USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 46
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Char K.Wilder
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from the Leominster High School, he proceeded to Harvard University for a preparatory course. He had by this time decided to enter the medical profession, and accordingly proceeded to the Harvard Medical School for his professional training. He spent two years in study at Harvard, and during the second year served as an interne at the Massachusetts General Hospital, where he acquired practical as well as theoretical train- ing. He was graduated from the Harvard Medical School in June, 1894, with the degree of Doctor of Med- icine, and was duly licensed to practice medicine.
Dr. Wheeler decided to establish himself in practice at Boston, and taking advantage of an excellent oppor- tunity, opened an office there immediately after his grad- uation. He did not confine his practice to medical cases, but gave a great deal of time to the practice of surgery, for which he was particularly well fitted, and which appealed to him strongly. He met with remark- able success and continued to practice at Boston until 1906, when a desire to return to his old home finally led him to give up his office and move to Leominster.
Dr. Wheeler has been no less successful at Leomin- ster than he was at Boston, and he is now one of the leading physicians and surgeons in the county. He is senior surgeon on the Leominster Hospital staff, and his private practice is very extensive. During the World War Dr. Wheeler served the United States Government as medical examiner on the Draft Board at Leominster. He is a member of the American Medical Association and belongs to the Massachusetts Medical Society.
In religious faith Dr. Wheeler is a member of the Unitarian church. He is a Mason, and holds member- ship in Wilder Lodge of that order at Leominster, of which he is Senior Warden. He is an active member of the Improved Order of Red Men, of which he is Past Sachem, and takes a great interest in all the ac- tivities of this organization.
On January 26, 1910, Dr. Wheeler married, at Leo- minster, Abby Dorothy Cook, daughter of Franklin D. and Eva I. (Coburn) Cook, of Vermont. Dr. and Mrs. Wheeler have four children; Charles Augustus, who was born December 13, 1910; Alfred Augustus, who was born April 15, 1912; Janet, who was born July 18, 1914; and Mary, who was born June 7, 1917.
HAROLD E. MOUNTAIN-Educated in the insti- tutions of Worcester County, Massachusetts, his business training gained in the local houses, Mr. Mountain, who served his country during the recent World War, is now an active merchant of Gardner, being the head of Mountain's Apparel Shop. Mr. Mountain is a son of William J. Mountain, who was born in Gardner, Massa- chusetts, and was in business here from 1893 until his death, which occurred in 1914. William J. Moun- tain was a man of broad sympathies and progressive spirit, who gave to the community and its affairs the constructive and loyal endeavors of a devoted citizen. William J. Mountain married Julia O'Connell, also a native of Gardner, who still survives him, residing in Gardner. The old Mountain home on Pleasant Street, owned at one time by the grandfather, William Moun- tain, is still standing.
Harold E. Mountain was born at Gardner, Septem-
ber 29, 1893, and his education was begun in the public schools of the community. He was graduated from the Gardner High School in the class of 1911, then, later, was graduated from the Holy Cross College, at Worcester, in the class of 1915, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Immediately thereafter, Mr. Mountain became affiliated as a' partner in the men's furnishing business with Prime Robichaud, his father's former partner, under the firm name of Robichaud & Mountain. The same year saw the erection of the Robichaud & Mountain Building, one of the handsomest modern office blocks of Gardner, in which the business of the firm is now carried forward. The building is owned by a partnership consisting of Prime Robichaud, Harold E. Mountain, and a brother, John A. Mountain. On the opening of the new store in 1916 a women's department was added, including every need in the way of feminine apparel ready to wear, which has superseded the department of men's clothing, and the store is now solely a woman's store. The men's business is now carried on by the brother, John A. Mountain, at another location on Parker Street.
In September, 1917, Harold E. Mountain enlisted for service in the World War and was assigned to the Depot Brigade, being stationed at Camp Devens. In the fol- lowing January he was transferred to the Officers' Train- ing Camp at Camp Devens for a four-month course, and in July, 1918, was commissioned second lieutenant at Camp Gordon, Atlanta, Georgia. Thence he was sent to Camp Hancock, Augusta, Georgia, where he was later assigned to the Officers' Training School in the capacity of instructor. He was subsequently made assistant to the senior instructor, in which official position he served until the time of his discharge, in December, 1918. Re- turning to civilian life, Mr. Mountain has devoted his entire attention to his own business interests since. In January, 1919, Mr. Mountain purchased the interest of his partner and became sole proprietor of the business. Mr. Mountain is a member and treasurer of the Gardner Chamber of Commerce, a trustee in the Gardner Sav- ings Bank, and is counted one of the progressive and aggressive young business men of this community. He devotes much of his time and attention to the general progress, bearing a share in all movements for the public welfare. He is a member of Gardner Lodge, No. 1426, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; of the Knights of Columbus; Ancient Order of Hibernians ; and the Foresters of America; and belongs to Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church.
Mr. Mountain married, in September, 1919, Marion K. McNamara, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and they have one child, Harold E., Jr., born August 15, 1922.
CARL H. HEDSTROM-In the leading industry in the city of Gardner, Massachusetts, Mr. Hedstrom is holding a prominent position as an executive in several different manufacturing concerns. His principal interest is that of treasurer of the Gem Crib & Cradle Com- pany, manufacturers of wheeled bassinets and other fur- niture of various kinds for the nursery, and he is also president of the Hedstrom Union Company, manufac- turers of baby carriages and baby carriage hardware. These two concerns are among the leaders in chair and baby carriage productions in Gardner. Mr. Hedstrom
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is a native of Sweden, and a son of Carl and Gustafa (Stongberg) Hedstrom, both natives of Stjernsunds Bruk, Sweden, and still living there (1923). Carl Hed- strom, the elder, was for many years employed in the steel mills in Stjernsund, but is now living retired.
Carl H. Hedstrom was born in Sweden, August 26, 1881, and received his education in the public schools of his native land. Upon its completion he apprenticed himself to the machinist's trade, but before his appren- ticeship was completed he came to the United States, arriving on this side March 30, 1902, and landing in New York City. Coming immediately to Fitchburg, Massachusetts, he worked a year in the employ of the Iver-Johnson Arms and Cycle Company. After a year spent with this concern, Mr. Hedstrom associated him- self with Baxter D. Whitney & Son, of Winchendon, Massachusetts, manufacturers of wood-working ma- chinery. There he was employed for about two years, and through his activities in that plant became interested in the progress of the Chair Town and its many wood- working plants. He came to Gardner and entered the employ of the Gardner Machine Works, remaining for about two years, after which he became identified with the Simplex Time Recorder Company. With this con- cern he was associated for about five years, at the end of which time he resigned to affiliate himself with the present interests. In association with Fred Richardson, Wilford J. Shuffleton, and Frank M. Favor, he organ- ized the Gem Crib and Cradle Company, which at the beginning was a partnership. Later, the business was incorporated, Mr. Hedstrom becoming a member of the board of directors and treasurer of the concern. This company now. occupies about 44,000 square feet of floor space and employs fully one hundred and forty people, and in the comparatively short time since its organization, twelve years, it has attained a foremost po- sition in its field in this city. Mr. Hedstrom is leading the Hedstrom Union Company, of which he is president, to large and constantly growing success. This concern holds practically equal importance with the Gem Crib and Cradle Company. Mr. Hedstrom is a director also in the Chair Town Manufacturing Company and several other smaller concerns, and is a director in the Gardner Trust Company. He is a member of the Gardner Cham- ber of Commerce, and well known fraternally, holding membership in Hope Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons ; Gardner Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Massachusetts Consistory, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite; and a member of Gardner Lodge, No. 1426, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is identified with the Swedish Lutheran Church.
Mr. Hedstrom married, in 1905, Anna Nelson, also a native of Sweden, who had then been in this country for only four years, residing first in Hartford, Connec- ticut, and later, in 1904, moving to Gardner. They are the parents of two children: Carl W., a student at Law- rence Academy, at Groton, Massachusetts; and Oscar, now in his sophomore year in Gardner High School. Despite his many business interests and other respon- sibilities Mr. Hedstrom finds time for his favorite rec- reations, which are touring and traveling. He has toured Europe twice, spending some time in England, Sweden, and Germany.
E. GUSTAF HEDSTROM, since 1915 has served as vice-president of the Hedstrom Union Company of Gard- ner, Massachusetts, of which he was one of the organ- izers. The concern is engaged in the manufacture of baby carriages and baby carriage hardware, and is one of the progressive and successful manufacturing enter- prises of the county.
E. Gustaf Hedstrom is a native of Sweden, where he was born, in Stjernsunds Bruk, September 23, 1883, and where he received the greater part of his educa- tion. He is a son of Carl and Gustafa (Stongberg) Hedstrom (q. v.)
In 1903, when he was twenty years of age, Mr. Hed- strom came to this country and settled in Massachusetts, first in Fitchburg and later in Gardner. His first posi- tion in the new land to which he had come to make a career for himself was with the Iver-Johnson Company of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and though the working days were longer then than they are now and the pay much smaller, he at once took advantage of the opportunities offered in the evening schools of the city. When his day's work was done he gave long hours to the study of the English language and of those subjects which would help him to become familiar with the his- tory and customs of the people among whom he had come to live, and which would help him to win success in his business career. When he later secured a posi- tion with the Heywood Brothers of Gardner he con- tinued his studies in the evening schools of the latter city, and it is to the firm foundations laid during those hours of close and intelligent study that Mr. Hed- strom attributes much of his rapid rise in the business world. The schools were not the only source of inspi- ration and information for him, however. All about him and his daily work he found much to learn. Indus- try, thrift, and ambition were his in ample measure, and as is true of all our business men who have built their own careers, he always managed to spend less than he earned. Though but a very young man, he understood clearly that fundamental principle of business success, and he was wise enough and strong enough to hold him- self steadily to that plan of financial management, even when his earnings were very small. After remaining with the Heywood Brothers for some time and gaining valu- able experience, he made a change and secured a posi- tion as foreman with the Collier & Keyworth Company of Gardner, with whom he remained until he engaged in business for himself. In 1915, twelve years after his arrival in this country, he became one of the organizers of the concern of which he is now vice-president. In association with his brothers, Carl and Knute W., who had come to this country about six years after his own arrival, he formed a partnership with W. L. Beaman and W. J. Shuffleton and engaged in the manufacture of baby carriages and baby carriage hardware under the name of the Hedstrom Company. The enterprise was successful from the beginning, and later it became advantageous to merge the interests of the concern with those of the Union Manufacturing Company, which was engaged in the same line of production. This was done, under the firm name of the Hedstrom Union Company, the joint interests of the two original com- panies having greatly prospered. As vice-president of
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the company Mr. Hedstrom is rendering valuable service to the group, and is making for himself a successful business career. He is one of the active members of' the Gardner Chamber of Commerce, and from the time of his coming to Gardner has taken a' deep and sincere interest in the public welfare of the city. Fraternally he is a member of the Order of Good Templars, and his religious affiliation is with the Swedish Methodist church of Gardner, and he serves on the official board.
Mr. Hedstrom married (first) Pauline Simonson, who was born in Gardner. To this first marriage one daughter was born, Eileen A. He married (second) Ellen V. Holmander, of Sweden. To the second marriage one son was born, Robert A., born June 6, 1917.
KNUTE W. HEDSTROM-One of the successful manufacturers of Worcester County, Massachusetts, is Knute W. Hedstrom, treasurer of the Hedstrom Union Company of Gardner, Massachusetts, which concern is engaged in the manufacture of baby carriages and baby carriage hardware, a description of which is given at length in the preceding sketch of Mr. Hedstrom's brother, E. Gustaf Hedstrom.
Knute W. Hedstrom was born in Stjernsunds Bruk, Sweden, December 20, 1889, son of Carl and Gustafa (Stongberg) Hedstrom (q. v.). He received a good prac- tical education in the public schools of his native town, and : 1 1909, when he was twenty years of age, he came to this untry, where he supplemented the educational advan- yes he had received in his native land with diligent idy in the evening schools of Gardner, Massachusetts. He found his first employment with the Collier & Key- worth Company of Gardner, but after maintaining that connection for a time, he made a' change and removed to Winchendon, Massachusetts, where he entered the employ of Baxter & Whittier. His next position was secured in the Worcester Machine Shops of Worcester, Massachusetts, where he remained until 1915, when, in association with his brothers, Carl and E. Gustaf Hed- strom, W. L. Beaman, and W. J. Shuffleton he engaged in the manufacture of baby carriages and baby carriage hardware. Mr. Hedstrom is well known and highly esteemed among a very large group of friends and busi- ness associates. He is a member of Lodge No. 1426, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the Order of Good Templars. He is also one of the active members of the Gardner Chamber of Commerce.
Knute W. Hedstrom married, on June 30, 1914, El- freda Lundberg, of Forsback, Sweden, daughter of John and Matilda (Kallberg) Lundberg, and they are the parents of two sons: Herbert W. and Kenneth L.
FRANCIS DENBROEDER HART, M. D .- The medical profession is represented in Worcester County, Massachusetts, by a group of forward-looking men, who are giving constant attention to the progress of the science and its application in the advancement of the welfare of the people. In this group Francis D. Hart, physician and surgeon, is a broadly representative figure, and as one of the younger men in the profession he undoubtedly has many years of large usefulness before him. Dr. Hart is a native of this State, and a mem- ber of an old New Hampshire family. He is a son of Cisco W. Hart, who was born at Milton, New Hamp-
shire, and has for many years been engaged in the shoe business in Brockton, Massachusetts, now being counted among the successful men of the day in that city. The mother, Annie May (Denbroeder) Hart, was born in East Weymouth, Massachusetts, and is also still living.
Francis Denbroeder Hart was born in East Wey- mouth, Massachusetts, September 9, 1892. The family removing to Brockton in his childhood, it was in the public schools of that city that he received his early education. His choice of a profession was early made, and entering Tufts College, he was graduated from the medical department of that institution in the class of 1915 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. For one year following his graduation Dr. Hart acted as interne at the Long Island Hospital in Boston, then came to Worcester and spent one and one-half years at the Wor- cester City Hospital as house physician and surgeon. With this unusually comprehensive institutional experi- ence Dr. Hart took up the practice of his chosen pro- fession in the city of Worcester, opening his offices at No. 22 Pleasant Street, where he is still located. He has won the confidence and esteem of the people, and now holds an assured position in the profession, also bearing a constructive part in various lines of social and benevolent activity. He is visiting anæsthetist to the Worcester City Hospital, and has charge of the ob- stetric service there three months in the year. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the Massachusetts Medical Society, and the Worcester South District Medical Society, and during the World War served in the capacity of associate medical examiner for the county of Worcester. He is a member of Montacute Lodge Free and Accepted Masons, the Order of the Eastern Star, and the Phi Chi medical fraternity. A member of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce, he takes a deep interest in all civic advance as well as in the broader affairs of the State and Nation, although thus far he has never accepted public responsibility except along the line of his professional cativity. His clubs are the Economic and the Shrewsbury, and he at- tends the Episcopal church.
Dr. Hart married, on August 31, 1918, Marion Eliza- beth Nicholson, who was born in Leominster Massachu- setts, daughter of Joseph Nicholson, and they are the parents of one son, Francis Denbroeder, Jr., who was born July 21, 1920. The family residence is at No. 51 Midland Street, Worcester.
DAVID R. COLLIER-Son of a noted educator of a generation now gone by, David R. Collier, of Gardner, Massachusetts, is descended from Scotch ancestry. His grandfather, George Collier, was born in Scotland, and came to the United States as a young man in 1812, be- coming a prosperous farmer of Chautauqua County, New York. He was a relative of the Howe family of industrial fame, and married into the Putnam family, members of which are celebrated throughout New England.
George H. Collier, son of George Collier, and father of David R. Collier, was born in Western New York State, and was educated at Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio, from which he was graduated in 1855 with the degree of Bachelor of Law. He taught mathematics
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at Oberlin and Wheaton Colleges, later going to Wash- burn College, Topeka, Kansas, as professor of the same branch, and in 1867 he went to the Pacific Coast to accept the chair of mathematics and physics at the Pacific Uni- versity in Forest Grove, Oregon. Nine years later he accepted a similar position at Willamette, Salem, Oregon, and for about two years he left his family there to return to Washburn College, Topeka, Kansas, after which he went again to the coast and held the chair of physics at the Oregon State University, at Eugene, Oregon. He was connected with this institution until his retirement in 1896, and he died in Eugene in 1914. He married Sybil A. Smith, who was born at Augusta, Maine, and was also educated at Oberlin College. She taught in the schools of Dedham and Mansfield, Massa- chusetts, prior to her marriage.
David R. Collier, son of George H. and Sybil A. (Smith) Collier, was born at Forest Grove, Oregon, May 18, 1869. His education comprised the usual ele- mentary and preparatory courses and a course at the State University of Oregon, after which he entered Worcester Polytechnic Institute at Worcester, Massa- chusetts, from which he was graduated in the class of 1890 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. This class numbered many young men who have since at- tained large importance in the industries and professions in public life. Mr. Collier's first business experience was in Holyoke, Massachusetts, as an employee of the Deane Steam Pump Company, as a member of the engi- neering force. Coming to Gardner in 1890, he associ- ated himself with the concern which is now known as the Heywood-Wakefield Company, where he was active in the engineering department for a time. Later he was transferred to the hardware department of the same concern, and in this connection rose to the position of chief of this department. In 1906 Mr. Collier severed his connection with the firm to engage in business for himself in co-partnership with George A. Keyworth (see sketch following). They founded the interest now known as the Collier-Keyworth Company, beginning with the manufacture of children's carriages, go-carts, etc., also carriage gears and office chair irons. This business they have developed to the point where it is one of the leading industrial concerns of Worcester County. It was incorporated at the time of its founding, Mr. Collier becoming president, in which office he has continued until the present time. Under his leadership the organization ha's held a foremost place among the industries of this section. In recent years he has dele- gated many responsibilities to Mr. Keyworth and his other associates, giving his own attention largely to the engineering department of the plant. Mr. Collier is a member of the Gardner Chamber of Commerce, and has further business affiliations, being a director of the Gard- ner Savings Bank and a member of its investment board, also being a stockholder in a number of the leading in- dustrial enterprises of this city.
Interested and broadly active in all civic affairs, Mr. Collier supports the Republican party in issues of both local and national import. He has for several years been a member of the Gardner Republican City Com- mittee, and was a member of the State Convention for the revision of the constitution of the State. Fraternally he is identified with Gardner Lodge, No. 1426, Benev-
olent and Protective Order of Elks, and his clubs are : The Oak Hill, Worcester, and Nashua Country, and the Gardner Boat Club, these affiliations revealing his de- light in outdoor recreations. He is a member of the First Congregational Church of Gardner.
Mr. Collier married, in 1898, Mary E. Richardson, of Gardner, daughter of Charles F. Richardson, who was identified with the early developments of manufacturing interests in Gardner as a member of the firm of Jaquith & Richardson, also was active in the insurance business, and a bank director. He is still living, although retired from active business interests, and for many years has been counted as one of the foremost citizens of Gardner. Mr. and Mrs. Collier are the parents of four children, of whom two are now living: Elsie, a junior in high school; and Ruth, a freshman in high school.
GEORGE ALBERT KEYWORTH-In the manu- facture of folding go-carts, baby carriage hardware, and office chair irons, George Albert Keyworth holds a prominent position in Gardner, Massachusetts, as treasurer of the Collier-Keyworth Company, this con- cern being leaders in this field in the United States. A capable executive, with long experience, Mr. Keyworth is counted among the largely successful men of the day in Gardner. He is also treasurer of the American Fibre Corporation of Gardner, Massachusetts, and has various interests outside his work in the fraternal, benevolent, and civic affairs of the community. He is a son of Joseph G. and Eliza A. (Evens) Keyworth, both natives of England, who came to the United States in their youth and were married at Fort Ann, New York, where they resided for some ten years afterwards. They then removed to a farm at Argyle, New York, where the mother died at the age of thirty-six years. The father married (second) Mrs. Harriett Corlew, and spent his declining years at Argyle passing away at the age of seventy-two years. Joseph G. and Eliza A. (Evens) Keyworth were the parents of six sons, all now living (1923) : William H., a farmer at Argyle; Herbert J., a farmer at Fort Edward, New York; Joseph D., active in the insurance business at Hudson Falls, New York; George A., of further mention; Milo S., of Gardner; and Jarvis L., who is engaged in farm- ing on the old homestead at Argyle. There were no children by the second marriage.
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