USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 73
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After acquiring his early education in the public schools of Clinton, Dr. Monahan entered the University of Maryland, whence he was graduated after completing a two years' preparatory course. He then entered Tufts Medical College, graduating from that institution with the class of 1903, and receiving with his diploma the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Following this, Dr. Monahan spent two years in the Massachusetts Char- itable Eye and Ear Hospital as a member of the out- patient clinic, and at the same time was taking post- graduate work in Carney Hospital. The succeeding six months he was in New York City at the Post Graduate Hospital, as an eye and ear specialist, after which he took a special post-graduate course at Harvard. After a year's illness, in 197, Dr. Monahan took up his prac- tice in Clinton as a specialist, and is engaged in practice there, serving a large clientele. He is on the surgical staff of the Clinton Hospital, serving in the departments of otology, phinology, and ophthalmology. Dr. Monahan maintains two offices in Clinton, one at No. 181 Chest- nut Street, corner of Union Street, and the other in his home at No. 59 Oak Street.
Dr. Monahan keeps well informed on all points con- cerning the development of his profession, and has mem- bership in the American Medical Society, Massachu- setts State Medical Society, the Worcester District Med- ical Society, and the American Academy of Ophthalmol- ogy and Otology. He was a member of the local Board of Health during the years 1908-09-10-II-12-13, and chairman of that body during his last three years of office. He takes an interest in all phases of local life of the community-social, civic, and religious,-is a member of the Roman Catholic church, Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, and is active in Clinton Council, Knights of Columbus. Dr. Monahan is very fond of horseback riding and of walking, also automobiling.
FREDERICK W. HOLDEN-A record of long and honorable service in the employ of a single insti- tution is the history of Frederick W. Holden, secretary and treasurer of the Fitchburg Bank & Trust Company, who has been with this company for more than a quarter of a century. Mr. Holden's rise from a subordinate position has been attained by steady application to the affairs of the institution and unceasing discharge of duty, and his activities have counted in a marked degree for the growth and progress of the concern.
The name of Holden is one of the oldest in Massachu- setts among the families who came to the western world from England, Mr. Holden being the ninth generation from the immigrant who settled in Ipswich, Massachu- setts, about 1639, later receiving a grant of land in Groton, Massachusetts. Mr. Holden is the fifth genera- tion of Holdens residing at Shirley, Massachusetts. Luke Holden, his grandfather, was a prominent figure
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in the business and public life of Shirley, and married Mary Nutting. Nelson A. Holden, Mr. Holden's father, was born at Shirley, and was active as a blacksmith throughout his career, spending his lifetime in his native place and passing away in the year 1913. He married Martha A. Whitcomb, daughter of Oliver Warren and Martha M. (Burgess) Whitcomb, these names also tracing back to Colonial days in New England.
Frederick W. Holden was born at Shirley, Massachu- setts, September 24, 1882. His education was begun in the public schools of Shirley, later attending Fitchburg Business College. He also covered an extension course in law with the Lincoln-Jefferson University, of Chi- cago, Illinois, receiving from that institution, in 1910, the degree of Bachelor of Laws, and in 1918 the de- gree of Master of Laws. Meanwhile, Mr. Holden's career began shortly after his graduation from business school, when he accepted a clerkship with the Fitchburg Trust Company. This was in 1898, and three years later he was advanced to the position of teller. In 1906 he was for a time identified in the capacity of book- keeper with the Rollstone National Bank, but before the close of the year became bookkeeper for the former concern, then known as the Fitchburg Safe Deposit & Trust Company. In 1912 Mr. Holden was made as- sistant secretary of this company and served in that ca- pacity until 1916, then with the reorganization of the company he was also made treasurer, under the new title of the Fitchburg Bank & Trust Company. On July I, 1917, he was elected treasurer of the Fitchburg Bank & Trust Company, and in April, 1918, the duties of secre- tary were added to his responsibilities.
The history of the Fitchburg Bank & Trust Com- pany reaches back to April 2, 1832, now upwards of one hundred years. On that date the first meeting was held of the stockholders of the Fitchburg Bank, the forerunner of the present institution. This meeting was held at Harvey Alden's Hotel, and Rev. Charles Hud- son, of Westminster, Massachusetts, was made chair- man, Ebenezer Torrey acting as secretary. The act of incorporation having been passed by the Legislature and approved by Governor Levi Lincoln on February 28 of the same year, this act was accepted by the organization, also by-laws were approved. The first board of direc- tors comprised: Francis Perkins, Ivers Jewett, Benja- min Snow, Abial J. Towne, Charles W. Wilder, Na- thaniel Wood, David Boutelle, George H. Hills, Na- thaniel Rand, Calvin Townsley, David T. Brigham, and Timothy Doty; the officers being : Francis Perkins, pres- ident ; Ebenezer Torrey, cashier; and Nathaniel Wood, solicitor. The first change of the personnel of the bank was the death of Mr. Perkins, which occurred in Au- gust, 1859, thus the presidency was left vacant. Captain Ephraim Murdock, of Winchendon, was made acting president temporarily, and in October of the same year Ebenezer Torrey was made president and Charles J. Billings, who had been clerk, succeeded him as cashier. Other changes were made from time to time as the hand of death removed honored officials, or illness compelled some member of the organization to lay aside his work. The national charter was renewed in 1885 and renewed a second time in 1905. The progress of the institution kept pace with the growth and development of the city of Fitchburg, and on April 1, 1914, this
institution was consolidated with the Fitchburg Safe Deposit & Trust Company, under the present title of Fitchburg Bank & Trust Company.
Nearly as far back in the history of local financial affairs, the organization of the Rollstone Bank was ef- fected on November 24, 1849. Moses Wood was the first president of this institution, and Lewis H. Brad- ford the first cashier, this concern prospered steadily, and its customers and depositors were drawn from a very wide surrounding country. It was rechartered under the national system March 8, 1865, about two months earlier than the Fitchburg Bank. Changes in banking laws diverted the activities of this institution somewhat from the original course, and on February 24, 1906, it was decided to go into voluntary liquidation to bring about an absorption of this institution by the Fitchburg Safe Deposit & Trust Company. The in- terests of the organizations have since been identical, and their affairs have been conducted under one title and under the same management. Since April 1, 1914, ac- tive as the Fitchburg Bank & Trust Company, this insti- tution now is officered as follows : H. G. Townend, pres- ident; J. Lovell Johnson, Alvah Crocker, George R. Wallace, vice-presidents; Frederick W. Holden, treas- urer and secretary; Frank H. Brown, assistant treas- urer; and John B. Fellows, assistant treasurer. Its de- posits now amount to more than $4,000,000, and it is considered one of the most thoroughly substantial or- ganizations of its kind in Worcester County.
In other activities also, Mr. Holden is prominently identified with local advance. He served as Assistant Town Clerk of the town of Shirley, where he resides, during the year 1908-9. He was Auditor of this town in 1910-II-12, and from 1913 to 1919 was treasurer of the town. During the World War Mr. Holden served on the War Savings Stamp Committee of the city of Fitchburg, and was also an active member of the Lib- erty Loan Committee of the town of Shirley. He is a member of the Boston City Club, the Fay Club, of Fitch- burg ; and the Leominster and Oak Hill Country clubs.
CLARENCE A. BUTTRICK-One of the long honored figures in community and industrial advance in Sterling, Massachusetts, is Clarence A. Buttrick, whose activities have followed most practical lines while his progressive spirit and genial personality have com- mended him to the respect and confidence of all. Mr. Buttrick is a native and lifelong resident of Sterling, and while he has never been a leader of public thought or activity he has borne a practical and constructive part in all that tends to encourage worthy citizenship. He is a member of an old family of this section, and a grandson of Francis Buttrick, who settled in Sterling many years ago. He married Ruhamah Buss, and their son, J. Sawyer Buttrick, became a prominent citizen of Sterling.
Clarence A. Buttrick was born in Sterling, Massachu- setts, May 29, 1859, and is a son of J. Sawyer and Eliz- abeth (Richardson) Buttrick. His mother, who was a daughter of William and Prudence (Burpee) Richard- son, was born and always lived in Sterling. His edu- cation was received in the public schools of his birth- place, and when still a young lad he began to learn the carpenter's trade. Mastering this trade, Mr. Buttrick
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was active along this line of endeavor for many years and still continues in a desultory way, occasionally doing a little carpenter work. His chief interest, however, is his fine modern farm and a brick manufacturing in- terest in the making of eave troughs, and he also repairs these very necessary adjuncts to building construction. Mr. Buttrick conducts diversified activities on his fine farming land, and is considered one of the up-to-date and progressive farmers of the day. In his local activ- ities as a citizen of Sterling, Mr. Buttrick supports the Republican party, but has never been active in public affairs except as a member of the Board of Assessors for two years, and for nine years as a member of the Cemetery Committee. Fraternally he is affiliated with Trinity Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Clinton ; Clinton Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Trinity Council, Royal and Select Masters, of Hudson, Massachusetts; and Trinity Commandery, Knights Templar. He at- tends the Unitarian church.
Clarence A. Buttrick married, at Clinton, Massachu- setts, December 16, 1885, Mabel S. Winditt, born in Clinton, daughter of Robert and Sarah C. (Berry) Winditt, her father a son of John and Phoebe ( Banham) Winditt, natives of Banham, England, her mother a daughter of William and Sarah (Brown) Berry, na- tives of Poland, Maine. Mr. and Mrs. Buttrick have one daughter, Mabel Elizabeth, born March I, 1906, a graduate of the Clinton (Massachusetts) High School.
JAMES M. BUCK, who stands among the prominent business executives of Worcester County, Massachu- setts, to-day, has been active since the completion of his education in the manufacture of chairs, first with his father, a veteran chair producer of Sterling, Massachu- setts, and since the death of his father, in an indepen- dent way. Mr. Buck had a practical educational prep- aration for his life work, and with his natural business ability and the energy which he gives to the affairs over which he has supervision, he has gained an enviable posi- tion in the business world. He is a member of an old and honored family of Worcester County, his grand- father, James O. Buck, having settled in this section many years ago. James O. Buck became a prominent farmer of Princeton, Massachusetts, and was the founder of the present chair industry. Eugene R. Buck, his son and Mr. Buck's father, was for many years head of the chair factory, continuing as active manager of the busi- ness until his death, which occurred May 13, 1915. He married Ellen A. Reed, also a member of an old New England family.
James M. Buck was born in Princeton, Massachusetts, October 14, 1891. Following his attendance in the pub- lic schools of his birthplace, he covered a course at Becker's Business College, of Worcester, Massachusetts, then became associated with his father in the manufac- ture of chairs in the Sterling factory. The original firm of T. & E. R. Buck established factories in both Sterling and West Sterling, and the enterprises have now been active for a period of half a century. Fol- lowing the death of his father, James M. Buck operated the Sterling plant for his uncle for some time, later buying the Sterling plant and incorporating in Septem- ber, 1923, Mr. Buck becoming president and treasurer. He has commanded the esteem and confidence of all
who come in touch with his activities and is considered one of the leading business men of Sterling. A Repub- lican by political affiliation, Mr. Buck has been active as chairman of the Republican Town Committee for the past seven years, and for three years has served on the School Committee. During the World War he served as a member of the Massachusetts State Guard, and also devoted much time and attention to the home endeavors of the period. Fraternally, Mr. Buck is affiliated with Trinity Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Clinton, Massachusetts ; Clinton Lodge, Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks; also is a member of the Grotto Club, of Worcester, and the Masonic Club of Leo- minster, Massachusetts. He attends the Congregational church.
James M. Buck married, at Worcester, Massachusetts, November 19, 1913, Ida' M. Haynes, daughter of Ben- jamin Haynes, a prominent citizen of Worcester. Mr. and Mrs. Buck have one daughter, Pauline E., born in Sterling, Massachusetts, October 27, 1915.
FRED CHESTER HARRINGTON, JR .- In the field which in recent years has come to be considered a fine art because of the achievements of its patrons and devotees-photography-Fred Chester Harrington, Jr., is one of the most successful men of the day in Northern Worcester County, and with interests centering at Athol, Massachusetts, is achieving marked distinction in this art and contributing in a definite way to its progress.
Mr. Harrington comes of an old Worcester County family, and is a son of Fred Chester Harrington, Sr., who was born in Winchendon, Massachusetts, December 8, 1854, and died September 23, 1909. He was a sta- tionary engineer by trade, and was employed for many years by the Barker Lumber Company of Woburn, Massachusetts, and later by the Ayers Laundry & Dye Works of Fitchburg, Massachusetts. When he was somewhat advanced in years he sustained a paralytic shock, which he survived and lived for eleven years thereafter. The mother, Julia Viola (Cochran) Har- rington, was born in Fitchburg, December 8, 1855, and died January 21, 1892.
Fred Chester Harrington, Jr., was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, December 12, 1879. There he attended the primary and grammar schools and was graduated from the latter in June, 1895. He attended high school for one year, then leaving school before the completion of the course, entered the employ of the Ayers Laundry and Dye Works of Fitchburg, where he was active for two years. Then he went to Brockton, Massachusetts, where he learned photography, while at the same time he was active in the shoe trade. In the latter connection he was employed successively in the Douglas & Keith factories in Brockton, his work being treeing. Coming to Athol in 1912, he was active in the employ of the Athol Manufacturing Company for about four years, filling the position of foreman. He then turned to photography as a profession, and his wisdom in making this change was evident, as his success has since been definite. Mr. Harrington has been largely successful in this field and has done much artistically excellent work in portraits, enlarging, copying, and so forth, and the constant demand for professional finishing of ama- teur work has led him to specialize in this branch, in
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which he attains excellent results. Public spirited at all times and interested in all that pertains to civic advance, Mr. Harrington supports the Republican party, but has never sought nor desired public honors. During the World War he devoted his time largely to the home efforts in support of the American Expeditionary Forces, and was an active member of the Red Cross for two years. He supported generously every good cause, giv- ing the Salvation Army and every drive the aid of his earnest efforts and generous contributions. Fraternally Mr. Harrington is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has been through all chairs, Chaplain, Vice-Grand, Noble Grand, and now Past Grand. He is a member also of the Knights of Pythias and the Sons of Veterans, and he is a member of the Sons of Veterans Club and the Knights of Pythias Club, both of Athol. He is affiliated with the Baptist church.
Mr. Harrington married, in Rockland, Massachusetts, May 4, 1901, Myrtle Hall, who was born at Brockton, Massachusetts, November 4, 1885, and was educated in the Brockton public and high schools. She was identi- fied with the Dennison Manufacturing Company of South Framingham, Massachusetts, for three years be- fore her marriage. Mrs. Harrington is a daughter of Emery Hall, who was one of thirteen children, and spent his boyhood in Natick, Massachusetts, then for thirty- two years was coal yard foreman at Natick, and now is janitor of the Grand Army of the Republic Hall, also of Natick. Mrs. Harrington's mother, Lizzie (Jones) Hall, was born in Brockton, Massachusetts, educated in the public schools of that city, and died December 30, 1916. Fred Chester, Jr., and Myrtle (Hall) Harring- ton are the parents of three children: George B., born November 25, 1913; Frederick C., born February 12, 1915; and Arline C., born February 9, 1922.
PATRICK J. COTTER-An interesting industry in the city of Worcester is carried forward in the plant of Patrick J. Cotter, at No. 104 Commercial Street, where are manufactured fine and durable handmade horse collars. Mr. Cotter, who learned his trade in his native Ireland, has successfully followed this business, and in this day when machinery has taken the place of every kind of hand labor, still gives individual attention to the production of horse collars, and fortunate are the animals whose owners are deeply enough interested in their comfort and welfare to provide them with the individually fitted collars from the Cotter factory.
James Cotter, Mr. Cotter's father, was a maker of horse collars in Ireland. Born in County Waterford, he learned the trade in his youth, and followed this line of endeavor throughout his lifetime, passing away in 1906. He married Katherine Foley, who also was born in County Waterford, Ireland. She survived him only for a comparatively short period, and died the following year.
Patrick J. Cotter was born in County Waterford, Ireland, November 3, 1870. His education was acquired in the national schools of the locality, and upon com- pleting his studies he learned from his father the trade of making ' horse collars. Following that line of en- deavor in Ireland until the year 1892, Mr. Cotter then came to America and located at Worcester, Massachu- setts. Here he became associated with L. Fitzgerald,
who established this business in 1885, of which Mr. Cotter is now the owner. Fifteen years after entering Mr. Fitzgerald's employ Mr. Cotter was received as a partner, and under the firm name of Fitzgerald & Cotter the enterprise prospered largely. Upon the retirement of the founder, in 1916, Mr. Cotter purchased his share in the business and has since continued independently, hold- ing a leading position in his field in New England. This business originally was located at No. 63 Ex- change Street, Worcester, where it remained until 1897, when it was removed to the old skating rink on Foster Street. More suitable quarters were shortly found at No. 144 Commercial Street, and the enterprise was carried forward at that address until 1923, when it was removed to the present location at No. 104 Commercial Street. In the work that Mr. Cotter is doing he is fill- ing a definite need in the industrial world, for although the automobile has in a large measure superseded the horse, there still remain many of the patient animals to whom the intelligent and scientific fit of the collar is vitally important, and in the preservation of the old New England hand-made horse collar to the use of horse owners of the present day Mr. Cotter is doing much for the welfare of the valued friend and servant of man. Mr. Cotter is widely prominent in fraternal circles, being Past Faithful Navigator of the fourth degree, Knights of Columbus; a member of Worcester Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Order of the Alhambra, the Irish National Foresters, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Emmet Guards Veteran Corps, the United Commercial Travelers' As- sociation, the Utica Commercial Travelers, also of the American Horse Association, and the Worcester Chamber of Commerce. He served for three years as a member of the Emmet Guards of Worcester, as private (1892-95). He attends the Roman Catholic Church of the Ascension.
Mr. Cotter married, in 1897, Julia A. Burke, who was born in Worcester, and they are the parents of one son, Francis P., who was born October 8, 1898, and served in the Students' Army Training Corps, at Holy Cross College, during the World War. He is one of the popular and promising young men of Worcester, and is associated with his father in the business.
DANIEL J. REAGAN, one of the successful busi- ness men of Worcester County, is secretary of The Vis- coloid Company of Leominster, Massachusetts. Mr. Reagan is a native of Leominster and practically his entire life to the present time (1923) has been spent in that city.
Mr. Reagan is a son of Daniel F. and Katherine (Mara) Reagan, the former of whom is engaged in business as a painter. After attending the public schools of his native district he further prepared for an active career by taking a commercial course in Eastman's Na- tional Business College of Poughkeepsie, New York, and then in 1902 entered the employ of The Voscoloid Company as bookkeeper. He gave careful attention to the duties of his position, devoting his ability to the advancement of the interests of the firm with which he was identified, and at the end of ten years was admitted to membership in the firm and elected secretary of the concern, which official position he has continued to hold
J. J. Gather
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to the present time. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and with the Knights of Columbus. He is a member of the Leomin- ster Club, the Monoosnock Country Club, and the Oak Hill Country Club, of Fitchburg, and his religious affili- ation is with St. Leo's Roman Catholic Church.
Daniel J. Reagan married, at Lexington, Massachu- setts, in 1906, Elizabeth E. Murphy, and they are the parents of two children: Daniel J., Jr., who was born October II, 1912; and Frances E., born May 21, 1915.
ALBERT C. BROWN, an honored figure in the world of finance of Worcester County, Massachusetts, for nearly twelve years has filled the largely responsible position of treasurer of the Worcester North Savings Institution, of Fitchburg. Mr. Brown has been identi- fied with this institution for more than forty-two years and has risen in the organization from a subordinate position to his present office. The tenacity of purpose and faithful service which are thus exemplified are worthy of the highest commendation, and Mr. Brown is esteemed by all with whom he comes in contact.
The Brown family has been prominent in the State of Massachusetts for several generations, Oliver Brown, Mr. Brown's grandfather, having settled in Royalston many years ago. He married Sarah Clark, and they were the parents of David S. Brown, who later removed to Ashburnham, Massachusetts, and was active there and in Fitchburg as a painter until his death, at a com- paratively early age, in the year 1885. He married Eliz- abeth Gardner, granddaughter of Captain Gardner, who fought in the battle of Bunker Hill on the side of the Colonies during the Revolutionary War. She died in the year 1901.
Albert C. Brown, son of David S. and Elizabeth (Gardner) Brown, was born at Ashburnham, Massa- chusetts, November 29, 1859. His education was begun in the local public schools, and at the age of nine years the family removing to Fitchburg, he continued the grammar course here. Later attending Fitchburg High School, his studies were completed at the Worcester State Normal School, and in the year 1881 he entered the Worcester North Savings Institution, in the capacity of office boy. Not many years later Mr. Brown was ad- vanced to teller, and on January 6, 1896, was promoted to assistant treasurer. In this office he served until the death of Henry A. Willis, then in January, 1912, he was made treasurer of this institution. He has fulfilled the duties of this responsible position ably and well, and commands the respect and confidence of his associates and contemporaries. Fraternally Mr. Brown is identi- fied with the Royal Arcanum, and for many years has been active along various lines of welfare and other en- deavors. He has been treasurer of the Fitchburg Young Men's Christian Association since the year 1887. Dur- ing the years 1917-19 he served on the Liberty Loan Committee. He is a member of the Fay Club, and the Oak Hill Country Club, both of Fitchburg.
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