USA > Connecticut > Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial; representative citizens, v.2 > Part 34
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Dr. William F. Reardon was born in
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South Windsor, Connecticut, August 10, 1885. He attended the public schools of South Windsor, and St. Bonaventure Col- lege, Allegany, New York, from which he was graduated in 1905 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then matricu- lated in Baltimore Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1909 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. The fol- lowing year and a half he served as in- terne at St. Francis Hospital, Hartford, thus adding greatly to the store of knowl- edge gained during his collegiate course. He engaged in a general practice of his profession for one year, and then went abroad in order to further increase his knowledge and experience, and for one and a half years pursued post-graduate work on diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, of which he intended making a specialty, in the colleges and hospitals of Vienna, and upon his return to his native land he continued his post-graduate work in New York City with a specialist, and even since then he has pursued his studies energetically in order to keep in touch with the onward movement. In January, 1914, he returned to Hartford, Connecti- cut, and began practice, which he still continues, and he is justly regarded as a rising member of the profession and one who has before him a successful future. Dr. Reardon is one of the assistant ocu- lists on the staff of St. Francis Hospital, one of the assistants at the Isolation Hos- pital and at the Hartford Free Dispen- sary, and is attending specialist at St. Agnes Home. Dr. Reardon is a member of the City, County and State medical so- cieties, the American Medical Association, Chi Zeta Chi fraternity, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the City Club, Governor's Foot Guard, and the Knights of Columbus, in all of which his genial manner and sterling worth render him popular.
KINSELLA, Richard John,
Business Man, Public Official.
Faithfulness to duty and strict ad- herence to a fixed purpose in life will do more to advance a man's interests than wealth or advantageous circumstances. The successful men of the day are they who planned their own advancement and have accomplished it in spite of many obstacles and with a certainty that could have been obtained only through their own efforts. Of this class is Richard J. Kinsella, of Hartford, a representative, and his extensive business interests now bring to him an excellent financial return. At the same time he belongs to that class of representative Americans whose labors result not alone to their individual pros- perity, but are far-reaching in their valu- able influence and public aid.
Matthew Kinsella, father of Richard J. Kinsella, was born in County Wexford, Ireland, where he grew to manhood years, acquired a practical education in the dis- trict schools, and learned the trade of ship carpenter, which he followed for a num- ber of years. He left his native land to seek larger opportunities and better con- ditions in the United States, and chose as his place of residence the city of Hart- ford, Connecticut, where he located in 1846 or 1847, and there devoted his atten- tion to general carpenter work, in which he was highly proficient. He married Helen Gough, a native of County Kil- kenny, Ireland, who bore him three chil- dren : Richard John, of this review ; Cath- erine ; William, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Kinsella were members of St, Peter's Church (Roman Catholic). Mr. Kinsella died in Hartford, in 1881, aged seventy- one years.
Richard John Kinsella was born in Hartford, Connecticut, October 5, 1857. He attended the public schools of his na-
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THE NEW YORK THELIBRARY
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tive city, and upon attaining a suitable age served an apprenticeship at the trade of carpenter, serving two years, during which time he worked on the State Capi- tol, then in course of construction. This line of work not proving to his liking, he secured employment in a grocery concern, and later accepted a position as traveling salesman for the wholesale grocery firm of Foster & Company, remaining for a period of twelve years. In 1886 he formed a partnership with Thomas A. Smith, under the firm name of Kinsella & Smith, wholesale and retail dealers in butter and eggs, in Hartford. They started business in a very unpretentious manner, but being men of strong business force and sound judgment as well as resourceful ability, their efforts were rewarded with a large degree of success, and about the year 1902 they opened a second store in Hartford, which is also well patronized, their pro- ducts being of the best obtainable. They also conduct an extensive wholesale busi- ness in Hartford and vicinity, and are well and favorably known in business circles, their word being as good as their bond.
Mr. Kinsella has been a staunch ad- herent of Democratic principles since at- taining his majority, and has taken an active part in the work of his party, being chosen to serve in various capacities. He served a year in the Common Council ; four years as a member of the Board of Aldermen; was fire commissioner for three years ; served three years as a mem- ber of the Water Board; in 1915 ran for mayor of Hartford and was defeated owing to the fact that his party was hope- lessly divided and it may truthfully be said that no self seeker would have ac- cepted the nomination from a party so torn with internal strife; has been a member of South School District for eight years. While a member of the Board of Alder-
men he served on the bridge commission that built the magnificent bridge that spans the Connecticut river at Hartford, and also served on the committee that in- stalled the electric system on street cars and was the originator of the bill that compelled the street railway to pay the city three per cent. of its income, which was compromised finally to two per cent. During the campaign for the mayorship of the city the following appeared in the Hartford "Globe" as an independent opinion : "At the head of the ticket, Mr. Kinsella is a man of large ability as a business man. He has seen much service in the Common Council and on commis- sions of the city and has never been ac- cused of not giving the best of service in a public office. He is a hard-working and conscientious man when entrusted with a public service. * Incidentally, * Mr. Kinsella was not anxious for the nomination and would have stepped aside at any time up to his actual nomination in favor of any man his party desired more, or whom seemed to be a better man. It is well known that Mr. Kinsella did not make his announcement until men against whom neither faction had any- thing, had absolutely declined to run." Mr. Kinsella served for thirteen years in the State Militia, and holds the commis- sion of first lieutenant of Company B, First Regiment, Connecticut National Guard. He is a member of the Knights of Colum- bus, Nathan Hale Tent of Maccabees, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Mr. Kinsella married, February 27, 1890, Catherine Scott, born in Hartford, 1870, daughter of John Scott, of Hartford, Connecticut. They are the parents of seven children, namely: John M., Wil- liam G., Helen M., Pauline S., Richard J., Jr., George, Marian G.
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McMANUS, James, D. D. S., Leading Dentist.
Dr. James McManus, dean of the dental profession in Hartford, oldest practicing dentist there and probably oldest in the State of Connecticut, and one of the best known men in his profession in the United States, was born in Hartford, Connecticut, July 16, 1836, son of James and Ellen (Goodwin) McManus.
of the State of Connecticut, 1883-85 ; di- rector of Connecticut State Prison at Wethersfield from 1879 to 1887; chief of division in treasury department in Wash- ington, D. C., 1887-89, and recorder of the City of Hartford Court, 1893-97. In the Civil War he attained the rank of major in the Twenty-fifth Regiment, Connecti- cut Volunteer Infantry; he saw active service in Louisiana, his regiment sta- tioned at Port Hudson.
James McManus, Sr., was born in Dr. James McManus attended the old stone school on Market street, Hartford, and during his boyhood entered the em- ploy of Dr. Hiram Preston, a leading den- tist of Hartford in his day. He finally be- came his partner, and after the retirement of Dr. Preston, Dr. McManus succeeded to the entire practice. Several years later Dr. McManus attended the Philadelphia Dental College, becoming a member of the class of 1864-65, which was the second class graduated from that institution. In recent years he has gradually been light- ening the burden of his professional work, which has been largely assumed by his sons. Dr. McManus called the meeting at which was organized the Connecticut State Dental Association, of which he was the first secretary and later president. That event transpired more than half a century ago, and since that time Dr. Mc- Manus has been made an honorary mem- ber of many other State associations. He has been a member of the American Den- tal Association since 1864, and has been one of its delegates to the International Convention at London, England, on two occasions, the last time in 1914. He took advantage of the opportunity to visit dif- ferent parts of Great Britain, the home of his ancestors in Ireland, also other parts of that garden spot of the earth. Dr. McManus was the first president of County Fermanagh, Ireland, where he was reared to manhood years on a farm. In February, 1830, accompanied by his wife, who was a native of the same coun- ty, he emigrated to the United States, located in Hartford, Connecticut, and there accepted such employment as a stranger in a strange land could secure. Later he secured a position as miller for Mr. Imlay, with whom he remained for a number of years. Later he became bookkeeper, salesman and general man- ager for Alfred Watkinson, his term of service being entirely satisfactory. He served as a member of the old militia prior to the Civil War. He and his wife, Ellen (Goodwin) McManus, were the parents of eleven children, seven of whom are given herewith, as follows: John T., Ann, Thomas, James, Ellen, Edward, R. Den- nis. General Thomas McManus, the sec- ond son aforementioned, after completing his formal education in Hartford High School, learned the trade of carpenter and worked at it for several years. He then read law in the office of the late Hon. Wil- liam, W. Eaton and Goodwin Collier. He was admitted to the bar, January 20, 1864, and was very successful. He served as assistant judge of Hartford City Court, 1866-68; judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Hartford county from 1875 to 1877; represented Hartford in the State . the New Dental Association; for many Legislature, 1878; quartermaster-general
years was an honorary member of the
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Hartford Medical Society ; a member for many years of the American Medical As- sociation ; member of the Connecticut Historical Society, and the Hartford Club. In 1896 he published a "History of Anes- thesia," the edition of which he unfortu- nately limited to private circulation. The Hartford "Courant" devoted about a column to its review, and it has been rec- ognized as authoritative. He started the movement which finally succeeded in erecting the monument to Horace Wells, the discoverer of Anesthesia in Hartford.
Dr. McManus married (first) Eliza M., daughter of Charles Fagan, of New Haven, Connecticut. Two children : Charles, D. D. S., born August 6, 1865, graduated from the Philadelphia Dental College, class of 1888, married Fannie Stone; Henry, D. D. S., born August 23, 1868, graduated from the Philadelphia Dental College, class of 1890, president of the Hartford Post Publishing Com- pany, and also the musical and dramatic critic for that paper, married Wilhelmina Govan, of New York City. Since enter- ing upon their active careers, both sons have assisted their father in his extensive dental practice. Mrs. McManus died in 1870. Dr. McManus married (second) S. Ella, daughter of Alfred E. Burk, of Hartford. Mrs. McManus died in 1905. Dr. McManus, who is a well preserved man, can look back without regret upon a long life of usefulness, honored by lay- men and his professional brethren alike, sincerity being one of his strong char- acteristics. He holds high ideals of stan- dards of living and professional ethics, is a man of firm religious convictions, a staunch adherent of the Roman Catholic church, the faith of his forefathers.
HEUBLEIN, Arthur C.,
Physician, Surgeon, Roentgenologist.
Arthur C. Heublein, M. D., of Hart- ford, is one of the best known physicians
and surgeons of his native city. He is third in descent from Andrew and Elena (Meissner) Heublein, natives of Suhl, Germany, who came to the United States in 1850 and located in Hartford, Connec- ticut. Here the family started in an hum- ble way, without prestige, have overcome every obstacle, and won a prominent place in the business, professional and social life of the city. Andrew Heublein, grandfather of Dr. Heublein, and the founder of the family, died May 30, 1899, aged seventy-nine.
Gilbert F. Heublein, father of Dr. Arthur C. Heublein, was born in Suhl, Germany, December 28, 1849. He re- ceived his education in the public schools of Hartford, and also attended a private school maintained by German families. He then became associated in business with his father, whose partner he became in 1870, the firm adopting the name of Andrew Heublein & Son. This continued until 1875, when the sons, Gilbert F. and Louis, took over the business under the name of G. F. Heublein & Brother. The young men were progressive and aggres- sive and under their management the business grew and expanded until at the present time (1917) they are recognized as the largest importers and exporters of fine wines, liquors, cigars, bay rum, olive oil, etc., in the city. They also manufac- ture an extensive line of bottled liquors and have a business that extends to every country in the world. In 1891 they built the Heublein Hotel, which ranks as one of the best hotels in New England. Of this Gilbert F. Heublein was manager un- til 1915, when he retired from the hotel business, though the company still owns the hotel property. Mr. Heublein has been identified with the Democratic party since attaining his majority. He is a member of the Hartford Club, Hartford Golf Club, City Club of Hartford, Coun- try Club of Farmington, Athletic Club of
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New York, Auto Club of New York, and Auto Club of Great Britain. Mr. Heub- lein married, December 2, 1876, Louise M., daughter of the late Louis Gundlach, of Hartford. Children: Alice H., born October 20, 1877, who is an accomplished musician, having been educated at a pri- vate musical school in Berlin, married Percy Martin, of Kenilworth ; and Arthur C., of whom further.
Dr. Arthur C. Heublein was born in Hartford, Connecticut, September 18, 1879. He attended the grammar and high schools of Hartford, also the Peekskill (New York) Military School, and in 1898 matriculated in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York City, from which he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1902. The fol- lowing two years he served as an interne in the Hartford Hospital, thus enhancing greatly his previous knowledge of the profession chosen as his life work. He established an office for the general prac- tice of medicine in the city of Hartford, January I, 1905, and continued the same for about five years, his practice increas- ing in volume and importance with the passing years. During this time he was developing in the knowledge and practice of his specialty-roentgentherapy and roentgenography, in which he has at- tained great proficiency, ranking high in the estimation of his professional breth- ren, with whom he keeps in touch along the advanced thought and ideas by mem- bership in the City, County and State Medical societies, the American Medical Association and the American Roentgen Ray Society. He is also a member of the staff of the Hartford Hospital as Roent- genologist. Dr. Heublein also holds membership in the Hartford Club, Hart- ford Golf Club, City Club and the Auto- mobile Club, in which he takes a keen in- terest.
Dr. Heublein married Ethel Whipple, born April 3, 1879, daughter of Marcus and Frances (Kincaid) Whipple, of North Pownell, Vermont. They are the parents of two children: Gilbert Whipple, born October 5, 1908, and Frances Louise, born July 25, 1912. Dr. and Mrs. Heublein are members of St. John's Episcopal Church, of Hartford, and Mrs. Heublein is a mem- ber of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
ROGERS, Frank Willson,
Life Insurance Actuary.
There is always something impressive in tracing through a long line of descent the perseverance of strong and able traits of character, showing themselves peren- nial, ever recurrent in such generation, without a missing link in the chain, and giving the most indisputable evidence of the power of a strong and healthy stock to project its virtues across the lapse of years and awaken in distant times and amidst the most diverse circumstances the spirit that in bygone years had ani- mated the blood. Such is conspicuously the case with the distinguished Rogers family of Connecticut, which, since the early Colonial period when its progeni- tor severed his connections with the land of his birth and came to dwell in the free wilderness of the "New World," has exhibited uninterruptedly those ster- ling qualities that have for so long been associated with the highest type of New England manhood.
The Rogers family is one well known in Hartford, and in connection with the silver-plating industry, with which it is almost synonymous, its fame is world- wide. The name is derived from the same root as the modern German word ruhm, meaning fame. The old Frank equivalent to this being Hrother and
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Frank W. Rogers
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Rogers, a corruption of this. It seems to have meant honored, which is doubt- less a still further modification of the sam : root. Historical tradition associates it with all that is true and noble and there is another ascribed meaning as "one whose word is reliable." General Under- wood states that "the earliest crest of the Rogers escutcheon was a fleur-de-lis and the first motto was: Nos Nostrague deo, which being translated is ourselves and our possessions to God." According to General Underwood the line in England up to the time of James Rogers, the founder of the family in this country, is as follows: (I) Sir John Fitz Roger, of Dorset, England, and wife Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Simon Ferneaux, knight, descended from the Earls of Bush. (II) Sir John Fitz Roger and wife, Agnes Mordaunt, 1415-41. (III) Sir John Fitz Roger and wife, Elizabeth Shuttlebroke. (IV) Sir Henry Rogers and wife Annie, daughter of Lord William Stornton. (V) Thomas Rogers and Catherine de Courte- nay (the lineage of Catherine de Courte- nay is traced in unbroken line to Alfred the Great). (VI) Nicholas Rogers. (VII) William Rogers. (VIII) William Rogers and wife, Mary Ash. (IX) John Rogers, born 1571, died 1635, and wife, Elizabeth Bostwick. (X) James Rogers and Elizabeth Rowland.
In the public record office in England there is to be found a copy of a "licens to go beyond the seas," dated April 15, 1635, and one of those who sailed for New England in the good ship "Increase" was James Rogers, twenty years old. This James Rogers was believed to have been the same James Rogers who lived in New London, Connecticut, and there is cer- tainly no evidence against it. During the Pequot War in 1637, James Rogers was one of the six men who took part under the command of Captain John
Underhill, and shortly after this time he acquired land in Stratford, Connecticut, where he married Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Rowland. In 1652 he removed from Stratford to Milford, in the same colony, and joined the Pruddens Congre- gational Church, which his wife had already joined in 1645. According to dif- ferent records of that time, it is believed that James Rogers was a baker and tradesman of importance in the commu- nity. Between 1656 and 1660 he became an inhabitant of the town of New Lon- don, and on March 14, 1660-61, was made a freeman there. James Rogers was a deputy to the Court of Elections in May, 1661, and 1662, and in the latter year was corn commissioner of New London. Between 1662 and 1673 he was a repre- sentative to the General Court seven times and was in close association with Matthew Griswold, serving with him. on State and church committees several times. To be chosen for church and State positions in the time of James Rogers was a far greater honor than attaches to a similar appointment to-day, as these matters were then considered of paramount importance. We can see therefore the high estimation in which he was held by the community. He was one of the largest landowners of New London and amongst his holdings was a grant given him by Uncas, chief of the Mohegans, in August, 1658. James Rogers died in 1687 in New London, and his wife about 1709.
Their son, Samuel Rogers, was born, in all probability, in 1640. The birth has not actually been recorded, but as his will was made in 1712, in which he states that he was then seventy-two years of age, we are warranted in assuming his birth in 1640. On the occasion of his marriage he received from, his father two hundred pounds sterling, together with a
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stone house and bakery at the head of Winthrop's Cove. For many years Sam- uel Rogers conducted this bakery with success. In the year 1680 he settled in what was at that time termed Mohegan and was in reality the first white man to make his home there. He had for many years maintained the most friendly rela- tions with this tribe and their famous chief, Uncas, and in return for this friend- ship and a number of services which he was enabled to perform for them, Uncas and his son Owaneco gave to him a num- ber of tracts of land. Samuel Rogers, adding thus to his father's property, was by far the largest landowner in the colony. He died December 1, 1713, at New London. Samuel Rogers was twice married. The first time to Mary, a daughter of Thomas and Ann (Lord) Stanton, of Hartford, Connecticut.
Their son, Daniel Rogers, was born on a date not accurately ascertainable, but as his death occurred in 1772 and it was claimed at the time that he was one hun- dred and five years old, this would give the date of his birth as 1667. He inher- ited large estates from his father, and during his life by purchase added greatly to these, so that like his grandfather and father he was a very large landowner in the community. His remarkable age is rendered still more remarkable by the fact that he was in full possession of all his faculties. He was one hundred years old when first presented with a pair of eye-glasses and at the age of ninety-five could mow with a scythe all day in the hayfield. He married, September 24, 1772, Grace, the daughter of Thomas and Johanna Williams, of North Parish. Mrs. Rogers was a member of the Northville church, having been admitted to that body September 9, 1733. She was not far behind her husband in point of age,
and died in 1775, when ninety-eight years old.
Their son, Alpheus Rogers, was a farmer, inheriting much valuable land from his father in the New Salem Soci- ety, on which he settled and lived all his life, his death occurring there, February 12, 1779. He was married, on January 31, 1745, to Delight, a daughter of Lieu- tenant James and Sarah (Rogers) Har- ris. Mrs. Rogers was born October 17, 1720, and died March 10, 1783.
Their son, Asa Rogers, was born Feb- ruary 19, 1756, and died in Hartford, Connecticut, May 7, 1804, having come to live in that city at some time during his life. He was twice married, the second time on December 23, 1798, to Sarah Reynolds.
Their son, William Hazen Rogers, was born May 13, 1801, and was the father of Frank Willson Rogers, of this sketch. William Hazen Rogers was the first manufacturer of silver plated ware in this country, and was in addition the first man to use graded rolls for the manufac- ture of blanks for plating. Mr. Rogers spent his early life on the farm of his father, near Hartford, and was one of twelve children to grow to manhood. His first business experience was gained in the jewelry trade, and after a few years of training he entered into partnership in this line of business with Joseph Church. The firm of Church & Rogers was organ- ized in 1825 and did business at Ferry street, Hartford, until the year 1835, when it was dissolved. Mr. Rogers then moved to No. 6 State street, and it was here that he conducted the experiment of silver- plating which later revolutionized the in- dustry and was responsible for the form- ing of the famous firm of Rogers Brothers. He was the first man in the country to apply the process of electro-plating to
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