USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 59
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(VIII.) Alba Jones Marshall, son of Joseph Irish and Vilona (Jones) Marshall, was born in Hebron, Maine, December 12, 1852. After receiving his early education in the public schools of Hebron, Maine, and of Southboro, Massachusetts, he completed his prepara- tion for active life by taking a course in Hebron Acad- emy. When his academic course was completed he returned to Southboro, in 1868, where he became his father's assistant on the farm. Gradually, as he became more expert and experienced his father relinquished the cares of the farm, and Alba J. finally assumed the entire responsibility. Upon the death of his father he became the owner of the farm and throughout the entire period of his active career he has most successfully engaged in taking care of the homestead acres. He is widely known as a successful and progressive farmer and a' man of high integrity and honor. Politically he gives
his support to the principles and the candidates of the Republican party.
Alba Jones Marshall married, on December 17, 1889, in Southboro, Sarah Ann Williams, who was educated in the public schools of Southboro and in Framingham Normal School, daughter of Caleb Strong and Sarah Foster (Walkup) Williams. Her father, Caleb Strong Williams, was a miller and a' farmer by occupation, holding several town offices, and was a charter member of St. Bernard Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he was treasurer for several years. Mrs. Mar- shall's great-grandfather, James Williams, was a soldier in the Revolution, and a' descendant of the first Robert Williams, who settled in Roxbury, Massachusetts, in 1637.
PATRICK F. FINNERTY-A bit of Celtic charm is associated with the career of Patrick F. Finnerty, proprietor of the music, news, and stationery estab- lishment located in the Philbin Block, on High Street, at Clinton, Massachusetts. With true Irish versatility and vigor he has been successfully engaged in a varied line of business activities, including that of the profes- sional musician, and with equally characteristic ease and skill he has established and developed a lucrative busi- ness concern.
Michael Finnerty, father of Patrick F. Finnerty, emi- grated from Ireland to Canada in 1827. Ten years later he decided to try his fortune in the States, and in 1837 removed to Clinton, Massachusetts, where he was the second Irishman to make his home there. With a man named Sawyer, a builder of roads, he obtained employ- ment for a time, but after a time made a change, sever- ing his connection with Mr. Sawyer and entering the employ of Mr. Riley as a bricklayer. Not yet entirely satisfied with his work, he subsequently made another change, this time becoming an employee of H. B. Bigelow. Here he found the work which his Irish heart craved. Mr. Bigelow, recognizing Mr. Finnerty's abil- ities, and being in need of some one to care for his ex- tensive grounds, offered him a position as gardener on the beautiful Bigelow estate. At last he had found his place, and from that time to the time of his death, a period of half a century, Michael Finnerty loved and cared for the growing plants and flowers which throve under his care as though the pixies and fairies of Old Ireland had themselves come to take a hand in the work. Michael Finnerty married, in Worcester, Massachusetts, Margaret Burke of Clinton, Massachusetts, and they were the parents of ten children, of whom nine are liv- ing, among them Patrick F., of further mention.
Patrick F. Finnerty was born in Clinton, Massachu- setts, March 27, 1862, and attended the public schools of Clinton until he was eleven years of age. He then began his active career, finding his first employment in the cutting department of the Harris comb shop at Clinton, where he remained for one year. He then de- cided that he could find larger opportunity elsewhere and secured a position in the cloth room of the Lancaster Mills in Clinton. There he remained for several years, but while attending to his work with diligence and skill, he was using his spare time to advance himself in an entirely different line. He had become interested in music, and was learning to play the clarionet. With
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characteristic energy he was not satisfied to merely be able to play. He made a thorough study of his instru- ment and of the kinds of music for which the clarionet is best adopted. There was little time left when the long day's work in the mills was ended, but such as there was he continued to use faithfully and wisely. Gradually he developed the skill and the technique necessary for the full expression of his Celtic love of the beautiful, and as his reputation as a clarionetist began to grow, he found that he had by hard and faithful work laid the solid foundations which enabled him to take advan- tage of the opportunities which began to come to his door. Slowly at first, but more and more rapidly later, requests for playing musical engagements came in, and finally he was able to leave the mills entirely and devote his whole time to his music. With his brothers, Michael J. and James J., he formed Finnerty's Orchestra, which was the first orchestra organized in the town of Clinton, and which for a period of ten years devoted its entire time to concert work and to the filling of dance and other engagements. After about ten years of successful concert work, Mr. Finnerty, with Irish thrift and fore- sight, decided to establish himself upon a firm financial basis. He had been saving a fair proportion of his earnings, and with these as capital he established a small music store at No. 109 Mechanic Street, in Clin- ton. The business increased steadily, and on February 15, 1899, he removed to No. 23 High Street, in order to secure larger quarters for the accommodation of his greatly expanded patronage. Thrifty and energetic, he took good care of the earnings of his venture, turning a goodly share of the profits back into the business, and by 1909 another move became advisable. In that year he was the first merchant to move into the newly com- pleted Philbin Block on High Street, and there he has continued to the present time (1923). He carries a diversified line of goods, including musical instruments, sheet and folio music, newspapers, magazines, stationery, and confectionery, and his establishment is widely patron- ized by his many musical friends as well as by the public in general. Thus, from the eleven-year-old boy toiling in the comb shop and later in the cloth mills, Mr. Fin- nerty has by energy, thrift, and ability, risen to a po- sition of financial security and taken his place among the successful business men of Clinton.
Mr. Finnerty takes a deep interest in local public affairs, and all projects planned for the advancement of the public welfare find him a willing supporter. He has served as a member of the Board of Registry in Clin- ton. Fraternally he is a Past Exalted Ruler of Hudson Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is a present member of lodge in Clinton of that order. He is also a member of the Order of Foresters of America, and his religious affiliation is with St. John's Roman Catholic Church of Clinton. Besides being very fond of music, Mr. Finnerty is very much interested in fishing, hunting, and gardening.
Though popular among a large group of friends and associates, and successfully engaged in an exacting busi- ness, Mr. Finnerty's chief interest is his home, which is shared by Agnes (Carr) Finnerty, daughter of John and Mary (McGrail) Carr. Mr. and Mrs. Finnerty were married August 19, 1919, and they reside at No. 129 Walnut Street, in Clinton.
CHARLES ALLEN BLISS-One of the outstand- ing young men in the business world of Worcester, Massachusetts, is Charles Allen Bliss, a partner of the firm of Morse, Bliss & Company, brokers of this city. Mr. Bliss is a native of the State of Massachusetts, and is a son of Albert W. and Jenny W. (Thayer) Bliss, his father a leading leather merchant of Boston.
Charles Allen Bliss was born at Brookline, Massa- chusetts, August 14, 1886, and his early education was acquired at the Westminster Private School, Simsbury, Connecticut. He later entered Harvard University, from which he was graduated in the class of 1908 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then entered the First National Bank of Boston, as student banker, and there thoroughly familiarized himself with the theory and practice of banking as carried on at the present day. He later became identified with George H. Burr & Company, note brokers, remaining until 1913. Then went with the brokerage firm of White, Weld & Com- pany, of Boston, as their representative at Springfield, Massachusetts. He was very successful in this field, but after a time resigned to come to Worcester as a rep- resentative of the firm of Harris, Forbes & Company of Boston, in the bond business. With American inter- vention in Europe, he enlisted in the United States Army on November 3, 1917, and was active in the air service for many months. He was commissioned second lieu- tenant of air service, reserve military aviator, at Carl- strom Field, Florida, in July, 1918. He was transferred to Brooks Field, at San Antonio, Texas, as soon as he was commissioned and upon completing the course for instructors he was made flying instructor on August 30, 1918, and was appointed flight commander in November of the same year. He received his honorable discharge from the service on January 3, 1919. Returning to Wor- cester, Mr. Bliss again resumed his activities as repre- sentative of Harris, Forbes & Company, and continued with them until July 15, 1920. He then formed his present affiliation, the firm becoming at that time Morse, Bliss & Smith. A further change of personnel took place on January I, 1922, the firm thereby becoming Morse, Bliss & Company, under which title these young men are still continuing. Mr. Bliss is counted among the thoroughly successful young men of Worcester County, and in his activities in this connection is contributing definitely to the prosperity and economic security of the people. He is a member of the American Legion, of Quinsigamond Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Ma- sons, and the Sons of the American Revolution. He also holds membership in the Harvard Club of Boston, and the Tatnuck Country Club of Worcester. He is identified with the First Unitarian Church of Worces- ter, of which he is now (1923) treasurer.
Mr. Bliss married, at Brookline, Massachusetts, on September 26, 1914, Wilhelmina Shreve, daughter of William Price and Carmelita (Bacon) Shreve, of Providence, Rhode Island. They have a daughter, Janet, born April 3, 1923.
CHARLES L. PETTES-Among the business men who are efficiently filling executive positions in the city of Worcester, Massachusetts, is Charles L. Pettes, presi- dent of the Darling & Rhodes Company, engaged in the wholesale and retail glass and crockery business.
Demus D. O' Connell
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BIOGRAPHICAL
Charles L. Pettes is a son of Moses M. Pettes, a car- penter and machinist, who served as a first-class engineer in the United States Navy during the Civil War, and of Margaret (Bacon) Pettes, and was born in Canton, Massachusetts, June 16, 1857. When he was eight years of age he removed with his parents to Oxford, Massa- chusetts, and in the public school of that town he re- ceived his education. When school days were over he then being sixteen years of age, he secured his first posi- tion as a clerk in the employ of Davis & Foster, a local grocery firm, with whom he remained for a period of two years. At the end of that time he severed his con- nection with Davis & Foster and entered the employ of W. E. and E. S. Pease, another grocery firm of Oxford, with whom he remained about two years. He then found employment with A. L. Joslin & Company of Oxford, cutting shoes and his connection with that firm he maintained continuously for a period of twenty years, at the end of which time he became identified with the firm of which he is now president. He began
this connection with the firm
Darling & + Rhodes, at No. 24 Washington Square, Worces- ter, as bookkeeper, in 1899. Later becoming a sales- man for the firm. The firm was incorporated in 1907, and Mr. Pettes was made president about 1913, which official position he still holds (1923). The firm is en- gaged in the wholesale and retail handling of glass and crockery, and the business has been and still is steadily expanding. The business outgrew its first quarters, so in 1914 the establishment was removed to No. 15 Nor- wich Street, Worcester, where it is still located. The experience, ability, and energy of Mr. Pettes has been an important factor in the steady expansion in the busi- ness of the firm, and his services are greatly appreciated by his associates. Politically Mr. Pettes gives his sup- port to the principles and the candidates of the Repub- lican party, and though he has not found time for the burden of public office, he has, as a private citizen and a successful business man, contributed a large share to the advancement of the welfare of the city of Wor- cester. Fraternally he is affiliated with Oxford Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons ; the Oxford Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, of which he is Past Master, of Oxford, Massachusetts; the Order of the Eastern Star; Maanexit Lodge, No. 117, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Webster, Massachusetts; also the United Commercial Travelers of Worcester. His religious affiliation is with the Methodist church.
Charles L. Pettes married, on September 12, 1883, at Pepperell, Massachusetts, Helena Angell, daughter of Charles A. and Mary Jane (Bigelow) Angell. Mr. and Mrs. Pettes are the parents of two children: I. Louise A., who was born at Oxford, Massachusetts, December 23, 1884, and married George A. Wakefield, and they have one daughter, Helena Louise. 2. Charles B., who was born at Oxford, Massachusetts, December 1, 1885; he is an actor and female impersonator, and is also employed in the office of the White Entertainment Bureau of Boston.
FREDERICK H. LANE, as the leading executive of Frederick H. Lane & Company, of Fitchburg, Massa- chusetts, holds a noteworthy position in the commercial life of Worcester County, and his progress has carried
him to large success. Mr. Lane has been identified with the progress of the State of Massachusetts for some twenty-eight years, and his activity in Fitchburg has contributed to the general advance. He is a grandson of Frederick and Mary (Craig) Lane, who settled in New Jersey many years ago, and a son of William and C. (Lane) Lane, his father prominent in farming ac- tivities in the State of New Jersey.
Frederick H. Lane was born at South Branch, New Jersey, February 12, 1873. His education was received in the public schools and he gained his early business experience in retail clothing activities with a Somer- ville, New Jersey, concern. Continuing in this connec- tion only a short time, however, Mr. Lane then entered a manufacturing establishment in the same community known as the Somerville Woolen Mills, and was there employed for about five years. Next establishing him- self as a' merchant at East Pepperell, Massachusetts, in 1896, Mr. Lane developed a prosperous interest along the line of retail clothing and men's furnishings, under the title of Lane Brothers. Coming to Fitchburg in 1902, he formed a partnership with Charles Jewett and Matthew C. Lane in a similar line of activity. In 1904 the interest was incorporated under the title of the F. H. Lane Company, Frederick H. Lane becoming president and treasurer ; Thomas P. Kelley, secretary ; Matthew C. Lane, vice-president. This association has continued until the present time with ever increasing success, and the standing of the F. H. Lane Company, both in the trade and in the business world, is of the highest. Mr. Lane is prominently identified with fra- ternal advance as a member of Aurora Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; the Masonic Club; a member of the Young Men's Christian Association, which he has served as president and a member of the board of di- rectors; and the Chamber of Commerce. His religious affiliation is with Rollstone Congregational Church.
Mr. Lane married, in December, 1896, at Somerville, New Jersey, Amy H. Lindsley, daughter of Augustus C. and Lemma A. (Field) Lindsley. Mr. and Mrs. Lane are the parents of three children: A. Lindsley, born June 25, 1899; Wilfred C., born September 10, 1901; and Beatrice, born October 5, 1909.
EDGAR J. SMITH was born in Jacksonville, Illinois, April 15, 1884, and educated in the district schools there and at Battle Creek, Michigan, also attending a busi- ness college in the latter city. His first position was secured as a bookkeeper in Detroit, and for thirteen years that continued to be his work, 1905-18. Then he was employed for a period of two and a half years with the Steel Corporation of Detroit. Following that he engaged in the real estate business for a year and a half, and in farming for two years in Holly, Michigan. In 1920 he came to South Lancaster, where he became a partner in the South Lancaster Printing Company.
Edgar J. Smith married, February 14, 1910, Grace E. Kinniburgh, of Detroit, Michigan, and their one child, Grace Jean, was born in Detroit, May 27, 19II. They are members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
DENNIS D. O'CONNELL, owner of the Sterling Worsted Mills of the city of Worcester, for nearly a quarter of a century has been engaged in the manufac-
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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY:
ture of fancy worsted goods. He is well known as one of the successful manufacturers of the county, and is interested in several financial enterprises.
Mr. O'Connell was born in Millbury, Massachusetts, June 13, 1869, and is a son of Philip, who was born in Ireland and came to the United States about 1848, where he engaged in business as a shoemaker, and Margaret (Cullinan) O'Connell, who was also a native of Ireland. He received his education in the public schools of Mill- bury, and when his high school course was completed, at the age of sixteen years, began his active career as an employee in the mills of Auburn, Massachusetts. He was faithful and energetic, and at the end of four years was made overseer, in which capacity he remained for four years longer. He then made a change and went to Methuen, Massachusetts, and accepted a position in the employ of the Tremont Worsted Company, as over- seer of the finishing of fancy worsteds. Several years later, on August 14, 1899, in company with a partner, Mr. O'Connell purchased the business and plant of L. L. Brigham, of Worcester. The factory contained twelve looms. Mr. O'Connell discarded eight of these and replaced them with twelve more, making a total of six- teen looms. Under the efficient management of Mr. O'Connell the firm rapidly increased the output, and three and a half years after the purchase of the plant Mr. O'Connell purchased his partner's interest and be- came the sole owner of the business. During the years that have passed since that time the business has steadily grown, and has required larger and better accommoda- tions. The original sixteen looms with which Mr. O'Connell began his manufacturing venture, has been increased to seventy-six, and the concern is now manu- facturing more than one million dollars' worth of worsted yearly. In addition to the building of a large and successful manufacturing enterprise, Mr. O'Connell has found time for other activities. He is a member of the board of directors of the Bancroft Trust Company of Worcester. He is one of the active and interested members of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce, and has always been ready to contribute his share to the advancement of the public welfare. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus. Mr. O'Con- nell has many friends in Worcester.
Dennis D. O'Connell married, on September 23, 1891, Mary E. Murphy, who is a native of Ireland.
GEORGE A. PORTER-The firm of Tenney & Porter of Leominster, Massachusetts, was founded by C. H. Tenney and Charles H. Porter in 1883, they opening in that year a' factory devoted to the manufac- ture of horn goods. The use of horn was later prac- tically abandoned in the lines the firm were making, celluloid taking its place. Tenney & Porter, after stemming the tide as long as it was profitable, changed their product from horn to celluloid goods, and since then the factory has turned out nothing else. George A. Porter, son of Charles H. Porter, in 1914 came into the business founded by his father and has since been its managing head. Tenney & Porter was the second firm in Leominster to manufacture celluloid goods, its specialty being hair ornaments. The factory plant is located at No. 105 Union Street, where it occupies two floors and basement, and this firm gives employment to
from fifty to seventy-five hands. The firm has always prospered, and under its present ownership and manage- ment has greatly expanded.
George A. Porter, son of Charles H. and Mary E. (Chase) Porter, was born in Leominster March 25, 1872, and at the age of seven years was left motherless. Charles H. Porter, founder of Tenney & Porter, continued in business as a manufacturer until his death. George A. Porter was educated in the public schools of Leomin- ster and the Worcester Business College, there com- pleting his school years. He then entered the employ of Tenney & Porter, founded in 1883, and then engaged in making horn goods. He grew into responsible rela- tions with the business, and practically was manager when in 1914 he became the actual managing head, and so continues, the product having long been changed from horn to celluloid goods. Mr. Porter has known no other business than that of Tenney & Porter, coming into the plant when just out of school and continuing steadily until the present, 1923. Since 1914 he has been sole owner and manager, and he has won the high esteem of the business community in which he moves.
Mr. Porter is a member of the Masonic order, affili- ated with lodge, chapter, council, and commandery. He is a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, a member of the Leo- minster Country Club, the Leominster Club, the Masonic Club, the Bass Point Club, and the Chamber of Com- merce. He attends the Protestant Episcopal church.
Mr. Porter married, in December, 1904, Annie E. Grimshaw, born in Princeton, Massachusetts, and they are the parents of two children : Charles E. and Janet E.
WALTER CLARK-As president and treasurer of the Terry Manufacturing Company, Mr. Clark holds a prominent position in the textile industry in Worcester County, Massachusetts. A man of large ability and ex- tensive experience in his chosen field of endeavor, Mr. Clark took up the duties of the leading executive of this concern upon its founding in the year 1913. The growth and development of the organization have been marked, and have carried the interest to a noteworthy position in the textile industry. Mr. Clark is a son of John Lawrence Clark, who was born in Liverpool, Eng- land, and was active in the iron industry until his re- tirement in 1903. The mother, Jemima (Firth) Clark, was born in Bradford, England, and died in 1912.
Walter Clark was born at Bradford, England, May 4, 1872. Receiving his early education in the national schools of his native land, Mr. Clark later attended the Bradford Technical College and made special prepara- tion for his career in the textile industry. As a young man he entered one of the great mills of his native city, and from that time forward has followed textile activ- ities, in England until 1905, then came to this country. Here also he continued in textile activities, and was first identified with the Queensbury Mills Company as super- intendent. In 1912 Mr. Clark established what is now known as the Terry Manufacturing Company, as owner and manager. The business developed very extensively, and Mr. Clark found himself in the position of the man whose interests demand more executive heads. Accord- ingly, in 1923, the enterprise was incorporated, and Mr. Clark becoming president and treasurer, he is now carry- ing it forward with other associates on a more exten-
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BIOGRAPHICAL
sive scale. They employ about sixty workers and manu- facture a special line of mohair goods, including Amazons and suitings. They have two mills, one at No. 300 Southbridge Street, and one at No. 49 Herman Street. At the latter plant they manufacture a ladies' coating material, known under the trademark of "Gloriosa." They have in all about sixty looms, and the popularity of their goods is so marked that they are in constant operation. Mr. Clark has few interests or affili- ations outside of the business world, but is identified with Montague Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons ; Eureka Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and Hiram Coun- cil, Royal and Select Masters. He attends the Congre- gational church.
Mr. Clark married, in 1895, Elizabeth Hodgson, who was born in Millom, England, and died January 17, 1923, leaving two children: Edith and Marion.
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