USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II > Part 89
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TIMOTHY B. BLACKSTONE
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columns in the portico, the marble doorways and the egg and dart molding being copied from the Erechtheum on the Acropolis at Athens. The exterior of the building is a white marble, while pink and grey marble are used in the interior. Upon passing through a marble vesti. bule one comes directly into the octagonal rotunda, which is forty-four feet in diameter and around which are six rooms. There are handsome mural decorations and every possible ap- pointment that adds to comfort and convenience.
Timothy Beach Blackstone, son of James and Sarah Blackstone, divided his time be- tween the work of the fields and the acquirement of an education but early displayed special aptitude in his studies, so that his parents sent him to one of the best known academies in the state. Ill health prevented the completion of his course and in 1848 he sought ontdoor employment, becoming an assistant in a corps of engineers then engaged on the survey of the New York & New Haven Railroad. In this connection he displayed notable energy and per- severance and built up his physical manhood through outdoor life and labor. He was em- ployed as rodman for a year and in the interval devoted himself to the study of civil engin- . eering ere he became assistant engineer of the Stockbridge & Pittsfield Railway, built in 1849 and now a part of the Housatonic Railroad. He was variously employed in the east, his position being constantly of increasing importance, until 1851, when he became chief en- gineer of the Illinois Central Railroad and removed to the west, being placed in charge of that portion of the projected line between Bloomington and Dixon. For a number of years he was a resident of La Salle, Illinois, and when his surveys for the road were completed he super- intended its construction. In 1856, two years after the Joliet & Chicago Railroad Company had secured a charter, Mr. Blackstone was appointed chief engineer and in this connection personally supervised both the location and building of the entire line, which operated in con- nection with other local roads of the state, success attending the branch of which Mr. Black- stone had charge although other lines with which it affiliated were not as prosperous. He superintended the laying out and building of the Joliet & Chicago, which was completed in 1857, and in 1861 he was chosen its president. At length it seemed necessary to reorganize the different railway lines of the St. Louis, Alton & Chicago and by legislative enactment a commission was created for that purpose, which in due time purchased the bankrupt por- tions of the line and perfected a new organization under the name of the Chicago & Alton Railway Company. In 1864 this corporation leased the Joliet & Chicago Railroad and Mr. Blackstone was elected to the directorate. Soon after, his colleagues, recognizing his effi- eiency, initiative and unfaltering enterprise, chose him for the presidency of the company, of which he remained the head from 1864 until 1899. He acted for a quarter of a century as president without salary or reward of any kind, although he was frequently offered a salary by the board of directors. He seemed to grasp every detail of the situation as well as the great business principles involved, and under his presidency the road kept paee with the progress of the times and rapid growth of the great middle west. In a series of articles en- titled "The Railroad Men of America" mention was made of Mr. Blackstone as follows:
"While several of the men now at the head of great railroad systems in the United States have, like Mr. Blackstone, climbed to their present position from the lowest round of the ladder he has, perhaps, no contemporary who has for so long a time had so much to do with shaping the policies and controlling the destinies of a single corporation or who has retained so long the implicit confidence and goodwill of so large a body of shareholders in any similar enterprise."
Another biographer said, while Mr. Blackstone was still an active factor in the world's work :
"It is not too much to assert, that Mr. Blackstone's business qualities would have earned him success in any undertaking and prominence in any community. Like many another who has risen to eminence, aceidental circumstances seem to have guided his early steps. Yet, by adopting the principle of doing with all his might whatever his hand found to do, he progressed steadily upwards; and at length, with a mind trained by study, observation and experience for greater things, he arrived at a higher goal than even his youthful ambition dreamed of, and one more replete with responsibility than many distinguished politieal posi- tions. A quality possessed by many of the world's most successful men, he has had in a marked degree, viz: that of quickly judging of the merits of his associates and assistants. His subordinates are all carefully selected as being the very best, each in his respective department. Merit is always recognized and in proper time receives its due reward. The
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most humble employe of the company does not work half so hard as its honored president, who regards himself as its chief servant as well as its chief executive officer, and labors assidu- onsly and conscientiously to further its interests and to give a good account of his steward- ship."
In 1868 Mr. Blackstone was married to Miss Isabella Farnsworth Norton, a native of Norwich, Connecticut, and a daughter of Henry V. Norton. In public affairs Mr. Blackstone was deeply interested although he never sought to figure prominently in political relations. In the early days of his residence in La Salle, Illinois, however, he was elected mayor of the town in 1854 and retired from the office as he had entered it, with the confidence and good- will of all. He always stood for progress and improvement during the period of his resi- dence in Chicago, cooperating in many important municipal projects. He was a most just and a most unselfish man, and much of his time in later years was devoted to aiding others. He built to the memory of his father probably the finest monument in America, expending more than a million dollars on it. This monument is in the shape of the beautiful library and music hall, in Branford, Connecticut, which he endowed so that it will be maintained for all time, and yet in this memorial to his father and gift to the town he completely effaced himself, there being not a mark on the building to indicate that it was erected through the generositiy and filial love of T. B. Blackstone. His father's face and form, however, are per- petnated in marble and upon canvas in the building, showing to this and future generations the likeness of the man who was prominent and honored in Branford.
The death of T. B. Blackstone occurred on the 26th of May, 1900, and his widow has since erected the beautiful Blackstone Memorial Library building which stands on Forty- ninth street and Lake avenue in Chicago. It was built in classical style of architecture and is a fitting monument to him who ever maintained a deep interest in the welfare of his fellow citizens. Mrs. Blackstone has since turned this over to the Chicago Public Library, so that it remains a radiating force in the culture and education of the people. Simple and unostentatious in his habits, remarkably genial and cordial in manner and open-hearted toward all benevolent projects, Timothy Beach Blackstone was indeed a useful, high-minded citizen.
JACOB H. RUBIN.
Jacob H. Rubin, a prominent business man of New Haven, was born in Russia on the 22d of February, 1866, and is a son of Hyman and Esther Rubin, also natives of Russia, where they spent their entire lives, both being now deceased. During his active business life the father engaged in mercantile pursuits. In the family were six children, of whom Jacob H. is the oldest son. He attended school in his native land and was twenty years of age on coming to America in 1886.
Locating in New Haven, Connecticut, Mr. Rubin has since made his home in this city. In 1888 he embarked in his present business on a small scale as a dealer in leather findings but as his trade increased he enlarged his business, which was incorporated in 1907 with Mr. Rubin as president and treasurer and Lewis I. Prince secretary of the company doing a large wholesale business. Mr. Rubin is also president and proprietor of the Commonwealth Realty Company, engaged in a general real estate business with offices at 375 State street, and in this connection he promoted and built the Law Chamber building at 179 Church street.
On the 3d of August, 1890, Mr. Rubin was married in New York city to Miss Annie K. Opolensky, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Max Opolensky, of Brooklyn, New York, but she died in New Haven in 1909 at the age of thirty-nine years, leaving five children, as follows. Louis Rubin, born in New Haven, May 22, 1891, was graduated from the academic depart- ment of Yale University and is now in business with his father. Mrs. Esther J. Kligeman, born in 1893, is a high school graduate. She is living in New Haven and has one child, Hilda. Mrs. Gertrude Peltz, born in 1895, is also a high school graduate. She also has a daughter, Hilda. Nathan Rubin, born in 1898, graduated with the highest honors from high school and is now in his third year as a student at Yale. Miss Sadie Rubin, born in 1905, was graduated from the public schools of New Haven in 1917.
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Mr. Rubin is a Master Mason and has been identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for the past twenty-three years. He is also a member of B'nai B'rith and the B'nai Abraham synagogue. Politically he does not affiliate with any particular party but votes for the men whom he believes best qualified to fill the offices. Coming to this country a poor boy from Russia some thirty-one years ago, Mr. Rubin found himself a stranger in a strange land without the advantages of knowing either the language or business methods of the people. but he gradually worked his way upward, husbanding his carnings, and was at length able to embark in business for himself. The first few years he had to deny himself many comforts in order to succeed but close application and keen business judgment have made him one of New Haven's successful wholesale merchants and also a promoter in real estate and in his modest way he has assisted in the upbuilding of the community. Today he is one of the best known and most prominent business men of the city.
DAVID A. FLYNN, M. D.
Dr. David A. Flynn, engaged in the practice of medicine at New Haven, was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, October 8, 1879, a son of Patrick and Josephine (Leighey) Flynn. The father, a native of Ireland. came to America in 1863 and first settled at Huntington, Long Island. He was a skilled mechanic and was quite successful in his business affairs. He died at Bridgeport, Connecticut, at the age of sixty-seven years. His wife, also a native of Ireland, came alone to America and she, too, settled in Huntington, Long Island, where they were married. She survives her husband and yet occupies the old home at Bridgeport. In their family were eleven children, seven of whom survive.
Dr. Flynn was the seventh in order of birth in that family. His youthful days were passed in his native city and in the acquirement of his education he mastered the various branches of learning taught in the public schools until graduated from the high school with the class of 1899. He next entered Yale Medical College, from which he was graduated with the M. D. degree in 1905. His early practical experience came to him through service as interne in St. Francis Hospital of New Haven, with which institution he was thus connected for fourteen months. In 1907 he entered upon the private practice of medicine, in which he has since continued and in the intervening period, covering a decade, his patronage has steadily inereased as he has given proof of his ability to cope with involved and intricate professional problems.
Dr. Flynn holds membership in the Roman Catholic church. Politically he exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democratic party. His professional connections are with the Connectieut State and the American Medical Associa- tions and he thus keeps in close touch with the trend of modern professional thought and is quick to adopt the new and improved methods which are facilitating professional service.
JOHN FRANCIS DONOVAN.
John Francis Donovan. the capable fire chief of Meriden, can scarcely remember the time when he was not connected with the fire department, for even as a boy he used to go to fires with the men of the company stationed near his home. For thirty-five years he has been a member of the department and he has given the most careful study to all questions affecting the best methods of fighting fire and for organizing the department to the best advantage.
Mr. Donovan was born in Meriden, February 14, 1861, a son of John and Margaret Donovan, and received his education in St. Rose's parochial school, which he attended until he was thirteen years old. He then secured a job as devil in the newspaper office of the Republican and remained there for two years. Later he was for a time in the employ of the Bradley-Hubbard Company, after which he devoted three years to work at the harness maker's trade. He next became connected with the Manning-Bowman Company and learned
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A MODERN HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN
the spinning trade. He became a journeyman and for about twenty-five years was in the employ of that concern, his record indieating his efficiency and trustworthiness. During all this time, however, he was also connected with the fire department and from time to time was promoted to positions of larger responsibility. His connection with the department began inauspiciously when he was a boy of about fifteen years. He lived across the street from the Bixbee hose station and liked nothing better than to accompany the men when they were called out. On the 2d of December. 1882, when twenty-one years of age, he was appointed call man. At that time many of the men on the foree did not devote their entire time to the work of the department but were subject to call and received pay only for the time actually spent in fighting fire. After serving for a period as call man Mr. Donovan became hoseman and clerk of Company No. 2, so remaining from 1885 to 1892. On the 7th of March, 1892, he was made captain of that company and a little more than twenty years later, or on the 30th of April, 1912, was appointed assistant chief and on the 31st of the following May was made chief, which position he still holds. His official connec- tion with the department now covers thirty-five years and during this period he has seen great changes in the organization of the department as it has expanded to meet the needs of the growing city of Meriden. Since he has taken office as chief the department has been completely motorized and a pension fund has been organized, which in accordance with an amendment to a law secured largely through the instrumentality of Chief Donovan, now receives five per cent of all liquor licenses. During the present chief's administration civil service has also been instituted throughout the department and further evidence of the high standards maintained is found in the fact that among the fire departments of the United States and Canada, Meriden ranks twenty-third for efficiency. In 1914 Meriden had the distinction of having the lowest less per capita by fire in New England, which faet testifies to the energy, executive ability and hard work of Chief Donovan. During his many years as a fire fighter he has had several narrow escapes from death. On the 6th of May, 1886, at the Bradley-Hubbard fire he was rendered unconscious, and Allen Butler, his mate, was killed. At the time of the O'Brien fire his arm and wrist were badly cut and when the Gate house on Cherry street burned a cord in one of his hands was ripped out, resulting in permanent injury. At the time of the gas house fire he was badly burned by an explosion of creosote and oil, and undoubtedly would have been killed but for his presence of mind and quick thinking. The biggest fires that have occurred since his connection with the department were the town hall and the old opera house.
Chief Donovan was married on the 22d of June, 1898, to Miss Elizabeth Egan. of New Haven, and they have four children: Margaret Mary, who is eighteen years old and was educated in the Milford Academy; Mary A., who is sixteen years old and is a high school pupil; James P., also a high school student; and Daniel J., who is attending St. Rose's parochial school.
Chief Donovan is independent in his political belief and has been too busy to take an active part in publie affairs aside from his connection with the fire department. He belongs to St. Rose's Roman Catholic church and for thirty-five years has been connected with the Knights of Columbus. Few men in Meriden have a wider acquaintance, and the high esteem in which he is universally held is evidence of his genuine worth.
JOHN CUNLIFFE, JR.
John Cunliffe, Jr., attorney at law of New Haven, was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, April 5, 1882, a son of John Cunliffe, Sr., who was likewise born in the old Bay state. The grandfather, however, was a native of England but became the founder of the family in the new world. Through an active business life John Cunliffe, Sr., has been engaged in the bakery business and in general merchandising at Lawrence and at Methuen, Massachusetts. His political support is given to the republican party and he has been quite an active worker in behalf of political and civic matters. He wedded Martha Ainsworth, a native of England. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Craven, was a deseendant of Lord Craven, at one time lord mayor of London. Mrs. Cunliffe passed away in Methuen, Massachusetts, in June, 1909, leaving six children, namely: John; Bessie, who is a teacher
JOHN CUNLIFFE, JR.
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of Methuen; George, who is traveling auditor for the firm of Wilson & Company of Chicago; Mary, who is acting as housekeeper for her father in Methuen; Robert S., who is associated with his father in business; and Selina, who is teaching school in Methuen.
John Cunliffe, Jr., after attending public and high schools of Methuen, continued his education in the evening high school at Lawrence, Massachusetts, and in Dempsey's Com- mercial College of that place. IIe received his early business training as assistant in his father's store, where he worked from early boyhood. On starting out independently in September, 1901, he took up the study of civil engineering and was actively engaged along the line of that profession until January, 1914. His first engineering work was that of assistant inspector of sewers in the town of Dedham, Massachusetts, and money earned in that connection provided him with the means of pursuing a university course. He was also employed as engineer at Swampscott, Massachusetts, at Mount Vernon, New York, and at other points. In January, 1908, he entered the law class at Yale and was graduated with the LL. B. (cum laude) degree in 1910. In January, 1911, he was admitted to practice in all the courts. After his graduation he became chief engineer for contractors at the Morris dam and continued his work until the fall of 1913 or until the completion of the contract at Thomaston, Connecticut. In January, 1914, he entered actively upon the practice of law, in which he has since continued. He has deep interest in his profession and prepares his cases with thoroughness and care, is resourceful and ever ready to meet any emergency. The strength of his argument is based upon a recognition of the value of all the points of evidence, together with a thorough understanding of legal principles accurately applied to the points at issue.
On the 2d of March, 1907, Mr. Cunliffe was married to Miss Jennie Marshall MeClay. a native of Scotland. They belong to the East Haven Congregational church, and Mr. Cunliffe is identified with the Knights of Pythias lodge of Branford, Connecticut, in the social circles of which place they hold an enviable position. He belongs to the Boston Society of Civil Engineers, to the New Haven County Bar Association, the Connecticut State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. In politics he is an active republican, keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day, and he takes a most helpful interest in civic affairs, supporting all those plans and measures which he deems of benefit along progressive lines. On the 15th of November, 1915, he enlisted for three years' service in Battery A of the Tenth Regiment of Military Field Artillery of the Connecticut National Guard and on the 24th of March, 1916, was made quartermaster sergeant. He thus served until July 8, 1916, when he was honorably discharged upon a surgeon's certificate of disability. Mr. Cunliffe has made for himself a creditable position in professional circles and is well known as an advocate of all those interests and forces which work for municipal progress and for the benefit and upbuilding of the district in which he lives.
FRANK H. ANDREWS.
Frank H. Andrews, secretary and treasurer of the Connecticut Transportation Company, secretary of the A. H. Powell Company, Incorporated, and a partner in the firm of O'Connor & Andrews, building contractors, was born in New Haven, December 25, 1858, a son of the late William H. Andrews, a native of Cheshire, Connecticut, belonging to one of the old Connecticut families of English lineage. The founder of the American branch of the family was William Andrews, who came to the new world in the early part of the seventeenth century. William H. Andrews, the father, was an inventor and manufacturer of New Haven, who won recognition as a prominent, prosperous and successful man. He died in New Haven in 1911, at the age of eighty years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Harriett Hurd, was born in Bethel, Connecticut, a daughter of Charles and Laura (Beebe) Hurd. both representatives of families of English origin that were established in Connectient during the colonial period in American history. Mrs. Andrews is still living at the age of ninety years and her two sons, Frank H. and Charles W., are both residents of New Haven.
When a youth of eighteen Frank H. Andrews, who up to this time had been a public
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school pupil, began earning his own living as an employe in the drafting and civil engineer- ing departments of the New York & New Haven Railroad. He continued to engage in civil engineering for six years and afterward was with the firm of Mallory, Wheeler & Company. a contracting firm with which he filled the office of secretary for a number of years. He was afterward engaged in contracting business most successfully for five years with the firm of O'Brien & Sheehan of New York city and during that period had charge of the construction of many important works, including the Charlestown navy dry dock and extensive railroad contracts extending into Canada. He next entered the contracting field on his own account, establishing headquarters at Boston, with branch office in New Haven. He became associated with John O'Connor and the business has since been conducted under the firm style of O'Connor & Andrews. Their work has all been in the line of rail- road building for the New York, New Haven & Hartford. Mr. Andrews is also the treasurer of the Connecticut Transportation Company, which conducts a line of barges, his associates in that enterprise being Albert H. Powell, who is the president of the company, and Charles H. Briggs, vice president. Mr. Andrews is also the secretary of the A. H. Powell Company, Incorporated, wholesale and retail dealers in coal.
Mr. Andrews was married in New Haven, Connecticut, to Miss Annie S. Curtis, a daughter of Robert G. Curtis, for years superintendent of the Northampton division of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad.
In politics Mr. Andrews was a democrat until William Mckinley became the presidential nominee of the republican party, of which he has since been a stanch supporter. He has been alderman and conneilman from the fifth ward, serving for three terms in each branch of the city government, and in those connections he exercised his official prerogatives in support of many progressive plans and measures for the public good. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He started out in the business world a poor boy and his success is due to his own efforts, controlled by laudable ambition and intelligently directed. Ile has worked his way continuously upward and each forward step in his career has brought him a broader outlook and wider opportunities.
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