History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III, Part 53

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 53
USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 53
USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 53

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James W. Spence found time in which to assume a number of outside commercial responsibilities; and among the more important of these were the offices he filled as a member of the firm of Stone & Gor- man, of Brockton, Massachusetts (this company is not now in existence); treasurer of the Albert Culver Company, coal and grain merchants of Rockland; president of the Rockland Trust Company. director of the Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, and trustee of the Rockland Savings Bank. Mr. Spence was also active in his club and social life, for, aside

from his membership in the Rockland Commercial Club, he was, fraternally, affiliated with the Knights of Columbus, in which he was a Grand Knight, and he held active membership in the Boston Athletic Association, the Wollaston Golf Club, and the Scit- uate Golf Club.

James William Spence married, November 17, 1887, at Rockland, Helen Caroline Cashman, a daughter of James and Catherine (Long) Cashman. Mr. and Mrs. Spence became the parents of six children: 1. John Frederic, a biography of whom follows. 2. Catherine Madeline, born December 30, 1891. 3. Angeleine, born April 18, 1895. 4. Mary Cashman. 5. Helen Carolyn. 6. James William, Jr. Mrs. Helen Caroline (Cashman) Spence resides in Rockland, Massachusetts, where she attends the Catholic church, of which her husband was a devotee.

JOHN FREDERIC SPENCE, for many years as- sociated in business with his father, was born No- vember 21, 1888, at Rockland, Massachusetts, a son of James William and Helen Caroline (Cashman) Spence (see preceding biography).

Mr. Spence received his early education in the public and high schools of Rockland, and graduated from Harvard University with the class of 1910, re- ceived the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Later, in 1911, he received the degree of Master of Business Ad- ministration from this same institution. Immediately after his graduation, however, in 1911, he became as- sociated in the brokerage business with Fitzgerald Hubbard & Company, of Boston. In 1914 he became a partner in the Rockland Welting Company, a con- cern which was manufacturing leather supplies for shoe manufacturers, with James William Spence who had purchased this business in 1908. The factory consists of one large building, containing sixty thou- sand square feet of floor space, and in which eighty people are kept in constant employ. The products of this company are practically international in scope, for the export and foreign sales are almost as great as the domestic.

Like his father, John Frederic Spence has been a participant in a number of outside commercial re- sponsibilities. He is a director of the Rockland Trust Company, a trustee of the Rockland Savings Bank, and a treasurer and director of the Albert Cul- ver Company of Rockland. In his political preferences he is a Republican, and he has been active in social life, being a member of many local clubs of Rock- land, and the Harvard Clubs of Boston and New York, and he is also affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

John Frederic Spence married, in 1925, at Brockton, Grace W. Joyce, a daughter of Peter and Jane (Cass) Joyce, of Brockton. Mr. and Mrs. Spence are the parents of one son: John Frederic, Jr., born in 1926. Mr. Spence and his family reside in Rockland, where they attend the Catholic Church of the Holy Family.

HAROLD B. VESPER-Well known to owners and operators of automobiles in the Rockland sec- tion of Plymouth County is Harold B. Vesper, whose fine, modern establishment, consisting of showrooms, garage and machine shop, compares favorably with many metropolitan establishments. Mr. Vesper had the fireproof building which he now occupies erected in 1923, but he had been engaged in the automobile business for several years prior to that time. He is sole agent for Buick cars in this district.

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Harold B. Vesper was born in Rockland, Massa- chusetts, June 14, 1883, son of Charles B. Vesper, who was identified with the shoe industry and whose death occurred in 1921, and of Sara J. (Hatch) Vesper, who was also a native of Rockland, and whose death oc- curred in 1922. Mr. Vesper received his education in the public schools of his birthplace and learned the carpenter's trade, which he continued to follow for three years. At the end of that time, in associa- tion with E. S. Torrey, he entered the sporting goods business. The partnership was continued for three and a half years, when Mr. Vesper sold his interest and in 1908 established a business of his own in the same line. This enterprise gradually developed into the automobile business, and by 1923 had reached proportions which made necessary much larger and better equipped housing. In that year Mr. Vesper had built the up-to-date, fireproof building which he has since occupied, and in which he has since been conducting a steadily growing business, dealing in automobiles, as sole agent for Buick cars, and con- ducting a repair shop which does a very large busi- ness. His plant, including showrooms, garage, and repair shop, totals 17,400 square feet of floor space, and the prosperous business which is conducted there requires the services of about fifteen employees. Mr. Vesper has made a reputation as a man who employs the best of mechanics and who is careful that the work which leaves his shops is reliably done, at a fair price, and his many satisfied customers form his best advertising medium. Politically, Mr. Vesper gives his allegiance to no one political party, pre- ferring to cast his vote for those candidates whom he considers best fitted for the offices to which they aspire. He is a member of the Commercial Club of Rockland, and the Kiwanis Club. His religious af- filiation is with the Unitarian church.

Harold B. Vesper was married, in 1917, to Julia C. Hackett, of South Weymouth, Massachusetts, daughter of John J. and Lucy J. (Welch) Hackett. Mr. and Mrs. Vesper reside in Rockland.

M. WARREN WRIGHT-The occupant of the office of postmaster at Rockland, Massachusetts, is M. Warren Wright, who has had an interesting ca- reer which started in the newspaper printing and pub- lishing business, and was widely known throughout the State as a zealous worker in political affairs.

Marshall R. Wright, prominent contractor and builder, was the father of M. Warren Wright; he died in 1925, being survived by his wife, who, before her marriage was Betsey J. Phillips, a native of Wey- mouth, which was also the birthplace of her husband.

M. Warren Wright, son of Marshall R. and Betsey J. (Phillips) Wright, was born March 6, 1874, at Weymouth, Massachusetts, and in that community received a thorough education in the public schools and the Weymouth High School. His education completed, Mr. Wright became identified with a printing and newspaper publishing concern at Wey- mouth, Massachusetts, where he remained for a time, and then removed to Rockland. then becoming part owner of the Rockland "Free Press," a semi-weekly newspaper, which publication was eventually acquired by the publishers of the Rockland "Standard," to which Mr. Wright disposed of his interest. The latter transaction having occurred at the time of dec- laration of war on the Central Powers, Mr. Wright immediately assumed the responsibility of chairman to the local Draft Board, and continued to serve in

that capacity throughout the war. Afterward, he was engaged in State-wide political organization work, with the result that, in 1921, he was chosen as secre- tary of the Republican League of Massachusetts, and in 1923, was appointed by President Harding to the postmastership at Rockland to succeed Mr. Randall, his predecessor. Also, Mr. Wright is a former mem- ber of the Board of Selectmen of Rockland, having served in that capacity for a period of five years. Fraternally, he is known as a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, and as a charter member and Past Sachem of the Improved Order of Red Men. He holds membership in various local organizations, including the Commercial Club, and his religious affiliation is with the Unitarian church.

M. Warren Wright married, in 1896, Lottie L. Gardner, of Rockland, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are the parents of a son, Wendall L., a grad- uate of Clark College, and of a continuation course at Harvard College.

WILFRED F. GILLESPIE, one of the most prominent citizens of Brockton, Massachusetts, and partner with his brother, N. P. Gillespie, in the coal, wood, hay and grain business of Gillespie Brothers, was born October 2, 1885, at West Bridgewater, Mas- sachusetts. He is a son of Farnham and Helen Por- ter (Packard) Gillespie, both of whom are descend- ants of old and well-known New England families. Farnham Gillespie, who died in 1924, was the co- founder, with his brother, John Gillespie, of the coal and wood business his sons have since carried on with such marked success. Mr. Gillespie, senior, built a large storage warehouse on Montello Street which he con- ducted right up to the time of his death, at which time the management was taken over by his sons, Wilfred F. and Nahum P. Gillespie.

Wilfred F. Gillespie received his early education in the public and high schools of the community in which he was born and graduated from the Brockton Busi- ness College. Upon the completion of these courses of study. Mr. Gillespie entered the employ of the George E. Keith Company, where he obtained a posi- tion as bookkeeper, and remained with this concern for more than twelve years. At the end of that time. he resigned to form a partnership with his brother, Nahum P. Gillespie (whose biography follows). The two brothers purchased the Old Colony The- ater, at Plymouth, Massachusetts, and continued as proprietors of this place until 1916, when they sold their interests in this institution and became as- sociated with their father in the coal and wood busi- ness, a concern which operated under the title of Gil- lespie Brothers. It still carries this name, but another generation of brothers is at the helm. This company was founded in 1886 by Farnham Gillespie and his brother, John Gillespie, for the purpose of retailing the coal and wood. Later, hay and grain were added to the list of products handled. This com- pany, eminently successful in every phase of the busi- ness, has always occupied the same location, on Mon- tello Street, in Brockton. John Gillespie died in 1914, and his brother, Farnham Gillespie, operated alone until 1916, when his two sons entered the busi- ness with him. Mr. Gillespie, the elder, continued as the chief officer and senior member of the firm, how- ever, until the time of his death, which occurred in 1924. In 1918 many new improvements were added to the equipment of the company, among the most important of these being five new silos with the most

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modern concrete gravity system installed. This cost more than twenty thousand dollars, but has since more than proved its worth. The company also owns a railroad siding of ten cars capacity, and its bins are capable of holding six thousand tons of coal. This general enterprise, the oldest of its kind in Brock- ton, is spoken of as one, of the most wide-awake, up- to-the-minute establishments that township-a most enviable reputation for any enterprise to have. Under the alert and efficient control of the younger Gillespie brothers this company is enjoying a partic- ularly large amount of business.

Mr. Gillespie has been a prominent factor in public affairs of his community. In his political views he is a Republican. During the war he was active in all local war work and the Liberty and Victory Loan Drives instituted by the United States Treasury De- partment. His influence, too, has been felt in social life, for, aside from his membership in the Brockton Chamber of Commerce, he is also affiliated with St. George Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; the Chap- ter, Royal Arch Masons; the Council, Royal and Select Masters; the Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; the Commandery, Knights Templar, and the Brockton Young Men's Christian Association.

Wilfred F. Gillespie married, in 1912, Olive Cole, a daughter of George F. and Lillian (Perkins) Cole, of Campello, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Gillespie are the parents of two children: 1. Natalie Gillespie, born in 1917. 2. Jean Gillespie, born in 1924. Mr. Gil- lespie and his family reside in West Bridgewater, where they attend the Porter Congregational Church.

NAHUM P. GILLESPIE, best known in Brock- ton, as a member of the firm of Gillespie Brothers, coal, wood, hay and grain dealers of that city, was born May 1, 1890, at West Bridgewater, a son of Farnham and Helen Porter (Packard) Gillespie, both descendants of pioneer New England families. Farn- ham Gillespie, who died in 1924, with his brother, John Gillespic, woundes un fain which his two sons are now carrying on with such marked success.

Nahum P. Gillespie was educated in the public schools of Brockton and the New England Con- servatory of Music. Thus, from the date of his graduation from high school, Nahum P. Gillespie's life lay in a different channel from that of his brother, Wilfred F. Gillespie, who, after leaving high school, went to a business college, and thence into the world of commerce. Nahum P. Gillespie taught music, after his graduation, in the academy at Niagara Falls, New York. He later removed to the Mckenzie School, at Dobbs Ferry, New York, where he also taught music. After this the lives of the brothers converged once more, and forming a partnership, they purchased the Old Colony Theater, in Plymouth, Mas- sachusetts. Meanwhile, in 1914, their uncle, John Gillespie, their father's partner in the coal and wood business at Brockton, died. Farnham carried on alone for about two years, until 1916, when his sons, Nahum P. and Wilfred F. Gillespie, sold their in- terests in the Old Colony Theater and came to Brock- ton to join with their father in his enterprise. This proved to be a most auspicious change, for now this is one of the most thriving commercial enterprises in Brockton, and the brothers, who have carried on the business since the death of their father, in 1924, are noted for their alert, business-like methods. The company, still operating under the old style of Gil-

lespie Brothers, but with a different generation at the head, is a thoroughly modern establishment con- sisting of up-to-date silos for the coal, railroad sidings with a capacity of ten cars, and bins which will hold more than six thousand tons of coal-a most success- ful enterprise, and the oldest establishment of its kind in Brockton, having first opened its doors for business in 1886.

During the emergency created by the entry of the United States into the World War, Nahum P. Gil- lespie was among the first from his community to offer his services to his country. Enlisting in the United States Army, he served overseas for many months as a member of the American Expeditionary Forces in France. For most of this time Mr. Gillespie held the rank of quartermaster sergeant. He has since been active in public welfare movements of the city in which he resides and works. In his political prefer- ences he is, like his brother, inclined toward the Re- publican party. He is a member of the Brockton Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Brockton. He has been a factor in social life, and he is affiliated with St. George Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; the Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; the Council, Royal and Select Masters; and the Com- mandery, Knights Templar.

Nahum P. Gillespie married, in 1921, Marjorie D. Barker, a daughter of Albert F. and Lucy (Reynolds) Barker, of Hanson, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Gillespie reside in Brockton, where they attend the Porter Congregational Church.

JARED A. GARDNER, owner and operator of a series of photographic studios throughout South- eastern New England, was born January 10, 1883, at Norwell, Massachusetts, a son of Wilbur F. and Susan E. (Ainslee) Gardner, both descendants of pioneer New England families. Wilbur F. Gardner was born in Norwell, and was associated with railroads in the Eastern United States; he died in 1914. Susan E. (Ainslee) Gardner was born in Cohasset, Massachu- setts, and resides in Norwell.

Jared A. Gardner received his education in the pub- lic school system of the community in which he was reared; and received his first contact with the busi- ness world in the type of endeavor he was destined to follow, and in which he has made such a marked success, photography. He gained his early experience in this field when he became a factor in the Hollo- way Studio, Rockland. He was later employed by the famous Marceau, after which, he removed to Rock- land where, in 1908, he conducted the photographic business then owned by Mr. Linton. In the follow- ing year, however, 1909, Mr. Gardner opened a studio in Rockland, and he is still conducting that estab- lishment, although now he has branch studios in many other centers, notably Plymouth and Hingham, Mas- sachusetts. As a commercial enterprise, this has . turned out to be a very happy venture; but Mr. Gard- ner has carried it beyond the concrete reimbursement. He has exhibited his work at the Paris Salon and in London, and he is noted for his artistic ability. His work has also been shown in Java and New Zealand.

Mr. Gardner has the distinction of holding member- ship in a number of representative organizations per- taining to his art, among the more important of these being the Society of Arts and Crafts, the American Federation of Arts and Artists, and the New England Photographic Association. In his political prefer- ences he supports the Republican party.

Frank G. Thachul

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Jared A. Gardner married, July 8, 1918, Elsie B. Mann, a daughter of Austin Mann, of Pembroke, Mas- sachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner maintain their principal residence in Rockland, Massachusetts, where they attend the Episcopal church.

HON. FRANK GORHAM THACHER-The ex- tent to which insurance men touch the lives of people is evidenced by the experiences of Frank Gorhanı Thacher, of Hyannis, who went into his chosen line by way of mercantile pursuits.

Frank Gorham Thacher was born at Hyannis, May 5, 1876, son of Franklin Thacher, a native of Yar- mouth, insurance agent, and of Eleanor Pratt (Knowles) Thacher, native of Brewster, Barnstable County, both now deceased. He attended the Barn- stable public shools and graduated from the high school in 1894. After he left school he spent thirteen years in mercantile and insurance pursuits at New York and Boston. In 1908 he removed from Boston to Hyannis and devoted himself exclusively to general insurance work, which he has followed since; at the same time he has devoted much time to local public service. From 1916 to 1924 he was on the board of County Commissioners, and assisted in remodeling the County Court House. He also served on the Cohasset Nar- rows Bridge Commission which built the $310,000 bridge at Buzzards Bay. Up to 1924 he was a trustee of the Barnstable County Tuberculosis Institution and a trustee of County Aid to Agriculture and is: a member of the executive committee of the Barn- stable County Agricultural Society. He is chairman of the Prudential Committee of the Hyannis Fire District. His business judgment has caused him to be elected a director in the Hyannis Co-operative Bank and the Barnstable County Mutual Fire In- surance Company. He is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Among social organizations he holds membership in the Society of Mayflower Descendants, the Rotary Club, the "Saturday Nite" Club, the Hyannisport Club, and the Monomoyk Branting Club. He attends the Federated Church of Hyannis.

Frank Gorham Thacher was married, at Hyannis, October 5, 1905, to Florence Bearse Hinckley, daugh- ter of S. Alexander and Isabelle (Bearse) Hinckley. Their children are two: 1. Hinckley, born August 21, 1907. 2. Ora Knowles, born June 10, 1910. Mr. Thacher is a brother-in-law of Dr. C. E. Harris (q. v.)

CHARLES EDWARD HARRIS, M. D .- En- gaged in the practice of his merciful profession since 1897, Dr. Charles Edward Harris of Hyannis is one of Cape Cod's leading physicians and one of the most highly respected and esteemed citizens of his com- munity. He is a popular and familiar figure in the life of the town, a friend and confidant of all, whose advice is ever sought in all affairs pertaining to the well-being of this locality. Dr. Harris was one of the organizers of the Cape Cod Hospital and now has charge of the X-ray department of that institution. During the World War, he served in the Medical Corps, and he has ever been prominently active in all campaigns and projects for civil progress and improvement.

Dr. Harris was born November 12, 1868, at Water- ford, Vermont, son of Charles Davis Harris, a native of Peacham, Vermont, and Isabel (Farrow) Harris,

both of whom are deceased. Charles Davis Harris was engaged in farming all his life.

Charles Edward Harris, as a youth, helped on his father's farm and attended the district schools at Waterford, continuing his studies at the academy in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, from which he was gradu- ated in 1890. Having a great desire to enter the medical profession, he matriculated at the Baltimore Medical College, having earned the tuition to cover his medical course by acting as physical director at the St. Johnsbury Young Men's Christian Associa- tion. Determined to succeed, he applied himself dili- gently to his studies and received his degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1897. In October of that year, Dr. Harris came to Hyannis and took over the prac- tice of Dr. Peck. He was successful from the begin- ning, winning the confidence and good will of the entire town through his skill and ability, coupled with sincere courtesy and consideration. During the World War, Dr. Harris was commissioned captain in the Medical Corps of the United States Army and from the early part of 1918 until 1919, was stationed at the Post Hospital at Springfield Armory, and still holds his commission as a member of the Officers' Reserve Corps. In fraternal activities, he is identified with the Free and Accepted Masons and the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the Massachusetts and Barnstable County Medical societies, the American Medical Association, the Ro- tary Club, Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade, and his religious affiliations are with the Fed- erated (Protestant) Church. In politics, he follows the principles of the Republican party, and he was chairman of the Board of Health of the town of Barnstable for some time. A member of the Amer- ican Legion, he is past Commander of Barnstable Post. Dr. Harris keeps abreast of all modern dis- coveries and inventions in the medical world, being an eager student always in adding to his knowledge of his profession, and in 1904, engaged in a special course of study at the New York Post-Graduate School of Medicine.

Dr. Charles Edward Harris married (first), May 5, 1898, at Framingham, Clara Russell Hull, and to this union was born a son, Richard L. Harris, a resi- dent of Hyannis. Mrs. Harris died in 1903. Dr. Harris married (second) Caroline Garfield Thacher, of Hyannis, daughter of Franklin and Eleanor Pratt (Knowles) Thacher, October 14. 1906, and they have two children: Eleanor K., and Isabel. Dr. Harris is a brother-in-law of Frank G. Thacher (q. v.). He finds great recreation from his active duties in the sport of hunting and in outdoor life.

JOHN MATHESON, a prominent figure in the insurance world of Abington, Massachusetts, and a man who has done much for the general advancement of that township, was born on July 16, 1870, on Prince Edward Island, a son of Malcolm and Florence (McLeod) Matheson, both natives of Prince Edward Island. Florence (McLeod) Matheson was still liv- ing there in 1928 more than eighty-two years of age. Malcolm Matheson was postmaster on Prince Edward Island, a position which he filled with ability and dispatch for more than fifty-two years; and his father (John Matheson's grandfather) was the first post- master of Breadalbane, Prince Edward Island.

John Matheson received his early education in the public schools of the community in which he was

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reared, and graduated from Bryant & Stratton Busi- ness College. Immediately after the completion of these courses of study, Mr. Matheson entered the insurance business, and he has been identified with this business for practically all of his working life, commencing in 1893, and continuing almost uninter- ruptedly ever since. In 1909 Mr. Matheson removed his headquarters to Brockton, where he served as a representative of the Boston Mutual Life Insurance Company up until 1926. In that year he resigned from this firm and entered into the insurance business under his own name, and such has been the success with which he has met, that he has since been able to broaden the scope of his enterprise to include the real estate field; so that today he is not only one of the most prominent men in the insurance world of Abington, but he is also a realtor of decided note. In his political views he is an Independent; and he is noted for the fine manner in which he stands behind any movement for the general advancement of his community. He was particularly active during the World War, taking a prominent part in the various Liberty and Victory Loan drives instituted by the United States Treasury Department. He is now a leading member of the Abington Board of Trade.

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History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III, Part 53

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