USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Municipal history of Essex County in Massachusetts, Volume III > Part 26
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
Mr. Foster married, in 1899, Angeline Knight, of a South Elliott, Maine, family, the daughter of Al- bert J. and Adeline (Dixon) Knight, the former born in 1829, died in 1911; the latter born in 1832, and died in 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Foster have two children: George Norris, Jr., born in 1902; and Gor- don, now deceased, born in 1903, died in 1910.
DR. MATTHIAS V. BRIDGES was born in New- ark, Nebraska, April 23, 1888, the son of Jacob A. and Arvilla (Ferris) Bridges. He attended the pub- lic schools of his native place until he was nine years of age, when he moved with his parents to Foxboro, Massachusetts, where he continued his education, and subsequently, after graduating from the high school, matriculated at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, Boston, graduating in the class of 1906. That same year he removed to Prov- idence and established himself in the drug business there, but two years later sold out this enterprise and removed to Bristol, Rhode Island, where he opened another drug store and continued here with success until 1915. Having in the meantime be- come greatly interested in osteopathy, he deter- mined to adopt that profession, so, accordingly, he sold out his business and went to Kirksville, Mis- souri, where he entered the American School of Osteopathy, and three years later, having completed his course, he was graduated with the degree of D. O., in 1918. He then entered the Des Moines College of Osteopathy, where he remained for one year, specializing in proctology, and diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. That same year, 1920, he returned to Providence and established himself in the practice of his profession, but he did not re- main long at this location, leaving in June of that year and coming to Lawrence, and it is here, at his present location, No. 351 Essex street, that Dr. Bridges has continued to practice. He is ardently devoted to his profession, and that he has chosen wisely is proven by the fact of the large clientele whose confidence he has gained. He is now giving much of his time to the organizing of an osteopathic society in Lawrence. He is affiliated with the Amer- ican Osteopathic Association, the Knights of Py- thias, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
On August 24, 1910, Dr. Bridges was united in marriage with Virginia R. Hodges, a native of Med- way, Massachusetts, and the daughter of John S. Hodges, who is proprietor of large nurseries at Medway. Dr. and Mrs. Bridges are the parents of two children: Russell Howard, born September 9, 1911; and George Albert, born September 19, 1921.
Dr. and Mrs. Bridges are members of the Con- gregational church.
108
ESSEX COUNTY
JOHN H. O'NEIL-Among the younger men in the legal profession in Essex county, Massachu- setts, John H. O'Neil, of Danvers, is going forward to success. Mr. O'Neil was born in Danvers, in 1889, and is a son of Eugene O'Neil, who was con- nected with the Danvers Gas Company for many years prior to the removal of the gas works to Beverly, Massachusetts.
Beginning his education in the public schools of Danvers, the young man attended Worcester Acad- emy, then, having chosen the law as a field of effort, he entered Harvard University, where he continued for a year and a half, then completed his studies at Boston University Law School, from which he was graduated in 1918. He was immedi- ately thereafter admitted to the Massachusetts bar, and later licensed to practice in the United States District courts.
The war, however, deferred Mr. O'Neil's per- manent entrance into the field of his chosen work. He enrolled at Boston, passed the examinations for a commission at Annapolis, and was made pay- master in the United States navy. He served for four years at Bay Ridge, New York, and on the U. S. S. "Don Juan de Austria," a navy gunboat.
Returning to his native city, Mr. O'Neil began the practice of law in Danvers, and is now a force for progress in the profession in this city. He is a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association, of the Essex County Bar Association, and of the Salem Bar Association. He is interested in every phase of public progress, and is a member of the finance committee of the town of Danvers. He also is a member of the Knights of Columbus.
On June 80, 1920, Mr. O'Neil married Kathleen Sullivan, a graduate of Radcliffe College, class of 1917.
FRED H. HYDE, a progressive citizen of Haver- hill, Massachusetts, was born August 28, 1876, at Hampstead, New Hampshire, son of George H. and Annie E. (Knight) Hyde. The former was a na- tive of Durham, New Hampshire, and was engaged in the shoe industry. His wife was also of New Hampshire, born in Atkinson.
Fred H. Hyde attended the schools of his na- tive place and then went to work on a farm. After a few years he came to Haverhill, where he worked in the shoe factory of F. E. Leavitt & Company. Soon after he began to auctioneer, as leisure time permitted, and this work developed rapidly. In 1909 he established himself in business under the name of Fred H. Hyde, real estate agent and auc-
tioneer. Mr. Hyde has now passed several very successful years and is well esteemed among his fellow-citizens. He is a member of the Junior Or- der United American Mechanics; the Loyal Order of Moose; Ancient Order United Workmen; and the Wachussett Club. From 1905 to 1906 Mr. Hyde served as a member of the City Council and was nominated for alderman in 1907. He married, in 1898, Nellie J. Hooke, daughter of Charles B. and Helen F. (Morrill) Hooke. Mrs. Hyde's father
was born on the "Old Marshall Farm," at Ma- shall's Corner, Brentwood, New Hampshire, later moving to Exeter, New Hampshire. After having been graduated from Phillip's Exeter Academy he was affiliated with his father in the Exeter Brass Foundry. Mrs. Hyde's mother was a Massachu- setts girl, born in Amesbury.
Mrs. Nellie J. (Hooke) Hyde was born in San- down, New Hampshire, receiving her education in the public schools of Derry, New Hampshire, fin- ishing at Pinkerton Academy. For the past twelve years she has conducted a successful insurance bugi- ness, with offices in the Academy of Music build- ing, Merrimack street, Haverhill, Massachusetts. She succeeded to the business of Amos W. Down- ing & Company, Amos W. Downing having be- queathed the business to her at the time of his death. Mrs. Hyde is a member of the Mooseheart Legion, the auxiliary to the Loyal Order of Moose, and of the Daughters of America, auxiliary to the Junior Order United American Mechanics; and of Minnewawa Council, No. 22, Degree of Pocahon- tas. Before taking up active business life Mrs. Hyde was prominent in musical circles. She was one of the first ladies of Haverhill to enter into politics, having been a candidate for the nomina- tion of alderman in 1920 and 1921.
The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Hyde, Earl C. Hyde, was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, in 1900. He enlisted in the Aviation Corps during the World War; was graduated from Haverhill High School in 1919, and from Westbrook Seminary, Woodfords, Maine, class of 1920. He is now & student of New Hampshire State College.
FREDERICK HUNTLEY MAGISON, one of the foremost lawyers of Essex county, Massachu- setts, was born June 26, 1880, in Mooers, Clinton county, New York, son of James C. and Lucretia (Huntley) Magison of that place. James C. Magi- son, a farmer by occupation, was a member of the Fifth Vermont Volunteer Infantry, Sixth Corps, serving all through the Civil War, taking part in twenty-six battles, and was wounded twice in action; he received his discharge in 1865 with the rank of corporal. He was a member of I. L. Rock Post, No. 49, Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Magison died in 1911, his wife surviving him for seven years.
The history of Frederick H. Magison is the history of a self-made man and therefore inter- esting. He attended the public schools and after leaving school came to Haverhill, Massachusetts, where he found employment in shoe factories, and during this time went to night school. In 1900 he went to Montreal and there attended the Mon- treal Business College, where he graduated in 1902. Returning to Haverhill, Mr. Magison obtained a position as stenographer with the Boston & Maine Railroad Company, remaining there until 1904, at which time he became cashier of the railroad in Haverhill. In 1906 he began to study law at the Young Men's Christian Association Law School
r
1 +
1
Yelling Hyde Fred r& zales
Earl b. Style
i
.
!
i
--
:
109
BIOGRAPHICAL
in Boston, doing this in the evenings, continuing to hold his position with the railroad, and four years later he received his degree and was ad- mitted to the Massachusetts bar. Until the fall of the same year he continued to hold his position with the railroad, resigning at that time to devote his entire attention to his legal work. He entered Harvard University to take a post-graduate course in the class of 1911, and after completing it, en- tered the office of Walter I. Badger, where he re- mained for two years. In 1916 he engaged in the practice of his profession at Haverhill, entering into partnership with the already established firm of Peters & Cole. Later, upon the death of these men, Mr. Magison continued alone to carry on the firm's business and in this he has been admirably successful. He enjoys an enviable reputation among his legal brethren, and is a prominent member of the Haverhill bar.
. It is to be expected that a man of his attain- ments would be prominent in public life, and sev- eral times Mr. Magison has capably filled respon- sible offices. During the years 1914 and 1915 he was a member of the Legislature of Massachu- setts, and in 1916 was elected city solicitor, which office he continues to hold to the present time. Fraternally, Mr. Magison is a member of the Knights of Pythias of Haverhill; a member of the Pentucket Club; the Men's Club of the Center Congregational Church; the Haverhill Bar Asso- ciation, and the Essex Bar Association.
Mr. Magison married, in 1911, Eleanor Rowell, of Haverhill, and they attend the Center Congre- gational Church, aiding in its support.
BENJAMIN F. SARGENT, prominent business man and banker of Amesbury, Massachusetts, was born in West Amesbury, November 5, 1858, son of Benjamin F. and Julia W. (Williams) Sargent. The public schools of his native town afforded him his early education and he later attended Phillips-Andover Academy. At the age of twenty- two years he started to learn the trade of carriage making, serving his apprenticeship and working his way up rapidly in this business, and eventually becoming part owner of E. S. Fletch & Company, builders of fine carriages. He continued with this firm until 1919 in which year it was dissolved. At this same time Mr. Sargent became a director of the Pawow River National Bank of Amesbury and was elected president of this institution in 1920, which office he now holds. He is also a direc- tor of the Electric Light Company.
On October 21, 1883, Mr. Sargent married Marie W. Fletch, daughter of Elbridge S. and Mary (Currier) Fletch, and they are parents of a son, Benjamin F., born in 1885.
JOHN H. OXLEY, merchant and ex-service man' of Haverhill, Massachusetts, principal owner of the firm of Oxleys, Inc., was born in Merrimac, Massachusetts, June 7, 1889, the son of Alexander and Mary (McKeigue) Oxley. His father, who
died in 1920, was originally of Prince Edward Is- land, and for the greater part of his life a carri- age manufacturer; his mother was of a Chelsea, Massachusetts, family.
The Oxley family took up residence in Haverhill when John H. was in early boyhood, and conse- quently he spent most of his school days in local public schools, after leaving which he took a course in a business college.
Entering business life, young Oxley worked for Hazen B. Goodrich, of Haverhill, for three years, and then entered the employ of the Noyes Paper Company, with which company he stayed until 1917, when he decided to enter into business for himself. He opened a store at No. 14 Washing- ton street, his lines being office and factory sup- plies and equipment. The great National emer- gency, however, came in that year, and he threw aside his personal interests and entered the mili- tary service of the United States, enlisting in the Ordnance Department. He was assigned to duty at Boston headquarters in December, 1917, and there was kept because of his executive and ad- ministrative usefulness and aptitude, until the end of the World War. He was honorably discharged in December, 1918, and again took up his Haver- hill business, incorporating as Oxleys, Inc. He is developing a good business, his company already needing two floors, with the possibility of soon occupying the third floor also. It is evident, there- fore, that Mr. Oxley is a man of aggressive char- acteristics. He is a member of the Pentucket and Agawan clubs, and by religious conviction is a Universalist, member of the local church of that sect.
Mr. Oxley married, in 1916, Janet Brown, of Canada, daughter of Henry G. and Janet (Mac- Kellar) Brown, originally of Scotland.
WILBUR E. ROWELL-In the legal fraternity of Essex county are numbered men whose work in their chosen profession is counting far from the general advance. Holding an assured position in this group is Wilbur E. Rowell, of Lawrence, whose offices are located at No. 301 Essex street, in this city.
Mr. Rowell was born in Merrimac, Massachusetts, August 28, 1862, and is a son of Charles E. and Judith M. (Gile) Rowell, both members of old New England families, and the father prominent for many years in Amesbury and Merrimac. He served as selectman of both towns, and was, for many years, postmaster at Merrimacport. He was a Republican in politics. As a lad W. E. Rowell attended the public schools of his native place, laying a practical foundation for the future. En- tering Wilbraham Academy for his classical stud- ies, Mr. Rowell was graduated from that institu- tion in the class of 1881. He then attended Wes- leyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, gradu- ating in the class of '85, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Thence he entered Harvard University Law School, was admitted to the bar at
110
ESSEX COUNTY
Salem in 1888, and began the practice of law in the city of Lawrence. He is a Phi Beta Kappa man and a member of the Psi Upsilon. From the beginning Mr. Rowell's rise has been steady, his natural ability being seconded and sustained by that ceaseless vigilance upon which all success de- pends, and the closest attention to every relevant detail, however seemingly insignificant. Mr. Row- ell has now for many years been senior member of the well-known law firm of Rowell & Clay, and is esteemed a leading man in the profession today. He has been Special Justice of the Lawrence Dis- trict Court for many years. Mr. Rowell is also actively interested in various financial and industrial organizations in Lawrence, among which is in- cluded the Broadway Savings Bank, of which he is president. He is also a director of the Merchants' Trust Company, the Beach Soap Company, George H. Woodman, Incorporated, and the Selden Wor- sted Mills. He has been trustee of the White Fund, and educational endowment, for twenty- three years. A Republican in politics, he has ser- ved two terms on the Lawrence School Commis- sion. He is a member of Trinity Congregational Church and has been deacon for about twenty-five years. He is also a member of the Merrimac Valley Country Club.
Mr. Rowell married (first) Mary A. Rand; and (second) Lillian W. Bridges, daughter of Daniel T. and Frances (Wadsworth) Bridges. Mr. and Mrs. Rowell reside at No. 96 Sounders street, Lawrence.
PERCY BOARDMAN SPOFFORD, a promi- nent citizen of Haverhill, Massachusetts, was born there, October 10, 1883, son of Daniel H. and Ellen A. (Carter) Spofford. Daniel H. Spofford is widely known as a follower of the Christian Science teach- ings, and he is the only man still living in this country who has been tried for witchcraft. His wife, Ellen A. (Carter) Spofford, was a daughter of Thomas A. Carter, a well known finisher and joiner of Newburyport in his day.
Mr. Spofford obtained his education in the pub- lic schools, and soon after his graduation from the high school in 1901, he accepted a position with the Pacific National Bank of Lawrence, where he remained for six years, and at the end of this time entered the employ of the Haverhill National Bank, remaining for two years. Still following the banking business and with eight years' experience to his credit, Mr. Spofford accepted a place with the Essex National Bank; after four years there he resigned to travel as credit man for some of the larger factories, continuing this work until 1913, in which year he became associated with the Haver- hill Mercantile Agency, the largest independent collection agency in Eastern Massachusetts. His many years of experience in banking and other financial matters made him peculiarly well-fitted for this work and he continued successfully until the outbreak of the World War, 1917-1918, when he immediately offered his services to the Finance
Division of the War Department at Washington, D. C., remaining until the signing of the Armistice and then returning to his former work.
Mr. Spofford takes more than a passive interest in public matters and is always willing and anxious to share in civic matters. Fraternally he has many Masonic and other affiliations, among them being: Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and the Massachusetts Consis- tory.
Mr. Spofford married, at Exeter, New Hamp- shire, July 12, 1907, Clara Belle Towle, of Law- rence, and they are the parents of the following children: Daniel H., 2d, Pauline Eaton, and Eleanor Janet. With his family, Mr. Spofford is a member of the First Universalist Church of Haverhill and he is active in its works and charities.
MAURICE E. CONNORS, dentist of Newbury- port, Massachusetts, was born in Leominster, Mas- sachusetts, son of Michael and Elizabeth (Bagley) Connors. He was educated in the public schools, preparing himself for. the Baltimore Medical Col- lege. He graduated in 1910 with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery, and then became associ- ated with Dr. H. H. Ward, in Leominster, remain- ing for two years. In 1912, he came to Newbury- port, where he has since continued, and engaged in practice on his own account, holding the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens.
Dr. Connors is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus; the Ancient Order of Hibernians; president of the Essex County, Massa- chusetts and Northeastern dental associations; and is a member of the National Dental Association. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, a chairman of the committee on streets and side- walks, and takes an active interest in the public affairs of Newburyport. In 1919 he was a member of the City Council. He attends the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church of Newbury- port.
FRED HERRICK SARGENT was born August 19, 1871, at Lawrence, Massachusetts, and is a son of Charles H. and Georgiana (Littlefield) Sargent. He is a grandson of Moses Sargent, who was born at Sunapee, New Hampshire, in the year 1800, and his wife, Susan (Osborne) Sargent. Moses Sargent was a mason contractor. Mr. Sargent's father was born at Haverhill, in the year 1845, and is still liv- ing. He has been connected with the Lawrence Gas Company for many years. Mr. Sargent's mother was born at Lawrence in 1852, and died in 1901. She was a daughter of George Littlefield, a brick mason and plasterer, who served as alderman of Lawrence.
Mr. Sargent received his early education in the public schools of Lawrence, and after spending three years in high school, entered the service of the Lawrence Gas Company. This company was established in the year 1846, and has grown stead-
P.M. Spoford.
111
BIOGRAPHICAL
ily in power and influence. It is incorporated for more than two and a half million dollars, and serves heat and power to the municipalities of Lawrence, South Lawrence, Methuen, Andover, North Andover and Boxford. Its business exceeds two million dollars a year. The company's execu- tive offices and display rooms are situated on Es- sex street in the heart of Lawrence. At the pres- ent time (1922) it has three hundred salaried em- ployees. When Mr. Sargent entered the company's service in November, 1889, he was detailed for work at the gas plant. He was promoted to the position of foreman and subsequently was made superin- tendent. On July 1, 1919, he was made the com- pany's agent, and became vice-president of the com- pany, January 1, 1920, which office he still holds.
Mr. Sargent is a director of the Merchants' Trust Company of Lawrence. He serves as a member of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, and, in poli- tics, is a Republican. He is a member of the Uni- versalist church. He was not called upon for ac- tive service during the World War, but gave his fullest support to the government in its measures for the successful prosecution of the war. Mr. Sargent is a Mason of the thirty-second degree. He is a member of Grecian Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, since 1893; Mt. Sinai Chap- ter, Royal Arch Masons; Lawrence Council, Royal and Select Masters; Bethany Commandery, Knights Templar; Massachusetts Consistory, of Boston; and Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a member of the Monomodock Lodge of that order. He also be- longs to Lodge No. 65, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, since 1895, and is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He belongs to the Merrimac Valley Country Club, the Home Club, the Methuen Club, the Andover Club, the Lawrence City Mission, and the Engineers' Club of Boston. He is also a member of the New England Gas Asso- ciation, American Gas Association, Gas Guild, Na- tional Electric Light Association, and the Illumi- nating Engineering Society.
Mr. Sargent married Laura Tefft, January 23, 1901. Mrs. Sargent was born at Brewer, Maine, and died at Lawrence in June, 1910. She was a daughter of Dr. Henry F. and Maria Tefft, the former a dentist of Bangor, Maine. Mr. and Mrs. Sargent had no children. Mr. Sargent has one sis- ter, who is now Mrs .. Bertha S. Kirk, of Provi- dence, Rhode Island.
ALEXANDER G. PERKINS-The Perkins Lum- ber Company, of Newburyport, Massachusetts, seems clearly to be the largest as well as the old- est firm of lumber dealers in Newburyport and vicinity. The firm was established almost fifty years ago (in 1873) by Edward Perkins, father of the present principals, Alexander G. and Edward G. Perkins. The father died in 1921, but the business is being ably continued, indeed has been expanded,
by the two sons, Edward G. being president, and Alexander G. treasurer. The company was incor- porated in 1897, and, in addition to the ordinary scope of a general lumber business, has been added a box factory, which is now quite an important department of the company's operations.
The Perkins family, in both paternal and ma- ternal connections, is quite well known in Essex county, both parents being natives of Newburyport. Edward Perkins married Mary S. Graves, who died in 1918, and seven children were born to them, five being sons.
Alexander G. Perkins, the first-born of Edward and Mary S. (Graves) Perkins, was born in New- buryport, August 28, 1869. He was educated in the public schools of that place, and after leaving school entered his father's office, and in course of time learned the lumber business. He was twenty-eight years old when the war with Spain came, and was one of those who early volunteered. He eventually saw active war service in Cuba, as a captain of United States Volunteers under Colonel Pew, and came through the experience without bodily im- pairment. After being mustered out of military service, Mr. Perkins returned to Newburyport, and again became connected with the family business. As the years went by, he became of increasing value to his father in matters of business, and lat- terly the affairs of the Perkins Lumber Company were almost wholly directed by him, and his brother Edward G., a sketch of whom follows. Their father, Mr. Edward Perkins, the founder of the Perkins Lumber Company, was a man of logi- cal mind and sound business reasoning, and car- ried the company steadily through the early years; it does not detract from his vital part in the com- pany's development to state that much of the later success that has come to the company should be credited to the enterprise and business acumen of the two sons, Alexander G. and Edward G. Per- kins. Mr. Alexander G. Perkins belongs to local lodges of the Masonic and Odd Fellow orders, being a Knight Templar of the former. He is esteemed in the city, is a trustee of the Newburyport Public Library, and for two years was a member of the City Council.
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.