Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

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in the confidence and esteem of the business
public and the political body. He
became a conspicuous citizen, and without
the element of self-seeking playing an
obtrusive part in his life, he rose to a place
of prominence in the community. He became
closely identified with the best
movements politically, and he allied himself
with the Democratic party. He was
never forthputting of himself for public
office, but he has on several occasions
been impressed into service as a candidate
of his party, and has ever in public office,
as in his business affairs, conducted himself
with dignity and great efficiency. He
became extremely popular with the elec-
torate in his constituencies, and this popularity
obtains until the present day. His
first public office came in 1872, when he
was elected to represent the old Second
Ward in the Common Council of Bridge-
port. In i8g6, when William Jennings
Bryan made the first of his numerous attempts
to win the Presidency, Mr. McNeil
was a candidate for the Connecticut General
Assembly. He was defeated, but had
the gratification of having run four hun-
dred votes ahead of his ticket. In 1897
he was offered the Democratic mayoralty
nomination, but he refused to make the
run. In 1902 he was elected to the Con-
necticut State Senate by a large majority,
and he was reelected in 1906, "defeating
the Republican State leader in a district
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
tion assumed by some of his best friends, has
fought almost alone for some measure which he
believed to be right, or against some measure he
thought to be wrong. And his whole legislative
record has been a steady and determined refusal to
advocate or countenance any measure, which, in
his opinion, would not be entirely for the best
interests of the State or its institutions.
Mr. McNeil was one of the organizers
of the Eclectic Club, thus becoming a
charter member, and has served as its
president. He is a member of the Seaside
Club and the Algonquin Club, and served
the latter body as its first president, having
occupied that office for two years. For
four years, 1874-1877, he was commodore
of the old Bridgeport Yacht Club, and he
became a governor of the Bridgeport
Yacht Club and served as its commodore
in 1899- 1900. He is a member of General
Silliman Chapter, Sons of the American
Revolution.
Mr. McNeil married, October 2, 1881, at
New York City, Jean McKenzie, daughter
of George J. Clan Ranald of New York
City. Their children: i. Archibald (4),
born in New York, June i, 1883. 2. Kenneth
Wylie, born in Bridgeport, Septem-
ber 14, 1885. 3. Roderick Clan Ranald,
born in Bridgeport, March 20, 1888.
HUBBELL, Harvey,
Mannfacturer,
Harvey Hubbell, president and treas-
probably the wealthiest, most conservative
and most consistently Republican in
the State." He was nominated by his
urer of Harvey Hubbell, Incorporated,
enjoys the distinction of being the founder
and head of one of the leading in-
party associates for president pro tempore
of the State Senate, and by this act was
chosen the Democratic leader of that
body. The following encomium was given
dustries of that important manufacturing
center of Connecticut, the city of Bridgeport.
The products of his concern, particularly
his electrical specialties, are in
of his record of service in the State general use throughout this country and
Senate.
in many foreign parts of the world. Vir-
It is worthy of note that there have been many tually all the appliances or devices manu-
times when Senator McNeil, abandoning the posi- factured
Conn. 11—
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at his plant are the creation of
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