USA > Connecticut > History of Connecticut, Volume IV > Part 21
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from high school there in 1919. He came to Connecticut to attend Yale University, and graduated there with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1923. In 1926 he received his Bachelor of Laws degree from Yale Law School.
Admitted to the New York State Bar in 1927, Mr. Becket com- menced his practice in New York City, and until 1938 was associated with one of the best-known law firms of the metropolis-Davis, Polk, Wardwell, Gardiner and Reed, with offices at 15 Broad Street. When he left the city in 1938, he came to Lakeville to establish his general practice. Since January 1, 1946, he has been senior member of the firm of Becket and Wagner. Mr. Becket is a member of the American Bar Association, the State Bar Association of Connecticut, the Litch- field County Bar Association and the Bar Association of the City of New York.
He has become active in the business affairs of his community, and is at present serving on the boards of directors of the Lakeville Water Company, the Lakeville Journal and the United States Radium Corporation. Since 1940 he has been a justice of the peace, and he is alternate trial magistrate in the town of Lakeville. He was formerly president of the Lakeville Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of the Yale Club and the University Club. Active in St. John's Episco- pal Church, he is past senior warden and a member of the vestry. In politics he is a Republican.
On October 7, 1932, in Greenwich, G. Campbell Becket married Elise Granbery, daughter of E. Carleton and Julia (Weld) Granbery. The couple are the parents of three children: I. James, who was born on October 5, 1936. 2. Peter, born on July 18, 1940. 3. Elise, born on August 23, 1941.
JOHN THOMPSON BOYD CAMPBELL
Over a decade ago, John Thompson Boyd Campbell opened his own hardware and sporting goods store in Norwich. The enterprise has prospered under his capable direction, and there is now a branch store at Groton, Connecticut.
A native of Stonington, Mr. Campbell was born on December 4, 1912, and is a son of William and Mary Elizabeth (Boyd) Campbell. His father came to this country from Ireland, having been born at Belfast in 1872. He was a velvet weaver by trade. His death occurred in 1948. Mary Elizabeth Boyd, whom he married, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1872. When she was four years old her family
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moved back to Ireland, but they later returned to this country. She died in 1942.
After completing his elementary education at Cider Hill School, Ledyard, Connecticut, John Campbell went on to his secondary studies and attended Stonington High School. He began acquiring his prac- tical business experience in the world with Rossie Velvet Company at Mystic, Connecticut and later with the American Velvet Manufactur- ing Company at Stonington, Connecticut. During World War II he worked as a machinist supervisor with the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation at Groton, Connecticut.
In 1945 he founded the hardware and sporting goods store at Norwich. In 1946 Mr. Campbell took in his cousin, Lester T. Frye as partner-to date. This store has operated under the firm name of Campbell's Sporting Goods and Hardware. It is located at 3 Mar- ket Street. The branch at Groton was opened in 1954. Mr. Camp- bell is interested in civic affairs of Norwich, but does not take active duties in same. He is a member of the Groton Gospel Chapel.
In New London, on August 28, 1943, John Thompson Boyd Campbell married Mabel Brothwell. Born in New York City on May 24, 1925, she is a daughter of the Rev. Harry and Mary A. (Dickson) Brothwell. Her father, a Baptist minister, was born in Scotland. Mrs. Campbell attended Jordan Village Grammar School, Waterford, Con- necticut, and graduated from Williams Memorial Institute in New London, Connecticut. She and Mr. Campbell are the parents of the following children: I. John Brian, born July 7, 1945. 2. Gary Alan, born July 5, 1947. 3. Glen Robert, born April 9, 1951. 4. Lynn Carole, born December 1, 1952. These four children attend Ledyard Center Grammar School.
DR. WINFIELD E. WIGHT
Active in the practice of medicine and surgery in Thomaston, since 1922, attending surgeon at the Waterbury Hospital since 1942, and chief of the surgical staff in 1951 and 1952, Dr. Wight served as president of the hospital's medical and surgical staff from 1942 to 1944, and he has been medical examiner for Thomaston since 1922. A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons since 1931, he also holds membership in the American Medical Association, the Con- necticut State Medical Society, the Litchfield County Medical So- ciety, of which he served as president in 1947-1948 and the Waterbury Medical Society.
Skienfield & Height .
Conn. IV-17
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Dr. Wight was born in Milan, New Hampshire, on April 8, 1895; he graduated from Gould Academy in 1913, received the de- gree of Bachelor of Arts from Bowdoin College in 1917, and ob- tained his medical degree at Bowdoin Medical School in 1920. He interned at Waterbury Hospital from 1920 to 1921, and was Surgical Resident from 1921 to 1922. During World War I, he was a private in the Students Army Training Corps in 1918, he served as a first lieutenant in the Army Medical Reserve Corps from 1924 to 1934, and was a surgeon in the United States Public Health Reserve from 1943 to 1948.
A lecturer in surgery at the Waterbury Hospital Training School for Nurses from 1924 to 1943, he was assistant surgeon at the hospi- tal from 1925 to 1941, served as director for health in Thomaston from 1938 to 1956, and during World War II was examining phy- sician for Selective Service, Connecticut Local Board No. 32, from 1940 to 1947.
He has been active in professional organizations and is a mem- ber of the American Public Health Association, the Connecticut As- sociation of Medical Examiners, the Connecticut Public Health As- sociation, and the World Medical Association. He has been active in the community, and, a corporator of the Thomaston Savings Bank in 1936, he became president of the bank in 1952. He has served as a member of the advisory committee of the Thomaston Branch of the Colonial Trust Company, he was a director of the Thomaston Water Company, and he has been a trustee of Gould Academy, Bethel, Maine, since 1955. A member of the Thomaston School Board from 1924 to 1934, and chairman of the board for three years, he was also a member of the Thomaston Finance Board from 1935 to 1941. A Thirty-second degree Mason, he is a member of Sphinx Temple of the Shrine and of the Thomaston Rotary Club and served as presi- dent in 1956; he is an automobile enthusiast. Fishing is a favorite sport, and Dr. Wight has traveled extensively in North America, the West Indies, South America, Europe and the Near East. He was elected to membership in Triton Fish and Game Club of Canada in 1953.
He was married on July 1, 1922, to Mildred S. Tinker of Auburn, Maine. Mrs. Wight died in January, 1923.
Dr. Wight was married for the second time on May 3, 1924, to Anna C. Ebert of Waterbury, and Dr. and Mrs. Wight have two children: 1. Marian Elizabeth, born on March 1, 1925; she married on June 22, 1946, John Upton. They are the parents of three daugh-
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ters and one son, Carol Elizabeth, born January 12, 1948; Jane Thomas, born April 15, 1950; John Winfield, born January 1, 1953 and Nancy Backus, born November 24, 1954. 2. Winfield Emmons, Jr., born on March 20, 1926, was married to Laura Brooks on Janu- ary 29, 1955. They are parents of one daughter, Linda Lucille, born May 22, 1959.
JOHN F. BIANCHI
Practicing law in North Canaan since his admittance to the bai, John F. Bianchi has also filled public office for some years past as town attorney, and he has banking, industrial and civic interests as well. He is a native of North Canaan, and was born on September 17, 1921, son of John A. and Elizabeth N. (Morgan) Bianchi. His father, a merchant in North Canaan for many years, is now retired. Mrs. Bianchi died some years ago.
Receiving his early education in the public schools of North Canaan, John F. Bianchi next attended St. Thomas Seminary and Cranwell Preparatory School, graduating from Cranwell in 1940. For his advanced academic studies he went to Holy Cross College, where he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in October, 1943; having completed the customary four-year course in a little more than three years, due to accelerated war time schedules.
Before he went on with his legal training, Mr. Bianchi was in naval service in World War II, enlisting while still in college, in June 1942. Commissioned an ensign in the United States Navai Reservc, he was in active service for two and a half years, and spent much of this time in the Pacific Theater of Operations. In 1946 he was released to inactive duty as a lieutenant, junior grade. He still main- tains his reserve status with the Navy.
After the war, he enrolled at Fordham Law School, and in 1949 received his degree of Bachelor of Laws there. Admitted to the Con- necticut bar in the same year, he commenced a general practice in his native city of North Canaan, and has centered his professional career there since. He practices independently, with offices in the Canaan Savings Bank Building on Main Street.
In 1950, only a year after he had commenced practice, Mr. Bianchi assumed his public responsibilities as town attorney of North Canaan. He is a director of the Canaan National Bank, and also serves on the board of the Canaan Industrial Development Association and Danfield Thread, Inc. As a lawyer, he belongs to the American Bar
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Association, the State Bar Association of Connecticut, and the Litcli- field County Bar Association. In politics, he is a Republican.
A member of the Exchange Club, Mr. Bianchi formerly heid office as district governor. He is also a member of the University Club, the Canaan Country Club, and the Knights of Columbus. Of Roman Catholic faith, he attends St. Joseph's Church in North Canaan. He takes a considerable interest in athletics.
In New York City on July 3, 1948, John F. Bianchi married Charlotte M. Kasper of Brooklyn, daughter of Dr. Gerard and Char- lotte (Schroeder) Kasper. Her father is a retired surgeon. Mrs Kasper is deceased.
RAYMOND GAGE CAMP
With three decades' experience in the insurance business to his credit, Raymond Gage Camp of Norwich now heads a long-estab- lished organization of excellent repute which his father founded. The firm of Walter T. Camp and Son, as it is still known, has its head- quarters at 45 Broadway. In addition to his duties in the management of this agency, Mr. Camp is an official of other organizations-another insurance firm, banks and a hospital.
He was born at Portland, Maine, on July 25, 1908. His father, Walter T. Camp, however, was a native of Norwich, born there on August 28, 1875. He served in the United States Navy for fourteen years, attaining the rank of commander. His first business connection was with the lumber industry, but he entered the insur- ance field in 1922, and when his son joined him in 1929, renamed his firm Walter T. Camp and Son. His death occurred on August 28, 1950. Walter T. Camp married Louise Gage, who was born at Port- land, Maine, on July 7, 1875. She died December 7, 1940.
Raymond G. Camp attended Norwich Free Academy and Suf- field School at Suffield, Connecticut. Instead of seeking a higher educa- tion, he chose the route of practical experience in business, and first entered the insurance field as an employee of The Phoenix Fire In- surance Company at Hartford in 1927. After two years with that organization he left to return to Norwich and join his father's concern. They continued together as long as Walter T. Camp remained active; and since that time Raymond G. Camp has been head of the firm.
He is also a director of the New London Mutual Insurance Com- pany of Norwich; a director of Chelsea Savings Bank of the same city; and a member of the advisory board of the Hartford National
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Bank. Uncas Branch, at Norwich. Also in his own city, he is at present serving as president of the William W. Backus Hospital. He is a mem- ber of the Norwich Rotary Club and the Westbrook Fishing Club in North Stonington. His church is the Park Congregational in Norwich.
In that city on May 1. 1931, Raymond G. Camp married Alice Sayles. She was born there on February 11, 1908, daughter of Fre- derick T. and Alice (Livermore) Sayles. Her father, a cotton broker, is now deceased. Mrs. Camp attended Norwich Free Academy and the Boston School of Fine Arts. She and Mr. Camp are the parents of the following children: 1. Philip Gage, who was born on December 22, 1932. He attended Tabor Academy at Marion, Massachusetts, and Dartmouth College, and served in Germany with the armed forces. He is now with the firm of Walter T. Camp and Son. On Sep- tember 8, 1957, he married Nancy M. Olson of Delafield, Wisconsin. 2. Richard Sayles, born June 27. 1935. He attended Tabor Academy and is now a student at the University of Connecticut. He served in the army in Korea, and is unmarried. 3. Jane, born August 18, 1937. She attended Northfield School for Girls at Northfield, Massachusetts, and graduated in June, 1958, from Bradford Junior College, also in that state. She then entered Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School in Boston, Massachusetts.
CARLETON SHUGG
A senior vice president of General Dynamics Corporation and general manager of its Electric Boat Division, Mr. Shugg has been associated with the corporation since 1951 and has a broad back- ground in the fields of atomic energy and shipbuilding. He is a mem- ber of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers and the American Society of Naval Engineers.
Mr. Shugg was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts. on April 20, 1899, and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree at the United States Naval Academy in 1920. He graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy Post Graduate School in 1922 and after further graduate work at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1923 and 1924. he received the degree of Master of Science in naval construction from that in- stitution. His thesis for his Master's degree was on submarine con- struction.
Mr. Shugg served as an officer in the United States Navy from 1920 to 1929, and he resigned from the Navy in 1929 to assume the post of factory manager of the Sprague Electric Company of North
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Adams, Massachusetts. He became production manager of the Cramp Shipbuilding Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1940. In 1943 he joined Todd Shipyards and later became general manager of their shipyards in Brooklyn and Hoboken, New Jersey. In 1947, he joined the Atomic Energy Commission as AEC manager of the Hanford Works at Richland, Washington, transferring a year later to Wash- ington, D. C., as deputy general manager of the entire Atomic Energy Commission operation.
Mr. Shugg joined General Dynamics in 1951 as assistant general manager of the Electric Boat Division, becoming a corporation vice president that same year, and has served as general manager since November, 1952. He was elevated to senior vice president in 1957. A member of the New London Advisory Board of the Hartford Nat- ional Bank and Trust Company and a member of the board's execu- tive committee, Mr. Shugg is also a member of the Episcopal Church.
HENRY B. ANDERSON
Since he began his professional career a decade ago, Henry B. Anderson has practiced law at New Milford. In the course of that time he has also distinguished himself on the bench, as justice of his township, and as probate court judge. Mr. Anderson is a veteran of naval service in World War II.
A native of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, he was born on May 30, 1918, and is a son of Henry B., Sr., and Adella (Stewart) Anderson. Dr. Henry B. Anderson, Sr., was a dentist, a native of Tarentum, Pennsylvania, who died in 1950.Mrs. Anderson survives her husband. She was born at Verona in the Keystone State.
The younger Henry B. Anderson attended public schools at Edge- wood, Pennsylvania, and graduated from that city's high school in 1936. He then entered Wesleyan University at Middletown, Con- necticut, and has made his home in the state ever since. However, shortly after taking his degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1940, he entered the service of the United States Navy, enlisting on June 18, 1941. He served in the Asiatic Theater, and advanced in rank to lieutenant commander, holding his commission in that grade at the time of his separation from the service on January 12, 1945.
Determined upon a career in the law, Mr. Anderson began his professional studies as soon as he had returned to civilian life. He entered the University of Connecticut, where he took his degree of Bachelor of Laws, cum laude, in 1948, and the same day also received
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a Masters degree in History from Wesleyan University. Admitted to the bar in that year, he has since practiced at New Milford. On Sep- tember 1, 1951, he formed a partnership with Francis S. Ferriss; and although Mr. Ferriss died on August 10, 1957, Mr. Anderson has retained the firm name which they used, Ferriss and Anderson, to the present time. Offices are in the United Bank Building on Main Street. Mr. Anderson conducts a general practice of law. He is a member of the Litchfield County, Connecticut State, and American bar associations.
He first assumed the duties of public office on the bench in 1948, when he became trial justice of the Town of Sherman. He served until 1950, and in 1951 was named judge of the probate court of his district, serving until January 1959.
He takes a constructive part in welfare and community better- ment projects, although he holds no memberships in service clubs or civic organizations. His fraternity is Alpha Chi Rho. He and his family attend the Congregational Church.
At Reno, Nevada, on June 25, 1952, Henry B. Anderson married Audrey Sandell of New Milford, daughter of Arthur and Lillian (Lowell) Sandell. Mrs. Anderson has one son by a previous marriage : William H. Baker, who was born on December 7, 1947. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have also adopted three children: I. David L. Anderson, who was born on November II, 1948. 2. Brooke S., born on Sep- tember 24, 1949. 3. Bettina S., born on June 19, 1957.
JOHN MCLEAN, II
President of John McLean, Inc., of Danbury, and a corporator of the Savings Bank of Danbury, Mr. McLean was president of the Dan- bury Chamber of Commerce in 1959. He is also vice chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board.
He was born in Danbury, on September 4, 1927, the son of Ronald Alexander McLean and of Margaret (Rogers) McLean. Both of his parents were born in Danbury, his father on November 26, 1893, and his mother on March II, 1896. The McLean Store was founded by John McLean in 1912, a native of Aberfeldy, Scotland. His son, John Robert McLean, was president of the store from 1931 to 1955, and Mr. John McLean, II, who is a grandson of John Mc- Lean, and a nephew of John Robert McLean, has held the post of president since 1955.
Mr. McLean attended the Danbury public schools, graduated
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from Deerfield Academy in 1945, and then graduated from the Babson Institute of Business Administration in 1951. He served in the United States Navy from 1945 to 1948 as a petty officer 3/c, and he worked with B. Altman and Company in their executive training squad before becoming associated with the John McLean Store. He is a director of the Ridgewood Country Club, is a Republican in politics, and attends religious services at the First Congregational Church in Danbury.
Mr. McLean was married in Danbury on September 8, 1948, to Jane Duryea, born on August 13, 1926, the daughter of George Stan- ley Duryea and Ethel (Morris) Duryea. Her father is a dentist by profession. Mrs. McLean was educated in the Danbury public schools, attended Green Mountain Junior College in 1945, and graduated from Edgewood Park Junior College in 1947. She is a member of the Junior Service League of the Visiting Nurses Association and is a member of the Ridgewood Country Club.
Mr. and Mrs. McLean had four children: I. John Duryea, born on April 27, 1950. 2. Gregg, born on August 17, 1952 and died on September 8, 1954. 3. Anne Christine, born on September 30, 1955. 4. Joel Robert, born on April 22, 1957.
PRESLEY HUMMEL DEFORD
Since the beginning of his career, Presley Hummel DeFord's major business interest has been the DeFord Battery and Electrical Company, Inc., which has its headquarters at 351 Main Street in Danbury. In this corporation, he holds the dual position of treasurer and general manager. He has taken a considerable interest in civic activities and local groups.
Born at Church Hill, Maryland, on April 23, 1901, he is a son of Wesley Green and Susie (Hummel) DeFord. His father heads the DeFord Battery and Electrical Company, holding office as president, although he is now retired from the active responsibilities of manage- ment. Born in 1877, he was a farmer at Church Hill, Maryland, in the early years of his life. He first entered the battery and electrical business at Winsted, in 1915, and was soon operating stores both there and at Torrington. He sold the one at Winsted in 1920, and acquired the battery and electrical business at Danbury in 1922. He sold his Torrington store in 1924. He had also bought and later dis- posed of a similar business at Great Barrington, Massachusetts. To- day the DeFord Battery and Electrical Company is his only business interest. He makes his home at Milford, Delaware, leaving its actual
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operation in the competent hands of his son. Susie Hummel, whom Wesley G. DeFord married, was born in Sunbury, Pennsylvania, in 188I.
Presley H. DeFord attended the public schools of Mill River, Massachusetts, from 1911 to 1915, and the Gilbert High School at Winsted. He then obtained battery and electrical instruction at the Willard Storage Battery Company in Cleveland, Ohio. Since that time he has been associated with his father in the tire and battery business, and holds the position of treasurer and general manager of the DeFord Battery and Electrical Company.
He is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce in his home city, although he has held no offices in it; and he has also been active in the Young Men's Christian Association at Winsted, partic- ularly in its recreation division. Since 1920 he has held membership in the lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a communicant of the First Congregational Church. He is a Republican in politics, but has never been a public-office seeker.
At Poughkeepsie, New York, on July 8, 1928, Presley Hummel DeFord married Lois Brown Ford. Born on September II, 1904, she is a daughter of Walter and Lillian (Brown) Ford. She attended the public schools of Torrington and graduated from high school there in 1922. The couple make their home at 69 Davis Street, Danbury, and they are the parents of one son: Presley Ford DeFord, who was born in that city on December 27, 1934.
LOUIS TOFFOLON
From humble beginnings, without the advantages of favorable connections or a full formal education, Louis Toffolon has advanced to the front rank of Plainville's industrial leaders. He has built up a thriving contracting organization, White Oaks Excavators, Inc., and is an official of other organizations as well. He has also held public office.
He is a native of Italy, born at Pasiono on August 8, 1892, son of Eugene and Stella (Facca) Toffolon. Louis Toffolon spent his early years in his native country and attended schools there, and when he was twelve years old the family moved to the United States. He began working soon after his arrival here, but as soon as he had learned the language, prepared himself for better opportunities by taking correspondence courses in engineering. Meantime, he had start- ed his working career as a water boy in the stone quarry at Middle-
Louis affelan
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field. After two years' employment there, he secured a position as railroad equipment helper, and advanced to a foreman's job. He worked on the construction of the Berkshire Line and other railroad- building projects.
In 1923 Mr. Toffolon returned to the stone quarrying industry, being appointed superintendent with the Connecticut Quarries Com- pany. He left in 1929 to start his own business in New Britain. The country was on the eve of the great depression, and he had difficulty keeping his struggling organization above water for several years. In 1936 he secured his first major subcontracting work in excavating and road building; and White Oaks Excavators, Inc., has since be- come a recognized leader in this aspect of construction work. From 1948 to 1954, he worked in New York State, primarily Delaware County. He now has contracts for work on the four million dollar dam and bridge at Riverton, and on the five million dollar Glaston- bury Thruway, as well as Bradley Field Connector, a four million dollar highway with bridges. White Oaks Excavators, Inc., has had its headquarters at 59 East Main Street in Plainville since 1930. Mr. Toffolon is also president of two other companies: Louis Toffolon and Sons, Inc., and Dunraven Quarries, Inc. They employ from three hundred to six hundred people in the seasons.
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