USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II > Part 97
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Mr. Brown was married twice. He first wedded Phebe Hart Hull. of Wallingford, daughter of Hiram and Caroline (Ives) Hull. One daughter was born of this union, Caroline Marcia, who married Joline B. Smith and resides at Madison, Connecticut. Mrs. Brown died in December. 1866. On the 16th of April. 1872. Mr. Brown was married to Miss Char-
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lotte Alene Killam, a daughter of Henry and Charlotte (King) Killam, of New Haven, and they became the parents of two daughters: Florence Alene, and Katharine Frances, the latter the wife of William D. Scranton, of New Haven.
In politics Mr. Brown was a republican but not an active party worker. He belonged to the Union League Club and to the Country Club and he was treasurer of Grace Hos- pital. In a word, he was interested in all those things which have to do with the welfare of the community. He contributed through his business connections to the material up- building of New Haven and in various other ways furthered public progress and improve- ment, cooperating in all those agencies which were promoted for educational, social and moral progress.
PLATT H. ROGERS, M. D.
Although one of the younger members of his profession Dr. Platt H. Rogers, of West Haven, has already gained recognition as a resourceful and able physician and surgeon and has built up a large practice. He was born in Towners, New York, July, 1, 1889, a son of Herman S. and Julia A. Rogers. The father followed farming in Towners, New York, until 1893, when he removed to Danbury, Connecticut, where he has since engaged in the same pursuit.
Platt H. Rogers entered the Yale College of Medicine following his graduation from the Danbury high school and in 1912 received the degree of M. D. He at once located in West Haven, where he has since engaged in the general practice of his profession. His well trained powers of observation have enabled him to profit by his experience and through wide reading he keeps in close touch with other up-to-date and progressive physicians and surgeons. The marked ability which he has displayed in diagnosing and treating disease has commended him to the patronage of the representative people of West Haven.
In 1911 Dr. Rogers was united in marriage to Miss Pearl MI. Sparks, of New York, who is a talented singer and has received a thorough musical education. To this union has been born a daughter, Joyce Nell.
The Doctor endorses the principles of the republican party but has never had time to give to political or civic affairs. However, he is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and fraternally is connected with the Odd Fellows and the Red Men. In religious faith he is a Baptist, which indicates the principles that govern his life. Along strictly professional lines he is identified with the New Haven County and the Connecticut State Medical Societies and the American Medical Association. He has before him the promise of an unusually suc- cessful career.
MICHAEL SCANLON.
'Michael Scanlon, deceased, was a well known and highly respected citizen of Branford for many years. He was born and reared in County Clare, Ireland, and was there united in marriage to Catherine O'Neill, who was likewise a native of the Emerald isle. He was a stone mason by trade and followed that pursuit in Ireland until after his marriage. He came to America with his wife and one child, establishing his home in North Branford about 1860. There he continued to follow the stone mason's trade and built many of the founda- tions for the homes in the village of Branford and was always busily employed at his work. Mr. Scanlon and his wife reared a large family, only three of whom are living: Elizabeth, who for years was a school teacher in Branford; Susan, the wife of Phillip Bird, of New York city; and Mary T., who for many years was forelady at the Branford Lock Works. The parents both passed away in North Branford and the two daughters, Mary T. and Eliza- beth, are now living in Branford, both having put aside the cares of business and professional life.
Michael Scanlon was one of the first Irishmen to settle in North Branford. He was a very industrious and energetic man and soon became a power for good in his community,
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winning the respect and admiration of all the people of the town. He therefore soon gained a wide reputation as a competent stone mason and had all the work that he could do. There were very few Catholic families in North Branford at the time of his arrival and these were widely scattered. Mr. Scanlon was a very devout member of the Catholic church and was the collector for St. Mary's church at Branford. He did much to build up the Catholic church and also found time to do considerable charitable work. Although he had a large family of his own, he never turned down any appeal for charity but was constantly extending a helping hand to those who needed aid and he responded readily to any tale of sorrow or distress.
His two daughters, Mary T. and Elizabeth, are living in Branford and are the largest contributors to St. Mary's church. Among their donations is a splendid memorial stained glass window, which they had placed in the church in memory of their parents. They also gave St. Mary's church a bell, for the steeple, weighing three thousand pounds. This is one of the largest church bells in Connecticut and was dedicated by Monseigneur Duggan on Sunday, May 13, 1917.
The Scanlon family have indeed taken a very active and helpful part in advancing Catlı- olie interests in their community and their efforts have been most effective in the upbuild- ing of the church and the extension of its influence. Their name has also become a synonym for charitable work and in all that they do they are actuated by the broadest humanitarian principles.
JOSEPH C. JOHNSON.
Joseph C. Johnson, a member of the firm of J. Johnson & Sons, clothiers and fur- nishers at New Haven, was born in Waterbury, Connecticut July 27, 1871. His father, the late Jacob Johnson was the founder of the clothing business. He was a native of Posen, Germany, and came to America in 1848, when fifteen years of age, first settling at Water- bury, Connecticut, where he was apprenticed to learn the tailoring business. He completed his term of indenture with a good knowledge of the trade and at the age of twenty-two years he embarked in business on his own account, beginning in a small way at Waterbury. The excellent work which he did commended him for a liberal patronage and he continued successfully in business at that place until 1876, when he removed with his family to New Haven, where he opened a branch store. This, too, had a small beginning but it developed rapidly until it became the leading business of the kind in the city. The Waterbury store was continued for ten years after Mr. Johnson's arrival in New Haven and was then sold to his brother-in-law, Meyer Kaiser, while Mr. Johnson remained an active factor in the own- ership and control of the New Haven establishment for many years. He died in 1910, at the age of seventy-seven. He was a Mason and was one of the active and leading members of Mishkan Israel Temple. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Caroline Kaiser, is a native of Bavaria, Germany, and at the age of nineteen years came to the new world, settling in Waterbury, where she married Mr. Johnson, becoming his wife on the 25th of December, 1858. She is still living at the age of eighty-three years. They celebrated their golden wedding December 25, 1908. It was largely attended and was one of the leading social events of that month. Mrs. Caroline Johnson became the mother of seven children, of whom three survive: Albert J., who is senior partner in the firm of J. Johnson & Sons; Hattie E., the widow of Samuel Goodman, of New Haven; and Joseph C.
The last named, on attaining his majority, was admitted to a partnership in the clothing and men's furnishings goods business which had been established by his father. At that time the father retired from active connection therewith and the sons have since continued the business with remarkable success. They are today recognized as the leading firm in this line in New Haven if not in the state of Connecticut. In 1913, as a matter of sentiment, Joseph C. Johnson opened a branch store in Waterbury which, like the parent establishment, has grown and developed until it is the leading store of that city carrying a line of men's furnishings and clothing. It is conducted under the original trade name of J. Johnson & Sons. Joseph C. Johnson is also a director of the Mechanics Bank and of the National Savings Bank of New Haven.
On the 28th of March, 1895, Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Clara Hyman, a native of
JOSEPH C. JOHNSON
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Chicago and a daughter of the late Sigmund Hyman, a prominent pioneer jeweler of that city and Caroline (Schwartzschild) Hyman. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have a daughter, Jane Caroline.
Politically Mr. Johnson is a republican, and while he has never sought nor desired office, he is yet interested and active in civic affairs, doing all in his power to advance those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and pride. He is identified with various fraternities and clubs, holding membership with the Masons, the Elks, the Eagles and the United Workmen, with Harmonie Club, the Racebrook Country Club, the Union League Club, the Adelphi Literary Association, the B'nai Ami Club, the New Haven Yacht Club, the New Haven Publicity Club, the New Haven Business Men's Association and the Chamber of Com- merce, of which he was formerly vice president. He is chairman of the Red Cross Membership Committee and one of its most active workers, having helped to increase its membership from two hundred and fifty-three to over 40,000. He is also a member and secretary of the Senior Service Corps and first lieutenant in the Connecticut Home Guard on Colonel North's staff. In a word, his interests are broad and varied. He is a successful business man, a popular club man, and an active factor in organizations for the promotion of trade relations, but above all he is a patriotic citizen, counting his duty to bis country his first interest.
WILLIAM SMITH LEETE.
William Smith Leete is actively engaged in farming and stock raising on Leete's Island and his business affairs are wisely, carefully and systematically conducted, so that success in substantial measure is following his labors. He was born on Leete's Island, October 22, 1867, a son of Edward Walter and Harriet (Rogers) Leete. and like most of the name in Connecticut, traces his ancestry back to Governor William Loete. one of the old-time colonial governors, who came to America with the Henry Whitfield expedition. lle was born in Doddington, England, in 1612, was educated for the bar and after coming to the new world became an important factor in shaping the affairs of the Connecticut colony. He was three times married and his eldest son was John Leete, who was born in Guilford in 1639 and is said to have been the first white child born in the town. lle was married in 1670 to Mary Chittenden and the fifth of their right children was Pelatiah Leete. who was born March 26, 1681. He became a very prominent and influential stock raiser and farmer and on the 1st of July, 1705, he married Abigail Fowler, by whom he had five children. The eldest son of that family was Deacon Daniel Leete, who was born October 14, 1709, and also became a farmer and stock raiser, passing away on his farm October 1, 1722. He was married June 14, 1738, to Rhoda Stone, who died December 23, 1769, and both were laid to rest in the old cemetery on Guilford Green. They had five children, the third son being Deacon Ambrose Leete, who was born January 19, 1748, and who on the 10th of November, 1773, married Miranda Chittenden. Their family numbered five children, including Miner Leete, who was born June 30, 1779, and spent his entire life on the farm which was his birthplace, there passing away November 2. 1826. He was married November 17. 1807, to Lucinda Norton, who was born November 18, 1780, in Guilford, and died August 28, 1848. They were the parents of five children, of whom Edward Lorenzo was born June 28, 1810, at Leete's Island in the town of Guilford. Here for more than thirty years he engaged in teaching during the winter months, while the summer seasons were devoted to the development and improvement of his farm. He was always prominent in public affairs and in 1854 represented his district in the state legislature, to which posi- tion he was again elected in 1865. Like his forebears, he was also a prominent and active member of the Congregational church and, like his ancestors, long heldt office in the church. He died May 3, 1884. He was married in North Guilford, April 29. 1833, to Sylvia Fowler and they had two children: Edward Walter; and Lucy Lonisa, who became the wife of Dwight Rogers, of Cornwall, Connecticut.
The son, Edward Walter Leete, was born at the old home place on Leete's Island, May 28, 1834, and attended the district school and also a private school in Windsor, Connecticut, and the Normal school at New Britain. He followed farming and school teach-
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ing, becoming one of the representative and valued residents of his community and thus sustaining the honored family name. He was married October 10, 1861, to Harriet Rogers, of Cornwall, a daughter of Daniel Leete and Harriet (Pratt) Rogers. Five children were born of that marriage: Abbie, who was married on June 10, 1896, to Edward E. Griswold, of Guilford, and they have two children, Harriet Rogers and John Leete; Edward Rogers, who died December 6, 1891; William Smith; Sarah Taleott, who died October 25, 1891: and Walter, who died in infancy. The father was a prominent member of the First Congre- gational church of Guilford, in which he became deacon. He was also active in the Sun- day school and in all lines of church work. He ever gave his political support to the republican party and for a long period was a member of the school board and also filled the offices of assessor, tax collector and justice of the peace. In 1884 he was elected a trustee of the Guilford Institute and he was a trustee of the Guilford Savings Bank and a stockholder and director of the National Bank, which he aided in organizing.
William S. Leete, the son of E. W. Leete, acquired his education in the schools on Leete's Island and the Guilford high school, and took up the occupation of farming and stock raising, to which he had been reared. He has ever concentrated his attention and energy upon this business, which he has wisely and successfully conducted. His entire time has been given to bis work and he has never ceased to make the island upon which he was born his home. and on which seven generations of his ancestors have lived.
On the 14th of December, 1899, at Guilford, Mr. Leete was married to Miss Angeline Brewer, who was born in Guilford, a daughter of Alva Goldsmith and Alice (Pahner) Brewer, who were natives of Guilford and of Branford, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Leete have three children: Edward Brewer, William Chittenden and Lawrence Rogers.
In his political views Mr. Leete has usually supported the republican party. lle is a member of the First Congregational church and is active in its interests. He belongs to the Guilford Grange and thus keeps in touch through its proceedings with the advanced thought bearing upon modern farm methods.
JEAN BELASCO.
Jean Belasco, manager of the Poli and Life theaters at Meriden, was born in Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania, on the 10th of June, 1884. He made his start in the business world as clerk in a grocery store, but when he found out that he was actually working only to learn the trade and that the salary of three dollars per week supposedly paid him by the firm was in reality paid by his good mother in order to make him more contented with his work, and also to make him stay, he quit then and there, to strike out for himself without any sup- port from home. After making his own living in various ways-humble often but always honest-he became identified with theatrical interests. He embarked in the sale of theater tickets on his own account and afterward with a partner bought out the Vorhees business in the Continental Hotel. Subsequently he was connected with Ezra Kendall, the famous actor, then playing "The Vinegar Buyer." He did everything, almost, in connection with the show, from scenery manager to properties, and also sold the music during the per- formance.
It was during these years that he met many prominent theatrical people and ball players, besides other well known professionals. This acquaintance has always been very valuable to him as well as most pleasant.
Mr. Belasco also did newspaper work for the St. Louis Exposition in 1904. He then went with W. A. Brady, theatrical magnate, as assistant advertising man, continuing in that connection in 1904 and 1905. He later founded the Philadelphia Bill Posting Company bnt afterward sold out his business in that connection and was associated with Bob Fitzsimmons as advance agent. He also managed the Casino theater at Asbury Park, New Jersey. He continued in charge of the theater in the summer months, while in the winter he was upon the road. This was the first playhouse which he managed. He afterward was employed in New York city and elsewhere and in 1912 he had his own show.
It was largely accident that brought him to Connecticut. He happened to stop at Stam- ford and there he obtained a position with the Geronimo Film Company, a pioneer concern of
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New England. He subsequently managed the Grand Opera House in New Haven, which hitherto had been an unprofitable venture but of which he made a success until the theater building was destroyed by fire. He afterward managed theaters in Norwalk and in Tor- rington, Connecticut, and in May, 1916, became connected with Mr. Poli in Waterbury, with whom he arranged to come to Meriden as Mr. Poli's manager on the 28th of August, 1916. In April, 1917, he took over the Life theater for Mr. Poli and is now managing the two. He gives to the public a class of attractions which are making these theaters profitable places of entertainment, and has always closely studied the public taste being also thoroughly famil- iar with every phase of theatrical management.
On the 22d of May, 1917, Mr. Belasco was married to Miss Coral Huber, of Meriden, and they have gained many friends during the period of their residence in Meriden.
GEORGE EDWIN HULL.
George Edwin Hull is widely known in connection with the automobile trade, having the ageney at Guilford for the Dodge and Chalmers cars, in connection with which he conduct- an extensive garage. He was born in Guilford, August 15, 1851, but his interests have never been of a purely local nature, for he has seen much of the country and gained that broad knowledge and experience which travel brings. His parents were Henry and Lydia Lindsley (Bishop) Hull. The fatber was born in Killingworth, Middlesex county, Connecticut, and as a young man removed to Guilford, where he secured work with Philo Bishop as seed gardener. Later he engaged in farming on his own account in Guilford and spent his remaining days here. His wife was born, lived and died in Guilford and both were representatives of old Connecticut families. They became parents of five children, one of whom, Samuel Hull, enlisted from Guilford for service in the Civil war as a member of the Fifth Connecticut Heavy Artillery. He was severely wounded and returned to Guilford, where he died from the effects of his injuries, and his name is carved on the Soldiers' monument on the Green in Guilford.
George Edwin Hull acquired his education in the schools of Guilford and worked upon the home farm to the age of seventeen years, when he decided to abandon agricultural pur- suits and engage in some other line of activity. He secured a clerkship in a store in Guil- ford and afterward became a clerk in the Bee Hive, one of the commercial establishments of Hartford, Connecticut. Later he went to Chicago, where for three years he was employed in the establishment of Marshall Field. He afterward engaged in business on his own ac- count, opening a clothing and men's furnishing goods store in Chicago, where he conducted business for twenty-two years and then sold at a good profit. It was at that time that he heard and heeded the call of the west, removing to Whittier, California, a suburb of Los Angeles, hoping thereby to benefit his wife's health. His father-in-law was one of the original settlers of Whittier, which is a Quaker settlement. Mr. Hull there resided for eleven years, during which time he became interested in orange growing and was one of the eight men who organized the first citrons fruit growers' exchange, which was originally known as the Southern California Fruit Exchange, which developed into the present California Fruit Growers' Exchange of Los Angeles. He served for four years as the vice president of the original exchange and was one of its directors, taking a most active and helpful part in bring- ing about a desired condition among the fruit growers whereby they were rid of the extor- tions of the commission men, who deprived the growers of their profits. He organized a systematic bookkeeping and collection department and traveled all over the United States in connection with the business.
In Chicago, Illinois, Mr. Hull was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Pickering, who was born in Iowa but was reared in Chicago and died in Whittier, California. They became the parents of four children: Aquilla Henry, who is with the Guilford Trust Company; Her- bert Pickering and Sherman Bishop, who are partners of their father in the garage; and Ruth Elizabeth. All were born in Chicago, and in 1905 Mr. Hull with his four children returned to Guilford, where he purchased a corner lot on the Boston post road in the town of Guil- ford and built a modern anto garage, organizing the firm of S. B. Hull & Company, his part- ners being his two sons. His garage has become known all over the state for the quality of auto repair work and service there rendered. Residents of Bridgeport and other distant
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towns send their cars to him for repairs because of the excellent reputation of the establish- ment, which always turns out the highest class of work. Their patronage has become $0 extensive that their work is more than eight skilled machinists can do. The garage is equipped for all kinds of machine work. vulcanizing and charging batteries, and a full line of automobile accessories is carried. The firm are agents for the Dodge Brothers and Chalmers cars and maintain a service station for the Hupp and Studebaker cars. Mr. Hull is possessed of marked ability as an executive and manager, being a man of broad experience. He knows what the people want and gives it to them and by his splendid service he has built up an ex- tensive business. His sons are expert machinists and the Hull garage is today known throughout the state.
In religious faith Mr. Hull is a Baptist and his aid and influence are always given on the side of progress and improvement. After broad experience in various fields and in con- nection with many lines of business Mr. Hull returned to Guilford. his native city, where he is now recognized as a most prominent business man, Alert and energetic, he seems ready for any emergency or for any opportunity. Life has been to him purposeful and his activi- ties have been most resultant.
PATRICK T. O'BRIEN.
Patrick T. O'Brien, a lawyer of ability practicing at Meriden, was born in New Britain, Connecticut, November 16, 1868, a son of John and Mary (Corbett) O'Brien, in whose family of twelve children were nine sons and three daughters.
Patrick T. O'Brien was the seventh son in the family. He acquired a common school education to the age of fifteen years and then entered St. Charles' College at Ellicott City, Maryland, where he pursued his studies for three years. He afterward attended Holy Cross College at Worcester, Massachusetts, and was graduated therefrom as a member of the class of 1891. For a year thereafter he engaged in teaching in a parochial school at Taney- town, Maryland, and for the following two years taught the classics in Epiphany College at Baltimore. At a subsequent period he spent two years as a student in the New York Law School and was graduated therefrom as a member of the class of 1897.
Mr. O'Brien spent one year in the office of Judge W. F. Henney, of Hartford, Connecti- ent, and gained much valuable experience during that period. He then opened an office at Meriden on the 20th of July, 1898, and has since followed his profession, winning a good clientage in the general practice of law through hard work, elose application and ability to accurately apply the principles of jurisprudence to the points in litigation.
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