USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Municipal history of Essex County in Massachusetts, Volume IV > Part 21
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Mr. Wentworth married, in November, 1865, Abbie Frances Parker, daughter of Leonard and Mary (Spiller) Parker, and their son, Arthur H. Wentworth, succeeded to the management of his father's business. Mr. Went- worth passed away in October, 1897.
MEDORA A. (GORMAN) FEEHAN-Among the capable citizens who move in business circles of Haver- hill must be included Medora A. (Gorman) Feehan, who is sole owner and manager of the Gorman Shoe Company, which operates an appreciable manufacturing plant in the city. That, however, is not her only qual- ification for inclusion among the worthwhile people of Haverhill. She has the almost unique distinction of being probably the first woman in that part of Massa- chusetts to gain a pharmaceutical diploma and enter into business as a druggist.
Medora A. (Gorman) Feehan was born in New York City, July 27, 1877, daughter of James H. and Mary T. (Conway) Gorman, and granddaughter of John Gorman and his wife, Mary Sheridan. The grandfather was born in County Limerick, Ireland, and after coming to this country spent most of his time in Rochester, New York, where he became superintendent of a shoe factory. They had five children, John, Sam, Julia, Mary, and James H. The last-named learned the business of shoe manufacturing in his father's plant, probably, but
was one of the principals of a company in Haverhill early in the eighties. The firm of Gorman & Lowry, shoe manufacturers, was formed in 1881. It was a private partnership, and under the partnership a plant was established in Washington Square. Two years later, however, the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Lowry retiring. Mr. Gorman then organized the Gor- man Shoe Company, of which he was sole owner, and under the firm name the plant has been operated ever since. The present capacity is about 450 pairs of high- grade shoes a day, that production providing employ- ment for about one hundred factory hands. Since the death of her father, Mrs. Feehan has been sole owner of the business, and has successfully taken over the management of its affairs. Her father, James H. Gor- man, married Mary T. Conway, and two children were born to them: John S. and Medora A., of further mention.
Medora A. was educated in Haverhill schools, attend- ing first the St. James' Parochial School, and progress- ing to the Haverhill High School, from which she was graduated in the class of 1893. She early manifested a strong character and intellectuality, and, having decided to enter professional life, she took the course in phar- macy at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, suc- cessfully graduating as pharmacist in 1898. She entered upon a professional career in her home town, Haver- hill, and was, it is stated, the first of her sex to qual- ify as a druggist there. Mrs. Feehan has also given clear indication of her capability in another profession. She is a writer of no mean ability, has contributed to current magazines, and is the author of more perma- nent works.
Mrs. Feehan is an active churchwoman, member of St. James' Roman Catholic Church, of Haverhill, pres- ident of the Catholic Women's Club of St. James Parish, and director of the League of Catholic Women of Bos- ton. She is also a member of the Boston Philomathia Club, an organization of Boston College alumni.
She was married, August 4, 1919, at Haverhill, to Charles J. Feehan, born in 1873, son of Albert K. and Sarah Feehan, the former a gardener by occupation, a good Catholic, and father of five children: Charles J., Emma, Ella, Sarah and Frank.
EDWARD S. FICKETT-From 1866 until his pass- ing, more than half a century later, Edward S. Fickett was a resident of Georgetown, Massachusetts, spending that entire period in the public service as educator and town treasurer. He was a man of education, possessed fine literary and artistic tastes coupled with an acute business sense. He was of Maine birth and ancestry, his family seated in pre-Revolutionary days at Scarbor- ough and Cape Elizabeth, John, John (2), Nathaniel, Zebulon, Daniel, Benjamin, and Captain Benjamin Fickett, all serving in the Colonial army during the War for Independence. They were grandsons or great- grandsons of Thomas Fickett, a shipwright of Kittery, Maine, and his wife, Isabella (Roberts) Fickett, of Falmouth.
The American ancestor was John Fickett, who may liave been a Frenchman and perhaps a Huguenot, for the only time he ever signed his name to a public docu- ment that has been preserved, he spelled his name Jean.
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This would establish his French ancestry, but there is the further fact that many French came to Northern New England. He was in New Hampshire, February 20, 1689, and had a son, John, who was the son of Thomas and Isabella (Roberts) Fickett, the ancestors of the Cape Elizabeth, Maine, branch to which Edward S. Fickett belonged. He was the son of Amos P. and Ennice L. (Small) Fickett, his father a farmer, who died in 1878.
Edward S. Fickett was born at Cape Elizabeth, Cum- berland county, Maine, January 20, 1836, and died in Worcester, Worcester county, Massachusetts, February II, 1922. He attended the district schools, prepared in West Brook Seminary, and pursned a full college course, finishing with graduation in 1863. He chose the pro- fession of a pedagogne, and for a few years taught in Maine and Massachusetts public schools. This itinerant teacher's life continned until 1866, when, at the age of thirty, he located in Georgetown, Massachusetts, and for twenty-eight years was associated with the public school system of that town as principal of schools. He continned at the head of the school system in George- town until 1894, and during that period raised the schools to a high plane of efficiency and became one of the well known and most highly regarded educators of the State.
During the ensuing twenty-five years. 1894-1919, Ed- ward S. Fickett was treasurer of the Georgetown Sav- ings Bank, and for a number of years retained his con- nection with schools as a member of the school com- mittee. He was also for several years president of the Union Building Association of Georgetown, was for years president of the Peabody Library, and a trustee until his death, and a member of the Georgetown Liter- ary Club. In religious faith he was a long time member of the First Congregational Church, of Georgetown. For more than thirty-two years he was secretary of Georgetown Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; was a companion of Royal Arch Masonry; and a Knights Templar, highly esteemed by his brethren of the order.
Mr. Fickett married, in 1884, Fannie M. Crockett, of Gorham, Maine, daughter of Hezekiah R. and Eunice H. (Harmon) Crockett, her father dying in 1882, her mother in 1867. Mrs. Fickett survives her husband, and spends her winters in Worcester, her summers in Georgetown, Massachusetts.
JOHN BIRD-Among the worthy Civil War vet- erans is John Bird, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, who was only fifteen years old when, in 1861, he enlisted for war service as a drummer boy. After his first enlistment term had expired, he reënlisted in the forces of the Union, and served until the end of the war. Fuller service one could hardly give to his country.
John Bird was born at Concord, New Hampshire, on June 2, 1846, the son of John and Ellen (McCarthy ) Bird, both of whom were born in Ireland. The father, John Bird, Sr., was a contractor, and John, Jr., was only twelve years old when his father died in 1858. John and Ellen (McCarthy) Bird had four children, three of whom were sons. In 1861 John, Jr., entered the army, and after being honorably discharged from military service in Company K, of the 3rd New Hamp-
shire Regiment, he reenlisted for a further term in the United States navy, serving on the "Conemaugh." His final discharge came on June 6, 1865, after which he industriously turned to civilian occupations, finding his first work with the candy manufacturing company of Harriman Brothers, on Essex street, Lawrence. He served that company steadily for seven years, after which he went to Boston. In that city he remained for more than twenty years, finding constant work, though not for the whole period, with the same employer. In January, 1893, he was again in Lawrence, and on Janu- ary 16, 1893, went into business for himself, as a candy manufacturer, opening on the street in which he first found employment after coming out of the navy. He remained on Essex street until 1896, then removed to No. 275 Broadway, which has since been his business address. He has traded under the firm name of John Bird & Sons, and his business has been a substantial one for many years.
Mr. Bird is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Post No. 39, and is much esteemed by those who know him well. He is a man of strong character, and during his long residence in Lawrence has made a wide circle of friends there.
Mr. Bird married, in 1870, Margaret Ahearn, daugh- ter of Simon and Hannah (Gallagher) Ahearn. Both of her parents were deceased prior to her marriage, her father having died in 1860, and her mother in 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Bird were destined to continue in marital hap- piness for a very long time, and Mrs. Bird's death did not come until after they had celebrated the golden anniversary of their wedding. Mrs. Bird died July 19, 1921, survived by her husband and their six children. The children are as follows: Rachel; John F .; Lonis A .; Viola, who married John M. Murphy; Annie, who married Fred Dufton; and Mary G. Mr. Bird and his family are members of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.
GEORGE E. TOZIER, merchant, of Haverhill, is a native of the district, born in Bradford, February 17, 1865, the son of Edward H. and Margaret ( Harris) Tozier, of Bradford, later of Haverhill. His father for the greater part of his life was connected with the shoe manufacturing industry; he died in 1914 at Haverhill.
George E. Tozier received the whole of his academic education in the public schools of Haverhill, and in course of time entered a shoe factory, that of John Carey. He learned the trade there, and later worked in the Hovey and Weeks plant for three years, making lasts. Then he went to Boston, and remained there a year, after which he returned to Haverhill, and for the following three years worked in a shoe factory, which brings his life story to the time when he went to work for his brother in the drug business in Haverhill, his store being No. 14 Washington street, and known as that of N. C. Tozier & Company until 1913. In that year George E. Tozier withdrew to enter into independ- ent business. He opened a store on Railroad square, and dealt in cameras, kodaks and photo supplies. Even- tually, he removed to his present location, No. 6 Wash- ington street, where he conducts a good business. He
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is well known in the city, and is a member of the local bodies of Odd Fellows and Knights of Malta orders. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Tozier was married in 1890, and he has a son, Ralph Ray Tozier.
ALBERT STEVERSON GATES-Among the sub- stantial business men of Haverhill is Albert Steverson Gates, contractor and builder, who since 1910 has car- ried through successfully several large contracts. He was born in Danville, New Hampshire, June 15, 1887, son of John Henry and Hattie A. (Harris) Gates, who were both of Prince Edward Island, Canada, the for- mer a farmer by occupation and deceased since 1905.
Albert S. Gates was educated in schools of Danville, and later took the preparatory collegiate course at the Atkinson Academy, graduating therefrom in the class of 1898. Soon after leaving school, he went to New York City, and entered the employ of the Bradley Con- struction Company. For seven years he was connected with that company, gaining experience on several im- portant contracts. In 1910 he came to Haverhill, which has since been his place of abode and business. He has since 1910 been in business for himself as a public works contractor and general builder, his business address being No. 140 Merrimack street. Mr. Gates is now well known in the city. By religious belief he is a Congregationalist, and attends the Haverhill church of that denomination.
He has been twice married. His first wife was Agnes E. Carey, of New York, and they were married in 1908. She died in 1913, and in 1915 Mr. Gates married (sec- ond) Leila Dawley, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, dangh- ter of Nathaniel P. and Julia A. Dawley, of Connec- ticut, the former a steamfitter by trade. By the first union there were two children: Albert S., Jr .; and Har- riett A. By the second union there were two children : Oliver L., born in 1917; and Carroll, born in 1918.
WILLIAM H. WEST was born in Dover, Maine, July 12, 1867, son of James H. West, of London, Eng- land, a sea captain, who later settled in Dover, where he died in 1874. The latter married Mary E. Day, of Dover, and her death occurred in 1919. Captain West was a veteran of the Civil War, serving with the Maine Infantry, and he was a member of the Dover Grand Army of the Republic Post.
William H. West attended school at Dover and the Foxcroft Academy, and then went to work for the Pru- dential Insurance Company, where he remained for a year, resigning to enter the employ of the General Elec- tric Company, remaining for two years. At the end of this time he came to Haverhill and engaged in the shoe business until 1901, when he engaged in the shoe con- tract business for himself. His largest customer is the firm of George F. Carlton, of Haverhill, manufacturers of high grade men's turned shoes. Mr. West's factory covers 2,500 square feet, and thirty men are employed. He is a member of the Haverhill Chamber of Com- merce, and fraternally is a Mason, affiliated with the Masonic lodge of that city.
In 1892, Mr. West married Mabel M. Priest, of Haver- hill, and their children are: Harry L., Ruth P., Kath-
erine E. The latter died in 1914 at the age of twenty years. The family attend the First Baptist Church, of Haverhill.
EDWARD MITCHELL, part owner of the House- hold Furniture Company, of Haverhill, and well known as a musician in that city, was born at North Andover, Massachusetts, July 13, 1882, the son of David and Susan B. (Caird) Mitchell, both of Scottish birth, the former a machinist by trade.
Edward Mitchell grew to manhood in his home town, and after having passed through the public schools was apprenticed to Davis & Furber Machine Company, with whom he remained five years as machinist. The young man had marked inclination for music, and eventually became a teacher of instrumental music, following that profession for three years, and then associated himself with the W. H. Godfrey Furniture Company, of Law- rence, Massachusetts. He remained with this concern until 1909, when he became connected with the People's Furniture Company, of Haverhill, with which company he remained for several years. He also was with Mr. Rosengard for one year, but in 1918 went into partner- ship with W. L. Jennings, and the two established the Household Furniture Company. They have since traded under that name, and are successful.
Mr. Mitchell has come somewhat prominently before the general public in that part of Massachusetts because of his fondness for music. He founded the Mitchell Orchestra, and is its leader, and as such has directed several excellent performances in Haverhill. He is enthu- siastic in all matters pertaining to music, one connection being that of financial secretary of the Musicians' Union. Fraternally, he is a Mason, member of Merrimae Lodge, also of the local lodge of Knights of Pythias, and the Loyal Order of Moose. His life story also must make record of his service in the United States Army. He enlisted in the regular army, and served for eighteen months in Cuba (1906-07).
In 1910 Mr. Mitchell married Nellie M. Messenger, daughter of Edgar Messenger, a woodworker, resident in Haverhill, Essex county, Massachusetts.
RAY C. DURGIN, a leading furniture merchant of Haverhill, Massachusetts, was born February 12, 1876, at Rye Beach, New Hampshire, son of Oscar C. Durgin. The latter was a native of Exeter, New Hampshire, where he was engaged in the painting business until his death in 1890. He married Jennie Nickett, of Exeter.
Ray C. Durgin attended school in Exeter, and then entered the employ of Gale Brothers, of that place, and there worked himself upward to an executive position, in all remaining for nine years, at which time he left to go to Nashua, New Hampshire, where he worked for the firm of W. D. Brackett & Company, and there also held an official position. After three years he resigned to go to South Framingham, and there was in charge of the cutting room for six years. Subsequent to this time Mr. Durgin was in the employ of various shoe companies in Haverhill, learning the business in all detail. However, another and better opportunity presented itself to enter the furniture business on his own account, which he did in 1919, and has now completed two years of successful
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business. Mr. Durgin is also very active in public mat- ters, and served as a member of the Prohibition State Committee of New Hampshire in 1904; he is an Inde- pendent in politics, and was the founder of the Citizens' League of Haverhill. Fraternally, he is a member of the Good Templars and organized several lodges in New Hampshire and Massachusetts; he is also a member of the New England Lodge of Protection, the American Mechanics, and the American Benefit Association.
In 1908, Mr. Durgin married Ethel Boynton Hatch, of Framingham.
LLOYD JOHNSON, World War veteran and part- ner in the firm of Johnson & Richardson, electrical con- tractors and dealers, representatives in Haverhill for the Maclite batteries, has spent the greater part of his life in that city. He was born in Calais, Maine, December 5, 1895, son of George A. and Nellie M. (Spinney) John- son, both of Calais, the former a trainer of horses until his death, which occurred in 1913.
Lloyd Johnson attended the elementary public school of his native place, and, when the family moved to Haver- hill, went to the public schools there, eventually graduat- ing from Haverhill High School. He also took a com- mercial course at the Haverhill Business College. His business career began with three years of service in the Safety Gas Lighter Company, of Haverhill. Then fol- lowed a year in the employ of the Hamel Shoe Machinery Company, which brings his life up to 1917, the first year of America's participation in the World War. Jolinson set aside his own affairs, and enlisted as a private in the United States Army. He was assigned to Battery A, of the One Hundred and Second Field Artillery, Twenty- sixth Division, which was one of the early divisions to go overseas. Johnson passed through the greatest battles in which American troops took part, his service record showing that he was present in the following major battles : Toul, Verdun, Second Battle of the Marne, Chateau Thierry, Argonne, St. Mihiel. He was also at Scharn Deane, Ypres, and Schepres. The New England Division (the Twenty-sixth) won great renown, and bore some of the most desperate fighting of the war. Most of its units returned in March and April, 1919. Johnson was honorably discharged on April 29, 1919, in the grade of corporal. Soon thereafter he again entered actively into civil affairs. For a while he was in the employ of the John H. Cross Shoe Company, Haverhill, but in (1921) he formed a business partnership with Charles H. Richardson, the two forthwith opening a store and repair shop at No. 611/2 White street, Haver- hill, and trading as Johnson & Richardson. They pur- posed doing a general class of repair work, but intended to specialize in ignition and battery repairs. They are the agents, in Haverhill and vicinity, for the Maclite bat- teries, and are starting well, so there is every prospect that they, being enterprising, active men, will succeed.
Mr. Johnson is a member of the local lodges of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and also of his regimental organization, Battery A Club. Fraternally, he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, Pythian Lodge. He is also a member of the Haverhill Chamber of Commerce. He is a man of steady character- istics, and a member of the Episcopal church of Haver- hill. Mr. Johnson is unmarried.
EDWARD P. SMITH, manufacturer of Haverhill, Massachusetts, was born in South Berwick, Maine. Sep- tember 6, 1872. Charles A. Smith, his father, was a native of Holland, Vermont, where he died in 1877. He was a salesman for many years. Carrie Belle ( Chap- man) Smith, mother of Mr. Smith, was a native of Little Valley, Pennsylvania.
Edward P. Smith attended the public schools of Dover, New Hampshire, and also the Dover High School. Sub- sequently he went to work as a telegraph operator in Quebec in the Grand Trunk Station, resigning at the end of two years to engage in the shoe business, asso- ciated with the Woodbury Company. After five years he was in business for himself as a dealer in brushes. After three years he went on the road as a salesman of brushes, and after six years located in Derry, New Hampshire, where the shoe business again engaged his attention. The Sears-Roebuck Company had a box shop at Springvale, Maine, and they made an offer to Mr. Smith to take charge of their interests there, which he accepted, remaining three years. Thence he went to Haverhill, and engaged in business for himself.
Smith's White Line Specialties were founded in 1916 in Bradford, by Mr. Smith, to manufacture blacking and stains, shoe dressing and shoe specialties. The business was continued in Bradford until the summer of 1918, and since that time has been located on Locust street, Haver- hill. On August 18, 1918, the name of the firm was changed to Smith's White Line Specialties Company, Mr. Smith having associated himself with Mr. Edward A. Witherell, one of Haverhill's most popular and leading shoe manufacturers. The products are sent all over the country, and the business is the only one of its kind in the United States. Mr. Smith is a member of the Super- intendents' and Foremen's Association, of Haverhill; a member of the Chamber of Commerce; and of the Aga- wam Club.
Mr. Smith married, in 1911, Jenny E. Berry, of Maine.
CHARLES HENRY BLUNT, for many years a faithful public servant, holding an official position in the United States post office at Haverhill, Massachusetts, was born there in 1839, and died June 23, 1913. He attended the public schools of Haverhill, and at an early age went to work for a firm in that city. After some years he was appointed to an official post in the Haverhill post office and this office he held until his death. In perform- ing the duties of his position Mr. Blunt justified the wisdom of those responsible for his appointment ; he was ever faithful, courteous and pleasing to all, and at his death was widely mourned by all those whose privilege it was to come in daily contact with him. Mr. Blunt's father, Joshua Blunt, served his country during the Civil War; his mother was Jane ( Chessly) Blunt.
Mr. Blunt married Susan Burnham, of West New- bury, Massachusetts, daughter of Moses and Susan (Sawyer) Burnham, and granddaughter of Thomas and Lydia (Hanson) Burnham.
ALLEN G. COLLINS, of the Collins & Staples Shoe Company, was born March 10, 1889, in Kingston, New Hampshire. His father, L. Waldo Collins, was engaged in the shoe business there, and his mother, Elvira
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C. (Gordon) Collins, was a native of Danville, New Hampshire.
Allen G. Collins was educated in the public schools and the Kingston High School; he also attended the Sanborn Seminary. He went to work for his father in Kingston, and for eight years was superintendent of the factory. In 1915 he engaged in the shoe business on his own account in Haverhill, Massachusetts, under the firm name of the A. G. Collins Shoe Company, continuing this arrangement until 1919, in which year he became associated with Urdix L. Staples. Subsequently the name was changed to Collins & Staples. They are manufac- turers of a high-grade line of ladies' turned slippers, and have attained well deserved success in their business venture. Mr. Collins is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and fraternally is a member of the Masonic order, the Odd Fellows and the Eastern Star. His clubs are the Pentucket and Agawam of Haverhill.
WALTER L. FLINT was born in 1861, at No. 47 Poplar street, Danvers, Massachusetts, and is a son of Samuel and Emily (Shaw) Flint. Mr. Flint's father was born at Danvers, and was for many years engaged in the business of a butcher. Mr. Flint was one of a very large family, having no less than eight brothers and two sisters.
Mr. Flint received his early education in the public schools of his native town. After leaving school, he worked for several years in a market and then established himself in business as a butcher. This business he has conducted successfully for the last forty years. In 1920 he acquired a farm, which he has managed in addition to carrying on his market business. He still lives at No. 47 Poplar street, Danvers, in the house where he was born.
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