USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > The story of Essex County, Volume III > Part 13
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Otis J. Carlton was born on October 15, 1876, the son of Wilton H. and Harriet E. (Thompson) Carlton. After being gradu- ated from the Haverhill High School with the class of 1895, he matriculated at Har- vard University, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts, four years later. In the summer of 1899 he began the study of law in the offices of William H. Moody and Horace A. Bartlett, and was admitted to the Massachusetts bar in September, 1901. He associated himself with the Moody and
Bartlett law firm and in September, 1904, went to Washington where he entered the department of justice as special assistant to William H. Moody, who was then attorney general. While in Washington, Judge Carl- ton had charge of prosecutions under the eight-hour law. He remained in Washing- ton from 1904 until 1908 when he returned to Haverhill. In January, 1909, Judge Carl- ton formed a partnership in this city with the late Attorney Francis H. Pearl, for the practice of law. The partnership continued for several years until the death of Mr. Pearl and then Judge Carlton continued in a law business of his own. At the time of his demise he maintained offices in the Haverhill National Bank Building.
For thirteen years Judge Carlton served as special justice of Central District Court of Northern Essex, being appointed to the position in 1911 by former Governor Eu- gene Foss. In February, 1925, Judge Carl- ton resigned as special justice, presenting his resignation to former Governor Chan- ning H. Cox, because of the increasing de- mands upon the time of special justices. At that time legislation was enacted relating to appeals from district courts and to the sit- ting of district court justices in the Superior Court, which Judge Carlton declared was the reason for his retirement.
When the United States entered the World War, Judge Carlton was a lieutenant in Company F, of the 16th Infantry, Massa- chusetts State Guard, and also acted as a legal advisor and was one of the "Four- Minute Men." His public civic activities included membership on the school board for eleven years, retiring in 1924; alderman of Haverhill in 1903 and 1904; and he was in the foremost of the movement for secur- ing the new city charter of 1908. The judge was one of the incorporators of the Haver- hill Savings Bank and the City Five Cent Savings Bank. He was a trustee of the
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latter and director of the First National Bank. Greatly interested in the Haverhill Boys' Club, Judge Carlton was one of its directors. He was also a member of the Young Men's Christian Association for many years, being active in the gymnasium program until recently.
His affiliations included Merrimack Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Haverhill Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Pentucket Club, Haverhill Coun- try Club, Fortnightly Club, and the Har- vard Club, Boston. He was also a member of the Massachusetts Conveyancers Asso- ciation, American Bar Association, Essex Bar Association, the bar of the United States Supreme Court, and the Massachu- setts Supreme Court.
On February 14, 1905, Otis J. Carlton married Florence N. Hoyt, daughter of Ed- ward Hammond and Ella (Nealley ) Hoyt of Haverhill, and they were the parents of four daughters : I. Harriet Hammond, grad- uate of Wellesley College, married Harding Pyle Moffatt, and is a resident of Halifax, Nova Scotia. 2. Helen Carlton, of Haver- hill, also a graduate of Wellesley College, who married Edwin Milner, and resides in Buffalo, New York. 3. and 4. Emily and Elizabeth Carlton, twins, graduated in 1933 from the Howe-Marot School, Thompson, Connecticut.
Judge Carlton was only fifty-six years old at the time of his death, October 22, 1932. None who knew him or were fa- miliar with his genuine importance to the best interests of Haverhill, but expressed regret at his passing while at the zenith of his powers when there was so much re- maining that he alone could do. He was a member of that splendid galaxy of men who gave the best that was in them to the serv- ice of the city, its people and the welfare of human kind.
WILLIAM HENRY FLOYD-Dating from the first year of the present century, the clothing store and business of William H. Floyd and his partners was the finest and most successful in Haverhill for nearly two decades. He was a native of East Derry, New Hampshire, born September 25, 1850, the son of Sewell and Sarah (Sleeper) Floyd, both of New Hampshire birth and family.
The formal education of Mr. Floyd was acquired in local schools and Pinkerton Academy. He was only fifteen years of age when he came to Haverhill where he continued to live for fifty-seven years. After being variously engaged, he became a part- ner in the Three Tailors Clothing Com- pany, in the city, a connection that contin- ued until. 1900, when he sold his interest to go with Scott Peabody. The firm of Floyd and Peabody was formed and a store estab- lished on Merrimack Street. Within a few years Mr. Peabody died and William H. Floyd continued the business alone for a time. He was later joined by his brother, the Hon. Charles M. Floyd, former Gover- nor of New Hampshire, an association which had no break until 1920, when Wil- liam H. Floyd sold his establishment and retired from active business life, because of failing health.
Mr. Floyd was a trustee of the Haverhill Savings Bank, and was noted for his useful activities in community affairs and local or- ganizations formed to promote the better development of the city. He was a public- minded citizen, performing his duties as such efficiently and well, but cared nothing for political preferment. Fraternally he was affiliated with Saggahew Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and was a popular figure in the Pentucket Club. He was also active in the Haverhill Chamber of Com- merce. His church was the North Congre-
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gational, and he was a generous supporter of religious and welfare enterprises. Dur- ing his many years residence in Haverhill he wielded a benign and constructive influ- ence in the city of which he was so proud, and his passing was a source of keen regret. Mr. Floyd died on July 26, 1922.
In 1894 William H. Floyd married Har- riet H. Howe, daughter of Richard C. and Matilda (Chase) Howe, of Haverhill. Mr. Howe was for a half century one of the leading druggists of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Floyd were the parents of two children : I. Hester H., graduate of the Haverhill High School, now deceased. 2. William Henry, Jr., who served in the Aviation Corps of the United States Army during the World War. He married Elizabeth Carpenter, of a prominent Manchester, New Hampshire family, and they have two children : Nancy and William H., 3d. He resides at Man- chester, New Hampshire, where he is man- ager of the Carpenter Hardware Company. Mrs. William H. Floyd, Sr. is well known in the religious, club and organized activi- ties of Haverhill, being a member of the Women's Club, the Haverhill Historical Society, the Whittier Club, and others. She is prominent in the affairs of the North Congregational Church, where she serves on a number of its boards and committees. She is descended from pioneer families of Haverhill and New England.
HERBERT F. PITCHER, M. D .- A figure of importance in nearly every phase of life in Haverhill, Herbert F. Pitcher, M. D., rose to a position of distinction in the medical profession. With the exception of two years, he practiced medicine in the city for four decades. He came from a notable New England family, the Pitcher lineage in America going back to Jonathan and Phebe Pitcher who lived in Rhode Island in the early quarter of the eighteenth cen-
tury. Of the six children of Jonathan and Phebe Pitcher born in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, was William, Revolutionary soldier, who later settled in New Hamp- shire, and was the father of Samuel Pitcher, long a resident of Stoddard, New Hamp- shire. His son, Frederick, married Clarissa (Towne) Sautelle, and they were the par- ents of three children : Velina, Melinda, and Herbert F., of this review.
Herbert F. Pitcher, M. D., was born in Stoddard, New Hampshire, September 10, 1853, and received his formal education in the local public schools and Marlow Acad- emy. Matriculating at the University of Vermont, he was graduated with the class of 1879, with the degree of Doctor of Medi- cine. He took post-graduate studies and worked in the Electric Therapeutical Col- lege, of New York City, and established himself in Milton, New Hampshire. In 1883 he removed to Haverhill and, with the exception of a few years, became increas- ingly prominent in the medical circles of Essex County. As indicated, he had studied electro-therapy and specialized in it as a doctor. He was best known as a specialist in ear, nose and throat diseases, and often was called in by colleagues for consultation when these difficulties were elements in cases they were treating.
Dr. Pitcher was an examiner for the United States and the Prudential Life In- surance companies. He was a member of the staff of the Hale Hospital, Haverhill. Among his professional connections were : Charter member of the Haverhill Medical Club, a charter member of the New England Electro-Therapeutical Society, a member of the Essex North Medical So- ciety, Massachusetts Medical Society, New Hampshire Medical Society, California Medical Society, and he was a prominent member of the American Electro-Therapeu- tical Society. Fraternally he was a member
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of Saggahew Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Pentucket Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and formerly was a member of Miltonia Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Dr. Pitcher was a member of the Congregational Church.
Dr. Pitcher wielded great influence in civic and political circles. A Republican politically, he declined public office, pre- ferring to fulfill his duties as a citizen in less conspicuous ways. He wrote well, be- ing a regular contributor to numerous med- ical journals, and was a member of the American Medical Editors Association. He was popular in fraternal and social circles, a leader in welfare and betterment move- ments. His monetary interests were many in Essex County and in California. His death on October 19, 1924, marked the pass- ing of one who had played outstanding rôles in community and professional life. He was a man of great ability, highest per- sonal characteristics, whose career was note- worthy for its strict allegiance to the finest principles of thought and conduct.
On November 25, 1880, Dr. Herbert F. Pitcher married Nettie M. Sheldon, born in Londonderry, New Hampshire, in Octo- ber, 1858, the daughter of David P. and Mary Sheldon. Dr. and Mrs. Pitcher were the parents of a son, Karl Herbert, born September, 1885, at Haverhill, who, after being graduated from the Haverhill High school in 1904, entered Dartmouth College to pursue pre-medical studies. From Dart- mouth he went to the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City. In 1911 he married Marjorie Whiting Fox, and for six years was associated with the C. K. Fox Shoe Company.
When the United States entered the World War, Karl Herbert Pitcher enlisted in April, 1917, joining Battery A, 102d Field Artillery. He was trained at Camp Curtis Guild, East Boxford, Massachusetts,
and embarked for France in September. He had been promoted a corporal while in can- tonment, and to mess sergeant soon after going overseas. As such he received cita- tion from the Division Quartermaster "for having the most efficient and best organized detachment in the Yankee Division." He also was transferred to a line sergeant in order that he might qualify for a commis- sion. An officer said of him: "Karl was from the first a soldier of the finest type, shouldering and performing his duties like a veteran. . His indomitable happy disposition, his generosity and willingness to do for others endeared him to all."
Like most of those who paid the final sacrifice in the service of their country, Karl Pitcher died of disease-acute, or "trench" nephritis, passing away on Sep- tember 29, 1918, at Mesves, France. Among the many appreciations of his career and character one may be quoted by Major Wil- liam H. Root :
Karl, to me, will always be a hero, for he made every sacrifice he could. He always did his part. .... His work was appreciated not only by his own battery, officers and comrades, but by those in supreme authority.
An editorial comment of this letter from Major Root, concluded with this encomium :
New born, of new vision, one of God's real noble- men, Sergeant Karl Pitcher looked unflinchingly into the very eyes of eternity and, by the side of an ever- open grave-stripped of all veneer, of everything but the fundamentals-died like a typical American, like a real soldier of the Republic.
Karl Herbert Pitcher was survived by his widow and two sons, Charles Herbert of Haverhill, and Kilburn Fox of Brookline, and also by his father and mother.
WILLIAM A. KNIPE-A picturesque group of pioneers grew up around the de- velopment of the shoe industry in Haverhill and among them was William A. Knipe
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who, as a small boy, came to this country in "The Stradforshire," an old square rigged clipper ship plying between England and the east coast of the United States. After a month's sea voyage the Knipe family, which consisted of the widowed mother and six children, landed in Boston in the early June days of 1854 and, upon disembarking, headed for Rochester, New Hampshire, where Mr. Knipe's uncle, John Hall, was living.
Mr. Knipe was born in Ducklington, Ox- fordshire, England, on May 16, 1846, the son of William and Jane (Hall) Knipe. He was the youngest member of the family and only seven years old when they embarked for their voyage to America. Up to the time of his departure from England, Mr. Knipe had obtained only two months of schooling and the rigorous life he faced after his arrival in America prevented him from further education. Settling in East Rochester with his uncle he began to work in the weaving industry, working on an av- erage of thirteen hours a day for wages ranging from fifty cents to one dollar and twenty-five cents. He remained here for five years and during this time the blankets woven at the Hall mill took first prize at the world's fair held in New York City in 1857. At the age of thirteen he came to Haver- hill and started a career in the shoe indus- try which was to develop into one of the city's largest businesses. His first experi- ence in shoe making was in the factory of George Roberts, whose shops occupied the upper floors of a building located at the corner of Main and Court streets. He worked here for six years and then the wanderlust gripped him. He heard tales of America's great far western states and with his brother Mark, already in California, he decided to head west and help him operate the wheat farm he had acquired. This was to be one of the most romantic episodes in
the adventurous life of William A. Knipe for he arrived in the western territory dur- ing the rugged period, when the wilderness was being converted to wealth and an or- dered civilization was establishing itself in place of the chaotic condition which had existed there. Years later he related many tales of the episodes enroute and of the horrors of lynching, Indian cruelty and other events that occurred during his stay in California. He always ascribed the rug- ged health he enjoyed to the hard work he put in on his brother's farm during this time. Returning from California to East Rochester, he met Ada Penley and shortly afterward they were married in East Bridgeton, Maine. A short time later he returned to Haverhill, penniless and with a young bride to provide for. He secured a position in the shoe trade and shortly after- ward, satisfied that he could manufacture shoes of good quality, he started a contract shop of his own in the building now oc- cupied by Chesley and Rugg on Washing- ton Street. He had ten teams of five hands each and in order to undersell his competi- tors he would work at home in the evenings finishing shoes at a little bench in his kitchen. His trade grew to such an extent that he was forced to move to new quarters and it was shortly after he did so that the fire of 1882 completely destroyed his busi- ness and he found himself penniless again. But his characteristic courage asserted it- self here and the morning following the fire he had set up shop in the only building standing on Washington Street. By this time he had a family of five children and was living in the Mount Washington sec- tion of the city. The growth of his business again forced him to seek a new site for his shops and this time he purchased a tract of land in the Ward Hill section of the city and erected a three-story wooden building, the original Knipe factory which today has
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been enlarged to nearly twice its original size and has a floor area of sixty thousand square feet where more than four hundred people can be employed.
The building of this factory marked a change in the fortunes of William A. Knipe. His business prospered and grew until it held a place among the most successful enterprises in the city. Its position today is a monument to the ceaseless and untiring efforts of its founder. When this building was first erected the country around Ward Hill was nothing but fields. The construc- tion of the plant directed attention to this section and soon attractive workers' dwell- ings, built by Mr. Knipe, were dotting the landscape. Throughout his business career he always had the workers' welfare in mind and in this connection was responsible for establishing recreational and working con- ditions which were far ahead of their time. He gave the people of Ward Hill a club house, donated a playing field for the chil- dren and when a school building was erected to serve the educational needs of the community, it was named the William A. Knipe School in his honor. He was re- sponsible for establishing a branch of the Morris Plan Bank for the working man, and of this bank he later became president. In appreciation of his vision and farsighted- ness the Haverhill Shoe Manufacturers As- sociation presented him with a huge loving cup bearing the following inscription : "This loving cup is presented to William A. Knipe by fellow-members of the Haverhill Shoe Manufacturers Association in recognition of able leadership, wise counsel, loyal service, industry and benevolence, in building a community. Our abiding friendship and esteem. March, 1916."
Not only did his work contribute to the social betterment of people in the shoe in- dustry but it also brought to light several inventions which were to facilitate and bet-
ter the methods of shoe making. One, which he developed during his early days at Ward Hill, was the hinged last which has since become indispensable in shoe-making. He also patented the Mckay welting proc- ess and a new type of inner sole, known as the K. B. patented process. Aware of the importance of new mechanical develop- ments in the shoe industry, Mr. Knipe, who had watched it grow from a handcraft, was the first to employ castiron tools for setting edges and burnishing the shanks of shoes, a method which is generally used today in the manufacture of footwear.
Always interested in the social and civic activities of the community, Mr. Knipe held prominent positions in the leading organi- zations of the city, being president of the Morris Plan Bank in 1924, a charter mem- ber of the Pentucket Club, president of the Haverhill Shoe Manufacturers Association, and a director of the New England Shoe and Leather Association.
William A. and Ada (Penley ) Knipe were the parents of five children : I. Mark Andrew. 2. Arthur Harold. 3. David Roy. 4. William Leon. 5. Mrs. Victoria (Knipe) Root. At his death he was survived by eleven grandchildren and one great-grand- child.
Mr. Knipe died September 6, 1930, being in his eighty-fifth year. As man and citizen, business executive and friend, he exempli- fied the ideals that in themselves attract respect and hold it. His life and deeds have perpetuated his name among the honored citizens of Haverhill.
WILLIAM LEON KNIPE-As presi- dent and treasurer of Knipe Brothers, In- corporated, at Haverhill, William Leon Knipe is successfully conducting one of the oldest shoe manufacturing concerns in New England.
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Mr. Knipe was born at Haverhill, Massa- chusetts, September 15, 1880, the son of William A. and Ada (Penley ) Knipe. His mother was a native of Rochester, New Hampshire, while his father emigrated to this country from England and began in the shoe industry as far back as 1859 when he was but thirteen years old.
William L. Knipe was educated in the public schools of Haverhill and later at- tended a business college. Soon after com- pleting his education, he became connected with his father's business and has remained with it since. It is interesting to note that in the management of this organization, Mr. Knipe has continued the foresighted policy of his father in maintaining the best working and recreational conditions possi- ble at the plant. As well as being a suc- cessful pioneer in the shoe industry the elder Knipe was one of the first to recog- nize the value of proper working conditions for his employees. During the World War Mr. Knipe was stationed at Washington, District of Columbia, in the Quartermasters Department as a member of the clothing and economic board.
As a native of Haverhill Mr. Knipe has played an important part in the business ac- tivity of the city and in addition to his private business interests is a director of the Haverhill National Bank, the Morris Plan Bank, and a trustee of the Haverhill Savings Bank. He is a member of Sagga- hew Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, attaining the thirty-second degree, Scottish Rite; also he is a Noble of Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Boston, and is a mem- ber of the Congregational Church.
In 1922 William Leon Knipe married Laura J. Clough of Amesbury, Massachu- setts, and they are the parents of two chil- dren : I. William Leon, Jr., born January 14, 1923. 2. Robert W., born February 10, 1925.
GEORGE P. NICHOLS-True romance is woven around the life and career of George P. Nichols. It is a story of a man who, faced with almost insurmountable handicaps, has risen through his own efforts to become one of the outstanding citizens of Haverhill, where today he occupies an outstanding position in the social, civic and business life, owns extensive properties and takes an active part in the affairs of his sur- roundings.
George P. Nichols, a native of Greece, was born in Sparta on May 24, 1877, the son of Dr. Nicholas Pappageorge and Kath- erine Nichols. His father for many years was a dentist and farmer. Mr. Nichols re- ceived a general education in the public schools of his native country and after com- pleting his studies here looked to the "New World," as offering the best opportunities for the future. Consequently he departed from his mother country and in 1893 arrived in America, settling for a time in New York City. His experience in this metropolis was one of struggle. Not versed in the language or customs of the new land he was com- pelled to secure what employment he could. His first work was selling chestnuts on the sidewalks of the great city. Later he went to North Beach, near Flushing, Long Island, and here obtained a position in an ice cream parlor working at this post until 1895, when he determined to come to Low- ell, Massachusetts, where he hoped to get a position in the textile mills. He met with disappointment. To secure work in these plants was almost impossible at the time. He was determined, however, and offered to serve an apprenticeship at no salary in order to learn the business. He finally was suc- cessful and the first week's salary amounted to eighty-six cents. Despite the poor wages he continued and was rewarded later with a regular position at what was considered good wages. As an enterprising youth, he determined, after a time, to go into business
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for himself and established a shoe string manufacturing concern. This venture was to mark the beginning of a highly success- ful and unusual business career. He made five hundred dollars in this business and then decided to come to Haverhill where he and his cousin established a candy busi- ness. Three years later he bought out his cousin's interest in the business and applied the capital to a wholesale ice cream busi- ness he established at No. 4 West Street. Under his able and careful direction this business grew and expanded to such an extent that he was soon serving all of Essex County and the leading beach resorts of this section. He extended his activities by founding and organizing an ice cream com- pany with Charles E. Dole, George F. Carle- ton, a Mr. Lynch, and Ransom G. Pingree, which was incorporated with Mr. Nichols holding the office of president. The suc- cess of this enterprise is clearly demon- strated when we find that at one time its books showed over a quarter of a million dollars of business. In 1925 Mr. Nichols sold out this enterprise. For a number of years he conducted a successful confec- tionery business at No. 401 Essex Street, Lawrence. He purchased the block con- taining the store and subsequently disposed of it at a handsome profit. In 1915 he pur- chased the property of the Webster Hotel on Washington Square, and at the cost of one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars had the hostelry completely remodeled and refurnished, and converted into one of the most modern and well equipped properties of its type between Boston and Portland, Maine. Altogether the hotel represented an investment of more than a quarter mil- lion dollars. The name of the establish- ment was changed to the Nichols Hotel and today caters to a wide and select clientele who have recognized its superior appoint- ments and cuisine. He extended his realty
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