USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 67
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Throughout his life Mr. Sanderson has taken an ac- tive part in those projects which tended to promote the civic, social, and commercial welfare of this community, and is esteemed as one of Clinton's most progressive citizens. He is a large property holder here, having ex- tensive real estate interests. The Prescott Club num- bers him among its leading members.
In 1886 Mr. Sanderson was married to Ellen M. Fletcher, who was born in Boxboro, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson are members of the Unitarian church, to which they give liberal support in all ways.
JOHN D. HAMILTON-A progressive young busi- ness man who is associated with a leading mercantile enterprise in Clinton, Massachusetts, as manager, is John D. Hamilton, of the Barnes Dry Goods Company. Mr. Hamilton is one of this community's native sons, having been born here April 24, 1896, a son of John Hamilton, well known for his connection with the mer- cantile and textile industries here for many years.
After completing his studies in the high school of Clinton Mr. Hamilton at once entered commercial life in association with his father, who conducted a general store, and remained with him until 1919. He then went on the road as a salesman for two years, at the end of which period he returned to Clinton to become connected with the Barnes Dry Goods Company as manager, which position he now occupies. The Barnes Dry Goods Com- pany is one of the old established mercantile enter- prises of Clinton, having been founded in 1895 by Messrs. J. A. Barnes and John Hamilton. The store, which is one of the foremost of its kind in Clinton, carries a general line of dry goods and men's furnishings and caters to a large and firmly established clientele. The original partnership of the firm continued for several years, when Mr. Barnes purchased the interests of Mr. Hamilton, who retired, and Mr. Barnes became sole owner, continuing to conduct the store until his death in 1918. His sister, Miss Sarah Barnes, then took charge
of the business and successfully carried it on until 1921, when she secured Mr. Hamilton as an associate, and he has continued with the company ever since as manager.
Mr. Hamilton is an influential factor in the various phases of local affairs in the community ; he is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, being secretary of the commercial committee, and of the Clinton Historical Society. In his religious work he is affiliated with the Congregational church, is president of the Brotherhood Society of that denomination in Clinton, and superin- tendent of the Sunday school.
On April 19, 1921, Mr. Hamilton was married to Mar- garet Stone, who was born at Otter River, Massachu- setts.
WALTER T. O'TOOLE is a native son of Clinton, Massachusetts, and has been identified with its com- mercial activities throughout his mature years, being a well-known factor in the real estate and insurance busi- ness there. He was born in Clinton, March 17, 1883, his parents natives of County Mayo, Ireland. His father, Patrick J. O'Toole, was a contracting mason in this community until his death in 1920. He was survived by his widow until February 18, 1923; both are buried in Clinton.
After finishing his studies in the public schools of Clinton Mr. O'Toole entered Holy Cross College, where he pur- sued a special course that terminated in 1909, after which he was a student at the Boston School of Journalism. His education completed, he identified himself with the insurance business for three years, and in 1913 added to his activities the management of a grocery store. He continued these two lines until 1916, when he became correspondent of the Worcester "Post," Worcester "Telegram," and Boston "American," carrying on this journalistic work for two years. In 1918 he reëntered the insurance business and began operations as a real estate dealer, opening offices in the Long Block, where he now maintains headquarters and serves a profitable and constantly increasing clientele, his extensive acquaintance and knowledge of local affairs being a large contribut- ing factor in his success.
Mr. O'Toole is a progressive and public-spirited cit- izen, and is prominent in social, civic, and religious movements. He is a communicant of St. John's Roman Catholic Church, to which he gives liberal support in its varied charities and benefactions; is a member of Clinton Chamber of Commerce; member and chairman of the board of directors of Clinton Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; member and a past offi- cer of Clinton Lodge, Loyal Order of Moose. He is fond of walking as a recreation, loves good music, and can always be found at a good baseball game. He has built up a good business through his untiring efforts, seconded by a line of attractive, compelling advertising that demands you "See O'Toole First," and offers some good advice under the caption: "The Man in the Moon says." His always interesting advertising announce- ments are never unaccompanied by his picture, and are so original and well chosen that O'Toole is literally the "talk of the town."
DWIGHT S. PIERCE, as treasurer of the Worcester County Institution for Savings of Worcester, Massa-
Walter. J. O Toole.
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BIOGRAPHICAL
chusetts, holds a broadly prominent and influential posi- tion in the world of finance in this city. A man of pro- gressive spirit and tireless energy, he has won his way to his present position from the bottom of the ladder and is familiar with all departments of banking. He is a son of Harlan B. Pierce, who was born at West Boyls- ton, Massachusetts, and was engaged as a traveling salesman until his death, which occurred in 1917. The mother, Marion E. (Pratt) Pierce, was born in Wor- cester, Massachusetts, and is a daughter of Samuel A. Pratt, noted in this city as the founder of the Protec- tive Union, of which for more than half a century he was manager.
Dwight S. Pierce was born at Worcester, Massachu- setts, April 26, 1885. His education was limited to the advantages of the public and high schools of this city, but with characteristic energy he entered the employ of the Central National Bank of Worcester, in the capacity of messenger. He remained with this institution until 1904, when he became identified with the Worcester County Institution for Savings, the largest savings bank in Massachusetts outside of Boston. Beginning as a clerk, Mr. Pierce worked his way through the various positions in the bank and was given constantly greater responsibilities until in 1919 he was made treasurer of the institution, which office he still ably fills. Mr. Pierce wrote an able and comprehensive article on the "His- tory of Banking in Worcester," which appeared in the Worcester "Telegram," of June II, 1922, celebrating the two hundredth anniversary of Worcester. Mr. Pierce is a member of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce, and is prominent in various benevolent and uplifting activities. He is treasurer of the Worcester Historical Society, and treasurer of the Memorial Home for the Blind. His clubs include the Boston City Club, the Worcester Club, the Economic Club of Worcester, the Savings Bank Officers' Club, and the Worcester Country Club.
Mr. Pierce married, in 1906, Marcia V. Tillson, who was born in Macon, Georgia, and they have one son, Dwight Lindsay, born July 14, 1912.
LOUIS FELT SPAULDING-One of the leading concerns engaged in the manufacture of house fittings in Worcester County is the firm known as the Spauld- ing-Herrmann Manufacturing Company, Inc., of which Louis Felt Spaulding has been general manager since 1919. Mr. Spaulding is well known and highly esteemed in the city of Clinton, and is rendering valuable service to the firm with which he is associated.
Born in Milford, New Hampshire, October 12, 1867, Mr. Spaulding is a son of Charles Henry Spaulding, who was engaged as a blacksmith to the time of his death in 1904, and of Mary Kneeland (Felt) Spaulding, who died in 1918. Charles H. Spaulding was a native of Milford, New Hampshire, and Mary Kneeland (Felt) Spaulding was born in Peterboro, New Hampshire. Louis F. Spaulding received his education in the public schools of Milford, and upon the completion of his school training learned the trade of the cabinet maker, which he followed for a number of years. He then became a pattern maker, and in that business he continued until 1919, when he decided to engage in the manufacturing business for himself. He formed a corporation with
Charles C. Herrmann and Charles Henry Spaulding, under the firm name of Spaulding-Herrmann Manufac- turing Company, Inc., of which he is general manager. The company began the manufacture of toys, but grad- ually, as the organization became established and the plant increased in efficiency, added a house fitting de- partment. As time passed the latter department became most important and finally absorbed the full capacity of the plant. To-day the Spaulding-Herrmann Manu- facturing Company, Inc., is one of the leading producers of house fittings in the county of Worcester, and its plant, which contains a working floor space of 6,500 square feet, requires the services of from twelve to sixteen employees.
Mr. Spaulding is a member of Benevolent Lodge, of Milford, New Hampshire; Free and Accepted Masons, and his religious interest is with the Congre- gational church of Lancaster, of which he is an at- tendant. He was for many years a member of the New Hampshire National Guard.
Louis Felt Spaulding married, on March 19, 1896, Lillie J. Anderson, who was born in Nashua, New Hampshire, daughter of William H. and Edna (Burt) Anderson. Mr. and Mrs. Spaulding are the parents of four children : Dorothea Anderson, married Edgar N. Blood, and they have one daughter, Elizabeth; Charles Henry, a' sketch of whom follows; Maurice Ellsworth, and Ruth Edna.
CHARLES HENRY SPAULDING-Among the well known business men of Clinton, Massachusetts, who are engaged in manufacturing is Charles Henry Spaulding, president of the Spaulding-Herrmann Man- ufacturing Company, Inc. The concern of which he is chief executive is engaged in the manufacture of house fittings, and is rated as one of the leading manufac- tories of its kind in the county.
Born in Milford, New Hampshire, August 14, 1898, son of Louis Felt (see preceding sketch) and Lillie J. (Anderson) Spaulding, Mr. Spaulding is a grandson of Charles Henry Spaulding, who died in 1904, and of Mary Kneeland (Felt) Spaulding. He received a good prac- tical education in the public schools of Nashua, New Hampshire, and in the schools of Leominster and Lan- caster, Massachusetts. He then further prepared for an active business life by taking a course in the Worces- ter Trade School. Upon the completion of his business course he took up mechanical drafting, and this line he followed until 1919, when he became associated with Charles C. Herrmann and Louis F. Spaulding in what is known as the Spaulding-Herrmann Manufacturing Company, Inc., which organization he serves as presi- dent. That official executive position he has held since the organization of the company, and under his able and energetic management the concern has met with re- markable success. Though only four years old it has already made for itself a place among the leading con- cerns of its kind in this section of the State. There is every prospect of an increasingly successful future.
Mr. Spaulding is well known among a large group of the business men of Clinton, and he also has a host of personal friends in Clinton and in the nearby towns. He is an attendant of the First Congregational Church, of Lancaster.
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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY
On August 14, 1922, Charles Henry Spaulding married Grace Woodward, a native of Framingham, Massachu- setts, daughter of William E. and Abbie (Moulton) Woodward.
CHARLES C. HERRMANN-The Spaulding-Herr- mann Manufacturing Company, Inc., of Clinton, is for- tunate in its executive officials, all of whom are eminently able and efficient business men. The success of the enterprise which is being conducted under the name of the Spaulding-Herrmann Manufacturing Company, Inc., is due to the ability and energy of those who are direct- ing its work, and of these Charles C. Herrmann is one of the most active.
Mr. Herrmann was born in Clinton, Massachusetts, July 9, 1889, son of Otto Herrmann, a native of Ger- many, who was engaged in the textile industry to the time of his death in 1917, and of Fredericke (Hertel) Herrmann, also a native of Germany, who is now living in Clinton. He received his early education in the public schools of Clinton, and then took a course in me- chanical drafting in Worcester. Upon the completion of his education he engaged in mechanical drafting, in which line he continued until after the entrance of the United States into the World War. In 1918 he enlisted in the United States Army and served until after the signing of the armistice. He was discharged in 1918 with the rank of first-class private. Upon his return to civilian life he obtained employment with the Wickwire Steel Company of Clinton, where he remained but a short time. He then severed that connection in order to engage in business for himself as the associate of Louis F. and Charles H. Spaulding, under the firm name of Spaulding-Herrmann Manufacturing Company, Inc., at Clinton. This concern is engaged in the manu- facture of house fittings, and has developed rapidly. Though but a few years have passed since its organi- zation, it is already rated as one of the leading concerns of its kind in the country. To the ability of those who direct its affairs the concern owes its unusual success, and of these Mr. Herrmann is one of the most able and progressive.
He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of its sister organization, the order of Re- bekahs. He is also a member of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, and his religious affiliation is with the Con- gregational church.
WILLIAM H. MALONEY-Since 1902 Mr. Ma- loney has been associated with the E. F. Dodge Paper Box Company in Leominster, Massachusetts, and is to-day the secretary and treasurer of this large con- cern. He is a son of John and Annie (Donnelly) Maloney, the latter of whom was born in Westminster, Massachusetts. His father was engaged in the comb industry until retiring in 1918.
William H. Maloney was born at Leominster, Worces- ter County, Massachusetts, September 26, 1876, and re- ceived his education in the public schools here. He first learned the plumbing trade, but after four years of that work, in 1902, entered the paper box factory, where he engaged at work on a' staying machine. By virtue of ability and ambition to rise in the business he has suc-
ceeded in securing his present important executive posi- tion with the corporation.
The E. F. Dodge Paper Box Company was estab- lished in 1857 by Mrs. E. F. Dodge. In 1911 the busi- ness was incorporated with the following as officers : Frank S. Farnsworth, president; W. H. Maloney, sec- retary and treasurer; Miss Mary O'Connell, vice-presi- dent. The concern occupies an important place indus- trially in Leominster, having a weekly output of 100,000 paper boxes, employing from sixty to one hundred per- sons and occupying six floors. The work is done by machinery and the boxes are both plain and fancy, printing being done where required.
Mr. Maloney is a member of the Chamber of Com- merce, National Paper Box Association, and United Commercial Travelers' Association. He is a communi- cant of St. Leo's Roman Catholic Church of this city.
Mr. Maloney was united in marriage, on August 31, 1909, with Nellie O'Connell, a native of Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts.
FRANK E. BILLINGS, well known in the indus- trial world of the city of Worcester, Massachusetts, is counted among the successful and progressive men of the day, as treasurer and general manager of the Worcester Stamped Metal Company. A native of the State of Ver- mont and with a number of years of practical experi- ence behind him, Mr. Billings has always taken a con- structive and progressive part in the industrial life of the city. He is a son of Charles S. Billings, who was born at Montpelier, Vermont, in January, 1857, and died in January, 1884. The mother, Helen L. (Dennis) Billings, was born in Rutland, Vermont April 19, 1855, and is now a resident of Torrance, California.
Frank E. Billings was born in Bellows Falls, Ver- mont, October 31, 1881. Coming with his mother to Worcester in his boyhood, he was educated in the public and high schools of this city, and his first business ex- perience was in the employ of the Harrington & Rich- ardson Arms Company. Next he was with the Logan, Swift & Brigham Envelope Company, now a division of the United States Envelope Company of Worcester. In 1898 Mr. Billings became identified with Reed & Curtis in the capacity of a machinist's apprentice and, following his mastering of the trade of machinist and toolmaker, he continued with the same concern for a time, spending eight years in all in their employ. He then became connected with the Matthews Manufac- turing Company of Worcester as a toolmaker, and con- tinued there for a period of five years. In 1912 Mr. Billings became associated with the Worcester Stamped Metal Company (then called the W. & S. Manufactur- ing Company) in the capacity of superintendent, which office he filled for about five years. He then became financially interested in the business and has since held the offices of treasurer and general manager. The Wor- cester Stamped Metal Company was founded in 1883, under the title of the J. Fred Wilson Company and when George A. Smith later purchased an interest in the con- cern, the name became Wilson & Smith. In 1906 Harry R. Sinclair purchased Mr. Smith's interest and the firm name thereby became the W. & S. Manufacturing Com- pany. In 1910 Mr. Sinclair became sole owner of the enter-
L. Thompson
34I
. BIOGRAPHICAL
prise, which was incorporated as the Worcester Stamped Metal Company and Mr. Billings has been treasurer of the corporation since its incorporation. This is one of the really prosperous and important organizations in its field in the city of Worcester, and is doing much for the industrial progress of that city. Mr. Billings is very prominent in the fraternal world of Worcester County. He is a member of Athelstan Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Worcester Lodge of Perfection; Massachu- setts Consistory; and Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a mem- ber of Anchoria Lodge, No. 142, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is a Past Grand; Mt. Vernon Encampment, No. 53, of which he is Past Chief Patri- arch; also of the Grand Encampment of Massachusetts, of which he was elected Grand Senior Warden in 1923. He is a charter member of Cherokee Tribe, No. 16, Improved Order of Red Men, and his clubs are the Kiwanis and the Worcester Country. A member of the First Church of Christ, of Worcester, he is active in the work of the church and serves as a deacon.
Mr. Billings married, October 26, 1904, Jennie S. Lobben, who was born in Worcester and is a daughter of Charles Lobben. Mr. and Mrs. Billings are the parents of two children : Mildred A., born in Worcester, Massachusetts, September 5, 1905; and Wayne E., born in Worcester, Massachusetts, July 9, 1910.
JOHN HUNTER GARDNER FRASER-A man who ever since he came to Clinton, Massachusetts, to re- side in 1906 has taken an active interest in all phases of community life and is numbered among our most progres- sive young business men is John Hunter Gardner Fraser. Mr. Fraser is a native of Scotland, and was reared and educated in that country. His birth occurred at Glasgow, March 17, 1888, which city is also the native home of his mother, who was Margaret Hunter, and who is now living in Clinton. His father, George Fraser, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, followed the occupation of cabinet maker throughout his life, and died in Scotland in 1910. Mr. Fraser selected for his trade that of sheet metal worker, and in order to thoroughly master it he served a six-year apprenticeship in Scotland. In 1906, when a young man of eighteen years, he decided to seek the larger opportunities afforded the young man in this country and came to Clinton, Massachusetts, where he engaged in the sheet metal business as an employee. His work here was interrupted during the World War when he went to Squantum, Massachusetts, and was em- ployed there by the Bethlehem Steel Corporation in their large plant. When the war was over Mr. Fraser returned to Clinton and took up his sheet metal work. While still in Scotland he gained military training through four years' service in the Territorials, a mili- tary organization of that country, the period of his ser- vice covering one enlistment.
In 1921 Mr. Fraser established himself independently in the sheet metal business, and assisted by the reputa- tion he gained through his previous years of work in this line the venture proved a great success. On April I, 1923, Mr. Fraser formed a partnership with J. H. Hamilton, and removed to his present quarters. They do general sheet metal work and repairing of all kinds and also repair and rebuild cars, trucks, and tractor
radiators, every job they handle being turned out in the most workmanlike manner possible. Their shop is situ- ated at No. 318 High Street, where they also maintain an office.
Mr. Fraser holds membership in some of the leading social organizations here, among which are the Prescott Club, and Trinity Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, belonging also to the chapter of that body. His religious affiliation is with the Clinton Congregational Church.
ELWIN L. THOMPSON, of Baldwinville, Massa- chusetts, is the son of Daniel and Sarah G. (Leathe) Thompson, the former a native of Phillipston, Massachu- setts, and the latter of Royalston, Massachusetts. Daniel Thompson was a building contractor until 1853, when, with Sawyer, Thompson & Perley, he began the manufacturing of chairs. About 1871 Mr. Sawyer sold his interest in the business to Gilman Waite and the company became Thompson, Perley & Waite. This partnership continued until the death of Mr. Perley, when a part of the business was taken over by D. L. Thompson and his son, and the business was continued under the name of D. L. Thompson & Son until 1898, when the business was taken over by Allen, Thompson & Whitney. In 1899 this company was sold to E. L. Thompson & Company, this partnership continuing until 1922 and then sold to the E. L. Thompson Chair Cor- poration. Elwin L. Thompson retired from active busi- ness at this time.
Elwin L. Thompson was born May 22, 1855, at Bald- winsville, Massachusetts, in the house in which he now lives. His education was obtained in the local public schools and at Wilbraham Academy, Wilbraham, Massa- chusetts. In 1883 he entered the factory of Thompson, Perley & Waite to learn the chair business, and in 1887, on the death of Mr. Perley, was taken into partnership with his father. In 1889 Daniel Thompson died and E. L. Thompson wa's sole owner until 1898. He is a direc- tor in the First National Bank of Gardner, Massachu- setts, also president of the Baldwinsville Cooperative Bank, and one of the incorporators of the latter. A Republican in politics, he was elected to serve as rep- resentative from the Second Worcester District, the term beginning January 3, 1923. He is a thirty-second de- gree Mason, and a member of the Blue Lodge of Gard- ner, also a member of the Gardner Boat Club.
Mr. Thompson was united in marriage at Baldwins- ville, September 3, 1878, with Abbie J. Hill, a daughter of Almon S. and Martha M. Hill. They have one daughter, Marion Jessie, born May 10, 1882, whose mar- riage to William Pope Hawley, of Malden, occurred October 28, 1903. They have three children: Helen Thompson, Ruth Talbot, and William Henry.
RACHEL ENZA OBERSHAW-One of the most attractive little shops of Leominster, Massachusetts, is the Obershaw stationery store, where a comprehensive stock of all that pertains to the art of writing and drawing can be reasonably and conveniently obtained. As founder and proprietor of this enterprise, Rachel E. Obershaw is bearing a definitely useful part in the welfare of the community and is winning marked success.
Miss Obershaw was born at Leominster, Massachu-
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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY
setts, and is a daughter of Joseph and Alice (Tenney) Obershaw. She is a graduate of the Leominster gram- mar schools, but following her first year at high school she entered Fitchburg Business College, where she com- pleted a comprehensive and practical commercial course. Miss Obershaw's first business experience was in the employ of the firm of Boutwell & Company, in the capacity of bookkeeper. Forming this affiliation in the year 1911, she continued in the same capacity for about eight years. Then in 1919 she purchased the retail department of Boutwell & Company, which she has since conducted independently under the title of The Stationery Shop. About a year later Miss Obershaw became a shareholder and the secretary of the firm of Boutwell, Owens & Company, Incorporated, which suc- ceeded Boutwell & Company, but in 1921 severed her con- nections with the corporation. During this entire time the stationery shop flourished and grew under Miss Obershaw's constant attention, and it has now come to be considered as one of the permanent institutions of the community. For eight years Miss Obershaw was also active as the originator and publisher of "Ray's Guide," the first local railway and street guide of Leo- minster and vicinity, which she established in 1912. In October, 1921, she sold this guide to Clarence M. Kline.
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