USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Municipal history of Essex County in Massachusetts, Volume IV > Part 43
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
Mr. Pugsley was married, on October 13, 1908, to Ruby Marion Witham, of Malden, Massachusetts. She was born on May 31, 1888, daughter of Charles S. and Florence E. Witham. They have two children: Charles Arthur Pugsley, born August 31, 1910; and Dorothy Marion, who was born on January 15, 1912.
JOSEPH HENRY WILSON, one of the mill superintendents of the Wood Mill Company, was born April 17, 1861, in Bradford, England, son of Jeremiah Wilson, also engaged in textile pursuits until his death,
and Mary (Shaw) Wilson, who survives her husband, both being natives of England.
The early education of the son was obtained in the public schools of Bradford, and at an early age he entered the employ of textile manufacturers of that town, the W. & J Whitehead Mills Company, and remained there until 1885, the year he came to the United States. With his several years of experience, Mr. Wilson followed the same line of work in this country, acquiring positions entailing more responsibility as time went on. He was located in Providence, Rhode Island, for some time, as an employee of the Riverside Mills, and was also overseer of the mending depart- ment. Thence he removed to Lawrence, Massachusetts, and there he worked for the Washington Mills Com- pany, holding a similar position for two years. Upon leaving the latter company, Mr. Wilson went to Black- stone, Massachusetts, and there worked for the mills of that name, removing after three years to Camden, New Jersey. There he was superintendent of the Priestly Company, and the next scene of his occupation was Germantown, Pennsylvania, where he was in charge of the mending and finishing departments of the Bradford Mills of that place. After leaving Pennsylvania, Mr. Wilson returned to Providence, and was in charge of similar departments in the National Mills there. He was in that city for seven consecutive years, and in 1907 he entered the employ of the Wood Mill Company, at Lawrence, where he has remained to the present time, as superintendent of the mending and finishing departments. He is specially skilled in his line of work, and is well known among prominent mill owners in the eastern part of the country.
In politics Mr. Wilson is a Republican, and the public matters of his adopted city hold a keen interest for him. He is a member of the Masonic order, and the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks.
Mr. Wilson married, in 1885, Emma Murgatroyd, of Bradford, England, and their children are: Edgar, and Edith M. Wilson. The family attend the Methodist church of Lawrence, and aid in its support.
HORMISDAS GELINAS, founder and present treasurer of the Gelinas Wood Heel Company, of Mer- rimac, Massachusetts, makers of wooden heels for shoes, has been connected with the shoe industry in Haver- hill and vicinity for many years. He was born in St. Elizabeth, Province of Quebec, Canada, on August 24, 1890, son of Theophis and Dina (Laroche) Gelinas, of that place, where his father was a cattle raiser, dealer, and butcher until his death, which occurred in 1896.
Hormisdas Gelinas was raised to manhood in his native place, attended school there, and eventually grad- wated from high school. Soon afterwards he came to Haverhill, and that city has known him ever since. His first employment was as a clerk in a local grocery estab- lishment. That connection he held for five years, leav- ing to take the position of shipper in the factory of the Hilliard & Tabor Company. A year later he became foreman of the packing room of the Pentucket Shoe Company's plant. Not long afterwards he held some- what similar responsibility in the plant of the Ruddock Shoe Company. Before long, however, he formed busi-
459
BIOGRAPHICAL
ness association with Mr. Curtis Graham, the two in part- nership establishing the Graham and Gelinas Wood Heel Company, of Haverhill, and entering energetically into the manufacture of wood heels. They soon developed a large output, and the partnership continued until 1920, when Mr. Gelinas acquired the interest of Mr. Graham. On April 14, 1922, Mr. Gelinas organized a corporation for the operation of the business; the corporate name is the H. J. Gelinas Co., Inc. Mr. Gelinas is the principal stockholder, and is treasurer. Charles H. Bishop is president, and Wilfred J. Chaput, secretary and director. While equipped to meet almost any call for wooden heels for shoes, the company specializes in fancy heels, and has a good share of the Massachusetts trade.
Mr. Gelinas lives at Merrimac, is a member of Nativ- ity Church, of that place, and in fraternal affiliations belongs to St. Jean Baptiste, Independent Order of Foresters. He was married in 1916 to Miss Antoinette Foisy, of Haverhill. They have one child, a son, Henry Leo, born December II. 1920.
ALVIN H. DURLING, engaged in the automobile repair and painting business in Amesbury, Massachu- setts, was born in Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia, son of George L. Durling, and grandson of William Durling. The latter was a native of Roxbury, Nova Scotia, where he engaged in business as a farmer, and he married Charlotte Hinds, also a native of Roxbury. Their son, George L. Durling, was born in Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia, where he is now engaged as a farmer, and he married Alice M. Bartreau, born in North Williams- town, Nova Scotia, daughter of Thomas and Martha ( Haines) Bartreau.
Alvin H. Durling was educated in the public and high schools. and then entered the employ of the Biddle & Smart Company, remaining for six years. During these years he learned the business in which he is now engaged, and subsequently worked for two years for the Gray & Davis Company. When entering this line on his own account Mr. Durling admitted as a partner, Roy L. Price of Amesbury, and the firm name became Durling, Price & Company. They are among the lead- ing firms in their line in Amesbury, and are both highly esteemed among the younger business men.
Mr. Durling is an Odd Fellow, fraternally, being a member of Powow River Lodge, No. 90, and Harmony Encampment. He has had extensive military experi- ence, having served for four years in Canada with the King's Canadian Hussars ; in politics he is a Republican.
Mr. Durling married, in 1912, Emma O. Sanborn, born July 3, 1892, in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, and they are the parents of Vernon Durling, born November 29, 1920.
JAMES H. WALKER, chief engineer and master mechanic of the E. Frank Lewis Company, of Law- rence, Massachusetts, was born November 5, 1860, at Liverpool, England, son of David Walker, a master moulder of that place, who died in 1896, and his wife, Martha (Lowe) Walker, a native of England, who died in 1903.
James H. Walker attended school until he was thirteen years of age and then began his career as an engincer. In 1887 he came to the United States, where he attended
high school and took up a special course in mechanical engineering at the International Correspondence School. Thus more fully equipped with the theoretical part of his work, he obtained a position with the Damon Manu- facturing Company, at Westville, Massachusetts, and was there until 1892. In the latter year he accepted a position with the E. Frank Lewis Company, as chief engineer and master mechanic holding this office to the present time (1922), being one of the most valued men of the organization. During the years he has worked with this company, there have been many apprentices to the trade under his supervision, and many of these men to-day hold responsible positions along these lines with other firms.
Since making the city of Lawrence his home, Mr. Walker has been active in the public and fraternal life of the city and he is a member of several organizations. He is a member of the Masonic order, and has passed through the chairs to the Shrine; also is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen; the Knights of Pythias; and the Sons of St. George. With his family Mr. Walker attends St. Augustine's Church, of Law- rence, and aids in the support of its charities. He is a prominent citizen of Lawrence, and can always be depended upon to lend his support to any movement tending towards the general welfare.
Four years before he came to America, Mr. Walker married Mary E. Yates, of England, and they were the parents of thirteen children, four of whom now survive, and are as follows : William, George, James, and Mildred.
JOHN J. McLAUGHLIN-Among the citizens of Lawrence, Massachusetts, engaged in the business of real estate and insurance, John J. Mclaughlin holds a prominent place. Mr. Mclaughlin was born July 26, 1881, in Lawrence, son of James and Catherine Mc- Laughlin. He attended the public schools of his native city, and for fifteen years was in the retail tobacco business. In 1914 he engaged in the real estate and insurance business, mainly insurance and his business activities extend outside of Lawrence.
Fraternally, Mr. Mclaughlin is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 65; the Knights of Columbus, Lodge No. 67, a fourth degree knight ; the Fraternal Order of Eagles; and the Fraternal Order of Foresters, which is a Catholic order.
Mr. Mclaughlin married, October 24, 1910, Grace C. Donavan, and she died in 1913, leaving two children : John and Grace Mclaughlin. With his family, Mr. Mclaughlin attends St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church.
JOHN GEORGE MULDOON, a native son of Newburyport, Massachusetts, and a master tinsmith by trade, has spent more than sixty years in the place. He was born in Newburyport, on November 9, 1858, only son of Patrick and Mary Ann (Deagan) Muldoon. Both of his parents were of Newburyport, and his father was a captain of a sea-going vessel. However, he was a worthy patriot, and during the Civil War was in the national service, meeting his death at the battle of Bull Run. John G. Muldoon was then, of course, very young, but his mother was able to care for him suc-
460
ESSEX COUNTY
cessfully through his boyhood, which was spent in his home town. He attended the public schools of New- buryport, and after leaving school, went to work for John Sumner. His steadiness of character, and his loyalty and industriousness, are indicated by his long service to his first employer, with whom he remained connected for twenty-three years, after which he served various concerns for short periods before finally, in 1912, establishing the firm of J. G. Muldoon & Son and himself entering into the tinsmithing business in his native place. His advancement in business has been very satisfactory, for it is stated that he has by far the largest business in that line in the Newburyport vici- nity. His business place is on Merrimac street, and he enters into all phases of the tinsmithing and sheet metal line.
Mr. Muldoon is of course widely known in the neigh- borhood, and he is much respected, being classed as one of the more progressive business men of the district, and one who is always ready and willing to assist in the carrying through of any project that promises good for the community. It does not in any way detract from the value of his helpful interest in the affairs of the community to state that Mr. Muldoon's first interest is his home; that is as it should be. He is essentially a home-loving man, and a better citizen therefor. His mother died in 1808.
Mr. Muldoon married, in 1900, Clara Dow, of Salis- bury, Massachusetts, daughter of Joseph and Laura (French) Dow, the former a farmer of that place, and deceased since 1917. Mr. and Mrs. Muldoon have two children : Joseph Putnam, and Laura French Muldoon.
THE JAMES F. FENNELLY COMPANY was founded in 1919, in Haverhill, Massachusetts, for the manufacture of shoe laces and other shoe novelties, and has the unique distinction of being the only company of its kind in the city managed by a girl. It was started by Agnes F. Fennelly and has since continued under her management. She was born in Haverhill, daughter of James and Catherine (McFadden) Fennelly. Her father was a great oarsman and engaged in the shoe and leather business with his father, until his death in 1914. A brother of Miss Fennelly, James F. Fennelly, is somewhat interested in the business. He was born October 9, 1898, educated at St. James' Parochial School, and was a professional baseball player for Haverhill with the New England League, in 1920, but is now in the leather business.
Miss Fennelly attended St. James' Parochial School, graduated from high school, and was then employed for two years by the W. E. Ellis Company as secretary. At the end of this time she engaged in business on her own account under the present firm name and has met with deserved success. Although shoe laces are the main article manufactured, bows, buckles, beading and other shoe needs are also made.
REV. JOHN A. NUGENT-For nearly thirty-one years John A. Nugent, member of the Order of St. Augustine, has been a devoted member of the Holy Priesthood of the Roman Catholic Church. La- boring zealously here and there as the call of duty
directed, his influence for the upbuilding of the church has been widespread, and for the past three years he has ministered to the spiritual welfare of St. Augustine's parish, in Andover, Massachusetts.
Father Nugent is a son of Maurice and Mary (Mori- arty) Nugent, both his parents having been born in County Kerry, Ireland. Maurice Nugent came to this country as a young lad, and locating in Lawrence, Mas- sachusetts, became, through industry and thrift, a pros- perous citizen.
Born on June 1, 1867, the eldest son of devoutly reli- gious parents, Father Nugent was from infancy conse- crated to the priesthood. He acquired his carly educa- tion in the parochial, grammar and high schools of Lawrence, the city of his birth, and then entering Vil- lanova College in September, 1883, was graduated from that institution in June, 1886. On July 5 of that year, he was received into the novitiate of the Augustinian Order, and made his simple vows on July 6, 1887, three years later making his solemn profession. When his theological studies were completed, he was admitted to sacred orders, and was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Ryan, on September 12, 1890.
Father Nugent's first appointment was to St. Nicho- las' Church, at Atlantic City, New Jersey, where he served as assistant to Father Fedigan for a period of four years. Transferred to Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, in November, 1894, he was again transferred to St. Denis' Church, at Ardmore, Pennsylvania, where he continued for two years as assistant to Father McEvoy. In 1896, taking the lead of the mission band with Father Geraghty, he gave missions in all the large parishes of the East, and many in the West, receiving especially zealous response among the people of Philadelphia and Chicago. In 1906 Father Nugent was made rector of St. Denis', at Ardmore, serving for four years. During his pastorate here he greatly improved the church prop- erty, beautifying the interior of the church edifice, im- proving the cemetery grounds, and erecting a com- modions and handsome parish house. On the eve of his departure for his next parish, he was able to announce to the people of St. Denis' that their church property was free from debt.
Going immediately thereafter to the Church of Our Mother of Good Counsel, at Bryn Mawr, Pennsyl- vania, Father Nugent's first work was the erection of a handsome and substantial school building, at a cost of $60,000, to replace the unsightly and inadequate wooden building he found in use. This was a labor of two years, but it will stand for generations. Upon its completion he hegan extensive interior changes, thor- oughly renovating and redecorating the edifice, and installing new altar and altar rail of exquisite Italian marble. Then he built a large new convent, of the most modern type of construction, and completely fur- nished it. Thus upon his leaving Bryn Mawr for his present parish, the church property was richer by far than when he first took charge.
During his stay at Bryn Mawr Father Nugent's twenty-fifth anniversary of his ordination to the priest- hood occurred, and it was observed by the people of his church with appropriate jubilee ceremonies. At the jubilee Mass, Archbishop Prendegast, several bishops
J. Kennelly agnes
THE
ORK
PUPI! LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
461
BIOGRAPHICAL
and many priests, in all numbering fifty-six, were guests of the church and participated in the ceremonics.
When Father Nugent left Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, in June, 1918, to assume charge of St. Augustine's, An- dover, he left a printed statement in which he pointed out that all the buildings erected by him, as well as all church improvements, werc free from all debt and that he was leaving $3.000 as a school endowment fund.
In June, 1918, Father Nugent came to Andover, as pastor of St. Augustine's parish, and has since devoted himself unsparingly to the progress of the church and of the community. Before the end of the year he had completed the parochial school which was in process of erection, and sessions were begun in September. In all the work of the church and its advancement, whether material or spiritual, Father Nugent is the apostle of progress, always looking forward to the ultimate good. and carrying the people with him in his efforts to attain it. The organizations of the church are growing under his carc, and during the present year the Church of St. Augustine, Andover, was entirely renovated at a cost of over $5,000, ranking now as one of the most ornate and beautiful in Essex county. The people of the church have learned to love and revere him. Indeed, it would be difficult to find a better expression of the affection with which the people of Andover regard Father Nugent, than the verses composed by Rev. George C. Egan, a fellow member of the Order of St. Augustine, for the occasion of his jubilee celebration, in Bryn Mawr, September 12, 1915.
TO REV. JOHN A. NUGENT, O. S. A.
Thy five and twenty years are crowned to-day In silvered mem'ries of thy works, well wrought; And time doth pause to greet thee, and to pay
The tribute which these years have justly brought.
Words, worldly praises would be writ In vain, Thy labors and thy worth to Him are known: God's power and truth shall manifest each grain. Which in thy zeal for Him, thou hast well sown.
Yet, Priest of God, whose years are silver-crowned, Our heart's best wishes shall to-day be thine; And while on every hand thy joys abound, Our prayers for thee shall with them Intertwine.
"Ambassador of Christ," may many years Of fruitful labors still be spared to thee;
And may thy joys be never hushed by tears, And may thy zeal for Christ e'er constant be.
May all, whose grief thy words did oft allay, Thy name in earnest prayer oft'times infold; And may the silver joys of this bright day In after years be thine-all changed to gold.
GEORGE ZACCHEUS COLLINS-The name of Collins has long been a prominent one in the leather industry. it being connected with the manufacture of leather board, the late George Zaccheus Collins being the head of this industry for many years.
Mr. Collins was born in Salem, Massachusetts, April 23. 1831. and died March 29, 1903, the son of Enoch and Lucretia (Johnson) Collins, the former born in Lynn, August 7, 1802. His great-great-great-great- great-grandfather came to this country in 1635, and set- tled in Lynn, being a starch maker by occupation.
After receiving a practical education, George Z. Col- lins became interested in the leather industry, and soon saw the commercial possibilities in leather board, then
a comparatively new idea. He began its manufacture, and rapidly built up an extensive business, and in addi- tion to his first factory in Lynn, founded others in Ash- land, New Hampshire, and in Tilton, with an office in Boston, Massachusetts.
George Z. Collins married, June 14, 1855, Harriet A. Goodridge, who was born in Lynn, February 23, 1832. They were the parents of five children, only two of whom lived to grow up, namely: I. Alice Newhall Col- lins, who married Frank H. Wilson, they the parents of two children: Helen C., and Ruth N. Wilson. Helen C. Wilson married E. L. Tiffany, and they are the parents of George Collins Tiffany. 2. Frederick Johnson Collins, who married Ellen Nettie Burgess, they the parents of two children: Elizabeth and Alice Collins. The latter married A. S. Dennison. they the parents of two children: Bartara and Frederick Col- lins Dennison.
The Collins family have always been members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Lynn. In fact, Mrs. Collins was a descendant of one of the first organ- izers of this church, founded in 1791 by Jesse Lee. This ancestor was Micajah Newhall, her great-grandfather, who fought in the battle of Lexington.
JOSEPH HARVEY COUTURE, senior member of the undertaking firm of J. H. Couture & Sons Com- pany, was born July 29, 1870, in Warwick, Canada, son of Alexander Couture, born in Quebec, Canada, in October, 1850. The latter was also engaged in the undertaking business until his death in 1918. He is survived by his wife, Ardinase Langlois, born in Que- bcc, in 1850.
Joseph Harvey Couture attended the parochial school in Warwick, Canada, and later attended an eve- ning school in Lawrence, Massachusetts. His first employment was with Charles Lee Gadbois, funeral director, where he remained for twelve years. With a thorough knowledge of the undertaking business. com- bined with a natural adaptation for his work, Mr. Couture engaged in business for himself in 1899, con- tinuing very successfully until 1919, when he admitted his two sons as partners, and the firm name was changed to its present form, J. H. Couture & Sons.
Mr. Couture is a member of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, and in politics is a Democrat. Fra- ternally he is a member of the Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks; the Loyal Order of Moose; the Knights of Columbus; St. Jean Baptiste La Societe of America, and all the French societics; and of the Law- rence Catholic Order of Foresters of America.
In 1895 Mr. Couture married (first) Omerine St. Louis, born in Quebec, and she dicd in 1905. She was the mother of the following children: Joseph Harvey (2), of further mention in this work; Rita, born Feb- ruary 9, 1898; Alphonse, born October 15, 1899: Syl- via, born June 10, 1902: Dolores, born June 8, 1903. Mr. Couture married (second) Eliza Bedard, born in Quebec, August 15, 1885, and they are the parents of a son, Henry, born October 10, 1907. and a daughter, Henrietta, born October 7, 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Cou- ture, with their children, attend St. Ann's Roman Cath- olic Church of Lawrence, and aid in its support.
462
ESSEX COUNTY
EDWIN RANLET CREASEY, a member of the Creasey Company, of Amesbury, Massachusetts, elec- trical contractors, was born in Kittery, Maine, on June 20, 1896, son of Joseph W. and Bernice A. (Ranlet) Creasey. His father is a native of Essex county, born in Newburyport, but he has been a druggist in Ames- bury for many years. His mother is of the Ranlet fam- ily of Eden, Maine.
Edwin R. Creasey was educated in the public schools of Pittsfield, New Hampshire, and after graduating from the high school, he found employment with the J. J. Merrill Construction Company, of Newburyport, where during the following eight years of service he learned most phases of the electrical construction busi- ness. He then formed what is now the Creasey Com- pany, and located in Amesbury, where the company carries on a splendid business.
Mr. Creasey does not enter actively into politics, being non-partisan. He follows local affairs more closely, however, being a member of the Amesbury Chamber of Commerce. Fraternally he is a Mason, a member of Warren Lodge, of Amesbury. By reason of his army service in the World War, he is a mem- ber of the Amesbury Post of the American Legion. During the war, he enlisted in the Syracuse University Training Camp of the United States Infantry, on August 15, 1918. Later he was transferred to the Coast Artillery Officers' Training School at Boston, but was not ahle to complete the course, the armistice, signed on November 11, 1918, putting an end to much military preparation. Mr. Creasey was honorably discharged from the service on December 23, 1918, in the grade of private. He at once returned home, and soon there- after, reëntered civilian occupations. He is looked upon as a promising young business man.
Mr. Creasey married, in 1919, Leona May Ladd, of Amesbury. She was born on September 24, 1900, daughter of Ernest E. and Hattie B. Ladd. Mr. and Mrs. Creasey have two children: Edwin Ranlet, Jr., born Angust 17, 1020; and Norma Ladd Creasey, born March 28, 1922. They are members of the Congrega- tional church of Amesbury, and Mr. Creasey belongs to the Amesbury Club.
M. F. QUILL & SON-The Quill family, long resi- dent in Newburyport, Massachusetts, is represented to-day among the business men of that city by Michael F. Quill, and his son, Arthur S., who constitute the firm of M. F. Quill & Son, ice dealers.
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.