USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Municipal history of Essex County in Massachusetts, Volume IV > Part 19
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Mr. Rogers married, in Lynn, Massachusetts, Septem- ber 3, 1908, Mary E. Bailey, born in Woodstock, Ver- mont, May 2, 1865, daughter of John and Laura M. (Hathaway) Bailey, her parents born in Woodstock. Mrs. Laura M. (Hathaway) Bailey died in April, 1918.
GEORGE EBEN NICHOLS-Born and educated in Marblehead, Massachusetts, George Eben Nichols has there continued a resident, choosing the business of under- taker, and conducting since 1906 a mortuary establish- ment under his own name. He comes from an old time- honored New England family, and is a son of Alfred M. and Sedelia E. M. (Leavitt) Nichols, his father a union veteran and member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
George Eben Nichols was born in Marblehead, Massa- chusetts, April 24, 1879, and there educated in the public schools. He early became familiar with the undertaking business, and after deciding to make funeral direction his life-work, entered Massachusetts College of Embalming and mastered that branch of his business. In 1906 he established an undertaking establishment in Marblehead under his own name and has now conducted it for
fifteen years. He ranks high as a funeral director, and has the distinction of being the oldest undertaker in the town. For three years he was a member of the Marble- head Board of Health; is a member of the Board of Trade; the Young Men's Christian Association, of which he is a director ; the Masonic order; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Massachusetts Humane Society ; old North Congregational Church; the Marblehead His- torical Society; the Visiting Nurses Society and the Order of American Mechanics.
Mr. Nichols married, at Haverhill, Massachusetts, Sep- tember 19, 1907, Lucy Ellen Jeffrey, daughter of Augustus M. Jeffrey. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols are the parents of two children: George Jeffrey and Sabra Elkins. Mrs. Nichols died November 30, 1921.
PHILIP L. HARDY, a general contractor of An- dover, Massachusetts, was born in that city, December 26, 1890, and has attained his success within its confines. His father, Lewis T. Hardy, of Andover, was one of the leading citizens there during his day. He was also a contractor, chief of the fire department, a director in the Andover Savings Bank, and the Merrimac Mutual Fire Insurance Company. His death occurred in 1916, and his wife, Harriett R. (Abbott) Hardy, died the same year.
The education of Philip L. Hardy was obtained in the public and high schools of Andover; he graduated in 1907 from the latter institution and then attended the Lowell Textile School. Subsequent to leaving school, Mr. Hardy was employed by L. E. Locke in the con- tracting business, and he was then associated with his father's company for two years, following which time he engaged in similar business for himself under the firm name of P. L. Hardy. He has been very successful in his undertaking and has a fine knowledge of the busi- ness. Although young in years, Mr. Hardy has been awarded several important contracts, and the manner in which he has carried out his agreements has enhanced the esteem in which he is held by his, fellow business men. He has not only upheld the honorable name made by his father in the same line of business as a member of the firm of Hardy & Cole for thirty-five years, but he has further added to this honor. The senior firm was widely known throughout New England and the son is well on the road to duplicate its success.
Mr. Hardy's fraternal connections are with the Masons and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; he is also a member of the Andover Club, and with his wife attends the South Congregational Church.
Mr. Hardy married, in 1916, Ann V. Gillen, daughter of James Gillen, of Andover, and they are the parents of a daughter, Helen R. Hardy, born in 1918.
THOMAS H. BOLAND was born at Lowell, Mas- sachusetts, on April 10, 1892, and is a son of Peter J. and Catharine (Fleming) Boland. Mr. Boland's father was born in Ireland, and a blacksmith by trade; he died in 1900. Catharine (Fleming) Boland was born in Eng- land.
Mr. Boland received his early education in the public schools of Lowell and is a graduate of the evening high school of that city. He began his business career at George E. Maker's picture framing establishment at Lowell. After spending three years with Mr. Maker, he
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entered the Kimball System, of Lowell, and remained with his new associates for five years as a sign painter. He then decided to move to Haverhill, and upon arriving there, established his own business, the Essex Sign Com- pany. He continued to manage this business success- fully from 1915, when he founded it, until November, 1917, when he enlisted in the United States army. After his enlistment in the army, on November 16, 1917, Mr. Boland was assigned to Langley Field as a member of the 368th Aeroplane Squadron, where he remained until January 14, 1919, when he received his discharge from the service.
When the period of his military service was over, Mr. Boland returned to Haverhill, and on November 1, 1919, reopened his business, which he conducts under the old name of the Essex Sign Company, with offices at the rear of a lot on Merrimack street. In addition to his active work in the Essex Sign Company, Mr. Boland is the junior partner of Twombly & Boland, Funeral Directors, at No. 89 Main street, Bradford, Massachusetts.
Mr. Boland married, in 1918, Mary Cronin, of Haver- hill, a daughter of James J. and Mary V. (Cummings) Cronin. Her father was born in Ireland, and is at pres- ent the proprietor of a grocery store at Haverhill; her mother was born in Wales. Mr. and Mrs. Boland have one daughter, Mary V. Boland, who was born in 1920; she is named after her maternal grandmother.
HENRY C. GEBELEIN-The business of H. C. Gebelein & Son, plumbers and steam fitters, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, has been long established. Henry C. Gebelein is widely known in Lawrence, and has shown a helpful interest in public affairs.
Mr. Gebelein was born in Bavaria, Germany, on No- vember 3, 1866, son of George and Marguerite (Benker) Gebelein. The father died in 1889, and the mother in 1895. They were the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters, Henry C. being the third child. The latter was fifteen years old when he came to America, joining a brother already located in Somerville, Massa- chusetts. His schooling was obtained principally in Germany, and after coming to this country he attended night school to master the English language. After set- tling in Boston, Massachusetts, he found work with the Aiken Company. Later he was employed by Block Brothers, at Harvard Square, but in 1887 he came to Lawrence, Massachusetts, and became connected with John F. Bingham. Later he worked for T. P. Smart, remaining in his employ for fifteen years, until 1904, when he decided to enter into business for himself, in plumbing, steam fitting, heating and kindred lines. He first located at No. 666 Broadway, a year later removing to No. 35 Newberry street, which has ever since been his place of business. The firm of H. C. Gebelein & Son has a good reputation in the Lawrence district, its work being relia- ble.
At one time Mr. Gebelein took active part in civic affairs. He was for two years, 1906 and 1907, a Demo- cratic member of the City Council, and in other ways was energetic in affairs of the place. He is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, the German Sick Benevo- lent societies, the Schiller-Frichart Lodge, the Bavarian Reading and Progressive Society, and Central Hall.
Mr. Gebelein married, in 1889, Lena Hebsch, of Law-
rence, and they have three children : Gertrude H., who married Perley Prescott, of Methuen, and has one child Arlene; Mabel A., who married George C. Martin, of Lawrence; and Herbert, who is now in business with his father.
CHARLES LESTER WESTON is a native of Lynn, Massachusetts, and has spent practically his whole life in the city, and while he has been connected with the paper-box manufacturing industry ever since leaving school, he has only been in business for himself for about two years; nevertheless, he is now at the head of a busi- ness which finds constant employment for about thirty- five people of Lynn.
Charles L. Weston was born on October 4, 1888, son of Charles Oliver and Lalia (Bohaker) Weston. Both of his parents are still living, his father being a native of Lynn, and his mother of Nova Scotia. His father has been responsibly connected with the Massachusetts shoe industry for the greater part of his life.
Mr. Weston was educated in the public schools of his native place, passing eventually through the Lynn High School. After graduating therefrom, he took a com- mercial course at the Burdette Business College, Boston. His first employers were Littlefield & Moulton, makers of paper boxes. With that firm he remained for four- teen years, during which time he gained comprehensive knowledge of the paper husiness. Latterly, he had charge of the company's paper room. He severed his connection with Littlefield & Moulton in December, 1919, and im- mediately thereafter he opened in business for himself, in the same line, establishing the Lynn Paper Box Com- pany. His place of business was at No. 503 Eastern avenue, Lynn, his plant at the outset finding barely enough work to keep three men busy, but it now finds steady employment for thirty-five people. Enlargement after enlargement has been necessary, and now the com- pany uses the whole of the available 5,000 feet of floor space. Mr. Weston is an expert in paper boxes, and quality and good workmanship are in his estimation the first essentials of a healthy business. His business has consequently expanded well during the short time he has directed its operations. Mr. Weston is a member of the local Blue Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and of the Swampscott Masonic Club.
Mr. Weston married, in 1911, Bertha May Gourley, of Lynn, daughter of Prescott and Arphia Gourley, of Nova Scotia. They have two children: Prescott Lester, born in 1912; and Roger Oliver, born in 1918.
LOUIS H. MCALOON-As contractor and builder, Louis H. McAloon of North Andover, Massa- chusetts, has developed a business which reaches into various cities and towns of Essex county. His life- story is of interest in this connection. He was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, March 8, 1875, and is a son of Owen and Margaret (Daw) McAloon. Owen Mc- Aloon was born in Ireland, and came to America in his youth. He located in Lawrence, and became a prominent painting contractor there. The mother was from North Andover.
Attending the public schools of Lawrence until he was fifteen years of age, Louis H. McAloon came to North Andover in 1890, and here learned the carpenter's trade.
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He early began taking building contracts on his own responsibility, and has made a noteworthy success in this branch of business activity. Factories, public buildings, residences, and particularly country homes, are all in- cluded in the range of work he handles. In 1916 he built the Essex County Agricultural School; and other school buildings, including the Edwards School, in Bev- erly, the John Breen School and the Oliver School, in Lawrence, and the Essex County Training School, the elementary school in that city. One of the public build- ings in North Andover which he built is the North Andover Fire Station. For the past eight years Mr. Mc- Aloon has been an engineer of the North Andover Fire Department, and from 1915 to 1920, was chief of the fire department. During his tenure of this office, he installed complete motor equipment. Mr. McAloon has always been active in public affairs, always working for the permanent good and constant progress of the com- munity.
In 1903 Mr. McAloon married Hannah Sullivan, daughter of Timothy Sullivan, of North Andover, and they have six children : Gertrude, Louis, Jr., Eileen, Wil- liam, Mary and Vincent.
LEON O. ROSS-One of the most hustling and up- to-date leaders of the younger business generation of Haverhill, Massachusetts, is Leon O. Ross, who in 1921 was engaged in manufacturing modern heels for shoes. His grandfather, James Cranshaw, a Massachusetts man, was a veteran of the Civil War. He served in the Mas- sachusetts Cavalry Troop all through the years of strife, although at one time he was severely wounded. His father, Charles O. Ross, a native of Newburyport, born in 1863, was one of the leading contractors and builders in Haverhill.
Leon O. Ross was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, May 11, 1886. His education began in the public schools and after completing the grammar grades he attended Haverhill High School, graduating in 1906. Forseeing his tastes in business and wishing to secure a proper edu- cation for the satisfying of them, he spent two years of study in the Haverhill Business College taking a com- mercial course. Soon after leaving business college he joined his father in the contracting and building trade in Haverhill, under the firm name of Charles O. Ross & Sons, contractors and builders. During the five years he remained in this firm he saw many of Haverhill's homes and business buildings erected, and is justly proud of his share in their construction. In 1913 he reached out after something more individual and, associating himself with Sidney C. Baker, became an important manufacturer of wooden heels. In the Wood Heel Man- ufacturers' Association to which he belongs, he is on the membership committee which passes on all applicants for admittance to that body. Politically he holds to Repub- lican principles and policies. He is one of the Haverhill Chamber of Commerce which has aided so much in the progress of that city, and is an active attendant of the services of the Congregational church.
JOSEPH A. RAND-When a man attains success early in life it proves that the qualities of ambition and ability are well blended in his character. Although not yet forty years of age, Joseph A. Rand, owner of the
Andover Steam Laundry, and treasurer of the Welch Company, Inc., holds a position of well-deserved promi- nence among the business men of Andover.
Mr. Rand was born at North Andover, Massachusetts, November 24. 1884, son of Joseph A. Rand, of New Hampshire, during his active life an overseer in the mills there, and Jennie (Craig) Rand, of Andover.
Mr. Rand's education was obtained in the public schools, and his first position in business was as a clerk in a meat and provision store. After four years he worked for another firm along the same line and then spent six years as a private chauffeur. Removing to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Mr. Rand returned to his original occupation, except that he engaged in business for himself, but after two and one-half years he returned to Andover and there purchased the ownership and sole interests of the Andover Steam Laundry Company, which he has successfully managed to the present time.
Mr. Rand is one of the public-spirited men of Andover and is keenly interested in all that pertains to the gen- eral welfare.
Mr. Rand is a member of the Andover Club; St. Matthew's Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Massa- chusetts Consistory ; Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nohles of the Mystic Shrine; and Andover Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
On April 14, 1914, Mr. Rand married Nellie F. Flint, of Andover, and they are the parents of two sons: John Appleton, born in 1915; and Abbott Flint, born in 1918. With his family he attends and aids in the support of the Episcopal church of Andover.
WILBUR L. SENECHAL-Well known in Ames- bury, where he has been in independent business since 1914, Wilbur L. Senechal, electrical contractor, has found employment in Amesbury ever since he left school.
He was born in Augusta, Maine, October 11, 1883, son of Louis and Mary (Carons) Senechal. He comes of a French family, which in later generations became French-Canadian. His father, Louis Senechal, was born in Fraserville, Canada, but eventually came into the United States. He was a mill operative for the greater part of his life. The mother of Mr. Senechal of Ames- bury was also of Canadian birth, born in St. Josephs.
Wilbur L. Senechal was educated in the public schools of Augusta and Lewiston, Maine, and took a collegiate course at the St. Joseph's Institute, Troy, New York. His first employers were the Gray & Davis Company, of Amesbury, Massachusetts, with which company he re- mained for four years. For six years thereafter, he was an employee of the Walker-Wells Company, of Ames- bury, leaving their employ to enter into business for him- self in Amesbury, as an electrical contractor, That was in 1914, and since that year he has had quite a satisfac- tory business, and soon became well established. Nced- less to say he is well known in the vicinity of Amesbury. Fraternally he belongs to the St. Jean de Baptist organ- ization. He is also a member of the Lafayette Natural- ization Cluh, and, being a Catholic, he is a helpful mem- ber of the Sacred Heart Church of Amesbury.
In 1912, Mr. Senechal married Aurora Plante, who was born in Amesbury in 1884, but whose descent is also French-Canadian. Her father, Fabian Plante, was born in Montreal, Canada; her mother, Amanda (Guay)
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Plante in Quebec, Canada. Mr. Plante was a wood- worker and died in 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Senechal have six children : Louis Wilbur, Raymond Wilbur, Leo Hec- tor, Albert Joseph, Robert Alphonse and Irene Frances.
JOSEPH SHERLOCK, one of the representative business men of Methuen, Massachusetts, is a native of Chester, England. He was born at Dukinfield, October 21, 1880, the son of William Sherlock, a wool-comber, and Elizabeth ( Mannifield) Sherlock, both natives of England. They came to America with their family in 1884 and located in Lawrence, where the father was employed in the mills until about the time of his death, which occurred in January, 1921.
Mr. Sherlock attended the public schools of Lawrence, Massachusetts, and at an early age went to work in the worsted mills in Lawrence. He spent some time in all of the departments, from carding to spinning, and mas- tered each detail as he went along.
In 1900 Mr. Sherlock learned the trade of operating the machines used in the manufacture of clothing at the plant of the Methuen Napper Clothing Company, then owned by Edward Whittaker. After three or four years he became foreman and continued in that position until the death of Mr. Whittaker in 1913, when he became manager of the business and two years later he bought it. The product goes to all mills manufacturing napped fabrics, such as cotton flannels, blankcts, and coatings.
Mr. Sherlock is a Republican, and although not an office seeker, takes a keen interest in the welfare of Methuen. He has many fraternal connections, being a member of John Hancock Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons of Methuen, of which he is past master, and he is now (1922) president of the Past Masters' Association of the Eleventh Masonic District; member of Mt. Sinai Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of Lawrence; Lawrence Council, Royal and Select Masters; Bethany Command- ery, Knights Templar; Massachusetts Consistory, of Boston; and Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of Hope Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Methuen. His clubs are the Methuen, and the Merrimac Valley Country.
Mr. Sherlock married, March 29, 1905, Elizabeth A. Whittaker, daughter of Edward and Eliza (Knowles) Whittaker. Mrs. Sherlock was born in Germany, April 2, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Sherlock are the parents of the following children: Joseph W., born August 23, 1906; Howard W., born July 12, 1912; Dorothy E., born Octo- ber 6, 1914; and Donald E., born May 17, 1917. The family attend and aid in the support of the Congrega- tional church of Methuen.
HARRY W. STEERE-The Steere family is well known in Amesbury. Harry W. Steere, who for more than twenty years has been connected with the Charles Wing Company, was born in the place, and his father has spent most of his business life in Amesbury.
Harry W. Steere was born July 8, 1876, and received the greater part of his academic education in Amesbury public schools, attending the high school eventually. Later, he was a student at the Mitchell's Boys' School at Billerica, Massachusetts. His parents, Marquis D. F. and Anna E. (Wing) Steere, have been well regarded
Amesbury residents for very many years. The mother was born in Uxbridge, Massachusetts, but the father was born in Pascoag, Rhode Island. For the greater part of his life he was agent in Amesbury for the Hamilton Mills Company, and they reared their children in Ames- bury. Their son, Harry W., after Icaving school entered the employ of the Charles Wing Company of Amesbury, the owners of which company were members of his mother's family. He has ever since been loyal to them, and for the greater part of his connection with them has been in responsible office. At present he is secretary of the corporation, and one of the department heads.
Mr. Steere has manifested almost equal constancy in his public service. For twenty-eight years he has been actively connected with the fire department of Amesbury, and for the last eighteen years has been its assistant chief. Politically, he is a Republican, and fraternally is a Mason, member of the Warren and Powow River lodges of that order. He is a member of the Orthodox church of Amesbury. In his life record is one term of military service; for one enlistment period he was a member of Company B, Eighth Regiment, Massachu- setts State Militia.
Mr. Steere was married, in 1902, to Maria C. Peter- son, of Swedish birth, born in 1875. They have five children : Harry W., Jr., Carl W., Anna L., Edith R. and Syrama S.
BERNARD A. McLEAN-Although he has only been in Amesbury for a few years, Bernard A. McLean has gone ahead among the capable business men of the place. He is manager of a very busy store and a director of the local chamber of commerce.
Bernard A. McLean was born in Everett, Massachu- setts, September 9, 1888, son of Frank A. and Annie (Hanley) McLean, who were both born in Sidney, Cape Breton, Canada, the father, Christmas Day, 1866, and the mother, March 27, 1868. The family later came into Massachusetts, and for many years Frank A. McLean was engaged in the contracting business in Malden, of that State. His business, however, was in many other cities also, and Bernard A., born in Everett, spent part of his boyhood in Charlestown, Massachusetts. At dif- ferent times he attended the public schools of both places. When his schooldays were finally at an end he found his first employment with the Loose Wiles Biscuit Company, at Chelsea, Massachusetts, working for the greater part of the time as shipping clerk. He was, however, an enterprising young man of good address and much confidence, and for six years after leaving the bis- cuit company was a salesman for the Lorillard Tobacco Company, leaving that work eventually to accept the management of the Chelsea business of the Charles Dryer Company of that place. Three years later he became connected with the nationally-known Frank W. Wool- worth Company. He was sent to Amesbury in 1918, and since that time has been manager of the Amesbury store of the Woolworth Company. The multitudinous variety and the great volume of sales, that must necessarily come to bring success in a business of that class, call for man- aging qualities of high order. Such qualities Mr. McLean obviously must possess.
While giving every required attention to his own busi- ness responsibilities, Mr. McLean is quite active in the
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functioning of the Amesbury Chamber of Commerce, and is rapidly increasing his acquaintanceship with the busi- ness people of the place. In politics he is non-partisan, and seems to belong to no fraternal orders. However, he is a consistent Catholic, and a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Amesbury.
Mr. MeLean was married, in 1908, to Susan Mildred McHatton, who was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, February 22, 1888. They have four children : Charles B., born October 9, 1909; Leo F., born June 7, 1913; Bernardette, born July 8, 1917; and Helen Reta, born March 8, 1919.
ARTHUR J. PELTIER-One of the largest and most up-to-date grocery and provision markets in the Amesbury district is that of Arthur J. Peltier. The name is well known in that town, for Mr. Peltier has been connected with business there, in one connection or another, almost since he left school, and his father was for very many years in business in Amesbury, as a grocery and provision merchant.
Arthur J. Peltier was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, December 5, 1882, son of Simeon and Caroline (Hill) Peltier. Both of his parents were born in Canada, and his paternal descent is French-Canadian. His father was born October 5, 1858, and with his wife eventually came into the United States, ultimately settling in Amesbury, where his wife died in 1908. Their son, Arthur J., was in infancy when the family came to Amesbury, and the whole of his schooling was obtained in St. Joseph's Parochial School of Amesbury. After leaving school he began his business career by associating with his father for five years in the latter's grocery and provision busi- ness in Amesbury. At the end of that time he felt that he was capable of entering into business for himself in the same line. For two years he maintained a store of his own, but gave it up when he felt that there would be better results accruing from time given to another line. He became connected with the Scott Grain Company of Amesbury, but a year later was identified with the Healey Laundry Company. Within a year he was with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, and actively followed the life insurance business for two and a half years. Next he was in the employ of Ernest Woodman, meat and provision merchant, the connection lasting about a year. Then followed a brief period of inde- pendent business, in confectionery, but he gave that up to work for Burbank's Market. He was with that firm for two and a half years, which brings his life story to 1913, when he again ventured into business for himself in his original line, groceries and provisions. Ever since he has conducted that business, which has, since 1913, grown to considerable dimensions. He now employs five assistants in his market, and is stated to have the best business in that line in Amesbury. Mr. Peltier has cer- tainly shown himself to be a man of versatility, and has finally reached good success.
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