USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 31
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Bar Association. Mr. Brown has a high conception of his respon- sibilities as a lawyer and at all times has followed a course which reflects credit and honor upon his profession.
EDWARD WILLIS JOHNSON
Edward Willis Johnson, assistant engineer of the city of Waterbury, is a son of Willis and Sarah (Castle) Johnson and a great-grandson of John (Robert) Johnson, the American pro- genitor of the family. The latter was one of the first founders of New Haven and lived on the northwest corner of the square of lots on which Yale College is now situated. He came from the noted town of Hull (Kingston upon Hull) near York, in York- shire, and was a descendant of Robert Johnson, B. D., Archdeacon of Lincoln. The family imported sugar and molasses from the West Indies to New Haven, and at the time General Garth's div- sion made the advance on New Haven, John Johnson was a young man. It is a matter of family history and public record that John Johnson, with a friend, Thaddeus Allen, was hastening to the assembly of men on the Green in New Haven to repel the advanc- ing British troops, and being surprised by the advance of Adjut- ant Campbell at close range and fearing capture, he shot the officer to make his escape. Of fine sensibilities, he was greatly troubled at having taken a life, and feared to make his appearance until after dark. Ultimately on entering his home, John was surprised when his mother cautioned him to be very quiet, as there was a man seriously ill in the house. To his amazement it was Adjutant Campbell, the man he had shot, and who soon after died and was buried in a field near-by. John James Johnson. of West Haven, son of John Johnson, was the father of Willis Johnson, a native of New Haven, who removed to Waterbury about 1830 and for vears was a manufacturer of brass goods. With others he organ- ized a stock company for the manufacture of curtain fixtures and escutcheon pins, leasing the building later used by the American Shear Company. Willis Johnson was married to Sarah Castle. and of the seven children born of this union. but two survived : Harriet Elizabeth. who married Byron H. Eldredge: and Edward Willis. of this review.
Edward W. Johnson was first associated with his father in
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the manufacturing business, but being an engineer of considerable ability, held a position with the Parrot Silver & Copper Mining Company of Butte, Montana, until the year 1891, at which time he returned east for the purpose of proper educational advantages for his daughters. He has been engaged by the city of Water- bury for the past forty years, having been active in building the reservoir and water supply for the city and later being appointed superintendent of water. During the past eight years Mr. John- son has devoted his time to the construction work of the school department.
Mr. Johnson has been twice married. By his first wife, who bore the maiden name of Louise Birney, he had two daughters: Edna Louise, who married Judge Harry Judson Beardsley and became the mother of two sons, Harry Judson and Thomas John- son; and Sarah Castle, who married Oscar Stahl. Three years after the death of his first wife, Edward W. Johnson was united in marriage to Harriett Alice M'Carty.
MRS. EDWARD W. JOHNSON
Mrs. Edward W. Johnson is a native daughter of Waterbury who for many years has taken a prominent part in welfare work and in the activities of civic and charitable organizations of the city. She bore the maiden name of Harriett M'Carty, being a daughter of Henry and Julia (Benham) M'Carty and a grand- daughter of Lydia Ann Treat. Of an ancestry honorable and distinguished, Mrs. Johnson is a direct descendant of Governor Robert Treat, who for thirty years figured prominently in the public life of Connecticut. He was lieutenant governor of the state from 1676 until 1683 and during the succeeding fifteen years served as governor. Robert Treat Paine another of the ancestors of Mrs. Johnson, was one of the signers of the Declara- tion of Independence, while Charles H. Treat, a cousin of Mrs. Johnson, was treasurer of the United States from 1905 until 1909, during the administration of President Roosevelt.
Harriett M'Carty pursued her education in St. Margaret's School of Waterbury and also enjoyed the advantages of education abroad and of private tutoring. She gave her hand in marriage to Edward W. Johnson, who is assistant engineer of the city of
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Waterbury, and both are widely and favorably known here. As stated above, Mrs. Johnson has long manifested a helpful interest in civic welfare work and her efforts have constituted a valuable element in Waterbury's progress along material, cultural and moral lines.
HOWARD MARQUIS NEWTON
Howard Marquis Newton is one of New Haven's native sons and that he is a dependable young man of enterprise and ability is shown in the fact that during the period of his connection with North's Insurance Agency he has steadily advanced, becoming its vice president. He was born October 19, 1895, a son of Marquis B. and Mary (Ensign) Newton, the former a native of Lockport, New York, and the latter of New Haven. The father was a sub- stantial business man of New Haven, well known as senior mem- ber of the firm of Newton & Parrish, bankers and brokers. He was active in community affairs and his death in 1902 deprived New Haven of one of its useful and influential citizens.
In the public schools of his native city Howard M. Newton pursued his studies until graduated from high school in 1913, and a year later he completed a course in the Phillips Academy at Andover, Massachusetts. There he prepared for entrance in Yale University, which conferred upon him the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1918. Enlisting for service in the World war, he was detailed for duty in the ordnance department and was first sta- tioned at Winchester, while later he was sent to the Hammonas- sett Point proving grounds. He was mustered out of the service in January, 1919, and in September of that year entered the em- ploy of the Westinghouse Air Spring Company, with which he remained until May, 1921. He then became connected with North's Insurance Agency, of which he was elected vice president in December, 1923, and as one of its executives he is contributing toward the growth and success of the business, which is one of large proportions. In partnership with Paul G. Cook, he conducts the Billiau's Bird Store and this has also proved a profitable undertaking. They are located at 111 Crown street and handle birds and dogs of all kinds, while they also carry fishing tackle and a complete line of sporting goods.
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Mr. Newton has long taken a keen interest in outdoor sports and while in college was captain of the gun team and played on the Yale baseball and hockey teams. He was freshman baseball coach from 1921 to 1923 and in 1924 was made freshman hockey coach. He is a member of the New Haven Country Club, the New Haven Gun Club and the New Haven Fish & Game Association, while his fraternity is Psi Upsilon. His activities in business affairs and in the field of sport have brought him a wide acquaint- ance and his salient characteristics are such as inspire confidence and command respect.
JAMES ALFRED HYNES
James Alfred Hynes, long an outstanding figure in business, political and fraternal circles of Waterbury, where he was active in the insurance field as head of the firm of James A. Hynes & Son for more than a third of a century, departed this life May 26, 1929, when in his seventy-third year. He was born in New York city, December 10, 1856, his parents being James and Mary (Srahan) Hynes, both of whom were natives of Ireland. His ancestors in the paternal line were long connected with County Westmeath. His grandparents, James and Ann (Grady) Hynes, spent their entire lives in Westmeath, where occurred the birth of their son James, who after reaching adult age crossed the Atlantic to try his fortune in the United States. Establishing his home in New York city, he there engaged in the practice of vet- erinary surgery and for a long period was employed in his pro- fessional capacity by the old Knickerbocker Stage Line Company. He there met and married Miss Mary Srahan, who in early girl- hood accompanied her parents, Patrick and Dinorah (Coughlan) Srahan, on their emigration from Ireland to America. James and Mary Hynes became the parents of five children, all of whom are deceased. The father passed away in New York city, December 4, 1871, having for seven years survived his wife, who died in 1864.
In the acquirement of an education James Alfred Hynes at- tended Manhattan Academy of the eastern metropolis and on putting aside his textbooks obtained employment with a real estate firm. Orphaned when a youth of fifteen, he left New York
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to make his home with his maternal grandparents in Waterbury and here he continued to reside throughout the remainder of his life. He secured a position with the Waterbury Clock Company and was retained in the service of the corporation for ten years, his reliability and fidelity winning him steady promotion. He carefully saved his earnings, prompted by a laudable ambition to engage in business on his own account, and the year 1882 saw the fulfillment of his hope with the organization of the Waterbury One Price Clothing Company, one of the best known mercantile establishments in Waterbury of its day. In 1895 he organized the firm of James A. Hynes & Son for the conduct of a general in- surance and real estate business, to which he directed his atten- tion and energies to the time of his death, becoming one of the foremost operators in this field in southern Connecticut. He closely studied every phase of the business, the values of property, the opportunities for realty transfer and general insurance and bonding of all kinds, and as the years passed on won a large client- age which constantly grew. A newspaper writer, reviewing his career, said: "He devoted his time to a close personal study of the city's conditions and its future from a realty viewpoint. There was one outstanding feature of his optimism and loyalty-he be- lieved in the city's future and worked untiringly for the realiza- tion of many of its development plans."
On the 24th of November, 1876, in Waterbury, Mr. Hynes was united in marriage to Miss Sarah S. Heninger, a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Schlegel) Heninger. Her father was of German descent and was the founder of the first brewery in Waterbury. He was killed at Fort Fischer as an enlisted soldier of the Union Army during the Civil war. The mother of Mrs. Sarah Hynes was a native of Germany and died in Waterbury, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. James A. Hynes became the parents of seven chil- dren : George A., who has succeeded his father as head of the in- surance firm of James A. Hynes & Son, Inc .; James A., Jr., who married Alice Burke; Sadie K., the wife of R. H. Staniford; Ed- ward A., who married Loretta Truden and is a resident of Dan- bury; and Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph, who have passed away.
Fraternally Mr. Hynes was affiliated with the Knights of Columbus, being a charter member of Sheridan Council, No. 24. For years he held the office of state secretary of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and he was identified with the Independent Order
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of Foresters in an executive capacity during the last twenty-five years of his life. He was a charter member of Waterbury Lodge, No. 265, B. P. O. E., and was affiliated with the Foresters of America and the Patrick Sarsfield Club. His fitness for leader- ship was recognized in his election to various offices, for in each of the fraternal organizations with which he was connected he was honored with the highest office within the gift of his fellow members. In politics he was a stalwart democrat and performed valuable service for his party in Waterbury and the state. One of the local papers, reviewing his career at the time of his death, said: "Having held various offices in the democratic party- treasurer of the democratic town committee; member of the state central committee; a perennial membership on any delegation from the first ward he desired in democratic contests or elections; a member of the board of fire commissioners and of water com- missioners; registrar of voters, deputy sheriff and incidentally a sergeant-at-arms in the historic national democratic convention at Baltimore which witnessed the nomination of Woodrow Wilson, it is only natural that the deceased was ranked for many years as one of the outstanding citizens of Waterbury. He was a char- ter member of various fraternal organizations. He was a life- long member of the Church of the Immaculate Conception and a devout communicant of the mother Catholic Church of Water- bury. In various meetings and undertakings inspired for the bet- terment of the city, his familiar figure was always in evidence, and his voice was ever ready to express real, honest, frank opinions and convictions. Back in the early days of the history of the Waterbury fire department, when volunteer companies were in existence, he was associated with the Rose Hills, which company did valiant duty for twenty-seven years. Whether it was fighting fires, sponsoring competitive drills, promoting social activities or directing social events-the name of James A. Hynes was invariably mentioned. And those were the days of keen rivalry, stories of which have been handed down during the past fifty years and more. They were the days in which many of Waterbury's most prominent citizens laid the foundation for suc- cessful careers in various life occupations. The fire companies organized have always been recognized and chronicled as basic features of Waterbury's interesting history. ... Of his politi- cal affiliations, and they were many, all might be summed up in
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the statement-he was a stanch, active democrat-a vigorous campaigner with a wide acquaintance, which the passing years widened, because of personal contact. The deceased believed in carrying his beliefs and arguments in favor of a party or a can- didate to his friends and neighbors. Hence, his recognized power in the section in which he lived, the battleground and deciding factor of many a big campaign-the first ward. His success as a fraternalist and as a politician was based on his personality, his warm sympathy and his geniality. He was a real friend and benefactor of hundreds. He was held in high esteem for his char- ity and his charitable views. His friendliness knew no limit when a helping hand was needed. He worked as loyally for his friends as his church, his political party and his fraternal affiliations. The offices of honor he held were well merited . . . He was a faithful worker for his church during the eventful days of its history on East Main street and the early efforts that resulted in the erection of the present beautiful edifice on the corner of West Main and Prospect streets . . . The city of Waterbury in an official manner planned today with the representatives of various local fraternal and social organizations to pay tribute to the memory of the late James A. Hynes."
FRANK P. BECTON
Frank P. Becton, prominent Waterbury business man and sportsman, was for many years connected with the jewelry trade of the city as merchant and manufacturer, and as head of the F. P. Becton Company he served three generations of patrons. A lifelong resident of Waterbury, Connecticut, he was here born April 2, 1869, and had attained the age of sixty-one years when death called him on the 17th of May, 1930. His parents were Patrick and Catherine (Buckley) Becton, of Goshen, Connecti- cut, the former being now deceased, while the latter still sur- vives. The maternal grandparents, John and Catherine Buck- ley, were also residents of Goshen, this state.
Frank P. Becton attended public school to the age of twelve years and then began working as a messenger boy for the West- ern Union Telegraph Company. A little later he entered the dry goods establishment of the Miller & Peck Company as cash boy
C BACHRACH
FRANK C. BECTON
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and subsequently became an employe of the Waterbury Clock Company. His initial training in the jewelry trade began with the firm of Lake & Strobel, proprietors of a jewelry store in Exchange place, with whom he continued for eleven years. In that period he gained wide and accurate knowledge of the busi- ness and at length he felt that his capital and experience justified him in engaging therein on his own account. He was associated with George Gaffney in the conduct of a jewelry store on the present site of the Mohican market on North Main street for one year and then in 1902 sold out to his partner and moved around the corner to 21 East Main street, where he opened an independ- ent jewelry establishment that is still being carried on under the name of the F. P. Becton Company. One of the local newspapers, reviewing his career at the time of his death, said: "There he not only engaged in the sale of jewelry but also conducted a re- pair shop and manufacturing department. Work for these latter features of the business came to him from all over the United States. Mr. Becton was proud of the fact he served many of his original customers for long periods of years and in many cases until death. Mr. Becton's formula for retaining customers was 'Never break your word and always put your desire to please them above your desire for profits.'
"Although this profitable business took much of his time, he always followed one hobby, baseball. He was one of the best known followers of that sport in Waterbury and had been ac- tively connected in the management of the Waterbury teams in the old Connecticut league and its successor, the Eastern league. In 1918, when the Waterbury team had lost its franchise during the war, he obtained another franchise for this city and restored the game to its former popularity with fandom. At the beginning of this enterprise, he was associated with the late Michael E. Keeley. Later Mr. Keeley disposed of his interests in the team to former Governor Charles A. Templeton. In 1920 he conceived and carried out the building of the Brassco Park baseball field on Thomaston avenue, which was developed into one of the best parks in the league. Mr. Becton gave up the man- agement of professional baseball about six years ago, disposing of his interests to John Sullivan of this city. When the old Con- necticut league was in existence here, Mr. Becton was secretary of the local club. In his youth, Mr. Becton was a splendid am-
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ateur baseball player, excelling as a pitcher. He was also very much interested in amateur theatricals, and appeared in numer- ous productions in this city, which were staged by the Acme Dramatic Club."
On the 29th of June, 1902, Mr. Becton was united in mar- riage to Miss Ada E. Davis, of Thomaston, Connecticut, whose people came to this state from Sheffield, England, at the time of the close of the Civil war in this country. Mr. and Mrs. Becton were the parents of three children, two of whom died in infancy. The surviving daughter, Edith Davis (Becton) Uhrbrock, was formerly a teacher of dramatic art at St. Margaret's School and Notre Dame Convent and is now conducting the Edith Becton Studio of Platform and Dramatic Arts in New York city. On the 21st of August, 1929, she became the wife of Frederic Uhr- brock, who is associated with the Wall Street firm of J. A. Sisto & Company, investment bankers, as statistician. He is a gradu- ate of Columbia University and a member of Psi Upsilon fra- ternity, the Columbia University Club and an ex-member of Squadron A.
Mr. Becton was a devout communicant of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, a charter member of Sheridan Council of the Knights of Columbus and a charter member of the local lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He also held membership in the Young Men's Christian Association and in the Mattatuck Historical Society. The story of his life con- tains much of inspirational value, for the prosperity which he enjoyed came to him as the result of his own unaided efforts. His passing was sincerely mourned, for he had won a host of friends in Waterbury. His widow, who resides at 34 Holmes avenue, is also widely and favorably known here.
SAMUEL CHARLES SCHLEIN
Samuel C. Schlein, who, with offices at 152 Temple street, New Haven, is engaged in the practice of law, in which he has attained a substantial measure of success, was born in Elizabethgrad, Rus- sia, September 8, 1890, a son of Charles and Rebecca Schlein, who in 1893 came to the United States with their family. The mother has passed away, but the father is still active in business in New
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Haven. They were the parents of six children : Jacob, Carl, Wil- liam, Rose, Bessie and Samuel Charles.
The last named was but three years of age when the family home was established in the new world. His youthful days were passed in New Haven, where he attended the Webster and Cedar street grammar schools, and he also pursued a high school course. In 1907 he entered Yale University as a law student and won his LL. B. degree in 1911. He afterward spent two years with the Legal Aid Society and with the Brown Brothers Company in New York city. With his return to New Haven in 1913 he entered into business relations with the law firm of Slade, Slade & Slade, re- maining with them for two years, and in 1915 he began practicing independently. He is now accorded a liberal clientele and the court records bear testimony to the fact that considerable import- ant litigation has been entrusted to his care and has been handled successfully by him, as attested by the favorable verdicts which he has won.
Mr. Schlein holds membership in various Jewish organizations of a benevolent and social character, belonging to B'nai Jacob, to the K. O. J. and to the K. O. J. Club. He was made secretary of the Independent Order of B'nai Abraham and is also connected with the Loyal Order of Moose. Since reaching that age in which one begins to look at life seriously he has been actuated by a laud- able ambition and a firm purpose, and thus it is that he is making steady progress as a member of the New Haven bar.
CARL WHARTON MADDOCKS
Among those who are furthering Milford's advancement along educational lines is numbered Carl Wharton Maddocks, superin- tendent of schools, an office which he has filled with ability for three years. Born in Ellsworth, Maine, November 28, 1892, he is a son of Alvin and Delia (Leach) Maddocks, who are also na- tives of the Pine Tree state. There the father engaged in con- tracting, becoming well known in that connection.
Following the completion of his course in the Ellsworth high school Carl W. Maddocks attended the Eastern States Normal School, from which he was graduated, and next matriculated in the University of Maine, which awarded him the Master of Arts
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degree in 1917. Not content with the knowledge thus acquired, he was engaged in postgraduate work at Yale University from 1920 until 1923 and during 1928 was a student at Columbia Uni- versity in New York city. In September, 1917, Mr. Maddocks enlisted for service in the World war, becoming a member of the Fifty-Fourth Regiment of Coast Artillery, and was sent over- seas. He remained at the front for a year and at the time of his discharge was holding the rank of second lieutenant. From 1919 to 1927 he was supervising agent for Middlesex county, Connecti- cut, with headquarters at Deep River, and in July of the latter year was appointed superintendent of the Milford schools, which have attained a high standard of excellence under his capable direction. There are now seven school buildings here and two thousand, six hundred and fifty pupils are enrolled. Alert to the latest developments in the educational field, Mr. Maddocks has instituted the most modern and effective methods of instruc- tion and gratifying results have attended his systematic efforts.
On the 1st of July, 1923, Carl W. Maddocks married Laila Roundy, of West Burke, Vermont. Mr. Maddocks is president of the Milford Rotary Club and chairman of the board of gover- nors of the Junior Wheel Club. He is a member of the Connecti- cut Teachers Association, the New England Superintendents Association, the National Superintendents Association, the Na- tional Education Association and the National Association of School Supervisors. Throughout his career Mr. Maddocks has been an earnest student, eagerly availing himself of every oppor- tunity to augment his knowledge and increase his usefulness, and his deep interest in his work, combined with his industry and natural gifts, insure his continued progress as an educator.
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