USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 76
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James A. Austin married, in October, 1919, Marion Shanks, daughter of James L. and Jessie (Mccullough) Shanks. Mr. and Mrs Austin have one daughter : Joan, born August 21, 1920.
MICHAEL F. DUNN, for more than thirty-six years identified with the same concern in the business life of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, has now for some years held large responsibility in the organization. He is treasurer of the Rodney Wallace Company, Incor- porated, manufacturers of cotton wiping waste and con- tractors for cotton mill waste of all kinds, and also has various other business affiliations in this city. He is a member of an old family of Fitchburg, a son of Tim- othy C. and Ellen (O'Neil) Dunn, his father for many years superintendent in the employ of the Rodney Wal- lace Company. Timothy C. Dunn died January 31, 1909, his death closing a long and useful life.
Michael F. Dunn was born in Fitchburg, Massachu- setts, February 24, 1871. He acquired a practical prep- aration for a business career at the local public and high schools, then entered the employ of the Rodney Wallace Company at the age of sixteen years. His first work in this connection was that of bookkeeper, and he devoted much time also to the mastering of the many details of the business. Upon the death of Mr. Wallace, in the year 1903, Mr. Dunn was appointed general manager of the cotton waste department and filled this position until the incorporation of the concern, which occurred Feb- ruary I. 1916. He was then made general manager and treasurer of the Rodney Wallace Company, Incorporated,
and at the same time he was made secretary of the Fitch- burg Paper Company, these two concerns having been under identical control since that date. Mr. Dunn is also trustee and chairman of the auditing committee of the Fitchburg Savings Bank and a director of the Fidelity Cooperative Bank. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Knights of Columbus, also the Foresters of America. He is a member of the Fitchburg Chamber of Commerce, and for a few years was identified with the public ad- vance as a member of the School Board (1903-1906). His clubs are the Fay and the Oak Hill Country.
Micheal F. Dunn married, on October II, 1892, Sarah A. O'Donnell, of Fitchburg, and they have two children : Helen R., born October 12, 1894, now the wife of John F. Gillespie, Jr., of Alpine, New Jersey ; and George F., born June 25, 1897, now associated with his father in business.
ALBERT EDWARD DONALD-In the textile industry in Southern Worcester County, Massachusetts, the name of Albert Edward Donald is widely prominent in his capacity as agent for the American Woolen Com- pany at Uxbridge. In this responsible position Mr. Don- ald is contributing in a' marked degree to the economic welfare of the people, and the industrial advance of the community, and the fact of his having gained his present position through his own energy and ability places him among the really significant men of the com- munity. Mr. Donald is a' son of John Donald, who was born in Paisley, Scotland, in 1846, and came to this country as a young man, settling in Gilbertville, Massa- chusetts, where he was active for some years as overseer of finishing, later being engaged in the same line of endeavor at Rockville, Connecticut. The mother, Sarah (Dunsmore) Donald, was also born in Paisley, Scot- land in 1842, and came to this country as a young woman.
Albert Edward Donald was born in Gilbertville, Mas- sachusetts, August 31, 1887. The family removing thereafter to Rockville, Connecticut, he received his early education in the public and high schools of that city. Interested from boyhood in the work of textile mills, which form so large a part of the industrial life of that section, he chose this field of endeavor as the scene of his life work. Entering the Lowell Textile School at Lowell, Massachusetts, he was graduated from that in- stitution in the class of 1904, with the degree of Textile Engineer. Mr. Donald's first experience in his chosen field was in the employ of the Meredith Linen Company of Meredith, New Hampshire, where he continued for about three years. In 1907 he went to Lawrence, Massa- chusetts, where he was identified with the Washington Mills for about one year, thereafter becoming assistant superintendent of the yarn department of the Wood Worsted Company of Lawrence, in which capacity he was active for two years. Coming to Uxbridge later in the year 1909, Mr. Donald accepted the position of assistant superintendent of the Uxbridge Worsted Com- pany. Continuing with this concern for seven years, he accepted the position of superintendent for the Amer- ican Woolen Company, in charge of their Hecla Mills in Uxbridge. He has been agent of the company there since August, 1917. He still fills this largely responsible position, and as one of the leading executives in the
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great industrial organizations of Worcester County, he holds a leading position in the business life of Uxbridge.
Mr. Donald is a trustee of the Uxbridge Savings Bank, and for four years has served as a member of the Finance Committee of the town of Uxbridge, taking up the duties of this office with the beginning of the year 1920, and still (1923) serving. Fraternally he is prom- inent, holding the thirty-second degree in the Masonic order. He is also a member of Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Boston, and is Past Master of Solomon's Temple Lodge, of Uxbridge. He is a member of Uxbridge Lodge, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Composite Club and the Unitarian church.
Mr. Donald married Lillian M. Lance, who was born is Plattsburg, New York, June 18, 1882, and is a daugh- ter of William Thomas and Emma (Edwards) Lance, both of whom were born in Plattsburg, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Donald have one son : Howard Frederick, born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, April 24, 1908.
COL. WILLIAM H. DOLAN-It would be diffi- cult to say in which field of activity the name of Col. William H. Dolan is more widely known, the industrial or the military. He has for many years been identified with Jennison Company, Inc., of Fitchburg, Massachu- setts, engineers and contractors in mill equipment, et cetera, and for nearly an equal length of time he has been increasingly prominent in the military service of his native State and Nation. Col. Dolan is a son of William H. and Johanna (Cullinane) Dolan, his father an early leather currier of North Leominster, where the family has resided for many years.
William H. Dolan was born in Leominster, Massa- chusetts, April 27, 1876. Receiving his early education in the public schools of his birthplace, he completed his studies with the high school course, then served an apprenticeship of four months with J. B. Farnsworth, a plumber and steam fitter of Leominster. Then com- ing to Fitchburg, Col. Dolan secured employment with the Jennison Plumbing Company, with which he has since been continuously connected. Active first as a helper, he rose in the organization, serving for a time as journeyman, then became foreman of the shop. In 1900 he was received into partnership with H. E. Jennison, and they have since been associated either as partners or in the present form of incorporation. At the date mentioned the scope of their activities was strictly limited to the local trade, but they met the vari- ous needs of the public along plumbing and heating lines, giving particular attention to industrial plants. Now their activities reach throughout New England, the State of New York, and other States as far west as Michigan, also handling large interests in Canada. At the time Col. Dolan entered the organization they em- ployed only thirty-five people, but now two hundred and fifty employees are required to take care of their work and are regularly on the payroll. This concern acts as engineers and contractors in mill piping, heating, ven- tilating, and plumbing. One of their leading features is the Jennison forced circulation hot water heating system. They also install automatic sprinklers, ven- tilating, and plumbing systems, smoke flues, and breech- ings, and do all kinds of light and heavy sheet metal
work. With modern plant and offices on Putnam Street, Fitchburg, they are leaders in their field in New England.
The military record of Col. William H. Dolan dates back to his enlistment in the 6th Regiment, Massachusetts National Guard, in April, 1894. He served in the Span- ish-American War with honor and distinction, receiving promotion during the course of that incident and sub- sequently receiving promotion to the rank of major. With this rank he entered the World War and sailed for France on October 9, 1917, in command of Military Police, 26th Division, on the staff of General Edwards. On September 15, 1918, while serving in France he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel at St. Mihiel, and on March 5, 1919, was promoted to the rank of colonel. On March 27, 1919, Col. Dolan sailed for America, and on the 27th of the same month received his honorable discharge from the United States Army at Camp Devens, Massachusetts, after a full quarter of a century of service. Col. Dolan was the organizer and the first commander of Fitchburg Post American Legion, and in the fall of 1923 went to San Francisco, California, as delegate to the American Legion National Conven- tion. His inspiring leadership has done much for this organization, which holds leading rank with legions of this State. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and his clubs are the Fay and the Oak Hill Coun- try, both of Fitchburg. He is a member of the Fitch- burg Chamber of Commerce, and a member of St. Bernard's Roman Catholic Church.
William H. Dolan married, October 8, 1901, Nellie Driscoll, daughter of William and Hannah (Sheehy) Driscoll, esteemed residents of Fitchburg. Mr. and Mrs. Dolan are the parents of two children : William H., Jr., born September 16, 1903, now associated in business with his father; and Mary Louise, born May 5, 1918.
HEMAN PRENTICE KENDALL-An experi- ence of forty years as agent for the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company at Sterling, Massachusetts, has made Heman Prentice Kendall pretty thoroughly acquainted not only with the duties of his position, but with the traveling public of Sterling and vicinity.
Heman Kendall, father of Mr. Kendall, was during the early years of his career engaged in agricultural pur- suits, in addition to which he also followed the trade of chairmaker during the winter seasons. Later he was appointed station agent at Sterling in the employ of the Fitchburg & Worcester Railroad Company, and for seventeen years he continued to hold that position, until his death in 1883.
Heman Prentice Kendall, son of Heman and Martha (Harris) Kendall, was born at Sterling, Massachusetts, May 28, 1856, and after attending the local public schools continued his studies in Howe's Business College in Worcester. When his school training was completed he first became his father's assistant in the Sterling station of the Old Colony Railway Company (later known as the New York, New Haven & Hartford Com- pany), and upon the death of his father, in July, 1883, he received an appointment as agent in Sterling, suc- ceeding his father. In October, 1885, he left that posi-
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tion in order to take an extended vacation, but in August, 1886, was reappointed, and during the thirty- seven years which have passed since that time he has been the faithful guardian of the company's interests at Sterling. There are few residents of the township more widely acquainted than is Mr. Kendall. In addi- tion to discharging most efficiently the duties of station agent, he has also taken an active part in local public affairs. He served as Town Treasurer for five years, was a member of the School Board for two years, and for the past eighteen years has been a member of the board of trustees of the Sterling Library, holding at the present time the office of chairman of the board. He has also served the community as an active and enthusiastic member of the fire department, and for several years was fire chief. He has held several other minor town offices, and throughout his carrer has been always ready to contribute his share to the advancement of any project which he considers wisely planned for the promotion of the public welfare. He has conducted a fire insurance agency in the town for thirty-seven years, representing nineteen of the leading companies. He is a member of Trinity Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Aletheia Grotto, No. 13, Mystic Order Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm. He is a member of the Cable Club of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Rail- road, and is also a member of the Veteran Railroad Em- ployees. His religious affiliation is with the Congrega- tional church.
Heman Prentice Kendall married, at Sterling, Massa- chusetts, November 24, 1887, Grace Estelle Shattuck, daughter of Henry K. and Matilda G. (Vance) Shat- tuck. Mr. and Mrs. Kendall are the parents of one son : Raymond Harris, born March 1, 1893; served overseas with the 29th Engineers; and married, October 20, 1920, Pearl L. Heywood.
CHARLES F. ADAMS-For nearly fifty years Charles F. Adams has been in railroad employ, and dur- ing half of that long period he has been the efficient sta- tion master at Pratt's Junction, Worcester County. Mr. Adams is a member of an old Worcester County family. His grandfather, John Adams, was engaged in agricul- tural pursuits, and with his wife, Lucy (Sessions) Adams, spent his entire life in that section of the State. The father also was engaged in farming, and settled in Hubbardston.
Born in Hubbardston, Massachusetts, December 19, 1858, son of John and Katharine (Houghton) Adams, Charles F. Adams received his school training in the local schools and then found his first remunerative em- ployment in a box factory in Hubbardston. He main- tained that connection but a short time and then, in 1876, entered the employ of the Boston, Clinton & Fitch- burg Railroad, stationed at Framingham Center, Massa- chusetts, as baggage master. In 1880 he went to Norton, Massachusetts, as station agent, remaining there for one year and three months and then, in 1882, returned to Framingham, where he continued as station agent until 1900. In that year he was transferred to Pratt's Junc- tion, and during the twenty-three years which have passed since that time he has been continuously in charge of that station. He is widely known and highly esteemed in Pratt's Junction and vicinity, and has taken
an active part in local public affairs, serving as a mem- ber of the Board of Selectmen from 1907 to 1921, and ne has also served as Overseer of the Poor for more than ten years. Fraternally he is a member of the Middlesex Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Framingham, and he is also a member of the local grange. He is a member of the Masonic Club and of the Leominster Club; and his religious affiliation is with the Federalist Congregational Church.
Charles F. Adams married, on May 8, 1880, at Framingham Center, Massachusetts, Grace A. Blake, of Framingham, daughter of Frederick P. and Harriet (Wright) Blake, the former of whom is a native of Stanstead, Canada, and the latter of whom was born in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Adams are the parents of three children: Bernard Samuel, who was born in Framingham, Massachusetts, December 20, 1882, and is now engineer on the Boston & Maine Railroad; Catherine Houghter, who was born June 3, 1893; and Helen Grace, born November 12, 1900.
BERTRAM H. ARNOLD-The career of Mr. Arnold has followed practical lines of advance, and in his present capacity as treasurer and general manager of the E. A. Cowee Company, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, he is a leading local executive in the distribution of hay, grain, and feed. Mr. Arnold is a son of James H. and Jane A. (Frederick) Arnold.
Bertram H. Arnold was born in Norwich, Connecti- cut, March 31, 1874. Receiving his early education in the public schools, he later attended high school, and then took up his preparations for his career at Wor- cester Technical Institute, where he attended with the class of 1897. His first business experience was in the employ of Swift & Company, of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, where he accepted a position as bookkeeper. In the year 1908 Mr. Arnold became identified with the grain business in association with E. F. Wilbur, of Mans- field, Massachusetts, also in the capacity of bookkeeper. Not long afterward this interest was sold and Mr. Arnold was retained as manager by the new owners. For five years he continued with the business, then be- came identified with H. L. Marsh, of Newport, Rhode Island, where for about two years he had charge of the bookkeeping department. He then formed his pres- ent affiliation with E. A. Cowee & Company, one of the old enterprises in its field in Northern Worcester County. This concern was founded in West Boylston, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in the year 1850, by E. A. Cowee, who remained at the head of the interest until his death. When land about West Boylston was taken over by the Metropolitan Water Works, this interest was removed to the city of Worcester, and there remained until recent years. The business was incorporated in 1915, the present officers being elected, as follows : How- ard W. Cowee, president; George Browning, vice-presi- dent; Bartram H. Arnold, treasurer and general man- ager. Howard Cowee, grandson of the founder, is proving an able leader, and the business continues to progress. The headquarters in Worcester burned to the ground in 1919, and after carrying on in temporary loca- tion until January, 1921, they then settled in their present spacious buildings in Fitchburg. Within recent years
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the interest has largely expanded, and now they have retail stores in Worcester, West Boylston, Pepperell, etc.
Mr. Arnold married, in May, 1897, Christina M. Reiss, daughter of James W. and Mary Reiss, of Norwich, Connecticut, and they are the parents of one son, James, born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, in July, 1898.
CARLETON JOSEPH NOON is among the ambi- tious and progressive young men of Clinton who are working their way forward in the business world. He started as runner boy at the Lancaster Mills, and rose to the position of assistant paymaster, which position he held until his resignation, to take his present position with the Clinton Trust Company.
Mr. Noon is a native of Hudson, Massachusetts, where he was born December 28, 1898, this being also the birthplace of his father, Patrick Earl Noon, who was engaged as a contractor there. His mother, Bridget (McQuail) Noon, came originally from County Mayo, Ireland, and is now living here. In acquiring his edu- cation Mr. Noon first attended the public schools at Hudson, and afterwards was a student at St. John's Pa- rochial School, where he completed his studies. From that time on he was employed at the Lancaster Mills until February, 1923, when he resigned and accepted a position as teller in the Clinton Trust Company, where he is now.
Mr. Noon is a citizen of the public-spirited type, and is interested in promoting the welfare of the community in every way, taking an active part in its social, civic, and religious affairs. He maintains membership in the Loyal Order of Moose; is prominent in Clinton Council, Knights of Columbus, and in his religious affiliation is a devout communicant of St. John's Roman Catholic Church.
HARRY A. WHITCOMB-A career of high achievement measured by any standard is that of Harry A. Whitcomb, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, agent of the Beoli Mills. It is interesting to note and represen- tative of this city that Mr. Whitcomb attained his present position wholly through his own efforts. Indeed, he is a marked example of the present day product of American civilization recognized the world over as the "self-made man." He is a son of Charles A. and Ellen (Holden) Whitcomb, his father a conductor on the Boston and Maine Railroad during his lifetime.
Harry A. Whitcomb was born at North Adams, Massachusetts, in July, 1878. Three years of age when the family removed to Fitchburg, his education was re- ceived in the public and high schools of this city. The death of his father occurring when he was still at school, Mr. Whitcomb found himself thrown on his own re- sources as a young man, and at the age of seventeen years he secured a position in the employ of the Fitch- burg Worsted Company, a branch of the American Woolen Company. Entering this organization as office boy, Mr. Whitcomb determined to make this field of endeavor the scene of his life work, and made the most of every opportunity to familiarize himself with the de- tails of the business. He mastered not only office prac- tice, cost systems, et cetera, but gained first-hand knowl- edge of the various manufacturing departments that he might the more perfectly understand their relation to
the work of distribution. After eight years of activ- ity in a minor capacity Mr. Whitcomb was promoted to clerk in the year 1903, then in October, 1905, was trans- ferred to the Beoli Mills, another plant controlled by the American Woolen Company. He was made assist- ant superintendent of this plant in 1906, and three years later was made superintendent. Mr. Whitcomb's ability was amply demonstrated in each step of his progress, and in the year 1917 he was appointed agent of the Beoli Mills, in which capacity he still ably serves. In this largely responsible position he has the oversight of about five hundred and twenty-five employees. The plant manufactures overcoating material, all wool suit- ings and wool and worsted suitings, both fancy and piece dyes, all of the finest quality. Mr. Whitcomb com- mands the respect and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact, both his associates and employees, as well as the general public. He is a member of the Fitch- burg Chamber of Commerce and a Republican in polit- ical affairs, although never an office seeker. Fraternally he is affiliated with C. W. Moore Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; and Mount Rollstone Lodge, No. 98, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and his clubs are the Fitchburg Rotary and the Oak Hill Country. He is a member of the Calvinistic Congregational Church.
Harry A. Whitcomb married Nina G. Cook, daughter of Charles and Ella (Farmer) Cook, of Westminster, Vermont, the ceremony taking place at Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Whitcomb have one daughter, Dorothea, born in Fitchburg on November 17, 1904
CHARLES E. BAGLEY, eldest son of Dennis F. and Mary (Lane) Bagley, was born in Southborough, Massachusetts, in the year of 1885. His grandfather, Thomas Bagley, had settled in Southborough in 1853, and the family have remained residents of the town since that date.
Dennis F. Bagley, father of Charles E. Bagley, was born in Southborough in 1860, and has lived in the town all his life. He was married to Mary E. Lane, of Boston, in 1884, and there were four children born to them: Charles E., of further mention; William went to France with the 26th Division; Angeline served as an army nurse with the Massachusetts General Hospital Unit at Base Hospital No. 6, in France, for nearly two years ; and Leo, died while in the service in the Ordnance Corps at Camp Raritan, New Jersey, in 1918.
Charles E. Bagley attended the Southborough public schools and afterwards attended the Framingham Busi- ness College. He has been active and interested in the affairs of his town and community for a number of years, and has served as Auditor and Accountant, Li- brary Trustee, and held other town offices. He is con- nected with the Sherwin-Williams Company in an execu- tive capacity in the sales department at their Boston office, and has been for a number of years identified with leading concerns in the chemical and dyestuff industry.
He is a member of the Southborough Grange, Knights of Columbus, and the Southborough Village Society, Inc., and takes an active interest in the affairs of these organizations. He is also a member of the New Eng- land Drysalter's Club, the Southboro Golf Club, and
Sais Pase
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Framingham Country Club. During the war period Mr. Bagley served in the Massachusetts State Guard.
Charles E. Bagley married Ida L. Nourse, youngest daughter of Warren C. Nourse, who also for many years was a resident of Southborough. They have one child, a daughter, Doris E.
LOUIS CHASE, prominent in the business world of the city of Worcester, Massachusetts, is active in the real estate and insurance business, and is winning a large measure of success in his chosen field of endeavor. Coming to this country in his childhood, he was reared in American traditions and educated in American insti- tutions, and throughout the period of his business ac- tivity he has thus far given large promise of future ability and usefulness. He is a son of Morris and Annie (Brown) Chase, his father a leading real estate operator of Worcester for many years.
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