USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > The story of Essex County, Volume III > Part 40
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After completing his education, Mr. Veasey entered his father's business, the Groveland Woolen Mills, at Groveland. Following the incorporation of the business as the Grove- land Mills, Incorporated, and the retirement of his father in 1925, Arthur H. Veasey be- came the directing head of the business, which was continued until 1928. Mr. Veasey now devotes his attention to banking and other interests. He is a director of the Merri- mack National Bank, of Haverhill, trustee of the Haverhill Savings Bank, and on the directorate of several other corporations.
He is interested in fraternal and commu- nity organizations, being a member of Merri- mack Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, which he served as Past Master ; Pentucket Chapter, Royal Arch Masons;
ters, of which he is also a Past Master ; Haverhill Commandery, Knights Templar ; Rose Croix; is a Past Master of Merrimack Valley Lodge of Perfection ; Princes of Jeru- salem ; has attained the thirty-second degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; and a Noble of Aleppo Temple, Boston. He is also a member of Chi Phi Fraternity, and the Haverhill Country Club. An ardent sports- man, he is an enthusiastic yachtsman and spends as much time in these activities as the weather permits, and is a member of several yacht and sportsmen's clubs.
Arthur Hale Veasey was married (first) to Persis Adams Spencer, who died in 1912, the mother of one child, Persis Spencer, who died in infancy. In 1921 Mr. Veasey mar- ried (second) Decia Beebe, of Melrose, a daughter of Decius and Katherine (Bige- low) Beebe, and of this marriage four chil- dren were born: I. Arthur Hale, Jr., who was born on November 7, 1922. 2. Decius Beebe, who was born on March 30, 1925. 3. Katherine Ensign, who was born on April 20, 1928. 4. John Edwin, who was born on February 17, 1930.
ARTHUR D. VEASEY-For more than half a century, Arthur D. Veasey was a prominent figure in the New England textile industry. He was associated during almost all his active career with the Groveland Mills at Groveland, Massachusetts, and at the time of his death was president of this organ- ization, which was numbered among the old- est and largest flannel and flannel dress goods mills in the section until the suspen- sion of its activities a few years ago.
Mr. Veasey was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, on October 13, 1854, a son of Dennis and Isabella H. (French) Veasey, and a descendant of the old New England family of this name founded in the colonies by George Veasey (Vezie or Vesey), who
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settled at Dover, New Hampshire, some- time prior to 1659. The records of the family in England extend back many centuries, particularly in Oxfordshire, the traditional family seat. In America the line is traced from George Veasey, the immigrant ances- tor, through Thomas, his son, who lived at Stratham, New Hampshire; Thomas, in the third American generation; Thomas in the fourth ; Joshua, son of Thomas (3), who was a soldier in the Revolution, serving near Boston in Captain Samuel Gilman's com- pany, Colonel Enoch Poor's regiment ; Levi, son of Joshua ; and Dennis, son of Levi and father of Arthur D. Veasey, of this record.
Arthur D. Veasey received his prelimi- nary education in the public schools of the Bunker Hill district of Charlestown and in the public schools of Chicago, Illinois. Sub- sequently he attended Haverhill, Massachu- setts, High School, and began his active career as a clerk in the Haverhill post office under Postmaster David Boynton. From that position he went to the store of Abram French and Company, wholesale dealers and importers of crockery, glassware and other similar items at Boston, serving as a clerk until 1874, when he accepted a place in the woolen mill of the late E. J. M. Hale, at Groveland, Massachusetts. Here his ambi- tion, talents and energy brought him ad- vancement and he soon rose to the office of assistant manager. With the death of Mr. Hale in 1881, Mr. Veasey was appointed man- ager of the mills for the estate, and in 1892 he joined with Benjamin P. Hale to purchase this property, continuing the business under the firm name of the Groveland Mills. In 1903 he bought out the interests of his part- ner and became sole proprietor of the com- pany, which was continued as a private busi- ness until January, 1925, when it was incor- porated under the name of the Groveland Mills, Incorporated. Mr. Veasey, who had so long guided the affairs of the company,
assumed the presidency of the corporation, but at that time he retired from its active management. He died two years later and within another period of a few years the operation of the mills was suspended. The history of the Groveland Mills in itself is a long and honorable one, which saw them rise to a position of leadership in the flannel and flannel dress goods industry under the leadership of Mr. Veasey. During the period of the World War the company turned its attention to meeting the wartime require- ments of the government and was very active in producing silk yarn, twenty-ounce khaki cloth and powder bags.
In addition to his long connection with the Groveland Mills, Mr. Veasey was a director of the Merrimack National Bank, to which his sound judgment and counsel were of continued value, and was interested in woolen mills in Maine. Despite an unusually active life, he participated readily in the civic affairs of his community and fully met every obligation of good citizenship, lending his support to all worthy movements in the pub- lic interest. Mr. Veasey was also a promi- nent Mason and was a member in this order of Merrimack Lodge, as well as of many higher bodies, including Pentucket Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Haverhill Commandery, No. 14, Knights Templar; Massachusetts Consistory, thirty-second degree, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite ; and Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Boston. He was a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston from 1885 until his death.
On October 23, 1883, Arthur D. Veasey married Clara W. Kimball, who was born on November 21, 1862, daughter of Alfred and Almira Blake (Chesley) Kimball and member of one of Haverhill's best known families. They became the parents of three children : Clara Lucile and Valerie Follett, twins, both of whom were graduated from
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Bradford Academy and Smith College. The first named is the wife of Ransom C. Pin- gree and the latter is the wife of Clifford G. Miller, both residing in Boston. The third member of the family is Arthur Hale Veasey, of Haverhill, whose biography accompanies this.
Arthur D. Veasey died on July II, 1927, after a long life of useful service and note- worthy accomplishment. He will be remem- bered warmly both in the industry which occupied him so largely throughout his career and by the people of Essex County generally who accounted him a leading citi- zen of this section throughout his lifetime.
HAROLD M. GOODWIN-In the devel- opment of Haverhill, Massachusetts, Harold Mason Goodwin, industrial leader and banker, has played an important part. He is a native of the city, born April 7, 1886, son of George M. and Frances (Webster) Goodwin, both of whom were of Massachusetts birth. The elder Mr. Goodwin, who died on September 29, 1909, was president and treasurer of the Taylor-Goodwin Company until his demise, and was prominent in the coal and lumber trade for many years.
His pre-college education was received at Haverhill High School, from which he was graduated in 1904, and Harold M. Good- win then matriculated at Harvard Univer- sity and was graduated with the class of 1908, the holder of the Bachelor's de- gree in Arts, cum laude. Returning to Haverhill he became associated with his father in the business of which he is now the president and general manager. This firm is one of the oldest in origin of any of its kind in Haverhill, dating back to 1867, when the firm of Tuxbury & Taylor was organized as a co-partnership, to carry on a coal busi- ness, located in Bradford on the present site, just over the new bridge. It was not long before Mr. Tuxbury sold his interest to Levi
Taylor; then in 1872 George M. Goodwin, father of the subject of this review, entered the employ of Mr. Taylor and was almost im- mediately made a member of the firm, which became Taylor, Goodwin & Company. It was about this time that they began to deal in lumber and have so continued. In 1894 the business was incorporated as Taylor-Goodwin Company, with Oliver Taylor as president and George M. Goodwin secretary-treasurer. Gradually Mr. Goodwin bought out the Tay- lor interests until he became the sole owner of the business in 1902. In 1908 Harold M. Goodwin was made a member of the firm and, after the death of his father on September 29, 1909, he was made president, treasurer, and general manager, which posts he now oc- cupies. This, as has been indicated, is one of the oldest and largest coal and lumber con- cerns in Haverhill.
In addition to his executive duties in con- nection with the coal and lumber business, Mr. Goodwin is a trustee of the Haverhill Savings Bank, director of the Morris Plan Bank, vice-president of the Citizens' Coopera- tive Bank, and a director of the Lumber Mu- tual Fire Insurance Company of Boston, of which his father was one of the incorporators. During the World War period he headed a number of the committees and bodies which promoted the varied activities of the city in civilian efforts behind the military successes of our troops overseas. Fraternally he is a sixteen degree Mason, affiliated with Sagga- hew Lodge, Haverhill, Free and Accepted Masons. He is a member of the Pentucket, Haverhill Country, Rotary, and Monday Eve- ning clubs, the Haverhill Historical Society, and the Whittier Club.
In 1914 Harold M. Goodwin married Mary Parker Hubbard, of Haverhill, daughter of Oliver S. and Rebecca Hubbard, members of old New England families, and they are the parents of three children: I. George Monroe, born August 2, 1916, who was graduated
Harold Mu Goodwin
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from Haverhill High School in 1934. He was the winner of the Shattuck prize for boys. 2. James Hubbard, who was born December 14, 1920. 3. David Webster, who was born March 30, 1924.
WILLIAM D. McFEE, M. D .- In a pro- fession difficult to enter, Dr. William D. Mc- Fee, of Haverhill, has won international recognition for his services and contribu- tions to the field of medicine through his studies and research in physical therapy. Led by the same spirit for service to his fellowmen that caused him to choose the medical profession as his life work, Dr. Mc- Fee gave his talents and ability to directing the affairs of his adopted city as its mayor, and, during the late war, gave valuable serv- ice as a member of the United States Army Medical Corps. Endowed with unusual capacities and with achievements in many fields to his credit, he is representative of the best in American citizenship.
Born at St. John, New Brunswick, Canada, October 13, 1874, Dr. McFee is a son of Wil- liam D. and Anne (Armstrong) McFee, natives of County Tyrone, Ireland. His father died in 1879 and his mother in 1928. He was educated in public schools, in an academy at Mount Hermon, and was pri- vately tutored by Professor Carleton be- fore entering Dartmouth, where he enrolled in the pre-medical department. After com- pleting the required preparation, he attended the Dartmouth Medical School two years and then completed his professional studies at the University of Vermont, being gradu- ated in 1897 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In further preparation for his career he attended Harvard Medical School one year and was a post-graduate student in New York. After serving one year as interne in the Boston City Hospital, he began to practice in Haverhill and has continued there throughout his entire professional life.
Dr. McFee engaged in general practice for several years, but in 1903 began to specialize in physical therapy and from that time on has limited his practice to that subject. The large measure of success he achieved by the uses of physical therapy directed the atten- tion of his associates, and later, of the entire medical profession, to his work. In order to accommodate his large practice, Dr. Mc- Fee maintains offices in Boston in addition to his home offices in Haverhill. As one of the foremost practitioners in his specialty he has been called upon many times to attend meetings and conventions, as well as to lec- ture on physical therapy, and he has given freely and gladly his time and knowledge to increase the use of this branch of medicine.
Dr. McFee is a past president of the Amer- ican Electro Therapeutical Association; a past president of the American Academy of Physical Medicine; past president of the New England Physical Therapy Associa- tion; was a delegate to the International Congress of Physical Therapy held at Rome, Italy, and elected a delegate to the same organization's congress held at Niems, France; delegate to the International Con- gress of Physical Therapy held at Stock- holm in 1928; delegate to the 1930 meeting of that body held in Liege, Belgium, at which time he was elected vice-president of the International Congress of Physical Therapy. He has also served in the United States Public Health Service, and is a mem- ber of the Essex County Medical Society, the Massachusetts Medical Society, and the American Medical Association; was one of the founders of the Pentucket Association of Physicians ; is a member of the visiting staff of the Boston City Hospital ; for five years was a member of the Massachusetts Tuber- culosis Commission, and has long been a member, serving also as president, of the staff of Gale Hospital. General Hines ap- pointed him consulting specialist for the
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United States Veterans' Bureau Medical De- partment.
Adding authorship to his accomplishments Dr. McFee has written many articles on therapy, these appearing in the leading medi- cal journals. He is a member of the Authors' and Editors' Association of America; is a member of Saggahew Lodge, Free and Ac- cepted Masons; Pentucket Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Haverhill Council, Royal and Select Masters, and Haverhill Commandery, Knights Templar. He is also a member of the Princes of Jerusalem, the Rose Croix and Massachusetts Consistory, attaining the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and is a member of Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he is a Past Ex- alted Ruler, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is Past Noble Grand, Chief Patriarch and Colonel of the Canton. Until several years ago Dr. McFee was active in many clubs, but he has re- cently limited his membership to a few.
During the World War he enlisted in the United States Army Medical Corps and was assigned to the Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, District of Columbia, with the rank of captain; he was promoted to the rank of major and later was made a lieu- tenant-colonel in the Officers' Reserve Corps. Always deeply interested in public affairs, Dr. McFee served as mayor of Haverhill during the years 1923 and 1924. It was a true case of the office seeking the man and the man not seeking the office, for he con- sented to become a candidate only after he had been urged by a great many of his fel- low-citizens. He was elected mayor by such a large majority that no further proof was needed to show that he was literally the "people's choice." He served in this office in a manner that brought great distinction
to him as an able administrator and a de- voted public servant.
Dr. McFee was married, in 1912, to Made- leine M. McCammey, of Chicago, and they are the parents of four children: I. Martha G., who was graduated from Vassar College in 1934. 2. Barbara E., who is a student at Northfield Seminary. 3. Anna A., who is a student in the public schools. 4. Wilhelmina D. The family attends the North Congre- gational Church.
LEONARD A. TILTON-Leonard A. Tilton, president of Leonard A. Tilton, In- corporated, morticians, has been actively in- terested in civic and social institutions dur- ing the many years he has resided in Haver- hill, and in his specialized field of endeavor has rendered essential and valuable service. He was born in Groveland, Massachusetts, June 30, 1873, the son of Newton and Har- riet L. (Carleton) Tilton, the father a native of New Hampshire, and the mother of Mas- sachusetts, both living descendants of early New England families.
Leonard A. Tilton was graduated from the Groveland High School in 1892, and in 1896 he came to Haverhill for a short time and was in the employ of the Haverhill, Georgetown Railway Company and the Bay State Street Railway in Haverhill. In 1908 he entered the employ of Dole and Childs and gained his present wide knowledge of his profession from actual experience, as well as from careful study under the instruction of the late George A. Childs. He remained with this firm until 1919, when he resigned from their employ to form a partnership with Harold E. Tibbetts, under the firm name of Leonard A. Tilton and Company. This relationship was dissolved in 1920, when he purchased his partner's interest, and the business was operated under that name until 1930, when it was incorporated
Le Forest P. Sabor.
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as Leonard A. Tilton, Incorporated, of which he became president. His first location was at No. 64 White Street, from where he moved, in 1922, to No. 272 Main Street. In 1933 the Dr. Briggs mansion at No. 334 Main Street was purchased and completely remodeled into a modern funeral home. Equipment of the best and modern type has been a part of the excellent service he has rendered a substantial clientele.
Mr. Tilton is a member of the Hillcrest Club, the Haverhill Chamber of Commerce, Saggahew Lodge, Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons ; Mutual Relief Lodge, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows; Palestine Lodge, Knights of Pythias ; Merrimac Coun- cil, Junior Order United American Me- chanics, and attends the Congregational Church.
In 1903 Mr. Tilton married Lillian B. Spry and they are the parents of a son, Mar- shall M., born January 13, 1904, who is asso- ciated with his father's business.
CHARLES S. BENSON, M. D .- Widely known for his surgical skill and for found- ing the clinic bearing his name, Dr. Charles S. Benson, of Haverhill, is a worthy repre- sentative of the highest traditions of the medical profession, both for his ability as physician and surgeon and for the service, aside from his professional field, he has given to his fellowmen. He was born on July 20, 1872, in Maine, the son of Edgar E. and Ella A. (Sweetser) Benson, natives of Maine. After receiving his preliminary education in public schools, he attended Sheffield Scien- tific School of Yale University. Then, choos- ing a career in medicine, he enrolled at Co- lumbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and received the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1896.
In the same year Dr. Benson began to practice in Haverhill as a general practi- tioner and established a large practice. Con-
tinuing in practice for several years he acquired unusual skill in surgery, to which, since 1910, he has confined himself exclu- sively. In this field he has distinguished himself and has been recognized for his achievements by being elected a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. The Benson Clinic, known throughout New Eng- land, was organized in 1920 by Dr. Benson and a group of several leading physicians and surgeons, and is located in Haverhill. He is chief surgeon of the Benson Hospital, which is an open hospital, and was formerly a member of the staff of the General Stephen S. Gale Hospital, and a member of the staff of the Hale Hospital.
Within his profession Dr. Benson has been president of Essex County North Medi- cal Association ; is a member of the Massa- chusetts Medical Association, and the Amer- ican Medical Association. Fraternally he is a Mason, being a member of Merrimack Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, holding also the thirty-second degree in this Order. His clubs include the Pentucket, the Haver- hill Country; also the Chamber of Com- merce, and he is a former member of the Rotary and the Lions clubs. During the World War he took an active part as a mem- ber of various organizations conducting drives, reliefs, loans, etc.
In 1898 Dr. Benson was married to Fanny Swett, of Haverhill, and they are the par- ents of two children : I. Katherine W., mar- ried Ralph N. Thompson. 2. Philip E., who was graduated from Yale University, served in an artillery unit in the World War, and married Elizabeth Parker. They have one son, Ralph Parker.
LeFOREST ROGERS TABOR-After forty years of activity in the shoe industry in Haverhill, Massachusetts, LeForest R. Tabor retired to a well-earned rest and has devoted the more recent years to becoming
Essex-20
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THE STORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
acquainted with all parts of the world. He is a native of Lowell, Massachusetts, born December 6, 1858, a son of John and Elvira Ann (Moses) Tabor, both of whom were born in New Hampshire. John Tabor died in 1864, and Mrs. Tabor in 1859. Mother- less at so early an age, and without a father at the age of six years, LeForest R. Tabor had his own way to make in life, and his achievements are those made by his own efforts.
The first job of any importance that Mr. Tabor had was that of a clerk in an old time country grocery store. He was vari- ously employed until he became of age and in 1880 went to Haverhill to learn the shoe business with George Mitchell. After three years he had not only learned a great deal about the shoe industry but had saved enough money to buy a partnership with Byron Noyes, and they began operations under the firm name of Noyes and Tabor. Ambitious and enterprising, Mr. Tabor be- came dissatisfied with the cautious limita- tions of his partner and therefore sold out to him, and joined forces with Ira J. Web- ster to found Webster and Tabor. This concern expanded well and did a good busi- ness over a period of sixteen years when Mr. Tabor retired from the firm to buy the business of P. N. Wadleigh. In association with Frank R. Hilliard, the company was continued under the firm name of Hilliard & Tabor, operating their plant adjoining Essex Street until 1920, when Mr. Tabor retired from all industrial activities. The concern was then, and had been, one of the leaders in the manufacture of shoes, and the firm was well known throughout the United States. It should be noted that Mr. Hilliard had died in 1915, and for five years Mr. Tabor had directed the affairs of the company alone.
LeForest R. Tabor was for many years a member of the board of directors of the
Merchants National Bank of Haverhill, and financially interested in a number of indus- trial and commercial enterprises. He also was active in civic affairs and played a part in the growth of Haverhill. His religious affiliations are with the Center Congrega- tional Church. He has always quietly, al- most secretly, been active in philanthropic and welfare movements, and has generously aided individuals and families in want, or suffering under a burden of unfortunate cir- cumstances. With leisure at his command, Mr. Tabor probably has become the widest traveled citizen of Haverhill. With Mrs. Tabor he spent, at one time, eight months in a journey around the world. He has visited most of the inland countries of the globe, is familiar with South America, In- dia, Alaska, and has a fund of knowledge about these and other countries. Wife, home and family, have been his great affec- tions, and his grandchildren are the joy of his life.
On December 31, 1884, LeForest R. Ta- bor married Ella Sanborn Haseltine, of Haverhill, daughter of John M. and Eliza J. (Sanborn) Haseltine. Mrs. Tabor died May 9, 1931, in her 71st year. Of this mar- riage were born three children: I. Ralph S., who was graduated from Harvard in 1909 and resides at Lewiston, New York, where he is general manager of the Titan- ium Alloy Manufacturing Company of Niagara Falls. He married Ouillima Dav- idson of South Berwick, Maine, and their four children are: Helen, Dorothy, James, and Virginia. 2. Helen, a graduate of Miss Mason's Finishing School, Tarrytown, New York, married Percival V. Bowen, a broker at Buffalo, New York, and they reside at Williamsville. Their three children are: Vaughan, Elizabeth, and Barbara. 3. Mar- ian E., who is a graduate of Simmons Col- lege, Boston ; is the wife of Norris E. Kim- ball who is connected with the Goodyear
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Manufacturing Company and their home is at Akron, Ohio. Their four children are: Louise, Robert, Ralph, and Nancy. The residence of LeForest R. Tabor is at No. 42 Park Street, Haverhill.
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