USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Municipal history of Essex County in Massachusetts, Volume III > Part 42
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(IX) James Edwin Odlin, son of Joseph Edwin and Christiana (Farrar) Odlin, was born in Laconia, New Hampshire, April 10, 1857. After attending the public schools of his native city, he continued his education in New Hampton Academy, and in Phillips Andover, graduating in 1877. He then en- tered Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, and was graduated in 1881, with the degree Bachelor of Arts, and the degree Master of Arts was con- ferred in 1887. Having chosen the ministry as a life profession, he matriculated at Hartford Theo-
logical Seminary, Hartford, Connecticut, and upon the completion of his study there, in 1884, was granted the degree of Bachelor of Divinity, and was made a Master of Divinity the next year, by An- dover Theological Seminary, Andover, Massachu- setts, for post-graduate work done there. He preached his first sermon in the Congregational church, of Pembroke, New Hampshire, where he re- mained as pastor for one year, going from there to Goffstown, in the same State. In 1891, he accepted the pastorship of the First Congregational Church at Waukegan, Illinois, staying for eighteen months. It was during these months that he wrote the book, "New Concepts of Old Dogmas." The work occa- sioned a great deal of interest and comment. He conceived of dogma as the shell that encloses, and sometimes hardens about living truths, and broke some of the incrustations that he might show to others the life, and the truth beneath. Possibly in teaching others he also taught himself, and in the guidance of others found a new path in which to tread. At any rate, he determined to take up law, and going to the Boston University School of Law spent the next two years in study. He was gradu- ated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1895, and admitted to the Massachusetts bar during the same year. He began the practice of law in Bos- ton, later going to Lynn, where he remained during the remainder of his life. For a number of years he was associated in his profession with Charles Leighton, but in the more recent period had an office with Walter H. Southwick in the Bergengreen build- ing, in Lynn, Massachusetts. His judicial tempera- ment, skill in debate, and convincing eloquence, won for him admiration of both associates and clients. His many-sided ability brought a broader fame than that of the city, for as Republican representative to the State Legislature, he became noted through- out the State. He was a member of the House of Representatives in 1900, 1910, 1917, 1918, 1919, and served on the Republican city committee from 1895 to 1905, and again from 1916 to 1919.
Mr. Odlin was ready to give his time and his en- ergy to any good work, whether of religious, civic, or purely individual character. For many years he was a member of the Lynn, Massachusetts Unitarian church, and was a most devoted worker in all church affairs, serving the Unitarian church in Lynn, for several years as superintendent of the Sunday school, and for a long period was superintendent of the Unitarian Sunday school, of Marblehead, Mas- sachusetts, and president of the Essex Conference of Unitarian churches from 1911 to 1918. In 1913 he wrote and published his last book entitled, "Forty Lessons on the Psalms." He was trustee of the Lynn Public Library, 1903 to 1908; a distinguish- ed lecturer on historical subjects, and an active agent in many civic movements. His strong social nature found much pleasure in club and fraternity life, and he belonged to many societies, some of which were: the Lynn Historical Society; Sons of the American Revolution; Governor Thomas Dudley Family Association; Book of the Hour; and Oxford
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Clubs; the Peter Woodward Lodge, Knights of Pythias; Providence Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and a life member of the Mount Car- mel Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons.
At Pembroke, New Hampshire, June 1, 1886, Mr. Odlin married Mary Georgianna Little, daughter of George Peabody and Elizabeth Ann Little. To this marriage, three children were born: Margaret, born April 23, 1887; Elizabeth, born October 26, 1888; and Christiana, born January 16, 1892.
(The Little Line)
(I) George Little came from London, England, to Newbury, Massachusetts, in 1640. He married (first) Alice Poor, married (second), in 1681, Elea- nor, widow of Thomas Barnard, had children, among whom Joseph.
(II) Joseph Little, son of George and Alice (Poor) Little, born 1653, died 1740. He married Mary, daughter of Tristram and Judith (Somerly- Greenleaf) Coffin. There were children, among whom was Enoch.
(III) Enoch Little, son of Joseph and Mary (Coffin) Little, born December 9, 1685, died in April, 1766. He married Elizabeth, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Webster) Worth. Children, among whom Edmund.
(IV) Edmund Little, son of Enoch and Elizabeth (Worth) Little, born September 5, 1715, died in Aug- ust, 1803. He married (first) Judith, daughter of Dr. Matthew Adams, married (second), in 1789, Mrs. Elizabeth (Noyes) Smith. There were children, among whom Enoch.
(V) Enoch Little, son of Edmund and Judith (Adams) Little, born June 7, 1748, died August 10, 1820. He married Mary, daughter of Ezekiel Hale. Children, among whom Enoch.
(VI) Enoch (2) Little, son of Enoch (1) and Mary (Hale) Little, born May 11, 1773, died March 23, 1816. He married, 1796, Mary Brickett. Chil- dren, among whom Elbridge Gerry.
(VII) Elbridge Gerry Little, M.D., son of Enoch (2) and Mary (Brickett) Little, born August 5, 1807, died in 1880. He married, Sophronia Phelps, daughter of Thomas Peabody, sister of George Pea- body, the banker and philanthropist. They had chil- dren, among whom George Peabody.
(VIII) George Peabody Little, son of Dr. El- bridge Gerry and Sophronia Phelps (Peabody) Lit- tle, born June 20, 1834, died April 15, 1908. He married, August 22, 1854, Elizabeth Ann Knox, daughter of Daniel Mcclintock Knox. Children, among whom Mary Georgianna.
(IX) Mary Georgianna Little, daughter of George Peabody and Elizabeth Ann (Knox) Little, born in Palmyra, New York, January 16, 1860. She married, in Pembroke, New Hampshire, June 1, 1886, Rev. James E. Odlin, of Andover, Massachusetts. Residence, Lynn, Massachusetts.
ROBERT THOMAS ALLEN - Of the many names which have borne broad significance to the town of Cliftondale, Massachusetts, none have been held in deeper respect, or are now honored with
more affectionate memory than that of Robert Thomas Allen, who in the industrial, fraternal and religious life of the community was a leader of pub- lic advance, and in every relation in life evinced a spirit of unselfish, high-minded manhood all too rarely seen in an age of keen competition and in- dividual exploitation. Mr. Allen's recent death has brought home to the people of his community, and to all who knew him throughout this section, those phases of his career which have contributed to the progress of the town, and it is eminently fitting that his life should be commemorated here.
Mr. Allen came of sturdy Scotch antecedents, his grandfather, Robert Allen, having come to this coun- try with his parents when only one year old, in 1818. The family originally settled in St. Lawrence county, New York, and there Stewart Allen, Mr. Allen's father, was born. Stewart Allen was engaged, throughout his lifetime, in farming, at Hammond, in that county. He married Mary A. Boothe, who is still living, and they were parents of eight children, of whom Robert T. was the second oldest child, and of whom seven are now living, as follows: James B., and Harry C., of Cliftondale; Walter, of Reno, Nevada; Loren D., and David R., of Hammond, New York; and Bess and Anna, both of Oak Park, Illinois.
Robert Thomas Allen was born in Hammond, New York, May 7, 1875, and received his early education in the public schools of that town. He was gradu- ated from the Hammond High School in the class of 1894, and three years later was graduated from a New York trade school as master plumber. This was in the spring of 1897, and for a time the young man worked for a plumbing concern in Utica, New York. Then later in the same year Mr. Allen came to Lynn, Massachusetts, where he worked at his trade for a period of two years. In 1899 he came to Cliftondale and started in business for him- self in a small way. His first location was in the Odd Fellows' building, and he remained there for a number of years, doing a constantly increasing busi- ness in plumbing and tinning. Meanwhile, with the development and rapid growth of the community he saw the opportunity for branching out in allied lines of business. In the year 1912 Mr. Allen built the fine structure on Lincoln avenue where the busi- ness is still located, and there in addition to his earlier activities, established departments including complete lines of hardware, paints, oils, etc. In 1916 the business was incorporated, Mr. Allen receiving into it his two brothers, James B., and Harry C. Allen, who now carry the interest forward. This gave an added impetus to the enterprise, and it has been an important factor in the progress of the town. This company has supplied material and con- tracted for some of the finest buildings in this county, including the Odd Fellows' building, of Clif- tondale; the Smith Building, and the Women's Club Building, of Lynn; and many other handsome mod- ern' structures for business and other purposes. From its inception throughout its entire history the paramount rule of the business has been honesty.
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and Mr. Allen's sterling integrity thus became a governing force in the enterprise which has always borne his name, and which latterly has been known as R. T. Allen & Brothers.
In the public life of this section Mr. Allen was long a noteworthy figure, and no one was better fitted than he to judge of methods and policies for civic activities. His start was made in moderate circumstances, a fact which gave vital importance to those habits of thrift and industry to which he always clung, and which in their broader applica- tion to community affairs form the foundation and also the superstructure of economic security. He was long a member of the Lynn Chamber of Com- merce, and served on the water board of Clifton- dale for nearly a decade, for five years of that period serving as secretary of the board, and for two years as chairman. He was one of the organ- izers of the Saugus Board of Trade, when that body was formed in 1908. No advance movement failed to receive from Robert T. Allen the cordial endorsement and practical aid of the conscientious, public-spirited citizen. In fraternal circles he was also widely prominent, having been for years a member of William Sutton Lodge, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, of Cliftondale; of Henry Mills Chap- ter, Royal Arch Masons; and higher Masonic bodies, of Lynn; of Cliftondale Lodge, No. 193, Indepen- dent . Order of Odd Fellows, and of Moswetuset Lodge, No. 61, Improved Order of Red Men. He is also a member of C. H. Bond Camp No. 104, Sons of Veterans and of the Independent Order of For- esters, of Hammond, New York. He was always deeply interested in the progress of religious mat- ters, and while broadly charitable toward others differing from him in religious convictions, as a member of the Congregational church, and an en- thusiastic worker in the Men's Club of the Clifton- dale church.
During the winter of 1921-22 Mr. Allen was not in his usual health, and a major operation was final- ly judged to offer the only chance of his recovery. The operation was performed at the Massachusetts General Hospital, and while the result for a time was doubtful, his condition improved, and there was sanguine hope of his recovery. His wide circle of friends, and indeed the public generally, mourned deeply when news was received of his death at the above institution, on April 8, 1922. There were many expressions of the esteem in which he was held, both by word of mouth and in the press. At the funeral services the church, of which he was so long a member, was filled to capacity. The fraternal or- ders mentioned above were represented by delega- tions of large numbers, and the townspeople gather- ed to do honor to their fellow-citizen. Rev. Charles B. McDuffee, the pastor, officiated, speaking elo- quently of the usefulness of the deceased, and mak- ing no effort to hide his personal sorrow. The pall- bearers were Arthur Reddish, William Perry, Fred- erick T. Cleaves, William Armstrong, Charles S. Baker, and Arthur Baxendale. A great number of floral tributes attested the universal regard in which
Mr. Allen was held. The body was laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery.
Mr. Allen married (first) Aggie A., daughter of Joseph F., and Annie (Trenholm) Carter, who died March 13, 1909, and whose family were residents of Lynn. Their four children were as follows: Stew- art Carter, who was born January 20, 1905, and died when only one week old; Robert Thomas, Jr., who was born March 20, 1906; Sita Aldine, born January 18, 1908; Esther Leona, born January 18, 1909. Mr. Allen married (second) Margaret Russell, an or- phan from Nova Scotia, on May 7, 1913, and they have three children: Ruth Iora, born September 15, 1916; David Russell, born January 13, 1918; and Lloyd Earle, born February 19, 1920.
In the passing of such a man as Robert T. Allen the whole community sustains a loss which it can- not well afford. His forgetfulness of self, whether in personal matters or the wider interests which in- volve the welfare of the people, his devotion to his family, his generous spirit toward every activity, whether of sport, industry, or social pleasure, and whether his duties permitted his sharing or not, all these things combined to make him a man beloved, and now that he is gone, deeply mourned. Devoted to his family, he was none the less a progressive citizen, and although modest and unassuming, his life is such as may well be followed as a pattern by those who come after.
EARLE IRVING FOSTER - In the financial world of Lynn, Massachusetts, the name of Earle I. Foster is well known through his long connection with the Manufacturers' National Bank. Mr. Fos- ter is a son of Wilbert Gordon Foster, who was born in Meriden, Connecticut, September 10, 1858, and Minnie Elizabeth (Wiswell) Foster, born in St. John's, Nova Scotia, July 5, 1863.
Earle I. Foster was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, August 6, 1885, and there received his early educa- tion in the public schools. He was graduated from the Pickering School in the class of 1901, was a student at Burdette Commercial School, and in the summer of 1902 entered the Manufacturers' National Bank of Lynn as messenger. After entering the employ of the bank he increased his educational equipment by a two years' course at the American Bankers' Association law school and was prepared in advance for any promotion which offered. At the end of the first summer he was made collection clerk, was later advanced to bookkeeper, then to general bookkeeper, going on to receiving teller, then paying teller, and eventually to the respon- sible position which he now is holding, that of cashier of one of the leading banks of Massachu- setts. Mr. Foster is also a director and member of the board of finance of the same institution; a member of the American Bankers' Association, and of the Massachusetts National Bank Cashiers' Asso- ciation, serving on the executive board of the last- named organization.
Mr. Foster is a member of the Lynn Chamber of Commerce, and politically supports the Republican
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party. During the World War he took an active part in the various Liberty Loan campaigns, making speeches and promoting the movement in every pos- sible way. Fraternally he holds membership in Abraham Lincoln Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor, and is affiliated with Golden Fleece Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. He attends and supports the Broadway Methodist Episcopal Church of Lynn.
Mr. Foster married, in Lynn, Edna Horton Gor- don, a daughter of Frederick Allston and Margaret Elizabeth (Goodrich) Gordon. Mrs. Foster was born in Lynn, October 26, 1888, her father is de- ceased, her mother still living. Mr. and Mrs. Foster are the parents of a son and a daughter, both born in Lynn: Irving Gordon, July 15, 1912; and Bar- bara Elizabeth, April 13, 1917.
ANDREW M. ABBOTT, capitalist, and for thirty- five years in the wholesale ice business in George- town, Massachusetts, was born in 1850, at North Berwick, Maine, the son of Sylvester W. and Betsy H. (Hanscom) Abbott, of that place. His father, who was a farmer, died in 1901.
Andrew M. Abbott received his schooling in pub- lic schools of his native place, and a preparatory collegiate course at the West Lebanon Academy. Entering upon a business life, he was for about a year in the employ of J. D. and D. Carter Bennett, after which, for two years, he worked in Albion, Maine. Coming to Massachusetts, he became a re- tail ice merchant at Charlestown, trading as Abbott & Company for nine years, for the greater part of the time in partnership. In 1883 the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Abbott came to Georgetown, where he at once went into business as a wholesale ice merchant. He was actively engaged in that busi- ness until 1919, when he retired altogether from business activities. He now lives at No. 51 West Main street, and has very many close friendships with old Georgetown residents.
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Mr. Abbott has not had time to enter much into public work, though for one term, two years, he was a selectman of Georgetown, and for another conviction he is a Congregationalist, a member of the First Congregational Church, of Georgetown.
term sat on the Board of Assessors. By religious ' lived nearly all his life in Haverhill and was closely
Mr .. Abbott married, in 1877, at Charlestown, Maine, Sarah F. Rand, daughter of Rev. James and Dorothy (Fernald). Rand, of Parsonsfield, Maine. Three children were born to them, all sons, though two unfortunately were not reared, both dying in infancy. The surviving son is Marshall Rand Ab- bott, a member of the Massachusetts Naval Bri- gade.
ALBERT F. WELSH-Attorney Albert F. Welsh, of Ipswich, Massachusetts, whose part in the Sol- diers' Welfare Service is among the Ipswich annals of the World War period, is one of the successful lawyers of the day in Essex county.
Mr. Welsh was born in Gloucester, Massachusetts, January 6, 1876, and is a son of Roderick and Chris-
tina Welsh, of that city. Receiving his early educa- tion in the public and high schools of his native city, Mr. Welsh entered the Northeastern University Law School, from which he was graduated in the class of 1918, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Ad- mitted to the Massachusetts bar in the following year, Mr. Welsh established his office in Ipswich, and has since continued the general practice of law, winning his way to a prominent position in the pro- fession. On April 21, 1915, he was appointed Asso- ciate Justice of the Third District Court of Essex county, and he is a member of the Massachusetts and the Essex County Bar associations.
When the United States intervened in the Euro- pean War, Mr. Welsh enrolled with the Knights of Columbus in the Soldiers' Welfare Service branch. Arriving in France in 1918, he was assigned to the 81st Ambulance Division, under Major-General Charles J. Bailey, of Verdun. This division was popularly known as the Wildcat Division, and was composed largely of Southern troops. Mr. Welsh returned to Ipswich in 1919, and resumed his inter- rupted law practice.
Mr. Welsh is a prominent member of the Knights of Columbus, is a member also, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the Improved Order of Red Men. He is a member of the Ipswich Historical Society.
Mr. Welsh married, in 1906, Helen G., daughter of Jeremiah Sullivan. Mrs. Welsh died August 17, 1907.
JAMES GOODRIDGE PAGE-A man's early training and education may not be the cause of his success in life and business, still it has much to do with the rapidity with which he gains that success. James Goodridge Page did not attain his eminence because he prepared himself fon it by long years in school and college, but having strong native ability it no doubt accelerated the speed of his advance, once he had taken hold of insurance and banking. Certainly he now holds an assured place in the busi- ness life of Haverhill.
His father before him, born in Andover in 1849, bound up with its progress, reaching a high place among its citizens. He was a former selectman for the town of Bradford, now a part of Haverhill, and in after years was park commissioner of the latter city. He was also for some time treasurer of the Co-operative Bank of Haverhill. In 1881 he found- ed the William H. Page Insurance Agency, which has continued with ever increasing strength until this day. He passed away in 1916. His wife was Elvira (Russell) Page, born in Andover, 1846, who died in 1906.
James Goodridge Page began life on the second day of August, 1881. Beginning his education in the public schools, he secured all they could give him, graduating from Haverhill High School with the class of 1899. Entering Harvard University at Cambridge, Massachusetts, he was graduated in 1904 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. Im-
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mediately upon his return from college he went to work with his father in the insurance business. He toiled with such vigor and effectiveness that in 1914 he was taken into partnership with his father, and the name of the firm was changed to William H. Page & Son, which name was not changed two years later when Mr. Page, Sr. died and James Goodridge Page became sole owner. The firm has very ample offices on the ground floor of the Haverhill National Bank building, where it was located in 1915. Pre- viously it had been in the Masonic building on Merri- mack street. It is now (1921) one of the largest firms in Haverhill, operating as they do in every line of insurance and acting as agents for no fewer than fifteen companies. Mr. Page is also interested in banking, being treasurer of the Haverhill Co- operative Bank, located in the same building. In 1915 he was in the State Legislature as a Repub- lican representative from his district.
He is a member of Merrimack Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Pentucket Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Haverhill Council, Royal Select Masters; Haverhill Commandery, Knights Templars; Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mys- tic Shrine. He is also an Odd Fellow and is trus- tee of Mispah Lodge, and a member of the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Page is a director of The Insur- ance Federation of Massachusetts; a director in the Chamber of Commerce, and also of the exclusive Pentucket Club; is a member of the Agawam Club, and has the honor to be a past president of the Rotarians of Haverhill. He is also a much appreci- ated director of the Haverhill Boys' Club, in which he takes a practical, helpful interest.
In all civic affairs his counsel and aid are much sought. All through the World War period he did extraordinary service in the Red Cross and Liberty Loan Drives, besides serving on the registration board of his district. With his family he belongs to the First Church of Christ, Bradford.
He was united by marriage on September 5, 1905, at Haverhill, to Beatrice Edna Cook. Miss Cook was born and brought up in the city, her father, John F. Cook, a prominent man in Haverhill and her mother, Phoebe (Hedtler) Cook. Mr. Cook was for some years in the shoe trade, but is known rather because of his terms in the State Legislature in the years 1907 and 1908. He was chairman of the Re- publican Committee, and commander of Post 47, Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. and Mrs. Page are the parents of two children: James Russell, born April 15, 1909; and John William, born August 4, 1911.
GEORGE W. EWING, M. D .- The history of a State, as well as that of a Nation, consists chiefly of the chronicles of the lives and deeds of those who have conferred honor and dignity upon it, whether in the broad sphere of professional work, or of public labors, or in the narrower, but not less worthy, one of individual activity. If the general good has been promoted, the man who has brought about this state of affairs is most decidedly worthy
of mention. Dr. George W. Ewing has been identi- filed with the medical profession since 1899, and has accomplished results which rebound greatly to his credit. Since his residence in Peabody, he has suc- ceeded in acquiring the confidence of a large num- ber of patients.
George W. Ewing was born in Bridgetown, An- napolis county, Nova Scotia, February 6, 1877, the son of Robert and Alvina (Craft) Ewing. Robert Ewing is president of Robert Ewing & Son, Inc., manufacturers of laundry machinery at Troy, New York.
The elementary education of Dr. Ewing was ob- tained in the public schools of Troy, New York, where he moved with his parents when he was very young. After graduating from the Troy Acad- emy, he matriculated in the medical department of the University of Baltimore, from which he was graduated, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, in 1899, and then served his internship at the City Hospital at Cohoes, New York. In 1899, having passed the Massachusetts State Board examina- tions, he opened an office at Middleton, Massachu- setts, where he engaged in the genral practice of his profession, but soon after eliminated the gen- eral practice and devoted himself almost exclusively to surgery. While at Baltimore he took a special course at the University of Baltimore in the dis- eases of the throat, nose and eyes, and subsequent- ly came to Peabody, where he has since been speci- alizing in this department of the profession. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the Massachusetts Medical Association, the Doctors' Club of Peabody, and is on the consulting staff of Thomas Hospital. He is a member of the Masonic order up to and including the Knights Templar de- gree; is a member of the Knights of Malta, and the Improved Order of Red Men. He also holds mem- bership in the Rotary Club and the Peabody Club, and in politics is a staunch Republican. During the World War he served on the Medical Advisory Board of the local Draft Board Division No. 26. A Congregationalist in his religious views, he attends the church of that denomination in Peabody, and no work done in the name of charity or religion appeals to him in vain.
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