USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 55
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84
Arthur L. Hawkes, son of George P. and A. Elizabeth (Sparhawk) Hawkes, was born in Templeton, Massachu-
292
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY,
setts, November 9, 1864, and received his education in the public schools of his native town, graduating from the high school with the class of 1881. Upon the com- pletion of his high school course he learned the painter's trade, and for thirty years he was engaged in painting houses in Templeton and vicinity. In connection with his work as a painter he, for eight years, was proprietor of a stage line between Templeton and Gardner. When the electric railway began operation between those two points, however, Mr. Hawkes' stage line became un- profitable and was discontinued. Mr. Hawkes then turned his attention to the production of greenhouse cucumbers, in which line he was successfully engaged for a period of five years. For five years more he was in the employ of the Electric Railway Company, and since that time he has devoted his energy mostly to pub- lic service. He served as constable for twelve years, is now Overseer of the Poor, which office he has held for three years, is a member and clerk of the Board of Assessors, which office he has held for six years, and during President Wilson's administration he served as Postmaster, though he gives his support to the Repub- lican party. He has served as Town Moderator for the past fifteen years, and is held in highest esteem among his associates. His military connection is with the State Guard, Company C, 6th Regiment, which he served as company cook. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Narragansett Lodge, No. 222, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Baldwinsville; and his re- ligious affiliation is with the Trinitarian church.
On December 15, 1885, at Templeton, Massachusetts, Arthur L. Hawkes married Marie H. Wallace, daughter of John W. and Mary G. (Simons) Wallace, of Temple- ton. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkes are the parents of seven children : Ralph L., born February 9, 1887, married Pearl Hamilton; William S., born February 23, 1890, married Helen S. Brown, and was the first in the town to enlist, serving with the Ist Division, Ist Regiment, Engi- neers, American Expeditionary Forces ; Herbert E., born January 19, 1892, married Mildred M. Shaw; George M., born November 19, 1895; Ruth E., born May 29, 1897; Helen, born August 29, 1898, married William H. Spalding, of Worcester, Massachusetts; and Richard W., born July 17, 1903.
H. Edwin Hawkes, a brother of Arthur L. Hawkes, was born in Templeton, Massachusetts, December 6, 1872, in the identical house in which Arthur L. Hawkes now lives, the old Hawkes homestead. H. Edwin Hawkes has attained national prominence in certain par- ticulars. He is a graduate of Yale University, and is now dean of Columbia University, New York City. He is a well known writer along mathematical and technical lines, and his text books are in use over the country, including his birthplace.
LEROY BARRETT-In 1905 James M. Barrett became the owner of the Leominster Ice Company and for seventeen years, until his death, continued the suc- cessful management of that company. In 1922 he passed away and was succeeded by his son, Leroy Barrett, as manager. The company harvests about 10,000 tons of natural ice annually, the business being the largest of its kind in Leominster. This ice, gathered in such large quantities, is stored in the company's own ice houses
and thence distributed, in sizes and quantity to suit, to a very large list of consuming customers.
James Myers Barrett was born at Mount Uniac, Nova Scotia, and died in Leominster, Massachusetts, Novem- ber 19, 1922. He was a member of Leominster Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Cham- ber of Commerce. He married Margaret Kirkpatrick, of South Thomaston, Maine, who survives him.
Leroy Barrett, son of James M. and Margaret (Kirk- patrick) Barrett, was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, February 9, 1892. He was educated in the public schools and Burdett College, and when school years were over he became associated with his father who, in 1905, had bought the Leominster Ice Company. This association lasted until the death of the elder partner in 1922, and then the son succeeded to the management of the busi- ness and so continues.
Mr. Barrett is a member of the American Legion, Leominster Post, No. 15, of which he is the organizer and first commander, his military service dating from his enlistment, September 17, 1917. He was commis- sioned second lieutenant May 5, 1918, in the 307th In- fantry, and was honorably discharged May 22, 1919. He was commissioned first lieutenant November 8, 1918, having been with the American Expeditionary Forces in France for twenty months. He was one of that band of American soldiers who rescued the famous "Lost Bat- talion," and had many narrow escapes. He is a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, and Commandery of the York Rite of Freemasonry, is a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, a member of lodge and encampment of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Daughters of Rebekah. He is a member of the Massachusetts Ice Dealers' Association, and on the board of directors; and also a member of the National Association of Ice Deal- ers. He is an active member of the Leominster Cham- ber of Commerce; is a member and trustee of Pilgrim Congregational Church of Leominster, and is both widely and favorably known in his city.
Lieutenant Barrett married, September 1, 1917, Jessie Nettel, born in Leominster, and they are the parents of two daughters : Barbara Florence and Doris Arline.
JAMES A. TIMPANY-One of the active business men of Gardner, Massachusetts, is Mr. Timpany, who holds an important position with S. K. Pierce & Son Company of this city, and serves his community as City Councilman. He is a son of Major R. Timpany, born at Rossway, Nova Scotia, May 15, 1835, who is a car- penter and farmer, and still living. His mother was Almira (Robbins) Timpany, also a native of Rossway, who died when James A. was six years of age, leaving a' family of seven children. He had one brother, Edgell, who lost his life when the United States battleship "Maine" was sunk in Havana harbor, being a marine aboard the vessel.
James A. Timpany was born at Rossway, Nova Scotia, May 23, 1869, where he received most of his education in the public schools, supplemented with courses in the International Correspondence School of Scranton, Pennsylvania. At the age of nineteen he came to Gardner and secured employment in the Ramsdell Toy Shop, devoting two years to wood-working machinery. Then, after seven and one-half years of making baby
293
BIOGRAPHICAL
carriage wheels on a piece-work contract, hiring help, he went into the bicycle business, selling and repairing them. He continued at that for six years, when the business was sold and he moved to Clearfield, Pennsylvania, to take charge of the Clearfield Manufacturing Company's plant, which makes wood wheels. A few months later he returned to Gardner and entered the employ of the S. K. Pierce & Son Company, Inc., and has since risen to be master mechanic after seventeen years of faithful and efficient service.
Before Gardner became a city Mr. Timpany had served as a Selectman for two years, 1921-22, carrying his town by a large vote in one of the hardest fought battles known to the city. He was reelected as Coun- cilman. He served fifteen years in the Gardner Fire Department a's call man. Mr. Timpany is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 1426, and associated with other members in organ- izing the Chamber of Commerce. He was the prime mover in securing the playground for South Gardner known as the Biddeford playground.
Mr. Timpany married Jennie McConnell, of Gardner, daughter of Albro and Rebecca' (Rand) McConnell, both of whom were natives of Nova Scotia, where the father was born in June, 1844. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Timpany : Edith, wife of Mr. Hooper ; Bernice, wife of Mr. Riley; Carl E., who died in in- fancy; Claire R., and Doris E.
ARTHUR B. McEVOY-One of the foremost fig- ures in Leominster to-day and indeed in Worcester County, is Arthur B. McEvoy, whose recent achieve- ment, the construction of the Rialto Theatre, has given to his native town one of the most attractive and up-to- date motion picture houses in the State of Massachu- setts. Mr. McEvoy is a son of Thomas A. McEvoy, who was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, February 14, 1860. Thomas A. McEvoy was educated in the pub- lic schools of Leominster, and after completing his edu- cation he followed the textile business here for about fifteen years in the employ of the Leominster Worsted Company. In I911 he went to Peabody, Massachusetts, where he entered the motion picture business, operating the Olympic Theatre of Peabody, and was thus engaged until 1914. He then came to Leominster and bought the Wilkes Theatre, which he renamed the Olympic. Later on he also purchased the Gem Theatre. Father and son have brought into existence the handsome new building, with a magnificent organ, which gives Leominster a playhouse in a class with others of metropolitan im- portance, this being one of the finest in Worcester County. Thomas A. McEvoy married Rosina Lee, who was born at Plymouth, England, November 14, 1869. They were married at Cardiff, South Wales, and came to America shortly afterward. They are the parents of four children: Edward L., Albert I., Arthur B., of whom further, and Rosina M., wife of William Yeager, a native of Iowa City, Iowa.
Arthur B. McEvoy was born in Leominster, Massa- chusetts, May 16, 1893. His early education was ac- quired in the public schools of his birthplace, and he later attended Northeastern College at Boston, Massa- chusetts. Following the completion of his education Mr. McEvoy became identified with his father in the
motion picture business, his first experience being in the capacity of operator. He has gone forward in this field to a point where he now is considered a leader in amuse- ment circles, as the principal assistant of his parents in their activities as owners and builders of the new Rialto Theatre. He has done much for the people of Leo- minster and the management from its opening night was placed in his hands, although Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McEvoy are still the owners. This modern theatre building, which seats 1,400 people, was opened to the public on January 8, 1923, and the enthusiasm of its patrons was reflected in the daily press in its next issue. The Leominster "Daily Enterprise" commented as fol- lows under date of Tuesday, January 9:
In the presence of the Mayor, City Council, Chamber of Commerce, and an enthusiastic and appreciative audience that filled the house to capacity, two-thirds of the individuals comprising which were present as guests of the management, Leominster's superb new superb new theatre, the Rialto, was formally opened last evening. Every detail of the affair, from the greatest to the least, was par excellence, above criti- cism, or even comparison. The perfect precision and high degree of finish with which every detail of the elaborate program was presented last evening, should be prophetic of continued triumphant success in the future.
The opening of the Rialto Theatre marks a very distinct advance in the progress of the city as a whole, because it puts Leominster on the map as the home of a moving picture theatre second to none in New Eng- land, and in the opinion of many persons qualified to judge, superior to them all. The interest felt in the affair by the community in general was clearly shown by the character of the audience which was present last evening, many of whom are not regular patrons of any playhouse of the silent drama.
Atmospherically the opening performance was all that could be desired. The interest and enthusiasm of the audience was shown at intervals throughout the evening in spontaneous and prolonged applause. This was especially marked at the conclusion of the initial number upon the organ, in which the wonderful tone qualities and almost limitless possibilities of the instrument were adequately demonstrated by Mae Eastman of Boston, who is the regular organist at the theatre, and at the conclusion of the feature pic- ture, when the applause again broke forth.
No less than 1,500 persons were turned away from the theatre on the opening night, and those who were able to secure admittance will long remember the atmosphere of appreciation which pervaded the audience. Certainly no finer building could be placed in a com- munity of this size, and it is generally felt that the McEvoys have given to the people the possibility of true artistic enjoyment in its creation. It would be difficult to describe the structure more suitably than was done in the same newspaper above quoted as follows :
The building was designed by the well known firm of Boston architects, Funk & Wilcox Company, who have made this theatre a one floor or "bleacher type," which type has been most successfully developed and used by them throughout New England. The struc- ture itself is a large brick and stone building approxi- mately 70 feet wide and 180 feet long, the exterior of the building being red with limestone trimming.
The main entrance is most conveniently located on Main street, over which is a spacious marquise or canopy, which affords protection to either the motor- ist or pedestrian patron against inclement weather. The vestibule, which is approximately 20 feet square, forms a most pleasing entrance, and nothing has been left undone to make it most attractive to the patron. The beautiful marble side walls are adorned with handcarved photograph cabinets, above which is a richly ornamented plaster ceiling. The ticket booth, which is located in the center of the marble and tile floor of the vestibule, is made of marble and wood, and is highly ornamented with carving and painted
294
HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY
decorations. The unique and important feature of the entrance portion of the theatre, however, is the foyer. On each side is a wide and inviting Italian marble stairway leading to the mezzanine floor, and directly opposite the main doors may be seen a large semi- circular fountain arranged in an appropriate plaster niche, the basin of which is lined with beautiful green tile and marble, containing small turtles and fish. Admirably arranged on a group of rocks in the middle of the fountain is a life-like statue of the celebrated Mark Twain's character "Huckleberry Finn," ideally posing as catching a fish, the whole being executed in marbleine by the noted Boston sculptor, Mr. John Grady.
The sounding board is considered the chief artistic attraction of the theatre, being adorned with fluted columns, which uphold the stately proscenium arch. The interior is designed in the Adams style, and its rich decorations in tapestry effect of golden brown create a charming and rich ensemble. The program for the opening night was: "Medley of Southern Airs," intro- ducing the gigantic Robert Morton organ, the largest in Worcester County, and Mae Eastman, one of New England's leading organists. New Rialto News Weekly. "Pardon My Glove," an educational comedy which means "The Spice of the Program." "A Quiet Day at Home," a musical novelty act. A Paramount picture, Thomas Meighan in "Back Home and Broke." George Ade wrote this story especially for Thomas Meighan and also wrote the continuity-a "home town" story with great love interest, supported by Lila Lee. "The Star Spangled Banner."
Mr. McEvoy served in the World War, enlisting in the Mine Laying Division in the United States Navy on June 5, 1917, and received his discharge September 19, 1919, with the rank of machinist's mate, first class. He is a member of the Leominster Chamber of Commerce, and fraternally is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the American Legion. The McEvoy family are all members of St. Louis' Roman Catholic Church.
Arthur B. McEvoy married, January 20, 1915, Nellie C. Crean, who was born at Peabody, Massachusetts. Mr. McEvoy's brothers and brother-in-law are also in- terested in the Rialto Theatre. Edward L. McEvoy is further associated with the American Feature Film Company of Boston in the capacity of sales manager. Albert I. McEvoy acts as sales manager of the Progress Film Company of New Haven, Connecticut, and is also actively interested in the above theatre and William Yeager is treasurer of the Rialto Theatre.
CLARENCE A. PARADIS-Few young men of Worcester County, Massachusetts, have attained so high a measure of success as Clarence A. Paradis, who as an undertaker and funeral director holds a prominent position in the town of Webster, and is also one of the foremost insurance brokers in this section. Mr. Paradis comes of French ancestry for many years resident in Canada, and his parents and grandparents became Amer- ican citizens. His paternal grandfather, André Paradis, lived to the age of seventy-five years, the grandmother, Josephine (Dubreiul) Paradis, surviving him and living to the age of seventy-eight. She is buried at Marlboro, Massachusetts. Eldege Paradis, their son, and father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Canada, and died in Webster, Massachusetts, in 1917. He married Rosalie Brodeur, who was born in Canada, and is still
living. She is a daughter of Nazaire and Hermine (Hamel) Brodeur, and her father died at the age of seventy-eight years and her mother at the age of eighty- six years, both now lying buried at Webster.
Eldege Paradis was born at St. Cezaire, Province of Quebec, Canada, August 27, 1860. Educated in the public schools of that city, he came to Fitchburg, Massachu- setts, as a young man and secured employment in the railroad shops, making moulding for cars on a hand wood-working machine. He then came to Webster, Massachusetts, and entered the employ of H. M. Bro- deur, who was active in the manufacture of picture frames and was also in the undertaking business. He learned the latter business and eventually bought out the interest. He carried this forward until his death in 1917, and inspired his son to the lofty ideals with which he had always met the responsibilities of the pro- fession. He was a man of wide interests and sympathies, a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Societe St. Jean de Baptiste, and the Franco-American Order of Foresters. He was a devoted member of St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church, becoming active in the work of the parish when it was still in its infancy, and doing much for the building of the church edifice, giving from his own means and raising money by subscription.
Clarence A. Paradis was born at Webster, Massa- chusetts, May 9, 1894. His education was begun at St. Ann's Parochial School, and he later attended As- sumption College at Worcester, Massachusetts. As a young man he became associated with his father in the undertaking business in Webster, and receiving a half interest in the business, he made special preparations for a career in this field, entering the New England Institute of Anatomy, from which he was graduated in the class of 1913, now holding a license as undertaker and embalmer in both Massachusetts and Connecticut. After the death of the father Mr. Paradis and his mother carried the business forward together with large success, Mrs. Paradis doing much for its devel- opment. During this period they built their present headquarters, the first floor being devoted to their office and undertaking rooms, and their residence above. They have very fine show rooms, and carry a complete line of caskets and furnishings, principally of the highest grade, and this show room can be transformed into a chapel. With morgue and all the usual departments for the handiing of the work, the plant's equipment is com- pleted with a very fine fleet of motor vehicles, including one of the most beautiful motor hearses in this part of the State. Mr. Paradis and his mother expanded the business very materially, and upon his mother's retire- ment, on April 1, 1922, he continued along the same lines of advance. The Paradis name in southern Worcester County and the adjacent section of Connecticut is synonymous with all that can be desired in the way of courteous, efficient service, and tasteful, seemly arrange- ments for the melancholy duty of caring for the dead.
In other lines of interest also Mr. Paradis has identi- fied himself with the progress of the city of Webster and vicinity. In 1917 he purchased the insurance busi- ness theretofore handled by Leroy Upham, an old estab- lished enterprise, and doing a general insurance business in this vicinity, he represents seventeen of the more im- portant companies. In this branch of economic advance
Ham & ler aword
295
BIOGRAPHICAL
Mr. Paradis is doing much for the welfare of the people. He was active in the service of the United States Army during the World War, having enlisted on November 16, 1917. He was detailed to duty at the Panama Canal in No. 8 Ambulance Company, and received his honor- able discharge from the service on February 21, 1919. Mr. Paradis is a loyal supporter of the principles and policies of the Republican party, but his time is so fully occupied by his business affairs that he has thus far never accepted public responsibilities. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Columbus, the Franco- American Order of Foresters, the Union St. Jean de Baptiste, and the Club Gagnon. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart.
Clarence A. Paradis married Blanche St. Germain, of Oxford, Massachusetts, daughter of Auxibit and Marie (Larochelle) St. Germain, and they have three sons : Raymond Armand, Donald Gilbert, and Jules Eugene.
WILLIAM JOHN CRAWFORD-Rarely, indeed, is a man seen in the business world at the age of eighty-eight years, but such is the case in North Dana, Massachusetts, for the venerable figure of William John Crawford is daily seen at his desk in the offices of Crawford & Tyler, a leading textile plant of this com- munity, of which he has been the head executive for forty years. A man of large ability he is gifted not only with executive genius but with that outlook upon life which at once recognizes one man's responsibility to his fellow men as well as his right of personal achievement. Mr. Crawford has lived an eminently useful and worthy life, and he is not only esteemed and admired as an aged and still active business man, but as a broad-minded cit- izen of progressive spirit and ever forward-looking atti- tude. Mr. Crawford comes of a family distinguished for great age, and is a son of William John Crawford, who was born in Ireland and died at the age of eighty- six years, and his mother, Anna Beers (Brown) Craw- ford, was also born in Ireland, and died at the great age of seventy-eight.
William John Crawford was born at Belfast, Ireland, February I, 1836. His early education was received in the Toy School Post Office of County Down, then coming to America with his mother in 1852, he settled at Graf- ton, Massachusetts, where his education was completed, Mr. Crawford learned to weave at a little village shop in Saundersville, in the town of Grafton, Massachusetts, and spent two and one-half years in this connection. He then went to Boylston, Massachusetts, where he was employed as a weaver for two years, then was foreman of the weaving room, which position he held for eighteen years. Coming to Athol, Massachusetts, Mr. Crawford entered the employ of W. A. Fisher, as boss weaver, remaining for a period of ten years, after which he went to Eagle- ville and in partnership with James Dorr, opened a horse-blanket mill, which they conducted for one year. Thereafter returning to Athol for a short time, Mr. Crawford again left that town and settled permanently in North Dana, Massachusetts, buying out the Goodwin & Schoffield Company on August 30, 1883. This con- cern was a' long established one and widely known in the manufacture of woolen fabrics, with plant fully equipped. Mr. Crawford received as a partner Edwin P. Tyler, who died in the year of 1922, and their long
association as owners of the Crawford & Tyler mills gave them a distinguished position in the community. Mr. Crawford is still in excellent health, strong and sturdy, and apparently likely to complete a full cen- tury of life. His mental capacity is as brilliant as in the early days, when he was still a young man working out his own success, and his memory for dates is very remarkable. Although Mr. Crawford has reached an age when few attempt to keep in touch with the world at all, he is keenly interested in all public affairs, is an active member of the Republican party, and was for one year a Selectman of North Dana, also Chief of the Fire Department. After his term as Selectman he received a vote of thanks at a town meeting. He is a member of Huberard B. Smith Post, No. 140, Grand Army of the Republic, of Athol, having served in the Civil War with honor and distinction. He enlisted on September 18, 1862, in Company E, 42d Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, and was made a corporal while in the service. He was on his way to Galveston, Texas, when the word came that the sur- render of General Lee had taken place, and received his discharge from the service on August 20, 1863. Mr. Crawford has been a citizen of the United States since May 23, 1859, when he took out his papers of naturaliza- tion. He is a member of the Universalist church, and was very active in the movement which resulted in the erection of the present church edifice in North Dana, Massachusetts, towards which he donated $500.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.