USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, 1622-1918, vol 2 > Part 13
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Their son, Rev. John B. Holland, was reared in this state and pursued his early education in the public schools of Boston, passing through consecutive grades to his graduation from the high school. He then engaged in clerking for about ten years in that city after which he became a student in St. Charles' College at Ellicott City, Maryland. Returning to the north, he then entered St. John's Seminary at Brighton, Massachusetts, in which he spent five years as a student in preparation for the priesthood and was ordained in De- cember, 1892. He then came to Weymouth, Massachusetts, and took up his priestly work in the Church of the Sacred Heart. He has here since remained, covering a period of twenty-four years, and he has the entire confidence and love of his people. A parochial
REV. JOHN B. HOLLAND
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WIFE AND TALLEN & SINDATIONS P
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school has been maintained, called the Sacred Heart School, which has an attendance of seventy-three pupils. The school is compara- tively new and a grade is added each year. The present church edi- fice is a fine large brick building which was completed in 1883. The present convent, however, is one of the old colonial structures, being one hundred and twenty years old. It was formerly the old Wales Hotel, famous in stage coach days. It was used as a parish house for the whole south shore, which comprised a considerable territory, including Cohasset and Hingham.
Rev. Holland is acting as one of the trustees of the public library and is its oldest member in years of continuous service. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, but he concentrates his efforts and attention largely upon the upbuilding of the church and the spiritual advancement of its members. The church has three hundred and forty-three families, or sixteen hundred and forty peo- ple, under its charge, the parish covering Weymouth Landing and East Braintree.
GEORGE I. PECK.
George I. Peck is a grocer of Franklin, but the kind of grocer that he is tells the story of his success. At the outset of his career, actuated by a spirit of enterprise, he started upon an upward path that has placed him in the front rank among the progressive business men of this section of the state; and the plans and methods that he has followed cannot fail to prove of interest and should serve as a stimulus to effort on the part of others. Mr. Peck was born at Warren, Rhode Island, March 24, 1863, and is a son of George B. and Cordelia (Adams) Peck. In the paternal line he comes of English ancestry, the family having been founded in America by seven brothers who came to the new world at an early day. George B. Peck was also a native of Rhode Island and became a successful farmer, devoting many years to agricultural interests. Later he was a resident of Franklin and became superintendent of the Franklin Poor Farm. He married Cordelia Adams, a native of Pennsylvania but a representative of one of the old families of Rhode Island of English lineage that was planted on American soil at an early period. Both Mr. and Mrs. Peck have passed away. They had a family of four children, of whom George I. Peck was the youngest.
During his youthful days the public schools of Warren numbered
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
George I. Peck among their students. He also continued his ed- ucation in Massachusetts after the removal of the family to this state and when a youth of sixteen years he started out to provide for his support independently. He first entered a meat market in order to learn the business and he remained in active connection with the meat trade in the employ of others for six years. He then began clerking in a grocery store and in 1886 he took up his abode in Franklin, where he secured employment with T. M. Turner, senior partner in the firm of Turner & Company, then proprietors of the leading grocery house of the city. They were carrying on business in the same store that Mr. Peck now occupies. He remained with the company for twelve years or until 1898, when he embarked in business on his own account. The building which he occupies has been used as a grocery store since 1850. In 1898 the stock was owned by the firm of Turner & Brimblecomb, who in that year sold out to E. L. Metcalf, who removed the goods to another building. In October of the same year Mr. Peck leased the building and as senior partner in the firm of Peck & Field embarked in the grocery trade on his own account. Success attended the new undertaking and the trade constantly increased. In May, 1902, Mr. Peck purchased the interest of his partner and has developed his business until he has the leading establishment and is known as the master grocer of Franklin. Not all days in his career have been equally bright, for on the 8th of December, 1909, the store suffered a severe loss by fire, but Mr. Peck at once resumed operations, securing temporary quarters in the store of the Franklin Job Print in Central Square. As soon as the old building was remodeled and repaired he again occupied it and he is now doing a business that amounts to more than sixty thousand dollars annually. Moreover, the trade is steadily increasing and he today employs eight salesmen, who give the best possible service and attention to the customers. He ever demands courtesy as well as efficiency on the part of employes and is most careful in the selection of the personnel of the house. The store is light and sanitary. The front is finished with solid French plate glass and the inside finished in cherry. Large, commodious counters are systematically arranged and many roll-top bins provide storing places for dry vegetables, in addition to which there are many spacious spice, tea and coffee bins and cans, with an improved electric coffee grinder. Near the center of the store is a five-tub glass-front butter box, with cheese and lard compartments, such as is seen only in the leading stores of the large cities. Fresh vegetables are kept in sanitary, dustproof, glass-covered receptacles and in fact "sanitary"
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seems the watchword of the establishment. In addition to staple and fancy groceries and fresh vegetables, the second floor of the building is used for garden and field seeds and household utensils, and this branch of the business is proving a source of continued profit. Mr. Peck has introduced most systematic methods in handling orders and his delivery wagons visit outlying districts twice a week. An extensive line of goods sent out by the leading wholesale houses and manufacturers of the country is carried in this establishment, which ranks as the leading grocery house of Franklin and one of the best in all New England.
On the 24th of August, 1883, Mr. Peck was united in marriage in South Framingham to Miss Alice G. Moffet, a native of Ashland, Massachusetts, and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Moffet, rep- resentatives of an old family of this state. They have one son, Wil- liam L. Peck, who was born in Foxboro, Massachusetts, and is a most enterprising young man, now associated with his father in business.
In his political views Mr. Peck is a republican and is serving as secretary of the Franklin board of health. He is a member of Excelsior Lodge, A. F. & A. M., also of Miller Chapter, R. A. M., and the Knight Templar commandery. Mr. Peck is truly a self- made man and one who deserves all the credit that the term implies. He started out empty-handed and by persistent effort and intelligent- ly directed industry has worked his way steadily upward. Oppor- tunity has ever been the call to action with him and his ready response has brought most desirable results, placing him among the prosperous and leading merchants of his section of the state.
LEWIS F. FALES.
Lewis F. Fales, actively identified with industrial interests in Walpole, where he is conducting a large foundry and has built up a business of substantial proportions, was born in Boston, February 28. 1861, a son of Charles and Elizabeth (Wiggin) Fales, who were also natives of this state, the former having been born in West Wal- pole and the latter in Dedham.
Spending his youthful days in his parents' home Lewis F. Fales attended the public schools of Walpole and after his textbooks were put aside made his initial step in the business world. His natural predilection was toward mechanical lines and he received his train-
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
ing in that direction and eventually worked up to his present position as a well known manufacturer of machinery in Walpole. He has an extensive machine shop and foundry, splendidly equipped with everything necessary to turn out the class of work to which he gives his attention, and the excellence of the output has won for him a very extensive and well deserved patronage. He is a thoroughly reliable business man, energetic and progressive, and he is at the head of a business which now constitutes one of the important industrial interests of Walpole.
On the 14th of October, 1914, Mr. Fales was married in Franklin, Massachusetts, to Miss Sarah Mackinnon, a daughter of John and Catherine Mackinnon. They are well known in Walpole, where they have an extensive circle of friends, and the hospitality of their own home is greatly enjoyed by those with whom they have been brought in contact. Mr. Fales has become recognized as one of the substantial and valued citizens of his community, and while he has never been active as a holder of public office, he is interested in all that pertains to the general welfare and his aid and support are given on the side of progress and improvement.
MICHAEL F. POWERS.
Michael F. Powers, who is engaged in the undertaking business in Stoughton, is also active in community affairs and is now serving as chairman of the library board of trustees. He was born September 6, 1859, in the city which is still his home, his parents being John and Hannah (Welch) Powers, who were natives of Ireland. The father came to America about 1848 and established his home in Stoughton, where he was engaged in shoe manufacturing through- out the remainder of his life, passing away March 2, 1902, when he had reached the age of seventy years. For a few years he had sur- vived his wife, whose death occurred in April, 1899.
Michael F. Powers was reared and educated in Stoughton, com- pleting a course in the high school by graduation with the class of 1878. He started upon his business career as an employe in shoe factories and was thus occupied until 1894, when he became associated with the firm of Withington & Lowe, furniture dealers and under- takers. He has since followed that line of business and in 1905 he became a partner in the undertaking firm of Lowe, Smith & Powers, his partners being Horace W. Lowe and Webster Smith. On the
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
Ist of October, 1915, Mr. Smith passed away and the business has since been carried on by the surviving partners under the firm style of Lowe & Powers. Their place of business is located at No. 14 Porter street and they are accorded a liberal and well deserved patronage.
In April, 1886, Mr. Powers was united in marriage to Miss Mary Glennon, a daughter of Kieran and Elizabeth (Kelly) Glennon, who were natives of Ireland and in early life crossed the Atlantic to the United States. The father engaged in shoemaking throughout his remaining days and both he and his wife have now passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Powers has been been born one child, John J., whose birth occurred August 6, 1887, and who is now in partnership with his father.
Interested always in community affairs, Mr. Powers has co- operated in many well defined plans and purposes for upbuilding the city and advancing its interests. He is now chairman of the board of trustees of the public library and has been a member of the board for thirty-four years. He has also been one of the park commissioners for twelve years and has done much valuable work in these connections in upholding the best interests of the city. He belongs to San Salvador Council, No. 200, of the Knights of Colum- bus and is a past grand knight of the order. He is likewise a past chief ranger of Stoughton Court of the Catholic Order of Foresters and he has membership with the Ancient Order of Hibernians and is president of the Holy Name Society. His religious faith has always been that of the Catholic church and his political support has been given to the democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is a broad-minded man, actuated by a spirit of advancement in all that he undertakes, whether for the benefit of his individual interests or of the public welfare.
WILLIAM T. DONOVAN.
William T. Donovan, well known in real estate circles in Quincy, where he has conducted an office since 1911, was born on the 29th of November, 1880, in the city where he still resides, being one of a large family. His parents were Timothy J. and Mary (Denward) Donovan, who were natives of Ireland and in young manhood and womanhood came to the new world. They were married on this side
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
of the Atlantic and the father was employed as a tool sharpener in the quarries. Both he and his wife have now passed away.
Following his graduation from the high school of Quincy, whereby he was well qualified for life's practical and responsible duties, William T. Donovan turned his attention to the real estate business, being associated with a large brokerage concern in Boston for seven years. He afterward spent ten years as a government sten- ographer and as private secretary to the admiral of the United States navy at the Fore River Shipbuilding Corporation in Quincy, and in 191 I he opened a real estate office for the conduct of an independent business and has since specialized in the brokerage business in con- nection with the handling of property. He is thoroughly versed con- cerning realty values in this section, knows what is upon the market and has made judicious investments for his clients and at the same time has negotiated many important realty transfers.
On the 29th of April, 1908, Mr. Donovan was united in marriage to Miss Grace L. Connolly, of Malden, Massachusetts. They are members of St. John's Catholic church and Mr. Donovan is con- nected with the Knights of Columbus, with the Ancient Order of Hibernians and other organizations. In politics he maintains an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than for party. He served for two years in the city council, filling the office in 1906 and 1907, during which period he exercised his official prerogatives in support of many well devised plans and measures for the general good, as he is ever interested in the development and upbuilding of the city in which he lives.
ENOCH WAITE, SR.
In the death of Enoch Waite, Sr., Franklin lost one of her valued and representative citizens. He was long identified with its manu -. facturing interests and his activities were always of a character that contributed to general progress and prosperity as well as to indi- vidual success. Moreover, his worth outside of business connections was widely recognized. He was born in England on the 25th of April, 1835, and his life record covered the intervening years to the 12th of February, 1912, when he was called to his final rest. His parents were Joseph and Hannah Waite and the former was engaged in the manufacture of felt for King George in England but in early
ENOCH WAITE, SR .. AND ENOCH E. WAITE, JR.
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
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WA UNS
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
manhood bade adieu to friends and native country and sailed for the new world, where he continued in the same line of business, be- coming the first manufacturer of felt in America. After having es- tablished his business and made preparations for the reception of his family he sent for his wife and children, who joined him in his Mas- sachusetts home. He continued a resident of this state until called to his final rest in 1888, when seventy-seven years of age. His widow survived him for about four years and died in 1892 at the age of ninety-one years.
Enoch Waite, Sr., who was one of a family of ten children, at- tended school at Newmarket, England, but his educational oppor- tunities were extremely limited, for at the age of eight years he began to provide for his own support, working at felt manufacturing. He was fifteen years of age when he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and he started upon his business career in the new world as an employe at the old Bay State Mills at Lawrence, Massachusetts. In 1856 he removed to Johnson, Rhode Island, where he established a mill for Judge Pitman's son for the manufacture of felt carpet and devoted two years to that business. He later became a resident of Lowell, Massachusetts, where he was employed in the Middles Mills until 1861. In that year he became a resident of Winchester and began operating a mill for F. M. Allen. This mill was devote to the manufacture of fibrilla, an article made from tow and used during the Civil war as a substitute for cotton. After peace was de- clared there was no further use for the product and the mill was closed. Mr. Waite afterward had charge of a mill in Charlestown devoted to the manufacture of felt carpet, but after two years spent in that connection he returned to Lawrence and engaged in the manu- facture of glove linings. A little later he took up his abode at Wren- tham, where he managed a mill owned by the Elliot Felting Com- pany and devoted to the manufacture of felt table and piano covers as well as other lines of felt goods.
In 1874 Mr. Waite came to Franklin and started in business on his own account, manufacturing felt cloth. The enterprise prospered from the beginning and after two years he admitted A. H. Morse to a partnership in the business. They were thus associated until 1881, when they severed their business connection and Mr. Waite es- tablished what is konwn as the City Mills, which he conducted for three years. He afterward opened a felt mill for F. B. Ray, called the Union Mill, and about the same time embarked in business in partnership with Bannigan, who was known as the rubber king of Lawrence, Massachusetts. They were proprietors of the Lawrence Vol. 11-9
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
Felting Mills and their business association was continued until 1888, when Mr. Waite disposed of his interest to Mr. Bannigan, after which he conducted a mill independently. He also purchased a privilege in the Rockville Mill from Mr. Richardson, of Medway, and converted the plant into a felt mill, which he turned over to the managament of his son. Mr. Waite, Sr., became president and man- ager of the Waite Felting Company of Franklin and continued in those official connections for a number of years. Later he merged his factories into the business combine known as the American Felt Company, but continued to conduct the factories until his death. For many years he figured most prominently as the leading felt manu- facturer of the country and his thorough training and long experience well qualified him for the important work which he did in that con- nection.
Mr. Waite was united in marriage to Miss Anna Pearson, a daughter of Joseph Pearson, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, who was a mason by trade and spent his entire life in Lawrence. To Mr. and Mrs. Waite were born three children, of whom the eldest died in infancy. The daughter, Adella Marion, is the wife of C. F. Nye, of Brookline, Enoch E. is the third in the family and is his father's successor in business. Mr. Waite had been previously married, his first union being with a Miss Ladd, of Mercer, Maine, by whom he had one son, Perley Arthur, who was connected with his father in business for many years and who died in 1913. The first wife of Mr. Waite passed away at the birth of her son and was laid to rest in a cemetery at Mercer, Maine. When death called Enoch Waite, Sr, his remains were interred in the family burying ground in Lawrence. He is still survived by his widow, who yet makes her home in Franklin.
His religious faith was that of the Universalist church and in politics he was a stanch republican but was never an office seeker, his business making too heavy demands upon his time to allow of active work in political circles. There was no feature of felt manufautur- ing with which he was not thoroughly familiar and his initiative spirit prompted him to introduce many improvements in methods, while at all times he held to the highest standards concerning the products which he placed upon the market. He thus continued the business in which his father engaged, becoming the pioneer in that field in America, and the name of Waite has always been prominently and honorably associated with the trade on this side the Atlantic. Mr. Waite was long accounted one of the representative residents of Franklin, honored and respected by all for what he had accom-
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
plished. He started out to provide for his own support when a little lad of but eight years and his success was the direct result of per- sistent and well directed energy.
ENOCH E. WAITE, JR.
Enoch E. Waite, Jr., now largely devoting his attention to the management of property interests left by his father, Enoch Waite, Sr., whose history is given above, was born in Franklin on the 22d of July, 1866. He attended the Franklin schools until he reached the age of fourteen years and afterward became a student in the Mitchell Military School of Billerica, Massachusetts, which he at- tended for three years. He then entered his father's employ and worked with him until 1907. He was afterward with the American Felt Company through the succeeding five years and acted as assist- ant superintendent both for his father and for the American Felt Company. At his father's death both of his old mills were shut down by the American Felt Company. Enoch E. Waite, Jr., is familiar with every branch of the business, having had the most thorough training along that line from the time when he put aside his textbooks and entered upon the work to which the greater part of his life has been devoted. Since the death of his father he has given his attention to property interests and has also engaged in teaming and in the sale of wood.
On the Ist of January, 1891, Mr. Waite was united in mariage to Miss Mary Alice Follette, a daughter of James and Anna ( Hazel- ton) Follette, who were natives of Providence, Rhode Island, and of Cumberland Hill, Massachusetts, respectively. Both are now de- ceased, their remains having been interred in West Wrentham. The father was a farmer and devoted many years to the work of tilling the soil there. Mr. and Mrs. Waite became the parents of three children: Enoch Emmons, who enlisted in the United States Navy and is on Commonwealth pier on a receiving ship; Newman F., who died at the age of fifteen years ; and Francis H., at home.
Mr. Waite holds membership with Waunawauk Tribe, No. 83, I. O. R. M. In politics he is a stanch republican but not an office secker although he keeps well informed on the question and issues of the day and gives earnest and active support to all plans and measures for the general good. His religious faith is that of the Universalist church and its teachings guide him in all the relations
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
of life. The Waite family has long been represented in this part of the state and the name has ever been a synonym for progressiveness in business and in citizenship.
FREDERICK S. LANE.
Honored and respected by all, there is no man who occupies a more enviable position in business and financial circles in Foxboro and Norfolk county than does Frederick S. Lane, the treasurer of the Cooperative Bank of Foxboro. He was born in Norton, Massa- chusetts, May 8, 1849, and is a son of Calvin W. and Abba A. (Stanley) Lane, who were also natives of Massachusetts. The father was a carpenter and builder and followed his trade for many years but eventually became connected with the Union Straw Works, hav- ing charge of their buildings for an extended period. He removed to Foxboro in 1851 and continued to make his home here throughout his remaining days. Both he and his wife have passed away.
Frederick S. Lane was reared and educated in Foxboro and when he had completed the work of the public schools he took up the occupation of bookkeeping, which he followed for a long period. He was also identified with business interests as superintendent in straw shops for a time and later he engaged in the straw business on his own account in partnership with others. At length he organ- ized the Foxboro Electric Company and was part owner of the business for some time but eventually sold out to the Union Light & Power Company. He has ever been a forceful and resourceful man, recognizing and utilizing opportunities that others have passed heed- lessly by. He has watched every indication pointing to success and as the years have passed he has constantly broadened his activities, which have brought not only substantial results for himself, but have also constituted elements of public progress. He was the first presi- dent of the Norfolk & Bristol Street Railway Company and in 1889 he became one of the organizers of the Cooperative Bank, of which he has since served as treasurer and clerk. The bank has dues and capital amounting to three hundred and ninety-six thousand dollars, profits amounting to ninety-five thousand dollars, a guaranty fund of about seven thousand dollars and a surplus of thirteen thousand dollars. The other officers of the bank are: F. A. Pettee, president; and Forrest Bassett, vice president.
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