History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III, Part 83

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 83

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CLARK BELDEN

By way of the advertising, journalistic and insurance fields Clark Belden has arrived at his present position as executive vice president of the State Chamber of Commerce of Connecticut. His activities en route have not only included the routine business duties along the lines indicated but also much public speaking and the preparation of many newspaper and magazine articles. Mr. Belden is among the best informed men in the state on the general business, political and civic situations. Born in Falls Village, Connecticut, April 4, 1896, he is a son of John H. and Frances M.

BACHRACH

CLARK BELDEN

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(Clark) Belden. He completed the high school course in Hartford with the class of 1914 and the same year matriculated in Brown University, which he attended through the two succeeding years, following a summer course in Cornell University in 1914. He also further studied in the Northwestern University during the summers of 1926 and 1927, but his collegiate training has not covered the scope of his studies, as through- out his entire life his studious habits have been manifest, leading to research along many lines of knowledge. He initiated his business career by becoming a reporter on the Hartford Courant in 1914 and afterward was a special reporter on the Provi- dence (R. I.) Journal in 1916-17. In 1919 he entered upon active connection with the publicity department of the Travelers Insurance Company and so continued until May, 1923, after having previously received instruction in the fundamentals of various kinds of insurance in the training school of that corporation. On leaving the Travel- ers, he devoted six months to service in the publicity department of the Affiliated Aetna Companies and from June 1, 1924, until November 20, 1924, was a representa- tive of the advertising department of the Hartford Fire Insurance Company. These connections in the insurance field covered a broad scope, including the writing of insurance articles for the various company publications, the preparation of sales folders and booklets regarding insurance for distribution to the public, the writing of trade paper advertisements on insurance and the instruction of insurance agents in the best methods of using newspaper advertising. His articles regarding insur- ance, advertising and popular subjects have appeared in the Chemical Age, Printers' Ink, Advertising and Selling Fortnightly, The Printing Art, Judicious Advertising, Motor Life, Elks Magazine, Barron's, Independent, Collier's and others. These articles have been the subject of editorial comment in several leading insurance journals, while the one which he prepared for the Elks Magazine was reprinted in part in The Literary Digest. The article published in The Printing Art that dealt with the voca- tional phases of insurance advertising work was adopted for use in the advanced advertising classes of the New York University by Professor George Burton Hotch- kiss, chairman of the advertising department and author of standard books on advertising.

Mr. Belden's activities with the Connecticut Chamber of Commerce date from 1924, when he was made manager of the legislative bureau, and the following year he was appointed assistant secretary. On the 1st of March, 1926, he was elected acting secretary when George B. Chandler, then secretary, severed his connections with the Connecticut Chamber to become secretary of the Ohio Chamber of Com- merce. His initiative in helping to pay off an old debt of the organization and in mapping out a program of work resulted in his unanimous election as secretary and since 1927 he has been executive vice president, secretary and a director. The Con- necticut Chamber comprises over one thousand members, twenty committees with a personnel of over one hundred and sixty and a board of directors numbering one hundred and three. In his present connection Mr. Belden is planning, directing and executing the research and survey program of the State Chamber, directs the pub- licity campaigns on behalf of legislation and other matters and handles committees and conferences composed of Connecticut's leading business men to study public questions, business problems and legislative matters. He is also a director of the Connecticut State Fair.

Mr. Belden was in charge of a part of the army paper work at the replacement camp at Le Courneau, France, in 1918-19. This work was carried on for fifteen hun- dred men, with as many as twenty assistant clerks. His entire activity has practically been in the line of public service. He served as secretary of the general committee of the New England Advertising Convention at Hartford in 1924 and in the same year he was a member of the publicity committee of the Hartford Community Chest. In 1926 he was on the publicity committee of the New England Conference at Hart- ford. His appointment as secretary of the State Chamber of Commerce came through his connection with the Hartford Advertising Club when he was sent to represent that body at an important business meeting in Waterbury, having been selected for the task because none of the club officials were able to attend. While he was supposed to make only a verbal report at the next club meeting, Mr. Belden prepared an analytical summary of the meeting, submitting a copy to George B. Chandler, then secretary of the Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, who, unknown to Mr. Belden, had been quietly looking for an assistant and was so impressed by the carefully arranged report that Mr. Belden submitted to him that he offered the latter the

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position of his assistant. Mr. Belden belongs to the National Association of Com- mercial Organization Societies, the National Association of State Chamber of Com- merce Officials and the New England Association of Commercial Executives. He has membership with the Sons of the American Revolution and has been chairman of its national publicity committee. Aside from his membership in the Hartford Adver- tising Club, of which he was secretary in 1924-25 and vice president in 1925-26, he belongs to the Newspaper Club of New York. He has become widely known through the many public addresses which he had delivered previously on insurance questions and in later years on various subjects vital to the commonwealth in which the Chamber of Commerce has manifested an active interest. The years have chronicled his steady development until he is today recognized as a forceful factor in the public life of the state and one whose wide reading and study enables him to speak with authority upon questions of general concern.

THOMAS J. CROCKETT

Thomas J. Crockett, filling the office of town treasurer of the town of Farming- ton, is proving a capable official through prompt and intelligent service, and he is also well known throughout the community by reason of the successful real estate business which he has established. A native of South Manchester, Connecticut, he was born in 1892, his parents being Thomas and Catherine (Meade) Crockett, who came to South Manchester from the uppermost part of Ireland about 1878. The father was employed by Cheney Brothers, well known silk manufacturers, for a period of forty-two years-a fact indicative of his marked loyalty and excellent workmanship. Both he and his wife have now passed away.

In the public schools of his native city Thomas J. Crockett began his education and in due course of time was graduated from the high school with the class of 1906, while later he pursued a commercial course in Hartford. He came to Union- ville to learn the cutlery business with the Union Cutlery & Hardware Company and continued with them until 1917, when America having entered the World war, he enlisted in the naval reserve force. He was in the War College at Newport, Rhode Island, and he was the first man to leave for active duty from Unionville. He engaged in personnel work under the command of Professor Marion Eppley, chem- istry expert at Princeton University, and after eight months was sent overseas with Commander Whitting about April, 1918. He landed on the east coast of England, the vessel in which he sailed docking at Hull in the North sea. He was active in aviation circles and was also assistant paymaster. On the 30th of May, 1919, he returned to the new world and was mustered out. After the armistice was signed he had been on duty in the office of Admiral Sims in London from the 5th of Janu- ary until May, 1919, and his discharge was granted in 1921.

When the country no longer needed his aid Mr. Crockett returned to Unionville, where he again became connected with the cutlery business and was made secretary of the firm, with which he was associated until October, 1926, when he sold out. It was at that time that he turned his attention to the real estate business in Union- ville and also established an insurance agency. He has thus become well known in the field of finance and his enterprise and industry have carried him steadily for- ward to success.

Mr. Crockett has also figured quite prominently in political circles and has always been a stanch advocate of republican principles. In 1920 he was elected town treas- urer and is still holding that position, proving an able custodian of the public funds. On June 11, 1928, he was appointed postmaster of Unionville by President Calvin Coolidge. For twelve years he was treasurer of the fire department and he has always been most faithful in the discharge of his official duties, doing everything in his power to advance the welfare of city and county. In 1919 Mr. Crockett organ- ized and was the first commander of Hanrahan Post, No. 32, of the American Legion. In 1927 he became master of the blue lodge of Masons and is also identified with the chapter and council, while on the roll of Odd Fellows his name likewise appears. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and he is a director of the Unionville Bank & Trust Company as well as president and director of Crockett & Clancy, Inc.

In 1920 Mr. Crockett was married to Miss Agatha Hollinger, who was born in

THOMAS J. CROCKETT

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Unionville, and they now have three children: Thomas J., William Kirwan and Patricia Mary. Mrs. Crockett is a member of St. Mary's Catholic church and Mr. Crockett belongs to the Congregational church. They are well known in Unionville, where they have many friends and where his work as a business man and public official has gained for him high place in the esteem of those who know him.

RICHARD JOHN KINSELLA

With the history of civic activity and progress in Hartford the name of Richard John Kinsella is closely associated inasmuch as he filled various public offices with credit and ability and at one time filled a four years' term as mayor. He was born in Hartford, Connecticut, October 5, 1857. His father, Matthew Kinsella, was born and reared in County Wexford, Ireland, and there learned the ship carpenter's trade, which he followed for a number of years. Crossing the Atlantic to become an Amer- ican citizen, he located in Hartford about 1846 and devoted his attention to general carpenter work. He married Helen Gough, who was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, and they had three children: Richard John, Catherine and William.

The first named, after pursuing a public school education, served a two years' apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, during which time he worked on the state capitol. He did not find that occupation congenial, however, and after being employed for a time in a grocery store he became a traveling salesman for the wholesale grocery house of Foster & Company, which he thus represented for twelve years. In 1886 he established a wholesale and retail business in butter and eggs in Hartford, in partnership with Thomas A. Smith, under the firm style of Kinsella & Smith, and with the passing years the little enterprise grew into a large and profitable venture, so that in 1902 they opened a second store in Hartford, making extensive sales to the retail trade, while their wholesale business likewise reached gratifying proportions.

In politics, too, Richard J. Kinsella became prominent as a supporter of the democratic party. He served on the common council for a year, on the board of aldermen for four years, was fire commissioner three years, member of the water board three years and in 1915 was the defeated mayoralty candidate owing to internal strife in party ranks. For eight years he was a member of the south school district and in these various offices rendered effective services in maintaining the city's wel- fare and promoting its progress. Again he became the democratic nominee for the mayoralty and was elected for the term from 1918 to 1920 and also for the term from 1922 to 1924. He gave to the city a businesslike and progressive administration, introduced needed reforms and improvements and maintained the work of his office at a high standard, discharging his duties fearlessly and faithfully.

On the 27th of February, 1890, Mr. Kinsella was married to Catherine Scott, who was born in Hartford in 1870, a daughter of John Scott, of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Kinsella became parents of seven children: John M., William G., Helen M., Pauline S., Richard John, Jr., George Francis and Marian G. The family circle was broken by the hand of death when in 1925 the husband and father passed away. He had been a member of the Knights of Columbus, of Nathan Hale Tent of the Maccabees and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. There was also an interesting military chapter in his life record inasmuch as he served for thirteen years in the state militia and was commissioned first lieutenant of Company B, First Regiment, Connecticut National Guard. His sterling worth was widely recognized, the public press speaking of him as "a man of large ability in business and con- scientious when entrusted with a public service."

GEORGE FRANCIS KINSELLA

George Francis Kinsella is making an excellent record as a public official as a member of the board of assessors of Hartford and is thus following in the footsteps of his father, Richard John Kinsella, an honored citizen who was mayor of Hartford and who in many ways contributed to the development and progress of the city. He was born in Hartford, February 22, 1900, and pursued a public school education,

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completing his course by graduation from the grammar school with the class of 1914. He then made his initial step in the business world by becoming an inspector in the employ of the United States Tire Company. After a short time he entered the auto- mobile business, in which he continued for four years. On the 4th of April, 1928, he was elected a member of the board of assessors on the democratic ticket. His father had long been active in the public life of the community, capably serving as an official, and those who remembered his excellent service did not hesitate to give their support to his son, who is making a mnost creditable record in office, proving that public confidence has not been misplaced.

On the 6th of April, 1920, Mr. Kinsella was united in marriage to Miss Dorothea Mooney, of Hartford, and with their four children-Catherine Scott, Richard J., James H. and George B .- they reside at 316 West Preston street. Mr. Kinsella is widely known in the city in which he has always lived and many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time.

REV. THOMAS HENRY TIERNAN

Rev. Thomas Henry Tiernan is one of the strong individual forces in the spread of the Catholic religion and an influential factor for good in Unionville, which for nine years has been the scene of his pastoral labors. He was born in New Haven, Connecticut, September 4, 1879, and his parents, Thomas Francis and Rose Ann (Winters) Tiernan, were natives of Ireland. The father was born in October, 1846, and the mother in May, 1852.

Father Tiernan attended the public schools of his native city and studied in St. Charles College during the fall term of 1893. In June, 1899, he was graduated from that institution with the degree of Bachelor of Arts and three months later went to Detroit, Michigan, matriculating in the Seminary of SS. Cyril & Methodius, which he attended for two years, in the department of philosophy. Going to Austria, he entered the University of Lemberg as a student of theology at the Latin Seminary and on June 5, 1904, was ordained to the priesthood at Kochawina, Austria. He then returned to the United States and from July until October, 1904, held a curacy at Rockville, Connecticut. In November, 1904, he filled a curacy in St. Mary's parish, New London, Connecticut, and remained there until February, 1914. He then went to Moodus, Connecticut, where he labored successfully until August, 1919, at which time he was called to Unionville, and here his religious activities have since been centered. Father Tiernan has been the counselor and friend of his parishioners, always ready to assist them in solving the problems and perplexities of life, and during his pastorate the numerical and financial strength of the church has been materially augmented. He belongs to Seaside Council, No. 17, of the Knights of Columbus at New London and is also a member of the Avon Country Club. His powers and talents have been unselfishly dedicated to the moral uplift of humanity and his sincerity and devotion to his high calling have awakened the admiration and respect of all who have been brought within the sphere of his influence.

MELANCTHON WILLIAMS JACOBUS

Melancthon Williams Jacobus, whose life has been devoted to the gospel ministry and the interests of education, is now dean emeritus of the Hartford Theological Seminary, in whose service he has been actively engaged since 1891. Born in Alle- gheny City, Pennsylvania, December 15, 1855, he is a son of Melancthon Williams and Sarah (Hayes) Jacobus, the father having been an educator and an eminent divine of the Presbyterian church. The history of the family is closely interwoven with American annals from the colonial epoch down to the present. There is every evidence that Roelff Jacobus was a native of Holland. At all events he was a res- ident of America prior to 1650 and established his home in Essex county, New Jersey. In the maternal line Melancthon W. Jacobus of this review traces his ancestry from Obadiah Bruen, who came from England and settled in Gloucester, Massachusetts, in 1640. He belonged to an organization called "Governor and Company of the English

(Photograph by The Johnstone Studio)

REV. THOMAS H. TIERNAN

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Colony of Connecticut," to which King Charles II granted the Charter. In 1655 he was a commissioner for New London, was a deputy at Hartford, and a clerk of the New London county court.

Melancthon Williams Jacobus, D. D., LL. D., who attained notable influence in educational and church circles, was moderator of the last general assembly of the Old School branch of the Presbyterian church and in association with Dr. Philemon Fowler, last moderator of the New School branch, presided over the first assembly of the reunited Presbyterian church. He contributed largely to the literature of his profession and was the author of "Notes on the Gospels," prepared originally for Sunday school teachers but because of their value widely used by the ministry and others for Bible study.

Liberal educational advantages were accorded Dr. Jacobus of Hartford, who pur- sued his preparatory course in the Newell Institute of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he was a pupil of William Milligan Sloane, the historian. He then entered the Western University of Pennsylvania, at that time a preparatory school but which has since become the University of Pittsburgh. There he continued until 1873. In that year he was enrolled as a student in Princeton University, then known as the College of New Jersey, from which he was graduated with honors in 1877. Already he had considered the advisability of entering the ministry, his nature and serious purpose strongly inclining him in that direction. When he had resolved upon this course he entered the Princeton Theological Seminary, which he attended from 1878 until his graduation in 1881. During the succeeding three years he was abroad, giving his time to postgraduate study in Göttingen and Berlin, Germany, and it was follow- ing his return to his native land in 1884 that he accepted the pastorate of the Pres- byterian church at Oxford, Pennsylvania, there continuing his labors successfully through a period of seven years. In 1891 he resigned to accept the proffered position of Hosmer professor of New Testament exegesis and criticism at the Hartford Theological Seminary. In 1903 he was appointed dean of the faculty, preferring that office to the presidency which had been offered him at the conclusion of a term of two years as acting president, succeeding the retirement of President Hartranft from office. He is regarded as one of the foremost educators in his field in New England and he has done much important work outside the path of his labors with the Hart- ford institution.

For more than a year while carrying on his duties at the Seminary he assumed the acting pastorate of the Center church, Hartford, following the death of Dr. Lamson. He was urged to accept the permanent position of pastor of the church, but declined for the purpose of developing his educational work. He was one of the organizers and the first president of the Hartford Hospital Social Service, since merged in the corporate administration of the hospital, of which institution Dr. Jacobus is a managing director. He is one of the founders and president of the board of directors of the Kingswood Country Day School for Boys, one of the per- manent educational institutions of Hartford and is also on the advisory board of the Oxford School for Girls, another Hartford institution.

Following the death of Judge Samuel O. Prentice, he was chosen president of the board of trustees of the Watkinson Library, founded in 1858 under the will of David Watkinson, and now recognized as one of the most richly treasured libraries of reference in New England.

His earnest, effective and truly beneficial service has also extended far beyond the confines of Hartford. While at Oxford, Pennsylvania, he was elected a trustee of the Lincoln University in 1887 and filled that office until 1904. In 1890 he was made a life trustee of Princeton University, in which position he stands today among the most influential members of the board. In 1892 the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Lafayette College of Pennsylvania. In 1897 he was appointed lecturer on the Stone Foundation at Princeton Theological Seminary and his lectures have since appeared in book form under the title "A Problem in New Testament Criticism." In 1901 and again in 1903 and 1904 he lectured on the New Testament at Mount Holyoke College and from 1902 until 1904 he was contributing editor of the New Testament department of the New International Encyclopedia, which work he resumed in connection with the publication of the second edition in 1914 and 1915. In 1909 he was chosen chairman of the editorial board of the Standard Bible Dictionary, the second edition of which appeared in 1926. In 1909 he also edited the English translation of Zahn's "New Testament Introduction." His authorship

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includes a commentary on the Gospel of Mark in the series known as "The Bible for Home and School," published in 1915. In 1910 Yale University conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity.

On the 8th of January, 1896, Dr. Jacobus was married to Miss Clara May Cooley, the youngest daughter of Hon. Francis B. and Clarissa A. (Smith) Cooley of Hart- ford, a representative of one of the old New England families. They have three children living. Dr. Jacobus has always been interested in patriotic organizations and their work and has membership in the Sons of the Revolution, the Holland Society of New York, and the Swedish Colonial Society. Along more strictly social lines his connection is with the Century Club of New York, the Monday Evening Club, and the Twentieth Century Club of Hartford, of which he was president in 1905 and 1906. He was also one of the founders of the University Club of Hartford and became its first president. In politics he has always maintained an independent course but has been a student of the times, and his support has always been given to the furtherance of the welfare of Hartford. An event in which he recently had active participation was the reunion of his University class, which in 1927 com- memorated the fiftieth anniversary of their graduation from Princeton. On that occasion he was chosen by his class to preach the sermon of their last and concluding formal reunion; his classmates in a body attending the service at the First Presby- terian church of Princeton. For over thirty-seven years his interest in Princeton has been manifest in valued service on the board of trustees and as a member of three of the most important committees of the board. Speaking of this John Grier Hibben, president of Princeton University, said: "Dr. Jacobus' connection with the board of trustees of Princeton University has extended over a period of thirty-seven years. He was elected a life member of the board in November, 1890. During this period Dr. Jacobus has been constantly active as a member of the board and has been of particular value in his duties as chairman of the curriculum committee. To the many problems of the University curriculum Dr. Jacobus has given his earnest and serious study and has always been particularly helpful in his wise counsel and sug- gestions. As chairman of the curriculum committee he has been ex-officio a member of the administrative committee of the university, which corresponds to an executive committee of a business corporation. In this field Dr. Jaobus' services have been of inestimable value in contributing of his wisdom and experience to the solution of many difficult problems of the university administration. He has commanded not only the respect and grateful appreciation of his colleagues on the board, but their affec- tion as well.

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History of Hartford County, Connecticut, 1633-1928. Volume III, Part 83

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