Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

in»- the high school. Desiring to go to
college, and not being in a position to do
-11 at the completion of his high school
course, Dr. Cloonan went to work and by
tutoring with private instructors prepared
himself for college. He entered the Col-
lege of Physicians and Surgeons at Balti-
more, Maryland, and was graduated in
the class of [897. During Ids vacations
he worked as an interne at the Baltimore
City Hospital. Subsequent to his gradu-
ENCYCD IPEDIA OF BI< >GRAPHY
( ompany of New Y'>rk City. Dr. and
Mr-. Cloonan are the parents of three
children: Gertrude Mary, horn September
[3, [912; Eleanor, May 3, [914; John
J.. Jr., August 23, [915.
SPERRY, Nehemiah Day,
Man of Enterprise, Statesman.
Hon. Nehemiah Day Sperry was dur-
ing a D »
1 1 14- and eventful career one of the
ation, he engaged in the practice of Ids most enterprising men of his State, foreprofession
in Hartford, but soon there- most in advancing its commercial, manuafter
removed to Stamford, Connecticut, facturing and transportation interests. He
where he lias since been located. The was also a national legislator of far more
fact that Dr. Cloonan has attained his than ordinary ability.
present position of prominence in the The Sperry family descends from Rich-
medical field unaided, render- him more ard Sperry. a native of England, who is of
worth}- of praise. He is one of the most record in West Haven as early as Janu-
SUCCessful physicians of his section of ary 4, 1643. He came presumably as
Connecticut. He is surgeon to the Stam- agent for the Earl of Warwick, and was
ford Hospital, and consultant to St. Vin-
cent's Hospital in Bridgeport. He is a
member of the City, County and State
Medical societies, and of the American
Medical Association.
Dr. Cloonan's business acumen has
brought him into contact with several of
the business institutions of Stamford, and
he is first vice-president of the Fidelity
the last friend and benefactor of the
regicides, Goffe and Whalley, who for a
time took refuge in "The Judges' Cave,"
adjoining the Sperry home. In the fifth
generation, Enoch Sperry, of Wood-
bridge, was a town official and established
various small factories. Lucien Wells
Sperry, son of Enoch Sperry, with his
brother. Stiles D. Sperry. was an enter-
Title and Trust Company, and president prising man, a director in banks and rail-
of the Stamford Morris Plan Company.
He has given effective service as a mem-
ber of the Board of Education for the past
thirteen years, and served as its chairman
for two years. In 1913 he was appointed
a member of the Connecticut Labor Com-
mission by Governor Baldwin. He is a
member of St. Augustine's Council,
Knights of Columbus, and of the Stamford
Yacht Club, and Woodwav Countrv
Club.
road companies, mayor of Xew Haven,
and State Senator. He married Harriet
A., daughter of Enos Sperry, of West-
ville.
Xehemiah Day Sperry, son of Lucien
Wells Sperry. was born in Woodbridge,
July 10, 1S27. and died in 191 1. After
attending a common school he entered
Professor Amos Smith's private school in
Xew Haven, and before reaching his ma-
jority taught school in various places, re-
Dr. Cloonan married Eleanor P. Griffin, ceiving the largest salary then paid in the
daughter of Patrick J. Griffin, who was State to a country teacher. In 1848 he
for many years a member of the well became a member of the building and
known clothing firm of Rogers, Peet & contracting firm of Smith & Sperry, and
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