History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III, Part 54

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 54

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

ARTHUR STONE BRACKETT, M. D.

For thirty-one years Dr. Arthur Stone Brackett has followed his chosen profes- sion in Bristol and his constantly expanding powers have placed him with the leading physicians of Hartford county. He was born December 27, 1869, and is a native of Bridgeport, Connecticut. His parents were Frank A. and Anna J. (Stone) Brackett, the former a well known educator. In 1876, when Arthur S. Brackett was a boy of seven, the family came to Bristol and here he obtained his early education, gradu- ating with the first high school class. He was graduated from Yale University in 1892 and in 1895 received his professional degree from the Jefferson Medical College. Since 1896 he has maintained an office in Bristol and each year has recorded a marked increase in his practice, which now makes heavy demands upon his time and energies. Dr. Brackett has ministered to many of the old families of this locality and is devoted to his patients, in whom he inspires trust and confidence. In diagnosis he is thorough and painstaking and employs the most effective remedial agents,

At Bristol, Dr. Brackett was married November 20, 1901, to Miss Antoinette Newell, by whom he has three daughters: Naomi, the wife of Truman Safford; and Mary and Constance, at home. The Doctor is medical examiner for the city of Bristol and for twenty-three years was connected with the board of education, which he represents in the capacity of medical adviser. He is an ex-president of the Hart- ford County Medical Society and also a member of the Connecticut State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. His interest centers in his profes- sion and through close study and practical experience he is constantly enlarging his field of usefulness.

HORACE R. GRANT

The productive interests of Hartford find a worthy representative in Horace R. Grant, who is the president of the Allen Manufacturing Company, with offices at 133 Sheldon street. Born in this city August 18, 1876, he is a son of Frederick S. and Mary (Talcott) Grant, who were natives of Connecticut. The ancestral line is traced back to England and Scotland and among the progenitors of the family in the new world was Matthew Grant, who was one of the early settlers of Windsor, Hartford

---

----

2 - .

(Photograph by John Haley)

HORACE R. GRANT

591

HARTFORD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT

county, where for many years he filled the office of town clerk and took an active part in the public life of the community. The father, Frederick Grant, was a cabinet- maker who for many years engaged in that line of business in Hartford.

After leaving the public schools, having completed his education by study in the high school, Horace R. Grant entered the employ of the Hartford Machine Screw Company, with which he remained for sixteen years-a fact indicative of his faith- fulness, loyalty and capability. In June, 1916, he became associated with the Allen Manufacturing Company, taking charge of the business in the interests of the Dimock family, owners thereof. For several years he has been president of this concern. The Allen Manufacturing Company was organized in 1910 by the late Ira Dimock, who was president of the Nonotuck Silk Company for many years, the predecessor of the Corticelli Silk Company. His inventions laid the foundation for a successful business and are widely in use today. The product of the Allen Manufacturing Company is known as the safety set screw and the output of the plant is sold in all parts of the world. The stock of the concern is now held by the Dimock family, with S. K. Dimock filling the office of treasurer. As president of the company Mr. Grant is largely directing its policy and promoting its trade relations and has won for himself a prominent position in the commercial and manufacturing circles of Hartford.

On the 21st of October, 1908, Mr. Grant was united in marriage to Miss Mabel De Barthe, of Hartford, who traces her ancestry back to the Mayflower. Among her forebears was Thomas Hooker, one of the founders of the Connecticut colony. Mr. and Mrs. Grant are the parents of a son, Ellsworth Strong, who was born October 8, 1917.

It is said that all men have a hobby and in this case, with Mr. Grant, it is horses and horseback riding. He is also a lover of antiques, of which he possesses a splendid collection. He finds his recreation on the links, having membership in the Hartford Golf Club. His interests and activities are broad in scope and his is a well rounded character in which business activity has been well balanced by outside affairs that make for symmetrical development. He has spent his entire life in Hartford, and that his record is a creditable one is shown by the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood days.

ROBERT WATKINSON HUNTINGTON

The steps in the business record of Robert Watkinson Huntington cover all the intermediate positions between that of office boy and the presidency of the Con- necticut General Life Insurance Company. Back of his steady advancement was a thorough educational training at Yale and a commendable ambition to achieve success. Mr. Huntington was born in Norwich, Connecticut, November 9, 1866, a son of Robert Watkinson and Jane Lathrop (Trumbull) Huntington. From one of the old Puritan families of New England he is descended in the paternal line, for his ancestor, Simon Huntington, arrived in 1631 and on the family record also appear the names of the Lathrops, who came in 1620, Jonathan Trumbull, "Brother Jona- than," the Hon. Hezekiah Huntington, Hon. Samuel Howard Huntington and Colonel Robert Watkinson Huntington, whose military history began with service in the ranks in the United States Marine Corps early in the Civil war, was followed by active duty in the Spanish-American war, wherein he became the hero of Guan- tanamo, and he was holding the commission of colonel in the corps when he was retired in 1900. His wife, Jane Lathrop Trumbull, was a great-granddaughter of Governor Jonathan Trumbull.

Although born in Norwich, Robert W. Huntington was quite young when he went to the home of his paternal grandfather, Judge Samuel Howard Huntington, and became a pupil in the public schools of Hartford. Later he entered Yale and won his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1889. "No royal road to wealth" opened before him as he started out in the business world, as his first position was the minor one of office boy with the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company. Industry, diligence and fidelity won him advancement and by 1893 he had become actuary, while in 1899 he was elected secretary of the company and since May, 1901, has continuously filled the presidency, giving his attention to administrative direction and executive control of this corporation, which ranks with the strongest insurance concerns of the country.

592

HARTFORD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT

Naturally his cooperation has been sought in other lines as well, for his sound judgment is ever a factor in the successful control of any enterprise with which he becomes associated and he is now a director of the First National Bank of Hartford, while the Dime Savings Bank is under his immediate control as president. He is also president of the board of trustees of Loomis Institute.

On the 5th of May, 1906, Mr. Huntington was united in marriage to Miss Con- stance Alton Willard, daughter of John Howard and Ida L. Willard, of Lexington, Massachusetts. They have become parents of three sons and three daughters: Robert Watkinson, born July 2, 1907; Mary Willard, born March 15, 1909; John Willard, born October 19, 1910; Sarah Blair, born July 29, 1912; Constance Willard, born March 19, 1914; and Trumbull, born June 6, 1918.

Extremely social in his nature, this quality of Mr. Huntington finds expression in his membership in the Hartford Club, the Hartford Golf Club, the Salmagundi Club of New York, the Tourilli Club of Canada and the Graduates Club of New Haven. His political endorsement is given the republican party and he served on the board of education of Hartford one term. Adaptability, diligence and determi- nation are numbered among his outstanding characteristics and have made him a dominant figure in insurance and financial circles, while back of his intense activity has been found the guiding spirit of right and honor that comes through his connec- tion with the Protestant Episcopal church.

IRA DIMOCK

The name of Ira Dimock is inseparably interwoven with the annals of Hartford as the founder and promoter of the Allen Manufacturing Company. He had passed the ninetieth milestone on life's journey when called to his final rest in the capital city May 10, 1917, having been born in Tolland, Connecticut, January 15, 1827. He was a descendant of an old English family, possessor of a coat-of-arms, as follows: Arms-Sable, two lions passant argent, crowned or. Crest-A sword erect argent, hilt and pommel or. Motto-Pro rege dimico (For the king I battle). The first of the name in the new world was Elder Thomas Dimock, who settled in Dorchester, Massachusetts, in 1635, and the ancestral line comes down through six generations to Otis Dimock, who was born August 5, 1791, and who married Wealthy Kinne. They had several children, including Ira Dimock, who after spending the first eight years of his life in Tolland was taken by his parents to South Willington. There he pursued a public school education, but when fifteen years of age felt that his school training was adequate, as he desired to start out in the world independently. He accordingly walked to Rockville, then a small village, and secured employment in the old Frank mill, working for six dollars per month and board. At the age of eighteen he was engaged in making knives at Bristol and later went to Northampton, Massachusetts, where he formed a partnership with his brother, Lucius Dimock, for the conduct of a machine shop, which they operated successfully for a number of years.

In 1853 Mr. Dimock visited the World's Fair held in New York city and when making the return trip by boat to Norwich formed the acquaintance of Dwight Campbell when on the steamer. Falling into conversation, "the two men sat up most of the night discussing a suggestion that they buy out George and Albert Conant, who were running a silk mill in the old Windham county town of Mansfield, Connecticut." Negotiations for the purchase of the business were begun the following day and within a short time Mr. Dimock and Mr. Campbell were owners of the mill. At the end of its first year's operation they found their losses amounted to five thousand dollars, and this caused Mr. Campbell to sell out to their bookkeeper, Mr. Saunders, but Mr. Dimock's faith in the silk business did not falter and he resolutely set to work to bring about conditions which would make for profit. Improvements were introduced and at the end of the second year it was found that the sales exceeded the expenditures by eight thousand dollars. The firm continued to operate success- fully even through the widespread financial panic of 1857, and in the course of time Mr. Dimock became interested in the Nonotuck Silk Company, operating in North- ampton and Florence, Massachusetts. Eventually he was chosen president of that company, which he represented as its chief executive for more than forty years, his

IRA DIMOCK

595

HARTFORD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT

labors being a large contributing element to its splendid success. He was regarded throughout America as an authority upon silk manufacturing and anything relating to the trade.

There was another phase in his life record that attracted wide attention. He possessed natural mechanical ability, which led to a thorough understanding of the working of machinery. This was a gift possessed also by his three brothers- Martial, Edwin and Lucius-all of whom became widely known as inventors. Ira Dimock was the first American to make spools by automatic machinery, inventing a machine in which a spool was made from the rough timber, sawed out and printed in two colors, ready for use. He also invented many machines which were installed in his own plant and made for its economic and successful operation. He removed to Hartford in 1877 and in 1889 established a compressed plant in his barn for the purpose of providing his house with a suction cleaning device, which he introduced years before the vacuum cleaner was put upon the market. His inventive genius alone would entitle him to more than passing notice.

On the 9th of November, 1872, Mr. Dimock married Lenna Louise Demont, and they became parents of six children. Mr. Dimock passed away May 10, 1917, and from a memorial prepared at that time we quote the following: "Resolved, that we, the officers of the Nonotuck Silk Company, bear testimony to his long and faithful service. He was a man of great business experience, of untiring energy, a wise and safe counselor, a sympathetic and loyal friend. He enjoyed the confidence of all who knew him. His advice was freely sought and always prized by his asso- ciates. His sterling integrity ever stood for him as a 'tower of strength' in the wide business world that knew him. His active life has been an inspiration to us, and to all fortunate enough to enjoy his acquaintance. Those who knew him best honored and loved him most."

Mr. Dimock ever kept in touch with questions of state and national importance and wrote many illuminating articles on the Mexican problem and upon other vital questions. He gave generously for the benefit of others and the Hartford Hospital, the Hartford Division of the Salvation Army, the Connecticut Temperance Association and the Hartford Charities Organization were among his beneficiaries named in his will. Even in his later years he was in active touch with the world and its work, and in the evening of his life he continued to give out of his rich stores of wisdom and experience for the benefit of others. He contributed in notable measure to the material development of New England and contributed just as surely and effectively to its civic welfare, its humanitarian progress and its moral advancement. Such a life should be an inspiration to the youth of the present generation, showing the value of high principles and honorable manhood.

WANDA C. LAGOSH

Wanda C. Lagosh is one of New Britain's native daughters and a successful business woman who has gained an enviable position in local mercantile circles. She was born in 1899 and her parents, Michael and Anna Lagosh, were natives of Poland. On coming to America they settled in New Britain and here spent the remainder of their lives. The father was an experienced machinist and secured work in a factory. He was a Roman Catholic and a devout member of the Sacred Heart church. He died in 1913 and the mother passed away in 1927. They are survived by four daughters: Mrs. Grubarczyk, Mrs. Zabrensky, Mrs. Janik and Wanda C. Lagosh.

The last named was liberally educated, attending the Deep River school and the New Britain high school, and in 1917 was graduated from Sacred Heart College. She also had the advantage of a two years' course in the Boston School of Oratory, studying under Miss Bidwell, and in 1925 embarked in the millinery business in part- nership with Miss Callahan. They handle an exclusive line of millinery, also carrying hosiery, lingerie and scarfs, and cater to a high-class trade. They have an attractive shop at No. 95 West Main street and thoroughly understand the art of salesmanship. Their affairs are systematically and efficiently managed and in a period of three years they have created a business of substantial proportions. Miss Lagosh is a member of the Eastern Millinery Association and thoroughly informed on matters

596

HARTFORD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT

pertaining to the trade. She adheres to the faith in which she was reared and is an earnest member of Holy Cross church. Endowed with energy, initiative and good judgment, she has clearly demonstrated her capacity as a business woman, and her personal qualities are such as inspire esteem and friendship.

WILLIAM. H. GRISWOLD

William H. Griswold has the distinction of being connected with the first com- pany to write life insurance in the state of Connecticut, being now general agent with the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company of Newark, New Jersey. Thoroughly conversant with every phase of the business, he has occupied his present position of importance and large responsibility here since 1921. He is a native of Goshen, Con- necticut, born November 18, 1859, his parents being Homer W. and Mary E. (Butler) Griswold, the former a native of Litchfield and the latter of Harwinton, Connecticut. The father was a master mechanic who for many years was the efficient superin- tendent with the American Suspender Company of Waterbury. At the time of the Civil war, however, he put aside all business and personal considerations to join in the defense of the Union, and after this was assured he engaged in the cotton manu- facturing business, while later he became master mechanic with the Eagle Lock Company of Terryville, Connecticut. His business experiences were broad, and capa- bility carried him steadily forward until he became one of the prosperous men of his community. He passed away in 1909, when he had reached the notable age of ninety-one years, while his wife died in 1905.

After leaving the high school in Terryville, where the father then resided, William H. Griswold continued his education in the State Normal School in New Britain and thus qualified for life's practical duties and responsibilities. He was a youth of about eighteen years when in 1877 he entered the employ of the Eagle Lock Company as a shipping clerk, remaining with that firm until 1885 and serving afterward as catalogue man and as traveling salesman. When he severed his connection with that business he entered the employ of the Seth Thomas Clock Company in Thomaston, Connecticut, in the responsible position of superintendent, and there remained until 1892. His association with the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company of Newark, New Jersey, dates from 1900, in which year he became district manager at Water- bury, Connecticut, whence he was afterward transferred to Providence, Rhode Island, where he represented the company as general agent through a period of seventeen years. In 1921 he came to Hartford as general agent and has so remained to the present time. This company was established April 1, 1845, in Newark, New Jersey, and was the first to enter the Connecticut field as writer of life insurance. It was this corporation that was used by Charles Evans Hughes as a standard for com- parison during the Armstrong senatorial investigation of 1906 and 1907. When the company was organized the charter was secured and the work was undertaken by three men who had an office eight by ten feet on Broad street in Newark, the room being supplied with second-hand furniture consisting of a desk, two chairs and an old safe, which were purchased on credit. The business done by these three men during the first month of the company's existence was sufficient to pay for the equip- ment purchased, to reimburse them for their month's work and leave them a cash balance of eight hundred and twenty-six dollars. From that time forward not a dollar has been put into the business except from the earnings of the company, which has never been criticized for a single act during its entire history. Its methods have ever been such as would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny and its work may well serve as a standard for activity in this field. The company was also the first to allow cash values or loans and was the first to introduce in a policy contract the automatic extended insurance feature now used by all companies. The utmost care has been taken in selecting its personnel and its representatives must ever measure up to the high standards maintained in the conduct of the business.

On the 3d of June, 1886, Mr. Griswold was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Thomas, a granddaughter of Seth Thomas, founder of the Seth Thomas Clock Works, and a daughter of Aaron and Phoebe (Hine) Thomas. Her father became the presi- dent of the Seth Thomas Clock Works and was instrumental in the development of

1 -

BACHRACH

WILLIAM H. GRISWOLD

599

HARTFORD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT

the business to most extensive proportions, making the enterprise one of the foremost manufacturing concerns of New England. Mr. and Mrs. Griswold have become parents of three daughters: Grace Thomas, born April 9, 1888; Gladys, born March 31, 1889; and Agnes, who was born April 26, 1891, and is now the wife of Karl P. Jones of Forest Hill, New York, and the mother of a daughter, Nancy.

Mr. Griswold votes the republican ticket because of a firm belief in the principles of the party as factors in good government. He holds membership in the Hartford Club and the Farmington Country Club, while fraternally he is a Mason, and in religious faith a Congregationalist. His life has ever been actuated by high and honorable purpose and the sterling worth of his character is attested by all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.

JOHN ERNEST ANDREW

A tireless worker, John Ernest Andrew has found that the field of opportunity is open to all who have the courage to persevere therein and his proven ability has placed him with the leading business men of Bristol. A son of John R. and Mary B. Andrew, he was born June 11, 1881, and is a native of Terryville, Connecticut. His education was acquired in the public schools of Bristol and in 1901, when a young man of twenty, he entered the employ of the Wallace-Barnes Company of this city. He has progressed with the firm, performing with thoroughness and efficiency each task assigned him, and is now general manager of the business, which is of extensive proportions. Mr. Andrew serves as vice president of the Dunbar Company, a sub- sidiary of the Wallace-Barnes Company, and is a director of both corporations.

On June 27, 1906, Mr. Andrew was married in Bristol to Miss Leila Barbour, by whom he has two daughters, Phyllis and Elizabeth. Mr. Andrew is a Mason and closely adheres to the beneficent teachings of the order, and at the present (1928) is serving as president of the Chamber of Commerce of Bristol. In the training school of life he has registered achievement and stands deservedly high in the esteem of his fellowmen.

FRANK MARSHALL LOWE

At the outset of his commercial career Frank Marshall Lowe decided to become a mortician, bending every effort toward the attainment of his objective, and his energy, ability and determination have placed him with the leading funeral directors of Glastonbury and East Hartford. He was born in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1891, a son of Edwin Lowe, who was a prominent jeweler of that city. His father died in 1907 but the mother, Mrs. Isabel Lowe, is still living in Providence. They had a family of twelve children, five sons and seven daughters. Two of the sons are deceased and three of the daughters have passed away.

Frank M. Lowe was a pupil in private schools of his native city and afterward completed a course in the New England Institute of Anatomy & Embalming. In 1911 he received his license as an embalmer and for five months was an assistant in that department of the undertaking establishment of J. D. Riley, of Providence. Afterward Mr. Lowe was employed for two years by J. Will Carpenter & Sons, also well known funeral directors of Providence, and then went to Lowell, Massachusetts, where he spent six months. Locating in East Hartford, he entered the service of E. D. Hayes with whom he remained for six years, and in 1919 started a funeral home in Glastonbury. It is located at 188 Naubuc avenue, where he has a fine display room, and he is also engaged in the same business at No. 34 Connecticut boulevard in East Hartford. He is remodeling and enlarging his establishment in that city and employs one assistant. Mr. Lowe utilizes the most modern motor equipment and maintains a service that is complete and flawless. Scientific training and years of practical experience have given him a highly specialized knowledge of the undertaking business, while he also has the tact, good judgment and executive ability essential to success in this line of work.

In 1914 Mr. Lowe married Miss Stella May Denison and they have one child,

600

HARTFORD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT

Eleanor May, who is thirteen years of age and attends the public schools. Mr. Lowe is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Shelter Harbor Country Club, and the Hartford County, Connecticut State and American Funeral Directors Associa- tions. His Masonic connections are with the lodge, chapter, council, commandery and grotto. He has attained the thirty-second degree in the order and is also identi- fied with the local lodge of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen, Eastern Star, the Rebekahs and Grange. In politics he is a republican and his religious views are in harmony with the doctrines of the Congregational church. The great-grandparents of Mrs. Lowe were natives of England. and came to America on the Mayflower. Mrs. Lowe is also a licensed embalmer and has been of much assistance to her husband in developing the business, proving an ideal helpmate and companion. She is one of the Daughters of Rebekah and past matron of the Eastern Star. Like her husband, she is prominent in social affairs, and both are esteemed and respected by all with whom they have been associated. Mr. Lowe is a young man of earnest purpose and has demonstrated the value of hard work and honorable dealing as factors in the attainment of success.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III, Part 54

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