New Britain herald., 1927-12-29
GEORGE W. TRAUT
 CALLED BY DEATH
(Continued from First Page)

1869. and this being the anniversary
 of George Washington's birth his
 parents gave him the name of the
 country's father. George Washington
 Traut. He was the son of J. A. and
 Louisa Burckhardt Traut, who lived in the homestead on Arch street,
 which only recently gave way to
 modern construction.
 He attended local grade schools
 and in 1884 enrolled in New Brit ain High school. Completing his
 preparation for entrance into college
 in 1888, he matriculated at Yale uni
 versity. In the following year his father and the late Henry C. Hinc organized the Traut X Hine Mfg. Co.
 and the young man left Yale to be- come associated with the new in dustry. A short period of service
 Tn subordinate capacities was fol-
 lowed by his elevation to the posi-
 ton of treasurer in the concern.
 In 1908. Ypon the death of his father, he succeeded to the presi- dency of Traut x Hine, a position i he held up to the time of purchase
 of that concern by the North & i Judd Mfg. Co. When the two plants were merged he became vice-presi- dent of the new company.
 On school Board Since 1906 ! When the city and town were con- solidated and the new form of gov
 
 Mr. Traut was named as member of the school committee. which had its inception at that time. He had for three years been a member of the town committee on education. Associ- atod with him were: Charles s. An drews. George Corbin, L. Hoyt Pease, Denis Reardon, James Roche and John Walsh. now deceased; Carl Ebbeson. l.. Allen Moore. William E. Atwood, Dr. John L. Kelly and Judge Bernard r. Gaffncy.
 Of the original board. Mr. Traut vas the only member who had re- tained his place up to this year, Judge Bernard r, Gaffney, who stood next in point of service. hav- ing declined 10 be q candidate in 1924
 Mir. Traut displayed an intense interest in matters of education. par. t1cularly as they applied to tho local school system. Although a. busy man, he accepted appointment to the committee on school accommo- dations and the finance committee, two subdivisions of the board which required him to give up much of his time to public service. For sev- cral years he was chairman of the school building committee. and at the time of his death was the finance committee chairman. In company with other members of the school group, he spent many hours this month in eXamina- tion of sketches for q proposed new Senior High school building. and he | took an active part in the discussion | of proposed revislons.
 Declines Appointment as Secretary
 In 1924, when Edward M. Pratt 1, declined to be a candidate for re- | election to the school board and the | office of secretary became open, an { effort was made to prevail upon Mir. ! Traut to accept the honor, but he { refused. Henry T. Burr became sec . retary. accepting only after he was fully convinced that his associate. Mir. Traut, would not.
 Although in point of service the senior member of the board by many years. Mr. Traut was always regard ed as one of the most progressive members.
 While he was primarily a home loving man. he found time for nu- merous fraternal interests. Included i, were the Knights Templars. Sphinx | Temple, Harmony Lodge, F. and 4. M.. New Britain Lodge of Elks. and ] the Rotary club, of which he vas q charter member. He was also a di rector of the New Britain General hospital. the Elihu Burritt Hotel and the New Britain Boys club.
 His widow, Mrs Amalie Sternberg rraut, survives, as do the following Mrs. Elizabeth Brierley of this city; Mrs. Francesca Lock nome he visited but a few hours prior to his death: Miss Amale. at nome, and Miss Anna, a student at Simmons College. Boston, Mass. He ( llso leaves brother, Frank L. ( rraut of this city. (
 ! tt half mast today on account of Mir. I Traut'S death. it
 Funeral services will hc held Sat :rday afternoon at o'clock at the l rome of 1895 West Main street. { Rev. Dr. G. W. C. Hill, pastor Of { he South Congregational church. { will conduct the ceremony and buri- V | will be in tairview cemetery. c
 A special meeting of the school ,oard will he held this afternoon at { o'clock at the office of Supt. Stan ev II. Holmes. 10 take action on he death Of Mir. Traut.
 Tribute 10 Mir. Traut was paid to- C lay by many mon who had been as f ociatcd with him in manufacturing y r educational fields. All expressed a egret at his demise and acclaimed l. i'm as a patriotic and devoted citi- a en of the highest type. The state | lcnts follow: ?
 Judge B. r. Gaffncy ''The news Of the death of George n '. Traut was shock to me. My long II nd intimate association with him in ublic school affairs and in private D lattcrs made me appreciate his eautiful spirit. his kind heart and II is generous sympathies His inter r st in the schools was deep and |, hole hearted. He gave literally Of U is time. his thought. and personal onvenience. His was the work of a '' cr1Nf