History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III, Part 71

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 71
USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 71
USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 71

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James H. Hurley was born in Kingston, Massachu- setts, son of Michael and Annie (Noonan) Hurley, both natives of Plymouth, Massachusetts. He re- ceived his education in the public schools of Wake- field and when his school training was completed secured his first position as a clerk in a clothing store. Ability, faithfulness, and close application to business brought substantial reward in the form of promotion, and he was made a traveling representa- tive of that same firm. In 1907 he was made presi- dent of the Kennedy Clothing Company, at Brock- ton, which responsible position he held until 1910. In that year he came to Randolph, Massachusetts, and engaged in the real estate business, giving his chief attention to extensive development work on a large scale. He has developed several important sec- tions of the town, and was one of the organizers of the Randolph Trust Company. He is an enthusiastic "booster" for the town of Randolph and is contrib- uting much to its growth and increasing prosperity. He has given freely of his time and his energy to the betterment of the community, both as a private citizen and as a public official, and has served in numerous public offices, including that of chairman of the board of assessors, selectman, chairman of the board appointed to attend to electric light and gas supply for the town, the Board of Health, and num- erous other offices. During the World War, he served as a member of the Fuel Commission, as chair- man of the Red Cross Committee and in various other activities, aiding in all the various drives by means of which the town of Randolph accomplished its share of home war work. He is a charter mem- ber of Wakefield Council, Knights of Columbus, and Deputy Grand Knight of that order, and he is also a member of the Young Men's Catholic Lyceum. His religious affiliation is with the Roman Catholic Church of St. Mary.

James H. Hurley was married, in 1894, to Marga- ret F. Crone, of Avon, Massachusetts, daughter of Daniel and Bridget (O'Neill) Crone. Mr. and Mrs. Hurley are the parents of one daughter, Marion C., who is a graduate of the New England Conserv- atory of Music, and is now (1928) a teacher of music.

EDWARD F. HURLEY-As a member of the well-known shoe manufacturing concern which oper- ates under the name of the Hurley Shoe Company, Edward F. Hurley is identified with one of the thor- oughly well-established and prosperous concerns of this section of the State. Mr. Hurley is well known in this part of the county, not only as a busi- ness man, but as a good comrade and a pleasant as- sociate. He is fond of all out-of-door sports, and is active in fraternal circles.

Edward F. Hurley was born in West Hanover, Massachusetts, November 10, 1871, son of Patrick Hurley, who died in 1918, after spending many years in the shoe industry, and of Mary (Carey) Hurley, who died in 1911, both natives of Ireland. Edward F. Hurley attended the public schools of his birth- place, including the high school, and when his school training was completed he found employment with various local shoe manufacturing concerns, continu- ing in that line as an employee until 1893. In that year he formed a partnership with his brothers, John J., William M., and George, under the firm name of the Hurley Shoe Company, and engaged in the manu- facture of shoes. He has been clerk of the concern since its incorporation, and still holds that position. The Hurley Brothers shoes are known throughout the country, and the brothers have made their name a guarantee for excellence and for a square business deal. Mr. Hurley is a member of the board of direc- tors of the Rockland Co-operative Bank, and his sound business judgment is much relied upon. Politi- cally, he gives his support to the principles and candidates of the Republican party, and he is a public-spirited citizen, though he prefers to serve his community as a private citizen and as a success- ful business man, rather than as a public official. Fraternally, he is identified with the Knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order of United Workmen. the Massachusetts Catholic Order of Foresters, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the Webster Club and the Country Club, and his religious affiliation is with the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Name.

Edward F. Hurley was married, in 1911, to Lena Crocker, of West Hanover, Massachusetts, daughter of John H. and Ruth M. (Penniman) Crocker.

WILLIAM M. HURLEY-The products of the Hurley Brothers Shoe Company are too well known in the eastern section of the United States to need introduction, but as is true of most of the conveni- ences and luxuries, as well as the necessities of life, we seldom know much about those who produce them for us. As treasurer and one of the organizers of the concern known as the Hurley Shoe Company, William M. Hurley has been a most important factor in the establishment and development of this well- known shoe manufacturing concern. Since its estab- lishment in 1893 he has devoted his time and his energy to the forwarding of its interests, and he has made the concern one of the foremost of its kind in Plymouth County.

William M. Hurley was born in West Hanover,

John De Mello.

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Massachusetts, February 26, 1870, son of Patrick, who was engaged in the shoe business and died in 1918, and of Mary (Carey) Hurley, whose death oc- curred in 1911, both natives of Ireland. He attended the local public schools, and when his course in the high school was completed secured employment in a shoe factory. For several years he continued in the shoe manufacturing business as an employee, widening his experience by working for various shoe manufacturing concerns in this section, including Mr. Goodrich, with whom he began his active career; J. S. Turner, the Lilly Brackett Company, the Emerson Shoe Company, the Charles Means Com- pany, the Stacy-Adams Company, and the Burton Packard Company. In 1903, having most thoroughly mastered the business of making shoes, and also hav- ing thriftily put aside some of his earnings, he formed a partnership with his brother, John J. Hurley, under the firm name of the Hurley Shoe Company, and engaged in the manufacture of shoes for himself. The partnership has been continued to the present time (1928), a period of more than thirty-three years, and during that time the Hurley Brothers have established a reputation which makes their name a guarantee of excellence of quality and workmanship. They are known to the shoe trade throughout the country, and there are many of their retail patrons who insist upon having the Hurley shoes or none. In addition to his responsibilities in connection with the Hurley Shoe Company, Mr. Hurley is a member of the board of trustees of the Rockland Savings Bank. He is non-partisan in his political beliefs and sympathies. Fraternally, he is identified with the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Massachusetts Catholic Or- der of Foresters, and he has many friends in Nor- folk County and vicinity. He is a member of the Commercial Club of Brockton. His religious affili- ation is with St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church.

William M. Hurley was married, in 1898, to Helen M. Sullivan, of Brockton, Massachusetts, daughter of J. A. and Catherine (Drohan) Sullivan. Mr. and Mrs. Hurley are the parents of three children: 1. Marjorie C. 2-3. Ralph L. and Harry L. (twins), who are now (1928) with the Hurley Shoe Company.

ALMON W. BROWNE-As treasurer and one of the organizers of the Alger-Browne Company, of Middleboro, Massachusetts, Almon W. Browne has had a long and practical experience in the paper box industry. He was born in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, August 21, 1868, son of Cyrus Por- ter Browne, a native of Cummington, Massachu- setts, who was engaged as a farmer and a shoe- maker to the time of his death in 1881, and of Olive A. (Alger) Browne, who was born in Raynham, . Massachusetts, and died in 1882. His grandparents on the paternal side were Daniel Emory Browne and Chloe (Pratt) Browne. He attended the public schools of West Bridgewater and Brockton, Massa- chusetts, and secured his first remunerative employ- ment with the Packard Carton Company, of Cam- pello, with whom he remained for a period of four- teen years. He was then for three years with the Boston Paper Box Company, of Boston. At the end of that time he associated himself with the Alger Paper Box Company, at their factory in Brockton, which was in 1900, and then began his association with this concern as bookkeeper. In 1905 he was transferred to the Middleboro factorv of the same company, and here he remained until 1912, when he

was again transfered, this time to the Boston office of the company, in charge of sales. In 1919 he was made secretary of the company, and in 1922, he resigned and became associated with Fred A. Alger, under the name of the Alger-Browne Company.

Mr. Browne is a member of Paul Revere Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Brockton, and he is a member of the Highland Club, of West Roxbury, Massachusetts. Politically, he gives his support to the principles and the candidates of the Republican party, and his religious affiliation is with the Con- gregational church.

Almon W. Browne was married, in 1901, to Camilla Estes, who was born in Lewiston, Maine. Mr. and Mrs. Browne are the parents of one daughter, Alma Estes Browne. The family home is in West Rox- bury, Boston, Massachusetts.

JOHN DE MELLO-One of the well-known business men of Davisville, East Falmouth, Mas- sachusetts, is John De Mello, contractor and builder, who has been engaged in this line of activity here for more than twenty-two years. He has been engaged in business for himself as a contractor and builder since 1918, and is one of the successful builders of this section of Barnstable County.

John De Mello was born in New Bedford, Mas- sachusetts, May 6, 1893, and is a son of Antoine De Mello, a farmer, who died and is buried in East Falmouth, and of Kate De Mello. He received a practical education in the public schools of New Bedford, and at the age of eleven years came to Falmouth, with his parents, attending school till the age of fourteen and then he secured any job he could with local contractors. As he grew older he con- tinued to find employment with local builders and contractors, and in 1918, when he was twenty-five years of age, he engaged in the building and con- tracting business for himself. In this line he has continued to the present time (1928) and he is one of the prosperous and well-established business men of East Falmouth. He is a member of the board of directors of the Falmouth Co-operative Bank, and is actively interested in the general welfare of this section of the county. He is a member of the Board of Trade, is president of the Strawberry Growers' Association of Falmouth, and is a generous suppor- ter of all projects which seem to him to be wisely planned for the advancement of the general good. He is a member of Lodge No. 1274, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, at Middleboro.

John De Mello was married, in April. 1918, to Eleanor K. Williams, daughter of Loring G. and Kate Williams, and they are the parents of three children: 1. John, Jr., born in Falmouth, Massachu- setts, February 26, 1919. 2. George William, born in Falmouth, May 27, 1921. 3. Eleanore, born July 28, 1922. The family home is at Davisville, in East Falmouth.

JOHN H. DRAPER was born at Canton, Massa- chusetts, February 5, 1883, son of Charles N. Draper, and his wife, Martha H. (Gill) Draper, both natives of Canton, where the father died in 1903 and the mother in 1922. The father was a manufacturer of woolen goods, associated with the Draper Brothers Company. in which his son is now an executive officer. During the first forty years of its existence this factory, which was established by James Draper, manufactured woolen goods, linings, etc., which were

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supplemented from 1896 on with the production of woven felts.

Before entering the plant, John H. Draper attended public school, Chauncy Hall School in Boston, and took a special course in the Massachu- setts Institute of Technology, where he did not com- plete the regular course. All his business career has been interwoven with the history of the Draper Brothers Company, to whose development and ex- pansion his loyalty and ability have added no in- considerable momentum. This is now a large plant with a product which reaches an international mar- ket. Mr. Draper is also a director of the Canton In- stitute for Savings.

A Republican in politics, Mr. Draper is a member of the Town Finance Committee. He has served his country as sergeant in Company D, at Camp Zach- ary Taylor. He is well known in fraternal orders as a member of Blue Hill Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; and is enrolled in Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a leader in all forward-looking civic movements and a member of many local clubs and several Boston clubs. His church is the Unitarian. His diversion from business activities is found in fox hunting in the woods of New Hampshire.

In 1902, John H. Draper married Florence Bul- lock, daughter of Lansing and Clara S. (Estey) Bul- lock. Children: 1. Martha E., born March 9, 1903 2. Charles W., born May 20, 1904. 3. John H., Jr., born October 28, 1905. 4. Constance, born Novem- ber 10, 1911.

ALFRED ERNEST DRAPER-The rapid prog- ress in the last decade of an outstanding enterprise of Canton, Massachusetts, the Draper Brothers Com- pany has been in no small part due to the ability and unwearying efforts of its president, Alfred Ernest Draper. A lifelong resident of Canton and all his mature years associated with this woolen cloth manu- facturing enterprise which plays so large a part in the economic advancement of the section, Mr. Draper is a fine business man and citizen. This company was established in 1856 by James Draper. who manu- factured goods, linings, etc. Forty years later, in 1896, the plant was adapted also to the production of woven felts. Both lines have been continued to the present day and have proved sources of world-wide trade. The plant employs two hundred workers, occupies 158,800 feet of floor space, and twenty-five acres of land. It is unique in Canton. When the founder, James Draper, died in 1873, his five sons, Al- fred, Robert, Thomas, James and Charles, and Wil- liam J. Williams succeeded him under the firm name of Draper Brothers. In 1889 the business was incor- porated under the present title of Draper Brothers Company.

Alfred Ernest Draper, son of Thomas B. and Sarah D. T. Draper, was born in Canton, Massachusetts, on January 10, 1871. His father, born in England, died in 1917, and his mother was a native of Canton. The son was educated in the local public schools, at the English High School in Boston, and in special courses at the Massachusetts Institute of Technol- ogy. His whole business career has been associated with Draper Brothers Company, of which he has been president since 1917, succeeding his father, the late Thomas B. Draper.

Republican in political sympathies, Mr. Draper gives his support to worthy community movements

but seeks no public office. He belongs to the local clubs and to the Unitarian church.

WALTER SCOTT DRAPER-Rare indeed is it for one family to own and operate through succeeding generations an ever-growing business enterprise of national importance in its line, as is the case with the Draper Brothers Company, of Canton, Massa- chusetts. Still rarer is it, in America, at least, for the men of the succeeding generations to serve con- tinuously as community leaders in the forward march of progress. Walter Scott Draper, third generation of his family in Canton and in the business, served both that enterprise and his community with ad- mirable zeal and efficiency.

Walter Scott Draper was born in Canton, Massa- chusetts, October 13, 1871, son of James Lucas and Catherine Warren (Strettin) Draper. His father was the first president of the company after its incorpor- ation in 1889, in the thirty-fourth year of its exis- tence. The son attended the Canton public schools and the Huntington School of Technology. As soon as his education was completed, he entered the family business and devoted his mature years to its ad- vancement. He became the first treasurer of Draper Brothers Company and helped build up a business with an international market for its products, consist- ing of woolen cloth and woven felts. Employing two hundred workers in its twenty-five acre plant, the company occupies 158,800 square feet of floor space.

In addition to his private duties, Mr. Draper served his community well. He was a director of the Co-operative Bank of Canton, and water commis- sioner for several years His political adherence was given to the Republican party. He belonged to the Free and Accepted Masons, in which Order he held the thirty-second degree, and was a member of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. His religious affiliation was with the Unitarian faith.

On March 29, 1902, Walter Scott Draper married Gertrude Hale, daughter of Oliver B. and Emma S. (Bell) Hale. The father, now deceased, was a manufacturer, of Springfield. To Mr. and Mrs. Draper were born: Elsie H., January 16, 1903; Pris- cilla W., November 3, 1904; Barbara S., June 28, 1906; and Walter Scott, December 12, 1908.

In 1921, at the early age of fifty, this useful and constructive citizen passed away. Mr. Draper was a man of strong character and keen intelligence, effect- ive in building up his business and in adding to the economic progress of the town, and fine in his capac- ity as head of a family and center of a large circle of friends.

WILLIAM H. DRAPER-With the development of America's great textile industry which of recent years has put itself on a parity with the textile and allied industries of other leading countries, including Great Britain, with her vast manufacturing centers of Lancashire, there arose to prominence figures dominant in this industrial progress; and of these one whose name will not soon be forgotten was the late William H. Draper, of Canton. Just as New England came to lead the whole United States in certain processes of woolen and worsted production, so did Canton come to occupy that identical position in relation to Cape Cod. As acting director of Draper Brothers Company, manufacturers of woolens and woven felts, Mr. Draper assisted in this forward movement. But he assisted in other movements to like degree, these having been indeed all projects

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for the welfare of his community-at-large. While to his associates he is recalled with respect and affection as a foremost figure in the trade, to friends and lifetime intimates he is remembered for a genial character, for his warm handclasp, and an integrity that could not be challenged.

Native of Canton, William H. Draper was born July 14, 1858, a son of Robert and Mary A. (Colby) Draper. His father, native of England, had been identified with the textile industry of Britain, as had his father before him. His father, grandfather of William H. Draper, brought the family to New England and took residence in Canton when the industry was in its infancy here, and it was he who founded the Draper mills of Canton. In course of time James Draper took his son. Robert, into partnership, and in still later years, with the passing of the founder, Robert Draper and his brother as- sumed to full control, the firm style meanwhile hav- ing been changed to Draper Brothers. The date of the concern's foundation was 1856, and it is therefore today one of the oldest of such enterprises in all New England, having behind it an enviable reputa- tion for consistent and honorable business success.

It came about in the order of things then that William H. Draper, after he had received a sound academic training in the schools of Canton and at Stoughton Institute, should enter into the mills- himself being of the third generation of his family to contribute to their prosperity. From early man- hood, and in fact from the time of his youth, he was identified with Draper Brothers. He brought to it the full flower of milling intelligence, perhaps in- herited from his father and grandfather, despite what physiologists say regarding the impossibility of inheriting acquired characteristics. Certain it is that he gave himself to each problem presented with an open and interested mind, attacking the questions squarely, rationally, and with successful outcome in- variably. When he assumed executive management of the concern he was thoroughly acquainted, even expert, in its every channel, and was able to in- struct new workers personally if he perceived some- thing amiss with their methods.

Canton owes much to Draper Brothers for the firm's long history and maintenance of payroll. The public spirit and community ambitions of the mem- bers of the family have always been as great as their private aspirations. William H. Draper fulfilled the tradition of his house in this regard also. Never through the mature years of his life did he refuse support for worthy enterprises of 'civic, social or economic character designed for the benefit of those around him. His political views accorded with those held in the Republican party, and his support was given to the organization steadfastly. He was a communicant of the Unitarian church, and a mem- ber of various social bodies.

William H. Draper married, September 22, 1881, Ella Billings. a daughter of Azel K. and Sarah A. (Peterson) Billings. and of this union was born a son, H. Kingsley Draper, in March, 1883. Mrs. Ella (Billings) Draper survives her husband.

PAUL A. DRAPER-In the roster of those man- ufacturers who have developed the textile industry of New England, the name of Paul A. Draper is written with distinction. Woolen merchant, of Can- ton, his ability and force of character have proved stimulating to this and all other business ventures with which he has allied himself. Of equal benefit

have been the effects of his constructive work as citizen of Canton.

Paul A. Draper was born in Canton, in 1886, son of Charles Norris and Martha Elizabeth (Gill) Draper, both of whom are since deceased. He secured a sound elementary and secondary instruction in the public schools, studied thereafter at the Chauncy Hall School of Boston, and in Harvard College, graduating from the latter in 1907, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. His first connection in the world of commercial life, following school, was with the Boston firm of Willits and Company. Later, widely experienced and of proven ability, he joined in association with the firm of wool merchants operat- ing under the name of Crimmins and Peirce, of Canton. It followed that he acquired control of the firm, altering its name to the present form of Draper and Company. Through knowledge of wool and its handling, zealous effort, rare judgment and sure foresight have brought both Mr. Draper and his organization to large position in the woolen industry. Draper and Company is today well to the forefront of comparable firms.

Despite the pressure of affairs having to do with his career proper, Mr. Draper has interested himself diversely, in business enterprises and in public and other matters. A Republican, his influence is given unvaryingly to the side of best government and the welfare of the people at large through healthfully maintained domestic industry. He is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, in which Order he holds the thirty-second degree, and is a member of the Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a communicant of the Uni- tarian church.

Mr. Draper married, November 18, 1910, Marjorie C. Elmes, daughter of Elias and Ariana Stuart (Car- ter) Elmes, her father, now deceased, having been a prominent leather merchant. Mr. and Mrs. Draper have two children: 1. Phyllis, born in 1920. 2. Don- ald Paul, born in 1925.

ROBERT L. DRAPER-A generally esteemed and popular member of the well-known Draper family of Canton, Massachusetts, is Robert L. Draper, vice- president of the Draper Brothers Company, a seventy- two-year-old woolen cloth manufacturing concern which is nationally prominent. He has devoted his large energies and business abilities to promoting the welfare, not only of the enterprise he inherited in common with his relatives from his father and grand- father, but to that of the city as well.

Robert L. Draper was born at Canton, Massa- chusetts, March 18, 1870, son of Robert Draper, born in England (son of James Draper), and his wife, Mary A. Colby, of Franklin, Massachusetts. James Draper, a native of England, founded the wool- cloth industry in 1856, and left it to his three sons, among them Robert and Alfred. The former died in 1886, and the business was continued by Alfred Draper and the newer generation of the family who grew up in Canton, Massachusetts. The mother of Robert L. Draper died in 1924.

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History of Plymouth, Norfolk and Barnstable counties, Massachusetts, Vol. III, Part 71

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