USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Municipal history of Essex County in Massachusetts, Volume III > Part 51
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
HENRY SAMUEL SPRAGUE The name of Sprague is said to be derived from the Dutch spraak, meaning speech or language, and was probably be- stowed in early days upon some one noted for his ready tongue. Other authorities find the root in the old Norse spraekr, signifying active, lively, nimble, the original of our modern sprightly. There are great variations in the spelling of the surname, some of the forms being Spreck, Sprake, Spraick, Sprackett, Spragg, and Spragge.
The English Spragues, from whom the Ameri- can families of the name are descended, achieved renown on the sea. Sir Edward Spragge was knighted by Charles II. on board the ship, "Royal Charles," for gallant conduct in an engagement with the Dutch fleet, fighting ship to ship with Van Tromp. He later became vice admiral of the red, and admiral of the blue, and his courage was eulogized by Dryden in the "Annus Mirabilis."
In America the family dates back to the earliest days of Colonial settlement. Francis Sprague, a member of the Plymouth Colony, came over in the ship, "Ann," in 1623, with wife and daughter. Like others of that heroic band, he suffered from the pov- erty of the times to which Governor Bradford re- ferred: "The best dish we can offer is a piece of
fish, without bread, or anything else but a cup of fair spring water." The three brothers, Ralph, Richard and William Sprague, in company with John Endicott, arrived at Naumkeag (Salem), in 1628. The name has been associated with many persons of distinction during different periods of our country's history. Captain Richard Sprague, of Charlestown, Massachusetts, was one of the band
1
1
.
216
ESSEX COUNTY
who imprisoned Sir Edmund Andros. At his death he left money to various public institutions, among them Harvard College. Samuel Sprague, of Hing- ham, was one of the band who assisted at the Bos- ton Tea Party. His son, Charles Sprague, was the poet whose finished verse was admired during the early part of the nineteenth century. Three mem- bers of the family have served in the United States Senate: Peleg Sprague, of Maine, 1829-35, and the two William Spragues, of Rhode Island, both of whom were governors of their native State. The family in Maine has been one of considerable dis- tinction, and has taken an active part in the affairs of the State for several generations.
Henry Samuel Sprague, well known shoe manu- facturer and leading citizen of Haverhill, Massa- chusetts, was a member of the Maine family of Spragues. He was born in Cooper, Maine, Janu- ary 24, 1846, and died at his home in Haverhill, Massachusetts, January 11, 1911. He was gradu- ated from the Maine public schools. His entire busi- ness career was identified with the city of Haver- hill, Massachusetts, where he engaged successfully as a shoe manufacturer. He was active in club and Masonic circles. He was a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Royal Arch Masons, Royal and Select Masters, Knights Templar, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Tentucket Club. He was widely known and eminently respect- ed in the business and fraternal life of the city.
Mr. Sprague by his first marriage had two chil- dren: 1. Embert H., a member of the faculty of the University of Maine. 2. Willard, a salesman. Mr. Sprague married (second), May 17, 1880, Aug- usta Hannah Johnson, daughter of John W. and Sarah B.' Johnson. Mrs. Sprague was a member of a prominent old New England family, which was allied by marriage with the family of Franklin Pierce, fourteenth President of the United States. Mrs. Sprague was the granddaughter of Jonathan Johnson, who served in the War of 1812; he mar- ried Ruth Pierce. Mrs. Sprague survived her hus- band, but her death occurred September 17, 1922. Mr. and Mrs. Sprague were the parents of two sons: 1. Riedel G., attended the University of Ann Arbor; was an electrical engineer; served the United States Government during the World War, surveying Ches- apeake bay and testing guns for use in France; he was in command of one hundred men; he died at Camp Aberdeen, in 1918, two weeks before he was to sail for France to take part in the conflict. 2. Leon' A., graduated from Dartmouth and attended Harvard Law School one year; resides in New Britain, Connecticut, connected with the New Brit- ain Trust Company; married Harriet Jane Croy, and they are the parents of two children, Harriet and Harold.
GEORGE L. HERRICK, of Lynn, Massachusetts, is of the third notable generation of the Herrick family in its connection with the Massachusetts shoe industry, and for more than fifty years the name has had a conspicuous place in the industrial annals of Lynn. George W. Herrick, grandfather
of George L. Herrick, was a shoe manufacturer in Lynn for fifty years from 1865, death coming in 1915, when he was eighty-six years old. And dur- ing that time, he saw the business revolutionized, not only his personal business, but the Massachu- setts shoe industry as a whole. George W. Herrick had probably a unique record; as workman and proprietor he was connected with the shoe manu- facturing industry for seventy-six years. He was born in the town of Beverly, Massachusetts, in 1829, and there began the work of shoemaking when only ten years old. He first learned to last, hand- sew, and finish the bottoms of old-fashioned turn shoes, which were made at a cost of eight cents a pair. He followed his trade as a workman for twenty-five years, but in 1865 began to manufac- ture in a small way in Lynn. At first he did his own cutting of the upper stock for his shoes, and his wife, an energetic woman, did the stitching. Then the shoes were put out to small hand shops to be bottomed. The production, however, was not then large, and a representative year's gross sales would probably not exceed $2,500. The methods of sale were also unstable, it being the custom to send the shoe at that time to the South, and there sell them at wholesale auctions. Mr. Herrick was des- tined to change that, and it is noteworthy to con- sider the development of the shoe business during the period in which Mr. Herrick was actively en- gaged in it. From the manufacturing standpoint, the change has been from hand work in the little old-fashioned shop to the modern factory system. In distribution, the development has been from the making up of shoes for consignment to be sold at wholesale, without the least control on sale price, to the modern method of merchandising-from fac- tory to consumer, which is the method the enter- prise of the Herrick family has made successful, through the establishment of a chain of retail stores, and withal, Mr. Herrick was a man highly esteemed, especially by his workmen. The "Leather and Shoe News," of December 25, 1915 issue, made the following statement regarding Mr. George W. Herrick, then just deceased:
Mr. Herrick, as a manufacturer, had been con- tinuously active for fifty-one years, with the excep- tion of a brief interruption caused by the Lynn fire. In all this period he met all his obligations in full without financial embarrassment and had succeeded in living a most harmonious life with all classes. ..
He has been frequently referred to as a business man who possessed a soul of honor and whose sta- bility, generosity, and integrity were his greatest sources of pride. While he never had the ambition of building up an extremely large business, he had the satisfaction of watching his establishment grow until it was a modern representative concern, in up- to-date methods of manufacturing and distribution. Mr. Herrick's chief aim in life was not so much volume of production and great wealth as to carry out his ideas of business integrity, fairness, justice, and liberality.
There were many instances during his business career when he parted with money that could not rightly be demanded of him; but he in these in-
217
BIOGRAPHICAL
stances made it clear that he was governed by the spirit of honorable dealing, as well as by the strict letter of a written transaction. The journal before quoted, further stated:
His relations to his employees were remarkably fair and just. His firm had an arbitration agree- ment, which eliminated trouble, and Mr. Herrick, even in his old age, took great pleasure in knowing them (his workmen), and in doing acts of kindness for them. In his last sickness, while suffering se- vere pain, he recalled some gifts he wished to make to the unfortunate family of a former employee and gave directions on his death-bed that these gifts be made. These illustrations that we have taken from his life are typical of his whole career, which he has left as a splendid inheritance to his family and suc- cessors, as well as a useful object lesson to many who knew him in the large center where he did his work.
George W. Herrick was survived by his two sons: George H., Fred W., and two daughters.
Fred W. Herrick, father of George L. Herrick, was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, November 17, 1860, and was educated in Lynn public schools. He entered his father's factory upon leaving school, later became a partner, and upon his father's death became president and treasurer of the Herrick Shoe Company and so continues. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, an Odd Fellow, and a member of the Oxford Club. Fred W. Herrick married Nellie Peyear of Lynn, and they are the parents of George L. Herrick, of further mention.
George L. Herrick, born in 1887, was educated in the public schools of Lynn, graduating from the Lynn High School in the class of 1905. For a year thereafter, he was a student at Burdett Brothers College, of Boston. After leaving the school, he entered the employ of the Herrick Shoe Company, and had opportunity to learn every place of the business. And he soon gave clear indication that he would be helpful in expanding the business. He manifested distinct commercial and organizing abil- ity, and commendable energy, and in his present capacity of general manager has good scope for development of his plans. While he has been con- nected with the firm much has been done in develop- ing the retail branch of the company's operations, and they now have a chain of stores throughout New England, handling the product of its factory, which has capacity to produce 2,500 pairs of shoes a day. The plant has a floor space of almost 40,000 square feet, and finds steady employment for about 350 workmen.
George L. Herrick is a Mason, of the thirty- second degree, belongs to the Elks, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Oxford Club. He is a veteran of the World War, and has a war record of which he might well be proud, and of which many must be envious. His victory medal has above it ten battle clasps; most of the owners of the medal are proud of having even one or two clasps, and some are proud of their medal without a single battle clasp, which signifies that they did not par- ticipate in any battle. Mr. Herrick did not wait for the United States to enter the World War; he en-
listed in the French army in March, 1917. He had part in the siege of Verdun, where the historic phrase "They shall not pass" originated. He was gassed during the fighting, and sent to hospital at Gloria, France. In September, 1917, he was able to get a transfer from the French army to the Ameri- can Expeditionary Forces, and with his own coun- trymen he went through the hardest of the fighting in which American troops were engaged. He was present at ten of the eleven major battles. Finally, the war over, he was able to return to this coun- try, and was honorably discharged on April 3, 1919.
Mr. Herrick was married, in January, 1920, in At- lanta, Georgia, to Mary Wharton Thurston, daugh- ter of William Horton and Louise Nina (Mitchell) Thurston. The father of Mrs. Herrick was at one time president of the Bethlehem Iron Works. He died in 1890, and his widow later lived in Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. and Mrs. Herrick have one child, Mary Louise, who was born in March, 1921.
HENRY JOSEPH DE LORME Chesterfield's suave dictum that "few people do business well who do nothing else" was evidently taken to heart early in life by Dr. Henry J. De Lorme. He is not only a busy optometrist, but is prominent in politics, a leader in other lines of industry, a member of many clubs and societies, and an unusually fine amateur actor. Dr. De Lorme is of French ancestry, his forefathers coming from that country. His father, Louis S. De Lorme, a retired business man, and his mother, Eugenie De Lorme, are natives of Canada.
Dr. Henry Joseph De Lorme was born in 1887, in Hyacinthe, near Montreal, Canada, but spent his early life at Fitchburg, Massachusetts. It was in the grammar and high schools of that city that he gained his early education, and he also completed a course in the Fitchburg Business College. En- rolling as a student in the Kansas College of Optometry, Topeka, Kansas, he was graduated in 1906, and later received his degree, upon completion of his course in the Klein College of Optometry, Boston, Massachusetts, in 1908. Immediately, there- after, he began the practice of his profession in Lawrence, Massachusetts, where his remarkable skill and pleasing personality early brought him a large and exclusive clientele, and he is now one of the best known and most successful men of his profession in Lawrence. His outside business inter- ests include among others the directorship of the Lawrence Oil and Gas Company, and the presi- dency of the Universal Oil Company.
In politics, Dr. De Lorme is Republican, and as a candidate for the House of Representatives from the Seventh Essex District was barely defeated by a few votes. He is prominent in social and frater- nal circles, being a member of many organizations and clubs, among which are: the Mettmen Home Club, Foresters of America, Lawrence Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the Massachusetts Optometrical So- ciety; the Chamber of Commerce, Lawrence; the Orphans' Guild, and Betsy Ross Memorial Asso- ciation. Dr. DeLorme has been interested in am-
--
-
-
1
1
!
1
218
ESSEX COUNTY
ateur theatricals since a lad of twelve and is a finished actor. He has played many parts in the summer theatre of Whalon Park, Fitchburg, and also 'in college.
Dr. De Lorme married, in Boston, August 22, 1910, Aretta Florence Bolton, daughter of William C. and Nettie Bolton, of Huntington avenue, Bos- ton, Massachusetts. Of this union two children have been born: Charlotte Dorothy, born in April, 1914, at Lawrence, and Pauline Aretta, born Janu- ary 19, 1919, at Lawrence.
FATHER MARIANO MILANESE-As the head of a work whose religious, educational, social and civic aspects place it among the chief agencies for good citizenship in Lawrence, Father Mariano Mi- lanese is known and loved by all of his countrymen of the city, and known as a potent influence for righteousness in Lawrence. Two decades cover the period of his work, and in that time he has or- ganized a parish strong and self-supporting among the Italian residents, and has grown into a leader- ship as strong as it is beneficent, and as wise as it is strong.
Father Mariano Milanese was born in a suburb of Naples, Italy, January 1, 1888. His ecclesiastical education was obtained in the International College, in Naples, and he was ordained August 15, 1902, to the priesthood of the Roman Catholic church with a special dispensation from the Holy See. Sub- sequently, he studied languages, French, English and German, in Naples, and on December 8, 1902, came to the United States. He organized the parish of the Holy Rosary in the basement of a Law- rence building, and in 1904 purchased the present church from L. A. Diskind and J. Mahoney, for the sum of $31,000. This building was repaired at a cost of $10,000, and a school was established in the basement, Father Milanese securing members of the Sisterhood of Venerini as teachers. The open- ing session was on December 6, 1909, and one hun- dred and thirty pupils were in attendance. At about this time a convent was purchased at No. 186 Gar- den street, at a cost of $7,000, and in 1911 a parish house was built connecting with the school by means of a passageway. School and church both in- creased in strength and membership, five hundred pupils attending the school, and the congregation installing an organ in the church building at a cost of $25,000. In 1918 an asylum for little children was built on Garden street, and in the same year the "Parish Calendar" was founded, this journal now having a monthly circulation of three thousand.
In 1916 the Sisters of Notre Dame took charge of the school; the erection of a new building was begun on Summer street the following year and was completed in 1919, dedication being made on No- vember 23, with Cardinal O'Connell officiating. The entire cost of the school was $220,651.72, and in its construction were embodied many of Father Milan- ese's own ideas on educational architecture. This is the largest parochial school in Lawrence, its main auditorium seating thirteen hundred persons, and the students, who number nineteen hundred, are all
Italians. Grammar school subjects are taught a well as those of commercial nature, and the school is used as a community center, where entertain- ments of various kinds and motion picture show are frequently given. Father Milanese, himself : teacher in Naples for two years before coming to his American parish, has devoted his energies toward the furtherance of education in his parish, believing that through the instruction of the young an intelligent, loyal citizenship is assured, and the growth and welfare of the church advanced. In addition to his regular duties as pastor, and aside from the great educational plan he has worked out in such splendid manner, Father Milanese has om other specialty, the comfort and improvement of the lot of the poor, and his ministrations in this field are constant. No priest or minister of any faith has a larger, more trusting following than Father Milanese, and his works justify the love and con- fidence that are yielded him.
FRED N. ARCHIBALD-In a quiet legitimate way Fred N. Archibald has worked his way upward in the business world until, as a manufacturer and citizen he holds a secure place in the esteem of his contemporaries. He came to the city of Haverhill in childhood and there has continually proven him self a capable business man and a useful citizen He is a son of Freelom N. and Sarah E. (Tobey) Archibald, both of ancient Maine ancestry who, at the time of the birth of their son, Fred N., were residing at Mechanics Falls, Maine. Freciom N. Archibald was a sole leather cutter, and in pursuit of his calling came to Haverhill, Massachusetts. He died July 7, 1919.
Fred N. Archibald, born at Mechanics Falls, Maine, April 5, 1878, was brought to Haverhill, Massachusetts, by his parents in 1880, and has since been a resident. He was educated in public schools of the city, Haverhill Business College, and Northeast College, of Boston, completing courses at the last named institution with graduation, class of 1910. His first business experience was &s : builder of boats and canoes, but later he became interested in the manufacture of shoes, finally form ing an association with the firm of Waring and Company, Incorporated, and through a regular course of promotion finally became a member of the firm. He has won the commendation and re- spect of his business associates, and the success which has come to him has been fairly won. Through the military service of his father in the Civil War, he gains admission to the Sons of Vet- erans and is a member of the Order Sons of St George, both of Haverhill. In religious preference he is a Baptist.
Mr. Archibald married Carrie B. Parker, daughter of William and Martha T. (Marnes) Parker, her parents of New Hampshire birth. Mr. and Mrs Archibald are the parents of three children: Gladys E., Inez E., and Mildred E. .
ELMER WALTER BUDGELL-In the manufac turing progress of Salem, Massachusetts, Elmer
219
BIOGRAPHICAL
Walter Budgell is bearing a progressive part, and is also interested commercially here. Mr. Budgell is a son of W. J. Budgell, who was for many years gen- eral manager of the A. C. Laurence Company's plant in Peabody, Massachusetts, prominent tanners of that place.
Born in Danvers, on December 2, 1885, Elmer Walter Budgell attended the public schools of the town, and was graduated from the Danvers High School in the class of 1903. He began life in the employ of the A. C. Laurence Company, under his father, and continued there until the present busi- ness was purchased. In 1911 Mr. Budgell, together with his father and a younger brother, Frank W. Budgell, formed the concern since known as W. J. Budgell & Sons, tanners of sheepskins. Taking over the plant of the Barry Leather Company, a concern of eighty years' standing in Peabody, they have since carried on the business, largely increas- ing its scope. In 1916 they constructed a large new addition to the plant, about 60x150 feet, five stories high, thereby greatly increasing the capacity. They tan skins direct from the pickle to all shades, both for domestic and export trade. The business has increased until now they keep more than one hundred employees busy.
Mr. Budgell is a member of the Salem Chamber of Commerce, and is the proprietor of the Murphy Coal Company, of Peabody. Fraternally, he is prominent, being a member of the Blue Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; of Danvers Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and of Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Swampscott Masonic Club. In politics, he is a Republican.
Mr. Budgell married, in 1908, in Salem, Massa- chusetts, Grace F. Sweden, and they have one son, Walter J., born January 4, 1910. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church.
WILLIAM BRAY-A native of Newbury, Mass- achusetts, Mr. Bray's active career has been spent in his native State, and, while conducting business operations that have been broadly successful, he has been well known in local public affairs, his pub- lic services during the emergency of the World War having widened to include a large range of official duties. Mr. Bray attended public school until the age of fourteen years, and his formal training stop- ping at this time, his education has been self obtained. After employment in various capacities he engaged in the catering business in Haverhill, Massachusetts; later opened The Bald Pate Inn, Georgetown, Massachusetts, which he has conduct- ed for a period of twenty-eight year. Bald Pate Inn has become known the world over as a unique place. No liquor of any kind has ever been sold there; because of that and the fact that the inn has been conducted on a high plane, the most exclusive people have enjoyed hospitality of the famous place.
Mr. Bray has held town offices for several years and has been prominent in all movements of pro- gress and improvement. Efforts have been made
on numerous occasions to secure his candidacy for State offices, but each time he has declined on the ground that he could not see the opportunity for the accomplishment of the good that he desired. During the period of the United States' participa- tion in the World War, there were many and heavy calls made upon him by the State and national authorities for co-operation and aid. He was an authorized agent of the treasury department of the United States to receive and issue United States war saving certificate stamps and United States thrift stamps, by appointment of William G. Mc- Adoo, Secretary of the Treasury; was appointed by President Wilson a member of local board for division No. 21, of the State of Massachusetts, in the operation of the selective service act, was food administrator for Georgetown during the war and chairman of the local committee on public safety of Massachusetts, and was a factor in the placing of all liberty loans in Massachusetts, receiving upon the completion of each loan an expression of the appreciation of the officers and directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.
Mr. Bray married Eliza Spofford, who was born in Bradford, Massachusetts, and whose death occur red in April, 1921. Mrs. Bray was the able second of her husband in much of his war work, and was a member of the Massachusetts Division of the Woman's Committee of the Council of National De- fense, and of the Massachusetts Food Administra- tion. They were the parents of three daughters: Wilhelmine S., proprietor of a tea room in North Scituate, Massachusetts; Pauline, accounting secre- tary in the Bennett School of New York; and Ruth H. Doty, who is married and lives in Arlington, Massachusetts.
WILLIAM HENRY SAWYER, a prominent newspaper writer and correspondent, was for many years one of the foremost citizens of Methuen, Massachusetts. He was interested in all public mat- ters and for several years was the correspondent for Methuen, of the "Boston Globe." Mr. Sawyer was born January 27, 1870, in Dover, New Hamp- shire, and died October 5, 1916, at the age of forty- six years, at Methuen.
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.