USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > The story of Essex County, Volume III > Part 39
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He married, in 1915, Ellen D. Bryan, a native of Easton, Maryland, and they are the parents of two children: William R., who was born on January 22, 1918, and is a stu- dent at Governor Dummer Academy. 2. James D., who was born on October 15, 1922. The family attends the St. Paul's Episcopal Church, of Newburyport, and Mr. Dodge has served as a tenor soloist in the choirs of every Protestant Church in the city.
ELMER G. BUTRICK is perhaps best known because of his association with one of the foremost enterprises in Haverhill, Butrick's Dairy, Incorporated, which has a unique history, but he is also prominent in fraternal, religious and civic circles and as a substantial citizen. Born in Haverhill on September 29, 1899, Mr. Butrick is the son of Arthur W. Butrick, who was born in Derry, New Hampshire, and of Carrie A. (Dwinells) Butrick, a native of Haverhill.
After attending public schools, Mr. But- rick engaged in business with his father in a dairy and dairy products undertaking. In 1882 his father, Arthur W. Butrick, started this enterprise in a modest way, having, as Mr. Butrick humorously explains, "a can of milk and a measure," but actually he owned the Whittaker farm, where, on its broad meadows, grazed a small herd of cows. Mr. Butrick, Sr., did all the work himself, delivering milk to a few customers, selling butter and other products, the quality of which gradually established a reputation that steadily gained customers. The growth of the concern required additional farm facilities and in 1891 the Webster farm was purchased, in West Parish, equipment was installed and an expansion was begun that has continued unabatedly to the present. From the time Elmer G. Butrick completed his education and entered the business, he has devoted all his time to its interests and when, in 1932, the firm was incorporated he became treasurer and general manager, and L. Agnes Butrick (Mrs. Elmer G. Butrick), president. The Butrick Dairy, Incorporated, was the first dairy in Haverhill to deliver milk by motor truck and it now has a fleet of trucks that delivers between four and five thousand pounds of milk, butter, eggs, and other dairy produce to hundreds of custom- ers. The company is known for its modern
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plant, thoroughly equipped and maintained in the highest sanitary condition.
Aside from his business, Mr. Butrick is active in fraternal work, being a member of Saggahew Lodge, Free and Accepted Ma- sons; Pentucket Chapter, Royal Arch Ma- sons; Haverhill Council, Royal and Select Masters, Haverhill Commandery, Knights Templar, and the Scottish Rite bodies, in- cluding the thirty-second degree, and is a member of Aleppo Temple, Mystic Shrine, at Boston. He is also a member of the Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias, and socially, of the Pentucket Club. He is a member of the West Parish Congregational Church, and is prominent in its work.
Mr. Butrick married, in 1908, L. Agnes Callahan, of Haverhill, who, as mentioned above, is active in business.
ARTHUR WEBSTER WEST-Philan- thropist and man of affairs, Arthur Webster West was for many years an important and familiar figure in the life of Salem. He in- herited wealth and distinguished position but he keenly felt the responsibilities which ac- company them, and his fine public spirit and enlightened social conscience made his ca- reer beneficial to his community.
Mr. West was born in Salem on August 24, 1861, a son of Benjamin A. and Nancy (Downing) West. His father was a leading merchant of Salem at the height of the city's commercial prosperity and his vessels plied the seas in the China and East Indian trade and visited the ports of the world.
Arthur Webster West was educated in Salem public schools and subsequently spent two years at Harvard. He inherited his father's large estate but never engaged in business, devoting himself to the manage- ment of his private interests and to the many civic activities in whose constructive influences it was the privilege of his com-
munity to share. Mr. West was a member of the Salem Board of Aldermen over a long period and for a dozen years or more was an overseer of the poor. He brought to these duties the fidelity and fine talents which always distinguished him and when he resigned from the board he was given a testimonial dinner at the Salem Club by his associates, in appreciation of his unselfish service. As one of the "City Fathers" he was always progressive in his outlook and it was largely through his insistence that hospital treatment was furnished, when needed, for the inmates of the city home.
Mr. West was deeply interested in the Salem Hospital and his efforts on behalf of this institution endeared him to all the peo- ple of Greater Salem. For twenty years he was a trustee and later was president of the hospital, during which time it grew from its make-shift quarters in a remodeled dwell- ing to a commodious establishment occupy- ing its own modern building, equipped with every facility to relieve suffering and cure disease. Mr. West not only formulated the forward-looking policy of the institution but personally kept in charge the overseeing of all details and finances of the hospital. He gave unsparingly of his time and energy in this work and made many substantial con- tributions to the cause. His talents as an organizer and as a leader of the varied com- munity interests of Salem were well rec- ognized.
Mr. West had numerous other local con- nections. For fifteen years he was a direc- tor of the Naumkeag National Bank and at the end of that time assumed the duties of the presidency, serving to fill a vacancy until a permanent successor could be elected. Thereafter, he continued to give his valua- ble counsel and sound judgment to the man- agement of the bank's affairs. In 1894 he became a trustee of Harmony Grove Ceme- tery and in 1902 was chosen president, an
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office he occupied until his death. In this, as in his other active interests, he served with devotion and success, and was instru- mental in having the chapel and the crema- tory of the cemetery built. Their useful- ness in later years proved his foresight and judgment many times over. Mr. West was also a member of the Essex Institute from 1880 until his death and was a director of the society. He was a member of the Salem Marine Society and was always very proud of that membership, in which he succeeded his father who was active in the society for many years. Mr. West attended the First Church of Salem. He was generous in his support of all worthy causes, whether or not they occupied his personal attention, and was a constant friend to the poor and needy of the community.
On April 13, 1886, Arthur Webster West married Emily C. Fessenden, of Salem, daughter of Dr. Joseph P. and Anna (Tit- comb) Fessenden, who survives him.
Mr. West died in Salem on April 20, 1925. Endowed with large abilities, he was suc- cessful in whatever he undertook, and in all the activities of his life exemplified the highest type of citizenship. To a rare degree he enjoyed the esteem and confidence of his fellows and was greatly beloved for his ten- derness of heart, his ready sympathy and unfailing kindness.
GEORGE W. RICHARDSON-As a suc- cessful manufacturer and later prominent in banking circles, George W. Richardson has come to occupy a prominent and influential position in the social, civic and business life of Newburyport.
Mr. Richardson, a native of the State of Massachusetts, was born in Jamaica Plain, July 25, 1861, the son of William H. and Frances S. (Coffin) Richardson. His father, who is deceased, for a number of years en-
gaged in the wholesale mercantile business and during the Civil War was a member of the Boston Light Infantry. Mr. Richardson received his early education in the public schools of his native community and later attended business college. After completing his studies he entered the novelty and comb manufacturing business, establishing the G. W. Richardson Company in Newburyport. He directed the activities of this business until 1919, when a disastrous fire completely destroyed his plant. Shortly after this calam- ity he turned his attention to the banking business, becoming president of the Ocean National Bank. During his administration the Ocean National Bank absorbed the First National Bank and changed its name to the First and Ocean National Bank, of which institution he became chairman of the board. In 1923 he was elected president of the New- buryport Five Cents Savings Bank, a rela- tion which continued until 1934, when he resigned because of poor health. His inter- ests have not been limited solely to this phase of the business life of the community, for he has also served in an advisory capac- ity to many of the leading enterprises here, among them the Towle Manufacturing Com- pany, of which he was a member of the finance committee for a number of years and later president for two years.
In his social activities he has become iden- tified with the leading organizations, hold- ing memberships in the Dalton Club, the Newburyport Chamber of Commerce, where he had the honor of serving as first treas- urer, the Ould Newbury Golf Club, the Old- town Country Club, and the Union Club of Boston. During the World War he was manager of the four Liberty Loan drives that were conducted here, and for the splen- did work he accomplished in this connection he received a certificate of recognition for his services.
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In 1895 George W. Richardson married Alice M. Arnold, of Lancaster, Pennsyl- vania. The Richardson residence is No. 77 High Street, Newburyport.
JOHN T. LUNT-In maintaining the fine traditions of his illustrious forebears, who were among the first settlers in this section of Massachusetts, John T. Lunt, treasurer of the Five Cents Savings Bank, has assumed an outstanding position in the banking cir- cles of Newburyport, where, for the past nineteen years, he has assisted in the direc- tion of the activities of this institution.
Mr. Lunt, a native of the State of Massa- chusetts, was born in Newburyport, Febru- ary 15, 1875, the son of Charles H. and Eliz- abeth A. (Taylor) Lunt, both natives of this place. He received his early education in the public schools of this community, and, shortly after completing his studies, began his career in the banking field. In February, 1893, he became associated with the Five Cents Savings Bank, one of the oldest and strongest financial institutions of this com- munity, being founded in 1854. During his work here he has gained a broad and valu- able experience in the business, having served successively in the various depart- ments and finally becoming treasurer in 1915, when he succeeded John A. Maynard, who had maintained this post over a half a century.
Throughout his career he has demon- strated a keen interest in the social and civic activities of his community and as a young man served on the old common council. He has served as treasurer of the Newburyport Chamber of Commerce and is a trustee of the Central Congregational Church. He also belongs to the Rotary Club and the Dalton Club and fraternizes with St. John's Lodge of the Masonic Order, as well as the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a
member of the board of trustees of the Put- nam Fund.
In 1902 Mr. Lunt married Annie P. Top- pan, a native of Newburyport, and they are the parents of four children: I. Clark T. 2. Dorothy P., now Mrs. Charles Pickard. 3. Elizabeth A. 4. John R.
CLIFFORD J. GARDNER, head of Clif- ford J. Gardner, Inc., funeral directors at Haverhill, was born on July 27, 1882, at Stambridge, Quebec, son of James H. Gard- ner, of Quebec, and Nancy B. (Hall) Gard- ner, of Vermont. James H. Gardner died when his son was a small boy and the widow and mother brought her family to Enosburg Falls, Vermont, where Clifford J. grew to manhood and received his education in the public schools. He was variously employed until 1905, when he came to Haverhill as a salesman for the Fleischmann Yeast Com- pany. Four years later he went into the restaurant business, operating the Square Lunch on Washington Square, in this city, but sold out his interests after three years and from then until 1922 was connected with the Loose-Wiles Biscuit Company. Mr. Gardner received his technical training as a mortician at the Eckels School of Embalm- ing, Philadelphia, from which he was gradu- ated with honors. In 1922 he became asso- ciated in business with Arthur H. Chandler and Perley Williams, forming the firm of Chandler, Gardner and Williams, they hav- ing acquired the business of the late J. W. Emerson Farrell.
In 1924 Mr. Gardner purchased the inter- ests of his partners and the business has since been conducted under its present name. The funeral parlors were first located at No. 53 Main Street, but in 1932 Mr. Gardner pur- chased the Spaulding mansion at No. 50 Summer Street and had it completely rebuilt and refurnished as a funeral home. This
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funeral home is one of the finest between Boston and Portland, Maine, entirely modern in all its equipment, including an electric organ, and is exceptionally well arranged and furnished. It is a monument to the abil- ities, labors and character of its proprietor, Clifford J. Gardner.
Fraternally Mr. Gardner is affiliated with Bethany Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and Bethel Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, both of Merrimac; Haverhill Commandery, Knights Templar; Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Boston; Fidelity Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, of which he is a Past Patron ; and the Knights of Pythias. He is a mem- ber of the United Commercial Travelers, of which he is a past councillor, and the Haver- hill Country Club.
In 1910 Mr. Gardner married Ida E. Bridges, of Merrimac, and their residence is at No. 40 Marshland Street.
Mr. Gardner, during the years he has be- come well known in the community, is held in high esteem for his keen interest in every- thing that has promoted the advance of Haverhill and the welfare of its people.
SPENCER L. WORTHEN, president of the Hoyt and Worthen Tanning Corpora- tion, was born in Haverhill on October II, 1897, the son of Louis Worthen, who died in 1907, and Fanny (Littlefield) Worthen, natives of Haverhill.
His education was received in the public schools of Haverhill. Upon completing his education, Mr. Worthen found employment that led early in his career to the position of salesman for the sole leather industry and in this work he found a fruitful field for his natural abilities and talents. Being of a progressive and energetic nature he applied his efforts to studying the possibilities of manufacturing a superior leather for sock linings for women's shoes, and also of pro-
ducing better chamois than those already on the market. These products are manufac- tured by the corporation, which is mentioned more fully elsewhere on these pages.
Aside from business duties, Mr. Worthen is active in Masonic work, being a member of Saggahew Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Pentucket Chapter, and Haverhill Commandery. He is also a member of the Pentucket Club, the American Legion, and Chamber of Commerce. During the World War, he served as a seaman in the United States Navy.
In 1924 Mr. Worthen married Dorothy Pearson Richardson, of Haverhill, and they became the parents of two children: I. Re- becca, born on December 26, 1924, died Feb- ruary I, 1934. 2. Lucille, born on Novem- ber 4, 1929, died January 28, 1934. The family attends the Episcopal Church.
FREDERIC SAMUEL BOUTWELL Official association with financial institu- tions has principally marked the business career of Frederic S. Boutwell, treasurer and trustee of the Andover Savings Bank. He is also actively identified with the civic life of the town. Mr. Boutwell was born in Andover, October 30, 1865, the son of Sam- uel H. and Alice Jane (Trull) Boutwell, his father a farmer and selectman of An- dover, in which office he served more than thirty years. On graduating from the Pun- chard High School in Andover in 1884, he entered Massachusetts Institute of Technol- ogy, where he graduated in the class of 1890.
His first connection with the Andover Savings Bank was made on April 1, 1890, and from that time onward he made a steady advance to positions of increasing respon- sibility. On January 7, 1901, he was elected assistant treasurer, and on January 4, 1904, he was advanced to treasurer, which office he has since filled. He was elected to the board of trustees of the bank, January 2,
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19II. He is also a director in the Andover National Bank.
Among civic positions held by him are a trusteeship of the Memorial Hall Library, elected May 10, 1898; the offices of sec- retary and treasurer of the board of trus- tees of the library, elected June 14, 1898; treasurer of the West Parish of Andover, and director of the Andover Press, Ltd. He is a member of the Andover Club, Andover Grange, Patrons of Husbandry; and the West Congregational Church of Andover.
EDWARD E. HICKEN-During the greater part of his active life, Edward E. Hicken has been connected with the New- buryport "Daily News." Serving in various responsible positions, he has contributed substantially to the progress of the paper and his recent election as president and treasurer of the News Publishing Company, Incorporated, insures the continuation of its fine traditions.
Mr. Hicken was born at Newburyport, on April 20, 1876, a son of George B. and Elea- nor J. (Marshall) Hicken. His father, a ship builder, was born in Prince Edward Island. His mother was a native of Nova Scotia.
Edward E. Hicken was educated in the public schools and at business college. He entered newspaper work as a young man and began his long connection with the Newburyport "Daily News" as a book- keeper. The "News" was established in January, 1887, by Fred E. Smith, who, at that time, purchased the "Daily Germ" and changed its name to the present form. A few months afterwards, with James H. Hig- gins, the News Publishing Company was formed and subsequently, in 1912, was in- corporated under Massachusetts law.
Since its foundation, the progress of the "News" has been steady and consistent, both in circulation and advertising patronage. In
its existence, it has had six presses, each one an improvement over the other, to care for the increasing circulation and lineage. It has grown from a diminutive four-page, six- column paper, to an eight, ten, twelve and sixteen-page, eight-column paper, taking full advantage of its opportunities to give the reader and advertiser the best possible serv- ice. It is established in a building of its own, which is fitted with modern machinery for the work it has to do.
The "News" is today the only paper in Newburyport, and recognized its responsi- bilities in that connection. It has developed a strong community interest and stands with every movement which has to do with the upbuilding of the city and surrounding terri- tory. Because of this fact it retains the con- fidence of the people in a marked degree, and this same confidence is shown toward its ad- vertisers. The character of the paper is be- hind every one of its columns, whether edi- torial opinion, news or advertising. In being for so long under the editorial management of its founder, the "News" enjoyed a very great advantage. The ideals and hopes which were present at its birth all came to realization under the guiding hand of him who conceived them and complete integra- tion of the factors which make a good news- paper was achieved. This is the reason the "News" is influential not only in Newbury- port, but in other nearby towns. It circu- lates in Amesbury, Georgetown, Ipswich, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Rowley, Salisbury, West Newbury, and Hampton and Seabrook, New Hampshire. The total population of this area is some 46,000; the total number of homes included in the terri- tory is about 13,000. The net paid circula- tion of the "News" approaches 6,000 daily, and these figures indicate how many homes it enters. At Newburyport, which is the shopping center for this entire district, it reaches almost every home.
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Mr. Hicken has been a member of the "News'" organization during much of its history. He rose steadily through the merits of his services and, following the death of Fred E. Smith, in February, 1933, was elect- ed president and treasurer of the News Pub- lishing Company as his successor. This com- pany also publishes the Gloucester "Times." Mr. Hicken is well qualified for his present position. He is thoroughly experienced in newspaper work and is known in newspaper circles throughout the State. He is also completely in sympathy with the ideals so long embodied in the "News" and is devot- ing his full efforts to maintaining them.
Mr. Hicken has been active in all commu- nity movements and is a member of several local organizations, including the Dalton Club ; St. John's Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; King Cyrus Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Amesbury Council, Royal and Se- lect Masters; Newburyport Commandery, No. 3, Knights Templar ; Laurel Hill Chap- ter, Order of the Eastern Star. In the Ma- sonic Order he is also a member of all higher bodies. He is a member of Newburyport Chamber of Commerce; is a trustee of the Five Cents Savings Bank and in the publish- ing world is a member of the New England Daily Newspaper Publishers' Association, and the American Newspaper Publishers' Association, and many others.
In 1900 he married Ina C. Walton, of New- buryport, Massachusetts, and they are the parents of one daughter, Eleanor W., a graduate of Mary E. Burnham School and Smith College, who married Malcom G. Smith, of Boston. He is a member of the firm of Crane and Smith, funeral directors.
JOHN D. PARSONS-For more than forty years, John D. Parsons served as libra- rian of the Newburyport Public Library, a term of service probably not equaled by any
librarian of Essex County at the present time. He has been primarily responsible for the development of the institution to its present high level of efficiency.
Mr. Parsons was born at Newburyport on December 26, 1854, a son of John D. and Eunice A. (Russell) Parsons. Both were born in this State. His father, who died in 1884, served with the Union forces during the Civil War in the 23d Massachusetts In- fantry. He held the rank of sergeant and was seriously wounded in the engagement at Drury's Bluff on the James River below Richmond. Eunice A. (Russell) Parsons died in 1915.
John D. Parsons was educated in the pub- lic schools of his birthplace and as a young man was engaged in newspaper work for a number of years, serving as city editor of the Newburyport "Daily Herald." In February, 1889, however, he was appointed librarian of the Newburyport Public Library and has held this position without interruption until May, 1934, when he resigned. When Mr. Parsons first took charge of the library it was a small collection, inadequate in almost every respect. Today it comprises over 60,000 volumes, representing all fields of literature, the arts and sciences, history, technology and other subjects. Its record under Mr. Parsons' guidance has been one of steady growth and progress and its development reflects great credit both upon the city and upon himself personally.
Mr. Parsons has devoted a considerable part of his leisure to historical research and writing. He has also been active in the gen- eral life of the community and during the period of the World War was chairman in charge of all "four-minute" speakers in this section, receiving a certificate from the United States Government in recognition of his services. He is a member of the Histori- cal Society of Old Newbury, the Dalton Club
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of Newburyport and the Sons of Veterans. Haverhill Council, Royal and Select Mas-
In 1888 Mr. Parsons married Mary E. Cushing, of San Francisco, California, who died in 1897. They became the parents of three children : I. Yvonne, who married James A. Stewart and resided at Amesbury, where she died. 2. Rita, who married Ros- coe A. Sawyer, of East Jaffrey, New Hamp- shire. 3. Charlotte, now Mrs. Atwood, of Hartford, Connecticut.
ARTHUR HALE VEASEY-Active in several different types of business enter- prises, Arthur Hale Veasey, of Haverhill, has contributed substantially to the well- being of his native city, where he is identi- fied with industrial and banking circles. Mr. Veasey was born on June 30, 1885, at Haver- hill, the son of the late Arthur D. Veasey and Clara W. (Kimball) Veasey (q. v.), who resides in Haverhill. Arthur D. Veasey was one of Essex County's successful manufac- turers as is mentioned at length in the fol- lowing biography. Arthur H. Veasey was educated in the public schools of his native city and attended Phillips Andover Acad- emy and Amherst College.
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