USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 36
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obliged to seek larger quarters, so bought a piece of land at No. 121 Commercial Street, where they erected a' building. At that time they discontinued the agency for Peerless cars and since have devoted all their ener- gies to the sale and service of Buick cars. In 1916 the Worcester Buick Company was organized with Mr. Stanley as president and treasurer, and as the business steadily increased it soon became apparent that a more commodious and better equipped plant would be of material advantage. So the beautiful specially planned new building at No. 72 Shrewsbury Street was begun, and on November 30, 1921, the concern moved into its present quarters. The building has a frontage of 150 feet, and a floor area of 26,000 square feet. It is said to be the best automobile salesroom in New England outside of Boston. The company also has branches in Marl- borough and Clinton, and both sales and service depart- ments are giving to the public first-class accommodation.
Mr. Stanley is well known in Masonic circles, being a member of Quinsigamond Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Worcester; Eureka Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; of Worcester Commandery, Knights Templar ; Massachusetts Consistory of Boston; Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Worcester Country Club, Worcester Masonic Club, Kiwanis Club, of Worcester ; Young Men's Christian Association; Worcester Cham- ber of Commerce, and the United Commercial Trav- elers' Association. He gives his support to the candi- dates and principles of the Republican party. His re- ligious interest is with the Congregational church, of which he is a member.
Chester M. Stanley married, on August 10, 1918, Mabel A. Cook, daughter of Phineas and Emma (Mar- tin) Cook. Mr. and Mrs. Stanley reside in Worcester.
ALBERT J. McCREA, M. D .- In professional cir- cles in Southbridge, Massachusetts, Dr. McCrea holds a leading position, with offices in the Masonic Building, and in various lines of community and public interest he bears a constructive part. Dr. McCrea is a son of Isaac McCrea, who was born at Hemingford, Prov- ince of Quebec, Canada, and was engaged as a mason until his retirement several years ago. He came to Massachusetts as a young man, and the greater part of his active life was spent in Worcester County, where he won the respect and friendship of the people of Win- chendon. The mother, Mary S. (Wheeler) McCrea, was also born in Hemingford, Province of Quebec, Can- ada, and she is now deceased.
Albert J. McCrea was born at Winchendon, Massa- chusetts January 31, 1871. His education was begun in the local public schools and he later entered Mur- dock Academy, then took up his professional prepara- tions at the Eclectic Medical Institute, at Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he was graduated in the class of 1894 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Within the year Dr. McCrea took up his practice in Southbridge and has continued here since with steadily increasing suc- cess. He has done much to advance the popularity of his chosen school of medicine, and his success reflects credit not only upon himself but upon the institution in which he was trained. He is a member of the Massa- chusetts Eclectic Society, and has for some year been
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physician to the Masonic Home at Southbridge. In public life he takes a definite but unobtrusive part and contributes his efforts to all advance movements, but has never accepted political honors, except in line with his professional work. Dr. McCrea has served since June 13, 1917, as medical examiner for the Eighth Wor- cester District, being appointed by Governor McCall. The doctor was chairman of the Draft Board during the war. He has few interests outside of his work, but is a member of the Southbridge Club and attends the Uni- versalist church.
Dr. McCrea married, in 1896, Bertha E. Fletcher, who was born at Hudson, Massachusetts, and they have one son, Arthur F., born in August 17, 1898, married Helen Plumley, daughter of the late Dr. Plumley, of Bridge- port, Connecticut. They have one child, Helen Van Horn, born in the year 1921. He resides in Detroit, Michigan, where he is advertising manager for the El- well-Caldwell Advertising Agency.
GEORGE J. CARROLL, Ph. C., as the head of one of the oldest pharmacies of Gardner, has come to be considered one of the foremost men in his profession in Northern Worcester County, and in his success is bear- ing a very definite part in the welfare of the people. Mr. Carroll is a native of Gardner and a member of an old Massachusetts family, and his grandfather, Patrick Carroll, served during the Civil War in defense of the Union. Thomas Carroll, Mr. Carroll's father, was also born in Gardner, and was prominent throughout his life- time in the chair industry, which he entered in early life in the employ of Heywood Brothers & Company. He became a designer, in which line he was considered one of the best in this section, and became foreman of the designing department of the present firm of Hey- wood Brothers & Wakefield Company. His entire ac- tive life was spent in the Heywood plant, beginning at the age of fourteen years, and at the time of his death, which occurred at the age of fifty-three years, he was considered one of the best designers of baby carriages and reed furniture in the business. He married Mary Sullivan, who was born in Lunenburg, Massachusetts, and is still living at the age of sixty-three years.
George J. Carroll was born in Gardner, Massachu- setts, September 19, 1882. His education was begun in the local public schools and he was graduated from the Gardner High School in the class of 1901. Later at- tending the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, at Boston, Massachusetts, he was graduated from that in- stitution in the class of 1903 with the degree of Ph. C. Mr. Carroll's first experience in his chosen field of en- deavor was in the Red Cross Drug Store, of Waltham, Massachusetts, where he was employed for one year, then in 1904 he came to Gardner. Here he was first employed in the drug store of Underwood & Judd, with whom he remained for two years as an employee. Then purchasing Mr. Judd's interest in the business the firm name became Underwood & Carroll. The death of Mr. Underwood, in 1917, brought about further changes in the personnel of the firm and from that time on Mr. Carroll handled the interest independently. This busi- ness was founded fifty-two years ago by Dr. Guy W. Garland, and was for many years known as the Garland Drug Store. Mr. Carroll has continued the policies of
accuracy, promptness, and courtesy, which have always been considered the most noteworthy features of this store, and his success has been a matter of definite and steadily growing importance, until he now stands among the foremost pharmacists in this part of Worcester County. Mr. Carroll is a member of the Gardner Cham- ber of Commerce, and fraternally is connected with Gardner Lodge, No. 1426, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Gardner Council, No. 396, Knights of Columbus, in which he holds the fourth degree; a mem- ber of Bishop Beven Assembly, of which he is at pres- ent Faithful Navigator; Court Crystal, Foresters of America; also a member of the Sons of Veterans.
Mr. Carroll married Catherine O'Hearn, of Gardner, in 1915, and they are the parents of two children: George, born October 14, 1917; and Philip, born Janu- ary II, 1919.
BENJAMIN F. MACHLAN-Educational work has claimed the attention of Mr. Machlan for a period of years, dating from his graduation from college. At the present time he is directing the course of Atlantic Union College, located at South Lancaster, Massachu- setts, an institution supported in the interests of the Seventh Day Adventists. His parents were Joseph and Armanda (Garner) Machlan, the former a native of Rush County, Indiana, and engaged as a lumber inspector prior to his death in 1892, the latter a native of Butler County, Ohio, who died in 1890.
Benjamin F. Machlan, was born September 15, 1865, at Argos, Indiana, where he completed courses in the pub- lic and high schools. Later he entered Valparaiso Uni- versity, finishing with the class of 1886. He was then given the degree of Master of Arts upon completion of study at Washington Missionary College, Washington, District of Columbia. For nineteen years following his collegiate career he taught in the public schools in Indiana and Wisconsin, then accepted the principalship of Beechwood Academy in Indiana, in 1902. Four years later, in 1906, he came to South Lancaster as principal of the South Lancaster Academy, a position held until 1909. In that year Mr. Machlan became president of the Australasian Missionary College, New South Wales, Australia, retaining this post until 1913, when he re- turned to the principalship of South Lancaster Academy. In 1916 he was elected as the president of Washington Missionary College. Returning to South Lancaster in 1921, he was elected president of Atlantic Union College, in South Lancaster, and is still filling that office. He is a member of the Seventh Day Adventists.
Mr. Machlan married, March 2, 1888, Mytra Foor, who was born at Macy, Indiana, and the children born to them are as follows: Gladys G., wife of William W. Tinsley, of Colorado; Lewis O., an instructor of his- tory at the Colorado State Normal School; Harold F., a physician, connected with the Mount Alto Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia.
HERBERT SCHNARE-In legal circles in Wor- cester County, Massachusetts, Herbert Schnare is noted among the promising young men of the day, and for the past two years has been associated with the law firm of Choate, Hall & Stewart, of Boston. Mr. Schnare is a son of Robert W. and Frances (Leary) Schnare, who
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have been residents of Southboro, Massachusetts, since 1902. Robert W. Schnare has been identified with the Boston and Worcester Electric Car Company as fore- man of the freight department in Worcester for many years and is a well known and efficient executive. The family comprises three children: Herbert, of further mention; Priscilla, born in Marlboro, March 6, 1902; and Margaret, born in Southboro, January 12, 1909.
Herbert Schnare was born in Marlboro, Massachu- setts, July 30, 1898. His education was begun in the public schools of Southboro, and he is a graduate of the Southboro High School. Later entering Boston Uni- versity Law School he was graduated from that insti- tution in the class of 1921 and passed the bar examina- tions of the State in the fall of the same year. Since July, 1921, Mr. Schnare has been affiliated with the noted firm of lawyers above mentioned, who are leaders in New England as general practitioners and corporation lawyers. Mr. Schnare is considered a young man of great promise, his ability as a speaker and his natural aptitude for keen observation and exhaustive attention to detail giving him a splendid personal equipment for the profession of his choice. He still resides in South- boro, while his professional interests center in Boston.
During the World War Herbert Schnare enlisted for service in France, and was assigned to the headquarters of the 76th Division, American Expeditionary Forces. He went overseas in July, 1918, and was active there until January, 1919, being a student at the Officers' Training Corps at the time of the signing of the armis- tice. He received his honorable discharge from the ser- vice with the rank of corporal. Mr. Schnare is affiliated with St. Bernard's Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Southboro; the Delta Theta Phi law fraternity, and the Southboro Golf Club.
CARLETON A. FLETCHER-In addition to his practice as a dentist in Baldwinville, Massachusetts, Dr. Fletcher has served his community in several public offices, and is actively engaged in business in the Bank Building. His parents were Americus V. and E. O. (Peckem) Fletcher, of Athol, Massachusetts.
Carleton A. Fletcher was born at Athol, Massachu- setts, December 2, 1877. Upon graduating from the local public schools in 1896 he entered the University of Pennsylvania and was graduated with the class of 1899 as a Doctor of Dental Surgery. Immediately upon completing his studies he began to practice his profes- sion in Baldwinville, which he still continues. He then bought the business of F. L. Norcross, in 1912, and opened a general store which was completely destroyed by fire in 1917. Next he purchased a candy and fruit store and opened a general store in the bank building, also managing an insurance business.
In politics he is a Republican and has served as Town Clerk from 1908 to 1923, and as Tax Collector from 1910 to 1923. He has been a member of the fire com- pany here for twenty years, five of them as chief. Dur- ing a like period of time he has been treasurer of the Republican Town Committee, and is also a Justice of the Peace and Notary Public. For three years he was a corporal in the State Guard. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of the Blue Lodge of the Masons, thirty-second de- gree, and of the Shrine; York Rite, of Gardner, Massa-
chusetts; Scottish Rite, of Worcester, Massachusetts, and of Boston, Massachusetts; Past Grand Master of Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Baldwinville, Massa- chusetts; Lodge No. 1426, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, of Gardner, Massachusetts. He is a member of the Poquaig Club, of Athol, Massachusetts. In re- ligion he is a Unitarian.
Mr. Fletcher has been married twice. He married (first), at Athol, Massachusetts, in 1901, D. Elizabeth Lord, who died in July, 1902. He married (second), at Baldwinville, June 20, 1905, Hattie B. Leand, daugh- ter of Lewis and Annie (Bixby) Leand, both of whom were natives of Templeton, Massachusetts. The fol- lowing children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher : Ruth Anna, who died July 3, 1908; Leand C., born June 20, 1909; Edith E., born March 1, 1912; Louis H., born July 6, 1917; and Barbara W., born December II, 1922, and died eight days later.
ERNEST O. POWERS, prominent in the manu- facturing world of Athol, Massachusetts, is noted among the successful men of Northern Worcester County, and his hat factory is one of the thriving enterprises which go to make up the community prosperity of Athol. Mr. Powers comes of an old Massachusetts family, and his grandfather, Jason Powers, was one of the foremost men in religious advance in Prescott, Massachusetts, where he built a church which was a leading church society for many years. Orrin J. Powers, his son, and father of the subject of this sketch, was born at Prescott, Decem- ber 12, 1836, and is now a resident of Athol and very active in community progress, although now eighty- seven years of age. He was active in agricultural affairs as a young man, then later in life entered the hat business as a manufacturer in North Dana. During his entire life he has been very active in the allied fields of religion and temperance. He was superintendent of the Methodist Sunday school of North Dana, and a leading figure in all the work of the church for many years. His long experience and venerable appearance made him the patriarch of the church organization, and the people looked up to him as a leader and guide in spiritual matters. His wonderful vitality, however, still gives him the vigor and strength of a man many years his junior, and he is tireless in his efforts for the ad- vance of the church. Orrin J. Powers married Ellen A. Albee, who was born April 22, 1839, and died March 27, I9II.
Ernest O. Powers was born at North Dana, Massachu- setts, April 13, 1875. His education was begun in the local primary schools, and after covering the intermediate grades he entered Wesleyan Academy, at Wilbraham, Massachusetts, from which he was graduated in the class of 1893. He then entered Wesleyan University, at Middletown, Connecticut. Returning to North Dana, Massachusetts, Mr. Powers was associated with his father and brother, Arthur J., in the hat manufacturing business. This business had been established in 1876 by their father, who also had plants in Prescott and Palmer, Massachusetts at various times. In 1900 they came to Athol and established the firm of O. J. Powers & Son. They are all together now in the one Athol plant.
Mr. Powers is one of the successful industrial exec-
Walter L Beama
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BIOGRAPHICAL
utives of Athol and a prominent and public-spirited man. He is a Republican by political affiliation, but has never been interested in public honors. He is affiliated with the Masonic order, being a member of all bodies, and his college fraternity is the Beta Theta Pi. He is affiliated with the New York Athletic Club, the Greenfield Coun- try Club, of Greenfield, Massachusetts; and the Po- quaig Club, of Athol.
MAJOR WALTER L. BEAMAN, who is taking a leading position in the manufacturing world of Wor- cester County, is attaining success in the production of wheel bassinets, cribs, and cradles. The Gem Crib & Cradle Company, of which he is president, has devel- oped into a very important industry in the comparatively few years of its existence. Major Beaman's military trecord gives him added prominence in the community, and he is also widely known fraternally.
The Beaman family is a very old one in the State of Massachusetts, and Samuel B. Beaman, grandfather of Major Beaman, was a captain in the 53d Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, serving in the Civil War. Captain Samuel B. Beaman was born in Prince- ton, Worcester County, Massachusetts, of old Colonial stock.
Walton S. Beaman, son of Captain Samuel B. Beaman, and father of Major Beaman, was born in Princeton, Massachusetts, and came to Gardner not long before his marriage. He was a farmer and small dealer in live stock, and resided in this community until his death, which occurred about 1894. The mother, Catharine J. (Kelly) Beaman, was born in Nottingham, England, of Irish parentage, and came to the United States with her people when four years of age, the family settling at Otter River, Massachusetts. Mrs. Beaman is still living, and is a resident of Gardner.
Walter L. Beaman, son of Walton S. and Catharine J. (Kelly) Beaman, was born at Gardner, Massachusetts, April 9, 1885. His education was received in the pub- lic schools of the community and the Gardner High School, where he played football and served one year as manager of the football team and one year as busi- ness manager of the high school paper, "The Argus." He also represented his class in inter-class speaking con- tests, and presented the class gift at graduation. At the age of twenty years he entered the employ of Nichols & Stone, prominent manufacturers of Gardner, in the capacity of bookkeeper. He was identified with this firm for twelve years, and served on the board of directors for some time. Near the close of that period he utilized his spare time in the manufacture of cribs and cradles, developing' a thriving interest on the side in the Gem Crib & Cradle Company, which company was formed in 1912 by Carl H. Hedstrom, Wilford P. Shuffleton, and Mr. Beaman. About 1915 this company originated the wheel bassinet to replace the old style cradle, and its growth thereafter was rapid. The business developed to such an extent that early in 1917 Mr. Beaman severed his connection with his employers in order to give his entire attention to his own business. To meet the exigen- cies of the rapidly-growing business the firm was incor- porated in 1918, while Mr. Beaman was on a brief leave of absence from the army, and he was made president,
which office he has since ably filled. The concern manufac- tures a complete line of baby cribs, cradles, baby yards, wheel bassinets, and in fact all kinds of furniture for the infant and nursery. The plant occupies some 44,000 square feet of floor space, and they employ about one hundred and forty people. Major Beaman is further affiliated in a business way with the Hedstrom-Union Company as secretary and director. He is also a secre- tary and director in the Chairtown Manufacturing Com- pany; a director in the Gardner Screw Corporation; a partner in the S. E. Manufacturing Company; and treasurer and director of the E. G. Berg Manufacturing Company. He is a member of the Gardner Chamber of Commerce and served two years on the board of directors.
Major Beaman's military record began in 1909 when he enlisted in Company B, 6th Regiment, Massachusetts National Guard, as a private, and served continuously until his discharge after the close of the World War. He won promotion through the various grades, and a captain's commission was awarded him in 1915. The regiment was mobilized March 30, 1917, and mustered into the Federal service as a body, Major Beaman being in com- mand of one of the Fitchburg companies as captain. With this company he served on the docks and the in- terned German liners at East Boston, and in camps at Farmingham, Ayer, and Westfield, Massachusetts, dur- ing the spring and summer of 1917. In November, 1917, he moved with his regiment to Camp Greene, Charlotte, North Carolina, where the regiment was re- designated as the 4th United States Pioneer Infantry. He retained command of Company B in the new regi- ment. The regiment moved to Camp Wadsworth, Spar- tanburg, South Carolina, in February, 1918. At this camp the regiment served as a sort of training regiment, constantly receiving thousands of green men to equip and train, and assign to other regiments due to leave earlier than the 4th. Later he sailed for France in command of this same company. Soon after his arrival in France this company and regiment were disbanded and the members sent to combat units as replacements. Captain Beaman was assigned to the command of Com- pany F, 7th United States Regular Infantry, 3d Division, and reached his new organization just a few days be- fore the armistice was signed. Following the signing of the armistice he made the long march into Germany with the 7th Infantry. During his service in Germany he was transferred to the command of Company L, 353d Infantry, located around the territory of Treves or Trier, Germany. During the long absence of the regular major, Captain Beaman was in command of the 3d Battalion of this regiment, and in command of the town of Neuerburg, Germany. In April, 1919, when the 353d was preparing to sail for home he was detached from this regiment and returned from Germany to France and took command of Company F, in the C. R. O. Bat- talion at Bourges (cher) France. He also acted as mess officer at this army post and had charge of the feeding of the 4,000 men stationed there, and remained until the post was reduced to 500 men late in 1919. He then went to Brest, from which he sailed October 18, 1919, arriving at Hoboken, October 28, 1919. He was discharged at Camp Dix, October 31, 1919, having com-
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pleted thirty-one months of active service. He was given the retired rank of major. Although he always exacted the fullest obedience and performance of mili- tary duty, his constant aim during all his active service was to lighten the hardships of those under his command, so far as military exigency would permit, and obtain for them the best food and equipment possible. With new recruits especially he tried to lighten the first shock of military discipline, and refrained from giving any severe penalties for slight infractions of rules when these infractions were due to unfamiliarity with the service and its requirements. This attitude won him the lasting gratitude of the thousands of men who passed under his command, but it might have been viewed with dis- favor by higher officers if he had sought promotion. However, Major Beaman's record book bears only high endorsements from the senior officers under whom he served, although nearly all of them were aware of his extreme attitude of fairness toward the enlisted men.
Major Beaman is a member of the Company B Club of Fitchburg, a military organization; and of the Sons of Veterans, of which he his past commander. He is also scout commissioner of Monadnoch Council, Boy Scouts of America. He is affiliated with Hope Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. He was active in forming Gardner Lodge, No. 1426, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, in 1921, and became the first Exalted Ruler. He also served a second term as Exalted Ruler. He is a member of William Ellison Lodge, No. 185, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is Past Noble Grand, and he is Past Chief Patriarch of Gard- ner Encampment, No. 61, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a charter member of Gardner Post, American Legion. Although he has not been active in the local Legion post, he served on the State Executive Committee, at Headquarters, Department of Massachu- setts, from September, 1920, to December 31, 1921, and on various other State committees of the Legion. He is a member of Ridgely Club and Ridgely Country Club, also of the Chair City Club of Gardner, Massachusetts. In political affairs Major Beaman holds independent conviction, and in civic matters gives his aid and en- dorsement to all progressive effort.
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