History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III, Part 32

Author: Thompson, Elroy Sherman, 1874-
Publication date: 1928
Publisher: New York, Lewis historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 642

USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 32
USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 32
USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 32

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Jonathan Eldredge married Minnie Laura Nick- erson of Harwich, daughter of Rufus F. Nickerson, born in Harwich, and Sarah (Atkins) Nickerson, born in Chatham. Their children are: 1. Ethel Er- dine, born September 15, 1888, now Mrs. Harry W. Smith of Chatham. 2. Roscoe, died in infancy. 3. Leo Vernon, born February 11, 1897, and now associated with his father in his laundry business.

GEORGE S. BEARSE-Having been engaged in the garage business in Chatham since 1910, George Smith Bearse is counted among the prominent and public-spirited members of his community. He deals in and sells automobiles and accessories, and in his excellently equipped garage does the largest business of its kind in Chatham. He has the local agency for the Lincoln and Ford automobiles, and for Fordson tractors, over an extensive territory, from Chatham to Wellfleet and to Yarmouth.

George S. Bearse was born at Chatham, June 2, 1884, son of George and Bathsheba (Harding) Bearse, both of whom were born at Chatham. George Bearse, the father, was a sea captain, and, after George S. Bearse had obtained his education in the public schools, he went to sea under his father for

six years. At the end of this time he left the sea and returned to Chatham, where he established him- self in the garage business, in 1910. His pleasing personality and strict attention to his business in all its many details has attracted to him a large clientele, and his well-equipped garage and ample stock of accessories bears testimony to the success he enjoys. In his political preference he is a member of the Re- publican party, taking a strong part in questions of town and county. During the period of the World War, Mr. Bearse rendered service to his country by serving on different committees of the bond drives, giving unstintedly of his time and money. He is very popular in fraternal organizations, being a mem- ber of St. Martin's Lodge, Free and Accepted Ma- sons, and of all the Masonic bodies inclusive of the thirty-second degree, and a member of the Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Plymouth. He is a member and di- rector of the Chatham Board of Trade, the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, member and director of the Chatham Athletic Association, and a member of the Baseball Committee of his town. His club is the South Shore of Harwich Port, his favorite re- creation being motor-boating. Through these social interests and his business, in which he has contact with many persons, Mr. Bearse has become a heart- ily popular figure, respected, high in the estimation of his community.

George S. Bearse married, at Chatham, March 24, 1910, Mary Kline Adams, daughter of George H. Adams, born at Greenwich, Rhode Island, and of Jane Mosier (Kline) Adams, born at West Orange, New York.

ALEXANDER CLARK-For more than forty- five years Alexander Clark has been a resident of Quincy, Massachusetts, to which place he came from Scotland. Beginning as a blacksmith in the employ of others, he has steadily made his way until at the present time (1928) he is president and manager of the Vulcan Tool Company, Incorporated. The plant is located at No. 41 Liberty Street, in South Quincy, and is engaged in the manufacture of tools for the /contracting trade and for the quarries, making drills, hammers, wedges, and other tools used in getting out granite.

Alexander Clark was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, April 4, 1859, son of Alexander Clark, a native of Aberdeen, who was engaged as a stone mason to the time of his death, and of Jane (Kemp) Clark, who also was a native of Scotland and is now deceased. Mr. Clark received his education in the public schools of his native district and then was engaged in farm- ing until he was eighteen years of age, when he ap- prenticed himself to a blacksmith. When his ap- prenticeship was completed he followed his trade in Aberdeen until 1882, when he decided to leave the homeland and seek his fortune in the New World. He came to this country in that same year and located in Quincy, Massachusetts, where he followed his trade, working in the employ of various firms until 1890. In that year he engaged in business for himself under the name of Alexander Clark, continu- ing under his own name until 1893, when he formed a company under the name of the Alexander Clark Company. This was a stock company, of which Mr. Clark was president. In 1908 the Vulcan Tool

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Company was incorporated, with Mr. Clark as presi -. dent and manager, and since that time Mr. Clark has been steadily developing and enlarging the interests of this concern, which is now one of the thoroughly well-established enterprises of Quincy. The plant is located at No. 41 Liberty Street, in South Quincy, in- cludes some 15,000 square feet of space, and requires the services of about twenty men the year round. All kinds of tools for the contracting trade are manufac- tured as' well as drills, hammers and wedges, used in the business of quarrying. The Vulcan Tool Company long ago established a reputation which makes its name a guarantee for excellence of quality and work- manship. At the present time (1928) the officials of the concern are: Alexander Clark, president and general manager; Harold L. Bond, treasurer; Alexander W. Clark, secretary. The Vulcan Tool Company is the largest manufacturer of tools of this kind in Quincy, and has thoroughly established itself in the confidence of the trades to which it ministers. Mr. Clark is a Republican in his political sympathies, and he has always taken an active interest in local public affairs and has been willing to contribute his share to the conduct of the municipal government. He served as a member of the Quincy City Council for seven years, and has also been active in non-official civic affairs. He is a member of Clan McGregor of the Order of Scottish Clans, of which he is a Past Chief; of Rural Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; also of St. Stephen's Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, which he serves as a member of the executive board.

Alexander Clark was married, in 1888, to Margaret MacMillan, who was born in Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are the parents of two children: 1. Alexander Wendell, secretary of the Vulcan Tool Company (q. v.). 2. Everett M.

ALEXANDER W. CLARK-One of the well known business men of Quincy, Massachusetts, is Alexander W. Clark, secretary of the Vulcan Tool Company, who has been associated with that con- cern since 1910, and a member of the firm since 1919. The business was founded by Mr. Clark's father, Alexander Clark, who is president of the enterprise, and is engaged in the manufacture of tools for the contracting trade and for use in quarries.

Alexander W. Clark was born in Quincy, Massa- chusetts, August 12, 1891, son of Alexander Clark, a native of Aberdeen, Scotland, who came to this country in 1882, located in Quincy, and here organ- ized the Vulcan Tool Company, and of Margaret (MacMillan) Clark, who was born in Canada. A fuller account of the career of Alexander Clark, the father, precedes this. Alexander W. Clark received his education in the public schools of Quincy and in the evening classes of the Young Men's Christian As- sociation, and then entered the employ of the Fore River Ship Building Company, where he served in the drafting room for two years. In 1910 he severed his connection with that concern, however, and since that time he has been continuously identified with the Vulcan Tool Company, which was incorporated by his father in 1908. Nine years later, in 1919, he was admitted to partnership and made secretary of the company, and that official position he has contin- ued to hold to the present time (1928). The Vulcan Tool Company is the largest of its kind in Quincy, and has been developed to proportions which require

some 15,000 square feet of space and the services of twenty men throughout the year. Mr. Clark is a supporter of the principles and the candidates of the Republican party. Fraternally, he is identified with Clan McGregor, of the Order of the Scottish Clans; with Rural Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; also with St. Stephen's Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and with Taleb Grotto, Mystic Order Veiled Pro- phets of the Enchanted Realm. He is a member of the Quincy Chamber of Commerce, and of the Young Men's Christian Association, of which he is also a member of the board of directors; and he finds his chief recreation in experimenting with the radio. His religious affiliation is with the First Presbyterian Church, which he has served as president of the board of trustees.

. Alexander W. Clark was married, in 1918, to Charlotte Anderson, who was born in Quincy, Mas- sachusetts, and they are the parents of three children: Marguerite, Wendell Gordon; and Miriam Louise. The family home is at No. 67 Hughes Street in Quincy.

PATRICK F. O'BRIEN-In the custodianship of the problems of Quincy city engineering matters, Patrick F. O'Brien has on all occasions proven him- self a public servant of marked abilities and practical resourcefulness, conducting the interests of his office at the demands of the increasing needs of the com- munity and its general welfare. Experienced and well-equipped, Mr. O'Brien possesses the proven qualifications of a thorough-going engineer in a thriving section of the State. He is a son of Daniel O'Brien, who was a landscape gardener and stone mason, and of Margaret (Rooney) O'Brien, both parents natives of County Leitram, Ireland, and both now deceased.

Patrick F. O'Brien was born February 3, 1860, in Boston, and he attended the public and high schools at Hyde Park. He then made a practical study of engineering, and while in the employ of the New York & New England Railroad Company, he lay the groundwork for his career. During the following three years, he was employed in a civil engineering capacity by Edward A. Buss, of Boston, his field of activity being largely in Maine; and in 1898 he was called to the staff of the Boston Transit Commission, when he was engaged in the operations for the first subway in Boston, and he was also active in laying out and building the Park Street Terminal. After- wards, until 1902, he was in the employ of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company in grade crossing work. Returning to Boston that year, he was again with the Boston Transit Commission until 1909. During this period he was resident engineer of the Washington Street Terminal. Mr. O'Brien then worked upon the Cambridge Tunnel for the Boston Elevated Railroad Company until 1912; for two years afterwards he was with Coughlin and Shiels in engineering operations on the Dorchester Tunnel; and for a year he was engaged in estimate work.

In 1916, Mr. O'Brien first became associated with the Quincy City Engineer's Department, so continu- ing until 1925, when he was again called to the Boston Transit Commission on the Dorchester Tun- nel. In 1927, he was re-appointed City Engineer of Quincy. In his political views, he is a Democrat, and he is a member of the Granite City Club. He is a

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communicant of Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church.

Patrick F. O'Brien married, June 4, 1884, Mary A. O'Donnell, of Milton. Their children: George F., and Charles T., both of whom were engaged in the United States Government work at Camp Devens during the World War; Henry R., who served with the United States Merchant Marine in the World War; and Loring J.

JOHN S. ANDERSON-Among the foremost manufacturers of granite in Quincy, Massachusetts, is the firm of Golbranson and Company, of which John S. Anderson is part owner. This concern was founded in 1904, and has its plant at No. 22 Night- ingale Avenue. Mr. Anderson and his partner, John Golbranson, are both natives of Sweden. They man- ufacture monuments and memorials of all kinds for cemetery work, and use New England granite entirely.

John S. Anderson was born in Upland, Sweden, Jan- uary 23, 1874, son of Andrew Erickson, a native of Upland, who was engaged as a farmer to the time of his death, and of Lovisa Anderson, also a native of Upland, who is now deceased. He received his edu- cation in the public schools of his native land, and when his school training was completed was engaged in farming there for about seven years. He had from an early age desired to try his fortune in the Western World, and in 1893, when he was nineteen years of age, he came to this country and located in Quincy, Massachusetts, where he found employment in the granite works of McIntosh and Sons, as cutter. That connection he maintained for eight years, at the end of which time he entered the employ of Fred- erick Barnicoat, another granite manufacturer of Quincy, with whom he remained for five years. In 1906, he became associated with John Golbranson (q. v.), by purchasing the interest of Charles Samuelson, Mr. Golbranson's partner, and at that time the firm name was changed to that of Golbranson and Com- pany. When this business was first established by Mr. Golbranson and Charles Samuelson, in 1904, it was located on Hardwick Street; later it was removed to Vernon Street. In 1907, after Mr. Anderson be- came a member of the firm, they purchased the plant of M. E. Cook and Company, and the business was removed to No. 22 Nightingale Avenue, where they have their office and cutting shed. They manufacture all kinds of memorials and monuments for cemetery work, and employ about twenty-three men. Mr. Anderson is a member of the Quincy Granite Man- ufacturers' Association and of the National Granite Manufacturers' Association. Politically, he supports the Republican party, and his fraternal affiliation is with the Rural Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. He finds his chief recreation in motoring and his re- ligious affiliation is with the Swedish Congregational Church, which he serves as a member of its board of deacons.

John S. Anderson was married, in 1898, to Ellen A. Olsen, a native of Upland, Sweden, and they are the parents of four children: Florence, Viola, Beatrice, and Linnea (deceased).

JOHN GOLBRANSON, senior partner of the firm of Golbranson and Company, was born in Bohuslane, Sweden, June 23, 1872, son of Herman Golbranson, who was engaged as a ferryman to the time of his death, and of Louise (Olsen) Golbranson, a native of

Sweden, now deceased. He received his education in the public schools of his native district, and when his school training was completed followed the sea for two years as a sailor. In 1893, he came to Quincy, Massachusetts, where he served his time in the granite business with the firm of Swingle and Falconer, remaining with them for seven years. At the end of that time he entered the employ of the Frederick Barnicoat Company, with whom he con- tinued until 1904. In that year, in association with Charles Samuelson, he engaged in the granite busi- ness for himself, locating on Hardwick Street, in Quincy. Later, the business was removed to Vernon Street, where the partnership was continued until 1906, when John S. Anderson (q. v.) purchased the interest of Mr. Samuelson, and the firm name was changed to Golbranson and Company. The follow- ing year the plant was removed to its present loca- tion at No. 22 Nightingale Avenue, where the firm now has its office and cutting shed. They rank among the foremost granite manufacturers in Quincy, and handle New England granite exclusively. The busi- ness has grown to proportions which require the serv- ices of about twenty-three men, and the firm of Gol- branson and Company has made for itself a reputa- tion which makes their name a guarantee for excel- lence of material and of workmanship. Mr. Golbran- son is a Republican in his political sympathies. He is a member of Rural Lodge, Free and Accepted Ma- sons, and keeps in touch with the granite trade throughout the country by membership in the Quincy Granite Manufacturers' Association, and the National Granite Manufacturers' Association. He takes an active interest in local public affairs, and for two years served as a member of the Quincy City Hos- pital Board. His religious affiliation is with the Swedish Congregational Church, which he has served as president of the official board.

John Golbranson was married, in 1901, to Alma J. Samuelson, who was born in Sweden, and they are the parents of six children: Eleanor, Beatrice, Harris, Leonard, Warner, and Marion.

ALEXANDER FALCONER-Always at the fore- front in the activities of the granite manufacturing industry in Quincy, the name of Alexander Falconer is associated with the most considerable product of that business and with the special utilities to which it has been put for a long period of years, in the general distribution of the output of his quarries. Prominent, too, in the civic life of his community, Mr. Falconer has held public office to the satisfaction of his constituency. He is a son of John Falconer, road contractor, who was born in Scotland, and died in 1880, and of Elizabeth (Munroe) Falconer, a native of Scotland, who died in 1886.

Alexander Falconer was born October 14, 1853, in Aberdeen, Scotland, where he attended the public schools, and he was also graduated at the South Kensington Science and Art School. He then be- came active in the granite business there, so continu- ing for a number of years. Removing to New York City, New York, Mr. Falconer worked there for some time in the granite-cutting business; and in 1881 he came to Quincy, where he was employed until 1887, when he began to engage in business on his own account.

The firm of Falconer and Company had its be- ginning in 1887 under the name of Falconer and

John Gough Condrick M.A.

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Marnock, this partnership existing until 1892, when Mr. Falconer became associated with Jonathan Swingle, known as the "extra dark man" because of the fact that his granite quarries were unusually dark in shade, and the partnership of Swingle and Falconer continued until 1905. Mr. Falconer then began the present business on his own account, as Falconer and Company. He operates, also, the Mckenzie and Pat- terson Quarries, and both quarries are of the most extensive in Quincy, producing dark Quincy granite with its high market value. The product of Mr. Falconer's shops is shipped to all parts of the United States, but is principally used by Quincy granite manufacturers. The quarries extend over nine acres of land in Quincy Centre, the granite being brought from the quarries to railroad by means of motor trucks, and thirty men are employed.

In political matters, Mr. Falconer is a Republican. He has served three years as a member of the Quincy City Council, and a like period as a member of the Board of Assessors. Fraternally, he is affiliated with Rural Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, which he has served for twenty-one years as treasurer; with St. Stephen's Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, as Past High Priest; South Shore Commandery, Knights Templar; Boston Council, Royal and Select Masters; Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and with Clan McGregor, Order of the Scottish Clans. He is a member of the Quincy Granite Manufacturers' Association; The National Granite Manufacturers' Association; and the Quarry Operators' Association, of which he is a past presi- dent; his hobby is general reading; and his religious faith is that of the United Presbyterian Church.

Alexander Falconer married, in 1883, Margaret Mc- Millan, who was born in Prince Edward Island, and who is now deceased. Their children: Alexander D., George L. B., Bessie, all deceased.

JOHN JOSEPH CONDRICK, M. D., one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Brockton, Massa- chusetts, who served actively during the World War, was born December 16, 1886, at Weymouth, Massachusetts. He is a son of John F. and Nora (Dowd) Condrick, natives of Weymouth, staunch New Englanders by descent. Nora (Dowd) Condrick died in 1919; while John F. Condrick died in 1916. He was for many years foreman of the timber wharf at Weymouth; a man beloved by those who knew him well, and respected by all with whom he came in contact.

John J. Condrick received his early education in the public schools of the community in which he was born, graduating from Weymouth High School with the class of 1905. He took a post-graduate course, in preparation for further work, at Brookline High School, and entered the Medical School of the Uni- versity of Vermont, graduating from there with the class of 1911, when he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He then spent six months in the Mary Fletcher Hospital, at Burlington, Vermont; and the following year at the Brockton Hospital, receiving then his first professional contact with the city of Brockton. At the end of that year he went to Boston and spent the ensuing four months in the Boston Dispensary, there gaining priceless experience with the diseases caused by lack of sanitation in the more crowded sections existing in a metropolis. In 1912 (although he kept irregular hours during the early

part of this work), he began the practice of his pro- fession under his own name in Brockton, with his office in Room 16 of the building at No. 68 Main Street, in Brockton. Here he has remained, carry- ing on most happily, building up a large and quite aristocratic clientele.

During the participation of the United States in the World War, Dr. Condrick was commissioned a first lieutenant in the Medical Corps, United States Army, and assigned to duty in the Medical Section at Camp Devens. There he remained until the cessation of hostilities, being discharged in December, 1918. Since his return from military duty, Dr. Condrick has been prominent in community affairs. In his political views, he is an Independent. Dr. Condrick has long kept up an active interest in those societies which pertain to his profession, among the more important of which are the American Medical Association, the Massachusetts State Medical Society, the Plymouth District Medical Society, and the Brockton City Medical Society. From 1912 until 1916 he served on the surgical staff of the Brockton Hospital; and he has also acted, at various times, as assistant for the well-known Dr. G. A. Moore of Brockton. Dr. Con- drick has also been active in the social life of his district, being a member of Alpha Kappa Kappa Medi- cal Fraternity; Brockton Lodge, Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks; the Knights of Columbus; the American Legion, and the Young Men's Chris- tian Association. One interesting feature about this exceedingly active man is his great fondness for athletics and his marked ability in various broad phases of sport. For more than eight years he was an active player in professional baseball, and for five years of this time, he also played professional basket- ball. He now finds recreation on the tennis courts.

Dr. John J. Condrick married, in 1915, Edith J. Cosgrove, born at New London, Prince Edward Is- land, and they are the parents of three children: J. Arthur, Edith Marie, and Richard J. Dr. Condrick and his family maintain their residence at No. 42 Moraine Street, Brockton, where they are devotees of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church.

WILLIAM J. MacLEOD, prominent citizen of Quincy, Massachusetts, and senior member of the firm of W. J. Macleod & Son, granite manufacturers, was born November 9, 1868, on Prince Edward Island. He is a son of John and Effie Macleod, both of whom are now deceased. John MacLeod was born on Prince Edward Island, and was a schoolmaster for all of his life. He died in 1919. Effie Macleod, also a native of Prince Edward Island, died in 1926.

William J. Macleod received his education in the public schools of the community in which he was born, and immediately after the completion of these courses of study he entered the world of commerce as a railroad man. He followed this type of endeavor until about 1892, after which he went to Quincy, where he became apprenticed to the granite business with the firm of A. M. J. Macleod. He later worked for a short time with the Eagle Polishing Company, but in 1900 he went into the business for himself. He opened his first establishment on Liberty Street, in Quincy, and continued there with success up until 1903, when he removed to the corner of Garfield and Quarry streets. In 1906, so greatly had the business grown, that he was forced to remove once more to larger quarters, and it was then that he changed to

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the present address at No. 24 Vernon Street, in Quincy. In 1906 Mr. Macleod broadened the scope of his business to include Lawrence Butler as a partner, this firm existing until 1915, when Mr. Butler died. Mr. Macleod purchased Mr. Butler's share of the business from the heirs, and carried on alone until 1922, when he took his son, Chester A. MacLeod, as a partner. The firm name was then changed to its present style of W. J. Macleod & Son. This concern does a general line of granite polishing, besides supplying compressed air power to thirty other granite polishing companies in and around South Quincy. It is the largest organization of its kind engaged in this type of work, and serves a greater number of firms than any other company in Quincy.

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History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III, Part 32

Author: Thompson, Elroy Sherman, 1874- Publication date: 1928 Publisher: New York, Lewis historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 642

Author: Thompson, Elroy Sherman, 1874-
Publication date: 1928
Publisher: New York, Lewis historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 642