USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 21
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On the 25th of April, 1906, Mr. Greene was married to Miss Anna Dort, of Milford. His college fraternity is the Phi Delta Theta. His religious faith is that of the Unitarian Church, and his political belief that of the republican party. He is secretary
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of the Milford Club and is a member of the Wepawaug Country Club. He greatly enjoys outdoor activities, especially hunting and fishing, and these afford him recreation from onerous bus- iness and professional cares. He has gained high standing in engineering circles and as a progressive business man of Milford, everywhere commands the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been associated.
JOHN G. CONFREY
John G. Confrey, attorney at law, with offices at 42 Church street, New Haven, was born in this city, February 22, 1894, and is a son of Daniel and Marie (Lenahan) Confrey, natives of Ire- land. In their youth they came to America with their respective parents, both families settling in New Haven. Like his father, Daniel Confrey became a sailor and followed nautical pursuits for many years but has now retired.
In 1907 John G. Confrey completed the curriculum of the Washington grammar school in New Haven and four years later he was graduated from high school. Afterward he worked as a clerk and telegrapher for the New York, New Haven & Hart- ford Railroad Company and in 1915 became a student in Ford- ham University, which he attended until September, 1917, when he enlisted for service in the World war. He was first with the United States Signal Corps and was next attached to the One Hundred and Sixty-second Depot Brigade, afterward being trans- ferred to the ordnance department at Greenville, New Jersey, where he was discharged in January, 1919. Resuming his studies at Fordham University, he was graduated in 1920 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, and in June of that year was admitted to the bar of Connecticut. He then entered upon his career as a lawyer and since May, 1927, has been associated with Robert J. Wood- ruff under the style of Woodruff & Confrey. They are recognized as able advocates and safe counselors and enjoy a large and re- munerative clientele. In 1923 Mr. Confrey was elected prosecut- ing attorney for East Haven and creditably filled the office for four years, presenting his evidence with clearness, logic and force and winning a large percentage of convictions.
On the 18th of October, 1919, Mr. Confrey was married to
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Miss Gertrude Doolittle, of Norwich, Connecticut, and they make their home in East Haven. Their children are John George, Jr., and Patricia G.
Mr. Confrey is still identified with military affairs as a cap- tain of infantry in the Officers Reserve Corps of the United States Army and since July 1, 1927, has been captain of Headquarters Company, One Hundred Second Infantry, of the Connecticut National Guard. He is keenly interested in outdoor sports and for ten years has served on the board of the American Athletic Union. He also has membership in the New York Athletic Club, the Lake Shore Club of Chicago, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the New Haven County Bar Association. In his legal work he has been governed by high standards of service and is making steady progress in a profession which is intellectually stimulating and develops a love of justice and fair play of the greatest value in character building.
FRANCIS X. BERGEN
Among the leading business organizations of Waterbury is that of Edward Bergen's Sons, Incorporated, a large contracting firm, of which Francis X. Bergen is the treasurer. He was born in this city, June 21, 1877, and after pursuing his studies in the Crosby high school completed a course in the Harrington & Bliss Business College. He then joined his father, Edward Bergen, in the contracting business, starting in a humble capacity and conscientiously performing each task assigned him. Thus he progressed through the various departments, acquiring a detailed knowledge of construction work and qualifying for the responsi- bilities of an executive. He assisted his father in the man- agement of the enterprise until the latter's death, when a reorganization was effected, the style of Edward Bergen's Sons, Incorporated, being then adopted. He is carefully and wisely directing the financial end of the business, possessing the crafts- manship, foresight and sagacity for which the members of this well known family are noted.
Mr. Bergen was married June 22, 1904, to Miss Katherine G. Kane, who was born in Lukeville, Connecticut, but spent the greater part of her life in Waterbury. They became the parents
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of two daughters: Katherine Olive, who was graduated from the Crosby high school and Columbia University and is now a dental hygienist; and Rose Mary, who was graduated from Notre Dame College in 1930.
Mr. Bergen inherited his father's love of music and served as bugler in old Company G of the Connecticut National Guard. He was chosen president of the old Rose Hill Social Club and was manager of the old Washington Hill Baseball Club for several years. His fraternal affiliations are with the Elks and the Eagles. In politics he is a democrat and during 1904 and 1905 was alder- man of his ward. His influence has ever been on the side of move- ments of reform, progress and improvement, and his worth as a citizen and as a business man is uniformly conceded.
PETER GRIFFIN
On the list of public officials in Waterbury appears the name of Peter Griffin, who has been alderman of his ward for many years, making an enviable record in that connection, and he is also numbered among the city's progressive merchants and sub- stantial business men. He was born in Ireland, June 29, 1873, a son of Jeremiah and Johannah (Daily) Griffin, who were also natives of that country. His elementary instruction was obtained in his native land, which he left in childhood, completing his stud- ies in the public schools of Waterbury.
Mr. Griffin began his business career as a worker in the fac- tory of the American Pin Company and was thus engaged for eight years. Afterward he was a clerk in a grocery store for two years and next operated an automatic screw machine in the plant of the Waterbury Farrel Foundry & Machine Company for one and a half years. Returning to the American Pin Company as an automatic screw machine operator, he acted in that capacity for two years and during the ensuing period of ten years was em- ployed in the liquor store of T. H. Hayes, father of the present mayor of Waterbury. At the end of that time Mr. Griffin made his initial venture as dealer in liquor, selling to the retail trade, and owing to the rapid growth in his patronage he decided to ex- pand the scope of his activities by opening another store in Water- ville. As the years passed he continued to prosper and engaged
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in the liquor business until the advent of prohibition. He then opened a small dry goods store and still conducts the business, which is now of substantial proportions. He knows that satisfied customers constitute the best advertisement, and the patrons of his establishment always receive prompt, efficient and courteous service and good value for the amount expended.
On the 11th of September, 1901, Mr. Griffin was married to Miss Nora Dowling, also a native of the Emerald isle, and three children were born to them : Beatrice, a young woman of twenty- four years, who attended St. Mary's parochial school and is a graduate of the Wilby high school; Peter, Jr., aged twenty years, who received the same educational advantages accorded his sis- ter, and Bernard, a youth of fourteen, who is a pupil in St. Mary's Academy.
Mr. Griffin largely finds his recreation in fishing and hunting. Along fraternal lines he is identified with the Benevolent Protec- tive Order of Elks and is president of Waterbury Lodge of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. His military record covers six years' service in the state militia, from 1895 until 1901, and at one time he was captain of the old rifle team, while during the World war he was captain of the City Guard of Waterbury. In politics he is a stalwart democrat and has been chosen to fill public offices of trust and responsibility. At various times he has been one of the water, sewer and light commissioners and is now a member of the board of public works. During 1910 and 1911 he was an alderman of Waterbury and in 1914 was again the popu- lar choice for that office, in which he has since been retained, serv- ing for the past eight years as vice president of the board and now as president. His loyalty and public spirit have prompted Mr. Griffin to put forth earnest, effective efforts in behalf of his city, and the worth of his work is uniformly acknowledged.
PEARL JULIUS SKILTON
Pearl Julius Skilton is well known in financial circles of Water- bury as vice president of the R. F. Griggs Company, investment brokers in high-grade securities, with which corporation he has been continuously identified since July, 1903, working his way upward from a minor position to one of executive control. He
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was born in Watertown, Litchfield county, Connecticut, January 17, 1883, a son of Julius James and Jane Lois (Barnes) Skilton. He is of the seventh generation dating back to colonial times in America, the line of descent being as follows: (1) John Skilton of Coventry, England; (2) Dr. Henry Skilton, who was born in 1718, served in the war of the American Revolution and died in 1802; (3) Avery Skilton, who was born in 1748 and died in the year 1832; (4) James Skilton, who was born in 1777 and passed away in 1848; (5) Henry Bennett Skilton, who was born in 1806 and died in 1894; (6) Julius James Skilton, father of Pearl J. Skilton, who was born in 1836, devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and passed away in 1920. The ancestors in the maternal line are as follows: (1) Thomas Barnes; (2) Benjamin Barnes; (3) John Barnes; (4) Jonathan Barnes; (5) Merritt Barnes; (6) George H. Barnes, who was the father of Jane Lois Barnes.
In the acquirement of an education Pearl J. Skilton entered the public schools of his native city and following his graduation from high school obtained a clerkship in the office of the Matthews & Willard Manufacturing Company of Waterbury, of which the late Robert F. Griggs was the executive head. He was thus em- ployed from 1901 until 1903 and in July of the latter year associ- ated himself with the investment securities and brokerage busi- ness of Robert F. Griggs. Applying himself closely to his work, he gained a thorough knowledge of the securities business as well as affairs of finance and in 1915 was made secretary, assistant treasurer and a director of the R. F. Griggs Company, thus serv- ing until 1928, when he was elected to the vice presidency. His business record is one of steady advancement, demonstrating the worth of industry and perseverance in the attainment of pros- perity.
On the 14th of June, 1905, at Waterbury, Mr. Skilton was united in marriage to Helen Maude Gillette, daughter of George Henry and Mattie Bradshaw (Smith) Gillette.
A republican in politics and active in civic affairs, Mr. Skil- ton is making a creditable record as treasurer of the fire district and as a member of the republican town committee of Watertown. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Federal Lodge, No. 17, A. F. & A. M., of Watertown; Granite Chapter, No. 36, R. A. M., of Thomaston ; Clark Commandery, No. 7, K. T .; Lafayette Con- sistory, S. P. R. S., of Bridgeport; and Sphinx Temple, A. A. O.
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N. M. S., of Hartford. He is likewise a trustee of Townsend Lodge, No. 89, I. O. O. F., of Waterbury, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in in the Watertown Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is treasurer and a trustee. More- over, his name is on the membership rolls of the Waterbury Club, the Watertown Golf Club, the Rotary Club of Waterbury, the Mattatuck Historical Society and the Sons of the American Revolution. His life in every relation has measured up to high ideals and he stands as a splendid type of American manhood and citizenship.
HAROLD J. HODGKINSON
Thoroughly imbued with the progressive spirit of the age, Harold J. Hodgkinson has made good use of his opportunities and is now closely and prominently associated with the automotive business in Waterbury as the organizer and treasurer of the Motor Parts Grinding Company. Born in this city on the 18th of Febru- ary, 1890, he is a son of William and Margaret (Harker) Hodg- kinson, natives of England. They have made their home in Waterbury for many years, and the father is now retired.
The public schools of the city afforded the educational ad- vantages enjoyed by Harold J. Hodgkinson, who turned to mechanical pursuits when his textbooks were laid aside. After serving a three years' apprenticeship with the Blake & Johnson Company he became a tool maker in the machine shop of the Amer- ican Pin Company and two years later accepted a similar position in the plant of the Waterbury Clock Company, with which he spent three years. Going to Cleveland, Ohio, he followed his trade for seven years in that city and was there during the World war period, working in a factory devoted to the manufacture of clips for cartridges at that time. In 1919 he returned to Waterbury and for one and a half years was employed in the tool room of the Scovill Manufacturing Company.
The 21st of June, 1920, is a memorable date in Mr. Hodgkin- son's career, for it was then that he started in business for him- self in a small garage on Robbins street, specializing in cylinder grinding and wrist pin work. An expert mechanic and tireless worker, he soon won patronage, and his growing business de-
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manded more commodious quarters and better facilities. These he secured at 75 Watertown avenue, where he has since been located, and now keeps three experienced mechanics busy on cylin- der grinding. He also handles a complete line of motor replace- ment parts, such as pistons, piston rings, gaskets, electric cable points and brushes. Seventy-five per cent of his business comes to him from garage proprietors and automobile dealers, while the re- mainder is derived from the retail trade. Starting with a very limited capital, he fostered the growth of the enterprise by good management, close attention to detail and constant striving to meet the needs of motorists, and in ten years has created a large and highly efficient organization, an institution equipped to render the utmost in service to the automotive trade.
On the 4th of July, 1923, Mr. Hodgkinson was married in Waterbury to Miss Winnifred Mitchell, and they now have three children, Margaret, Shirley and Harold, Jr. Mr. Hodgkinson is identified with both the York and Scottish Rite bodies of Masons and with Sphinx Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Hartford. He votes with the republican party and takes the interest of a good citizen in public affairs but has never been an office seeker. His energies have been reserved for business, and in the accomplish- ment of useful work he is making his contribution toward the com- mercial progress of his city, which numbers him among its self- made men, for all that he now possesses has been gained through the medium of his own efforts.
HON. HENRY F. HALL
As a forceful, experienced executive Hon. Henry F. Hall has played an important part in the upbuilding of the business con- ducted under the name of the Brock-Hall Dairy Company, of which he is the vice president, and is thus connected with an industry in which members of the family have long figured con- spicuously. Business, however, constitutes but one phase of his life, for he has served in both the upper and lower houses of the Connecticut assembly, thus giving tangible proof of his loyalty and public spirit. He was born in a house which stood on the present site of the Spring Glen school in Hamden, on the 24th of November, 1875, a son of Charles E. and Ellen E. (Hemingway)
C
BACHRACH
HON. HENRY F. HALL
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Hall, who were also natives of Connecticut. Both were represen- tatives of old and prominent families of the state and the mater- nal grandfather, James E. Hemingway, was the first man to be elected chief of the New Haven volunteer fire department. He was a citizen of high standing and there is a monument to his memory in the Grove Street cemetery. Charles E. Hall was a musician and served in the Civil war as a member of the Ninth Connecticut Regimental Band. When the conflict between the north and the south was ended he became an employe of James J. Webb, a dealer in milk, and subsequently entered the trade inde- pendently. It was in 1890 that he established business on Whit- ney avenue, locating near the present site of the New Haven ice houses, and was thus engaged until his death on the 21st of August, 1906. He was one of the oldest dairymen in this part of the state and created a business of large proportions through his capable management and honorable, straightforward methods.
Reared in Hamden, Henry F. Hall attended its public schools and while working for his father he gained valuable experience in the dairy industry, which has claimed his attention through- out life. After his father's death he took over the business, con- tinuing it successfully until September, 1926, when he combined his interests with those of Charles W. Brock. The business was then incorporated under the style of the Brock-Hall Dairy Com- pany and in April, 1926, George B. Hall entered the organization, of which he has since been an executive. The present officers are : Charles W. Brock, president; Henry F. Hall, vice president; George B. Hall, treasurer; Donald A. Hall, assistant treasurer; and Charles R. Brock, secretary and general manager. Theirs is a general dairy business and they enjoy the distinction of being the largest retail dairy firm in New Haven. They are now deliv- ering about eighteen thousand quarts of milk per day and owe their leadership in the trade to systematic, efficient methods and the maintenance of a high standard of service. Henry F. Hall has made a life study of the dairy industry and his opinion on matters pertaining thereto is regarded as authoritative. Through carefully formulated and promptly executed plans and the exer- cise of his keen powers of discernment he has continually broad- ened the scope of the corporation which he represents as vice president. He is also connected with financial affairs as a director of the Hamden Bank & Trust Company.
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Mr. Hall was married June 25, 1903, to Miss Augusta Wueste- feld, of New Haven, and they have become the parents of two sons, Donald A. and Arthur E., both of whom are college grad- uates and associated with their father in business. Mr. Hall is a lover of fine horses and greatly enjoys the sport of racing. He belongs to the Union League Club and the Lions Service Club, while his fraternal connections are with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Delphi Lodge of Masons. He is a stanch republican and takes a keen interest in politics. His fellow towns- men, appreciative of his ability and worth, chose him as their representative in the Connecticut legislature in 1921 and by sub- sequent reelections in 1923 and 1925 he continued his service in the house for three terms. He took an active part in its proceed- ings and was made a member of the committee on incorporations. In 1927 he was elected to the state senate, making an equally creditable record in that connection, and had the chairmanship of the committee on state parks and reservations, while he also served on the committee on incorporation. His public spirit was further expressed by service on the town finance committee of Hamden for six years and as chief of the fire department of Ham- den for fifteen years. Mr. Hall has ever manifested an unselfish devotion to the general welfare and his life has been a constantly expanding force for good citizenship.
FRANK ROSOFF
New Haven has numbered in its legal circles many members of the Connecticut bar and in this connection Frank Rosoff is de- serving of mention. He was born in this city, February 28, 1897, and is a son of Max and Mary (Agins) Rosoff, natives of Russia. They came to America about 1880 and settled in New Haven. The mother, however, passed away February 21, 1929.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of life for Frank Rosoff in his boyhood days. His time was largely devoted to the acquirement of a public school education, and his name is on the roll of the New Haven high school alumni of 1915. When the vacation period of that year had ended, he became a student in Yale University, which he attended until called to serv- ice in connection with the World war.
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Mr. Rosoff was commissioned an ensign in the United States Navy, remaining on duty until the termination of the war. He then reentered Yale University and was graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1919. He next spent a year at the Harvard Law School, after which he transferred to Yale for the completion of his course, and was admitted to practice at the Con- necticut bar in 1922. Through the intervening period he has fol- lowed his profession in New Haven, devoting his attention to the general practice of law and to investments.
Mr. Rosoff is a member of the New Haven County Bar Associ- ation, of the United States Naval Reserve, and of Hiram Lodge, No. 1, A. F. & A. M., and is ever loyal to the teachings and pur- poses of Masonry.
WILLIAM TIMBERLAKE MANNING
After showing marked sales ability as special representative of the L. C. Smith & Bros. Typewriter Company, William Timber- lake Manning's interest was attracted to the potential possibili- ties in the stationery field in the creation of better business sta- tionery. This resulted in the adoption and perfection of two old processes, and in these fields he has been notably successful, con- ducting business at 111 West Main street, Waterbury, Connecti- cut. He was born near Emmitsburg, Maryland, October 17, 1879, a son of Charles A. Manning, now deceased, who was en- gaged in the banking business in New York city, and Emily (Tiers) Manning.
In the acquirement of an education, William T. Manning at- tended the grammar and high schools of Knoxville, Tennessee, and also had the benefit of instruction from a private tutor. In 1895, at the age of sixteen years, he entered upon his business career with Doll & Company of Knoxville, dealers in stationery and type- writers.
His mechanical ability soon placed him in charge of repairs as well as sales in the typewriter department and during the seven years with this firm rose also to the position of special office furniture salesman. He resigned to become eastern repre- sentative for the Utica Cabinet Company of Knoxville, taking care
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of their entire interests from Washington, D. C., to Bangor, Maine, with headquarters in New York city.
There was a lure in the mechanical end of the typewriter business that could not be resisted and he became associated with the L. C. Smith & Bros. Typewriter Company, being for two years in charge of the mechanical department of the New York city office. His thorough knowledge of mechanics of the machine, coupled with his ability, sent him out of the New York office for a year as special representative followed by the task of opening up the New England territory for this company. His success in the New England territory resulted in his being selected to go to Europe in the interest of the company. For nineteen months he worked in Europe, making headquarters in London and familiar- izing the foreign representatives of the company with the con- struction of the L. C. Smith machine and their selling methods. During this period Mr. Manning wrote the company's sales man- ual, as well as an illustrated instruction book for repairmen, the latter being translated into all foreign languages.
Returning from England in August, 1909, Mr. Manning came to Waterbury and opened an office for the L. C. Smith Company which he soon took over as a dealer. This was followed by reach- ing out after other lines and it was at this point that he became representative for the Transo Envelope Company of Chicago for the state of Connecticut. During the next two years his business enjoyed an exceptionally rapid growth reaching extensive propor- tions, envelopes of every description having been included.
His next progressive step was the addition of engraved and lithographed stationery, and in this adventure he also met with marked success. This gave scope to his artistic ability in photog- raphy for as a boy of ten he had constructed his own camera. Now using this talent in a business way, he revolutionized several old processes through careful research and study, perfecting his Photolithotone and Photochrome letterhead processes.
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