USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Hampden county, 1636-1936, Volume III > Part 65
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until January 17, 1921, when he bought out Mr. Goldberg's interest in the business and continued the enterprise under the title of Charles Belsky and Company. In April, 1925, he purchased the building he now oc- cupies at No. 651 Main Street, and three years later, in June, 1928, his concern was incorporated, Mr. Belsky becoming presi- dent and treasurer, offices he occupies today. Under his able and careful management this firm has become the second largest of its type in the United States and deals exclu- sively in the wholesale trade of rags, paper and wiping cloths. Through his ability and success Mr. Belsky has become one of the recognized business leaders of this city and is a member and past treasurer of the He- brew Free Loan Association, as well as serving as treasurer for the Hebrew Free School.
Socially he belongs to the Working Men's Circle of Holyoke, the Zionist Organization of Holyoke and fraternizes with the Mount Tom Lodge of the Free and Accepted Ma- sons, where he holds a thirty-second degree and is also a member of the York Rite. In addition, he is a member of Lodge No. 28, of the Knights of Pythias. Politically Mr. Belsky is an adherent of the Republican party and in his religious convictions be- longs to two Jewish congregations in Hol- yoke, namely, the Sons of Zionists Congre- gation and the Rudfa Sholan Congregation.
On June 12, 1912, in Springfield, Mr. Bel- sky married Esther Kaplan, a native of Po- land, and they are the parents of five chil- dren: I. Gloria K., born April 3, 1913, a graduate of Holyoke High School. She also attended the Highland Manor College at Tarrytown, New York, for one year and the Connecticut Teachers College, where she re- ceived a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1935. During her high school and college career she also took special courses at Rice's Sum-
mer School in Oak Bluff. 2. Abraham H., born September 29, 1914, graduate of the Holyoke High School and Dartmouth Col- lege, where in 1935 he received a Bachelor of Arts degree. Through the outstanding work he accomplished during three of his collegiate years he was sent abroad for spe- cial courses in diplomacy and economics, studying at the Sorbonne in Paris, France. While abroad he also traveled through Eng- land, Italy and Germany. He is now study- ing for his Master's degree at the Tuck School of Business Administration at Dart- mouth College. 3. Fred, born June 2, 1916, graduate of Holyoke High School and now a member of the sophomore class at Buck- nell University at Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. 4. Robert C., born November 14, 1921. 5. Theodore B., born June 27, 1926.
CHARLES KAROL DYDEK-Exten- sively engaged in business affairs in Hol- yoke, Charles Karol Dydek has richly con- tributed to the well-being of this Hampden County community and has earned the very high regard of his fellow-townsmen.
Mr. Dydek was born January 1, 1883, in Lemberg, Poland, son of Frank and Toefila (Pindak) Dydek. His father, who was also born at Lemberg, Poland, is now (1935) living at Lawrence, Massachusetts, in his eighty-seventh year. He was a florist throughout the active period of his career, first in Poland and afterward in Helmetta, New Jersey. He was a Democrat and a member of the Roman Catholic Church. His wife, born in Poland, died at the age of seventy-five years in Lawrence, Massachu- setts, on July 17, 1934.
In the public schools of Helmetta, New Jersey, and Lawrence, Massachusetts, Charles Karol Dydek received his early edu- cation. He was graduated from the Law- rence Commercial School and the Klein
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School of Optics, in Boston, where he was ber of Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic a member of the class of 1908. Settling in Church and the Holyoke Women's Club. Mr. and Mrs. Dydek are the parents of two sons : I. Karol, born September 17, 1923. 2. Georgie, born December 26, 1930. Holyoke on March 21, 1908, he took quarters at No. 143 High Street and stocked his store with a full line of jewelry and optical goods. He and his brother, Louis Dydek, were part- ners in this enterprise, which was known as Dydek Brothers. They own the building in which the business is housed, and both are experts in their work. Louis Dydek is a graduate of the Waltham Horological School, of Waltham, and he looks after the repairing branch of the business. Charles Karol Dydek is the optometrist of the store. He is treasurer and a director of the Hol- yoke Wholesale Grocery Company, another flourishing business enterprise of this city.
A staunch Republican in his political views, he has held public office and rendered valuable service to his community. For three years he was chairman of the Fire Commission of Holyoke. He is a member of Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, Holyoke Lodge, No. 902, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the American Optical Asso- ciation, the Polish-American Citizens' Club of Holyoke, and the Holyoke Fishing Asso- ciation. Fishing is his favorite recreation. During the World War period Mr. Dydek served effectively in the Liberty Loan and Red Cross drives, in the Community Chest campaigns and was captain on some of the Red Cross trains.
On July 21, 1922, Charles Karol Dydek married, in New York City, Estelle Klosin- ska, born in Hartford, Connecticut, daugh- ter of Joseph and Josephine (Makoweiz) Klosinska, both of whom were born in Po- land. Her father died in Chicopee, Massa- chusetts, where he was for many years en- gaged in merchant tailoring, and her mother lives in Holyoke. Mrs. Dydek is a graduate of parochial schools of Holyoke and a mem-
MAX AARON JACOBSON-As presi- dent of the Wholesale Grocery Company and proprietor of one of the oldest and largest grocery establishments in the city of Holyoke, Max Aaron Jacobson occupies a place of importance and distinction among the leading merchants of this section of the State. Born and reared in this community he has been active in social and civic affairs and is affiliated with many of the foremost clubs and societies here. Through his gen- erous contributions to the welfare of his surroundings Mr. Jacobson has won the ad- miration and esteem of many friends and colleagues who highly value his friendship.
Mr. Jacobson was born in Holyoke, Jan- uary 31, 1895, son of Moses and Rosa Jacob- son. His father was born in Russia in 1876 and died in Holyoke in January, 1925. He came to this country from his native land during his youth and settled in this city where he engaged in the fur business on High Street for a time. Later he entered the retail grocery business on Main Street and conducted this establishment until his retirement. He was among the first mem- bers of the Jewish race to come to this com- munity and became a prominent leader in the affairs of that faith, being one of the early members of the Sons of Zion Congre- gation here. His wife, who was also born in Russia, died in this city in 1929.
Max Aaron Jacobson received a general education in the public schools of Holyoke and after completing his high school studies became associated with his father in the re- tail grocery business. He continued in this capacity until 1922 when he purchased his
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elder's interest and continued the venture under his own name. The store, which is located at No. 311 Main Street, is devoted to the sale of groceries, meats and vegeta- bles. The success that Mr. Jacobson has enjoyed in this establishment has gained wide recognition for him among the mem- bers of the trade in Hampden County and vicinity. He was one of the most enthusi- astic organizers and prime movers in the founding of the Service Wholesale Grocery Company in June, 1925, was elected presi- dent at that time and has held this position with distinction and success ever since. Un- der his able management, this organization, which was started in a small way, has stead- ily gained in usefulness and is now owned by thirty retail merchants of this section. Operating headquarters for the wholesale firm have been moved on several occasions to take care of the increasing business and its executive staff is now considering the purchase of a larger building to accom- modate it. As one of the leading figures of the grocery trade Mr. Jacobson is a mem- ber and past vice-president of the Massa- chusetts Retail Grocers' Association, and a member and past president of the Western Massachusetts Grocers' Association.
In a social and civic capacity he is promi- nently identified with several of the leading organizations in this city, among them the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce. He is president of the Young Men's Hebrew Asso- ciation, a member of the local post of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and fraternizes with the Mount Tom Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons. He is a past president of the B'nai B'rith and worships with the Sons of Zion Congre- gation. In politics he is a member of the Republican party. Mr. Jacobson finds his greatest diversions in the games of golf and pinochle. In December, 1917, Mr. business man and today is prominently
Jacobson went to Springfield and enlisted in the United States Army. He was sent to Fort Slocum, New York, where he trained for one month, later went to Washington, where he spent three months and finally was transferred to Jacksonville, Florida, where he spent two months and was pro- moted to the post of mess sergeant of the first class. He sailed with the Quarter- master's Corps for France, landed in Brest and from there was dispatched to Dijon, and later to another section of that country and finally to Bordeaux. He was overseas four- teen months and was honorably discharged from the service at Camp Devens with the rank of sergeant of the first class.
On August 10, 1920, in Springfield, at Temple Bethel, with Rabbi Price officiating, Mr. Jacobson was united in marriage with Auralia Roslyn, daughter of Samuel and Zerlena (Wise) Wiener. Her father, a na- tive of New York City, was a prominent realtor and former member of the board of directors of the Cabot Trust Company and the Chicopee Savings Bank in Chicopee. He died at Chicopee Falls on April 6, 1933. Her mother, who was born in Kansas City, re- sides in Chicopee Falls. Mrs. Jacobson is a graduate of the Chicopee High School and a business college in Holyoke, and is now bookkeeper and secretary for her husband. She is a past president of the B'nai B'rith. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobson are the parents of one daughter, Faye Winifred, born Septem- ber 16, 1921.
JOHN CASIMIR KUSTRA-For over a decade John Casimir Kustra has conducted one of the finest and largest grocery and produce establishments in the city of Chico- pee. Through his achievements in the suc- cessful and outstanding management of this enterprise he has won wide recognition as a
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identified with several large commercial and financial institutions. Throughout his resi- dence here he has been interested in the social and civic affairs of his surroundings and contributed substantially to the general public welfare.
John Casimir Kustra was born in Poland, November 25, 1886, the son of Jacob and Mogdelena (Sienko) Kustra. His father is now ninety-three years of age. John C. Kustra came to this country from Poland in 1906 and settled in Thompsonville, Con- necticut.
Mr. Kustra received an elementary edu- cation in the schools of Poland and after ar- riving in this country devoted his leisure evenings to furthering his knowledge. In 1906 he went to Hartford, Connecticut, and secured employment with the Hartford Car- pet Mills, where he remained until 1908. It was directly after this that he entered the grocery business and started laying a foun- dation that was to equip him eminently for the work he was to undertake in the future. At this time he served as clerk in an estab- lishment in Thompsonville. Later, in 1910, he temporarily abandoned the grocery busi- ness to become a moving picture operator, a task he was to engage in until 1912, when he returned to the work he was to follow. Four years later he came to Chicopee, worked for the Exchange Hotel here until 1919, again entered the grocery business, this time purchasing the Chicopee Public Market, which under his careful manage- ment has become one of the leading estab- lishments of its type in this section. As a successful and prominent business figure he has been invited to act in an advisory ca- pacity for several larger enterprises and or- ganizations of this city. He is a member of the board of directors of the Chicopee Sav- ings Bank and a director of the Polish Na- tional Credit Union of Chicopee. He is a
member of the Chicopee Chamber of Com- merce; member and past president of the Polish Business Men's Association, and in a civic capacity serves the Chicopee Health Department, a body which he headed as chairman between 1932 and 1933. In his religious convictions he adheres to the Ro- man Catholic faith, and is a member of the Polish Roman Catholic Church of Chicopee.
On May 6, 1913, Mr. Kustra married Eleanor Solomon, and they are the parents of five children : Genevieve, Mary, Teddy, Avelyn and Helen.
SEBASTIAN FABRIAN KORDAS- The career of the auditor of the city of Chicopee, Sebastian Fabrian Kordas is typi- cal of the present generation of young men. He studied for a profession but had the di- rection of his life changed by long military service during the World War. He was born in Poland, on January 21, 1899, one of the four sons of Jacob and Agatha (Rak) Kordas, both natives of Poland. The family migrated to the United States in 1905, and settled in Chicopee, where the most of its members lived for fifteen years. The broth- ers, Charles, John, Ignatius, and Sebastian attended the parochial schools of Chicopee and adopted American ideas and ideals. A sister, Frances, died when very young.
Sebastian Fabrian Kordas completed his formal education at St. Francis College, Trenton, New Jersey, from which he was graduated in 1916. He was studying for the priesthood. Early in 1917, he enlisted in Troop I, 13th Cavalry, and was assigned to service on the Mexican Border. Later he completed his military training and went overseas with the American Expeditionary Forces. In April, 1920, he received his hon- orable discharge from the army, a corporal in rank, having served a full three years. Upon his return to civilian life there was the
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al choquette
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question of making a livelihood to be solved, and the ultimate solution was his becoming the auditor of Chicopee. Mr. Kordas is a member of the American Legion, the "Forty and Eight," and the Kiwanis Club, of Chico- pee. He is a communicant of St. Anthony's Catholic Church.
In March, 1928, Sebastian Fabrian Kordas married Stella Sazala, and they are the par- ents of a daughter, Dorothy.
REV. WILFRID J. CHOQUETTE-As pastor of the St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church in the city of Springfield, the Rev. Wilfrid J. Choquette has come to exert a profound influence on the life of his surroundings and the affairs of the parish. A vigorous and dynamic personality, he has been interested in the social and civic wel- fare of this community throughout his ca- reer here and instituted measures that have been of material and spiritual benefit to his congregation and the public at large.
Father Choquette was born in the city of Holyoke, Massachusetts, September 14, 1881, son of Alfred Joseph and Natalie (D'Artois) Choquette, the former ninety-five years of age, the latter eighty-eight. After a general education in the parochial schools of Hol- yoke, Father Choquette attended a seminary in Montreal, later studied at Holy Cross College in St. Lawrence and finally com- pleted his clerical training at the Univer- sity of Propaganda in Rome, Italy, where he was graduated in 1906. He was ordained in the St. James Cathedral at Montreal, Can- ada, by Monsigneur Bruchesi, Archbishop of that city and received his first appoint- ment as assistant at the Holy Rosary Church in Gardner, Massachusetts. In the ensuing years he served in the same capacity at the St. Joachim Church in Chicopee Falls, the Holy Name Church of Worcester, the Precious Blood Church in Holyoke, and the
St. Cecilia Church in Leominster. In Jan- uary, 1925, he was appointed pastor of the St. Thomas Church in West Warren and served there until July, 1930, when he re- ceived his present appointment as pastor of the St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Spring- field.
Since assuming his new duties at this institution, Father Choquette has rid it of all indebtedness; built a new parish hall; repaired all the buildings and had the in- terior of the church redecorated. He has also been responsible for founding and or- ganizing the Catholic Action Club, the Jun- ior Club, the Parish Baseball team and the Boy Scouts troop, as well as instituting classes in naturalization for his parishioners. Father Choquette is a talented linguist, speaking six languages fluently. The nature of his mission in life coupled with a vigorous and magnetic personality, has made him one of the most influential figures in the social and civic affairs of the city of Springfield.
RAOUL A. CHARPENTIER-As presi- dent and general manager of the Storms Drop Forging Company of Springfield, Raoul A. Charpentier directs an important local industry, whose manufactures find a market throughout the Eastern States. He has been associated with this enterprise since 1922, succeeding its founder, Frank F. Storms, as president upon the latter's death.
Mr. Charpentier was born in Acton Vale, Province of Quebec, Canada, on March 23, 1895, a son of Eugene and Julia (Paquette) Charpentier, both of French-Canadian stock. He received his early education in the parochial schools of Quebec, and the public schools of Providence. Rhode Island, and having decided upon a business career, subsequently completed courses at the Bay Path Business College and under the Inter- national Accountants' Society. With this
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preparation he entered the employ of the eleven hammers were installed, but with the Cudahy Packing Company as an auditor and development of the company's business oth- ers have been added until there are now twenty in operation. Several additional buildings have also been erected. The com- pany is equipped to manufacture all kinds of drop forgings to specification as well as those of general manufacture. Their prod- ucts are marketed principally in New Eng- land and the Middle Atlantic States, al- though about ten per cent. of their business is in the Middle West. A force of thirty- two men in 1924 has grown steadily until today about 125 are employed when the plant is running to capacity. This increase reflects the steady progress of the company, which has always maintained the highest standards of manufacture and is well known for the reliability of its product. continued as such until the United States was drawn into the World War. He enlisted promptly in 1917 and for two years served with the 302d Infantry, 76th Division, re- maining in the army until 1919. On his re- turn to civil life, he resumed his former po- sition with the Cudahy Packing Company but after six months decided to become asso- ciated with the New England Auditing Com- pany as a public accountant. Since that time his activities have centered in the New England States. Through his professional services, he became familiar with the affairs of the Storms Drop Forging Company at Springfield, and in 1922 was induced to join the company. Taking an increasingly im- portant part in its operations, he was elected treasurer of the company in 1927, which office he retained until his resignation on May 1, 1936, being succeeded in that office by Charles H. Leonard. In 1935 he assumed the chief executive responsibility as pres- ident of the company.
The Storms Drop Forging Company was founded by Frank F. Storms and was in- corporated under the laws of Massachusetts on January 24, 1920. Mr. Storms became president and general manager of the com- pany at that time and served until his death on June 2, 1935, when he was succeeded by Mr. Charpentier. Charles H. Leonard was the first treasurer of the corporation and J. Howard Jones the clerk. After a short pe- riod, Frank O. Wells succeeded Mr. Leonard as treasurer, and was in turn followed in that office by Mr. Charpentier in 1927. Mr. Ralph E. Whittle succeeded Mr. Jones as clerk. The plant of the Storms Drop Forg- ing Company was built upon the formation of the company at the end of Cottage Street, Springfield, where it is located on a branch of the Boston & Albany Railroad, having a siding connecting with that road. Originally
Mr. Charpentier, who has had an impor- tant part in making possible the develop- ment of the company since he joined the Storms organization is well qualified for his present responsibilities as president and has directed its operations with characteristic enterprise and soundness of judgment. In addition to his business connections, he has been active in other phases of the life of Hampden County. He was one of the or- ganizers of Chicopee Post, Veterans of For- eign Wars, of which he has since been a member ; is a member of the American Le- gion ; the Reserve Officers' Association ; and still holds a commission as lieutenant in the Officers' Reserve Corps of the United States Army. He is also a member of the Spring- field Country Club. Mr. Charpentier is a Roman Catholic in religious faith and at- tends St. Joseph's Church, Springfield. His favorite diversion is golf.
On August 16, 1927, Raoul A. Charpentier married Lillian C. Morin, of Holyoke, and they are the parents of two children: Ann Marie, born January II, 1932; and Charles Morin, born June 15, 1935.
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WILLIAM PATRICK BOYLE-As president of the Economy Furnace Com- pany of Chicopee, William Patrick Boyle heads one of the important business enter- prises of the city. He was the founder of this company, which manufactures indus- trial furnaces and other equipment, includ- ing several devices of his own invention.
Mr. Boyle was born at Springfield, Massa- chusetts, on March 4, 1865, a son of John Michael and Anne Maria (Collins) Boyle. His father, who was born in Ireland, was a son of Patrick B. Boyle, who settled in Springfield when John M. Boyle was three years old. The boy grew up in that city and was engaged as a woodworker there during his active career. Anne Marie (Col- lins) Boyle, his wife, was a granddaughter of Patrick Collins and a daughter of that Patrick Collins who built the Windsor Locks Canal between Springfield and Hart- ford, Connecticut. He was drowned during the construction of the canal in the early years of the nineteenth century.
William Patrick Boyle received his edu- cation in Springfield schools and after com- pleting the high school course obtained em- ployment with the United States Spring Bed Company, which was located on the old post office site in Springfield. Subsequently he was connected for a brief period with the firm of Phillips and Morey, steam fitters and plumbers of Springfield, and in May, 1886, joined the organization of the Gilbert and Bartlett Company, a manufacturing subsid- iary of the Standard Oil Company. This association was continued until 1917, when he entered business for himself at Chicopee as a manufacturer of industrial furnaces un- der the name of the Economy Furnace Com- pany. Mr. Boyle has since acted as presi- dent of the company and with his long ex- perience as a manufacturer has succeeded in building up a profitable enterprise serving many manufacturing plants which require
heating and freezing equipment. He has per- fected numerous devices in this field which he now manufactures, and was the inventor of the first combination oil and gas burner ever made.
In addition to his business connections, Mr. Boyle is a member of the Knights of Columbus and of Holy Family Catholic Church at Chicopee. He has never entered public life, but in a quiet way has met the duties of good citizenship and contributed to the advancement of worthy community causes.
In 1889, William Patrick Boyle married Helena E. Keegan, daughter of Michael and Jane Keegan, both deceased. They became the parents of three children : I. William F., who was graduated from Springfield High School and is now a member of the Spring- field Board of Health. He is also National Scribe of the Alhambras and State Auditor of the Knights of Columbus. 2. Bertha M., a graduate nurse who married Thomas F. Mc- Veigh of Montclair, New Jersey. 3. Mildred S., also a trained nurse who lives in Arling- ton, New Jersey.
DENNIS F. CANTY-Widely known as one of Hampden County's leading contrac- tors and business men, Dennis F. Canty is an esteemed resident of Chicopee.
He was born August 19, 1890, at Chicopee, Massachusetts, son of Dennis G. and Jo- hanna (Donohue) Canty. His father, also a native of Chicopee, was a son of Dennis and Mary (Leahy) Canty, who were born in Ireland and arrived in America about 1850, settling in Chicopee almost immedi- ately thereafter. This first Dennis Canty was a grocer and a successful business man. Dennis G. Canty, his son and the father of Dennis F. Canty, was a contractor until his death in 1923 at the age of seventy-four years. He also was a very public-spirited
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