USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Municipal history of Essex County in Massachusetts, Volume IV > Part 27
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53
No. 93 Essex street, which is his present business loca- tion. He also owns the Haverhill Storage and Ware- house Company, whose warehouses are situated at Nos. 145 to 151 Essex street, Haverhill. He established that business in 1914, and it is the largest and best known in Haverhill and Boston for all storage excepting furni- ture. Mr. O'Brien is respected for his energy, and by hard work and good service has succeeded well in life.
On January 1, 1921, Mr. O'Brien married Harriet Smith, of Hartford, Connecticut.
ROSCOE S. MILLS-In the foremost group of business men in Haverhill, Massachusetts, stands Roscoe S. Mills, whose activities in the field of real estate and insurance have constituted a force for civic and econ- omic progress during the dozen years of his residence in this city. Mr. Mills is a son of Elwin C. and Sarah M. (Davis) Mills, his father long a prominent farmer and contractor of Lebanon, Maine, and his mother a native of Sandown, New Hampshire.
Roscoe S. Mills was born in Sandown, New Hamp- shire, August 12, 1881, and receiving his early educa- tion in the public schools of his native place, continued his studies in the nearby town of Kingston, at the San- born Seminary, gaining a practical preparation for his future. Upon leaving school Mr. Mills availed himself of the opportunity which lay nearest at hand, and be- came a part of the great shoe industry, working in plants at Sandown and Hampstead for a period of about ten years. Not being satisfied, however, to remain indefinitely as a unit in an organization controlled by others, Mr. Mills came to Haverhill in 1910, and opened an office, entering real estate and insurance brokerage. His success was assured from the beginning, and with the growth of his business he saw the possibilities in an aggressive policy of expansion. Accordingly, he established other offices, one at Merrimac, Massachu- setts, and another at Hillsboro, New Hampshire, and others in communities of lesser importance. His inter- cst centers in the Haverhill office, which is under his personal management, capable assistants going forward under his supervision. He handles general insurance and real estate, and is a leader in this field in Haverhill, and also in those communities reached by his branch offices.
A Republican by political affiliation, Mr. Mills has never sought public honors, but has borne his part in the public service when called upon to do so. While a resident of Hampstead he served for two years on the Board of Selectmen, and also filled the office of chief of police, and other minor offices. Fraternally Mr. Mills is well known. Long a member of the Knights of Pythias, he has been through all chairs in this order, and has been master of the Hampstead Lodge. He is past state counselor of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and is a member and past master of the Hampstead Grange. He is a familiar figure at the club rooms of the Pentucket Club of Haverhill, of which he has been a member for several years, and with his family he attends the Congregational Church.
Mr. Mills married (first) Carrie C. McNeill, of Hampstead, New Hampshire, who left one child, Syd- ney R., now a student at Haverhill High School. He married (second) Mildred B. Osgood, daughter of
395
BIOGRAPHICAL
Charles H. and Francella (Eastman) Osgood, of Hamp- stead, her father being a prominent merchant of that place.
MOSES NELSON BOARDMAN, a merchant and owner of a business established almost fifty years ago, was born in Georgetown, Massachusetts, in 1846, the son of Daniel and Mehitable D. (Nelson) Boardman, the former of Newbury, Massachusetts, and the latter originally of Georgetown. Daniel Boardman, who died in 1891, was a soldier during the Civil War, and by trade a shoemaker.
Moses N. Boardman's whole life has been spent in the vicinity of Georgetown, with the exception of a few years spent in Topsfield, Massachusetts. He attended Georgetown schools in his boyhood, and after leaving school his first employment was as the driver of a butcher's wagon, which work kept him at Topsfield for two years, after which he returned to Georgetown and entered a shoe factory. On May 20, 1873, he entered into a business partnership, establishing the firm of Board- man & Nelson, and opening a general merchandizing and hardware store at South Georgetown, the store being situated in the Adams block, where the Union block now is. Four years later he returned to Georgetown, where he conducted a fairly successful business for the the next fifteen years, then again going to South George- town and opening a store. However, he returned to Georgetown in 1898, and ever since has been the owner of the store he now is identified with, the business done being an appreciable one in many lines, general mer- chandise, hardware, paints, and agricultural implements.
Mr. Boardman has established some enviable records in fraternal interest ; for fifty-three years he has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Georgetown Lodge since 1868; and for twenty-five years he has been treasurer of the George- town Masonic Blue Lodge. For fifteen years he was road commissioner in the Georgetown civic administra- tion, and in several other ways has helped in public affairs. He is a member of the First Congregational Church of Georgetown.
Mr. Boardman married, in 1867, at Topsfield, Massa- chusetts. Martha L. Leach, daughter of Thomas and Louisa (Morgan) Leach, the former originally of Man- chester, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Boardman have one child, a son, Seth Howard.
PETER A. TESSIER, one of the leading shoe man- ufacturers of Haverhill, Massachusetts, is the second generation of his family to follow this occupation. His father, Peter H. Tessier, was a native of St. De Moise, Canada, and was engaged in the shoe business until his death in 1903. His later years were spent in Haver- hill. He married Annie Pennette, of Canada, and she died in 1879.
Since the days when Mr. Tessier's father was engaged in the manufacture of shoes there have been many changes; the expansion of the shoe industry during the last half century has been amazingly great. Machinery has replaced much of the laborious work originally done by hand and this progress and increase has been so regular and steady that it has not attracted the attention and admiration that it is entitled to.
Peter A. Tessier was born September 21, 1877, in Haverhill. After completing the public school courses, Mr. Lessier took a course at a business college and sub- sequently entered the business of manufacturing shoes on his own account. Mr. Tessier made a specialty of women's turned shoes, which he continued for many years under the name of the Peter A. Tessier Shoe Company. In 1905 he began to take contracts for shoes and the increase of his business warranted the taking of a partner. He entered into partnership with Albert U. Bowdoin (see following sketch), and the firm name was changed to the Tessier & Bowdoin Company. There is no more resourceful business man than the manufacturer of shoes, and one conspicuous feature of this industry is that it grew to great strength through the operation of natural causes.
Fraternally, Mr. Tessier is a member of the Benevo- Ient and Protective Order of Elks; the Foresters (Catholic order) ; and St. Jean Baptiste Union. His church affiliation is as a member of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church.
Mr. Tessier married, in 1905, Annie Aucalir, of Can- ada, and their children are: Raymond A., Irene P., Louise M., Howard L., and Evelene R.
ALBERT U. BOWDOIN, of the firm of Tessier & Bowdoin Company, of Haverhill, Massachusetts, prom- inent manufacturers of women's shoes, was born April 21, 1878, in Rockport, that State, son of James W. and Addie M. (Perry) Bowdoin. His father was a resident of Beverly for many years and was engaged in the nursery business. Mrs. Bowdoin was a native of Salem, and died in 1914.
Albert U. Bowdoin attended the public and high schools of Haverhill, Massachusetts, and at an early age began to learn the business of manufacturing shoes, one of the chief industries of that section of the State. For twelve years he was with the shoe firm of Chesley & Rugg Company, rising to a position of foreman. Subsequently he was two years employed with the A. W. Greeley Company in a similar capacity, and his third place of employment was with the George L. Webster Company. There Mr. Bowdoin remained for two years, at the end of which time he formed a partnership with Peter A. Tessier (see preceding sketch), to manufac- ture shoes. They make a specialty of high grade turned shoes for women. In January, 1921, a third member was admitted to the firm, George W. Lawrence, of Haver- hill (see following sketch), and the firm name is the Tessier & Bowdoin Company. Mr. Bowdoin is a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Haverhill.
Mr. Bowdoin married, in 1906, Maria A. Forbes, of Seabrook, New Hampshire, and they attend the Bap- tist church of Haverhill.
GEORGE W. LAWRENCE-Ample proof of the truth that industry and ambitious effort will bring its reward is found in the career of George W. Lawrence, a member of the firm of the Tessier & Bowdoin Com- pany, of Haverhill, Massachusetts, shoe manufacturers.
Mr. Lawrence was born in Haverhill, September 2, 1883, and there attended the public schools. Immedi- ately he went to work for the firm of Chick Brothers,
396
ESSEX COUNTY
starting in the cutting room. Although practically every portion of the shoe is made by machinery, each individ- ual workman does a part of the construction, and before it is completed the shoe passes through several hands. In this way it is possible to go through the different departments and thus acquire a wide knowledge of the manufacture. Such was the idea in the mind of Mr. Lawrence, who realized that before he could command a position of trust and responsibility he must first prove his worth. Consequently, he resigned after five years to accept a position as assistant foreman of the lining room of the S. S. Ruddock Company. There he remained for two years, then went to Derry, New Hampshire, where he was in charge of the trimming room of the F. M. Hodson Company. After a year Mr. Lawrence returned to Haverhill and entered the employ of the Chesley & Rugg Company. All the while Mr. Lawrence was gaining a broader knowledge of the industry and adding to his experience, and after a year with the above firm, was associated with the Cushman & Hibbert Company in a similar capacity. The next firm to employ Mr. Lawrence was the Haseltine & Colby Company; he rose from foreman to assistant superintendent, but in 1916, resigned this place to accept a better one with the Tessier & Bowdoin Company (of mention in the two preceding sketches). He was super- intendent of this company until 1921, in which year he was admitted a partner of the firm.
Mr. Lawrence's father, Napoleon Lawrence, was a native of Montreal, Canada, and for twenty years or more he was superintendent of the Chick Brothers Com- pany, where his son first entered on his business career. The mother of Mr. Lawrence was Mary McDonald, a native of Nova Scotia.
Mr. Lawrence married, in April, 1921, Dorothy H. Newman, of Haverhill, Massachusetts, and they attend the Sacred Heart Church of Bradford, Massachusetts.
FRED W. GEORGE, prominent in the business life of Haverhill, Massachusetts, was born in Newton, New Hampshire, January 25, 1869, son of Ezra J. and Mary J. (Rowe) George, of Newton. Ezra J. George was engaged in the shoe industry until his death in 1899. His wife, Mrs. Mary J. (Rowe) George, died in 1895; she was a native of Franklin, New Hampshire.
Fred W. George attended the public schools and high school, and then was employed by the Boston & Maine Railroad Company for five years, resigning to enter business on his own account, having purchased the busi- ness of H. H. Story of Merrimac: he also opened a branch store in Amesbury. A complete line of sporting goods was carried, and Mr. George spent ten successful years in this business. At the end of this time he resigned to return to the railroad work and for fifteen years was baggage master on the line between Boston and Portland.
In October, 1917, Mr. George resigned his railroad position to become a partner of the Dutra Tobacco Company of Haverhill, being associated with Albert P. Wadleigh of Merrimac, each having an equal interest in the business. The Dutra Tobacco Company is an old established business of forty years' existence and is the largest wholesale distributor of tobacco products in
Northeastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hamp- shire.
Fraternally, Mr. George is a member of Bethany Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Merrimac; River- side Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and is a charter member of Maple Leaf Lodge of Rebekahs, of Danvers. In politics he is a Republican, and has served as tax collector of Merrimac from 1910 to the present time, and is treasurer of the Republican Town Committee, having served in this office since 1916. He is also a member of the Haverhill Chamber of Com- merce and of the Merrimac Improvement Association.
Mr. George married, in 1901, Gertrude W. Sherman, of Merrimac, and they attend the Universalist church of Haverhill.
JAMES PATTERSON, wholesale confectioner, of Haverhill, Massachusetts, is among those successful men who came from foreign countries to a new land and in spite of the handicaps of the strange language, customs, etc., attained a place among their new surroundings.
Mr. Patterson was born February 13, 1888, in Greece, where he remained until he was twenty-three years of age. At that time he came to America, locating in Haverhill, where he found employment in a confec- tioncry store, remaining long enough to learn the busi- ness and to lay aside sufficient funds to engage in a similar business on his own account. Since the begin- ning Mr. Patterson has heen very successful and is now in both the wholesale and retail confectioner's business, supplying many of Haverhill's stores with candies and other goods. He is a member of the Chamber of Com- merce: the Greek Orthodox church; and is a staunch Republican, taking much interest in the civic matters of Haverhill.
JOSEPH W. MEEHAN-Two enterprising young men of Amesbury, Joseph W. Meehan and Harold S. Toggerson, are rapidly developing quite a satisfactory business. The Auto Special Body Company, in which enterprise the men named are partners, is equipped to handle all kinds of auto-top repairing, and in the making of special bodies, tops, painting and trimming, the com- pany is showing expeditions and good work at their plant, which is at the old pumping station, No. 248 Main street, Amesbury.
Joseph W. Meehan was born in Amesbury, Massa- chusetts, June 19, 1897, son of Joseph M. C. and Mary Elizabeth (Ryder) Meehan. His mother was born in Ameshury, September 8, 1873, and his father in New- ton, Massachusetts, March 2, 1869. The family has lived in Amesbury for very many years, and for a long time Joseph M. C. Meehan, the father, has been master mechanic for the Biddle & Smart Company, carriage manufacturers of Amesbury. His son, Joseph W. Mechan, was educated in St. Joseph's Parochial School of Amesbury, and from there entered the Amesbury High School, from which he was graduated in the class of 1916. Before entering business, young Meehan took the commercial course at the Haverhill Commercial School, and his first four years of business endeavor were spent in the employ of the Biddle & Smart Com- pany. He took up the executive branch of the work. and
James Patterson.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
397
BIOGRAPHICAL
was soon advanced in responsibility in the office of the company. During the war he was in military service, and while not of draft age he enlisted in Company B, Sixteenth Regiment of Massachusetts State troops, the National Guard, and had the war continued into the next year would undoubtedly have entered a federal unit of the army, for he had passed examination for entrance to an officers' training camp before the Armis- tice came to put an end to all further military prepara- tions. He enlisted in the State regiment in 1918 and was honorably discharged in 1919, having then the regi- mental grade of corporal. In 1920 he formed a business association with Harold S. Toggerson, and the two established the Auto Special Body Company of Ames- bury, in which enterprise they are succeeding well.
Mr. Meehan is a member of the Knights of Columbus of Amesbury, St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, of Amesbury, and is a Democrat in politics. He is unmar- ried.
BYRON HUNTINGTON SARGENT, a native of Merrimac and one of its most progressive business men, was born, February 26, 1882, son of Edward B. and Ellen H. (Sargent) Sargent. The Sargent family is one of the oldest Colonial families of that part of Massa- chusetts, and residence has been continuous in the Colony and State since 1634, as has been noted elsewhere in this work (vide, Homer Roscoe Sargent). Edward B. Sargent, father of Byron H., was much esteemed in Merrimac, and was very helpful in many phases of its affairs. He was in successful business in Merrimac until his death, which occurred in 1901. He dealt extensively in coal and wood, and was one of the substantial men of the town. For fifteen years he was president of the First National Bank, and for four years was president of the Merrimac Savings Bank. His wife, Ellen H. Sargent, was of Philadelphia.
Their son, Byron H., was educated in the Merrimac public schools, and after passing through high school he became associated with his father in the latter's coal business in Merrimac, eventually taking over full direc- tion of the business. He is now sole owner and manager of the Sargent Coal Company. of Merrimac, the trading of which is not confined only to Merrimac.
Like his father, he has entered much into the affairs of the town, and has held publie and semi-public office. For ten years he has been sealer of weights and meas- ures, and is prominently identified with banking interests, being president of the First National Bank of Merrimac, and trustee on the investment committee of the Merrimac Savings Bank. Fraternally, he is a Mason and Odd Fellow, belonging to Bethany and Riverside lodges of Merrimac, respectively. He is also a member of the Commercial Travelers' Association, and of the Oxford and Home cluhs of Merrimac. His church is the Congregational.
Mr. Sargent was married, in 1909, to Abbie W. Smart, of Merrimac. They have one child, Eleanor S., who was born June 28, 1910.
EDWARD J. GOODWIN-The name Goodwin is well and honorably known in Newburyport, Massachu- setts. Not only was Edward J. Goodwin born and brought up there, but so were his father and mother
before him, also his grandparents, and all have been of that solid, industrious order that make for vigor and progress in the life of a city.
Daniel E. Goodwin, father of Edward J. Goodwin, was born January 21, 1851. At one period of his career he was probably the largest dealer in milk and dairy products in the town; he married Annie (Casey) Good- win, of Newburyport.
Edward J. Goodwin, who was born twenty-three years later to the day, January 21, 1874. was at first interested in his father's vocation, but in later years branched out in other lines. After varied endeavors he started in his native town as a shoe manufacturer, in 1911. His chances for success were not what one could call very promising, for his total capital consisted of $150 and a rather limited experience. His first place of business was at No. 55 Wingate street, where he remained for two years. Needing more room, he moved to No. 196 Essex street, which was satisfactory for three years, but again requiring better quarters, changed back to Win- gate street, No. 64, and again, a year later, to No. 83 Essex street, and again, after a year, to his present location, No. 14 Walnut street. He here has extensive floor space in a fine up-to-date factory and is meeting an ever-increasing prosperity. He had as a partner for some time N. H. Seldon, but is now in business solely for himself. Mr. Goodwin's specialty for most of the time was the making of infants' shoes, but in recent years he branched out in the manufacture of ladies' slippers for street and house wear. He has a branch sales office at No. 113 Lincoln street, Boston. In 1921 there were in his employ upward of 100 operators, and the factory was finishing 3,600 pairs a day. Mr. Good- win holds membership in the Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and also of the Larchmont Club.
On July 28, 1896, Mr. Goodwin married, at Haverhill, Massachusetts, Margaret H. King, daughter of Patrick and Anne (Connolly) King, of Haverhill.
HERBERT E. BAXTER-Among the carriage and carriage body manufacturers of Essex county, Massachu- setts, Herbert E. Baxter, of Amesbury, must be well known, for he has been in the business for almost thirty years, latterly as the sole owner of the Hinckley & Bax- ter Company, of Amesbury.
Mr. Baxter was born in Martland, Nova Scotia, on January 29, 1856, son of William and Isabelle (Middle- man) Baxter, the former originally of Aberdeen, Scot- land, and the latter of Nova Scotia. He was raised in Martland, Nova Scotia, his father being a merchant there.
In his boyhood Herbert E. Baxter attended the public schools of his native place, and for about four years after leaving school, worked for a carriage manufac- turer near his home. Having learned the carriage- making trade, he came to Amesbury, Massachusetts, where for the next twenty-one years he was in the employ of the Briggs Carriage Company, for the greater part of the period being foreman of the plant. Later, for short periods, he worked in other body shops in Amesbury, but in 1914 formed a business partnership with Arthur Hinckley, of Amesbury. The two formed the Hinckley & Baxter Company, and were soon well
398
ESSEX COUNTY
established as carriage-body manufacturers in Ames- bury. However, the year 1914 had not passed before Mr. Hinckley died. Mr. Baxter then had to take over the entire business, and he has been sole owner and manager ever since. The business is an appreciable local industry, and has brought Mr. Baxter well for- ward in Amesbury. He is looked upon as one of the reliable substantial business men of the district.
Politically, Mr. Baxter is a Republican; fraternally, he is a Mason of many affiliations, being a member of Warren Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Trinity Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Amesbury Council, Royal and Select Masters; Newburyport Commandery, Lodge No. 3, Knights Templar; Aleppo Temple, An- cient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and Merrimac Valley Lodge of Perfection. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias, of Amesbury. His club is the Amesbury.
Mr. Baxter married, in 1880, Emily Morrill, of Ames- bury, where she was born on March 4, 1849. She died in 1918, the mother of two children: Elton B., born May 12, 1882; and Maud, born May II, 1884.
ANTHONY RALLIS-Very well known in Haver- hill, Massachusetts, and a leader among the people of Grecian origin, Anthony Rallis, head of the Rallis Paper Company of Haverhill, has come into a useful place quite early in life. He was born in Edremid, Asia Minor, January 17, 1890, son of Christopher and Apho- dite (Michaelids) Rallis, who were born in Greece, the former a merchant, still living.
Anthony Rallis spent his youth in his native place, Asia Minor, and was afforded education about equal to that of the high schools of this country. But in 1906, when he came to this country, it was necessary for him immediately to study the English language, and also other academic subjects. He attended the Haverhill Evening High School, and later was a student at the North Eastern College of Boston, Young Men's Chris- tian Association. He entered business life as an employee of Mr. Winchell, of Haverhill. Two years later he became an assistant foreman at the Pentucket Mills, continuing in that responsibility for about two years. At different times he also worked for several other local concerns before starting in business for him- self, which he did in April, 1921, establishing the firm now known as the Rallis Paper Company. His business address is No. 50 Locust street, Haverhill, and he is an earnest, capable young man. He has come somewhat into public notice, and has the respect of his neighbors, for he is a justice of the peace, and president of the Greek Community. He is also identified with the Pan- Hellenic Union of America. He also holds commission as notary public. He is a member of the Greek Ortho- dox church.
Mr. Rallis married, in 1913, Parthenopy Tatamany, who was born in Greece, and they have three children: Olympia, born in 1916; and their twin children, Emanuel and Theopandros, born in 1918.
CHARLES H. BISHOP, restaurant owner and president of the Gelinas Wood Heel Company, of Merri- mac, Massachusetts, is a native of Haverhill, born there September 5, 1879, son of Salaime and Mary Ann
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.