History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III, Part 76

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 76

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(VI) John Muzzy, born December 9, 1737, served on the Committee on Correspond- ence during the Revolutionary war. He married Mary Ball and their son, Isaac Muzzy, who was of the seventh generation of the family in America, was born at Spencer, Massachusetts, in 1775 and was married August 6, 1797, to Sally Ball, by whom he had four children, while by his second marriage to Sally May, he had no children.

(VII) Isaac Muzzy, son of Isaac and Sally (Ball) Muzzy, was born at Spencer, Massachusetts, July 25, 1803, and was married May 23, 1823, to Hannah Minerva Mix. He was the first of the Muzzy family to settle in Connecticut and he died in this state February 5, 1865.

(VIII) Henry Isaac Muzzy, eldest child of Isaac and Hannah Minerva Muzzy, was born at Bristol, Connecticut, March 19, 1824, and on the 18th of May, 1843, married Mary Elizabeth Beach. Their children were twelve in number. The father conducted

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ADRIAN J. MUZZY

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HARTFORD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT

business as a lumber dealer, and also engaged in farming. He held various local offices and was a man of considerable prominence in his community.

(IX) Adrian James Muzzy, the fourth in order of birth of the twelve children of Henry Isaac and Mary Elizabeth (Beach) Muzzy, had the benefit of wise and careful home training, his mother exerting a strong moral influence over her son. He thereby laid the foundation of a character which throughout his entire life commanded the fullest confidence and respect of his fellowmen. He left home at the age of seventeen years to provide for his own support, securing a position in a factory of Bristol in 1868. Shortly afterward he began business on his own account, engaging in the grain trade at the Old Downs Mill through the succeeding period. In the meantime he extended the scope of his activities by becoming a partner in the firm of Barbour and Muzzy, a men's furnishing goods store. In 1876 he withdrew from that connection and developed the dry goods and house furnishing establishment, at that time owned by O. B. Ives, which became the foremost mercantile undertaking in Bristol, and after taking it over as sole proprietor, he carried on the business which under his careful guidance showed continuous expansion. When he withdrew from mercantile circles, he took up the real estate and investment business, and not only judiciously placed invest- ments for others, but promoted his own holdings as well. Every business enterprise with which he was associated profited by his constructive labors and sound judgment. He had the respect of business men and the esteem of the entire city for his contributions to the general good. He was principally instrumental in the organization of the Bristol and Plainville Tramway Company, of which he was secretary and a director for fifteen years. He was president of the Masonic Building Company; a director of the Bristol Press Publishing Company; a director of the Bristol Trust Company, and the first superintendent of the West Cemetery Association for many years. He was a director in the New Britain Hospital; and for more than a quarter of a century he served as parish clerk of Trinity Episcopal church, of which he was a valued member, and in everything pertaining to the advancement of church, city and state, he took a foremost stand. The high regard in which he was held in commercial circles, led to his election to the presidency of the Bristol Business Men's Association, in its turn leading to his position for two years as state president of the Business Men's Association. He also occupied the office of president of the Bristol Realtors, the Bristol Old Home Week Association, and filled other public places of trust.

To speak in full of the activities in which Mr. Muzzy was prominent in his native town, would be to name most of those activities undertaken during his mature working life. His interest and efforts were held to insure success. His sincere friendliness won many warm friends, and the esteem of all.

Outside of his home town, he promoted the Public Utilities Company of Carlsbad, New Mexico, of which he was president. During his latter years he spent the winters in this genial clime, taking part as ever, in civic and social affairs.

He was a popular and valued member of various clubs, including the Carlsbad Commercial Club with those of his home-land. He was a member of the Bristol Social Club, Bristol Golf and Whist Clubs, and at times, of the Hartford, New Britain and Farmington Clubs. He found pleasure in the old wicket game-in golf, cards, and driving-an all-round man among men. He believed in outdoor sport for the young, and this inspired him to give, in memory of his own sons lost in infancy, a plot of land to the town, which is used in games by the youth of the town. A granite gateway, suitably inscribed, provides entrance. He also gave other plots to the park system, notably one at the western entrance to the town, known as the Muzzy Triangle. He was long one of the park commissioners, and derived the greatest satisfaction in help- ing with improvements here. "The park was his playground," was said of him by fellow commissioners in their expression of appreciation of his helpfulness here.

In his reading he particularly enjoyed biography, history and political works. His study in these lines made him one of the best informed men in the city, keeping up to date in political matters especially.

He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution; represented the repub- lican party on town committees, several years as chairman; represented Bristol in the state legislature in 1891 and 1897; and in 1899 he served as state senator from the fourth district, being appointed chairman of the important committees on appropria- tions and executive nominations.

In recognition of his organization of Company D of the First Connecticut Infantry, which was named in his honor, "Muzzy Guards," he was elected, after the World war,

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an associate member of the Bristol Y. D. Post, an honor which gave him especial grat- ification, coming from his company in the famous Yankee Division, One Hundred and Second Infantry, which served so gallantly in France. His election as honorary mem- ber of the Twenty-fifth regiment was due to this helpful interest. He was also elected associate member of Hadsell Camp, United States War Veterans, due to his services at home, though not eligible to active action in the war.

Fraternally he was a Mason of the thirty-second degree, a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Royal Arcanum, and the Improved Order of Red Men.

Mr. Muzzy married Florence Emlyn Downs and they became the parents of three children, Leslie, Floyd, and Adrienne Florence, only one of whom is now living.

Mr. Muzzy passed from this life to one of even greater possibilities, on the 2d of January, 1923, leaving the world the better for his having lived, for he had contributed to the material development, the intellectual advancement, the political welfare and the moral growth of his community. He achieved prominence by reason of marked ability and substantial worth, and not only as the architect of his own fortunes but of his own life he builded wisely and well. At his passing the Bristol Press said editorially:

"Bristol grieves today because of the death of one of her most useful and beloved citizens, Adrian J. Muzzy, who spent the seventy years of his active helpful sojourn on earth here, living a life of usefulness and manliness. He filled a large place in our affairs, filled it unostentatiously but well. He was so much an integral part of Bristol, so influential in so many things that made for the progress, upbuilding and betterment of our city and state, so entered into our daily doings that the mind finds it exceedingly difficult to accept the sorrowful fact that his activities are stilled.

"In sorrowing we pay tribute to the distinguishing, admirable traits of one whom all respected and held in affection. He made friends not by intent, but by virtue of those superior qualities that men unconsciously admire, for he was the exemplification of genuine manliness, honesty, consideration for others and good will. He wished to prosper himself and he also desired that all others should enjoy prosperity, happiness and development. His was an unusual blending of capacity and modesty, of enterprise and unselfishness, of political activity without personal animosity, of business shrewd- ness without pettiness or unfairness, of civic activities without thought of reward. We,- and we speak for the entire community, loved A. J., and shall miss him much- for one of our truest and best has said goodnight and gone to rest."

STANLEY J. TRACESKI

A brilliant scholar, Stanley J. Traceski has amply justified the promise of his student days and is regarded as one of the leading attorneys of New Britain. He was born in this city in 1893. His parents, John and Gabriella Traceski, who were natives of Poland, came to the United States in 1885, lived for a year in Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania, and in 1886 they settled in New Britain. The father was the second Polish man in the city, while the mother was the first Polish woman. John Traceski became a carpenter and worked in various factories. He had a family of eight children, five sons and three daughters.

After the completion of his high school course Stanley J. Traceski matriculated in Yale University, which awarded him the B. A. degree in 1916 and that of LL. B. in 1918. Owing to his record as a scholar he was made editor of the Yale Law Journal and filled the position for two years. During the World war he was a member of Headquarters Company, stationed at Camp Upton, New York, and was honorably dis- charged in 1918. In the same year he was admitted to the Connecticut bar and entered upon the work of his profession at New Britain in 1919. For six years he was asso- ciated with the law firm of Klett & Alling and is now practicing independently. Mr. Traceski is well versed in the minutiae of the law and his ability is manifest in the logic of his deductions and the clearness of his reasoning. He maintains an office at No. 259 Main street and is accorded a liberal clientele.

In 1927 Mr. Traceski was united in marriage to Miss Ella M. Skritulsky, a member of one of the well known Lithuanian families of New Britain. Mr. and Mrs. Traceski are Catholics and devout communicants of Holy Cross church. He is allied with the republican party and in 1927 was appointed assistant clerk of the Connecticut

(Photograph by The Murray Studio)

STANLEY J. TRACESKI

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HARTFORD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT

senate. In civic affairs he manifests a keen interest and at one time was a member of the building commission. Along fraternal lines he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is a past exalted ruler of New Britain Lodge, No. 957. He is financial secretary of the Polish state political organization and an influential factor in its affairs. While at Yale he became a Phi Beta Kappa and is also a member of the Yale Club, the Shuttle Meadow Club, the Lions Club, the Lawyers Club, the American Legion and the Hartford County Bar Association. In every relation of life Mr. Traceski has conformed his conduct to high standards and has not only won a gratifying measure of professional success but also the respect and confidence of all who know him.

JOHN HENRY JAMISON

John Henry Jamison, vice president and general manager of the Graphic Arts Company, with offices at 170 High street in Hartford, was born in Buffalo, Pennsyl- vania, August 10, 1897, and is a son of John Brownlee and Jane (Hemphill) Jamison, both of whom are natives of West Middletown, Pennsylvania, and are now residents of Washington, that state. The father is a minister of the United Presbyterian church.

John H. Jamison attended the public schools of Pittsburgh and of Washington, Pennsylvania. After teaching school for two years and working at different occupa- tions, including one year in the bond department of the Mellon National Bank, until he had acquired the necessary funds for advanced intellectual training, he entered Yale College in the fall of 1921. He was graduated in June, 1925, with the Bachelor of Philosophy degree.

In June, 1925, Mr. Jamison became a resident of Hartford and secured the posi- tion of personal assistant to M. C. Manternach, with whom he remained for a year. While still filling that position he was made supervisor of the Graphic Arts Company, of which Mr. Manternach was owner, and on the 28th of January, 1928, he was advanced to the positions of vice president and general manager. The company does all kinds of commercial art engraving and photography and conducts a direct mail advertising business. The enterprise has been attended with most gratifying and substantial success and under the direction of Mr. Jamison the business has been more than doubled in the past year. Their headquarters and plant occupy the whole second floor and basement at No. 170 High street and employment is furnished to forty-two people. Artists from New York and Boston have been added to the staff and the advertising art department is regarded as one of the best equipped in New England.

On the 19th of July, 1927, Mr. Jamison was married to Miss Helen Mckenzie, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mr. Jamison is a member of the Zeta Psi Fraternity, the Masonic fraternity, The University Club, The Rotary Club and the Hartford Adver- tising Club.

HARRY NORTON CURTISS

Harry Norton Curtiss, who represents an old and highly respected family of Sims- bury, is a successful automobile dealer with a background of nearly twenty years of practical experience and has also become well known owing to his public service, which has been varied and important. He was born in Simsbury, December 29, 1884, a son of James M. and Flora A. (Hadsell) Curtiss and a grandson of Ebenezer G. and Mary A. (Norton) Curtiss. James M. Curtiss was born June 23, 1856, and lived for a number of years in Avon, Connecticut, subsequently conducting a store in Sims- bury, where he spent the remainder of his life. He married Miss Flora A. Hadsell, related to the Wolcotts, one of the first families of Connecticut, and they became the parents of five children, two sons and three daughters.

Harry N. Curtiss supplemented his public school education by two years' attend- ance at McLean Seminary and his first commercial experience was gained with the Ensign-Bickford Company, with which he remained for two years. He next turned

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his attention to the meat business and was away from Simsbury for a period of six years, returning to the town in 1909. He became a member of the firm of Curtiss & Prowe, Ford agents, a relationship that was continued until December 1, 1917, when the partnership was dissolved. In 1919 Mr. Curtiss secured the local agency for the Willys-Knight and Overland cars, which he has since handled, and his annual sales now amount to a large figure. He keeps in close touch with the latest developments in the automobile industry and has an efficient, well trained sales force. Mr. Curtiss has large and attractive display rooms and is one of Simsbury's best known and most popular dealers.

In 1903 Mr. Curtiss married Miss Mattie Mullen, a native of South Manchester, Connecticut, and they have become the parents of two children. The elder, Elbert Hadsell, was born February 11, 1904, and is associated with his father in business. He is a Mason and a junior deacon in his lodge. He married Miss Ada Kilkenny, who was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and became a high school teacher. James Ebenezer, the second son, born July 1, 1906, is a junior at Dartmouth College and a member of the Theta Delta Chi society.

The parents are Congregationalists and earnest workers in behalf of the church. Mr. Curtiss is allied with the democratic party and took his seat in the lower house of the Connecticut general assembly in 1915. He took a leading part in the proceed- ings of that session and was the youngest member of the committee on roads, rivers and bridges. From 1918 to 1923 he was town clerk and in 1924 was chosen a member of the board of selectmen, with which he has since been connected. As a public ser- vant he is energetic, conscientious and efficient, never placing personal interests before the general good, and his work has been strongly commended. His Masonic affilia- tions are with the lodge, chapter and council and in 1913 he was made master of St. Mark's Lodge, F. & A. M. Mr. Curtis is a past patron of the Eastern Star, of which his wife is a past matron, and he is also connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Honest, sincere and purposeful, he has ful- filled life's duties and responsibilities to the best of his ability and these qualities have earned for him the respect, confidence and good will of his fellowmen.

MICHAEL KANE

Michael Kane, who gained enviable recognition as one of the leading brick man- ufacturers of Connecticut, was thus identified with Hartford's industrial interests for more than a half century and built up an extensive enterprise. He died Decem- ber 18, 1926, when he had reached the age of seventy-nine years. A native of Ireland, he left the Emerald Isle early in life and sought the opportunities offered in the United States, first locating at North Haven, Connecticut, where he made his home until coming to Hartford in 1873. He had been employed in brickyards of New Haven and Middletown for a number of years and on settling in the Parkville section of Hart- ford began the manufacture of brick in partnership with his brother Cornelius, this association being maintained until the death of the latter in 1877. Thereafter he con- ducted the business independently until joined by three of his sons-William F., T. Robert and Michael Joseph, who became officers of the company at the time of its incorporation in 1913. As early as the latter part of 1873 Kane bricks were being used in the construction of the more important buildings of the state. One of the first large orders filled by the Kane brickyards was that placed by the contractors building Trinity College in 1875. Following this came a large order for the state capitol build- ing, which was at that time being erected. Since then the reputation of Kane bricks has been firmly established and Mr. Kane lived to see his products used in the erection of such imposing structures as the buildings of the Travelers Insurance Company, the State Library, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company, Hartford Fire Insurance Company, The Hartford Times and others of equal note. Mr. Kane was active in business until his death, devoting so much of his time and energy to the management of his brick plant that there was little left for outside interests. The three sons above mentioned, all expert brickmakers, are worthy successors of their father and have con- tributed materially toward the upbuilding of the business. The plant is equipped with the most modern appliances for facilitating the work and the output is sold direct to the trade. High ideals of craftsmanship have ever dominated the owners of the busi-

(Photograph by Katherine Lee Enders)

MICHAEL KANE

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HARTFORD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT

ness and a record of fifty-five years of continuous growth attests its usefulness and the quality of service rendered by the company.

In early manhood Mr. Kane was united in marriage to Miss Mary Culligan, also a native of Ireland, who survives him together with their four sons and three daugh- ters, namely: William F., who succeeded his father as president and treasurer of the Michael Kane Brick Company; Dr. James H. Kane; T. Robert Kane, vice president and assistant treasurer of the Michael Kane Brick Company; Michael Joseph Kane, who is the secretary and assistant treasurer of the concern; Mrs. Bernard J. Smith; Mrs. Clifford W. Lowry, and Mrs. Robert J. Langdon. There are also twelve grandchildren. All of the above named are residents of Hartford.

For four terms Mr. Kane was a councilman from the old eighth ward of the Park- ville section, which he had seen grow from a thinly settled area into a largely popu- lated community. He was a trustee of Our Lady of Sorrows church and a member of the Hartford Lodge of Elks. Upright and honorable in every relation of life, he won the confidence and warm regard of all with whom he was associated and his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. He had the distinction of being the oldest brick manufacturer in Connecticut and established an unassailable reputation as a business man, while his worth as a citizen was uniformly acknowledged.

B. A. GRZYBOWSKI

B. A. Grzybowski is an influential member of the Polish-American colony of New Britain and enjoys an enviable reputation as a financier, also figuring prominently in public affairs. He was born in this city in 1901 and is a son of Joseph and Margaret Grzybowski, natives of Poland. They left that country in 1895 and came to the new world, settling in New Britain, Connecticut. The father became a factory employe and has since continued in that line of work. Mr. and Mrs. Grzybowski are devout Catholics. They have a family of seven children, six sons and a daughter.

In the acquirement of an education B. A. Grzybowski attended a parochial school and the New Britain high school and next took a course in the Bentley School of Accounting & Finance in Boston. Afterward he enrolled as a student in the North- eastern University of Boston and was graduated with the class of 1924, winning the degree of B. C. S. In the same year he began his career as a public accountant and in December, 1925, was made auditor of the City National Bank of New Britain, an office which he has since filled with marked ability. The work of his department is thoroughly systematized and he gives to the institution the services of an expert.

Mr. Grzybowski is affiliated with Holy Cross church and was the first president of Holy Trinity Association, which was organized for the purpose of forming Holy Cross parish. He casts his ballot for the candidates of the republican party. In local politics he is a recognized leader and in 1925-26 served as a councilman, while during 1926-27 he was alderman from the fifth ward, fulfilling every requirement of the office. As a member of the finance committee of New Britain he has made an equally creditable record and displays rare qualities as a public servant. He is secre- tary of the Falcons Club and vice president of the Polish-American Republican Club of New Britain. His name also appears on the membership rolls of the Polish Busi- ness Men's Association and along fraternal lines he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Grzybowski has accomplished much for one of his years and occupies a central place on the stage of activity in New Britain. He is the possessor of a forceful personality and his genuine worth is attested by a wide circle of steadfast friends.

RALPH SHELDON BARROW

Continuous progress has been made in the matter of the public attitude toward social welfare problems until today work of that character in almost every commu- nity is thoroughly organized and under the direction of those who are fully equipped and capable of meeting such duties and responsibilities. In this connection Ralph Sheldon Barrow, the executive secretary of the Connecticut Children's Aid Society, is

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well known and his broad experience, his study, his clear understanding and his deep sympathy enable him to speak with authority upon questions related thereto. A na- tive of Alabama, he was born in Greenville, November 6, 1886, and is a son of William B. and Julia D. (Wilkinson) Barrow, who were also natives of Alabama, where the father carried on business as a cabinetmaker.

In the public schools near his home Ralph S. Barrow began his education and later attended the University of Alabama, from which he was graduated with the Bachelor of Science degree in 1910. He next entered Harvard University as a student in the School of Social Ethics, which he attended in 1913-14, and after thorough and comprehensive training in this field he was appointed to the position of executive secretary of the Alabama Children's Aid Society, with offices in Birmingham, and con- tinued to serve in that capacity from 1915 until 1923 save for the period of his service in the World war.

In 1918 Mr. Barrow enlisted in the United States Navy Reserve Force, became an ensign and was stationed in District No. 1, Boston, Massachusetts, patrolling the three-mile limit. Following his return to his welfare service in Birmingham he there remained until September, 1923, when he came to Hartford at the solicitation of the board of directors of the Children's Aid Society, having been appointed executive secretary, in which capacity he yet continues. His previous experience well qualified him for the work which he undertook and which he is now discharging most system- atically and ably. Clear insight enables him to readily understand each situation and to direct the affairs of the organization so as to make it a most far-reaching force in the efforts of the organization to protect the childhood of the state. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Council of Social Agencies and is a lieutenant commander of the Hartford Community Chest. He has thoroughly studied the various phases of welfare work, understands the complex problems which underlie almost every case and with high ideals before him is working to give each individual child its opportunity for normal development and the attainment of useful and honor- able manhood or womanhood.

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History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III, Part 76

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