USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 18
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40
Cellex Scivola.
245
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
secretary. In 1913, in association with J. G. Venter, he pur- chased the entire holdings of the company, and the business is continued by them under the old name. The business was incor- porated as the De Forest & Hotchkiss Company in 1873, and through all the years since its inception its history is one of steady and substantial growth, the present owners employing the most modern methods in carrying on the enterprise, meeting every re- quirement of the trade in connection with changing business con- ditions. Extended reference to the company is made on another page of this work.
On the 24th of November, 1907, Mr. Seibold was married to Miss Lizzie Ellen Ennever, a native of West Haven, and their five children are Frederick W., Viola, Marshall Stewart, Emma and Albert D. Mr. Seibold is a member of the Masonic order and of the Lions Club. He is president of the Building Material Credit Bureau and an ex-president of both the Connecticut Lumber Deal- ers Association and the New Haven Lumbermen's Club. He is widely known to the trade throughout the state and is accorded a foremost place in commercial circles, having all those qualities which make for success and which win the confidence and esteem of one's fellows.®
JOHN EMIL PORZENHEIM
Energetic, sagacious and farsighted, John Emil Porzenheim never fails to accomplish what he undertakes and is now engaged in real estate development in Waterbury, his native city, while he is also serving as president of the organization operated under the style of Complete Service, Incorporated, a business of partic- ular importance to motorists. He was born April 29, 1887, a son of Christian and Margaret (Singhohn) Porzenheim, who were natives of Germany. On coming to Waterbury the father engaged in the manufacture of high grade cigars, conducting the business for several years, but is now deceased.
In the acquirement of an education John E. Porzenheim at- tended the public schools of Waterbury and afterward learned the trade of a machinist. His skill and trustworthiness won him re- peated promotions, and at length he was made assistant master mechanic and foreman of the American Brass Company, working
246
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
for that corporation for eight years. Ambitious and self-reliant, he began his independent career in 1917 as a wholesale and retail dealer in gasoline, fuel oil and motor oil, operating under the style of the New England Oil Products Company, and he was thus engaged until 1923, when he sold his wholesale business to the Atlantic Refining Company and his chain of retail gas stations to the Standard Oil Company. For two years thereafter he was a field representative of the Standard Oil Company and then opened a real estate office. Prosperity attended the venture, and he is now developing a large tract of land for industrial purposes. This property is situated in the heart of Waterbury and is most desir- able for manufacturing operations, having railroad side track facilities unequaled in the city. Mr. Porzenheim is a forceful per- sonality in local real estate circles and has reentered the oil busi- ness under the name of Complete Service, Incorporated, of which he is the executive head. He is now constructing one of the most complete superservice stations in Connecticut, affording motorists one-stop service, which includes gas, oil, battery, brake and tire service as well as greasing and washing facilities.
On the 28th of November, 1919, Mr. Porzenheim was married to Miss Mildred Garthwait Sills, of Waterbury, and they are now the parents of four children : Betty Jane, John Emil, Jr., Royal Ernest and Ruth Arline.
Interested in military affairs, Mr. Porzenheim joined the state militia of Connecticut, with which he was connected for five years, and is now corporal of the Second Company of the Gov- ernor's Foot Guard. Appreciative of the social amenities of life, he has become a member of the Waterbury Country Club and the Algonquin Club of Bridgeport, and he largely finds his recrea- tion in yachting. In the local activities of the Masonic order he has long figured prominently and is master of Euclid Lodge, F. & A. M., which he joined at the time of its organization. Advancing through the York and Scottish Rite bodies, he has become a past high priest of Eureka Chapter, R. A. M .; a past master of Water- bury Council, R. & S. M .; a past sovereign prince of the Council of Princes of Jerusalem, and is senior warden of Clark Command- ery, K. T. He is a Noble of Sphinx Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Hartford, a member of the Sphinx Kaaban Shrine Club and presi- dent of the Waterbury Masonic Realty Holding Company. Mr. Porzenheim is a worthy exemplar of Masonry and stands equally
247
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
high in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. As a business man he manifests the qualities of leadership, and his commercial transactions have at all times balanced up with the principles of truth and honor.
DANIEL J. MCGRATH
Among the progressive retail merchants of Waterbury is num- bered Daniel J. McGrath, who handles meats and groceries-a business to which he has devoted the greater part of his life. He was born in East Adams, Connecticut, January 10, 1881, a son of Daniel and Margaret (McNamara) McGrath, the latter a native of Ireland, and both now deceased.
Reared on his father's farm, Daniel J. McGrath attended the public schools of East Adams, and his initial step in the business world was made as a salesman for the Metropolitan Life Insur- ance Company. He was next a clerk in the establishment of the McEvoy Grocery Company, afterward working in various meat markets and grocery stores. At length he entered the employ of the Guilfoile Market Company of Waterbury in the capacity of a clerk and thus continued until 1908, when he purchased the business. Experienced and capable, he prospered in the venture and his growing trade soon necessitated more spacious quarters, which he secured at 817 Bank street. Here he has one of the most modern and best equipped meat markets and groceries in the city and caters to a most desirable class of patrons. The products which he handles are the best the market affords, and those who trade with him are always assured of fair dealing and prompt, courteous and efficient service.
In 1898 Mr. McGrath married Miss Catherine Brennan, also of Irish ancestry, and they have two sons: Joseph, who attended the public schools of Waterbury and now assists his father in the management of the store; and Harold, who was also graduated from high school and is a physical director in Hartford.
The family are communicants of the Roman Catholic Church, and Mr. McGrath is identified with the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Foresters of America and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. When national issues are involved he votes with the re-
248
HISTORY. OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
publican party but maintains an independent attitude at local elections, supporting the candidate whom he considers best quali- fied for office. Retiring by nature, he has never sought political preferment, making his contributions to the general welfare in a quiet way. He owns considerable property in the city, whose progress is a matter in which he takes much personal pride. In the course of his mercantile activities Mr. McGrath has gained a wide acquaintance and many friends who esteem him for the qualities to which he owes his success-qualities which constitute the basis of all honorable and desirable prosperity.
HERMAN PHILIP HESSLER, M. D.
The prestige of the medical fraternity of New Haven is ably upheld by Dr. Herman Philip Hessler, a native son whose success as a physician and surgeon has been based upon comprehensive training under the best instructors in this country and abroad, coupled with a natural gift for the profession. He was born November 23, 1879, and is one of the four children of Michael and Emma (Brandes) Hessler, natives of Germany. Soon after the close of the Civil war the mother crossed the Atlantic with her parents, who settled in New Haven, where her marriage sub- sequently occurred. Michael Hessler came to America about 1868, landing in New York, where he spent a year, and then located in New Haven. In the fatherland he had learned the baking busi- ness, in which he engaged in New Haven until his death on the 23d of March, 1917, when he was sixty-nine years of age. He was identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was also a Mason, belonging to Connecticut Rock Lodge, No. 92, F. & A. M .; Franklin Chapter, R. A. M .; and Harmony Council, R. & S. M. His political support was given to the democratic party, and in religious faith he was a Lutheran. He was an enter- prising, capable business man and a good citizen. In his family there were three sons and a daughter: Henry W., who also chose the occupation of a baker; Bertha, who married Joseph A. Weibel, of New Haven, and is now deceased ; Herman Philip; and Michael Paul, who became the proprietor of a motion picture theater in New Haven.
After completing his high school course Dr. Hessler attended
249
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
the Boardman Manual Training School, graduating with the class of 1899. He next matriculated in Yale University, from which he received the M. D. degree in 1903, and then qualified as an interne in St. Mark's Hospital of New York city, filling the position for two years. Desiring to increase his scientific knowl- edge, he went abroad and had the benefit of fourteen months' study in the medical centers of Berlin, Vienna and London. On returning to the United States he opened an office in New Haven and here he has since followed his profession. As a specialist in the treatment of diseases of the stomach and intestines he has manifested pronounced ability, and his patients are drawn from a wide area. During the administration of Mayor Martin in 1909 and 1910 he was city physician of New Haven and for two years was assistant surgeon at St. Raphael's Hospital, later be- coming surgeon for the New Haven fire department. The passing years have recorded a steady increase in his practice, which is now of large proportions.
There is an interesting military chapter in the life record of Dr. Hessler, who was a private in the New Haven Grays from 1907 until 1910 and later was made assistant paymaster for the Connecticut Naval Militia, serving on the staff of Captain Frank H. Cornwall. For several years he has been a member of the Governor's Foot Guard and at the time of Major John B. Ken- nedy's election to that body the Doctor was appointed assistant surgeon of the organization, receiving a lieutenant's commission. He acted in that capacity until the declaration of war in 1917, when the staff was automatically abolished, and afterward he was made a captain in the Reserve Corps of the United States Army.
Dr. Hessler was married September 11, 1908, to Miss Ger- trude Grave, a native of New Haven and a daughter of Frederick D. and Katherine (Stoffel) Grave, both now deceased. For many years her father engaged in the manufacture of cigars. Dr. and Mrs. Hessler became the parents of two children: Frederick Grave, who was born August 4, 1912, and died November 18, 1913; and Ruth Elizabeth, born February 24, 1914.
The parents have membership in Trinity Episcopal Church, and Dr. Hessler is an adherent of the republican party. He be- longs to the Union League, the Race Brook Country Club and ex- presses his civic spirit through his connection with the Chamber
250
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
of Commerce. A thirty-second degree Mason, he is a member of Connecticut Rock Lodge, No. 92, F. & A. M., of Hejaz Grotto, the chapter, council, commandery, consistory and Mystic Shrine, while he is also identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Outside interests, however, are always secondary to his duties as a physician and surgeon, and he has improved every opportunity to perfect himself in his profession. During 1914 and 1915 he spent three days of the week in New York, attending clinics in the leading hospitals of the city, and through constant study and tireless application he has advanced far in his pro- fession.
WILLIAM GILES MORRIS
In the investment banking business William Giles Morris has found a congenial and profitable field of labor and heads one of the leading institutions of the kind in New Haven, while he is also identified with other important commercial and financial corporations of Connecticut. He was born in Frankfort, Indiana, June 29, 1881, a son of Willard Henry and Mary Angeline (Gro- ver) Morris, the latter also a native of that town. The father was born in Saratoga, New York, and in his youth removed to the Hoosier state. Entering the newspaper business, he became well known as the publisher of the Frankfort Crescent and suc- cessfully conducted the paper until his death in 1913.
William G. Morris attended the grammar and high schools of his native town and in April, 1898, when only seventeen years of age, enlisted for service in the Spanish-American war. For several months he was in training at Chickamauga Park, Georgia, and was made sergeant of his company. When mustered out he resumed his studies but reentered the service of his country at the time of the insurrection in the Philippine islands and at San Fran- cisco, California, on March 11, 1899, joined Company K, Ninth Regiment of United States Infantry, with which he was engaged in active duty in the Philippines for about a year, acting as cor- poral of his company. During the Boxer uprising he was ordered to China with his regiment and participated in the battle of Tientsin, afterward marching to Pekin with the allied troops. He was sergeant of the company chosen to guard the entrance to
251
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
the Forbidden city. He spent nearly twelve months in China and then returned to the Philippines, where he was stationed for about a year. In March, 1902, he arrived in the United States and in 1903 went to New York city, becoming a junior clerk in the em- ploy of the Consolidated Gas Company. His industry and ability led to repeated promotions, and in 1913 he was made controller of the company. At the outbreak of the World war his military spirit was again aroused and in Boston he qualified for service in the aviation corps of the United States Army. He was the oldest man in that district to pass the flying test and won the commission of first lieutenant. Most of his time was spent at Springfield, Massachusetts, but after the signing of the armistice he returned to Boston as assistant district manager of the New England de- partment of the government air service and in March, 1919, was mustered out.
On resuming the life of a civilian Mr. Morris went to Stam- ford, Connecticut, as local manager of the Title Insurance & Mortgage Company and was thus engaged for about seven years, materially promoting their interests. He resigned the position June 3, 1926, and then located in New Haven, where he organized The William G. Morris Company. This was formed for the pur- pose of handling mortgages but has been developed into an invest- ment securities house of wide connections and enviable standing. They are fiscal agents of the National Industrial Loan Corpora- tion, and the rapid growth of their clientele attests the quality of service rendered by the company. The business has been incor- porated and the present officers of The William G. Morris Com- pany are William G. Morris, president and treasurer ; J. S. Silver- man, vice president; and M. B. Morris, secretary. Thoroughly acquainted with the various phases of investment banking, the founder and head of the business has created a highly efficient or- ganization, and under his wise leadership its continued growth and expansion is assured. Many other business and financial in- stitutions have profited by the sagacity and experience of Mr. Morris, who is a director of the Fairfield Development Company, the New England Title & Guarantee Company, the Central New England Mortgage Company, the National Industrial Loan Cor- poration and the People's National Bank of Stamford.
On the 21st of October, 1913, was solemnized the marriage of William G. Morris and Mary Brownley McClave, a native of New
252
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
York city. At Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Mr. Morris joined the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and in Masonry he has at- tained the thirty-second degree. He is a past master of Minerva Lodge, No. 792, F. & A. M., of Brooklyn, New York, and a member of Kismet Temple of the Mystic Shrine of that city. For recrea- tion he turns to trout fishing, but subordinates all other interests to the demands of his business, in which he is deeply engrossed, and his influence is one of broadening activity and strength in the field in which he is operating. His has been an adventurous life, replete with thrilling experiences, and his patriotism and devotion to duty are amply illustrated in the record of his career.
ROBERT SPIERS WALKER
During the past decade Robert Spiers Walker has figured ac- tively in financial affairs of Waterbury as trust officer of the Colonial Trust Company and for fifteen years prior to October, 1919, was successfully engaged in law practice here. He is a native son of Waterbury, born October 16, 1876, and the only child of James T. and Elizabeth (Humphrey) Walker. In the acquirement of an education he attended the grade and high schools of the city and subsequently entered the employ of the Waterbury Clock Company, while later he became connected with the Waterbury Manufacturing Company, spending ten years al- together in the shops and offices of these corporations. In the meantime he had continued his studies at night and had also received some tutoring preparatory to entering the Yale Law School in 1901. He was graduated therefrom with the degree of LL. B. in 1904, was admitted to the bar in June of that year and at once began the practice of his profession as the associate of John P. Kellogg, which connection was maintained for thirteen years or until Mr. Kellogg became a judge of the superior court early in 1917.
Soon afterward William W. Gager became associated with Mr. Walker, under the firm name of Walker and Gager, and the partners were accorded a liberal clientage of an important char- acter until October 1, 1919, when their professional relations were discontinued and the senior member of the firm took up new duties as trust officer of The Colonial Trust Company, of Water-
C) BACHRACH
ROBERT S. WALKER
255
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
bury. However, he still maintains membership connections with the Waterbury, New Haven County, Connecticut State and American Bar Associations. Mr. Walker was chosen president of the Connecticut Association of Banks and Trust Companies for the year 1928. He is not only a director of The Colonial Trust Company but of the Dime Savings Bank of Waterbury and M. J. Daly & Sons of Waterbury and is likewise an incor- porator of the Waterbury Hospital.
On the 4th of October, 1906, Mr. Walker was united in mar- riage to Miss Carrie Louise Tracy, a daughter of the late Mor- ton Tracy, of Waterbury, and to them have been born two chil- dren. The elder, Elizabeth Kilborn, born June 12, 1910, is a graduate of St. Margaret's School of Waterbury and Dana Hall of Wellesley, Massachusetts, and is now attending Skidmore Col- lege of Saratoga Springs, New York. Robert Tracy Walker, born May 9, 1914, is a high school pupil. Mrs. Walker, the mother, takes an active part in the work of the Daughters of the American Revolution and is also a valued member of the Water- bury Woman's Club and of various religious and charitable or- ganizations.
Mr. Walker gives his political support to the republican party and for six years rendered effective service on the board of edu- cation. He has had thorough military training, having served for three years as a member of Company H of the Connecticut National Guard of Waterbury. He joined as a private and served successively as corporal and sergeant, and also as sergeant major on the staff of Major Ernest L. Isbell, of the Second Battalion, of New Haven, and afterward was transferred as sergeant major to the staff of Colonel Charles F. McCabe, of Cheshire. He now holds the rank of captain on the major's staff of Second Company, Governor's Foot Guards, and is captain of the rifle team. His chief recreation is rifle shooting and during his military career he won distinguished honors as a revolver and rifle shot, and in the latter connection he has taken part in several state and na- tional contests and represented the state of Connecticut in the national rifle matches at Camp Perry, Ohio, in 1913. Mr. Walker is a member of the board of trustees of the American Legion Home. He has been active in Masonic work during the past quarter of a century and is widely known as a worthy exemplar of the teachings and purposes of the fraternity. A contemporary
25€
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
biographer, writing for the History of Waterbury and the Nau- gatuck Valley, published in 1918, said: "He is a past master of Harmony Lodge, No. 42, F. & A. M., and at present is district deputy of the Grand Masonic Lodge of Connecticut for the third Masonic district. He has attained the Knight Templar degree in the York Rite and the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite. He has done much important work in Masonry. He served on the building committee at the time the Masonic Temple was built at Waterbury, was subsequently president and is now treas- urer of the Masonic Temple Corporation. There is perhaps no man of his age in Waterbury at this time who has performed more official service for the different branches of Masonry than Mr. Walker." For two years he was most wise master of Corin- thian Chapter of Rose Croix and for four years was thrice potent master of Doric Lodge of Perfection. In 1928 he was grand master of Masons in Connecticut and at the present time is presi- dent of the board of managers of the Masonic home in Walling- ford. His name is on the membership rolls of the Waterbury Club, the University Club of Waterbury and the Graduate Club Association of New Haven. He and his family are members of St. John's Episcopal Church.
DAVID B. NETH
With broad experience as a mechanical engineer, David B. Neth was long identified with the operation of public utilities, becoming particularly well known as manager of the Waterbury plant of the Connecticut Light & Power Company, and is now enjoying a well earned period of leisure. He was born in Win- chester, Connecticut, August 8, 1867, a son of John Neth, and completed his public school studies in Hartford. In that city he entered business life as an employe of the Hartford Automatic Machine Screw Company, afterward working for the Colt Arms Company for eighteen months, and then engaged in farming for two years.
Coming to Waterbury in 1888, Mr. Neth entered the service of the Standard Electric Time Company and later joined the firm of George M. Chapman & Company, in which he was a part- ner from 1891 to 1898. For a short time he was with the Water-
257
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
bury Clock Company, next becoming connected with the New England Engineering Company, and was made manager of their Greenwich plant. He severed his relations with that corporation to become superintendent of the Waterbury Traction Company, a position which he filled for three years, or until the road was electrified. A reorganization was then effected, and the name was changed to the Connecticut Railway & Light Company, of which Mr. Neth also became superintendent. This later became the Connecticut Light & Power Company, of which Mr. Neth was made general engineer in May, 1914, and continued in that ca- pacity until 1921. He was then chosen manager of the Water- bury district, a responsible position which he filled with notable efficiency until January 1, 1930, when he was retired by the corporation in recognition of his long, faithful and valuable service. Mr. Neth was in charge of the operations of all plants, manifesting engineering ability of a high order. He is now serv- ing as president of the Waterbury Credit Rating Bureau and as secretary and treasurer of the Guardian Thrift & Loan Company, manifesting keen powers of discernment in the direction of these interests.
On the 5th of February, 1902, Mr. Neth was married to Miss Elizabeth M. Blair, of New Haven, and they became the parents of three children : Marshall W., who was born July 12, 1905, and following his graduation from Amherst College became a solicitor for the John Hancock Insurance Company, with which he is still connected; Paul, who died in infancy; and Katherine Blair, who was born November 13, 1914, and is attending St. Margaret's School.
Mr. Neth is a member of the Congregational Church, while his wife is a Baptist in religious faith. He votes with the republican party but is not active in politics, having no desire for the honors and emoluments of public office, and expresses his civic spirit as a director of the Waterbury Chamber of Commerce. His fra- ternal affiliations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, with which he has been identified since 1889, and the Liberty Lodge of Masons. He became a charter member and the first president of the Civitan Luncheon Club and also belongs to the Waterbury Club, and the Mattatuck Country Club, being its first president and active in organizing, building and purchasing prop- erty. Notable changes in the aspect of Waterbury have occurred
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.