USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > The story of Essex County, Volume III > Part 51
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SIMON STARENSIER-Starting in business for himself before he had reached his majority, Simon Starensier, now in his early prime, has had a career in business that has carried him to a high point of suc- cess as a manufacturer of shoe findings and trimmings and as a leading business man of Haverhill. Mr. Starensier was born on Janu- ary 15, 1886, in Russia, the son of Morris and Annie Starensier. His father was a coppersmith. After attending schools in Russia, Mr. Starensier came to the United States in 1886 and located in Haverhill.
He was variously occupied until 1905, when he engaged in business for himself, conducting a shoe trimmings establishment in quarters on Washington Street. An astute business man even at this early age, Mr. Starensier developed his venture into a very successful enterprise and created a wide patronage that enabled him in 1912 to enlarge his operations to include a shoe find- ing business. The same careful planning and sound principles that made his shoe trimmings business a success were con- tinued in the new interest that has showed a steady growth and is now one of the lead- ing concerns in its field in New England. The factory is now comfortably established in quarters on Railroad Square and occupies
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an entire building, having several thousand square feet in floor space, and is also en- gaged in the converting business. The growth of these operations into one of the substantial commercial houses of Haverhill, with an enviable reputation for quality, workmanship and honesty, adds another name to the roster of foreign-born American citizens who have taken a prominent place and a useful part in civic and commercial affairs. A resident of Haverhill since he was ten years of age, Mr. Starensier has evi- denced throughout his nearly four decades there an uprightness of character and a civic consciousness that has won the respect and esteem of his many friends and associates. All community endeavors, regardless of creed or color, receive his hearty support and by his unbiased interest in his fellow- men, has set an example of citizenship.
In addition to his business establishments, Mr. Starensier has long been active in real estate and owns several choice properties. He is a member of and engaged in the work of most of the Jewish societies of Haverhill, especially in the affairs of B'nai B'rith.
He married, in 1907, Annie Karelitz, of Haverhill, and they are the parents of five children : I. Edna, a graduate of Smith Col- lege. 2. Dorothy, a graduate of Wellesley College, and married Daniel Grotta. 3. Mel- vin, a graduate of the University of Michi- gan. 4. Estelle, a student in high school. 5. Irene, also in high school. His own eager and active mind denied the advantage of col- lege training, Mr. Starensier is justly proud of the opportunities he has been able to pro- vide for his children in university studies.
FREEMAN J. CONDON-Mr. Condon's contributions to the business advancement of Newburyport and to the community as a whole has been of such proportions that he is generally recognized as an outstanding citizen. In his particular field, the auto-
mobile business, he is treasurer and gen- eral manager of the Cashman and Con- don Motor Company, distributors of the Ford motor car, and his success in develop- ing this enterprise to its present size is evi- dence of his unusual ability. Mr. Condon was born on July 19, 1892, at West New- bury, son of Frederick E. Condon, who was born in Nova Scotia and was a wheelwright, and Nora (Leary) Condon, a native of Mas- sachusetts and died in 1927.
Mr. Condon's education was received in parochial and public schools and for a year and a half he was a student at the Massa- chusetts Naval Cadet School. For several years after completing his education he was employed in various lines of business in which he obtained much information and knowledge that proved helpful in the latter part of his career. He was a young man of courage and initiative and was quick to see the opportunities for progress in the auto- mobile distributing business, with its addi- tional profits of automobile accessories and gasoline merchandising. In 1923 he formed a partnership with Mr. Cashman and estab- lished an agency to distribute Ford cars, locating at first at No. 115 Merrimack Street. Hard work, intelligently directed, showed. results and the firm of Cashman and Con- don were compelled by the much increased and steadily growing business to seek a larger building. They removed to their present quarters on Bridge Road and in this location are well prepared to offer efficient and highly satisfactory service, having more than 12,000 square feet of floor space. An understanding of the size of their business can be obtained from the fact that they have a gasoline storage capacity of 100,000 gal- lons, probably the largest storage capacity between Boston and Portland. Cashman and Condon Motor Company have one of the most completely equipped lines of automo- bile accessories in Essex County. Michael
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Cashman, president of the company, and Mr. Condon, treasurer and general manager, are representative business men of Newbury- port and in the motor industry they are men whose opinions bear authority.
With the entry of the United States in the World War, Mr. Condon enlisted in the United States Navy and served on the battle- ship "Georgia" with the rank of ensign, later being promoted to lieutenant. He was honorably discharged and continued his rank for several years as a member of the Reserve Officers' Corps. Fraternally, he is a mem- ber of the Knights of Columbus and is also a member of the American Yacht Club, the American Legion, the Army and Navy Club of Boston, the Old Newbury Golf Club, is president of the Newburyport Chamber of Commerce and of the Newburyport Kiwanis Club. One of his outstanding qualities being that of unselfishness, Mr. Condon's efforts have been generously given to improving business and community conditions to the benefit of all and in these worthy causes he has shown unquestioned leadership.
In 1919 Mr. Condon married Pauline Cash- man, who is a native of Malden and the daughter of Michael Cashman. Of this union were born four children: I. Pauline, who was born on November 16, 1920. 2. Cath- erine, who was born on May 3, 1922. 3. Dorothea, who was born on November 28, 1924. 4. Freeman J., Jr., who was born on June 6, 1929. The family attends the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church.
DONALD I. PERRY-Among industrial circles of Newburyport, Donald I. Perry is well known through his office of president of the Dodge, Bliss and Perry Company, shoe manufacturers, one of the enterprising concerns that is making the city's name known in a most favorable way. Mr. Perry's
career has been one of activity and useful- ness in the community, having been promi- nent in business and social affairs, and in- cludes service in the World War. Mr. Perry was born on May 20, 1897, the son of Walter I. Perry, who was born in West Newbury, and Mary W. (Welch) Perry, a native of Newburyport. Walter I. Perry was for many years a prominent shoe manufacturer of Newburyport and is now living in retire- ment in that city.
Donald I. Perry was educated in the pub- lic schools, Phillips Exeter Academy and completed his education at Amherst College. It was natural that he should choose a career as a shoe manufacturer, being the son of one of the founders of the Bliss, Perry Com- pany, and having had a lifelong association with the industry. He entered his father's firm and applied himself to the task of thor- oughly learning all the details of the busi- ness, both manufacturing and executive branches, and continued in a minor position until 1930, at which time a reorganization was effected and William G. Dodge became a member of the company. The firm name thereupon became Dodge, Bliss and Perry Company, of which Donald I. Perry was elected president, and Mr. Dodge treasurer and general manager. Dodge, Bliss and Perry shoes have a national distribution and the company name is synonymous among the shoe industry for quality.
With America's entry into the World War, Mr. Perry enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps and was assigned to sev- eral flying fields, holding the rank of second lieutenant. He is active in Masonic work and is a member of Saint John's Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, the Chapter, and Commandery. He is also a member of the Dalton Club, the Old Newbury Golf Club, of which he is a charter member, and of the Newburyport Chamber of Commerce.
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In 1921 he married Lois Whitney, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and they are the parents of three children: I. Donald I., Jr., who was born on February 23, 1924. 2. Pauline, who was born on October 26, 1925. 3. Deborah, who was born on February 22, 1928. The family are communicants of the Episcopal Church.
JOHN J. BARTLEY, M. D .- The pres- tige of the medical profession has been well maintained by Dr. John J. Bartley, who has been a physician and surgeon of Lawrence for more than three decades, ministering successfully to a large practice, and has con- tributed his intelligent services to the gen- eral affairs of his community. Dr. Bartley was born in Lawrence on December II, 1871, the son of John and Mary (Smith) Bartley, natives of Ireland. Dr. Bartley's parents came to America about 1880 and settled in Lawrence, where John Bartley, R., became an overseer in the Washington and Arlington Textile Mills.
Dr. Bartley was educated in the public schools of Lawrence and prepared for col- lege at Phillips-Andover Academy, after that studying at Cornell University for one year. Having decided upon medicine as his profession, he matriculated at Harvard Medi- cal School and was graduated from that in- stitution in 1901 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. His interneship was served at the Boston City Hospital, and at Carney Hospital in South Boston, Dr. Bartley added to his skill as a member of the surgical staff. He began to practice in Lawrence in 1902, establishing himself as a general practitioner and soon became known for his successful ministrations to the sick. Continuing in active practice until the present, he has won the gratitude of countless families in his community for the service he has given to their loved ones in sickness and in death, his professional skill and knowledge being
equalled by his devotion and sympathetic interest to everyone of his patients. This feeling of gratitude and appreciation that meets Dr. Bartley wherever he goes is the highest reward possible to the true physi- cian; but this feeling means much to him aside from his professional relationship, how- ever, for many of his patients have also been his friends and neighbors and he receives a special joy from the fact that he has been of service to them. In addition to caring for his private practice, Dr. Bartley has served as city physician from 1908 to 1909, and is on the staff of the outgoing surgical depart- ment of the Lawrence General Hospital. He . is also supervisor of school physicians of Lawrence. His professional memberships include the Lawrence Medical Club, the Massachusetts Medical Society, and the American Medical Association.
A community expects leadership from citizens of Dr. Bartley's standing and in this respect he has taken a useful part, serving as a member of the common council in 1905, and cooperating throughout his career with all activities for civic betterment. Frater- nally he is a member of the Knights of Co- lumbus and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he is also a member of the Merrimack Country Club. Golf is his favorite hobby.
Dr. Bartley married, in 1907, Margaret E. Desmond, and they are the parents of a daughter, Margaret M., who was born on June 9, 19II, and is a graduate of St. Mary's High School of Lawrence and of St. Regis' College.
JOHN H. O'NEIL was born in Ames- bury, July 31, 1890, son of John and Mary J. (Gunning) O'Neil. After attending the St. Joseph's Parochial School and the Ames- bury High School he engaged in newspaper work. In 1910 he entered Harvard Uni- versity, from the college of which he was
John &. Bartley M.Q.
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graduated in 1914. Three years later he was graduated from the Harvard Law School and was admitted to the Massachusetts bar in 1919.
The interim between the completion of his legal studies and his engagement in the practice of his profession, was caused by the World War and his services in it. Upon his return to civilian life, Mr. O'Neil estab- lished himself in Amesbury as a lawyer, and has since been so engaged, largely in trial work. He is a member of the Essex County Bar Association, the Massachusetts State Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. He is a member of the Ameri- can Legion, being one of the founders of Amesbury Post 187; was a member of the commission that erected the Soldiers' Me- morial at Amesbury; is a director of the Amesbury Chamber of Commerce; was ac- tive in the movement for a hospital in Amesbury and served as a member of the building committee of the present Ames- bury Hospital. Fraternally Mr. O'Neil is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus, of which he is a past district deputy, and is a member of the Democratic State Commit- tee. He is a charter member of the Ames- bury Rotary Club.
In 1929 John H. O'Neil married Helen C. Gillen, of Methuen, Massachusetts, and they are the parents of a daughter, Helen C., born March 16, 1932.
ALFRED ORNSTEEN-A partner in the Crystal Shoe Manufacturing Company of Amesbury, Alfred Ornsteen was born in Haverhill, November 25, 1906, the son of Myer T. Ornsteen, who, throughout his life, has devoted his career to the shoe industry and today is the directing head and founder of the Crystal Shoe Manufacturing Com- pany. Alfred Ornsteen attended the public schools of Haverhill and matriculated at the
University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated with the class of 1928. He then joined his father in founding the Crys- tal Shoe Manufacturing Company, which was first established at Derry, New Hamp- shire, in 1929, and four years later located at Amesbury. In this venture the two founders were later joined by Lester Orn- steen, brother of Alfred, born December 10, 1910, and a graduate of the University of Michigan, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree with the class of 1932. This concern is engaged in the manufacture of women's footwear, has experienced a steady growth, and the plant now occupies over fifty thousand feet of floor space with an operating staff of more than six hundred per- sons. Products of this company which have proved very popular with the shoe trade, are being distributed throughout all parts of the United States.
During the brief time Mr. Ornsteen has made his business headquarters in Ames- bury he has taken an interested part in the social and civic affairs of this community. In college he fraternized with the Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity.
In 1928 Mr. Ornsteen married Estelle Charak of Boston, and they are the parents of one son, Richard A., born March 10, 1931.
CLIFTON L. BARTLETT-In the modern scheme of things transportation has come to play an exceedingly important part. In many instances it has been responsible for the growth and development of rich areas which without its aid might stand untouched. Not only has it been of value economically but also as a means of afford- ing the general public advantages that could not otherwise be enjoyed. To direct a trans- portation system is a highly technical task and demands the services of a person who is thoroughly equipped to meet the problems
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that constantly beset such a business and requires as well a spirit progressive enough to be aware of the constant changes that are taking place in the modernization of travel. Such a person is Clifton L. Bartlett, who has practically devoted his career to this busi- ness and by the experience he has gained is fully competent to occupy his present posi- tion as vice-president and general manager of the Massachusetts Northeastern Trans- portation Company. As one of the leaders in this field he has also taken a deep and active interest in the social and civic life of his surroundings and has become promi- nently identified with many of the leading organizations, among which is the Haver- hill Young Men's Christian Association which he heads as president. Through his business and civic activities he has gained the respect and esteem of this section which recognizes his ability and public spirit.
Mr. Bartlett was born in Haverhill Aug- ust 1, 1890, the son of David E. and Cora I. (Odiorne) Bartlett, the former a native of Plymouth, New Hampshire, and the latter of Rye, New Hampshire. His father was a descendant of the Bartlett family who set- tled in Newbury, Massachusetts, in 1635, and his mother was a descendant of the Odiorne family who settled in that town in 1624. Mr. Bartlett's father, who died in 1933, for many years was engaged in the shoe industry. Clifton L. Bartlett received a general education in the public schools of Atkinson, New Hampshire, later attended Atkinson Academy, and then entered the Haverhill Business College.
In 1907 he became associated with the Railway Company. At the time there were several companies operating electric car service throughout Essex County and part of the State of New Hampshire. It was an uneconomical procedure, the individual units being unable to sustain themselves on
a self-supporting basis. By 1912 the situa- tion was clearly realized and a consolida- tion took place which merged the separate operating companies into one unified sys- tem under the title of the Massachusetts Northeastern Street Railroad Company. David A. Belden was president of this or- ganization until 1925, and Franklin Wood- man and Ralph D. Hood were general man- agers during this period. In 1926 Mr. Bart- lett became vice-president and general man- ager, serving until January 9, 1930, when the corporation went into receivership, Robert B. Stearns of Boston becoming re- ceiver, and Mr. Bartlett was appointed gen- eral manager for the receiver. When the property was sold at public auction to the Massachusetts Northeastern Transporta- tion Company on February 1, 1934, Mr. Stearns became president, and Mr. Bartlett vice-president and general manager of the new corporation. This system has a fleet of buses covering some fifty miles of road and is the only line through "Whittier land." Its routes also connect Lawrence and Haverhill with the seashore at Salis- bury and Hampton Beaches and Newbury- port. Today about forty men are in the employ of this organization.
Mr. Bartlett has been one of the outstand- ing civic leaders, taking a very keen inter- est in the social and civic affairs of his sur- roundings. At present he heads the Young Men's Christian Association of Haverhill as president and is one of the most enthusias- tic supporters of the Haverhill Rotary Club, in which he has held a membership for a number of years. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of Merrimack Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; Pentucket Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Haverhill Council, Royal and Select Masters; Haverhill Com- mandery, Knights Templar; the Lodge of Perfection, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite ;
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the Princes of Jerusalem, of which he is a charter member; Mt. Calvary, Rose Croix of Lowell; Massachusetts Consistory, and Aleppo Temple, Boston, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; also a member of General Marston Council, Junior Order United American Mechanics, at At- kinson, New Hampshire. He has always taken an interest in the welfare of youth, as is evidenced by the office he holds, and at present serves on the board of trustees of Atkinson Academy. In religion he is a Con- gregationalist, and worships at the Center Congregational Church of Haverhill, in which he is serving as a deacon. He has been a member of the New England Street Railway Club of Boston for nearly twenty- five years.
In 1911 Mr. Bartlett married Lida A. M. Brines, a native of Whitinsville, Massachu- setts, and they are the parents of six chil- dren: I. Mildred L., student at the Uni- versity of Vermont. 2. Marion L., also a student at the University of Vermont. 3. Natalie R., a student at Lasell Junior Col- lege. 4. M. Virginia, attending Haverhill High School. 5. Franklin S. 6. Marilyn J. Mr. Bartlett's residence is at No. 3 Fern- wood Avenue, Bradford.
THOMAS F. CAPELES, M.D .- Through- out the medical circles of Essex County, Dr. Thomas F. Capeles, eye, ear, nose and throat specialist, is ranked among the foremost practitioners of this section, where, for over two decades, he has devoted his time and talents and through his efforts has built up a large and lucrative clientele.
A native of Haverhill, Dr. Capeles was born on December 16, 1884, the son of Michael F. and Margaret I. (Riley) Capeles, the former a native of Hanover, Massachu- setts, and the latter of Candia, New Hamp- shire. Michael F. Capeles, who passed away in 1927, for many years was engaged in the
shoe industry and during the latter part of his career entered the grocery business. Dr. Capeles was afforded a general education in the public schools of his native community and after finishing his studies here, matricu- lated at Tufts College where in 1909 he was graduated with a degree of Doctor of Medi- cine. Upon the completion of his medical training at this institution, he devoted the next few years to post-graduate work in the Rhode Island Hospital, the Providence City Hospital, in Providence, Rhode Island ; the Boston Floating Hospital; St. Mary's Infant Asylum; and the Lying-in-Hospital at Dorchester. At the culmination of this period he returned to Haverhill and estab- lished a general practice which continued for a number of years. He then, for eight- een months, became a house officer at the Massachusetts Charitable Eye and Ear In- firmary, from which he was graduated in 1916. He became a specialist in eye, ear, nose and throat maladies, a subject in which he has made a distinctive success in the years that have followed. Dr. Capeles sub- sequently has taken post-graduate courses in eye, ear, nose and throat at Harvard Medical School and Jefferson Medical School at the University of Pennsylvania. Of a scholarly nature he has devoted much time to study, not only of his profession but other subjects.
He has maintained a keen and active in- terest in the organization activities of his profession and today is a member of the Pentucket Association of Physicians, the Massachusetts Medical Society, the Ameri- can Medical Association, and the New Eng- land Otological and Laryngological Society. He is also a member of the staff of the Municipal Hospital in Haverhill. Socially Dr. Capeles is identified with many of the leading organizations of this city and vi- cinity, among them the American Legion, the Pentucket Club, the Whittier Associa-
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tion, the New England Association for the Preservation of Records and the New Eng- land Historical Society. During the World War and following, his service at the Mas- sachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Dr. Ca- peles was a member of the British Expedi- tionary Force in France, serving overseas with the Harvard Unit between 1916 and 1917, with the rank of captain. Returning to this country he was appointed by the Governor of Massachusetts as a member of the Medical Advisory Board and carried on with the local draft board. With the per- mission of the Governor, he resigned from the draft board and enlisted in the Aviation Division, United States Army Medical Service, and was assigned to duty with the rank of first lieutenant at Mineola, Long Island, New York. He is a member of the Medical Reserve Corps, United States Army.
In 1918 Dr. Capeles married Faith K. Adams, of Haverhill.
LEWIS F. GILSON-During almost four decades of active service with the Bos- ton and Maine Railroad, Lewis F. Gilson has risen steadily within the organization to positions of great responsibility and trust. He is now agent for the road at Salem, where he continues the notable rec- ord of performance which has marked all phases of his railroad career.
Mr. Gilson was born in Farmington, New Hampshire, and passed his early life in that community, receiving his education in local schools. His interest was early attracted to railroad work and in 1896 he first joined the Boston and Maine as a section hand at Farmington. Later he was both freight clerk and station agent there. Ambitious to succeed, he devoted his spare time to learn- ing telegraphy and was soon sent to Roch- ester, New Hampshire, as freight clerk. He
attracted the favorable attention of his su- periors and was advanced steadily, serving successively as station agent at Alton, New Hampshire, ticket agent at Old Orchard, Maine, telegraph operator at Bradford, Massachusetts, agent at Andover, Massa- chusetts, assistant general agent at Dover, New Hampshire, and train dispatcher at Boston. In 1905-06 he also had the impor- tant task of supervising the new high speed staff system at Haverhill, by means of which trains were operated in both direc- tions over the same rails. Mr. Gilson con- tinued with the Boston and Maine organi- zation without interruption until the entry of the United States into the World War. At that time he enlisted in the 14th Engi- neers and went to France with the Ameri- can Expeditionary Forces, participating in many famous engagements including the offensives at Cambrai, the Somme, the Aisne-Marne, Oise-Aisne and Meuse-Ar- gonne sectors and the big general defensive engagement in the summer of 1918. Late in 1918 he was ordered back to the United States to assist in training the new draft army and was assigned to duty at Camp Humphrey, Virginia, where he was sta- tioned when the Armistice was signed. He was mustered out in December, 1918, with the rank of first lieutenant, Engineers Corps, following many months of active service.
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