USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > History of Bridgeport and vicinity > Part 72
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years he was with the Lake Submarine Company, for which he afterward went to Europe. On again coming to the United States he was connected with the South Norwalk plant, where the business needed his attention. He built the largest testing machine ever made. now in the bureau of statistics at Washington. D. C. He also built the famous auto that won the Elgin (Ill.) road race in 1913 and was driven by loe Davidson, it having a one- hundred and thirty-two horse power motor. The company now makes woodworking ma- chinery of all kinds, electric and compressed air turntables. compressed air geared hoists, which are made after patents taken out by Mr. Bartley, machine tools, planers and shapers. dise grinders and auto top chucks. The plant has a thorough equipment and there are four hundred employes, but they expect soon to double the size of the building and thus greatly enlarge their capacity. Mr. Bartley owns ninety-seven per cent of the stock of the company and has developed the business to its present extensive proportions and has won for the company its enviable name for expert engineering of all kinds.
In 1900 Mr. Bartley was married to Miss Mary Biner. While handicapped in youth by very limited opportunities he is now a gentleman of broad and liberal culture, acquired through extensive travel in Russia. Austria, Germany, Greece, Italy. Switzerland, Holland. France. Belgium. England and Scotland. Strong and persistent purpose has brought him to his present high standing in business circles and much of his work is the "last word" along engineering lines.
JOHN M. WHEELER.
One of the largest concerns of its kind in the state is the business of the Wheeler & Howes Company of Bridgeport, dealing in coal, masons' supplies and grain, and it constitutes an important factor in the commercial activity of the city. The founder of this business is John M. Wheeler, a venerable and well known citizens who is now living retired in Bridgeport, where he has made his home for the past sixty-four years. Mr. Wheeler was born in Trumbull, Connecticut, in 1835, and ahont 1853 located in Bridgeport, where he later engaged in the grocery business on State street for a few years. In 1864 he established the business the outgrowth of which is the present Wheeler & Howes Company. Mr. Wheeler continued the business alone for two years and in 1866 was joined by William T. Howes under the firm name of Wheeler & Howes. The location of the business has always been at the east end of the Congress street bridge and there an office building and warehouse of four stories was erected in 1893. It is here that the masons' supplies are carried The coal is brought by water and in fact most of the produets handled by the firm are thus received and shipped, the corporation owning eight hundred and fifty feet of dockage. The plant covers several acres and the firm employs about one hundred people. They operate nine motor trucks and hire many other trucks in the busy season and they also have a large team equipment.
.John M. Wheeler retired from active business in 1905 and on the 1st of April, 1912, the Wheeler & Howes Company was incorporated with William T. Howes as the president, in which capacity he continued until his death in July, 1914. He was then succeeded by Harrry A. Wheeler, a son of the original partner and founder of the business. Harry A. Wheeler continued as president until his demise on the 17th of July. 1916, when John W. Wheeler became president. with William E. Howes as secretary and treasurer. These gentle- men direet the policy and shape the trade connections of the company, a spirit of enterprise and progress actuating them in all that they do.
In addition to his connection with this company John M. Wheeler, its promoter, was for a number of years a director of the Bridgeport National Bank and during the period of his business activity he took rank among the leading business men and public-spirited
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citizens of the community. He holds membership in the Brooklawn and the Seaside Clubs and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in Christ's church.
Mr. Wheeler was united in marriage to Miss Mary Isabella Bertram, who was born in Bridgeport in 1847 and who passed away on the 1st of April, 1913. In their family were six children. four of whom are living. John W. Wheeler, son of John M. Wheeler, was born in Bridgeport. April 13, 1872, and was graduated from the academic department of Yale in 1895. He then became connected with the business of which he is now the head and is active in directing its interests. On the 23rd of November, 1896, he was united in marriage to Miss Julia P. Staples, a daughter of Minor Staples, or Bridgeport, and a descendent of a prominent old family of Fairfield county. They have one son, John W., Jr., Mr. Wheeler is a member of the University, Seaside and Brooklawn Country Clubs and is a well known factor in both the social and business circles of the city.
CHARLES CLARK SAUNDERS, PH. D.
Charles Clark Saunders is conducting The Grail School, a unique institution of Fairfield county which meets a long-felt need in educational circles, supplying the individual instrue- tion and aid to boys who for one cause or another need the special training that will fit them for class work in the larger schools. Professor Saunders is himself a Yale man and his entire life has practically been devoted to educational interests. He was born in Ston- ington, Connecticut, June 23, 1876, a son of Jolin Barber and Julia Frances (Newton) Saunders. both of whom were direct descendants of the Quakers who settled Rhode Island under Roger Williams.
Professor Saunders acquired his early education in the Old South school and in the Hartford high, and with the outbreak of the Spanish-American war in 1898 he enlisted for service in the navy. Following the conclusion of hostilities with Spain he prepared for entrance to the Sheffield Scientific School and was graduated therefrom with the class of 1906. The Grail School, of which he is now the head master, was established in 1910 for the purpose of teaching boys who for one reason or another fail to fit into the larger schools -- the boy who is not doing satisfactory work and who does not receive the attention which he needs. Formerly the boy who did not fit in the larger schools almost inevitably dropped into the so-called "tutoring school," an institution where cramming is the usual method. Professor Saunders felt that this was not a correct system and established The Grail School to put the boy where he should be in order to compete and go along with others. It teaches him. not facts, but methods. It does not attempt to teach him trigonometry in a week or lead him to think that this is a right. if possible, thing to do. But it endeavors to show the reasons underlying formulae and figures, using more helpful methods than can be used in the class of a large school. It does not make him learn by heart the plots of a dozen masterpieces of English literature and the meaning of a few hundred hard words therein contained. and let him believe that he has thus prepared his English requirements. It rather labors to beguile his interest to the enjoyment of the stories of Launcelot or Hannibal or of Themistocles and make literature and history appear to him in a new light, presenting their content with appeals more especially adapted to his particular mind than can be used by the teacher of a class of fifteen or twenty. The special school is thus diametrically opposed to the tutoring school as an institution for cramming and fostering laziness. The need for it springs from a fundamental characteristic of humanity-variation from the type. It is a most necessary supplement to the educational system. There are various reasons why a boy does not get along in a large school; he may have been ill and have dropped behind; he may be over diffident: he may be too much interested in the numerous school activities to give proper attention to his studies; he may never have learned how to study. He consequently
CHARLES C. SAUNDERS. PH. D.
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needs either to make up for lost time or to be taught how to use his mind and express himself as other boys do. In the one case he needs to go faster, in the other, slower, than the normal rate of classes. In either case he needs a sort of teaching much more special and individual or. much more intensive, than a large school can possibly give. He must be taught individually. This, in a nutshell, is the Grail Method. Each boy's case is studied by itself. The reasons why he is backward are discovered. The work is proportioned exactly to his needs. He is not hurried for the sake ot others. Ile understands each subject before he advances. He is not held back for others. Ile is taught how to get at facts. Each Saturday he is tested on the week's work. Each week a report is given to him and sent to his parents. The results of this method have vindicated its worth. One parent told us that his son had been going to school twelve years, and had never known how to study until after we had worked with him, that we taught him not simply facts but methods. The boys who have gone to college prepared by this method have stayed there and have done good work. Several of the Grail pupils have been on the honor roll at Yale. Ninety per cent of the subjects taught are passed, and as a further proof of the thoroughness of the methods, the boys have done splendid work in college, some even becoming assistant instructors. In its report the state board of education, after thoroughly inspecting the Grail School, spoke of it as "an excellent institution in a unique field," a reputation that has been honestly and faithfully earned. Professor Saunders makes another point of having the boys in a home environment and atmosphere that will give them social life and stimulate all that is best in behavior while at the same time furnishing them with such pleasurable interests as boating, bathing and tennis. As a further proof of the value of his methods and aims ninety per cent of the subjects are passed. The majority of the graduates have made honor stands in college. and none have ever failed on account of their preparation; some have made assistant professorships.
On the 22d of April, 1908. Professor Saunders was married in New Haven to Miss May Ida MeCleve, a direct descendant of Oliver Wolcott, a signer of the Declaration of Inde- pendence, and they now have two children, Charles Clark, born November 23, 1914, in Fair- field: and Lois Julia. The parents are members of the Fairfield Congregational church and Professor Saunders is identified with Adelphi Lodge of Masons. He belongs to the Fairfield Civie Association, which indicates his deep interest in community atfairs. and he also has membership with the Yale Alumni Association and the Quinnipiac Canoe Club.
HON. ALFRED B. BEERS.
An enumeration of those men of the present generation who have won honor and public recognition for themselves and at the same time have honored the state to which they belong, would be incomplete were there failure to make prominent reference to Judge Alfred B. Beers. He holds distinctive precedence as an eminent lawyer and statesman. as a man of high literary attainments and as a loyal and patriotic soldier. The ancestral history of Mr. Beers is most interesting, being closely connected with the period covering colonial development and the organization of the republic as well as the years of latter-day progress.
The line is traced down from James Beers. of Gravesend, Kent county, England, who clied about 1635. Not long afterward his two sons, James and Anthony Beers, came to the new world with their uncle, Richard Beers, settling in Watertown. Massachusetts. After several years they became residents of Fairfield, Connecticut, and with the pioneer develop- ment of the state were closely associated. Richard Beers was for many years a member of the general court of Massachusetts and served with the colonial militia with the rank of captain until he met death in the war that was waged against King Pbilip and Vol. II-30
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his tribe. Anthony Beers was lost at sea in 1676. He left a son, Ephraim, who was the father of Ephraim Beers (II), and the latter had a son Daniel, who was born in 1745 and removed to Ridgefield, Connecticut. When the colonies attempted to throw off the yoke of British oppression he joined the Continental troops and aided in defending Danbury and Ridgefield when Tryon made his attack thereon. The next in the line of descent was Edmond Beers, whose son Jonathan was born in 1789. He became a resident of Vista, West- chester county, New York, where he passed away in 1868. He was the grandfather of Alfred B. Beers of this review. The father, Alfred Beers, Sr., became identified with the Naugatuck Railroad in 1851 and so continued until 1886. He married a daughter of Leander Bishop, of Stamford, Connecticut, who was a brother of Alfred Bishop. for a long period a well known contractor and railroad builder who resided in Bridgeport. These two were sons of William Bishop, of Stamford, Connectient. who traced his ancestry back to Jolin Bishop, one of the first ministers of Stamford. His grandmother was a descendant of Dr. Charles McDonald, of Scotch birth, who came to America prior to the Revolutionary war. When the call to arms was heard he immediately responded, joining the Continental army, with which he served throughout the entire period of hostilities that terminated in American independence. He participated in the capture of Fort Ticonderoga and at the battle of White Plains, New York, in 1776, won distinction through his bravery. Following the attainment of national liberty he became identified with the medieal profession and successfully practiced at Port Chester, New York, until his death, which occurred about 1842.
It will thus be seen that Judge Alfred B. Beers comes of a most loyal and patriotic ancestry that has figured in connection with American interests and development in both the paternal and maternal lines through many generations. He was born at New Rochelle, New York. April 23, 1845, and was therefore but six years of age when in 1851 his parents removed to Bridgeport, where he attended both public and private schools. The spirit that has made the name of Beers a synonym for patriotisin in New England was manifested by him after the outbreak of the Civil war. It was at first believed that hostilities could last for but a brief period, but when it was demonstrated that both sides had determined upon victory even at the cost of a long and sanguinary conflict, Mr. Beers at once offered his services, enlisting on the 5th of September, 1861. for a three years' term as a member of Company I, Sixth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. With his command he participated in the bombardment of Hiltonhead, South Carolina, and in the battle of Pocotaligo, West Virginia, after which he was honorably mentioned in the report of the commanding general for bravery and meritorions conduct during that engagement. He was also in the siege of Fort Pulaski, Georgia, in the military actions at James Island, South Carolina, and at Morris Island, also in the siege and assault on Fort Wagner and the siege of Charleston, South Carolina. At the close of his three years' term he veteranized as a member of the same regiment and took part in the campaign of 1864 against Richmond, Virginia. also the siege of Petersburg and in the engagements at Deep Botton, Deep Run, Chapin's Farm and Laurel Hill on the north side of the James river in 1864. In the encounter at Deep Run he was wounded. During his second term of enlistment he was advanced from the rank of first sergeant of Company I to that of captain of Company B in the same regiment. He took part in the bombardment of Fort Fisher, North Carolina, and in the charge upon and capture of that place under General Terry in January, 1865. He was also on active duty in the capture of Wilmington, North Carolina. February 22. 1865, and in the advance upon Goldsboro, North Carolina. in March and April of the same year. being honorably discharged from the service with the rank of captain at New Haven, Connecticut, August 21, 1865, when but twenty years of age, having in the meantime rendered almost four years of military duty to his country.
Following his return home Mr. Beers devoted his time and attention to study and to general business interests until 1867. In that year he entered upon the study of law and four years later. or in 1871, was admitted to practice before the Fairfield county bar.
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He became a partner of the Hon. David B. Lockwood as a member of the firm of Lockwood & Beers, and the association was maintained for twenty-six years or until the death of the senior partner. Throughout the intervening period the firm had occupied a commanding position among the legal practitioners of the state, the patronage accorded them being of a large and distinctively representative character. In 1872 Judge Beers was appointed clerk of the city conrt of Bridgeport and in 1875 was made assistant city attorney. Two years later, or in 1877, through election in the state legislature, he was made judge of the city court and was chosen for that office at each succeeding session of the legislature until 1893, when he declined to serve for a longer period, having remained upon the bench for sixteen years. He then concentrated his attention npon the private practice of law until July, 1897, when he entered upon a two years' term as city attorney and on the expiration of that period he was reappointed. His success in a professional way affords the best evidence of his capabilities in this line. He is a strong advocate with the jury and concise in his appeals before the court. He displays a natural discrimination as to legal ethics and is so thoroughly well read in the minutiae of the law that he is able to base his arguments upon thorough knowledge of and familiarity with precedents and to present a case upon its merit -. never failing to recognize the main point at issue and never neglecting to give a thorough prepara- tion. He is strong in argument, clear in his reasoning, and his oratory, clothing the sound logie of truth. carries conviction to the minds of his bearers. Merit has enabled him to mount the ladder of fame. A contemporary biographer has written: "As a judge Alfred B. Beers discharged the duties of his office with marked fidelity, stern integrity and inflexible honesty, holding the scales of justice evenly balanced and rendering his decisions unmoved by sympathy and unawed by clamor. As a lawyer he is devoted to his chosen profession and brings to its practice a clear and logical mind, a retentive memory. a confidence in his cause upon its merits, and a thorough hatred of trickery and shams. He is careful in the preparation of his cases, ready in speech as an advocate and honest in his claims for his client, and he has taken part in many of the important trials in Fairfield county and in arguments before the supreme court of the state. As a man he is possessed of a genial and kindly nature. is affable in intercourse with his fellows, and with a personal character above reproach he is esteemed and honored as an upright and conscientious Christian gentle- man."
On the 29th of February, 1872, Judge Beers was married to Miss Callie T. House, of Vineland, New Jersey, a daughter of William House, who was a brother of Royal E. House. the inventor of the House printing telegraph system. The two brothers were interested in the project and William House aided in the construction of the first telegraph line erected in this country-the line from Baltimore to Washington. Judge and Mrs. Beers have become parents of four children: Alfred B., Henry H., Ralph T. and Mary E., but the last named has passed away.
Judge Beers has taken active and helpful part in promoting many public projects. He was for a number of years a member of the Soldiers' Hospital Board of the state and was made chairman of its executive committee. in which connection he devoted much time, thought and effort to perfecting the magnificent institution known as Fitch's Home for the Soldiers and also the Connecticut Soldiers' Hospital at Noroton. Connecticut. The Bridgeport public library has found in him a faithful and effective champion. He assisted in it- estab- lishment and long served as one of its directors. He likewise became a director of the Standard Association, publishing the Bridgeport Daily Standard, and was also interested in the Eaton. Cole & Burnham Company and in the Bridgeport Electric Light Company. His name is indeed an honored one in Grand Army circles, for he has been not only one of the most prominent representatives of the organization in Connecticut but also in the country. He was commander of Elias Howe, Jr., Post, No. 3. G. A. R., of Bridgeport in 1870 and ten years later was chosen commander of the Department of Connecticut for a two years' term. In 1912. at the national encampment held in Los Angeles, California. he was
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elected commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic of the United States and served with distinction in that position for a year. He belongs also to the New York Commandery of the Loyal Legion and he has membership in the Seaside Club, the Algonquin Club and the Republican Club as well as in the Masonic fraternity. Recognizing the duties and obligations as well as the privileges of citizenship, he has long stanchly espoused the principles in which he believes and he is a well known figure at the republican conventions of the state, where his opinions carry weight and influence. Judge Beers has ever borne himself with such signal dignity and honor as to gain the respect of all. He has been and is distinc- tively a man of affairs. A strong mentality, an invincible courage, a most determined indi- viduality have so entered into his make-up as to render him a natural leader of men and a director of opinion.
WILLIAM E. PRIMROSE.
The multiplicity of products manufactured in Bridgeport justly entitles the city to its reputation as being the industrial center of Connecticut. Among the establishments which are contributing factors to this position which the city holds is the Challenge Cutlery Com- pany, of which William E. Primrose is the secretary and treasurer. He became con- nected with the undertaking at its inception. He was born in New York city, September 19. 1862. a son of Edward and Jane Primrose, who in 1864 removed with their family to Naugatuck. Connectient. The son there acquired a high school education and afterward learned his trade with the Connecticut Cutlery Company. Still later he was with the James D. Frary Cutlery Company of Bridgeport and afterward occupied the responsible position of foreman with the Hatch & Holmes Manufacturing Company.
Mr. Primrose was one of the organizers and original stockholders of the Challenge Cutlery Company, first acting as superintendent, but later he was elected its secretary and treasurer, in which connection he is now bending his energies to promoting the successful management and control of the business. This company was established in 1899 by Walter M. Taussig, of New York, now president, the other officers being Charles F. Wiebusch of New York, vice president ; and William E. Primrose, secretary and treasurer. The company bought out the Hatch Manufacturing Company and consolidated the plant with the Chal- lenge Razor Works, which had been in Bridgeport since 1889. The company manufactures pocket cutlery and razors and in addition to the Bridgeport plant has a sales office in New York. Their goods are sold all over the world. They employ from one hundred and fifty to two hundred and fifty people, mostly skilled labor. They manufacture a line of over one thousand different items and make many special brands for customers. Their plant com- prises a three-story building two hundred and sixty by fifty feet, a two-story building one hundred and fifty by fifty feet and a one-story building one hundred by fifty feet. which is used as the forge department. Theirs has become one of the large concerns of the kind in the United States and its ramifying trade interests not only cover this country but various foreign lands as well and the extent of their sales makes this one of the foremost productive industries of Bridgeport.
In 1883 Mr. Primrose was united in marriage to Miss Isabella Unwin, who was born in England and came to Pennsylvania in her infancy with an aunt, later removing to Middle- bury, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Primrose have five children: Clifford M., Clarence E. and Fred. all of whom are in the factory; William E., who died at the age of twenty-six years; and Edward, who is a chemist.
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