USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 4 > Part 19
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MAY, Albert Abraham,
Undertaker, Civil War Veteran.
Albert Abraham May was born March 17, 1844, in Northfield, Vermont, son of Hustin and Nufflet (Duphiney) May, and is of English and French ancestry. He was reared in Ludlow, Vermont, and graduated from Black River Academy in 1860. When the first call was made for troops, at the outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. May was one of the earliest to re- spond, enlisting April 20, 1861, and serv- ing as a private in Company I, Second Vermont Volunteer Infantry. He par- ticipated in the battles of Bull Run, Fred- ericksburg and Falls Church, and was honorably discharged in 1863, only to re- enlist in the same company and regiment, becoming corporal. As a veteran he took gallant part in the battles of the Wilder- ness, the Seven Days Fight before Rich- mond, Gettysburg, Hagerstown, and the two battles of Petersburg, participating altogether in twenty-seven engagements. Perhaps it was not wonderful that Mr. May should suffer for his gallantry, but he is one whom his country should ever remember with pride and gratitude. He was wounded six times, the first time in the face. in 1862, at Falls Church, Virginia. Carried from the battlefield of the Wilder- ness, in 1864. with a shattered leg, he bravely won his promotion, and was hon- crably discharged July 15, 1865, as second lieutenant.
Returning home, Mr. May, after a sea- son of recuperation, went to Boston, and later to Dedham, Massachusetts, and there engaged in the grocery business for seven years. In 1878 he located in Salem, Massachusetts, and was there engaged as a carpenter for the Boston & Maine Rail- way Company until 1886, when he was appointed a member of the police force of that city, and served most acceptably for nine years. In April, 1896, he established the Pequod Business College in Meriden, Connecticut, which was regarded as one of the best institutions in the State. It was brought to a high standing through the untiring efforts of its founder, and the able assistance of his wife, who was an expert stenographer and very apt in the way of giving instruction in that useful branch of industry, as well as a business woman of rare foresight. As a progres- sive and busy citizen, Captain May natu- rally became in time connected with en- terprises outside of the business college, among which was the undertaking estab- lishment of the Sturgis & May Company. In time the sole responsibility of this establishment fell upon him, and the busi- less college was resigned to other hands. Captain May has been very active in the social and fraternal affairs of Meriden, and long has been a leading member of Merriam Post, No. 8, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he was long com- mander ; is a member of Meridian Lodge, No. 77, Ancient Free and Accepted Ma- sons ; Meridian Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, of which he was worthy patron; the Pilgrim Fathers, of which he has been governor; Meridian Conclave, Independ- ent Order of Heptasophs, of which he was archon ; the New England Order of Pro- tection ; Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows; Colonial Club, Meriden, and other beneficiary and social organizations. He has always been a sincere and steadfast
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supporter of Republican principles in matters of government. A very active member of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, he was many years a teacher in its Sunday school, and long its capable and beloved superintendent. In every way he has fulfilled the requirements of a good citizen, and enjoys the respect and esteem of the entire community.
Mr. May married (first) December 31. 1865, Charlotte E. llooker, daughter of James B. Ilooker, of Dedham, Massachu- setts. She died November 15, 1895. He married (second) October 3, 1897. Rose Emery, daughter of Job and Abigail (Simpson) Emery, of South Berwick, Maine. Child of first marriage: George Albert, a dentist of Boston, married Eva Ellsworth, and died December 23, 1899; children : Albert Ellsworth, and Gladys Irene, married William H. Hurlburt, of Peabody, Massachusetts. Mrs. May is an active member of Meridian Chapter, Or- der of the Eastern Star, of which she was conductor ; a member of the Woman's Relief Corps, Grand Army of the Repub- lic, in which she has also held office ; lieu- tenant-governor of O. H. Platt Colony, of the Pilgrim Fathers; a member of the New England Order of Protection ; Re- bekah Lodge of Meriden, also a member of Susan Carrington Clarke Chapter. Daughters of the American Revolution. As may be inferred, she is a lady of high attainments, social and intellectual.
DALLAS, Alexander, Florist.
Among the many peoples that make up the group that we think of as civilized there is a certain number that have in common a certain dominant quality which gives them the position of leaders among the others, and that, not only as peoples, but as individuals in their dealings with
the individuals of other races. Not the least of these is the Scotch people, whose enterprising sons have spread far and wide over the earth and in all parts there- of have proved their quality as leaders, rising to positions of honor and influence, and achieving fame in a myriad different callings. The United States has been one scene of their successes, and they may be said to have formed one of the most valu- able, if not one of the largest, elements in the complex citizenship of the country. A good example of the above proposition may well be found in the person of Alex- ander Dallas, the successful merchant and business man of Waterbury, Connecticut. now at the height of his success and prominence in the city of his adoption.
Alexander Dallas was born in Moray- shire, Scotland, on October 22, 1850. a son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Mann) Dal- las. The place of his birth was the estate of Sir Gordon Cummin, and it was upon that beautiful place that he grew up to his young manhood. He went to school dur- ing the years of his childhood, but at the carly age of thirteen years he gave up his studies and began his apprenticeship as gardener in the gardens of the estate where he worked for some four years. learning all the detail of his trade. He then went to the estate of the Duke of Gordon where he secured employment. remaining there another year. In the year 1872, when he was twenty-two years of age, Mr. Dallas left his native land and came to the United States of America, settling for a time in Bridgeport. Connec- ticut, where his brother. John Dallas, had already made his home. Here he engaged in business with his brother. the associ- ation lasting upwards of three years, and licre also his wife and mother joined him. The young man was possessed of his full share of enterprise and self-confidence fostered by the fact that his father had
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died when he was but six weeks of age and he had consequently been thrown on his own resources at an early age. His mother died sometime after her arrival in Bridgeport, and a little later he severed his connection with his brother and re- moved to Waterbury, Connecticut, which has since that time continued to be his home. The brother went to Danbury, Connecticut, where he eventually died. Upon coming to Waterbury, Mr. Dallas purchased the florist establishment of James McWhinnie and since that time has conducted it with ever growing suc- cess. Besides his detailed knowledge of the business, Mr. Dallas possesses many qualifications to succeed therein. He is naturally fond of plants and has the dis- position that makes work with them and the kind of association with nature that it entails attractive. The business of which he is now the head is of large proportions and he has established a reputation for straightforward dealing and readiness to fulfill every obligation second to none.
Mr. Dallas finds time, in spite of the demands of his business, to participate actively in the fraternal life of the city and is a member of several important or- ders including the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Improved Order of Red Men. He is also a Free Mason and belongs to the local bodies of that order up to and including the Clark Com- mandery, Knights Templar. He has al- ways been strongly religious in his feel- ings and convictions, is a Congregational- ist in belief and attends the First Church of that denomination in Waterbury. Of this he has been a member ever since he came to the city and a deacon for many years.
Mr. Dallas was married at Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Catherine Thomson, who was also a native of Scotland. She was a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Mann)
Thomson, of Roxburghshire, where she was born and whence she came to the United States just one year after Mr. Dal- las. Her parents, however, remained in their native land and eventually died there. To Mr. and Mrs. Dallas five chil- dren have been born, as follows: Alexan- der Thomson Grant, who died at the age of eighteen years; Agnes Lambert, who died at the age of four; Elizabeth Thom- son, who died at the age of two; John Thomson, born in the year 1881, a gradu- ate of Yale University and of the New York Theological Seminary where he re- ceived the degree of LL. D., and is now a brilliant young clergyman, assistant head master and chaplain at Taft's School, Watertown; Walter, born in 1885, and now associated with his father in busi- ness, with the office of secretary and as- sistant treasurer.
MCGRATH, John Henry, M. D., Physician.
We Americans owe our national exis- tence to the great migratory impulse that has driven the European races out over the surface of the earth to seek new homes and new ventures. Many are the factors that have contributed to this impulse, civil or religious oppression at home, the pure love of the unknown, dreams of the wealth or power or fame to be gained, all have played their parts, and the sum total of them all has resulted in this great na- tion that we see about us and to which we consider ourselves so fortunate to belong. Many of the peoples abroad have given us most generously of their children, others again have been more niggardly, and our gratitude to these has been more on account of the quality than the quan- tity of the contribution. In the person of Dr. John Henry McGrath, however, we have a representative of a race to which
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we should be thankful for both quality and quantity for in the case of Ireland we have received an unusually large propor- tion of its population and the virtues and abilities which they have brought here and transplanted into our social and political soil constitute one of the most valuable elements therein.
Dr. John Henry McGrath, who in his own person is a fine example of the char- acteristic virtues and talents of his race, was not born in Ireland, but in Water- bury, Connecticut, September 23, 1883. He is, however, of Irish parentage, both his father and mother having been born in that country, the former in County Tip- perary and the latter in Limerick. Both sides of the family bore the name Mc- Grath, although of no relation to one an- other, and both originally came from County Limerick, where Mr. McGrath's paternal grandfather was born. The father, Patrick Joseph McGrath, spent his childhood and the major part of his early youth in his native Tipperary, but came to America while still a very young man and settled in Saratoga, New York. He did not remain in that city for a great time, however, but came to Waterbury, Connecticut, and made that city his home until his death, October 20, 1896. He was very successful in his business here and it was in the Connecticut city that he met Nora McGrath, who had come to this country as a young girl. They were mar- ried and became the parents of six chil- dren as follows: Margaret Agnes, now the wife of H. J. Carroll, of Waterbury; Nellie, died at the age of four years ; John Henry, mentioned at length below ; Thom- as Francis, born October 20, 1884, mar- ried Della Dayfield, of Torrington, Con- necticut, who bore him one child, Ed- ward : James Charles, born February 10, 1886, married Agnes Brennan, of Water- bury, and is the father of one child, James; William, who died in infancy.
Dr. John H. McGrath, of this sketch, has made his native city of Waterbury his home up to the present time and prac- tically all his associations are with it. He began his education there at the local public schools, graduating from the Waterbury High School in 1901. From there he went to Niagara University, graduating with the class of 1904. Dur- ing his course in the latter place Dr. Mc- Grath definitely decided upon medicine for his career in life, and upon graduating therefrom went directly to the Medical School of Yale University. He had al- ready established a reputation as an ex- cellent student, and here he added greatly to his name, drawing the favorable atten- tion of his instructors and masters to himself. He graduated in 1908 and then entered the New Haven General Hospital as an interne for the sake of the practical experience. He remained a year in that institution and then went to Hartford, re- maining for six months, gaining more ex- perience in the St. Francis Hospital of that city. He became greatly interested in hospital work and in the problem of hospitals generally during this period, an interest which was to bear important fruit. It had always been his intention to return to his native town to take up his practice and it now occurred to him that Waterbury was decidedly in need of a first-class hospital and that there was a fine opening for such an institution there. Accordingly in 1909, having remained his six months at the St. Francis Hospital, he came to Waterbury, bringing with him several Sisters of Mercy from that institu- tion and at once opened St. Mary's Hos- pital there. He was himself the first house physician of St. Mary's and under his skillful management the institution has flourished. and has played and still plays a very important part in the life of the community. Dr. McGrath also began a private practice in the city which has ever
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since that time grown rapidly and finally forced him to give up much of his work in connection with the hospital. He is still connected with it as its radiologist, however, and he still retains his great in- terest in its work and does much to ad- vance its interests and assure its success. He has gained a wide recognition in that part of the State as a physician of unusual skill and knowledge and is regarded gen- erally as one of the leaders of his profes- sion there, despite his youth. In the year 1909 he was appointed city physician of Waterbury, and served a year in that ca- pacity, doing an invaluable service to the community during that time.
It is not only in connection with his profession, however, that Dr. McGrath has become a prominent figure in the community life of the place. He is a member of a great many organizations and societies of all kinds and actively par- ticipates in their affairs. His religious belief is in the Catholic faith, of which he is a faithful member, and he attends the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury. He is a member of the St. Joseph Temperance Society, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, the Sarfield Club, the Knights of Columbus and the various fraternities of the Moose, the Elks, the Woodmen of the World, and others.
Dr. McGrath was united in marriage with Mary Fitzgerald, of Waterbury, on June 20, 1910. Mrs. McGrath is a native of Waterbury, born March 10, 1888, a daughter of John and Frances (Fitzmau- rice) Fitzgerald. Her father was a road foreman for the city all his active life, and died March 20, 1914, at the age of forty- eight. He was a native of Ireland as was also his wife, Frances (Fitzmaurice) Fitz- gerald, who was but a child when she married Mr. Fitzgerald, and is now resid- ing with Dr. McGrath in Waterbury. She is now forty-two years of age. To Dr.
and Mrs. McGrath have been born three children as follows: John Patrick, who died in infancy ; Margaret Agnes, born June 20, 1912; and Mary Frances, born March 12, 1914.
ANDERSON, Percy Paul, Real Estate Expert.
A native son of Bridgeport, Mr. Ander- son has here spent the greater part of his life and is active in the business, social and political life of his city. He is a son of J. J. and Emily Wheeler (Dyer) Ander- son, his father coming to Bridgeport from St. Louis, Missouri, but his mother a member of an old and influential Bridge- port family. She was a daughter of Wil- liam B. Dyer, a graduate of West Point Military Academy, a banker and one of the leading financiers of his day. He mar- ried Emily Bowen, a woman of strong character and an untiring worker for charity and benevolence.
Percy Paul Anderson was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, December 6, 1874. He attended private school and high school until sixteen years of age, then entered the employ of the Pequon- nock National Bank of Bridgeport and there continued four years. He had an ambition to thoroughly master the bank- ing business, and after leaving the Pe- quonnock National Bank he spent one year in the service of the Bridgeport Na- tional Bank. His progress had been satis- factory in both banks, but he decided to enter business for himself. In pursuance of a well thought out plan he resigned his position, made his headquarters in New York City and began dealing in lumber in wholesale quantities. He operated in the South principally, purchasing from the mills their output of hard wood lum- ber and southern pine and selling in New York City and vicinity. He spent five
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years in successful operation along those lines, then became interested in Bridge- port real estate and returned to his native city, where he has since remained. He formed a partnership with his brother, Clarence D. Anderson, and as Anderson & Company conducted a general real estate and insurance business for five years, when they dissolved, Percy P. An- derson continuing in the same business under his own name. He has built up a very successful agency and is one of the largest operators in the city. He owns and controls much valuable real estate in the city and is a recognized authority on property values, being often called as an expert appraiser by the city, by corpora- tions and private individuals. He has promoted many business enterprises now in successful operation in Bridgeport and with some of them yet retains an active interest. He is a director of the First Bridgeport National Bank, has served the city on the Board of Appointment and is an ex-president of the Bridgeport Fire Underwriters Association, an office he re- signed in January, 1917. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and of the City Board of Trade, active in the work of both. In club life Mr. Anderson takes an active part, belonging to the Seaside, Contemporary, Bridgeport Yacht and Brooklawn Country clubs. He is an en- thusiastic motorist and enjoys his cars to the limit. Athletics, golf. hunting, fish- ing and yachting all appeal to his nature and he indulges in such recreations as opportunity offers. Ile was formerly a member of the society committee of the old North Congregational Church, and is now a member and secretary of the finan- cial and building committees of the United Congregational Church.
Mr. Anderson married Florence N. Hawley, daughter of Charles H. Hawley, of Bridgeport. They are the parents of :
Ilawley Dyer, died aged four years; Vir- ginia Hawley and Paul Hawley Anderson. The family home on Fairfield avenue, Bridgeport, is the abode of hospitality and good cheer, both Mr. and Mrs. Ander- son being popular entertainers, and in so- ciety.
McDONALD, Edward Joseph, Attorney-at-Law.
A splendid example of the sterling traits and characteristics of the Irish race is to be found in Edward Joseph McDon- ald, one of the rising lawyers of Water- bury, Connecticut, who, although not him- self a native of the Emerald Isle, having been born in the city that has always been his home. is nevertheless the son of par- ents who were born and who spent their childhood in that beautiful country.
Edward Joseph McDonald, Sr., the father, was born in the little village of Ballyrone, County Queens, Ireland, and came to the United States as a mere youth prior to the Civil War. He was a lad of unusual cleverness and enter- prise and, in spite of his youth and the fact that he was alone in a strange land, he soon found employment and rapidly made his way up the ladder of advance- ment. He settled in Waterbury, Con- necticut, and worked for many years in the mills there, finally attaining the posi- tion of foreman in the great plant of the Rogers & Hamilton Company, which position he held until his death, in 1905, during which time he made an enviable name for himself as an honest and re- liable man, a name to which his son has succeeded. Ile married, at Waterbury, Margaret Johnson. who also came to the United States from Ireland at an early age, and whose death occurred in Water- bury. Connecticut, in March, 1915. Born to them were seven children of
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whom five are still living, as follows : Mary, who is a resident of Waterbury and is employed as a stenographer in that city; William, a machinist of Waterbury ; Sarah, a teacher in the pub- lic schools of Waterbury ; Margaret, who is serving in a similar capacity ; Edward Joseph, of whom further. The deceased children were Joseph and James, whose deaths occurred at the ages of twenty- four and twenty-six years respectively.
Edward Joseph McDonald was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, September 12, 1886, that city having been his home ever since. He obtained his education in the public schools and was graduated in 1905 from the well known Crosby High School. He was a lad of unusual talent and proved himself a student of more than average intelligence and industry. Altogether it seemed inexpedient that he should learn a trade or enter the mills as his father had done, and he eventually secured a position with the "Waterbury Democrat" as reporter, that paper main- taining the highest standards, and the training that the young man received upon its staff was one which is sure to benefit him highly, and Mr. McDonald is a man to profit to the fullest extent by such an opportunity. He remained in that capacity for seven years, during which period he became very well known in the city, especially in political circles, and wherever he was known he was popular. In 1912 he was chosen to fill the position of clerk of the Board of Public Charities, in which he has served most efficiently to the present time (1916). It became obvious to Mr. McDonald a few years ago that if he should master the profession of law and enter upon its practice it would serve his purpose in a number of ways. He regarded the study of law as a most
admirable mental training, and he also felt that it would prove serviceable in the discharge of his public duties and would make him a more valuable serv- ant of the people. Accordingly he began a course of study along that line, in addition to his other duties, and in 1915 passed the bar examination and was admitted to practice at the Connecticut bar. He has recently opened a law office in the old Odd Fellow's building. Mr. McDonald does not confine his atten- tion to his professional and official duties, but is a prominent figure in the general life of the community. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks and takes an active part in its affairs. In religious belief he is a Catholic, as his ancestors have been for many generations, and attends St. Margaret's Church in Waterbury, being a liberal supporter of the philanthropic work of the parish.
Mr. McDonald married, in Waterbury, November 6, 1912, Winifred J. Weiss, a native of Waterbury, a daughter of Charles Weiss, both deceased, who were lifelong residents of that city. Charles Weiss was one of the prominent den- tists of Waterbury, practicing his pro- fession there for many years, and was well known and highly esteemed. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald are the parents of two children : Edward Joseph, 3rd., born January 3, 1914, and Robert J., born July 15, 1915.
Mr. McDonald has just attained the age of thirty years and he is already one of the prominent figures in the affairs of the city, so that it needs no very great share of the prophet's special vision to predict for him a brilliant future and a place of great influence and honor in the community.
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PEASE, Simeon,
Public Official.
A prominent figure in public life to- day in the town of Fairfield, Connecticut, is Simeon Pease, who, from the time he came to make his home there, has been greatly identified with the life of the town and of Fairfield county generally.
Born July 26, 1862, at Trumansburg, New York, Mr. Pease was a son of Ben- jamin Franklin Pease, and a grandson of Simeon Pease. The latter was a native of Connecticut, born in the town of Enfield, but came to Trumansburg, Tompkins county, New York, while still a young man, about 1812, and built there the first frame house in that sec- tion. He married Cynthia Markum and they were the parents of nine children, four of whom are living at the present time (1916) among whom is Benjamin Franklin Pease, father of Simeon Pease. He was born at Trumansburg, New York, April 10, 1839. Later in life he removed to Connecticut, and now re- sides in the village of Greenfield Hill, which has been his residence for the past twenty-six years. He is a farmer by occupation and derives from his oper- ations a considerable degree of success. He was married at Trumansburg, New York, to Augusta A. Pratt, a native of Trumansburg, New York, daughter of Ephraim S. and Hulda (Williams) Pratt, Mr. Pratt having been a native of Massachusetts and having moved to Trumansburg at an early date. Mr. and Mrs. Pease were the parents of nine chil- dren, two of whom died in infancy, and those that survive are as follows : Simeon, of whom further : Augustine H., now a resident of Greenfield Hill, Con- necticut; Cora, now the wife of F. E. Perry, also of Greenfield Hill, Connec- ticut ; Benjamin Franklin, Jr., a resident
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