USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 1 > Part 39
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devoted attention as to his private con- cerns.
In public affairs he took a deep interest, and was one of the leaders of the Demo- cratic party of his city. He served his city and town as councilman, alderman, town treasurer, member of the boards of relief, apportionment and taxation. His reputation as an official brought him the nomination for State Senator, and for four years (1891-95) he represented the Sixth District with honor and distinction in the State Senate. He aided in the establishment of Meriden Hospital, being one of the incorporators, and was long a trustee and treasurer of that institution, and held a like relation to the State Re- form School for Boys. He was a member of the building committee of the Young Men's Christian Association, and for years was a trustee and treasurer of the local association. He was for many years a deacon of the First Baptist Church of Meriden and active in his support of the various societies and benevolences of the church. He was a vice-president and a trustee of the Baptist Seaside Resort As- sociation at Niantic, Connecticut.
Mr. Hall married, October 14, 1860, Lois Blakeslee, born in Wallingford, Con- necticut, January 24, 1833, daughter of Silas and Esther (Buel) Blakeslee. Mrs. Hall survives her husband, and continues her residence at the handsome home on East Main street, erected in 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Hall were the parents of four children: John Blakeslee Hall, married Jennie Holcombe Yale, Judson Sylvester Hall ; Silas Blakeslee Hall, married Aleda Baker; Esther Rosetta Hall.
CHAMBERLAIN, Abiram,
Banker, State Comptroller, Governor.
The death of ex-Governor Abiram Chamberlain, of Meriden, Connecticut, on May 15, 19II, was a loss keenly felt by
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the whole community, removing as it did from the scene of his busy life one of the foremost and best beloved citizens of the State. He was descended from distin- guished Colonial ancestry. His father was Deacon Abiram Chamberlain, a man of much prominence in Litchfield county, Connecticut, where he enjoyed an envi- able reputation for integrity and sagacity. He was a civil engineer of great ability, and known far and wide for his engaging personality. Mr. Chamberlain, Sr., was married to Sophronia Ruth Burt, a de- scendant of Henry and Eulalia Burt.
Abiram Chamberlain, the younger, was born December 7, 1837, in Colebrook River, Litchfield county, Connecticut, and there received the elementary portion of his education. He then matriculated at Williston Seminary at Easthampton, Massachusetts, where he studied civil engineering, the profession of his father. It was shortly after completing his course that his family removed to New Britain, Connecticut, where Mr. Chamberlain practiced civil engineering with his father, and learned the trade of rule making. His real career in business may only be said to have commenced, when, abandoning this line of activity, he entered the employ of the New Britain National Bank in the capacity of teller. His unusual ability in the field of banking caused him to turn from the profession of engineering and devote his entire attention to his new call- ing.
In the year 1867, eleven years after his arrival in New Britain, he removed to Meriden, Connecticut, to accept the posi- tion of cashier of the Home National Bank of that city. In 1881, he was elected president of this institution to succeed Mr. Eli Butler, upon the latter's death. In this important and responsible posi- tion Mr. Chamberlain's exceptional gifts were emphasized, and his management of
the bank was of such a nature that the institution enjoyed a long period of sub- stantial and marked development. He became a recognized authority on matters of finance and banking, and broadened his business associations to include a number of important concerns. He was one of the promoters of the Meriden, Waterbury & Connecticut River railroad, and presi- dent of the Winthrop Hotel Company. He was also president of the Meriden Fire Insurance Company, and vice-president of the Meriden Savings Bank, and a director of the Meriden Hospital, Meriden Cut- lery Company, Edward Miller & Com- pany, and the Stanley Works, of New Britain. His prestige in banking circles continued to grow not only in his home State but throughout the country, and he was chosen president of the Connecti- cut Bankers' Association, and a vice-pres- ident of the American Bankers' Associa- tion. But in spite of his prominence in this department of the community's life, it was not in that connection that Mr. Chamberlain was best known in his State, but in that of more popular politics.
Mr. Chamberlain had always been a member of the Republican party, and a man of his influence and popularity could not fail to take some part in political affairs. He represented Meriden in the State Legislature in 1877 and 1878, and at the close of his term withdrew to private life with the simplicity character- istic of him, and did not seek further ad- vancements. His creditable legislative record, his State-wide acquaintance and great personal popularity, however, again brought him into the political arena. In 1901 he was nominated by acclamation and elected comptroller of the State, serv- ing in that office for two years. Under his direction many important changes and improvements were made in the State capitol building-electric lighting in-
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stalled, dome illuminated, and the original charter and other valuable State records properly protected against fire. In 1902 he was nominated for Governor of Con- necticut. His campaign for this high office was a memorable one and his vic- tory complete, his election being carried by a large majority. Governor Chamber- lain's administration was one reflecting great credit upon his home city, his party and his State. His prompt and decisive action in the Waterbury trolley strike was commended by the press throughout the country ; his notable veto of the bill to divide the town of Norwalk into two towns, and his ruling upon the interpre- tation of the constitution relative to the Governor's veto power (which was up- held by the Supreme Court), were among the important events of his administra- tion. The magnificent State Library, Memorial Hall and Supreme Court build- ing, and the fireproofing of the State cap- itol building and construction of the new senate chamber, were the results of legis- lation recommended in his inaugural mes- sage. Connecticut was ably represented at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis by Governor Chamberlain and his official party; the dedication of the monument to the Fifth and Twentieth Connecticut Volunteers on Orchard Knob, Chattanooga, Tennessee ; the occasion of the launching of the battleship "Connecti- cut," at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and the dedication of the monument to Sir Wil- liam Johnson and William Hendricks at Lake George, New York, were notable events in an eventful administration.
Governor Chamberlain was a man of natural executive ability and a keen judge of human nature. He had a wide knowl- edge of business affairs, a quiet dignity, force of character, and, above all, a won- derful personal charm which won for him a host of loyal and devoted friends. All
of his official as well as his acts in private and business life, were tempered with consideration for the feelings of others, and his name is honored and held in affectionate remembrance throughout the State. In 1903 Wesleyan University con- ferred upon him the degree of LL. D. in recognition of his services to the State of Connecticut.
He was a member of the Platt Memo- rial Commission, the Chamberlain Associ- ation of America, and was a prominent figure in social and club circles of Meri- den ; he was a member of the Home and Colonial clubs of Meriden, the Union League of New Haven, the Hartford Club, and the Metabetchouan Fishing and Game Club of Canada. He possessed a strong love for outdoor life, and the sports associated therewith, particularly fishing, golf and baseball.
Governor Chamberlain's religious affil- iation was with the Congregational church, and he was for many years a faithful attendant at the First Church of that denomination in Meriden.
Governor Chamberlain was married, November 21, 1872, to Miss Charlotte E. Roberts, who with their two sons, Albert Roberts and Harold Burt, survives her husband. The elder son, Albert Roberts, is a graduate of Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University and of the Yale Law School, and was executive secretary during his father's administration.
BALDWIN, Samuel Wheeler,
Merchant, Financier.
A review of the life of Samuel Wheeler Baldwin reveals the fact that it was one of activity from boyhood to old age, and that when but eighteen he began under his own name a business career that only terminated with his last illness. He was connected with many business corpora-
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tions of Bridgeport, but will be longest remembered for the great length and value of his service with the Connecticut National Bank, his connection with that institution as director covering a period of fifty-eight years, 1858-1916, and as presi- dent thirty-six years, 1880-1916. He was the oldest bank president in Bridgeport, and it is doubtful if in the entire State his record was equalled, although President Talcott of the Rockville National Bank recently celebrated his ninetieth birth- day. Mr. Baldwin was ninety-two years old at his death, and was one of the re- markable men of a city which has ever been noted for men of ability and promi- nence. That he was vouchsafed such a long life is not his claim to remembrance, but the fact that every year of that life was well accounted for and that it was not lived for his own glory and advance- ment. He served his city as an official, philanthropy and charity benefited by his personal interest and generosity, and to the church he gave her due. His char- acter broadened and deepened as the years progressed, and there was that about him which inspired confidence and commanded respect. History teems with the deeds of Baldwins from the year 778, A. D., and there have been mighty men of valor who have borne the name, but none have lived more useful lives or deserved better of their fellowmen than Samuel Wheeler Baldwin, of Bridgeport, of the eighth generation of the family founded in Connecticut by John Baldwin.
John Baldwin, born in England, was an early settler of New Haven, and one of the first planters of Milford, Connecticut. The line of descent is through his son, Josiah Baldwin, baptized at Milford, March 20, 1648, being then about six years of age; his son, Samuel Baldwin, called "Sr" in the Milford records; his son, Caleb Baldwin, of Milford; his son,
Jared Baldwin, a soldier of the Revolu- tion, who after the war moved to the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania; his son, John Baldwin, of Weston, Connecti- cut; his son, Nathan Baldwin, of Bridge- port, Connecticut ; his son, Samuel Wheeler Baldwin, the central figure of this review.
Samuel Wheeler Baldwin, son of Na- than and Julia Ann (Wheeler) Baldwin, was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, June I, 1823, died in his native city, December 25, 1914. After attendance at public and private school, he was for a time in the employ of his uncle, Josiah Baldwin, a book publisher; then was in Newark, New Jersey, with Benjamin Olds in his book store on Broad street. He was eighteen years of age when he returned to Bridgeport from Newark, and began business for himself as a bookbinder in a small plant on Wall street. He did not long continue there, but opened a book store which he conducted until 1852. In that year he entered the partnership of Thomas Hawley & Company, hardware dealers of Bridgeport, continuing until his death. The business of T. Hawley & Company was Samuel W. Baldwin's chief concern for many years, and as a mer- chant he was very successful. In 1858 he was elected a member of the bank which later incorporated as the Connecticut Na- tional Bank, that association continuing until terminated by death fifty-eight years later. In 1880 he was elected president of the bank and to the duties of that re- sponsible office he devoted himself dur- ing the following thirty-six years. He was also president of the People's Savings Bank, of Bridgeport. He developed finan- cial ability of a high order, and as a bank executive gained high rank among the financiers of his State. He was also a director of the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company, a corporation supplying the
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city with its water supply, and for over fifty years was a sinking fund commis- sioner. He was one of the trustees under the Burroughs will; was one of the in- corporators and builders of the Burroughs Home; a life trustee named in the be- quest founding Bridgeport Hospital and ever afterward served as such; served his city as fire commissioner for twenty-five years, and was long a member of the South Congregational Church. His club was the Seaside. Thus in honor and use- fulness his long life was passed and at no time, even when years were heaviest, did he seek to evade the responsibilities of life. The personal business obligations of this "grand old man" of Bridgeport were met in full until the last. Age shortened his step and dimmed his eye, but with clear mind and brain he met the "Arch Enemy."
Mr. Baldwin married (first) November 17, 1846, Mary Waterman Bussey, who died August 18, 1855, aged twenty-six years, daughter of Enos and Mary (Waterman) Bussey. Her mother, Mary (Waterman) Bussey, was a daughter of the Rev. Elijah Waterman, for twenty years pastor of the First Congregational Church of Bridgeport. Mr. Baldwin mar- ried (second) June 1, 1858, Catherine Jane Nichols, born April 4, 1830, died Au- gust 14, 1902. Samuel and Mary W. (Bussey) Baldwin were the parents of a daughter, Mary Waterman Baldwin, who married Frederick Trubee ; a son, George Millard Baldwin, born February 1, 1854, purchasing agent for the city of Bridge- port, married Clara B. Nichols, and re- sides in Bridgeport.
CALHOUN, Philo Clark, Business Man, Financier.
In this period of wonderful growth and expansion it is often hard to realize that
it is within the memory of man when many of the now great corporations of the city were in their infancy and needed a great deal of careful nurturing to get them through childhood. This brings up quite naturally those men of other days and the part they bore in developing the city. About 1826 a young lad, Philo Clark Calhoun, came to Bridgeport. He was sixteen years of age then, delicate in health, but destined during the next half century to play a most important part in commercial, financial and official life. He ivas a son of Philo Calhoun, of Danbury, Connecticut, and grandson of Dr. Cal- houn, a physician of Washington, Con- fiecticut. His mother, Sally J. (McLean) Calhoun, was a daughter of John McLean, a government official during the War of the Revolution, who lost so heavily when Danbury was burned by the British that the Government granted him a large tract in the Western Reserve of Ohio. This Connecticut Calhoun family was con- nected with the Carolina Calhoun family from which sprang the great "Nullifier," John C. Calhoun.
Philo Clark Calhoun was born in Dan- bury, Connecticut, December 4, 1810, died in Bridgeport, March 14, 1882. He at- tended Danbury schools until sixteen years of age, then came to Bridgeport to learn saddlery and the harness business with Lyons, Wright & Company. Later, his health failing, he was sent South with Lemuel Coleman to assist in the Charles- ton, South Carolina, store. There he re- mained until 1833 or 1834, when he re- turned to Bridgeport and became an as- sistant to Hanford Lyon in his saddlery business, also having an interest in the profits of the business. From this grew the firm of Lyon, Calhoun & Company, formed in 1838, which in 1843 gave way to Harral & Calhoun, Mr. Harral having previously been head of the Charleston
Conn-1-18
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branch. In 1853, Harral & Calhoun was succeeded by Harral, Calhoun & Com- pany, the additional partner being R. B. Lacey. Five years later, in 1858, that form was changed to Calhoun, Lacey & Company, and so continued until 1863. During the greater part of this period Mr. Calhoun was very active in the business, but he gradually withdrew from the de- tails of management, becoming more and more immersed in the management of the Connecticut Bank of which he had been elected president in March, 1847. That bank was incorporated as a National Bank in 1864, and the same year Mr. Calhoun resigned to become vice-president of the newly formed Fourth National Bank of New York City. Mr. Calhoun succeeded Morris Ketcham as president of the Fourth Na- tional, and under his executive manage- ment the bank became one of the largest banks of deposit in the United States. During his presidency the bank was con- cerned in several large financial transac- tions, and at one time purchased in a block $5,000,000 worth of United States government bonds. During the panic of 1872 and the excitement and ruin caused by the failure of Jay Cooke & Company, the Fourth National paid out in the regu- lar way in a little more than two days, more than $13,000,000 to withdrawing de- positors. This was one of the greatest financial operations with which Mr. Cal- houn was connected, and the bank was saved through his wisdom and ability to meet the situation. Mr. Calhoun also owned a controlling interest in a stock company manufacturing saddlery in New- ark, New Jersey, the company having formed as a stock concern after the dis- solution of the firm of Hoover, Calhoun & Company of Newark. He continued most active in business until the last, be- ing at the time of his death president of
the Fourth National Bank, director of the Connecticut United Bank, director of the Farragut Insurance Company, treasurer oi the New Central Coal Company, and trustee of the mortgage issues of several railroads. He was a man of wonderful business ability, straightforward and hon- orable, had the courage of his convictions and with broad vision saw clearly the trend of events. He was true to every en- gagement and bore a character free from stain or reproach. He was exceedingly public-spirited, and when the Bridgeport Gas Light Company was formed he was one of the original stockholders. He also took a prominent part in the Common Council in securing a water supply, and was one of the first to come forward with a liberal subscription towards the estab- lishment of a public library.
Originally a Whig, he did not go to the Republican party when the Whig party went out of existence, but became a Democrat, and few men in his city were more influential. He was elected to the Bridgeport Common Council in 1845 and served continuously for five years. In 1852 he was elected alderman and in 1853 mayor of the city, an office he held three years. He bent his energy to giving the city a needed business administration and fully succeeded. He inaugurated the town and city sinking funds, and for several years was their manager. He was elected to the foregoing office as a Democrat, and later represented the city in the State Legislature both as representative and Senator.
Socially, Mr. Calhoun was charming and none came in contact with him, whether of high or low degree, but loved him and valued his friendship. He had a remarkable memory, remarkable not alone for the ability to commit lengthy poems and speeches but for its practical working value ready with item, page and book to
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+ شرط مسرة
In. M. Caution
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
decide financial, mercantile or political questions. Seventy-two were the years of his life, and right worthily were they spent, Bridgeport being a gainer through the life of her adopted son who for over half a century was identified with her business and political affairs.
Mr. Calhoun married Sarah Caroline Sterling, daughter of Jesse Sterling, who was a prominent dry goods merchant of Bridgeport for many years, and postmas- ter during four administrations. Mr. and Mrs. Calhoun had five children: 1. Ed- ward S., married Alice Hersey ; died 1889; left a daughter, Edith, who became the wife of Robert W. Harkness, of Salt Lake City, and they have three children. 2. Charles M., married Julia B. Sanford ; died 1916; left two sons, Philo C. and John C., and a daughter, Katherine, who became the wife of John C. Sterling, of Bridgeport, and they have one child. 3. Louise C., became the wife of G. W. Latham, of Lynchburg, Virginia; she died 1916; left one son, Calhoun Latham. 4. Julia E., became the wife of William B. Cragin, of New York City, and their children are as follows: Louise, became the wife of Dr. Lansing Lippincott, of Metuchen, New Jersey, and they have three children; Calhoun, married Mary Harper, and they have two children ; Ells- worth, married, and is the father of two children ; William B., Jr., married, and is the father of two children; Charles C., Arthur and Adele, unmarried. 5. Mary S., became the wife of J. S. Burke, of Brooklyn, New York ; she died 1909; left one child, Florence C., who became the wife of John Sherwood, of Madison, New Jersey.
CURTIS, George Munson, Manufacturer, Publicist, Public Benefactor.
No country can ever be too democratic to object to the aristocracy of merit. In-
deed, it may well be held that one of the most important raison d'etre of democracy is that it causes this aristocracy to prevail and take the place of a more artificial order. That such an aristocracy may have many of the appearances of the older and more formal types, that it may, for ex- ample, retain wealth, position, influence within the grasp of a family; that these things, together with the powers upon which they depend, may descend gener- ation after generation from father to son, is amply shown by the records of such a family as that of Curtis, whose representa- tives throughout the history of Meriden, Connecticut, and before, have distin- guished themselves in connection with the affairs of that State. Perhaps the most successful and capable scion of this important family of recent years was George Munson Curtis, whose name heads this brief sketch, and whose death on August 28, 1915, at Meriden, deprived that city of a leading participant in many departments of its life.
George Munson Curtis was the eldest of the three children of George Redfield and Augusta (Munson) Curtis. He was born May 27, 1857, at Meriden, in what was then the Curtis home at No. 86 West Main street, and his entire career was identified with the various interests of his native city. As a child he played there, and when he reached the age for school attended what was known as the Old Corner School, where he displayed the quickness of intellect and the scholarly tastes that so strongly characterized him in after life. A little later he attended the Episcopal Military Academy at Cheshire, Connecticut, where he prepared himself for the college course which it was both his own and his father's desire he should take. Graduated from this institution, he matriculated at Trinity College, Hartford, and here he once more made a name for himself as a brilliant student. He had
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been the valedictorian of his class in Cheshire, and at Trinity he gained a high standing among the professors and in- structors and his fellow undergraduates. Unfortunately, however, this promising scholastic career was brought to sudden close by a failure of health which made it advisable to withdraw him from college altogether and send him for a tour of Europe. Although this tour was under- taken with no other purpose than com- plete rest and recreation, Mr. Curtis, with his usual habit of absorbing all that oc- curred about him, managed to make it an educational trip, and profited greatly mentally as well as physically therefrom. Upon his return, his health restored, he entered at once the employ of the Meriden Britannia Company, of which at that time his father was treasurer. The position of the younger man was simply clerical for a time, it being his father's intention that he should learn the business in all its de- tail. This the young man set himself to do with such good success, and made him- self so valuable to the company in the meantime that he was appointed assistant treasurer, his father occupying the office of treasurer at that time. In 1893 his father died, and he was chosen treasurer in his stead. Five years later the merger occurred which consolidated the silver and britannia interests of that region, and from which rose the International Silver Company. Mr. Curtis was chosen first assistant treasurer of this great concern, and two years later became treasurer, an office that he held until the time of his death. Some idea of the immense respon- sibilities that were involved in the duties of this office may be had when it is known that there were thirteen factories in oper- ation, seven in Meriden and six in other cities, to say nothing of the stores and other selling agencies.
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