USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 47
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George A. Keyworth was born at Fort Ann, New York, April 26, 1874. His education was acquired in the public and high schools at Hudson Falls, New York, and at the age of sixteen years he entered the world of industry, thereafter making his own way in life. He was first employed as a coachman and utility boy for a' wealthy resident of Hudson Falls, Richard C. Teft, with whom he remained for two years. He then secured a position in the lumber yards of the Griffin Lumber Company at Hudson Falls, where he was employed for about three years as a salesman. He then went to Albany, New York, and entered the employ of John Davis, as superintendent of a planing mill, serving in that capacity for about one year. Coming to Gardner in 1896, Mr. Keyworth entered the employ of Heywood Brothers & Company, in which connection he was as- signed to the lumber purchasing department. Mr. Key- worth's earlier experience had prepared him for large
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usefulness in a position of this nature, and he remained with the Heywood interests for about ten years. In 1906 he resigned from this position to participate in the organization of the Collier-Keyworth Company, which was incorporated in June of that year, with David R. Collier (see preceding sketch) as president, and Mr. Keyworth as secretary and treasurer. They began operations on a very small scale in the old factory of L. G. McKnight, on Main Street, which at that time was owned by the Gardner Home for Elderly People. The business prospered from the very start, and in 1912 the firm erected their present commodious factory, which contains about 80,000 square feet of floor space. They moved their equipment in July, 1912, and with the added space and the new machinery which was installed at that time the impetus to the business was distinctly felt, not only within the organization, but it was evident to the trade. They have now developed a very important busi- ness and ship their product to all parts of the world. Mr. Keyworth has the distinction of being a member of the first City Council of Gardner, which convened on the date when Gardner became a city, January I, 1923.
Politically, Mr. Keyworth supports the Republican party, and in all lines of public advance bears a con- structive part. He has served as chairman of the Gardner Chapter of the Red Cross since 1917, and during the World War was very active on the food pro- duction committee and all the Liberty Loan and Red Cross drives. Fraternally he is identified with Hope Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Gardner Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Ivanhoe Commandery, Knights Templar; also Gardner Lodge, No. 1426, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His clubs are: The Gardner Boat, the Oak Hill Country, and the Worcester Country Club. He is a member of the First Congregational Church of Gardner, which he serves as chairman of the music committee, and is a leader in all the social and benevolent activities of the church.
Mr. Keyworth married, on December 21, 1897, Sarah Elida Dewey, of Middlebury, Vermont, and they have four children: Edward C., a student at Brown Univer- sity; George Albert, Jr., who died at the age of four years; Robert Allen, still in grammar school (1923) ; and Elizabeth.
WALTER H. BAKER, one of the enterprising and successful business men of Worcester County, Massa- chusetts, is senior partner of the firm of Bassett & Baker, which concern is engaged in the wholesale and retail bakery business. The enterprise was established soon after the close of the Civil War by Hamilton P. Bassett, now deceased, and since 1891 has been con- ducted by Bassett & Baker.
Mr. Baker was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, Novem- ber 27, 1868, son of Nathan S. Baker, a native of Wells, Maine, who was engaged in the furniture business up to the time of his death, and of Sarah J. (Swett) Baker, who was also a native of Wells, Maine, and who died in 1892.
Mr. Baker received his education in the public schools of Clayton, Indiana, to which place the family moved when he was an infant, and the high school of Leomin- ster, Massachusetts, and when school days were over learned the grocery business, which he followed in
Leominster for ten years. At the end of that time he decided to make a change, and found employment in a bakery in Leominster. He later became associated with H. P. Bassett in the concern now known as that of Bassett & Baker, wholesale and retail bakers. In 1891 he purchased the entire business from Mr. Bassett, and for one year conducted the business alone. In 1892, however, H. P. Bassett repurchased his interests in the establishment, and from that time until the death of Mr. Bassett the partnership, was continued. Upon the death of the latter, in 1918, his son, Albert A. Bassett, became a member of the firm, and the name Bassett & Baker was retained. Under that name Mr. Bassett and Mr. Baker have built up a steadily expanding trade. When the elder Mr. Bassett founded the business in 1868 the baking was done in one small brick oven, and everything was made by hand. From that small be- ginning the modern, well-equipped bakery known as Bassett & Baker, has developed. Modern machinery and labor saving devices take care of the greater part of the various processes involved in the making of high- grade bread, pies, cakes, etc., and the greatest care is taken to have everything handled in the most sanitary manner possible. The firm uses only the best flour, made from hard, spring wheat, and this is stored on the top floor, where it gets plenty of pure air and sunshine. Machinery carries the flour into a large sifter, which cleans and lightens it and prepares it for the three- barrel bread mixer. When the dough is ready to mould it is placed in pans, which are put on sanitary wire racks. The racks are then run into a metal-lined steam room to raise. When the bread is ready to bake the racks are rolled to the oven, and in a few minutes the oven is filled with three hundred loaves. While baking, live steam is forced into the oven and this process produces a delicious brown, thin crust. The bread is then put on cooling racks and when properly cooled is wrapped in germ-proof waxed paper. Thus Hamilton P. Bassett's modest bakery of 1868 has become the modern estab- lishment of 1923. The firm sells both at wholesale and retail, and specializes in "Aunt Mary's Milk Bread" and in "Peerless Brown Crust Bread." It has also made a reputation for delicious and wholesome pastry, and its English Fruit Cake, Old-Fashioned Election Cake, and Sunshine Cake are widely known. Mr. Baker is a mem- ber of Columbia Lodge, No. 100, Knights of Pythias ; and of the Monoosnock Club, Royal Arcanum, and the Leominster Club. He is also a member of the Leominster Chamber of Commerce and a member and director of the New England Master Bakers' Associa- tion.
Walter H. Baker married, on January 24, 1898, Bertha M. Freeman, who was born in Marlow, New Hamp- shire, and died March 23, 1918, daughter of Grandville and Ella (Howard) Freeman. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are the parents of two sons: Ralph Greenleaf, who served during the World War with the Dartmouth College Officers' Reserve Corps; and Harland F., who is a student in Dartmouth College.
ELMER R. DANIELS-The name of Elmer R. Daniels has won wide recognition in the State of Massachusetts in the theatrical business. Mr. Daniels began life in another field of business endeavor, but later
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entered his present activity and has found in the world of amusements a worthy scope for his ability. Broadly appreciative of the educational value of good amuse- ments, and endowed with the artistic sense which counts for so much in discriminating between the indifferent and the really worth-while productions, Mr. Daniels is especially well fitted for his work, and as secretary and manager of the Olympia Theatre of Worcester, he is carrying that house forward to ever greater success. He is a son of Mahlon Daniels, who was born in the State of Massachusetts, and was active as a farmer until his death, which occurred in 1894. The mother, Mary J. (Campbell) Daniels, was born at St. John, New Bruns- wick, Canada, and still survives him.
Elmer R. Daniels was born at East Blackstone, Massa- chusetts, March 14, 1882. His education was received in the public and high schools of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and as a young man he became identified with the meat business in that city, in which he was engaged for a period of fifteen years. Then believing that his ability warranted his venture into some line of activity permitting wider scope of interest, Mr. Daniels entered the theatrical business, making his start at Central Falls, Rhode Island. Remaining there for only a short time, however, he then went to Lynn, Massachusetts, where he managed the Dreamland Theatre for six years with marked success. In 1918 Mr. Daniels came to the city of Worcester to take over the management of the Royal Theatre, but one year later formed his present associa- tion. At that time, with Charles H. Hodgdon, Ernest H. Horstman, and Frank J. Howard, he founded the Olympia Theatre of Worcester, Mr. Daniels acting as secretary and manager of the company. The success of the Olympia is a matter of history, and here the public finds the best amusements obtainable. The people of Worcester have come to depend upon this playhouse, knowing that here they can find satisfying relaxation and artistic productions.
Mr. Daniels is a member of the Masonic order, being affiliated with all the Scottish Rite bodies up to and including the thirty-second degree, and also is a' mem- ber of Aleppo Temple Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Benev- olent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Masonic and Kiwanis clubs. He attends the Congregational church. Elmer R. Daniels married, in 1903, Sadie May Lawson, who was born at St. John, New Brunswick, and they are the parents of two sons: Lawson Raymond and Elmer Scott.
WILLIAM C. LUNAN, D. M. D .- A leading figure in professional circles in Southbridge, Massachusetts, is Dr. William C. Lunan, whose position as a largely successful dentist places him among the really sig- nificant men of the day in this community. Dr. Lunan is a leader in all that makes for local advance, and gives a great deal of his time to various branches of civic and uplift endeavor. He is a son of William Lunan, who was born at Arbroath, Scotland, and was active as a flax dresser in the linen industry until his death, which occurred in Andover, Massachusetts, in 1906. The mother, Isabell (Cable) Lunan, was born at Mil- getlan, Scotland, and died in the year 1893, at Andover, Massachusetts.
William C. Lunan was born at Arbroath, Scotland, April 1, 1875. His education was acquired in American institutions, the family having come to this country in his childhood. Attending first the public schools of Andover, Massachusetts, he later entered Harvard Uni- versity Dental College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1897. Within the year Dr Lunan settled in Southbridge and took up the practice of his chosen profession, with offices on Main Street, and has now for more than one-quarter of a century been active along this line, and has attained a very high position in his profes- sion. Always a student he has kept in close touch with the advance of dental science, and is always equipped with the latest and most improved devices for facili- tating or improving his work. Dr. Lunan is one of the foremost figures in the Southbridge Dental Association, which he has served for many years as treasurer, and he has for some years been active as chairman of the Southbridge Dental Clinic, doing much in this connec- tion for popular education along professional lines. He is a member of the Harvard Dental Alumni Association. The community affairs of Southbridge have always held the strongest appeal to Dr. Lunan, and while he has never cared to accept political honors, he has given his most cordial support to every movement which has for its object the improvement of conditions of any phase of community interest. He has served for some years on the Town Finance Committee and is also chairman of the Board of Park Commissioners. His affiliation with the world of finance is more than a matter of pro- fessional interest, for he has done much to encourage thrift and foresight, especially among the children and young people of his acquaintance. He is vice-president of the People's National Bank, also a director. Fra- ternally Dr. Lunan is affiliated with the Free and Ac- cepted Masons, with all the York Rite bodies of the Masonic order, including the commandery ; is Past High Priest of Doric Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and for the past ten years has served as treasurer of that chapter. He is now president of the Masonic Building Association and is doing much to forward the plans of this body. He is also affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, and is a member of the Southbridge Club. One of Dr. Lunan's chief leisure interests is literature, and he was the founder of the Southbridge Burns' Club. He attends the Congregational church.
Dr. Lunan married, in 1899, Gretchen M. Bigelow, who was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, and they are the parents of three children: Marian M., a gradu- ate of Wellesley College, class of 1921, a teacher of French and Latin in the high school at Portland, Connecticut; Augustus H., educated at Harvard Uni- versity; and Elizabeth C., who died December 24, 1909.
JOHN YULE, of Leominster, Massachusetts, since 1901, has been proprietor of the granite and marble concern which is now known as the Leominster Granite and Marble Works. Mr. Yule is of Scotch birth, and for the needs of its large, high-grade monumental busi- ness the firm imports Scotch and Swedish granites. The works are located at No. 203 Main Street, Leominster.
Mr. Yule was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, No- vember 18, 1869, son of John Yule, who was engaged in business as a shoemaker to the time of his death in
Charles T. FRque
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1913, and of Catherine (Simpson) Yule, who died in 1871. Mr. Yule received a good, practical education in the public schools of his native district in Scotland, and then, after beginning work, continued his studies in the evening school, taking up architectural and me- chanical drawing. He served an apprenticeship of four years in the monumental business, and then in April, 1889, came to the United States. He settled in Quincy, Massachusetts, where he secured a position with the Mitchell Granite Company, with whom he remained for a period of two years. He then accepted a position a's finisher for MacDonald & Cook, of Quincy, with whom he remained for a time, and then, at this period, worked in the employ of several monumental firms of Quincy. In 1895 he went to Rochester, New York, where he remained for about four months. He then removed to Baltimore, Maryland, where he was identi- fied with a monumental concern for a time, but soon made another change, removing to Richmond, Virginia, and to Petersburg, Virginia, remaining in the latter place for one year as finisher for a marble and granite establishment. In 1901 he found employment again in Quincy, Massachusetts, and later went to Milford, New Hampshire, where he became one of the owners of the Souhegan Quarry. On March 10, 1901, Mr. Yule re- moved to Leominster and established a business of his own, beginning in a small way as a manufacturer of monuments. During the more than twenty years which have passed since that time his business has steadily grown and prospered. To the ordinary work of the monumental business he has added an extensive import- ing business, bringing the marbles from Scotland and from Sweden, and from this material furnishing some of the best monuments which have been erected in Worcester County. He is widely known in the county and even outside the township limits for the excellent quality of his work and for the very superior material which he puts into his monumental works. Politically, Mr. Yule gives his support to the Republican party. He is a member of Wilder Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; and of Wachusett Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men; and his religious affiliation is with the Con- gregational church of Leominster.
John Yule married, on November 16, 1915, at Leo- minster, Rena Bella Conant, daughter of George and Margaret (O'Rall) Conant. Mr. and Mrs. Yule are the parents of two children: George William, who was born May 10, 1917; and Ruth Louise, who was born January 9, 1920.
ROBERT E. DIXON-A prominent name in the State of Massachusetts for generations is that of Dixon, and Robert E. Dixon is one of the leading merchants of Worcester. He stands at the head of the long es- tablished and important paint and varnish store at No. 222 Front Street. Mr. Dixon is an able business execu- tive, alert to the general progress as well as to his individual interest. Keeping in touch with local com- mercial advance and also with State and national affairs, he is counted among the broadly progressive men of the day in Worcester.
George S. Dixon, Mr. Dixon's grandfather, was born in Thorndyke, Massachusetts, and became a prominent business man of Worcester. As a young man he en-
listed for service with the Union Army in the Civil War, and he later became the founder of the concern of which Robert E. Dixon is now the head. Rufus S. Dixon, his son, and father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Enfield, Massachusetts, and was active in the paint business until his death, which occurred in 1917. He married Cora I. Bemis, who was born in Spencer, Massachusetts, and is still living, being a resi- dent of Worcester.
Robert E. Dixon was born in Worcester, Massachu- setts, March 20, 1879. His education was begun in the local public schools, and he completed his studies at the Worcester Academy. As a young man he became asso- ciated with his father in the paint business of which his grandfather was the founder, and has since been active in this connection. This is one of the oldest establishments in its field in the city of Worcester, having been started in the early eighties. For many years it was located in the Warren Block, but a number of years ago was removed to the present address on Front Street, in order to secure space for the necessary expansion. From its inception the enterprise has held a leading place in its field, the three generations of the Dixon family all having been endowed with practical business ability. With the passing of the founder, Rufus S. Dixon took over the management of the business and ably discharged his responsibilities until his death. In 1917, shortly after the death of Rufus S. Dixon, the concern was incorporated, and has since been known as the George S. Dixon Company, Inc. The personnel of the company is as follows: Robert E. Dixon, presi- dent; Cora I. Dixon, treasurer, and Ruby E. Dixon, secretary. As the active manager of this concern, Robert E. Dixon is constantly developing the business and increasing its scope. They handle a general whole- sale and retail paint business, also carrying a complete line of painters' supplies. Mr. Dixon is a member of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce, but outside of his business has few interests. He attends the Congrega- tional church.
Robert E. Dixon married, in 1910, Ada Cole, who was born in Worcester.
CHARLES THOMAS FLYNN, A. B., LL. B .- In the city of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, the profession of the law is represented by a group of high-minded, forward-looking men, whose contribution to the general progress is a matter of broad significance. In this group Charles Thomas Flynn is a significant figure, for in addition to his private practice he has for a full decade been a leading figure in the public service of the city, and his fraternal affiliations are very extensive. A native of this city, he is a son of Joseph C. and Mar- garet E. Flynn, for many years esteemed residents of Fitchburg.
Charles Thomas Flynn was born in Fitchburg, Massa- chusetts, October 6, 1886. His early education was ac- quired at St. Bernard's Parochial School, from which he was graduated in 1900, and after two years at the Fitchburg High School he completed the course at the Cathedral High School in Springfield, Massachusetts, from which he was graduated in 1904. Then entering Holy Cross College in Worcester, Massachusetts, Mr. Flynn received the degree of Bachelor of Arts upon his
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graduation in 1908, and later received his Bachelor's degree in Law from Georgetown University, at Wash- ington, D. C., having been graduated from that institu- tion in the class of 1911. Shortly thereafter entering upon his career with offices in Fitchburg, Mr. Flynn early gained a footing in his chosen profession and has gone forward to large success. His profound knowl- edge of the law and his ability as an advocate combine to make him a powerful ally and a formidable opponent, but his general practice has not circumscribed the scope of his activity. In 1913 he was elected to the Common Council of the city of Fitchburg, and from that time forward his public usefulness has increased. In 1915 he was elected to the Board of Aldermen, and three years later was made Councilor-at-Large. In 1920 he was made City Solicitor, and in this broadly responsible position he still serves, his extensive experience and practical ability counting largely for the municipal advance. Mr. Flynn is a member of the Fitchburg Chamber of Commerce, of the American Bar Associa- tion, the Worcester County Bar Association, the Fitch- burg Bar Association, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Fitchburg; the Knights of Columbus, in which he holds the fourth degree, and is Past Grand Knight of the local council and a Past District Deputy of the order; the Loyal Order of Moose, of which he is Past Dictator and is now secretary; the Ancient Order of Hibernians, of which he is Past President; and Fitchburg Post, American Legion, of which he is Past Commander. His connection with the Oak Hill Country Club reveals his pleasure in outdoor interests. His re- ligious affiliation is with St. Bernard's Church of Fitch- burg, Massachusetts.
Mr. Flynn married, June 16, 1919, Irene G. Hanna, daughter of James and Sarah A. Hanna. They are the parents of two children: Barbara, born September 13, 1920 ; and Charlotte, born December 21, 1922.
WILLIAM CLAFLIN GOODWIN, noted in local business circles for his forward-looking attitude and genial spirit, is one of the honored and esteemed mer- chants of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and is the head of a leading retail shoe store of this city. Mr. Goodwin's wide affiliations with organized advance in many and varied lines of effort characterize him justly, for he is broadly interested in all that pertains to the progress of the day or the welfare of his fellow men, whether as individuals or as a community. His own activities have always been ordered with a generous consideration of his responsibilities to those about him and no more hon- ored name stands on the records of Fitchburg than that of William Claflin Goodwin.
The Goodwin family is a very old one in New Eng- land, Major Goodwin, the immigrant ancestor, having settled in Dresden, Maine, in Colonial times. Joseph T. Goodwin, in direct descent from the pioneer and father of William C. Goodwin, for many years was active as a ship's carpenter in the Charlestown Navy Yard, in the suburbs of Boston, Massachusetts, then later came to Lunenburg, Massachusetts, where he engaged in farm- ing for a time. He then entered the employ of the Boston and Maine Railroad in the capacity of lumber surveyor, and was active in this connection until his death, which occurred in November, 1913. Joseph T.
Goodwin married Maria D. Gleason, a direct descendant of Samuel Gleason, who settled in East Boston, Massa- chusetts, in early Colonial times.
William Claflin Goodwin was born at Lunenburg, Massachusetts, October 30, 1870. His education was received in the public and high schools of Fitchburg, where the family later resided, and Mr. Goodwin first entered the business world in the employ of David G. Wallace, a retail shoe dealer, beginning his activities in this connection in the year 1882, when still a young lad at school. Mr. Goodwin took a regular position in the store as soon as he had completed his education and re- mained with the Wallace interests until October 1, 1898. On that date he purchased the Hub Shoe Store, which was located in the flatiron block on Main Street, and was active in that location until the year 1917, distrib- uting at retail a fine and complete line of boots and shoes. During the latter years of this period Mr. Goodwin's business developed to such an extent that expansion became a vital necessity, and in 1917 he removed to his present commodious quarters, at Nos. 342-44 Main Street, Fitchburg. Here he is doing a very large and lucrative business his store being a pop- ular shopping place among all classes of people, his slogan is "A Good Place to Buy Shoes," and it is certainly considered such by the people of Fitchburg and vicinity, who flock to his doors and there find the courteous treatment and excellent stock which are the foundations of his success. Mr. Goodwin's further business affiliations include a directorship in C. W. Ben- nett & Company, Inc., in the Fitchburg Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and he is a prominent member of the Chamber of Commerce.
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