USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 25
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
In April, 1918, Mr. Geghan was married to Miss Edith Smith, of Waterbury, and they have one child, Shirley Florence. Mrs. Geghan takes a deep and helpful interest in the organization of Boy Scouts and is also active in the work of the Second Congrega- tional Church. Mr. Geghan is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Waterbury Club and the Mattatuck Country Club. When leisure permits he indulges in hunting, fishing and golf. He enjoys life but never neglects his business, in which his interest centers, and has progressed far on the high- road to success, while his enterprise and ability insure his con- tinued prosperity.
ARTHUR PITE
Among the modern, well conducted educational institutions of New Haven is The Collegiate School, of which Arthur Pite has been headmaster for seven years. He was born in Odessa, Russia, March 5, 1898, and when a child of eight years came to America with his parents, who established their home in New Haven in 1906. Passing through consecutive grades, he was graduated
340
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
from the New Haven high school in 1916 and afterward enrolled as a student at Yale University, from which he won the B. A. degree in 1920 and that of M. A. in 1921. He then taught at Jackson Academy, St. Louis, Missouri, where he was the head of the history department for two years. In 1923 he returned to New Haven and was made headmaster of The Collegiate School. This position he has since filled with distinction, capably directing the activities of a faculty of eighteen teachers and bending every effort to further the progress and success of the institution, whose attendance has about doubled under his administration.
The Collegiate School was established in 1916 on the site of the old Loomis mansion, now occupied by the Yale School of Drama, and in 1924 it was moved to its present location at 20 Derby street. This is the site of the old Malley estate. The school building is two stories in height and has sixteen rooms, which are spacious, well heated and lighted. The structure, facing Monitor square, is modern in every respect and completely equipped.
The Collegiate School offers two branches-college prepara- tory and commercial. The college preparatory course offers a complete curriculum for complying with college entrance require- ments in both the academic and scientfic branches. Courses are so arranged that each class complies fully with all the requirements of the college entrance examination board, for which pupils are thoroughly prepared. The business course offers a complete com- mercial and secretarial training in the required subjects for busi- ness and office life. The commercial department is equipped with up-to-date business machines, including typewriters, mimeo- graph, comptometer and calculating machines. The science labora- tory is equipped for all necessary experiments in biology, physics and chemistry. The reference library is provided with reference and reading material available under proper faculty supervision. A modern and sanitary lunchroom is conducted in the school building with moderate charges for the most wholesome foods. The school's greatest asset is its faculty. Every member thereof is a college graduate of proven ability and long experience. In- cluded in the list are the names of several who are teaching at Yale University. With such an excellent staff to guide him the student's future is in safe hands.
In 1922 the school was accredited by the New York state board of education and the following year it was approved as a four
341
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
year high school by the Connecticut state board of education. The school is also accredited directly with a great many colleges and universities. Due to the reorganization effected by the headmaster during the past five years, the school's status has been firmly established and its continued success assured. Over five hundred Collegiate School graduates have entered nearly a hundred col- leges and universities throughout the United States. Several have also gone to foreign universities. In addition, the commercial department has prepared hundreds of young people for business careers in various industries and offices, and they are now satis- factorily filling responsible positions in business.
On the 24th of November, 1924, Mr. Pite was married to Miss Isabelle Batter, of New Haven, and they reside at 34 Batter terrace. Their children are: Carl Robert, who was born October 20, 1925; and Richard Frederick, born August 22, 1927.
During the World war Mr. Pite served with the Yale unit of the Reserve Officers Training Corps. In his hours of leisure he turns to outdoor sports for recreation. He is a trustee of the Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity and a member of the New Haven Colony Historical Association and the American Historical Association. He has a high conception of his duties and responsibilities as an educator, and although still a young man he has advanced far in his profession, while his ability and energy insure his continued progress therein.
JOHN M. SWEENEY
The prestige of the bar was ably upheld by John M. Sweeney, a prominent attorney, who practiced in Naugatuck for many years, successfully handling the important legal interests en- tursted to his care. Born in Naugatuck in 1854, he was a son of Edward and Ann (Mckeon) Sweeney and of Irish ancestry. He attended the public schools of Naugatuck and in preparation for a legal career enrolled as a student in Yale University, which conferred upon him the degree of LL. B. in 1879. Having passed the state bar examination, he became associated with H. C. Bald- win, a prominent attorney who is now deceased, and this connec- tion was long maintained. Studious by nature, Mr. Sweeney constantly added to his store of legal knowledge and won a large
342
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
percentage of his cases, convincing by his concise statement of the law and fact rather than by word painting. As the years passed his ability ripened, and he not only won a liberal clientele in Naugatuck but also enjoyed a large practice in Waterbury.
On the 12th of August, 1884, Mr. Sweeney was married in Waterbury to Miss Maria C. Jones, whose demise occurred No- vember 4, 1923. Seven children were born to them: Edward F., whose sketch is published elsewhere in this volume; John M., Jr., William J., Mrs. Margaret A. Stokesbury, Mrs. Alice Rutale, Mrs. Grace McDonald and Mrs. Elizabeth C. Wilhelm.
In religious faith Mr. Sweeney was a Roman Catholic, having membership in St. Francis Church, while his political allegiance was given to the republican party. He took the interest of a good citizen in public affairs and for seventeen years filled the office of prosecuting attorney of Naugatuck. He reserved all of his en- ergies for his profession and exemplified in his conduct the lofty ideals of an ancient and noble calling. His admirable traits of character greatly endeared him to those who were privileged to know him, and his passing on the 10th of November, 1928, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret.
HARRY HALL ATWATER
Important business and professional interests claim the atten- tion of Harry Hall Atwater, an able attorney and prominent business man, who is serving as vice president of the New Haven Real Estate Title Company. He has been a resident of the city for twenty-three years and is a worthy scion of one of its honored colonial families, tracing his descent to men who were leading actors in events that shaped the early history of this section of the country.
Born in Auburn, New York, April 28, 1884, Mr. Atwater is a son of Jesse Gifford Atwater, who was born in Genoa, that state, February 14, 1853. The father traces his lineage to Thomas Atwater, of Royton, in Lenham, Kent county, England, who died in 1484. Jesse G. Atwater is the seventh in line of descent from David Atwater, who, with his brother Joshua and his sister Ann, left Kent on the good ship Hector and arrived in Boston, June 26, 1637. Joshua Atwater accompanied Theophilus Eaton to
HENRY H. ATWATER
345
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
Quinnipiack (New Haven) in the fall of that year and remained there during the following winter in charge of the eight men left by Mr. Eaton to make preparation for the main body of settlers. David Atwater remained in Boston that winter and sailed with the company for their new home in Quinnipiack in the spring of 1638. On the 4th of June, 1639, in Mr. Newman's barn, he signed the plantation covenant, the foundation of the colony of New Haven. Upon the union of the New Haven and Connecticut colon- ies in 1665, David Atwater was the first of the New Haven colony who was sworn a freeman of the united colony. The revolutionary ancestor of Jesse G. Atwater was Samuel Atwater, who served in the Seventh (Captain Bunnel's) Company of a regiment from Connecticut, commanded by Colonel William Douglas. Pamelia (Goodyear) Atwater, the mother of Jesse G. Atwater, was five times removed from Stephen Goodyear, who was deputy governor of the New Haven colony from 1643 to 1658 and whose name is also in the original list of names of freemen of the court of New Haven, prepared in 1638. Jesse G. Atwater is now seventy-seven years of age. His wife, Helen Aurelia (Hall) Atwater, born in Auburn, New York, January 17, 1858, died July 24, 1911, when fifty-three years of age. She was descended from Isaac Hall, who saw service in the colonial wars, notably in the reduction of Fort Louis at Oswego and in the capture of Montreal. Her grand- father, Harry Hall, was a soldier in the War of 1912.
Reared in his native city, Harry Hall Atwater was grad- uated from the academic high school of Auburn with the class of 1901 and received his higher education in Yale University, which conferred upon him the A. B. degree in 1905 and that of LL. B. in 1907. He was admitted to the Connecticut bar and in 1907 entered upon his professional career in New Haven in association with the firm of Clark, Hall & Peck. Since that time he has suc- cessfully handled many cases involving real property law and is thoroughly informed on that subject, of which he has made a close study. He is well versed in the fundamental principles of juris- prudence and occupies an enviable position in legal circles of the city. His business ability is manifest in the efficient discharge of his important duties as vice president of the New Haven Real Estate Title Company, specializing in title insurance.
Mr. Atwater was married July 1, 1908, in Wallingford, Con- necticut, to Miss Martha Elizabeth Russell, who was born in New
346
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
Haven, June 22, 1885, and is of Scotch-Irish lineage in the pater- nal line, while on the materal side she is descended from English and German ancestors. Her father, Alexander Watson Russell, was born in Rye, New York, February 12, 1840, and died July 27, 1911, when seventy-one years of age. During the Civil war he enlisted in Company E, Thirty-eighth Regiment of New York State Volunteers, known as the "Scott Life Guard." While serv- ing with this regiment, which became a part of the Army of the Potomac, he participated in the first battle of Bull Run, the en- gagements at Antietam and Fair Oaks and the Seven Days battle. His wife, Maria Louisa (Meyers) Russell, was born in New York city, December 13, 1844, and has reached the age of eighty-six years. Mr. and Mrs. Atwater have become the parents of three children : Russell Hall, who was born April 9, 1909, was grad- uated from Yale University, B. A., in 1930, and is now a junior in Yale Law School; Bruce Hall, born August 26, 1913 ; and Eliza- beth Hall, born September 21, 1921.
Mr. and Mrs. Atwater are members of the Plymouth Con- gregational Church, in which he is a deacon, and both belong to the Edgewood Club, while Mrs. Atwater is also connected with the West End Club. During the World war Mr. Atwater joined the National Guard of Connecticut and was made corporal of his company. He is a member of the New Haven Colony Historical Society, the Sons of the American Revolution, the Yale Alumni Association, the Connecticut Bar Association and the American Bar Association. In politics he is an independent republican, and his viewpoint of life is broad. Throughout his career he has been dominated by a keen sense of duty, and his ability and force of character have carried him into important relations.
HARRY CADY USHER
Achieving prominence in financial affairs, Harry C. Usher turned his attention to the manufacturing field, in which he has been equally successful, and is well known as the treasurer of I. Newman & Sons, Inc., of New Haven, makers of the P. N. corsets, with office and plant at 43 Oak street. He was born in Milford, Connecticut, August 30, 1885, a son of Daniel and Mary (Cady) Usher, the former a native of Rhode Island and the latter
347
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
of Connecticut. In 1884 they settled in Milford, where the father entered the real estate business, specializing in the handling of shore property. His demise occurred in 1925, while the mother passed away in 1912.
In the acquirement of an education Harry C. Usher attended the grammar schools of Milford and then became a high school pupil but laid aside his textbooks at the end of his sophomore year to enter the business world. In 1902 he secured the position of runner with the Mechanics Bank of New Haven and soon proved his ability and worth. As he gained experience he was advanced through the various departments and in 1916 was made cashier of the Mechanics Bank, thus serving for a period of seven years, or until October, 1923, when he resigned. At that time he became interested in the firm of I. Newman & Sons, corset manufacturers, and with his associates purchased the business, which was then incorporated. Mr. Usher was made treasurer and general man- ager of their interests in New Haven and continues in those capacities. The other officers are: James T. Patterson, of Milford, president; P. W. Hine, of New York, vice president; Abraham Klopot, of Boston, vice president; and Otto D. Mowry, of Chicago, secretary. They are manufacturers and wholesalers of corsets and also make paper boxes. In 1929 the Stein-Moss Company, Inc., a subsidiary of the parent organization, was formed for the manufacture of children's dresses and this is also a wholesale concern. These two corporations employ about four hundred and fifty people, and their trade not only covers the United States but is also drawn from foreign countries. A high degree of skill enters into the making of their products, which combine utility with creative excellence, thus insuring efficiency and economy. Mr. Usher is in charge of all their business in New Haven, which has enjoyed a steady growth under his capable supervision and pro- gressive management. He is a director of the English-Mersick Company and since 1927 has served on the directorate of the Mechanics Bank.
On the 26th of October, 1911, Mr. Usher was married to Miss Myrtis Strong Cairoli, of Milford, and they have two sons, Harry Cady, Jr., and John Cairoli. The residence of the family is at 479 Whalley avenue, New Haven.
Fraternally Mr. Usher is a Mason, belonging to Ansantawae Lodge, No. 89, F. & A. M., and he is also a member of the New
348
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
Haven Country Club, the Quinnipiack Club and the Milford Club. His deep interest in the welfare and progress of his community has found expression in effective efforts in its behalf. In 1928 Mayor Tulley became New Haven's chief executive, having been chosen to complete the unexpired term of Mayor Tower, and soon after entering upon the duties of that office he named Mr. Usher as a member of the commission on permanent pavements, to which position he was reappointed by Mayor Tulley on the 1st of Feb- ruary, 1930, for a five years' term. In this connection he is ren- dering valuable service to New Haven, whose progress he has also furthered along financial and industrial lines, and combines in his character all of the qualities of a useful and desirable citizen.
IRVING HALL CHASE
Irving Hall Chase occupies a position of undisputed leadership in industrial circles of Waterbury, his native city, as president of the Waterbury Clock Company and as vice president of the Chase Companies, Inc., an extensive brass manufacturing cor- poration. The period of his identification with the Waterbury Clock Company covers a full half century and in this connection he has worked his way steadily upward from the position of ship- ping clerk to that of executive head. He was born May 13, 1858, a son of Augustus Sabin and Martha (Starkweather) Chase and a grandson of Captain Seth and Eliza Hempsted (Dodge) Chase. He is descended from William Chase, born in 1595, who came with Governor Winthrop in 1630 from England and who settled in Roxbury, Massachusetts. The line of descent is through his son, John Chase, born in 1637; John Chase, born in 1675; Elisha Chase, born in 1712; Seth Chase, born in 1742; Slade Chase, born in 1770; Seth Chase, born in 1798; Augustus Sabin Chase, born in Pomfret, Connecticut, August 15, 1828.
Concerning the father of Irving H. Chase a contemporary biographer wrote: "The youthful experiences of Augustus S. Chase were those of the farm-bred boy and when sixteen years of age be became a student in Woodstock Academy, while at the age of eighteen be began teaching in a country school of Brooklyn, Connecticut. In the following years he accepted a clerkship in the store of the Danielson Manufacturing Company at Killingly and
349
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
in 1850 came to Waterbury to take a position in the Waterbury National Bank, of which he was made cashier in 1852. Begin- ning in 1864 he served for thirty years as its president and in the meantime he became extensively connected with manufactur- ing interests and was called to the presidency of the Waterbury Manufacturing Company, the Waterbury Watch Company, the Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing Company and the Water- bury Buckle Company, all of which profited by his cooperation, his sound judgment and his progressiveness. He was one of the original stockholders of the American Printing Company and was chosen president in 1877. He also became first president of the Waterbury Club, which he aided in founding, and he was treas- urer of St. Margaret's School from its establishment. He was also one of the original members of the Second Congregational Society and of the Waterbury Hospital Corporation and he served as the first city treasurer of Waterbury and a member of the school board, the water board and the board of agents of the Bronson Library. He extended his efforts into a still broader field through service as a member of the state legislature. A man of broad and scholarly attainments, interested in all those forces which make for upbuilding and progress for the individual and the com- munity, his efforts and his influence were of the greatest benefit to city and state. He was married on the 7th of September, 1854, to Martha Clark Starkweather, a daughter of Dr. Rodney Stark- weather, of Chesterfield, Massachusetts, and they became the parents of three sons and three daughters." Augustus S. Chase departed this life in 1896, when sixty-eight years of age.
In the acquirement of an education Irving H. Chase attended the Waterbury high school, went to the Gunnery School at Wash- ington, Connecticut, in 1873 and Phillips Academy at Andover, Massachusetts, in 1874, being graduated from the last named institution in 1876. Then he matriculated in Yale University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1880. On the 8th of November of that year he entered the employ of the Waterbury Clock Company as shipping clerk and has remained with that company in various capacities up to the present time, successively occupying the positions of director, secretary, treasurer and presi- dent. As one of its executive officers he has contributed in sub- stantial measure to the notable growth and development which has characterized the business.
350
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
The Waterbury Clock Company was organized March 27, 1857, and incorporated with a capital stock of sixty thousand dollars. It had originally been a department of the Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing Company. From the time it was made a separate institution it grew rapidly and in 1873 larger quarters were demanded, a removal then being made to North Elm street. The first president was Arad W. Welton, who was succeeded by Charles Benedict, who up to that time had been treasurer of the company. At his death in 1881, G. W. Burnham became the presi- dent and remained in office until his demise in 1885, when Henry L. Wade, who had been secretary from 1871, was elected to the presidency, while Irving H. Chase became the secretary. The in- crease of the business caused a removal of the factory to 31 Cherry avenue. At that time, in addition to the officers mentioned, Israel Holmes and A. S. Chase were on the board of directors. The former died about 1895 and A. S. Chase in 1896, the latter being succeeded by H. S. Chase. Henry L. Wade and Irving H. Chase remained in their respective offices, the former as president and the latter as secretary and treasurer, until 1912. In that year William J. Larkin was appointed assistant secretary. On the 31st of October, 1912, Mr. Wade passed away and Mr. Chase was elected president on the 12th of November, continuing also in the office of treasurer. William J. Larkin succeeded him as secre- tary and at the same election George M. Van Dever was made a director. At the election held on the 27th of May, 1913, all con- tinued in office save that Clifford H. Hall became assistant secre- tary. From time to time the factory has been enlarged, at the present time the original three buildings being increased to the number of twenty-seven. The company manufactures all va- rieties of American clocks: At its wood case factory pendulum clocks of all varieties from the small mantle clock to the large standing hall clock, in various woods and finishes, and at the metal case factory a complete line of lever clocks from the small nickels to the more elaborate and expensive styles are produced. At the present time the company is adding to its product a com- plete line of both electrically wound and electrically controlled clocks. In 1914 there was established a watch crystal factory, practically the first one successfully established in this country. This department was complete to the extent of including furnaces for the actual making of the glass itself, with a capacity of about
351
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
two and one-half tons of glass per day. Something of the rapid growth of the business is indicated by the fact that while in 1887 there were employed some three hundred people, their total pay- roll today covers more than three thousand. In addition to and in connection with the large variety of clocks, their production in- cludes that of watches as well. Here the original Ingersoll dollar watch was produced in 1892, the manufacture of which has ever since been carried on by this company. Originally the watches were manufactured exclusively for Robert H. Ingersoll & Brother, but in 1922 the Ingersoll Company was absorbed by the Water- bury Clock Company. The line of Ingersoll watches has been greatly enlarged from the original dollar watch, by additional styles including jeweled watches. The output of the factory is now sold all over the world, and the plant, which is modern throughout, has a capacity of some twenty-three thousand time- pieces daily. The entire product of the company is sold by their sales agents-the Ingersoll-Waterbury Company, a subsidiary. The buildings are of mill construction, well ventilated and lighted, and extreme cleanliness everywhere prevails. They manufacture their own electricity and use the electric power group drive for motors. They maintain a large experimental department in which men are continuously employed, and they are continually adding something new to their output, which today includes about seven hundred different styles of manufactured clocks and watches and other features of timepieces. Their work benches placed end to end would extend over seven miles. Everything used in clock construction is made in their own factories.
While Mr. Chase has largely concentrated his efforts and at- tention upon the Waterbury Clock Company, his cooperation has also been sought in other fields. He is chairman of the board of the Waterbury National Bank; president of the Ingersoll-Water- bury Company; president of the Lake County Groves Corpora- tion; treasurer of St. Margaret's School for Girls; and a director of the American Mills Company, Smith & Griggs Manufacturing Company, the Waterbury Buckle Company, the Gaylord Farm Association, the New Haven Bank, the Waterbury Savings Bank, the Morris Plan Bank of Waterbury and the Connecticut Junior Republic. He is also a trustee of the Taft School Corporation.
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.