USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Connecticut, 1639-1928 > Part 27
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Charles Dewitt Rogers was born in New Canaan, Connecticut, in 1874, and is a son of Henry Benjamin and Marie Louise (Hoyt) Rogers. The father was long engaged in business in Norwalk and South Norwalk, conducting men's clothing stores, but later sold to the Comstock Clothing Company, A. C. Wheeler becoming president of the Norwalk store. He was primarily a clothing manufacturer at New Canaan, and in addition to the South Norwalk store, he had stores at Norwalk, New Canaan and Ansonia, Connecticut, and Keene, New Hampshire, all of which he supplied from his factory.
Charles D. Rogers received his early education in a private
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school in New Canaan until twelve years of age, when he entered the King School, at Stamford, Connecticut, which he attended for five years. Later he took a business course in the Packard Insti- tute, of New York city. In 1892 he was employed as a clerk in the South Norwalk store of Comstock Brothers, with which con- cern he remained until 1903, when he and James Emory Stevens formed a partnership, under the name of Rogers & Stevens, and purchased the Comstock interests, covering the Norwalk and South Norwalk stores. Mr. Rogers has charge of the Norwalk store and Mr. Stevens of the South Norwalk store. They are both practical and experienced men in their particular line and are devoting themselves closely to their business, in which they are meeting with very satisfactory success.
In 1912, in France, Mr. Rogers was united in marriage to Miss Marjorie Hollingsworth, daughter of William T. P. and Mary (Hoyt) Hollingsworth, of New Canaan, Connecticut, and to them have been born four children, Henry B., Charles Hol- lingsworth, David Hoyt and William H.
Mr. Rogers is a member of St. John's Lodge, No. 6, F. & A. M .; Butler Chapter, No. 38, R. A. M .; Washington Council, No. 6; Clinton Commandery, No. 3, K. T .; Bridgeport Consistory; and Pyramid Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Shorehaven Golf and Country Club, the Norwalk Club, the Norwalk Country Club and the Kiwanis Club. He is a man of keen business instincts, makes a careful study of the demands and tastes of his trade, and his success has been attained through his determined and well directed efforts. Personally he is courteous and friendly, is deservedly popular among his associates, and throughout the community is held in high regard.
HON. WILLIAM FRANCIS TAMMANY
An able and astute lawyer and prominent and popular citizen of South Norwalk is William F. Tammany, who has been engaged in the practice of his profession here for many years and com- mands a place in the front rank of the successful attorneys of Fairfield county. Mr. Tammany was born in Norwalk, Connecti- cut, in 1873 and is a son of Joseph and Mary A. (Gilhuly) Tam- many, the former of whom was a native of Ireland and the latter of Norwalk. His father was brought to this country at the age
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of four years and spent his early years in Newark, New Jersey, where he received his education and later was employed in vari- ous hat factories of that city. When seventeen years old he came to South Norwalk, Connecticut, and entered the service of the United States government, in which he continued up to the time of his death.
William F. Tammany attended the public schools of Norwalk, after which he took up the study of law in the office of Judge John H. Light, of South Norwalk. In 1897 he was admitted to the bar and later engaged in practice with his preceptor, with whom he was associated as student and partner for twenty-one years. In 1915 this partnership was dissolved and Mr. Tammany was alone in practice until 1919, when he joined Paul Richard Connery, with whom he is still connected, having offices at 106 Washington street. He has devoted his attention assiduously to his professional work and has won a reputation as a sound and safe counselor and an able, determined and resourceful trial law- yer, having been uniformly successful. He is also a director of the South Norwalk Savings Bank and for many years was a member of the board of directors of the Public library.
In 1901 Mr. Tammany was united in marriage to Miss Eliza- beth C. Murphy, of Norwalk, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (O'Connor) Murphy, both of whom were natives of Ireland and are deceased.
For many years Mr. Tammany has been prominently identi- fied with public affairs and served as mayor of the old city of South Norwalk in 1911-12. He was first corporation counsel of the new city of Norwalk from 1913 to 1915; was judge of the city court of Norwalk in 1911-12; was again appointed city corpora- tion counsel for the term of 1921 to 1923; and since 1912, when the new city of Norwalk was established, has been attorney for the second taxing district and for the board of electrical commis- sioners of the district. He has always been interested in civic matters for the benefit of the community and has done much to promote the welfare of his city and county. Religiously he is a member of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church. He is also affili- ated with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Knights of Columbus, fourth degree, the Shorehaven Golf Club, the South Norwalk Club and the Norwalk Country Club. Golf is his favorite diversion. Cordial and affable
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in manner, he easily makes friends, and throughout the com- munity he is held in high regard for his ability and sterling character.
ERNEST MARTIN LOFGREN
Ernest M. Lofgren, who has engaged in the practice of law in Stamford for the past ten years, was born there on the 8th of April, 1897, a son of Charles and Clara (Stahlknapp) Lofgren. Both parents are natives of Sweden, and are now living in Stam- ford, where the father is employed as a foreman in the plant of the Yale & Towne Manufacturing Company. Ernest M. Lofgren received his early education in the public schools of Stamford, graduating from high school in 1914. He then entered the em- ploy of Cummings & Lockwood and while there pursued the study of law at the New York Law School, from which he was gradu- ated in 1918. In the same year he was admitted to the bar and immediately afterward entered the army of the United States. After his discharge in 1919 he became associated with John C. Durey, of Stamford. In 1922 the firm became Durey & Pierson, and in the following year the name was again changed, becoming Taylor, Durey & Pierson, and Mr. Lofgren has remained identi- fied with this well known law firm to the present time.
On August 9, 1924, in New Canaan, Connecticut, Mr. Lofgren was united in marriage to Miss Carrie E. Smith, who was born in that place, December 23, 1902, and is a daughter of George B. and Florilla (Harris) Smith, the former of whom was born in New York city and the latter in Brooklyn, New York. They have for many years lived in New Canaan, where Mr. Smith is engaged in the painting business. He gives his support to the republican party, and he and his wife are members of St. Mark's Protestant Episcopal church. Mrs. Lofgren attended the public schools of New Canaan and was graduated from the Stamford high school in 1920. She is a descendant of Anneke Jans Bogardus, who owned a farm in that portion of New York city, now the property of the Trinity Episcopal church. She is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. and Mrs. Lofgren are the parents of a son, George Ernest, born June 14, 1925.
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Mr. Lofgren has always given his political support to the re- publican party and maintains a good citizen's interest in public affairs. He was recently elected a justice of the peace. He is a member of the American Legion and belongs to the Stamford Bar Association, of which he is secretary and treasurer, and the American Bar Association. He and his wife are earnest mem- bers of St. John's Protestant Episcopal church. Mr. Lofgren is a veteran of the World war. He enlisted in August, 1918, and was in training at Camp Greenleaf, Georgia, from which he was transferred to Camp Merritt, New Jersey. Later he was assigned to Debarkation Hospital Five, at Grand Central Palace, New York city, and from there to General Hospital One, at Williams- bridge, New York, at which place he was honorably discharged in September, 1919, with the rank of sergeant. He is a man of agreeable personal traits, has shown himself true and loyal in every relation of life, and to a marked degree commands the con- fidence of all who know him, while in social circles he is extremely popular.
V EDWIN H. GREEN
Edwin H. Green, a representative business man of Danbury, was born in this city in 1888 and is a son of John W. and Julia (Snell) Green, natives of England. He attended the Peekskill Military Academy and Pawling School of New York. On enter- ing his father's factory, he started at the bottom and progressed through the various departments, mastering every phase of the hat industry. The business is conducted under the style of John W. Green & Sons, Inc., of which he is secretary, and has charge of the sales end. He is a capable executive and maintains a high standard of efficiency in the operation of his department. The plant is located at No. 27 Pahquioque avenue, and the hats manu- factured by the firm have a wide sale owing to their high quality and uniform excellence.
In 1913 Mr. Green was married in Danbury to Miss Marjorie Von Gol, a daughter of J. K. Von Gol, also a well known hat manufacturer, and to them have been born five children, those living being Katherine, Jane, Edwin H., Jr., and Marjorie. Mr.
EDWIN H. GREEN
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Green occupies an enviable position in business and social circles of Danbury and is a native son whose record is a credit to the city. He is a member of the Danbury Club.
RODNEY PROCTER SHEPARD
Business enterprise and a progressive spirit find expression in the life record of Rodney Procter Shepard, of the firm of Morris & Shepard, general merchants of Newtown. His entire life has been passed here and his fellow townsmen know him as a sub- stantial and worthy citizen. He was born at Newtown, May 26, 1888, a son of Charles Newton and Mary L. (Wenzel) Shepard. After mastering the early branches of learning taught in the district schools he continued his education in the Newtown Academy and when his textbooks were put aside he obtained his initial business experience in the Newtown post office, where he served as assistant postmaster from 1908 until 1916. At the latter date he purchased the general store of Henry Rupf and three months later he became associated with Levi C. Morris in a partnership that has since been maintained under the firm style of Morris & Shepard. They conduct a well appointed general store, carrying a large and carefully selected line of goods, and their patronage is steadily growing as the result of their progres- sive methods.
At New Milford, Connecticut, on the 9th of November, 1916, Mr. Shepard was married to Miss Evelyn C. Chapin, a daughter of Asa L. and Cora (Hartwell) Chapin. In his fraternal rela- tions he is a Mason, belonging to Hiram Lodge, No. 18, F. & A. M., in which he has filled all of the chairs; Hiram Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M., in which he has filled all of the chairs, serving as treas- urer since 1919; and Danbury Council, R. & S. M. He is a loyal follower of the teachings and purposes of the craft, which is based upon a recognition of the brotherhood of man. In community affairs he has also taken a deep and helpful interest. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and he has filled a number of local offices. He was tax collector for three years and since 1916, or for a period of more than twelve years, he has continuously and efficiently served as treasurer of the borough. He is also a member of the borough board of finance and since
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1916 he has continuously served as treasurer of the Newtown Country Club and as a member of its board of governors. He is social and friendly in his relations with his fellowmen and of genial disposition, his many good qualities winning for him the kindly regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
REV. ALEXANDER HAMILTON
One of the ablest and most highly esteemed men who have honored Fairfield county with their residence was the late Rev. . Alexander Hamilton, who for nearly six decades had devoted his life to the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal church and at the time of his death, which occurred June 2, 1928, was rector emeritus of Christ church, Westport.
Mr. Hamilton was born at Setauket, Long Island, New York, on the 9th of September, 1847, and was a son of Major Alexander and Elizabeth (Nicoll) Hamilton, the former of whom rose to the rank of general during the Civil war. The paternal grandfather, John Hamilton, was a son of Alexander Hamilton, the founder of the financial system of the United States and one of the greatest figures in the history of this country.
Alexander Hamilton, of this review, who was the first clergy- man in the Hamilton family for the past four hundred years, received his early education in the little red schoolhouse on Setauket green. Composing the class of which he was a member were nine boys, all of whom achieved prominence in after years as lawyers, physicians or clergymen. Later his parents moved to Ramapo valley and he attended Pompton (N. J.) Academy. As there was no church in Ramapo valley, his father read re- ligious services in the schoolhouse. Later, at Suffern, New York, a church was erected and the young man took an active part in the services. At the outbreak of the Civil war Major Hamilton reported for duty, which made necessary the removal of the fam- ily to New York, where he was inspector of troops, with his son acting as his adjutant. In 1861, when the Committee of Seventy was formed, of which John Roosevelt was chairman and Major Hamilton secretary, Alexander Hamilton served as messenger to the committee.
After the close of the war the last named attended Chester
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(N. Y.) Academy, where he prepared for St. Stephen's College. He was licensed as a lay reader by Bishop Potter on May 9, 1869, and acted as such in various parts of Westchester county, one place being Vista, where, on July 19, 1869, in the little red school- house, he held services which developed into St. Paul's chapel at Lewisboro. He was ordained to the ministry on December 19, 1870, and acted as missionary in Westchester county, his itiner- ary covering Pleasantville, Chappaqua, Mount Kisco and the church at Lewisboro. He was graduated from the General Theo- logical Seminary in 1873, after which he went abroad and in England and on the continent officiated in various churches. Upon his return to the United States, Mr. Hamilton officiated in various parishes in New York city and Westchester county. He moved to Norwalk in 1887 and was assistant at St. Paul's church. In 1890 he served as rector and missionary at Weston, Redding and other places nearby, and was subsequently in charge of par- ishes in Harlem valley, Dutchess county, New York, western Massachusetts, Bethlehem and Woodbury, Connecticut, and offi- ciated on Long Island and at Rye, New York.
Resuming his residence in Norwalk in 1918, Mr. Hamilton became minister in charge of Christ church, Westport, of which he became rector emeritus two years later. From the time of his ordination in the Church of the Transfiguration, "The Little Church Around the Corner," in New York city, for more than fifty years Mr. Hamilton officiated in the public worship of the church on every Sunday. He gave intense devotion to his sacred calling, was a forceful, able and instructive preacher, a faithful and efficient pastor and a friend to all men, ever ready and anxious to contribute to the welfare and good of those with whom he came in contact.
Mr. Hamilton was a member of the following societies: chap- lain-general of the Order of Cincinnati; chaplain of the New York State Society of Cincinnati; former chaplain of the Daughters of Cincinnati; Sons of the Revolution; former chaplain of the Colonial War Society; chaplain-general of the Society of the War of 1812; Military Order of Foreign Wars; former chaplain-gen- eral of the Veteran Corps of the War of 1812; chaplain of the New York state division of the Veteran Corps of the War of 1812; St. Nicholas Society ; a charter member of the Lords of the Manor, of New York; former grand chaplain of the Masonic Grand
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Lodge of Connecticut; chaplain of St. John's Lodge, F. & A. M., of Norwalk; the Order of the Eastern Star and the Norwalk Club. He took a keen interest in the welfare of the various com- munities in which he lived and served as a member of various boards of education.
Mr. Hamilton was married twice, first to Miss Adele Liver- more, to which union were born five children, two of whom are living: Alexander, Jr., who is with the Title Guarantee & Trust Company of New York city, and Alma Elizabeth. On May 26, 1909, he married Miss Mary Clark Spurr, a daughter of George Henry and Harriet Elizabeth (Smith) Spurr, of Sheffield, Massa- chusetts. Mr. Spurr, whose death occurred in 1920, was for. many years successfully engaged in the marble and monument business, from which he eventually retired, though he retained his position as the president of the Sheffield Water Company until his death. To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton were born two sons, Alex- ander van Cortlandt was born September 28, 1914; and Richard Warren, born February 7, 1918. Mrs. Hamilton was educated in Housatonic Hall, a private boarding school for girls, after which she took up special work in Barnard College, New York city. She immediately became interested in club work, serving for over two years as president of the Woman's Club of Sheffield, Massachusetts. After her marriage, in 1909, she moved to Wood- bury, Connecticut, to live and there joined the Woman's Club and became active in numerous church societies, being also chairman of the anti-suffrage movement in Litchfield county. She joined the Mayflower Society, but after moving to Rye, New York, to live she transferred her membership to the New York state society. While living in Rye, New York, she also joined the Colonial Dames. Shortly afterward she came to Norwalk, Con- necticut, to live and here became a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, of which she was regent from 1927 to 1929. Nine years ago she became one of the organizers of the Hospital Sewing Society, of which she was elected the first presi- dent, which position she has held continuously since. She is also a member of the George Washington Sulgrave Institute, which was formed at first to take over the old Washington house in Eng- land. She also is an active member of the Woman's Club of Nor- walk, and organized, in Norwalk, the Children of the American Revolution. She has thus been prominent and influential in many
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worthwhile organizations and, because of her ability and tact, her gracious personality and her charming manner, she is held in the highest esteem by all who know her.
ALBERT F. YOUNG
Albert F. Young, secretary and treasurer of the Peerless Fur Company, of South Norwalk, has had many years of practical experience in the hatters' fur business, to which he has devoted his attention from young manhood, and in his present enterprise is meeting with a very gratifying measure of success.
Mr. Young was born in Danbury, Connecticut, in 1885 and is a son of Patrick Francis and Bridget (Downs) Young, the for- mer of whom was born in Ireland, June 6, 1855, and the latter at Cornwall Bridge, Connecticut, of Irish ancestry, July 8, 1858. Albert F. Young attended the public schools of Danbury and then began his identification with the hat business by becoming an apprentice with the Danbury Hat Company, with which concern he remained for eight years. He then went to work for his father's firm, the P. F. Young & Sons Company, furriers, at Dan- bury, with whom he remained for ten years. On leaving Danbury Mr. Young came to South Norwalk and became manager for the Kerr-Durnin Fur Company. He filled that position for four years, at the end of which time Mr. Kerr succeeded to the busi- ness, and Mr. Young continued as manager until February 1, 1928, when he and his brother, Maurice A. Young, and Robert Bennett, took the business over from the Kerr estate. When Mr. Kerr became owner he changed its name to the Peerless Fur Com- pany, under which name the new owners incorporated the busi- ness. The Peerless Fur Company has always been at its present location, 18 Woodward avenue, and the firm is now specializing in blown fur and roundings. Maurice A. Young is president of the company, and Albert F. Young is secretary and treasurer. They have two highly esteemed brothers in Danbury, John and Wil- liam, both of whom are engaged in the manufacture of hatters' fur under the name of P. Young & Sons Company.
In 1915 Albert F. Young was united in marriage to Miss Inez Tyrell, of South Norwalk. He is a man of progressive tendencies, is up-to-date in his business methods and deserves specific recog-
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nition for his splendid record as manager of the business of which he is now one of the owners. He is a man of excellent personal qualities and all who know him hold him in the highest regard.
Maurice Augustus Young, president of the Peerless Fur Com- pany and a brother of Albert F. Young, was born in Danbury, Connecticut, December 12, 1891. He received his education in the public schools of his native city and also attended the gunnery school at Washington, Connecticut. In 1914 he became associated with his father in the firm of P. Young & Sons Company, at Dan- bury, with which concern he remained until May 23, 1917, when he enlisted for the World war, in which he served two years in France with the First Engineers. In 1920 he embarked in the fur manufacturing business, which he continued until Febru- ary 1, 1928, when he joined his brother, Albert F., and Robert Bennett, in the incorporation of the Peerless Fur Company, of which he is president. He has shown marked executive ability and is numbered among the able and successful business men of South Norwalk.
On April 18, 1921, in St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church in Waterbury, Connecticut, Maurice A. Young was united in mar- riage to Miss Gertrude E. Nichols, who was born in Derby, this state, September 28, 1897. She is a daughter of William F. and Anna (Rourke) Nichols, the former of whom was born in Water- bury, Connecticut, October 8, 1872, and the latter in Ireland, March 3, 1874. Mr. Young is a member of Norwalk Lodge, No. 709, B. P. O. E., and his religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church.
WILLIAM A. KELLY
Among those who are worthily representing the profession of law in Stamford stands William A. Kelly, whose record as a prac- titioner has been one of distinctive success, gaining for him a place among the capable and reliable attorneys of this locality. He was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on the 25th of Febru- ary, 1895, and is a son of Dr. John Devin and Marianna (Schraub) Kelly. His paternal grandparents were John and Bridget (Devin) Kelly, both of whom were born in Ireland and died in Sherburne, New York. John Kelly was a farmer and a
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democrat in his political faith. John D. Kelly was born in Nor- walk, Connecticut, April 1, 1847, and died in Hamden, Connecti- cut, January 10, 1920. He was a well educated man, having grad- uated from Colgate University with the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts, after which he attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York city, from which he re- ceived the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He practiced his profes- sion at Hamden and New Haven, Connecticut, and Providence, Rhode Island. He was a member of the Protestant Episcopal church and gave his political support to the democratic party. His wife was born in Lowville, New York, March 15, 1862, and is now residing in Hamden, Connecticut. She is a daughter of Henry and Salome (Ladenburg) Schraub, the former of whom was born at Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany, and the latter in Alsace- Lorraine. They located in Lowville, New York, where Mr. Schraub followed the profession of teaching, and died in that place. He held the position of school commissioner, supported the democratic party and was an Episcopalian in his religious faith.
William A. Kelly attended the public schools, graduating from the Hamden public school and New Haven high school in 1913. He was graduated from Yale University with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1917, and from Yale Law School with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1919. He was admitted to the bar of Connecticut in June, 1919, and to the bar of New York state in January, 1921. He was associated with the law firm of Eidlitz & Hulse of New York city for three and a half years and in June, 1923, came to Stamford, where he became associated with the firm of Cummings & Lockwood. He was admitted to a partner- ship in this firm on January 1, 1928. He has earned a reputation as a careful and painstaking lawyer, giving loyal and effective service to his clients, and he has met with flattering success in the practice of his profession. He is a member of the Stamford Bar Association and the Bar Association of New York City.
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