USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 10
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John Joseph Egan pursued his preliminary education in the
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public schools of his native city and subsequently entered Vil- lanova College of Villanova, Pennsylvania, where he continued his studies for four years. His professional training was acquired in the University of Maryland at Baltimore, which institution conferred upon him the degree of M. D. in 1907. He then spent one year in research work for the Johns Hopkins University at the Bay View Hospital of Maryland and in 1908 he returned home, since which time he has been continuously, actively and successfully engaged in general practice in Waterbury. He has further qualified for his professional duties by various post- graduate courses along special lines. In 1909 he pursued a course in diseases of the stomach in the New York Post-Graduate School and in 1915-16 he took special work on diseases of the rectum and intestines in the Bartholomew Clinic of New York city, in the New York Polyclinic and in the Bellevue Hospital of New York. He has displayed particular skill in treating stomach and intes- tinal diseases, was made rectal surgeon on the staff of St. Mary's Hospital of Waterbury and now has charge of its orthopedic clinic. From the beginning of his professional career Dr. Egan has kept thoroughly informed concerning the latest scientific re- searches and discoveries of the medical fraternity, and three times each year he spends two or three weeks in attendance at some clinic in Boston, New York or Baltimore. He is especially interested in orthopedics and attends all clinics on traumatic surgery, regardless of where they are held. Each month he de- votes at least two days to clinical work in New York city in order that he may keep informed concerning the latest developments in orthopedics, particularly as regards fractures. During the past eight years he has served as police and fire surgeon for the city of Waterbury. His name is on the membership rolls of the Water- bury Medical Society, the New Haven County Medical Society, the Connecticut State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
On the 9th of September, 1910, Dr. Egan was united in mar- riage to Miss Anna Agnes Healey, who was born April 11, 1886, a daughter of Maurice and Ellen (Shane) Healey. Her father, a native of Country Kerry, Ireland, became an extensive dealer in barrels and general cooperage products in Waterbury, Connecti- cut, and here died in 1902. Her mother passed away three years later, in 1905. Dr. and Mrs. Egan are the parents of three sons,
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named below. John Vincent, the eldest, born May 15, 1912, first attended St. Joseph's School at Wellesley, Massachusetts, and afterward attended successively, and for one year each, St. John's College of Danvers, Massachusetts, the Crosby high school of Waterbury and the Roxbury School. He is now a student in the preparatory school which is situated within five miles of Vil- lanova College in Pennsylvania and will enter the latter institu- tion in 1931 for a course in business administration and finance. The youth has manifested athletic prowess and is prominent in football and basket-ball. Maurice Francis Egan, born February 25, 1915, is a student in the Wilby high school of Waterbury and is also fond of athletic sports. Edward Gerald, the Doctor's young- est son, is a grammar school pupil.
At the polls Dr. Egan supports the men and measures of the democratic party. His military record includes service in Com- pany G of the State Militia for two terms, from 1900 until 1906. When the United States became involved in the World war he volunteered for medical service and was assigned to the medical draft board. Both Dr. and Mrs. Egan are communicants of St. Margaret's Roman Catholic Church and the latter also has mem- bership in the Daughters of Isabella. Fraternally the Doctor is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is very fond of fishing, hunting and football and was football coach of the old amateur team of the Elm City Athletic Club, which went unbeaten for a number of years. In his practice he adheres to the highest ethics and his standing in both professional and social circles of his native city is an enviable one.
ARTHUR H. DAYTON
A notable example of industry, usefulness and right living is afforded in the career of Arthur H. Dayton, whose identification with financial affairs covers nearly six decades, and during forty- seven years of that period he has been an outstanding figure in banking circles of Naugatuck. He was born in Waterbury, No- vember 24, 1854, a son of Andrew J. and Henrietta E. (Hayden) Dayton, natives respectively of South Glastonbury, Connecticut, and East Haddam, this state. About 1852 they settled in Water- bury, where the father engaged in business as a building con-
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tractor until 1864, when he removed with his family to Hartford, Connecticut, and subsequently established his home in East Haddam.
In the public schools of Hartford, Arthur H. Dayton pursued his studies until he was nearly seventeen years of age, and on the 28th of October, 1871, entered business life as an office boy in the National Bank of New England at East Haddam. His ready adaptability and devotion to duty were rewarded by re- peated promotions, and in January, 1882, he was made cashier of the bank. Later he was called to the vice presidency of the institution, still serving in that capacity, and for more than a half century he has labored to promote its growth and prosperity. On the 1st of September, 1883, he became cashier of the Nauga- tuck National Bank, which was opened on that date with George A. Lewis as president and F. W. Tolles as vice president. The burden of management devolved upon Mr. Dayton, who has re- mained an executive of the bank for more than forty-five years and is now its vice president and trust officer. In 1885 he was elected treasurer of the Naugatuck Savings Bank, with which he has since been identified in official connections, and is now serv- ing as president of the bank, which recently moved to the large, substantial and ornate building designed especially for its use. Tempering progressiveness with a safe conservatism, Mr. Dayton has made this one of the strong moneyed institutions of New Haven county and a potent force for development in the district which it serves. With ripe experience in the field of finance, he is qualified to speak with authority upon all matters pertaining thereto, and his associates rely upon his wisdom and advice. Although he has passed the seventy-fifth milestone on life's jour- ney, he never misses a day's work and in years of continuous service is one of the oldest active bankers in the United States. In addition to the efficient management of his large financial interests, Mr. Dayton exerts a strong force in business affairs as vice president of the Risdon Manufacturing Company of Nauga- tuck and as vice president and a director of the Beacon Falls Shoe & Rubber Company. During the World war he rendered valuable aid to the government, successfully handling alone all of the Liberty Loan drives in Naugatuck.
In 1880, Mr. Dayton was married in Long Meadow, Massa- chusetts, to Miss Millie C. Bliss, who passed away in 1896. They
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were the parents of two children but the younger, Stanley H., is deceased. The elder son, Dr. Arthur Bliss Dayton, was gradu- ated from the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University in 1911 and from the medical department of Johns Hopkins Uni- versity in 1915, afterward taking a special course of study in the latter institution in order to further qualify for the work of his profession. In 1916 he served for six months on the Mexican border, and during the World war period was commissioned a first lieutenant in the Medical Reserve Corps of the United States Army. He went overseas and was with Hospital Corps, No. 39, back of the French line.
Mr. Dayton belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men, to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a Knight Templar Mason. He is junior warden of St. Michael's Episcopal Church, and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. For a number of years he filled the office of town treasurer. His has indeed been a well spent life, guided at all times by high ideals and steadfast purpose, and few careers have matched his in use- fulness and service to Naugatuck, which accords him rank among its foremost citizens.
J. RONALD SULLIVAN
Alert, enterprising and purposeful, J. Ronald Sullivan is a typical young business man of the present day and has become a forceful factor in commercial circles of Waterbury as a dealer in automotive supplies. He was born in Athol, Massachusetts, July 25, 1898, and is a son of M. J. and Mary (Ferrick) Sulli- van, natives of Ireland. He attended a grammar school in Athol and the Crosby high school in Waterbury, afterward matriculat- ing in the Catholic University at Washington, D. C. While in that city he enlisted in the United States Army and was sent to the student officers training camp at Plattsburg, New York, later being transferred to the national capital.
After the war Mr. Sullivan returned to Waterbury and em- barked in business as a wholesale and retail dealer in automotive supplies. Complete equipment and the most modern facilities enable him to furnish complete service to individuals as well as to garages. His business is located at 18 Willow street, Water-
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bury, and two well trained salesmen look after the out of town trade. He gives his close personal attention to every detail of the business, and its steady growth is largely attributable to the fact that he handles only high class products representing sev- eral manufacturers of national prominence exclusively, and ren- ders to his patrons prompt, efficient service.
Mr. Sullivan has membership in St. Margaret's Roman Cath- olic Church, and in politics he is without party bias, casting his ballot for the candidate whom he considers best qualified for office. He is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and has been an influential factor in the affairs of the American Legion. He was one of the organizers of the 40 & 8 Club, the social branch of the Legion, and is a past state commander as well as a past national commander of the organization. Al- though he has neither sought nor held political office, Mr. Sullivan has been active in many movements for Waterbury's growth and betterment and stands high as a citizen and as a business man, enjoying the confidence and esteem of a wide circle of friends.
GEORGE BROOKS PICKOP
With industrial interests of Connecticut, George Brooks Pickop has long been closely identified, and the record of his career is the story of an orderly progression that has brought him to the fore in manufacturing circles of New Haven as mechan- ical engineer and manager of the foundry pneumatic equipment department of the Malleable Iron Fittings Company. He was born in Terryville, Connecticut, in the Fenn homestead, opposite the original shop of the Seth Thomas Clock Company, on the 6th of December, 1875, a son of Frank Onecipherous Pickop, who was a native of Preston, Lancashire, England, born March 12, 1847. The latter's father and grandfather were cotton mill engineers and superintendents. The son of an ardent admirer of Abraham Lincoln, Frank O. Pickop was sent to America to aid in the defense of the Union cause and served in the Engineers Corps during the Civil war. He was first stationed at Willett's Point, New York, and was mustered out in January, 1865. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Anne Hunt, was born in Cortland, Cortland county, New York, December 5, 1855, and
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is a representative of an old American family. Charles M. Backus, the grandfather of George B. Pickop in the maternal line, was long a prominent citizen of Chaplin, Connecticut, and represented Windham county in the general assembly when the state capital was located at New Haven. He took a keen interest in public affairs and in politics was a democrat of the Jeffersonian type. He engaged in merchandising, conducting a general store in Chap- lin during the Civil war. He was married three times and was one of a family of six brothers living in Chaplin and Ashford, Connecticut. For seventy years he was a subscriber to the Hart- ford Times. His demise occurred when he had reached the ad- vanced age of ninety-six years.
When George B. Pickop was very young his parents removed from Terryville to Bristol, Connecticut, there remaining until he was a lad of six years, when they located in Springfield, Massa- chusetts, but a year later established their home in Hartford, Connecticut. There he attended the public schools and in 1890 entered the Hillyer Institute at Hartford, where he studied draft- ing and mechanical engineering, pursuing a three years' course. During the period from 1891 until 1894 he was with Colts Patent Fire Arms and the Pope Manufacturing Company of Hartford, Connecticut, where he served an apprenticeship as draftsman and mechanic, and in 1895, after a year's experience as a travel- ing journeyman, he became an employe of the firm of P. & F. Corbin of New Britain, where he remained until February, 1913, a period of eighteen years. During that time Mr. Pickop had gained valuable experience, steadily advancing in his chosen field, and with his return to Hartford he entered upon his independent career as a mechanical engineer, opening an office at 793 Albany avenue. He devoted a year to private practice and during 1914- 15 was associated with Sargent & Company and the New Haven Vibrator Company. His expert services were then sought by the Malleable Iron Fittings Company, with which he has been identified since April, 1915, and for fifteen years has exerted every effort to promote its interests. His scientific knowledge and broad practical experience well qualify him for the important duties of mechanical engineer and manager of the foundry pneu- matic equipment department, and his labors in connection with the production end of the business have been manifestly resultant and beneficial Since 1900 he has taken out about two hundred
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and fifty patents, covering improved hardware, hydro-carbon engines and cooling devices for same, locks, golf clubs, steel ship- ping containers, pipe fittings, and pneumatic labor-saving devices.
In New Britain, Connecticut, September 23, 1897, was solemn- ized the marriage of George B. Pickop and Louise Heinecke, who was born in that city, July 20, 1877, of German parentage. They have two daughters: Edith Frances, who became the wife of David Rausch in August, 1928, and resides at 175 Townsend avenue, New Haven; and Dorothy Backus, who is living with her parents in their attractive home at 171 Townsend avenue.
Mr. Pickop is a consistent member of the Park Methodist Episcopal Church of New Haven, and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. Cognizant of the duties and obli- gations as well as the privileges of citizenship, he served for four years, from 1909 until 1912 inclusive, as a councilman of New Britain and in 1922 was elected an alderman of New Haven, also continuing a member of that civic body for four years and accom- plishing much constructive work. His military record covers service from May until October, 1898, in the Spanish-American war. As sergeant of Company D, First Regiment of Connecticut Volunteers, he was on duty at Niantic, Connecticut, at Fort Knox, Maine, and Camp Alger, Virginia. For recreation he turns to golf, fishing and motoring. He belongs to the Elks Club, and his identification with the Masonic order dates from 1904. Since 1908 he has been a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and through untiring application and the fit utiliza- tion of his innate powers and talents he has advanced far in his profession, at all times upholding its high standards.
LEON HARRIS FRENCH
As vice president of the French Manufacturing Company, Leon Harris French is prominently identified with the manage- ment of a business that has been conducted by members of the family for a quarter of a century and during that period it has become one of the important productive industries of Waterbury. Born in this city on the 26th of October, 1885, he is a son of Fred W. French and a grandson of Samuel H. and Sarah C. (Lyons) French. The father, a native of Orange, Connecticut,
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has been a resident of Waterbury since 1885. He learned the trade of a machinist and while in the employ of large industrial concerns gained the experience which has constituted the basis of his success in the conduct of the business of the French Manu- facturing Company which he founded, becoming its president. In 1883 he was married to Miss Lillian M. Harris, of Great Bar- rington, Massachusetts, and they became the parents of one child, Leon Harris.
The son supplemented his high school education by attendance at Cushing Academy and during vacation periods was employed in the drafting departments of various factories, becoming pro- ficient in that line of work. Having finished his studies, he joined his father in business and has since been active in the development and control of the enterprise, which is devoted to the manufacture of seamless brass tubing in small sizes and fine gauges, seamless brass, copper, aluminum and other alloy tubing, together with various products made from seam- less tubes, piano player hardware and copper electrical terminals. The first muffle used in the plant, which was then a wood burning furnace, was designed and built by Leon H. French, who is responsible for many changes and innovations which have made this the cleanest as well as the most modern manufacturing in- stitution in Waterbury. Painting is always going on in some part of the building and the lighting, ventilating and working conditions are far above those in other factories. This is due to the foresight of Leon H. French, who has also provided recrea- tion and reading rooms for the employes and is constantly striv- ing to promote their welfare. He takes a personal interest in his foremen's meetings, held every Tuesday morning for the pur- pose of considering changes and recommendations and discussing the five oldest orders on the books of each department, while the subjects of rejected material and customers' complaints are also gone over. The employes of the company are devoted to its in- terests, and the friendly spirit of cooperation that exists here is found in very few factories. This plant has the lowest accident and fire rate in the state, all of which is due to the safety and cleanliness insisted upon by Mr. French, who has wrought along constructive, progressive lines, productive of the best results.
On the 16th of April, 1908, Mr. French was married to Miss Ruth L. Slate, of Waterbury, and they have three children : Doro-
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thy Lillian, who supplemented her high school education by a course in Abbott Academy of Andover, Massachusetts; Olive Mae, who attended high school two years and then entered Abbott Aca- demy in the fall of 1930; and Fred W. (II), who was named for his grandfather and on the completion of his grammar school. course entered the Taft Preparatory School.
Mr. French is a member of the Kiwanis Club, the Waterbury Club and the Country Club of Waterbury. A strong champion of the Boy Scouts of America, he is serving on the executive com- mittee of the local organization and is also a director of the Young Men's Christian Association of Waterbury. He belongs to the York and Scottish Rite bodies of Masons and to Sphinx Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Hartford. He is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a consistent member of the Congregational Church.
NATHAN SHEPATIN
Although one of the younger representatives of the New Haven bar, Nathan Shepatin has gained a creditable place in professional circles that promises well for the future. He was born in Russia, December 15, 1901, and is a son of Harry and Dora (Manishevitz) Shepatin, also natives of that land. They sailed for America in 1911 and first located in Worcester, Massa- chusetts, where they remained for about a year. In 1912 they established their home in New Haven, and the father embarked in the grocery business, to which he has since devoted his atten- tion, becoming well known in mercantile circles of the city.
Nathan Shepatin attended the public schools of New Haven, mastering the work of the successive grades until graduated from high school with the class of 1920. His higher education was acquired in Yale University, from which he won the Ph. B. degree in 1925 and that of LL. B. in 1927. On completing his law course he went to New York city, where he followed his profession for two years, at the end of which time he returned to New Haven and opened an office, being admitted to the Connecticut bar in June, 1929. His experience as an attorney in the American metropolis proved of much worth to him and qualified him for the tasks which he undertook in becoming identified with the
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New Haven bar. His thoroughness, earnestness and force of character are conducive to success, and he is making steady prog- ress. He belongs to the New Haven County Bar Association and gives to his profession his undivided attention. He resides at 452 Congress street, New Haven.
JOSEPH SILVUS CARUSI
Accorded liberal educational advantages, of which he made good use, Joseph Silvus Carusi is now devoting his attention to the practice of law in New Haven, manifesting keen sagacity in the solution of intricate legal problems. He was born March 19, 1891, in Maschito, Italy, of which country his parents, Alfonso and Elvira (Di Giorgio) Carusi, are also natives. The father sought the opportunities of the United States in 1894, settling in New Haven, and subsequently became one of its leading con- fectioners.
Joseph S. Carusi obtained his early instruction in his native land and in 1903, when twelve years of age, sailed for America on the Trave, an Italian liner. He made the voyage alone and on landing in New York city was met by his father, who brought him to New Haven. Here he acquired his first knowledge of the English language, entering a grammar school, which he attended for three years, and for four years was a high school pupil, com- pleting his course in 1911. He was graduated from the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University in 1914 and was next a stu- dent in the Yale Law School, from which he won his LL. B. degree in 1917. He immediately enlisted, qualifying for air service, and in the discharge of his duties in connection with air gunnery work he was sent to various aviation fields in the United States. He was commissioned a second lieutenant and served until May, 1919. Returning to New Haven, he took the required examina- tion and in June, 1920, was admitted to the bar. Soon afterward he began his career as a lawyer, and the passing years have recorded a steady increase in his clientele, which is now of grati- fying proportions. His mind is analytical and inductive in its trend, and in his presentation of a cause he is always well forti- fied by a comprehensive knowledge of the legal principles appli- cable thereto.
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Mr. Carusi was married November 24, 1917, to Miss Adele Cantore, of New Haven, and they have two daughters, Jacqueline and Dolores. The residence of the family is at 575 Winthrop avenue, while Mr. Carusi's office is at 865 Chapel street. He has membership in the Young Men's Republican Club and in Dorsch Lodge, which is composed of musicians. His Masonic connections are with Olive Branch Lodge, No. 84, F. & A. M., and Albany Consistory of the Scottish Rite. He lives up to the teachings of the order, and the respect accorded him is well deserved.
THE MILFORD SCHOOL
The Milford School was established in 1916 by Samuel B. and Harris Rosenbaum, graduates of the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University, and is a product of the evolution of the old type of tutoring school. In a way, this was the pioneer institu- tion of its kind in the United States. The chief value of these schools lay in their small size. They could concentrate on studies to an extent possible to no other school. As a result of focusing the boy's entire attention on his studies, with the additional ad- vantage of individual instruction under expert tutors, these in- stitutions accomplished scholastic marvels. A boy could almost always finish two years'-sometimes three years'-work in one.
The opportunity was presented to boys who had previously not progressed beyond the eighth grade of grammar school and, in addition, had been out of school for a considerable period, to make compensation for some of the years lost. They were, of course, mature boys, intelligent and ambitious.
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