The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-02-17

AAAV BttA 0At0b SO SAAO AOA1 VI AAvAAAB with his neighbors. ffe is, in an important sense, Q self-made man working his own way, and earra- ing his own living from the very beginning. He is 0 natural, hon. est, plain neighbor, with 6 big and generous heart, and is never high falutin' in his manner.
 William !. Christian was born in the little village of Hobart, N. F., Nov. 2oth, 1891. He Is the son of the late Jesse J., and Isabel (Maaes) Christian. His father, who was Q native of Philmont, N. Y, died there in 1895, when William was four years old. His mother, who was Q native of Missouri, passed to her reward here in Waterbury in 1918. He has two brothers: Ted of Hartford, and Fred of Waterbury, and one sister, Mrs. Lillian Gunsalus, also of this city. Another brother, Samuel, retired New York police- man, and another sister, Hazel, died some time ago.
 Bill Christian came to Water bury about the time he reached school age and first attended the old Russell School on West Side Hill. When he was IA he grad- uated from the Clay street grarn- mar school and enrolled at Cros- by high school. Later, he was pri- vately uttered for two years by the late Professor Qulliver, who then resided on Walnut street. Bill also attended night school for six years in his quest for knowledge.
 From the time he was eight years old, until he had attained the age of IT., Bill Christian dis tributed the morning Republican. His first regular job was that of errand boy at the old New Eng land Watch company Bill's early ambition was to become a jockey, but he soon abandoned the idea, and one day decided he'd become 8 toolmaker instead. He began his apprenticeship at the Water bury Button company. As time went on he transferred his serv- ices to the Waterbury Clock corIn- pany, Bristol company, and the Hcovill Manufacturing company Twenty years ago he entered the employ of the Waterbury Brass branch of the American Brass company. That is where we find him today-an expert toolmaker.
 Bill Christian has enjoyed life from the very beginning. When he was a youngster he welcomed the intimate cornpanionship of his friends, just as he does now. He finished with them, went down to the old swimming hole, got to- gether to make things in the cellar and gathered with them in the back lot for Q good old game of baseball. He went coasting on his own sled made with his own hands. Hc cut his own hockey sticks out of bent hickory sap- lings. He found happiness in the creative power of his spirit and of his own two hands.
 Young Bill loved dumb animals and owned a tanned gray squirrel he called Jack" and every eve- ming he brought "Jack" all the way from Liberty street to the Green so his pet could romp play- fully about the branches of the big elm trees. When 1t was time to go, Bill would whistle, and Jack" would respond immediate ly. One day Charles Miller, 6 taxi dermist, shot poor "Jack" and mounted him. All there is left to be said is that Jack" looked so life-like supported by wires and stuffed with something other than nuts, acorns and seeds.
 Bill Christian was quite Q base- ball enthusiast a few years ago. He managed the Seneca club in the city amateur league; the Bris- tol company team, and the Wat terbury Brass company team. All three outfits kept well up in the running each season.
 On June 29th, 1915, MT. Chris tian married Mary Margaret Con- nor, 6 native of Pleasant street. The wedding took place in thee Sacred Heart church with the late Father Hugh Treanor offlciating. Mir. and Mrs. Christian now have three charmingn children: Kath- erine, Mary and Robert.
 MT. Christian as 6 republican, politically, and is serving his sec. Ond term as selectman of this city. He was committeeman of the East Farm school district until the district joined the city in 1881. He weighs 2i4 pounds, and is five feet, eight and three-quarter inches tall, with blue eyes and brown hair. He is especially fond of popular music. He prefers to read detective stories, yet finds time each day to scan the local newspapers. He wears glasses while reading and working. He Is not at all superstitious and con- siders rFiday--the l3th-the same as any other day. His greatest thrill was experienced sometime ago while Q passenger in 8 car that skidded on East Main street.
 He is still uncertain as to where the machine came to Q halt. Bill delights in Q game of pinochle with his friends, and is most hospitable. His favorite food dish Is q steak prepared by Mrs. Chris tian. TapiocA pudding is his choice of dessert. Cider brandy is his favorlte alcoholic beverage. He smokes cigars.
 MT. Christian lives with his fanl- ily in his own home on East Main street in the East Farms district. He now has two wire-haired fox terriers, a mother and son, as pets. "Puddles" is the mother, and "Pe- ter' is the son. MT. Christion is of Edward Leverett Futile, an. other neighbor in this series Of
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