USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Municipal history of Essex County in Massachusetts, Volume III > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
Essex-2-6
82
ESSEX COUNTY
France for eleven months. He married Esther R. Gregory, daughter of Rear-Admiral L. A. Gregory, of Washington, D. C., and is in the class of 1922 at Union Theological Seminary.
GEORGE W. MUNSEY, JR., attorney of Haver- hill and president of the Board of Aldermen of that city, 1920-21, was born in Exeter, New Hampshire, August 17, 1888, son of George W. and Grace M. (Langley) Munsey, the former for many years con- nected with the Exeter, Hampton & Amesbury rail- road. George, in his boyhood, attended the grammar school of Exeter, subsequently passing through Exeter High School and afterwards taking a course in the Phillips Academy in Exeter. His general schooling then closed, and he took up law studies under District Attorney Eastman, of Exeter, New Hampshire. He was admitted to practice at the bar of Bristol county in February, 1912, and prac- ticed in New Bedford until December, 1916, when he came to Haverhill. Since that time his law office has been in Haverhill and his practice has been chiefly in the courts of Essex county.
He was not long in Haverhill before it became evident that he had a special interest in, and aptitude for public affairs, and in December, 1917, he was elected alderman. Two years later he was re-elected, and for the year 1920-21 was president of the Board of Aldermen. He has also served for three years as Commissioner of Health and Charity, and the year, 1921, as Commissioner of Public Property.
Mr. Munsey is a member of the Haverhill Cham- ber of Commerce, and is affiliated with several fra- ternal orders, among them the local bodies of Elks, Red Men, Junior Order of American Mechanics, and Knights of Pythias. Socially, he is a member of the Wachusett and Agawan clubs. He is a Congrega- tionalist, and attends the Bradford church of that denomination.
He was married, in 1909, to Fannie M. Bishop, daughter of E. B. Bishop, of Haverhill, former county commissioner. They have one child, Edward Bishop Munsey.
WILLIAM BALCH, treasurer of the Newbury- port Institution for Savings, is a lifelong resident of Essex county, and has long been active in the public service as well as in the business life of the section.
Mr. Balch was born in Groveland, Massachusetts, August 18, 1869, and is a son of Hiram T. and Mary S. (Morse) Balch, Gaining his education in the public schools of his native town, Mr. Balch was first employed, at age of sixteen years, as clerk in the office of the Newburyport city treasurer, con- tinuing in this capacity for three years. He then became a bookkeeper in the First National Bank of Newburyport, filling this position for six years, re- signing from that institution in 1894. He then ac- cepted a bookkeeper's position with the Newbury- port Institution for Savings, holding that situation until 1907, when he was elected treasurer of that bank, an office he has now held for fourteen years.
Mr. Balch served on the Newburyport Common Council in 1900, and on the Board of Aldermen in
1901-02. In 1906 he was elected city auditor, and is still holding that office. He is a member of the Dalton Club, of the American Yacht Club, and an attendant of the Unitarian church.
On January 15, 1891, Mr. Balch married Nellie B. Stevens, daughter of Benjamin W. and Louisa (Gad- dis) Stevens. They are the parents of three chil- dren: Raymond T., of further mention; Marguerite, wife of Philip P. Cole, who is the son of John N. Cole; and Ruth S.
Raymond Tenney Balch, only son of William and Nellie B. (Stevens) Balch, was born in Newbury- port, Massachusetts, December 8, 1894. While in service during the World War, he fell to his death in his aeroplane at Castle Bromwich, near Birming- ham, England, May 25, 1918. He was educated in the public schools of Newburyport and Phillips An- dover Academy, and entered the business world with the American Trust Company of Boston, and later was with Blake Brothers, brokers, of Boston. He was a member of the City Council, Newburyport, at the time of his enlistment. Later he entered Massa- chusetts Naval Cadet School, whence he was gradu- ated March 24, 1917, with the rank of ensign. He was shortly afterward ordered to duty with the Ninth Deck Division, but a slight physical defect prevented his going into active naval service in the war against Germany.
When thus disappointed in his hopes, he joined the Royal Flying Corps at Toronto, and after training at Bayside and at Fort Worth, he was commissioned, November 28, 1917, as second lieutenant, and in De- cember, 1917, was sent overseas. He trained for service in England, and in February, 1918, was li- censed a first class air pilot, and on April 1, follow- ing, was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. On April 25, 1918, just two days before he expected to fly across the channel for combat duty in France, his aeroplane collapsed while he was at aerial tar- get practice, and he fell to his death.
He was a member of the Dalton Club and the American Yacht Club, and a young man greatly be- loved. He was of that fine, manly type, honorable and devoted to duty, modest in manner, but with the courage to face any test coming in the line of duty. Long may his memory be kept green, this young man who died for others, the supreme test of man- hood.
WILLIAM FRANCIS HAYES, M. D .- In the professional world of Essex county, Massachusetts, the standards are of the highest, and progress is an animate force. Dr. Hayes is one of the leading members of the medical profession. He is a son of Dennis Cormack Hayes, who was born in George- town, Massachusetts, and died in Malden, three years ago (1919), at the age of fifty-eight years. He had been for many years prominent in the shoe business in Georgetown. He married Sarah Jane Murphy, who was of Vermont birth and rearing.
Dr. Hayes was born in Georgetown, Massachu- setts, on October 13, 1882. He received his early education in the Perley Free Academy, at George- town, then entered Tufts College. He was gradu-
Win Dalch
Raymond G. Balch
83
BIOGRAPHICAL
ated from the academic department in 1906, then from the medical department in 1909, with the de- gree of Doctor of Medicine. Dr. Hayes' hospital training was far more comprehensive than usual, and he spent nearly three years in the hospitals- Malden General Hospital, Boston City Hospital, and St. Mary's Infants' Hospital. After this splendid training Dr. Hayes came to Beverly, Massachusetts, in 1911, and entered upon the general practice of medicine. He has built up a very large practice, and is considered one of the most successful physi- cians hereabouts. While following no particular line as a specialty, he has been unusually successful along the line of obstetrics.
In the profession Mr. Hayes stands high. He is a member of the American Medical Association, of the Massachusetts Medical Society, Essex South dis- trict; and he is on the staff of the Beverly Hospital.
During the World War, 1917-18, Dr. Hayes vol- unteered for the medical service, but was never called for active duty. His interest in public af- fairs is only that of the progressive citizen, and he supports the Republican party. He is a member of the Roman Catholic church. The Doctor's college fraternity is the Alpha Tau Omega, and while in college he was a member of the Glee Club and of the Mandolin Club. He is now a popular member of the Men's Singing Club, of Beverly.
Dr. Hayes married, on July 12, 1911, Luetta Frances, daughter of Everson G. and Martha (Soke- forth) Howes. Mr. Howes was a prominent farmer in Liberty, Maine, owning and operating large acre- ages. He is now deceased.
CHARLES THURLOW-For many years promi- nent in financial circles in Essex county, Massachu- setts, Charles Thurlow is now president of the Five Cent Savings Bank, of Newburyport. Mr. Thurlow was born in Newburyport, March 26, 1846, and is a son of Charles and Lydia S. (Pettengill) Thurlow. As a young man his education comprised the usual grammar school course and two years at high school. He then began work, at the age of fifteen years, be- ing first employed at sewing shoes for a shoemaker in Newburyport. At the age of seventeen years he became a clerk in the Mechanics Bank, and for eleven years continued with this institution, work- ing up to the position of cashier. His health fail- ing in 1874, he was sent West by the bank, and for a considerable period was interested in cattle ranches, recovering his health by outdoor life. In 1890, locating in Denver, Colorado, Mr. Thurlow became president of a bank in that city, and then, in 1897, returned East, and was associated with the Merchants' National Bank of Newburyport. From 1897 until 1907 he acted as director, then, in the latter year, became trustee and vice-president. In 1908 Mr. Thurlow was elected president of the Five Cent Savings Bank of Newburyport, which office he still holds.
Mr. Thurlow is a member of the Dalton Club, of Newburyport, and also the Newburyport Yacht Club. He is a member of the Unitarian church.
In July, 1877, Mr. Thurlow married Merriam A.
Woodward, and they have six children: 1. Merriam Mcintyre, who resides at Silver City, New Mexico. 2. Florence Williams, who resides in Newburyport, where she is associated with the Community Ser- vice. 3. Annie, who is the wife of Lawrence Dodge. 4. Charles, who served as an aviator with the Amer- ican Expeditionary Forces in the World War. 5. John W., who married Gretel Urban, and they re- side in New York City. 6. Adelaide, who is the wife of John Rogers, and they reside in Chicago, Illinois.
CARLTON CHESLEY WITHAM, descendant of a Colonial New England family, is one of the suc- cessful business men of Essex county, and his most recent enterprise promises to be distinctly success- ful. He was born in Newbury, Massachusetts, Jan- uary 5, 1876, son of Samuel M. and Charlotte A. (Wentworth) Witham, and grandson of Elcana Witham, who was a native of York, Maine, and later a farmer there. Samuel M. Witham, father of Carl- ton C., was born in York, Maine, January 14, 1848, and died June 7, 1911. He was a carpenter and building contractor for the greater part of his life, and was a poet of no mean quality; in fact, he was listed in "Local and National Poets of America" as one of the foremost poets of his time. He married Charlotte A. Wentworth, of Newbury, Massachu- setts. She was born December 31, 1888, and died October 15, 1915. They were married July 22, 1865, and their children were Sanford H., born July 8, 1866, and Carlton C., of whom further.
Carlton C. Witham received his academic educa- tion in the public schools of Newbury and Haverhill, Massachusetts, but long before leaving school he was somewhat adept in carpentry. Since he was six years old he had been gradually instructed in the trade by his father, and, bearing this in mind, it is somewhat singular that he did not take up carpentry and building for a living until after he had been in other lines for many years. And it was not until he became a building contractor that he began to be distinctly successful in business. After leaving school, he worked for several shoe factories for a period of eight years, leaving them to take up farm- ing on a property he had in Merrimac. On the farm he specialized in poultry and worked hard, but gave up farming in 1910, went to Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, and there became a building contractor, with some success. In 1911 he returned to Merri- mac, Massachusetts, and opened a contracting shop there, entering largely into building operations dur- ing the next decade. He was apt in matters of con- struction; in fact, he built a house when he was only nineteen years old, and, although it was not as well built as the home he erected for himself in 1918, it would not discredit him as a house-builder. He was in business in Merrimac, as a building contractor, from 1911 to 1920, and during that time carried through successfully some of the largest construc- tion projects let during those years in that part of Massachusetts. However, in 1920, he became in- terested in the automobile business, and saw oppor- tunity for good returns in car-body building. He went to Amesbury and took over the old Rowell fac-
1
1
-
1
84
ESSEX COUNTY
tory there, adapting it to his purpose, and forming the company later known as the C. C. Witham Body Company, of which he has throughout been the sole owner. He has specialized in the building of an amusement car, known as "The Dodger," and he has had quite noteworthy success. During the past year his company has shipped cars to almost all states of the United States, to Canada, Mexico and Eng- land, and the demand, in the concrete shape of or- ders now on the books, even comes from South America, Japan and India. The C. C. Witham Body Company finds steady employment for fifty men, but there is every probability that the number will be materially increased. Mr. Witham knows his busi- ness. It is said that when he first undertook the construction of this car, it was of a very crude de- sign, but now is near to perfection. It is a unique business, for the C. C. Witham Body Company is the only manufacturer building that type. He is also engaged in manufacturing automobile bodies of the closed type, and has recently designed a special body for moderately priced cars, which has proved very successful, some very complimentary orders having been received.
Mr. Witham has shown a very active interest in the public affairs of Merrimac, where he resides. For four years he was chief of the Merrimac Fire Department, and during his administration the ex- isting fire-alarm system was installed. In operation it proved so efficient that Amesbury and Haverhill have since both adopted the same system. Politi- cally Mr. Witham is a Republican. Fraternally, he belongs to the Riverside Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his Masonic connections in- clude Chapter, Council, Commandery and Shrine. He is at present senior warden of Bethany Lodge of Masons, Merrimac.
During the war Mr. Witham was recommended for appointment to the post of chief engineer of one of the large government shipyards, but he was then in poor health and was unable to accept. He, how- ever, enrolled in the State Guard organized in 1817, to take the place of State National Guard troops mustered into the United States Army for war ser- vice, and as a member of Company D, Sixteenth Regiment of Massachusetts State Guard, he served during the time of emergency, 1917-1919, in the grade of private.
Mr. Witham is a member of the Haverhill Cham- ber of Commerce, and in religious belief is a Chris- tion Scientist, member of the Christian Science Church of Boston.
He was married, in 1895, to Melissa A. Yeaton, of Alton, New Hampshire.
BIRNEY CLEAVES PARSONS, one of the prominent men in legal circles in Essex county, is also widely known in fraternal and club circles. Mr. Parsons was born in Salem, Massachusetts, Decem- ber 22, 1870, and is a son of Allen and Adelia A. (Cleaves) Parsons.
Receiving his early education in the public schools of his native city, Mr. Parsons also attended the
high school there, graduating in 1888. He then en- tered Boston University, from which he was gradu- ated in due course, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, "summa cum laude," class of 1894. He was admitted to the Suffolk county bar in 1894, and the bar of the United States Circuit Court in 1898. Mr. Parsons began practice at once in Boston, Massa- chusetts, and has since won a position of prominence in the profession.
Mr. Parsons is a life member of Mount Carmel Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and a member of William Sutton Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. He is a charter member of the Wayfarer's Lodge, of Swampscott, and a member of the Swampscott Ma- sonic Club, the Homestead Golf Club, Boston City Club, Boston Bar Association, and the Massachu- setts Republican Club.
Mr. Parsons married (first), in 1896, H. Alberta Wharf, who died in 1902; he married (second), in 1905, Florence B. Nourse, daughter of James H. and Ellen (Silsbee) Nourse, and they attend the Uni- tarian church of Lynn.
JOHN F. HOGAN-In Lawrence there are some names which stand out from among the rank and file with especial prominence, names of men whose activities have counted far towards the constant ad- vancement of the interests of the community, and names which, in passing, have left behind a sense of loss among more than their immediate circle of busi- ness or social acquaintances. One of these names is that of John F. Hogan, whose career as soldier, textile manufacturer and philanthropist was coinci- dental with the remarkable development of the city during the latter half of the nineteenth century, and whose later years of leisure covered nearly two decades of the twentieth, filled with charitable and religious work.
Mr. Hogan was born in North Andover, Massa- chusetts, September 19, 1841, and was a son of George E. and Ann (Riley) Hogan, the first Cath- olic settlers in the town, and both long since de- ceased. George E. Hogan died in Lawrence, April 27, 1919.
As a boy Mr. Hogan received a practical educa- tion in the schools of his day, then, in 1857, at the age of sixteen years, entered the world of industry in the employ of the Stevens Mill, in North Andover. As a young man of only twenty years, he enlisted in the cause of the Union, but after three months of drilling the company was disbanded without entering the service. He re-enlisted in Company I, 6th Regi- ment, Massachusetts Infantry, and served for nine months in Virginia, when he was honorably dis- charged. Thereafter returning to his native town, he became overseer in the Sutton Mills, where he re- mained for three years. With his savings as capital, and the backing of his mother, who had confidence in the sincerity and practical ability of her son, Mr. Hogan formed a partnership with Henry H. Wy- man and William McNamara in the manufacturing business in Pelham, New Hampshire. After four years of successful operation, the plant was des-
39
John J. Hogan
1
ยท
1
85
BIOGRAPHICAL
troyed by fire, and as the insurance on the prop- erty was inadequate, they did not continue the business.
In 1870 Mr. Hogan came to Lawrence, and with his brother, the late George E. Hogan, formed a partnership to engage in the milk business. After two years Mr. Hogan sold out his interest to his brother, George E. Hogan, and went into the retail grocery business on Common street, on the site now occupied by the telephone exchange. This property was then owned by the parents of Mr. Hogan. This venture proved so successful that in 1875 Mr. Hogan admitted his brother, George E. Hogan, to partnership, this arrangement continuing with ever-increasing success until 1890, when Mr. Hogan sold out his interest to his brother, George E., and so closed his career as a merchant.
It was impossible, however, for a man who had from early youth led such an active life to pass his days in idleness. Having become possessed of considerable real estate, it was quite natural that from looking after these interests he should de- velop quite a business along these lines, and should become known as an active dealer in 'resi- dential property.
Mr. Hogan also found time to take an active interest in public affairs, believing that a man's civic responsibility is measured by his capacity to serve his community. He served in the Common Council in 1886 and 1887, and was a member of the Democratic City Committee, as well as an overseer of the poor. At the time of the cyclone in 1890 he was appointed by Judge De Courcy as one of the committee of five to appraise properties that were demolished. To him many residents were indebted for their homes in those trying times, for when what seemed to be unfair dis- crimination was shown by others, Mr. Hogan fought for justice to the poor unfortunates, and won.
Mr. Hogan was a member of Needham Post, No. 89, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he was a past commander; Relief Committee for the Post, of which he acted as treasurer for many years; trustee of Needham Hall Department Staff, and was delegate to Grand Army of the Republic conventions for years. He was also a vice-presi- dent of the Lawrence Real Estate Association.
Always a devout member of the Roman Cath- olic church, Mr. Hogan seemed to feel that suc- cess only laid upon him a greater burden of res- ponsibility to his church and his fellowmen. He took a very active interest in the affairs of St. Patrick's Parish, to which he belonged, especially after his retirement from business in 1900, when, as a man of leisure and wealth, he liberally contri- buted, both in money and time, to all the benevo- lent and charitable works of the church. He was the founder (1895) and organizer of St. Patrick's Charitable Aid Society, was the first president of the organization, and served as treasurer for twenty years, the hand of death relieving him of this labor of love. He was also a member of the Orphans' Guild for many years.
Mr. Hogan married, in 1901, Josephine F. Mc- Carty, who was born in Westbrook, Maine, in 1867, and is a daughter of Joseph C. and Margaret (Dil- worth) McCarty. Mrs. Josephine F. (McCarty) Hogan came to Lawrence with her parents at the age of six months; then the family removed, in 1876, to Lowell, Massachusetts, where Mr. Mc- Carty was superintendent of the Richmond Paper Company, the family returning to Lawrence in 1883, where they have since resided. Mr. Hogan is survived by his widow and six children: 1. Francis X., for some years principal of the John R. Rollins Grammar School in Lawrence and now (1922) director of the Continuation School. 2. Agnes R., a teacher in the Saunders School, in Lawrence. 8. John J., a member of the faculty of Lawrence High School; during the World War he trained at Camp Devens, and while there was promoted from private to sergeant-major; he was sent to Camp Lee, Virginia, where he was com- missioned second lieutenant, and was then stationed with the 9th Training Brigade, 154th Depot Brig- ade, at Camp Meade. On December 4, 1918, he received his discharge. 4. Mary P., married Joseph A. Flynn, and resides at home. 5. George E., who died in October, 1918, when about to enter his third year at Holy Cross College. 6. Margaret, now (1922) a student at St. Mary's School.
Few citizens of Lawrence have had such an im- posing funeral, for his sterling charter and gener- ons nature had endeared John F. Hogan to a wide circle of friends. In his death the city of Law- rence lost a public-spirited citizen, whose activities had always been constructive as well as progres- sive, whose spirit had been sturdily practical as well as courageous and optimistic. He left a va- cant place in every circle in which he was accus- tomed to move, but while his passing away will long be regretted by those who knew him well, the good work with which his long life was so filled will carry down through the years benefits incalculable, and his name will long be cherished among the people of the city.
WILLIAM THOMAS O'NEIL-In professional practice in his home town, both before and after giving military service during the World War, Dr. William Thomas O'Neil, graduate of Tufts Dental College, is developing satisfactory connec- tions in Amesbury, Massachusetts. He was born there January 17, 1891, son of William Thomas and Rose A. (Conlin) O'Neil. His father was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, August 15, 1856, and eventually removed to Amesbury, where he has for many years been in good business, as a hatter. Dr. O'Neil's mother was of a Bath, Maine, family, and was born there August 29, 1855.
In his boyhood and youth Dr. O'Neil attended the Amesbury public schools and was eventually graduated from the high school. Having resolved to enter the dental profession if possible, he be- came a student at Tufts Dental College, Boston, and was successful in graduating in the class of 1914. Soon thereafter he began to practice den-
86
ESSEX COUNTY
tistry in Mattapan, remaining there for about a year, after which he returned to his native place, and immediately opened an office there. In 1917 came the upheaval of all personal affairs and plans because of the national emergency caused by the state of war into which the nation had entered. Dr. O'Neil enlisted in the United States Army, November 27, 1917, receiving a commission in the grade of first lieutenant, from President Wilson. He was assigned to duty at Penniman, Virginia, as an officer of the Dental Corps, and in his professional capacity he served there until January 22, 1919, when he was honorably dis- charged. He soon resumed his private practice at Amesbury, and it must be stated that his army service was advantageous to him, professionally, giving him much wider opportunities for practice than he would have had in the early years of a private practice.
He is well and favorably known in Amesbury. By religious belief a Catholic, he is a member of the St. Joseph's Catholic Church, of Amesbury, and belongs to the Knights of Columbus of that place. He is of course a member of the American Le- gion, and also belongs to the North East Dental Society and the Amesbury Club. Politically, Dr. O'Neil is a Republican.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.