USA > Connecticut > History of Connecticut, Volume III > Part 38
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Mr. Cooke also has to his credit an excellent record in public life, at both the local and the state levels. He served as state senator from Connecticut's Twelfth District in the Sessions of 1953 and 1955. In 1956 he was elected first selectman of Wallingford-where he still
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makes his home-and was re-elected for the 1957 term.
Active in the local Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Cooke formerly served on its board of directors. His other memberships include the Union League of New Haven and the Wallingford Club of Walling- ford. He is also a member of a widely known hunting and fishing club of the Province of Quebec, Canada, known as Bourbonnais- Kiamika, and he formerly served as its president. Affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, he is a member of the Royal Arch Chap- ter and the Council of Royal and Select Masters, in the York Rite. He also belongs to the Patrons of Husbandry.
An Episcopalian, he has served on the vestry of his church for twenty years, and is junior warden at the present time.
Philander Cooke married Bertha A. Pogmore, in a ceremony at Wallingford on September 27, 1924. She was born in that place on April 7, 1898, daughter of George and Lucy (Univin) Pogmore. Her father was born in Sheffield, England, in 1862, and came to this country twenty years later. He worked as a burnisher for about twenty years, and devoted the remainder of his life to farming. He died in 1945, surviving his wife by nine years. She too had come from Sheffield, where she was born in 1863.
Mrs. Cooke graduated from Wallingford High School in 1917. She is active in the Grange and in the Order of the Eastern Star, and in several organizations of the Episcopal Church: the Guild, the Couples' Club, and the Daughters of the King. She occasionally works in the office of Cooke's Express Company. The couple make their home at 124 Simpson Avenue, Wallingford, and they are the parents of a son : George William. He was born at Meriden on June 26, 1931, and graduated from Wallingford High School in 1949. For a year and a half, he attended Bryant College, and he then entered the Uni- ted States Army, serving for two years in Korea. He is now general manager of Cooke's Express Company. George W. Cooke married Dolores Franzoso, and they have two children: i. Lori Ann, born April 22, 1956. ii. Lynn Elizabeth, born February 4, 1958.
WILLIAM HENRY LYON
Following wartime experience as an engineer with the Navy Department, William Henry Lyon joined the staff of Soundscriber, Inc., at New Haven. He is now vice president of Soundscriber En- gineering Corporation.
A native of Cazenovia, New York, he was born on December 15, 1912, and is a son of Garrett H. and Eva (Ingersol) Lyon. His
E. Merrill Beach
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father too was born at Cazenovia, in 1879. A farmer all his active life, he retired some years ago and died in 1957. He was active in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mrs. Lyon died the follow- ing year. She was born in New York State in 1884. Attending the public schools of Cazenovia, William H. Lyon graduated from high school there, and attended the University of Syracuse for one year. He remained in his native city until 1943, being in the employ of the power company.
He left in that year to go to Washington, D. C., to accept a position as a civilian engineer with the Navy Department, remaining until 1946, when the war was over. After a year's vacation, he settled in New Haven, where he joined Soundscriber, Inc., as chief engineer. He has been vice president of its subsidiary organization, Sound- scriber Engineering Corporation, since 1955.
Mr. Lyon is a Protestant in religious faith and a Republican in politics.
On May 3, 1947, in Mayfield, Kentucky, William Henry Lyon married Gertrude Taylor. Born in Graves County, that state, on September 5, 1924, she is a daughter of William Vernon and Nell Mae (Morgan) Taylor. Her father, born in Tennessee in 1884, was a farmer there all of his life, until his retirement. He now lives at Wingo, Kentucky. He is a veteran of the Spanish-American War, and an honorary Kentucky Colonel. His wife, the former Nell Mae Morgan, is also living. She was born in Kentucky in 1889.
Mrs. Lyon graduated from Mayfield High School in 1942, and spent one year at Kentucky State Teachers College. In January, 1946, she started work for Lambe Realty at Hamden. In September of that year, she purchased the agency, which she has owned and managed ever since. She sells insurance as well as real estate, and employs four people in sales work. She is a member of the New Haven Real Estate Board, the Chamber of Commerce, and the New Haven Junior Women's Club which she served as president for two years. She is also a member of the Grace-New Haven Hospital Auxiliary. Active in the Daughters of the American Revolution, she was formerly junior chairman of her chapter. She votes the Republican ticket.
Mr. and Mrs. Lyon make their home on Juniper Drive in Orange. They have no children.
EDWARD MERRILL BEACH
Senior vice president of the Connecticut National Bank of Bridge- port, since 1950, and active in the banking field since 1913, Mr. Beach
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has been identified with civic and youth activities in the Bridgeport area for more than three decades. He has been an ardent supporter of the Boy Scouts and one of the early proponents of Little League baseball in Trumbull. He served as president of the Bridgeport Chapter of the American Institute of Banking in 1923 and 1924; he was presi- dent of the Bridgeport Association of Credit Men in 1929 and 1930; president of the Bridgeport Clearing House during the Bank Holiday in 1933 and again in 1937. He served as president of Connecticut Credit Men in 1936 and 1937. He is now a trustee and member of the Executive Committee of the Mechanics and Farmers Saving's Bank of Bridgeport; also a member of the Board of Associates of the University of Bridgeport.
Mr. Beach was born in Trumbull, on January 14, 1894, the son of Banford Starr Beach and Harriet St. John ( Merrill) Beach. He is descended from an old American family tracing his ancestry to John Beach of St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England, who came to New Haven aboard the ship "Elizabeth and Anna" in July 1638. His father was born in Trumbull on March 11, 1868, having served the com- munity as tax collector and first selectman. While holding the latter office he was endorsed by both political parties. He served as represen- tative in the Connecticut State Legislature in 1930. He died on No- vember 30, 1940. Mr. Beach's mother was born in Norwalk, on May 9, 1870 and died on February 16, 1905.
Mr. Beach attended the Trumbull elementary schools, graduated from Bridgeport High School, then studied at New York University, The Pace Institute and The American Institute of Banking. He began his banking career in 1913 with the First Bridgeport National Bank (now the Connecticut National Bank) as a messenger, becoming as- sistant cashier in 1926 and cashier in 1937. He was made vice presi- dent in 1939 and he has been senior vice president since 1950. He was also a member of the board of directors of that bank for many years. During World War I, Mr. Beach served in the United States Army.
Mr. Beach has been active in many community enterprises, serving as president or vice president of the Trumbull Park Commission since its establishment in 1947. He served on the board of directors of the Connecticut State Prison at Wethersfield from 1941 to 1947 and as president of the board from 1946 to 1947. He is a former treasurer of the Brooklawn Country Club, former president of the Algonquin Club, and has served for several years as a director and vice president of the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce. Long active in Masonry, he is a member of Washington Lodge No. 19, at Monroe, Connecticut,
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also a member of Hamilton Commandery No. 5, and a member of Lafayette Consistory, Pyramid Temple and is secretary of the Twi- light Club. He has been a Republican in politics. He is a trustee of the Trumbull Congregational Church, of which his ancestors were numbered among the founders. On the 225th anniversary of this church, Mr. Beach authored "Trumbull Church and Town," a 165- page volume dealing with the history of the congregation and the town.
Mr. Beach was married in Bridgeport on September 29, 1923 to Florence Evelyn Greening, born in Bridgeport on March 5, 1901, the daughter of Joseph Slater Greening and Lizzie (Percy) Greening. Her father was born in Wilstone, England, on November II, 1869, and died on February 4, 1954. Mrs. Beach's mother was born in Montgomery, New York, on July 17, 1869.
Mr. and Mrs. Beach had one son, Robert Greening, born in Bridgeport on May 9, 1925. He attended the Bridgeport schools and then studied at the University of Bridgeport. During World War II, he served in a Chemical Warfare Company of the United States Army and was temporarily stationed in London, England. During a buzz bomb raid, while going to the aid of the English people, a bomb struck his company, and he was among the sixty-three officers and men of the company who were killed. His death occurred on July 3, 1944. Mr. and Mrs. Beach donated the Robert G. Beach Memorial Park to the town of Trumbull in his memory. An area of one hundred and eighty acres, it contains camping grounds, several miles of wooded trails and a swimming pool, and is dedicated to the men and women of the town who served in the Armed Forces during the War.
FRANK J. MONCHUN
Hartford attorney Frank J. Monchun has acquitted himself well in public office as state senator and as judge of the municipal court at Windsor. A native of Hartford, he was born on September 6, 1915, son of John W. and Rose ( Matakas) Monchun.
He received his public school education locally, graduated from Hartford High School, and entered the University of Connecticut, where he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1937. He received his professional training at Boston University Law School, and took his degree of Bachelor of Laws there in 1940. The follow- ing year he was admitted to the bar of the State of Connecticut.
He did not immediately begin independent practice, but from 1941 to 1944 was employed in the legal department of United Aircraft Corporation at East Hartford. In 1944 he enlisted for service in the
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United States Navy, and served through the remainder of World War II, receiving his honorable discharge in 1946.
Since his return to civilian life, Frank J. Monchun has practiced law at Hartford, and also has an office at Windsor, where he makes his home. His is a general practice. He was elected to the Connecticut State Senate for the terms beginning in 1949 and in 1951. Meantime, in 1950, he had been named judge of the municipal court at Windsor, and he served on the bench until 1952.
Mr. Monchun is a director of the Windsor Federal Savings and Loan Association. Active in the American Legion as a veteran of World War II, he has served as judge advocate of his post; and he is a member and past president of the Lithuanian-American Citizens' Club. He has been judge advocate of his post of the Knights of Colum- bus, and is a member of the Exchange Club and the Windsor Rod and Gun Club. As a lawyer, he is a member of the American Bar Associa- tion, the Connecticut State Bar Association and the Hartford County Bar Association.
Judge Monchun and his family are of Roman Catholic faith, at- tending St. Gabriel's Church.
Mrs. Monchun is the former Miss Stephanie Letitia, a native of Terryville, Connecticut, and daughter of Andrew and Anastasia (Hury) Letitia. Both of her parents are deceased. Mrs. Monchun graduated from Terryville High School, attended the University of Connecticut, where she took her degree of Bachelor of Science, then went on to graduate courses at New York University, receiving a de- gree of Master of Arts there. Prior to her marriage, which took place at Coronado, California, on August 26, 1944, she taught at the Uni- versity of Connecticut in that state. The couple are the parents of the following children: I. Barbara, who was born in Coronado, Cali- fornia on September 2, 1945. 2. Frank J., Jr., born in Hartford on June 26, 1949. These two children are attending Clover Street School in Windsor. 3. Rosemary, born in Hartford on January 2, 1957.
JOHN HICKS RIEGE
Completing his law studies following World War II service over- seas, John Hicks Riege has practiced at Hartford since his admission to the bar, and is a partner of John H. Reid, with offices at I Lewis Street. He is a native of Springfield, Massachusetts and was born on March 27, 1922, son of Rudolph and Claire (Halsted) Riege. His father was a mechanical engineer. Attending Phillips Academy at
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Andover, Massachusetts, for his preparatory studies, John H. Riege went from there to Wesleyan University, where he completed his reg- ular courses in three years, graduating in October, 1943, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then entered wartime military service, and as a volunteer ambulance driver with the American Field Service, was stationed in Italy throughout the remainder of the conflict there.
On his return to peacetime pursuits in 1945, he enrolled at Yale Law School, where he took his degree of Bachelor of Laws in October, 1947. Admitted to the bar of the state of Connecticut at that time, he commenced his practice in Hartford. Since 1950, he has been a partner of John H. Reid, whose sketch is likewise contained in this work.
Mr. Riege is a member of the American, Connecticut, and Hart- ford County bar associations, and of the University Club of Hart- ford, The Hartford Club and Hartford Golf Club. He joined Alpha Delta Phi fraternity at Wesleyan University, and has served as its president. He also is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He is a communi- cant of Asylum Hill Congregational Church at Hartford.
At West Hartford, on December 13, 1947, John H. Riege mar- ried Virginia F. Swain, daughter of Robert B. and Mary (Wardwell) Swain. The couple are the parents of four children: I. John Allen, who was born on November II, 1949. 2. Stephen Halsted, born August 9, 1951. 3. Virginia Howe, born June 10, 1954. 4. Nancy Swain, born May 1, 1957.
JOHN HARRISON REID
Practicing law in Hartford for over a decade, John Harrison Reid is now a partner of John H. Riege, their offices being at I Lewis Street. Born July 3, 1920, at Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, he is a son of Harold Bishop and Mary (Varden) Reid. His father, for- merly a business executive, is now retired.
John Harrison Reid took his preparatory courses at Phillips Aca- demy, Andover, Massachusetts, where he graduated in 1939. He com- pleted his advanced academic courses at Yale University in less than the usual four years, graduating there in December, 1942, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then entered active service in the Uni- ted States Naval Reserve Corps, in which he held a commission as lieutenant. He served in the Pacific Theater of Operations.
Separated from the service in 1946, Mr. Reid resumed his studies, and in February, 1948, received his degree of Bachelor of Laws from the University of Virginia Law School. Admitted to the bar
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of the State of Connecticut in 1948, he has practiced at Hartford since the completion of his professional courses, and he joined Mr. Riege in their professional partnership in 1950.
Mr. Reid is a member of the American, Connecticut, and Hart- ford County bar associations, and of the University Club of Hart- ford, The Hartford Club, and Hartford Golf Club. His fraternity is Psi Upsilon. He and his family attend Asylum Hill Congregational Church at Hartford.
Mrs. John Harrison Reid is the former Miss Catharine W. Smith, daughter of Robert J. and Ethel P. Smith. She became the wife of Mr. Reid in a ceremony at New Britain on January 16, 1943. The couple are the parents of three children: 1. John Harrison, 3rd, who was born on March 18, 1944. 2. Katharine Leslie, born on March 28, 1947. 3. Sarah Rogers, born on December 7, 1951.
ELMER S. WATSON
Elmer S. Watson began his business career in the insurance field at Hartford, and he is now a senior partner in his own agency, Arthur A. Watson and Company, with offices at 242 Trumbull Street. He has become well known in public life as state senator from the Fourth District.
A native of Hartford, he was born on June 19, 1908, son of George I. and Mabel (Avery) Watson. After completing his sec- ondary courses at Weaver High School, Elmer S. Watson entered the University of Connecticut. As an undergraduate there he was a member of Theta Sigma Chi, Theta Alpha Phi, and Gamma Chi Ep- silon fraternities. He was also a member of the Varsity Club, was on the baseball squad four years, and on the rifle team four years, being its captain in his junior and senior years. He was for two years a re- porter for The Campus. In his senior year he was commander of his R. O. T. C. battalion, with the rank of major. In 1929, he graduated from the university with the degree of Bachelor of Science, and he is now president of his class.
Immediately afterwards, Mr. Watson joined the Hartford in- surance agency, Arthur A. Watson and Company, and is now a senior partner in that organization. It was founded in 1929 by his brother, Arthur A. Watson and himself, and has continued under the manage- ment of members of the family since that time.
In 1930 he joined the Connecticut National Guard as a second lieutenant, and served through all grades up to and including brigadier
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general in command of the State Guard, 1950-1951. He is now re- tired as a major general. During World War II he served with the Forty-third Division in the South Pacific, being a lieutenant colonel on the General Staff occupying the position of operations officer. He received the following decorations during his period of active duty : Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, Pacific Theater Medal with two battle stars and one bronze arrowhead, the American Theater Ribbon and American Defense Medal.
From June, 1945, until 1949, Mr. Watson served as Motor Ve- hicle Commissioner of the State of Connecticut. Elected to the Con- necticut State Senate from the Fourth District, for the term begin- ning in 1951, he has retained his seat in the state's upper lawmaking body until 1959. He was elected majority leader for the 1957 session. Mr. Watson is at present a trustee of the University of Connecticut. He is president of the Automobile Club of Hartford, and vice presi- dent of the Wethersfield Country Club.
At Dobbs Ferry, New York, on September 21, 1935, Elmer S. Watson married Cornelia Williamson, daughter of Charles C. and Bertha (Torrey) Williamson. Mrs. Watson is a graduate of Smith College, Class of 1934. The couple are the parents of two children: I. Charles Stiles, who was born in Hartford on August 10, 1936. He graduated from Loomis Institute at Windsor, and in 1958 received his degree of Bachelor of Arts at Brown University. 2. Margaret Torrey, born on June 16, 1939, in Hartford. She graduated from Macduffie School, and is now attending Smith College. The family lives on Ridge Road, Wethersfield.
J(OSEPH) RONALD REGNIER
Since his admittance to the Connecticut bar two and a half de- cades ago, J. Ronald Regnier has practiced at Hartford, and is senior partner in the firm of Regnier and Moller, with offices at 15 Lewis Street. He has been active in the councils of the Republican party, and has held office in a number of bar and civic groups. He has also served on the bench.
A native of Manchester, New Hampshire, Mr. Regnier was born on April 8, 1906, son of Joseph Telesphore and Loretta (Shattuck) Regnier. His father was engaged in the leather business. A resident of the Hartford area from his early years, J. Ronald Regnier attended West Middle School, where he completed his studies in 1919, and Hartford Public High School, where he graduated in 1923. He later
Conn.III-31
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entered Trinity College, taking his degree of Bachelor of Arts there in 1930. In 1933 he completed his professional studies at Yale Law School, and received his degree of Bachelor of Laws.
Admitted to the Connecticut State Bar in that year, he com- menced active practice at Hartford. The firm of Regnier and Moller, in which he is a partner, was established in 1954, and specializes in trial practice. As a member of the Hartford County Bar Association, Mr. Regnier served as its president during the 1954-1955 term. He became treasurer of the Connecticut State Bar Association in 1956 and is now vice president. He served as chairman of the Committee on Admissions of the American Bar Association from 1947 to 1952, and is at the present time a member of the House of Delegates.
Mr. Regnier is also a member of the University Club of Hartford, and was its president from 1950 to 1952. In 1956 he became a member of the board of directors of the Hartford Golf Club. He was formerly a director of the Hartford Young Men's Christian Association.
In 1942. J. Ronald Regnier became judge of the town court of Glastonbury. He served until 1948, and again assumed duties as judge of that court in 1950, serving until 1954. He was president of the Connecticut Assembly of Municipal Court Judges in 1954-1955. A Republican, he was chairman of the Republican Town Committee of Glastonbury for six years.
A communicant of Asylum Hill Congregational Church in Hart- ford, he is active on behalf of his denomination, and served as modera- tor of the Hartford East Association, Congregational Churches, in 1949-1950.
At Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada, on March 25, 1939, J. Ronald Regnier married Kathleen Gates, daughter of A. Avery and Eva (Smallman) Gates. The couple are the parents of four children : I. Roger Gates, who was born on May 4, 1941. 2. Mar- cia Jeanne, born January 16, 1943. 3. Gwendolyn Louise, born April 13, 1946. 4. Paul Shattuck, born August 28, 1948.
ROBERT C. KNOX, JR.
As senior partner in R. C. Knox and Company, Robert C. Knox, Jr., heads a Hartford insurance and surety bond agency which has played its part in the city's commercial life since 1893. He joined his father in this organization as soon as he had completed his edu- cation. He has become active in a considerable number of community organizations.
Mr. Knox is a native of Hartford, where he was born on October
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17, 1912, son of Robert C., Sr., and Estelle (Lethbridge) Knox. It was his father who founded R. C. Knox and Company, sixty-five years ago. He remained at its head throughout his active career, his death occurring in July, 1946. Mrs. Knox passed away in July 1958.
The younger Robert C. Knox completed his preparatory studies at Taft School, then entered Yale College, where he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1935. Following his graduation, he joined his father in the management of R. C. Knox and Company, and this has been his major business interest since. He became senior partner in 1953 on the death of his brother-in-law, the late Vincent F. Wilcox, Jr., which occurred in October of that year. In addition to Mr. Knox the present membership of the company comprises Her- bert R. Bland, who is assistant senior partner, and Andrew W. Milli- gan and Edward J. Casey, who are partners. Offices are at III Pearl Street. The firm has long represented The AEtna affiliated companies.
Mr. Knox is currently a director of the Hartford Community Chest. He is a member of the board of Goodwill Boys' Club, and is also active in directing the operations of Hartford County Young Men's Christian Association, Mount Sinai Hospital, and Hartford Seminary Foundation. He is a member of the Open Hearth Associa- tion, Hartford Golf Club, The Hartford Club, Yale Club of Hartford, and Madison Beach Club and the East Haddam Fish and Game Club. He is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church.
At Hartford, on May 22, 1937, Robert C. Knox, Jr., married Leonice Merrels, daughter of Frederick B. and Gray (Price) Merrels. Mrs. Knox graduated from Oxford School in West Hartford, and attended Smith College. The couple are the parents of three children : I. Leonice, born in Hartford on April 20, 1938. She too attended Ox- ford School, where she graduated, and is a graduate of Briarcliff Col- lege, Briarcliff, New York. 2. Robert C., 3rd, born February 20, 1941 ; now attending Taft School. 3. Lance, born September 25, 1944; attend- ing Kingswood School in West Hartford.
DAVID RICHARD DANIEL
David Richard Daniel has spent his entire business career with The Hartford Times. Since 1953 he has been its publisher, and he is also vice president and secretary of The Hartford Times, Inc. He has been a leader in publishers' groups, in community affairs and in pro- motion of cultural facilities.
A native of Hartford, he was born on November 12, 1902, and
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is a son of David and Katherine (Galloway) Daniel. His formal edu- cation was limited to the public elementary and high schools, and in 1916 he went to work in the business department of The Hartford Times. He became an advertising salesman in 1919, and in 1928 was promoted to manager of local advertising. He was business manager as well as advertising manager from 1937 to 1951, and in the latter year became general manager of the paper. His next step brought him to the position of publisher, and at the same time he assumed his executive duties in the corporation.
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