History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III, Part 42

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 42
USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 42
USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 42

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1904. Also, for a number of years prior to his death, Mr. Baxendale was engaged in the real estate busi- ness at Brockton, and in 1902 built the apartment house, known as the "Albert," located on North Main Street, this city. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias, and Improved Order of Red Men. A consistent Democrat, he served upon the city com- mittee for many years and was at one time assistant assessor of the city. He was a member of Porter Congregational Church, Brockton, and Mrs. Baxen- dale belonged to the same denomination at Fall River. John William Baxendale married, on May 8, 1885, Sadie Anna Ashton, daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Haigh) Ashton, of Fall River, Massachusetts, her father having been a native of England, and came to America and Fall River when a youth. To this union were born: Sadie Morrison, born April 19, 1888; and Albert Preston, born August 28, 1890, of whom further.

Albert Preston Baxendale, son of John William and Sadie Anna (Ashton) Baxendale, received his educa- tion in the grammar and high schools and in business college. He began his business career in the capacity of clerk with the O. A. Miller Treeing Machine Company, at Brockton, established in 1880 by O. A. Miller as its sole owner. The original location of the factory was in what is now known as Factory Vil- lage, and was later removed to Prospect Street, and in 1890, a new building was erected to house the con- cern at the corner of Cherry and Ford streets, the business having been conducted at that address to the present time. In 1902, the company was acquired by the United Shoe Machinery Corporation, but the business continues to operate under the name of its original founder. The products of the O. A. Miller Treeing Machine Company are in demand in every section of the world, and it is largely due to the executive ability of Mr. Baxendale, assistant manager of the vast enterprise, that the company has achieved its present greatness. Mr. Baxendale is partial to the Republican political policies. He is a member of a number of local clubs and other organizations, and belongs to the Congregational church.

Mr. Baxendale married, in 1920, Theodora P. Webber, of Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

FRANK SAYWARD FARNUM-As president of the Churchill and Alden Company, of Brockton, Massachusetts, makers of the nationally-known Rals- ton shoes, Frank Sayward Farnum is a leader in the shoe industry, as well as in other lines of progress in his section. His vigor and ability, which have so greatly contributed to the remarkable growth of this company in the twenty-eight years of his active man- agement, have been generously donated to public affairs as well.

Frank Sayward Farnum was born in Brockton, July 27, 1870, son of John Pendexter Farnum, born in Alfred, Maine, and Wilhelmina Sophia (Bohndel) Farnum, a native of Thomaston, Maine, both now deceased.

The Farnum family is of ancient English and New England stock, and was established in America by Ralph Farnum in 1635. This Ralph Farnum, a son of a Ralph Farnum, whose ancestors lived for gen- erations in Farnham, England, sailed from South- ampton, England, April 6, 1635, and landed in Boston from whence he went to Ipswich, Massachusetts, and later to Andover, Massachusetts, where he established

his residence. In the historic line of Farnums appear the historic figures of two Farnum brothers, both soldiers in the Revolutionary War, each of whom was wounded in the battle of Bunker Hill and recog- nized for valor by the Bay State Colony authorities.

Frank Sayward Farnum, one of the present repre- sentatives of this family, was born in North Bridge- water, now Brockton, where he received his education in grammar and high schools, graduating from the latter in the class of 1887. For the next ten years he was engaged in retail mercantile activities, finally beginning his intensive business career as a salesman for the Woodard & Wright Last Company, in 1897. He then, in 1900, associated himself with the well- known Churchill and Alden Company, which was founded in 1876, under the name of Whitman, Churchill & Alden, and had its factory on Clifton Avenue. In 1886 the plant was moved to a larger building at its location on Main Street, under its present title, with George Churchhill and Lucius Alden as partners. Incorporated in 1903, it had the following officers: George Churchill, president; Lucius Alden, vice-president; S. P. Alden, treasurer ; Frank S. Farnum, secretary; Arthur L. Copeland, director. Thus is indicated the speedy rise of the energetic and able young shoe salesman to executive position with the company, which was merely the prelude to his selection as director, as superintendent of manufacturing, and, finally, in 1915, as president, upon the death of George Churchill. With the new president, Mr. Farnum, W. H. Emerson served as vice-president; S. P. Alden, treasurer; H. W. Fleming as secretary, and John H. Farnum as director of manufacture. In 1925 came another alignment of officials, when Joseph E. Coulter was elected sec- retary; M. A. Dodd, assistant treasurer, others re- maining as before except for the retirement of S. P. Alden as treasurer. In June, 1928, Arthur C. Ryder, was elected a member of the board of directors. During its nearly half-century of existence, the com- pany has manufactured fine shoes, excellent in quality and style, with especial reference to fitting the foot of the average man. Six large additions have been made to the plant in the interim, and for the past few years the average number of employees is six hundred. From 1876 to 1900, the company manufac- tured for the jobbing trade, but during the past twen- ty-eight years has sold direct to the retail trade, the largest volume being on the nationally advertised Ralston shoe, while the Fellowcraft shoe is also a favorite. During the World War, army and navy shoes were manufactured for the Government without profit, a patriotic service which received commenda- tion from headquarters of both departments.

In addition to his management of the Churchill and Alden Company, Mr. Farnum is a director of the Brockton National Bank, and ex-vice-president of the National Shoe Manufacturers' Association, of which he now director. He has also been treasurer of the Brockton Shoe Manufacturing Association for many years, and is chairman of the board of trustees of the Young Men's Christian Association. He served as national delegate for the National Shoe Manufac- turers' Association, to the National Chamber of Com- merce, and as delegate to various Republican con- ventions. His patriotism during the World War found an outlet in work for the War Service Com- mittee, under the war board, of which he was a member, stationed in Washington, and his manu- facture of equipment brought him a citation from the

Frank S. Para

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Government. He was also an active participant in all local patriotic moves and endeavors in Brockton. In fraternal affiliations he is a member of Paul Revere Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons and other affiliated bodies including the Aleppo Temple. He is past president of the old Algonquin Club, of the Com- mercial Club, and the Men's Club of the South Con- gregational Church, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce. His church is the South Congre- gational.

In June, 1900, Frank Sayward Farnum married Mary P. Churchill, of Brockton, daughter of George and Harriet A. (Hayward) Churchill. The father, shoe manufacturer, died in 1915, and the mother, a native of East Bridgewater, died in 1912. The chil- dren are: 1. Merideth Churchill, a graduate of Smith College, president of the Howe Marot Preparatory School. 2. Elizabeth, graduate of the Walnut Hill School of Natick, Massachusetts, alumnae graduate of Smith College and now a student of journalism at Columbia University, New York City. 3. Sayward Howard, a student at Exeter Academy. The family residence is at No. 24 Keith Avenue, Brockton. -

GEORGE E. CORNWELL-Endowed with the spirit of enterprise in all his business concerns, with undaunted courage in prosperity and misfortune, and with a fixed belief in desirable methods of publicity, George E. Cornwell, throughout his active career en- gaged in the furniture business, is the head of the widely-known firm of George E. Cornwell and Sons, at No. 198 Main Street, Wareham, a concern long known as a leader in furniture and allied lines. Mr. Cornwell is a citizen of pronounced abilities, a man of public spirit, and one who upon all occasions has stood for the advancement of the township. He is a son of John V. Cornwell, who was born in 1833 at Saugerties, New York, and was an expert mill man, his death taking place in 1909, and Elizabeth (Warr) Cornwell, also a native of Saugerties, whose death occurred in 1892.

George E. Cornwell was born, May 9, 1872, in San Francisco, California, and with the removal of his parents to Wareham he attended the public schools here. He was then in the employ of his brothers in the furniture business for about five years, when he became a partner in the firm of Cornwell Brothers, which existed for about three years. In 1893, when Mr. Cornwell was twenty-one years old, he bought out his brother's interest, and continued in the furniture business on his own account, as George E. Cornwell, until 1919, when, taking his three sons into his partnership, the firm name was changed to George E. Cornwell and Sons, the pres- ent title. This business, with its location at No. 198 Main Street, is one of the largest furniture and house- furnishing stores between Boston and Provincetown. Mr. Cornwell was the first Wareham merchant to install plate glass in his store windows, and was one of three to adopt independent telephones.

In 1917, the Cornwell furniture plant was com- pletely destroyed by fire, but in less than a week, Mr. Cornwell had partly reestablished himself, and was continuing business in a small store on the same street. The fire occurred in February, and on May 15, the same year, Mr. Cornwell was settled in his new store. Mr. Cornwell is also the only funeral director in Warehain, that branch of his

business having been established in conjunction with his furniture line in 1893.

In politics a Republican, Mr. Cornwell has the loyal citizen's interest in civic and municipal affairs, though he has not sought public office. He is a member of the board of directors of the Wareham Co-operative Bank. In his business affiliations, he is a member of the Massachusetts Funeral Directors' Association; and fraternally, he is associated with Wareham Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, as a Past Noble Grand; with the Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men, as Past Sachem, and second oldest member of the Tribe; Knights of Pythias; Middleboro Lodge, No. 1274, Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks; and he is a member of the Lotus Club. His religious faith is that of the Con- gregational church.

George E. Cornwell married, in 1893, Jennie W. Wrightington, a native of East Wareham. Their children: 1. George F. 2. Carl C., who served as a corporal in the Signal Corps of the United States Army in the World War. 3. Ray Hobson.

CARL E. DAHLBORG, manager and partner of C. F. Dahlborg & Sons, one of the oldest hardware, paint and plumbing businesses in Brockton, Massa- chusetts, is regarded as one of the substantial busi- ness men of this city. The business was established in 1884 by Charles F. Dahlborg and has grown stead- ily, until today it occupies an entire building on Main Street and employs thirty men. Although the busi- ness is constantly expanding, Mr. Dahlborg manages to give his personal attention to a thousand details, and because of his unflagging zeal he richly deserves the success he has attained.

Carl E. Dahlborg was born October 16, 1882, at North Easton, the son of Charles F. Dahlborg and Laura F. (Lawson), natives of Sweden. His father was a merchant and is now retired. He attended the public school and high school of Brockton, and de- siring to fit himself immediately for a business career, he finished at the Bryant & Stratton Business Col- lege. In 1903 he established the undertaking busi- ness as a branch of his father's firm, and has suc- cessfully conducted this end of the business for the past twenty-five years. Mr. Dahlborg exhibited such industry in his duties that in 1916 he was taken into the firm, and at the same time the name was changed to C. F. Dahlborg & Sons. Since that date Mr. Dahl- borg has proven himself indispensable to the success of the firm, and has acquired an enviable standing among civic and business leaders of the city. Need- less to say, he has taken off the shoulders of his father most of the cares which formerly beset him, so that his father is now no longer actively engaged in the business.

Mr. Dahlborg is a Republican in politics. In secret order circles he is a member the St. George Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Satucket Royal Arch Chapter, Bay State Commandery, No. 38, Massa- chusetts Consistory, and Aleppo Shrine. He is also a member of Campello Lodge, No. 227, Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows; John Ericson Lodge, No. 108, Knights of Pythias. His religious affili- ations are with the Swedish Congregational Church. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and of the Young Men's Christian Association. He is also a member of the Massachusetts Undertakers' Association.

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Mr. Dahlborg was married, in 1904, to Evelyn Wen- strom, of North Easton, daughter of Peter and Anna Wenstrom, and they have three children: Irene E., Hazel F., and Carl F. Dahlborg.

WILLIAM F. DALEY-Connected for almost three decades with the city fire department of Brock- ton, Plymouth County, Mr. Daley has been chief of this department since 1916. In this important position, to which he was promoted after long and faithful service in various other lower capacities, he has shown himself a man of great courage, excep- tional executive ability, progressiveness and energy. His contributions to the welfare and prosperity of his community have been of great importance, and his work, as well as his personality, have gained him the respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens.

William F. Daley was born in Boston, Massachu- setts, April 19, 1873, a son of the late Dennis A. and Katharine F. (Kerrigan) Daley. His father was a skipper in Boston and died in 1914, while his mother, also deceased, was a native of County Sligo. Chief Daley was educated in the public schools, which he left at the age of eleven years, in 1884, when he went to work for the Preston B. Keith Shoe Company, of Brockton, with which concern he continued until 1898. In that year he entered the Brockton fire de- partment, having previously been connected for many years with the volunteer fire department, first as a call man, then, since 1894, as a lieutenant, and finally, since 1895, as a captain. His first position with the city's paid fire department was as a hoseman with engine company, No. 2. February 24, 1903, he was promoted captain and, in 1907, he was made assistant chief. After having served in the later position for nine years, he succeeded, May 22, 1916, Henry L. Marston as chief, a position which he has held since then with great ability and efficiency. He is the sec- ond permanent fire chief of Brockton. Under his very able direction the department has been brought to a very high degree of efficiency and all of the latest innovations have been adopted. He is a mem- ber of the International, New England, and Massa- chusetts Fire Chiefs' associations, of which latter he was president in 1924-25. During the World War he took an active part in the various Liberty Loan drives, as well as in numerous other patriotic move- ments of this period. He is a member of the Rotary Club and of the Knights of Columbus, and his re- ligious affiliations are with the Roman Catholic church, and more particularly with St. Patrick's Church of Brockton.

Chief Daley married, in 1900, Nora A. Quill, of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, a daughter of John and Mary (Dineen) Quill. Mr. and Mrs. Daley are the parents of three children: 1. William F., Jr., a graduate of Boston University. 2. Marie A. 3. Clement E. The family home is located at No. 210 Highland Street, Brockton.

E. HAROLD DONOVAN, D. D. S .- One of the well-known men of the dental profession in Plymouth County is Dr. E. Harold Donovan, of Plymouth, who has been engaged in practice there for the past nine years, during which time he has built up a large and important practice. Dr. Donovan is well known as a skilled dental surgeon and takes an active interest in local affairs in the community in which he lives.

Dr. E. Harold Donovan was born in North Abing- ton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, June 10, 1894,

son of John Thomas Donovan, a native of North Abington who has been engaged in the employ of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad Com- pany for many years, and of Mary Ann (Garvin) Donovan, who was born in South Weymouth, Mas- sachusetts, and died in North Abington, in 1923. Dr. Donovan received his early and preparatory educa- tion in the public schools of his birthplace, and after graduation from Abington High School, took a course in Bryant & Stratton's Business College in Boston. He then decided to enter the dental pro- fession, and with that end in view began study in Tufts Dental College where he continued his studies for a year. At the end of that time he made a change and matriculated in George Washington Uni- versity, at Washington, District of Columbia, from which he graduated with the class of 1919, receiving at that time the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. Upon the completion of his professional training, he came at once to Plymouth and opened an office in the Drew Building. He steadily built up a clientele, which at the present time (1928) has become one of the larg- est in the county. He has made for himself an envi- able reputation for skill in his profession and for sound business methods and each year that passes adds to the already long list of those who require the serv- ices of Dr. Donovan. He is thoroughly prepared for his work and is one of those progressive men of his profession who keep thoroughly in touch with the latest and best developments, giving his patrons the benefit of the latest inventions and newest methods, but never inflicting upon them the fads which from time to time appear in the dental profession as else- where. As a conservative progressive his own prac- tice and his patrons are safe, and during the nine years in which he has been engaged in practice in Plymouth, his many patients have learned that they can rely upon his skill. He is a member of the Southeastern Massachusetts Dental Association, which he serves as chairman of the executive board; the Massachusetts Association of School Dental Workers; the Massachusetts State Dental Association, and of the American Dental Association. He is a member of the School Board, and a director of Jordan Hospital. Politically, he is identified with the Repub- lican party. He is actively interested in the advance- ment of the civic and social welfare of Plymouth, and since 1920 has rendered valuable service as school dentist. He is an interested member of the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce. Fraternally, he is affiliated with Plymouth Lodge, No. 1476, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he is Past Exalted Ruler, and trustee of Massachusetts State Elks Asso- ciation, and of Plymouth Council, No. 1190, Knights of Columbus, in which he is identified with the Car- dinal O'Connell Club and holds the fourth degree. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division No. 9; of the General Sherman Court, Mas- sachusetts Catholic Order of Foresters; and of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He is a member of the old Colony Club; Plymouth Country Club, and of the Calumet Club, and finds healthful out-of-door recreation in golf and fishing. During the period of the participation of the United States in the World War he was a member of the Medical Corps and Student Army Officers' Training Corps. His re- ligious affiliation is with the Roman Catholic Church of St. Peter. Dr. Donovan has a host of friends in Plymouth and vicinity, and is held in high esteem among his professional associates.

Dr. E. Harold Donovan was married, at Plymouth,

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in 1923, to Margaret Frances Downey, who was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Dr. and Mrs. Donovan are the parents of three children: Anne, Mary Claire, and Margaret Frances.

JOHN F. DONNELLY-Schooled in the ma- chinist's trade and having specialized in the branch that deals with shoe manufacture, John F. Donnelly, of Brockton, had the satisfaction of seeing the world using many of the devices that were born in his own brain and which he made in his own shops. Not many executives of manufacturing plants are in- ventors of the articles they make and which the world of industry uses. The business has grown to such proportions since hand-made shoes became al- most a legend, that the demand for improved ma- chinery is constant, and it has been possible for Mr. Donnelly to supply a part of this call. Success came to him partly because of this ability, but mainly owing to his native industry and unflagging energy. From boyhood to his final illness he was the spirit of the work in which he had been for years engaged and often referred to the fact that his was the oldest shoe machinery manufacturing plant in the country, conducted from its inception under one name. He was a man of splendid civic enterprise and ever ready with his heart or hands or brain to aid in the pro- motion of such enterprises as were of advantage to the people as a whole. He made friends readily and held them steadfastly, for he operated on lines of fairness and justice, such as he expected from others with whom he transacted business, or with whom he had social or civic relations. He had worked long among the people and he was of them, sincerely, de- votedly, steadfastly. There was no good cause that did not feel the benefit of his help, and he was as modest in his aid as he was ready with his purse. An able citizen, a true friend, a fine type of character was lost to the community when he departed on the long journey, sincerely mourned and highly respected.

He was born in Brockton, Massachusetts, February 19, 1877, a son of David H. Donnelly, a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, whose death occurred in 1911, and of Margaret (Mahoney) Donnelly, a native of St. Johns, New Brunswick, Canada, deceased in 1904. He was educated in the public schools, gradu- ating from high school and then learning the trade of machinist, beginning in his first days to take more than a passing interest in his work. In 1899, in asso- ciation with Joseph Grogan, he established the firm of Donnelly & Grogan, locating in Ward Street, for the manufacture of shoe-making machinery. Later the firm removed to the four-story building at Center and Montello streets, which had been the home of the Stacy-Adams Shoe Company. Mr. Grogan re- tired from the firm in 1904, when Mr. Donnelly as- sumed complete control under the new title of the Donnelly Machinery Company, which he incorporated in 1920. Six years prior to the incorporation he had erected the four-story-and-basement structure on Montello Street, which has since been the headquar- ters of the company. This building has floor space of more than 21,000 square feet and is equipped with every modern appliance with which to accomplish the work for which it was designed. More than thirty persons were employed there and the products were sold all over the world. Mr. Donnelly was independ- ent in his political views, supporting the man best fitted for the work he might be called upon to do, regardless of his party affiliation. In religion he was

a Roman Catholic and was a member of St. Patrick's Church. He belonged to the Brockton Chamber of Commerce and to the Superintendents' and Foremen's Association, and also the Knights of Columbus. He was justified in a great pride he took in the business he founded and which he brought to a high standard of production. He was always fond of outdoor sports and in his early days was regarded as one of the best all-around athletes in Brockton. His death occurred, January 10, 1928, after a brief illness.

John F. Donnelly married, at Weymouth, Massa- chusetts, November 24, 1906, Alice K. Kelly. Their children are: 1. John F., Jr. 2. Alice I. 3. Raymond J. 4. Charles. 5. James B. 6. Arthur V.

Mr. Donnelly left behind him a heritage of industry, probity and kindliness that will ever be a valuable beacon light for the inspiration of youth and the emulation of men.

D. G. MacDONALD-A native of Nova Scotia, Canada, Mr. MacDonald has come to the United States, settling in Brockton, where he has been en- gaged in the automotive industry since 1922, and has ably and efficiently discharged his duties as vice- president and manager of the D. W. Packard Motor Company. Previous to his coming to Brockton, Mr. MacDonald was similarly employed in Boston, and gained valuable experience for the work in which he is now engaged. He is the son of James L. and Annie (MacQuarrie) MacDonald. His father is em- ployed by the W. L. Douglas Shoe Company of Brockton.

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History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III, Part 42

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