USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Municipal history of Essex County in Massachusetts, Volume III > Part 53
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John Edward Koen is not merely a man of busi- ness. In all his success he is, to his hosts of friends, the same straightforward, whole-souled comrade that they knew in the old days of his early strug- gles. He is widely connected socially and frater- nally, is a member of the Rotary Club, of the Friars Club, and is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the Knights of Columbus. He is, of course, a member of the Salem Chamber of Commerce, and is an influential member of the Vaudeville Managers' Protective Association.
John Edward Koen married Frances J. Eagan, daughter of Edward and Bridget Eagan; they are members of St. James Roman Catholic Church of Salem.
William Henry Koen, Mr. Koen's brother, and of recent years, his business partner, was born in Salem, Massachusetts, June 10, 1879. Receiving his early education in the public schools of Salem, he was graduated from the Salem High School in the class of 1897, then entered the Boston College, tak- ing the academic course, which he completed in 1902. From that time on, he was employed in the engineering department of the city of Salem, up to 1914. During the last year or two of that period, he was also identified with his elder brother, John Edward Koen, in the progress of his business in- terests in the theatrical world.
In 1915, William H. Koen definitely left behind all other business, to give his entire time to the rapidly developing theatre business, in which he and his brother are now achieving the success, that has attracted such wide attention. They have since worked together, until at this time, they stand at the head of the theatre world in this part of the State. William H. Koen is prominent also, in the various activities of the city. He is a member of the Salem Chamber of Commerce, and interested in all that makes for the progress of the community. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of the Knights of Columbus, and of the Foresters of America. He is also a member of St. James Church.
On June 9, 1898, William H. Koen married Ellen E. Barry, daughter of John J. and Katherine (Dig- gins) Barry, both natives, and now residents here. Mr. and Mrs. Koen have five. children: William J.,
born June 27, 1909; Elleen, born March 21, : Mary, born October 13, 1912; Rita, born De ber 14, 1914; and Francis, born August 12, 19
FREDERICK J. DESMOND, D. D. S .- I1 dental profession in Beverly, Massachusetts, Frederick J. Desmond has gained a secure for and is going forward to success. Dr. Desmond born in Beverly, October 26, 1894, and is a sı Timothy J., now deceased, and Anna F. (Co) Desmond, life-time residents of Beverly. Tin J. Desmond had been connected with the sho dustry in this city for many years.
Receiving his early education in public schoo Beverly, Dr. Desmond, as a young man, toc course at St. John's Preparatory School, at vers, Massachusetts, and after his graduation : this institution, entered Tufts College, in due cc receiving his degree of D. D. S. He entered 1 the practice of his profession in Beverly, in 1 Before the close of the year he had become on the many young men who responded to the wo great need. He enlisted, December, 1917, in United States Naval Reserves, and served as a ond class hospital apprentice until his discha June, 1920. Returning to Beverly, he resumed interrupted practice, and is building up a pros ous business, handling also the duties of scl dentist of the city. Dr. Desmond is a member the Beverly Chamber of Commerce. He is w known fraternally, affiliating with the Benevol and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of lumbus, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Young Men's Catholic Total Abstinence Assoc tion, and the Massachusetts Catholic Order of F esters.
On August 3, 1920, Dr. Desmond married Muri J. Publicover, of Beverly Farms, Massachuset daughter of Captain Willard B. and Maria (Peeple Publicover, of that place. Mrs. Desmond's motł is a native of Nova Scotia.
JAMES E. McVANN, LL.B .- As a promin attorney of Peabody, James E. McVann is wid interested in public activities along every line human progress. Mr. McVann was born in P body, December 24, 1881, and is a son of Jo McVann, who was born in Ireland, came to 1 United States in his youth, and is now superinten ent of the Essex Trap Rock Company, of Peabo
Receiving his early education in the public a high schools of Peabody, Mr. McVann began 1 study of law in the offices of Frank E. Farnha long a leading attorney of this county, who died 1915. In 1912 Mr. MeVann entered the Nor eastern College, in Boston, from which he w graduated in 1916 with the degree of Bachelor Laws. Continuing his studies thereafter, he w admitted to the bar, March 24, 1916. On Jan ary 1, 1918, Mr. McVann formed the prese partnership with Horace Porter Farnham, son the late Frank E. Farnham. They now occupy handsome suite of offices, centrally located 1
Peabody Square.
+
Frank & Smith
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On October 28, 1919, Mr. McVann was admitted to the United States court in Boston. He is a member of the Essex County Bar Association, and of the Salem Bar Association. He is a mem- ber of the Peabody Chamber of Commerce. Politi- cally he is a leader in the Republican party, and he has twice been honored by the Eleventh Essex District, by election to the Massachusetts Legisla- ture, first in 1919, for the session of 1919-20, and again in the last election, for the session of 1921-22. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and will be a charter member of the new lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, now being formed in Peabody. He is a member of St. John's Roman Catholic Church, of Peabody.
On January 9, 1919, Mr. McVann married Helen G. Regan, who was born in Peabody, daughter of William H. and Mary F. (Kiely): Regan. Mrs. Mc- Vann's father was born in Peabody, and her mother in Hamilton, Massachusetts. Before her marriage Mrs. McVann was a teacher in the public schools of Salem. Mr. and Mrs. McVann have one son, Robert Edward, born October 30, 1919. They now reside at No. 4 Fay avenue, Peabody.
CLARENCE E. GERRISH-For many years ac- tive in the shoe industry, Clarence E. Gerrish, of Lynn, has for twenty-seven years been identified with the real estate business in this city.
Mr. Gerrish was born in Deerfield, New Hamp- shire, August 9, 1850, and is a son of Joseph K. and Mary A. (Smith) Gerrish. The father was a farmer of Deerfield, and the mother was born in Calais, Maine.
Receiving his early education in the public schools of Deerfield, he was graduated from the Northwood Seminary, in the class of 1870. After completing his studies, Mr. Gerrish learned the shoe trade with Pillsbury Brothers, of Northwood, where he remained for five years. He came to Lynn in 1875, and was here first associated with Charles Buffum, for a period of ten years. He then made shoes un- der his own name, and had built up a promising business, when his plant was destroyed by fire, in 1889. Later he was engaged in the manufacture of shoes, as a partner of the firm of Gerrish & Felton. In 1894 Mr. Gerrish entered the real estate field, in which he has since been successfully engaged. Mr. Gerrish is a member of Bay State Lodge, No. 40, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Houghton Horticultural Society. He attends the Washington Baptist Church.
Clarence E. Gerrish married Lucy A. Jenkins, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, daughter of James and Susan L. Jenkins, originally of Maine.
FRANK ELLINGWOOD SMITH-Holding a leading position among the undertakers of Salem, Massachusetts, Frank Ellingwood Smith is also widely prominent in fraternal circles.
Mr. Smith is a son of John E. and Liza (Allen) Smith, formerly of Manchester, Massachusetts. John E. Smith was a cabinet maker by trade. He Essex-2-15
was killed by an accident when his son was only seven years of age. On his mother's side, through the Allen line, Frank Ellingwood Smith traces back to 1620, before the arrival of the "Mayflower" on our shores. William Allen came to America in an earlier ship, with a few families, who settled near Salem. After a bitterly hard winter nearly all died, but William Allen survived. He was a carpenter by trade, and built the first house in Salem.
Frank Ellingwood Smith was born in Manchester, Massachusetts, on September 22, 1856. He learned the trade of cabinet maker early in life, and during his experience in this line made many coffins and buried many of the old residents of this section of the State, sometimes making the caskets from solid mahogany. Later he was with his uncle in the same business, at Salem, Massachusetts.
Nearly forty years ago Mr. Smith came to Salem, and a few years later started in business for himself as an undertaker. He has been successful from the first, and has for many years taken the lead in the mortuary interests of the city. He is a member of the National Funeral Directors' Associa- tion, and of the Massachusetts branch of the or- ganization.
Fraternally Mr. Smith is widely known. He is a member of Perfection Lodge, of Sutton, Massachu- setts, Free and Accepted Masons; of Washington Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Salem Council, Royal and Select Masters; Winslow Commandery, Knights Templar, and of Star King Lodge, of Salem. He is also a member of Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Boston; Or- der of the Eastern Star. He is a member of Fra- ternity Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Salem Encampment, Rebekah Lodge, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows; of the New Eng- land Order of Protection, and of John Endicott Lodge, Ancient Order of United Workmen.
Mr. Smith married (first) Jeannette K. Collins, and they were parents of three children: Frederick L., who married Mignonette Gay, of Salem, and has two children, Raymond and Eleanor; Grace A., who became the wife of Joseph Banks, and has one son, Horton; and Chester C., who married Gertrude Fry, and has two children, Dorris, and C. Allen.
Mr. Smith's mother is still living, at the age of eighty-seven years, also her second husband, Julius F. Rabardy, a venerable veteran of the Civil War, who lost a leg at the Battle of Antietam.
CHARLES R. O'CONNELL-In legal circles in Essex county, Charles R. O'Connell is well-known, having offices in both Peabody and in Boston. Mr. O'Connell was born in Peabody, September 16, 1874, and is a son of John and Mary A. O'Connell. John O'Connell for more than fifty years was a resident of Peabody, and during all his lifetime was a leather worker. He died June 4, 1920.
As a boy, Mr. O'Connell attended the public schools of Peabody, then entered the world of in- dustry as a printer, and was for a considerable period with the Lynn "Item." His plans for the future, however, embraced a higher education and a
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professional career, and he did not allow himself to lose sight of his objective point. He finally covered his professional course at Suffolk Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 1912. He was later ad- mitted to the United States courts, and with offices in Boston and Peabody, is now handling an exten- sive legal business.
Mr. O'Connell is a member of the Essex county and Salem bar associations. He has served the public in various capacities, most prominently in 1911-12, as representative of the city of Peabody to the Massachusetts Legislature, also as chairman of a special investigating committee for the town of Peabody. During the World War he served on the registration board; also enlisted for active ser- vice, but was not commissioned until immediately prior to the armistice, so did not see service. Fra- ternally Mr. O'Connell is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and of the Knights of Colum- bus. He is a member of Typographical Union, No. 120.
DR. CHARLES ARONSON, M. D .- In the pub- lic economy of the present day the care of the helpless is entrusted only to skilled hands, and the alleviation of the condition of the needy is counted a part of the public duty. In Salem, Massachusetts, Dr. Charles Aronson holds the responsible position of city physician.
Dr. Aronson was born in Boston, on May 18, 1895, and is a son of Nathan Aronson and Dora (Seman- skoy) Aronson. The family removing to Salem when he was five years of age, the boy's education was begun in the public schools of that city. After his graduation from the Salem High School, the young man entered Tufts Medical School, from which he was graduated in 1916, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He then spent one year as in- terne, at the Salem Hospital, thereafter taking up the general practice of medicine.
Thus it was just at the beginning of his career that to Dr. Aronson came the great opportunity of service. The need for skilled hands in the many ramifications of war activity came to him with strong appeal, and he enlisted in the United States Army as first lieutenant of the Medical Corps. His term of service was from August 1, 1917, until Jan- uary 1, 1918. He was first stationed at Fort Slo- cum, and later at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia.
Upon his discharge from the service Dr. Aronson returned to his native city and again took up his practice. He is now on the high road to success, having already won a considerable private practice, and holds responsible offices in the city administra- tion. He is at present city physician, having charge of the poor who need medical care and attention, and also has charge of the Contagious Hospital. He was designated examiner of the United States Veterans' Bureau.
Dr. Aronson is taking a position of dignity in the profession. He is a member of the American Medi- cal Association and of the Association of Military Surgeons.
Fraternally Dr. Aronson is also prominent, being
a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of the Knights of Pythias, and of the Loyal Order of Moose, and is a member of the Young Men's Hebrew Association, of which he is ex-presi- dent, and of Independent Order B'nai Brith, of which he is vice-president. He worships with the Congregation of the Sons of Jacob, of which church he is an influential member.
Dr. Charles Aronson married January 15, 1921, Bettina Slevins, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, a daughter of Max and Dora Slevins. They have one child, Doris, born October 16, 1921.
JOHN MAITLAND-For many years familiar with the needs of manufacturers, using threads in the making of their products, John Maitland, of Swampscott and Lynn, has for the past decade been a significant factor in the thread industry. Mr. Maitland is a native of England, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Wilson) Maitland, his father having been a stevedore in the British Naval Re- serve.
Mr. Maitland was born in Liverpool, England, April 5, 1859, and was educated in the public schools of the city. Coming to America in his youth, he became agent for the Reece Button Hole Machine Company, which position he held for a period of twenty-five years. In 1911 he started in the thread business as mill agent for the Bay State Thread Works, and also for the Roxbury Shoe Thread Com- pany, of Boston. These concerns manufacture Sea Island threads for stitching and making rooms, and fine shoe threads. In his association with these concerns, Mr. Maitland has not been content mere- ly to manage the distribution of the product; he has gone deeper into the use of threads, noted the customs of the garment and shoe manufacturers, and the habits of their operatives in handling threads. He has found conditions involving heavy waste in the use of thread, and to correct this waste and conserve raw material as well as manu- facturing processes, he invented an ingenious and convenient device for handling threads, both in fac- tories and on the sewing machines in household use. This device he has patented, and it is being widely adopted, a fact which means, in the ag- gregate, large economy in cotton.
In the political world Mr. Maitland supports the Democratic party. Fraternally he holds member- ship with the Free and Accepted Masons, the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, the Improved Order of Red Men, the latter of East Boston; the other orders of Lynn .. He resides in Swampscott, and is a member of the Church of the Holy. Name in that community.
On July 2, 1878, in Liverpool, England, John Maitland married Jane Webster Howard, and they have fourteen children, seven sons and seven daugh- ters.
JOHN C. DONOVAN - Well-known in Lynn business circles, John C. Donovan is also promi- nent, fraternally. Mr. Donovan was born in Marble- head, Massachusetts, November 17, 1866, and is a
George W. Bready
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BIOGRAPHICAL
son of John and Hannah (McGrath) Donovan, both his parents having been born in County Cork, Ireland.
Receiving a practical education in the public schools of Marblehead, Mr. Donovan went to work with his father. Later they went into the under- taking business together in Lynn, under the name of J. Donovan & Son. - Upon the death of his father, in 1907, Mr. Donovan took over the entire interest, and has since carried on the business under his own name.
Mr. Donovan is a member of Valladolid Council, No. 170, Knights of Columbus, of Lynn; and of General Montgomery Consistory, No. 149; Massa- chusetts Catholic Order of Foresters.
In 1896 John C. Donovan married Mary F. Cur- ran, of Lynn, Massachusetts, daughter of John and Anne (Murphy) Curran, both natives of County Cork, Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Donovan have six children: John C. Jr., Mary F., Gertrude R., Paul A., Margaret L., and James M.
Mr. Donovan has made a scientific study of the profession that he may be said to have been born into. He has kept abreast of the times with re- gard to service and modern equipment. His genial personality, combined with a thorough knowledge of his work, has in no small manner been responsible for his success.
GEORGE W. CREESY was born at Salem, Massachusetts, in the year 1851, and is a son of Charles and Mary Ann Creesy. His father was for thirty years the superintendent of Harmony Grove Cemetery.
Mr. Creesy received his early education in the public schools of Salem, and at Master Leavitt's private school, in the same city. Upon leaving school, he became his father's assistant in matters pertaining to the Harmony Grove Cemetery, but, wishing to learn a trade, he gave up the work at the cemetery and spent three years with a car- penter, acquiring a practical knowledge of building. He then returned to the Harmony Grove Cemetery and was placed in charge of the greenhouses. In 1880 he was elected to fill the position of superin- tendent and he has had complete charge of the cemetery grounds ever since. Mr. Creesy's inde- fatigable efforts resulted in the founding of the Blake Memorial Chapel, in the work of which he was greatly interested. He worked assiduously for the organ fund and at the present time is bending all his energies towards the completion of the beautiful windows, which are said to be among the finest examples of stained glass in the country.
A public-spirited man, Mr. Creesy has served on many boards and committees. He was a member of the City Council of Salem for two years and an alderman for one year. He served on the School Board for nine years, and for seven years was & member of the Park Department. He is the treas- urer of the Essex County Agricultural School. He is a director of the Roger Conant Cooperative bank, and a member of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, the Masonic order, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
George W. Creesy married Emily F. Plummer, and to this union was born four children: Edith G .; Helen R., wife of George Morrison; George Bertram, married Roberta Carleson; and Charles S., married Irene Tolman, and they have two chil- dren: Charles S. Jr., and Julia E.
JOHN HENRY SEALE, D. V. S .- Dr. Seale, well known in Salem for the past twenty-five years for the ability with which his extensive practice as a veterinary has been conducted and his profes- sional interests have been furthered, is regarded as one of the representative citizens of this city. He was born in Quebec, Canada, October 18, 1869, the son of Edward and Elizabeth (Payne) Seale, both deceased.
His education was obtained in the public schools of his native place and at McGill University, from which he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Science in 1892, after which he open- ed an office at Spokane, Washington. Two years later he returned to his alma mater for the pur- pose of studying to become a physician, but had to terminate his studies there on account of poor health. In 1895 he came to Salem, Massachusetts, and opened an office at 126 Bridge street, where he has since been engaged in the active practice of his profession as a veterinary, and for the past twelve years, since 1908, has been animal inspector for the city of Salem. Dr. Searle is a member of the Massachusetts Veterinary Association, of which . he was president one term.
In politics he is a Republican, and takes an ac- tive interest in the affairs of the organization. He affiliates with the Knights of Pythias, and the An- cient Order of United Workmen. An Episcopalian in his religious views, he attends St. Peter's Church of that denomination. Dr. Seale also holds mem- bership in the "Now and Then" Club.
On December 26, 1894, John Henry Seale was united in marriage with Ethel Ryan, of Montreal, and they are the parents of four children: Muriel, Edward Kenneth, associated with the State Street Trust Company of Boston; Elizabeth, and Cather- lyn.
Any reference to the appearance and manner of Dr. Seale would be out of place here, inasmuch as over a score of years of successful practice and good citizenship have made him thoroughly fa- miliar to a large number of the residents of Salem.
ROBERT L. CARTON-Prominent in the busi- ness life of Lynn, Robert L. Carton is bearing a part in the general advance.
Mr. Carton was born in Woburn, Massachusetts, July 24, 1874, and is a son of Richard and Susan (Burns) Carton. The elder Mr. Carton was a con- ductor on the Boston & Maine railroad for a period of fifty-two years. The mother was a na- tive of St. John's, New Brunswick.
Gaining his education in the public schools of
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Woburn, Mr. Carton was first employed by Nichols & Brooks, of Woburn, remaining with them for fifteen years. Thereafter he was with Thomas C. Rafferty, of Boston, for five years, then started for himself in Wakefield, Massachusetts. Remain- ing there for only two years, however, Mr. Carton came to Lynn, and bought out William Cullerton, undertaker, on Western avenue. In 1908 he re- moved to MeDonough square, his present location, and has enjoyed an unusual degree of success, win- ning a leading position in his line. Mr. Carton is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, No. 278, of Lynn.
JAMES L. BRYANT-For forty-four years a resident of Lynn, and always active in some line of useful endeavor, James L. Bryant has for the past twenty-eight years conducted a successful undertaking establishment in Lynn.
Mr. Bryant was born in Salem, New Hampshire, and educated in the public schools of that town. He is a son of James A. and Susan (Roberts) Bryant, formerly of Salem, New Hampshire, long since . deceased.
Early entering the world of industry, Mr. Bryant was first employed as a shoe maker for George Rob- erts, in his native town. Later for a time he work- ed on farms in the neighborhood, then was asso- ciated with Tenny Brothers, at Methuen, for nine years. In 1877 he came to Lynn, and for a time was employed at the factory of W. H. Drew, and later with Fields & Randall. Afterwards he acted as foreman and superintendent for W. D. Sprague, of Lynn, and E. S. Woodbury, of Salem, Massa- chusetts. In 1898 Mr. Bryant entered business for himself, choosing, however, a different line of effort; after the necessary study and preparation, he began the work of undertaking and funeral directing. He has kept pace with the times in the wonderful advance which has been made in this profession in recent years, and is very suc- cessful.
Mr. Bryant served in the Civil War with the Eighth Massachusetts Volunteers, and has since been a member of Post No. 5, Grand Army of the Republic. He is a charter member of the Richard W. Drown Lodge, No. 106, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; of Evangeline Lodge, No. 58, Daugh- ters of Rebekah; of William Sutton Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; of Massachusetts Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; of Abraham Lin- coln Lodge, Knights of Pythias; of the Knights of Malta; and a member of Majestic Lodge, New Eng- land Order of Protection.
In 1880 James L. Bryant married Susan A. Tay- lor, daughter of John and Susan Rebecca (Bates) Taylor, of Plymouth, Massachusetts. The father was a native of Plymouth, but the mother was born in Matoposet. To Mr. and Mrs. Bryant has been born a daughter, Carrie S.
JAMES H. JACOBS For years active in the contracting business in Marblehead, James H.
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