USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > The story of Essex County, Volume IV > Part 47
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Edgar C. Wright was educated in the pub- lic schools of Plymouth and at Dartmouth College. After college he became interested in the hotel business, and worked at the Lake Tarleton Club in New Hampshire. His success in his first venture led to his becoming manager of the Tampa Bay Hotel, Tampa, Florida, and from there to the Pemigewasset Hotel at Plymouth, New Hampshire. In August, 1932, Mr. Wright came to Salem as manager of the Hawthorne Hotel, which is situated at the junction of Hawthorne Boulevard and Washington Square. This hotel, one of the best equipped and most comfortable hotels outside of Bos- ton, is popular among citizens and institu- tions of Essex County, and is the home of the Salem Chamber of Commerce. Tourists find the Hawthorne Hotel a charming head- quarters from which to enjoy the historical treats of Salem and the many beauty spots of Essex County. As manager of the Haw- thorne Hotel, Mr. Wright has won much favorable publicity for Salem, by giving to the hotel's many guests a service of unusual
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excellence at a moderate rate. Visitors that patronize the Hawthorne Hotel carry away with them a complimentary impression of Salem by their pleasant stay at the city's leading hotel. This is the result Mr. Wright has striven to attain and is the reason for the hotel's success and his popularity.
His career as a successful hotel executive was interrupted for a time when he enlisted in the United States Navy for service in the World War. He was assigned to the mine fleet stationed in the North Sea to protect the shore line of England and Scotland. En- listing as a seaman, he was promoted to boatswain's mate, first class, and served from May 3, 1917, to January 28, 1919, when he was honorably discharged.
On December 25, 1919, Mr. Wright mar- ried Marguerite Gildersleeve, of Grand Rap- ids, Michigan, and they are the parents of a son, Charles Tarleton, born on September 3, 1921.
RALPH E. GARDNER-For the better part of over three decades Ralph E. Gardner has occupied an important place in the legal realm of Haverhill and in the pursuit of his duties has taken a leading part in the social, civic and business life of the community.
Mr. Gardner was born in Haverhill, Sep- tember 29, 1879, the son of John H. and Ella P. (Foster) Gardner. For a number of years the elder Gardner was associated with the shoe industry here. Mr. Gardner, of this review, was educated in the public schools and entered Boston University, from which he was graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Laws with the class of 1903. The year he finished his legal training he was admitted to the bar and launched out on a practice which, in the years that followed, has brought him wide recognition.
In his civic activities he has been a mem- ber of the Haverhill school board for two terms, as well as backing all those move- ments and organizations which, to his mind,
would aid in the advance and welfare of the community. Socially he is affiliated with the Monday Evening Club, one of the oldest and most exclusive organizations in this city, and is vice-president of the Haverhill Bar Association. He also belongs to the Whittier Association, the Haverhill His- torical Society, and the Masonic Order, in which he holds a membership in Merrimack Lodge. In religion he is a Universalist and serves as a member of the board of that institution. Throughout his life fishing has been his favorite pleasure and recreation.
In 1904 Mr. Gardner married June Smith, of Haverhill, and they are the parents of four children : I. Ruth, born November I, 1907, and a graduate of Arnold College of New Haven, Connecticut. 2. John R., born February 10, 1909, and a graduate in 1931 of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a civil engineer at Haverhill. 3. Karl H., born September 16, 1910. 4. Philip S., born January 26, 1912.
LEO M. FINEN-Among the promising young attorneys of the city of Haverhill is Leo M. Finen, who, for the past nine years, has maintained a substantial and lucrative practice here. In the performance of his pro- fessional duties he has won the respect of his colleagues and the citizenry for the abil- ity he has displayed.
Mr. Finen is a native of Haverhill, born January 29, 1901, the son of John and Mary E. (Maxwell) Finen, both natives of this State. He received a general education in the parochial schools of this city and after completing his studies, entered Boston Uni- versity. Determined to pursue a legal career he went to the Suffolk Law College and in 1925 received his degree of Bachelor of Laws. In the same year he was admitted to the Massachusetts State Bar and estab- lished a practice in the city of Haverhill, which he has maintained with growing suc-
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cess to the present day. Shortly after he began his career here, his work attracted the attention of some of the leading legal authorities of the city, among whom was Richard J. McCormick, with whom Mr. Finen is now associated.
In his social affiliations Mr. Finen is a member of many of the local clubs and fra- ternizes with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Loyal Order of Moose. In his professional associations he is a mem- ber of the American Bar Association, the Essex County Bar Association, and the Mas- sachusetts State Bar Association. Mr. Finen adheres to the Roman Catholic faith and worships at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Haverhill.
MICHAEL CASHMAN-Among the large oil distributors in this county is Michael Cashman, who, as treasurer of Cash- man Brothers Company, directs the activi- ties of one of the oldest organizations in Newburyport. The firm also holds the dis- tinction of being the only agency that still furnishes stevedore facilities for the purpose of unloading ships in addition to engaging in contracting and acting as coal dealers. In his long connection with the city, Mr. Cash- man has taken an active interest in the social and civic life, identifying himself with lead- ing organizations here and occupying some of the most important public offices.
A native of Newburyport, Mr. Cashman was born here February 22, 1865, the son of Jeremiah and Mary (Cashman) Cashman, both natives of County Kerry, Ireland. He received a general education in the public schools of his native community and went to Malden, Massachusetts, where he was established in business until 1895. In that year he returned to Newburyport upon the death of his brother, Jeremiah, who had founded and headed the firm of Cashman Brothers since 1881. Mr. Cashman, of this
review, took over the management of the concern at this time and under his able direc- tion expanded its activities until it is one of the leading oil, coal and contracting firms of this community. With the growth of the business the physical facilities were also ex- panded, seven large tanks with a capacity of six hundred and fifty thousand gallons being constructed to take care of the oil. In this phase of the business Cashman Brothers Company is probably the largest dealer in Essex County. The firm which was incor- porated in 1915 lists as its officers, in addi- tion to Mr. Cashman as president, his sons, Charles and George, who both hold the posts of vice-president.
In conjunction with his active business career, Mr. Cashman has also taken a keen interest in the social and civic affairs of his surroundings, being mayor of Newburyport from 1922 to 1925, and taking an active part in other official branches of the city govern- ment. During the World War he was on several boards and committees and a mem- ber of the public safety committee. He is listed as one of the organizers and founders of the Newburyport Chamber of Commerce and has served as director of this organiza- tion for many years. In fraternal circles he holds a membership in the Knights of Co- lumbus and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
In 1888 Mr. Cashman married Catherine A. O'Neil, a native of Newburyport, and they are the parents of nine children: I. Alice, a graduate of Miss Wheelock School. 2. Frances, a graduate of Trinity College, with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and Colum- bia University with a Master of Arts degree. 3. Pauline, a graduate of Trinity. 4. Eliza- beth, a graduate of Trinity. 5. George, graduate of St. Anselm's School. 6. Doro- thea, graduate of Simmons College. 7. Helen. 8. Catherine, St. Mary's College. 9. Charles, graduate of St. Anselm's School.
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SAMUEL HOWARD DONNELL-For over thirty years a member of the bar of Essex County, Samuel H. (S. Howard) Don- nell, of Peabody, is one of the leading fig- ures of his profession, and a distinguished citizen in the civic, financial, fraternal and social activities of his native city. He was born March 2, 1881, at Peabody, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth E. (Walch) Donnell. His father was a well-known grocer of Pea- body. Mr. Donnell was educated at the Pca- body Grammar School, the Peabody High School, was graduated from the Boston Uni- versity Law School in 1902, and was ad- mitted in the same year to the practice of law in Massachusetts. He began his prac- tice in Peabody and has continued there ever since.
Mr. Donnell early showed ability for civic responsibility, and has served as a member of the Peabody School Committee, and as solicitor of Peabody, from 1905 until 1911, and as moderator, from 1911 until 1915. In 1917 he was elected the first mayor of Pea- body, and continued in this office until 1920, in which year he was elected district attor- ney, serving until 1922. For seventeen years Mr. Donnell has given his keen judgment and administrative talents to public service. The succession of offices with the increase of responsibility accompanying each one is evidence of the efficient and honorable dis- charge of his duties.
Active in club and fraternal work, Mr. Donnell is a member of Phi Delta Phi, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternities; the Knights Templar, the Mystic Shrine, and other Masonic bodies; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and the Loyal Order of Moose, of Salem. He is also a member of the Peabody Club; the Now and Then As- sociation, Salem; the Republican Club of
Massachusetts; and is president of the Essex County Men's Republican Club.
Mr. Donnell married, June 3, 1913, Fran- ces H. Barnard, a daughter of Howard and Ellen E. (Lord) Barnard. They are the parents of three children: S. Howard, Jr., born February 28, 1914, graduated from Phillips Academy, Andover, in 1933, and is now a member of the class of 1937 at Har- vard. Ellena and Phyllis, twins, born June 7, 1921.
JULIEN A. RYAN-As one of the young- er generation of business men of Beverly, Julien A. Ryan has rapidly risen in the re- spect and favor of his colleagues and the general public. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, on June 1, 1907, the son of Julien A. and Sadie (Hawkins) Ryan, the father being a native of Brooklyn, while Mrs. Ryan was born in New Haven, Connecticut. Julien A. Ryan, Sr., was for a number of years a manufacturer of shoes in Salem, Massachu- setts, but is now retired and resides in Salem.
Julien A. Ryan, the younger, received his preliminary education in the public and pri- vate schools of Brooklyn, and then matricu- lated at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire. He began his business career as a salesman of stocks and bonds in New York City. He also, for a time was con- nected with the United Fruit Company, but in 1931 he removed to Beverly, where he has since been engaged in the real estate and insurance business. Mr. Ryan is a member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity of Dartmouth, and has for his main recreation the playing of golf.
EDGAR S. RIDEOUT-In the fraternal circles of Massachusetts there are few bet- ter known or more popular figures than Ed- gar S. Rideout, of Beverly, a thirty-second degree Mason, the holder of many offices
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and the recipient of numerous honors. He was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, Oc- tober 1, 1867, the son of Oliver D. and Eliza T. (Eldridge) Rideout, the former of whom was a native of Maine and the latter of Mas- sachusetts.
Edgar S. Rideout was educated in the pub- lic schools of Lawrence and had the usual difficulty of youth to find the niche in which he could best fit. Eventually he went with the Hon. Byron Truell, and continued in the mercantile business for twelve years. He was also, for three years, assistant postmas- ter of Lawrence. Since 1911 Mr. Rideout has been connected with the United Shoe Machinery Corporation, in the purchasing department. Cautious but enterprising, diffi- cult to deceive yet always accessible and companionable, he is not only successful as an executive but has a legion of friends. In 1920 he was chosen by the board of county commissioners to fill a vacancy, which was the beginning of fourteen years service to the municipality.
As a young man Mr. Rideout became in- terested in Masonry, in which he is one of the best beloved leaders in the fraternity. He is a member and Past Master of Phoeni- cian Lodge, of Lawrence, Free and Accepted Masons ; a charter member and First Master of Budleigh Lodge, of Beverly; District Deputy of Lawrence District, and Past High Priest of Mount Sinai Chapter, Lawrence, Royal Arch Masons; Past Commander of St. George Commandery, No. 44, Knights Templar; Past Illustrious Master of Law- rence Council, Royal and Select Masters; Past Sovereign Prince of Lowell Council, Princes of Jersualem ; honorary member of Salem Council, Royal and Select Masters, and of Jubilee Council, Princes of Jerusalem ; and a member of the Royal Order of Scot- land. He is a member of the Square and Compass Club, and a director of the Beverly Chamber of Commerce.
On June 21, 1892, Edgar S. Rideout mar- ried Ella M. Fairbairn, of Lawrence, Mas- sachusetts, and they were the parents of a daughter, Geraldine, the wife of Elliott K. Hale, of Lisbon Falls, Maine, and their three children are: 1. Richard A., 2d. 2. Elliott K., Jr. 3. David F. Mrs. Rideout died in 1928.
CHARLES F. LEE-There are few bet- ter known or more generally liked figures in banking circles of Beverly than Charles F. Lee. He is probably dean of banking off- cials in the municipality, for his career as such covers forty-five years, and he is one of the oldest of its realtors. He is a native of Beverly, born March 13, 1854, the son of Philip and Caroline (Foster) Lee, both born in Massachusetts, members of old New Eng- land families, and both deceased. Philip Lee was for many years engaged in the shoe industry and a highly respected citizen of Beverly.
Charles F. Lee obtained his education in the local grammar and high school. At the age of eighteen he went to Boston and, for the following thirteen years, was engaged in the mercantile industry in that chief New England city. In 1885 he returned to Bev- erly and started a real estate and insurance business, now known as Charles F. Lee and Company, which he continued since that time with marked success. In September, 1888, he helped to organize the Beverly Co- operative Bank, of which he was a charter member and the first secretary, and later was elected treasurer. This institution is one of the strongest of its kind financially in Massachusetts and much credit is given to the close attention Mr. Lee has paid to its affairs, for its high rank. He has served as treasurer of the Beverly Fuel Society, a charitable society, and is a member of the board of trustees of the Washington Street Congregational Church. His fraternal affili-
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ations are with the Free and Accepted Ma- sons.
On June 25, 1890, Charles F. Lee married Nora R. Curtis, a native of Maine, and they are the parents of two daughters now living : Helen F., the wife of William H. Wyeth, and Barbara Lee.
ANDREW NICHOLS, M. D. - Since 1921, when he began practice in Danvers, Dr. Andrew Nichols has been carrying on a medical tradition established by his great- grandfather, who was an early medical prac- titioner in this section. That his success parallels that of the earlier Dr. Nichols is reflected in the large and impressive clien- tele he has built up during his career here.
Dr. Nichols was born in Danvers, Massa- chusetts, on February 13, 1890, the son of Andrew and Mary (Bill) Nichols. His father was also a native of Danvers, and re- sided here nearly all his life and here he died. Dr. Nichols was educated in the Dan- vers schools, graduating from Holton High School in 1908. The fall of that year he entered Harvard College, where he was graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1912. Pursuing his desire to engage in the medical profession he entered the Har- vard Medical School and in 1916 completed his course, receiving a degree of Doctor of Medicine. He then served as an interne in the Boston City Hospital, where he re- mained for about one year. When the United States entered the World War he enlisted and became a member of the 30Ist Infantry, stationed at Camp Devens and later was commissioned first lieutenant in the Medical Corps and was assigned to serve with Base Hospital No. 116. In March, 1918, he went overseas and was stationed at Bazeilles, France, and later went on de- tached service with the 2d Division Field Hospital No. I, and Ambulance Corps No. I.
He remained at this post for three
months, when he joined his original unit at the base hospital and remained there until he was honorably discharged in June, 1919. A month before he was mustered out he was commissioned captain in the Medical Corps. Returning to the United States he became second assistant superintendent of the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston, and in 1921 established himself in Danvers, where he has built up a large practice.
During his career here he has taken an active part in the professional and social organizations of the community. He is on the staff and a trustee of the Hunt Memorial Hospital of Danvers, is on the associate staff of the Beverly Hospital, is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society and treas- urer of the Essex South Medical Society. He is also a member of the American Legion, Post No. 180, and fraternizes with the Masonic Order, Mosaic Lodge.
Dr. Nichols was married, September 19, 1921, to Bernice Hainer, of Philadelphia, and they are the parents of two children: I. An- drew, Jr. 2. Elizabeth.
FRANK JOSEPH HEALY, general man- ufacturing manager of the Hygrade Sylvania Corporation of Salem, can be singled out for his accomplishments in a business career which started in a minor capacity and shows in a steadily increasing line of responsibility and trust.
Mr. Healy was born December 16, 1895, in Danvers, Massachusetts, the son of Hugh and Leona Healy. His father, who is now retired, was associated with William C. En- dicott, of Danvers, for forty-five years. Mr. Healy was educated in the public schools of Danvers and St. John's Preparatory College, from which he was graduated in 1912. Fol- lowing the completion of his general educa- tion he attended night courses at Lowell In- stitute and, shortly afterward, became asso- ciated with the Boston office of the General
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Electric Company, where he remained for about five years. In 1917 he entered the Hygrade Lamp Company of Salem, worked his way up from a minor position to assist- ant foreman, foreman, assistant superintend- ent, superintendent and finally attained the position of general manufacturing manager, the position he occupies today.
Despite the fact that business has claimed the major part of Mr. Healy's attention he has also found time to enjoy the social and civic life of the community and is a director in the Salem Chamber of Commerce, a mem- ber of the Kiwanis Club, and the Salem Country Club.
Mr. Healy was married, on September 7, 1922, to Irene Chartier, of Salem, and they are the parents of two children: I. Frank Joseph, Jr. 2. Barbara Irene.
HARRIS STETSON KNIGHT-Harris S. Knight fills an important position in the business and social life of the city of Salem, where he has been actively engaged as a certified public accountant since his gradua- tion from college.
Mr. Knight was born in Salem on Decem- ber 4, 1895, the son of Howard A. and Annie E. (Welts) Knight, his father a native of this city and his mother from Nova Scotia. Mr. Knight's father is display manager of the large department store of William G. Webber Company, and for many years has been one of the most prominent members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
After a general education in the public schools of Salem, Mr. Knight entered the employ of the Salem Five Cents Savings Bank where he remained for eight years dur- ing which time he attended Northeastern University and was graduated from there in 1920 with the degree of Bachelor of Com- mercial Science. He devoted four more years at this institution in the law department and was awarded a degree of Bachelor of Laws
in 1924. In March, 1918, he enlisted in the air service of the United States Army and was stationed at Detroit, Michigan, as a first class sergeant at the Ford Motor plant, being assigned to aircraft work. He was honorably discharged from this service in March, 1919, and returned to Salem. Through the work he has carried on since completing his education he has become associated with many large concerns of this city and is licensed to practice as a certified public ac- countant in Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire.
Mr. Knight's interest in the social and business life of this community is reflected in the important executive offices he has been called upon to fill. He holds directorships in the Frank Bownes Company of Chelsea, and the L. B. Moody Company, of Salem ; is finance officer of American Legion Post, No. 32, in Marblehead, director and assistant treasurer of Helburn-Thompson Company, Salem ; treasurer of the American Wallpaper Company of Pawtucket, Rhode Island ; treas- urer of the Now and Then Association of Salem and a member of the National Asso- ciation of Cost Accountants. He fraternizes with the Masonic Order in which he has attained the thirty-second degree, and is a member of Aleppo Temple, Ancient Ara- bic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, in Boston.
On August 1, 1925, Mr. Knight married Edna P. Mason of Danvers and they are the parents of two children: I. Howard Mason. 2. Nancy Jean. The Knight resi- dence is No. 18 Oak Street, Marblehead.
JOHN EDGAR ABERCROMBIE-Iden- tified throughout his business career with the banking facilities of Lawrence, John Edgar Abercrombie is of the generation who experienced the interruption to their prog- ress caused by the war. He was wounded at Chateau Thierry, France, in 1918, and
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was not mustered out of the service until nearly a year later, but returned to Law- rence and the Essex Savings Bank, of which he is teller. He, like his father, is a native of Lawrence, born February 25, 1895, son of John A. and Mary (Davenport) Aber- crombie, the latter born in England. John A. Abercrombie, now deceased, was for many years a manufacturer and, in 1894-95, alderman of Lawrence.
John Edgar Abercrombie was educated in the public schools, being graduated from high school in 1912. His first position of any importance was with the Arlington Trust Company, with which he remained two years. In 1916 he became associated with the Essex Savings Bank. In Septem- ber, 1917, he entered the United States mili- tary forces for service during the World War, as a member of the 22d Regiment, sta- tioned at Camp Devens, Massachusetts. Sent overseas in February, 1918, he was assigned to Company L, 102d Infantry, 26th Division, and participated in the battle of Seicheprey. On April 20, 1918, the first day of the offen- sive against the St. Mihiel salient, he was wounded by shrapnel in the Chateau Thierry drive July 20, 1918. For months he was con- fined to Base Hospital, No. 14, Neufchateau, and Base Hospital, No. 6, at Bordeaux. Dis- charged from the latter hospital on October I, 1918, he was assigned to light clerical duty at Angers, and on April 16, 1919, sailed from St. Nazaire to the United States, where he was mustered out of the army on May 16, 1919.
Mr. Abercrombie took up his work in the Essex Savings Bank, of which he is now assistant treasurer. He has been prominent in all manner of activities in Lawrence, and is particularly well known as a musician and a conductor of an orchestra. He was one of the organizers of the Lawrence Post, No. 15, American Legion, and has served it in various official capacities-in 1925 as com-
mander. Fraternally he affiliates with Gre- cian Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons.
On May 17, 1921, John Edgar Abercrom- bie married Phyllis Snow, of Lawrence, and they are the parents of three children: Shir- ley, Claire, and John E. Abercrombie, Jr.
JAMES N. KEEFE-An enviable record of achievement and public spirit has been maintained by James N. Keefe, manager of the Lawrence Automobile Club, who, for the better part of his life, has devoted his business activities to his native State and in so doing has become a prominent figure in the social and civic life of his surroundings.
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