USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Connecticut, 1639-1928 > Part 21
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Mr. Mellitz was married September 15, 1908, in Bridgeport to Miss Pearl May Mellitz, who was born in this city, December 8, 1888, and is a graduate of the local high school. Her parents, Jacob and Peppie (Hausman) Mellitz, were natives of Austria, in which country they were married. They settled in Bridgeport in 1888, and the father became one of its prominent dry goods merchants and also dealt in shoes. He passed away in 1909, and the mother's demise occurred in 1905. They had eight children, five sons and three daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Morris Mellitz have become the parents of two children: Bernard M., who was born June 2, 1912, in Bridgeport and is a sophomore in the Stratford high school and president of his class and Priscilla, who was born July 1, 1917.
Mr. and Mrs. Mellitz are members of the West End congrega- tion of the Jewish orthodox church, and in politics he is a demo-
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crat. Along fraternal lines he is connected with the Masonic order, belonging to Temple Lodge, No. 127, F. & A. M. He is also a member of the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce and the Mill River Country Club. He enjoys outdoor life, and fishing and boating are his favorite sports. Mr. Mellitz is a live factor in his city and a man of broad views and high principles, esteemed and respected by all who know him. He resides at 242 Housatonic avenue, Stratford.
JOHN EDWARD HERSAM
Entering the field of journalism at an early age, John E. Her- sam has worked his way steadily upward and is well known in newspaper circles of Connecticut as the editor, publisher and founder of the Advertiser, which he has issued in New Canaan for twenty-one years. He was born in White Oak Shade (a suburb of New Canaan), Fairfield county, in 1872, a son of Andrew and Lena (Ulsimer) Hersam, natives of Germany, and attended the public schools of New Canaan. In 1888, when a youth of sixteen, he became an employe of the New Canaan Messenger and served his apprenticeship at the printing trade under Will W. Kirk, the publisher of the paper. Mr. Hersam con- tinued in his service for fifteen years, mastering every phase of the newspaper business, and then accepted a position in the office of the Advocate, published in Stamford, Connecticut. About four years later he returned to the Messenger, with which he remained for two years, and then became identified with transportation affairs. For six years he was in the employ of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad on the New Canaan Electric branch.
In 1906 Mr. Hersam opened a job printing office on Railroad avenue, where he issued the first number of the Advertiser, which appeared July 25, 1908. It was a four-page paper, the size of the pages being nine by eleven inches. People liked the little paper and the size of its pages increased to ten by fourteen inches and the number of pages from four to sixteen, each containing six columns. It adopted as its motto, "Grow or Go." It has been growing. A larger, standard size, eight column, sixteen-page
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paper and a better one was gradually developed. The mechanical equipment was increased to keep pace with the demands. The Advertiser began doing composition on a linotype machine in 1911, and later two Miller feeders were added to its outfit, which comprises presses and other machinery for all sorts of printing. On July 8, 1921, the equipment was enlarged by the arrival of a new Intertype machine, model C, a device which turns melted metal into type of various sizes and patterns, set in lines of various lengths, and is regarded as the "last word" in printing machinery. The plant now has two of these machines. The Advertiser is printed every Thursday on a Model A Duplex press, which was installed in February, 1927.
The second home of the Advertiser was in the old Green building, which was destroyed to make room for a block of new business houses, and in February, 1927, the plant was moved to the present location at No. 43 Railroad avenue. It is completely equipped and turns out high grade work. Among the weekly newspapers of Connecticut the Advertiser has been given a high place. Its growth and success are due to the cooperation of the people of New Canaan, whom it tries to serve to the best of its ability, and also to hard work on the part of the editor and pub- lisher and those associated with him. While there have been difficulties to surmount, discouragements to overcome and vexa- tious problems to solve, Mr. Hersam feels that he has been amply rewarded by the appreciation of a host of friends. He is an expert printer, a facile writer, equipped to deal vigorously and convincingly with the vital questions and issues of the day, and a sagacious, farsighted business man. His paper is published in accordance with the most progressive ideas of modern journal- ism and has a wide circulation.
In 1896 Mr. Hersam was married in New Canaan to Miss Margaret L. Griebel, who passed away July 17, 1921, leaving a son, Vincent Donald. He was born in New Canaan and after his graduation from the local high school entered Columbia Uni- versity. While a student at that institution he completed a course in journalism and is now associated with his father in the newspaper business. Mr. Hersam's second union was with Mary Vivian Richings, of Stamford, to whom he was married in June, 1926.
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In religious faith Mr. Hersam is a Catholic, and his fraternal affiliations are with the Knights of Columbus, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Mutual Benefit Association of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad. He is also a mem- ber of the Poinsettia Club, a local organization composed of business men of the town. His standing in newspaper circles of the state is denoted by the fact that he is serving as president of the Connecticut Editorial Association, an office which he has filled for four years. He is clerk of the borough board and manifests a deep interest in his native town, its people and its institutions. Mr. Hersam is a broad-minded man of progressive views and has made the Advertiser the champion of every move- ment calculated to upbuild New Canaan and promote the growth of the surrounding district. He has a keen sense of the responsi- bilities of his profession and is a journalist of high ideals with the courage to uphold them.
ALLISON PARISH SMITH
Allison Parish Smith was sixteen years of age when he became identified with the printing business. He is now president of the Bee Publishing Company, publishers of the Newtown Bee. A native son of Connecticut, he was born in Burlington, October 27, 1866, his parents being the Rev. H. B. and Sarah (Hazen) Smith, both of whom have departed this life. In the pursuit of his education Allison P. Smith attended the public schools of Burlington, Newtown and Staffordville and the high school of Amherst. The fact that his father was a Congregational clergy- man, called to various pastorates, explains the frequent changes in the son's school connections. The father also conducted a farm and for a short period Allison P. Smith worked on the farm, doing all tasks incident to the cultivation of the fields and the care of the crops. In 1882 he came to Newtown, where he entered the employ of his brother, Reuben H. Smith, then pro- prietor of the Newtown Bee. In this connection he learned the printing trade and after two years, in which he had gained a thorough knowledge of the business, he went to Springfield, Massachusetts, where he secured a situation on the Springfield
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Homestead, becoming a member of its editorial staff and special- izing in the writing of farm editorials, for which his early train- ing had well qualified him. He continued with the Homestead for eight years and then returned to Newtown, where he entered into partnership with his brother Arthur J. Smith in the publica- tion of the Newtown Bee, which has a circulation of thirty-eight hundred. They have made this an excellent news medium and render valuable service to the community in their endorsement of all projects for the general good.
At Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1887, Allison P. Smith was married to Miss Harriett Hazen, a daughter of Frederick S. and Harriett (Burke) Hazen. Mr. and Mrs. Smith attend the Con- gregational church and for thirty-five years he has been super- intendent of its Sunday school and in all ways has taken a most active and helpful part in the church work. He has filled the position of chairman of the Newtown school board and chairman of the high school committee and he is a member of the board of trustees of the Connecticut State Hospital for the Insane at Middletown, taking a helpful interest in the work of maintaining that organization at the highest standard of excellence.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of a daughter, Hazel H. Smith.
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WILLIAM F. HOYT
Probably no citizen of South Norwalk is more widely or favor- ably known than is William F. Hoyt, who was for many years actively engaged in the oyster business but for the past eleven years has devoted his attention to the real estate business, in which also he has been very successful. Mr. Hoyt was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, in 1860, and is a son of Gould and Eliza- beth (Hillsdon) Hoyt, the latter a native of East Orange, New Jersey. He received his educational training in the public schools and on entering upon his business career became associated with his father in the oyster business. They remained together until his father's health failed, when the business was sold to the Radel Oyster Company, and William F. Hoyt became manager for their entire system of plantations and operating plants. Their
WILLIAM F. HOYT
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branches were located at Prince's Bay, New Jersey; Oyster Bay, Port Jefferson and Greenport, Long Island, and at Bridgeport and Norwalk on the Connecticut shore. Some idea of the extent of his responsibilities in this position may be gained from the following statement concerning their business: In Norwalk alone about four thousand five hundred gallons of oysters were opened daily; every year from sixty thousand to one hundred thousand barrels of oysters were shipped from their plants directly to Europe, while each summer from ten thousand to fifteen thousand bushels of seed oysters were shipped daily to the various locali- ties favorable for oyster culture, for fattening for the market.
Following his service with the Radel company, Mr. Hoyt organized the Sterling Oyster Company, in partnership with Frederick Brewster, of New Haven, Oliver Gould Jennings, of Fairfield, and others. The beds of this company were in Norwalk and Westport waters on this side of the Sound, and in Port Jef- ferson, Greenport and Gardiner's Bay on the Long Island side. Six years after the organization of this company, Mr. Hoyt retired from it and, in partnership with his son Arthur, estab- lished the William H. Hoyt & Son Oyster Company, with its main offices in Norwalk. Subsequently Mr. Hoyt's health failed, and he and his son disposed of their oyster interests, and in 1917 they embarked in the real estate business under the name of William H. Hoyt & Son, with offices at 60 South Main street, South Norwalk. In this business they have been more than ordinarily successful, the field of their operations covering the territory between Bridgeport and New York. They also main- tain an office in New York city, known as the Betson Farm Agency, located at 489 Fifth avenue. They have confined their operations mostly to residential properties, though they have also handled a large amount of farm acreage, and their business has been conducted on a plane that has commanded the absolute con- fidence of all who have had dealings with them. In his capacity as chairman of the factory site committee of the Norwalk Board of Trade, Mr. Hoyt has worked effectively for the industrial development of Norwalk.
In 1886 Mr. Hoyt was united in marriage to Miss Estelle May Theile, of Norwalk, who died in June, 1926. She was a daugh- ter of Herman Theile, who was for many years engaged in the
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cigar business in Norwalk, and whose death occurred in 1918. To Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt was born a son, Arthur C., who is asso- ciated with his father in the real estate business. He married Miss Helen Betts, of Norwalk, and they have a son, William Brad- ford.
In his political views Mr. Hoyt is a stanch republican and has always taken a keen interest in public affairs, particularly those relating to the welfare and progress of his own community. He served three terms as a member of the city council; was a city assessor for eight years, and five times refused a wide and insist- ent demand that he accept the republican nomination for mayor of the old city of South Norwalk. He was earnestly opposed to the consolidation of the Norwalks, but when it became an accom- plished fact he accepted the situation gracefully and from that time on became one of the most consistent and effective boosters for the new city and worked untiringly for a complete unification of community interests. Mr. Hoyt is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Lions Club, and the Royal Arcanum, in which order he served a term as grand master of Connecticut. "Cap'n Will," as he has long been familiarly known throughout the community, is a con- firmed optimist and his kindly and genial manner has gained for him a host of warm and loyal friends throughout the range of his acquaintance, while all who have come in business contact with him hold him in high regard for his sterling integrity and his dependable judgment in practical affairs.
ST. MARY'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, BETHEL
One of the oldest and most influential religious organizations in Fairfield county is St. Mary's Roman Catholic church at Bethel, Danbury, which has been in existence for forty-five years, during which period it has stood steadfastly as one of the bulwarks of righteousness in the community. The history of the parish goes back to a few years prior to 1883 when Thomas Doran, Patrick Wixted, James Howley, Barney Murphy, Michael Braunies, James McGee, Charles Diggins and John M. Doyle met and arranged to have a Sunday school. A building owned by Thomas
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McCorkle, situated in Grassy Plain, was rented and the school was organized. It continued as long as the building was for rent, and when their time ran out a small building adjoining the resid- ence of B. Morgan was secured, but the school was not con- tinued long.
Soon after this a society, called the Catholic Society of Bethel, was organized, and of this organization John M. Doyle was presi- dent and Charles Diggins, secretary. In the meantime, Thomas Doran and Patrick Wixted, determining to continue the Sunday school, purchased the lot next to E. T. Farnum's house of Willis Judd, for which they paid him four hundred and seventy-five dollars. This lot they held for some time, but finally sold it to the Catholic society for the sum they paid for it. About 1881 some of the Catholics of the community proposed to discontinue worshipping with St. Peter's church in Danbury and urged the building of a church in Bethel. Quite a number were opposed to cutting away from the mother church, but finally a decided step was taken and the matter laid before Father Lawlor, who immediately gave his hearty cooperation, and soon a subscription from those already named who were willing gave the enterprise a start. A building committee, comprising Thomas Doran, Michael Braunies and Owen Murray, was appointed and the work of securing funds went on with a will. Father Byrnes, who at the time was curate of Father Lawlor, inaugurated a fair, which was very successful, a sum amounting to five thousand dollars being secured. Father Byrnes also started the yearly subscrip- tion plan, which worked well. Gradually the enterprise assumed a proportion which insured success and on September 16, 1883, the church edifice was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Lawrence S. McMahon, D. D., then bishop of Hartford. The edifice is forty- nine by eighty-eight feet in size, and the contract for the building was given to Northrop & Rooney, of Danbury. Thomas Moran, of Danbury, laid the foundation; a Norwalk firm did the brick work, the building being of Philadelphia pressed brick, trimmed with black; Northrop & Rooney, the wood and tin work; a New- town man the plastering; Wildman & Clark Brothers, of Dan- bury, the painting, and J. M. Ives Company, of Danbury, the upholstering, all of whom did their work in a highly satisfactory manner. The building is ornamented with a steeple, surmounted
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by a cross, the top of which is one hundred and thirty-eight feet six inches from the ground.
The Rev. Michael J. Byrnes was the first pastor of St. Mary's parish, after whom came in succession Rev. Patrick O'Connell, Rev. John Flemming, Rev. William Kierman, Rev. John J. Ken- nedy, and the present pastor, Rev. P. F. Conners. Not long after the church was built the parish acquired the home adjoining, owned by G. M. Lyon, for a rectory. The church property has always been kept in excellent repair and from time to time extensive improvements have been made, such as the installing of electricity in the church for lighting purposes, with handsome fixtures throughout the edifice. Father Conners has proven a devoted and efficient pastor, is an able and forceful preacher and has been eminently successful in maintaining the parish at a high standard of excellence in all of its departments. St. Mary's has filled an important place in the spiritual life of the community which it serves, and its history of nearly a half century has been a worthy one.
EDWARD F. McGOVERN, M. D.
An experienced and capable physician and surgeon, Dr. Edward F. McGovern has long been a prominent figure in pro- fessional circles of Bridgeport, and he gave proof of his patriot- ism and devotion to country by gallant service in the World war. He was born in this city on the 24th of January, 1875, his parents being Thomas and Ann (Coyne) McGovern, who were natives of Ireland. They lived for many years in Bridgeport, and the father was a foreman in the plant of the Remington Union Metal- lic Cartridge Company. In politics he was a democrat and he served as a constable of Bridgeport in the early days. In religious faith he was a Roman Catholic. In 1902 he was called to his final rest, and his wife passed away in this city in 1899.
Dr. Edward F. McGovern attended the public schools of Bridgeport and prepared for his chosen vocation as a student in Bellevue Medical College in New York city, a branch of New York University, graduating with the class of 1901. Afterward he was an interne in St. Catherine's Hospital in Brooklyn, New
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York, and in 1904 returned to Bridgeport. Here he has since followed his profession continuously with the exception of the eight months which he spent in France as a captain in the medi- cal corps of the United States army. Dr. McGovern maintains an office at No. 881 Lafayette street and in addition to the work of caring for his large practice is medical examiner and super- visor of the substation of the United States Veterans Bureau under the regional office in Hartford, Connecticut. He is well versed in the science of his profession, and sound judgment directs the use of this knowledge in his ministrations.
In August, 1918, while stationed at Camp Devens, Massa- chusetts, Dr. McGovern married Miss Mary Loretta Ahern and sailed for France immediately after the ceremony. Mrs. McGov- ern was born in Meriden, Connecticut, and completed a course in the nurses' training school of Bridgeport Hospital. Preceding and during the war she was an industrial nurse in the service of the Lake Torpedo Boat Company of Bridgeport. Dr. and Mrs. McGovern have a daughter, Joan, who was born September 26, 1922.
The family is affiliated with St. Thomas' Roman Catholic church of Fairfield, and the Doctor is an adherent of the demo- cratic party. In 1919 he was elected a member of the Bridgeport board of education, on which he served for three years, and has always manifested a deep interest in community affairs. He is identified with the Bridgeport City, Fairfield County and Con- necticut State Medical Societies and holds a life membership in the local lodge of Elks, of which he is a past exalted ruler. By nature he is studious and energetic, and during his hours of relaxation he indulges in motoring. Dr. McGovern has a keen sense of duty and honor and occupies a high place in the esteem of his fellowmen.
HENRY WISNER SAXE
For twenty-nine years Henry Wisner Saxe has followed his chosen vocation in New Canaan, giving to the town that service which only the experienced, able educator is capable of rendering, and is widely and favorably known owing to his long and faithful service as superintendent of schools. He was born in Walden,
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New York, in 1868, a son of the Rev. Alfred H. and Phoebe (Wis- ner) Saxe, and comes of the same family as John Godfrey Saxe, the noted Vermont poet. In colonial days the Wisners settled on a grant of land in Orange county, New York, and this tract, which comprised six hundred acres, remained in possession of the family until it was sold by the grandmother of Henry Wis- ner Saxe. Henry Wisner (III), another ancestor of note, was a lieutenant-colonel in the Orange county militia during the Revo- lutionary war. The Rev. Alfred H. Saxe was born in Middletown, Connecticut, and became a Methodist minister. For many years he was pastor of the Walden church, exerting a strong force for moral progress in the community. He passed away in 1881 and his wife who was born in Warwick, New York, died in 1900.
Henry W. Saxe obtained his early instruction in Walden and in 1887 completed a course in the high school at Chester, New York. In 1893 he was graduated from the State Normal School at Oswego and afterward was a student at New York University. He engaged in teaching in New Jersey for some time and in 1900 came to New Canaan as principal of the Center school, acting in that capacity until 1908, when he was made superintendent of schools. For twenty years he has been retained in this office. Mr. Saxe has the requisite initiative, tact and executive force and the comprehensive knowledge of educational affairs which enables him to readily solve the difficult problems constantly arising in connection with his duties. He has instituted the most efficient methods of instruction and also introduced other improvements which have made the New Canaan schools equal to the best in the state.
On June 20, 1901, Mr. Saxe was united in marriage to Miss Susie Whitmore, of Demarest, New Jersey, and they have one child, Edith Rowena, who married Nelson H. Small of Glenbrook, and they have one son, Edward Herrick. The name Rowena has been in the Saxe family for over two hundred years without a break, from the time when Rowena Keith married a Saxe. She was a direct descendant of Rev. James Keith, who migrated from Scotland to America in 1662, settling in Bridgewater, Massachus- etts, and for sixty years a representative of the family was pastor of the Congregational church there. Mrs. Saxe also traces her
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ancestry to the colonial period in the history of Massachusetts and is identified with the Daughters of the Revolution.
While in his native state Mr. Saxe joined the New York Chapter of the Sons of the Revolution. He is past master of Harmony Lodge, No. 67, F. & A. M., and is a member of Wooster Lodge, No. 37, I. O. O. F. He is also a member of the Connecticut State Teachers Association; the Association of School Superin- tendents; the National Education Association; and the Depart- ment of Superintendents of the National Education Association. His interests are closely allied with those of New Canaan, whose advancement is to him a matter of deep and vital concern. He has attained high standing as an educator and in person, talents and achievements is a worthy scion of his race.
3/6/49 EDWARD LYMAN KINGMAN, M. D.
A Yale graduate in medicine and with excellent training as an interne, Dr. Edward Lyman Kingman was well equipped for professional duties when he entered upon active practice in New- town, where his progress has been continuous. The Doctor is a native of Connecticut, born in Warren, October 4, 1871, a son of Orlando P. and Eunice (Lyman) Kingman. After attending the local schools of Bridgeport, Connecticut, pursuing the work of both the grammar grades and the high school, he attended the Park Avenue Institute, a preparatory school, and with a good classical training to serve as the foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of professional knowledge, he entered Yale University as a medical student and was graduated in 1894.
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