USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > The story of Essex County, Volume IV > Part 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
In addition to his work as a builder, Mr. Cunningham has faithfully and effectively served his community and a number of its organizations. He is president of the Lynn Rotary Club, and a member of the Swamp- scott Town Meeting. Holding member- ships in the Chamber of Commerce, of Lynn, and the Lynn Rotary Club, of which he is president, he has affiliations that render him one of Lynn's and Essex County's well- rounded citizens. In the Masonic order he holds all York and Scottish Rite degrees, and he is a member of Olivet Commandery, Knights Templar, Lynn, and of Aleppo Temple , Boston, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Though a Republican in his political views, Mr. Cun- ningham is among those who, in the election of 1932 and the ensuing months of 1933, be- came eager followers of Franklin D. Roose- velt as a leader capable of directing the people of the United States out of the de- pression. His religious faith is that of the Church of Christ Scientist. Every organ-
754
THE STORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
ization or activity with which he has had to do has definitely benefited from Mr. Cun- ningham's labors in its behalf. So it is that his position is one of great civic leadership. His favorite diversions are hunting and boating, and he enjoys outdoor life and rec- reations.
Mr. Cunningham married, in June, 1916, Mildred May Johnson, a native of Pittsfield, New Hampshire, and granddaughter of the late Clarence Johnson, who was chief clerk of the United States Senate in the Admin- istration of President Theodore Roosevelt. She made her home with her grandfather and attended him in his declining years. Today she is active in the work of the Lynn women's branch of the Rotary Club. Charles Horatio and Mildred May (Johnson) Cun- ningham became the parents of two daugh- ters, Pauline Eva and Phyllis Enid.
The Cunningham home is situated at No. 25 Beach Bluff, Swampscott, and Mr. Cun- ningham has his offices at the headquarters of the C. H. Cunningham and Company, Inc., at No. 31 Exchange Street, Lynn.
HERBERT ANTHONY BROYDERICK
-Service in the United States Navy and in the Merchant Marine, during which time he visited many foreign ports, preceded the entry of Herbert A. Broyderick into the legal profession, in the practice of which he is one of the younger group of bar leaders in this county. He has his office and residence in Lynn.
Joseph Herbert (1) Broyderick, paternal grandfather of Herbert Anthony, was born in Scotland where he followed his trade of blacksmith up to the time of his death. He married Mary Ann Lloyd, born in Scotland and resided there until her death. Their son, Joseph Herbert (2) Broyderick, was born at Heatherfordshire, Scotland, in 1846. He came to America, and as a young man served in the United States Navy. Later he
followed the trade of blacksmith, and at one time operated five blacksmith shops. He built wagons, dumpcarts, for which there was a demand, and also supplied horses to the city of Lynn. He is now retired. He is a member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church. He married Katharine McVarish, born in Heatherfordshire, Scotland, in 1864, died in Lynn, October 23, 1923, daughter of John McVarish, who resided all his life in Scotland. Joseph Herbert (2) and Katha- rine (McVarish) Broyderick where the par- ents of nine children : 1. Herbert Anthony, of whom further. 2. Joseph B., automobile salesman in Lynn. 3. Leo J., lieutenant- commander in the United States Navy. 4. Francis H., wholesale druggist in Portland, Maine. 5. Wilbur W., resident director of the Fisk Tire Company in London, England. 6. Lieutenant Norman F. Broyderick, of the United States Navy, stationed at the Floyd Bennett Air Field, Long Island, New York ; served as chief engineer of the United States Army transport "General Johnson." 7. Warren A. Broyderick, of Lynn, a traveling salesman. 8. Veno Broyderick, bookkeeper at the Essex Loan and Trust Company. 9. Mrs. Edward J. White, of Lynn.
Herbert Anthony Broyderick, son of Jo- seph Herbert (2) and Katharine (McVarish) Broyderick, was born at No. 61 Neptune Street, Lynn, and has since had his resi- dence in the same house. He graduated from the Shepard Grammar School in his native city, the Lynn Classical High School, from which he graduated in 1917, following this with one year of study at Boston Col- lege. His patriotism is shown by the fact that he enlisted at Boston for service in the United States Navy, and knowing he might be accepted gave the name "Arthur" Broy- derick. He was sent to the naval station at Newport News, Virginia, where he was in training for nine months. Seized with the wanderlust, he determined to see some-
gEllison Morse
757
THE STORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
thing of the world, and, obtaining his dis- gious communion is St. Mary's Roman charge from the navy, he entered the mer- Catholic Church. A variety of selected read- ing constitutes his principal diversion. He enjoys the acquaintaince of many members of the bench and bar and commands the confidence and esteem of his clients. chant marine service. While in this he visited South American and European ports. He was away for two years, and on his re- turn to the United States in 1920 he matricu- lated at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, graduating with the degree J. ELLISON MORSE-Active in the leather finishes house of Morse Blacking Company, of Peabody, and in other local and Essex County organizations, J. Ellison Morse has proved himself a business official of unusual qualities of leadership, and has done much to advance conditions in the community where he lives and works. of Bachelor of Science in the class of 1922. Before this time he had made a choice of the legal profession for his life's work, and in preparation for it, he entered Boston University Law School, where he won his Bachelor of Laws, graduating in the class of 1924. Again he gratified a desire for life on the high seas, and from law school re- joined the merchant marine, in which he made voyages to South America.
Two years passed and he returned to his native city, took his examinations for ad- mission to the Essex County bar, and was certified for practice in 1926. Still another voyage to a foreign land must be under- taken before he could rest content to remain ashore indefinitely, and he sailed for Eu- rope. In January, 1927, he was again back in Lynn, opened a law office in the Bergen- gren Building, where he was in practice in his own name for eighteen months. Then in association with Joseph Casey he formed the law firm of Broyderick and Casey, and this continued for about a year when Mr. Casey died. For a short time Mr. Broy- derick practiced alone, later transferring his office to the Haines Building, where for two years he was associated with James P. Ma- honey as an associate. He next removed to his present suite of offices in the Security Trust Building, No. 23 Central Avenue, where he is still associated with Mr. Ma- honey, also with Cornelius P. Donovan.
Mr. Broyderick is affiliated with the Lynn Bar Association, Essex County Bar Associ- ation, and Massachusetts Bar Association. In politics he is a Republican, and his reli-
Mr. Morse was born on November 26, 1875, in Worcester, Massachusetts, son of George D. and Jennie A. (Woods) Morse. His father, a native of Chelsea, Massachu- setts, was the founder of the present busi- ness, which was organized in 1888. He be- gan his business career at Canton, Massa- chusetts, later removing to Boston and in 1910 to Peabody. Making the Victor lines of blacking finishes and seasonings for leather, the company has so progressed that it has had to make frequent additions to its build- ings which now constitute the largest plant of its kind in this district, and its products go to all parts of the world. The leather finishes in black as well as all colors used in the trade were orginated by George D. Morse, the father of the present president of the business and the founder of the com- pany, who died December 30, 1929. He was prominent, not only in business life, but in social and political affairs. He served in the Massachusetts State Legislature in 1917, and was a prominent Mason. His wife, mother of J. Ellison Morse, was Jennie A. (Woods) Morse, a native of Worcester, Massachu- setts.
In the public schools of Worcester, his birthplace, J. Ellison Morse, of this review, received his early formal education. In 1894
1
758
THE STORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
he was graduated from high school and in September of the same year he entered the business of his father in which he has since continued. The enterprise was incorporated in July. 1932, with J. Ellison Morse as pres- ident: his brother. George D. Morse, as treasurer : and J. Ellison Morse, Jr .. his son, as clerk. As president of the company. Mr. Morse has carried on the policies estab- lished by his father, and has been success- ful in his many undertakings.
Along with his other interests. he has served as a trustee of the Danvers Savings Bank and is a member of its investment board. He is likewise a director of the War- ren National Bank of Peabody. In the Free and Accepted Masons. he has aligned himself with Blue Hill Lodge, of Canton, and Amity Lodge, of Danvers, and is active in different Scottish Rite bodies, including Winslow Lewis Commandery of Knights Templar. at Salem. and Aleppo Temple Boston) of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. For three years he was a member of the Danvers Water Board, and he was also a member of the building committee that had charge of the erection of the new high school build- ing. His activities have benefited organiza- tions and institutions in Danvers, with the result that he is widely known and reccg- nized as one of Essex County's leading citi- zens.
On February 11. 1904. J. Ellison Morse married Elizabeth Farley. of Portland, Maine. To them four children have been born: I. J. Ellison. Jr., who is connected with the organization of the Morse Black- ing Company. 2. C. Farley, who is also con- nected with the Morse Blacking Company. 3. Elsie. 4. George D. The Morse home is in Danvers.
CARL A. DE GERSDORFF-Rising to prominence at the New York bar during more than forty years of active practice in
that city. Carl A. de Gersdorff is now a member of the well-known law firm of Cravath. de Gersdorff. Swaine and Wood. He is one of the most distinguished lawyers produced by Essex County in the past half century.
Mr. de Gersdorff was born at Salem on July 10, 1863. a son of Ernst Bruno and Caroline (Choate) de Gersdorff. His father, who was of German birth and parentage, came to America with the rising tide of Lib- eral emigration in 1849 and settled at North Andover, Massachusetts. Shortly afterwards he removed to Salem. He was a homeo- pathic physician and practiced in Salem until 1868 when he took up his residence in Boston, where his activities centered until his death in ISS3. Caroline (Choate) de Gersdorff, his wife, was born at Salem, a daughter of Dr. George and Margaret Man- ning (Hodges) Choate. Her father, who was born at Ipswich, Massachusetts, was a cou- sin of Rufus Choate, acknowledged leader of the Massachusetts bar, and a direct descend- ant of John Choate, who came from England to Ipswich prior to 1648. Her mother was also descended from old Essex County fam- ilies. Caroline (Choate) de Gersdorff spent her early life in Salem, where her father practiced medicine over a long period. She died in 1889, surviving her husband some six years. Of this marriage, there were three children. two of whom survive: Carl A. de Gersdorff of this record, and George B. de Gersdorff, an architect of Bedford Hills. New York.
Carl A. de Gersdorff was educated at Bos- ton Latin School and Harvard College, from which he was graduated in 1887 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Following two years in Harvard Law School, he came to New York City and in 1891 was admitted to the New York bar. During the earlier pe- riod of his professional career he was asso- ciated with the office of Joseph H. Choate. Subsequently. however, he joined the law
759
THE STORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
firm of Seward, Guthrie, Morawitz and Steele and still later became a member of the firm of Cravath, Henderson and de Gers- dorff, now Cravath, de Gersdorff, Swaine and Wood. Mr. de Gersdorff has limited his professional activities to civil practice and has specialized in corporation law, serv- ing as counsel to many important interests. His authority in this field is widely rec- ognized and has won him a notable position at the New York bar.
Mr. de Gersdorff is a member of the Asso- ciation of the Bar of the City of New York and of several clubs, including the Knicker- bocker Club, the Metropolitan Club, the University Club, the Downtown Club and the Harvard Club, all of New York; the Harvard Club of Boston and the Somerset Club of Boston. He has always retained his interest in the State of his birth and in its traditions and institutions.
On September 28, 1895, at Stockbridge, Massachusetts, Carl A. de Gersdorff mar- ried Helen Suzette Crowninshield, daugh- ter of Frederic Crowninshield, the artist, and Helen Suzette (Fairbank) Crowninshield. They are the parents of three children: I. Josephine, born in 1896, married Frederick J. Bradlee, Jr., of Boston. 2. Alma, born in 1898, married D. Percy Morgan, Jr., of New York. 3. Caspar Crowninshield, born in 1901, married Helena Ogden, daughter of Charles W. Ogden, of New York.
LEO WALTER FRECHETTE-Among the promising young business men of the city of Lynn is Leo Walter Frechette, who, during his brief business career, has assumed an important position in the Marshall Chro- mium Plating Works, Incorporated, one of the leading manufacturing enterprises of Lynn.
Mr. Frechette was born in Lawrence, Mas- sachusetts, February 10, 1905, the son of William O. and Mary Irene (Gosslin) Frech-
ette, both natives of Canada. Leo Walter's father came to this country as a young man, settled in Lynn where in 1919 he purchased the Marshall Plating Company and thirteen years later incorporated the firm and became president, a position he maintains today. William O. Frechette was the son of Isa- dore and Eleanor (Goulet) Frechette, both natives of Canada.
Leo Walter Frechette received a business education in the public schools of Lynn and was graduated from the Lynn English High School. Shortly after completing his studies he became associated with his father's business, was promoted to clerk and later was elected a director of the corporation, an office he still holds. During these years he has become thoroughly proficient in all the mechanical details of the business and is an expert in all matters pertaining to it.
Throughout his life here he has taken a keen interest in the social and civic life of the community and in this connection is a member of the Town Meeting of Swamp- scott, and fraternizes with the Shoe City Order of Eagles, Aerie No. 2131 and the Saga- more Tribe No. 2, of the Improved Order of Red Men. He adheres to the Roman Catholic faith and worships at the St. John's Roman Catholic Church. In politics he is a Democrat.
On June 3, 1921, Mr. Frechette married (first) Mildred Herson of Lynn, and there were two sons by this union : I. Leo W., Jr., born October 9, 1922, died October 13, 1926. 2. Earl Floyd, born November 21, 1923. He married (second) December 24, 1927, Mrs. Ruth Edna (Leonard) Ranger, widow of the late Lourin C. Ranger. She was born in Boston June 24, 1892, and was reared in Swampscott, the daughter of Walter L. and Sarah A. (Forest) Leonard. Mrs. Frech- ette is a graduate of the Swampscott High School and the Burdett Business College of Lynn She is a member of the Daughters
760
THE STORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
of Pocahontas. By her first marriage she is the mother of one son, Ralph Pierce Ranger, born February 1, 1912, and a grad- uate of the Massachusetts Institute of Tech- nology with the class of 1934. The family resides in a comfortable home at No. 31 Plymouth Avenue, Swampscott.
HAROLD DOWNS FORSYTH-Since 1925, Harold Downs Forsyth has been treas- urer and general manager of the William Forsyth and Sons Company. The firm of which he is an official is among the oldest in this section of the State, having been founded by his grandfather, developed to a large extent by his father, and since 1925 has come under the able directions of the sons. The corporation is one of the impor- tant enterprises of the county and is known throughout the country for the excellence of its products.
Harold Downs Forsyth was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, January 14, 1900, the son of William Ross and Jennie F. (Downs) For- syth, and the grandson of William and Kath- erine (Hay) Forsyth, both of the latter named being natives of Prince Edward Is- land, Canada. Mr. Forsyth founded the William Forsyth and Sons Company, in 1879. William and Katherine (Hay) For- syth were the parents of William Ross For- syth, born in Lynn, March 12, 1871, and who died in Swampscott, Massachusetts, on April 24, 1925. He was the treasurer of the company, manufacturers of sectional wood blocks of numerous kinds. He was a Re- publican in politics, attended the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a popular figure in local business and municipal affairs. He married Jennie F. Downs, who was born in Gloucester, in August, 1873. Mrs. Forsyth married (second) P. F. Munsey.
After being graduated from the Swamp- scott High School, with the class of 1918,
Harold Downs Forsyth later entered the Lowell Textile School, from which he was graduated in 1923. He then became asso- ciated with his father in business, and upon the death of the elder Mr. Forsyth became the treasurer and general manager of the William Forsyth and Sons Company, posi- tions he still fills with ability and success. He also carries on an insurance business at No. 42 Oakville Street, Lynn. Mr. Forsyth is a member of the New England Street Railway Club, and the American Institute of Electrical Engineers. Eligible by reason of his descent from William Coas, an officer in the Revolutionary War, he is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Harold Downs Forsyth married, Septem- ber 22, 1923, Hazel A. Chesley, born in Swampscott, daughter of Irving L. and Bes- sie (Douglas) Chesley. Irving L. Chesley, retired, was born in Lynn, and lives in Georgetown. He was associated with the Lynn Post Office for forty years. His wife, a native of Essex County, died in Swamp- scott. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Forsyth are the parents of two children: Virginia and William.
LESTER ALLEN FORSYTH-A mem- ber of a family which for three successive generations has been prominently connected with one of the important industries of Lynn, Massachusetts, known as the Wil- liam Forsyth and Sons Company, Lester Allen Forsyth, as the president of this com- pany, has carried on the traditions of the family and proved himself a worthy succes- sor to his father. William Forsyth, who was born in Prince Edward Island, Canada, came in early manhood to Lynn, where he founded the concern, now known as the William Forsyth and Sons Company. This corpora- tion specializes in the manufacture of sec- tional blocks and allied products, such as
Ernest a. Woelfel
F
...
763
THE STORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
die blocks, butcher's blocks, cutting boards and the like. Mr. Forsyth married Kath- erine Hay, also a native of Prince Edward Island, and they were the parents of Wil- liam Ross Forsyth who was born in Lynn, March 12, 1871, for many years was asso- ciated as manufacturer with his father, and succeeded to the office of treasurer of the corporation. He married Jennie F. Downs, born in Gloucester, August 18, 1873. and they were the parents of Lester Allen For- syth, who became president, and Harold Downs Forsyth, who became treasurer and general manager of the William Forsyth and Sons Company. Their mother was the daughter of Solomon and Eliza (Parsons) Downs, the former a native of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and the latter of Glouces- ter, Massachusetts. Mr. Downs owned and operated a fishing schooner and was a Union veteran of the Civil War. He died in Gloucester, and his wife in Swampscott.
Born June 27, 1906, Lester Allen For- syth obtained his preliminary education in the local schools and after his graduation from the Swampscott High School, in 1922, entered the Massachusetts Institute of Tech- nology, from which he was graduated with the class of 1928. He began his career with the firm of Spencer Trask and Company, brokers, in Boston, and remained in this con- nection for a year and a half. His work as a bond salesman was, for the most part, car- ried on outside of Lynn. During the fol- lowing year he was with the brokerage firm of Jackson and Curtis, of Boston, a position he left to become an employee of the New England Power Company, also of Boston. For two years he was engaged as draftsman and designer, but after his father's death, in 1925 he became increasingly active in the affairs of the William Forsyth and Sons Company, in which he had acquired a sub- stantial interest. In May, 1930, Lester Al-
len Forsyth was elected president to succeed his brother, Earl H. Forsyth, deceased.
Lester Allen Forsyth has shown himself an efficient executive of enterprise and energy. He has many social interests and is active in the organizations of which he is a member. Fraternally he is affiliated with Wayfarers Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Swampscott. As a descendant of William Coas, a Revolutionary officer, he is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. He is a member of the Uni- versalist Church, of Swampscott, and also of the Ionic Club, of the same place. On September 27, 1927, Lester Allen Forsyth married Elizabeth Gilbert, of Swampscott, and they are the parents of a daughter. Patricia Gilbert Forsyth, born on July 3, 1929.
ERNEST A. WOELFEL, president of E. A. Woelfel-Cox, Inc., the largest fancy leather embossing and decorating plant sup- plying the shoe and novelty trade in New England, arrived in this country forty years ago from Germany. He was unable to speak English, but applied himself with determina- tion and ambition to overcome that diffi- culty as well as other obstacles and advanced until he stands as one of the prominent citi- zens of Peabody and a leading figure in the industry he has aided in developing.
Mr. Woelfel was born at Asch, Bohemia, near the German border, on August 4, 1877. At the age of sixteen he came to this coun- try settling in Newark, New Jersey, where he was employed in a leather factory. He stayed here until 1903 when he came to Dan- vers and began his own leather business, operating here until he moved to Peabody in 1905, and introduced the first leather em- bossing process in New England. Through this process Mr. Woelfel has been able to reproduce all types of animal and reptile
.
764
THE STORY OF ESSEX COUNTY
hides, a feature which has proved very popu- lar in the production of fancy shoe leather and the manufacture of pocket books. Dur- ing the early days of this industry his equip- ment consisted of gas heated hand power machinery and which, as the years pro- gressed, was replaced by larger and more modern machinery, power driven and steam heated. The growth of this business re- quired constant expansion and the plant has grown to be the largest of its kind in the country. Mr. Woelfel has earned the name of "America's premier embosser and deco- rator on leather."
His characteristic of adapting himself to new surroundings asserted itself in every city he settled in, particularly Peabody, which he has made his home. Mr. Woelfel, a member of the Rotary Club here, headed this organization as president in 1932. He is also a member of the Peabody Historical So- ciety and is affiliated with many other organ- izations in the community. He is a thirty- second degree Mason, member of Winslow Lewis Commandery at Salem, Knights Tem- plar ; Aleppo Temple (Shrine) of Boston, and also fraternizes with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He holds member- ships in the Salem Country Club and the Now and Then Club.
In October, 1899, Mr. Woelfel married Elizabeth Miller, of Newark, New Jersey, and they are the parents of one son, Ernest J., who is in the bond and securities business in Boston, and resides at Marblehead. He married Louise Daley, and they have two children, Susanne and Ernest G., Jr.
JOSEPH GEORGE FADDEN-Builder of many of the prominent buildings of Lynn and active in religious, fraternal and com- munity affairs, Joseph G. Fadden is well known for his accomplishments in business and as a citizen of notable type. He was
born in Richford, Vermont, on August 27, 1861, the son of Isaiah and Emily (Jacobs) Fadden. Isaiah Fadden, born in Fadden- town, Alberg, Canada, in 1836, and died in Lowell, Massachusetts, was a farmer and carpenter in Vermont, and after moving to Lowell, engaged in business as a contractor and builder. He was a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church and a Republican. Emily (Jacobs) Fadden was born in Jay, Vermont, and died in Porter, Maine. She was the daughter of Joseph Jacobs, a native of Jay and a road builder.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.