USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Connecticut, 1639-1928 > Part 34
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CHARLES QUINTARD HOYT
One of the oldest and best known families of Stamford is that of Hoyt, of which Charles Quintard Hoyt is a worthy representa- tive. . For over two hundred and fifty years the family has resided in this city and during this period its members have been actively identified with its various interests, contributing their full part to the development and progress of the community. The progenitor of the family in this country was Simon Hoyt, who was a native of England and settled in Charlestown, Massachusetts, in 1628, where he followed the vocation of farming. He was the father of Benjamin Hoyt, Sr., who was born in Windsor, Connecticut, Feb- ruary 2, 1644, and died in Stamford, January 26, 1735, or 1736, at the age of ninety-one years. He married Miss Hannah Weed, who died November 9, 1711, and they became the parents of Ben- jamin Hoyt, Jr., who was born in Stamford, December 9, 1671, and died in this town in 1747. He was a farmer and served for four years as a selectman of Stamford. He married Miss Eliza- beth Jagger and among their children was David Hoyt, who was born in Stamford, June 23, 1702, and died here in 1761 or 1762. He married Miss Hannah Hoyt, who was a native and lifelong resident of Stamford, and they became the parents of John Hoyt, who was born in Stamford, December 29, 1732, and died here, September 10, 1809. He followed agricultural pursuits and was a member of the Congregational church. He married Miss Jemima Holly, who was born in Stamford in 1739 and died No- vember 11, 1825. Their son Henry was born in Stamford, May 11, 1776, and died here, December 19, 1854. He devoted his efforts to farming, gave his political support to the whig party
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and was a deacon in the Congregational church. He married Miss Betsy Waterbury, who was a native of Stamford and died here, March 27, 1855, and they became the parents of James H. Hoyt, the father of Charles Quintard Hoyt.
James H. Hoyt was born in Stamford, July 25, 1823, and died here, January 19, 1912. He was a contractor and builder, being one of the pioneers in this business in Stamford, and he erected many of its best residences and business houses in his day. He was a stanch republican in his political views and was an active member of the Congregational church, in the choir of which he sang. He was married to Miss Hannah Elizabeth Smith, who was also descended from an old American family, which was founded in this country by Henry Smith, who was born in Eng- land in 1619, settled in Massachusetts in about 1635 and moved to Stamford in 1641, being one of the first settlers of Connecticut, and one of the first twenty settlers of Stamford. His death oc- curred here in 1687. He was the father of John Smith, who died November 3, 1711, and who was the father of John Smith, who was born about 1680 and died September 7, 1724. The latter married Miss Phoebe Green and they became the parents of Eze- kiel Smith, Sr., who was born in Stamford in 1710 and died here in 1772. He married Miss Martha Holly and to them was born Ezekiel Smith, Jr., in about 1757. He was a farmer by vocation, and a member of St. John's Protestant Episcopal church. He was married October 3, 1778, to Miss Sarah Morehouse, who was born in Greenwich, Connecticut. She died in Stamford, October 26, 1787, and he died September 4, 1813. They became the par- ents of Captain Peter Smith, who was born in Stamford, August 4, 1785, and died here in 1855. He was a farmer, voted the whig ticket and was a member of St. John's Episcopal church. He was probably a captain in the militia. He married Miss Hannah Elizabeth Quintard, who was born in Stamford, July 3, 1802, and died here in 1824, and they became the parents of a daugh- ter, Hannah Elizabeth, who was the wife of James H. Hoyt. She was born in Stamford, February 29, 1824, and died here April 15, 1900.
Charles Q. Hoyt has a brother and two sisters, namely: Edward S., who is assistant manager of the Murray Hill Hotel, New York city; Elizabeth, who resides with her brother in Stam-
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ford; and Georgeanna, the wife of Frank Scofield, who is con- nected with the Stamford Advocate. They have a daughter, Miriam E., who graduated from the Stamford high school in 1928.
Charles Q. Hoyt was born in Stamford on the 25th of August, 1868, and received his educational training in the public schools of this city. He entered the employ of the Continental Insurance Company of New York city as a clerk, remaining with that or- ganization for twelve years, after which he was for twenty-five years with the North British & Mercantile Insurance Company as one of its underwriters. In 1921 Mr. Hoyt engaged in the in- surance brokerage business on his own account, with offices in New York and Brooklyn, and has carried this on successfully to the present time. Later he opened a real estate and insurance office in Stamford, where he now maintains his main office, and here has built up a large clientele.
Mr. Hoyt gives his political support to the republican party and is a member of St. Andrew's Protestant Episcopal church. He has at all times stood ready to cooperate with his fellow citi- zens in the advancement of measures for the promotion of the public welfare and is regarded as one of Stamford's solid and substantial citizens, well worthy of the respect and esteem in which he is uniformly held.
MICHAEL THOMAS CUFF
One of Danbury's successful business men and foremost citi -. zens is Michael T. Cuff, president of the Cuff Hat Company, which he established two decades ago. He has proven a farseeing business man and in civic affairs has not been found wanting, so that he holds a high place in public esteem.
Mr. Cuff was born in Putnam county, New York, June 5, 1858, and is a son of John and Alice (Rogers) Cuff, both of whom were natives of Ireland. When he was but an infant, the family moved to Danbury, where he was reared. He attended the public schools to the age of twelve years, when he went to work in a hat factory. In 1878, at the age of twenty years, he completed his apprenticeship in the hat factory of E. A. Mallory & Sons, after
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
which he was employed for five years in the factory of the Tweedy Manufacturing Company. He then went to Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania, where he was employed in the making department of the John B. Stetson Company, and during the year he remained there he became intimately acquainted with Mr. Stetson.
On May 1, 1882, Mr. Cuff became a member of the firm of Murphy & Cuff and engaged in the manufacture of ladies' beaver hats at 1166 Germantown avenue, Philadelphia, but later he retired from that business and, returning to Danbury, went to work as a maker for the firm of Meath & McGarrigle, with whom he remained for one year. In 1884 he went to Elizabeth, New Jersey, as superintendent for the George B. Wheeler Company and three years later went to the Singer Manufacturing Com- pany, with which concern he spent a year. While there he was identified with the Drakes Veteran Zouaves Band. Returning to Danbury in 1887, he took a position as superintendent for Dav- enport & Von Gal, afterwards Hawes & Von Gal, with which firm he continued until 1909. In that year he established the Cuff Hat Company, in Bethel, Connecticut, manufacturing ladies' and men's hats in the rough. This proved a successful venture and in 1914 he moved the plant to Danbury, where he is now operating a large plant.
Mr. Cuff was married in 1880 to Miss Nora Fay, of New York, and to them were born nine children, of whom four are liv- ing, namely: Alice M., the wife of John A. De Fine, of Danbury; John F., who is foreman of his father's hat factory; Sister M. Amadeus, of St. Francis Orphan Asylum of New Haven, Con- necticut; and Mary, who is a trained nurse in New York city. The wife and mother passed away in 1899, and in 1902 Mr. Cuff was again married, his second union being with Miss May A. Carberry, of Hartford, Connecticut.
Mr. Cuff is a stanch democrat in his political views and has long been active in party affairs. He represented the twenty- fourth district on the democratic state central committee for six years and has been a delegate to two national conventions, the one in Kansas City in 1900 and in New York in 1924. He rendered effective service as a member of the town school committee for five years, as a member of the common council for two years and as a member of the board of aldermen for eight years, during
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
four of which he was president of the board. He is a devout Catholic, a member of St. Peter's church, and fraternally he is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus. His career has been marked by a close adherence to those principles which make for good government and the betterment of society, and throughout the community where he has spent the best years of his life he commands the unequivocal confidence and respect of the people, who appreciate his genuine worth as a man and citizen.
LLEWELLYN BROMFIELD, JR.
As a civil engineer Llewellyn Bromfield, Jr., has been in- timately associated with important development projects in Stamford, which has directly benefited by his professional ability and activities, and as an accomplished musician he has furthered its advancement along cultural lines. He was born in Ridgefield, Connecticut, August 6, 1889, and is a son of Dr. Llewellyn and Etta Hortense (Taylor) Bromfield. The grandfather, Rev. Edward Thomas Bromfield, was a native of Wales and a gradu- ate of Oxford. He became a Presbyterian minister but his pas- toral duties were secondary in importance to his work as a re- ligious writer. His literary talents were of a high order and at various times he was editor of the Toronto Globe, North American Review and New York Times. He was also a Shakespearean scholar of note and wrote a synopsis of Shakespeare's plays. He married a Miss Musgrave, who was a native of England and passed away in Glenbrook, Connecticut. The demise of Rev. Ed- ward T. Bromfield occurred in Brooklyn, New York, and both he and his wife were buried in the family cemetery at Hempstead, Long Island.
Their son, Dr. Llewellyn Bromfield, was born in London, Eng- land, September 10, 1865, came to Stamford in 1880 and is now a well known chiropractor of Stamford, maintaining an office at No. 1 Bank street. He became a charter member of the original Company C of Stamford and is one of the few surviving members of that organization. He adheres to the political views of his father, casting his ballot for the candidates of the republican party, and is affiliated with the Union church. His wife was born in Ridgefield, November 11, 1866, and her parents were Joseph
LLEWELLYN BROMFIELD, JR.
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
and Jane L. (Frisbie) Taylor. Her grandfather, Davis Taylor, was born in Fairfield county, Connecticut, and devoted his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits, passing away at Redding, this state. Joseph Taylor was born in Redding and engaged in the milling business. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party and he was a member of the Masonic order. For a num- ber of years he lived in Glenbrook, Connecticut, and there passed away. His wife was a native of Pennsylvania and died in Var- den, that state.
Llewellyn Bromfield, Jr., attended the public schools of Stam- ford and afterward learned surveying under Paul Nash, for whom he worked for three years. Starting as chain carrier, he was rapidly advanced and eventually became chief of the party. For a year he was transitman for W. B. Pierce and in 1910 began his career as a civil engineer in Stamford, where he has since been located. His office and blue print establishment are situated in the Spelke building at No. 434 Main street and the extent and importance of his business indicates his ability and professional prestige. A talented musician, he enjoys an enviable reputation as a pianist and has also become well known as an orchestra conductor.
Mr. Bromfield was married March 26, 1913, in Darien, Con- necticut, to Miss Elizabeth May Skelton, who was born in the state of Maine in 1892 and died in Glenbrook, Connecticut, Oc- tober 22, 1918. Her parents, Richard F. and Eleanor (Savage) Skelton, were residents of Noroton Heights, Connecticut, and have also passed away. On June 21, 1926, Mr. Bromfield was married in Stamford to Miss Eva V. Poakeart, who was born in Harrison, New York, January 8, 1904, and attended St. John's parochial school and the Stamford high school. She also com- pleted a course in the Lee Business College and previous to her marriage was private secretary to Mr. Bromfield. She is a daughter of Edward D. and Helen Poakeart, who were born in the state of New York. They reside in Stamford and Mr. Poak- eart is connected with the Yale & Towne Manufacturing Com- pany. He is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church and supports the candidates of the republican party. By his first marriage Mr. Bromfield has three children: Llewellyn (III), who was born March 15, 1914; Richard Edward, born July 24,
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1915; and Eleanor B., born February 22, 1917. The children of the second union are: Robert Joseph, who was born April 19, 1927; and Eva Helen, born June 22, 1928.
Mr. Bromfield is a republican of independent views, voting for the candidate whom he considers best qualified for office. He is a member of the town planning commission and active in the extension of Broad street. During the World war he offered his aid to his country but was not called upon for active military duty. Along fraternal lines he is connected with Union Lodge, No. 5, of the Masonic order and Puritan Lodge, No. 43, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In the latter lodge he has filled every office and is grand herald of the Grand Lodge of Con- necticut Odd Fellows, figuring prominently in the affairs of the order. He belongs to the Stamford Chamber of Commerce and is a charter member of the Kiwanis Club. Mr. Bromfield has a high conception of the duties and responsibilities of citizenship and has demonstrated his public spirit by actual achievements for the general good. His activities have touched life at many points and his career, much as it holds of accomplishment, is still rich in promise, for he has not yet reached the zenith of his powers. In manner he is frank, cordial and unassuming and a wide circle of steadfast friends attests his personal popularity.
REV. DENIS P. HURLEY
Among the learned, capable and popular clergymen of Fair- field county, one of the best known is Rev. Denis P. Hurley, pas- tor of the important parish of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church in South Norwalk, where he has served for eight years. St. Joseph's parish has been a separate organization since September 1, 1895, when it was formed by cutting off the southern portion of St. Mary's parish of Norwalk. It comprises all of South Nor- walk and extends north as far as Cedar street.
The first pastor of the new congregation was the Rev. John Winters, who celebrated his first mass in the new parish in Music Hall on South Main street, September 8, 1895, this hall having been obtained for church purposes at a rental of five hundred dol-
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
lars a year. At that time the parish comprised twelve hundred Irish people, two hundred Hungarians and one hundred Italians, and the parish began its career with seventeen hundred and fifty dollars in the treasury, the gift of the Rev. W. J. Slocum.
In October, 1896, work was begun on the erection of a church building, the cornerstone of which was laid on Sunday, April 4, 1897, by Bishop Tierney, in the presence of eight thousand people. The sermon was preached by the Rev. William Maher, D.D., of Milford, Connecticut. The parish possesses a very valuable prop- erty, well located on South Main street, where two adjoining tracts were purchased, the one serving as a church site, the other for a rectory. The building which stood on the rectory site was remodeled and made into a spacious and well arranged pastoral residence, while the house which stood on the other site was re- moved to make way for the church. The rectory property orig- inally cost the parish six thousand dollars and the church lot, with building, four thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars. The church edifice, built of brick and of an attractive and substantial architectural style, has served well its purpose and has been main- tained in the best of condition, being an ornament to that section of the city. During the period of 1896 and 1897 there were one hundred and sixty-six baptisms in the parish, the first baptism having been that of Helen Kindilien, while the marriages num- bered thirty-two, the first nuptial solemnization having been that of John Kennedy and Mary Lynch. Father Winters served St. Joseph's parish until the week after Easter Sunday, 1899, when he was transferred to the newly organized parish of the Immacu- late Conception, at Hartford, at which time he was succeeded at St. Joseph's by the Rev. William Maher, D. D., formerly of Milford.
Rev. Denis P. Hurley, who became pastor of St. Joseph's par- ish in 1920, was born in Maryland in 1864, and is a son of Tim- othy and Catherine (Donovan) Hurley, natives of Ireland, both of whom are deceased. He was a student at St. Charles College in his native state; Niagara University at Niagara Falls, New York, and the Grand Seminary at Montreal, Canada. He was ordained to the priesthood at St. John's Theological Seminary in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1892, and his first appointment was to St. Rose's parish at Meriden, Connecticut. From there he went to
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
Sacred Heart church in Bridgeport, serving afterward at St. Patrick's church in Hartford, and then became pastor of St. Mary's church in East Hartford, where he ministered for thir- teen years, or until 1920, when he came to St. Joseph's parish. A man of strong and forceful character, thorough education and intense devotion to his life work, he has made a deep and lasting impression on the parish of which he is the spiritual head, and throughout the community he is recognized as a man of tremend- ous influence for good. He is an effective preacher, an earnest pastor and a constant and loyal friend, and no citizen of this com- munity stands higher in public regard than he, being popular with all classes, regardless of creed or profession.
FRANK E. SQUIRES
In civic affairs of Bridgeport, Frank E. Squires has long fig- ured prominently, doing notable work as superintendent of bridges and in other connections, and represents that class of men to whom personal gain is but one aim in many, secondary in im- portance to public growth and development and lower in value than many other elements which go to make up the sum total of human existence. A native of this city, he was born April 22, 1868, and a son of Edgar and Juliet Elizabeth (Williams) Squires, representatives of old and highly respected families of Connecticut. While living in Bridgeport the father was ap- pointed sealer of weights and measures, filling the office for many years. He was called to his final rest July 4, 1916.
Frank E. Squires received a public school education and his initial experience along commercial lines was gained with the I. W. Birdsey Corset Company of Bridgeport, with which he spent five years. He next entered the employ of the John S. Fray Com- pany in the capacity of shipping clerk and remained with the firm for twenty-two years. He resigned to accept the position of fore- man in the street cleaning department of the city, working under Tom Cunningham, superintendent of streets, and Clifford B. Wilson, mayor. Mr. Squires acted as foreman for three years, afterward becoming a member of the board of education, with which he was connected for two years, and since 1923 has been
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
superintendent of bridges. His work has been marked by enthu- siasm, efficiency and an infinite capacity for taking pains, and the reputation that results from duty well and faithfully performed is his just reward. For five years he has had charge of this de- partment and the Yellow Mill bridge, the last word in bridge con- struction, was started and completed under his direction.
In 1889 Mr. Squires was united in marriage to Miss Adella F. Smith of Bridgeport, and eight children were born to them, namely : Charles E., chief accountant of the American Hardware Company of Bridgeport; Bessie May, the wife of Sanford Rob- inson, an electrician in the service of Steinert & Company of this city; Harold F., who is in the employ of the Bridgeport Brass Company; Russell R., who is connected with the accounting de- partment of that company and who married Miss Iva Banks of Bridgeport; Mildred A., the wife of Frederick Holden, who is identified with the local telephone company; Clifford, who mar- ried Miss Mabel Eastwood of Bridgeport and is a city employe; and Edward and Wilbur, who are in the service of the Bridgeport Brass Company.
Mr. Squires is affiliated with the Loyal Order of Moose and the Shepherds of Bethlehem. For fourteen years he has served on the town committee and is now chairman of the tenth district. He has exerted a strong force for good in his city and enjoys to the fullest extent the respect and confidence of his fellowmen.
FRANCIS J. BRENNAN
After a number of years spent in industrial circles as an em- ploye of others Francis J. Brennan established business on his own account in 1921 under the name of the Brennan Stone Com- pany of Bridgeport. His previous experience, his laudable ambi- tion and his sound judgment have carried him steadily forward and success has attended the undertaking, which now has two trade centers, a second plant having been established at Hartford.
Throughout the greater part of his life, however, Mr. Bren- nan has made his home in Bridgeport, where his birth occurred June 7, 1884, his parents, Peter T. and Julia (Sheridan) Bren- nan, being also natives of this city. The grandfather, Patrick
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
Brennan, was born in Ireland but in 1846 established his home in Bridgeport, where he spent his remaining days.
Francis J. Brennan was a pupil in the public schools of Bridgeport and continued his studies in the night school of the Young Men's Christian Association, which he attended for sev- eral years, specializing in mathematics and in debating. He kept himself physically fit by his gymnasium work and for two years he was a member of the cross country running team. He was also made president of the debating class and was a member of the debating team that toured the Connecticut cities, taking part in many contests. Starting out in the business world, he obtained employment at the Bridgeport Boiler Works and was afterward with the Jackson Stone Company. In 1903 he went to New York city, where he was employed until 1907, when he returned to Bridgeport to become manager for the Jackson Stone Company, . a position of responsibility which he acceptably filled until 1921, when he resigned to establish an independent business. He or- ganized the Brennan Stone Company of Bridgeport, of which he has since been president, and it was not long before he had placed the business upon a substantial basis and enlarged the scope of his activities by opening a second plant in Hartford in 1923. During the eight years in which the Brennan Stone Company has been in existence it has won leadership in its line of trade in the state of Connecticut and its work is seen in many of the fine build- ings not only throughout this state but in New York as well. Mr. Brennan is today regarded as a forceful factor in industrial cir- cles and he has likewise entered the financial field as a director of the North End Bank & Trust Company.
In 1907 Mr. Brennan was married to Miss Ruby M. Goodrich, of Meriden, Connecticut, a daughter of Frank Goodrich, a pros- perous business man of that city. They have become parents of three children: Ruby Francis, who is named for her father and mother; Dorothy; and Francis Gregory, who bears the name of his father and an aunt.
Mr. Brennan is a communicant of St. Patrick's Roman Cath- olic church and his fraternal affiliations are with the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the United Commercial Travelers. He is now a past grand knight of Park City Council, Knights of Columbus, and he is a past presi-
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dent of the Kiwanis Luncheon Club and ex-commissioner of the Bridgeport fire department, a director of the Young Men's Chris- tian Association of Bridgeport and a member of the Boy Scouts council. He is likewise serving on the board of governors of the Algonquin Club of Bridgeport and the Mill River Country Club and on the board of directors of the Junior College of Connecticut.
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