USA > Massachusetts > The story of western Massachusetts, Volume IV > Part 18
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Mr. Metcalf is a member of the William Whiting Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and of the Chapter and Commandery. He belongs to the Yale Club, the Nantucket Yacht Club, and the Holy- oke Canoe Club, the names of which are a fair index to his active interests. He is affiliated with the Na- tional Association of Worsted and Woolen Manufac- turers, keeping abreast with all the latest trends in his industry. He attends the Episcopal Church.
On November 27, 1926, Joseph Metcalf, II was mar- ried to Miss Alice Elizabeth Conrad, the daughter of H. Murray and Ethel (Folger) Conrad. They are the parents of three children: 1. Joseph Metcalf, III, born December 20, 1927, now a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy. 2. Frank, born May 19, 1930, a student at Northwood Academy. 3. Con- rad, born February 8, 1934, a student at Williston Junior School.
HENRY H. NOEL, who has been in the insurance business in Holyoke since 1922, is a member of many Holyoke organizations and takes a prominent part in
civic affairs. A Republican in his political affiliation, Mr. Noel is a member of the Holyoke board of alder- men and chairman of its finance committee.
He was born on June 5, 1881 in Williamstown, the son of Casimir and Odile (Hinckell) Noel. Casimir Noel, his father, who was born in 1850 and died in 1892, was a contractor in Williamstown and built some of the Williams College buildings. He was chairman of the fire department there and a trustee of the Williamstown Savings Bank.
Henry H. Noel attended the elementary schools of Williamstown and Williamstown High School, after which he took a commercial course in the Albany Business College of Albany, New York. In 1900 he entered the employ of the B. Altman & Company department store in New York City and spent nine years in the merchandising end of the business. He then resigned to join John David of New York City as manager of the clothing department but after two years gave this up to become general manager of the Central Coal Company of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsyl- vania. With the experience gained from this varied business career as a background to build on, Mr. Noel came to Holyoke in 1937 and started in the insurance business under the name of Henry H. Noel Incorporated and this company continues up to the present time. This is a. general insurance agency, and Mr. Noel holds the office of treasurer. Meantime he has taken an active interest in local politics. He is a member of the Republican State Committee, chairman of the Republican city committee and presi- dent of the Holyoke Aldermen's Association. A member of the Holyoke board of aldermen, he is chairman of the important finance committee and gives much time and thought to problems of the city's welfare. Mr. Noel is a member of the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, the Holyoke Lions Club, the Franco-American Club, the Liberty Quoit Club, the Beavers and the Holyoke Garden Club of which he is president. He belongs also to the Republican Club of Massachusetts. He is a member of the executive com- mittee of the Holyoke Board of Fire and Casualty Underwriters, and holds membership in the Massachu- setts Association of Insurance Agents and on the National Board of Insurance Agents. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Cercle Rochambeau, and St. Jean de Baptiste.
He married in 1914, in New York City, Anna Hagan, the daughter of John Hagan of Little Rock, Arkansas.
WILLIAM DAVID ROCHE-One of the out- standing business men of Pittsfield, William David Roche has carried on a successful laundry enterprise and has merited the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens for good business judgment and integrity in his dealings with his associates.
Mr. Roche was born April 6, 1908, at Lenox, son of Maurice J. and Margaret E. (Murphy) Roche. His father, who was born at South Lee, was active in civic affairs in Lenox, served for seventeen years as a member of the school board, and was a trustee of the Lenox Savings Bank. His mother was a native of New Brunswick but came to Lenox at the age of eight years.
William David Roche attended the Lenox public schools and was graduated from high school there.
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He entered Tufts College in Boston in preparation for the study of medicine but, upon the death of his father, in 1927, liis plans were changed, and he went into the laundry business.
Mr. Roche took over his father's enterprise which had been established at Lenox, in 1887, and, in 1939, moved the firm to Pittsfield. Since 1927 he has served as president and treasurer of the company. There are three branch establishments throughout the city of Pittsfield, and all three possess the latest equip- ment and perform the most up-to-date services pos- sible.
Mr. Roche is active in the life of his community as a member of the Pittsfield Kiwanis Club and the Lenox Council of the Knights of Columbus. He is a former president of the Lenox Sportsman's Club. In religious affiliation he is a Roman Catholic and attends St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church. His hobby is flying. In June, 1931, he obtained the first pilot's license in Berkshire County.
On November II, 1943, at Pittsfield, William David Roche married Irene Yon, daughter of Ernest T. and Eva (Chaput) Yon, of Pittsfield. They became the parents of the following children: I. William David, Jr., who was born January 29, 1945, at Pitts- field. 2. Thomas Francis, who was born June 30, 1946, at Pittsfield.
HOWARD S. WHITE-As a contractor in general woodwork and cabinet construction, Howard S. White is known throughout the Springfield area. His busi- ness headquarters are at 735 Worthington Street, Springfield.
Mr. White was born in Springfield on July 18, 1900, the son of George H. and Louise (Hill) White. The elder Mr. White was born in DeKalb, Illinois, in 1873, but spent most of his life in Springfield, where he was building contractor. He died in April, 1944. His wife, born in Weingarten, Germany, in 1869, died in Springfield in 1943.
Howard White was educated in elementary school and in the Technical High School of Springfield. In 1919, he entered the automotive business, in which he remained for two years. He then joined his father in the contracting business. When the father retired in 1939, Mr. White assumed complete control of the business, and continues its operations in accordance with policies and standards established by its founder. Mr. White is a member of the Indian Orchard Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and is a Repub- lican.
He married Ethel Bangs, in New York State, on November 27, 1937. She is the daughter of Arden and Nellie (Morton) Bangs, and was educated in the public schools of Springfield, having been graduated from the High School of Commerce. Her father, who died in October, 1942, was a contractor. Her mother continues her home in Springfield. Mr. and Mrs. White make their own home at 105 Dawes Street, Springfield. Mr. White's hobby is photography.
LEONARD CHARLES PRATT-A prominent business man of Holyoke, and respected resident of West Springfield, Leonard Charles Pratt has done much to increase the standards of commercial enter-
prise and develop the community well-being of these centers.
Mr. Pratt was born August 3, 1893, at Worcester, son of Charles Augustine and Ellen Theresa Pratt. His father was a plastic manufacturer in Bridgeport Connecticut, and Springfield, and passed away in 1931.
Leonard Pratt attended the elementary public schools of Bridgeport, and he was graduated from high school there.
In 1912, he joined the Bridgeport firm of Warner Brothers as a cost accountant, and remained there for two years, gaining valuable experience and knowl- edge. In 1914, he came to Springfield to join the United States Envelope Company as assistant to the superintendent. At the end of this period he resigned to become an assistant in the purchasing department of the Bosch Company. In 1917, however, his career was interrupted when he entered the United States Army. He served during the years 1917 and 1918 as first lieutenant in the Infantry. Upon his return to civilian life, he joined the National Papeterie Com- pany as assistant manager. He remained in this posi- tion for eight years rendering valuable service to the firm until 1927. At that time the company was sold to a new concern, and he remained as department manager, a position he held for two years. In 1929, he began a two-year term of service as director of the Highland Manufacturing Company. In 1931, Mr. Pratt joined Frank Raymond Austin in the formation of Pratt and Austin Company, Inc. Mr. Pratt became treasurer of the firm and still serves in this capacity. Throughout the intervening years the company has developed and prospered due largely to the good business sense, forceful leadership, and intelligent foresight of Mr. Pratt. In addition to this business interest, Mr. Pratt acts as president of the Jackson Realty Company and as director of Colonial Studios, Inc. He is also a director and assistant vice presi- dent of the Park National Bank.
He plays an important role in the civic life and is active in social affairs of West Springfield and Holy- oke. Professionally, he belongs to the Envelope Manufacturers Association, the National Associa- tion of Manufacturers, the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, the Fine Stationery Manufacturers Association, the Advertising Club of New York, and the Connecticut Valley Stationers Association. He is chairman of the West Springfield Finance Board, and is active on the Republican Town Committee of West Springfield. During World War II, he served as assistant chief protection officer of Region No. 2 in the State of Massachusetts. He belongs to the Republican Club of Massachusetts, and is a member of the American Legion. He participates in the work of the Lions Club. In religious faith he is a Con- gregationalist.
On September 22, 1917, at Springfield, Leonard Charles Pratt married Clary D. Nelson, daughter of Charles and Hilda (Larson) Nelson. They became the parents of the following children: I. Richard Nel- son, who was born in 1921, received the degree of Bachelor of Science at the University of Maine, and married Ella Lee Kirley; they became the parents of one son, Richard Jay Pratt. Richard Nelson Pratt is now associated with the Wico Electric Company, of West Springfield, as a research engineer. 2. Robert Charles, who was born in 1922, was graduated from
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the American International College with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, served three and a half years during World War II in the United States Army, seeing duty in the European Theater of Operations, and is now associated with the Pratt and Austin Company as credit manager.
EDWARD S. JUDD-For more than seventy-six years the firm of Judd and Parsons has been estab- lished in the insurance business in the city of Holyoke, and today under the sole ownership and management of Edward S. Judd, the second of his name to be associated with this company, it has an extensive clientele not only in Western Massachusetts but throughout all of New England.
The late Charles Clifford Judd, who was born in 1851 and died in 1924, began his career in the insurance field in 1872, and became a member of the firm of Judd and Parsons in 1880. This firm maintained of- fices in Springfield as well as in Holyoke. Mr. Par- sons died in 1942. Charles Clifford Judd married Phoebe Kneeland, and to them the son whom they named Edward S. was born at Holyoke on August 22, 1886. He was educated in the public schools of his birthplace and at the Peekskill Military Academy in Peekskill, New York. In 1904, at the age of eighteen, he made his start in the insurance business as a field agent of the Queen Insurance Company of Boston, with which he remained associated for five years. At the end of that time he returned to Holyoke and became associated with the Judd and Parsons firm. Mr. Judd is also a factor in the banking world in that part of Western Massachusetts, being clerk and a trustee of the Mechanics Savings Bank.
In 1907 Edward S. Judd was elected to membership in the New England Insurance Rating Association of Boston, being the youngest member ever accepted into that organization, to which he still belongs. He is a member of the National Association of Fire Insur- ance Agents and of the Massachusetts Association of Fire Insurance Agents; in the latter organization he has been a member of the executive committee. Ac- tively interested in business councils, civic efforts and public affairs, Mr. Judd belongs to the Holyoke Ro- tary Club and to the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce. He is fond of outdoor recreation and is a member of the Mount Tom Golf Club. His religious affiliation is with the First Congregational Church, and his po- litical faith is that of the Republican party. He is known in fraternal circles as a member of the William Whiting Lodge of the Ancient Free and Accepted Ma- sons and of the Holyoke Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
On December 16, 1914, Edward S. Judd was mar- ried at Springfield to Florence Mabel Folk, a daughter of Peter C. and Maria Folk. Of this marriage there are two children: I. Marjorie, who was born in 1917 and educated in the public schools of Holyoke and at the Burnham School in Northampton. Marjorie Judd is now the wife of Walter E. Knudson, by whom she is the mother of one child, Lewis J. Knudson. 2. Natalie, who attended the Holyoke public schools and the Burnham School at Northampton, following which she entered Smith College in that same city, from which she graduated with the class of 1941, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. She is now married
to Robert H. Merrill. Walter E. Knudson and Robert H. Merrill are both associated with their father-in-law Edward S. Judd in the insurance firm of Judd and Parsons.
NORMAN GIESSLER MacLEOD is in the in- sulating contracting business in Springfield, and his interest in civic work makes friends believe that he is a good builder in more than one way.
Mr. Macleod was born in Clinton, Iowa, on July 26, 1894, the son of John Alexander and Mabel Charlotte (Giessler) MacLeod. His father, who was engaged in the machinery business, died in 1917. Mr. MacLeod was educated in the public schools of Clin- ton, the University of Chicago and the Harvard Busi- ness School. After leaving college he joined the Montgomery Ward Company as personnel manager, where he remained eight years, taking out time for postgraduate work and service in World War I. Later he organized the Home Insulating Company of New England at Springfield. His residence is in Amherst.
Mr. Macleod was a second lieutenant in the Ord- nance Department in World War I. He was overseas nine months. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Springfield, Melha Temple of the Shrine, the Uni- versity Club, the Springfield Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Roofing Contractors. He belongs to the Congregational Church.
On August 6, 1920, Mr. Macleod was married in Chicago to Miss Marjorie Coonley, who was born November 13, 1894, at San Diego, California, daugh- ter of Henry E. and Gertrude (Bullard) Coonley. Miss Coonley was graduated from the University of Chicago. Her father, a lawyer and realtor, died in 1942. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. MacLeod: I. Howard Allen, born August 21, 1923, who saw three years' service in the Signal Corps, graduated from Amherst and is attending the Uni- versity of Chicago Law School. 2. John Adams, born July 26, 1925, is a veteran of the Medical Corps and is attending the Harvard School of Medicine. 3. Ruth Elizabeth, born August 20, 1926, is a student at Rad- cliffe College. 4. Norman Henry, a student at Am- herst College.
EDMUND J. PLUMMER, D.S.C., has been a practicing chiropodist in Pittsfield for the past twelve years, is becoming well-known in his profession and is past president of the Western Massachusetts Divi- sion of Chiropodists, a subsidiary of the National and State Chiropodists Associations.
Dr. Plummer was born in Lewiston, Maine, on October 24, 1883, the son of Edmund A. and Katherine (O'Donnell) Plummer. His father, who was a native of Charleston and is buried there, was long a prominent department store proprietor of that city. His mother was a native of Lewiston, and is buried at Dalton.
Edmund J. Plummer attended the Lewiston ele- mentary schools and graduated from Lewiston High School. After some years in other pursuits, he decided to become a chiropodist and enrolled at the New England College of Podiatry, from which he graduated in 1931. He is also a graduate of the Beacon Institute of Podiatry, in the class of 1934, and in 1945 he re- ceived the degree of Doctor of the Science of Chirop- ody from Temple University School of Chiropody. Meantime Dr. Plummer had practiced his profession
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in Boston and later in Waltham prior to settling down in Pittsfield in the year 1936, where he has been prac- ticing ever since. He is a member of the Massachu- setts Academy of Podiatry and of the National and Massachusetts State Chiropodists associations, as well as the Western Massachusetts Division, of which he was president. In 1909 Dr. Plummer was active in the National Guard and served as captain of Company I in the State of Maine. He belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Pittsfield, and he and his family are members of St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church of Dalton.
He married on October 22, 1916, in St. John's Church in Brooklyn, New York, Rose Marie Katherine Gunkel, the daughter of Gustave and Katherine (Kaiser) Gunkel. Dr. and Mrs. Phuimmer are the par- ents of five children: 1. Katherine, born in New York City, on September 6, 1917; she attended Sim- mons College in Boston and is now the editor of the "Chemical News," published in Pittsfield. 2. Regina, born in Flushing, Long Island, October 7, 1918; mar- ried Dr. Edward Belland of Pittsfield, and they have two daughters, Regina and Rose Marie. 3. Ruth, born in Mineola, Long Island, on December 21, 1923; married Eldon Fitch and they are living in Pittsfield. 4. Rose, born in Roxbury, on November 25, 1926, who is a member of the class of 1948 in Boston Uni- versity. 5. Edmund J., Jr., born in Waltham on September 2, 1931, and, in 1948, a junior in Dalton High School.
WILLIAM B. REMINGTON-Widely known as a leading business executive and advertising expert of Springfield, and of other important centers through- out the East, William B. Remington gained an en- viable reputation for acute judgment and excellent powers of foresight and leadership.
Mr. Remington was born June 14, 1890, at Caledonia, New York, son of Harvey Foote and Mary Agnes (Brodie) Remington. Harvey Foote Remington was born June 28, 1863, at Henrietta, New York, son of William Thomas and Sarah A. (Foote) Remington, and is a practicing attorney as a member of the law firm of Remington, Gifford, and Wiley, of Rochester, New York. He married Mary Agnes Brodie, daughter of Thomas and Martha Jane (Hanna) Brodie, the former, who was born February 16, 1827, in England, coming to the United States at the age of four years with his parents, farming at Riga, New York, and pass- ing away at Caledonia. Thomas Brodie was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Avery) Brodie, both of whom were natives of England and died at Caledonia after having spent much of their lives engaged in farming.
William B. Remington received his early education in the local schools of his home town, and, in 1907. was graduated from high school in Rochester, New York. He attended the University of Rochester during the years 1907 and 1908, and later studied at the Sheffield Scientific School.
After having finished his formal education, Mr. Remington became associated with the Bastion Brothers Company, of Rochester, an enterprise which specialized in advertising. He remained with this concern for four years, and learned much, gaining valuable experience.
At this time he interrupted his promising career to enter the United States Army, trained at the Fort
Niagara Training Camp, where he was commissioned a second lieutenant, was transferred first to Kelly Field, Texas, and then to Post Field, Oklahoma, where he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant and was commanding officer of the Third Aero Squadron. After becoming a reserve military aviator, he was, honorably discharged from the service on February 3, 1919.
Upon his return to civilian life, Mr. Remington ac- cepted the position of manager of the Aeronautical Division of the Duplex Engineering Governor Com- pany, of Brooklyn, New York, a position he held for a year. Following this, he spent a year as sales manager for the Strong Paper Company at Middle- town, Connecticut. In 1920, he transferred his affilia- tions to the Whiting & Cook Paper Company, of Holyoke, and three years later became its vice presi- dlent. Then he was offered, and accepted, the posi- tion of general sales manager of Huyler's, the famous New York candy company. However, in October of 1925, he came to Springfield, and became a partner in the J. B. Bates Advertising Agency. In June of 1927, Mr. Remington organized William B. Reming- ton, Inc., of which he was president and treasurer until his death in New York on December 6, 1947. The enterprise, which is today one of the leading ad- vertising agencies of Springfield, has steadily grown and prospered throughout the years, in the main due to the excellent management of Mr. Remington.
Taking an active part in the life of his community, Mr. Remington held memberships in many prominent organizations. He belonged to the American Manage- ment Association, the Advertising Club, and Execu- tives Club of Springfield, and was vice president and a director of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the corporation of the Spring- field Hospital, and a director of the Young Men's Christian Association. He held memberships in the Rotary Club of Springfield, the Longmeadow Country Club of which he was director of the Board of Gov- ernors, was also a director of the Springfield Tax- payers' Association, a member of the Colony Club, the Westchester Country Club, of Rye, New York, the Yale Engineering Association, and Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. Politically, Mr. Remington was a Republi- can. He enjoyed golf, and had traveled extensively throughout this country and abroad.
On April 26, 1926, William B. Remington married Helen Downing, of New York City, who passed away in October, 1938, at Springfield. He married, on June 4, 1939, Margaret L. Brown, daughter of Cary H. and Martha (Lasater) Brown. Her father was a telephone corporation promoter in the West. Mr. Remington became the father of one child, William B. Remington, Jr., who received the degree of Bachelor of Arts at Brown University in 1946; he married Natalie May, of Campgaw, New Jersey, and they became the parents of the following children: I. Francis Reynolds, who was born in 1942. 2. Cather- ine Foote, who was born in 1943.
CHARLES ALOYSIUS WALSH-Among the building contractors of Holyoke, Charles Aloysius Walsh holds a prominent place. His excellent re- sults acquired over a span of many years have merited the confidence of all those carrying on business deal- ings with him.
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Mr. Walsh was born October 25, 1896, at Holyoke, son of Maurice J. and Mary Theresa (Conway) Walsh. His father, who was born in 1860, and died while on a visit to Ireland, in 1924, was a prominent contractor, and, with his son, James Redmond Walsh, was one of the organizers of M. J. Walsh and Son.
Charles Walsh received his early training in the public schools of his home town, and attended high school at Holyoke.
After completing his formal education, Mr. Walsh, in 1914, became associated with M. J. Walsh and Son. This firm had been started about 1907, and by the time Charles Walsh joined it expansion had already begun. Throughout the years it continued to grow and prosper. Many important industrial and public buildings were erected under its auspices, including the central fire station at Holyoke, the Northampton High School, and the Westfield High School. In addition, the company built bridges, and, during World War II, army barracks. In 1946, the company was incorporated and Charles Walsh became its presi- dent with James Walsh, his brother, treasurer. Under Mr. Walsh's leadership the corporation has continued to grow and prosper, and today it is one of the most widely known enterpises of its type in the region, in large measure due to Mr. Walsh's resourcefulness and thorough knowledge of conditions in the con- tracting field.
In addition to this business interest, Mr. Walsh is also active as a director of the Walsh Lumber Com- pany of which his brother, James Walsh, is president. Mr. Walsh is a member of the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, the American Institute of Concrete Engineers, and the Reciprocity Club. He belongs to the American Legion, and, fraternally, is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus. During World War I, he served as an instructor at the Wentworth In- stitute in Boston, and received his honorable dis- charge in 1919. In politics he follows no party line but votes as his conscience dictates. In religious faith he is a Catholic and attends the Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church. For exercise and recreation ne enjoys a good game of golf.
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