USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v. 7 > Part 35
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 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58
militia, rising through the various grades, being commissioned first lieutenant in 1882, captain in 1885, and resigned in 1898, being at that time the senior cap- tain of his regiment. Judge Pearne was a member of the Connecticut State Bar Association, and was very active in the Masonic fraternity, in which he attained the thirty-second degree. He was a di- rector and secretary of the Masonic Build- ing Association, was affiliated with St. John's Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Middletown, of which he became a past master, and on the occasion of the cele- bration of the One Hundred Fiftieth An- niversary of the foundation of the lodge, was selected to give the historical address. He was high priest of Washington Chap- ter, No. 6, Royal Arch Masons, of Mid- dletown, and in 1900 was grand high priest of the State Chapter. He served as thrice illustrious master of Columbia Council, No. 6, Royal and Select Masters ; was commander of Cyrene Commandery, No. 8, Knights Templar ; and in 1910 be- came grand commander of the State. He was a member of the college fraternity, Delta Kappa Epsilon ; was a member of the Society of Sons of the American Rev- olution, and was trustee and secretary of the Kent Literary Club. The multitude of positions of trust and honor which he filled came to him unsolicited as a tribute to his zeal and ability. He was singularly useful as a citizen, winning distinction in many different fields of activity.
Judge Pearne married, April 25, 1883, Harriette Cornelia Arnold, who was born April 30, 1853, daughter of Charles G. and Betsy (Smith) Arnold, of Middletown, a descendant of many old Connecticut fami- lies. She is a member of Wadsworth Chapter, Daughters of the American Rev- olution, of Middletown. The only child of this marriage, Dorothea Arnold Pearne, was born May 16, 1887, and died Novem- ber 14, 1898.
248
C.J. Parker
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
PERRY, Clarence Curtiss,
Civil and Mechanical Engineer.
Clarence Curtiss Perry was born Janu- ary 27, 1882, in New Britain, Connecticut, son of Roswell and Hannah A. (Curtiss) Perry. He attended the public schools of New Britain and the New Britain High School. Subsequently he attended the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale Col- lege, graduating in 1904 with the degree of Ph. B. He inherited a strong taste for mechanics and possessed great natural ability in this direction. For eight years after his graduation he was engaged in teaching physics and steam engineering at his alma mater. In June, 1912, he ac- cepted the position as editor of "The Lo- comotive," published by the Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection & Insurance Company of Hartford, where he remained several years. On December 1, 1919, he resigned from Hartford Steam Boiler In- spection & Insurance Company to take charge of engineering matters in connec- tion with Engine Breakage Insurance for the AEtna Casualty & Surety Company. He is an associate member of the Ameri- can Institute of Electrical Engineers; a member of the American Society of Me- chanical Engineers; of the University Club of Hartford, and the college fra- ternity, Sigma Psi.
Mr. Perry married Margaret Hubert, daughter of Robert and Alida (Norgren) Hubert, of New Britain, born in Chris- tiania, Norway. They were the parents of two children, Bernhard Hubert, born April 12, 1907, and Margaret Curtiss, Au- gust 22, 1910. Mr. Perry and his family attend the Center Congregational Church of New Britain.
PARKER, Charles Julius,
Manufacturer, Legislator.
the class of names known as occupational. It is derived from "Parcarius," a park- keeper or shepherd. The following quota- tion aptly illustrates the importance and significance of the name and also of the character of those early ancestors who first bore it :
A Keeper of the King's Hunting Grounds must necessarily be active and enterprising. He must be a good hunter, and as well informed as the civilization allowed-a typical man of the early ages.
The name Parker appears in the Domes- day Book (1086), and earlier than this period there was a Geoffrey Parker, noted during the reign of King Edward (901- 925). There were five immigrants early in the history of New England who bore the name of Parker, and their progeny are very numerous throughout the country, many of them prominent men of affairs and leaders in their communities.
William Parker, one of these immi- grants, was an early settler of Hartford and of Saybrook. He was the father of John Parker, who removed to New Haven, and there settled, and grandfather of John Parker, Jr., born October 8, 1648, died in 1711. The latter was one of the early settlers of Wallingford, settling what was known as "Parker's Farm," and which took its name from his sur- name. On November 8, 1670, he married Hannah Bassett, daughter of William Bassett. They were the parents of Eli- phalet Parker, who died in 1757 ; he mar- ried Hannah Beach, and they were the parents of Aaron Parker, born February 17, 1716, and married, March 11, 1756, Sarah Martin. Their son, Daniel Parker, married Miriam Curtis, and they were the parents of Daniel Parker, who was the father of Julius Parker, born in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1805.
When Julius Parker was a young man The surname of Parker is one of the of twenty-nine years, he came to New most ancient of surnames, belonging to Britain and engaged in the manufacture
249
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
of old-fashioned neck stocks. After a dozen or more years in this business, he added the manufacture of shirts. From the outset, Mr. Parker was successful in his undertaking, and consistent with the years was his development and growth in the manufacturing line. At first his business was conducted under the name of Julius Parker, which in 1872, on the admission of his son as a partner, became the Julius Parker & Son Company. Later the business was incorporated as the Parker Shirt Company, and at this time Mr. Parker became president of the cor- poration. Upright and straightforward in all his business dealings, Mr. Parker gained a position of well deserved respect. He was one of the leading citizens and business men of New Britain for many years, and during the years he was a resi- dent there, from 1834 to 1898, he took an active interest in civic affairs. Mr. Parker married Lucinda Warner, of Wilbraham, Massachusetts, and with his wife was long an attendant of the First Congrega- tional Church of New Britain. Mr. and Mrs. Parker were the parents of a son and a daughter: Charles Julius, of fur- ther mention ; and Ellen W., who died in 1874.
Charles Julius Parker was born in New Britain, Connecticut, October 18, 1849, and received his education in the public schools of his native city, and after com- pleting a few years of high school work, he left the school to assist his father in business. An only son, Mr. Parker was accustomed from his early boyhood to as- sist and aid his father in many ways, and in 1872, when the responsibilities of the business founded by the latter fell largely upon his shoulders, the son was ready to assume it and carry it on, upholding the same high standard attained. Naturally possessed of business acumen, through his tact and judgment Mr. Parker has
attained an enviable position in the busi- ness world. The Parker Shirt Company, which was incorporated May 21, 1896, of which he is both president and treasurer, has been his main source of interest, al- though Mr. Parker has found time to take more than a passive interest in the welfare of his city and State, and has held office several times. He has been a mem- ber of the Common Council three times, and in 1898 was a representative in the State Legislature. A most efficient legis- lator, he rendered good service as chair- man of the Committee on Railroads. Other institutions with which he is con- nected are: The Young Men's Christian Association, of which he has been a direc- tor almost from its organization, and has served as president of the association for three terms ; a director of the New Britain Savings Bank; the New Britain Charity Organization ; the New Britain Machine Company, and the New Britain General Hospital; a trustee of the New Britain Trust Company; also a member of the New Britain Club, and twice elected its president ; and a member of Centennial Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons.
Mr. and Mrs. Parker belong to the First Congregational Church of New Britain, where Mr. Parker is active in committee work, and has served the church as chairman of the Societies' Com- mittee for over twenty years.
Mr. Parker married, in 1875, Sarah Cor- nelia Eno, born in Simsbury, Connecticut, November 20, 1851, daughter of Salmon Chester and Sarah Cornelia (Goodwin) Eno, and a direct descendant of James Eno, the immigrant.
FEDERKIEWICZ, Stanislaw Peter, Clergyman.
There is something courageous and sublime in the character of one who, born
250
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
in a foreign country, comes to this land of America, and there not only learns the new language and the different customs, but devotes his life to the spiritual wel- fare of his brethren. Rev. Stanislaw P. Federkiewicz, pastor of St. Adelbert's Roman Catholic Church, of Thompson- ville, Connecticut, proves himself to be possessed of more than the ordinary amount of those sterling traits.
In far off Poland, in the city of Ryma- now, Father Federkiewicz was born April 29, 1897. His forefathers were men who tilled the soil for their livelihood, men of worth and stamina. His father, Joseph Federkiewicz, was a native of Rymanow; he married Mary Moczarska, and they were the parents of eleven children, seven of whom survive, and three came to America. One of these, John, was in the World War, and has returned to his na- tive home, where he is planning to follow agricultural pursuits, and in his way assist in the reconstruction of his father- land.
The early education of Father Feder- kiewicz was obtained in the public schools of Poland, followed by normal and col- lege courses in Praga. In 1906 he came to America and attended St. John's Semi- nary, in Brighton, Massachusetts. His education for the vocation of priesthood was completed at the Catholic College in Baltimore, and there, in 1912, he was or- dained a priest by Cardinal Gibbons. His curacies were served in the parishes of Colchester, New London and New
Britain, and in 1915 Father Federkiewicz was appointed pastor of St. Adelbert's Roman Catholic Church, in Thompson- ville, by Bishop Nilan, of the Hartford Diocese. At the time of his coming, there were about twenty-five hundred com- municants, the greater part being natives of Poland. The call of the Fatherland and the work in cities where munitions
were made for the war attracted almost half of this population, so that to-day there are only about fifteen hundred souls in the congregation. Now that we have peace, it is to be hoped many of these former residents will return and the fold will again be complete. With tireless energy and implicit faith, Father Feder- kiewicz labors for the good of his people ; he is highly respected by the citizens of Thompsonville, who have nothing but good wishes for his success and welfare.
LASBURY, William Morgan,
Manufacturer.
During the recent World War there were many American business men, who though practically retired from active business duties, came again to the front at their country's time of need, and who were important factors in many phases of the work necessary to carry on that great struggle to a successful close. One of these men was William Morgan Lasbury, of Broad Brook, and Enfield, Connecticut. He possessed capabilities of great value which he used untiringly, thereby receiv- ing well deserved merit.
The name of Lasbury is derived from Lasborough, a parish in County Glouces- ter, England, a section long famed for the honesty and integrity of its citizens.
George Lasbury, father of our subject, was a son of Benjamin and Sarah Las- bury. The latter lived and died in Eng- land, and after his death, his widow, Sarah, came to America, where she re- sided with her son, George, until her death, which occurred in the early seven- ties. George Lasbury, above mentioned, was born in England, October 25, 1819, and died in 1906, at Broad Brook, Connec- ticut. At an early age he left home and school to help his parents, as he was the oldest of a large family of children. He
251
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
was employed in the woolen mills of Bradford, England, his native town, and by his industry worked up until he be- came overseer of fulling. He learned the trade of finishing. He married (first) in 1840, in England, Fannie Sylcox, and came to this country alone the following year. Speaking the same language, feel- ing the brotherhood in our common an- cestry, he became an American in the best sense of the word. His wife and son arrived in America a year and a half later, and they located at Webster, Massachu- setts. Mr. Lasbury worked first in the mills of Lowell, Massachusetts, then later removed from there to Broad Brook, Con- necticut, where he resided for about fifty years. By industry and economy he saved enough from his modest income to buy a farm in the southern part of Broad Brook. Enjoying the respect and confi- dence of the people of all the vicinity, he spent his last years on this place, and his memory is still honored by all who knew him. By his first wife, who died in 1852, there were the following children: Ed- ward G., married -; Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Morgan, of New York; Emma, married Oscar Willey, of Broad Brook; Addie T., wife of Gilbert Nabel. Mr. Lasbury married (second) in 1854, Sarah Morgan, and their children were: Mat- tie M., resides in Redding, Massachu- setts; William Morgan, the subject of our sketch; and George B., of Omaha, Nebraska. Mrs. Sarah (Morgan) Las- bury died in September, 1865. George Lasbury married (third) Mrs. Esther Al- len, and their children are: Charles, who lives in Cleveland, Ohio; Ralph C., of further mention; James N .; and Harry L. The family have long been members of the Congregational church of Broad Brook.
William Morgan Lasbury was born November 15, 1857, in Broad Brook, and
attended the schools of that town, and the Eastman Business College of Poughkeep- sie, New York. Subsequently he entered a country store as a clerk and after gain- ing sufficient experience, he purchased a store in Hartford, which he conducted for two years. He was then in the employ of the Belding Brothers Company, silk manu- facturers, for three years as a bookkeeper. Returning to his native town, he secured a position with the Broad Brook Woolen Company and this marked the beginning of a career in the manufacturing business that has been one of marked success. He rose through various grades as his abili- ties increased and became paymaster, then assistant superintendent, and eventu- ally superintendent. From Broad Brook, Mr. Lasbury went to the American Woolen Company of Boston, and there he was in charge of the Fitchburg Worsted and the Beoli Mills of that com- pany, both located in Fitchburg, Massa- chusetts. He was later transferred to the Assacet Mills at Maynard, Massachusetts. At the latter place there were twenty- eight hundred employees, being the larg- est mill in the world. In 1914 Mr. Las- bury retired from the cares of business, and purchased a farm on Enfield street, in the town of Enfield, having decided to take a complete rest. His health had suf- fered severely through the arduous cares of his work and for a year he led a quiet, peaceful life on his farm. In 1915 he was urged to return to the American Woolen Company, and assumed charge of the Worsted Division of the eighteen mills, of thirty-five thousand employees. Then came the outbreak of the war and the great work of preparation began. One of the most important items was the cloth- ing of the soldiers, and second to that was the having in charge of the selecting of this material, a man of high integrity, broad experience, and withal a natural
252
P.C. Lasbury.
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
love of country and honor. Such a man is Mr. Lasbury, who during the war held this responsibility, being a member of the Fabric War Committee, and performed the duties involved in a manner that has brought him material success and a posi- tion of honor.
Mr. Lasbury is now retired, living on his beautiful farm. He married, Septem- ber 27, 1880, Nellie P. Davenport, daugh- ter of Henry A. and Pamelia (Landon) Davenport. Their children are: Alma Louise, born December 30, 1883, and Howard A., December 24, 1885. The lat- ter married Ann While, and resides in Brookline, Massachusetts; he is in the employ of the American Woolen Com- pany of Boston.
Mr. Lasbury is a Republican, and fra- ternally is a member of Oriental Lodge, No. 11, Ancient Free and Accepted Ma- sons. With his family he attends the Congregational church of Enfield.
LASBURY, Ralph Chesick, Tobacco Grower.
It is impossible to estimate the value of early training in thrift. The natural ten- dency of youth is toward light-hearted, thoughtless enjoyment of passing pleas- ures, without regard to the responsibili- ties which are sure to come later. The time comes when the community looks to the young man for a share of its pros- perity. There must be solid, dependable men to fill public office; the industries must prosper or the town will decay ; the community needs producers as well as workers in less responsible lines. This is the time when the young man whose habits of prudence and thrift are estab- lished, finds himself sought for positions of honor and dignity. This is the time when the youth who has considered the future is prepared to meet it ; prepared to
take up the responsibilities of a promi- nent citizen instead of being a mere figure-head, or what is even less to be de- sired, an idler. In a small town a young man of dignity, trained along these lines of thought and purpose, finds an open field for the development of his personality, and for the establishment of useful indus- tries which will reflect credit upon him- self and his name, as well as being a direct and practical benefit to his fellow-citizens.
Ralph Chesick Lasbury, of Broad Brook, Connecticut, strikingly exempli- fies this dependable type of man, trained from his youth in worthy habits, useful ambitions and upright character.
Mr. Lasbury was born in Broad Brook, February 22, 1875. He was educated in the public schools, then completed a course in Hannum's Business College in Hartford. He began his business career by growing tobacco on his own account in the intervals of freedom during his school days. He was only fourteen years of age when he began this work, but in spite of the inevitable discouragements incident to the handling of this delicate crop, persisted in his industry. When he left school he began planting larger acre- ages and year after year has increased until now he raises annually about two hundred acres of tobacco, mostly broad- leaf, and all open grown. Even in a to- bacco State and a tobacco center, of that State, this is a very large acreage. Mr. Lasbury also buys and packs tobacco ex- tensively, employing from seventy-five to one hundred assorted packers. He em- ploys about sixty field hands on an aver- age. To appreciate the varied capabili- ties demanded successfully to carry on such an industry, on so large a scale, it is necessary to be familiar to a considerable degree, but it can readily be seen that in a small village any industry employing
253
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
this number of helpers contributes largely to the prosperity of the town.
Mr. Lasbury's particular hobby is horses. He has been the proud owner of some of the greatest horses ever raced throughout the United States or Canada. One of the most dear to his memory is Earle, Jr., more familiarly known as the "War Horse." The racing time of this horse is 2:0114 being the most consistent race horse ever entered in the United States. Others he has owned are: Ella Willis, 2:1314; Ellsworth R., 2:081/4; Battle King, champion race-horse of United States, 2:0914, over ice ; Tommy Pointer, 2:1314; Ardell, 2:081/4; Colonel Taylor, 2:091/2 ; Peter Piper, 2:161/4 ; Eli- tia Jay, 2:0914; Royal Mckinney, mak- ing a record on ice ; Ethel Chimes, 2:091/4. Many of the colts in Mr. Lasbury's pos- session at different times have been from such sires as Peter the Great; St. Frisco; Mocha; Manricho; Native King; Walnut Hall. He is intimately acquainted with many well known horsemen, counting among his best friends, Edward Geer, the veteran of the track, who is known to thousands as "Pop" Geers ; Tommy Mur- phy, the wizard of the sulky ; Walter Cox, better known as Long Shot Cox; Long McDonald; William Andrews; Richard McMahon, and Ben White. One of the closest friends of Mr. Lasbury is William Fitch, of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and another is Irwin W. Gleason, of Gleason- ton, Pennsylvania.
On being asked once what he liked best in the world, Mr. Lasbury replied : "There were three things: First, his wife and family; second, his business; third, his horses and his friends." His life has been one that in the retrospect can bring him joy and satisfaction. In his diligence and thrift he has set a good example for his children. He is self-reliant, progressive and aggressive, with it need hardly be said,
good business judgment. He is courteous and diplomatic, yet firm in his stand on any position or question that he considers right; a man to whom the citizens of the town point with pride. He married Eloise, daughter of Moses Thrall, and they have six children: Ralph, Lillian, Lura, Ardelle, Clyde and Walter. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lasbury are members of the Congregational church.
CLOONAN, John Joseph, Physician, Useful Citizen.
The record of Dr. John Joseph Cloonan, of Stamford, Connecticut, is that of a man who has worked his own way from a modest beginning to a position of promi- nence in the medical world by his own persistence and sound judgment. His value to his community is measured more by the weight of his moral worth than by any definite thing accomplished.
Dr. Cloonan was born in Hartford, Con- necticut, July 18, 1869, a son of Michael J. and Anne (Tracy) Cloonan. His father, Michael J. Cloonan, was a native of Kings county, Ireland, and died at the age of forty-five years. Soon after his marriage he went West and settled in Minnesota, but not finding it a suitable location, returned East and settled in Hartford, Connecticut. In the latter city he followed his trade of stone mason, and was one of the respected and substantial citizens of that city. He married, in New York City, Anne Tracy, and they were the parents of seven children, six of whom grew to maturity. They are: Margaret, a nun, of the Sisters of Mercy Order, Con- vent of St. Joseph, Hartford, Connecticut ; Thomas, deceased; William, deceased ; Annie, wife of James Wilder; James F .; John Joseph, of further mention.
John Joseph Cloonan was educated in the grammar schools of Hartford, includ-
254
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
ing the high school. Desiring to go to college, and not being in a position to do so at the completion of his high school course, Dr. Cloonan went to work and by tutoring with private instructors prepared himself for college. He entered the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons at Balti- more, Maryland, and was graduated in the class of 1897. During his vacations he worked as an interne at the Baltimore City Hospital. Subsequent to his gradu- ation, he engaged in the practice of his profession in Hartford, but soon there- after removed to Stamford, Connecticut, where he has since been located. The fact that Dr. Cloonan has attained his present position of prominence in the medical field unaided, renders him more worthy of praise. He is one of the most successful physicians of his section of Connecticut. He is surgeon to the Stam- ford Hospital, and consultant to St. Vin- cent's Hospital in Bridgeport. He is a member of the City, County and State Medical societies, and of the American Medical Association.
Dr. Cloonan's business acumen has brought him into contact with several of the business institutions of Stamford, and he is first vice-president of the Fidelity Title and Trust Company, and president of the Stamford Morris Plan Company. He has given effective service as a mem- ber of the Board of Education for the past thirteen years, and served as its chairman for two years. In 1913 he was appointed a member of the Connecticut Labor Com- mission by Governor Baldwin. He is a member of St. Augustine's Council, Knights of Columbus, and of the Stam- ford Yacht Club, and Woodway Country Club.
Dr. Cloonan married Eleanor P. Griffin, daughter of Patrick J. Griffin, who was for many years a member of the well known clothing firm of Rogers, Peet &
Company of New York City. Dr. and Mrs. Cloonan are the parents of three children : Gertrude Mary, born Septem- ber 13, 1912; Eleanor, May 3, 1914 ; John J., Jr., August 23, 1915.
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.