USA > Connecticut > History of Connecticut, Volume III > Part 16
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He resumed submarine duty in the Pacific with command of the U. S. S. "Nautilus," later commanding Submarine Division 12, with
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his pennant in the "Nautilus." From 1938 to 1940 he was Officer in Charge of the Submarine School at New London, and in August, 1940, was sent to London as Assistant Naval Attaché. While there he also served as a submarine observer with the British Navy and made numerous patrols on board British vessels. While attached to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Navy Department, in the summer of 1941, he lectured on his European experiences in numer- ous cities of the United States, as well as Manila and Pearl Harbor.
At the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor he had com- mand of Submarine Squadron 20 (under Admiral T. C. Hart), which, with Submarine Squadron 2, was dissolved into Submarines, Asiatic Fleet, and he served as Chief of Staff to the Commander from Decem- ber 1, 1941, until July 23, 1942. He then served as Commander, Sub- marine Squadron 2, until mid-December, which included six weeks living with General MacArthur in New Guinea during the Buna cam- paign as the representative of Admiral A. S. Carpender. He later com- manded Task Force 42 for fifteen months, in the temporary rank of Commodore during part of that time. He was awarded the Distin- guished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious service as Chief of Staff to Commander Submarines, Asiatic Fleet, his citation reading in part :
. . Captain Fife, in the face of frequent attacks, rendered valuable assistance in the successful retiring campaign against the enemy under conditions which required the erection of base and headquarters facilities in areas where there were little or no provisions for such activities. . . [and] was largely responsible for the success achieved by the submarines. . .
He was also awarded The Air Medal by the Army :
For meritorious achievement while participating in sustained operational flight missions in the Pacific Area. .. The courage and devotion to duty displayed during these flights reflect great credit on the United States Army Air Force.
When later he received a Gold Star in lieu of a second Distinguish- ed Service Medal, covering duties between mid-1942 and March, 1944, his citation read :
. . . Taking part personally in several aerial combat and reconnaissance flights in preparation for the responsibilities of his command, Commodore Fife was able to formulate effective plans for future operations by the valuable intimate and detailed knowledge of the area where his submarines were to operate gained on these missions. His sound judgment, keen foresight and forceful leadership in executing and directing subsequent operations were directly reflected not only in the notable record of tons of enemy shipping sunk or damaged by the submarines of his Task Force, but also in the sustained high morale, efficiency and combat readiness among the officers and men under his command.
He returned to the Navy Department to serve on the Staff of
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the Commander in Chief, U. S. Fleet, and Chief of Naval Operations from March to December, 1944, the highlight of his tour being the Quebec Conference. Again in the Pacific during the last months of the war, he served as Commander Submarines, Southwest Pacific; Commander, U. S. Naval Forces, Western Australia; and Commander Task Force 71, and for further distinguished service was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of the third Distinguished Service Medal, the cita- tion reading :
. [He] planned and coordinated Dutch and Australian submarine units with . . those of his own forces to press home vigorous, unrelenting attacks against the enemy during a period of difficult operations in restricted areas of the Philippine Islands and Borneo. . . During a special mission of an extremely dangerous na- ture carried out by the USS HARDHEAD on her Fourth War Patrol in April 1945, Rear Admiral Fife voluntarily participated in a devastating offensive strike to sink a large hostile vessel, at the same time obtaining valuable first hand in- formation on various submarine problems. .. contributed materially to the sus- tained drive toward the conquest of vital hostile strongholds in the Southwest Pacific Area. . .
After the war he was a member, successively, of the General Board and the Joint Strategic Survey Committee of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and from April, 1947, until June, 1950, commanded the Submarine Force, Atlantic Fleet. Duty as Assistant Chief, and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations preceded his last assignment before retirement as U. S. Naval Deputy Commander in Chief, Mediterranean, under Ad- miral Mountbatten, Royal Navy.
When World War II began, James Fife held the rank of Com- mander. He was commissioned Captain (temporary) January 2, 1942; Captain, June 30, 1942; Commodore (temporary) November 6, 1942, to March 31, 1944; Rear Admiral (temporary) November 27, 1944; Rear Admiral (upper half ), December 30, 1946; Vice Admiral, August 10, 1951 and March 17, 1953. He was advanced to the rank of Ad- miral, on the basis of combat citations, when transferred to the re- tired list, August 1, 1955. At that time he came to Stonington to spend the years of his retirement.
In addition to the Distinguished Service Medal with two Gold Stars, and the Air Medal from the Army, Admiral Fife received the following decorations and medals : Army Distinguished Unit Emblem; Submarine Combat Pin; Navy Expeditionary Medal; World War I Victory Medal, Escort Clasp; Yangtze Service Medal; American De- fense Service Medal, Fleet Clasp; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with operation stars; World War II Victory Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Philippine Defense Ribbon, with one bronze star; Philippine Liberation Ribbon, with two bronze stars; and Philippine
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Independence Ribbon. From foreign governments he received the de- corations of Commander of the Military Division of the Order of the British Empire, and the Order of Orange-Nassau with Swords, De- gree of Grand Commander, from the Netherlands Government.
Married to the former Miss Mabel Hendrix of San Francisco, California, Admiral Fife is the father of two daughters: Nancy Janet and Barbara McNair. His address is Westerly Road, Stonington.
CARL GATES FREESE
Carl Gates Freese, who for the past decade has served as presi- dent and treasurer of the Connecticut Savings Bank of New Haven, was born at Framingham, Massachusetts, on December 23, 1892, and is a son of John Perley and Grace Eva (Gates) Freese. After attend- ing local public schools, he enrolled at Harvard College, where he took his degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1915.
His first position was as representative of the Southern Railway, in Argentina and Uruguay. He left this connection when he joined the United States Army at the time of World War I. Assigned to the Ambulance Service, he attained the rank of sergeant, and served with units of the French Army. In 1918 he was attached to the Peace Com- mission in Paris.
Following his return to peacetime pursuits, Mr. Freese joined R. L. Day and Company, an investment banking firm with offices in Boston and New York. He continued with this organization for more than two decades, becoming a partner in 1928. Leaving R. L. Day and Company at the end of 1943, he joined the executive staff of the Connecticut Savings Bank of New Haven with the beginning of the next year. He served as vice president until 1948, and since that time has been president and treasurer.
In addition to this primary business connection, Mr. Freese is a director of the First National Bank and Trust Company, Security In- surance Company, the Francestown, New Hampshire, Water Com- pany, the New Haven Gas Company and the Connecticut Indemnity Company. Since 1949 he has served on the Savings Bank Railroad Bond Committee. Mr. Freese is active in the Savings Banks Associa- tion of Connecticut, which he served as president in 1947-1948. He was president of the National Association of Mutual Savings in 1951- 1952. He has contributed a number of articles on banking to trade magazines.
Welfare work in his home community has claimed its share of
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Mr. Freese's attention. He is a member of the finance committee of the New Haven Hospital, and a director of the New Haven Boys Club. During World War II he was chairman of the War Finance Committee. He is a member of the Harvard Clubs in Connecticut and New York, and the Peterborough Golf Club in New Hampshire. He also belongs to the New Haven Chamber of Commerce, which he served as president from 1947 to 1949. His other memberships include the Quinnipiack Club, the Lawn Club, the Graduates Club, and the New Haven Kiwanis Club.
On May 3, 1924, Carl Gates Freese married Dorothy H. Clapp, of Orange, daughter of Roger Otis and Nancy (Mesmer) Clapp. They are the parents of two children: I. Carl Gates, married Polly Shepherd of Hopkinton, Massachusetts, and they have two children, Nancy and Jonathan. 2. Nancy Jackson, who is now Mrs. Boardman Brown. Mr. and Mrs. Brown of Seattle, Washington have five child- ren : Tyler, Carey, Whitney, Matthew and Wendy.
EDWARD INGRAHAM
One of Bristol's long-established manufacturing enterprises, The Ingraham Company has become nationally known for its clocks. As- sociated with it is the fourth generation of the same family, in the person of Edward Ingraham. He was its president for upwards of three decades.
Mr. Ingraham is a native of Bristol and was born on December 20, 1887, son of William Shurtleff and Grace Ella (Seymour) Ingra- ham. He is the great-grandson of Elias Ingraham, who founded the company in 1831. After attending Phillips Andover Academy, and re- ceiving his degree of Bachelor of Arts from Yale University in 1910, Edward Ingraham joined the family firm. In the course of the next seventeen years, he familiarized himself with the operations of the various departments, and gained experience in several successive posi- tions of increasing responsibility. He was elected president of the firm in 1927. He filled the chief executive office until 1954, when he be- came chairman of the board.
Mr. Ingraham is also president of the American Clock and Watch Museum Inc. in Bristol, and he has served on the boards of directors of other corporations. He is a past president of the Clock Manufacturers Association of America, and also past president of the Manufacturers Association of Connecticut.
A veteran of World War I, Mr. Ingraham served in the Coast
2 . Tracy Sheffield
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Artillery Corps at Fort Monroe in 1918. Work with youth is one of Mr. Ingraham's major community interests. He is a past president of the Bristol Boys Club, and has also served on the board of directors of the Boys Club of America. His fraternity is Beta Theta Pi, and he is a member of the Blue Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons. He attends the Congregational Church, and is a Republican in his politics.
On September 21, 1918, Edward Ingraham married Alice Patti Pease, who is now deceased. They were the parents of the following children: I. Alice Edward. 2. William Shurtleff. 3. Grace Seymour. 4. Ellen Jane. 5. Faith Allen. On January 16, 1952, Mr. Ingraham married, second, Ethel Leishman Beach.
LUCIUS TRACY SHEFFIELD
Lucius Tracy Sheffield plays a varied role of leadership in the commercial and industrial life of New London. He is president of the Sheffield Tube Corporation and The Sheffield Company ; is a bank offi- cial; and has held office in the state's Chamber of Commerce.
Born in New York City on October 26, 1884, he is a son of Lu- cius Tracy and Mary Jane (Kyle) Sheffield. Completing his prepara- tory studies at Berkeley School in New York, he entered Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University, and graduated there with the Class of 1906, taking the degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering.
He immediately began his career with the organization which has been identified with the family name for over a century. This was formerly known as the New England Collapsible Tube Company, but is now the Sheffield Tube Corporation. In 1850, Dr. Washington Wentworth Sheffield, a noted chemist, founded a toothpaste manu- facturing firm, the management of which passed to his son, Dr. L. Tracy Sheffield. In 1892, the firm began to manufacture the tubes used to contain tooth paste, and thus made its entry into what is now known as the collapsible tube industry. This industry today is ex- ceeded only by the automobile industry as a user of tin; and the Sheffield Tube Corporation, which has been known by that name since 1945 is one of the leaders in production in its field. Lucius Tracy Sheffield, grandson of the founder and son of the former head of the company, began his career in subordinate posts, and had gained ex- perience in the various phases of operations before he advanced to executive rank, and eventually the presidency in 1911. He is also president of The Sheffield Company, which his father also headed Conn.III-14
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before him. It has been a producer of toilet preparations since 1906, and its plant too is located at New London.
Mr. Sheffield is a member of the Thames Club and the New Lon- don Country Club, both of his home city, The Hartford Club, the Racquet and Tennis Club of New York City, the Yale Club of that city, the Graduates Club of New Haven, Point Judith Country Club in Rhode Island, the Dunes Club, Narragansett Pier, Rhode Island, and Misquamicut Club, Watch Hill, Rhode Island. As an industrialist, he has to his credit an excellent record of service to his country in World War II, when he served on the War Production Board. He is associated with the Boys' Club of America. He is a member of the advisory board for the "History of Connecticut" by Dr. Harold Bing- ham. His recreation is golf.
On July 5, 1919, Lucius Tracy Sheffield married Ina R. Brown, daughter of Orrin Brown and Mary Louise (Robbins) Brown. By a previous marriage, a son, Thomas Chaney, was born on April 8, 1910. He attended St. Paul's School, Concord, New Hampshire, and entered Yale University, where he graduated in 1932. He is married and has four sons and one daughter: Thomas Chaney, Jr., Tracy Kyle, Ina R., Steven, and Chaney. His eldest son, Thomas, Jr., is a graduate of Harvard College, Class of 1958, and was a member of the unbeaten one-hundred-and-fifty-pound rowing crew. With his team- mates, he entered international competition at Henley, England, in July. He is now attending Harvard School of Business Administration. The elder Thomas C. Sheffield is manager and director of the western office of the Sheffield Tube Corporation; and is vice president of both that and The Sheffield Company. He lives in the San Fernando Valley, California.
PHILIP ADAMS JOHNSON
Until his retirement from business a little more than a decade ago, Philip Adams Johnson was a leading Connecticut industrialist, the president of The Aspinook Company at Jewett City. He has been an official of other corporations as well, but his many civic activities have occupied most of his time in recent years. He is now president of Norwich Tercentenary, Inc.
Born at Norwich on August 1, 1892, he is a son of Oliver Lewis and Fannie (Chester) Johnson. His father too was president of The Aspinook Company, and also president of Thames National Bank and vice president of Chelsea Savings Bank (both of Norwich), and a director of various corporations. Philip A. Johnson attended Nor-
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wich Free Academy, and completed his preparatory studies at Hotch- kiss School, where he graduated in 1910. He then entered Yale Uni- versity, where he excelled in scholarship and was admitted to Phi Beta Kappa. There he received his degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1944.
Mr. Johnson was identified with The Aspinook Company from the beginning of his business career. With this firm, engaged in the dyeing and printing of textile fabrics, he began his connection in the capacity of laborer. He succeeded his father as its president in 1930, and held office until the company was sold in 1938. Mr. Johnson has also served as treasurer and director of the Hampton Company of Easthampton, Massachusetts, and the Hampton Spinning Mills, Clov- er, South Carolina. He retains the positions of vice president of the Chelsea Savings Bank of Norwich, and associate director of the Thames Branch of Connecticut Bank and Trust Company, also at Norwich.
As a leader in the textile industry for many years, he has held a number of responsible offices in trade groups. He has served on the executive committee of the National Association of Finishers of Tex- tile Fabrics, and as a director of the United States Institute of Textile Research and the Textile Color Card Association of the United States. He was a member of the National Recovery Act Code Committee for the Finishing Industry; and he was chief of the Finished Goods Sec- tion of the Office of Price Administration in 1942.
In his home city of Norwich, Mr. Johnson has become increas- ingly active and influential in welfare, cultural and civic connections since his retirement from business. He was president of the W. W. Backus Hospital in that city from 1949 to 1951; treasurer of the Connecticut Hospital Association from 1950 to 1954; and a trustee of the Norwich State Hospital from 1948 to 1957, serving as chair- man of its board from 1953 until 1957. During 1950-1951, he held office as chairman of the Joint Committee of State Mental Hospitals ; and he was vice chairman of the State Board of Mental Health in 1953-1954. In 1955 he was chosen chairman of this board, and served through 1956. Mr. Johnson was recently chosen to head his city's tricentennial program, with the title of president, Norwich Tercen- tenary, Inc. He is president of the Norwich Industrial Foundation, a member of the advisory board of United Workers of Norwich, and a trustee of Norwich Free Academy.
He has also found time in his busy career for public office at the city and county levels. From 1951 to 1953 he was president of the council, City of Norwich. As a Republican, he was chairman of his
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party's finance committee for New London County from 1948 to 1950; and he was a Republican presidential elector in 1956. He former- ly served as chairman of the Citizens Committee for Better Norwich Government.
Mr. Johnson is currently president of the Society of the Founders of Norwich, and a trustee of the Antiquarian and Landmarks Society of Connecticut. He is a member of the Mason Monument Association in his home city, and his other memberships include the Appalachian Mountain Club, Yale Club of New York City, and Bald Peak Colony Club. He is a communicant of Park Congregational Church in Norwich.
At Manchester, New Hampshire, on June 12, 1920, Philip Adams Johnson married Edith Todd Dexter, daughter of Lewis and Edith Topliff (Todd) Dexter. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have two children: I. Peter Dexter, who was born on July 1, 1921 and married Jessie Jones. Their children are Peter D., Jr., and Carol Osborne Johnson. 2. Anne Chester, who was born November 12, 1923, and married Mr. Edward B. Stevens. Their children are: Peter Brooks, Lynn Dexter, Jonathan Ames and Jane Adams Stevens.
CARMINE ROBERT LAVIERI
A native of Winsted, Carmine Robert Lavieri has become a prominent figure at the bar of his home city, where he has practiced for the past decade. He serves on several boards of directors, and also has a distinguished record on the bench as Trial Justice of the Town of Barkhamsted.
Born on September 9, 1918, he is a son of John A. and Carmela (Russo) Lavieri. His father, who was born in Italy, came to this country in 1893. He became a tool manufacturer at Barkhamsted, head of the Sterling Engineering Corporation. Miss Russo, whom he married, was a native of New York City and is now deceased.
The public schools of Winsted provided Carmine R. Lavieri with his early education, and he completed his secondary studies at Gilbert School, where he graduated in the Class of 1936. Enrolling at Trinity College in Hartford, he received his degree of Bachelor of Science there in 1940. Military service in World War II interrupted his work at the Hartford College of Law where he started his study of the law in 1940. He entered the army in May, 1942, was commissioned a sec- ond lieutenant in February of the following year, and held the rank of captain at the time of his separation from the service in April,
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1946. He then resumed his studies, and received his degree of Bachelor of Laws from the University of Connecticut in 1948.
Admitted to the bar of his state the following year, Mr. Lavieri commenced practice in Winsted, associated with the firm of Howd and Pruyn, now Howd and Lavieri. This organization conducts a general practice, and Mr. Lavieri has been a full partner since 1949. He is a member of the Litchfield County Bar Association, which he has served as secretary and is now vice president, and also of the Con- necticut State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the National Association of Claimants Compensation Attorneys. He has served as a member of the Council of the State Bar Association.
In 1950, Mr. Lavieri became Trial Justice for the Town of Bark- hamsted, and has served in that post since. He is a director of Sterling Engineering Corporation, his father's organization, and of Superior Manufacturing Corporation. He also serves on the boards of direc- tors and the executive committees of the Litchfield County Hospital and the Connecticut Chamber of Commerce. He is a member and past president of the Winsted Rotary Club and a member of The Pleasant Valley Methodist Church, which he is currently serving as chair- man of the board of trustees.
At the Trinity College Chapel in Hartford, on August 7, 1943, Carmine Robert Lavieri married Dorothy A. Ducharme of West Hartford, daughter of Nelson and Helen (Beames) Ducharme. To their marriage the following children have been born : I. John Nelson, on July 12, 1944. 2. Patricia Helen, born March 17, 1946. 3. Roberta Ann, born October 4, 1948. 4. Richard Robert, born August 4, 1952. 5. Mary Elizabeth, born November 4, 1953. 6. Jeanne Nora, born March 5, 1955.
BERNHARD KNOLLENBERG
A lawyer by training, with experience in government administra- tive work to his credit, Bernhard Knollenberg now devotes his atten- tion to writing. He is the author of several books as well as of articles appearing in magazines of national circulation.
Born at Richmond, Indiana, on November 26, 1892, he is a son of George H. and Agnes (Steen) Knollenberg. He received his degree of Bachelor of Arts at Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana, in 1912. In 1914 he took his Master of Arts degree at Harvard, and he received his professional training at Harvard Law School, where he took his
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degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1916. He holds an honorary degree of Master of Arts from Yale University (1938), and a Doctor of Laws degree from Earlham (1944).
Mr. Knollenberg was admitted to the bar in 1916, and practiced until 1938. Thereafter until 1943 he was librarian at Yale University. During 1939-1940, he was consulting expert with the United States Treasury Department; and he was the Senior Deputy Administrator of the Lend-Lease Administration in 1943-1944, and served in Wash- ington and the Far East with the Office of Strategic Services in 1944- 1945. In World War I, Mr. Knollenberg had served in Naval Intelli- gence.
He is the author of three major works: "Washington and the Revolution : A Reappraisal," published in 1940, "Whitewater Valley" (1946), and "Samuel Ward" (1952). He has contributed to Atlantic Monthly, Harpers, and other general circulation magazines, as well as to law journals.
In recent years, Mr. Knollenberg has served on the International Commission for the North Atlantic Fisheries. He is a trustee of Con- necticut College, and a member of the Connecticut Historical Com- mission, and is an associate fellow of Saybrook College, Yale. He is a member of the Elizabethan Club and of the Lawn Club, both of New Haven, and the Century Association of New York City.
Mrs. Knollenberg is the well-known sculptress, Mary Tarleton Knollenberg. They have one son, Bernhard Walter. They reside at Parker's Point, Chester.
WILLIAM JAMIESON PAPE
From the early years of the century, the editor and publisher of the Waterbury American and Waterbury Republican has been veteran New England journalist William J. Pape. Over the years he has played a full and varied role in community affairs.
Mr. Pape came to this country from England, having been born in Liverpool on December 1, 1873. He is a son of Robert and Martha (Burnett) Pape. He came to this country when he was young, and graduated from high school in Passaic, New Jersey, in 1890, three years after his arrival here. Mr. Pape has been a naturalized American citizen since 1895.
He began his journalistic career as a reporter on the staff of the Passaic Daily News in 1890. His advancement on that paper was rapid. He became city editor in 1892, and business manager in 1895, and from 1897 to 1901, served as its editor.
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