USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Municipal history of Essex County in Massachusetts, Volume IV > Part 7
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
George J. Laemmle, president of the Weber- Laemmle Tannery Company, was born in New York, March 11, 1887, there attended the public schools, his education being completed at Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York. After leaving the Institute he entered the employ of the Barnett Leather Company, of Little Falls, New York, there remaining four years, leaving to go with the Ohio Leather Company, of Girard, Ohio, with whom he remained for three years, then spent three years with the Armstrong Leather Company, of Peabody, Massachusetts. He finally resigned his position with that company to enter the tan- ning business for himself in Salem. He is a member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, of Salem, the Knights of Columbus, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Salem, and the Homestead Golf Club, of Danvers.
Mr. Laemmle married, in 1911, Clara H. Westler, of New York, and they are the parents of a son, George J. Jr., and two daughters, Clara May and Viola C. Mr. Laemmle is a son of George and Catherine Laemmle, of New York, his father en- gaged in the wholesale milk business until 1902, when he retired.
John L. Weber, treasurer of the Weber-Laemmle Tannery Company, was born in Lynn, Massachu- setts, February 11, 1877, son of Nicholas and Mary (Klein) Weber. Nicholas Weber was born in Al- sace, France, and fought in the French army dur- ing the Franco-Prussian War, 1870-71. In 1872 he came to the United States and established the Weber Leather Company, of Lynn, Massachusetts, which he conducted until his death in 1900. His wife, Mary (Klien) Weber, died in Salem, Massa- chusetts.
John L. Weber, after completing school years, became associated with his father in the leather business, and after the death of his father, in 1900, he joined with his five . brothers and until 1912 these six sons of the founder conducted the business of the Weber Leather Company. In 1912 the company dissolved, John L. Weber going to London, England, in the employ of Sir Percy Daniels. Shortly after Mr. Weber's return from London he became plant superintendent and chief tanner for H. S. & M. W. Snyder, Inc., continu- ing until the organization of the Weber-Laemmle Tannery Company, January 1, 1921. Mr. Weber is a Catholic in religion, a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Salem Chamber of Commerce, and the Colonial Club.
Mr. Weber married Mary I. Gug, and they are the parents of four children: John N., Leo Fran- cis, Marion I., and Alice M. Weber.
OLIVER J. AUDET-By a consecrated devotion to the trade of printing, Oliver J. Audet, of New- buryport, Massachusetts, has attained unusually high standing among the printers of Essex county. Beginning early in life to learn his vocation, when thoroughly prepared, he, by a strange con- trast, established himself in one of the oldest printing plants in the United States. The New- buryport Herald Press, which he bought, was one of the first eight papers to be published in this country, and was at the time of its demise, over a century and a half old.
Oliver J. Audet was born March 21, 1888, at Sherbrook, Province of Quebec, Canada, the son of Frank X. and Wilhemena (Lucas) Audet, well known citizen of Sherbrook who later came to Vermont. Frank X. Audet was a prosperous wheel- wright and carpenter, who had a name for ability and reliability. Oliver J. received the greater part of his education in the public schools of Granite- ville, Vermont, but at the age of fifteen began to contribute to his own support. He secured a posi- tion in a print shop, and began to lay there the foundation of what later became a great skill
268
ESSEX COUNTY
in his trade. To learn all sides of printing, after four years in his first place, he traveled through the northeastern part of the United States, and before going into business for himself had worked in most of the best printing concerns in New England.
In 1915 he bought the "Newburyport Herald," principally to own the fine plant and equipment that went with the newspaper. The paper was once known as the "Old Benjamin Franklin Press" and was one of the first news sheets to become established in this country. But the old must make way for the new, and shortly after the paper's one hundred and fifty-first anniversary of its birth, it ceased publication, as the rapidly developing business in job printing required the use of the whole plant. However, the shop still goes under the old trade name of the Newbury- port Herald Press. Mr. Audet is a Republican voter, and fraternizes with the Newburyport Lodge, No. 1601, Loyal Order of Moose. He served for four years as sergeant of Company B, First Regi- ment, Vermont National Guard.
On June 15, 1914, he was married, at New- buryport, to Edith Mary Hudson, daughter of Joseph H. and Martha (Holden) Hudson, promi- nent residents of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Audet have one son, Harold Hudson Andet, born Octo- ber 10, 1918.
HERBERT W. BURKHARDT-The Corona Company of Salem, Massachusetts, was organized by Herbert W. Burkhardt in 1917, he conducting the business alone until 1919, when he admitted W. W. Peck to a partnership, they in 1920 ad- mitting Captain Charles Bourching, these now con- stituting the present ownership (1921). Herbert W. Burkhardt is a son of George F. Burkhardt, who was engaged in the brewing business in Bos- ton until his death in 1910.
Herbert W. Burkhardt was born in Boston, Massachusetts, March 9, 1886, and there attended the public schools. He finished his studies at Lee School, Biltmore, North Carolina, with the grad- uating class of 1906, then for eleven years was engaged as a forestry expert. In 1907 he organ- ized The Corona Company of Salem, for the manufacture of all kinds of drinks, and has built up a very large and profitable business. He is a member of the Salem Board of Trade, and of the Lutheran church, holding his membership in Bos- ton.
1
JAMES NELSON HAMMOND-For many years active in the industrial world of Essex county, Massachusetts, James Nelson Hammond bore a part in the progress of the community and the Commonwealth, and although a number of years have passed since he left his work in other hands and went out into the "Great Unknown," he is still remembered as a staunch friend and a progressive citizen.
James Nelson Hammond was born in Natick,
March 19, 1826, and educated in the public schools of that day. He early took up the responsibilities of life, and became employed in the manufacture of shoes, which he continued for fifteen years. Later he went into business for himself, handling express in Marlboro and Wayland, Massachu- setts, and also between those points, building up a successful business. After a considerable period, he disposed of his interests in this field, and entered upon a new industry, the manufacture of soda water. In this he was very successful, and developed a large business, in which he was en- gaged up to the time of his death.
Fraternally, Mr. Hammond was a member of the Knights of Pythias, and he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was broadly interested in public progress, and always abreast of the times, although never an aspirant for public honors.
Mr. Hammond's first wife, Susan R. Hammond. died on Easter Day of the year 1884. On June 18, 1888, he married Johanna Frances Collins. He was the father of four children: James Ncl- son; Ellen Frances; John Nelson, who served with the 101st Artillery, 26th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in France, receiving his dis- charge in May, 1919; and Edwin Lee, who during the World War was commander of the aviation forces of the Great Lakes, remaining in this ser- vice until his discharge in July, 1919.
As a respected citizen, as a beloved husband, as a revered father, James Nelson Hammond left in the hearts of those who knew him a void which has never been filled. He departed this life in 1904, but his name will long command well- deserved honor in the annals of Essex county.
WILLIAM H. BIGELOW, a native of Glou- cester, Massachusetts, but for many years resident in Lynn, where he is well-known, was born April 25, 1875, the son of George and Jane (McGrath) Bigelow. His father was born in Scotland, and his mother in Newfoundland. The former died in 1909 after an energetic life, the greater part of which was spent in this country. The family home was in Gloucester, Massachusetts, for very many years, and there the son, William H., went to school. He attended the public schools, and for some years after leaving was a coachman for various firms in Boston and New York. In 1907 he en- tered the employ of J. P. Blood, of Lynn. He worked for him for three years, leaving to take a position with the Peerless Cement Company, of Lynn. Three years later he entered into business for himself, establishing the Shoe City Cement Company. The plant has been at the same ad- dress, 589 Washington street, Lynn, ever since, and has been satisfactorily developed by Mr. Bige- low during the ten years he has operated it.
He has taken quite an active part in public and business affairs of Lynn, and has been especial- ly prominent in fraternal matters. For many years he has been delegate from Lynn to various
269
BIOGRAPHICAL
conventions of fraternal organizations. Among those to which he belongs are the Knights of Columbus; the Elks; Moose; and Red Men. Mr. Bigelow is prominent in the local Kiwanis Club, being chairman of membership council. He also is a member of the Lynn Driving Club.
Mr. Bigelow married in 1911 Lottie M. Jepson, of Swampscott. Mrs. Bigelow is of British par- entage, daughter of Harry and Annie (MacDonald) Jepson, the former an Englishman by birth, and a silversmith by trade, while the latter, her mother, was of Scottish birth. Mr. and Mrs. Bigelow have four children: Anna M., born in 1912; Charlotte, born in 1914; William H. Jr., born in 1916; and Neil Edward, born in 1919.
GEORGE OTIS SMITH-For many years ac- tive in the industrial world of Newburyport, Massa- chusetts, and also prominent in fraternal orders, George Otis Smith was a man thoroughly repre- sentative of the best citizenship, and although eight years have gone by since his passing, his name is often spoken of among those who knew him with the reverent respect which is eminently fitting.
Mr. Smith was born in Newburyport, November 21, 1847, and came of a family of New England people always highly respected, being a son of Edward and Sarah (Jackman) Smith. Receiving only the advantages of a public school education, Mr. Smith early entered the world of industry, and being of a mechanical turn of mind, chose a career along this line of effort. For thirty-five years he was master mechanic at the hat shop in Newburyport. A thorough and careful work- man, yet quick, and capable in an emergency, he was very highly esteemed by his employers, and was counted among the experts in his line. H death, on September 23, 1913, removed from this community a valued worker, an honored citizen and a beloved husband.
Mr. Smith was a man who never sought public life, but fraternally he was widely known. If. was a prominent member of the Masonic order, and was a leading figure in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having been through all chairs. and at the time of his death held the office of captain of cantons.
Mr. Smith married Mary A. Nutter, who was born in Amesbury, Massachusetts, December 18, 1849, and was a daughter of Charles and Lydia A. (Repeal) Nutter, the family dating back to the War of 1812. Mrs. Smith is a prominent member of the Rebekahs, having been through all chairs of this order up to the highest degree, and now is past deputy. Mrs. Smith now resides in Amesbury.
JOHN CONNELL, a well known coal merchant of Haverhill, Massachusetts, is a native of Essex county, and has lived his whole life in Massa- chusetts. He wa born on July 19, 1857, at West Newbury, son of Patrick and Ellen (Murphy)
Connell. His parents were both of Irish birth, and for a while after coming to this country Patrick Connell was connected with the Massa- chusetts shoe manufacturing industry, later be- coming a merchant at West Newbury; he died in 1906.
John Connell grew to manhood in his native place, attending the public school and afterwards finding employment in the plant of J. M. Stover, of Lowell, with whom he was connected for twenty-five years. He rose to responsible position, and for more than twenty years was foreman and eventually superintendent of the plant. He remained with Mr. Stover until the latter retired. During his time with Mr. Stover, Mr. Connell was also connected with his father in the coal business in West Newburyport, under the firm name of P. Connell & Son. This enterprise was continued until the death of the father in 1906. Soon afterwards, John Connell moved to Haver- hill, where in 1909 he started in business there as a coal merchant, his coal yard and business quar- ters being at No. 105 Prospect street. There he has continued until now, and has worked up a good connection. The business now is incorpor- porated and trades under the name of the Connell Coal Company, John Connell being treasurer. Mr. Connell is a member of the Haverhill Cham- ber of Commerce, and has many friends in the city.
Mr. Connell married, in 1885, Margaret F. Cooney, of West Newbury, Massachusetts, daugh- ter of Bartholomew and Hannah (Dacey) Cooney, who were both born in Ireland, but were long resident in this country. Bartholomew Cooney was a comb maker, and died in 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Connell are the parents of eight children, as follows: Sherman J .; J. Everett; Helena J .; Mary E .; Edward M .; Richard H .; Arthur W .; and M. Florence. Three of the sons saw military service during the World War: Edward M. held a commission in the air service; Arthur W. was in the Student Army Training Corps; and Richard H. in the United States navy.
ED. BERTRAM TRUMBULL-A deep sea sailor and master of ships, Captain Trumbull for twenty-two years braved the dangers of the deep, then retired to a well-earned home in Salem, where he is well known in business and civic life. During those years on shipboard, he rounded the Cape of Good Hope forty-four times, made seven voyages to India, and three times circumnavigated the world, visiting the islands of the Pacific, and the ports of China and Japan. He is a son of Captain Ed. H. Trumbull, a master mariner and vessel owner of Salem, where Trumbulls have long been seated.
Ed. Bertram Trumbull, son of Captain Ed. H. and Mary Ann Trumbull, was born in Salem, Massachusetts, April 28, 1853. He attended Salem schools until fifteen years of age, then went to sea "before the mast," going through every phase
270
ESSEX COUNTY
of a sailor's life before reaching the quarter-deck. He made three voyages as a forecastle hand, and rose through the petty offices to the rank of first mate, and for nine voyages sailed under that rating. He then was made master of a barque. in which he made seven voyages to East Indian ports before retiring. He was a brave and intrepid master, and a skilled navigator, holding the con- fidence of his officers and crew.
In 1892 Captain Trumbull, with others, or- ganized the Storage Warehouse Company, and erected a large fireproof warehouse on New Bridge street, Salem. He is also master and treasurer of the Salem Marine Society, a member of the Salem Club, and of the Universalist church. His home is at No. 90 Federal street, Salem, Massachusetts.
RUSSELL BULLOCK, of Essex, is one of the group of younger men who are carrying forward the practical activities of the community. Mr. Bullock was born in Essex, May 7, 1897, and is a son of Arthur M. and Althea (Story) Bullock. The elder Mr. Bullock is employed with the United Shoe Machinery Company, of Beverly, Massachusetts. As a boy Mr. Bullock attended the public schools of Essex, then for about three years was engaged in farming. Thereafter, he entered the employ of the United Shoe Machine Company, in Beverly, then returned to Essex, and became associated with the Charles W. Mears Ice Company, where he has since been employed.
In 1918 Mr. Bullock enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, and was stationed at Paris Island, until September of that year, when he joined the American Expeditionary Forces in France. There he took part in the Meuse Ar- gonne. He was discharged from the service at Camp Quantico, Virginia, in August, 1919, and returned immediately thereafter to Essex and to his former employment. Mr. Bullock is a mem- ber of the American Legion, and a member of the Universalist church, of Essex.
EDWIN L. BLACKBURN, of the manufacturing firm of Blackburn & Haseltine, of Haverhill, Massachusetts, was born in Salem, Massachusetts, November 6, 1889, son of Lewis C. and Mary S. (Smith) Blackburn. Mr. Blackburn was educated in the public schools and attended the Haverhill Business College. His first experience in business was in the office of the Pacific Mills, and his second was with the Haseltine & Colby Manufac- turing Company, makers of women's turned shoes, with a capacity of five hundred pair a day. Mr. Blackburn acquired an interest in this company and succeeded Mr. Colby as partner, the firm name changing in 1919 to its present form.
Mr. Blackburn married in 1907 Mary A. Shar- key, daughter of Patrick and Mary (Tierney) Sharkey, and their children are: M. Dorothea, M. Viola, E. Raymond, and R. Marjorie.
OLEF AXEL ENSTROM-Long identified with the watch industry in Massachusetts, Olef Axel
Enstrom is now a manufacturer of fine tools in Lynn. Mr. Enstrom is a son of Olef John En- strom, now deceased, who was born in Sweden, March 23, 1826, and was a man of considerable prominence in his native country, being principal of a school. He married Mary Linbeck, who was born in Sweden, February 28, 1838.
Olef Axel Enstrom was born in Sweden, Sep- tember 5, 1881, and educated in the public schools of his native land. Coming to the United States in 1903, he was employed in various activities until 1909, when he entered the employ of the Waltham Watch Company, of Waltham, Massa- chusetts, with whom he remained for two years.
Then coming to Lynn, he was employed on watch work here until 1916, after which he was in Re- vere, Massachusetts, for a period of four years. Then returning to Lynn in July, 1920, Mr. Enstrom established his present factory for the manufacture of fine tools, and although not yet two years have passed, he has developed a thriving business which promises much for the future under his capable management. In the public affairs of his adopted country, Mr. Enstrom takes a deep in- terest, and supports the Republican party. He attends the Baptist church in Lynn.
Mr. Enstrom married, October 22, 1905, Hannah Lillydale, of Lynn, who was born in this city, May 19, 1875, and is a daughter of Carl and Christian Lillydale, her father being a builder in Lynn. Mr. and Mrs. Enstrom have three chil- dren: Sijne Marion, born June 9, 1906; Robert Axel, born March 5, 1911; and Richard Melvin, born May 29, 1919. The two older children attend the public schools of Lynn.
LOUIS LETOILE, of Haverhill, was born in the United States, of French-Canadian parents, but his grandfather, Prospere Letoile, was born in France. His father, also Prospere Letoile, was born in 1850, and had fourteen children, ten of whom are still living, among them Louis.
Louis Letoile was born at St. John, Maine, September 4, 1882, but his boyhood and youth were spent in Canada. He was educated in Canadian grammar schools, and after leaving school assisted his father in the work of the home farm for some time. He was only twenty-one years ( when he married, and for some time before the' he was working for Samuel Whittimore, a bric !: manufacturer, of Haverhill, who was destined to become his father-in-law. However, Louis Letoile went from that trade to roofing and tinning, and for seventeen years was with James Wilson, of Haverhill, in that line of business. In 1920, he de- cided to venture into business for himself, and from then to the present he has done a satis- factory volume of work in roofing, slate, tin, and copper. His address is No. 10 Eighteenth ave- nue, Haverhill. He is a member of the local lodge of the Loyal Order of Moose, and is a mem- ber of the Catholic church.
Mr. Letoile married, in Haverhill, in 1903, Jean- nette Whittimore, who was born in New York City,
THE NEW YORK T'BLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
Que & Chaput
271
BIOGRAPHICAL
n 1881, daughter of Samuel and Matilde (Leyvesy) Whittimore. Mr. and Mrs. Letoile have four chil- dren: Willie, born in 1908; George, born in 1910; Emile, born in 1913; and Leo, born in 1916.
FRANK L. DONOVAN was born in Silver Lake, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, Septem- ber 16, 1877, and is a son of John F. and Mary J. Donovan, natives of Pennsylvania, who are now residents of Methuen, Massachusetts. John F. Donovan is a veteran of the Civil War, having served for three years with the 17th Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. He is a farmer by occupation.
Receiving his early education in the public schools of his native place, Frank L. Donovan at- tended high school at Montrose, county seat of Susquehanna county, then, at the age of nineteen years, came to Lawrence, and engaged in the retail tobacco business, in which branch of ac- tivity he continued for twenty years, or until 1916. Meanwhile, Mr. Donovan had been connected for years with the military service, both State and National. In 1897 he joined the Massachusetts National Guard, and saw service in Cuba with Company F, 9th Regiment, Massachusetts Infan- try, with the rank of corporal, accompanying Gen- eral Shafter to Santiago. He was in Cuba for four months. In 1900 he was appointed second lieutenant of the same organization; in 1902 he was promoted to first lieutenant; in 1904 to cap- tain, and in 1912 to major. In June, 1916, Major Donovan saw service on the Mexican border, then, with the intervention of the United States in Europe, early in 1917 he went to Fort Sill, Okla- homa, where he spent several months in a machine gun training school. In August, 1917, he rejoined his regiment, which had become the 101st Infan- try, Massachusetts National Guard, and, as major of this regiment, became a part of the 26th Di- vision, American Expeditionary Forces. He saw service in France for nineteen months, and was discharged in April, 1919, and upon his return to civilian life established a garage and service station, under the name of the Donovan Motor Company, which he has now disposed of. Mr. Don- ovan is a member of the Spanish War Veterans, of the American Legion, and of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Mr. Donovan married, on January 1, 1900. Lawrence, Anna Keating, of Minneapolis, Minne- sota, and they have six children, two boys and four girls. The family are members of St. Law- rence Roman Catholic Church of Lawrence.
PAUL N. CHAPUT, real estate and insurance man of Salem, Massachusetts, was born in St. Damase, Canada, on September 25, 1862, and is a son of Edouard and Philonise (Duchene) Chaput. The family left their Canada home and removed to Salem in 1876, and he received the greater share of his education in the schools of Salem, attending school in the morning and working in
the mills in the afternoon, in order to help his father in the care of his five brothers and one sister. For a long time he attended evening school regularly, taking the advanced studies which would prepare him for a business career. In 1885 he started in the retail grocery business in Salem, beginning in a modest way. Having a nat- ural talent for business, and being honest and straightforward in all his dealings, he was soon on the way to success. This first business he car- ricd on uninterruptedly for twenty-three years. After the grocery store was an established and assured thing, he acquired a shoe store, then later on a general hardware business, and still later an- other grocery store. So at one time he owned four stores-two groceries, one shoe and one hard- ware store. In 1908 he made a radical change in his line of business. He sold out all his stores and established himself in the fire insurance and real estate business. He became agent for fifteen different companies, and sole agent for some old line companies. Making his own way in this branch of business activity, Mr. Chaput has placed himself among the foremost men in this business, and himself owns large holdings in real estate.
Aside from the interests outlined above, Mr. Chaput is treasurer of Le Courrier Publishing Company, publishing the French weekly news- paper, "Le Courier de Salem," and the "Le Cour- rier de Lynn." He was one of the original or- ganizers of the company which launched this periodical in 1902. Mr. Chaput is a member of the City Council from the Fifth Ward. In 1894 he was on the Board of Aldermen as alderman-at- large. For five years, from 1903 to 1907 inclu- sive, he was on the committees for streets, bridges, sewers, and public property, on the mili- tary aid committee and on the committee on re- counts. He was also a member of the commit- tee formed to draft a new form of government for the city of Salem. He is a Republican, and is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and vice- president of the Bay State Fire Insurance Com- pany, of Lawrence, Massachusetts.
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.