USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > The story of Essex County, Volume IV > Part 2
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In addition to his business and profes- sional connections, Mr. Loring has been active in times in politics. He was a mem- ber of the Constitutional Convention of 1917, became State Senator from the Sixth Essex District in 1918 and was reelected to that office in 1919. He has been interested in athletics since his college days, when he was captain of his class crew and for a time a member of the Harvard "'varsity" crew. Mr. Loring lives at Boston in winter and has a summer estate at Prides Crossing and another at Bartletts Island, Maine.
He married, in June, 18844, Ellen Peabody Gardner.
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JAMES SAVILLE EASTHAM, attor- ney of Boston and Andover, is a native of Methuen, born August 7, 1897. He is the son of William Wilson and Elizabeth (Sa- ville) Eastham; the father, of English birth, settled at an early age in Lawrence and there married Elizabeth Saville, of that city. William Wilson Eastham died in Methuen on December 23, 1930.
The elementary education of Mr. East- ham was acquired in the public schools of his birthplace, and he prepared for college in the Methuen High School, from which he was graduated with honors in 1915. Matriculating at Brown University, Provi- dence, Rhode Island, he received the de- gree of Bachelor of Arts with the class of 1919. Entering the Officers' Training Corps at Camp Devens, when the United States became involved in the World War, he re- ceived training both in Camp Devens, Mas- sachusetts, and Camp Lee, Virginia, from which he was honorably discharged in De- cember 1918, having been commissioned a second lieutenant.
Returning to the university he received his degree in the following year. Mr. East- ham then entered the Harvard University Law School, from which he was graduated in 1922, Bachelor of Laws, cum laude, and was admitted to the Massachusetts bar that same year. He was associated for his first year as a practicing lawyer with the law firm of Ropes, Gray, Boyden & Perkins of Boston, after which he established himself in Lawrence, with Rowell and Clay, which later became Rowell, Clay & Eastham, when Mr. Eastham was made a partner. For three and a half years, from July I, 1926, Mr. Eastham was assistant attorney general of Massachusetts, and from De- cember 31, 1929, for five years was special assistant attorney general of the Common- wealth, in charge of litigation involving the regulation of outdoor advertising in Massa-
chusetts. The Massachusetts Supreme Ju- dicial Court decided this litigation in favor of the Commonwealth on January 10, 1935. He is now general counsel for Eastern Gas and Fuel Associates, Boston, and its sub- sidiaries including the Boston Consolidated Gas Company.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Eastham was chairman of the Republican Council, in Lawrence and Methuen during the cam- paign of 1932. He was a member of the Methuen school committee for three years, 1926-29. Fraternally he is affiliated with John Hancock Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and is a member of the Appala- chian, Engineers, Exchange, and St. Bo- tolph clubs, of Boston. He is also a member of the Boston Chamber of Commerce, an honorary member and a past secretary of the Lawrence Lions' Club, former com- mander of Methuen Post, No. 122, Ameri- can Legion, a director of the Lawrence Boys Club, the International Institute of Lawrence, the Lawrence City Mission, and a member of the Methuen Club and the Merrimack Valley Country Club. His fra- ternities include Delta Upsilon, Phi Beta Kappa, and Delta Sigma Rho. He is a mem- ber and former vestryman of Grace Epis- copal Church.
On August 21, 1924, James Saville East- ham married Marcia Dana Hill of Methuen, and they are the parents of three children : I. William Eaton, born January 19, 1926. 2. John Perry, born February 7, 1928. 3. James Dana, born February 16, 1931.
EDMOND E. HAMMOND was born in Denver, Colorado, September 22, 1887, son of Nathaniel and Amelia (Cameron) Ham- mond. His father had gone to the Western city to recuperate, and was a resident of Denver for about five years prior to his death in 1889. The elder man was born in Brooklyn, New York, and for many years
James S. Eastham
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was engaged in banking in New York City. His wife was a native of Montreal, Canada.
The Hammond family moved to Andover, Massachusetts, which has been the home of Edmond E. Hammond for more than forty years. Here he grew up and was educated, being graduated from the Andover High School with the class of 1905. Within a short time he became an employee of Jackson and Curtis, investment brokers in Boston. Starting as a messenger boy, without influ- ence or outside aid, he worked his way through the various departments efficiently and well. In 1927 he was made a member of the firm of Jackson and Curtis, which is strictly a partnership concern. He is a mem- ber of the Chicago Curb Exchange.
In Andover the qualities that brought him success in business have been placed at the service of the community as a citizen. He has been a member of the finance commit- tee of the town of Andover for four terms, and is a trustee of the Punchard Free School. Mr. Hammond is a member of the Repub- lican town committee, of the Andover Coun- try Club, the Andover Square and Compass Club, and is a director of the Andover Com- pany. Affiliated with the Masonic Order, he is a thirty-second degree Mason and a member of Aleppo Temple, Boston, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. His religious affiliations are with the South Church, and he is a trustee of its funds.
On October 15, 1913, Edmond E. Ham- mond married Bethea Miller, of New York City, and they are the parents of two chil- dren : Barbara M., born June 15, 1914, and Edmond E., Jr., born May 23, 1922.
RICHARD THOMAS COLE-As a member of one of the oldest and distin- guished families of Marblehead, Richard Thomas Cole has upheld the illustrious tra- ditions of his forebears and today occupies a prominent position in this community, di-
recting the activities of one of the largest coal and lumber companies, and being ac- tively associated with many of the leading social and civic organizations here.
Richard Thomas Cole was born in Lon- don, England, on January 6, 1870, the son of John and Sarah (Trefry) Cole, both na- tives of Marblehead whose ancestors had taken an important part in the development of this town for generations. Possessed of a seafaring heritage Mr. Cole's father was a sea captain and belonged to that glorious era of American maritime supremacy when the sleek and graceful clipper ships of this country were the fastest and most efficient sailing craft on the high seas. The elder Cole retired from his seafaring career about 1885 and returned to Marblehead where he engaged in the coal business until his death at the age of seventy-five years. During his residence here he was widely known for his activities and at one time served as select- man here for several years. His wife, who survived him, passed away at the age of eighty-two years. On his maternal side Mr. Cole also comes of seafaring stock, being descended from Thomas Trefry, a seaman, and the son of William and Mary Trefry. He met his death at the age of forty-four years, while on the schooner "Good Ex- change," which was lost at sea on Feb- ruary 18, 1846. William Trefry was sur- vived by his wife, Sarah Proctor, whom he married on August 29, 1824.
Richard Thomas Cole received a general education in the public schools of his na- tive community and entered the Hicock Business School, graduating from that in- stitution in 1890. Shortly after completing his commercial training he became associ- ated with the New York Life Insurance Company as a sales representative and re- mained with this organization for about seven years when he joined the Burrowes Screen Company as a member of the sales
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staff. He maintained his connection with the latter concern for twelve years. In 1906 he went into business for himself, estab- lishing a coal and lumber business which has since become one of the foremost or- ganizations of its type in this vicinity. In launching this business he formed a part- nership with John Gilbert and the new enterprise operated under the firm name of Gilbert and Cole Company. In 1928 Mr. Cole purchased his partner's interest and since that time has directed the activities of this concern with satisfaction and profit. At present it contains a large yard and is equipped with a railroad spur that runs di- rectly into it and facilitates the transporta- tion of the products. Apart from his inter- est in the coal and lumber business Mr. Cole has been called upon to offer his counsel in other commercial venture and in this con- nection is a trustee of the Marblehead Sav- ings Bank.
In his social affiliations Mr. Cole is promi- nently identified with many of the leading organizations here among them the Rotary Club, in which he has held the office of treasurer since its organization. Frater- nally he is a member of the Masonic Order where he holds a thirty-second degree and belongs to the Winslow Lewis Command- ery, the Washington Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; the Lodge of Perfection, and the Philanthropic Lodge; the Aleppo Temple Shrine in Boston.
On September 22, 1896, Mr. Cole married Jane G. Wilson of Marblehead, and a direct descendant of John Glover, one of the sign- ers of the Declaration of Independence.
EDWARD W. FARRELL, treasurer and manager of the Charles A. Slee Agency, Incorporated, of Marblehead, is rated among the foremost insurance agents in the State of Massachusetts. As one of the leading
business figures of this town he is also well known in civic and social circles as well as among his colleagues.
Edward W. Farrell was born in Marble- head on March 16, 1892, the son of William J. and Mary K. (Sweet) Farrell, both na- tives of this community. On his paternal side his ancestors came from Ireland dur- ing the early days of the Commonwealth and settled in Marblehead, while his mater- nal forebears came from England. Both of his grandfathers were residents of this State and served in the Union Army during the Civil War. Mr. Farrell's father for many years was engaged in the shoe industry here.
Mr. Farrell was afforded a general edu- cation in the public schools of Marblehead and then became affiliated with the John Hancock Insurance Company, with which he remained twenty years and seven months as clerk in the secretary's depart- ment. At the expiration of this period he resigned to purchase an interest in the Charles A. Slee Agency, Incorporated, of this town, becoming treasurer and general manager of this insurance firm, which is the oldest insurance office in Marblehead, having been established in 1867. This con- cern represents about thirty of the leading fire, casualty and life insurance companies in the United States. The well-rounded ex- perience Mr. Farrell gained during the early part of his career well fitted him for the im- portant office he now occupies and the firm has steadily made progress under his leader- ship.
Despite the fact that business activities claim most of Mr. Farrell's time he has not neglected the social and civic life of his sur- roundings and he is affiliated with many of the foremost organizations here, among them the American Legion where he serves as adjutant. He is also a member of the
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Marblehead Rotary Club, the Young Men's Christian Association, the Marblehead His- torical Society and is secretary of the Board of Public Welfare. Fraternally he is a member of the Philanthropic Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons, which is the third oldest Masonic lodge in the State of Massachusetts. He is a member and past dictator of the Loyal Order of Moose, be- longs to the Knights of Pythias, the Im- proved Order of Red Men, and the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, Salem Lodge. During the World War Mr. Farrell enlisted in the United States Navy and served as a first class yeoman for about one year. Mr. Farrell finds great pleasure and relaxation in reviewing statistics and old records and reading political history.
On June 13, 1925, Mr. Farrell married Louise Odiorne of Melrose Highlands, Mas- sachusetts, and they are the parents of two sons: I. Junior, born March 9, 1928. 2. Richard, born November 1, 1932.
EBEN GRAVES WEED-For the past seven years Eben Graves Weed has directed the editorial policies of the "Messenger," one of the oldest newspaper publications in this vicinity. In this capacity he has come to occupy an important place in the life of Marblehead, being intimately associated with the social, civic and business develop- ment of this community.
Eben Graves Weed was born in Marble- head on February 24, 1897, the son of Wal- lace D. and Elizabeth (Graves) Weed, both natives of this place, and members of old and distinguished families who have played an important part in the activities of this community for generations. On his mater- nal side he is descended from the Graves family whose first representatives in this country came from England, arriving here
in 1630 and settling in Marblehead where they engaged in the fishing business. The Weeds were also of English stock, having come from Sussex. They settled in Marble- head in 1800 where they followed their pro- fessional pursuits as silversmiths and tin- smiths and took an important part in the affairs of this community and were among the group that founded the Old North Church here. Dave Weed, grandfather of Eben Graves, of this review, was a lawyer by profession and removed from this city to Washington, District of Columbia, where he acted as counsel for the Northern Pacific Railroad when it was being built. Mr. Weed's father, Wallace D., was one of the first postmen to be appointed in Marble- head. He is now retired and devotes his time to writing poetry, an art for which he possesses an unusual talent that has been recognized by several of the leading publi- cations of this vicinity.
Eben Graves Weed received a general education in the public schools of his native community and attended the Phillips Acad- emy of Andover two years. Finishing his preparatory work he matriculated at Yale University from where he was graduated in 1925 with a degree of Bachelor of Philoso- phy. He then went to New York City where he became associated with the C. W. Hoyt advertising agency and remained with this organization until 1927, when he re- turned to Marblehead to purchase the "Messenger," becoming owner and editor of this publication which was founded in 1872. Under his able and careful direction this weekly newspaper, which runs from eight to twelve pages, has prospered and grown and through his efforts has become a domi- nant force for good in the affairs of Marble- head and the surrounding country.
On March 17, 1928, Mr. Weed was mar- ried to Dorothy Stone of Marblehead and
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they are the parents of two children: I. Jean, born October, 1929. 2. Jane, born August, 1930.
ALPHONSUS J. SHEA-The John Shea Company, of Lawrence, dates back to about 1890, when John Shea established a grain business which he gradually expanded to in- clude other interests, such as hardware and paint. Branches were established in Me- thuen, North Andover, and Andover, and eventually the business became so large as to require the aid of others. Fortunately his son Alphonsus had arrived at an age and an experience in the concern, which made pos- sible the retirement of the elder man to a well-earned enjoyment of the fruits of his labors.
Alphonsus J. Shea, president of the John Shea Company, was born in Lawrence, Au- gust 25, 1900, the son of John and Mary (Reardon) Shea, both natives of Ireland, who came to the United States and Law- rence in about 1870. The father worked in the mills for a time, but as indicated, founded in a small way the present business. The son received the preliminaries of his formal education in the public schools. He was graduated from Lawrence High School in 1916 and entered Holy Cross College, being graduated from this Worcester institution with the class of 1921. Meantime, the United States entered the World War and he en- listed in the navy in January, 1918, and was stationed at Boston for the most of his service.
Alphonsus J. Shea was associated with his father as an employee of the John Shea Com- pany, and only as he manifested ability and skill was he promoted. In 1920 his father retired and he succeeded to the presidency of the company, and was also chosen treas- urer. Since that time, perhaps the most try- ing and critical in the history of American merchandising, he has been responsible for
the success of the business and has acquitted himself exceedingly well. Mr. Shea is a director of the Merrimac Cooperative Bank and interested in other financial and com- mercial operations. He is a member of the Retail Code Authority, of recent organiza- tion. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and is a member of the Merri- mac Valley Country Club.
On October 7, 1925, Alphonsus J. Shea married Agnes McCarthy, of Lawrence, and they are the parents of three children : John, Cornelius, and Alice.
HON. LOUIS SHERBURNE COX- Since 1918 the Hon. Louis Sherburne Cox has served as associate justice of the Su- perior Court of Massachusetts, an appoint- ment marking the culmination of his long career at the bar and in public life.
Justice Cox was born in Manchester, New Hampshire, November 22, 1874, son of Charles E. and Evelyn M. (Randall) Cox. His father was active in the business life of Manchester, was councilman and alderman of the city and a member of the New Hamp- shire Legislature. He was also warden for some years of the New Hampshire State Prison.
Following the completion of his prelimi- nary education in the public schools of his birthplace, Justice Cox entered Dartmouth College, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1896. In 1899 he took the degree of Bachelor of Laws at Boston University Law School and shortly afterwards was admitted to the Massachusetts bar. In 1900 he became a member of the law firm of DeCourcy, Coul- son and Cox at Lawrence, where his profes- sional activities centered during the period in which he was engaged in the private practice of law. From 1902 to 1908 he was
+
John Shea
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a member of the Lawrence firm of Sweeney, Dow and Cox, and from 1908 to 1918 a mem- ber of the firm of Sweeney and Cox. Mean- while, he had become active in public life, serving in the Massachusetts Senate in 1906, as postmaster of Lawrence from 1906 to 1914, and as district attorney of the Eastern District of Massachusetts from 1916 to 1918. His elevation to the bench of the Massachu- setts Superior Court in 1918 reflected the wide recognition which he had won in his profession.
Justice Cox has also been a farmer since 1908 and has given much of his leisure to the supervision of his farm. He is a mem- ber of many fraternal orders, among them the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Free and Accepted Masons, in which he is a member of all higher Scottish Rite bodies, including the thirty-second degree of the Consistory; the Grange, Kappa Kappa Kappa, Phi Beta Kappa, and Phi Delta Phi fraternities, and the Sphinx. He served suc- cessively as captain of Battery C, Massachu- setts Volunteer Militia, and colonel of the 16th Regiment, Massachusetts State Guard, and is now a major in the United States Re- serves. Justice Cox is also a member of the University Club and the St. Botolph Club, both of Boston. He attends the Congrega- tional Church.
On October 22, 1902, at Lawrence, Louis Sherburne Cox married Mary I. Fieles, daughter of Kansas M. and Irene (Truell) Fieles. They are the parents of two chil- dren: I. Randall T. Cox, born March 16, I904. 2. Dorothy Cox, born November 25, 1908.
JOHN A. MARTIN, associate founder and president of John S. Martin and Com- pany, one of the oldest fuel and building
supply concerns in the city of Marblehead, has come to occupy an important position in the social, civic and business life of this community. A member of an old and dis- tinguished family in this vicinity, he traces his American ancestry to one Robert Mar- tin, a native of England, who came to this country in 1666 and settled in Marblehead. The firm, which Mr. Martin so successfully directs today, was founded by his father, John S. Martin, a builder by trade and one of the constructors of Abbott Hall in this city. The elder Martin became interested in the coal business and in association with his son founded the aforementioned com- pany, which subsequently claimed his entire attention. Apart from this activity he was also a bank director, a selectman, and prom- inent in all local affairs. When John S. Martin passed away, Mr. Martin, of this review, was chosen treasurer and in 1929 assumed the presidency of the concern, a post which he still maintains (1935) with distinction and success. His administrative abilities have led to his being frequently sought for advice and counsel by some of the leading business and financial enter- prises here. His sound judgment and busi- ness acumen have established him as one of the dominant figures of this community and thus we find him directing the activities of one of the largest banking houses in this section, being president of the Marblehead Cooperative Bank.
Apart from this phase of his life he has contributed substantially to the social and civic life of the city. It was through his suggestion and efforts that the Firemen's Relief Association was founded and when a memorial was established to the men in this service he had the pleasure of seeing his grandson unveil it. Widely known for his fraternal affiliations Mr. Martin is a mem-
Essex-29
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THE STORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, the Independent Order of American Mechanics, and the Veteran Cadets Asso- ciation of Salem.
Mr. Martin married Mary J. Fisher, and they are the parents of W. Gerry Martin, born in Marblehead, January 31, 1890. He received a general education in the public schools of his native community and at- tended the Burdett Business College from which he was graduated. His first position of importance was with the Employers Lia- bility Assurance Corporation of Boston. After a year he became a bookkeeper for John S. Martin and Company and was pro- moted to more important offices as he proved his capabilities. He was manager and later treasurer of the corporation, which positions he still fills. He is also a director of the Marblehead Cooperative Bank, and secretary of the school commission. He is a member of Philanthropic Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; the Atlantic Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Wenham Golf Club, and is a charter member of the American Legion Post, No. 32, of which he is past commander. In April, 1917, W. Gerry Martin enlisted in the Ioth Deck, Massachusetts Naval Volun- teers, for service during the World War. This organization was called into active duty on April 1, 1917, or six days before war was declared by the United States. He was assigned to the battleship "Nebraska," and was on the high seas with the Atlantic fleet until 1918, when he went with his ship to South America and from thence back to North Atlantic on convoy duty between the United States and France. In October, 1919, Mr. Martin was transferred to the Officers' Training Camp at Pelham Bay, New York, where he remained until the Armistice was signed, being released from the navy with the rank of chief yeoman.
On June 11, 1921, WV. Gerry Martin mar- ried Ethel Luxton, of Salem, Massachu- setts, and they are the parents of one son : Luxton Arnold, born November 26, 1922.
HORACE S. SWETLAND-The rail- road had attraction for Horace S. Swetland as a boy and the attraction is no less keen now after forty-five years in its service. Few men have a longer record of service than he in varied capacities that did not require constant trips on trains with the Boston and Maine Railroad System. He has been located at the Marblehead station for forty-five years, twenty of them as gen- eral agent. To the traveling public of this section of Massachusetts few men are bet- ter known or more popular.
Mr. Swetland is a native of Lebanon, New Hampshire, born November 23, 1865, son of Freeman L. and Laura M. (Cuttin) Swetland, both of whom were of New Hampshire birth and family. The son grew up on a farm and attended the public schools and Penacook Academy, from which he was graduated. He taught himself teleg- raphy and, as a lad, acquired training in re- ceiving over the wire by frequenting the local railroad station. It was not until he was of age that he left the farm and secured a position as night operator at East An- dover, in his State, on the old Northern Railroad. On July 1, 1887, he was trans- ferred to the Lebanon, New Hampshire, station as day operator and billing clerk, which was indeed a promotion and an attes- tation to his ability and enterprise. Soon he was assigned to Suncook, New Hamp- shire, as operator and clerk, but on July I, 1889, came to Marblehead, Massachusetts as ticket agent and operator for the Boston and Maine Railroad. As has been indicated, he remained in Marblehead from that time, and since 1914 as general agent.
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