USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II > Part 88
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CHARLES S. HAMILTON
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brings to the court room a large audience. He has from one to four cases in every volume of the Connecticut reports from Volume 41 to Volume 90. He has won distinction in notable damage cases in Rhode Island, New York and Massachusetts, which owing to Connecticut rulings cannot be tried in this state.
Mr. Hamilton also possesses inventive genius in a marked degree, resulting in winning three patents on marine inventions, one for a new adjustable center board, another for a mooring line attachment and a third for a rudder hinge. His study along that line has re- sulted probably from his love of the water. He sails several boats and has long been a men- ber of the New Haven Yacht Club, of which he has been a trustee and manager. He dis- plays particular skill in managing his yachts and in the summer of 1901 he carried the flag of the New Haven Yacht Club into the British provinces for the first time. He is likewise a devotee of hunting and fishing and he is the possessor of a fine collection of mounted birds, many of which are rare specimens.
Mr. Hamilton is most happily situated in his home life and his place has become the center of a cultured society circle. He was married August 13, 1878, to Miss Mary E. Chipman, and they have two children: Mary Grace, who was graduated from the Misses Orton & Nichols School of New Haven and from the Woodside Seminary of Hartford; and William Storrs Hoyt.
The family are communicants of St. Thomas Episcopal church. Mr. Hamilton belongs to Hiram Lodge, No. 1, F. & A. M., and is also a Consistory Mason. His political endorsement was given to the republican party until 1890, when his views concerning the tariff led him to espouse the cause of democracy. In 1888 he was elected to represent the second ward in the city council and the following year. became an alderman. In 1890, while defeated for the office of state senator, his personal popularity was indicated in the fact that he ran far ahead of his ticket. It was in that year that he served as chairman of the commission to compile the charter and to revise the city ordinances of New Haven, a work which he per- formed most efficiently. It is well known that he has drafted many of the laws which have found a place on the statutes of the state in recent years and he is deeply interested in all matters of local and state government. In a word, he stands for progressive action in all public affairs and at all times keeps abreast with the best thinking men of the age.
CHARLES A. MENZIES.
For a quarter of a century Charles A. Menzies has resided on this side of the Atlantic and is now engaged in the plumbing and heating business in New Haven. He is, however, a native of Scotland, born in the land of hills and heather on the 6th of August, 1865, his parents being John and Grace (Campbell) Menzies, who spent their entire lives in Scotland, where the father engaged in the plumbing and heating business, which he followed to the time of his death in 1898. His widow is still living in Scotland at the age of seventy-six years. In their family were four children: Adam and John, who are residents of Scotland; Charles A .; and Mrs. Jessie Stewart, who is also in Scotland.
Charles A. Menzies is the only representative of the family in the United States. He attended school in his native country, after which he went to Edinburgh and to London, England, where he served an apprenticeship at the plumber's trade, gaining a thorough knowledge of the business in all of its departments. This he followed in Great Britain until he came to America. It was in 1892 that he determined to try his fortune on this side the Atlantic, believing that he might find better business opportunities in the new world. After reaching American shores he made his way to New Haven and entered the employ of the Robert Morgan Plumbing Company, with which he continued for four years. In 1896 he started in business on his own account. While with Mr. Morgan he had also learned the heating branch of the business and when he started on his own account he began taking con- tracts for both plumbing and heating. Since then he has placed many of the heating plants and plumbing fixtures in public buildings, also in Yale University buildings and has done considerable work in outside territory. He is accorded a liberal patronage and his business has reached gratifying and profitable proportions.
On the 1st of May. 1893, Mr. Menzies was united in marriage to Miss Helen Cameron, Vol. II-32
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also of Scotland, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Cameron, natives of that country. They became the parents of two children: John Cameron, who was born in New Haven in 1894 and is a graduate of the city schools, while now he is a senior in the Sheffield Scientific School, pursuing a course in mechanical engineering; and William Charles, who was born in New Haven in 1896. He, too, attended Yale, being a graduate of the Art School, and he afterward became a student at the Art Student's League of New York city. At the present time he is engaged in art work in New York. The elder son is now in the naval service as a commissioned officer, ready for duty whenever and wherever his country calls.
The parents are members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Menzies is serving as treasurer of the mission. He belongs also to the Caledonian Society, of which he is treasurer, and he is well known in Masonic eireles, holding membership in Hiram Lodge. F. & A. M., of New Haven. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has a firm belief in its principles as factors in good government. He belongs to the Race Brook Country and Curling Clubs, which indicates something of his interests and recreation. He has ever been well satisfied with New Haven as a place of residence. Here he has found the business opportunities which he songht and in their utilization has steadily advanced. Progress has been the keynote of his character and industry and integrity have been crowning features in his business career.
FRANK X. HUTMACHER.
Frank X. Hutmacher is a dealer in groceries, meats and vegetables at Nos. 892 and 894 State street, where he has built up an extensive trade, New Haven numbering him among her enterprising merchants, his store being one of the largest in the outlying districts of the city. He was born in Hohenzollern, Germany. March 23, 1880, a son of Gustave Hut; macher, who was also a native of that country. The father was a shoemaker by trade and continued his residence in Germany until death called him in 1884, when he was forty- six years of age. He married Celestine Wetzel, also a native of Germany. She came to America with her son Frank and the others of the family in 1893, making her way direct to New Haven, where she resided until the time of her death, which occurred in 1901, when she was sixty-one years of age.
Frank X. Huntmaeher was the youngest in a family of nine children. The public schools of Germany afforded him his early educational opportunities and he also attended night school in New Haven. Ile was a lad of but thirteen years when he started out to earn his own living, being first employed by the Booth Meat Company, with whom he continued until 1909. He there learned the business in all of its departments and worked his way steadily upward. He started with a salary of but two dollars per week and during the last eight years of his connection with that firm was the manager of the New Haven house. At length he resigned his position to open his present store as a dealer in groceries, meats, fruits and vegetables. From the beginning the new enterprise has proven profitable and in point of volume of business is one of the largest in the outlying or suburban districts of New Haven. He employs from five to six clerks and he has a most attractive store, carrying a large and carefully selected line of goods. His store presents a neat and tasteful arrangement and his honorable business methods insure him a continuance of the liberal patronage that is now accorded him.
On the 10th of December, 1900, Mr. Hutmacher was united in marriage to Miss Mabel G. Arnold, a native of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and they now have one danghter, Helen Elizabeth, who was born in New Haven, January 18, 1917.
In politics Mr. Hutmacher is independent where there is no question to be considered save the capability of the candidate, but at national elections he votes with the republican party. He is well known as an exemplary member of Hiram Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and he also has membership with the Knights of Pythias. He belongs as well to the Automobile Club and he and his family attend the Episcopal church. His military record covers service as a member of Company B of the Connecticut National Guard, with which he was associated for three years as a private. Mr. Hutmacher has made a most ereditable business record and in addition to engaging in the sale of groceries, meats, fruits and
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vegetables, he is now engaged in the manufacture of peanut butter, in which he has established a large and growing patronage among the more substantial merchants who handle the product.
PHILIP DOEPPENSMITH.
Philip Doeppensmith, conducting a grocery business at No. 703 Dixwell avenue, was born July 6, 1861. at Hamden, Connecticut, a son of the late Philip Doeppensmith, a native of Ger- many, who was a wood carver. Coming to America he responded to the country's call for troops to aid in the preservation of the Union and enlisted in the Connecticut Cavalry from Hartford. To him was assigned the important duty of carrying dispatches, and he served throughout the entire period of the war. The hardships and privations which he endured as a part of army life broke down his health and caused his early demise in New Haven in 1870, when he was but thirty-three years of age, his birth having occurred in 1837. In early manhood he married Josephine Genter, a native of New York. now living at the age of sev- enty-seven years. She is of German lineage. By her marriage she became the mother of seven children, all of whom survive.
The second of the family is Philip Doeppensmith, who was educated in the public schools to the age of eleven years, when he started out to provide for his own support, being first employed by the Cowles Company in Water street, New Haven. There he learned the trade of drop forging, which he followed for twenty-four years, becoming an expert workman in that field. In 1896 he entered the grocery and meat business in Hamden, and in 1905 removed to his present location at 703 Dixwell avenue, being now the oldest retail merchant in his section of the city in years of continuous business. He established his store with a small capital and with a limited stock but he has built up a business of very satisfactory propor- tions, having today the leading grocery and meat market of the vicinity.
In Hamden, in 1885, Mr. Doeppensmith was married to Miss Rosella Visel, a native of New York and of German parentage, her parents being Daniel and Rosella Visel. Mr. and Mrs. Doeppensmith have a daughter. Mabel, who was born in Hamden.
In politics Mr. Doeppensmith is a republican. Fraternally he belongs to Day Spring Lodge, F. & A. M .; to the Knights of Pythias; to Friendship Lodge, I. O. O. F .; and to the New England Board of Protection. He was also at one time a member of the Highwood Volunteer Fire Association. He is a Protestant in religious faith and it is characteristic of him that he is loyal to every cause which he espouses. Starting out to earn his own living when a boy of but eleven years, his success is due to his efforts, and his persistent energy has carried him over obstacles and difficulties and forward to the goal of success
LOUIS LUIPPOLD.
Louis Luippold. proprietor of the Lyrie Theater at No. 158 Dixwell avenne, was born in Würtemberg, Germany, December 8, 1868, a son of Christian and Barbara (Hoelle) Luippold, who were natives of Balingen, Germany, where the father still makes his home. He is a woodworker and has been quite successful in business. He has also been active in civic and political matters. His wife, who was born in 1834, passed away in 1909. In their family were seven children, five of whom are living.
Louis Luippold was educated in the public schools of his native country and at the age of fourteen years started out to earn his own livelihood. He served an apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade covering three years and at twenty years of age he joined the army, in which he served for three years. On the completion of his term in 1892 he came to the United States, arriving in New York on the 4th of May of that year. He made his way direct to Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he was employed at his trade for five years and then took up the occupation of farming near Orange in New Haven county. This he followed successfully for fifteen months, after which he returned to Bridgeport and for eighteen months was engaged in the liquor business. He then again took up his trade, which
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he followed for a year and a half, and while thus employed he was the builder of the disappearing gun now at Sandy Hook. Much of his work was on field guns and artillery armament and in this line he became an expert. He afterward returned to his farm at Orange and devoted thirteen years to agricultural pursuits but eventually sold that property and invested in real estate on Davenport avenue in New Haven, after which he took up his abode in the city.
Previous to this time, or on the 12th of November, 1913, Mr. Luippold purchased the Lyric Theater, being then associated with B. G. Salvini. On the 12th of April, 1917, he purchased his partner's interest and has since conducted the theater alone. The Lyric is one of the leading outlying moving picture houses of New Haven and is liberally patronized. In addition he has large property interests and success has attended his efforts in substantial measure, so that he is now one of the prosperous citizens of New Haven.
At Bridgeport, on the 20th of April, 1897, Mr. Luippold was married to Miss Anna Merkle, of New York. and to them have been born three children: Frederick Joseph, born in Bridgeport, September 8, 1898; Gertrude, born in Orange, New Haven county, February 8, 1905; and Harry, born in Orange, July 18, 1907.
In politics Mr. Luippold maintains an independent course. Fraternally he is connected with the Moose and the Owls of New Haven. He belongs also to the Connecticut State Moving Picture Association and he thus keeps in touch with the most progressive interests of the screen, bringing forth the best and most attractive film productions. Coming to America a young man he has here won his success, which has been the direct result of his unremitting industry and efficiency.
HENRY KISSINGER.
Henry Kissinger crossed the Atlantic alone when a youth of sixteen years. He had already been providing for his own support for three years and thus from the early age of thirteen he has been dependent upon his own resources. Today he is at the head of an extensive and growing business, in which he is associated with Henry F. Ockert in the manufacturing of picture frames and picture frame mouldings, their plant being located at the corner of Hill and Whiting streets in New Haven. Mr. Kissinger was born January 15, 1851. in Rhine-Bavaria, Germany, and is a son of Jacob Kissinger, who was also a native of that province and spent his life in Rhine-Bavaria, where he conducted business as a successful agriculturist to the time of his death, which occurred when he was fifty-four years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Geisler, was also born in Bavaria and after the death of her husband came to the United States in 1883, making her way direct to New Haven, but she was not long permitted to enjoy her new home, for she died the follow - ing year at the age of sixty-five. In the family were three children: Jacob, who is a resi- dent of New York; Henry, of this review; and Katherine, who is living in Germany.
Henry Kissinger obtained his education in the public schools of his native country but. when a lad of only thirteen years started out to provide for his own support. The tales which reached him concerning America and its opportunities led him to the determination to try his fortune on this side of the Atlantic and in 1867 he arrived in New York, having crossed the water alone. In the metropolis he learned the trade of a gikler and picture frame maker and was employed as a journeyman until 1879, in which year he removed to New Haven and immediately entered business on his own account. He was the first to establish a business of the kind in this city. He started in a very small way but his trade has gradually increased until he is now at the head of a growing and profitable enterprise. In 1889 he purchased his present site and thereon erected his factory, which is thirty-five by eighty feet and is three stories in height. The building covers the entire ground space and is constructed of briek. He uses the entire building for his business and employs throughout the year about five skilled workmen. The product of his plant is shipped throughout New England and he finds a ready sale for the output, which is of fine quality and meets the demands of the trade in every particular.
On the 24th of May, 1913, Mr. Kissinger was united in marriage in New Haven to Miss Emma Hoeplinger, a native of Ludwigsburg. Würtemberg, Germany. Mr. Kissinger has mem-
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bership in several German aid societies and in the Excelsior Association of New York city. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and is interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of New Haven, cooperating with that organization in many movements for the city's benefit. He belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran church, while in politics he maintains an independent course. After forty years' residence in America he returned to the father- land on a visit and made a second trip to Germany in 1913. He is an honest, honorable and highly respected citizen, capable in his line of business, and his enterprise is aeknowl- edged by all.
FRANK A. LEDDY.
Frank A. Leddy, well known in real estate eireles in New Haven, his native eity, was born April 3, 1879, a son of Thomas J. and Ellen (O'Brien) Leddy. The father, a native of Mount Carmel, Connecticut, was for twenty-five years prior to his death, which occurred on the 30th of December, 1890, superintendent for Peek Brothers & Company. His wife, who was born in New Zealand, is still living, her home heing at No. 478 Winthrop avenue in New Haven. Their family numbered six children.
Frank A. Leddy, who was the fourth in order of birth, began his education at the usual age in the schools of New Haven, passing through consecutive grades to the high school, He started out in business in 1897, securing a position in the office of the estate of Edward Malley. He was made manager of the real estate interests of that estate in 1903 and was made a trustee of the estate on the death of Edward Malley in July, 1909. His attention is now given to the administration of real estate interests connected with the business.
On the 3d of September, 1895, Mr. Leddy was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Me- Dermott, a daughter of James McDermott, of Boston, Massachusetts. They have one son, William E., nineteen years of age, who was born in New Haven and was graduated from the high school, while now he is a student in Fordham College.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Roman Catholic church, while fraternally Mr. Leddy is connected with the Eagles and the Elks. He also belongs to the Union League. He is a resourceful and enterprising business man and eapably manages whatever comes to his hand to do. His plans are always well formulated and promptly executed and he has been actuated by high and honorable purpose in all that he has undertaken.
PETER J. KELLY.
For more than a third of a century Peter J. Kelly has been a recognized leader in commercial circles of New Haven as a dealer in furniture, house furnishings and carpets. Through all the intervening years he has developed the business along progressive lines until he has one of the foremost establishments of the kind in the city. He was born in County Louth, Ireland, in 1848, a son of Nicholas and Mary (Callan) Kelly, who were also natives of Ireland, whence they came to the new world in 1851. They made their way direet to New Jersey and the father engaged in the livery business very successfully at Newark, there continuing his residence until his death, which occurred in 1872, when he was sixty-two years of age. His wife survived until 1876.
In the family were nine children, of whom Peter J. Kelly was the fourth. Publie and private schools of Newark afforded him his educational privileges and he pursued his studies to the age of eighteen, when he started out to earn his own livelihood. He first engaged in the retail book business in Newark, with which line of trade he was successfully connected for ten years. He then sold his interest in the business and in 1882 removed to New Haven, where he established a furniture and general house furnishings business at 821 and 823 Grand avenue, at the corner of Bradley. IIe began in a comparatively small way but has developed one of the leading stores of the kind in the city. In 1911 he removed to his present location at Nos. 72 and 74 Orange street, where he has thirty thousand square
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feet of floor space. He carries a large and most attractive line of goods, including everything needed in house furnishings, and the reliability of his methods, his fair prices and his earnest desire to please his patrons have been salient features in his growing trade. Some- thing of the volume of his business is indicated in the fact that he employs on an average of twenty-two salespeople.
In 1877 Mr. Kelly was married in Baltimore, Maryland, to Miss Martha Harker, a native of New Jersey, and they have become parents of seven children. In politics Mr. Kelly is a democrat where national issues are involved but casts an independent local ballot. In the years 1905 and 1906 he served as a member of the board of finance. His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church and he belongs to the Knights of St. Patrick and to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His life has been one of untiring activity since he started out in the business world on his own account when a youth of eighteen. He has closely applied himself to the work in hand and from the faithful performance of each day's duties has found inspiration and strength for the labors of the ensuing day. He has closely studied public needs and as the years have gone on he has achieved that success which is the legitimate reward of all honorable and intelligently directed endeavor.
TIMOTHY BEACH BLACKSTONE.
It is fitting that in the history of Branford, Connecticut. there should be mention of Timothy Beach Blackstone, who was one of the native sons of the town, and though after reaching manhood he transferred his activity to the middle west, he never lost interest in his native town and in later years erected there a most magnificent and fitting monument to his father in the Blackstone Memorial Library, which was built at a cost of a million dollars and is a matter of pride to every citizen of Branford.
Mr. Blackstone was a notably successful man. To build up rather than destroy was the broad policy upon which Timothy Beach Blackstone builded his business career. He attacked everything with a contagious enthusiasm and at all times his progressiveness was tem- pered by a safe conservatism that prevented unwarranted risks or failures. He was for thirty-five years the president of the Chicago & Alton Railway Company and previous to that time was connected for a brief period with other railway interests of the middle west. His birth occurred at .Branford, Connecticut, March 28, 1829, and he traced his ancestors to William Blackstone, or Blaxton, as the name was sometimes spelled, who, according to authentic local records, was a resident of Boston as early as 1623. He owned and culti- vated a small farm lying partly within the boundaries of what is now Boston Common. This William Blackstone was born in England in 1395 and arrived in New England about 1622, settling first in what is now Charlestown, Massachusetts. He had in England sold lands which had been held by at least eleven generations, having been handed down from another William Blackstone, who died in England in 1349. The American bearer of that name was married in Boston in 1659 to Mrs. Sarah Stevenson, widow of John Stevenson. the cere- mony being performed by Governor John Endicott of the Massachusetts Bay colony. William Blackstone died in 1675 at Lonsdale, Rhode Island, to which place he removed soon after his marriage, and his grave is marked by an appropriate monument erected by manu- facturers, who owned the land in later years. His only son, who was born in 1660, removed from Rhode Island to Connecticut and purchased land at Branford, whereon he died many years later. It was at the ancestral home there that James Blackstone was born and reared. He married Sarah, daughter of Asa Beach, of Branford, and he provided for his family by following the occupation of farming. He remained a valued and respected resident of the community throughout his entire life and passed away in Branford, February 4, 1886, at the notable old age of ninety-three years. In 1890 several residents of Branford were endeavoring to establish a public library and solicited gifts from successful business men in other com- munities, who were natives of the town. In response to a request for such assistance, Mr. T. B. Blackstone, welcoming the opportunity to do a great public service for his birthplace. offered to bear the whole expense of erecting a library building and also decided to endow the library, the architect for which was Solon S. Beman of Chicago, who in making the plans for the building chose the Ionic style of architecture, the details, particularly the Ionic
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