USA > Connecticut > History of Connecticut, Volume IV > Part 22
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A man of influence in his industry, Mr. Toffolon serves on the board of directors of Connecticut Road Builders Association, of which he was president for two years. A Republican in his politics, he served as first selectman of Plainville from 1954 to 1956. He is a member of the Lions Club, the Unico Club of Plainville, the local lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Columbus. In religious faith he and his family are Roman Ca- tholics.
At New Haven, in April, 1917, Louis Toffolon married Florence Ann Welz. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, daughter of Carl and Augusta Welz. Mr. and Mrs. Toffolon have five children: I. Adell Edith, now Mrs. Almond Gnazzo. 2. Roger Louis. 3. John Eugene. 4. Ruth Mary, now Mrs. John T. Kavanaugh. 5. Norman Raymond. There are sixteen grandchildren.
SIXTEN FREDRIK WOLLMAR
Since he arrived in Hartford a little more than a decade ago, Sixten Fredrik Wollmar has been active in the executive leadership of two of the city's industrial organizations. He is president of Emhart
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Manufacturing Company, and as past president of the Plax Corpora- tion, is currently serving as chairman of its board. As bank director and clubman, he has further contributed to the life of the city.
Mr. Wollmar is a native of Sweden, born at Malmo on June 15, 1898, and is a son of Karl and Jenny (Svensson) Wollmar, both of whom are deceased. He received most of his education in his native country, graduating from Malmo Institute of Technology in 1918. After coming to this country in 1920, he took post-graduate courses at Columbia University.
He began his industrial career in the United States with SKF Steels, in New York, and was vice president of the organization from 1927 to 1934. In that year he returned to Sweden, and until 1937 served SKF Steels as export sales manager at Gothenburg. When he returned to New York in 1937, he was made president of SKF Steels. In 1941, he moved to Philadelphia as executive vice president of SKF Industries, and continued in that post through 1946.
Mr. Wollmar came to Hartford in 1947, and since that time has been president of Emhart Manufacturing Company. At the same time he assumed the presidency of Plax Corporation, but resigned to become chairman of its board in 1956. Besides these two executive posts in in- dustry, he is a trustee of the Connecticut Bank and Trust Company of Hartford, and a director of the Connecticut General Life Insur- ance Company.
He is a member of The Hartford Club, the Country Club of Farmington, and the Dauntless Club of Essex. He and his family attend Asylum Hill Congregational Church in Hartford.
At Westbrook, on November 30, 1951, Sixten Fredrik Wollmar married Elin Margareta Stavenow, daughter of Ludwig and Elin (Carlander ) Stavenow. Mr. Wollmar has three children by a previous marriage: 1. Anita, born on May 23, 1932. 2. Gustaf, born on Decem- ber 3, 1936. 3. Ingrid, born on May 13, 1940.
JOSEPH WATSON BEACH
Since the beginning of his career, J. Watson Beach has been active in the insurance business in Hartford. He is a director of the Travelers Insurance Company, but his major business interest is the management of his own agency, J. Watson Beach, Inc., which has its offices at 21 Central Row.
Mr. Beach is a native of Hartford, and was born on March 26,
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1888, son of Charles Coffin and Mary Elizabeth ( Batterson) Beach. After completing his secondary studies in local schools, he went to Williams College, and then entered the University of Virginia, where he was a student until 1910.
His professional record began when he joined Travelers Insur- ance Company in 1910. He remained with this organization on a full- time basis until 1912, and is still a member of its board of directors. Mr. Beach joined the staff of the Hartford Accident and Indemnity Company in 1914 and worked there until 1917. At that time he left to form his own agency, J. Watson Beach, Inc. He has been its pres- ident since 1925, and is also a member of the board of directors. Be- sides this primary business connection, he is a director of the River- side Trust Company.
Mr. Beach has rendered valuable public service to his city. From 1929 to 1931 he was president of its board of education, and he was elected mayor in 1933, serving until 1935. He is currently a director of the Citizens Charter Committee.
A veteran of service in World War I, Mr. Beach was a gunner's mate in the United States Navy. He also enlisted for service in World War II, choosing the army as his branch. He earned a commission as lieutenant colonel.
One of Mr. Beach's interests is the programs of the patriotic and ancestral societies. He is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Society of Mayflower Descendants, and the Descen- dants of the Founders of Hartford. His other memberships include The Hartford Club and Hartford Golf Club in his home city, and the St. Anthony Club and Williams Club of New York City.
On April 25, 1912, J. Watson Beach married Jessie Anderson, daughter of Robert and Jessie (Goodwyn) Anderson. The couple make their home at 1470 Asylum Avenue.
DARIUS JOHN SPAIN
A dealer in fuels since the beginning of his active business career at Danbury, Darius John Spain is now owner of D. J. Spain Company, which has its headquarters on Jansen Street. He is a native of Dan- bury, born on April 30, 1927, and is a son of Darius John Lawrence and Lesle Marie (McCarthy) Spain. His father, born at Mahopac, New York, on April 8, 1896, was a lawyer by training, but he entered the business which had been operated by his father-in-law. This was the John McCarthy Coal Company at Danbury, and he remained its
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active head until his death in 1950. His wife, the former Lesle Marie McCarthy, was born in 1900, and died April 8, 1928.
Darius J. Spain received his early education at St. Peter's Pa- rochial School in Danbury and later attended Danbury High School, graduating in the Class of 1945. In 1950, he received his degree of Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University. That same year he joined his father, who was then president of the John McCarthy Coal Com- pany. In 1953 he sold his interest and organized his own firm, the D. J. Spain Company. This organization retails fuel oil and gasoline.
Mr. Spain is a veteran of naval service, having gone into uniform in the year the war ended, 1945. He served until 1946 as a pharma- cist's mate. In the years of his residence in Danbury, he has become active in municipal affairs, being a member of the Town Board of Finance at the present time. He is a Democrat in his politics. He is a member of the board of directors of the Visiting Nurses' Associa- tion, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the lodge of Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Catholic War Veterans, and the Knights of Columbus. He and his family attend St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church.
On November 23, 1950, Darius John Spain married Rosarva Frances Fabiano. Born in Danbury on July 18, 1929, she is the daugh- ter of Thomas and Mary Concetta (Rotella ) Fabiano. Her father is a native of Italy, while her mother was born at Wappingers Falls, New York. Mrs. Spain attended St. Peter's Parochial School and Dan- bury School of Nursing. She is a member of the Junior Service League and Catholic Nurses' Association. The couple live at 142 Deerhill Avenue, Danbury, and they are the parents of the following children : I. Darius John Lawrence, born on August 29, 1951. 2. Lesle Marie, born February 26, 1953. 3. Brendan Thomas, born November 7, 1955. The older children are attending St. Peter's Parochial School.
JOSEPH FRANCIS ELLIS
President of the Ellis Machine Company, Inc., and of Ellis Broth- ers, Inc., and treasurer of the Ellis Fur Cutting Corporation, Mr. Ellis has been active in business since 1937. He is a leading in- dustrialist in the city of Danbury.
He was born in Danbury on September 9, 1918, the son of Miled Ellis and Labeeby ( Michael) Ellis. His parents were born in Lebanon, his father on December 25, 1892, and his mother on February 3, 1900. Previous to forming his own company, his father was a foreman
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and superintendent of fur factories in Danbury. He held the post of president of the Ellis Fur Cutting Corporation. Mr. Ellis died No- vember 13, 1958, at the age of sixty-six. Joseph Francis Ellis attended New Street School and Main Street School and graduated from Dan- bury High School in 1937. During World War II, he served as a staff sergeant in the United States Army from October, 1943 to December, 1945.
On completing high school, Mr. Ellis entered the fur cutting busi- ness with his father, and it was in 1940 that he founded the Ellis Machine Company, manufacturing machinery and tools. He returned to the fur cutting business on completion of his military duty, and he re-opened the machine shop as the Ellis Machine Company, In- corporated, in 1948. In February, 1958, with his brother Louis, Mr. Ellis opened an electronic manufacturing business in Sao Paulo, Bra- zil, his brother remaining in charge of the operation.
A member of the American Legion and of Saint Anthony's Men's Society, Mr. Ellis enjoys social connections as a member of the Dan- bury Club and the Lebanon-American Club, and he is a Fourth-degree member of McGivney Council No. 29 of the Knights of Columbus. He attends religious worship at Saint Anthony's Roman Catholic Church in Danbury.
He was married in Danbury on November 14, 1953, to Helene C. Pliska, the daughter of John Pliska and of Mihaelina Pliska. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis have two daughters: Cynthia Elaine, born on July 29, 1954. 2. Sandra Elaine, born on March 30, 1956.
ORVIN GRANVILLE ANDREWS
Executive vice president, treasurer and general manager of the Day Publishing Company of New London, Connecticut, publishers of the "New London Evening Day," of which there is more written in the industrial and institutional section of this history, and associated with "The Day" since 1914, Mr. Andrews is a former president of the New England Daily Newspaper Association, serving in this capacity in 1941 and 1942, and he was regional director of the Chamber of Commerce of Connecticut until May 1959, when his term expired. He is a trustee, corporator and a member of the executive committee of the Savings Bank of New London, and in 1936 served as president of the Greater New London Chamber of Commei ce.
Mr. Andrews was born on December 20, 1888, in Chelsea, Mas- Conn. IV-18
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sachusetts, the son of Manoah Edward Andrews and of Farolin (Gardner) Andrews. He attended Westfield, Massachusetts, High School, where the family had moved when he was a child, and his early employment included retail store selling in Waterbury, New London and New Haven, Connecticut, from 1904 to 1909. From 1909 to 1913, he was manager of the musical instrument and Edison phono- graph department of a store in Newport, Rhode Island, and he was also window trimmer and advertising writer. In 1913, Mr. Andrews was a department store advertising manager in Peoria, Illinois, and in 1914, he became a retail salesman in Hartford, Connecticut.
It was in 1914 that he became advertising salesman for "The Day," rising to the post of business manager in 1917, and becoming general manager in 1923. During World War I, he served in the Con- necticut State Guard with the rank of sergeant, and during World War II, he was a member of the Newsprint Advisory Committee of the War Production Board.
Mr. Andrews has played an active role in the civic and community life of New London, he served as president of the Young Men's Christian Association in 1951, resigning in mid-term because of a coronary attack. He is vice president of the New London Building and Loan Association. A member of several Masonic bodies, he also enjoys social connections as a member of the Harbour Club.
Mr. Andrews's first wife died in 1941 and he had two daughters by this marriage. He was married for the second time in 1945.
WILLIAM JAMES PHELPS
William James Phelps' entire career has been spent in the in- surance business, and he is now sole owner of the William J. Phelps Agency in New Haven. He has a number of business and civic con- nections in that city, and has been particularly active in church work.
Born at Enfield, Connecticut, on March 8, 1898, he is a son of Seth Henry and Margaret Abbe (Carson) Phelps. His father too was a native of Enfield, and became owner of a large tobacco planta- tion and warehouse. For some years he was active in public life, serv- ing as chairman of the board of assessors and member of the school board, among other positions. He died in 1943. His wife, the former Margaret Carson, also a native of Enfield, died in 1902, when her son was only four years old. He attended local schools and after studying at Enfield High School, went to Munson Academy in Mui- son, Massachusetts, to complete his secondary studies. While a stu-
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dent there, he worked during the summers for the AEtna Life In- surance Company. He developed an interest in the business and de- cided to make it his career. When he had completed his studies, he went directly into full-time insurance work with AEtna.
In 1932 he moved to New Haven as branch manager for Ameri- can Surety Company, and during the decade and a half which fol- lowed, he also represented the interests of the American Fidelity Insurance Company, Employers Group, and National Surety Com- pany there. In 1948 Mr. Phelps purchased the Elmer E. Smith Agency of New Haven, which he renamed the William J. Phelps Agency. He has been its sole owner since that time. The organization deals in real estate as well as insurance. In addition to heading his firm, Mr. Phelps is a director of the C. S. Mersick Company, also of New Haven.
At the time this country entered World War I, Mr. Phelps en- gaged in work for the Young Men's Christian Association, in which he continued for a year and some months. He then entered the army on limited service.
In his home city, he is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and of the Kiwanis Club, which he formerly served as secretary. Affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, he is a member of St. John's Lodge No. 4 at Hartford. He also belongs to the David Humphreys Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Mr. Phelps is a communicant of Center Church, Congregational. He is currently chairman of the joint finance committee, and was formerly deacon; he also has served as treasurer. He is assistant treasurer of the New Haven Council of Churches; is moderator of the New Haven Association of Congregational Churches; and is a director of the Good Will Industries and of the City Mission As- sociation. In politics he is a Republcan.
At Hartford, on October 11, 1928, William James Phelps mar- ried Gladys Cloe Sano. She was born in that city on August 8, 1905, daughter of Vincent F. and Clara E. (Comstock) Sano. Her father, a native of New York City, was vice president of the Wise Smith Company, which operated a store in Hartford. He died in 1940 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Clara E. Comstock, whom he married, died in October, 1955. She too was a native of New York City.
Mrs. Phelps attended Hartford schools and Brentwood Academy. She is a member of the Mary Clapp Wooster Chapter of the Daugli- ters of the American Revolution, and the Red Cross, and during World War II was captain of the Hamden Motor Corps. Mr. and
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Mrs. Phelps have no children. They make their home on Mill Rock Road in Hamden.
ALFRED BERTHEL NELSON
President of the Superior Electric Company of Bristol, and ac- tive in the electrical engineering field for more than twenty years, Mr. Nelson founded the Superior Company in 1938 in partnership with Thor L. Hannon. The firm, incorporated in May, 1946, employs a personnel of about five hundred, manufactures electronic equip- ment, and is a leader in the field of voltage controls and light controls.
Mr. Nelson was born in Hartford, on February 15, 1911, the son of Claus Alfred Nelson and of Emma Christine (Larson) Nel- son. His parents were born in Vermland, Sweden, his father in 1881 and his mother in 1870. They came to the United States around 1904, settling first in Hartford, and then locating in Bristol, where his father was in the garage business until his death in 1923. He was ac- tive in Swedish oranizations. Mr. Nelson's mother is still residing in Bristol.
He graduated from Bristol High School in 1929, and obtaincd the degree of Bachelor of Science at Yale University in 1933. An engineer with the General Electric Company in Bridgeport, Connec- ticut, until 1937, he then became associated with the General Radio Company, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and it was in 1938 that he came to Bristol, Connecticut, and with Thor L. Hannon as partner, founded the Superior Electric Company in June of that year.
An independent in politics, Mr. Nelson has served four years on the Bristol Zoning Commission and four years on the Bristol Board of Finance, and he is active in the Bristol Chamber of Commerce. He is active in professional organizations and is a member of the Institute of Radio Engineers and of the Illuminating Engineers So- ciety. A member of Sigma Psi and Beta Chi fraternities, he is a mem- ber of the Chippanee Golf Club. He attends religious services as a member of the Methodist Church.
Mr. Nelson was married in Forestville, Connecticut, on January 29, 1943, to Evelyn H. Sadler of New Haven, born on December 2, 1918, the daughter of Charles Watson Sadler and of Hilda Sadler. She graduated from Bristol High School in 1937 and attended secre- tarial school in Bristol. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have four children, all of whom were born in Hartford: I. Donald Alfred, born on October 25, 1943, is a student in Bristol High School. 2. Richard Berthei,
ALFRED B. NELSON
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born on October 27, 1944, is a student in Bristol High School. 3. Bradley Charles, born on March 19, 1948, is in grammar school. 4. Roger John, born on January 9, 1952, is in grammar school.
EDMUND J. ESHIENFELDER
Active in the practice of law for more than twenty years and director of law of the City of New London since 1945, Mr. Eshenfelder was assistant director of law of New London from 1941 to 1945. He is one of the leading lawyers in the area.
He was born in New London on September 22, 1907, the son of Peter J. Eshenfelder and of Hannah Z. (Corcoran) Eshenfelder. His father was born in Brooklyn, New York, and he was associated with the Day Publishing Company of New London for twenty-five years, being employed in the advertising department. A selectman of New London for several years and Republican registrar of voters for a period of fifteen years, he died in 1944 at the age of sixty-nine. Mr. Eshenfelder's mother was born in New London, and she died in 1936.
Mr. Eshenfelder was educated in the New London schools, grad- uated from Bulkeley High School in 1926, and then obtained the degree of Bachelor of Science in economics at the University of Pennsylvania in 1930. He received the degree of Bachelor of Laws from Harvard University Law School in 1935, and then began the practice of law in New London, having been admitted to the Connecticut Bar that same year. He has been active in community, civic and political organizations and is now director of law of the City of New London. His social con- nections include membership in the Kiwanis Club and the Thames Club.
Mr. Eshenfelder was married on July 2, 1936, to Alma S. Fones, the daughter of Byron A. Fones and of Arline (Scott) Fones of New London. Her father was executive secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, and previously had served as treasurer of the Merritt Chapman Scott Corporation. He is now deceased, but Mrs. Eshenfel- der's mother still resides in New London. Mrs. Eshenfelder was active for some years in civic affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Eshenfelder have two children: 1. Edmund J., Jr., born in December, 1939. 2. Jane A., born in January, 1942.
ABRAM A. WASHTON
Judge of the police court, of the city court, and of the small claims
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court in New London, Mr. Washton has been active in the practice of law for more than twenty-four years. He has developed real estate on a large scale and is the owner of considerable property.
He was born in New London on January 1, 1908, the son of Harry Watchinsky and of Bessie Watchinsky. His parents were born in Russia, and his father came to America in 1890. He was active as a large dealer in junk and scrap metal, settling in New London in 1897, and operating his business successfully until his death in 1934 at the age of fifty-six. Mr. Washton's mother had two sons and two daughters, all of whom went to college. She died in June of 1957.
Mr. Washton graduated from Bulkeley High School for Boys in 1925, and obtained the degree of Bachelor of Arts at Dartmouth College in 1929. He attended Harvard Law School for one year, and Columbia University Law School for two years, taking his bar exami- nation in December, 1933 and being admitted to the bar in January, 1934. During World War II, he served in the Army and received his honorable discharge in 1945.
Admitted to the Connecticut Bar on January 23, 1934, he began practice in New London, and maintained his own offices until 1947 when he formed a partnership with Arno R. Vogt. In the fall of 1953, they purchased the old Learned Home, built in 1801, and remodeled it to contain three suites of offices and four apartments. It was in 1955 that Mr. Washton was appointed to serve on the bench by Governor Ribicoff, and he is now judge of the police court, the city court and the small claims court in New London.
In addition to his development of real estate, Mr. Washton has been active in community organizations, and he is a member of the Elks, the Eagles, B'nai B'rith and the Zionist Organization of America. His social connections include membership in the Shennecossett Coun- try Club, and his favorite sports are golf, skiing and boating. A Demu- ocrat in politics, he attends religious worship as a member of the Jewish faith.
Mr. Washton was married on December 29, 1935, to Alice Gordon, the daughter of Abraham Gordon and of Rebecca Gordon. Her father, who is now eighty-six years of age, resides in New London. Mrs. Washton's mother died in 1949.
Mr. and Mrs. Washton have three daughters: I. Rose-Carol, born on March 1, 1937, is now a student at Wellesley College. 2. Har- riett Ellen, born on December 10, 1941, is a senior in New London High School. 3. Kathe Lorraine, born on March 8, 1945, and a student at Bulkeley Junior High School.
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ARNO R. VOGT
A member of the law firm of Washton and Vogt of New London, active in the practice of law for more than twenty years, and a former assistant judge of the New London city and police courts, Mr. Vogt is a member of the New London County Bar Association, the Con- necticut Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. He is a former chairman of the Criminal Law Section of the American Bar Association.
He was born in New London on November 21, 1907, the son of Fritz Vogt and of Augusta (Koschmieder) Vogt. His father was born in Freiwaldau, Germany, and came to the United States in 1894. Settling first in Brooklyn, New York, he came to New London in 1896, and being a master baker, operated his own business until his retire- ment in 1937. He died in 1945 at the age of seventy-five. He served for a time as justice of the peace, and on his retirement his bakery was taken over by two of his sons, Walter and Carl, who still operate the establishment. Mr. Vogt's mother was born in Breslau, Germany, and came to the United States in 1907. She is the mother of five sons and a daughter: 1. Arno. 2. Hilda, now Mrs. Morris B. Flint of Washington, D. C. Her husband is a retired commander of the United States Coast Guard. 3. Walter, now active in the family bakery. 4. Herbert, a captain in the United States Army. 5. Carl, connected with the bakery. 6. Frederick, a captain in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, is a certified public accountant, and is in the employ of Price- Waterhouse in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Mr. Vogt graduated from New London High School in 1925 and obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree at Dartmouth College in 1930. He received the degree of Bachelor of Laws at the University of Michigan in 1934, and began the practice of law in New London. In 1942, he moved to Deep River, Connecticut, serving in the legal de- partment of Pratt Read, glider builders. He joined the firm of Lan- ders, Frary and Clark, makers of household items, in 1945, and acted as counsel for the firm. He returned to law practice in New London in April, 1947, forming a partnership with Abram A. Washton, and it was in 1953 that they bought the building where their offices are now located. Built in 1801, the structure was known as the old Learned Place, and the partners remodeled it to contain three suites of offices and four apartments.
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