USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III > Part 12
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Mrs. Mary Hooker is a descendant of Governor Haines, who was the first gov- ernor of Connecticut. His wife was a Horlakenden and her ancestry could be traced back to Alfred the Great. Mrs. Hooker has the distinction of being the first woman ever elected to the Connecticut general Assembly and she has served for two terms, being first chosen for the office in 1921 and reelected in 1925. For ten years she has been a member of the Hartford board of education and has done effective work to promote progressive measures for the benefit of the city schools. For a number of years she has figured prominently in connection with civic affairs and the general development of Hartford, as well as in its social circles, and her influence has been far-reaching and resultant.
ARCHER A. MACLEOD
Success in life depends largely upon the choice of a congenial field of labor, and that Archer A. Macleod has made a wise selection is indicated by his standing in financial circles of Plainville, which for nearly twenty years has been the scene of his activities. He was born June 18, 1884, at Lake Butler, Bradford county, Florida, and is a son of George F. and Missouri Macleod. His public school education was supplemented by a preparatory course in the University of Georgia, and he began his financial career in the Bank of Shellman, Georgia. Six months later he accepted
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a position in the Bank of Meigs, Georgia, which he left at the end of three months and returned to Florida, becoming assistant cashier of the Peoples Bank of Sanford, with which he remained for two years. He next went to New Jersey, where for two years he was cashier of the First National Bank of Milford and afterward was an auditor in banking houses of New York. In 1908 he came to Plainville as cashier of the First National Bank and acted in that capacity for seven years. In 1915 the Plainville Trust Company was organized and merged with the First National Bank and Mr. Macleod has since been its treasurer. He is regarded as one of its most capable officers and through efficient, conscientious work has contributed materially toward the success and prestige of the corporation.
In Rockville, Connecticut, Mr. Macleod was united in marriage to Miss Martha E. Wilson and they have become the parents of three children: Priscilla, Douglas and Jean. Mr. Macleod belongs to Plainville Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has taken the degrees of the lodge, chapter and council in Masonry. He is vice president of the Chamber of Commerce and lends his support to every movement for the growth and betterment of the community.
EDWARD J. HICKEY
Edward J. Hickey, who is filling the position of deputy sheriff and county detective, makes his home in Hartford, in which city he was born January 6, 1891, a son of Edward and Mary (Fitzgerald) Hickey, both of whom were natives of County Waterford, Ireland. They took up their abode in Hartford county about 1886, and the father, who was a foundryman, was employed here along that line for more than forty years, but both he and his wife have now passed away.
Edward J. Hickey pursued a parochial school education and, starting out in business life, obtained employment in the Pratt & Whitney foundry, where he remained for about six years. He was next employed in the post office department as a letter carrier and in 1916 he became special agent in the United States department of justice, there remaining until 1918, when he entered the United States intelligence bureau at Brooklyn, New York, for World war service, being mustered out in the spring of 1919. He then returned to the department of justice, with which he was associated until 1921, and he next became identified with the Connecticut state police department, so continuing until October 21, 1922, at which time he entered his present position as deputy sheriff and county detective. He has since served in this office and is under the direction of the states attorney, being always busily employed in locating and aiding in the prosecution of criminals.
On the 17th of January, 1921, Mr. Hickey was united in marriage to Miss Agnes J. Collins, of Middletown, Connecticut. They reside at No. 21 Allyn place in Hart- ford. Mr. Hickey is a member of the Elks lodge of New London, Connecticut, but has never been active as a lodge or club man, his business and official duties making steady demands upon his time and energies, while his loyalty in office is one of his marked characteristics.
KENNETH S. ADAMS
An active factor in the field of investment in Hartford is Kenneth S. Adams, the senior partner of the firm of Adams, Merrill & Company, which was organized in 1919 and which through the intervening period has made steady progress until a large clientele today makes its business one of very substantial and gratifying propor- tions. The scene of his present activity is far removed from the place of his birth, for he is a native of Honolulu, born December 27, 1880. His parents, however, were Edward Payson and Ellen G. (Fisher) Adams, of Boston, but the father owned large sugar plantation interests in Honolulu, where the parents were temporarily residing at the time of the birth of the son, although their home was in Cambridge, where Mr. Adams passed away in 1896.
The son obtained his preliminary education in the Cambridge Latin School and then entered Harvard University. When his college days were over he turned his
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attention to newspaper work on the Boston Herald and while thus employed studied business conditions and opportunities until he was satisfied that his preference was for investments, and in 1908 he began business along that line as an associate of the firm of Merrill, Oldham & Company of Boston. He applied himself closely to master- ing the business, which he found to be congenial, and gradually his powers and capability increased as he gained a more and more intimate knowledge of the invest- ment business. For a time he was in the employ of Perry, Coffin & Burr, of Boston, and subsequently opened an office in Hartford for the firm of Hornblower & Weeks of New York, continuing in charge here until 1914, when he went to the metropolis and took charge of the bond department for the same firm-one of the largest operating in this field, so that his experience in that connection was very broad and valuable. Desiring, however, that his labors should more directly benefit himself, he returned to Hartford in 1915 and became a member of the firm of Merwin, Gray & Company, with which he was associated until 1919, when he became one of the "organizers and the senior partner of the firm of Adams, Merrill & Company, his associates in this undertaking being Arthur H. Merrill, Russell C. Northam and I. Kent Fulton.
Mr. Adams has a seat on the New York Stock Exchange and is also a member of the Hartford Stock Exchange and the Connecticut Investment & Bankers Asso- ciation. His long activity in the field of finance and investments has made him thoroughly familiar therewith and his comprehensive knowledge, progressive methods and fidelity to the interests of his clients have brought to him a large and growing business. In the hours of leisure he turns for recreation to the Hartford Club and Hartford Golf Club and also has membership in the Harvard Club of New York. His political endorsement has always been given to the republican party.
CHARLES E. SMITH
In financial circles of Hartford county the name of Charles E. Smith is well known, for he is now treasurer and vice president of the Southington Trust Com- pany, which he assisted in organizing. He owes his success to close application, thoroughness and a laudable ambition, and not only is he identified with the financial activities of Southington but also with some of its important commercial and manu- facturing interests.
Mr. Smith was born in Chester, Connecticut, April 11, 1871, and is a son of Edwin and Harriett (Griswold) Smith. His early education was acquired in the public schools of Chester and later he attended the Middletown high school, which constituted his equipment for the duties and responsibilities of later life. Starting out to provide for his own support, he entered the employ of the New Haven Railroad Company, with which he remained for seven years, and then left that service to become a representative of the Chester Savings Bank, with which he occupied a clerkship for a year, while for fifteen years he was the treasurer of that institution. He also became the treasurer of the Chester Trust Company, which he organized, and in these two connections he gained thorough and comprehensive knowledge of, the banking business. In 1916 he removed to Southington, where for three months he was cashier of the Southington National Bank, and on the expiration of that period he assisted in organizing the Southington Bank & Trust Company, of which he became treasurer, while today he fills the dual office of vice president and treasurer. He is a strong and capable executive and has been active in instituting a policy which strongly safeguards the interests of depositors and at the same time does not check the progressive methods of an institution that in every way meets modern- day business conditions. His sound business judgment is moreover manifest in other connections, for he is a director of the Southington Hardware Corporation and of the Beaton & Corbin Manufacturing Company, of the Southington Building & Loan Association and of the Southington Hospital Corporation.
On the 7th of January, 1896, Mr. Smith was united in marriage at New Haven, Connecticut to Miss Leona M. Griswold, who died February 1, 1911, leaving two children: Graydon, who died in 1916; and Thornton, who married Josephine Hackzela. On the 15th of October, 1912, Mr. Smith married Ruth Ostling, and they have two children, Lois and Lee.
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A lifelong resident of Connecticut, holding to its traditions and to its ideals, Mr. Smith has ever stood for those things which are best in community life and his aid can always be counted upon to further measures for general progress.
FRANZ J. CARLSON
Franz J. Carlson, attorney at law with offices at 36 Pearl street and now serving for the second term as prosecuting attorney in Hartford police court, was born November 14, 1896, in the city which is still his home, his parents being John A. and Anna H. (Hochsieder) Carlson. He pursued his preliminary education in the West Middle school and afterward attended the Hartford high school and Trinity College. When he had completed his more specifically literary course he entered the Boston University School of Law and was graduated therefrom in June, 1922, being admitted to practice at the Hartford bar in the same year. He was appointed prosecuting attorney in the Hartford police court in June, 1925, for a term of two years, being reappointed in June, 1927.
He was elected alderman from the tenth ward in the spring of 1925 for a two- year period. Fraternally he is connected with John Erickson Lodge of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and also with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
MITCHELL STUART LITTLE
As president of the M. S. Little Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of brass heating and plumbing goods, Mitchell Stuart Little has gained recognition as a forceful factor in the business life of Hartford. He has turned his activities to good account and made wise use of his time and opportunities. Born in Hartford on the 5th of January, 1885, he attended the public schools while spending his youthful days in the home of his parents, George H. and Mary Belle (Little) Little. When he had mastered the branches taught in the high school he entered Yale and won the Bachelor of Arts degree at graduation with the class of 1907. The broad field of business opened before him and he sought his opportunities along mechanical lines, having natural inclination in that direction. From 1907 until 1912 he was employed by the Whitlock Coil Pipe Company of Hartford and manifested thorough- ness, industry and diligence in performing his tasks and mastering the duties assigned him. As his knowledge and efficiency increased he determined to engage in business for himself and in 1912 established a plant for the manufacture of brass plumbing and heating goods under the name of the M. S. Little Manufacturing Company. This was conducted under individual ownership until 1922, when the business was incor- porated with Mr. Little as president, an office which he has since filled. The years have brought him prominence as the direct result of highly developed powers, of unabating energy and of wise direction of the interests under his control. Today his business connections are extensive and important, for he is the president and director of the Smyth Manufacturing Company, president and director of the Sigourney Tool Company, vice president and director of the E. C. Fuller Company of New York, a director of the Hartford National Bank & Trust Company, and a director of three of the corporations of the Aetna group-the Aetna Life Insurance Company, Aetna Casualty & Surety Company, and the Automobile Insurance Company. He is likewise a trustee of the Society for Savings and a director of the Whitlock Coil Pipe Com- pany, with which corporation he made his intial step in business, and a director of the Terry Steam Turbine Company, the Hartford Gas Company, and the Billings & Spencer Company. He is thus closely associated with the management and control of some of the most important productive industries of the city and is ranked with the leading manufacturers of Connecticut.
On the 8th of February, 1919, Mr. Little was married to Miss Elizabeth Hill Hapgood, a daughter of Edward H. and Mary Elizabeth (Smith) Hapgood, of Hart- ford. They have three children: Virginia, born February 14, 1920; Stuart West, born November 17, 1921; and Edward Hapgood, born June 10, 1927. The social
BACHRACH
MITCHELL S. LITTLE
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position of Mr. Little is an enviable one, as indicated in his various club connections, his membership extending to the Hartford Club, the Hartford Golf Club, University Club, Wampanoag Country Club, the Yale Alumni Association of Hartford County, and the Twentieth Century Club. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has been a republican but not active as a political worker, owing to the demands made upon his time and energies by his individual affairs. Throughout his entire life what he has undertaken he has accomplished. In his vocabulary there is no such word as fail, and determined purpose has enabled him to overcome obstacles and difficulties and work his way steadily upward until he now occupies a commanding position among Connecticut manufacturers.
JOSEPH F. BERRY
One of the leading law firms of Connecticut is that of Day, Berry & Reynolds in Hartford, of which Joseph F. Berry is a partner, his connection therewith dating from 1919. His practice has long been of an important character, indicative of his comprehensive knowledge of the law and his ability to apply its principles to points in litigation, while as legal counselor he is known as a man of keen insight and acumen. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, February 13, 1880, he is a son of Charles F. and Emily C. (Morgan) Berry, residents of that city. At the usual age he became a public school pupil and when he had completed his high school course in Boston became a student in Tufts College, from which he was graduated in 1901, the Bachelor of Arts degree being at that time conferred upon him. His review of the broad field of business, with its opportunities along industrial, agricultural, commercial and professional lines, led him to the determination to make the practice of law his life work, and with this end in view he enrolled as a student in the Harvard Law School, winning his LL. B. degree in 1904, in which year he was also admitted to the bar. His initial experience in the work of the profession came to him in the office of Choate, Hall & Stewart of Boston, with which he was associated from 1904 until 1907. In the latter year he became assistant attorney for the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company, with offices in the city of New Haven, and in 1914 he severed connection with the railroad and became attorney for a Connecticut company, so remaining until 1919, when he came to Hartford with the purpose of engaging in the private practice of law and entered into partnership with Edward M. Day, a prominent member of the Hartford bar, forming the present firm of Day, Berry & Reynolds, which is justly classed with the leading law firms of the state. Mr. Berry contributes in no small measure to its success and his practice here is of a very important character, connecting him with the solution of many of the notable legal problems which have been heard in the civil law courts.
On the 5th of December, 1908, Mr. Berry was united in marriage to Miss Mildred Endicott Fowle, a daughter of Horace S. and Mary E. Fowle, of Boston. Their only son, Richard F., was born January 14, 1913.
Mr. Berry is a well known figure in the clubrooms of the Hartford, Hartford Golf and University clubs, the Graduates Club of New Haven, the University Club of Bridgeport, and the Twentieth Century Club of Hartford. In politics he is a repub- lican. He is cordial, genial and appreciative of the good qualities in others. Along strictly professional lines he has membership connection with the Hartford County, the Connecticut State and the American Bar Associations, and to an unusual degree he enjoys the confidence, good will and friendly regard of his professional colleagues and contemporaries.
THEODORE B. DICKERSON
Possessing that masterful grasp of detail so essential to the successful conduct of the banking business, combined with a thorough knowledge of those broad basic principles upon which the strong banking institutions of the country rest, Theodore B. Dickerson was well known as a contributing factor to the success of the Hartford National Bank & Trust Company, which he was representing in the position of
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assistant cashier at the time of his demise; he died in Hartford, January 17, 1928. He was still in the prime of life, having been born in Hartford, October 15, 1871, his parents being George N. and Priscilla (Cone) Dickerson. He pursued his education in the South school and started out in the business world as an employe in the hardware store of Tracy, Robinson & Company, there remaining for several years and gaining through his experience a sure foundation upon which to build progress in the business world. He was afterward associated with various banks, including the Dime Savings Bank and the First National Bank, and for a time he occupied the position of cashier with the Hartford Electric Light Company but found in banking a more congenial field and returned to it as a representative of the United States Bank. He was associated with that organization when it was merged with the Security Trust Company and of the new organization-the United Security Trust Company-he became assistant treasurer. When in keeping with the trend of the times to combine lesser banks in the development of larger and stronger institutions the United Security Trust Company merged with the Hartford-Aetna National Bank under the name of the Hartford National Bank & Trust Company, Mr. Dickerson again was retained as assistant cashier and remained in that official connection until his demise. He made close study of the banking business, was thoroughly conversant with every phase thereof and was a strong factor in the growth and success of the institutions with which he was associated.
In young manhood Mr. Dickerson was united in marriage to Mrs. Minnie (Burton) Bolles, who had two children by her former marriage; Mrs. James M. Strong and Burton W. Bolles, of the firm of Bolles & Company, brokers of Hartford.
Mr. Dickerson was well known socially, being a member of the South School Gang of the Eighties, of which he was president, and also a member of the Hartford Wheel Club. Fraternally he was a Mason, identified with Wyllys Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of West Hartford, while in the Scottish Rite he attained the thirty-second degree and later became a member of Sphinx Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He was an Episcopalian, having membership in the Church of the Good Shepherd. His banking experience and his fraternal connections brought him a wide acquaintance and everywhere men spoke of him in terms of high regard, recognizing his sterling worth and his loyalty to creditable standards. His social qualities made him popular and the circle of his friends was almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
ROBERT ORVILLE EATON
Robert Orville Eaton, a recognized leader in republican ranks in Connecticut, is one whose influence is based upon the confidence which his fellowmen repose in him-a confidence that he has well earned and never abused. Moreover, his trustworthy quali- ties have been supplemented by a progressiveness that has led to the recognition and improvement of opportunities and thus in the field of business his labors have been crowned with gratifying success. On the list of citizens whose names are written with pride into the annals of the state appears that of Robert O. Eaton and thus he reflects credit upon an ancestral line that has been identified with the development and upbuild- ing of the state from the earliest period in its colonization. Theophilus Eaton, a native of England, came to the new world and for two decades served as governor of the New Haven colony, which he aided in founding. His descendants have borne active and prominent part in the progress of New Haven and the old family homestead which was built by Colonel Eaton's ancestors, has been passed down through inheri- tance to successive generations of the family to the present day. Jesse Orville Eaton, father of Robert O. Eaton, devoted his life to farming and also rendered valuable service in public affairs of his community as assessor, member of the board of relief and selectman. He married Mary Ann Bradley, to whom the son Robert pays this tribute: "She covered every phase of life and conduct-moral, spiritual and intellec- tual-with her good and strong influence."
While the son's character was being molded by the teachings and the example of a wise mother, the father was contributing to his physical development and business training by tasks which he assigned him in connection with various phases of the farm work. He also accorded him the opportunity to attend the schools of North Haven
(Photograph by Curtis-Schervee Studios)
ROBERT O. EATON
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until the work of the grades was completed and later the Hillhouse high school in New Haven. He next attended French's Collegiate Academy in New Haven and when his textbooks were put aside joined his brother Theophilus in the management of the farm which is still known as the Eaton Brothers' Farm and which they have since capably supervised. They have specialized in the cultivation of garden products and hay raising, and the practical and progressive methods which they follow have brought excellent results.
On the 19th of May, 1881, Mr. Eaton was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Alınira Granniss, of East Haven, who passed away leaving two daughters, Cora Almira and Mary Margeritta. Mr. Eaton also has two granddaughters, Miss Catherine Almira Potter and Miss Winifred Ellen Nichols.
Mr. Eaton is a member of the Grange and has written many papers for the "meet- ings" having given careful and comprehensive study to agricultural problems, which he solves according to scientific methods supplemented by practical experience. For several terms he served as master of his Grange and also the County Grange. His leadership was directly beneficial to the farmers of the community. In fraternal cir- cles Mr. Eaton is a Mason, Elk and Sojourner, belongs to the Farmers Club, the Union League Club of New Haven, "Heroes of '76," Congregational Club and is an honorary member of the State Police Association. He was president of the New Haven Con- gregational Club for one term. With the passing of the years his interests along recreational lines have centered in baseball, football and hockey, and he is a member of the Oakhill Fishing and Hunting Club of Nova Scotia. He also owns a camp on Bantam Lake, in Litchfield county.
With the attainment of his majority Mr. Eaton became an active worker in the republican party and has occupied positions of leadership both in local and state affairs. For many years he served as chairman of the republican town committee, of North Haven, and has done effective work in promoting the strength of the party organiza- tion. In 1891 he was appointed assistant dairy commissioner of Connecticut, and in 1896 was reappointed to that office, in which he served for fourteen years. He labored to good results in the prosecution of violators of the dairy and milk laws, thereby greatly safeguarding the interests of dairymen who at all times hold themselves amenable to those rules which have to do with the public good. In 1895 he was chosen to represent North Haven in the state legislature, and again from 1915 to 1921, and was chairman of the important appropriation committee during these four terms. In 1917 he was appointed to organize the State Agencies and Institutions, which in- cluded the widow's aid pension, in which he was deeply interested as chairman of the appropriations committee. He represented the town of North Haven at the Yale Centennial Anniversary. In 1908 Colonel Eaton was appointed collector of internal revenue and served until 1913. For twelve years he was a member of the state cen- tral committee from the twelfth district and was President of the Mckinley Associa- tion for one term. He served as quartermaster general with the title of "Colonel" under Governors Lilley and Weeks. He has the distinction of being an honorary mem- ber of the Second Company Governor's Foot Guard of New Haven, the other honorary member being Ex-President William H. Taft, and is an active member upon the staff. He has attended six national conventions and for over forty years has attended every state convention as a state delegate. In the discharge of all official duties he has brought to bear a conscientious sense of obligation, ever regarding a public office as a public trust-and no trust reposed in Robert O. Eaton has ever been betrayed. He has measured up to the highest standards of honor both in political service and in private business affairs, and to few men has been accorded the respect and esteem which is universally entertained for Mr. Eaton throughout Connecticut. In the office of collector of internal revenue to which he was again reappointed in 1921, and in which he is now serving, his record is deserving of the highest commendation.
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