History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III, Part 119

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 119

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42-VOL. 3

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hours. In December, 1918, Mr. Spellacy was appointed by President Wilson to act as civilian member of a commission in connection with Franklin D. Roosevelt, assistant secretary of the navy, and Lieutenant Commander John Hancock of the United States Navy, to go abroad, settle claims against the navy, demobilize it and assist in the settlement of general affairs connected therewith. That work required his attention for two months overseas, with headquarters in Paris and London, and although the problems presented were stupendous, they were successfully accomplished by Mr. Spellacy and his associates. It was his purpose to resume the private practice of law upon his return, but again the president called upon him for public service, appointing him to fill a vacancy as assistant attorney general of the department of justice. He had been approached three times before he consented to undertake this work, which had to do with the handling of alien property, and acceptably served in that capacity from November 19, 1919, until January, 1921, when he tendered his resignation. Mr. Spellacy was the democratic candidate for governor in 1918 and for

· United States senator in 1922, but with little hope of election because of the great majorities which the republican party has always piled up in Connecticut, but was defeated for governor by only eight thousand votes. In 1926 he was chosen democratic national committeeman of Connecticut by the state central committee, upon the resig- nation of Homer S. Cummings, and today he is the acknowledged leader of his party in the commonwealth and one whose opinions carry weight in the national party councils.

On the 25th of November, 1903, Mr. Spellacy was married to Miss Nellie Walsh, whose parents, Thomas and Mary (Gaitley) Walsh, were residents of Middletown, Connecticut. He has had comparatively little time for social activities yet has mem- bership in the National Democratic Club of New York, the Catholic Club of New York, Sequin Golf Club and Wampanoag Club of Hartford and the Elks lodge and the Knights of Columbus. He is always social, genial and courteous, and a ready adaptability to every situation and to every demand upon him has made for both popularity and for his success in the political and the professional field.

WILLIAM J. MULLIGAN

William J. Mulligan, attorney at law of Hartford, was born in Thompsonville, Connecticut, June 2, 1881, and is a son of William and Frances (Browne) Mulligan, natives of East Windsor, this state. His ancestors came from Ireland about 1830, settling in Hartford county, where the grandfather of William J. Mulligan carried on business as a stone mason. His father was quite prominent locally, being one of its leading business men and holding several offices in the town of Enfield.

William J. Mulligan supplemented his public school training with a preparatory course in Phillips Exeter and Williston Seminary and was graduated from the Yale Law School with the class of 1904, being admitted to the bar the same year. He then opened an office in Thompsonville, and though advancement at the bar is proverbially slow, made steady and substantial progress, the volume of his business justifying his opening an office in Hartford in 1915. Mr. Mulligan was prosecuting attorney in the town of Enfield for six years and was also town counsel during the same period. He continued his practice in both places until October, 1923, when he centered his inter- ests in the capital city, where he has since given his entire time to his law practice, which is now extensive and of an important character. The thoroughness with which he prepares his cases is one of his marked characteristics and no one ever questions his devotion to the interests of his clients.

During the World war period, Mr. Mulligan was chairman of war activities for the Knights of Columbus, his committee having in charge all the camps of the country and all of the work of that organization among the American forces overseas. During this period Mr. Mulligan made several trips across the Atlantic to supervise the camp work of the Knights of Columbus, having his office and headquarters in Paris, and following the signing of the armistice he went with the army of occupation into Ger- many for the relief of the soldiers, spending some time in his work in that field. The work of establishing centers for the service of soldiers and sailors in Italy and the British Isles was also initiated and carried on under his direction. When Ignace

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Paderewski was Premier of Poland Mr. Mulligan arranged with him when he was in Paris for a special train-load of supplies to be send to Poland. "Everything Free," the important part of the K. of C. slogan "Everybody Welcome and Everything Free" was originated and kept in force and effect during the entire war service of the K. of C. through the efforts of Mr. Mulligan. He received two decorations from France and was made a Knight of St. Gregory by Pope Benedict XV. His activities in connection with the war having ended, in the spring of 1921 he resumed his practice in Hartford.

On the 15th of June, 1905, Mr. Mulligan was married to Miss Kathleen Keefe of New Haven, and they have become parents of three children-William, Jean and Kathleen, who with their parents occupy an attractive home at 69 Bloomfield avenue.

Mr. Mulligan has his office at 484 Ann street, in a beautiful apartment building which he owns. Fordham University has conferred upon him the LL. D. degree, as has also Holy Cross College. In addition to his connection with the Knights of Columbus he is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and is prominently known in club circles, having membership in the Yale Club of New York city, the Yale Club of Hartford, the Hartford Club, the Wampanoag Country Club, the Mis- quamicut Golf Club at Watch Hill, Rhode Island, the Watch Hill Riding Club, the Watch Hill Yacht Club, the Keney Park Riding Club and the Connecticut Editorial Association. Not only has he gained a prominent position in professional circles but has reached out along widening lines of usefulness, aiding his fellowmen in many particulars.

WILLIAM FRANCIS DELANEY

For twenty-one years William Francis Delaney was an active member of the Connecticut bar and was called upon to fill various offices in New Britain, where he made his home. He ranked as a representative lawyer and citizen there and his death, on the 23d of April, 1924, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. New Britain numbered him among her native sons, for he was born here August 23, 1872. His parents were Edward and Margaret (McMann) Delaney, the former a son of Dr. James Delaney, of Bellacola, Ireland, who came to the United States in 1809 and founded the family in the new world.

Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, William F. Delaney enjoyed the educational advantages offered by the graded and high schools of New Britain, and with a desire to become a member of the bar, he afterward matriculated in the Niagara Law School, from which he was graduated with the class of 1902. He put his theoretical knowledge to the practical test in the office of Judge Bernard Gaffney, of New Britain, with whom he spent the year 1903, and in that year was admitted to the Connecticut bar. He established an independent law practice in 1912 and with the passing years became closely associated with much important work heard in the courts of the district. The thoroughness and care with which he prepared his cases, combined with a naturally analytical and logical mind, enabled him to make steady progress in his chosen calling and he enjoyed a substantial measure of success. His fellow townsmen, too, recognized his ability and called upon him for public service on various occasions. He filled the office of park commissioner, was chairman of the city council and postmaster of New Britain from 1916 until a few days prior to his death, his retirement from the office occurring on the 12th of April, 1924. In every position which he filled he was loyal to the trust reposed in him and discharged his duties with marked promptness and fidelity. He always supported the democratic party, being a firm believer in its principles.

On the 9th of October, 1900, Mr. Delaney was married to Miss Anne Elizabeth McCabe, a daughter of Patrick and Catherine (Coogan) McCabe, of New York. They became parents of two sons. The elder, Francis William, born July 15, 1902, was graduated from Yale University in 1927 and is now a student in the Harvard Law School. The younger son, Edward Patrick, was born July 14, 1904.

Mr. Delaney was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He also belonged to the Catholic Order of Foresters, in which he filled all of the chairs, and was a member of the New Britain lodge of the Benevolent and Protective order of Elks, of which he was a past exalted ruler. He had attrac- tive social qualities which endeared him to his friends, who were many, and thus his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret to those who knew him, as well

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as to his immediate family, to whom he was ever a devoted husband and father, finding his greatest pleasure in promoting the joy and happiness of those of his own fireside.

WILLIAM R. BATTEY

William R. Battey's connection with Hartford and its development was that of an enterprising merchant whose life measured up to high ethical standards in the commercial world. As the years passed he so wisely and capably directed his labors that he came to be the head of one of the largest shoe houses in New England, conducting two separate stores in Hartford. He came to Connecticut from Rhode Island, he having been born at Fiskville in the latter state September 18, 1872, a son of John Alden and Nancy (Matthewson) Battey. When he was a youth of sixteen years he entered the shoe trade in Providence as an employe. In 1898 he arrived in Hartford, where his previous experience enabled him to secure the position of shoe buyer for the firm of H. & D. Daniel, and while thus engaged he developed that department of their store into a large business. Ambitious, however, to enter the field independently and garner the profits of his own labors, he opened a small store in 1909, investing a capital of five hundred dollars and thus securing a small stock. His only assistant was an errand boy, while Mr. Battey cared for the trade. From that humble beginning the business steadily grew until the original store had reached extensive proportions and a second store was opened, the two estab- lishments furnishing employment to fifty-eight clerks. It was in 1917 that he opened his store on Main street, where his patronage increased so steadily that it became necessary to open a basement department, and in the same year he established the "bargain annex" on Trumbull street. He constantly studied the trade and the market and was frequently able to purchase shoes at reduced prices in carload lots and always gave the benefit of this saving to his patrons.

In 1913 Mr. Battey was united in marriage to Miss Marie Besse, a daughter of Joseph L. Besse, mentioned elsewhere in this work. They became the parents of two children, Jean and Louis Battey. Death came very suddenly to Mr. Battey and he was laid to rest in the old family cemetery in his native city. He be- longed to Hartford Lodge, F. & A. M., to the Hartford lodge of Elks and to the Sequin Golf Club and his social, genial nature made him many friends both within and outside these organizations. He possessed a most generous nature which found expression in many deeds of kindness where often the recipient did not know the identity of the benefactor. When he passed on, one who had close business relations with him said: "I have lost my best friend, and so has each of the employes of his organization. Mr. Battey appreciated everything we did. If we made mistakes that meant a financial loss to him there was no criticism. He was liberal, friendly and always kind." This opinion was shared by all with whom he came in contact during the long years of his residence in Hartford, his pronounced characteristics being such as endeared him to his fellowmen and most of all to those who came within the close circle of his friendship and of his home. He was fifty-one years of age when death called him in 1923.

JOSEPH LOUIS BESSE

There is perhaps no record in this work that indicates more clearly the possibilities that are to be found in America by young men of foreign birth than does that of Joseph Louis Besse, who for many years was a prominent and prosperous caterer of Hartford, building up a business of extensive and gratifying proportions. He was born in Piacenza, Italy, May 18, 1854, and was a son of James Besse, who, crossing the Atlantic, established his home in Boston, Massachusetts, where he passed away at the age of seventy-six years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Louisa Molyer, was also a native of the sunny land of Italy and they became the parents of fourteen children, of whom three are yet living.

Joseph L. Besse pursued his education largely in Germany, where he went to

JOSEPH L. BESSE

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make his home with an uncle when a little lad of seven years. He continued to reside in that country until 1872, when he responded to the call of the new world and for eleven years thereafter continued a resident of New York. Early in that period he acted as cook in hotels and he also learned the business of ice cream manufac- turing under Maresi, who was regarded as the foremost exponent of that business in the United States. For a two-year period Mr. Besse filled the responsible position of foreman in Margadant's store in New York and the year 1883 witnessed his arrival in Hartford, where he established business on his own account by opening a confectionery store and ice cream parlor at 701 Main street, where he continued in business to the time of his demise. He studied closely the desires of the public and made his establishment so attractive in appearance and by reason of the excellent line of goods which he carried that within two months' time his patronage necessi- tated the constant use of two delivery wagons. For five years he carried on business in association with his brother Peter under the firm style of P. & J. Besse and in 1888 Peter Besse went to Boston, where he opened a similar establishment on Tre- mont street, the partnership continuing between the brothers until 1895. Three years before Joseph L. Besse had erected an addition to the store in Hartford in order to meet the demands of the growing business, which had developed into one of the largest of the kind in the state. He was engaged for many large dinners and state functions and his services were again and again sought as caterer for weddings, receptions and banquets. On one occasion, as caterer, he served twenty-seven hun- dred people in a single day and from 1894 until 1897 he conducted a restaurant. He died January 11, 1913.

In 1882 Mr. Besse married Miss Jeanne Dalleas, a native of France, who passed away in September, 1905. They were parents of five children, as follows: James Pierre, who died in 1926; Marie Elizabeth; Alice Elinore; Aurelia Gertrude, who died in 1916, and Louis Antoine, who died in 1914. Mr. Besse had a wide acquaintance in Hartford and was well known throughout the city. He belonged to the Gentlemen's Driving Club, the Hartford Yacht Club and the Colt Revolver Club, and his genial qualities made him a favorite in an extensive circle of friends. He deserved much credit for what he accomplished in a business way, as he started out in life empty- handed and by persistency of purpose worked his way upward, making wise use of his time, talents and opportunities until success in substantial measure was his.

HARRY L. F. LOCKE, M. D.

While a member of the medical profession and well acquainted with the basic principles of medical science, it is in the field of pediatrics that Dr. Harry L. F. Locke has become widely known, having gained notable prominence by reason of his highly developed skill in this particular line. His training was thorough and he has constantly broadened his knowledge by wide reading and research, while through experience he has gained many valuable lessons.

A native son of Massachusetts, Dr. Locke was born in Hudson, October 30, 1886, his parents being Frank D. and Carrie L. (Woodward) Locke, now residents of Marlboro, Massachusetts. The family is directly descended from Hannah Dustin, of Haverhill, where a monument has been erected to her memory. After attending high school in his native city Dr. Locke prepared for his professional career as a student in Tufts College Medical School of Boston, there winning his M. D. degree in 1912. He gained valuable experience as interne in the Boston Floating Hospital for one year and he also spent six months in the Massachusetts General Hospital of Boston, four months in the Boston City Hospital and the years 1913 and 1914 in the Hart- ford Hospital, thus acquiring that valuable knowledge and broad training that can be secured in no other way as rapidly as in hospital practice. He thus constantly augmented his skill, so that in 1914 he was chosen as superintendent and resident physician of the Hartford Isolation Hospital, remaining in that institution until 1921, when he resigned. In the meantime he had also engaged in private practice and in 1922, 1923 and 1924 he took postgraduate work at Trinity College. In limiting his practice to pediatrics he has highly developed his powers in this field and enjoys a well merited reputation as one of the leading pediatricians of the east. In addition to an extensive private practice he is serving as visiting pediatrist of St. Francis

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Hospital and the City Hospital and is consulting pediatrist to the Children's Village of Hartford, the Manchester Memorial Hospital, the New Britain General Hospital, the Bristol Hospital and the Isolation Hospital of Hartford. He is likewise a director of the Hartford Tuberculosis and Public Health Society and is chairman of the nutrition committee thereof. His attitude is that of the broad-minded physician who relegates personal gain to the background while seeking to disseminate knowledge that will prevent disease and bring a higher health rate to the communities in which he labors.

On the 11th of November, 1914, Dr. Locke was married to Miss Katherine Entress, a daughter of Albert and Elizabeth (Stokes) Entress, of Hartford. They now have two daughters and a son: Carolyn Elizabeth, born September 30, 1915; John Dustin, born March 15, 1917; and Janet, born June 29, 1924.

Dr. Locke is serving on the board of governors of the Wampanoag Golf Club and his interest in community welfare is shown in his membership in the Get-Together Club of Hartford. Fraternally he is a Knight Templar Mason and Shriner and his belief in the brotherhood of man, as exemplified in the teachings of the craft, finds expression in his daily life. He never allows outside interests to interfere with the faithful performance of his professional duties and he is an honored member of the City, County, State and American Medical Associations and also of the New England Pediatric Society. He is a man of high professional attainments, actuated by a sense of conscientious obligation, and his notable achievements have given him distinctive place in the field of his specialty.

ERNEST M. BIRON

Ernest M. Biron, attorney at law, with offices at 983 Main street in Hartford, was born at Saint Narcisse, in the province of Quebec, Canada, May 4, 1895, and is a son of Adelard and Marie (Massicotte) Biron, who were natives of Canada and of French lineage. The father, who was a machinist, died December 22, 1924, and is survived by his widow, who now makes her home in Waterbury, Connecticut.

Ernest M. Biron attended St. Ann's parochial school in Waterbury, Connecticut, and the Crosby high school of that city before entering Georgetown University, in which he pursued his law course, winning the LL. B. degree in 1921. He was ad- mitted to practice at the bar of the District of Columbia on the 4th of October, 1921, and to the Connecticut bar on the 10th of July, 1923. He practiced for a time in Washington, D. C., and then entered the employ of the government, being sent to Cincinnati, Ohio, thence to New York and in 1924 to Hartford, where he was made chief of the claims division and legal adviser of the Hartford regional office of the United States Veterans Bureau, thus continuing until May 1, 1926. At the latter date he removed to Torrington, Connecticut, where he opened an office for the private practice of law, there remaining until February 1, 1927, when he returned to Hart- ford, where he has since engaged in practice alone. His previous broad experience proved of worth in his analyzation of cases and his search for motives. He is ever loyal to the interests of his clients and his practice is steadily increasing.

On the 18th of February, 1918, Mr. Biron joined the Headquarters Army Artil- lery as army field clerk and went overseas on the 6th of April of that year, being located first at Bar-sur-Aube, France, and later at Souilly, whence he subsequently went to Chaumont and afterward to Paris, remaining in this service to the time when he received his honorable discharge September 4, 1919. His war experience came as an interruption to his school work and upon his return he completed his college course. He is now secretary of the Associated French-American Republican Clubs of Connecticut and is also secretary of the French-American Republican Club of Hartford. He belongs to St. Jean the Baptist church and to the Knights of Co- lumbus. While on a furlough during his term of military service he took advantage of the opportunity to visit Belgium, Cologne (Germany), Holland, England and a number of the continental cities and made a close study of the country and the people.

On the 5th of May, 1924, Mr. Biron was united in marriage to Miss Eva Tessier, of Waterbury, Connecticut, who is of French descent. They are the parents of one child, George Raymond, born March 26, 1925. They reside at 138 Barker street. Mr. and Mrs. Biron are well known in Hartford, where they have gained many warm

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friends and where he gives hearty cooperation to all movements for the general good. His interest, however, centers in his professional activities and he has become well known as a member of the Hartford County Bar Association.

COLONEL GEORGE WASHINGTON ENGLAND

Colonel George W. England, U. S. A., who lives at 55 Arnoldale road, West Hartford, has been connected with the military affairs of this country since early manhood, having served in the National Guard of the District of Columbia as private, corporal, sergeant, lieutenant and captain.

Colonel England was born in Washington, D. C., February 28, 1870, a son of Sanford P. and Susan B. (Whelan) England, the former a native of Manchester, England, while the latter was born in Connecticut, although her father, John Whelan, was a well known shipchandler in New York city. The grandfather of Colonel England in the paternal line was Sanford P. England, who served in the Royal War- wickshire Regiment in England. His son and namesake, Sanford P. England, Jr., became a citizen of the United States and participated in the Civil war as a member of Company E, seventy-third New York Volunteer Regiment, which he organ- ized and commanded. He had been in the United States only two years prior to the outbreak of hostilities between the north and the south and in the conflict he was seriously wounded in the battle of Chancellorsville. At the time of his death, which occurred in 1873, he was serving as chief clerk of the adjutant general's office, war department, at Washington, under Major General Robert Williams, Adjutant Gen- eral U. S. Army.

Colonel England was educated in the public schools of the national capital and in Twichell's College of that city. In his youth he was employed as a mechanical drafts- man for two years, after which he took up architectural work and building under Thomas J. King, of Washington, there remaining until 1898. Having inherited a fighting spirit, as indicated in the military record of his grandfather and his father, he naturally turned to military affairs and had been a member of the National Guard for ten years. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American war he was commis- sioned a captain of infantry by President Mckinley in the First Regiment, District of Columbia Volunteer Infantry, on the 12th of May, 1898, and served throughout the conflict, participating in the battle of Santiago de Cuba, being present at the surren- der of the city on the 17th of July, 1898. Following the close of hostilities with Spain he held a commission as first lieutenant in the Forty-seventh United States Volunteer Infantry and afterward organized Company M, Forty-seventh Infantry, which he commanded during the Philippine insurrection from 1899 to 1901. He was wounded at Sorsogon, Luzon, P. I., April 16, 1900, while with General Kobbe's expe- dition. On the 2d of February, 1901, Colonel England received an appointment as second lieutenant of infantry in the Regular Army and was assigned to the Sixth Infantry. The 23d of July, 1902, brought him promotion to the rank of first lieuten- ant and with the Sixth Infantry he participated in the Pulajane campaign on the Island of Samar, P. I., in 1905, and in the Moro campaigns in Mindanao and Jolo in 1906-7 and from 1910 until 1912. He received his captaincy in the Regular Army on April 13, 1911, and was assigned to duty with the Twentieth United States Infantry at Manila, P. I. Following his return to the United States in January, 1912, he was sent with his regiment to take station at Fort Douglas, Utah, and for some time thereafter was on duty in the west. In December, 1916, he was assigned to the Third Infantry, which he joined at Eagle Pass, Texas, participating in the Mexican Border troubles. On the 17th of August, 1917, he was commissioned major, temporary, and on the 8th of January, 1918, was made a lieutenant colonel. His permanent majority in the Regular Army was reached April 15, 1918, and he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel July 1, 1920.

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History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III, Part 119

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