USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Hampden county, 1636-1936, Volume III > Part 56
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J. William Cunliffe
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While not a politician nor an office seeker, Mr. Cunliffe manifests the interest of a good citizen in public affairs, and for seven years, during the administration of Mayors Parker and Winter, served on the important Board of Public Works, being chairman for five years of that period. During his tenure in that office much work was accomplished that will be of distinct and lasting benefit to the city. Work performed during his term in office included the improving and widening of a number of the arterial high- ways to meet the demands of the increasing traffic, more than two hundred and fifty residential streets were made public and paved to relieve the congestion of the sys- tem, extensive improvements were made to the sewer system, the last pumping station on Riverside Road for flood control was erected, and the site for the new post office building was selected, Taylor and Lyman streets were widened and Kaynor Street, on the west side of this building, was con- structed.
Mr. Cunliffe is a member of the Spring- field Real Estate Board, of which he has served two terms as president, and is also a member of the National Association of Real Estate Boards, and a director of the Morris Plan Company of Springfield. So- cially he is a member of several of the lead- ing clubs including the Winthrop, of which he has been president; the Colony, and the Longmeadow Country. He is a member of Springfield Lodge, Free and Accepted Ma- sons, Royal Arch Masons, Royal and Select Masters, Knights Templar, has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and is a Noble of Melha Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. His religious affiliation is with St. Peter's Episcopal Church, serving as treasurer of the parish.
He was married in 1921 to Harriet M. Lovejoy of Indian Orchard, and they are the parents of two sons: I. J. William, Jr., born July 27, 1925. 2. David Lovejoy, born May 19, 1930. The Cunliffe residence is No. 24 South Park Place, Longmeadow.
JAMES MARTIN HEALY-As a mem- ber of the well-known law firm of Avery, Healy and Button, James Martin Healy is. active at the Hampden County bar. His professional career, spanning some eighteen years has centered at Springfield and Hol- yoke, where his success in practice has brought him a reputation which is more than local in extent.
Mr. Healy was born in Springfield on April 13, 1893, a son of Martin R. and Mary (O'Neill) Healy. His father, who was born in Agawam, was a merchant and died in 1927. His mother was born in Springfield.
James Martin Healy received his early education in the public schools of his birth- place, completing his course at Central High School in 1910. From that institution he went to Dartmouth College, where he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1914. Subsequently he prepared for his profession at Harvard Law School, from which he received the degree of Bach- elor of Laws in 1917. In the same year he was admitted to the bar, and with the excep- tion of his war-time service, has since been continuously engaged in practice at Spring- field and Holyoke. His association with the old established law firm of which he is now a member has reflected credit both upon the firm and upon himself personally. Mr. Healy also served as assistant clerk of the courts of the County of Hampden from 1924 to 1933. He is a member of the Hampden County Bar Association, the Massachusetts State Bar Association and the executive
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committees of each ; a member of the Ameri- can Bar Association and of several non-pro- fessional organizations, including the Dart- mouth Alumni Association of Western Mas- sachusetts, the Harvard Club of the Con- necticut Valley, the Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks, in which he is Past Exalted Ruler of the local lodge; the Hol- yoke Country Club, and Springfield Post, No. 21, American Legion, of which he is Past Judge Advocate. During the war, he was a member of the United States Army Air Corps, and was stationed for training at Washington, District of Columbia. Mr. Healy's present offices are at No. 95 State Street, Springfield.
He married, on February 2, 1929, Kath- leen Kilroy of Springfield, and they are the parents of two children: I. Barbara, born August 28, 1930. 2. Mary, born August 24, 1932.
HENRY ALONZO FIELD-Henry A. Field, banker and insurance executive of Springfield and for many years a well- known figure in the civic life of Hampden County was born at Milford, August 8, 1870. He is a son of John A. and Mary A. (Phil- lips) Field. Following the completion of his education at Deerfield Academy in 1887, he entered upon his business career which he has since continued without interruption. From 1890 to 1898 he was associated with the Phillips Manufacturing Company of Springfield and from 1898 to 1908 with the Vacuum Oil Company. In the latter year he became a member of the firm of Oppen- heimer and Field, general insurance agents at Springfield, and remained in this connec- tion until 1925. From 1925 to 1934 he was a member of the firm of Field, Eddy, and Mul- heron, and since then a member of the firm of Field, Eddy, and Bulkley. Mr. Field is also a director of the New England Fire
Insurance Company, the Michigan Fire and Marine Insurance Company, the Springfield Fire and Marine Insurance Company and the Sentinel Fire Insurance Company. He has been a leader in insurance circles of the State over a long period and in 1921 was honored by his associates in his election as president of the Insurance Federation of Massachusetts.
Mr. Field has other important business in- terests. He has served since 1928 as chair- man of the board of the Springfield National "Bank; is vice-president and a director of the National Equipment Company, a direc- tor of the Peerless Handcuff Company, the Springfield Street Railway, the Van Norman Machine Tool Company, and Springfield Merchants, Inc. In spite of the pressure of his business duties he has devoted much time to civic interests and the public serv- ice. He was chairman of Hampden Chap- ter, American Red Cross in 1918-19 and president of the Union Relief Association in 1921. From 1921 to 1925 he was a member of the City Planning Board of Springfield and from 1925 to 1930 was police commis- sioner of the city. Since 1922 he has served as president of Springfield Hospital. Mr. Field is a Republican in politics and a mem- ber of the Episcopal Church. He continues as a member of the Union Relief Associa- tion, is a member and former president of George Washington Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, and a member of sev- eral clubs, including the Colony Club, the Longmeadow Country Club and the Nayas- set Club, of which he is ex-president. Fra- ternally he is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons and in this order is a member of all higher bodies, including the Consistory, thirty-second degree, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; the Commandery, Knights Templar, and the Shrine.
On October 23, 1901, Mr. Field married Margaret Owen of Jersey City, New Jersey.
Gerard B. Von Lene
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INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY RECORDS
GERARD B. VAN DEENE-A native of the Netherlands, Gerard B. Van Deene came to the United States more than a quarter of a century ago and very quickly aligned himself with American ideals and activities. In the high class book-binding field he has attained a position of leadership, becoming general manager and treasurer of the Na- tional Library Bindery Company, president of the Library Bindery Company of Penn- sylvania, president of the Library Book House of Springfield, and a director of other allied organizations. As a resident of West Springfield, he is recognized as one of its leading citizens, a man who has played important rôles in the advance and welfare of the community.
Mr. Van Deene was born at The Hague, Netherlands, June 25, 1875, son of Albert and Wilhelmina (Rotteveel) Van Deene, both natives of The Hague. He was edu- cated in his native country and at an early age began to learn the book binding busi- ness. He came to the United States in 1907, and settled in Holyoke, where he entered the employ of the National Blank Book Company. Later he was associated with the New England Library Bindery Com- pany in Springfield, where he was assistant manager and a part owner. This concern was founded in 1911, and in 1917 was ab- sorbed by the National Library Bindery Company, and Mr. Van Deene was elected treasurer and general manager, E. J. Seith, president, and Otto Rausch, vice-president. In addition to the Springfield plant of the company there were branches at Syracuse, New York, and Cleveland, Ohio. In 1917 the capitalization of the National Library Bindery Company was $25,000. This has since been increased to $300,000, and the present officers are: Oscar Schnabel, pres- ident; M. Rowe, vice-president; Gerard B.
Van Deene, treasurer and general manager. There are plants in West Springfield; At- lanta, Georgia; Cleveland, Ohio; and In- dianapolis, Indiana. More than two hun- dred persons are employed in normal times, and productions are marketed throughout the United States. As indicated by its name, the specialty of this corporation is the bind- ing of library and other fine editions, and it has an international reputation for art and skill.
In private life, Mr. Van Deene is a mem- ber of the Civitan Club, of Springfield, of which he has served as president ; the West Springfield Country Club, and the Chamber of Commerce of the same, and the Mount Orthodox Lodge, Free and Accepted Ma- sons, of West Springfield. Mr. Van Deene is very fond of travel, not only in this coun- try, but in foreign countries, as well, to which he makes frequent trips.
He was married, in 1900, to Jacoba De Haas, of The Hague, Netherlands, and they are the parents of four children : I. Albert, associated with his father in business. 2. Petronella, graduate of Boston University, and the wife of Robert E. Emerson, treas- urer of the Springfield Safe Deposit and Trust Company. 3. Johanna, a dietitian and physical instructor, who completed her edu- cation at the Battle Creek School of the University of Michigan, graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Science. 4. Wilhel- mina, graduate of Skidmore College, Sara- toga Springs, and the wife of Robert Bates, of Bronxville, New York.
JOSEPH WILLIAM CHENEY-The world still admires the man of whom it may be said that he was self-made. Of the late Joseph William Cheney, of Three Rivers, town of Palmer, this often abused expres- sion may be made without fear of contradic-
Hampden-25
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tion. In industry, in the realty field as the founder of developments, as a civic leader, he was eminently successful, a man of splen- did abilities, infinite enterprise, one highly esteemed. He was born at Kingsey, French Village, Province of Quebec, November 3, 1853, son of Adolph Cheney. His mother, of German descent, traced her ancestry to the nobility of the old country.
J. William Cheney came to the United States at the age of thirteen years and found employment in a cotton mill at Suncook, New Hampshire. Later he went to Saco, Maine, continuing in the same line of work, and while there was married at the age of nineteen. Within a year he removed to Three Rivers, as a loom fixer in the Palmer Mill, and advanced successively to boss weaver (at the age of twenty-seven), de- signer, assistant superintendent and super- intendent, finally leaving mill work in the middle 'nineties. Possessing a rare mechan- ical genius, he devised and patented a loom improvement which he sold for a substan- tial sum. An example of his genius remains in the form of a miniature loom, complete in every detail, that was built by him as a pastime. It is a treasured possession of his son, George B. Cheney, of Three Rivers.
The capital acquired by the sale of his patent enabled Mr. Cheney to engage in business, so he turned his attention to real estate in Springfield in association with E. J. Murphy and T. W. Leete. They devel- oped South Park Terrace in Longmeadow, which became one of the choice residential sections of Springfield and its environs. He also was the proprietor of the "Velden," an apartment hotel on Main Street, and was president and manager of the New England Land Improvement Company, which dealt in realty and mortgages.
Mr. Cheney also became interested in an important real estate development at Sche-
nectady, New York, at about the time of the enlargement of the General Electric Com- pany plant there. His methods in his opera- tions were different from the procedure usually followed in that day. He laid out the streets and put in all improvements ahead of the sale of the lots, where previ- ously such improvements were made after the lots were sold. Altogether he con- structed nine streets and built more than four hundred houses in a section that be- came one of the best in the city. He had property interests in New York for more than twenty years.
Mr. Cheney always maintained his resi- dence at Three Rivers where he also did much real estate development. He built many houses along the Palmer Road, the section becoming known as Cheneyville, named in his honor. The only water sys- tem in Three Rivers at that time was a fire protection line built and owned by the Palmer Mill. As Mr. Cheney supplied his houses from a reservoir he had constructed, the demand from other householders for water caused him to enlarge his system until it extended all over the village. Water for domestic use in the residences of Three Riv- ers is now supplied by the system he estab- lished and owned.
Joseph William Cheney married Adele Goshen, of Saco, Maine, who died in 1920. Both she and her husband were members of the Union Evangelical Church. Having no children of their own they adopted a son, who was then two and a half years old. He is George Byran Cheney, who was born in New Bedford, November 3, 1906, son of Isaac and Grace (Chase) Longden, and was six months of age when his parents removed to Three Rivers.
George Byran Cheney was graduated from the local high school and attended Monson Academy. From an early age he
Smith C. Slowly
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INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY RECORDS
had the benefit of a business training from his foster father which has well qualified him to assume the responsibilities in con- nection with the management of his prop- erty interests, which includes the water- works system of Three Rivers. He also holds an important position with the Wickwire- Spencer Steel Company, at Palmer, being in charge of shipping in the rope and clothes line departments. He is a Rotarian, a mem- ber of the Union Evangelical Church, and resides at No. 4 High Street, Three Rivers.
On April 14, 1932, George Byran Cheney married Mildred Moss of Three Rivers, daughter of Robert and Margaret (Card- well) Moss, and they have a son, Joseph William, born March 19, 1934.
The death of Joseph William Cheney oc- curred December 27, 1930, and caused regret to his many friends and those who had known him.
KENNETH C. DOWLEY-As treasurer of Haynes and Company of Springfield, Kenneth C. Dowley directs the activities of one of the oldest and most widely known men's clothing establishments in New Eng- land. This organization, which has been in existence for over ninety years, is an insti- tution in the State of Massachusetts and for years has catered to a wide and select clien- tele which it has attracted through the qual- ity of its products. In assuming this post in this long established concern, Mr. Dowley brought with him a wide and varied experi- ence based on years of mercantile activity in the Ware-Pratt Company of Worcester, which he still serves as secretary, the others of the executive staff consisting of his brother and father. He is also prominently identified with other business and financial interests of this section and takes a keen and active interest in the affairs of his surround .. ings.
Mr. Dowley was born at Hyde Park, Mas- sachusetts, November 5, 1893, son of George B. and Augusta (Lenteil) Dowley, who passed away in 1921. His father, now re- tired, engaged in the mercantile business throughout his active life, was owner and operator of the Ware-Pratt Company in Worcester and purchased the Haynes store in Springfield in 1925. After a general edu- cation in the public schools of his native community and Worcester Academy, Ken- neth C. Dowley entered the mercantile busi- ness with his father and brother and thereby initiated a business career that has been marked for its distinction and success.
To fully appreciate the status of the or- ganization with which he is now associated in Springfield, it is necessary to give a brief résumé of its history. In 1842, ninety-three years ago, Tilly Haynes, then a mere lad of fourteen years, left his native community of Sudbury, Massachusetts, and went to Read- ing where he established a small general store and began an extraordinary and ro- mantic career in the mercantile field. He continued to operate this establishment for some time and then went to Waltham, where he became associated with George W. Simmons, who at the time was handling the famous Oak Hall clothes. The lad showed unusual aptitude for the business and his employer soon placed him in charge of the oil skin department, which carried on an extensive business with seafaring men. The able manner in which he managed this branch paved the way for further success and on Wednesday, October 24, 1849, he was sent to the city of Springfield to estab- lish a branch for Mr. Simmons. The unlim- ited opportunity that existed here soon be- came apparent to the young man and six months after he opened this branch he offered to purchase the property from the proprietor, though he lacked adequate capi-
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tal. Mr. Simmons named a price which he could not possibly meet under the circum- stances. The older man continued to scale down his payment figures and when none could be met asked the young man how he expected to make the deal. Mr. Haynes re- plied he would give him a personal note, and though this transaction may seem strange at present, it was accepted and the store came under the managership of Tilly Haynes on April 27, 1850. The original site was located two doors below State Street on Main Street, and on March 2, 1851, it was opened to the general public. Theodore L. Haynes, brother of Tilly, joined the ven- ture and two years later purchased an in- terest. At this time he determined to build a store that would be a credit to the city of Springfield. With this in mind the brothers secured the neighboring store, which was owned by a Mr. Gunn, and adapted it to their uses. The clerical staff was increased and a customs department installed which has continued since. It is interesting to note that this store pioneered the one price sys- tem in ready made clothes for boys, was the first to own a sewing machine in Springfield and is credited with having the first pressing machine.
The venture had proved highly lucrative. Tilly Haynes was expanding his activities and in 1857 is listed as having erected the first theatre in this community, which at the time stood at the corner of Pynchon and Main streets. Larger quarters were also built in this area for his store and had been occupied but seven years when the entire development was totally destroyed by fire. Undaunted by this misfortune Mr. Haynes rebuilt this section and during this period was also responsible for the erection of the Haynes Hotel in Springfield and the United States Hotel in Boston. About this time he took in two of his brothers, William and Cyrus Haynes, who assisted in the manage-
ment of the Haynes manufacturing plant which employed more than one hundred per- sons. Tilly Haynes was invited by P. T. Barnum to join him in his enterprises, but declined. He remained to carry on his vari- ous business interests here. Tilly Haynes again wished to build but lacked the neces- sary capital. It was soon offered, however, by two of the most prominent financiers of the community, Benjamin Day and Henry Fuller, who loaned him sixty thousand dol- lars and forty thousand dollars respectively. In 1875 the clothing establishment was re- moved to the Massachusetts Mutual Build- ing and five years later the company pur- chased property on Main Street where they constructed a four-story building, which is the present business site. After Tilly Haynes' death in 1906 the business was car- ried on by his son Sanford Haynes, and when the latter passed away, Lawrence S. Haynes became his successor, managing the establishment until Octobr, 1925, when Ken- neth C. Dowley, his brother Leroy L., and his father, George B. Dowley, purchased the business. In addition to being treasurer of this concern, Kenneth C. Dowley is also assistant treasurer of Wells and Coverly, Inc., clothing and gentlemen's furnishings, in Syracuse and Troy, New York, a member of the board of directors of the Union Trust Company, an incorporator of the Hampden Savings Bank, and vice-president of the Springfield Merchants, Inc.
Socially Mr. Dowley is a member of sev- eral of the leading clubs and societies in this section, including the Springfield Rotary Club, the Longmeadow Club and the Colony Club. He fraternizes with the local lodge of the Masonic Order where he holds a thirty- second degree and is a member of the Melha Temple Shrine.
In 1920 Mr. Dowley married Olive S. Bryant of Worcester, and they are the par- ents of four children : I. Kenneth C., Jr.,
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born March 20, 1922. 2. Richard B., born March 25, 1924. 3. Bruce, born January 23, 1928. 4. Elizabeth S., born June 8, 1935.
Mr. Dowley resides at No. 91 Colony Road, Longmeadow, having erected his resi- dence there in 1930.
FREDERICK J. CUMMINGS has spent more than half of his life in Ludlow and is numbered among the progressive citizens upon whom the community depends for in- telligent leadership. He is an executive of the Ludlow Manufacturing Associates, in which, after serving in other capacities, he is in charge of the service department. He was born in Paterson, New Jersey, July 6, 1895, son of John and Mary (Hibbard) Cum- mings, the former a native of Holyoke, this State, and the latter of Northampton.
Educated in the public schools of North- ampton, Mr. Cummings was graduated from Northampton Business College in 1912 and obtained employment with M. C. Bailey, of Northampton, a contractor. There he worked one and a half years then went to work for the Florence Manufacturing Com- pany, also of Northampton, and in 1914 made his connection with the firm where he is today. He had been with Ludlow Manu- facturing Associates only two years when he enlisted for service in the World War and was assigned to the 2d Cavalry. En- listing April 10, 1916, he was commissioned second lieutenant at Plattsburg, New York, November 7, that year, and was ordered to Leon Springs, Texas, where he was trans- ferred to the air service December 24, 1916. In March, 1917, he was commissioned first lieutenant and was transferred to the reserve corps in February, 1919.
Following his return to civilian life Mr. Cummings resumed work with Ludlow Manufacturing Associates and has since been in that employment. Intelligent and
industrious, his progress within the com- pany was steadily recognized and promo- tions came to him. In 1921 he was made assistant superintendent of maintenance of the transportation department, from 1923 to 1925 was superintendent of mills numbers five and six, and January 1, 1925, was ap- pointed service manager. Mr. Cummings' standing with those who are under his sup- ervision is as high as it is with the execu- tives over him. Employees respect him for his consideration of them as individuals, for his fairness and for his interest in them. Within the company he has served as presi- dent of the Ludlow Athletic and Recreation Committee for seven (1935) years, also as chairman of the Ludlow Red Cross post two years. He is a corporator of the Ludlow Savings Bank, has been chairman of the Park Department three years and, a member of the American Legion, has served as com- mander of his post. Fishing is his favorite sport.
Frederick J. Cummings married, October I, 1919, Mildred S. Morrill, of Ludlow, and they are the parents of two children : I. Ed- ward M., who was born December 30, 1920. 2. Robert H., who was born December 20, 1922. The family resides on a farm, the operation of which is one of Mr. Cummings' greatest enjoyments.
NELSON M. CAREW -- A leader in the public affairs of Hampden, Nelson M. Carew has rendered valuable service to his con- temporaries through his labors in political office, and at the same time he has been a substantial contributor to local business life.
Mr. Carew was born February 5, 1858, in Monson, son of Gaylord and Levina (Pease) Carew, both natives of this Commonwealth. His father was a farmer by occupation, who for many years resided in Monson. The Carews are one of the very old families of
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