USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > The story of Essex County, Volume III > Part 5
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Judge Dow's parents were Virgil and Sarah (Kimball) Dow, the former a native of Windham, New Hampshire, and the lat- ter of East Concord, New Hampshire. The father for a number of years was engaged in the grocery business and at the time of his death operated his farm.
Born in Methuen, Essex County, Feb- ruary 12, 1862, Harry Robinson Dow passed through the public schools of Lawrence, taking his college preparatory course in high school. He attended Harvard Uni-
versity and received his Bachelor of Arts degree with the class of 1884. The follow- ing year he spent in the Harvard Law School and then entered the office of the Hon. John P. Sweeney in Lawrence, with whom he pursued further legal study. He was admitted to the Massachusetts bar in February, 1887, and began to practice in association with Mr. Sweeney. This con- nection he maintained until July, 1908, when he was appointed Judge of the Court of Probate and Insolvency of Essex County.
Judge Dow's legislative experience started as a member of the Common Council of Lawrence, on which he served three years, being president in the final year of his term. While practicing law in Lawrence he was elected to the Massachusetts Legislature, and on the expiration of his first term, he was reëlected. He was a member of the House committee on legal affairs. Also while residing in Lawrence as a practitioner, he was raised to special justice of the police courts of that city, in 1889, within two years of his being admitted to the bar. He con- tinued as special justice for ten years, or until elevated to the Essex County Court of Probate and Insolvency. His profes- sional alliances include the Essex County Bar Association.
The judge is one of the highest placed Masons in the World, having received the thirty-third and last degree of the Scottish Rite. He is a Past Most Wise and Perfect Master of Rose Croix Lodge of Lawrence, the highest office in the gift of the Lodge of Perfection in that city. He is a member of the North Andover Country Club.
Judge Dow married, September 28, 1892, Harriet B. Robinson, of Deerfield, New Hampshire, and their children are : I. Harry Robinson, Jr., who has an automobile busi- ness in Lawrence. 2. James Kimball, who is also in the automobile business in Law-
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rence. The judge's residence is in North Andover and his official chambers are in the Essex County Courthouse at Salem.
HON. WILLIAM H. FAY-The appoint- ment in 1915 of the Hon. William H. Fay, of Peabody, as Trial Justice was a recognition of his abilities as a lawyer and jurist. When the District Court was established in 1917, Judge Fay was appointed by Governor Mc- Call as Special Justice.
William H. Fay was born on January I, 1874, at Lancaster, Massachusetts, a son of John and Mary (McCormick) Fay, both natives of Ireland, who came to America in their youth and settled in Lancaster, Mas- sachusetts. As many of his race, John Fay enlisted in a Massachusetts regiment, Com- pany G, 36th Infantry, and served through- out the Civil War. The son, William H., at- tended the local schools and was graduated from the Lancaster High School. After a year's reading of law in the office of Herbert Parker, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, he en- tered Boston University, from which he was graduated in 1895, with the degree Bachelor of Laws, and was admitted to the bar of Massachusetts that same year.
After practicing his profession in Clinton, Massachusetts, for about five years, Mr. Fay was a lawyer in New York for a while. In 1908 he located in Peabody and settled down to secure a clientele, in which he was very successful. As a trial lawyer he was recognized as among the leaders, and his general law practice became remarkably large. As has been indicated he was made a Trial Justice in 1915, and served as such until his appointment as Special Justice in the District Court two years later. Judge Fay has been and is, keenly interested in pol- itics and is influential in the affairs of the Democratic party. He was a selectman of Peabody in 1911-12; acting solicitor of the
city for a year, and City Solicitor for an- other year.
During the World War period, the Judge was a member of Exemption Board, No. 26, Massachusetts, and a member of the Com- mittee of Public Safety, the model organ- ization upon which the National Council for Defense was patterned. He was also a "Four-Minute" speaker, and active in the drives by which the Liberty Loans were sold to the people in billions. Judge Fay was chairman of the local branch of the Red Cross Society during the World War, and a director of the Community House of Pea- body, which was eventually disbanded. Gov- ernor Calvin Coolidge appointed him in- spector of the local exemption board to in- vestigate the preparations of the records for the Adjutant General's office, at Washing- ton, D. C., which office was later the most accurate source of the material which went into the history of Massachusetts' activities in the World War. more particularly the military records of men and organizations. Judge Fay is a member of the Salem Bar Association and the Essex County Bar As- sociation, and president of the Peabody Bar Association.
On June 8, 1898, William H. Fay married Gertrude M. Fletcher, of Lancaster, Massa- chusetts.
HARRY E. TRASK -- The entire and suc- cessful business career of Harry E. Trask has been in the Warren National Bank of Peabody, in which he started when a boy, working after school hours as an odd jobs man, and rising step by step to become pres- ident. Mr. Trask was born September 3, 1889, at Peabody, a son of William E. and Annie E. (Stoddard) Trask. The Trask family is of pioneer stock dating back to Captain William Trask, who established the name in America in 1639. when he settled
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THE STORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
at Peabody and ran a gristmill. Mr. Trask's grandfather, Warren Trask, conducted a provision business and was succeeded in his business by William E., father of Harry E. Annie E. (Stoddard) Trask, was born in Nova Scotia.
Mr. Trask was educated at the public schools of Peabody, and in his seventeenth year obtained a position with the Warren National Bank of Peabody, performing vari- ous jobs, such as running errands, sweeping the floors, and doing anything else that was asked of him. After his school years he con- tinued with the bank, learning every part of its work, and in March, 1929, was elected cashier. On January 17, 1933, Mr. Trask was elected president to succeed Lyman P. Osborn, deceased. A lifelong resident of Peabody, being intimately acquainted with the conditions peculiar to the city, and a man of broad experiences in banking, Mr. Trask is often consulted and highly re- spected for his opinions on financial matters.
He is active in civic and social affairs in Peabody, and has served as trustee of the Peabody Institute, and of the J. B. Thomas Hospital. He is a Past Master of the Jor- dan Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Peabody; a member of the Massachusetts Bank Association; the Massachusetts Na- tional Bank Cashiers ; and is president of the North Shore Clearing House Association. He has been a member of the 2d Corps Cadets of Massachusetts, and was a first sergeant of Company A.
Mr. Trask married, October 19, 1916, Anna M. Haines, of Peabody.
EARL WILLIAM WEAVER-In his capacity as editor of the Peabody "Times," Earl William Weaver is rendering a public service by giving to Peabody and its en- virons one of the best managed and best edited newspapers in Massachusetts. He was born at Lynn. May 29, 1892, a son of
Herbert S. Weaver, a native of Nova Scotia, and Eliza E. (Richardson) Weaver, born in Massachusetts.
Mr. Weaver received his education in the public school of his native city, was gradu- ated from Danvers High School, and studied at Salem Commercial School. He obtained a position with the A. C. Lawrence Com- pany, in industrial relations work ; a posi- tion that was to be of great use to him in his later years as a newspaper editor, and remained with this firm fourteen years. On March 3, 1924, Mr. Weaver formed an asso- ciation with Leland R. Page and Roger A. Goodwin, owners of the job printing firm of Page and Goodwin, to publish a tri-weekly newspaper, the Peabody "Times." In No- vember, 1924, the publication was changed to a weekly. Mr. Page and Mr. Goodwin managed the job printing business and Mr. Weaver edited and managed the newspaper. The firm has grown from a small enterprise to one of the best equipped and most profita- ble printing and publishing concerns in this section of the State; has seven presses in- cluding several of the newest automatic type ; employs fourteen persons, and has a circulation of 2,600.
Mr. Weaver has been editor of the Pea- body "Times" since its beginning and under his able guidance it has become a strong institution in the civic and community life of the city, and is known for its clear and fair presentation of news as well as for its profound and thought-provoking editorials.
In public affairs, Mr. Weaver has taken more than an average part, serving during the World War as a member of the local draft board and has served as secretary of various welfare and community "drives,"- Red Cross, Young Men's Christian Associa- tion, United War Work, etc. He is pres- ident of the Peabody Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Rotary Club, and is a mem- ber of Amity Lodge, Free and Accepted
Roli Daman.
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THE STORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
Masons. His favorite sport is golf and his hobby is gardening.
Earl William Weaver married, October 25, 1916, Mabel E. Durkee, of Danvers.
ROBIN DAMON, the founder and pub- lisher of "The Salem Evening News," was one of those members of the Fourth Estate who at a cost of an extreme devotion to journalism contributed constructively to the progress and betterment of his community. If at the same time he also profited, the re- ward was truly earned, and much of that which came to him was shared generously with the less able.
Robin Damon was born in North Reading, Massachusetts, September 13, 1862, son of Alonzo E. and Sarah A. (Nichols) Damon. When he was ten years old his parents re- moved to Middleton, where he attended the public schools. He was fourteen years old when he had a small printing office in Mid- dleton, and following the amateur news- paper fad of that day, started a monthly newspaper, "The Middleton Times," which he produced without help, and peddled around town and in the shoe factory there. For ten months he published this journal and although it was not a financial success, a valuable experience was gained that be- came the foundation for his later outstand- ing achievements.
Considering Salem a good field for a print- ing business, he went there in 1877 and opened a plant in the Browne block on Essex Street. The project of starting a daily news- paper in Salem was in his mind and, although he met with little encouragement, he per- sisted in his plan. With the assistance of Horace A. Brooks, a local bookbinder who supplied three hundred dollars in cash and was given a third interest, and Charles H. Cochrane, an experienced newspaper man, "The Salem News" made its appearance on
October 16, 1880. At that time it was the smallest daily newspaper in the country, and Mr. Damon was probably the youngest organizer of a daily newspaper. It had a hard struggle from the beginning, due to limited finances, but Mr. Damon kept reso- lutely on and in time purchased the interest of his two associates.
The project had a steady growth, which necessitated new and modern equipment, which was supplied as the expansion de- manded. He continued as proprietor and publisher of "The Salem Evening News" until his death, making it one of the most profitable and influential newspaper enter- prises in New England. He was widely known in the newspaper world not only be- cause of his success with the "News," but as a practical newspaper man, whose judgment, especially during the war time newspaper print shortage, was sought even by pub- lishers in New York, Cincinnati and other metropolitan cities. A valued tribute to his business sagacity in this respect was paid him shortly before his death by the "Editor and Publisher."
Robin Damon was a director of the New England Newspaper Alliance and a member of The Newspaper Publishers' Association, in the New York meetings of which he was a prominent figure. He was always inter- ested in public affairs and exerted an inspir- ing influence, but never aspired to public office. He was a trustee of the Plummer Farm School for many years, a director of the Salem Fraternity, a director of the Salem Cooperative Bank, a member of the Salem Club, the Colonial Club, and the Corinthian Yacht Club of Marblehead.
Robin Damon married, at Bangor, Maine, Alice Blanche Estey, a native of Lewiston, Maine, daughter of William H. and Alice E. (Woodworth) Estey. Mrs. Damon sur- vives him and resides at No. 301 Lafayette Street, Salem.
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The death of Mr. Damon occurred on July 18, 1920, as the result of an automobile acci- dent at Rowley Common several days previ- ously.
A longtime friend writing of Mr. Damon said in part :
Familiar with the early struggles of the young printer to establish his paper on a paying basis, the writer was early impressed with his splendid cour- age in the face of obstacles and the tireless energy of the ceaseless toiler. It was no easy job to enter a field where a paper was issued every morning and establish another, but the time for the daily paper had arrived, and Robin Damon's courage and energy won for him the victory.
In a few years the Salem "Evening News" occu- pied an influential position, and under the able guid- ance of its indomitable manager advanced year by year, until it became one of the most successful and notable publications of New England.
Conducted on a broad and liberal policy, it has been particularly active in promoting the best interests of the city, in which it had established so firm a place. Always interested in every movement for the better- ment of the community, the "News" has given gener- ously of its space and its influence to promote every worthy cause. Mr. Damon could always be depended upon to put his shoulders to the wheel. By his death, Salem has lost a valued citizen, who has made an impress upon the years in which he lived. He was a public-spirited and thoroughly patriotic man, a devoted son and a loyal husband. His associates in business will remember him as a kind and generous employer and the wide circle of merchants, who did business with his paper, will acknowledge his fairness and devotion to their interests.
Our city has lost heavily in useful and influential citizens in the present year, but none of those who have passed on to their reward will be more sincerely lamented than Mr. Damon, whose active life had made him a conspicuous figure in our midst and whose kindly acts and friendly deeds have endeared him to a wide circle of friends, who will ever cherish him in fragrant memory.
FRED ELLSWORTH SMITH-AS founder and for many years executive head of the Newburyport "Daily News," Fred Ellsworth Smith exerted an influence of great importance in the life of this commu-
nity. He was a gifted newspaper man, fami- liar with every aspect of his profession but he was also a man of fine public spirit whose aim was always to make his paper serve the best interests of the city.
Mr. Smith was born in Newburyport on August 10, 1862, a son of John H. and Aro- line F. (Hutchins) Smith. He was educated in the public schools of Newburyport and after completing the high school course, actively entered the profession of journal- ism. His first experience in newspaper work was obtained some years earlier. As a boy he obtained a small job in the office of the old Newburyport "Herald" and learned his work thoroughly under competent instruc- tion, finally becoming a reporter. Subse- quently, Mr. Smith managed the Ipswich "Chronicle" and still later worked as a re- porter on the Boston "Globe." On Janu- ary 26, 1887, he began his independent career as a publisher, purchasing the old Newbury- port "Daily Germ" from Michael C. and Edwin L. Teel. Mr. Smith changed the name of the "Germ" to the Newburyport "Daily News" and the first issue of that paper was printed on February 1, 1887. In all the succeeding years it has never missed an issue.
On May 27, 1887, James H. Higgins joined with Mr. Smith in forming the News Pub- lishing Company, which owned and con- trolled the "Daily News" until 1912, when it was incorporated. In 1908 Mr. Smith and Mr. Higgins also bought a controlling inter- est in the Gloucester "Times" and the Gloucester Times Company was formed. From that time until his death, Mr. Smith was managing editor of the latter paper as well as the "Daily News."
In 1912, Mr. Smith and Mr. Higgins pur- chased a controlling interest in the Lynn "Evening News," continuing as its owners until 1919 when it was sold. In the same year, Mr. Smith was called to the Boston
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THE STORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
"Traveler" as editorial counsel and was in charge of that department when the "Trav- eler" and Boston "Herald" merged.
Beginning his career when modern print- ing was in its infancy, Mr. Smith kept pace with all later developments. He started his newspaper back in the old days of hand-set type, when newspaper presses in the smaller offices were operated by man-power and when news was not "played up" in the manner associated with the present day type of newspaper. Yet he saw his business grow into a thoroughly equipped industry, up-to- date in every respect. Like all true publish- ers, he quickly saw the benefits of modern machinery and the convenience that made for better newspapers and easier work, and he installed many of them as they were pro- duced. He loved the writing part of news- paper work. Frequently he would assign himself to cover a story and it was said of him that no reporter he ever sent out could come even close to matching his ability in that respect. He was a stickler for details and accuracy, spending endless hours in drilling his "cubs" in this respect. He knew precisely what he wanted and was success- ful in obtaining it, yet he was always will- ing to listen to suggestions made by any employee and invited constructive criticism.
Few newspaper men who began as printer's devils have been more successful [to quote a tribute pub- lished at his death] and Mr. Smith was probably the most outstanding member of the Fourth Estate this city has produced.
Having begun his career in the print shop, he rose to the ownership of two newspapers at the time of his death, and at one time was prominent in the man- agement of two others. He knew all branches of the trade thoroughly and could turn his hand to practically every job in a newspaper office and often was willing to assist in times of emergency or great rush.
Reporters, editors, printers, and all who were asso- ciated with him at any time during his remarkable career, regarded him with the greatest of respect and showed it by their loyalty and unflinching devotion.
Mr. Smith was happy when he was at his desk and up until the time he was forced to remain away from the office because of ill health, he spent long hours at his favorite desk, working diligently for the paper he so greatly loved.
He was a true newspaper man, knowing news and knowing how to write it. His community service, from a newspaper standpoint, is outstanding. Never did he turn a deaf ear to an appeal for support of any worthy enterprise and the success of a great many of the civic betterment movements, whether it be a drive for a new school, a charity campaign or anything of the kind can be attributed to his community spirit and great love for the city that gave him birth.
Tablets and monuments are erected to others who fought for popular civic programs of varied sorts, but he was content with the knowledge that he had done his share, and an immeasurable share it always was.
Mr. Smith was affiliated with many organ- izations. He was a member of the Dalton Club and served as president in 1906-07; and was one of the organizers of the Cham- ber of Commerce and Rotary Club, a mem- ber of the old Tuesday Night Club, and the Old Newbury Golf Club. He was a trustee of the Anna Jacques Hospital, vice- president of the Community Welfare Serv- ice, a member of the Institution for Savings, a trustee of Governor Dummer Academy, a member of the Belleville Improvement Soci- ety, the City Improvement Society, the New- buryport Building Association, the Twenty- Twos of Amesbury, the Historical Society of Old Newbury and several other organ- izations. He was also affiliated with New- buryport Lodge, Knights of Pythias and with the Ancient Order of United Work- men and was a member of the New Eng- land Newspaper Publishers' Association. He served by appointment of Presidents McKin- ley and Theodore Roosevelt as postmaster of Newburyport for eight years, beginning in March, 1898. Mr. Smith was a lifelong Republican. He was a member of the execu- tive committee of the Republican Editorial
Essex-3
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Association and at various times was a mem- ber of the Republican State Committee and a member of its press committee. He had no personal ambition for public office, how- ever, and was happy to remain in the back- ground, yet no man took a keener interest in public affairs and the welfare of his com- munity, State and Nation was always close to his heart. He made innumerable con- tributions, financial, and otherwise, to count- less causes and derived his greatest satis- faction from the aid he was able to render in the advancement of the city. He was a walking repository of Newburyport's his- tory and knowing its past so well, he had a greater faith in its future.
Mr. Smith married, in 1889, Nellie B. Tal- bot of Newburyport. They became the par- ents of one son, Talbot, now attending Wil- liam and Mary College at Williamsburg, Virginia.
Mr. Smith died at his home in Newbury- port on February 25, 1933, following an ill- ness of several months. He was in his seventy-first year, but until the last he re- tained his great mental powers and physical energy, although forced by ill health to relinquish some of his more pressing duties.
The city has lost one of its true friends and helpers who will be missed in all walks of life for many years [wrote the "News" editorially at his passing].
He made the "News" what it is today. He chose the personnel of this paper and taught most of us all we know about newspaper work. Today we lament his passing. A strong guiding hand and discerning mind have been taken away. .
In his relations to the public and to Newburyport, Mr. Smith was a wise adviser and a friend to every good influence. .... We could not catalogue every society which he helped in its membership or financial campaigns. The only question he asked was "Is it for the good of Newburyport?" May we not say that he belonged to that happily numerous society of Lovers of Newburyport, benefactors of the city for which he worked and which he loved? There was not a good influence in the community which he did not befriend and there was not a sinister influence in it which he did not detest and combat.
Mr. Smith was a very sympathetic man. He was tender-hearted and assisted hundreds who appealed to him in their misfortune. This side of his nature he concealed and never gave publicity to his benefactions. But many a good man in adversity has found a quick response when he climbed the well trodden stairs to the editorial rooms of the "News" and interviewed its editor. His close personal friends and the re- cipients are the only ones who knew about his many benefactions.
He was a big-hearted man who gave sympathy and money to many less fortunate than himself. .... He was a great newspaper man, a cherished friend, and this cold type cannot begin to express in the slightest way how greatly he will be missed by all who knew him, and by the city at large.
Newburyport has suffered a severe loss.
WILLIAM PATRICK CONNERY, JR. -To have played and associated with famous folk of the stage ; to have been rewarded for meritorious service in the World War; to have been elected and several times reelected to the lower house of Congress; to have studied law at night while a member of Congress, passed the bar examinations and admitted to practice in the fall of 1934; these are some of the colorful events in the rich and varied career of the Hon. William Patrick Connery, Jr., native of Lynn.
William Patrick Connery, Jr., was born August 24, 1888, a son of William Patrick and Mary (Haven) Connery. William Pat- rick, Sr., was a son of Patrick and Bridget (Clancy) Connery, both of whom were born in Ireland and emigrated to America, and settled at Lynn, where William Patrick Con- nery was born in 1855. He was engaged in the wholesale and retail coal and wood business. A Democrat and active in the affairs of the city, he was elected mayor of Lynn in 1911 and 1912. He died in Lynn on November 28, 1928.
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