USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Municipal history of Essex County in Massachusetts, Volume IV > Part 38
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The business of which he is now manager was estab- lished by his grandfather, John Tobin, who was a mate- rial factor in the early success of this firm. After the death of the latter the responsibility was assumed by the son, Joseph F. Tobin, and the grandson, Walter J. Tobin, was made manager in 1920, continuing to hold this position to the present time.
Among the younger business men of Lawrence he is held in high esteem, and is prominent in the civic and business activities there.
Mr. Tobin married (first), in 1918, Josephine Mc- Grath, of Lawrence, and they were the parents of a daughter, Marie. Mrs. Tobin died in 1919, and he married (second) Mary Keefe, of Lawrence, daughter of William Keefe, for many years engaged in the plumbing business.
Mr. Tobin is a member of the Democratic party and takes a very active interest in its work. He also is a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Lawrence.
OBED H. SMITH-Long a resident of Marblehead, and for the past fifteen years prominent as a builder, Obed H. Smith bears the part of the progressive citizen in the business and social life of the town.
Mr. Smith was born in Shelbourne, Nova Scotia, November 3, 1873, a son of David G. and Amelia M. (McKay) Smith. David G. Smith was a native of Nova Scotia, and was engaged in the contracting busi- ness there. The mother was also born in Nova Scotia, and died there February 22, 1910.
Obed H. Smith attended the schools of his native town, and upon his removal to Marblehead, completed his education in the schools there, then entered the world of industry and engaged in the building business. He filled the position of foreman in this connection for a period of seven years. In 1906 Mr. Smith started in business for himself, as a builder, and has since con- tinued in this line of work. Prosperous from the beginning, Mr. Smith has developed a large interest and carries on the business under the name of Obed H. Smith. Mr. Smith is interested in all progress, but has little time for outside interests. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his religions convictions place his membership with the Baptist church.
In 1896 Mr. Smith married (first) Susie C. Pryor, of Marblehead, Massachusetts. They were the parents of one son, Raymond H., born August 21, 1898; he was a member of the Naval Reserves of Marblehead, during the World War, and served from 1918 to 1919. He is now associated with his father in business. Susie C. (Pryor) Smith died August 1I, 1915. Mr. Smith mar- ried (second), December 27, 1916, Mabel K. Chisholm, of Medford, Massachusetts, and they have one daugh- ter, Betty W., born November 23, 1918.
LOUIS C. LAWTON, civil engineer, graduate of Yale University, class of 1893, and since 1912 city engi- neer of Haverhill, was born in Hartland, Connecticut, April 23, 1868, the son of Giles N. and Sarah (Hay- den) Lawton. On both sides he is descended from old Connecticut families, his father, who died in 1871, having been a Connecticut farmer, and the maternal line, the Haydens, being of Winsor, that State.
Louis C. Lawton in boyhood attended Connecticut public schools, and eventually passed from Phillips Exeter Academy into Yale University, from which he was graduated in 1893. His first work after leaving col- lege was for the city of Middletown, Connecticut, but in 1894 he was in the employ of the United States Gov- ernment, in topographical survey work. Then followed a period with the Berlin Iron Bridge Company, and another brief period in the employ of French & Bryant, of Boston, but in 1896 he joined the constructional engi- neering staff of the Boston & Maine Railroad Company. He was engineer for that railroad company for sixteen years, until 1912, when he was appointed city engineer of Haverhill. While in railroad work, Mr. Lawton had entire charge of construction work, and under his direc- tion the grade crossings of Lynn, Ipswich, Everett, Rowley and Somerville were constructed. He has proved himself to be a capable engineer, and a consci- entious public servant. He is a member of the Haver- hill Rotary Club, and the American Association of Engi-
Walter John Tobin
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neers. Religiously, he is a Congregationalist, member of the Haverhill church of that denomination.
Mr. Lawton married, in 1896, Hattie E. Breckinridge, daughter of Warren and Jane (Brigham) Breckin- ridge, both of Connecticut, the Breckinridges of Mid- dietown, and the Brigham family of New Britain. They have two children: Harold H., born 1898, a student in the Army Training Corps, and was at Plattsburg dur- ing the World War; Ralph B., born in 1900.
GEORGE D. CURRIER, who has spent the greater part of his life in the Haverhill-Bradford district, and now is the head of the firm of George D. Currier & Company, tanners, sheep skins, and shoe trimmings, was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, December 23, 1879, the son of George W. and Louisa M. (Johnson) Currier. His father, who died in 1910, was a native of Amesbury, Massachusetts, and a carriage maker by trade; his mother was of a Newburyport family.
George D. Currier attended the public schools in his boyhood, and afterwards took the course in the Haver- hiff Business College, after graduating from which he began his business career in the shoe shop of T. S. Ruddock & Son, on Granite street. Three years later he entered the employ of Thayer, McGuire & Fields, which firm he served for seven years. Then followed a period of service to D. C. Peabody, but in 1912 Mr. Currier decided to open a business for himself. He traded as George D. Currier & Company, tanners, his specialties being sheep skins and shoe trimmings. The plant is now located on Railroad avenue, Bradford; it is a busi- ness of satisfactory dimensions.
Mfr. Currier is well known in Haverhill; he is a Mason, up to and including the Scottish Rite degree, and socially is a member of the Agawam Club. By religions faith he is a Congregationalist, and he holds membership in the local church of that sect.
Mr. Currier married, in 1905, Lillian Ross, danghter of George J. and Olive M. (Stanley) Ross, of West Newburyport, Massachusetts, the former a police officer of that place.
HENRY LA ROSA-An instance of the rapidity with which the better type of immigrants succeed after they reach America is seen in the advancement that has come to Henry La Rosa, of Lawrence. He is only thirty years old, but he owns and successfully operates two good stores in Lawrence, Massachusetts, handling automobile tires, accessories, and supplies.
Henry La Rosa was born in Italy on Christmas Day of 1891, and is the fourth-born of five children. His father, Biaggio La Rosa, conducted a grocery store for thirty years in Italy ; he died in 1918. When old enough, Henry La Rosa began to study in the public schools of his native land. He was sixteen years old when he came to this country in 1907, and his first work in America was obtained in the Wood Milfs in Lawrence. There he worked for five years, then for another year was employed in the Washington Mills. For five years after that he was with the Tire and Rubber Company, at Andover, Massachusetts. There he learned the auto- mobile supply business, and after five years of service in Andover, he returned to Lawrence, with enough
money to open in business for himself. This he did, his first store being at No. 52 Essex street, where he traded under the name of the Quality Tire and Accessory Shop. Later he removed to larger quarters on Jackson street, where he still is. He also operates another store under the same name, and from a humble beginning it has developed into quite a good well paying business. This he has done by the assimilation of good American characteristics, and he has undoubtedly conducted his business in an alert, enterprising and efficient manner.
Mfr. La Rosa is a member of the Sons of Italy, and of the Holy Rosary Church of Lawrence.
Henry La Rosa married, in 1912, Marie Misenti, who was of Italian birth. They have one child, a daughter, Eleanor, who was born in 1920.
WILLIAM L. JENNINGS, partner with Edward Mitchell in the Household Furniture Company of Ha- verhill, Massachusetts, was born on the rock of Gibraltar, the British fortress in Spain, at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea. His parents were William Thomp- son and 1da Clarence (Basden) Jennings. The former was born in England, and was a soldier in the garrison of Gibraltar at the time of the birth of William L., June 8, 1880, and later served in the Egyptian War. He was wounded in the unsuccessful attempt by General Wolse- ley to relieve General Gordon, besieged in Khartoum. He was taken to Watalie Hospital, but eventually invai- ided. The family then went to live in Bermuda, where Mrs. Jennings was born. On that island their son, Wif- liam L. Jennings, spent the greater part of his boy- hood. After leaving school he worked for two years at the Hamilton Hotel, Bermuda, but while the United States was at war with Spain he resolved to come to this country. He enfisted in the United States army in 1898, his father having died in that year, which perhaps explains why he did not return to Bermuda at the end of his military service. When discharged from the army, he took up his abode in Dover, New Hampshire, where for nine years he worked for Mooney & Ewer, after which period he removed to Haverhill. In 1915 he became connected with the Atherton Furniture Com- pany, but three years later went into independent busi- ness, in partnership with Edward Mitcheil. They estab- lished the Household Furniture Company, and since 1918 have experienced a promising growth of their enterprise. Their store is situated at No. 50 Emerson street, Haverhill, and covers all domestic fines of furniture.
Mr. Jennings' army service began on June 6, 1898, when he enlisted for active service in the occupation of Porto Rico. At the end of the war emergency, he reënlisted, and his final discharge came in December, 1903.
Mr. Jennings has entered actively into community life in Haverhill; he is a member of the Methodist church, belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, organizations in Haverhill.
After he came out of the army, in December, 1903, Mr. Jennings married Blanche J. Gage, daughter of Thomas F. and Fannie (Brownelf) Gage, of Dover, New Hampshire. The former was a carpenter by trade,
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and died in 1919. To Mr. and Mrs. Jennings have been born five children: Lendon R., born in 1904; Ruth J., born in 1906; Muriel, born in 1908; Earl, born in 1911; and William L., Jr., born in 1915.
LESLIE LUDWIG WHITCOMB, World War veteran, a Naval Aviation Corps man, is part owner of the Haverhill Ignition Company, electrical contractors, dealers, and agents. He was born in Arlington, Nebraska, November 24, 1893, son of Edward L. and Matilda (Ludwig) Whitcomb, the former a farmer for the greater part of his life, and latterly of Simla, Colo- rado. Matilda (Ludwig) Whitcomb, mother of Leslie L., was of Quincy, Illinois; she died in 1918.
Leslie L. Whitcomb was educated in the public schools of Freemont, Nebraska, and after leaving school went into the automobile repair business. He became expert in that trade, and worked at it in various cities for fourteen years, until 1917, when the entry of America into the World War made it necessary that call be made upon all its young manhood. Mr. Whitcomb joined the naval branch, and was assigned to the Naval Aviation Corps, serving through the war, reaching the grade of chief petty officer before being honorably discharged at the termination of the emergency. His service was from January 18, 1918, to January 21, 1919. Entering civil life again, he took up residence in Haver- hill, and entered into business partnership with H. A. Dinsmore in 1921, the two forming the Haverhill Igni- tion Company, at No. 72 Kenoza avenne, where they have an area of one thousand square feet of floor space for workshops and sales rooms. They do general repair work in batteries and magnetos, and carry a full line of electrical accessories for all makes of machines, spec- ializing in Delco and Remo products. They are also distributors in Haverhill and vicinity for the Gould battery. Altogether, they have an automobile supply business of great promise. Mr. Whitcomb is a member of the Haverhill Chamber of Commerce, and is an active business man. He belongs to the Congregational church of Haverhill.
Mr. Whitcomb married, in 1917, Beatrice Rogers, of Lawrence, Massachusetts.
CHARLES W. MORRISON, sales manager of the Haverhill, Massachusetts, plant of Robert Gair Com- pany, box board manufacturers, was born at Frankfort Springs, Pennsylvania, February 10, 1869, the son of Alexander and Mary J. (Withrow) Morrison, both of Pennsylvania families. Alexander Morrison died in 1906; in early life he taught school, later became a dentist, then took over his father's mercantile business and was a merchant in Pennsylvania, becoming some- what prominent in Pittsburgh, that State. He was at one time elected county treasurer of Beaver county, and also served in the registry department of the Pittsburgh post office. He was a veteran of the Civil War.
Charles W. Morrison was educated in the public schools of his native place and those of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. After leaving school he entered com- mercial business, for eight years being in the employ of C. C. Ray, shoe merchant, of Beaver Falls. Then fol- lowed a period of independent business enterprise, Mr.
Morrison opening a store on Seventh avenue, Beaver Falls, and conducting the business with moderate suc- cess for five or six years, 1890-95. In 1896 he went to Indiana, for eight years thereafter being manager for the Central Glass Company, at Summitville, that State, and later, for some time, was in the steel business. In 1004 he came to Haverhill and joined the sales force of the Haverhill Box Board Company. Eventually the company was absorbed by the Robert Gair Company, since which change Mr. Morrison has been sales manager of the Haverhill branch of the corporation.
Mr. Morrison takes a keen interest in all civic sub- jects, but he does not enter into public affairs, having little time to spare from his business responsibilities, but fraternally he is identified with local lodges of the Royal Arcanum and Modern Woodmen orders. Relig- iously he belongs to the Congregational denomination, and is a member of the First Church of Christ (Scien- tist), of Bradford, Massachusetts.
Mr. Morrison married, in 1894, Jennie Crane, daugh- ter of John T. and Mary E. (Little) Crane, a New Jer- sey family, and to them have been born two children: Theodore C., and William C. Theodore C. is a veteran of the World War; he enlisted November 26, 1917, in the Quartermaster's Department, and was sent to Camp Johnson, Jacksonville, Florida. Eventually he was transferred to Camp Humphrey, Accotink, Virginia, and from there went to France, serving six months there. He returned as a casual, and was sent to the Walter Reed Hospital on February 2, 1919. He was discharged from the hospital on April 7th, and three days later honorably discharged from the United States army.
JAMES M. QUIMBY-Identified with the great shoe industry through the manufacture of shoe findings of every description, James M. Quimby is conducting a large and prosperous business in this branch of manu- facture.
Mr. Quimby is a son of James Fred Quimby, who was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, and was one of the early settlers of Lawrence. He was for a consid- erable length of time employed by M. J. Mahoney, a prominent undertaker of that day. He married Cora Levine, a member of one of the oldest families in Lawrence.
James M. Quimby was born in Lawrence on Febril- ary 25, 1891, and received his education in the public schools of the city. After completing his studies he was engaged in the coal business with his father for about four years. In 1916 he went into the shoe business, and in 1920 established the present industry, disposing of his product both at wholesale and retail. The business has made a most promising beginning, and is already flourishing and rapidly growing.
Mr. Quimby is a member of the New England Shoe Finding Association, and of the Greater Boston Shoe Finding Association. Fraternally he is prominent as a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Loyal Order of Moose, both of Haverhill.
On June 21, 1916, Mr. Quimby married, in Lawrence, May Humphrey, of this city, and they have two sons: James Monroe; and Francis Joseph. The family reside in Lawrence.
James Munroe Quimby
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WILLIAM F. BLEYER, president and treasurer of the Seventh Avenue Garage, Inc., of Haverhill, Massa- chusetts, is a man of wide knowledge of mechanics and electrical appliances, having been for many years con- nected with the leading American manufacturers in that line. He was born in Germany, on December 13, 1886, son of Theo. and Sophie (Whitfield) Bleyer, both of German birth, where the former died in 1916.
The academic education of William F. Bleyer was obtained in institutions of Germany. Coming to Amer- ica in 1900, he took a course in a technical college, and afterwards entered the employ of the Edison Company, of East Orange, New Jersey, with which well known company he remained for two years, next becoming connected with the Westinghouse Company, and work- ing at their Newark, New Jersey, plant. Later he was with the Westinghouse Air Spring Company, of New Haven, Connecticut, and was sent by the Westinghouse Company to open a branch plant in Boston. This was in 1913, and Mr. Bleyer was appointed superintendent of equipment there. Here he remained until 1918, when he came to Haverhill, and established the Seventh Ave- nue Garage, Inc., of which he is now principal owner. His business address is No. 9 Seventh avenue, and there Mr. Bleyer has, during the period since 1918, developed an appreciable business.
Mr. Bleyer is among the active business men of Haverhill, is a member of the Haverhill Chamber of Commerce; and is identified with the local body of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Mr. Bleyer married, in 1909, Anne Spreen, of New York City, daughter of Fred and Katharine (Katthn- horn) Spreen, both of German birth, the former a wagon manufacturer by trade. Mr. and Mrs. Bleyer have two children: Elsie Louise, born in 1914; and Dorothy Anne, born in 1919.
HOWARD J. CASHMAN, a native of Haverhill, Massachusetts, and now in successful business there, was born on May 2, 1894, son of John and Margaret Cashman, well known residents. He was educated in the public schools of Haverhill, and took the higher course at the Iberville Preparatory School. That ended his schooling, and he entered actively into business affairs. For five years he worked for Lewis Kelleam, a contractor of Haverhill, leaving his employ at the end of that time so that he might enter into a like business for himself. From that time until 1917 Mr. Cashinan traded as the Howard J. Cashman Company, in a team- ing and contracting business. In 1917 he became the distributor of the Exide battery in Haverhill and vici- nity, and since, has found the demands of that business and certain real estate endeavors have taken all his time. He is a man of distinctive energy, and is making good. He has many friends in Haverhill.
Mr. Cashman is a member of the Haverhill Chamber of Commerce, belongs to the Agawam Club, and is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus, local branch. He is a devout Catholic, a member of St. James' Cath- olic Church of Haverhill.
Mr. Cashman married, in 1916, Alice Bouchard, of Haverhill, and to them one child has been born, a son, Howard J., Jr., who was horn on March 30, 1918.
RALPH EVERETT DANIELS, owner of the In- dividual Family Laundry, which it is stated is the largest business of its kind in the Bradford-Haverhill district, is a native of Haverhill, Massachusetts, born in the city on February 7, 1890, son of George H. and Susan A. (Billings) Daniels, the latter originally of Saco, Maine, and the father of West Newbury. The family has lived for several decades in Haverhill.
Ralph E. Daniels, in due course, attended the Haver- hill public schools, and after closing his schooling, began business life by working for G. H. Thurston, who was his employer for three years, after which young Daniels took up railroading, becoming a fireman on the Boston & Maine railroad. After ten years at such work, in April, 1919, he joined Mrs. Smith in purchasing the laundry business of Laing & Westcott, of Bradford, Massachusetts. The reorganization brought a change of trading name, and since April, 1919, the business has been known as the Individual Family Laundry. It is the largest in the Haverhill-Bradford district, as may be imagined when it is known that twenty-five to thirty persons find constant employment in the laundry, which is located at No. 38 Middlesex avenue, Bradford, Mas- sachusetts. The plant uses about 10,000 square feet of floor space, and its business covers Haverhill and Brad- ford and tributary territory. Mr. Daniels belongs to the Masonic order, and also to the Brotherhood of Loco- motive Engineers and Firemen.
Mr. Daniels married, in 1911, Elma L. Deacon, of Rockwell, Connecticut, and they have two children : Ralph E., Jr., born in 1913; and Norman K., born in 1916.
LOUIS D. SAVAGE was born at Boxford, Massa- chusetts, on July 17, 1859, and is a son of William J. and Elizabeth D. (Pingree) Savage. William J. Sav- age was a farmer, born at Boxford, Massachusetts; he died in 1915. His mother, Elizabeth D. (Pingree) Savage, was a descendant of the well-known Pingree family of Massachusetts; she was born at Haverhill, Massachusetts.
Mr. Savage received his early education in the public schools of Newburyport. After his graduation from school, Mr. Savage decided to follow in his father's footsteps and become a farmer. He worked as a farmer in Massachusetts for some years, and then decided to go out West. He traveled through many Western States, working as a rancher at various places. He spent five years in this manner and then, his desire to see his native country being satisfied, he returned to Massachu- setts and became connected with the Danvers Hospital. Later he obtained a government position at the Ipswich House of Correction. In 1887 he came to Haverhill as superintendent of the City Farm, a position which he still holds.
Mr. Savage married Margaret A. Pearson, of Prince Edward Island, in 1882, a daughter of Henry Pearson, a farmer, of Prince Edward Island, and his wife, Lucy (Morrison) Pearson. Henry Pearson died in 1919. Like her husband, Mrs. Pearson was a native of Prince Edward Island. Mr. and Mrs. Savage have two chil- dren. Their son, William W. Savage, was born in 1887, and is now an engineer on the Boston & Maine
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railroad. Their daughter, Helen Dodge Savage, is now the wife of Harold Larkin, of Andover, Massachusetts, who is now manager of the Essex Mercantile Agency, of Lowell, Lawrence, Andover and Haverhill.
RAOUL C. LEGAULT was born at Hamilton, On- tario, on May 12, 1888, and is a son of James and Georgianna (Therian) Legault. His father, who was a Canadian by birth, followed the trade of a carpenter, but died when Mr. Legault was only three years old. Mr. Legault's mother was born at Milford, Massachusetts.
Mr. Legault received his early education in the pub- lic schools. After completing the second year of the high school course, he decided to leave school and become a wage earner. He found employment suited to his years in various places and, in 1908, when he was twenty years old, entered into the service of the Bus- field Machinery Company. After four years spent in their employment, he left the Busfield Machinery Com- pany, and obtaining a position with Witherell & Dob- bins, spent three years in the service of that firm. He next formed a connection with the Collins Machinery Company. After a year spent with them, he associated himself with the Singer Machinery Company and worked for them until, at the end of a year, he found a better opportunity elsewhere. Two years after he left the Singer Machinery Company, Mr. Legault established himself in business, forming a partnership with Lyman Cole and Harry Merrill. Under the firm name of the Legault Machinery Company, the partners conduct the business of manufacturing machinery. Their factory is at No. 221 Essex street, Haverhill, Massachusetts. They specialize in making machinery for the manufacture of wooden heels, and also do acetylene welding. Mr. Legault is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
Mr. Legault married Mary E. Flanagan, of Ames- bury, Massachusetts, in 1915. Mrs. Legault is a dangh- ter of John and Mary (Hanley) Flanagan, who were both Irish by birth. Her father, John Flanagan, who was a carriage painter by trade, died in 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Legault have no children.
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