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 5
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He spent the hours of early morning and late afternoon in assisting his father in the duties of contracting and gained a wonderful insight into the details of the business. Sat- urdays were entirely devoted to work, driving a team for his father.
At the age of sixteen years, he left school and entered into his father's employ with zest, with a natural liking for the work and the inspiration of the knowledge that should he make good, he would some day be admitted into partnership with his father, who was prov- ing very successful in the contracting line.
A big contract for the city of Bridgeport had just been awarded him and Dennis went with him to that city to act as time-keeper on this important piece of work.
For seven years, he filled various posts and learned the business thoroughly. His admirable facility in the management of men and his absolute equipment in all that goes to make a dependable, reliable and efficient contractor, induced his father to take him into partnership at the remarkably youthful age of 23 years.
The firm took the name of C. W. Blakeslee & Son, general contractors, and Senator Blakeslee has remained at the helm ever since. Two other brothers having been admitted, the name again changed to C. W. Blakeslee & Sons, by which it is now known.
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Among the very large and important contracts filled by this firm have been the exten- sive "cut" improvements for the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company in New Haven, and trolleys between Naugatuck and Seymour, Rockville and Stafford Springs, and Williamstown, Mass., and Bennington, Vt.
In addition they have done considerable work of the larger character in New Haven and suburbs and throughout the state.
A shrewd man of business, Senator Blakeslee's first claim to the respect and admira- tion of men lies in his honesty. His word is as good as his bond, and this fact has impressed itself on all men with whom he has come in contact. Sterling and upright, he is a power among men. A citizen whose motives and deeds are unimpeachable and whose virtues are of the type most frequently designated as truly manly.
When but a youth, he enlisted in the Second Company Governor's Horse Guards, and during the quarter of a century in which he remained a member, served in every capacity from private to major commanding.
As Major Blakeslee he is best known to public life, and he has been a major com- manding in every sense of the word, for during his eight years in that position, he com- manded the love and devotion of his men, as well as their service.
He still serves as treasurer of Troop A, and is one of the most influential members of that company.
Many other posts of honor and of distinguished service have fallen to Major Blakes- lee. He is secretary and treasurer of the New Haven Street Sprinkling Company, director in the Mechanics' Bank, secretary and treasurer of the Seymour Water Company, and treas- urer of the Dwight Place Ecclesiastical Society.
He has extensive business and social affiliations. He and his family are ardent work- ers in the Dwight Place Congregational Church. His home at the corner of Dwight and George streets is handsome and spacious and famed for its hospitality, for his wife and sev- eral daughters and sons entertain considerably.
Although not a politician, Major Blakeslee was always a stalwart Republican and with sincere pleasure, the citizens of the Ninth senatorial district elected him to act as their rep- resentative in the senate of 1907, believing that this is the calibre of man who most ably rep- resents and cares for their needs and interests of his constituents.
During that session he served as chairman of the committee on insurance, and on the committee on roads, bridges and rivers.
Public interests demand the retention of such a man at the heart of public life. The type is rare, and the whole world would be a better and fairer place in which to live were such men more abundant.
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Senator GEORGE H. HALL
SENATOR GEORGE H. HALL, BRISTOL
Bound to rise, with eager hopefulness written all over his face, and the determina- tion of purpose lighting his eyes, a youth came to the big manufacturing plant of J. H. Ses- sions & Co. in Bristol, nearly 40 years ago and asked for work. He was a frank, manly young fellow and his appearance and address were clearly in his favor, but the superin- tendent was not forced to depend on these alone, for he knew the boy, as a product of Bris- tol and had watched his growth from babyhood through the early stages of boyhood, until that day when the dawn of manhood was not far distant. The boy, who was none other than Senator George Harris Hall, was at that time nearly 16 years of age. He was a favorite with his schoolmates and had spent his entire life in the town of Bristol where he was born November 26, 1854, the son of Charles D. and Laura A. Hall. He had been a student in the Bristol public schools and was ever an enterprising, original character, a natural leader among the boys and very popular with young and old. So when he asked for work, he was given something to do immediately and from that day forward, never neglected an opportunity to improve and develop his character and natural resources. He was inter- ested in manufacturing life, and a student of detail.
Such a boy does not long remain in subordinate posts and he rose by faithful, consci- entious performance of the duties assigned, until, some years ago, he became superintendent of manufacture. He is the type of employe and official, with whom a company will not part and the firm has already considered itself blessed in the service of such a man.
When young manhood was reached, Mr. Hall associated himself with the Republican party and over twenty years ago was chosen as a member of the Republican town committee. . He was a zealous worker, one whose work bore rich fruit and six years ago, he was elected chairman of the committee, still serving his party in that capacity.
The town had need of him to act as their tax collector and three years ago he was elected to that position, being re-chosen at each consecutive election.
But long ere he accepted a part in the administration of the government of the town, he had demonstrated his ability and place among men through serving as representative from Bristol in the General Assembly of 1895, being re-elected in 1897. In these two terms he acted as House chairman of the committee on manufactures, a post which his wide and valuable manufacturing experience eminently qualified him to fill with credit to himself and to his town.
Senator Hall has always shown a strong interest in the fire department and for fifteen years has been a member of the Board of Fire Commissioners. For eight years he has been chief of the fire department and has been an official, whose discernment, coolness and unflinching courage have commanded the loyal admiration and attachment of the firemen and the unquestioning respect of the citizens. During his years of duty in the fire depart- ment, he has done valiant service, and many deeds of valor are recounted to his honor.
In 1907, he was selected by the Republicans of the Fifth District to lead them in the fight for the Senatorship and he was triumphant in the battle, being elected Senator from the Fifth
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District by a substantial majority. Returning to Hartford, a decade after he had left the capi- tol, this time in a higher rank, he gave the state fine service as chairman of the committee on state prison, and on congressional and senatorial districts.
He was also a member of the committee on new counties and county seats, and on federal relations. He did not confine himself to committee duty but was active in debate and made himself felt as a force in the deliberations of the Senatorial body.
He was a charter member of Uniform Rank Hull Camp, Knights of Pythias, of which he has been captain, is First Chancellor Commander of Ethan Lodge, K. of P., and a mem- ber of Franklin Lodge, F. & A. M. Popularity in these fraternal bodies is one of the valu- ble assets attained by Senator Hall, and attained through no effort, simply from his frank, genial manner and pleasant mode of speech.
On March 19, 1873, he married Miss Jessie A. Wooding of Bristol. Six children were born to them, of whom only two survive, Lawson, born August 8, 1883, and Dwight Harrison, born September 28, 1888.
Outside of the manufacturing interests in which he has been so markedly successful, Senator Hall has done but little in the business life, except to accept the post of director of the Bristol Water Company. His executive force and discretion make his advice eagerly sought and he exerts a strong influence on the actions of the entire board. Bristol needs more men like Senator Hall. The town is the richer for their presence.
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Senator RALPH M. GRANT
SENATOR RALPH M. GRANT, SOUTH WINDSOR
Life holds many duties for some men, calls them into so many paths of usefulness, holds forth opportunities of such versatile types that every phase of their character is brought into play. With character rounded out and efficiency increased, doubled and tripled, these men become a power in their communities and exert a strong influence on the lives of all about them.
Life has thus dealt with Senator Ralph M. Grant, a man whose many years of service as a judge have made him more familiarly known as Judge Grant. He was born in the town of South Windsor, May II, 1868, and still makes his home there and represented the Fourth District, of which South Windsor is a part, in the Senate chamber in the last session of the General Assembly. He was the son of Sheldon J. and Harriett K. (Morgan) Grant.
His early education was obtained in the public schools of South Windsor, after which he attended the Hartford High School, graduating in 1887. He then entered Wesleyan Col- lege and was graduated with the Class of 1892.
He determined on the law as his profession and studied in the office of William J. McConville. He obtained admission to the bar in July, 1894, and at once opened an office in Hartford.
An ardent Republican, he was the stripe of man to whom the battle of politics and the public life appealed with insistent force; and his loyalty with political skill made him a valua- ble ally, a formidable opponent.
His strong interest in town affairs attracted the attention of his fellow-townsmen and he was elected town clerk and town treasurer of South Windsor in 1895, filling the position with zeal and credit ever since.
In the same year, he was honored by election as Judge of Probate in the town of East Windsor and has been re-elected consecutively for every term since.
Educational matters were one of his hobbies and he evinced an interest in the public schools of the town, which coupled with his stock of information on these questions, induced his party to present him as their candidate for the board of school visitors. He was elected and chosen secretary in 1902, and at the present time is holding that office also.
Thus in the present year, his public life is broad and complete. His town, his pro- bate district, his school district and his state all claim his service and he is faithful to all the trusts laid in him.
In the Senate, he was chairman of the committee on claims, committe on judicial nom- inations and committee on state library, as well as a member of the committee on contested elections and insurance.
It is the constant regret of churches that so few men of force, vitality and executive ability become members or busy themselves in affairs of the church, where they are so badly needed, often leaving the business side of the church in the care of untrained or unenthusias- tic members. The South Windsor Congregational Church is fortunate in having Senator Grant as one of its prominent members, and in the aid which he so freely gives in the suc- cessful management of the church.
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As superintendent of the Sunday School, and as a member of the finance committee, in the past, and as a member of the real estate committee at the present time, his value has been demonstrated again and again.
Not wholly, however, has he been a public and church worker, for his versatility has brought him into business circles ; and he has been chosen director of the Shepard Manu- facturing Company of Melrose, Mass., of the Purity Ice Company of Westfield, Mass., and of the South Windsor Ice Company.
Fraternally his affiliations are confined to the Evergreen Lodge No. 114 F. & A. M., of which he was master during two years. The Grant family formed an association, called the Grant Family Association of America, of which Senator Grant was president during the years 1904-1905.
The convention in which Judge Grant received the nomination from the Republicans of the Fourth District as their candidate for Senator, was a historic episode in the political life of that section of the state, continuing for three days and was a strenuous and bitterly waged battle. Only his great personal strength could have prevailed and this finally won the day.
Senator Grant is married, having been united in marriage with Miss L. Lillian Shepard of Melrose Highlands, Mass., May 1, 1895. They have six children.
His record reveals his progressive aims, his optimistic nature, his constant striving to advance his town's interests and widen her power. He is energetic, fearless, keen, fore- sighted and generous. He has fairly won the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens, and much more of the world's honors and the deepening friendship of those about him may jus- tifiably be expected.
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StanTE
Senator THOMAS J. SPELLACY
SENATOR THOMAS J. SPELLACY, HARTFORD
Young and with honor in his own city is Thomas J. Spellacy, Senator from the Third District in the session 1907-8 of the General Assembly of Connecticut.
Senator Spellacy is just entering the arena of political life and very bright prospects loom before him.
He was born in Hartford, March 6, 1880, the son of James and Catherine ( Bourke) Spellacy. At an early age he entered Brown School in Hartford, and after graduating there, entered the Hartford High School.
Later he studied in Miss Burbank's school in Hartford. His studies were pursued at Holy Cross College, Worcester, Mass., and a few years ago he was graduated from the Georgetown University Law School, Washington, D. C.
Newspaper work called him, and through this branch which he followed in Hartford, he gained many friends among men prominent in the public life of that city. He also came in touch with a diversity of phases of human life which more than his studies equipped him for success in his chosen calling which was that of the law.
After being graduated from Georgetown, he began the practice of law in Hartford and has met with very flattering success. Although young he has been entrusted with the care of large interests and has had many important cases in charge. His success has attracted attention and he has naturally been drawn into politics.
In 1906, he received the Democratic nomination for State Senator from the Third District, and after a vigorous campaign was elected.
Senator Spellacy is associated with various fraternities and clubs. He has been a val- ned and active member of the Third Division Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, the American Irish Historical Society, the Hartford Business Men's Association, the Hartford Board of Trade, and Court A. E. Burr, Foresters of America.
He is an able speaker and has contributed much good counsel to these various organ- izations.
An important factor in his election to the state senatorship was undoubtedly his pop- ularity in these various organizations.
He keeps in touch with all public affairs of note in the city, state, nation and world. and has the reputation of being remarkably well informed. His is the virile, forceful tem- perament which has characterized men of mark in all ages and all climes.
He has the personal magnetism and qualities which win the earnest friendship of the choicest kind of friends, and strong in this he goes onward in his profession and office, win- ning battle after battle. Of the optimistic type, he has a happy faculty of making and retain- ing friends, and his persuasive style of oratory has wonderfully furthered his career.
In the Senate, he was assigned to the chairmanship of the committee on the sale of lands and discharged his duties in efficient style. Believing that the general assembly is an excellent training ground for the development of a lawyer's resources, he took advantage of
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this fact and was strongly interested in all of the big public questions which came up before the Senate.
He took part in many debates and his speeches showed careful thought as well as flu- ency of expression, and he availed himself of every opportunity to perform his duties with credit to his constituents and himself.
He ever held Hartford in mind and was eager for her advancement demonstrating the patriotism which is a distinguishing characteristic of all men who achieve fame.
In Senator Spellacy, Hartford sees a young man of promise. He has already done much and bids fair to do much more for the city of his birth. He is an aggressive champion for what he believes to be right and is fearless, tireless and almost impossible to overcome in such a battle.
In him the Democrats see a man whom they should justly honor. His are the virtues needed in public servants and the party feels that it can do no better than bestow on him fur- ther honors for which he is so abundantly equipped.
The power of dealing with men, of appealing to unsuspected depths and sympathies in them, of arousing their hearts and sympathies, has been developed in him through news- paper work. Logic, reason and the mode of planning a systematic campaign, have come to him through his preparation for law.
He has molded together these characteristics and used them to marked advantage in his practice of the law, and is constantly revealing new phases of qualification.
Likewise in politics this persuasion, shrewd summarizing of men, keen reading of motives and sympathetic understanding of deeds, and their manifestations, have been of inestimable advantage and have enabled him to cope with political opponents who have weathered many a storm and grown gray in the strife of politics.
It is the day of the young man, and Senator Spellacy is a striking illustration of this statement. With so much achieved and not yet thirty years of age, the high tide of his life should tell a very interesting tale.
Senator Spellacy is married and makes his home in Hartford. He takes a lively inter- est in the business life quite as much as the legal and political. As a member of the board of trade he has worked consistently for the commercial advancement of the city.
Culture and literary life also hold charm for him, and in the American Irish Histori- cal Society he delights to further research into Irish history and to promote a healthy growth of sentiment for the country of his ancestors.
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Senator PATRICK McGOVERN
SENATOR PATRICK McGOVERN, HARTFORD
Indomitable pluck in the face of every adverse circumstance, sheer force of will and concentration of mind on the determination to amount to something, have made possible the rise of one young Irishman from the ranks of many who came to the Nutmeg State within the past half century, until his place as a power to be considered in every state council of the Republican party, is among the elect, the chosen few, on whom falls the burden of responsi- bility.
This man is Patrick McGovern of Hartford, Senator from the Second Senatorial Dis- trict, during the terms 1905-6 and 1907-8.
The "bonny green isle" of which poets chant and minstrels sing was his birthplace and his eyes first opened on her fair skies and green hills, October 23, 1849. He studied in the schools of his native town and early in life became possessed of that unrest which has brought so many sons of Ireland to "the land of the free."
So he arrived in Hartford and his first experience in that city was as a clerk and book- keeper in a large mercantile house. The affable and energetic young man made friends rap- idly and commended himself to his superiors so that he quickly forged ahead.
Over a quarter of a century ago he was advanced to a very important position in the office of the Aetna Life Insurance Company, and is still connected with that company.
His first vote in Hartford was cast for the candidates of the Republican party of which he has been an earnest and consistent member ever since. His unselfish labors in behalf of the party, together with his extraordinary success in influencing the votes of others, brought him prominently to the attention of the party leaders and he was felt to be the right kind of a man to hold public office.
He was elected as a member of both branches of the city government and for seven years was acting president of the board of aldermen, displaying excellent presiding genius.
For many years he was the Republican member of the town auditors and continued in this service until the consolidation of the town and city of Hartford.
But perhaps more than in any other purely local field of endeavor, the remarkable characteristics of the man were most clearly shown in his work as chairman of the Republi- can town committee.
By his wonderful persuasive powers, his natural resources for management, his force- ful arguments and his clear method of explanation he drew man after man into his camp, until the Republicans gained control of the city, which was naturally Democratic. His methods were clear, direct and effective, and his political opponents could not withstand them.
The influence of the movement was felt throughout the state, for with Hartford swung into the Republican column a decided difference was evident.
A striking characteristic of Senator McGovern has always been his loyalty and cease- less energy in behalf of his friends which accounts for the strength of their attachment to him.
Another position in which Senator McGovern earned name and fame for himself was as Senate chairman of the committee on appropriations during the session of 1907, which,
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owing to the peculiarity of conditions at that time, was one of the most important and responsible committees of the legislative body.
The financial problem proved very serious, as a general demand existed for a more thoroughly comprehensive plan for improving the highways. In addition the need of build- ing a new arsenal and a new State library was conceded to be pressing.
All of these involved a total outlay of about $6,500,000, and it remained for the com- mittee on appropriations to solve the difficulty. After days of carnest discussion, there came forth from this committee a plan for a bond issue recognized as a master stroke of finance, a plan eminently applicable, which was quickly endorsed by the General Assembly.
Congratulations came from all sides and his fellow members of the committee freely acknowledged that the debt of gratitude was duc Senator McGovern, the chairman, who had originated the plan and convinced the others of its practicability.
Friends of the senator find in his manly qualities much to admire, for he is frank, courageous and true. As a forceful speaker, he has gained a high reputation. His modes of thought and expression are clear, terse and lucid.
His patriotism is warm and sincere.
In Elkdom, he is a shining light, is a past grand ruler of Hartford Lodge and is in great demand as an orator at memorial exercises. He is also an active member of the A. O. H. and the Hibernian Rifles.
Genial, pleasant, of inviting personality, Senator McGovern lives a busy, interesting life, surrounded by friends, and high in the esteem of the best people in Connecticut.
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Senator MAYRO KEENEY
SENATOR MAYRO KEENEY, SOMERS
Always a lover of out-of-door life, much of the vigor, candor and sturdy manliness popularly associated with the out-of-door man may have entered into the make-up of Mayro Keeney of Somers, Senator from the Thirty-Fifth District, in the 1907 General Assembly of Connecticut.
His life began when the dark clouds of civil strife enfolded the country, July 14, 1862, in the town of Manchester. His parents were Rockwell and Lenora Keeney.
When a tiny boy his home was moved to Meriden and again during his boyhood the family moved twice, locating first in Monson, and then in Warren, Massachusetts.
At the age of fifteen years, he enrolled himself among the students at the Wesleyan Academy in Wilbraham, Mass., where he studied for three years.
His working energy was first expended in the employ of the Somersville Manufactur- ing Company, at Somersville. To thoroughly equip himself, he served a term in each department, constantly going higher and higher. It was his ambition to become a member of the firm and he spent several years in mastering every detail of woolen manufacture.
His ambition consummated, he remained actively engaged as a member of the firm until the age of forty-two years. When other fields called him, and he retired from service. he still retained a part ownership in the plant.
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