USA > Connecticut > History of Connecticut, Volume IV > Part 37
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FRANK WILSON MCDONALD
Although he began his career in the meat packing industry, with which his family has long been identified, Frank Wilson McDonald has for some years centered his efforts in the automobile sales field. He is now dealer in that most popular of European small cars, the Volkswagen, and his agency at East Haven is one of the largest and busiest in the Northeast.
Born at New Haven on June 19, 1915, Mr. McDonald is a son of Donald P. and Amy Lena ( Wilson) McDonald. His father, also a native of that city, was born in 1888, and has been in the wholesale meat packing business most of his life. Now retired, he lives at Wind- ham Center. Amy Lena Wilson, whom he married, was born at Wind- ham in 1888. She is a descendant of Samuel Wilson, the meat packer who became known as "Uncle Sam." He was an inspector of meat for troops in the Troy, New York, area at the time of the War of 1812; and when he stamped the meat with the initials "U.S.," the soldiers jocularly interpreted the letters to stand for "Uncle Sam" (Wilson) rather than "United States." In much the same way as the term "G.I." (for "government issue") gained currency in World War II, "Uncle Sam" spread among military personnel, and later among civilians as well, as a personification of the government.
Amy Lena (Wilson) McDonald is eligible for membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution by right of descent from Moses Standish who died while serving in the Continental Army dur- ing the Revolutionary War. She is a daughter of Chauncey Hammet Wilson, who was born November 14, 1844, at Windham, and died there on April 15, 1923; he married, November 30, 1871, Emma Rood, who was born at Windham, October 16, 1850, and died in the
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place of her birth on February 5, 1912. Chauncey Hammet Wilson was the son of David D. Wilson (born August 4, 1816 at Windham, died at Scotland, December 9, 1907) who married, as his second wife, on March 13, 1842, Almiretta Standish (born February 2, 1824, at Preston, Connecticut, died at Scotland in the same state, February 27, 1913). She was the daughter of Morton Standish (who was born in 1801 at Pawtucket, Rhode Island and died out west in Nebraska) ; he married, June 1, 1823, Asenath Clark ( she was born at Preston, August 2, 1792, and died there, though her death is also recorded at Griswold). Morton Standish was the son of John Standish who was born be- tween 1770 and 1778 and died at Pawtucket, Rhode Island, in 1847; his house there is said to be still standing and is known as the Standish House ; he married in 1792, Maplit or Maphlit Hammet(t), who was born May 7, 1770, at Warwick, Rhode Island, the daughter of a sea captain, Captain Malachi Hammet. John Standish was one of the eight children of Moses Standish who was born on April 20, 1733, at Plympton, Massachusetts, and died while serving in the Revolu- tion. He was mustered for three years' service in the Continental Army "at Mr. Tracy's house" in Pembroke on January 27, 1777; he was a private in Captain Edward Hammond's Company and served fourteen months and twenty-two days in the Fourteenth Massachu- setts Regiment; died in March, 1778; married July 25, 1758, Mary Eddy, who was born on May 9, 1740, died October 15, 1796, the daughter of Zachariah Eddy of Middleborough. Moses Standish was the son of Lieutenant Moses Standish (born August 30, 1701, died April 24, 1769) and his wife, Rachel (Cobb) Standish, whom he mar- ried in 1723; she died June 24, 1769. This Lieutenant Moses Standish was the son of Ebenezer Standish, who was the son of Alexander Standish. Alexander was a son of Myles (or Miles) Standish, the founder of the family in America.
Frank W. McDonald, our subject, graduated from Windham High School in 1932, and from the University of Connecticut in 1936, receiving his degree of Bachelor of Arts there. Until 1940 he was in the wholesale meat business with his father, representing the Armour Meat Packing Company. In that year he left to enter the automobile retailing field, forming a partnership, Beatson and McDonald, in New Haven. In 1955 this partnership was dissolved, and he operated his agency independently as Frank McDonald. At about that time he moved its headquarters to 350 George Street in New Haven. Once again, in March, 1957, he moved to a new plant, this time at 191 Kimberly Avenue in East Haven. A. dealer in Volkswagens since 1950,
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Mr. McDonald has built up one of the largest sales agencies for the German-made car in the northeastern United States. He is a member of the National Automobile Dealers Association and the Connecticut Automobile Dealers Association.
For more than a year, from mid-1954 to late in 1955, Mr. Mc- Donald was in the maritime service. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce in his home city, and supports the platform and candi- dates of the Republican party. He and his family attend the Old Stone Church (Congregational).
In East Haven, on March 7, 1942, Frank Wilson McDonald married Janet Beatson. A native of New Haven, Mrs. McDonald was born on November 5, 1918, and is a daughter of Frederick and Grace (McLay) Beatson. Her father, who was born at Murray, Con- necticut, was in the automobile retailing business, and a partner of his son-in-law for fifteen years. He is deceased, and Mrs. Beatson survives him, residing in East Haven. She is a native of New Haven.
Mrs. McDonald is a graduate of Hillhouse High School in New Haven, and of New Haven State Teachers College, where she received her degree of Bachelor of Arts. She is a member of the East Haven Woman's Club and of women's organizations of her church. She and Mr. McDonald are the parents of two children: I. Wendy, who was born on June 24, 1947. 2. Frank, Jr., born June 24, 1950. Both child- ren were born in New Haven, and both are now attending Union School at North Haven.
EDWIN PUGSLEY
Bringing technical training to his industrial connections in the New Haven area, Edwin Pugsley advanced to an executive position with Olin Industries, Inc., with which he was identified until his re- tirement. He continues to make his home in New Haven, where he has long been active in civic and organizational affairs.
A native of Santa Barbara, California, he was born on November 18, 1885, and is a son of Charles and Clara Elizabeth (Holbrook) Pugsley. His father was a civil engineer, whose professional career was devoted chiefly to work on the location of railroad rights of way. The family came east in Edwin Pugsley's early years, and he received his education at well-known institutions in that region of the country. He attended The Hill School at Pottstown, Pennsylvania, graduating there in 1904, and took his degree of Bachelor of Arts at Yale Uni- versity in 1908. For his technical training he entered Massachusetts
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Institute of Technology, where he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 19II.
Following his graduation from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mr. Pugsley entered the machinist apprentice course at Winchester Repeating Arms Company, on March 6, 1911. He re- mained with the company after the completion of his training, and was promoted to assistant superintendent of the Gun Department in 1912. In 1915 he became head of the Gun Department's engineering staff, and the following year he was named industrial engineer of the plant. He was chief engineer from 1917 to 1920, and in the latter year was named general manager of retail stores for the Winchester Repeat- ing Arms Company, a position he held until 1924. At that time he was promoted to plant superintendent, and vice president of the cor- poration, and also served on its board of directors until 1928, when the corporation went into receivership. The plant was sold to the Olin interests, and Mr. Pugsley continued as plant superintendent, and as vice president of the new organization until 1933. In that year the plant became a division of Olin Industries, Inc., and Mr. Pugsley assumed duties as assistant secretary of Olin Industries, Inc. He served in that executive post, and as a member of the corporation's board of directors. until his retirement in 1949.
A resident of New Haven for many years, Mr. Pugsley is a member of the New Haven Lawn Club, the Graduates Club. the Faculty Club, and Mory's. He also belongs to the Yale Club, the University Club and the Century Club, all of New York.
In New Haven on November II. I911, Edwin Pugsley married Dorothy Stilliman Wright, daughter of Professor Arthur Williams and Susan Forbes (Stilliman) Wright. Mr. and Mrs. Pugsley have three children: I. Elizabeth, who was born on January 2, 1917. She married Robert W. Gaines. 2. Dorothy, born August 26, 1918; wife of Dr. Ralph Alley. 3. Edwin, Jr., born on November 25, 1922; mar- ried Nancy Redway.
WILLIAM MIDDLEBROOK GOSS
For a number of years, William M. Goss has been president of one of Waterbury's long-established industries, Scovill Manufactur- ing Company. He is also an official of Continuous Metalcast Cor- poration and other corporations.
Mr. Goss is executive vice president and director of Continuous Metalcast Corporation, and he serves on the boards of directors of
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the Connecticut Railway and Lighting Company, Standard Thomp- son Corporation, New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, the Connecticut Company, Scovill Manufacturing Corporation and the Brass Research Association.
DONALD TICKNOR WARNER
Donald T. Warner practices law in both Sharon and Salisbury, and takes a vital interest in community affairs in both cities. In Sharon he has served on the town council and planning committee, and he holds a number of organizational memberships.
Born in New York City on May 13, 1921, he is a son of Donald Judson and Lois (Scoville) Warner. His father, who was born in Salisbury on July 24, 1885, died June 21, 1956. He practiced law in Salisbury for forty-five years. Lois Scoville, whom he married, sur- vives him. She was born in New York City.
Attending the public schools of Salisbury, Donald Ticknor War- ner completed his preparatory studies at St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire, Class of 1938. He then entered Yale University, where he graduated in 1942 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He entered military service in World War II, serving in the United States Army, was assigned to the combat engineers, and was later with the military government, spending a total of two and a half years overseas.
Returning from the war, he entered the University of Virginia for his professional studies, and there he received his degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1948. The following January he was admitted to the Connecticut bar, and commenced practice at Litchfield. He re- mained there until 1951, being associated with the firm of Hubbard and Cramer. He left this connection to move to Sharon and establish his own practice there. He still has offices in that city; and since 1956 has also been a partner in the firm of Rand and Warner at Salisbury. He conducts a general practice. His professional memberships include the American Bar Association, the State Bar Association of Connec- ticut, and the Litchfield County Bar Association.
Mr. Warner's first public office, which he assumed in 1950, was as member of the Cornwall Zoning Board. He served on that body through 1951. In the latter year he became a member of the Sharon town council, on which he has served since. In 1952 he became judge of probate for the Town of Sharon, and served through 1956. From
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1952 to 1954 he was a member of the Sharon Town Planning Com- mittee. He has been a director of the Sharon Hospital since 1951, and its secretary since 1954. As a Republican active in the councils of his party, he was Litchfield County's chairman for Citizens for Eisen- hower in 1952.
Mr. Warner is a member of Hamilton Lodge No. 54, Free and Accepted Masons, and the Sharon Country Club. He was formerly a member of the Sharon Lions Club, and once served as its vice president. He and his family attend the Episcopal Church.
In New York City on December 3, 1949, Donald Ticknor Warner married Claudia E. Haines of that city, daughter of Charles E. and Claudia E. (Kellogg) Haines. Mr. and Mrs. Warner have four child- ren. I. Claudia E. (Beth), who was born on October 19, 1950. 2. Christopher K., born on March 18. 1952. 3. Peter deForrest born October 28, 1954. 4. Sara H., born November 6, 1957.
ALBERT EARL GRIFFIN
Vice president of the Hudson Wire Company of Winsted, since 1957, and associated with the company since 1931, Mr. Griffin has been active in the manufacturing field for more than thirty years, he is a voting representative of the National Electrical Manufacturers Asso- ciation and a former member of the Technical Committee.
Mr. Griffin was born in Winsted, on December 31, 1910, the son of Albert C. Griffin and of Amelia H. (Morton) Griffin. His father is now a retired factory employee; he is a former assessor and grand juror of Colebrook, and he was a representative to the Connecticut State Legislature from Colebrook. Mr. Griffin attended the Winsted grade schools and graduated from Gilbert School in 1928.
A machine operator with the Winsted Insulated Wire Company of Winsted, from 1929 to 1931, Mr. Griffin then entered the employ of the Hudson Wire Company of Winsted as a foreman in 1931, he was chief engineer from 1943 to 1948, and assistant general manager from 1948 to 1952. General manager of the Hudson Wire Company from 1952 to 1957, he has been vice president of the company since 1957.
Mr. Griffin has been active in professional and community or- ganizations and he is a past president of the Winsted Manufacturers Association and a former director of the Winsted Chamber of Com- merce. His social connections include membership in Elks Lodge No.
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844 of Winsted where he has served as Exalted Ruler, and he is a past president of the Winsted Club and of the Greenwoods Country Club. He attends religious services at the Methodist-Episcopal Church in Winsted.
Mr. Griffin was married in New York City on January 22, 1933, to Anna May Winn, the daughter of John J. Winn and of Katherine (O'Neil) Winn.
Mr. and Mrs. Griffin have one son, Donald Albert, born on June 26, 1938, and now serving in the United States Air Force.
MORRIS HARRY DOLINSKY
Treasurer and leading stockholder of the Kay Petroleum Com- pany of Winsted, and president of the Standard Cycle and Auto Supply Company, which he founded in 1915, Mr. Dolinsky is a member of the advisory board of the Connecticut Bank and Trust Company and is a director of the Litchfield County Hospital.
Mr. Dolinsky was born in Russia on August 16, 1896, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Dolinsky. He came to the United States as a young man, and it was in 1915 that he founded the Standard Cycle Company, originally selling bicycles and motorcycles, and later, automobile parts and accessories, with the dealership for Plymouth and Chrysler, which he held from 1928 to 1931. It was during the early 'Twenties that he organized the Tidewater Oil Company distribu- torship, resulting in gasoline, heating and tire sales for Litchfield County. Mr. Dolinsky then organized the Kay Petroleum Company in 1943 and he is treasurer of the company.
He has been active in community affairs and in 1939 was presi- dent of the Winsted Rotary Club, he was president of the Winsted Young Men's Christian Association in 1940, and he is a past director of the Winsted Chamber of Commerce and of the Anna Hadley Hakes Clinic. A Mason and a member of the Elks, the Eagles and the Grange, his social connections include membership in the Winsted Club and the Greenwoods Country Club. He attends religious worship as a member of Beth Israel Synagogue and he is a past president of the synagogue.
Mr. Dolinsky was married at Winsted, on April 4, 1917, to Dora Fischer, the daughter of Abram Fischer and of Pearl Fischer. Both of her parents were born in Russia.
Mr. and Mrs. Dolinsky have two children: I. Dr. Albert, born in
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Winsted on December 13, 1917. 2. Joseph, born in Winsted on January 17, 1923.
JOHN CLARK FITZGERALD
Currently serving as judge of the Superior Court at New Haven, the Hon. John Clark FitzGerald, had practiced law in that city from January 1933 pntil July 1, 1941, when he was appointed to the Court of Common Pleas. He has served with distinction on the bench of that court.
He is a native of New Haven, and was born on June 6, 1905, son of David E. and Alice (Clark) FitzGerald. His father was also a native of New Haven, born on September 21, 1874, and he too became a lawyer. He was a leader in Democratic circles in New Haven for many years, and also participated fully in every program of community betterment. Despite his political affiliation, he served as mayor of New Haven, traditionally a Republican stronghold, for many years. He was candidate for governor of the state in 1922, and was Democratic national committeeman at the time of his death in 1942. His wife, the former Alice Clark, survives him and makes her home in New Haven. She was born at Milford on October 18, 1876.
Judge FitzGerald attended Hopkins Grammar School in New Haven, an institution which was established before that city's famed Yale University. For his advanced studies, he entered Trinity Col- lege in Hartford, and there took his degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1928. He studied law at Harvard University and Boston University, and received his degree of Bachelor of Laws at the latter institution in 1932. Admitted to the bar in that year, Judge FitzGerald com- menced practice in New Haven, in partnership with his father and an older brother. The brother is still practicing law there.
John C. FitzGerald, however, was called from his private practice on July 1, 1942, to assume duties on the bench as judge of the common pleas court. He served until August II, 1957, when he became judge of the Superior Court, a position he has held ever since.
Judge FitzGerald is a registered Democrat. He is a member of the Quinnipiack Club of New Haven. He and Mrs. FitzGerald attend the Roman Catholic Church.
She is the former Anna Smith Martin, daughter of John J. and Anna (Smith) Martin. Her father, born in New Haven in 1872, was employed most of his life by the New Haven Register. Now retired, he lives in Hamden. His wife, the former Anna Smith, is also
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living. She was born in New Haven. Mrs. Fitzgerald too was born in that city, on July 27, 1907, but she was living at Hamden at the time of her marriage to Judge John Clark FitzGerald, on September 2, 1939. The ceremony took place at St. Regis Church in Hamden. The couple have no children.
LEO FRANCIS CAPRONI
Leo Francis Caproni has had over thirty years' experience in the practice of architecture in New Haven. As head of Caproni Asso- ciates, he has worked chiefly in those phases of his profession dealing with the design of commercial and industrial buildings, although the plans for many of the region's fine residences have likewise come from his boards. He takes a constructive interest in community as well as professional affairs.
A native of Boston, Massachusetts, he was born on January 19, 1888, son of Pietro and Jane Marie (Stayner) Caproni. His father, who was born in Italy in 1862, came to the United States in 1878, and settled in Boston. A sculptor, he followed his artistic pursuits in that city the remaining years of his life, and died in 1928. His wife, the former Jane Marie Stayner, was born in Boston in 1872, and died in 1935.
After attending the public elementary schools of Boston and Brighton High School in that city, Leo F. Caproni transferred to Bordentown Military Institute to complete his preparatory studies. He then entered Dartmouth College, where he graduated in 1911, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.
From that time until 1926, Mr. Caproni worked for various builders, architects and engineers. Much of the decade and a half was spent in the engineering and sales departments of Bethlehem Steel Corporation. In 1926 he came to New Haven, where he opened his office as an architect, practicing independently. In the course of the intervening years he has gathered into his organization other promis- ing architects. Although Caproni Associates is solely owned by its founder at the present time, he is planning on retirement to turn ownership over to these men who, in his own words, "have been loyal to me and helped me to grow."
Mr. Caproni is a member of the American Institute of Archi- tects and the American Society of Civil Engineers. Active in the life of his own city, he formerly served on the board of directors of the Tradesmen's Bank of New Haven. He is a director of the New Haven
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Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Quinnipiac Club, the Amity Club and the Union League. He is a Republican in politics.
Mr. Caproni's fraternity, which he joined in college days, is Theta Delta Chi. Affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, he is a member of all Scottish Rite bodies and all York Rite bodies, and holds the Thirty-second degree. He also belongs to Pyramid Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in Bridgeport. He attends the Congregational Church.
Leo Francis Caproni was married in New York City in 1913 but he and Mrs. Caproni are separated. He is the father of two chil- dren: I. Leo Francis, Jr., who was born on November 29, 1918, in Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from Suffield Academy in 1936, and entered Dartmouth College in the Class of 1942, but because of World War II service, did not receive his degree until 1946. Holding the rank of first lieutenant in the Army Air Corps, he was a pilot in the Pacific. He now lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife, the former Jean Hungerford. They have a son, Leo Francis, 3rd. By a previous marriage to Nancy Nobel, he is the father of two children: Nancy and Carol. 2. John Daniel, born on December 24, 1922, in East Orange, New Jersey. He graduated from Suffield Academy in 1940, and from Yale University in 1946, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Architecture. He married Diedra Salmona, and they have one son, Marc. This family lives in New York City.
PHILIP HENRY ENGLISH
Continuing in a family tradition of service to the city of New Haven and its commercial development, Philip Henry English has been identified for the past decade with the English Real Estate Office. He has banking connections ; has served on a number of local boards; and has contributed much to the promotion of welfare, educational and cultural causes.
A native of New Haven and member of a family long estab- lished there, he was born on January 31, 1893, son of Henry Fowler and Alice (Kimball) English. His father, also born in New Haven, on June 5, 1851, attended Yale Law School, where he received his degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1873. Thereafter he was active in banking and industry in New Haven, as well as practicing law. He served on the boards of directors of the Connecticut Savings Bank, the First National Bank of New Haven, the Union and New Haven Trust Company, the New Haven Clock Company, and Bristol Brass
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Company. In 1913 he held office as state police commissioner. For sixty-five years, Henry F. English served as secretary-treasurer of the New Haven Park Commission, and he personally donated many hundreds of acres to the city's park system. In 1891 he donated to the New Haven Historical Society a building in memory of his father, Governor James D. English. Governor English had served as con- gressman during the Civil War period. He rendered valuable service to President Lincoln in the conduct of the war and in securing the passage of the Emancipation Proclamation. Alice Kimball, whom Henry F. English married, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in April, 1866. She was active in the program of the Leile Day Nur- sery. She died in 1933, and Mr. English on November 15, 1947.
Philip H. English attended Phillips Andover Academy, where he graduated in 1911. He went on to Yale University, and received his degree of Bachelor of Arts there in 1915. The following year, he went on military duty to the Mexican border, with the Second Con- necticut Infantry. On March 28, 1917, the Second Connecticut In- fantry entered federal service, becoming the 102nd United States Infantry Regiment, and in this unit Philip H. English served as a second lieutenant. He was promoted to first lieutenant in August, 1917. Injured by a hand grenade on January 28, 1918, he was later assigned to the Motorcycle Dispatch Service, 5Ist Infantry Brigade Headquarters, and in the battle of the Argonne, he handled 26th Division liaison for Major General Clarence Edwards.
Returning to New Haven, Mr. English took his first position with the New Haven Clock Company as an inspector, beginning work there in June, 1919. In February, 1921, he was elected director and secretary of the company and remained secretary and treasurer of the company from 1928 until July 1, 1947.
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