USA > Connecticut > History of Connecticut, Volume IV > Part 41
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Admitted to the bar of the state of New York in 1913, and to the Connecticut bar in 1915, he was trial and appellate counsel for the Maryland Casualty Company of Hartford. He continued in this con- nection until 1934. Since that year, he has been a partner in Pelgrift, Blumenfeld and Nair, which has its offices at 24 Lewis Street.
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Mr. Pelgrift is a veteran of service in the United States Naval Reserve Force in World War I, when he was in active service with the rating of petty officer. As a lawyer he is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and a member of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, the Connecticut State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the International Association of Insurance Counsel.
His fraternity is Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and he belongs to Phi Delta Phi law fraternity. He is also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, and of the Free and Accepted Masons. In Masonry, he is identified with the Royal Arch Pythagoras Chapter. His other memberships include the University Club, the City Club, the Avon Country Club, and the Lawyers Club of New York City.
On February 2, 1921, DeLancey Pelgrift married Anne L. Mac- Kinnon. Their children are: I. Robert Y. 2. Nancy F., who married Bradford M. Cogswell.
EDWARD JULIUS OLSON
Edward Julius Olson has taken his place among Plainville's in- dustrial executives as vice president and general manager of the screw machine firm of Olson Brothers Company, which his father founded. He is a veteran of wartime experience in the Marine Corps.
Born at Bristol on January 27, 1918, he is a son of Emil A. and Sigrid W. (Anderson) Olson. From Edward J. Olson's early years, the family lived in Plainville, and his father and uncles formed the firm of Olson Brothers there when the future general manager was six years old. He attended the public schools, and after completing three years of high school there, he joined his father's firm, beginning in subordinate positions and becoming familiar with the various aspects of the plant's operation through practical experience.
In March, 1945, he left to enlist in the United States Marine Corps, and served for one year, receiving his honorable discharge as a private first class. He returned to the family business after the war. In the late 1940's, Emil A. Olson acquired full ownership of the firm, buying his brothers' interests over a two-year period; and the company, still under the name of Olson Brothers, was incorporated in 1953. In September, 1954, Edward J. Olson was named vice president of the corporation, and at the same time became general manager of the plant.
Insofar as clubs and fraternal organizations are concerned, he is
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not a "joiner," but he is active in the Lutheran Church, and he shares his father's hobby of horseback riding. He is a Republican in politics.
At Bristol, on January 9, 1947, Edward J. Olson married Norma Nelson, daughter of George and Edith Lynda Nelson. She is the third generation of her family living in Bristol. Mr. and Mrs. Olson have four children, all of whom were born at the New Britain Hospital : 1. Jeffrey Carl, born on February 3, 1948. 2. Christine Edith, born April 15, 1950. 3. Judy Ann, born March 12, 1953. 4. Richard Carl, born May 15, 1957.
PETER FRANK BROPHY
Peter Frank Brophy, president and director of the Cramer Con- trols Corporation of Centerbrook, has spent nearly three decades with that firm, which he first joined in a sales capacity. He has exerted a vital influence in the growth of this important industrial organiza- tion, which manufactures electro-mechanical timing devices as well as miniature AC and DC instrument motors.
A native of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, he was born on July 18, 1905, son of Edward J. and Sarah (Conlon) Brophy. After complet- ing his studies in Pawtucket's public schools, he entered Brown Uni- versity but left there to take courses at the Westinghouse Technical School at East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. From 1925 to 1929, he was engaged in sales work for the Westinghouse Electric and Manufactur- ing Company. He thus brought valuable sales experience with him when he joined Cramer Controls Corporation in 1929, and he was. soon made sales manager of that organization. He was promoted to vice president in 1939 and to executive vice president in 1954. In March, 1955, he was named president of the corporation. He has served on its board of directors since 1939.
Mr. Brophy is a member of the American Management Associa- tion, and a director of the Middlesex Manufacturers Association. His local memberships include the Essex Yacht Club and the Pettipaugh Yacht Club. In addition to boating, he is fond of golf. He and his family attend Our Lady of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church in Essex.
In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on September 15, 1928, Peter Frank Brophy married Grace C. Horgan of that city, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John C. Horgan. The couple are the parents of three children: I. Robert P., who was born in New York City on July 5, 1930. A grad- uate of St. John's Preparatory School at Danvers, Massachusetts, and of the University of Pennsylvania, where he took his degree of Bachelor
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of Science in 1954, he is now at the University of Chicago working toward a master's degree in labor arbitration. He has served in the United States Navy, in which he held a commission as lieutenant, junior grade. 2. Donald T., born on April 13, 1934, at Brooklyn, New York. He too is a graduate of St. John's Preparatory School at Dan- vers, and went from there to the University of Notre Dame, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1956. He is now in Korea, where he is serving on the editorial staff of the famed army publica- tion, Stars and Stripes. He holds the rank of sergeant. 3. David P., born on June 27, 1939, at New London. A graduate of St. John's Preparatory School, he is attending Boston College.
EDWARD EVERETT DICKINSON, 3RD
For a great many years the Essex firm, The E. E. Dickinson Company, has been nationally known as the producer of the popular and useful household remedy, witch hazel. The concern has continued for three generations under the capable management of members of a single family. Its vice president, Edward Everett Dickinson, 3rd, represents the rising generation, and has been with the organization since his return from naval service in World War II.
Born in New York City on October 5, 1921, he is a son of Ed- ward Everett, Jr., and Alice S. (Earle) Dickinson. After completing his preparatory studies at Loomis School in Windsor, he entered Stevens Institute of Technology at Hoboken, New Jersey, but left there to enter the wartime service of the United States Coast Guard, in which he received a commission as ensign, on June 10, 1942. Serv- ing until April 6, 1946, he was in the Pacific Theater of Operations, and he was separated from the service as a lieutenant.
On his separation from service, Mr. Dickinson began his con- nection with The E. E. Dickinson Company. He has been vice presi- dent since 1957. He serves on its board of directors, and is also a director of the Essex National Bank.
Mr. Dickinson's hobby is boating, and he is a member of the Essex Yacht Club, the Pettipaug Yacht Club, the New York Yacht Club, the Off-Sounding's Club, and the Cruising Club of America. He is also a member of the Dauntless Club.
At Portland on January 2, 1943, Edward Everett Dickinson, 3rd, married Jane DePeyster Gildersleeve, daughter of Oliver and Ann (DePeyster) Gildersleeve. The couple are the parents of the follow- ing children: I. Jane Elizabeth, who was born in Hartford on May
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27, 1945. 2. Frances Louise, born in that city on February 26, 1948. 3. Sandra Gildersleeve, born September 17, 1949. All of the girls attend The Country School in Madison, Connecticut.
ERNEST ANTHONY ANTOLLINO
Two decades ago, Ernest A. Antollino joined his father in estab- lishing an ice cream distributorship at New Haven. He is now head of this firm, Golden Crest Farm Ice Cream Company. From its plant on Fairmont Avenue, it distributes its products throughout the greater part of the state. Mr. Antollino is active in a number of trade associa- tions.
He is a native of New Haven, and was born on August 18, 1915, son of Frank and Martha (Mele) Antollino. His father, who was born in Italy in 1893, was brought to the United States by his parents two years later, and they immediately settled in New Haven. In 1936, he first became interested in the ice cream distribution industry ; in 1938 he joined his son Ernest in forming their own company; and in 1946 they incorporated the firm, he remaining its president until his death five years later. Martha Mele, whom he married, was born February 25, 1893, in New Haven, and died February 25, 1958.
Receiving his education in local schools, Ernest A. Antollino graduated from Commercial High School in 1933. This institution has since been renamed the Wilbur Cross High School. Immediately afterwards he entered the dairy industry and was with the Eskimo Pie Corporation until 1938. This firm produced one of the first choco- late-covered ice cream bars. His experience in that connection was valuable to him when, in 1938, he joined his father in their own ice cream distributorship, which was incorporated as Golden Crest Farm Ice Cream Company, Inc., in 1946. Since the death of his father in 1951, he has been its president. In operating its routes in all parts of the state, the firm employs thirty-two men at the present time.
Mr. Antollino is a member of the Connecticut Dairy Association, the New England Dairy Association, the International Dairy Associa- tion, and Quality Chekd Dairy Products Association of Chicago. In his home city of New Haven, he belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and the Melebus Club. He is an independent in his political views, and is a communicant of St. Bernadette's Roman Catholic Church.
In his native city of New Haven, on February 15, 1939, Ernest Anthony Antollino married Rose Catania. Also born in New Haven, on January 17, 1915, she is a daughter of Michael and Mary Ann
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(Catania) Catania. Both parents came to this country from Italy, and Michael Catania established his own bakery in New Haven. He is now deceased. Mrs. Antollino graduated from Commercial High School in 1933, and is a member of the Melebus Ladies' Guild and St. Bernadette's Ladies' Guild. The couple are the parents of the fol- lowing children: I. Frank, who was born on October 12, 1942. He is attending Notre Dame High School in West Haven. 2. Roberta, born April 6, 1947; a pupil at St. Bernadette's Parochial School. Both of the children were born in New Haven.
LOUIS JOSEPH STANDISH
President and general manager of the Bridgeport Casket Hard- ware Company, Incorporated, and a founder of the company in 1921, Mr. Standish is a past president of the Black Rock Business Men's Association and is a member of the American Electroplaters Society and of the Salesmen's and Purchasing Agents' Association of Ameri- ca. A Republican in politics, he has been honorary sheriff of Fair- field County for many years, and is a member of all sheriffs' and peace officers' associations in the state.
Mr. Standish was born in Bridgeport on September 11, 1891, the son of Joseph Stankovitch and of Mary (Chontos) Stankovitch. His father was born in Hungary in 1854, and came to Bridgeport in the early 1880's. He was a carriage builder and wheelwright by trade and died in 1910. Mr. Standish's mother was born in Hungary in 1859, and she came to the United States with her two oldest children two years after her husband, since he had to earn passage money for them. She died in 1914. Mr. Standish attended the Bridgeport public schools through the eighth grade, and during World War I, he was a member of the United States Army Field Artillery Band in 1917 and 1918.
Finding employment with Bryant Electric Company (now a di- vision of Westinghouse) on leaving school, Mr. Standish remained with this company for two years, and he was then associated with the Yost Typewriter Company until 1907, when he entered the employ of the Bridgeport Silverware Manufacturing Company, making cas- ket hardware. He was an inspector for the Locomobile Automobile Company from 1915 to 1917, and after his discharge from military service, he became associated with the Bullard Company and was as- signed to the tool room as an apprentice. It was in 1921 that he began his own business under the name of the Bridgeport Casket Hard- ware Company, and when it was incorporated in 1929, he assumed
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the post of president and general manager. The company ships hard- ware to casket manufacturers throughout the eastern United States.
Mr. Standish has been active in the community and is a member of the Engineers Club of Bridgeport and of the Algonquin Club. A Thirty-second Degree Mason and a member of all Scottish Rite bodies, he is a member of the Royal Arch Chapter and of the Council in the York Rite bodies, he holds membership in Pyramid Shrine Temple of Bridgeport, the Bridgeport Shrine Club, the Black Rock Masonic Association, and he is a member of the Connecticut Police Square Club, the Masonic peace officers' association. A musician since he was a boy, Mr. Standish attends religious services as a member of the Episcopal Church.
He was married in Bridgeport on February 6, 1913, to Eliza- beth Emry, born in Hungary on July 3, 1893, the daughter of Joseph Emry and of Sophia Emry. Her father, born in Hungary, came to America in 1908, and he returned to his native land, just before World War II, where he died. Mrs. Standish's mother was born in Hungary and is also deceased. Mrs. Standish came to Bridgeport from Hungary in 1908. She is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Bridgeport Art League, the Stratfield Garden Club, and other women's organizations.
Mr. and Mrs. Standish have two children, both born in Bridge- port: I. Louis James, born on December 2, 1914, graduated from Central High School in 1930, and obtained the degree of Bachelor of Science in economics at Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1935. During World War II, he served in the United States Navy from 1942 to 1944 with the rank of lieutenant j/g and he is now in the United States Naval Reserve. He is vice president of the Bridgeport Casket Hardware Company. A founder and corporate member of the Connecticut Symphony Orchestra of Bridgeport, he was manager for two years, and he attends religious services at Saint George's Episcopal Church where he is a vestryman. He was married to Cleora Crego and they have one child: Peter Groves. 2. Bette Mary, born on September 8, 1919; now Mrs. Johnson, she resides in Redding Ridge, Connecticut. She is the mother of two sons, Eric, born in 1947, in Berlin, Germany and Paul, born in 1952, at Geneva, Switzerland.
HENRY WALTER HOUSER
Henry W. Houser has been active in New Haven's business life from a very early age. Before he had reached his majority, he was president of the New Haven Wagon and Auto Works, a long-estab-
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HENRY W. HOUSER
HAROLD J. HOUSER
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lished firm in that city; and while continuing in that position, has as- sumed other executive posts in local corporations.
Born in New Haven, on June 10, 1918, he is a son of Henry and Emeline ( Pholeman) Houser. He received his education in local schools, and in 1935 graduated from New Haven Collegiate Preparatory School. He took his advanced studies at New Haven College for two years.
Mr. Houser's first position, which he held while still attending school, was with the Collectors' Shop, located on Broadway in New Haven. In 1934 he first began his duties with West Rock Wagon and Auto Works. This New Haven industry traces its origins back a full century. A forebear of Henry Houser, John P. Houser established his Wagon Works on Whalley Avenue nearly one hundred years ago, and the company has remained under the direction of members of the family since that time, having relocated their place of business to Boston Post Road, Route I, to Orange, Connecticut, on October 10, 1958. The founder was a versatile man, who, in addition to his role in industry, locally, carved the ceilings in the Capitol in Washington. He was also a clockmaker, who, for some time, was associated with the New Haven Clock Company.
After serving as secretary-general of the West Rock Wagon and Auto Works from the time he completed his education, Henry Walter Houser became president of the firm in 1938, at the age of twenty. Since 1951, he has been owner of the Industrial Supply Com- pany of New Haven. He became vice president and treasurer of Livingston Company, a chemical firm, in 1954. He holds both of these positions at the present time.
In 1943, he enlisted in the United States Army, and advanced to the rank of staff sergeant, serving in both the Ordnance Department and the Infantry and Finance. He was stationed in Italy.
Mr. Houser is a member of the Union League, the New Haven Philatelic Society, Milford Yacht Club, and the Woodbridge Club. He is a communicant of Westville Congregational Church.
At Toledo, Ohio, on August 11, 1943, Henry W. Houser married Edith Jane Siemen. Born July 16, 1918, she is a daughter of Anthony and Ursula Siemen. The couple are the parents of two children: I. Gary Henry, born May 30, 1952. 2. Sally Edith, born on February 14, 1954.
WILLIAM ARTHUR FLINT, SR.
When his career began four decades ago, William Arthur Flint,
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Sr., joined the New Haven firm which has been under the capable management of his family since 1880, and which now specializes in the production of ladders and staging. This is the A. W. Flint Com- pany, Inc., which has its plant and headquarters at 196 Chapel Street. Now its president and treasurer, Mr. Flint has taken a full part in the life of his community and in organizational affairs. He is a veteran of World War I.
A native of New Haven, he was born on January 2, 1897, son of Adelbert William and Jennie Adelaide (Gates) Flint. His father, born in 1853, in Norwich, spent his entire life in the state of Connec- ticut. It was he who founded the A. W. Flint Company, whose rec- ord is given below, and he remained its executive head until his death in 1921, at the age of sixty-eight. Jennie Adelaide Gates, whom he married, was born in New Haven, in 1866. She was very active in the Society of Mayflower Descendants, the Founders and Patriots and the Daughters of the American Revolution. Her death occurred in 1950.
William A. Flint, Sr., completed his preparatory education at Phillips Andover Academy in Massachusetts, where he graduated in 1916. He attended Yale University in the Class of 1920. He was absent at the time of World War I, however, serving with the Ameri- can Expeditionary Forces. In France during most of that time, he was attached to the French Army, and received the Croix de Guerre.
His first connection with his father's company began in 1919. He has been with the firm continuously, and in 1921, when his father died, he became its president and treasurer, positions he still holds.
The company was founded by Adelbert W. Flint in 1880, and in the early days of its existence, its products included lawn and porch furniture, lawn swings and clothes dryers, as well as ladders. Most of these products were sold door-to-door by salesmen who drove wag- ons throughout the East, calling on homes, farms, factories and on building contractors. Starting in April of each year, a dozen or more salesmen would set out with their wagons on an eight-month trek, covering New England and the Eastern Seaboard, and replenishing their stocks as they went along with shipments made from New Haven. With the development of modern methods of transporta- tion and distribution, the company abandoned the wagon routes in 1920.
Over the years the company has become a recognized leader in the manufacture of ladders and staging, and for the past twenty years
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it has concentrated exclusively on the production of these items. To- day, the A. W. Flint Company offers the most complete line of ladders and staging on the market, with a great variety available to customers for every working condition. While a specialty is the manufacture of high-grade heavy-duty ladders for factories, contractors and utility firms, a large proportion of the company's business comes through the sale of extension ladders, single ladders and stepladders in the lower price range for homes and farms.
To produce these top-quality ladders and staging, the A. W. Flint Company uses the finest woods available-Noble fir, Douglas fir, and Western hemlock from Oregon, Washington and British Columbia, Sitka spruce from Alaska, hickory from the southern states, Red oak and White ash from Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. All these woods must meet the rigid specifications of the American Standard Safety Code for Wood Ladders.
In recent years the company has been growing rapidly. In addi- tion to the forty-eight thousand square feet of floor space at the main plant, a six thousand square-foot warehouse has been added, but now the company has found need for increasing its floor space by another fifty percent. Ladders are being shipped to all parts of the Eastern Seaboard, and as far west as Ohio. Its finest ladders, known as the Certified Line, made from the best lumber and finest hardware obtainable, has been so successful that they now supply this type of ladder to a number of firms who rely most heavily on such products.
Both William Arthur Flint, Sr., and his son, William Arthur, Jr., have held office as president of the American Ladder Institute, the national organization of the industry. The senior Mr. Flint is also president of the Manufacturers Association of New Haven and is on the board of directors of Acme Wire Company and the New Haven Chamber of Commerce. The younger William A. Flint is vice president of the A. W. Flint Company, representing the third generation in its management.
The elder Mr. Flint is a. member of the Quinnipiac Club in his home city, and the New Haven Country Club. He is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, and attends the Episcopal Church. He has business interests besides the management of his company serv- ing on the board of directors of the First New Haven National Bank. A Republican, he was active in the councils of his party for many years.
At Milford, Connecticut, on June 17, 1922, William Arthur Flint, Sr., married Julia Marguerite Keller. Born at Shelton on De-
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cember 22, 1903, she is a daughter of Theodore Frederick and Jen- nie (Steele) Keller. Her mother was a native of Derby, Connecticut; she was born in 1878 and died in 1956. Theodore F. Keller came to this country from Basle, Switzerland, where he was born in 1872. For many years he worked in the accounting department of the New Haven Railroad. He survives his wife and lives in retirement in Milford.
Mr. and Mrs. Flint have two children: 1. William Arthur, Jr., who was born on March II, 1923. in New Haven. He attended Phillips Andover Academy and Cheshire Academy where he graduated in 1941. He then entered Trinity College, but left to enter military serv- ice the following year. Assigned to the infantry, he served in both the European Theater and the Pacific. While in Europe he was with the Black Hawk Division. Following the war he completed his college courses, and is now vice president of the A. W. Flint Company. Wil- liam A. Flint, Jr., married Carol Erskine, and they have three child- ren: i. Karen. ii. William Arthur, 3rd. iii. Ann. 2. Barbara Keller, who was born in New Haven on October 23, 1925. She graduated from Dana Hall Academy in 1943, and took her degree of Bachelor of Science at Wellesley College in 1947. She is now the wife of George Clinton Jones, 4th, and they live in Villanova, Pennsylvania. He is public relations and advertising consultant with Gray and Rogers in Philadelphia. They have three children: i. George Clinton, 5th. ii. Dana. iii. Royce.
ALBERT SEYMOUR BILL
The present State's Attorney for Hartford County is Albert Seymour Bill, who has capably filled that office for nearly a decade. A Hartford lawyer and a member of the firm of Bill and Bill, he has held other public offices as well, including clerk of the State's House of Representatives and Senate, and corporation counsel of West Hart- ford.
He is a native of Hartford. and was born on November 30, 1895, son of Albert Carroll and Bessie (Collins) Bill. His father was an attorney-at-law, who was in active practice from 1885 to 1944. Albert S. Bill attended local public schools and graduated from Hartford High School in 1914. He then entered Yale University, where he took his degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1918. In the same year he entered the United States Army for wartime service, and was assigned to the Ordnance Department. He spent fourteen months in overseas service in France.
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