USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Hampden county, 1636-1936, Volume III > Part 58
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loyalty of my family, friends, and acquaintances, I shall feel that I have been given an overflowing meas- ure of success and more than I can ever deserve.
During the recent years Mr. St. Germain has taken a little more than a casual interest in politics. In 1935 he joined the Republic Club of Massachusetts and in January, 1936, was made vice-president from the Second Congressional District of the State, being also a member of the executive committee. To its work and to the raising of its mem- bership to the largest in its history, he has made effective and enthusiastic cooperation and it is felt by those responsible for the club's program, that the influence of the or- ganization in State politics has been propor- tionately enlarged. Since 1919 he has been a member of Lodge No. 61, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He and his fam- ily are members of South Congregational Church, Springfield.
Mr. and Mrs. St. Germain are the parents of the following children: I. Marjorie A., born June 24, 1920. 2. Marion E., born De- cember 13, 1921. 3. J. Gordon, born January 27, 1923. 4. Dorothy J., born June 28, 1924. 5. Nancy Ruth, born December 3, 1925. 6. J. Brewster, born November 16, 1928. 7. Mildred Louise, born January 31, 1932. The family home is in Springfield and Mr. St. Germain recently bought the property which was the hunting and fishing camp of George M. Hendee in the town of Monson, fourteen miles from his office, which he has named "Boulder Hill." The tract contains 170 acres of woods, rocks, and hills, a beautiful trout and swimming pond, and is set in scenery lovely beyond description. The boundary line of the property is about two and a half miles long and, with jaunts about the place and with an occasional work-out in the gymnasium in his Springfield resi- dence, Mr. St. Germain hopes to keep physi- cally fit throughout the year. Speaking of
this estate, Mr. St. Germain reveals a love of the land that has survived even his youth- ful hardships of farm life :
We have a house and a lodge, so that we have plenty of room for our family and any friends who happen to be visiting with us. A beautiful brock runs through the property and there are probably fifteen acres of land that can be tilled, and I expect it will be. In a way, one of my dreams has come true, because at last my feet are back on the soil.
KENNETH B. PAGE-Among the prom- inent figures in the insurance business of Springfield is Kenneth B. Page, who for a number of years has been prominently identified with this work and today heads a firm of his own. Throughout his residence here Mr. Page has been actively interested in social and civic affairs and is widely known in club and fraternal circles of this vicinity. During the World War he enlisted in the United States Army, fought overseas and was decorated for gallantry by the gov- ernments of the United States and France.
Mr. Page was born in the city of Spring- field, June II, 1896, son of Frank H. and Bertha (Bausman) Page, the former a na- tive of this State, the latter of Minnesota. His father, who passed away on December 18, 1928, was very prominent in this com- munity and during his life founded the Na- tional Equipment Company, which he di- rected as president until his death, and was also a director for a number of large finan- cial and industrial enterprises here.
Kenneth B. Page received a general edu- cation at the Choate School in Wallingford, Connecticut; later he supplemented his studies with special courses at the La Villa School in Switzerland and finally matricu- lated at the Massachusetts Institute of Tech- nology. When the United States entered the World War he enlisted in the army and became a member of the 104th Medical Corps of the 26th Yankee Division. He was
Kenneth BPage
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dispatched overseas and saw action in some of the largest engagements of the conflict, winning distinction and honor for his gal- lantry. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Order of the Purple Heart by the United States Government, while the French Republic bestowed upon him the Croix de Guerre.
Upon his return to this country Mr. Page joined the National Equipment Company, the organization which his father had founded and was directing as president. He remained here until he became associated with the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States in New York City and thereby initiated a career in the insurance business which has been marked for its dis- tinction and success. In July, 1928, he re- turned to the city of Springfield to accept a partnership in the insurance firm of Camp- bell, Johnson & Page. Four years later Mr. Johnson withdrew and the concern became known as Campbell and Page, operating under this title until October, 1934, at which time Mr. Page established the general insur- ance business which he conducts today. Through his achievements he has become widely known throughout the industrial and business world of Hampden County and has been prominent in the affairs of several en- terprises. He is president of The Cleaners, Incorporated, and serves as a member of the board of directors of the National Equip- ment Company.
Socially Mr. Page is a member of the local post of the American Legion, belongs to the Yankee Division Club of Boston and holds membership in the Longmeadow Country Club. He fraternizes with the Longmeadow Lodge, and Morning Star Chapter, of the Masonic Order.
In 1919 Mr. Page married Mildred Green, of Springfield, a native of Holyoke, and daughter of Samuel Martin and Ida (Mc-
Kown) Green. Mr. and Mrs. Page are the parents of two daughters: I. Patricia G., born May 15, 1924. 2. Elizabeth G., born February 21, 1927. The family residence is at No. SI Farmington Avenue, Longmea- dow.
JOSEPH BELANGER-The late Joseph Belanger, of Three Rivers, town of Palmer, was a truly self-made man who achieved not only an outstanding material success, but was possessed of an enviable reputation for honesty and high commercial integrity. He was one of the early French residents of the community and became a leader among them. He was born July 29, 1857, at Napier- ville, Province of Quebec, Canada, son of Anthony and Aurelia Belanger, his father a farmer.
Joseph Belanger had limited educational advantages, and early learned the trade of blacksmith and wagon maker. At the age of eighteen he left home and went to Platts- burg, New York, where he entered the em- ploy of Norbert Garant, who had a wagon works there. Here he met Emelie Garant, daughter of his employer, who became his wife November 27, 1878. After their mar- riage they came to Springfield, Massachu- setts, where Mr. Belanger was employed in the Quilty Wagon Works. In 1880 they came to Three Rivers, where he established his own blacksmith and wagon shop. Later he was joined by his father-in law, who, after a period, left Three Rivers and went to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he spent the rest of his life. Joseph Belanger operated the shop at Three Rivers until about 1924, when he leased it to its present proprietor, Jeremiah Sullivan. Mr. Belanger, however, had not been active at the forge for a num- ber of years.
In 1888 Mr. Belanger established an un- dertaking business, the first in Three Rivers,
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and prepared himself for professional activi- ties at the Gingras establishment at Hol- yoke, and the Dodge School of Embalming, and received his State license as an em- balmer. This undertaking business expanded to large proportions, his clientele coming from all classes and denominations. During his active career he directed more than forty-four hundred funerals.
In 1920, Mr. Belanger started a lumber business together with a full line of hard- ware and builders' supplies, which has had a steady growth. Year after year he ac- quired real estate in the village and at the time of his death he was one of the largest individual owners of realty in the town of Palmer. He erected the present hardware store building and funeral home on Main Street, Three Rivers. The funeral home is entirely modern with chapel, display rooms, morgue, and all the motor equipment is up- to-date. The business continues to be con- ducted under the name of its founder, Jo- seph Belanger, a name that has always stood for honest and straightforward business practices and dealings. Joseph Belanger was a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Red Men, the St. Jean Bap- tist Society, a trustee of the Cercle Cana- dien, which he helped to organize, a com- municant of St. Ann's French Catholic Church, in the affairs of which he was very active. The first meeting for the establish- ment of this parish was held in the home of Joseph Belanger.
Fortunate in the possession of a magnetic personality, Mr. Belanger easily made and retained his friends and their loyalty and was highly esteemed and respected by all who knew him. He began his business ca- reer with but little capital, his own savings, and by industry, economy, integrity and a splendid business judgment achieved a nota- ble success. In later years he had the de-
voted cooperation of his children as they became old enough to be of assistance in his business, and this fine team work was an im- portant factor in his achievements. Mr. Belanger died February 15, 1934.
Joseph Belanger and his wife, Emelie (Garant) Belanger, daughter of Norbert and Odille (Bouvier) Garant, became the par- ents of seven children: I. Dora, wife of Homer A. Chalifoux, of Springfield, who is owner of the Smith Carriage Company. 2. Ephriam, deceased, who married Elizabeth Sauve. She now resides at Ware. Their son, Valbert A., is connected with the Mas- sachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, at Springfield. 3. Lillian, who married (first) Clinton Babin, and after his death married (second) Lawrence Bonsecour, and they reside at Three Rivers. Her children by her first marriage are : Beatrice, who is a private secretary ; Alfred, who is connected with the business; Marguerite, and Mrs. Teresa Comfort. 4. Puymirol T. 5. Alvira, wife of Albert Poisson, of Three Rivers. 6. Beatrice, Sister St. Francis of Borgia, a teacher of English at the Church of Notre Dame, Du Perpetual Secours, parochial school, at Holyoke. 7. Bernadette, who re- sides at home. Mrs. Belanger survives her husband and resides at Three Rivers with her son and young daughter.
Puymirol T. Belanger, born in Three Rivers, was graduated from the high school. From an early age he assisted his father, receiving a practical training as an em- balmer, and completing a course at the Dodge School of Embalming. He has been active in the profession for the past thirty years. With his sister, Bernadette, they are executors of their father's estate, and Puy- mirol T. Belanger's energy and business ability are reflected in the development and expansion of the family's interests, with which he has been so closely identified since
Thas Story
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boyhood. While never an office seeker, he is deeply interested in town matters, and as an astute business man he is zealous in his efforts to have the affairs of the town con- ducted in a businesslike manner. In the furtherance of that idea, his voice is heard often in town meetings. He is a member of the St. Jean Baptist Society, a communicant of St. Anne's Catholic Church, and was one of the prime movers in the organization of the Franco-American Club, of which he is president. This is an athletic and recrea- tional organization, having its own field and club rooms. He also serves as a trustee of the Cercle Canadien ..
CHARLES U. ROY-For forty years a retail merchant of Holyoke, Charles U. Roy earned a respected place in commercial cir- cles for his business ability and in civic and community affairs for his active participa- tion in municipal matters. His sincere desire to be of service, both in business and in citi- zenship, was characteristic of all his activi- ties and this spirit of helpfulness earned the high regard of all with whom he had associ- ations. Especially was he influential in the affairs of the French descendants and resi- dents of Holyoke, who found his advice and leadership of inestimable value in blending their traditional culture into an American setting.
Mr. Roy was born February 8, 1866, at St. Cesaire, Province of Quebec, son of The- ophile Roy, also a native of Quebec. His education was obtained in public schools of Quebec. He was brought by his parents to Holyoke when he was about eighteen years old and in this historic city he was reared and lived throughout his life. Early in his career he opened a retail shoe store on one of the principal streets, starting modestly and growing as purchasers found him pleas- ant, honest and efficient. When his business became established and enabled him to en- as an inspiration.
gage in other interests, Mr. Roy gave more and more of his time and attention to the French population of Holyoke. His work was largely of a personal nature, although he was a member of and outstanding in sev- eral French organizations. As a young man he was affiliated with Antoine Marcotte and E. L. Lamaray, both of whom were promi- nent in political affairs of that period, and they found in their young friend a capable co-worker. Until 1923 Mr. Roy remained at the head of the business he had founded forty years previous, and upon selling out, retired to personal interests. He was also treasurer of the South Holyoke Realty Trust Company, and through his long business career and numerous acquaintances was a familiar figure in commercial groups.
From 1898 to 1911 Mr. Roy served as a member of the board of registration, and served also at one time as a member of the fire commission by appointment of Mayor John H. Woods. He belonged to the Cana- dian Française Société, Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, Knights of Pythias, Artisans, and the Holyoke Chamber of Com- merce, as well as several French organiza- tions.
In 1892 Mr. Roy married Luella May Coom of New York State, and the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Winchester) Coom. They became the parents of five children : I. Vivian, who married George A. Scheibel. 2. Charles H., who married in Chicago. 3. Ruth M., who married George C. Sinclair. 4. Harold W. 5. Irene, who is an instructor in the public schools. There are six grand- children.
Charles U. Roy died May 12, 1927. The influence of his personality and the char- acteristics of his life were so firmly im- pressed upon many of Holyoke's citizens that he is remembered for them, and is held in respect as one whose useful life continues
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NATHAN E. GOLDSTEIN-In 1935 Nathan E. Goldstein became president of the Western Massachusetts Theatres, Inc., which corporation acquired control of the former G. B. Circuit of Theatres and the Paramount Publix Theatres located in west- ern Massachusetts, the latter including the Springfield Paramount Theatre, one of the largest and most popular playhouses in the western part of the State, and other theatres in Springfield, Westfield, Pittsfield, North Adams, Greenfield, Northampton, Holyoke, Chicopee, Ware and Palmer.
Mr. Goldstein was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and made his first money on a farm raising chickens and selling eggs. He was educated in New Haven, Connecticut, and was first connected with the cinema business when, as a boy he worked in a penny arcade at Savin Rock, Connecticut, during vacations. Since his weekly salary totaled only three dollars, it is surprising that his interest in this new business of moving pictures did not wane instead of in- crease. By 1909 he had saved one hundred and seventy dollars and invested this sum and what he could borrow in a concession at Old Orchard, Maine, which enterprise proved a failure. He managed to make his way to Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1910, and accepted employment at twelve dollars a week. Since that time he has been closely identified with Springfield affairs, although his activities have entailed much travel. With his brother, Samuel Goldstein, he opened a penny arcade in Springfield, which was his entrance into the amusement field. In 1911 he and his brother, Samuel Gold- stein, organized the Goldstein Brothers Amusement Company which opened the first movie theatre in Massachusetts, outside of Boston, when they started one in Hol- yoke. Subsequently, movie theatres were opened in Springfield, Westfield, Northamp-
ton and Pittsfield. In 1917 came the World War and before Nathan E. Goldstein en- listed in the army he was the chairman of the Theatre Division of the First Liberty Loan Drive in Springfield.
After his discharge from the army in 1919 the firm added other theatres in Pittsfield, Holyoke, Northampton, Ware, Palmer, Chicopee and Greenfield and in 1929 this circuit of theatres, which were then known as the G. B. Theatres, was sold to the Para- mount Publix Theatre Corporation.
In 1932 Nathan E. Goldstein and his brother, Samuel Goldstein, erected the Ar- cade Theatre in Springfield, which is now one of the Western Massachusetts Theatres circuits and this theatre along with the other G. B. Theatres sold to Paramount are now controlled and operated by Western Massachusetts Theatres, Inc.
Nathan E. Goldstein is the treasurer of Samuel and Nathan E. Goldstein, Inc., a real estate and investment corporation with large holdings in Springfield and other Mas- sachusetts cities.
He is a member of the Beth El Temple, president of the Kodimoh Congregation and has served more than a decade on the gen- eral committee of B'nai B'rith, District No. I. He is a life member of the Zionist Or- ganization of America; is a past president of the Young Men's Hebrew Association ; is vice-president of the New England Zion- ist Region, and a director of the Jewish So- cial Service. His favorite recreation is big game hunting, but he is fond of most out- of-doors sports, fishing and golf, and is a member of the Oxford Country Club, Wal- ton Fishing Club, Elks Club, and the Ameri- can Legion.
Nathan E. Goldstein married Anna Gins- burg, and they are the parents of three sons and a daughter.
Jesse Sprechen
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CHARLES LAWRENCE FURCOLO, M. D .- A widely known physician of Spring- field, Dr. Charles Lawrence Furcolo is highly esteemed in his profession and in the general ranks of Springfield citizenry.
He was born in St. Angelo, Italy, May 31, 1889, son of Pasquale Furcolo. His grand- father was a professor of music in one of the private schools of St. Angelo, Italy. On the maternal side of his house, his Grand- father Janinini for many years supplied the Italian Government with horses. Pasquale Furcolo was born in St. Angelo, Italy, and there attended private and public schools, afterward becoming one of the best known horse breeders in all Italy. He served for a time in the Italian Army and was an honor man, winning a medal which is still pre- served in the family. After leaving the mili- tary service, he married Mary Janinini, of St. Angelo, Italy, with whom he came to the United States in 1898. They settled in New Haven, Connecticut, where Pasquale Fur- colo died while still a comparatively young man. Mrs. Furcolo makes her home in New Haven.
Receiving most of his formal education in the United States, Charles Lawrence Fur- colo was nine years of age when he came to this country with his parents. New Haven became the family home, and in the public schools there and at Booth's Preparatory School he did his preliminary academic work, later entering Yale University and was graduated as a Doctor of Medicine in 1910.
Spending several years as a physician and hospital worker in Boston, he was employed on the floating hospitals there. Then he passed a year at Mercy Hospital, Spring- field. At the conclusion of that period, in the course of which he served professionally under the guidance of some very brilliant
physicians and surgeons, he took up his own independent practice of medicine in Spring- field. His practice has grown with the years, and today he ranks as one of the leading sur- geons of Hampden County.
Dr. Furcolo married, on November 21, 1908, Alberta Marie Foster, of New Haven, Connecticut, daughter of John and Emma (Gifford) Foster. Dr. and Mrs. Furcolo be- came the parents of two sons: I. Charles Lawrence Furcolo, Jr., born August 17, 1909. 2. Foster Furcolo, born July 29, 1911. The family home is in Longmeadow.
JESSE EUGENE SHELDON-As treas- urer of the Sheldon Transfer and Storage Company, Inc., at Holyoke, Jesse Eugene Sheldon is active in the management of an enterprise which was established originally by his father and has since grown to large proportions. He has other interests, both in business and civic affairs, which have brought him a position of prominence in the life of the city.
Mr. Sheldon was born at Holyoke on Feb- ruary 21, 1870, a son of Christopher M. and Lucy (Breezer) Sheldon. His father, who was engaged in the trucking business at Holyoke for many years, was born in Fair Haven, Vermont, and died in Springfield, Massachusetts. He attended the Congrega- tional Church at West Springfield ; and was a Republican in politics. Lucy (Breezer) Sheldon, his wife, was also born in Vermont, and died in West Springfield.
Jesse Eugene Sheldon received his educa- tion in the public schools of Holyoke. Im- mediately after finishing his course, he be- came associated with his father in the truck- ing business and learned it thoroughly, working in all branches until he became general manager. In 1920 the company was incorporated under its present name, the
Hampden-26
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Sheldon Transfer and Storage Company, and Mr. Sheldon then became treasurer. He continues as general manager of the busi- ness, however, which consists of a transfer and forwarding enterprise, handling all kinds of freight, and is now one of the larg- est in the city.
Mr. Sheldon is also vice-president of the Mechanics Savings Bank of Holyoke, and is president of the Holyoke Worsted Mills, Inc., important interests which have occu- pied his attention for some years. He has participated actively in public affairs and has served the city in a number of responsi- ble offices. Among these was his nine-year- term as Holyoke Water Commissioner, his four-year-term as Gas and Electric Light Commissioner, and his service for two years as a member of the City Board of Alder- men. Mr. Sheldon is a Republican in poli- tics ; a member of the Rotary Club, the Hol- yoke Canoe Club; Holyoke Lodge, No. 902, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and Mt. Tom Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. In the Masonic Order he also is a member of all higher bodies, including Hol- yoke Chapter, Royal Arch Masons ; Holyoke Council, Royal and Select Masters; St. Andrew's Commandery, No. 49, Knights Templar; and Melha Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in Springfield. Mr. Sheldon is a member of the Second Congregational Church of Holyoke. He has traveled extensively and this has been his principal recreation.
On December 10, 1890, at West Spring- field, Jesse Eugene Sheldon married Flora M. Hubbard, who was born in West Spring- field, daughter of Horace and Harriet (Ash- ley) Hubbard, and a descendant of old New England families. Mrs. Sheldon was edu- cated in the public schools of West Spring- field and Chicopee and at Northfield Semi- nary. She is a member of the Daughters of
the American Revolution, the Holyoke Women's Club and the Second Congrega- tional Church of this city.
Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon are the parents of two children: I. Arthur Eugene, born at West Springfield, April 16, 1892; graduated from Holyoke High School and attended Dartmouth College for two years, and is associated in business with his father. 2. Madelein, born in Holyoke, August 29, 1896; graduate of Holyoke High School and of Lasell College at Auburndale, Massachu- setts.
D. LINCOLN McCRAY-Agriculture and public service have greatly interested D. Lincoln McCray in the course of his busy career, and his services to the Hampden community have been wholly worth while. He is now retired from his more active en- deavors, but takes the same lively interest in all that pertains to civic welfare as he has taken through the years of the past.
Mr. McCray was born May 3, 1867, in South Wilbraham, son of David R. and Delia Elmira (Lincoln) McCray, both na- tives of Connecticut. His father was born in 1831 in Ellington, Connecticut, and came to South Wilbraham in 1838, here making his home with an uncle, Orrin Cone. He then removed to Hampden, which was his center of activity for the rest of his life, which came to an end December 17, 1917. David R. McCray was a farmer, and held many offices in his town, including that of selectman.
D. Lincoln McCray attended the schools of Hampden, and later spent a year at Wes- leyan Academy. When he completed the period of formal schooling in his youth, he turned to farming to seek a livelihood. Since that time he has continued his agricultural operations, and simultaneously has held many important public offices. From the
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