Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

Ferdinand, born December 16, 1904. 11.
Anna Marie, born March 10, 1907. 12.
William, born November 2, 1908.
KARL, John Martin,
Business Man.
One of the great uses of biography is
to supply readers with notes of encouragement.
The pages tell of the achievements
of self-made men who have accom-
plished their aims through their own ef-
forts. Such a history is the story of the
career of John Martin Karl, of New Can-
aan, Connecticut. Mr. Karl was born in
Brooklyn, New York, November 11, 1888,
son of Stephen and Mary (Schwarz) Karl.
Stephen Karl was born October 16,
1862, in Germany, where he attended the
district schools until he was thirteen years
of age. This was supplemented by a
three year course in the evening schools.
Mr. Karl learned the trade of tailor, and
when he was twenty years of age came
to America, locating in Brooklyn, New
York. There he followed his trade until
1895, in which year he removed to Mil-
ford, Connecticut, and purchased a small
farm. He engaged in the business of
raising poultry, small fruits, and makes a
specialty of garden truck. In all Mr.
Karl has about fifteen acres, and he has
been very successful in the cultivation of
his crops.
Mr. Karl married, May 30, 1886, in
Brooklyn, Mary Schwarz, born March
25, 1864, in New York City, died November
17, 1917,.^ Milford, daughter of Lorenz
and Magdalena (Smith) Schwarz.
Mr. and Mrs. Karl were the parents of ten
children, all of whom are now living in
Connecticut. They are: 1. M. Emily,
born March 25, 1887; a trained nurse. 2.
John Martin, of whom further. 3. Joseph
Anthony, born March 22, 1890, resides in
New Canaan. 4. Stephen Emil, born Jan-
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
359
uary 15, 1892, married Lillian Clark, and
resides in New Canaan. 5. Theresa Agnes,
born October 23, 1893, married John
Oddie, and resides in Milford. Mrs. Oddie
is a trained nurse. 6. Florenz Mary,
born February 19, 1899; a school teacher
in the New Canaan schools. 7. Leo Emil,
born April 18, 1901, of New Canaan. 8.
James Lorey, born January 19, 1903, of
Milford. 9. Emil Robert, born October
11, 1905. 10. Francis William, born Oc-
tober 10, 1909. Mr. Karl and his family
are members of St. Mark's Roman Cath-
olic Church, of Milford.
John Martin Karl, the oldest son, was
educated in the public schools of Mil-
ford, and was for a time employed in the
Bonnel Telegraph & Electric Company of
that town. Later he went to work in the
automobile business for S. Clarke, of Mil-
ford, and this marked the beginning of
his successful career. Mr. Karl entered
the automobile business at an early day
in its history, and he has practically grown
up with it. For six years he was employed
as a chauffeur, and in 1913 became man-
ager for the Central Garage Company, of
New Canaan, where he remained for two
years. All this time Mr. Karl had his
plans made for a business of his own,
which is the dream of every alert and ambitious
business man, and in 1915 he was
able to realize this ambition, and the six
years which have passed since then have
seen the business grow to the point where
ten men are employed. In 1920, Mr. Karl
added to his space by the purchase of the
Simons Garage, and he has the agency
for the Buick and Dodge cars.
Fraternally, he is a member of
Council, Knights of Columbus, and he is
also a member of the New Canaan Volunteer
Fire Company. In the World
War, Mr. Karl served in the Quarter-
master's Corps, stationed at Governor's
Island, Guard & Fire Company, No. 321,