History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III, Part 125

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 125

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On the 28th of June, 1900, in Suffield, Connecticut, Mr. Alcorn was married to Cora Terry Wells and they are the parents of three sons: Howard Wells, Hugh Mead, Jr., and Robert Hayden.

Aside from his professional activity Mr. Alcorn has figured prominently in public life, being a member of the Connecticut house of representatives during the sessions of 1903 and 1905, a member of the state civil service commission from 1915 until 1918 and a delegate to the national republican conventions of 1912 and 1920. He is a trustee of the Suffield School of Suffield, Connecticut, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church, while in fraternal circles he is known as a thirty-second degree Mason and Shriner. His name is also on the membership rolls of the Sons of Veterans, the Connecticut His- torical Society and the Hartford Club, and his favorite forms of diversion are riding, tennis, shooting and fishing.

P. HENRY WOODWARD

P. Henry Woodward was born March 19, 1833, in Franklin, Connecticut, a son of Ashbel and Emeline (Bicknell) Woodward, and was descended in the eighth gen- eration from Richard Woodward, who, as a passenger on the ship Elizabeth, left Ipswich, England, April 10, 1634, and sailed for the new world, establishing his home in Watertown, Massachusetts. Liberal educational opportunities were accorded P. Henry Woodward, who after leaving Yale University as an alumnus of 1855 attended the Harvard Law School and in 1860 began the practice of his profession in Savannah, Georgia, in company with William Robert Gignilliat, Jr., but a few months after the

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outbreak of the Civil war he returned north. In September, 1862, he became a member of the editorial staff of the Hartford Courant and so continued until Sep- tember, 1865, when he was appointed special agent of the post office department for Georgia and reconstructed that service in so capable a manner that he was chosen to organize the system for distributing mails in railway post offices. His duties were constantly increased until his field of service extended from the Ohio river to the Gulf of Mexico and eastward to South Carolina and Georgia, and the choice of routes and clerks was left entirely to him, in which connection he totally disregarded political partisanship and considered only the fitness of employes. Merit was his only test and during his superintendency no one was displaced for any cause. With the change in presidential administration he was assigned to Augusta, Georgia, with general duties and in February, 1873, was appointed to investigate affairs in the New York city post office, resulting in doing away with many dishonorable methods there practiced. In 1874, when Marshall Jewell became postmaster-general, Mr. Woodward was made chief of the corps of special agents, continuing to efficiently serve in that capacity until political conditions led to his retirement. When President Garfield took up the duties of his office and appointed Thomas L. James postmaster- general, the latter telegraphed Mr. Woodward to meet him in New York and asked him to become his confidential agent in Washington and especially to investigate alleged star route frauds. His work in this connection is a matter of history and proved of the greatest value to the country. He remained in office until President Cleveland became chief executive of the nation.

In 1888 he was chosen secretary of the Hartford Board of Trade and his work in this position was of far-reaching importance, leading to the financial and industrial development of the city, which drew to it many residents from other sections, the population increasing fifty per cent in ten years. Gradually Mr. Woodward extended his efforts into other fields. He became president of the Dime Savings Bank, vice president of the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company and a director of several other corporations as well as secretary of the board of trustees of Trinity College. He was the author of "Guarding the Mails," published in 1876, while a later edition was brought out under the title of "Secret Service of the Post Office Department." His subsequent publications included "Hartford, its Institutions and Industries," 1889; "Centennial History of the Hartford Bank," 1892; "Insurance in Connecticut," 1897; "Manufactures in Hartford," 1897; also historical addresses, sketches, etc. Mr. Woodward's "Manufactures in Hartford" was included in "The New England States" (D. H. Hurd & Company, 1897) ; so also was his "Insurance in Connecticut," which later was published separately in book form, and is now a standard, placing into permanent printed record important historical facts that but for his research would probably never have been preserved in authentic detail. He delivered the address at the unveiling of the statue of Colonel Thomas Knowlton on the state capitol grounds, in November, 1895. The honorary degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon Mr. Woodward in 1900 by Trinity College.

On the 11th of September, 1867, P. Henry Woodward married Mary Smith, daughter of Charles Smith, of South Windham, Connecticut. He passed away September 4, 1917, at the ripe old age of eighty-four years, and there passed from life one whose entire record had been that of signal service and usefulness to his country and to his fellowmen.

PAUL NURCZYK

The European countries have furnished to the nited States many desirable citizens of the type of Paul Nurczyk, who is one of New Britain's substantial busi- ness men and successful bankers and has also figured prominently in public affairs. A native of Poland, he was born in 1892 and is the only child of Andrew and Eleonre Nurczyk, who came to America in 1905, settling in New Britain, Connecticut. His father was a factory worker for many years and is now enjoying a well earned rest. He casts his ballot for the candidates of the democratic party and is a Catholic in religious faith, being a devout communicant of Sacred Heart church.

Paul Nurczyk received his early instruction in a parochial school in Poland, which he left at the age of thirteen, and continued his studies in New Britain. He attended

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the Waltham Horological School in Massachusetts and also took a course in the Vissel School at Effingham, Illinois. From 1918 until 1923 he was connected with the Stanley Works of New Britain, filling the position of assistant in the employ- ment bureau, and was then elected treasurer of the Peoples Savings Bank at No. 221 Broad street. The bank was established in 1907 by George Corbin and others and a reorganization was effected in 1917, when the business was removed to the north- western part of the city. The charter was sold to the present owners and it is now known as the Mutual Savings Bank. There is a surplus fund of fifty-seven thousand dollars and total assets of about six hundred thousand dollars. The policy followed in its conduct is one which protects the interests of depositors and stockholders and also promotes the growth of the bank, which has become a helpful ally of the business concerns of this locality. Since 1924 Mr. Nurczyk has been treasurer of this insti- tution, doing all in his power to safeguard its funds and contributing materially toward the prestige of the bank.

In 1915 Mr. Nurczyk married Miss Casimira Senvek, of New Britain, and they have become the parents of six children: Elinor, Genevieve, Clara, Irene, Raymond and Stanley. Mr. and Mrs. Nurczyk are zealous members of the Sacred Heart church and his fraternal affiliations are with the Knights of Columbus and the Modern Woodmen of America. His efforts in behalf of those of his nationality have gained for him widespread prominence and led to his selection for the office of state vice president of the Polish Welfare Council of America. He still acts in that capacity and is a member of the Polish Beneficial Association and the Polish Union of America. During the World war he had charge of the local Red Cross and Liberty Loan drives and was also connected with the draft board. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and from 1918 until 1921 he was alderman of the fifth ward. His public spirit has also been expressed as a member of the city finance commission and he is always ready to serve his community when needed. Mr. Nurczyk has been the recipient of many important trusts, all of which have been faithfully discharged, and his keen sense of duty and honor, coupled with his civic loyalty and patriotism, have won for him a high place in the esteem of his fellowmen.

ROCCO MICHAEL SAGARINO

Rocco Michael Sagarino is conducting an undertaking business in Hartford, in which city he was born December 16, 1898. His parents, Dominick and Catharine (Mondano) Sagarino, were born in Corleto Perticara, Italy, and emigrated to America about 1865, at which time they took up their abode in Hartford, Connecticut, being among the first Italian settlers of this city. The father became a foreman on a rail- road and he was also the first Italian interpreter in the police court of Hartford. He passed away in 1905 and for several years was survived by his wife, who died in 1911. They were the parents of four children: Nellie, who is now the wife of Peter D'Engenis, of Bloomfield, Connecticut; Daniel, who is conducting a soda foun- tain and luncheonette in Hartford; Felix P., an undertaker; and Rocco M.

The last two are partners in the undertaking business at 190 Front street. Both were educated in the public schools of Hartford and Rocco M. Sagarino is a graduate of the Central grammar school of New Britain, Connecticut, and also of the Brown school of Hartford and St. Peter's parochial school of Hartford. In preparation

for life's practical and responsible duties he also attended Huntsinger's Business College and the Hartford Public High School. Previous to engaging in the under- taking business he did clerical work at the factory of Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manu- facturing Company, but ambitious to engage in business independently that he might directly reap the rewards of his own labors, he and his brother established their present business in 1920 and in its conduct have met with substantial success. They have an excellent equipment and the care and capability which they manifest in conducting funeral services have brought to them substantial success.

Rocco M. Sagarino was married November 21, 1923, to Maria M. Mainello, of Hartford, and they have one child, Katheryn Angela. The family resides at No. 16 Monroe street. Mr. Sagarino is a member of the Knights of Columbus, of the Red Men, the Italian Club, the Young Italian-American Association and Loggia Fratel- lanza, No. 333, Ordine Figli D'Italia.

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Felix P. Sagarino was born in Hartford, Connecticut, pursued his early educa- tion in St. Peter's grammar school and then took a course through the International Correspondence Schools. He also studied in the Renouard Training School for Em- balmers in New York city and thus qualified for the work in which he is now en- gaged. For a time he was engaged in the saloon business but with the passage of the prohibition law he turned his attention to the undertaking business, in which he became associated with his father-in-law, Nicolo Laraia, in New Britain, Connecticut, where he remained for eight years. In 1922 he joined his brother Rocco as a partner and they are now continuing successfully in the undertaking business.

Felix P. Sagarino is a member of the Italian-American Club, the Young Italian- American Association and Loggia Fratellanza, No. 333, Ordine Figli D'Italia. He likewise belongs to New Britain Lodge, No. 183, Loyal Order of Moose; New Britain Lodge, No. 957, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Charter Oak Aerie, No. 406, Fraternal Order of Eagles, of Hartford; and Societa Sanrocco of Hartford. He married Miss Bregetta Laraia, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nicolo Laraia, of New Britain, and they reside at 54 Kenneth street in Hartford.

MAX HARTSTALL

Max Hartstall, deceased, was for fifteen years special representative of the New York Life Insurance Company, with offices at 904 Main street in Hartford, and former president of the Connecticut Life Underwriters' Association. He was sixty years of age when he passed away October 6, 1928, having been born in Hartford on the 28th of March, 1868. His parents, Aaron and Elizabeth (Stern) Hartstall, were natives of Germany, whence they came to America in early life, being among the first Jewish settlers in Hartford. There were four brothers of the name who established their homes here, and with two of his brothers Aaron Hartstall engaged in the retail grocery business on Ferry street, being a pioneer merchant in that locality. He was a Mason and for a number of years prior to his death he served as sexton of the church of the Congregation of Beth Israel. He died in Hartford in September, 1877, while his wife survived until 1893. They are survived by two daughters and a son, all residing in Hartford, namely: Mrs. C. M. Judd, Isabella and Moses A.

Max Hartstall was educated in the Brown school and at the age of twelve years put aside his textbooks and became an employe in the Bee Hive, the dry goods store owned by William H. Bulkeley. For eighteen years he was associated with that business, steadily working his way upward and gaining valuable knowledge and ex- perience. In 1890 he entered the employ of Horsfall & Rothschild, dealers in men's furnishings on Asylum street, and again his efficiency, loyalty and capability were demonstrated by the fact that he remained with that house for fourteen years or until 1904, save for a period of two years which he spent in Chicago, where he en- gaged in the wholesale jewelry business, but twice death intervened in thwarting his future plans while he was in Chicago. On leaving the employ of Horsfall & Roths- child in the fall of 1904 he again went to Chicago, where he once more engaged in the jewelry business until 1914. In that year he was employed by the New York Life Insurance Company and located in Hartford, where he represented the corporation as special agent to the time of his death. He took good care of this branch of the business and had the proud distinction of being a leader among the agents of the eastern department in the volume of business gained. While in entering the insur- ance field he turned his attention to a business in which he had had no previous expe- rience, his ready adaptability soon enabled him to master its intricacies and he became thoroughly familiar with insurance and gained a most creditable place in business circles. He was a member of the $200,000 Club, an honorary organization of the New York Life Insurance Company, and also a member of the $400,000 Club of the New York Life, which has to be delivered and paid for insurance in one year. He was likewise honored with the presidency of the Hartford Life Underwriters' Asso- ciation.

Mr. Hartstall gave much of his time to Jewish welfare work and was a former director of the United Jewish Charities as well as a director of the Young Men's and Young Women's Hebrew Associations. Moreover, he was a former trustee of

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Congregation Beth Israel and president of its Men's Club. He manifested a keen interest in all those activities which have their source in a spirit of broad humanita- rianism. Fraternally he was identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, belonging to the lodge at Glens Falls, New York, and his appreciation for the social amenities of life was indicated in his membership connection with the City Club, the Automobile Club of Hartford and the Tumble Brook Country Club. Alert and energetic, he accomplished what he undertook, whether in the field of business or in public service, and his activities were far-reaching and beneficial. In his pass- ing Hartford sustained the loss of one of her representative and valued citizens and worthy native sons.

WINCHELL SMITH

The name of Winchell Smith, playwright and theatrical producer, has become known throughout the length and breadth of the land, as he has written and pro- duced some of the most successful plays known to the theatre-going public of the present generation. Residing in a palatial home, Mill Streams, at Farmington, Connecticut, he there spends much of his time in writing for the stage but has also proved his capability along business as well as professional lines.

Born in Hartford, Connecticut, April 5, 1871, Mr. Smith is a son of William B. and Virginia T. (Thrall) Smith, who were natives of Bloomfield, Hartford county, Connecticut. The grandmother in the paternal line was Mary Brown, an own cousin of John Brown, who was also born in Bloomfield, where the family was established in pioneer times. The father, William B. Smith, was a farmer and breeder of trotting horses, at one time the owner of "Thomas Jefferson," a stallion which was known all over the country. His business interests were successfully conducted and he remained a substantial citizen of this state until 1896, when he passed away at Hartford, his widow surviving him until 1900. They were the parents of six children. Mrs. Vir- ginia T. (Thrall) Smith was a city missionary and became one of the greatest charity organizers in the United States. Dr. Oliver C. Smith of this family was one of the foremost surgeons of New England.

Winchell Smith, the only surviving member of his father's family, was reared in Hartford and pursued his education in the Quaker Lawn school of West Hartford, the West Middle school of Hartford and the high school. He then turned his attention to the grain business and was associated with his father in this undertaking for two years. On attaining his majority, however, he left home to go upon the stage and since that time has been closely associated with histrionic interests. As an actor his first appearance was in the "Prodigal Daughter," which opened the American theatre of New York city in 1893 and proved a great success. He spent twelve years as an actor, seven of them under the management of the late Charles Frohman, usually playing character parts. He appeared in "The District Attorney," "New Clown," "Two Schools," "Marriage Game," "The Girl from Kays," "Secret Service" and "Too Much Johnson." He played in London and other European cities, appearing with great success, but in 1905 left the stage to become a producer. He put on several of George Bernard Shaw's plays which were very successful, including "Candida," "You Never Can Tell," "John Bull's Other Island," "Arms and the Man" and "Mrs. Warren's Profession." He was engaged to make a big scenic production of a dramatization of the book "Brewster's Millions." The playwright who had been engaged to dramatize this, after working on it for some time, gave it up and the manager, who was a newcomer in the theatre, suggested that Mr. Smith be engaged for that purpose. This was the first thought that he had ever had of trying to write a play. He made an arrangement with Byron Ongley to collaborate on the drama- tization and later produced their joint effort, and to the surprise of every one it proved a huge success, showing to crowded houses for extended runs in many cities.

Then it was that Mr. Smith decided to become a dramatist in earnest and pro- duced his first original play, called "The Fortune Hunter," which was also a great success. From that time to the present he has confined his efforts to writing and producing plays. "The Fortune Hunter" was followed by "Via Wireless," with Paul Armstrong in the cast, "Bobby Burnit," a dramatization of the book of that name, "Love Among the Lions," another dramatization, "The Only Son," an original

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play, "Officer 666," with August Augustin McCue, "The Boomerang," with Victor Mapes, "Turn to the Right," with John E. Hazzard, "Lightnin'," with Frank Bacon, and "The Wheel." Aside from these he has produced a large number of plays by other authors. It is almost superfluous in this connection to say that Mr. Smith has long ranked with the leading playwrights and producers of the country, for all who are in any way familiar with the theatre have seen many of his productions, which have been numbered among the most successful plays of the present generation.

On the 18th of December, 1898, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Grace Spencer, a journalist of New York. Mr. Smith has one of the most beautiful homes in Hartford county, standing in the midst of a tract of twenty-five acres of land splendidly land- scaped. When he purchased this property it was a bare sand plot on the Farming- ton river and proved to be an old Indian burying ground, sixteen Indian skeletons being unearthed as the work of development was carried on there. Mr. Smith is also the owner of a two-hundred-acre farm highly cultivated and he also conducts a grain business, with a large plant between Farmington and Unionville, devoted to the sale of hay, grain and flour. In the successful management of his commercial and agri- cultural enterprises he has proven himself a man of business ability as well as of highly developed power in his professional field. In 1924 Trinity College conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Letters and he has membership in the Authors League and in the Lambs Club and the Players Club of New York. He also belongs to the Town Hall Club, the Coffee House Club, the University Club and the Union League Club, all of New York. He likewise has membership in the Lotus Club, in the Hartford Club, the Hartford Golf Club, the Wampanoag Golf Club, the Farming- ton Country Club, the Avon Country Club, the Shuttle Meadow Club of New Britain, the Sequin Club, the American Chamber of Commerce in Paris, the Hartford Chamber of Commerce, the American Club in London, the Green Room Club in London and the Monte Carlo Club in Monte Carlo. His life work has brought him a wide acquaint- ance not only in his native country but in foreign lands, where many of his plays have been successfully produced. His labors have indeed been resultant from the financial standpoint and particularly so from the pleasure that he has afforded to the lovers of drama.

HERBERT ALFRED WINGATE

Herbert Alfred Wingate, secretary and a member of the board of directors of the well known firm of C. H. Dexter & Sons, Inc., at Windsor Locks, was born in Collins- ville, Connecticut, in 1885, and is a son of Alfred S. and Minnie L. (Misner) Wingate, who are still residents of Collinsville, where the father has devoted his entire life to the saddlery business. He is a republican, actively interested in local politics, and in his religious faith is a Congregationalist. To him and his wife were born two sons: Herbert A., of this review; and Arthur M. Wingate, of Hartford, Connecticut.

Herbert A. Wingate pursued his education in Collinsville, mastering the work of consecutive grades, and attended the high school. He afterward further qualified for an active and useful career by pursuing a course in the Morse Business College at Hartford, after which he started out in life on his own account as an accountant. He worked for the New Haven Railroad until about 1910 as a telegrapher and at that time entered the employ of the firm of C. H. Dexter & Sons as an accountant. He has since been identified with this business and in 1919 was advanced to the position of assistant secretary, in which capacity he continued until 1927, when he was made secretary. He is a director and one of the stockholders of the company and he deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, as he worked his way upward through the various departments of the business to his present official connection. He is not only acting in a secretarial capacity but is also sales manager and as such is contributing in substantial measure to the growth and success of the business.

On October 20, 1917, Mr. Wingate was united in marriage to Miss Florence Cooke, who was born in New York city in 1886, her parents being Mr. and Mrs. George Cooke. Mr. and Mrs. Wingate have two children: Barbara E., born July 27, 1918; and Jane L., born October 17, 1923. The religious faith of Mr. and Mrs. Wingate is that of the Congregational church, in which the former is a deacon and treasurer, and they are interested in the moral progress and in all that pertains to the welfare

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and advancement of the community. Mr. Wingate is a Mason, holding membership in Euclid Lodge, No. 109, A. F. & A. M., at Windsor Locks, of which he was secretary for several years. He is also a member of the Suffield Country Club and his political endorsement is given to the republican party, which he has supported since age con- ferred upon him the right of franchise. There have been no unusual or spectacular phases in his life record, but his course has been marked by those qualities which make for advancement in business and for progress in community life. His sterling traits are recognized by all who know him and have gained for him the warm friend- ship of those with whom he has been brought in contact.

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History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III, Part 125

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