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 14
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Mr. John Gibbins, one of the brothers, is particularly interested in that line. He also deserves great praise for the straightforward business efficiency he brought with him into a branch of the city's business, the board of health. Mr. Gibbins has an opportunity to serve the public here in a far more direct way, for as inspector of the city's supply of milk, he stands between our little babies, and the thousand and one ills their tender age is heir to. For of all the stamping grounds where microbes most do love to congregate, there is none
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equal to milk. When one considers that the new milk of even a healthy cow contains a whole colony of germs, and that the slackness of the milker may add many thousands, nay, millions, and that all the way along, in the cans, in the dippers and dishes, eager throngs are waiting to join the triumphal processsion to forage on baby's inwards, we are reminded of the solmen truth that "In the midst of life, we are in death." Mr. Gibbins' duty is to keep a watchful eye on the city's milk, enforcing certain regulations that will tend to elim- inate as many sources of contamination as possible. The main point to be guarded against is the adulteration of the milk by the addition of water, and, often, some such solid as chalk, to give the right consistency. At stated intervals, every milk man holding a license from the department must present a sample of the milk, which he is distributing, for inspection. These samples are usually taken at random, from the cart in the street, by the inspector, and at a time when the driver is not expecting him, to insure a fair test. Mr. Gibbins has pushed this part of his work so aggressively that the fraternity are now always expecting the unexpected, with the result that the New Haven milk supply is up to a high standard. Out of fairness to the milk men, we ought to say that the great majority of them are undoubtedly glad to be thus rigorously held up to the mark. They are willing enough to sell honest milk when not forced to adulterate in self-defense against an unscrupulous minority.
It takes the inspector but a moment to detect watered milk. However cleverly the necessary weight may have been secured by the addition of solids, the fraud stands unmasked before the Babcock test. This shows at a glance the exact amount of fats con- tained in the sample, which in good milk never falls below a certain quantity.
Mr. Gibbins has the power to punish offenders by revoking their licenses when advis- able. His relations with the milkmen have always been cordial in the six years during which he has held the position, but they know full well that he is inexorable in insisting on pure milk.
Mr. Gibbins is now about 35 years old; he was born in New Haven in 1872. He received his education in the public schools. Of a genial, open nature, he takes great pride in his membership among the Knights of Columbus, and the Knights of St. Patrick. As secretary of the house committee of the latter order, he has the management of the club house.
In politics Mr. Gibbins waves the Democratic flag, and is always ready to do his part in the work of the organization. His political friends are warm in their praise of his ardent loyalty to his party, while his Republican friends, of whom he has many, console themselves with the thought that as long as there must be an opposition, it's lucky they are good fellows.
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JOHN H. NAPHEY
JOHN H. NAPHEY, BRIDGEPORT
The busy city of Bridgeport, never ceasing in its activities, determined to become the metropolis of Connecticut in spite of the best efforts of her rival municipalities, is also a hive of political industry and produces some of the cleverest political leaders in the state, men whose influence extends far beyond the city or district in which they live.
Men who go to Bridgeport from other cities are quick to feel this atmosphere and it stimulates their desire for political life and rouses their ambitions.
Such has been the experience of Mr. John H. Naphey, who went to Bridgeport from New Britain, his home for several decades, in the year 1890.
Mr. Naphey was born in Hastings, N. Y., August 25, 1866, and when he was but five years of age removed to New Britain.
He was sent to the public schools of that city and was graduated from the New Britain grammar school. The art of printing, which has played such an important part in the growth and development of civilization and education, claimed his earnest attention and he decided to become a printer.
He apprenticed himself to the Adkins Printing Company of New Britain and learned the trade. New Britain had not a daily newspaper up to that time, and as there seemed to be a strong demand for such an institution, the New Britain Herald, which has continued and prospered ever since, was founded.
Mr. Naphey is glad to recall that he set type for the inaugural issue of that paper during his years with the Adkins Printing company.
A very good offer came to Mr. Naphey from Bridgeport and his acceptance took him away from New Britain, where he had many friends and a high standing in political and social circles. He became closely connected with Walter D. Phillips, inventor of the Phillips-Morse telegraph code, in the printing and advertising departments of the Columbia Phonograph company.
Mr. Naphey won the respect and liking of his associates in Bridgeport just as he had in New Britain. Of a genial nature, good executive ability and attending strictly to his own affairs, he made friends rapidly and was given positions of trust.
Particularly has he been active in military service for his state, in both cities, and has many warm friends in military circles. He first joined Company E of the First Regiment in New Britain, where he served during a term of five years; then for seven years he per- formed duties in connection with the Fourth Section, Machine Gun Battery, one year with the Third Division, Naval Battalion, and three years with Company E of Bridgeport, with the Third Regiment.
He has always had immense popularity among the soldier boys, and won this valuable asset through the same attributes of geniality, open heartedness and friendly disposition which made him so successful in business.
His first telling work in politics was in behalf of William E. Simonds when the latter was nominated by the Republicans of the First Congressional District, as their representa- tive at Washington. Mr. Naphey was a deeply interested and untiring worker, enlisting
the active aid of scores of personal friends and proving a valuable leader. Mr. Simonds was successful and ascribed no small part of his success to the faithful endeavors of Mr. Naphey.
Since that time the latter has been a constant worker in the Republican ranks and his party has reason to be grateful to him for his loyal service. He has been honored by nom- ination from the Twenty-second Senatorial District and is undoubtedly a man with a bright future.
He belongs to several clubs, among them the Woodmen of the World, J. C. Tuthill Camp, Bridgeport Club and the Germania Society.
Since every community may be a severe sufferer from fire, it behooves good citizens to guard against that danger in the most practicable fashion, and that this has been care- fully thought out by Mr. Naphey is evidenced by the fact that he is secretary of Pacific Engine Company, Volunteer Firemen's Association.
Mr. Naphey is married and has three daughters, Grace, Marjorie and Ida. His home is at No. 96 George Street.
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Hon. GEORGE W. KEELER
HON. GEORGE W. KEELER, CHESHIRE
"Breathes there a man with soul so dead, Who never to himself hath said,
'This is my own, my native land !' Whose heart ne'er within him burn'd, As home his footsteps he hath turn'd From wandering on a foreign strand !"
-Scott.
Many of us while admitting a certain amount of enthusiasm for the nation as a whole. are either wholly indifferent to the town in which we live or have a malicious pleasure in pointing out its defects, remaining quite blind to its merits. Many esteem it a mark of cul- ture and discrimination to disparage the things, customs, manners, facilities, what all, about home. That shows we have traveled, don't you see, and that we have had a chance to learn something of the world, and see how they do things in places that are worth while. And we look down in condescending pity on the plodders who have always stayed at home, and never realized how provincial they are.
Then there are those who shout the loudest, proclaiming from the housetops how fondly their hearts go out for the home town. They will tell you that its every roof-tree is dear to their hearts and that they do so wish prosperity might come to it ; that it might grow and shake off its provincialism, and amount to something. Of course, they say, it's a little "one-horse" town, and they don't much blame outside people for turning up their noses at it, but as for them-and here they assume an air of conscious virtue-"With all its faults, they love it still; therefore once more, three times three for the old place." And that is the end of it.
They have taken it all out in effervescence, and if it occurred to them to do anything about it, the force of their emotion would already have been spent in-what shall I say- patriotic verbiage?
But there is another type of citizen who loves his town at the same time that he is not blind to her faults. He is not narrow and bigoted; he, too, has traveled, and has seen better ways of doing things. But he applies this experience, which he has gained, toward making his town more like those other model ones. That is the only true patriotism; the patriotism of deeds, not of words.
Every town has some such loyal sons, whose motto is: My town, right or wrong ; if wrong, set her right. Now Cheshire is not the worst place on the map of Connecticut, by many. Neither is it the best, nor the biggest. It numbered a scant two thousand souls at the last census. But the important thing about a town is not: How large is it, but is it growing in numbers, improving in conditions? This can be answered in the affirmative as regards Cheshire, and its citizens will tell you that the cheerful outlook is due in great meas- ure to that loyal citizen, the Hon. George W. Keeler, whom we wish to honor in this sketch. They will tell you down there, that he is one of the best known and most highly respected residents of Cheshire ; that he is a man of sterling integrity, of exemplary purposes and a
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public-spirited citizen who would adorn any community by his true worth of character. Mr. Keeler is all Cheshire. He was born there on April 6, 1861. He is a product of the home schools, and Cheshire Academy. On completing his course at the latter institution, his father took him into business along with himself. They carried on an undertaking busi- ness under the name of George Keeler & Son. The reputation of this firm is excellent throughout the state.
Mr. Keeler is an enthusiastic Republican. We may as well have said, Mr. Keeler is a Republican, for he is enthusiastic in all he undertakes. He has always been a hard worker for the party, never letting a stone remain unturned while he is campaigning. He is a well informed man on public questions, which with the added gift of ready speech, makes him a good debater.
Oftentimes, he has been called upon to serve his community in public office, in posi- tions as arduous as honorific. For instance, he has been tax collector for the town of Cheshire for sixteen years. That is no bed of roses, you may well think. While in this position he has acquired a knowledge of real estate in Cheshire and vicinity second to none. As an authority on realty values and kindred matters he is frequently consulted. He has turned this experience to account during the last five years by conducting a real estate busi- ness, and attracted a large patronage through his capability and square dealing. He has succeeded in locating several good families in Cheshire, thus contributing to the material welfare of the town.
Mr. Keeler was representative in the legislature in 1901, and strove indefatigably to obtain a charter for the Cheshire Street Railway Company. This charter was granted after a hard fight. Cheshire and the neighboring towns through which the railroad runs, are the gainers. Many people have taken up their residences in Cheshire, who would not have done so in the absence of a trolley line.
Mr. Keeler is a member of the L. A. Thomas Lodge, I. O. O. F., which is strong in Cheshire. He also belongs to Temple Lodge, F. & A. M., and to the Fraternal Benefit League. In all of these he is popular. He is one who believes that there are plenty of opportunities to promote the well-being of one's home town, if we will only look for them.
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JOSEPH H. REID
JOSEPH H. REID, WATERBURY
Ambition is the keynote to success in practically every instance in life and without this quality to give impetus to every impulse, thought and deed, the struggle is apt to overpower even the most richly endowed. Given a man who has natural gifts, magnetism, eloquence, brains and a well trained mind and body, yet has not ambition, and he remains in his shallow pools of existence never knowing the strife of the open field of battle, or if his lot shall throw him into the field, he stagnates in one of the corners, while the ambitious, crowd over and past him.
Even the men with far fewer gifts, lacking the training and advantages of the first man sweep past him, ever pushed forward by ambition which loses no time nor opporunity, when advancement is in question.
Best of all, however, is the man with youth and gifts who adds to these the ambition to rise, to amount to something in life. Such is the subject of this sketch, Joseph H. Reid of Waterbury, who is not content to merely exist and do as well as the ordinary mortal, but is filled with a determination to get ahead in the race and win a name for himself.
Mr. Reid was born in the city of Waterbury and still lives in the same section of the city in which his boyhood days were passed.
He is the son of Bernard T. Reid and was educated in the public schools of that city. His teachers remember him as a keen, quick-witted boy, eager to learn and not slow to assim- ilate knowledge. He was born with ambition as his companion and although a thorough boy, loving the out-of-door life and boyish pastimes, was a doer rather than a dreamer from the very first. With his mind well trained he left school and entered the Waterbury post- office as assistant mailing clerk, remaining there for several years. It was not his intention, however, to always remain in the post-office. Opportunities for advancement were fairly good, and many young men would have been content to work for these and continue in the post-office all of their days.
But young Mr. Reid had a penchant for the law and during his spare moments he read law books and strengthened himself in his decision to become a lawyer.
So he left the post-office and entered the University of Virginia to study his chosen profession.
He was a zealous, conscientious and brilliant student ; with his eye fixed on the goal, he allowed nothing to interfere with his determination to make the very most of the opportuni- ties and facilities afforded him.
As might be expected from a young man in this frame of mind, and with an intellect to correspond with his determination, he was graduated with high honors and Waterbury took sincere pride in the fact.
Returning to Connecticut he at once took the bar examinations in Hartford and passed successfully. He has already won his way in the practice of the law and has handled many important cases, all with credit to himself and his training.
As his father was a life-long Republican and a man of weight in that party, the son was attracted to the cause and principles of Republicanism early in life and when voting age
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was attained registered with that party. He was an enthusiastic member of the party and was very popular with the politicians.
In the last campaign he was chosen as the standard bearer for the Republicans in the Sixteenth Senatorial District, a district nominally Democratic by a plurality of 1,100, and he made a valiant fight, although the odds were far too great to overcome. He demon- strated pluck and popularity, however, and revealed excellent qualities of character.
With youth, energy and a wealth of gifts at his command, success for him in his profession and in public life, if he so chooses, seems assured. He is courageous in the face of adversity, undaunted by opposition and has the qualities of manhood which make him a winner in the fight.
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JOHN A. OSBORN
JOHN A. OSBORN, NORWALK
The charming city of Norwalk, with its beautiful homes, its congenial population, and its thriving industries, contains several men of note and of these, one of the richest in friends and most highly regarded throughout the state is Hon. John A. Osborn. Mr. Osborn is a Connecticut man, having been born in New Canaan, Conn., June 29, 1847. He was the son of John and Lydia A. Duncomb Osborn.
He was a student in the public schools of New Canaan and after completing the course there entered Selleck's school in Norwalk, from which he was graduated.
At the age of 17 years the young man entered the employ of the Norwalk Mills Com- pany. From the first he demonstrated aptness and deep interest in the business and promo- tion came quickly. He rose from one post of responsibility to another and finally was elected president of the company, a position which he still holds.
The company has grown and broadened under his management, for through years of service in the various departments, he obtained a grasp of the many details of the business which makes him a very valuable official. During his youth and early manhood, his eyes were keen to observe deficiencies and points where improvement was needed and when the power to remedy deficiencies and order improvements arrived, he exerted it to the best purpose.
The company is one of the finest woolen manufactories in the state, and Mr. Osborn is known to all of the prominent woolen dealers and manufacturers of the country.
Business activities of many and diverse kinds have engaged his attention, and among the bodies of which he is a director are the Lounsbury & Bissel Company, the Norwalk Mills Company, the National Bank of Norwalk, the Norwalk public library, and the Winni- pauk Mills.
Mr. Osborn is a member of the Congregational Church and is highly respected and eagerly sought in the deliberations of the congregation.
On March 15, 1882, he was united in marriage with Miss Ella F. Perry of Norwalk, and they have one daughter, Harriet L., born in 1888.
When he attained the age of citizenship, Mr. Osborn associated himself with the Republican party and has always been a loyal and consistent supporter of the policies and candidates of that party.
His borough and his city have both honored him with public office, and have been the recipients of efficient service from him. He has acted as burgess of the borough of Norwalk and councilman of the city of Norwalk.
In every way a representative citizen, a man of public spirit, of breadth of informa- tion, one whose interests are wide and varied. he has been brought into contact with people of all types, and has gained a knowledge of men which makes him well equipped for public life.
All of these facts became known to his fellow-citizens and in 1904 the Republicans nominated him as their candidate for representative in the General Assembly. And then came a surprising incident and one which reveals, in a more marked manner than words, the
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power and magnetic personality of the man, for he was endorsed by the Democrats and on election day received practically the entire vote of the town.
In the General Assembly he was regarded as one of the most skilled and influential members in the House of Representatives. He was a member of the committee on rail- roads and also of the committee on constitutional amendments, and gave freely of his time and natural qualifications to make his service on both, a source of pride and satisfaction to his constituency.
He was further honored by an appointment from Governor Roberts to represent the city of Norwalk on the committee on uniform charters for cities to report to the next ses- sion of the legislature.
In all that he was called on to do, Mr. Osborn was faithful, zealous and conscien- tious. He never shirked, was ever energetic, active and in the forefront and his work was always of the telling kind.
He is a genial, upright gentleman with hosts of warm admirers and many loyal friends. He is devoted to home and church and is less fond of the club and fraternal life than are many men in the public eye.
He likes the social element, and delights in being surrounded by his friends. As Republican candidate for senator from the Twenty-sixth District in the last election, he suc- ceeded in lessening the Democratic plurality in that district from 573 to 100. His personal popularity is a valuable asset with which he will undoubtedly achieve much in the future.
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EDWARD T. BUCKINGHAM
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EDWARD T. BUCKINGHAM, BRIDGEPORT
Edward T. Buckingham of Bridgeport is a splendid example of the self-made man.
There is no other young man in the state who has forged his way to the front more rapidly.
It may be he has inherited his taste for politics from his celebrated ancestor, William A. Buckingham, the famous, "War Governor," whose statue adorns one of the parks at Hartford and from whom Mr. Buckingham is a direct descendant.
But wherever he gets his taste for public life, Mr. Buckingham's success as the choice of the people for public preferments is marked.
Born in Metuchen, New Jersey, in 1874, Mr. Buckingham came with his parents to Bridgeport when only three years old.
This and the fact that his forefathers for many generations were held in high regard in Bridgeport, give him the feeling of having been born as well as bred there.
His early education was received in the Grand street public school and later at the Bridgeport High School, from which he was graduated in 1891.
He then entered Yale, taking the academic course.
His tuition in college was obtained through a scholarship which in itself is a testimo- nial to his ability and quality of his mind, as scholarships go only to worthy and talented students.
As a boy Mr. Buckingham found his greatest enjoyment in reading or studying, with no absorbing fondness for any recreation other than that obtained in out-of-door sports, all of which he has followed and was prominent in.
It seemed as though early in life this boy grasped the fact that his advancement meant application, the concentrating of all his forces and with that thought ever in mind he made a serious thing of life, even as a student at Yale.
Yet the results have more than justified the means, and Mr. Buckingham to-day need feel no regret that his youth was not as rose-strewn as that of some of his compan- ions.
For a self-made man's joy in his successes, when reached by personal worth and tireless energy as were Mr. Buckingham's, must in every sense be soul satisfying.
Upon his graduation from Yale in 1895, Mr. Buckingham entered the Yale Law School.
Here again the metal of his determination to secure an education was proved, by his working his way through the school as assistant librarian.
In 1897 he was graduated from the Law School with high honors and the following year began the practice of law in Bridgeport. Upon attaining his majority he identified himself with the Democratic party, which rewarded him for his activities by his nomination to the city clerkship in 1901.
This was an important honor to confer upon so young a man, yet one that Mr. Buckingham fearlessly shouldered, carrying it with such success that in 1903 he was renomi- nated, his election at that time showing a majority of 2,535, the highest ever polled by a
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city clerk. Again in 1905 he was elected by a flattering majority and this year by one 2200 strong. Mr. Buckingham is known personally to more Bridgeporters than any other man who has ever held office in City Hall.
He accords everybody who visits his office a warm welcome, extending to them every possible courtesy and accommodation.
In this way, he has won hosts of friends in both parties and he has proved a strong candidate always for the independent vote.
During Mr. Buckingham's long term as city clerk, several radical reforms have been inaugurated by him in the maintenance of public records that render them almost instantly available.
The system of typewriting city records, afterwards adopted in nearly all city offices throughout the state, was introduced by him.
He has been consistenly progressive in the conduct of his duties since his first year in office.
Mr. Buckingham has an intimate knowledge of city government and is often called upon to make an address on the subject to the High School students, the Y. M. C. A. and other bodies where he reveals a close insight into affairs municipal and acquits himself with scholarly distinction.
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