History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III, Part 64

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 64

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JOHN B. BYRNE

On the roll of capable officials of Connecticut appears the name of John B. Byrne, who in 1922 became state bank commissioner, having been connected with this depart- ment of public service since 1917. His work has been characterized by thoroughness and efficiency, and his record deserves the highest commendation. Mr. Byrne has been a lifelong resident of Connecticut, he having been born in Thompson, this state, on the 15th of May, 1886, his parents being John and Mary (Corrigan) Byrne. He was a pupil in the public schools of Putnam, Connecticut, until he had completed the high school course, and in 1905 he secured the position of office boy with the First National Bank of Putnam, with which he was connected continuously until 1917, winning various promotions and filling the office of assistant cashier at the time he left that bank to accept the position of state bank examiner. Again he gave evidence of his worth and reliability, so that in 1919 he was appointed chief bank examiner, serving in that capacity until the year 1922 brought him appointment to the position of deputy bank commissioner and later appointment as commissioner. On the 1st of July, 1923, he was reappointed for a four years' term and again in 1927, but he resigned and became vice president of the Hartford-Connecticut Trust Company December 1st of that year. Thorough and efficient, with broad experience to serve as the foundation of his present service, his record has brought him a well merited reputation and gained for him the high regard of the banking fraternity of the state. He also has business interests of importance, being president of the Byrne Company, Incorporated, owners of a well appointed dry goods house of Putnam.

Aside from serving as bank commissioner Mr. Byrne has filled the office of alder- man and was president of the board of aldermen of Putnam from 1909 until 1912. His military record covers service as lieutenant colonel on the Forty-third Division staff, of which he is finance officer. His political endorsement has always been given to the republican party, while fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Columbus. In his social relations he is a member of the Hartford Club, the Hartford Rotary Club, the Country Club of Farmington, the Putnam Country Club and the Union League Club of New Haven. Mr. Byrne is one of the ten members from Connecticut in the New England Council and is also a member of the executive committee of the Connecticut Banking Associa- tion. Always approachable, genial and courteous, he has gained a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.

HON. RICHARD COVERT

Richard Covert, head of factory systems for the Corbin Cabinet Lock Company and thus prominently identified with the productive industries of New Britain, is also a recognized leader in political circles and at the present writing is filling the posi- tion of state senator. He was born at Branford, Connecticut, September 24, 1880, and is a son of Charles W. and Mary Covert. Having acquired a public school education in Branford, he entered the employ of the Corbin Cabinet Lock Company in 1899 and throughout the intervening period has been continuously associated with this enter- prise. The business is one of the important manufacturing concerns of the city, and although he began in a humble capacity in the factory, Mr. Covert won promo- tion from to time until merit and capability brought him to his present important position as head of factory systems. Aside from his activity in the field of manufac- turing Mr. Covert is recognized as a prominent political leader in his section of the state. His service in the general assembly as a member of the house of representa- tives covered the sessions of 1917, 1918, 1919 and 1921, and endorsement of his excellent record came to him in his election to the office of senator in 1923. He was

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(Photograph by Dunne)

JOHN B. BYRNE

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made a member of the committee on roads, rivers and bridges and he remained in the senate during the sessions of 1925, 1926 and 1927, acting as secretary of the appropriations committee in 1925 and 1927. Moreover, he gave thoughtful and earnest consideration to all questions which came up for settlement and ranked with those men who are recognized as leaders for progress and improvement. He was also elected and served as county auditor in 1917, 1919 and 1921. In 1926 he was elected state central committeeman from the sixth district, which comprises the city of New Britain.

In May, 1905, at New Rochelle, New York, Mr. Covert was united in marriage to Miss Irene Hoyt. They are the parents of three children: Charles, Mortimer and John.

Mr. Covert has practically spent his entire life in New Britain and his sterling worth is attested by all who know him. He has many friends who admire him for his excellent traits of character, for his ability in business and his leadership in politics, his course at all times measuring up to high standards of manhood and citizenship.

MARTIN F. STEMPIEN

Martin F. Stempien is one of the younger representatives of New Britian's legal fraternity and possesses all of the qualities essential to success in a most exacting profession. He was born November 11, 1901, in this city and is a son of Jacob and Eva Stempien, natives of Poland. They came to the United States in 1893 and established their home in New Britain, where they still reside.

In the acquirement of an education Martin F. Stempien attended the parochial and public schools of New Britain and the Sacred Heart school, from which he was graduated in 1914, while two years later he completed a course in the grammar school. In 1920 he was accorded a diploma on the completion of a four years' course in the New Britain high school and afterward matriculated in the University of Boston, taking a course in the College of Business Administration, the B. B. A. degree being conferred upon him on the completion of a four years' course. In 1924 he enrolled as a student in the Yale Law School and was graduated with the class of 1927, receiving the degree of LL. B. In September of that year he was admitted to the bar and has since practiced in New Britain. His mind is logical and analytical in its trend and in presenting a case he is always well fortified by a comprehensive understanding of the legal principles applicable thereto. He has clearly demonstrated his ability to handle important litigated interests and his clientele is rapidly in- creasing. His office is located at No. 476 Main street and he resides with his parents. During 1921-24 he was secretary of the Polish Students Club of Boston and is now a member of the Lawyers Club of New Britain, the Hartford County Bar Association, the Polish Republican Club and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is also a member of the Polish Business Men's Club and of the Boston Alumni Club of Connecticut. Mr. Stempien reserves all of his energies for his profession and his ability, industry and ambition insure his continuous progress therein. He loyally supports all projects destined to prove of benefit to his community and his personal characteristics are such as make for esteem and friendship.

HAROLD E. SHEPARD

The success of any business enterprise depends upon its personnel and the ef- ficiency and commercial ideals of those who control its interests. The New Britain Lumber Company finds a capable official in Harold E. Shepard, who has sat on its board of directors since 1917 and is now the secretary of the company. In his busi- ness career progressiveness has been tempered by a safe conservatism, and energy and unabating industry have carried him steadily forward. A native of Haddam, Connecticut, he was born in 1888, his parents being William E. and Carrie L. (Goff) Shepard, the former a farmer by occupation who in 1888 left the fields and removed to New Britain, where he became associated with the business interests of P. & F.

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Corbin. He was prominent in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, serving as past grand of his lodge, and he was also a Royal Arch Mason. Both he and his wife are now deceased. Their son, Everett G. Shepard, is now in charge of the sash and door department of the New Britain Lumber Company, and a daughter, Helen L., is now the wife of Donald W. Harris, of the firm of Pimm & Company.

The other member of the family, Harold E. Shepard, brought to New Britain in his infancy, pursued his education in the public and high schools here and also took a commercial course at the Young Men's Christian Association. In 1903, when a youth of fifteen, he entered the employ of P. & F. Corbin as a clerk in the order department and remained with that firm until 1906, when he came to the New Britain Lumber Company as a bookkeeper. He has since worked in this department and is now in charge of the secretarial work of the company, in which connection he has large responsibilities and important duties. In 1917 he was elected a director of the company and has since been very active in this business, which was incorporated in 1871. He is now the secretary and a director of the Bristol Lumber Company. He is likewise a director of the Commercial Trust Company of New Britain and his strength and resourcefulness as a business man have been evidenced in many ways.

In 1911 Mr. Shepard was married to Miss Bertha Ramsay, of Southington, and they now have two children: Barbara Lillian, born September 10, 1914; and Janet Louise, born August 19, 1920. Both are in school. Mr. and Mrs. Shepard hold mem- bership in Trinity Methodist Episcopal church of New Britain, are actively inter- ested in its work and generously support its projects. Mrs. Shepard is also well known socially and is a member of the Woman's Club of New Britain. Mr. Shepard belongs to the Masonic fraternity, has attained the Knight Templar degree in the York Rite, the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite and is a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is a republican and he loyally adheres to the high purposes of the Rotary Club, in which he holds membership. He likewise belongs to the Shuttle Meadow Country Club and through that avenue finds much of his recreation. His interests and activities are wisely diversified, making his a well rounded character.

FREDERICK H. WILLIAMS, JR.

Frederick H. Williams, Jr., conducting a large insurance agency in Hartford, having built up a business of extensive proportions, was born in this city October 9, 1882, and is a son of Frederick H. and Jennie Grace (Turnbull) Williams. The father, who was for many years connected with Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufactur- ing Company, passed away in Hartford in 1920, having for two decades survived his wife, who died in 1900.

No event of unusual importance occurred to vary the routine of life for Frederick H. Williams, Jr., during the period of his youth, which was that of the normal boy who divides his time between work and play, with a major part given to the acquire- ment of a public school education. After he had left the high school he became associated with the Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection & Insurance Company. From the beginning he had no false ideas concerning the attainment of success. He realized that promotion must depend upon industry, capability and faithfulness and it was through those qualities. that he gained his successive promotions, each one of which brought him larger responsibility and a wider outlook. Eventually he became the general agent for his company in Hartford, remaining with that corporation from 1905 until 1920. In the latter year he determined to engage in business independently and established his agency, in which he has since handled all lines of insurance, building up a very substantial business as the years have passed. He became general agent for the Century Indemnity Company and now has many clients, being today accounted one of the foremost representatives of general insurance activity in Hart- ford. He is also a director of the Riverside Trust Company.

On the 7th of June, 1911, Mr. Williams was married to Miss Florence Alma Wilbur, a daughter of Hiram and Mary (Mckenzie) Wilbur, of Albany, New York. They have one son, Donald Turnbull, who was born March 11, 1924. They occupy an enviable social position, the hospitality of many of Hartford's best homes being freely accorded them.

Mr. Williams votes with the republican party and fraternally he is identified witlı

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(Photograph by John Haley)

FREDERICK H. WILLIAMS, JR.

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all the Masonic bodies and with the Mystic Shrine, while in club circles he is a well known figure, belonging to the Wampanoag Golf Club, the City Club, of which he is president and director, the Automobile Club of Hartford, of which he is also a director, the Connecticut State Agricultural Society, which numbers him as one of its directors, the Hartford Canoe Club and the Shelter Harbor Country Club. He has many friends by whom he is highly esteemed as a genial, companionable gentleman and one whose worth as a business man and citizen has been fully demonstrated in the activities which have brought him from an obscure position in insurance circles to a place of dis- tinction.

LEWIS AUSTIN STORRS

On the list of Hartford's lawyers appears the name of Lewis Austin Storrs, whose preparation for the bar was thorough and whose experience has been wide, while his constantly developing powers brought him prominently to the front and continued him in a position of leadership among the attorneys of the capital city up to the time of his retirement. He was born in Hartford, August 28, 1866, a son of Zalmon A. and Mary (Rowell) Storrs. The father was an attorney in early life and later became treasurer of the Society for Savings, filling that office at the time of his death February 22, 1890. He had long since been ranked with the prominent, valued and honored residents of Hartford.

The public school system of his native city afforded Lewis A. Storrs his ed- ucational opportunities until he had completed his high school course. He further pursued his studies in Yale College, winning his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1889, and in the Columbia University Law School, where he was a member of the class of 1892. In the previous year he was admitted to practice at the New York bar and in 1899 at the Connecticut bar. When his college work was over he opened an office in New York city, where he remained from 1891 until 1899, and then came to Hart- ford, where he successfully practiced for eighteen years, being long accorded prom- inence in his chosen profession, while as counselor and in the work of the courts he represented many important interests. In 1917 he retired.

Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Storrs was married February 19, 1895, to Bessie Whitmore, a daughter of William T. and Elizabeth (Himrod) Whitmore, of Brooklyn, New York. They have become parents of six children: John W., a manufacturer of Bridgeport, Connecticut, who married Katherine Wagner, of St. Louis, Missouri, and now has two children, John W., Jr., and Ann; Ruth, the wife of F. B. Castator, of Atlanta, Georgia, and the mother of two children, Barbara Storrs and Ruth Rowell; Una, who is the wife of W. C. Riddle, of West Hartford, and has two chil- dren, William C., Jr., and Robert; Marabeth, who is the wife of B. L. Finn, of Syra- cuse, New York, and has one daughter, Mary Lee, born January 18, 1928; Lewis Austin, Jr., who graduated from Yale in the class of 1925; and Robert.

When age conferred upon Mr. Storrs the right of franchise he became a sup- porter of republican principles and has never seen occasion to change his political allegiance. He has wide acquaintance in New England and in the East and is num- bered with the valued members of the University Club of Hartford, the Yale Club of New York, the Shuttle Meadow Club of New Britain and the Congressional Coun- try Club of Washington, D. C. The greater part of his life has been passed in Hart- ford, where the sterling traits of his character are known to his many friends and where his many admirable qualities and characteristics have gained for him the respect and good will of all.

WILLIAM L. HATCH

For forty years William L. Hatch has beeen a resident of New Britain and throughout the entire period has conducted an insurance business which has become one of the largest of the kind in the state. His interests are carried on under the name of The W. L. Hatch Company and he has developed the organization so thor-

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oughly that it reaches out in service to hundreds of patrons and in volume o'ertops that of many of its competitors. Mr. Hatch is a native of the neighboring state of Massachusetts, he having been born at Worcester on the 25th of July, 1866. He pursued his education while spending his youthful days in the home of his parents, Ossian L. and Catherine Hatch, then residents of Meriden, Connecticut, and when he had mastered the work of the grades continued his studies in the high school. It was five years after he had completed the course that in 1888 he came to New Britain and founded the business now carried on under the name of The W. L. Hatch Company. The years have chronicled its steady growth and development until the undertaking is now without a peer in the state as to the volume of business annually transacted. Mr. Hatch was likewise the founder of The New Britain Real Estate & Title Company and has been a trustee of the New Britain Trust Company since its organization. His sound judgment is regarded as a valuable asset to any undertaking in which he becomes interested.

On the 3d of April, 1889, at Meriden, Connecticut, Mr. Hatch was united in marriage to Miss Julia Wetmore, a daughter of Orville and Owen Wetmore, and they now have one son, Harold W.

In his political views Mr. Hatch has always been a stalwart republican and his interest in community affairs has been manifest in many tangible and practical ways. A quarter of a century ago he served as a member of the city council and he has given ten years' service as a member of the school board, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion. His association with the South Congregational church indicates his interest in the moral development and progress of the com- munity and to the organization he has rendered eighteen years' service as treasurer.

WILLIAM HENRY WILEY

William Henry Wiley, the well known head of the Tuller-Wiley Agency, handling all kinds of insurance, is a native son and lifelong resident of Hartford. He was born May 14, 1893, his parents being J. Allen and Annie (Corbin) Wiley, the former a native of Hartford, while the latter was born in the town of Union, Connecticut. The grand- father, William H. Wiley, was born in Wakefield, Massachusetts, and in young man- hood came to Hartford, where in 1872 he established the William H. Wiley & Son Company, manufacturers of overgaiters, leggings, wool soles and specialty footwear. This business was successfully continued until 1916, when the company merged with the Wiley-Bickford-Sweet Company of Worcester, the operation of the Hartford fac- tory, however, being continued. The father of Mr. Wiley is now living retired from active business. He has been a helpful factor in the life of the community and at one time served as a member of the common council.

In the West Middle grammar school William H. Wiley pursued his studies until graduated with the class of 1908, when he entered the Hartford high school and com- pleted his course with the class of 1912. He afterward spent two years in the Hotch- kiss school at Lakeville, Connecticut, and following his graduation there in 1913 he entered Yale University and is now numbered among its alumni of 1917. The same year he entered the military service of his country, then engaged in war with the central powers, and with the rank of first lieutenant he went overseas with the Forty- second or Rainbow division, with which he served throughout the period of the war. After the signing of the armistice he went to Germany with the army of occupation and remained in that country for four months. Returning to America, he received his honorable discharge in May, 1919, having participated in a number of the hotly contested engagements in which the American Expeditionary Forces took part, includ- ing the battle of Chalons on July 16, 1918, the engagement at Chateau Thierry, the battle of Saint Mihiel and the battle of the Argonne, thus passing through all of the experiences of modern warfare.

Following his return home Mr. Wiley entered the employ of the Wiley-Bickford- Sweet Company, remaining with that firm until April, 1922, when he resigned and turned his attention to the general insurance business in connection with W. James Tuller under the firm style of the Tuller-Wiley Agency. In May, 1927, he purchased Mr. Tuller's interest in the business, which he continues under the old name. The company are general agents for the Phoenix Indemnity Company of New York and

BACHRACH

WILLIAM H. WILEY

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local agents at Hartford for the City of New York Insurance Company, the Phoenix Underwriters, the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, the National Life Insurance Company of Vermont, the Aetna Life Insurance Company, the Aetna Cas- ualty & Surety Company and the Automobile Insurance Company. Through his agency Mr. Wiley has built up a business of large and substantial proportions and is meeting with gratifying success.

On the 22d of November, 1923, Mr. Wiley was married to Miss Eleanor M. Gay, of Hartford, and they reside at No. 26 Lilley road in West Hartford. Mr. Wiley belongs to St. John's Lodge, No. 4, A. F. and A. M., and is well known through his social connections, having membership in the University Club of Hartford, the Avon Country Club, in the West Hartford Post of the American Legion, the Military Order of Foreign Wars and in the Lions International Club.

FRANCIS TALCOTT FENN

Francis Talcott Fenn, assistant secretary of the Hartford Fire Insurance Com- pany, was born July 13, 1887, in the capital city of Connecticut, a son of E. Hart and Angie Isabel (Conklin) Fenn. The father was one of the best known men of New England and occupied a prominent position in connection with national political affairs as a member of congress from Connecticut.

Francis T. Fenn pursued his early education in the public schools of Hartford, attending the West Middle district school, while for three years he was a student in the Hartford high school. When his textbooks were put aside he secured employ- ment in the First National Bank as a messenger and clerk and was there employed until 1909, when he became identified with the Travelers Insurance Company, filling the position of secretary to the president. Following the demise of that official Mr. Fenn became connected with the financial department in the office of the treasurer . and so continued until 1918. In January of the latter year he entered the employ of the Hartford Fire Insurance Company as a representative of the financial depart- ment and was promoted to the position of assistant secretary in February, 1928, thus reaching an executive position in which his capability for management has been well demonstrated. He has also been one of the trustees of the West Hartford Trust Com- pany since its organization.

On the 7th of June, 1913, Mr. Fenn married Miss Mildred Quiggle, of Hartford, and their residence-Sunset Farm in West Hartford-is brightened by the presence of two sons and two daughters: Francis, Jr., Margaret, Hart Quiggle, and Eliza- beth Conklin. Mr. Fenn finds recreation in tennis and outdoor sports and is a mem- ber of the Farmington Country Club and the Mansfield Fish and Game Club. He is identified with Troop B, the machine gun company of the Connecticut National Guard, and has membership with the Sons of the American Revolution. He belongs to Wyllys Lodge No. 99, F. & A. M., of West Hartford, and his loyalty to the teachings of the craft finds its conterpart in his fidelity to any trust which is accorded him.

EDWIN W. SCHULTZ

Edwin W. Schultz is senior partner of the firm of Schultz & Costello of New Britain and also the organizer and promoter of the business carried on under the name of the Central Realty Company. Of both of these concerns he is the treasurer and his spirit of enterprise, combined with thoroughness and close application, has brought to him a most gratifying success. Mr. Schultz comes to New Britain from Pennsylvania, he having been born at Lancaster in the Keystone state February 20, 1867, his parents being Benjamin and Emma (MacAllister) Schultz. The public schools of his native city afforded him his early educational opportunities, while later he attended Princeton University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1890. He next spent a year at the Columbia Law School in New York city, and while he did not further qualify for the profession, his knowledge of the law has been of immense value to him in the conduct of business affairs. His identification with New Britain dates from 1897, in which year he entered the employ of the New Britain

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History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III, Part 64

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