USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Connecticut, 1639-1928 > Part 25
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staff of Stamford Hospital and belongs to the Stamford Medical Society, of which he is a past president; the Fairfield County Medical Society; the Connecticut State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
In September, 1907, in Sullivan county, New York, Dr. Ne- moitin was united in marriage to Miss Frances Einhorn, who was born in Russia in 1881 and is a daughter of Dr. Benjamin and Katie Einhorn. Her father, who spent his entire life in Russia, was a successful physician and in early life was a military sur- geon. He and his wife were members of the orthodox Jewish con- gregation. Mrs. Nemoitin was educated in the public schools of Russia and was graduated from the Bethel-Israel Hospital nurses training school in New York city. She takes an active interest in the civic and social affairs of Stamford and is a member of the Woman's Club and the Schubert Club, while during the late war she did effective work in the interest of the Red Cross. Dr. and Mrs. Nemoitin are the parents of a son, Bernard Oscar, who was born in Stamford, January 30, 1909, and was graduated from the Stamford high school. He is a senior in the University of Pennsylvania, leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1929, and will afterward take up the study of medicine.
Dr. Nemoitin is a republican in his political affiliation and is a member of the Chamber of Commerce. His chief diversion from his professional work is art, of which he is a lover, as he is also of nature in all of its aspects. He has been successful in his ma- terial affairs and owns a well improved farm at Davenport Ridge. He and his wife are members of the Bethel Jewish congregation. He is a man of kindly and generous nature, gives freely to all worthy benevolent causes, and everything concerning the welfare of the community enlists his interest. Because of his professional ability, his sterling character and excellent personal qualities, he enjoys the genuine esteem of all who know him.
HERVEY W. WHEELER
Hervey W. Wheeler, postmaster of Newtown, was here born September 13, 1870, his parents being John B. and Mary A. (Wil- cox) Wheeler. Throughout practically his entire life he has been connected with the mail service. He pursued his education
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in the public schools and in the Newtown Academy and then at the age of eighteen years became an employe in the post office as assistant postmaster, his father being at that time the postmaster of Newtown. For four years he continued to efficiently discharge the duties of that position and then entered the railway mail serv- ice on the run between New York and Boston. His efficiency and fidelity in that connection are shown in the fact that he con- tinued in the work for twenty years. He then returned to the home farm, which he conducted for a decade, and in 1922 he was appointed postmaster, in which position he has since continued, making an excellent record for faithful and capable service.
At Newtown, Mr. Wheeler was married to Miss Nellie Hub- bell, a daughter of William and Josephine (Briscoe) Hubbell. They had one son, Russell, a graduate of Pratt Institute of Brook- lyn, New York, who married Margaret Craig, of Elizabeth, New Jersey. In April, 1925, Hervey W. Wheeler married Ruth Snow.
His politcal support has always been given to the republican party and aside from his incumbency in the office of postmaster he has served as a member of the board of assessors and of the New- town school committee, being a stalwart champion of the cause of education. He belongs to Hiram Lodge, No. 18, F. & A. M., and is a loyal follower of the teachings and purposes of the craft. He enjoys the respect and good will of all who know him, for his has been a well spent life characterized by marked fidelity to duty.
JOHN LUND
One of the most prominent and best known educators of Fair- field county is John Lund, superintendent of schools of Norwalk, in which position he is rendering able and appreciated service. He was born in Nordreland, Norway, on the 10th of February, 1891, and is a son of Sverre and Else Margarethe Lund. His father, whose family was of English origin, was born in Dram- men, Norway, May 6, 1870, and his mother, who is of German and Norse ancestry, was born in Stavanger, Norway, September 24,1861.
John Lund was brought to the United States in childhood and received his early education in the public schools of Cambridge, Arlington and Worcester, Massachusetts. After graduating from
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the English high school in Worcester, he entered Clark University, in that city, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1913. He took postgraduate work in educa- tion at Teachers' College, Columbia University, from which he received the degree of Master of Arts in 1914, and a special educa- tional course at Yale University in 1923. During the school year of 1914-15 he was instructor in history, civics and public speak- ing in the Suffield school at Suffield, Connecticut, and during the two following years was principal of the Sidney Lanier school at Eliot, Maine. In 1917-18 he was instructor in civics in the Central high school in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and during the ensuing year was superintendent of schools at Derby, Connecti- cut. From 1919 to 1923 he served as superintendent of the schools of Winsted and Norfolk, Connecticut, after which he was for two years superintendent of schools at Wallingford, Connecti- cut. In 1925 Mr. Lund came to Norwalk as superintendent of schools, and under his capable and efficient supervision, the schools have been maintained at a degree of excellence which reflects creditably on his executive and educational ability.
On January 1, 1917, in Worcester, Massachusetts, Mr. Lund was united in marriage to Miss Ada Louise Oliver, who was born in that city, November 3, 1890. Her mother, whose ancestral line runs back to Revolutionary tories, is still living in Worcester at the age of seventy-six years. To Mr. and Mrs. Lund have been born four children, namely: David Rolf, Richard Sverre, Chris- tine Marcia and Grace Louise.
In his political views Mr. Lund maintains an independent attitude, supporting the men and measures which in his judg- ment will most greatly promote the public welfare. He is a mem- ber of St. Andrew's Lodge, No. 64, F. & A. M., at Winsted, Con- necticut; Meridian Chapter, No. 15, R. A. M., at Winsted, and Tyrian Council, No. 31, R. & S. M., also at Winsted. He is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, of which order he is a past grand patron of the Connecticut Grand Chapter. He belongs to the Norwalk Kiwanis Club, of which he was president during 1928; a former member of the Wallingford Rotary Club, of which he is a past president; a member of the Norwalk Young Men's Christian Association, of which he is a director; and a member of the executive committee of the Norwalk Boy Scouts and of the advisory council of the Norwalk Girl Scouts. He and his wife are
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members of the Congregational church. Mr. Lund was for a number of years a member of the Connecticut State Guard, hav- ing belonged in succession to Company M at Bridgeport, Company F at Derby and Company I at Winsted, serving as supply sergeant of the last named. He is past president of the Connecticut Assoc- iation of Public School Superintendents, a life member of the Na- tional Education Association, Department of Superintendence, N. E. A., and the Connecticut State Teachers Association. A well educated, symmetrically developed man, he has been emin- ently successful in his life work and in the various communities in which he has resided he commands confidence and respect for his ability, accomplishments and sterling personal qualities.
HENRY WILLARD ALLEN, M. D.
Although numbered among the more recent additions to the medical fraternity of Bridgeport, Dr. Henry Willard Allen has had broad experience in his profession in Fairfield county and is widely and favorably known as a proctologist. He was born in Westport, Connecticut, July 25, 1877, a son of Captain Frederick and Mary Jane (Wheeler) Allen, and represents one of the oldest families of the state. He traces his ancestry to Ethan Allen, who was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, January 10, 1737, and died at Burlington, Vermont, February 13, 1789. During the Revolu- tionary war he was colonel of the "Green Mountain Boys" and captured Fort Ticonderoga from the British, May 10, 1775.
Dr. Henry W. Allen is the fifth in line of descent from Captain Samuel Allen, of Litchfield, who was in command of a sailing vessel carrying passengers and freight and was lost at sea. His son, Stephen Allen, was born in Litchfield and always resided in that locality, devoting his attention to agricultural pursuits. He was the father of Elijah Allen, who was a native of Litchfield and fought in defense of New York city during the War of 1812. He also followed the occupation of farming and was an Episco- palian in religious faith. His demise occurred in Ridgefield, Con- necticut, but his remains were interred in Union cemetery at Norwalk. His wife was Clarissa Benedict and they were the parents of Captain Frederick Allen, who was born in Ridgefield, May 25, 1835. He was a master mariner and at first had charge
DR. HENRY W. ALLEN
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of a ship plying between Savannah, Georgia, and European ports, while later he was in command of night boats operating from New York to Boston. During the Civil war he was a Union sol- dier and the latter part of his life was spent in Westport, Con- necticut, where he passed away May 20, 1897. He was a member of the Episcopal church and gave his political support to the re- publican party. His wife was born in Kinderhook, New York, March 16, 1847, and died in Newark, New Jersey, March 20, 1901. She was a daughter of Martin Ward Wheeler, who was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in October, 1805, and died in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1869. His attention was devoted to the leather industry and he achieved success as a manufacturer of morocco. He was an adherent of the republican party and an Episcopalian in religious faith. His mother was a descendant of John Winthrop, the first governor of Massachusetts. His wife, Caroline Matilda (Kemper) Wheeler, was born November 20, 1823, in Hudson, Columbia county, New York, and died in East Norwalk, Connecticut, April 18, 1891. She was related to Bishop Jackson Kemper, who was consecrated in 1835. He was the first missionary bishop of the Episcopal church of America and the first rector of St. Paul's Episcopal church of Norwalk. A dis .. tinguished prelate and a tireless worker, he accomplished much good and Kemper Hall of the University of Wisconsin was named in his honor. John Kemper, the American progenitor of the family, was a native of Holland and came to this country in 1756, settling in Hudson, New York.
Dr. Henry W. Allen received his public school education in South Norwalk, Connecticut, and prepared for college under the direction of the Rev. Homer M. Dunning, D. D., afterward attending the Wesleyan Academy at Wilbraham, Massachusetts, and the State Normal School at Trenton, New Jersey. He next matriculated in the Medico-Chirurgical School of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was graduated with the class of 1909. For a time he was identified with the public health and marine hospital service in Florida and then located in South Norwalk, Connecti- cut. In April, 1912, he transferred his professional activities to Ridgefield, where he has since made his home, his office and resi- dence being at No. 153 Main street. Since May 10, 1926, he has maintained an office on the fifth floor of the Professional building on Lafayette street in Bridgeport, and has many patients in both
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places. In treating diseases of the rectum he has been notably successful and is regarded as one of the foremost proctologists of this part of the state. He is the author of a work on "Diseases of the Rectum," issued in 1926.
Dr. Allen was married July 25, 1911, to Mrs. Edith Mary (Whitford) Dexter and has two adopted sons: William Arthur, who was born May 11, 1914; and Paul Ethan Allen, born March 10, 1916.
The Doctor enjoys outdoor life and is an enthusiastic fisher- man. His political support is given to the republican party, and his religious views are in harmony with the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which the members of his family have always adhered. He served in the Home Guard during the World war and is loyal, patriotic and public-spirited in all mat- ters of citizenship. Dr. Allen's professional standing is indicated by the fact that he holds a fellowship in the New York Academy of Medicine and Medical Association of the Great City of New York and also in the American Academy of Conservatory Proc- tology. He is deeply interested in the scientific and humanitarian phases of his work and has chosen the vocation which affords the best medium for the expression of his talents.
3/15 49/ ALBERT ELMER AUSTIN, M. D.
Dr. Albert Elmer Austin, a physician of high standing, has practiced at Sound Beach for more than twenty years and is also one of its well known financiers. As a member of the state legislature he did notable work and is now health commissioner of Greenwich, while he also has to his credit a fine military record. He was born in Medway, Massachusetts, November 15, 1877, a son of Henry Cotton and Leah Martha (Huddlestun) Austin, natives respectively of New Haven, Connecticut, and Charleston, West Virginia. The father was chairman of the board of assessors of Medway for twenty years; served as town clerk and treasurer for twelve years, and filled all of these offices at the time of his death, May 16, 1911, faithfully and efficiently discharging every trust reposed in him.
Dr. Austin was reared in his native town and in 1895 was graduated from the Medway high school. His higher education
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was acquired in Amherst College, from which he received the A. B. degree in 1899 and that of A. M. in 1904. For two years he was an instructor in the high school at Attleboro, Massachusetts, having charge of the Latin department, and he was graduated from the Jefferson Medical College in 1905. Returning to Med- way, he was associated with Dr. Charles Bemis for two years and then located in Sound Beach, where he has maintained an office since September 1, 1907, devoting particular attention to cardio- vascular diseases. Under appointment of Governor Holcomb, he served as district surgeon of the fourth military district of the Connecticut National Guard, with the rank of major, and dur- ing the World war was chosen by General Crowder as the medical member of the local draft board. Dr. Austin enlisted June 1, 1918, and two days later was commissioned a captain in the medi- cal corps of the United States army. He was sent to Camp Custer near Battle Creek, Michigan, and made regimental surgeon of the Two Hundred and Fourteenth Regiment of Engineers, attached to the Fourteenth Division, under command of Major General Grote Hutchinson. Later Dr. Austin was transferred to the Wal- ter Reed General Hospital in Washington, D. C., as assistant chief of the medical service and was honorably discharged April 18, 1919. He resumed his professional activities in Sound Beach and is now a member of the staff of the Greenwich Hospital, and is also an associate of the staff of the Stamford Hospital. He is regarded as one of the leading heart specialists of this part of the state and draws his practice from a wide area. Dr. Austin is also an astute financier and since May, 1925, has been president of the Sound Beach Trust Company, the affairs of which he is ably and successfully administering.
In 1922 Dr. Austin was united in marriage to Mrs. Ann Clare Boothe of New York city. In politics he is a republican and in 1916 was chosen to represent his district in the Connecticut legis- lature. In 1920 he was recalled to that office and his outstanding achievement in the legislature was as a member of the committee of public health and safety, which revolutionized the method of public health administration in the state. Since 1917 he has been health commissioner of the town and borough of Greenwich, ex- erting his best efforts in their behalf, and his labors have been productive of much good. In spite of a busy professional life he has found time to devote to the civic interests of his town. He
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has been president of the Sound Beach Association since its or- ganization in 1913, and it may be said that he has been promi- nently identified with every progressive movement in his community.
Dr. Austin is identified with the American Legion, the Masonic order, the Sound Beach Country Club; the local, state and county medical societies and the American Public Health Associa- tion. He is a fellow of the American Medical Association, a fel- low of the American College of Physicians and a fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine of England. While at Amherst he joined the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and he is also a member of the honorary fraternities, Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Omega Alpha. Dr. Austin has constantly broadened his scientific knowl- edge. During the winter of 1923 he studied abroad, doing post- graduate work at the University of Berlin under Goldscheider, Klemperer and Guggenheimer. His knowledge and practical ex- perience have been used for the benefit of his fellowmen, and his life has been a serviceable factor in the cause of human progress.
HON. JOHN DUNCAN MILNE
John D. Milne, superintendent of the Norwalk district of the Connecticut Light & Power Company, is one of Norwalk's best known citizens, having held many local positions of trust and responsibility, and no resident of the community stands higher than he in public esteem.
Mr. Milne was born in Rockville, Tolland county, Connecticut, on the 4th of December, 1865, and is a son of William and Flora (Duncan) Milne. The mother died in Rockville in 1927. The father, who is also deceased, was for some years foreman for the Hartford Gas Company and in 1861 was actively connected with the construction of the plant of the Rockville Gas & Electric Com- pany, which he managed for some years.
John D. Milne attended the public schools of Rockville, grad- uating from high school, after which he took over the manage- ment of the Rockville Gas & Electric Company, with which he was connected until 1898. In the spring of that year he and two of his brothers enlisted at Rockville for service in the Spanish- American war, joining the First Regiment Connecticut Volunteer
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Infantry, of which John D. Milne was made sergeant major. One of his brothers, James W. Milne, was killed while in the service. They left Rockville in May and John D. and his surviving brother returned on the 1st of November, 1898, when they were honorably discharged.
On December 4, 1898, John D. Milne came to Norwalk and took charge of the gas works for the Norwalk Gas Company, now known as the Connecticut Light & Power Company, and during the thirty years that he has been with that corporation he has rendered highly efficient service in various capacities. He has served under thirteen different mayors and in 1927 was appointed superintendent of the Norwalk district, under Mr. Harris. He is devoted to the interests of his company, the service of which he endeavors to maintain at the highest possible standard, and he is regarded as an unusually efficient official.
Mr. Milne was first married in 1893 to Miss Mary Coleman of Scantic, Connecticut, and they were the parents of a son, William Coleman, who was born in this city, January 9, 1900. On April 17, 1912, Mr. Milne was united in marriage to Miss Julie A. Smith, of Norwalk.
He received his early education in the public schools of Nor- walk, after which he took a two-year engineering course in Went- worth Institute in Boston. Returning to Norwalk, he entered the employ of the Connecticut Light & Power Company here, and was later transferred to New Britain. He enlisted for service dur- ing the World war, joining the aviation branch of the army, and was first stationed at Fort Slocum, being later transferred to San Antonio, Texas, and from there to Belleview, Illinois, where he had charge of hangars. He gave loyal and effective service and at the close of the war was honorably discharged. He is now associated with the Connecticut Light & Power Company at New Britain. On May 31, 1928, he married Miss Stella Buckley, a niece of Judge James Walsh, of Greenwich, and a sister of Judge William Buckley, of Bridgeport.
John D. Milne has always given his political support to the republican party and has long been active in local public affairs. When he first came to Norwalk he was made captain of the fire police and later chief of the Norwalk fire department. During the period of the Bull Moose political movement he was elected a mem- ber of the Norwalk city council, being the only republican elected.
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He was also elected a member of the first council of the consoli- dated city of Norwalk and has since served thirteen years as presi- dent of the first district, two six-year terms and now on his third term. He has also served two terms as chairman of the repub- lican town and city committee, and is representing the twenty- sixth senatorial district in the state senate, being elected in 1926 and again in 1928. He is a member of the manual and roll com- mittee, chairman of the insurance committee and a member of the roads, rivers and bridges committee and of the executive ap- pointment committee. During 1912-13 he was president of the State Firemen's Association. He is a member of St. John's Lodge, No. 6, F. & A. M .; the chapter, R. A. M .; Clinton Commandery, No. 3, K. T .; Pyramid Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .; Norwalk Lodge, I. O. O. F .; the Spanish War Veterans; and the Norwalk Club, of which he was president for two years and is now a director. He is also a director of the Norwalk Hospital and a member of the advisory board of the Norwalk Savings Society. Mr. Milne is a man of great energy and initiative ability, has been true and loyal to every obligation of citizenship, and in his private and public life has exemplified the highest type of true manhood, so that he has to an unusual degree commanded the respect and confidence of his fellowmen.
LEVI CURTIS MORRIS
Levi Curtis Morris, a merchant successfully conducting a general store and at the same time taking active and helpful part in community affairs, was born June 28, 1858, in Newtown, where he still makes his home. His father, Eli Frink Morris, was a native of Brookfield, Connecticut, born in 1834. He mar- ried Emily Platt and died at the age of thirty-two years, when his son Levi was a lad of but eight summers. The mother sur- vived and passed away in New York in 1908.
After mastering the early branches of learning taught in the public schools Levi C. Morris attended Harry Peck's private school at Greenwich, Connecticut. He started out in the business world by entering the employ of Sanford & Hawley, general mer- chants, with whom he remained for two years. He was after-
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ward in the general store of L. B. Booth for a period of ten years, at the end of which time his employer failed in business. Mr. Morris, with long previous experience, then established a store of his own, conducting it for twelve years or until it was destroyed by fire. In 1913 he moved to the present location and through the intervening period has carried on a general mercantile trade, having a well appointed establishment and winning a consider- able patronage through the recognition of the fact that satisfied customers are the best advertisement. He is also a trustee of the Newtown Savings Bank, which he aided in incorporating. For forty years he has also been a funeral director. He started in that business in partnership with William Prindle and the part- nership relation between them was continued for thirty years, at the end of which time Mr. Morris purchased the interest of his long time associate. Later Rodney P. Shepard became associated with him under the present firm name of Morris & Shepard.
Aside from business Mr. Morris has taken an active part in the public life of the community. He was elected to the position of first selectman, being the first man in twenty-five years chosen to that office on the republican ticket-a fact indicative of his personal popularity and the confidence and trust reposed in him. In 1923 and again in 1925 he was called upon to represent his district in the state legislature and during both terms in the house he served on important committees and gave stanch support to those measures which he deemed of vital importance to the state. He has twice been warden of the borough of Newtown and was a member of the board of assessors for two years, covering 1926 and 1927. He was likewise one of the directors and one of the incorporators of the Newtown Water Company and for twenty- three years has most efficiently filled the office of treasurer.
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