USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Hampden county, 1636-1936, Volume III > Part 49
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He is also a member of the National Asso- ciation of Cost Accountants, acting as presi- dent of the Springfield chapter in 1930 and 1931 and as a national director of the or- ganization from 1932 to 1935. He also is a leader in the work of the Municipal Finance Officers' Association of the United States and Canada and of the Massachusetts Mu- nicipal Auditors' and Comptrollers' Associa- tion. He is active in such local groups as
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the Springfield Chamber of Commerce and in the Adirondack country, son of George the Springfield Young Men's Christian As- W. and Jennie (Davidson) Harris, the father being engaged in mercantile pursuits. The family is an old one in that section and descends from early New England ancestry. sociation, of which he is a director. He is also a director of the Family Welfare Asso- ciation of Springfield and an incorporator of the Springfield Community Chest. As a member of the National Committee on Mu- nicipal Accounting, he is serving on several special sub-committees, and is also a mem- ber of the New York University Alumni Association, and the Municipal Associates, of Springfield.
Nor have fraternal and social activities been eliminated from Mr. Neale's life. He is a member of Springfield Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons, in which order he is also affiliated with Morning Star Chap- ter of Royal Arch Masons and Springfield Council of Royal and Select Masters. He belongs to the Ludlow Country Club, of Ludlow, and the Springfield Kiwanis Club, of which he was president in 1933. In South Congregational Church, Springfield, he has taken an important part as a member of the congregation's finance committee and as chairman of the Olivet Community House Board.
On June 23, 1917, Albert Edward Neale married Mildred A. Bryson, daughter of Andrew S. Bryson. They became the par- ents of one daughter, Barbara Jane Neale, who was born June 13, 1921, in Springfield.
EDGAR G. HARRIS-In the East Springfield section is the factory of the Harris Silk Hosiery Company, which cor- poration is widely known as manufacturers of the highest grade hosiery in the world --- the Harris Ingrain Chiffon Hosiery. The business was established in 1927, when their plant was erected, and Edgar G. Harris, who was the prime mover in the organization, has been its executive head. He was born August 25, 1875, at Clayburgh, New York, .
Mr. Harris lived at home until he was fourteen years old when he came to North- ampton, Massachusetts, and entered the em- ploy of the Northampton Street Railway Company and there remained for twenty- four years, working in various capacities un- til he became cashier and assistant superin- tendent. He resigned from the railway serv- ice to become office manager for the Mc- Callum Hosiery Company, and was associ- ated with them for eleven years. Leaving here he went to Holyoke, where he organ- ized the Holyoke Silk Hosiery Company, and erected a factory, serving as secretary and manager until he withdrew to organize the Harris Silk Hosiery Company. The original officers : Edgar G. Harris, president ; John M. Williams, vice-president and sec- retary, and M. Hazen Chase, of Holyoke, as treasurer. These officers still remain, with the exception of Mr. Williams, who has been succeeded by Frederick Scarborough, who is also superintendent.
This corporation has been successful from the beginning, and while their first product was the finest to be made and brought a corresponding price, the changed economic condition has been met by them with a high- class product at a lower price. Their line is handled by the best stores in the country. Their full-fashioned knitting machines are of German make, the best to be had, and they employ approximately one hundred and thirty hands, running in two shifts, em- ploying only the most expert in the business, and the factory has the distinction of pay- ing the highest rate of wages in the State.
During his residence in Northampton, he was very active in the affairs of the Repub-
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lican party, serving as treasurer of the Re- publican City Committee for eight years, president of the Republican Club for two years, and was a member of the City Coun- cil for three years, a part of which time was when Calvin Coolidge was mayor of the city. Mr. Harris recalls with pride his ac- quaintance with Mr. Coolidge. Fraternally, he is affiliated with Jerusalem Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, at Northampton ; and is a member of the Springfield Rotary Club.
In 1900, at Northampton, Massachusetts, Edgar G. Harris, married Mabel Butter- worth, of East Hampton, daughter of James and Carrie (Hale) Butterworth. They have one daughter, Dorothy, who was graduated from Smith College in 1927, and has been engaged in educational work as a teacher. She is now the wife of James E. McCallum, and they reside in Northampton. Mr. Har- ris maintains a summer home at Saranac, in the Adirondacks.
WILLIAM G. WHEAT-The annals of Springfield would be incomplete without the stories of one of its great stores, Meekins, Packard & Wheat, and of William G. and Harold A. Wheat, father and son, two nota- ble merchants who made much of its suc- cess possible. William G. Wheat was a na- tive of Canaan, New Hampshire, born July 19, 1855, son of Dr. Ara Wheat, a prominent physician and surgeon, and Isabel (George) Wheat. He wanted to follow in the foot- steps of his father, but the older man op- posed his entering a profession that was so exacting and difficult and gave such meagre rewards. William G. Wheat, therefore, left school at the age of seventeen and went to work in the Holyoke dry goods store of A. L. Shumway. In 1876 Emory Meekins offered him a position in the Meekins and Packard establishment, which was accepted.
Emory Meekins and Azel A. Packard founded the firm which bore their names in the centennial year of the Declaration of In- dependence. The store, a very small affair, located on Main Street, Springfield, has been developed not only into the present great establishment, but is one of the largest de- partment stores in New England outside Boston. There have been many changes in personnel and the company during six dec- ades, of which only a few will be mentioned. In 1914 there was a consolidation with the Sage, Allen Company of Hartford, Connecti- cut, an arrangement, however, which did not prove satisfactory. In 1915 a reorganization was effected by which Meekins, Packard & Wheat were incorporated with A. A. Pack- ard as president, William G. Wheat, vice- president, and Harold A. Wheat, treasurer. When William G. Wheat died in 1924 it marked the passing of the last member of the original company. By a strange turn of life, he was in full charge at this time of extensive alterations and furnishings of the whole lower floor of the store, in prepara- tion for the celebration of its fiftieth anni- versary in 1925, but did not live to complete his work.
William G. Wheat in civil activities dis- played the same qualities of mind and char- acter that he manifested in merchandising. He gave generously of his time and energies to many measures and projects intended for the public good. In the first year of the pres- ent century he was one of the civic group which desired a bridge across the Connecti- cut River with the Springfield end at lower Main Street, and labored hard to this end. For many years he was the outstanding fig- ure in the annual charity balls held in the City Hall. The present day Court Square Extension plan was carried out partly through his suggestion and leadership. He had been vice-president of the Chamber of
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Commerce, an associate member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and a director of the Young Men's Christian Association. Family lineage made him eligible to the Sons of the American Revolution, and among his clubs were the Nyasset, of which he was house chairman for years, and the Springfield Country Club. The old Inde- pendence Day Association owed a great deal to his activity, and he was elected president in 1902, when it became a permanent organi- zation. Credit was freely given him for making this association one of the most noteworthy of its kind in the country. With- out accepting political office his influence loomed large in public affairs. Without self- seeking he won the esteem of the commu- nity for his achievements in business, in municipal affairs, in social and humanitarian circles. His death on June II, 1924, was mourned as that of a great citizen and of a man greatly beloved.
William G. Wheat married Clara Louise Abercrombie, of Amherst, daughter of Still- man Abercrombie, and they were the par- ents of two children: I. Harold A. Wheat (q. v.). 2. Isabel F., wife of George W. Prentiss, of Holyoke.
HAROLD A. WHEAT-The president and treasurer of Meekins, Packard & Wheat, of Springfield, is one of the best known fig- ures in business, civic and club circles of the city. He was born in Springfield, the son of William G. and Clara Louise (Aber- crombie) Wheat, a review of whose career, and of the establishment of which he was the last original owner, accompanies this. The family is an old one in New England, members of it coming to Massachusetts from old England as early as 1635, and their descendants were prominent in the Revolu- tionary armies.
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Harold A. Wheat was educated in the schools of his birthplace and Dartmouth College, in the New Hampshire of his pater- nal ancestors. Being the son of one of the founders of a great department store brought him no privileges when he entered the business. His first position was that of cash boy, at the beck and call of any sales person. He graduated to more .important posts only as he proved his capabilities. In 1915 the present Meekins, Packard & Wheat Company, was incorporated, with Harold A. Wheat elected treasurer. In 1924 he be- came vice-president of the company, and in April, 1935, was elected president. So far as his business activities are concerned he has confined them mainly to the develop- ment of what is one of the largest depart- ment stores in New England. The business was started in a small store on Main Street, Springfield, in 1875, by Emory Meekins and A. A. Packard, who were joined by William C. Wheat a year later. In the development of the company and the introduction of mod- ern methods and policies, much credit must be given to Harold A. Wheat. Since he be- came vice-president, every up-to-date im- provement and convenience, for both cus- tomers and employees, have been installed.
Business has not prevented Mr. Wheat from taking a keen interest in many sorts of activities. He is a genuine, if unostenta- tious, exponent of the best type of civic loy- alty and progressiveness. He has never aspired to political prominence, however real and constructively he is interested in public affairs, and served two years as a member of the City Council. He is a mem- ber of the Springfield Chamber of Com- merce and takes part in any movement in- tended for the advance and welfare of the municipality. He is a member of many clubs, including the Colony Club, the Long-
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meadow Country Club, and others. His re- ligious affiliations are with the First Church of Springfield.
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In 1915 Harold A. Wheat married Ruth Killgren, of Springfield, and they are the parents of two children : I. Phyllis L., born July 19, 1920. 2. Dorothy A., born October 2, 1922.
HENRY S. HOUSTON-One of Hol- yoke's distinguished citizens and a resident of the city for many years, Henry S. Hous- ton is esteemed, respected and honored in his community. Though his business inter- ests have taken him into other parts of the North American continent from time to time, he has still retained a very deep inter- est in Holyoke.
Mr. Houston was born September II, 1863 in Northampton, Massachusetts, son of Robert A. and Polly Ann (Street) Houston. His father, who came from Haverhill, New Hampshire, died in 1916. He was in the textile industry. The mother, long a res- ident of Holyoke, died in 1917.
In the public schools of his birthplace Henry S. Houston received his early educa- tion, later becoming interested in business affairs and turning his attention to differ- ent enterprises. The operation of resort hotels furnished him a field for constant work for many years, chiefly in Florida and in New Brunswick. In the South and in the North he continued these endeavors with eminent success until 1906, when he retired from his own business activities to handle the affairs of the family estate, and his own personal interests. For the past three dec- ades he has carried on this work, centering his undertakings in Holyoke.
Always intensely interested in civic prob- lems and in matters pertaining to public life, Mr. Houston has, however, never sought political office of any sort. He has given liberally of his time and energies, as well
as of his material resources, to the differ- ent charitable and philanthropic interests of his community, and in his spare time has devoted himself to the pursuit of certain hobbies. He is fond of flowers and garden- ing and his beautiful residence is one of the show places of Northampton Street and Hol- yoke, where his family is a widely known and respected one. His mother's uncle, Whit- ing Street, was one of Holyoke's most influ- ential early citizens, who established trust funds to aid the worthy poor in Hampden and Hampshire counties. Mr. Houston is a member of the Mount Tom Golf Club, the Holyoke Canoe Club, and is a life member of the Tin Whistles Golf Club of Pinehurst, North Carolina.
In 1887 Henry S. Houston married Ada Belle Ham, daughter of William G. and Lydia A. (Avery) Ham. Her father was for many years city marshal of Holyoke, and later a deputy sheriff in Hampden County.
CASSIUS M. BRYAN-The Strathmore Paper Company of Springfield ranks among the largest corporations of New England in the paper industry. Cassius M. Bryan is vice-president and a director of the com- pany, posts which he holds because of long and noteworthy experience in the business, for the most part with a concern which is now amalgamated with the Strathmore cor- poration. He is one of the loyal and enter- prising residents of West Springfield, and in this community and in Springfield wields an influence that contributes importantly to their welfare and progress.
Mr. Bryan was born at Ticonderoga, New York, February 16, 1879, son of William J. and J. Henrietta (Spencer) Bryan, both par- ents being members of old Essex County, New York families. He grew up on a farm and was educated in rural local schools. Shortly after he had celebrated his twenty-
J. Houston
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first birthday he became an employee of the Mittineague Paper Company. His mechani- cal abilities were first brought into play in the repair department of the company, but he went from this to the packing depart- ment ; was in charge of the orders section and then was made the foreman of the finishing room. These were the steps taken and pro- motions received, in a course which gave him a most comprehensive knowledge of the paper business, and were, of course, attesta- tions to his varied abilities. He rose to be superintendent of Mill No. 2, and then of Mill No. I, but in 1920 the office of general superintendent was created, in order that he might be given the general supervision of manufacture and production in all the plants owned by the company. The Mittineague concern, together with several other paper companies, were amalgamated under the trade name of The Strathmore Paper Com- pany, and of this Mr. Bryan is vice-presi- dent.
Cassius M. Bryan is also a director of the Strathmore Paper Company, of the Rising Paper Company, the Premoid Products Company, the West Springfield Bank and Trust Company, and the West Springfield Cooperative Bank. During the World War period he served actively upon a number of local boards and took part in the "drives" for Liberty Loans and funds for the vari- ous humanitarian societies. Although not interested in politics, as such, his well- known abilities have been called upon by West Springfield in his choice as chairman of the Finance Commission, and member of the Water Commission. His religious affili- ations are with the Episcopal Church, and he is a generous supporter of movements intended for the betterment and happiness of the community.
In 1909 Cassius M. Bryan married Ellen J. Moses, a graduate of Mt. Holyoke Col- lege, in 1908, and daughter of Frank M. and
Nellie (Wicker) Moses of Ticonderoga, New York, and they are the parents of a son and a daughter: I. William L., born September 22, 1910, a graduate of Bowdoin College, in 1933. 2. Elizabeth J., born Feb- ruary 7, 1915, a graduate of Middlebury Col- lege, Vermont, class of 1935.
CHARLES M. TENNEY-While still at an age when most men have yet to realize the larger responsibilities of life and com- merce, Charles M. Tenney is rated as one of the foremost business men of Springfield and is an executive of one of the largest mercantile companies of that city. He was born at Hartford, Connecticut, February 18, 1899, son of Charles H. and Emma (Milli- ken) Tenney. Although his father holds so outstanding a place in the field of American utilities that the mention of his name is sufficient to introduce him to the present generation, it has been by his own inherent gifts and personal merit that the son has risen to prominence in Springfield commer- cial and civic circles.
Charles H. Tenney received his formal education in the public schools of his birth- place, the Taft School in preparation for college, and the University of Michigan. Like others of his day and generation, his scholastic work was interrupted by the ad- vent of the World War. When it became evident that the United States would be in- volved in this catastrophic conflict, he en- listed in the Aviation Corps of the army, and was assigned to the great field and can- tonment at Austin, Texas. Upon his return to civilian life he entered the employ of Meekins, Packard & Wheat, of Springfield. Something of the story of this company which operates one of the largest and most modern of the department stores in New England, outside Boston, has been related in a review of the life of Harold A. Wheat, to be found elsewhere in this volume.
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Since 1924 Mr. Tenney has been second vice-president of Meekins, Packard & Wheat, and one of the noteworthy factors in its growth and success. He is also a direc- tor of the Kimball Hotel Company, the Charles Hotel Company, and the "Spring- field Shopping News." Mr. Tenney is a popular figure in the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, of which he is a director, and is a member of the Colony Club and of the Longmeadow Country Club. His religious affiliations are with the Episcopal Church.
In 1923 Charles M. Tenney married Mar- garet O. Begg, formerly of Detroit, Michi- gan, and they are the parents of two chil- dren: I. Margaret B., born December 22, 1923. 2. Charles M. Tenney, Jr., born April 26, 1926.
CHARLES A. NASH-For generations the fair has been one of the outstanding in- stitutions of American agricultural life. It has served a useful purpose in bolstering the morale of the farming community, of in- stilling native pride and creating healthy competition as well as furnishing genuine entertainment to the public-at-large. Men gifted in administrative ability, possessing a thorough knowledge of farm life and the farmer, have been responsible for success- fully organizing these functions year after year, making them spectacles worthy of the traditions that have built them to their pres- ent status. Among them we find Charles A. Nash, one of the oldest fair executives in the country, from the standpoint of service, who today occupies the post of manager of the Eastern States Exposition, one of the largest and most important fair organiza- tions in the United States.
Mr. Nash was born in Polk County, Iowa, January 20, 1887, son of Vincent and Cath- erine (Morris) Nash. His father, who was also a native of the State of Iowa and died there in 1895, engaged in farming through-
out his life. Mr. Nash received a general education in the public schools of his native State and after completing his studies en- tered the banking business which he was to follow for seven years. Interested in the agricultural life of his surroundings and par- ticularly the State Fair, he abandoned the financial field when he was offered the op- portunity of becoming assistant secretary of the Iowa State Fair. His acceptance initi- ated a career in this work which has been marked for its outstanding distinction and success. After serving with the aforemen- tioned organization for some time he went to Fargo, North Dakota to become secretary for the State Fair of that Commonwealth. He gained widespread fame as an organizer and administrator and in 1917 was invited to come to Springfield, Massachusetts, to serve in the post of assistant manager of the Eastern State Exposition. The well-rounded and practical experience he had enjoyed in this field of endeavor admirably qualified him for the position and six years after he assumed it, in 1923, he succeeded John C. Simpson as manager, an office he occupies today.
As one of the leading figures in the fair world he is prominently identified with many of the foremost organizations in this movement. He is chairman of the rules and classification committee and past president of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions, an executive member of the American Horse Show Association and a member of the board of directors of the In- ternational Motor Contest Association as well as many other bodies of a similar char- acter. During his distinguished career he has been a prolific writer on the subject of fairs and has contributed substantially to many of the larger agricultural and fair pub- lications of the country. In addition he has written and had published a book on fair accounting. In all he is probably one of the
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most widely known fair executives in the Nation.
During his residence in Springfield he has taken an active part in the social and civic life of this community. He is a member of the board of directors of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, the Exchange Club and the Springfield Country Club. In his fraternal affiliations he belongs to the Ma- sonic Order, where he holds a thirty-second degree and is a member of the Shrine. He is also a member of various other fraternal bodies including the Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks. He subscribes to the Methodist Episcopal faith in religion. Dur- ing the World War he enlisted in the United States Army and was assigned to duty in the machine gun corps, being dispatched to Augusta, Georgia, for training. During his military career he attained the rank of sec- ond lieutenant and was a member of the reserve corps for about five years.
In 1923 Mr. Nash married Lena F. Mon- seau, of Thompsonville, Connecticut.
EDWARD J. RYAN-For over fifteen years Edward J. Ryan has occupied a prom- inent place in the legal realm of the city of Springfield. During this period he has built up a large and lucrative practice and en- joyed an outstanding prestige among his professional colleagues and the public-at- large. As well as being an attorney of promi- nence he is known for the active part he has taken in social and civic affairs and is one of the leaders in the fraternal organization of the Knights of Columbus.
Mr. Ryan was born in Lee, March 18, 1891, son of Thomas P. and Catherine (Noonan) Ryan. His father, who was a millwright by trade, died in 1934, while his mother passed away in 1907. Mr. Ryan was educated in the public schools of his native community and after completing his studies
matriculated at Middlebury College where he was graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree with the class of 1912. Determined to follow a legal career he entered the Yale Law School at this time and received his degree of Bachelor of Laws from this insti- tution in 1916. Two years later he was ad- mitted to the Massachusetts State Bar and established himself in a general practice in Springfield which he has maintained with outstanding distinction and success since. His office is located at No. 293 Bridge Street in this city. Professionally Mr. Ryan is a member of the Hampden County Bar Asso- ciation and the Massachusetts State Bar Association.
Active in the life of his surroundings he is a member of several leading organiza- tions, including the Calvert Club. He frater- nizes with the local council of the Knights of Columbus where he is a Past Grand Knight and in his religious conviction adheres to the Roman Catholic faith, worshipping at the Holy Family Church in this city.
In 1922 Mr. Ryan married Ann L. Gra- ham of Springfield, and they are the parents of three children : 1. David G., born Septem- ber 29, 1923. 2. Elinor, born October 21, 1924. 3. Nancy, born April 9, 1932.
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