USA > Connecticut > History of Connecticut, Volume IV > Part 12
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Mr. Bransfield has also served as trustee of the Buck Library since 1920. He was a member of the building committee for the new Portland High School, and has served on the Portland board of edu- cation and as its chairman. For the past thirty-eight years he has been a trustee of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Portland. He is a member of the Portland Volunteer Fire Department.
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As a loyal Democrat, Mr. Bransfield has served in the Middlesex County and the Portland Township organizations of his party. He has also been active in veterans' affairs, being a member and past com- mander of the Portland Post of the American Legion. He is a Fourth- degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and has served as grand Knight of his lodge; and as a member of the Ancient Order of Hiber- nians, he held office as president of its Middlesex County organization from 1925 to 1935. He has also been president of the Middlesex Coun- ty Baseball League.
On November 20, 1920, Joseph Patrick Bransfield married Mar- guerite Campion, daughter of Patrick H. and Bridget Anne (O'Rour- ke) Campion of Farmington. Patrick H. Campion was a veteran of service in the Civil War, having served with the 16th Connecticut Volunteers, and was a prisoner of war for a year and a half at the infamous Andersonville Prison. Before her marriage, Mrs. Brans- field was a teacher in Springfield, Massachusetts. She is a member of the auxiliary of the Portland Post of the American Legion, and child welfare chairman of the Portland District Nurses' Association.
Mr. and Mrs. Bransfield became the parents of five children: I. Anna, who was born in 1921 and died in infancy. 2. John W., born October 12, 1922. He graduated from Portland High School and the University of Connecticut. During World War II, he served in the United States Army Air Corps, and was a navigator in the European Theater. He received the Bronze Star with four oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal, and five campaign stars. He attained the rank of technical sergeant. He is now resident manager at Lathams, New York, for Mutual Insurance Company of Hartford. John W. Bransfield married Mary Flynn, of Willimantic, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Flynn. Mrs. Bransfield too is a graduate of the University of Connecticut. They have four sons: John, Michael, Thomas, and Peter. 3. Marie, born August 17, 1925. She is a graduate of Portland High School and of Wellesley College, Class of 1952; and has taken postgraduate courses at Northwestern University. In 1953, she became the wife of François Golé and they make their home in Paris. They have three children: Peter, Joelle, and Christopher. 4. Joseph P., Jr., born June 8, 1928. He graduated from Portland High School, and took his degree of Bachelor of Arts at the University of Connecticut. He later attended the University of Boston, where he received his degree of Master of Arts. He served in the Korean War, and is now on the staff of the Connecticut Nuclear Energy Laboratory at Middletown. ITe married Susanne Pippin of Darien, a graduate of Hall High
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School and a registered nurse who received her training at Hartford Hospital School of Nursing. 5. Peter, born July 28, 1933. He attended Providence College, Providence, Rhode Island. Serving as a first lieu- tenant in the Army of the United States, he was in France in 1956- 1957.
REV. DAVID M. O'KEEFE
Pastor of the Church of St. John at Cromwell, Connecticut, Rev. David M. O'Keefe has rendered capable and devoted service in several parishes in his state. He previously served at St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church, the second oldest in the state, at Colchester.
Born in Hartford on December 25, 1905, Father O'Keefe is a son of James and Maria (King) O'Keefe, both of whom are deceased. His father was a moulder by trade. After beginning his education in local schools, he recognized a strong attraction to the priesthood, and began his theological training at St. Thomas Seminary in Hartford. He continued his studies at St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, Mary- land, and was ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood in St. Jo- seph's Cathedral by the late Rt. Rev. John J. Nilan, Bishop of Hart- ford.
His first assignment took him to Deep River as chaplain at St. John's School, and as assistant pastor in St. Joseph Church, Chester. In 1936 he became assistant pastor of St. Francis Xavier's Church in Waterbury. Remaining there until 1950, he was then named pastor of St. Andrew's in Colchester. This parish was founded in 1855, giving it the status of second oldest Roman Catholic Church in Con- necticut. In 1959 he was appointed pastor of the Church of St. John, in Cromwell.
NORMAN R. FOERCH
With nearly two decades' experience in the insurance and real estate business, Norman R. Foerch has for some years headed his own agency with offices at 84 East Main Street in Clinton. In that town he has held office as assessor, and he has also been active in a number of realtors' groups and in community organizations.
A native of Clinton, Mr. Foerch was born on September 29, 1904, son of Albert M. and Emma (Brehm) Foerch. His father is deceased, but his mother is living and makes her home in Clinton. She is eighty-
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nine years of age at the time of writing. Norman R. Foerch attended public schools in his home city and graduated from high school there. His first position was as chauffeur in the employ of James Jay Smith, and he later spent several years as a painting contractor.
Mr. Foerch first entered the real estate field in 1939. He bought the property on East Main Street, in which his office is now located, in 1944. There he has also conducted a brisk business in insurance sales, writing general policies. His agency holds an organizational membership in the National Association of Real Estate Boards. In 1937 Mr. Foerch began duties as assessor of the Town of Clinton, and served capably in that office for six years.
He is a member of the Shoreline Board of Realtors and the New Haven Board of Realtors, as well as the National Association of Real Estate Boards, and apart from his professional connections, belongs to Cockaponsett Tribe No. 77 of the Improved Order of Red Men. Both he and Mrs. Foerch are members of the Clinton Historical So- ciety. They are communicants of the First Church of Christ, Con- gregational.
Mrs. Foerch is the former Miss Augusta Marie Ackerman, the daughter of George and Anna (Strecker) Ackerman. Her mother is deceased. She attended public schools in New Haven and in Balti- more, Maryland, and completed her high school studies in Clinton, graduating from Morgan High School there. She became the wife of Norman R. Foerch in a ceremony at New Haven on February 27, 1924. The couple are the parents of one daughter: Anne Brehm, who was born in Clinton September 24, 1925. She is a graduate of Morgan High School, and is now married to Heber Ives Thayer, 3rd. His grandfather, the Rev. Heber Ives Thayer, was a Methodist minister at Durham. Mr. Thayer served in the United States Army in World War II, being in the Pacific. The Thayers live in Clinton, and they are the parents of a daughter, Patricia Anne, who was born in 1948, and a son Brian Edward, born September 26, 1958.
REV. FRANCIS A. MURPHY
Rev. Francis A. Murphy's career of nearly thirty-five years in the service of the Roman Catholic Church has brought him to Wil- limantic as pastor of St. Joseph's Church there. All of his pastoral duties have been within the state of Connecticut.
He is a native of that state, born at New Britain on December 31, 1898, son of James E. and Mary Jane (Curtin) Murphy. Both of
Brant Files
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his parents are now deceased. His father operated a grocery, meat market and bakery in New Britain. There Father Murphy attended grammar and secondary schools, and graduated from New Britain High School. He then enrolled at Holy Cross College in Worcester, and graduated there with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1920. For his theological training, he went to St. Bernard's Seminary in Rochester, New York, and when he had completed his courses there, was ordained at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Hartford in 1924, with Bishop John J. Nilan officiating.
His first charge took him to Newtown, where he served as as- sistant pastor of St. Rose's Roman Catholic Church from 1924 to 1928. In the latter year he was appointed to the post of assistant pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in New Haven. Father Murphy went to Waterbury in 1934 as assistant pastor of the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul. Remaining there until 1941, he then returned to Colchester and to St. Andrew's Church, this time as its pastor. He served until 1946, and thereafter until 1953 was pastor of St. Anne's Church at Devon.
Father Murphy assumed his present duties as pastor of St. Jo- seph's Church in Willimantic in 1953. He has proved himself a spiri- tual leader deeply concerned with the welfare of his parishioners, an effective worker for the faith, and an able administrator.
Father Murphy is an active member of the Knights of Columbus. He is a veteran of World War I, having served in the United States Army with the rank of corporal. His address is 99 Jackson Street, Willimantic.
FRANK E. HESS
One of Waterbury's respected businessmen of many years' ex- perience, Frank E. Hess is president of The Blakeslee Company, a moving. storage and general trucking firm founded more than a hundred years ago. He is prominent in other business connections, has been active in municipal and political affairs, and takes a full part in his city's organizational life.
Born at Callicoon, New York, on January 12, 1891, he is a son of Jacob and Louisa (Knack) Hess, both of whom were also natives of that place. Jacob Hess was a farmer, and both he and his wife are now deceased. The public schools of Callicoon provided Frank E. Hess with his early education, and he later attended school at Port Jervis, New York. He first worked as a Rural Free Delivery mail carrier
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out of Callicoon, serving his route with horse and buggy for two and a half years. He left to go to New York City, and for a year and a half worked as a bookkeeper at the well-known department store, Lord and Taylor. His next connection was with the National Biscuit Company, with which he remained for six years, working as a cashier at its various locations in New England.
On April 1, 1918, Mr. Hess began his connection with The Blakeslee Company of Waterbury, a firm which had been founded in 1859 and had long held an enviable place in the transportation and warehousing industry. Only two years later, in 1920, he purchased the outstanding stock and became its president, a position he has held to the present time. He soon gave evidence of his vision and his con- fidence in the company's future by purchasing property on Meadow Street, at the corner of Field, which has since been used for the com- pany's headquarters. In addition to moving and general trucking, The Blakeslee Company has developed a considerable volume of trade in storage, particularly the cold storage of furs. A retail fur store is located at 97 North Main Street, operated by the Company.
In addition to serving on the board of directors of his own firm, Mr. Hess is a director of the Waterbury National Bank and the Manor Greenhouses. He is a Republican. Mr. Hess is president of the Waterbury Taxpayers Association.
His memberships include the Waterbury Club, Waterbury Coun- try Club, the Rotary Club, and Liberty Lodge No. 123 Free and Accepted Masons. He is a member of the higher bodies of Free- masonry, and belongs to Sphinx Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in Hartford. Active in the Bunker Hill Congregational Church, he is currently serving on its finance com- mittee, and was formerly deacon and trustee. Mr. Hess's favorite sports are golf and bowling.
In New York City on June 10, 1917, Frank E. Hess married Lena C. Herman of that city, daughter of Peter and Barbara (Baum) Herman. The couple are the parents of two children: I. Dorothy I .. , who was born on August 10, 1921. She is the wife of Morton F. Spears and they have two children : John and Leigh Spears. 2. Frank, Jr., born on April 18, 1924. He married Ruth Goodale of Waterbury, and they have one daughter, Sharon.
REV. ERNEST J. BOILEAU
For the past thirty-five years, the Rev. Ernest J. Boileau has
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been serving devotedly and effectively as a Roman Catholic priest in various Connecticut towns. He recently became pastor of All Hal- lows Church at Moosup.
A native of Waterbury, Father Boileau was born on April 27, 1895, son of Regis and Celida (LeClerc) Boileau. After attending St. Anne's Parochial School in Waterbury, he went for his advanced studies to Montreal, Canada, enrolling at Montreal College where he graduated in 1919. He took further theological studies at Laval Uni- versity in Quebec ( 1920), at St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, Mary- land (1921-1922), and at Catholic University in Washington, D. C. (1923). With this background of thorough preparation for his calling, he was ordained at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Hartford in 1923, Bishop Nilan of Hartford officiating.
Father Boileau's first charges, and the years in which he filled them, were as follows: St. Edward's Church at Stafford Springs, 1923 to 1928; St. Mary's Church at Putnam, 1928 to 1931; curate at St. Anne's Church in Waterbury, 1931 to 1933; curate at St. Mary's, Greenwich, 1933 to 1934; curate at All Hollows Church at Moosup, from 1934 to 1937; Sacred Heart, Taftville, 1937 to 1942. In February, 1942 Father Boileau went to Plainfield to assume duties as pastor of St. John's Roman Catholic Church there. He devotedly served the needs of that parish as its spiritual leader until August, 1958, when he returned to Moosup as pastor of All Hallows Church there.
During the World War II years, Father Boileau was active in the Civil Defense program at Plainfield. A member of the Knights of Columbus, he holds the Fourth degree. His favorite outdoor sport is fishing.
SAMUEL C. CANNON
After early experience in private engineering practice, Samuel C. Cannon began his career as a public official for the City of Mid- dletown. For over two decades, he has served capably and conscient- iously as the city's Superintendent of Public Works.
He is a native of Middletown, and was born on June 1, 1899, son of Charles M. and Jennie A. (Duncan) Cannon. Both of his parents were natives of Cromwell, but moved to Middletown. In the public schools of the latter city, Samuel C. Cannon received his early education. After graduating from high school there, he entered Nor- wich University at Northfield, Vermont, where he graduated in the
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Class of 1912 and took his degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.
He began his career with the engineering department of the Boston and Maine Railroad, with which he remained from June 1913 to June 1914. Thereafter, from 1914 to 1916, he was with the con- sulting engineering firm of Ford, Buck and Sheldon of Hartford. He went to New York City from 1916 to 1922, to join the staff of the Industrial Engineering Company, also a firm of consultants. From 1922 to 1935, Mr. Cannon was associated with his father in the plumbing and heating firm of C. M. Cannon and Son. This was also a sanitary engineering and contracting organization.
In 1935 Mr. Cannon left private industry to accept appointment as Superintendent of Public Works of the City of Middletown. He has held office continuously ever since, and has done a very effective job. His offices are in the Municipal Building.
Mr. Cannon is a corporator of the Farmers and Mechanics Savings Bank of Middletown, and is a member and past president of the Middletown Chamber of Commerce. His memberships include the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers, the National Builders Official Conference, and its New England and Connecticut branches, the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping, the American Water Works Association, New England Water Works Association, and the Connecticut Water Works Association. He is a member and past president of the Nor- wich University Alumni Association of Southern New England. He is a past member of the Middletown Exchange Club, and had been a member for twenty-one years. Mr. Cannon's hobby is woodworking.
Affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, he is a member of De Witt Clinton Lodge at Northfield, Vermont; a member of Wash- ington Chapter of the Royal Arch Masons; member of Columbia Council; and past most puissant grand master of the Grand Council, State of Connecticut. He is a member of Cyrene Commandery, Knights Templar, at Middletown, and Sphinx Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Hartford. He is a member and past patron of Lady Washington Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star.
On October 16, 1912, Samuel C. Cannon married Bertha Rice of Northfield, Vermont, daughter of Herbert D. and Minnie L. (Rogers) Rice. Mrs. Cannon is a graduate of Montpelier Seminary in her native state. The couple are communicants of the First Church of Christ, Congregational, and Mrs. Cannon is past matron of the Lady Wash- ington Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.
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JOHN C. O'BRIEN
Since he returned from military service in World War II, John C. O'Brien has entered the contracting business at Middletown. He is now active in the public affairs of his township as first selectman.
A native of Middletown, he was born on July 17, 1921, son of the late Denis J. and Mildred (Convey) O'Brien. His father was a building contractor. Attending local public schools, John C. O'Brien graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Middletown, in the Class of 1939. He entered the Army of the United States in De- cember 1942. Advancing to the rank of sergeant, he served in the Pacific Theater of Operations, and while in the service he attended the University of Illinois during the years 1943 and 1944.
After the war, Mr. O'Brien joined his father in the contracting business in Middletown; and the general contracting firm which he now heads still operates under the name of Denis O'Brien Company, Inc. He entered public life in 1952, being elected first selectman of the Town of Middletown, and he was re-elected to that office in 1954, 1956 and 1958.
Mr. O'Brien is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Bene- volent and Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the American Legion. His favorite outdoor sport is golf. He is a communicant of St. Francis Roman Catholic Church.
John C. O'Brien is married to the former Doris M. Rogers of East Hampton. The couple are the parents of five children: I. John R. 2. Denis J., 2nd. 3. Philip J. 4. Patricia Ann. 5. Michael C.
BRYAN FRANCIS MAHAN
As a banker, Bryan F. Mahan's entire experience has been with The Savings Bank of New London. He has advanced on his own merits to the position of vice president and treasurer.
A native of New London, he was born on February 10, 1904, son of the Hon. Bryan Francis and Margaret (Whittlesey) Mahan. His father was one of the city's most distinguished citizens of his time, having served as legislator and mayor. Born in New London in 1856, the elder Bryan Mahan graduated from Albany Law School, and began practice in his native city in 1881. The following year he was elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives, serving through 1883. He was first elected mayor of New London in 1904; served through 1906; and was again elected to that office in 1909 and in 1913. He was a member of the Connecticut State Senate during
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1910-19II. In 1913 he took his seat in the Sixty-Third Congress of the United States. He was elected to each of these offices on the Democratic ticket. His death occurred in November, 1923. Margaret Whittlesey, whom he married, was a native of New London. She died in 1931. One of the banker's forebears was Ezra Chappell, who was a founder of The Savings Bank of New London, and its second president.
Receiving his education locally, the younger Bryan F. Mahan joined the staff of The Savings Bank of New London on December 14, 1923, the month following his father's death. He began as a clerk, did an efficient job, and earned steady advancement. He joined the management roster of the bank in 1938 as assistant treasurer. On May II, 1956, he was named vice president and treasurer, and on July 10, 1956, he became a corporator and trustee.
To better equip himself for his professional duties, Mr. Mahan has taken courses offered by the Graduate School of Banking of the American Banking Institute at Rutgers University. He graduated from that school in 1949. Previously he had also taken banking courses at the American Institute of Banking. He was formerly a member of the executive committee of the Savings Bank Association of Con- necticut, and was formerly president of Group 5 of this association. He has also served as chairman of its Management Conference.
Active in the New London Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Mahan has served as its president; and he is also past president of the Rotary Club of New London. He is a member of the Thames Club of New London and the Thames Yacht Club. Affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, he is a member of Brainard Lodge in his home city. He and Mrs. Mahan attend the First Church of Christ, Con- gregational.
She is the former Miss Hazel Reeves, daughter of William F. and Katie (Cooper) Reeves, and became the wife of Bryan F. Mahan in a ceremony at her home city, New London, on October 23, 1926. The couple are the parents of two children: I. Robert, who was born on September 23, 1933. He graduated from New London High School, and from the University of Virginia in the Class of 1958, taking the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He is now with the Chesapeake and Po- tomac Telephone Company of West Virginia. 2. Sheila, born on Sep- tember 27, 1937. She graduated from New London High School.
ROBERT LOUIS DOANE
Essex pharmacist Robert Louis Doane has practiced his profes-
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sion in that town since his return from service as a naval officer in World War II. He has proved himself a capable businessman, as well as president of Pharmacy, Inc., of Centerbrook, and a partner in the Doane Pharmacy in Old Saybrook. He formerly served as an inspec- tor with the Connecticut State Pharmacy Commission.
Born at Essex on August 8, 1918, he is a son of Charles and Edith (Palau) Doane. His father was a local merchant. Robert L. Doane attended the public schools of Essex and graduated from Pratt High School in that city. Early in his career he chose his profession, and to prepare himself for it, entered Connecticut College of Pharmacy, which is now a school of the University of Connecticut. There he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1941.
The same year he enlisted for service in the United States Navy, but in 1942 transferred to the United States Coast Guard as a seaman first class. He won promotion to the rank of ensign during the war years, and now holds a commission as lieutenant in the Coast Guard Reserve Corps. His wartime service was largely in the Southwest Pacific. He terminated his active service in 1946.
Mr. Doane began his professional career immediately on his re- turn to civilian life, and from 1946 to 1949, managed the Hyde Phar- macy at Madison. From October, 1949, to August, 1951, he served as state pharmacy inspector for the Connecticut State Pharmacy Com- mission. In 1951 he established the Doane Pharmacy at Centerbrook, which was incorporated in 1956.
He is a member of the Connecticut Pharmaceutical Association and the American Pharmaceutical Association, and his nonprofessional memberships include the lodge of Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Pettipaug Yacht Club of Essex. His favorite outdoor sports are sailing and skiing. A communicant of the Essex Congrega- tional Church, he is currently serving as chairman of its board of deacons.
On December 25, 1942, Robert Louis Doane married Darline Barnett of Springfield, Missouri, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. J. A. Barnett. Mrs. Doane graduated from Springfield High School in her native city, attended Southwestern Missouri State Teachers Col- lege, which is also at Springfield, and completed training as a regis- tered nurse at Hartford Hospital School of Nursing in 1942.
The couple are the parents of the following children: I. Timotha Jean, born at Corpus Christi, Texas, on March 22, 1943. 2. Linda Darline, born at Madison on August 30, 1947. 3. Deborah Barnett,
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born on July 1, 1949, at Madison. 4. Robert Louis, Jr., born there on December 15, 1950. 5. John Quentin, who was born in Center- brook on April 22, 1954.
THEODORE H. PATTON
A Deep River firm, Uarco, Inc., one of seven plants, is one of the nation's largest producers of business forms. In the course of his career with this organization, Theodore H. Patton has become increasingly active in its operations, and is now plant manager. A veteran of service with the Corps of Engineers during World War II, he takes a full part in the programs of industrialists' groups and local organizations.
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