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 19
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Somehow we think of blind Milton as merely singing out the divine melodies hidden in his soul, for which he was the better adapted, because a curtain was drawn over the outer world; but when we read one of Prescott's histories, with its wealth of detailed knowledge and curious annotations, we gasp at the prodigious effort of will required to make headway against such adverse winds.
That is what certain of his friends admire most in Professor David N. Camp. They admire the pluck with which he has returned again and again to the battle though forced several times to quit by reason of ill health. In the first place he was obliged, because of his delicate health as a boy, to relinquish the career for which his mother had destined him, that of a missionary. Man, or his mother proposes, but God disposes. Perhaps, had Professor Camp gone away to some cannibal island to carry the light, he would have been more preyed upon than praying, and ended by becoming a heathen himself, in the due course of assimila- tion, instead of becoming one of Connecticut's most venerable and influential educators, which is much nicer.
Mr. Camp was born on the third of October, 1820, in the town of Durham, Conn. His father was one of those high-browed farmers, who were the glory and the bulwark of our commonwealth, a teacher as well as farmer, a justice of the peace, and a deacon in the Con- gregational Church. Professor Camp's ancestry in this country goes back on his father's side to Nicholas Camp, who arrived in 1638, and on his mother's side to Theophilus Eaton, the first Governor of the New Haven Colony, so he is a "nutmegger" of the deepest dye. David Camp's boyhood days were spent on his father's farm, where light reading would not have been tolerated, even if the hour of the "ten best sellers" had yet struck, and he took recreation in fishing and hunting. Private instruction received at home was supplemented by a course at Durham Academy, and afterward at Meriden Acad- emy, and the Hartford Grammar School. An illness, which left him nearly blind, pre-
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vented his continuing with a college course, though in 1853, he received the honorary degree of A.M. from Yale.
On leaving school, Mr. Camp determined to become an educator. He taught for some years in the schools of Guilford, Branford, North Branford, and Meriden-in Meri- den Institute. He became a teacher of mathematics, moral philosophy, and geography in the Connecticut State Normal School at its founding in 1850; became the assistant principal two years later, and in 1857, became principal. His influence in this school was state-wide, as he had nothing to do with the moulding of the intellectual life of teachers, who in turn were to sow the good seed in all the towns and cities of the commonwealth. He was also State Superintendent of Public Schools, and in his official capacity visited nearly every town in the state, and many towns several times, lecturing and holding Teachers' Institutes. Professor Camp gave himself entirely to the work; so much so, that after sixteen years of incessant labor in the service of the state, his exhausted frame called out for rest. He resigned his position, and sought a change of ideas, if not complete rest in a prolonged stay in Europe, where he was given an opportunity to compare European methods of peda- gogy with each other and with our own.
He received a call while abroad to the chair of Mathematics and Geography in Mary- land State College on its re-opening after the Civil War, October, 1866.
In 1867 the Bureau of Education was established in Washington, with Dr. Henry Bar- nard as commissioner. Dr. Barnard had previously been associated with Professor Camp in educational work in Connecticut and Maryland and prevailed upon him to join the for- mer's staff, and thereby Professor Camp's sphere of influence became national. He was employed by the bureau in visiting the different states north of Virginia and Kentucky, and as far west as Iowa, to gather information and hold conferences with teachers and other educators.
On the death of his father, in 1868, Professor Camp was appointed administrator of the estate, and returned to Connecticut, where he was engaged in administrative duties for some months, and afterwards in literary work for a number of years.
The fruit of this labor is seen in "The Globe Manual," "The Primary, Intermediate and Higher Geographies," "The Outline Maps of the World," "The American Year Book and National Register," "The History of New Britain, Farmington and Berlin," etc.
He was for several years Editor and Manager of the Connecticut Common School Journal and The New Britain Herald.
Once more the pedagogic instinct drew into the stress of active teaching, this time in New Britain Seminary, which he founded in 1870, but again his failing health warned him that if his enthusiasm for his beloved profession knew no bounds, his endurance at least had its limits. He therefore, retired in 1880. Since then he has devoted himself to literary pursuits and to active business ; for this "missionaire rate," who became so forceful an educator, is none of your namby-pamby theorists who eschew all knowledge of the work- a-day practical world, who would be, on Wall Street, very much like the false prophets in the lion's den the day after Daniel left it. In Professor Camp, the intellectual nature is based
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upon a foundation of shrewd, practical common sense : in other words, he is a real Yankee, "to the manor born." In the best sense of the term bien entendu! It is the race capable of making wooden nutmegs, but whose intellectual keenness is tempered by strong Christian principles that has turned the world "tapsalteerie." If George Washington really and truly couldn't tell a lie, why he was no Yankee, that's all.
Professor Camp is interested in several business concerns. He is President of the Adkins Printing Co .; of the Skinner Chuck Co. ; a Director and Vice-President of the New Britain National Bank ; and a Director of some other corporations.
Politically, Professor Camp is a Republican. His has always been a popular name on their ticket, and he has brought honor to his party as well as to himself, as State Superin- tendent of Schools, as Alderman, Mayor, Assemblyman, and Chairman of the Committee on Education.
Professor Camp's rank as an educator has been recognized in his election as Secretary, then President of the Connecticut Teachers' Association ; as Secretary of the National Edu- cational Association. For several years, he was President of the New Britain Institute and is now Vice-President, and he has been chairman of its library committee, in all for more than fifty years.
In 1844, he joined his lot with that of Sarah Adaline Howd. Two children came to crown a happy marriage. One is still living, Mrs. Emma C. Rogers, wife of Deacon Daniel O. Rogers. Five of his grandchildren have been graduated from college or university. One is now a missionary in Turkey, Asia; another is pastor of a church in Vermont, but under appointment of the American Board of Commissioners, as a foreign missionary ; and a third is an instructor in Harvard University.
I have yet to touch upon a phase of the activity of him whom we may justly call the "grand old man" of Connecticut, that is, second to none in its influence upon the material, mental and moral welfare of our State. I niean his whole-souled endeavors in the cause of temperance. He was for ten years President of the Connecticut Temperance Society and is now a Life Director. Under his guidance, the Society has accomplished an untold good. For who can count the value of lives saved from the curse of drink ?
As was to be expected, he has done all in his power to forward the work of missions. As he could not give personal field service, he gave the best talent he had, namely, execu- tive ability. He has been auditor and chairman of the finance committee of the Connecticut Missionary Society for twenty-five years. Since 1900, he has been President of the Society. He has been auditor of the National Council of the Congregational Churches of the United States, for more than twenty-five years.
To David N. Camp, educator, upright business man, and untiring Christian reformer, the people of Connecticut owe a debt, which they can repay only by making their lives con- form more closely to the Ideal he has so long behield.
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Hon. CHARLES E. MITCHELL
HON. CHARLES E. MITCHELL, NEW BRITAIN
Mr. Charles E. Mitchell was born in the town of Bristol, Hartford County, Connecti- cut, on May 11, 1837. His first American ancestor on his mother's side was that Thomas Hooker, the Puritan preacher, who did so much for the beginning of the Connecticut col- ony. Later in the line came Ira Hooker, Mr. Mitchell's grandfather, a Revolutionary soldier, somewhat prominent in the state politics of his day. His paternal grandfather was also a member of the Senate.
Mr. Mitchell's father, George H. Mitchell, was postmaster at Bristol, and a merchant. His mother was Lurene Hooker Mitchell, a woman built in a noble mould, whose sympathy and care turned her son's unfolding faculties toward worthy aims. It was she who taught his young mind, eager for knowledge, to quaff of the purest Pierian springs. The lines of our greatest poets gave delight to him ; the pages of Macaulay's History aroused in him the responsive thrill of awakening ambition.
His preparatory schooling was somewhat irregular, because of the assistance he gave his father in the post-office. He recited to the High School teacher out of hours, and some- times to a clergyman of the town. His work was none the less thorough for being per- formed in this way, and he had no dullards in his class to hold him back. By way of for- mal preparation for entry to Brown University, he passed a year at Williston Seminary. He was graduated from the University in 1861. His college course was followed by a year or two of High School teaching. Then he entered with enthusiasm upon a law course at Albany Law School. He received his sheepskin from this institution in 1864, and began a general practice in New Britain. Perhaps the early interest he had felt in the study of mechanics accounts for the fact that his practice, from being general at first, trended rapidly toward specialization on the subject of patents.
His success in the handling of patents and trade-mark cases was marked; his clients came from far and near, as well as from his adopted city, and he found himself, before long, of national reputation, and often pleading cases before the Supreme Court of the United States.
Mr. Mitchell became so well and favorably known by the patent lawyers and their clients, the inventors all over America, that his selection by President Harrison was among the most satisfactory presidential appointments.
Mr. Mitchell had an excellent opportunity during his incumbency of this office, to show that he was not only a mere theorist who could grasp the tangled ends of a legal snarl and lay its straightened threads in order before the eminent justices, but that he was a practi- cal man who could make things and men work.
If Sisyphus should be offered the position of Commissioner of Patents, he would probably accept, never having been in Washington, but after his first week in the depart- ment, he would seek rest in his old job of rolling that stone up the hill. No one has ever caught up with the work at the Patent Office, and whether they ever will, is an unsolved rid- dle. In that Bureau, when they are not hopelessly buried beneath the ever-swelling flood
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of applications, they call it getting ahead. Things are not so bad nowadays as they used to be. They say they are only about six months behind-hand now. The improved state of affairs is due in no small part to the introduction of certain reforms by Mr. Mitchell, whereby the vast influx of business might be more expeditiously handled. In the fall of 1901 he resigned from this position to open up a practice in New York City. Needless to say, the excellent experience he had had as Commissioner, with the wide acquaintance gained in the performance of his functions, made him an even more valuable lawyer after his return, and for more than ten years he had a very large practice in New York City representing the larger electricity interests, including those controlling the Edison incandescent lamp patents and the Sprague multiple unit patents for railway propulsion. Trouble with his eyesight led him, in 1902, to drop the practice of law, and he returned to New Britain, his former residence. Before going to Washington he was associated with the late Governor Ingersoll in some of the leading cases relating to the "Rogers" trademark for silver-plated ware.
Mr. Mitchell has never aspired greatly to public office ; all his prominence in that line has been thrust when public favor courted him,-his gallantry has prevented him from being rude to her. Thus we find him serving as a member of the Connecticut House in 1880 and 1881. During the first session he was chairman of the committee on corporations; dur- ing the second, he was an influential member of the judiciary committee. As a labor of love, he appeared on the stump during the presidential campaigns of 1880 and 1884. He was also at one time city attorney of New Britain, the first to hold that office. Mr. Mitchell has had an interest in several business concerns, and is president of one of them, the Stan- ley Rule & Level Company.
He has extensive club affiliations, holding membership in such organizations as the American Bar Association, Bar Association of New York City, Hartford County Bar, Cen- tury Club, University Club, Hardware Club, New England Society and the New Britain Club.
In 1866 Mr. Mitchell married Miss Cornelia A. Chamberlain. They have three sons, Robert C., Charles H. and George Henry. The eldest and youngest are practicing law in New York City; the middle one is prosecuting attorney of New Britain.
Mr. Mitchell's attention is not too thoroughly focussed on affairs of wide-reaching importance for him to be oblivious of his duties as a neighbor. In church and social gath- erings he is always cordial and helpful. By kindly acts, and above all, by force of example, he is doing much to make his corner of the world better.
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WHITE
FREDERICK E. WHITAKER
FREDERICK E. WHITAKER, NEW HAVEN
Town Clerk
Popular! That's the word for it. Among the citizens of New Haven, Mr. Frederick E. Whitaker is decidedly popular. A stranger in a curious mood might ask what Mr. Whit- aker has done to make him such a favorite with the people. Why, bless you, it isn't what a man does, usually, that makes him strong in the hearts of his friends. Lots of men haven't done anything at all, and the less they do, the more popular they are. Not but that Mr. Whitaker has done enough ; he has kept pretty busy at the woodpile as we shall see pres- ently. It's what a man is, that works the magic spell on the minds of those with whom he . comes in contact. It is the genial soul shining out in pleasant words and kindly deeds, the generous heart that knows no bounds of creed or party that completes the circuit of friend- liness between him and those whom he meets in the most casual way. An instance of the general esteem in which Mr. Whitaker is held may be seen in the fact that in the recent political landslide, which swept so many Republican landmarks off the chart, he was almost the only one to keep his feet under him. He is doing effective work as Town Clerk, and having the sanction of both parties, it looks as though, while parties come and parties go, he could keep right on, forever, like Tennyson's Brook. That is, of course, provided the germs of ambition be not knawing at his vitals. If they are, he will go higher and hold down some State office as gracefully and as acceptably as he has done in the past. Mr. Whit- aker's long list of close personal friends in the ranks of the adversary, reminds one somewhat of Mark Twain's answer to an over-zealous reformer, who asked him if he didn't expect to go to Heaven. "Well," said he, "I can't quite make up my mind; you see I have lots of friends in both places." Mr. Whitaker's mind is made up, as far as that goes. He is no trimmer by any means. His lot is cast with the Republicans, sink or swim, and he has served them none the less faithfully for having made friends of everybody else.
Mr. Whitaker was born in Eastford, Windham County, Conn., on July 27, 1863. Before his schooling began, his people had moved to Willimantic where he received a thorough training in the public schools. On completing his education, he entered the employ of the W. G. & A. R. Morrison Company, with whom he learned the trade of a machinist. He was only nineteen years of age, when he determined to make New Haven his home, hav- ing secured employment with the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Co. He worked for them for about fifteen years, being for a long time foreman, and a highly val- ued employe.
Mr. Whitaker is a keen student of human nature, and being of a social nature, a good "mixer," he most naturally began to take an active interest in the political affairs of New Haven, and soon was recognized as "a coming man." He showed himself untiring in the interests of his party organization. and his popularity and ability soon gained for him the Republican nomination for councilman in the Fourth Ward. Now this ward usually went Democratic, and the Republican candidate was usually some self-sacrificing hero who put himself up to be shot at and fill the gap. But Whitaker went out to win, not to be carried
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home on a shutter, and have people say, "How natural he looks! He died bravely in a lost cause." And he did win. He hasn't shaken the habit yet. This victory brought no little encouragement to the Republicans, and the following year, he loaded his gun for still heavier game, and bagged an alderman's place. Since then his party has looked upon him as "old reliable" for getting votes and for getting out the vote. In 1897, Mayor Farnsworth appointed him superintendent of sewers, and he served in that position with signal success. Mayor Studley appointed him superintendent of streets in 1900. Under his administration, the street department made many improvements while Mr. Whitaker established a record for ability to get things done. In 1905, Mr. Whitaker presented himself as candidate for the position of Town Clerk. Of course, he got the nomination, for his party relied on him ยท to get the vote if anyone could. Frederick H. Brethauer was the opposing candidate, con- sidered remarkably strong by his party, and the contest promised to be close and interesting. His election by a large majority was only another manifestation of the confidence the people had in him-which is a longer way of saying popularity. Since becoming Town Clerk, Mr. Whitaker has introduced several new arrangements for the conduct of his office, which have proved beneficial, not only to the public, but to his working force. He has always been con- siderate and thoughtful of those who are employed under him, whatever his position was. He believes in the Golden Rule, and tries to live up to it in all his dealings with his fellow- 111en1.
Mr. Whitaker has been Chairman of the Fourth Ward Republican Committee. He has managed the affairs of that organization so admirably that his fellow-Republicans desire his services in a broader field, and therefore have made him a member of the State Central Committee for the Tenth Senatorial District. In the future he will sit at the councils of that committee, and will thereby exercise an influence in State Politics.
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JOSEPH F. O'BRIEN
JOSEPH F. O'BRIEN, NEW HAVEN
Assistant Building Inspector
Distinguished in all that tends for good to the Irish race, the O'Brien family, from which the subject of this sketch has sprung, is one of the most highly regarded of any Irish family in New Haven.
The valor, irrepressible courage and magnetic personality which are a few of the striking attributes of Mr. Joseph F. O'Brien, recently appointed assistant building inspector for the city of New Haven, are directly due to his Irish birth and blood.
When but an infant his parents bade adieu to the beautiful Emerald Isle and sailed for America, the land of hope. They chose New Haven as their home and here young Joseph first attended school. He is a product of the Hamilton Grammar School, where he obtained practically all of his education.
His uncle, Captain Lawrence O'Brien, whose bravery during the War of the Rebellion was succeeded by his sailing for Ireland, where he fought so enthusiastically for Ireland's freedom that he was condemned to a term in prison, was an inspiration for the young man, and his life has been marked by his devotion to Ireland's cause.
He has long been president of the Emmet Club, which is composed of the most influ- ential Irishmen and Irish-Americans in New Haven and vicinity, and is also allied with the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
He is an expert parliamentarian, a man of easy, clean-cut address and makes the ideal presiding officer. His fluency of speech, and quiet command of his audience makes him much sought to present memorials, resolutions, etc., to large gatherings of people.
It was in 1884, that he cast his first vote, and became enrolled in the ranks of the Republican party, his initial vote being cast for James G. Blaine. It was a memorable cam- paign and as secretary of the Central Irish-American Blaine and Logan Club, Mr. O'Brien became widely known among the Republicans of the city.
For many years, Mr. O'Brien has been associated with the Sperry & Treat Company, of which Congressman N. D. Sperry is the senior member, and has risen to the position of foreman.
He has always been affiliated with union labor and is deeply respected and trusted in labor circles.
His social popularity is strong and he has the sincere friendship of the best citizens of the city. He has a very pleasant mode of address which but reflects the warmth of his heart. His character has the strength of simplicity. the richness of sincerity and a high sense of honor.
A profound reader, he has stored his mind with a wealth of information on all sub- jects of vital interest to mankind, and his conversation is delightful.
He is married and eight children have been born to him.
His life work has prevented his acceptance of public office until recently. In the last campaign, he was nominated by the Republicans of the Eleventh Senatorial District, but
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although he made a most creditable run, the District has always been too decidedly Demo- cratic for him to win.
His victorious opponent, Senator Shanley, was a schoolmate and the two have always maintained the most friendly relations. This is one of the most striking facts in connection with Mr. O'Brien. His friends are confined to no party, no creed. He is a man among men and held in esteem because of his finely molded character, his tact and sterling manhood.
He is a representative of the indomitable young Irishman who has hewed out his career, taken his rightful place in life, through courage, energy and determination, and who never falters in the face of any adversity no matter how great. Broad-minded and a student of life and men, he knows how to manage others and makes the ideal foreman, knowing how to treat his men, and in turn for his wisdom and judgment, gaining a confidence and friendly spirit which prevent misunderstandings and lighten the tasks on both sides.
For his native city, he cherishes a deep and abiding love, and when she calls, or her need becomes known, he, in company with the entire O'Brien family, gladly rally to her aid, and are conspicuous in their efforts to alleviate her sufferings. At the cost of personal sac- rifice, he has many times, assisted Erin and has been happy to do what he regards as his solemn duty.
It is in such that Ireland rejoices, were they more numerous the dream of her loyal sons might be more quickly realized and Robert Emmet's prophetic words, "When my country shall take her place among the nations," might become a glorious fact.
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JOSEPH E. AUSTIN
JOSEPH E. AUSTIN, NEW HAVEN
Building Inspector
Only a few years ago the country was startled by a terrible theatre fire in which hun- dreds of lives were lost. Standing aghast, the first thought after the sensation of horror had made its deep impress was one of self-preservation, the protection of loved ones and one's selves from a kindred fate, and not only theatres but all buildings, public and private, came before the mind of the people in their relation to safeguarding their inmates.
As a direct result of this state of mind, cities and towns demanded that their people should be protected, that good laws to that end be enacted and above all, that such laws be rigidly enforced.
New Haven found that in order to do these things intelligently and well, the creation of a new office, that of building inspector was an absolute necessity and less than three years ago this office was created, during the term of Mayor John P. Studley.
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