USA > Connecticut > History of Connecticut, Volume IV > Part 38
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On that date, Mr. English entered the English Real Estate Office, serving with the First National Bank and Trust Company as trustce in the handling of properties. His community service includes fourteen years as a member of the New Haven Board of Education, on which he served from 1923 through 1931, and from 1940 through 1944; and the New Haven Public Library Board, of which he was a mem- ber from 1938 to 1940. He was a member of the New Haven Airport Commission in 1948; and in 1950 was appointed to the New Haven Park Commission. He was secretary-treasurer of New Haven Parks in 1954. He is carrying on the same type of service to the city which distinguished his father's career. Mr. English was president of Far- nam Community House in 1933, 1934 and 1935. In 1948 he was
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named to the board of directors of the Grace-New Haven Hospital. Interested in the program of the Boy Scouts of America, he was president of the Quinnipiac Council in 1945-1946. His fraternity is Psi Upsilon, and his local memberships include the Quinnipiac Club, the Yale Graduates' Club and the New Haven Lawn Club. A commu- nicant of St. Paul's Epsicopal Church, which his father and grand- father also attended, Mr. English has served the congregation in various capacities.
At Lawrence, Long Island, on June 18, 1921, Philip Henry Eng- lishi married Katharine Trumbull Dana. Born July 21, 1897, at Far Rockaway, Long Island, she is a daughter of Arnold Guyot and Grace (Newton) Dana. Her father was an editor of the Commercial and Financial Chronicle in Wall Street. He died in 1947, surviving Mrs. Dana by one year.
Mrs. English attended Smith College, where she received her degree of Bachelor of Arts, Class of 1919. She is a director of the Young Women's Christian Association, and formerly served as president of the Neighborhood Music School. They make their home at 99 East Rock Road, New Haven, and they are the parents of two children: I. James Dana, who was born in New Haven on March 15, 1932. He attended Choate Academy and Yale University, where he took his degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1954. He is now with the Union New Haven Trust Company. 2. Richard Locke, born March 5, 1935, also in New Haven. He attended Pomfret School, and is now at Quinnipiac College in New Haven. He is in the Infantry Reserve Corps.
RODNEY CHASE
A resident of Watertown, Rodney Chase played a large part in the industrial life of his city, and of the state of Connecticut. The enterprise which was his major interest was the Chase Brass and Copper Company of Waterbury, of which he became vice president, and was in charge of the firm's public and industrial relations. He was a well-known figure in manufacturers' groups, in civic organiza- tions, and through his vital contribution to welfare causes.
Mr. Chase was born in Waterbury on January 16, 1897, son of Henry Sabin and Alice (Morton) Chase, and grandson of Augustus Sabin and Martha (Starkweather) Chase. Augustus S. Chase was born at Pomfret in 1828, and was descended from early Puritan settlers. Moving to Waterbury in 1850, he became president of the Waterbury National Bank in 1864, and filled that position for thirty
Coduly than
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years. He was also president of the Waterbury Manufacturing Com- pany, which was the first-established of the predecessors of the Chase Brass and Copper Company. His son, Henry Sabin Chase, was born in Waterbury in 1855. Graduating from Yale University in 1877, he joined the family business the same year, and it was largely through his efforts that the organization later known as the Chase Brass and Copper Company was developed.
As a youth, Rodney Chase attended Taft School, and he was later a student at Gunnery School in Washington, Connecticut, graduating there in 1916. In the fall of that year he entered Yale University, but left to enlist in the United States Navy for service in World War I. In 1918 he entered the Naval Aviation Corps, and he had advanced to the rank of ensign by the time of his separation from the service in 1919. The following year he received his degree of Bachelor of Arts at Yale University. As a Yale undergraduate, he was a member of the Glee Club and of Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, and was also managing editor of the Yale Record.
As soon as he had received his degree, he began his career with the family organization, a group of plants then operating under the name of the Chase Companies. In the ensuing thirty-seven years, it went through various changes in corporate organization, and his advancement with the growing business was steady. His first position was as a rod mill promise clerk at the old Chase Rolling Mills on North Main Street in Waterbury, and he also worked in the casting shop and scrap room. He spent one year with the Noera Manufacturing Company, a division of Chase. In 1922 he was named assistant sec- retary and advertising manager of the parent company. In the latter capacity, he launched its first advertising campaign. He was also editor of the first company publication, The Chase Diamond. He originated the Chase products trademark, which in the years since has become nationally known. This is the mythical figure of the centaur, which was first introduced in a magazine advertisement in 1928. In 1941, Rodney Chase was placed in charge of his com- pany's public and industrial relations, while continuing to direct its advertising operations. He remained in these capacities, with the title of vice president, until his retirement on May I, 1957.
In the course of his career, Mr. Chase held many other responsible positions in business, in industrialists' groups, and in civic life. In 1933 he became a member of the boards of directors of the Water- bury National Bank and the Waterbury Savings Bank. An active member of the National Association of Manufacturers, he served
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on its industrial relations committee from 1949 to 1953. From 1945 to 1948, he was chairman of the labor research committee of the Brass and Copper Research Association. He was a member and chair- man of the Industrial and Public Relations Advisory Group of the Naugatuck Valley Industrial Council, and was a director and presi- dent of the Waterbury Foundation. He had held the same offices in the Watertown Civic Union, and in the organization known as Lincoln House, the family service association of Waterbury. From 1931 to 1935, he served on the board of directors of Mutual Aid, a voluntary citizens' group organized to cope with the problems caused by the economic depression. He was a member of the board of direc- tors of the Waterbury Community Chest, and was for some time chairman of its publicity committee. He was likewise a director of the Waterbury Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Deeply interested in the cause of education and culture, Mr. Chase was president and director of the Waterbury Art School. From 1948 to 1956 he served on the Silver Bay Conference Com- mittee, to which he contributed his knowledge of labor-management relations. In 1950 he was awarded the McAuliffe Medal by the Diocesan Labor Institute of Hartford in recognition of his outstanding con- tributions in the field of labor relations.
His memberships included the Waterbury Club, the Water- town Golf Club, Watertown Tennis Club, the Yale Club of New York, and the Highfield Club of Middlebury. He was a Republican in politics, and attended Christ Church, Episcopal, in Watertown, serving the congregation as vestryman.
On September 12, 1925, at San Rafael, California, Rodney Chase married Florence Hamilton Martin, daughter of George Adams and Clara (Hamilton) Martin. The couple became the parents of the following children: 1. Ann Martin, who was born on November 4, 1926. She is a graduate of Miss Madeira's School at Falls Church, Virginia, and in 1948 received her degree from Bryn Mawr College. She is now the wife of Charles P. Twichell of New Haven, and they have two daughters: i. Penelope Chase, born on August 20, 1950. ii. Eliza, born on September 15, 1952. 2. Martin Starkweather, born February 8, 1929. He graduated from Salisbury School, and in 195I took his degree of Bachelor of Arts at Yale University, where he was a member of Zeta Psi fraternity. He served as a lieutenant, junior grade, in the United States Navy. On June 26, 1951, Martin S. Chase married Sarah Ann Jackson of Watertown. They have two children: i. Nicholas Scott, born February 2, 1952. ii. Timothy Campbell,
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born September 17, 1956. 3. John Hamilton, born on October 8, 1934. He attended Pomfret School and Middlebury College, where he graduated in 1956 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. There he was a member of Theta Chi. On October 18, 1957, John H. Chase married Barbara Philen of Brownsville, Texas. He served in the United States Army. They are the parents of a daughter, Galen, born March 25, 1960. 4. Anthony Campbell, born August 29, 1936. He attended Salisbury School and Yale University, where he was a member of the Glee Club and the Yale Alley Cats (also a singing group), and of Chi Psi fraternity. He graduated in 1958.
A career of great value to Connecticut's industrial life came to a close with the death of Rodney Chase on July 15, 1957.
BARCLAY ROBINSON
Hartford attorney Barclay Robinson, formerly with that city's well-known firm of Robinson, Robinson and Cole, is now an official of the Hartford National Bank and Trust Company. He is active in other business connections as well, serving on a number of boards of directors. He also finds time for constructive effort on behalf of welfare, educational and cultural organizations.
A native of Hartford, he was born on June 6, 1897, son of Lucius F. and Elinor (Cooke) Robinson. After attending public school, and completing his preparatory studies at Taft School in Watertown, he entered Yale University, where he took his degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1919. World War I interrupted his studies and he spent twenty- two months in overseas service, most of it with the United States Army Ambulance Service attached to the French Army. He trained in one of the large artillery schools in France, was commissioned a second lieutenant, and received his honorable discharge in 1919. He received the Croix de Guerre.
After completing his advanced academic studies at Yale, Mr. Ro- binson took professional training at Harvard, 1920-1922, then return- ed to Yale to complete his law courses there. When he was admitted to the bar, he began his career with Robinson and Cole, and actively practiced as a member of this organization until 1950. At that time he became senior vice president in charge of the trust department of Hartford National Bank and Trust Company.
Mr. Robinson is a director of the AEtna Life Insurance Com- pany, AEtna Casualty and Surety Company, Standard Fire Insurance Company, Ensign-Bickford Company, Avon Water Company, and Smyth Manufacturing Company.
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One of the first public offices which Barclay Robinson held was that of alderman in Hartford's city government, a position he capably filled from 1927 to 1933. He was president of the board for two years. Also in 1927 he became prosecuting attorney in the Hartford Police Court, and served in that office until 1930. He was corporation coun- sel from 1934 to 1936; spent two years on Hartford's Board of Fi- nance; and was counsel for the city's Flood Commission from January, 1938 to 1958. From 1937 until he resigned in 1957 he was probate judge of the Town of Avon.
Mr. Robinson is vice president and chairman of the executive committee of the Hartford Hospital. He is a trustee of the Horace Bushnell Memorial Hall Corporation and of the McLean Fund, and is vice president and director of the Connecticut Humane Society. His professional memberships include the American Bar Association, the Connecticut State Bar Association, the Hartford County Bar Association, and the Connecticut State Bank Association.
In past years, Mr. Robinson served the interests of a number of other organizations, including the Connecticut Merit System Associa- tion, the Hartley Salmon Clinic (of which he was once the president ), Gaylord Sanatorium, Pomfret School, Governmental Research Insti- tute, Inc., and Long Lane Farm.
He is a member of The Hartford Club and Farmington Valley Polo Club, and is a Congregationalist.
On November 29, 1930, Barclay Robinson married Mary Par- sons. Mrs. Robinson is a trustee of the Avon Public Library. The couple have two children: I. Barclay, born on November 28, 1934. 2. Betsy Alden, born on August 4, 1936. Barclay, Jr., is a graduate of Pomfret School, graduated from Yale University in 1956, and is now a lieutenant (j.g.) in the United States Naval Reserve. Betsy Al- den Robinson graduated from Concord Academy in Massachusetts, at- tended Sweet Briar College in Virginia for three years, and on Sep- tember 7, 1957, married James A. Taylor, Jr., of West Hartford. Mr. Taylor is a graduate of Pomfret School and of Williams College, Class of 1956, and he too is a lieutenant (j.g.) in the United States Naval Reserve.
HERBERT BOUTWELL BASSETT
Herbert Boutwell Bassett, who for the past decade has held of- fice as president of the Acme Wire Company of Hamden, is a native
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of the Midwest. Born at Kalamazoo, Michigan, on March 16, 1894, he is a son of Fred R. and Cynthia (Burdick) Bassett. His father, who was born at Three Rivers, Michigan, was a man of varied in- terests, active in a number of commercial fields. He was an inventor and manufacturer, and among the inventions of his own which he produced was the original barrel churn. He was also one of the first to raise and market brook trout commercially.
Attending the public schools of Paw Paw, Michigan, Herbert B. Bassett completed his formal education at the University of Michi- gan, where he graduated in 1917 with an Electrical Engineering de- gree.
During World War I he served in the Army Air Corps overseas as first lieutenant, piloting Handley Page bombers. He began his business career with the Westinghouse Electric Corporation at East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and joined Acme Wire Company in 1920 in the capacity of salesman. He opened the Chicago office of the com- pany and became sales manager in 1931. Advancing steadily to the executive ranks, he held the position of vice president in charge of sales from 1941 until 1948, when he succeeded Thomas G. Nee in the presidency. The long-established firm is the subject of an his- torical sketch in the industrial and institutional section of this history.
Besides serving as its president, and on its board of directors, Mr. Bassett is also a director of the Union and New Haven Trust Company, the High Standard Manufacturing Company, the New Haven Gas Company and Quinnipiac Valley Development Corpora- tion. He is a trustee of the Connecticut Savings Bank of New Haven. Long active in the Manufacturers Association of New Haven County, he serves on its board of directors. He has served on the board of directors of the United Fund of New Haven.
He is a member of the Quinnipiac Club, New Haven Country Club, and the New Haven Congressional Action Committee of the New Haven Chamber of Commerce.
On November 18, 1920, Herbert B. Bassett married Helen Sea- man, daughter of Frank and Nellie (Wylie) Seaman of Pittsburgh. The couple are the parents of two children: I. Mary Carolyn, who was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1924. She is the wife of Bryon McCandless of Canton, and the mother of two children: James and Kathryn. 2. John Seaman, born in 1931 in New Haven. He recently completed an enlistment in the United States Air Force, in which he held the rank of sergeant. Previous to his Air Force service, he had attended Syracuse University.
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RICHARD PRIOR HEFFERNAN
One of Hartford's younger professional leaders, Richard Prior Heffernan has engaged in a general practice of law in that city since he was admitted to the bar. He is a partner in the firm of Heffernan and Heffernan. He recently assumed duties in his first public office, that of assistant prosecuting attorney of the Town of West Hartford, where he makes his home.
Born April 21, 1927, Mr. Heffernan is a native of Hartford, and a son of James Edward and Helen Audrey (Prior) Heffernan. His father was budget examiner for the State of Connecticut, and served as an ensign in the United States Naval Reserve in World War I.
Richard P. Heffernan received his early education at St. Joseph's School in Bristol, where he completed his studies in 1940; and he took his secondary training at Malvern Preparatory School at Malvern, Pennsylvania, graduating there in 1944. The following year he entered military service, and after brief training stateside, was sent to the Italian front, where he served as a sergeant in Company G of the 350th Infantry Regiment, a component of the 88th Division. He re- turned to this country and received his honorable discharge in 1946.
Mr. Heffernan then resumed his education, attending Holy Cross College at Worcester, Massachusetts, and graduating there in 1951 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He took his professional training at Georgetown Law School in Washington, D. C., but this followed work as procedures analyst with Kaman Aircraft Corpora- tion, a position he held from 1951 to 1954.
Taking his degree of Bachelor of Laws at Georgetown in 1956, Mr. Heffernan was admitted to the bar of his home state, and in June of that year, commenced his general practice in Hartford. His partner is Mr. James E. Heffernan, and they have their offices at 10 North Main Street, West Hartford.
Mr. Heffernan became assistant prosecuting attorney of the Town of West Hartford in September, 1957, and still holds that office. He is a member and past commander of Carey-Phelps Post No. 172 of the American Legion at West Hartford. His other memberships include Lodge No. 19 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Hartford, and Holy Cross Alumni Club of Hartford. His church is St. Mark the Evangelist in West Hartford.
In that church, on May 28, 1955, Richard Prior Heffernan mar- ried Gloria Vasquez, daughter of Paul and Frances (Coniglione)
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Vasquez. The couple are the parents of two children: I. Susan Eliza- beth, who was born on May 30, 1956. 2. Nancy Ellen, born on Novem- ber 9, 1957.
WILLIAM L. JOHNSON
Retiring after more than four decades in industry, William L. Johnson of Chester has found a new career in public life. He is now first selectman of his township.
Mr. Johnson came to this country from Sweden, having been born in the town of Ekeby on November 10, 1892. He is a son of John and Mary (Miller) Johnson. The family came to this country in 1913, and located first at Deep River, Connecticut. However, they remained there only two months, then moved to Chester. William L. Johnson had attended schools in Sweden, but after his arrival here he immediately went to work, entering the employ of Pratt, Read and Company, Inc., at Ivoryton, the largest manufacturers of piano keys. A brief history of this firm and an account of its operations is to be found in this work. Mr. Johnson remained with the organization for forty-four years, retiring in 1957. In October of that year he was elected first selectman of the Town of Chester. He had previously served two terms as third selectman, being in that office from 1953 to 1957.
William L. Johnson was married in Chester to Mary Pearson of that town, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Per Pearson. To their mar- riage one son has been born: Carl W. Johnson, on August 22, 1922. He attended local public schools and Chester High School, and from 1942 to 1945 served in the United States Army Air Corps as a cor- poral. He is now a tool- and diemaker with Pratt, Read and Company. Carl William Johnson married Nancy Stielan of Portland, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Stielan. They were married at the United Church of Chester on May II, 1957, and have one son, Carl William. Jr., born on July 16, 1958.
RAYMOND F. WOODING
A native and lifelong resident of Wallingford, Raymond F. Wooding had as his primary interest the management of a construc- tion firm long identified with the family-the C. F. Wooding Com- pany. Mr. Wooding's exceptionally full role in the life of the com-
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munity also included official positions in banking, and an active part in the programs of civic and fraternal organizations.
Born on April 22, 1895, he was a member of one of the long- established families of the area and a son of Charles F. and Elizabeth (Gooding) Wooding. His paternal grandfather, Newton C. Wood- ing, founded the firm in 1866, and it later received the name of his son, C. F. Wooding, who assumed the duties of its management in the second generation. As it approaches the century mark, the com- pany is one of the oldest construction firms in continuous existence in New England.
Raymond F. Wooding received his early education in the public schools of Wallingford, and graduated from Wallingford High School. To prepare himself for his role of commercial leadership, he then entered Eastman Business College at Rochester, New York, and on his return, joined the construction company. At the time of World War I, he was absent serving in the United States Army. On his return from military service he rejoined the C. F. Wooding Com- pany, and advanced to positions of responsibility, succeeding his father as its president in 1922. He continued to serve in that position until his death. His sons are now carrying on the business, represent- ing the fourth generation in its management.
A director of the Dime Savings Bank from 1927, Mr. Wood- ing had held office as its vice president from 1940. He was a member of the board of directors and past president of the Wallingford Savings and Loan Association, and a director of the Wallingford Branch of the Union and New Haven Trust Company.
Mr. Wooding served his community as a member of the build- ing committee for the Lyman Hall High School. On April 6, 1942, he was elected a corporator and director of the Meriden Hospital, and he also served on the building committee for the construction of an addition to its School of Nursing. He was a member of his town's advisory council and its property maintenance committee.
Widely respected in industrial circles, he was active in Associated General Contractors, of which he was a charter member. He was also a charter member, a past president, and senior active member of the Wallingford Rotary Club. Affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, he was a member of Compass Lodge No. 9. He was a Republican in political beliefs. Mr. Wooding attended the First Baptist Church in Wallingford.
Mrs. Wooding is the former Miss Barbara Carroll, daughter of Charles C. and Hattie A. (Jeralds) Carroll. The couple were married
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in Wallingford on June 1, 1918, and they became the parents of the following children: I. Raymond F., Jr., who was born on December 26, 1921. At the time of World War II he served thirty-seven months in an antiaircraft battalion. He married Eleanor Riggott, and they have two children: i. Joyce Eleanor, who was born on October 7, 1950. ii. Bruce Raymond, born on April 22, 1954. 2. John M., born on July 7, 1923. He too was in service for thirty-seven months during World War II, being in the United States Army. He married Naomi Terrell, and they have two children: i. Terrell Clinton, born on May 22, 1952. ii. Geoffrey M., born February 20, 1954. 3. Barbara, who was born on November 23, 1924.
Mr. Wooding's death occurred at Wallingford, on October 28, 1958. Comments in the local press paid tribute to the large part he had played in the service of the community, and "his sound judg- ment, tact, and patience." He made a contribution which will continue to be recognized and appreciated in the years ahead.
ROBERT M. GRANT
Hartford industrialist Robert M. Grant founded his own firm, the R. M. Grant Tool Supply Company, about two decades ago, and his major career interest since that time has been its management, although he has become an official of other corporations as well.
He is a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, and was born on March 14, 1910, son of James Anderson and Matilda MacKellar (Moir) Grant. His father is deceased, but his mother is still living and makes her home in Wethersfield. When they first came to this country in 1912, the family settled at New Haven, but they removed to Hartford the following year. James A. Grant followed the trade of stonemason. His death occurred in February, 1953. Robert M. Grant attended local public schools, and graduated from Bulkley High School in Hart- ford in 1928. At that time he began his first experience in industry, joining Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Corporation, for which he work- ed until the end of 1929. During 1930-1931, he was with the A. B. Lee Elevator Company, in the drafting and estimating department.
In 1932, Mr. Grant joined his older brother, Donald Grant, in the operation of the Capital City Machine Company. He remained manager of its plant until 1950, although from 1937 his primary in- terest was his own firm. The R. M. Grant Tool Supply Company of Hartford was formed in January, 1937. It is a relatively small organi- zation, of fewer than one hundred employees, but plays a vital part in serving the manufacturing industries of the region. The plant is
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