History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III, Part 82

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 82

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Mr. Skiff was married April 13, 1886, to Miss Minnie Estelle Bailey, and they have two sons, Walter R. and Vincent. The following account of the achievements of the elder son was written by Albert W. Coote and appeared in the Hartford Courant under date of August 17, 1928:

"When he left the Hartford public high school in his senior year to get married about twenty-two years ago, Walter R. Skiff started work here as an assistant sign painter at twelve dollars a week. Tomorrow he will leave Cleveland for New York to accept a one hundred thousand dollar a year job. At forty-one years of age Mr. Skiff has signed a five-year contract to become general manager in charge of sales and production of the Rainbow Light, Inc., of Long Island City, New York. Without a college or even a business school education to help him, Mr. Skiff has worked himself up swiftly from the ranks. As a boy he used to work with his father in the sign-painting business. 'Walter was lucky, that's all,' his mother says of him. Mr. Skiff's last job was with the General Outdoor Advertising Company. He was general manager of this company's Cleveland branch. Before signing his contract with the Rainbow concern he stipulated that it must pay him in advance a year's salary in full, plus twenty thousand dollars. In addition to his keen knowledge of sales and production of new type signs, Mr. Skiff is a mechanical genius. He helped install the first broadcasting station in Cleveland, and before that aided in setting up some of the first stations in the east. He is said to have owned the best radio set in Cleveland, having built it himself.

"Last week Mr. Skiff came to Hartford in his power yacht Acacia to visit friends here. He is a member of the Bayside Yacht Club of Long Island. Mrs. Skiff is the former Mollie Cook, of Wilson Station. They have a son, Braisted Skiff, eighteen, who is a graduate of the Toledo high school and has attended the Sheffield School in Connecticut. He leaves this fall on a round-the-world trip in one of the 'floating colleges.' "

Frank B. Skiff is quartermaster of the First Company of the Governor's Foot Guard and holds the rank of captain. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias. He has conscientiously discharged life's duties and obligations and is esteemed for his business ability and enterprise as well as for his integrity and public spirit.

JOHN ROSS STEWART

John Ross Stewart, who in 1927 was chosen secretary of the Aetna Insurance Company of Hartford, his advancement being based upon broad knowledge gained through wide experience in the insurance field from 1904 to the present, was born in Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada, December 5, 1878, a son of Alexander Ross and Sarah (Cook) Stewart, of that place. His youthful days were largely devoted to the duties of the schoolroom as he pursued his studies in the public and high schools of Uxbridge. It was in 1904 that he first entered the insurance field by obtaining a position as rating inspector with the Canadian Fire Underwriters Association of Toronto; there continuing until 1909. He was next associated with the Royal Insurance Company of Montreal as an inspector for western Ontario and so remained until 1912, when he became a representative of the Aetna Insurance Company, being made a special agent at Toronto with jurisdiction over the entire territory from Nova Scotia to Manitoba. That he proved thoroughly efficient in that office is manifest in the fact that he there remained until 1923, when he was called to the home office in Hart- ford and made assistant secretary of the company. He had served in that capacity for four years when in 1927 he was elected secretary and accordingly assumed larger

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responsibilities and duties in connection with the successful direction of an important business that for many years has been a chief feature in the material upbuilding of this city.

On the 6th of November, 1907, Mr. Stewart was married to Miss Rella May Sims, of Toronto, Canada, and they are parents of one son, Peter Ross, born July 28, 1914.

Mr. Stewart belongs to the Hartford Golf Club, to the Canadian Club of New York and to the Mississauga Golf and Country Club of Port Credit, Ontario. His cordiality and social qualities make for warm friendships and he has become widely and favorably known during his residence in Hartford.

HAROLD C. ALVORD

Entering the field of finance at an early age, Harold C. Alvord has steadily advanced, each forward step bringing him a broader outlook and wider opportunities, and is now a forceful figure in banking circles of South Manchester. He was born February 14, 1891, and has spent his life in this community. His parents were John A. and Ada (Clark) Alvord, natives respectively of Bolton, Connecticut, and Dudley, Massachusetts. The father engaged in merchandising and served as postmaster of Manchester for forty years, holding office longer than any other man in the state. In 1926 he was called to his final rest and the mother died in the same year.

Harold C. Alvord acquired a public school education and in 1906, when a youth of fifteen, began to provide for his own livelihood, becoming a messenger for the Manchester Trust Company. Energetic, conscientious and capable, he worked his way through the various departments of the institution and in 1919 was elected treasurer of the company. For nine years he has filled that important office and is also a director of the corporation. He has progressed with the bank and is one of its most efficient and popular representatives. The Savings Bank of Manchester also numbers him among its directors.

On September 20, 1919, Mr. Alvord married Miss Marion Saunders, of Man- chester, daughter of Walter M. and Edith (Abbey) Saunders. Mr. and Mrs. Alvord have two children: John S., who was born in 1921; and Robert C., born in 1927. The parents attend the Congregational church and Mr. Alvord gives his political allegiance to the republican party. As a member of the Chamber of Commerce he is working for Manchester's best interests and also belongs to the Kiwanis Club, the Rotary Club, the Manchester Country Club and the City Club of Hartford. He is a Knight Templar and thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and Shriner and shapes his conduct by the beneficent teachings of the order. In business, thoroughly dependable and trustworthy, he has given his best efforts to the institution which he represents and the qualities to which he owes his success in financial affairs have won for him the confidence, respect and esteem of his fellowmen.

CHRISTIAN PETERSEN

Christian Petersen, a dealer in dairy machinery and supplies at 128 Kent street in Hartford, has back of this a broad and practical experience and a wide knowledge of the dairy business in all of its phases and connections, so that his thorough under- standing of the trade is manifest in his capable management of his present day interests. Mr. Petersen was born in Denmark, November 2, 1880, and is a son of Peter and Maria (Anderson) Petersen, also natives of that country, where the father followed the occupation of farming.

Christian Petersen was educated in the schools of Denmark and when eighteen years of age sailed alone for the United States, having determined to test the reports which he had heard concerning the opportunities of the new world. He landed in New York city and arrived in Hartford on the 11th of March, 1899, totally unfamiliar at that time with the English language. He was met, however, by his two brothers and three sisters, who were then living in Hartford, so that he did not find himself without some link that connected him with both the old world and the new. Going to West Hartford, he began working on the Ellsworth farm and while thus employed

(Photograph by The Johnstone Studio)

CHRISTIAN PETERSEN

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gained considerable knowledge of the English language. He was given Sunday- school books to read and thus he slowly and laboriously conquered his adopted tongue. He also occupied another position for three years and continued in business as a farmer and milkman until 1912, when he built his present office and began the sale and delivery of milk, butter and other dairy products. In January, 1914, he turned his attention to the dairy machinery and supply business, in which he has developed a very substantial, gratifying and growing trade. As he advanced in that field he gave up the milk business entirely and concentrated his attention upon his present interests. He is numbered among the most successful men of Hartford who have come from Denmark and he deserves much credit for what he has accomplished in that his advancement is the direct reward of his labors, his adaptability and his sound judgment.

On the 1st of November, 1901, Mr. Petersen was married to Miss Ane Elise Nielsen, a native of Denmark, and they now have three children: Anna, Raymond and Violet. They own and occupy a home on Ridgefield street.

In public affairs Mr. Petersen has manifested a deep and helpful interest and in 1926 was appointed street commissioner, while at the present time he is efficiently and acceptably filling the office of president of the board and secretary of the con- tract and supply committee. He is well known in Masonic circles inasmuch as he holds membership in Tuscan Lodge, No. 126, A. F. & A. M .; Pythagoras Chapter, R. A. M .; Wolcott Council, R. & S. M .; Washington Commandery, K. T .; Connecticut Consistory, S. P. R. S .; Sphinx Temple of the Mystic Shrine; and the Eastern Star. He likewise has membership in Tycho Brahe Lodge, No. 13, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the United Commercial Travelers, and Hartford Lodge No. 314 of the Danish Brotherhood of America, of which he is past president. He belongs to the Republican Club of Hartford and, though foreign born, is thoroughly American in spirit and interests.

HOWARD L. SANBORN

Howard L. Sanborn has long been closely and prominently identified with banking operations in Collinsville and is an officer in one of the oldest and strongest financial institutions in Hartford county. He was born in Collinsville in 1885 and is the only surviving member of the family of Joseph L. and Anna Sanborn, the former a native of New Hampshire, while the latter was born in Hartford county, Connecticut. His father was a skilled mechanic and for twenty-eight years was in the service of the Collins Company. Death summoned him in 1872 and the mother passed away in 1912.

The public schools of Collinsville afforded Howard L. Sanborn his educational advantages and his first commercial experience was gained as a clerk in a store. For a time he engaged in merchandising independently and then became an employe of the Collins Company. He remained with the firm until 1908 and has since been connected with the Collinsville Savings Society, Inc., which was organized in 1854 by Charles Blair and others. Many difficulties were encountered at first but since 1869 the business has prospered. The present bank building was erected in 1891 and the funds were stored in a large iron safe until 1926, when a modern vault was installed. For a number of years Samuel M. Codding was treasurer of the society, which he represented in that capacity until his death in 1891, when John D. Andrews was chosen as his successor, and served until his resignation in 1908, passing away two years later. Howard L. Sanborn, one of the directors of the bank, then became treasurer and has filled that office for twenty years. During this period the business of the institution has been more than doubled and he is also one of its trustees. Thoroughly understanding the complex details of modern finance, he has labored earnestly and systematically to promote the interests of the bank and his efforts have been manifestly resultant. Its president, Charles A. Farnham, has been the incumbent of that office since July, 1917, and is also a financier of broad experience and proven ability.

In 1883 Mr. Sanborn was united in marriage to Miss Frances H. Case, of Sims- bury, and both are prominent in social affairs of Collinsville. Mrs. Sanborn is a member of a colonial family of the east and belongs to Phoebe Humphrey Chapter, of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She is a member of the Congregational

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church and closely follows its teachings. Mr. Sanborn is a republican and in 1895 was called upon for legislative service, becoming state representative from Canton. For thirteen years he was town clerk and acted as tax collector for a period of eight years. His public duties were discharged with characteristic thoroughness and fidelity and his work was highly commended. His connection with the Masonic order dates from 1898 and for twenty years he has been a member of Washington Commandery, K. T. Mr. Sanborn endeavors to fulfill the beneficent teachings of the order and is honored and respected because of his integrity, public spirit and breadth of mind.

EUGENE J. PORTER

Eugene J. Porter was born in Plymouth, Connecticut, December 5, 1865, and is a representative of a family long associated with the history of New England. His parents were Bryan C. and Ann Mariah (White) Porter and the father became the owner of the business which is carried on in New Britain under the style of B. C. Porter Sons. Their furniture and undertaking establishment is the oldest of the kind in the city and for eighty-nine years the business has been conducted here with growing success.

Eugene J. Porter pursued his early education in his native city and after attend- ing the Camp school he started out in the commercial world in connection with his father, who was well known as a furniture dealer and undertaker in New Britain. In young manhood he studied under Professor Sullivan, who taught embalming in Boston, Eugene J. Porter completing his course there in 1890. He also had thorough business training under his father's direction and he has always handled the funeral house and the business connected therewith. About five years ago he purchased property at 19 Court street, where he now maintains a complete funeral home, having two assistants to aid him in the business. He has large display quarters and he utilizes motor equipment for transportation. His tactfulness, care and consideration feature largely in the success of the enterprise and he has the gratitude of many in recognition of his kindliness in an hour of sorrow. Mr. Porter is also a director of the Burritt Hotel and in business affairs his judgment is sound and his vision broad.

On the 10th of March, 1893, Mr. Porter was united in marriage to Miss Florence E. M. Morgan, a niece of Washington L. Morgan, who was prominently and widely known in New Britain, where he filled the office of chief of police. Mrs. Porter was born in Voluntown, Connecticut, but was reared in New Britain. By her marriage she became the mother of one daughter, Beatrice M., now the wife of Howard J. Bruemmer, of New Britain, who has charge of export sales in connection with the firm of Landers, Frary & Clark. Mrs. Porter was very active in church work and lived a consistent Christian life as a member of the Congregational society. She belonged to the Daughters of the American Revolution, which indicated her ancestral connection with the early history of the new world. She also had membership in the Woman's Club and she was very active in hospital work and in the Klingberg Home for Children. In a word she did everything she could to benefit the children who were homeless or needed assistance, and the poor, the needy and the unfortunate indeed lost a friend when she passed away February 13, 1921, and was laid to rest in the Fairview cemetery.

Mr. Porter makes his home with his daughter and his son-in-law and the other members of the family are the two grandchildren, Bryan Churchill and J. Porter Bruemmer. He is identified with the various branches of Masonry, including the York and Scottish Rite bodies and the Mystic Shrine, and he likewise belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Junior Order of United Ameri- can Mechanics. He has membership in the New Britain Club and he is active in local affairs not only as a private citizen but as a member of the Rotary Club. He is also serving on the finance committee of the new Masonic Temple. He votes with the republican party, believing firmly in its principles but not seeking public office. He has membership in St. Mark's Episcopal church and aids largely in its activities, serving as warden of the church and doing all in his power to further moral advance- ment in the community. That he is a scion of one of the old New England families is indicated in the fact that ancestral connection makes him eligible to membership in the Sons of the American Revolution, to which society he now belongs. He is a

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EUGENE J. PORTER.

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typical American citizen, justly proud of the long association of the family with the state, interested in all that makes for civic development and in all that promotes higher standards of manhood as exemplified in the various relations of life. Mr. Porter has taken an active and helpful part in the work of the Chamber of Commerce, of which he was formerly president and is now a director. For the past five years he has served on the embalming board of the state of Connecticut, which numbers five members. Moreover, he is one of the oldest members of the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association, of which he is a past president, and is likewise among the oldest members of the Putnam Phalanx, a military organization of Hartford which he joined forty years ago.

EDWARD S. GOODWIN

Edward S. Goodwin is senior partner in the firm of Goodwin-Beach & Company, owning and controlling one of the leading investment houses in Hartford. He was born in East Hartford, May 14, 1882, and is a son of Samuel O. and Elizabeth H. (Godry) Goodwin, his ancestral line being traced back to Ozias Goodwin, who was one of the first settlers of Hartford, his public-spirited devotion to the general good being manifest through succeeding generations in which representatives of the family have gained distinction and success, the family record being inseparably interwoven with the history of this city and state.

Having completed his education by graduation from the East Hartford high school, although he has since learned many valuable lessons in the practical school of experience, Edward S. Goodwin started out in business life as statistician with the Travelers Insurance Company, occupying that position continuously from 1899 until 1917, or for a period of almost two decades. He grew in knowledge and power during that time, having thoroughly acquainted himself with every phase of the business with which he was associated, and he then became statistician and salesman with Francis R. Cooley & Company, remaining with that organization until 1919. Desirous that his efforts should more directly benefit himself, he then became senior partner in the firm of Goodwin-Beach & Company and from the beginning their business has steadily grown in volume and importance until in handling investment securities theirs has become one of the leading houses in their line in the capital city. As his ability has received public recognition the cooperation of Mr. Goodwin has been sought in various other fields and he is now vice president, a director and a member of the executive committee of the Insuranshares Management Cor- poration and likewise a director and member of the executive committee of the Insuranshares Corporation of New York. He is president and is a member of the executive committee of the East Hartford Trust Company, and he is also serving as director, treasurer and member of the executive committee of the Land, Mortgage & Title Company of Hartford, as director and member of the finance committee of the Home Bank and Trust Company, as director and member of the executive com- mittee of the Park Street Trust Company and as director of the Universal Pattern and Model Company. Intricate and involved financial and business problems find ready solution at his hands. He quickly discriminates between the essential and the non-essential and makes the former an effective force in the attainment of growth, expansion and success in all business matters with which he is associated.

In the field of public affairs, too, Mr. Goodwin has rendered valuable service. He is on the executive committee of the board of commissioners of the East Hartford fire district and a member of the finance committee of the town of East Hartford. A recognition of his obligations and responsibilities in connection with public life has ever been one of his strongly marked characteristics and because of this his work of a public nature has been most effective and beneficial. He acted as chair- man of the Soldiers and Sailors Liberty drive and of the Red Cross canvass and was delegated to supervise various Liberty Loan drives in East Hartford and adjacent territory, in which connection his powers of organization and control stood him in good stead.

Mr. Goodwin is a fellow of the Casualty Actuarial and Statistical Society of America and a member of the American Statistical Association. He is well known in Masonic circles, being a Knight Templar, a thirty-second degree member of the

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Scottish Rite, a Shriner and a member of the Eastern Star. He is a past master of Orient Lodge, No. 62, F. & A. M., and past worthy patron of Bigelow Chapter, No. 33, O. E. S. He also belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge and the rules which govern his conduct find their basis in his faith as a member of the Congregational church. Socially he is connected with the Hartford, Wampanoag Country, Wethers- field Country and the City clubs of Hartford and his recreation, like his other inter- ests, covers broad scope, including automobiling, fishing, hunting, golf and photog- raphy. In a word his interests and activities, whether in the field of business, pleasure or public service, have been. varied and of an important character and at all times his community and his commonwealth have been greatly benefited by what he has undertaken.

DANIEL EDWARD SHEA, M. D.

Dr. Daniel Edward Shea, a well known representative of the medical profession who has attained distinction in the field of urological surgery, was born in Hart- ford, January 18, 1893, his parents being Michael J. and Catherine (Gearin) Shea, of this city. He supplemented his public and high school course by attendance at St. John's Preparatory College in Danvers, Massachusetts, and later he pursued a pre-medical course in St. Bonaventure College in Allegany, New York, while his more specifically professional course was taken in Loyola University of Chicago, where he won his M. D. degree in 1917. He gained valuable practical experience through serving as interne in St. Francis Hospital in Hartford and in the Alexian Brothers Hospital of Chicago, spending two years in those institutions and thereby gaining the valuable knowledge and experience that can be acquired in no other way as rapidly as in hospital practice. Later Dr. Shea filled the position of resident urologist in the Los Angeles General Hospital for eighteen months, but preferring residence in New England rather than on the Pacific coast, he returned to Hartford in 1919 and was engaged in general practice here until 1922. The latter year was devoted to postgraduate work in the University of Vienna, after which he returned to his native city and again opened an office, but has since limited his practice to urological surgery, in which field he has displayed marked ability and gained wide recognition as an eminent representative of that department of medical practice.

On the 14th of June, 1924, Dr. Shea was united in marriage to Miss Mary Nash, a daughter of John and Anna C. Nash, of Chicago, and they have one son, Daniel Edward, Jr., born March 15, 1925, and one daughter, Mary Lorraine, born April 1, 1928.

In his fraternal relations Dr. Shea is an Elk and he also has membership with the Knights of Columbus. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party but he concentrates his time and energies upon his professional duties, which he discharges with a sense of conscientious obligation to his fellowmen. He has con- stantly promoted his knowledge and skill by reading and study and he also keeps in touch with the trend of modern professional thought, research and discovery through his membership in the Hartford County, Connecticut State and American Medical Associations, the American Urological Association and the American College of Surgeons. He is ever actuated by the high purpose of making his service of the greatest value to his fellowmen and his professional standing is indeed one of prom- inence and honor. He is now the secretary of the Hartford City Medical Society.

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History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III, Part 82

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