USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 4
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
On the 21st of June, 1892, Mr. Murray was married to Miss Anna M. Beesley, of New Haven, and they reside at 157 Alston avenue. Their children are Beatrice M., the wife of Arthur J. Smith, of New Haven; and James A., Jr.
Mr. Murray is an Elk and formerly served in the Connecticut State Militia, with which he was identified for five years, holding the rank of corporal. His achievements in the field of public service constitute an important chapter in his life record. In 1896 he was elected alderman of the old third ward, and while a mem- ber of the city council he served on important committees. Because of his capacity for public office and his well known devotion to the general good he was chosen a police commissioner by Mayor Frank Rice and was three times reappointed but resigned before the last term expired. He served for one term under Mayor Tower
46
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
and was reappointed by Mayor Thomas Tulley in February, 1929, and since February, 1930, has served as president of the board of police commissioners. That he possesses exceptional qualifica- tions for this department of municipal service has been demon- strated by the results attained during his tenure of office, and the worth of his work is widely acknowledged. As a business man he has also attained high standing, creating an industry which means much to New Haven, and his steadily developing powers and progressive spirit have placed him with the leading manufacturers in his field.
MICHAEL CROCE
For a period of thirteen years Michael Croce has been promin- ently identified with the restaurant business in Waterbury as senior member of the firm of Croce & Calucci and is one of the city's self-made men, for he has depended upon his own exertions for a livelihood from boyhood. Born in Brewster, New York, November 15, 1888, he is a son of Vito Antonio and Maria (An- cielo) Croce, both natives of Italy, and the former is now deceased.
Coming to Waterbury in 1898, Michael Croce pursued his studies in the public schools until he entered the employ of the Waterbury Buckle Company and worked in the plating room of their factory for four years. Afterward he was with the Water- bury Manufacturing Company for two years and in 1906 entered the service of William B. Judd, with whom he spent six years, learning the trade of a pattern-maker during that period. Later he was employed in that capacity by the Waterbury Farrel Foun- dry & Machine Company, continuing with that corporation un- til 1917, when he established a business of his own. In associa- tion with Michael Calucci he opened a small lunch room in the Brooklyn section of Waterbury, and their business grew rapidly owing to the high quality of food served by the proprietors of the place. It was particularly noted for the excellence of its sand- wiches, a feature which attracted motorists to their establishment from a fifty-mile radius of Waterbury, and in order to accom- modate customers they operated the lunch room throughout the day and night. Through long hours of hard work and judicious management the partners accumulated sufficient capital to enable
47
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
them to engage in business on a more pretentious scale and they purchased valuable property in the heart of the suburb of Brook- lyn, becoming the owners of a substantial brick building at 894 Bank street, where they opened a first class restaurant Novem- ber 26, 1929. They have a model kitchen, supplied with the latest electric refrigeration plant and the most modern appliances for cooking. It is light and well ventilated, always immaculate, and no kitchen in the state is better equipped for working conditions. The food and service meet the requirements of the most discrimin- ating class of patrons, and the restaurant is rapidly gaining in popularity.
Mr. Croce was married to Miss Loretta Bertuccio, of Water- bury, and they have become the parents of three children, Michael, Jr., Victor and Eleanor. The family are communicants of the Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church, and Mr. Croce is also identified with the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Sons of Italy and the Brooklyn Athletic Club. He enjoys hunting and fishing but has little time for recreation, for he has always been an earnest, conscientious worker. He is esteemed for his ability, enterprise and upright life.
JOHN B. WALLACE, JR.
John B. Wallace, Jr., is the senior member of the well known insurance firm of Wallace & Spencer, representing the Connecti- cut General Life Insurance Company, with offices at 129 Church street, New Haven. He was born in Ansonia, Connecticut, No- vember 10, 1886, his parents being John B. and Mary F. (Mitch- ell) Wallace, also natives of New Haven county. He pursued his early education as a public school pupil at the place of his nativity and continued his studies in Phillips Academy, while subsequently he matriculated in the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale Uni- versity, from which he was graduated in 1909. Thereafter he was engaged in the insurance business in association with James W. Hemingway of New Haven until the time when the United States entered the World war. He went overseas as first lieuten- ant of the One Hundred and Second Infantry and saw active serv- ice at the front, being wounded at Chemin des Dames on the 17th
48
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
of March, 1918. After two or three months in a French hospital he returned to America on the 25th of June, 1918, as an instruc- tor. He was promoted to the rank of captain and received his honorable discharge in September, 1919. Mr. Wallace resumed his work in the insurance field at New Haven and in September, 1924, formed the firm of Wallace & Spencer, which has success- fully represented the Connecticut General Life Insurance Com- pany to the present time.
On the 25th of June, 1914, Mr. Wallace was united in mar- riage to Miss Julia S. Canfield and they are the parents of three children, namely: Alice Wooster, born February 5, 1917; Wil- liam Cowles, born December 26, 1920; and Julia, born July 19, 1924.
Mr. Wallace belongs to the Masonic fraternity and also has membership in the Graduate Club Association, the New Haven Lawn Club, the New Haven Country Club, the Madison Country Club, Morys Association, Inc., and the New Haven Historical Society. He likewise belongs to the American Legion and to the Military Order of the World War.
CAMILLO ADDARIO
Italy has furnished to New England many desirable citizens of the type of Camillo Addario, who started in life as a day laborer and through the exercise of effort has pressed steadily onward to- ward the goal of his ambition, becoming one of the successful busi- ness men of Waterbury, well known to motorists as the directing head of the C. A. & Son Garage. He was born in a country town near Naples on the 31st of May, 1888, and acquired his education in the public schools of Italy. Severing home ties at the age of fifteen years, he sailed for America and landed at New York city May 4, 1904. He was successful in his quest for employment and remained in that city for one and a half years, following various occupations.
Mr. Addario then came to Waterbury and for about a year was a member of railroad construction and maintenance crews. He next secured a position in the rolling mill of the Benedict & Burnham Brass Company and there continued for four years, be- coming skilled in work of that character. Afterward he entered
49
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
the casting department of the American Brass Company, for which he worked until 1917, and then became a mechanic in the repair shop of the American Express Company, but was with that corporation only a short time. He spent four years with the H. I. Smith Company, automobile dealers, and had charge of their service department and mechanical work. In this he found a congenial line of activity and in 1921 began his independent com- mercial career in a small shed on the outskirts of Waterbury, where he engaged in the repairing of automobiles. His careful, painstaking work and moderate prices constituted an excellent advertisement, and his time was fully occupied. The business continued to grow and in 1926 he moved to the present location at 33 Union street, where he has a large brick garage situated four blocks from the commercial center of Waterbury. This is an ideal place for parking cars and renders to motorists one hundred per cent service, which includes all of the facilities advertised by the so-called one stop superservice stations, such as washing, greasing, the relining and adjusting of brakes, battery service, electrical service and vulcanizing. In addition to this he has a general repair department, a feature omitted by superservice sta- tions, and is always ready to answer emergency calls, operating throughout the day and night. He handles the Willard battery, the Multibestos and Raybestos brake lining, and a complete stock of parts for the Northeastern, Autolite Remy and Delco systems. He has carefully planned every detail of the business, which is one of large proportions, and has made the C. A. & Son Garage a distinctive institution. characterized by the completeness of its equipment and the efficiency of its service.
On the 10th of October, 1910, Mr. Addario was married to Miss Lizzie Addono, also a native of Italy, and they have seven children: Louis, a young man of nineteen, who has been his father's associate in business since graduating from high school ; Samuel, a high school student; Evangeline, who acts as book- keeper for her father; and Ermino, Mary Gloria, Frank and Mary, all of whom are grammar school pupils.
Mr. Addario belongs to the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and his political views are indicated in his membership in the Republican Club. In religious faith he is a Roman Catholic, being a com- municant of St. Thomas Church. While he cooperates in all well defined movements and projects for the good of his community,
50
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
he has neither sought nor held public office. His interest centers in his work, to which he brings the zest, energy and enthusiasm so essential to progress in all lines of activity, and the prosperity which he now enjoys is the merited reward of unfaltering pur- pose, honest dealing and rightly directed endeavor.
PHILIP TROUP
Philip Troup, the democratic candidate for mayor and senior member of the law firm of Troup & Quinn, is one of New Haven's distinguished sons and has spent practically all of his life in this city, whose progress he has furthered along many lines. He was born May 22, 1878, a son of Alexander and Augusta (Lewis) Troup, the latter a native of New York city and of Welsh and Irish lineage. Mrs. Troup was a pioneer suffragist, and the Troup Junior High School in New Haven was named in honor of her many years of public service. The father was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1840 and was a scion of the Troup family of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Leaving Canada in his youth, Alexander Troup came to New England and as the founder and editor of the New Haven Union he was long a prominent figure in newspaper circles of Connecticut. He served for many years as Connecticut's representative on the democratic national com- mittee.
Philip Troup was a pupil in one of the grammar schools of New Haven and in 1897 completed a course in the Hopkins Gram- mar School. Afterward he attended the Sheffield Scientific School of Yale, which awarded him the Ph. B. degree in 1900, and three years later he won the degree of LL. B. from the Yale Law School. In 1903 he went abroad, returning to the United States in 1904, and for a period of three years practiced law in the state of New York. While thus engaged he became a trial counsel of the sur- face railway systems of New York city and was a recognized specialist in the law of negligence and accidents. However, upon the sudden death of his father in 1908, he was compelled to aban- don his very bright prospects in New York and return to his native city to assume the editorship of the New Haven Union. For this work Mr. Troup had had a remarkable training. He was graduated from two departments of Yale University and
PHILIP TROUP
53
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
had traveled and studied extensively in Europe. During 1907 and 1908 he was connected with the National Press Bureau of Washington, D. C., and from 1908 until 1914 his attention was concentrated upon his duties as editor of the New Haven Union. He made a special study of governmental affairs and political and economic questions, and until he entered the post office in 1914 his editorials had a powerful influence in the promotion of beneficial legislation and all good causes in the state and city. He was largely instrumental in reorganizing the democratic party in Connecticut after the Bryan election of 1908, being associated in that endeavor with Judge Edwin Thomas, now of the United States district court, with Louis E. Stoddard, Samuel Fisher and others, and as a result of this work Judge Simeon Baldwin was elected governor of Connecticut in 1910 and re- elected in 1912. Mr. Troup made an enviable record as post- master and previous to his appointment to that office he had done much constructive work as a member of the New Haven board of education, on which he served from 1908 until 1912. On retiring from the office of postmaster he resumed his newspaper work and was publisher of the New Haven Union from 1922 until 1926, when the Union was sold and Mr. Troup resumed the practice of law in his native city. His legal knowledge and acumen have placed him with the foremost attorneys of New Haven, and since 1926 he has been a member of the well known law firm of Troup & Quinn, which is accorded a large and important clientele.
In November, 1907, Mr. Troup was married in Buffalo, New York, to Miss E. Daisy Sherman, a teacher in the State Normal School there. She is a daughter of Spencer and Sophia (Ryk- man) Sherman and in the paternal line is descended from one of the colonial families of Providence, Rhode Island. Mr. and Mrs. Troup are the parents of a daughter, Mary Jane, who is attend- ing the New Haven high school.
While a Yale student Mr. Troup was a member of the inter- collegiate debating team of the university and throughout the years he has kept in close touch with his alma mater, being now director of the Yale Alumni Association and also of the Mory's Association of Yale. He has membership in the Graduate Club of New Haven, is worthy president of the local Aerie of the Fra- ternal Order of Eagles, and has served as a director of the New Haven Chamber of Commerce. Endowed with literary talent,
54
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
he has been a frequent contributor to leading magazines and periodicals and is the author of a number of one-act sketches which have had a successful run in vaudeville.
A contemporary writer has said of Mr. Troup: "Not only by his pen, but by his eloquence, he has been a factor in the political and economic life, not only in Connecticut, but of several other states, in which he has frequently appeared on public platforms. He is proverbial for his democratic spirit and enjoys the good-will and friendship of a host of people in this city, irre- spective of their party affiliations, and is representative of all good causes in this great cosmopolitan community.
"Indeed, there are few, if any, men in the community whose contact with all elements of the civic life are so intimate and friendly as those enjoyed by Mr. Troup. No worthy cause that has needed assistance or any wrong that in his judgment has demanded resistance has failed to enlist his active and valued services. Among a few of the measures that he has advocated and promulgated during his long public career may be noted the following. While on the board of education he was largely in- strumental with Senator William Hackett and Arthur Booth in drafting and promulgating a contributory teachers' retirement fund for the school teachers of the city. He was likewise instru- mental in promulgating a similar measure for the school janitors. He also advocated and caused to be adopted a tenure of office plan for the teaching force of the city, practically putting them under civil service. He was the chief motivating force in the establishment of a two platoon system for the firemen of the city, first beginning his agitation for this measure of justice during the administration of Frank J. Rice and consummating his pur- pose during the administration of Mayor FitzGerald.
"He was one of the strongest advocates in Connecticut of the right of women to vote and of the principle of workmen's com- pensation and of widows' pensions and is today and long has been one of the ablest advocates of the old age pension system that has been adopted in eleven states of this country. Mr. Troup has been liberal and fair in his pronouncements on all public questions and anything that smacks of narrow prejudice of any sort has always found in him a strong opponent. He was knighted by the king of Italy because of his endeavors in behalf of Italian immigrants coming to this country and has received
55
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
many honorary memberships in various societies because of his labors in their behalf. From 1914 to 1922 he was postmaster of New Haven and not only one of the most popular postmasters with both patrons and employes that any office ever had, but also one of the most efficient. He promulgated in the post office a system of promotions and progression on a merit basis that re- ceived the commendation of the authorities in Washington and the endorsement of the associations of post office employes.
"He was the custodian of federal property in this city during the World war and sold the old post office building. He was the representative of the government in the erection of the new post office, and despite the fact that war conditions interfered mate- rially with the progress of the work in obtaining materials, and labor costs were high, the new post office was erected within the original estimates compiled before the war began. When the old post office was sold, the government first attempted to do so on bids, but Mr. Troup thought that all the bids were too low, and suggested to the treasury department that he be permitted to sell the building at auction. He finally prevailed upon the authori- ties at Washington to permit him to do so, but they placed upon his shoulders the responsibility of meeting the highest bid that had been offered for the property. Mr. Troup immediately went to work and got an upset bid for a higher price than any yet offered and finally knocked down the property for considerably over one hundred thousand dollars more than had been offered to the government. During his régime in the post office he intro- duced many innovations in the postal service that were adopted by the department throughout the country. He served as post- master for eight years, when the war and its aftermath were on, and he was burdened with a great deal of extra work other than that of managing the postal establishment of New Haven and vicinity. For instance, he had charge of the distribution of all questionnaires in connection with the draft, and was actively engaged in all the Liberty Loan and other drives to promote the endeavors of the government. He served on the Connecticut Council of Defense and was in constant demand as a speaker throughout the state. It is known to Mr. Troup's close friends that his health was seriously impaired during this period because of his constant fidelity to the many burdens imposed upon him by the government, and he received many letters of commenda-
56
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
tion from the authorities in Washington, including the President himself, for the efforts that he had put forth in the promotion of victory.
"When any drive has been held for a worthy humanitarian purpose in this city it has enlisted the sincere support of Philip Troup. He joined with his many Jewish friends in protesting against the persecutions against the Jews in many foreign lands. He drafted the resolutions in this city protesting against the massacre of the Armenians during the World war and presented them to the federal government. He was an earnest advocate of a larger measure of home rule and self-determination for Ireland, and his efforts for this measure of justice to the Irish people have been well recognized locally. He was an earnest advocate during the peace conference of the establishment of an autonomous Polish state in Europe, a policy finally pushed to successful consummation by President Wilson.
"In like manner he has ably advocated the self-determination in government of all distinct races and peoples, and no man in New Haven has to such an extent the good-will and friendship of so many elements in its great cosmopolitan population. He ably opposed the retroactive quota provision of the Johnson immigra- tion bill and his reply to Professor East of Harvard University on this question is considered one of the classics of American journalism and was translated into several languages throughout Europe."
ROWLEY WILHELM PHILLIPS
At the outset of his commercial career Rowley Wilhelm Phil- lips gave his best efforts to the tasks assigned him, and this habit of thoroughness has remained with him throughout life, carrying him into important relations. He is now serving as chairman of the board and general manager of The R. F. Griggs Company of Waterbury and is connected with a number of business, indus- trial and financial organizations either as an officer or director.
Mr. Phillips was born in Brooklyn, New York, November 28, 1890, a son of Lewis Rowley Phillips, of New York city, who passed away February 7, 1928. The mother, Elizabeth Frances (Smith) Phillips, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
57
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
represents an old Connecticut family and is eligible to member- ship in the Daughters of the American Revolution through her great-grandfather, who served with the rank of captain on Gen- eral Washington's staff.
Rowley W. Phillips was a pupil in the public schools of Brook- lyn and also attended the Adelphi Academy. His start in life was gained as a clerk in the office of Mackay & Company, bankers and brokers of New York city. His close application and dependa- bility were rewarded by successive promotions, and at length he was made statistician. In 1913 he came to New Haven as man- ager in charge of sales for the Connecticut branch of the Baker- Ayling Company, a Boston firm, and proved well qualified for that responsible position. It was in September, 1915, that he became connected with The R. F. Griggs Company, starting as a sales- man, and a year later was elected secretary of the firm and one of its directors. In 1927 he became vice president, treasurer and general manager and in 1928 was made chairman of the board, retaining the title of general manager. His rapid progress in- dicates the quality of the service he has rendered to the company, his keen sagacity and exceptional capacity as an executive. In addition he is president and a director of Traders, Inc .; secretary and a director of the Beardsley & Wolcott Manufacturing Com- pany; a director of Mckesson & Robbins, Inc., of Maryland; di- rector of Mckesson & Robbins, Inc., of Connecticut; Mckesson & Robbins, Ltd., of Canada; the Waterbury Gas Light Company, the Colonial Trust Company of Waterbury, the Clark Brothers Bolt Company of Milldale, the Bigelow Company of New Haven, the Claude Neon Company of Connecticut, the Bridgeport Brass Company, the Automatic Machine Company of Bridgeport, T. A. D. Jones & Company of New Haven, and the Brunner Engineer- ing Company of New York. He was president of the Waterbury Gas Company from 1927 to 1929 and has furthered the success of every organization with which he has been identified.
On the 30th of September, 1914, Mr. Phillips was married to Harriette Staples Wheeler, whose father was head of the de- partment of history of Yale University for a period of forty years. They have become the parents of four children: Harriette Wheeler, Elizabeth Rowley, Jean Knight and Barbara.
An enthusiastic yachtsman, Mr. Phillips has taken many en- joyable cruises on his boat, and the playing of bridge whist also
58
HISTORY OF NEW HAVEN COUNTY
affords him diversion. He is a member of the Black Rock Yacht Club of Bridgeport, the Knickerbocker Whist Club of New York city, the St. Nicholas Club of New York city, the Waterbury Club, the Country Club of Waterbury, the Quinnipiack Club of New Haven and the Manufacturers Club of Ansonia. During the World war he was a member of the Connecticut National Guard and vice chairman of the committee in charge of the fourth and fifth Liberty Loan drives in Waterbury. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Liberty Lodge, No. 120. Strong and pur- poseful, Mr. Phillips has constantly widened the scope of his activities and broadened his field of usefulness. Through the me- dium of his own efforts he has become an outstanding figure in business circles of Connecticut and belongs to that class of men who are essential to public growth and progress.
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.