USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > The story of Essex County, Volume III > Part 12
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Mr. Gleason's sudden and untimely death occurred at his home in Haverhill on July 3, 1934. He demonstrated in every depart- ment of life sterling qualities that gained many friends. In his work he achieved richly merited distinction and contributed substantially to the welfare and progress of his surroundings.
BURTON SANDERSON FLAGG- Numbered among well known insurance ex- ecutives of the country is Burton S. Flagg, of
Andover, president of a number of fire in- surance companies, president of the Andover Savings Bank, and officially or as a director associated with other financial and business corporations.
Burton Sanderson Flagg was born in Lit- tleton, Middlesex County, November 10, 1873, the son of Charles Francis and Eliza- beth (Webster) Flagg. He was graduated from Worcester Academy in 1892, and re- ceived the degree of Bachelor of Arts from Brown University in the class of 1896. Start- ing his career as an insurance representative at Fitchburg in 1897, he eventually was made the executive head of important companies operating in the fire insurance field. He is president and treasurer of the Merrimack Mutual Fire Insurance Company; president and treasurer of the Bay State Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and president and treas- urer of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company, the latter of Reading, Pennsylvania; past president and governor of the Federation of Mutual Fire Insurance Companies with head offices at Chicago, Illinois; and president of the Lynn Manufacturers and Merchants Mu- tual Fire Insurance Company, and the Cam- bridge Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He is a director in the Salem Mutual Fire Insur- ance Company; a past director of the Boston Protective Department ; a trustee of the Mu- tual Reinsurance Bureau, Chicago, Illinois; a member of and past president of the Na- tional Association of Mutual Fire Insurance Companies ; a member and past president of the Mutual Fire Insurance Association of New England; and a member and councillor of the National Association of Automotive Insurance Companies. He has been chair- man of the Board of Commissioners of the American Mutual Alliance of Chicago.
In addition to being president of the An- dover Savings Bank, he is chairman of its in- vestment board. He is president of Smart and Flagg, Inc., and a director in the An- dover National Bank. He is a trustee and
Burton SiOlogy
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chairman of the finance committee of the Memorial Hall Library, and a trustee of the South Parish Funds, Inc., of Andover ; past president of the Andover Guild; trustee of Funds, Massachusetts Congregational Con- ference, and trustee and treasurer of Abbot Academy, Andover ; a member and councillor of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States. During the World War he served as chairman for Andover in the Liberty Bond issues.
He is a past member of the Andover School Committee and of the Finance Committee of the town. In politics he is a Republican. In the Masonic Order he has taken the Thirty- second degree in the Scottish Rite and affili- ates with the Knights Templar and Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the Square and Compass Club, Andover Country Club, Twentieth Cen- tury Club of Boston, Arundel Golf Club of Kennebunkport, Maine, and Delta Upsilon (college) Fraternity. His religious prefer- ence is Congregational.
Burton Sanderson Flagg married, Septem- ber 19, 1901, Anne Francis, of Fitchburg, and their children are : I. Dorothea, married Wal- lace E. Richmond, Jr., and they have a daugh- ter, Joan Richmond. 2. Elizabeth, married Sterling Dow, and they have two children, Elizabeth and Sterling, Jr. 3. Frances, mar- ried George K. Sanborn.
Mr. Flagg's offices are at the Insurance Building, Shausheen Village, Andover, and in the Bank Building, Main Street, Andover. His family residence is at No. 22 School Street, Andover, and his summer residence at Kennebunkport, Maine.
NAPOLEON THERIAULT-The busi- ness and civic activities of Napoleon Theri- ault, of Haverhill, made his career of great value to his fellow-citizens in all walks and departments of life. He was for many years engaged in the shoe industry of his city,
and in this work came to be widely known in Essex County and throughout the trade in New England. His conscientious regard for the well-being of his city and its people was characteristic of the thinking and the activities of the man, winning for him esteem, respect and admiration. Confiding in him and trusting his judgments, his con- temporaries regarded him as a leader of rare ability and accomplishments. His kindliness and sincerity attracted to him a host of friends who remained lastingly loyal to him and did everything in their power to promote the civic causes and projects for which he stood.
Mr. Theriault was born on February 2, 1875, in Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada, son of Napoleon and Delima (Lozen) Theriault. His father was en- gaged for many years in the shoemaking trade, and came to Haverhill with his fam- ily about 1880. In the public schools of Haverhill the younger Napoleon Theriault, of this review, began his formal studies. In early manhood he left school to go into a factory to learn the shoe trade and by his apprenticeship he was able in later years to successfully engage in the manufacturing field. He never regretted the arduous la- bors that he expended in boyhood in the process of learning intimately all the many and complicated details of the shoe indus- try, for he found that all of this training was definitely advantageous to him through the years of his life. Becoming associated with the firm of Witherell and Dobbins, he was afterward made a member of the firm, and so continued until his death on August 3, 1924.
The firm of Witherell and Dobbins be- came one of the largest shoe manufacturing houses in Haverhill, and much of its suc- cess was directly traceable to the work and the leadership of Mr. Theriault himself, whose efforts and knowledge of the trade
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were of greatest value. Similarly his busi- ness judgment was frequently sought and welcomed by his contemporaries, who en- trusted many civic matters to his attention. When dealing with a civic matter, he brought to his work the same conscientious- ness and fairness that went into all his com- mercial dealings, with the result that he was widely known and honored. Never at any time did he seek public office, having be- lieved that his work lay in other spheres in which he could be more effective, but he did take a deep interest in affairs affecting his community and county. He belonged to the Pentucket Club and the Haverhill Ki- wanians. Mr. Theriault was a devout Cath- olic and regularly attended St. Joseph's Church, though he sought always to live his religion in his daily life and activities.
Napoleon Theriault married, in 1901, Al- bertine De Coteau, a Canadian by birth, daughter of Desire and Elizabeth (Gothier) De Coteau. To Mr. and Mrs. Theriault were born the following children: I. Raoul O., who was graduated from Georgetown University, and married May Bell Colquitt, of Washington, District of Columbia; they have two children, Raoul O., Jr., and Neil
Theriault. 2. Irene C., a graduate of high school, who became the wife of Russell Fountaine ; they have two children, Jeanne and Russell Fountaine, Jr. 3. Edgar E., a high school graduate. 4. Paul U., a gradu- ate of high school and St. John's Prepara- tory School.
The death of Napoleon Theriault re- moved a man who was liked by his fellow- citizens, for he possessed in abundant meas- ure those qualities that go into the making of the upright character, the successful bus- iness career and the citizenship of public spirit. He gave liberally to the well-being of his adopted city, and Haverhill misses lıirn.
SAMUEL JAMES LEVIS-For many years an outstanding figure in the public life of the city of Haverhill, Samuel James Levis was also extensively engaged in busi- ness affairs in his community. Not only was he actively at the head of his own gro- cery business, but he was a leader in his in- dustry in Haverhill and was so recognized by others who were similarly prominent in the commercial world. As an alderman he effectively served the interests of his con- stituents, doing everything in his power to promote the well-being of his fellow-citi- zens and earning their high esteem, respect and admiration. By many of his contem- poraries he was honored and loved because of his delightful personal qualities, his de- votion to worth while principles of living and thinking, and his unfailing loyalty to his friends.
Mr. Levis was born in Haverhill on March 22, 1875, son of the late John and Catherine Mary (Cronin) Levis and mem- ber of an old and honorable family. In the public schools of Haverhill, his birthplace, he received his first formal education, at- tending the Winter Street, St. James and Whittier schools and then the Haverhill High School. A member of the class of 1892 in high school, he did not finish his course, however, having left school to learn the grocery business under the tutelage of Roche Brothers, a local firm. Employed as clerk, he remained with Roche Brothers un- til 1903, the year in which he began his own independent work in the business world.
Establishing his own grocery store at the corner of Franklin and John streets, with the late John Noonan as partner, he re- mained a member of the firm of Levis and Noonan until at length he determined to take over the whole of the business and conduct it single-handed. So doing, he
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changed the name to the S. J. Levis Com- pany, with which he continued for more than twenty years. In those years he be- came prominent in the retail trade and was an accredited leader of Haverhill grocers. They gave proof of this leadership when they elected him president of the Haverhill Grocers' Association. He served as the head officer of that body for three years, and after he completed his service in the presi- dency of the association, he still remained active in all its affairs. At length he ceased his own business operations as proprietor of the S. J. Levis Company, thereafter working for limited periods of time for dif- ferent grocery, provision and meat dealers.
As time went on Mr. Levis acquired an ever increasing interest in public affairs. The first office that he held was as a mem- ber of the board of license commissioners. From 1912 to 1923 he was on this board as a commissioner, and was reelected for the last time on May 8, 1918, for a six-year term. On May 27, that same year, he was designated chairman of the body to replace the late Edson W. Noyes, whose death left vacant the chairmanship. Mr. Levis re- . mained as chairman of the commission un- til his resignation on December 29, 1922, following his election to the Haverhill City Council.
For four two-year terms Mr. Levis acted as alderman of his city, serving during those years as commissioner of health and charities, commissioner of public safety, and commissioner of public property. He was first elected to council on December 5, 1922, taking his seat in January, 1923. He made his début as alderman in a campaign that was in many respects the most spectacular in the history of Haverhill. In that cam- paign Mr. Levis and George L. Martin, a former alderman, were elected aldermen of the city, and Dr. William D. McFee was elected mayor. The "citizens' ticket" was
placed in office and the candidates endorsed by the Shoe Workers' Protective Union were defeated. Those candidates were Parkman B. Flanders for mayor, Michael J. Kelleher and Fred W. Pierce for alder- men.
Appointed commissioner of public health and charities, he proceeded to handle effec- tively his first assignment as a city father. He headed that department under Mayor McFee. Then, when reelected for a second term in 1924, Mr. Levis took over his duties in this same department, serving in 1925 and 1926 and continuing until January, 1927. He was then elected for the third term, and in 1927 and 1928 held the same commission. Temporarily retiring for a year from public life, he was again elected to council for the 1930-31 term, his final term expiring on January 4, 1932. In this period he held two commissionerships, re- ceiving at the outset the public safety com- mission and later that concerned with pub- lic property.
At all times, both in and out of office, Mr. Levis took a deep interest in civic affairs. His efforts were chiefly responsible for adoption of a measure for doing away with the dry measure of produce. That was in 1912. His work in that connection did much toward the equalization of weights. Mr. Levis was author of this bill seeking fair measurement standards, which was passed in the administration of former Gov- ernor Foss and definitely set up legal weight standards governing the sale of all vegetables.
In a variety of ways Mr. Levis supported the best interests of Haverhill and its peo- ple and institutions. He took part in many worthy movements and enterprises for im- proving the existing economic and social conditions in his city. In business life he was progressive and clear in his thinking. He was a leading member of St. James
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Church over a period of many years, par- ticipating in its annual reunions and gath- erings. At one time he acted as a neutral arbiter in one of the Shoe Workers' Protec- tive Union cases in Haverhill. City officials, business men and friends in all walks of life came to know and respect Mr. Levis. They appreciated his work and often sought his wise counsel, which, moreover, he freely gave when asked.
His first devotion went to the home and family, which to him were rich in meaning. Samuel James Levis married, on June 2, 1903, Mary G. Cronin, of Haverhill, daugh- ter of David and Mary (Reardon) Cronin. Both her parents were natives of Ireland, her father having been born in County Cork and her mother having also begun life in that land. To Mr. and Mrs. Levis were born the following children: I. Catherine H., a teacher. 2. Mary G., engaged in cleri- cal work. 3. Helen E., a teacher. 4. Mar- garet, died in infancy. 5. Anne J. 6. John S., a student at Georgetown University. 7. Samuel J., Jr., a student at the University of New Hampshire. 8. Jeannette F., a student at Lowell Institute. 9. Joseph E. Mr. and Mrs. Levis also reared as one of their own Julia Hickey, Mrs. Levis' niece, who became an orphan at an early age. She is now Mrs. Gilbert Smith, of Haverhill.
In the closing period of his long years of public service, Mr. Levis was made the recipient of a beautiful flag, presented to him by Albert L. Bartlett in recognition of his extensive services to Haverhill. His work was highly regarded throughout Es- sex County and wherever he was known, and his death, on the morning of March 12, 1933, was widely regretted. He was sur- vived by his wife and nine children, as well as by three sisters and two brothers, as follows: Mrs. Catherine Yost and Mrs. Mary Bouvier, of Boston; Mrs. Jeannette Collins, of Haverhill; Eugene Levis, of
Haverhill; and John Levis, of Boston. The city was bowed down in grief at Mr. Levis' passing ; yet many felt a deep sense of satis- faction in having been permitted to share a life that had been of such rich value as his. He was beloved in a wide circle of friend- ship, and will for years to come be warmly and affectionately remembered.
AUSTIN EDWARDS RUDDOCK-
Throughout a long and distinguished career Austin E. Ruddock directed the activities of one of the oldest and foremost shoe man- ufacturing firms in the city of Haverhill. Joining his father, who had founded the business, he maintained a steady affiliation with the concern until his untimely death.
Austin E. Ruddock was born at West Newbury, Massachusetts, on October 7, 1863, the son of Thomas and Lydia (Ed- wards) Ruddock, both natives of this State. He received a general education in the pub- lic schools of his native community and later attended the Boston Latin School. After completing his studies here he entered his father's shoe manufacturing business in Haverhill. Under the expert tutelage of the elder Ruddock, who had also devoted his life to this industry, Mr. Ruddock received a thorough and well-rounded experience. After his father died he continued to con- duct the firm in a most able and successful manner. He took great pride in developing the business and jealously guarded the en- viable reputation this concern had attained for its quality products. In his work he was widely known throughout the State and respected for the able manner in which he conducted this enterprise. One of the leading business men of the community, whose opinions were highly regarded, he was elected a director of the Haverhill Trust Company and maintained this office until his death.
Levis A. Foy
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Prominent socially he belonged to many of the leading organizations of this city among which were the Pentucket Club, the Haverhill Country Club, the Boston City Club, and the Haverhill Chamber of Commerce. In his religious convictions he was a Universalist and worshipped at the church of that denomination here. A lover of fine horses, Mr. Ruddock found great pleasure in riding and was active in this sport. In the days of sulky racing Mr. Ruddock was known throughout New Eng- land as the owner of some of the finest en- tries in this section.
In 1888 Mr. Ruddock married Claretta Webster of this city, daughter of George W. and Catharine (Lowe) Webster, her father being prominent in business here, as a member of the firm of George W. Webster & Son, dealers in cut soles. Mrs. Ruddock has been active in the social and civic af- fairs of this community and is one of the leading members of the Women's City Club and other organizations. Mr. and Mrs. Ruddock were the parents of two daugh- ters : I. Katharine, who is the wife of Henry G. Bell of Watertown, Massachusetts. 2. Dorothy W., the wife of Rowland H. Knight of Manchester, Massachusetts, and the mother of two children: Suzanne and Austin Ruddock.
Mr. Ruddock's sudden and untimely death occurred on August 23, 1925. For many years he had been regarded as one of the foremost citizens and was looked upon as an able business man. His full and fruit- ful life was marked for its accomplishment and the results of his labors today remain as an immortal tribute to his memory.
LEWIS A. FOYE-For over half a cen- tury Lewis A. Foye has devoted his life to the banking institutions of Lawrence and during his long and distinguished career,
has risen from a modest station in the busi- ness to direct the activities of one of the oldest houses in this city as president.
Mr. Foye is a native of North Andover, Massachusetts, the son of Thomas E. and Sarah Frances (Ellingwood) Foye. His father, who was a carpenter, was a native of Newcastle, New Hampshire, and his mother of Andover, Massachusetts. Mr. Foye was educated in the public schools of his native community, graduating from Johnson High School. After completing his studies here he entered Amherst Col- lege, and was a member of the class of '87.
He began his business career in the office of the Davis and Furber Machine Com- pany and worked with this organization un- til 1882, when he severed connections here to enter the banking business, becoming a clerk for the Bay State National Bank, a house he served for the next seventeen years in the capacity of teller. His ability and his aptitude for this business were soon recognized by banking authorities in this city and in 1902, he was elected treasurer of the Lawrence Savings Bank, the second oldest bank here which was chartered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by special act of the Legislature, March 10, 1868, and started operations on May 14, of the same year. He served in this office for twenty-eight years, and then on May 5, 1930, was elected to become president, a position he retains today.
Throughout his career he has been sought on numerous occasions by the leading enter- prises of this city for advice and in this con- nection has become a director for the Bay State Merchants National Bank, as well as a trustee of the institution he heads. He is also a member of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, the Young Men's Christian As- sociation, and other civic organizations, which recognize and claim his helpfulness.
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He worships at the Lawrence Street Con- gregational Church.
On April 4, 1894, Lewis A. Foye married Etta B. Nowell of Lawrence.
FRANK JOSEPH MITCHELL-Meas- ured by almost any standard, the life of Frank Joseph Mitchell was one of impor- tance to the city of which he was for so many years a prominent citizen. He was a native of Maine, born November 20, 1846, at Auburn, the son of Benjamin and Han- nah (Penley) Mitchell.
Mr. Mitchell received the advantages of an education in the schools of his birth town and the Edward Little Academy. The early age when he set out to make a liveli- hood was in the days of the Civil War and the beginnings of the several editions a day newspaper, and he sold papers for the Lewiston "Journal." However unimpor- tant his first contact with journalism, it was one step on the way to achievement, and no doubt initiated him into the value of adver- tising. After the end of the war, Mr. Mitchell went to Boston and became identi- fied with a wholesale dry goods firm known as Kingman Brothers. With the experi- ence thus gained, he went to Dover, New Hampshire, in 1870, and opened a small re- tail store. Two years later, with a brother, Seth K. Mitchell, he removed to Haverhill and established the store now so favorably known as the Mitchell Department Store.
At first a building with a twenty-five foot front and a depth of fifty feet was large enough for all purposes, but it soon outgrew its limited floor space. In 1877 Seth K. Mitchell sold his interest to his brother, Frank J. Mitchell, who took in as a partner, George W. Thayer. During the following quarter of a century the business prospered under this partnership. Early in the pres- ent century Mr. Mitchell purchased the Thayer share in the concern, and found an
associate in Nicholas C. Johnson. Expan- sion and modernization were keynotes in Mr. Mitchell's merchandising. His vision seemed always to perceive what the future would bring and he never lacked courage to venture into new fields or to back new ideas. By the time of his demise, in 1921, he had the business so enlarged and per- fected that it was ready to take the next step-complete departmentalization. The Mitchell establishment is, to quote an ob- server, "the largest and finest department store in Haverhill."
The press of business prevented Mr. Mitchell from greater activities along other lines in which he was strongly interested. He was keen for anything that would pro- mote the development of Haverhill, and was active in the city Chamber of Com- merce, and in civic enterprises. He had no time for politics or political office, although he was influential in municipal government. Fraternally he was affiliated with Crystal Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the New England Lodge of Protection. He belonged to the Portland Baptist Church, and was generous in his support of religious and welfare projects.
Frank Joseph Mitchell married (first), in 1882, Nellie Rebecca Wentworth, and they were the parents of: I. Margaret, died in infancy. 2. Thomas W., who was associated with his father and remained active in the business until it was sold. He married Lena J. Rice of Haverhill and they became parents of two children : Frank Joseph and Elizabeth. Thomas W. Mitchell died De- cember II, 1931. 3. Ruth M., married, in 1919, Frank E. Barnes, an interior decora- tor, and member of all the various bodies of the Free and Accepted Masons and several clubs. They are the parents of two chil- dren : Rebecca Jane, born October 1, 1920, and Robert Clark, born May 10, 1923. Mrs. Barnes is a member of the Women's City
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Club, and others, and takes a prominent place in musical circles. Mr. Mitchell mar- ried (second), in 1901, Ida Jane Spaulding, of Brockton, Massachusetts, who survived him until January 16, 1930, when her death occurred.
The death of Mr. Mitchell on May 26, 1921, marked the passing of another of the comparatively small group of leaders who contributed so importantly to the greatness of Haverhill. He was mourned by his friends, associates and the community for what he had been, as man and citizen. He had advanced in life through his own char- acter and powers. He achieved success by industry and personal integrity. A career such as his is a legacy of inestimable worth because of its example and encouragement to those now engaged in the struggle for achievement.
OTIS J. CARLTON-A native son of Haverhill, the career of Judge Otis J. Carl- ton was throughout his life closely and con- structively associated with the progress of the city. A skilled lawyer, he proved him- self an able jurist as a justice of the district court. He held other public offices in which his services were distinguished for judg- ment, integrity and vision. In spheres, fi- nancial, fraternal, and sports, he was in- fluential and popular.
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