USA > Connecticut > History of Connecticut, Volume IV > Part 8
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Mr. White's name, however, is not listed among the corporation's officers, who in January, 1851, were given as Miles Merwin, pres- ident; L. T. Merriam, Samuel Newton and Enos Rogers, directors, and P. S. Hubbard, secretary. Apparently from an early date, it was Mr. Merriam who was a motivating force in the organization. At the time of the Civil War, he was selected to make collapsible candle lanterns for the Union Army. The "tin shop," as the business was known, had by that time become Durham's most important industry. In the 1870s, the company abandoned the kitchenware and toy lines, and concentrated on the production of a diversified line of metal boxes. It probably manufactured the first factory-built metal containers. Business continued along these lines until 1918, when a fire burned to the ground the original plant, which had been occupied since 1851. After several meetings, the directors decided to dispose of their hold- ings. George J. Francis acquired all the stock, becoming sole owner, and he erected the present plant. He carried the business to new heights of prosperity, and brought it safely through the depression. He was succeeded in the early 1930s by George H. Jackson. In 1940, G. Dou-
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glas Wiepert acquired control, and under his capable direction the firm has not only continued to produce and market its line of metal boxes and containers, but has expanded into the field of office equip- ment and metal counter displays. During World War II, it was en- gaged exclusively in war production, making metal boxes and tin cans for packaging grenades, fuses and ammunition.
Mr. Wiepert, whose handiwork is to be seen in the present-day prosperity of the plant, is a native of the borough of Brooklyn, New York, and was born on May 14, 1895, son of George S. and Amarilla (Brown) Wiepert. He attended Irving Preparatory School at Tarry- town, New York, then entered the University of Connecticut, where he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1918.
The following year he took a position with Sargent and Company, a hardware manufacturing firm at New Haven, and he won steady promotion with this organization, becoming superintendent, and, in 1935, production manager. From 1935 to 1939 he was divisional sales manager with the Seamless Rubber Company. With this valuable technical and sales experience to his credit, he found his opportunity to control a business of his own when in 1940 he acquired the Merriam Manufacturing Company. His abilities have been a primary influence in the progress of the firm in recent years.
Mr. Wiepert is a member of the National Association of Manu- facturers and the Connecticut Manufacturers Association. In Mid- dletown, he belongs to the Chamber of Commerce, and he is also a member of the New Haven Lawn Club and the Graduates Club, both of New Haven, and of the Cornell Club of New York. He is a com- municant of St. John's Episcopal Church.
At Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, on August 30, 1921, G. Douglas Wiepert married Helen G. Dersheimer, daughter of Cyrus O. Ders- heimer and Amy (Harding) Dersheimer. The couple are the parents of a daughter, Deborah H., who was born in New Haven on August 17, 1931. She is a graduate of the Baldwin School at Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and of Mount Holyoke College. She married Willard W. Bunnell of Farmington, Connecticut. A graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy, Mr. Bunnell attended Williams College at Williams- town, Massachusetts. He has also taken courses at Yale University, and served two years in the Army of the United States. He is now on the engineering staff of the Kellogg Division of the American Brake Shoe Company at Rochester, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Bunnell have two sons: i. Douglas, who was born at New Haven. ii. Bruce, who was born in Rochester.
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WARREN M. HUMES
In the early years of his career, Warren M. Humes placed his legal training at the disposal of the Connecticut Mutual Life Insur- ance Company, with which for the past several years he has held the office of counsel.
He is a native of Worcester, Massachusetts, and was born on July 5, 1899. Attending local public schools and graduating from South High School in Worcester in 1917, he entered military service in that year and served in the Armed Forces until 1919. Returning to civilian life, he resumed his studies, enrolling at Clark University. There he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1922.
He began his career as a teacher in that year, and was a member of the faculty of Montclair Academy from 1928 to 1931. He had meantime begun his law studies at Yale Law School, and concluded them after he had joined the faculty of New Haven College in 1931. He received his degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1932; but continued on at New Haven College until 1934.
However, on completion of his law training, he began concur- rently his connection with the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company, joining the staff of its legal department. He has remained with the organization ever since. In 1949 he was appointed associate counsel, and he became counsel on January 20, 1956.
Mr. Humes has been a member of the Connecticut Bar since 1933, and he is a member of the Association of Life Insurance Counsel as well. Also a member of the International Claim Association, he is past chairman of its legal committee. He is a communicant of the Congregational Church. Mr. Humes has two daughters.
DOMINIC J. BONTATIBUS
Following a career in industry, and a record of military service in World War II, Dominic J. Bontatibus of Branford has devoted his full time to service in public office for the last decade. He is cur- rently serving as first selectman, a post to which he has been several times elected.
Born at Scotland, Connecticut, on May 2, 1908, he is a son of John and Antoinette (Bereducci) Bontatibus. His father, who was a laborer, died in January 1943. The family moved to Branford in 19II, and there Dominic J. Bontatibus attended public schools and attended High School. He then joined Malleable Iron Fittings Com- pany, which has its plant in the same city. This was in 1925, and he
Domina J. Sont atiles
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remained with the firm until he entered the United States Army in 1942. In the course of those years, he advanced from a position as laborer through posts of increasing responsibility in the company's various departments, and was yard and maintenance superintendent at the time he left.
During World War II he served in the 252nd Infantry Regiment, 66th Division, with which he went to the European Theater of Opera- tions, where he received three Battle Stars and the Unit Citation. Advancing to the rank of staff sergeant, he received his honorable discharge in 1945.
When he returned to civilian life, he resumed his connection with the Malleable Iron Fittings Company, and remained until 1949. In that year he left private industry to devote his full attention to the responsibilities of public office, having been elected second selectman in the Town of Branford. He was elected to his first term as first selectman in 1951, and has been re-elected each biennium since, most recently in 1957. His office is in Town Hall.
Mr. Bontatibus has civic or fraternal memberships including the Exchange Club, the Branford Chamber of Commerce, the posts of the Disabled American Veterans and American Legion, the lodges of Redmen of America and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Italian-American Club. Mr. and Mrs. Bontatibus attend the Baptist Church. She is the former Miss Juanita Page of Branford, daughter of the late Charles H. and Katherine Juanita (Saunders) Page.
WALTER DAVID BRIGGS
One of Middletown's younger professional men, Walter David Briggs began his practice as a lawyer in that city, and is now serving as corporation counsel. He is a veteran of wartime service in the United States Army Air Corps.
Born April I, 1924, at East Greenwich, Rhode Island, he is a son of Walter D. and Ruth Beaton (Lowery) Briggs. His mother died six days after his birth. The elder Walter D. Briggs is a lawyer, as- sociated with the firm of Ganley and Crook in Springfield, Massachu- setts. He is a graduate of Wesleyan University at Middletown, and received his professional training at Yale Law School. Walter David Briggs, however, went to Rhode Island State College (now Rhode Island State University) at Kingston, after completing his prepara- tory courses at East Greenwich Academy. His advanced studies were
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interrupted by service in the United States Army Air Corps, in which he enlisted in 1943. He was a gunner with one of the air units sta- tioned in the European Theater of Operations. When he received his honorable discharge in 1946, he resumed his college education, but transferred to Boston University, where he took his degree of Bach- elor of Arts in 1948. For his professional training, he went to that university's law school, and graduated there with the degree of Bach- elor of Laws in 1951.
Admitted to the Connecticut bar in that year, Mr. Briggs im- mediately began practice at Middletown, where he has had his offices since, the address of his firm being 321 Main Street. He was first ap- pointed corporation counsel in 1955 by Mayor Harry Clem, and has served continuously in that post since August I of that year.
He is a member of the American Bar Association, the State Bar Association of Connecticut, and the Middletown Bar Association. Apart from his professional connections, he is a Kiwanian and a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias. He is a communicant of the First Baptist Church of Middletown, which he serves as a trustee. Fond of the out-of-doors, he particularly enjoys hunting and fishing.
On March 22, 1952, in his native city of East Greenwich, Walter David Briggs married Frances C. Weindel of that city, daughter of Paul and Josephine (Linden) Weindel. Mrs. Briggs is a graduate of East Greenwich Academy.
RICHARD J. O'BRIEN
As president of the Middlesex Broadcasting Company at Mid- dletown, Richard J. O'Brien capably directs the organization well known to the people of the state through the call letters of its station, WCNX. A veteran of World War II, in which he served as an Air Corps officer, Mr. O'Brien entered the broadcasting industry shortly afterwards.
He is a native of Middletown, and was born on December 5, 1904, son of William J., Sr., and Catherine (Fitzgerald) O'Brien. His father was born in 1876, and his mother in 1879, and both are still living. The broadcasting executive completed his public school education at Portland, and graduated from high school there. He was a member of the Class of 1927 at Trinity College, Hartford. As a Trinity student, he was captain of the 1926 varsity football team, and was also col- lege marshall. He began his career in the newspaper field, occupying the city desk of the Hartford Times from 1927 to 1929. His next
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position, in which he remained until 1932, was an assistant manager- ship with the Travelers Insurance Company. From 1932 to 1936, Mr. O'Brien was brokerage manager of the Connecticut General Life In- surance Company.
He left the insurance business and the state of Connecticut in 1936 to go to Montclair, New Jersey, and assume duties as vice pres- ident of the Bankers National Life Insurance Company. Mr. O'Brien remained with that organization for twelve years, with time out for service in World War II. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps in 1942, and by the time of his separation in 1946, had advanced to the rank of major. He was recalled to active duty in 1951, and by 1953, when he again returned to civilian life, held a commission as lieutenant colonel. In the course of his total of six years in the Air Force, he had served in Europe and the Mediterranean area, the Pa- cific and Japan. He won a Bronze Star.
In 1948 Mr. O'Brien left his position with the Bankers National Life Insurance Company in Montclair, and returned to his native Mid- dletown to assume duties as president of the Middlesex Broadcasting Company, the position he has since held. Its offices and studios are located at 460 Main Street.
Mr. O'Brien is a member of Psi Upsilon fraternity, which he joined at Trinity College. His other memberships include the Mid- dletown Yacht Club and the New York Athletic Club. Boating and golf are his favorite sports. He is a Roman Catholic, a communicant of St. Francis' Church in Middletown. He makes his home on Cham- berlin Hill Road, Higganum.
In New York City on November 9, 1940, Richard J. O'Brien married Beatrice Torgan, a native of Hartford and daughter of Wil- liam R. and Frances (Perkins) Torgan. Mrs. O'Brien is a graduate of Hartford High School, and of the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.
WILLIAM J. O'BRIEN, JR.
William J. O'Brien, Jr., is secretary-treasurer of the Middlesex Broadcasting Company of Middletown. He is a native of Portland, Connecticut, and was born on December 17, 1908, son of William J., Sr., and Catherine (Fitzgerald) O'Brien. Both parents are still living, as are also three other sons, Richard J., John D., and David P.
After attending local schools and graduating from Portland High School, the younger William J. O'Brien entered Wesleyan University
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at Middletown, as a member of the class of 1932. He began his career in 1933 as a chemist with the Connecticut State Highway Laboratory, and left in 1936 to become manager of a district comprising the states of Pennsylvania and West Virginia for the American Society of Com- posers, Authors and Publishers. He continued to serve the interests of the famed "ASCAP" for twelve years, and in 1948 began his present duties as secretary-treasurer of the Middlesex Broadcasting Company.
In 1953, Mr. O'Brien was elected to the Connecticut State House of Representatives. He was reelected in 1954, 1956 and 1958. He was a member of the Legislative Council during the 1955-1957 session, and became assistant minority leader in 1957. In the 1959 session Mr. O'Brien was unanimously elected Speaker of the House of Re- presentatives of the State of Connecticut.
He is a member of the Hartford Club and the Middletown Yacht Club, and his favorite sports are boating and golf. He and his family attend St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church at Portland, and make their home on Hilltop Drive in that city.
Mrs. O'Brien is the former Ruth Patterson of Pittsburgh, daugh- ter of William and Mary Patterson. She was married to William J. O'Brien in her native city on February II, 1947. They are the parents of three children, all of whom were born in Portland: I. Peter, born on April 8, 1934. 2. Nancy, born on July 15, 1937. 3. David, born on April 28, 1952.
ALBERT K. HUGHES
President and treasurer of the Middletown Coal and Oil Com- pany, Albert K. Hughes has to his credit a long record of experience in the city's industrial life. He was born at Lynn, Massachusetts, on June 6, 1892, son of the Rev. John A. and Frances C. (Kelsey ) Hughes. His father, a native of England, was a Congregational minister, while his mother was born at Portland, Connecticut. Albert K. Hughes com- pleted his secondary studies at Port Norfolk High School in Virginia. While in that region, he held his first job, at the age of fifteen, selling tickets to the Jamestown Exposition. He returned to New England for his advanced studies, attending Middletown Business College.
In 1908 he took a position in the bookkeeping department of the New England Enameling Company, and left in 1910 to join the Stanley Works as an employee in its payroll department. His connection with his present organization goes back forty-five years. He began his con- nection on April 13, 1913, in the capacity of bookkeeper. The firm was
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then known as the Middletown Coal Company. It changed this name with the addition of fuel oil to its stock in trade. Mr. Hughes assumed duties as its president and treasurer in 1946, succeeding the late Herbert W. Goodrich.
Mr. Hughes is a member and past president of the Middletown Exchange Club, and for the past twenty years he has served as treas- urer of Hemlock Grange in Portland, Patrons of Husbandry. He is a charter member of the Edgewood Country Club of Cromwell. Golf and bowling are his favorite pastimes. A communicant of the Con- gregational Church, he served as its treasurer for many years.
On October 12, 1915, Albert K. Hughes married Maude M. Minor, daughter of Nelson and Ella (Hodge) Minor, the ceremony taking place at Berlin, Connecticut. The couple became the parents of two children: I. Albert Minor, who was killed in action at the battle of Metz in 1944. 2. Constance Frances, who graduated from the College for Women at New London. She is the wife of William J. McBrien of Portland, Connecticut. During World War II, Mr. McBrien served in an antiaircraft outfit in the Pacific, and was a master sergeant. The couple are the parents of three children, all of whom were born in Portland: i. Albert Thomas, born in 1948. ii. James E., born in 1950. iii. Joseph W., born in 1951.
GEORGE JAMES COYLE
Following his admission to the bar in the early 1930s, George James Coyle commenced practice in New Britain, which is his native city. Besides conducting his independent private practice, with offices at 272 Main Street, he has rendered valuable service in public posts, having been mayor and corporation counsel.
Born on February 20, 1902, he is a son of James Joseph and Catherine (Conneston) Coyle. His father was employed at the Stan- ley works as a machinist. Spending his boyhood years in New Britain and attending its public schools, George J. Coyle graduated from New Britain High School in 1918, when he was sixteen years old. He later entered Dartmouth College, and took his degree of Bachelor of Arts there in 1924, having majored in political science. His degree of Bachelor of Laws was conferred by Yale Law School in 1931. He graduated in June of that year, but had already been admitted to the bar by examination in January. Following the completion of his courses, he established offices in his native city, and has continued there since.
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Mr. Coyle was elected mayor of New Britain in 1938, and served until 1942. He had first served as corporation counsel from 1935 to 1937; and he held that office again from 1952 to 1954, and a third term from 1956 to 1958.
He is a member of the lodge of Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is a Roman Catholic, attending St. Maurie Church in New Britain.
On October 1, 1935, in New York City, George J. Coyle married Alfreda Patrie. Mr. and Mrs. Coyle are the parents of one daughter, Judith Ann, born on January 21, 1937.
HARRY L. CLARK
Harry L. Clark's dual role in public office at Deep River makes him one of the township's key figures. He has held the position of first selectman since 1955, and is also chief of police.
Born at Old Saybrook on September 22, 1891, he is a son of George Clark and Nellie (Goodrich) Clark. Both of his parents were natives of Connecticut, his father having been born at Middletown and his mother at New London. The family moved from Essex to East Had- dam in 1897, and Mr. Clark attended public school there. In 1924 he joined the staff of the Connecticut State Bridge Department, working at its headquarters in East Haddam. He continued in this work until 1940, when he was appointed supervisor of the Greenwich tool station. He was later transferred to the Charter Oak Bridge in East Hartford as supervisor there.
In 1949, Mr. Clark resigned from state employment on his elec- tion to the post of town clerk of the Town of Deep River. He served through 1954, and in 1955 was elected first selectman of Deep River, an office to which he was re-elected in 1957. Also in 1957, he became the town's chief of police. Mr. Clark is a Rotarian, and a communicant of the Episcopal Church.
At Deep River on February 25, 1933, Harry L. Clark married Eugenia Beauchene of that town, daughter of George and Matilda (Aubey) Beauchene.
ERVING PRUYN
Coming to Winsted in the early days of World War II following legal experience in New York City and Albany, Erving Pruyn prac- ticed law there for many years as a member of the firm of Howd, Pruyn and Lavieri.
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He is a native of New York State's capital city, and was born on October 26, 1897, son of John V. L. and Cornelia V. R. (Erving) Pruyn. His father, who was also born in Albany, practiced law there, but died September 22, 1904, before his son had reached the age of seven years. Mrs. Pruyn was a native of New York City. She survived her husband until December 29, 1933. Erving Pruyn received his early education at a private school in New York City, and completed his pre- paratory studies at St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire, where he graduated in 1914. He then entered Harvard College, took his degree of Bachelor of Arts there in 1918, and served in the army for a time during World War I. He later returned to Harvard, at- tended its Law School, and in 1921, received his degree of Bachelor of Laws there.
Returning to New York City, Mr. Pruyn was admitted to the New York bar in 1922, and practiced in New York City until 1937. He then went to his native city of Albany, where he followed his pro- fession for two more years. Admitted to the Connecticut bar in 1942, he became associated with the Hartford law firm of Hewes, Pretty- man and Awalt. In 1947, he joined Hadleigh H. Howd in forming the partnership of Howd and Pruyn and a few years later they were joined by Carmine R. Lavieri, continuing the practice of law under the firm name of Howd, Pruyn & Lavieri. At the 1959 session of the Connecti- cut General Assembly Mr. Pruyn was appointed a judge of the new Connecticut Circuit Court. On July 1, 1959 he withdrew from the firm of Howd, Pruyn & Lavieri, which then became Howd & Lavieri. Both Mr. Howd and Mr. Lavieri are subjects of biographical sketches in this work.
Mr. Pruyn is a member of the American Bar Association, the State Bar Association of Connecticut, the Litchfield County Bar As- sociation, and the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, the Harvard Club of New York City and the University Club of Hart- ford. A Republican and long a party stalwart, he was chairman of the Colebrook Republican Town Committee from 1945 to 1959 when he retired from politics. He represented the Town of Colebrook in the Connecticut General Assembly for seven consecutive two-year terms commencing with the 1945 session. In the 1953, 1955 and 1957 sessions he was House Chairman of the powerful Judicial Committee and also Assistant Majority Leader. He did not stand for reelection in 1958. Mr. Pruyn is a Rotarian and a member of Colebrook Congrega- tional Church, which he serves as a deacon. His hobby is photography.
In New York City on May 21, 1926, Erving Pruyn married Caro-
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lyn E. Prentice of that city, daughter of Robert Kelly and Carolyn E. ( Benedict) Prentice. Her father is deceased but her mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Pruyn have two daughters: I. Carolyn P., who was born on April 19, 1930. She is an artist in New York City. 2. Justine Candace, born February 23, 1932; now Mrs. Charles L. Trowbridge.
HENRY STEVENSON WASHBURN
Distinguished Connecticut industrialist Henry Stevenson Wash- burn was founder of The Plainville Casting Company, of which he remained the active head until a short time before his recent death. He built his firm into one of the most substantial and prosperous gray iron foundries in New England; was an official of other cor- porations as well; and held many positions of influence in his industry.
A native of Brooklyn, New York, Mr. Washburn was born on April 1, 1885, and was a son of Henry Homer and Mary Elizabeth (Ryan) Washburn, and grandson of Henry Stevenson and Maria (Loring) Washburn. His grandfather built the Quinsigamond Iron and Wire Works at Worcester, Massachusetts, which he operated from 1846 to 1857. He was a prominent Worcester citizen and a widely known poet. His poem "The Vacant Chair," appearing on November 16, 1861, commemorated the death in the Civil War of a Worcester boy, Lieutenant Grout, at the Battle of Ball's Bluff. The Reverend Henry Homer Washburn, father of the industrialist, was an Episco- pal clergyman, who was for many years rector of Christ Church at Oyster Bay, New York.
After receiving his preliminary education at St. Paul's School, Garden City, New York, Henry S. Washburn attended Yale Univer- sity during 1903-1904, as a member of the Class of 1907. He then began his business career as a clerk with the Corn Exchange Bank in New York City. In 1907 he became assistant credit man with the H. B. Claflin Company, also of New York City, a wholesale dry goods firm. He continued in that position until 1912, when he was made office manager of Butler Brothers, wholesale store suppliers in New York City. In 1916 he was purchasing agent for the Gilbert Clock Company of Winsted, Connecticut, and in 1917 became secre- tary and director of the Turner and Seymour Manufacturing Com- pany at Torrington, manufacturers of drapery hardware and of gray iron and brass castings.
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