USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III > Part 56
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128
WALTER E. SPICER
At the outset of his career Walter E. Spicer placed his reliance upon the in- dispensable qualities of diligence and perseverance and these traits have enabled him to rise from a lowly position to one of trust and influence in manufacturing circles of Bristol. A native of Norwich, Connecticut, he was born January 10, 1871, and is a son of Addison and Malvina (Myers) Spicer. His education was acquired in the public schools of Norwich and in 1892 he secured work with the Babcock Printing Press of New London, Connecticut, starting as a stenographer. He remained with that firm
.
612
HARTFORD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT
until 1897 and in 1898 came to Bristol. For two years he was a stenographer for the Sessions Foundry Company and his ability then led to his selection for the position of private secretary to W. E. Sessions. Mr. Spicer acted in that capacity until the death of Mr. Sessions in 1920, when he was made assistant treasurer, and has since filled this responsible office. His duties are discharged with characteristic thorough- ness and fidelity and in the management of one of the oldest and largest productive industries of the city he is an important factor. He is a director of the corpora- tion; president and treasurer of the Bristol Building & Loan Association; and sec- retary and a director of the Arcanum, Building Company.
At Norwich, Connecticut, Mr. Spicer was married December 28, 1898, to Miss Myra M. Miller, by whom he has two children: Hildred Miller, the wife of George P. Graham; and Walter Elmore. For twenty-eight years Mr. Spicer has been active in the affairs of the Royal Arcanum, of which he is a past grand regent, and has attended three sessions of the supreme council. The first was in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the second in Montreal, Canada, and the third was the jubilee session, held at Seattle, Washington, in 1927. His Masonic connections are with Franklyn Lodge and Pequabuc Chapter. In every relation of life he measures up to high standards and the respect accorded him is well deserved.
LAWRENCE J. GOLON
Lawrence J. Golon, engaged in the general practice of law, was born in 1902, in New Britain, where he still makes his home and where he is directing his pro- fessional activities. His parents, Stanley and Katherine (Baldyga) Golon, are both natives of Germany and the year 1881 witnessed their arrival in New Britain, but the father is now conducting a poultry farm in Berlin.
Lawrence J. Golon attended the public schools of Berlin and the New Britain high school for two years, after which he became a student in Montpelier Seminary at Montpelier, Vermont, also in Goddard Seminary at Barre, that state, and in St. Michael's College at Burlington, Vermont. He next matriculated in the Boston Uni- versity Law School of Boston and was graduated in 1925, being admitted to the bar in the same year. He then came to New Britain, where he began practice with Judge William F. Mangan and Elias Ringrose and was thus associated until July, 1926, when he opened an office independently at 350 Main street, where he has since continued. He is well versed in the basic principles of law and he knows the necessity for thorough preparation as well as for clear and cogent reasoning in the presentation of a cause.
In June, 1926, Mr. Golon was married to Miss Pauline Brodzik, who was born in New Britain, and they have one son, Lawrence J., Jr., who was born April 30, 1927. Mr. and Mrs. Golon are loyal members of the Holy Cross church, in the work of which she takes an active part, and she is also well known in social circles of the city. Mr. Golon votes with the republican party and is keenly interested in local civic affairs and in all that has to do with the progress and development of the community. He belongs to the Lambda Chi Alpha as a representative of the Boston University chapter and he is a member of the Lawyers Club. He also belongs to the New Britain and Hartford County Bar Associations and his interest centers in his profession, wherein he hopes to make continuous progress and where his record of successful achievement argues well for the future.
PORTER BOURNE CHASE
One of the younger representatives of business activity in Hartford, Porter Bourne Chase is identified with real estate and financial activity and is now president of the Bankers Trust Company. The thoroughness with which he has mastered every detail to which he has given his attention has been one of the strong elements in his continued success and gradually he has advanced until he now stands in an enviable place in the community. Born in this city, May 27, 1896, he is a son of Charles E. Chase, who is chairman of the board of directors of the Hartford Fire
------
-
(Photograph by John Haley )
1
1 1
8
615
HARTFORD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT
Insurance Company, and is a grandson of George Lewis and Calista Mendall (Taft) Chase, which establishes his connection with one of the old and honored pioneer families of New England, the ancestral record being given at length in connection with the sketch of his grandfather, George Lewis Chase, on another page of this work. His father, Charles Edward Chase, has risen to distinction in insurance circles and is still an active factor in the world's work, although he has passed the Psalmist's allotted three score years and ten. His record, too, is given at length elsewhere in this work.
Porter Bourne Chase therefore had the advantage of belonging to one of the old and respected families of Hartford and here in the public schools he pursued his early education, while later he studied in the Hotchkiss Preparatory School at Lake- ville, Connecticut. He next entered Yale and won his Bachelor of Arts degree as a member of the graduating class of 1919. During the succeeding year he was with the real estate firm of W. A. Sanborn & Company of Hartford, and in 1920 he estab- lished a real estate business on his own account, conducting his operations most suc- cessfully until 1922, when he organized the firm of Chase, Morrison & Company, admitting H. Terry Morrison to a partnership. As realtors they made for themselves a creditable position in the business world and gained many clients, conducting their interests jointly until 1926, when Mr. Chase withdrew from the firm to become the president of the Bankers Trust Company. In his business career he has shown a ready mastery of details as well as of the principal features of business, and his persistency of purpose, intelligently directed, has brought him a gratifying measure of prosperity. In addition to his association with the Bankers Trust Company he is a director of the Sanborn Map Company of New York.
On the 1st of September, 1917, Mr. Chase was married to Miss Marion Tuttle, a daughter of Judge Joseph P. and Edith (Mather) Tuttle, of Hartford, her father, now deceased, having been a very prominent lawyer and jurist of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Chase have three children: Marcia, born June 3, 1920; George Lewis, born October 21, 1922; and Joseph Tuttle, May 1, 1926. In the social circles of the city Mr. and Mrs. Chase occupy an enviable position, the hospitality of the best homes of Hartford being freely accorded them. As a club man, too, he is well known, having membership in the Hartford, Hartford Golf and University clubs. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and he has always recognized the duties and obligations as well as the privileges of citizenship. He comes of an honored family and his entire course has been one which reflects further credit upon the family name.
VICTOR E. WALKER
With the industrial development of Plantsville, Victor E. Walker is closely asso- ciated as the president and treasurer of the Walker-Stewart Foundry Corporation. He was born at Meriden, Connecticut, on the 21st of January, 1883, and is a son of Eli M. and Catherine (Develing) Walker. While spending his youthful days under the parental roof he attended the public and high schools, thus receiving a thorough practical education.
When his textbooks were put aside Mr. Walker entered the employ of the Charles Parker Manufacturing Company at Meriden and no higher testimonial of his capability and loyalty to the interests which he represented can be given than in the fact that he remained with that organization for twenty-eight years, starting as a mechanic's helper, later serving as mechanic, then winning promotion to the position of foreman, while later he was advanced to the assistant superintendency and afterward became general superintendent, in which connection he contributed in substantial measure to the success of the business. When he severed his connection with the Charles Parker Manufacturing Company, Mr. Walker accepted the position of works manager with the Jacobs Brothers Scale Company of New York city, where he remained until 1920, when he came to Plantsville and here established the Walker- Stewart Foundry, which he has since operated, making it one of the chief productive industries of the place. The business was incorporated on the 30th of April, 1920, with Mr. Walker as president and treasurer, and he has since directed its destinies as its chief executive officer, being thoroughly familiar with every phase of the busi-
616
HARTFORD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT
ness in principle and detail and bringing about its development in accordance with the spirit of modern progress and achievement.
Mr. Walker was married in Meriden to Miss Minnie Shultz. He has had little time for active participation in public affairs, but his influence is always given on the side of municipal advancement, while his business efforts have ever been of a character that have contributed to the material progress of the community in which he has labored.
LESTER EMERSON SHIPPEE
Lester Emerson Shippee is connected with that branch of government service which insures safety in banking and his present efficient work as bank commissioner is based upon previous practical experience in the banking business. Moreover, he is a veteran of the World war and these and other facts in his active life entitle him to mention among the representative residents of Hartford county. He was born in Killingly, Connecticut, July 1, 1894, and is a son of Albert H. and Emmeline (Place) Shippee, who were natives of Rhode Island. The father engaged in business at Kill- ingly as a dealer in antiques.
Lester E. Shippee pursued his early education in the public schools of Killingly and continued his studies in the high school at Danielson, Connecticut. After putting aside his textbooks he entered the employ of the Corkhill Worsted Company as book- keeper and paymaster, but after a time secured a position in the Windham County National Bank at Danielson and later became assistant cashier, remaining in that institution for about four years. All business and personal considerations, however, were put aside when on the 17th of September, 1917, he enlisted as a sergeant in the Quartermaster Corps for service in the World war and went to Florida in Decem- ber, 1917. There he was graduated from the Army Paper School and went overseas in May, 1918, remaining with the American Expeditionary Forces until August, 1919, with the rating of quartermaster sergeant, being in charge of the accounting depart- ment of the disbursing office of Base Section No. 2.
After being mustered out at Camp Devens, Mr. Shippee went to New York city, where he entered the employ of the Columbia Bank, with which he remained for a year. On the 1st of November, 1920, he came to Hartford as junior examiner in the department with which he is still associated. In 1921 he was made chief examiner and in November, 1922, became deputy commissioner, while on the 1st of December, 1927, he was advanced to the office of commissioner, being the youngest man that has ever filled this position. He worked under three commissioners and was promoted by each of them. His work has ever been most thorough and his duties are con- scientiously and capably performed. He has become widely known throughout the state of Connecticut through his service in this department and his record is an irreproachable one.
Mr. Shippee is well known as a member of the Hartford Club, the Snake Meadow Club, the Republican Club, the Allah Club and the American Legion, and in all these organizations his friends are many. He is yet a young man and what he has already accomplished promises well for the future.
ELIAS T. RINGROSE
Elias T. Ringrose, actively engaged in the practice of law, with offices in New Britain, is a native of this city. He was born November 17, 1890, of the marriage of Elias and Mary Ringrose, who removed from New Haven to New Britain, where the father worked as a molder to the time of his death. The mother, who was born in Ireland, is still living.
Elias T. Ringrose enjoyed the educational opportunities offered by St. Mary's parochial school, after which he pursued the high school course and was graduated with the class of 1909. He next attended the Catholic University at Washington, D. C., from 1912 until 1915, pursuing a law course, whereby he ultimately won his LL. B. degree. He was admitted to the bar in January, 1916, in Hartford county, and
(Photograph by Dunne)
LESTER E. SHIPPEE
.
أ أ
1
1
1
619
HARTFORD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT
through the intervening period has devoted his attention to the work of the profession, engaging in general practice but specializing in real estate titles. He does work for all of the banks, particularly as relating to titles, and has developed expert ability in this field.
The year after his admission to the bar, or on the 11th of December, 1917, Mr. Ringrose enlisted at Hartford and was sent to Fort Slocum, where he was identified with the ordnance department. On Christmas day of that year he was transferred to Camp Upton and he received his discharge at Camp Devens on the 29th of April, 1919.
On the 25th of October, 1923, Mr. Ringrose was married to Miss Anna Conley, of New Britain, and they now have three children, all natives of this city: Mary, born September 25, 1924; Elias, January 31, 1926; and Bernard, September 21, 1927. The parents are communicants of St. Mary's Roman Catholic church and Mr. Ringrose is identified with the Knights of Columbus. He also belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. A supporter of the democratic party, he served as council- man in 1921 and again in 1923 and exercised his official prerogative to further various progressive civic movements. He has membership in the New Britain Lawyers Club and his professional colleagues and contemporaries have for him warm regard owing to his conformity to the ethical standards of the calling.
GEORGE BREED DAVIS, M. D.
Dr. George Breed Davis, physician and surgeon, is engaged in practice in Weth- ersfield and meets every requirement of the profession. He was born March 5, 1895, in Stafford, Connecticut, and there attended the public schools, afterward taking a preparatory course at Mount Hermon School. In 1921 he received the degree of Bachelor of Science from Dartmouth College and in 1924 was graduated from the University of Vermont, which conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Medicine. For a year he was an interne at Waterbury Hospital and since July, 1925, has followed his profession in Wethersfield. His office is located at No. 58 Church street and a rapidly growing practice is evidence of the confidence reposed in his skill.
Dr. Davis was married in 1925 to Miss Mary E. Ackley, of East Hartford, and they now have two children, George B., Jr., and Constance Elizabeth. The parents are Congregationalists and Mrs. Davis is active in church work and social affairs, and also belongs to the local chapter of the Eastern Star. The Doctor is a member of the Theta Chi college fraternity and Nu Sigma Nu, a medical fraternity, the Hart- ford County and Connecticut State Medical Societies, a fellow of the American Medical Association, and a member of the Hartford Medical Society. While he takes an interest in public affairs, he reserves his energies for his profession and through broad reading and close study of the cases intrusted to his care is constantly enlarg- ing his field of usefulness. Dr. Davis is a young man of pleasing personality and high principles and has gained a wide circle of friends during the period of his residence in Wethersfield.
FRANK HENRY SHIELD
Progressing step by step since starting out on his business career, Frank Henry Shield is now president of the Hardware City Cooperative Association of New Britain. A native of Michigan, he was born in Echford county, June 8, 1883, and is a son of Charles J. and Elizabeth Shield. The father, who was born in England, came to the United States in 1874 and settled in Michigan, where he followed the occupation of farming, which was his life work. He conducted a successful business as a breeder of high grade horses, cattle and sheep and good management and unfaltering in- dustry brought to him a substantial measure of success. His political endorsement was given to the democratic party and he was active as a leader in its local ranks. He was long a very active member of the Methodist Episcopal church and he also consistently followed the teachings of Masonry and had membership as well with the Maccabees and with the Grange. He died in 1898 and is still survived by his
620
HARTFORD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT
widow, who makes her home in Albion, Michigan, where she owns the residence that she occupies. By her marriage she became the mother of three sons and five daugh- ters, of whom one daughter has passed away.
Frank Henry Shield pursued his education in the public schools of Michigan until he left the high school to become a student in Albion College at Albion, that state, pursuing a business course and also other lines of study. In August, 1909, he came to New Britain to become a teacher with the Commercial Business College, with which he was thus associated for a year. He afterward spent a year in the bookkeep- ing department of the Corbin Screw Corporation and on leaving that concern or- ganized the Hardware City Business College at 132 Main street, conducting the school for seven years. He next organized the Shield Business College at Bristol, Connecticut, which he personally managed with marked success. In 1917 he founded the Hardware City Cooperative Association for the conduct of a real estate and insurance business. This was a stock company and the business was carried on as such until February, 1926, when Mr. Shield and R. L. Noren bought out the stock- holders' interests, the two now holding the entire stock of the Hardware City Coop- erative Association, of which Mr. Shield is now president. They handle all lines of insurance and have a large patronage in New Britain, while their sound judgment enables them to wisely direct the investment of their clients. Mr. Shield belongs to the New Britain Real Estate Board and is a past president of the New Britain Fire Underwriting Board.
On the 2d of September, 1916, Mr. Shield was married to Miss Lillian Berg, who was born in New Britain and was principal of the Northern school for several years prior to her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Shield hold membership in the First Congregational church, in the work of which they are actively interested, doing all in their power to further the purposes of the church and make it a force for righteous- ness in the lives of the people of the community. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and he uses that avenue to advance the general good. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the Knights of Pythias and in Masonry has attained the thirty-second degree and is a member of the Grotto and the Mystic Shrine. He is also an active and valued member of the Rotary Club, in which he has served as secretary, vice president and president, and he belongs to the New Britain Club and the Shuttle Meadow Club. His interests and activities are of broad scope, touching the welfare of the community, and his influence has been widely and beneficially felt.
FRANK C. GRISWOLD
Frank C. Griswold, of whom it was said "He was beloved by all-a man with a host of friends," was born in Hartford, February 25, 1855, a son of Charles and Louise (Holcum) Griswold. He attended the public schools of Windsor, Connecticut, and at the outset of his career started out in connection with the insurance business, to which he ever afterward devoted his time and attention. Entering the employ of the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, he never felt the need of changing his connection and remained as one of the most trusted and honored representatives of that organization until his death. Of him George E. Bulkley, vice president of the company, wrote as follows: "In November, 1872, Frank C. Griswold, then a boy of seventeen, began his connection with the Connecticut General. The company was a very small and unimportant factor in those early days of the life insurance busi- ness in this country and still had a very real struggle for existence ahead of it. Through those discouraging days, when the life insurance man was looked upon more as a nuisance than a blessing and the company was one of the smallest in the field and almost unknown, Frank C. Griswold traveled through the sparsely settled regions of Vermont and northern New York, where the company wrote most of its business, alternately acting as agent and superintendent. The traveling was hard, and the accommodations enough to discourage a less optimistic nature and a poorer digestion. My own personal recollections of him commence in January, 1897, just halfway through his service of fifty years. At that time and for many years there- after Mr. Griswold was the only one traveling from the home office among the agencies except for very rare trips by President Russell. As I look back, I appreciate
(Photograph by The Johnstone Studio)
FRANK C. GRISWOLD
623
HARTFORD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT
somewhat how much the company owes to Mr. Griswold. Not only was he con- stantly traveling over a territory where the means of communication were of the hardest and at a time when the securing and holding of agents for the Connecticut General was a very different problem from what it is today, but his character laid the foundation for the love and loyalty of the agency force which means so much to the organization today. There wasn't an agent who didn't love Frank Griswold. His duty to the company always came first in his mind above any personal interests. Returning from a long and exhausting trip, he was always ready to start out again if circumstances demanded it and he was generally the first to hear the call. One of our difficulties of the last few years has been to keep him at the home office for a few days at a time to see that he took a reasonable vacation.
"His delightful sense of humor helped him over many hard spots and made his stories of his experiences a pleasure to hear, overlooking as he did the many prob- lems he had had to meet and the dreary hours on trains and in hotels. His sim- plicity, his sense of duty, never forced but purely natural with him, his cheerfulness in business and personal troubles, never mentioning anything of his own difficulties but always interested in yours, his intense modesty, have been the greatest inspira- tion to me for over twenty-five years. I am bearing this very brief and inadequate testimony of how we all feel toward him with the utmost satisfaction, regretting only my inability to properly express our love for the man and the debt we all owe him for his example of duty as well.
"The company celebrated Mr. Griswold's fiftieth anniversary with the company- there was a dinner party the 15th of November, 1922, even an anniversary cake, too, with fifty candles, but that went fast. During Griswold Week-November 20-27 -the agents outdid themselves in their efforts to honor the man who traveled among them for so many years, and applications poured into the office."
In October, 1878, was celebrated the marriage of Frank C. Griswold and Miss Agnes Wiley, a daughter of Orlando and Harriet A. (King) Wiley, of Hartford. They had one son, Robert C. Wiley, who passed away at the age of sixteen years. Mrs. Griswold survives her husband and yet makes her home in Hartford, where they long occupied an enviable position in social circles. The many pleasing quali- ties which he displayed gained for him a host of friends and few men have been accorded a higher measure of confidence, esteem and kindly regard.
MAJOR JACOB H. GREENE
Major Jacob H. Greene, secretary of the Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company, of which he is also a director, was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, June 10, 1868, a son of Jacob L. and Annette (Humphrey) Greene. The public schools of Hartford accorded him his preliminary educational advantages and later he attended St. Paul's School at Concord, New Hampshire, while afterward he matriculated in Trinity College of Hartford, winning his Bachelor of Arts degree at his graduation with the class of 1891. He initiated his business experience by a short period of service with the Michigan Central Railroad Company, after which he obtained a position as reporter on the Hartford Courant, thus spending about two years. He next entered the Yale Law School but abandoned the thought of becoming a representative of the legal profession and in 1899 became identified with the Con- necticut Mutual Life Insurance Company as assistant secretary. He has been with the corporation for a period of twenty-nine years, winning promotions from time to time, becoming second secretary in 1905 and secretary in 1918. No higher proof of his efficiency, thoroughness and capability could be given than the fact that he has represented the company through almost three decades. In addition to his connection with insurance interests he is a director of the New York Dock Company.
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.