USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > The story of Essex County, Volume III > Part 27
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William H. Gove received his preliminary education in the public schools of South Berwick, Maine, and subsequently attended Oak Grove Seminary at Vassalboro, Maine. In 1865, when he was fourteen, he removed with the other members of his family to Lynn, Massachusetts, where he was grad- uated from high school in 1869. Meanwhile he had determined on a legal career and upon the completion of his high school course, entered a lawyer's office in Salem. Here he read law and acted as a clerk until his admission to the bar in 1872. In the fall of the same year he entered Harvard College, from which he was graduated in 1876 with the Bachelor of Arts degree, tak- ing special honors in history. His entire
scholastic record was one of considerable brilliance and won him election to the hon- orary scholastic fraternity, Phi Beta Kappa. Mr. Gove spent a further year of study at Harvard Law School, where he received the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1877. Later in that year he began the active practice of his profession in Salem and continued with eminent success for almost a quarter of a century. He resided in Lynn until his mar- riage in 1882, and for four years of that pe- riod, from 1878 to 1881 inclusive, was a member of the Lynn School Committee. In 1882 he removed to Salem and in 1888 built the residence at No. 254 Lafayette Street, where he made his home for the remainder of his life.
In 1900, with the death of Charles H. Pinkham, the direction of the vast business of the Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Com- pany devolved upon Mr. Gove. At that time he relinquished all his professional connec- tions and thereafter devoted his entire at- tention to the management of the Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Company, holding the office of president and general manager. He possessed remarkable talents as an executive and organizer, and his services were a de- cisive factor in the continued development of the company. Many improvements in the business were effected under his guidance, and the entire record of the company while he was president was one of substantial progress. Mr. Gove was also first vice-pres- ident of the Proprietary Association, com- posed of the leading manufacturers of pro- prietary medicines in the country. Both by virtue of his position and through the qualities of leadership which he possessed, he was highly influential in its councils and prominent in its work.
In spite of the pressure of his private interests, Mr. Gove maintained a constant interest in civic affairs and public life. He recognized the obligations of his position
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and when convinced that he could perform a genuine service he did not hesitate to as- sume the burdens of civic leadership. A lifelong Republican, he was staunch in his support of the principles of his party and for nearly twenty years served on the Re- publican City Committee of Salem. He was its secretary from 1891 to 1897 inclusive and chairman of the committee in 1898, 1899, and 1900. Mr. Gove was also a leading member of the Essex Republican Club. In 1893, as the candidate of his party, he was elected to the board of aldermen at Salem and re- elected for two years following, being pres- ident of the board in 1895 and 1896. In 1903 and 1904 he was called to a larger sphere of service as representative in the General Court from one of the Salem districts. Here he was a member of the Committee on Judi- ciary and by virtue of his sincerity and abil- ity created an indelible impression upon his colleagues. In 1908, Mr. Gove was elected an alternate delegate to the National Re- publican Convention held in Chicago, and in 1909 and 1910, was elected to the Gov- ernor's Council, serving the Commonwealth again with distinguished ability. At Salem, he was for many years a justice of the peace and notary public. He was well known as one of the leading advocates of proportional representation and devised a method of elec- tions called the "Gove System of Propor- tional Representation."
Mr. Gove was long prominent in the social and fraternal life of Essex County. He was a member of the Salem Club, the Tedesco Club and the Colonial Club of Salem; the Boston Press Club ; The Essex Institute of Salem ; and was affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons and the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows. In the Masonic Order, he was a member of Essex Lodge and a member of all higher bodies of both York and Scottish Rites, including the Comman-
dery of the Knights Templar and the Con sistory, thirty-second degree. He was also first president of the Masonic Temple Asso- ciation, organized in 1906, and presided at the ceremonies celebrating the beginning of the construction of the Temple. A deeply religious man, he was past president of the Second Unitarian Church and the Salem Unitarian Club, a life member of the Amer- ican Unitarian Association and one of the leading laymen of his church in Essex County. Mr. Gove was always interested in New England history and genealogy and was the compiler of the "Gove Book, His- tory and Genealogy of the American Fam- ily of Gove and Notes of European Goves." This work, representing the efforts of many years, was almost ready for press at the time of his death and was completed by his family in 1922.
On January 5, 1882, at Lynn, Massachu- setts, William H. Gove married Aroline Chase Pinkham, who was born at Bedford, Massachusetts, a daughter of Isaac and Lydia (Estes) Pinkham. She is a descend- ant of early New England families and in the paternal line traces her ancestry to Rich- ard Pinkham, who was at Dover, New Hampshire, in 1640. Mrs. Gove, who is the only living member of the family of Isaac and Lydia (Estes) Pinkham, was graduated from Lynn High School with highest hon- ors, in token of which she received a gold medal. She is well known for her many philanthropies, among them the beautiful Lydia E. Pinkham Memorial Building on Derby Street, Salem, and for her business acumen and sound judgment. For many years she has been treasurer of the Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Company.
Mr. and Mrs. Gove became the parents of the following children I. William Pinkham, a record of whose life appears elsewhere in
aroline b. Gove
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William P. Love
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these pages. 2. Lydia Pinkham, who was graduated from Smith College in 1907 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. She, to a large extent, has succeeded her brother, the late William Pinkham Gove, in her various activities in the Lydia E. Pinkham Medi- cine Company. She is now assistant treas- urer of the corporation, is in charge of all purchases for the company and is also treas- urer of the Northeastern Advertising Agency, Inc., which handles the large advertising program of the Lydia E. Pinkham Medi- cine Company, as well as advertising for other clients. 3. Mary, who was graduated from Wellesley College in 1916 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, married Earl C. Pitman, and resided at Princeton, New Jersey. She died May 30, 1934. She was a director and vice-president of the Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Company. 4. Caroline, who completed her education in private schools and is now the wife of Lawrence Doty of Salem, and has succeeded her sis- ter Mary, as director and vice-president of the Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Com- pany.
William H. Gove died on April 14, 1920, in his sixty-ninth year. He was a valued citizen, a man of inherent dignity and cour- tesy and a gentleman of broad culture, whose fine library reflected his fondness for good literature and his wide familiarity with many fields of knowledge. Wealth and high position came to him, but he was devoted to the public interest and never lost contact with the simpler things of life. He was gen- erous and charitable in all his relationships with others and was ever ready to give of his effort, his fine talents and substance for the benefit of his fellowmen. His accom- plishments commanded the respect of all who knew him and his admirable quali- ties of character won him the warmest re- gard.
WILLIAM PINKHAM GOVE-During his entire active career Williamn Pinkham Gove was associated with the Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Company at Lynn, an enterprise long controlled by the families from which he was descended. He inherited superior business talents from both his father and mother and met with great ability the arduous responsibilities which devolved upon him. At the time of his death he was vice-president of the company.
Mr. Gove was born in Salem, Massachu- setts, on September 15, 1883, a son of Wil- liam H. and Aroline Chase (Pinkham) Gove. His father's life is recorded elsewhere in these pages.
William Pinkham Gove attended the pub- lic schools of Salem and the Highland Mili- tary Academy at Worcester, Massachusetts. From that institution he went on to Harvard College, from which he was graduated in 1906. One year later he became associated with the Lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Com- pany as a chemist, a field in which he had considerable special training. Subsequently, however, he assumed important executive duties, particularly in connection with the mail advertising department. He was early convinced of the great importance of adver- tising to modern business and urged his opinion so persuasively upon the other direc- tors of the company that a vast advertising program was undertaken. The results fully justified his faith. Under his guidance the advertising department became the largest and busiest in the plant. Printing presses and other equipment were installed at his direction and a variety of pamphlets were issued for mailing and distribution to both the foreign and domestic trade. Today ap- proximately 32,000,000 booklets are pro- duced annually in the printing plant of the company. Later, Mr. Gove also assumed control of the purchase of all supplies used
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in the manufacture of the Lydia E. Pink- ham product and succeeded in effecting great economies in this department of the busi- ness. Upon the death of his father in 1920, he became vice-president of the company and served in that office for the remaining years of his life. Mr. Gove was devoted to his work and derived deep satisfaction from his labors in developing the company. Although not himself a lawyer, he was a pro- found student of the law as it affected cor- porations and business, and had an expert knowledge of taxation problems, which was the means of saving large sums of money for his company. His vision and soundness of judgments were continually valuable in all the larger phases of the company's activ- ities and his opinions were always regarded by his associates with profound respect.
Mr. Gove was prominent in the various trade associations connected with his busi- ness and was also a member of the Salem Chamber of Commerce, The Essex Institute of Salem, the Now and Then Association and several clubs, including the Salem Coun- try Club, the old Salem Club and the Har- vard Club of Boston. He was one of the leading Masons of Essex County, being affil- iated with Essex Lodge, Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons; Washington Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Salem Council, Royal and Select Masters; and all higher Scottish Rite bodies including Sutton Lodge of Perfec- tion ; Jubilee Council, Princes of Jerusalem, Emanuel Chapter, Rose Croix; and Massa- chusetts Consistory, thirty-second degree. He was also affiliated with Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Boston. Mr. Gove was a member of the Second Unitarian Church of Salem, the Unitarian Laymen's League and at one time taught a class in the Sunday school of his church. He inherited his father's taste for good books, particularly history and
English literature, and acquired a fine library.
On June 22, 1907, William Pinkham Gove married Olga Regina Boyer, of Salem, daughter of Charles and Mary (Wymond) Boyer. They became the parents of the following children : I. Mrs. Priscilla Talbot, of Salem. She is the mother of one son, Francis Story Talbot. 2. Karl John Edward, who attended Williams College and was graduated in 1933 from the Pennsylvania Military Academy at Chester, Pennsylvania He is now connected with the Institute of Medicine Manufacturers in New York City. 3. William Pinkham, now a member of the class of 1936 at William and Mary College. Mrs. Gove, who survives her husband, con- tinues her residence in Salem at No. 353 Lafayette Street.
William Pinkham Gove died on Septem- ber 28, 1925, at the age of forty-two years. His untimely passing brought to its close a life of brilliant accomplishment and great usefulness. His personal warmth and charm, his qualities of mind and heart, won him many friends who will always remember him with affection.
DONALD STROTHER WHIDDEN- As treasurer of A. H. Whidden and Son, Incorporated, of Peabody, Donald Strother Whidden holds an executive position in a firm which was started by his grandfather on a small scale in 1874, and was developed by succeeding generations of the family until today it is one of the leading hardware and mill supply establishments of this sec- tion.
Mr. Whidden was born in Peabody, Mas- sachusetts, September 26, 1902, the son of Harry F. and Isabel S. (Clerk) Whidden, both natives of the State. His grandfather, Albert H. Whidden, started the firm of A. H. Whidden and Son, Incorporated, and
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managed this establishment until his death in 1910, when the business was turned over to his son, Harry F. Whidden. It was under his régime that the concern advanced in rapid strides to its Nation-wide position in the leather industry. The latter died Octo- ber 25, 1925, and since that time the busi- ness has been under the direction of Donald S. Whidden. The stock of this concern in- cludes hardware, chemicals, leather manu- facturing supplies for the tanning industry and other products essential to this section. Despite the fact this business was begun on a small scale, today its products are shipped to every section of the United States and Canada, a high tribute to the business efficiency of this family from generation to generation.
Mr. Whidden received his general educa- tion at Worcester Academy and entered Amherst College, from which he was gradu- ated in 1926 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Directly after leaving college he entered business in the position he now maintains.
As a native of Peabody he has always been prominent in the social and business life of the city, holding the presidency of the Pea- body Chamber of Commerce in 1932, and being a director of the New England Hard- ware Association for three years. He is also a member of the Boston City Club, the Am- herst Club of New York City, and frater- nizes with the Masonic Order and the Chi Phi Fraternity.
Mr. Whidden was married, on June 21, 1927, to Marjorie S. Cowdrey, of Peabody, and they are the parents of one child, Mar- cia, born March 31, 1930.
THOMAS JOSEPH O'SHEA has been actively interested in the social, civic and business affairs of his native city, occupying the distinguished position attained by his father, who was well known as a public- spirited citizen.
Mr. O'Shea was born in Peabody, Massa- chusetts, on August 5, 1897, the son of the late Thomas H. and Catherine T. (Hayes) O'Shea, both natives of this State. His father, who was one of the most successful leather manufacturers in this city, is men- tioned at length elsewhere in the accom- panying biography.
Thomas J. O'Shea received his general education in the public schools of Peabody and then entered Harvard University, from which he was graduated in 1919. His col- legiate education was interrupted in 1917, when he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving in a coastal unit for a period of six months. After receiving his degree of Bach- elor of Science from Harvard, he engaged in business in Peabody, managing the leather manufacturing and large real estate inter- ests of his father, whose death occurred in 1920.
Throughout his business career here, Mr. O'Shea has been prominent in public affairs. Today he is a director of the Warren Na- tional Bank and is a member of the Salem Country Club, the American Legion and the Young Men's Christian Association.
Mr. O'Shea was married, on June 30, 1928, to Mary McDonald, of Forest Hills, Boston, and they are the parents of two children : I. Thomas Henry, born November 19, 1929. 2. Mary Elizabeth, born February II, 1931.
The O'Shea residence is No. 2 Washing- ton Street, Peabody.
THOMAS HENRY O'SHEA-The suc- cess of Thomas H. O'Shea as one of the out- standing leather manufacturers of New Eng- land is one of the great romances of this in- dustry in this section. A public-spirited citi- zen, highly esteemed by his fellowmen, he left an indelible impress of his personality upon the manufacturing and civic history of his native community.
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Mr. O'Shea was born in Peabody, Massa- chusetts, April 8, 1867, the son of Martin and Catherine (Burns) O'Shea, both natives of Ireland. His father, who came to this country as a youth, was an engineer by pro- fession. At an early age Thomas H. O'Shea started on his career, becoming associated with James F. Ingraham, a manufacturer of morocco. After serving in this position for some time he severed his connections here and embarked on a business venture which was to become one of the largest and most successful enterprises in this vicinity. He formed a partnership with a Mr. Phillips and the new firm, which was situated on Grove Street, now known as Howley Street, started in the business of finishing India goat skins. The combine formed soon afterward dis- solved and Mr. O'Shea continued alone. Under his able direction the business pros- pered beyond all expectations. His firm was doing a substantial and lucrative business with a large Boston importer in finishing skins.
The true extent of his public spirit is re- vealed in the fact that after he had acquired a considerable fortune he devoted much of it to the development of this city and in this was responsible for the erection of the O'Shea Block at Main Street and Peabody Square, and two years after this work had been completed built an even larger block on the square. During his career he acquired substantial real estate holdings, which at one time made him the largest property owner in the city of Peabody.
The business he had established in the manufacture and finishing of goat skins con- tinued at its original site until January, 1916, when the plant was completely destroyed by fire. Some time after this occurrence he purchased the Jacob property on Main Street, modernized, added to and equipped the building at considerable expense and then disposed of it. A few months before
his death he purchased the original site of his factory and started the erection of a large leather manufacturing plant which was com- pleted after his death.
The ability he displayed in the manage- ment and success of his enterprise won him wide recognition and his advice was sought by the leading commercial interests of the city. In this connection he became a direc- tor of the Warren National Bank in 1906 and five years later was chosen vice-president of the institution, serving in this capacity until his death. He was a trustee of the J. B. Thomas Hospital and a member and liberal supporter of the Father Mathew T. B. A. Society. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Salem Club, the Irish Charitable Society and fraternized with the Knights of Columbus, in which he was a member of Leo Council, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. During the World War, Mr. O'Shea was one of the most generous and liberal supporters in all drives and movements designed to aid the govern- ment in its efforts to win the war. One of the contributions he made at this time was the donation to the Red Cross of an office, rent free, in one of his buildings, this head- quarters being maintained not only for the duration of the conflict, but for almost a year later.
Mr. O'Shea adhered to the Roman Cath- olic faith and worshipped at the St. John's Church in this city. His residence, which is one of the finest homes in Peabody, is located at No. 2 Washington Street.
On November 28, 1894, Mr. O'Shea was married at Peabody to Catherine Teresa Hayes, daughter of John J. and Mary (Ma- honey) Hayes, and they were the parents of two children: Thomas Joseph (mentioned elsewhere in this work), and Catherine Marie, who is the wife of Dr. Thomas J. Giblin, of Boston. Mrs. O'Shea died July 17, 1925. Mr. O'Shea's death came suddenly
Charles H Shelly
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on March 18, 1920. His passing caused pro- found sorrow in the community, where he had come to be loved and respected for his many kind acts and the splendid qualities he displayed in his business, social and civic associations.
PAUL SEWARD EATON-Long ex- perienced in the drug business is the back- ground of Mr. Eaton's association with the Smith Pharmacal Company of New York. In Beverly he has taken an active part in public affairs and held public offices prior to his election to the mayoralty.
Mr. Eaton, who was born at Milton, Mas- sachusetts, December 8, 1881, is a son of Ed- ward J. and Lucy Ann (Seward) Eaton, both natives of Quincy. His father, who resided most of his life in East Milton, was in the milk and ice business. After com- pleting his general education Mr. Eaton entered the Massachusetts College of Phar- macy and was graduated on March 11, 1904. From the time he was thirteen years old until he entered business for himself in 1904, Mr. Eaton worked in a drug store and sup- ported himself. It was in October, 1904, that he purchased the drug business of W. F. Plummer in Somerville, remaining here until he disposed of the business in 1911. The following two years he traveled over Canada as sales representative for a varnish manufacturing concern, returning to Bev- erly in 1913 and purchasing the business of the Tarbox Drug Company, which he main- tained until 1920, when he sold it to Perci- val Stone. Mr. Eaton then became asso- ciated with the Smith Pharmacal Company and has continued with this organization to the present, his territory composed of the district surrounding Beverly.
Mr. Eaton's active interest in politics and civic affairs can be traced back to 1916, when he was elected alderman from the First Ward, an office in which he succeeded him-
self in 1917 and 1918. The following two years, 1919-20, he was elected alderman at large and president of the board of alder- men. In December, 1932, he was elected mayor of Beverly on the non-partisan ticket for a term of two years, a tribute on the part of his townsmen to the efficiency and zeal with which he has served the community.
Mr. Eaton is a member of the Masonic Order, the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, the Beverly Republican Club and the Union Club of Beverly.
Mr. Eaton married (first) Alice Gertrude Bates, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, who died in 1909. They were the parents of a daughter, Avis Bates, wife of W. Earl Purin- ton, of West Medford. He married (sec- ond) Ida Corlis Bernard, on December 27, 1913, and three children were born to them : I. Ruth Vera, who graduated from high school in 1932. 2. Paul Seward, Jr., who is a high school student. 3. Charles Edward, who is also in high school. Mrs. Eaton died May 25, 1933.
CHARLES NATENIS KELLY-A vig- orous and active man of more than eighty years, Charles Natenis Kelly, has for years done well his part in advancing the civic and social affairs of Haverhill, Massachu- setts. Through genealogical records that are now in the public library of his city, he shows his line of descent to one of the first Kellys to settle in Massachusetts, himself being of the ninth generation in this coun- try. Irish antiquarians claim the pedigree of the family can be traced through sixty- five generations to one Milesius of Spain. Not upon the achievements of his forefathers does his value to the community rest, for he is of the generation hard-working, deter- mined and courageous, that achieved suc- cess and became outstanding citizens of their community.
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Charles N. Kelly was born on July 24, 1854, at Salem, New Hampshire, a son of Samuel P. and Mary Jane (Austin) Kelly, both of New Hampshire birth and life. On a farm the son was reared, and in the district schools and under private tuition he was educated. Agriculture did not appeal to one of his ambitions and at the age of seven- teen he left home against the persuasions and advice of his father, to learn a trade. He came to Haverhill and although he had a lean purse, applied himself to the task of learning the trade of mason. The summer months gave him work in this trade and dur- ing the winter he worked in the shoe indus- try. Starting as a shoe packer with Hunt- ington Brothers, he soon realized that greater book knowledge would help him advance faster and farther in almost any business. Under the tutelage of one Mr. Chadwick, of Dover, New Hampshire, he not only in- creased his knowledge of things in general, but learned how to keep books. As a book- keeper he again became associated with Mr. Huntington.
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