USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > History of Bridgeport and vicinity > Part 54
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Esley W. Dunning was employed in the factory between the ages of fourteen and twenty-one years. He began at the bottom and mastered all the different processes of shoe and boot making. At the outset his duties included the sweeping of the office and service as errand boy. By the time he had attained his majority he was familiar with all departments of the business and had developed expert skill. In 1884, however, he left the company and went to Detroit, where he spent three years, being actively connected with the grain business. In 1887 he returned to Bridgeport and resumed his connection with the Wisner Shoe Company. Three years later he purchased an interest in a silver man- ufacturing plant, of which he remained one of the owners for seven years. He then
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became secretary and export manager of the Barker Silver Company with offices in Man- hattan and factory at Brooklyn, New York. Later they purchased factory property at Milford, Connecticut, and removed the factory there. Mr. Dunning was afterward made receiver of the Milford business and eventually reorganized the undertaking, becoming treasurer and general manager of a new corporation and so continuing until the plant was sold. Mr. Dunning then returned to Bridgeport and for several years was engaged in giving expert advice and information to manufacturers, but about a decade ago he entered upon his present responsible position as superintendent of the Bridgeport Bradstreet Agency, a position for which he was peculiarly fitted. From the start he has held the position of superintendent, his capability being at once recognized.
In 1890 Mr. Dunning was united in marriage to Miss Marietta Courter, of Bridge- port, a daughter of W. W. Courter, a well known citizen here. Mrs. Dunning belongs to the Daughters of the American Revolution and on both the paternal and maternal sides Mr. Dunning is eligible to membership with the Sons. They have become parents of one child. Sherman C., who is a graduate of the Bliss Electrical School of Washington, D. C., and is now an electrical engineer, holding a good position with the Tabulating Machine Company of New York city in its office at Hartford, Connecticut. Mr. Dunning has had broad experience along business lines and is notably alert, progressive, enterprising and tactful-qualities which have splendidly equipped him for his responsible position as superintendent of the Bradstreet Agency at Bridgeport.
ADOLPH KREGLING.
Adolph Kregling, president of the Bridgeport Piston Ring Company, was born in Germany in 1874 and since 1892 has made his home in Bridgeport. He learned the machin- ist's trade in his native country and his entire life activity has been directed along that line. He has had broad mechanical experience, serving as general foreman for a time with the Automatic Machine Company, and for eighteen years he was with various concerns as a master mechanic, throughout which period he was continually adding to his knowledge and efficiency. At length he became one of the promoters of the Bridgeport Piston Ring Company. which was established in 1913 and was incorporated in 1916 with Mr. Kregling as the president and treasurer. Karl Bitzer as vice president and A. W. Palmer, secretary. The business was located on Third street, near Connecticut avenue, and in 1916 they built a new factory, a one story and basement structure, forty by one hundred feet. They grind cylinders and manufacture various kinds of pistons and piston rings, employing ten skilled mechanics. Their product is sold throughout the southern and eastern parts of the United States. the purchasers being largely dealers and jobbers. The business has continuously grown and developed in the past four years and their trade relations are constantly broadening.
KARL BITZER.
Karl Bitzer, the vice president of the Bridgeport Piston Ring Company, came to Bridgeport in his boyhood days and learned the machinist's trade with the Bullard Machine Tool Company, in which connection he gained comprehensive and thorough knowledge of work along that line. Later he was made foreman of the American-British Company and afterward became connected with the Automatic Machine Company, which advanced him to the position of general foreman. He became connected with the Bridgeport Piston Ring
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Company upon its organization and is now its second officer, in which connection he is bending his efforts to the development of the business along substantial lines, making it one of the reliable industrial enterprises of the city.
ROY E. TUTHILL, D. D. S.
The well equipped dental office of Dr. Roy E. Tuthill is the visible evidence of his ability and skill in practice, Bridgeport classing him with the able representatives of the dental profession. He was born in Orient, Long Island, November 22, 1879, a son of Captain Roswell H. Tuthill, who was likewise born in Orient, where he still resides. He is widely known on eastern Long Island as a prominent fisherman. The grandfather, Lewis Tuthill, also made his home at Orient. The mother of Dr. Tuthill was in her maidenhood Fannie L. Fournier, whose father was a French sea captain. The Tuthill family, however, comes of English ancestry and was represented in the Revolutionary war, the great-grand- father of Dr. Tuthill having served as an officer in the Continental army.
Dr. Tuthill attended the public schools of Orient until he reached the age of sixteen years. when he came to Bridgeport and learned the tool maker's trade with the Ameri- can & British Manufacturing Company, a concern that makes guns-six pounders and smaller ones-for the United States army and navy. He spent three years at that work and afterward was employed at tool making in various places in Bridgeport for six years. In 1904 he entered the New York College of Dentistry, in which he spent three years, and was graduated with the D. D. S. degree in 1907. Since that time he has been in active practice in Bridgeport and during the past five years has been located at No. 10 Wash- ington avenue as the associate of Dr. A. C. Fones.
On the 18th of June, 1907, Dr. Tuthill was married to Miss Harriet Augusta Fones and they have a daughter, Elizabeth Colleen, who was born February 12, 1911. They are well known socially, Dr. Tuthill holding membership in the Seaside and Weatogue Clubs. He also belongs to the Bridgeport Dental Society, the Connecticut and the National Dental Societies and the Northeastern Dental Society and in the first named has been honored with the presideney. He holds to a high standard of professional ethics and in his practice has made steady progress along the lines leading to substantial and creditable success.
FREDERICK F. WHITEHEAD.
The progress and improvement of a city depends in large measure upon its real estate activities, especially in the field of development of subdivisions and of city properties, and it is to this line of real estate business that the Whitehead-Jones Company of Bridge- port. of which Frederick F. Whitehead is the president, is largely devoted. He was born in Yorkshire, England, January 15, 1856. His parents there spent their entire lives, his father, Francis Whitehead, being a house decorator who lived in the village of Bramham, near the home of "Black Tom" Fairfax, one of the generals who fought in the Wars of the Roses. The mother of F. F. Whitehead bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Dobson.
In the village of Bramliam, Frederick F. Whitehead spent the days of his youth and acquired his education. He afterward learned the trade of a painter and decorator there under his father's direction and became an expert house decorator. his services being in demand in a large territory in the vicinity of Bramham. He continued with his father in this business until he reached the age of twenty-eight years, at which time the father retired. later spending his days in Southport, England, in the enjoyment of the fruits of his
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former toil and there passing away a few years ago. At length Frederick F. Whitehead determined to try his fortune in America and in 1888, when thirty-two years of age. crossed the Atlantic, after which he spent several years in New York city engaged in the business of house decorating and paper hanging. Removing to New Rochelle, New York, it was there that he first turned his attention to the real estate business. In 1903 he became a resident of South Norwalk, Connecticut, where he had purchased a tract of twenty-eight acres on Norwalk Harbor. He developed the tract, calling it Harbor View Beach, and he also developed Gibson Terrace at South Norwalk and other smaller tracts. He has been a real estate operator and developer in the Bridgeport field for the past six years but did not take up his permanent abode in the city until 1915, when he purchased his present home at the corner of Gilman street and Fairfield avenue. Before his removal to Bridgeport. how- ever. the Whitehead-Jones Company had come into existence, his partner being Walter S. Jones, of South Norwalk, who has since passed away, Mr. Whitehead then succeeding to the presidency of the company. The firm was organized for the purpose of developing city properties in South Norwalk, Stamford and Bridgeport and has opened up several important tracts, including Residence Park of sixty-five acres, Villeneuve of about twenty-four acres, Columbus Park of twelve acres and others. He is now opening up several other tracts in the vicinity of Bridgeport and through his efforts unsightly vacancies have been transformed into attractive residence districts utilized for the expansion of the city, which in recent years has had a marvelous growth.
Mr. Whitehead bas been married twice. Before leaving England he wedded Emily Gower, who died in New Rochelle, New York, when about twenty-four years of age. A year later he wedded Jennie Gibson Brotherton, of Cbester Park, a suburb of New Rochelle. A son of the first marriage, William Whitehead, now holds a good position in a motor car factory of Detroit, Michigan. The two children of the present marriage are Charles Gibson and Jennie Gibson. both at home. Fraternally Mr. Whitehead is an Elk and the religious faith of himself and wife is indicated in their membership in St. George's Episcopal church. Mr. Whitehead has made three visits back to England since first coming to the United States, although the last was made more than twenty years ago, ere the death of his parents. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world. for here he found business opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has steadily advanced. As he has taken a forward step, a broader outlook has opened before him and he has utilized the advantages which have been presented with the result that he is today recognized as one of the leading and prosperous real estate dealers of Bridge- port.
HERBERT F. STENSTREAM.
Herbert F. Stenstream, conducting a growing and profitable business under the name of the H. F. Stenstream Company, plumbing contractors, was born in Gloucester, Massa- elmsetts. in 1881. a son of Charles and Hulda (Hanson) Stenstream. The father, who long sailed the ocean as a captain, was at length lost at sea in 1890, but the mother still survives.
Herbert F. Stenstream was one of a family of five children. He acquired a high school education and afterward learned the plumbing trade, subsequent to which time he embarked in business on his own account. Later he sold out and removed to Bridgeport, where in 1909 he purchased an interest in the N. B. Curtis Company, which was incorporated in 1914. The business was organized in 1877 by Curtis Brothers, who remained in active connection therewith for a long period, N. B. Curtis retiring in 1915. At a recent date the stockholders decided to change the name from the N. B. Curtis Company to the H. F. Stenstream Company,
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HERBERT F. STENSTREAM
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under which style the business is now conducted. The present officers are H. F. Stenstream, president and treasurer, and M. I. Stenstream, secretary. The former had been a partner in the business for six years and became secretary and vice president at the time of the incorporation. At length he succeeded to the interest of Mr. Curtis, becoming chief owner of the enterprise. Their plant is located at No. 46 Kossuth street, where they occupy a building forty-five by seventy-five feet, devoted to plumbing, sheet metal work and steam fitting. They employ fifteen skilled mechanies and fifteen helpers and sometimes their force is increased beyond that number. They have done the plumbing for the Empire Theatre and many of the large apartment houses of the city, also for the Birdsey-Somers plant and the Connecticut car barns. One of the contracts awarded the company was for the installation of the plumbing in thirty houses on Parrott avenue. Their business increased one hundred per cent in 1916 and the growth of their patronage is due to the excellent work which they turn out, the president of the company being thoroughly skilled in every branch of the trade and thus well able to direct the efforts and activities of those in his employ. His high standing in trade circles is indicated by the fact that he has been elected to the presi- dency of the Master Plumbers' Association of Bridgeport. He is also the president of the Mutual Investers of Bridgeport. Connectieut, which he founded. He resides at 223 Bronx avenue. where he erected an attractive cottage.
In 1907 Mr. Stenstream was united in marriage to Miss Mary Wonson, a daughter of Herman Wonson, of Gloucester, Massachusetts, and they have three children, Charles Robert. Marjorie and Mildred. The family attend the Olivet church.
Mr. Stenstream holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party, feeling that its platform contains the best elements of good government. In his busi- ness career he has steadily worked his way upward, advancing step by step as he has mastered the trade and gaining efficiency from experience and increased power from his con- tinuous activity.
H. A. PHILIPS.
On the list of Bridgeport's prominent manufacturers appears the name of H. A Philips, now the vice president and assistant treasurer of Alb. & E. Henkels, Incorporated. He is of German birth and after acquiring a public school education became connected with the lace making trade in the fatherland. He has resided in the United States, however, since 1904 and was here engaged in lace making until 1909, when he joined Max Henkels in organizing the Alb. & E. Henkels Company, which established the business that has grown from small proportions to one of the large productive industries of the city. From the beginning Mr. Philips has had voice in the management of this concern, his long experience in the lace making trade giving him a knowledge of the business that makes bis opinions largely authoritative. The industry is indeed a valuable addition to the manufacturing interests of Bridgeport, where it has now been in successful operation for eight years.
JOHN J. MYERS, D. D. S.
Dr. John J. Myers, successfully practicing dentistry in the Security building in Bridge- port, was born in Wallingford. Connecticut, February 6, 1882, a son of John J. and Catherine (Kane) Myers. The father. who was a business man of Wallingford, is now deceased, but the mother still makes her home there.
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Dr. Myers, their only son, was reared in his native city and in the attainment of his education passed through consecutive grades to the high school, from which he was grad- uated in 1898. He afterward attended the dental department of the University of Pennsyl- vania and on the completion of the prescribed course was graduated in 1903 with the D. D. S. degree. He has since practiced in Bridgeport, and has won a very creditable and sub- stantial measure of success. He holds membership in the Bridgeport, the Connectiont State and the National Dental Societies and also the Northeastern Dental Society.
Dr. Myers is connected with the Psi Omega, a dental fraternity, and also with the University of Pennsylvania Alumni Association of Connecticut. He finds his chief recreation in motoring and he belongs to the Seaside Club. In lodge circles he is known as a member of the Elks and of the Knights of Columbus, the latter drawing its membership only from the Roman Catholic church, which is an indication of Dr. Myers' religions faith.
JOHN W. SEEKINGS.
John W. Seekings, secretary-treasurer of the Bridgeport Screw Company, is thus actively connected with the management of an industry which in its equipment largely stands as a type of the best factory conditions, and in the development of the business he is displaying those qualities of energy and keen discrimination which lead to substantial success. He is a native of the south of England and in young manhood became a resident of Montreal, Canada, where he entered the employ of the Dominion Wire Company, in which connection he worked his way steadily upward until he became secretary. In this connection he thoroughly acquainted himself with every feature of the wire business. In 1911 W. H. Farrell, the president of the Dominion Wire Manufacturing Company, removed to Bridge- port to establish the Bridgeport Screw Company. Mr. Seekings came to this city also and was made secretary and treasurer of the Bridgeport corporation. Identified with the industry from its inception he took charge of the work of organization that has led to the building and equipment of one of the finest and most modern factories not only of New England bnt of the country.
Mr. Seekings has a wife and three children, Kathleen, Eileen and Kenneth, all at home. The family attend the Catholic church. Mr. Seekings is preeminently a business man con- centrating his energies and attention largely upon the interests of the factory, and his initative and progressive measures have constituted an important feature in the growth of the undertaking. Moreover. his ability is attested by the fact that upon the establishment of this plant the president of this company, W. H. Farrell, for whom he had worked in Montreal for a number of years, sought his cooperation in the new enterprise.
WALTER GRANDAGE, D. D. S.
A well equipped office indicates the progressive spirit and methods which characterize the professional work of Dr. Walter Grandage, one of the younger members of the dental profession in Bridgeport. He was born in Rockville, Connectient. December 26. 1891, and is the eldest son of Herbert and Sabina (Hanson) Grandage, who are now residents of Stratford. Connecticut, but are natives of England, where they were acquainted ere coming to the new world. They were married, however, on Staten Island after crossing the Atlantic.
Dr. Grandage spent his youthful days in Derby, Connectient, and completed a high school course there by graduation with the class of 1910. During that period he belonged to the football team, the basket ball team and the baseball team of the high school. manifest-
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ing much interest in athletics and manly outdoor sports. He played full back on the foot- ball team, which lost only one game during the two years of the Doctor's connection there- with. In the fall of 1910 he entered the Philadelphia Dental College, in which be spent three years and was graduated there with the D. D. S. degree as a member of the class of 1913. Since then he has been engaged in active practice. After spending a few months at New Haven he removed to Bridgeport in November, 1913, and has since remained in this city, where he is now accorded a fine practice that is constantly growing in volume and importance. He is a member of the City, State and National Dental Societies and thus keeps abreast with the trend of modern professional thought and investigation.
On the 2d of November, 1914. Dr. Grandage was married to Miss Doris Allerton, then of Bridgeport but a native of Leeds. England, having come with her mother to the United States in 1911. Dr. Grandage is fond of motoring, of athletics, of boating and fishing. While a student in the Philadelphia Dental College he played on the first baseball and football teams which the college ever had, being half back on the latter and second base- man with the former. He has always been an advocate of manly outdoor sports, recogniz- ing their value as health-giving agencies as well as a source of pleasure and recreation.
ALBERT C. WILLSON.
Albert C. Willson. general agent for Connecticut of the Berkshire Life Insurance Com- pany of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, was born in New York city on the 1st of November, 1873. His father is the Rev. Charles A. Willson, a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal church at present occupying a pastorate in central New York, where he has spent about forty years in the ministry. His mother, who died in 1886, was Mary Catherine (Shaw) Willson. Both parents were of English lineage. Mr. Willson has one brother, Lemuel C. Willson, of Utica. New York, who is in the investment securities business, and two sisters. Mrs. Lulu Jepson and Mrs. Maud Andrews, both of Rochester, New York.
Mr. Willson's boyhood was spent, for the most part, in the central part of New York state. He prepared for college at Cazenovia Seminary, the oldest Methodist school in the country, graduating in 1894 in the classical course. Being unable, financially, to continue his education in college. he started teaching school in Stamford, Connecticut. Meeting with success from the outset, le determined to make public school education his life work. He was shortly called to the principalsbip of the Noroton grammar school and after several years in this position he resigned in 1903 in order to more completely equip himself for the work in which he was engaged by attendance at Teachers' College, Columbia University, New York. He graduated from college in 1906 with the Bachelor of Science degree. Special work in education gave him also the Bachelor's Diploma in School Supervision. Upon graduation he was elected superintendent of schools and principal of the Staple's high school at Westport, Connecticut. The following year he was offered the position of supervising- principal of the Havemeyer school of Greenwich, Connecticut, which he accepted because of the larger salary and more extended opportunities that it offered. During this incumbency. which lasted about six years, he continued his college work by attendance at Saturday classes and summer sessions at Columbia University, New York, completing in 1909 all the requirements for the Master of Arts Degree and the Master's Diploma in Educational Administration. The subject of his thesis for the Master's degree was "Town Management of Schools in Connecticut." This was largely a statistical study comparing the old district system of school management with the consolidated or town system. This article has been reproduced in one of the educational magazines published by Columbia University. The schools of Greenwich were at the time operating under the district form of management. but through Mr. Willson's initiative and direction this was superseded in 1909 by the more
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modern and efficient town system. The high rank since attained by them has amply justi- fied his labors in this field.
After spending sixteen years in educational work, it seemed best to him to seek a more lucrative occupation than school teaching in order that he might more adequately provide for the rapidly increasing needs of a growing family. He therefore resigned his position in Greenwich and entered the life insurance business, in which he has already been unusually successful, and he has every reason to look forward with confidence to the future.
Mr. Willson maintains an independent course in politics. He is a member of the State Life Underwriters Association, the National Life Underwriters Association and the National Educational Association. He is also a member of the Seaside Club of Bridgeport, Con- necticut, of which he is a governor. He and his family are members of the United Congrega- tional church.
In 1902, Mr. Willson was married to Miss Susie Silliman, of Darien, Connecticut, a member of a family that has been prominent in the political and business life of Fairfield county for many years. Five children have been born of this union: Albert Clark, fourteen years of age; Esther Silliman, twelve; Helen Aileen, ten; Mary Catherine, eight; and Robert Silliman, four; all of whom are in school, except the last named.
CHRISTIAN HANSEN.
Christian Hansen, proprietor of a brass foundry, with which business he has been con- nected since 1908, became a resident of Bridgeport five years prior to that time. He was born in Denmark, July 14, 1875, a son of Angust and Sophia (Christiansen) Hansen. The father died in Denmark, after which the mother brought her son Christian to the new world and later was married in this country to Lawrence Hansen.
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