USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 13
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REV. STANISLAUS JOSEPH CHLAPOWSKI- The life of Father Chlapowski has been so closely interwoven with the history of the city of Gardner in recent years that it is peculiarly fitting to inscribe the record of his work in the permanent annals of Worcester County. His broad vision of life and his utter sur- render of himself to the service of God and humanity form a chapter of deep interest to the people. A na- tive of Poland, Father Chlapowski is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Rydlewicz) Chlapowski, who came to the United States in the middle eighties, locating in Webster, Massachusetts. They are still living in that community, the father having been active as a farmer for many years.
Rev. Stanislaus Joseph Chlapowski was born in Poland August 21, 1883, and was only a little child when he came with his parents to Webster, Massachusetts. He re- ceived his early education in the parochial schools of Webster, attending evening school as well as day ses- sions, then later entered SS. Cyrillious and Methodius College and Seminary, at Detroit, Michigan, where he covered a five years, classical course, graduating magna cum laude in 1908. Later going to Montreal, Quebec, Canada, he spent two years in the study of philosophy, then entered the Grand Seminary, where in three years and a half he completed his theological studies. On De- cember 20, 1913, he was ordained to the holy priest- hood at St. James' Cathedral, in Montreal, by the Rt. Rev. Archbishop Paul Bruchesi, D. D. Following his ordination Father Chlapowksi returned to Webster, Massachusetts, where he assisted in the services of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church for about three months. He was then appointed to the Three Rivers (Palmer, Massachusetts) Church as assistant priest, and served for about eight months, after which he was appointed pastor of St. Joseph's Church, of Gardner. He took up his duties here on November 22, 1914, and has led his people forward through the trying years which have since intervened, winning their sincere affection by his self-sacrifice and devotion. Father Chlapowski has not only revealed himself as a highly exemplary spiritual leader of his flock, but has lived before the world such a truly Christ-like life that all who know him have learned to love and revere him. During the ravages of the influenza epidemic which has gone down in history as unexampled before or since, he ministered to what- ever need he found, no matter what that need might be. In homely but heartfelt eulogy it was said of him at that time :
Father Chlapowski rolled up his sleeves and went to work among those stricken with the disease. He stayed at the bedside of those who had no one to look after them, he built fires, buying coal where there was no fuel, he bought supplies where there was no food, and ministered to the afflicted irrespective of religion, race or creed. His services reached the heroic stage.
It was said by those who were in closest touch with his work at this fearful time, when the plague claimed its victims by the hundreds, that for six weeks or more Father Chlapowski never took any relief, snatching a few moments of sleep only as he had opportunity. When he was able to leave one patient he sought others, ques- tioning only their need, nothing else. Wherever he could find a sick and suffering human being there he did all that could be done, leaving only to seek further oppor-
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tunities of service. No wonder that in Gardner he is "the priest whom everybody loves." In all the war- time activities he was a leader. He organized a Polish war chest, and carried his church "over the top" in every Liberty Loan and Red Cross drive, selling among his people from $25,000 to $30,000 in every drive inaug- urated by the United States Government. Whenever there was any war organization work to do he took a leading part in it.
St. Joseph's Church has grown and prospered much under Father Chlapowski's pastorate. The congregation now numbers more than 1,100 souls, and he is leading them ever to higher spiritual attainments as well as ma- terial prosperity as a church body. He has re-decorated the church and has otherwise beautified and improved the church property. He is active also in all branches of civic endeavor, is a member of the board of directors of the Gardner Chamber of Commerce, is a member of Gard- ner Council, No. 396, Knights of Columbus, and is a director of the Community Girls' Club. He takes a sin- cere pride in the growth and dignity of the new city ad- ministration and is a member of the memorial building committee, which has in charge the erection of a new city hall. Father Chlapowski is a broad-gauged man in the highest sense of the term, and numbers among his friends and admirers the best people of the community without regard to theological differences or any barriers of creed. Still a young man, a life of great and ever- increasing usefulness unquestionably lies before him.
WARREN B. HARRIS-For many years active along industrial lines in the town of Millbury, Massa- chusetts, Warren B. Harris holds a prominent position in the business affairs of the community, and his ac- tivities are contributing to the progress of the textile industry through the production of special parts for textile equipment. Mr. Harris is a native of this com- munity, and a member of a very old New England family, which has been represented in the professions and in- dustries for many generations, also bearing a part in patriotic and public endeavors from time to time. War- ren A. Harris, Mr. Harris's father, was born in Mill- bury, Massachusetts, and was active as a farmer for many years, also in the wood and ice business until his death, which occurred in August, 1918. He married Sarah Frances Bryant, of Lynnfield, Massachusetts.
Warren B. Harris was born at Millbury, Massachu- setts, March 29, 1884. His education was begun in the local public schools, and following his course at the Millbury High School, Mr. Harris prepared for college at Worcester Academy, then entered Brown University, at Providence, Rhode Island, in the class of 1907. His first business experience was in the employ of the Crompton & Thayer Loom Works, where he remained for one year in the experimental department. He then purchased the Millbury Machine Company, formerly owned by E. J. Humphrey, and has since carried this business forward, manufacturing window frame ma- chinery. In connection with this interest they do a gen- eral line of jobbing and repair work, and in 1912 Mr. Harris bought out the Rice Dobby Chain Company and has continued the two interests as one until the present time. This newer concern manufactures dobby chains for looms, and in this branch of his activity Mr. Harris is
doing a very prosperous and constantly growing business. . When he took over the interest in 1907 only three men were employed, and the floor space occupied was only about 4,000 square feet. He has now more than doubled his space, and employs about twenty-five men. As a practical business executive of Millbury Mr. Harris has been sought by other interests and is now affiliated with the Millbury National Bank as a director, and is a trus- tee of the Millbury Savings Bank, and also a director and treasurer of the Community House of Millbury. He was brought forward in the public service several years ago and was elected Selectman for the town of Millbury in 1917, serving for a period of five years, dur- ing the latter half of this time acting as chairman of the Board of Selectmen. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, being a member of all bodies, both York and Scottish Rites, and the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Worcester, and attends the Fed- erated Church.
Mr. Harris married, April 25, 1912, Rena Gates, who was born in Worcester, and they are the parents of two children : Warren Gates, born April 29, 1913; and Dor- othy Virginia, born July 2, 1917.
EDWARD ARTHUR DENNY-In the city of Worcester, Massachusetts, the name of Edward A. Denny has for nearly thirty years been closely identi- fied with that branch of economic advance known as life insurance, and in this field Mr. Denny holds a posi- tion of wide prominence as assistant secretary of the State Mutual Life Insurance Company. Mr. Denny comes of distinguished antecedents, long prominent in the old Bay State, and is a son of Daniel Edward and Martha Alice (Fisher) Denny. The Hon. Daniel Ed- ward Denny was a man of unusual prominence of his day in the State of Massachusetts. As a young man he enlisted for service in the Civil War in the 42d Reg- iment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, and served with honor and distinction throughout he period of the war. He was for many years a leading figure in the political advance of the city of Worcester, and prom- inent in the Republican party. He was elected repeatedly to the Massachusetts House of Representatives and also to the Senate, and was for a number of years a member of the Governor's Council, serving on that body during the administrations of Governors Eugene N. Foss and David I. Walsh. He is now retired from all business and public activity, but he is still keenly alert to the movements of the time, and his venerable figure is well known in many circles in this city. He is often sought in an advisory capacity on matters of both commercial and public import.
Edward Arthur Denny was born in Worcester, Massa- chusetts, December 16, 1872. His education was begun in the public schools of the city, and he covered the usual course at the Worcester Classical High School, from which he was graduated in 1892. Shortly there- after, Mr. Denny became identified with the State Mu- tual Life Insurance Company in a subordinate capacity, then, within a few years, was given the responsible po- sition of cashier. He was later made assistant secre- tary, which office he still ably fills. During his connec- tion with this concern, which now covers a period of
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some three decades, Mr. Denny has been closely identi- fied with its progress and has been a significant factor int its growth. In the various interests of the city, civic, fraternal, and benevolent, Mr. Denny has always borne a part. He is a member of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce, which he served as treasurer in 1922, still filling that office this present year (1923). Politically he has been a loyal supporter of the principles of the Republican party ever since attaining his majority, but has never sought nor accepted public honors. Fra- ternally, Mr. Denny is identified with Morning Star Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Worcester, of which he was Master in 1909 and 1910, and of which he has been treasurer since 1911. He is a member of Eu- reka Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and Worcester County Commandery, Knights Templar. He attends the Central Congregational Church of Worcester, and is active in its social and benevolent organizations.
Mr. Denny married, on September 19, 1900, Bertha Julia Griswold, daughter of Frank C. and Mary A. Griswold, of Plainville, Connecticut, and they have one daughter, Barbara, born July 19, 1912.
JOSEPH A. LOVE, A. B., LL. B .- Successful in the practice of the law, his chosen field of professional endeavor, Joseph A. Love has won a high position in Webster, Massachusetts, where he has practiced for the past eighteen years or thereabouts. His prominence in civic affairs and his leadership in patriotic endeavor place him among the representative men of the day, and he is also well known in fraternal and club circles. He is a member of an old family of Worcester County, and a son of John J. Love, of Webster, Massachusetts, and for many years active in the granite business as the head of an important monument works there. John J. Love was a very prominent citizen, a Democrat by polit- ical affiliation, long a Selectman of the town of Webster, and for two terms Postmaster under President Cleve- land; also for a long period a trustee of the public li- brary. He died June 20, 1915, and his passing was a great loss to the community. The mother, Ann (Hogan) Love, died at an early age, March 23, 1884.
Joseph A. Love was born at Dudley, Massachusetts, November 10, 1875. His early education was received at St. Louis' Parochial School, and he later attended the Webster High School, from which he was gradu- ated in the class of 1892. Covering his preparatory work at Phillips-Exeter Academy, he was graduated from that institution in the class of 1894. He then served three years as Assistant Postmaster under his father, and one year in the same capacity under his father's successor. In the fall of 1898 he entered Har- vard University, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1902, with magna cum laude for general work and final honors for special work in his- tory and government, and received a detur, and the degree of Bachelor of Laws two years later. Serving a clerkship in the offices of Raymond & Gordon, of Bos- ton, for one year, Mr. Love then returned to Webster following his admission to the bar of the State, 'and took up the practice of law in this community in No- vember of the year 1905. He has successfully conducted a general practice since, and now holds front rank in
the profession in Southern Worcester County. Always deeply interested in all advance, Mr. Love has for years served in various public offices. He is a Democrat in his politics, and he was elected, in 1908, Moderator of the town meeting, and subsequently served in the same capacity in 1913, 1914, and 1915. In 1916 he was elected alternate delegate to the National Democratic Conven- tion at St. Louis. In 1917 he was made a delegate to the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention from the Sixth Worcester representative district, and served dur- ing that year and the following; and in 1917, also, he was elected a member of the Webster School Commit- tee and has been reëlected twice as the candidate of both parties. He is now chairman of that committee. During the World War he acted as associate member of the Legal Advisory Board. He was also in charge, for the United States Government, as agent, of licensing the use of explosives under the Department of the In- terior. He was further identified as a volunteer, with the work of the United States Secret Service, serving under United States Attorney George Anderson, and had charge of that work in Webster, Dudley, South- bridge, Charlton, Oxford, Douglas, Sutton, and Ux- bridge, and also as district inspector of the American Protective League. He also filled many positions on local committees in war welfare work. Mr. Love was a charter member of the Webster Chamber of Commerce, and has served that body as counsel from its inception, always taking the deepest interest in its work. He is a member of the Massachusetts State Bar Association, the Worcester County Bar Association, and the Southern Worcester Bar Association. His fraternal affiliations include membership in the Knights of Columbus, Web- ster Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity, the Delta Epsilon, the Thayer Law Club of Harvard University School of Law, and the Kappa Epsilon Pi of Phillips-Exeter Academy. He is a member of Putnam Country Club. His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic, in which he was reared, and he is a member of St. Louis' Church.
Mr. Love married Mary Elizabeth Lafford, of Web- ster, Massachusetts, daughter of William C. and Annie (Sheehan) Lafford, esteemed people of this community. Mr. and Mrs. Love have two children: Mary Gertrude, born April 3, 1917; and Louise, born June 8, 1920.
HOWARD M. PARKS-Nine generations of the Parks family are recorded in New England history, but in the earlier records the name more often appears as Parks and Park, while in one line the spelling Peirks prevailed for several generations. Richard Parks was the founder of the first of these generations which ter- minates in this review with Howard M. Parks, of Fitch- burg, Massachusetts, president of the Parks, Cramer Company, he being of the ninth generation.
Richard Parks was of Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he became a proprietor in 1636, owning eleven acres, on which he built a house that stood until 1800. He owned other lands, and his will, dated July 12, 1665, shows him to have been one of the wealthy men of the colony. He married Sarah Brewster, widow of Love Brewster, son of Elder William Brewster, and daughter
Wor-9
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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY
of William and Jane Collier. The line of descent from Richard and Sarah ( Brewster) Parks is through their son, Thomas Parks (1629-1690) and his wife, Abigail Dix; their son, John Parks, (1656-1718) and his sec- ond wife, Elizabeth Miller; their son, John (2) Parks, (1696) and his wife, Esther Parks; their son, John (3) Parks, (1719-1804) and his wife, Hannah Hammond; their son, Samuel Parks, (1761-1820) and his wife, An- nie Muzzy; their son, William Parks, (1805) and his wife, Dolly S. McIntire; their son, Gilbert M. Parks, and his wife, Abbie F. Sampson; their son, Howard M. Parks.
Gilbert M. Parks was born in Westminster, Massachu- setts, August 15, 1842, died December 16, 1914. He was educated in the public schools and learned the gas and steam fitter's trade in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. In 1872 he established with John H. Carpenter a business which they jointly conducted until 1887, when Mr. Parks bought his partner's interest and continued alone until 1901. In that year with his sons, Robert S., Frederick W., and Howard M., he incorporated the business as the G. M. Parks Company, Gilbert M. Parks, president, the sons as co-directors. This became one of the largest and most completely equipped industrial piping plants in New England, Mr. Parks ranking with the best business men of his city. He was a director of the Lancaster Cotton Mills, a member of Mt. Roulstone Lodge, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows; a Republican in politics, and an attendant of the Unitarian church. He was a man of rare quality, and his many years were filled with the labor of one who worked for the joy of working. Gilbert M. Parks married, October 27, 1870, Abbie F. Sampson, daughter of Captain Robert Sampson, of Fitchburg, and to them three sons and two daughters were born: I. Robert S., born March 10, 1872, his father's business associate. He married Caroline H. Goodwin. 2. Frederick W., born December 21, 1874, associated in business with his father and brothers. He married Ruth W. Chapin. 3. Jennie A., born February II, 1877, married H. G. Townend. 4. Howard M., of further mention. 5. Helen A., born August 8, 1884.
Howard M. Parks, third son and fourth child of Gil- bert M. and Abbie F. (Sampson) Parks, was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, December 26, 1878. He was educated in the grade and high schools of the city, and when school years were over he entered the family busi- ness with his father and brothers, learning the details of the gas and steam fitting business. When the G. M. Parks Company was incorporated in 1901 he became a director of that corporation, so continuing until 1917, when that company was absorbed by the Cramer Com- pany, of Charlotte, North Carolina, forming the Parks- Cramer Company, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Howard M. Parks, president. The company specializes in indus- trial piping and humidifying, their business being large and reputation high. Mr. Parks has practically spent his life in the business of which he is now the executive head, and has intimate knowledge of its every detail and process. He is a member of the Fitchburg Cham- ber of Commerce, the Fay Club, and Oak Hill Country Club, of Fitchburg. The company is a member of the Associated Industries of Massachusetts.
Howard M. Parks married, June 20, 1906, Hazel H. Hopkins, daughter of Chester and Lilla (Woodward)
Hopkins, of Hopkins, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Parks are the parents of a daughter, Jane, born February 23, 1909, she of the tenth generation of the family founded in New England by Richard Parks.
HENRY G. PEARSON, one of the foremost busi- ness executives of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, is directing large affairs both in his capacity as treasurer of the Goodnow-Pearson Company of this city, and as presi- dent of the Fitchburg Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Pearson has had wide and practical experience in the business world, although for many years with the same concern, for he has filled executive responsibilities in the interests of this organization in the various localities in which the company is active, and has now for many years been a member of the concern. Mr. Pearson is inter- ested in organized advance and participates in all for- ward endeavor.
The Pearson family is one of dignity and distinction in New England, and Moses Pearson, Mr. Pearson's grandfather, was an early resident of Sudbury, Massa- chusetts, later removing to Albany, Vermont, and event- ually to Coventry, Vermont. There his son, Samuel Howe Pearson, became one of the leading men of the community and a largely successful farmer. Samuel Howe Pearson married Sarah Gray, a granddaughter of Obadiah Gray, a pioneer settler of Coventry, Ver- mont, who later went to Keene, New Hampshire, and became a leading lumberman of his time. Rev. Asahel Gray, son of Obadiah Gray, and father of Sarah (Gray) Pearson, was an early pastor of the Congregational church and for forty-four consecutive years served as a minister of that church.
Henry G. Pearson was born in Coventry, Vermont, September 5, 1871. Receiving his early education in the public schools of his birthplace, he later covered a college preparatory course, then attended Lyndon Semi- nary, of Lyndon, Vermont. As a young man Mr. Pear- son secured a position with W. L. Goodnow in his mercantile establishment, at East Jaffrey, Cheshire County, New Hampshire. He remained with this in- terest for four years, then went to Keene, New Hamp- shire, where he was engaged for a similar period in the Goodnow store in that city. Next he transferred his activities to the Bellows Falls store, which was con- ducted under the title of Goodnow, Jewelt & Bishop, there remaining for about three years. Thereafter going to Brattleboro, Vermont, he was active for a second period of three years, under the firm name of Goodnow & Pearson, then came to Fitchburg in the year 1903 as manager of the Goodnow-Pearson interests and treasurer of the company. The city of Fitchburg takes pride in this thoroughly modern and efficiently conducted department store where the people find a shopping place second to none in New England in its atmosphere of courtesy and willingness to oblige, also in the thor- ough excellence of the stock carried. Mr. Pearson, as a leading business man of Fitchburg, was elected presi- dent of the Fitchburg Chamber of Commerce in De- cember, 1922. He is a trustee of the Worcester North Savings Institute and interested in all that pertains to the public advance. He was a member of the City Council for three consecutive years some time ago (1904-5-6) but his busy life has compelled him to decline
Frank Morrison
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BIOGRAPHICAL
the honors and responsibilities of public office. Fra- ternally Mr. Pearson is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, of Brattleboro, Vermont. He is a member of the Masonic Club of Fitchburg, the Rotary Club, also of Fitchburg; the Columbia Club, the Oak Hill Country Club, and the Fay Club of Fitchburg.
Henry G. Pearson married, at Brattleboro, Vermont, June 15, 1907, Ella Tanner Waite, and they are the parents of two children: Gray Waite, born December 20, 1909; and Lucretia, born October 5, 1915, both chil- dren being born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.
FRANK W. MORRISON-In legal circles in Wor- cester, Massachusetts, Frank W. Morrison holds a prominent position, his long experience and splendid ability giving him a place among the really noteworthy professional men of that city. Mr. Morrison is a son of George W. Morrison, who was born in Rockingham, Vermont, and was active here as a farmer and live stock dealer until his death, which occurred in 1898. The mother, Harriet Barton (Wetherbee) Morrison, was born at Grafton, Vermont, and still survives her husband.
Frank W. Morrison was born at Rockingham, Ver- mont, July 16, 1871. Receiving his early education in the public schools of his birthplace, he later attended Ver- mont Academy. In 1896 he was graduated from Stan- ford University, in California, with the degree of Bach- elor of Arts. Subsequently he took a post graduate course in law at this university. In 1901 he entered practice in San Francisco, specializing in mining law. Mr. Morrison returned East in 1910, and opened law offices in Worcester. Since 1918 his offices have been at No. 340 Main Street, in the State Mutual Building, and at Whitinsville, Massachusetts. He quickly developed a large practice, for his habit of making a client's cause his own, his thorough preparation of every case, together with a virile personality which inspires confidence, have won for him a wide circle of friends. Mr. Morrison holds an important place in the legal profession in Wor- cester, and has appeared as attorney in many important cases. He prepared, conducted, and argued the famous case of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts vs. the City of Methuen. In compliance with the statutes it was necessary to bring the action in the name of the At- torney General. This was a quo warranto proceeding to set aside that city's charter, and the question was as to whether quo warranto was the proper form of action. Mr. Morrison's research in the preparation of the case took him back into English court proceedings as early as the twelfth century. The history of similar actions during all the intervening centuries verified his judg- ment. The argument was heard in a special session of the Supreme Court, at which all the Justices were pres- ent. They listened with rapt attention, frequently in- terrupting with questions that would have been discon- certing to an advocate less thoroughly prepared. In 1921 the Supreme Court handed down a decision setting aside the charter of he city of Methuen. This has at- tracted wide attention and has become a ruling case. Mr. Morrison has been a resident of Uxbridge for a number of years, serving that town as counsel for five years, and for a similar period served as counsel for the town of Northbridge. He is attorney for the Whitinsville National Bank, and several industrial cor-
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