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62-599: John Morton Downey was born in Wallingford, Connecticut , the fourth of six children of James A. and Bessie (Cox) Downey, a well-known family in both Wallingford and Waterbury, Connecticut . The grandson of Irish immigrants, he was known by his middle name because so many of his near relatives were named John. His father was the chief of the Wallingford Fire Department until a near fatal automobile accident necessitated his retirement. Downey began his singing career as

124-492: A balance between the conveniences of city life and the charm of a smaller town. Despite the suburbanization, Wallingford continued to attract businesses, maintaining a robust economic base. The town became a hub for various industries, including medical, healthcare, high-tech specialty manufacturing, and research and development. The development of several industrial parks—Barnes Industrial Park, Casimir Pulaski Industrial Park, Centract Park, and MedWay Industrial Park—helped attract

186-453: A considerable fortune developing low grade, large scale porphyry copper deposits at the same time he got lucky with his high-grade Magma mine, which proved a phenomenal bonanza. He retired from the New York stock exchange in 1915 and later created his own holding company, Newmont Mining Corporation , to which he transferred his many mining interests. By the time of his death, Newmont Mining was

248-494: A major factor in world copper production. Today, Newmont is the largest gold producer in the United States but continues the legacy of Thompson to explore and bring into production new ore deposits. Thompson's promotions and financial holdings were scattered from Canada to Peru. They included Indian Motorcycle Co. He financed lead, zinc and coal mines, street railways, and handled the sensational Midvale Steel financing during

310-487: A member of the choir of Most Holy Trinity Church in Wallingford. Downey's signature sound was a very creamy and very high-timbred Irish tenor , which an uninformed listener can easily mistake for a female voice. The popularity of such highly artificial and "heady" male pop vocals peaked in the late 1920s and early 1930s. By the mid-1930s, the style was out of fashion, and Downey reduced some of his broader mannerisms and made

372-621: A park in Butte. To his alma mater, Phillips Exeter Academy, Thompson donated $ 2 million during his lifetime. His donations created the Boyce Thompson science building, a new gymnasium in 1923, squash courts, a baseball field, sports cage, The Exeter Inn , and other facilities. He willed $ 1 million to Phillips Exeter. Thompson also bequeathed a significant gem and mineral collection to New York's American Museum of Natural History . His wife, Gertrude Hickman, and daughter, Margaret Thompson, inherited

434-658: A prominent physician and statesman who represented Georgia in the Continental Congress. Hall was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, underscoring Wallingford’s deep ties to the founding of the United States. His contributions to the Revolutionary cause exemplify the town’s commitment to the ideals of liberty and self-governance. As Wallingford entered the 19th century, it began to transform from an agricultural community into an industrial hub. The arrival of

496-670: A propaganda campaign to counteract Kerensky's mounting unpopularity, and growing popular sentiment against the ongoing war with the Central Powers. With the help of Thompson, the Provisional Government created the Committee of Civic Education in Free Russia to oversee the propaganda drive, with pro-Kerensky Russian revolutionary Catherine Breshkovsky at the organization's head. According to W.B. Thompson biographer Hermann Hagedorn,

558-546: A railroad between them – is now part of Arizona's vast Morenci open pit, largest in the United States. Joining the brokerage firm of Hayden, Stone & Co. during the early 1900s he expanded his promotions: to Ely, Nevada , where he helped organize the Nevada Consolidated, which eventually became a part of the multinational Kennecott Copper Company (Guggenheims), of which he was a director; Mason Valley where he opened old copper mines and built his smelter town which

620-550: A transition to a somewhat more "chesty" vocal timbre. For a time in the 1920s, Downey sang with Paul Whiteman 's Orchestra. He first recorded in 1923 for Edison Records under the pseudonym Morton James ; the following year he recorded for Victor with the S.S. Leviathan Orchestra. In 1925, he began four years of recording for Brunswick Records . In 1926, he had a hit in the show Palm Beach Nights . Downey toured London, Paris, Berlin, New York City and Hollywood. He also began appearing in movies, including Syncopation (1929),

682-491: A variety of sports programs, including football, soccer, basketball, and track and field. Wallingford is also home to three private schools: According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 39.9 square miles (103.3 km ), of which 39.0 square miles (101.1 km ) is land and 0.9 square miles (2.2 km ), or 2.16%, is water. The town of Wallingford sits astride

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744-476: A vibrant community that seamlessly blends its rich historical heritage with modern economic and industrial development. From its origins as a colonial settlement to its role in the fight for American independence, through the Industrial Revolution and into the 21st century, Wallingford is a testament to the enduring spirit of its residents and their ability to adapt and thrive through the ages. Wallingford

806-414: A wide range of businesses, further diversifying Wallingford's tax base. The establishment of an Interchange Zone at the intersection of Interstate 91 and Route 68 facilitated the growth of office parks, research centers, and hotels, cementing Wallingford's role as a key economic center in the region. One of the most significant industrial presences in Wallingford during the late 20th and early 21st centuries

868-644: Is believed that he was Kenny's biggest influence. The similarities in style can be heard in Kenny's earliest recordings with The Ink Spots . In 1930, Downey began making national radio broadcasts after opening his own nightclub (The Delmonico) in New York. He was voted America's "Radio Singer of the Year" in 1932. At the time, Downey was featured nightly on the Camel Quarter Hour radio broadcast. On February 5, 1945, his transcribed program Songs by Morton Downey moved from

930-399: Is home to approximately 44,446 residents. The racial makeup leans white (80.2%), with a notable Hispanic presence (11.6%) and smaller proportions of Asian (4.4%) and other groups. The median age sits at 44.3, indicating a blend of families and young professionals. Family households comprise 63% of the total, with 24% having children under their roof. Wallingford’s 2022 median household income

992-659: Is libelous—Gunn was not a lowly miner/prospector born in Nevada and working in Montana when "discovered" by Thompson as a worthy partner. Gunn, an Ohian who attended Oberlin and Ohio State University, had worked his way up to mine superintendent when he met Thompson in Helena. The two later became a powerful team (not as Hagedorn writes) after they met again while Gunn was with Guggenheim Exploration, mine finders, and Thompson with Hayden, Stone & Company brokerage. Their Gunn-Thompson partnership

1054-576: Is now the magnificent Boyce Thompson Arboretum. < https://btarboretum.org/ > The Mediterranean style home is occasionally open for tours through the arboretum. In 1925, Thompson ordered a luxurious private railroad car, named the Alder , from the Pullman Company. The car was later used by ASARCO and in 1971 was owned by the National Railways of Mexico. Thompson died from pneumonia in 1930 and

1116-626: Is part of the South Central Connecticut Planning Region and the New York Metropolitan Area . The population was 44,396 at the 2020 census . The community was named after Wallingford , in England. Wallingford, Connecticut, is deeply woven into the fabric of early American history, from its founding to its connection with some of the most influential figures of the colonial era. Established on October 10, 1667, by

1178-471: Is responsible for the generation, distribution, and maintenance of the town's electrical infrastructure, focusing on efficiency and reliability. The Wallingford Electric Division is overseen by the Public Utilities Commission of Wallingford, which manages its operations, finances, and strategic planning. The division's mission is to deliver cost-effective, dependable electric service while meeting

1240-579: Is served by the Wallingford Public School District, which includes several elementary schools, two middle schools (Dag Hammarskjold and James H. Moran), and two high schools (Mark T. Sheehan and Lyman Hall). The district offers a range of academic programs, including Advanced Placement courses, STEM education, and arts programs. Lyman Hall High School features a specialized agricultural science program. The district also provides special education services, English language learning programs, and

1302-636: The Connecticut General Assembly , Wallingford was founded by a group of 38 planters and freemen, including notable figures such as John Moss, Samuel Street, and Robert Wallace. These early settlers chose a strategic location near the Quinnipiac River , which is now the area known as Main Street. By May 12, 1670, the settlement had grown to include 126 residents living in temporary housing, and by 1675, 40 permanent homes had been constructed, signaling

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1364-604: The International Silver Company , headquartered in the neighboring city of Meriden, which solidified the region's status as a global center for silver manufacturing. In the 19th century, Wallingford was also the birthplace of Moses Y. Beach , a prominent figure in American journalism. Born in 1800, Beach became the owner of the New York Sun and was known for pioneering the "penny press," making newspapers affordable to

1426-671: The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company . By the 1920s he was a director of Sinclair Oil and promoter of Gulf Sulphur , but all these were diversions from his main interest in mining copper. In 1925, when planning to scout mining properties in South Africa, he became ill and returned home halfway through the trip, his last, lingering illness. Rotund, good-natured, bald, a tireless worker, a devoted family man, Thompson chewed tobacco, underpaid his employees (though equivalent to pay given by his contemporaries) and, as one of

1488-899: The New Haven–Springfield Line , with daily passenger service to points north and south, providing direct access to New York City along with Boston via a connection in New Haven. It is served at Wallingford station by the CT Rail ( Connecticut Department of Transportation ) Hartford Line trains and by Amtrak 's Hartford Line , Northeast Regional , and Valley Flyer . Tweed New Haven Airport ( HVN ) in East Haven , Westchester County Airport in Westchester County , and Bradley International Airport ( BDL ) in Windsor Locks are

1550-604: The Quinnipiac River in northern New Haven County , roughly 90 miles northeast of New York City. It is 5 miles (8 km) south of Meriden and about 13 miles (21 km) north of New Haven . Towns bordering Wallingford are Cheshire, Durham, Hamden, Meriden, Middlefield, North Branford and North Haven. Situated in the Hartford -New Haven- Springfield corridor, Wallingford is traversed by U.S. Route 5 , Interstate 91 , and State Highways Route 15 ( Wilbur Cross Parkway ), Route 68 , Route 71 and Route 150 . As of 2022, Wallingford

1612-536: The 1940s, he made records for Columbia Records . In 1949, Downey began appearing on television. He was host of the Mohawk Showroom on NBC three nights a week. It was also known as The Morton Downey Show on the nights he was host. From 1950 to 1951, he co-hosted Star of the Family . Morton Downey was the father of television personality Morton Downey Jr. by his first wife, actress Barbara Bennett (1906–1958),

1674-578: The Bolshevik Revolution" by Antony Sutton that W.B. Thompson gave considerable sums of money to the Bolsheviks. This is a misconception that can be traced back to Thompson's own time, originally appearing in newspapers asserting his support for the Bolsheviks. As pointed out by W.B. Thompson biographer Hermann Hagedorn, when the press uncovered Thompson's financial support for Kerensky and the Committee of Civic Education in Free Russia, they "jumped to

1736-450: The Bolsheviks could keep channels of trade open and influence the Bolsheviks to be less radical. According to him, "if [we] leave Russian radicalism to itself to grow like a cancer, it is going to be a menace to the world." Thompson argued that the Bolsheviks would "soon learn that capital and labor must go hand in hand" and continue the war against Germany. Nevertheless, Thompson's predictions did not come true. The Bolsheviks withdrew from

1798-609: The Committee by Thompson was quickly exhausted, prompting Breshkovsky to appeal to U.S. President Woodrow Wilson for support. Thompson reached out to President Wilson himself, but failed to produce any further funding for the Committee. The Provisional government was overthrown in the October Revolution and the Bolsheviks came to power. But this did not prove to be an immediate set-back in Thompson's plans for Russia. Thompson and his compatriot Raymond Robins attempted to deal with

1860-595: The NBC Blue Network to the Mutual Broadcasting System . The move came after Blue Network officials adopted a policy "against the use of transcriptions for network originated programs, except where technical difficulties void live broadcasts." As a result of the shift, the number of stations carrying the program more than doubled. In the 1930s, he recorded for ARC , Hit of the Week , and Decca Records , and in

1922-579: The War when the stock rose from 290 to 500. He promoted the great Nipissing silver deposit at Cobalt, Ontario , Canada for the Guggenheims and reaped a quick million dollars return. He refinanced American Woolen Co. and Tobacco Products Co., launched Cuba Cane Sugar Co., got control of Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Co. , organized Submarine Boat Corp. and the Wright-Martin Aeroplane Co. He was a director of

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1984-688: The aim of the propaganda disseminated by the Committee was to "beg the Russians in terms which the simplest could comprehend to obey the government and resume the war, not to save the Allies but to save the Revolution." Despite Thompson's generous funding, the Committee was largely unsuccessful and could not compete with the anti-war propaganda of the Russian radicals, specifically that of the Bolsheviks . The million given to

2046-560: The artist's estate; she claimed in her autobiography 'Faith is a Song' (1951) that she offered it to Thompson's daughter who set a fee for the privilege of destroying the portrait. The portrait is now in the New York State Museum at Albany. Thompson visited Russia just after the February Revolution of 1917 which resulted in the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II . The effects of crop failure and starvation were rampant. Thompson

2108-546: The balance of his wealth. In 1941, The Alder , Boyce-Thompson's 265 ft. motor-yacht, was given to the U.S. Navy to aid the war effort. The Boyce-Thompson family listed by ancestry/generation: Fortunately for future historians, Thompson began writing his reminiscences before his death. However, a word of caution about Hermann Hagedorn's The Magnate, William Boyce Thompson and His Time (1935) based on this material. Journalist Hagedorn at times writes more hagiography than biography. For example, his depiction of George E. Gunn

2170-405: The closest commercial airports to Wallingford. The Wallingford Electric Division (WED) is a municipally owned utility that provides electricity to the town. Established in 1899, WED is one of Connecticut's few municipal electric utilities, operating under the town's governance. It supplies electricity to residents and businesses, and is known for offering reliable service at competitive rates. WED

2232-461: The community. The 20th century marked a period of suburbanization for Wallingford, as the town transitioned from an industrial hub to a residential community while retaining its economic diversity. The post-World War II era saw significant growth in Wallingford’s population, driven by the suburban boom that reshaped much of America. New housing developments sprang up, attracting families looking for

2294-533: The conclusion that he [actually] had given the money to the Bolsheviki for propaganda purposes" likely because of Thompson's unpopular public opinions on the Bolsheviks and their role in the future of Russia. In 1920, he decided to establish the Boyce Thompson Institute , and endowed it with $ 10 million, a veritable fortune in the 1920s. He hoped that this "seed" money would enable the institute to acquire

2356-471: The connections to finance the developments. Again, many of the tall tales Hagedorn relates about the pre-1913 era, especially about Gunn, need correctives: Gunn's eyes were not gray they were blue and one needs to discount the rest of Hagedorn's description of his intellect and appearance; he was not buried by an ex-con and the boys, but by the Masonic lodge he had long been a member of and by a reverend, Hagedorn to

2418-656: The evolving needs of the community. In 1943 and 1944 the Boston Braves held spring training in Wallingford at Choate's Winter Exercise Building. The town is the home of the Connecticut Bearcats, a New England Football League team. Ten buildings and districts in Wallingford are listed on the National Register of Historic Places : * Consolidated borough and town William Boyce Thompson William Boyce Thompson (May 13, 1869 – June 27, 1930)

2480-562: The first film released by RKO Radio Pictures . Downey was also a songwriter whose most successful numbers include "All I Need Is Someone Like You", "California Skies", "In the Valley of the Roses", "Now You're in My Arms", "Sweeten Up Your Smile", "That's How I Spell Ireland", "There's Nothing New", and "Wabash Moon". He joined ASCAP in 1949. The famous tenor vocalist Bill Kenny idolized Downey, and it

2542-527: The general public. He is also credited for being a leading founder of the Associated Press . However, Wallingford was not immune to tragedy. On August 9, 1878, a devastating tornado struck the town, leaving a path of destruction and claiming the lives of at least 29, and possibly as many as 34, residents. This tornado remains the deadliest in Connecticut's history, and the disaster left a lasting impact on

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2604-603: The greatest gamblers of his time, discharged them for gambling. He was prominent behind the scenes in the Republican party, a presidential elector, party chair, as well as served on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York from 1914 to 1919 and was twice (1916 and 1920) a delegate to the Republican National Convention . In 1921, he declined nomination for a cabinet post under President Warren G. Harding . He

2666-453: The key figures in this industry was Samuel Simpson , a local industrialist and philanthropist who played a pivotal role in Wallingford’s rise as a center of silver manufacturing. Simpson, Hall, Miller & Co., which he co-founded, became one of the leading producers of silverware in the country. Samuel Simpson’s contributions were instrumental in establishing Wallingford as a major hub for silver production. His company eventually became part of

2728-469: The new Bolshevik government despite the protests of indignant American diplomats and businessmen that the Bolsheviks were merely paid agents of the German Kaiser and not true representatives of Russian democracy. Based on his own observations of Russia's political climate, Thompson believed that the new Bolshevik government was certain to remain in power, and that official Allied recognition & support of

2790-453: The people and the inability of the social democratic Provisional Government headed by Alexander Kerensky to handle the crisis and feed the hungry. Along with assisting the Provisional government in dealing with the famine, Thompson also endeavored to shape post-Revolutionary Russia's political landscape in a manner favorable to Wall Street. Thompson provided $ 1 million of his own money to fund

2852-748: The railroad in the 1840s, specifically the New Haven and Hartford Railroad (later part of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad ), further accelerated the town's growth. The railroad connected Wallingford to larger markets in the Northeast, facilitating the transport of goods, including the town's famous silver products, and spurring the development of new industries. Wallingford became particularly renowned for its silver production, with companies like Hall, Elton & Co., Simpson, Hall, Miller & Co ., and R. Wallace & Sons gaining national prominence. One of

2914-419: The sister of actresses Constance and Joan Bennett , and with whom he ultimately had five children, four sons, and a daughter: Michael, "Sean" (John Morton Downey Jr. ), Lorelle, Anthony, and Kevin. Her early promise as a dancer and actress gave way to her turbulent marriage with Downey. The couple married in 1929 and divorced in 1941. She married actor Addison Randall shortly afterward. Downey's second wife

2976-667: The town became the site of New England's last witchcraft trial when Winifred Benham was accused of witchcraft. She was tried three times in Wallingford but was acquitted on each occasion, marking the end of the witch trials in the region. This event reflects the lingering fears and superstitions of the era, even as the fervor of the Salem witch trials had begun to fade. The town also played a critical role in America’s fight for independence, with Lyman Hall being one of its most distinguished sons. Born in Wallingford in 1724, Lyman Hall went on to become

3038-519: The town's early growth and stability. One of Wallingford’s early settlers was Thomas Yale , an influential figure in the New Haven Colony and an ancestor of Elihu Yale, the benefactor after whom Yale University is named. Thomas Yale was a signatory of the Wallingford plantation covenant in 1667, marking the formal establishment of the town. Wallingford’s historical significance extends to its involvement in key moments of colonial America. In 1697,

3100-487: The very best scientists, equipment, and supplies and then to develop relationships with industry and the government to help finance research. He donated money for parks and libraries at many of his mining camps, including the Thompson-Hickman Memorial Library in his birthplace, Virginia City; his wife Gertrude Hickman Thompson officially transferred the building to the city in 1918. He donated $ 50,000 for

3162-572: The war, ratifying the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk in 1918. While the Soviet Union allowed foreign investments and free trade for a time during the era of the New Economic Policy , this accommodation ended when Joseph Stalin took power and inaugurated the first five-year plans for the national economy of the Soviet Union . There is a persistent narrative, most prominently outlined in "Wall Street and

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3224-635: The widow of Howell Van Gerbig and the former wife of John Kevin Barry; they married in 1970. Downey died following a stroke in 1985 in Palm Beach, Florida, aged 83, and was buried in the local Catholic cemetery in his hometown of Wallingford, Connecticut. Wallingford, Connecticut Wallingford is a town in New Haven County , Connecticut , United States , centrally located between New Haven and Hartford , and Boston and New York City . The town

3286-404: Was $ 98,456, and the median family income was $ 120,823. The average household and family income was $ 115,652 and $ 139,258, respectively. Compared to the national average, Wallingford's median income is significantly higher, putting it in the top 25% of U.S. households. Top employers in Wallingford according to the town's 2022 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report: Wallingford is also located on

3348-415: Was Peggy Boyce Schulze (1922–1964), the former wife of Prince Alexander zu Hohenlohe-Waldenburg-Schillingsfürst and the granddaughter of Colorado mining industrialist William Boyce Thompson . Downey owned a house at Squaw Island, Hyannis Port , Massachusetts, next to Joseph P. Kennedy 's house. John and Jacqueline Kennedy rented Downey's house in the summer of 1963. Downey's third wife was Ann Trainer,

3410-513: Was a member of an American Red Cross relief mission that also hoped to encourage formation of a democratic government in Russia. He was awarded the honorary title of Colonel by the American Red Cross. The objective of Thompson's mission was to enlarge the business opportunities in Russia for himself and his Wall Street associates. But on the ground in Russia, he saw firsthand the suffering of

3472-628: Was an American mining engineer , financier , prominent in the Republican party, philanthropist , and founder of Newmont Mining . Thompson was one of the early twentieth century mine operators that discovered and exploited vast copper deposits that revolutionized Western American mining, and reaped tremendous fortunes. The William Boyce Thompson School in Yonkers, New York , is named after him. Born in Virginia City , Montana Territory and raised in Butte , he

3534-455: Was buried at the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery . A 1935 biography of Boyce-Thompson, The Magnate , by Herman Hagedorn , the presidential biographer of Theodore Roosevelt , profiles his life. His portrait was painted by the Swiss-born American artist Adolfo Müller-Ury (1862–1947) about 1920-5, and was donated to the New York Chamber of Commerce around 1948/9 by the artist's friend, the soprano Jessica Dragonette (died 1980) who had acquired it from

3596-424: Was head of and principal supporter of the President Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Association from 1919 until his death. In 1912, he built the W. B. Thompson Mansion at Yonkers, New York . It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. During the 1920s, near Superior, Arizona, he built his winter mansion, Picket Post House, overlooking the beautiful desertscape and gardens he created at what

3658-442: Was named Thompson, Nevada after him (now a ghost town); and most fortuitously in the 1910s opened the Magma mine at Superior, Arizona , which became a major copper producer; and the promotion of the incredibly rich Inspiration Copper Company at Inspiration, Arizona , near Miami, Arizona , during the 1910s (absorbed by the "Anaconda crowd" in 1912, but with Thompson retaining a 15% share); all made him fabulously wealthy. He had built

3720-402: Was schooled in the rough mining towns of southwest Montana - but also at Phillips Exeter Academy and the Columbia School of Mines . During the 1890s he joined his father, William, one-time mayor of Butte, in Montana mining and lumber ventures, before moving east to become a mine promoter and stockbroker. His first success, the Shannon Copper Company – where he opened mines, built a smelter, and

3782-450: Was searching in all the major new porphyry districts and developed a number of the major mines by the time heart disease impacted Gunn's abilities, then his death a year later March 11, 1913. Gunn the mine finder was a perfect match for Thompson the broker and high wheeling financier. Gunn had the talent in Salt Lake City on his staff or as consultants next door to find the mines—Mason Valley, Inspiration, Magma, for example—while Thompson had

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3844-417: Was the Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. The pharmaceutical giant established a research and development facility in Wallingford's MedWay Industrial Park, becoming the town's largest taxpayer and a key contributor to its economy. However, in 2017, Bristol-Myers Squibb relocated its operations, and the facility was subsequently demolished in 2018, marking the end of an era for the town. Today, Wallingford stands as

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