While there has of necessity been much change in the personnel of the company conducting business under the name of Fester, Merriam & Company, there has been no lowering of the high standards which have always characterized the business from its inception, and with the passing years the business has been developed in its scope and has reached out in its ramifying trade interests until it covers a very wide territory. The president at this writing, in 1917, is Reginald W. Millard, whose plans are well formulated and whose energy enables him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.

Reginald W. Millard was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, March 13, 1886, a son of James W. and Christina Millard. He acquired a public and high school education and after-ward entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston, from which he was gradu-ated with the class of 1904 with the S. B. degree. He then returned to Canada and became engineer for the Hydro Electric Development Company at Ragged Rapids, Ontario. He has been identified with the interests of Meriden since 1910, when he became engineer for the International Silver Company, a position which he acceptably filled until January 1, 1913, when he became associated with the Foster-Merriam Company as general manager. He thus continued until September 14. 1914, when he was appointed president upon the death of Mr. Rutherford, and in that capacity he has since continued. The firm manufactures various kinds of castings and something of the volume of the business transacted is indicated in the fact that their employes now number about five hundred and fifty. The company of which he is the president is one of the oldest in Meriden. The business is divided into three departments: factory manufacturing; cabinet hardware and casters; and a brass and iron foundry. There is also an extensive iron foundry at Rocky Hill.

The product of the company is sold throughout the United States and is exported in considerable measure to foreign countries. The plant covers a ground space of about one hundred and five thousand square feet and the floor space altogether is about three hundred and fifteen thousand square feet. Many of the buildings are four and five stories in height. The company maintains a New York office at No. 225 Canal street for the care of the metro-politan and the export trade and the house is represented upon the road by seven traveling salesmen.

In November, 1914, Mr. Millard was united in marriage to Miss Jeannette Grantham, of Hamilton, Ontario, and they have become parents of one child, James William.

Mr. Millard is identified with various Masonic bodies.    He belongs to Meriden Lodge, No. 77, F. & A. M.; to Keystone Chapter, R. A. M.; and to St. Elmo Commandery, K. T. He is prominent as a member of Greek letter fraternities, including Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Theta Nu Epsilon. He is a member of the Highland Country Club, of the Home Club of Meriden, of the Technology Club of New York city and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and, like a true American citizen, he studies the questions and issues of the day, giving intelligent support to the measures and principles which he deems of greatest worth to the country. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church and constitutes the guiding force of his life, character-izing his relations to the public, and exerting influence upon his business connections and in matters of friendship.