History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III, Part 105

Author: Burpee, Charles W. (Charles Winslow), b. 1859
Publication date: 1928
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 1390

USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III > Part 105

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Mr. Page married May Rockwell, October 8, 1895, and they reside with their daughter in a beautiful home on the outskirts of Bristol.

PAUL A. ZAZZARO

Paul A Zazzaro, active in the insurance field, in which he is making steady progress as the result of close application and adaptability, is numbered among the native sons of Hartford, born March 16, 1900. His parents, John and Archangela (Rubino) Zazzaro, were natives of Sassano, Italy, and about forty years ago the father came to America but afterward returned to his native land, where he mar- ried, bringing his bride then to the new world. He became one of the early Italian settlers of Hartford and was in the employ of the city for a number of years. He died in 1919 and is still survived by his widow.

Paul A. Zazzaro pursued a high school course in Hartford and was graduated from the Brown school with the class of 1914. He then entered the employ of his brother Anthony, a soda water manufacturer, with whom he remained for some

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time, and through his brother became interested in politics. Joining the ranks of the democratic party, he has been an earnest worker for its success and in 1924 he was active at the democratic national headquarters in New York city. For the past eight years he has been engaged in the real estate and insurance business, in which connection he has gained a good clientele, his business steadily increasing as time has passed, his enterprise and determination enabling him to overcome the difficulties and obstacles that are always to be confronted in business and to reach the goal of success. Mr. Zazzaro holds membership with the Knights of Columbus and is a member of the Italian Club, of which he has been vice president for two terms of two years each.

JAMES A. WHITMORE

James A. Whitmore, agency manager of the Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company, was born in Rathbone, New York, October 1, 1880, his parents being Clarence S. and Belle F. (Crawford) Whitmore. He pursued his education in the public schools of Rathbone and in Northwestern University at Chicago, where he took his classical course, winning the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1907. Later he entered Y. M. C. A. work as a member of the international committee located in New York city. He was made one of the supervising secretaries of North America, which brought him in touch with all Association work throughout the country, and he was also sent abroad several times to Great Britain, France and Germany, where he was active in organizing and supervising various branches of the work. In 1918 he left this position to become a general agent for the Home Life Insurance Company of New York city and there remained until November, 1923, when he accepted the position of assistant agency manager with the Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company at Hartford. On the 1st of January, 1926, he was promoted to agency manager. While in New York city he was president of the insurance firm of Whitmore, Steers, Berry & Company, Incorporated.

On the 4th of September, 1908, Mr. Whitmore was married to Miss Florence B. Crane, of Addison, New York, and they are the parents of four children: Dorothy Isabel, Sally C., Phyllis and James A., Jr.

Mr. Whitmore has membership in the Rotary Club and in the Wethersfield Golf Club. During the World war he was associated with George W. Perkins in the supervision of the war work for soldiers in Europe and during this period was abroad most of the time, making his headquarters in Paris but visiting the various camps, in which he did extensive work.

WELLS A. STRICKLAND

From the time he entered the commercial world Wells A. Strickland has devoted his energies to industrial activities and his name has long been an influential one in business circles of Glastonbury and Manchester. His home is at No. 81 Oakland street in Manchester and he is a recognized leader in community affairs. He was born in Hampton, Connecticut, in 1877, and is one of the two children of Gilbert M. and Sarah (Jewett) Strickland. The other son is Charles G. Strickland, of Glastonbury. The father was an agriculturist and followed that line of work throughout life.

Wells A. Strickland received his high school education in South Hadley, Massa- chusetts, and in 1895, when a young man of eighteen, began his career as a lumber manufacturer at Glastonbury, Connecticut, following the occupation of farming at the same time. His mills were situated at various points in this state and he also had plants in Maryland. As the years passed he expanded the scope of his operations and was regarded as one of Connecticut's foremost lumbermen, continuing in that industry until 1926. Meanwhile he had acquired a granite quarry and since 1916, has been the executive head of the Glastonbury Granite Works, Inc., with quarries at Glastonbury, and sells his products direct to the trade. About twenty men are employed in the quarry and two five-ton trucks are utilized in making deliveries. The business is owned by Mr. Strickland, who has perfected an industry of much

(Photograph by The Johnstone Studio)

WELLS A. STRICKLAND

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importance and value to this locality and is the largest manufacturer of granite curbing in Hartford county. He has a genius for organization and an aptitude for successful management, while his business transactions have always balanced up with the principles of truth and honor.

On the 29th of May, 1906, Mr. Strickland was united in marriage to Miss Grace Kenyon, of Glastonbury, daughter of George S. and Julia (Strickland) Kenyon. Mr. and Mrs. Strickland are affiliated with the Buckingham Congregational church and closely follow its teachings. Mrs. Strickland is active in church work as well as in social and civic affairs and is a director of the Hartford County Young Women's Christian Association. Mr. Strickland gives his political allegiance to the republican party and from 1899 to 1902 was one of the selectmen of Glastonbury. For three years he served on the board of relief, also becoming a member of the board of revaluation and assessment, and since 1923 has been a member of the Manchester board of selectmen. He was largely responsible for the organization of the Manchester Community Club and is president of the board of trustees and a member of the City Club of Hartford. His name also appears on the membership rolls of the Manchester Country Club, the Kiwanis Club and of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, also of the Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce. He has also been president of the Buck- ingham Cemetery Association of Glastonbury since its organization. His breadth of view has enabled him to recognize possibilities not only for his own advancement but also for the development of the localities in which he has resided, and his loyalty and public spirit have prompted him to utilize the latter as quickly and as effectively as the former. Mr. Strickland has a clear conception of what constitutes good citizen- ship and his activities have been directed along steadily broadening lines of usefulness.

MALICHI JOSEPH HOGAN

Malichi Joseph Hogan, president of the Hogan Manufacturing Company and thus actively identified with the trade interests of Hartford, was born in this city October 11, 1882, and is a son of Matthew and Ann (Hanley) Hogan, who were natives of Ireland. The father was born in County Tipperary in 1839, his parents being William and Margaret (Sullivan) Hogan. The year 1853 witnessed his arrival in America, for at that date his parents crossed the Atlantic and settled in Hartford, where for three years Matthew Hogan attended school. In 1856 he entered upon an apprenticeship to the plumber's trade in the employ of Thomas Birch, with whom he remained for several years, becoming foreman of the shop and being admitted to partnership about 1866. After three and one-half years he withdrew from that connection and established a plumbing business of his own, which he profitably conducted for twenty years. At the end of that time his brother, Malichi Hogan, took over the management and at his death in June, 1909, he was succeeded by Malichi J. Hogan of this review. Matthew Hogan was not only a master plumber but also an inventor and man of marked genius who took out between sixty and seventy patents on his various inventions, many of which have come into wide use. He organized the Hartford Century Plumbing Company for the manufacture of several of his devices and also organized the Hogan Manufacturing Company, which commer- cially produced still other of his inventions, and thus he became prominently associated with the manufacturing interests of Hartford as well as the plumbing business. His political allegiance was given the democratic party and on its ticket he was elected to the state senate. He also rendered effective service as a member of the city council for fourteen years. The passing years brought him substantial success as the reward of his labors and capability and in addition to his property interests in Hartford he owned a beautiful summer home at Westbrook. In November, 1865, he married Miss Ann Hanley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John F. Hanley, of Hartford. She passed away in San Francisco in May, 1912, and Matthew Hogan died January 16, 1923. They were parents of ten children: Mary E .; William J., who died January 5, 1928; John F., who was treasurer of the Hogan Manufacturing Company and for twelve years a member of the Governor's Foot Guard and who died October 29, 1917; Annie A., deceased; Margaret B .; Matthew M., now treasurer of the Hogan Manufacturing Company, police commissioner of Hartford, and trustee of Hartford Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Thomas N., who died March 1, 1927;

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Malichi J., of this review; Agnes M., a teacher in the Weaver high school; and Cath- erine L. All the sons of the family received their education in the public schools of Hartford, both the common and the high school, and upon completing their studies were taken into their father's business, which they learned in all its details.

Malichi Joseph Hogan pursued his early education in St. Peter's parochial school and afterward attended the Hartford public high school. He started out in the business world in connection with his father as a representative of the Hogan Manufacturing Company, engaged in the manufacture of various devices of which his father was the inventor and patentee. Steadily he has advanced in this connection and after some years' service as secretary of the company is now its president and chief executive officer, controlling a business of gratifying proportions. He further extended the scope of his activities when on the 1st of May, 1909, he succeeded his uncle in the retail plumbing business which had been established by his father on the 1st of Febru- ary, 1869. Thus for almost six decades the business has been carried on under the Hogan name, constantly growing with the development of the city and at all times meeting the fullest requirements for adequate and efficient service in this field.

On the 15th of October, 1919, Mr. Hogan was married to Miss Alice M. Dunn, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, who died February 23, 1921. Their son, Matthew John, was born September 21, 1920.

Fraternally Mr. Hogan is an Elk and served as exalted ruler of his lodge in 1920 and 1921. In politics, as in business, he has followed in the footsteps of his father by giving his allegiance to the democratic party and manifesting a keen and helpful interest in city affairs. In 1910 he was called to represent the first ward in the common council and he served as alderman for three terms, rendering valuable service on several important committees. He was also elected president of the board of aldermen and was acting mayor of Hartford in 1914. In 1910 he was chosen a delegate to the democratic state convention. He has been chairman of the city building committee and a member of the high school plan and building commission. In May, 1925, he was elected street commissioner and at all times he has faithfully and loyally performed the duties of the offices to which he has been called, ever regarding a public office as a public trust, and it is a well known fact that no trust reposed in Malichi J. Hogan has ever been betrayed. He has spent his entire life in Hartford, where he has a wide acquaintance which includes a vast number of warm friends.

SAMUEL H. WILLIAMS

Preparing for his chosen life work by liberal collegiate training, Samuel H. Williams is successfully following in the business footsteps of his father, who was the first manufacturer of shaving soap in this country, and controls an industry which members of the family have operated continuously in Glastonbury for more than eighty years. A native of Glastonbury, he was born in 1864 and has always resided here, demonstrating his loyalty and public spirit by actual achievements for the general good.

His father, James Baker Williams, was born in Lebanon, Connecticut, February 2, 1818, and was educated in the public schools of Hartford. In 1834, when a youth of seventeen, he secured a position in the store of Messrs. F. and H. C. Woodbridge, Manchester druggists, and became interested in shaving soap while in their employ. At that time various kinds of soap were being imported and he conceived the idea of making it in Connecticut. After devoting deep thought and study to the matter he started to experiment and finally perfected a formula from which he made Williams Yankee shaving soap, the first real American shaving soap. Its popularity spread over the country in spite of the fact that whiskers were then the prevailing style. Americans were building up home industries in those days and gloried in the fact that there was a real Yankee shaving soap. The demand for his product rapidly increased and Mr. Williams decided to devote all of his time to the manufacture of soap. In 1847 he removed from Manchester to Glastonbury, where his father-in-law offered him a site for water power for a small factory. This quaint little building, about fifteen by thirty feet in dimensions, still stands on the grounds of the Williams Com- pany, a monument to the first shaving soap works in the United States. Mr. Williams worked with his own hands, and even after he employed others he personally super- vised every process, from the purchase of raw materials to the wrapping and shipping

(Photograph by The Johnstone Studio)

SAMUEL H. WILLIAMS

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of the finished product, and even looked after the sale of his goods. He put his personality into his product from start to finish.

Then came the development of the business in barber shops. Shaving creams and all the other things that lead to popularity in shaving were perfected. Men of other countries have mustaches, sideburns, full whiskers and goatees but the American of today wears no hirsute adornments, consequently he creates a full face demand for shaving soap. In 1848 James B. Williams formed a partnership with his brother, William S., and this association continued until 1885, when the joint stock company, as it exists today, was formed under the name of the J. B. Williams Company. The Williams soaps soon developed a tremendous export business all over the world. In many ways it paralleled American business and commercial development abroad. In 1890 the first Williams shaving stick appeared and this constituted the beginning of the developments of the Williams holder top stick. The founder of this great business had the courage, the vision and the initiative of the true pioneer who erects the guide- post of progress and success. Constantly striving for perfection, Mr. Williams left the indelible impress of his individuality upon his work and at the same time aided in raising the standards of American industry. He remained at the head of the business until his retirement and died a few years later, passing away in 1907.

Samuel H. Williams attended the public schools of Glastonbury and next matricu- lated in Amherst College, which awarded him the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1885. For a year he was a postgraduate student in the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University and in 1886 became a chemist in his father's plant. Energetic and capable, he advanced through the various departments and at length was elected secretary, also serving as treasurer and vice president. David W., the eldest son of James B. Williams, was made president when his father retired and acted in that capacity until his death in 1909. His place was then taken by George G. Williams, a son of William S. Williams, and he discharged the duties of president until 1922, when he was succeeded by his cousin, Samuel H. Williams, who for six years has wisely and successfully administered the affairs of the firm. The other officers are: Henry K. W. Welch, vice president and treasurer; Philip K. Williams, secretary; Richard S. Williams, assistant secretary; and E. B. Hurlburt, assistant treasurer and superintendent. Others directors are James S. Williams, James V. Reed, sales manager, and Edward M. Day, who is also attorney for the corporation.

The spirit, ideals and family name of James B. Williams still prevail in the business carried on by his son, descendants and their associates. The Williams idea lives, and the lather created by this Yankee genius in all these years would represent a veritable surf on the sea. The pioneer shaving soap of America maintains its precedence and distinction in all the changes of the passing years. Many thousands of particular shavers have used Williams shaving soap continuously for years because of its uniform excellence and the satisfaction derived from its soothing effect upon the face. From time to time additions to the straight shaving soap line have been added. The J. B. Williams Company put out a broad line of high grade toilet soaps, talcum powder and other toilet preparations. Perhaps the most noteworthy addition to the line is Williams Aqua Velva, a preparation made expressly for use after shav- ing. This product is the result of close study of the skin and skin treatment especially after shaving. The close connection between this new product and the old standard shaving soap line is clearly expressed in an extract from Aqua Velva magazine advertising-"Keeps the face all day long as smooth and comfortable as Williams shaving cream leaves it."

In 1889 Samuel H. Williams was married in India to Miss Frances A. Scudder, whose father was a missionary, and they have a family of four children: . Carol, whose husband is the Rev. Douglas Horton, a prominent clergyman of Brookline, Massachusetts; Frances, who is the wife of the Rev. Hugh Burr, pastor of a church in Elmira, New York; Martha, who completed a course in Wellesley College, from which her sisters were also graduated, and who is now a teacher in Temple University of Philadelphia; and James B., who is connected with the Manternach Company of Hartford but lives in Glastonbury.

Mr. and Mrs. Williams are devout members of the Congregational church, of which he is a deacon, and for thirty years he was superintendent of its Sunday school. A stanch champion of the cause of education, he was chairman of the local school board for eighteen years and in 1901 was elected to represent his town in the state legislature. He also served as town treasurer and assessor and faithfully fulfilled the trusts reposed in him, discharging all of his public duties in a manner

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that won for him strong approbation. In Masonry he has attained the thirty-second degree and is also connected with the Amherst Club of New York city and the Uni- versity Club of Hartford. Mrs. Williams belongs to the Woman's Club of Hartford and is a trustee of Connecticut College of New London, an institution devoted to the education of women. Mr. and Mrs. Williams manifest a deep and helpful interest in movements for cultural advancement and spiritual uplift and their influence upon the life of their community has been of the highest order.

MICHAEL CHARLES MANTERNACH

One of Hartford's leading business men is Michael Charles Manternach. Left fatherless at the age of five, he worked more hours than he put in at school during his grammar school days and the one year which he had in high school, doing his bit to help his mother hold together and support the family, consisting of four brothers besides himself. Starting with these handicaps, Mr. Manternach became, while still in his early twenties, one of Hartford's successful business men and now in his early forties is looked upon as one of the business leaders of the city, owner or director of several business enterprises and banks and influential in all business and public affairs.

He was born at La Rochette, Luxembourg, July 11, 1883, his parents being Charles and Catherine Manternach, whose family also included John C., now president of the American Welding & Manufacturing Company of Warren, Ohio; Harry H. and George, both of Hartford; and Louis, deceased. Unfortunately his father died two weeks after arriving in America.

Upon the widowed mother devolved the task of providing for her children. Michael C. Manternach was at that time a little lad of but five years. As soon as possible, however, he began to contribute to his own support by selling papers morn- ings and evenings and took such odd jobs as he could secure. He attended school and when thirteen years of age completed the grammar school course, after which he entered the high school, but the family fortunes forced him to put aside his text- books and start out in the business world. He was first employed by the Plimpton Manufacturing Company, but his talent lay along artistic lines and after a brief time he became an apprentice at the engraver's trade with the A. Mugford Company, with whom he completed his term of indenture.

After completing his apprenticeship he went to work for the A. Pindar Corpora- tion and very shortly became foreman. In spite of this early success and what was then for him a very substantial income in the way of salary, he realized that there was much in the engraver's art that he was unable to acquire in Hartford. He, therefore, resigned his position and went to New York. Here he worked in various plants, diligently acquiring information on every phase of the illustrating and engraving business.

With his return to Hartford in 1906, he organized the Charter Oak Engraving Company, Incorporated, becoming its president and general manager. Five months later, in association with Clarence T. Sprague, he purchased the business, which was then carried on as a partnership under the firm name of Sprague & Manternach. At the beginning, the two partners did practically all of the work themselves, but gradually their patronage increased, necessitating the employment of others. After a few years, Mr. Manternach acquired the interest of his partner and carried on the business alone for a time, but subsequently was joined by Harold B. Douglas, well known illustrator, under the firm name of Manternach & Douglas. The business continued to grow and when three years later Mr. Manternach purchased his part- ner's interest he became president and general manager of the reorganized firm, operating under the name of The Manternach Company. Under Mr. Manternach's direction, The Manternach Company grew rapidly and very shortly became one of the most important illustrating and engraving businesses in New England.

With the growth of this business, there came a demand for more complete advertising service. In 1918 Mr. Manternach gathered about himself a group of experienced advertising men to form a complete advertising agency. This he sepa- rated completely from the illustrating and engraving business which he incorporated as the Graphic Arts Company, giving his own name to the advertising agency busi-

(Photograph by Bachrach)

MICHAEL C. MANTERNACH

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ness. While the Graphic Arts Company, of which he is president, has continued to grow and prosper in lines of illustrating and photo-engraving, the advertising agency known as The Manternach Company has also become one of the very impor- tant businesses in New England. It handles a number of very important accounts and is considered one of the significant advertising agencies of the country.

Mr. Manternach has constantly been called upon for advice and counsel in other business interests. He is a director of the Fuller Brush Company, The City Bank & Trust Company, The Park Street Trust Company, The City Company of Hartford, The Park Company of Hartford, The Underwriters Service Corporation and other business enterprises, as well as actively connected with many of the civic organiza- tions of his city.

Mr. Manternach's peculiar abilities and energies have been available for public work as well as for business. He took an important part in all of the Liberty Loan and other drives and campaigns during the war and served on many important com- mittees. He has been a valuable adviser in practically every charitable undertaking in Hartford for many years.

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History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III, Part 105

Author: Burpee, Charles W. (Charles Winslow), b. 1859 Publication date: 1928 Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke Number of Pages: 1390

Author: Burpee, Charles W. (Charles Winslow), b. 1859
Publication date: 1928
Publisher: Chicago : S.J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 1390