USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > Noted men of Connecticut as they look in life : as published in the columns of The Evening Leader of New Haven : being a collection of portraits and biographical sketches of representative men of Connecticut who have made and are making the history of the states > Part 13
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Of forcible bearing, with dignity of mien, Mayor Lee is a man to command attention wherever he may be. It is no wonder then that the people of Bridgeport look up to him as a man quite above the ordinary and that the most important gift in the power of their giving is finally his.
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PHOTO BY GEO. PHELPS NEW HAVEN
JAMES R. MAXWELL
COMMISSIONER JAMES R. MAXWELL
Called at an early age to the ranks of the world's workers,-persistence, zeal and abil- ity have been the happy trinity which have raised Commissioner James R. Maxwell to a proud position, both in the business world and as a man among men.
Unaided and alone, he has fought his hard battle with the world and has developed splendid traits of character, a fearless zeal, and unvarying cheerfulness of mind and heart,- coming out of the struggle, stronger, nobler and more than ever a man.
Among the lofty hills of Litchfield, in the land which cradled so many men of renown, he first saw the light of day-his native town being Plymouth, in Litchfield County. In that county of magnificent views and wholesome surroundings, breathing in the famous pure air -at once a delight and an inspiration, he gained his childish impressions and grew from infancy to early boyhood. In his youth, the family moved to New Haven and when the school age was attained, he entered the schools of that city, where he gained all of his bookage.
His fondness for stone work eventually led him into his present line, in which he has attained such conspicuous success. As a dealer in monuments, tablets and statuary- specializing on cemetery work-he has won a high position.
His place of business, from 14 to 20 Hedge Street, is one of the busiest spots in New Haven, and any one who desires expert workmanship combined with square-dealing, finds these two important qualifications united at Mr. Maxwell's establishment.
Above all, he holds honor dear, and his straightforward sincerity makes him notable among business men of his city. His establishment is close to St. Bernard's Cemetery and much of his work is designed for use in that cemetery.
This particular line of work requires m.ich dealing with people in deep affliction, and, to it, Mr. Maxwell brings a strong sympathy and a chivalrous courtesy, which are sincerely appreciated, making him more than ever, the desirable man for such a position.
The qualities of such a man demand recognition, and that New Haven citizens know to whom honor is due, has been demonstrated by the election and elevation of Mr. Maxwell to several posts of distinction.
In 1902 he was elected alderman-at-large and was re-elected two years later. It was a period in the history of New Haven when many noteworthy changes were advocated and made, and in these, Alderman Maxwell played an important part.
At that time the question of permitting an immense "cut" through the city, to admit of the Consolidated Road's four tracking the Shore Line, came up for consideration and a storm of controversy arose.
Public interest was at fever heat and a commission including Mayor Studley, Alder- man Homan and Alderman Maxwell was chosen to give the matter their most earnest con- sideration, and report back to the Board of Aldermen.
The work of that commission was thorough, comprehensive and remarkably well done, and in this body of gentlemen,-men of high purpose and splendid executive ability-the city justly felt that it had true and devoted friends.
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Mr. Maxwell has also served on the park board, where his artistic judgment was of benefit ; and was also a member of the tax commission.
At present he holds the responsible and important position of president of the Board of Police Commissioners, a body of men who perform duties of vital interest to the commu- nity, touching the protection of life and property.
Commissioner Maxwell is keenly interested in fraternal life and is a loyal and enthusi- astic member of the Knights of Columbus, Elks, Eagles, Royal Arcanum, Woodmen of the World, Knights of St. Patrick, Union League, and Henry Grattan Club. These represent the very best in social and fraternal life in the city and bring him in touch with many con- genial gentlemen, by whom he is held in high esteem.
He lives at 637 Howard Avenue, where he has an attractive home and where his friends are heartily welcomed.
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STOFFE 08
EDWARD L. GRAVES
EDWARD L. GRAVES, BRIDGEPORT
Measured by his successes Mr. Edward L. Graves of Bridgeport, Conn., is a man of unusual business calibre. The high place he has reached in the mercantile world reflects real glory upon his career for he is practically among those who have started at the bottom of the ladder. He was born at McGranville in New York State in December of 1853. His father was a mechanic and it was in the simple atmosphere of the country village life that this boy spent the first nine years of his life. The district school gave him the only edu- cation he received, for in 1862 his father met his death in the War of the Rebellion. Little Edward was but ten years old when he stepped into harness as a wage-earner entering the employ of a farmer where for ten years he worked at farming. Even as a lad and humble as his work was, he proved himself a valuable helper and one whose standard was too high to permit him to remain long in any rut. But there were those at home to assist, and the boy knew that until some advantageous opportunity offered itself, it was best for him to stick to what he had in hand. In 1876 he moved to Bridgeport associating himself there with the Thompson Corset Co. He had his eyes constantly open, however, and was on the alert always for the opening he desired. It was not until 1883, however, that his real opportu- nity came. Mr. Graves that year opened a candy business at Bridgeport that during the years that have followed has grown and developed into one of the largest and best equipped in New England. His start was small but with each change-and there have been four of them during the twenty-five years he has been in the candy business-the advance toward the standard now attained by him was marked. Mr. Graves opened his venture on bor- rowed money yet his courage never flagged no matter what the early discouragements. One of the secerts of his success may lie in his love of honest competition. He believes in it absolutely, regarding it, where it is exempt from all jealousy, as one of the surest aids to greater success.
Mr. Graves has always been much interested in the Business Men's Association of Connecticut. For one year he was President of the local branch of it. In January of 1907 he was advanced to the Presidency of the State Association and already is well known throughout the State for his successful tenure of the office. At their banquets held annually and in different cities he has achieved distinction by the quality of his addresses. He talks well and always to the point. There is evidence of serious thought in all he says yet while his address is serious he does not let the jovial side of the banquets escape him. On the contrary he is one of the jolliest, most genial guests at the table and can enjoy a good story to the limit.
Mr. Graves has gone high in the Masonic world. He is a Thirty-Second Degree Mason with his interest keen in everything pertaining to the order. The Odd Fellows of Bridgeport also claim him as one of their prominent members. His local Clubs are the Algonquin and the Triple Link.
In politics Mr. Graves is a staunch Republican where national issues are at stake, but in local issues he is an Independent. During the four and a half years he served the City of Bridgeport as Alderman, Mr. Graves distinguished himself as a man of strong convictions
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yet one who if in error is willing to be told of it. Not in any way a too self-opinionated man, those who know him well say it takes a strong evidence to induce Mr. Graves to change his mind when once he has made it up.
A recent interviewer asked this successful merchant what his chief hobby was. A merry twinkle came into his eye and a genial smile lit up his face as he answered. "Well, I guess to enjoy myself is about the only real hobby I have."
Though fifty-four years of age Mr. Graves looks not a day older than forty. Of a happy disposition with the inherited art of keeping young, he will undoubtedly reach his old age with the same youthfulness of spirit that characterizes his mother, a remarkable woman. Although seventy-three years old she is still active and full of the joy of living, nor does she accept the fact that she is old, as was shown in a reply she sent to a letter recently received from Mr. Graves. He wrote asking her to pay him a visit, as she was getting along in years and might not be able to do so much longer. Her answer "that she felt just as young as he did" prefaced her acceptance of his invitation.
In 1879 Mr. Graves married Miss Lizzie M. Billings of New Haven. They have three sons, Dunglis D. Graves, twenty-seven years old, and twins, Lester F. and Leslie B. Graves, twenty-three years old. Like their father all three boys have happy, genial dispositions and show much promise for their future.
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FAYETTE C. CLARK
ALDERMAN FAYETTE C. CLARK, BRIDGEPORT
Practically a self-made man, Fayette C. Clark of Bridgeport, is one whose career attracts more than ordinary attention. When a young man arrives through his own per- severance and pluck at a position of trust and honor such as is accorded Mr. Clark, there is every reason to feel that he is a man among men.
The son of a farmer, born and brought up on the homestead-farm at Windsor, Conn., Mr. Clark received his early education in the public schools and later at the Windsor Acad- emy. He was little less than a child, however, when he made the start for himself. The boy craved bigger opportunities for advancement than the farm life offered and in pursuit of them he took employment at the Woolen and Cotton Mills in Poquonock, town of Wind- sor, when but thirteen years old. After working faithfully for a time in the Mills this ambitious boy secured a position in the general store of Windsor. This he personally regarded as a step toward the goal he had in mind, for his earliest ambition was to be a man of affairs and some day to possess his own business. None other than the mercantile life appealed to him even as a lad.
In 1867 Mr. Clark went to Hartford to live, becoming associated there in the manufac- ture of leather belting goods. He spent his early life there, his earnest attention to business proving a splendid school of instruction to fit him for the larger field he entered when he went to Bridgeport. While in Hartford Mr. Clark enlisted in a military organization as a member of the First Company Governor's Foot Guards. As in his business, his faithfulness in the militia brought him many preferments during the twenty-one years of his service to the Company. Among the military offices held by him were those of Ensign, Third and Fourth Lieutenant and Adjutant.
It was in 1891 that Mr. Clark moved his business from Hartford to Bridgeport, locat- ing at the corner of Noble Avenue and Sterling Street. During the sixteen years he has lived in Bridgeport, Mr. Clark has advanced rapidly until to-day he stands at the head of one of the biggest concerns of its kind in New England. The history of its growth is rife with interest. It is known as N. Palmer & Co., Manufacturers of Leather Belting. Its trade mark, "Charter Oak Tree," with its splendid story of success back of it, brings to mind the old adage "Mighty oaks from little acorns grow." The firm was established in 1859 by Messrs. Nelson Palmer, George Aspenwall and J. Ward Fuller. In 1867 the part- nership was divided between Mr. Aspenwall and Mr. Fuller, Mr. Palmer dying that year. It was thus conducted until 1878 when Mr. Fuller retired. In 1878 Mr. Clark, who had been in the employ of the firm for eleven years, was admitted to partnership.
Upon the death of Mr. Aspenwall in 1880. Mr. Clark bought out his interest in the firm thereby becoming sole proprietor of the concern. He retained the firm name. That the business has prospered and advanced a great deal under Mr. Clark's regime is an established fact. Aside from the manufacture of belting and manufacturers' supplies the house does a large business at currying heavy leather, not only for belting but for polishing purposes and various other special uses.
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Mr. Clark is prominently identified with Free Masonry having entered the order ten years ago. As a member of Corinthian Lodge Number 104, Jerusalem Chapter No. 13 and Hamilton Commandery No. 5, he is well known, and as a Thirty-Second Degree man with a membership in the Lafayette Consistory of Bridgeport and as an officer in the Mystic Shrine he is one of the influential Masons of the State.
Mr. Clark is interested in the political situation and while possessed of no political aspirations, when called upon to serve in the Common Council, as an Alderman from the Fifth District of Bridgeport, he cheerfully accepted the honor thus conferred upon him. This was in 1906. In 1907 he had the pleasure of receiving the entire support of the minor- ity in the Council for Presidency which he appreciated very much.
While a modest man of quiet, refined tastes, Mr. Clark belongs to Clubs and Societies, as he believes that all men should in that way help to do their little part in the community. Chairman of the Sewer Committee, Mr. Clark is thus a member of the Sewer Commission.
In 1894 he married Miss Elizabeth Knapp of Torrington, Conn. They have two daughters.
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WILLIAM H. CADWELL
WILLIAM H. CADWELL, NEW BRITAIN
The man who rises to every opportunity for advancement and who looks far ahead down the vista of achievement, allowing his eyes to rest only on the goal of his ambition, is the succesful individual, and through his gifts of foresight and alert action, he conquers mountains, and lays low every enemy who endeavors to block his path of progress.
In the brilliantly successful civil engineer and architect, William H. Cadwell, New Britain boasts at least one man of this admirable type and ha's noted with satisfaction, the long chain of successes which have fallen to his credit.
Born in the pretty suburban town of Farmington, about 47 years ago, Mr. Cadwell received his early education in the schools of New Britain. He set his heart on the profes- sion of civil engineering and bent all his energies toward perfecting himself in that branch.
Natural skill, supplemented by earnest and searching study crowned with a wide experience, have developed in him expert powers and he is a recognized authority on various phases of engineering.
He did not confine himself to the study of civil engineering, but also mastered archi- tecture and has demonstrated quite unusual qualities in this branch also.
His architectural triumphs have been numerous and he has been called on to design some of the most important buildings in New Britain. Among the handsomest and most artistic is the new Swedish Lutheran Church, and his own palatial residence on West Main Street, regarded as one of the most beautiful homes in New Britain.
Mr. Cadwell's big achievements include his expert service in superintending the New Britain Sewage Filtration System, a one million dollar contract, whose fulfillment is a credit to the city, and the man who has become such a master of sewage engineering.
As a mining expert, he has won honor in contracts in Arkansas and Arizona.
A man of such wide interests, of such a busy, never-ceasing mentality, he found that he had room in his life for still another line of work and has added real estate to his ave- nues of industry and triumph. Everything he touches seems to prosper and as an architect, as a mining and sewage engineer, and as a real estate dealer, he wins victory after victory . and adds new lustre to the name of Cadwell.
In his dealings he is square and business-like, being possessed of uncommon acumen and wonderful tact. He plans all things well, with shrewdness and clear brain, and exe- cutes in the masterly fashion, which he has acquired through native endowment and con- centration of purpose.
He has become widely known as a promoter of a big Atlantic City enterprise and his business affiliations keep him in touch with men of affairs in all parts of the country. By all with whom circumstances bring him in contact, Mr. Cadwell is recognized as a forceful man with considerable reserve power and with capabilities greater than any achievements of his, as yet recorded. In other words, he is a man with a future radiant in promise.
In politics he is a Democrat and in a city normally Republican by a handsome major- ity, he has twice succeeded in forging one thousand votes ahead of his ticket, as the Demo- cratic candidate for representative in the General Assembly.
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He is a most enthusiastic hunter and fisherman, and maintains a beautiful place at Kego Park, in the Adirondacks, to which he retires for the complete enjoyment of his two hob- bies during the height of the hunting and fishing seasons. There, utterly absorbed in the streams and the woods, entirely relaxed from the cares of business he spends the pleasant- est hours of his life.
Another relaxation from the strenuous existence, he obtains through his "auto," for he is an ardent "autoist." He is a prominent member of the New Britain Park Association and takes an active interest in its affairs.
Some years ago he married a daughter of Reuben W. Hadley, a well-known resident of New Britain, and they have no children. Both are fond of social life and have a wide circle of friends.
Mr. Cadwell's office is in the Park Hotel in the heart of New Britain, and his work is so extensive, he has a considerable force of assistants.
Many and responsible are the undertakings entrusted to his care and ample are his resources with which to perform all duties which come to him in the rounds of his busy days, weeks and years.
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WILLIAM H. LYON
MAJOR WILLIAM H. LYON, MERIDEN
Aide-de-Camp
The thriving little city of Meriden has produced several men of mark and among these one of the men best known to the generation of to-day is William H. Lyon, whose business and social success has been constant and ever increasing.
Mr. Lyon is a native son of the Silver City, having been born there, Aug. 11, 1854, the son of George W. and Harriet Snow Lyon. Both parents are now deceased.
Mr. Lyon attended the public schools of Meriden, receiving an elementary and gram- mar school education. When very young his school days came to an end and he began real earnest life.
His was an enthusiastic, ambitious nature, eager to do. With him an idea is quickly followed by planning and without any loss of time action succeeds the plan. These char- acteristics made themselves felt early in life and so commended themselves that immediately on completing his education he was given a position in the office of the Lyon & Billard Com- pany, of which his father was the head.
He took to business with the same natural style that a duck takes to water and from the first it was quite evident that young Lyon was destined for the business career. The char- acteristics of shrewdness, tenacity, perseverance, judgment, quick wit and foresight, aided and abetted by strength of body and mind and an enormous capacity for work, made themselves felt in his daily dealing with men and matters. He was quick to see, rapid of action, and above all true to whatever trust was laid on him.
His superiors in position noted his many fine qualifications. They had been taught by experience that here was the kind of youth who inevitably rises. Bound to rise, endowed by nature and strengthened by training in the traits through which triumph comes, his future looked bright and his steady progress caused no surprise.
In the year 1886, he became associated with the Charles Parker Company as assistant to Dexter W. Parker, his brother-in-law. The latter was at the time secretary and treasurer of the organization. Mr. Lyon's success in this post was quite as emphatic as in his earlier life and in three years he so mastered the minutest details of the business that at the expira- tion of that period he was elected as secretary and treasurer of the company.
For a decade he has guided the destinies of the company, having sole charge of its immense volume of business. He has mastered the art of management of every department and the power to govern men and he is a man of weight in the community.
His business interests are by no means confined to the company of which he has been secretary and treasurer for ten years, but have broadened to include many other lines of endeavor. The Parker Clock Company with which he has been identified for some time has chosen him as its president and treasurer.
Another company with which he has been associated for several years is the Meriden Curtain Fixture Company, of which he has been elected vice-president.
He still continues his connection with the Lyon & Billard Company, with whom his business life began, acting as their secretary.
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Outside of Meriden, he also has several business affiliations. He is vice-president of the Hall Signal Company of New York City, and is a director of the Columbia Shade Cloth Company of New York City. He is also director of the First National Bank of Meriden.
Socially, Mr. Lyon is extremely popular and is a member of several fashionable clubs, among them the Home Club and Colonial Club of Meriden and the Hartford Club. In all of these he has filled office and is a valued and influential member and like most men who have accomplished much in the strenuous life, is glad to throw aside cares and gain com- plete relaxation among congenial friends and thoroughly enjoy social pleasures.
Mr. Lyon married in 1880 Miss Annie D. Parker, daughter of Hon. Charles Parker, and has one daughter, Miss Elsie Parker Lyon. Mrs. Lyon died in December, 1902.
Politically, Mr. Lyon has been but little in evidence, although he has been an ardent Republican and has been several times sought as a candidate. In the last campaign he was nominated by the Republicans of the Thirteenth Senatorial District but was defeated by a small majority. His main interests in life lie in the direction of business and he is the typical successful man, who is a power in his city and state.
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9
JOHN GIBBINS
JOHN GIBBINS, NEW HAVEN
Many years ago Peter Gibbins forsook the green fields of Erin's Isle for Connecticut's shores, preferring a land overflowing with milk and honey to one sung full oft by the poets, but a little too airily regardless of the insistent claims of that importunate, Monsieur l'Estomac.
He paid his scot to the land of his adoption by adding to its population several sturdy boys, who have grown up to take an honorable place in the city's activities.
They have learned the lesson taught by the old man and the bundle of fagots, which, easily broken, when taken one by one, are a force to be reckoned with when united. With a harmony that should prove a worthy example to many another family, they have worked together to build up a large grocery business at the corner of State and Pearl streets. Here they dispense the absolutely necessary with a dispatch and alertness that has won them a large patronage. Business integrity, that's the Gibbinses! What they tell you goes. The housewife who has a squeamish family to cook for, can be sure that at the firm of Gibbins Bros. she will find the very best and freshest of all the earth affords. Not only that, but the keynote of the establishment is neatness. The germ and microbe have come to stay. It is our private opinion that the man who invented them, allowed his inventive zeal to run away with his good judgment. There are a great many breeds of the wrigglers that are of no more use to us, or of civic adornment than the English sparrow, while still others take a savage delight in fastening themselves upon the human race like vampires to suck away its very life blood. However, since the genie is out of his bottle, and offers no hope of ever going back into it again, the only thing to do is to study how to make him as harm- less as possible.
The doctors are doing much toward discouraging the germ when he has set up house- keeping within the human system; they accomplish far more when they adopt measures of prevention, and the greatest of all these is to insure the absolute cleanliness of the food we eat. The day was, when it sufficed to keep the butter off the floor, and the molassses mod- erately well protected against flies, this on the principle that too many flies, in toto, are not appetizing, but without the least suspicion that one of these cute little creatures might carry enough poison on his middle finger to wipe out a whole community, or that the wind from the street was making of those tempting looking bonbons a death trap for some child.
The protection of food, therefore, against the unseen foe that lurks on every hand, has become a fine art, and to those progressive grocers who have not shrunk from the extra outlay of time and money entailed upon them by the proper treatment of food, we all owe we know not how great a debt.
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