USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 6
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Mr. Moore married, in Milford, Massachusetts, on Oc- tober 18, 1922, Eleanor V. Broughey, daughter of Stephen and Margaret (Murphy) Broughey.
ROBERT KENDALL SHAW, librarian of the Free Public Library, was born in Worcester, Massa- chusetts, July 18, 1871. He attended the public schools there, and was salutatorian of the class of 1890 in the Worcester Classical High School. He graduated from Harvard College in 1894 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, taking final honors in clas- sics. During the next three years he was a teacher in the Highland Military Academy under his father. From 1898 to 1901 he was on the staff of the New York State Library, and from 1901 to 1904 assistant in the Library of Congress at Washington. In 1904-05 he was li- brarian of the public library of Brockton. He returned to Worcester in 1905 to accept the position of assistant librarian of the Free Public Library, and when Samuel Swett Green, the veteran librarian, resigned in Janu- ary, 1909, Mr. Shaw was elected to succeed him, con- tinuing to the present time.
Mr. Shaw was thoroughly in sympathy with the pro- gressive policies in which Mr. Green was a pioneer, and has extended the service at every opportunity, seeking to make the books of the greatest possible service, and the library itself a really popular institution, cooper- ating with the teachers and pupils of the public schools and colleges of the city; assisting writers in searches; aiding newspaper workers, and answering every ques- tion possible. While keeping pace with the great de- mand for fiction, Mr. Shaw has given every attention to presenting to the public the more useful and instruc- tive works. The usefulness of the library had grown constantly. The addition of the branch libraries at Greendale, Quinsigamond and South Worcester had aided in extending and broadening the field of useful- ness. The public shares in the opinion expressed by the trustees of the library in their fifteenth annual report, relating to Mr. Shaw :
During the past year, he has discharged the duties of his position with a degree of fidelity, ability and courtesy which has merited and received the com- mendation of the patrons of the library, and the ap- probation of the board of directors.
Mr. Shaw is a member of the American Library As- sociation, the Massachusetts Library Club, the Bay Path Literary Club, the Phi Beta Kappa Fraternity, of Har- vard, the Worcester Economic Club, the Shakespeare. Club and the Harvard Club of Worcester. He was president of the Massachusetts Library Club in 1910-II. He delivered an address at the dedication of the Fobes Memorial Library at Oakham in 1908; at the dedication of the Merriam Library at Auburn in June, 1909; and at the dedication of the Beaman Memorial Library at West Boylston in 1912. In 1911 he read a paper on Elihu Burritt before the Worcester Society of Antiquity. He was one of the speakers at the dedica- tion of the three new branch libraries which are under his charge, known as the Carnegie branches of the Wor- cester Public Library In July, 1918, he was appointed a member of the Library War Finance Committee of the United States.
Mr. Shaw married, September 29, 1902, at Eau Claire,
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Wisconsin, Bertha Mower Brown, who was born at Porter's Mills, Wisconsin, December 27, 1875, a daugh- ter of James Harding and Anna Sarah (Taft) Brown.
RENALDO GUILMETTE-In the manufacturing world of Southern Worcester County, Massachusetts, Mr. Guilmette is a leading figure as president of the Central Optical Company, Incorporated. Mr. Guilmette is a native of Canada, but has been a resident of South- bridge, Massachusetts, for the past seventeen years, and during that entire period has been affiliated with this industry. He is a son of Anthime Guilmette, who was born at St. Hugues, Canada, and was active in farming, also was one of the earliest manufacturers of butter and cheese in that section, continuing actively in that line until his death, which occurred in 1920. The mother, Alexina (de Blois) Guilmette, was born at St. Fran- çois, Canada, and died in 1921.
Renaldo Guilmette was born in St. Hugues, Canada, June 28, 1879. His education was begun in the local public schools and after completing the high school course he made special preparations for his career at the Sherbrooke Business College. Thereafter coming to the United States, Mr. Guilmette located at Central Falls, Rhode Island. He learned the trade of machin- ist in the employ of the Brown & Sharpe Company, of Providence, the world-famous manufacturers of lathes and other machine tools. After mastering the trade he remained with this concern for a time and in all spent six years in their employ, after which he was connected with the Fales & Jenks Spinning Machinery Company, of Pawtucket, for about two years. He was then iden- tified with the Taft-Pierce Company, of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, and was active in that connection for about three years. In the year 1906 Mr. Guilmette became associated with the Central Optical Company, Incorporated, of Southbridge, Massachusetts, in the capacity of master mechanic and soon acquired an interest in the business. He was made vice-president of the concern in 1911, and in 1916 was elected president of the company, which office he still ably serves. This en- terprise, which is now rounding out twenty-three years of existence, was incorporated in the second year of its history and has developed to be one of the foremost interests of its kind in this section. The company is now officered as follows: Renaldo Guilmette, president ; Hector M. Le Clair, vice-president and treasurer; Ed- ward E. Le Clair, secretary; and the plant is located at No. 76 Elm Street, occupying three floors and em- ploying one hundred people. This concern has won an enviable reputation for quality and integrity, and their product includes spectacles, eyeglasses, and industrial goggles, this company being a leader in this field in Southbridge. Mr. Guilmette is a member of the Manu- facturers' Association the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, and the Optical Manufacturers' Associ- ation. He is vice-president of the Southbridge Co- operative Bank, is a director of the People's National Bank, and takes a deep interest in all that pertains to local advance. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Artisans' Order of Mutual Protection, of which he is one of the national directors, and is also a member of Societé St. Jean Baptiste. His principal club is the
Circle Canadian, and he attends the Roman Catholic Church of Notre Dame.
HON. BENJAMIN ALBERT COOK-Success in business marks the career of the Hon. Benjamin Albert Cook, who has taken a line of commercial advance and carried it forward until he holds a worthy position in his field in New England. His endeavors in public life, and in the affairs which closely concern the welfare of the municipality and the Commonwealth, have been given the same energy and forward-looking spirit which have won him success in the business world. Mr. Cook is prominent in Worcester County, Massachusetts, being ex-Mayor of the city of Fitchburg and a former Rep- resentative of this city in the Legislature of the State of Massachusetts. He is well known in fraternal circles, and is considered one of the representative men of the day in Fitchburg. A son of Mark Henry and Emily (Thayer) Cook, Mr. Cook's ancestry is distinguished in the State of Vermont, his father having served in the Civil War as a member of the First Vermont Cavalry for three years and eight months. Early in life he had been active in agricultural pursuits, and he died in 1912.
Benjamin Albert Cook was born in Guilford, Ver- mont, June 30, 1867. His elementary studies covered, he entered the Brattleboro High School in his native State and was graduated from that institution in due course. Mr. Cook began his business career in the year 1895, as the B. A. Cook & Company, dealers in hardware, paint, and wall paper, and the importance to which this firm has grown in this and other States well appraises the calibre of the man at its head. The substantial block fronting on Oliver Street he built in 1908, and the business now practically fills the building. Mr. Cook is trustee and member of the auditing committee of the Fitchburg Savings Bank, and director and member of the investment board of the Fitchburg Cooperative Bank .. He was a candidate for Representative to the Massachusetts State Legislature and served in that po- sition during 1908 and 1909. In 1914 the people of Fitch- burg called him to the highest local office of the civic body, and in 1914 and 1915 he served as Mayor of the city of Fitchburg. During the World War Mr. Cook was active as chairman of the Liberty Loan drives, hav- ing jurisdiction over twenty-three cities and towns in the northern part of Worcester County. During those years, also, 1917-18-19, he served as a member of the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention. He has borne an ever self-forgetful part in the fulfillment of his public duties. Fraternally Mr. Cook is affiliated with Aurora Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Thomas Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Jerusalem Commandery, Knights Templar, of which he has served as Com- mander; Lady Emma Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star; he is a Past Noble Grand of Mount Roulstone Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Fitchburg Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and Clark S. Simonds Camp, Sons of Veterans. His clubs are the Fay and Oak Hill Country, and he attends the First Parish Unitarian Church.
Benjamin Albert Cook married, in Fitchburg, Massa- chusetts, April 5, 1892, Minnie Louise Prouty, daughter
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of Herbert C. and Mary A. (Phillips) Prouty, and they have one son: Russell Phillips, born March 17, 1900. The Cook residence is at No. 18 Mount Vernon Street, Fitchburg, Massachusetts.
VINCENT EATON TOMLINSON, pastor of the First Universalist Church, of Worcester, Massachusetts, was born in Perry, New York, March 20, 1862, the son of Rev. Dewitt Clinton Tomlinson, who was born at Gaines, Orleans County, New York, August 24, 1824, and was for forty years a Universalist minister. He mar- ried Emeline C. Eaton, who was born May 20, 1830, at Perrinton, Monroe County, New York. They had three children: Carrie, who died in infancy; Irving C., born April 22, 1860; Mary E., born August 16, 1870, died April 19, 1907.
Vincent E. Tomlinson prepared for college in the preparatory school of Buchtel College, at Akron, Ohio, taking a four-year course, and then entered the college, from which he graduated in 1880 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He entered Tufts Divinity School the following term and graduated in 1884. In 1903 he received the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from Tufts. He was ordained in 1884 and became pas- tor of the Universalist church in Valley Falls, Rhode Island. From 1887, when he resigned his first pas- torate, until 1890, he was pastor of the Ballou Univer- salist Church in Providence, Rhode Island; from 1890 to 1895 he was pastor of the First Universalist Church in Hudson, New York; from 1895 to 1900, of St. Paul's Universalist Church at Little Falls, New York. He assumed the pastorate of the First Universalist Church in Worcester, May 1, 1900, and is the present pastor. Dr. Tomlinson has been in a certain way a minister for the churchless people of the city, responding to every call to attend funerals and minister to the sick and needy. His popularity has extended far beyond the limits of his own church, and his ability, kindness, and charity have won the esteem of the entire community. He has been called into the public service, being a mem- ber of the School Committee from 1904 to 1912, and its chairman in 1910-12; a member of the Board of Alder- men, 1916-17, and president in his second year. At the end of his term the members, as a testimonial to the fairness and impartiality of Dr. Tomlinson as presid- ing officer, gave him a handsome desk set, and in the speeches delivered at the last meeting, paid him the highest compliments, in which the Democratic minority joined. He is now a director of the Free Public Li- brary, elected for a term of six years, from January I, 1918. In politics he has always been a Republican. He is a member of Montacute Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Eureka Chapter, Royal Arch Masons ; Worces- ter Commandery, Knights Templar; of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce; the Worcester Economic Club, of which he has been president; the Public Education Society, of which he was president in 1915; the Wor- cester Fresh Air Work, of which he has been presi- dent since 1909; the Worcester Country Club. He is one of the advisory board of this work. He is also a director since 1916 of the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation.
Rev. Vincent E. Tomlinson married, in Valley Falls,
Rhode Island, September 27, 1887, Clarissa A. Hindley, who was born in Manchester, England, May 15, 1866, daughter of John S. and Clarissa (Stott) Hindley. Mrs. Tomlinson is a member of the Worcester Woman's Club. Their only child, Ruth, was born April 18, 1894, graduate of the Worcester High School, 1910; Smith College (A. B., 1914) ; Radcliffe College (A. M., 1916) ; graduate student at Johns Hopkins, 1916-17; now pro- fessor of history of Kentucky College for Women, Danville, Kentucky, (1917-18). Dr. Tomlinson's home is at No. 32 Irving Street. He has a summer place at Wakefield, Rhode Island.
JOHN ALLEN WALLACE-In the world of finance in Milford, Massachusetts, the name of John Allen Wallace is a familiar one, and Mr. Wallace is taking a very definite part in the local advance through his responsibilities as cashier of the Home National Bank of Milford. For upwards of eighteen years he has been identified with this institution entering the organization in the year 1906, and his rise through the various grades to his present position has been achieved solely on the merit of his service. Mr. Wallace is a son of James and Mary (Winters) Wallace, his father now deceased.
John Allen Wallace was born in Milford, Massachu- setts, June 8, 1882. His education was begun in the local public schools and he is a graduate of the Milford High School, class of 1899. Shortly after his gradu- ation Mr. Wallace entered the business world of Milford in the capacity of bookkeeper and was thus identified with various local business concerns for about seven years. Then taking up a similar position in the Home National Bank of Milford, Mr. Wallace acted as book- keeper of that institution for twelve years, after which in the year 1918 he was promoted to he office of cashier. He still ably fills the duties of this position and is counted among the progressive and really significant men of the community. He is also a director of this in- stitution and is further identified with the financial world of Milford as a director of the Milford Cooperative Bank, and a member of the Corporation of the Milford Savings Bank. Keeping in touch with all community and general progress, Mr. Wallace supports the Repub- lican party in political affairs, but has never thus far accepted public responsibility. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of Montgomery Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Mt. Lebanon Chapter, Royal Arch Masons ; Milford Commandery, Knights Templar; Milford Lodge, No. 223, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Frater- nity Rebecca Lodge, No. 178; Milford Grange, No. 271, Patrons of Husbandry. He is a member of the Boston Masonic, and the Cinosam clubs. His religious affili- ation is with Pine Street Baptist Church, of Milford.
Mr. Wallace married, on October 5, 1920, at Milford, Massachusetts, Agnes Mary Gilmore, daughter of William T. and Sophia Gilmore.
CHARLES A. GROSVENOR-In the manufacture of felt footwear, Charles A. Grosvenor stands among the prosperous and widely prominent manufacturers of Worcester County, with interest centering in the city of Worcester. With life experience in the shoe business in one branch or another Mr. Grosvenor is well
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fitted for his present activities, and from the inception of the present enterprise has carried it forward to con- stantly larger success. It is now an important business in the industrial world of the city of Worcester.
Charles A. Grosvenor was born in Worcester, Massa- chusetts February 9, 1878, and is the son of S. Avery and Eva L. (McIntire) Grosvenor. His education was acquired in the public and high schools of the city, and as a young man he entered the employ of the Heywood Boot & Shoe Company of Worcester, in their retail store. He was later associated with his father in the retail shoe business for a time, under the firm name of the S. A. & C. A. Grosvenor Shoe Company, their store having been advantageously located at the corner of Main and Front streets. This interest was established in 1900 and was continued for about seven years, at the end of which period the store was purchased by the Ware-Pratt Company, and C. A. Grosvenor continued with the new firm in charge of their shoe department. Remaining in this connection for a number of years, Mr. Grosvenor later struck out for himself as a shoe jobber, and for about two and one-half years was very success- ful in this field. It was here, perhaps, that Mr. Gros- venor gained the general familiarity with the market which has been of such great advantage to him since. On June 16, 1917, he began the manufacture of felt footwear in a small way, with plant located on Austin Street. The business grew rapidly and he was soon obliged to find larger quarters, which were available at the present address, No. 70 Central Street. Removing to this location in November, 1919, he expanded the busi- ness materially, also began the manufacture of new lines and fresh patterns. In November, 1922, Mr. Grosvenor added to the scope of his activity by purchasing the slipper shop in Oxford, Massachusetts. The consoli- dated interests now form a large and important business, and the plants have a capacity of more than 12,000 pairs of shoes and slippers per day. The product is marketed through jobbers and large department stores from coast to coast. Under the firm name of the Charles A. Gros- venor Shoe Company, Mr. Grosvenor is sole owner of the interest and is carrying it forward with the policy of ever-increasing expansion. The plants are operating to capacity during the greater part of the time, and Mr. Grosvenor contemplates further additions in the not far distant future.
Mr. Grosvenor is a prominent member of Quinsiga- mond Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, holding mem- bership in both the York and Scottish Rite bodies. He also is a member of Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Rotary Club of Worcester, and the Worcester Golf and Coun- try clubs. He is a member of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce, and takes a deep interest in all civic progress, lending his influence and support to every movement which has for its object the betterment of the people. A Republican by political affiliation, he is a worker in the ranks of the party, but has never thus far accepted the responsibilities nor honors of office. Mr. Grosvenor is gifted with a very fine tenor voice of really wonderful range and timbre, and for eighteen years has been a tenor soloist in the Worcester churches, for nine years at the Piedmont Congregational Church
Charles A. Grosvenor married, on October 31, 1906, Della B. Savage, daughter of C. B. and Firilla (Cross- man) Savage, and the family are members of the Wes- ley Methodist Episcopal Church.
EDMUND Q. ABBOT-In insurance circles in the city of Worcester, Massachusetts, Edmund Q. Abbot is a man of large prominence as the Worcester represen- tative of the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company of Newark, New Jersey. With offices at No. 311 Main Street, he is successfully handling the extensive interests of this concern in the Worcester district, and is counted among the really noteworthy men of the day in Wor- cester County. Mr. Abbot is a son of William F. Abbot, who for many years was numbered among the dis- tinguished men of this city. Born in Boston, William F. Abbot was highly educated, and for forty years served as an instructor in the Classical High School of Worcester, his scholarly mind, lofty ideals, and benev- olent spirit giving his influence over the young people under his charge great significance for good. His death, which occurred April 21, 1922, was mourned by all who knew him. The mother, Caroline W. (Sewall) Abbot, was born in Wilmington, Delaware, and still survives her husband.
Edmund Q. Abbot was born in the city of Worcester, Massachusetts, July 26, 1884. Receiving his early edu- cation in the local public schools, he was graduated from the Classical High School in the class of 1902. There- after entering Harvard University for his course in the liberal arts, he was graduated from that institution in the class of 1906 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then took up the study of law at the same university, but ill health compelled him to abandon his plans for a professional career, and for two years he travelled in the hope of regaining his strength. The lure of the great West held him for a time thereafter, and he was active in the cattle business until the year 1916, when he returned to his native city to become associated with the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company, as their Worcester representative. He was more than success- ful, and continuing in this connection permanetly, has won the highest esteem of his business associates and con- temporaries.
The military record of Edmund Q. Abbot begins with his enlistment in the United States Army in December, 1917, as a private. He was later transferred to the 31Ith Infantry Regiment, 78th Division, American Expedi- tionary Forces, and was promoted shortly to corporal, and later to sergeant. With his unit he sailed for France on May 19, 1918, and was detailed to the Army Candidates' School, at Langres-sur-Marne, France. On July 30, 1918, he was commissioned second lieutenant of infantry, and on September 25, of the same year, was assigned to the 316th Machine Gun Battalion of the 8Ist Division. From October 6 until the seventeenth. of the same month he was active in the defensive sector of St. Die, then, on November 7, entered the fearful strain of the Meuse-Argonne offensive, serving at Haudiomont, Watronville, and Grimacourt, east of Verdun, until the signing of the Armistice. In March, 1919, Lieutenant Abbot was detailed to the Army University at Beaune, France, as head of the Life Insurance Department of the College of Business, remaining in this connection
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until sailing for the United States on June 9, 1919. He received his honorable discharge from the service in July, 1919, with the rank of second lieutenant.
Mr. Abbot is a member of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce, and is prominent fraternally, holding mem- bership in all the Scottish Rite bodies of the Masonic order, up to and including the thirty-second degree; also is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the American Legion. He is a well-known member of the Harvard Club of Worcester, and is affiliated with the First Unitarian Church.
Mr. Abbot married, on May 7, 1918, Melinda W. Rockwood, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, and they have two children: Richard Rockwood, born April 22, 1920; and Persis Lovejoy, born October 8, 1921.
RAYMOND A. RICE-Prominent in the industrial world of Southern Worcester County, Massachusetts, as treasurer and general manager of the Southbridge Printing Company, Mr. Rice is a noteworthy figure in the business progress of Southbridge. With experience in the same general line of activity in which he is now engaged, Mr. Rice came to his present position as a capable executive. He has become a significant member of the present organization and is affiliated with various other industrial concerns, also with current lines of community advance. He is a son of Charles L. Rice, who was born at Oswego, New York, and is a veteran insurance broker of that section, still being active in this field of endeavor in New York City. The mother, Ellen (Booth) Rice who was a native of New York State, died in the year 1883, at an early age.
Raymond A. Rice was born at Scranton, Pennsyl- vania, December 9, 1879. Receiving his early education in the public schools of his birthplace, he also covered the high school course in that city. In the year 1899 Mr. Rice came to Southbridge and entered the employ of the Southbridge Printing Company, being first active in the engraving department. He not only familiarized himself with the mechanics of engraving, but has now for some years been treasurer and general manager of that company, and is also treasurer of the Fiskdale Fin- ishing Company, located in the outskirts of the town of Southbridge. The activities of these plants contribute much to the advance of the textile industry of this sec- tion, and Mr. Rice is bearing a significant part in their progress and prosperity. He is a member of the Manu- facturers' Association of Southbridge, and is broadly in- terested also in those avenues of organized advance which pertain to the civic and social welfare of the com- munity. In politics he is a Republican. He served as a member of the Southbridge Board of Selectmen for two terms, and during the World War, from the year 1918 to 1919 inclusive, was active as first lieutenant of the Massachusetts State Guard. Fraternally Mr. Rice is affiliated with Quinebaug Lodge, Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons; Doric Chapter, Royal Arch Masons ; and he is a member of the Commonwealth Club of Wor- cester, the Putnam Country Club, the Leicester Country, and the Quinebaug clubs, these club connections revealing his great pleasure in outdoor interest. He attends the Episcopal church.
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