USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 24
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Mr. O'Meara was married November 11, 1909, in New Haven to Miss Helen A. Sheehan, a native of Easthampton, Massachu- setts, and a daughter of William J. and Elizabeth (O'Donnell) Sheehan, the former a representative of a family that was estab- lished in Massachusetts during the colonial epoch in the history of this country. Mrs. O'Meara died May 21. 1920. leaving two sons and a daughter : Edward Sheehan. born September 19, 1910, now a student at Yale, class of 1933: Mary Elizabeth born May 17, 1913, a student at Vassar, class of 1934 : and William J., July 24, 1915, a student in the New Haven high school.
Mr. O'Meara holds to the religious faith of his ancestors, hav- ing membership in St. Brendan's Catholic Church. He is a trustee of the St. Francis Catholic Orphan Asylum; and a director of the St. Lawrence and St. Bernard Cemetery Associations, and
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president of the Catholic Laymen's Retreat Association of Con- necticut. His political support has always been given to the democratic party, and he has acted as chairman of the New Haven democratic town committee. In 1899 he entered upon a two years' term as a member of the common council and in the same year be- came a director of the free public library, which office he filled for two years. He also served for two years as a member of the New Haven board of finance, beginning in 1899, and on July 1, 1905, was again called to that office through appointment by Judge J. P. Studley and served for a term of three years. In 1908 he en- tered upon the duties of assistant corporation counsel of New Haven, serving for two years, and he was judge of the city court from 1913 until 1915. On February 1, 1930, he was appointed a commissioner of finance to serve for a term of two years. He cooperates in all projects promulgated by the Chamber of Com- merce for the benefit and upbuilding of the city, and at all times he loyally adheres to those plans and purposes which are looking to the advancement and improvement of New Haven. His frater- nal connections are with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he was president of the Knights of Columbus Club for six years. He is also a member of the Yale Alumni Association. All who know him, and he has a wide acquaintance, speak of him in terms of high regard.
EDWARD NORTON DECKER
In the investment banking business Edward Norton Decker has found a congenial and profitable field of labor and as vice president of The R. F. Griggs Company of Waterbury he has voice in the management of one of the strongest and best known financial institutions in the Naugatuck valley. Born in Goshen, Connecticut, February 17, 1895, he is a son of George H. and Anna (Norton) Decker and a great-grandson of Ephraim Woo- ster and Colonel Ebenezer Norton, both of whom served under General Washington in the Revolutionary war. The Nortons cast in their lot with the early settlers of Guilford, Connecticut, and established the first pineapple cheese factory operated in the United States.
In the acquirement of an education Edward Norton Decker
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attended the grammar and high schools of Watertown and also took a course in the Waterbury Business College. On the comple- tion of his studies he joined the sales force of Plume & Atwood, with whom he spent three years, and in 1917 entered the employ of The R. F. Griggs Company, investment bankers and dealers and brokers in investment securities. Capable and trustworthy, he advanced steadily in their service and in 1924 was elected sec- retary of the corporation. This office he filled for six years and has been one of the directors of the company since December, 1927. In 1930 he was made vice president. He is also manager of the sales department and in these connections has worked earn- estly and effectively to broaden the scope of the business, which not only covers Connecticut but extends throughout the greater part of the United States.
Mr. Decker is married and has two sons, Edward Norton, Jr., and Robert Sidney. For several years he has served as treasurer of the Congregational Church of Watertown and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He has been active in civic work and during the World war furthered the sale of Lib- erty bonds. He is connected with the Sons of the American Revo- lution and with the Masonic order, belonging to Federal Lodge, F. & A. M., of Watertown. He is vice president of the Lions Club of Waterbury and also has membership in the Waterbury Club and the Waterbury Country Club. Many of his leisure hours are spent on the links, for he is an enthusiastic golfer, knowing the value of outdoor exercise in promoting physical and mental vigor. Mr. Decker is devoted to the interests of the large corporation which he represents and owes his rise in the business world to a keen sense of duty, coupled with the ability to meet and master situations.
ENNIS D. LUTHER
Ennis D. Luther, whose rise has been rapid since he entered the insurance field, a progressive development bringing him to the position of general agent for the Aetna Life Insurance Com- pany, with offices at 42 Church street, New Haven, was born in Warsaw, New York, September 19, 1896. He is a representative of one of America's oldest families, being a descendant of Captain
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John Luther, who arrived on this side of the Atlantic in 1644. His grandfather, Asa Luther, was a Civil war veteran. His father, Kendrick A. Luther, of Hartford, Connecticut, is now vice presi- dent of the Aetna Life Insurance Company of Hartford. He mar- ried Anna E. Hannigan and both are natives of Warsaw, New York.
Ennis D. Luther attended the public and high schools of Syracuse, New York, and as a member of the National Guard was called out for active service on the Mexican border in 1916, being for ten months with the cavalry branch of the army. He then returned to Syracuse and enrolled in a preparatory school but was only there for ten days when the National Guard was called upon for active duty in the World war. He went to Camp Wadsworth at Spartanburg, South Carolina, where he was trans- ferred to the machine gun battalion. For months later he was transferred to Fort Wood on Bedloe Island, where he was in the Signal Corps, becoming quartermaster sergeant. Seven months later he was sent to Camp Taylor, Kentucky, where he was made first sergeant of the Signal Corps, attached to the Artillery Train- ing School.
When the war was over Mr. Luther returned to Syracuse, New York, where his father was local manager for the Aetna Life Insurance Company. He began learning the insurance busi- ness under his father's direction and later took a thorough course of training in the Aetna home office in Hartford. His father was made general agent in Boston and Ennis D. Luther worked there under him for four years or until 1923, when he was sent to Chi- cago as assistant to the general agent. In 1926 he went to Brook- lyn, New York, as a partner in the general agency of the Aetna Company, continuing there for a year and a half. On the 1st of July, 1927, he came to New Haven as general agent for the same corporation and still continues his activities here, having devel- oped a large agency, his territory including all of New Haven county with the exception of Waterbury and all of Fairfield county. He maintains branch offices in Bridgeport and Stamford, Connecticut, and under his wise and effective guidance the busi- ness of the agency has constantly increased.
On the 7th of August, 1919, Mr. Luther was married to Miss Ruth M. Haag, of Louisville, Kentucky, and they are parents of two children, Patricia Ruth and Barbara Ann. Mr. Luther finds
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recreation in handball in winter and in golf in summer. He is an alert, energetic young business man, displaying enthusiasm in anything that he undertakes and a persistency of purpose that enables him to reach his objective. His name is on the member- ship rolls of the Meadow Brook Country Club and the Quinnipiack Club.
GEORGE R. COAN
In the field of insurance in New Haven the name of George R. Coan is well known. For many years he has been active along this line and his course has been one of progress and achievement. He was born in New Haven, December 21, 1865, a son of Charles R. and Anna R. (Baldwin) Coan. The father was a veteran of the Civil war, having served as a lieutenant of Company E, Fif- teenth Connecticut Infantry.
At the usual age George R. Coan began his education in New Haven, where he attended both public and private schools. When he had completed his course he joined his father in the conduct of a book business and later was in the cigar and tobacco trade with the firm of Bradley & Lee. Subsequently he was with Stoddard, Gilbert & Company. He made his initial step in the insurance field in connection with his father, who was local manager of the Security Insurance Company of New Haven. In 1907 his father retired, at which time George R. Coan was joined in a partner- ship relation by Henry B. Bunnell. Mr. Coan gave up the position of local manager of the Security Insurance Company and he and his partner opened an office at 17 Center street, New Haven, representing the Security Insurance Company and also acting as local agents for other insurance corporations. In 1913 they removed to Nos. 25-27 Center street and on the 1st of June, 1917, incorporated their business under the name of Coan & Bunnell, Inc., with a capital of sixty thousand dollars, all paid up by the officers of the company, who are George R. Coan, president: Mrs. Mary L. Coan. secretary ; and Henry B. Bunnell, treasurer. Today they are conducting one of the largest and most important insur- ance agencies in Connecticut. Thoroughly conversant with the details of the insurance business. they have developed their busi- ness along steadily broadening lines, gaining an extensive clien-
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tele and always adhering to those high principles without which no commercial organization can long endure.
Mr. Coan was married May 21, 1891, in Waterbury to Miss Mary L. Bunnell, a daughter of John B. and Helen A. Bunnell. Both Mr. and Mrs. Coan are members of St. Paul's Church of New Haven and she also belongs to Mary Clapp Worcester Chap- ter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, to the Universal Sunshine Society and the Red Cross. Mr. Coan is identified with the Woodmen of the World, the Historical Society, the Young Men's Institute, the Chamber of Commerce, the Union League Club and the Automobile Club of New Haven. He likewise belongs to the Young Men's Republican Club and has always been an ear- nest supporter of the republican party and its principles. In 1915 he purchased a tract of land in Woodbridge, where he has since erected a modern residence, calling his small but well kept and highly productive farm by the name of Seven Acres. With his removal to Woodbridge he entered into its activities and in 1917 was elected secretary of its branch of the State Council of De- fense. He gives hearty endorsement and support to every project for the public good and his labors, intelligently directed, have always been effective in result. In business he has gained a most creditable position, the firm of Coan & Bunnell occupying a prom- inent place in insurance circles.
EDWARD F. SWEENEY
By instinct a lawyer, Edward F. Sweeney has won for him- self an enviable position in legal circles of Waterbury and ably sustains the traditions of the family. He was born in Naugatuck, Connecticut, August 8, 1885, a son of John M. and Maria C. (Jones) Sweeney, represented elsewhere in this work. Reared in his native city, Edward F. Sweeney attended its public schools and acquired his higher education in Yale University, which awarded him the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1907 and that of Bachelor of Laws in 1910. Since his admission to the bar of Con- necticut he has practiced in Waterbury, manifesting keen sagac- ity in the solution of intricate legal problems. He maintains an office at 42 Bank street, and his standing as an attorney is in- dicated by the extent and importance of his clientele.
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Mr. Sweeney was married October 19, 1909, in Jersey City, New Jersey, to Miss Sarah Havey, of New York city, and they have became the parents of a son, Edward F., Jr., aged thirteen years, who is attending a preparatory school.
Mr. Sweeney enjoys life in the open and finds his recreation largely in hunting and fishing. He votes with the republican party and is a communicant of the Blessed Sacrament Church. He is a member of the Waterbury, New Haven County and Con- necticut State Bar Associations and holds to a high standard in the field of professional service.
GENERAL JAMES A. HAGGERTY
General James A. Haggerty, brigadier-general in command of the Eighty-fifth Infantry Brigade of the Connecticut National Guard, was born in Hartford, this state, May 10, 1880. His parents were David and Julia (O'Keefe) Haggerty, the former a native of Hartford, Connecticut, while the latter was born in Ireland. The Haggerty family emigrated to this country from Ireland at the time of the settlement of Hartford. Captain Wil- liam O'Keefe, an uncle of General Haggerty, served in the Civil war as captain of Company C, Ninth Connecticut Volunteers.
Orphaned at the early age of six years, James A. Haggerty came to New Haven to make his home with relatives here. He attended the public schools in pursuit of an education and was graduated from the Hillhouse high school in 1894. Throughout his entire business career he has been actively identified with building operations at New Haven, and a number of the leading structures of the city stand as monuments to his skill and ability in this field.
The military record of General Haggerty has been concisely written as follows: "Private Company C, Second Regiment of Infantry, Connecticut National Guard, March 1, 1899; corporal, July 1, 1900; sergeant, March 1, 1901; second lieutenant, June 12, 1903; first lieutenant, December 1, 1903; captain, December 1, 1906, to June 19, 1916. Federal service-captain Company C, Second Connecticut Regiment of Infantry, June 20, 1916; hon- orably discharged July 21, 1916; private Headquarters Com- pany, Second Regiment of Infantry, Connecticut National Guard,
GENERAL JAMES A. HAGGERTY
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January 26, 1917; second lieutenant, January 27, 1917; Machine Gun Company, February 10, 1917; first lieutenant, February 13, 1917; Headquarters Second Battalion, February 19, 1917, to March 27, 1917; first lieutenant, Headquarters Second Battalion, Second Regiment Connecticut Infantry, March 28, 1917; mus- tered March 31, 1917; drafted August 5, 1917; Company G, One Hundred and Second Infantry, August, 1917; Headquarters Company, One Hundred and Second Infantry; Company D, One Hundred and Second Infantry, January 10, 1918; Company G, One Hundred and Second Infantry; Supply Company, One Hun- dred and Second Infantry, May 19, 1918; captain, May 29, 1918; Company C, One Hundred and Second Infantry, June 15, 1918; major, July 30, 1918; Forty-second Infantry, September 22, 1918; honorably discharged, May 29, 1919; major, I. G. D., Con- necticut State Guard, January 12, 1920; transferred to Con- necticut State Guard, Officers Reserve Corps, June 11, 1921; lieu- tenant colonel, Connecticut Regiment of Infantry, Connecticut National Guard, May 23, 1921; colonel, One Hundred and Sixty- ninth Infantry, January 7, 1922; One Hundred and Seventieth Infantry, June 8, 1923; One Hundred and Second Infantry, Feb- ruary 28, 1924; brigadier-general, Eighty-fifth Brigade, June 29, 1926; aide-de-camp on governor's staff, January 7, 1925."
In 1916, when troops were needed on the Mexican border, General Haggerty was discharged because of physical disability after eighteen years of service. He enlisted as a private when the United States declared war against Germany and was com- missioned lieutenant before going overseas. He served in most of the companies of the One Hundred and Second Infantry and when the regiment started for France was assigned command of Company G, which was the first company of the One Hundred and Second to go into the trenches. He participated in the engagements at Chemin des Dames, Seicheprey and Chateau Thierry. He was promoted to a captaincy on the 29th of May, 1918, and was placed in command of Company C of the One Hundred and Second Infantry, this being the same company from which he had been discharged for physical disability when the call came to the Mexican border. At Chateau Thierry, or the second battle of the Marne, he led Company C as a part of the First Battalion of the One Hundred and Second Infantry. On the 18th of July, according to a contemporary writer, the First
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Battalion "jumped off from the line" with nine hundred men and twenty-one officers, fighting in the engagements at Belleau Wood, Bouresches and Triangle. On the 25th of July, when relieved by the Forty-second Division, this battalion had one hundred and sixty-two men and three officers. One of the latter was Captain Haggerty, who was in command of the remnant of the battalion, many of the troops having been killed, wounded or captured. He was promoted to the rank of major on the 30th of July, 1918, and was on his way to participate in the Saint Mihiel offensive when he was ordered to the United States and assigned to the Forty- second Infantry of the Twelfth Division of the regular army at Camp Devens, Massachusetts. The armistice was signed within two days of the time when he was planning to sail back to France and when all baggage had already been shipped. He was then assigned to the command of a convalescent center where from eight hundred to one thousand soldiers were discharged per week, thus serving until honorably discharged May 29, 1919. General Haggerty is a graduate of the engineering school at Gondrecourt, France, was also graduated from an army service school at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1929 and is a member of all the military organizations.
On the 9th of January, 1907, General Haggerty was united in marriage to Margaret Bowen, of Hartford, Connecticut. He has membership in the Union League Club of New Haven and fraternally is identified with the Knights of Columbus, the Knights of St. Patrick, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
LOUIS J. SOMERS
As secretary of the Somers Brass Company, Inc., Louis J. Somers is making his contribution to Waterbury's progress along manufacturing lines. Like his father, he has always devoted his attention to the brass industry, which constitutes one of the chief sources of the growth and prosperity of this city, and he is also doing effective work along the line of public service. He was born in Waterbury, July 21, 1879, a son of Dwight L. and Imogene (Chatfield) Somers. When a youth of sixteen the father entered the employ of the old firm of Benedict & Burnham, with which
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he continued throughout the remainder of his active life. Among the prized possessions of the family is a leather bound memorial presented by the American Brass Company, commemorating the seventy-six consecutive years of faithful service rendered to them by Dwight L. Somers. In the early days he joined the volunteer force of fire fighters, remaining a members of the organization for several years, and in many tangible ways gave proof of his devotion to the general good. During the Civil war he was a Union soldier, participating in the notable battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettyburg. Death claimed him in 1928, when he had reached the advanced age of ninety- four. He is still survived by his widow, who is in her eighty-ninth year. Mrs. Imogene Somers is a daughter of a pioneer contractor, who in the early days erected all of the heavy mill buildings and water wheels in this part of Connecticut, everything of the kind being hewn out of logs at that time.
Louis J. Somers pursued his studies in the public schools of Waterbury and prepared for a commercial career by taking a course in the Monroe Business College. Following his graduation he entered the rolling mill of the Benedict & Burnham Brass Com- pany and from 1900 until 1902 was in the employ of the Chicago Brass Company in Kenosha, Wisconsin, this being now a branch of the American Brass Company. He next went to Rome, New York, where he was assistant superintendent of the rolling mill of the Rome Brass & Copper Company for two and one-half years. At the end of that time he returned to Waterbury, becoming an employe of the Scovill Manufacturing Company, while in 1907 he accepted the superintendency of the Waterbury Rolling Mills. Resigning in 1915, he joined his brother in forming the business organization now known as the Somers Brass Company, Inc. At first they occupied a small place forty by twenty feet in dimen- sions and the rapid growth of the business is indicated in the fact that the plant is now eight times its original size. Located at 94 Baldwin avenue, it contains the latest and best equipment used in rolling thin gauge sheets of brass, copper, nickel and silver. The corporation excels in this line of work and is repre- sented in New York by an experienced sales manager. The out- put has a country-wide distribution and the company also makes large shipments to Japan and other foreign lands. Since its or- ganization Louis J. Somers has been secretary of the Somers
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Brass Company, Inc., bringing to the discharge of his important duties a detailed knowledge of the industry as well as the fore- sight, aggressiveness and poise of the modern executive, and as a natural result his efforts have constituted a potent element in the upbuilding and success of the business.
On the 6th of June, 1900, Mr. Somers was married to Miss Anna J. Snagg, of Waterbury, and their family comprises two sons : Ellsworth, who was graduated from the Crosby high school of Waterbury and afterward attended the Peddie Institute at Hightstown, New Jersey; and Louis J., Jr., a sophomore in high school. Mrs. Somers is an active member of the Baptist Church and the Northfield Club of the Moody School. Mr. Somers belongs to the Home Club and he finds his recreation largely in fishing and hunting. He votes with the republican party and on its ticket was elected alderman of his ward in 1927, pursuing a course that led to his reelection in 1929 for another term of two years. By virtue of this office he has become a member of the law committee of the city council and he is also one of the fire commissioners of Waterbury. His loyalty and public spirit have prompted him to exert his best efforts in behalf of his community, which accords him rank with its valuable citizens and leading business men.
JOSEPH P. GEGHAN
Throughout the period of his connection with commercial af- fairs Joseph P. Geghan has been identified with the sale of auto- mobiles, steadily advancing through concentrated effort and the wise use of his opportunities, until he now controls a large busi- ness as president of the Geghan-Allerton Company, located at 379 West Main street, in Waterbury, his native city. He was born December 15, 1899, a son of Joseph and Mary (Carey) Geghan. The father, who was a well known chemist, has passed away.
Joseph P. Geghan pursued his studies in the grammar and high schools of Waterbury and prepared for a commercial career by taking a course in the Post Business College. His first posi- tion was that of manager of the Naugatuck office of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, which he resigned a year later to be- come sales manager and part owner of the business of the Jeffer- son Automobile Company of Waterbury-a connection that was
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maintained for two years. He next acquired an interest in the business of the R. E. Munger Company, automobile dealers, and was a member of their sales force for a period of two years. In 1921, in association with C. P. Goss, H. W. Adams, Jr., and others, Mr. Geghan organized the Geghan-Allerton Company, distribu- tors of the Pierce-Arrow and Studebaker cars, and was elected vice president of the company, while later he became its president. From the time of its inception he has been a forceful factor in the management of the business, fostering its growth by the prompt execution of his well defined plans and the exercise of his administrative powers, and he is now at the head of one of the largest organizations of the kind in the state. The scope and im- portance of the enterprise is indicated in the fact that its complete personnel now comprises sixty employes. The company has twelve competent salesmen and every department of the business has been thoroughly systematized. The Firestone tires are distributed by the firm, which has complete brake service and battery de- partments, and both in equipment and efficiency its repair shop ranks with the best in this part of the country.
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