USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 39
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She also takes a prominent part in various organizations, hav- ing membership in the Waterbury Woman's Club, the Waterbury
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Naturalists Club, of which she is secretary, and the Graduate Nurses Club, of which she was treasurer for thirteen years. She is a past chairman of the science committee of the Woman's Club and she and her sisters are active members of the Second Con- gregational Church. Miss Kirk is most generous in passing on her travel joys to others, for she lectures gratis on all of her trips, displaying beautiful pictures and slides of the cities that she has seen, at the request of various literary societies, nature societies and churches. She is a past president of the Psychology Club. She has done creditable work in wood carving, as well as in art, both of which she follows without desire to take up activ- ities of this kind in a professional way. She has, however, exhib- ited groups of her paintings at different times and these have received very favorable mention.
FREDERICK A. HUNGERFORD
Frederick A. Hungerford, district manager of the Aetna Life Insurance Company and an enterprising business man of Water- bury, was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, September 5, 1879. He is a son of John William and Mathilda (Alford) Hungerford, the former a native of Hartford, Connecticut, and the latter of South Hadley Falls, Massachusetts.
The grammar school education of Frederick A. Hungerford was obtained in his native city, and his high school studies were pursued in Thomaston, Connecticut. Entering the employ of the Waterbury Clock Company, he closely applied himself to the tasks assigned him and gradually mastered the technical phases of the work, advancing as he proved his ability and worth. He re- mained with the company for twenty-two years and during the last seven years of that period was a foreman in the plant. On severing his connection with that industry Mr. Hungerford entered the Hartford office of the Aetna Life Insurance Company, working in the auditing and sales departments for a few years, and then came to Waterbury as cashier and manager. Soon afterward the Aetna Company turned the Waterbury office over to their general agents, Sheppard & Company, and Mr. Hunger- ford has since acted as district manager. Capable and depend- able, he meets every requirement of this responsible position,
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wisely directing the labors of the agents under his supervision and greatly increasing the volume of business in his territory.
Mr. Hungerford was married September 13, 1902, in Tor- rington, Connecticut, and they have two sons: Frederick K., aged twenty-six years, who was graduated from the Crosby high school and is now associated with the home office of the Travelers Insurance Company; and Charles A., a pupil in the Crosby high school.
For recreation Mr. Hungerford turns to bowling and he also enjoys hunting and fishing trips. He has membership in the Civitan Club and is secretary of the Reciprocity Club. His fra- ternal affiliations are with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Harmony Lodge of Masons, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In the last named organization he has filled important offices, being a past grand of Nosahogan Lodge, No. 21, and has served as its secretary for seven years. By nature Mr. Hungerford is thorough, painstaking and conscientious, giving his best efforts to everything that he undertakes, and these char- acteristics have constituted the basis of an orderly progression that has brought him to the fore in business circles of Waterbury.
WILLIAM GILES NEWTON
William Giles Newton, for many years a well known figure in the die casting industry of the United States, is now at the head of one of the most prominent companies in that field as president of the Newton Die Casting Corporation, with office and plant at 146 Munson street in New Haven. He was born in Washing- ton, D. C., October 1, 1885, his parents being Dr. Samuel F. and Alida (Steele) Newton, the former a dentist by profession.
We quote in part a biography of William G. Newton which appeared in the Iron Trade Review of February 9, 1928: "Mr. Newton started his career at the bottom of the ladder. Following his graduation from high school he left home and enrolled in the apprentice course at the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadel- phia. This venture did not interest him and shortly after he left and became office boy in the Philadelphia sales branch of the National Acme Company of Cleveland, builder of screw machines and maker of screw machine products. With this company Mr.
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Newton served twelve years in different departments, going to the company's headquarters in Cleveland and later to its New York sales office. At the age of twenty-eight, he went with the C. M. Grey Manufacturing Company, East Orange, New Jersey, manufacturer of die castings. Mr. Newton served as secretary of that company and had charge of sales. After remaining there eight years, he resigned to become president of the Marf Machine & Die Casting Company of Brooklyn, New York. During the five years Mr. Newton managed the Marf company, that organi- zation increased its sales and production by more than six hun- dred per cent! The Newton Die Casting Corporation was organ- ized in October, 1927, by William G. Newton, who was then elected president. It represents a merger of the die casting divi- sion of the National Lead Company and the old Marf Machine & Die Casting Company. The company has concentrated all its manufacturing facilities in a six-story, reinforced concrete build- ing at 146 Munson street in New Haven, Connecticut, which it recently acquired. Mr. Newton believes there is a bright future for the die casting industry. In addition to continued heavy con- sumption of die castings by the automobile, electrical and house- hold appliance industries, recent developments have brought forth new lines requiring additional heavy tonnage."
The Newton Die Casting Corporation is engaged in the manu- facture of finished products which have die castings as their base and has developed an extensive business in the assembling of completed machinery. The products are sold to manufacturers exclusively and shipped as far west as Chicago and St. Louis, and in normal times the company employs from four to five hun- dred workmen. Mr. Newton devotes his entire time to the busi- ness and has secured patents on many machines for perfecting die castings.
On the 29th of April, 1911, Mr. Newton was united in mar- riage to Miss Bessie Boyd, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, February 22, 1886. Her parents, John Somner and Bessie (Dunn) Boyd, were natives of Massachusetts and Maine, respect- ively, the former born in 1856 and the latter in 1866. John S. Boyd followed a seafaring life for forty-two years and was lost at sea in 1915. George Boyd, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Newton, fought in the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Newton are the parents of two children, namely : William Giles, Jr., born in
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1912; and Jeanne Boyd, born in 1916. Mrs. Newton is a member of the Pine Orchard Club, the New Haven Country Club and the Women's Club of New Haven, while Mr. Newton has member- ship in the New Haven Country Club, the Quinnipiack Club and the Spring Glen Club. They attend the services of the Protestant Church and are highly esteemed throughout the community in which they reside.
ERNEST JOSEPH VANASSE
Ernest Joseph Vanasse, whose energies are devoted to the painting and decorating business, is a recognized artist in his line of work, which is exemplified in many of Waterbury's busi- ness blocks and public buildings as well as in private residences. Of French ancestry, he was born in St. Guillaume, a town in Quebec, Canada, on the 8th of April, 1885, a son of Edward Joseph and Alma (Dumain) Vanasse, the latter a native of the same province. The father engaged in agricultural pursuits and is now deceased.
The early childhood of Ernest J. Vanasse was spent on the home farm, and in 1892 he came to Waterbury, where he attended St. Anne's parochial school and the South Elm school. When his studies were completed he entered the service of the Plume & Atwood Company, filling a position in the lamp department for two years, and afterward worked for one and a half years in the plating room of the American Ring Company. He was next with the Scovill Manufacturing Company, operating an automatic screw machine for two years. His knowledge of painting and decorating was gained under his father, who had long figured prominently in those fields of endeavor, and at the latter's death in 1918 the son took over the business, which he has conducted successfully for twelve years. During that period it has con- tinued to grow until his has become one of the largest and best known organizations of the kind in Waterbury. He does both interior and exterior painting and decorating, and his superior ability and skill are attested in the number of high class resi- dential contracts awarded him.
On the 6th of May, 1919, Mr. Vanasse was married in Water- bury to Miss Alanire Cantin, also a native of Canada, and they
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have a wide circle of friends in the city. They are communicants of St. Anne's Roman Catholic Church, and in politics Mr. Vanasse maintains an independent attitude, voting for the candidates whom he considers best qualified for office regardless of party ties. He belongs to St. Jean the Baptist Society, composed of those of French origin, and his fraternal affiliations are with the Foresters of America and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the Master Painters Association of the United States and Canada, and his standing in his chosen voca- tion is shown in the fact that he has been honored with the presi- dency of the Waterbury Chapter of that organization, which office he is now filling. Mr. Vanasse may well be proud of his work, which is a credit to the city and an important feature in its adornment.
COLONEL ERNEST LE ROY AVERILL
Formerly a member of the Connecticut legislature, Colonel Ernest Le Roy Averill is now filling the office of deputy attorney general, working for the best interests of his state in each of these connections, and the title which he bears was won by efficient military service. He was born in Branford, Connecticut, January 22, 1883, and is a son of George Marshall and Harriet Elizabeth (Babcock) Averill. His public school education was acquired in New Haven and in preparation for the profession of his choice he enrolled as a student in the Yale Law School, from which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1905. In the same year he was admitted to the Connecticut bar and began his legal career in New Haven, afterward practicing successfully in Wallingford and Branford. The ability which he displayed as prosecuting attorney for the town court of Branford attracted more than local notice and in recognition of his professional at- tainments he was appointed deputy attorney general July 1, 1927, an office which he has since filled with distinction. In addition to the capable discharge of his duties in that connection he is serving on the directorate of the Peoples Bank & Trust Company of Branford.
Colonel Averill's identification with military affairs consti- tutes an important chapter in the history of his life. During the
COLONEL ERNEST L. AVERILL
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uprising in Mexico he went to the border as a first lieutenant, later becoming a captain, and was attached to the One Hundred and Third Regiment of Field Artillery. In 1917 he was sent overseas, serving for a time at the front, and was then detailed for duty in the judge advocate general's department. He was stationed in France and Belgium, and following his return to the United States in 1919 formed the Branford Battery of field artil- lery. Subsequently he was made judge advocate of the state and has since been at the head of this department of the Connecticut National Guard, holding the rank of lieutenant colonel.
On the 31st of January, 1906, Colonel Averill was married in New Haven to Miss Lulu Evelyn Johnston, who was born January 17, 1883, and they have four children : Esther Marguerite, Eunice Almira, William Prentice and George Charles.
Colonel Averill is a member of the Congregational Church, and gives his political support to the republican party. On its ticket he was elected to the state legislature in 1923 and was reelected in 1925 and 1927. In the proceedings of that law- making body he took a prominent part, serving as leader of the house during the session of 1927, and was instrumental in secur- ing the passage of many measures which are proving of benefit to the commonwealth. He belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Improved Order of Red Men, the American Legion, the Military Order of Foreign Wars, the New Haven County Bar Association, the Connecticut Bar Association, and to the National Association of Attorney Generals, of which he is the secretary. Personal considerations have never influenced Colonel Averill in the discharge of his duties, which in every instance have been performed with faithfulness and efficiency, and throughout his career he has followed a course which reflects credit and honor upon his profession.
JOHN B. FRANCO
Italy has furnished a substantial quota to the citizenship of New Haven. Representatives of that sunny land have found here favoring opportunities which they have improved not only in the upbuilding of their own fortunes but in the advancement of the city's welfare and progress. To this number belongs John
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B. Franco, a well known banker, conducting business as a member of the firm of Gennaro Franco & Sons.
He was born in Faicchio, Italy, August 26, 1893, his parents being Gennaro and Philomena (Porto) Franco, also natives of that country. The father came to America in 1886 and settled in New Haven, where he worked as a laborer for the L. Candee Rubber Company, afterward entering the employ of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company. Subsequently he embarked in the wholesale and retail liquor business, in which he continued for about a quarter of a century. In 1915 he turned his attention to financial affairs, establishing a private bank on Columbus avenue, and at a later date broadened the scope of his activities by opening a real estate and insurance department. In 1926 the present building at 295 Water street was erected, and the bank opened its doors for business there in January, 1927. This is a four-story brick and stone structure, which is thoroughly modern in its furnishings and equipment and constitutes one of the chief architectural features in the business section of New Haven. The bank has been provided with splendid vaults and all of the accessories needed to safeguard the interests of its depositors and stockholders. In the fall of 1929 the name of the institution was changed to the Columbus Bank & Trust Company, and the business was incorporated, John B. Franco becoming manager of the business and president of the new trust company.
It was in 1900 that John B. Franco came to America, being at that time only seven years of age. He attended the public schools of New Haven, learning the English language, and when his studies were completed he joined his father in business and the connection has since been maintained. He was one of the organizers of the bank and has contributed in large measure to the upbuilding of an extensive and substantial banking business. The institution largely stands as a monument to his enterprise, determination and keen insight. He handles banking, real estate, insurance and steamship tickets and has gained a liberal patron- age along all lines.
On the 29th of September, 1912, Mr. Franco was married to Miss Nellie Scalesse, of New Haven, and they are now the parents of six children, of whom Jerry George, the eldest, is a junior in high school. The others are Nicholas Vincent, Phillomena Jose-
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phine, Theresa, John Edward and Nellie A. The residence of the family is at 251 Columbus avenue.
Mr. Franco is a member of the Worcester Lodge of Masons and also belongs to several Italian mutual benefit societies and a number of clubs. He finds his recreation out of doors but the major part of his time and attention is given to his business inter- ests, which are wisely and carefully directed and which are bring- ing to him substantial and well deserved success.
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON WOOSTER
One of New Haven county's most distinguished citizens was the late William Henry Harrison Wooster, who not only rendered valuable service to his community in a public capacity but was also for many years prominently and actively identified with important industrial and public utility interests. He was an honored native son of this county, born in Waterbury, July 4, 1840, his parents being Albert and Mittie (Chatfield) Wooster, descendants of old New England families. His education was acquired in the public schools of Waterbury and Naugatuck. From the time he was fifteen years old he was a bookkeeper and salesman for different concerns in Waterbury, Connecticut; Bos- ton and Springfield, Massachusetts. At the time of the Civil war he served in the Sixth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers in 1861 and 1862, and again in 1864 and 1865.
Mr. Wooster went to Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1865 and there engaged in the mercantile business until 1877. In 1879 he took up his permanent residence at Seymour, Connecticut. It was in 1878, in association with his brother, Horace B. Wooster, that he founded The Seymour Manufacturing Company, of which he was secretary and treasurer, and later president, which office he held at the time of his death. This company has now been in continuous existence for fifty-two years, extensively engaged in the manufacture of German silver, copper, sheet brass, wire and tubing for use in the manufacture of silverware and all sorts of brass goods. Mr. Wooster was also president of the Seymour Water Company and of the Seymour Electric Light Company and long enjoyed high standing as one of the progressive and influen- tial citizens of the community.
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On the 26th of August, 1861, Mr. Wooster married Anna Louise Putnam, daughter of Horace and Clarinda (Boice) Put- nam of Springfield, Massachusetts. They were the parents of six children, namely: Annie Thompson, the widow of George E. Matthies; Clara Lee, who married G. Herbert Merrill; Horace Putnam; Louise, who died in 1930; Mabel; and Ruth.
Mr. Wooster gave his political support to the republican party and at all times manifested a keen and helpful interest in public affairs. In 1905 he was elected the first senator from the newly created seventeenth district. He was greatly interested in the advancement of education and was a member of the local school board for a number of years as well as a member of the building committee for the Seymour high school. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Congregational Church at Seymour, in the work of which he took an active part, serving at one time as Sunday school superintendent. Mr. Wooster was a man of broad views and clear perceptions, and throughout the period of his residence in Seymour he was a recognized factor in maintaining the civic and moral standards of the community. An able business man, a public-spirited citizen and a loyal friend and neighbor, he fully merited the exalted place which he held in the esteem of those who knew him. He died December 17, 1919, when seventy-nine years of age.
JOHN FREDERICK BAKER
John Frederick Baker was born in Montville, Connecticut, November 8, 1888, a son of John T. and Effie (Coggeshall) Baker, also natives of that town. He attended the public schools of Willimantic, Connecticut, and in 1905 was graduated from the Windham high school. He was graduated from Yale University with an A. B. degree in 1909 and from the Yale Law School in 1912. He was then admitted to the Connecticut bar and began practice in New Haven, where for a time he was associated with the firm of Isbell & Booth. Later he became associated with James E. Wheeler and this connection has since been maintained. He is a member of the Connecticut State Bar Association. He was a member of the commission appointed by Governor Trum- bull to revise the general statutes of Connecticut, the revision
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being published in 1930. In 1917 he acted as assistant clerk of the senate; was clerk of that body through appointments in 1923, 1925, 1927 and 1929, and had previously served as assistant clerk of the house of representatives in 1919 and as clerk in 1921. He was a lieutenant in the air service during the World war, at Dallas, Texas.
Mr. Baker is serving on the directorates of T. A. D. Jones & Company, Inc., the Crawford Oven Company, the Taft Realty Company, which owns the Taft Hotel, the Madison Trust Com- pany and the New Haven Bank N. B. A., the city's oldest depositary.
Mr. Baker belongs to both the York and Scottish Rites in Masonry, being a member of New Haven Commandery, K. T., Lafayette Consistory, A. & A. S. R., and Pyramid Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Bridgeport. He is also identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and is a member of the Graduate Club Association, the Quinnipiack Club, the Hammon- asset Fishing Association, the New Haven Lawn Club, the New Haven Country Club, the Hartford Club and the Yale Club of New York city.
FRANKLIN E. WEAVER
Franklin E. Weaver, a director of the American Brass Com- pany and several subsidiary companies, has since 1920 been vice president in charge of sales of the American Brass Company at Waterbury, with which important and extensive industrial con- cern he has been continuously identified for nearly three decades. He was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, in November, 1870, a son of William H. and Sophia A. Weaver, and acquired his edu- cation in the grade and high schools of that place. He was em- ployed for a few years in brokerage offices of New Haven, Con- necticut, and New Bedford, Massachusetts, and subsequently entered the service of a manufacturing concern in Torrington, Connecticut, with which he was connected for ten years as sales manager. It was in 1901 he entered the employ of the American Brass Company. Soon afterward he was given commercial charge of the extrusion machinery department of the American Brass Company's plant at Ansonia, Connecticut, where he thus
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continued for five years, on the expiration of which period. he returned to Waterbury as superintendent of the Benedict & Burn- ham branch. In 1910 he was made assistant sales manager and two years later assistant secretary, in which connection he also had charge of the general sales department, advising with the various mills concerning the extension of the trade. He was made vice president in charge of sales in 1920 and during the past decade has most efficiently represented the corporation in that official capacity. Mr. Weaver represented the American Brass Company in Washington, D. C., at the time of the World war.
In 1893 Mr. Weaver was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Reed Stowe, of New Haven, Connecticut, and they are the parents of a daughter and three sons. Hobart Stowe Weaver, the eldest of the family, pursued his early education in the Waterbury grade and high schools and in 1916 was graduated from the academic department of Yale University. He prepared for a pro- fessional career in the Columbia Law School and is now a suc- cessful practicing attorney of New York. Adele T., who is a graduate of St. Margaret's School of Waterbury and also at- tended the Yale School of Music, is now the wife of Weston M. Jenks. Alan V., who is a graduate of Phillips Academy of Andover, Massachusetts, and also attended Yale University, is now engaged in the brokerage business. Gordon R., a graduate of Phillips Andover Academy and of Yale University, is con- nected with the American Brass Company.
Mr. Weaver supports the republican party at the polls and is a member of the Waterbury Club.
MICHAEL J. QUINN
Michael J. Quinn, attorney at law and a member of the well known firm of Troup & Quinn, with offices at 865 Chapel street, New Haven, was born in Heckscherville, Pennsylvania, Decem- ber 27, 1883, a son of Michael P. and Margaret (Shore) Quinn, both of whom were natives of Ireland but came to America in childhood with their respective parents, who settled in Heckscher-
MICHAEL J. QUINN
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ville about 1850. Michael P. Quinn was killed in a coal mine in 1887 and a decade later the family removed to New Haven.
In the acquirement of an education Michael J. Quinn attended the Sacred Heart parochial school of New Haven, from which he was graduated in 1898. Later he continued his studies in the New Haven high school, graduating in 1902, and was class orator. Subsequently he entered upon his academic course at Yale Uni- versity, while his professional training was received in the Yale Law School, which numbers him among its alumni of 1910. Mr. Quinn is a self-educated as well as self-made man and steadily he has advanced in an orderly progression that has brought him prominently to the front in his profession. In January, 1911, he was admitted to the Connecticut bar but traveled for a year there- after to regain his health, which had become undermined through his unremitting effort and close application to his studies. In December, 1911, he began the practice of law in association with Barnett Berman, with whom he continued for about a year, and later he practiced in connection with Charles Kleiner. In April, 1927, he joined the firm of Troup, Quinn & O'Brien, now Troup & Quinn, which during the intervening period has gained a large and distinctively representative clientele.
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