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management of Mr. Rockwell, who held
the office of president, a large quantity of
material was produced. Steadily throughout
the years the growth continued, and
although Mr. Rockwell has severed his
connection with the corporation in order
to devote his entire time to other of his
husiness interests, the men and officials
who worked with him in the early days
recall his efforts and untiring interest in
the furthering of that growth.
Mr. Rockwell is thoroughly in touch
with modern requirements. He is a man
of the hour, and possesses the skill and
ability to meet the demands of the pres-
ent time. Hence, as the president of the
Marlin-Rockwell Corporation, of which
he was the founder, with headquarters at
New Haven, Connecticut, Mr. Rockwell
has, through his mechanical genius and
executive ability, contributed to its suc-
cess. The Marlin-Rockwell Corporation
operates thirteen different plants, employ-
ing fifteen thousand hands, and therefore
ranks among the leading industries of
that section of the State. In that critical
time in the history of our country, when
a dollar to back our fighting forces easily
meant more than two dollars in six
months hence, Bristol did her part nobly,
and the officers and employees of the
Marlin-Rockwell Corporation subscribed
more than two and a half million dollars
to the Fourth Liberty Loan, having also
subscribed more than four millions to
former loans, and Mr. Rockwell, person-
ally, bought two hundred thousand dollars'
worth of bonds. Great credit is due
all participants, for they made sacrifices
of a nature hitherto unknown, and every
dollar loaned the government in her hour
of need helped to bring the war to a
close.
Despite the heavy demands upon his
time, Mr. Rockwell has found time to devote
to the furthering of those movements
which tend to enhance the general wel-
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
284
fare. He has been several times chosen to
fill offices of trust, and is officially con-
nected with several financial and indus-
trial corporations, acting as president of
the Bristol Brass Company, and of the
American Silver Company of Bristol,
Connecticut. He is a Republican in po-
litical principle, and was the choice of his
constituents as their representative in the
Connecticut Legislature in 1907 and 1909.
Fie holds membership in the Benevolent
and Protective Order of Elks ; Franklin
Lodge, No. 56, Ancient Free and Ac-
Highland
cepted Masons ; Knights of Pythias ; the
Country Club of Farmington ; Middletown
Yacht Club ;
Country
Club; Fishers Island Sportsman's Club;
St. Margaret Salmon Club ; Union League
Club of New York, and Manufacturers'
Club of Philadelphia.
Mr. Rockwell was twice married ; December
24, 1898, he married Nettie E.
Williams, born December 24, 1865, daugh-
ter of Kilborn and Martha Williams.
Children of first wife : Bernice L., born
August 18, 1886; Lea W., born August
16, 1888; and Hugh, born April 16, 1890.
McCURDY, Charles Johnson,
Jurist, Legislator, Diplomatist.
This eminent jurist was born in Lyme,
Connecticut, December 7, 1797. After re-
ceiving a public education he fitted him-
self for college and entered Yale College,
where he graduated in 1817. He then
studied law with Judge Zephaniah Swift,
and was admitted in 1819 to the bar at
New London, Connecticut. He rapidly
gained prominence in his profession, and
entering into the political life of the State
he was elected Representative to the State
Legislature, serving during the sessions
of 1827-29, 1833-34. 1838, 1840-41 and
1844. He was Speaker of the House for
three sessions, and was a State Senator in
1832. Judge McCurdy held the office of