USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Connecticut, 1639-1928 > Part 35
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WALTER WARD GARRITY
Trained in that rigorous school which develops strong, self- reliant manhood, Walter Ward Garrity has made his own way in the world from the age of fourteen, proving what may be accom- plished when effort and ambition combine. He was Bridgeport's efficient city comptroller and has devoted much of his life to pub- lic service. He was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, January 25, 1899, a son of William J. and Mary (Ward) Garrity, who were natives of Connecticut and died when he was a child. The grand- father, John Garrity, was a native of Ireland and left that coun- try in his youth, seeking his fortune in the United States.
The educational advantages of Walter W. Garrity were lim- ited to attendance at the Sacred Heart parochial school in Bridgeport and in 1913 he began his struggle for a livelihood. While working for the old Bridgeport Standard, a newspaper which has since passed out of existence, he took a course in the Bridgeport Business College and after his graduation became a stenographer in the office of the Bridgeport Brass Company, with which he spent about nine months. All during the early years of his career he was an industrious student, spending every spare moment with his books on finance and accounting. A hard worker and ambitious, he came to the attention of the late John T. King, who formed a liking for the young man and was instru- mental in having him named clerk of the board of charities in 1916. For about four months he was a clerk in the department of public charities and was then transferred to the office of the board of contracts and supplies. In November, 1917, he accepted a position in the office of the city auditor, afterward that of the city comptroller, filling the place of his brother, William J. Garrity, who went to France with the American Expeditionary Forces,
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and on April 1, 1918, was appointed deputy city auditor. In April, 1925, he was appointed city auditor, succeeding Bernard Keating, deceased, who had been retained in that capacity for forty-two years, and in 1927 the title of the office was changed from city auditor to comptroller. Mr. Garrity was connected with this department for eleven years and has been in the service of the city for a period of twelve years. At all times he dis- charged his duties with thoroughness and fidelity and his work has been highly commended. On January 1, 1929, Mr. Garrity retired from public life to engage in business and is now con- nected with a firm of stock brokers, with offices in New York.
Mr. Garrity was married November 29, 1923, to Miss Mary Bannon, of Bridgeport, and they have three sons: John King, Walter Ward, Jr., and Joseph Leo. The family reside at 95 Anson street and are adherents of the Roman Catholic faith. Mr. Garrity is a member of the local council of the Knights of Colum- bus and Bridgeport Lodge, No. 36, of the Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks. He is a young man of exceptional worth and has a wide circle of steadfast friends in the city in which prac- tically his entire life has been spent.
EMILE HEMMING
As the executive head of The Central Fairfield Trust Com- pany, Emile Hemming occupies a central place on the stage of activity in Norwalk, manifesting an unselfish devotion to the general good of the town through his activities in public service. As a member of the Connecticut state legislature, through his comprehensive knowledge of financial affairs, supplemented by executive ability and mature judgment, he became chairman of the house on the banking committee, taking a very active part in the session of the legislature in Hartford.
Mr. Hemming is a republican in his political convictions, a member of the republican town committee, and a member of the board of public safety, in charge of the police department. He was unanimously elected president of the Norwalk Board of Trade, and so occupies a public service distinction.
As a native of Switzerland, born in 1883, he acquired his
EMILE HEMMING
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school and college education in his native country, entering into the banking profession in Switzerland and acquiring a thorough banking training, for which the banks in Switzerland have be- come internationally prominent.
Along fraternal lines, Mr. Hemming is a thirty-second de- gree Mason, and a member of Salaam Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the Swiss Scientific Society, New York, having founded that organization and having been presi- dent of same for the first two years. He is also a member of the New York Athletic Club and Shorehaven Golf Club of Norwalk.
BENJAMIN T. HARRIS
There are certain individuals of whom it is impossible to speak save in the language of eulogy, and of this type was Benjamin T. Harris, a Stamford business man who achieved prominence as a city builder, a field in which he excelled. He was noted for his high sense of honor, his fidelity to the ties of home and friendship, his public-spirited devotion to the general good, and the moral force of his character entered into the very fiber of the city's life.
A native of Kiev, Russia, Mr. Harris was reared and edu- cated in that country and came to the United States with his par- ents when a youth of about sixteen. For a time he lived with the family in New York city and then migrated to Connecticut, locat- ing in South Norwalk, here he embarked in business as a dealer in coal and wood late in the '90s. The venture proved disastrous and he was unable to meet his obligations. Securing a loan of four hundred dollars, he came to Stamford to make a fresh start and arrived here at the time the old city hall was destroyed by fire. Using the four hundred dollars as part payment, he pur- chased all of the bricks in the old building and began the erection of a business block practically without capital. Afterward he constructed other buildings of a similar type, using some of this old material, and a number of the large office structures on Main street today have hundreds of these bricks in them. Mr. Harris prospered in his undertakings and by 1910, four years after his arrival in Stamford, had paid all of his creditors one hundred cents on the dollar as well as the accrued interest.
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A six-family dwelling house was one of his early ventures as a builder and among the large public and civic buildings erected under his supervision are the Stamford high school, the building occupied by the Stamford Water Company, the structure which houses the business of the Stamford Trust Company, Stamford Hospital, Holy Name church, the Memorial Chapel in Glenbrook, the Lorraine Hotel in Bridgeport and the Coscob school. He also erected numerous buildings for Dr. Amos Givens, head of the Stamford Hall Sanitarium, and was regarded as one of the fore- most contractors in this part of the state. His business was first conducted under the style of the Harris Construction Company and later the name was changed to the B. T. Harris Corporation, of which he was president. Looking far into the future, he was the first to visualize Atlantic street in Stamford as a business sec- tion. He brought about its development and his company ac- quired much of the property along this thoroughfare. Purchas- ing several tracts of land, the Harris Corporation converted them . into desirable residential sections, and of these Shippan Mall at Shippan Point is one of the most attractive. When Stamford wanted wooden paving, Mr. Harris was awarded the contract and although he had never before handled a job of that kind, he per- formed his work so well that the pavement on Main street is still in good condition. He had an exceptional store of energy, was most thorough and conscientious in everything that he undertook, and never failed to obtain the desired result. Mr. Harris had an intimate knowledge of the worth of all realty in this locality and was endowed with rare judgment as well as executive ability of a high order.
In 1896 Mr. Harris married Miss Minnie Savage, daughter of Abraham and Lena Savage, of New Haven, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Harris became the parents of three daughters: Betty, Rose and Thelma.
Although Mr. Harris never held nor sought public office, he exerted a strong influence in local politics and his indorsement was sought by many candidates for municipal office. His support was given only to those men whom he considered worthy of public trust and confidence. For many years he had been a stanch re- publican but when the late President Roosevelt organized the Bull Moose party Mr. Harris did all in his power to promote its
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growth in Stamford. Mounted on a spirited white horse, he led the progressive parade and was perhaps the most forceful polit- ical figure in Stamford during that year.
One of the high spots in the life of Mr. Harris was his trip around the world in 1924. He sailed from San Francisco to Yokohama, Japan, visiting Honolulu en route, and made a tour of the principal cities in the "Flowery kingdom," learning much concerning its inhabitants. He barely escaped the second earth- quake, which occurred eight hours after he sailed, and his first tidings of it were received from a Shanghai paper. After a brief stay in Hongkong he visited Canton and other cities in China. Visits to Singapore, Penang and Colombo were made on his way to Egypt. He went via the Suez canal to Port Said and from there to Cairo, which he found a highly interesting city because of its treasures of antiquity, its palaces and mosques. He also made a trip to Luxor and went from Cairo to Palestine. After seeing Jerusalem he spent five days in motoring through Palestine and later saw all the historic places in and near Paris before going to Cherbourg, where he boarded the Olympic for New York.
Mr. Harris was identified with the Masonic order, the Inde- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, the Improved Order of Red Men and the Stamford Hebrew Institute. During the World war he was a member of Company E of the Home Guard and furthered the success of the various drives instituted by the government at that time. He was a friend of the poor and a liberal donor to local and other charities, one of his last contributions being to the Stamford High School Athletic Association. Mr. Harris was active in raising funds for Stamford and was always ready to serve his city when needed. His most recent public work was the sale of a large tract of land in the city for park purposes. In this connection he showed a willingness to give and take that made it comparatively easy for the city officials to come to a quick agreement with him. His humor was as delightful as it was in- fectious and no social gathering in Stamford was complete with- out him. Owing to his genial, sympathetic nature his compan- ionship was eagerly sought and among his intimate friends was Gutzum Borglum, the noted sculptor. Mr. Harris was a keen sportsman and an enthusiastic disciple of Izaak Walton.
In company with some friends, he went to Lake Tonnetta on
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a fishing trip. The rowboat in which Mr. Harris was seated cap- sized and he was drowned. The tragedy occurred September 22, 1927, when he was fifty-seven years of age, and his untimely death was mourned throughout Stamford and the entire vicinity. Flags on the public buildings of the city were lowered at half- mast. Men and women from every walk of life attended the funeral, which was one of the largest ever held in Stamford, and his remains were interred in the Temple Beth-El cemetery on Westover road.
He was independent in thought and action, democratic in his manners and in his mental and spiritual make-up, and was richly endowed with those qualities which men most admire. Shortly after the funeral his business associates adopted the following resolutions :
"Whereas in the untimely and sudden death of its founder and president the B. T. Harris Corporation has sustained a great loss and
"Whereas Benjamin Harris through untiring zeal, his person- ality, his business acumen, has organized, developed and so suc- cessfully guided the affairs of this corporation for over a quarter of a century to an enviable position in the field, and
"Whereas the death of Mr. Harris has caused the loss to Stamford of one of its best known and well liked citizens, a man who believed in Stamford and perhaps did more than anyone else in building up Stamford, and
"Whereas his loss will be keenly felt not only by his family and friends, members of this organization, but by the entire com- munity as well,
"Be it now therefore resolved that we, the board of directors of the B. T. Harris Corporation, hereby duly assembled desire to express our great grief at the passing of our president and friend and to express to the widow and family of Mr. Harris our deep- est sympathy and condolence."
The following tribute was paid by Mayor Phillips: "I feel im- pelled to pause in the midst of a busy day to express a few words at the passing of Benjamin Harris. In the passing of Benjamin Harris, Stamford has lost one of its ablest citizens, a man of tremendous driving power in getting things done and one who has done much to make our city the progressive and
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growing city which it is. Those who knew Mr. Harris will miss his genial manner and his fun-loving nature."
On September 23, 1928, a monument to the memory of Ben- jamin Harris was unveiled at the Beth-El cemetery. Men and women from all walks of life gathered together on that day to render tribute to the husband, father, friend and citizen. Edward N. Fast, one of Mr. Harris' closest friends, delivered the follow- lowing eulogy : "We are met upon this occasion to do honor to the memory of a man we know, and knowing, loved. For years he walked among us, numbering his friends by the hundreds, his acquaintances by thousands. I knew him intimately and loved him dearly. Would I had the tongue of men and of angels that I might render proper praise to the man, the citizen, the father, and to the friend. He loved humanity with a broad and sincere affection that asked for nothing and in return gave much. His rare gift for friendship drew thousands too close to call him Mr. Harris and to them he became 'Benny.' None but the great of soul can bear a boyhood name up through manhood with dignity. This Mr. Harris did. To those who knew him best, and therefore loved him best, 'Benny' became a name of endearment and affec- tion ; others used it as a term of admiration and respect.
"What were the qualities of character in the immigrant boy and young man who left the broad plains of his native land to try his fortune across the seas in far off America? Look upon him as he was :- A lad bubbling over with high spirit, vigor and good humor; kindness, tenderness and gentleness aglow in his heart; courage and frankness shining from level gazing eyes; laughter ringing in his voice, smiles upon his lips, good health upon his cheek. The ancient gods beholding would have ex- claimed, 'there stands a man,' would have marked him for their own and vied to crown him one of them. Little did he know as he approached our western world with high hope of favor to be shown that he carried within himself all the necessary assets for success.
"How well we now know that this poor immigrant boy came bearing rare gifts to the land he sought. That he came to us was our good fortune, for he would have won success in any country and in any clime. Two events stand prominently forth in his early career. He met and made a noble woman his wife, a worthy help-
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mate down through the years. To this I can testify, as can each of you who know Mrs. Harris. But infinitely greater than our testimony, stands the testimony of our departed friend from whose lips I often heard such words of praise, the memory of which descends today like a benediction from on high. The other event was that the hand of Providence guided him to Stamford, this city that owes him much, for here he grew to the full stature of manhood and achieved a success that left a beneficent imprint upon this community. Look where you will-physical reminders of Benny Harris will greet you-a school, a hospital, a bank, beautiful homes, block upon block of business property ; municipal buildings and clubs grew under his touch, monuments to his skill and vision. But greater than these-more lasting than marble or stone-enduring while life shall endure, are the unseen tablets erected in the hearts of men who were privileged to call him friend.
"His vision pierced the future clearly and accurately. He saw Stamford twenty years ago as she exists today. Therefore, he built surely-never by chance as it seemed to many. Decidedly and distinctly was he a man of action, a clear thinker. He was ever just. In the rough and tumble of life, he never asked for quarter though he often granted it. Generous to a fault, he bestowed with open hand with never a thought of reward. He lived intensely, he lived joyously day by day. Out of his own heart might have come these words:
If Fortune with a smiling face strew roses on our way,
When shall we stoop to pick them up?
Today, my friend, today.
But if she frown with face of love and talk of coming sorrow,
When shall we grieve, if grieve we must?
Tomorrow, friend, tomorrow.
Such he was-laughter and sunshine. Benny Harris and manli- ness all were one. His courtesy and kindliness knew no bounds. Such deeds of his were numberless, always done with such fine instinctive tact as to greatly enhance their merit and effect. Pos- sessed of a keen intellect that leaped to the heart and solution of a problem, is it to be wondered that a few years saw more ac- complished on his part than scores of years would on the part of
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us slower plodding mortals? Shall we wonder at, or should we mourn in passing? Is it too much to believe that a gracious God has taken him to serve in a wider sphere of usefulness? Ah, my friends, let us heed the lessons that his life has taught. As we gather here to participate in the dedication of this beautiful monument, that loving hands have raised, let us draw added in- spiration from the soul of Benny Harris to face with greater courage the unfinished tasks that lie ahead. Having come thus far with him may we gain fresh hope and fortitude to finish well the little way we have to go, firm in the belief that soon our paths will merge again."
EDWARD WILLIAM TROY
Among the native sons of Newtown who have made for them- selves a creditable place in business circles here is numbered Edward William Troy, who was born December 30, 1874. He is a son of Edward Troy, a native of Ireland, who was brought to Newtown when but three years of age. After reaching man's estate he turned his attention to the hotel business, in which he was here engaged for a half century. He married Margaret Keating and he died April 18, 1919, his wife surviving him only until August 14, 1920. Mr. Troy had served as a soldier of the Civil war, having joined the Connecticut volunteers as a member of the Third Independent Battery. He saw active duty at the front and he was afterward chosen the first commander of New- town Post, G. A. R., thus maintaining pleasant relations with his old military comrades. He was equally loyal to the public wel- fare in times of peace and he served as a member of the state legislature in 1884 and 1885.
Edward William Troy supplemented his public school train- ing by study in the Wesleyan Academy at Wilbraham, Massachu- setts, and when his textbooks were put aside he engaged in busi- ness by establishing the Troy Furniture Company. This he car- ried on in Newtown in conjunction with an undertaking business until 1916, when he purchased the Troy Hotel. At that date he disposed of the furniture business but retained the undertaking establishment, of which he is still proprietor, and in this connec-
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tion a liberal patronage is accorded him. He is likewise a director of the Plastic Moulding Corporation of Newtown and is regarded as a sound, substantial business man who has the ability to cor- rectly value opportunities and conditions relative to the lines in which he has engaged.
His political allegiance is given the democratic party and, like his father, he has been called to represent his district in the Con- necticut general assembly, serving as state representative in 1904 and 1905, during which time he was a member of the public land committee. He gave thoughtful and earnest attention to all ques- tions which came up for settlement and the result of his labors was satisfactory to his constituents. In his home community he has always enjoyed the respect and good will of his fellow towns- men and his worth as a business man and citizen is acknowledged by all among whom his life has been passed.
3/23/ 3 +9 V MOSELEY WILLIAMS MIX
Moseley W. Mix, vice president of the Excelsior Hardware Company, of Stamford, is one of this city's enterprising and pro- gressive business men and is connected with one of its substan- tial and prosperous concerns. Mr. Mix was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on the 1st of May, 1877, a son of Elisha and Frances A. (Williams) Mix.
The Mix family is among the oldest in New England, and Elisha Mix carries in his veins also the blood of other colonial families, among them, Turner, Goodwin, Webster, Steele, Gover- nor William Bradford and others. The spellings of the name of Mix have been many and varied. In the early records it is most commonly spelled Meekes.
(I) Thomas Meekes, now Mix, the ancestor of the family, believed to have been born in London, England, was a resident of New Haven, Connecticut, in 1634 and died in 1691, and is buried near the old green in the New Haven church burying ground. He married, six years later, Rebecca Turner, daughter of Cap- tain Nathaniel Turner, who came with Governor Winthrop.
(II) John Mix, eldest son of Thomas and Rebecca (Turner) Meekes, was born in 1649, removed to Wallingford, Connecticut,
MOSELEY W. MIX
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in 1670, being the first of the name there, and died January 21, 1711-12. He married, before 1676, Elizabeth Heaton, born in 1650, died August 21, 1711.
(III) John Mix, eldest son of John (1) and Elizabeth (Heaton) Mix, was born August 25, 1676. He married (first) November 25, 1702, Sarah Thompson, born January 16, 1671, died November 21, 1711. He married (second) November 12, 1712, Mrs. Elizabeth Booth, who died in May, 1716. He mar- ried (third) February 14, 1717, Esther Peck.
(IV) Ebenezer Mix, son of John (2) and Elizabeth (Booth) Mix, was born in 1715-16, and died in West Hartford, Connec- ticut, August 4, 1766. He was a large landowner, and an active member of the Congregational church. He married Anna Good- win, born in 1725, died in 1817, daughter of Isaac Goodwin (see Goodwin V). Ebenezer and Anna (Goodwin) Mix were the parents of John and Elisha Mix, both prominent men. The for- mer, John Mix, was secretary of the Order of the Cincinnati, and with him were deposited the charter and funds of the Society when it was disbanded in 1804. He was an ensign and lieuten- ant in the Revolution. The second son was Elisha.
(V) Elisha Mix, son of Ebenezer and Anna (Goodwin) Mix, was born July 1, 1764, and died June 12, 1818. He was a corporal in the Revolutionary war, and a pensioner in 1818, the year he died. His widow received a pension until her death. Elisha Mix served in Captain Catlin's company, Fifth Regiment of the Connecticut Line, May 26, 1777, for eight months; en- listed from Goshen as corporal, August 14, 1777, for the war, in the Seventh Regiment of the Connecticut Line; "enlisted in Cap- tain Baldwin's Company, January 1, 1781, paid to December 31, 1781." He also served as a corporal in Captain Bissell's com- pany, "arrived in camp, June 23, 1778." Elisha Mix married Anna Webster, born in 1759, died January 27, 1842, daughter of Isaac Webster (see Webster V).
(VI) James Mix, son of Elisha and Anna (Webster) Mix, was born July 10, 1793. He was corporal in the War of 1812. He settled in Goshen, Connecticut. At one time he conducted a grocery store in Hartford, and he died in Terryville, Connecticut, in 1859. He married, December 8, 1814, Lucy Steele, born De- cember 8, 1793, daughter of Allyn Steele.
(VII) General Elisha (2) Mix, son of James and Lucy
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(Steele) Mix, was born November 17, 1818, in Watertown, Con- necticut, and died October 8, 1898. He married, July 10, 1843, Amelia Edmonds, a native of Trowbridge, England, where she was born April 2, 1827. She died in November, 1916. He was one of the organizers of the New Haven Clock Company and later engaged in the lumber business at Allegan, Michigan. In 1862, he laid aside his business interests and raised a company of the Eighth Michigan Cavalry, with which he served for three years. He went out as the captain of his company and, because of his ability and valor, received successive promotions to major, lieu- tenant colonel and colonel, and on March 19, 1865, he was brev- etted a brigadier general. He had a remarkable war record, having participated in fifty-two engagements. His wife was born in Trowbridge, England, April 2, 1827, and died in Michi- gan in November, 1916.
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