USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > History of Bridgeport and vicinity > Part 28
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His grandson, John B. Wynkoop, whose name introduces this review, attended the public schools in Paterson, New Jersey, and afterward did advanced work in the night schools of New York city while working in the daytime in a print shop there. He was a resident during that period of Paterson. Later he spent one year in New York University, in the department of commerce and accounts, and his natural ability in that direction, sup- plemented by thorough training, made him an expert accountant. He had removed to Bridge- port with his parents in 1901 and while studying in New York University made the trip from this city to New York four nights each week in order to master the course to which he was then giving his attention. The days were devoted to his duties in the service of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, in which he represented both the passenger and operating departments. He remained altogether in the employ of that railroad for ten years, or from 1906 until 1916, during which time he received seven promotions, being advanced from clerk to the position of assistant chief clerk. He resigned the latter position on the 1st of April, 1916, and then for nine months had charge of the traffic department of the Remington Arms Company. Again he resigned on the 24th of December, 1916, and entered upon his duties as clerk of the board of education, which office he held until May 14, 1917, when he was appointed assistant secretary of that board.
On the 30th of June, 1907, Mr. Wynkoop was married to Miss Anna R. Huston, who was born in Hamilton, Ohio, and they have one son, Huston Richard, born September 16, 1913. The parents hold membership in the People's Presbyterian church and for three years Mr. Wynkoop has been president of the Men's Club of that congregation. He is also a Mason and he belongs to the Fifth District Republican Club-associations which indicate the nature of his interests and the rules which govern his conduct. His life has ever been actuated by high and honorable purposes and principles and has gained for him the unqualified respect and regard of those who know him.
GEORGE M. BALDWIN.
George MI. Baldwin, one of Bridgeport's native sons, now filling the position of city purchasing agent, was born in 1854 and represents an old family here. His father, Samuel Wheeler Baldwin, was born in Bridgeport in 1823. An ancestor in the Wheeler line received a grant of land from the English government, making her the possessor of much of the present site of Bridgeport. Nathan Baldwin, grandfather of George M. Baldwin, arrived in Bridgeport at an early period in its development and became associated with Josiah Baldwin in the book binding business. Samuel Wheeler Baldwin early took up the trade of book binding and for a time resided elsewhere owing to business connections, but eventually returned to Bridgeport, after which he established a book store on Wall street and also conducted a book bindery in the rear of the establishment of the Davis & Hawley Jewelry Company. He was a warm personal friend of Mr. Blakeman, of the firm of Ivanson, Phinney & Blakeman, hymn book publishers, who proposed to Mr. Baldwin that they go to St. Louis and there engage in business. He consented and all arrangements were made, but while upon the dock ready for departure Mr. Baldwin was waited upon by a delegation, who attempted to induce him to remain. At length he consented and embarked in business with Thomas Hawley under the firm style of T. Hawley & Company, but for some time prior to his death, which occurred December 25, 1914, he was sole proprietor of the business. Bridgeport num- bered him among her most publie-spirited and valued citizens and many tangible evidences of his loyalty to the general good may be cited. He served as fire commissioner for twenty- five years and it was he who built up the electric system and introduced steam engines in connection with the fire department. He was also a member of the sinking fund board for a number of years. He wedded Mary Waterman Bussey, who was also a representative
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of one of the old families of Bridgeport. She passed away in 1855, leaving two children, the elder being Mary W., who is now the wife of Frederick Trubee, by whom she has two children.
George M. Baldwin attended the public schools of Bridgeport to the age of fourteen and later became a pupil in a boarding school. When seventeen years of age he began clerking in the store of T. Hawley & Company and there remained until July, 1914, during which period he worked his way steadily upward by merit and ability until he had reached a foremost position in connection with the establishment. Following his father's death, how- ever, he elosed out the business. In July, 1914, he was appointed city purchasing agent and has since occupied that position, being well qualified for the responsible duties that devolve upon him in this connection. He was also police commissioner at one time for nine and a half years and then again was called to the office, serving for a period of two years. His political allegiance has ever been given to the republican party.
In Bridgeport, in 1878, Mr. Baldwin was united in marriage to Miss Clara Bishop Nichols, a daughter of Horace Nichols. Fraternally he is a Mason and an Elk and he is identified with several social organizations. He became a charter member of the Algonquin Club and is also a member of the Brooklawn Club. As a citizen he has ever been public- spirited and active, cooperating in all those interests and movements which have been instituted for the betterment of the community and the upholding of its civic standards. He represents one of the old and honored families of the city and he has reason to be proud of the fair name of the family.
HENRY HERBERT SMITH.
Henry Herbert Smith, who during his life was a well known citizen of Milford and Bridgeport, Connecticut, left the impress of his individuality in various ways upon the life of his community. At the time of the Civil war he gave indisputable proof of his patriotism and his loyalty by active service at the front. He was a native of the town of Milford, New Haven county, born in 1842, and was a son of Northrop and Adeline (Carrington) Smith, both of whom spent their entire lives in Milford. His education was acquired in the schools of his native town and he was still in his teens when the call came for volunteers to put down the rebellion in the south. He answered the call when he enlisted as a member of Company I, Twenty-seventh Regiment of Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, enrolling for nine months' service. He did his part faithfully and well, was promoted to corporal of his company and after the expiration of his term's enlistment he returned home and secured employment in the car shops at Bridgeport, where he resided for a time. Later he returned to his native town of Milford, where he continued his employment in the car shops for a period of over thirty years, performing his tasks efficiently. His army life, however, had weakened his constitution. He was not very rugged after that and he died from the effects of a weak heart in July, 1897, his remains being interred in the cemetery at Milford. He was widely known in that locality and greatly respected as a good citizen, as a reliable business man and as a devoted husband and father. He held membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and in Elias Howe. Jr., Post, G. A. R., of Bridgeport. He was also a member of the Congregational church, of Milford.
In Stratford Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Lavinia E. Wilcoxson, who was there born, a daughter of Elnathan Wheeler and Mary Jane (Wetmore) Wilcoxson, the former a son of Isaac and Sarah (Wheeler) Wilcoxson and the latter a daughter of Ephraim P. Wetmore. Elnathan W. Wilcoxson was a carpenter and also followed farming at Strat- ford. He was descended from one of the oldest and best known families of that place, the
HENRY H. SMITH
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family having settled there in 1639, and he was recognized as a valued citizen. He passed away in Stratford, while his wife died in Boulder, Colorado.
To Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born three children: Lillian H., who married Frank L. Cogall and has three living children: Eugene, who married Lavina Smith and is employed by the Remington Arms Company of Bridgeport, where they make their home; and Howard F., who married Annie Verelle and is the well known tax collector of Bridgeport. During her married life Mrs. Smith made her home in Bridgeport and in Milford and since the death of her husband has removed to Stratford, having a pleasant home on King street, where she now lives. She is a woman of splendid Christian character, holding membership in the Congregational church. She also belongs to the Daughters of the American Revolution, being a descendant of William Wilcoxson, who was numbered among the soldiers who fought for and won American independence. She is also a member of Charity Lodge of the Daughters of Rebekah and a member of the Woman's Relief Corps of Milford. She is much devoted to her home and family and she has many admirable traits of character which have won for her warm friendsbips.
GEORGE R. LATHROP.
George R. Lathrop, for many years a resident of Bridgeport and long connected with the sewing machine interests of the city, passed away in 1899 at the age of fifty-eight years. He was born in Bangor, Maine, and in early life learned the machinist's trade in Watertown, Connecticut, to which place he removed in young manhood. He was there associated with the Wheeler & Wilson Sewing Machine Company and in that connection came to Bridgeport, continuing in their employ for a number of years. About the time of the Civil war, however, he went to Springfield, Massachusetts, where he remained through the period of hostilities, being connected with the armory in the manufacture of arms and other service for the government. When the war ended he returned to Bridgeport and became connected with the Howe Sewing Machine Company, with which he had a contract for the manufacture of parts. His time was there occupied for an extended period, but afterward he went to New Haven, where his son-in-law was superintendent of Sargent & Company, and there he continued until his demise.
In Bridgeport, in 1858, Mr. Lathrop was married to Miss Anna R. Sterling, the wedding ceremony being performed by the Rev. David Osborne in the home of her parents, William S. and Polly (Jelleff) Sterling, who resided in Bridgeport during her early girlhood. Their home was at Wilton and they occupied the only house that stood in that section through the Revolutionary war. Mr. Sterling's father, Thaddeus Sterling, was an officer in the Ameri- can army during the struggle for independence. William S. Sterling was born in Wilton, as was also his father. Coming to Bridgeport more than sixty years ago he engaged in carriage making on his own account, opening his shop on Williams street, while later he conducted business on Crescent avenue. He was not only an enterprising business man but was also an active worker and one of the officials in the Washington Park church. His early political allegiance was given to the Whig party and upon its dissolution he joined the ranks of the newly organized republican party, which he continued to support until his demise, hut never songht office as a reward for party fealty. He died in the year 1890 at the age of seventy-three, while his wife survived until 1906, and had reached the notable old age of ninety-one years at the time of her demise. In their family were eleven children, nine sons and two daughters. Four sons died young and five reached maturity. Of these Theodore died while serving as a Union soldier in the Civil war. Sherman H. died in Porto Rico. Odell was connected with the Singer Sewing Machine Company from his boyhood until his death. Vol. II-12
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Andrew J. is living in Bridgeport. Rodman B. makes his home in Middlebury, Connecticut. The daughters are Mary E., who is the widow of William F. Gilbert, and Mrs. Anna Lathrop.
The last named by her marriage became the mother of two children. The son, George S., married Luln Andrns of New York and both have passed away, leaving a son, Earle Sterling Lathrop, an excellent young man, who is connected with Sargent & Co. The daughter, Emma A., is the wife of John H. Shaw, who is now general superintendent of Sargent & Co. at New Haven.
George R. Lathrop was always a stalwart republican in his political views and was a public spirited citizen who lent the aid of his influence to all measures and movements which he deemed of worth to the community. He belonged to Samuel Harris Lodge, I. O. O. F., and he was ever a loyal member of the Methodist church. He had a wide acquaintance and those who knew him spoke of him in terms of warm regard, for his chief characteristics were those which make for honorable manhood and citizenship.
MAX W. DICK.
Max W. Dick is the junior partner in the firm of Saltman Brothers, wholesale dealers in flour and groceries at No. 488 Water street in Bridgeport. Step by step he has advanced in his business career and as he has progressed there has come to him a broader outlook and wider opportunities. Fortunate in possessing character and ability that inspire confidence in others, the simple weight of his character and ability has carried him into prominent commercial relations.
He was born in Russia in 1878 and on coming to the United States in 1887 he sup- plemented his early education, acquired in the schools of his native land, by study at New Haven, Connecticut. Soon, however, he was forced to go to work and was first employed at farm labor. He worked hard and did everything possible to gain a start. At length his savings enabled him to purchase some cows and he established a milk route, making some money in that undertaking. By working at night he learned the printer's trade and in fact developed expert skill along that line. At length he sold out his personal property on the farm and went to New York city, where he obtained a position with the J. J. Little Publishing Company and was also employed by the Munsey Publishing Company and others, being thus engaged until ill health forced him to give up the printing business. He then looked about him for a favorable opening and decided he would like to learn the cutlery business, after which he entered the employ of J. Busch, a prominent cutlery house of New York city. In that connection he thoroughly acquainted himself with the trade, but ill health again interfered and he retired from active connection with that business. In 1904 he came to Bridgeport and invested his capital in a retail grocery store. At first his sales were small but gradually his business increased until he was not only conducting one establishment hut several in different locations. Eventually he sold out and with the profits of his lahor in Bridgeport he again embarked in business in New York city, becoming associated with his brother-in-law under the name of the Brody & Dick Cloak Company. After three years, however, he again came to Bridgeport and in 1913 purchased an interest in the wholesale grocery house of Saltman Brothers, with which he is still identified, con- tributing to the growing success of what is now one of the most important commercial enterprises of the city. He is a man of excellent executive ability, notably prompt, energetic and reliable, and his administrative powers are constituting an important element in the growth of the trade.
Mr. Dick was married in New York city to Miss Freda Povlin, who was born in the metropolis, and they have four children: William, Samuel, Lillian and Gertrude, aged respectively twelve, eight, four and two years. Mr. Dick holds to the religious faith of his
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fathers and is connected with the Jewish synagogue. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Early in his business career he held the position of office boy and gradually worked his way upward to that of manager, while eventually he became a partner in one of the leading commercial concerns of Bridgeport. He inherited no money and in his youth worked at a salary of six dollars per week. Difficulties and obstacles in his path have served as a stimulus to renewed effort and, utilizing his advantages in the best possible manner, he has gradually worked upward until he has long since left the ranks of the many and stands among the successful few.
DANIEL LARSEN.
The rapid growth and development of Bridgeport has given notable impetus to building operations in the city within the past few years, and among those who have enjoyed the advantages of business activity in that field is Daniel Larsen, now well known as a con- tractor and builder. He was born in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1888, a son of Emil and Marie Larsen, the former now living, while the latter has passed away.
Daniel Larsen was but five years of age when the parents left the old world and came with their family to the United States, settling first at Peekskill, New York, whence a removal was made to Bridgeport in 1896. Daniel Larsen acquired a public school education, spending two years in Peekskill, New York, after which he spent the remainder of his school period in Bridgeport. Following his graduation from the grammar school he was employed for two years, but realizing the value of educational training, he then entered the Bridge- port high school, where he continued his studies for three years. Still later he was graduated from the Pratt Institute at Brooklyn, New York, where he received training for architectural work. He now spends a large part of his time in drawing plans and specifications for other contractors and firms as well as for himself. He made all of the plans for the buildings which he has erected, numbering more than thirty homes at Lordship Manor. One of his most important contracts was the erection of the large John Moore home at Stratfield, Con- necticut, for which he made the plans and specifications, and he also erected the bathing pavilion and the dance hall at Lordship Manor, conclusive evidence of the skill which he displays in solving important problems relative to building operations.
Mr. Larsen belongs to the Swedish Congregational church and also to the Young Men's Christian Association. He is identified with several beneficial lodges and is ever ready to extend a helping hand where aid is needed. In his business career he has been dependent entirely upon his own resources and has earned the proud American title of a self-made man, for he inherited no money nor received financial assistance at the outset but has gradu- ally worked his way upward through perseverance and capability.
JAMES H. LOCKWOOD.
James H. Lockwood, who has recently disposed of his holdings and resigned as president of the Gale 'Electric Company of Bridgeport, was hoin near Easton in Fairfield county, Connecticut, March 31, 1883, and is a son of William Henry and Addie (Page) Lockwood. The father, also a native of Fairfield county, was a son of William Fletcher Lockwood of Weston, Connectient, and a representative of one of the very early families of Fairfield county. William Henry Lockwood removed with his family to Vermont in 1893, settling at St. Johnsbury, where his remaining days were passed and where his widow still makes her home.
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James H. Lockwood acquired a public school education and throughout his entire life has been connected with the electrical business, having started in this line when a boy. In 1906 he went to New Haven and entered the employ of the W. W. Gale Company, in which connection he advanced steadily, being promoted from time to time after mastering the phases of the business entrusted to his care. Eventually he became superintendent of the business. The W. W. Gale Company had been successors to Beers & Bonnell, and con- ducted the Bridgeport establishment as a branch of their New Haven interests prior to 1908. In that year, however, the Bridgeport business was incorporated and became a separate concern. The first officers of the business following its establishment were: Clifton B. Thorp, manager; and Stella L. Thorp, secretary. When it was taken over hy W. W. Gale & Company the officers were: W. W. Gale, president; and Huntington Lee, treasurer. On the 21st of June, 1910, H. R. Philbrick purchased stock and became treasurer of the company. On the 17th of January, 1914, Mr. Lockwood purchased all of the stock of W. W. Gale & Company and became superintendent and secretary. On the 20th of April, 1916, Mr. Philbrick sold out to Phillip Clegg, who became treasurer. J. H. MeCleary bought into the company and became secretary when Mr. Lockwood was chosen president. They did electrical contracting and repairing, handled electrical supplies and did the electrical work in connection with the Bridgeport Projectile Company recently erected: also for the Auto- matic Machine Company, the American Graphophone Company, the Connecticut Alloyed Metals Company and various other important concerns. They employed about twenty-five electri- cians in addition to eight or ten in the office and store.
On the 10th of May, 1905, Mr. Lockwood was united in marriage to Miss Annie Stone of West Burke, Vermont, and they bave one child, Doris S., born July 8, 1912. Fraternally Mr. Lockwood is connected with the Masons and in his life exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft. He is well known as one who is competent to speak with authority upon every phase of business in his line, for thorough training and long experience have given him expert knowledge.
FLOYD TUCKER.
Floyd Tucker, who is now editor in chief and one of the publishers and owners of the Bridgeport Farmer, an enterprising and popular daily paper, has been connected in one capacity or another with that journal for forty-six years. He was born in Redding Ridge, Connecticut, June 11, 1844, a son of Floyd and Anna (Jelliff) Tucker.
The father, who was born in Bedford, New York, engaged in the manufacture of shoes in young manhood, but in the early '40s removed to Redding Ridge, Connecticut, where he turned his attention to farming. Later he followed agricultural pursuits in the vicinity of Easton, Connecticut, and there he passed away. He held a number of local offices, being a representative in the town of Redding, justice of the peace of Easton and for many years a selectman of Easton. His wife, who was born at Wilton, Connecticut, taught school at Cross River, New York, for some time. She is also deceased.
Floyd Tucker received his general education in the public schools of Fairfield county, Connecticut, in Sanford Academy at Redding Ridge and in the Easton Academy. Later for two years he studied law in the office of an attorney in New York city and then was for a similar period connected with a hardware concern in that city. In 1871 he went to work on the Bridgeport Farmer and has since been connected with that daily, having been at different times reporter, editor and business manager, thus gaining a thorough working knowledge of all its departments. He is now one of the owners and publishers of the paper and is also editor in chief. He is recognized by his professional colleagues as one of the most able newspaper men of this section of the state and the Bridgeport Farmer is an
FLOYD TUCKER
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influential factor in the molding of public opinion as well as an up-to-date and reliable disseminator of news. In politics it is strongly democratic.
Mr. Tucker was married on the 17th of January, 1875, to Miss Helen F. Stiles, a native of Glastonbury, Connecticut, and they have two children, twins, Henry B. and Arthur J., natives of Bridgeport, who are now students at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at Troy, New York.
Mr. Teker is a stanch democrat, believing that the interests of the country can be best served through following the policies of that party, and both as an editor and personally he has done all in his power to advance democratie interests. At one time he served as park commissioner of Bridgeport and since early manhood has manifested an active interest in public affairs, whether local, state or national. Fraternally he is connected with Corinthian Lodge, No. 104, A. F. & A. M .; Jerusalem Chapter, No. 13, R. A. M .; and Hamilton Com- mandery, No. 5, K. T. He is a great reader and has a large and well chosen library which is one of his chief sources of enjoyment. His residence is at No. 105 Brooklawn place. Because of his forty-six years' connection with newspaper work in Bridgeport he is probably one of the best informed men in the city on the history of the local press and he is the anthor of the chapter on that subject in the historical volume of this work.
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