USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > The story of Essex County, Volume IV > Part 48
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Mr. Keefe was born in Palmer, Massa- chusetts, March 15, 1878, the son of Timo- thy W. and Sarah A. (Nolan) Keefe. For a number of years his father was associated with the textile industry of this community as an overseer for the mills. Mr. Keefe re- ceived his general education in the public schools of Athol, where his parents had moved when he was a child. He entered the postal service of this town, rising through the various grades until he was appointed superintendent of the station A postoffice of Athol.
After serving at this post for some time he resigned from government service and entered the employ of the West Disinfect- ing Company as a traveling representative. His rise in this organization was notewor- thy. By 1919 he had been promoted to the managership of the company on the Pacific Coast with headquarters at San Francisco and branch offices at Salt Lake City and Los Angeles. After serving in this capac- ity for a year he severed his connections with the company to become affiliated with the Mack Truck Company. He became a resident of Lawrence and assumed charge of the Merrimack Valley district for the firm.
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Some time ago he was appointed manager for the Lawrence Automobile Club, a posi- tion he maintains today, and in which he has made an outstanding success as an ad- vocate of better and safer highways in this State. On many occasions he has appeared before legislative committees on behalf of the motorist, and in this connection he was one of the first executives of the State to oppose the diversion of gasoline taxes to channels other than for which they were originally intended.
Throughout his career in this vicinity Mr. Keefe has been one of the active social and civic workers. For several years prior to being appointed manager he served as chairman of the Lawrence Automobile Club advisory board. He is a director in the Lawrence Chapter of the American Red Cross, chairman of the Lawrence mu- nicipal airport commission, a member of the municipal traffic commission and, during past campaigns of the Lawrence Com- munity Chest, has served as a team captain. He fraternizes with the Athol Chapter of the Knights of Columbus of which he is a charter member and served as the first Grand Knight. During his association with the organization, which he still maintains at this place for sentimental reasons, he also served as District Deputy Grand Knight between 1910 and 1911. He is a member of the Lawrence Kiwanis Club and belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Recently he joined the Valley Re- gional Association which is attempting to secure a scenic highway from Tyngsboro to the sea.
On October 12, 1915, Mr. Keefe married Alice J. Harnett.
MAX M. NEVINS-For a number of years Max M. Nevins has operated one of the finest and most modern automobile establishments in Lawrence, and during
his career he has been chosen sales repre- sentative for some of the finest cars manu- factured in this country. As a resident of the community he has come to occupy a prominent place in the social and civic af- fairs here, being identified with leading or- ganizations of the city. Mr. Nevins was born in Boston, Massachusetts, June 15, 1898, the son of Louis and Rose Nevins, both natives of Russia, who came to this country about 1880, settled in this city where his father, now deceased, operated a livery stable for a number of years. Mr. Nevins was educated in the public schools of Boston and later attended Wentworth Institute, where he was graduated from the mechanical department. Shortly after com- pleting his education the United States en- tered the World War and he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. He was stationed at Roosevelt Field, Long Island, New York, serving at this post until the end of the conflict.
Mr. Nevins then returned to Lawrence and engaged in the automobile business in Methuen, an enterprise which fared so well under his able direction that, after a com- paratively brief time, he was able to move to the center of the city of Lawrence where he established a repair shop and showrooms at No. 400 Broadway, a site he occupies to- day. In addition to this property he also manages and operates a service station at No. 134 West Street. He has been keenly interested and very active in the social and civic affairs of the community. being a member of the American Legion, the Jew- ish War Veterans, the Merrimack Valley Country Club and fraternizes with the Ma- sonic Order in which he holds a thirty- second degree and is a member of all bodies including the Aleppo Shrine in Boston. In his professional activities he is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers.
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On October 24, 1924, Mr. Nevins married Ann I. Rains of Haverhill and they are the parents of two children: Rhoda May and Louise Adelle.
ARTHUR A. THOMSON-A native of Lawrence, Arthur A. Thomson is rapidly assuming a prominent position in legal cir- cles of this community, where, since 1926, he has built up a substantial and lucrative practice.
Mr. Thomson was born in Lawrence, May 5, 1904, the son of John and Margaret (Diggle) Thomson. His father, who is a native of Canada, has engaged in the ma- chinist trade for a number of years. Mr. Thomson received his early education in the public schools of this city, graduating from high school in 1922, and entering Bos- ton University in the fall of that year. He received a degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1925, and a year later was a recipient of a degree of Master of Laws. He was admitted to the bar in 1926, and since that time has been practicing in Lawrence. During his career he has indulged in a general prac- tice that has called for him to appear before the Federal Courts in presenting cases.
In his professional affiliations he is a member of the Massachusetts State Bar Association, the Lawrence Bar Association and the Federal Bar. Though he devotes the major part of his time to legal activities he has also found time to enjoy the social and civic activities of the city and in this connection is a member of the North An- dover Chamber of Commerce, and frater- nizes with the Masonic Order. He is also a member of the Bigelow Association of Masters of Law and has served as trustee for the South Lawrence Congregational Church.
On September 1, 1927, Mr. Thomson mar- ried Muriel S. Bower, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. James T. Bower, of North Andover, and they are the parents of one child, Arthur A., Jr., born January 31, 1933.
DAVID WILLIAM WALLWORK, M. D .- In the community of North Andover, Massachusetts, Dr. David William Wall- work has built up a large and satisfying medical practice. His professional character and his devotion to worth while principles have endeared him to his contemporaries and rendered him an outstanding figure in the circle in which he moves.
Dr. Wallwork was born at North An- dover, on October 1, 1905, son of Frank E. and Margaret (Roberts) Wallwork. His father is foreman of the card clothing de- partment of the Davis Farber Machine Com- pany, of this place. In the public schools and at Johnson High School, David William Wallwork received his early education, after- ward entering Harvard College in 1922 and receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude in 1926. He then studied at Har- vard Medical School, taking the Doctor of Medicine degree cum laude in 1930.
Thus prepared for his professional work, he served an interneship at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, remaining at that institution for twenty-five months, in the course of which he acquired a fine prac- tical knowledge of the intricacies of medical practice under the guidance of some of Bos- ton's and this country's most noted physi- cians. In March, 1933, he began his own general practice of medicine in North An- dover, where he built up a large clientele. He is today active in the Massachusetts State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, and belongs also to the Nu Sigma Nu Fraternity, which he joined in his student days.
On June 28, 1926, Dr. Wallwork married Louise Bonney, of North Andover.
Julius Kleinman
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JULIUS KLEINMAN-Although it was not until the summer of 1934 that Julius Kleinman established his large shoe manu- facturing plant in Danvers, he was already an important figure in the shoe industry of New England, and the products of his Arrow Shoe Company, of which he is presi- dent, were favorably known throughout the United States. It will no doubt be a matter of future record that he used his notable gifts for leadership and civic enterprise in Danvers as he had in Dorchester and East Boston. A native of Germany, he has identi- fied himself closely with the spirit of Ameri- can institutions, ideals and customs, and has always promoted the higher interests of the municipalities of which he has been a resi- dent and manufacturer.
Julius Kleinman was born in Berlin, Ger- many, May 13, 1886, and received the full advantages of the educational facilities pro- vided by the great European capital. He arrived in the United States on May 1, 1907, and located in Boston. After being em- ployed for a time in a shoe factory, he engaged in business for himself, running a store on Blue Hill Avenue, Dorchester. It was not until 1925 that Mr. Kleinman be- came again connected with the shoe indus- try, this time as an employer of labor. He started the K. and S. Shoe Company, in Lynn, and after four successful years, estab- lished the Arrow Shoe Company, in East Boston. The founding of this concern, late in 1929, was coincident with the beginning of the worst business depression that our country has ever witnessed. It is vastly to the credit of Mr. Kleinman that he not only carried his company through the industrial vicissitudes of the following years, but in- creased its importance and strength. On June 1, 1934, he moved the plant to Danvers, where now the high-grade Arrow shoes for
women are made and find their way to markets in all parts of America. As an em- ployer of three hundred and fifty people, lie is no small factor in the prosperity of Dan- vers and its people.
Julius Kleinman married, April 19, 1906, Sadie Strasnick, and they are the parents of two sons: Tom M., and Albert A. Klein- man. Both are married.
JOSEPH PETRALIA-Among the young attorneys who are rapidly making their way in the legal ranks of Lawrence is Joseph Petralia, who, since, 1929, has developed a substantial and lucrative practice here and through his efforts has won the recognition of his fellows and the community at large.
Mr. Petralia was born in Providence, Rhode Island, May 2, 1905, the son of Salva- tore and Domenica (Messina) Petralia, both natives of Italy. His father, who came to this country in 1901, settled first in Provi- dence and later came to Lawrence, where today he owns and operates two large mer- cantile establishments. Mr. Petralia, of this review, received a general education in the public schools of Lawrence and later attended Phillips Academy. He then entered the School of Business Administration at Boston University and remained two years. Determined to follow a legal career he ma- triculated at the law school of this institu- tion and in 1929 was graduated with a Bache- lor of Laws degree, being admitted to prac- tice before the Massachusetts State bar the same year. He returned to Lawrence and established a practice which he has since conducted with great success.
In his social and professional affiliations he is past president and vice-president of the Italian College Club, is a member of the Lawrence Bar Association, fraternizes with
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the Alpha Phi Delta Fraternity and belongs to several Italian organizations. Mr. Pe- tralia maintains offices in Lawrence.
JOHN WITZGALL-For the past quar- ter of a century John Witzgall has been con- ducting one of the foremost printing estab- lishments in Lawrence and during this period has built up a substantial and lucrative busi- ness. As a native of this community he has taken a keen and active interest in the social and civic life, belonging to many of the lead- ing organizations here.
Mr. Witzgall was born March 6, 1892, the son of John and Margaret (Stoeker) Witz- gall, both natives of Germany. His father, who came to the United States in 1884 and died here in 1932, was engaged for many years as a weaver. Mr. Witzgall received a general education in local public schools and then entered the employ of the "New Eng- land Statas Volszeitung" and added to his experience in the printing trade by work- ing on the Lawrence "Sunday Sun" and the Lawrence "Sunday Sentinel." Later he worked in the same capacity with the old "American," and by 1909 had advanced to a point where he was eminently qualified to embark on a business venture of his own. It was during this period that he established a printing business which specialized in job, book and newspaper printing.
When the United States entered the World War, Mr. Witzgall enlisted in the army and was assigned to the 104th Infantry of the 26th Division, being a member of a machine gun company. This unit was sent overseas and Mr. Witzgall saw service in some of the outstanding engagements of the conflict. In 1919 he was honorably discharged and re- turned to his business in Lawrence, where he invested extensively in real estate.
His standing in the community is attested by the organizations with which he is identi- fied. He is a member of the American
Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Franco Belge Club, the Lawrence Lodge, No. 162, of the Knights of Pythias, the Law- rence Turnverein, the Bavarian Reading Progressive Club, the Concordia Rifle Club, Herman Sons, and the Printing Pressmen's Union.
On October 13, 1911, Mr. Witzgall mar- ried Lena R. Witzgall, and they are the par- ents of two children: I. Roland, born July II, 1912 ; married Edna Walukievich, of Ha- verhill. 2. Florence, born August 3, 1913 ; now married to Charles Carency.
G. JOSEPH TAURO is filling a useful place among members of the bar in Lynn and by his activities in the affairs of the community is rendering a service to many organizations, especially in furthering the work of the Sons of Italy. It is natural that Mr. Tauro should be interested in promoting the purposes of this organization as his parents, Orazio and Emma (Amicangelo) Tauro, are natives of Italy. Orazio Tauro, born in December, 1877, the son of Louis Tauro, a pottery manufacturer in Italy, came to America as a young man and was em- ployed in the shoe manufacturing business until his retirement. He is a Democrat and a member of the Roman Catholic Church. Emma (Amicangelo) Tauro was born in Italy on September 14, 1885, the daughter of Antonio Amicangelo, a blacksmith. Their children are: I. Dr. Antonio L. Tauro, who is married to Dr. Emily C. Cooper, both graduates of Boston University Medical School, in the class of 1927, and both prac- tice in Stoneham. 2. Arthur L. Tauro, who was graduated from Boston University in 1932 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and is now a student at Boston University Medical School, class of 1936. 3. Raymond Tauro, who is a mechanic. 4. G. Joseph Tauro, of this record. 5. Mrs. Americo Gioac-
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chini, of Lynn. 6. Mrs. Chester Tricca, of Malden.
G. Joseph Tauro was born in Lynn on January 10, 1906, and received his education in the public schools of that city, graduating in 1919 from Central Junior High School, and from English High School in 1923. His inclinations pointing toward a career in law, he matriculated at Boston University, study- ing one year in the business administration department, then, entering the law school, was graduated in 1927 with a degree in law, being admitted in the same year to the bar. He became associated with the firm of Coughlin and Jacobs, attorneys, whose offices were in the Grossman Building, No. 16 Cen- tral Avenue, Lynn, and remained with this firm until May, 1933, when he removed to No. 25 Central Avenue and opened his own offices. Bringing to the practice of law a proper understanding of the social respon- sibilities involved, a splendid academic prepa- ration and gifted with an aptitude for re- search and study, Mr. Tauro is representa- tive of the highest legal traditions. Prac- ticing general law, his clientele has shown a steady growth and includes several of the larger commercial houses of Lynn. His practice extends not only throughout Essex County, but also to surrounding counties, and his office is one of the largest in Lynn.
Within his profession a member of the Lynn Bar Association, Mr. Tauro is also a member of the Grand Lodge, in Boston, of the Sons of Italy, and is on the committee of propaganda and instruction. Fraternally he is a member of Lynn Lodge, No. 117, Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In politics he is a Republican. His favorite sport is boating.
On January 28, 1930, he married Helen Petrossi, a native of Hartford, Connecticut, and the daughter of Louis Petrossi, a con- tractor of Hartford. Mrs. Tauro was edu- cated in public and private schools of Hart-
ford, and is a member of the Roman Catholic Church, the Women's Republican Club of Malden, the Malden Professional Women's Club, the Woman's Italian Club of Boston. Mr. and Mrs. Tauro have a son, Joseph L., who was born on September 10, 1931.
GEORGE HARRISON ALLEN-The story of George Harrison Allen is inter- woven with the history of the rise of the boot and shoe industry in Lynn during its period of greatest development. It is often forgotten that the Civil War gave the greatest impetus to the making of shoes in large quantities by machinery, and the packing of them in boxes for a trade that extended even beyond the borders of the United States. Mr. Allen was born on June 21, 1840, at Manchester, Massachusetts, the son of Jacob A. and Prudence Allen. After receiving a public school education he was variously employed until war was declared between the States. He enlisted with the 3d Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to the Hospital Corps and served during most of the war in the field hospitals close to the front lines.
Upon the return of Mr. Allen to civilian life, he began making boxes for the shoe trade. He had moved from Manchester to Lawrence and, after the Civil War, made Lynn his place of residence and business. His first box factory was situated at No. 340 Broad Street. Some years later he sold out to the Hogue-Sprague Corporation, the largest manufacturers in its field in the country. Mr. Allen's father was in the box manufacturing business also and in 1889 the subject of this review purchased his father's interest and became one of the firm of the Allen and Boyden Company, box manufac- turers, with plants at Lynn and Beverly. When Mr. Boyden died, Mr. Allen bought the former's interest in the business and continued it as the George H. Allen Paper
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Box Company until he retired. In 1919 he sold all his holdings in the company and retired to rest and other pursuits. Mr. Allen was a large employer of labor, an enterprising and successful leader and an executive who was held in high esteem by those employed by him. Mr. Allen was also known to financial circles of Lynn as a di- rector of the Manufacturers Bank of Lynn and as president of the Commonwealth Savings Bank, also of Lynn.
While primarily an industrialist and fin- ancier, Mr. Allen took a lively and helpful interest in all kinds of human affairs. His citizenship he took seriously and aligned himself with the Republican party, but he steadfastly refused to be drawn into politics or to accept political office. Fraternally he was prominent in circles larger than local, being a member of all Masonic bodies in- cluding the Scottish Rite in which he held the thirty-second degree. He was a Past Master of the Blue Lodge; a Past High Priest of the Royal Arch Chapter, and had been head of the Lodge of Perfection. In addition to these orders of this fraternity, he was a member of the Commandery, the Royal Order of Scotland, Grand Com- mander of the Grand Commandery of Mas- sachusetts and Rhode Island. He was also a member of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic, the Oxford Club, and many other civic and social organizations and in the Univer- salist Church of which he was a member. His philanthropy was noteworthy.
George Harrison Allen married (first) Luella McIntyre, now deceased. In 1901, he married (second) Effie S. Spinney, of Gloucester, Massachusetts, the daughter of Whitfield Spinney (who was lost at sea in 1868 with the ship "James S. Ayer"), and Amelia Jane (Crittenden) Spinney. Mr. and Mrs. Allen were the parents of two children: I. Luella Spinney, who married
Herbert E. Codwise and is the mother of three children. 2. George Harrison Allen, Jr., graduate of Dartmouth College, class of 1926, well known in the college world as an athlete, a member of the noted Dartmouth football teams which defeated Harvard, Brown, Chicago, Cornell and other large universities. After his graduation he be- came the director of athletics and coach of the Colorado School of Mines and later held like posts in other colleges.
The death of Mr. Allen occurred on Feb- ruary 3, 1923, and his memory is a cherished part of the annals of Lynn in which his name and career is written large. His memory is perpetuated in the industrial structure of the city with which he was ably identified, and in the esteem of the many whose lives he influenced for better and whose progress in life he influenced.
ALBERT M. MILLER-Born in Ames- bury, October II, 1899, Albert M. Miller has made this place the scene of his career as a lawyer. He is the son of William and Lucy B. (Morrill) Miller, the father being a native of Dunbar, Scotland, and an official of the Pettingill Machine Corporation. Mrs. Miller, who died in 1912, was born in Salisbury, Massachusetts.
Prepared for college in the grade and high schools of Amesbury, Albert M. Miller studied at the University of Maine for a year. He then matriculated at Boston Uni- versity, where he pursued special courses in business administration. Graduated from Boston University in 1922, with the degree Bachelor of Laws, Mr. Miller was admitted to the bar that same year and began the practice of his profession in Lynn. For about a year he was associated with the law firm of Niles, Stevens and Underwood, of Lynn, before withdrawing to establish him- self in independent practice in Amesbury.
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Mr. Miller is a member of the Essex County Bar Association and the Massachusetts State Bar Association. He has been remarkably successful in his profession and is notably active in many and varied fields of activity. He is town counsel for Amesbury and a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Dur- ing the World War he was with the Stu- dents' Auxiliary Training Corps. His col- lege fraternity is Lambda Chi, and frater- nally he affiliates with Warren Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Chapter and Coun- cil; and the Grange. He is a member of the Congregational Church.
In 1933 Albert M. Miller married Marion B. Heath, of Merrimac, Massachusetts.
HENRY W. KRUSCHWITZ-Accom- plishment marks the career of Henry W. Kruschwitz who, during the past eight years, has built up one of the largest and finest laundry establishments in the com- munity of Amesbury. Through his busi- ness activities he has come to occupy an important place in the social and civic af- fairs and holds the esteem and respect of a large circle of friends and associates.
Mr. Kruschwitz, a native of the State of Pennsylvania, was born in Scranton, July 25, 1887, the son of Christian and Agnes (Koenig) Kruschwitz, both natives of Ger- many. When he was five years of age, the family removed to Lawrence and the public schools of that city afforded him a general education. His career began when he entered the carriage building trade which he pursued until 1919, and then became as- sociated with his brother in a laundry enter- prise at Lawrence. This alliance was main- tained until 1926 when Mr. Kruschwitz de- cided to go into business for himself at Amesbury and established a laundry busi- ness here under the firm title of the Ideal Laundry. He began business in a very
modest manner and gradually built it up to its present secure position. As his enter- prise progressed he enlarged his plant facili- ties and finally was able to install an elec- tric power plant, which, coupled with the most modern machinery, made his estab- lishment the most modern in this vicinity. Today this concern serves clients within a thirty-mile residence of Amesbury and has an operating department of thirty em- ployees. Mr. Kruschwitz, as sole owner and manager of the Ideal Laundry, has won the recognition of business men of this com- munity for his steady progress and today he occupies a prominent place as a member of the board of trustees of the Provident Insti- tution for Savings.
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