USA > Connecticut > History of Connecticut, Volume IV > Part 28
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Mr. Martin organized the Ridgefield Lions Club in 1929, started Christmas baskets for the needy, and he was assistant chairman of all War Bond drives and chairman of the Victory Loan Drive. He served as chairman of the Red Cross during the War.
He was elected president of the First National Bank and Trust Company of Ridgefield, on June 23, 1941, and at this time he also became president and a director of the Branchville Fresh Air As- sociation, and served for a number of years on the board of managers and trustees of the Danbury Hospital. Commissioner of Connecticut State Opticians for nine years, chairman of the Great Pond Associa- tion, a former scoutmaster of the Boy Scouts, and a leader in the Young Men's Christian Association for several years, Mr. Martin is one of the directors of the Senior Foundation, and his social connec- tions include membership in the Masons. He gave Ridgefield a beauti- ful bathing beach, and was responsible in getting the theater and six parks they now have. Ice skating is his favorite sport, and he attends religious services at the Methodist Church ; he has been chair- man and trustee of the church since 1948. Mr. Martin is a Republi- can in politics.
He was married on October 16, 1916, to Doris A. Godfrey, born in Weston, the daughter of Lloyd Godfrey and of Helen (Hill) God- frey. Mrs. Martin attended the Weston public schools, graduated from Norwalk High School and then attended Danbury Normal School. She taught school for a time in Wilton.
Mr. and Mrs. Martin have one son, Dr. Philip Lewis Martin,
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born on January 20, 1920. During World War II, he served four years in the Army Medical Corps, being stationed at Camp Tulahoma, Tennessee, for three years, and then he had charge of the eye clinic at Fort Benning, Georgia. He is married to June P. Martin, and they have four children : Richard, Barbara, Stephen and Patricia.
LLEWELLYN BROMFIELD, JR.
After a long record of service as Stamford town engineer, and later as Commissioner of Public Works, City of Stamford, Llewellyn Bromfield, Jr., has now withdrawn from public life and is in business for himself. With sound training in the engineering profession, he served his community capably and loyally over a period only a little short of four decades.
He is a native of Ridgefield, and was born on August 6, 1889, son of Llewellyn, Sr., and Etta Hortense (Taylor) Bromfield. Member of an old and respected New England family, he is descended from Major Henry Bromfield, who led the "Indians" on the historic raid on British shipping known as the Boston Tea Party. Although his father, the elder Llewellyn Bromfield was born in London, England, on September 10, 1865, his grandfather, the Reverend Edward Thomas Bromfield, had been prominent in this country as an editor of The New York Times. He was a literary man, a graduate of Oxford University. Llewellyn, Sr., was for some time manager of the firm of D. Appleton & Sons (Publishers), and later headed the medical book section of Thomas Nelson and Sons. At the age of forty-five, he changed the course of his career and entered the Palmer School of Chiropractic at Davenport, Iowa. Following completion of his courses there, he was a practicing chiropractor until his death. Etta H. Taylor, whom he married, was born at Ridgefield, in 1866. Educated by private tutors, she was an accomplished musician who taught the rudiments of the art to her son.
Llewellyn Bromfield, Jr., also received his early education from private tutors, and later attended Riders School of Engineering. From this school, which was located at Norwalk and which no longer exists, he graduated in 1906. He began his professional career in that year with Paul Nash who later took William B. Pierce as a partner, becoming the firm of Paul Nash & William B. Pierce, Engineers & Surveyors, and remained with them until 1910. In that year he entered the engineering field in his own name, and has continued to head his own organization since, although much of his time has been devoted to public service. As Stamford town engineer, he was
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appointed to do town engineering in 1912, and held office under the same municipal system until 1949, continuing under both Republican and Democratic administrations. When Stamford town and city were consolidated in 1949, he was named Commissioner of Public Works of the City of Stamford, a post he held until 1951. Since that time, he has devoted himself exclusively to the management of his own en- gineering business.
During the World War II period, Mr. Bromfield served as chief air-raid warden of his city, and he also found time to head a committee for house-to-house canvassing for bond sales. In 1945 he was recipient of the Treasury Department's Silver Medal for having sold over a million dollars' worth of war bonds.
Mr. Bromfield is a Republican in his politics. A charter member of the Kiwanis Club in his home city, he retained membership for about five years. He is a past Grand Master of the State of Con- necticut Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has served as presi- dent of the Odd Fellows Home. Both he and Mrs. Bromfield are mem- bers of the Maple Avenue Bible Protestant Church.
She is the former Mrs. Florence Palmer, Mr. Bromfield's third wife. He was married, first, at Noroton in 1913, to Elizabeth May Skelton. They became the parents of the following children: I. Llewel- lyn, 3rd, who was born on March 15, 1914, in Stamford. A graduate of Stamford High School and of Juilliard School of Music in New York, he is a professional musician and is now playing with the Dallas Symphony. Prior to World War II he was with the New Or- leans Symphony, and he served as a corporal in the Sixty-sixth Division in the European Theater of Operations during the war. Married to the former Miss Doris Tippman, he has two children: Cynthia Lynn and Douglas Llewellyn. 2. Richard Edward, born in Stamford on July 24, 1915. A graduate of Stamford High School, he is now with the Engineering Department of the Town of New Canaan. During World War II, he served with the Aviation Engineers in New Guinea, the Philippines and Manila. He is married and has one child, Richard Hunter. 3. Eleanor (Mrs. Bradley), born on February 22, 1917, also in Stamford. She graduated from Stamford High School, is married and has one child, Patricia Eleanor Bradley.
Elizabeth May (Skelton) Bromfield died in 1918, during the influenza epidemic, and in 1925, at Stamford, Llewellyn Bromfield, Jr., married Eva Poakeart. They had the following children : 4. Robert Joseph, born on April 19, 1927, in Stamford. On graduation from Stamford High School, he immediately entered the United States
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Navy, and served as a seaman, third class, on a mine sweeper, participat- ing in the action off Okinawa. At the war's end, he became Admiral Halsey's postmaster. On his return to civilian life, he worked with his father for a time, then joined the staff of the Fairfield County Trust Company. Robert J. Bromfield married Elsie Olsen, and they have three children : Russell, Chris and Roy. 5. Eva Helen, born June 22, 1928, in Stamford. She graduated from high school there, and mar- ried Harry Russell, who is with Town TV in Norwalk. They have two children : Keith and Ellyn Russell. 6. Paul Howard, born Septem- ber 17, 1929, at Stamford. Entering the army toward the end of World War II, he served as a first sergeant in the Field Artillery, and after the war worked for the Connecticut Power Company until 1957. He now lives in Florida, where he operates a restaurant. He married Beverly Diekow, and they have two children.
Eva (Poakeart) Bromfield died of pneumonia in 1937. In the same year Mrs. Florence Palmer was widowed, and she became Mr. Bromfield's third wife in a ceremony at Stamford in June, 1940. She is a native of Bridgeport. She has one son by her previous marriage: John L. Palmer, a native of Stamford and a graduate of its high school. He served in the European Theater as a first lieutenant in the Signal Corps during the war. He was later transferred to a tank- destroyer until in the Seventh Army, but subsequently rejoined a Signal Corps unit in the First Army. At the war's end, he was with the Third Army. After the war he attended Faith Seminary in Phila- delphia, and is now a minister of the Bible Presbyterian Church. His efforts led to the building of the church of that denomination at Levit- town, Pennsylvania, and he is pastor of that congregation at present. John L. Palmer married Helen Holfelt, and they have two children : Robert and David.
Mr. and Mrs. Bromfield make their home at 239 Courtland Av- enue, Glenbrook.
WILLIAM FRANCIS MANGAN, JR.
Completing his professional training following his wartime serv- ice in the Marine Corps, William F. Mangan, Jr., has engaged in a general practice of law in New Britain for the past decade. He has held public office as prosecuting attorney, and has taken a constructive interest in welfare work.
Born March 24, 1921, in New Britain, he is a son of William Francis and Laura (Pritchard) Mangan. His father too was a prac- ticing attorney, who for twenty-five years served as probate judge
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in New Britain and now practices law with his son in the firm of Mangan and Mangan. William F. Mangan, Jr., received his early education in local schools, and graduated from New Britain High School in June, 1938. He then entered Fordham University in New York City, where he took his degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1942.
In that year, Mr. Mangan enlisted for service in the United States Marine Corps, and as a captain, served in the Second Division. For a time he was one of a Marine detachment aboard the U. S. S. "General William M. Black." He served in Europe, South Pacific, and Asiatic Theaters of Operation.
Following the war, he resumed his studies, and in 1948 received his degree of Bachelor of Laws from the University of Connecticut Law School. Admitted to the bar in that year, he began his career as a practicing attorney at New Britain. He is a member of the firm of Mangan and Mangan, with offices at 299 Main Street, and is en- gaged in a general practice of law.
Mr. Mangan served as prosecuting attorney of New Britain from 1954 to 1959. He belongs to the following bar groups: New Britain Bar Association and Hartford County Bar Association. In his home city, he serves on the board of directors of the Family Serv- ice League and is an incorporator of the New Britain General Hospi- tal. He is past president of the Slater School Parent-Teacher As- sociation, and is now serving as president of the Parent-Teacher Association of the Stanley School. He is a communicant of St. Fran- cis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church.
In Washington, D. C., in January, 1950, William F. Mangan, Jr., married Viola Dorothy Jobert, who is a daughter of Arthur Henry and Dorothy (Greenwood) Jobert. Mr. and Mrs. Mangan are the parents of three children: I. William Francis, 3rd, who was born on August 31, 1950. 2. Laura Pritchard, born December 25, 1952. 3. Maria Christina, born December 17, 1955.
EDWIN ROGERS HITCHCOCK
Edwin Rogers Hitchcock's entire career has been spent in the printing and bookbinding industry. Entering his occupation at New Britain in the early years of the century, he later formed his own organization, the E. R. Hitchcock Company. Now retired from its active management, he remains chairman of the board, and he makes his home at Newington.
Born at Southington, on November 26, 1877, he is a son of Henry Albert and Mary (Rogers) Hitchcock. Her mother was of the family
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identified with the Rogers International Silver Company of Meriden. Henry A. Hitchcock was a merchant at Southington, and he had served the Union cause in the Civil War.
Receiving his education in the public schools of New Britain, Edwin R. Hitchcock learned the bookbinder's trade and established the New Britain Book Bindery in 1904. In 1915 he changed the name only to the E. R. Hitchcock Company, incorporated in 1925. Mr. Hitchcock remained president of the concern until 1957, when he re- tired from executive duties and became chairman of the board, the position he holds today. His efforts were chiefly instrumental in building the E. R. Hitchcock Company into one of the outstanding organizations of its kind in the state.
Mr. Hitchcock is a Kiwanian, and a communicant of the First Baptist Church of New Britain.
At Essex, on January 22, 1903, he married Harriet Alice Com- stock, daughter of William Arnold and Sarah Maria (Morley) Com- stock. The couple are the parents of one daughter, Agnes Victoria, who was born on January 27, 1905. She is the wife of Robert Lee Baker, an author and playwright. They make their home in New York.
SAMUEL, STANLEY GOOGEL
New Britain attorney Samuel Stanley Googel has served his city several terms in the state's House of Representatives; and he has re- cently served as minority leader. In that role he won the praise of Governor Ribicoff as a "great legislator" who "fulfilled a great task ... against overwhelming odds." Writing of his political career in the columns of the New Britain Herald, Arthur E. McEvoy paid him this tribute :
Since his youth Rep. Googel has been in the midst of the political fray as a campaigner in the front line trenches, a campaign strategian or a candidate for office. Both victory and defeat are included in his experience. He takes both in a bland manner.
He came to this country from White Russia, having been born in the town of Orsa on December 6, 1903, son of Nathan and Freda (Malcher) Googel. The family arrived in this country in 1910 and immediately settled in New Britain, where Nathan Googel became a merchant. The future legislator attended the public schools there, and in June, 1921, graduated from New Britain High School. He later attended the Bentley School of Accounting and Finance in Bos- ton, and the New York University of Commerce, but after completing
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his courses in business, set about preparing himself for a new goal, the legal profession. He studied at St. Lawrence University, and Brooklyn Law School, where he received his degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1930.
Admitted to the bar of the State of Connecticut, he joined David L. Dunn in the practice of law. Mr. Dunn was mayor of New Haven in the early 1930s. Soon, Governor Wilbur L. Cross appointed Mr. Googel deputy judge of the Plainville Town Court, and a short time after that he was named a special attorney in the Department of Justice by Homer S. Cummings, then serving as Attorney General in President Franklin D. Roosevelt's cabinet. Mr. Googel's work for the Department of Justice took him to Washington, D. C. Also, in 1935, he was in charge of the legal work in connection with land ac- quisition by the federal government throughout the New England states.
Meantime his record as a legislator had begun. First elected to the General Assembly from New Britain in 1930, he took his seat in the 1931 session, and was re-elected for the term beginning in 1933. The years between this tenure of service as a legislator and his re- turn to the Assembly were filled with other achievements of a public nature. He served as a member of the Democratic Town Committee for several years, then became its chairman. He worked tirelessly as campaign manager for Angelo M. Paonessa, George C. Coyle and John L. Sullivan. In Coyle's and Sullivan's administrations, he served as chairman of the Public Works Board, and from 1940 to 1942, held office as corporation counsel. Named Deputy Secretary of State in 1944, he served until 1946, and from 1950 to 1952 was director of the Office of Price Stabilization for Connecticut.
Re-elected state representative, he returned to the General As- sembly in 1955; and following his re-election in 1957, his talent for leadership was recognized in his selection for the office of minority leader. He has distinguished himself as a doughty proponent of Democratic views and programs in the face of a considerable Re- publican majority. At a recent annual dinner, the Laurel Club, com- posed of newsmen who cover legislative news, voted Mr. Googel "the most able legislator, the most valuable to newsmen, the best timber for state office, the many whose re-election is most needed and the most cooperative Democratic member of the General Assembly."
Mr. Googel is supposed to have been influenced in his political career by the example of Alfred E. Smith, Governor of New York and once Presidential candidate. He joined Smith's campaign organi-
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zation while a student at Brooklyn Law School in 1928-the year "the Happy Warrior" ran for President.
As a legislator, he has proved himself a man of humanitarian and progressive views. He has been particularly active on behalf of edu- cation, and introduced a bill for new schools before the legislature in 1955. In addition to the offices already mentioned, he served as county auditor of Hartford County in 1933. As a lawyer, he was ad- mitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court in 1941.
Mr. Googel organized the Jefferson Club in 1931, and he is a Kiwanian and a member of the lodges of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Loyal Order of Moose, and the Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks. Of Jewish faith, he attends services at Temple B'nai Israel.
At Meriden, on December 23, 1934, Samuel Stanley Googel married Corinne Gertrude Goldberg, daughter of Adolph and Beila (Schacter) Goldberg. The couple are the parents of three children: I. Susan Jane, who was born on September 12, 1938. 2. Jonathan Noah, born on July II, 1942. 3. Frederic Ronald, who was born on April 6, 1944.
In July, 1957, the people of New Britain honored their legisla- tor with a testimonial dinner, attended by six hundred persons. An editorial coinciding with this event paid Representative Googel this tribute :
By his example, Rep. Googel has demonstrated to all people coming to this shore from distant lands that it is possible to rise to high public office by hard work and a sincere interest in advancing the cause of the nation.
ALFRED SANTANIELLO
Member of the Norwalk law firm of Santaniello and Culhane, Alfred Santaniello has practiced in the city since 1940. He has a cre- ditable record on the bench as judge of the municipal and probate courts.
Born in Bridgeport on March 31, 1913, he is a son of Andrew and Julia (Ciarletta) Santaniello. His father, born at Montoro In- feriore in the Province of Avellino, Italy, in 1885, came to this coun- try in 1905. He returned to his native land in 1912 to marry Julia Ciarletta, who was born at Montoro Superiore, in his own province, on December 23, 1889. They returned immediately thereafter to this country, and settled in Bridgeport. In 1914 they moved to Norwalk, where Andrew Santaniello entered the grocery business. He was later
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the manager of a restaurant, following that occupation until his death in 1954. Mrs. Santaniello survives him and lives in Norwalk.
In the public schools of that city, Alfred Santaniello received his early education, and he graduated from Norwalk High School in 1929. He then entered Fordham University, where he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1933. He later took two years of postgraduate work at Columbia University. He entered Hartford Law School for his professional studies, and received his degree of Bachelor of Laws there in 1939.
Mr. Santaniello started his practice of law in Norwalk in 1940, where he has continued since. In 1953 he joined Frank J. Culhane, and they have since been partners in the firm of Santaniello and Cul- hane, with offices at 2 Mott Avenue. He is a member of the American, the Connecticut State, and the local bar associations.
Appointed to two terms as judge of the city court of Norwalk, Alfred Santaniello served on the bench of that court from 1951 to 1955. Since 1955 he has been judge of the probate court. He is a Republican. On February 10, 1943, he entered upon a period of two years and a half in the United States Army Air Corps. He served as a Link Trainer operator and instructor with the rank of corporal, and spent two years in the European Theater of Operations. He received his honorable discharge on October 18, 1945.
As a veteran, he is a member of the posts of the American Le- gion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Italian-American War Veterans. His other memberships include the Sons of Italy, the Polish- American Club, St. Anne's Club. As a Roman Catholic, he belongs to the Knights of Columbus, in which he holds the Third and Fourth degrees. He is also a member of the Shorehaven Golf Club, and is ac- tive in his city's Chamber of Commerce.
In New York City, on December 18, 1941, Alfred Santaniello married Elena Sgrignoli. She was born in New York City on July 31, 1916, daughter of Gabriel and Louise (Celantano) Sgrignoli. Her father, born in Italy, has followed the trade of dress designer which has taken him to all parts of the United States, but he now makes his home in New York City. He and Mrs. Sgrignoli are on a trip to Italy at the present time. Mrs. Santaniello attended Theodore Roosevelt High School in New York City, and Brooklyn College, where she took her degree of Bachelor of Science in Education.
The couple have four children: I. Andrea, born September 13, 1942, in Norwalk; is attending Laurelton Hall, Milford, Connecticut, and is active in student affairs there. 2. Alfred, born August 29,
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1946; attending Junior High School. 3. Paula, born December 8, 1948. 4. Thomas, born May 15, 1951. The two youngest children are attend- ing Kendall School. All of the children were born in Norwalk.
JACOB (JACK) CHRISTIAN JENSEN, JR.
With more than thirty-five years' experience in the automotive field, Jacob C. Jensen, Jr., is now president and general manager of Jensen Motors, Inc., which holds the franchise for the sale of Ram- blers in the North Haven area. Better known as Jack Jensen, he is a popular businessman of that city, who has headed his own organiza- tion since the early 1930s. He has served as constable of his township, and has been active in Rotary and Masonry.
His birthplace was next door to the present location of Jensen Motors, and he was born there on October 15, 1906, son of Jacob Christian, Sr., and Marie (Mortensen) Jensen. His father came to this country from the Province of Schleswig-Holstein in Denmark where he was born in 1866. At the time that province was taken over by Germany, when he was eighteen years old, he left for the United States to escape the prospect of military service under the German Empire. Settling in New Haven, he opened a shoemaker's shop on Congress Avenue, and this he operated until 1900. In that year he and Mrs. Jensen moved to North Haven, occupying the present home site. There he continued operation of his shoe shop for a time, but about 1908 entered the poultry and egg business. He died in 1939. Marie Mortensen, whom he married, also came from Denmark, having been born at Vaarde in 1868. She arrived in this country about 1888, and they were married in New Haven. She died in 1942.
Attending the public schools of his area, the younger Jacob C. Jensen graduated from Hillhouse High School in New Haven and also attended the Meriden Trade School at Meriden. In 1923 he began his career as an employee of the H. M. Tower Corporation, manufacturers of automobile accessories located at West Haven. During 1924-1925 he was a mechanic at Defender's Garage in New Haven, leaving in the latter year to take a similar position with the Cowles Tolman Franklin Car Agency. He continued his experience as a mechanic with the Green Cab Company of New Haven in 1927-1928, then joined the Ray Visel Chevrolet Agency in a similar capacity.
Mr. Jensen was thus thoroughly familiar with the practical as- pects of automobiles when in 1931 he left the employ of others to open Jensen's Garage in North Haven. He has been in business in his own name since that time. In 1948 he incorporated his business under
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the firm name of Jensen Motors, Inc., of which he has since been president and general manager. He holds the dealership for the American Motors' product, the Rambler.
Well known in industrial circles, Mr. Jensen holds membership in the National Automobile Dealers Association and Connecticut Auto- mobile Dealers Association. Affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, he is a member of the higher bodies of both the York and the Scottish Rites, and holds the Thirty-second degree. He is also a member of Pyramid Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Bridgeport. He was formerly a Rotarian, and he attends the Episcopal Church. A Republican, Mr. Jensen was elec- ted constable of the Town of North Haven in 1936 and served until 194I.
In that town in January 1934, Jacob Christian Jensen, Jr., married Alice Blakeslee. She was born there on July 21, 1907, and is a daugh- ter of Wilbur Blakeslee, and Mary Alice (Maynard) Blakeslee. Her father spent the years from 1924 to 1932 as a field man with the Internal Revenue Department, but he spent the rest of his life as a farmer. He died on July 4, 1941. His wife died when Mrs. Jensen was six years old, and she was reared by a stepmother, whose death occurred in 1948.
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