USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Connecticut, 1639-1928 > Part 2
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
tor of Bridgeport Hospital and is connected with a number of other organizations. He is a member of the Congregational church of Newtown, a member of the First Ecclesiastical Society and a member of its committee. In politics he is a republican. He served as warden of the borough of Newtown from May 6, 1919, to May 5, 1925. He is secretary, treasurer and chairman of the board of trustees of the Newtown Village Cemetery Asso- ciation and for many years has taken the leading part in the management of its affairs. He was on the building committee for The Hawley School and is chairman of the building committee for the Edmond Town Hall, both being gifts to the town of New- town by Miss Mary E. Hawley. The Edmond Town Hall when completed will have cost half a million dollars. In his home town his services are in constant demand in an advisory capacity and in settling of estates.
Mr. Nettleton is a thirty-second degree Mason, his affilia- tions being with Hiram Lodge, No. 18, A. F. & A. M .; Hiram Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M., of Newtown; Wooster Council, No. 28, R. & S. M .; Crusader Commandery, No. 10, K. T., of Danbury; DeWitt Clinton Lodge of Perfection; Washington Council, Princes of Jerusalem; Pequonnock Chapter of Rose Croix; and Lafayette Consistory, A. A. S. R., of Bridgeport. He is also a Noble of Pyramid Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Bridgeport.
During the World war Mr. Nettleton acted as chairman of the local Liberty Loan committee in the various loans, collecting and forwarding to the government seven hundred thousand dol- lars. Newtown was first in the state to be awarded an honor flag. All this stands in evidence of his loyalty in citizenship and his devotion to the public welfare. His entire record reflects credit and honor upon the community in which he makes his home.
ALVAH DEWITT MEAD
Throughout his business career Alvah DeWitt Mead has been identified with monetary affairs and is well fitted by training and experience for the duties which devolve upon him as cashier of the First-Stamford National Bank. He was born in this city, February 27, 1886, a son of Alvah D. and Mary E. (Scofield)
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
Mead. The father, a native of Quaker Ridge, New York, devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits. In politics he followed an independent course, regarding the qualifications of a candidate as a matter of prime importance, and his religious views were in harmony with the doctrines of the Episcopal church. He resided for many years in Stamford and here passed away October 12, 1910. He is survived by Mrs. Mead, whose life has been spent in this city. Her father, Luther S. Scofield, was also a native of Stamford and developed one of the fine farms of this locality, in which he always resided. He was a man of prominence in his community and served on the board of burgesses. His political support was given to the republican party and his life was guided by the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife, Mary (Crissey) Scofield, was born in Darien, Connecticut, and passed away in New Canaan, this state. Her father engaged in teaching and he fought for American independence as a soldier in the Revolutionary war.
Alvah D. Mead was a pupil in the public schools of Stamford and attended a private school conducted by Professor King, after- ward becoming a messenger for the Stamford National Bank. Proving trustworthy and capable, he was advanced through the various departments and was acting as cashier when the institu- tion was consolidated with the First National Bank. At the time of the merger the name was changed to the First-Stamford National Bank, of which Mr. Mead was made assistant cashier, and he is now its cashier. The work of his department is per- formed with thoroughness and efficiency and his well known probity is a valuable asset to the bank, which is one of the strong financial institutions of Fairfield county.
Mr. Mead was married April 21, 1909, in Darien, Connecti- cut, to Miss Olive Abbe, who was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and is a graduate of the Stamford high school. She is a daughter of Charles S. and Emma (Bruce) Abbe, natives respectively of Connecticut and New Hampshire. They still maintain their home in Darien and Mr. Abbe is a stage celebrity and popular comedian. Mr. and Mrs. Mead have a daughter, Vera, who was born June 12, 1910, graduated from the Stamford high school and is now a sophomore in Connecticut College at New London.
Mr. Mead is allied with the democratic party and has always
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
been a strong supporter of measures conducive to the welfare of his city. He is a member of Stamford's purchasing board and a trustee of the Children's Home of Stamford. He and his wife attend the Congregational church. He is president of the Stam- ford Rifle Club, an ex-president and one of the governors of the Suburban Club and a member of the Hubbard Heights Golf Club. His Masonic connections are with Union Lodge, No. 5, F. & A. M., and Rittenhouse Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M. He is also identified with the Improved Order of Red Men, Stamford Lodge, No. 899, B. P. O. E., and Puritan Lodge, No. 14, I. O. O. F. Mr. Mead is an enthusiastic fisherman and also enjoys the sport of hunting. Closely applying himself to the work in hand, he has steadily pro- gressed toward the goal of success and is devoted to the interests intrusted to his charge. He is appreciative of the social ameni- ties of life and his personal popularity is attested by a wide circle of sincere friends.
2-26.19 JOSEPH T. LEE
A conscientious, efficient worker, Joseph T. Lee has pressed steadily onward toward the goal fixed by his ambition and is well known in business circles of Danbury as a manufacturer of hatting machinery. Born in New Milford, Connecticut, in 1879, he is a son of John H. and Margaret (Conley) Lee, both now deceased.
Joseph T. Lee was educated in the public schools of Brook- field, Connecticut, and obtained his start in life as an apprentice in the factory of the Turner Machine Company, manufacturers of hatting machinery. Later he secured valuable experience in the plant of Frank Lee, a hat manufacturer, with whom he remained for ten years, and in 1920 formed a partnership with Edward L. Foley. They have since been associated under the firm style of Lee & Foley, manufacturers of hatting machinery, and in the intervening period of eight years their business has developed rapidly, owing to their earnest, systematic efforts and judicious management. Their plant at No. 21 Crosby street is equipped with special machinery and operated with notable efficiency.
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
In 1910 Mr. Lee was married in Danbury to Miss Bertha Schmidt, by whom he has three children: Arline, John and Robert. Mr. Lee is a fine type of the modern business man and a citizen of worth to the community.
ALFRED A. HODSHON
In the hat-making industry in Danbury the name of Hodshon stands preeminent because of the progressive policy which has always characterized the business affairs of this well known fam- ily. Alfred A. Hodshon has been a practical hatter for nearly half a century and Hodshon goods have a well merited reputation for superiority in quality and style. Alfred A. Hodshon was born in Franklin, Pennsylvania, in 1868 and is a son of Richard and Sarah (Hawthorne) Hodshon, both of whom were natives of England, from which country they came to the United States in 1849. When eight years of age Mr. Hodshon accompanied his parents on their removal to Danbury and in the public schools of this city acquired his education. In 1880 he entered the employ of Rundle & White, and was later for a short time with the Tweedy Manufacturing Company. He then served an appren- ticeship at hat making with Beckerle & Company, learning every detail of the business, after which he was employed as an expert stiffener in the factory of Otto Barthol in South Norwalk. In 1898 Mr. Hodshon embarked in business on his own account, organizing the A. A. Hodshon Company, and established a hat factory in the old Adams Brothers plant in Railroad avenue, where he remained until 1906. In this enterprise he was success- ful and during the ensuing years came to be recognized as one of the leaders in the hat-making industry of this locality. After various reorganizations, the Hodshon Company acquired control of the Hill & Loper Company, of Danbury, and was eventually merged with the latter concern. In 1918 Mr. Hodshon was joined in the business by his son, Alfred E. Hodshon, who had just com- pleted a technical course at the University of Pennsylvania, and through their combined efforts and experiments they developed a method of dyeing hats, through which the colors were made so irresistible to the action of light, that they were given the trade
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
name of "Sunfast." Shortly afterward, as a matter of obviously good business policy, the name of the company was changed to that of Sunfast Hats, Inc. Mr. Hodshon remained as president and treasurer of this concern until 1928, when the Sunfast com- pany was acquired by the Cavanaugh, Dobbs Company, of Nor- walk, since which time the Danbury factory has been conducted. under the name of The Hodshon Company, of which Mr. Hodshon is president.
In 1890 Mr. Hodshon was united in marriage to Miss Isabel Field Underdown, of Long Island, New York, and they became the parents of one son, Alfred E., who was born in Danbury, received a thorough education and is regarded as one of the most expert hatters in the country. He enlisted for the World war, passed the examination for the Signal Corps but was not called to active duty. Mrs. Isabel Hodshon died in 1913 and Mr. Hod- shon was married in 1916 to Anna Cocker, of Danbury. They are the parents of one son, Charles A.
A. A. Hodshon has always shown a live interest in the welfare of his community and has been active in public affairs. He has served as a member of the city council and as a member of the board of finance. He was a member of the committee of public works which paved Main street and in various ways has shown an enterprising spirit in relation to the welfare and advancement of the city which has gained for him the appreciation of his fel- low townsmen. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Danbury Club. He holds a high place in public regard, while among his , associates and friends he is greatly esteemed for his many estimable qualities.
LEONARD W. COGSWELL
Leonard W. Cogswell, official stenographer of the superior court of Fairfield county, has devoted the greater part of his life to this branch of public service and has been continuously in office for a period of forty-two years-an eloquent testimonial to his worth. A native of Connecticut, he was born in New Preston, Litchfield county, in July, 1863, and was reared on a farm
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
situated near Mount Bushnell. He attended the district school and the village academy, afterward going to Hudson, New York, for the purpose of entering Claverack College, in which he was a student for a term. In 1884, when a young man of twenty-one, he left the home farm and took a course in shorthand at New Haven, Connecticut. On July 1, 1886, he was appointed official stenographer of Litchfield county and served there continuously. until 1918. Meanwhile he had been selected for the same post in Windham county, which he also represented in that capacity until 1918, when he was transferred to Fairfield county. Mr. Cogs- well has attained the highest degree of efficiency in his chosen vocation and few men in public office have been able to equal his record of long and faithful service.
In June, 1897, Mr. Cogswell was admitted to the bar of New Haven county and he has continued a resident of New Haven while discharging his duties in Bridgeport. When he located in New Haven in 1884 the telephone was a new invention and used only in a few offices. The typewriter was still a novelty and regarded with disfavor by the older lawyers. A large part of the office work was accomplished with pen and ink. Mr. Cogswell used to dictate his notes to another shorthand writer, who in turn transcribed them on the typewriter. Still later they were dic- tated into the dictaphone and from there transcribed by a typist. The whole course of the practice of law has greatly changed, so that those who were practicing in those early days would hardly know how to adapt themselves to modern conditions. Mr. Cogs- well was frequently called in to assist Frank G. Fowler, who was the official court reporter for Fairfield county from 1884 on, and at that time the superior court was held in what is now the city hall in Bridgeport, the brown stone building on State street, the present courthouse not having been erected until 1888. All of the officials who were connected with the superior court of this dis- trict in 1886 have passed on except Mr. Cogswell, who was well acquainted with the judges and lawyers of that period. He was an intimate friend of Judge Lyman D. Brewster and Judge Edmund Tweedy of Danbury, Sam Fessenden of Stamford, Good- win Stoddard of Bridgeport, and the great leaders of the bar in New Haven and Hartford who long ago departed this life.
For some years after 1884 there was one session at a time
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
of the superior court in Fairfield county and one session of the common pleas court. Then there were two sessions of each court and now there are three sessions of the superior court continu- ously. from October to June and three sessions of the common pleas court. Mr. Cogswell began his work with Vol. 53 of the Connecticut Reports and has seen them grow in forty years to Vol. 106.
Mr. Cogswell was married June 24, 1891, to Miss Caroline E. Strong, of New Haven, and they became the parents of two chil- dren, both of whom died in infancy. Wisely utilizing the talents with which nature endowed him, Mr. Cogswell has played well his part in the world's work and his tireless industry, his devotion to duty and strength of character have won for him a high place in the esteem of all with whom he has been associated.
CLINTON BARNUM SEELEY
For many years Clinton Barnum Seeley has been a command- ing figure in the affairs of the Bridgeport Trust Company and a potent element in promoting the city's growth along financial lines. A scion of one of the old and prominent families of Con- necticut, he is liberally endowed with the fine mental and moral qualities of his forbears and has added thereto the rich interest of his own individuality. He is a lineal descendant of Ensign Nathan Seeley, whose father, Captain Nathaniel Seeley, was a distinguished colonial hero who lived for a time in New Haven and spent the latter part of his life in Fairfield.
C. Barnum Seeley was born in Bridgeport but received his education in New York city, where the family resided until 1907, but during that period he spent the summer months in the country home at Bridgeport. In 1907 he became a permanent resident of the city and entered the real estate and banking business. He was elected vice president of the Pequonnock National Bank and in 1913 became president of the Bridgeport Trust Company. Dur- ing his tenure of office Mr. Seeley made this one of the largest and strongest financial institutions in Fairfield county and is doing equally important and effective work as chairman of its board of directors, in which capacity he has served since 1927.
CLINTON BARNUM SEELEY
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
His identification with civic affairs covers service on the park board and at one time he was chairman of the playground com- mittee. He belongs to the board of trade and along social lines is connected with the Algonquin, Bridgeport Yacht and Brook- lawn Country Clubs.
Mr. Seeley was married, December 30, 1896, to Miss Florence Tuttle, daughter of Austin and Anna Perrin Tuttle, of New York, and their only child, Clinton Barnum Seeley, Jr., was born March 19, 1901, and died December 21, 1918.
JOHN MUNSON COMLEY
John Munson Comley, one of Bridgeport's loyal sons, has become well known as a legal practitioner and is prominently connected with the work of the courts as reporter of judicial decisions. He was born July 1, 1895, a son of William H. and Lucy Isabel (Nicholson) Comley, and attended the local schools, completing his high school course in 1913. Three years later he won the degree of Bachelor of Arts from Yale University and in 1920 was graduated from the law department of that institution. In 1920 he was admitted to the bar and located in Bridgeport, becoming a member of the law firm of Pullman & Comley. He practiced until January 1, 1925, and has since been reporter of judicial decisions, a position which has afforded him an excellent. opportunity for advancement in his profession. His duty is to edit the Connecticut reports and published opinions of the supreme court and he also edits the Index Digest, which is issued every two years. Diligent, accurate and efficient, he meets every requirement of the office and his work has been highly com- mended. During the World war he entered the service of his country, becoming a member of the quartermaster's corps in 1918, and was stationed at Camp Meigs near Washington, D. C., where he was honorably discharged in February, 1919.
Mr. Comley was married February 14, 1925, to Miss Grace Isabelle Aufford, of Stratford, Connecticut, and they have become the parents of a daughter, Mary Elizabeth, who was born April 24, 1926. Mr. Comley belongs to the University Club, the Graduates Club of New Haven, the Phi Beta Kappa and Zeta Psi
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
college fraternities, and the local, state and national bar associa- tions. Since 1927 he has edited for the State Bar Association the Connecticut Bar Journal, a quarterly magazine, and is deeply interested in legal and literary work. Mr. Comley is a young man of earnest purpose and marked strength of character and has made good use of the talents with which nature endowed him. He has a wide acquaintance and possesses those qualities which make for high and enduring regard.
ELMER H. BEARD
For more than forty years Elmer H. Beard, consulting engineer of Stamford, has followed the profession of civil engi- neering, in which he is regarded as an expert, and is now render- ing efficient service as manager of the Webb Asphalt Paving Cor- poration, of Stamford. Mr. Beard was born in Reading, Penn- sylvania, September 7, 1867, and is a son of Amos H. and Cath- erine E. (Hipple) Beard. In the paternal line he is of Scotch descent, his great-grandfather, Amos Beard, having been born in the land of hills and heather, whence he emigrated to the United States, where he was employed as an iron master. His son, Henry W. Beard, was born at Birdsboro, Berks county, Penn- sylvania, of which locality he was a lifelong resident. He was a farmer by occupation and was a veteran of the Mexican war, in which he served under General Winfield Scott. He was a demo- crat in politics and a member of the Congregational church. He married Miss Catherine Warren, who was a native of Pennsyl- vania and died in Birdsboro. They became the parents of Amos H. Beard, who was born in Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, was for many years employed as a master carpenter by the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, and is now retired and lives in Reading. He is an earnest supporter of the democratic party and was formerly active in local public affairs, having served as a member of both the select and common councils of the city of Reading. He is a veteran of the Civil war, in which he served with a Pennsylvania regiment. His wife was born at Mount Airie, Pennsylvania. They both graduated from Ursina College, at Collegeville, Pennsyl- vania, and both are members of the Lutheran church.
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
Elmer H. Beard attended the public schools of Reading, grad- uating from high school, and then entered the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad. He was assigned to the en- gineering department and while so employed he studied civil engineering under a private tutor. He remained with that com- pany as assistant resident engineer until 1890, after which for three years he was with the Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railroad on construction work. In 1893 Mr. Beard became resi- dent engineer with the Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic Railroad, with which road he remained two years, and from 1895 to 1897 was again with the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad as assistant supervisor. In 1897 he became assistant city engineer for the city of Reading, in which capacity he served until 1900, when he became resident engineer on the construction of the water works for the city of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, which work engaged his attention for three years. From 1903 to 1910 he served as city engineer of Reading, and then came to Stamford, Connecticut, as engineer for William H. Arthur, of Glenbrook, Connecticut. He remained with Mr. Arthur for ten years, and then, from 1920 to 1924 ,was engaged in private business as a consulting engineer in Stamford. From 1924 to 1926 he was associated with the Con- necticut National Pavements Company, of New Haven, as super- vising engineer, after which he accepted his present position as manager of the Webb Asphalt Paving Corporation. His long experience in every phase of his profession has well qualified him for the position which he holds and he has shown himself a cap- able and efficient official.
On September 26, 1889, in Reading, Pennsylvania, Mr. Beard was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte E. Hartman, who was born April 18, 1870, and is a daughter of Harrison S. and Mary E. (Hartline) Hartman. Her mother has passed away and her father, who was formerly engaged in the contracting business, but is now retired, makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. Beard. He is a republican in politics and is a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. and Mrs. Beard are the parents of a daughter, Helen E., now the wife of A. B. Salmonson, of Stamford, who is employed as a mechanical engineer in New York city. In his political views Mr. Beard is a strong republican, while, fratern- ally, he is a member of Reading Lodge, No. 549, F. & A. M .;
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
Reading Consistory, A. A. S. R .; Rajah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Reading, and Gen. George G. Meade Camp, No. 16, Sons of Union Veterans. He and his wife are attending St. Andrew's Protestant Episcopal church and give their earnest support to all worthy benevolent causes. Mr. Beard possesses a splendid per- sonality, is friendly and unassuming in manner, and throughout the community in which he lives he is held in high regard.
Mr. Beard is a member of the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers, the American Road Builders Association, The Ameri- can Concrete Institute and The Lions Club of Stamford.
CHARLES A. HATCH
Important business and financial affairs occupied the atten- tion and profited by the keen powers of discernment and broad experience of Charles A. Hatch, a lifelong resident of Stamford and a man of substantial worth. He stood for all those things which count for most in the city's upbuilding and never lost sight of the high principles which should govern man in the varied rela- tions of life. A native of New York city, he was born at No. 42 Park avenue, June 22, 1876, and was a son of Albert J. and Lizzie R. (Hatch) Hatch. The father was a native of Wells, Maine, and the mother was born in Wisconsin, to which state her forebears went from New York. Albert J. Hatch was a success- ful stock broker, a member of the well known firm of William B. Beekman & Company of New York city. He was a member of the New York Stock Exchange, president of the Stamford Water Company and a director of the Stamford Trust Company and other corporations to which his name lent additional prestige. For a number of years he was a trustee of the First Presbyterian church of Stamford and his political allegiance was given to the republican party. His useful, upright life was brought to a close in October, 1924, but his widow still resides in Stamford.
Charles A. Hatch came to Stamford as an infant with his par- ents and his early education was obtained in Professor King's school, from which he was graduated. Later he enrolled as a student in Princeton University, which conferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1899. In the same year he
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
became connected with William B. Beekman & Company and con- tinued with the firm until 1920, aiding in making this one of the foremost brokerage houses in New York city. He then assumed the duties of vice president and general manager of the Stamford Water Company, acting in those capacities until 1924, when he succeeded his father as president, and filled the office until his death in 1925, when he was forty-nine years of age and at the height of his usefulness. Mr. Hatch was also a director of the Stamford Trust Company and the Citizens Savings Bank. He was an alert, energetic business man whose plans were well formulated and had their basis in keen sagacity, broad vision and a ready discrimination between the essential and the nonessential.
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