USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > History of Bridgeport and vicinity > Part 56
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Dr. Measom was only two years of age when his mother took him and the other children of the family to New York to join the father, who had crossed the Atlantic the previous year or in 1883. Dr. Measom was reared in New York and there obtained his
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early education in the public schools, completing the work of the grammar grades when a youth of fourteen. He then entered his father's dental office and for several years studied under his direction. In 1911 he was licensed to practice dentistry upon successfully passing the required examination before the Connecticut state dental examining board at Hartford. In December of that year he opened his office in Bridgeport, where he has since remained, and in May. 1915, he came to his present location in the Meigs building, where he has a well appointed office equipped with all modern accessories relative to successful dental practice. He belongs to the Bridgeport, the Connecticut and the American Dental Societies and he is most interested in all that bears upon his profession, while in his work he displays dis- criminating judgment, indefatigable energy and the capability which is born of practical experience and comprehensive study.
On the 19th of January, 1904, Dr. Measom was married to Miss Josephine Brown, of New York city, and they have six children: Dorothy, Joseph, Edmund, Marjory, Mary and John. They also lost a little daughter, Ada, who died when but two days old. The religious faith of the family is that of the Roman Catholic church, their membership being in St. Thomas church at Fairfield. Dr. Measom is also connected with the Knights of Columbus and is a member of the Sons of St. George. He likewise helongs to the Miamogue Yacht Club and finds his chief diversion with yacht or motor boat. In politics he is a democrat and he has membership in the Democratic Club of Fairfield, where he and his family reside.
ARTHUR C. TYLER.
Arthur C. Tyler has the management of the steadily developing business conducted under the name of the Park City Lumber Company, of which he is vice president, secretary, assistant treasurer and manager. This business has been in existence for thirteen years and has continuously developed in extent and importance during that period. Mr. Tyler was born in Bristol, Connecticut, February 7, 1874, a son of Dr. Irving W. and Helen (Hubbell) Tyler, the former for many years an active practitioner of dentistry but now living retired. The mother has passed away.
Arthur C. Tyler acquired a high school education and since that time has been continuously connected with the lumber trade. He first entered the employ of the New Britain Lumber & Coal Company, and, aequainting himself with the business, was advanced steadily step by step until he became manager, which position he filled for seven years. He was afterward at West Haven as receiver for the Richards Lumber Company for a brief period and in November, 1913. he came to Bridgeport, where he entered into active connection with the Park City Lumber Company, which was organized March 18, 1904, by Benjamin Fletcher, who became president, and W. S. Cash, who was vice president and secretary. The present officers of the company are: Benjamin Fletcher, president: C. W. Hawley, treasurer; and Arthur C. Tyler, vice president, secretary, assistant treasurer and manager. The plant of the company was located first on Iranistan avenue and in 1911 was removed to the foot of Admiral street, where they have nine hundred feet on the water front and an acre of ground. The company handles a full line of building materials and also operates a planing mill and a mill for cabinet and stair work. The business is thoroughly organized and the work carefully systematized. They handle all grades and kinds of lumber and in the conduct of the business employ about forty-five people.
Mr. Tyler now largely concentrates his efforts and attention upon the conduct of an important and growing business and he finds recreation through his membership in the Seaside Club and the Quinnipiac Club of New Haven. He has membership in Corinthian Lodge. No. 14. A. F. & A. M., holding loyally to the teachings and purposes of the craft, and in politics he maintains an independent course, voting for the candidates whom he regards
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as most capable without considering party ties. He stands for that which is most progressive in citizenship and is always willing to lend his aid and cooperaton to movements for the general good.
THOMAS J. MAPLETON.
Thomas J. Mapleton, of the Bridgeport Die Sinking Company, one of the newly organized industrial enterprises of the city, was born in New York September 4, 1886, a son of Frank and Rose Mapleton, who about 1890 removed from the Empire state to Pittsfield, Massa- chusetts, and there Thomas J. Mapleton acquired a public school education. When his text- books were put aside he began learning the machinist's trade with the General Electric Company and in 1912 he came to Bridgeport, where for four years he was connected with the Locomobile Company. Later he was with the Remington Arms Company for a short time in charge of their die work, and in January, 1916, he organized the Bridgeport Die Sinking Company, in which undertaking he was assisted by Herman A. Berg. They began business at Yarrington Court, in Bridgeport, making a specialty of drop forging dies, also doing a general line of tool and machine work. They employ from two to five skilled mechanics and their trade is steadily growing. Both men are well qualified for the conduct of a business of this character, having had broad experience along that line.
Mr. Mapleton was married in 1906 to Miss Anna May Murphy, of Pittsfield, Massa- chusetts, and they have a daughter, Rose. Mr. Mapleton belongs to the Royal Arcanum and to the Fraternal Order of Eagles, while politically he casts an independent ballot. He has always preferred to concentrate his time and attention upon business affairs and necessity as his early stimulus has brought him to a creditable position as a representative of manufacturing interests in Bridgeport.
WILLIAM ALLEN STEEVES.
William Allen Steeves, who is successfully engaged in the trucking business in Bridge- port, with offices at 1671 Fairfield avenue, was born in New Brunswick, Canada, May 9, 1859. a son of Elijah and Annabelle Steeves and a grandson of Allen Steeves. He first attended the subscription schools and later a free public school. When he became old enough he began working in the summers but during the winters attended school until he was about twenty-one years old. On coming to the United States he first located in Ansonia, Connecticut, and for five years he was employed by the Sperry Fifth Wheel Company. In 1884 he became a resident of Bridgeport, where he received his first naturali- zation papers. Here he engaged in the draying business on his own account and, although he began with one horse and wagon, as the years have passed he has added to his equip- ment until he now has thirty horses and two automobile trueks and employs from eighteen to twenty-five men. He derives a gratifying profit from this business and also owns a farm near Prospect, Connecticut, on the "Old Post Road." The old farmhouse was a place of historie interest, as for a short time it was General Washington's headquarters in the Revolution. Mr. Steeves purchased two lots in Bridgeport, which he still owns, from P. T. Barnum, and his real estate holdings have proved a profitable investment. His resi- dence is the old homestead of Captain C. W. Hall at 1671 Fairfield avenue.
In 1882, in Ansonia, Mr. Steeves was united in marriage to Miss Ida G. Milton, a native of Canada. They lost a danghter, Edith Gertrude, when she was ten years old, and have the following living children: Roy; James Elijah; May Ida, who married Ernest
WILLIAM A. STEEVES
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A. Patterson, of Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, and has four children, Hazel Mildred, Muriel, Ernest Allen, Jr., and William; Cecil Abner, who married Miss Charlotte Senger and has three children, Mildred Charlotte, Beatrice and Cecil Allen; Bertha Elizabeth; Beatrice Annabelle, who married Harold J. Patterson, of Springfield, Massachusetts, and has a son, Harold J., Jr .; Ruth Alice, the widow of George H. Plumb, of Bridgeport; Myrtle, the wife of C. Herbert Lobdell, of Bridgeport, by whom she has a daughter, Ruth Edith; William Dwight; Gladys Mildred; and Ernest Jolin. All the children received their education in the graded and high schools of Bridgeport.
Mr. Steeves is a republican in his political belief, and has taken an active part in public affairs. Ile served two terms as chairman of the third district during the years 1900-1902, 1902-1904. For twenty years he has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the teachings which govern his life are still further indicated in the fact that he is a member of the Baptist church. His daughter Bertha belongs to the Young Women's Christian Association and takes a keen interest in its work. His success is due entirely to his own industry and good management, and in all his business dealings, as well as in the other relations of life, he has based his conduct upon the principle of fair play.
HOWARD F. BRYANT.
Howard F. Bryant. a well known plumbing contractor of Bridgeport, is a native of New York city, born September 8, 1883, his parents being Foster and Mary (Cook) Bryant. He attended school in his native city and also in Bridgeport, the family removing to Connecticut in 1895. After leaving school he became an apprentice in the plumbing trade and later worked as a journeyman for several years, spending most of the time with the firm of Wheeler & Cook. In 1914 he started business on his own account, buying out his former employers, whose store was at 76 State street. It had been established in 1870 and is therefore one of the old plumbing enterprises of the city. For the past three years Mr. Bryant has continued the business under his own name and is meeting with deserved success, for he is giving his entire time and attention to the upbuilding of the trade. He does a plumbing, steam and gas fitting and roofing business, also installs hot air furnaces and is agent for the Kelsey warm air generators and furnaces.
Mr. Bryant is a thoroughgoing business man and has comprehensive knowledge of every detail of his work. He takes no active part in polities but ranks as a good citizen, progressive and enterprising. He is, moreover, a man of genial disposition and wins friends among all classes.
HARRY B. CURTIS.
Harry B. Curtis, who since 1902 has been connected with the Bridgeport Hardware Manu- facturing Corporation, of which he is the treasurer, was born in Newtown, Connecticut, May 30, 1879, a son of Henry and Annie E. (Beers) Curtis. The father is descended from the old Stratford Curtis family who came to Connecticut in the early part of the seventeenthi century. He was well known for many years as a manufacturer of combs and horn buttons and is now living retired, enjoying the rest to which his former activity well entitles him.
Harry B. Curtis attended high school here until graduated, after which he devoted three years to the banking business. The next step in his active career was made as an employe of the International Silver Company, having charge of the factory at North Haven, Conn.,
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operated under the name of the Eagle Spoon Company. In 1902 he became associated with the Bridgeport Mannfacturing Company, now the Bridgeport Hardware Manufacturing Cor- poration, and served as secretary and treasurer until 1917. The office was then divided and he remained as treasurer, also having charge of the sales and the correspondence save that which relates to the purchasing department. He is a wide-awake, alert and progressive young business man and his enterprise is a contributing factor to the growing success of this undertaking.
In 1899 Mr. Curtis was married to Miss Laura Trnlock, of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. They hold membership in Christ Episcopal church, of which Mr. Curtis is now treasurer and one of the vestrymen. His political endorsement is given to the republican party. He is also president of the Seaside Club and is a member of the Brooklawn Club-associations which indicate his ereditable social standing, while his high position in business circles is indicated by the regard entertained for him by colleagues and contemporaries.
CHARLES JUDSON NICHOLS, D. D. S.
Dr. Charles Judson Nichols. practicing dentistry in the Security building. was born at Shelton, Connectient, March 8, 1893, and is the only living child of Stiles Alonzo and Jessie Booth (Judson) Nichols, who are natives of Fairfield county and now reside at Shelton. Connecticut. Both the Nichols and Judson families have long been represented in this state and on the maternal side Dr. Nichols comes of Revolutionary war ancestry. His maternal grandparents were Charles and Eleanor ( Booth) Judson and his paternal grandparents were Stiles B. and Elizabeth (Drew ) Nichols.
Spending his boyhood days under the parental roof. Dr. Charles J. Nichols acquired his early education in the public schools, there passing through consecutive grades to his gradua- tion from the high school at the age of eighteen years. In the fall of 1911 he entered the dental department of the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia, where he devoted three years to earnest study which brought him the D. D. S. degree in 1914. He afterward spent seven months in the Dental Graduate School of the same university and in 1915 he entered upon the active practice of his chosen profession in Bridgeport in the office which he now occupies-Room 408 Security building. While one of the younger representatives of the profession, he displays ability and has won success that many an older practitioner might well envy.
Dr. Nichols enjoys tennis, fishing, hunting and in fact all manly outdoor sports. He is a member of the Congregational church and its teachings gnide him in all the relations of life. In politics he is a republican where national issues are involved but locally casts an inde- pendent ballot. His professional membership connection is with the Bridgeport Dental Society, the Connecticut State Dental Society and the American Dental Society.
BERNARD P. SALTMAN.
Bernard P. Saltman, one of the younger representatives of the Bridgeport bar, practicing with offices in the Meigs building, was born in New York city, August 8. 1890, and is the elder of the two sons of Herman Saltman, senior member of the firm of Saltman Brothers. well known wholesale grocers of Bridgeport. The father was for many years a partner in the wholesale jewelry firm of Ross, Saltman & Anderson in Maiden Lane, New York city, but in 1908 the family removed to Bridgeport.
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Here Bernard P. Saltman completed a high school education with the class of 1910 and in the fall of that year entered the Yale academic department, from which he received his Bachelor of Arts degree upon graduation in 1914. He continued at Yale as a law student and gained his LL. B. degree in 1916. He had taken the work of the freshman and sopho- more years of high school in Brooklyn, New York, and then by reason of the removal of the family to Bridgeport continued his education here. He was graduated from the Bridgeport high school with highest honors and during his junior year he was associate manager of the high school orchestra, in which he played first violin. His musical talent enabled him to pay his tuition through the Yale academie and law school courses as a member and leader of various orchestras of both Bridgeport and New Haven. His natural talent in this direction has been highly cultivated and he is a valued addition to any musical circle. For two years, while in New Haven, he played first violin in the Yale University Orchestra. He also won honors during his collegiate course, for in his sophomore year in Yale he gained the Berkeley Latin prize and he was also elected to the Phi Beta Kappa, an honorary scholarship society. While in the law school he was elected by the faculty as associate editor of the Yale Law Journal. In Inne, 1916, he was graduated and in the same month was admitted to the bar. On the 1st of November following he entered upon the active practice of his profession in Bridgeport and he received from Hon. William Howard Taft, ex-president of the United States, who had been one of his instructors at Yale, a very complimentary letter of endorsement, saying in part: "Mr. Saltman was in my class in federal constitutional law during the past year. He is an excellent student, and I have no doubt will be worthy of every professional trust which comes to him. I commend him to those with whom his lot may be thrown as a well educated lawyer. a good citizen and a man of good and reliable character. It is a pleasure for me to sign this assurance to those to whom it may come. Sincerely yours, William H. Taft."
Mr. Saltman was married March 10, 1917, to Miss Rose Rosenfeld, of New York city, a student of Columbia University in the class of 1917, to whom he had been engaged since July. 1914. They are making their home in Bridgeport. at 194 Savoy street.
Mr. Saltman is a Hebrew in religions faith, belonging to Park Avenue Temple, and he is also a member of Harmony Lodge, No. 711. I. O. B. B .. in which connection he is serving as editor-in-chief of the Harmony Record, published for the advancement of Harmony Lodge. In this connection the lodge is doing splendid work in gaining as its members many capable and prominent Hebrew men whom business interests have recently brought to Bridgeport. Anything which he undertakes is characterized by zeal, close application and determination and he never falls short of successful completion of his purpose. The strength of character which he manifested in providing for his college training will carry him steadily forward. It is a part of his nature and in his vocabulary there is no such word as fail.
H. H. ADAMS.
Notably energetic. prompt and reliable in all his business connections H. H. Adams has steadily worked his way upward until he is now secretary of the Adams-Roth Baking Company of Bridgeport. owning a one hundred thousand dollar plant with a capacity of twenty thousand loaves of bread per day. Mr. Adams was born in Wilton, Connecticut, in 1870, a son of Rufus and Mary Esther (Lockwood) Adams. both representatives of old colonial families. The great-grandfather of H. H. Adams was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The father engaged in laying walks, and put down the first cement walk in Bridgeport for P. T. Barnum in connection with his cireus winter quarters. He also laid the first cement gutter in Bridgeport, putting it on the hill of Courtland street. and as the years passed by he developed a very extensive business, making his headquarters at Norwalk,
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Connecticut. He owned the patents in his line for Connecticut and the excellence of his work was the means of winning him extensive patronage throughout the state. He died in Bridgeport while his wife passed away in 1881 at South Wilton, Connecticut.
H. H. Adams acquired his public school education at Wilton and at Bethel, Connecticut, after which he learned the hatter's trade, serving a three years' apprenticeship. He then engaged in the bakery business in connection with his brother and afterward spent four years as pressman and stereotyper on the Bridgeport Telegram. In 1907, however, he reentered into business connection with his brother, S. R. Adams, who in May. 1888, had established the bakery business which is now the oldest in the state. His first bakery was located in the Smith block on Main street in Bridgeport, and was conducted as a partnership arrangement under the firm name of Adams & Burr. This association was dissolved a year later and Mr. Adams opened a bakery at No. 511, East Main street, at the corner of Steuben street. After continuing there for ten years he put up a new plant at No. 563 to 569 East Main street, his bakery there having a capacity of ten thousand loaves per day. This was the first bakery of any size in Bridgeport. The business was there conducted until 1916, when the Adams-Roth Baking Company was organized, taking over the business of Michael Roth and of S. R. Adams. In other words the two interests were merged and a new factory was erected at Housatonic avenue and Remer street. The plant is one hundred and eighty by eighty feet, a three-story building of mill construction, equipped with a sprinkler system and built with the utmost regard to lighting and sanitary conditions. It presents the appearance of being almost a continuous row of windows. The plant has a capacity of twenty thousand loaves of bread per day and employs sixty people, of whom twenty-one are skilled bakers. They use modern automatic machinery and they hold to the highest standards in the excellence of their product. There is a local demand for their entire output. which includes bread, cake and pies, also Hungarian and Polish bread. Their special brands of bread are known as Mother's, Luxury and Eatmore. They use only northwestern flour and a car load is consumed every week in the manufacture of their goods. Their plant was erected at a cost of one hundred thousand dollars, and today nine wagons and five automobiles are used for delivery. This is not only one of the oldest but one of the largest and best equipped bakeries of the state, unsurpassed in its appointment and in the excellence of its product. The Adams-Roth company is a close corporation, the officers of which are: Sidney R. Adams, president; Michael Roth, treasurer; and H. H. Adams, secretary. The last named became identified with the business in 1907 and has since been an active factor in its control and management.
On the 22d of January, 1896, Mr. Adams was married to Miss Eva F. Bell, of Bethel, Connecticut, a daughter of George B. and Florence Bell. Mr. Adams has membership in the United American Mechanics and politically follows an independent course. He has had neither time nor inclination for public office but concentrates his efforts and attention upon his business affairs, which, carefully directed, have become of extensive proportions, yielding excellent returns upon the investment.
EDWARD J. NAYLOR.
In mercantile circles of Bridgeport the name of Edward J. Naylor was well known, as for many years he was manager of the Woolworth interests in this city, having charge of a five and ten cent store. Notable business enterprise characterized his commercial activity and ultimately he entered the manufacturing field, where he was equally success- ful. He was born at Windsor Locks, Connecticut, in 1868, and is descended from one of the early families of this state. His father, Benjamin Naylor, was a very prominent church worker at Windsor Loeks and it was there that Edward J. Naylor acquired his education.
EDWARD J. NAYLOR
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In early manhood he entered into active connection with F. W. Woolworth, whose five and ten cent stores are well known features of business enterprise throughout the entire coun- try. For a few years he was at Holyoke, Massachusetts, in that connection and was also at Springfield and at Rochester, New York, for a short time as manager of the Woolworth stores. The entire period of his business career was devoted to the Woolworth interests until about two years prior to his death. He removed from Holyoke to Bridgeport and became second manager of the Woolworth Five and Ten Cent Store of this city, his connec- tion with the Woolworth interests covering a period of about twenty-three years. Assum- ing the management of the store, he contributed much to its development and success. He enlarged the store and made it a thoroughly modern and progressive establishment of that kind, carrying everything that the market afforded that could be sold with the preseribed price. Two years prior to his demise he was one of the organizers of the Bridgeport Neckwear Company, entering into partnership with Frederick A. Kendrick for the manufacture of ladies' neckwear, with a factory on Elm street. From the beginning their business steadily developed and the enterprise became one of the important produc- tive industries of the city.
In 1903 Mr. Naylor was united in marriage to Miss Verna B. Spinning, of this city, a daughter of Edgar G. Spinning, who was born in Bridgeport and was a son of Elijah Crane Spinning, a representative of one of the oldest Connecticut families. The father was a bookkeeper and also a music teacher. He married Harriet A. Balcome, of Massa- chusetts, and for many years they were residents of Bridgeport, but Mr. Spinning passed away on the 7th of May, 1885, his wife surviving until 1900, when, at the age of sixty- five years, she, too, was called to the home beyond. The death of Mr. Naylor occurred April 11, 1916, when he was a comparatively young man of forty-seven years, and his passing was the occasion of deep regret to many whom he had met in business and social relations. He was a valued member of the Business Men's Club, was at one time a mem- ber of the Algonquin Club and was also connected with the Mas ons, the Odd Fellows, the Red Men and the Elks, loyally supporting the principles and purposes of those beneficent organizations. He was at all times public-spirited and when he espoused any cause he gave to it his active .and generous support. He always made splendid use of his time, his talents and his opportunities and his marked characteristics commended him to the con- fidence, goodwill and high regard of all with whom he was associated.
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