Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

ENCYCLOPF.D1 \ OF BIOGRAPHY
Royal Typewriter Company in Brooklyn, determination and ability to surmount
in 1907, as chief draftsman, coming to the countless obstacles which present
Hartford with that company in [908. In themselves before them. Their desire to
[910 he was promoted to assistant super- serve comes straight from their hearts
intendent, and in [913 to superintendent, and no discouragement seems too much
He remained in that capacity until An- For them. Emanating Faith, hope and
gust, [918, when he accepted his present charity, they are among the chosen people
position, that of manager of the factory of of the earth.
the M.S. Little Manufacturing Company. Father Preston was born November 3,
This well known Hartford firm makes a 184c). in the city of New Haven. Connecspecialty
of bent pipes and plumber's sup- ticut, son of Thomas and Margaret I Banplies,
and was engaged during the World non) Preston, and grandson of Thomas
War in the manufacture of munitions. Preston, natives of Ireland.
Mr. Flynn is a member of the American Thomas Preston, grandfather of Father
Society of Mechanical Engineers; of the Preston, was between seventy-five and
Hartford Club, and the Knights of Co- eighty year- of age when he came to
lumbus. He was appointed a member of America, accompanied by his wife. He
the Charity Commission by Mayor Law- had been engaged in farming during his
ler. and reappointed by Mayor Hagarty. active life and also was a gardener on the
Mr. Flynn married Elizabeth, daughter large estates of his native home. His son,
iA James Condren, of Hartford, and they Thomas Preston, father of our subject,
have two children. Edward and John. was a young lad when he came with his
PRESTON, Thomas James,
parents to this country, and early learned
the trade of shipbuilding. For many years
previous to the Civil \\ ar, he was cu-
red in this occupation at Charlestown,
Rev. Thomas James Preston, pastor of Massachusetts, and after the struggle
St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church of above referred to was located at the
Thompsonville, Connecticut, enjoys the Brooklyn navy yard. Mr. Preston mardistinction
of being one of the most es- ried Margaret Bannon, daughter of James
teemed citizens of that town. Those of and I Bridget (Lilly) Bannon, natives of
his profession who devote their lives and Ireland. They were the parents of eight
services to the ministering of the gospel children, six now living, as follows : John,
are among the noblest characters of man- Margaret, Joseph. Andrew, Mary, and
kind. Sacrificing practically all of self, Thomas J., of further mention.
they make the cause of humanity their Rev. Thomas James Preston attended
cause. They are ever ready to counsel, the public schools of New Haven, and was
cheer and uplift the downtrodden ; by a diligent student. Desiring to enter the
their eloquence they put faith into the priesthood, he applied himself to his stud-
heart of the weary, and through their ies with an earnest heart in order that he
ministrations assuage grief. Unselfishly might the sooner achieve his ambition,
they labor day after day. striving to aid in The succeeding year- found him a stu-
countless ways. Men of worthy and up- dent successively of the Niagara I"niver-
right character, they are deserving of the sity of New York, where he spent the
position of esteem which they hold. They years 1868 and 1869, and at the Holsare
naturally possessed of the qualities of Cross College of Worcester, Massachu-
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