USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > History of Bridgeport and vicinity > Part 55
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Reared in his mother's home, Christian Hansen became a pupil in the public schools, and when his textbooks were put aside took up the study of steamfitting and engineering, which work he mastered as an employe in shops at New Britain and Stamford. In 1903 he removed to Bridgeport and in 1908, in connection with his unele, Amos Hansen, opened a brass foundry at the foot of Union avenue. The partnership existed until 1912, when the uncle was called to his final rest and since that time Mr. Hansen of this review has been sole proprietor of the business, which he has developed along substantial lines, carefully watching each detail and all indications pointing to success, so that his efforts have been far-reaching and resultant.
Mr. Hansen was united in marriage to Miss Nellie O'Connell, of Great Barrington, Massa- chusetts, who died in December. 1915, leaving two children, Jerome and Genevieve. Mr. Hansen has led a quiet and uneventful but altogether active and useful live, and whatever success he has achieved is attributable entirely to his own intelligently directed efforts and close application.
JOHN JACOB WILLIAMS.
John Jacob Williams, a prominent real estate dealer of Stratford, is active in public affairs and is now serving as selectman. He was born in Switzerland on the 13th of January, 1864. a son of John and Mary Williams, who, although in moderate circumstances, were thrifty and were able to give their son quite a good education. He completed the course in the graded and secondary schools in his native country and then went to France, where he
JOHN J. WILLIAMS
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spent a year looking for a location. He decided that the opportunities in Europe were not so good as those which, according to all reports, were to be found in the United States, and accordingly in 1883 he came to this country, landing in New York. He remained there for two weeks and went to Greens Farms, Connecticut. For a considerable period he was employed on farms in that locality and in the course of time became manager for several farms. In 1889 he removed to Stratford and for three years had charge of a farm near the city, after which he purchased land. This turned his attention to the real estate business and he has since bought and sold many tracts of land and now holds title to considerable real estate. His practical experience as a manager of farms has stood him in good stead, enabling him to judge accurately of the value of a tract of land and his real estate opera- tions have returned to him a good profit.
Mr. Williams married Miss Harriet Wood of Bridgeport, who passed away leaving a son Daniel E., and in 1914 he was married to Mrs. Jennie (Tierney) Murphy. Since 1899 he has been active in politics, having been appointed in that year to fill out an unexpired term as selectman. During the greater part of the intervening period he has held that office although he met defeat in one or two elections. He is now, however. serving his fourth con- secutive term as selectman, and there are few men in Stratford who have so thorough an understanding of municipal affairs as he. In 1909 he was deputy sheriff for a time and during his inenmbeney his friends in the Cupheag Club presented him with a very handsome badge. He attends the Congregational church and is a member of both the Masonic order and the Improved Order of Red Men, and also belongs to the Dingbat, the Stratford and the Cupheag Clubs. His record in public service is a highly creditable one, his business interests place him with the successful men of Stratford and his personal qualities are such as invariably command respect and win regard.
GEORGE E. WOOD.
Manifesting a spirit of determination and enterprise in the conduct of a real estate and insurance business, George E. Wood is meeting with well merited success, conducting his interests under the firm name of George E. Wood & Company. It is true that he entered upon a business already established as a successor of his father, but the changes which are constantly occurring in business conditions demand an adaptability and a readiness of re- source that must be inherent in the individual, and Mr. Wood has never been found lacking in this particular. Practically his entire life has been spent in this locality for he was born in Stratford, October 10, 1889, a son of Edmond C. Wood, who passed away November 26. 1910. The father was well known as a real estate man. maintaining his office in the postoffice arcade of Bridgeport for eighteen years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Georgiana Warner, was a daughter of the Rev. George R. Warner, an Episcopal minister who for fourteen years was pastor of St. Thomas church at Hartford, and who at one time was a teacher of West Stratford, now Bridgeport. Mrs. Wood still survives and makes her home in Stratford. It was on the 19th of June, 1886, at Danielson, Connecticut, that she became the wife of Edmond C. Wood and of this marriage was born four daughters, Florence Helen, Katherine Warner, Dorothy Anna and Elizabeth Hyde, all living with their mother in Stratford.
George E. Wood, the only son, is now the business head of the family, while his sister Katherine, in partnership with him, constitutes the silent member of the firm of George E. Wood & Company. He was reared in Stratford and after attending its public schools continued his education in the Bridgton Academy of Maine, spending two and a half years as a student there. He was pursuing his studies in that institution at the time of his father's death in 1910, after which he immediately returned home and assumed the management of Vol. II-23
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his father's real estate business in the Arcade. In this connection he has made a splendid record handling much important property and negotiating various realty transfers. He is making a close study of the business so that he knows what is upon the market and is able to wisely direct the investments of his clients. His sister, who is associated with him in the business, is a graduate of Smith College of Northampton, Massachusetts, where she com- pleted her studies with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1914. Another daughter, Florence Helen, the eldest of the sisters, is a graduate of the Yale School of Fine Arts.
In politics Mr. Wood is a democrat, actively interested in local political affairs, and is now serving on the town committee of Stratford. He is interested in various plans and projects for the public good and served with the Stratford Volunteer Fire Department. He belongs to the Episcopal church, to the Improved Order of Red Men, to the Cupheag Club and to the Weatogue Club, both of Stratford. He finds much delight in yachting and belongs to the Pootatuck Yacht Club of Stratford. His position in both social and business circles is an enviable one.
JACOB CUYLER SHAW.
Jacob Cuyler Shaw. president and treasurer of the West End Lumber Company, owning one of the large lumber plants of Bridgeport, was born in Albany, New York, in 1872. He acquired a public school education and after his textbooks were put aside became con- nected with the lumber trade, which he has always followed, gaining comprehensive and accurate knowledge of every phase of the business. For a time he was connected with lumber interests in northern New York and in Canada and in 1900 he came to Bridgeport, where he purchased the business now conducted under the name of the West End Lumber Company. This was organized in 1895 by R. S. Neitherent, who died about 1900, when his heirs sold the business to Mr. Shaw, who is now the president and treasurer of the company, with A. H. Shaw as the secretary. Their plant is on Harbor street, where they have four acres of ground, and they also own their docks and railroad sidings. They handle all kinds of building materials and employ about thirty-five people. Their patronage is steadily growing and they have ever recognized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement. Accordingly they put forth every effort to please their customers and promptness, reliability and progressiveness are features of their trade.
Mr. Shaw is married and has one son, Cuyler H., who is now attending school. In politics Mr. Shaw maintains an independent course yet is not remiss in the duties of citizenship and is, ever willing to cooperate in those plans and measures which are looking to the welfare and upbuilding of city and state. His social activities are largely those of the Seaside and Brooklawn Clubs, in both of which he holds membership.
JOHN EDWARD PHELAN.
John Edward Phelan. of Bridgeport, well meriting the high opinion entertained for him by those with whom he has been brought in contact. is now operating extensively in the field of advertising. He was born in this city December 9. 1880, a son of Jerome and Alice Phelan, a nephew of ex-secretary of state and the present coroner of Fairfield county, John J. Phelan. and a cousin of Supreme Court Justice Martin Keough, of the district of New York. For more than thirty years prior to 1910 his father. Jerome Phelan, was one of the best known and most prominent decorators in the New England states. He was a pioneer in this field during Bridgeport's early days and at one time had a store at Golden Hill
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and Main street in the Sanford building, now occupied by the United Department Store. IIe was also at one time president of the Master Painters & Decorators Association of the United States and he was a graduate of the New York School of Fine Arts and the Manhattan School of Design.
Liberal educational advantages were accorded John Edward Phelan, who completed a course in the Bridgeport public schools as a member of the class of 1895 and was graduated from the Bridgeport high school with the class of 1899. He afterward studied in the Scranton School of Advertising, from which he was graduated in 1905, and early in his business career he acted as special representative of the International Correspondence Schools of Scranton, Pennsylvania. covering abont one-half the states of Vermont and New Hamp- shire. He became senior member of the curb brokerage firm of J. E. Phelan & Company at 78 Broad street, New York, and sold that business in 1909 to enter actively into the adver- tising business, accepting the position of portfolio and advertising manager of the Bridge- port Herald in 1911. That position he resigned in 1915 to open his present offices under the style of the Phelan Ad-Sales Service. He also has other important business connections, being secretary of the Hnsted Mining Company of Mexico, secretary of the Bostwick Mining Company of Mexico. secretary of the Mexico Gold Mines & Investment Company, as well as president and treasurer of the Phelan Ad-Sales Service. In Collaboration with C. A. Phelan, a noteworthy campaign in the interests of honest advertising was conducted in 1913 and 1914. Through this campaign the Phelan brothers gained a nation-wide reputation as pioneers in the "truth" movement. In 1914 the "truth seal" was established in local advertising and was adopted by the Bridgeport Publicity Club. Over one hundred and twenty merchants and industrial advertisers pledged themselves to conform every statement in their printed messages to the unvarnished truth. This movement was so successful that the Phelan brothers were invited to advise with the executive committee of the Associated Advertising Clubs of the World at Toronto, Canada, in June, 1914. to work out a plan to nationalize the use of the "truth seal" in advertising. During a three-day session the Phelans argued steadfastly for the plan used in Bridgeport. namely: any advertiser who would agree to certain conditions could use the seal without charge, predicting the death of the movement if a license fee were charged. They were overruled and a fee system adopted. but the seal, as predicted, dropped from view-it was killed. As the outcome of this campaign J. E. Phelan was appointed as vigilance chairman for Connecticut of the National Vigilance Committee.
The Phelan Ad-Sales Service was established in 1916 and its principle of operation sounded a new note in the conduct of an advertising service bureau. Being a firm believer in the fact that no man can serve two masters, Mr. Phelan chose to be a pioneer in the "straight fee agency" field. hence the Phelan Ad-Sales Service is supported by the advertiser and not the publisher. In an interview Mr. Phelan said in part: "We are interested in securing for the advertiser as much publicity as his dollar will buy and our mission is to 'save and not to spend.' The advertiser pays us a fixed sum per month and year regardless of the amount of money appropriated: in that way we are in every sense of the word 'free lances.' We are not dependent on any commission from the publisher nor do we seek such commission. By this method of operation we are unbiased buyers of space. We can weigh each proposition on its relative merits and select only those that in our judgment (which is not infallible) measure up to a standard of value. Of course we have made bad friends with some publishers whose product is of unknown vahte, but that is to be expected when you're the middleman and are exploring new fields. As an added feature we protect. absolutely, the merchant from the itinerant advertising vendor who has long been a source of great trouble and considerable expense. In this way we are performing a public mission, as we conserve to legitimate advertising mediums thousands of dollars annually." The busi- ness, while new and uniqne to local merehants and advertisers, was a success from the start. due to the tireless efforts of the founder. At the present time the Phelan Ad-Sales Service
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is acting as advertising director for over thirty local concerns, nearly all of whom are leaders in their field. They include banks (national, savings and trust), real estate, piano, furniture, jewelry, land developers, public service corporations, phonograph, ladies' shops, men's shops, automobile and dental businesses, as well as several large industrial plants. Plans are now about completed for the entrance of the Phelan Ad-Sales Service in the National field of advertising.
On the 4th of June, 1906, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Mr. Phelan was united in marriage to Miss Ada D. Combs, a daughter of Herbert and Emma Combs. They have one child, Marguerite Claire. Mr. Phelan is president of Stratford Fire Company, No. 3 (Lordship), and is the Connecticut member of the National Vigilance Committee. In politics he main- tains an independent course but is president of the Lordship Political Club. He belongs also to the Bridgeport Publicity Club and he likewise has membership in the Bridgeport and Kiwanis Clubs. Mr. Phelan is making for himself a notable place in the business world. He has in marked degree the spirit of initiative and the keen vision which enables him to look beyond the exigencies of the moment to the opportunities of the future. He is working along lines that indicate a thorough understanding of present conditions and a recognition of tendencies in the business world, and in a unique field he is proving the worth of his work.
EDWARD A. MCLELLAN, M. D.
Dr. Edward A. MeLellan, a successful practicing physician, has been health officer of Bridgeport for twenty years and his long continuation in that position indicates how ably he has served the city and how much he has done for the improvement of sanitation and other conditions which affect public health. He has performed a marvelous amount of work necessary in connection with the very rapid development of the city, which has brought about constantly changing conditions. A native of Nova Scotia, he was born near Halifax, July 11, 1842. His father. John Gilmore MeLellan, was a ship owner, carriage builder and blacksmith. He, too, was born in Nova Scotia but in 1850 came to Southport, Connecticut. and in 1869 removed to Bridgeport. where his death occurred on the 1st of January. 1870. Not only was he actively associated with the industrial development of the city but also contributed to its moral progress through the prominent part which he took in the establish- ment of the Park Street Congregational church and his continued efforts for the extension of its influence. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rebecca Ann O'Brien, was of Scotch- Irish Presbyterian stock, representing a long line of ancestry in Nova Scotia. She was called to her final rest in 1870.
Dr. Edward A. MeLellan is one of three living sons, the others being Dr. Frederick MeLellan, a veterinary surgeon of Bridgeport, who was graduated from the McGill University, and George, also living in this city. Dr. Edward A. MeLellan was a little lad of eight years when brought to Bridgeport and in 1882 he was graduated from a veterinary college of New York city, after which he practiced that profession for several years. He then took up the study of medicine and in 1894 was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Boston with the M. D. degree. He has since practiced in Bridgeport with success. his ability being widely recognized, and for two decades he has been health officer. He is a member of the Bridgeport Medical Society and in a private capacity and as an official he has done splendid work for the city. A local paper said: "To the wonderful improve- ments brought about in slaughter house conditions in Bridgeport during the past twelve years, much of the credit is due to Dr. Edward A. MeLellan. When he was appointed to the position of health officer, the city made no pretext of having a slaughter house or any inspec- tion of the meat sold here. Butchering was done on any of the farms about the outskirts of the city. An old barn on a farm at the upper end of North Main street was generally
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used for the greater part of the slaughtering. It had no special equipment for the work except the few things that were absolutely essential, and animals suffering from tuberculosis in advanced stages, or any other disease, could be slaughtered and the beef sold for food without questions being asked. Dr. MeLellan saw the evil possibilities in such a lax system and at once began the agitation to have laws passed requiring the inspection of all meat sold in the city. After much patient work he succeeded, so that all meat sold must be inspected and passed upon either by a city or federal inspector. It was then that a city meat inspector was appointed." This is but one of the many phases of work which he has undertaken and successfully accomplished, and he is continually studying out methods to improve sanitary and health conditions in Bridgeport.
In 1863 Dr. MeLellan was married to Miss Julia Reynolds of London, Ontario, and a native of England. She died in 1869, leaving two sons, Frederick Augustus and Howard, but the latter died at the age of ten years. The former is now superintendent of the H. O. Cereal Company of Buffalo, New York, and is president of the Corn Exchange of Buf- falo. On the 12th of November, 1874. Dr. Melellan was again married. his second union being with Frances Lord, a native of Bridgeport. They have two daughters, Alice H. and Edna Lord, the latter now the wife of Frederick Peitzsch of Bridgeport. There is also one grandchild. Frances Elizabeth, five years of age. Mrs. Peitzsch is a graduate of Wellesley College and prior to her marriage was a popular teacher in the Bridgeport high school. Dr. and Mrs. Mclellan reside at No. 105 Park street in a house which was built by her father, Matthew Lord, more than sixty years ago.
Dr. Mckellan turns to golf chiefly as a means of recreation from onerons professional and official duties. He is a republican in politics, is a veteran member of Pequonnoek Lodge, No. 4, I. O. O. F., which he joined in 1872, and is also a helpful member of the Park Street Congregational church. A modern philosopher has said: "Not the good that comes to us, but the good that comes to the world through ns, is the measure of our success;" and judged by this standard Dr. MeLellan is a most successful man, for Bridgeport has indeed benefited and profited by his labors, the influence of his efforts as health officer being immeasurable.
JULIUS J. SEAMANS.
Julius J. Seamans, superintendent of the Bridgeport Screw Company, was born in Mooers. New York, in 1866. and after acquiring a public school education began learning the machinist's trade at Worcester, Massachusetts, when a youth of sixteen years. His natural bent was in that direction and he soon mastered the tasks assigned to him, his powers and efficiency developing day by day. Moreover, he has displayed a spirit of initative along the line of his work and as a young man assisted in developing a machine to make a patent screw for the Boston Screw Company. For a considerable period he was associated with that corporation and was advanced to the responsible position of superintendent. The com- pany at length was absorbed by the American Serew Company in 1903 and Mr. Seamans remained with the latter organization for seven months. He then went to Montreal and entered the Dominion Wire Works as superintendent of the screw department, continuing in that connection until 1911, when he came to Bridgeport and assisted in establishing the Bridgeport Serew Company, which was founded by W. H. Farrell who had previously been at the head of the Dominion Wire Works. Mr. Seamans was made superintendent and has continuously filled this position. His previous experience, thorough training and ready adaptability to all departments of the work have well qualified him for the important duties that now devolve upon him in the operation of this great factory, the business of which is steadily growing. Under his guidance the work has been thoroughly systematized in every
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department, and the labors of Mr. Seamans constitute a contributing element in the success of the undertaking.
On September 3, 1890, at Mooers, New York, Mr. Seamans was united in marriage to Miss Emma Thompson of that town, and they have four daughters, Ethel, Maud, Ruth and Margaret. Mr. Seamans has few interests beyond his home and his business. concentrating his efforts npon these, yet he stands for all those forces which are factors in good citizenship and which uphold the stability of the country.
PETER A. GARNEAU, D. D. S.
Dr. Peter A. Garneau, a dentist of Bridgeport, of French-Canadian ancestry, was born in St. Gregoire, province of Quebec, Canada, March 11, 1879, a son of Levi and Celina Mary (Breault) Garneau, both of whom are now residents of Hartford, Connectient. The father has engaged in contracting as a life work.
Dr. Garnean was very young when his parents removed to Connecticut, settling at Thompsonville, this state, and in his boyhood days attended St. Patrick's parochial school at that place. When a youth of seventeen he left home and went to Springfield, Massa- chusetts. attended the Springfield high school and for several years was in the employ of Dr. Andrew J. Flannagan, a prominent dentist, who at one time was president of the Northeastern Dental Society. Dr. Garneau started with Dr. Flannagan as an office boy but later became his assistant and spent six years in that connection. In the fall of 1903 he entered the dental department of the University of Maryland at Baltimore, where he pursued his studies for three years and was graduated in 1906 with the D. D. S. degree. He has practiced continuously in Bridgeport since 1907. For seven years he has occupied his present office in the Security building and has been very successful in his chosen work. He is a member of the Bridgeport. State and National Dental Societies.
On the 20th of September, 1915, Dr. Garneau was married to Miss Veronica M. Dar- gan. of Bridgeport. He has one son, Pierre Joseph, born May 24. 1917. He is a member of St. Augustine's Roman Catholic church. He also has membership in the Algonquin Club, the Knights of Columbus and the St. Jean the Baptist Society, and in politics he main- tains an independent course, voting for the man whom he regards as best qualified for oflice without considering party ties.
EDMUND ALLAN MEASOM, D. D. S.
England's contribution to the citizenship of Bridgeport ineludes Dr. Edmund Allan Measom, who was born in London on the 15th of July, 1882. His father, Dr. Edmund Richard Measom, now a practicing dentist of New York city, came to the United States in 1883 and has since resided in the metropolis. He married Ada Maria Hall, who died at her home in New York in 1914. Dr. E. A. Measom has three living brothers and two sisters, all of whom are in the United States, namely: Fred W., who is a practicing dentist of Hammond, Indiana ; Gilbert, a teacher in the public schools of New York city; C. Hubbard, who is employed in a bank in New York: Ada M., who is at the head of one of the departments of the New York city public schools; and Mrs. Maud Wiget, a widow living in New York city. All are residents of the metropolis save the two dentists of the family.
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