USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III > Part 59
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On the 4th of January, 1921, Mr. Parker was married to Miss Celia Baldwin Singleton, a daughter of John W. and Adelaide T. Singleton, of New Haven, and they have one child, Charles Clark Parker, born December 28, 1923. Mr. and Mrs. Parker attend the Congregational church and he is a Mason and Mystic Shriner, an Odd Fellow and an Elk. He has membership in Kiltonic Post No. 72 of the American Legion, of which he is a past commander, and he is a member of the state executive committee and of the national distinguished guest committee of the Legion. He belongs to the Exchange Club and that he finds his recreation largely in outdoor life and sports is indicated in his connection with the Southington Country Club and the Ontix Fish and Game Club. He has not yet reached the prime of life, yet he has attained a measure of success that many a man of twice his years might well envy, and the qualities which he has displayed promise well for continued success and progress in the future.
CLIFFORD W. UPSON
Clifford W. Upson, actively associated with the business interests of New Britain as a lumber dealer, being president and treasurer of the Swift & Upson Lumber Company, was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, in 1881, and is a representative of one of the oldest families of Hartford county, settlement having been made in the vicinity of Southington by some of his ancestors in the earliest pioneer period. His parents were Charles H. and Mary (Hotchkiss) Upson. The father, who was born in Southington, came to New Britain in 1887 and here established and conducted re- tail shoe stores, remaining in the business practically throughout his entire life. He was a member of the First Congregational church and passed away in that faith. His wife, who was born in New Britain, still makes her home here.
Having mastered the branches of learning taught in the public and high schools
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of New Britain, Clifford W. Upson entered the employ of the Swift & Upson Lumber Company in 1906. He was assigned to work in the yard and steadily advanced by reason of his capability and loyalty. After a time he was given clerical work and later was chosen secretary of what is today the oldest lumber company of the city. The business was established by O. E. Swift and F. P. Upson and was incorporated in 1906. The company has always enjoyed an unassailable reputation because of its reliability and its trade has steadily grown owing to efficiency of management and control. In 1918 Clifford W. Upson was elected president and treasurer and has since filled both offices, displaying sound judgment and marked executive ability. The company does a retail business in lumber, sash, doors, mason supplies and in fact handles everything in the building line. W. H. Van Oppen is the secretary of the company and is also a director and stockholder. Mr. Upson has never extended his efforts into other lines but has concentrated his energies upon handling lumber and builders' supplies and has readily mastered all difficulties and obstacles in his path, making' his way steadily forward to the goal of success.
In 1908 was observed the marriage of Clifford W. Upson and Miss Mildred Swift, a native of New Britain and a daughter of M. C. Swift, who belonged to one of the old families here that came from Warren, Connecticut. They now have one child, William Loring Upson, who was born in 1920 and is in school. Mr. and Mrs. Upson hold membership in the First Congregational church, regularly attending its services and participating in its work. He has likewise been very active in welfare work and is associated with the New Britain Fresh Air Camp, and a tubercular re- lief society. He is interested in everything that has to do with the amelioration of hard conditions of life and is constantly reaching out a helping hand. In early days he belonged to the Home Guard and he has always voted with the republican party. He belongs to the Shuttle Meadow Club and both he and his wife are interested in the social activities of the city in which they have spent practically their entire lives.
ELMER HAYES LOUNSBURY
Elmer Hayes Lounsbury, attorney at law of Hartford, now filling the office of deputy secretary of state, was born March 24, 1877, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and is a son of Lewis H. and Sarah M. (Drew) Lounsbury. The father was a contractor who for many years was connected with the Singer Manufacturing Company of Bridgeport, where he passed away in 1918, having for a decade survived his wife, who died in 1908.
Elmer H. Lounsbury completed his high schood studies in Bridgeport, after pre- viously passing through consecutive grades in the public schools and was manager of the High School Student and a member of Alpha Delta Epsilon high school fra- ternity. Later he attended Dickinson College at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and won his Bachelor of Philosophy degree at his graduation with the class of 1903. On leaving that institution he entered the Yale Law School and is numbered among its alumni of 1905, at which time he was granted the LL. B. degree, while in the same year his alma mater conferred upon him the Master of Arts degree. It was also in 1905 that he was admitted to the bar and located for practice in Bridgeport, where he became a partner of William W. Bent under the firm style of Lounsbury & Bent. He remained an active attorney of his native city until 1909, when he came to Hart- ford, to accept the position of chief clerk to former secretary of state, Matthew H. Rogers, serving most efficiently and faithfully in that capacity until 1913, when he opened a law office in Hartford and later became associated with Perkins, Wells & Davis, while subsequently he was with the firm of Back & Chase. In 1917 he was reappointed chief clerk by Secretary of State Frederick L. Perry and so continued until January, 1923, when he was appointed deputy secretary of state by Francis A. Pallotti, who is filling the office of secretary of state and is mentioned elsewhere in this work. His long connection with this office, covering the period since 1909 save for an interval of four years, has made him thoroughly familiar with the work of the office, and his duties are discharged with marked promptness and fidelity. In 1927 he was selected by the revision commission to rearrange and revise the cor- poration laws of the state. He is now serving as a director of the McGovern Granite Company of Hartford.
(Photograph by Press)
ELMER H. LOUNSBURY
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On the 1st of January, 1910, Mr. Lounsbury was united in marriage to Miss Anna Ostermeyer, a daughter of Lawrence and Cecelia Ostermeyer, of New Britain, Connecticut. They have one child, Grace Anna, born November 6, 1911.
Mr. Lounsbury has always given his political allegiance to the republican party, is serving on the republican town committee and is a member of the Republican Club. Fraternally he is connected with Samuel H. Harris Lodge, No. 99, I. O. O. F., of Bridgeport; Washington Lodge, No. 15, K. P., of Hartford; and Tuscan Lodge, No. 126, F. & A. M., also of this city. He is furthermore connected with the Univer- sity Club, the Parkville Community Club, the Hartford Saengerbund and West Hart- ford Country Club-associations that indicate much of the nature of his interests and the line of his activity outside the strict path of his profession and of his official duties. He is always genial, courteous and approachable and in his career has illus- trated the Emersonian philosophy that the way to win a friend is to be one.
CHARLES FREDERICK MICHAEL
On the roll of Bristol's honored dead appears the name of Charles Frederick Michael. Few men are more widely or favorably known than was he, for his business connection as proprietor of the Commercial House gained him a very extensive acquaintance, while his social, genial nature constantly broadened the circle of his friends. He was born in Katzhuette, in the province of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt, Germany, April 12, 1849, his parents being Christian and Laura (Tischer) Michael. His grandfather in the paternal line was Nicholaus Michael, also a native of that province, in which he spent his entire life. He fought in the Prussian army against Napoleon Bonaparte in 1812 and was taken prisoner at Moscow, but after regaining his liberty returned to his native place, where he passed away about 1854. His wife, Barbara Baumann, who survived him, died in Union City, Connecticut. They had a family of nine children. Carl, who married Lena Troll (who died in Germany), after- ward came to the new world and spent his last years in Terryville, Connecticut. Louisa became the wife of Heinrich Heinze and both died in Germany. Christian was the next of the family. Caroline became the wife of Heinrich Troll and after his death married Christian Schwabe, of Union City, Connecticut. Heinrich died in boyhood. Frederick, who served in the Civil war with the Union army, died in Terry- ville six years after receiving his discharge. Henry served for five years in the Mexican war and later in the Civil war and died in New York about 1897. Otilla be- came the wife of Henry Scherr, of New York city. Adeline became the wife of Charles Clump, of Cleveland, Ohio.
Christian Michael, father of Charles F. Michael, came to the new world in 1859 and for two months lived with his sister, Mrs. Henry Scherr, at Meriden, Connecticut. He afterward resided at New Britain until February, 1862, when he became a resident of Terryville. His wife died in March, 1897, and he passed away in 1905. Of their ten children, three died in childhood, while those who reached adult age were: Louis, who resided in Bristol; Louisa, who became the wife of Carlton B. Ives, of Bristol; Lillian, who married George Scherr, of Bristol; Conrad, of Terryville; Minnie, the wife of Louis Burg, of Bristol; Emma, who died at the age of sixteen, and Charles F., of this review.
During the first ten years of his life Charles F. Michael remained in his native land and then accompanied his parents to the United States, whereupon he became a public school pupil in Meriden and afterward in New Britain. He later secured employment with J. B. Sargent, of New Britain, but after six months the family removed to Terryville, where for a year he was employed in manufacturing cabinet locks. His next position was with Eli Terry, a clock spring manufacturer, and when that business was closed out he secured a situation with the Eagle Bit & Buckle Company, there learning the silver plating business. When that firm discontinued he went to Gaylord, Mix & Company, manufacturers of mail bag locks, and when the business was sold to the Eagle Lock Company Mr. Michael remained with the latter until 1872, when he removed to Winsted, Connecticut, where he conducted a billiard saloon for a year. It was in 1873 that he became a resident of Bristol and on the 31st of August he purchased the land upon which the following day he began the erection of the Commercial House. The work was steadily prosecuted until the
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hotel was opened for business on the 1st of April, 1874, under the name of the Bismarck House. In 1875, however, he sold the property and for two years thereafter resided at Terryville but on the expiration of that period returned to Bristol and again took over the management of the hotel, the name of which had in the mean- time been changed to Commercial House. He successfully conducted the business for six years and then again sold out, but after a year once more became manager and had charge until 1889. At that time he once more disposed of the hotel but the following year again became proprietor. He was ever a popular host, highly esteemed by the hotel patrons, and he conducted his business in a most progressive way, ever watchful of the comfort and convenience of his guests. He likewise had other busi- ness interests, becoming the builder and owner of the Bristol Opera House and the treasurer and manager of the Bristol Journal.
On the 23d of March, 1872, Mr. Michael was married in Terryville to Miss Katie Burg, a native of Greenfield, Massachusetts, and, like her husband, of German lineage, her parents being Theobald and Elizabeth Burg, who were born in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Michael became the parents of five children. Louise Frances, born March 16, 1873, was married February 22, 1898, to Charles Russell Riley, principal of the South high school of Bristol. William Burg, born February 19, 1875, was married May 12, 1898, to Louise Ahl of Agawam, Massachusetts. Frederick Burg, born May 5, 1877, George Burg, born July 17, 1880, and Ruth Burg, born May 12 1894 are the younger members of the family. They have always held a prominent social position in Bristol and Mr. Michael was a popular and valued member of a number of fraternal organizations, including Pequabuck Lodge, No. 48, I. O. O. F., (charter member) ; the Daughters of Rebekah, same order; Adelphi Lodge, No. 12, New England Order of Protection; Bristol Lodge, No. 28, A. O. U. W .; and Guttenburg Lodge, No. 570, D. O. H. In politics he was an earnest democrat but not an office seeker. He was elected but did not serve as justice of the peace and for one term was on the board of burgesses. He preferred to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business affairs and was particularly successful as a hotel manager, understanding human na- ture and knowing just how to meet his patrons. Practically his entire life was passed in Connecticut and his many sterling traits of character were known to all with whom he came in contact, so that his circle of friends was almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
ALFRED PLANT
For almost two decades Alfred Plant was associated with the great business organization that has been built up under the name of the Aetna Life Insurance Company. The policy of that corporation has ever been careful selection of employes and representatives and then continued service on their part when diligence and fidelity have proven their worth.
Mr. Plant was of English birth, a son of William and Hannah (Shaw) Plant, and he pursued his education in the schools of his native locality, while later he became a shorthand teacher in Macclesfield, England. At length he determined to try his fortune in America and on crossing the Atlantic settled in Hartford, where he arrived in the year 1902. Soon afterward he became associated with the Aetna Life Insurance Company, entering its employ in September and remaining with the corporation until death terminated his labors on the 19th of April, 1921. His record was one of long years of faithful service rewarded by various promotions and by appreciation of his splendid qualities on the part of those whom he represented and with whom he was associated.
On the 26th of August, 1896, Mr. Plant was married to Miss Hannah Grinshaw, of Macclesfield, England, a daughter of John and Hannah (Dickens) Grinshaw. They became the parents of three children: Alfred Grinshaw Plant, now connected with the Aetna Life Insurance Company in the supply department and who volunteered when twenty years of age for service in the World war, being overseas at the time the armistice was signed; Elsie, who is now connected with the West Hartford Bank; and Winifred Hannah, who is a teacher in one of the public schools of West Hartford.
Mr. Plant was ever deeply interested in the cause of education and at one time served as a member of the school board of West Hartford, doing all in his power to
( Photograph by Jones)
ALFRED PLANT
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advance the welfare and raise the standards of the schools. He has long been deeply interested in Masonry and in 1912 wrote the history of Wyllys Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of West Hartford, on the occasion of the celebration of its fifteenth anniversary. He also served as worshipful master of that lodge in 1908 and was very active in pro- moting the work of the craft, while at all times he exemplified in his life the sterling principles upon which it is founded.
JOHN B. MINOR
John B. Minor, actively engaged in business in New Britain as the head of the Minor & Corbin Box Company, manufacturers of paper boxes, has demonstrated in his record that success is not a matter of genius or the outcome of fortunate cir- cumstances but the direct result of industry intelligently applied and of carefully matured plans. His entire life has been passed in Connecticut. He was born in Bridgeport in 1853, a son of John B. and Ursula (Allen) Minor, the former a native of Woodbury and the latter of Bethlehem. The father came to New Britain about 1857 and was associated with the firm of Giddings, Minor & Strong, dealers in coal and lumber, who carried on the business under the firm style of Minor & Strong after Mr. Giddings withdrew. About 1862 Mr. Minor went to New York city, where he conducted a coal business at the corner of Lexington avenue and Thirty-second street. Later he conducted a branch at 229 State street in Hartford for a year and through- out his entire life was identified with the coal trade but eventually sold his interest in the business. He was a member of the Center church and served on some of its committees. He died in Ponce, Porto Rico, in 1865, while his wife passed away in 1854.
After leaving the public schools John B. Minor attended the Massachusetts Agri- cultural College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1873. In the same year he entered business circles as an employe of his cousin, James H. Minor, and during the year 1875 was employed at the Union Works. He next occupied a position in the order department of the Russell & Erwin Manufacturing Company, also having charge of their exports, and his association with that house covered a period of seven years. In 1885 he again entered into business relations with his cousin, James H. Minor, of the Minor & Nichols Company, which in a short time was succeeded by J. H. Minor & Company. Later John B. Minor purchased the interest of J. H. Minor and in 1890 incorporated the business under the name of the Minor & Corbin Box Company, manufacturers of paper boxes. Their output is largely used by local manufacturers, nearly the entire product being sold in New Britain. Throughout his entire life Mr. Minor has been identified with manufacturing interests and is now president and treasurer of the company, which controls one of the important produc- tive industries of this section of the state. Theirs is a well equipped plant and the business has been carefully systematized, so that there is a maximum production with a minimum expenditure of time, labor and material-a condition which is the basis of all success. Into other fields Mr. Minor has also directed his efforts with the result that various projects have benefited by his sound judgment and enter- prising spirit. He is a director of the New Britain National Bank, the Savings Bank of New Britain, the American Hardware Corporation, the American Hosiery Com- pany, the Union Manufacturing Company and the American Paper Goods Company and he is the president of the Plainville Water Company.
In 1876 Mr. Minor was married in Worcester, Massachusetts, to Miss Jennie L. Eldred, who was born in Worcester, and died in 1923. They had a family of five children: Ursula, who is now Mrs. Henry Burr, of Kansas City, Missouri; James H., living in New York city; Elsie, deceased; John B., Jr., who is with his father in business; and Eldred L., who is attending the University of Virginia. The son John B., Jr., married Frances Copeland, of Montclair, New Jersey, and their children are Catherine, Caroline and Ursula. The daughter, Mrs. Henry Burr, has two sons living, Henry, Jr., and Alan G. The family was well represented in the World war, for John B., Jr., James H. and Eldred L. enlisted for service and the father was a member of the draft board. John B., Jr., became a second lieutenant of the Sixty-first Infan- try, was on duty overseas and was wounded in action, receiving his discharge in 1919. James H. Minor enlisted in the One Hundred and Fourth Field Artillery of
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the Twenty-seventh Division and was on duty as a sergeant overseas until honorably discharged in 1919. The youngest son, Eldred, enlisted in the aviation branch of the army and was in the Instructors School of Aerial Photography at Rochester, New York, being discharged as a sergeant in 1919.
Mr. Minor gives his political allegiance to the republican party and stanchly supports every plan and project which he deems of vital worth in advancing the welfare and upholding the civic standards of his community. That he is appreciative of the social amenities of life is indicated in his membership in the Shuttle Meadow Country Club and the Sachems Head Yacht Club at Guilford, Connecticut. He has attained high rank in Masonic circles, becoming a Knight Templar thirty-second gree Mason and also a member of the Mystic Shrine. He likewise belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Order of United American Mechanics and he and his family attend the Plainville Congregational church. He is likewise iden- tified with the Chamber of Commerce and thus his activities touch the general inter- ests of society along many lines and feature in the symmetrical development of the city in which he makes his home, contributing to its material, civic and moral progress.
ARTHUR C. WILLARD
Arthur C. Willard represents the seventh generation of the family in Wethers- field and bears a name that has long been an honored one in this locality. He was born in 1876, in this town, son of Stephen F. and Irene (Havens) Willard. Josiah Willard, first of the name in this town, eldest son of Major Simon Willard, migrated from Massachusetts to Connecticut, settling first in Hartford, and in 1661 came to Wethers- field. He purchased a home on Broad street, and part of the property is still owned by the family. Stephen F. Willard achieved prominence in the seed business, which constituted his life work. Early in the '70s he joined the seed firm, Comstock, Ferre & Company, which is still continued under that name. Stephen F. Willard was allied with the republican party, and in 1901 was elected to represent Wethersfield in the general assembly of Connecticut, and represented the town in the Constitutional Convention held the following year. His life was governed by the teachings of the Congregational church and for fifteen years he was superintendent of its Sunday school. He died June 9, 1924. Five sons were born to him, namely: Arthur C .; Thomas H., deceased; Edward W .; Stephen F., Jr., now a resident of Wollaston, Massachusetts; and John C., who lives on the old homestead in Wethersfield.
Arthur C. Willard was educated in the academy in Wethersfield. The schoolroom has since been converted into the town clerk's office. He also attended Hannum's Business College in Hartford and returned home after the completion of his course. He became a market gardener and was thus engaged for twenty-five years. On August 1, 1919, he was appointed assistant town clerk and acted in that capacity until February 6, 1926. He has since been town clerk, discharging his duties with efficiency and meeting every requirement of the office.
In 1907 Mr. Willard was united in marriage to Miss Ethel L. Thompson, of Hart- ford, Connecticut, and they have become the parents of a daughter, Emma A., born September 11, 1912. Mr. Willard is a republican, and a member of the Congrega- tional church.
COLONEL HOWARD P. DUNHAM
In insurance and financial circles the name of Howard P. Dunham of Wethersfield is well known, for he is insurance commissioner of Connecticut, one of the foremost states insurancewise in this country. His legal knowledge and active insurance ex- perience have enabled him to lend valuable assistance in the deliberations of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners of the United States, in which organization he is serving on several important committees. He was formerly a partner in the firm of Bel & Dunhanı, handling investment securities in Hartford. Previously he was employed by the Aetna Life Insurance Company in its accident
(Photograph by The Johnstone Studio)
COLONEL HOWARD P. DUNHAM
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department and while thus associated made several contributions to insurance litera- ture.
Colonel Dunham was born in Bennington, Vermont, August 14, 1878, his parents being Isaac Watson and Martha Agnes (Lindley) Dunham. At the usual age he en- tered the public schools, passed through the consecutive grades to preparatory school and afterward attended Union College, from which he was graduated in 1900 with the Bachelor of Arts degree. He also has a degree of LL. B. He was a member of Delta Phi fraternity in college and Pi Phi fraternity in preparatory school. In 1921 he retired from the Aetna Life Insurance Company to accept the position of chief office deputy collector of internal revenue for the United States at Hartford, where he served under Colonel Robert O. Eaton, collector, for two years. He was a member of the state legislature in the biennial sessions of 1921 and 1923, serving on appropri- ations, railroad and other committees.
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