USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 42
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In politics Mr. Nixon is a Republican, and for six years he served as a member of the School Board, and was its chairman for four years; has been a member of the local Board of Health since 1914; is now trustee and
was president for eight years of the Leominster Hospital Association; and since 1907 has acted as city bacteriol- ogist. He attends the Congregational church and is a member of the Masonic order, the Improved Order of Red Men, and the Leominster Club.
Mr. Nixon married, on May 8, 1890, Annie I. Wheelock, born in Leominster, daughter of George H. and Christiana B. Wheelock, and they are the parents of a son, George F., born March 5, 1893. George F. Nixon is a graduate of the Leominster High School and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, receiving his B. S. degree in 1915, and his M. S. degree with the class of 1916. During the war between the United States and Germany, 1917-18, he enlisted in the Aviation Corps of the United States Army, was assigned to the 482d Aero Construction Squadron, and was with the American Expeditionary Forces in France for one year, ranking as sergeant of the first class. He married, May 26, 1923, Ruth Harrington, of Cambridge, Massachusetts.
HUGH LUDWIG SIMMONS, M. D .- A note- worthy figure in medical advance in Worcester County, Massachusetts, is Dr. Hugh Ludwig Simmons, whose practice has developed extensively in the period of up- wards of five years, during which time he has been active in the city of Worcester. Trained in New England institutions and a veteran of the World War, his prep- arations for a career have followed the most modern lines, and he is looked upon as one of the progressive and successful professional men of the day in the city of Worcester. He is a son of Nahum Ludwig and Annie (Brown) Simmons, his father, who died in 1909, active as a farmer and blacksmith throughout his life- time.
Hugh Ludwig Simmons was born at Morrill, Maine, October 31, 1893. He received his early education in the local public schools, and was prepared for college at the Pembroke High School and Higgins Classical Institute at Charleston, Penobscot County, Maine, from which latter he was graduated in the class of 1912. Thereafter entering Tuft's Medical School, he was grad- uated from that institution in the class of 1916, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. His first experience was at the Worcester City Hospital as interne, and after the usual period in that connection Dr. Simmons pur- posed entering practice in this city. His plans were postponed, however, by his enlistment in the United States Army Medical Corps, on September 7, 1917. Commissioned first lieutenant, he was stationed at Camp Greenleaf, Georgia, where he remained until his dis- charge, which was received on January 18, 1919. Re- turning at once to the city of Worcester, Dr. Simmons entered upon the general practice of medicine here, but the trend of his activity has been along the line of ob- stetrics and gynecology, and he has now for some time been active in these specialties on the staff of the Wor- cester City Hospital as assistant obstetrician and is gynecologist in the out-patient department. He has achieved high rank in his chosen line of effort, and the future will undoubtedly carry him to wider usefulness. Dr. Simmons has few interests outside of his profes- sion, but is a member of the Quinsigamond Boat Club,
Wor-16
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and finds his leisure interests in out-of-door activities. He supports the Republican party in political affairs, and his religious affiliation is with the Baptist church.
ALFRED BERNARD CENEDELLA, in the younger group of professional men in Worcester County, Massachusetts, holds a prominent position as a success- ful attorney-at-law, and in the thirteen years and more in which he has carried forward his professional activ- ities Mr. Cenedella has taken a very active and con- structive part in the community progress of his native town of Milford. A leader also in fraternal circles, his breadth of interest gives him large influence in every avenue of advance in local and nearby progress. Mr. Cenedella is a son of Giacomo and Maria (Simone) Cenedella, who have for many years been residents of Milford, and have borne a leading part in many lines of local endeavor.
Alfred Bernard Cenedella was born in Milford, Massa- chusetts, September 30, 1888. Following his early school attendance, he covered the usual course at the Milford High School, from which he was graduated in 1906, after which he entered Boston University School of Law, receiving his degree upon his graduation with the class of 1909. He was admitted to the bar of his native State on March 1, 1910, and immediately took up his practice in the town of Milford. On March 4, 1913, he was admitted to the District Court of the United States. Progressive in spirit and always looking toward advance in every line of effort in which he par- ticipates, Mr. Cenedella is considered a thoroughly rep- resentative young man of the day, and is esteemed by all who know him. More than ten years ago he was brought forward in the public service of the town of Milford as a member of the School Committee, the duties of which position he took up on March 19, 1913, and he still serves in this capacity. In March, 1921, he was elected Town Solicitor of Milford and served in this capacity for two years. A staunch Republican by political faith and always a worker in the ranks of the party, Mr. Cenedella was made a member of the Re- publican Town Committee a few years ago, and during the years 1922 and 1923 acted as chairman of that com- mittee, still serving in that capacity. Fraternally he is a member of Milford Lodge, No. 628, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks ; the Foresters of America; the Knights of Columbus; the Loyal Order of Moose; the Italian Labor Society; and the Plains Athletic Club. His religious affiliation is with the Roman Catholic church.
Mr. Cenedella married, at Milford, Massachusetts, on November 27, 1916, Florence Trudell, daughter of Fran- cis X. and Bridget Trudell. Mr. and Mrs. Cenedella are the parents of two children: Alfred B., Jr .. born December 23, 1917; and Florence, born October 29, 1919.
FRANK W. BANISTER-Formerly occupying the office of United States Postmaster at Readsboro, Ver- mont, and now a member of the firm of William A. Putnam & Company, of Leominster, Massachusetts, Mr. Banister was born at Northampton, Massachusetts, No- vember 8, 1872, son of Edwin and Angie (Warner) Ban- ister. Mr. Banister's father was a New England lumber dealer.
Mr. Banister received his education in the public schools of Massachusetts, and is a graduate of the North- ampton High School. After leaving school he entered the field of business in partnership with his brother, as the owner and proprietor of a stationery store at North- ampton. When he had, to a certain extent, outgrown this venture, Mr. Banister moved to Vermont and established himself as an independent insurance broker at Readsboro. During the years 1908 to 1911, inclusive, he was in the Federal service as Postmaster at Reads- boro. Some time later he decided to return to his native State, and opened an office for the sale of insur- ance at North Attleboro, Massachusetts. Here his success was very substantial, and he established some- thing of a record in the insurance business. In 1917 he was offered a partnership in the firm of William A. Putnam & Company of Leominster, and as this connec- tion was in the line of progress, he decided to accept it and thus, in 1917, he became a resident of Leominster. The firm of which Mr. Banister is now a member is composed of insurance experts of the highest type and character, who by reason of long training and experience in the New England field are widely known as authori- ties on all branches of the insurance business, including maritime risks and the business of export and import. Mr. Banister's value to the firm consists not only in his accurate and detailed knowledge of many New England communities, together with the social and eco- nomic conditions that prevail in them, but is also derived from his comprehensive knowledge of insurance law and theory. His clients are not to be found in Massachu- setts alone; many transactions are annually arranged by him for residents of other New England States, and when he entered his present firm he brought a very substantial volume of business with him.
A sportsman of the keenest type, Mr. Banister is an ardent disciple of Izaak Walton and never misses an op- portunity to enjoy a good day's fishing. He knows all the lakes and fishing streams between Leominster and the Canadian border and he has made many excursions to different parts of the United States and Canada in pursuit of his favorite sport. A lover of the great out- doors, Mr. Banister is, by all accounts, one of the lead- ers of the fishing fraternity of Worcester County. Aside from fishing, which is his hobby, he takes an interest in outdoor sports in general and is an active member of the Leominster Country Club and of the Monoosnock Coun- try Club, He is a familiar figure at all of the local meets and carnivals, and is an advocate of school ath- letics and public recreational facilities. In addition to the country clubs, at which he is a regular attendant, Mr. Banister holds membership in the Leominster Club and the Fay Club of Fitchburg, Massachusetts.
A thirty-second degree member of the Masonic order, Mr. Banister belongs to the chapter, council, command- ery, and the Massachusetts Consistory of that order, and is also a member of Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and the Grotto. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, being enrolled in the Leominster lodge of that order.
HERBERT D. BURNHAM, for more than thirty- five years identified with the progress of the Central Oil
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& Gas Stove Company and one of the dominant factors of the business, is now vice-president and traffic man- ager. Mr. Burnham is a son of Oren E. and Ellen L. (Parker) Burnham, both natives of Johnson, Vermont. The father was a molder by trade, and much of his life was spent in working at this trade at Nashua, New Hampshire.
Herbert D. Burnham was born at Johnson, Vermont, September 1, 1859. He received his education in the public schools and as he has been heard to remark, "the school of hard knocks." His parents were in humble circumstances, and in his thirteenth year he secured work in the world of industry. From this time he pro- vided for his own needs, working for a time on a farm and in a small country store and post office. He was ambitious, however, and as a means of rising in the world he learned telegraphy, which he followed for ten years, during which time he was connected with railroad work as station agent and operator, the greater part of the time at Winchendon, Massachusetts. When Mr. Burnham became a' regular employee of what is now the Central Oil & Gas Stove Company the business was in its infancy and was known as the American Oil Stove Company, a small concern, William H. Wilder, the founder of the business, looking after the factory, while for a few years Mr. Burnham comprised the entire office force. He is now the oldest employee of the concern in point of length of service, and his activities have had much to do with bringing it from obscurity to its present state of eminence and to raising its capac- ity to its present enormous output. He was made vice- president of the company about 1903, and for the past ten years has also filled the important position of traffic manager. Mr. Burnham is a member of the Gardner Chamber of Commerce, in which he serves as chairman of the traffic committee.
Fraternally he is identified with Hope Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Gardner Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of which he is Past High Priest; Ivanhoe Commandery, Knights Templar, of which he is Past Commander; Worcester Lodge of Perfection; and Goddard Council, Princes of Jerusalem, of Worcester ; also Lawrence Chapter, Rose Croix of Worcester. He is a member of the Gardner Boat Club, the Oak Hill Country Club of Fitchburg, the Boston and New Eng- land Traffic Golf clubs, and the National Freight Traffic Golf Association. He is a member of the First Congre- gational Church of Gardner, which he has served as deacon for many years.
Mr. Burnham married Etta M. Cook, of Colchester, Vermont, in the year 1883, and they now reside at No. 88 Woodland Avenue, Gardner.
IRVING E. GRAY, the founder and proprietor of the Gray Garage, at Ashburnham, Massachusetts, which is widely known among tourists and travelers for the excellence of its service, is a prominent member of the business community of the county. He was born at Spencer, Massachusetts, April 29, 1873, son of William E. and Olive (Sylvester) Gray. His father is a business man of unusual achievements and enjoys a wide reputa- tion for his energy and ability.
Mr. Gray received his education in the public schools of Worcester, whither his family had moved before he
became of school age. He was ambitious and eager to make his own way in the world and accordingly began his business career immediately after his graduation from school by accepting a position with the American Steel and Wire Company of Worcester. He found his work for this company extremely interesting, and spent two years as an employe of the firm, acquiring mean- while, an excellent knowledge of business methods and management. At the end of this period, however, he was offered a position by his uncle, who was a builder and contractor at Orange, Massachusetts. The idea of build- ing and contracting made a strong appeal to his con- structive energies, and he decided to accept the offer, believing that the experience would prove valuable, even if the work did not prove suitable as a life occupation for him. He left the American Steel and Wire Com- pany therefore, and went to Orange. His connection with his uncle was pleasant and profitable, and he remained with him for a period of six years. But dur- ing the course of his association with the building and contracting business, his attention was drawn to the pos- sibilities offered by the lumber trade. He decided to invest his capital, which had been greatly increased during his connection with his uncle's firm, in the lum- bering industry. He had already acquired a thorough knowledge of the needs of builders and carpenters for lumber of high quality and smooth and durable finish, anl he was able to apply his knowledge in such a way that his enterprise was successful from the very begin- ning. He maintained his connection with this branch of business for ten years, and his success more than justified his faith in it as a means of building up a substantial prosperity. But he was now desirous of making a change and after careful consideration de- cided to return to Worcester and to establish a high- class laundry, where the same care would be exercised in the laundering of clothes and household linens as was used by private housekeepers and laundresses. This venture was successful, and Mr. Gray's establishment filled an important place in the business world, provid- ing a much needed opportunity for the ladies of the town who wished their linen carefully handled and laundered, and yet desired to be relieved of the neces- sity of personally supervising their washing. Mr. Gray spent the next fifteen years at Worcester, and built up a substantial business there. He received an offer for his interest in the business at the end of this period, how- ever, and decided to accept it. His next venture was at Holden, Massachusetts, where he purchased a grocery store and devoted himself to supplying the needs of the townspeople. He made a point of dealing only in the best known and most satisfactory brands, and the high quality of his goods and the care and promptitude with which he filled orders, no less than the moderation and fairness of his prices, soon won him a host of customers who had the utmost confidence in his establishment and gave it their regular patronage. But Mr. Gray was not satisfied to remain in the grocery field, and presently began to consider the possibilities of success in the garage business. The great increase in automobile travel and the rapidly growing number of tourists who visit Worcester County every year had brought with them a similarly great need for high-class garage ac- commodations and service stations where motorists
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might have their wants supplied quickly and reasonably. Understanding this need and finding his interest attracted by this new field, Mr. Gray, after having spent three years at Holden, disposed of his store there to good ad- vantage and moved to Ashburnham, where he has since made his home. He purchased a fine commercial prop- erty in one of the most central parts of the town, and after tearing down the old buildings which stood upon the land constructed the new and splendid garage which now bears his name. The building is of the best and most approved type of garage construction and was built at a cost of $10,000, embodying every advance and im- provement devised by architects and constituting one of the finest business establishments in the town. He has an extensive business and makes a specialty of high- class service, expert repairing, and carries a full stock of spare parts and accessories for the convenience of his patrons, as well as maintaining a fleet of motors for rental. Tourists and local residents alike find his es- tablishment an ideal place at which to have their motor- ing needs supplied, and he has many friends, not only among the people of the county but also among the trav- elers who visit the town each year, coming from all parts of the country. His success is the result of energy and imaginative enterprise, and he is generally regarded as one of the most progressive and able men of affairs in the community.
Mr. Gray has found but little time in the course of his long and active career for participation in the under- takings of fraternal and social organizations. He holds membership in only one such body, the Improved Order of Red Men, in which he belongs to Asseunskit Lodge, at Holden.
Mr. Gray married, at Worcester, on September I, 1897, Cora B. Lever, daughter of Edwin J. and Addie (Walker) Lever. Mrs. Gray was born at Worcester, where she lived until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Gray have one son, Harold E., who is interested in business with his father. He was born August 23, 1899, and married Hazel Frances Seger, of Worcester, Massachu- setts, on June 25, 1921. They have one child, Irving E.
JOSEPH MASSA BASSETT-In the name of Bassett there is written proud American history from the time of the coming of William Bassett in the "For- tune" in 1621. This founder, a native of England, mar- ried in Leyden, Holland, Margaret Oldham, and in his American home filled a place of usefulness in Colonial life, serving at one time as a Deputy to the General Court. The strength and vigor of a Puritan and Pil- grim ancestry found its application in the conditions under which Joseph Massa Bassett's life was spent, and · as a founder of an important, prosperous industry and a public-spirited, upright citizen, he left a strong impress upon his time.
Mr. Bassett, son of George and Achsa (Adams) Bas- sett, was born in Eden, Vermont, August 31, 1834, and died in Paris, France, September 10. 1906. He re- ceived his education in the district schools of his na- tive town and when not in school worked with his father on the farm. In April, 1851, when he was six- teen years old, he came to Worcester and found employ- ment in the Court Mills. Six months later, on account
of illness, he returned to his home and remained there for two years, working most of the time as clerk in a general store. In March, 1854, he returned to Worces- ter, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was employed for a time in a lumber yard. For eight years he was bookkeeper in a factory making woolen ma- chinery. He resigned to become a partner in the firm of E. C. Cleveland & Company, but after four years he sold his interests to his partner. During the following year he was a partner in the firm of Bassett & Hobbs, in the wool business, returning again to the manufac- ture of woolen machinery in partnership with Mr. Cleve- land, under the firm name of Cleveland & Bassett. Two years later this firm was dissolved. In July, 1870, the firm of Johnson & Bassett, Inc., was formed for the manufacture of wool spinning machinery and continued until the death of Mr. Johnson, in March, 1880. Mr. Bassett then purchased from the heirs of his partner their interests and continued the business under the same name to the time of his death. The business was located in a spacious factory on Foster Street, and the product of the factory found a way to the spinning mills in all parts of the country. Mr. Bassett became one of the leading manufacturers of the city and highly pros- perous. He was fond of travel, enjoyed the business trips that took him to all parts of this country and Europe, and traveled much for pleasure in later years. In politics he was a Republican, and for six years served on the School Committee of the city.
Mr. Bassett married, April 16, 1857, Elizabeth Alden Kennan, who was born in Vermont, and they were the parents of five children, three sons and two daughters, but two of whom grew to maturity: George M., a sketch of whom follows; and Arthur J., a music teacher of note, living in Worcester.
GEORGE MASSA BASSETT, son of Joseph Massa, a sketch of whom precedes, and Elizabeth Alden (Ken- nan) Bassett, and descendant maternally of "May- flower" ancestry (John Alden), was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, November 3, 1864. He was educated in private and public schools in Worcester, graduating from the Worcester High School in the class of 1882. He entered Amherst in 1882, completing his course in 1886, and immediately became associated in business with his father, and in 1893 was admitted to partnership in the firm of Johnson & Bassett, Inc. His father retired in 1898, and since that time George M. Bassett has been managing director of the business. Mr. Bassett is a director in the Mechanics' National Bank, president, member of board of investment and trustee of the Me- chanics' Savings Bank. He is a stockholder and direc- tor in various other industries. He is a member of the Worcester Club, the Tatnuck Country Club, the Quin- sigamond Boat Club, the Commonweath Club, and the University Club of Worcester; the Brookline Country Club of Brookline, Massachusetts, and the New York Club of New York City. In politics he is a Republican.
Mr. Bassett married, in this city, November 7, 1888, Cora Louise Richards, born in Worcester, daughter of Seth and Louise Todd Richards. They had one son, Paul Richards, who died in infancy. Their home is at No. 15 Ripley Street, this city.
J. M. Bassett
Bachrach
Grom, Bassett
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BIOGRAPHICAL
JOSEPH GREGORY E. PAGÉ, M. D., prominent in the practice of medicine in Southern Worcester County and active in many branches of social and com- munity advance, is one of the leading figures in the professional world of Southbridge, Massachusetts. A native of Canada and trained for his profession in one of the foremost Canadian universities, Dr. Page has been a resident of Massachusetts for more than a quar- ter of a century and active in practice. He is a son of George Pagé, who was born at Sorel, Canada, and was active as a merchant until his death, which occurred in the year 1883. The mother, Genevieve (Crépeau) Pagé, was also born at Sorel, Canada, but survived her husband for some sixteen years, passing away in 1899, in South- bridge.
Joseph Gregory E. Pagé was born at Sorel, Canada, March 13, 1871. He was thirteen years of age when his widowed mother became a resident of Worcester, but having started his schooling in Canada was sent back there to complete his education. Following his elemen- tary studies, he attended St. Hyacinthe Seminary, after which he entered Lavalle University, at Montreal, Can- ada, from which he was graduated in the class of 1895 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Coming to the United States shortly following his graduation, Dr. Pagé began the practice of medicine in the city of Framingham, Massachusetts, where he remained for about three years, then in 1899 settled permanently at Southbridge, where he has since practiced continuously, with offices at No. 28 Hamilton Street. Naturally gifted in those lines which contribute to professional success and with this excellent training behind him, Dr. Pagé has won an enviable position in his chosen field of endeavor and now commands a very extensive prac- tice in Southbridge and vicinity. He stands high in the profession, holding membership in the American Med- ical Association, the Massachusetts Medical Society, and Worcester County Medical Society. He is also a mem- ber of the Southbridge Board of Health, and has served for some years as town physician and medical examiner. During the World War Dr. Page was active as ex- amining physician for the Draft Board. In various other branches of political and civic interest Dr. Pagé has also served with efficiency, having been elected Se- lectman of the town for two terms and a' member of the School Committee for three years. His political affiliation is with the Republican party, and he is at this time chairman of the Republican Town Committee. He was an alternate delegate to the convention at Chicago which nominated Harding for the Presidency. He is a member of the Southbridge Chamber of Commerce and does much to advance all community interests. Fra- ternally Dr. Pagé is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Catholic Order of Foresters; the Franco-American Foresters, of which he is national treasurer; also the Union Saint Jean de Baptiste ; the Artisan's Order of Mutual Protection, and a member of the Circle Canadien. Dr. Pagé is con- nected with the Roman Catholic Church of Notre Dame.
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