USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > History of Bridgeport and vicinity > Part 52
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In August, 1916, Mr. Boyle was married to Miss Katherine Law, of New Rochelle, New York. He has also married many couples, some of considerable note, in his capacity as justice of the peace. He belongs to the Country Club and to various social and fraternal organizations and he is in fact one of the most alert and energetic citizens of Fairfield, connected with every line of the city's development and doing more than perhaps any other one to advance its progress.
JAMES HENRY CALLAHAN, D. D. S.
Dr. James Henry Callahan, engaged in the practice of dentistry in Bridgeport for twenty years, occupying the same offices throughout the entire period, at No. 1025 Main street, was born February 6, 1875, in the city which is yet his home. His father, Timothy Phillip Calla- han, was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1847 and was a son of Daniel C. Callahan and a grandson of Daniel Callahan, who came from County Tipperary, Ireland. Timothy P. Callahan devoted his life to the insurance business. Ile wedded Delia Power, who was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1851 and is now living in Bridgeport, but Timothy P. Callahan passed away in 1907. In the family were three children, the two daughters being Luella and Florence, respectively older and younger than Dr. Callahan.
The only son, following his graduation from the Bridgeport high school with the class of 1893, entered the dental department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1894 and was graduated therefrom on the completion of his course in 1897. Since that time he has been engaged in the practice of dentistry in Bridgeport and through two decades has been accorded a liberal patronage, meeting all three of the requirements of successful dental practice-the possession of broad scientific knowledge, mechanical skill and ingenuity and the ability to capably manage the financial interests of the business. His work has been highly satisfactory to his patients, many of whom have been his patrons throughout this entire period. He belongs to the Bridgeport Dental Society, the Connecticut State Dental Society, the National Dental Society and the Northeastern and New England Dental Societies.
On the 1st of September, 1909, Dr. Callahan was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Honora Reck, of Bridgeport, a daughter of Jobn Reck, a well known florist of this city. They have two sons: John R., who was born August 2, 1910; and Henry Phillip, born December 24, 1916.
Dr. Callahan holds membership in St. Augustine's Roman Catholic church and also with the Knights of Columbus. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and he is now serving for the second term on the board of health of Bridgeport. He is fond
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of baseball and football and enjoys yachting, hunting and fishing. He belongs to the Elks lodge, also to the Algonquin Club and the Bridgeport Yacht Club and in social circles is popular but bas never allowed social interests to interfere with the faithful performance of his duties in a professional way and thus he has reached the ereditable position which he occupies as a representative of the dental profession in Bridgeport.
ALEXANDER W. LEMONT.
Alexander W. Limont. superintendent of manufacture with the Bridgeport Brass Com- pany, was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, in 1866, a son of Alexander H. and Emma Caroline (Mains) Limont, and a grandson of Alexander Limont, who was a sea captain. The grand- father was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and came to the United States about 1855, after which he was continuously engaged in the brass business in Waterbury. Connecticut, until his life's labors were ended. Alexander H. Limont was about eleven years old when the family came to America in 1855. He resided in Waterbury until 1902, when he retired from active business and now spends the winters in California. During his business carcer he was connected with brass manufacturing and allied businesses.
At the usual age Alexander W. Limont entered the schools of his native city and mastered the branches of learning therein taught through the various grades in the high school. Later he began learning the machinist's and tool maker's trade and was with the Waterbury Farrel Foundry and subsequently with the firm of Holmes, Booth & Hayden. Subsequently he was connected with the American Brass Company. He had been advanced to the position of master mechanic with Holmes, Booth & Hayden and at a later date he organized the Atlas Machine Company of Waterbury, in which connection he carried on business for four years in the manufacture of special machinery. Mr. Limont came to Bridgeport in February, 1910, as superintendent of the manufacturing department of the Bridgeport Brass Company, with which he has since been associated in that position. For more than seven years he has filled that position to the entire satisfaction of the officers of the company. the worth of his work being daily attested in results.
In 1890 Mr. Limont was united in marriage to Miss Adelaide P. Abbott, of Waterbury, by whom he has two children. Alexander W., Jr., and Elizabeth Van Rensselaer.
Mr. Limont exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and recognizes the duties and obligations as well as the privileges of citizenship. He attends the Presbyterian church and he holds membership in the Algonquin Club. He is also a Chapter Mason and a loyal adherent of the teachings of the craft. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, for starting out in life without college training, he has steadily advanced through merit and ability until he has reached a position of importance and responsibility.
ROY E. CLARK.
Roy E. Clark, conducting one of the leading insurance agencies of Bridgeport, estab- lished his present business in 1905 and through the intervening period his close application and study have led to a development that spells success. He was born in New Haven, May 11, 1874, and is a son of John E. and Adella E. (Ives) Clark, now residents of Holyoke, Massachusetts. The father, who was formerly a paper manufacturer, is now president of the Peoples Savings Bank of that city.
Roy E. Clark is the only representative of the family in Bridgeport and is the eldest
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of three living children, having a brother and sister. In the paternal line he is descended from one of the old colonial families, and the substantial qualities which have ever been associated with the name of Clark find expression in his own career. He was but five years of age when his parents removed to Holyoke, Massachusetts, and after attending the common schools he prepared for college at Wilbraham Academy in that state. During his senior year he was president of his class and also played on the academie baseball team. In 1897 he entered Brown University and was graduated therefrom with the Ph. B. degree in 1901. While pursuing his college course he was captain of the university baseball team during both his junior and senior years, having made the team in his freshman year, was also president of the Young Men's Christian Association and general secretary of the College Association. He was likewise vice president of his class as a freshman and was president thereof during his junior year. In a word, he was a popular member of the class, displaying those sterling qualities which are the only coin that pass current among college boys. In 1902 he came to Bridgeport and for two years was assistant secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association of this city. He also played on the Bridgeport baseball team in the Connecticut State League in 1903 and 1904 and played with the New York Nationals during a portion of 1902, his position being in the outfield. In 1905 he turned his attention to the general insurance business, which he has since conducted under his own name, handling all kinds of insurance, and today he has one of the leading agencies of Bridgeport.
On the 27th of June, 1905, Mr. Clark was married to Miss Katherine E. Wheeler, a daughter of David C. Wheeler, a well known manufacturer of Bridgeport, who is treasurer and one of the directors of the Acme Shear Company. They have two sons: David Wheeler, born May 9, 1909; and John Elliott, born December 1, 1913. Mr. Clark and his wife hold membership in the Park Street Congregational church and he is superintendent of its Sunday school and a member of its finance committee. His wife is a graduate of the Bridgeport high school and a member of the Authors' Club. Mr. Clark has never lost his interest in the Young Men's Christian Association and is identified with the Bridgeport organization. He also belongs to the Delta Phi, a college fraternity. to the Seaside Club and to the Bridge- port Automobile Club. He is fond of all manly outdoor sports, especially baseball, of which he may be termed a fan. His political support is given to the republican party where national issues and questions are involved, but locally he easts an independent ballot. His success in business and popularity as a citizen are based upon those sterling traits of character which in every land and clime awaken confidence and regard.
PHILIP J. MCLAUGHLIN, D. D. S.
Dr. Philip J. MeLaughlin, engaged in dental practice in Bridgeport, was born in Nashua, New Hampshire, August 28, 1880, a son of James P. MeLaughlin, now a well known retired citizen of Bridgeport, who was formerly foreman of the Bridgeport Forge Company, a position which he occupied for many years. His wife bore the maiden name of Bridget Barry and she, too, is living. Both parents were born in Ireland but came to the United States in early childhood and were married in New Hampshire. In their family were three sons, Philip J., William J. and Albert A., all of whom are dentists and have offices in the Security building in Bridgeport.
Dr. Philip J. MeLaughlin was but four years of age when his parents removed to this city and in the acquirement of his education he attended the public schools until he was graduated from the high school with the class of 1899. He afterward pursued an academic course in Niagara University for two years and then entered the Philadelphia Dental College, from which he received his D. D. S. degree in 1906, after three years of study there. Since 1907 he has practiced continuously in Bridgeport and has occupied his present offices
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since 1909. They are well equipped with the latest appliances and accessories of successful dental practice. In operation he is patient, skillful and capable and the excellence of his work has brought to him a liberal patronage.
On the 17th of October, 1914, Dr. MeLaughlin was married to Miss Ida E. Hicks, of Montreal, Canada, and they have a son, and a daughter: Philip Hicks, born September 19, 1915; and Mary H., born May 19, 1917. Their religious faith is indicated in the fact that they are communicants of St. Charles' Roman Catholic church and that Dr. Mclaughlin is a Knight of Columbus. He is also an Elk and is a past exalted ruler of the local lodge. His political allegiance is given the democratic party and along strictly professional lines be has membership with the Bridgeport, Connecticut State and National Dental Societies.
THOMAS JAMES PARDY.
The rapid industrial development of Bridgeport in the last few years has brought with it unusual activity in the field of building construction and the large share of this work done by the T. J. Pardy Construction Company indicates the high rank which it holds and the enviable reputation which it enjoys. The president of the company, Thomas James Pardy, is a recognized authority upon all matters pertaining to building contracting and bas been markedly successful in choosing the men to be associated with him in the management of his business. He was born on the island of Guernsey, April 14, 1862, and is a son of Thomas Rogers Pardy, who with his father sailed from Guernsey to Australia in 1846. The father was captain of the ship on which they made the voyage, a small brig called the Nancy, and Thomas Rogers Pardy went as a passenger. He remained in Australia for several years and then returned to Guernsey, where he resided until his death at the age of eighty-six years. He was highly esteemed for his unswerving rectitude of character and his opinion as to public affairs carried great weight, but he was of a retiring disposi- tion and steadfastly refused to accept public office. The grandfather and great-grandfather of our subject were both taken prisoners during the war between France and England in the seventeenth century and were imprisoned in France for seven years. At the time of capture the grandfather was but fourteen years of age. The great-grandfather was captain and part owner of one of the many privateers in use during that war. When at last the two men were released and returned to Guernsey they found to their surprise and indignation that their portion of the prizes captured by them and their crew had been divided between the other owners, with the exception of a very small portion that was given to their relatives. At that time privateering was very common and was an important source of wealth to the islanders and there was also considerable smuggling. The Pardy family removed to the island of Guernsey from Yorkshire. Nearly all of the men of the family followed the sea and became renowned for their daring. On his mother's side Mr. Pardy of this review is descended from the Ozanne family, one of the oldest families of Normandy, and his ancestors removed from that duchy to Guernsey when the island belonged to Normandy. The name is very common and very highly honored in the island of Guernsey, where representatives of the family have resided for generations. They have engaged in farming to some extent and also have owned small sloops, trading with France and the southwest coast of England. At present the office of bailiff of the island, which is the highest political position under the home rule system of government, is held by a member of this family. The mother of Mr. Pardy, who was in her maidenhood Miss Judith Ozanne, is still living in Guernsey at the age of eighty-two years and is in very comfortable financial circumstances.
Thomas J. Pardy attended the parish schools of his native town until he was eleven years old and then went to work as an errand boy, being so employed for two years. When thirteen years old he was bound by his father as an apprentice to a shipbuilder and
THOMAS J. PARDY
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was compelled by his master to do all kinds of manual labor and sometimes had to work from twelve to sixteen hours a day. For several months he was a blacksmith's helper and then was given charge of a kiln, which promotion meant that it was his business to have a fire under the boiler not later than four o'clock in the morning so that the planks would be steamed and ready for the men, who commenced work at seven. His employer was very exacting and the boy, realizing that he was being unfairly treated, rebelled on several occa- sions, which resulted in his receiving a severe scolding or even sometimes a beating. At last things came to such a pass that the boy decided that he would go to jail if need be rather than submit longer to the unfair treatment of his employer, whom he openly defied, refusing to do any more unskilled labor and demanding that he be taught his trade according to the terms of the indentures. His employer then discharged him, and as there were wit- nesses to this act, the boy gained his freedom. There was but very little shipbuilding in progress at the time and Mr. Pardy then secured work as an apprentice to a well known building contractor, who had the largest business of the kind on the island. This man was very different from his first employer and held the respect and even the affection of every man and boy working for him. Although the work which he had been compelled to do in the shipyard was altogether too hard for a growing boy, nevertheless it taught him how to handle heavy pieces of timber to the best advantage. It was nothing unusual for two boys not over fourteen years of age to take a pair of heavy timber wheels and load them with a heavy oak beam and the experience and skill which he gained in handling such heavy timber later proved of great advantage to Mr. Pardy. It was also impressed upon him while in the employ of the shipbuilder that even from the point of view of the employer unjust treatment of employes was a mistake and that the best results could be obtained by fair dealing and scrupulous consideration of the rights of the men. During his appren- ticeship to the building contractor he bought what trade papers he could afford and became keenly interested in the theoretical as well as the practical phase of the business. Realizing the close relation of mathematics to the various engineering problems involved in building, he took up the study of arithmetic and geometry and the knowledge thus gained has been an important factor in his later success. When nineteen years old he was given charge of heavy fortification work as foreman for a government contractor in England and a short time after completing that job he went into business with his brother. For several years they operated as contractors and met with gratifying success, but at length disagreed as to the enlargement of the business. Consequently the partnership was dissolved and Thomas J. Pardy came to the United States and secured work as a carpenter in New York. While in that city he was employed on the reconstruction of the Brooklyn Elevated Railroad, the enlargement of Brooklyn bridge, the erection of a train shed at the Brooklyn end of that bridge and the construction of the Brooklyn fire department headquarters and also other important work. This varied experience was just what he needed to round out his knowl- edge of all phases of construction work. On leaving New York he secured a position as fore- man for a small contractor and traveled through Massachusetts building frame barns, during this period taking a correspondence school course in construction. Later he waa foreman for the firm of Peck & MeWilliams in Norwich, Connecticut, and in time became their general superintendent. He left their employ to accept a position as superintendent for the Torrington Building Company and not long afterward they opened a branch office in Bridgeport and installed Mr. Pardy here as their general manager. Under his direction the branch was very successful and secured many large contracts, which were carried out under his supervision, including the shot tower for the Union Metallic Cartridge Company, the new plant of the Whiting Silver Company, buildings for the Connecticut Electric Manu- facturing Company, for Werdlich Brothers, Barton & Mitchell, Gaynor & Mitchell. Warner Brothers, the Locomobile Company of America, the new plant of the Bridgeport Screw Company, the Poli Theatre and stores, an addition to the plant of Yale & Towne, the remodeling of the Sagal building, the construction of the stores and office building for the Vol 11-22
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Hawley Hardware Company, buildings for the Alling Rubber Company, a parochial school at South Norwalk, a high school at New Milford, Connecticut, and factory buildings at Irvington, Connecticut.
At length, actuated by the same laudable ambition that had cansed him to seek his fortune in the new world, Mr. Pardy decided to form a company of his own and on the Ist of February, 1913, incorporated the T. J. Pardy Construction Company, his associate in the establishment of the business being S. T. Hewlett. During the first year of its existence the new concern secured a number of important contracts and the successful completion of those jobs gave them a good standing as reputable builders and the efficient handling of the financial end of the business assured them of excellent credit. In September, 1914, they commenced work on a one-story building for the Union Metallic Cartridge Company and after the outbreak of the war they were entrusted with the construction of the extensive plant of that company on the south side of Boston avenue. This work was carried on with unusual speed, the buildings being constructed in record time. This evidence of the efficiency of the T. J. Pardy Construction Company was an important factor in gaining for it other large contracts and today it ranks as one of the foremost construction companies in New England. Since its organization it has constructed Poli's Springfield Theatre, the Walling- ford school, the Nichols Street school, the Poli block, buildings for the Frisbie Pie Company, the Compressed Paper Box Company, the Connecticut Brewery Company, D. M. Read Co., the United Cigar Stores, the Howlands Dry Goods Company, the New York, New Haven & Hart- ford Railroad Company at Danbury, Tait & Sons, Burns & Bassick, the Royal Equipment Company, the Bridgeport Brass Company, the Terry Estate, the Brooklawn Country Club, the Bridgeport Screw Company, the Electric Cable Company, the Bridgeport Steel Company, the Connecticut Electric Company, the Bridgeport Housing Company, the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company, the American British Manufacturing Company, the Middle Street Realty Company, the Farist Steel Company, two houses for H. W. Pardy, the residence of Mrs. J. E. Pardy, Holy Cross church and Parsons' Foundry. The company has also completed the Dennis job and the Campbell job at Waterbury and has done work for the Pilling Brass Company at Waterbury. It has also erected fifty buildings for the Union Metallic Cartridge Company, five for the Connecticut Chain Company, Inc., seven for the Standard Chain Company and nine for the American Graphophone Company.
One important factor of the conduct of the company has been its generosity toward its employes, Mr. Pardy thus applying the lessons which he learned in his boyhood as to the value of whole-hearted cooperation between the heads of a business and the men working under them. He has acted on the principle that the man whom you know is usually of more use to you than the man whom you do not know and has insisted that this idea be carried out by his under executives. The officials of the company from Mr. Pardy down have taken a great interest in the welfare of the employes and as a result of this liberal policy the men feel that they are not merely hirelings, but are really a part of the concern and accordingly give to the company their entire loyalty and the best work of which they are capable. Besides the customary officials there is an executive association, regularly organized, which meets at least once a month for the discussion of trade subjects and also for social intercourse. Each year the company gives a bonus in a lump sum to the super- intendents and foremen, the men deciding as to its distribution. Other similar plans are now under consideration by the executives of the company, which is still further proof that the company is giving scientific study not only to the problems of production but also to the question of the equitable distribution of the profits. It has been a source of the keenest satisfaction to Mr. Pardy that many of the men who have entered the employ of the com- pany in unimportant capacities have risen to positions of responsibility and he has con- sistently done all within his power to further their advancement. He has shown unusual keenness in his judgment of men and has just cause to be proud of his associates in the management of the business. The force of character underlying his quiet, retiring disposi-
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tion, his gift of leadership and his unquestioned technical knowledge combine to make him a leader in his chosen field of work.
Mr. Pardy has been married three times. He first wedded Julia Sheppard, of Guernsey, and they had three children: Reta Emily, the wife of J. Boess, of Bridgeport: Herbert Walter, who is associated in business with his father; and Elsie Mildred, the wife of C. H. Blight, who is also connected in business with Mr. Pardy. The wife and mother passed away in Guernsey and for his second wife Mr. Pardy chose Flora N. Agard, of Brimfield, Massachusetts, who passed away at Norwich, Connecticut, leaving a son, Raymond Corbin, now at home. Mr. Pardy has since married Juliaette Spicer, of Ledyard, Connecticut, a repre- sentative of one of the old families of this state.
In politics Mr. Pardy is a republican and fraternally he is connected with Corinthian Lodge, No. 104. A. F. & A. M., with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also Pioneer Lodge, Sons of St. George. He belongs to the Bridgeport Club and to the Park Street Con- gregational church. in which he is a very active and helpful worker, recognizing and utilizing the opportunities for the promotion of its interests just as readily and effectively as he has used the opportunities that have come to him in a business way.
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