USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 45
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George Vose Upton, manufacturer and financier, and a direct descendant of John Upton, was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, July 6, 1868. He is the son of Captain Joseph and Amelia F. (Vose) Upton, and was born upon his father's farm, which has since become the site of the Oak Hill Country Club. He was edu- cated in the schools of the city, graduating from the high school in 1886, and for one year following was employed in the office of the Fitchburg Woolen Mill Company. Following this, he entered the employ of the Parkhill Manufacturing Company, as clerk and pay- master, in which association he continued until 1892. In the latter year, 1892, upon the incorporation of the Grant Yarn Company, he took charge of the office of that company, continuing in that capacity until October, 1903, when, because of failing health, he was forced to abandon his business activities, and went to Asheville, North Carolina, to recuperate. After regaining his health he returned to Fitchburg and in 1904 organized the Fitchburg Horn Goods Company, of which he is treasurer and manager. This company is engaged in the manufacture of celluloid novelties and hair ornaments, employing in normal times about one hundred people. Mr. Upton is also secretary of the Grant Yarn Com- pany, which he has served in that capacity since its incorporation in 1892. He is a director of the Fitch- burg Bank and Trust Company, and of the Fitchburg Cooperative Bank.
In 1895 Mr. Upton served as a member of the City Council, and for six years preceding December 31, 1913, he was a member of the City School Committee. He is a member of Aurora Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons ; Thomas Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Jerusalem Com- mandery, Knights Templar ; and of Apollo Lodge, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows; also of the Calvinistic Congregational Church, which he has served at different times as treasurer and on the board of assessors and the music committee. Mr. Upton is a man of pleasing personality, of congenial nature, and affable manners, and commands the loyal friendship and respect of a wide circle of acquaintances.
Mr. Upton married, September 28, 1891, Helen Ab- bott Mason, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, who was born in Warren, Massachusetts, November 19, 1867, daughter of George Anthony and Martha Elizabeth (Abbott) Mason. Their children are as follows: I. Frances Elizabeth, born November 1, 1892; she graduated from the Fitchburg High School in 1910, and was subse- quently a student at Simmons College, Boston. She married Stowers Leigh Curry, of New York City, June 2, 1923. 2. Helen Beatrice, born November 24, 1893; she graduated from the Fitchburg High School in 1913, and is now a designer of children's clothing. 3. Dorothy Christine, born February 9, 1899; she grad- uated from the Fitchburg High School in 1917, and was a student at Wheaton College, Norton, Massachusetts, in 1918 and 1919. 4. George Vose, Jr., born November 10, 1900; he graduated from the Fitchburg High School in 1918, and from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1922, and is at present in the employ of the Fitchburg Horn Goods Company. 5. Joseph Mason, twin to George Vose, Jr .; he graduated from the Fitchburg High School in 1918, and from Harvard College, Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1922. At the present time he is in the employ of the Parkhill Manufacturing Company.
HARRY W. BROWN-In legal circles in Wor- cester County, Massachusetts, Harry W. Brown is largely prominent as attorney and counsellor-at-law, and in civic and fraternal affairs he is also a leading figure. A native of Whitinsville, he was reared in this com- munity, and he is a son of Andrew J. Brown, who was born in the North of Ireland, August 1, 1840, and died in Whitinsville, Massachusetts, in 1914. Andrew J. Brown was a machinist by occupation and a man of estimable character, whose death was a loss to the com- munity. The mother Martha (King) Brown, was born at St. John, New Brunswick, February 3, 1853, and is still living.
Harry W. Brown was born in Whitinsville, Massa- chusetts, January II, 1887. His education was begun in the local public schools, and after a preparatory course at Munson Academy, he spent two years at Bates Col- lege, after which he entered Boston University Law School and was graduated in the class of 1915, with the degree of LL. B. Admitted to the bar in October of the same year, Mr. Brown opened his office in Whitinsville on the thirteenth of that month, and has since carried forward a general practice with large success. He has developed an extensive clientele, and he is numbered among the very successful men of Wor- cester County. His public services as Town Solicitor of Whitinsville have contributed in a marked degree to the prosperity of the community. He has served for a number of years as a member of the local School Committee, and is also secretary for the Whitinsville Chamber of Commerce. Fraternally, Mr. Brown is identified with Granite Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; also with Aletheia Grotto of Worcester; Eu- reka Lodge, Knights of Pythias; and Northbridge Grange, Patrons of Husbandry.
Mr. Brown married Sarah H. McGaw, who was born in Northbridge, September 3, 1898, and is a daughter of Benjamin A. and Mary (Galvin) McGaw. Her father was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, March II,
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1866, and is now master mechanic at the Linwood Mill in Northbridge. The mother was born in Northbridge March 19, 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have three chil- dren : Thurston King, born April 5, 1919; Norma, born March 31, 1920; and Barbara, born April 13, 1921.
CHARLES SIMEON BROUILLET, D. D. S .- Few men have given even to the work of their special choice the enthusiastic spirit and progressive effort which Dr. Brouillet, of Athol, Massachusetts, has de- voted to his profession of dentistry. Not only has he built up for himself an extensive and lucrative practice, but he has done great things for the community in the way of encouraging general information regarding the essential character of intelligent care of the teeth. With offices at No. 386 Main Street, he cares for the needs of his large and constantly growing practice, and as the founder of the Gardner Dental Clinic, he is teaching the people, and especially the school children, the ele- mental rules of dental care. Dr. Brouillet is a son of Alexis and Domithild A. P. (Dupal) Brouillet, both natives of Canada, his father still living at the advanced age of eighty-seven years and residing with a daughter in Athol.
Charles Simeon Brouillet was born at Ely, Province of Quebec, Canada, February 14, 1884. The family re- moving to the United States when he was four years of age and settling in Athol, Massachusetts, it was in the public schools of this community that his education was begun. He later entered Dr. Singer's Academy, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, then took up his professional studies at the Philadelphia Dental College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1909 with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. During his vacations, when in dental college, Dr. Brouillet was active in the office of Dr. C. E. Smith, of Athol, Massachusetts, and he remained with him for a short time after he was graduated. Late in the year 1909 he established his own office in Gardner, where he practiced for thirteen years. Meanwhile, his many friends in Athol, Massa- chusetts, were constantly urging him to return to this town, which had for so many years been his home. He eventually allowed himself to be persuaded and is now counted as one of the foremost professional men of this community. He has a very extensive dental practice and is widely famed as a maker of artificial teeth, which more closely resemble the natural ones than is ordinarily the case, and for this reason especially he is widely sought in a professional capacity. Dr. Brouil- let was one of the first dentists in Massachusetts to open a dental clinic, and the Gardner institution has given him wide fame. He was largely responsible also for the recent establishment of a similar clinic in Athol. The movement which Dr. Brouillet started in this State was taken up by many Boards of Health in other towns of the State, and the clinics are principally conducted under State supervision.
Dr. Brouillet is a staunch Republican by political con- victions, but his time is wholly occupied by his work, his home and family commanding his leisure. He has never permitted his name to be used in connection with a candidacy for any public office. During the World War Dr. Brouillet was a member of the Dentists' Pre- paredness League, and in this connection did much for the
work of the organization. Dr. Brouillet's leisure interest has always been motoring, and he was one of the first in Massachusetts to own an automobile. Before going to dental school he was employed for five years at the Grout Automobile Company, at Orange, Massachusetts, having charge of their Boston office, in 1903-1904. He represented the company at the St. Louis Exposition, and upon his return resumed his charge of the office until 1905. He is a member of the Psi Omega fra- ternity and the Poquaig Club, and his religious affili- ation is with the Roman Catholic church.
Dr. Brouillet was married, June 28, 1909, at Athol, Massachusetts, to Alice E. Harwood, of Athol, Massa- chusetts, daughter of Nellie M. (Gately) Harwood, of Athol, and they are the parents of six children : Jeanne E., born January 12, 1914, and is attending Highland School at Athol; Paul A., born March 18, 1916, also attending Highland School; Lucille E., born September 15, 1917; Norma A., born September 19, 1919; Ray- mond V., born July 19, 1921; and Rita Edna, born September 12, 1922.
WARREN S. BELLOWS, son of Dexter Chapin and Sarah Jane (Lyman) Bellows, since 1907 has been identified with the concern known as the Walden-Wor- cester, Incorporated, of which he is now manager and principal owner. Mr. Bellows was born in Chicopee, Massachusetts, April 13, 1868, and is a descendant of John Bellows, born in England, who came in the ship "Hopewell" in April, 1635, at the age of twelve years and settled in Concord. He removed to Marlborough and died there January 10, 1682. In all other lines Mr. Bellows is descended from the pioneers of New England.
When Mr. Bellows was quite young his parents re- moved to Hartford, Connecticut, and in the public schools of that city the greater part of his education was received. He became a public accountant by pro- fession, and was employed by corporations in Boston and New York until he came to this city in 1907, after purchasing the Walden Manufacturing Company. The company engaged in a new field of production, manu- facturing bent wire handle ratchet and socket wrenches, catering first to the automobile trade and gradually extending its market to other mechanical lines. Mr. Bellows is a member of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce, and his clubs are the Rotary Club, the Auto- mobile Club, and the Worcester Country Club. Polit- ically he gives his support to the Republican party. He is a communicant of Plymouth Congregational Church.
Mr. Bellows married, in Toledo, Ohio, June 18, 1895, Edith Hubbard, who was born in Toledo, Ohio, daugh- ter of Franklin and Sarah Rachael (Lyman) Hubbard. Her parents also were natives of Hampshire County, Massachusetts, and her ancestors were among the first settlers of Springfield and other towns of the Connecti- cut Valley. Mrs. Bellows is a member of the Woman's Club, the Memorial Charity Club, and various other church and social organizations. Mr. and Mrs. Bellows reside at No. 65 Beechmont Street. They have two sons, both of whom are graduates of the Worcester High School and are now associated in business with their father : I. Lyman Hubbard, born June 22, 1896; mar- ried Dorothy Gilbert, daughter of James and Annis Gil- bert, and has two children: Barbara and Lyman Hub-
.
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BIOGRAPHICAL
bard, Jr. 2. Franklin Hubbard, born December 24, 1898; married, July 5, 1922, Florence Hedstrom, daugh- ter of Carl and Anna' Hedstrom, of Worcester.
ANTON F. BROCKELMAN, as president of the corporation conducting one of the most important mer- cantile enterprises in this section, is entitled to a place among the most substantial citizens of Clinton, Massa- chusetts. It was here that he was born April 8, 1869, and this community has been the scene of his activities throughout his career. Mr. Brockelman's parents were both natives of Germany, they being Bernard and Clara (Topmuller) Brockelman. His father followed the oc- cupation of comb-maker as his life work. He was a veteran of the Civil War, having served in Company G, 25th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, and was a member of E. D. Baker Post, No. 64, Grand Army of the Republic, in Clinton.
After completing his education in the public schools here Mr. Brockelman entered the ranks of wage earners and for seven years was connected with the textile in- dustry. At the end of that period, in company with his brother, he entered the grocery trade as an indepen- dent operator and has remained in this line of trade ever since. The business has been a prosperous one from the beginning, and several years ago a corporation was formed as Brockelman Brothers, Anton F. Brockel- man becoming president of the organization, which offi- cial position he has retained ever since. The enterprise which the firm now conducts is rated as the largest grocery and market outside of the city of Worcester.
The growth and development of this community has always been a matter in which Mr. Brockelman has displayed keen interest, and he is one of the most valued members of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, and an influential factor in its activities.
The marriage of Mr. Brockelman to Louise A. Eck- stein, who was born in Germany, occurred in 1914, and they have a family of three children, their names being, in order of their ages, Clara M., Arthur J., and Curtis H. Brockelman. The family are devout communicants of the Roman Catholic church of this community.
EDWARD N. CLARK, holding large executive responsibilities as secretary and manager of the New England Corset Company, is a well-known figure in the industrial life of Worcester, Massachusetts, and both among his associates and the people generally he is highly esteemed as a business executive and as a cit- izen. A native of the State of Massachusetts, Mr. Clark is a son of Alden Clark, who was born in Waltham, Massachusetts, and is by occupation a bookkeeper. The mother, Louisa H. (Fairbanks) Clark, was born in Sudbury, Massachusetts, and they are esteemed residents of that section of the State.
Edward N. Clark was born in Waltham, Massachu- setts, September 12, 1888. Receiving his early educa- tion in the public schools of Waltham, he also covered the high school course in his native city and later en- tered Norwich University, from which he was gradu- ated in the class of 1909, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. Mr. Clark's first business experience was in the employ of the Waltham Bleachery, after which he went to New York City, where he became identified with
the Kops Company, manufacturers of the Nemo corsets. Later returning to his native State, Mr. Clark became identified with the Maynard Corset Company of Worcester, where he continued for three years, then, in 1917, he became associated with the New England Corset Co., Inc. Active in the advance of this concern for two years in its old form, Mr. Clark then became a member of the company, upon its reorganization as the New England Corset Company, accepting the offices of secretary and manager. His work in this connection has had much to do with the splendid progress which the organization has since made, and Mr. Clark may well be counted among the leading executives of the city of Worcester. This concern manufactures all kinds of brassieres and bandeaux, and holds a leading position in the trade. The officers of the company are: O. L. Weingarten, president; I. R. Smith, treasurer; Edward N. Clark, secretary and manager. The plant covers a floor space of 30,000 square feet, and is fully equipped with the most modern machinery to turn out a thor- oughly excellent and finely finished article. Mr. Clark, as one of the executives of this concern, is a member of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce, and while he has leisure for few outside interests, he is well known in the Masonic order, being a member of Monitor Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Waltham; Eureka Chap- ter, Royal Arch Masons, of Worcester. He is a mem- ber of the University Club.
Edward N. Clark married Eleanor D. Clement, who was born in Waltham, Massachusetts, and they have three children : Eleanor, Louisa, and Edward N., Jr.
SAMUEL D. PERRY-In the world of finance of Southbridge, Massachusetts, Samuel D. Perry holds a position of large responsibility and is numbered among the really prominent men in this part of Worcester County. Associated with the Southbridge National Bank since the completion of his education, Mr. Perry has risen in the organization to his present office of cashier, and is looked upon as one of the solid and substantial citizens of Southbridge. He is a son of Samuel S. Perry, who was born at Brookfield, Massa- chusetts, and was identified with the business interests of Southbridge for many years. He was a veteran of the Civil War, having taken up arms in defense of the Union during that struggle, and at all times bore a worthy part in civic and social advance. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and died in the year 1907. The mother, Mary J. (Marsh) Perry, was born at Burrellville, Rhode Island, and is also now deceased.
Samuel D. Perry was born at Southbridge, Massachu- setts, June 13, 1873. His education was begun in the local public schools, and following the high school course he entered the employ of the Southbridge National Bank in the capacity of clerk. Becoming affiliated with this institution in the year 1890, Mr. Perry has risen through the different grades of responsibility until he is now cashier of this bank, an office which he has efficiently filled for the past decade. During this period the bank has prospered largely, the deposits having grown from $749,000 to $2,700,000, at the present time. In his posi- tion he is one of the prominent executives of the finan- cial world of Southbridge, and Mr. Perry enjoys the
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esteem and confidence of the people whom he has always known and among whom he has always moved. Their interests are his interests, and the community affairs of his native place always receive his most cordial aid and encouragement. Mr. Perry has served as Auditor of the town of Southbridge for three years, and for some time has also been a member of the Board of Registrars, of which he is at present (1923) chairman, he is a trustee and a member of the board of investments of the Southbridge Savings Bank, and a member and past president of the National Bank Cashiers' Association of Massachusetts.
Fraternally Mr. Perry is affiliated with Quinebaug Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Doric Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of which he is a Past High Priest; Worcester Commandery, Knights Temp- lar; also a member of the Knights of Pythias. For many years a member of the Southbridge Young Men's Christian Association, he has for the past twelve years been treasurer of this organization, and also serves on its board of directors. His clubs are the Southbridge, of which he is past president; and the Cohasse Country, his pleasure in outdoor activities being revealed in the latter connection. He is identified with the Congrega- tional church and serves as clerk of the society.
CHARLES KIRK WILDER, one of the most pro- gressive men of Petersham, Massachusetts, in recent generations, who, taking life as it seemed to be meted out to him, made of circumstances the stepping stone to large achievements, and in his success in agricultural activities contributed in a large degree to the advance of farming methods and operations in Petersham and vicinity. His life both as a man and as a citizen was irreproachable, filled with useful activities, and in his relations to the public welfare it was indeed well worth the honor of a permanent record. He was a son of Lysander and Anna (Farrar) Wilder, his father a farmer by occupation throughout his lifetime and a' man of the highest integrity, who died in 1856.
Charles Kirk Wilder was born at Petersham, Massa- chusetts, August 6, 1841, and died January 18, 1923. He was born on the farm which was a part of the tract set off to Captain John Wilder, of Massachusetts, one of the original proprietors of Nichewaug. When six years old he removed with his parents to his maternal grand- father's farm, in the northern part of the town. As a young lad he attended the local primary schools, and for a time was a pupil at Petersham High School, then completed his studies at Brattleboro, Vermont. Upon finishing his studies he began farming the homestead, this not his choice of a career, but circumstances forced him to continue herein, for his father died when he was fifteen years of age, when the responsibility of keeping the home together fell upon his shoulders. As he be- came older he found the work of the farm of greater interest, and he purchased live stock and developed a modern farm, improving the stock to such excellence that he created an extensive demand in his vicinity. He was the first farmer in the town of Petersham to erect a windmill for pumping water for stock, also the first to build a silo and to use a cream separator. His taste for literature was like a golden thread running through the fabric of his life, and by this means he reached out
and accomplished much good. He occasionally wrote articles for agricultural periodicals, both on technical and general topics. He was deeply interested in civic improvement, and the first step in the movement which resulted in the organization of the Petersham library was accomplished by him in beginning the collections of books for a district school library at School No. 2, and in one of these books the poem, "The Old Bell," by Mr. Wilder, was published. He was deeply interested in history and in everything that pertained to the preserva- tion of the records of Colonial and the early life of the Republic. He planted the two elm trees which still stand in front of the Congregational church in the year 1880.
In politics he was a Republican. He served for one term as Selectman of Petersham. His first Presidential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln's reelection, and he voted for every Republican candidate for President down to President Harding, also voted at every State election since 1864 except one, and that he missed by five minutes, having been unavoidably delayed. Mr. Wilder was a devoted member of the Congregational church, of which he was librarian and Sunday school superintendent for many years. He also served the society as clerk and as trustee of funds, filling the latter office longer than the combined term of any four previous officials.
Charles Kirk Wilder married, in 1869, Mary S. Mann, who was born at Petersham, Massachusetts, a daughter of William and Abigail (Cook) Mann, and they were the parents of the following children: 1. George Kirk, born at Petersham, November 30, 1871, now living at the old homestead. In 1905 he married Adelaide M. Hodsdon, of North Yarmouth, Maine, they are the parents of three children: Charlotte S., born in 1906; George Everett, born in 1909; and Gertrude L., born in 1910. 2. William Sumner, born in 1876. He married, in 1908, Alice E. Pittsley, of West Bridgewater, Massa- chusetts. 3. Charles Frederick, born in 1878 and died in 1880. 4. Francis Everett, born in 1884. He married (first), in 1910, Gladys E. Merry, of Kingston, Massa- chusetts; he married (second) Marion Chandler of Marshfield, Massachusetts. Children: Edith Sanderson and Everyn Frances. Mary S. (Mann) Wilder died April II, 1918. Charles Kirk Wilder married (second), in 1920, Maude Nelson Kenney.
ALFRED A. WHEELER, M. D .- A member of a family that has been prominently identified with Wor- cester County since the first Wheeler settled at Concord, Massachusetts, in 1638, Dr. Wheeler has had a long and distinguished career as a physician. He was born at Claremont, New Hampshire, August 20, 1870, son of Dr. Charles A. and Christine Nancy (Hersey) Wheeler. His father was assistant surgeon of the 12th Massachusetts Infantry in the Civil War for three years. Dr. Wheeler's parents were residents of Wor- cester, but moved to Leominster before he became of school age, and he has ever since been a resident of Leominster, except for a period of twelve years spent in the practice of his profession at Boston. His grand- father, Augustus Wheeler, was born at Fitchburg about 1802.
Dr. Wheeler received his preparatory education in the public schools of Leominster. After his graduation
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