USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 66
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Mr. Cannon served on the library board for a period of six years as trustee and for one year as chairman of the board. He is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians; Catholic Order of Foresters; Military Or- der of the Spanish-American War; United Spanish War Veterans; the Army of Santiago, Veterans of For- eign Wars; United States Infantry Association; and the National Guard Association. He was also a former member of the United States Military Service Institu- tions. He is affiliated with the Lamsdec Club and the Historical Society. His church membership is with St. John's Roman Catholic Church.
JOHN F. McGEE-During the past seven years that John F. McGee has been Chief of Police of Clin- ton, Massachusetts, he has won the esteem and confi- dence of the entire community, and is recognized as an efficient official of the best type. Mr. McGee is a native
of Clinton, and the son of a Clinton-born father and mother. His father, James H. McGee, who is retired, was an efficient police officer of Clinton for years. His mother, who before her marriage was Bridget Healey, died in 1907. After finishing his studies in the public schools here, Mr. McGee went to Boston and took a course of commercial studies at the Bryant & Stratton Business College. After completing his work there he took a position as bookkeeper for a time, but gave it up to become a police officer in Clinton in 1914. Then, in 1915 and 1916, he went to Barre and was Chief of Police of that town during those years. This line of endeavor proved to be the most congenial to Mr. McGee, and at the end of his period of service in Barre he re- turned to the Clinton police force, was made Chief of Police in 1917, and has continued from that time to this to fulfill the duties of that important position.
In the social, civic, and religious life of Clinton, also, Mr. McGee plays an important role. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, which ha's honored him with the office of Exalted Ruler (1922-23) ; and also of Clinton Council, No. 1701, Knights of Columbus. His chief recreations are dancing, fishing, and reading. St. John's Catholic Church counts him among its most valued communicants and liberal sup- porters.
In 1920 Mr. McGee was united in marriage with Catherine A. Devaney, born in Clinton. They have one child, John F. McGee, Jr., whose natal day was December 6, 1921.
LUIGI MARIUS DeCICCO, M. D .- One of the most promising young men in the medical profession to-day in Northern Worcester County is Dr. DeCicco, who received his medical degree at the University of Vermont, and whose practice was delayed by his ac- tivities in the World War. Of highly distinguished Italian lineage, Dr. DeCicco is a grandson of Luigi DeCicco, who was a veteran of the Civil War under Garibaldi, with whom he came to the United States. Luigi DeCicco was a graduate of the University of Padua, of Padua, Italy, and after serving with honor under Garibaldi in the Civil War until the close of that struggle, he returned with his famous leader's army and was for a time an aide-de-camp on Garibaldi's staff. He is still living (1923) at an advanced age, one of the celebrated and honored figures in the military life of his native Italy, and during the World War he did much for his country as a member of the Military Advisory Council.
Carmine DeCicco, son of Luigi DeCicco, and father of Dr. DeCicco, was born in Italy, and came to the United States with his father and mother at the age of two years, later returning to Italy, where he studied at the University of Naples and in a military school. In 1893 he came to the United States as an Italian Government attache to the World Columbian Exposition, and while in this country he married Anna Giovannina Misci, whose father was a prominent contractor in New York. In 1898 he took part in the Spanish-American War. Mr. DeCicco was identified for a number of years with the marble and granite business, holding interests in the gran- ite quarries of Barre and Hardwick, Vermont.
Luigi Marius DeCicco was born at Milford, Massa-
Luigi M. De Cicco Luigi
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chusetts, May 23, 1897. His education was begun in the public schools of that community, and he is a grad- uate of the Milford High School, class of 1912, where he was a star athlete and student, graduating from high school in three years' time, having completed the course in that time. Later entering the University of Vermont for a pre-medical course, he matriculated at the University of Vermont College of Medicine, from which he was graduated in 1917, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, being treasurer of his class. Dur- ing his university course he was a leader in all social and athletic activities, holding membership in the Phi Chi fraternity, the Phi Mu Delta' fraternity, the former a medical and the latter an academic body; also the Theta Nu Epsilon, a national academic fraternity. He was a member of the Pre-Medical Club, the Newman Club, and the Ivory Club; was a member of the band and orchestra, a leader of the quartette, and a member of the glee club. He played on his 'varsity and class football team as a star halfback during the college course, and also on the baseball team as catcher. Dr. DeCicco was first lieutenant of Company C, the univer- sity company in the Vermont National Guard, and as such spent five months on the Mexican border. He resigned his commission on account of the rivalry be- tween the medical and academic departments of the university and recruited a medical corps from a total enrollment of one hundred pupils, eight of whom were cripples. This corps returned from service on the Mexican border in October, 1916. Shortly after his graduation Dr. DeCicco enlisted for service in the World War as a member of the Medical Corps.
Locating in the city of Framingham, Massachusetts, Dr. DeCicco began practice there in July, 1919, and dur- ing his stay served as a member of the staff of the Framingham and Union Avenue Hospitals. Meanwhile, during 1920-21, he took post-graduate work at Harvard University along several special lines of study and re- search. Thereafter coming to Fitchburg, he opened his offices here and has already gained an assured footing in his chosen profession. Among all who know him Dr. DeCicco is looked upon as one of the coming men of the medical profession. He is a member of the Amer- ican Medical Association, the Massachusetts Medical Society, the staff of the Burbank Hospital of Fitchburg, the Worcester County North Medical Society, and the Fitchburg Medical Society, in which last named organ- ization he serves as a member of the executive board. He is examiner and attending specialist for the United States Veteran's Bureau, is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion, the Honor- ably Discharged Italian Soldiers' and Sailors' Club and commander of same, and of Christopher Columbus Council, Order of Sons of Italy, also a member of Vic- tor Emmanuel III Order. He is further a member of Framingham Lodge, No. 1264, Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks; a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus; a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, Order of Owls, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the New England Order of Protection. He is an active worker in the Boy Scout movement, and a council mem- ber of Fitchburg Camp. He is associate medical exam- iner for many of the above named orders. Dr. DeCicco plays golf, fishes, and hunts, finding recreation in all
outdoor sports. He is also a keen musician, radio fan, and interested in art.
Dr. DeCicco married, on June 12, 1920, Mabel Des- champs, of Framingham, Massachusetts, and they have two daughters, Bettina Marie, and Gloria Rose. Mrs. DeCicco's family have also played a prominent part in the wars of the United States. Her maternal grand- father served in the Civil War from 1861 to 1865, and she had two brothers in the World War.
WILLIAM A. COGSWELL, SR .- Among the suc- cessful manufacturers of Worcester County who began at the bottom and by industry and thrift have made their way to a prominent place in the woolen manufac- uring industry was William A. Cogswell, Sr., who was one of the organizers of the Belle Vue Mills Com- pany, and at the time of his death, March 20, 1923, was treasurer of same. Mr. Cogswell began his association with the woolen manufacturing industry in the humble capacity of a cloth tacker, and after learning practically every process of the business, became one of the organ- izers of the prosperous concern in which he held the offcial position of treasurer. His success was well earned, and his career was one of which his children may well be proud.
Born in Trowbridge, England, September 10, 1848, son of Moses and Hannah Maria (Stevens) Cogswell, Mr. Cogswell came to this country with his parents when he was six years of age. The family settled in Laurel Hill (now a part of Harrisville), Rhode Island, and in the public schools of that district William A. received his education. When he was about thirteen years of age he began his active career, finding employ- ment in the woolen mills in Harrisville, Rhode Island, where he worked as cloth tacker, receiving one dollar and twenty-five cents a week for his services. Some time later he was transferred to the carding room of a mill, and there he remained for several years. His next employment was secured in the Copeland Mill, at Glendale, Rhode Island, where he operated a spooling machine, but after a time he decided to return to Har- risville, and in the latter place he secured a position as spare hand in the weaving room of the Letear & Tink- ham woolen mill. Here he soon became quite efficient in the art of weaving, and his pay was increased to twenty-eight dollars per month. After a time he was transferred to the dressing rooms, and at that time re- ceived another increase in pay, which raised his earn- ing to the satisfactory sum of two dollars per day. Hav- ing become skillful in at least two of the processes in- volved in the manufacture of woolen goods, it was characteristic of the man that he was not content to settle down to mediocre achievement. He desired to advance still further and to become a loom fixer. In order to do this he resigned his position in the Letear & Tinkham mills and went to Stillwater, Rhode Island, where he entered the employ of Edward Brown, in whose mills he acquired the art of repairing looms. He then went to Westerly, Rhode Island, as a loom fixer, and though he was only nineteen years of age at the time, was placed in charge of the weaving department. He was still anxious to learn more, however, and after remaining in Westerly for a short time he went o Menda, Connecticut, and found employment there as a
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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY
loom fixer. Later, he widened his experience by a short period of service as loom fixer in one of the woolen mills of Glentown, New York, after which he returned to Menda, Connecticut, where he again found employ- ment in the same capacity. His next position, still as loom fixer, was with the Rockville Manufacturing Com- pany of Rockville, Massachusetts, from which place he went to West Fitchburg, Massachusetts, where he found employment in the same capacity. He started the first ten looms for James Phillips, owner of the Beoli Mills, and he was placed in charge of the weaving department. He was about twenty-six years of age at this time, and he remained in the last named position for a period of eight years. At the end of that time he was placed in charge of Phillips' Worsted Mill at South Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and that important executive position he continued to fill until 1898, when the concern was pur- chased by the American Woolen Company. During the next three years Mr. Cogswell was interested in the Chapman double ball-bearing. At the end of that time, in 1902, he became one of the incorporators of the Belle Vue Mills Company at Clinton, Massachusetts. At the time of the organization J. Henry Pickford was made president ; Walter Pickford, secretary, and Mr. Cogswell treasurer. The Belle Vue Mills began operations with twenty looms, but since that time the number has been more than. doubled, fifty now being required to mert the increased demands of the business. Shortly after the mills were in operation the Pickfords sold their interests, and up to the time of Mr. Cogswell's death, March 20, 1923, the officials were: Charles B. Smith, president; William A. Cogswell, Jr., vice-president; William A. Cogswell Sr., treasurer; and Francis A. Cogswell, sec- retary. After the death of William A. Cogswell, Sr., Mrs. Cogswell was made treasurer, and his son, Francis A., assistant treasurer, and another son Ralph S., was elected to the board of directors. The concern is en- gaged in the manufacture of high-grade woolen dress goods and men's suitings, and is ranked as one of the large and successful establishments of the county.
Along with his busy life of hard work and successful achievement, Mr. Cogswell was always a lover of out- of-door sports, especially of baseball, and for many years he was locally well known as one of the most expert baseball players of the county. His religious affiliation was with St. John's Roman Catholic Church of Clinton. As a progressive citizen, as well as an eminently success- ful business man he was well known and highly esteemed among a host of personal friends and business associ- ates. He was truly the "master of his own fate," and in the truest sense of the word a self-made man. His ability, his energy, and his willingness to work, and work hard, represented his total capital at the beginning of his career. That capital he invested freely and the returns have been large.
On November 28, 1878, William A. Cogswell, Sr., married Margaret E. Flynn, daughter of Dennis and Ellen (Burke) Flynn, of Prince Edward Island. Mr. and Mrs. Cogswell were the parents of six children: I. William A., Jr., a sketch of whom follows. 2. Francis A. (q. v). 3. Edgar J., who was born August 17, 1887; he received his early education in the parochial and public schools of Fitchburg, graduating from Fitch- burg High School in 1905. He then entered Holy Cross
College, Worcester, Massachusetts, from which he was graduated in 1909 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Upon the completion of his college course he was for about three years associated with his father at Belle Vue Mills, but at the end of that time he became identi- fied with the Travelers' Insurance Company. He is now engaged in the insurance business in Clinton, Massa- chusetts. During the World War he enlisted June 23, 1918, and served until December II, 1918, when he re- ceived his honorable discharge. 4. Clarence E., (q. v.). 5. Mary L., born August II, 1893, resides at the home of her parents. 6. Ralph S., born November 27, 1896, he received his early education in the parochial schools of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and in St. John's High School in Worcester, Massachusetts. He then became a student in Holy Cross College, from which he was graduated in 1915 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. During the World War he was in service from August 28, 1918, to January 28, 1919. He is now in the employ of the Belle Vue Mills Company at Clinton, Massachusetts, and as above stated, was made a director of the company after the death of his father.
WILLIAM A. COGSWELL, JR .- Throughout the entire period of his active career and up to the time of his father's death, William A. Cogswell, Jr., was asso- ciated with his father in the Belle Vue woolen mills at Clinton, Massachusetts, and he is now vice-president of the Belle Vue Woolen Mills Company.
William A. Cogswell, Jr., was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, August 25, 1881, son of William A., Sr., and of Margaret E. (Flynn) Cogswell (see preceding sketch). He received his early education in the pa- rochial schools of Fitchburg, and after spending two years as a student in the Fitchburg High School, matric- ulated in St. Anselm's College at Manchester, New Hampshire, where he remained for four years. He then entered St. Michael's College at Toronto, Canada, from which he was graduated in 1903. The following year he became a student in Holy Cross College, in Worces- ter, Massachusetts, and completed his course there in 1905. He then became associated with his father in the Belle Vue mills, and his connection with that plant has been maintained to the present time. He is render- ing efficient service as vice-president of the company, in which the Cogswell family holds controlling interests.
Like his father, William A., Jr., is fond of out-of- door sports, and is interested in baseball. He is a mem- ber of the Runaway Brook Country Club and of the Prescott Club, and has a host of friends among whom he is very popular. Fraternally he is affiliated with Clinton Lodge, No. 1306, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and with Council No. 701, Knights of Columbus.
William A. Cogswell, Jr., married, on September 7, 1907, Martha' Agnes Archambault, daughter of James R. and Cornelia (Williams) Archambault. Mr. and Mrs. Cogswell are the parents of one child, William A. (III), who was born August 19, 1908.
FRANCIS A. COGSWELL-Since the completion of his college course Francis A. Cogswell has been con- nected with the Belle Vue Mills Company, being secre- tary of same, and now, since the death of his father, he
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is serving as assistant treasurer of the company. He is an able and energetic business man and is thoroughly familiar with the woolen manufacturing industry as rep- resented in the Belle Vue mills.
Francis A. Cogswell was born in Fitchburg, Massa- chusetts, September 29, 1884, son of William A., Sr., and Margaret E. (Flynn) Cogswell (q. v.), and after attending the parochial school of that place for a few years, entered the Fitchburg High School, from which he was graduated in 1902. He then continued his studies in St. Anselm's College, at Manchester, New Hampshire, for a year, and at the end of that time entered St. Michael's College at Toronto, Canada, where he also remained for a year. The following fall he became a student in Holy Cross College, where he continued his studies until 1906. In that year he completed his course, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and became associated with his father in the Belle Vue mills at Clinton, Massachusetts, which connection he has main- tained to the present time. He was made secretary of the company in 1910, and is an important factor in its continued development and prosperity. Although de- voted to his business and his home, Mr. Cogswell finds time for fraternal and club affiliations. He is a mem- ber of the Knights of Columbus, of the Runaway Brook Country Club, and of the Prescott Club, and his religious affiliation is with St. John's Roman Catholic Church of Clinton.
Francis A. Cogswell married, on June 26, 1918, Mar- guerite F. Philbin, daughter of John J. and Margaret (Devaneny) Philbin, and they are the parents of two children : Francis A., Jr., who was born November 12, 1919; and John J., who was born February 22, 192I.
CLARENCE E. COGSWELL-Another of the sons of William A., Sr., and Margaret E. (Flynn) Cogswell (q. v.), is Clarence E. Cogswell, who was associated with his father as assistant superintendent in the Belle Vue mills at Clinton. Clarence E. Cogswell was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, July 30, 1889, and after attending St. Bernard's Parochial School in Fitchburg entered the Fitchburg High School, from which he was graduated in 1909. The following fall he entered Holy Cross College in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he continued his studies for four years, gradu- ating in 1913. Since that time he has been associated with the woolen manufacturing industry in the Belle Vue mills. He is thoroughly familiar with the various processes of the industry as well as with the business management, and he is the efficient assistant superinten- dent of the mills. Like his brothers, who are mentioned in preceding sketches, he has proved himself a worthy son of his estimable father. He is a member of the Runaway Brook Country Club, and is a golf enthusiast, finding on the links healthful out-of-door exercise and social intercourse of a kind which he keenly enjoys. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, and his religious affiliation is with St. John's Roman Catholic Church of Clinton.
Clarence E. Cogswell married, on June 25, 1919, Annie W. O'Toole, daughter of John and Bridget (O'Malley) O'Toole. Mr. and Mrs. Cogswell are the parents of two children : Eleanor, who was born April 12, 1920; and Geraldine, who was born November 26, 1921.
HARVEY E. GREENWOOD-Long identified with the Bigelow-Hartford Carpet Company, Mr. Green- wood is now and has been for the past nine years as- sociated with the management of the Lancaster Mills. His people are among the oldest inhabitants of Clinton, his grandfather having settled there in the early days of the town's history.
Mr. Greenwood was born in Clinton, July 25, 1885, son of Edward and Cecilia (Finnerty) Greenwood. His father has been for many years the head bookkeeper of the Clinton Trust Company and served the town during several successive terms as one of the selectmen.
Mr. Greenwood was educated in the public schools and entered the field of business immediately after his graduation from the Clinton High School. Having an analytical mind and a talent for details, he took advan- tage of an opportunity offered him by the Bigelow Car- pet Company, afterwards known as the Bigelow-Hart- ford Carpet Company, and entered the service of this organization as a member of the business office staff. His progress was rapid, and the firm finally placed him in charge of the cost department. In 1914 Mr. Green- wood received an offer from the Lancaster Mills to join their staff as paymaster, and this position possessing many advantages that appealed to him, he gave up his connection with the Bigelow-Hartford Carpet Company and transferred his activities to the Lancaster Mills. The connection thus severed had covered eleven years of Mr. Greenwood's life, and his relations with the firm had always been of the most cordial and agreeable nature. Consequently, there was a great deal of regret on both sides at the parting. In his new position Mr. Greenwood continued his advancement, and four years after he joined the office force of the Lancaster Mills he was appointed to the position of office manager and has continued in charge of the office ever since.
In religious faith Mr. Greenwood is an attendant of the Congregational church. He is a Mason, and be- longs to Trinity Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Clinton, of which he is a Past Master; to Clinton Chap- ter, Royal Arch Masons, of which he is a Past High Priest; also to Trinity Commandery, No. 32, Knights Templar. He also belongs to the Prescott Club of Clinton.
Mr. Greenwood married, on October 15, 1907, at Clin- ton, Edna T. Alexander, daughter of Arthur L. and Margaret (Tennant) Alexander. Mr. and Mrs. Green- wood have one daughter, Virginia M., who was born at Clinton, March 21, 1909.
CHARLES C. SANDERSON-One of the best known and most substantial citizens of Clinton, Massa- chusetts, whose official positions have kept him in the service of the public for many years, is Charles C. San- derson, who has been Deputy Sheriff of Worcester County since 1910, continuously. Mr. Sanderson was born at Winhall, Vermont, March 29, 1858, a son of Dwight L. and Elvira (Stearns) Sanderson. His father was born at Chesterfield, New Hampshire, in 1822, and was engaged in the livestock business throughout his life, his death occurring in 1907. His mother was also a native of New Hampshire, she having been born at Hinsdale and lived to an advanced age, having died in 1918.
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Mr. Sanderson was educated in the public schools of New Hampshire and then began his business career by connecting himself with the butchering trade, which he followed until 1881. In that year he came to Clin- ton to reside, and established himself as a meat dealer here, enjoying such success that he remained in that line until 1893. He then decided to make a change both of location and in his branch of merchandising, and ac- cordingly went to Waterbury, Connecticut, where he set himself up in the clothing business. The following eight years were spent in building up a profitable trade in that line, but he found that residence in Clinton was more to his liking, and he therefore returned here and resumed his former connection with the meat business and conducted his shop until 1909, when he was ap- pointed Chief of Police of Clinton and thus began his official career which he has followed ever since.
The following year, in 1910, Mr. Sanderson was first appointed as Deputy Sheriff, the position he now fills. During 1913 he again was made Chief of Police, and in 1914 was made a court officer for the Second District Court, and has discharged the duties of this position also up to the present time. In his political beliefs he is strongly in favor of Republican principles and gives to that party his support.
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