USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > History of Bridgeport and vicinity > Part 46
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JOHN C. MATTICE.
John C. Mattice has enjoyed a goodly share of the increasing automobile business of Bridgeport and is now proprietor of the Oakland Garage. He was born at Bouck's Falls, New York, March 11, 1878, a son of Frank and Florence Estelle (Shattuck) Mattice, the former a farmer by occupation. John C. Mattice acquired a public school education and early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the farm bred boy. In young manhood he assisted in the further development of the land, but in 1897 he turned his attention to the automobile business in New York in connection with the New York Trans- portation Company, with which he was associated for three years. He next turned his attention to the mechanical end of the automobile business with Alexander Fisher at 239
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West Fiftieth street in New York and subsequently was with the Panhard Company as superintendent of the importation, sales and repair of cars. In 1907 be embarked in the auto repair business on his own account at Fiftieth street and Twelfth avenue in New York and there remained until 1911, when he sold ont and became a salesman with the Ford Motor Company. On the 1st of December of that year he assumed the Ford agency for Bridgeport and for three and one-half years handled that car. In 1915 he accepted the agency of the Oakland car, in addition to which he also handles the Atterbury truck. He sold over two hundred Oaklands in 1916, enjoying a very profitable business, and on the 1st of August of that year he completed a new garage at Nos. 235 and 237 Stratford avenue. The building is a one-story and basement structure, fifty-two by seventy feet, in the rear of which he also has a lot eighty by one hundred and twenty feet. He has a service station for his own cars and he employs three salesmen and six expert mechanics beside his office force.
On the 1st of February, 1905, Mr. Mattice was married to Miss Florence Duffy, who was born near Buffalo, New York, and their children are: Florence, born December 20, 1907; Jack. February 10, 1910; Louise, December 25, 1911; and Adell, May 24. 1915. In politics Mr. Mattice is a democrat where national issues are involved but at local elections votes for the man rather than the party. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks and also with the Knights of Columbus and the latter indicates his membership in the Catholic church, he being a member of St. Patrick's parish. He concen- trates his efforts and attention largely upon his business and since entering the automobile field has made steady progress, being now at the head of a growing and profitable motor car agency.
WILLIAM CLARK WATSON, M. D.
Dr. William Clark Watson, one of the alumni of the Long Island College Hospital of Brooklyn, has practiced in Bridgeport since 1899, coming to this city when a young man of about twenty-six years. He was born in New York city, July 11, 1873, and is of English descent, his grandfather in the paternal line having come from England in the early part of the nineteenth century. His father, Clark Robert Watson, who has devoted much of his lit . to merchandising, is now residing in Brooklyn, New York. In early manhood he wedded Hettie M. King, who died when her son, William C., was but nine days old.
The boyhood and youth of Dr. Watson were spent at the home of his uncle, Dr. Samuel Ingraham, of Palmyra, Wayne county, New York, who was a prominent physician there, and in that environment Dr. Watson became imbued with the desire to follow the medical profession. He supplemented his public school course by study in Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York, from which he was graduated in 1891, and later he perfected his plans to prepare for the practice of medicine and surgery, entering the Long Island College Hospital of Brooklyn, from which he was graduated in 1897 with the M. D. degree. For two years thereafter he attended the New York Post Graduate School, thus gaining the broad and valuable practical experience that comes from hospital work. In 1899 he opened his office in Bridgeport, where he has built up a good practice and is also serving on the medical staff of the Bridgeport Hospital. He belongs to the Bridgeport Medical Society, the Fairfield County Medical Society, the Connecticut State Medical Society and also has membership with the American Medical Association.
On the 6th of October, 1898, Dr. Watson was married to Miss Jennie Elizabeth Halpin, of Middlebury, Vermont, and they have three children, a son and two daughters, Mildred Agnes, William Clark and Irene Anna,
Dr. Watson belongs to the Park City Yacht Club and is well known in Masonry, having attained the Knight Templar degree of the York Rite. He is also a Mystic Shriner
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and is most loyal to the teachings of the craft. He is likewise a member of Pioneer Lodge, No. 79. Order Sons of St. George, of the Modern Woodmen of America, of Alpha Circle of the Brotherhood of America and of Court Nathaniel Wheeler of the Foresters of America. All other interests, however, are made subservient to his professional duties, which have continually developed in extent and in importance.
ALBERT JOHNSON.
Albert Johnson, a well known undertaker of Bridgeport located at No. 820 Iranistan avenue, was born in Sweden in 1866, a son of John and Anna Johnson, both of whom are deceased. He received his early education in the public schools of that country but after his emigration to Bridgeport he attended the Martin Business College, as he realized fully the advantages of special preparation for a business life. For several years he was em- ployed in a carriage and blacksmith shop conducted by Gates & Company and for two years worked for Wheeler Brothers, of Easton, Connecticut. He then became sexton of St. John's Episcopal church at Bridgeport and for many years held that position under Dr. W. H. Lewis. In the meantime he carefully saved his money and as soon as he had acquired a sufficient amount he took a course in the Renouard Training School for Em- balmers at New York city and was also a student with the Stephen Merritt Burial and Cremation Company. On the 22d of June, 1901, he received a diploma attesting the fact that he had completed the embalming course and soon afterward he established himself in business as an undertaker in Bridgeport. His rooms are well located, his equipment is complete and his services have been found very satisfactory. He also deals in real estate to some extent and is giving more and more of his time and attention to that field of activity. He owns his residence, a fine modern home, and also holds title to two other town properties.
Mr. Johnson was married in Canaan, Connecticut, to Miss Clara M. Anderson, of that place, a daughter of John Andrew and Louise Anderson, the former a farmer of that place. Mr. Johnson became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1890 and has since supported the republican party at the polls. He attends the Christian Science church, in which he is keenly interested. He is identified with a number of societies, including the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, The Sture No 7, O. V., the One Hundred Men Society, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Swedish Union League. He has never regretted his removal to this country, as here he has found and utilized opportunities which have enabled him to gain a substantial measure of success.
HARRY M. FORD.
Harry M. Ford, president of the Columbus Motor Car Company, has been a lifelong resident of Bridgeport. He was here born September 23, 1892, and is a son of Michael H. and Margaret M. (Martin) Ford, the former a native of Bridgeport, while the latter was born in Bristol. Connecticut. The father was a son of Timothy Ford, a native of Ireland, who in early manhood became a resident of Bridgeport. Here Michael H. was reared and afterward engaged in the general trucking business.
Harry M. Ford in the acquirement of his education was graduated from the University School on Fairfield avenue and since then has concentrated his efforts and attention upon business in a way that has brought good results. In 1908 he began working for the Haupt- Rockwell Company at Bristol, Connecticut, and later was in the employ of F. L. Mills of
ALBERT JOHNSON
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Bridgeport This made him thoroughly acquainted with the automobile trade, for as the representative of Mr. Mills he handled the Mitchell, Interstate and Pope-Hartford motor cars. Desiring that his labors should more directly benefit himself, he at length embarked in business on his own account. He started in 1910, handling the Maxwell and Brush cars and the Sampson motor truck, his location being at Nos. 1841 and 1843 Main street, with a service station at 48 to 52 Hurd avenue. In 1916 he organized the Columbus Motor Car Company, which succeeded to the business of the Ford Motor Car Company, which had been organized March 2, 1915, to take over the business which he had conducted under his own name. The company is erecting a new building at 1841 to 1843 Main street which will have a frontage of seventy-five feet and a depth of three hundred feet. It is a four-story briek building well equipped for the purpose for which it is used. The showroom is sixty by seventy-five feet and has a tile floor. The company has the agency for the Saxon cars, the Kelly-Springfield motor truck and the Denby motor truck. It has a garage and also a repair and service station and employs about thirty skilled mechanics in addition to the selling force. On the 20th of April it took over the building occupied by the Seaside Theatre, 376 Main street, and converted it into a motor truck service station for the convenience of motor truck customers. It is running a day and night service station, having all the neces- sary equipment, such as solid tires and a tire press for putting on and removing truck tires. The officers of the company are: H. M. Ford, president and manager; A. G. Risley, secretary; and M. M. Ford, treasurer.
Mr. Ford casts an independent ballot, voting for men and measures rather than party. He holds membership with the Knights of Columbus and also with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In his business career he has advanced step by step as a result of personal merit and ability and his force and resourcefulness are widely acknowledged.
MARTIN WILLIAM LEIGHTON.
The American Theater, located at No. 1126 East Main street, is in all respects a thoroughly equipped, modern and attractive moving picture theater and its excellence is the evidence of the progressiveness and ability of its owner, Martin William Leighton. He was born in Clinton, Massachusetts, August 14, 1876, a son of John Leighton, whose father also bore the name of John. The mother of our subject was in her maidenhood Ann Quigley and was a daughter of William Quigley.
Martin W. Leighton attended the public schools in his native city until he was eleven years old and then went to work in the cotton mills there. He was connected with the cotton industry for ten years and during that time advanced from the spinning to the weaving rooms and became an expert at his trade. In 1896 he came to Bridgeport and for a time worked in a silk factory on Spruce street, after which he was engineer for the Hurlburt Company on John street. In May, 1907, however, he went into business for him- self as proprietor of the Nieklet at Colorado and State streets. He next owned the Airdome on Jane street, but after two years disposed of that place and bought the Elk Theater at Arctic and East Main street, which he conducted for three and a half years. On the 9th of March, 1915, he opened his present fine theater, the American, which he erected according to plans drawn by Miss A. C. Kelley, the first woman architect to turn her attention to the planning of theaters. This place is provided with one thousand and eighty-six opera chairs, has a ten thousand dollar pipe organ with attachments to give the effect of an orchestra and two of as fine projecting machines as are usually found in the operating room. In keeping with the excellence of the theater itself the films shown are artistic and technically the best obtainable, being the releases of the leading film companies of the country. For about seven years Mr. Leighton also conducted a film exchange and for four years was a
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representative of the Mutual Film Company. He has now withdrawn from the exchange business but still sells theatrical supplies, being agent for a well known projecting machine and for screens and other supplies, and he has equipped many other theaters in the city. He was the first man in Bridgeport to install motored projection machines and he has always been in the vanguard of the moving picture theater business.
Mr. Leighton was married on the 30th of May, 1906, to Miss Caroline Lund, a sister of N. C. Lund, also a theater owner, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. The religions faith of Mr. Leighton is indicated by his membership in St. Charles' Roman Catholic church and fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Columbus. In politics he is independent but has never had the slightest desire to hold office. He was one of the first to see the possibilities in the moving picture and although he first established himself in business on a small scale he has prospered beyond his expectations. He has gained financial independence since coming to Bridgeport and has also won many warm friends, for his dominant personal qualities are such as invariably command respect and regard.
HENRY L. LEWIS.
Henry L. Lewis, treasurer of the H. J. Lewis Oyster Company and thus connected with one of the important industries of the Sound country, was born at Stratford, Connecticut, in 1885 and is descended from one of the earliest New Engand families, the ancestral line being traced back to William Lewis, who came from England in 1630, making his way first to Massachusetts. Soon afterward, however, he aided in settling Hartford, Connectieut. I. C. Lewis, grandfather of Henry L. Lewis, was for many years the president of the Meriden Britannia Company, a silver manufacturing concern that featured largely in the business development of this section and now a part of the International Silver Company. His son, H. J. Lewis, was born at Meriden, Connecticut, and after reaching man's estate was associated with his father in the silver trade until forty years of age. He then turned his attention to the development of oyster beds and became the founder of the H. J. Lewis Oyster Company, in which connection he established a business of extensive proportions. He wedded Mary E. Stringer, who was born on Long Island and who is still living. but Mr. Lewis passed away in 1902.
Henry L. Lewis supplemented his public school education by study in the T. U. S. and he afterward attended Yale as a student in the Sheffield Scientific School, from which he was graduated in 1909. After graduation he became actively connected with the H. J. Lewis Oyster Company, of which he is the treasurer. This company is conducting an extensive business in the propagation and sale of oysters, selling almost entirely for plant- ing, and the scientific methods and indefatigable care displayed are elements in the growing success of the business.
In 1910 Mr. Lewis was married to Miss Helen Edwards, of Washington, D. C., and their children are Kate and Mary. Mrs. Lewis is a member of the Episcopal church. Mr. Lewis is a Mason and belongs also to the Seaside Outing and Weatogue Clubs.
JOHN T. H. POWERS, M. D.
Among the alumni of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Baltimore is numbered Dr. John T. H. Powers, who was one of the youngest members of the class of 1910, and after splendid hospital experience and a brief period spent in private practice in Massa- chusetts came to Bridgeport in December, 1915. He was born in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia,
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November 28, 1887, and is the only son of John T. Powers, a native of Malden, Massa- chusetts, and now a retired sea captain residing in Sydney, Nova Scotia. His mother bore the maiden name of Bessie Jeanne MacPherson. In both the paternal and maternal lines Dr. Powers comes of Scotch ancestry. His great-grandfather, whose name was likewise John Thomas Powers, was born and reared in Scotland and received the Master of Arts degree from the University of Edinburgh. He crossed the Atlantic to Nova Scotia, becoming an early resident of that part of the continent. He was a school teacher by profession and among his pupils was Sir Charles Tupper, who afterward became premier of Canada. Thomas Powers, grandfather of Dr. Powers, was born in Nova Scotia. The maternal grandfather, John MacPherson, was born in Gairloch, Scotland, and was a sea captain.
Dr. Powers prepared for college in the Sydney and Pictou academies of Nova Scotia and subsequently attended the Queen's University at Kingston, Ontario. He came to the United States for his professional training and in 1910 won his M. D. degree from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Baltimore, at which time he was only twenty-two years of age, being one of the youngest members of his class. He was afterward con- nected with the Bay View Hospital of Baltimore and with Fitch's Hospital for the soldiers . at Noroton, Connecticut. He then entered upon the private practice of medicine at Ber- nardston, Massachusetts, in July, 1911, and subsequently practiced at Chicopee Falls, that state, until December, 1915, when he came to Bridgeport, located at No. 1069 Barnum avenue, and engaged in the general practice of medicine and surgery, giving particular attention to the diseases of the chest. He has a certificate from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Baltimore for post graduate work on chest diseases and also has credits for post graduate work elsewhere. He belongs to the Massachusetts Medical Society. In February, 1917, he was commissioned a first lieutenant in the United States medical corps and assigned to the command of the First Connecticut Ambulance Company and is now in Europe, the command being among the first sent abroad.
On the 5th of June, 1911, Dr. Powers was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary E Mockler, a graduate nurse of the Bridgeport Hospital. Dr. Powers is a Mason and his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. His has been an active and well spent life, actuated by a laudable ambition that has prompted him to so utilize his time, his talents and his opportunities as to gain a most creditable position in professional circles.
CHARLES WILSON HAWLEY.
Charles Wilson Hawley was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, October 16, 1856, son of Edmund S. Hawley, also a resident of Bridgeport. His mother was Mrs. Lucy S. Hawley, daughter of Thomas C. Wordin. Charles W. Hawley received a private school education in Bridgeport. This was followed by a study of the law with a view to preparing himself for admission to the state bar. About this time, however, Mr. Hawley became interested in a commercial venture which diverted his thoughts and energies from the practice of law and turned them into the channels of business.
In 1878 Mr. Hawley became associated with Hanford C. Plumb in the hardware trade and a partnership was formed which engaged in the machine tool and general hardware business under the firm name of Plumb & Hawley. At this time Mr. Hawley was twenty- one years of age. The firm of Plumb & Hawley continued until 1888 when the partnership was dissolved. From that time the business was carried on and extended by Mr. Hawley under his own name until 1907, when it was incorporated as the Hawley Hardware Com- pany. Since that time the scope of the business has been continually enlarged, and the company now occupies its own building at 1120 Main street and 109 Middle street. Mr. Hawley is today the oldest hardware merchant in Bridgeport and is at present the treasurer
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of the Hawley Hardware Company. Charles W. Hawley is well known in the city as a financial organizer. Like his father he has been intimately associated with banking affairs in Bridgeport, and for the last twenty-four years has been one of the trustees of the Bridgeport Savings Bank.
Mr. Hawley is a member of the United Congregational church and was for many years ylentified with the work of the old South Congregational church, in the affairs of which he took an active interest as a member of the finance committee. He is also closely con- nected with the work of the Young Women's Christian Association, of which he is at present a trustee. MIr. Hawley is a member of the Seaside Club, the Brooklawn Country Club and the Contemporary Club.
In 1884 Mr. Hawley married Katharine A. Beardsley, daughter of Frederick Beardsley of Stratford. Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Hawley had two children, Marguerite W. and Edmund S., the latter named after Mr. Hawley's father. The daughter is now Mrs. Chauncey L. Fenton, wife of Captain Chauncey L. Fenton of the United States Army, and has two children, Katharine H., named after Mrs. Fenton's mother. and John L. The son, Edmund Summers Hawley, is a graduate of Yale College and of Harvard Law School. and since his graduation has been connected with the firm of Kirlin, Woolsey & Hickox in the practice of admiralty law in New York city. Charles W. Hawley resides at 908 Fair- tield avenne. Mrs. Hawley is not now living.
Mary W. Hawley, Mr. Hawley's sister lives in the old Hawley homestead at 588 State street, which has been continuously occupied by members of the family for more than a century.
MARTIN IRVING HORN, M. D.
While only five years have passed since Dr. Martin Irving Horn received his profes- sional degree he has in the interim made for himself a creditable and enviable position as a general medical practitioner of Bridgeport, where he took up his abode in 1913. He was born in Roumania, September 18. 1887. a son of Maurice Horn, a business man, who was also born in Romania. He wedded Clara Marco. a native of Roumania, and she, too, passed away. Dr. Horn is the youngest of their five living children, four sons and a daughter, all of whom are residents of New York city with the exception of the Doctor. The others are: Samuel, Michael and Nathan, who are in business in New York: and Mrs. Bella Goldberg, a widow.
Dr. Horn spent his early life in New York City, where he attended school No. 75 until he had reached the age of fourteen years. He afterward pursued a business course which included bookkeeping. shorthand and typewriting, and when his studies along that line were completed he became a student in the Sanford College of New York city, where he devoted four years to an academie course. In 1908 he entered the New York Homeo- pathetic Medical College, in which he spent four years, being graduated in 1912 with the M. D. degree. For a year thereafter he was interne in the Metropolitan Hospital and during his last college year he also did much work in the New York Lying-In Hospital. In the fall of 1913 he hegan practice in Bridgeport. where he has since remained, enjoying a good general practice which is steadily growing in volume and in importance.
On the 5th of April, 1914. Dr. Horn was married to Miss Rae Malvin, of New York city, who was born there and is a graduate of public school No. 76, in which she completed her grammar school studies in 1901. She was graduated from the Wadleigh high school in 1905 and in 1908 from the Washington Irving high school. Later she attended a normal college for a year. Dr. and Mrs. Horn have two children: Milton, born May 30, 1915; and Charlotte Claire, born September 23, 1916.
DR. MARTIN I. HORN
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Dr Horn holds to the Hebrew faith and belongs to the Park Avenue Temple. He is also connected with the B'Nai B'rith, the Independent Order B'rith Abraham, the Hebrew Sick Society, the Loyal Order of Moose and the Knights of Pythias, while along strietly professional lines he is connected with the American Medical Association. He is fond of music and also of motoring and all other outdoor sports, especially baseball and football, and the hours given to recreation constitute a balancing force to bis intense professional activities.
HARRY H. FORD.
Harry H. Ford, proprietor of the Ford Garage at Bridgeport, his native city, was born April 13, 1885, his parents being J. A. and N. E. (Haynes) Ford. The father was born at Stamford. Connecticut, in 1863 and later removed to Bridgeport. He was a steamboat engineer in early life but afterward engaged in the wholesale oyster business until he retired to enjoy in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil.
At the usual age Harry H. Ford entered the public schools of Bridgeport and passed through consecutive grades to his graduation from the high school. He has been engaged in the automobile business since 1907, in which year he began selling second-hand cars on Fairfield avenue. In 1909 he opened a place of business at 445 Stratford avenue, handling the Stoddard-Dayton cars in Bridgeport and vieinity. Subsequently he secured the Ford agency for Bridgeport and vicinity and later the Reo agency in the same territory. He has also had the agency for the Chalmers car and in 1915 he accepted the agency for the Overland car. which he has since had. His plant is large and well equipped and includes a showroom and warehouse one hundred and fifty by one hundred feet, also a two-story build- ing fifty by fifty feet used for parts and storage, with a vacant lot adjoining. He likewise has a showroom twenty-five by seventy feet at 338 Fairfield avenue. He employs two sales- men and several mechanics and office people, numbering fourteen in all. In addition to handling the different cars mentioned he also sells the Bessemer trueks.
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