USA > Connecticut > History of Connecticut, Volume IV > Part 7
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While serving in his post at Chester, Father Butler was the sub- ject of a brief biographical sketch which appeared in a Connecticut history. These lines from it are indicative of the way he was regarded in his parish and his community :
He is a man of wide acquaintance in his community and as friend and priest is loved by members of all denominations and religious faiths in this region of Connecticut. While at school was a star athlete, in football, basketball, baseball and track, excelling in pole vaulting and sprints. The same dynamic personality that carried him successfully through his academic days has been of use to him in his work with the Church .
Father Butler remains interested in sports, now being partial to those of an aquatic nature. He is also fond of organizational activities, and is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Lions Club of Port- land, the Portland Yacht Club, and the Holy Name Society.
MALCOLM E. SMITH
The president of Smith's Service, Inc., at Old Saybrook, Malcolm E. Smith is local distributor for Chrysler and Plymouth automobiles.
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He is a native of Old Saybrook, where he was born on September 4, 19II, son of Gordon B. and Edith (Standish) Smith. His grandfather, William H. Smith, founded a plumbing and heating business, which Gordon B. Smith carried on in his turn. Gordon Smith was also active in the public affairs of Old Saybrook. He was first selectman for a period of fourteen years, until his death in 1945, and he was also chair- man of the Republican Town Committee. For six years he served as postmaster. Edith Standish, whom he married, survives him and makes her home in Old Saybrook. She is a direct descendant of Myles Standish.
Attending local public schools, Malcolm E. Smith graduated from Old Saybrook High School, after which he attended the University of Alabama. During his summer vacations in his student years he worked for the Socony-Vacuum Oil Company at a service station lo- cated at the present address of Smith's Service, Inc., 944 Main Street, gaining valuable experience there as an attendant. After he had com- pleted his studies, he took a full-time position there as manager. In 1932 he became owner of this service station, and changed its name to Smith's Service, Inc., of which he has since been president. He has been Old Saybrook's franchised dealer in Chryslers and Plymouths since 1946.
Like his late father, he has taken a constructive interest in public affairs. From 1945 through 1955, he served as chairman of the Re- publican Town Committee, and he is currently chairman of the Old Saybrook Police Commission. He is a member and past master of Silomi Lodge of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons at Old Say- brook, and is a member of the higher bodies of Masonry in the Scot- tish Rite. Holding the Thirty-second degree, he belongs to Sphinx Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Hartford. A communicant of Grace Episcopal Church at Old Say- brook, he formerly served as vestryman there.
In New York City on October 7, 1933, Malcolm E. Smith married Leone B. Beach of Lowell, Massachusetts, daughter of Albert and Nora Beach. Her father, likewise a native of Lowell, was a veteran of the Spanish-American War. The couple are the parents of three children : I. Nancy Lee, who was born on August 26, 1934. She gradu- ated from Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School in Boston, and in August, 1957, married Harold Crump, a native of Wallingford, Connecticut. He is music director at Lyman High School in Walling- ford. A graduate of Ithaca College in New York, he served as a lieu- tenant in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II,
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was in the European Theater of Operations, and completed many mis- sions. 2. Beverly, born on August II, 1935. A graduate of Bryant College at Providence, Rhode Island, she is now secretary of Smith's Service, Inc. 3. Malcolm, Jr., born on December 7, 1936. He is a graduate of Valley Forge Military Academy at Wayne, Pennsylvania. Following his graduation with the class of 1958 of The Citadel Mili- tary College, Charleston, South Carolina, where he received the Bachelor of Science degree, he entered the United States Marine Corps and attained the rank of lieutenant on December 6, 1958.
GEORGE H. LOEWENTHAL
In both the industrial and the financial affairs of Middletown, George H. Loewenthal has a considerable influence, being president and treasurer of The Gustav Loewenthal Lumber Company, and president of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Savings Bank of Middletown. He is also chairman of the advisory board of the Middletown Branch of The Connecticut Bank and Trust Company, and he has a record in public office to his credit, having served as city councilman and member of the House of Representatives.
Mr. Loewenthal is a native of Middletown, and was born on January 5, 1889, son of Gustav and Marie (Wirth) Loewenthal. His father, a carpenter and builder, was the founder of the lumber firm which bears his name. It was established in 1889, and he remained at its head until 1896, when he built a woodworking mill and continued contracting and building until 1910. He passed away in 1935. Marie Wirth, whom he married, died in the early 1890s, when her son was in early childhood. George H. Loewenthal attended local schools, and the Middletown High School in 1907. The year before that, he had first worked in his father's company, and on completing his education, he joined the firm on a full-time basis. In 1908 the concern was in- corporated as the Gustav Loewenthal Company, with the founder as president and the son as secretary. George H. Loewenthal continued in that office until his father's death in 1935, and since that time has been president. In 1928 he organized the East Hampton Lumber and Coal Company, in 1930 the Colchester Lumber Company, and in 1932 the Loewenthal-McKenna Lumber Company of New Britain. In 1938, these firms were merged with the Gustav Loewenthal Lumber Com- pany.
He has been president and director of the Farmers' and Me- chanics' Savings Bank of Middletown since 1954, and has served as
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chairman of the advisory board of the Middletown Branch of the Connecticut Bank and Trust Company of Hartford since 1938. He was elected to the Connecticut State House of Representatives from his district in 1930 and served until 1933. From 1916 to 1918, he was city councilman at Middletown.
Mr. Loewenthal is a member of the Middletown Chamber of Commerce, and the Rotary Club there. He also belongs to the Shuttle Meadow Country Club of New Britain, and is affiliated with the lodges of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Free and Ac- cepted Masons. In Masonry he is a member of St. John's Lodge and of the higher bodies of the York Rite, including the Knights Templar. He likewise belongs to the Sphinx Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Hartford. He is a communicant of the First Methodist Church.
On November 7, 1911, George H. Loewenthal married Jane I. Wilson of Cromwell, daughter of Robert A. and Rose (Liebler) Wil- son. The couple are the parents of the following children: I. Olive E., who was born on April 6, 1913. She is with her father in business. 2. George H., Jr., born October 7, 1917. He attended Manlius Military Academy and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He served as a cap- tain in the Army Air Force in World War II, and is now associated with his father in the lumber company. He is the father of three children : i. Laura Jane, born in California in 1945. ii. George H., III, born in Middletown in 1948. iii. Deborah Ann, born in Middletown in 1950. 3. Jane M., born on May 1, 1922. 4. Lois A., born on October 31, 1926. She is a graduate of Middletown High School and Mount Holyoke College, and in 1954 received her degree of Doctor of Phi- losophy from Brown University. She is now teaching at the Univer- sity of Michigan.
WILLIAM R. PETERSON
President and treasurer of William R. Peterson Oil Company, Inc. of Portland, Connecticut, since 1923, and president of the Portland Building and Loan Association, Mr. Peterson was elected to the Con- necticut House of Representatives from the Thirty-fourth District in 1938, serving two consecutive terms. He was elected to the Con- necticut State Senate in 1947 for one term, and he again served in the House of Representatives in 1953.
He was born in Middletown, on June 8, 1894, the son of Olaf C. Peterson and of Sophie Christina (Johnson) Peterson. Both of his parents were born in Sweden, came to the United States in 1886 and
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were married in Middletown, Connecticut. Mr. Peterson's father was a farmer and gardener and died in May, 1948. Mr. Peterson's mother resides in Middlefield, Connecticut. Mr. Peterson attended the public schools in Middlefield.
A farmer with Lyman Farms in Middlefield from 1909 to 1918, Mr. Peterson was a foreman with the Connecticut State Highway Department from 1918 to 1920, andfrom 1920 to 1922 was a truck driver with Meech and Stoddard, grain dealers of Middletown. In 1922 and 1923, he worked for the estate of J. C. Bowman, oil distri- butor of Portland, Connecticut, and it was in 1923 that he purchased the estate's oil business and it became William R. Peterson and Com- pany, Incorporated. The company was moved to a new location in 1929.
Mr. Peterson has been active in civic and community affairs, he has been chairman of the Board of Finance since 1940, he is a past treasurer of the Middletown Rotary Club, and he is vice president of the Middlesex Memorial Hospital and is a member of the board of directors. He is superintendent of the Swedish Cemetery Associa- tion, is past chairman of the Republican Town Committee, and he attends religious services at the Lutheran Church, where he is a past deacon-trustee. Mr. Peterson raises Black Angus cattle on his farm, as well as apples and peaches, and horseback riding in his favorite sport.
He was married on September 23, 1916, to Clara E. Bergeson, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Bergeson of Portland. Mrs. Pe- terson is active in community life and is a member of the Ladies Aid and of the Missionary Society of the Lutheran Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have three sons: I. William Arthur was born in Cromwell and graduated from Portland High School. During World War II, he was a corporal in the Forty-third Division of the National Guard, and he saw active service from 1941 to 1945. He was wounded in action and received an honorable discharge. He is associated with his father in business, and is a member of the Amer- ican Legion. He was president of the Exchange Club in 1956, and he is on the Exchange Club bowling team. He was married on August 18, 1945, to Pearle Josephson, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gustaf Josephson. Mrs. Peterson attended Howard Seminary in West Bridge- water, Massachusetts, and then the Juliuss Hartt School of Music in Hartford, Connecticut. She is active in the Young Women's Christian Association, the American Legion Auxiliary and the Portland Garden Club. She is a Brownie Leader, grows African violets and works in ceramics as hobbies, and sings in the Lutheran Church choir. She is
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the mother of three daughters: Kristina Lynn, who is a member of the Brownies; Karen Meg; and Louisa Lee. 2. J. Paul was born in Cromwell, Connecticut, and graduated from Portland High School. During World War II, he served as a technical sergeant in the Army Air Force, was shot down over Hungary, and was a prisoner of war for more than eight months in Stalag Luft No. 4 in Germany. Prior to his entering military service he graduated from Upsala College, where he majored in economics, and was a member of Pi Delta Phi fra- ternity. Associated with his father in business, he is treasurer of the Middletown Rotary Club, is active in the American Legion, and bowis with the Rotary Club team. He is a trustee of Upsala College. He was married in Orange, New Jersey, on March 7, 1944, to Sherrill Prisk, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Pearce Prisk of Bloomfield, New Jersey. Mrs. Peterson majored in chemistry and English at Upsala College. She is active in the Ladies Aid, the American Legion Auxiliary and Portland District Nurse Association, and her hob- bies are gardening and sewing. She is a member of Theta Beta Gamma sorority. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have three children: John is interested in all Boy Scout activities ; Mark is a Cub Scout and star pitcher for the Cubs baseball team; Lisa Jayne. 3. Ernest F. was born in Portland, Connecticut, and graduated from Portland High School, where he was president of the senior class and a star of the basketball team. During World War II, he served as a signalman 3/c in the United States Navy. He studied after the war at Upsala College, majoring in economics and minoring in history. Now associated with his father in the oil business, he is treasurer of the American Legion and a director of the Connecticut Petroleum Association; he prefers bowling as his favorite sport, and he is a trustee of the Lutheran Church, where he attends religious worship. He was married in West Orange, New Jersey, on June 16, 1951, to Phyllis Ray Smith, the daughter of Mrs. Raymond Smith and of the late Mr. Raymond Smith. Mrs. Peterson obtained the degree of Bachelor of Arts in biology and psychology at Upsala College. Mrs. Peterson is secretary of the Mis- sionary Society of the Lutheran Church, is a member of the American Association of University Women and of the American Legion Auxil- iary, and sings in the church choir. She is the mother of three children : Ann Linnea; Martha Louise; and William Raymond.
MEYER GOLDBERG
With experience in the distribution of petroleum products going back four decades, Meyer Goldberg of Portland is one of the veterans
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of the industry in Connecticut. He is president and treasurer of the Red Wing Oil Company. In his home city he is active in a number of organizations.
A native of New York City, Mr. Goldberg was born on February 4, 1901. His father, Morris A. Goldberg, is retired and lives in Hart- ford. He has spent most of his life as an oil dealer. Mrs. Goldberg, the former Minnie Fishman, died in 1908. The family moved to Hart- ford from New York City in 1914, and Meyer Goldberg continued his public school education in that city, graduating from the Hartford Public High School in 1918. As his father was engaged in the oil business, he received his first experience in the industry before the completion of his education, in 1916. This makes him the oldest active oil dealer in terms of continuous service in Connecticut today. He remained in Hartford until 1920, and during the next decade, dealt in petroleum products at Waterbury. He returned to Hartford in 1930 and remained there until October, 1936.
In that year, Mr. Goldberg came to Portland and established the Red Wing Oil Company, of which he has since been the president and treasurer. Albert E. Carlson is vice president and secretary. The company is a distributor for the products of the Standard Oil Com- pany of California, which are sold under the Chevron emblem.
A dependable worker on behalf of civic programs, Mr. Goldberg served in past years as director of the Middletown Community Chest, and is now a director of the Portland Community Chest. He is a member of the Charter Revision Committee of the City of Middle- town, and is also active in the city's Chamber of Commerce. He is well-known in the ranks of his industry, and holds membership in the Twenty-five Year Petroleum Club of Connecticut. His other member- ships include the B'nai B'rith of Middletown, and Lodge No. 51 of the Free and Accepted Masons at Portland. His hobbies include gar- dening and fishing. Mr. Goldberg's religious affiliation is with Adath Israel Synagogue at Middletown.
At Hartford on September 3, 1933, Meyer Goldberg married Bertha Goldstein of that city, daughter of Samuel and Ida Goldstein. The couple are the parents of a daughter, Myrna E. Goldberg, who was born in Hartford on February 3, 1935. She is a graduate of Port- land High School and of Connecticut College for Women in New London. On June 23, 1957, she became the wife of Edwin Geiger of Passaic, New Jersey. Mr. Geiger is a graduate of Wesleyan University at Middletown, where he took his Bachelor of Arts degree; and he re- ceived a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from
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Harvard School of Business Administration. He is now with the Peirson Oil Company of Wallingford, Connecticut, an affiliate of the Red Wing Oil Company.
GEORGE C. BENWAY
Following some years' experience in theater management, and a record of military service in Europe in World War II, George C. Benway began his career in public service with his election as first selectman of the Town of Old Saybrook. He has since been re-elected by a large margin, and continues to serve conscientiously and with efficiency.
Born at Great Barrington, Massachusetts, on November 5, 1912, he is a son of Charles Edward and Martha Julia (Tinker ) Benway. His father is deceased, but his mother still resides in Great Barrington. George C. Benway completed his public school education with his graduation from Sheffield High School, at Sheffield near his birthplace. In 1929 he accepted a civil service position with the State of Massa- chusetts, in highway maintenance work. He advanced from truck driver to maintenance engineer. Mr. Benway remained with the state highway department until 1942, when he entered military service. As- signed to the 259th Infantry Regiment, he served in the European Theater of Operations, and was in uniform until 1945.
After the war, he was employed by the Interstate Theater Cor- poration of Boston as a theater manager, and this firm transferred him to Old Saybrook in 1948 to manage its one-hundred-and-fifty- thousand-dollar plant there. He is active in theater management to date. In October 1955, he was first elected to the office of first select- man of the Town of Old Saybrook, and was reelected in October of 1957 for another two year term. He has been quite conscientious about this matter of rendering full-time loyal service to those who elected him. As he was once quoted as remarking, "I propose to be at my office from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The business of a fifteen-million- dollar corporation cannot be conducted with efficiency and economy on a part-time basis." When re-elected to office, Mr. Benway received twice the number of votes of his Democratic opponent.
Active in the Old Saybrook Lions Club, Mr. Benway was former- ly president of the organization. As a veteran of World War II who received the Combat Infantry Badge and three battle stars, he is a member of the local post of the American Legion, and is also a mem- ber and past commander of the post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
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at Great Barrington, Massachusetts. In his home community he is past president of the Men's Republican Club, and president of the Community Fund. Active on behalf of the program of the Boy Scouts of America, he is a past chairman of the local troop committee. In religious faith he is a Roman Catholic, attending St. John's Church.
At Housatonic, Massachusetts, on March 28, 1932, George C. Benway married Suzanne A. Richards, daughter of Jules and Eugenie Richards. Mr. and Mrs. Benway are the parents of two daughters: I. Andree M., who was born at Great Barrington, Massachusetts, on August 23, 1933. She graduated from Old Saybrook High School, where she was valedictorian of the Class of 1950. On October 3, 1953, at Old Saybrook, she became the wife of George D. Crane. Mr. Crane served with the army of occupation in Europe from 1948 to 1950. The couple are the parents of a daughter, Cheryl Ann Crane, who was born in Hartford on July 16, 1954, and a son George Daniel, born in Hartford, August 16, 1958. 2. Elaine M., born at Pittsfield, Mas- sachusetts, on July 26, 1939. She graduated from Old Saybrook High School in 1957, and on April 12, 1958, married Donald Selby of Old Saybrook.
CHARLES W. HAAG
By occupation the proprietor of a paint and wall paper store at Clinton, Charles W. Haag has won prominence in the public life of his town. He now holds office as first selectman.
A native of Clinton, he was born on January I, 1904, son of William J. and Anna ( Miller) Haag. Both of his parents are now deceased. Charles W. Haag attended the public schools of his native place, and graduated from Morgan High School. From 1920 to 1930, he was associated with his father in the painting and decorating busi- ness in Clinton. When the elder man retired in 1930, he carried on the business independently. In 1950, he established his paint and wall- paper store at Clinton, which he still owns and operates.
Mr. Haag first entered the political field in 1946, when he was elected to the board of tax review of the Town of Clinton. He became second selectman in 1949; served until 1951 when he was re-elected; and was elected to third term as second selectman in 1953. In March, 1955, he assumed duties as first selectman to fill out the uncompleted term of Henry Pierce, who left to become Commissioner of Banking. of the State of Connecticut. In the general election later in 1955, Mr. Haag was elected to continue in office; and he was reelected first selectman in 1957, and continues to serve in this capacity.
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During World War II he served in the Connecticut State Guard, and he is a member of the Clinton Lions Club and a communicant of the Baptist Church. His hobby interests are boats and fishing.
On September 10, 1930, Charles W. Haag was married in Mid- dletown to Veronica M. Casey, daughter of James and Catherine (Mansfield) Casey. Mrs. Haag is a graduate of Middletown High School and of Middletown Business School. The couple are the parents of two sons: I. William J., who was born in Clinton on September 17, 1937. He attended public schools and Morgan High School, and is a graduate of Bryant Business School at Providence, Rhode Island. He then took postgraduate studies at Columbia University. He is now with the United States Army at Fort Dix, New Jersey, where he is attached to headquarters. 2. James D., born April 12, 1939, in Clinton. He too attended local schools and graduated from Morgan High School. He is now employed by Shore Line Industries of Clinton.
REV. FATHER WALTER J. KEENAN
His distinguished record of devoted service to his church and to Roman Catholic parishioners in Connecticut brought the Rev. Fath- er Walter J. Keenan to St. Mary's Parish in 1952, to serve as pastor of this Clinton congregation. Father Keenan has also an excellent record in community service, and held a post with the Office of Price Administration during World War II.
Born at Meriden on January 4, 1907, he is a son of Arthur J. and Theresa (Keegan) Keenan. His father, who was of Scottish background was one of the early settlers at Meriden, and became a foreman at the Foster and Merriam Foundry in that city. His mother was of Irish descent. After attending local parochial schools, the Rev. Walter J. Keenan entered St. Bernard's Seminary at Rochester, New York, for his training for the priesthood. There he graduated in 1932, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. In the same year he was ordained at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Hartford.
His first duties in the priesthood were as chaplain at St. Vincent's Hospital in Bridgeport, where he served until 1934. He was then named assistant pastor of St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church at West Haven. From there he went to New Britain in 1941, to become as- sistant pastor of St. Mary's Church. Father Keenan remained at St. Mary's for more than a decade, and in 1952 came to Clinton as pastor of St. Mary's Church there.
During World War II, Father Keenan served on the board of
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the Office of Price Administration at New Britain. He is chaplain of the Saybrook Council of the Knights of Columbus. His address is 14 West Main Street, Clinton.
G. DOUGLAS WIEPERT
As president of the Merriam Manufacturing Company at Dur- ham, G. Douglas Wiepert heads an organization which has been in existence for more than a century. It pioneered in the office equipment field, and today fabricates articles of sheet metal, specializing in the design and manufacture of counter displays, special boxes, and cabi- nets. The business had its beginning in 1851, when a Mr. White, who had come to Durham from New Britain, started the manufacture of kitchenware. A review of the company's history in the columns of the Middletown Press points out that according to the original records of its founding, "the name of the said company shall be Mer- riam Manufacturing Company," and that name it has retained to the present day. The Press article continues with these details of its early days :
. . The accumulation of scrap tin worried Mr. White and his associates . . . Using old drop presses fitted with handcut dies, and feeding the scrap to this combination, out flowed figures of soldiers, Indians on horseback and a variety of other toys including toy railroad equipment (reputed to be the first production of this kind in the country) .
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