USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Municipal history of Essex County in Massachusetts, Volume IV > Part 26
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JOHN DANFORTH-The insurance business now known as Dalton & Danforth, located at No. 218 Essex street, Salem, Massachusetts, was established before 1838, and is now (1921) the oldest insurance agency in the city. John Danforth, a native son, conducted an independent agency in Salem for several years. In 1918 he became associated with J. Frank Dalton, and the firm of Dalton & Danforth has continued the business founded so many years ago. Dalton & Danforth represent the following companies, which companies carry fire, acci-
dent, fidelity, plate glass and life: Liverpool & Lon- don & Globe; Scottish Union & National; Mutual Pro- tection; Traders & Mechanics; London Guarantee and Accident; New Jersey Fidelity and Plate Glass, and Pacific Fire Insurance Company; and the General Acci- dent, Fire and Life Corporation; in all he represents over twenty well known companies.
John Danforth was born in Salem, Massachusetts, December 19, 1880, and there has passed his years, forty-one. He was educated in the public schools of the city. Leaving school at the age of seventeen, he worked in various places, gaining valuable training. About 1910 he established an insurance agency in Salem, Massachusetts, successfully conducted the business alone until 1918, when he became associated with J. Frank Dalton, they continuing as partners in the firm of Dalton & Danforth. Mr. Danforth is a notary public, appointed November 1, 1914, and re-appointed Novem- ber 2, 1921. He is a member of the Bank Officers' Association of Boston, and of the Colonial Club of Salem. He is master of Essex Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Salem; a member of the Masonic Club, and the Now and Then Association.
CHARLES NATHANIEL PERLEY, one of the leading grocers of Danvers, Massachusetts, is an eminently practical man in a business which, perhaps, more than in any other, is exacting in detail. This business has been in the Perley family since it was first founded in 1800. Amos Proctor Perley, Mr. Per- ley's father, was born in Boxford, Massachusetts, and came to Danvers in 1829, at that time succeeding to the business theretofore conducted by John Perley. Amos Proctor Perley married Sarah Felton Batchelder, of Danvers.
Charles N. Perley, son of Amos Proctor and Sarah Felton (Batchelder) Perley, was born in Danvers, Feb- ruary 26, 1851. He received his early education in the public schools of his native town, and was also gradu- ated from the high school. He then entered the Bryant & Stratton Business College, in Boston, Massachusetts, making a thorough preparation for the business career which he had anticipated since boyhood. He worked with his father for a number of years, eventually suc- ceeding to the business in 1885, up to which time the store was known as the A. P. Perley Company. He has since continued the business uninterruptedly at the same location, No. 1 Maple street.
Mr. Perley has for many years heen more or less closely identified with the public life of Danvers. A Democrat by political choice, he served two terms as postmaster under the Cleveland administrations. He has also served as selectman at the insistent demand of his fellow-townsmen, and was honored by election as representative to the State Legislature in 1902. Fra- ternally, Mr. Perley is prominent, being a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, and of the Knights of Pythias. He attends the Congregational church.
Mr. Perley married, December 13, 1876, Ella Frances Woodbury, and they are the parents of five children: Bertram Procter; Marion Woodbury; Rollin Harmon; Sarah Edith, who is the wife of Oscar Perkins, and they have one son, Oscar Perkins, Jr .; and Charles Nathan- iel, Jr.
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WILLIAM FITZGERALD-Coming to this coun- try in his youth, and from that time on a resident of Essex county, Massachusetts, William Fitzgerald, of Lawrence, became a very prosperous and widely known citizen. His death, on November 2, 1918, as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident a few days previously, was a great shock to his many personal friends and business associates.
Mr. Fitzgerald was a son of Michael and Ellen (Finn) Fitzgerald. Michael Fitzgerald was born in Ireland in 1800, and died in 1870, after about ten years' residence in the United States. He was a man of quiet tastes, a shoemaker by trade, whose chief pleasure was the relax- ation of the family circle.
William Fitzgerald was born in Tipperary, Ireland, on August 15, 1843. He came to this country with his family, in August, 1860, after completing his education in his native land. Arriving in New York City, the family came to Massachusetts, locating in Ballard Vale, in Essex county, and here William Fitzgerald began his carcer. In every branch of endeavor to which he applied his talents he was successful, and when he came to Lawrence, in 1867, it was to bring his young wife to a new home which he had built on Valley street. He opened a small general store, which he developed to a considerable interest, later going into the retail liquor business. He prospered greatly, and acquired large holdings in real estate, eventually developing a real estate business, which was the principal interest of his later years.
Mr. Fitzgerald was a prominent member of the Real Estate Dealers' Association, and was an influential member of the board of directors of the Lawrence Trust Company. He was a member of the Holy Name Society of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, and was a leader in its benevolent activities.
Of recent years Mr. Fitzgerald had turned over much of the responsibility, which he had hitherto carried, to his son, who was associated with him in business, and had spent the winters in Bermuda, or at Palm Beach, Florida. He was exceedingly fond of travel, and had several times been abroad, always accompanied by members of his family, whose companionship he always sought when enjoying leisure.
On October 30, 1918, when motoring near this city, the automobile turned turtle and Mr. Fitzgerald received internal injuries which resulted in his death, on Satur- day, November 2nd, three days later. He is deeply mourned by his devoted family. At the time of his death he was making preparations for the usual trip South for the winter, his wife expecting to accompany him, as was his unfailing wish. The sad nature of the end added to the grief, which was shared also by many personal friends, and his business acquaintances were shocked to learn of his sudden death. He will long be remembered by those who knew him as a genial man, a fond parent, a devoted husband, and a generous supporter of the church of which he was a member.
Mr. Fitzgerald married (first), on November 19, 1864, Margaret Dawson, who died in early life. He married (second) Elizabeth Farrell, on August 15, 1881, and she still survives him.
Five children also survive him: 1. Ellen J., now Mrs. Robert Sheehan. 2. Mary L., who married (first)
Edward M. Cotter, who died, leaving a son and daughter, William and Frances; she married (second) Charles Smith. 3. John J. 4. William A. 5. E. Made- line.
FRED PERKINS ANDREWS, who has success- fully conducted a news and insurance business in Georgetown, Massachusetts, since 1905, was born in Topsfield, Massachusetts, January 3, 1871, the son of Joseph E. and Mary E. (Chapman) Andrews, the former a farmer, and of an old Massachusetts family.
Fred P. Andrews was raised in the wholesome envir- onment of a New England farming home, and attended the Topsfield Public School, Eastern District. Later he took the course at the business college in Haverhill, and studied English literature and expression at Hunting- ton Chambers, Boston, Massachusetts. Entering upon a business career, he was from 1892 to 1896 on the steward's staff at the Hotel Sinclair, Bethlehem, New Hampshire, and the Royal Poincianna Hotel at Palm Beach, Florida. From 1896 until 1905 Mr. Andrews was one of the executives of a Massachusetts shoe manufacturing firm, but in 1905 he acquired the busi- ness of C. E. Jewett, at Georgetown. He has ever since held to that business, having a fine news and book store, and a wide connection in fire insurance.
Mr. Andrews has entered actively into the functioning of local fraternal bodies. He is past grand of Protec- tion Lodge, No. 147, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and of Haverhill Encampment, same order; mem- ber of Bethany Lodge of Rebekas; the C. C. Dame Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, all of Georgetown, Massachusetts; and of Birmingham Lodge, Rochester, New Hampshire, of Knights. He also is a member of the Protection Club of Georgetown, and of the local Congregational church.
Mr. Andrews married, July 27, 1910, at Georgetown, Massachusetts, Mary C. Whitney, daughter of James C. and Harriet R. (Austin) Whitney. They have two children: Bruce Gibson, born May 23, 1912; and Berenice Whitney, born April 8, 1915.
WILLIAM E. BURKE was born at Haverhill, Mas- sachusetts, on April 8, 1900, and is a son of William E. and Rose A. (Finnin) Burke. Mr. Burke's father, who was a manufacturer of bicycles, died in 1915. In addi- tion to being a manufacturer of bicycles, the elder Mr. Burke was also a dealer in them and an expert in bicycle repairing. Mr. Burke's mother was a native of Haverhill.
After graduating from the public schools of Haver- hill, in which he received his education, young Mr. Burke obtained employment repairing bicycles. He spent three years in this work and then established him- self in business. After directing his own establishment for two years, Mr. Burke received an offer of employ- ment with J. Ellison, which he accepted. He worked for Mr. Ellison for two years and then, having had a great deal of practical experience, decided to go into the automobile repairing business. Accordingly, he estab- lished himself in business under his own name at No. 301 Primrose street. He met with great success and remained in business at this address until 1921, when he formed a partnership with Mr. Arnold and moved to
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No. 225 River street, where, together with Mr. Arnold, he is engaged in the management of a garage and automobile repairing establishment. Mr. Burke is a Catholic, and a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Mr. Burke married Lolalia Arnold, of Nova Scotia, in 1920, daughter of John E. Arnold, a shoe manufac- turer, and his wife, Bessie E. Arnold, of Nova Scotia.
WILLIAM J. YOUNG, in 1889, laid the foundation of what is now the W. J. Young Machinery Company, Inc., in a very modest way, as a manufacturer of a special line of shoe machinery. For thirteen years the company continued under his sole management, growing in size with each year until 1902, when it was incor- porated, and the name changed to its present form, the corporators being: George B. Grover, president; Wil- liam J. Young, treasurer.
Mr. Young was born November 2, 1864, in Annapolis county, Nova Scotia, son of Lindley Young, of that place, where he was engaged as a shipbuilder until 1872, in which year he came to Lynn, Massachusetts, and there resided until his death in 1895. Mr. Young's mother was Sarah Durland, of Nova Scotia, and sub- sequently of Lynn.
His family having removed to Lynn, it was there that Mr. Young obtained his education, and his first business experience was in the leather business as an employee of the T. W. Tyler Company, of Lynn, remaining for seven years, resigning in 1885 to engage in business on his own account.
Two years later the quarters where the manufactur- ing was carried on were burned and for eight months temporary quarters were secured in a basement on Willow street. Later the business was removed to its present quarters at No. 416 Union street, and this building was purchased by the W. J. Young Machinery Company, Inc., in 1920. The machines manufactured by the company are extensively used, in the United States and foreign countries, in the manufacture of counters and heels, and to their other work they have added the manufacture of nails for boots and shoes. Mr. Young is a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Lynn; also of the Lynn Rotary Club.
Mr. Young and his family are members of the Advent Christian Church in Lynn, and reside in Peabody, Massachusetts.
ALLEN SHOW PRINT-In 1879 the name Allen first became known in Beverly, Massachusetts, in con- nection with the printing business. In that year the late Irving W. Allen came to the city, a young man of twenty, and established himself as a printer in the Lafavor block on Cabot street. The enterprise, which was started in a small way, soon outgrew its surround- ings and was moved to the J. W. Porter building, sub- sequently being removed to its present site, the second floor of the Association building, at No. 91 Rantoul street, in 1909: Eleven years later the founder died, and the business was then carried on by Archer I. Allen and Herman K. Allen, his sons. Equipped with all modern presses, the company employs forty men who are active in the printing of posters.
Irving W. Allen, the founder of the Allen Show Print, was born at Essex, Massachusetts, in 1859. After completing his studies in the local grammar school he served an apprenticeship to the printer's trade, and in 1879, as mentioned above, came to Beverly and estab- lished himself in the printing business, and during the years that followed previous to his death, he conducted its affairs most successfully, being recognized as a man of prominence in the business circles of the city.
At the age of sixty-one Irving W. Allen closed his career, rich in fulfillment, passing away November 6, 1920, leaving as a monument to himself a successful husiness, to the furtherance of which he had given his untiring devotion and energy. Although he displayed always a keen interest in the welfare of the city which had been his home for many years, he remained strictly aloof from public and political life, but possessed, how- ever, the gift of making and holding friendships, stand- ing high in the regard of many to whom his death came as a deep grief.
CHARLES O. KELLY, Civil War soldier, well known in Haverhill, Massachusetts, where he has lived for many decades, was born in Salem, New Hamp- shire, July 15, 1849, the son of Francis B. and Mary A. (Vitturn) Kelly, the former a shoe worker and farmer, and the latter a member of a Sandwich branch of an old Colonial family of New Hampshire.
Mr. Young married, in 1889, Susie Sederquest, of Charles O. Kelly received the customary education afforded by the public schools of that period, and when old enough began to work in the shoe factory of J. R. Wheeler. Later he worked in the factory of Kelly, Gifford & Chase. He was only twelve years old when the Civil War began, but nevertheless he was a soldier before its close. He enlisted in February, 1865, in Company H, of the 18th New Hampshire Regiment, Lynn, a daughter of the late Rev. George W. Seder- quest, and their children are: 1. Edith Margaret, a graduate of Smith College, who was later a student at Simmons College, in Boston, for one year ; subsequently she was an instructor in commercial subjects in the schools of Swampscott for two years, and at Burdett College for a similar time. 2. Herman A., who is a graduate of Bowdoin College, and enlisted during the . and saw active service in Virginia. He was stationed at World War, in April, 1917, in the United States navy, being transferred at a later date to the Harvard Cadet School, there attaining the rank of ensign. He served overseas for two years as an executive officer on a mine-sweeper, and received his discharge in 1919, with the rank of lieutenant, junior grade. After completing his college course, he became identified with his father's business, and starting from the bottom, is thoroughly learning the manufacture of the machines in detail.
Petersburg, that State, from March 27, 1865, in con- nection with the pursuit of General Lee and his ulti- mate surrender. That campaign ended the war, and for some time after the assassination of President Lin- coln, Kelly's regiment was stationed in the Federal capital, and there, during the trial of the Lincoln con- spirators, Kelly did provost duty. He was honorably discharged from the army at Concord, New Hamp- shire, on July 27, 1865. The next fifteen years or so Mr. Kelly spent in his home State, employed for the greater part of the time in shoe manufacturing. He first came to Haverhill in 1881, although his residence
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was not continuous until 1883. After the fire in Febru- ary, 1882, he went to work for Furbur Brothers, but later worked for J. W. Winchell. In 1889 he decided to take up insurance work with John Smith, remaining associated with him for some three or four years, until 1893, when he occupied an office with Mr. Smith's son, but did business for himself there until he resolved to open an office in the same line independently. He rented an office at No. 174 Merrimack street until 1915, then removed to No. 3 Washington Square, where, notwith- standing his age, he keenly and successfully entered into all lines of insurance.
Comrade Kelly belongs to Major How Post, No. 47, of the Grand Army of the Republic, and he is a mem- ber of the Grace Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Kelly married, in 1872, Eunice C. Gardner, daugh- ter of Jonathan B. and Martha Hobbs ( Wilson) Gard- ner, the former a shoemaker and farmer of Salem, New Hampshire, and her mother originally of Pelham. They have three children: Flora M. Crowell; Lilla M .; and Agnes W. Nutter.
OSCAR FERN-Although not a native-born Amer- ican. Oscar Fern has lived in America for almost twenty years, and for more than eleven years has been among the active business men of Newburyport, Massa- chusetts. He was born in Sweden, on January 1, 1886, one of the eight children, four sons and four daugh- ters, born to Johann and Caroline Fern, who were both of Swedish birth. Johann Fern was a slaughterman, and owned an abattoir in the city of Bjuv; he died in 1913.
Oscar Fern was educated in Sweden, attending the public schools of his native place, and by the time his schooldays were over he had received instruction approx- imately equal to that possible in the high schools of America. He was seventeen years old when he crossed the ocean to this country. Soon after landing, in 1903, he came to Massachusetts, and found employment in the shoe factory of T. D. Barry, at Brockton, for two years. He spent the next five years in the employ of W. L. Douglas, of Brockton. In 1910 he came to New- buryport, and there for the next two years was con- nected with the Ellis Shoe Company. For a similar period he was connected with Dodge Brothers, but in 1914 he branched out for himself, or rather joined another in a business partnership, the outcome of which was the firm of the Fern & Poor Company, established in that year. The first plant of the company was situ- ated at Central Wharf, but as the business expanded it became necessary to seek larger quarters, which they found on Merrimac street, where they still are. The partners decided to seek corporate powers in 1915, and under the reconstruction Mr. Fern became president, and George P. Poor, treasurer; there has been no change since. However, in 1920, Mr. Fern became inter- ested in establishing another shoe manufacturing com- pany, that which took the corporate name of the Fern Shoe Company, of which firm Henry T. Cutter is president, and Mr. Fern, treasurer. The plarit is at No. 41 Water street, Newburyport, and the line of manufacture, women's turn shoes, of which the plant is capable of making 600 pairs a day. In the Fern & Poor plant about 250 people find almost constant em-
ployment, and about 150 are employed in the Fern Shoe Company factory. It will therefore be seen that Mr. Fern has by his enterprise appreciably aided the dis- trict. As to the product, it is said that an enviable reputation has been developed by Mr. Fern and his associates by reason of the reliable quality of their product.
Personally, Mr. Fern is well liked among the busi- ness people of Newburyport and district. He has not entered much into public affairs, but has advanced in Masonic degree to, and including, the Shrine. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and to the Dalton Club.
In 1913, at Newburyport, Mr. Fern was married to Edith Francis Poor, daughter of Benjamin F. and Alvina (Card) Poor, of Newburyport, the former a retail butcher of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Fern have one child, a daughter, Thyra Alvina, who was born on January 30, 1920.
JOHN W. GOODHUE-One of the leading men in mercantile activities in Ipswich, Massachusetts, is John WV. Goodhue, who through his comprehensive hardware business is identified with many branches of industry in this section.
Mr. Goodhue was born in 1858, and is a son of John B. and Sarah E. (Comery) Goodhue. He received a thoroughly practical education in the public schools, then at the age of sixteen years became connected with the Isinglass industry, as an assistant in a Norwood factory. Continuing for only one year along this line, however, Mr. Goodhue then came to Ipswich and entered the employ of Theodore Cogswell at his grocery store in this town. For a period of eleven years he remained with Mr. Cogswell, gaining a large fund of valuable business experience. In 1886 he started in business for himself, as a dealer in hardware, beginning modestly, but developing a large and important business. For the past thirty-five years he has been an important factor in the hardware trade in this vicinity, and is still a leader in his field. He handles a very complete assort- ment of paints and oils, as well as a general line of hardware and fine mechanics' tools, and modern farm- ing tools and machinery, and gasoline engines, supply- ing the needs of the rural districts. His store is ad- vantageously located on Market street, Ipswich.
Mr. Goodhue is a Republican, and in fraternal affilia- tion a member of the Free and Accepted Masons; he attends the South Congregational Church. He was elected to the State Legislature in 1906, and served on the Fish and Game Commission, and the Commission on Counties.
Mr. Goodhue married Blanche R. Brown, daughter of Augustine and Susan M. (Russell) Brown. They have three children: Paul and Pauline, twins, born Novem- ber 25, 1899; and John J., born May 1, 1901. Paul Goodhue enlisted in the United States army for service in the World War, and became a lieutenant of infantry.
AMOS BREED CHASE-In the mercantile world of Lynn, Massachusetts, the late Amos B. Chase is remembered as a man of progressive spirit and genial personality. Mr. Chase was born in Stratham, New Hampshire, October 28, 1852, and was a son of Levi
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and Priscilla (Breed) Chase. After a thoroughly prac- tical common school education Mr. Chase went to work at the age of fourteen years, having been first employed by a relative, Oliver Breed. In 1874 he entered the em- ploy of Perley Mansfield, of Lynn, a prominent dealer in men's furnishings at that time. Some years later Mr. Chase bought out his employer, and since that time the business conducted under the name of Amos B. Chase constitutes one of the most attractive stores of its line in the city. Since the death of Mr. Chase the business has been retained by his wife, who keeps a general over- sight of the affairs at the store.
Mr. Chase possessed a wide circle of friends in Lynn and vicinity, and was a member of the Oxford Club. For several years he was trustee of the Insane Associ- ation, at Worcester, and was appointed by the Governor of Massachusetts. He resigned shortly before his death. He was often solicited to run for mayor of Lynn, but steadfastly refused to enter public life.
Mr. Chase married Sarah A. Chase, daughter of Nathan and Mary Ann (Thayer) Chase. Their son, Prof. George Henry Chase, is a prominent educator at Harvard University. He married Freda Mark, a daugh- ter of Prof. Edward Mark, of Harvard University. They have two sons: Thomas, and Richard Chase.
In the death of Amos B. Chase, a man of sterling worth, in sympathy with all advance, dropped out of the circles in which he had moved. He died December 25, 1918, but his memory will long be cherished by all who knew him. Mr. Chase and his family had long been members of the Universalist church.
WYLIE O'BRIEN, resident in Haverhill, Massa- chusetts, almost continuously since 1892, and for more than a decade the proprietor of a large express business, as well as, latterly, of one of the largest storage and warehouse enterprises in Haverhill, was born in Cum- berland county, Nova Scotia, May 5, 1873, the son of Joseph and Matilda (Chase) O'Brien, the former a farmer by occupation.
Wylie O'Brien passed his boyhood in Nova Scotia, where he attended the public school near his home. After leaving school he assisted his father in the work- ing of the home farm for about two years, then went to Chelsea, Nova Scotia, and for six months worked there for George Emery, who operated a mahogany mill. In 1892 Wylie O'Brien removed to Haverhill, Massa- chusetts, where, with the exception of a few years spent in Nova Scotia, he has ever since lived. For fifteen years after coming to Haverhill he was in the employ of Carter, Russell & Company, owners of an express business. In 1906 he went to Canada and for almost three years was in Hants county, Nova Scotia, passing that time in lumbering enterprises. Returning to Massa- chusetts, and to Haverhill, in the fall of 1909, he acquired by purchase the express business of John Cad- man, taking possession and direction on December 16th. He still operates the business, though not at the original address. Soon after buying it he changed the trading name to the Boston & Haverhill Express Company, and his business address then was at No. 78 Washington street. Expansion of business caused him to remove eventually to No. 35 Wingate street, and ntimately to
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