New Britain herald., 1925-03-11
ALWAYS LOOK ON
 THE SUNNY SIDE
Years Do Not Make Age Mrs. Skinner SayS--S7th Birthday

In order 10 gain happiness, be cheerful, is the philosophy of life of Mrs. James N. skinner who today is receiving the congratulations of her friends and relatives upon her S7th birthday anniversary.
 "Rcmembcr young man." she ad- ,ised tho Herald representative in that motherly way which has en- dcared her to all her friends, years do not make age"
 Asked what sho would like 10 hand down to posterity as her secret of growing old gracefully, she ad- vsed her interviewer, Always look on the sunny side of life"
 And Mrs, Skinner does look on inc sunny side. She likes young folks and having raised a family of her own she still is very fond of Chi- Iren, and nothing gives her moro pleasure than to have 'one Of hcr grandchildren drop in with their youngsters, or 10 have the neigh i bors children come in 10 call.
 Being devout Methodist, she is familiar with the Methodist hymnal | and has played, sung and even whistled every hymn in the Metho- dist hymn book. Again in this her , tavorite is Keep on the Sunny Side" and 2 stranger calling at her home on Chestnut street about $ o'clock in the morning would be i likely 10 hear what he would imag- 1 inc was a schoolboy whistline hymns, only 10 find upon investiga ton that the whistler was great. grandmother, who believes that years do not make age"
 In New Britain 48 Years.
 Mrs. Skinner was born In Windsor March Il, 1S3S, Her people were 1 pioneers who came to Windsor iron, | Boston Through the woods" ir 1636. She has been resident of New Britain for 46 years and has seer the community grom from d towr Of 12,ooQ to a city of 10000.
 Her husband, who was veteran of the 25th Connecticut Volunteer infantry, died $ yeares ago.
 The late MT. Skinner, who was the inventor of the Skinner chuck and who started the chuck manu' tacturing business for the Unior ! Mfg. Co. in 1880, was one of inc 1 founders Of the plant which stil hears his name, the Skinner Chuck l Co.,, E. J. Skinner, then a hoy in hif teens, now president of the Skinner Chuck Co,, entered the new corpor- ation with his father at the time of | It's incorporation, in 1887.
 For about g. years Mrs. Skinner has made her home at the residence she now occupies at 255 Chestnut i street with her daughter, Mrs. A. D. i Ferry, She is q member of Martha 1 chapter, Order Eastern Star, was chaplain of the Woman's Relief corps for six years and for years taught Sunday school class and c | Tuesday night class in the Metho' dist church. She is an expert organ ist and until a few years ago, vher she presented her organ to the Klingberg Children's home, she spent some time each day playing hymns at her home.
 Mrs. Skinner has raised a family ! Of mechanics which has reached tt the third generation. She has son F.. J. Skinner, of Maple Hill, presi' dent of the Skinner Chuck O., ant a daughter, Mrs. Amanda D. Ferry
 There are eight grandchildren Robert B. Skinner of Maple Hill secretary Of the Skinner Chuck Co, Sherwood Skinner of Stanley street a mechanical engineer and assistan general superintendent of Landers I'rary &, Clark; James N, at home and Harold R. in Philadelphia These four are sons of MT, and Mrs F. J. Skinner. Mrs. Ferry also haI four children, three sons, H, J. Fer ry of Springfield, prominently con nccted with the National Blanl Book Co.,, of that place; Oliver M Ferry, a mechanical engineer wit the Pratt 6: Whitney Co. at Hart
 ford, J. R, Ferry, structural stee