USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Hampden county, 1636-1936, Volume III > Part 72
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in Springfield. He married Bessie Lear- month, and has one son, Richard III. 6. Helen, who married William Muenter, of East Hampton Road, Holyoke, who is asso- ciated with the United American Bosch Cor- poration, of Springfield. They have two sons : Rolf and Richard Muenter. 7. Erna, who married E. B. Atmus of Springfield. They have two children: Rudolph and Dorothy.
REV. JAMES M. CRUSE-More than a quarter of a century of service as pastor of Our Lady of Hope Parish of the Roman Catholic Church, in Armory Street, Spring- field, has caused the Rev. James M. Cruse to be honored and loved in a wide circle of his contemporaries, not alone among his parishioners but in the general ranks of Springfield citizenry.
Father Cruse was born on September 8, 1860, in Springfield, Massachusetts, son of Michael and Marguerite (Sunney) Cruse, of Ireland, both of whom are now deceased. In the Springfield elementary and high schools the Rev. James M. Cruse received his early education, being graduated from Ottawa College in 1883 and from St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, Maryland, three years later, in 1886. He was ordained to the priest- hood on December 18, 1886, in Springfield.
His first professional appointment was as assistant at St. John's Church, in Worcester, Massachusetts, and there followed the usual period of traveling that falls to the lot of the young priest. He ended that phase of his career at St. Ann's, Worcester, in 1903, when he was appointed pastor of the church at Upton, Massachusetts, so taking over a charge of some permanency. He remained there until 1910, the year in which he came to Springfield to be pastor of the Church of Our Lady of Hope, in Armory Street. He has continued his loving labors here for
twenty-five years, ministering in a most ef- fective way to the spiritual needs of his con- gregation and community and playing an important part in the whole of Springfield life. He has shown himself to be deeply in- terested in all projects designed to benefit his city and his church, and has been strong in his support of such enterprises.
Along with his work as pastor of the church here, Father Cruse is a member and chaplain of Home City Council of the Knights of Columbus, McDermott Court of the Foresters, and Division No. 6 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
FRANK AYLMER WOODS, M. D .- Formerly, for many years, Dr. Frank Ayl- mer Woods was a practicing physician in Holyoke and is now an officer or director of several leading corporations in this county. He was born at Holyoke on July 12, 1871, the son of Dr. Jarvis Uriah and Mary (Hawes) Woods. His father, a native of Maine, was graduated from the Homeopa- thic Medical School of Philadelphia in 1868, and entered practice at Holyoke, where his activities centered over a long period. Sub- sequently, however, he removed to New Haven, Connecticut, and at the time of his death was associated with Grace Hospital there. A Republican in politics, he was a personal friend of the celebrated Republican leader, James G. Blaine. He was also a member of the Congregational Church and during the War Between the States served at Washington, District of Columbia, in an official capacity. Mary (Hawes) Woods, his wife, was born in Waterville, Maine, and died at the home of her son in Holyoke.
Frank Aylmer Woods received his pre- liminary education in the public schools of Holyoke and was graduated from high school in 1890. He began the study of medi- cine under his father and later entered
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Hahnemann Medical College in Philadel- phia, where he took the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1893. In the same year he passed the Pennsylvania Medical examina- tions. After spending eighteen months in various hospitals at Philadelphia and abroad, he entered practice in Holyoke and devoted himself to his professional duties here for a period of approximately thirty years. He has served as medical examiner for Holyoke and the vicinity, and during the World War was president of the Exemption Board for the Holyoke district.
Dr. Woods has not been active in his pro- fession since 1925, giving his principal atten- tion to his various industrial interests dur- ing the past ten years. He is vice-president of the Farr Alpaca Company of Holyoke, a direc- tor of the Holyoke Water Power Company, the Springfield Safe Deposit and Trust Com- pany, the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insur- ance Company and the Chapman Valve Company of Springfield. He is a member of the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, the Holyoke Canoe Club and has been active in the Masonic Order, in which he is a mem- ber of Mt. Tom Lodge. Free and Accepted Masons; Mt. Holyoke Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; the Commandery of the Knights Templar ; and the Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also affiliated with the Knights of Pythias.
Dr. Woods married (first) Alice Mackin- tosh, of Holyoke, who died in 1918. He married (second) Rose (Heywood) Metcalf, daughter of the late Charles Harvey Hey- wood, of Holyoke, and widow of Howard F. Metcalf. Mrs. Woods was educated in private schools and at Vassar College. She is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Holyoke, and is active in a number of women's organizations in this city, includ- ing the Daughters of the American Revolu- tion. By her first marriage she has one son, Joseph Metcalf II.
FRANKLIN B. WATTERS-A native of Longmeadow, Massachusetts, Franklin B. Watters was born in 1890, the son of Thomas D. and Ellen (Quinn) Watters. After being graduated from high school, Mr. Watters became associated with the Post-Lester Company, dealers in automo- tive supplies, was later made manager of their Worcester store, and eventually served in the same capacity for their branches in Albany, New York, and in Springfield. In 1915, he resigned from this organization to found the Tarbell-Watters Company, which he was to head as president from that time until his passing.
The original operating site was located on the corner of Bridge and Barnes streets, where the firm remained for two years and then removed to the McIntosh Building. By 1924 the business had grown to such an extent that it was necessary to seek larger quarters, so a five-story building was erected at the corner of Chestnut and Bridge streets. Under the management of Mr. Wat- ters the company developed into one of the most successful and widely known whole- sale automobile accessory, electrical appli- ances and radio businesses in the State. It has a normal operating staff of fifty em- ployees and caters to a radius which in- cludes all of western Massachusetts, Ver- mont and northern Connecticut. Mr. Wat- ters remained the active head of this organ- ization until his death in 1928.
Throughout his residence in this section Mr. Watters was also an active figure in the civic affairs of Longmeadow as well as of those of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in this town. He was a Republican in politics, and fraternally affiliated with the Longmeadow Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons. He was a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of Melha Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and belonged to the Rotary Club.
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Franklin B. Watters married, in Octo- ber, 1917, Muriel A. Cogland, daughter of Thomas Edward and Mary (Gamble) Cog- land, of Quebec, Canada, and they were the parents of three children : Thomas Edward, who died in infancy; Franklin B., Jr., and Marcia Ann, both of whom attended the public schools of Longmeadow and Spring- field. Mrs. Watters has been active in church, school and women's affairs in Long- meadow. She is a former secretary of the Longmeadow Women's Club, is chairman of the program committee of the Long- meadow Parent-Teachers' Association, sec- retary of the Guild of St. Andrew's Church, secretary of the Longmeadow Maternal As- sociation, and is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
THOMAS McELHONE-Besides serv- ing as city almoner for Chicopee, Thomas McElhone has also taken a prominent part in the affairs of this community and through his contributions and efforts has come to occupy an outstanding place among his fel- lows. During his career he has served his country with distinction on two separate occasions, and as a member of the Amer- ican Expeditionary Forces was awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French Government and the Order of the Purple Heart by the United States Government.
Thomas McElhone was born in New York City, New York, March 22, 1898, the son of James and Catharine (Devlin ) McElhone, his father a native of Newcastle, England, and his mother of Dublin, Ireland. His parents came to this country on their wedding trip and settled in New York City. The elder Mr. McElhone, who died in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1916, at the age of forty-eight years, was a civil engineer by profession and for about twelve years was associated with the New York Telephone Company. In 1901 he removed with his family to
Lenox, Massachusetts, where his wife passed away in 1902. After her death he joined the Clark and Carter Coupling Works of Kansas City and remained with this con- cern until his untimely death. In addition to Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. McElhone were also the parents of two daughters: Sarah, who is now the wife of William C. Gigure, of Chicopee, and Alice, the wife of Ken- neth Carty, of Merchantville, New Jersey.
Thomas McElhone received a general ed- ucation in the public schools of Chicopee and after completing his studies here ma- triculated at the College of the City of New York. In June, 1916, he was to gain his first military experience. At this time he enlisted in the United States Army with Company K, of the 2d Massachusetts Volun- teer Infantry, which was dispatched to Co- lumbus, New Mexico, then the headquarters for General Pershing's expedition into Mex- ico. He was mustered out of the service the following November and returned to Chicopee. He had only been back a matter of a few months when the United States entered the World War and he again en- listed in the United States Army, becoming a member of Company K, 104th Infantry, 26th Division. This unit was sent over- seas and he served in France for a year and a half, during which time he took part in some of the largest engagements of the conflict. He was in the battle of Apermont and was wounded. Shortly after recovering, he was again wounded in the battle of Chateau-Thierry and after convalescing took part in the Meuse-Argonne offensive. He returned to this country in 1919 and re- ceived an honorable discharge from the service with the rank of sergeant, on April 28, of that year at Camp Devens. As has been mentioned previously, he was deco- rated by the French Government with the Croix de Guerre for gallantry in action and also received a Silver Star and the Order
Thomas A Mahoney
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of the Purple Heart from the United States Government.
Upon his return to Chicopee he became associated with the J. Stevens Arms Com- pany in this city and continued with this organization until the early part of 1920, when he joined the United States Veterans' Bureau at Springfield, serving with this or- ganization until 1924. At the expiration of that period he became affiliated with the Westinghouse Company at East Springfield and remained with them until January 8, 1928, when he received the appointment of city almoner for Chicopee, an office he oc- cupies with success and distinction today.
As a man who has a distinctive military career he has taken a deep interest in all matters pertaining to this work and in this capacity has been prominent in the affairs of several organizations. He is a member and Past Commander of the Charles Ken- nedy Post of the American Legion, No. 275; he also belongs to Post No. 625 of the Vet- erans of Foreign Wars, and is commander of Post No. 40 of the Disabled Veterans. Mr. McElhone holds a membership in the 104th Infantry Veterans Association and the Yankee Division Veterans Association.
THOMAS HENRY MAHONEY-As the oldest fire chief in the State of Massa- chusetts Thomas Henry Mahoney has wit- nessed the tremendous and revolutionary changes that have taken place in this branch of public safety during the past fifty-eight years. For nearly four decades of this pe- riod he has been chief of the Westfield Fire Department and in this capacity has been responsible for modernizing equipment, in- stituting new methods of fire fighting and maintaining a high average of efficiency in this body. He is prominently identified with many of the leading fire preventive organ- izations in this section of the country and
is also affiliated with several of the largest fraternal orders of the Nation.
Thomas Henry Mahoney was born in Bath, Maine, May 22, 1859, the son of Bar- tholomew and Bridget (Coughlin) Mahoney, both natives of Ireland. He was one of seven children, the others being : I. William B., who served two terms in the Massachu- setts State Senate and was postmaster of the city of Westfield during the administration of the late President Woodrow Wilson. 2. Timothy. 3. Edward. 4. Bartholomew. 5. Nora, wife of Wallace E. Smith. 6. Mary, wife of Benjamin Roszenweig. Another sister, Alice, died in infancy. Chief Mah- oney's father, Bartholomew Mahoney, came to this country as a young man, first settling in Springfield, Massachusetts, later remov- ing to Maine during the 'fifties, and finally returning to Westfield in 1864 to become associated with the City Gas Works. He was married in this city to Bridget Cough- lin, who settled there shortly after arriving from Ireland.
After a general education in the public schools of Westfield, Chief Mahoney became an apprentice in the moulder's trade and worked in a foundry here. He became a member of the Westfield Fire Department in 1876, joining in the volunteer call service and thereby initiated a career which has been distinctive for its outstanding suc- cess and longevity. Active throughout and deeply interested in the work of the depart- ment he acquired an experience that emi- nently fitted him for the important office he occupies today. He was appointed to his present position of fire chief in 1910 and through his efforts in this post has been directly responsible for the outstanding rec- ord that has been established by this body.
The career of a fire fighter has always been appealing to the imagination, convey- ing a spirit of adventurous romance. In
Hampden -- 32
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reviewing the life of Chief Mahoney these factors are predominant. Today he can re- call the time of the bucket brigade, the two- wheel hose carts and the horse-drawn trucks. He can review from first-hand experience some of the great conflagrations that have occurred in this city and recount with vivid detail the heroism of many of the men who served with and under him. He is a popular figure among his colleagues and is a mem- ber of many departmental organizations, among them, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the New England Associa- tion of Fire Chiefs and the Massachusetts Fire Chiefs Association, of which he is a member of the board of directors. In addi- tion he is president of the Westfield Fire- man's Mutual Relief Association.
In recognition of his service with the Westfield Fire Department he was pre- sented with a "Half Century Certificate," which noted his service as follows: "Call man October 3, 1876. Foreman hose No. 2, May 7, 1886. Clerk and treasurer, hose No. 2, June 1, 1887. Board of Engineers, May 1, 1894. Assistant foreman, hose No. 2, May 1, 1885. Chief, May 1, 1910. Frater- nally he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a Roman Catholic.
In 1890, Thomas Henry Mahoney mar- ried Elizabeth A. Toomey, daughter of Cor- nelius Toomey, a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War, who died in a mili- tary hospital in Norfolk, Virginia in 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Mahoney were the parents of five children: 1. Alice C., now the wife of Bernard Lee. 2. Thomas H. 3. John Ray- field. 4. Raymond. 5. Helen, who died in infancy.
FRANZ GEORGE JENSEN-The firm of F. G. Jensen and Sons, Inc., manufac- turers of Jensen's chocolates, bon-bons and
confectionery at Springfield for over half a century, was founded by Franz George Jen- sen in 1877 under the name of the Diamond Candy Store. Through the years he has re- mained as active head of the business and is now serving as president of the corporation, which came into existence in 1921.
Mr. Jensen was born on March 16, 1852, in Schleswig-Holstein, which was then un- der the sovereignty of Denmark, although it was soon to pass into the control of Prussia. His parents were Christian and Anna Maria (Wolf) Jensen, and his father was a fisher- man on the Baltic Sea. Franz George Jen- sen spent his boyhood in the community of his birth. He was twelve years old when the Province of Schleswig-Holstein was transferred from Denmark to Germany, a step which brought many disadvantages to the residents of the Province at that time. Among these was the fact that the change of government was followed by a change of language in the public schools with the re- sult that pupils were obliged to give up their native tongue and learn German. Another was the conscription of youths for army service, practiced by Prussia upon all sub- jects and citizens. This latter requirement was influential in turning Mr. Jensen's at- tention to the possibilities of emigration to a newer land. When he was sixteen, he left school and for two years worked on a farm, receiving for his services a sum correspond- ing to about $25 per year in American money. Besides this yearly stipend, he was given a few yards of homespun cloth made from flax, which served him for summer clothing, and a few pounds of wool, just as it was sheared from the back of the sheep, which his mother cleaned, carded, spun, wove and dyed. After two years, however, the question of his eventual future came up for solution. Mr. Jensen himself wished to learn a trade, but the prospect was that be- fore he had completed his apprenticeship he
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would be called for military service even though, being small of stature, he was not called on to enlist at eighteen. So, with the thought of seeking a land where he would be free to pursue his career without such interruption, he borrowed money for passage to America and landed in New York City in 1870. Here the opportunity came to him to learn the trade of making confectionery and he embraced the chance offered him. receiv- ing for his services the sum of seven dollars per month. Even this small pay, however, was better than would have been his situa- tion in his native land where, in addition to giving his time and effort. he would have been obliged to pay for the privilege of learning a trade. Mr. Jensen spent seven years altogether in New York City, working as a journeyman after he had mastered his trade. At this time he began to look for a place in which to locate permanently and, hearing that Springfield, Massachusetts. was an enterprising and "pretty lively" town, he decided to come here. So, in 1877, he saw for the first time his future home.
When he arrived in Springfield. Mr. Jen- sen knew no one, but he possessed the sturdy virtues of courage and self-reliance and asked no aid in shaping his future des- tiny. Walking down Main Street on reach- ing this city, he saw a vacant store and forthwith hired it, opening the Diamond Candy Store for business on October 9, 1877. Remaining at the original location, No. 489 Main Street, for fifteen years, he also opened a second store in 1890 at No. 319 Main Street in the old Fuller Building, now the Spring- field National Bank Building. Success greeted his efforts and in the same year he also opened the Waldesruhe on Summer Avenue, opposite the entrance to Forest Park. In 1894 he sold his original store and in 1892 sold Waldesruhe, continuing at No. 319 Main Street until January, 1921, when
he moved to No. 315 Main Street. Here he remained until driven out by fire on Feb- ruary 24, 1932. Meanwhile, in 1921, hė opened a store at No. 22 Pratt Street, Hart- ford, Connecticut, and in 1926 at No. 96 Pratt Street in the same city, continuing the latter enterprise at the present time. Jen- sen's candies were awarded first ribbons at Boston and Buffalo by the Associated Re- tailers of the United States, and have been shipped to all parts of the world. With the development of his business, Mr. Jensen also began to take thought for the distribu- tion of his products, chocolates, bon-bons and other confectionery together with ice cream, on a larger scale, and in 1923 pur- chased property at No. 75 Temple Street, Springfield, where the Jensen factory is now located. In February, 1928, he bought prop- perty at No. 266 Bridge Street, which is now the location of the Springfield store. It is equipped for candy, bakery and luncheon service and is one of the leading retail estab- lishments of the city, enjoying the further distinction of having been the first Spring- field store to be air-conditioned. Mr. Jensen has always evinced a progressive spirit in his business. He was the first to make ice cream by power, the first to use an incandes- cent light system, making his electricity from his own generator, using steam for power, and the first to use cooled air in the manufacture of chocolates. His success has been won solely through his own industry and conspicuous talents and the unfolding of his career has brought him great distinc- tion in the community in which he has so long made his home.
Mr. Jensen continues as president of F. G. Jensen and Sons, Inc., which was incor- porated on May 16, 1921. The original tradename of "Jensen's," however, has been retained. In addition to the Springfield store and factory and the store at Hartford,
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Connecticut, the company's offices are situ- ated at No. 268 Bridge Street, Springfield. Present officers include : Franz George Jen- sen, president ; F. G. Jensen, Jr., vice-presi- dent ; H. H. Jensen, treasurer; and J. W. Lyons, clerk.
Mr. Jensen has long been an honored fig- ure in Springfield life and while always de- voting his closest attention to business has been associated with a number of local insti- tutions, civic, social and benevolent. He is an honorary member of the Springfield Ro- tary Club, a member of De Soto Lodge, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows; and a member of all Masonic bodies, including Longmeadow Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is a charter member ; Hampden Lodge, of which he is a life mem- ber; and Melha Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. In spite of advancing years, he retains his interest undiminished in affairs about him and with modest pride surveys the evidences of his well-spent life, reflected in the important enterprise which he created and guided to success.
On November 15, 1881, Franz George Jen- sen married Lilla A. Holmes, who died on February 12, 1929. They became the par- ents of four children : I. Ollie A., at home. 2. Franz George, Jr., of further mention. 3. Harold H., of further mention. 4. Anna R., who married Arthur H. Wiltsie, of Spring- field, a government employee ; they have one son, Donald J., born in 1917, who was grad- uated from Central High School, Spring- field, and is now attending Middlebury Col- lege.
Franz George Jensen, Jr., now vice-presi- dent of F. G. Jensen and Sons, Inc., was born in Springfield on August 1, 1887, and received his education in Springfield schools. He became associated with his father in business in 1906 and has since continued
this association, serving in various positions as he assumed larger responsibilities in its management. He became vice-president of the company at its incorporation and in ad- dition to his general executive is in charge of the Springfield factory at No. 75 Temple Street. Mr. Jensen is a charter member and is now Worshipful Master of Longmeadow Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, at Long- meadow, in which he has been active. He is also a member of the Springfield Ex- change Club. He married, in 1914, Kathryn Ryan, and they are the parents of three chil- dren : I. Dorothy, born in 1916, who was graduated from Classical High School. Springfield, and now attends International College. 2. Barbara, born in 1917, who was graduated from Technical High School, Springfield, and is also attending Interna- tional College. 3. Marjorie, born in 1923, who attends the public schools at Long- meadow.
Harold H. Jensen, now treasurer of F. G. Jensen and Sons, Inc., was born in Spring- field on January 18, 1889. He was educated in local schools, graduating from Central High School, and in 1907 entered his father's business. He has had an important share in its development and in addition to holding the office of treasurer of the corporation is manager of the Springfield store at No. 266 Bridge Street. Mr. Jensen, like other mem- bers of his family, has been prominent in the Masonic Order and at present is secretary of Hampden Lodge, Free and Accepted Ma- sons; a charter member and Past Master of Longmeadow Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; and a member of all higher Ma- sonic bodies, including Melha Temple, An- cient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Spring- field Kiwanis Club. Harold H. Jensen mar- ried, in 1915, Agnes Mumford, and they are the parents of three children : I. Harold H.,
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