USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > History of New Haven County, Connecticut, Volume III > Part 8
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"Jay Hiscox Hart, the youngest of four children born to Alfred Hart, was born December 11, 1847, at Hartsville, and remained on his father's farm there until he was fifteen years of age. He supplemented his early education, acquired in the
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schools of Hartsville, by study in the Berkshire Institute and traveled extensively all over New England as an agent of the Adams Express Company. In 1860 he came to Waterbury as freight master, soon entering the employ of the Plume & Atwood Manufacturing Company and later going to A. Platt & Sons, button manufacturers. In 1876, when that business was incor- porated as Platt Brothers & Company, Mr. Hart became a director and also secretary of the Patent Button Company. He thus became closely identified with one of the most important manufacturing industries of Waterbury and took an active part in its management, development and control until the time of his death in December, 1919. He was also active in the affairs of the city, holding many important offices and taking a prominent part in the work which resulted in the building of Wigwam reservoir at an investment of three-quarters of a million dollars." To Jay H. and Bertha Hart were born seven children, namely: Amy Louise, Bertha M., Lewis Jay, Alfred Lucius, Ruth Spencer, Dorothy and Howard Platt.
In the acquirement of an education Alfred L. Hart attended the public schools of Waterbury, the Taft School of Watertown, Connecticut, and Yale University of New Haven, being gradu- ated from the last named institution with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1903. His initial business experience was gained dur- ing three years' service in the advertising department of the Century Company of New York city, after which he spent a year in the advertising department of the concern publishing the Yachting Magazine in the eastern metropolis. It was in 1908 that he entered the employ of the R. F. Griggs Company, invest- ment brokers of Waterbury, and set himself to the task of famil- iarizing himself with every phase of the business. His ability won recognition in steady promotion to positions of increased responsibility and upon the death of R. F. Griggs in December, 1927, he succeeded to the presidency of the company, the opera- tions of which he has directed most ably and successfully to the present time. He is also secretary of the Patent Button Com- pany and a director of the Waterbury Clock Company and the Waterbury National Bank, and he has long enjoyed high stand- ing in both business and financial circles of his native city.
On the 8th of October, 1918, Mr. Hart was united in mar- riage to Miss Anne Chase, third daughter of Henry Sabin Chase
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of Waterbury. They are the parents of four children, as fol- lows: Susanne Chase, Thomas Morton, Peter Murray and Con- stance Lewis. The family resides at 86 Buckingham street in Waterbury and maintains a summer home in Madison, Con- necticut.
Mr. Hart gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is widely recognized as a public-spirited, enterprising and progressive citizen. He was in the naval aviation service during the period of the World war, being stationed at the Great Lakes and at Norfolk, Virginia, first as chief quartermaster and later as ensign. He is a member of the vestry of St. John's Church and fraternally is affiliated with the Masonic order, being a worthy exemplar of the teachings and purposes of the craft. While a student at Yale University he became a member of the Greek letter fraternity Zeta Psi. Outdoor sports constitute his favorite form of recreation, and his name is on the membership rolls of the Waterbury Club, the Country Club of Waterbury, the Preston Mountain Club of Connecticut, the Graduate Club of New Haven and the Yale Club of New York city.
ALBERT J. BRONSKY
Since entering upon the career of a lawyer in Waterbury the progress made by Albert J. Bronsky has been commensurate with his industry and ability, and in addition to the conduct of a steadily growing law business he is filling the office of clerk of the city court. He was born in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, August 3, 1893, a son of John and Margaret (Stokes) Bronsky, the former a Lithuanian. Both are now deceased.
In the public schools of Waterbury, Albert J. Bronsky pur- sued his studies until graduated from the Crosby high school and afterward matriculated in New York University, which con- ferred upon him the degree of LL. B. in 1923. Before taking up the study of law he had responded to the call of his country, enlisting in the United States Army in August, 1917, and was assigned to the Quartermaster's Corps. For brief intervals he was stationed at Fort Slocum and Fort Sam Houston and was then transferred to Camp Bowie as a member of a wagon com- pany of the Quartermaster's Corps. Later he was ordered to
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return to San Antonio, Texas, and detailed for duty with the General Headquarters Company, thus serving until the early part of 1919, when he was discharged.
Mr. Bronsky then prepared for his chosen profession and in January, 1924, was admitted to the bar in Connecticut. For about six months he was associated with attorney E. B. Riley and has since practiced independently. His keen intellect and clear understanding of the principles of jurisprudence enable him to cope with the intricacies of the law, and a liberal practice has been accorded him. On the 1st of March, 1927, he was appointed clerk of the city court of Waterbury and performs his public duties with a thoroughness and accuracy that have made his work highly satisfactory.
Mr. Bronsky was married January 20, 1925, to Miss Helen A. Czesky, of Waterbury, and they now have a son, Albert J., Jr. Mr. Bronsky finds his recreation largely in fishing, garden- ing and bowling. His political allegiance is given to the repub- lican party, and his religious belief is shown in his membership in St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church. His fraternal affilia- tions are with the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks. He is a director of the Lithuanian Independent Political Club and also belongs to the Reciprocity Club, the Civitan Club and the American Legion. As a citizen he is loyal, progressive and public-spirited, while the course which he has followed as an attorney is one which has won for him the respect and esteem of his associates in the legal profession.
GERARDO G. CUCOLO
Waterbury has been the city of opportunity to Gerardo G. Cucolo, who has resided here from the age of nineteen years. bending every energy toward the attainment of his objective, and is now a prosperous business man, prominently identified with building operations as president of the Connecticut Con- crete Company, with offices at 65 Jefferson street. A native of Italy, he was born at Summonto, in the province of South Avel- lino, April 15, 1885, and is a son of Antonio and Filomena (Picariello) Cucolo, the former now deceased.
A public school education was accorded Gerardo G. Cucolo,
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who responded to the call of adventure when a youth of sixteen years and came to the United States in the hope of bettering his fortunes. In 1901 he arrived in Boston, Massachusetts, but left that city six months later, being unable to obtain employment, which he found in New Jersey, and was there identified with construction work for two and a half years. Afterward he jour- neyed to Connecticut and in 1904 entered the service of the Waterbury Manufacturing Company, working in the buffing room for a year. He next filled a similar position with the Plume & Atwood Company and a year later became connected with the American Brass Company, spending six months in their machine shop. For about a year he was employed in the buffing room of the Waterbury Clock Company and during the ensuing period of three years was identified with various construction and paving crews. He then became a foreman for the Alexander Johnson Construction Company, acting in that capacity until 1914, when he started in business for himself as a specialist in concrete work, such as the construction of sidewalks, curbs, gutters, etc. Later he admitted his cousin and Charles Palombo as partners, organ- izing the Waterbury Concrete Company. Under his wise guid- ance the company forged rapidly to the front, broadening the scope of its activities by entering the field of concrete road pav- ing, and successfully they handled several large state jobs in that connection. In 1925 Mr. Cucolo disposed of his holdings in the Waterbury Concrete Company and organized the Connecticut Concrete Company, of which he has since been the president. During the intervening period of five years he has developed a large business, controlling an organization noted for its efficiency and the high quality of its work. As the name indicates, the company specializes in concrete work, such as the building of driveways and sidewalks, the laying of curbs and gutters, and excavating work, and in these lines of construction it has already gained a position of leadership, due to the wisdom, experience and business ability of its executive head, who is a recognized expert in his particular field.
Mr. Cucolo was married to Miss Angeline Di Vito, and they have become the parents of six children: Frank, a young man of twenty-one, who completed his studies in the Crosby high school and has since assisted his father in business; Orlando, who has attained the age of nineteen years and is also associated
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with the Connecticut Concrete Company; Marfisa, aged seven- teen years; and Guido, Marguerite and Norma, all of whom are attending the public schools.
The family are Roman Catholics in religious faith, having membership in the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes. Mr. Cucolo votes with the democratic party and lends the weight of his sup- port to those movements and projects which are destined to prove of benefit to his city and state but has neither sought nor held public office. He gives to his business his undivided attention and has wrought along enduring lines, making valuable contri- bution to the upbuilding and improvement of this section of New Haven county. He has made his own way in the world and what he has accomplished represents the fit utilization of his innate powers and talents.
GEORGE WEBSTER WARNER
With the work of upbuilding and progress in New Haven and the surrounding district George Webster Warner was long identi- fied as an enterprising, capable contractor, and he is now render- ing important service to his community through the faithful discharge of his duties as first selectman of Hamden, his native town. He was born November 4, 1867, a son of John and Sarah J. (Riggs) Webster, the latter a native of Beacon Falls, Con- necticut. The father was a lifelong resident of Hamden, where the family settled in pioneer times, and, like his forbears, he fol- lowed the occupation of farming. In 1868 he was called to his final rest, and the mother long survived him, passing away in 1899. They were the parents of four sons, Edward, Bernard, Richard and George W.
The last named attended the public schools of Hamden, a suburb of New Haven, and remained on the home farm until he was sixteen years of age, afterward learning the carpenter's trade. He was employed by various contractors, becoming con- versant with all phases of construction work, and in 1898 entered the field independently. Experienced, energetic and reliable, he prospered from the beginning and was thus engaged until 1920, erecting many residences and other buildings in Hamden, High- wood and New Haven during the twenty-two years of his con-
GEORGE W. WARNER
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nection with the contracting business. He also became well known as a speculative builder, purchasing considerable unim- proved property, on which he erected attractive homes which proved a satisfactory investment to both the builder and pur- chaser. Thus he contributed materially to the development and improvement of this section of New Haven county and in all of his operations was animated by a progressive spirit and gov- erned by high commercial standards. He is now a director of the Hamden Bank & Trust Company.
In 1918 Mr. Warner was made first selectman of Hamden, a position which then required only a portion of his time, but two years later he retired from the contracting and building busi- ness in order to give his undivided attention to his increasing responsibilities as a public servant. For twelve years he has efficiently discharged the duties of first selectman, having been reelected in October, 1929, for a term of two years, an eloquent testimonial to his ability and worth. When he took office the total outlay for town improvements was about twelve million dol- lars and at the present time it is approximately forty million dollars, a notable increase since 1918. During his administra- tion much constructive work has been accomplished, including the building of a number of roads and sewers, several school houses, and the erection of a town hall which ranks with the finest institutions of the kind in the county.
Mr. Warner was married November 26, 1889, to Miss Lillian M. Warner, of Hamden, a daughter of Vinus L. and Sarah A. (Sanford) Warner, the former a native of Hamden and the lat- ter of Bethany, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. George W. Warner became the parents of two sons. Stuart M., born in Hamden, May 24, 1896, is a graduate of the New Haven high school. He resigned the position of assistant teller in the National Trades- men's Bank of New Haven to enlist in the Yale Unit Ambulance Corps, June 19, 1917, afterward being detailed for service in Italy. He is now a trust officer of the Hamden Bank & Trust Company. Duane G., born March 8, 1899, was engaged in edu- cational work connected with Yale University and also enlisted during the World war, becoming an aviator. He held the com- mission of second lieutenant and while serving with a pursuit group at Mount Clemens, Michigan, was fatally injured in a plane accident, passing away June 25, 1925.
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Mr. Warner is identified with the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He gives his political allegi- ance to the republican party, for he believes that its principles will best conserve the interests of good government. At one time he was chief of the Humphreys volunteer fire department and previous to his election as first selectman he was a member of the school board of Hamden for six years. Mr. Warner has exerted his best efforts in behalf of his community, doing all in his power to further movements of reform, progress and im- provement, and his life presents a forceful illustration of what constitutes good citizenship.
DANIEL J. BAILEY
Daniel J. Bailey, attorney at law, who is now assistant clerk of the superior court of New Haven, was born in Plymouth, Con- necticut, July 4, 1888, and is a son of William E. and Mary A. (Murphy) Bailey, also natives of this state. The father was a contractor for the firm of Sargent & Company of New Haven for a number of years.
Following his graduation from the Hopkins Grammar School with the class of 1908, Daniel J. Bailey entered the Yale Law School and completed his course there in 1911, at which time the degree of LL. B. was conferred upon him. In June, 1911, he was admitted to the bar of Connecticut and has since followed his profession, the passing years chronicling his steady advance- ment in his chosen field of labor. He has ever recognized the necessity for thorough preparation, and the court records bear testimony to his growing powers.
In 1918 Mr. Bailey entered the service of his country and was assigned to duty as a member of the machine gun depart- ment of the Plymouth Division at Camp Devens, Massachusetts. It was while he was still in the army that at the fall election of 1918 he was chosen to represent the tenth senatorial district in the upper house of the Connecticut assembly and served for one term, during which time he was a member of a special committee appointed to investigate the advisability of purchasing land for a jail farm, and was also on the fish and game committee. In 1920 he was appointed by Mayor David E. FitzGerald a member
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of the special tax commission, and in 1923 he was appointed as- sistant clerk of the superior court, having since served efficiently in this capacity. He is also secretary of the New Haven County Bar Association, having occupied the office for four years. Out- side of professional lines he served as alderman from the fourth ward during 1913-14 and was alderman at large in 1915-16. He has likewise been a selectman, and his official record is one char- acterized by marked devotion to duty and a recognition of what can be accomplished through political activity whereby the com- munity and the state may be benefited. He has ever worked along constructive lines, and his labors have been far-reaching and resultant.
SAMUEL B. ROSENBAUM
Among the capable and prominent educators of Connecticut is numbered Samuel B. Rosenbaum, who is well known as one of the founders and owners of the Milford School for boys. He was born December 18, 1885, in Minsk, Russia, where his brother, Harris Rosenbaum, was born December 28, 1886. In 1896 they came to America with their parents, Solomon and Rebecca Rosen- baum, who settled in New Haven, where the father engaged in business as a retail grocer.
At the age of eleven years Samuel B. Rosenbaum enrolled as a pupil in the public schools of New Haven and following the completion of his high school course in 1904 he entered the Shef- field Scientific School of Yale University, from which he won the degree of Ph. B. in 1907. A year later his brother Harris was graduated from the same institution, through which they paid their way by starting a tutoring school which is now under the management of a cousin, Abel G. Cugell, who received the Ph. B. degree from Sheffield Scientific School in 1912. Samuel B. and Harris Rosenbaum opened the Milford School in 1916 and have since been associated in its conduct. This excellent prepara- tory school for boys has a large attendance, drawing its pupils from twenty-seven states of the Union, and a detailed account of the institution is given elsewhere in this volume.
On the 27th of September, 1913, was solemnized the marriage of Samuel B. Rosenbaum and Florence Cherkoss, of Denver, Colo-
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rado. In politics Mr. Rosenbaum maintains an unbiased atti- tude, supporting the candidates and measures that he believes will best conserve the public weal and promote the interests of good government. In 1907, while a senior at the Sheffield Scien- tific School, he was made a member of its class book committee. Both he and his brother are patrons of the Yale Golf Club, and Samuel B. Rosenbaum is a member of the Yale Club of Boston, the Yale Club of New York, the Race Brook Country Club, the Mill River Country Club and the Rotary Club, of which he is now president. He has chosen a field of broad influence and useful- ness and bases his success as an educator upon a high standard of service.
BERNARD PELLEGRINO
Although but twenty-five years of age, Bernard Pellegrino has already gained a secure foothold in his profession, basing his progress upon thorough preparation for the career of an at- torney, a keen intellect and an unlimited capacity for hard work. He is also identified with the business life of New Haven and has likewise been active in politics. He was born in this city on the 26th of February, 1905, and is a son of Albert and Lillian (Conte) Pellegrino, natives of Italy. About 1890 they sailed for America, locating in New Haven, where they were married, and subsequently Albert Pellegrino was made foreman of the electro- plating department of Sargent & Company.
On completing the curriculum of the Hamilton grammar school, Bernard Pellegrino became a pupil in the New Haven high school, graduating with the class of 1922. He then entered Yale University, from which he won the degree of Ph. B., and next attended the Yale Law School, which awarded him the LL. B. degree in 1928. In the same year he was admitted to the bar and at once entered upon the practice of law in New Haven, where he has already won a very satisfactory clientele. While attending New Haven high school he showed marked talent in debating and during the World war he received a medal from the Daughters of the American Revolution in recognition of his ability as a Four- Minute speaker. This was awarded from the New Haven high school, where he was a student, being but fourteen years of age
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at that time. On that occasion two medals were bestowed, the other recipient being a girl pupil of the high school.
Mr. Pellegrino is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the San Carlino Republican Club and St. Michael's Boys Club; hon- orary president of the Armistizio Club, and his fraternity is the Alpha Phi Delta. He resides at 257 Franklin street, while his office is located at 109 Church street. Mr. Pellegrino has all the requisites of the successful lawyer, and his strength of character and genuine worth have won for him the esteem of his fellow citizens, with whom his life has been passed.
JOHN EDWARD DOWNEY
Through his achievements as corporation counsel John Ed- ward Downey has amply justified the confidence reposed in his ability and occupies a prominent place in legal circles of Walling- ford, which has been the scene of his professional labors for a period of seven years. Born in this city on the 6th of December, 1897, he is a son of John Francis and Elizabeth (Murray) Dow- ney, the former a native of Cheshire, Connecticut, and the latter of Middletown, this state. About 1880 they established their home in Wallingford, where the father engaged in business for several years but is now retired. He has been very active in public affairs and formerly was chief of the Wallingford fire department and president of the Fire Chiefs Association of Connecticut. For about four years he was special deputy collector of internal rev- enue and in 1907 was elected to the state legislature, serving for one term. An outstanding figure in political circles of this lo- cality, he has been chairman of the Wallingford democratic com- mittee for a number of years, doing effective work for his party. Along fraternal lines he has connection with the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks.
Following the completion of his course in the Wallingford high school John E. Downey went to Washington, D. C., where he entered the Catholic University of America, which he attended from 1916 until 1920, winning the Bachelor of Arts degree. He then became a student in the Yale Law School and was graduated with the class of 1923. Admitted to the Connecticut bar in July of the same year, he entered upon his career as an attorney in
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of Outdoor Advertisers. Throughout his career Mr. Mooney has given his best efforts to every task that he has undertaken, and his is the record of an orderly progression that has carried him into important business relations, while his influence is one of broadening activity and strength in the field in which he is operating.
WILLIAM RICE SMITH
Powers of organization and executive ability have been salient features in the business career of William Rice Smith and through the steps of an orderly progression he has reached the dual posi- tion of president and general manager of the Lane Construction Corporation of Meriden. Early in life he realized that "there is no excellence without labor" and upon the foundation of indus- try and close application he has builded his success.
Connecticut numbers Mr. Smith among her native sons, his birth occurring in North Haven, October 17, 1867. His family history is one of close connection with early colonial days in both the paternal and maternal lines, and among his ancestors were those who took prominent part in affairs of the state from colonial times down to the present. His father, J. Boardman Smith, was in early manhood a manufacturer of carriage woodwork and later was a partner in the New Haven Window Shade Company. He married Emily A. Rice, of Wallingford, likewise descended from one of the pioneer families of the state.
Their son, William Rice Smith, attended the North Haven private school and afterward the Hillhouse high school of New Haven, from which in due time he was graduated. He started out in the business world in 1886, with his uncle and his father, in the service of the New Haven Window Shade Company, of which he is now a director. In 1893 he entered mercantile circles on his own account as a dealer in carpets under the firm style of W. R. Smith & Company. Activity of that kind brought him to the year 1895, when he became superintendent of the Weehawken (N. J.) quarry of John S. Lane & Son. In 1902 the Lane Con- struction Corporation of Meriden was organized and Mr. Smith became the general manager. He was elected president in 1913, in addition to his duties as general manager, and continues to
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