USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Connecticut, 1639-1928 > Part 38
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The following tribute was paid Judge Taylor by the local Red Cross organization: "At the passing of Judge Frederick C. Taylor to his eternal rest, the Stamford Chapter, American Red Cross, pauses to express sorrow and to pay heartfelt tribute to the beloved and gallant gentleman who was the chairman of the Twelfth Roll Call. With his acceptance of the chairmanship many weeks ago, the Red Cross knew beyond a shadow of doubt that the Roll Call would be generalled to success by a man than whom there was none more representative, more able, more loyal. For many years, serving in executive capacity in the Red Cross, Judge Taylor's support and devotion were notable. Probably the last public act he performed was his statement which appeared two days before his death, commending the Red Cross and plead- ing that every citizen do his duty by enrolling as a member. The loss of this gracious friend strikes deeply. While we mourn with the whole city, it is certain that his example and his many good deeds have given him his place in the Everlasting Arms."
JOSEPH ALEXANDER GRAY
Joseph Alexander Gray is one of the foremost members of the Norwalk bar, has made valuable contribution to the litera- ture of his profession and is also an inventor of note. He was born in New Canaan, Connecticut, September 14, 1859, a son of Joseph Alexander and Mary (Burns) Gray, natives respectively of England and Scotland. Reared in Westchester county, Con-
JOSEPH A. GRAY
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necticut, he attended a district school near Louisboro and at the age of seventeen became an instructor, teaching school in Ridge- field and Wilton, Connecticut, for some time. For a year and a half he was a student in an academy at Albany, New York, where he also engaged in teaching for two years, and during vacation periods he sold books. Thus he paid the expenses of a course in the Yale Law School and while a student there he was made president of the Kent Club. In 1882, when a young man of twenty-three, he was admitted to the bar, and returned to Norwalk, where he has followed his profession continuously for a period of forty-six years. His practice has constantly in- creased and the court records bear proof of his power as an at- torney, showing that he has successfully handled much important litigation. He is the author of "Gray's Complete Digest," in five volumes, which was published January 1, 1925. It is a valuable reference work and the best book of the kind ever issued in Con- necticut. Mr. Gray has also achieved prominence as the inventor of a clever device which is known as the Gray file tie, a cheap, neat and durable fastener, used extensively for public and pri- vate documents. Another product of his fertile brain is the Gray spring and pneumatic wheel, designed for automobiles and airplanes and built to meet their requirements. This remark- able wheel, which has not yet been placed on the market effects a great saving in power and will not skid. It is attractive in appearance and will run fifty thousand miles or more.
In 1884 Mr. Gray married Miss Mary C. Miller, of George- town, Connecticut, and they became the parents of eight children. Horace, the eldest, was graduated from the Norwalk Military Academy, entered Yale University at the age of sixteen and after his admission to the bar practiced for some time with his father as a member of the firm of Gray & Gray and is now connected with the United States shipping board in the capacity of deputy to the attorney general. Ethel Louise is the wife of Dr. J. D. Gold, a well known specialist of Bridgeport, Connecticut. Jo- seph Alexander (III), the next in order of birth, passed away December 12, 1926. Charles Lewis, a graduate of Columbia University, was chosen a member of Phi Beta Kappa, an honor- ary fraternity, and is connected with the Literary Digest. Mary C., the fifth in order of birth, is at home. Katherine H. was united in marriage to Dr. George Overton, of Long island, New
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York, and they have one child, Nancy. Donald Alfred, a suc- cessful lawyer, maintains an office at No. 46 Wall street, New York city, and is associated with Judge Foster. Ruth Eleanor is the wife of Allen F. Owen, a chemist, who is connected with the American Rubber Company and also lives in New York city.
Mr. Gray is a member of the Fairfield County, Connecticut State and American Bar Associations. Throughout his career he has been a tireless worker and time has ripened his ability. A man of exceptional intellectual attainments and unsullied repu- tation, Mr. Gray upholds the dignity and honor of his profession and his life has been rounded with success and marked by the accomplishment of much good.
EDWARD SHALLER PITZSCHLER
Edward Shaller Pitzschler is now proprietor of the Newtown Barber Shop, which he has operated on Main street, Newtown, for many years, and has kept in close touch with the latest de- velopments in the tonsorial art and is a competent dermatician. He is also widely known in newspaper circles, having been en- gaged in newspaper work as Newtown correspondent for several daily papers for many years, during which time he has written several feature stories.
Born in Newtown, July 3, 1886, he is the son of Judge Oscar Pitzschler of the Newtown probate court and the late Margaret Brennan Pitzschler, whose death occurred February 2, 1908. Having attended the public schools of Newtown, he afterward entered the private school conducted by Mrs. M. C. Rodgers on Main street, Newtown, and later studied at the Newtown Aca- demy. He then enrolled as a high school pupil at the Newtown high school during the first year of that school's history in New town. His wide experience in his profession and his many years of associations with newspapers, brought him an extremely wide acquaintance, together with the liberal knowledge and culture that arise from contact with one's fellowmen, especially with those who represent the busy forces of life. Mr. Pitzschler is known as a pioneer in the amateur dramatic field and was for years prominently identified with St. Rose's Dramatic Club, and later was a leading factor in the local dramatic society known as
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St. Rose's Players, which functions for the benefit of St. Rose's Roman Catholic church, and which has produced many notable dramatic successes during the past few years.
At Flushing, Long Island, on the 26th of November, 1919, Mr. Pitzschler was married to Miss Alice Veronica Donahue, daughter of Martin K. and Mary C. Donahue, of Flushing. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus and is chancellor of Virgilius Council, No. 185, of Sandy Hook. He is also a member of Poh- tatuck Grange No. 129. His political views are in accord with the principles of the democratic party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, and since 1922 he has continuously filled the office of justice of the peace, while for many years he has served as assistant town clerk. There is also a military chapter in his life record, for during the World war he was a member of the Tenth Company of the Third Bat- talion of the One Hundred and Fifty-first Depot Brigade. He is alert, energetic, abreast of the times in thought and purpose, and is most widely and favorably known in Fairfield county.
NASH ENGINEERING COMPANY
The Nash Engineering Company of South Norwalk has grown in less than two decades from a humble beginning to one of Fair- field county's most thriving and progressive industries. The business, established in 1909, was based on a new engineering principle in air pumping equipment, the invention of the late Lewis H. Nash, founder and first president of the concern. Sev- eral years of ceaseless experimentation were necessary to per- fect the apparatus embodying this new principle to the point of being commercially practicable.
In 1912 a one-story concrete building was erected, in one cor- ner of which were produced the first of what are now the well known Nash compressors and vacuum pumps. Business grew steadily, receiving a strong impetus from the idea of combining the Nash pump in an ingenious arrangement with a centrifugal water pump for use on vacuum steam heating systems, and in this work Mr. Nash had the close collaboration of Irving C. Jen- nings, now president of the firm. The instantaneous success and
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universal use of the Jennings vacuum heating pump has prac- tically revolutionized vacuum heating.
The large demand for the company's products, extending at the time to a wide application in government war plants, neces- sitated the addition in 1918 of three stories to the original struc- ture, giving five floors, including the basement, with general offices occupying the entire top story. A few years later an ad- joining steel auxiliary building was constructed to hold rough stock and accessories, as well as a few departments that could no longer be accommodated in the main plant without curtailing its manufacturing space. The ever-increasing facilities of produc- tion and stock maintenance now tax the two buildings, and an extensive construction program to greatly increase the building capacity is now under way.
Many new pumps for use in other fields have been developed and perfected, so that today in addition to the original line there are included centrifugal water pumps, sewage ejectors, sump and bilge pumps, paper mill pumps, and others, which are proving equally successful. Every new pump brought out is entirely different in principle and design from existing equipment on the market, and its simplicity and improved performance make it a contribution to the pumping art.
Nash and Jennings pumps must meet rigid requirements of inspection and test before shipment. The most up-to-date machinery, methods and labor-saving devices are used in their manufacture.
Clean, safe and pleasant working conditions, and a liberal policy on the part of the management, are reflected in the five hundred satisfied personnel of the plant and offices. As a conse- quence, labor turnover is at a minimum. By emphasis on the prevention of mishaps in the factory through the use of modern safety devices and methods, the accident rate is surprisingly small for a plant of its size and character.
A few of the many conveniences maintained for the employes include a cafeteria, complete first-aid room with attendant and regular visits of a physician, a library, and tennis courts. Sev- eral athletic teams are encouraged and supported by the company. An annual two weeks factory vacation period provides a gradu- ated wage schedule for non-salaried employes according to length of service, with full pay to those in service five years or over.
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The company's offices are modern in every way. The complete printing plant where all the company's printing is done; a fully equipped photographic dark room; settotype machine, tabulating machines, photostat, rotaprint and blueprinting machines; these and many other innovations in both factory and offices point to the progressive spirit of the concern and bear out the name it has acquired as a model plant.
WILLIAM A. UPHAM
Throughout his entire business life William A. Upham has been connected with food products and the years have chronicled his steady advance in the business world until he is today a widely known figure in commercial circles as president of Upham Food Products, Inc., of Hawleyville. His ramifying trade relations reach out over a broad territory and his success is the direct out- come of close application, perseverence, determination and enter- prise.
Mr. Upham was born in Chicago, Illinois, January 10, 1880, a son of Abel and Frances (Brown) Upham. He attended the grammar and high schools of his native city and his early business training was received as an employe in the wholesale grocery house of Sprague, Warner & Company of Chicago, of which his father was general manager. He worked in that establishment during the summer periods and following his father's death in 1901, William A. Upham in the same year became advertising manager for the National Food Magazine of Chicago, there con- tinuing until 1904, when he went to New York city to become general manager of the Miller Manufacturing Company, which engaged in the manufacture and sale of flavoring extracts and similar products. He is still associated with that organization as its president, the business being now located at Springfield, Mas- sachusetts. In 1909 he established Upham Food Products, Inc., with offices and factory in New York city, to develop the "tea ball," which he had invented. This little ball, sufficient for a cup of tea, allowing each individual to have a freshly brewed cup of that beverage, was received with immediate favor and the busi- ness steadily grew and developed. In 1916 Mr. Upham erected the present factory at Hawleyville, Connecticut, where the output
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of tea balls reaches into the hundreds of thousands weekly. From the beginning Mr. Upham has been president of the company and has carefully systematized and wisely directed the business. His previous knowledge of the grocery trade enabled him to readily get in touch with prospective customers and the value of the tea ball was at once acknowledged. The rapidity with which it has come into general use has made the business one of substantial and gratifying proportions. In addition to his other interests Mr. Upham is a member of the Newtown board of finance.
In his native city, on the 26th of June, 1899, he married Grace Miller, of Chicago, who passed away January 13, 1923. Mr. Upham gives his political allegiance to the republican party and he recognizes the duties and obligations as well as the privileges of citizenship. He has been called to and efficiently served in the offices of justice of the peace and of fire chief of Hawleyville, hav- ing organized the fire department. He is a state director of the Connecticut Chamber of Commerce and has represented the local Chamber at Washington. Since starting out to provide for his own support he has closely studied the business situation as affect- ing the food interests of the country and has ever maintained the highest standards in the conduct of his business, enjoying at all times the unqualified respect and confidence of those with whom he has had association.
ROBERT A. HAWLEY
No history of Fairfield county would be complete without extended reference to Robert A. Hawley and his forebears be- cause of the important part which they have played in the sub- stantial development and upbuilding of this section of the state. The ancestral line is traced back to an early period in the settle- ment of New England, Joseph Hawley having come to America from England about 1629 or 1630. The place of his residence in the mother country is indicated in the wording of his will, which said : "I give to my son, Samuel Hawley, all my lands and build- ings in Parwidge in Derbyshire in Old England, to him, his heirs and assigns." There is indication of the fact that 1603 was the natal year of Joseph Hawley and it is believed that he was mar-
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ried when he crossed the Atlantic or that soon after he took to himself a wife, who at her death left no children. He married a second wife, Katherine Birdsey, before his removal to Stratford, Connecticut. The name of Joseph Hawley first appears on record after his arrival in America at Stratford, Connecticut, in 1650, at which time he purchased a lot and built a house at the corner of Stratford avenue and Main street. He occupied that home, which continued to be the residence of his descendants for two hundred years. The line of descent from Joseph Hawley comes down through Samuel, of Stratford, Deacon Thomas, Captain Ezra, Thomas, Captain Abijah and Thomas, all of Stratfield, which was the original name of the present city of Bridgeport.
(I) Joseph Hawley's children were: Samuel, Joseph, Eliza- beth, Ebenezer, Hannah, Ephraim, John and Mary.
(II) Samuel Hawley, born in 1647, was twice married, the first time to Mary, daughter of Thomas Thompson, by whom he had seven children, namely: Samuel, Joseph, Thomas, Mathew, Ebenezer, Jehiel and Elizabeth.
(III) Deacon Thomas Hawley, born July 10, 1678, married Johanna, widow of John Sherwood and daughter of Ephraim Booth. Their children were as follows: Ebenezer, Ellen, Eliza- beth, Thomas, Ezra, Mary, Hannah, Hester, Samuel and Cath- erine. Deacon Thomas Hawley was a farmer and clothier in Pequonnock (now Bridgeport). He was chosen deacon of the Stratfield church in 1710, and he died in 1722.
(IV) Captain Ezra Hawley, born May 15, 1711, died April 27, 1773. He married Abigail Hall and to them were born seven children : Thomas, Elizabeth, Thomas (2), Hannah, Ezra, Samuel and Grissel.
(V) Thomas Hawley, baptized December 7, 1738, died No- vember 19, 1797. He married Ann Gregory, and their children were five in number, namely: Ebenezer, Abigail, Zalman, Cap- tain Abijah and Anna.
(VI) Captain Abijah Hawley, born January 26, 1769, passed away November 18, 1818. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Summers and was a daughter of Captain Stephen Sum- mers. Their children were five in number. George, born in June, 1797, followed the sea for many years and died in 1839. Abijah, born October 7, 1798, was a sea captain and also engaged in mer- chandising and departed this life in 1861. Eliza died in infancy.
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Munson, born April 10, 1803, died in 1891. He was a merchant in his earlier life and in later years gave his attention to bank- ing, serving for about two decades as president of the Bridgeport National Bank. Emeline, who was born December 5, 1804, be- came the wife of Deacon George Sterling, of Bridgeport, and passed away in the year 1868.
Robert A. Hawley, whose name introduces this record, was of the eighth generation of the descendants of Joseph Hawley, the progenitor of the family in America, and his birth occurred in Bridgeport, August 6, 1844.
1/25/89 HOBART HENRY CURTIS
Hobart Henry Curtis figured for many years in the mercan- tile circles of Newtown, having gained a position of leadership in his chosen field. He has also left the impress of his individu- ality and ability upon the public life of the community and of the state and in all his connections with public interests has mani- fested an unfaltering loyalty to the general good. He was born in Newtown, November 13, 1859, and is a representative of one of the old families of this place. His father, Benjamin Glover Curtis, also a native of Newtown, died here in 1882, at the age of fifty-six years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Laura Lewis, was a daughter of John and Amanda Lewis and her death also occurred in Newtown. The ancestral paternal line is traced back to John Curtis, the founder of the family in Newtown and the father of Hezekiah Curtis, who was born in Newtown and was the father of Benjamin Glover Curtis.
In his youthful days Hobart H. Curtis pursued his studies in the local district schools and in the New Haven grammar school, and when his textbooks were put aside he began working on the home farm, where he remained until twenty-eight years of age, giving his attention to those tasks which were necessary in con- nection with the further development and improvement of the property. Leaving the parental roof, he went to Ludlow, Pennsyl- vania, where he entered the employ of J. S. Curtis, a merchant, with whom he continued for a short period. At the end of that
HOBART H. CURTIS
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time, however, he returned to Newtown and purchased the Abel F. Clark interest in the Warner-Clark-Taylor general store, which he then conducted for a period of twenty-seven years, retir- ing in 1918. He always carried a large and carefully selected stock of goods and fully met the requirements of the purchasing public, recognizing at all times that a satisfied customer is the best advertisement. He likewise became a trustee of the New- town Savings Bank and so continues. In business affairs he has always been thoroughly reliable and enterprising, as well as prog- ressive, and substantial success attended his efforts, so that the competence he acquired now enables him to enjoy all of the com- forts and many of the luxuries of life.
In October, 1895, in his native city, Mr. Curtis married Ruth Nichols, a daughter of Philo and Sarah E. (Glover) Nichols. They have become parents of one daughter, Marion, who is the wife of Clayton B. Hawley and has one child, Richard Milan Hawley.
Mr. Curtis has membership in St. John's Episcopal church and in Hiram Lodge, No. 18, F. & A. M., of Sandy Hook for many years. His political allegiance is given to the republican party. On that ticket he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature in the session of 1909-10 and served on the committee of cities and boroughs. He also gave thoughtful and earnest con- sideration to all the vital questions which came up for settlement during that period and his support of any measure indicated a firm belief in its efficacy as a factor in good government. Mr. Curtis is most widely known in Newtown and enjoys in large measure the respect and good will of all with whom he has come in contact.
HARVEY B. TITUS
One of the leading business concerns of Western Fairfield county is the Harry Bell Insurance Agency, Inc., of Stamford, of which Harvey B. Titus is president and treasurer. He has been identified with the business for nearly ten years; has proven an able and trustworthy business man, and his efforts have been rewarded with success.
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Mr. Titus was born in Brooklyn, New York, on the 26th of May, 1888, and is a son of Harvey B. and Lucy W. (Selleck) Titus. His father, who was a son of Robert and Rebecca Titus, was born at Madison, New Jersey, and died in Brooklyn, New York, in 1898, at the age of fifty-two years. He was connected with the Huyler Candy Company, of New York city, as sales manager. He was a republican in his political views and relig- iously was reared in the faith of the Friends church but later be- came identified with the Reformed church, joining Dr. Farer's church in Brooklyn. His wife, who was born in Newark, New Jersey, died in Stamford, Connecticut, in 1926.
Harvey B. Titus, Jr., attended the public schools of Stamford and took a commercial course in the Merrill Business College there. He entered the Stamford Trust Company as a bookkeeper, which position he held for three and a half years, and then became a traveling salesman for the lace importing firm of Locke & Clarke, of New York city, with which concern he remained for five years. Later he traveled for the lace firm of Weil Brothers until the spring of 1918, when he enlisted in the United States navy at New Haven, Connecticut. He was located at the naval training base at New Haven and was later transferred to the Brooklyn navy yard, where he remained until January, 1919. He was honorably discharged at Pelham Bay, New York, with the rank of seaman second class. Prior to the war he had served three years in the Coast Artillery Corps of the Connecticut Na- tional Guard.
In February, 1919, Mr. Titus became connected with the Harry Bell Insurance Agency of Stamford, in which he acquired an interest, and in the following year the business was incor- porated under that name. The officers of the company were William R. Raymond, president; Harry Bell, vice president; and Harvey B. Titus, treasurer. In 1921 Mr. Bell died and in March, 1927, Mr. Raymond withdrew from the corporation, at which time Mr. Titus became president, retaining also the office of treasurer, and Arthur M. McCoy became vice president. The company does a general insurance business and is numbered among the solid and substantial concerns of the city.
On April 19, 1922, in Brooklyn, New York, Mr. Titus was united in marriage to Miss Florence M. Mulgrew, who was born in New York city, September 22, 1888, and is a daughter of
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George F. Mulgrew, who is a native of New York city and presi- dent of the George F. Mulgrew Company, of that city. He is a democrat and a member of the Roman Catholic church. Mrs. Mulgrew is also a native of New York and a daughter of the late Mayor O'Neill, of Jersey City, New Jersey. Mrs. Titus was edu- cated in Trinity College, at Washington, D. C., and is a member of the Woman's Club and St. Mary's Roman Catholic church of Stamford ..
Mr. Titus gives his political support to the republican party and in religion is an adherent of the Unitarian faith. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce, the Milbrook Country Club and is an associate member of the Lions Club. He is local chairman of the citizens' military training camp and has never been found lacking in his support of all movements calculated to promote the general welfare of the city or county. He is a man of stanch character, sincere purpose and right principles, and he has long held a high place in the respect and confidence of the people of this community.
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