USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 4 > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49
a little retail store in New Haven which afterwards grew to a much greater size. It was here that Frank worked as soon as conditions would permit his brother to employ him and here that he becaine ac- quainted with the grocery business, in which he has so consistently engaged ever since. For nearly five years he remained in New Haven and then, in 1890, he came with his brother Joseph to Waterbury, which has remained the home of both ever since. It was his intention to engage in business on his own account and this, with characteristic energy and enterprise, he lost no time in doing. He had received some preliminary experience in the gro- cery business in his brother's store, and he consequently turned to it as in the line of least resistance. It was his inten- tion, however, to take up the wholesale side of the business, a thing which re- quired the expenditure of some capital. For this contingency he had provided himself, however, for by dint of the great- est frugality he had managed to save the better portion of his earnings while with his brother and it was these savings that enabled him to carry out his plans. He quickly established himself and from that time to this his trade has increased enor- mously. He was very soon recognized as perfectly straightforward in all his deal- ings and this reputation, aided by a win- ning personality, gained him customers on all sides. He is now the owner and manager of a very large and successful importing and wholesale grocery house situated at Nos. 40 and 42 Canal street, Waterbury. How great has been the prosperity of this business may readily be seen in the fact that Mr. Pepe has be- come in the meantime one of the impor- tant figures in the mercantile world of Waterbury and connected with many in- terests there. He is a large stockholder in the Merchants' Trust Bank and is a
87
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
director thereof, a position that he still holds to-day.
But it is not only in the realm of busi- ness that Mr. Pepe is active in the affairs of the community. He has identified him- self closely with many movements in the city, and is especially active in social and religious circles. Ile is a member of nu- merous clubs and societies among which should be mentioned the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Foresters of America, the Sons of Columbus and the Knights of Columnbus, the latter in connection with his church. He is a Catholic in faith and attends the Lady of Lord Church on South Main street, Waterbury.
Mr. Pepe was united in marriage on February 20, 1896, at New Haven, Con- necticut, to Michelina Vastola, a native of Italy, born in the village of San Valen- tino, in the province of Salerno. Her father, Frank Vastola, died at Waterbury at the home of Mr. Pepe, and her mother, who was before her marriage Antoinetta Frigienti, still lives with them. To Mr. and Mrs. Pepe have been born eleven children of whom six are now living, as follows: Rachael, Anna, Rose, Genevieve, Joseph- ine, and Francis, all single.
While Mr. Pepe naturally finds much of his time taken up with his large business interests, he is never at a loss for an op- portunity to aid in every movement for the advantage of the community. He is deeply interested in all that concerns the welfare of his fellow citizens and is inter- ested in the conduct of public affairs. His personal character is such as to command the respect and admiration of all his as- sociates and a warm and genuine affection on the part of his friends. Charitable and tolerant in his judgments upon other men, he is unbending towards himself and fol- lows out the strictest code of morals and honor. He is one who, not content with
the profession of a religion, infuses his beliefs into the daily conduct of his life in all its relations. Not a little does this appear in the ready charity with which he seeks to relieve all want that comes under his notice and assists worthy effort to bear its proper fruit. But although thus generous he shuns ostentation instinctive- ly, and from pure native modesty obeys the injunction to let not the left hand know what the right hand doeth.
PEPE, Joseph,
Business Man.
In that group of capable and talented men who have given to Waterbury, Con- necticut, the place it holds to-day in the industrial and mercantile world must be included the name of Joseph Pepe, who, although a native of a foreign country, has identified himself with the develop- ment of his adopted country and city in a way that redounds at once greatly to his own credit and the community's ad- vantage. He is a member of a race that has contributed greatly to the growth of the composite American population and leavened it, so to speak, with its great virtues and talents.
In the charming little town of Scafati. situated in one of the most picturesque parts of the beautiful Campania, barely ten miles from Mount Vesuvius and not half that from the ancient ruins of Pom- peii, the Pepe family lived up to compara- tively a few years ago. Donato and his wife, who had been Rachela Russo before her marriage, and their large family of children, made their home there until the sons of the family, hearing of the great republic in the West, where opportunity awaited all, decided to make their way thither. There were seventeen children in all and of these nine are still living. three of them in the same city in which our sub-
88
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
ject has made his home, Waterbury, Con- necticut.
When Joseph Pepe had come to an age to leave the house of his father and his native land and go out into the world, sev- eral of his elder brothers had preceded him there. Two of these were Antonio and Frank Pepe, who had located at New Haven, Connecticut, where the former was conducting a successful grocery store, in which the latter was employed. It was to New Haven, therefore, that the youth- ful emigrant directed his way in the year 1891. He arrived in due course of time and found his brothers, but did not remain long in the city. He found that the younger brother, Frank, had already laid up a small sum of money which he was hoping to serve as capital in starting him in business on his own account, and quite willing to take the occasion of Joseph's arrival in the country as the opportunity to do so. Together, therefore, the two young men made their way from New Haven to Waterbury, Connecticut, after Joseph had been in the former place but thirty days, and from that day to this Waterbury has been the home of both and the scene of their active business enter- prises. For a time they were associated in the one enterprise, Frank Pepe having opened a wholesale grocery and taken his brother into the business with him. This venture was an extremely successful one and the elder Mr. Pepe is still engaged in it. For fourteen years Joseph Pepe was connected with it and gave it his best time and energy, but eventually, in 1905, he severed his connection with his brother and founded a business of his own. This business was in hay, grain and feed, and from the outset it was successful, and has since grown to be one of the largest in this line in the State of Connecticut. The home which Mr. Pepe bought, lo-
cated on the corner of Creston street and Roslyn avenue, bears witness to the extent of his success. It is a very hand- some mansion of fourteen rooms and it is only one of many valuable properties that he owns in Waterbury. For he with his usual foresight perceived how great an opportunity was offered for investment by the rising land values in a growing city such as Waterbury, and with char- acteristic promptness of decision, availed himself of his knowledge. He has gone into the development of property quite extensively and in the year 1905 built the handsome business block at No. 54 Canal street, where his wholesale grain business is situated.
Besides his great activity in the busi- ness world, Mr. Pepe is extremely promi- nent in many other aspects of the city's life. He is, for instance, keenly interested in the political questions of the day, espe- cially those that have a local aspect or in any way apply to the case of Waterbury, to the interests of which he is devoted. Indeed, he takes a decidedly conspicuous part in Waterbury politics, although not in the usual manner by allying himself to the organization of either party. He is, on the contrary, extremely independent, voting for the issue or the man that seems wisest or best to him at the time and refusing entirely to be bound by any par- tisan considerations whatsoever. This, of course, prevents him from receiving the political rewards which his talents and ability warrant, since such rewards are always in the gift of one or other of the parties which keep them for their more standpat henchmen. But although this is so, it does not prevent him from being a power in the community, or one whose aid and counsel is sought on all hands. In the matter of social life he is also very active and is a member of several impor-
89
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
tant clubs and other organizations, such as the Sons of Columbus, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and others. He is a Catholic in faith and a member of South Main Street Church, Waterbury.
Mr. Pepe was married on April 26, 1900, to Concetto Vollono, a native of Italy, and a daughter of Frank and Lura (Semer- tiro) Vollono. To Mr. and Mrs. Pepe six children have been born as follows: Do- nato, Louise, Rachel, Eva, Francis and Antonio.
Joseph Pepe is one of the most success- ful and influential Italians in Connecticut. He enjoys the highest kind of commercial standing, and his social position is a most enviable one. Virtuous, honorable, public spirited, his life and career exhibit strik- ingly all those virtues and talents typical of the best Italian strains which have con- tributed so materially to the prosperity and development of this country. Nor- mally but not unduly ambitious to occupy a position of prominence in the commu- nity in which he has chosen to reside, he has bent to that end his natural gifts of mind and body and an energetic tempera- ment which acknowledges no discourage- ment, yet never during the whole course of his successful achievement has he for- gotten the rights or interests of others. or sacrificed them to what might have seem- ed his own. He is far too much the phi- losopher to strive unduly or to make others unhappy or angry at his striving. Yet he has succeeded in making himself a leading citizen, an acknowledged power in the commercial world, and thus proved himself of the most valuable type of citi- zen, not one who makes haste to be rich, but one whose energies are normally em- ployed and whose own advantage is so closely allied with that of the community- at-large that both are subserved by the same effort.
BARONIAN, George Armenag,
Representative Citizen.
The records of the successful men of this country are filled with the names of those who have come from distant lands and strange parts and who, gifted with natural abilities, have under the free insti- tutions and open opportunities welcoming them here worked themselves up to posi- tions of prominence and fortune in their adopted communities. Few, however, could match the romantic career of George Armenag Baronian, of the much persecuted Armenian race, who, although still but a young man, has made at least one effort in his own land to rise in the world, which was rendered abortive by the cruelty of the ruling class there, and who then, with praiseworthy enterprise, came to the United States, where already his efforts have met with marked success, and he is acknowledged in the city where he has made his home to be one of the rising business men.
George Armenag Baronian was born October 21, 1881, in the city of Ezerum in Asia Minor, one of those who. though Christian, are subject to the rule of the Turk. The country of his birth is one of the oldest in the history of the world and lias been alternately the seat of empire and the province of other powers from time immemorial. Always, however, from the very dawn of history, it has been the home of myriads, and still to this day, when it is a part of the Turkish dominions, it re- tains an archaic eastern tradition and at- mosphere difficult for the westerner to grasp and understand. The origin of Mr. Baronian's family is lost in the mists of the past, but for some generations at least he can trace his descent, his forebears liv- ing in Ezerum for many years before his birth. There his grandfather. Hoshannis
90
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Baronian, and his wife Mariam, lived and died, the former at the venerable age of eighty-seven years. Five children were born to them of whom one still lives in a place as far away from his birthplace as Detroit, Michigan. Another of these chil- dren, Toros Baronian, was the father of the Mr. Baronian of this sketch. He was born in Ezerum and was married to Na- zig Sharigian, also a native of that city, and died at the age of thirty-six years when his son George A. was but six months old. His wife is still residing in Ezerum at the age of fifty-eight years. Besides Mr. Baronian two children were born to them, one who died in infancy, and a daughter, Nuvart. now the wife of Harry Vartanian, of Armenia.
The childhood of George Armenag Baronian was passed in his native Ez- erum, where he went to school and learn- ed as much as the oppressive system there in force would admit of. He graduated from the school there that corresponds in a manner to our grammar school, and his cleverness as a student is well shown in the fact that he was but eleven years of age at the time. It was but one year later, while still a mere child, that he made his way from Ezerum, which is situated in the easternmost portion of Asia Minor, all the way to far-off Constantinople, or Stamboul as it is called in that country, and there worked in the employ of several physicians as a sort of office boy. He was still in the city during the terrible Armenian massacres of 1896, but was promptly sent back to his home in Ezerum by the authori- ties regardless of his wishes. He was fif- teen years of age at the time, and from then until he was eighteen he remained in Ezerum engaged in a number of small enterprises. It did not require any new experience on his part, however, to con- vince him that the conditions which bound his unfortunate co-religionists would not
relax for him, no matter what intelligence and energy he displayed, and, finally, with a decision of mind unusual in one so young, but which is one of Mr. Baronian's most marked characteristics, he deter- mined to leave his native land altogether and make his way to distant America, of which accounts were not lacking, even in Asia Minor, and all of which agreed upon the point that there virtue and ability were recognized in all regardless of race or creed. In the year 1899, accordingly, the lad set out upon his travels, but know- ing so little of the many requirements for journeying in that part of the world he greatly delayed matters. His mistake was that of forgetting to provide himself with a passport, an unforgivable offence in most of Europe, and he was taken off the ship on which he had embarked and short- ly after found himself in Trabizond. He had made up his mind, however, and with commendable perseverance he set out again. This time he saw to the matter of the passport, and after a number of ad- ventures he found himself in the United States just one year after he had first started. His first home in this country was in Providence, Rhode Island, where he was fortunate enough to find work with the Providence Tool Company, one of the very large industrial concerns of the city. Here he remained for about three years, his aptness and cleverness in picking up the detail of his work mak- ing him acceptable to his superiors who advanced him accordingly. In 1903, feel- ing that labor conditions were more favor- able in Waterbury, Connecticut, than in Providence, he removed to that city and has ever since made his home there. Still following the same line of work, he secured a position with the Farrell Foun- dry Company of Waterbury and again met with advancement. But mere ad- vancement was not sufficient to satisfy
91
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
this very ambitious young man, who had quite other ideas for himself than that of working with his hands in any factory. He had the strongest desire in the world to become independent, to engage in some enterprise of his own where he would be at no one's orders, and his self- confidence told him that he could be suc- cesful in such a situation, nor was it mis- taken as events have since shown. He was not a man to risk all on a single throw, however, so at the expense of a great deal of trouble and hard work he began to do a little business in the even- ings after his long days in the foundry. This is the spirit that triumphs in the end. and little by little he developed a very considerable business in real estate. In 1908 he gave up his position with the Farrell Foundry Company, deciding that his time could be more advantageously spent in his chosen field, namely, the real estate business, and since that time he has developed considerable land. He estab- lished himself in offices in the building at No. 95 Bank street, where he remains to the present time (1917). With the keen perception that characterizes Mr. Baro- nian, he speedily saw that in another and allied branch of business great oppor- tunities awaited the prudent investor. He therefore began to deal in insurance and since then has developed that business to quite an extent. Prior to 1908 he had al- ready gained a wide reputation as a sound and conservative business man, and he has by this time built up one of the largest establishments of the kind in the city. When it is considered that he is but thir- ty-five years of age and that he arrived in the country a mere youth barely sixteen years ago, without friends and with no knowledge of the language, the achieve- ment is indeed one to challenge our ad- miration and wonder.
But Mr. Baronian is not confining his
attention entirely to his business. He is, on the contrary, a man who loves the so- ciety of his fellows and joins in the social activities of his friends with much pleas- ure. He is also prominent in fraternal and club circles, and is a member of many such organizations among which should be mentioned the following: The local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which he joined in 1908, and the Knights of Pythias, two years later. He is also a member of the Masonic order and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and in 1911, when there was a movement to start a lodge of the Moose, he was one of the prime movers and a charter member when the body was organized. Mr. Baronian attends the Sec- ond Congregational Church in Waterbury.
Mr. Baronian was united in marriage at New Haven, Connecticut, on May 28, 1914, with Grace Lutfia Kurkjian, a coun- trywoman of his, who was born at Yan- tub, in Asia Minor, July 16, 1892. She is a daughter of Zadiz and Margaret Kurk- jian, of whom the former died in his na- tive land. It was after this event that she came to this country with her mother and one brother. Armenag. and settled in New Haven, where her mother still re- sides with her two sons, Armenag and Luther, the latter named joining them later.
Considering the remarkable success won by Mr. Baronian, it requires but little assurance to prophesy a brilliant career for him in the future. With his powers and faculties still increasing and develop- ing. there can be little doubt that he will yet achieve a very considerable name for himself in the community that he has chosen for a home, nor is there any more doubt that with his strong disinterested interest in the welfare of his fellows his career will be one of long and invaluable public service.
92
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
LALLY, Francis Joseph,
Clergyman.
It is doubtless due to the strange dual character of man, an immortal soul which would be dealing with infinite things, and a very finite intelligence to grapple with them, that some of the profoundest truths of life appear to us in the form of para- doxes. One of the distinctions of the Catholic church is that it faces these para- doxes frankly and without illusion, can- didly admitting its own inability and the inability of any finite agency to explain what is only reconcilable in God. Not the least striking of these paradoxes is that which forces itself more and more upon the conviction of every earnest man so long as he lives, the paradox that the way to reach the most desirable things is not to strive for them. How true this is of happiness we are often assured by the wisest and taught by that still more con- vincing preceptor, experience. Another iorm in which this may be stated, not lacking in suggestiveness to us, is that the best road to fulfillment is through forebearance. We have not to seek far for examples of this truth, which are afforded us in great numbers by the priesthood of the very church we have already mentioned. For these men, in giving up all things that the earth holds precious, even the praise that would nor- mally attach to such self-sacrifice, meet with a deeper and surer realization. It is with them, be they sincere in their min- istry, that peace dwells most constantly ; they are the meek that inherit the earth. In the brief sketch which follows, the ca- reer of such a one is traced in outline, marking rather the effect of his religious experience upon his own character, and indirectly through his work upon the community, than to offer him the legiti- mate praise from which he has turned aside.
Francis Joseph Lally was born June 10, 1862, at Stratford, Connecticut, but al- though a native of the United States, he is by descent an Irishman, one of that race which has given so many of its sons to this high ministry. His father was John Lally, a native of Galway, County Gal- way, Ireland, and it was from that beauti- ful region on the wild west coast of Ire- land, with the romantic Isles of Aran stretching to the west and south about which is woven so much of the tradition of those parts, that his family came. John Lally was born in the seacoast town of Galway sometime in the year 1832, but came to the United States as early as 1848, when he was but sixteen years of age, and settled at Stratford, Connecticut, where he continued to live the remainder of his years, and there died on August 15, 1915, at the age of eighty-three years. He followed successfully the occupation of farming all his life. He married Ann Lynch, a native of Cavan, Ireland. Her death also occurred in Stratford, June 20, 1913, at the age of eighty-three. They were the parents of eight children, all of whom are living with the exception of one who died in infancy. Those that are now living are as follows: Father Lally, with whom this sketch is concerned ; Mary, who now resides on the old home- stead at Stratford; John, also a resident of Stratford and now an inspector of the Gold Manufacturing Company : Thomas, a resident of Stratford; William, a resi- dent of Providence, Rhode Island, who married Annie Atkins, of Stratford ; James, a resident of Stratford; Charles, who also resides there.
Like so many of the sons of good Catho- lic families, Father Lally felt the call of a religious life early and in his case the im- pulse was so strong and persistent that it was never entirely choked by the various worldly interests that cannot fail to make their appeal to the youth growing into
93
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
young manhood. It was never, perhaps, entirely confirmed so that he could be as- sured of his call to the priesthood until his college days. For the preparatory portion of his education he had attended the local public schools and there shown himself to be a conscientious and intelligent student, but it was not until, at the age of sixteen, he entered St. Mary's College at Emmits- burg, Maryland, that he felt the im- pulse of a truly congenial atmosphere and showed his real calibre as a scholar. It was here that he definitely determined to enter the priesthood, and accordingly, upon his completion of the college courses, he entered the Seminary of St. Bonaven- ture at Allegany, New York. He com- pleted his studies there in 1886 and was then ordained by Bishop McMahon, of Hartford, and immediately assigned as assistant in St. Mary's parish, East Hart- ford. Here he served for seven years, always punctiliously performing all his tasks and duties and proving himself worthy of his ministry. He was then sent to St. Peter's Church in Hartford in the same capacity and remained there for something over six years. He was then given his first parish, that of St. Joseph at Windsor, Connecticut, and there did much to strengthen the cause of religion and to foster its spirit in the community. After twelve years in this location he was. in 1911, put in charge of the Church of St. Thomas at Waterbury, where he has car- ried on his good work ever since on a larger scale. Father Lally makes himself a comrade with the members of his par- ish, entering into their lives in the inti- mate way that is appropriate to his office, sharing their hopes and fears, their happi- ness and sorrow and winning their regard and affection without stint. He is a well- known figure in the city, and it is safe to say there are few who are better beloved.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.