USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 10 > Part 56
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Harold W. Allen married Lillian R. Coulter, daughter of John Coulter, of Stamford, Connecticut.
LAMY, Edgar Douglass,
Physician.
Among the varied phases of human ex- istence there are living currents of whole- some, vital force, constantly active, ever contending against antagonistic forces which sap the life of the body politic. One of these beneficent influences is the vast aggregation of men who are apply- ing to the every-day physical well-being of humanity the accumulated knowledge won by centuries of scientific study and experience. Dr. Edgar Douglass Lamy, M. D., of Stamford, Connecticut, is one of these guardians of the public health.
(I) Andrew Lamy, Dr. Lamy's pater-
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nal grandfather, was born in France. As a child in Bordeaux he listened eagerly to the stories that came to his ears of the new country across the seas where every- one had equal opportunities for success. While still a boy, he came to America and located in Brooklyn, New York. He learned the tailor's trade, and became very skillful in the handling of fine work. While yet a young man he went into business for himself, and commanded a very high class of trade. He married Ellen Douglass, whose father settled in New London, Connecticut, and later on removed with his family to Brooklyn.
(II) Peter Lamy, son of Andrew and Ellen (Douglass) Lamy, was reared in Brooklyn, New York. He received his
ยท education in the excellent public schools of that city. He was a young man of pleasing presence and seemed to possess an inborn capacity for business. He made his start in life as a traveling sales- man, and was very successful along this line. In his later years he was a buyer of hops. He became a resident of Coop- erstown, New York, about 1884, and lived there until about 1906, when he removed to Los Angeles, California, where he has since been engaged in the real estate bus- iness, being prominently identified with the recent rapid development of that city. He was made a Mason in Cooperstown. His wife, Mary Weeks (Hill) Lamy, daughter of David Hill, was born in Brooklyn, and they were the parents of six children: David, of Los Angeles ; Ethel, who became the wife of Rev. Ar- thur Page, a missionary of Swatow, China, and has two children, Edith and Ruth; Mabel, now a resident of New York City ; Edgar Douglass, whose name appears at the head of this sketch ; Paul, a resident of Los Angeles ; and Alice.
(III) Edgar Douglass Lamy, M. D., fourth child and second son of Peter and
Mary Weeks (Hill) Lamy, was born in Brooklyn, New York, September 21, 1883. Reaching an age when the future pre- sented itself before him, the boy felt no interest in the world of business. A pro- fessional life appealed to him as the most useful field of effort, and one giving the greatest opportunity for making life worth while. He chose that most practi- cal of all the professions, medicine. He prepared for college at the Cooperstown High School, then followed the usual course at the New York Homeopathic College and Flower Hospital, being grad- uated with the degree of M. D. in 1912. With this preparation, Dr. Lamy became an interne in Grace Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut, one of the finest hospitals in New England. After a considerable period there, acquiring the experience only to be found in such institutions, he established his office in Stamford, and began his practice there. In the compar- atively short time which has elapsed since then, Dr. Lamy has won a firm footing in the confidence of the people of Stamford. He may well be called one of the coming men of the city. As a gen- eral practitioner he has had gratifying success, and bids fair to make a signifi- cant mark on the history of the medical world of Stamford. He is a member of the Medical Society of this city, and is on the staff of the Stamford Hospital.
Dr. Lamy married Mabel Parker, of New York City, and there is one child, Edgar Douglass, Jr.
SCHULTZE, Oscar Frederick,
Business Man.
The reader of biography can see much between the lines, for very few of the men who have attained success tell how they accomplished it. As one writer has said: "Success may be compared to a
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valuable commodity in the market; it like period in the Board of Aldermen. cost something to get either." In the Mr. Schultze married, May 3, 1882, Mary Becker, a native of New York, daughter of Philip and Caroline Becker, both of whom came from Germany. Of the fif- teen children of Mr. and Mrs. Schultze, six are now living. The second and eld- est son receives extended mention below. history of Oscar F. Schultze, one of the enterprising business men of Norwalk, it is seen that his success has been the result of constant effort and diligent pur- pose. Mr. Schultze was born February 8, 1885, in New York City, son of Oscar Douglas and Mary (Baker) Schultze.
His grandfather, George Schultze, was born and reared near Stettin, Germany, and came to America about 1858, settling in West Cromwell, near Westfield, Con- necticut. He was born in 1803, and was a baker by trade, but worked most of the time after coming to this country in the shops of the J. O. Smith Manufacturing Company, Westfield. He died in 1874, at the age of seventy-one years. George Schultze married Wilhelmina , also a native of Stettin, and she died in 1864. They were Lutherans and attended wor- ship in the Congregational church, West- field.
Oscar Douglas Schultze, youngest of a family of ten children born to George and Wilhelmina Schultze, was born Janu- ary 4, 1859, town of Cromwell, and grew up in the Westfield section, attending the country school until he was thirteen years of age during winter terms. He was accustomed to labor during the sum- mer at an earlier period. His first efforts were on farms, but later he became a butcher and followed this occupation for many years. For a period of seventeen years he was engaged in the meat business in Middletown, until he was compelled by broken health to retire in April, 1919. Mr. Schultze is a member of the South Congregational Church, and has always endeavored to fulfill the duties of a good citizen. Polit- ically he has affiliated with the Demo- cratic party, and has served two years as a member of the City Council and a
Oscar F. Schultze was eight years old when his parents returned to Westfield, Connecticut, and there he attended the public schools and later a private school in Meriden. He then entered the employ of S. E. Bailey & Son, of Middletown, and learned the meat business. In 1914, Mr. Schultze began business on his own account by establishing a market at No. 39 Main street, Norwalk, and another at the corner of Washington and Railroad avenues, South Norwalk. Afterward he added a market in Stamford, but sold this after a year. About two years ago he es- tablished a market in Bridgeport, in part- nership with a Mr. Keane. This was in- corporated under the name of The Keane & Schultze Company, of which Mr. Schultze is president. This company now has three markets in Bridgeport, and in March, 1920, he formed a partner- ship with Charles Preusser, who had been in his employ for several years, and under the firm name of Schultze & Preus- ser started another market in Bridgeport.
Aside from his market interests, which would seem fully to occupy the time and energy of an average man, Mr. Schultze has become deeply interested in breeding poultry and hares. He is president of The Southern New England Breeders & Fanciers Association, is state secretary for Connecticut of The National Federa- tion of Flemish Giant Breeders, and is president of The Norwalk Poultry Asso- ciation. Mr. Schultze makes a specialty of breeding Cornish Games, Black Cochin Bantam, Flemish Giants and Belgian
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Hares. His exhibits are viewed all over the East and he has hundreds of ribbons and cups. He also acts as judge of rab- bits in Southern New England shows. Mr. Schultze is the owner of a twenty acre farm in the town of Norwalk and raises registered Berkshire hogs. He is active in fraternal circles, and is a mem- ber of St. John's Lodge, No. 3, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; - Chap- ter, Royal Arch Masons; Hamilton Com- mandery, Knights Templar; Lafayette Consistory, Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret; Pyramid Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Bridgeport. Also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Norwalk; Our Brother Lodge, and Encampment, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Improved Order of Red Men, of Norwalk.
Mr. Schultze married Hazel Water- bury, daughter of Charles Waterbury, of Springdale, town of Stamford. The Wa- terbury family is one of the oldest in the annals of Fairfield county, and Mrs. Schultze is a direct descendant of the im- migrant, John Waterbury.
BERTOLF BROTHERS,
Landscape Gardeners.
Old-world traditions and habits of in- dustry, thrift and tenacity of purpose, transplanted to the New World environ- ment of aggressive, competitive effort, have given America many thousands of such solid, practical, rational citizens as build for the enduring prosperity of any Nation. Switzerland, the objective point of beauty lovers for generations, has sent to America men to whom beauty is a necessity, who read life in terms of beauty and judge all endeavor by that standard. The name of Bertolf has become, in cer- tain sections East and West, a leading name in connection with that applied
theory of beauty which adds art to nature, but disguises the work so cleverly that nature herself is beautified. In the open walks of the public parks, within the clearly-defined boundaries of private es- tates, the landscape gardener holds in his hands the possibility of scattering broad- cast among the people the uplifting re- finement of beauty.
The family of Bertolf is an old and hon- ored one in the town of Basel, Switzer- land. There August Bertolf, father of the Greenwich gardeners, was born. He learned the trade of gardener in his na- tive town, and being naturally active and industrious and fond of out-door life, he found the work so congenial that he con- tinued in that line as long as he remained in his native land. He came to America, and from choice as well as because his training had prepared him for this work, he sought the same field of effort here. He located first in Brooklyn, New York, where he found employment on a private estate, and his work atracted more than local attention. In 1892 he found his big opportunity. He accepted an important position on the force of gardeners who went to Chicago to lay out the grounds for the World's Columbian Exposition. This was, of course, a valuable exper- ience, but also a service to the public for which the young man was eminently fitted. He remained in Chicago for three years, then returned East to enter the employ of the Brooklyn Park Depart- ment, which connection he held until 1898. At that time he removed to Green- wich, Connecticut. There he formed a partnership with Ernest Dehn, under the firm name of Dehn & Bertolf. From the beginning they grew a great variety of the nursery stock which Mr. Bertolf had handled for so long in his wide and varied experience as a gardener and landscape artist. They included fruit trees on their
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list as well as the rare and beautiful orna- mental trees and shrubbery which have become a part of so many beautiful es- tates in the vicinity. and supplied their more distant trade. They took charge of the landscape work on many estates, keeping a large working force busy. This partnership continued until January I, 1917, when Mr. Bertolf's sons bought out the business. Starting in a small way, the business has developed and grown until there are now forty-five acres under the most scientific intensive cultivation, and an average of fifty men are employed.
August Bertolf married, before coming to America, Elsbeth Bernhard, a native of Mainfield, Switzerland, and they were the parents of three children, of whom two grew to maturity: Emil, receiving most of his education in the public schools of this country, grew up in the business with his father, his love for the work and his eagerness to win a place for himself in this line making him an able assistant. He married Florence Ir- win, daughter of Thomas Irwin, of Green- wich, and they are the parents of two children : Emil Robert, and Elsbeth, now deceased. The other son, August Carl, born December 18, 1888, was educated principally in the public schools of Green- wich, and has also grown up in the busi- ness.
As business men, as public-spirited cit- izens, as genial friends to those who know them in private life, the brothers Bertolf, of Greenwich, measure up to that stand- ard which is the pride and dependence of America to-day.
VUONO, Joseph J.,
General Contractor.
Old Stamford was a village of quaint and picturesque charm, the fine Colonial architecture of its residences and the sim-
plicity of its public buildings breathing the spirit of a by-gone age, like a daguer- reotype of some sweet, motherly old face, crowned with primly parted hair. New Stamford is a city of throbbing, pulsing life. Many of the old buildings still re- main, like treasured memories, but the spirit of progress has developed the once quiet community into a busy city whose outward, physical characteristics are daily changing, progressing, improving, in har- mony with the mental and spiritual ad- vancement of the present day. With the Stamford of to-day, which is as well the Stamford of a broad and brilliant future, the name of Vuono is closely identified. Joseph J. Vuono, treasurer and one of the active members of The Vuono Construc- tion Company, is a noteworthy example of the new blood that is vitalizing this community.
Mr. Vuono's father, Dominco Vuono, was born in Acri, Province of Calabria, Italy. This had been the home of the family for many generations, and the name was one of prominence. While still in Italy, Dominco Vuono was interested in the lumber business. He was married there, and there his oldest child was born. But with the same eager outward look of thousands of other ambitious young men, he turned his face westward, across the seas. He came to America with his young wife and little child, locating in New York City. He looked about for the opportunities open to him, and finding the constant activity of the building trades a safe guarantee of a prosperous future, he took up the trade of stone ma- son. He was quick to learn the language and customs of the new country, and as time passed he felt that he had chosen wisely in the matter of his line of work. About 1889 he came to Greenwich, Con- necticut, and continued to follow the same trade as long as he lived. He mar-
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ried Annuziata Bon Venuto, and they were the parents of seven children, of whom the two now living are residents of Stamford ; Charles D., and Joseph J.
Joseph J. Vuono was born in New York City, October 8, 1885. He received his elementary education in the public schools of Greenwich, then supplemented this early study with a course at the Greenwich High School. Quick at his studies and ambitious to make a success in life, he made the most of these oppor- tunities. Naturally endowed with keen powers of observation and the common sense which applies the resulting deduc- tions in a practical manner, he has more than made good. After leaving school the young man learned the trade of machin- ist with the Tuttle Machine Company. He remained in their employ for about six years, then was engaged in the liquor business with his brother for about three years. This, however, was uncongenial to him, and he looked about for some line of endeavor in which his natural taste for active, constructive work should find expression. The rapid development of Stamford, then but recently having been made a city, offered ample opportunity for constructive work of an intersting na- ture, and an almost unlimited scope. He launched into the contracting business, and his brother, Charles D. Vuono, joined him in the venture. From the start the policy of the new firm was the highest possible standard of excellence in all work done. The most modern equipment was bought, and the best methods employed. The property owners in Stamford and in many other Fairfield county towns were quick to recognize the quality of work turned out by the young men, and soon began placing important contracts in their hands. The Wall street school and the Roger's school, as fine educational structures as can be found, were built by
these people. The factory building of Maxim & Maxim, and the Kroeger Piano factory are noteworthy examples of their work. They built the Stamford Theatre, the State Armory, the First Congrega- tional Church, and numerous business buildings in Stamford and the surround- ing towns. But in the beautiful resi- dences which they have constructed, many of them under the direction of the foremost architects of the day, their work holds a peculiar charm. One of the most beautiful, set off by its surroundings, is the Joseph D. Sawyer residence, on the rocks at Sound Beach. When the busi- ness was first started the firm name was Vuono Brothers, but it is now The Vu- ono Construction Company, the business having been incorporated in 1913. The officers are: Charles D. Vuono, presi- dent; Samuel P. Fosdick, secretary ; and Joseph J. Vuono, treasurer.
Personally, Mr. Joseph J. Vuono is in- terested in many of the various activities of the day. Socially, he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Improved Order of Red Men, of the Vic- toria 3rd Felia di Italia, and of the Ital- ian Social Club.
Mr. Vuono married Annie Ciancuilli, daughter of Salvatore Ciancuilli, of New Haven, Connecticut, and has two chil- dren : Helen and Eva.
In the progress and improvement of Americans of Italian birth or parentage, Mr. Vuono takes the greatest interest, doing all in his power to forward such movements or educational centers as have for their object the development of Italian youth, the advancement of their success, and their preparation for the privileges of citizenship in the country of their adoption. He holds the office of treasurer of the Italian Institute.
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WEAVER, Bruce S., Physician, Specialist.
Six or seven years of active practice have made Dr. Weaver so well and fav- orably known to his fellow-citizens of Stamford as to render superfluous any in- troduction beyond the mere inscription of his name. Dr. Weaver is identified with the social and fraternal life of his community, and is esteemed as a citizen no less than as a physician.
Joseph M. Weaver, father of Bruce S. Weaver, was born in 1846, in Mechanics- ville, Ohio, and reared on a farm. All his life he has followed the calling of an agriculturist. After his marriage he re- moved to Kenton, Ohio, and there, until a few years ago, engaged in farming. He was an active member of the Masonic lodge in Kenton. Mr. Weaver married Ida Stevens, daughter of Justus Stevens, of Kenton, and their son, Bruce S. is men- tioned below. For the last few years Mr. Weaver has been a resident of Toledo, Ohio.
Bruce S. Weaver, only child of Joseph M. and Ida (Stevens) Weaver, was born November 5, 1883, in Mechanicsville, Ohio. He was prepared for college at the Northwestern Academy. He at- tended the Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, and then entered the Medical Department of the University of Michigan, from which he graduated in 1910 with the degree of Doctor of Med- icine. The ensuing three years he spent in the New York City Hospital on Black- well's Island, doing post-graduate work in the laboratories along lines of bacter- iology and pathology. In 1914 Dr. Wea- ver began practice in Stamford, Connec- ticut, and in a comparatively short time has built up an advantageous clientele and an enviable reputation. He special- izes on clinical laboratory work and does
such work for the Stamford Hospital, the Greenwich Hospital, the Norwalk Hospi- tal, the Children's Home, and is also city bacteriologist. He is a member of the City, County and State Medical societies and the American Medical Association, also belonging to the Phi Kappa Psi and Nu Sigma Nu fraternities.
Dr. Weaver married, May 16, 1917, Helen Bissett, daughter of Captain Rob- ert Bissett, of Brooklyn, New York, and they are the parents of one child : Shirley Jane Weaver.
The career of Dr. Weaver has opened most auspiciously with every prospect of a future rich in professional attainment and material success.
THAYER, Hudson Joseph,
Automobile Dealer.
The Thayer famliy, of which Hudson Joseph Thayer is a worthy scion, is of Scotch descent and was early founded in Massachusetts. The grandfather of Mr. Thayer was Hudson Josiah Thayer, and he lived at one time in Thomaston, Con- necticut. He married Elizabeth Kim- berly, a descendant of an early Connec- ticut family. The founder of the Kim- berly family was Thomas Kimberly, who came from London, England, to New Haven, Connecticut, in 1638, and was one of the founders of the New Haven Colony.
Frank Whittemore Thayer, son of Hudson J. and Elizabeth (Kimberly) Thayer, was born in Thomaston, Con- necticut, in 1867. At the present time Mr. Thayer is living in Torrington, Connec- ticut (1921). He married Jane Clemons, born in 1870 in Thomaston, daughter of David and Sarah (Castle) Clemons, and a descendant of Philo and Jane (Ferdon) Clemons. The latter immigrated from France about 1840 and settled in New
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York City. Through one of the collateral lines, they also descend from one of the early Dutch settlers of New York, the Castle family.
Hudson Joseph Thayer, son of Frank Whittemore and Jane (Clemons) Thayer, was born November 13, 1889, in Water- bury, Connecticut. His education was obtained in the Waterbury public schools, and then he entered the employ of the Housatonic Water Company in their meter department. For seven years he continued in this position, and in 1913 was transferred to their Greenwich office, where he remained for three years more. He resigned his position to change his employment and became associated with Frank P. Haggerty, who was then en- gaged in the livery and undertaking busi- ness. So well did Mr. Thayer progress that on February 1, 1918, he was in a position to buy the livery department of the business. Under the name of the White Stripe Taxi Service, Mr. Thayer carries on a very successful taxi business. A progressive man, he has added mate- rially to his interests by opening a garage service station and also has the agency for the American Six Automobile. Not only does he benefit himself, but he is the means of giving employment to twenty- eight men, and thus through the industry and thrift of one man there are many more benefited, thus proving the truth of what one writer has aptly said: "The influence of every individual reacts upon so many that the life we singly lead is of the greatest importance to the whole body politic." Fraternally Mr. Thayer is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, the Foresters of America, and the Knights of Columbus.
Mr. Thayer married Anna Haggerty, daughter of James Haggerty, of Green- wich, and they are the parents of a daugh- ter, Mary Genevieve Thayer.
COYLE, John Francis,
Contractor, Builder.
Every man must make his own place in the world. There comes a time in his life when he discovers himself, and it is then that he finds the years of labor and experience have built a foundation upon which he must stand for we are to-day only what we made ourselves yesterday. For fifteen years John F. Coyle, one of the leading contractors of Westport, was building the foundation upon which he now stands. As a youth he learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed as a journeyman for several years, until he was qualified to engage in business on his own account.
(I) The grandfather of Mr. Coyle, Michael Coyle, was born in the Parish of Raharney, County Westmeath, Ireland, and came to America in his later years with his wife and children. He settled in Westport, Connecticut, where he died. (II) Michael (2) Coyle, son of Michael (1) Coyle, was born in County Meath, Ireland, and died aged about seventy- seven years. He was a young man when he came to America, and for sev- eral years followed farming in West- port, Connecticut. Thence he removed to the town of Tunnel, near Binghamp- ton, New York, and was employed there on the railroad tunnel. After the comple- tion of this work he returned to West- port and lived there the remainder of his life ; at times he worked solely at farm- ing and later was a stone mason. He owned a farm of about twelve acres on East Main street and there about forty- five years ago he built a beautiful resi- dence. Mr. Coyle made a specialty of onion raising, in which he was very suc- cessful. He married Rose Leonard, daughter of Michael Leonard, of the Par- ish of Kilbeggan, County Westmeath,
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