USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Connecticut, 1639-1928 > Part 18
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In other associations that are distinctively Norwalk's Mr. Thomas has likewise taken a leading part. He was one of the fathers of the Fourth of July Mardi Gras, an annual institution that made Norwalk noted throughout the state for her Independ- ence Day celebration. He was an organizer of the Alpha Wheel Club, an organization that gained fame far beyond the confines of Norwalk. Mr. Thomas has always been a republican, and although he has always held decided views on public affairs and issues, has never entered public life. Norwalk has had no more loyal champion than he, and all causes advancing the prosperity and welfare of his city number him among their energetic sup- porters. In Masonry he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, belonging to the following bodies: St. John's Lodge, F. & A. M .; Washington Chapter, R. A. M .; Clinton Com- mandery, K. T .; Lafayette Consistory, S. P. R. S .; and Pyramid Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. In the days of the popularity of the bicycle, Mr. Thomas was an expert cyclist. He has always been fond of outdoor recreation, and with the introduction of the auto- mobile was an early owner, now an enthusiastic motorist. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Norwalk Methodist Episcopal church and he also belongs to the Norwalk Club and the Craftsmen's Club.
On the 8th of April, 1891, in Norwalk, Mr. Thomas was united in marriage to Nellie May Kellogg, daughter of Martin and Jen- nie (Pooley) Kellogg. Her father, son of Martin and Clarissa
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Jane (Lockwood) Kellogg, was born October 19, 1846, and served as street commissioner of Norwalk for a number of years. It was on the 27th of June, 1867, at New Canaan, Connecticut, that he married Jennie Pooley, born at Huntington, Long Island, August 17, 1852, daughter of James and Maria Jane Pooley.
JOHN JOSEPH CAVANAGH
The activities of John Joseph Cavanagh have been of dis- tinctive character inasmuch as he has advanced from an obscure position in the business world to a place among the foremost hat manufacturers and distributors in the entire country. His steady progress has been characterized by close study and initiative in developing new methods which have made his products among the most desired in the hat markets of America. Today his operations cover not only the management of extensive factory interests in Connecticut but also of extensive mercantile activities in New York, and the name of the Crofut & Knapp Company is a synonym not only for magnitude of production but for highest quality in manufactured products and in style. It is said that imitation is the highest compliment that can be paid, and the Crofut & Knapp products have many imitators throughout the country. The business interests of the president of this organiza- tion are also represented in the extensive activities carried on by the Cavanagh-Dobbs Corporation, which is the holding cor- poration that since the merger of extensive hat manufacturing interests is the directing head of the Crofut & Knapp Company and of the business formerly carried on under the Dobbs name. The moving spirit back of this mammoth enterprise is John Joseph Cavanagh, to whom Norwalk points as one of her most honored citizens as well as native sons. He was born January 16, 1864, a son of Lawrence and Margaret (Murphy) Cavanagh.
Thomas Cavanagh, grandfather of John J. Cavanagh, was born in Ballacedere, County Sligo, Ireland, and learned the dry goods business there under the guidance of his father, who was an importer. Following his marriage to a member of the Dunbar family he came to the United States, where some of their children had already settled, and established a dry goods business in New
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Haven, Connecticut, which he successfully conducted until a few years prior to his demise, when he retired from business, having become a nonagenarian ere called to his final rest.
His son, Lawrence Cavanagh, who was born in Ballacedere, County Sligo, Ireland, was a youth of fifteen when he left Ireland and made his way to the Isthmus of Panama, whence he traveled northward to New Haven, there joining his parents. For about a half century he was in the employ of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, occupying from time to time positions of increasing importance. He voted with the democratic party but had no ambition to hold public office. His wife, Margaret Mur- phy, a native of Tipperary, Ireland, was a daughter of James Murphy, and their family numbered six children, including John Joseph.
The public schools of Norwalk accorded John Cavanagh his educational opportunities and when quite young he entered the employ of the Crofut & Knapp Company, hat manufacturers. His initial position was a minor one, owing to his lack of business experience, but time and effort soon remedied this and steadily he advanced, acquiring knowledge, skill and capability until even- tually he was called to an official position, being made general manager in 1910. For nine years he filled that office and in 1919 was elected vice president. It was a logical step that he should succeed to the presidency, in which .connection a contemporary biographer wrote of him: "The career of John Cavanagh, the president of the Crofut & Knapp Company, may well be an inspiration to young men in business. His progress from the workman's bench to the presidency of the company has been due solely to his own industry, initiative, vision and determination. What John Cavanagh has accomplished lies within the grasp of any boy who is willing to begin at the bottom, learn thoroughly, work hard early and late, and keep steadfastly before him, in spite of every discouragement, the highest ideals. John Cav- anagh came to Crofut & Knapp a boy with an understanding of the rudiments of hatting and perfected his knowledge of every branch of hat manufacture during a rigorous course of training under the founder of the business, James H. Knapp. His bound- less ambition early visioned the day when he should be the execu- tive head of the business and every step of his advancement from
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journeyman hatter to foreman, from foreman to superintendent, from superintendent to general manager, and from general man- ager to president, has been accomplished by fitting himself thor- oughly for the job ahead. Never satisfied to have any gap in his equipment, his study of the business has included a mastery of every phase of the progress of the hat from the selection of the best materials, through the various processes of manufacture, the proper assortment for the retailer's needs, the details of mer- chandising, both wholesale and retail, right down to the placing of the proper hat on the wearer's head. No detail has been too small to escape his attention, nor too unimportant to be care- fully considered. It would be unjust to the young man who might take John Cavanagh's career as a model to omit mention of the fact that the new president was especially equipped by nature for success as a hatter. To know style is a gift, and to produce it is genius. Poets are born, not made, and the same is true of artists, whether they may work in oil paints, clay or felt. Nobody who knows John Cavanagh can deny that he is entitled by gift and achievement to be called an artist. A man is not to be overly praised for gifts with which he is endowed by nature, but his credit comes from building up and perfecting those gifts. Some wise philosopher said that if the capacity for hard work was not genius, it was the best possible substitute for it, and John Cav- anagh had the gift and the capacity. The Crofut & Knapp Com- pany of today is a monument to the work of the men who have contributed to its greatness, and in John Cavanagh it has a worthy embodiment of the study, the hard work and the devo- tion to an ideal that finds its fitting exemplification in the beau- tiful new building that crowns the hill over the river in Norwalk. When it is said that John Cavanagh deserves the honor that has come to him the ground is thoroughly covered."
In addition to his mammoth manufacturing interests Mr. Cavanagh is a director of the American Safety Razor Corpora- tion; president and director of John Cavanagh, Ltd .; chairman of the board of Hodshon Company; chairman of the board of Dobbs & Company; and a director of Central Fairfield Trust Company.
Mr. Cavanagh has long been most pleasantly situated in his home life. He married Agnes Garvan, daughter of the late Hon.
15-VOL. 3
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Patrick Garvan, of Hartford, and their three children are: John Garvan, Lawrence Dunbar and Carroll John.
Mr. Cavanagh's interest in public affairs and particularly in the progress and welfare of his home locality has been manifest in many tangible ways. He rendered valuable service to the old cities of Norwalk and South Norwalk as mayor and he was largely instrumental in bringing about the consolidation of the Twin Cities in 1913. His name is inseparably associated with the development of the Norwalk Hospital and with many projects which have to do with continuous advancement here along those lines which are of material, intellectual and moral benefit. He is a member of the Catholic Club of New York and Norwalk, the South Norwalk Club, the Norwalk Club, Shorehaven Ox Ridge Hunt Club, Fairfield County Hunt Club, and the Woodway Golf Club.
In a review of his career it will be seen that one of the strong features in his success has been his ability to win the cooperation of employes and associates, and one of the local papers terms him "a skillful hat designer and maker, an able executive and a prince of good fellows, who encourages the hustling errand boy in his climb up the ladder to that position of responsibility, respect and affluence which John Cavanagh himself has won, for he, too, once was just such a lad, striving energetically and achieving bril- liantly as he kept his eyes ever trained on the top of the hatting world."
3/1/19 HOBART GLOVER WARNER
Hobart Glover Warner is an enterprising merchant of New- town, in which city he was born December 24, 1878, a son of James Hobart and Flora J. (Beers) Warner. The father was born in the Wapping district of Newtown, November 6, 1835, and was a leading merchant of the community for a half century. His wife, who was born March 20, 1842, was a daughter of Harmon and Phebe (Sherman) Beers and a sister of John H. Beers, who was a well known publisher of Chicago.
Hobart Glover Warner attended the public schools of his native town and also further pursued a high school course in
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Chicago, Illinois, where he lived with his brother, Paul B. Warner, who was associated with H. G. Warner's uncle, Augustus Warner, in the manufacture of silverware. He returned to Newtown because of his father's illness, and upon his father's death entered the latter's general store, which had been established in 1833 and which was conducted under a partnership relation by Taylor, Curtis & Company. He took over the interests of both Mr. Taylor and Mr. Curtis in 1918 and carried the business along with his mother, Flora J. Warner, up to the time of her death, December 5, 1924, since which time he has conducted the store independently. He carries a large and well selected line of general merchandise, and his progressive methods and earnest efforts to please his patrons have secured to him a large share of the local trade.
In Newtown, in 1907, Mr. Warner was married to Miss Mary Nichols Hawley, a daughter of Henry and Julia (Curtis) Hawley. They now have three children: J. Hobart, Austin Curtis and Henry Hawley Warner.
Mr. Warner is well known in his section of Fairfield county, where he has spent practically his entire life, having for only a brief period remained in Chicago. His progress has been con- tinuous since he became identified with his present mercantile establishment and he is justly accounted one of the foremost business men of the community.
MRS. BOLTON'S SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
FROM KINDERGARTEN TO COLLEGE
Westport has for years taken a justifiable pride in its educa- tional system and its attractive school buildings, and in more recent years has had additional reason for self-congratulation in the acquisition of a private day and boarding school, of which no better can be found. Early in 1925 Mrs. Mary E. E. Bolton, an English lady of education and culture, visited Westport, and, feeling the charm of the place, decided that it would be an ideal location for a private school for girls. Returning in October of that year, she rented a house on Church street and opened its doors as Mrs. Bolton's School for Girls. She determined that
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its educational program should be modeled after the best English schools and, accordingly, surrounded herself with a faculty of women who had received their education in English universities. That the time was propitious for such a school here was apparent from the start, for soon the number of pupils began to outgrow the accommodation of the building. Realizing that if she was to meet the demand for places in her school she would have to secure larger quarters, Mrs. Bolton, in September, 1926, rented the large residence on State street belonging to Willard S. Adams, which is an ideal place for a girls' school. However, during the past two years the school has outgrown this residence also, and plans are now under way for a removal to the property of the late Frank Adams, at Kings highway and Wilton road, in order that the school may not be impeded in its growth and in its facilities for the best work. Although, like all English· schools, games and sportsmanship occupy a prominent place, Mrs. Bolton's school places its emphasis upon real scholarship and true culture, and it is worthy of note that this school prepares its students for passing examinations of all American and English colleges. Mrs. Bolton is a lady of sound judgment and tactful manner, is closely devoted to her work, and her personal charm and gracious qualities have gained for her many warm and loyal friends in Westport.
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ANDREW R. SMITH
Through the exercise of effort Andrew R. Smith has developed his latent powers, which have carried him rapidly to the fore in business and financial circles of Bridgeport, and he also figures prominently in community affairs, manifesting a deep interest in everything that touches the welfare and progress of the city. He was born in Newtown, Connecticut, January 29, 1892, a son of Dr. Edward M. and Grace (Raymond) Smith. The father was a native of Newburgh, New York, and received his higher educa- tion in the Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons, which awarded him the M. D. degree. For many years he practiced successfully in Bridgeport, establishing an enviable reputation as a physician, and he remained here until his death on July 13,
ANDREW R. SMITH
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1920. He was a member of the Episcopal church and gave his political support to the republican party. Mrs. Smith was born in Danbury, Connecticut, and now resides in Cromwell, this state.
Andrew R. Smith was graduated from one of the high schools of Bridgeport and later became a student in Williams College, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1914. For two years he was a member of the clerical force of the Harvey Hubbell Company, Inc., and then assumed the duties of vice presi- dent of the E. W. Carpenter Manufacturing Company of Bridge- port. In 1917 he responded to the call to arms and was assigned to duty in the aviation corps of the United States army. At Kelly Field he was commissioned a second lieutenant and was in the ser- vice of his country for eighteen months, receiving his honorable discharge in February, 1918, at Ellington Field near Houston, Texas. Following his return to Bridgeport, Mr. Smith was elected vice president of W. R. Bull & Company, Inc., investment bankers, located at No. 207 State street, and has since filled that office, managing his department with system and efficiency. He plays an important part in the conduct of the business, which has assumed large proportions, and he is a director of the American Founder's Corporation, W. R. Bull & Company, Inc., the First National Bank of Bridgeport, the Sikorsky Aviation Corporation, the E. W. Carpenter Manufacturing Company, the Porcupine Co., and the Bridgeport Rolling Mills.
Mr. Smith was married July 13, 1918, in Fairfield, to Miss Esther Davis, a daughter of Charles D. and Susan (Hawley) Davis, the former now deceased. Mrs. Smith was born in Bridge- port and received her education in Abbott Academy at Andover, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have four children: Andrew Raymond, Jr., who was born May 26, 1919; David Burr, born March 16, 1921; Philip Hawley, born December 29, 1923; and Esther Davis, born June 30, 1926.
The parents are Episcopalians in religious faith and Mr. Smith is one of the vestrymen of his church, while in politics he is a republican. He was president of the Family Welfare Society for three years and is vice president of the Young Men's Chris- tian Association of Bridgeport, working earnestly and effectively to promote their interests. He is also a member of the executive
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committee of the Community Chest. Mr. Smith is president of the Brooklawn Country Club, a director of the Black Rock Yacht Club, a member of the Laurentian Club of Canada and the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce. A young man of winning personality, he has a gift for making and keeping friends, and his life has been guided by those principles which constitute the basis of all honorable and desirable prosperity.
RICHARD LAW JACKSON
Richard Law Jackson is endowed with the fine mental and moral qualities of a long line of illustrious ancestors and has added thereto the interest of his own individuality. He is an able educator of broad experience and senior master of the Ridgefield School, with which he has been identified for nearly two decades. A native of Middletown, Connecticut, he was born January 21, 1889, and is a son of Robert Nesmith and Sarah (Ewing) Jack- son, both of English lineage. The father was born in Paris, France, March 10, 1845, and the mother in Terre Haute, Indiana, December 14, 1855. Michael Jackson, the great-great-grand- father of Richard Law Jackson, was a distinguished military leader who held the rank of brigadier-general in the Continental army during the Revolutionary war, and in the maternal line he is descended from Governor Law of Connecticut, who was his great-great-grandfather, while the grandfather, Richard Law, was a commodore in the United States navy during the Civil war.
Reared in his native city, Richard Law Jackson was a pupil in Miss Patten's private school at Middletown and next attended school at Cheshire, Connecticut. His studies were completed at Williamstown, Massachusetts, in Williams College, from which he was graduated in June, 1910, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In September, 1910, he became an instructor in the Ridge- field School, and since 1922 has been senior master of this institu- tion, which is devoted to the education of boys. He is at the head of the department of history and also has charge of athletics. For eighteen years he has faithfully and efficiently served the school, contributing materially toward its success, and his work has elicited high commendation.
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Mr. Jackson was married December 27, 1921, in Rochester, New York, to Miss Eleanor Lewis Church, who was born June 6, 1897, in that city. She is of English descent and a daughter of Frederick Fargo and Mary (White) Church. The father has passed away but Mrs. Church still makes her home in Rochester, residing at No. 306 Oxford street. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have become the parents of a son, Frederick Church, who was born in New York city and is five years old, and a daughter, Sarah Law, born December 21, 1928.
In politics Mr. Jackson is a republican but not a strong par- tisan, voting according to the dictates of his judgment and stand- ing at all times for progress, reform and improvement in public affairs. He is a member of the Williams Club of New York city, and his religious views are indicated by his affiliation with the Protestant Episcopal church. Mr. Jackson has chosen for his life work a field of broad usefulness, and his talents, natural and acquired, have made a successful educator.
NORMAN C. KRUER
Norman C. Kruer, who has made a most creditable record as postmaster of Shelton since his appointment to that position on the 1st of April, 1923, is widely known as a public-spirited and enterprising young citizen of the community in which he has resided from his birth. He was born at Shelton, Connecticut, March 7, 1891, and is a son of William and Emma (Martin) Kruer. In the acquirement of an education he attended the grade and high schools of the locality and after putting aside his textbooks learned the pattern-making trade, which claimed his attention for a period of fourteen years. It was on the 1st of April, 1923, as above stated, that he assumed the duties of postmaster of Shelton, which he has since discharged very acceptably and with marked efficiency. His term will expire in 1931. With the incep- tion of city government in 1917, Mr. Kruer was made Shelton's first fire commissioner, and he has rendered commendable public service as captain of the Shelton volunteer fire department for three terms.
Fraternally Mr. Kruer is affiliated with Shelton Lodge of the
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Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Derby. He is a popular and highly esteemed young citizen of his home community and one whose efforts are ever exerted in behalf of civic progress and advancement.
ALBERT W. SMITH
Albert W. Smith, who was in the service of his country during the World war, is now engaged in business as a building con- tractor in Bridgeport in association with his father and repre- sents a family of builders. A native of this city, he was born in the family home at No. 513 Fairfield avenue on the 8th of Sep- tember, 1884, a son of Wilbur Albert and Emily (Seaman) Smith. His great-grandfather, John Smith, was a teamster during the Revolutionary war and did hauling for the Continental army. He became the owner of grist and sawmills and one of the sub- stantial business men of Stratford, Connecticut. He was born in that city, of which his wife, Abigail (Vose) Smith, was also a native. Their son, Charles Albert Smith, was likewise born in Stratford and followed the trade of a carpenter. He was one of the early contractors of Bridgeport and passed away in this city. He married Mary Ann Green and they were the parents of Wilbur Albert Smith, who was born in Stratford, March 22, 1855. Under his father the son was thoroughly trained in con- struction work. In 1880 he came to Bridgeport and three years later entered the field of contracting as a member of the firm of Savage & Smith, afterward operating alone for some time. He then admitted his son, Albert W., to a partnership. In years of continuous activity the father is the oldest contractor in Bridge- port, which bears many evidences of his skill as a builder. To him were awarded the contracts for the erection of the Con- necticut Bank building, the Young Men's Christian Association building, the public market and the buildings of the Read Carpet Company, as well as other business edifices in the city. He has built many of its finest residences and has also done much work elsewhere at points up the Hudson, on Long Island, in New York city, in New Jersey and throughout Connecticut. He carries a
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large stock of lumber and does manufacturing for his own use but does not retail to the trade.
In 1882 Wilbur Albert Smith married Miss Emily Seaman, who was born on Long Island. Her parents were the Rev. Samuel and Elizabeth (Searing) Seaman, natives of New York city. Mrs. Smith's father was descended from one of the three crown com- missioners whose deed of conveyance for the eastern part of Long Island made possible its sale to the present property holders. The Rev. Samuel Seaman was graduated from the College of New York city and became a minister of the Methodist church, devoting his life to its service. He was a stanch democrat and a charter member of Tammany Hall. His demise occurred in New York city and his wife passed away on Long Island. Mr. and Mrs. Smith became the parents of two children: Albert Wilbur and Grace Stewart, the latter of whom died at the age of sixteen years.
Albert W. Smith attended the public schools of Bridgeport, afterward completed a course in the Mechanics Institute of New York, and was next a postgraduate student at Columbia Uni- versity. He received a liberal education and since 1906 has been a member of the firm of W. A. Smith & Son, structural engineers and contractors with offices at No. 188 Cannon street. This pioneer institution furnishes employment to more than one hun- dred persons and for forty-five years it has been a vital force in Bridgeport's upbuilding and improvement. The work of the firm exemplifies the highest degree of skill in the art of building, and a well merited reputation for promptness, honesty and efficiency is one of its most valuable assets. In erecting his first building Albert W. Smith demolished a structure that had been con- structed by his grandfather and rebuilt by his father. For three generations in succession members of this well known family have engaged in contracting and building, a field in which they excel.
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