USA > Connecticut > History of Connecticut, Volume IV > Part 20
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JOHN J. CASALE
For the past three decades, John J. Casale has been practicing law as a member of the Connecticut Bar. Making his home in Torring- ton, he has his offices at 339 Main Street in that city. With a past record in public office as prosecuting attorney and judge of the city court, he is now serving as coroner of his county.
Mr. Casale is a native of New York City and was born on April I, 1905, son of Gerardo and Catherine (Salvia) Casale. Both parents came to this country from Italy, and both are now deceased. Reared in New Britain, John J. Casale attended the public schools of that city and graduated from New Britain High School in 1924. He then entered Fordham University in New York City, and received both his advanced academic and his professional training there, graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1928.
In that year he was admitted to the bar of the state of Connecti- cut, and has since engaged in a general practice of law under his own name. For some time his offices have been in the Main Street Law Building. Mr. Casale assumed duties in his first public office, that of prosecuting attorney, in 1935; and in 1939, he ascended the bench as judge of the Torrington city court. Since 1953 he has been coroner of Litchfield County. On May 1, 1959, Governor Abraham Ribicoff appointed Mr. Casale to the newly formed Circuit Court of Connecti- cut, effective January 1, 1961. He has business as well as profes-
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sional interests, serving on the board of directors of the City Oil and Coal Company and Wright Gas Company, among others.
Mr. Casale is a member of the American Bar Association, the Connecticut Bar Association, the Litchfield County Bar Association and the Torrington Bar Association. Apart from his professional connections, he is a member of the Lions Club of Torrington, the Serra Club, and his city's lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is also a member of the Unico Club. A Roman Catholic, he and his family attend St. Peter's Church. Mr. Casale is fond of all sports, but particularly swimming.
In Hartford, on June 5, 1935, John J. Casale married Catherine L. Sagarino of that city, daughter of the late Daniel and Louise Sagarino. The couple are the parents of the following children: I. Brigetta M., born on September 9, 1936. 2. Louise A., born on June 27, 1939. 3. Gerard N., born on March 30, 1943.
PAUL SMITH
One of Torrington's younger attorneys, Paul Smith has practiced in the city since he was admitted to the bar. The firm of Smith and Smith, in which he is senior partner, has its offices in the Law Build- ing at 339 Main Street. The firm serves insurance and banking i11- terests, and Mr. Smith is steadily earning a reputation for his com- petence in dealing with legal problems in these fields and in the general field of Trial Practice.
Mr. Smith is a native of Torrington, and was born on September 6, 1926, son of Morris W. and Goldie Smith. After beginning his education in the public schools of that city, he entered Cheshire Acad- emy, where he completed his preparatory studies in 1944. For his advanced academic courses, he went to Colby College at Waterville, Maine, and received his degree of Bachelor of Arts there in 1946. He received his legal training at Boston University School of Law and graduated there in 1950, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws.
In July of that year, Mr. Smith was admitted to the bar of his state, and opened offices in Torrington, where he has continued to practice to the present time. He is senior member of his firm, Smith and Smith, and his brother, Jesse H. Smith, and his sister-in-law Marcia B. Smith are his junior partners. They are attorneys for the Nationwide Insurance Company and Brooks Bank and Trust Com- pany, among other business interests.
Mr. Smith is a veteran of service in World War II. Entering
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the United States Army, he spent two years overseas both in Europe and in Panama. He was a noncommissioned officer, and received his honorable discharge in August, 1946.
As a lawyer, Mr. Smith is a member of the following bar associa- tions: State of Connecticut Bar Association, Litchfield County Bar Association, Waterbury Bar Association, American Bar Association, Torrington Bar Association and The Federal Bar. He also belongs to Tau Epsilon Rho legal fraternity and Tau Delta Phi fraternity, the Kiwanis Club, and Torrington Country Club. In his politics, he is a Democrat. Of Jewish faith, he is a member of Beth El Synagogue in Torrington. The young lawyer has a variety of avocational and recreational interests, which include breeding and raising horses, fox hunting, and skeet shooting. Mr. Smith is corporation counsel for the City of Torrington.
In New York City, on December 19, 1954, Paul Smith married Kaywin Windsor Lehman. A native of that city, she is the daughter of Robert and Kitty (Owen) Lehman.
JOHN CALDWELL PARSONS
Member of the prominent Hartford law firm of Robinson, Ro- binson and Cole, John Caldwell Parsons has been practicing in the capital city since the beginning of his career. He has held municipal office, and has rendered valuable service on educational and civic boards.
A native of Hartford, Mr. Parsons was born on April 26, 1900, son of Francis and Elizabeth A. (Hutchins) Parsons. Both of his parents are deceased. He completed his preparatory studies at Pom- fret School, then entered Yale College, where he took his degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1922. In 1926 he received his Bachelor of Laws degree, also at Yale.
He began his career in Hartford shortly afterwards, and in 1931 joined the firm of Robinson, Robinson and Cole. With eleven full members and five associates, it engages in a general practice of law, with offices at 750 Main Street. Mr. Parsons is a member of the Amer- ican Bar Association, the Connecticut Bar Association, and the Hart- ford County Bar Association.
A Republican in politics, he served his city of Hartford as an alderman from 1931 to 1935. He also has a number of business in- terests, being a trustee of the Society for Savings. Welfare and cul- tural causes have received their due share of his time and energies. He is currently president of the Hartford Public Library Board; is also president of the board of trustees of the Watkinson Library,
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now at Trinity College; and is a trustee of the Newington Home and Hospital for Crippled Children. He is likewise a trustee of the Wat- kinson School, and the Hartford Grammar School. His memberships include the Century Association of New York, the Monday Evening Club, The Hartford Club, and Hartford Country Club.
During the World War I period, Mr. Parsons was at Yale, and he served in the Student Army Training Corps. During World War II he served in the legal division and as associate general counsel of the War Production Board in Washington, D. C., 1943-1945. He is fond of active sports-mountain climbing, squash racquets and golf. He and his wife attend the First Church of Christ, Congregational, in Hartford.
She is the former Miss Katharine Bunker, daughter of George and Jeanne Polhemus (Cobb) Bunker, and she became the wife of John C. Parsons in New York City, on December 6, 1939.
THEODORE N. V. MARSTERS
President of the Linmar Poultry Farm, Inc., of Litchfield, which! he founded in 1950, and a director of the First National Bank of Litchfield, Mr. Marsters is a Republican in politics and is now serving his third term in the Connecticut General Assembly.
He was born in Morristown, New Jersey, on November 1, 1916, the son of Arthur A. Marsters and of Katherine (Vail) Marsters. He graduated from Milton Academy and obtained the degree of Bachelor of Arts at Harvard College in 1938. During World War ii, he served five years in the Infantry Replacement Training Command, and rose from the rank of private to major.
Mr. Marsters was associated with the Wellington Sears Com- pany, cotton textile manufacturers, in New York and Georgia until 1941. In the employ of the First National Bank of New York in 1946, he moved to Litchfield, in 1947, and for two years was connected with the "Litchfield Enquirer." He is now on the board of directors of the First National Bank of Litchfield. It was in 1950 that he found- ed the Linmar Poultry Farm, Incorporated, and he is president of the corporation. Mr. Marsters enjoys social connections as a member of the Litchfield Country Club, the University Club of Hartford, the Harvard Club of Connecticut, and the Harvard Club of New York City. He attends religious services at Saint Michael's Eposcopal Church in Litchfield.
He was married in New York City on January 24, 1942, to
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Katherine Stillman, the daughter of Dr. Edgar Stillman and of Katherine (Chase) Stillman of New York City.
Mr. and Mrs. Marsters have five children: I. Pamela Chase, born on July 21, 1943. 2. Deirdre Stillman, born on October 9, 1945. 3. Theodore Vail, born on October 8, 1947. 4. Abigail Allen, born on December 20, 1957. 5. Amy Vail, born on September 29, 1959.
HAROLD H. SMITH
President of Seymour Smith and Son, Incorporated, of Water- town, since 1951, a director, and associated with the company since 1912, Mr. Smith is chairman of the Board of Water Commissioners of Watertown.
He was born in Watertown on November 25, 1894, the son of Geor- ge H. Smith and of Anne (Scott) Smith. His father was treasurer and later vice president of Seymour Smith and Company, which was founded in 1850, manufacturers of garden tools. Mr. Smith's grand- father, William H. Smith, was one of the founders of the company. Mr. Smith attended public school in Waterbury and Watertown, graduated from Crosby High School, and then studied at Post Busi- ness College. He became associated with Seymour Smith and Com- pany in 1912, and he has been president of the company since 1951. The firm has in recent years taken over K. S. Marine Products, Inc .. manufacturers of marine lighting and allied equipment.
Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics and he attends religious services at the First Congregational Church in Watertown. He has served several times on the board of the church.
He was married in Waterbury on June 20, 1917, to Mary N. New, the daughter of Joseph New and of Telitha (Humphries) New of Bethlehem.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one daughter, Catherine, now Mrs. Albert Goodkin. Mr. and Mrs. Goodkin have three children: Sybil, Althea, and Harrison.
HEMINWAY MERRIMAN
A lawyer by training, with experience in private practice, Hemin- way Merriman joined the legal staff of Scovill Manufacturing Com- pany a decade ago, and is now secretary and treasurer of that corpora- tion, as well as its general counsel. He serves on the boards of other Waterbury organizations as well.
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Born in New York City on November 2, 1912, he is a son of M. Heminway Merriman, M.D., who practiced medicine in New York City from 1910 to 1924, and since that time has practiced at Waterbury. His mother is the former Miss Sally Mallory Betts. A resident of Watertown since he was twelve years old, Heminway Merriman attended Taft School, where he graduated in 1930. In 1934, Yale College conferred on him his degree of Bachelor of Arts, and he also went to Yale Law School, where he took his degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1937. The following year he was admitted to the bar of his state.
Mr. Merriman began practice with the firm of Carmody and Thoms in 1938, and continued with that organization until 1942, when he entered the wartime service of the United States Navy. Commis- sioned an ensign, he advanced in rank to lieutenant commander before his separation from the service in June, 1946. Resuming practice with his former firm, which was by then known as Carmody, Larkin and Torrance, he continued in private practice until April, 1948.
At that time he formed his connection with the Scovill Manu- facturing Company, joining its legal department. He was named as- sistant secretary on April 17, 1950, and on April 21, 1952, was pro- moted to secretary of the company. Since 1955 he has been secretary, treasurer and general counsel. He serves as an officer with a number of other corporations: Among these, he is secretary of the American Pin Company, the Button Attaching Machine Company, the Hamilton Beach Manufacturing Company of Wisconsin, the Hamilton Beach Manufacturing Company of Connecticut, and the Oakville Company ; he is secretary and treasurer of Airtronics, Inc .; secretary, treasurer and director of Lyndon Aircraft, Inc .; assistant secretary and assistant director of Gilchrist Company; and treasurer of Mad River Com- pany. He serves on the boards of directors of Waterbury Savings Bank and Rowbottom Machine Company. He is secretary of Water- town Foundation, Inc. and corporator of St. Margaret's School for Girls in Waterbury.
As a lawyer, Mr. Merriman is a member of the Waterbury Bar Association, the Litchfield County Bar Association, and the State Bar Association of Connecticut. He also belongs to Phi Delta Theta law fraternity, and to Alpha Delta Phi. His local memberships include the Waterbury Club, and the Country Club of Waterbury. He is fond of golf and sailing. Mr. Merriman is a Republican in his politics, and attends the Christ Episcopal Church in Watertown.
In Waterbury, on February 3, 1945, Heminway Merriman mar-
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ried Natalie Rowbottom of that city, daughter of Archer and Hazel (Smith) Rowbottom. To their marriage three children have been born: I. Mallory Betts, on September 24, 1946. 2. M. Heminway, 2nd, on September II, 1948. 3. Natalie Smith, on March 28, 1952.
REED HAVILAND, 2ND
A decade ago, Reed Haviland, 2nd, succeeded his father in the real estate business in Darien. He is now the owner and operator of his own firm, which is known as Reed G. Haviland, and has its offices at 1574 Post Road.
Born February 10, 1925, at Manchester, New Hampshire, he is a son of Reed Gilbert and Agnes Ross (Gibbs) Haviland. His father, born in November, 1872, at Ridgefield (where his father and two sisters were also born), was a life long resident of Norwalk. He entered the real estate business, managed commercial buildings, and was affiliated with a cigar company. From the time he founded the Reed G. Havi- land Real Estate Company, with offices in Norwalk and Darien, he devoted his attention to property transfers and land development in that area. Among others, he developed the area of Wilson Point in South Norwalk. He served for many years until his death as a mem- ber of the board of directors of the City National Bank, now merged with Connecticut National in South Norwalk. He was a fifty-year member of St. John's Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons. He also was a member of Wee Burn Country Club in Darien. His death occurred in September 1955. Agnes Ross Gibbs, whom he married, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in April, 1876, and died in April, 1945.
Attending the public schools of Norwalk, where his family lived from his early years, the younger Reed Haviland completed his pre- paratory studies in private schools, and attended Rollins College in Florida for one year. He began his business career working for the Plastics Products Company in South Norwalk in the fall of 1946, but left a short time later to enter business with his father in the spring of 1947. He has been active in the management of the real estate agency since that time.
Mr. Haviland served briefly in the United States Marine Corps. He was sent to Officers Candidate School at Dartmouth College, but received a medical discharge after he had been in uniform only a few months.
Mr. Haviland is a member of the Darien Real Estate Board,
Parortaviland
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the Connecticut Real Estate Board, and the National Association of Real Estate Boards. Apart from his professional connections, he be- longs to the Darien Chamber of Commerce and the Oxford Hunt Club. He is a Protestant in religious faith.
In Washington, D. C., on August 21, 1946, Reed Haviland, 2nd, married Georgette Verlooy. She is a native of Antwerp, Belgium, where she was born on April 8, 1921, daughter of Ernest J. and Leonie (Bergmans) Verlooy. Her father, also a native of Antwerp, died in May, 1955. Mrs. Verlooy lives in Brussels. Mrs. Haviland attended the schools of her native Antwerp, and took her advanced studies at the University of Brussels. She arrived in the United States on July 13, 1945. Mr. and Mrs. Haviland have two children: I. Agnes Leonie, who was born in Norwalk, on May 31, 1947. She is attending Low-Heywood School. 2. Reed Ernest, born on April 9, 1951. He is attending St. Luke's School in New Canaan.
EDWARD REID JONES
Spending most of his career to date with the famous old Con- necticut organization, Apothecaries Hall Company, Edward Reid Jones is now executive vice president of its successor, Hubbard-Hall Chem- ical Company of Waterbury, also filling the offices of treasurer and director. He is an official of other corporations as well.
Born in Waterbury on March 27, 1909, he is a son of Evan Hudson and Sophie Lannen (Reid) Jones. His father was born at Norwich on March 28, 1881, and his mother on August 30, 1889, at Waterbury. Edward R. Jones attended the public schools of the latter city, then entered Yale College, where he graduated in 1930 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He took further studies at Harvard Grad- uate School of Business Administration, and received the degree of Master of Business Administration there in 1932.
In that year he joined Apothecaries Hall Company at Waterbury, one of Connecticut's oldest industries which had begun in the phar- maceutical field, and had gradually branched out into industrial and agricultural chemicals. On January 1, 1957, in consequence of merger with several other organizations, it was redesignated Hubbard-Hall Chemical Company.
Mr. Jones was on leave of absence during 1935-1936 serving as an economist with the National Recovery Administration. From 1942 to 1945 he was again on leave of absence serving as special assistant to the Secretary of War, and in the armed forces, He served in the
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civilian post for two months, and was then commissioned, and spent several months in the Control Division, Army Service Forces. Then for a period of two years he was administrative assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff, Army Service Forces. His final rank was that of lieutenant colonel in the General Staff Corps.
In addition to serving as executive vice president, treasurer and director of the Hubbard-Hall Chemical Company, Mr. Jones is vice president of The Connecticut Chlorine Products Corporation of Water- bury, and Chem-Salts, Inc., of Atlanta, Georgia. He is a director of The Waterbury National Bank, in Waterbury. His memberships in .. clude The Waterbury Club, the Highfield Club of Middlebury, the University Club of New Haven, and the University Club of Wash- ington, D. C.
In Waterbury, on October 9, 1936, Edward R. Jones married Eleanor Sisson Wilcox, daughter of Levi and Eleanor M. (Bennett) Wilcox. Her father was a native of Waterbury, and her mother of Albany, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are the parents of three chil- dren: I. David Reid, who was born in Waterbury on July 7, 1937. 2. Bennett, born in that city on May 7, 1939. 3. Daniel Wilcox, born January I, 1945, in Washington, D. C.
EDMUND THOMAS CROWE
Joining Brookside Dairies, Inc., at Waterbury, a decade and a half ago, Edmund Thomas Crowe is now its president. He is also an official of other dairy companies, and takes a full part in local organi- zational life.
He is a native of Waterbury, born on July 30, 1913, son of Thomas and Cecilia (Quinn) Crowe. His father, who was born at Lebanon Springs, New York, was for many years a merchant in Waterbury, and died in 1918. Mrs. Crowe, a native of Torrington, is still living. Edmund T. Crowe attended the public schools of Water- bury and graduated from Crosby High School in 1931. For his ad- vanced studies he went to Fordham University, which conferred on him the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1935.
Mr. Crowe began his business career as an accountant in New York City, where he remained for two years. In November, 1937, he came back to Waterbury, where he began his experience in the dairy industry with Cashins Dairy Products. He remained with that firm for a little more than six years, leaving in January, 1944, to take a
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position as comptroller with Brookside Dairies, Inc. His advancement with the organization was rapid, and he was shortly promoted to the vice presidency. In 1948 he was named president, the position he has filled to the present time. Founded in 1933, Brookside Dairies has grown steadily in facilities and in number of customers served, and it now has a hundred and fifty names on its payroll. In addition to serving on the board of directors of his own company, Mr. Crowe is also a director of other firms.
He is a member of the Civitan Club, the Waterbury Country Club, and the Knights of Columbus. He and his family attend St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church in Litchfield, and he is a Repub- lican in his politics. He has a variety of hobby interests, which include photography, woodworking and boating.
In his home city of Waterbury, in September, 1945, Edmund Thomas Crowe married Mary Jane Phelan of Washington, D. C., daughter of John and May (Behan) Phelan. The couple have two children : I. Cynthia Ann, who was born on June 20, 1953. 2. Anthony Michael, born October 1, 1957.
KENNETH V. ROBINSON
Most of Kenneth V. Robinson's business career has been iden- tified with the New England Mutual Life Insurance Company. More than two decades ago, he opened the Waterbury office for that company, and has made his home in that city since. There he is active in lodges, civic groups, and church work.
Born on a farm near Galway, New York, on September 6, 1911, he is a son of John C. and Bertha (Gott) Robinson. His father too was a native of Galway, became a florist at New Haven, and died March 16, 1957. Mrs. Robinson, who was born at Oswego, New York, survives him.
Kenneth V. Robinson began his education in the public schools of Galway, and when he was twelve years old the family moved to New Haven, Connecticut. There he continued his public school educa- tion, graduated from high school, and went on to Duke University in North Carolina. There he was a member of Sigma Delta, a local fraternity which has since been integrated with Zeta Psi. He was also a member of Beta Omega Sigma, a sophomore honor society.
Mr. Robinson remained at Duke for two years, and left to join his father in the florist business. They continued together until 1935, when the son decided he would prefer the insurance field. He began
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his experience in this profession at New Haven, as a sales representa- tive with the New England Mutual Life Insurance Company. In May, 1937, he was transferred to Waterbury to open an office for the com- pany in that city. Since that time he has headed this office, which is located in the Lilley Building.
In addition to his major business interest, Mr. Robinson is a di- rector of the Colonial Trust Company. As an insurance man he has served as president of the Connecticut Life Insurance and Trust Coun- cil, as president of the Waterbury Life Underwriters, as vice president of the State Life Association, and as president of the Leaders Asso- ciation. He has been a member of the Million Dollar Round Table since 1948. This is a nationwide organization of leaders in sales vol- ume in the insurance field.
Affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, Mr. Robinson is a member of Euclid Lodge No. 135. His local memberships include the Waterbury Club, of which he is first vice president, and the Coun- try Club of Waterbury. Active in the Second Congregational Church, he formerly served as a deacon there, and is now a trustee. Golf is Mr. Robinson's favorite sport, but his major avocational interest has been building a summer home at Lake Waramaug. The family spends some time each winter at Pompano Beach, Florida.
At Woodbury, Connecticut, on October 20, 1934, Kenneth V. Robinson married Mary Esther Clark of that town, daughter of Royce and Carrie (Morris) Clark. The couple are the parents of two sons : I. Douglas Clark, who was born at New Haven on January 9, 1936. He is taking graduate work in zoology at the University of Michigan. 2. David Clark, born April 13, 1942, at Waterbury, Connecticut; he is attending Taft School.
G. CAMPBELL BECKET
For the past two decades, G. Campbell Becket has practiced law at Lakeville, and is a partner in the firm of Becket and Wagner. During most of this period he has served as justice of the peace, and is also a trial magistrate.
He is a native of East Orange, New Jersey, and was born on May 17, 1901, son of George C. and Grace C. (Lamplough) Becket. His father, who was born in Montreal, Canada, was a physician, practicing at East Orange. He is deceased, as is his wife, the former Grace Lamplough, who was born in London, England. G. Campbell Becket attended the public schools of East Orange and graduated
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