USA > Connecticut > History of Connecticut, Volume IV > Part 36
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George W. Hurebutt
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which prevented the landing of the British at Stonington, preceding the burning of New London.
George W. Hurlbutt is a son of Frank Roy and Virginia (Wil- liamson) Hurlbutt; grandson of Frank E. and Minnie (Miller) Hurlbutt ; and great-grandson of John and Abby Jane ( Bailey ) Hurl- butt. He has a brother, Dr. Frank Roy Hurlbutt, who is a physician practicing in Sausalito, California, and who is married to the former Miss Marjorie Boomer of Waterbury; and a sister, Virginia, who is the wife of Robert S. Brawley of Hartford. Mr. Brawley is a director of the Hartford School of Music. This couple have four chlidren : Karen, Susan, Lise and Argyle.
In selecting Connecticut as the state in which to practice, George W. Hurlbutt reversed the career procedure of his father, who was born at Gales Ferry, on February 7, 1890, but since 1911 has practiced law in West Virginia. He also has offices in New York. He is a gradu- ate of Yale Law School, where he took his degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1911. Virginia Williamson, whom he married, was born in Charleston, West Virginia, on August 8, 1894, and died on June 16, 1959. This couple's son, George W., was born at Charleston, West Virginia, on July 7, 1918. After attending public schools of Charles- ton, he was sent to West Newton, Massachusetts, to attend Fessenden School, and he completed his preparatory studies at Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts. He then enrolled at Yale University, took his degree of Bachelor of Arts there in 1940, and in 1942 received his degree of Bachelor of Laws from the University of Virginia Law School. He was admitted to the Virginia Bar on July 18, 1942, to the Connecticut Bar on June 21, 1946, and to the New York Bar on June 1, 1949.
In December 1942, Mr. Hurlbutt entered service in the United States Coast Guard. On his enlistment, he was sent to the Coast Guard Academy, where he graduated in September 1943. He was next assigned to the Advanced Naval Intelligence School, and graduated there on March 16, 1944. He served in the Pacific area until the end of the war, holding a commission as lieutenant junior grade ; and he was in uniform a total of three years.
After the war he returned to New York, where he had previously practiced with his father for a few months during 1942. They resumed their partnership, as Hurlbutt and Hurlbutt, and continued together until 1951. At the end of that time, George W. Hurlbutt moved to Greenwich, where he joined the firm of Tunick and Ferris. He spent two and a half years with that organization, then opened his own
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office in Greenwich in September 1953. While practicing in that city, he opened a second office at Lakeville on July 13, 1956. He conducts a general practice.
Mr. Hurlbutt is a member of the American Bar Association, the Connecticut Bar, the Virginia Bar and the New York Bar, and his county's bar association. He has business interests in New York City.
He is a Republican in politics and a Protestant in his religious faith.
At Youngstown, Ohio, on October 31, 1942, George W. Hurl- butt married Dorothy Siegle, daughter of Jacob C. and Daphne (Springer) Siegle. Mr. and Mrs. Hurlbutt have two children: I. Daphne Williamson, who was born on July 12, 1943. 2. Donald Mil- ler, born on December 17, 1948. The family now resides in Lakeville.
STEWART ALAN KING, M.D.
A native of Connecticut, Dr. Stewart Alan King has chosen Stamford as the scene of his practice, specializing in surgery. His offices are at 65 South Street. He is a veteran of military service in both World War II and the Korean War.
Born at Bridgeport on August 3, 1923, he is a son of Louis Robert and Sadie (Schertz) King. His father, who was born in New London in 1893, received his degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Pennsylvania, and is still practicing in Bridge- port. He is a member of the Connecticut Dental Association, the Ameri- can Dental Association, and the New England Society of Oral Sur- geons. Sadie Schertz, whom he married, was born in 1893 in Pough- keepsie, New York.
Completing his public school education in his native city, Dr. Stewart A. King graduated from Bassick High School in 1941. He completed his premedical studies at Harvard University, then entered Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he received his degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1947. From 1943 to 1945, in the course of his training as a physician, he served in the United States Army with the rating of private, first class. After receiving his de- gree, he interned at Boston City Hospital, and followed his internship with two years' residency in general surgery at the same hospital. During 1951-1952, he served in the United States Army Medical Corps in Korea, holding a captain's commission.
From 1953 to 1956, Dr. King was resident surgeon at the Veter- ans Administration hospitals in West Haven. In July, 1956, he com-
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menced his general practice of surgery in Stamford. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a Diplomate of the American Board of Surgeons, and a member of the Connecticut Society of American Board Surgeons, the American Medical Association, Con- necticut Medical Society, Fairfield County Medical Society, and the Stamford Medical Society.
At Glencoe, Illinois, on July 23, 1949, Dr. Stewart Alan King married Marilyn E. Pearson. She was born in Chicago on March 18, 1927, daughter of Edwin Leroy and Anna (Hammer) Pearson. Her father, a coal dealer in Chicago for many years, is now deceased. Mrs. Pearson survives him and makes her home in Glencoe. In the latter city, Mrs. King attended the public schools, and she graduated from the New Trier High School at Winnetka, Illinois, in 1945. In 1949 she received her degree of Bachelor of Arts at Wellesley Col- lege, and she is a member of the Wellesley Club of Southwestern Connecticut.
The couple are the parents of the following children: I. David Brian, who was born November II, 1950 at LaGrange, Georgia. He is attending Hollow Tree School in Darien. 2. Meredith Anne, born at New Haven on June 7, 1954. 3. John Pearson, born January 28, 1956. 4. Alison Beth, born July 27, 1957, in Stamford.
BENJAMIN HEATH MEAD
Judge Benjamin Heath Mead commenced his practice of law in Stamford nearly half a century ago, and is now senior partner in the firm of Mead, Mead and Bannon with offices at 41 Bank Street. Over the years he has been most active in community and welfare causes. His judicial experience consists of four years on the bench of the Stamford Municipal Court, and he was also on the City Council for one term.
Born in New Canaan on March 27, 1883, he is a son of Benjamin P. and Florence (Heath) Mead. His father was born in Bridgeport. His parents moved to Greenwich when he was an infant. He gradu- ated from Greenwich Academy; became a merchant and contractor ; and entered public life, running for office sixteen times on the Repub- lican ticket without once being defeated. Included in his record of public service were two terms as state comptroller, three terms as state representative, and two terms as state senator, and he served in all elective offices in his township, including those of member of the school board and selectman. He was a member of the Independent
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Order of Odd Fellows. Both he and his wife, the former Florence Heath, are deceased. She was a native of New Canaan, and was active in the Congregational Church.
Benjamin H. Mead graduated from King School in Stamford in 1902, then entered Yale University, where he took his degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1906. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi fra- ternity. Two years later he received his degree of Bachelor of Laws at Yale Law School. Admitted to the bar of his state, he started prac- tice in Stamford in 1909, and has been there ever since. Although he now identifies himself as "semi-retired," he is still one of the most active members of the community in addition to retaining senior part- nership status in the law firm. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Connecticut Bar Association, the Fairfield County Bar Association and the Stamford Bar Association.
As municipal judge he served faithfully on the bench for four years. Judge Mead is president of the Atlantic Taxpayers Associa- tion, and past president of the Stamford Taxpayers Association. He, has been chairman of the Community Chest campaign, and has served on the councils of both the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts. He helped organize boys' clubs in Stamford. Instrumental in organizing the Stamford Rehabilitation Center, he served as its first secretary. He took a leading part in the campaign to erect the building of the Stam- ford Visiting Nurses Association. At present, Judge Mead is spending much of his spare time working for the Connecticut State Senior Citizens, Inc., being a director and chairman of the board of the Council of Senior Citizens of Connecticut and also a member of the board of the New England Gerontological Association. He is now taking a dominant part in the endeavor to get better housing for this group, as well as a center for use of elderly citizens.
Judge Mead has been a constructive worker on behalf of cultural activities. For twelve years he has held office as president of the Stam- ford Historical Society. An organizer of the Stamford Museum and Nature Center, he is one of its permanent directors. He gives his time freely to such activities as lecturing, and has appeared before groups in all parts of the state.
Affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, he is a member of the higher bodies of the order, holding the Thirty-second degree in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. He is a member of the Pyramid Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in Bridgeport. He formerly belonged to the lodge of Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. In 1917. Judge Mead helped organize
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the Kiwanis Club in Stamford. He was its first president and is a past director. He is president of the Salvation Army Council and a life member of the Council.
He is a communicant of the Congregational Church, and is now serving on its board of trustees.
Married three times, Benjamin Heath Mead chose as his first wife Miss Ivy St. John Comstock. They were married at New Canaan in 1912, and to this marriage, Judge Mead's five children were born: I. Benjamin Heath, Jr., born on January 13, 1913, in New Canaan. He attended Kings School in Stamford, and took his degree of Bachelor of Arts at Middletown Wesleyan College, and his degree of Bachelor of Laws at the University of Connecticut Law School. He entered city management work, first at Fresno, California, and now at Ellensburg, Washington. Benjamin H. Mead, Jr., married Vivian Lannan, and they have four children: i. Carol. ii. Mark. iii. Camille. iv. Malcolm. 2. Esther Elizabeth, and 3. Florence Louise, twins, born in New Canaan on September 23, 1915. Both attended Grey Court School for Girls, and both hold the degree of Bachelor of Arts from the University of Connecticut. Esther is the wife of Richard M. Weed, of New Canaan. They have a large milk farm at Woodstock. They have three children: i. Esther. ii. Betsy. iii. Ben- jamin. Florence married John Lent, who is on the faculty of the University of Connecticut at Storrs. Their children : i. Joseph Anthony. ii. Ivy Lou. iii. Linda. 4. Faith Bickford, born on October 22, 1918, in New Canaan. She attended Grey Court School and graduated from Stamford High School in 1936. She has since studied at Leland Powers Dramatics School. She is the wife of Wendell L. Bishop, whose biography appears in this work, and they have two children : i. Stephen Lee. ii. Mary Mead. 5. Frank Comstock, born on Decem- ber 19, 1922 in New Canaan. He graduated from Stamford High School; took his degree of Bachelor of Arts at Middletown Wesleyan College; then completed his professional studies at New York Uni- versity Law School, leading to the degree of Bachelor of Laws. For six months he practiced law with his father, then joined the United States Navy, in which he now holds the rank of lieutenant commander. He married Faith Jones, the daughter of his father's second wife by ber previous marriage, and they have two children : Jeffrey and Stacey.
Ivy St. John (Comstock) Mead died in 1946, and the following year, in Stamford, Judge Mead married Marjorie Jones. She died in 1952, and in Stamford, in 1953. he married, third, Theresa Banzhaf. They live in Darien.
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ALFONSE VACCA
Beginning his career as an architect in Stamford over thirty- five years ago, Alfonse Vacca has since become prominent as a de- signer of churches, other public structures, and commercial buildings.
He is a native of the city, born there on August 17, 1900, and is a son of Vincenzo and Rose Marie (Piacenza) Vacca. Both of his parents had come to this country from Italy. His father, born at Settefrate, in Frosenone Province, in 1867, arrived first, in 1887, following technical education in Paris. An architect and builder, he came directly to Stamford, worked there throughout his career, and died in 1930. Mrs. Vacca was born in 1870, in Avigliano, Protenza Province. She arrived here in 1891, and died in 1933.
Alfonse Vacca received private tutoring through the high school years. Nine years of his early education were received in Italy, and following the advanced pattern of continental education, he studied algebra when only seven years old. Returning to this country for his advanced studies, he graduated from the Yale-Towne Apprentice School in 1920, and took his degree of Bachelor of Science in Archi- tecture at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn in 1922. He took graduate courses in architectural research in the years which followed.
Beginning his professional career in 1922, Mr. Vacca has prac- ticed at Stamford since. He has made his influence felt in particular in the field of church design, and has served as consulting architect on a number of churches in addition to those which he himself has designed. He has also designed several homes for the aged, and apart- ment houses, and among the outstanding individual structures whose plans originated on his boards have been the Stamford Police Sta- tion and the local stadium. He has also planned a number of business office buildings.
Professionally, Mr. Vacca is identified with the Connecticut So- ciety of Architects, and the American Institute of Architects. Locally, he is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose and the Shepherds of Bethlehem. He has been very interested in naturalization work among United States residents of Italian extraction. He has taught classes in Americanization, and has helped nearly five hundred people to achieve citizenship. He has helped establish Americanization schools in a number of Connecticut communities. In religious faith he is a Roman Catholic, and has often placed his professional talents at the service of his church, in planning various edifices of worship. Po- litically he is a Democrat.
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On February 4, 1927, in his native city of Stamford, Alfonse Vacca married Evelyn Florence Daddona. She was born in that city on July 1, 1906, daughter of Anthony and Giovanna (Grasso) Dad- dona. Both of her parents were born in Italy. Her father, arriving here about 1893, settled in Stamford where he worked as a barber. He is still living, as is his wife, the former Giovanna Grasso. She was born in 1887, and was brought to the United States in 1900. Desirous of completing her education, Mrs. Vacca returned to high school after her children were grown, and graduated in 1957. She is active in the work of the Roman Catholic Church, being secretary of the Rosary Society at Sacred Heart Church, which the family attends. She is also a member of the Catholic Council of Connecticut. She has taken a constructive part in the Heart Fund campaign, and devotes much time to the work of St. Joseph's Hospital Auxiliary.
The couple have three daughters: 1. Rose Marie, born April 20, 1928, in Stamford. She graduated from the city's high school in 1946; completed professional training at the University of Bridgeport; and is now practicing architecture with her father. 2. Genevieve, born in Stamford on December 15, 1931. She graduated from Stamford High School in 1949, and from Whitman School of Interior Decorating in New York in 1955. She is now an interior decorator, practicing in Stamford and Greenwich. 3. Evelyn, born in Stamford on October 12, 1936. Graduating from its high school in 1955, she went to Connecticut State Teachers College in Danbury, where she took her teacher's certificate in 1957. She now teaches at the Rogers School in Stamford.
JOSEPH VINCENT TONER
A lawyer who has launched a substantial career in Stamford, Joseph Vincent Toner has already distinguished himself in public office, as clerk of his city and town. He is active in political life, and in the fraternal groups of his city.
Born December 20, 1919, in New York City, he is a son of Joseph R. and Maragaret M. (McKenna) Toner. The couple were residents of Stamford at the time. Joseph R. Toner, born there on December 27, 1887, lived in the city all his life. He attended the Elm Street School and St. John's Parochial School, and retired several years ago after a full half-century with the Stamford Post Office. Margaret M. McKenna, whom he married, was born in New York City on December 25, 1891. She too is still living. Their other children Conn. IV -- 29
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are: Reverend Richard J. Toner, assistant pastor of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Branford; Redmond F. Toner, assistant to the president of Machlett Laboratories, Inc., and Margaret M. Toner, principal of Ryle School in Stamford.
Joseph V. Toner completed his secondary studies at St. Basil's High School, graduating there in 1937. In 1943 he took his degree of Bachelor of Science in Natural Science at Niagara University, and he received instruction in his profession at St. Johns University School of Law in Brooklyn, where he took his degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1946.
His professional career in Stamford dates from 1950. Until that time he was an associate in the firm of White and Case in New York. He ran for office as city and town clerk of Stamford in 1950, and has just started his fourth term. He is a Democrat, and active in the councils of his party. He is past president of the Stamford Young Democrats; was formerly vice president of the Young Democrats' organization of his county; and has also been president of the Young Democrats Clubs of Connecticut. He took a part in organizing the Young Democrats Club in America, as national organizer.
As a lawyer, he belongs to the national, state and regional bar groups, and to Phi Delta Phi fraternity. He is also a member of Taft Inn of St. Johns University, the Lafayette Assembly, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Lions Club, Fraternal Order of Eagles and Ancient Order of Hibernians. He is of Roman Catholic faith, and holds the Fourth degree in the Knights of Columbus.
At Stamford, on September 11, 1947, Joseph Vincent Toner mar- ried Cathleen M. O'Connor. Born in Brooklyn, New York, on August 12, 1922, she is a daughter of Thomas F. and Anita (McCaul) O'Connor. Her father, who was born in New York City, is an im- porter, whose home is in Stamford. Mrs. O'Connor, a native of Brooklyn, died in 1956. Mrs. Toner graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in Stamford in 1940, and attended Briarcliff Manor Junior College for two years. She is a member of the Altar Society of her church, and is active in St. Joseph's Hospital Auxiliary.
The couple are the parents of two children: I. Joseph Vincent, Tr .. born October II, 1948, in Stamford: attending St. Mary's School in that city. 2. Maureen Ann, born there on January 22, 1954.
WENDELL LEE BISHOP
Engaged in the real estate business from the early years of his
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career, Wendell Lee Bishop is proprietor of the Wendell Bishop Agency, which has its offices at 1740 Summer Street in Stamford. It sells general insurance as well as dealing in real estate, and Mr. Bishop is a member of several groups concerned with both of these lines of interest.
A native of New Canaan, he was born on October II, 1917, son of Stephen and Mary (Dykeman) Bishop. His father, born at Nor- walk on November 20, 1877, was a commercial painter. He lived in New Canaan prior to World War I, and after military service dur- ing that war, settled in Stamford, where he carried on his trade. He died October 21, 1949. Mrs. Bishop survived him until March 17, 1952. She was a native of Bedford, New York, and was born on January 19, 1877.
Receiving his public school education in Stamford, Wendell L. Bishop graduated from high school there in 1935. He then took courses at Columbia University and New York University. Immediately on the completion of his education, he entered the real estate business, first in the capacity of cashier with Arthur Crandall of Stamford. Since 1940 he has had his own real estate and insurance agency, the Wendell Bishop Agency.
Mr. Bishop is currently serving as president of the Stamford Realty Board. He is a member of the Southwest Connecticut Society of Real Estate Appraisers, the Stamford Insurance Board, the State and National Associations of Real Estate Boards, and the State and National Insurance Agents' Associations.
From 1941 to 1945, he was absent from Stamford's business circles, serving his country in World War II. Entering the United States Army, he participated in the North African and Mediterranean campaigns, as well as the Asiatic campaign, and was ultimately in combat in the European Theater of Operations. He held the rank of corporal.
Mr. Bishop is a member of the local Chamber of Commerce, and is a Republican in his politics. He and his family attend the Congre- gational Church.
On December 26, 1940, at Stamford, Wendell Lee Bishop mar- ried Faith Mead, daughter of Judge Benjamin Heath and Ivy St. John (Comstock) Mead. Judge Mead is the subject of a separate biographical sketch in this work. Mrs. Bishop was born October 22. 1918, at Stamford. She graduated from Stamford High School in 1936, and attended Leland Powers Dramatics School. She is active in the work of her church. The couple have two children: I. Stephen
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Lee, born June 2, 1949, in Stamford. 2. Mary Mead, born September 20, 1951 in that city. Both children are attending Springdale School.
JOHN ROBERT CUNEO
John Robert Cuneo's career as a lawyer has been centered in Norwalk, where he commenced practice more than two decades ago. He is a historian and writer as well as an attorney, with three books to his credit.
He is a native of Norwalk, born on July 16, 1911, son of John Joseph and Anne (Heidt) Cuneo. His father, born in New York City in 1875, was also a Norwalk lawyer, practicing there from 1896 until his death in 1948. A Republican, he held municipal offices, in- cluding city clerk, city corporation counsel, and prosecutor of the municipal court. Anne Heidt, whom he married, was born in 1881 at Beaver Kiln, New York, and died in 1923.
John R. Cuneo received his preparatory education at Phillips Andover, where he graduated in 1929. In 1933 he completed his courses at Yale University, and received his degree of Bachelor of Arts. He took his degree of Bachelor of Laws there in 1936. As a Yale student he excelled in scholarship, and was admitted to Phi Beta Kappa.
Mr. Cuneo started practice in Norwalk in 1936, and has remained there since. He is now a partner in the general practice of law with Frederick Lovejoy, Jr. Their offices are at 91 Washington Street, South Norwalk. A member of the Norwalk-Westport-Wilton Bar As- sociation, Mr. Cuneo formerly served as its president, and he is a past member of the Council of the Connecticut Bar Association. He is a member of the American Bar Association and the Connecticut Bar Association.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Cuneo held the office of assistant prosecutor for two terms. He is a member of the Chamber of Coni- merce in his home city.
History has been a vital interest of Mr. Cuneo for a number of years, and three books of his have been published to date. Titles, and years of publication, are as follows: "Winged Mars" Vol. I ( 1941) : "Winged Mars," Vol. II (1946) and "Robert Rogers of the Rangers" (1959). His primary interest is early colonial and Indian history, al- though he has also written on legal matters. He is active in the Nor- walk Historical Society and currently holds office as president.
Frank W In Small
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Mr. and Mrs. Cuneo attend the Episcopal Church. She is the former Miss Myrtle Wood, and was born at Billlings, New York, on August 13, 1910. She graduated from Poughkeepsie High School in 1928, and is also a graduate of Eastman Business College in that city. She has been active in civic groups at Norwalk. She became the wife of John Robert Cuneo in a ceremony in that city on July 9, 1938. They have two children: I. Robert John, born on August 17, 1939, in Norwalk. He graduated from Staples High School in West- port in 1957, and is now attending Yale University. 2. Sara Jeanette, born March 15, 1944, in Norwalk; attending Staples High School in Westport.
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