USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 34
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Owing to the tragic death of his father, Morris W. Gurian was obliged to put aside his textbooks after only two weeks' schooling in this country and begin the battle of life in earnest. He was first employed in a woolen mill in Meriden at a salary of forty cents per day and in addition he made a dollar and a half per week by carrying papers. About 1893 he obtained an agency in Meriden for all the New York papers and his income mounted
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to from twenty-five to thirty dollars per week. He was thus en- gaged until he reached the age of eighteen years, when he turned the paper business over to his younger brother and sought other employment, being ever actuated by the spirit of laudable ambi- tion which prompted him to take a forward step that would bring him a wider outlook and broader opportunities. For about six months he was employed by the International Silver Company and then turned his attention to the grocery business, in which he established himself in Wallingford, at that time a youth of but eighteen years. There he spent five years, on the expiration of which period he came to New Haven and in 1906 became man- ager for the Empire Trading Stamp Company, which position he occupied for two years. He afterward traveled for a large tobacco house in New York city for eight months and for another tobacco house of Detroit, Michigan, for nine months. It was on the 5th of November, 1909, that Mr. Gurian embarked in the insurance business, which he entered rather by accident than design. Concerning this step a contemporary biographer wrote as follows: "A friend suggested to him to try the life insurance field and particularly the line of industrial insurance. Mr. Gurian took the matter under consideration and upon coming to a con- clusion decided upon old-line insurance as preferable and as an experiment he entered that field and sold forty thousand dollars worth of old-line insurance in less than a week. He is the repre- sentative in New Haven of the New York Life Insurance Com- pany and he made the One Hundred Thousand Dollar Club the first year. He soon won a place in the Two Hundred Thousand Dollar Club and for some time has been in the Five Hundred Thousand Dollar Club, indicating that he now places insurance to the amount of over a half million dollars annually. He has had a remarkable business career. From selling matches and papers on the streets of the city he has steadily advanced step by step until he is at the head of one of the largest insurance agencies not only in New Haven but in New England. His path has been beset with great difficulties and upon him devolved heavy responsi- bilities. When quite young he furnished the money to bring five of his brothers and sisters from Russia to America and at various periods he has contributed to the maintenance of the family. Undeterred by obstacles, however, he has steadily progressed and his thorough study of the insurance business has enabled
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him to so represent the interests of the company that he has gained a very extensive clientage. At the present he handles all kinds of insurance, including fire, life, automobile, accident, etc., and his business is one of most gratifying proportions. He is general agent for many large New York insurance companies and has other important interests, being one of the partners in Wolf's New Process Abrasive Wheel Company, Inc., of Meriden, Connecticut.
In 1917 Mr. Gurian was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Leand. In politics he maintain an independent attitude, support- ing men and measures rather than party. Fraternally he is affili- ated with the Eagles and with Cosmopolitan Lodge, No. 125, A. F. & A. M., while in religion he holds to the faith of his fathers, belonging to the Olive Street Synagogue. The sterling traits of his character are many, and all with whom he comes in contact speak of him in terms of warm regard.
PAUL FRANCIS FAGAN
Paul Francis Fagan is the efficient secretary of The Immick Company, Inc., conducting a general contracting and trucking business at Meriden, with which he became identified as general superintendent of construction a decade ago. He was born at Meriden, Connecticut, January 28, 1891, his parents being Law- rence P. and Catherine (O'Donnell) Fagan, of London, England. Following the completion of a high school course in his native city he entered the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale University, which in 1911 conferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. He was first employed as a mining engineer in the Porcupine district of Ontario, Canada, for one year and then spent a similar period as industrial engineer with the Interna- tional Silver Company of Meriden. Thereafter he served for two years as plant engineer of the American Pin Company at Water- bury and next became identified with the Sperry Engineering Company in the capacity of assistant purchasing agent, thus con- tinuing for two more years. During the period of America's participation in the World war, Mr. Fagan was overseas in the naval aviation service with the rank of lieutenant, junior grade, being in charge of construction for two years. It was in January,
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1920, that he became general superintendent of construction with The Immick Company of Meriden, with which he has been con- tinuously connected to the present time and which he has repre- sented in the official position of secretary since 1929.
On the 23d of June, 1920, Mr. Fagan was married to Miss Marietta McGovern, of Meriden, Connecticut, and they have be- come the parents of six children, namely: Marietta, Lawrence, Catherine, Paul and Stephen, all living, and Peter, deceased.
Mr. Fagan gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and made a commendable record as commissioner of public works some years ago. He is a communicant of St. Rose's Roman Catholic Church and fraternally has membership with the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His favorite forms of recreation, when leisure permits, are hunting, fishing and yachting.
CHARLES STUART HUNGERFORD
Charles Stuart Hungerford, secretary and treasurer of The American Metal Hose Company of Waterbury, is a lineal de- scendant of the founder of the Hungerford family in America, Thomas Hungerford, who came from England about 1630 and eventually settled in Hartford, where his name was on the list of proprietors in 1639. David Hungerford, great-grandson of Thomas, was born in East Haddam; moved to Watertown which was then the Westbury parish of Waterbury in 1747, and died near Lake Champlain, July 22, 1758, while serving in the Colonial Army in the French and Indian war. David's son, Joel Hunger- ford, who lived his entire life in Watertown saw service with the American Army in the Revolutionary war at the seige and capture of New York and the burning of Danbury. Joel's son, Joel Hungerford (2nd), was born in Watertown, June 5, 1788. At the age of fifteen he entered Yale College but the condition of his father's health necessitated his returning home before he was graduated. In 1809 he married Rebecca Merriam, the daughter of Christopher Merriam of Watertown, who in 1833 was granted a pension as a Revolutionary war veteran. Joel Hungerford (2nd) represented his town in the state legislature in 1838, was a deacon in the Congregational Church and was one of Watertown's best
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known and most respected citizens. He died January 27, 1858, and his wife, June 11, 1884, at the advanced age of ninety-seven years. Dr. Allyn Merriam Hungerford, oldest son of Joel (2nd), was born in Watertown, August 16, 1810. In 1841, he married Emily R. Platt, the daughter of Joseph Platt of Prospect. After receiving in 1838 his M. D. from Yale College he practiced his profession for several years in Ohio but the growing feebleness of his father called him back to Connecticut and he returned to Watertown, where he lived and practiced until his death in March, 1883. Dr. Hungerford represented Watertown in the state legis- lature in 1850 and 1851 and was judge of probate for the Water- town district in 1851 and 1852 and again in 1877 and 1878.
William Allyn Hungerford, only son of Dr. Allyn Hungerford, was born in Watertown, March 2, 1850. In 1868 he entered the employ of the Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing Company in Waterbury. His unusual business ability brought rapid promo- tion, and in 1872 he was appointed manager of the company's New York office. On April 23, 1873, he married Marian Stuart from the island of Jamaica. At the time of his death, which oc- curred in New York, April 15, 1897, he was a director and treas- urer of the Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing Company, a director of the Gas Engine & Power Company of New York, and the Waterbury Watch Company of Waterbury.
Charles Stuart Hungerford, oldest son of William Allyn, was born in New York city, January 31, 1874. He prepared for college at Dwight School in New York city and attended Columbia Uni- versity for two years as a member of the class of 1896, School of Mines. A severe illness resulted in his leaving college in 1895 and after a year spent in the recovery of his health he entered business in connection with his father's interests in New York. Shortly after the death of his father he came to Waterbury as a salesman for the Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing Company, which later became a part of The American Brass Company. In 1908 The American Metal Hose Company was formed as a subsidi- ary of The American Brass Company to manufacture flexible metal hose and tubing. The venture did not prove to be a par- ticularly successful one, and after a year or two of discouraging results, Mr. Hungerford was drawn from the brass business and given the active management of the new concern. Under his direction the company has expanded and grown until it is today
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by far the largest and foremost concern in its line in the country. Mr. Hungerford's time and attention have always been centered on The American Metal Hose Company, his only outside interest being The Waterbury Savings Bank, of which he is an incor- porator and director.
On the 6th of December, 1919, Mr. Hungerford married Ger- trude Foster of New York city, and they are the parents of two children, Charles Stuart, Jr., and Clare Foster.
Mr. Hungerford makes his home in Watertown, where he is a member of and vestryman of Christ Church. He is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Society of Co- lonial Wars as well as the Waterbury Club, Waterbury Country Club, The Watertown Lawn Club, the Watertown Golf Club, the Watertown Riding & Country Club and the Columbia University Club of New York.
LOUIS SPERANDEO
Admitted to the bar when a young man of twenty-two years, Louis Sperandeo has since practiced in New Haven, becoming recognized as an able attorney and safe counselor, and has ac- ceptably filled public offices of trust and responsibility. He was born in Scafati, Italy, October 22, 1896, and is a son of Raffaele and Nunzita (Velleca) Sperandeo, also natives of that country. They crossed the Atlantic in 1899, settling in New Haven, and the father afterward engaged in the building business in this city.
At the usual age Louis Sperandeo became a public school pupil, passing through consecutive grades until his graduation from high school in 1914, and then enrolled as a student in Georgetown University at Washington, D. C., where he won his LL. B. degree in 1917. In the same year he enlisted, entering the medical divi- sion of the United States Army. He was attached to the infirmary at Camp Greenleaf, Georgia, and afterward received a similar assignment in Boston, Massachusetts. In June, 1919, while still in the service of the government, Mr. Sperandeo was admitted to the bar and on receiving his honorable discharge he entered upon the active work of his profession in New Haven, where he has since practiced alone. His qualifications as a lawyer were soon manifest and with the passing years his clientele has grown
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steadily in volume as well as in importance. His first public office was that of chief clerk of the city court of New Haven, after which he became prosecuting attorney for the city of New Haven through appointment by Judges Whittaker and Farley, and served until June, 1927, establishing an enviable record in that connection.
Mr. Sperandeo was married July 6, 1922, to Miss Theresa Ber- tazzi, of New Haven, and they now have three children: Ralph, Gloria and Richard. The family residence is at 1059 Townsend avenue, New Haven, and Mr. Sperandeo maintains his office at 152 Temple street. His fraternal connections are with the Benevo- lent Protective Order of Elks and Cosmopolitan Lodge, No. 125, A. F. & A. M. He also belongs to other organizations and finds his recreation in fishing, hunting and other outdoor sports. Thoroughly appreciative of his duties and responsibilities as a lawyer, Mr. Sperandeo has closely conformed his practice to the highest ethical standards of the profession, thereby winning the respect of his fellow members of the New Haven County and Con- necticut State Bar Associations and the esteem and confidence of the general public.
HON. WALTER H. GOODRICH
Hon. Walter H. Goodrich, a member of the state legislature and one of the substantial business men of New Haven, has won a gratifying measure of success as a dealer in petroleum products and as the owner and operator of automobile service stations. He entered business life in a humble capacity, and what he has accomplished represents the fit utilization of his innate powers and talents.
Born in Springfield, Massochusetts, July 22, 1875, he is a son of William C. and Mary Ann (Bell) Goodrich, the former a native of Connecticut, while the latter was born in Ireland and came to America as a child. The Goodrich family is of English origin and the genealogy has been traced back to the ninth century. The first representatives of the name in America were two brothers, who sailed for the new world in 1636, settling in Boston, Massa- chusetts, and one of these became the founder of that branch of the family to which Walter H. Goodrich belongs. His ancestors
HON. WALTER H. GOODRICH
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manifested their loyalty and patriotism by service in the early colonial wars, in the Revolutionary war and the War of 1812. His father was one of the gallant defenders of the Union cause, serving with Company C of the Fourteenth Connecticut Regi- ment, and lost his left hand in the battle of Antietam. While a resident of Springfield, Massachusetts, he joined E. K. Wilcox Post, G. A. R., and remained in that city until his death on the 16th of May, 1916, at the age of seventy-two years, becoming widely known as one of its poineer contractors and enterprising business men.
In the family there were five children, of whom Walter H. Goodrich is the third in order of birth. Leaving high school at the end of his sophomore year, he obtained a position of office boy with the Gilbert & Barker Manufacturing Company, and his first earnings were five dollars per week. His connection with that firm covered three and a half years, and he next entered the employ of the Standard Oil Company, remaining with the corporation for a decade. After spending one and a half years in their office at Springfield, Massachusetts, he was transferred to New Haven, later becoming manager of this branch, of which he had charge for six years. Owing to his success in that con- nection Mr. Goodrich decided to establish a business of his own and on the 1st of January, 1906, made his initial venture in the retail oil trade. Thoroughly experienced and capable, he soon placed the business upon a profitable basis and then sought a larger field, selling to the wholesale as well as the retail trade. He is now operating on an extensive scale, having established bulk storage terminals and service stations throughout Connecti- cut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. His experience has covered every phase of the oil industry. He is also identified with financial affairs as a director of the East Haven Bank & Trust Company.
Mr. Goodrich was married March 22, 1899, to Miss Mildred Hindsley, a daughter of George and Martha Hindsley, of New Haven. Raymond H., the only child of this marriage, was born January 27, 1900, attended the public schools of New Haven, and has qualified as an air pilot. The father is also keenly interested in the subject of aviation and has made many trips through the air in his plane. For a number of years he has been connected with the Second Company of the Governor's Foot Guard and is now a lieutenant on the staff of Major Foster, serving as an aviation
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officer. In 1927 he was chosen to represent his district in the state legislature, to which he was reelected in 1929, and during his first term was made a member of the motor vehicle com- mittee, with which he is still identified. In the session of 1927-28 he was also appointed a member of the committee on constitu- tional amendments and during his second term became a member of the railroad committee. To each question brought before the house he has given deep thought and earnest consideration, and his endorsement of a measure is indicative of his firm belief in its value as a factor in good government. A Baptist in religious faith, he has membership in the State Street Church of Spring- field. He belongs to the Automobile Club of New Haven, the Masonic fraternity and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. That Mr. Goodrich is a broad-gauged man is shown by the nature and extent of his interests, and the strength that he manifests in business affairs has its root in those qualities which constitute the basis of all honorable and desirable prosperity.
JOSEPH A. BRENNAN, JR.
Among the younger representatives of commercial activity in Waterbury is numbered Joseph A. Brennan, Jr., who is operating in the field of life insurance, successfully following in the busi- ness footsteps of his father. Born in this city on the 4th of April, 1908, he is a son of Joseph A. and Jennie L. (Cronin) Brennan, the latter now deceased. His elementary instruction was received in St. Margaret's parochial school and following his graduation from the Crosby high school he matriculated in Catholic Uni- versity which he attended for about three years. He was a mem- ber of its senior class when his father died, and he returned home to take over the business as special agent for the New York Life Insurance Company. He had qualified for a commercial career by taking a course in business administration at Catholic University and while a student of that institution he played third base on its ball team, inheriting his father's prowess in and love for that game. However, he concentrates his attention upon his work, to which he brings the energy and zest of youth as well as the requisite executive force, and under his capable management
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the future of the business is assured. Moreover, he possesses those qualities which make for personal popularity and has a wide circle of friends in Waterbury.
JOHN PRINCE ELTON
John Prince Elton, long a prominent figure in financial, indus- trial and civic circles of Waterbury, his native city, is a descend- ant in the eighth generation of John Elton, who left England for America and was the founder of the family in Connecticut prior to 1672, settling eventually in Middletown, this state. The imme- diate subject of this review was born June 30, 1865, the son of James Samuel and Charlotte Augusta (Steele) Elton. His pa- ternal grandfather, John Prince Elton (I), was a leading manu- facturer and financier of Waterbury, where he spent his entire life, covering fifty-five years. He was born April 24, 1809, and passed away in November, 1864. A concise story of his career appears in "Connecticut History Makers," published in 1929, as follows: "John P. Elton's first business experience was in 1832 as a partner in the firm of Holmes & Hotchkiss, makers of sheet brass, which became Holmes, Hotchkiss, Brown & Elton in 1833, organized as Brown & Elton in 1837, continuing until 1850, when Mr. Elton retired. During this time the scope of products was enlarged to include sheet brass and brass wire, the firm being a pioneer in brass wire manufacturing. It also engaged in the man- ufacture of pins, acquiring the ownership of the Fowler pin ma- chine, and in 1846 the pin making business was incorporated with that of the Benedict & Burnham Manufacturing Company under the name of the American Pin Company. In 1845, Mr. Elton aided in the organization of the Waterbury Brass Company, being one of the original board of directors. In 1855 he was elected presi- dent of the company and held that office until his death. He had large corporate interests and from December 11, 1850, until his death was president of the Waterbury bank. In 1860 he estab- lished a private banking house, the Elton Trust Company, later reorganized as the Elton Banking Company. Mr. Elton served in the general assembly in 1840, 1849 and 1850, elected by the whig party. When that party ceased to exist, he aided in the for- mation of its successor, the republican party, and in 1863 was re-
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elected as a member of the general assembly. In 1864 he was a presidential elector, working hard for President Lincoln's re- election, his death occurring two days before the general election. In religious faith he was an Episcopalian and generous in all the benevolences of St. John's parish. He gave liberally to all good causes and most generously aided Trinity College. Protestant churches of the city were closed to give the members an oppor- tunity to pay their last respects to Mr. Elton on day of his funeral. Mr. Elton married May 18, 1835, Olive Margaret Hall, daughter of Captain Moses Hall, and four children were born to them: Lucy Elizabeth, who became Mrs. C. N. Wayland; James Samuel; Charles Prince; and John Moses.
"James Samuel Elton, whose death occurred November 11, 1923, left his imprint upon the history of Waterbury, having been one of the foremost figures in the development of the city during his lifetime. He was born in Waterbury, November 7, 1838 . . . His education consisted of courses at Everest's school at Hamden and Russell's Military Academy at New Haven, terminating when he was sixteen years old because his health was delicate, making close application to study inadvisable. His first employment was with the American Pin Company of Waterbury in the packing department. After a brief apprenticeship there, he became con- nected with the Waterbury Brass Company, of which his father was president. Following his father's death in 1864 he applied himself assiduously to the task of mastering the details of the business and in 1874 he became president of the company. As president of the Waterbury National Bank, Mr. Elton took an interest in banking second only to his interest in manufacturing. He was also a director of the New York, New Haven & Hart- ford Railroad Company, the American Brass Company, the Coe Brass Manufacturing Company, the Benedict & Burnham Man- ufacturing Company, the New England Watch Company, the Oakville Company and of St. Margaret's Diocesan School. He was a very generous and active member of the Episcopal church, and in his church life as well as in business he followed his father's example in letter and in spirit. He served as an officer in St. John's church, was the managing director of the Hall Church Home fund and a benevolent and sympathetic helper of all good causes. He was also a director of the Waterbury Hospital and the Silas Bronson Library. In politics he was a republican and
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served as state senator in 1882-1883. He was a member of the Waterbury Club, was made its president in 1903 and served two years. In 1863 Mr. Elton married Charlotte Augusta Steele, who died in 1899.
"John Prince Elton (II), their only child, received his early education in St. Paul's School of Concord, New Hampshire, and graduated from Trinity College in the class of 1888 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He began his business career as a manufacturer, associated with those corporations in whose management the Eltons have so prominently figured for three generations. While he has withdrawn in late years to a consider- able extent from active participation in some of these corpora- tions, he still retains offices in several. Positions which he held during his active career in the manufacturing field of Waterbury include that of treasurer of the Waterbury Brass Company, founded by his grandfather, and treasurer and vice president of the American Brass Company.
"While Mr. Elton now devotes more of his time to financial affairs, his connections in the manufacturing business as well as in finance are widespread. He is president and treasurer of the Blake & Johnson Company; chairman of the board of directors of the Dime Savings Bank; vice president and director of the Colonial Trust Company; vice president and director of the Morris Plan Bank; director of the Manufacturers' Foundry Com- pany, the Scovill Manufacturing Company, the Smith & Griggs Company, the Waterbury Buckle Company, the Waterbury Gas Light Company and the Waterbury Hospital, all of Waterbury. He is also a director of the American Hardware Corporation and Landers, Frary & Clark Company of New Britain."
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