USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Municipal history of Essex County in Massachusetts, Volume IV > Part 29
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
cars busy, delivering work to all parts of the State. In connection with the main plant, Mr. Durkee also has an extensive plant for the distillation of benzol, which is used in their cleaning work.
As a member of the National Dry Cleaners' Associa- tion, Mr. Durkee is able to keep in the forefront of the business, and he is also a member of the New Eng- land branch of this organization. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Lynn.
With his large business interests, Mr. Durkee has little leisure for outside activities, but is an active worker in the Lynn Young Men's Christian Association.
Samuel J. Durkee married Minnie F. Wilmot, who was born in Illinois, and is a daughter of William W. Wilmot, who was for some years, a well-known painter in Lowell, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Durkee have one son, Walter Kingston, born in 1895, and now in the lumber business in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with John Blodgett. Walter Kingston Durkee was with the 201st Field Artillery, in the World War, and acted as chauf- feur for General Craig.
NORMAN BAINE DURKEE-Meeting one of the everyday needs of the people, Norman Baine Durkee, of Lynn, Massachusetts, is enjoying a generous meas- ure of success. He is a native of Nova Scotia, and his grandfather, William Henry Durkee, owned large agri- cultural interests in that country.
Charles William Durkee, son of William Henry Dur- kee, was born in Nova Scotia, but later came to Essex county, where he became prominent as a member of the firm of painting contractors, Durkee & Daley. He mar- ried Mary B. Corning, and died in May, 1917.
Norman Baine Durkee, son of Charles William and Mary B. (Corning) Durkee, was born in Hebron, Nova Scotia, January 30, 1877. Coming to Lynn at the age of ten years, he completed in the public schools of Lynn, the education which had been begun in his native town. At the age of twenty-one he started in the laundry business with James W. Whyte, in Lynn, con- tinuing this partnership for a period of seven years. In 1898 Mr. Durkee founded the present business, of which he has always been sole proprietor. In addition to wet wash and regular laundry work, he handles the cleaning of rugs and various articles. For some time he also owned a plant in Peabody, Massachusetts, but several years ago sold that plant to his brother-in-law, Edward K. Roche, who still carries on the business. Mr. Durkee has since devoted his entire attention to the Lynn interests, developing one of the most up-to-date plants in this section, which he built especially for the purpose. This comprises commodious buildings, with the most modern equipment, in which about thirty-eight workers are regularly employed.
Mr. Durkee is one of eight children, and is the youngest son of the family of three sons and five daughters. His brother, Samuel J. Durkee, whose life is reviewed in preceding sketch, is in an allied busi- ness in this city, being a specialist in dry-cleaning. Of the five sisters, all are living but one.
In various interests Mr. Durkee is well known. He is a member of the Lynn Chamber of Commerce, and of the National Laundrymen's Association. In frater- nal circles he is well known, being a member of Golden
S & Durkee
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
403
BIOGRAPHICAL
Fleece Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Lynn, and of the East Lynn Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is also a member of the Masonic Club. Politically Mr. Durkee supports the Republican party. He is a trustee of both St. Luke's and the Broadway Methodist Episcopal churches.
On March 19, 1897, Mr. Durkee married Lottie Isabel Roberts, daughter of Thomas C. and Nettie (Latham) Roberts, whose father was for some time a prominent Lynn grocer. Mr. and Mrs. Durkee have two sons and one daughter: Elmer Laurence, born August 23, 1899; Harold Norman, born June 3, 1902; and Annette Es- telle, born January 7, 1905. The younger son is now a student at the Middleburg Academy.
ULYSSES M. CORSON, chief of police of Swamp- scott, Massachusetts, was born June 18, 1864, at Dover, same State, son of Martin Van Buren and Emeline M. (Sleeper) Corson, and at the age of two years was brought by his parents to Haverhill, Massachusetts, where he attended the public schools. Soon after leav- ing school Mr. Corson engaged in the meat and pro- vision business for himself, continuing thus employed for five years, and then became a shoe cutter, which occupation he followed for fourteen years, becoming foreman of the cutting room for one of the large Haver- hill manufacturers. In 1902 Mr. Corson settled in Lynn, where he followed shoe cutting, and in 1906 removed to Swampscott, where the following year he was appointed to the office of chief of police, an office he has since held, discharging his duties in a most able manner.
Fraternally, Mr. Corson is a member of the Knights of Pythias: the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Improved Order of Red Men; Massachusetts Chiefs' Association; and the International Chiefs' Association.
Mr. Corson married, April 14, 1889, Bessie C. Moore, daughter of Clinton S. Moore, of Allentown, New Hamp- shire, and they attend the Universalist church.
FRANK E. YOUNG, who has lived very many years in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and for the greater part of his business life has been identified with the shoe and leather industries of Massachusetts, was born in Deer- field, New Hampshire, July 18, 1854, son of Joseph and Josephine (Hall) Young. His mother was of a Can- dia, New Hampshire, family, and died in 1898, but his father was of Deerfield, New Hampshire, though later of Candia, and then of Haverhill, Massachusetts. He was in the shoe manufacturing business almost until the year of his death, 1907.
Frank E. Young was educated in the public schools of Candia, and after leaving school, went to work for his father, in whose plant he remained for twelve years, then, coming to Haverhill, he found responsible em- ployment in the factory of the Thing & Ricker Company, which firm he served for three years. He next worked for the C. T. Ford Company, of Haverhill, and remained with them for two years. Next, for a year, he was with E. C. Dow, after which he became foreman for the James R. Thing Company. Working in that capacity, and for the same company, he passed seven years, by which time he had accumulated sufficient capital to vesture into business for himself. He formed business
partnership with Joseph Carr, of Haverhill, and the two established the firm of F. E. Young Company, of Haverhill. Their line of manufacture was soles and top-lifts, and for a year the partnership continued, Mr. Carr then selling his interest to Frank E. Watson, the firm name then being changed to the Watson, Young Company, and as such the business was conducted for five years. With the dissolution of partnership then, Mr. Young took over the plant, and for the next twelve years carried it on alone. Indeed, he added to it the plant of the J. H. Summer Company, which he acquired. At the end of that time, however, he had made up his mind to retire altogether from business, and with that object in view, sold both plants to John C. Hill. For the next two years he was out of business altogether, and during the period was not in good health. He decided to reenter business, and accepted an offer made by the Chapman Tap and Counter Company, of Haver- hill. For two years he was superintendent of their plant, and then once again went into business for himself, in his old line, soles and top-lifts. As such, he has con- tinued actively to produce to the present.
Mr. Young is a member of the Haverhill Chamber of Commerce, and having lived so long in the place, is nat- urally interested in its general affairs. He is a Baptist, member of the Freewill Baptist Church, of Haverhill.
Mr. Young married, in 1878, Annie L. Bartlette, of Northwood, New Hampshire.
GEORGE M. TOBIAS, proprietor of the Tobias Printing Company, of Haverhill, Massachusetts, has attained his success through his own intelligently directed efforts. Mr. Tobias was born April 23, 1895, in Russia, son of Moses Tobias, a lawyer of that country. He was educated in the public schools, and in 1910 came to America. The printing business was his first occupa- tion, and for four years he worked at this business as salesman in Lynn, Massachusetts. In the latter year he went to Haverhill and started in business for himself, doing all his work with a hand press. In 1919 he pur- chased the Fred V. Hooke Printing Plant, one of the oldest firms in Haverhill, and the business is now con- ducted under the name of the Tobias Printing Com- pany. Mr. Tobias prints in six different languages, and his plant is up-to-date in equipment.
THE LINDSEY & HALL COMPANY, of which C. Irving Lindsey is the head, is one of the many important firms which are intimately identified with the great shoe industry. This business was founded in 1884 by the late George A. Bodwell, who developed a thriving interest, and later admitted as a partner W. Howard McConnell, who took full charge after the death of Mr. Bodwell, which occurred in November of 1908. For three years Mr. McConnell carried the affairs of the concern forward successfully, then his own untimely death, in 1911, again brought changes.
In March, of 1912, the present concern purchased this business, but no change was made in the name for about four years, except such as to indicate its incorporation, and as George A. Bodwell & Company, Inc., the concern constantly became a greater and more significant force in its field of activity. On February 1, 1916, the name of the corporation was changed to the Lindsey & Hall
404
ESSEX COUNTY
Company, with C. Irving Lindsey as president and gen- eral manager.
For more than thirty-six years the business has been in continuous operation, manufacturing a very com- plete line of high grade men's and women's cut soles, and dealing in those forms of sole leather offal known to the trade as bends, strips, butts, etc. During all these years, up to April, 1920, the concern has been located at Nos. III and 113 Oxford street, but in Janu- ary of 1920 the present modern, five-story brick build- ing at No. 93 Willow street was purchased and com- pletely remodeled, and on April Ist of that year the concern moved in. They now occupy the extensive lower floors of the building. This concern has built up an enviable reputation for reliability and fair dealing, and in every respect is still going forward.
GIRDLER STACEY-In the passing of Mr. Stacey, one of the leading citizens of Marblehead, Massachu- setts, the community lost a man of many activities, and one always progressive, abreast of the times, and inter- ested broadly in the welfare of the people.
Mr. Stacey was born in Marblehead, August 10, 1857, and received his education in the public schools of the town. At the age of fifteen years he entered the employ of James Grader, who conducted a wholesale confec- tionery store in Marblehead at that time. He continued with Mr. Grader until the latter retired, when he became proprietor of the store. Later he took up the manu- facture of fine confectionery, and from that time on made his own product. In all he was connected with the confectionery business for a period of forty-three years, and during that time never changed his location, occupying until his death the building in which, as a boy, he first went to work.
Mr. Stacey was a man of tireless industry, filling every moment with some progressive activity. In con- nection with his main business interest he also carried on other matters. For many years he was a Marblehead operator for the Western Union Telegraph Company, and for thirty-six years was manager for the company at the Marblehead station, retiring from that office about five years ago. He also acted as Marblehead reporter for the Boston "Herald."
In the public life of the city Mr. Stacey was a force for progress. A staunch supporter of the Republican party, he nevertheless refused consistently to counten- ance any act or move which sacrificed the people for the party. He served for many years as a member of the Republican Town Committee. He was long a mem- ber of the Marblehead Board of Health, and for years its chairman, also at one time serving as clerk of the board. He was a director of the Marblehead Savings Bank, and served as a member on the board of electric light commissioners. He attained more than local note as a weather expert, few people in this vicinity being able to compete with him in accuracy of forecast.
Mr. Stacey was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, also of the Royal Arch Masons, of Salem, Massachusetts, and was a director of the Young Men's Christian Association. He was a devout member of Old North Congregational Church, and was for years a worker in the Old North Men's Club.
In 1882 Mr. Stacey married Annie B. Felton, and
their daughter, Alice A., is now Mrs. Stewart, of Marblehead. Besides his wife and daughter, Mr. Stacey is survived by a brother, Louis Stacey, and three sis- ters: Mrs. Theodore Brown, of Melrose; Mrs. Jennie Gage, of Haverhill; and Mrs. Nellie Harris, of Mans- field. Mr. Stacey died February 7, 1921, and his death left a vacant place in many circles. His memory will long be cherished in Marblehead by the many friends he left behind, as well as by the members of his family.
JOSEPH HONORE CHOUINARD-A successful merchant and business man of Salem, Massachusetts, where he is engaged in business as an optometrist, opti- cian and jeweler, is a native of Quebec, Canada, where his birth occurred July 7, 1888. He is the son of Hermel and Emma (Bourgault) Chouinard. To Mr. and Mrs. Hermel Chouinard have been born fourteen children, among them Joseph Honore, of further mention; John T., a contractor at East Jaffrey, New Hampshire; Omer, associated with John T. in business; and Adelard, now residing with Joseph Honore.
Joseph Honore Chouinard received the elementary portion of his education in the public schools of his native place and St. Anne de la Pocatiere College, then he entered the university at Laval, where he took a two years' course in civil engineering and a six months' course in optometry. In 1909 he moved with his parents to East Jaffrey, New Hampshire, and worked for a short time there, subsequently coming to Salem, Massa- chusetts, where he passed the State board examinations on optometry in 1912, and worked at his profession for the following two years with J. E. Cheney, after which being desirous of establishing himself in business, he opened his office at No. 112 Lafayette street, where the business was burned out in 1914. He reopened at No. 120 Lafayette street, after the rebuilding. Here he car- ries a high grade line of jewelry and photographers' supplies, and at the same time conducts a successful business as an optometrist, his establishment being the last word in modern equipment. It has been due exclu- sively to his own efforts that his business has grown to its present large proportions, and he is looked upon by his associates and fellow-citizens as a most capable business man and successful merchant.
In politics Mr. Chouinard is a Republican, but is no office seeker. He has always taken an active interest in charitable and philanthropic work, and during the World War was a devoted worker in the drives which the Red Cross made. He is a member of the Massa- chusetts Opticians' Association, and affiliates with the Young Men's Christian Association, and La Societe St. Jean the Baptiste of America. In religion he is a Roman Catholic and attends St. Joseph's Roman Cath- olic Church of Salem.
In January 6, 1914, Mr. Chouinard married (first) Elizabeth Lantin, who died July 26, 1918. To Mr. and Mrs. Chouinard were born three children: Conrade; Loretta; and Joseph H., Jr. Mr. Chouinard married (second), May 16, 1921, Mila Vanasse, and they reside at No. 16 Willow avenue.
HENRY I. YALE, D. M. D .- Among the profes- fessional men of Peabody, Massachusetts, Dr. Henry I. Yale admittedly occupies a leading place, gained
-
--
-
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOK. IFNOX TILDEN FONDATIONS
405
BIOGRAPHICAL
through natural ability, combined with close application and perseverance, factors that have contributed most in this country toward making our successful men, for a man's material inheritance may be squandered without leaving him better, but what he gains through his own efforts has a double blessing attached, from the value of the possession and the benefit of the experience to the spiritual and mental growth of the possessor.
Henry 1. Yale was born in Salem, Massachusetts, March 16, 1888, the son of P. Henry and Georgiana (Alywin) Yale. He was amply fitted by preliminary education in the public schools of his native place, and after deciding upon the profession of dentistry for his career he entered the Medical Department of Tufts College, from which he was graduated in 1914, with the degree of Doctor of Medical Dentistry, and that same year passed the Massachusetts State board examinations. In the latter part of 1914 Dr. Yale came to Peabody and opened an office on his own account at No. IS Main street, where he has since continued. Here he has developed a large and high class practice, so that he is now regarded as among the leaders of his profession in this community.
Besides his professional activities Dr. Yale is an energetic participant in the public life of Peabody, and is well known in many different departments of its affairs. In politics he is an Independent. He is also prominent in fraternal and social circles here, and is affiliated with a large number of organizations of dif- ferent character. He is a member of the various pro- fessional organizations, including the American Dental Association, member and secretary of the North Eastern Massachusetts Dental Society, the Peabody Dental Society, Tufts Alumni, Psi Omega fraternity, and out- side of these he belongs to the local order of the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Rotary Club. In religion he is a Roman Catholic and attends St. John's Roman Catholic Church of Peabody.
Dr. Yale married (first), on July 27, 1916, Margaret J. Conwell, who died September 16, 1918, leaving one son, Arthur A. Dr. Yale married (second) Doris A. Fellows, daughter of George and Eunice (Trask) Fellows.
JOHN D. DODGE-As president and manager of the Lawrence Knitting Company of Methuen, Massa- chusetts, John D. Dodge holds a place among the leading business men of the town. He was born December 23, 1849, at Francestown, New Hampshire, son of William B. Dodge, also of Francestown, where he was a mason by trade, and Rebecca (Patch) Dodge. The former died in 1865, and the latter in 1860. After attending the public schools of Francestown, Mr. Dodge entered the employ of the Ipswich Mills Company, con- tinuing there until he engaged in business for himself.
The Lawrence Hosiery Company was founded by Wendell & Mellidge, and they were succeeded by Mr. Dodge and his partners, James Ingalls and G. E. Foss. In 1890 the business was carried on under the name of the Methuen Knitting Company, continuing for four years, until the death of Mr. Ingalls. At this time Mr. Dodge purchased Mr. Foss's interests, and in 1898 formed a corporation under the name of the Lawrence
Knitting Company, for the manufacturing of hosiery, and he became president and manager of the company, and George Hunting, treasurer. This arrangement has continued to the present time and a large volume of business is carried on, the product being shipped all over the country. Fraternally Mr. Dodge is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is active in municipal affairs in Methuen.
Mr. Dodge married, September 3, 1871, Helen A. Manson, of Kittery, Maine, and the following children were born to them: Effie L., wife of Earnest Munroe; Carrie L., now deceased; and Bessie E., also deceased.
THE MARK E. KELLEY COMPANY, INC., of Peabody, Massachusetts, was incorporated March 16, 1919, the corporators being Mark E. Kelley and George A. Barnaby. They are thoroughly equipped with the most modern machinery for general contracting work, including sewers, water mains and concrete work of any description. In addition to their contract work they carry a complete line of cement, patent plaster, wire lath, fire clay and fire brick. Among the buildings erected by this company may be mentioned the Central Fire Alarm building, built in 1920. The majority of the sidewalks in the city of Peabody have been built by the company, which in itself is sufficient warrant of the high standard of their workmanship. Both mem- bers of the corporation are graduates of the Massachu- setts Institute of Technology, and previous to his present work Mr. Barnaby traveled extensively as coal inspector for various railroads; he was also town engineer of Peabody in 1913. Both Mr. Kelley and Mr. Barnaby are members of the Chamber of Commerce: the Rotary Club, and the Peabody Club.
LEONARD SIMMONS LITTLE was born at New Bedford, Massachusetts, on January 14, 1886, and is a son of Amos P. and Anna (Simmons) Little. His father, who was born at New Bedford, was engaged for some time as a civil engineer. He later became district and factory manager for the National Biscuit Com- pany, and later formed a connection with the Loose- Wiles Biscuit Company. The elder Mr. Little died in 1915. His widow, who was born at Fairhaven, Massa- chusetts, is still living.
Mr. Little received his early education in the schools of Providence, Rhode Island. He later proceeded to the Classical High School, and after graduating there- from, entered Brown University. He completed his studies at the University and graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1907. After his graduation, Mr. Little accepted a position as chemist with the Appo- naug Company, but later held the position of dyer with the same concern and remained in their service until 1911, when he established himself in business. He formed a company, which was known as the Narragan- sett Chemical Company, of Providence, Rhode Island, and held the position of treasurer in the company until 1914, when he gave up the business and accepted a position as overseer and later became superintendent, with the United States Finishing Company, of Paw- tucket, Rhode Island. He spent six years in the service of the United States Finishing Company, remaining with them until 1920, when he formed a connection with
406
ESSEX COUNTY
the Pacific Print Works of Lawrence, Massachusetts. This establishment is the largest print works in the world, and Mr. Little holds the position of assistant superintendent of the works.
Mr. Little is a member of the Congregational church of Andover. In politics he is a Republican. He is at present a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and belongs to the Lawrence Industrial Relations Club. He is also a member of the Taylor Society; the American Society of Chemists and Colorers of Boston, Massa- chusetts; the American Chemical Society; and the Providence Engineering Society. Mr. Little also is a member of St. Matthew's Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Merrimac Valley Country Club, and Theta Delta Chi fraternity.
Mr. Little married, in 1909, Amey W. Williams, of Providence, Rhode Island, Mrs. Little is a descendant of the historic Roger Williams, the founder of Provi- dence. Mr. and Mrs. Little have two sons: Robert Williams, who was born on March 18, 1910; and George Westcott, who was born on August 1, 1911.
JOHN WILLIAM MacLEAN-The surname of MacLean is one of the oldest patronymies. William Buchanan, who wrote in 1820 on the origin of Scottish surnames, states that the name of MacLean is "descended from that of Fitzgerald of Ireland, being once the most potent surname of any other of English extraction in that kingdom." It is claimed by leading Irish genealo- gists that the Fitzgeralds or Geraldines were of Italian origin. The family was in Normandy long before the Conquest. Seignior Giraldo was a principal officer under William the Conqueror, by whom he was made Lord of Windsor. In 1169 Maurice Fitzgerald, grand- son of Giraldo, was sent to Ireland in command of English troops to suppress a rebellion against the King of Leinster. As a reward for his success in the under- taking, Fitzgerald received large grants of Irish terri- tory and thus the family became established in Ireland.
The surname MacLean is a contraction of MacGillean, said to be a prominent branch of the Fitzgerald Sept or Clan. The family emigrated to Scotland at a time when the history of those countries was still traditionary. They were among the most loyal at Largs and Bannock- burn. MacLean became a lieutenant of McDonald, Lord of the lsles.
Allan MacLean, the first of his family in this country, was born in Scotland; he was a carpenter and came to Nova Scotia, where he lived the rest of his life-time. He married Isabella Benvie, and they had five children, the second eldest son being John William MacLean, of whom further.
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.