History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III, Part 78

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 78

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On the 19th of December, 1906, Mr. Giffin was united in marriage to Miss Floye Lewis, of Denver, Colorado. They are the parents of two sons: Sidney F., who is a graduate of the Hartford public high school and is now associated with the Hartford Electric Light Company; and Lewis A., who is an honor student of all the public high schools of Hartford and is now attending Trinity College. The family resides at No. 11 Bretton road in West Hartford. Mr. Giffin is a member of the Delta Tau Delta and the Kiwanis Club and is chairman of the educational committee of the Hartford Underwriters Association.

HON. GEORGE ARTHUR QUIGLEY

For three decades George Arthur Quigley has continuously and successfully en- gaged in the real estate business in New Britain and there are few men more ade- quately and accurately informed concerning realty values and the possibilities for trade in properties than he. The years have brought him many clients as a reward for his thoroughness and his industry, and he is now numbered among the successful business men of New Britain, where he was born October 9, 1880. He is a son of Thomas J. and Caroline (Partridge) Quigley and was educated in the local public schools but started out without any special opportunities, liis first earnings coming to him as a boy peddling papers upon the streets of his native town. For a few years thereafter he was employed by the Russell & Erwin Manufacturing Company and at the age of eighteen years he established a real estate office, which he has conducted continuously since 1898. There is little of the spectacular in this line of work, but the qualities of thoroughness, earnestness and reliability count for much and along these lines Mr. Quigley has made steady advance.

Moreover, he has figured actively and prominently in political circles as a stal- wart supporter of the republican party. The first political office which he ever filled was that of councilman from the fourth ward, which gave him the distinction of being the youngest man ever elected to public office in New Britain. Later he was elected to the same office from the second ward, to which he had in the meantime changed his residence. He has always closely studied municipal affairs and his aid and influence have ever been on the side of reform, progress and improvement. That the public recognized this fact was shown in his election to the mayoralty in 1914, fol- lowed by three reelections, so that he was continued in the office until 1920, giving to the city a businesslike and progressive administration that proved most beneficial. He was acting as mayor during the World war period and in consequence thereof had charge of the draft board. He founded the first war bureau in the United States to consolidate all war efforts under one head and his example in this direction was widely followed throughout the country and his efficiency at once became evident.

On the 1st of June, 1907, Mr. Quigley was married to Miss Edith Louise Wood, of Suffield, Connecticut, and they now have two children: Dorothy Louise, who is a

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HON. GEORGE A. QUIGLEY

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HARTFORD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT

student in the Connecticut College for Women; and Richard B., attending the public schools.

Mr. Quigley is a member of the Sons of St. George and fraternally is con- nected with the Foresters and the Odd Fellows. He is ever loyal to any cause which he espouses and he always holds a receptive mind, being ready to change his opin- ions if reason can convince him of the advisability of such a course. His life has been one of intense and well directed activity and his labors have not only been a source of benefit to himself but also to his fellow townsmen through his efficiency and progressiveness in public office.

STANLEY A. KARPINSKI

His well developed powers and conscientious devotion to duty have brought Stanley A. Karpinski to the front in financial circles of New Britain and his political activities have won for him widespread prominence. In the affairs of the local Polish-American organization he takes a leading part and has also found time for civic service. He was born May 8, 1897, in New Britain and is a son of Anthony and Mary Karpinski, natives of Poland. His parents came to the United States about 1893, settling in New Britain, and the father secured work in a factory. They joined the Sacred Heart Catholic church and have conscientiously adhered to its teachings. To Mr. and Mrs. Karpinski were born seven children, three sons and four daughters.

Stanley A. Karpinski attended a parochial school of New Britain and took a gen- eral course in St. John's College at Erie, Pennsylvania. For ten years he was employed in the Stanley Works of New Britain and next entered the service of the United States government, filling a position in the internal revenue department. During that time he gained valuable experience in financial affairs and on December 15, 1927, tendered his resignation, accepting a position in the trust department of the New Britain National Bank. He is efficient and dependable and has thoroughly justified the confidence reposed in his ability.

Mr. Karpinski was married at Southington, Connecticut, in 1922, to Miss Stella Elowiecki and they have become the parents of a daughter, Louise Marion, who was born August 4, 1926. Mr. and Mrs. Karpinski are affiliated with the Holy Cross Catholic church and he was a member of the organizing committee of the new edi- fice. A considerable portion of his time has been devoted to religious work and he is one of the chief officers of the Polish Roman Catholic Alliance. In politics he is a strong republican and in 1922 he was elected a councilman of New Britain. He was a delegate to the congressional convention of 1923 and in 1922 was elected council- man. In 1924 he became an alderman and served for about two years. During his tenure of office he championed all measures of reform, progress and improvement, doing all in his power to further the interests of the municipality. He is president of the state Polish-American Political Organizations of Connecticut and was the in- stigator of the consolidation of such organizations in the New England states. For- merly they met in Boston but Mr. Karpinski succeeded in bringing them to New Britain. He is secretary of the local Polish-American organization and also belongs to the Falcons Club. Although but thirty-one years of age he has reached a field of broad influence and usefulness and represents a fine type of American manhood and citizenship.

GEORGE H. HOLLISTER

A course in the Agricultural College of Connecticut and long experience as a landscape gardener well qualified George H. Hollister for his present responsible position as superintendent of parks in Hartford and his efficiency is attested by all competent to speak upon the subject. Mr. Hollister was born in Medina, Ohio, April 14, 1882, his parents being John B. and Harriet N. (Northrup) Hollister, the former a native of Torrington, Litchfield county, Connecticut, and the latter of Evanston, Illinois.

The establishment of the family home in Connecticut during the early boyhood of

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George H. Hollister enabled him to pursue his preliminary education in the schools of Washington, this state, while later he attended the Agricultural College and gradu- ated in 1902. He was assistant in horticulture at the college two years and then became gardener on an estate at Greenwich, Connecticut, where he remained for three years. He afterward spent a similar period at the Connecticut Experiment Station in New Haven, being engaged in the suppression work of the Gypsy moth. In 1909 he came to Hartford, where he occupied the position of forester of Keney park until he was made superintendent. This was originally a private park which, however, was taken over by the city in 1924, and he became assistant superintendent thereof, having been made assistant superintendent of parks in 1921. A recognition of his capability and efficiency in this field came to him in January, 1926, when he was ap- pointed park superintendent of Hartford, having supervision over twenty-six parks, triangles and squares, while his duties also include the superintendency of public cemeteries. He has under him from one hundred to two hundred and fifty employes, according to the season, and he has been active in developing the park and boulevard system of Hartford in a manner that has made the system one of which every citizen may well be proud. He has had broad experience in his work and has done much to beautify the parks, which are directed by a commission operating under a special charter.

On the 27th of July, 1910, Mr. Hollister was united in marriage to Abby Minot Hicks, of Bristol Ferry, Rhode Island. They are the parents of a daughter, Jeane.

Fraternally Mr. Hollister is a member of Lafayette Lodge, No. 100, F. & A. M. He is a member of the City Club and also of the American Institute of Park Execu- tives, of which he is a past president. He is likewise a trustee of the Connecticut Agricultural College and he holds to high standards in his chosen life work.

ROBERT J. SULLIVAN

Robert J. Sullivan, vice president of the Travelers Insurance Company, has always concentrated his activity upon insurance interests since entering the business world following the completion of his education in the Hartford public high school. He was born in this city October 20, 1879, and is a son of Bartholomew J. and Mary (Downey) Sullivan, the former also a native of Hartford, while the mother was born in Ireland. His grandfather in the paternal line was likewise a native of the Emerald isle and came to the United States prior to the Civil war, settling in Hartford, and afterward serving in defense of the Union in the long conflict between the states. His son, Bartholomew J. Sullivan, long engaged in the livery business in Hartford, where he still makes his home, being practically retired from active business at the present time.

At the usual age Robert J. Sullivan entered the public schools, mastering the work of successive grades until he was graduated from the high school with the class of 1897. For two years thereafter he engaged in the news business in Worcester, Massachusetts, and Concord, New Hampshire, and in 1899 he entered the employ of the Travelers Insurance Company, with which he has now been associated for almost three decades. He first occupied a clerical position in the actuarial department, being identified with that division which served the accident department. In 1904 he was transferred to the liability department and in 1910 he was elected assistant secretary, while two years later he was made secretary of that department. He thus assumed active duties in connection with administrative direction and executive control and under his guidance and that of his superior, Vice President Walter G. Cowles, the liability insurance business of the company developed tremendously. There was also great growth in the compensation insurance as the result of the enactment of work- men's compensation laws in nearly all states, and the casualty business has become one of the major lines through the development of automobile insurance. In 1922 Mr. Sullivan was elected vice president of the Travelers Indemnity Company and has since bent his energies largely to the promotion of the business in the field of burg- lary, plate glass and boiler and machinery insurance as well as compensation and liability.

On the 6th of July, 1905, Mr. Sullivan was united in marriage to Miss Mary Abbie Bresnahan, of Concord, New Hampshire. They are the parents of nine chil-

.(Photograph by The Johnstone Studio)

ROBERT J. SULLIVAN

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dren, namely: Lucy Barbara, Robert J., Jr., Elizabeth Mary, Arthur Bland, Paul Bar- tholomew, Patricia Mary, Mary Bland, Cornelia Jane and Peter Bland.

Mr. Sullivan is identified with the Knights of Columbus and with the Catholic Club of New York city and he also has membership in the Hartford Club and the Country Club. He is appreciative of the social amenities of life and is popular among his many friends, but his time and energies are chiefly devoted to his duties as an executive of the Travelers, in which he has risen from the ranks to his present posi- tion of prominence and responsibility through close application. At all times dis- charging his duties to the satisfaction of his superiors, he advanced step by step until the 21st of November, 1927, brought him election to the vice presidency of the company.

LUCIAN MACORA

Lucian Macora is a product of New Britain and an enterprising young business man who is successfully managing important mercantile interests, at the same time performing his share of public service. He was born August 17, 1902, and is a son of Julian and May Macora, natives of Poland. His father came to the United States in 1896, settling in New Britain, and about three years later the mother joined him in this city. For fifteen years he was a factory worker and in 1916 ventured in business for himself, opening a grocery and meat market. In the intervening period he has established a large trade through honest dealing, courteous service and the prompt delivery of orders. He adheres to the Catholic faith and is a member of the Sacred Heart church. Mr. and Mrs. Macora have three children, two sons and a daughter.

Lucian Macora obtained his elementary education in a parochial school of New Britain and in 1921 was graduated from high school. For some time he worked in his father's store and is now in the furniture business. He exercises great care in the selection of the stock, carrying a fine line, and is always prepared to supply the needs of patrons, knowing that satisfied customers constitute the best advertisement.

On June 27, 1927, Mr. Macora was united in marriage to Miss Stella Walegora, of New Britain, and both are popular in social circles of the city. They are zealous members of the Sacred Heart church and Mr. Macora acted as secretary when the members of the parish tendered a banquet to Father Bofnowski on the occasion of the thirty-third anniversary of his ordination as a priest. Mr. Macora holds the third degree in the Knights of Columbus and is allied with the democratic party. In 1926 he was elected councilman from the fifth ward and is now a member of the license and claims committee. His interest in New Britain's welfare is deep and sincere and he is ever ready to further plans for its advancement. Earnest and purposeful, he never fails to accomplish what he attempts, and that Mr. Macora is a young man of sterling worth is indicated by the place which he holds in the esteem of his fellow citizens, with whom his life has been spent.

DAVID NORTH CASE

David North Case, chief adjuster for the life, accident and group claim division who has rounded out forty years' service with the Travelers Insurance Company, was born in the town of Farmington, in the village of Unionville, Hartford county, March 31, 1872, and is a son of Charles Humphrey and Rachel Edna (North) Case, both of whom were natives of Canton, this county. The ancestral line is traced back to John Case, who entered Windsor in 1664 and is believed to have been an emigrant from England. He came with the company under the Rev. Mr. Warham by way of Dorchester in 1635 and after living for a time in Windsor removed to Massacoe, now Simsbury. He married Sarah Spencer, who died in 1691, while he passed away in 1703. Their son, Joseph Case, Sr., born in 1674, married Anna Eno and died in 1748, while his wife passed away in 1760. They were parents of Joseph Case, Jr., who was born in 1700 and died in 1782, while his wife, Hannah Humphrey, departed this life in 1787. Their son, Deacon Hosea Case, who was born in 1731 and died in 1793, had

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married Mary Case, who passed away in 1817. Asa Case, son of Deacon Case, was born in 1758 and was twice married. His first wife, Lois Dill died in 1812, and his second wife, Theda Humphrey, died in 1851, having for fourteen years survived her husband, whose life's labors were ended in 1837. The ancestor of David N. Case in the sixth generation was Milton Case, who was born in 1801, married Eunice Reed and died in 1882. Their son, Charles Humphrey Case, born in 1841, was married to Rachel Edna North and both passed away in 1927. Among the ancestors of David N. Case were those who participated in the early wars in which the country became engaged, while his father enlisted for service in the Civil war July 22, 1862, and was on duty until June 24, 1865, being a member of the famous Sixteenth Connecticut Infantry, with which he participated in the battle of Antietam and numerous other engagements. He was captured at Plymouth, North Carolina, and was incarcerated in the Andersonville and Florence prisons for eleven months. In early life he had fol- lowed farming and later devoted his attention to carpentering. He passed away in June, 1927, having survived his wife for only about five months, she having died in January of the same year.

David North Case obtained a public school education and on the 7th of Novem- ber, 1888, when a youth of sixteen years, entered the employ of the Travelers Insur- ance Company as mail boy. There are no spectacular phases in his career, for he has always remained with this corporation, filling various positions in the different departments and steadily working his way upward, winning rapid promotions and reaching the position of chief adjuster of the life, accident and group claim division in 1912. He has recently rounded out forty years of service with this company-forty years in which fidelity to duty, efficiency and close application have been outstanding features. His worth is widely acknowledged by all who know him but most of all by those whom he has represented in the business world, the corporation bearing high testimony to his loyalty and to his business skill.

On the 7th of May, 1899, Mr. Case was married to Miss Jessie Van Buren, of New York city, and their three children are David, Emily and Lois, the elder daughter being now the wife of James S. Guernsey, of Ansonia, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Case reside at No. 18 Woodrow street in West Hartford. He has membership with the Sons of Veterans and with the Masonic fraternity, in which he has become a Knight Templar and a Shriner. He is also identified with the Hartford Club, the City Club, the Wampanoag Club and the Automobile Club, and his uniform courtesy and his appreciation of the good qualities of others have made for friendship on the part of his fellowmen, so that he is today one of the valued citizens of Hartford.

THOMAS F. McDONOUGH

Among New Britain's native sons who have gained a creditable position as repre- sentatives of the bar is numbered Thomas F. McDonough, who was here born Decem- ber 17, 1900. His father, John McDonough, is a native of Ireland but for many years has made his home in New Britain, where he is now retired from business. He is identified with the Knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and St. Mary's Catholic church. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Keating, was born in New Britain, Connecticut.

Thomas F. McDonough supplemented his preliminary education by study in the Brooklyn Law School and in the Yale Summer School and his reading was further directed by the firm of Holden & Peck of Hartford. He was also associated with Kirkham, Cooper, Hungerford & Camp, well known attorneys at law of New Britain. Admitted to the bar on the 16th of January, 1923, he entered upon active practice in the courts of Hartford county and was admitted to the United States courts in 1925. He has always continued in general law practice, specializing, however, to some extent in criminal law, in extradition work and immigration work, and he is well informed on the basic principles of law which have to do with these fields. He has his offices in the Commercial Trust Company building and is accorded an excellent practice for one of his years, being ranked with the leading young attorneys of New Britain.

In the public life of the community he is also keenly interested and is identified with the democratic party and is democratic candidate for senator from the Sixth Sen- atorial district in 1928. He was on the staff at the democratic national convention at

(Photograph by The Murray Studio)

THOMAS F. MCDONOUGH

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Houston, Texas, in 1928, as sergeant-at-arms and is a member of the speakers bureau of the state democratic central committee. At the present writing he is serving on the zoning commission of New Britain. He belongs to St. Mary's Roman Catholic church, to the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Young Men's Total Abstinence and Benevolent Society, the Delta Theta Phi and the New Britain Lawyers Club. While yet a young man, he has made creditable progress and displays those qualities which make for success at the bar, so that his future record will undoubtedly be one of steady advancement.

DANIEL ASA READ

Daniel Asa Read, assistant secretary of the Travelers Insurance Company, whose constructive business processes and whose thoroughness in everything he undertakes have been elements in the continued and notable success of the corporation which he represents, was born in Middletown, Connecticut, November 1, 1885, a son of William Bedford and Christina Isabella (MacDonald) Read, the father a native of Portland, Con- necticut, and the mother of Middletown, this state. The Read family came originally from England, where the ancestral line is traced back to 1139. The MacDonald family is of Scotch lineage brought down from the twelfth or thirteenth century. The pioneer of the Read family in America came from England with the Winthrop expedition in 1730 to Boston, and representatives of the name in later generations drifted into Connecticut at an early period when the reclamation of this state from the wilder- ness was scarcely begun. The Read family were all seafaring men and the grand- father, Asa Read, met his death by drowning off the coast of Havana after having served as master of several ships. William Bedford Read was also a seafaring man on coast ships along the Atlantic and had become master of a sailing ship when but nineteen years of age. He died in Providence, Rhode Island, September 13, 1918, and is yet survived by his widow, who now makes her home in Hartford.

Daniel A. Read pursued his education in the Middletown schools and when his textbooks were put aside he began to learn the lessons of practical business life as an employe of the Roebling Construction Company of New York city, with which he remained for about three years. In the meantime he had studied stenography and in 1906 he secured a position with the firm of Pratt & Whitney, Hartford manufac- turers, with whom he continued until 1908, when he joined the Travelers Insurance Company as a clerk in the audit department. For three years he continued to act in that capacity, after which he became a private clerk in Mr. Butler's office and so continued until August, 1917, when he was appointed office supervisor. His efficiency, thoroughness and fidelity to the interests which he represented were manifest in his promotion in January, 1922, at which time he was elected assistant secretary-his present position. He thus has to do with the direction of important interests of one of the largest insurance companies of the world. His duties are varied and make heavy demands upon his time, with many assistants under him.

On the 29th of January, 1914, Mr. Read was married to Miss May Hutchins, of Middletown, Connecticut, and they have gained many friends during the period of their residence in Hartford, the hospitality of many of the city's attractive homes being now cordially extended them. Mr. Read is a member of the Masonic fraternity and in exemplary manner follows the teachings and spirit of the craft, but his ac- tivities are largely limited by the heavy demands made upon him in a business way.

SYDNEY SYMON

An attractive and well appointed furniture store of New Britain is managed by Sydney Symon, who is giving tangible proof of his sound judgment and progressive management in building up a patronage that is now extensive and gratifying. Mr. Symon is a native of New York city. He was born in 1891 and pursued his education in the metropolis, after which he attended the City College of New York. Subse- quently he became an advertising manager for department stores in New York, with which he was thus identified until 1917, when he became associated with government

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publicity work. In August, 1924, he was made manager of the John A. Andrews Company, Inc., of New Britain, which in the previous month had been bought by Messrs. George, Leon and Samuel Kaplan. He was elected vice president in 1925 and has since continued in that capacity, his associate officers being: Samuel Kaplan, of Hartford, president; George Kaplan, secretary; and Leon Kaplan, treasurer. The John A. Andrews Company has for twenty-eight years conducted one of the pioneer furniture stores of New Britain. In this establishment they handle everything for the home, including furniture and house furnishings, pianos and musical instruments. They carry what is probably the largest stock in their line in New Britain and keep their reserve supplies in a warehouse in Berlin which is much larger than the store. The New Britain establishment is five floors and basement, all used for display purposes, and a most attractive stock is carried, while its tasteful arrangement arrests the attention of visitors and prospective buyers. Mr. Symon and his asso- ciates are very alert and energetic merchants, keeping in touch with the trend of the times as displayed in the most modern styles of furniture, and they have ever realized that a satisfied customer is their best advertisement. Mr. Symon's earlier experience in the field of advertising enables him to take care of all of his own advertising in connection with the store and he presents his establishment to the public through most interesting and original newspaper displays.

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History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III, Part 78

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