USA > Connecticut > History of Connecticut, Volume III > Part 44
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A member of the Newington Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Holland formerly served as its president. He is past chairman of the New- ington Young Men's Christian Association's advisory committee. President of the city's Lions Club, he is currently serving as first vice president ; and he is a member and past master of Sequin Lodge of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. Holland's religious affiliation is with the Newington Congregational Church. His favorite outdoor sport is fishing.
He has held public office, and has been chairman of the Board of Fire Commissioners of his township for some years. He is district forest fire warden; and he served as assessor of the Town of New- ington from 1945 to 1952.
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On November 22, 1936, in Newington, Harry R. Holland, Jr., married Evelyn Green of that city, daughter of Leopold and Bertha (Stabert) Green. Mr. and Mrs. Holland have two children: 1. Craig R., who was born on March 19, 1943, in Hartford. He was a student at Newington Junior High School, and now attends Trinity Pawling School at Pawling, New York. 2. Sharon E., born on April 18, 1948, attends Newington Elementary School.
WILLIAM S. VANDERBILT, 3RD
Beginning his career in the insurance business following his re- turn from service as a naval officer in World War I, William S. Vander- bilt, 3rd, has been with the Hartford Fire Insurance Company through- out the intervening years. Steady advancement has brought him to his present position as vice president and secretary. Mr. Vanderbilt's office is at the company's headquarters at 690 Asylum Street, Hart- ford. He takes an active part in that city's civic and organizational life.
The son of William S., 2nd, and Mary (Chapman) Vanderbilt, he was born at Greenville, New York, on January 30, 1895. His earliest American forebear in the maternal line came to this country from Ipswich, England, and settled at Saybrook, Connecticut, in the 1630s. William S. Vanderbilt, 2nd, was a farmer who was also active in the insurance business. He died in 1918.
After completing his secondary studies at Greenville Free Aca- demy, William S. Vanderbilt, 3rd, entered Cornell University, where he received his degree of Bachelor of Science in 1917. He then en- listed for wartime service in the United States Navy. Commissioned a lieutenant, junior grade, he was overseas for thirteen months. For a short time after his return from the war, he worked for the Spool Cotton Company of New York City, as a salesman.
In 1920 Mr. Vanderbilt joined the staff of the Hartford Fire Insurance Company, and over the next three decades, served in various capacities, advancing to positions as superintendent, department su- perintendent, and junior officer. He was promoted to vice president and secretary in 1953, and has been secretary since 1941, holding the two offices simultaneously at the present time. He has served on a number of insurance industry committees.
For the past several years, Mr. Vanderbilt has served as a direc- tor of the Connecticut State Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the Holland Society of America, the Hartford Golf Club, the
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Cornell Club of New York, James M. Austin Lodge No. 557 of the Free and Accepted Masons, and Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity. He is a communicant of Trinity Church. Mr. Vanderbilt takes an interest in agriculture, and has a farm at Weston, Vermont.
At Hartford, on June 7, 1924, William S. Vanderbilt, 3rd, mar- ried Grace Goodrich Markham, the ceremony taking place at Trinity Church. Mrs. Vanderbilt is a daughter of the late Judge Daniel A. and the late Grace (Goodrich ) Markham. Her father was a prominent lawyer of Hartford and served on the bench there. Her mother, the former Grace Goodrich, was the granddaughter of Dr. Butler, founder of the Hartford Retreat, as it was then known. It is now the Institute of Living. Mrs. Markham herself was a former regent of the Daugh- ters of the American Revolution, and a life member of the Society of Colonial Dames, in which she held various offices. Mrs. Vander- bilt too formerly belonged to the Society of Colonial Dames. She and Mr. Vanderbilt are the parents of the following children: I. Margaret Markham, who was born in Hartford on September 9, 1926. She graduated from Oxford School in West Hartford and from Stratford Junior College in Danville, Virginia. She is now the wife of William Myles Shepard of Kensington. He is a graduate of Ver- mont Academy and of Colgate University, and is now with Orkil, Inc., of East Hartford. The couple have three children : i. Katherine. ii. Sarah Markham. iii. Daniel Myles. Mr. Shepard served as a ser- geant in the army in World War II, and was in the Mediterranean area. 2. Beverly Ann, born in Hartford on September 12, 1929. She graduated from Oxford School and from Bennett Junior College at Millbrook, New York. She married John Thompson Dobbin and they reside in Bloomfield. A graduate of Loomis Institute and of Amherst College, he served as a lieutenant in the army in World War II, and is now a partner in The Fred L. Way Insurance Agency of Hartford. The couple have two children: i. John T., Jr. ii. Benjamin. 3. Eliza- beth Vanderhof, who was born January 7, 1933, in Hartford. She graduated from Oxford School and from Pine Manor Junior College at Wellesley, Massachusetts, and is now a member of the faculty at Pine Manor.
MARTIN J. MOSTYN
A lawyer whose practice has been centered in Hartford since he was admitted to the bar, Martin J. Mostyn has served as judge of his city's municipal court since 1955. This is the second time he has held
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that office. He has to his credit an excellent record in public office, which has included service as alderman and welfare commissioner.
Judge Mostyn is a native of Hartford, and was born on October 20, 1903, son of Martin and Mary (Kelly) Mostyn, both of whom are deceased. He attended Hartford High School and Williston Academy in Easthampton, Massachusetts. In 1930, he received his degree of Bachelor of Arts from Trinity College, Hartford; and he received his degree of Bachelor of Laws from Yale Law School in 1933. He was admitted to practice in the State of Connecticut in January, 1934.
Judge Mostyn then began his general practice of law in Hartford, which he has continued to the present time. The first public office which he held was member of the board of aldermen of his city, and he served on that municipal governing body from 1935 to 1942. During 1945-1946, he was welfare commissioner. He first assumed duties on the bench as judge of the Hartford municipal court in 1949, and served until 1951. His present term began in 1955. Judge Mostyn was prosecutor of the Hartford police court from 1937 to 1939.
Judge Mostyn served in the U. S. Navy in World War I from 1918 to 1922 and again in World War II from 1942 to 1945. He is a member of the Hartford County Bar Association, the Connecticut State Bar Association and the American Bar Association, and his nonprofessional memberships include the American Legion, the Knights of Columbus, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. A Roman Catholic, he attends Immaculate Conception Church.
At Saybrook, on June 27, 1946, Martin J. Mostyn married Rose M. Donahue, daughter of William and Anna (Collins) Donahue. Mrs. Mostyn attended Simmons College in Boston and St. Joseph College in Hartford. The couple have no children.
BERNARD E. FRANCIS
Following service in the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Ber- nard E. Francis began his practice of law at Elmwood, and now, in addition to his professional activities, he is an official of several cor- porations. He has also a number of local memberships. During World War II he served in the United States Navy.
A native of Hartford, Mr. Francis was born on May 26, 1920, son of Nicholas B. and Dorothy E. (Easterby) Francis. Both parents, natives of Hartford, are still living. His father is a manufacturer at Unionville. After attending local public schools and graduating from Weaver High School, Bernard E. Francis enrolled at Bates Col- lege, Lewiston, Maine. There he completed his advanced academic
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courses, taking his degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1942. His law train- ing waited for the completion of his wartime naval service. He enlisted in the United States Navy in May, 1942, and served until August, 1946. Attaining the rank of lieutenant, senior grade, he was with am- phibious commands in both the European and Pacific theaters of operations.
After the war, Mr. Francis entered Boston University Law School, and there took his degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1948. He did not immediately begin practice, but took a position with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, serving as a special agent until 1950. In 1951 he was admitted to the Connecticut bar and opened his general prac- tice at Elmwood. In the course of his professional activities there, he has become a member of the boards of directors of several business corporations : the East Hartford Drive-In Theater, the Meadows Drive- In Theater, South Windsor Realty Corporation, and F. and M. Plate Service, Inc., of Forestville.
As a lawyer, Mr. Francis belongs to the American Bar Associa- tion, the Connecticut State Bar Association, and the Hartford Bar Association. He is president of the Elmwood Businessmen's Associa- tion, and a past president of the West Hartford Lions Club, the Elm- wood Democratic Committee, Elmwood Community Club, the Knights of Columbus, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Le- gion. Active in the Bates College Alumni Association, Mr. Francis was formerly its president. While at Bates, he was active in athletics, playing baseball and football and serving as co-captain of the football team. He has retained his interest in sports, and was one of the founders of the West Hartford Little League, and the West Hartford Midget Pony Football League. He maintains a vital interest in all civic and charitable programs in the Elmwood and West Hartford area. He and his family attend St. Bridget's Roman Catholic Church.
Mrs. Francis is the former Miss Alice Turner, daughter of the late Dr. Horace F. and Elsie (Lowe) Turner. For many years prior to his death, Dr. Turner was superintendent of schools at Milton, Massachusetts. Mrs. Francis is a graduate of Milton High School and of Bates College. Her marriage to the Elmwood attorney oc- curred at Milton, Massachusetts, on July 10, 1943. The couple are the parents of the following children: 1. Carol, who was born at Chelsea, Massachusetts, on July 28, 1944, while her father was in naval service. 2. Susan, born at Chelsea on December 10, 1946. 3. Robert, born January 15, 1949 in Hartford. 4. Steven, born August 25, 1952, also at Hartford.
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FRANCIS J. McVANE
With a record of successful law practice at Hartford to his credit, and previous experience in public office, Francis J. McVane assumed duties on the bench as judge of the Rocky Hill Town Court in 1958. He is a veteran of wartime experience in the United States Navy.
Born at Hartford on May 2, 1914, he is a son of John and Mary (Callahan) McVane. His father is now deceased, but his mother sur- vives and makes her home in Rocky Hill. Judge McVane attended the public schools of his native city and graduated from Hartford Public High School. He then entered Trinity College, where he took his degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1937. In 1940 he received his degree of Bachelor of Laws from Catholic University Law School. He was ad- mitted to the bar of the state of Connecticut in January, 1941, and commenced his general practice of law at that time.
From 1941 to 1943, Mr. McVane was engaged in professional work on the staff of the United States Department of Justice. In 1943 he entered the service of the United States Navy. Since his return, he has practiced law in Hartford, and has his offices at I Webster Street.
Judge McVane's first experience on the bench came in 1951, when he was named deputy judge at Rocky Hill. He was appointed town counsel there in 1953 and served until 1955. He became judge of the Rocky Hill Town Court in July, 1958.
As a lawyer, he is a member of the American Bar Association, the Connecticut State Bar Association and the Hartford County Bar Association. His nonprofessional memberships include the Wethers- field Country Club, and the post of the American Legion at Rocky Hill. He attends St. James Roman Catholic Church in that suburb. Judge McVane's favorite outdoor sport is golf.
On July 8, 1949, at West Hartford, Judge Francis J. McVane married Lorraine Neville of that community, daughter of Joseph P. and Katherine (Doyle) Neville. Mrs. McVane is a graduate of Hart- ford Public High School. The couple have one daughter, Mary Pa- tricia, who was born in Hartford on December 1, 1950.
WALTER H. MCCULLOUGH
President and treasurer of Safeway Heat Elements, Inc., of Middletown, and president of Rapidprint Time Recorders, Inc., of Middletown, Mr. Mccullough also holds the post of vice president of Electric Heat Devices, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Conn. III-35
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He was born in Vandergrift, Pennsylvania, on January 9, 1900, the son of Homer A. Mccullough and of Elizabeth (Kaiser) McCul- lough. His father was a steel worker and both of his parents are now deceased. Mr. Mccullough graduated from Vandergrift High School. He attended Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania, and he obtained the degree of Civil Engineer at Lehigh University in 1926. During World War I, he served in the United States Tank Corps with the rank of private, first class.
Associated with the New York Trust Company from 1926 to 1931, and working in all departments learning the banking business, Mr. Mccullough owned and operated a Super Service at Jamaica, Long Island, from 1931 to 1940, and from 1941 to 1946 he was an en- gineer with the Heckett Engineering Company of Butler, Pennsylva- nia. It was in 1946 that he became associated with Safeway Heat Ele- ments, Inc., of Middletown, Connecticut, and he holds the post of president and treasurer. Ninety per cent of the company's business deals with the aircraft industry, missiles and rockets. A member of the National Association of Manufacturers, Mr. Mccullough enjoys his favorite game of golf as a member of the Hartford Golf and Country Club.
He was married to Helen Wiseman, the daughter of John Wise- man and of Nancy (Whitehall) Wiseman of East Brady, Pennsyl- vania. Mrs. McCullough died in 1954.
SIDNEY D. PINNEY, JR.
Practicing in Hartford since he completed his legal education, Sidney D. Pinney, Jr., is a partner in the firm of Shepherd, Murtha and Merritt in Hartford. He has taken a constructive interest in public affairs, and in the councils of the Republican party.
He is a native of Wethersfield, and was born on November 17, 1924, son of Sydney D., Sr., and Louisa (Wells) Pinney. Both his father and mother are descendants of pioneer families of Connecticut. His father is a retired insurance executive, is a graduate of Hartford Public High School and of Trinity College and he has been active in that college's alumni affairs. Louisa Wells, whom he married, is a native of East Windsor, Connecticut. She graduated from St. Mar- garet's School for Girls and from Smith College, Northampton, Mas- sachusetts.
The younger Sidney D. Pinney completed his secondary studies at Loomis Institute, then went to Amherst College, where he gradu- ated cum laude with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1947. His
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studies were interrupted by a period of service in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. He held a lieutenant's com- mission. Following the completion of his courses at Amherst, he en- tered Harvard Law School, where he took his degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1950. Admitted to the bar of this state in that year, he commenced practice in Hartford with the firm of Shepherd, Murtha and Merritt. Since 1954, he has been a partner in the firm, which en- gages in a general practice including corporation, real property, taxa- tion and labor law and related litigation. Offices of the firm are at 97 Elm Street. Mr. Pinney is also admitted to practice before the United States District Court, for the District of Connecticut, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and the Tax Court of the United States. He is a member of the State Bar Associa- tion of Connecticut, the Hartford County and the American Bar As- sociation.
Mr. Pinney has served as an assistant prosecutor in the Wethers- field Town Court and as a member and clerk of the Wethersfield Zon- ing Commission. An effective supporter of the Greater Hartford Community Chest Drive, he is a former commander of its Wethers- field drives. He is a member of the Wethersfield Town Council, the Wethersfield Republican Town Committee, the Wethersfield Historical Society and he is a director of the Greater Hartford Tuberculosis and Public Health Society, His college fraternity is Theta Delta Chi. He is a communicant of the First Church of Christ, Congregational, in Wethersfield.
On July 7, 1956, Mr. Pinney married Sarah T. Sather of West Hartford. Mrs. Pinney is the daughter of Einer and Frances (Rees) Sather. She is a graduate of Oxford School in West Hartford, and of Smith College, where she took her degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1948. They make their home at 319 Main Street, in Wethersfield,
REV. JAMES FAIRFIELD ENGLISH
After serving various pastorates in New England, the Rev. Tames Fairfield English was named to the post of superintendent of the Connecticut Conference of Congregational Christian Churches in 1936. His office is at the Congregational House in Hartford.
A native of East Windsor, Connecticut, he was born on July 21, 1896, son of William Frye and Janet Smith (McCrone) English. After completing his secondary studies in local public schools and Monson Academy, he entered Trinity College, where he took his de- gree of Bachelor of Arts in 1916, at the age of nineteen. In 1921, he
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completed courses at Hartford Theological Seminary leading to the degree of Bachelor of Divinity. Trinity College conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1944.
Dr. English was ordained to the ministry of the Congregational Christian fellowship in 1921. Already, in 1920, he had assumed duties as pastor of Elmwood Community Church at West Hartford, and served that congregation until 1925. In that year he accepted the pastorate of the Second Church of Putnam, Connecticut. In 1930 he became pastor of the First Church of Manchester, New Hampshire. He rendered devoted service in that post until 1936, when he was named to the offices which he has since held: general superintendent of the Connecticut Conference of Congregational Christian Churches, treasurer of the Missionary Society of Connecticut, and of the Trus- tees of the Fund for Ministers. From 1936 to 1952, Dr. English was also chairman of the Commission on the Ministry of the General Council of Congregational Christian Churches.
He is a trustee of the Hartford Seminary Foundation, and also a trustee of Monson Academy at Monson, Massachusetts. His fra- ternity is Sigma Nu, and he is a member of the lodge of Free and Ac- cepted Masons, the Civitan Club, the Faculty Club of New Haven, and the University Club of Hartford. Dr. English is fond of the out-of-doors, particularly of the sport of fishing.
On September 1, 1921, the Rev. James Fairfield English married Alice Bradford Welles, daughter of Charles Thomas and Edith Wil- der (Smith) Welles. Mrs. English is a graduate of Hartford High School, and of Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts. The cou- ple are the parents of three children, two of whom are now living: I. Janet Ellsworth. She graduated from West Hartford High School and from Smith College, and is the wife of Dr. Parker Sturgis Dor- man. They live in Rockville, Maryland, and are the parents of six children: i. Thomas Kirk. ii. William Bradford. iii. Joan Ellsworth. iv. Deborah Sturgis. v. Ann Wilder. vi. Janet Parker. 2. James Fair- field, Jr., who was born in Putnam, Connecticut, and graduated from Loomis Institute at Windsor. He then entered Yale University, and graduated in 1949 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He also holds a Master of Arts degree from Cambridge University in England, and he received his Bachelor of Laws degree, with highest honors, at the University of Connecticut. He is now assistant vice president of the Connecticut Bank and Trust Company of Hartford. James F. English, Jr., married Isabelle Spottswood Cox of West Hartford, daughter of Berkeley and Margaret (Stuart) Cox. They have one daughter, Alice
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Bradford English, born in 1957, and a son, James Fairfield English, III, born May 7, 1958. Mr. English is a veteran of service in the Counterintelligence Corps in World War II.
JOHN OTTAVIANO, JR.
The Treasurer of the State of Connecticut, the Honorable John Ottaviano, Jr., is a lifelong resident of New Haven who, since his re- turn from military service in World War II, has devoted himself to the equally important task of serving the people of his community and state in public capacities. In private life, Mr. Ottaviano has been an attorney and a business executive.
Born in New Haven on October 2, 1917, he is a son of Giovanni and Maria Ottaviano. His father is now retired from his occupation of restaurant management, and his mother died in 1945. The State Treasurer attended Columbus Grammar School and New Haven High School, and went on to Yale University, where he received his degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1938. In 1941 he graduated from Harvard Law School with his degree of Bachelor of Laws, and was admitted to the Bar in Connecticut. While at Yale, he was captain of the intramural championship bowling team in 1934, and in his senior year there, was elected president of Gamma Chapter of Alpha Phi Delta national fraternity.
In 1942 Mr. Ottaviano entered military service, going into uni- form in January of that year. From 1943 to 1946, he served with the Office of Dependency Benefits. He was released from active duty with the rank of captain, and received the Meritorious Service Plaque.
In 1946 he resumed the practice of law in New Haven, and has continued his law practice in his native city since. He was first associa- ted with Anthony S. Avallone and Charles Tomasino. Besides prac- ticing law, he is secretary of the Leiss Velvet Manufacturing Com- pany, Inc., of Willimantic. From 1946 to 1951, he taught business law at Quinnipiac College in New Haven.
In July, 1951, Mr. Ottaviano was appointed director of the Do- mestic Relations Bureau of the New Haven City Court, and in July, 1953, became financial clerk of the court. During the 1953 General Assembly, he served as assistant to the Legislative Commissioner. With this background of valuable experience in public office behind him, he began his term as Treasurer of the State of Connecticut on January 5, 1955.
As a lawyer, Mr. Ottaviano is a member of the New Haven County Bar Association and the Connecticut State Bar Association.
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He serves as legal counsel for the Settentrionale Society and is a di- rector of St. Anthony's Home. Active in civic and fraternal affairs, he is supreme orator of the Order of the Sons of Italy in America; advocate of Rodrigo Council No. 44, Knights of Columbus, and a Fourth-Degree member of the John Barry Assembly of that organiza- tion: a member of Westville Post No. 39, American Legion ; member of New Haven Lodge No. 25. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and member of Mendillo-Faugno Post No. 5. He is also a mem- ber of the Washington Club. In his political affiliation he is a Re- publican.
On May 8, 1948, John Ottaviano, Jr., married Olga Rita Leiss of Willimantic, daughter of Alfred and Mary (Dallocchio) Leiss. Mrs. Ottaviano is a graduate of Waltham High School. They reside on Brownell Street in New Haven, and have two children: I. Carla, who was born on November 10, 1952, in New Haven. 2. Gerard, born in that city on October 1, 1957. The family attends St. Brendan's Roman Catholic Church.
GEORGE JOSEPH RITTER
Completing his professional training following his return from military service in World War II, George J. Ritter has since practiced law in Hartford, and he recently completed a two-year tenure of service as corporation counsel of that city. His private practice is a general one and his offices are at III Lafayette Street.
Mr. Ritter is a native of New York City and was born on March 26, 1920, son of Charles Joseph and Gertrude (Sternberg) Ritter. The family moved to Lyndhurst, New Jersey, when George J. Ritter was an infant, and his parents still reside there. His father is associa- ted with the Linde-Lathrop Paper Company, for which he has been a salesman for the past forty-six years.
Attending the public schools in the New Jersey community, the lawyer graduated from Lyndhurst High School, then entered Rutgers University at New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1941. The following year he entered the serivce of the United States Army, and was assigned to the Field Artillery, in which he advanced to the rank of staff sergeant. He served in the Pacific Theater of Operations.
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