USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > The story of Essex County, Volume III > Part 4
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On October 28, 1916, Mr. Gifford married Florence Pitman, of Brooklyn, New York, and they became the parents of two sons; Walter Sherman Gifford, Jr., and Richard Pitman Gifford.
GEORGE CROMPTON, president and treasurer of Charles Crompton and Sons, one of the oldest chemical manufacturing
concerns of the city of Lynn, has come to occupy an important place in the business life of this community and through his abil- ity as an executive has won the admiration and respect of his colleagues.
Mr. Crompton was born January 21, 1888, the son of Charles and Mary (Brennan) Crompton. His father, who founded the business in 1892, was a native of England, born in Manchester, October 4, 1863, a son of Able Crompton who came to Canada and became a wealthy cattle raiser and gentle- man farmer. The chemical manufacturing enterprise Charles Crompton established at No. 106 Ontario Street in Lynn, was incor- porated in 1910 and he became president. His son George was made treasurer, and maintained this position until his father's death in Savannah, Georgia, June 7, 1925, when he took over the combined duties of president and treasurer. During his life the elder Crompton was an active civic figure in Lynn, was affiliated with the Republican party and for two terms served as a mem- ber of the city council. He was a member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church and sang in the choir for many years. George Cromp- ton's mother, Mary Brennan, was a native of Ireland and the daughter of Michael and Ann (Leavey) Brennan. For a number of years her father owned and operated a large flour mill in that country.
George Crompton received his education in the public schools of Lynn and then for the purpose of learning the business became associated with his father. Today in the direction of this firm, which manufactures a number of patent medicines sold through- out New England, Mr. Crompton is assisted by his two brothers, Charles, Jr., who is vice-president, and Edward B., who is sec- retary. Mr. Crompton is a member of the Republican party and in his professional affiliations holds a membership in the United Medical Manufacturers of America. In reli-
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THE STORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
gion he adheres to the Episcopalian faith and worships at St. Stephen's Church of that denomination. He finds his main recrea- tion out of doors in golf, camping and fish- ing. In this connection he maintains a camp at Beauneg Bcg, Maine, which he frequently visits. During the World War Mr. Cromp- ton enlisted in the Medical Corps and was stationed at Camp Devens for a period of six months.
George Crompton is one of four children in his family. The others are: I. Charles, Jr., married Maude Starbird of Lynn and is the father of a daughter and twin sons: Dorothy, Charles and George. 2. Edward B., married Irene Hazel Baker of Lynn and is the father of four children: Edward B., Jr., Robert William, Emma May and Eve- lyn, who is the wife of Alfred Arsenault of Lynn and the mother of Lorraine Gloria. 3. Lilly Mary, wife of George S. Brackett of Lynn and the mother of one daughter, Ada Hazel. 4. Ada Hazel, wife of John C. Doherty of Swampscott and the mother of onc son, John Crompton.
HERBERT HOLLAND WINSLOW- Member of the old New England family of Winslow and himself one of the prominent business men of this part of the country, Herbert Holland Winslow is extensively en- gaged in the leather industry in the city of Lynn. Importing skins from all parts of the world, particularly the Orient, he is now head of the Benz Kid Company, manufac- turers of glazed kid, and one of the six larg- est organizations of its kind in the world.
Mr. Winslow was born on March 4, 1895, in Lynn, Massachusetts, son of Louis Mar- tin and Lucy (Hovey) Winslow. His father was born at Norwood, Massachusetts, on January 19. 1865, and died as a result of an automobile accident on April 22, 1919. He and Jacob C. Benz together organized the Benz Kid Company, referred to above, in
1906. Mr. Benz became president. and the elder Mr. Winslow was treasurer. Mr. Win- slow was also vice-president of the Lynn Safe Deposit and Trust Company and pres- ident of the Lynn Storage Warehouse. A Republican in his political views, he was active in community affairs, and was espe. cially interested in the work of the Univer- salist Church, of which he was a member. His parents were John and Martha (Harts- horn) Winslow. John Winslow was also a native son of this Commonwealth, and died in the town of Norwood. He was likewise engaged in the manufacturing of leather, with operations centered in Norwood and Boston. Martha (Hartshorn) Winslow was a Massachusetts woman, who died in Nor- wood. The family line has been traced back to Kcnelm Winslow, who was a member of the original Plymouth Colony, and who migrated from England at an early period in the seventeenth century and settled in Dennis, Massachusetts. He was a brother of Edward Winslow, who was the third Governor of Plymouth Colony and the writer of the "Mayflower compact." Mrs. Lucy (Hovey) Winslow, wife of Louis Martin and mother of Herbert Holland Winslow, was born at Boxford, Massachusetts, and died in Lynn.
In the public schools, Herbert Holland Winslow, of this review, received his early education, being graduated from Lynn Eng- lish High School. Finishing his work there in 1913, he matriculated, in the fall of the same year, at Northeastern Law School, Boston, where he studied for three years, acquiring a thorough grounding in the law. Although he immediately went into business upon completing his professional studies, he has found them useful to him through the years, legal knowledge being a decided ad- junct to a practical business career. His first employment in the leather trade was under his father's guidance. Associated with
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THE STORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
the Benz Kid Company, in Lynn, he worked his way through the different stages of fac- tory processing, serving his apprenticeship in the original plant, at No. 215 Market Street. The second factory was established in July, 1919, at No. 19 Marion Street. It is today known as Factory No. 2, but does the same class of work as that done on the original site. In 1920 Mr. Winslow became vice-president of the company, and on Jan- uary I, 1933, he succeeded the late Jacob C. Benz, co-founder of the business, in the presidency. He continues today as presi- dent of the Benz Kid Company, who import skins from India, China, Java and other parts of the world for the manufacture of glazed kid. The company is the largest of its kind in Essex County, and lays claim to being one of the six largest in the world. The Winslow family have been engaged in the leather business through the genera- tions, being one of the oldest families con- nected with the industry. The company which Mr. Winslow now heads is interna- tionally known, shipping its products to all corners of the world.
In addition to his labors in the commer- cial realm, Mr. Winslow takes a lively inter- est in civic, social and political affairs. He is a Republican, as was his father. He is also Massachusetts State Commissioner of Firemen's Relief, having been so appointed by Governor Fuller in 1925 and reappointed since that year by each succeeding Gover- nor. He also is a member of the Univer- salist Church, as was his father. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, being a member of Golden Fleece Lodge, the Royal Arch Chapter and Knights Templar Commandery and Council of Royal and Select Masters, as well as Aleppo Tem- ple of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He holds the thirty-sec- ond degree of Scottish Rite Masonry. In the Chamber of Commerce of Lynn, he takes
a lively interest, being a supporter, through this body, of every worthy undertaking for the advancement of prosperity in his com- munity. He has other business interests, being vice-president of the Lynn Safe De- posit and Trust Company. His social affilia- tions are with the Corinthian Yacht Club, of Marblehead, Massachusetts ; the Tedesco Golf Club, of Salem ; the Oyster Harbor Golf Club; and the Oxford Club, of Lynn. He also belongs to the Sons of the American Revolution, being affiliated with the old Essex Chapter, of outstanding historic sig- nificance.
When the World War involved the United States, Mr. Winslow enlisted for service in May, 1918. He was stationed at Rhode Is- land State College as instructor in ammuni- tion truck driving, so continuing until Sep- tember, the same year, when he was trans- ferred to the Ordnance Department, at Metuchen, New Jersey, as instructor in the Officers' School. There he instructed the officers in the care of artillery harness and equipment. He was honorably discharged on January 8, 1919, at Metuchen, New Jer- sey, as a private.
Mr. Winslow married, on September 22, 1917, in Lynn, Massachusetts, Isabel N. Hay, daughter of Mrs. J. W. Hart, of Lynn. Mrs. Winslow is a graduate of Lynn Eng- lish High School, and also attended a finish- ing school in Boston. She is a member of St. Stephen's Protestant Episcopal Church, and is active in several women's organiza- tions in Lynn and this region of Massachu- setrs. To Mr. and Mrs. Winslow have been born three children : John Martin Winslow, on May 27, 1921; Beverly Winslow, on May 28, 1923; and Herbert Holland, Jr., on April 16, 1929.
The family home is situated at No. 190 Ocean Street, Lynn, and Mr. Winslow has his offices at the headquarters of the Benz Kid Company, No. 19 Marion Street.
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THE STORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
ISAAC H. SAWYER-The career of Isaac H. Sawyer is one of distinction and accomplishment, and is marked for the suc- cess he attained in various fields of activity. In a business capacity he rose to become one of the most widely known advertising executives in the shoe industry and was prominent in financial circles. Civicly he was deeply interested in the affairs of his surroundings and was rewarded for his con- tributions by being elected to high public office, and socially he was identified with many leading organizations.
Mr. Sawyer was born on Sawyer farm in Boxford, Massachusetts, April 3, 1858, the son of Thomas K. and Sophia (Howe) Sawyer, the former a native of Boxford, and the latter of Vermont. His father en- gaged in farming and the lumber business throughout his life. This farm, where Mr. Sawyer made his home during his boyhood, was property which had been granted to the Sawyer family by the English Crown under the administration of Governor John Endi- cott during the early history of the country. Mr. Sawyer received a general education in the public schools of Boxford and Newbury- port and while attending school, employed his spare time working on his father's farm to which he was to return many years later.
He secured his first position with the Boston shoe firm of Hyde and Peabody, and remained with this organization until he joined the American Rubber Company. His business experiences had been of a practical nature and learning of an opportunity in the Brown Shoe Company of St. Louis, Missouri, one of the largest shoe manufac- turing concerns of the West, he sought the position and obtained it. He thereupon be- came a resident of St. Louis and began a period that led steadily upward in respon- sibility and in financial returns to himself. The aptitude and ability he displayed soon won him promotion and he finally became
vice-president in charge of advertising and sales. In this capacity he originated many innovations, among them the "Buster Brown and his Dog Tige," campaign which was to establish the name of his product as a household word throughout many sec- tions of the Nation. In this project he ob- tained the rights to use Buster Brown as a trademark on shoes. Carrying out his pro- gram he enlisted the aid of an actor and a dog and they traveled thousands of miles through the South and West attracting mil- lions of children. The success of this ven- ture won him nation-wide recognition and particularly in the advertising field where he was to become a dominant figure. His theory that business was not merely a sci- ence but a matter of human relations at- tracted considerable attention. He wrote a pamphlet on his views which was widely distributed and was reprinted a short time prior to his death.
He retired from the shoe manufacturing business and returned to the eastern part of the United States where he entered the world of finance, becoming a vice-president of the Max Oscher Company in New York City. After serving in this capacity for some time he returned to his farm home in Box- ford to enjoy a life he really loved. He modernized the property and made it one of the most completely equipped farms of its type. Not only did he take a keen interest in the raising of cattle and the administra- tion of the one hundred and fifty acre farm, but he also became a prominent figure in the life of this community, lending his sup- port to the civic, social and business life of this vicinity. At this time he became presi- dent of the Essex Agricultural Society and through his accomplishments in this posi- tion was responsible for making the annual cattle show at Topsfield one of the most notable fairs of its type. He served as di- recting head of this society for seven years
American Historical Shey
I Sanger
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THE STORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
and for his services to agriculture in this part of New England received a formal vote of thanks from several agricultural socie- ties. In conjunction with this work he was also the author of many articles which were widely read, dealing with problems that be- set the farmer.
Though his formal associations with the shoe industry had come to an end, he still retained a live interest in the business and made several extensive journeys through some of the larger shoe manufacturing cen- ters of the country. He was president of the Atlast Company, now developing a new type of last, and for a time was associated with the Vulcan Fibre Company. As a thinker and originator he constantly offered new methods in business and manufacture and in this connection formed the Sawyer System, Incorporated, a shoe manufactur- ing and shoe retailing business which was to be one of the last ventures he directed.
The prominent position he held in the ad- vertising profession is graphically revealed in the status he attained among his col- leagues. During his career in St. Louis he served as president of the St. Louis Adver- tising Men's League, and later became chairman of the Associated Advertising Clubs of America, one of the highest honors that can be accorded a person in that busi- ness. In the shoe trade he became president of the Western Association of Shoe Whole- salers and in his activities on behalf of agri- culture was chosen vice-president of the Massachusetts Fairs Association.
During the latter part of his life he be- came interested in Florida and built a beau- tiful estate in Ormond, where he also be- came interested in the cultivation of or- anges. In this pursuit he differed from the United States Department of Agriculture in some of its rulings on the orange crop and subsequently became interested in politics. His interest in civic affairs here were favor-
ably known and in 1930 he was elected mayor of Ormond after one of the most keenly contested campaigns ever experi- enced in this community. The vote during this contest was the largest ever cast in that city. After serving for one term he returned to Boxford where he was to reside until his untimely death.
In his social affiliations Mr. Sawyer was a member of various clubs and fraternized with the Tuscan Lodge of the Masonic Order where he was a Knights Templar and held a thirty-second degree. He was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and belonged to the Sons of the American Revo- lution, and the Society of Colonial Wars.
In 1895 Mr. Sawyer married Bertha A. Colby. a native of Massachusetts and the daughter of William F. and Annie (Tucker) Colby. Her father was a fruit grower in Florida. Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer were the parents of two sons : I. John C., a graduate of the Smith Institute of St. Louis, and a veteran of the World War, having served as a member of the motor transport division for fourteen months. He married Gertrude Butterfield and they became the parents of two children : Francis and John Richard. 2. Everett, who died at the age of thirteen years.
Isaac H. Sawyer's sudden death occurred August 29, 1934. at the age of seventy-six years. His passing was keenly felt among that great host of friends and associates who had had the privilege of knowing and working with him. His full life is a record of outstanding accomplishment which, coupled with the unselfish contributions he made to the welfare of his surroundings, should stand as an inspiration to those who follow.
GEORGE MARSHALL CLARK-To the newspaper trade of New England, George Marshall Clark has richly contrib-
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THE STORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
uted through furnishing supplies and mate- rials necessary to the operation of publish- ing plants. He trades under the name of the American Publishers' Supplies, and has his factory in Lynn, where he is widely and favorably known because of his civic inter- ests and his deep interest in Essex County affairs.
Mr. Clark was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on October 1, 1883, son of George M., Sr., and Emma Louise (Bigelow) Clark. His father, born at Elmira, New York, died at Nahant, Massachusetts, March 15, 1929, was a newspaper stereotyper, for many years associated with the Lynn "Item." He was a Republican in his political alignment, and during the World War was connected with the United States Secret Service. His wife, born in Jersey City, New Jersey, was a daughter of Samuel and Harriet (Ogelby) Bigelow. Her father, born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, died in Roxbury, this State, was also a newspaper stereotyper. He intro- duced the stereotype process to the New York "Herald" and later to the Boston "Herald," and was a pioneer in his work. His life was also of value in other ways, for he recruited and trained men for the army during the Civil War, and was for many years prior to that conflict a member of the 79th New York Regiment. His wife was a native of Scotland, who died in Rox- bury, Massachusetts. Marshall Alden Clark, father of George M. Clark, Sr., and grand- father of the younger George M. Clark, was a merchant tailor by occupation. He died at Stoneham, Massachusetts, aged one hun- dred and six years.
In the public schools of Malden, Massa- chusetts, George Marshall Clark, of this re- view, received his early education, and then, for six months, was engaged in the vulcaniz- ing of bicycle tires for a Mr. Chambers. Remaining in Malden, he started a business of the same kind when he was only four-
teen years of age, continuing in it until he attained his majority. At the age of twenty- one he removed to Lynn, associating him- self here with the "Item," the paper with which his father was long connected. Here he learned the stereotyping trade, and re- mained for eight years with this publication.
His next move was to become connected with the Boston "Herald," which gave him four times the salary that he had been re- ceiving in Lynn. For seven years he con- tinued in this same work with the "Herald," then he started in business for himself in the cellar of his home, handling newspaper supplies. This new venture marked the be- ginning of his business growth and success, though his career was in the future not to be wholly without its disappointments. He conducted his enterprise in this small way in his own home for four years, acquiring the capital with which he built, at the end of those years, his own building in Revere, Massachusetts. For two years he continued there, and then, on May 9, 1930, the whole of his new structure was destroyed by fire. Then it was that, coming to Lynn, he opened a business in a fine fireproof building at No. 19 Stewart Street, where he has since re- mained. The firm that he operates now occupies the entire third floor of this build- ing. The name under which he conducts this business has been continuously the same -American Publishers' Supplies. Of this enterprise, he is the sole owner and proprie- tor. He also designs and manufactures newspaper machines and ships them to all parts of the world. He has his representa- tives in other countries, and both he and his products are widely known and famed.
In his political views Mr. Clark holds to the Republican party and its principles. He has consistently taken an interest in public affairs of importance, giving freely of his advice and counsel when it is sought or when he believes it will be helpful. He is
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THE STORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
now highly regarded in Essex County and throughout New England business circles, though he is not the type of man who joins large organizations and groups. He enjoys, in his spare time, such diversions as touring and reading.
George Marshall Clark married, on June 26, 1913, in Portland, Maine, Marguerite Franconise, a native of Saugus, Massachu- setts, daughter of Dr. Edward Franconise, of that place, who was born in France and died in the Soldiers' Home. at Chelsea, Mas- sachusetts. He was a veteran of the Civil War, in which he served as assistant to the surgeon on the United States warship "Ohio." He sailed all his life, and many of his movements were guided by that in- born love of the sea that mysteriously and strangely motivates some men. Dr. Fran- conise's wife, the mother of Mrs. Clark, was born in Methuen, Massachusetts, and died in Saugus. She bore the maiden name of Jeffers. Mrs. Clark herself is a graduate of Saugus High School, and is today one of the esteemed residents of Lynn. She is a member of the Saugus Methodist Episcopal Church.
The Clark family residence is situated at No. 609 Lynnfield Street, Lynn.
ROBERT ROGERS EVANS-Some of the most notable feats in the construction of public works stand to the credit of Rob- ert R. Evans, county engineer of Essex County, who is in the front rank of his pro- fession. Born in Haverhill, September 14, 1872, Robert Rogers Evans is one of six children of Charles R. and Ann M. (Perley) Evans, both parents natives of this State: the former, a custom tailor in Haverhill for about fifty years. died in 1898, and the latter in 1918.
Robert Rogers Evans, the youngest child, was educated in the Haverhill public
schools, graduating from high school in the class of 1891. He learned the technique of civil engineering while employed in the office of the city engineer of Haverhill for four years. At the age of twenty-three years he was elected city engineer of Haverhill, in 1895. retaining this post and filling it with marked distinction for twelve years, when he resigned. In 1907 he was elected county engineer of Essex County, a posi- tion fraught with great responsibility up to which he has measured with increasing efficiency.
During his term as city engineer of Hav- erhill he was instrumental in bringing about the abolishment of the grade-crossings of the Boston and Maine Railroad, working out those engineering features which most affected the city. He served as resident en- gineer in the building of what is known as the "Upper Bridge." Since he has been county engineer, the importance of his work has advanced. He rebuilt the "Old Chain Bridge" at Newburyport, the Fox Hill Bridge in Lynn, the Floating Bridge in the sanie city, the Essex Bridge, between Salem and Beverly; the Groveland Bridge in place of the one destroyed by fire ; and built the easterly spans of the Rocks Bridge, the Plum Island Bridge. Kernwood Bridge. be- tween Salem and Beverly; the concrete bridge at Main Street, Haverhill, crossing the Merrimack River: the Bass River Bridge, in Beverly, and in addition, a num- ber of smaller bridges. He has also engi- neered and supervised the building of a number of highways in the county. His professional affiliations include the Ameri- can Society of Civil Engineers, Boston So- ciety of Civil Engineers, and the Massa- chusetts Highway Association. Among his public services was membership in the South Essex Sewerage Board, charged with rebuilding the outfall sewer and Salem Har- bor works.
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Mr. Evans married, June 26, 1901, Alice L. Crockett, of Haverhill, and their chil- dren are: 1. Somerby Rogers, a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1923. He is with the Atmospheric Nitrogen Company at Hopewell, Virginia. 2. Ralph Merrill, a graduate of Massachusetts Insti- tute of Technology, 1928, and a resident of New York City, where he is engaged in the technical side of the motion picture indus- try. 3. Charles Huntington Evans, a stu- dent at Massachusetts Institute of Tech- nology, class of 1936. The Evans family home is in Haverhill, and Mr. Evans has his official address at the Essex County Court- house in Salem.
HON. HARRY ROBINSON DOW- Essex County maintains its good name for many desirable features, not the least of which is the judiciary, to which has been called the Hon. Harry Robinson Dow, of North Andover, presiding justice of the Court of Probate and Insolvency of this jurisdiction. He has occupied this bench now for more than twenty-five years. No novice in the judicial office when elevated to his present position, he had served as a special justice of police tribunals. He is a former councilman of the city of Lawrence and has filled a seat as representative in the Massachusetts House.
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