USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > The story of Essex County, Volume IV > Part 40
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CHARLES A. SALISBURY-As chief probation officer of Lawrence, Charles A. Salisbury is charged with responsibilities that demand unusual qualifications. In the performance of his duties Mr. Salisbury has met every requirement expected of him and has administered the functions of his office
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in a manner that brings great credit to his abilities. He is well prepared for this posi- tion by the experiences of diversified en- deavors that have given him a particularly keen insight into human nature, a prime requisite for his court work. Mr. Salisbury was born in Lawrence, on July 31, 1875, the son of Arnold Hunt Salisbury, who died in 1900, and Rebecca A. (Clark) Salisbury, also deceased. Arnold H. Salisbury was a native of Rhode Island, and came to Law- rence in 1870, where he became superin- tendent of the Lawrence water works in 1875 and continued in that position until his death. Rebecca A. (Clark) Salisbury was born in New York.
Charles A. Salisbury received his educa- tion in the public schools and at Phillips Andover Academy, and then became a ca- det of the Massachusetts Nautical Training Ship in 1894. After two years he discon- tinued his marine studies to enter the Pa- cific Mills where he learned the trade of machinist and subsequently became over- seer for the George E. Kunkhardt Corpora- tion Textile Mills, remaining there for ten years. He next was associated with the Arlington Mills and was there for five years, leaving that field to devote his time to other interests.
In 1905 he had been appointed a deputy sheriff of Essex County by Samuel A. John- son, sheriff, and held that office twelve years. He resigned that position to become probation officer and his splendid record resulted in his being made chief probation officer of the Essex County Superior Court, with his office in Lawrence. In addition to a deep understanding of human nature ac- quired from his supervision of employees, Mr. Salisbury's qualifications included mil- itary training. He had become a member of the Massachusetts State Guards in 1891, joining as a private and rising through the
intermediate grades and ranks to a cap- taincy and as adjutant of field artillery. During 1918 and 1919 he held the rank of captain and adjutant of the 16th infantry of the Massachusetts State Guards, under the command of Colonel Louis Cox. Being thus accustomed to exercising authority, Mr. Salisbury has been able to be of large help to those men and women who have been placed on probation by the court and in his custody. He has helped numbers of them to reestablish themselves in society, becom- ing useful members of community life and proving the faith reposed in them by the court's chief probation officer. Mr. Salisbury is a keen observer and, possessing clear reasoning power and a quick intelligence, is, by the successful performance of his duties, a public officer of great service. That his work is appreciated is witnessed by the esteem in which he is held by all circles, business, legal, judicial, civic and social. His place among the constructive figures of Lawrence is assured.
Elected a councilman in 1901, he served in that capacity the following year and in 1905 was elected an alderman and served as president of the board. In the period when call fire departments were centers of club and social activities, Mr. Salisbury was a member of the Lawrence Fire De- partment, Engine No. 2, from 1896 to 1901. He is well known to fraternal circles, being a Mason and holding the thirty-second de- gree in that order, and is commander of Bethany Commandery of Lawrence. It is natural that a man of his mental calibre should be interested in political matters and in the improvement of his community and in these affairs he has given his support generously and willingly.
On August 29, 1900, he married Kate M. McCarthy of Lawrence, and they are the parents of a son, Arnold Hunt 2d, who is a
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graduate of Bruce School, Phillips Andover Academy, class of 1929, and Dartmouth College, from which he was graduated in 1933 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He is now a student at Harvard Law School. Following the example of his father, Arnold H. Salisbury 2d, is a military man, having graduated from the Citizens Military Train- ing Camp in 1932 with the rank of second lieutenant in the Officers Reserve Corps.
ALBERT HENRY CHAMBERLAIN- Among the progressive figures in the pro- fessional and business circles of the city of Lawrence, is Albert Henry Chamberlain, who for the past three decades has devoted his life to the industrial, legal, social and civic affairs of this community. Through- out his long and distinguished career here he has had the happy faculty of being able to combine his legal and business talents and in this capacity has risen to be one of the leading executives of the Arlington Mills, which is listed among the largest textile concerns in the State.
Mr. Chamberlain, a native of this State, was born in Boston, December 9, 1872, the son of Volney R. and Lucia Woodruff (Lincoln) Chamberlain, both natives of the State of Vermont. His father, who was born in Weathersfield of that State and died in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1887, was engaged in the produce trade in Boston for many years.
Mr. Chamberlain received a general edu- cation in the public schools of Cambridge and later entered Harvard University from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts with the class of 1894. Shortly after completing his academic edu- cation he engaged in business until 1896, when he matriculated at the Harvard Law School, receiving his degree of Bachelor of
Laws from this institution in 1899. The same year he was admitted to practice be- fore the Massachusetts State Bar, and be- came associated with William A. Munroe, a prominent Boston attorney. He remained here for five years and later established a law office of his own. During this period he also became affiliated with William Whitman & Company, sales agents for va- rious textile mills here with offices in Bos- ton, New York City, Philadelphia, and Chi- cago. Through this concern he became ac- quainted with the Arlington Mills, one of the largest makers of woolen and worsted goods in the country, with plants at Law- rence and North Adams. In 1913 he was appointed treasurer of this manufacturing firm, a position he maintains today. His professional organizations are the Bar As- sociation of Boston and the American Bar Association. He is a director of the Bay State Merchants National Bank, of Law- rence and a trustee of the Essex Savings Bank. In politics he aligns himself with the Republican party, and though reluctant to serve in public office he has served on the Common Council of Cambridge, in 1905 and 1906. In his social affiliation he is a mem- ber of the Faculty Club of Cambridge, and the Megunticook Country Club of Camden, Maine. He fraternizes with the Masonic Order, being a member of Mizpah Lodge at Cambridge, and the Dunster Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in the same community.
In 1913 Mr. Chamberlain married Annie Robinson Hooper, daughter of George and Emily (Towle) Hooper, of Exeter, New Hampshire, and they are the parents of two children : Albert Henry, Jr., born November 24, 1915; and Barbara, born June 25, 1918. The family home is in Methuen, Massachu- setts.
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WILLIAM ELWELL KERR-Engaged in the insurance business from the year he was graduated from high school, William Elwell Kerr, of Gloucester, has come to be one of the recognized leaders in his line of activity. He is also active in civic affairs although avoiding political office, and has taken part in nearly every worth while movement tending to further community progress and welfare. He is a native of Gloucester, born December 29, 1878, son of Peter and Clara H. (Elwell) Kerr. The mother is of Gloucester birth and family, the Elwells being numbered among the early settlers of Essex County. The Kerr family was originally from Scotland and the Elwell family is notable for the number of its men that were seafarers, some of them when little more than boys, winning the command of vessels. Peter Kerr was a decorator, one of the best known in this part of Essex, a man held in high esteem.
William Elwell Kerr was educated in the grammar and high schools of Gloucester, being graduated in 1898. Early in the fol- lowing year he was associated as an em- ployee in an insurance business with John Cunningham. In 1911, the firm of Cunning- ham and Kerr was formed, and since the death of the senior partner, in February, 1933, Mr. Kerr has been the sole proprietor of the business, which consists of general insurance of all kinds, except vessel marine. His success is based upon enterprise, in- dustry and sagacity, qualities which he has placed at the call of the community at large, and his many personal friends and associ- ates. He is a member of the board of di- rectors of the Cape Ann National Bank, and is a member of the Bass Rocks Golf Club and other local clubs. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic Order, being a thirty-second degree Mason, member of Tyrian Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons; Bethlehem Commandery, Knights Templar, and the other bodies of both the York and Scottish rites.
June 26, 1912, William Elwell Kerr mar- ried Ethel A. Gorton, of Gloucester, and they are the parents of two children: I. Margaret Ann, born May 3, 1914. 2. Cla- rissa Elwell, born May 24, 1918.
CHARLES L. CURTIS, M. D., F. A. C. S. -In the practice of medicine, Dr. Charles L. Curtis has performed an important work in the city of Salem and the county of Essex, winning the esteem of his colleagues and the confidence of his patients, friends, and fellow-citizens in all walks of life.
Dr. Curtis was born at Middleton, Massa- chusetts, on November 13, 1885, son of John A. and Mary E. (Wilkins) Curtis. Both his parents were natives of Middleton. The family is an old one in Massachusetts, hav- ing been established here by two brothers, who came from England in the sixteenth century and settled in Salem. Most of the older families of Curtis in this country are descendants of these brothers, and members of the house in successive different genera- tions have been active in American affairs. One of the early forebears in America liter- ally left his plow to enlist for service in the War of the Revolution, and the plow that he discarded is now in the Salem-Essex Insti- tute. John A. Curtis, father of Dr. Curtis, was a farmer by occupation.
In the public schools Dr. Charles L. Curtis received his early education, later being graduated from Danvers High School. Learning the blacksmith's trade, he worked so for two years, but his desire was for medicine, and in 1905 he entered Bowdoin Medical College. In 1909 he received his degree of Doctor of Medicine from that insti- tution and at once became an interne at Salem Hospital. After a year's practical ex-
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perience in that capacity, he engaged in gen- eral practice and since that time has been one of the city's leading physicians and sur- geons. He is one of the senior surgeons of Salem Hospital, and is also surgeon to the North Shore Babies' Hospital; Cable Hos- pital at Ipswich; and, in a consultative capacity, to Addison Gilbert Hospital, Glou- cester ; Hunt Hospital, Danvers ; and Essex Sanitarium.
Dr. Curtis has not contented himself at any time with his past achievements, but has sought in every possible way to add to his record of useful service. He is a mem- ber of the Essex County Medical Society, the Massachusetts State Medical Society, the American Medical Association, and in 1932 was president of the Essex South Dis- trict Medical Society. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
A member of the Free and Accepted Ma- sons, he holds, in this order, the thirty- second degree of Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite and is affiliated with Aleppo Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Boston. In the Rotary Club and the Now-and-then Association, he has figured prominently, and is likewise a member of the Salem Golf Club. Every organization or activity with which he has associated himself has been the better for the interest that he has taken in it.
Dr. Curtis married, on September 20, 1915, Josephine Nason, of Boxford, Massachu- setts. There have been three children of this marriage, as follows: I. Charles N., a stu- dent at Bowdoin College. 2. Philip E. 3- Mary V.
HAROLD THOMAS HOUSTON-One of the prominent young business men of Lawrence, Harold Thomas Houston, certi- fied public accountant, is actively engaged here representing the firm of Robert Doug-
las and Company of Boston, as a partner of the firm.
Mr. Houston was born in Lawrence, June 28, 1896, the son of Robert Stevenson and Eleanor (Wilkinson) Houston. His father, who has been in the mercantile business in this city for a number of years, came to this country from Scotland with his parents who settled here about the middle of the nine- teenth century. His mother, who was born in Lawrence, is of English stock, her par- ents having come to this country from Eng- land. Mr. Houston's paternal grandfather was engaged in the blacksmith trade and for a number of years was associated with the Boston and Maine Railroad, while his maternal grandfather was a wool sorter.
Mr. Houston received his early education in the public schools of his native com- munity, graduating from high school in 1913, and later attending the Bryant and Stratton Commercial School in Boston, where he completed his studies in 1915. The following year he enrolled in Boston Uni- versity College of Business Administration and later received a degree of B. B. A.
When the United States entered the World War he enlisted in the chemical war- fare division and served with this branch of the service until 1919, in the capacity of battalion supply sergeant. Today he holds a commission of second lieutenant in the reserve branch of this service.
In 1921 he became associated with the Cross Drygoods Company of Lawrence and remained with this establishment until 1927, serving first as assistant treasurer and then treasurer. The latter year he joined the firm of Robert Douglas and Company, certi- fied public accountants, and opened a branch office in Lawrence. The fall of this year he received a certificate as a certified public accountant from the Board of Registration and two years later, on September I. 1929.
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was admitted as a partner in the above- mentioned concern.
As one of the leading young business men of the city he has taken an active interest in the social, civic and business affairs here and in this connection is a director of the Bay State Merchants National Bank, serv- ing in a like capacity for the Methuen Serv- ice Station, Incorporated. He is treasurer of the Y's Men's Club of Lawrence, a mem- ber of the Rotary Club, the Andover Coun- try Club, and fraternizes with the Masonic Order in which he is a member of Phoeni- cian Lodge. He is also a member of the Alpha Kappa Psi Fraternity.
On October 27, 1921, Mr. Houston mar- ried Alida E. Kjellmark, of Westfield, New Jersey, and they are the parents of two chil- dren : I. Alida Elinor, born August II, 1922. 2. Alva Elizabeth, born June 14, 1926.
ARTHUR E. JONES has devoted the better part of his life to the hardware busi- ness which he entered as a youth and served in every department until he has become the head of one of the largest businesses in this field in New England.
Mr. Jones was born in Somerville, Mas- sachusetts, April 24, 1871, the son of Wil- liam Edward and Ellen Frances (Preble) Jones, both natives of this State. For a number of years his father, who died in 1873, was in the leather business in Boston. Mr. Jones received his early education in the public schools of Somerville and at the age of sixteen abandoned his studies to be- come associated with the Decatur, Hopkins Company, Boston hardware merchants. He remained with, this firm for twenty-two years representing it as a traveling sales- man, and in 1909 he severed his connection to enter the employ of the Treat Hardware and Supply Company.
He joined this organization for the pur- pose of systematizing the business and nine
years later was rewarded for his efforts by becoming president of the company. The experience he gained in this line of en- deavor during the forty-eight years he has been identified with it have stood him in good stead, and it is indeed a tribute to his efficiency that today he holds the honor of directing the activities of one of the largest hardware firms in New England.
Throughout his career here he has been actively associated with the social and civic life of the community, being a member of the Rotary Club, the Chamber of Com- merce, the New England Hardware Dealers Association and the Tri-State Hardware Club. He also fraternizes with the Masonic Order where he is a member of the Aleppo Temple and holds a thirty-second degree.
On July 11, 1898, Mr. Jones married Ger- trude Andrews of Warren, Maine, and they are the parents of one child, Arthur Sewall, superintendent of traffic and toll for the New England Telephone Company, in the Worcester district. He is a graduate of Amherst College and Phillips Academy.
SIMON SANDLER-For over twenty years Simon Sandler has operated one of the finest department stores in the city of Law- rence, where, during his career, he has taken an active part in the social and civic life.
Mr. Sandler was born in Lawrence, July 30, 1894, the son of Jacob and Esther (Mar- cus) Sandler. His father, who came to this country from Russia about 1890, engaged in the mercantile business here for a num- ber of years. Mr. Sandler received his gen- eral education in the public schools of this city and on completing his studies entered Boston University. Shortly after leaving college he became associated with his father, remaining with him until 1915, when he established a business of his own at No. 256 Essex Street, the present site of his concern. When the United States entered
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the World War he enlisted becoming a member of the 60th Infantry of the 5Ist Di- vision, on October 15, 1917.
He went overseas and saw action in some of the fiercest engagements of the conflict. On June 17, he was gassed and sent as the first American soldier to the French hos- pital at St. Die, where he rested a few weeks and then returned to join his com- pany in the Lorraine sector, where he was wounded again on July 29, 1918, and en- tered in the field hospital at Baccarat. From here he was transferred to the American base hospital No 13, at Limoges, where he was confined for several weeks before he was sent to a convalescent camp at St. Aig- nan. After recuperating at this point he went to Marseilles, where, in April of 1919, he boarded a boat for the United States. On May 15, 1919, he was honorably dis- charged from the army, and returned home to resume business.
His war record made him one of the most prominent members of the American Le- gion of Lawrence and he has occupied the position of president of Post No. 15, and has served as official representative in many of the national conventions of this organi- zation. He is also a member of the "40 and 8" Club, the Y. S. Club, the Young Men's Christian Association, the Young Men's Hebrew Association, the Veterans of For- eign Wars and the Disabled Veterans. He fraternizes with the Tuscan Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and belongs to the Masonic Order.
On October 5, 1919, Mr. Sandler married Rose Goldbaum of Haverhill, and they are the parents of three children: Quinten, Joan, and Robert.
HERBERT ALEXANDER CREGG, M. D .- In his medical practice Dr. Herbert Alexander Cregg, of Lawrence, has special-
ized in the treatment of eye, ear, nose and throat ailments. He is widely known in his community, both in the ranks of the medi- cal fraternity and in the general body of his fellow-citizens.
Dr. Cregg was born on October 1, 1891, in Lawrence, son of Edward and Rose (Mc- Allister ) Cregg. His father, who was born in Ireland was a boilermaker, came to this country early in his career, and here mar- ried Rose McAllister, a native of New Hamp- shire. They had eleven children, of whom Herbert Alexander was the youngest. In the public schools of Lawrence, his birth- place, Herbert Alexander Cregg received his early education, later attending high school, from which he was graduated in 1911. He entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadel- phia, where he was a student for two years, and then attended the University of Mary- land, which awarded him the degree of Doc- tor of Medicine in 1918. He had already begun specializing in the treatment of eye, ear, nose and throat diseases.
He served his interneship in this special field at Maryland General Hospital, Balti- more, there continuing for a year. His inde- pendent work as a physician was begun at Hebrew Hospital, also in Baltimore. There followed a period of post-graduate work at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, in New York City. It was in 1921 that he came to Lawrence, his native city, to take up his medical practice. Here he has built up a large clientele. He is a member of the Mas- sachusetts State Medical Society, and is widely and favorably known among medi- cal men.
Dr. Herbert Alexander Cregg married. on June 28, 1933, Florence McCarthy, of Win- chester, Massachusetts. The Cregg resi- dence is No. 354 Main Street, Shawsheen Village.
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THOMAS J. LANE-As a native of Lawrence, Thomas J. Lane has become one of the prominent members in the civic and social affairs of this community where he has been chosen to occupy important local offices and is affiliated with the leading or- ganizations of the city.
Mr. Lane was born in Lawrence, July 6, 1898, the son of Patrick D. and Mary (Ca- hill) Lane, both natives of Ireland who came to this country in their youth. He was educated at the Packard Grammar School and Lawrence High School from which he was graduated in 1916. He entered Villanova College in Pennsylvania and then attended Boston College. After completing his collegiate training he became associated with McCann Brothers at South Lawrence, who were in the grocery business. He re- mained with this organization for some years and then secured a position with the Water Department of Lawrence. During this period he was studying law in the evenings at the Suffolk Law School, and was graduated in 1925 with a degree of Bachelor of Laws. He passed the bar ex- amination this same year but because a number of the question books were alleged to have been stolen before examination, the board of examiners ruled that the examina- tion be repeated. He was compelled to take the examinations again in 1926, and again passed. Shortly thereafter he established an office in Lawrence and began a practice which has grown steadily and substantially. In September, 1926, he was nominated to the Democratic ticket as State representa- tive for the old Eighth Essex District which included South Lawrence, only to have the Supreme Court of the State declare the primaries null and void because the repre- sentative districts had more than the 5,800 required registered voters. This situation caused a redistricting by the county com-
missioner. Under this new redistricting South Lawrence and the town of North Andover became the Sixth Essex District with two representatives. Two months later the candidates were forced to run again and Mr. Lane was elected. He has been chosen four times by the voters to represent South Lawrence. and Andover. In his civic ca- pacity he has served on the committee of the judiciary and also has been clerk of a special unpaid committee to make a study of the Salisbury and Duxbury Beach situa- tion and determine whether they be taken over as State reservations. Upon the rec- ommendations of this body Salisbury Beach became a State reservation.
His civic and social activities in this sec- tion have been widespread. For the past six years he has been secretary and treas- urer of the Essex County Legislation Asso- ciation, and a member of the Lawrence, Essex County, and Massachusetts Bar asso- ciations. He is a director of the Lawrence Yacht Club, and belongs to the South Law- rence Athletic Association, the Merrimac Valley Hunt Club and the Ballardvale Rod and Gun Club. He fraternizes with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, is vice-president of division eight of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and is a fourth degree Knight of Columbus. He is also a member of the St. Patrick's Holy Name So- ciety.
HENRY TOLMAN, JR., M. D., F. A. C. S .- Widely known as an ear, nose and throat specialist, Dr. Henry Tolman, Jr., carries on the practice of his profession in the city of Salem, and has friends and patients throughout Essex County and this region of the Commonwealth of Massachu- setts.
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