USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 4 > Part 31
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
DOYLE, James L.,
Journalist.
The standing of a newspaper depends upon the standards of its editor-what he is, so is it. Hence, coming directly to the subject of this sketch, the present credit- able standing of the "New Britain Daily Record" is the truest index of the quality of its editor, James L. Doyle, who has directed the policies of the paper for a generation. Elaboration here would be superfluous ; the record of "The Record" is known.
James . L. Doyle was born in Norwich, Connecticut, June 24, 1855 ; was educated in the public schools of the town; and immediately after graduating therefrom began his journalistic career by joining the "Norwich Advertiser," staff, "cub- bing" to the advantage of himself and to the satisfaction of his superiors, also secur- ing a complete knowledge of the printing business. He left Norwich in 1875, going to Hartford to enter the employ of the Case Lockwood and Brainard Company, with which company he remained for twelve years, latterly as designer and salesman and assistant manager. Then for two years he was manager of a print- ing and photo-engraving establishment in New York City. In 1888 Mr. Doyle ac- quired part control of the "New Britain Record," in conjunction with Mr. Bacon purchasing also the job printing plant of the former owners. Mr. Bacon retired in 1890, and Mr. Doyle continued the busi- ness alone. With the change of owner- ship. "The Record," which for thirty-
216
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
was then elected corporation counsel for Waterbury, his term commencing Janu- ary 1, 1912, and expiring December 31, 1917. He is therefore actively engaged in the duties of this important post at the present time and is doing his city an invaluable service in the capable manner in which he handles the public legal busi- ness. He was the candidate of the Demo- cratic party for Lieutenant-Governor of Connecticut in the campaign of 1916.
It is, of course, his official duties that occupy the time and attention of Mr. Guil- foile to the greatest extent, but he is not one to confine his interests entirely within the sphere of his professional work. To do this invariably narrows a man, and Mr. Guilfoile is far too normal and healthy-minded to permit himself what is all too prevalent a habit among Americans to-day. He is a conspicuous figure in the general life of the region, and is well known in connection with many move- ments in various departments of activity. He is a staunch member of the Catholic church, and is active in its cause in the city. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, of the Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians, as well as of several clubs, among which should be numbered the Country Club of Waterbury, the Elks Club, and the Eagles Club. He received the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from Mt. St. Mary's College on the occa- sion of its one hundredth anniversary in 1909, and is now one of five men com- prising the advisory board of said col- lege.
On the 30th day of June, 1908, Mr. Guil- foile was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Mary McDonald, a native of Waterbury, and a daughter of Dr. Ed- ward W. and Sarah (Callghan) McDon- ald, of that place. Dr. McDonald was a very well known physician and surgeon
in Waterbury, where he pranced for many years, and was prominen o medi- cal circles and in the general the city. One child has been born - Mr and Mrs. Guilfoile, a daughter, garet Frances, born December 19, IC
DOYLE, James L.,
Journalist.
The standing of a newspap depends upon the standards of its edit - Fat he is, so is it. Hence, coming dire ly to the subject of this sketch, the pre ot credit- able standing of the "New Brain Daily Record" is the truest index cf e quality of its editor, James L. Doyl who has directed the policies of the miler for a generation. Elaboration her would be superfluous ; the record of "T_ Record" is known.
James . L. Doyle was born Norwich, Connecticut, June 24, 1855 w educated in the public schools of the wn; and immediately after graduating therefrom began his journalistic career y joining the "Norwich Advertiser." ff, “cub- bing" to the advantage of hi elf and to the satisfaction of his superio. also secur- ing a complete knowledge of e printing business. He left Norwich in 875. going to Hartford to enter the er oy of the Case Lockwood and Brainan Company, with which company he rained for twelve years, latterly as dugner and salesman and assistant marser. Then for two years he was manag of a print- ing and photo-engraving esta ishment in New York City. In 1888 M. Doyle ac- quired part control of the new Britain Record," in conjunction wit Mr. Bacon purchasing also the job prir ng plant of the former owners. Mr. Baon retired in 1890, and Mr. Doyle continued the busi- ness alone. With the chan- of owner- ship, "The Record," whic for thirty-
216
Jo Doyle.
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
seven years prior to that had been pub- lished weekly, was destined to become a daily paper, and the change was made in 1892. The conversion was successful, and the quality of the daily journal appre- ciated so much so that "The Record" is now housed in its own building, and with an extensive modern printing plant. The job printing department of "The Record" plant is well-equipped, and maintains a high standard of work, so that the volume of business coming to it is considerable, and well sustained. In January, 1917, the business was incorporated, under the name of the New Britain Record Com- pany, with Mr. Doyle as president and treasurer.
HOPKINS, Samuel E., Manufacturer.
A man with wide business interests, a skilled metallurgist and trained engineer, Mr. Hopkins has brought to the execu- tive positions he fills a practical knowl- edge of metals and their manufacture which enables him to consider all mill problems from the standpoint of the engi- neer, the manufacturer and the inventor. Hence as he is not at the mercy of the often visionary inventor or promoter, but guided by personal scientific and engi- neering knowledge coupled with a manu- facturing experience covering a long period of years, he is an ideal executive, and the corporations he controls have in him a most valuable asset.
Mr. Hopkins is of the ninth generation of his family in Connecticut, the founder, John Hopkins, although for a time located in Massachusetts, having been one of the original proprietors of Hartford in 1636. John Hopkins, who is believed to have been a relative of Stephen Hopkins, of the "Mayflower," came from England to Massachusetts Bay Colony and was a pro-
prietor of Cambridge as early as 1634, was admitted a freeman March 4, 1635, came to Hartford in 1636, and there died in 1654. He was succeeded by his son Stephen, who was born in Cambridge in 1634, and resided in Hartford from 1636 until his death in October, 1689. He mar- ried Dorcas Bronson, of Farmington, and left sons, Stephen (2) and John (2). The line of descent to Samuel E. Hopkins, of Waterbury, is through John (2) Hopkins, who settled in Waterbury, built a mill on what is now Baldwin street, and was known as "The Miller of Waterbury." With John Hopkins, "The Miller," be- gan the residence of this branch in Water- bury and Naugatuck, formerly Water- bury. John, "The Miller," was succeeded by his son, Stephen (2) Hopkins, he by a son, John (3) Hopkins, he by a son, David Hopkins, he by a son, John (4) Hopkins, all born, lived and died in Waterbury, although John (4) lived in that part of the town which became Nau- gatuck.
John (4) Hopkins, of the seventh gen- eration, married Abiah Woodruff, of Nau- gatuck, and among their sons was Wil- lard, father of Samuel E. Hopkins. Wil- lard Hopkins was born in Naugatuck, No- vember 11, 1830, died November 27, 1891. He married Betsey Adams, born Decem- ber 4, 1830, died April 22, 1900, daughter of Davis and Constant (Lockwood) Adams, and granddaughter of Eli and Anna (Baldwin) Adams, of Woodbridge, Connecticut. Eli Adams was a son of Abraham Adams, son of Abraham Adams, son of Edward Adams, of Fairfield, Con- necticut, who was of New Haven as early as 1640. Anna (Baldwin) Adams was a daughter of Matthew Baldwin, grand- daughter of Samuel Baldwin, and great- granddaughter of Nathaniel Baldwin. Willard and Betsey (Adams) Hopkins were the parents of Samuel E. Hopkins,
217
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
of further mention; and of four others who died young.
Samuel E. Hopkins was born in Nau- gatuck, Connecticut, formerly Waterbury, December 31, 1863. After courses in Waterbury private school he entered a military school at Ossining, New York, finishing courses there with the gradu- ating class of 1879. He then pursued technical study taking special courses in metallurgy, continuing until his entrance into business life as a manufacturer of malleable iron. He spent twenty years in that line of manufacture in Naugatuck and Toledo, Ohio, later locating in Nau- gatuck and for years has been the effi- cient executive head of the Manufacturers Foundry Company of Waterbury. He is also president of the Southern Phosphate Development Company of Florida ; direc- tor of the Naugatuck National Bank ; was one of the incorporators of the Naugatuck Savings Bank, and a director ; director of the Naugatuck Water Company, and of the Malleable Iron Company of Bridge- port, Connecticut. He is a man of high standing in the business community, and one of the substantial citizens of the State to which his American ancestor came nearly three centuries ago. He is affili- ated with the Republican party in politi- cal faith, and in religious connection with the Congregational church.
Mr. Hopkins married. January 15, 1885, Abbie Bartholomew Cook, born Decem- ber 9, 1863, daughter of Samuel Merriman and Sarah Ellen (Bartholomew) Cook, of Wallingford, Connecticut.
SCULLY, Martin,
Enterprising Citizen, Public Official.
Martin Scully, son of Jeremiah and Bridget (Lawless) Scully, was born at Ballyeagle, County Queens, Ireland, in 1856. He began his education in the
schools of his native town, and completed it in the evening schools of Waterbury, Connecticut, to which place he came in his seventeenth year. He first took em- ployment in a factory in the city, but soon became engaged in newspaper work, first as a manager of the "Valley Catholic," and later in the capacity of reporter for the "Waterbury Democrat." He re- mained with the last-named journal more than twenty years, retiring to accept the office of mayor, a position to which he was elected in the fall of 1913. His ad- ministration proved so acceptable to the people, that he was elected for a second term, carrying every voting district in the city-a feat without a parallel in the his- tory of the city. Prior to his election to the office of mayor, he had always taken an active part in public affairs. For eight years he had served on the Board of Pub- lic Works, for four years in the alder- manic chamber, and for two years as city auditor. He was also elected agent of the Bronson Library Fund for two terms of twelve years each, and is now presi- dent of that board. In politics he is a Democrat.
Mr. Scully has always taken a deep in- terest in Irish affairs. He was a member of the local branch of the Irish National League, and held in turn each office with- in that organization, including that of president. The First Division, Ancient Order of Hibernians, was organized in Waterbury early in the seventies. Mr. Scully became one of its members, and has been identified with it ever since. He is also a member of the Knights of Colum- bus, the Patrick Sarsfield Club. and was for a quarter of a century one of the most prominent members of the Catho- lic Literary Association. In 1888 he was chosen by the Irish Societies of Water- bury and New York to convey to Ireland the remains of Stephen J. Meany for in-
218
Martin Sauly
MR Taschenberger
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
terment in his native County Clare, a mission which Mr. Scully performed to the satisfaction of his countrymen both here and in the Old World. On his re- turn he was banquetted by many promi- nent citizens, including "Catalpa" James Reynolds, who pronounced the work per- formed by Mr. Scully in connection with the Meany funeral, the most clean-handed affair of the kind that ever came to his notice.
In Waterbury, Mr. Scully filled the po- sition of Sunday school superintendent of St. Patrick's Parish for eleven years. In 1893 he was sent to the World's Fair Catholic Columbian Congress at Chicago, by Rt. Rev. Lawrence S. McMahon, as one of the lay delegates from the Hart- ford Diocese. Mr. Scully is a virile writer, a logical and convincing speaker, and en- joys a large share of public confidence.
Mr. Scully married, in 1895, Miss Mar- garet C. O'Reilly, a native of Waterbury. They have eight children-six sons, and two daughters.
ELTON, John Prince, Manufacturer.
Second to bear this honored name in Waterbury and third in direct line to prominently engage in the manufactur- ing activities of the city, John Prince (2) Elton not only as a business man but as a citizen has won a high place in public regard. He is of the eighth generation of the family founded in Connecticut by John Elton prior to 1672 ; is a grandson of John Prince Elton, of revered memory, and son of James Samuel Elton, both of whom have extended mention in this work.
John Prince Elton was born in Water- bury, Connecticut, June 30, 1865, and pre- pared for college in the city schools. He then entered Trinity College, whence he
was graduated in the class of 1888 with the Bachelor's degree. He at once began active business life as a manufacturer, and has from that time been associated with the corporations in whose management the Eltons have so prominently figured. He is treasurer of the American Brass Company; treasurer of the Waterbury Brass Company ; director of the Water- bury National Bank and member of the executive committee; director of the American Pin Company; the Blake & Johnson Company and has many other interests of scarcely less importance.
Mr. Elton has taken an active interest in civic affairs, and in 1903 was elected mayor of his native city. He is a mem- ber of the Episcopal church, is a director of St. Margaret's Diocesan School, and a member of several philanthropic, edu- cational and social organizations. He married Deborah Steele.
TASCHENBERGER, Max Rudolph, Journalist.
There is probably no one object so typical of this age in which we live as the newspaper, and very few institutions so influential in plotting out the course to be run by civilization in this epoch as the press. The speed of the age, the in- genuity of device, the concentration of effort, and, above all, the intercommuni- cation of all peoples and every clime, all so characteristic of it, are each and every one of them to be found in the daily paper ; and if the message of such an in- stitution as the theatre, for instance, is more vivid and powerful when it is de- livered, yet it is far less frequent, and reaches a comparatively small portion of the public. So it is no exaggeration to say that the men who are influential in shaping the policy of the press are among the most powerful in the community, even
219
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
when their personalities are quite un- known to the public, and that it is to them quite as much as to our public men or our captains of industry that we should look for our real leaders.
Max Rudolph Taschenberger is one of tlie splendid examples of enterprise and industry of which his native country, Ger- many, has sent so many to these shores. He was born July 16, 1878, in the town of Chemnitz, in that country, and passed the early years of his life there. He at- tended the local volks-schule until he liad reached the age of fourteen years when, his father being anxious that he should pursue his studies further, he went to Mittweida where, in addition to attend- ing the academy there, he learned the printer's trade. His father, Louis Gustav Taschenberger, was a man of mark and desired that his son should also make much of himself. The elder man had been born near Chemnitz, in 1844, and was a soldier in the Prussian War of 1871. At the close of hostilities he was retired from active service, and married, in 1873, Miss Emma Beyer, born in Erdmannsdorf, and ten years his junior. Mr. Taschenberger, Sr., is still living in Chemnitz, his wife having died on August 9, 1913. Max Ru- dolph Taschenberger was one of eight children, all of whom are now living, with the exception of one brother, Albert, who was killed October 17, 1915. while fight- ing against the Russians on the banks of the Niemen. He was engaged in scout duty and was one of the many who lost their lives in that sanguinary struggle.
Upon completing his education at Mitt- weida, which included learning the Eng- lish language, Max Rudolph Taschen- berger took a position with one of the local papers, and for some years worked for various journals in that region. He became thoroughly familiar with the de- tails of his work, and in 1897 came to America with the intention of embarking
upon a journalistic enterprise of his own. He settled in the city of Waterbury, Con- necticut, and for a time found it necessary to work at his trade of printer, all the time putting by a good proportion of his wages with the customary thrift and economy of his race. His purpose in so doing was, of course, that he intended as soon as possible to start his own paper, and this ambition he realized in the year 1899, when he purchased German type and established the "Waterbury Beobachter." This is the only newspaper printed in the German language in Western Connecti- cut, and from the start it has occupied a very important place in the community. It is largely patronized by citizens of German extraction throughout the region. and is maintained on a very high level both in its news and editorial depart- ments. Mr. Taschenberger, besides the printing of his paper, does job printing of every description, and is the only maker of rubber stamps in Waterbury. His enter- prises have been uniformly successful, and he is now a conspicuous figure in the life of the city.
He owns an extensive library. His house, indeed, is very largely given over to literary and scientific pursuits, and the department of his library devoted to the latter subjects is a very large one. Mr. Taschenberger is a man of broadly inde- pendent mind, and "The Beobachter" re- flects this quality in its columns. It is independent in politics, supporting that cause and candidate which seems the best at the time, without reference to party affiliations. Mr. Taschenberger is a mem- ber of many social societies and other organizations. As a traveler on land or at sea, he has seen many countries. Be it in the West Indies or in the northern countries of Africa, in Spain, Italy, Switz- erland, France, or the Netherlands, every- where he travels he feels at home.
220
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
MCCARTHY, William Bernard, Head of Important Industry.
There is always a twofold reason for properly recording the lives of those strong and worthy men whose careers have by their progressive methods and strict adherence to the principles of honor and justice at once contributed to the moulding of events in their own times, and set a model for the youth of future generations. These two reasons are, in the first place, that thus only may we dis- charge a debt of gratitude to the memory of those whom we may not reach more directly ; and, in the second place, that we may perpetuate these worthy records for the benefit of others who could not have the advantage of coming under the in- fluence of their wholesome personalities save through the medium of the written word. The profit which we may derive from such accounts is not by any means proportionate to the brilliancy or the startling character of the achievement ; the stories of great genius, indeed, rather serve to oppress our ambitions by induc- ing a feeling of helpless inferiority. But of those who, possessing our type of faculties, have, by a wise and courage- ous use of them, won a noteworthy suc- cess, we cannot fail to learn, knowing that here at least the lessons are apposite to our own circumstances, and that what has been done by them we also may do. Such a lesson we may all most appropriately learn from the story of the career of Wil- liam Bernard McCarthy, who, although still a young man, has by sheer force of character and energy placed himself high in the community of which he is a mem- ber, and for whom a still more brilliant future promises.
Mr. McCarthy has already had a very varied experience in life and, considering this and the fact that he is still a young
man, he may well be considered to have accomplished a very noteworthy achieve- ment, and to have accomplished it purely through his indefatigable determination and effort. He is an American by birth, and on his father's side is descended from an old New England family. His mother, however, was an Englishwoman, having been born in the town of Preston, Lan- cashire, in that country. His paternal grandfather was one of the pioneers of the modern city of Waterbury, and was well known among its progressive men in his generation. He was something of a traveler, and it was while on one of his voyages across the ocean that his son, Mr. McCarthy's father, was born. Wil- liam Bernard McCarthy was himself born in Waterbury, December 1, 1876, and passed the greater part of his childhood and early youth there, and there obtained the preliminary portion of his education. For this he attended at first St. Mary's Parochial School, and from there went to the Waterbury High School and there prepared himself for a college course. Graduating from this institution, he went to Ellicott City, Maryland, and matricu- lated at the famous old College of St. Charles, one of the finest Catholic institu- tions in the country. Always of a strongly religious bent, Mr. McCarthy was greatly influenced by the traditions and associ- ations of piety and Catholic scholarship so strongly present at the venerable insti- tution, and had his desire for a religious life confirmed. It was therefore with the determination of entering the priesthood that he devoted four years of study at St. Charles, and from here went to Holy Cross College at Worcester, Massachu- setts, where he spent three years more. From this institution he would have graduated in 1900 and been ordained at the same time, had not ill health of so serious a nature that it remained an in-
221
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
superable barrier to his taking up the work for which he had so strong a voca- tion, intervened. This was a great dis- appointment to Mr. McCarthy, who had felt very strongly the call to this work, but, with a degree of philosophy truly commendable, he bowed to the inevitable and withdrew from his studies a year prior to their proper conclusion, with the intention of fitting himself for the legal profession. In 1910, ten years later, he was honored by his college conferring upon him the degree of Master of Science. From Holy Cross he went to Yale Uni- versity, the law school of which he en- tered in 1899, and there remained the customary two years studying that great subject.
During the same period, however, he sought and found employment in an in- dustrial concern, the Elm City Brass Company, and quickly reached the posi- tion of manager. Here it was that the great talent for business which has since displayed itself so strikingly, first mani- fested itself, as may readily be seen in his rapid promotion to so responsible a posi- tion as that of manager, and by the time he was ready for the final preparations for legal practice had about made up his mind to abandon the idea of it altogether and engage in some business pursuit as being the department of activity which he was best fitted to enter. He has never had reason since to regret his decision. In the year 1902, Mr. McCarthy organized and founded the Rostand Manufacturing Company, the name of which was sug- gested to him by the fact that at the time he was reading the works of the distin- guished French authors, notably Cyrano de Bergerac, for which he had a strong admiration. The company was incor- porated, and Mr. McCarthy became the president, Mrs. McCarthy the treasurer, and Miss B. G. Connor the secretary, the
stock being owned between them. At the outset the company was small enough, but it was not long before the great abil- ity of Mr. McCarthy as a manager began to make its effects felt, and the business was soon developing in a truly remark- able manner. This business was the manufacture of commercial metals and metal goods, and for a time the factory was situated in New Haven. They had difficulty in finding a proper site for their operations, however, and in the year 1905 they were compelled to remove altogether from the city on this account, and estab- lished themselves in Milford, Connecti- cut, in which place the concern is still located. How much their operations had increased in the three years following the organization of the company may be seen from the fact that at the time of the re- moval to Milford there were ten men employed in the work, but the greatest period of growth by far was ahead, and from 1905 until the present the company has grown with great rapidity, until it is now one of the important industrial con- cerns in Milford, employing in the neigh- borhood of one hundred and fifteen hands, besides an office force of twelve. The building which the company occupies in Milford is one which was built about forty-five years ago by a group of Milford men who were organized under the name of the Milford Power Company, which existed largely for the purpose of attract- ing industrial enterprise to the town. The building was put up with this end in view. and was originally occupied by the Henry G. Thompson Company, manu- facturers of hames for draught horses, but had since that time become the pos- session of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company. It had re- mained unoccupied for a great number of years when the Rostand Company moved in, and the members of that concern felt
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.