USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 13
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ROSWELL ALLEN MOORE
The late Roswell Allen Moore was long identified with one of the important manufacturing interests of New England as secre- tary and treasurer of the Waterbury Buckle Company, his name being known throughout the length and breadth of the land in connection with the designing and making of buckles, a field which he entered as a pioneer. The news of his death, which occurred in Paris, France, June 1, 1930, came as a distinct shock to his host of friends and associates in Waterbury. He had attained the age of sixty-four years, for he was born in Berlin, Connecticut, February 8, 1866, and he was the fifth representative of the fam- ily to bear the name of Roswell A. Moore. His forbears were manufacturers and removed from Plymouth, Massachusetts, to Windsor, Connecticut, in 1636. The paternal grandfather was a miller who made flour by using the old process of kiln-drying corn. The father was a leader in his line of work in New England, manufacturing cement from natural rock long before Portland cement was produced. The mother, Henrietta (Norton) Moore,
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was also of early New England ancestry, representing a family that was established in Connecticut in 1636.
Roswell A. Moore obtained his rudimentary education in a district school and afterward attended the New Britain high school. Desirous of seeing the west, he went to Nebraska, where he taught school for a year, and then returned to the east. For three years he held a position in the office of Gaskill, Bauer & Conderman, a strawboard house of New York city, and was next employed in the office of the Trout-Hine Company, engaged in the manufacture of buckles at New Britain, continuing with them for ten years. On the expiration of that period he started a factory of his own in Berlin, Connecticut, making all types of buckles, but later sold the business to the Waterbury Buckle Company and in 1889 came to Waterbury as their sales manager. Subsequently he was made general manager and for many years was secretary and treasurer of the company, succeeding the late Julius Maltby in the dual official capacity. During the forty-one years of his association with the company Mr. Moore furthered its progress to a notable extent, and his name is inseparably associated with the history of the development of the business, which has assumed extensive proportions in the manufacture of buckles, clasps, slides, ornaments and paper tags. At the time of his death he was still very active in its management and in years of continuous service was the oldest in this line of business in Waterbury. An expert mechanic, he designed all of the tools used by his company and they were also built under his supervision. The plant is located at 872 South Main street and during the conflict with Germany it was utilized for war work exclusively. The company manufac- tured fifteen million or ninety per cent of all the gas mask buckles made for the government, and these were designed by Mr. Moore, who did his utmost to meet the requirements of his country in its time of need.
On the 29th of June, 1909, Mr. Moore was married to Miss Adeline Castle, of Indiana, and they had two children : Castle, who is a graduate of Williston Acadamy of Easthampton, Massa- chusetts, and of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and is a res- ident of Brooklyn, New York; and Pauline, a graduate of St. Margaret's School of Waterbury and now the wife of Wooster Canfield, who is connected with the Chase Company of Water- bury.
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Mr. Moore gave his political allegiance to the republican party and his religious views were in accord with the tenets of the First Congregational Church, in which he had membership, while his social nature was expressed in his identification with the Water- bury Club and the Country Club of Waterbury. Golf afforded him needed relaxation and diversion and he also enjoyed the sport of fishing. He was a member of the Connecticut Society of Colonial Wars. Through his own exertions he rose to a commanding posi- tion in business circles of his city and was esteemed for the quali- ties to which he owed his success. Mr. Moore died while traveling in Europe, his death occurring in Paris soon after he had entered France following an extended stay in Italy. His body was brought back to this country and interred in Kensington, Connecticut.
DAVID THEODORE LANGROCK
Coming to New Haven in 1891 at the age of eight with no assets save youth, energy and ability, David Theodore Langrock made the most of this capital and today is at the head of an exten- sive retail organization conducted under the trade name of "Lang- rock," nationally known as the pioneers and stylists for young men's clothing, which has distinguished New Haven as a world style center for men.
Mr. Langrock was born in Cracow, Austria, June 30, 1882, a son of Aaron and Adela (Labenheim) Langrock, the former also a native of Cracow, Austria, while the latter was born in Posen, Germany. His elementary instruction was obtained in his native city and after coming to New Haven in the year of 1891 he at- tended Eaton school and he was tutored at the Booth Preparatory School for entrance in the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University. Having passed the required examination, he entered upon the study of architecture in New York, while later he took special courses in the School of Fine Arts, a department of Colum- bia University. During 1902 and 1903 he was compelled to work evenings in an architect's office as an architect of design in order to support himself, and when he could no longer afford to pursue his studies he embarked in the men's clothing business, opening a shop on Elm street, opposite the site now occupied by the Hark- ness Memorial of Yale University. In 1904 he went to Cam-
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bridge, Massachusetts, and established a store and shop in Har- vard Square in association with his brother, who had been engaged in that line of business there since 1896.
David T. Langrock was the first in this country to specialize in the making of men's wearing apparel known as "college clothes," the design both of cut and material being created by him. The organization of a mail order system of selling, together with hotel exhibitions and displays in college towns, greatly accel- erated the growth of his business, and he concentrated his ener- gies upon this branch of the clothing trade until America entered the World war, when he turned his attention to the making of army uniforms in order to meet a pressing need of the nation. He received a commission from the government for officers uni- forms, which order was completed and delivered to Fort Ogle- thorpe in ten days, a noteworthy feat which won for him merited praise from federal officials. In the establishment known nation- ally as "Langrock," at Yale campus, there hangs a framed pic- ture of this original contract. Later the Langrock factory made thousands of officers' uniform equipments for United States Army officers, including many officers of the One Hundred and Second Regiment, which was encamped at Yale field prior to sailing for Europe. During the war period "Langrock" outfitted thirty units, rendering service of great importance and value to the government.
At that time Mr. Langrock's plant was located on Meadow street, New Haven, in the old St. Aloysius building. After the war he conceived the idea of selling men's clothing to the stock trade on a wholesale basis. He first appointed twenty-five agents in the United States, choosing localities populated by Yale, Har- vard and Princeton graduates, his clothes being then best known by college men owing to their individual style. The organization has enjoyed a rapid growth and it now has many agencies in the United States and operates twelve retail stores, located in the principal eastern college cities. Three hundred skilled workers are employed in the plant, which is housed in a remodeled build- ing purchased from the United States government which was occupied by Driggis Ordnance Company and constitutes one of the best equipped tailoring establishments in this country. It is located at Whitney avenue and Audubon street. The retail store at York and Elm streets stands on the site of the first shop
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owned by Mr. Langrock. Most of the materials used by his firm were designed by him and made to his order by the best weavers in England and the United States. Throughout life he has been a tireless worker, intent upon the attainment of his objective, and success in notable measure has rewarded his labors. He has made the name of Langrock desirable in young men's apparel, and through his efforts and the high standing of his organization New Haven has become known as the style center for men's clothes in the United States. Moreover, Langrock, Incorporated, is recog- nized by the National Clothing Asociation as the pioneers and stylists for young men's clothing in this country. The official personnel of this corporation is as follows: David T. Langrock, president; J. H. Langrock, treasurer ; A. J. Kellenberg, secretary and vice president; and A. Graziano, second vice president. The officers of D. T. Langrock, Inc., at York and Elm streets, the retail division of the organization, are David T. Langrock, presi- dent, and A. E. Rubington, vice president and treasurer. This branch of the corporation attends to the purchasing of materials and furnishings for the retail stores. The prestige enjoyed by the corporation is further indicated in the fact that representa- tives of the largest clothing concerns in the country annually visit the Langrock establishment, attending the exhibitions and dis- plays. New Haven is justly proud of this fine institution, which stands as an imposing monument to the creative genius, the pro- gressive spirit and administrative power of its founder and head. D. T. Langrock has been instrumental in elevating the tailoring business of New Haven to a plane where college graduates now find it an inducement to regularly purchase their wardrobes long after graduating. Each manager of Mr. Langrock's retail stores is made a partner in the business, certain parts of the dividends being set aside until all managers are made part owners.
In 1906 was solemnized the marriage of David T. Langrock and Clara Carlin Lichtenstein, and they have one daughter, Elaine Carlin, aged sixteen years, who is attending Stoneleigh school. Mrs. Langrock is interested in social welfare work and in all movements for the uplift and betterment of humanity. In civic affairs Mr. Langrock has long been active as a member of the arts commission of New Haven, to which he was appointed by former Mayor FitzGerald and reappointed by Mayor Tulley. He is rendering effective service in that connection and also as a
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member of the New Haven Chamber of Commerce. He also be- longs to the Harmonie Club and Race Brook Country Club, and to Horeb Lodge of the Independent Order of the B'nai B'rith. He is a member of the congregation of Mishkan Israel Temple and a conscientious follower of Hebraic teachings. No needy man ever applies in vain to Mr. Langrock. A master craftsman, actuated at all times by high ideals of service, Mr. Langrock has left the indelible impress of his individuality upon his work, and in the upbuilding of his business he has also furthered New Haven's progress along mercantile and industrial lines to a notable extent. Upon the enduring foundation of honor and integrity he has erected the fair fabric of his successful career and stands deservedly high in the esteem of his fellowmen.
ELLSWORTH BISHOP FOOTE
Left an orphan in childhood, Ellsworth Bishop Foote has advanced through the medium of his own efforts, overcoming many obstacles and difficulties through determination, industry and perseverance, and is now numbered among the able members of the New Haven bar. He was born in North Branford, Janu- ary 12, 1898, and still resides there. His parents, Frank and Ellen (Bishop) Foote, were also natives of Connecticut and died in 1907, both passing away in the same month.
Ellsworth B. Foote was thus deprived of the care and affection of his father and mother at the early age of nine years. He at- tended the public schools of North Branford and in 1915 was graduated from the Guilford high school. He then took a course in the Stone Business College and following his graduation in 1916 became private secretary to William A. Wright, United States commissioner, filling the position for about four years. Thus he earned a portion of the funds which enabled him to pur- sue his studies in the law school of Georgetown University, which conferred upon him the degree of LL. B. in 1923, and in the fol- lowing year he was admitted to the Connecticut bar. At the time of his appointment as special assistant to the attorney general of the United States he returned to Washington, D. C., serving in that capacity for two years, and since February, 1927, has been associated with FitzGerald & Hadden, a well known law firm of
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New Haven. To his legal knowledge Mr. Foote adds the studious- ness, thoroughness and capacity for sustained effort so necessary to the successful lawyer. Recognition of his ability led to his selection as attorney for the town of North Branford, which office he is now filling, and he is also a registrar of voters for that town, rendering valuable public service in both connections.
Mr. Foote was married January 1, 1925, to Miss Ruth Magill, of New Haven, and they have two children: Robert, who was born January 16, 1928; and Roberta, born January 30, 1929. Mr. Foote is a member of the New Haven County Bar Association and the supreme court of the United States. He upholds the high standards of the profession and is esteemed for the qualities to which he owes his progress therein.
EDWARD AUGUSTUS RICHARDS
The late Edward Augustus Richards, long a leading factor in public affairs of New Haven county, was also prominently identi- fied with business interests here as manager of the H. H. Rich- ards Lumber Company of West Haven, which was founded by his father in 1848 and has been in continuous existence through- out the intervening period of eighty-two years. A son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hobart Richards, he was born in West Haven, Connecticut, December 22, 1856, and was thus in his seventy- fourth year when called to his final rest on the 13th of March, 1930. Edward A. Richards pursued his education in public and private schools of his native town and after putting aside his textbooks became associated with his father in the lumber busi- ness. In 1882, when a young man of twenty-five years, he em- barked in the coal business, conducting an enterprise of that char- acter in partnership with his brother George for a time. In 1885 he went west to Topeka, Kansas, where he remained for seven years in the service of the Santa Fe Railroad, being first employed as chief clerk and subsequently placed in charge of the foreign roads department. Following his return to West Haven in 1893 he took over the lumber business of his father, who was retiring, and managed the enterprise successfully until it was incorporated.
On the 20th of June, 1882, Edward A. Richards was united in marriage to Harriet E. Haswell, of Hardinsburg, Kentucky,
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whose mother, Mrs. Frances H. (Bassett) Haswell, was a native of Seymour, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Richards became the par- ents of a daughter and a son, namely : Florence, the wife of Oliver W. Lewis of Shelton, Connecticut, and the mother of a daughter, Carol; and Hobart Haswell, president and treasurer of the H. H. Richards Lumber Company, who is mentioned on another page of this work.
Affairs of civic importance at all times elicited the keen in- terest and active cooperation of Mr. Richards. He did effective work as chairman of the committee on consolidation of school dis- tricts and was ever a stanch champion of the cause of education. The West Haven Chamber of Commerce chose him for its presi- dent. He was made state vice president of the national rivers and harbors congress and state director of the Atlantic Deeper Water- ways Association. He was an ardent prohibitionist until the eighteenth amendment became a part of our national constitution, when he felt there was no longer need for such a party and re- turned to the republican ranks. At one time he was president of the Republican League of West Haven, and while a supporter of the prohibition party he received the nomination for lieuten- ant governor.
The following article appeared in a weekly publication of the First Methodist Episcopal Church at the time of his death: "In the passing of Mr. Edward A. Richards our church has lost a man of unpretentious generosity and genuine interest. Every phase of the work commanded his devotion, but if any part of it seemed specially important to him, it was that which concerned the young people. Our church school and our Epworth League had in him an unfailing friend. By his presence in their devotional meetings, by wise counsel and by generous gifts he sought to promote their ethical life and their religious understanding and character. Our young people have lost a wise counselor and constant helper.".
JAMES D. KAUFFMAN
Bending his efforts to administrative direction and executive control, James D. Kauffman has gradually enlarged the scope of his activities until he is now successfully conducting varied and important business interests, all of which feature in New Haven's
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development and progress. Born in West Haven, Connecticut, June 14, 1889, he is a son of William and Rose (Schamitz) Kauff- man, the former a native of Frankfort, Germany, while the latter was born on Henry street in New York city. The father came to the United States in 1871 and decided to locate in New York city, where he engaged in business as a painting contractor. Sub- sequently he operated in real estate and is now living practically retired in New Haven, although associated with the firm of Kauff- man Brothers.
Pursuing his high school studies in New Haven, James D. Kauffman completed his course in 1910 and a year later was graduated from the Hopkins Grammar School. For six months he attended the law school of New York University, discontinuing his studies there shortly before his marriage, and on July 1, 1912, opened a real estate and insurance office in New Haven. In these lines of activity he has since continued with marked success and in the control of his extensive business brings to bear the initia- tive, forcefulness and wisdom of the modern executive. He is president of Kauffman's Insurance Agency, Inc .; of Kauffman Brothers, Inc .; president and treasurer of the Kauffman Holding Corporation; and also president of the Connecticut Second Mort- gage and Finance Corporation, all of which are operated on an efficient and profitable basis. He is likewise serving as president of the New Haven Real Estate Board, and his opinion in regard to the value of property in this locality is considered sound and authoritative.
Mr. Kauffman was married October 6, 1912, to Miss Marion Schuss, of Ansonia, Connecticut, and they reside in an attractive home at 295 Main street, West Haven. Sydney Russell, the only child of this marriage, was born October 23, 1913, and is a public school pupil.
Mr. Kauffman's military record covers seven years' service in the Connecticut National Guard and during the last two years of that period he held the rank of second lieutenant, while he is now a member of the Second Company of the Governor's Foot Guard. His Masonic affiliations are with Annawon Lodge, No. 115, F. & A. M .; Joseph Andrews Chapter, No. 47, R. A. M .; Orange Council, No. 34, R. & S. M., of which he is a charter mem- ber; and he has also become a life member of Miami Consistory, A. & A. S. R., and of Mahi Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is
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likewise identified with Hejaz Grotto; New Haven Lodge, No. 948, B. P. O. E .; Fidelity Lodge, No. 78, K. P .; and Tountonemoe Tribe, No. 57, I. O. R. M. In local politics he is an influential factor but has never sought office, although he has served in public connections, taking the interest of a good citizen in all matters that touch the welfare and progress of his community and state. He was appointed a member of the charter commission of West Haven and in 1928 was elected republican town commit- teeman of West Haven. His standards of life are high, and his personality is one that inspires esteem and friendship.
FRANK T. GREEN
As a chemical engineer Frank T. Green was prominently identified with industrial operations in the east for several years but is now engaged in the sale of automobile accessories in Nauga- tuck, where he also conducts a bowling alley. He was born in Torrington, Connecticut, July 7, 1896, and is a son of James J. and Mary A. (McDonald) Green, who are also natives of that city. The father learned the trade of a tinner and devoted many years to that occupation but has now retired. Hugh McDonald, the maternal grandfather of Frank T. Green, emigrated from Ireland to the United States just prior to the Civil war and re- mained in this country until his demise in 1916.
Frank T. Green was reared in Torrington and on the comple- tion of his high school course matriculated in the University of Pennsylvania, which he attended for two years. His studies were continued in Columbia University and after receiving the P. C. degree from that institution he became a chemist for the Ameri- can Brass Company, with which he continued for five years. Dur- ing the period of the World war he was assigned to duty in the ordnance department of the government and rendered service of value to his country by doing laboratory work in the chemical plants at Buffalo and Pittsburgh. After the signing of the armis- tice he reentered the employ of the American Brass Company but severed his connection with the corporation about a year later and in 1921 allied his interests with those of Naugatuck, purchas- ing the stock of a dealer in automobile accessories. In his store at 11 Church street he carries tires, batteries and other accessor-
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ies, also supplying his customers with gas and oil, and has won a large share of the local automobile trade. As president of the firm of Green Brothers he is coming rapidly to the fore in this field of activity, and he is also well known as the proprietor of the leading bowling alley in Naugatuck. He devotes deep thought and study to his business and is constantly formulating well de- vised plans for its growth and success.
On the 14th of September, 1922, Mr. Green was married to Miss Mae A. Hogan, of Torrington, and they now have two daughters, Elizabeth and Barbara. The parents are communi- cants of St. Francis Roman Catholic Church, and in politics Mr. Green is a strong democrat, active and influential in the local councils of the party. During 1928-29 he was warden of his borough, making a creditable record, and he was again elected for the term of 1930-31. He has membership in the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Naugatuck Golf Club and the Fish and Game Club. He enjoys hunting, fishing and other outdoor sports but subordinates all outside interests to the demands of his business, and that he is an enterprising young man of more than average ability is shown in the substantial measure of success which he has already gained, while his personality is such that inspires esteem and friendship.
HON. EDWIN RUTHVEN KELSEY
A representative of the bench and bar of New Haven County is Hon. Edwin Ruthven Kelsey, who has continuously served as judge of the town court of Branford during the past twenty-one years and has been judge of the probate court of Branford since January 1, 1912. He has also made a commendable record as a legislator, having served in the lawmaking body of the state for two terms. He was born in Clinton, Middlesex county, Connecti- cut, September 8, 1873, his parents being Edwin Ruthven and Charlotte (Parks) Kelsey, also natives of Clinton, this state. He is a descendant of William Kelsey, one of the original settlers of Killingworth, Connecticut. The father of Judge Kelsey took up the profession of school teaching, while later he engaged in the business of manufacturing fish oils and fertilizer products, estab- lishing a large plant on Darrows island, off the town of Branford,
HON. EDWIN R. KELSEY
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in 1870. This was during the days of the large fishing industry in this locality and he conducted a business of extensive proportions, with which he was connected until 1908, when he retired from active life. He made his home at Short Beach, Branford, and there passed away February 5, 1910, his death being the occasion of deep and widespread regret. He did effective work as a mem- ber of the Branford board of education, was also president of the board of trustees of Short Beach Union Chapel and occupied the vice presidency of the Short Beach Association. His widow, who died at the Kelsey home at Short Beach, September 15, 1923, was a daughter of Edwin and Mary Merrills Parks of Clinton, Con- necticut.
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