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Note: BIO:"Grampy", as he was known to his grandchildren, was born and lived most of his life in Danbury. He joined the family business in 1914,
at the age of eighteen. He worked in every department of the shop and
took over as president when his father died in 1933. He worked closely
with his four brothers and this family unity was considered a major
factor in the growth of the firm during the period when hatting was
Danbury's principal industry. He served in the U.S. Marine Corp
during WWI, In the 1930's he started the Maclan Hat Co. in Mass. The
hurricane of 1938 destroyed the plant but Harry promptly restored it
and resumed production within two months. He served for many years as
officer and director of the U.S. Hat Machinery Corp. He was president
of the Hat Institute and headed the Hat Research Foundation, formed as
a broad research organization. He was director of the Connecticut
Chamber of Commerce and the Danbury National Bank. He was treasurer of
the Danbury Building & Loan Association (now Danbury Savings & Loan).
He was a member of the Board of Estimates of the City of Danbury and
vice-president of the Danbury Industrial Corporation. He was also a
member of the McGivney Council - Knights of Columbus, Fourth Degree
K of C, Danbury Lodge of Elks, Joseph A. Treadwell Post of American
Legion and president and lifetime member of Ridgewood Country Club.
In 1959 he was honored by Pope John XXIII by being named a Knight of
Saint Gregory the Great. He wintered at the Cloisters in Sea Island
since 1934, building a home there in 1957. He moved to Ledgewood in
Brookfield in 1965 after his home at 20 Deer Hill burned down. He
never sought elective office, although he was considered one of the
most influential Republicans in the Danbury area. He died at his home
in Brookfield after a long illness.
SERVICE RECORDS p.60 McLachlan, Harry, Jr.
MCR, NSN, White Danbury, Conn. Enl USMC NEW YORK, NY. Mch 2/18. (enlisted US Marine Corps)
Br Danbury, Conn. May 30/96. (born)
Parris Island Feb 23/18.
Quantico, VA May 10/18.
Sup Det May 21/18. (Supply Depot)
Eastern Res Div Oct 1/19.
TRFD to inactive status MCR Feb 12/19. (transfered Marine Reserve)
File No. 109774
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