USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > The story of Essex County, Volume III > Part 25
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"To thine own self be true, and it must follow as the night the day, thou shalt not then be false to any man," this seems to have been the text of which Mr. Girdler's life was the exegesis or amplification. It has been written of him :
Personally Mr. Girdler was a retiring man and dis- inclined to publicity. His family life was exception- ally wholesome and beautiful. Intimate witnesses of those more privileged relationships were eager to pat- tern their own after his excellencies. Children liked him, and he had a keen sense of respect for childhood. When boys or girls came on business errands they always received just as courteous treatment as would be accorded to their elders. John Girdler had a keen sense of humor and his gift at repartee made him an interesting and entertaining man to meet socially.
This quality of humor stood him in good stead in dif- ficult and trying situations. It was oil on the troubled waters.
He had a well-developed philosophy of life. He believed there was room enough in the world for everyone to have his rights, and those rights should be respected. He would never make money by taking unfair advantage of the weakness of others, and he perferred to yield rights of his own rather than face a quarrel or produce a disagreeable situation where mere money was at stake.
He was of generous disposition, but unostentatious in his giving. Not a few whom he assisted in their hours of need have expressed their gratitude for help that was given in the utmost privacy. Mr. Girdler's devotion to the regular course of duty is well illus- trated by the fact that on the day he was one hun- dred years old he rose early and spent part of the day at his office.
Mr. Girdler married Sarah Smith Wilkins, of Middleton, who died June 13, 1883, at the age of fifty-nine years. They were the par- ents of four children : Sarah M., John H., Louise, and Elizabeth L., all of whom are deceased, except the last named, who is president and treasurer of the John Girdler Company. Miss Girdler resides at No. 19 Washington Street, Beverly, which has been the family home since 1874.
John Hazen Girdler, only son of John and Sarah S. (Wilkins) Girdler, was born in Manchester on March 13, 1855, and was six years old when the family removed to Bev- erly. He was graduated from the Beverly High School and immediately became asso- ciated with his father's business. A rare comradeship existed between the two and they were dominated by the same principles of sterling honesty. The old saying, "His word was as good as his bond," was equally true of the older and the younger man. John H. Girdler continued the business as man- ager after the death of his father, until his own death on September 28, 1927.
John Hazen Girdler was vice-president and member of the investment committee of the Beverly Cooperative Bank and senior
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vice-president and trustee of the Beverly Savings Bank, becoming a trustee in 1900 and vice-president in 1909. He was a mem- ber of the city council in 1895-96, the city being incorporated in 1894. He served as secretary of the old Board of Trade and held membership in some trade organizations. A constant attendant of the Washington Street Congregational Church, he held the offices of clerk and member of the parish committee and was a charter member of the Beverly Men's Singing Club.
John Hazen Girdler was a worthy son of a worthy father, a man of sterling integrity and generally loved and respected. He was unmarried.
HARRY E. SLADE-The story of Harry E. Slade, publisher of The Cricket Press, Inc., of Manchester, may well be introduced with a brief history of "The Manchester Cricket." This little four-page sheet, twelve by eighteen inches, was founded on May 19, 1888, and is therefore older than Mr. Slade. Albert Vittum was the first publisher, and Isaac M. Marshall its first editor, a position the latter has continued to fill up to the present time, a stewardship of forty-five years.
In 1889 the paper was enlarged to eight pages, thirteen by twenty inches. In 1893 it was purchased outright by the editor and in 1895 was again enlarged to six columns eight pages, fifteen by twenty-two inches, and in July of that year, issued a hand- somely illustrated sixteen-page edition in celebration of Manchester's 250th anniver- sary.
In 1922 another important change was made when a modern printing plant was established in Manchester, joining forces with the Manchester Printing Company, Harry E. Slade, proprietor, the business being incorporated under the style of The
Cricket Press, Inc. Increasing the facilities of the office as fast as the growth of the business warranted the "Cricket" now is considered one of the best equipped country offices in the State. In 1926 the paper's size was increased to seven columns.
Harry E. Slade was born in Manchester, January II, 1890, the son of Henry and Katherine (Eagleston) Slade, both natives of Massachusetts; and the grandson of Thomas W. Slade. Both father and grand- father had been engaged in the mercantile trade, and it was natural that, after com- pleting his education in the local schools, Harry E. Slade should so start out on a similar career. Thomas W. Slade was prom- inent in Manchester affairs for a number of years, a member of the school board, a familiar figure in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and a constructive factor in the advancement of the community. After eighteen months in the fish trade, Harry E. Slade went to work in a printing office, and later took over the business of this concern, known as the Manchester Printing Com- pany. As has been indicated, in 1922 this company combined with "The Manchester Cricket" establishment, Mr. Slade becoming the owner of the merged concerns. Mr. Slade is a member of the Planning Board, also a member of the Manchester branch of the Society for the Preservation of the Natural Features of Essex County, and plays a leading rôle in local activities. He is the former president of the Manchester Club.
On September 7, 1922, Harry E. Slade married Mary J. Fraser, a native of Nova Scotia, and they have two sons: Harry and Dan Slade.
ISAAC MAY MARSHALL-One of the most popular figures in Manchester is Isaac May Marshall, founder, editor, president
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and treasurer of The Cricket Press, Inc., and its newspaper "The Manchester Cricket." He was born in Manchester, on July 14, 1865, the son of Nehemiah Choate and Frances Rebecca (May) Marshall, both na- tives of Massachusetts and members of fam- ilies that were early settlers of Manchester. The elder Mr. Marshall learned the cabinet- maker's trade in Manchester and in part- nership with William C. Rust, established a large furniture business and erected the factory now owned by Roberts and Hoare, builders. He was a selectman and superin- tendent of the Manchester Street Depart- ment at one time.
Isaac May Marshall was educated in the public schools of his birth-town and at an early age went to work. He tried his hand at various occupations, and was not yet twenty-three when he established "The Manchester Cricket" on May 19, 1888. A brief history of this newspaper and its first and only editor, has been given in the re- view of the life of Harry E. Slade, which accompanies this sketch. In 1895 Mr. Mar- shall purchased the paper and continued its publication until January 1, 1922, when it was merged and incorporated, with himself as editor, president and treasurer. Over a long period of four and a half decades he has fostered "The Manchester Cricket," through hard times and good, and has con- tributed, as has no other man, to its stand- ing, influence and success from the editorial standpoint.
A busy life has not interfered with Mr. Marshall's lively interest in many forms of human activity. He served on the finance committee of Manchester for six years, and is a former president and the present his- torian of the Massachusetts Press Associa- tion. He is a member of the Manchester Club, the North Shore Horticultural Society and the Parent-Teacher Association. Fra-
ternally he is affiliated with Conomo Tribe of the Improved Order of Red Men, Mas- conomo Council of Pocahontas, is vice-pres- ident of the Manchester Historical Society, and secretary and treasurer of the Man- chester Elder Brethren Association. Mr. Marshall has traveled extensively at home and abroad and has written two books based upon his experiences and observa- tions.
Isaac May Marshall married Nellie A. Hodgkins, of Gloucester, Massachusetts, and they were the parents of a daughter, Dora May Marshall, now deceased.
HENRY STORY TAPPAN-The career of Henry Story Tappan, of Manchester, has been in keeping with the traditions of this very old and notable family. The first of the name, Abram Tappan, came to America and was a freeman of Newbury in 1638, and died in 1672. Many of his many descend- ants remained in New England where they have been professional men and craftsmen, merchants and smiths. One branch of the family has been represented in the councils of the State Government during four gener- ations: Ebenezer Tappan, 1811; Ebenezer Tappan, Jr., 1843; Lewis N. Tappan, 1877; William H. Tappan, 1881-85 and 1886. Israel F. Tappan held the office of select- man in 1831-32-33 and 1837, and his descend- ant, Henry Story Tappan has served three years on the board of selectmen nearly a century later.
Henry Story Tappan was born in Man- chester, August 2, 1881, the son of Benja- min W. and Annie C. (McElligott) Tappan, the first a native of Manchester, the latter of Boston. Benjamin W. Tappan was con- nected with carpentering and building for many years. He died December 12. 1930, at the age of 77 years. Mrs. Tappan has been prominent in civic affairs of Manches-
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ter, to which place she came as a child, and is treasurer of the Women's Relief Corps.
The son after being educated in the Man- chester public schools, learned the drug business and was active in this line of work for about five years. Then he became asso- ciated with the dry goods trade, but as had his father and many of his ancestors, he became interested in carpentering and for the past quarter of a century has been prominent as a contracting builder. His life has been free, happily, from dramatic upheavals, and one that has been of useful service to the community. He is a mem- ber of the board of selectmen, having served for the past three years, and is a director of the Manchester Trust Company. Frater- nally he is affiliated with the Gloucester Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he is a charter member, and is collector of the Improved Order of Red Men. He is a member of the Manchester Club and the president of the Manchester Launch Club.
HON. GEORGE H. W. HAYES-As lawyer and jurist, the Hon. George H. W. Hayes has won the high regard of the peo- ple of Essex County. He was born in Georgetown, Massachusetts, March 16, 1871, the son of John and Catherine (Mahoney) Hayes, both natives of Ireland, the first named coming to America in 1854, and the mother in 1865. John Hayes settled in Al- ton Bay, New Hampshire, while Catherine Mahoney made her home in Salem. After their marriage they lived in Georgetown. Both are deceased.
George W. H. Hayes received his early education in the schools of his birth town, and then went to Haverhill and read law in the office of Jones, Jones, and Pingree. He completed his preparations for enter- ing the legal profession in the Law School
of Boston University, from which he was graduated in 1895, with the degree of Bach- elor of Laws. In February of 1896, having been admitted to the bar of Massachusetts, he established his law office in Ipswich where he has since been engaged in a gen- eral practice, specializing in real estate and probate law. His abilities as attorney and counselor are well known to his numerous colleagues and large clientele.
In 1904 George W. H. Hayes was ap- pointed special justice of the Third District Court, an office he held continuously to 1915, with the exception of 1913 when he was a member of the State Legislature. In March, 1915, he was appointed judge of the Third District Court by Governor David I. Walsh. Since 1923 Judge Hayes has been assigned by the Chief Justice of the Supe- rior Court to sit in that court under the pro- visions of Chapter 469 of the Acts of 1923. His juridical service has therefore been of unusual length and has been notable for fairness, judgment and the knowledge of both the law and the persons it affects, courage and balance which has added to the prestige of the bench.
Justice Hayes was elected to the Massa- chusetts Legislature in 1912 and served one term in 1913, during which he was a mem- ber of the committee on legal affairs. For twelve years he was a member of the school Committee of Ipswich and for half of this period was chairman of the board. For fifteen years he was a member of the Water and Light Commissioners of Ipswich and contributed a full share to the advancement of town and county developments. He served as chairman of the local exemption board, division No. 21, during the World War. The judge is a member of the Salem Bar Association, Essex County Bar Asso- ciation, and the Massachusetts Bar Associa- tion, and the Law Society of Massachusetts.
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Fraternally he is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus, the Rotary Club of Ipswich, and is a member of the Ipswich Historical Society. His favorite recreations are motor- ing and golf.
On April 30, 1901, George H. W. Hayes married Helen F. O'Brien, of Ipswich, and they are the parents of four children : I. Althea, wife of Ernest A. Harding, an at- torney associated with her father, Judge Hayes. 2. William F., graduate of Holy Cross College and Boston University School of Law; now practicing his profession in Lynn, being connected with the law firm of Healey & Healey. He married Ann Hooks of Salem. 3. Zelda M., a school teacher. 4. George Mark, graduate of Holy Cross Col- lege and Designers Art School.
MICHAEL LEO SULLIVAN-In the courthouse of Salem, Massachusetts, hangs a portrait of Michael Leo Sullivan, in com- pany with such men as Sewall, Lord Cush- ing, Endicott, Moody, Shaw, Choate, Ives, Moseley and Moulton, in recognition of his right as a lawyer and man to be ranked with the great leaders of the past. It was said at the time of its inception : "This por- trait is going to serve in the future to bring back, along with the memories of his abil- ity, his great kindness, his liberality, and his unfailing humor, every feature and line- ament of the man. . And the young men who are coming to the bar tomorrow, and through many tomorrows, are going to be able to see how the great advocate looked. They are going to hear of his achievements, of his standing in the bar, not only of this county, but of the Com- monwealth."
Michael Leo Sullivan was a native of Salem, born November 10, 1870, a son of Owen P. Sullivan, of Tipperary, Ireland, who came to Massachusetts some eighty years ago. He lived and worked in Con-
cord, Massachusetts, for a time before set- tling in Salem. In later years he became a contractor and builder, and erected a house on Roslyn Street, where Michael, the youngest of eight children was born. Michael had all the zest and vigor of a healthy boyhood, and became particularly well known for his skill in baseball. After attending the local grade and high schools, he went to Boston and took up the study of law in the Law School of Boston Univer- sity, from which he was graduated in 1893, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. In August of that same year he was admitted to the Suffolk County bar and became con- nected with a prominent Boston lawyer. In a very short time, however, he was back in his birthplace, where throughout his life he maintained an independent practice of his profession. "Like most successful ad- vocates, his self-training came from trials or causes in the courts of primary jurisdic- tion. His appearances before the great trial court, were at first, mostly upon the crimi- nal side, a phase of his legal activities which was always prominent in his career." His increasing civil practice was a development of more mature years. The late Hon. Alden P. White described his activities :
For many years before his last illness, Michael Sullivan was constantly in court, day after day, from the beginning to the end of every term. The polemics of litigation became his life. In the limit of his short life there developed a significant turn of relationship. To him, there came for advice and protection repre- sentatives of those very families for whom his father had worked. He was trusted by clients. He was admired by juries. He was respected by judges. He was the leader of our bar. The cordial acknowledg- ment of such leadership by his fellow-members was indicated by his election as president of the Essex Bar Association, which honor came to him during the year that marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of the beginning of his practice."
Eminence in legal circles was but one of Mr. Sullivan's achievements. He had a
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flair for politics, although more interested in good government than political prefer- ment. For nine years he was city solicitor of Salem. Three times he was a delegate to National Democratic conventions, at Balti- more, St. Louis and San Francisco. He was nominated by his party for the office of Attorney-General of Massachusetts. His influence in municipal politics was often dominant. "In the outer world," wrote a colleague, "there was no good cause or deserving enterprise looking to the ad- vancement of his city or its people in which he did not warmly enlist and support with his characteristic zeal, ability and gener- osity."
On June 23, 1914, Salem suffered a major disaster when fire, raging for thirteen hours, destroyed two hundred and sixty-one acres of all kinds of buildings, whose assessed value was $5,000,000 but whose actual value was far above this sum. Thousands were without clothing, shelter or work. Michael Sullivan was one of five men drafted into the service of the community, as members of the Salem Rebuilding Commission, to which most extraordinary powers of con- trol were given for a period of three years. The autocratic powers might readily have been abused if the appointees had had other than the highest principles and the purest ideals of civic service. The splendid high- ways, public buildings, Saltonstall School, and parks, stand today as monuments to the wise courageous devotion of Mr. Sullivan and his colleagues.
On April 30, 1895, Michael Leo Sullivan was married to Mary Crouse, a native of Salem, and the daughter of William and Mary (Carr) Crouse. Two children were born of this union: I. Grace E., who mar- ried Harry McLachlan of Danbury, Con- necticut. 2. George A., of Salem, an attor- ney whose record appears elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Sullivan resided in Salem
most of her life but lived in Marblehead for a short time before her death which oc- curred in Salem March 26, 1934. She was beloved by all who knew her and the mem- ory of her sweetness and devotion to her family and friends will linger softly in the hearts of many.
In the height of his powers, Michael Leo Sullivan was compelled to retire because of a fatal illness. Upon his passing, the great church in which he had been baptized and to whose faith he was devotedly faithful, was filled to the doors as High Mass was solemnly celebrated. The tribute of such an outpouring, most widely representative of all classes, professions and organizations, a gathering probably never surpassed in character and diversity in the annals of Salem, remains his most eloquent eulogy.
MICHAEL JOSEPH REARDON-A quarter-century and more engaged in the practice of law has placed Michael Joseph Reardon, of Salem, among the leaders of the bar in Essex County. He is an official in various corporations and is active in civic affairs of Salem, where he is president of the Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Reardon's parents, John and Ellen M. (Geary) Reardon, came from their na- tive Ireland to the United States about the year 1888 and made their new home in Salem, Essex County, where they lived the rest of their days.
Michael Joseph Reardon, son of John and Ellen M. (Geary) Reardon, was born in the city of Cork, Ireland, July 23, 1884. He was about four years of age when brought to this country by his parents. Reared in Salem, he attended St. Mary's Parochial Schools, graduating from the high school there in June, 1900. One year later he entered the office of Michael L. Sullivan, a leading lawyer of the city, and under his
Deardon
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preceptorship read law, meanwhile doing the office clerical work for Mr. Sullivan.
He was admitted to the Massachusetts bar in 1907, becoming immediately associ- ated with his old friend and benefactor, Mr. Sullivan. This connection lasted until the latter's death, which occurred in January, 1928, since which time he has practiced under his own name. His professional alli- ances are with the Salem, Essex County, and Massachusetts Bar associations. He serves as attorney for various corporations and has a large and desirable clientele in office and court practice.
His activities outside the law are varied and of importance. In 1903 he enlisted in Company H, 8th Infantry, Massachusetts National Guard and retired in 1907. He was commissioned second lieutenant in the same company in 1913, serving two years, when he resigned. Among the director- ships he fills are those in the Roger Conant Cooperative Bank of Salem and the Salem Hotel Corporation. He was a member of the Salem School Board for five years. His first election to the presidency of the Cham- ber of Commerce took place in April, 1932, and he was reëlected in April, 1933, and again, for a third term, in April, 1934. He has been extremely active in public affairs and has devoted much of his best thought and time in this direction. A staunch Re- publican in politics, he was a member of the Salem Republican City Committee for a number of years. He has been repeatedly asked to run for office in the city, but has steadfastly declined, preferring to give all his attention to his profession. A member of the Essex Institute, he also belongs to the Salem Country Club and Boston City Club, Corinthian Yacht Club, at Marble- head, and is a former member of the old Salem Club which has been dissolved. Affiliating with Veragua Council, No. 76, Knights of Columbus at Salem, he was ac-
tive in this body for several years, during which he has served as grand knight, dis- trict deputy and State secretary of this order.
Mr. Reardon married, in 1913, Elizabeth G. Sullivan, of Salem, daughter of William J. and Mary E. (Reagan) Sullivan. William J. Sullivan is a former deputy collector of customs for the Salem District. Mrs. Rear- don died in April, 1927. Their children are : I. Robert W., a student in Harvard Univer- sity, class of 1936. 2. Elizabeth G., a stu- dent at Trinity College, Washington, Dis- trict of Columbia, class of 1936.
GEORGE A. SULLIVAN-A worthy scion of the eminent lawyer and civic leader of Salem, Massachusetts, Michael Leo Sul- livan a review of whose life appears earlier. George A. Sullivan has followed closely in the footsteps of his father. He is a native of Salem, born December 7, 1902, and was edu- cated in the local public schools, Yale Uni- versity, and was graduated from Boston Uni- versity Law School, with the class of 1927, holding the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Later in that same year he was admitted to the Essex County Bar, and began his prac- tice of his profession in Salem. His law prac- tice has been general in character. He is a member of the Salem Bar Society and the Essex County Bar Association.
On June 24, 1926, George A. Sullivan married Isabel Mclachlan, of Danbury, Connecticut, and they are the parents of two children : I. George A., Jr. 2. Joan.
GEORGE G. BAILEY, M. D .- For more than a third of a century, Ipswich has been the scene of the medical, civic and social activities of George G. Bailey, M. D. He was born in Rowley, Massachusetts, March 14, 1865, the son of Edward and Martha G. (Peckham) Bailey, both natives of Massachusetts and members of one of
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its oldest families. The American progeni- tor of the family was one James Bailey, born in England, in 1612, who came to Mas- sachusetts in 1643 and settled in Rowley.
Dr. Bailey received his preliminary edu- cation in the Rowley grade schools and the high school at Newburyport, of which he was a graduate. For a time he was employed in the drug store of his brother Albert E. Bailey, in Rowley, and, to become a li- censed pharmacist, entered the Massachu- setts College of Pharmacy, in Boston, from which he was graduated in 1888. His studies had so aroused his interest in medicine that instead of going back to the work for which he had prepared, he matriculated in the Harvard Medical School, from which he re- ceived his degree, Doctor of Medicine, with the class of 1892. Returning to Rowley, he practiced his profession during the fol- lowing four years, and in 1897, removed to Ipswich, where he has since become one of its outstanding physicians. Remarkable for length of service, his great value has been as medical examiner for the Second Essex District, to which he was appointed in 1897, and has filled with efficiency and honor since. Dr. Bailey is a member of the Mas- sachusetts State Medical Association, the American Medical Association, and the Massachusetts Medico-Legal Society. Fra- ternally he affiliates with the Blue Lodge and the Royal Arch Chapter of the Free and Accepted Masons, and is a member of the Ipswich Rotary Club.
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