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COLYAR, Granville Buckingham,
Merchant.
The name of Colyar is derived from the
class of names known as "Occupational
Surnames." Originally it was given to
one who was a "collier," that is one who
burned and sold charcoal. As often happens
with many of the early surnames, it
is found in several different spellings,
among them being the form here used and
Colyer.
Granville B. Colyar, a leading merchant
of Fairfield county, Connecticut, was born
in Westport, Connecticut, October 25,
1895, son of Edward Bartlett and Georgianna
(Lattin) Colyar.
Edward B. Colyar, his father, was born
in New Bedford, Massachusetts, February
15, 1859, and as a boy began to go
to sea. He followed this occupation until
about twelve years ago, when he retired
from active employment. Mr. Colyar
has been a resident of Westport for about
thirty years. He married Georgianna
Lattin, daughter of George Lattin, of that
town, and their children were : Edna, wife
of Victor Sunderland, of Saugatuck; and
Granville B., of further mention. Mr.
and Mrs. Colyar are members of the
Methodist Episcopal church.
Granville B. Colyar was educated in
the Staples High School of Westport, and
then entered Cornell University to study
engineering. He was forced to give up
this idea because of ill health, and after
his recovery entered the employ of the
Dolge Manufacturing Company, of West-
port, with whom he remained fifteen
months. He then organized the Colyar's
Shoe Stores, Incorporated, of which he
has ever since been treasurer. The first
store was opened in Westport, and in 1919
another was opened in Norwalk. Mr.
Colyar entered into the shoe business
with no previous training, but his suc-
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cess is assured because of the initiative
he possesses. His pleasing personality
has won many friends for him, and his
attention to the details of his business has
also brought their confidence. It can be
safely predicted that a fine future is in
prospect for him. The fraternal affiliations
of Mr. Colyar are : Member of Tem-
ple Lodge, No. 65, Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons, of Westport; Aspetuck
Lodge, Knights of Pythias ;
Shepherds of
Bethlehem.
Mr. Colyar married Helen Hall Mc-
intosh, daughter of Charles Mcintosh, of
Wellesley, Massachusetts. They attend
Trinity Episcopal Church, of whose
choir Mr. Colyar is a member, possessing
a most pleasing voice. He also plays the
violin, and was a member of the Cornell
orchestra.
CANTY, Thomas H.,
Business Man, Public Official.
During the comparatively few years of
Mr. Canty's residence in South Norwalk,
Connecticut, he has built up a business
and a reputation which entitle him to a
place among the most active and prosper-
ous of her citizens. Well known as the
head of the firm of T. H. Canty & Company,
he is also officially connected wtih
other business organizations and has filled
with credit more than one local office of
trust and responsibility.
Thomas H. Canty, grandfather of
Thomas H. Canty, when a young man,
came with his wife from Ireland, to the
United States, and settled in New Haven,
Connecticut. The name Canty is of Scot-
tish origin and signifies brisk, cheerful,
lively.
Thomas H. Canty, father of our subject,
was born in August, 1855, in New
Haven, and there grew to manhood. He
was variously employed until the age of