USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 54
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Although Mr. Creed was spared to a good old age, his passing cast a shadow on the community, for in such a life are exemplified those qualities of devotion to duty and appreciation of good which count so definitely in the progress of any community, and which, in the last analy- sis, will appear as of far greater significance to the world than any mere qualities of personal gain. His life was an upright one, and his memory will long be honored and cherished by those whose privilege it was to know him.
ELMER E. DOW-In the industrial organization known as the Worcester Ornamental Iron Company, Inc., an interesting branch of construction work is being carried forward, and as vice-president of this concern, Elmer E. Dow holds a prominent position in the business world of Worcester County. Mr. Dow is a native of the State of Maine, and is a son of Orchard Cook Dow, who was born in Prospect, Maine, and by occupation was a farmer and carpenter, and a brother of Herman L. Dow, whose biography follows.
Elmer E. Dow was born in Prospect, Maine, January 26, 1863. His education was acquired in the public schools of the town of Monroe, in the same State, and upon the completion of his studies he became active in the work of the home farm, also mastering the carpen- ter's trade under the instruction of his father. He then came to Worcester, Massachusetts, and became associated with Norcross Brothers, and after a few years he was given charge of their ornamental iron department. His connection with that concern covering a period of twenty- five years. Later for about two years he was with the Eastern Bridge Company, then was engaged in carpenter work for a few years, but the opportunities in the field of ornamental iron work presented themselves to him with such force that in 1920 he entered this branch of con- structive activity, organizing the present concern, the Worcester Ornamental Iron Company, Inc. In associ- ation with his brother, Herman L. Dow, as treasurer and general manager, Mr. Dow acts as vice-president of the company, and is broadly active in its management. The firm was incorporated at the time of its founding, and their large success has placed them among the really important industrial organizations of Worcester County, although, as yet, they have been active for only a few years. Elmer E. Dow is broadly interested in all ad- vance, and fraternally is identified with Fraternity Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Salem, Massachusetts. He is a member of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church of Worcester.
Elmer E. Dow married (first) Alice Doe, who died, leaving two sons: Harry E. and Percival E. He mar-
ried (second) Cora Walton, and they have one son, Elmer C. The family residence is at No. 30 Hapgood Road, Worcester, Massachusetts.
HERMAN L. DOW-In the world of construction in Worcester County, Massachusetts, the Worcester Ornamental Iron Company, Inc., is one of the leaders in the erection and installation or ornamental iron work. Although this concern has been active for only a com- paratively few years, still, under the leadership of Her- man L. Dow, its treasurer and general manager, its growth has been remarkable. Mr. Dow is counted among broadly substantial business executives of the day in Worcester County. He is a son of Orchard Cook Dow, who was born in Prospect, Maine, and was a farmer and carpenter by occupation.
Herman L. Dow was born in Monroe, Maine, June 26, 1869. Receiving a practical education in the district schools of his native place, he first entered the business world as a clerk in a' store in Boston, Massachusetts, thereafter entering the employ of Norcross Brothers, a leading contracting concern of Worcester, with which he was identified for twenty-two years. During this period Mr. Dow worked up from the position of helper to that of works manager. In the course of this long experience and his successful rise to an influential posi- tion, Mr. Dow gained much of value to him in his sub- sequent activities. Becoming identified with the Wor- cester Ornamental Iron Works in 1917, he was made treasurer of the concern and general manager also in 1920, when it was incorporated under the name of the Worcester Ornamental Iron Company, Inc. The gen- eral scope of the work handled by this concern is in- dicated in its name, and from the least important to the greatest contracts the company is noted for its prompt and courteous treatment of all customers. They have done much of the finer work in their line, both outside and inside, in the business districts of the city, in the residential sections, and especially among the public buildings. Mr. Dow is a member of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce and the United Commercial Travelers' Association, but has few interests outside the realm of his business life.
Mr. Dow married Nellie Jewett, and they are the par- ents of three children: Alma C., Evelyn Ruth, and Norman E.
DR. EDWARD BARTOL, M. D., is among the native sons of Lancaster, Massachusetts, who is devot- ing the activities of his mature years to the interests of the community in which he was born. After eighteen years of successful medical experience in Milton, Massa- chusetts, he returned to the town of his birth and here he is engaged in general practice and has built up a large clientele.
Dr. Bartol was born in Lancaster, Massachusetts, September 5, 1874, son of George M. and Elizabeth (Washburn) Bartol, both of Lancaster, the former of whom is engaged in the Christian ministry. After at- tending the public schools of Lancaster, he entered the preparatory school at Worcester, and then matriculated in Harvard College, from which he was graduated in 1896 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. During the following fall he became a student in Harvard Medical
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College, from which he received the degree Doctor of Medicine in 1900. Upon the completion of his profes- sional training he served an interneship in the Massa- chusetts General Hospital, and then in 1902 engaged in general practice in Milton, Massachusetts. There he remained for eighteen years, building up a very large practice and ministering to the needs of his many pa- tients with notable efficiency and faithfulness. After eighteen years of successful general practice in Milton, however, he decided to return to his native town, and in 1921 opened his office in Lancaster. He was already well known in this community, both in a professional way and socially, and he has, during the short time he has been engaged in practice here, built up an important clientele, which is steadily growing. He is a member of the Board of Health, and is actively interested in the promotion of the general welfare of the community. Upon the entrance of the United States into the World War he volunteered for service in the Medical Corps and was assigned, November, 1917, to the Board of Med- ical Examiners, with which he served until 1919 when he received his honorable discharge. Fraternally, he is affiliated with Mandon Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Milton, and he is also a member of the Harvard Club. He keeps in close touch with the progress of his profession through membership in the Worcester County Medical Association, North District Medical Society, and the American Medical Society. His religious affiliation is with the First Church of Christ, Scientist.
Dr. Edward Bartol married, in 1914, at Trinity Church, Boston, Massachusetts, Ethel Chandler, daugh- ter of Francis W. and Alice (Dalland) Chandler, of Boston. Dr. and Mrs. Bartol have one son, Francis W., who was born January 30, 1915.
RALPH CLARY CLAPP-The name of Ralph Clary Clapp, of Athol, Massachusetts, is one of more than usual significance in art circles in this community, for his studios are a center of attraction for artists and lovers of art over a wide range of territory. Personally gifted both as artist and critic, Mr. Clapp has developed his business as an art dealer to a point of large im- portance. He is a son of Edward P. and Sarah S. Clapp, his father a prominent farmer of the State of Massachusetts.
Ralph Clary Clapp was born at Deerfield, Massachu- setts, in 1870. His education was received at Dickin- son High School and Academy, and from boyhood he was a student of art. His early life was spent in the employ of various picture and art stores, and in studio work with noted artists. On October 5, 1907, Mr. Clapp bought out the Dunklee Studios in Athol, and he has since conducted this very interesting enterprise along progressive lines. He has succeeded in making the busi- ness side prosperous, and at the same time has main- tained the highest ideals of art in the aesthetic phase of his work. Patrons from all parts of New England have come to seek in this charming studio art treasures, both old and new, and the imprint of his spirit will be per- manently felt in the influence of his activities in local art circles. Mr. Clapp is a thoroughly progressive and forward looking citizen, and fraternally is affiliated with
Pocumtuck Lodge, No. 67, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Greenfield, and he attends the Congrega- tional church.
Ralph Clary Clapp married, in October, 1906, Stella Mae Wells, daughter of William J. and Lizzie Wells.
GEORGE W. RICE-Standing behind the construc- tion activities of Millbury, Massachusetts, and vicinity as a dealer in lumber and builders' supplies, George W. Rice also carries forward a prosperous and important business in the distribution of coal. He has been at the head of this interest for only a comparatively short time, but from the time of completing his education has been actively connected with it. He is a son of Arthur W. Rice, who founded this interest in the year 1906 and carried it forward until his death, which occurred in 1922. Arthur W. Rice was born in Sutton, Massa- chusetts, and was for many years one of the prominent men of the town of Millbury, both as a merchant and as a citizen. The mother, Genevieve (Loveland) Rice, was born at Saratoga Springs, and survives the husband and father.
George W. Rice was born at Sutton, Massachusetts, January 16, 1899. His education was acquired in the public and high schools of Millbury, and upon the com- pletion of his studies he became associated with his father in the coal business, continuing as his valued assistant and capable associate until his father's death in 1922. Following his father's death, Mr. Rice took over the interest and has since carried it forward under his own name. With yards and offices advantageously located on Canal Street, he handles coal, lumber, lime, and cement, and this enterprise is the most important in its field in the town of Millbury. Although still a young man, Mr. Rice is taking a definite and useful place in the community and his activities in his present business bear direct relation to the public prosperity. Mr. Rice is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, and the Royal Arch Masons, the New England Coal Dealers' Association, and the Westboro Country Club, and is one of the popular young men in social circles in Mill- bury to-day. He attends St. John's Episcopal Church.
CHARLES A. BIXBY, in the distribution of auto- mobiles is winning large success. His extensive prac- tical experience in various branches of professional and commercial activity have given him an excellent training for this branch of business advance, and his natural ability is carrying him forward to gratifying success. Mr. Bixby's father was Charles H. A. Bixby, a building contractor of New Braintree, Massachusetts. His mother was Nora' (Smith) Bixby, of the same town.
Charles A. Bixby was born at New Braintree, Massa- chusetts, August 2, 1887. When he was two years old, he was adopted by an uncle, Philip P. Bixby, of Wor- cester, and in that city his education was begun in the local public schools and continued in the Worcester High Schools. He later took a special course in engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and in further preparation for his career he gave practical ap- plication to his technical training by learning the machin- ist's trade in the plant of the Hobb's Manufacturing Company of Worcester. Mr. Bixby then identified him-
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self with the Draper Company of Hopedale, Massachu- setts, in the capacity of draftsman, which he filled for one year. He then signed a contract with the United Fruit Company, and in their employ went to Panama, where he was stationed at Boca Del Toro, Republic of Panama, as master mechanic. After four years in this connection, Mr. Bixby accepted a flattering offer from the National Motor Vehicles Company of Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was active in experimental tests on motor cars for two years. Through this affiliation Mr. Bixby became interested in the sales end of the cor- poration, and remained in this capacity until 1916. For about a year thereafter he was associated with the Pack- ard Motor Car Company of Boston, and he was here when America intervened in the World War. Mr. Bixby enlisted for service over seas on June 15, 1917, and was commissioned first lieutenant of the Ordnance Department where he remained until August 15, 1917. He was promoted to the rank of captain of field artillery in June of 1918, and on June 4, 1918, sailed for France. He served as captain of F Battery, 2d Battalion, Field Artillery, and after his graduation from the French Artillery School of Fire, he entered actively into the campaigns of that period. He saw service in the Ge- rardmer sector and in the Vorges sector, where, though it was the largest sector in France, he fed and clothed 22,500 men by means of a transport service comprising only forty-three trucks. He was also at St. Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne, and received a citation from the commanding general of the 6th Division. Returning to the United States, Captain Bixby arrived on this side on September 23, 1919. He reported to the chief of the Motor Transport Corps, stationed at Camp Funston, Kansas, where he remained for a considerable period, then was returned East and received his hon- orable discharged from the service in Boston on August 16, 1920. Captain Bixby's first military experience was as a member of Company C, 2d Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, then known as the Worcester Light Infantry, in which he enlisted in 1903 and served three years. After being active in Boston for a time Captain Bixby returned to Worcester on June 1, 1921, and opened a general sales office, dealing in automobiles. In Septem- ber of the same year he organized the Worcester Auto- motive Company, Incorporated, of which he was elected president and manager. In this capacity Mr. Bixby acts as agent for the Franklin Automobiles and is doing a large and constantly increasing business. In June of 1922 another concern was organized as the "121 Com- mercial Sheet, Incorporated," a realty holding corpora- tion. Captain Bixby's success is the direct result of sincere effort backed by exhaustive preparation and wide experience, and he holds a leading position in his chosen field of endeavor in Worcester County. Mr. Bixby is a member of the National Automobile Dealers' Association, Worcester Automobile Association, Wor- cester Chamber of Commerce, and the Automobile Club of Worcester. Socially he is affiliated with the Lion's Club of Worcester.
Mr. Bixby married, May 24, 1916, Hilma W. Carl- strom, of Worcester. Her father was a steel expert who came to America and entered the employ of the American Steel and Wire Company.
FREDERICK W. GUILD, M. D., a prominent phy- sician of Worcester County, Massachusetts, successful in private practice and locally active in the public service, is a leading figure in professional circles in Grafton, Massachusetts. Born in the West, his professional prep- arations were made in Eastern institutions, and his suc- cess has become a definite achievement. Dr. Guild is a grandson of Lawrence Winfield Guild, and a son of Alvin W. and Josephine (Washburn) Guild, his parents formerly of the State of Iowa but now residents of Wollaston, Massachusetts; the father throughout his active lifetime was engaged in the real estate and insurance brokerage business, but is now retired.
Frederick W. Guild was born at Hollyville, Iowa, November 18, 1884, and was but two years of age when the family came East and settled in Boston. He at- tended the public and high schools of that city, then entered the University of Vermont, from which he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in the year 1909. Thereafter for three years Dr. Guild served as assistant physician at the Monson State Hos- pital, and in 1912 came to Grafton. He has since been active in the practice of medicine in this community and its vicinity, and has won an enviable position in his chosen profession. He commands a wide and lucrative private practice in this section, but this by no means bounds the scope of his activities, for he has served the public practically since his residence here. Dr. Guild was made Town Physician of Grafton in 1912, in which capacity he still serves; since 1916 he has been secretary of the local Board of Health. In 1919 he was elected chairman of the School Committee, and still serves in this responsible office. Fraternally he is affiliated with Franklin Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Manchester Unity, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Foresters of America, and he is a member of the Worcester Dis- trict Medical Society, the Massachusetts Medical So- ciety, and the Phi Delta' Theta and Delta Mu medical fraternities. His religious affiliation is with the Baptist church.
Dr. Guild married, in June, 1914, at Grafton, Massa- chusetts. Edith Lombard, daughter of Shirley and Helen (Sawyer) Lombard. Dr. and Mrs. Guild are the parents of two children: Shirley, born March 3, 1916; and Virginia, born September 1, 1918.
JACOB W. LONGLEY, a noteworthy figure in various lines of advance in Sterling, Massachusetts, for many years, has within recent years been broadly active in the public service of the community; with the foun- dation of his practical business experience, his public activities are counting largely for the welfare and pros- perity of the town. Mr. Longley is a native of New Hampshire, and a member of a family long prominent in that State in practical business affairs. He is a grandson of Jacob Longley and son of George H. Long- ley, who was born at Petersboro, New Hampshire, and was for many years engaged in the ice business, subse- quently becoming a baker until his death. The mother, Sarah M. (Kimball) Longley, was born at Dublin, New Hampshire, and both are now deceased.
Jacob W. Longley was born at Petersboro, New Hampshire, February 13, 1862. His education was
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begun in the public schools of his birthplace and follow- ing the completion of the high school course he became his father's assistant in the bakery business. Continu- ing active thus for a number of years Mr. Longley then left home and went to Meriden, Connecticut. He re- mained in that city for only a short time, returning to his native place on account of his father's serious ill- ness. Mr. Longley conducted the bakery for a consid- erable time and in connection with it established a restaurant. Continuing along these allied lines of ac- tivity for about five years he then became identified with Smith & Brown, in Petersboro, in the capacity of grocery clerk. This, however, was only a short period of activity and he next filled a similar position with Charles Schoolcraft of Concord, New Hampshire. After six months in the latter connection he became identified with a wholesale fruit and produce concern of Boston, where he remained for a year and a half, then settled permanently in Worcester County, Massachusetts. Coming to this section in 1900 Mr. Longley was em- ployed by various grocery firms in Leominster. Among them Cobb, Aldrich, Brown & Greenleaf, and the Co- lumbia Grocery Company. In 1907 Mr. Longley was elected Tax Collector of the town of Sterling, Massa- chusetts, in which office he still ably serves. Seven years later the additional responsibilities of Town Clerk were placed in his hands, and in 1915 he was elected Town Treasurer. These three offices Mr. Longley has filled with characteristic attention to detail and devotion to duty, and the responsibilities of all still remain in his hands. He is clerk of the Board of Registrars and Warrant Officer for the town of Sterling. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Petersboro.
Mr. Longley married, October 26, 1889, at Ashby, New Hampshire, Emily A. Bates, and they are the parents of one daughter: Renah Marie, who married Mr. Stevens, a son of Henry D. Stevens, a former Uni- tarian minister of Sterling, their residence being in Watertown, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are the parents of five children : Renah Patricia, Ralph, Jr .; Davis Wayland, Wayne Longley, and Andrew Chester.
EDGAR H. O'BRIEN-A wide and varied experi- ence in the employ of others has prepared Edgar H. O'Brien for success in the management of an enterprise of his own, and since 1915 he has been the proprietor of a thriving dry goods business, first in partnership with P. Martland, and later, alone. His dry goods estab- lishment is situated on High Street, in Clinton, and he is well known as one of the successful merchants of that city.
Mr. O'Brien was born in New York City April 16, 1880, son of Captain John and Josephine (Nodene) O'Brien, and received his education in the public schools of New York City. While attending school he was em- ployed as a clerk in a grocery store, before and after school and on holidays, and later he found employment as cash boy in a New York department store. Still later he became associated with a suburban parcel deliv- ery company operating between New York and Newark and the Oranges in New Jersey, serving as messenger. His next business connection was with his father, with whom he travelled through the West Indies on a "tramp"
fruit steamer for three years. At the end of that time he returned to New York City, but soon afterward as- sociated himself with Hahne & Company of Newark, New Jersey, in the shipping department. This connec- tion he maintained for a period of two years, at the end of which time he entered the employ of Woolworth & Company, first as window trimmer and later as floor manager. After five years' service in the latter capacity, ill health made it necessary that he should secure out-of- door employment, and he became identified with the Pru- dential Life Insurance Company of Newark, New Jersey. Two years later, his health having greatly improved, he resumed his connection with the Woolworth Company, this time in Newark, New Jersey, where he remained until 1912. He then was transferred to Clinton, Massa- chusetts, as manager of the Woolworth store there, and that position he continued to efficiently fill until 1915, when, in partnership with P. Martland, he en- gaged in the dry goods business for himself. Three years later, in 1918, the partnership was dissolved and Mr. O'Brien established himself in a similar enterprise of his own, locating at No. 164 High Street, Clinton, where he has continued to the present time (1923).
Like his father, who was one of the first promoters of the Panama Canal project, and one of the first to raise wrecked ships by means of an air ballast, Mr. O'Brien is resourceful and progressive, quick to see a business opportunity, and original in methods. He is a member of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, and fraternally is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His religious interest is with the Methodist church, of which he is a member. He finds healthful out-of-door recre- ation in hunting and fishing, and has a host of friends.
Edgar H. O'Brien married, in October, 1908, Grace E. Wolfe, daughter of Emery and Mary (Smith) Wolfe, and they are the parents of three children : Ethel Mary, Edgar Clyde, and Ruth Elizabeth.
ARTHUR L. HAWKES-Few men are better known and none are more highly esteemed in Temple- ton, Massachusetts, than is Arthur L. Hawkes, who has spent practically his entire life in the town of his birth, and has for the past fifteen years devoted most of his time to the service of that community.
George P. Hawkes, father of Mr. Hawkes, was also born in Templeton, Massachusetts, and he, too, spent most of his life in public service, holding at different times nearly all the offices in the gift of the town, serving as Town Moderator for twenty-five years. During the Civil War he commanded the 21st Massachusetts Regi- ment, and was commissioned brigadier-general. After the close of the war he was elected to represent his district in the State Legislature, where he served ably and faithfully. His unusual ability, his honesty in pub- lic service, and his pleasing personality made him a gen- eral favorite, and won for him hosts of friends wherever he went, and he was held in the highest esteem to the time of his death, which occurred in Templeton, Sep- tember 23, 1903. He married A. Elizabeth Sparhawk, who was born in West Virginia, and died in Templeton, Massachusetts, September 28, 1912.
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