury; Warren S., also a veterinary surgeon of Woodbury; Margaret, the wife of Arthur Green, of Middlebury, Connecticut; and Grover C., of Thomaston, Connecticut. All of the sons are licensed veterinaries.

Dr. Frank G. Atwood attended the public schools in Woodbury and later attended the Connecticut Agricultural College and the University of Toronto, department of veterinary medicine and surgery, in Toronto, Canada, from which he was graduated in 1896, doing special work in preparation for consulting sanitary service. Soon afterward he became state veterinary and practiced under the state cattle commissioners, continuing in that position until the law was changed in 1897. He then entered upon the private practice of his pro- fession in Woodbury and found that he needed a laboratory training. He afterward came to New Haven, where he practiced and took a post-graduate course in the Yale Medical School, while later he took post-graduate work in general medicine and surgery in the Johns Hop- kins University, department of medicine. On the completion of his work he became eon- nected with the medieal department of the United States Army at the outbreak of the Spanish-American war and thus continued until May, 1899. He was in Cuba looking after the sick and wounded and following the close of the war he returned to Washington, D. C., where he was stationed at the General Hospital in the medical department of the United States army caring for the sick and wounded in the capital city for ten months, when he

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returned to New Haven and resumed the practice of the veterinary science. He has since continuously and successfully engaged in the profession and is recognized as one of the most capable veterinary surgeons of Connecticut. Dr. Atwood has earned a high place in pro- fessional circles and has been the prime factor in the enactment of laws, and the enforce- ment thereof, safeguarding the public health from causes that would be evident only to one of his unusual professional training. His study and reading have been broad and most thorough. His treatise on the "Prevention of Diseases from Animal to Man" is a standard and was first delivered in 1915 before the Chicago Medical and Live Stock Sanitary Associ- ation. He took a course in the Yale Law School in preparation for consulting sanitary work which, in addition to his veterinary and medical training and extensive laboratory facilities. eminently fitted him for this particular line. He has traced many outbreaks of diseases to milk supply and is author of the treatise adopted in 1914 by the Connecticut State Board of Education on "Teaching the Pasteurization of Milk in Public Schools." Ile has constantly fought for better laws in the control of animal diseases, has established de- bates that brought better results, and today Connecticut is on a better standard to co- operate with the federal authorities in the prevention and control of animal diseases. IIc is also conducting an automobile business under the firm name of the Atwood Auto Sales Company, handling the Oldsmobile and the G. M. C. truck, both of which are units of the General Motors Company. He has an exhaustive agency for these in the city and in a part of New Haven county and already has developed a business of gratifying proportions.

On the 17th of October. 1900. Dr. Atwood was married in Wilton, Connecticut, to Miss Mae Anna Lockwood, a native of that place and a daughter of Samuel G. and Julia A. (Craw- ford) Lockwood, members of old Connecticut families. Dr. and Mrs. Atwood have one daughter, Bertha A., born in New Haven, August 3, 1902.

Dr. Atwood has become quite prominent in political circles but maintains an indepen- dent course, fearlessly expressing his honest opinion without regard to party ties. He has had considerable influence over civic affairs and he stands at all times for progress and improvement. Hle belongs to Trumbull Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Franklin Chapter, R. A. M .; and Relief Lodge, I. O. O. F. He is a member of the Republican Club, of the Chamber of Commerce, of the New Haven Colony llistorical Society and the Trinity Methodist church. Dr. Atwood is a member of the American Public Health Association, the United States Live Stock Sanitary Association and a life member of the Connecticut Dairymen's Association.

CLIFFORD A. HUBBARD.

Clifford A. Hubbard, dealer in meats, groceries and vegetables at Nos. 24-28 Grand avenue, in New Haven, has through unfaltering enterprise, combined with determined and honorable effort, built up a business of gratifying proportions. He was born in North Guil- ford, Connecticut, August 26, 1870, and is a son of the late Jared F. Hubbard, who was born in North Guilford and is descended from an old Connecticut family of English origin. He devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and was quite successful. His religions faith was that of the Episcopal church and his political support was given to the democratic party. He died on the old homestead at North Guilford in 1878 at the age of sixty-five years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Jane E. Brown, was born in Fairhaven, a daughter of Merritt B. and Miranda Brown, both representatives of okl Connecticut families of English lineage. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jared F. Hubbard have passed away, hut six of their seven children are yet living, the third, Addie M., having died in New Haven in 1899, when twenty- three years of age. The others are: William F., a butcher by trade, living in New Haven ; Merritt B., of New Haven, who is married and has two children; Herbert F., a butcher living in South Dakota; Elsie May, the wife of Samuel F. Whittlesey, of New Haven; Edmond G., also of New Haven; and Clifford A.

The last named was educated in the public schools of North Guilford, but his opportu- nities were somewhat limited, for at his father's death he became the head of the family when but ten years of age and started out to earn money. He was first employed in work on the neighboring farms, working on an average sixteen hours per day, for which he at first received only twenty-five cents per day. He was practically obliged to do a man's work and

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he continued upon the farm until he reached the age of twenty, when he secured employment with the Booth Meat Company of Fairhaven. He learned the butcher's trade and remained in the employ of that firm for twelve years. Later he entered the employ of his brother, W. F. Hubbard, with whom he remained for eight years, and in 1910 he embarked in business on his own account in West Haven, where he remained for a year, when on account of illness he was obliged to abandon the business and retired. He was compelled to undergo an opera- tion, from the effects of which he did not fully recover for a year. He then reentered busi- ness, undertaking the sale of meats from a wagon. He thus spent three months, at the end of which time he purchased the established meat business of John Parker, conducted under the name of the East Side Cash Market, at Quinnipiac and Grand avenues. There he remained for four years, when he removed to his present location, where he has since con- ducted his market. He carries a large stock of choice meats, groceries and vegetables, and his reasonable prices, courteous treatment and unfaltering effort to please his patrons have been the salient factors in his growing success.

In September, 1894, Mr. Hubbard was united in marriage in New Haven to Miss Hattie E. O'Dell, a native of New York and a descendant of one of the old families of that state. her parents being George and Maria O'Dell. Her father has now passed away but the mother lives in New Haven.

In his political views Mr. Hubbard is a democrat and keeps well informed on the ques- tions and issues of the day. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Knights of the Golden Eagle. He also belongs to the Retail Butchers Association. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church. He started out in life a poor boy and during the period of his youth had many hardships, originally working at a salary of twenty-five cents per day, a sum which he was obliged to take out in provisions. lle would receive rye and corn, which he then took to the mill and had ground. From the outset of his business career he was actuated by high principles and his integrity and indus- try are the prominent points in his most creditable career. He has always been unassuming but is recognized as a loyal American citizen, tiue to his country and interested in every element of progress and upbuilding in connection with the community in which he lives.

PAUL JENTE.

New Haven owes much to the progressive spirit of such men as Paul Jente, who in early manhood left his native land and came to the United States, settling in New Haven, where he established himself in commercial lines, becoming one of the leading merchants and respected citizens of the community, so that his death was deeply regretted when in 1903 he passed away, leaving many warm friends, by whom he has been greatly missed. The business which he established has since been conducted along successful lines by his two sons, Edward P. J. and Paul Jente.

The father was born in Berlin, Germany, where he acquired an excellent education and was instructed along business lines. He determined, however, to try his fortune in the new world and in the decade of the '60s crossed the Atlantic and made his way to New Haven, where he soon found an opening in the grocery trade. From that time to the present the name of Paul Jente has been recognized as a standard of honesty, fair dealing, enterprise and courteous treatment-qualities which have spelled his success. Mr. Jente was an inde- fatigable worker and conscientious business man and up to the time of his death was always to be found in the store.

Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Jente was married in 1876 to Miss Margaret Dietter, a native of Connecticut, who is yet a resident of New Haven. Their son, Edward P. J. Jente, was born in New Haven in 1877 and pursued his education in the public schools, after which he entered the grocery trade with his father, working his way steadily upward and gaining a comprehensive knowledge of the business in every detail, so that at the time of his father's death in 1903 he was well qualified to assume the management of the busi- ness, which he did in connection with his brother, Paul, their interests being conducted under the name of the Paul Jente & Brother Grocery Company. This is a partnership relation and in the conduct of the business the brothers maintain the same high standards which

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have always been associated with the name. They are both young men of excellent character, thoroughly deserving of the success which has come to them, and their establishment is today one of the leading grocery houses of the city. Experience, business sagaeity and industry characterize the undertaking and the sons, like the father, have gained a most creditable position in the commercial circles of the eity.

Edward P. J. Jente was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Weisheit and to this union two children were born, Paul and Margaret. The parents are socially popular and count many sineere friends and well wishers among their acquaintances in New Haven.

WILLIAM JOSEPH MCKENNA.

William Joseph McKenna, an attorney practicing at the New Haven bar, was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, March 1, 1887, a son of Thomas J. and Bridget MeKenna, both of whom are residents of New Haven. The father who is now living retired was a coach lamp maker and came to New Haven from Bridgeport-his native city.

William Joseph Mckenna pursued his education in St. John's parochial school and in the Hillhouse high school, after which he took up the study of stenography in a business college. Hle became quite proficient along that line and accepted a position of that kind but regarded this merely as an initial step to other professional labor, for it was an ex- pedient whereby he might provide for his own support while preparing for the bar. He entered the Yale Law School in 1905 and graduated with the elass of 1908, winning the LL. B. degree. The same year he opened an office for the practice of law and since 1911 has occupied his present quarters at 39 Center street. He has made steady advancement along professional lines and is now accorded a good clientage, while his devotion to the interests entrusted to his care has become proverbial. In 1911 he was made a justice of the peace and has occupied the position for six years, his decisions being strictly fair and impartial.

On the 28th of October, 1914, Mr. MeKenna was married to Miss Aileen Teresa O'Don- nell. They are members of the Roman Catholic church and Mr. McKenna holds membership with the Knights of Columbus, the Loyal Order of Moose and the Knights of St. Patrick. He is also a member of the New Haven Yacht Club and his political allegiance is given to the democratic party, which he has supported sinee age conferred upon him the right of fran- chise.

JOHN J. MASON.

Determined purpose and indefatigable energy have brought John J. Mason to a sub- stantial position among business men of New Haven, where he is engaged in manufacturing dies, steneils, seals, rubber stamps, ete., at 33 Center street. He was born October 14, 1866, in Preston, England, a son of the late Robert Mason, who was also a native of that country. whence he came to America in 1869 accompanied by his wife and two children. Ile made his way direet to New Haven, where he obtained employment as a skilled mechanic, being for twenty-three years connected with the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad in charge of the wheel department. lle died in this city in 1906 at the age of sixty-six years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Agnes Furnival, was a native of England, and by her marriage became the mother of six children, five of whom are yet living, John J. being the eldest. The mother passed away January 20, 1890, at the age of fifty years.

John J. Mason was educated in the public and high schools of New Haven and when a lad of eighteen started out to earn his own livelihood, being first employed as an apprentice with George B. Hoggson, with whom he learned all branches of the business in which he has since successfully continued. He was with the firm in New Haven for four years, when, de- siring a broader field and wishing to acquire further training in that line, he went to New York, where he entered the employ of the New York Stencil Works, spending four years in that connection. On the expiration of that period he returned to New Haven and was em- ployed by John & Benjamin Draine, the founders of the present business. Since becoming

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the owner of the enterprise Mr. Mason has continuously enlarged the plant and extended his trade until it now covers New England and the states of New York and New Jersey, having today a business second to none of its kind in size and importance in Connecticut. His methods of manufacture are most modern and efficient, and his output finds ready sale.

On the 29th of April, 1893, Mr. Mason was married in New Haven to Miss Mary L. Shea, a native of this city and a daughter of the late John and Johanna (Murphy) Shea, representatives of old and prominent New Haven families of Irish lineage. Mr. and Mrs. Mason have three children: Madeleine, who was born August 27, 1894, and is a graduate of the College of New Rochelle, which conferred upon her the Bachelor of Arts degree; Marie, born August 6, 1896; and Robert E., born August 5, 1898. The son spent two years in the Sheffield Scientifie School at Yale University, and before the declaration of war enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve force serving as quartermaster and is proud of the oppor- tunity to aid in the defense of the country with the hope of doing his part toward making democracy safe for the world.

Mr. and Mrs. Mason are members of St. Mary's Roman Catholic church. Mr. Mason casts an independent ballot. His interest in community affairs is manifest in his member- ship in the Chamber of Commerce and his endorsement of its various measures to promote the publie good. He belongs to the Yacht Club and in every relation of life is loyal to duty and appreciative of his opportunities.

CHARLES STORRS HAMILTON.

Charles Storrs Hamilton, attorney at law of New Haven, has in this profession where advancement depends entirely npon individual merit and ability made for himself a most creditable name and position. A native son of Nova Scotia, he was born at Grand Pré, Jannary 3, 1848, the second son of James E. and Anna M. (Gesner) Hamilton. In the pater- nal line he comes of Scotch-Irish ancestry, the first representative of the family arriving in Rhode Island in 1640 and going thence to Norwich, Connecticut. On the maternal aide he is of Knickerbocker and French Huguenot lineage, the Gesner family having been founded in New York in a very early day, his maternal grandfather being a linea] descendant of Konrad Gesner, the Zurich scholar and philosopher. In the Storrs line, from which he is also descended on the paternal side, the ancestry is traced hack to Samnel Storrs, who came from Nottingham, England, in 1663 and after living for thirty-five years at Barnstable, Massachusetts, removed to Mansfield, Connecticut. James P. Hamilton, father of Charles S. Hamilton, was a merchant in the West Indies trade and also engaged in making shipments to New York. He had reached the age of eighty-four years ere death claimed him, while his wife was seventy-four years of age at the time of her demise. She was born in New York, a danghter of Henry Gesner, a trader of New York, who reached the notable old age of ninety-four years.

Charles S. Hamilton was one of a family of six children. He early displayed natural aptitude in study and liberal educational opportunities were accorded him. He was gradu- ated with honor from King's College, Windsor, Canada, as a member of the class of 1871 and since his college days he has remained a lover of the classics and turns for recreation to the Greek and Latin writers and also speaks both German and French fluently. He became a law student in the office of Congressman Clark, of Boston, and matriculated in the Yale Law School in 1874, his previous reading enabling him to complete the course there in a year. He also pursued a special course in the Yale Medical School in order to qualify for technical cases, in which connection he has won distinction. After leaving Yale he traveled in the southern states until May, 1875, when he opened on office in New Haven, where he has continuously remained in practice. His developing powers in the profession have made him known as one of the ablest lawyers of the country. He is particularly strong in trial cases and has appeared in many notable ones. He prepares his cases with great thorough- ness and care, is strong in argument, clear in reasoning and logical in his deductions and it is said that he frequently wins a trial before it goes to the jury by his skill in prelim- inary maneuvering. A master of oratory, he employs wit, pathos and sarcasm with fine effect in his jury addresses and the fact that he is to be heard on an important case always

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A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II, Part 87

Author: Hill, Everett Gleason, 1867- [from old catalog] Publication date: 1918 Publisher: New York, Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company Number of Pages: 986

Author: Hill, Everett Gleason, 1867- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 986