USA > Connecticut > History of Connecticut, Volume IV > Part 35
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He was a director of the Connecticut Bank and Trust Company's branch at Moosup, and of the Danielson Federal Savings and Loan Association in Danielson. He served as chairman of the finance com- mittee of the Town of Brooklyn, and was a member of the school board. He also served on the executive board of the Connecticut Merit System Association, and was president of the Brooklyn Taxpayers' Association.
Mr. Pierce was a member and past president of the Rotary Club of Danielson. His was a generous spirit, a trait from which his entire community benefited. He gave a large tract of land for an elemen- tary school, was appointed chairman of the school's building com- mittee, and saw the completion of the building in the autumn preced- ing his death. His own home, where he and Mrs. Pierce had reared their family, was given to the Connecticut Baptist Convention for use
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as an old people's home. It is now known as the Pierce Memorial Baptist Home. Mr. Pierce was fond of fishing and yachting. He owned a private yacht, known as the "Chick-A-D."
On December 7, 1921, Amasa Dowe Pierce married Edna G. Richardson, daughter of the Rev. Joseph and Adelaide Frances (Rounds) Richardson. She is descended, in both the paternal and the maternal lines, from colonial settlers in New England. Like her late husband, Mrs. Pierce has been outstanding in church work. She has served for five years as president of the Women's Baptist Mis- sion Society of Connecticut, and was its first vice president for one year. At the present time, 1960, she is president of the board of trustees of the Pierce Memorial Baptist Home, operated by the Con- necticut Baptist Convention. She also holds the office of first vice president of the Connecticut Baptist Convention and is the first woman to hold that position. She is president of the United Church Women of Danielson, and president of the Killingly Women's Club of Daniel- son.
Mr. and Mrs. Pierce became the parents of four children: I. Luther Calvin, born on January 28, 1924. After attending Bucknell University, he enlisted in the United States Army for World War II service. Commissioned a first lieutenant, he was sent to the Philip- pines. For eight years he was associated with his father in business, which he headed for some time after his father's death. His major interest was in aviation. Leaving the local business he opened an aviation business of his own at Willimantic Airport. After two years he accepted a position in an executive capacity with Tropical Air Lines in Winter Haven, Florida. He was at one time Christian Educa- tion Director in the Baptist Church, and is now Minister of Christian Education at the Flagler Street Baptist Church in Miami, Florida. Aviation is now his hobby. Luther C. Pierce married Frances Ethridge of Dothan, Alabama, and they have four sons: i. Roger Calvin. ii. Larry Amasa. iii. James Ralph. iv. Alan Luther. 2. Esther Gertrude. born August 3, 1925. She holds the degree of Master of Religious Education from Duke University, and also took special studies at Yale Divinity School toward her Bachelor of Divinity degree. She is married to W. Averell Brown, Jr., of New York City. They have one child, Alice Averell Brown, born September 22, 1959. 3. Milton Amasa, born September 6, 1928. A graduate of the University of Connecticut, he took graduate work at the Missionary Train- ing Institute at Nyack, New York. He was ordained a minister in the Missionary Alliance and served two years as pastor of a church of
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that organization at Rutland, Vermont, building the church during that period, prior to entering the mission field in West Africa. He is married to the former Miss Nancy Lee Kennedy of New Brighton, Pennsylvania, who also did graduate work at the Missionary Train- ing Institute at Nyack, New York. They have three daughters: i. Cheryl Lynn, born July 15, 1956. ii. Deborah Lee, born July 15, 1957. iii. Elin Mae, born December 12, 1960. 4. Richard Newton, born July 30, 1933. A graduate of Denison University, Granville, Ohio, and of Andover-Newton, Newton Centre, Massachusetts, he is an ordained Baptist minister. He is married to the former Jean Elizabeth Bassett of Danielson.
A record of exceptional achievement in business affairs, com- munity life and Christian service came to an end with the death of Amasa D. Pierce, which occurred suddenly on December 3, 1954.
MOCKFORD R. WASHER
Mockford Washer's entire business career has been identified with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. He has represented this largest of life firms in various cities, and has advanced to the position of manager of its New Britain office.
Born in New York City on December 25, 1899, he is a son of William Horatio and Pauline (Farland) Washer. His father was a real estate broker. Mr. Washer completed his public school educa- tion at New York City.
In 1924, Mr. Washer formed his connection with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company as an agent working out of the New Ro- chelle office. In the course of the five years he spent there, his adminis- trative abilities were recognized, and in 1929 he was sent to Wash- ington, D. C., to assume duties as assistant manager there. He was named supervisor for the Southern Territory the following year, and served as field training supervisor from 1932 to 1934. He was ap- pointed to his first managership at Reading, Pennsylvania, in 1934, and was in charge of the office in that city until 1938, when he became manager of the Buffalo, New York, office. He remained in Buffalo for a decade, and came to New Britain in 1948 as manager of that city's office of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.
In his own city Mr. Washer belongs to the New Britain Club, and he is also a member of the Farmington Country Club. He is a member of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church in Collinsville, Con- necticut.
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In November, 1934, in Reading, Pennsylvania, Mockford Washer married Marie Teresa Morelli, daughter of Caesar and Amelia Morelli. The couple have no children. They live in Burlington, Connecticut, and Mr. Washer's business address is 94 West Main Street, that city.
ANDREW PETER DENUZZE
Andrew Peter Denuzze is, and has been, a practicing attorney in the city of New Britain since 1952. Prior to that time, he practiced law in Columbus, Ohio, from 1950 to 1952. He was employed by the government in the Office of Rent Stabilization in Hartford, a short time prior to entering into the practice of law in the city of New Britain. He served as a member of the Board of Education in the city of New Britain for four years. Presently, he is assistant cor- poration counsel for the city of New Britain and has been since 1958. He is a veteran of World War II and served with the Quartermaster Corps of the United States Army.
Born in New Britain on October 14, 1920, he is the son of Peter and Carmella (Mascola) Denuzze. His father has been engaged in the real estate and building business in New Britain for the past forty years. He is the founder of St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church and was the first president of the Italian Roman Catholic Church Association which was organized for the purpose of erecting an Italian Roman Catholic church in the city of New Britain. Presently that church stands in New Britain and is known as St. Ann's Church. He received an award for his valuable part in the sale of Liberty Bonds during World War I. At that time, he was employed by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.
Attending local public schools, Andrew P. Denuzze graduated from the New Britain High School in January, 1939. He then en- tered Hartford Federal College where he took liberal arts courses until 1940, and during that period, he attended Trinity College in the evening division. In September, 1941 he entered the Ohio State Uni- versity at Columbus. He remained there until April, 1943, at which time he was called into active service of the United States Army. Af- ter his discharge from the Army he resumed his studies at the Ohio State University and received his Bachelor of Science degree in December, 1946. While at the Ohio State University, Mr. Denuzze was active in speech and debate and was a member of the Speech Association of America. Shortly thereafter he taught in the public
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school system on a part-time basis in the city of New Britain. In January, 1948, he entered the University of Cincinnati, College of Law, and because of the accelerated program, graduated in January, 1950. In March of that year he was admitted to the bar in the State of Ohio, where he practiced his profession for a short time. In 1952, after he was admitted to the bar in the State of Connecticut, he com- menced private practice in his native city of New Britain, and his offices are located at the corner of South High and Court streets in that city. He served on the Board of Education from April, 1954 to April, 1958. In August, 1958, he was appointed assistant corpora- tion counsel for the city of New Britain and is presently serving the city in that capacity. He is active in the New Britain Bar As- sociation, the Hartford County Bar Association and the American Bar Association.
Mr. Denuzze is a former national adjutant of the Italian-Ameri- can World War Veterans Association and is a member of that local post in the city of New Britain. His other memberships include Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity, Lions International and many other local organizations. He and his family attend St. Maurice Roman Catholic Church in New Britain.
In Columbus, Ohio, on September 7, 1946, Andrew P. Denuzze married Marguerite M. Howard, daughter of William Franklin and Maude Burdell Howard. To their marriage two children have been born: I. Patricia Ann, on November 14, 1949. 2. Susan, on Novem- ber 24, 1954.
ROBERT CUMMINGS VANCE
Shortly after his return from military service in World War I, Robert Cummings Vance joined the staff of the New Britain "Herald." He has advanced in the intervening years from a position as reporter to the post of editor and publisher of the paper, and is also president of the corporation. He has capably filled a number of posts of responsibility in public life and in organizations.
A native of New Britain, he was born on February 21, 1894, son of Robert Johnstone and Matilde (O'Connor) Vance. His father was formerly owner and editor of the New Britain "Herald," and was at one time political editor of the New York "Sun" under Dana's regime. He also distinguished himself in public office as mayor and city clerk of New Britain, and as United States Congressman and Connecticut State Labor Commissioner.
Attending local public schools, Robert Cummings Vance gradu-
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ated from New Britain Senior High School in June, 1914. He then entered Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University, but did not complete his courses there until his return from wartime military service. Early in 1917, he left to serve as an ambulance driver with the French forces, and he joined the American Expeditionary Force, once again as an ambulance driver, in August of that year. He was later transferred to army headquarters at Paris for the duration of the war.
Following his return to civilian life, Mr. Vance became interested in the program of the newly formed American Legion, and he assumed duties as chairman of publications of the American Legion Weekly. He was a founder of the Legion in Paris and also at St. Louis, Mis- souri. He completed his courses at Sheffield Scientific School in 1920, receiving his degree of Bachelor of Philosophy there. Mr. Vance next joined the staff of the New Britain "Herald," working first as city hall reporter. He soon won promotion to state political editor, and for a period of twenty years, covered the activities of the Con- necticut State Legislature. While still engaged in that phase of journalism, he was named business manager of the paper in 1930 and served until 1934. It was also in 1930 that he joined the executive roster as treasurer, becoming at the same time a member of the board of directors. Mr. Vance became president of the corporation and editor of the paper in 1951. He has been editor and publisher since 1953.
On June 25, 1930, he was appointed a member of Connecticut's Civil Service Commission. He was reappointed to a three-year term on this body in 1932, but resigned in June, 1934. Meantime, as a newspaperman, he had become active in the Laurel Club, an organiza- tion drawing its membership from reporters covering the State Leg- islature. He served as vice president of this group for a time, his term beginning in February, 1931. He was elected an active member of the American Society of Newspaper Editors by its board of direc- tors on October 20, 1952, and he is also a member of the National Press Club of Washington, D. C., and the Overseas Press Club of New York.
As a veteran of World War I, Robert C. Vance has also been prominent in veterans' groups. He was presented the stand-by mem- bership certificate of the Disabled American Veterans in January, 1937; and received a medal and certificate of honorary membership from the Polish Army Veterans' Association of America on June 11, 1956. He was appointed a member of the National Distinguished
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Guests Committee of the American Legion for the 1940-1941 term. At a testimonial dinner held at the Burritt Hotel on February 28, 1957, he was presented a gold life membership card in the Eddy Glover Post in New Britain, Mr. James Y. O'Neil of New York, past national commander of the Legion, and publisher of American Legion Magazine, making the presentation. Active in the Loyal Order of Moose and a past governor of that organization, Mr. Vance has also been honored in its ranks. In March, 1955, the Supreme Council conferred on him an award with this citation:
This award is given to a member for outstanding achievement, in the na- tional organization and in their own community.
Received for his exemplary devotion and practice of the principles and ideals of the order, regarding the education of orphaned children and the care of the aged.
Mr. Vance is an honorary member of the state organization of the International Association of Identification Officers. He is a mem- ber of the lodges of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Free and Accepted Masons, the Yale Club of New Britain, the New Britain Club, and Shuttle Meadow Country Club. His church is St. Maurice Catholic Church.
At the Little Church Around the Corner in New York City, on July 7, 1928, Robert Cummings Vance married Arline Dorothy Story, daughter of John Robert and Elizabeth (Murfy) Story. The couple make their home on Lincoln Street in New Britain, and they are the parents of one child, Joanne Elizabeth, who was born on July 3, 1932. Mrs. Vance has made a considerable contribution to community life, and was recently designated "Lady of Connecticut" in recognition of her work for the hospitals of the state and on behalf of the pro- gram to help the aged.
HAROLD JOSEPH BOWEN
Beginning his career in the private practice of law, Harold J. Bowen became New Haven County's law librarian two decades ago, and he has filled that position continuously since, capably rendering a most useful service to the bar. He has also held office as clerk of the city court at New Haven.
A native of New Haven, he was born on January 20, 1892, son of Andrew Joseph and Margaret (Hoolihan) Bowen. Both of his parents had been born in Connecticut-his father at New Haven on August 31, 1859, and his mother on November 16, 1863, at An- sonia. Attending local public schools, Harold J. Bowen graduated
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from New Haven High School in 1911, and in 1914 received his de- gree of Bachelor of Laws from Yale Law School.
Admitted to the bar, he began his practice of law in his home city and for a time was an associate of Frederic Perry, who served for some time as Connecticut's Secretary of State. He was later as- sociated with William A. Bree, who has held office as clerk of the Connecticut Supreme Court and as president of the New Haven County Bar Association. From 1929 to 1938, Mr. Bowen was en- gaged in the private practice of law independently.
He began duties as law librarian of New Haven County in 1938, and has served with distinction since, his offices being in the New Haven Courthouse. Mr. Bowen has twice served as clerk of the city court of New Haven, his first term extending from 1917 to 1923, and his second from 1925 to 1929. He was on leave of absence at the time of World War I, serving in the United States Navy as a seaman first class.
Mr. Bowen is a member of the New Haven County Bar Associa- tion. He also belongs to Mory's Association, the Yale Club of New Haven, and the Yale Club of New York. A Roman Catholic, he has been at various times a communicant of St. Joseph's, St. Branden's, and St. Thomas More's churches in New Haven.
At St. Joseph's Church in that city, on September 7, 1925, Harold Joseph Bowen married Celia Dixon, daughter of James and Catherine (Regan) Dixon. Both of her parents were born at Bran- ford, Connecticut, her father in 1866 and her mother in 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Bowen have no children.
GEORGE OMER GELINAS
General manager of the New Haven agency of the John Han- cock Mutual Life Insurance Company, the third largest agency of the company in the United States, Mr. Gelinas has been associated with John Hancock since 1927, and has been a member of the John Hancock President's Club for the past ten consecutive years. He is a member of the Connecticut Life Insurance Trust Council, and is a past president and a director of the New Haven Life Underwriters.
Mr. Gelinas was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on June 13, 1906, the son of Omer Gelinas and of Emma (Gervais) Gelinas. His father was born in Three Rivers, Quebec, Canada, on March 3, 1875, and his mother at Boston, Massachusetts, on August 24, 1874. Mr. Gelinas graduated from Rockland, Massachusetts, High School in 1924.
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It was in 1927 that he became associated with the John Han- cock Company in Boston as an agent, and in 1929 he was promoted to assistant district manager in Brockton, Massachusetts. Made man- ager in Fall River and Newport, Rhode Island, January 1, 1938, he became general manager of the New Haven, Connecticut, office in May I, 1939, and has made of his agency one of the leading sales organizations in the country.
Mr. Gelinas has been active in community organizations, is a member of the Madison, Connecticut, School Building Committee, and is a director of the Madison Civil Defense since its inception. He is chairman of the Madison Republican Town Committee, is a past vice president of the Madison Chamber of Commerce, and is a past secre- tary and director of the New Haven Kiwanis Club. His social con- nections include membership in the Union League Club and he is a past president of the Rockland, Massachusetts, Rod and Gun Club. He attends religious worship at Saint Margaret's Roman Catholic Church in Madison.
Mr. Gelinas was married in Scituate, Massachusetts, on October 12, 1929, to Gertrude Bernadine Stanley, born on March 15, 1907: the daughter of Thomas Patrick Stanley and of Mary Elizabeth (Flaherty) Stanley. Her father was born in Scituate, Massachusetts, and her mother in Boston, Massachusetts, on March 15, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Gelinas have four children: I. George Omer, Jr., born in South Weymouth, Massachusetts, on May 20, 1931, graduated from Stone Hill College and is now a student at Tufts Dental College. 2. Gareth Stanley, born in South Weymouth on January 10, 1934, ob- tained the degree of Bachelor of Arts at Bowdoin College, and is now an assistant district manager with the John Hancock Company in Springfield, Massachusetts. 3. Gail Marie, born in South Weymouth. on August 23. 1936, graduated from LaSalle Junior College in Boston, Massachusetts, and then graduated as a medical technologist from St. Raphael's Hospital. She went to Europe in 1958. 4. Gerard Peter, born in South Weymouth on August 29. 1939, is now a student at Villanova College.
DONALD WHITE EVERS
For the past decade and a half, Donald White Evers has made his home at Glenbrook, and he is manager of the Stamford office of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith, Inc.
He is a native of Connecticut, born at Glenbrook on September
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9, 1905, and is a son of Samuel John and Katharine ( White) Evers. His father, who was born in 1871 in Staunton, Virginia, attended Yale Divinity School, graduated there, and went out to found tlie first nondenominational Protestant church in the United States. He himself has served only one church throughout his career: the Glen- brook-Stamford Union Memorial Church, and he retired on the fif- tieth anniversary of this church, in 1945. Last Easter he preached the sixty-fifth consecutive Easter sermon from the same pulpit. He was recently honored by Lebanon Valley College, which conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. His wife, the former Kathar- ine White, was born in 1875 in New York City. Both are in excellent health.
Completing his public school education at Stamford, Donald White Evers graduated from high school there in 1923. He then en- tered Amherst College, where he took his degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1927. To prepare himself for a career in business, he took post- gradaute courses at New York University, leading to the degree of Master of Business Administration in 1933. In 1928 he took courses at the Fontainebleau School of Music in France.
Mr. Evers began his career in the investment brokerage business in 1928, working with Wall Street firms until 1938. From 1938 to 1943 he headed his own organization, the Donald W. Evers Com- pany in Stamford. In 1943 he became resident manager of the office of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith, Inc.
Mr. Evers has been active on behalf of the Stamford Community Chest, of which he is a past officer and past member of the board. He has been active in many civic affairs and welfare causes. A member of the Chamber of Commerce, he formerly served on its board, and he is a member and past vice president of the Rotary Club, also serv- ing on its board. He is a communicant of his father's church, the Glenbrook-Stamford Union Memorial Church. He is also a member of the Amherst Club of New York, the New England Society of New York, Woodway Country Club of Darien and Farmington Country Club (Charlottesville, Virginia. )
At Yardley, Pennsylvania, on October 10, 1933, Donald White Evers married Adelaide Banks. She was born in Philadelphia in 1910, daughter of I. Channell and Blanche Emma ( Moser) Banks. Her father, born in 1884, in Philadelphia, still lives in that city. Formerly, an investment banker, he is now retired. Blanche Emma Moser, whom he married, was born in Philadelphia in 1888, and is also living. M1 and Mrs. Evers are the parents of the following children: 1. Donald
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White, Jr., born on November 29, 1935, at Glenbrook. He graduated from Deerfield Academy in 1954, and in 1958 took his degree of Bachelor of Arts at Amherst College. 2. Timothy Banks, born in Glenbrook on April 18, 1940; also a graduate of Deerfield Academy, where he earned letters in three sports. He is now attending Amherst.
GEORGE W. HURLBUTT
Following the completion of his professional training in the law, George W. Hurlbutt entered the wartime service of the Coast Guard. He later practiced in New York City, in Greenwich, and now in Lake- ville.
In the paternal line, Mr. Hurlbutt is descended from many men prominent in English and early American history. Included in his English ancestors was William Bill, LL.B., the first Dean of West- minster Abbey, where he is buried. While serving as Dean, he at one time also held the positions of Provost of Eton and Master of Trinity -the only man ever to hold the three titles at once. Another forebear in the same branch was Charles Bill, who was Latin secretary to the King of England in 1609. Still another was John Bill, the first offi- cially designated printer to the English king. He printed the first London Gazette, in the time of Charles II. Another ancestor was Sir John Bolles, Knight of Skampton Manor, and his son, John Bolles, Knight of Throp Hall, was in command of the expedition against Cadi in 1596. He was also in command of the forces who took Castle Donolog and Essex during the administration of the Earl of Essex. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth for his services. Mr. Hurlbutt is also descended from John Rogers, burned at the stake for his re- ligious beliefs. His son James came to New England in 1635. and served in the Pequot Wars under Captain John Underhill. In the Hurl- butt line, his first American ancestor was Thomas Hurlbutt, one of the settlers of the Saybrook colony with Lionel Gardner-a famous Indian fighter whose exploits are recounted in the history of King Philip's War. Three of Mr. Hurlbutt's ancestors were defenders of Fort Griswold at Groton when New London was attacked and burned by the English under the command of Benedict Arnold. One of them, Rufus Hurlbutt, was killed in the defense of the fort; and the others, Benjamin Bill and Amos Lester, were wounded in the battle. Mr. Hurlbutt is also descended from Thomas Stanton, interpreter general of the colonies; Thomas Bailey, killed in the Battle of Bloody Brook in King Philip's War; and Isaac Bailey, a member of the militia
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