USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > A modern history of New Haven and eastern New Haven County, Vol. II > Part 98
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Mr. O'Brien is most pleasantly sitnated in his home life. He wedded Elizabeth A. Mc- Cormack, a daughter of the late John H. McCormack, a well known plumber of Meriden, and they have become parents of two danghters, Mary and Elizabeth.
Fraternally Mr. O'Brien is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Heptasophs. He is likewise a member of St. Joseph's Catholic church and his political support is given to the democratic party but he has never been an office seeker. Interested in public affairs, he has become a director of the Chamber of Commerce, an incorporator of the Meriden Hospital and a director of the Organized Charities of Meriden.
NORRIS ORLANDO HUBBARD.
Norris Orlando Hubbard, a well known agriculturist of Guilford, who is also engaged in carpentering, was born May 25, 1868, in North Guilford, Connecticut, a son of Samuel F. and Maria (Ayres) Hubbard, both of whom were natives of Guilford. The father followed farming throughout his active life but is now living retired in North Guilford and his wife has passed away. The Hubbards have been represented in North Guilford through many gen- erations and have been active supporters of all those forces and projects which have to do with the upbuilding and development of their section of the state.
PATRICK T. O'BRIEN
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Norris O. Hubbard after acquiring his education in the schools of North Guilford took up the occupation of farming, which he there followed until 1897, when he removed to Guil- ford and learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for many years. He is still active along that line and in addition he follows farming and, to some extent, engages in dairying.
On the 25th of December, 1901, Mr. Hubbard was united in marriage to Miss Alphonsene Alice Davis, the wedding being celebrated at the old Davis homestead, which they now oc- cupy. She was born in New Haven, a daughter of Joel Leonard and Mary Sophia (Perkins) Davis, her father having at one time been the owner of the old Davis homestead, which has been in the possession of the family through three generations and is known as the Old Tavern. It was built in 1800 by Medad Stone as a hotel or tavern. At that time it was supposed by Mr. Stone that the main road from New York city to Boston would be surveyed so as to pass his farm and he built his house to accommodate the travelers on the road, for this was the period that antedated the building of railroads. The house is one of the most picturesque and interesting in all Connecticut. It contains fourteen exceptionally large rooms and two large halls. Ten of the rooms have the great oldfashioned fireplaces with beautiful mantles. The house is one of the old landmarks of Guilford and many visitors to this distriet are attracted thereto by the house and its history and are always accorded a hospitable welcome by Mrs. Hubbard. When the Boston post road was laid out it did not pass the house and Medad Stone sold the hotel and farm to Joel Davis in the early part of the nineteenth century. Joel Davis continued to cultivate the place and lived in the house, in which all of his chiklren were born. He there passed away and the property came into the possession of his son, Joel Leonard Davis, the father of Mrs. Hubbard. At his death it was inherited by Mrs. Hubbard, who now occupies it. In this house have been born two genera- tions of the Davis family and Mrs. Hubbard's son, making three generations. Her father, Joel L. Davis, was reared on the old homestead and after attaining manhood went west and became an agent of the Wells Fargo Express Company, but when his father died he returned to the old home place, which he continued to develop and improve up to the time of his de- mise, which occurred in 1901 in the old house in which he was born. His wife was born in Bristol, Connecticut, but in childhood removed to New Haven county with her parents, Nathan- iel and Irene (Cooke) Perkins, the former a native of Maine and the latter of New Haven county. They were the parents of eight children, three of whom survive, namely: Susan E., the wife of W. II. Lasaw, of Guilford; Grace Alice, who is the widow of James Marvin Davis, of New Haven: and Kaomeo, the wife of Hon. Rollin S. Woodruff, former governor of Connecticut, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard has been born one child, Leonard Davis, whose birth occurred on the old homestead Decem- ber 1, 1909.
In his political views Mr. Hubbard has always been a democrat. He and his wife be- long to the Episcopal church, in which he has served as vestryman. Mrs. Hubbard takes a very active and helpful part in the church work and both are highly esteemed in that com- munity, the hospitality of the best homes being freely accorded them.
LELAND W. GWATKIN.
Leland W. Gwatkin, secretary and manager of the White Adding Machine Company of New Haven, was born in Berlin. Connecticut, December 13, 1882, a son of Walter and Jennie (Norton) Gwatkin. The father was born at New Britain, Connecticut, while the mother's birth occurred in Berlin, this state. The father engaged in the retail business in Berlin for a number of years and was quite successful in that undertaking, gaining thereby a competence that enabled him at length to put aside business cares and live retired, so that he is now enjoying the fruits of his former toil in well earned rest. He has reached the age of sixty years, while his wife is fifty-six years of age.
Leland W. Gwatkin was an only child. In early life he attended the schools of Berlin and New Britain, pursuing his studies up to the time of entrance to the high school. He then determined to learn the hardware business and entered the employ of the Stanley Hard- ware Company of New Britain, with which he remained for nine years, working in various eapaeities. He advanced from one position to another of greater importance, but at the end
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of the time indicated he decided to make a change and look for something which he thought would give him still broader opportunities. He then came to New Haven and entered the sales department of the White Adding Machine Company in 1915. He was at first assistant to Colonel Jarvis, then vice president and manager of the company, and when the latter re- signed he was made purchasing agent by Hon. Rollin S. Woodruff, president. The progress made by the White Adding Machine Company is very substantial. The business was estab- lished on a small scale, but as the worth of the manufactured product became recognized the trade has steadily grown until today the company employs sixty high grade workmen in the manufacture of its machines. The plant is thoroughly equipped with modern machinery for the manufacture of the product and Mr. Gwatkin is now acting as manager and has also been elected secretary of the company. The machines are thoroughly accurate, having been put through the most severe tests, which have proven both their accuracy and wearing quali- ties. In their building every possible care is taken to select the best materials regardless of eost and to fully inspect parts, sections and completed machines. The machine has a Uni- versal key board, which may be made either a lock key board or a flexible key board at the will of the operator. There is also an automatic aligning device and the machine is placed in an indestructible white case with an indestructible aluminum base. There is a self-con- tained motor, a seal control cylinder, and in operating the machine the total is secured withont extra stroke. Another feature is that the total and the sub-totals are printed in red. There is also an interchangeable key board, so that at any time the operator may change from the decimal to the numeral system, or vice versa. There are also interchangeable type bars which are removable at the will of the operator, and an interchangeable carriage for different styles of work. Moreover, the work is visible, the key board, items and total> being always visible. The machine represents the perfection of building in that line and has found ready sale on the market because of its many excellent qualities.
On the 25th of July, 1906, Mr. Gwatkin was united in marriage to Miss Hettie Web- ster, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Webster and a representative of one of the oldest New England families. Three children have been born of this marriage: Natalie Webster, born in Connecticut, August 4, 1908, and now attending school; Elliot Noble, born in Berlin, July 31, 1912; and Wesley Irving. born in Berlin, September 22, 1913.
That Mr. Gwatkin bas important interests outside of his business is indicated in the fact that he is now secretary of the Connecticut State Agricultural Society and is interested in all those well defined plans which promise to promote the agricultural development of Connecticut. He studies closely the questions of the day relating to farming and is able to speak with authority npon many subjects relative thereto. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Second Congregational church.
WILLIAM HENRY EDSALL.
William Henry Edsall, vice president and general factory manager of the H. L. Judd Company and active in public affairs in Wallingford, his aid and influence being always on the side of progress and improvement, was born in Brooklyn, New York, Jannary 5, 1857. He was graduated from the public schools of that city and later was a student at the Poly- technic Collegiate Institute of Brooklyn, after which he made his initial step in the business world by spending a year in a mercantile establishment. In 1875 he entered the employ of H. L. Judd, a manufacturer of brass goods at Brooklyn, and on the incorporation of the busi- ness in 1884 as H. L. Judd & Company, Mr. Edsall became one of the incorporators and was elected a director. Upon the death of Mr. Judd in 1899, when the name was changed to the H. L. Judd Company, Mr. Edsall became the vice president. In 1890 he went to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and erected a large branch factory there for the manufacture of wood eurtain poles. Until 1896 the company operated a factory in Brooklyn and also one in Wallingford but in that year discontinued the Brooklyn plant and made large additions to the Walling- ford plant. It was in that year that Mr. Edsall removed to Wallingford, where he has since made his home, and for twenty-six years, or since 1891, he has had the management of the business in Wallingford and has built up one of the largest concerns in his line.
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On the 16th of November, 1881, in Brooklyn, New York, Mr. Edsall was married to Miss Adelaide L. Blinn, of that city, and to them was born a daughter, who, however, passed away in infancy. Mr. Edsall and his wife are members of the Congregational church and for several years he has been a member of its standing committee. He belongs to the Walling- ford Club, the Union League Club of New Haven, the Country Club of New Haven, the Hardware Club of New York and the Holland Society of New York and is appreciative of the social amenities of life. Moreover, he is a very public-spirited and conseientious eitizen, work- ing for the continual betterment of the town and its people. His political affiliation is with the republican party and he has been an important factor in town affairs for many years, occupying many offices the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fidelity. He has been a member of the electric light commission, a member of the board of school visitors and chairman of the building committee of the new Lyman Hall high school. He has filled his positions of public trust with dignity and fidelity and to the great benefit of the town. He applies the same thoroughness to the performance of a public duty that he does to the conduct of his business affairs. He is systematic in all that he does and the spirit of enterprise underlies his every undertaking. Throughout practically his entire business career he has been connected with the enterprise of which he is now vice president, and thor- oughly conversant with every phase of the business in principle and detail, he is now directing its interests so that substantial results accrue, while the business has become one of the im- portant productive industries of Wallingford.
HENRY FREDERICK JOURDAN.
Ou attaining his twenty-first year Henry Frederick Jourdan embarked in the coal and lumber business in Branford as a member of the firm of F. Jourdan & Son. Since that time he has been closely identified with the trade and has developed a business of extensive and gratifying proportions. He was born in Branford, May 31, 1855, a son of Frederick and Fannie (Linsley) Jourdan. The father was a native of Switzerland and in young manhood crossed the Atlantic to the new world, establishing his home in Branford, Con- necticut. In the early '50s he engaged in the butchering business, conducting his shop until 1857. For some years thereafter he devoted his time and energies to general agri- cultural pursuits but in his later years retired and retained his residence in Branford up to the time of his death. He was a selectman and was also assessor of the town and at all times was deeply interested in the welfare and progress of his community, cooperating in all well defined plans and measures for the general good. His wife was born in Branford and represented the old and prominent Linsley family of this state. She, too, has passed away.
Henry F. Jourdan acquired his education in the town schools of Branford and also at- tended the old Branford Academy. On the 31st of May. 1876, which was the twenty-first anniversary of his birth, he became connected with the coal and humber business of F. Jourdan & Son and has been active in the development of the trade, which has now reached extensive. and gratifying proportions. The business methods of the house are such as will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny, and the unfaltering enterprise and sagacity of Mr. Jourdan are salient features in its prosperity.
In October, 1877, Mr. Jordan was united in marriage to Miss Alice M. Simpson, of Branford, who was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, a daughter of Irwin and Alice Simpson, who were natives of Branford, where their daughter, Mrs. Jourdan, was reared and edu- cated. To this marriage have been born ten children, seven of whom are living: Fred- erick Morton, Irwin Simpson, Fannie Ella, Alice Emily, Mildred, Elizabeth and Valerie Messmer.
In his political views Mr. Jourdan has maintained an independent course, voting ac- cording to the dictates of his judgment rather than according to party ties. He belongs to the Episcopal church and for years has been its senior warden. He also holds member- ship in Widows Son Lodge, No. 66, F. & A. M .; in Woodland Lodge, K. P., of which he is past chancellor commander; the Woodmen of the World of New Haven, and in the Home Club. He is likewise connected with commercial and business interests aside from his
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activity as a dealer in coal and wood. He is the vice president of the Branford Trust Company, which he aided in organizing and of which he has continuously served as the second executive officer. He is likewise a charter member of the Lumber Dealers' Asso- ciation of Connecticut and has been one of its directors. He is watchful of every oppor- tunity pointing to sucess and his close application and unremitting energy are factors in his growing prosperity. He is a progressive business man, alert and energetic, and his record proves what may be accomplished when one has the will to dare and to do.
JAMES J. WALSH.
James J. Walsh, who for four years has been collector of internal revenue for the district of Connecticut. comprising the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island, and makes his home at Meriden, was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, November 25, 1872, a son of James J. and Ellen (Hayes) Walsh, who had a family of seventeen children, James J. being the ninth in order of birth. The family record is a remarkable one in that all of these children are yet living.
James J. Walsh acquired a public school education and also attended St. Michael's parochial school. the Cathedral high school and Childs' Business College, all of Springfield. Massachusetts. He entered upon his business career in the employ of Bordeaux & Walsh, book and job printers at Springfield, and following his removal to Meriden he acted as foreman of the Meriden Journal for ten years. Later he went upon the road as traveling salesman for the Meriden Bronze Company and afterward was called to positions of a publie character, being made superintendent of the Meriden water department. in which capacity he served acceptably for four years. On the expiration of that period he was appointed collector of internal revenue for the district of Connecticut and has so con- tinued for four years. He is also identified with the Silver City Realty Company of Mer- iden, of which he formerly was treasurer for three years and is now a director.
On the 19th of June, 1002, in Meriden, Mr. Walsh was united in marriage in St. Rose's church by the Rev. John Cooney to Miss Jennie Hanrahan. a daughter of Mrs. Catharine Hanrahan, and they have three children, E. Marion. Monica and Catherine.
In polities Mr. Walsh has always been a democrat since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He was an assistant secretary of the democratic convention held in St. Louis in June, 1916, when President Woodrow Wilson was renominated. He served for four years as councilman of Meriden, representing the first ward, and he has been prom- inent and active in community affairs. He is also a leading member of the Foresters of America, being identified with the grand court of the state of Connecticut and acting as grand treasurer for sixteen years. He has likewise been record keeper of the Knights of The Maccabees for seven years and is also a member of Meriden Court of the Foresters of America and belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. In club circles he is well known, belonging to the Amaranth Club of Meriden, of which he is a past president and secretary; the City Club of Hartford; the John Dillon Club of Mer- iden; the Democratic Club of New Haven; and the Democratic Chib of Meriden. He is a man of social. genial nature who wins friends wherever he goes and this, combined with his marked ability, has well qualified him for the positions of leadership to which he has been called in relation to business, official and political interests in New Haven county and Connecticut.
PATRICK J. MALEY.
Patrick J. Maley. dealer in motoreyeles and bicycles in New Haven, where he was born September 20, 1875, is a son of William J. and Margaret (Cunningham) Maley. The father was born in County Clare, Ireland, and came to America in 1861, making his way direct to New Haven. He was then a yonth of eighteen and he had already learned the tailor's trade, after which he engaged in business in this city as a merchant tailor up to
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the time of his death, which occurred in 1893, when he was fifty years of age, his birth having occurred in 1843. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the country's call for troops, serving in the Seventh and in the Fifteenth Connecticut Regiments through- out the entire period of hostilities. He was taken prisoner and sent to Libby Prison but was afterward exchanged and returned to the front. He became a member of Mervin Post, G. A. R., and thus maintained pleasant relations with his old army comrades with whom he had followed the stars and stripes on the battlefields of the south. In politics he took an active part as a supporter of the democratic party and was also much interested in eivie affairs. lle belonged to St. Patrick's Catholic church and was laid to rest in St. Lawrence cemetery. His wife was born in Scotland but was of Irish lineage and in young girlhood came to the United States. By her marriage there were born eight children, five of whom are yet living: Patrick J., James J., William J., Thomas A. and Mahel.
Patrick J. Maley attended the public schools of New Haven and when a lad of twelve years started out to earn his living, being first employed in the factory of Sargent & Com- pany. He turned his attention to mechanical lines and was employed in that way until 1900, when he engaged in the bicycle business on his own account, opening a shop on Meadow street for the sale and repair of bicycles. His stock at first was somewhat limited, but he gradually built up a business of satisfactory proportions and in fact became owner of one of the leading bicycle stores of the city. In 1912 he removed to No. 565 State street in order to secure larger quarters, and in addition to bicycles he is now handling the Hender- son and Reading motorcycles, having the exclusive agency for these motorcycles in New Haven and vicinity. His business has gradually grown and developed until it is now a large and profitable one. Mr. Maley deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, as he early started to provide for his own maintenance and after his father's death became the sole support of the family.
In religious faith Mr. Maley is a Catholic, belonging to St. Patrick's church. He also has membership with the Knights of Columbus. In politics he is a democrat and has repre- sented the sixth ward as councilman and alderman, in 1898 being elected councilman, while in 1900 he became alderman. He has been deputy registrar for the sixth ward for about six years. Since attaining his majority he has taken a deep interest in political questions and issues and has ever been most loyal in support of his honest convictions.
MRS. CLARA J. MOORE.
Mrs. Clara J. Moore, who has made for herself a most creditable position in the commmercial circles of New Haven as the treasurer of the Clara J. Moore Corset Company, was born in Lenox. Massachusetts, December 6, 1868, and is a daughter of John R. and Elizabeth (Brockett) Hall. In the maternal line the ancestral history is one of close connection with New Haven. John Brockett, one of the founders of this city, was a son of Sir John Brockett, of Hertfordshire, England, and came to America in 1637 very much against the wishes of his father, who in consequence disowned him. However, fame came to him as one of the founders of New Haven and he has been honored by the public through successive generations, his name being placed on the tablet which has been erected to the founders of the city on the Green in New Haven. He was a scholarly man and a surveyor by profession. It was he who surveyed the Green, the beautiful park on which the main buildings of Yale University are located, while on other sides of the park stand the library, the courthouse and other public buildings of the city. His descendants have been active factors in the later development and progress of New Haven and of other sections of the state, and the line is traced down to Mrs. Moore, who is now bearing an active part in promoting the commercial development of the city. Her father, John R. Hall, a son of Samuel Hall, became a resident of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and later engaged in farming. He is still active in business and now resides in Standish, Michigan, where he located at an early period in the development of that section. He still retains his farming interests and engages in his chosen vocation as a pastime while practically living retired. He is an expert on soils and on erop production and has for many years heen considered one of Michigan's most prominent agriculturists. He is now in his seventieth year. His wife was
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born in Waterbury, Connecticut, and was a daughter of Asahel D. and Clarissa (Goodrich) Brockett, the former a representative in the seventh generation of the direct descendants of Sir John Brockett. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hall, of whom Mrs. Moore is the eldest, the others being Augusta E. Stone, John Henry Hall, Gilbert K. Hall, Walter Franklin Hall, Gatra May Hall, Asahel Elijah Hall, Clarence Edwin Hall and Arthur Cummings Hall.
In her girlhood days Mrs. Moore attended Miss Ellen S. Bartlett's sebool for girls, a private institution of learning on Wall street, and later became a student in Smith College, where she remained until her fourth year in that school. She afterward took up the profes- sion of teaching, which, however, she abandoned to become the wife of George Frederick Moore in February, 1896. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Allen Moore, also of New Haven. The former was a prominent manufacturer who became one of the founders of the New Haven Clock Company. George F. Moore was born in New Haven, May 22, 1848, and became a well known locomotive engineer on the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad. He died December 24, 1913, and their only child, Jerome Hall, born in New Haven in 1897, died when but nine days old.
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