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Harvey (i) and Caroline (Pinto-Hadley)
Hubbell, was born in Brooklyn, New
York, December 20, 1857. His education
was received at Easton Academy, Easton,
Connecticut, at Eastman's Business Col-
lege, Poughkeepsie, New York, and at
Cooper Institute, New York City. In his
early life he displayed an aptitude for
mechanics, and this was especially notice-
able, following his school days, when he
gave it full rein to the end that he might
become fully accomplished along his
chosen line of work. His gift for doing
things mechanical was first principally
employed in the designing and manufac-
ture of printing presses with the Potter
Printing Works and the Cranston Print-
ing Press Works of Norwich, Connecticut.
For a time he was with John Roach
& Son, ship and marine engine builders,
of New York City and Chester, Pennsyl-
vania. Following his days of labor he
formed the commendable and profitable
habit of devoting his evenings to study
and drafting, by which he familiarized
himself with the theoretical as well as
with the practical side of his vocation.
His capacity for perfecting inventions
soon manifested itself, and he went to
Bridgeport, where in a humble way he
began the manufacture of two articles
which he had designed and had patented.
This small and unpretentious beginning
was actually the inception of his career
as an inventor and manufacturer. He de-
voted himself assiduously to his business,
and his keen eye perceived the possibili-
ties of commercializing the electrical in-
dustry, then in its infancy. To the elec-
trical needs of the time Mr. Hubbell ap-
plied his knowledge of mechanics, and almost
without conscious effort on his part
he found himself a beneficiary of the
transition into this new field of science.
Domestic and industrial appliances were
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
116
in demand for general use, and the demands
increased by leaps and bounds.
Mr. Hubbell diverted his time, talents and
energy in the direction of supplying that
demand, and to his lines of manufacture
he added numerous electrical specialties.
Among his patented devices which have
come into general use are the Hubbell
Pull Socket and the Hubbell Interchange-
able Attachment Plug, besides many other
articles made practical with the use of
electricity. Mr. Hubbell was the first to
make rolled thread machine screws with
automatic machinery, and a part of his
manufacturing plant is given to this spec-
ial line. One of the chief secrets of Mr.
Hubbell's successful career is his deter-
mination to keep pace with the developed
needs of the industry—electrical and me-
chanical. He maintains a close personal
touch with all departments of his busi-
ness, letting no important detail go un-
supervised, whether it be engineering,
manufacturing or selling. Therein lies
the genius of the Hubbell establishment
it is distinctively the creature of his own
brain and the child of his own culture.
The prestige and good-will that attach to
the business have come to it through
nearly four decades of faithful devotion
and intelligent application. The business
was incorporated under its present style
in 1905.
Mr. Hubbell is a member of the Associ-
ated Manufacturers of Electrical Supplies.
He is a communicant of the United
Church of Bridgeport and a member of
its finance committee. He is of the Re-
publican persuasion of politics. His clubs
are the Electrical Manufacturers', Auto-
mobile Club of America, Union League of
New York City and the Brooklawn and
Algonquin of Bridgeport.
Mr. Hubbell married, December 2, 1896,
Louie E. Edwards, daughter of Robert
;