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 18
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responsible for his political success. It has been truly said that the successful man in polit- ical life is the man above all men to be trusted. His word is as good as his bond. He despises double dealing, and for the political trickster he has no use.
Mr. Hartman's training and environments have led him naturally into the tents of the Republican party. Believing that by the Republican party's success is accomplished the greatest good to the greatest number, it is for the success of this party that Mr. Hartman has worked unselfishly for years, early and late.
In his native place, he has served two terms in the common council, and has been town committeeman continuously since 1888-for four years of which time he was chirmnan of the committee. Since 1904, he has been the delegate from the Sixth District to the State Central Committee, the last time winning by a handsome majority over a rival faction which had put in considerable time and effort to defeat him.
It will be readily appreciated that while the few lines above do not enumerate any high official positions with remunerative salaries attached, they represent many years of hard and unremitting work carried on at considerable personal expense of time and money to Mr. Hartman. Only those who have been so engaged know the immense amount of detail work and drudgery incident to the committee room. Herein may be seen the value of his business training which peculiarly fits him for such tasks. His recompense has been the satisfaction of his work well done, and he has spared no pains to make sure of the party's success, which in the minds of those as loyal as himself, is synonymous with the suc- cess of the commonwealth. He realizes with the historian, that "History is past politics and politics is present history," and that in his part of the making of present history he will do what he can to make it right.
If Mr. Hartman has ambitions for future political preferment, he has not honored the writer with his confidence. However that may be, we know that his sincerity, his whole-souled devotion to the interests of his party and his business ability merit recognition. His personal honesty is a guaranty that he will not abuse the confidence reposed in him, and the honor or benefits will not be so much to him as to the party and people whom he serves. They may deem themselves fortunate in having in their service the mature judgment and experience of the head and heart of William T. Hartman.
Mr. Hartman is now a member of the Republican State Central Committee, and in this office he will undoubtedly prove an invaluable member; one whose careful training in business will serve well the needs of the party, and whose loyal enthusiasm will inspire others to take hold of the wheel and help along.
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Hon. JUSTUS A. TRAUT
HON. JUSTUS A. TRAUT, NEW BRITAIN
In science alone has there been any considerable advance ; only in our knowledge of the laws of the material world about us, and in our application of these laws to our comfort are we greatly different from the men of Pompeii who lay even to-day wrapped in their ashen shrouds.
What a progress it has been to be sure! From the day Benjamin Franklin demon- strated the kinship of the electricity of the laboratory with the lightning of the sky, to our own day, invention has trod so fast upon the heels of discovery that the gasp of amazement has scarce died from our lips ere a new marvel brings it there afresh. For every new law discovered, a dozen new applications have suggested themselves, and machine has followed machine into limbo as succeeding inventions have rendered the patent of yesterday worth- less. New worlds have opened up before us, and our manner of material living is utterly changed. The blending of the Anglo-Saxon and French, the practical and the poetic, has resulted in a type of intellect which is peculiarly adapted to a work that requires a strong imagination joined to what we call "knack." Among Yankees, too, the citizens of Connecti- cut are in the lead for inventive triumphs. So it shocks our amour propre not a little to find that the man who holds second place among inventors for the number of patents granted at the United States bureau of patents, though a citizen of Connecticut, is a native of a for- eign country.
Mr. Justus A. Traut was born in Potsdam, near Berlin, Prussia, in the year 1839. He is the son of an inventor, F. A. Traut, who acquired a snug fortune, thanks to his inven- tive genius, and was able to maintain a fine estate therefrom not far from Berlin. Justus A. Traut's childhood, up to his eighth year, was spent there, but owing to the revolution- ary troubles, which broke out in great violence in 1848, Mr. Traut, Senior, deemed it advis- able to sell his somewhat isolated place in the country and settle in Berlin.
It was, therefore, in the capital of the German Empire that young Traut received his education. The German gymnasia are noted for their high standards and above all for their thoroughness. It is greatly to Mr. Traut's credit that he emerged with high honors from a Berlin Gymnasium at the early age of fourteen years. He left his school and his country at almost the same time, for his father was already in America, and he came in 1854 to join him. It is almost certain that if Mr. Traut's school-days had been spent in America instead of in Germany, he would not have imbibed so much of that spirit of thoroughness which has made for him his success in life. Again, he has gained in culture by contact with two intellectual and literary worlds, which his command of two languages gives him. Father and son worked together at first for the firm of Hall & Knapp, of New Britain, who were contractors and designers. This firm, in 1856, with the A. Stanley & Co. and Charles L. Mead, Brattleboro, Vermont, was merged into The Stanley Rule & Level Company. Justus A. Traut has remained with this Corporation ever since, or for a period of over fifty years. During that time he has worked unceasingly for the success of the Corporation. Again and again he has found ways of improving the Company's machin- ery, making beneficial and successful changes in their goods that increased their renown
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and insured their demand. The list of novel, odd and useful devices which he turned out is very long. The greater number of these have to do with carpenters' tools and the like. Others, again, illustrate how his genius took a sudden leap into the realm of domestic accoutrements, or of sport. In all, these number over three hundred, a splendid string of trophies, won by hard and honest labor.
Mr. Traut is interested in other manufacturing concerns besides The Stanley Rule & Level Company. He established the Traut & Hine Manufacturing Company in 1889. This Company has enjoyed a large portion of prosperity in its eighteen years of existence.
Mr. Traut was one of the public-spirited citizens of New Britain to help establish the General Hospital there. Besides, he has helped guide it on its way to increased usefulness as a member of its board of directors.
Mr. Traut has served his townsmen in a number of offices, but is of too retiring a nature to bid for larger honors.
He loves the country life, and with true German studiousness has inquired deeply into the secrets of nature. That he has a profound knowledge of physics and the laws of mechanics his great array of inventions attest.
While still in connection with The Stanley Rule & Level Company, Mr. Traut, in the year 1890, established the Traut & Hine Manufacturing Company, of which he made his eldest son, George W., Manager. Father and son, endowed with executive ability, thorough, conscientious and able in every respect, proved very successful managers and manipulators, and so fully grasped the needs of the trade they represented that within a few years the then humble little shop in town grew into one of the most prosperous and respected manufacturing concerns in its line.
At The Stanley Rule & Level Company Mr. Traut is assisted by his younger son, Frank L., who, in every sense of the word, is his father's right hand. In fact, father and son have become inseparable in business, and are in constant consultation on all matters concerning their factories, and inseparable friends in their hours of leisure.
During his career in New Britain, Conn., J. A. Traut has held various town and city offices. He is President of the Traut & Hine Manufacturing Company; Director of the New Britain National Bank of New Britain ; served as President of the New Britain Gen- eral Hospital since its organization. He resigned recently from this office, but is still active as a Director of this institution, and is on its Executive Board. He is a generous contrib- utor to all philanthropic undertakings, and takes sincere and earnest interest in all munici- pal and educational matters that make progress and improvement in his community or ben- efits the world at large.
Mr. Justus A. Traut is a Knight of the Washington Commandery ; he belongs to the Sphinx Shrine, and is a member of the Knights of Pythias, President of the Farmington Country Club, and a member of the New Britain and the Hartford Club, but, above all else, he is a man of high principles and kindness of heart that make him the honored citizen and beloved friend that he is.
The subject of the above sketch has since "passed on."
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Representative ALBERT F. ROCKWELL
REPRESENTATIVE ALBERT F. ROCKWELL, BRISTOL
Thoroughly in touch with modern requirements, a man of the hour, with skill and ability to meet the demands of the day, yet with a high-bred personality, retiring and unaf- fected of manner-these in a few phrases sum up a few of the characteristics of Hon. Albert F. Rockwell of Bristol.
Mr. Rockwell is at present filling out his term of a Representative from the thriving town of Bristol and is a man in whom his colleagues rightly place implicit confidence; for his honor, sincerity and reliability have been tried again and again and found to be of the unimpeachable variety.
Mr. Rockwell has seen much of his native country for, outside of pleasure jaunts, his education and work have carried him into several different sections.
Born in Woodhull, New York, April 8, 1862, the son of Leander and Fidelia Locke Rockwell, he received his education in the common schools of Morris, Ill. His boyhood and early manhood were spent in that town and there he laid the foundations of character and business principles which have stood by him all of his life.
It was to the hardware business that he was first attracted and soon after he had attained the years of manhood, he engaged in that business in Jacksonville, Florida.
He continued successfully for four years and in 1888 decided to come North. Most of the time since that year he has spent in Connecticut.
Business has always held a fascination for Mr. Rockwell and for the business life, he is wonderfully well equipped. He is well-poised, alert, ambitious, willing to sacrifice pleas- ure in order to center his energy on the work in hand. He is a master of detail. Knows not only his own work, its breadth and possibilities, but also the men over whose destiny he has control.
It is his grasp of the personal side, his human sympathy, his knowledge of the value of a word of encouragement spoken at the exactly right, psychological moment which explains much of his success.
He has worked up from lower positions, has climbed the ladder and does not forget claims and hopes of others who are striving to do the same.
For this reason, he is tremendously popular with his men and they are glad to carry out his wishes and work with a will under such a leader. Mr. Rockwell is at present the president and general manager of the New-Departure Manufacturing Company of Bris- tol, one of the most important concerns in that town. The principal article manufactured is the "New-Departure Coaster Brake" a standard modern invention, in marked demand among discerning cyclists.
The market is a wide one and Mr. Rockwell's tact and well advised dealings with men have contributed to extend the list of customers, quite materially.
In Connecticut, within the past half decade, there has been a marked tendency toward sending business men to the General Assembly, electing them to the mayoralty of the larger cities and so distinct has been this tendency that it has been observed in the choice of a gov- ernor of the State.
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Americans are fast realizing that the business man who has attained success in his own line, is a most excellent man to make and administer laws; that the introduction of busi- ness methods into public life is a good thing to be commended and to be continued.
Bristol was one of the towns where this sentiment took deep root and the Republicans of that town concluded that they could offer 110 more appealing candidate for representative, in the election of 1906, than Mr. Rockwell. He was the ideal type of successful business man and had a valuable asset in the way of personal popularity.
He consented to accept the nomination and was elected. In the House, he served faithfully and with marked efficiency as the House Chairman of the Committee on Appropri- ations.
As will be recalled by all familiar with the history of the Legislature of 1907, some of the weightiest matters in the entire session were those which came before this committee, and the skillful and brilliant manner in which these duties were discharged reflected credit on each and every member of the committee.
To them fell the lot of devising a plan to raise the sum of $6,500,000 necessary to erect a state arsenal, state library and effect large highway improvements and the task was wonderfully well done.
Representative Rockwell is married, his wife having been Miss Nettie E. Williams, the marriage taking place on December 24, 1898. His home is in Bristol.
He is fond of social life and is a member of the Country Club of Farmington, of the Elks, Knights of Pythias and Masons. He fills an important place in the community and is rated in the forefront of Bristol's honored citizens, making his interests and ambitions par- allel with those of the town of his adoption.
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Store 19
Hon. GEORGE W. CORBIN
HON. GEO. W. CORBIN, NEW BRITAIN
The name of Corbin associated with big hardware enterprises has gone forth all over the United States of America. In Connecticut, there is not a man engaged or interested in manufactures to whom it is not familiar.
George W. Corbin, the subject of this sketch, is a worthy bearer of the name. He has not yet seen his golden birthday anniversary, having been born March 3, 1859.
Like many New England men, he was born in the town where he has won distinction, and it was in New Britain that his infancy and childhood were spent. After completing his education in the New Britain public schools, he became a student in Wesleyan Academy, at Wilbraham, Mass., where he completed his studies and prepared for life.
He was the son of the late Waldo Corbin, a brother of Philip Corbin, President of the American Hardware Corporation. It was only natural that his mind should turn in the industrial direction. New Britain is primarily a manufacturing city, and the P. & F. Corbin Company is, far and away, the most important establishment of the kind in the State.
It would have been easy for the young college graduate, nephew of the famous manufacturer, to have taken some high positon in the concern, had he wished to begin life in a post secured only by influence.
But George W. Corbin was not of that calibre of manhood. He wanted to do things well, and realized that to master the business he must begin at the bottom. So he entered the factory in the same humble rank as any other new and "green" factory hand, and toiled through the several years needed to learn the business. True, he was brighter than most, had a keen grasp of the business, and naturally a closer interest than many, so in those years he learned thoroughly and well. The men at the head recognized his ability, and to further test his qualifications, as well as reward his efforts, they sent him out on the road. He was endowed with a remarkably pleasing personality and that charm of a quick wit, which, while keen, never stings. These qualities opened the road to success, as they were enriched by a business sagacity quite as wonderful. Traveling, as he did, all over the country, he soon established a reputation as a salesman in all of the big trade centers of the United States, a reputation which could justly be called national.
Naturally, he concentrated his attention still more strongly on the hardware business, in which his entire family was interested, and, with his highly-developed qualifications, he became a very important factor in the upbuilding of the Corbin Cabinet Lock Company, which was established in 1882. Later he was chosen as President of this branch of the American Hardware Corporation.
Re-organization of the Union Manufacturing Company also fell mainly on him, a few years ago, and he was elected its President. Business claims a great part of his time and attention, and his interests are large and varied.
In the political life he has also played a conspicuous part. With such a personality, such rare good humor, and never-failing wit. he would naturally have a very wide circle of friends. His splendid business record, too, brought him to the attention of the political
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workers early in life. When quite a young man he was chosen as Councilman for the First Ward.
Under the new charter which went into effect in 1894, he was chosen as the first Mayor, and his great strength is indicated by the fact that he defeated one of the most popular men in the city, the late Congressman Robert J. Vance.
The schools have been one of his hobbies, and he was recently chosen a member of the School Board. A new school was projected and Mr. Corbin at once chosen as chairman of the committee on plans for building the school in the northwestern part of his city.
His friends have frequently urged him to run for Senator, and in the last campaign he was the Republican candidate from the Sixth District, receiving the unanimous nomina- tion, but was defeated.
Socially he has tremendous popularity. He is affiliated with practically all of the well-known secret societies, and is prominent in fraternal activities. His interests also cover the philanthropic field. His wife is an active Sunshiner, and Mr. Corbin has been a good friend to all charitable organizations.
His unaffected manner and warm interest in all that concerns humanity, his attitude towards his employes, and his friendly way of greeting all, have combined to make him one of the most deservedly popular men in New Britain.
His home is a centre of social life, and when he can drop business cares long enough, Mr. Corbin likes to travel.
He is adding daily to the prestige and power of the Corbin name, and is increasing the honor and respect in which he is held.
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WATTE
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Hon. JOHN WILKINSON
HON. JOHN WILKINSON, WEST HAVEN
God, give us men, the time demands
Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and willing hands;
Men whom the lust of office does not kill;
Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy ;
Men who possess opinions and a will ;
Men who have honor, men who will not lie;
Men who can stand before a demagogue
And damn his treacherous flatteries without winking ;
Tall men, sun crowned, who live above the fog,
In public duty and in private thinking.
The above coming from the pen of one J. G. Holland, seems to voice exactly the sen- timents of the general public to-day.
We need "men"-good men-strong men-"men who live above the fog"-men who see their duty toward their fellow-men and are anxious to follow the proper path to assist in their betterment.
While West Haven has many times before been glad to throw the limelight on the beautiful career of some of its townsmen who have filled the requirements of the above. it can truly be proud of the past record of Judge Wilkinson. A man of opinions, of a will, and of a character knowing no fear, he has endeared himself, not only to the inhabitants of West Haven, but there is not a town or city in the State of Connecticut but what has an affection for him.
Why? There are several reasons. The Judge is a very agreeable man to know. He is kind-hearted and tolerant of the opinions of others. He has a cheery word for everybody -he has-well, why try to enumerate?
Senator Bayard in addressing the students of Virginia University might well have taken as a subject the life of Judge Wilkinson, for he said :
"Who misses or who wins the prize, Go-lose or conquer, as you can ; But if you fall or if you rise, Be each, pray God, a gentleman."
There's the secret in verse. Sociable, quick to make good friends and quick to dis- cover bad ones, straightforward in dealings of any sort, he has both in private and public life gathered under his banner a host of followers who look upon the Judge as a leader and who pay high regard to his views on the political questions of the day.
But to tell about Judge Wilkinson, of course his birthplace must be recorded, and that was no greater distance from his present abode than New Haven, for he was born in that city on December 19, 1856. His father was John Wilkinson, his mother, Elizabeth ( Mof- fatt) Wilkinson. In the 1860's he attended the public schools of New Haven and up to 1873, when at the age of sixteen, he began to learn the confectioner's trade. Haven't you ever
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heard of Wilkinson's candy store in West Haven? That's his place of business nowa- days, and judging by the product turned out, the years following 1873 were full of good experience for young Wilkinson.
On November 27, 1878, he married Miss Ella J. Smith, daughter of Edward A. Smith, and a daughter blesses the union, Mary Ella Wilkinson.
For thirty-five years Judge Wilkinson lived in New Haven, but in 1891 he located in West Haven, where he has since resided.
If you have ever heard of Judge Wilkinson it isn't necessary to chronicle that he is a strong Republican, for he has held many offices under Republican administration, and although tried in various positions, has never yet been found wanting. He has served for three consecutive terms as grand juror of the town of Orange, for two years he was a mem- ber of the board of warden and burgesses and one year he was tax collector of the borough of West Haven. In April, 1901, he was elected Deputy Clerk and Judge of the Orange Town Court, was re-elected in 1903 and again in 1905.
As a Judge he has shown himself to be absolutely fearless and fair. But to prove that he is tenacious of his convictions, just acquaint yourself with the way he fought for the several measures he interested himself in while in the House of Reprsentatives, particularly the efforts he made to have his committee's report accepted, he being a member of the very important committee on cities and boroughs.
It is well to note that during the very busy career of the subject of our sketch he has always found time to attend to his religious duties, for he is a regular attendant of the Con- gregational Church. Socially he has won considerable distinction, for he is past master of Olive Branch, No. 84, F. and A. M .; he is secretary of Annawan Lodge, No. 115, F. and A. M .; secretary of Joseph Andrews Chapter, No. 46, R. A. M., and past high priest of Joseph Andrews Chapter, R. A. M. He has won distinction in each office to which he has been elected, and has brought to each position a business-like method which shows his strong indi- viduality.
As presiding Judge of the Orange Town court he has rapidly enforced the law against wanton law-breakers, but he is not one to forget that mercy is a quality which is capable of exercise in the cause of good order and good morals.
While we might predict, and predict truthfully, a very successful career for Judge Wilkinson, it is unnecessary so to do, for he has stationed himself so strongly in the hearts of his constituents, and they in turn have such faith in his souud judgment, that political success must needs be his, and any person knowing the Judge, will agree, and must believe. that he is capable of satisfactorily serving his party and his friends in whatever capacity they may see fit to elect him.
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Hon. DAVID N. CAMP
HON. DAVID N. CAMP, NEW BRITAIN
"Delightful task! to hear the tender thought, To teach the young Idea how to shoot,
To pour the fresh Instruction o'er the Mind,
To breathe the enlivening Spirit, and to fix
The generous Purpose in the glowing breast."
One of the most inspiring things in the history of letters is the struggle which cer- tain men have made successfully against great odds. The tameless spirit-which Walter Scott showed in the face of financial disaster is proverbial, and has been equalled in our times by Mark Twain-surpassed as for cash results. But our hearts are touched with a deeper thrill when some physical ailment puts an all but insurmountable barrier in the path. Scott and Clemens, whatever their rating in Bradstreets, were in good health. But when we contemplate the "long sickness" that life was to Pope, we are inclined to forgive him his satire; when we remember Heine's unstrung nerves and the torture of his later years, we are amazed to find so much sweetness mixed with the bitter in his writings.
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