USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Connecticut, 1639-1928 > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46
In 1906 Albert W. Smith was married in Bridgeport to Miss Alice Ida Carson, a native of London, England, and they have one child, Alice Edith, who was born February 21, 1908. She was graduated from the high school at Berkeley, California, and is now a student at Ross College in that state.
During the World war Mr. Smith was with Squadron No. 11 of the North Atlantic fleet and served for two years in the United
258
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
States navy, being commissioned boatswain. He is now con- nected with the Naval Reserve Officers Association of New York city, the Naval Veterans Association and the American Legion. He belongs to the Army and Navy Club of New York city, the Bridgeport and International Rotary Clubs, the Black Rock Business Mens' Club, the Black Rock Yacht Club, the Miamaque Yacht Club of Bridgeport, and the North American Yacht Rac- ing Union. He is also a member of the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce, Bridgeport Lodge, No. 36, B. P. O. E., the Little Theater League, and is a deputy commissioner of the Boy Scouts of America. He is a member of the Sons of the American Revo- lution and was formerly vice president of Bridgeport chapter, there being three lines of Revolutionary records in the family. Mr. Smith is affiliated with the United Congregational church and casts his ballot for the candidates of the republican party. Like his father, he has a high conception of duty and honor, and his activities have touched the general interests of society to their betterment.
GEORGE R. STEVENS
At the head of the municipal government of New Canaan stands George R. Stevens, who is proving a strong executive and public-spirited official, his administration being characterized by much that is helpful in city government and management. He is also identified with the business interests of New Canaan through his activities in real estate.
Mr. Stevens was born in New York city, October 8, 1895, a son of George R. and Jennie L. Stevens. In his boyhood days he became a resident of New Canaan, where he attended the public schools, and in the scholastic year of 1915-16 he was a student in Columbia University. During the succeeding school year he attended the University of New Hampshire and then following America's entrance into the World war he enlisted for service as a member of Company B, Eleventh Infantry. He went overseas with that command on the 8th of January, 1918, and participated in the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives. He was wounded in both engagements, which were among the most hotly contested
259
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
of the entire war. He is now on the retired list with the rank of first lieutenant.
Mr. Stevens returned to the United States on the 1st of January, 1919, and soon afterward again became a resident of New Canaan. He was subsequently in the government employ as ship dispatcher at the port of New York until 1924, when he returned to New Canaan and entered into active association with R. B. Morse in the real estate business, in which he has since engaged. He is thoroughly informed concerning property values and has negotiated many important realty transfers.
His public activities cover service as burgess, to which office he was elected in 1926, and in May, 1928, he was chosen for the position of warden. He has made an excellent official through the prompt and faithful discharge of his duties, based upon a recognition of public needs and the possibilities for civic progress.
On the 5th of December, 1917, in New York city, Mr. Stevens was united in marriage to Miss Agnes I. Taylor, daughter of Charles E. and Mary Taylor. They are the parents of a son, George R., Jr.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Stevens is a Mason, belonging to Harmony Lodge, No. 67, F. & A. M. He is also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, of which he is a trustee, and a member of the Veterans Club and its president. Alert and enter- prising, at all times actuated by a spirit of progress, Mr. Stevens is accomplishing excellent results both as an official and as a business man and his worth to his community is widely acknowledged.
3/9/49 WILLIAM B. BENTLEY
William B. Bentley, since 1918 an active factor in the com- munity life of Newtown, where he incorporated the Plastic Moulding Corporation, was born in Watertown, New York, De- cember 25, 1869, a son of William and Alice E. (Parker) Bentley. Having mastered the branches of learning taught in the local schools of his native city, he continued his education in the Ives Seminary and later went west to Chicago during the period in which the World's Columbian Exposition was held there.
260
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
Gradually by logical steps he drifted into the show business and for twenty-five years he toured the country as manager and owner of various theatrical enterprises. On the 1st of September, 1918, he took up his residence in Newtown, Connecticut, where he has since remained, and throughout the intervening period he has been active in the community in different connections. He organized and incorporated the Plastic Moulding Corporation of Newtown and he has become well known as a real estate dealer, having gained a thorough knowledge of the realty market, so that he has been able to negotiate important property transfers.
On the 25th of December, 1912, the anniversary of his birth, Mr. Bentley was married to Miss Lillian Emmert, a daughter of John and May (Rizer) Emmert. Mrs. Bentley was one of the first speakers in behalf of woman suffrage and has traveled throughout Europe and America on her lecture tours. Mr. Bentley is a member of the Newtown Chamber of Commerce, in which he is serving as a director, and his interest centers in those channels through which flows the greatest and most permanent good to the greatest number. As a business man he is alert and energetic and he seldom fails to accomplish his purposes.
REV. FREDERICK J. MURPHY, LL. D.
One of the leading clergymen of the Roman Catholic church in Fairfield county is Rev. Frederick J. Murphy, pastor of St. Mary's church in Greenwich, where he has served with ability and success for the past fifteen years. Father Murphy was born in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1860, his parents being John and Catherine (McQuiggan) Murphy, who were natives of Manches- ter, England, and of Ireland, respectively, and who have passed away.
Frederick J. Murphy received his early education in the paro- chial schools of New Haven, after which he attended Montreal College for three years. He completed his philosophical and theo- logical studies in St. Bonaventure's College at Allegany, New York, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1885. His first appointment was to the church of the Immaculate Conception at Waterbury, Connecticut, where he served for two and one-half
REV. FREDERICK J. MURPHY
263
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
years, which was followed by eleven months at St. Augustine's parish in Bridgeport. He then returned to Waterbury, where he ministered to the church of the Sacred Heart for seven years, and was then transferred to the church of St. Rose of Lima at Meriden, Connecticut. He was there thirteen months, followed by three months at St. Mary's church of New London, and was then appointed pastor of St. Bridget's parish at Manchester, Con- necticut, to which congregation he ministered for sixteen years. In 1913 he became pastor of St. Mary's parish in Greenwich. - Father Murphy's record here has been one of hard and unselfish service, in which he has been rewarded with abundant success, the church being built up in all of its departments and becoming one of the most influential religious organizations of this section of the county. He is an able preacher, a devoted and loyal pastor, and his sincerity of purpose and efficient labors have gained for him not only the love and veneration of his own people but the genuine confidence and respect of the entire community as well.
It has been asserted that the first mass celebrated in Green- wich was said by the Rev. H. O'Reilly, of Norwalk, in 1854, but it is not improbable that the holy sacrifice was offered prior to that year, as in 1854 the number of Irish Catholics in Greenwich was estimated at one hundred souls. Therefore, between 1850 and 1854, the number of Catholics here must have been suffi- ciently large to require the occasional visit of a priest. After the formation of St. John's parish of Stamford in March, 1854, Greenwich passed under its jurisdiction. From that time until 1860 mass was offered up at intervals in private houses and in the town hall. In that year a small church was erected on Wil- liam street, and it was enlarged in 1888. In 1875 the Rev. M. A. Tierney improved the church by the erection of a choir gallery. During Father Tierney's pastorate provision was made for the near formation of Greenwich into a parish. The corner-stone of the church was laid June 9, 1878, by Bishop Galberry, in the presence of many thousands of spectators. The bishop was assisted by Father Rogers of Stamford, Father Meister of Mama- roneck, New York, Father Walsh of Waterbury and the reverend pastor. Father Walsh preached the sermon. The handsome edi- fice was dedicated May 18, 1879, by the Very Rev. Thomas Walsh and the mass which followed the ceremonies of dedication was celebrated by Rev. M. A. Tierney.
264
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
St. Mary's school was opened with one hundred and fifty pupils and today has five hundred and fifty. At first there were six grades with four teachers, whose directress was Sister M. Philomena. A new annex of eight rooms has been erected, so there are now sixteen rooms of double grades. In 1929 Sister M. Annunciata became superior and there are now fourteen sister teachers and two lay teachers. The school today maintains the highest standard and occupies a very beautiful location on Green- wich avenue. The Rev. Frederick J. Murphy, now pastor, has but one object in view-the salvation of souls and the greater glory of his Divine Master. He is a man beloved by all.
DAVID SMITH ROCKWELL
David Smith Rockwell is a successful young representative of financial interests in Fairfield county as cashier of the First National Bank of New Canaan, which he entered at the age of twenty years and in which he has worked his way steadily upward to official position. He is a native son of New Canaan, Connecticut, born May 29, 1894, his parents being Theron C. and Charlotte (Burchard) Rockwell. His paternal grandfather, David S. Rockwell, established the New Canaan Seminary about 1812 and became widely known in educational circles of this county.
David S. Rockwell of this review attended the local grade and high schools in the acquirement of an education and made his initial step in the banking business in 1914, becoming an employe of the First National Bank of New Canaan. In 1919 he was assistant manager of the Morris Plan Bank in Stamford where he remained three years. In order to thoroughly qualify himself for more important duties in connection with the conduct of banking institutions he entered the Stamford branch of the American Institute of Banking, in which he completed the pre- scribed course in 1923. He was with the Liberty National Bank of New York city for about a year and then returned to Stam- ford, where he was with the Fidelity Title & Trust Company for about two years. In 1925 he returned to the First National Bank of New Canaan as head teller and in January, 1926, was elected
265
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
its cashier, in which position he has since contributed materially to its continued growth and success.
On the 7th of March, 1918, at New Canaan, Connecticut, Mr. Rockwell was united in marriage to Bertha B. Lord, daughter of George M. and Abbey (Getchell) Lord. Mr. and Mrs. Rockwell have a daughter, Virginia L., born at New Canaan in Septem- ber, 1919.
Widely recognized as a public-spirited, enterprising and loyal citizen, Mr. Rockwell was elected a member of the board of burgesses in 1926 and made such a satisfactory record in the office that he has been annually reelected thereto. He is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church and has served as its treasurer for seven years. He is a worthy exemplar of the teach- ings and purposes of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Harmony Lodge, No. 67, F. & A. M., and he is also a member of the Lions Club. He enjoys an enviable reputation in financial and social circles of the community in which he has always lived, for his personal characteristics are such as have won him the warm friendship and high regard of all with whom he has been associated.
THOMAS C. CAVANAGH
The Cavanagh family is of ancient Irish lineage, its founder, Fiacha Baiceada, son of Cathire More, King of Ireland, A. D. 144. The early name was Caoimheachan, and signifies "entertainer." The possession of the family embraced the territory called Ui Cavanagh, now the barony of Idrone East, in the County of Carlow, and the heads of the sept held in modern times the title of Kings of Leinster. In the United States, also, this ancient Leinster house has been honorably represented. One of the most noted men who held public office during President Jackson's administration was Edward Kavanagh, United States minister to Portugal, while equally illustrious in military circles was Gen- eral James Cavanagh, of Brooklyn, New York, who served with distinction in Meagher's Irish Brigade during the Civil war.
Thomas Cavanagh, grandfather of Thomas C. Cavanagh, was born in Ballacedere, County Sligo, Ireland. He learned the dry
266
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
goods business in his native land under the instruction of his father, an importing merchant, and there married, his wife being a member of the Dunbar family. He was preceded to America by some of his children, bringing others with him, and he settled in New Haven, Connecticut. In New Haven he founded a dry goods business, of which he was the successful head until his retirement, a few years prior to his death, which occurred when he had almost attained the century mark. He was a man of influence and importance in his city and prominent in the affairs of the time. All of his six children came to America and here followed careers of usefulness and worth.
Lawrence Cavanagh, son of Thomas Cavanagh, was born in Ballacedere, County Sligo, Ireland, and as a youth of fifteen years left his home, journeying to the Isthmus of Panama. This was during the gold excitement, but he did not continue westward to the mining camps, joining his parents in New Haven after a short time. Entering the employ of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, he was for about fifty years in the service of this road, one of its trusted veterans, who had met every emergency and responsibility in a career that contained many incidents of thrilling and absorbing interest. At the time of the famous railroad bridge accident in Norwalk, he was sent to the scene in charge of the wrecking train, and when the work of rescue was completed and the line open he was assigned to duty in charge of the Norwalk station, a post he filled until his death. He was a man of sturdy virtues, a loyal friend, a loving, just father, dependable to the last extreme. He was a lifelong demo- crat, content to express his beliefs at the polls, never entering public life. He married Margaret Murphy, a native of Tipperary, Ireland, and a daughter of James Murphy. They were the parents of six children: Margaret; Thomas C., of this review; Mary, who married Richard Bennett and resides in Brooklyn, New York; John J .; Catherine, who married Joseph L. O'Brien, of Norwalk, Connecticut; and Daniel O'Connell.
Thomas C. Cavanagh, son of Lawrence and Margaret (Mur- phy) Cavanagh, was born in Norwalk, March 16, 1858, and acquired his education in the public schools. He learned the printer's trade, which he followed as a journeyman for about five years. Subsequently he entered the employ of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company, and for a similar
267
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
length of time was in the Norwalk office. This position was followed by three years in the express business, which gave Mr. Cavanagh an opportunity to start in business on his own account, and at first he began in a small way with one team. About ten years ago he gave this business to his employes who had been with him twenty-five or twenty-eight years. In 1915, in partner- ship with A. J. Collins, Mr. Cavanagh leased the Palace Theatre, which is the principal amusement place in South Norwalk, fur- nishing an unusually high grade of vaudeville and moving picture entertainment for a town the size of South Norwalk. In 1924 he sold the lease. Mr. Cavanagh is a member of the firm of T. H. Canty & Company, which does a large insurance and real estate business. He is a director of the City National Bank of South Norwalk.
Mr. Cavanagh gives his political allegiance to the republican party and manifests an active and helpful interest in public affairs. His name is on the membership rolls of the South Nor- walk Club, the Norwalk Country Club, the Norwalk Yacht Club and the Catholic Club of Norwalk. He has now passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten and can look back over the past without regret and forward to the future without fear, for his has been an active, useful and honorable life.
ARTHUR J. PAGE
Arthur J. Page, devoting his attention to agricultural pur- suits, living upon the old family homestead, was born in Berk- shire, Newtown, Connecticut, January 1, 1896, and is a son of Clarke L. and Sarah (Beers) Page, representatives of old New England families. In his youthful days he attended the local district schools and in due course of time was graduated from the Newtown high school. In the meantime he had become more or less familiar with agricultural pursuits and immediately after the completion of his high school course he began farming on the old home place and has given his attention to its further develop- ment and improvement since that time. He is constantly study- ing to improve methods and thus augment production on his land and he uses every modern facility to further the work, having good farm machinery and all up-to-date equipment.
268
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
On the 11th of November, 1916, in Berkshire, Connecticut, Mr. Page was married to Miss Amelia Allen, a daughter of Alex- ander and Sarah (Cortright) Allen. They now have an interest- ing young son, Clarke A., born January 16, 1920.
Mr. Page is interested in community affairs and at all times stands for progress and improvement in connection with civic interests, just as he does in connection with his business affairs. He was chosen to fill the office of selectman in Newtown township in 1925, again in 1926 and in 1928, and has been most loyal to every public trust reposed in him.
WILLIAM B. LIGHT
Alert, enterprising and forceful, William B. Light is success- fully following in the commercial footsteps of his father and is a representative of the younger generation of business men to whom Bridgeport looks for its future growth and prosperity. He was born in this city on the 11th of January, 1897, a son of Owen and Margaret (Gray) Light, natives respectively of Cor- nell, New York, and New Canaan, Connecticut. For many years the father engaged in the bottling business in Bridgeport as a member of the firm of Gray & Light, Inc., of which he was the executive head, and he placed the concern upon a solid financial basis. In politics he was non-partisan, and his religious views were in harmony with the doctrines of the Roman Catholic church, of which he was a faithful communicant. He continued a resident of Bridgeport until his demise, and his wife also passed away in this city.
William B. Light received a public school education and also completed a course in the Bridgeport Business College. His prac- tical experience along commercial lines was gained in the employ of Gray & Light, whose business was incorporated in 1920. He held various positions, gradually assuming heavier responsi- bilities, and since his father's death has filled the office of presi- dent. He has a comprehensive knowledge of the bottling industry and ably controls the activities of the firm, which has a modern plant at No. 740 Railroad avenue. The business has grown steadily since its inception and ranks with the largest of the kind in the city.
269
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
Mr. Light was married July 1, 1918, in Bridgeport, to Miss Anna M. Roland, a daughter of William Roland, now deceased. Mrs. Light was born in this city in December, 1898, and received her education in the St. Augustine school. Mr. and Mrs. Light have two children, Owen William and Jeanne.
The parents are affiliated with the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic church, and Mr. Light is a member of the local council of the Knights of Columbus. He is also identified with the Foresters of America, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Fairfield County and American Bottlers Associations. During the World war Mr. Light entered the service of his country and was in training at Camp Greenleaf, Georgia, for eight months. In the discharge of his executive duties he brings to bear the zeal, energy and enthusiasm of youth as well as mature judgment, and under his progressive management the continued expansion of the business is assured. Possessing much personal magnetism, he readily wins friends, and his moral worth is attested by the fact that he is highly esteemed in the city in which his life has been spent.
DANIEL EDWARD BRINSMADE
Daniel Edward Brinsmade, a prominent representative of financial and corporate interests in southern Connecticut, is a native son of Shelton long active in the control of public utilities. He was identified with the Shelton Water Company and the Ousatonic Water Power Company for more than three decades prior to their merger with the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company, which he now represents as local manager. He was born August 21, 1874, his parents being Daniel Seymour and Jeanette S. (Pardee) Brinsmade, the former a well known civil and hydraulic engineer of Shelton who became president and treasurer of the Ousatonic Water Power Company.
Following the completion of a high school course at Shelton, Daniel E. Brinsmade entered the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy in 1896. It was on his return to Shelton that he became connected with the Shelton Water Com-
270
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
pany and the Ousatonic Water Power Company, with which he was continuously associated until 1927, or for a period of thirty- one years, eventually succeeding his father in the official capacities of president and treasurer. Since the merger with the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company in 1927 he has been local manager. At this time he is a director of the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company, the Derby Gas & Electric Company, the Birmingham National Bank of Derby, the Home Trust Company of Derby and the Morris Plan Bank, and his counsel and coopera- tion are regarded as valuable assets in their successful control.
On the 9th of June, 1904, at Shelton, Connecticut, Mr. Brins- made was united in marriage to Miss Mary H. Morgan, daughter of Daniel Nash and Medora (Judson) Morgan. He has long figured prominently in public affairs, withholding his support from no movement or measure calculated to advance the general welfare. He made a creditable record as engineer of the borough of Shelton from 1893 until 1910; has served on the board of alder- men for two years; on the board of education for one term; as president of the Shelton library board at the time of his resigna- tion; as park commissioner for several years, and president of the Riverside Cemetery Association. Mr. Brinsmade has proven his strength and capacity in the business world, his fidelity and pro- gressiveness in connection with public interests and at all times he has commanded and enjoyed the respect of his friends, who are legion.
3/9/11 V SAMUEL PIERSON, M. D.
Among the citizens of Stamford who have by their lives and labors honored their community stands Dr. Samuel Pierson, who for forty-six years has been engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery here, during which eventful period he has also taken an active and influential part in affairs relating to the welfare and prosperity of his city and county.
Dr. Pierson was born in Morristown, New Jersey, on the 9th of March, 1858, and is a son of Edward and Anna (Sayre) Pierson. He is a direct descendant of Abraham Pierson, who came to America from England in 1600 and became one of the
DR. SAMUEL PIERSON
273
HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
founders of Yale College and to whom there stands a monument on the college grounds. Edward Pierson was born March 13, 1813, at Morristown, New Jersey, where his death occurred. He was prominent in local affairs of importance, having been a stock- holder in the Morris County Bank and in the Morristown Water Company, and was one of the organizers, the treasurer and a part owner of the Morristown Gas Company. His wife, a native and lifelong resident of Morristown, was a daughter of William and Hannah (Gurien) Sayre, both of whom were natives of New Jer- sey and never resided elsewhere. William Sayre was a farmer by vocation, a republican in politics and a Presbyterian in reli- gious faith.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.