USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Hampden county, 1636-1936, Volume III > Part 67
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and Taylor Agricultural Tool Company, with the elder Taylor becoming treasurer and agent for the concern, a position he held until his death. Apart from his con- nection with this company he was president of the Chicopee Falls Savings Bank; direc- tor of the Chicopee National Bank and president and director of the Young Men's Christian Association. A leader in civic affairs, he was honored for his efforts on behalf of the community by being elected in 1890 the first mayor of the city of Chicopee. George S. Taylor also served as a member of the State House of Representatives be- tween 1890-91 ; was a member of the State Senate in 1899; served as moderator, select- man and assessor for the old town of Chico- pee and was a special justice of the police court. He was a member of the Congrega- tional Church and served as deacon for that institution for fifty years. He married Asenath B. Cobb, daughter of Elias H. and Rebecca (Boylston) Cobb, of Princeton, and they were the parents of seven children, one of whom survives: Albert Eaton Taylor, of whom further. Asenath B. (Cobb) Taylor died in 1898.
After a general education in the public schools of his native community, Albert Eaton Taylor entered the employ of the Chicopee Manufacturing Company, where he became shipping clerk. He then became associated with the Lamb Knitting Com- pany, remaining with this organization until 1888, when he decided to enter the knitting business and formed a partnership with Walter Bramley of Springfield. This com- bine was incorporated in 1892 under the firm name of the Taylor Bramley Company, In- corporated, Mr. Taylor becoming secretary and treasurer, an office he filled until 1936 when he was elected president. The suc- cess and esteem he has enjoyed as a business man are clearly reflected in the important and responsible positions he has been chosen
to fill by his colleagues. He is president of the Chicopee Falls Savings Bank, as well as serving as a member of the board of trustees for this institution. He also was president and treasurer until 1936 of the Craftsman Health and Accident Insurance Company of Springfield.
In keeping with family tradition he has always maintained a keen and active inter- est in the civic affairs of his surroundings and like his forebears has been chosen by his fellows to occupy public office. Mr. Tay- lor was elected mayor of the city of Chicopee for three terms, serving in this capacity be- tween 1905 and 1907 inclusively. He was also a member of the Common Council for two years and occupied the post of alder- man-at-large for the city of Chicopee for four years.
Socially he is widely known for his Ma- sonic activities. He is a member and Past Master of the Belcher Lodge; Past High Priest of the Unity Chapter, Royal Arch Masons ; Past Commander of the Springfield Commandery, Knights Templar; and Past Potentate of the Melha Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He holds a thirty-second degree in the Scot- tish Rite and belongs to Cabot Lodge, Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Taylor is also a member of the Springfield Lodge of the Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In his club affiliations he is a member and pres- ident of the Oxford Country Club ; member and past president of the Springfield Auto- mobile Club, and past president of the Hampden County Council of the Boy Scouts of America which is located in Springfield. He is also a member of the Kiwanis Club and the Long Meadow Country Club. In religion he is a member of the Second Con- gregational Church of Chicopee Falls.
In 1895 Mr. Taylor married (first) Flor- ence M. Parsons, daughter of Dwight H. and Alvinia Betty Parsons of Stafford
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Springs, Connecticut, and they were the par- ents of two children: I. Marjorie Brooks, now the wife of Victor E. Giles of Chicopee Falls. 2. George Sylvester II, who died May 23, 1906. Mrs. Taylor passed away in Feb- ruary, 1915. He married (second), in Au- gust, 1918, Blanche (Newkirk) Benjamin, daughter of Benjamin Newkirk and the mother of Donald A. and Robert E. Ben- jamin.
FRANK CHAPIN FLINT-For over three decades Frank Chapin Flint, founder and directing head of the Knit Goods Spe- cialty Company, has been identified with the business life of the city of Chicopee Falls. He is a member of the board of directors of several financial institutions in this vicinity and in a civic capacity has occupied impor- tant and responsible public office.
Frank Chapin Flint, a native of the city of Chicopee Falls, was born here July 2, 1872, the son of James and Anne (Hathaway) Flint, both natives of Massachusetts. His father, who was prominent in civic and busi- ness affairs here, was a manufacturer of loom harness and also operated a gristmill. For many years the elder Flint was assessor for the city of Chicopee Falls. He belonged to the Masonic Order and served as Past Master of his lodge.
Frank Chapin Flint was afforded a gen- eral education in the public schools of his native community and after completing his studies became associated with the old American Bicycle Company, which later developed into the Lamb and Spaulding companies. He rose to the post of paymas- ter with this organization and remained in this capacity until 1899, when the firm was dissolved.
It was shortly after this that he founded the Knit Goods Specialty Company with Fred E. Patterson, who is now retired and
living in Chicopee Falls. This firm orig- inally specialized in the manufacture of gas mantel fabrics, a feature which gave way to the production of knitted specialties which it now turns out. Under his management this enterprise has grown to become one of the important ones of its type in this sec- tion. Mr. Flint is a member of the board of trustees of the Chicopee Falls Savings Bank and a director in the Cabot Trust Company. For many years he served as a member of the board of aldermen and throughout his life has maintained a keen interest in politi- cal matters. Socially he is a member of several organizations here, among them the Chicopee Kiwanis Club.
Mr. Flint married Bertha J. Clapp, daugh- ter of Otis and Sarah (Burt) Clapp of Southampton, and they are the parents of two sons: I. Lawrence R., born June 28. 1905, in Chicopee Falls. Educated in the public schools of this community and Bow- doin College, where he was graduated in the class of 1927 with a Bachelor of Arts de- gree. Since that time he has been associ- ated with his father in business. During his collegiate career he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi, national Greek letter frater- nity. 2. James C., graduate of Bowdoin Col- lege, class of 1931 and now a student at the Union Theological Seminary.
HON. ANTHONY JOSEPH STONINA -Elected mayor of Chicopee in 1935 for second term, director of one of the largest automotive concerns of this vicinity and prominent in civic activities, Anthony Jos- eph Stonina is regarded as one of the out- standing leaders of this community. His rise to heights makes a romantic chapter in the history of this community. Coming here from his native Poland, with a very limited knowledge of the language and customs, he applied himself, secured humble employ-
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ment and through diligent and intelligent effort made rapid advancement, finally be- ing in a position to establish a business of his own. Under his able and careful man- agement this enterprise has grown and pros- pered, a concrete evidence of his ability and a tribute to his sagacity. His interests have been widespread. From the outset he has been active in social and civic affairs and today is prominently identified with many of the leading organizations of this section.
A native of Poland, Mr. Stonina was born in that country June 7, 1898. the son of Joseph and Theresa (Mis) Stonina, both natives of his birthplace. His father, who died in this country in 1914 at the age of thirty-eight, came here in 1908 and settled in Turners Falls, Massachusetts where he was employed in the cutlery business. Later he went to Northampton and joined a cut- lery manufacturing concern in the capacity of mechanic, and after settling there sent for his family in 1909. They removed to Chicopee three years later where the elder Stonina engaged in the grocery business until his untimely death.
Anthony Joseph Stonina attended the schools of his native land for two years and later was educated in the public schools of this country at Northampton and Chicopee. He continued his studies until he was four- teen years old when he secured a position with the Dwight Manufacturing Company of this city, shortly after the death of his father. His first position was that of a car washer and paid a salary of three dollars a week. Keenly interested in automobiles and mechanics, he was anxious to learn the business and through his ability and ambi- tion made rapid progress. He successively occupied the posts of mechanic, driving in- structor, foreman of the accessory depart- ment and finally became a salesman for the firm.
After enjoying a thorough and well- rounded practical experience in the business, which adequately equipped him for the work he was about to undertake, Mr. Stonina at the age of twenty-one opened the first automobile accessory store and fill- ing station in the city of Chicopee during 1919. Three years later he took out the first automobile dealers' license in Chicopee and started to operate an agency here which has been outstanding for its success. The firm represents several of the leading cars on the market and is located at No. 67 Ex- change Street.
Throughout his residence here he has maintained a keen and active interest in civic and political affairs and has been chosen to occupy important and responsible public office. His official life can be traced back to 1924, when he was elected a mem- ber of the board of aldermen. He was re- elected to this post in 1925 and in 1931 had the distinction of being chosen mayor of the city of Chicopee. In this capacity he was the first mayor of Polish extraction to be elected in New England. He was re- elected in 1936 for a term ending in 1938. As a Republican he has taken an active leadership in the affairs of that party. Be- tween 1928 and 1929 he was chairman of the Republican City Committee and in 1932 was elected a delegate to the Republican Na- tional Convention held in Chicago. Apart from his work with this organization he has served as secretary of the Kirby Junior High School Commission ; is past treasurer of the Polish National Home Association ; past director of the Polish Credit Union ; a director of the National Credit Union ; and is a member and former director of the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the Kiwanis Club, the Polish National Alliance and a director of the Hampden County Automobile Dealers As-
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sociation. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Improved Order of Red Men and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
In 1921, Mr. Stonina married Mary Wil- czak, daughter of Anthony and Patricia (Stefanik) Wilczak, and they are the par- ents of four children : Alfreda, Helen, An- thony Joseph, Jr., and Robert.
ROY BERNARD MAHONEY, M. D .-- For nearly a decade Dr. Roy Bernard Ma- honey, physician and surgeon, has been one of the foremost medical representatives of the city of Chicopee Falls. During this pe- riod he has built up a large and lucrative practice and today enjoys the esteem and respect of his professional colleagues as well as the confidence of the public-at-large.
Dr. Mahoney was born in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, March 12, 1897, the son of John Stephen and Theresa (Ryan) Maho- ney, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of New York State. The elder Ma- honey came to this city with his parents, Michael and Mary Mahoney, in 1871 and became an engineer with the Fire Depart- ment, a post he filled for many years. Later he entered the insurance business and today is representative for the John Hancock Life Insurance Company. Dr. Mahoney is one of four children, the others being: I. Nora. 2. Theresa, now the wife of Bernard W. Bur- dick of Springfield. 3. John, who is living at home.
After being graduated from the public high school in this city in 1916, Dr. Mahoney matriculated at Georgetown College where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1921 and completed his medical training in 1925 with a Doctor of Medicine degree. He served an interneship and two years later returned to Chicopee Falls to establish a practice that has been noted for its excel- lence and success. As a professional man he
has won wide recognition. He is a member of the surgical staff of the Mercy Hospital in Springfield and belongs to the Hampden County Medical Association and the Massa- chusetts State Medical Society. In his fra- ternal affiliations he is a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Shortly after he completed his high school studies the United States entered the World War and Dr. Mahoney enlisted becoming a member of Company A in the infantry re- placements. With this unit he served at Camp Grant, Illinois, and later at Platts- burg, New York. He received an honorable discharge from the service in 1919, with the rank of lieutenant in the infantry.
In 1921 Dr. Mahoney married Mary Esther Kelly, daughter of Michael E. and Margaret (Higgins) Kelly. Dr. and Mrs. Mahoney are the parents of five children : Marguerite, Mary Theresa, Roy Bernard, Jr., Barbara, and Mary Esther.
CHARLES HARTLESS USHER-Out- standing as an inventor and business man Charles Hartless Usher, president of the Lamb Knitting Machine Corporation, has come to assume a prominent place in the affairs of Chicopee Falls. Coming to this section of the State as a young man he rose through his own efforts and initiative to be- come one of the most valuable and ingenious executives in the knitting industry. As an inventor he has contributed to the advance of this business through a number of inno- vations which today are being widely em- ployed throughout this country and abroad.
Charles Hartless Usher was born in Cov- entry, Connecticut, June 23, 1871, the son of Hartless S. and Caroline L. (Chappell) Usher. His father engaged in farming in his native State. The Usher family trace their American ancestry to Hezakiah and Robert Usher, brothers, who came to this
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country from England and settled in the town of Boston in 1638.
Mr. Usher received a general education in the public schools of his native community and, after completing his studies. became associated with A. G. Spaulding and Com- pany, as a machinist. It was with this or- ganization that he was first to display an aptitude for the mechanical field that was to win him recognition. In 1900 he joined the Lamb Knitting Machine Company and four years after entering this concern was ap- pointed foreman of the knitting machine department. He advanced steadily and soon was placed in charge of all experimental work for this plant, a position that gave him his first really big opportunity to display his inventive abilities. During this period he made many important and lasting improve- ments on the machinery used by the knit- ting trade and was also responsible for pro- ducing the Usher Automatic Planer Stop and the Usher Universal Rim Tool, an ac- cessory that has come into general use throughout the automotive industry.
Following the insolvency of the old Lamb Knitting Company in 1930, Mr. Usher to- gether with F. C. Burnett, S. W. Wright and Nelson R. Galarneau, took over the con- cern and reorganized it under the firm name of the Lamb Knitting Machine Corporation which he heads today as president. Under his able and careful leadership the products of this firm enjoy an outstanding reputation at home and abroad.
Throughout his residence here Mr. Usher has been interested in social and civic af- fairs. He is a member of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and in his religious affiliations worships at the White Methodist Episcopal Church of Chicopee Falls.
In 1901, Mr. Usher married Mabel F. Smith of Chicopee and the daughter of John and Frances Smith. Her father, an engi-
neer had been associated with the old Chico- pee Manufacturing Company. Mr. and Mrs. Usher were the parents of three children : I. Hartless Smith, now in the drafting de- partment of the Fisk Rubber Company. 2. Marjorie, married to Victor Giles and the mother of two children: Taylor and Ann Elizabeth. 3. Hazel, married to Donald Ben- jamin and is the mother of Elinor.
STANLEY FRANCIS JORCZAK- Prominent in the legal circles of the city of Chicopee, active in the social, civic and busi- ness life of the community, Stanley Francis Jorczak has attained a place of distinction in the affairs of this vicinity. A trained pharmacist he took up the profession of law following his service with the United States Army during the World War, successfully completed his course and was admitted to the Massachusetts State bar a decade ago. Since that time he has been practicing in Chicopee with outstanding success and dis- tinction.
Stanley Francis Jorczak was born at Thorndike, Palmer Township, Hampden County, Massachusetts, on December II, 1895, the son of Simon John and Julia (Mar- kiewicz) Jorczak, both natives of Poland. His parents first came to this country in 1885 and established themselves in Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania, later coming to Chico- pee, where his father established a meat, bakery and grocery business in addition to operating a farm. The elder Jorczak, who was one of the first Polish business men in this community, continued the above ven- ture until the time of the strike which took place during the Cleveland administration. At this time he removed to Thorndike, Palmer Township, and became the first man to engage in the grocery and provision busi- ness here. supplying Polish residents of the township. Under his able management the
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venture grew and he soon had stores in Bondsville and Thorndike. In addition he had eighteen men on delivery routes for a period of about fifteen years. His activities were not limited to the business phase of life, however, for he was also a leader among his fellows. He was one of the organizers of the Saint Stanislaus Society of Chicopee and was interested in the establishment of Polish Roman Catholic churches through- out Hampden County. At present he is living in retirement in Chicopee. Mr. Jorc- zak's father and mother were also the par- ents of eight other children: I. Wanda. 2. John, now a registered pharmacist and phy- sician in Chicopee. 3. Mary. 4. Victoria. 5. Elizabeth. 6. Anna. 7. Frank. 8. Joseph. It is interesting to note at this juncture that three of the boys, Stanley, John and Frank, are registered pharmacists and the fourth, Joseph, is a chemist, having graduated from the Massachusetts State College.
Stanley Francis Jorczak received a gen- eral education in the public schools of Palmer and after completing his studies here matriculated at the Philadelphia Col- lege of Pharmacy and Science, from which he was graduated in 1918 with a degree of Graduate in Pharmacy, being certified the same year in medical bacteriology. Later he enlisted in the United States Army, serv- ing as a laboratory technician with Base Hospital No. 6, at Bordeaux, and then with Base Hospital No. 212, located in the same French city. Receiving an honorable dis- charge from the service on July 3, 1919, he was mustered out of the service with the rank of sergeant.
He returned to Chicopee and took over the management of the drug store owned by his brother John. It was during this part of his career that he decided to fol- low a legal career and enrolled at North- eastern University. After four years of
night study he was graduated from this .
institution with a degree of Bachelor of Laws, in 1925. The fall of that year he took a post-graduate course at the Boston Law School and was awarded a Master of Laws degree from here in 1926, being ad- mitted to the Massachusetts State Bar shortly thereafter. He then established himself in Chicopee and initiated a practice which has been outstanding for its distinc- tion and success.
Throughout his residence here he has taken a deep interest in civic matters and through his contributions and efforts has been chosen to fill important and respon- sible public posts. From 1928 to 1930 in- clusive, he was chairman of the Board of Health of Chicopee ; between 1932 and 1933. served as city solicitor and in 1934 was the Republican candidate for the State Legisla- ture. As a member of this political organ- ization he has assumed a place of leader- ship and has been active in directing its affairs. Professionally Mr. Jorczak is widely recognized and highly esteemed by his col- leagues and the public at large. He is a member of the Hampden County Bar Asso- ciation.
Socially he is a member of the Chicopee Kiwanis Club, the Polish-American Citizens Club and the Polish National Alliance. He is a director of the Polish National Credit Union, has occupied the post of judge advo- cate of the Veterans of Foreign Wars since 1931, and is a member of the National Asso- ciation of Retail Druggists. He is fond of sports of all types and finds his greatest recreation in the game of golf, also being a devotee of fishing and billiards.
On September 1, 1929, Mr. Jorczak mar- ried Stella E. Pacosa, daughter of Michael and Mary Pacosa of Chicopee. Mr. and Mrs. Jorczak are the parents of two chil- dren : Stanley F., Jr., and Leonard John.
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THOMAS ROBERT O'BRIEN -- Though a recent newcomer in the industrial field of the city of Chicopee, Thomas Robert O'Brien, a truck body manufacturer, brings with him a vast amount of practical experi- ence and ability in his particular field of endeavor. For over four decades he has been identified with the carriage trade, join- ing his father in this business as a youth and later taking over the management of the plant which was founded by the elder O'Brien in Springfield.
Thomas Robert O'Brien was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, October 7, 1870, the son of Thomas and Mary T. (O'Don- nell) O'Brien, both natives of Ireland, the former coming from Tipperary and the lat- ter from County Clare. Arriving in this country in 1849, his father settled in Con- cord, New Hampshire, and his mother in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. They later met and were married in Fitchburg, Massachu- setts. Mr. O'Brien's father, a painter by trade, for a number of years was employed by the Abbott Downing Company at Con- cord. In 1869 the elder O'Brien came to Springfield and established a carriage man- ufacturing business, which he was to con- duct with outstanding success until his death on June 30, 1897, at the age of fifty- eight years. In his community activities he became a member of the famous old United States Armory Band at Springfield. Mr. O'Brien's father and mother were also the parents of four other children: Mary, who is deceased; Annie, the widow of E. L. Cross of Northfield, Vermont ; Sara R .; and Alice G., deceased April 1, 1928. His mother died in 1919 at the age of seventy-six.
Mr. O'Brien received a general education in the public schools of his native commu- nity and after graduating from high school here became associated with his father in the carriage business at the age of seven-
teen, working at the factory which was then located on Hubbard Avenue. With the death of the elder O'Brien he took over the management of this concern and directed its activities until July 1, 1934. when he re- moved his scene of business activities to the city of Chicopee and established a plant for the manufacture of truck bodies. The thor- ough and well rounded practical experience he had enjoyed under the expert tutelage of his father, has eminently equipped him for the important and responsible task he has undertaken.
As a resident of Springfield he has been active in social affairs being a member of the Springfield Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Walla- grass Club at Eagle Lake, Maine, a hunt- ing and fishing lodge. Though he is a sup. porter of the Democratic party he has never been very active in politics. In his religious affiliations he adheres to the Roman Cath- olic faith and worships at the Holy Family Parish Church in Springfield.
JUDGE JOHN PATRICK KIRBY -- The able judge of the District Court of Chico- pee, John Patrick Kirby, was born in that Massachusetts city January 4, 1872, the son of Michael and Mary (Brady) Kirby. His father, for many years a builder by vocation, was a native of Tipperary, Ireland, who died in 1907, at the age of seventy-three years, in Chicopee. The mother was the niece of the Rev. John D. Brady, the first parish priest of Chicopee, who built Catholic churches in Chicopee, Northampton and Pittsfield, all a part of his parish. Michael Kirby and Mary Brady were married in 1866, and became the parents of six chil- dren : Jeremiah, deceased ; Annie, John Pat- rick ; Michael A., who died in 1923, who was chairman of the Chicopee School Board, and was honored for his long and useful serv-
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