USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > History of Bridgeport and vicinity > Part 66
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Mr. Barri is a republican in politics but has never cared to take an active part in public affairs although manifesting the interest of a good citizen in the general welfare. He belongs to the Military Order of the Loyal Legion and is also a member of the University Club and the Seaside Club. He has a good bass voice, well trained, and for nine years sang in St. John's church. He is popular socially, and in business circles is recognized as a man of personal force, of keen business insight and sound judgment. In building up his business interests he has not only gained financial success but has also had a part in the development of his section of Bridgeport.
FRANCES B. RUSSELL.
Frances B. Russell, librarian at Stratford, has done splendid work in connection with the development of the public library and the service rendered to the community in this connection. The name of Russell has long been associated with the capable conduct of the library, for her father, Judge Robert Henry Russell, was one of the most valued members of the Stratford Library Association. He was born in Stratford, August 18, 1832, and was the eldest son of Lewis H. and Hannah M. Russell. From early boyhood he manifested a deep and helpful interest in affairs relating to his town and occupied many positions of trust and responsibility. In view of his long service in the cause of education, his untiring devotion to the public welfare and the large part which he took in the accomplishment of a public library in Stratford, the association decided to include in its dedicatory pam- phlet as a mark of their esteem a memorial with portrait together with the following resolution :
"With profound sorrow the Stratford Library Association would place upon its records the fact of the death of Judge Robert H. Russell, one of its most valued members, which occurred on Good Friday, April 3, 1896; and in so doing would seek to express its appre- ciation of his varied gifts, his rare judgment, his unselfish devotion to the interests of others, his public spirit and long public service in many positions-notably as judge of pro- bate for twenty-seven years-bis special interest in the cause of education and his outspoken, manly, Christian character and life.
"In the earlier efforts to establish a library in this community Judge Russell took a prominent part. and from the inception of the present enterprise to the day of his death he was intensely interested in its success. In the midst of an over-busy life he gave largely of his time and thought to its requirements. He was in frequent consultation with Mr. Birdseye Blakeman, and our magnificent library will always bring to mind the devotion of Judge Russell to the town of his birth, and his desire that succeeding gen- erations may ever be reaching toward that which is nobler, purer and better.
"We would bow submissively to the Divine Will, and while the Providence is inscrutable, would strive by its discipline to emulate the unselfish devotion and untiring energy and noble purpose of bim, who though dead still speaks to use in the works which follow him."
The daughter, Miss Russell, was educated in private schools of Stratford and of Bridgeport. She has been in active charge of the library for twenty-one years. When
JUDGE ROBERT H. RUSSELL
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she was appointed librarian there were but four thousand volumes and today there are more than seventeen thousand, in addition to which there are on file eighty-six weekly, monthly and daily publications. She has one regular assistant and two extra assistants and the endorsement of her service in this capacity is indicated by her long retention in office. She always renders every assistance possible in the selection of books and her own liberal culture enables her to be of great benefit to those seeking information. Moreover, she has the most accurate knowledge of what the book shelves of this library contain and she has ever exerted a strong influence for making the library an institution of the highest standard.
FREDERICK RHODES.
With trade connections that reach to all parts of the country the Salt> Textile Manufacturing Company is operating in Bridgeport with Frederick Rhodes as treasurer and in this connection he is developing the interests of the company along substan- tial lines, meeting with gratifying success. He was born in Bradford England, in 1870 and there acquired a public scool education. He had attained his majority when in 1891 he bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for the United States to take charge of the office of a branch of Sir Titus Salt Bart. Sons & Company. Limited, of Bradford. England, who were then about to establish a branch in Bridgeport. In 1893, however, this was made a separate company under the title of the Salts Textile Manufacturing Company and subsequently Mr. Rhodes was made secretary and still later treasurer of the company. Something of the rapid growth of the business within a little more than two decades is shown by the fact that their plant now occupies two entire blocks and owns its docks. The buildings are of the sawtooth type and of mill construction. They are supplied with electric power purchased from the city, but also have their own electric light and power plant in case of emergency. Their factory is supplied with a sprinkler system, thus minimizing the possibility of fire and providing splendid protection in case a blaze breaks out. The equipment of the factory includes the latest improved machinery necessary for work of this character and they employ fifteen hundred people, sixty per cent being male help. They manufacture all grades of seal plushes, fur imitations and velvets and have the largest enterprise of the kind in the United States, their product being sold to jobbers and manufacturers throughout the entire country. They largely manufacture goods which are used in ready-to-wear garments and in addition to their Bridgeport plant they maintain a sales office at East Twenty-fifth street and Madison avenue in New York City. The officers of the company are: Frederick E. Kipp, of Montelair, New Jersey, who is the president : Charles F. Stead, vice president; Frederick Rhodes, treasurer and Ruloff F. Kipp, secretary. The company also conducts branches at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Lyons, France. The business is now a mammoth undertaking which stands as a monument to the enterprise, progressiveness and initiative spirit of the founders.
In 1902 Mr. Rhodes was married to Miss Wilhelmina Abbott, of Bridgeport. and they have a daughter, Elizabeth. They hold membership in the Washington Park Methodist church and are generous contributors to its support.
In polities Mr. Rhodes has always been a stalward republican since gaining his right of franchise and is a close and discriminating student of the conditions of the times and of public questions at large. He figures prominently in club circles as a member of the Brook- lawn, Seaside, Algonquin, Weatogue and Automobile Clubs. His business career is notable inasmuch as he came to the new world in the year in which he attained his majority and took part in establishing and promoting a business which is today the leading one in its line on this side the Atlantic. The plans of the Company have been carefully made and
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promptly executed and every department of the business has been thoroughly systematized so that maximum results are achieved with a minimum expenditure of time, labor and material. The house has always maintained the highest standards in its products and has ever realized that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement.
WILLIAM J. BUCKLEY.
William J. Buckley is one of the younger representatives of the Fairfield county bar but already his developing powers and ability are drawing to him public attention, and his friends feel no hesitaney in predicting for him a successful future in his chosen profession. He was born in Ridgefield, Connecticut, September 7, 1893, and is an only son of Dennis and Stella (Walsh) Buckley, both of whom are still living. The latter is a sister of the Hon. R. Jay Walsh and of Hon. James F. Walsh of Greenwich, Connecticut.
William J. Buckley acquired his early education in the public schools of Wilton. Ridge- field and Norwalk, Connecticut. He later, spent five years in Fordham University of New York city and was graduated from its law department in 1912 with the LL.B. degree, while in 1913 he received the degree of Master of Laws from Georgetown University of Washington. D. C. He was also given the degree of Master of Patent Law from that school. He success- fully passed the bar examination in June, 1914, but was not yet twenty-one years of age and in consequence could not be admitted to practice until the following September, when he was admitted to practice in both the superior and supreme comts of the District of Columbia as well as Connecticut. He began practice in Bridgeport. January 1, 1915, and has already made substantial progress.
Mr. Buckley is a member of St. Augustine's Roman Catholic church and of the Park City Council of the Knights of Columbus, and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He is a resident member of the University Club and 'is fond of motoring, having driven cars since thirteen years of age so that he is an expert at the wheel and finds great delight in driving over the splendid highways of this section of the country.
ALBERT U. LANGENEGGER.
Albert U. Langenegger, superintendent for George C. Batcheller & Company of Bridge- port, is an active, forceful and resourceful business man, thoroughly acquainted with the line to which he directs his efforts in his present connection. He was born in Switzer- land, January 14, 1882, and came to the United States with his parents in 1893, when a lad of eleven years. The family home was first established in New York and after enter- ing upon his business career he spent four years with the R. & G. Corset Company at South Norwalk, in which connection he worked his way steadily upward, becoming assistant designer. He arrived in Bridgeport in 1903 and accepted a position as designer with the Batcheller Corset Company. Here, too, his fidelity and capability won him promotion and in January, 1910. he was chosen superintendent of the company, in which connection he still continues. The business was established in Bridgeport at the corner of Railway and Myrtle avenues. It now occupies a three story and basement brick building four hundred by one hundred and seventy-three feet. The building is supplied with a sprinkler system throughout and utilizes three hundred horse power with one hundred and twenty-five more in reserve. The plant has recently been equipped with an electric current and individual motors on the tables. The company manufactures its own light, heat and power and charges its electrie trucks. Employment is furnished to about twelve hundred people.
ALBERT U. LANGENEGGER
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eighty-five per cent being girls, semi-skilled labor. No marketing is done from Bridge- port. the sales end of the business being taken care of at the office of the company on One Hundred and Thirty-fifth avenue in New York. The officers are: D. W. Russell, president and treasurer; Ralph E. Miller, vice president: and Albert Quackenbush, secre- tary. All are residents of New York. Mr. Langenegger has continued as superintendent since 1910 and makes his home in Bridgeport, giving direct supervision and close attention to the management of the business, in which connection he displays notable executive ability and administrative power. He is acquainted with every phase of the trade and under his direction the business is thoroughly systematized and wisely directed.
In 1904 Mr. Langenegger was married to Miss Clare Malley, of New Haven, Connecti- cut, and they have a daughter, Irene, nine years of age. Mr. Langenegger has attained high rank in Masonry, holding membership with the Knight Templar commandery. the consistory and the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Algonquin Club. His life is an indication of the adaptability of the foreign-born citizen to American conditions and his ready utilization of opportunities. In all of his business career he has been quick to discriminate between the essential and the nonessential and, utilizing the former, has advanced steadily along the steps of an orderly progression until he is recognized as one of the foremost figures in the manufacturing circles of Bridgeport. In the past year Mr. Langenegger has erected seven homes in Bridgeport for investment purposes ranging from seven thousand dollars to fourteen thousand dollars in cost.
CAPTAIN WILLIAM EMERSON SMITHI.
C'aptain William Emerson Smith, superintendent of the public schools at Fairfield and well known in educational circles in Connecticut, was born at Norwalk on the 7th of April. 1872, and is a son of Edward Banks and ( atharine ; Remer) Smith, who are still residents of Norwalk. The father is prominently known as an educator and is now superintendent of the public schools of the eity in which he resides. It was there that Captain Smith pursued his early education, passing through consecutive grades to the high school. while later he became a student in the. Peabody Academy and subsequently attended Columbia University of New York city. where he pursued a special course.
In 1892, at the age of twenty years. Captain Smith established his home in Fairfield and became principal of the Middle School at the Center. After spending five years in that con- nection he accepted the position of superintendent of schools in Annapolis, Maryland, where he remained for four years. Taking the examination for second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. he was stationed with that rank at Boston, at New York. in the Philippine Islands and in Porto Rico. He was on the United States warships Monadnock. Rainbow. Oregon, Washington and New Jersey and rose to the position of first lieutenant and captain of marines. He continued in the service until 1908, when he resigned and located at Charleston, South Carolina, where he became commandant of cadets at the Porter Military Academy conducted under the auspices of the Episcopal bishop of that state. The academy was the I'nited States arsenal previous to the Civil war and was seized by the Confederates at the outbreak of the war. There Captain Smith spent three years and in 1912 he organized the University School for Boy- at Charleston, which he con- dueted for two years. He was then tendered the office of superintendent of the publie schools of the town of Fairfield, Connecticut, which included the schools of Southport, Green- field and Stratfield. Accepting the offer, he has spent the last three years in this work. his efforts giving entire satisfaction. It has been during his incumbency in the office that the present fine brick school building was erected, providing spendid accommodations and equipment for the pupils. Captain Smith feel- the deepest interest in his profession and
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exemplifies in his work the progressive spirit which recognizes the individuality of the pupil and endeavors to assist in development along needed lines, recognizing the possibilities and the deficiencies if any exist. His work leads to well rounded development and in all that he does he is acuated by the highest ideals, recognizing that, as Kant has expressed it. the object of education is to train each individual to reach the highest perfection possible for him. He has recently organized the high school boys of Fairfield into a military company, which he drills daily, and, moreover, he is captain of Company M of the Home Guard of Fair- field.
In 1905 Captain Smith was united in marriage to Miss Annie Burr Jennings, a daughter of John Henry Jennings and a representative of a prominent and highly respected family of Greens Farms. Captain and Mrs. Smith reside in Southport, where they occupy an enviable social position in those circles where culture and intelligence are received as passports into good society. While in Charleston, South Carolina, he joined the Masonic fraternity and also became a member of the chapter. council and commandery there. He likewise belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has membership with the Army and Navy Club. His military record is a most creditable one and in professional circles he has gained promi- nence and distinction, so that his life work has indeed been of worth to the world, resulting from the wise utilization which he has made of his time, his talents and his opportunities.
WILLIAM ALFRED HOLMES HATFIELD.
William Alfred Holmes Hatfield, alert and enterprising, whose well formulated plans are the expression of modern business progressiveness, is today one of the best known life insurance men in Bridgeport, and within an almost incredibly short space of time he has accomplished results for the Travelers Life Insurance Company that has brought its business to a place in the foremost ranks of insurance interests in this city. At the same time he has given much thought and effort to the upbuilding of the city and bas advanced the slogan, "Be for bigger. better. brighter busier Bridgeport," a rallying ery which has brought response from many. He seems to lose sight of no possibility for individual or for civie benefit and in all of his activities displays notably discriminating judgment. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, August 31, 1864, and is the eldest of three children, two sons and a daughter, of William Edmund and Phoebe Emma (Armstrong) Hatfield, the former a native of Albany, New York, and the latter of New York city. The father followed mercantile pursuits during the greater part of his life but throughout the Civil war served with the Union army as color bearer of his regiment. He passed away at Port Jefferson, Long Island, May 4, 1877, when his son and namesake was but twelve years of age. The mother is still residing there. The other son of the family is Edmund Lewis Hatfield, vice president of the Radford Publishing Company of Chicago, Illinois. The only daughter, Charlotte, is the wife of Louis E. Griffith, of Ridgewood, New Jersey. She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, for the family is descended from ancestors who fought for American independence.
William Alfred Holmes Hatfield was a lad of but ten years when his parents removed to Port Jefferson, where he attended the public schools until he reached the age of thirteen years. Owing to his father's death he then had to go to work. His first employment was in a general store and his salary was but two dollars per week. When a youth of nineteen he went to New York city and for a few months was in the employ of Tiffany, the well known jeweler and manufacturer. It was his first thought to learn the silversmith's trade but he found seven years would be required, so after a few months he gave up his position and returned to Port Jefferson. A year later, or in 1885, he removed to Bridgeport and entered the employ of the D. M. Read Company, one of the oldest, largest and best known
WILLIAM A. H. HATFIELD
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retail dry goods houses of Bridgeport. He was with that company for almost twenty years. Beginning as a clerk behind the counter the business capacity which he displayed soon brought him advancement to the position of buyer and he was placed at the head of one of the departments, continuing to serve as a department head until 1905 when he resigned in order to accept a position with the Travelers Insurance Company of Hartford with which be has since been associated. He began as a supervising special agent for Fairfield county and during the first three months worked on a stipulated salary. At the end of that time he resigned his salaried position but still retained his connection with the Travelers. He embarked in business for himself at that time, establishing offices in the Meigs building, and the insurance business of W. A. H. Hattiekl is today one of the best known in Bridge- port. Through his enterprise his business has steadily grown and developed and as a per- sonal producer for the company he is ahead of every other representative of the company in the state. His business for the Travelers embraces every form of insurance, life, accident, health. automobile, fire, compensation and casualty. He has placed some notably large business for the company. He wrote out the policy for the Ballard Machine Tool Company, a corporation that believes in giving every advantage possible to its employes and which originated the plan whereby every employe who is with the company for six months receives a life insurance policy for five hundred dollars, and with every year of continuous service the amount is increased one hundred dollars until a maximum of fifteen hundred dollars has been reached. All the policies were placed through Mr. Hatfield, who is conversant with every phase of the business and has now had many years of practical experience in the insurance field. Moreover, he has been a close student of every phase of insurance and from his broad study has gained a knowledge that has enabled him to widen the scope of his activities and reach out along constantly advancing lines.
On the 15th of June, 1887, Mr. Hatfield was united in marriage to Miss Louie A. Bayles, of Port Jefferson, Long Island, who died August 2, 1908, leaving two children, Fanita B .. now the wife of Edward H. Crawford of Brooklyn, New York, and Esther L., at home. On the 18th of February. 1911, Mr. Hatfield wedded Miss Gertrude Krouse, of Bridgeport, and they have a son, William Walter, born November 19, 1913.
The parents are members of the West End Congregational church and Mr. Hatfield belongs also to the Algonquin and the Seaside Clubs. He is likewise connected with the Bridgeport Fire Underwriter's Association and the State and National Underwriter's Asso- ciations. Fraternally he is a Mason and has also taken the chapter and council degrees of Masonry. He is likewise an Odd Fellow and is a prominent representative of the Royal Arcanum, in which he has been grand regent for the state. For seventeen years he was secretary of Seaside Council. Royal Arcanum, and was president of the Royal Arcanum Hospital Fund Association. Ile not only takes interest in activities which make for his personal advancement and success, but also displays a publie-spirited devotion to the general welfare, and his cooperation ean always be counted upon to further every movement for the good of the city. That he is constantly thinking out along broader lines for the benefit of Bridgeport is indicated by the slogan which he has advanced, and it is well known that he never misses an opportunity to speak a good word for Bridgeport or to further her interests in any particular.
THOMAS J. SEWARD.
Thomas J. Seward, works manager of the Electric Cable Company of Bridgeport, was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1881, but with removal to the east pursued his education in public schools of New York and New Jersey. He took up the business of mechanical engineering and designing, his natural trend being in that direction, and his inventive genius has brought forth many useful devices. He now has a number of patents on automatic
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machinery and his contributions to the world's work have thus been of value. He started out in the business world with the old Magnet Wire Company and, working his way steadily upward, eventually became manager, remaining in that position after the reorganization of the business, when it was taken over by the Electric Cable Company. This company became the successor of the Magnet Wire Company abont 1904, and now has its factory at Bunnell, Central and Crescent avenues, with the head office at No. 10 East Forty-third street, New York. Their plant covers two city blocks and comprises five buildings, three ot which are two stories in height, while two are four stories. The buildings are of mill con- struction and are supplied with the sprinkler system, reducing the possibility of fire to a minimum. They manufacture all kinds of electric wires and cables for all purposes and the plant has a capacity of fifty million feet of cable per month. Ninety-five per cent of their product is sold in the United States, yet shipments are made to various sections of the world and their output is used by all who use electricity. The company sells to jobbers, to wholesalers and to corporations but sells in quantity only. Automatic machinery is used for most of the work and they employ about four hundred people, one-fourth of whom are skilled workmen. The officers of the company are: Edwin W. Moore, of New York, president, J. Nelson Shreve, of New York, secretary and treasurer; and Thomas J. Seward, works manager. Mr. Moore and Mr. Shreve are also proprietors of the Havershaw Electric Cable Company at Yonkers, New York, a plant as large as the Bridgeport plant yet managed entirely as a separate business. Mr. Seward has been well qualified by long training and practical experience for the important and responsible duties which devolve upon him in his present connection. He has entire management of the plant and its four hundred operatives and its complex machinery and interests, all of which, however, are so adjusted as to make a homogeneous whole.
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