USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Municipal history of Essex County in Massachusetts, Volume IV > Part 45
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Fraternally, Mr. Marsden is a member of the Ma- sons, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He attends the Methodist church.
JAMES SHELDON-A man of skilled mechanical ability and ingenuity is James Sheldon, master mechanic of the Katama Mills, who holds a position, which in itself is one of the very important and responsible posi- tions connected with the carrying on of the mill indus- try.
Mr. Sheldon was born at Derbyshire, England, De- cember 9, 1884, son of James Sheldon, Sr., long engaged in the monumental works, until his death in 1913. His mother was Henrietta Robinson, of England, who sur-
vives her husband. They were the parents of ten children, seven sons and three daughters, James being the fifth oldest.
His education was obtained in the schools of Eng- land, and in 1907 he came to the United States, his first employment there being with the Brown & Sharpe Man- ufacturing Company, of Providence, Rhode Island, where he remained for two years, removing at the end of that time to Whitingsville, Massachusetts, where he found employment in the mills of that name; thence he went to Lynn, Massachusetts, and was em- ployed in the mechanical department of the Lynnwood Mills for five years. After a year as master mechanic with another mill in Wilkinsonville, Mr. Sheldon be- came master mechanic of the Katama Mills, of Law- rence, which position he now holds. He is one of the foremost men in his line, and is widely known for his skill in mechanics.
In 1911 he married Lavina Wilde, of England, and they are the parents of three children: Jennie, born in 1912; James, born in 1913; Charles Irving, born in 1918. The family attend the Methodist church of Lawrence, and Mr. Sheldon's fraternal connections are with the Masonic order.
RALPH W. CATHCART-The modern chain store method of doing business has one of its best ex- ponents in Ralph W. Cathcart. Knowing the furniture business in all its phases, and being wide awake and progressive, Mr. Cathcart was quick to see the advan- tage of selling in this multiplied way. He is affiliated with the Brockton Atherton Furniture Company, which opened its twenty-second store on March 1, 1922.
Son of Barnard B. and Sadie Elizabeth (Brown) Cathcart, Ralph W. Cathcart was born July 15, 1890, at Whitman, Massachusetts, He studied in the public schools of his native place until reaching the age of fourteen, when he started to learn the furniture busi- ness at Brockton, Massachusetts, with the Atherton Furniture Company. His first job was that of errand boy, but rose rapidly through the various branches of the business until he became a junior partner and man- ager. This company was founded thirty years ago as the People's House Furnishing Company, of Haver- hill, Massachusetts, and was reorganized and given the present name in 1920. Their business extends over a large part of New England, having in 1922 no fewer than twenty-two stores. Mr. Cathcart has been man- ager and treasurer of the Haverhill store since July, 1918. In the Chamber of Commerce of Haverhill he is on the committee for retail trade.
Mr. Cathcart has had five years of military service in the Tenth Coast Artillery, of which he was a lance corporal. Fraternally he is a Mason, a member of Paul Revere Lodge, of Brockton, Massachusetts; also a member of Haverhill Lodge, No. 73, Knights of Pythias; and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 165, of Haverhill. His clubs are the Rotary and Agawam, of Haverhill. His religious affil- iation is with the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Cathcart married, at Brockton, Massachusetts, July 20, 1911, Ethel Stevenson, daughter of Isaac and Sarah J. (Wilson) Stevenson. They have one child, Ruth Eleanor, born April 26, 1915.
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JOSEPH A. ROY-Coming to Newburyport, Mas- sachusetts, in 1906, Joseph A. Roy, an expert on auto forging, machine repairs, and general blacksmithing, has since that time been in business for himself on Mechanics Court, and has given every satisfaction. He, therefore, has been able to build up a worthwhile busi- ness.
Mr. Roy was born in the Province of Quebec, Can- ada, on September 10, 1884, son of Razcine and Car- melite (Burrill) Roy. His mother is still living, but his father died in 1900. He was a farmer, and to some extent a fisherman,
Joseph A. Roy is the seventh-born of the twelve chil- dren of his parents, there being eight sons and three daughters. He was educated in Canadian schools, and came into the United States soon after the death of his father. He was then eighteen years old, and for three years worked as a wheelwright for his brother, E. B. Roy, who had a business in Newburyport. For a year thereafter he worked for another brother, J. D. Roy, in Amesbury, Massachusetts, but in 1906 he came to Newburyport, and ventured into business for himself on Mechanics Court, where his shop and smithy has been cver since. With the evolution of vehicles he has had more and more auto forging to do, and it now con- stitutes a large part of his business. He is an energetic, steady man, esteemed by those who know him well,
Mr. Roy is a member of two fraternal orders, the Loyal Order of Moose, and St. Jean de Baptiste. He also belongs to the Lafayette Club, to which so many Massachusetts people of French and French-Canadian origin belong.
Mr, Roy married, in 1906, Mary Conture, daughter of Joseph Conture, of Quebec, Canada. They have one child, a son, Antonio, who was born in 1907.
JOSEPH A. DUNCAN, of North Andover, Massa- chusetts, long a resident of the town, holds a responsible position in the public service. He was born in Dundee, Scotland, in 1878, and came to this country with his family as a boy of eight years, his father spending the remainder of his life in this vicinity.
Educated in the public schools, Mr. Duncan hecame interested in the practical side of business life, and for twenty years has been in the office of the town water department. In 1909 he was elected town clerk, and still holds this office, also has charge of the town water work's office. Mr. Duncan was elected to his present office by reason of his business experience and ability, as he was never active in politics.
Mr. Duncan is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Improved Order of Red Men, and of the Lawrence Clan, a Scottish organization of Law- rence, Massachusetts.
JOHN JOSEPH BREEN-One of the oldest un- dertaking establishments in Lawrence, Massachusetts, is the John J. Breen Funeral Parlors, established there originally by A. W. Goodrich, and subsequently owned by John Breen, who in turn gave the management of the business to his son, John Joseph Breen. The latter was horn in Lawrence, October 24, 1876, son of John and Nancy Jane (Brackett) Breen.
John Breen was born June 20, 1842, in Tipperary. Ireland, son of Patrick and Margaret (Heffernan) Breen, and in 1847, when five years of age, came to the United States, and six years later to Lawrence, Mas- sachusetts, and there he began his education, which he completed at St. Charles College, in Maryland, and fur- ther perfected his business knowledge with a course at Comer's Commercial College at Boston. In 1867 Mr. Breen was selected to go to Ireland on a special mis- sion to secure the release of a citizen, Daniel Donovan, of Lawrence, and experienced many stirring adventures. In 1868 he returned to America, and entered the under- taking business now located in Lawrence, under the name of John Breen, undertaker. When Mr. Goodrich withdrew from the business, it was taken over by Mr. Breen, who managed it very successfully until 1917, when failing health necessitated the passing of the man- agement to his son, John J. Breen.
The elder Mr. Breen was an inspector of rifle prac- tice of the 9th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Mili- tia, with rank of first lieutenant, also captain of Quar- termaster Corps, was one of the foremost citizens of Lawrence in his day, and served in many publie posi- tions. His first public service was as a member of the Common Council that straightened the Spicket river, and he was elected mayor of Lawrence, in 1882, continuing until 1884, being the first foreign-born Roman Catholic to hold the office of mayor in any new England city, was also vice-president of the Irish National League, and chairman of the water works for a quarter of a century. He was also a member of the school board for many years, and Breen School was named in his honor; was assistant chief of the fire department and took an active interest in all matters of public interest until his death, which occurred July 16, 1917.
Mr. Breen married Nancy Jane Brackett, a native of Danville, New Hampshire, and they were the parents of three children: Charles Francis; John J., of further mention; Helena C., wife of Aiken, of New Hampshire.
John J. Breen attended the public schools of Law- rence, and was a member of the class of 1900 at Exeter Academy. Soon after leaving school he became asso- ciated with his father in the undertaking husiness, and when the latter's health failed, assumed full control of the business. Mr. Breen is also the owner of a riding school at Methuen, Massachusetts, where large classes are held twice a week. He is very active in all matters of public interest in Lawrence, a trait inherited no douht from his father, and no appeal for aid is ever turned away. In 1914 Mr. Breen was president of the Board of Aldermen, and now holds the office of justice of the peace. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Columbus; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Eagles; Owls; and the Grattan Guards & Beavers.
He married, in 1909, Gertrude C. Meskill, and they are the parents of six children: Naney; John; Charles; Gertrude; Margaret; and Daniel.
EDGAR L. WILLIAMS, who is prominent in the business world of Lynn, Massachusetts, is also widely interested in various branches of effort, hoth in the way
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of individual enterprise and public endeavor. Mr. Wil- liams was horn in Lynn in 1879, and is a son of John and Jane (Carter) Williams, long residents of this city. The elder Mr. Williams was a man of public spirit, and served with honor during the Civil War.
Receiving a practical education in the public schools of his native city, Mr. Williams, as a young man, entered the world of industry, and for many years has been con- nected with the General Electric Company in their Lynn plant, as inspector. His activities, however, are not confined to the duties of this position. Possessing a voice of unusual compass and quality, he devotes his leisure to teaching vocal culture, and is also choirmaster in his church. He is deeply interested in educational work of all kinds, particularly among boys.
Mr. Williams married Jessie Green, daughter of Peter and Agnes (Gordon). Green; they are members of the Episcopal church.
CHARLES H. DRIVER-Beginning life in the mills, and by his own energy striking out for himself along a different line of endeavor, with successful out- come, Charles H. Driver, of North Andover, Massa- chusetts, has for the past twenty-one years conducted a prosperous printing business.
Mr. Driver was born in England, on October 20, 1875, and is a son of James and Esther Driver. The elder Mr. Driver is wool buyer for the M. T. Stevens & Sons Company.
Coming to the United States with his parents at the age of six years, Mr. Driver was educated in the schools of Lowell, Massachusetts, where the family located, and in North Andover, where they removed in 1890. Mr. Driver began life in the industrial world in the employ of the M. T. Stevens & Sons Company, where he remained for about ten years. During the time that he was thus employed he rose from a subordi- nate position to overseer in the wool sorting depart- ment.
In 1900 Mr. Driver made a definite change in the plans for his future, founding the printing business which he has since developed to a large and prosperous interest. He is still actively engaged in this business, doing general job printing, largely commercial work.
Mr. Driver is a member of Cochichewick Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, also of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a prominent member of the Essex County Printers' Board of Trade.
On June 17, 1902, Mr. Driver married Marguerite Ryan, of North Andover, daughter of John and Mar- guerite Ryan. Mr. and Mrs. Driver have six children: John S., Evelyn E., Charles R., James H., Joseph T., and Marguerite V.
RALPH SIDNEY WILDER, assistant superin- tendent of the United States Worsted Company, of Law- rence, Massachusetts, was born August 26, 1887. in San- bornville, New Hampshire, son of George Wilder, a native of Conway, New Hampshire, and for many years employed on the Boston & Maine railroad. He died in 1890, and his wife, Carrie (Yeaton) Wilder, survives him.
The public schools of Sanbornville afforded Ralph S.
Wilder his early education, and his first position was with the Faulkner Mills, of Billerica, where he remained for two years, then entered the employ of the New England Telephone Company. After four years in the service of this company, Mr. Wilder removed to Lowell, where he was employed by the United States Worsted Company; in 1912 he came to Lawrence, in the services of the same company. and was in charge of the cost department in 1916. Three years later he was promoted to the position of assistant superintendent, and has since continued to ably discharge the duties of this office.
During the World War Mr. Wilder offered his serv- ices to the United States army, being a member of the 30Ist Engineers, serving from April, 1918, to July, 1919, and at the time of his discharge held the rank of first- class private. He participated in the following battles of note: St. Mihiel and Toul Sector. In politics Mr. Wilder is a Republican, and has the interest natural to every good citizen in the welfare of his city and State. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Masonic order, being a thirty-second degree Mason; and is also a member of several other fraternal organizations.
Mr. Wilder is unmarried and makes his home in Lawrence, where he is a member of the First Church of Christ (Scientist).
FREDERICK C. PLUMMER, superintendent of the Emerson Manufacturing Company, of Lawrence, Mas- sachusetts, was born in that city, February 5, 1867, son of Willis Henry Plummer, a native of New Hamp- shire, and for many years employed by the Boston & Maine Railroad Company, as baggagemaster, at Law- rence, now retired. Mr. Plummer's mother, Eunice E. Churchill, was born at Newmarket, New Hampshire, but is now residing in Lawrence.
Mr. Plummer attended the public and high schools of Lawrence, and then entered the employ of the Boston & Maine railroad, as assistant yardmaster at Lawrence, remaining there for ten years, then entered the employ of the Emerson Manufacturing Company, as an appren- tice, and by diligent work and ambitious effort has worked himself upward to the position he now holds, being appointed to the superintendency in 1900.
Mr. Plummer is a member of the Republican party, and of the Chadwick Club; fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Knights of Malta.
In 1892 Mr. Plummer married Blanche Agnew, born at Rockbottom, Massachusetts. Their son. Elliot Bar- ton, born February 8, 1893, died January 14, 1919. Mr. and Mrs. Plummer attend the Universalist church at Lawrence, Massachusetts.
ARTHUR W. GEORGE, one of the mill superin- tendents of the Wood Mill Company, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, is one of the young men of that city who have achieved success at an early age. Mr. George also has a very creditable military record; he enlisted in the 126th Infantry, United States army, in October, 1918, and took part in several of the leading battles of the World War, namely: The Argonne and the Meuse. He
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was discharged in June, 1919, with the commission of captain.
Mr. George was born at Westwood, Massachusetts, August 8, 1892, and obtained his education in the public schools of Dedham, Massachusetts, and the high school. Soon after leaving school he entered the extile business as an employe of the Wood Mill Company, and spent three years in learning various phases of the business. Subsequently, he went to Providence, Rhode Island, where he worked in the Riverside Mills, gaining more valuable experience, and adding to his knowledge of mill business. He was located in Boston, as a sales- man for this same company, and later for the American Woolen Company, remaining with the latter for three years. It was at this time that the United States entered the World War, and with true patriotic spirit, which characterized every real American young man, Mr. George enlisted and served through the war.
After the country returned to normal conditions and he received his discharge, he resumed the thread of his life where he had laid it down, and returned to the Boston office of the American Woolen Company. He remained there a year, then was made superintendent of one of the Wood Mill departments, and has since con- tinued to ably fill this position.
Mr. George's father, Jolin A. George, was a native of Scotland, and was there engaged in the wholesale meat business; his mother is Isabella D. (Armstrong) George, of England, who survives her husband.
In politics, Mr. George is a Republican, and as would be naturally expected of one who had fought to defend the principles he upheld, he has more than a passive interest in the public affairs of his city and State. He is young in years, so does not seek public office, but does perform his share of public service in the role of a private citizen. He is a member of the Masonic order, and attends the Lawrence Episcopal Church.
SAMUEL A. BOWIE was born in Montreal, Can- ada, on April 19, 1875, and is a son of James and Agnes (Fulton) Bowie. His father, who was born at Glasgow, Scotland, in 1840, was by trade a cooper, and engaged in active work until his death in 1904. His mother, who was born at Glasgow, Scotland, in 1847, died on August II, 1898.
Mr. Bowie received his early education in the public schools of Lawrence, whither his family had moved, and also attended the Lowell Textile School. After having completed his studies, he obtained employment with the Pacific Mills, of Lawrence. He has remained with this company ever since, working his way up from the beginning to the position which he holds at the present time, that of chief engineer of the Pacific Print Works. He has a force of about one hundred and eighty men working under his direction.
Mr. Bowie.is a member of the Second Baptist Church of Lawrence. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of the Masonic order, and belongs to the chap- ter of same. He also is a member of the Caledonian Club of Lawrence.
Mr. Bowie married, in 1897, Lilla M. Bean, of Law- rence, born May 19, 1880. They have three children: Roland J., born May 28, 1899; Agnes M., born Decem- ber 6, 1904; and Gordon O., born October 15, 1906.
FRED W. MILLAY-The name of Millay has been identified with the last manufacturing industry for many years, and wherever this name has been found in con- nection with lasts, there also has been quality. Philip E. Millay, the founder of the business, was a native of Whitefield, Maine; he was born in 1828, and died at the advanced aged of eighty-four years in 1912. Mr. Millay married Mandy M. Rollins, of Pittston, Maine, and she died in 1865.
Fred W. Millay, son of Philip E. and Mandy M. (Rollins) Millay, was born February 19, 1854. He was educated in the public schools of Hudson, Massachu- setts, until he was fourteen years of age. After leaving school he went to work for the Tower Brothers' Ma- chinery Company, of Hudson, serving five years as a machinist. During his spare time Mr. Millay was also working for his father, taking care of his father's lasts, delivering the whole output of his father's factory with a wheelbarrow. After leaving the factory, Mr. Millay went to work for his father in the last business and learned it in detail. For eight years he was employed there, and at the end of this time Mr. Millay, Sr., went to California, his business interests being purchased by his son and three other young men. These partners continued the same business under the firm name of the Millay Last Company, of Hudson. After a year Mr. Millay returned from the West and bought back his business, necessitating a change of the firm name to Philip E. Millay & Son.
After five years of very successful business the com- pany had to find larger quarters, the business having increased to such an extent; consequently, a corpora- tion was formed, the incorporators being: Philip E. Millay, president; Fred W. Millay, treasurer; and Dr. Cochran, secretary. This corporation manufactured lasts for the rubber trade and assumed the name of the Millay Last Company, of Hudson, which arrangement continued for four years. At this time the leather last business was removed to Haverhill, Massachusetts, and after a year this part of the industry was sold to J. H. Sutherland & Sons. Later the business was taken to Lynn, Massachusetts, by the new firm.
Fred W. Millay remained with the Sutherland firm for about a year in order to give them the benefit of his experience. After leaving the company Mr. Mil- lay engaged in business on his own account under the name of the Fred W. Millay Company, of Haverhill. Subsequently he consolidated his interests with those of Harold F. Blake, of Haverhill, and as the Stewart- Porter Last Company, they continued for fifteen months. Mr. Millay disposed of his interests and again started in for himself under the name of the Fred W. Millay Company. This is the name he has since continued to do business under, and he has met with well-deserved success such as his experience and attention to detail has brought him. An interesting feature of his career is that he was the first man to undertake the specializing of lasts. Fraternally, Mr. Millay is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Millay mar- ried, in 1887, Mary R. Brackett, of Peterboro, New Hampshire, and the child of this marriage, Ella A. Mil- lay, became the wife of Waldo' Flanders, of Haverhill. Mr. and Mrs. Millay attend the Universalist church of Haverhill, and are active in its affairs.
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FREDERICK W. GAY was born at Holliston, Massachusetts, February 10, 1867, son of William and Henrietta Gay, of that town, where the former was long engaged in the business of soap-making; both parents are now deceased.
Mr. Gay attended the public schools of Holliston, and was a resident there until 1900, in which year he came to Lawrence, where he has since continued to make his home and where he is now among the foremost business men and citizens. Until 1905 he was connected with the Beach Soap Company, of Lawrence, and after severing his connection there, engaged in the laundry business for himself, under the name of Gay's Laundry, and has now completed sixteen successful years. His plant is equipped with modern machinery in every way and is one of the best of its kind in Lawrence. For a year Mr. Gay served as president of the Laundryowners' Asso- ciation of Massachusetts, and is a member of the Na- tional Association of Laundryowners.
In politics Mr. Gay is a Republican, and since com- ing to Lawrence has taken a very active part in public matters. In 1903 he was a member of the Common Council, and from 1914 to 1916 was a member of the State Republican Committee; he also is one of the en- thusiastic members of the Chamber of Commerce of Lawrence.
Mr. Gay's fraternal affiliations are with the following organizations: Grecian Lodge, Free and Accepted Ma- sons; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 65; the Rotary Club: and the Methuen Club.
Mr. Gay married, at Nashua, New Hampshire, Edith Rogers, daughter of Rev. F. C. Rogers, of Nashua, and they are the parents of two daughters: Dorothy and Elizabeth Gay.
JOSEPH O. ROUTHIER-With long experience as a pharmacist, Joseph O. Routhier, of North Andover, Massachusetts, has conducted the attractive drug store at No. 130 Main street since February, 1920.
Mr. Routhier is a son of Dr. Omer Routhier, late of Lawrence, Massachusetts, who practiced medicine suc- cessfully for fourteen years in the city of Lawrence. Dr. Routhier died in 1908; his wife, Eliza, survives him.
Joseph O. Routhier was born in Montreal, Canada, May 1, 1889. Coming to Lawrence at the age of four years with his parents, it was in the parochial and pub- lic schools of that city that he received his early edu- cation. He later attended the Plateau Commercial School at Montreal. Choosing the drug business as his field of endeavor, Mr. Routhier entered the employ of John H. Greer, a prominent Lawrence druggist, in 1906, remaining with Mr. Greer for two years. In 1908 he came to North Andover, where he was em- ployed by George H. Perkins from 1908 to 1920. On February 2, of the latter year, he established his present business, under the name of Routhier's Pharmacy. He has thus far met with gratifying success, and is develop- ing an important and prosperous business. Skilled in his line, and with the highest standards of effort, the future opens a wide field of usefulness.
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