holders, paper fasteners and wire paper clips and has invented special machinery for the
manufacture of all of these. A [iractical machinist and tool maker, he adds broad experience
to natural inventive power and the results have constituted a valuable contribution to the
mechanical devices of tlie loiintry, adding to America's reputation as a great world center
of invention.
y[r. Grant was married to Elizalieth Kenney, a native of Derby, Connecticut, and to
them were born four children: Sadie May and Lucy L., both living and two sons who are
deceased. Robert Johnson i)assed away at the age of twenty-four years, and John
Washington at the aae of nineteen. Both were associated in business with their father.
GEORGE \V. FINN.
George W. Finn, whose jiublic spirit is manifest in many ways, finding expression at
various times in tlie eomhirt of his business interests, has for the past twenty years been
connected with real estate operations in Bridgeport. He is a native of this city and a repre-
sentative of a family that has lived in Bridgeport and in Fairfield county through four
generations. His great-grandfatlier. Thomas Finn, was a farmer of Fairfield and died in 1870
at the ripe old age of one hundred and two years.
In early life George W. Finn was appointed a clerk in the Bridgeport post office by
Julius \V. Knowlton. who was then ])ostmaster, and after spending four years in the govern-
ment service he entered the clothing business and was connected with the Park City Clothing
Company until ISDo. He afterward became an employe of the Bridgeport Post and covered
the city hall assigiunent for three years. His principal duty was to keep in touch with
]ioliticians of all shades of opinion and separate the chaff from the wheat. That he suc-
ceeded is evidenced by the fact that for twenty years after he left the newspaper business
he enjoyed the friendship of George \V. Hills. Robert X. Blakeslee and the late Frank \V.
Bolande, who were the owners of the iiajier at that time. As a newspaper man Mr. Finn
also made many other valuable acquaintances who have been of service to him in his present
business, and liis varied experience in different pursuits has gained him comprehensive
knowledge of human nature, together with an intimate acquaintance with Bridgeport and
its inhabitants. In his ]>resent business he has specialized as an operator and developer
of real estate ratlu'r tlian as a real estate agent. He has opened up numerous tracts of lanil
on the outskirts of the city, selling lots on tlie installment plan, and he has also aided
[nuchasers in building homes by furnishing architect's plans and specifications and also by
making loans. He has erected a number of attractive residences on Laurel avenue and Elm-
wood avenue and also in the north end of the city near St. Vincent's hospital. He has like-
wise built a number of inexpensivi' homes for workingmen in the west end and in Fairfield.
He is very particular in his method of doing business, and it makes no difference whether
he is building a house tor twelve hundred dollars or for twelve thousand dollars; he employs
an architect to prepare the plans and specifications so as to insure harmony and safety in
his dwellings, ilr. Finn is an expert appraiser and has been employed as a condemnation
commissioner of the superior court in taking hind re(pured under the law of eminent domain.
GEORGE W. FINN
JUUlXiEPORT AM) VK'IXITY 683
He has also acti'd as an apiiraiscr on immorous estates and in cases where partnerships were
being dissolved.
Mr. Finn takes a keen interest in Bridgeport and its development, lie is opposed to
closing up streets tor the benefit of special interests and he has repeatedly advocated open-
ing up all dead end streets so tliat trattic and business may be accelerated. Believing that
Bridgeport will always be an industrial city and that it is useless to waste enormous sums
of money on artistic or aesthetic improvements, he feels that all the expenditure should bu
for practical, sensible projects based on the aims and needs of the population. In a word,
he is a public-spirited man wliu has closely studied conditions and in planning for public
work looks beyond the exigencies of tlie monu'iit to thi' [lossibilities of the future.
R. E. KANUALL.
K. E. Randall, the owner of a pharmacy in Fairtield. is a typical repres<'ntative of the
younger business man of the city, alert, enter[irising and progressive. He was born in
ilassachusetts, March 20, llSS.5. and was reared in that state, receiving his education in the
Springfield schools. Hi 1913 he removed to Fairfield. Connecticut, and established the Randall
Pharmacy, which he has since conducted. He carries a complete line of drugs and druggists'
sundries and his reputation for reliability, together with his reasonable prices, has led to
the building up of a large and representative patronage.
In 1908 Mr. Randall was united in marriage to Miss Emily Cogswell, a native of
Connecticut, and they have a son. Arthur L., who was born Xovember 22. 1910. The parents
are members of the Congregational church, in whose work they take a eonimendable interest,
and fraternally Mr. Randall is identified with the Improved Order of Red Men. In politics
he is independent and has confined his participation in public affairs to the exercise of his
right of franchise. The management of his business affairs requires the greater part of
his time and attention and as a result of this concentration of his energy he ranks among
the successful business men of Fairfield.
AXGUS H. AND RODERICK .1. MacKEXZIE.
Angus H. and Roderick J. ilacKenzie are tlie owners of the Bridgeport Public Market,
in which connection they have Ijuilt up a large and substantial business which is con-
tinually growing. They established this market on the 9th of December, 1S97, on P>aid<
street, where they are still located. The start, however, was small compared with their
present business. In the early days they employed twenty-Jive people, and soinetliing of
tlie growth of their trade is indicated in the fact that they now employ from one hundred
and sixty to two hundred ]>eo]de. They conduct entirely a retail and jol)bing business and
their deliveries are made with both horses and motors.
About twelve years ago they established a branch of the Bridgeport Public Market on
East Main street, where they employ about twenty people. Their original building has
been rebuilt and has a frontage of one hundred and thirty feet on State street and of one
hundrfr
splendidly equipped with refrigerators, carriers and everything necessary to facilitate the
business. They have made an alley through the building in order to keep the teams off the
street while loading for delivery. This is a covered alley extending from street to street
and was put through at a great deal of expense; but it indicates the public spirit of the
men who were behind the project.
684 BKIDUEPOKT AND VICINITY
The brotliei'S, Angus H. and Rodeik-k J. ilacKenzie, were formerly residents of
Massachussetts and of New York. Believing that there was opportunity for a successful
business, however, in Bridgei>ort, they removed to tliis city and great credit is due them
for the fine market wliicli tliey liave here developed. It is always clean and sanitary and
their business metliods of dealing witli customers will bear the closest investigation and
scrutiny. They have ever recognized the fact tliat satisfied patrons are the best advertise-
ment and they have put forth every legitimate effort to win the approval of their customers.
\V. GERALD BRYANT.
\V. Herahl Bryant, president and treasurer of the Bead < liain .Manufacturing Company
of Bridgep
Liberal educational opportunities were accorded liim. He atteniled public and private schools
And ultimately was graduated from Yale with the class of l'.i]4. In the same 3'ear he em-
baiked in business in his present tonnection by organizing the Bead Chain Manufacturing
Company, of which he became the [iresident and treasurer, with David Day as secretary.
The business is located at .State and Mount Cirove streets and the present plant was com-
pleted ill i;il6. The company occupies a two-story structiu'e sixtj' bj' one hundred and
twenty feet. The building is of reinforced concrete and is absolutely fireproof. Theyengage
in the manufacture of biass bead chains, which are sold to manufacturers and to the trade
botli directly and tlirouyh jiililiers. Their output is sent to all parts of the United States
and to some extent the trade has been established in South America. The product is pro-
duced by automatic machinery which has been developed in Bridgeport. In the three
years of its existence the comijaiiy has continually studied and experimented to produce
the best jjossible results and that their achievement is highly satisfactory is indicated by
the continuous and steady growtli in tlieir business.
Mr. Bryant holds membership in the University Club, the Brooklawn Club and the
Black Ruck Y'aclit Club. He is very fond of i)ott^er boating and in this finds his chief
source of recreation. The spirit tif ]irogress and improvement actuates him in all that lie
does and i^ manifest in liis club connections as well as in his business life.
LEWIS H. TODD.
Lewis H. T(Hld, fur many years one of the most liiglily respected citizens and well
known business men of Stratford, was born .July 27, 1S3G. in Burlington, Connecticut, a son
of Charles Harrison and Tully ((urtis) Todd, both of whom died in Litchfield county, where
the father owned and uperated a farm. In early childhood his jiarents removed to -Plymouth,
Connecticut, where he lived until 1S70, when he removed to Stratford and engaged in the
mercantile business. Success attended his efforts and for many years he was the leading
mercliaiit in the town. In later years his son-in-law. Charles A. Lovcll. entered into part-
nersliip with him under the tirm name of L. H. Toild & Comiiany. tlie business then including
groceries, dry goods and hardware. Upon the di'atli of .Mr. Lovell in April. 1895, the. hardware
department was taken over by his estate and conducted as a sejiarate store. Mr. Todd con-
tinued tlie other departments until the fall of 1895, when he disposed of his mercantile
interests. From that time until his death on the 13tli of May, 1912, he lived practically
retired, enjoying the fruits of a well and honorably spent life.
On .lune oO, 1853, in Torrrington, then called Wolcottville. Mr. Todd was married to
Sarah A. Fellows, a daughter of Epliraim and .Sabra (Roberts) Fellows and a woman of
I'.KMlXiKI'ORT AND VICIXITY 685
iiiiukoil I'oruo (if cliaracti'i- wlio lai'^'cly apiirnaclied tln' ideal in lii-r relationship of wife
and inotlu'i-. She died Xoveniher 7, r.Hi:;. The six ehiUlreii in Mr. Todd's family are:
Alice .M.: Cluirles H. ; Rosella M., the widow of Charles A. Lovell; Kstelli- A., now Mrs.
Krederic-k P. Heardsley; Ivnnia J,, who nianied Melancthon Fryer; and Dora W'inified, all
residents of Stratford.
In Ills [lolitieal views .Mr. Todd ^ave loyal support to the democratic party, but aside
from casting his vote re{;ularly ami taking an interest in the party's success, politics had no
attraction for him. Of much greater interest to him were church affairs, in which he took
an active part. He was a member of Christ Episcopal church, of which he was a vestryman
for thirty-tive years, and had also been treasurer of the parish for a number of years.
All who knew him entertained for him (he hi;;Iiest regard bin-ause of his thorough reliability
in business, his high standard of citizenship and his devotion to liis home and famih'.
LKWTS B. CURTIS.
Lewis B. Curtis is engaged in the manufactiue of pipe cutting mai-hines as president
of the Curtis & Curtis Company of Bridgeport, a business that has been in continuous
existence since May, 1SS2, and he entered into active connection therewith in 1886. Hi.s
birth occurred in New York city, his parents being Lewis A. and Emma (Steel I Cui-tis,
who were natives of New Yoi'k city and of Auburn, Xew York, respectively. The grand-
father Lewis Curtis. Sr., removed in 1807 from Stratfor
lie engaged in business as an importer. The family had been established at Stratford in
l(i,'i4. being among the founders of that place, the first American ancestor coming from
England. In the distaff line Lewis B. Curtis traces his ancestry back to Governor Bradford,
who came to the new world on the Mayflower, ami thus in both the paternal and maternal
lines Lewis B. Curtis is a representative of vi-ry old and prominent New England families.
His moth'er died in the year 1892. while liis fatlier, surviving for a considerable period, passed
away in 1909.
Lewis B. Curtis attended the Ho|ikins grannnar school at New Haven and afterward
devoted two years to reading law. Later he spent a similar period in tlie newspaper business
as business manager of the Cliurch Record but in 1SS(3 purchased an interest in the Curtis
& Curtis Company, which was established in May, 1882, by William D. Eorbes. M. E. and
Roderick P. Curtis. They established their office in Bridgeport, while the goods which they
handled were manufactured in Providence, Rhode Island. Feeling that it would be better
to have their product made where their office was located, they established a factory on
.Tohn street in Bridgeport in 1883 and there manufactured a patented pipe cutting machine.
They were also the first to manufacture a geared die stock, the patent being taken out bv
jMr. Forbes, while the enterprise was cajiitalized by ilr. Curtis. In 1S8(; Mr. F'orbes sold
his interest in the business to Lewis B. Curtis and in 1909, upon the death of Roderick P.
Curtis. Lewis B. Curtis [)urchased his interest. The first factoiy. built in 1S87, was at 188
Carden street and in 1900 a new building was erected, to which another story was added
in 1907. The plant is now two and three stories in height and is one hundred and fifty
by two hundred and lifty feet. The building is of mill construc-tion. is operated bv steam
piiwc-r and is supplied with a sjiriukler system, which is the mo.st perfect protection against
fire that is known and wherever installed greatly reduces the tire risk and the rate of
insuiance. The company employs about one hundred peo]ile. most of whom are skilled
workmen, and they now manufacture a large line of pipe cutting machines produced in about
.seventy-five dift'event sizes and styles, including hand jrower and electric macliines. Both
brothers have taken out many patents and today they have one of the most complete jilants
of the kind in the country. Their product is shipped to all parts of the world and tliey sell
686 BRIDGEPORT AND VICINITY
to jobbers ami iiiaiuit'aetuiers. Tlie business has been tlioro\ighly organized and carefull\-
systematized and in the prodnetion tliere is no loss of labor, time nor material. Lewis B. Curtis
is not only at the head of this undertaking but also has other important business connections,
bein" now a trnsteo of the People's Savings Bank of Bridgeport, a director of the American
Thermos Bottle t'ompany and president of the Beers Realty lomiiany of Xew York, while
in many other concerns and business enterprises he is financially and actiyeh' interested.
In 1S88 Mr. Curtis was united in marriage to Miss Alice Beardsley, a daughter of
Samuel G. Beardsley, and to them has been born a daughter. Alice Beardsley. who is a
graduate of ]\Iiss Porter's School at I"armington. Connecticut, ilr. Curtis has attained high
rank in Masonry, being a Kniglit Templar, a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and a
member of the Mystic Shrine. He holds membership with the Society of Mayflower
Descendants and is very prominent as a member of the Sons of the American Revolution,
having for four years lieen president of the Connecticut organization and a member of the
executive committee of the national socict.y. He is now chairman of the organization com-
mittee for the eastern states of the natioiuil society and he lias done much to further its
interests. He is likewise Avell known in club circles, holding menibersliip in the Brooklawn
Club, the Seaside Club, and the Black Rock Yacht Club, all of Bridgeport, and in tlie
Machinery Club of Xew York. For four years he was president and vice president of tlie
Bridgeport Manufacturers Association and is still a member of its executive committee.
He belongs to St. John's Episcopal church, of which he is now serving as vestryman. Delight-
ing in travel, he has four tinu-s visited Kurojie, has also gone to S(mth America and the
West Indies and once made the trip around the world, thus gaining that broad knowleilge,
experience and culture which only travel can bring.
ELMER .lUSTIX ORTOX.
Elmer .Tustin Orton. president of the E. J. ttrton Comjiany, engaged in the real estate
and insurance business in Br!dge]iort. has the qualifications which make for success in his
chosen field — enterprise, determination and adaptability. Moreover, he has thoroughly
acqiuiinted himself with the pmperty upon the market, its value and the opportunity for
real estate development. A lifelong resident of Xew England, he was born in Bennington,
Vermont, May 27, 18CT. a son of Reuel X'. Orton, a mechanic, who was born in Williamstown,
Jlassachusetts. and is now a resident of Housatonic, that state, where he holds a responsible
jiosition with the Monument Mills Company, a large manufacturing concern. The < >rton
family is an idd one of Xew England and the Orton Tavern, which was established at Wnod-
bury, Connecticut, hnig before the Revolutionary war. still stands as one of the landmarks
of that early period. At Woodbury is also seen the old Orton cemetery, in which only
members of the family were buried — a fact that shows the family in its lineal and col-
lateral branches to be one of large numbers. Reuel N. Orton was united in marriage to
Xettie Rhoda Jenkins, who died about eight years ago. She. too. belonged to an old X'ew
England family represented in \ermont for generations, so that Elmer J. Orton is descended
from ancient Xew England stock in both the paternal and maternal lines.
He was only about five years of age when his parents removed to Housatonic, Massa-
chusetts, where he entered the ]iublic schools, passing through consecutive grades and later
attending the high school. His textbooks were put aside when he reached the age of eighteen,
when he went to Waterbury. Connecticut, and there spent five years in the employ suc-
ces.sively of the American Pin Company, the Novelty Manufacturing Company and the Smith
i Driggs Manufacturing Company. With these three concerns he was variously employed
and while in Waterbury he also learned the carpenter's trade, devoting the last two years
of his residence there to carpentering, which he thoroughly mastered. In IS'IO he came to
KLMER J. (IKTDX
BRIDGEPORT AND VICINITY 689
Bridgeport, where lie continued to engage in carpentering lor a year or two and tlien
entered the employ of the Union Metallic Cartridge Company, with which he continued for
abovit nine years, having charge of the grinding department. Before resigning his po>ition
with that company he became interested in the insurance and real estate business and in
1907 organized and incor])orated the E. J. Orton Company, of which he has since been
president. This company embraces all kinds of insurance and also a real estate business.
He engages in developing property rather than acting as agent and in that connection has
done important work, having developed Sylvan Crest, Beechlawn, Westlawn Height, Prospect,
Hawley Crest, Summit Manor, Sunnyside and City Heights. Most of these have largely been
sold. When the E. J. Orton Company opened xip Prospect the firm sold one hundred and
fourteen lots in three days. When Mr. Orton took charge of that trart it was owned by
A. W. Burritt. who had been selling lots there for twenty years, but one hundred and fourteen
were still left with apparently a poor prospect for sale within a reasonalile time. Mr.
Burritt tlierefore turned that number over to Mr. Orton, who consummated the sale of
tlie entire property in three days. This is indicative of the enterprising and progressive
methods which he has always followed in his real estate transactions.
On the 20th of February, 18S9, Mr. Orton wedded Miss Cora Belle Ford, of Cornwall,
Connecticut, and they have become parents of three sons, all born in Bridgeport; Burton E.,
born June 6, 1893, on Ogden street, who was married in October, 191,"), to Georgia Smith;
Eeuel James, born ilarch 25. 1900, on Fifth street; and Elmer F., born July 30, 1901, on
Putnam street. The second son is now in his second year in high school and the youngest
is in the eighth grade of the grammar school. ^Ir. Orton is fond of motoring and thus
gains rest and recreation. He is largely independent in politics, with leaning, however,
toward the republican party. He belongs to the Advent Clu'istian church and fraternally
is connected with the Masons, exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft.
His has been an active and useful career and his history is that of a self-made man, for
he started out empty Imnded and from the position of tradesman has steadily worked liis
way upward until he is now" an active figure in the real estate circles of Bridgeport.
HON. PHILO CLAEK CALHOUX.
Among those who have left the imjiress of their indiviiluality for good upon tlie liistory
of Bridgeport is numbered Hon. Philo Clark Calhoun, and though more than a third of a
century has come and gone since he was called to his tinal rest, his memory is yet revered
and honored by those who knew him. He was born in Danbury, Connecticut, Deeeiuber 4,
1810, his parents being Philo and Sally J. Calhoun, the latter a daughter of John McLean
of Danbury, who held a position of trust under the government during the Revolutionary
war and whose losses at the time of the burning of Danbury were so great that large land
grants were afterward given him in the Western Reserve. The father was a practicing
physician of Washington, Connecticut.
Philo Clark Calhoun came to Bridgeport in 1826. when a youth of sLvteen years, to
learn the harness and saddlery making trade with the firm of Lyon, Wright & Company.
On account af failing health, however, he made his way to Charleston, South Carolina,
hoping that a change of climate would prove beneficial, and in 1833-4 was connected with
the Harral harness business of that place. L'pon his return ln' became assistant to Hanford
Lyon in the saddlery business with arrangements that he should share in tlie profits tliereof.
That connection was maintained until 1838. when he became a partner in the firm of Lyon,
Calhoun & Company. In 1843 this was succeeded by Harral & Calhoun, the senior partner
being Mr. Harral, formerly of the Charleston house. The partnership between the two
existed for ten years, at the end of which time, or in 18.53. thev were joined by R. B. Lacey
690 BRIDGEPORT AND VICINITY
under the firm style of Ilarral, Calliouii & Company. In 1S5J tliis was changej to Calhoun,
Lacey & Company ami the connection was thus maintained until 1863. In the meantime,
however, Mr. Calhoun withdrew more and more largely from the active control of the
business in order to devote his time to the management of the Connecticut National Bank
of Bridgeport, of which he became president in 1847, remaining as the executive head of the
institution until 1SG4, when he resigned and became president of the Fourth National Bank
of New York city. In the year he was elected president of that institution and assumea
control, its deposits were increased fourfold. In 1875, on the dissolution of the firm of
Hoover, Calhoun & Company, he organized a stock company in Newark, New Jersey, for the
manufacture of saddlery and in this owned a controlling interest up to the time of his
death. He thus remained througout the entire period of his life in active connection with
the business in which he embarked as a young tradesman. While president of the Fourth
National Bank of New York he became connected with large financial transactions which
included the purchase of United .States bonds to the value of five million dollars. During
the memorable money panic of 187.';! in two days he paid out thirteen million dollars in cash.
He was one of the original stockholders of the Bridgeport Cias & Electric Light Company