History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III, Part 24

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 24

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Commissioned a captain in the Signal Corps, U. S. Volunteers, 1898, he served in the Spanish war as a company and battalion commander and for a time as acting chief signal officer of the Seventh Army Corps, on the staff of Major-General Fitz- hugh Lee.

During the World war Governor Holcomb appointed him a member of the Con- necticut State Council of Defense, representing insurance and finance. In the spring of 1918 he went to Europe as a member of the Treasury Department's Liberty Loan Mission, and in the Fourth Liberty Loan campaign was sent by the department on a national speaking campaign in the southwest.

He is a member of the Military Order of Foreign Wars of the United States, in which he has served in the national offices of registrar general and vice commander- general, also of the Naval and Military Order of the Spanish War and the Spanish War Veterans.

Major Giddings is listed in "Who's Who in America" as an author, having written several military handbooks and many magazine articles on military matters and sub-

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jects having to do with the great out-of-doors. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geo- graphical Society of London and a member of the Explorers Club of New York and of the Authors Club of London, as well as the Society of Mayflower Descendants and the Hartford, Farmington Country, and Appalachian Mountain clubs. In politics he is a republican. He has traveled extensively and his interests are broad, keeping him in touch with the leaders of business and with the great world of thought and progressive achievement.

DAVID BENCHLEY HENNEY

For eighteen years David Benchley Henney has been engaged in law practice in Hartford. Almost his entire life has been passed in this city, where he was born June 15, 1884, his parents being James B. and Jane (Benchley) Henney. The father, who was a mechanical engineer, died in 1901, and his mother died in January, 1914.

Having completed his high school education by graduation with the class of 1902, David B. Henney then entered upon preparation for a legal career as a student in the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University, receiving his Bachelor of Philos- ophy degree in 1905. He then began his more specific preparation for law practice in the New York Law School, receiving the LL. B. degree in 1907 from this school. The same year he was admitted to practice and began his professional activity in New York, where he remained from 1907 until 1910. For a brief period during the latter year he was in Los Angeles, California, returning to Hartford about one year later, where throughout the intervening years he has continuously remained in active practice. He is a member of the Hartford County and Connecticut State Bar Associ- ations. In 1917 he filled the office of assistant corporation counsel of Hartford, but the major part of his time has been devoted to private practice. He also has inter- ests outside of his profession, being a director of the E. F. Keating Pipe Bending & Supply Company of Hartford, the Equitable Real Estate & Securities Company of this city and of the Lincoln Mortgage & Finance Company.

On the 4th of September, 1913, Mr. Henney was married to Miss Isabelle H. Small, a daughter of Charles G. and Mary (Martin) Small, of Hartford, and they now have one child, Doris P., born August 23, 1914. Mr. Henney belongs to the Yale Alumni Association, to the Republican Club, the University Club, the City Club and the Wampanoag Country Club.

SETH HADFIELD

For seventeen years Seth Hadfield has practiced his profession and as senior partner of the firm of Hadfield, Rothwell & Soule is numbered as one of the foremost public accountants of Connecticut. Power grows through the exercise of effort and thus it is that he has reached a position of leadership in his chosen field, for broad experience, thoroughness and fidelity to duty have constantly augmented his ability. Mr. Hadfield is a native of Brooklyn, New York, born November 21, 1883, and is a son of Joseph R. and Alicia (MacWhinney) Hadfield, of that city. He attended the public schools of Brooklyn and started out to earn his own living in 1897, when a youth of but fourteen years, by working for Edward Beatty on the Produce Exchange in New York city, serving as office boy at a salary of three dollars per week. While thus employed he gained considerable knowledge of the grain business and was qualified for larger responsibilities that came to him when he secured a situation with the Northern Grain Elevator Company. Subsequently he was with the well known firm of H. B. Day & Company and such was his efficiency and business insight that he was trading for that house on the Produce Exchange when but eighteen years of age. He continued with H. B. Day & Company in the same capacity until 1905 and in 1902 he purchased a seat on the New York Produce Exchange. Three years afterward he became associated with Bartlett, Fraser & Carrington of 25 Broad street, New York city, a large grain, cotton and stock exchange house, and his next business connection was with the well known firm of E. F. Hutton & Company, with

(Photograph by The Johnstone Studio)

DAVID B. HENNEY

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whom he continued until 1910. In that year he became identified with the accounting profession in the employ of Marwick, Mitchell & Company, chartered accountants, at 79 Wall street, New York city. Mr. Hadfield's residence in Hartford dates from 1914, when he came to Connecticut's capital to represent the firm of Perine & Nichols, certified public accountants of New York city, acting as their New England manager with an office in Hartford. In 1916 he passed the examination for certified public accountant in Connecticut but continued to represent Perine & Nichols as manager until October, 1917, when he began to practice independently, and so continued until March 31, 1918. In that year he was joined by Percy Rothwell, under the firm style of Hadfield & Rothwell, and in 1922 Charles F. Coates was admitted to a partnership, having previously been associated with Mr. Hadfield as an employe from the time when the latter began an independent practice. In the same year Frank E. Soule likewise became a member of the firm and the business is now conducted under the style of Hadfield, Rothwell & Soule, Mr. Coates still remaining in the partnership, although his name does not appear. Their business has now reached extensive pro- portions and they number among their clients some of the largest corporations and business houses of the state. In January, 1925, they opened an office in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in order to facilitate their business at that point, which was steadily growing. Mr. Hadfield is a member of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the American Institute of Accountants.

On the 7th of August, 1904, Mr. Hadfield was married to Miss Clara May Peters, of Brooklyn, New York, and they have one child, Alicia, born June 24, 1905. They hold membership in St. John's Episcopal church of West Hartford and Mr. Hadfield belongs to the Hartford Club, the Country Club of Farmington and the East Haddam Fishing and Game Club-connections that indicate much concerning the nature of his interests and recreation. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, but time and inclination have prevented him seeking public office. Close application has been the keynote of his success. Starting out without the educational and other opportunities that many boys enjoy, he has nevertheless made continuous advance- ment and his progress has brought him to an enviable place in professional circles in New England.

MAJOR MICHAEL FRANCIS OWENS

Major Michael Francis Owens, a veteran of two wars and secretary and general manager of the Automatic Refrigerating Company of Hartford, entered upon an apprenticeship when but thirteen years of age and may well be called a self-made and self-educated man. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished inas- much as his advancement has depended entirely upon his own resources and ability.

Major Owens was born in Hartford, September 17, 1875, while his parents, Patrick and Mary (Murray) Owens, were natives of Ireland. They established their home in this city about 1870 and both have now passed away.

Their son, Michael Francis, was educated in the Hartford public schools and in Trinity College but was only thirteen years of age when he put aside his textbooks and entered upon an apprenticeship as an electrician. He afterward continued in the electrical business under his own name until 1898, when he put aside all business and personal considerations in order to join the army for service in the Spanish- American war. In the previous year he had enlisted in the Brigade Signal Corps of the Connecticut National Guard. He became a first-class sergeant of the United States Volunteer Signal Corps, serving with the Seventh Army Corps, under General Fitzhugh Lee, during the war with Spain. In the latter part of 1898, hostilities having been brought to a successful termination, he returned to Hartford and again became a member of the National Guard, being commissioned second lieutenant battalion quartermaster of the First Connecticut Infantry. Later he was promoted captain and regimental commissary of the First Connecticut Infantry and was after- ward transferred to organize a machine gun company of the First Connecticut Infantry. He commanded this company when it was on duty on the Mexican border and in April, 1917, he assisted in organizing the Connecticut State Guard. He

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organized and commanded a machine gun battalion, holding the rank of major, and later he joined the air service of the United States army as engineer officer. He served at Taylor Field in Montgomery, Alabama, as engineer officer and overseas as engineer officer of the Night Bombardment Section, A. E. F. In December, 1918, he was mustered out following the signing of the armistice. In 1902 he took part in the army and navy maneuvers and installed the first wireless equipment at Block Island, Rhode Island. He is a member of all the war veterans' organizations and is popular among those who, like himself, have had military experience.

On the 12th of April, 1907, Major Owens married Miss Mary McDonnell, of Hartford, and they reside at No. 15 Forest street. He is a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and also of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is numbered with the self-made men of the city and his course illustrates what can be accomplished when one has the will to dare and to do. He made many sacrifices to secure his education and to gain his electrical knowledge. He has never allowed obstacles nor difficulties to bar his path nor to deter him in his purpose to achieve success in his chosen line. In October, 1907, he entered upon his present business and was elected general manager and elected secretary of the Automatic Refrigerat- ing Company in January, 1912, while in January, 1921, he was chosen a director of the corporation, which is engaged in the manufacture of automatic refrigerating systems. In this connection an extensive and profitable business has been built up and not a little of the success of the enterprise is attributable to the skill, efficiency and determined purpose of Major Owens.

WILLIAM F. VAIL

William F. Vail, a lawyer of high standing at the Hartford bar, was born February 9, 1891, in the city in which he still makes his home, his parents being James and Mary A. (Dolin) Vail, who reside in Hartford and who wisely directed the educational activities of their son. After attending the public and high schools here he enrolled as a pupil in Trinity College and there won his Bachelor of Science degree at his graduation with the class of 1913. He was a young man of twenty-two years when he entered the Yale Law School, completing his course in 1917. The following year he was admitted to practice at the bar of Connecticut and in the same year became associated with the legal department of the Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company, which corporation he thus represented for about two years. In 1920 he began to practice independently and has so continued to the present time, making steady progress. Few men of his years have kept pace with him in the legal pro- fession. The court records bear testimony to his ability in the many favorable verdicts which he has won, and all who know him speak of his fidelity to the interests of his clients as well as the thoroughness and care with which he prepares his cases.

Mr. Vail is a member of the Knights of Columbus and his political faith is that of the democratic party, but time and inclination give him no chance to participate actively in politics. He prefers to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his professional duties and he is ever loyal to the ethical standards of his chosen calling.

JOHN TURNELL AUSTIN

Through the length and breadth of this land the name of John Turnell Austin is known, for he is today the efficient and honored president of the Austin Organ Company of Hartford. In almost every one of the larger cities of the country and in many of the smaller communities the Austin organ is found, and its development to the highest point of perfection in musical instruments is due in notable measure to John Turnell Austin.

Born in Poddington, England, on the 16th of May, 1869, John T. Austin is a son of Jonathan and Charlotte (Turnell) Austin and a representative of a family that for several generations had been resident of that town. His great-grandfather and his grandfather, John Austin, followed farming and an interest in mechanics had

JOHN T. AUSTIN

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long been an outstanding characteristic of the family. Jonathan Austin devoted his time largely to agricultural pursuits but was ever keenly interested in pipe organs and their construction, his study and investigation resulting in the building of six organs for neighboring churches. He died in 1913, at the age of eighty-six years.

Whether inherited tendency or natural predilection or environment had most to do with shaping the career of his son, John T. Austin, it is perhaps impossible to determine. Probably all three featured in directing his activities after he left the farm. He was fifteen years of age when he put away his textbooks, having up to that time been a pupil in the private schools conducted by the Episcopal Church of St. Michael's and All Angels in London. His efforts were then concentrated upon farm work until he reached the age of twenty, but watching his father build pipe organs awakened in him a desire to engage in the same line of work and when a youth of but fourteen he began the task of building his first organ. All the work was done by hand, including dressing the rough lumber which he could secure. He eagerly read everything that he could find upon the subject of pipe organs and thus constantly augmented his knowledge and laid the foundation for the skill that he later developed in construction. Moreover, love of music was a family characteristic and it was this, as well as mechanical skill, that led to shaping his career.

The year 1889 witnessed the advent of John T. Austin into business circles of Detroit, Michigan. He became an employe of the Farrand Votey Organ Company of that city and here his previous experience as an organ builder, crude though it was, stood him in good stead. After two months he was advanced to the position of foreman and here, as he had in his home land, he utilized every available means for increasing his knowledge in organ building, closely studying the scientific and physical principles underlying the construction of the instruments and leading in time to the production of inventions which in the course of years have brought to him nearly forty patents covering almost every phase of pipe organ construction. In the summer of 1893 he severed his connection with the Detroit house to become asso- ciated with the Clough & Warren Company, which built organs under Mr. Austin's patents. In the fall of 1898 he came to Hartford and organized the Austin Organ Company, which was incorporated the following year. He was made general man- ager and so continued until his election to the presidency in 1907, so that he added executive duties to the responsibilities which were previously his as general manager of the company. The plant at Hartford began operations with but three employes, but the superior tonal qualities as well as mechanical construction of the organs built by the new firm soon brought an increase in business that has led to its rapid and substantial development until today the company has a mammoth plant built entirely of brick and equipped with every modern device for increasing efficiency and conserving the health, comfort and safety of employes. The first Austin organ built for New England was installed in the Fourth Congregational church of Hartford in 1898, having as a distinctive feature the "universal chest," into which people could walk and observe the operation of its mechanism. This "universal chest" supplies air to all the pipes in ample quantity and without any loss in pressure, and it is therefore necessary (in order to produce the required tone) that there is an absolute and unvarying wind pressure applied to the pipes under every possible circumstance of use. Mr. Austin made a most thorough study of all the great mechanical and scientific principles underlying organ construction and recognized the defects that come in methods which do not employ the principle of the universal air chest. His invention completely avoids variation of air pressure and, moreover, there is much less area exposed to pressure than in any other system. The Franklin Institute of Philadelphia, in 1917, awarded the Edward Longstreth Medal of Merit to Mr. Austin for the invention of the universal air chest. The long list of places where the Austin organ is today used indicates its superiority over many other makes. The company built and erected the organs used in the Panama exposition at San Francisco and at the San Diego fair. They installed the organ in the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City; the city hall in Portland, Maine; the Auditorium at Atlanta, Georgia; the Auditorium in Los Angeles; in the Medinah Temple of Chicago; in All Saints Cathedral in Albany, New York; and in a large number of the finest churches and public buildings throughout the entire country. He installed the organ used in the Sesqui-Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia and which will be installed in the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, as the gift of C. H. K. Curtis. Today the Austin Organ Company controls one of the most extensive manufacturing interests

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of New England, its plant being a valuable asset to the business circles of Hart- ford. Not only in mechanical construction, but in tonal quality as well, has the Austin organ taken precedence over many manufactured not only in America but in the world, and from many of the most eminent organists of the United States have come letters to the company expressing their deep appreciation for the splendid instrument put out by the Hartford plant, a large number of the distinguished musicians of the country expressing in no uncertain terms their belief that the Austin organ is superior to all others.

In 1895 Mr. Austin was united in marriage to Miss Jane M. Rogers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George E. Rogers, of Milan, Ohio. He is an honorary member of the Hartford Rotary Club, belongs to the Hartford Club and Farmington Country Club and is known in the musical circles of both Hartford and New York. Such in brief is the history of one whose life record shows the possibility for successful and notable attainment through individual effort. Without special educational advan- tages and with little training as an equipment for a business career he directed his labors into a field where his personal interest found expression in indefatigable industry and determination to know all that had to do with organ building. Day by day he acquired knowledge and step by step he made progress until his highly developed skill has placed him in a position of leadership. He has indeed made valuable contribution to the art world and in musical circles throughout the country no name is more widely known or honored than that of John Turnell Austin.

SOLOMON ELSNER

Solomon Elsner, born in Hartford, April 20, 1883, his parents being Moses E. and Theresa (Wieder) Elsner, is a successful attorney and has filled various offices of public trust. He prepared for the legal profession as a student in the Yale Law School, which conferred upon him his LL. B. degree with the class of 1905. The same year he was admitted to the bar and at once began practice alone and has since handled important litigated interests. Mr. Elsner is also well known through his business connections, being a director of the Dime Savings Bank and other financial corporations.

On the 4th of June, 1912, he married Miss Carolyn Segalla, a daughter of Aaron and Mary (Brunerman) Segalla, of Hartford. Their children are Morton, Allan, James and Robert.

Mr. Elsner is a Mason and has membership in St. John's Lodge, No. 4, F. & A. M .; Pythagoras Chapter, R. A. M .; and Wolcott Council, R. & S. M. He is likewise a member of the Knights of Pythias, of the Sequin Golf Club and the Tumblebrook Golf Club. He is a trustee and the treasurer of Congregation Beth Israel and is serving as a director of the State Farm for Women at Niantic. Mr. Elsner is a republican and his record in public office show's service as fire commissioner of the city of Hartford from 1912 until 1919, as prosecuting attorney for the term of 1920-21, and as judge of the city police court for the term 1921-23.

BENNETT HEATON HIBBARD

The life record of Bennett Heaton Hibbard covered a span of sixty-two years and during the greater part of that period he resided in New Britain. As a city builder he rendered signal service to the community and at the same time won the legitimate reward of constructive effort, guided by intelligence and sound judgment. A native of Connecticut, he was born in Thomaston, Litchfield county, May 14, 1854, and when a child of ten came to New Britain with his parents, Bennett and Laura (Guernsey) Hibbard. In the public schools of this city he completed his education and afterward worked for his father, who was the proprietor of a bakery on Walnut street, becoming proficient in that line of activity. He entered the field of contract- ing in 1902 and from the start the venture was a success. Employing only skilled craftsmen, he closely supervised their labors and never allowed the smallest detail of the work to be slighted. As a result of his ability and well known honesty the

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(Photograph by Knight)

BENNETT H. HIBBARD

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business constantly expanded and in its conduct he displayed the foresight, initiative and administrative power of the man of large affairs. His work was a credit to New Britain and is exemplified in the public library, the Baptist church, the home of the Young Men's Christian Association, and many local factories, including those of Landers & Ferry and the P. F. Corbin Company.

At Middletown, Connecticut, Mr. Hibbard was married December 17, 1891, to Miss Rose Tucker, a daughter of Henry V. and Clara Tucker. To Mr. and Mrs. Hibbard were born five children: Marian, Ruth, Bennett (III), Helen Rose and Howard. Mr. Hibbard was devoted to his family and his leisure hours were spent at home. In Masonry he held the thirty-second degree and was an exemplary repre- sentative of the order. He fulfilled every duty and obligation in life to the best of his ability, thus gaining the respect, confidence and goodwill of his fellowmen, and his death on June 6, 1916, deprived New Britain of one of its most useful and valu- able citizens. Mrs. Hibbard occupies a residence at No. 22 Mason drive and is endowed with those qualities which inspire esteem and friendship.

REV. JAMES GOODWIN, D. D.

When on the 3d of January, 1917, Dr. James Goodwin was called from this life, a record of great usefulness and service to his fellowmen was ended, although his influence will not have reached its full fruition until those who came under his teachings have ceased to become factors in the world's work. Among the many prominent men who have occupied the pulpit of Christ Church in Hartford none has more fully deserved the reverend respect, confidence and honor of their fellows. Connecticut was proud to number him among her native sons, he having been born in Middletown, Middlesex county, on the 10th of February, 1865. In tracing the ancestral line it is found that the name appears as early as the fifth century in Germany under the spelling "Gudewin," meaning "good friend" or "God's friend." Moreover, the Anglicized form of the name has figured prominently in connection with the history of New England through seven generations. The pioneer American ancestor came from England in 1636 and settled in Hartford, where Major James Goodwin of the fifth generation was an outstanding figure in connection with the business, educational and religious development of the city. He possessed splendid powers of organization and his labors in this field were of great benefit in the estab- lishment and conduct of public charities. In business life he figured notably as the president of the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company and was the largest taxpayer of Hartford in his day. His son, the Rev. Francis Goodwin, became a clergyman of the Protestant Episcopal church and was serving as rector of Trinity church of Hartford when he determined to retire from the ministry. He exerted a most beneficial influence in public affairs and was a man of broad philanthropy as well as a most earnest and eloquent preacher of the gospel. He married Mary Alsop Jackson.

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History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III, Part 24

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