USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 50
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Ledoit Baxter Ramsdell married (first) Mary Adele Taggart, of Gardner, and they were the parents of three children : Harriet W., Henry, and Harry, the sons both
deceased. Mr. Ramsdell married (second) Mrs. Palace L. Mann, who survives him, a resident of Gardner, a charter member of Gardner's Women's Club, and a lady universally esteemed.
JOHN W. MAXIM, as organizer of the Leominster Paper Box Company, is responsible for bringing into ex- istence one of the notably successful business enter- prises of Worcester County, Massachusetts. The plant, which is located at No. 97 Water Street, in Leomin- ster, occupies three floors and requires the services of forty employees, and sends its product to all parts of the county.
John Murray Maxim, father of John W. Maxim, was born in South Carver, Massachusetts, 1841, and after receiving a practical education in the public schools of his native district, was engaged in the nail industry to the time of his death in 1895. During the Civil War he served as a private with the 18th Massachusetts Infantry, and was wounded in the battle of Gettysburg. He was a member of Wareham Post, Grand Army of the Re- public. He married Cynthia L. Westgate, who was born in Wareham, Massachusetts, and died in East Bridge- water, Massachusetts, in 1916.
John W. Maxim, son of John Murray and Cynthia L. (Westgate) Maxim, was born in West Wareham, Massachusetts, May 1, 1869, and attended the public schools of his native city, including the high school. Upon the completion of his school training he found employment in one of the nail and tack manufactories of Wareham, and he continued in that industry for a period of six years. At the end of that time he made a change and found work in a paper box factory, where he remained until 1907. In that year he accepted a po- sition as manager of the Webster Paper Box Company, and the duties of that executive position he continued to efficiently discharge for seven years. In 1914 he de- cided that the time had come to engage in business for himself, and severing his connection with the Webster Paper Box Company, he organized what is now knowit as the Leominster Paper Box Company. That concern has grown rapidly during the nine years of its exist- ence, and at the present time produces about three millions of boxes annually. Mr. Maxim is a member of Wilder Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Leo- minster ; and he is also a member of the Masonic Club of Leominster. He is a member of the First Baptist Church of Leominster, and serves on the building com- mittee.
John W. Maxim married, on January 18, 1893, Emma T. Anderson, who was born in Sweden, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Ahlstrum) Anderson. Mr. and Mrs. Maxim are the parents of six children : I. Alice Morton, who married Franklin Cooper, and they have two chil- dren: Franklin, Jr., and Edith May. 2. Lloyd Hobson, who married May Cozens, and they have children: Mil- dred and Albert H. 3. Milton Dewey, deceased. 4. Theodore, deceased. 5. Dorothy Louise. 6. John Irving.
HON. THOMAS F. HEDERMAN, a noteworthy figure in the public life of Southern Worcester County, Massachusetts, has brought to his public services the practical experience and ability which gave to his busi- ness activities the success and prosperity which they
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always enjoyed. Mr. Hederman is a practical man, and in his present office as Postmaster of Webster, Massa- chusetts, is giving the people such service as makes the public take a just pride in the efficiency and usefulness of the post office. Mr. Hederman is a native of Ireland and a son of Thomas and Bridget (Shaughnesy) Heder- man. His father was a native of Ireland and was active for many years in the shipping interests of the Irish coast, operating a freight boat from Limerick to Kill- rush. He was a ship carpenter by trade, and spent twelve years in California building ships, later coming to Webster, Massachusetts, where he was employed in the mill of S. Slater & Sons.
Thomas F. Hederman was born in County Clare, Ireland, March 4, 1873. Coming to America with his parents at the age of three years, and the family settling in Webster, Massachusetts, it was here that the lad acquired his education in the grammar and high schools. His first business experience was as clerk in a grocery store, then he be- came manager of S. Slater & Sons' Market. After a few years of experience in this general line Mr. Heder- man established a bakery business for himself, also handling a general line of groceries, and for a consider- able time carried this forward as a very prosperous interest, with two wagons constantly on the road. Later selling this enterprise to his brother, he became as- sociated with other partners in the purchase of the printing plant of the Webster "Times," a weekly paper well known in this section. Mr. Hederman acted as president of the company until it was later sold to other parties. In the year 1902 Mr. Hederman was elected Representative from Webster to the Legislature of Massachusetts and served for two consecutive years, 1903 and 1904. During this period he disposed of all his business interests and gave his entire attention to his public service. Meanwhile, from 1901 to 1904 he was a member of the Board of Selectmen of Webster, and after the first year in this capacity, served as chairman of the board. In 1904 Mr. Hederman retired for a time from the public service and purchasing the De Witt Hotel he conducted this modern and popular hostelry for a period of seven years. He then sold this interest to accept the position of general office manager of the Intervale Mills, manufacturers of woolen fabrics. Dur- ing the next few years in addition to this responsibility Mr. Hederman handled their seconds of stock and be- came widely known in the woolen goods trade. In the year 1915, by appointment of President Wilson, Thomas F. Hederman became Postmaster of Webster, Massa- chusetts, and in this responsible position he has served the people faithfully and well. His popularity and the satisfaction felt in his administration of local postal affairs are evidenced by the fact that he still holds office, although the opposite political party is now in power. He is first, last, and always, a Democrat, and for many years has been a leader in the progress of the party in this part of Worcester County. During the World War Mr. Hederman was a very active worker in all drives, and was one of the popular four-minute speakers of this section. He also acted as chairman of the Victory Loan Drive. Fraternally Mr. Hederman is quite prom- inent, being a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles,
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of which he is now (1923) First District Deputy; also a leading member of the Foresters of America. During the existence of the Webster Chamber of Commerce he was very active in its welfare and served on the board of directors.
Mr. Hederman married, at Webster, Massachusetts, Helen Thompson, of this place, and they are the parents of three children: Frank T., a graduate of Yale Univer- sity, degree of Bachelor of Arts, now identified with a Boston bank; Henry, a cadet in the United States Naval Academy, at Annapolis, Maryland, of the class of June, 1923, and captain of the 1923 baseball team; and Helen R., a student at Wellesley College.
FRANK R. SMITH, of Leominster, Massachusetts, of the firm of Smith Brothers, engaged in the hard- ware and contracting business, has been successfully conducting a prosperous enterprise in that city for more than thirty years, and is well known as one of the sub- stantial, highly esteemed business men.
Mr. Smith was born in Webster, Massachusetts, Feb- ruary 25, 1872, son of Robert Smith, who was engaged in business as a wool sorter, and of Mary (Cain) Smith. He received a good, practical education in the public schools of Webster, and then became an apprentice under the direction of his brother, James H. Smith, a hardware merchant, plumber, and sheet metal worker of Pascoag, Rhode Island. Before he was out of his "teens" he had thoroughly mastered the trade, and for a time worked in the hardware department of his broth- er's store in Pascoag. Two years later he removed to Leominster, and because of a shortage of labor at that time in the Leominster Worsted Company's plant, he was asked to accept a position in the shipping and finish- ing department of that concern. That connection, how- ever, he maintained for only four or five months, when he returned to Harrisville, Rhode Island, as manager of his brother's store. Six months later he again returned to Leominster, and in 1893 established himself in busi- ness with his brother, James H., under the name of Smith Brothers, dealers in kitchen furnishings, and as contracting plumber and sheet metal worker. They opened their first establishment at No. 43 Monument Square, and continued to successfully conduct a steadily increasing business in that location for five years. They then removed to Pleasant Street, where they remained for a period of ten years. In 1910 they purchased the property owned by George S. Jones, at No. 43 Monument Square and removed their business to that location, where they have remained up to the present time, 1923. They have a thoroughly up-to-date and scientifically equipped establishment, and have built up a very large trade, extending their operations to a' wide territory surrounding Leominster.
Mr. Smith has made an enviable reputation as a skill- ful plumber and a man of sound business principles. He is well known in fraternal circles, being a member of Leominster Lodge, No. 86, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Wachusett Tribe, No. 41, Improved Order of Red Men; and of Leominster Lodge, No. 1237, Benev- olent and Protective Order of Elks. He is also a member of the Leominster Club, and his religious con-
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nection is with St. Mark's Episcopal Church of Leo- minster, he being a member of the vestry.
Frank R. Smith married, on September 15, 1897, at Pascoag, Rhode Island, Lena F. Baker, daughter of George H. and Carrie A. (Boss) Baker. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of six children: Carrie F., born June 27, 1899; Gertrude M., born May 17, 1901; Robert B., born August 19, 1902; Mary E., born May 31, 1904; Katharine C., born June 6, 1910; and Ruth A., born June 29, 1918.
JOSEPH PETER BOUVIER, M. D .- A promi- nent and successful physician of Worcester County, Massachusetts, is Dr. Joseph Peter Bouvier, who for the past eighteen years has been active in the general practice of medicine at Whitinsville, Massachusetts. A native of Canada and trained for his profession in the foremost institutions of that country, Dr. Bouvier has won success in his chosen field of endeavor, and is counted among the really noteworthy professional men of Worcester County. He is a son of Misael Bouvier, who was born at La Presauton, Province of Quebec. The mother, Leonar (Savage) Bouvier, was born in La Colle, Province of Quebec. She died about twelve years ago.
Dr. Bouvier was born at St. Hyacinthe, Province of Quebec, Canada, July 16, 1880. His education was begun in the local public schools and he later attended St. Hyacinthe Seminary. Thereafter entering McGill University, at Montreal, Canada, he completed his studies at Lavall University, from which he was grad- uated in 1905 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Coming shortly thereafter to Worcester County, Massa- chusetts, and settling in Whitinsville, Dr. Bouvier en- tered the practice of his present profession in this com- munity, following general lines, with obstetrical work predominating and with a large practice in Children's diseases. He early won the esteem and confidence of the people and now has an extensive and constantly growing practice. He is a member of the Whitinsville Chamber of Commerce, and fraternally is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus. With his family he is a member of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church.
Dr. Bouvier married Eva L. Ledoux, daughter of Charles Ledoux, of St. Hyacinthe, Canada, and they are the parents of four children, all born in Whitinsville: John M., born August 8, 1906; Gabrielle, born October 22, 1909; Simonne, born April 1, 1912; and Philip, born August 7, 1917.
FRANK G. PHILBIN-In the world of finance in the city of Worcester, Massachusetts, Mr. Philbin is winning his way to a position of marked prominence. One of the younger men in this field, his ability and energy are carrying him steadily forward, and his ac- tivities are contributing definitely to the welfare and progress of the people. Mr. Philbin is a son of A. J. and Mary E. (Freel) Philbin, his father active as a finisher in the Lancaster Mills of Clinton, Massachusetts.
Frank G. Philbin was born at Clinton, Massachusetts, July 23, 1890. His education comprised the usual public and high school courses in Clinton, and his first position in the business world was that of supervisor in the In- ternational Correspondence School of Scranton, Penn-
sylvania, in the New England district. He was thus associated for three years, then became connected with the National Thrift Bond Corporation of New York City as salesman, remaining with them for about three years. Mr. Philbin then associated himself with George F. Redmond & Company, Inc., investment brokers and financial agents, becoming their representative in Prov- idence, Rhode Island. After establishing their interests in that city, the Redmond people assigned Mr. Philbin to Springfield, Massachusetts, where he opened their offices, but later transferred him to Hartford, Connecticut, where he filled similar responsibilities, eventually coming to Worcester for the same purpose. The firm of George F. Redmond & Company, Inc., was organized in Boston about fourteen years ago, and is a concern of the high- est standing, widely known in the East. Mr. Philbin opened the Worcester branch of this organization on August 8, 1920, at No. 390 Main Street, Worcester, and has, in the period of less than three years, which has since elapsed, carried this branch to a position of large importance, doing an extensive business in this city and vicinity. Mr. Philbin was instrumental in the circula- tion of many thrift bonds during the World War, people not financially able to buy bonds outright being per- mitted to secure them on the partial-payment basis, and in this way many dollars were added to the quota of the city of Worcester. Mr. Philbin is a member of the Knights of Columbus, and attends the Roman Catholic Church of the Blessed Sacrament.
Mr. Philbin married, on January 5, 1912, Sadie V. Lawler, daughter of John J. and Sadie(McCann) Lawler, and they are the parents of two daughters : Mary Alice, born July 12, 1913; and Anna Irene, born November 12, 1918.
J. WARREN SHEPPARD-As the head of one of the most important manufacturing concerns of the city of Worcester, Massachusetts, J. Warren Sheppard is holding a prominent position in the business world of Worcester County. Mr. Sheppard is well equipped to carry forward the line of manufacturing in which he is engaged, and his standing in the industrial world of Worcester is of the highest.
Mr. Sheppard was born in Barre, Worcester County, Massachusetts, July 13, 1880, and is a son of James E. and Margaret J. (Cross) Sheppard. His education was received in the public and high schools of his birth- place, and his first business experience was as an ap- prentice to the printer's trade, he entering the employ of Lucius, P. Goddard, of Worcester, at the age of thir- teen. After four years with him Mr. Sheppard became identified with the Sherman Envelope Company. He was not long with this concern before he was placed in charge of the printing department, then was later pro- moted to the head of the manufacturing department. Meanwhile, he acquired an interest in the business, but when that business was sold to the United Drug Com- pany Mr. Sheppard organized the company of which he is now the head. The incorporation of the present con- cern took place on January 10, 1921, and the officers are : J. Warren Sheppard, president; Eugene A. Cahill, vice- president ; W. H. Sheppard, treasurer; M. Myra Glazier, assistant treasurer ; James E. Sheppard, Harold E. Brewer, Herbert L. Dakin, and Linwood M. Erskine,
Svar OVP. Alin
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BIOGRAPHICAL
directors. They are active in the manufacture of en- velopes-lithographed, printed, and plain-and their ca- pacity is now (1923) I,200,000 envelopes per day. When the present concern was organized they had only two envelope machines, but at present twenty-five machines are in constant operation, and the volume of the prod- uct is increasing daily. As the head of this important company, Mr. Sheppard holds a prominent place in the industrial world of Worcester, and still a young man, gifted with large ability and tireless energy, a bright future unquestionably lies before him. Fraternally he is identified with Athelstan Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, in which order he holds the thirty-second de- gree, also the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Sheppard married Florence E. Vaughn, daughter of Henry and Cora (Dakin) Vaughn, of Worcester.
ALBERT E. HEUSTIS-In electrical circles in Worcester County, Massachusetts, Albert E. Heustis holds a leading position as the head of his own interest, which has been known under the firm name of Albert E. Heustis, Incorporated, for the past seven or eight years. Progressive in spirit and a thoroughly practical man, Mr. Heustis has exerted an influence for advance in his chosen field and holds a leading position in the business world of the city of Fitchburg. He is a son of William H. and Adelaide Maria (Gilpatric) Heustis, his father for many years a prominent manufacturer of paper boxes in Athol, Massachusetts.
Albert E. Heustis was born in Athol, Massachusetts, January 15, 1881. His education was begun in the local public schools, and after the completion of the high school course he apprenticed himself to the electrical business with the Kilton Electric Company, of Webster, Massachusetts. Later Mr. Heustis was active in the same connection with the Sargent, Conant Company, of Boston, leading electrical contractors of that day, who made a specialty of the installation of electric railroads. Mr. Heustis had charge of all overhead construction in their employ and was identified with this firm from 1899 until 1904 inclusive. In December, 1905, he came to Fitchburg to accept a position with the Bruce Hibbard Electric Company of this city, and rising in the organ- ization, he was made shop foreman in June, 1906. Soon afterward Mr. Heustis became associated with Mr. Bruce under the firm name of the Bruce, Heustis Elec- tric Company, and this firm became one of marked prominence in Fitchburg within the next decade. In the year 1916 Mr. Heustis absorbed his partner's interest and has since been active under the present title as above noted. He handles a general line of electrical construc- tion and installation work and has done the electrical work on many of the more important buildings of Fitchburg and vicinity. Not only in his business ca- pacity, but as a man and citizen, Mr. Heustis is esteemed by all with whom he comes in contact. He is a Re- publican in political affairs, although he has never held office, and in all that pertains to the public advance he endorses and supports progressive effort. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Aurora Lodge, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, of Fitchburg; Thomas Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and Jerusalem Commandery, Knights Templar. He is a prominent member of the Kiwanis
Club, and his religious affiliation is with the Rollstone Congregational Church.
Albert E. Heustis married, on June 1, 1913, Grace B. Kendall, of Somerville, Massachusetts, daughter of George Franklin and Lucy Ada (Shaw1) Kendall, the ceremony taking place in Fitchburg, Mr. and Mrs. Heustis are the parents of four children : Albert E., Jr., born April 22, 1914; Lester G., born December 13, 1917; Lucille Adelaide, born February 16, 1919; and Harry Kendall, born September 27, 192I.
OSWALD J. LALIBERTE-At the head of a com- prehensive general building and contracting business, the firm also maintaining their own lumber yards, Oswald J. Laliberte holds a leading position in business circles in Southbridge, Massachusetts. Mr. Laliberte is a son of Francois X. Laliberte who was the founder of this interest and is now retired from business after a long and useful career. He was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, September 1, 1862, and has been in business in Southbridge for a period of thirty-five years. The mother, Louise M. (Frappier) Laliberte, was born at Montreal, Canada, and died in the year 1902.
Oswald J. Laliberte was born at Southbridge, April II, 1890. Receiving a practical education in the local public and high schools, he became associated with his father immediately following the completion of his studies. Familiarizing himself with the business as his father's assistant and actively engaging in all depart- ments of the work, Mr. Laliberte prepared himself for the executive responsibility which he now holds and be- came a member of the firm in the year 1919. The enter- prise has been known since that time under the name of F. X. Laliberte & Son, general building contractors, and in the year 1921, upon the retirement of the founder, Mr. Laliberte took over the entire interest and is con- tinuing it under the same name. This concern handles a very extensive business as contracting builders, being leaders in this field in Southbridge. They also do the moving of buildings, being the only concern equipped for this special line of activity in this vicinity. They have their own lumber yards in connection with the main interest, and while they are doing, more or less in the way of supplying the trade with lumber, they prin- cipally absorb their own stock. In his largely respon- sible position as the head of this interest, Mr. Laliberte is doing much to forward the progress and prosperity of Southbridge and vicinity. While he has not as yet taken any active part in public affairs, he is interested in all that pertains to local progress. Fraternally Mr. Laliberte is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus and the Societé St. Jean Baptiste. His religious affiliation is with the Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church.
Oswald J. Laliberte married, in the year 1918, Helen M. Tennant, and they are the parents of two children, twins : Paul Joseph and Priscilla M., born June 29, 1919. The family home is at No. 55 Everett Street, South- bridge.
IVAR W. ALIN-Among those business men who are holding both executive and official positions at the head of successful manufacturing concerns is Ivar W. Alin, president and manager of the Superior Tool and Manufacturing Company of Worcester, Massachusetts.
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Robert W. Alin, father of Mr. Alin, is a native of Sweden, where, after completing his education in the public and high schools, he became a bookkeeper, but later in life was employed as a railroad conductor. When his son, Ivar W., was a small child, he came to this country and worked as a grocery clerk, and at the present time (1923) he is manager of one of the Econ- omy Stores in Worcester. He married Erika W. Tib- belin, in Sweden.
Ivar W. Alin, son of Robert W. and Erika W. (Tibbelin) Alin, was born in Sweden September 21, 1882. He attended school there until he was ten and then attended the public schools of Worcester, Massa- chusetts, to which city he came with his parents when he was a young child. When his school training was completed he added to his preparations for active life by taking a course in the American School of Corre- spondence, and by reading and observation he has stead- ily increased his fund of information and his breadth of outlook. His first position was with the Heywood Boot and Shoe Company, and when he left that concern he entered the employ of the Morgon Construction Com- pany. That connection he maintained for a period of two years, and it was during that time that he learned the machinist's trade. He then widened his experience by three years in the employ of Prentice Brothers and three years with the Norton Grinding Company, at the end of which time he went to Syracuse, New York, where he entered the employ of the Franklin Auto Com- pany as toolmaker. Later he returned to Worcester and found employment in the spring department of the American Steel and Wire Company. He was now an expert mechanic and toolmaker, and when he severed his connection with the American Steel and Wire Com- pany he became superintendent and manager for John L. Parker & Company of Worcester, with whom he remained for five years. After the entrance of the United States into the World War he accepted a' posi- tion with the Wright-Martin Aircraft Corporation, as tool and gauge maker, in which connection his skill and his general ability enabled him to render valuable service throughout the period of the World War. In October, 1919, Mr. Alin organized the Superior Tool and Manu- facturing Company, and as president and manager of that concern engaged in business for himself. Since that time the enterprise has been steadily growing, and is now one of the successful enterprises of its kind in the city of Worcester. The plant is located at No. 116 Exchange Street, and in addition to manufacturing tools for pressed steel work, jigs, and fixtures, also makes special machinery. Mr. Alin is well known in Masonic circles, being a member of all the Scottish Rite bodies, including the consistory, (thirty-second degree), and Salaam Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Newark, New Jersey. His re- ligious affiliation is with the First Swedish Baptist Church of Worcester, which he has served as a member of the choir for the last twenty-five years.
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