USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > History of Worcester County, Massachusetts, Vol. III > Part 82
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Joseph E. O'Shaughnessy was born at Southbridge,
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BIOGRAPHICAL
Massachusetts, August 27, 1888. He received his early education in the local public schools, and following his high school course he entered Boston University Law School, from which he was graduated in the class of 1913 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Shortly thereafter admitted to the bar of his native State, Mr. O'Shaughnessy took up the practice of his profession in Southbridge, the place of his birth, and has continued here since without interruption. With offices at No. III Main Street, he holds a leading position among lead- ing practitioners not only in this community but in this part of the county of Worcester, and he is considered one of the foremost men in the profession in South- bridge. He is a member of the Worcester County Bar and the Southbridge Chamber of Commerce, and in public affairs has borne a part for some years, serving as Assistant Town Clerk for one term and serving for eight years as a member of the Planning Board. During the World War he was active on the advisory board and served as captain in the various Red Cross and Liberty Loan drives. He is a member of the Southbridge Club and fraternally he is affiliated with the Knights of Co- lumbus, of which he is Past Worthy Grand Knight; the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the St. Mary's Tem- perance Society; his religious affiliation being with St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.
JOSEPH N. ROY, M. D .- The activities of Dr. Roy in the town of Webster, Massachusetts, comprise far more than the professional work which comes to him, for of his own initiative he has done much for the civic progress, working with an organization or party, the pur- poses of which are calculated to advance the public wel- fare. Dr. Roy is a native of Canada, and a son of Jo- seph and Philomena (Paré) Roy, his father a farmer by occupation.
Dr. Roy was born in Quebec, Canada, June 16, 1872. Following his public school education he attended Laval University, from which he was graduated with the de- gree of Bachelor of Science, then took up his medical studies at the same institution, but later came to the United States and finished his medical course at the Uni- versity of Baltimore, his graduation from that institu- tion occurring in 1902, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In November, 1902, Dr. Roy opened his office in Webster, Massachusetts, taking up a general line of practice, and in the period of more than two decades which has elapsed since that time, he has won an enviable reputation in this profession. His success has for years brought him much in the public eye, and he was elected to the Webster Board of Health in 1917. One of his official acts which has been productive of much good was the inauguration of inspection in the parochial schools. He also organized a laboratory for the inspection of milk and has done much progressive work along these lines.
Dr. Roy is a member of the American Medical Asso- ciation, the Massachusetts and Rhode Island State Med- ical societies, and the Webster Medical Club, of which he has been chairman for the past four years. He of- fered his services in the World War, but was per- mitted to serve only as a member of the Home Defense League. In all branches of progressive effort in the
community he takes a deep interest and was one of the founders and is still a director and vice-president of the Webster National Bank. Politically he acknowledges no allegiance to any party, supporting such candidates and parties as he believes will best serve the public gcod. Fraternally he is widely connected, holding membership in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Columbus, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Loyal Order of Moose, and the Improved Order of Red Men, also the Union St. John the Baptist. He is a member of the Club Gagnon, and his religious affiliation is with the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church.
Dr. Roy married Olivia Lambert, of Harrisville, Rhode Island, and they have three children: Dorothy, Joseph, and Marie.
JAMES M. CURNIN-The life work of James M. Curnin is closely aligned with the growth and progress of the city of Worcester, Massachusetts, and he has reached out from the mere mechanics of civic develop- ment to the field in which broader opportunities of use- fulness lie, that of real estate brokerage and its allied line of insurance. In these branches of commercial endeavor Mr. Curnin has within the past few years taken a prominent position, and in his own success he is con- tributing in a marked degree to the welfare of the com- munity and the prosperity of the people. Mr. Curnin is a son of Peter and Mary (McGrath) Curnin, both na- tives of Ireland, and both now living, residing in Wor- cester. His father is a well-known building contractor, a successful man, and esteemed citizen.
James M. Curnin was born in the city of Worcester, Massachusetts, July 13, 1886. His education was lim- ited to the advantages of the public schools, his school attendance continuing until he was eighteen years of age. Since leaving school his personal study and keen alertness to the movement of the times have given him large funds of useful knowledge. Mr. Curnin is an eminently practical man, and in his activities in real es- tate brokerage and development thoroughly understands the daily needs of the people. Equally his business ex- perience familiarizes him with commercial and indus- trial conditions, and he has handled many important deals of real estate both in the business section of the city and in the residential suburbs. The insurance branch of his business is also a wide-reaching interest, as he handles every kind of insurance, representing the old line com- panies and the standard concerns in the newer fields which offer protection against every kind of loss and calamity. His offices are located in Suite No. 404, the Slater Building, where he has been active in his present field since the year 1919, having formerly been engaged for twelve years as a bricklayer. Mr. Curnin enlisted for service in the World War and served for fifteen months with the American Expeditionary Forces in France in the construction department of the United States Army. He attends St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, and is active in the social and benevolent organizations of the church.
Mr. Curnin married, in 1920, Estella Dawson, who was born in Worcester, and they are the parents of one daughter, Mary Virginia, born in Worcester March 21. TO2I.
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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY
J. NELSON SHUTTS-In the textile industry in Worcester, Massachusetts, Mr. Shutts holds a prom- inenit position as superintendent of the Riverside Worsted Mills, this plant being a branch of the widely famous Hamilton Mills. Mr. Shutts is a member of a well- known family of Clinton, Massachusetts, formerly of New York State.
J. Nelson Shutts was born in Ellenburg, New York, April 28, 1893. The family coming to Clinton, Massa- chusetts, when he was eight years of age, he received a practical education in the public schools of that com- munity, then entered the business world as an employee of the Bigelow-Hartford Carpet Company at their Clin- ton plant. There he served an apprenticeship through- out the factory, including the woolen and worsted de- partments, after which he became overseer of the twist- ing, redoubling, and shipping departments. These re- sponsibilities he handled for about a year and a half, then was promoted to the position of assistant superin- tendent of the same departments. His rapid rise in this industry, however, undermined his health and he was obliged to change his line of activity. In association with a partner he entered the garage business and con- tinued for perhaps two years, and in this line of endeavor his health was definitely regained. Returning to the textile industry, Mr. Shutts associated himself with the Enterprise Worsted Mills of Millville, Pennsylvania, where for about one year he had charge of the drawing, twisting, and spinning departments. He next returned to Massachusetts to accept a position as overseer of the spinning department of the Brookside Worsted Mills, at Brookside, but later resigned to associate himself with the Hamilton Mills, at Southbridge, Massachusetts. It was in September, 1917, that Mr. Shutts entered upon his duties as overseer of the spinning department of this mill, and was later made assistant superintendent of yarns. In June, 1919, this concern placed Mr. Shutts in charge cí their branch in Worcester, which is known as the Riverside Worsted Mills, and as superintendent of this plant, he has given a marked impetus to the ac- tivities of the mill, doing much to elevate the general morale of the plant as well as to increase its output. In his present position Mr. Shutts holds a prominent place among the textile executives of the city of Worcester, and is widely esteemed in the trade. Fraternally he is identified with Montague Lodge, Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons ; the National Association of Woolen and Worsted Overseers, the Worcester Masonic Club, the Aletheia Grotto, and the Grotto Club. His religious affili- ation is with the Congregational church.
Mr. Shutts married, at Clinton, May 20, 1916, Mildred I. Linton, who was born at Clinton, and who died March 8, 1920, leaving two children: Gilbert N., born July 27, 1918, and Mildred I., born February 27, 1920.
MATTHEW N. NIRO-Among the younger men of Milford, Massachusetts, Mr. Niro holds a leading position in one of the most practical modern fields of ac- tivity, namely heating and lighting. Skilled in engineer- ing and a young man of large ability, Mr. Niro has brought to his present activities the energy and per- sistence which characterize the true business man, and while he has thus far had only a few years of experi-
ence, he is going steadily forward, and is looked upon as one of the coming men of Worcester County.
Matthew N. Niro was born in Italy, January 28, 1895, and is a son of Michele and Carmina Niro. The family coming to America and settling in Milford in his child- hood, he attended the Milford elementary and grammar schools. Thereafter choosing the engineering field as the scene of his business endeavor, he entered the Haw- ley School of Engineering of Boston, where he completed a broadiy practical course. He established his present business in April, 1918, at No. 15 Main Street, Milford, and quickly gained a footing in his chosen branch of ac- tivity. His career, however, was interrupted almost at the outset by his military service, and as a member of Battalion B, TIth Field Artillery, 6th Division, Amer- ican Expeditionary Forces, he served in France for nineteen months, participating in various important ac- tions, including the Meuse-Argonne offensive. Since his return to civilian life Mr. Niro has gained an as- sured position in his business, and with the growth and development of the interest was obliged in 1921 to se- cure more suitable and spacious quarters. He removed to 1211/2 Main Street, where he was active, the business constantly increasing until 1923, when with his brother, Anthony, he purchased the hardware business of Herbert A. Cass, and they now operate this business in connec- tion with the heating and lighting enterprise at No. 61 Main Street. Fraternally he is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Amer- ican Order of Foresters. He is a member of the Cosmopolitan Club, and is affiliated with the Italian Roman Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart.
MICHAEL P. O'SHAUGHNESSY-Taking a broadly practical part in the community advance of Southbridge, Massachusetts, Michael P. O'Shaughnessy is active in the real estate and insurance business with headquarters at No. III Main Street. He is a leader in this line of activity, not only in Southbridge, but in Wor- cester County, and both as an operator and a broker he has for years been a leading figure in real estate affairs.
Michael P. O'Shaughnessy was born at Southbridge, August 4, 1874. His early education was acquired in the local public schools, and he completed his studies with the high school course. His first business experi- ence was in the employ of a leading grocer of South- bridge, and for about seven years he was active in this connection. In the year 1901 Mr. O'Shaughnessy en- tered the real estate and insurance field in an independent way and has been active thus continuously since. Be- ginning in a modest way he has developed a very im- portant and extensive interest. He has had much to do with the popular movement for home ownership among the working people and has plotted and sold various tracts of land in the way of real estate development. He has handled large interests on a brokerage basis in the business section of the town, and personally owns a very considerable amount of realty. In insurance affairs he holds an equally important position, representing the old line companies and also writing the new forms of protection which cover accident, damage, and loss of property of every kind. Mr. O'Shaughnessy is a mem- ber of the Southbridge Chamber of Commerce, and by
C
PP Downey
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BIOGRAPHICAL
political affiliation is a Democrat. He served as Town Moderator for twelve years, and on the Board of Fire Engineers for seven years, during the greater part of that time acting as clerk. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Ancient Order of Hibernians, of which he is past vice-president ; the Knights of Columbus, of which he is Past Grand Knight, and is navigator of the fourth degree; the Foresters of America, of which he is Past Chief Ranger; the Fraternal Order of Eagles, of which he is Past President of the New England Association of this order, having held office in 1915 and 1916; the Order of Alhambra; and St. Mary's Total Abstinence Society, of which he is past president. He attends St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.
Mr. O'Shaughnessy married, on November 24, 1908, Alida Larivieu, who was born in Fall River, Massachu- setts, and .they have four children: Thomas F., Mary Alida, Robert Gerald, and George Edward.
PATRICK P. DOWNEY-As the owner of a pros- perous and useful business enterprise in the city of Wor- cester, Massachusetts, Patrick P. Downey has for nearly twenty years been active in the manufacture and recut- ting of files. Devoting his attention to a single special line of activity, his work is contributing in a marked degree to the progress of those industries which he sup- plics and to the general hardware trade.
Mr. Downey's lifetime has been spent in the State of Massachusetts, and he is a son of Michael and Mary (Healey) Downey, both natives of Killarney, Ireland, who came to this country in their youth and who both died in 1914. The father was a stone mason by trade, and followed this trade until his death. He was a man of industry, thrift, and energy, loyal to those in whose employ he was active, and esteemed by all who knew him.
Patrick P. Downey received a practical education in the public schools, and as a young man was variously employed until the year 1904. He then purchased the present interest from its founder, the late William Hart, of Worcester, who established the business in 1865. Mr. Hart continued as the owner and manager of the enter- prise until an advanced age, turning it over to Mr. Downey in the year mentioned above. Mr. Downey has carried the business forward successfully, and has de- veloped it considerably. With a plant at No. 225 Web- ster Street, equipped with the most approved machinery for the work in hand, he employs from four to six men, and turns out a great quantity of work. He manufac- tures a general line of new files, and makes a specialty of recutting files. The business is known under the title of the Worcester File Company, and the product is widely distributed. Mr. Downey takes a deep interest in the general advance, and bears a part in every worthy movement. He is a member of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce, and, with his family, is a member of the Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament.
Patrick P. Downey married, in 1888, Mary A. McDer- mott, who was born in Worcester, and they are the parents of the following children : Thomas F., now senior lieutenant in the United States Navy, and efficiency offi- cer at Portsmouth Navy Yard; Daniel J., deceased ; George W., junior grade lieutenant, United States
Navy, retired, who served on the United States steam- ship "Utah" during the World War; Harold M., who served as a seaman in the United States Navy during the World War, and is now identified with the Worces- ter Fire Department; Raymond J., now active in the United States Coast Artillery; Francis B., also in the Coast Artillery ; Loretta M., Mary C., James P., Joseph D., and Reta Ethel.
HON. GEORGE F. BUTTERICK-Markedly suc- cessful in a field in which too many men gain only a bare subsistence, Hon. George F. Butterick is broadly representative of the thoroughly progressive up-to-date agriculturist, and is a noted fruit grower of New Eng- land. A native and lifelong resident of Sterling, Massa- chusetts, he is one of the influential men of the commun- ity, both in a business way and through his public ser- vices, and the people of Sterling look up to him as an honored leader of progress. He is a son of George and Sarah L. (Keyes) Butterick, prominent people of Ster- ling, Massachusetts, a generation ago.
George F. Butterick was born in Sterling, Massachu- setts, August 16, 1855. His education was begun in the local public schools, and later attending Howe's Business College at Worcester, Massachusetts, he laid a broadly practical foundation for a successful career. He was rot, however, interested in the business world so far as mercantile or manufacturing activities are concerned, but returned to the farm in the community in which he was reared, and has demonstrated that practical busi- ness training and sincere business principles count for success in agriculture as well as in the crowded centers of population. In 1887 Mr. Butterick removed to Lan- caster, Massachusetts, where for about thirteen years he acted as superintendent of the George F. Morse farm, of Lancaster. In 1900 he returned to Sterling and purchas- ing the Fitchburg farm, has made this beautiful two hundred acre place his permanent home. In addition to diversified farming Mr. Butterick does considerable fruit growing, making a specialty of apples. He serves on the executive committee of the Associated Growers of Sterling Apples, Inc.
The public service of George F. Butterick has followed practical lines, and he has filled official responsibility in many branches of the local government. He was first Overseer of the Poor, then Assessor. He was later elected to the Board of Selectmen, was Superintendent of Streets and Road Commissioner. He is now a mem- ber of the Municipal Light Board. For many years Mr. Butterick was made Moderator at the town meet- ings, and in all branches of community advance he bears a constructive and ever progressive part. As long ago as 1909 the high honor was accorded him of election to the Massachusetts State Assembly, and he was again elected to the legislative halls of the State in 1919. In his service to the Commonwealth he has been as signally useful as in his local endeavors for the community, and the people have felt that in his activities in the affairs of the State they were well represented by Mr. But- terick's dignified and unexceptionable bearing. Mr. Butterick is affiliated fraternally with Lancaster Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and attends the Uni- tarian church.
George F. Butterick married, at Sterling, Massachu-
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HISTORY OF WORCESTER COUNTY
setts, November 24, 1881, Sarah R. Burpee, daughter of James and Eunice (Goss) Burpee. Mr. and Mrs. Butterick are the parents of two daughters: I. Ellen C., born November 3, 1884, now the wife of Vernon R. Harris, and they are the parents of the following chil- dren : Ruhamah, Evelyn, Dorothy, and Barbara. 2. Florence H., born March 8, 1886, now the wife of Welby H. McCollom, they are the parents of A. Welby Francis.
EMILIANO N. NIRO-In the younger group of business executives of Milford, Massachusetts, Emiliano N. Niro is holding a prominent position, and while well started on the road to success from a personal stand- point, he is also contributing in a marked degree to the welfare of the community, his line of activity being that of the heating and lighting contractor. Mr. Niro is a native of Italy, and a son of Luigi and Marian (Calzone) Niro, who were both born in Italy, but lived in the United State for a number of years.
Emiliano N. Niro was born in Italy, February 7, 1900. The family coming to America in his childhood and settling in Milford, Massachusetts, his early education was acquired in the grammar schools of this community. Early choosing his present activity as his future field of endeavor, the young man entered Hawley School of En- gineering, from which he was graduated in due course. In April, 1918, Mr. Niro became associated with his cousin, Matthew N. Niro, in the founding of a business along the line of heating and lighting. As contractors in this field these young men are going forward to large success, and Mr. Niro's activities are contributing in a marked degree to the prosperity and growth of the enter- prise. Their headquarters are at No. 15 Main Street, where they meet all the electrical needs of the vicinity along the lines of engineering and contracting. Emiliano N. Niro is a thoroughly progressive and representative young man of the day, interested in all civic and social advance, and he is a member of St. Mary's Roman Cath- olic Church.
Mr. Niro married, October 28, 1922, at Middleboro, Massachusetts, Sadie J. Burton, daughter of John Wil- ford and Mary (McDonald) Burton.
NICHOLAS CERUTI, prominent in the social and commercial life of Milford, Massachusetts, and success- ful as a wholesale fruit dealer, is one of the leading figures in Italian-American circles in this part of Wor- cester County, and as the head of a family, is a man of dignity and responsibility in the community.
Mr. Ceruti was born in Genoa, Italy, June 28, 1884, and came to the United States as a young man, locating in Brockton, Massachusetts, where he was connected with the shoe industry for thirteen years. Then, in the year 1912, he came to Milford and settled permanently. Here he established a wholesale fruit business in partnership with A. Barbadoro, whose life is reviewed elsewhere in this work, although Mr. Ceruti was the active manager of the business. It was most successful, and with the passing of the years has developed to a largely pros- perous and important interest. Mr. Barbadoro retiring from the partnership in 1916, Mr. Ceruti has since car- ried the business forward independently. His success is not only a matter for which he may be congratulated, but it contributes to the general welfare and prosperity
of the community, for in all the efforts of the people toward civic betterment and social advance, he bears a constructive part, giving of his time and means to ad- vance all worthy endeavors. He is a Republican by political affiliation and a worker in the ranks of the party, but has never sought the honors or responsibili- ties of office. Fraternally Mr. Ceruti is identified with Milford Lodge, No. 628, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and a member of the Roman Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart.
Mr. Ceruti married, at Milford, Massachusetts, on March 5, 1907, Emma Tognozzi, daughter of Antonia and Victoria Tognozzi. Mr. and Mrs. Ceruti are the parents of five children : Harold, Lester, Nicholas, Al- fred, and Oliver.
JAMES E. O'LEARY, throughout the entire period of his active career, has been identified with the business of the Deerfoot Farm Company, of whose dairy and park departments he is now manager. From the position of office boy he has risen to his present place of respon- sibility and trust, and his thorough acquaintance with every department of the business is an important factor in his notably efficient management.
Born in White Rock, Nova Scotia, July 20, 1876, Mr. O'Leary is a son of James Otis and Amy (Corkum) O'Leary. He removed to Southboro, Massachusetts, with his parents when he was a child four years of age, and received his training in the public schools of the last named town. In October, 1904, he began his long connection with the Deerfoot Farm Company as an office boy, whose duty it was to make himself generally useful. He kept the office tidy, ran errands, substituted for absentee employees, and demonstrated his ability and versatility by efficiently handling a variety of jobs and successfully meeting a variety of emergencies. Later he was made bookkeeper and placed in charge of the office, and in October, 1918, after twenty-four years of faithful service, he was promoted to the position of manager of the business. The duties of that respon- sible position he has continued to discharge most effi- ciently to the present time (1923). Mr. O'Leary has won the confidence and esteem of his business associ- ates in a high degree, and he has a host of personal friends who value him for his sterling qualities of char- acter and for his genial personality. Fraternally he is a member of St. Bernard Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Southboro; and his religious affiliation is with St. Mark's Episcopal Church of Southboro.
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