USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 10 > Part 50
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Mr. Karl married, May 30, 1886, in Brooklyn, Mary Schwarz, born March 25, 1864, in New York City, died Novem- ber 17, 1917, in Milford, daughter of Lor- enz and Magdalena (Smith) Schwarz. Mr. and Mrs. Karl were the parents of ten children, all of whom are now living in Connecticut. They are: I. M. Emily, born March 25, 1887; a trained nurse. 2. John Martin, of whom further. 3. Joseph Anthony, born March 22, 1890, resides in New Canaan. 4. Stephen Emil, born Jan-
uary 15, 1892, married Lillian Clark, and resides in New Canaan. 5. Theresa Ag- nes, born October 23, 1893, married John Oddie, and resides in Milford. Mrs. Od- die is a trained nurse. 6. Florenz Mary, born February 19, 1899; a school teacher in the New Canaan schools. 7. Leo Emil, born April 18, 1901, of New Canaan. 8. James Lorey, born January 19, 1903, of Milford. 9. Emil Robert, born October II, 1905. 10. Francis William, born Oc- tober 10, 1909. Mr. Karl and his family are members of St. Mark's Roman Cath- olic Church, of Milford.
John Martin Karl, the oldest son, was educated in the public schools of Mil- ford, and was for a time employed in the Bonnel Telegraph & Electric Company of that town. Later he went to work in the automobile business for S. Clarke, of Mil- ford, and this marked the beginning of his successful career. Mr. Karl entered the automobile business at an early day in its history, and he has practically grown up with it. For six years he was employed as a chauffeur, and in 1913 became man- ager for the Central Garage Company, of New Canaan, where he remained for two years. All this time Mr. Karl had his plans made for a business of his own, which is the dream of every alert and am- bitious business man, and in 1915 he was able to realize this ambition, and the six years which have passed since then have seen the business grow to the point where ten men are employed. In 1920, Mr. Karl added to his space by the purchase of the Simons Garage, and he has the agency for the Buick and Dodge cars.
Fraternally, he is a member of Council, Knights of Columbus, and he is also a member of the New Canaan Vol- unteer Fire Company. In the World War, Mr. Karl served in the Quarter- master's Corps, stationed at Governor's Island, Guard & Fire Company, No. 321,
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and was in the service eight months. He tried to enlist in the aviation corps, but was rejected from the aviation and draft on account of his eyes.
CHAVELL, Charles H., Mechanical Engineer.
Charles H. Chavell was born in Strat- ford, Connecticut, October 4, 1858, son of William H. and Emily A. (Murray) Cha- vell. He is a descendant of one of the old French-Huguenot families of New York, and in his character he has imbibed many of the qualities which make for success.
William H. Chavell, father of Charles H. Chavell, was born in New York City. His education was rather above the av- erage, and he was thirty years of age be- fore he became active in the business world. He then became a chemist and drug broker, in which he continued with success for about twenty years, counting among his patrons some of the largest manufacturing chemists and pharmaceu- tical houses of the country. Mr. Chavell was a member of the old Amity Hose Company in the Volunteer Fire Depart- ment of New York City.
He married (second) Emily A. Mur- ray, daughter of John L. and Emily (Cur- tis) Murray, of Birmingham, Connecti- cut, and they were the parents of one child, Charles H., who receives extended mention below.
Charles H. Chavell attended the public schools of New York City until he was fourteen years of age, and then, because of ill health, he went to California where he remained one and one-half years, at the end of which time his health was much improved. On returning east he located in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he apprenticed himself to learn the ma- chinist's trade. For a time after com-
pleting his apprenticeship, he worked as clerk in the Sterling House in the same city. An opportunity then came to work on the Elevated Railroad, which was be- ing constructed in New York City, and Mr. Chavell remained in this position for three years.
In 1882 he came to Stamford, Connec- ticut, to make his home, mainly because of his health, and purchased a farm in the hope that the outdoor work would bring back his lost energy. After two years in the employ of Nature, Mr. Chavell felt sufficiently strong to try indoor work at his trade, and he secured a position with the Stamford Extract Company. He made rapid progress with this company, and re- ceived several well deserved promotions, until at the time of the disastrous fire in February, 1919, which totally destroyed the plant, he had been superintendent for four years. Since the re-building of the plant, Mr. Chavell has served as mechan- ical engineer. Since the time he has re- sided in Stamford, Mr. Chavell has taken an active interest in its affairs, and al- though not seeking public office is never- theless willing to aid in any of the public measures. He is a member of St. John's Episcopal Church, of Stamford, and ac- tive in its support.
Mr. Chavell married (first) Emma L. Grant, daughter of James Grant, of Bridgeport, and they were the parents of seven children, five of whom grew to maturity: I. Edward, who now resides in Seattle, Washington. 2. Charles H., Jr., of Stamford. 3. Jessie Celeste, wife of George Olmstead, of New Haven. 4. Mable, wife of Frank Hartwright, of Sound Beach, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. 5. Ralph P., of New Haven. Mr. Chavell married (sec- ond) Florence Smith, of Easton, Pennsyl- vania.
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MEILINGGAARD, Albert Nelson, Contractor, Builder.
One of the most ancient ways in which a surname was derived was from the loca- tion of the home of some remote ancestor, and it is from this origin that the name of Meilinggaard is derived. Although the ancestor is not so remote as is usually the case, being the grandfather of Albert N. Meilinggaard, it illustrates this early cus- tom.
The paternal grandfather, who assumed this name from the farm on which he dwelt and which he owned, was Nils Meilinggaard. He was the father of Christian, of whom further.
Christian Meilinggaard, who was born in Jutland, in 1835, and died in 1900, was a wood carver and was in business for himself as a manufacturer of wooden shoes, in which venture he was quite suc- cessful. He married Anna Larsen, who was born in 1842, in the Island of Laso, and is still living (1920) on the same place. Their children were: I. Nicolina, who lives with her mother on the homestead. 2. Lasine, who married Wilso Pilsen, of Laso. 3. Albert Nelson, of whom fur- ther. 4. Christian, who married Emmy Monrad, and has one son, Monrad, born in August, 1913. 5. Marinus, an architect of Copenhagen. 6. Julia, who married H. Olger Shultz, of Sanford, Boone county, New York. 7. Agnes, widow of Edward Christenson, of New York City. The family were members of the Danish Luth- eran church.
Albert Nelson Meilinggaard, the eldest son and third child of this family, was born August 18, 1876, in the Island of Laso, Denmark. He went to sea when he was but fourteen years of age. For nine years he followed this calling, and during this period sailed over the entire world. As a young boy and youth he
was accustomed to being the companion of his father in his wood working busi- ness, and it would naturally be expected that he would develop a talent along this line. But he was not destined to work at this trade for some years. In the year 1895, Mr. Meilinggaard came to America, and sailed out of Philadelphia for two years or more. Soon after this time he returned to his native land for a brief visit, and on again coming to America continued in the seafaring trade. His fondness for the sea was the main attrac- tion in his business, but after being ship- wrecked near Newfoundland it lost its hold and he decided to follow occupations less precarious.
He located in Brooklyn, New York, and worked as a motorman for almost two years, and at the expiration of this time he became a resident of the town of Greenwich, Connecticut. He secured work as a carpenter, and his early train- ing in wood working, combined with the more practical experience he later gained, soon placed him in a position to enter business on his own account. That was in 1904, and four years later Mr. Meiling- gaard started a mill of his own which sup- plies interior finish for his own buildings and also for many other builders. The qualities which make for success are pres- ent in abundance in his character, and in the short time he has been among the residents of Greenwich he has succeeded in gaining the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens. Among the beautiful buildings erected by Mr. Meilinggaard, those especially worthy of mention are : The residence of Ernest Thompson Seton, the famous writer; residence of A. Cal- houn, and of Mrs. Powers; Dr. Burke's block, and several others on Greenwich avenue. A force of seven or eight men are employed on an average. Fraternally
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he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, of Port Chester.
Mr. Meilinggaard married Dorothea Petersen, daughter of Nels Petersen, and they are the parents of two sons, Martin, born July 4, 1904, and Elmer, born De- cember 11, 1905. The family attend the Danish Lutheran church, of Greenwich, and Mr. Meilinggaard also serves this in- stitution as trustee.
HALPIN, William Alex, Business Executive.
A career, which in the retrospect brings satisfaction to the one who has created it also proves a source of pride to a man's descendants. There is much in the life and career of William Alex Halpin to hold the attention. The story of a man's rise from a lowly position to the owner of a profit- able business is always interesting, and is particularly true in this instance.
Mr. Halpin was born in Stamford, Con- necticut, January 6, 1862, son of William and Mary (Holmes) Halpin. His father, William Halpin, was born in County Wicklow, near Dublin, Ireland, and in the latter city he was brought up. He at- tended school, and later in life was em- ployed by the father of Charles Stewart Parnell. Upon coming to America, he lo- cated first in Stamford, Connecticut, where he was employed by the Stamford Foundry Company, and where he re- mained until about twenty years before his death, when he retired. Mr. Halpin enlisted in the Civil War as a member of the Sixth Connecticut Company, Volun- teer Infantry, and received his discharge at the expiration of his term of service. Subsequently he reenlisted in the 28th Regiment. Both enlistments were from Stamford, and Mr. Halpin was trans- ferred to the company from Greenwich. He suffered the loss of an eye through his
services. He was a charter member of Hobbie Post, Grand Army of the Repub- lic, of Stamford. He married Mary Holmes, and they were the parents of six children, five of whom grew to maturity. They were: I. Mary, who is the wife of John Fawcett, of Stamford. 2. Elizabeth, who married Augustus Lyons, of Water- bury. 3. William Alex, who receives ex- tended mention below. 4. John, of Stam- ford. 5. Emma, wife of W. R. Willetts, of Waterbury.
William Alex Halpin grew to manhood in Stamford, Connecticut. There he at- tended the public schools, and after com- pleting the courses learned the trade of iron moulder. This occupation he fol- lowed for twelve years in the Stamford Iron Foundry. Desiring work which would take him into the open air, he gave up his trade and became associated with John McNally, a well known liveryman of that time, as manager of the depot branch of his business. For fifteen years he re- mained with Mr. McNally, preparing him- self for independent business operations. His opportunity came when he incorpor- ated the W. A. Halpin Company in 1906, and there followed ten successful years, until 1916. About that time the automobile was becoming so popular that the livery business was no longer profitable, and ac- cordingly Mr. Halpin opened a garage in connection with his livery business, which finally replaced the livery business alto- gether. Mr. Halpin is the treasurer of the concern, whose present fine brick garage of two stories and basement was built in 1911. Mr. Halpin holds a well deserved place among the leading busi- ness men of the city of Stamford. He takes a keen and active interest in all community affairs, and although not a seeker for public office is nevertheless de- sirous of aiding in any way possible.
Mr. Halpin married Georgia A. Shearer,
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daughter of Robert Shearer, of Brooklyn, New York, and they are the parents of two children: Vera B., married Samuel F. Rolfe, of Stamford; Nelson R., for five years connected with the Fifth Avenue Bank of New York City; resigned to be- come associated with his father in the above described business ; he is in charge of the company's garage; he enlisted in the United States Navy for the duration of the World War, and in the two years of his service rose from the rank of sea- man to that of ensign. Mr. Halpin is a member of St. John's Episcopal Church, of Stamford.
HOWES, Charles Landon, Agriculturist.
The origin of the surname, Howes, can be traced to a very early period. It was originally De la Howe, and came into England with William the Conqueror, in 1066. Literally, it means "of the hills." It is therefore known as a "place name," that is, the first to assume the name was one who dwelt near or on a hill. English records show a William del Howe as early as 1639. The name has undergone various spellings ; some assume the final s, while there are many who adopt the spelling, Howe. The name is found in early English records as Hoo, but the family herein under consideration have spelled the name Howes since the time of the immigrant.
Charles Landon Howes, one of the most progressive citizens of Stamford, Connecticut, is a worthy scion of the family. He is a direct descendant of the first of the name in this country, Thomas Howes. The latter came from England in 1637, and settled in Nobscussett, in Yarmouth, in March, 1639. He married Mary Burr, and his death occurred in 1665.
(I) Jeremiah Howes, son of Thomas and Mary Howes, was born during the passage to America in 1639, and he died January 5, 1708. He married Sarah Prince, and she died March 3, 1706.
(II) Ebenezer Howes, son of Jeremiah and Sarah (Prince) Howes, was born be- tween 1730 and 1735. The date of his death is not found on record. He mar- ried (first) Sarah Gorham, April 20, 1698; she died September 9, 1705.
(III) Thomas Howes, twin son of Eb- enezer Howes, was born June 20, 1699. He married Hannah Sears, although some records give her Christian name as Deb- orah. They were the parents of Moody, of whom further.
(IV) Moody Howes, son of Thomas and Hannah (Sears) Howes, was born July 18, 1724. In 1748 he removed into New York State and purchased land from the Indians. He married, February 9, 1748, Hannah Snow, a native of Harwich, Massachusetts.
(V) Daniel Howes, son of Moody and Hannah (Snow) Howes, was born in 1763, and died in 1824. He married Ru- hama Reed, who was born about 1772, and died in 1864.
(VI) Reuben Wing Howes, son of Daniel and Ruhama (Reed) Howes, was born October 20, 1813. He married, Jan- uary 24, 1837, Melissa Augusta Townsend.
(VII) Leander Townsend Howes, son of Reuben Wing and Melissa Augusta (Townsend) Howes, was born in New York City, July 1, 1842, and died April I, 1919. He was educated in the public schools, and for one year was a student at Columbia University. He then matricu- lated at West. Point, from which he was graduated. He served for one year on the Mexican border, and then resigned to go into business with his father in New York City. The business was stock brokerage, and the partnership continued until 1885,
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when Mr. Howes removed to Stamford, Connecticut. His main reason for leaving New York City was to take up farming so that he could indulge in his hobby of outdoor work. He was particularly fond of animals, and intersted in the growth of plants. His farm was located in the Glenbrook section of Stamford, and there he spent many happy years.
Mr. Howes married, February 19, 1873, Annie Landon, daughter of Charles Gris- wold Landon. Mr. Howes and his fam- ily were members of St. John's Episcopal Church. They were the parents of the following children: Susan Landon, Ed- ward T., Arthur Gordon, Charles Lan- don, of further mention; Florence A., Gerald H., and Paul Griswold.
(VIII) Charles Landon Howes, son of Leander Townsend and Annie (Landon) Howes, was prepared for college at West- minster School, which was then located at Dobbs Ferry. He then took a special course in forestry at the Sheffield Scien- tific School. His first step in the business world was with the Hobbs Manufactur- ing Company, who manufactured and op- erated a unique press for stamping metal washers from a single piece of wire. This was the invention of H. C. Hart, of Unionville, Connecticut, and did away with the wasteful method of cutting washers from sheets of metal with dies. The call of the outdoors had been inher- ited by Mr. Howes from his father, and he felt that he would be more satisfied to purchase a farm. Upon his return to Stamford, he bought what was known as the White Farm, which comprised about 140 acres. For the past seven years he has specialized in raising seed corn which he has named Howe's Corn-Dent. Until the World War, Mr. Howes also raised poultry on a large scale, specializing on egg production. Mr. Howes has met with great success in his agricultural work, and
he is among the most progressive farmers of Fairfield county and always ready to introduce any new invention which makes for greater and better production. He is active in civic affairs, and interested in the welfare of his city.
Mr. Howes married Amy Handy, daughter of Nathan L. Handy, and their children are: Charles Landon, Jr., born June 6, 1910; Florence, born May 19, 1913. Mrs. Howes is a member of the Unitarian church of East Orange, New Jersey.
O'CONNOR, John C.,
Contracting Builder.
Possessed of splendid business qualifi- cations, John C. O'Connor, a contractor and builder of Stamford, Connecticut, has a remarkably active and successful ca- reer. Mr. O'Connor was born in Stam- ford, May 6, 1881, son of John and Julia (Clarke) O'Connor.
John O'Connor, his father, was one of the successful men of his day in Stam- ford. He was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, and at the age of sixteen came to America, locating in Stamford. He learned the trade of mason builder, which he followed as a journeyman until he was about thirty-five years old. Mr. O'Con- nor was a thrifty, industrious man and made a reputation for himself for relia- bility and integrity. With these assets he ventured into business on his own account as a contractor. From the out- set he was a successful man, and many contracts were given to him by those who knew him to be a man of high honor and high standard. At that time the sewer system was just being started in Stam- ford, and a large portion of this was built by Mr. O'Connor. He was one of the earliest men in his line in Stamford, and also did some road building work. He
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married Julia Clarke, and they were the parents of eight children: Mary, Nellie, Julia, Delia, John C., James T., died in 1916. Two other children died in infancy.
John C. O'Connor was educated in the grammar and high schools of Stamford, and later followed an engineering course in Columbia University. After complet- ing his formal education, he went into business with his father, and soon after in partnership with his brother, James T., and succeeded his father in the business. One of the first things the brothers did was to enlarge its scope so as to include building construction. At first they adopted the name, O'Connor Brothers, later changing it to O'Connor Brothers Concrete Construction Company, under which name John C. O'Connor is now do- ing business. Among the contracts of the firm are: The Martin block on At- lantic street, comprising three stores and twelve apartments; the paper warehouse now occupied by Shuttleworth & Holly; the Roxbury School of stone; the Cath- olic church at Riverside; concrete bridge at Roxbury; Springdale and several smaller buildings; for Baer Brothers the firm put up ten buildings which is suf- ficient warrant of the high class of con- struction work. Since the death of James T., Mr. O'Connor has carried on the bus- iness alone and on the average employs thirty men. Mr. O'Connor is a very pro- gressive business man, and holds a promi- nent place among the citizens of Stam- ford; in 1919 he built a garage, the larg- est in Stamford, at the corner of Grove and Main streets, and has the agency for the Studebaker car. Fraternally he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Mr. O'Connor married Eleanor Hue- well, daughter of Bernard Huewell, of New York City, and they are the parents
of seven children : Eleanor, Roger, John, Don, Richard, and twins, Joseph and Thomas.
MURPHY, Richard D., Sales Manager.
There is no other race in which the permanent and typical characteristics are so well developed as they are in the Irish race ; they are marked in each generation. Among those who come from other coun- tries to make America their home, it is the immigrant from Ireland who makes the best citizen. This is because the Irish people have the same ideals of freedom and liberty born into them, so to speak, as the Americans, and hence do not need to be Americanized, for coming here, they are imbued with the spirit of our institu- tions.
One of the most ancient of Irish sur- names is Murphy, and the original seat of the family in Ireland was in the bar- ony of Ballaghkeen (pleasant roadway) in the easterly part of the County of Wex- ford, at Castle Ellis and Culeartleagh (grey orchard). The county of the Mur- phy family is still called Murrons; the name itself is the anglicized form of Mc- Morough ; and the family belonged to the tribe of Hy-Felimy. Murphy, Murrough, and Morin are anglicized forms of the name of the original ancestor. MacMur- catha, written also O'Murchada, also O'Murchu, are original forms of the name. In Irish, Murcatha means a sea battle, and Murchu, a sea warrior. Dermot Mc- Morough, born in 1090, was King of Lein- ster for many years, and another famous man bearing the name was Art McMur- rough, born in 1357. The latter was par- ticularly noted for his chivalry and gen- eral good qualities. The records show many celebrated men of this family, and
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in public affairs, as well as professional matters, men bearing the name are found in prominent places.
Patrick Murphy, father of Richard D. Murphy, a manufacturer of Norwalk, Connecticut, was born in Ireland. He grew up on the home farm there, and when he was twenty-eight years of age came to America, locating in Ledyard, Connecticut. There Mr. Murphy lived on a farm, where he was engaged in the occupation of farming throughout his lifetime. He married Mary Donahoe, a native of Ireland, where she was born, in 1817, and died in 1877. They were the parents of ten children, and of these Rich- ard D. Murphy receives extended mention below.
Richard D. Murphy was born July I, 1873, and was educated in the public schools of Ledyard, Connecticut, until he was twelve years of age. Soon after this he went to New York City and there worked at various employments until he was old enough to choose a vocation. Then Mr. Murphy learned the trade of nickel-plater, which he followed in sev- eral localities, finally becoming foreman of this department for Davenport, Tracy & Company of Stamford, Connecticut. After three years the unhealthful char- acter of the work compelled him to give it up. Returning to New York City, Mr. Murphy learned the trade of paper-hanger and decorator, which he followed until about 1914. During this time he was in business for himself for several years, part of the time in Norwich and part in South Norwalk.
In 1914. Mr. Murphy established him- self in the manufacturing and mail order business in Stamford, under the name of the Ardee Manufacturing Company. In 1920 the business of the Ardee Manufac- turing Company was incorporated under the name of Universal Distributors, Inc.,
and their business was the handling of seeds, novelties, and the manufacture of canieras. The business was started in a small way and it has been quickly devel- oped. Mr. Murphy does a large part of his own printing, and advertises in pub- lications of national circulation.
Mr. Murphy is president of the Amer- ican Federation of Musicians in Stam- ford, and for many years has played the violin and flute in theatrical orchestras and in concert work. Mr. Murphy takes a lively and intelligent interest in econ- omics and labor problems, and appreciat- ing that all growth and development is along evolutionary lines, advocates those sane activities that make for substantial and permanent progress in giving pro- ducers their just compensation, having in mind the welfare of all the varying in- terests that comprise our complex soci- ety. Mr. Murphy is a member of the Ki- wanis Club of Stamford. and of the Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
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