USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Hampden county, 1636-1936, Volume III > Part 47
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Mr. Hemond was educated in Holyoke schools and on his graduation from high school in 1912 became associated with the "Springfield Union" as a reporter. After two years he became a member of the staff of "Printers Ink," a trade journal in New York City, but six months later returned to Holyoke as a reporter for the "Telegram." During the succeeding four years he rose to executive responsibilities on the staff and at the time of his resignation in the fall of 1916 to become secretary of the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce he was managing editor of the paper. Mr. Hemond has since devoted himself without interruption to his duties as active head of the Chamber of Commerce in Holyoke. Thoroughly in sym- pathy with the aims of the organization, he has done much to promote its development and in point of service is now the oldest Chamber of Commerce secretary in New England. Mr. Hemond has also held the
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office of secretary of the Western Massa- chusetts Chamber of Commerce in recent years. Although his interests have centered in civic affairs rather than politics, he is a member of the Republican party and a mem- ber of Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church at Holyoke. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus, in which he has taken the third degree.
On June 8, 1915, at South Hadley Falls, Conrad Hemond married Agnes L. Crean, who was born in Chicopee, daughter of James J. Crean, a traveling salesman, and Mary L. (Willmott) Crean. Both are now deceased. Mrs. Crean, who was graduated from South Hadley High School in 1913, is also active in Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church. She is a Republican in politics and enjoys the distinction of having cast the first ballot by a member of her sex in Hol- yoke after the adoption of woman suffrage in the State.
Mr. and Mrs. Hemond have three sons : I. Conrad, Jr., born June 8, 1916. 2. Harold C., born July 20, 1917. 3. Robert L., born October 28, 1921.
HON. HENRY MARTENS-The career of the Hon. Henry Martens is an inspiring example of the opportunities open in a demo- cratic country to the man who has the abil- ity to make the most and best of them. He was elected mayor of Springfield in 1934 by the largest majority ever given an incum- bent of this office, yet he could look back to his youth in the city when he had driven a wagon for three dollars a week. He was born at Hamburg, Germany, October 8, 1879, son of Charles and Matilda (Warnke) Martens, both natives of Germany, and both now deceased. They brought their son to the United States when he was but a few weeks old, and for about three years the family lived in New York City. Then they
were in Philadelphia for a short time, and in 1883 removed to Westfield, Massachusetts, remaining for a few years before settling permanently in Springfield. The father was, by trade, a cigar maker, and was also a physical culture teacher.
Mayor Martens was educated in the pub- lic schools of Westfield and Springfield. His first work was with the Metropolitan Furniture Company, as a driver of a delivery wagon. He remained two years with this concern before entering the employ of Mar- gerum Brothers, to learn cigar making. After following this trade for fifteen years he became associated with Ernest A. Byron in an undertaking business. During the dozen years prior to 1935, Mr. Martens has been in the florist business, the present firm name being Henry Martens and Son. Al- ways keenly interested in civic progress, in 1912, he was elected a member of the city council and served as such for three years. Again in 1927 he was called upon by the electorate to serve the municipality and, from 1928 to 1933, inclusive, he was a mem- ber of the board of aldermen, and from 1930 to 1933 was president of this board. Mr. Martens retired from politics, in 1933, but was drafted again in the following year as a candidate for the mayoralty. As men- tioned, he was elected by the largest major- ity ever amassed in any previous mayor- alty election.
The life of Mayor Martens has been full of color and incident beyond that of the average man. Blessed with a fine physique, he is a one-time physical instructor of the Springfield Turn Verein, and during the winters of twelve years played professional basketball in all sections of New England. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, a member of Ama- rath Council, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; Benevolent and Protective Order of
Hampden-21
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Elks; White Shrine; Independent Order of Eagles, and the Kiwanis Club.
On June 17, 1907, the Hon. Henry Mar- tens married Eva Cora Byron, and they are the parents of two children : I. Carl Byron, graduate of a technical school and associ- ated with his father in business. 2. Rhea M., graduate of the High School of Com- merce.
THOMAS JOSEPH ASHE-The suc- cessful career that Thomas Joseph Ashe, postmaster of the city of Springfield, has enjoyed, bears out a philosophy of success which is entirely American in its concept. To review his record is refreshing for he rose from the ranks and came to attain his present position as a reward for intelligent labor. Not only has he become an impor- tant figure in the life of this community but he is also widely recognized throughout the postal circles of the State and Nation and has been chosen by his colleagues to direct the activities of several of the largest organizations in this field.
Thomas Joseph Ashe was born in Spring- field, March 5, 1891, son of James and Nora (Fitzgerald) Ashe, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Chicopee Falls. His father, who came to this country dur- ing his youth was employed by a coal com- pany here for a number of years and became secretary for the coal drivers' union. He was active in the affairs of his surroundings and was one of the charter members of Division No. 6, of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
Mr. Ashe received a general education in the public schools of this city attending the Charles Street School, the Old Hooker School and the Chestnut Street School. He was graduated from the Technical High School with the class of 1908, and then en- tered the Bay Path Institute where he com- pleted his studies in 1909. Throughout this
period of his life he aided in supporting him- self by selling papers and magazines. On May 13, 1912, he joined the postal service as a substitute carrier and worked in this capacity until March 1, 1916, when he was appointed a regular carrier. He displayed unusual ability from the outset and was destined to rise rapidly. Four years after his elevation to the position of regular car- rier he was transferred to the parcel post division as a clerk, assuming his new duties October 1, 1920. On September 1, 1933. he was appointed acting postmaster and the following December was named the regular postmaster of this city by President Frank- lin D. Roosevelt, an office which he occupies today with outstanding success and distinc- tion. Among the outstanding contributions he has made toward the efficiency of the postal department is a system stressing methods of distribution, which has so at- tracted officials of the Post Office Depart- ment in Washington, District of Columbia. that it has been instituted throughout the Nation.
His position as one of the foremost mem- bers of the postal service is further borne out through the positions he has been chosen to fill by his colleagues. From 1919-20 he was president of Branch No. 46 of the Na- tional Association of Letter Carriers of which he is a member. He is also a member of local No. 497 of the National Federation of Post Office Clerks and belongs to the Post Office Employees Credit Union, which he now heads as president. In the latter organization he also serves as a member of the credit committee and is a director. In addition he is a member of the board of directors of the Massachusetts National As- sociation of Postmasters.
Apart from his activities in the postal service he takes a keen and active interest in the social and civic affairs of this com- munity and is a member of the Springfield
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Turn Verein. Fond of sports of all types he finds great pleasure in swimming and en- joys attending baseball and hockey matches.
On June 5, 1928, Mr. Ashe married Norma Loretta Darcy of Fall River, and they are the parents of two children: I. Thomas Joseph, Jr., born August 30, 1930. 2. Jac- queline Theresa, born October 5, 1933.
DONALD M. MACAULAY, city solici- tor of Springfield, was born there, April 20, 1896, son of Angus D. and Emily (Mor- rison) Macaulay, natives of Nova Scotia and Quebec respectively. His parents removed to this city between 1885 and 1890. His father, who is a mechanical engineer by profession, is superintendent of the Phelps Publishing Company. Mr. Macaulay re- ceived a general education in the public schools of his native community and after graduating from high school with the class of 1914, matriculated at Dartmouth College where he received his Bachelor of Arts de- gree in 1918. Before completing his aca- demic education, the United States entered the World War and he enlisted in the United States Navy where he was commissioned an ensign and served as an aviator. He served with the British and American forces, as- signed to the English Channel and North Sea patrols and in the London defense avia- tion service. Later he went to France where he was engaged in bombing service and later as a test pilot of navy planes. He was among that pioneer group of naval aviators who received their early training at the Massachusetts Institute of Tech- nology and later took flying instruction at the famous navy base located at Pensa- cola, Florida. It was while he was at the latter place that he was appointed an in- structor, serving in this capacity until he went overseas. During his duty in the North Sea he was stationed at Plymouth and then Felixstowe. After being stationed
a short time at the United States Naval Air Station at Lough Foyle, Ireland, he went to France, where he served at a number of air stations and bases. He came down in flames once and was involved in four acci- dents. For two months he served on the staff of Admiral Wilson's aide for aviation in Brest.
After retiring from the navy he returned to Springfield and secured a position with the editorial staff of the "Springfield Union," maintaining this association until 1924. Dur- ing his newspaper career he also took up the study of law and in the aforementioned year was graduated from the Northeastern Law School with a degree of Bachelor of Laws. The same year he was admitted to practice before the bar and from 1925 to 1928 served as assistant city solicitor. In 1932 he was elected chairman of the Repub- lian City Committee. On January I, 1934, he was appointed city solicitor, the office he occupies today.
In his professional affiliations Mr. Macau- lay is a member of the Hampden County Bar Association. He fraternizes with the . Masonic Order, of which he is a member and Past Master of the Newton Lodge, and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite.
On November 20, 1926, Mr. Macaulay married Laura V. Burnett of Bedford, Vir- ginia.
RICHARD ALLEN WITHERELL-
As treasurer, general manager and a direc- tor of the C. F. Church Manufacturing Com- pany, Richard Allen Witherell of Spring- field, has for a number of years taken a prominent part in Hampden County indus- trial affairs.
Mr. Witherell was born November 13, 1898, in Springfield, son of Henry E. and Emma M. (Coates) Witherell and a de- scendant of Ethan Allen on his father's
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maternal line. Richard Allen Witherell's maternal grandparents were Henry C. and Christina Coates. Henry C. Coates was born in Springfield, and there died. He was a brass moulder by trade, employed for many years in the Springfield Armory. He was also a veteran of the Civil War, in which he fought on the Federal side. Cap- tured by the Confederate forces he was put into Libby Prison, where he was forced to spend a considerable time. His wife, Rich- ard Allen Witherell's maternal grandmother, was a native of Germany, who died in Springfield, Massachusetts. Henry E. Withe- rell was born November 14, 1866, in Bridge- water, Massachusetts, and died December 27, 1912, in Springfield, where he had been cashier for the cigar manufacturing house of Henry Whitcomb. He was a Republican in his political views and a member of the Congregational Church. His wife, born Jan- uary I, 1876, is now living with her son, Richard Allen Witherell, in Springfield.
Richard Allen Witherell attended school in Springfield, his birthplace, and was grad- uated from high school in 1917. He then became associated with the Bosch Magneto Company, of that same city, serving as a clerk for two years. He was next associ- ated with the Harley Company, also of Springfield, as advertising manager, so con- tinuing until 1920, when he was made an associate in the C. F. Church Manufacturing Company. Beginning his work with this or- ganization as a clerk, he became secretary of the corporation in 1923, and in 1925 was made vice-president and a director. In 1930 Mr. Witherell was appointed treasurer and general manager, and since that time he has held these two positions, as well as a place on the company directorate. The Church company is widely known throughout this and other countries for its Church "Sani- Seats," which are produced in all styles, colors and shades, such as Church "Sani-
White," black, oak, mahogany and colored. The designs of these seats include saddle seats, open or closed at the front, special seats for extended lip bowls and elongated bowls, and seats with and without covers, and they come in many shades and hues. The part that Mr. Witherell has played in the development of this company has caused it to be widely known in plumbing circles and to the general public.
Busy as his work with the Church busi- ness has kept him, Mr. Witherell has taken time for activity in community affairs. He is a Republican in his political views, and an attendant at the services of the Congre- gational Church, of Springfield. He belongs to Springfield Lodge, No. 61, of the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, and is an honorary member of the Kiwanis Club of Chicopee. He is a member of the Turn Verein Club, of Springfield, and the Spring- field Chapter of the Steuben Society of America. Fishing and golf are among his favorite diversions, though he is fond of all out-of-door pastimes. He has his own cottage in the woods at Metcomet Lake, Bel- chertown, Massachusetts, where he spends week-end periods and vacations in both sum- mer and winter.
MORGAN PATRICK HANLON, M. D. -As city physician for Springfield, Dr. Morgan Patrick Hanlon occupies one of the most important and responsible professional posts in the government of this municipal- ity. It is under his direct supervision that the welfare and health of this community are maintained. Widely experienced in this phase of medicine, Dr. Hanlon has served in the medical corps of the United States Navy and has been a member of the United States Public Health Service, as well as maintaining a large and lucrative private practice.
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Dr. Morgan Patrick Hanlon was born in Cambridge, August 22, 1894, son of Morgan J. and Mary (McLaughlin) Hanlon, both natives of his birthplace. He received a general education in the schools of his na- tive community, completing his high school studies here in 1912. He then matriculated at Boston College where he took a pre-medi- cal course and later entered the Tufts Medi- cal School, from where he was graduated with a degree of Doctor of Medicine in the class of 1917.
Directly after he finished his professional training the United States entered the World War and he enlisted in the United States Navy, received a commission as lieu- tenant and was dispatched overseas, being stationed at Base Hospital No. 5, in Brest, France. Later he was transferred to trans- port service and acted in this capacity until he was honorably discharged from the serv- ice in 1919. At this time he entered the St. Elizabeth Hospital in the city of Boston and served as an interne there for one year.
In 1920 he became associated with the United States Public Health Service and remained in the Boston office of the Veter- ans Bureau for two years when he was as- signed to the local office in Springfield on a full time basis. He served in that capacity until December of that year, requesting then that he be placed on a part-time basis in order to establish himself in a general prac- tice. He has built up a large and lucrative practice and is a member of the surgical staff of the Mercy Hospital and the Health Department Hospital in this city and is affiliated with the American Medical Asso- ciation, the Massachusetts State Medical Society and the Springfield Academy of Medicine. In April, 1933, Mayor Winters appointed him city physician, a post he oc- cupies with outstanding distinction and suc- cess.
In conjunction with his professional activ- ities Dr. Hanlon has also been active in the social affairs of his surroundings and is a member of several of the leading organiza- tions of this city, including the local post of the American Legion, the Veterans of For- eign Wars and others. He fraternizes with the Cambridge Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Fond of sports he finds his greatest recreation and pleasure in golf, a game he indulges in during his leisure.
On October II, 1924, Dr. Hanlon married Lillian Fouhey of Jamaica Plain, Boston, and they are the parents of three sons: I. Morgan Patrick, Jr., born July 18, 1925. 2. John Francis, born March 12, 1928. 3. Rob- ert, born July 19, 1931.
GURDON WRIGHT GORDON-Dur- ing the third of a century that Gurdon Wright Gordon has been an attorney in Springfield he has played many important rôles in the life and affairs of the Massachu- setts city. Reared a farmer's son, as a high school and college graduate he taught school, then gained his degree in law, and had maturity and experience when he opened a law office in Springfield. He was born in Sheffield, Massachusetts, November 26, 1871, son of Nelson E. and Caroline Augusta (Wright) Gordon, both natives of Sheffield, Berkshire County, and now deceased.
Mr. Gordon received his elementary edu- cation in local public schools and was grad- uated from the Great Barrington High School in 1891. Ambitious for a larger for- mal education he taught school during the following two years, and, in the autumn of 1893, matriculated at Williams College, from which he received the degree of Bach- elor of Arts with the class of 1897. During his junior year at Williams he was chosen a member of Gargoyle, the senior honorary
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society. Again it was necessary to accumu- late funds to complete his preparations for a legal career, and for a year he was an instructor in the Sedgwick Institute, at Great Barrington. A year later he was in- structor in mathematics in Wayland Col- lege, Washington, District of Columbia, a negro institution under the auspices of the Baptist Home Missionary Society. Coin- cident with his teaching was the study of law in Columbian College, now George Washington University. In the fall of 1899, Mr. Gordon entered the law department of Boston University, from which he was grad- uated in May, 1900, with the degree of Bach- elor of Laws. In November of that year he was admitted to the Boston bar, but be- fore starting the often slow process of be- coming established as a practicing lawyer, he went to the Nation's capital once more, where he had charge of some thirty clerks in the population division of the census bureau. Again he took advantage of the educational advantages of Washington to pursue post-graduate study in the law.
In 1902, Mr. Gordon located in Spring- field and engaged in the practice of his pro- fession. The breadth of his training, experi- ence and abilities contributed to a rapid advance as lawyer both as regards reputa- tion and clientele. Although widely familiar with the whole field of legal knowledge, he has limited a great deal of his law work to insurance and corporation interests. Mr. Gordon is vice-president, a director and the general counsel for the Monarch Life In- surance Company. He is a member of the Hampden County Bar Association, the Mas- sachusetts State Bar Association, the Amer- ican Bar Association, and the International Association of Insurance Counsels.
As early as 1905, Mr. Gordon was elected to the Springfield Board of Health and made its chairman. He continued as a mem- ber of this board until January, 1912, when
he resigned to take up his duties as a mem- ber of the Massachusetts House of Rep- resentatives. In the years 1913-14-15-16, he was a State Senator and contemporary of Calvin Coolidge who appointed him chair- man of the Committee on Rules. In 1917, Governor McCall appointed Mr. Gordon a member of the special commission to inves- tigate problems connected with the street railways of the Commonwealth. He was chosen a presidential elector in 1916 on the Republican ticket and in the Electoral Col- lege voted for Charles Evans Hughes for President. He also served as United States Commissioner from 1923 to 1929, inclusive, resigning to accept appointment as special judge of probate and insolvency for Hamp- den County, but resigned in the following December to devote himself to his profes- sion. Mr. Gordon was a member of the Republican State Committee continuously for sixteen years to August, 1934, and was alternate delegate to the National Republi- can Convention of 1920, and delegate from the Second Massachusetts Congressional District to the National Republican Con- vention in 1928. Fraternally, Mr. Gordon is a thirty-second degree Mason, and affiliates with Melha Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a mem- ber of Phi Gamma Delta of New York, and the Williams Club, also of that city. His religious faith is that of the Congregational Church. Fishing and golf rank first in his recreative sports.
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On November 4, 1903, Gurdon Wright Gordon married Ellen Beekman Walsh, of Great Barrington, and they are the parents of two sons, Gurdon Wright, Jr., born No- vember II, 1906; and Clyde Beekman, born September 5, 1910.
CLYDE W. YOUNG-As president of the Monarch Life Insurance Company of Springfield, Clyde W. Young heads one of
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the important business enterprises of the city. He has spent his entire active career with this organization and has risen to his present position as chief executive during thirty years of service which began as an office boy.
Mr. Young was born in Columbus, Ohio, May 20, 1885, son of Joseph W. and Alice W. (Morton) Young, both natives of Ohio. He received his preliminary education in the public schools of his birthplace and in 1902 moved to Springfield, where his father be- came proprietor of the W. M. Young Re- galia Company, manufacturers of this city. He continued his education at Central High School, Springfield, now Classical High School, and upon his graduation in 1904 entered the employ of the Monarch Life Insurance Company as an office boy. Sub- sequently he worked in the various depart- ments of the company and was advanced steadily as he demonstrated his capacity for larger responsibilities. After many years of service he was elected secretary and treas- urer of the organization and with the death of Samuel W. Munsell, in 1925, succeeded to the presidency, in which office he has since continued without interruption. Mr. Young is well known in insurance circles and in 1934 served as chairman of the Ex- ecutive Committee of the Health and Acci- dent Underwriters Conference, and was elected president at the annual meeting in 1935. He is a member of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, the board of trus- tees of Springfield College, a director of the Springfield Good-Will Association and a di- rector and vice-president of the Blandford Country Club. He is also a member of the Casualty and Surety Club of New York and a prominent Mason, being a member in this order of all higher bodies of the York and Scottish Rites and of Melha Temple, An- cient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Mr. Young is fond of gardening
and outdoor sports and is a lover of music and the theatre. His hobby for collecting old glass bottles and various other articles is also well known.
On June 12, 1912, Mr. Young married Mildred Keyes and they are the parents of two daughters: Miriam A., who was grad- uated from Connecticut College in June, 1933; and Eleanor F., now a student at Fairmont School, Washington, District of Columbia.
WALTER B. CRUTTENDEN-A leader in insurance work, Walter B. Cruttenden is vice-president of the Springfield Fire and Marine Insurance Company, of Springfield. He has been engaged in this field of activ- ity since the forepart of the century, though his original profession was the law.
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