USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Connecticut, 1639-1928 > Part 29
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communities and his practical knowledge of the occupations of carpentering, plumbing and heating has been of much value in this connection. He was one of three citizens who organized the public playground system of Salem, Massachusetts, which was one of the first in New England. While a resident of Milton he was a member of the committee of seven citizens who selected for the town its war memorial, which is considered one of the out- standing achievements of Daniel Chester French, the noted American sculptor.
Mr. Ewart was married March 23, 1896, in Lawrence, Massa- chusetts, to Miss Alice M. Rogers, a native of that city and a graduate of its high school. Her father, John L. Rogers, was a shoe manufacturer and a forceful personality in industrial circles of Lawrence. In politics he was a republican. His death occurred in 1914, and his wife, Jennie (Worthen) Rogers, died in 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Ewart have a daughter, Miriam. Rogers, who was graduated from the Somerville high school in 1920. She received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from Wellesley College in 1924 and is now a teacher in the high school at Lexington, Massachusetts.
Mr. Ewart is a deacon in the Congregational church of Stam- ford, and his wife is also an earnest worker in its behalf. She is a member of the Schubert and Woman's Clubs and like her hus- band is keenly interested in movements for civic growth and bet- terment. Mr. Ewart gives his political support to the republican party. During the World war he furthered the sale of Liberty bonds and also worked for the success of the Red Cross drives. While in college, he was a member of the college glee club and has always been a lover of fine music, serving for several years as president of the Salem Oratorio Society, one of the largest musical organizations in New England. Along fraternal lines he is identified with the Masonic order and has crossed the hot sands of the desert with the Nobles of Aleppo Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Boston, Massachusetts. As an energetic mem- ber of the Chamber of Commerce he is working for Stamford's growth and prosperity along business lines and also belongs to the Suburban Club and the Appalachian Mountain Club. He main- tains his physical vigor by tramping and climbing and greatly enjoys life in the open. Mr. Ewart has chosen a vocation which affords the best medium for the expression of his talents, and his constantly expanding powers have placed him with the foremost
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educators of New England. His career has been conspicuously useful and the record of his achievements constitutes a notable example for those who aspire to a high level of public service.
IRA CHAUNCEY LOCKWOOD
One of the most important hatters' fur manufacturing estab- lishments in Fairfield county is that of the Norwalk Fur Com- pany, of Norwalk, of which Ira C. Lockwood is president and general manager. He has a thorough technical knowledge of the fur business, at which he worked for many years, and under his able management the present business has enjoyed a remarkable growth.
Mr. Lockwood was born in New Canaan, Connecticut, on the 29th of February, 1880, and is a son of Chauncey and Sarah (Offen) Lockwood. The father, who was a shoemaker by trade, lived in New Canaan for forty-two years, and died in 1911. The mother is now living in Norwalk. Ira C. Lockwood was about four years of age when his parents moved to Norwalk and in the public schools of this city he received his education. His first regular work was as an employe of the old Norwalk Lock Com- pany, with which concern he remained for three years. He then enlisted in Company L, Third Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, with which he served in the Spanish-American war, and at the close of the struggle was honorably discharged.
Returning to Norwalk, Mr. Lockwood was in the employ of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad for two years, after which he went to Danbury and served an apprenticeship with the American Hatters & Furriers Corporation, under Charles Parks. He became an expert in that work and rose to the position of superintendent of the factory. He remained with that concern six years and then, in 1906, in partnership with L. A. Douglas, he went into business for himself, under the name of the Phoenix Fur Company. Two years later he sold his interest in that concern and for about a year was engaged in the hatter's fur brokerage business in New York city. He was next connected with the Hatters' Fur Exchange, with which he remained until 1922, when he embarked in his present business, organizing the Norwalk Fur Company, Inc., of which he is president and general
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manager. He makes a specialty of blown fur and has met with distinctive success, now operating an immense factory and en- joying a steadily increasing business.
Mr. Lockwood is the father of two children: Eleanor, the wife of Charles Reymann, who lives in Queens Village and is associated with the New York Telephone Company; and Helen, who lives in New York city.
Mr. Lockwood is a member of the Connecticut Chamber of Commerce; Mckinley Camp, Spanish War Veterans; the Bene- volent Protective Order of Elks; the Norwalk Club and the Nor- walk Country Club. He is a man of alert mentality, energetic manner and progressive methods, and the success which has come to him is the legitimate fruitage of his determined and well directed efforts, backed by close adherence to high business ideals. Because of his success and his excellent personal qualities he is held in high esteem by all who know him.
MICHAEL J. HOWARD
Michael J. Howard, president and manager of the Howard Agency Inc., of 73 Wall street, Norwalk, is conducting an exten- sive and successful real estate and insurance business and has gained wide recognition as an able and progressive business man. Mr. Howard was born in Norwalk in 1873 and is a son of Timothy and Mary (Condon) Howard, both of whom were natives of Ire- land. He received his education in the public schools of this city and on his graduation from high school he entered the employ of the R. & G. Corset Company, of South Norwalk, for which con- cern he worked eight years as a cutter. In 1910 he formed a part- nership with Thomas A. Skelly, under the firm name of Skelly & Howard, and engaged in the wholesale and retail cigar and tobacco business at 36 Wall street, Norwalk. In 1915 Mr. Howard sold his interest in that business and became postmaster of Nor- walk, under appointment from President Wilson, and served in that capacity for eight and a half years, the last two years of his service being under President Harding.
In May, 1923, Mr. Howard established his present real estate and insurance business, under the name of the Howard Agency Inc., of which he took active personal charge on August 1st of
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that year. He possesses an accurate knowledge of real estate values and has handled a vast amount of business in that line, selling many city and country properties. He has the agency for a number of the largest and strongest insurance companies in the country and in all of his business dealings he has been found to be absolutely dependable. He has been successful in his affairs and is a director of the Central Fairfield Trust Company.
Mr. Howard was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Bren- nan, of Norwalk, and they are the parents of three children, namely: Mary, who was graduated from New Rochelle College in 1922, taught in the Norwalk high school and is now teaching in the public schools of New York city; F. Aubrey, who was graduated from Union College, at Schenectady, New York, in 1925, is now connected with the New York Edison Company; and John E. is a recent graduate of the Norwalk high school.
Mr. Howard is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Kiwanis Club and the Norwalk Club, while his religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church. His success is due to his close application, his business sagacity and his tireless efforts, and in business circles of Norwalk he is held in high regard for his ability and trustworthiness.
GEORGE A. DOUGLAS
George A. Douglas has become widely known as president and general manager of George A. Douglas & Brother, Inc., painters and decorators conducting business at 706 Howard avenue in Bridgeport, and who have been awarded important contracts in their line throughout the state of Connecticut. Beginning opera- tions on a small scale in 1898, George A. Douglas has continuously remained in business through the intervening period of three decades and has developed an enterprise of extensive and profit- able proportions. A native of Canada, he was born June 13, 1877, his parents being Captain George Henry and Malissa (Matthews) Douglas. His paternal grandfather, a sea captain, died while serving in the federal navy during the Revolutionary war. Captain George H. Douglas, the father of George A. Doug- las, was a native of Nova Scotia and followed a seafaring life as
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE A. DOUGLAS AND DAUGHTER
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captain of a supply vessel for lighthouses, sailing out of St. Johns and the Bay of Fundy. He gave his political support to the repub- lican party and was a consistent member of the Disciples church, in the faith of which he passed away at Bridgeport, Connecticut. His widow, whose birth occurred at L'Etete-Saint George, New Brunswick, now resides in Canada with her daughter.
George A. Douglas acquired his early education in the public schools of L'Etete, New Brunswick, and as a lad of eleven accom- panied his parents on their removal across the border to Ansonia, Connecticut, where he was employed in a copper mill for six years. On the expiration of that period he came to Bridgeport, where he learned the trade of coach and carriage painting with the firm of McCarty & Anderson. It was in 1898, as above stated, that he embarked in the painting and decorating business on Howard avenue with a cash capital of only five dollars. Unaided he gradually enlarged the scope of his interests and eventually moved to his present address, 706 Howard avenue, where in 1925 he incorporated his business under the name of George A. Douglas & Brother, his associate being his brother, Joseph E. Douglas, who is secretary and general superintendent of the concern. Among the numerous important contracts which they have suc- cessfully executed may be mentioned the interior and exterior work on the twenty-two buildings of the United States Veterans Hospital at Northampton, Massachusetts; the Lying-In Hospital of Providence, Rhode Island; the School of Languages of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island; the new annex of two hundred rooms to the Stratfield Hotel; and the new Medical building at Bridgeport. Recently they were awarded a large contract for interior decorating work in the United States cus- toms house in New York.
In 1921, in New York city, Mr. Douglas was married to Miss Bertha Fitch, of Bridgeport, daughter of Walter E. and Carrie C. (Parsons) Fitch. Mrs. Douglas completed her educa- tion at the Northfield Seminary which was founded by Dwight L. Moody.
Before her marriage Mrs. Douglas was connected with the Young Womens Christian Association and served in various building campaigns such as Bridgeport Christian Union, Y. W. C. A. and Red Cross during the war. Later she accepted a position as secretary to the Terminal Trainmaster of the New
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York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, which position she resigned to be married.
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas have two adopted daughters: Mrs. Marie Douglas Robertson, whose husband died as a result of being gassed while serving in the Canadian army during the World war; and Thelma Jean Douglas, who is now in school.
Mrs. Douglas is an active member of the Berean Memorial church of Bridgeport and is helpfully interested in philanthropic work. The Douglas residence "Elm Rest" is at Long Hill in the town of Trumbull and is one of the fine homes of that choice residential section. It is of wood construction and was built according to the plans of Mr. Douglas, who did both the interior and exterior decorating.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Douglas has supported the men and measures of the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good government. He is a devoted member of the Berean Memorial church (undenominational), in the work of which he takes a very active part, serving now as assistant superintendent of the Sun- day school after sixteen years' effective work as its superintend- ent. For the past five years he has sung in the church choir.
SAMUEL WIXON HOYT, JR.
In the field of civil engineering, Samuel W. Hoyt, Jr., of South Norwalk, is one of the best known men in Fairfield county. His long service in connection with municipal affairs of South Norwalk was so conspicuous for its efficiency and devotion to the city's interests that he earned the praise and gratitude of the people of the community. Now, under the name of The Samuel W. Hoyt, Jr., Company, Inc., of which he is president and treas- urer, he is doing a large business in general engineering and is regarded as the leader in his line in this section of the county.
Mr. Hoyt was born in Norwalk on the 21st of August, 1876, and is a son of Samuel W. and Emma Frances (Wilcox) Hoyt, the former of whom was long engaged in the lumber business in New York city but is now retired, and he and his wife are living in South Norwalk. The son received his education in the public schools of Norwalk and when fourteen years of age went to work.
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In 1892 he became assistant to Ferris S. Morehouse, architect and engineer, who was at that time serving as city engineer. In 1904 Mr. Hoyt accepted a position as assistant to Waldo C. Briggs, city engineer and street commissioner of South Norwalk, and at that time also enrolled in a correspondence school, in which he took a course in municipal engineering. When Mr. Briggs left South Norwalk, Mr. Hoyt was appointed temporarily as acting city engineer and street commissioner, until a successor could be secured. At the end of a year the city authorities appointed him city engineer and street commissioner, and custodian of all city maps and notes in the engineering department. In connec- tion with his other duties, he did the major part of the engineer- ing work of the city. In 1906, having decided to start in business for himself, he resigned his position. as street commissioner and opened an office at 79 Washington street. However, in the fall of that year, the board of water commissioners secured his serv- ices as resident engineer in charge of the construction of the city's new water filtration plant, in association with H. W. Clark and W. S. Johnson, of Boston, Massachusetts, the consulting experts and designers of the filtration plant. Mr. Hoyt gave up his private business and devoted all of his time to the filtration plant, the work on which was completed in July, 1908. The water commissioners were well pleased with Mr. Hoyt's work, appreci- ating his watchfulness of all details and his thorough execution of every duty in connection with the large undertaking. The Bunting Construction Company, builders of the plant, praised Mr. Hoyt's fairness, as well as his advice and suggestions, and were ready to abide by his decisions in all matters pertaining to workmen and work.
After the completion of this work, Mr. Hoyt was again elected city engineer and street commissioner, and accepted the first posi- tion but declined to serve as street commissioner. He held his official position until the consolidation of Norwalk and South Nor- walk in 1913, when, in addition to his private engineering busi- ness, he engaged in contracting, forming a partnership with Alfred Brown, under the firm name of Brown & Hoyt, with offices in South Norwalk. This business was continued for three years, when the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Brown continuing the contracting business and Mr. Hoyt thereafter devoting his entire time to the engineering business. He carried the work on alone
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until 1921, when he incorporated it under the name of the Sam- uel W. Hoyt, Jr., Company, Inc., with offices at 34 Washington street, South Norwalk. He has been successful in his individual ยท affairs and is treasurer of the Connecticut Finance & Mortgage Company and treasurer of the F. C. Olsen Electric Company, of South Norwalk.
On June 30, 1903, Mr. Hoyt was united in marriage to Miss Susan S. Smith, of South Norwalk, a daughter of Charles N. and Emma (Townsend) Smith, the former of whom is now superin- tendent of the Jones & Naumburg Corporation. Mrs. Hoyt re- ceived a good education and was a teacher in the public schools prior to her marriage.
Mr. Hoyt is a member of the Connecticut Society of Civil En- gineers, the South Norwalk Club and the Shorehaven Golf Club. A man of high ideals and sincere purposes, his record has in every respect been a most creditable one, being characterized by hon- esty and thoroughness in the performance of every duty placed on him, and throughout the community in which he has spent his life he commands uniform confidence and respect, being regarded as one of South Norwalk's best citizens.
CLAYTON FITCH GREGORY
On the roster of public officials in Norwalk appears the name of Clayton Fitch Gregory, who is making an excellent record as town clerk and has been identified with this branch of public service for a period of five years. He was born in this city in 1900 and is a son of Frank W. and Bertha M. (Fitch) Gregory, who have been residents of Norwalk for many years. The father was supervisor of schools for many years but has now retired.
Clayton F. Gregory attended the local schools and received his higher education in the University of New York, from which he was graduated in 1921. For two years thereafter he was em- ployed in the Norwalk Iron Works and in 1923 was appointed assistant town clerk, acting in that capacity until September, 1926. He was then appointed town clerk and in 1927 was elected to that office. His work is thoroughly systematized and his duties are performed with efficiency and conscientiousness.
On August 1, 1922, Mr. Gregory was united in marriage to
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Miss Ethel C. Carhart, of New York city, daughter of Willard B. and Elizabeth (Rapp) Carhart of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Gre- gory have become the parents of a daughter, Faith. Mr. Gregory reserves his energies for his public duties, and Delta Epsilon, a college fraternity, and the Toreador Club, are the only organiza- tions with which he is connected.
CHARLES FERRIS BEARDSLEY
Charles Ferris Beardsley is a well known resident of New- town, where he carries on the business of real estate and auc- tioneering, was here born on the 24th of May, 1849, a son of Abel and Hannah (Gray) Beardsley. The Newtown district schools afforded him his early educational privileges and afterward he had the opportunity of attending the New Haven Business Col- lege. When his textbooks were put aside and his school days were over he went to work on the home farm, where he remained for forty years, seventeen years of which period he devoted to the rais- ing of tobacco, one of the chief crops of this section of the state. In 1909 he turned over the work of the farm to others and after a short period devoted to mercantile pursuits he became manager of the Wayside Inn, where as the genial host he became famous throughout the state. He made this one of the most popular hos- telries of Connecticut and to it was accorded a liberal patronage by those who enjoyed not only the comforts it afforded but a visit with its proprietor. After Mr. Beardsley had acted as manager thereof for three years the Inn was destroyed by fire and a little later he entered the employ of the Iron Clad Manufacturing Com- pany. Soon, however, he returned to the old home farm and occupies the colonial dwelling erected in 1819, which in earlier years was the Caleb Baldwin tavern, situated on the east side of Main street in Newtown, and maintaining the beauty and archi- tectural dignity of a bygone period. He is giving his attention to the real estate business and to auctioneering and is thoroughly familiar with property values, which has led to his negotiation of various important real estate transfers. He also conducts many public sales and in both lines is meeting with success. For a number of years Mr. and Mrs. Beardsley have been engaged
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in the buying and selling of choice antiques and in this connec- tion have established a large clientele.
On the 27th of October, 1875, at Newtown, Mr. Beardsley was married to Miss Mary Josephine Lake, a daughter of Joseph and Hannah R. (Smith) Lake, both of whom were members of old families of Newtown. Mr. and Mrs. Beardsley are the parents of two sons. The elder, Clarence Lake Beardsley, who was born in Newtown, October 17, 1878, married Viola Gamsby and resides in New Haven. He is the owner of the decorating and house furnishings business operated under the name of Cross & Beard- sley. Paul Joseph Beardsley, born April 17, 1883, is connected with the Corbin Cabinet Lock Company branch of the American Hardware Company and is located at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Beardsley are members of Trinity Episcopal church, in which Mr. Beardsley has been a vestryman for many years. In community affairs he has always been active- ly and helpfully interested and for the notable period of forty consecutive years he has served as clerk of the borough and has also filled the office of assessor. His long term of office indicates unmistakably his loyalty and fidelity to duty and his efficiency in the performance of the tasks which devolve upon him in that connection.
3. /47 1 RALPH EMERSON BRUSH
Ralph Emerson Brush, who proved his patriotism and devo- tion to country by service in the World war, has long been re- garded as one of the foremost members of the Greenwich bar and is equally prominent in legal circles of New York city. He is also active in business and financial affairs. He was born in New York city in 1886, a son of Augustus Mead and Sarah (Hodg- man) Brush. The father was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, in 1856 and attended a private school conducted by Professor Peck. On attaining manhood he entered the iron and steel industry, also becoming a dealer in plumbers' supplies, and prospered in all of his undertakings. During the winter he resided in New York city and spent the summer months in Greenwich. He had many friends in both cities, and his untimely death on the 26th of
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February, 1901, occasioned deep and widespread regret, for he was a man of kindly nature and high character.
In the acquirement of an education Ralph E. Brush attended a private school of Greenwich and the public schools of the city. He prepared for his profession in the New York Law School, which awarded him the degree of LL. B. in 1908, and in the same year he qualified for practice in the state of New York, while in 1909 he was admitted to the Connecticut bar. After practicing for four years in New York he opened an office in Greenwich and his ability soon won public recognition. During 1913 and 1914 he was prosecuting attorney for Greenwich and the prestige which he gained in that connection led to a rapid increase in his clientele.
His attention was devoted to his practice until November 6, 1917, when he enlisted in the navy, and was commissioned an ensign in the United States Naval Reserves. In view of the fact that he had been very active in yachting and had made a study of navigation, Mr. Brush was assigned to the Merchants Auxil- iary on Pelham bay as instructor in navigation. In June, 1918, he was promoted, becoming a lieutenant of the junior grade, and in September was transferred to the United States troop trans- port America, sailing for Brest, France. His duties on shipboard were those relating to fire control. In the latter part of October he left France, arriving in New York harbor on Friday, and on the following Monday, at four o'clock in the morning, the vessel on which he had crossed the Atlantic sank at her pier in Hoboken, New Jersey. When the armistice was signed he was sent back to Pelham and placed on the inactive list December 31, 1918.
In May, 1919, Mr. Brush resumed his professional activities in Greenwich and New York city and has since practiced continu- ously, numbering important corporations among his clients. His knowledge of the fundamental principles of jurisprudence is com- prehensive and exact, and his clear and cogent reasoning and careful preparation of his cases constitute forceful elements in winning favorable verdicts. He organized the Putnam Trust Company, for which he is counsel, and fills the offices of vice president and director, rendering valuable service to the corpora- tion. He is treasurer and a director of the Putnam Cemetery Association and treasurer of the Title Insurance & Mortgage Company, of which he is also counsel and a director. Mr. Brush
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