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PENFIELD, Walter Hiram,
Mannfactnrer.
A son of the late George H. Penfield
and Almira G. (Bailey) Penfield, born
February 4, 1873, on Penfield Hill, Port-
land, Connecticut, the subject of this
sketch, has developed much executive abil-
ity and enjoys the confidence and respect
of a wide circle of friends. Like other
sons of farmers of the district, he received
early training in making himself useful
and in diligent pursuit of duty. The
district school of the section afforded him
early instruction, and he graduated from
the three years' course at Gildersleeve
High School in Portland at the age of
sixteen years. Desirous of pursuing a
business life, in April, 1890, he entered the
employ of The Shaler & Hall Quarry
Company, subsequently The Brainerd,
Shaler & Hall Quarry Company as office
boy. Here he continued nearly twelve
years earning frequent promotions and
gaining an extensive knowledge of busi-
ness methods. During the three winter
seasons preceding 1901, owing to the inactivity
of the quarry industry, he was
temporarily employed in Hartford, Connecticut,
by The Colt's Patent Firearms
Manufacturing Company, returning to his
position with the Quarry Company during
the summers. In December, 1901, he
again entered the employ of The Colt's
Patent Fireams Manufacturing Company
and has been continuously connected with
that world known organization since that
date. Beginning as an invoice clerk he
became successively assistant treasurer
in 1909, treasurer in 191 1, vice-president
and treasurer in 1919, director in 1921, and
holds the last three mentioned offices at
the present time. He is also treasurer and
director of the Johns-Pratt Company of
Hartford, and a director of the Middlesex
Hospital in Middletown.
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Faithfulness, promptness and continued
industry gained the esteem and confidence
of those associated with him and his rapid
progress has been well earned. During
his extended business connection in Hart-
ford he has retained his residence in his
native town and is esteemed as a progressive
and useful citizen. For many years he
served as town auditor and town treas-
urer, has been a consistent supporter of
Republican principles in Government and
attends divine service at Trinity Episcopal
Church. He is a member of Warren
Lodge, No. 51, Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons of Portland, having served in
various offices and as its master in 1914;
of the York Rite bodies of Middletown
the Scottish Rite bodies of Hartford ; the
Connecticut Consistory of Norwich and
Sphinx Temple, Ancient Arabic Order
Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Hartford.
He also holds membership in the following
organizations : The Hartford Club, of
20s
Hartford; The Portland Club, Portland
Board of Trade, Freestone Building Company,
Hemlock Grange Patrons of Husbandry,
of Portland : and the Connecticut
Chamber of Commerce. Of genial nature
and affable manners, Mr. Penfield easily
gains and holds lasting friendships.
He married, June 10, 1896, Bessie Pickering
Pascall, daughter of Richard H.
Pascall of Portland (q. v.). Mr. and Mrs.
Penfield are the parents of two children,
namely: Richard Pascall, born March 9,
1900, and Marion Almira, born September
25, 1901.
RILEY, WiUiam J.,
Executive.
One of the progressive citizens of
Hartford, Connecticut, who has won his
success through intelligently directed ef-
fort, is William J. Riley, treasurer of the
;