USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Metropolitan Boston; a modern history; Volume IV > Part 45
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"An honest man's the noblest work of God." Mr. Dowst's outstanding characteristic was honesty,-honesty of work, honesty and integ- rity and candor in all his dealings, honesty and openness in purpose and desire. His best mem- orial is in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
MICHAEL LAURENCE FAHEY-One of the men of note in the legal profession in Boston is Michael Laurence Fahey, who for many years has been associated with J. Otis Wardwell and the late Everett W. Burdett, two of the ablest and best-known attorneys of the bar of Massachusetts. Mr. Fahey was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, and was admitted to the bar in 1904. At that time the late Justice William H. Moody, then attorney- general in the cabinet of President Theodore Roosevelt, entered the firm of Burdett, Ward- well, and Snow, with which Mr. Fahey was connected and for a period of two years was its senior member. At the President's behest, Justice Moody accepted a place in the United States Supreme Court, and thereupon severed his connection with his firm. The present firm, Burdett, Wardwell and Ranney, comprising J. Otis Wardwell, Sheldon G. Wardwell, Thom- as Allen, Dudley P. Ranney, and Michael L. Fahey, are general counsel for many corpora-
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tions, including various utility, paper, insur- ance, and other companies, occupying the same suite at No. 84 State Street, Boston, since 1903.
Mr. Fahey is married to Dorothy Q. Sughrue, daughter of the late Michael J. Sughrue of Boston, and they reside at Bel- mont. Michael Laurence and Dorothy Q. (Sughrue) Fahey are the parents of three chil- dren: Barbara, Laurence, and Donal.
JOHN F. MILNER-Through his entire business career, John F. Milner was associated with the New England textile and woolen industry, winning his way to an important position as an individual wool dealer of Boston. This had been the traditional occupation of his family for several generations, and there were few details of the industry of which he had not acquired intimate first-hand knowledge. Mr. Milner was a man of many talents and inex- haustible energy. He thoroughly deserved the success which came to him, and in his work he contributed in appreciable degree to the advance- ment of New England's prosperity.
Mr. Milner was a son of John H. Milner, a native of York, England, who was engaged in the textile business until the time of his death, and who was one of the officials in the Milner Company of Moosup, Connecticut. Mr. Milner's mother, Mary M. (Fidler) Milner, was born at East Greenwich, Rhode Island. His grandfather, John H. Milner, was born in England and came to this country in the early "forties" of the last century. About 1848 he started a business at Montville, Connecticut, at first under the name of John Milner and Company, but later this was changed to the Milner Company. For a number of years a textile mill was profitably operated at Montville, but a fire destroyed the entire property, and instead of re-building there, a new site was chosen at Plainville, Connecticut. After a time, this too was sold, and a new mill taken
over at Moosup, Connecticut. Operations were continued here by members of the Milner family until 1899, when the American Woolen Com- pany purchased the holding interest, and changed the name of the property to the Moosup Mill. It is thus that Mr. Milner was the third generation of his family to be connected with the woolen textile trade.
John F. Milner was born at Westerly, Rhode Island, on April 4, 1876. He was educated in the public schools of Moosup, Connecticut, the Vermont Episcopal Institute, and finally at Worcester Academy, from which he was graduated in 1896. With the example of his father and grandfather before him, he early decided upon a career in the textile industry and, following the completion of his education, he entered the employ of Milner and Company, at Moosup, where he remained until 1900, the date of the sale of the mill to the American Woolen Company. Mr. Milner then became connected with the organization of the new owners as superintentent of the mill, and re- tained this position until 1903. Soon afterwards he helped organize the Plainfield Woolen Com- pany, of Central Village, Connecticut, and held the position of vice-president and secretary of this company until 1905. At this time he came to Boston, quitting the manufacture of textiles and woolens to enter the selling field. He be- came associated with Traugoth, Schmidt and Sons Company, of Boston, in 1907, in the ca- pacity of manager of the Boston office, and in this position he remained until 1914. At that + time he became connected with the Atlantic | Mills of Providence, Rhode Island, as wool buyer for that concern, and remained with them until 1922. Mr. Milner was constantly on the alert for larger opportunities than the present seemed to offer, and the record of his career was a record of constant progress. For some time now he had been considering an independ- ent venture, and finally, in 1922, he resigned from his position with the Atlantic Mills, to establish his own company, doing business under the name of John F. Milner, Wool. From 1922 until his death he continued his Boston venture, specializing in fleeced wools, which he bought
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for mill accounts and for dealers. He became extremely well known in Boston commercial life, and was for years a prominent figure there, doing most of his business with the New Eng- land textile trade.
Mr. Milner was a member of the Boston Wool Trade Association, while he also held member- ship in the Braeburn Country Club. In spite of his busy life, he maintained a warm interest in civil affairs and problems of government, con- tributing liberally to the support of those move- ments, whether civil or benevolent, with whose aims he was in sympathy. During the period of the World War, Mr. Milner served in Company A of the Massachusetts State Guard, and also served as a member of the Newton Constabulary. In politics he was a consistent Republican, while with members of his family he worshipped in the faith of the Protestant Episcopal church. His special hobby was golf, and in this sport he found rest and relaxation in leisure moments.
In 1901, John F. Milner married Ada Bartling, who was born in Brooklyn, New York. They became the parents of the following three children: 1. Harry B. 2. Edwin. 3. Virginia. The family residence is continued at No. 65 Oxford Road, Newton Center.
Mr. Milner died very suddenly at Newton Hospital, on January 31, 1929. He was a man of intense power and energy, well-liked and possessing many friends. He gave his allegiance to high ideals of thought and con- duct, and his life was one of genuine achieve- ment in those activities to which he chose to devote his attention. His passing was a severe loss and was everywhere deeply mourned.
ARTHUR L. TASH-In possession of a post of high importance in the financial world of Boston, Arthur L. Tash has won this dis- tinction through his own individual efforts, his industry, keen business sense, integrity, and up- right citizenship. He began his business career
upon completion of his education, and has never deviated from the line he chose at that time, in consequence of which he has learned in every detail the intricacies of his work and commended himself by this to those in command of the in- dustries employing his talents.
Arthur L. Tash was born in Lewiston, Maine, November 14, 1878, a son of George E., of Exeter, Maine, and Janet (Farrington) Tash, of Burnham, Maine, the latter of whom is still living. George E. Tash was engaged in the clothing business at Lewiston at the time of his death. Arthur L., their son, was educated in the public schools of Portland, Maine, and at Westbrook Seminary. In 1899 he obtained a clerkship in the Boston office of the Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland, in which capacity he worked for five years, when he was made manager of the Boston office of this com- pany. He won elevation from time to time, in 1913 becoming manager for Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont, and in 1919 having Maine added to this list of responsibilities. Five years later he was appointed vice-president, and since the beginning of 1927 he has been man- ager for all of New England, with offices at No. 40 Broad Street, Boston. He is a member of Fidelity Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Waverly Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Hugh de Payen Commandery, Knights Templar; Melrose Council, Scottish Rite Masons; and Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. His club memberships include the Exchange, Algonquin, Salem Coun- try, Nashua Country, Belleview Country, Water- ville Country, and the Oxford Country. He is a member also of the Immanuel Society of Massachusetts, the Insurance Federation of Massachusetts, and the Massachusetts Surety Underwriters' Association. His favorite ath- letic diversion is golf. He is a Republican in politics, and attends the Protestant Episcopal church.
He married, in 1904, Marian Cornwall, of Charlestown, Massachusetts, who died in 1925, leaving two children: Frances M., and Bar- bara J.
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EDGAR LEROY RYERSON-Scion of a race of pioneers of New England, possessor of a mind acutely attuned to the practice of law, a fine, convincing public speaker, Edgar Leroy Ryerson, of Boston, holds a prominent position at the bar of Massachusetts, where he has been engaged in his profession for nearly twenty years. A man of broad perspective, he radiates confidence in himself by his optimistic outlook on life and its complexities; highly qualified in his profession, he has engaged the favorable at- tention of other exponents of the principles of the law by his manner of conducting his busi- ness and caring for the interests of his clients. Long experience among men of all classes of society has improved a naturally analytical mind, and enables him to prepare his presentation of cases to better advantage because of this. The result has been the gathering to him of a large clientele and a host of close friends, together with a high reputation as a practitioner and a public-spirited citizen. His place at the bar has been long secure, and grows more important with each year of his work.
He was born in North Woburn, Massachu- setts, March 5, 1883, a son of John Rhutillus Ryerson, a native of Paris Hill, Maine, where he was born, January 11, 1843, his death occur- ring November 30, 1927. He served in the Union Army throughout the War of the Re- bellion and was wounded at the battle of An- tietam. Mr. Ryerson resided for a short time in Hollis, New Hampshire; then in Concord, Massachusetts, where he for some years had charge of the vineyards of Ephraim Bull. He assisted in raising and perfecting the first Con- cord grapes, which were developed upon this estate. Mrs. Ryerson was Evelyn Augusta Meady, whose death occurred November 21, 1910. She and her husband were the parents of five children: Albert Winslow, now of Los Angeles, California; Florence Evelyn, deceased; Jessie Isabelle, Edgar Leroy, of whom further, and Russell Percy, of Boston. The Ryerson family is of Dutch ancestry, the progenitors coming here from Holland in 1663.
Edgar Leroy Ryerson attended the Boston
and Woburn public schools, and was graduated from the English High School, following which he took a course at the preparatory school in Boston of Ballou & Hobigand. His first work was as a traveling salesman for a Detroit, Michi- gan, drug concern, where he worked for five years, then giving this up and entering the Bos- ton University Law School, from which he was graduated, in 1909, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, magna cum laude. He was admitted to practice at the Massachusetts bar in 1909 and before the United States Circuit Court in 1911. Mr. Ryerson has been chairman of the Town Committee of Wakefield, Massachusetts, and was a candidate for representative from that district. He belongs to the Boston Uni- versity Alumni Association, and is a member of the Order of Free and Accepted Masons; also of the Royal Arch Masons, as well as of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he was Chaplain, Leading Lecturer, and Loyal Knight. He was a member of the team that won the Nickolson Cup. He is a member of the Eliot Men's Club, of Newton, where he has his residence at No. 672 Centre Street, and also of the Middlesex Bar Association. His favorite recreation is in association with the Boy Scouts of America, his son being assistant scoutmaster. During the World War Mr. Ryer- son did valiant work as a "four-minute" man, and as a member of the Legal Advisory Board. He attends the Eliot Congregational Church of Newton.
Edgar Leroy Ryerson married, in Trinity Church, Boston, June 1, 1908, Mabel Ridgeway Adams, a direct descendant of John Adams, of: Massachusetts, second President of the United States, daughter of Alonzo S., deceased, and Ada Wolcott (Ridgeway) Adams, now living in, West Newton. Their children are: 1. Phyllis, Ridgeway, born November 5, 1910. 2. Gilbert Adams, born September 5, 1913.
JOSEPH EDWARD LEVINE-Gradua- ting from high school when he was but seven-
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teen years of age and during the World War in its opening stages, Joseph Edward Levine, of Boston, took advantage of the first op- portunity to spring to the defense of his coun- try when the United States entered the conflict. He was eighteen years of age when this chance came and he enlisted in the army, serving in pre- paratory training with the unit of infantry in the students' training station at Boston Uni- versity. The Armistice was signed before he saw active service, but his patriotism had met the test with honor and he was discharged. The life of this young lawyer has been led in his profession with a similar devotion to high principle and his professional associates hold him in high esteem because of his estimable character and civic and social virtues.
He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, March 7, 1900, a son of Harry and Lena (Fingold) Levine, both natives of Russia. Harry Levine came to America when a boy and settled in Boston, working here as a carpenter and builder. His death occurred here in February, 1923. He and his wife were the parents of three children, all now living, Celia, the first born, being the wife of William Phillips, of Brooklyn, and Sadie, the youngest, unmarried and living with her mother in Malden.
When Joseph Edward Levine, the second child, was six years of age the family set- tled in Malden, where he attended the public schools until 1918, then going to Boston Uni- versity Law School, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1922, magna cum laude. Passing the examination, he was then admitted to the bar of Massachusetts and has since been estab- lished in independent practice, with offices at No. 11 Beacon Street, Boston, and residence at No. 535 Elliott Street, Milton. He is Jewish in religion, a Republican in politics and has membership in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, in the Malden High School Literary Society and the Woolsack Society of Boston University Law School.
Joseph Edward Levine married, in Malden, Massachusetts, February 10, 1923, Sophia
Gertrude Kramer, daughter of Samuel Kra- mer, deceased, a native of Russia, and Rose (Cohen) Kramer. They are the parents of one child: Selma Julia, born January 7, 1924.
EDWARD G. FITZ HENRY-Almost coincidental with the general introduction of the internal combustion motor, which made possible the automobile, was the birth of Ed- ward G. Fitz Henry, whose success in that industry is a shining example of the rewards achieved through application and unflagging industry. After serving an apprenticeship in the mechanical department of an automobile factory, where he became an expert in theory and practice, the World War interrupted his business career, only to lend an added im- petus to his ambition upon quitting his army service. Today he is distributor for a choice district of one of the leading automobiles of America, a man of high reputation, sterling worth, and unblemished character, with a prosperous business and a host of friends, his headquarters being at No. 231 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester.
He was born in the house at No. 18 Ab- bott Street, Medford, Massachusetts, Decem- ber 26, 1891, a son of Charles L., a native of Portland, Oregon, and Julianna (Burke) Fitz Henry, of London, England. His fa- ther removed to Medford and became a leather merchant in Boston. He was active in civic affairs and in fraternal associations, with affiliation in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and had served as president of the Board of Aldermen of Medford. His son, Edward G., obtained his education in the public schools of Boston and Newport, Rhode Island, after which he became associated with his uncle, E. L. Fitz Henry, in the con- struction of automobiles. After learning this business he became a salesman for John H. McAlman, dealer in Stearns-Knight cars, with
Bos.i-19
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whom he worked for three years. In June, 1918, he enlisted in the army and was as- signed to the Northern Bombing Group as chief special mechanic, in which he served until February, 1919, when he was trans- ferred to the Belgian Relief Commission. Hon- arably mustered out of the service at the conclusion of the war, he entered the serv- ice of the Cadillac Automobile Company, of Boston, as salesman, at which he worked un- til 1924, when he was promoted to be sales manager. Two years later he became general sales manager and, in 1928, was promoted by the manufacturers to the post of distributor of Cadillac automobiles for Worcester County, Massachusetts, a position he still holds. He belongs to the Boston and Worcester Cham- bers of Commerce and to the Bellevue Golf Club of Melrose, Vesper Country Club of Lowell, and the Worcester Golf Club.
Edward G. Fitz Henry married, in Malden, Massachusetts, June 25, 1919, Miriam Bicknell, daughter of Joseph H. and Samantha (Pitcher) Bicknell.
EDWIN O. CHILDS, prominent citizen of Newton, is a member of an old and distinguish- ed family, being in the ninth generation from Richard, or Samuel, Childs, progenitors of the family in America. The descent:
(I) Richard and Samuel Childs, with their families, came to the Colonies from England, and took residence on Cape Cod, building their homes upon the common land. This land, soon after their arrival, was included in the proposed town of Barnstable, March 5, 1638.
(II) Richard Child (note elision of the "s"), son of Samuel or Richard Childs, was born in England, in 1624, and was with his father and uncle in New England in 1638. He married, October 15, 1648, Mary Linnell, daughter of
Robert Linnell. Their eldest son was Richard, of whom further.
(III) Richard (2) Child was born in Barn- stable, in March, 1653, and, prominent in the church, was known as Deacon Child. He mar- ried (first) Elizabeth Crocker, daughter of John and Mary (Bodfish) Crocker, who died in 1716; and he married (second) one of the given name Hannah. Of the first union was born Samuel, the eldest child, of whom further.
(IV) Samuel Child was born in Barnstable, in November, 1678, removed to Deerfield, Franklin County, Massachusetts, and worked as a smith. A deacon of the church at North- field, he was an officer of the town. He mar- ried (first), July 7, 1709, Hannah Barnard, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Strong) Barn- ard; and married (second), about 1729, one of the name Experience; and married (third) Sarah Philip (Mattoon) Field, widow of Zachariah Field, of Northfield. He died March 18, 1756.
(V) Asa Child, son of Samuel Child's first marriage, was born in Northfield, January 3, 1715. He married Rhoda Wright, daughter of Benjamin and Hannah (Stebbins) Wright, and they had a son Reuben, of whom further.
(VI) Reuben Childs (note replacement of the "s") was married, in 1780, to Thankful Bliss. They had a son Joshua, of whom further.
(VII) Joshua Childs married Susan King, daughter of Lieutenant Asaph King, of En- field and Wilbraham, and Mary (Robbins) King. He made his home in Wilbraham, up to 1763, and had a son named Otis, of whom further.
(VIII) Otis Childs, son of Joshua and Susan (King) Childs, was born in Wilbraham, March 18, 1811, and married Abigail Holman, daugh- ter of Samuel and Mary (Warriner) Holman. For a time they lived at Milledgeville, Baldwin County, Georgia.
(IX) Edwin Otis Childs, in the ninth gener- ation, son of Otis and Abigail (Holman) Childs, was born at Milledgeville, Georgia, and was brought up in Springfield, Massachusetts, where his parents later established their home.
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He attended Phillips Academy at Andover, en- tered Williams College in 1867, and took there- from the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1871. It was then that he removed to Newton, where he has resided through the years since. Prom- inent in local Republican politics from the out- set of residence here, he was appointed assis- tant clerk of the city, and assistant to the city treasurer in 1874, and served in double capacity until 1876, being unanimously elected city coun- cil clerk, on January 3 of that year. Reelected continuously, he held that office until April 1, 1883, when he resigned to accept a place with the Harvard Clock Company. He served as the company's treasurer five years, resigning in 1888. He was a member of the Board of Aldermen, of Newton, in 1888, 1889 and 1901, from the first ward, and in 1901 was named deputy sheriff and court officer for Middlesex County. On January 4, 1897, he was appointed, by county commissioners, register of deeds for the South District of Middlesex, and at the election of November, that year, was voted his own successor to fill the unexpired term. He was reëlected register of deeds successively until his death on February 20, 1913.
On June 25, 1874, Mr. Childs was united in marriage with Caroline A. Chaffin, daughter of Edwin and Caroline A. (Gore) Chaffin, of St. Louis, Missouri, and of this union were children: 1. Mary C., graduate of Smith College, 1899. 2. Edwin O., Jr., of further mention. 3. Carolyn H., graduate of Smith College, 1902.
(X) Edwin O. Childs, Jr., was born in New- ton, Massachusetts, August 10, 1876, son of Edwin O. Childs and Caroline A. (Chaffin) Childs.
Educated in Newton primary and grammar schools and Newton High School from which he was graduated in 1895. Entered Harvard College and graduated, class of 1899, Bachelor of Arts, graduated Bachelor of Laws, Boston University Law School, class of 1901. En- gaged in practice of law, Newton and Boston. Appointed member Newton Board of Health in 1908 by Mayor George Hutchinson. Elected mayor of Newton in December, 1913. Took of-
fice January 1, 1914; reëlected every two years since that time, and present term expires De- cember 31, 1929.
Mr. Childs married Mildred E. Roy of Water- town, Massachusetts, on January 11, 1908. Their children: Edwin O. Childs, Jr., born October 9, 1915, and Kathleen Childs, born July 23, 1918.
A. SHIRLEY LADD-Following a line of business in which the competition for trade is keen and constant, where mental alertness must be coupled with sound health and super vitality, A. Shirley Ladd, of Boston, has proved that he possesses all these qualities in full meas- ure, for he has arrived at a leading place in the insurance world of the city. Beginning his work in insurance before he had attained his majority, he was but two years past that age when he had established himself in business independently. From that moment he never took a backward step. Today he is one of the soundest of representatives of that business, honored with the esteem of his fellow-citizens, popular with his business rivals.
A. Shirley Ladd was born in Groveland, Massachusetts, March 2, 1875, a son of Major Nathaniel and Isabelle S. (Parker) Ladd, both natives of Groveland. Major Nathaniel Ladd, now deceased, was a veteran of the Civil War, for years being transfer clerk in the United States mail service at the North Station, Boston. He served as major during the Rebellion in the 33rd and 55th regiments. He was the first Commander of Groveland Post, No. 101, Grand Army of the Republic, and a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, Massachusetts Commandery. Mrs, Ladd also is deceased.
Their son, A. S. Ladd, attained his education in the public elementary and high schools in Groveland and upon completion of this train- ing entered the insurance business with the
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New England Bureau of United Inspection, Boston, where he remained as a clerk for five years. He then removed to Haverhill, where he established an office of his own, writing general insurance. He then became associated with Frank S. Hamlin, forming the partner- ship of Hamlin & Ladd, which continued until 1913. He has been secretary of the Grain Deal- ers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Bos- ton, since organization in 1907, the work of which office called for more of his time, which necessitated the disruption of the partnership with Mr. Hamlin. In 1914 the Automobile Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Boston, was organized and he was appointed secretary of that company, an office which he still holds. His services as secretary were in growing de- mand and with the organization of the Auto- mobile Mutual Liability Company, of Boston, in 1918, he assumed its secretaryship, two years later accepting a similar post with the Beacon Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Boston. All of these secretaryships he still holds, as well as being the first vice-president of all four companies and in addition to which he is senior partner of the firm of Ladd & Web- ster, organized in 1913. He is a member of Merrimack Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Pentucket Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of which he is Past High Priest; Haverhill Coun- cil, Royal and Select Masters; Haverhill Com- mandery, Knights Templar; Massachusetts Consistory and all other grades of Scottish Rite Masons, and Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also affiliated with the Ancient and Hon- orable Artillery Company of Boston; the Bos- ton City Club, Boston Chamber of Commerce, Albemarle Golf Club; Neighborhood Club of West Newton, and is past president of the National Association of Automotive Mutual Insurance Companies. He is a Republican in politics and served one term in the Haverhill City Council. He is a member of the Second Congregational Church of West Newton.
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