USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Metropolitan Boston; a modern history; Volume IV > Part 29
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When Mr. Foss had become wearied of knocking at the door of the Republican coun- cil chamber, he did not abandon his fight for
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International Reciprocity. He knew that the Republican machine managers would not lis- ten to him, and they knew that if he was al- lowed to run in the primary he would defeat them as he had before.
meant. The fact that the adverse Republican majority of 15,000 was turned into a favorable Democratic majority of 6,000 out of a total vote of 24,000 was significant and quite un- paralleled. In the fall of 1910 Mr. Foss was In 1909, the Democratic party in Massachu- setts and in the whole country was a wreck. From 1911 to 1915, the Democratic party con- trolled Massachusetts. This political revolu- tion was, without doubt, the work of Mr. Foss as the champion of International Reciprocity. nominated as the Democratic candidate for Governor. He advocated international reci- procity and honest, fair and scientifically con- structive revision of the tariff. In a two-weeks' campaign he visited every section of the Com- monwealth. Mr. Taft had carried Massachu- The first breach in the wall of political priv- ilege was made when Mr. Foss was nominated for Lieutenant-Governor of Massachusetts in 1909, as the candidate of the disorganized and practically non-existent Democratic party in Massachusetts. In the county of Suffolk, in- cluding the city of Boston, a Democratic stronghold, the majority of the Democratic can- setts in 1908 by 110,000. Mr. Foss as a Demo- crat wished to overcome that lead with a di- rectly contrary set of principles against the Republican Governor in office in a Republican State. It was almost treason to dare to at- tempt to beat the Republican machine under such circumstances. But Mr. Foss dared and he not only overturned the 110,000, but got a didate for district attorney was 6,000, the ma- { plurality of 36,000 in addition. The overthrow was 146,000 votes in a total of about 400,000.
jority of Mr. Foss was over 16,000. On the Republican ticket, as a candidate for Lieuten- ant-Governor was the incumbent who had been elected the year previous by a majority of 96,000. His majority over Mr. Foss was only 6,000.
The Republican machine became panic-strick- en, and the Independent Republicans, who had begged in vain to be allowed to participate in Republican party affairs, saw that Mr. Foss had discovered the true method to meet the de- fiance of a political oligarchy.
In the spring of 1910, the Republican Con- gressman from the Fourteenth Massachusetts District for many years, died. successor must be provided but nobody would accept the Democratic nomination. One available man after another was approached and declined be- cause they thought there wasn't a ghost of a show to avoid being snowed under. In vain did Mr. Foss entreat and offer to pay all the expenses of a thorough campaign. One and all declined, and eight days before the day of election the name of Mr. Foss was placed on the ballot. When the campaign was over not only was Mr. Foss elected but the whole coun- try knew in an instant what the election
In Mr. Foss' campaign of 1911 the issue was clear. Notwithstanding the splendid record he had made, he refused to run on any other issue but International Reciprocity. There never was a harder fought campaign nor one which required greater individual strength. The rock-ribbed Republican Congressional Dis- trict which Mr. Foss had won so handsomely in the spring of 1910 had been easily reclaimed by the Republicans in the fall at the very mo- ment Mr. Foss was being elected Governor. The reported plurality of Mr. Foss was less than that of the year before, but the victory was greater. The real plurality will never be known. That it exceeded that of the year before is generally believed.
Governor Foss had won the confidence and friendship of Democrats throughout the coun- try and in 1912 was renominated for Gover- nor for the third time. His majority was greater than ever before and he settled down to complete his program of constructive re- forms for which he had been battling for years.
Upon Mr. Foss' elevation to the office of Governor he tendered his resignation from the various directorships and gave his entire time
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to his executive duties as Governor. He was formerly a member of the board of trustees of Vermont Academy of Saxton's River, of New- ton Theological Seminary, of Hebron Academy, and Colby University. He is a communicant of the First Baptist Church of Jamaica Plain, and a member of the board of trustees of the Boston Young Men's Christian Association. His clubs number the Boston Art, the Al- gonquin, Jamaica, Exchange, Eliot and Coun- try clubs.
Eugene Noble Foss married, June 12, 1884, Lilla R. Sturtevant, born in Boston, Novem- ber 4, 1860, a daughter of Benjamin Franklin and Phebe R. (Chamberlain) Sturtevant. They are the parents of the following children: 1. Benjamin Sturtevant, born October 9, 1886. He prepared for college at the local public and high schools, and received his degree of Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University with the class of 1908, continuing during the following year at that institution at which time his alma mater conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. He joined the B. F. Sturte- vant Company and was subsequently elected treasurer of the concern, in which capacity he is serving at this time. He is also vice-presi- dent of the B. F. Sturtevant Aeroplane Com- pany, organized by his brother in 1912. Mr. Foss married in San Francisco, California, Au- gust 23, 1911, Dorothy Chapman, a daughter of Wilfrid B. and Dora (Sherwood) Chapman, and they are the parents of: Eugene Noble (2), born November 4, 1912; Benjamin Sturtevant, Jr., born February 21, 1914; Dora Sherwood, born August 24, 1916; and Barbara, born Sep- tember 27, 1918. 2. Noble, born at Jamaica Plain, Boston, April 8, 1888. He attended the private schools of Boston, and then entered Valkman's Preparatory School. Thereafter he matriculated at Harvard University and took an academic course and was duly graduated with the class of 1910. In 1912, he founded and organized the B. F. Sturtevant Aeroplane Company and became its president in associa- tion with his brother, as above, and W. E. Bar- rett as treasurer. In 1919 he was made presi-
dent of the Framingham Foundry Company and in 1923 assumed the presidency of the Maverick Mills. During the World War, Mr. Foss was in the air service of the United States. He married, in 1912, at Newbury, Vermont, Katherine Cobb, a daughter of Frederick L. Cobb, and they have two daughters, Nancy, born in 1915, and Constance, born in 1919. He is a member of the University Club of Boston. 3. Helen (twin), born January 20, 1894, and married to William W. Hobbs, who have the following children: Jean, Whitman, and Sturtevant. 4. Esther (twin), born January 20, 1894, and married to George Gordon Moore; they have the following children: Sheila, and David Gordon.
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HENRY V. CONANT-In the history of Massachusetts, the family of which Henry V. Conant, of Boston, is a member has taken a notable part in the upbuilding and advance- ment of their Commonwealth ever since the first American progenitor settled in this part of the country. Mr. Conant is a direct descendant of Roger Conant, who located in Salem and was the first governor of the Cape Ann Colony, and he has not only upheld the splendid tradi- tions established by his ancestors but has added prestige to the family name by his com- mendable activities in the field of civic prog- ress and public welfare. In the business life of Boston, Mr. Conant is one of the leaders in the leather manufacturing industry as presi- dent of the well-known firm of W. D. Byron and Sons Leather Company, in which he is also manager, having been thus occupied since 1913, although he has been connected with the hide and leather business for the entire period of his active career.
Mr. Conant was born in Dedham, November 21, 1875, son of Charles E. Conant, born in Stur-
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bridge, and Caroline E. (Kingsbury) Conant, born in Dedham, both of whom are deceased. Charles E. Conant was a successful drygoods merchant and was thus actively engaged until the time of his death.
Henry V. Conant was educated in the public schools of Dedham and, after high school, entered upon his business career and accepted his first position with H. B. Endicott and Company, of Boston, in 1892, with whom he remained for two years, after which he became associated with the Bullivant Brown and Fiske Leather Company, of Boston, and remained with that organization until 1900, when he went with the Brown and Fiske Leather Company, of Boston. In 1910, this firm was taken over by Reed & Conant, which in turn was absorbed in 1913 by the W. D. Byron and Sons Leather Company, of which firm Mr. Conant was one of the organizers, and the officers of this con- cern are as follows: Henry V. Conant, presi- dent and manager; Joseph W. Byron, treas- urer; James D. Moore, vice-president. This company produces the highest grade upper leather for the shoe trade, specializing par- ticularly in patent leather under the trade name of Chromok. They also manufacture on a large scale, oak-tanned bag, case and strap leathers and in these products are considered one of the largest dealers in Boston, being also leaders in the patent leather trade. The salesroom is located at No. 22 South Street, and under Mr. Conant's efficient management and executive guidance, has progressed to its present prominent position in the field of in- dustry.
In politics, Mr. Conant is an active member of the Republican party and his social and busi- ness organizations are the Dedham Country and Polo Club; the Dedham Boat Club, of which he is president; the Dedham Club, and the Boston Chamber of Commerce. During the World War, he served in the Massachusetts State Guard.
Henry V. Conant married, in 1901, Ruth B. Loring, born in Dedham, and to this union have been born two children: Marion K.,
and Loring. Mr. Conant and his family at- tend the Episcopal church where he serves as vestryman. He is fond of all out-door sports and receives great recreation and pleasure in hunting, fishing, golf, and horseback riding.
FRED ALBERT ORDWAY-By dint of hard work, persistent effort and the use of the business ability with which he was gen- erously endowed, Fred Albert Ordway has made his way from his modest beginning as a grocery clerk to a front place in the ranks of automobile distributors in the New Eng- land section of the country. Son of Willis and Flora C. (Smith) Ordway, Fred Albert Ordway was born at Derry, New Hampshire, February 14, 1887.
Educated in the schools of Derry, he fin- ished his education with a course at the Lowell Commercial College, and then found work in a grocery store in Dublin, New Hampshire, working his way up to a partnership by the time he had reached eighteen years of age. In 1910, a year before he severed this, his first business connection, he became interested in the distribution of automobiles and secured the agency in that locality for the Hudson car. In 1911 he decided to devote his entire time to this business and became associated with the distributors of this car for the State of New Hampshire, acting as their wholesale and retail sales manager. His career with the company of which he is now an official began in February, 1913, when he accepted the po- sition of retail salesman with the Henley-Kim- ball Company, of Boston. In April, 1914, he became the Hudson distributor for the State of Maine, and in August of the following year, he bought out the interest of A. B. Henley in the Henley-Kimball Company, and the busi- ness which he had developed in the State of
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Maine became united with the Boston con- cern, Mr. Ordway becoming its vice-president in 1915. The Henley-Kimball Company is now the distributor of Hudson and Essex cars for Eastern Massachusetts and Maine, also four counties in New Hampshire.
In politics, Mr. Ordway gives his support to the Republican party. He is a member of the Commonwealth Country Club and is also a member of its board of directors. His name also appears on the roster of the Engineers' Club, the Massachusetts Automobile Associa- tion, and the National Dealers' Automobile As- sociation.
On October 18, 1913, Fred Albert Ordway married Mary Blakeslee, daughter of Dr. and Lillie M. (Patterson) Blakeslee, of Brattle- boro, Vermont. Mrs. Ordway has two sons by a former marriage: Parker Emerson and Leonard Emerson. The family residence is at No. 146 Algonquin Road, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.
DONALD A. CAMERON-One of the out- standing men in the insurance business of Massachusetts, Donald A. Cameron, of Bos- ton, had an active career in connection with the Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, as manager of their interests for the province of Nova Scotia before coming to Boston, in October, 1923, to inaugurate and manage a branch of the company here. Mr. Cameron has been highly successful in his work since establishing this office at No. 1 Federal Street, and he is a popular figure in business circles of this city, advancing the interests of his com- pany by his keen and thorough business ability and his pleasant and courteous manner to all clients.
Mr. Cameron was born in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, September 21, 1883, son of Wil-
liam Cameron, who died in 1920, and Mary K. (Dawson) Cameron, who died in 1921. Wil- liam Cameron was also born in Pictou Coun- ty, Nova Scotia, and was an educator of ability, spending the latter years of his life in the oc- cupation of farming. For several years, he was municipal clerk for Pictou County, and for eleven years a Member of Parliament.
Donald A. Cameron was educated in the public schools of Nova Scotia; and Dalhousie University, from which he was graduated in 1908, and of which institution he is now a member of the Board of Governors. Upon com- pletion of his education as a lawyer, he entered the brokerage business, in which he continued until 1915, when he became associated with the Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, entering their employ in the capacity of agent. In 1921, he was appointed manager for the Province of Nova Scotia. Since coming to Boston he has fully justified the confidence of his company in him by securing a large vol- ume of business and creating a splendid im- pression in the minds of men of prominence in this city. He is prominently identified with the Boston Chamber of Commerce, the Bos- ton Life Underwriters' Association, the Gen- eral Agents' Round Table, and his social con- nections are with the University Club, Boston City Club, Canadian Club of Boston, Square and Compass Club, Charles River Golf and Country Club, the Pictou Golf and Country Club, and the Halifax Club. In fraternal cir- cles, he is active in Masonic ranks, being a member of St. Andrew Lodge, No. 1, Free and Accepted Masons, of Halifax, Nova Sco- tia; all bodies of the Scottish and York Rites, so called; Philae Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Halifax, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His relig- ious affiliations are with the Presbyterian-Con- gregational churches. His recreation is found in outdoor sports, particularly golf and curling.
Donald A. Cameron married, in 1917, Mary Olive Douglas, born at Pictou, Nova Scotia, and they have three children: Christine K., Jean D., and Margaret Olive.
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WILLARD A. BURPEE-Thirteen years of experience as a salesman in the employ of one of the progressive leather concerns of this city was the best possible preparation for the successful handling of a business of his own, and Willard A. Burpee, at the age of thirty, invested his experience by organizing and be- coming the senior partner of the Burpee and Davis Company of Boston. That was in 1925, and results have amply demonstrated the wis- dom of the venture. The concern is located at No. 179 Lincoln Street, in Boston, and dur- ing the past two years has handled a line of kids and splits and leather for shoe trimmings, specializing in cowhide lining for the shoe trade. They also handle upholstery and bag leather.
Willard A. Burpee was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, July 13, 1895. His father, Frank Willard Burpee, is a native of Freder- icton, New Brunswick, Canada, and is now engaged in the wholesale clothing business in Rochester, New York; and his mother, Annie Laura (Haskell) Burpee, was born in Glouces- ter, Massachusetts, and died February 22, 1928. Mr. Burpee attended the Revere public schools and Hanover High School, and then, in 1912, began his connection with the leather business by entering the employ of the Dungan Hood Company of Boston. Here he found abundant scope for his ability as a salesman, and being one of the young men who preferred to remain in one connection so long as he received a square deal and was acquiring the experience which would later be needed, he remained with that company until 1925, a period of thirteen years. In 1925 he formed a partnership with Earl B. Davis, and under the name of the Burpee and Davis Company, engaged in the leather business for himself. The partners were located first at No. 727 Atlantic Avenue, but in 1926 the business was removed to its present location at No. 179 Lincoln Street in Boston. During the first years of its exis- tence the new enterprise operated as a job- bing leather house, but for the past two years (1928) the company has handled a line of kids
and splits and leather for shoe trimmings, and has specialized in cowhide lining for the shoe trade. They also operate a tannery at Ma- son Street, Salem. The Burpee and Davis Company distributes about six million feet of leather per year, is steadily increasing the volume of its business, and is already one of the well-known leather houses of the city. Mr. Burpee is a Republican in his political inter- ests, and fraternally is identified with Phoenix Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; and with Hanover Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. He finds his favorite forms of recreation in fish- ing and in swimming, and is an attendant of the Christian Science church.
Willard A. Burpee was married, in 1916, to Amy Dickens Howland, who was born in Rockland, Massachusetts, and they are the parents of three children: Willard Howland, Charles Dickens, and Robert Irving.
WALTER G. BURNS-In September, 1898, Walter G. Burns became associated with his father, David F. Burns, a contractor and builder of Boston, under the firm name of David F. Burns, and the partnership has been continued to the present time (1928), a period of thirty years. The firm specializes in churches and residences and has built some of the finest homes in this part of the State. Mr. Burns is a thirty-second degree Mason, and has for many years been one of the well-known busi- ness men of Boston and one of the esteemed residents of Brookline. His offices are located at No. 9 Park Street, in Boston.
Walter G. Burns was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, September 28, 1877, son of David F. Burns, a native of New Brunswick, Canada, who has been engaged in Boston as a contractor and builder for the past fifty years, and of Hattie (Kidney) Burns, who was born in the North of Ireland. As a boy he attended
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the public schools of Cambridge, and then, being interested in woodwork of all kinds, he became a student in the Cambridge Manual Training School. When his training was com- pleted, he entered the employ of the Curtis Davis Soap Company, of Cambridge, Massa- chusetts, as a clerk in the office, and he re- mained there for two and a half years. In September, 1898, he became associated with his father, one of the pioneer contractors and builders of Boston, under the firm name of David F. Burns, until May 29, 1923, when they incorporated under the firm name of D. F. and W. G. Burns, Incorporated, and that con- nection has been continued to the present time. As has been stated, the firm special- izes in residences of the better class and in churches, and many beautiful structures throughout this section of the county bear witness to the skill and the ability of David F. and Walter G. Burns. Notable among the many contracts filled by the firm are the Trinitarian Congregational Church, at Con- cord, Massachusetts; the $125,000 residence of Mrs. J. C. Fassett, at Gloucester, Massachu- setts, also her summer residence at West Fal- mouth, on the Cape; the Ezra Thayer residence at Hingham, Massachusetts; the home of Philip W. de Normandie, at Milton, Massachusetts; and many others, including the famous Fabian estate at Buzzards Bay. Both father and son are known as business men of integrity, who have always made every possible effort to keep to the letter of the contracts which they sign, regarding even the time clauses, when such are included as binding, and not to be lightly dis- regarded. Mr. Burns is a member of Hiram Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Arling- ton, Massachusetts; Menotomy Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of Arlington; Cambridge Com- mandery, Knights Templar; and Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Boston. He is also a mem- ber of the Twentieth Century Club, of Boston; and of the Appalachian Mountain Club; and his religious affiliation is with the Park Street Church of Boston, of which he is one of the
officials. His favorite form of out-of-door recreation is fishing, and his favorite indoor recreation is found in books and music.
Walter G. Burns was married, June 7, 1920, to Amy M. Young, of Philippi, West Virginia, daughter of A. C. and Ellen (Schull) Young. They have their home at Hotel Hemenway, Boston, Massachusetts.
HERBERT H. BOYNTON-For a period of fifty years Herbert H. Boynton has been identified with the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, first as third clerk, and finally as first deputy, which last position he has held for more than a score of years. Mr. Boynton is a system expert, ex- celled by none in his field, but he is also the author of several books, and for eight years he served as chief musician and bugler on the staff of General Bancroft.
Herbert H. Boynton was born in Somer- ville, Massachusetts, in 1858, son of William F. and Annie R. (Hollis) Boynton. His father was a painter and decorator by trade, and was also a veteran of the Civil War, having served for three years and nine months in Company E, 39th Massachusetts Volunteers. Herbert H. Boynton attended the public schools of Somerville, and then prepared for an active business career by taking a course in the Brad- ford and Record Commercial College. When his commercial course was completed he found employment as office boy in the music house of G. G. Russell, but during this time he con- tinued study, taking evening courses in index- ing, cataloguing, and commercial filing. His next position was with Davis, Roundy and Cole, proprietors of a millinery establishment, and two years later he again made a change, this time associating himself with H. H. Tut- tle, owner of a retail shoe store. In 1876, Hon. Henry B. Pierce, secretary of the Common-
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wealth of Massachusetts, appointed Mr. Boyn- ton third clerk in his office, and during the fifty years which have passed since that time Mr. Boynton has been continuously associated with the State secretary's office. His ability and his faithfulness to the tasks entrusted to him brought steady advancement until, in 1891, he was appointed second deputy. Later he was appointed first deputy by Secretary Langtry, and that responsible position he has efficiently filled. He has completed fifty years of serv- ice in the office of the Secretary of the Com- monwealth of Massachusetts, and is beginning his second half-century of service. He is a system expert, and his long experience in the secretary's office enables him to render ex- ceptionally valuable service to the various in- cumbents of the secretarial office. Mr. Boyn- ton has a considerable military record, which began while he was still a boy, when he or- ganized a drum corps, which made itself useful on many occasions, playing in parades and at log cabin celebrations, and wherever a good drum corps was needed. He followed up this youthful experience with study of the work and methods of the drum major and bugler, and in 1878, when he was twenty years of age, became a member of the 4th Battalion Infantry. Later he was appointed chief musician and bugler on the staff of Governor Bancroft, which official position he filled for eight years, at the end of which time he retired. Po- litically, he gives his support to the principles and the candidates of the Republican party. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Abington, Massachusetts, and Vice-Grand Master; and he is also a member of the Royal Arcanum. His religious affilia- tion is with. the Unitarian church.
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