USA > Massachusetts > The story of western Massachusetts, Volume IV > Part 19
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On June 6, 1921, at Holyoke, Charles Aloysius Walsh married Agnes Frances Byrnes, daughter of John James and Agnes (Leach) Byrnes. They be- came the parents of the following children: I. John Joseph, who was born October II, 1922, at Holyoke, attended the Holyoke public and high schools, and the Cranwell Preparatory School, during World War II served in the United States Army as a member of the Field Artillery in the European Theater of Opera- tions, and is now attending New York University, working toward a degree of Bachelor of Arts. 2. Charles Maurice, who was born February 15, 1930, at Holyoke, attended the local public and high schools, and is now matriculated at Princeton University.
JOHN BERNARD DONOVAN-As a business man of Springfield, John Bernard Donovan has come increasingly to the fore in more recent years. In his activities, commercial and civic he is an exemplar of the character and traditions of his Celtic ancestry in courageous enterprise, optimism under discouraging circumstances, and a philosophy of life that manifests itself in hearty cooperation with organizations and
projects that promote the best interests of communi- ties and people.
A native of Springfield, he was born in the metrop- olis on February 19, 1903, son of William J. and Jennie (Leonard) Donovan. His father, born in Springfield, died here October 29, 1946, aged seventy- nine years. Prior to his death his father had been engaged in the barber supply business. He was a Democrat in politics, and member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, of Springfield. William J. Donovan was the son of Thomas A. and Margaret (McCarthy) Donovan, both natives of Ireland and both now deceased. Thomas A. Donovan was con- nected with the Connecticut River Railroad all of his business life. Jennie T. (Leonard) Donovan was the daughter of James Leonard and wife, both natives of Ireland. James Leonard was the proprietor of a gen- eral store located at the corner of Tyler and Han- cock streets, Springfield. He died in Chicago, and Mrs. Leonard in Springfield. They were the first couple to be married in St. Michael's Cathedral.
John Bernard Donovan completed his academic education in the High School of Commerce, from which he was graduated and began his business career with the Chandler Motor Company, of Springfield, as assistant service manager, from which he went to the post of salesman in the used car department. After about a year he joined the staff of the Sturtevant Caldwood Company, wholesale grocers of Springfield, as salesman, a connection that was continued for some eighteen months. His next enterprise was in associa- tion with Henry J. Perkins, also of Springfield, where he was assistant manager of real estate for a year and a half.
In continuance of his chosen vocation of salesman- ship, he joined the New England Pulp Plaster Com- pany, which later became the Valentine Lumber and Supply Company. His association with these two organizations in their sales field was to last over a period of nearly two decades. In 1931, his company organized the concrete company which was eventually incorporated in 1940, as the Valentine Concrete Com- pany, Inc. Mr. Donovan had been made president of the Valentine Lumber and Supply Company in 1940 and served in this capacity until 1943, when he re- signed to accept election as president of the Valentine Concrete Company, which he has since headed with exceptional leadership.
John Bernard Donovan is vice president of the Western Massachusetts Sand and Gravel, Inc., of Westfield; is president of the Valdon Corporation of Springfield, secretary and treasurer of the Western Massachusetts Purchasing Agents Association, is a member of the American Concrete Institute, and is a director of the Building Trades Employers Asso- ciation. He figures prominently in the Advisory Coun- cil of the New England Shippers, the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, and is a former member of the Lions Club of this city. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus, and worships in the Holy Name Catholic Church. His personal recreations include the collecting of stamps and fishing, when time and opportunity permit.
In 1932, John Bernard Donovan married Mar- guerite Mulcare, born in North Adams, daughter of James A. and Ann M. (McDonald) Mulcare. Her mother resides in Springfield; her father, prior to
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his decease, was associated with the Arnold Print Works. Mrs. Donovan is a graduate of Drury High School, North Adams, and from Columbia University, New York City, where she received the degree Bachelor of Arts, class of 1924. Prior to her mar- riage she was connected with the Third National Bank, of Springfield. Mr. and Mrs. Donovan are the parents of the following children: I. John B., Jr., born October 28, 1933. 2. James M., born August 6, 1936. 3. Ann L., born June 19, 1940. 4. Jane M., born in 1942. 5. William J., born in 1944. Both Mr. and Mrs. Donovan are members of the Parent Teacher Association.
JAMES EDWARD STEVENS, president of the newly incorporated firm of interior decorators, Stevens & Company of Pittsfield, has been in business in this city for a number of years. At the outbreak of World War II he sold his former rug and upholstery busi- ness to be free for war service. He saw action on both the Italian and the French fronts, and was awarded the Purple Heart and Silver Star.
Mr. Stevens was born in Springfield, June 9, 1912, the son of Simon and Mary (Kado) Stevens. Simon Stevens was a native of the Lebanon region, in Syria, who came to the United States with his parents at the age of nine and settled in Springfield, where in time he became a prosperous rug merchant. Mary (Kado) Stevens also came to the United States in her child- hood, and lived in Springfield.
James Edward Stevens attended the Springfield Sacred Heart Grammar school and Cathedral High School of Springfield, of which he is a graduate. From 1928 to 1935 he worked in his father's store in Springfield, thus gaining all-around experience in the oriental rug trade. In 1935, the year of his marriage, he embarked upon the business of selling oriental and other rugs for himself, opening a store in Bennington, Vermont, which he operated for three years. He then came to Pittsfield as rug merchant in charge of the oriental rug concession in England Brothers depart- ment store. After about two years he severed his connection with England Brothers to go into busi- ness for himself. He opened a store at 442 North Street, then later the Stevens Upholstery Shop on Tyler Street. In 1942 he sold both businesses to enter service in the United States Army.
He entered the service on August 18, 1943, and served until December 2, 1945. From February 22, 1944 on he was in the European Theater of Operations, serving with the Thirty-sixth Division, Company A, 14Ist Regiment of the United States Army, with the rank of sergeant. He was wounded in action in Italy and on another occasion suffered from a concussion in France. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Silver Star.
After being mustered out of the service, Mr. Stevens returned to Pittsfield and opened up an interior deco- rating business on Summer Street in June, 1946, thus branching out into a more ambitious project than the business he had sacrificed in order to engage in war service. A year and a half later, on January 1, 1948, he incorporated this business under the name of Stev- ens & Company, and is rapidly making a place for him- self in the community as an interior decorator of taste and distinction. Mr. Stevens takes a keen inter- est in civic affairs. He is a member of the Pittsfield
Chamber of Commerce and Pittsfield Rotary Club, the Syrian-American Lebanon Club, the American Le- gion and Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Knights of Columbus. He and his family belong to the St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.
He married, at Burlington, Vermont, on January 25, 1935, Leah Beaulieu, the daughter of Baptiste and Matilda (Decoteau) Beaulieu of Burlington. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens have one adopted son, Roy James, born December 17, 1945, and an adopted daughter, Susanne Edith, born April 28, 1948.
MAURICE DETTINGER-As president of the Dettinger Lumber Company, Maurice Dettinger has made significant contributions toward the industrial and commercial development of Pittsfield. His busi- ness acumen and forceful leadership have merited the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens.
Mr. Dettinger was born November 25, 1889, at Little Falls, New York, son of Jacob and Louisa (Stark) Dettinger. His father who was engaged in the sawmill and lumber business at Little Falls for fifty years, retired at the age of eighty-nine years and resides at Little Falls.
Maurice Dettinger received his early education in the grade schools of Little Falls, and later was graduated from high school there.
After completing his formal education, Mr. Det- tinger became associated with his father in the lumber business. He remained in this business until the out- break of World War I, at which time he entered the United States Army and served in France with the Twentieth Engineers Regiment. Following the Armistice he returned to Little Falls. After several years there, he came to Pittsfield, and, in 1923, es- tablished the Dettinger Lumber Company in partner- ship with his brother, Eugene Dettinger. The enter- prise was incorporated with Maurice Dettinger as president and Eugene Dettinger as treasurer. Mrs. Carroll Hook serves as the secretary. The firm has flourished throughout the years and today it is one of the leading concerns of its type in the region. Its lumber and milling operations encompass a wide scope of activities. Much of the remarkable success of the enterprise has been due to the energetic participation in all phases of its operations by its president, Maurice Dettinger.
In addition to his business interests, Mr. Dettinger is active in the life of his community. He is a mem- ber of the Chamber of Commerce, and, fraternally, is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Or- der of Elks. He embraces the Episcopalian faith and attends St. Stephen's Episcopal Church.
On June 21, 1921, at Little Falls, New York, Maurice Dettinger married Maxine E. Bryant, daugh- ter of Frederick and Lena Bryant. They became the parents of one child, Garth Bryant Dettinger, who was born December 23, 1922, at Syracuse, New York; he is a graduate of Pittsfield High School. During World War II he served four years in the United States Army Air Corps as a captain, is now studying medi- cine at Harvard University, and intends to enter the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia Uni- versity. On July 12, 1942, at Pittsfield he married Ruth Hickingbothan, daughter of Harry and Gladys Hickingbothan, of Hinsdale; they became the parents of one daughter, Holly Maxine Dettinger, who was born November 28, 1943.
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HERBERT P. KUGLER attorney-at-law and town attorney of the town of Easthampton, was born in Easthampton January 12, 1915, the son of Paul M. and Amanda (Kuhnert) Kugler. Both of Mr. Kugler's parents were born in Germany and came to the United States, settling at Easthampton, where Paul M. Kug- ler became an innkeeper.
Herbert P. Kugler attended the public schools of Easthampton and graduated from Easthampton High School. He then became a student at the University of Massachusetts and later studied law at Valparaiso University, where he received the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1939. He was admitted to the Massachu- setts State Bar that same year, and has been engaged in the general practice of law in his native Easthamp- ton ever since with the exception of his years of serv- ice during World War II.
Mr. Kugler entered the service of his country on February 12, 1942 and served until February, 1946. He was a technical sergeant in Judge Advocate's De- partment of the United States Army, and spent thirteen months of his army service in the Pacific Theater of Operations.
After returning to civilian life Mr. Kugler again took up his legal practice, and in December, 1946 was appointed notary public by former Governor Maurice Tobin. He was appointed to the post of town attorney of Easthampton in March, 1948. Mr. Kugler is a mem- ber of the Hampshire County Bar Association and the Massachusetts Bar Association. He was commander of the local post of the American Legion 1948-49 and also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Kugler is un- married.
THE BERKSHIRE LIFE INSURANCE COM- PANY-Security, strength, liberality-these are the tenets upon which the Berkshire Life Insurance Com- pany does business. One of the leading life insur- ance firms of the northeastern section of the United States with its main office at Pittsfield, the company has an excellent record for service to the individuals in the many communities where it is active.
The Berkshire Life Insurance Company was es- tablished in May, 1851, at Pittsfield, as a result of a perpetual charter granted by the legislature of Massachusetts. It was then known as the Berkshire County Mutual Life Insurance Company. A na- tional bank had been organized to aid in the increased business of the region. In 1835 the Berkshire Mu- tual Fire Insurance Company had been established to protect property. With these other institutions of security there was felt the need of a life insurance company to insure the lives of the citizens of Pitts- field. One of the leaders in the drive to establish life insurance in this region was Elizur Wright, who is now famous as "the father of American Life Insur- ance." He was an early insurance commissioner of Massachusetts, and under his direction state laws be- came models for other states, and many companies were founded on the sound principles codified during his tenure in office. Among these was the Berkshire County Mutual Life Insurance Company.
Organized in May, 1851, by September of that year a board of directors and capable officers had been elected and the first policy issued, and, thus, the firm became one of the first fifteen life insurance com-
panies to open for business in the country. The first president was George Nixon Briggs, former governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. On May 28, 1855, after four years of successful operation, the firm changed its name to the present one. The early success of the enterprise may be judged from a pub- lished statement in 1869: "Of the eighteen life in- surance companies doing business, the Berkshire had the lowest mortality rates for the year and is the first life insurance company to adopt the new non- forfeiture provision." The law, which required the setting up of reserves for each policy for loans or cash payments to policyholders, demonstrated the progress the field was making, and the Berkshire Company was keeping abreast with the latest develop- ments. Four years later, concerning the same law, the "Saturday Evening Post" stated: "We consider this non-forfeiture law as one of the highest impor- tance; and, as the Berkshire Company was the first to adopt, and still uniformly adheres to it, we think it should weigh in its favor with all who design ef- fecting a life insurance."
Throughout the years the firm has grown with the growth of America, continuously demonstrating a progressive and forward-looking policy. Since the date of its organization the enterprise has paid to liv- ing policyholders more than eighty million dollars and to deceased policyholders more than sixty-five mil- lion dollars, which is an indication that people have benefited during life as a result of their policies-in fact more than fifty-five per cent. The many satisfied customers who have continued to subscribe to this company throughout the generations attest to its sound financial basis and conservative investment policy.
Harrison L. Amber, tenth president of the Berk- shire Life Insurance Company, has been associated with the enterprise since January, 1919. He has held positions of responsibility in the organization, start- ing as a personal producer, and rising to general agent, vice president, and, finally, president. Under his leadership the company follows an enlightened policy. It believes that "life insurance is individual to each buyer according to his specific requirements of financial security and protection." Under this plan it issues all approved forms of policy contracts fully adapted to meet the needs of safe, sound, and sure financial security and protection. With these simple, clear contracts are given a wide variety of plans. The contracts offer a complete, modern circle of financial security and protection for men, women, and children, and are adaptable to serve a wide variety of specific purposes. Contracts provide a cash reserve during the life of the insured to carry him through possible emergencies, provide money for the family when most needed to pay for the necessities of life, and financial independence for the policyholder in his old age. Some of the specific purposes of the policies are: to provide salary continuation income; regular and suf- ficient family income; educational fund for children; retirement income; mortgage liquidation; estate and inheritance tax insurance; business insurance; bequest insurance; and annuities. The company makes it a point to make prompt payment of claims and to give policyowners and beneficiaries liberal treatment.
The men and women associated with the Berk- shire Life Insurance Company are picked carefully for their positions and are all thoroughly interested
:
Havious R. amber
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in insurance. They are acquainted with the many ser- vices which insurance performs for the community, and they take personal pride in being of the most help possible to each policyholder. Berkshire Life is a "friendly company, large enough to serve, yet small enough to know" each member of its clientele per- sonally.
HARRISON LEWIS AMBER-A Westerner who came East and achieved a notably successful business career in a new environment is Harrison Lewis Am- ber, insurance man and banker, of Pittsfield. Not only did Mr. Amber change the scene of his activities, but the direction of his interests and endeavors as well, for he began his career as an educator, and for some years was a superintendent of schools in Iowa before turning his talents to the field of business.
Mr. Amber's father, the late William J. Amber, was a native of Wabash, Indiana, who as a young man moved to Iowa, settling in Lovilia in that State. There he married Mary E. Pickerell, who was born at Albia, Iowa. Of this union Harrison Lewis Amber was born at Lovilia on April 20, 1889. He attended Central Academy at Pella in the same State, later studied at Drake University and then at Des Moines College, where he received the degree of Bachelor of Science.
During World War I Mr. Amber was a member of the Coast Guard Artillery Cadet Corps. After the war he remained in the West and in the educational field for some time becoming a superintendent of schools in his native State.
Removing to Massachusetts, Mr. Amber became as- sociated with the Berkshire Life Insurance Company, with which he has been identified for some thirty years. During that period he served as a district manager and as a general agent; in time became vice president; and subsequently was chosen for the presi- dency of this powerful insurance institution, the posi- tion which he continues to fill at the present writing. He is also prominent in banking affairs in Western Massachusetts, being a trustee of the City Savings Bank of Pittsfield, and a member of the board of di- rectors of the Pittsfield National Bank. He is an in- fluential member, and a past president, of the Pitts- field Chamber of Commerce. In politics he is a member of the Republican party, and in religion an adherent of the Congregational Church. He is affili- ated with the Lovilia Lodge, Number 124, of the An- cient Free and Accepted Masons.
In his native Lovilia, Iowa, on November 30, 1917, Harrison Lewis Amber was married to Emma M. Cobb, a daughter of Ambrose and Rosetta (Church) Cobb. Of this marriage two sons were born: I. John Richard, on January 29, 1921. He was a native of Davenport, Iowa. This young man entered the armed service of our country in World War II, and made the supreme sacrifice to duty, being killed in France on January 17, 1945. 2. Eugene Lewis, born on March 8, 1923, at Buffalo, New York. During World War II he also entered the service of his country, joining the United States Marine Corps, in which he held the rank of a first lieutenant and was a pilot. After active service in the Pacific Theater of Operations for two years, he received his honorable discharge and graduated from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, in February, 1948.
BENJAMIN WEITZ-A widely known business man of Springfield, Benjamin Weitz has rendered valuable service to the leather goods industry of this city, and has gained a steady reputation for his ex- cellent business methods and integrity.
Mr. Weitz was born December 24, 1893, in Austria, son of Adolph and Rebecca (Glantz) Weitz. His father, who was also born in Austria, came to this country in 1887 and died about 1925. His mother died in 1930.
Benjamin Weitz received his education in the public schools of New York City. When he had finished school, he started work in a ladies' handbag factory, and for ten years gained valuable experience. He worked in various capacities, and was promoted from one position to another until he had held all the im- portant jobs in the designing and production depart- ments. After seven years more of valuable service to the firm, in 1925, he organized the Quality Leather- goods Company, of which he became treasurer. He operated the enterprise for five years, and in 1930 ceased operations. The following year he formed a corporation known as the Robbins and Weitz Corpo- ration, and he became secretary of the firm, which manufactured leather goods. In July, 1938, after seven years of successful production, he organized the Guild Bag Corporation, which from that point on did all of the manufacturing of ladies' handbags and other leather goods. Mr. Weitz became president of the new corporation, and the Robbins and Weitz Corporation became the sales agency for the firm. Mr. Weitz has continued to direct his enterprise in Springfield, and under his able management and forceful leadership the firm has been successful and prosperous.
Mr. Weitz is active in his community as a member of the Fiat Lux Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons, and the Chamber of Commerce. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religious affiliation he adheres to the Hebrew faith. He enjoys gardening in his spare time.
On December 24, 1919, in New York City, Ben- jamin Weitz married Sadie Zucker, daughter of Isaac and Celia (Hammer) Zucker. Her father, a native of Austria, came to the United States in 1890, and died in 1930. Her mother, also a native of Austria, died in 1940. Benjamin and Sadie (Zucker) Weitz became the parents of the following children: I. Howard, who was born August 26, 1921, was graduated from public school and high school, and is now manager of the Robbins and Weitz Corporation; he married Shirley Greenberg and they became the parents of two sons, Stewart Barry Weitz, and Dennis Allen Weitz. 2. Geraldine, who was born February 22, 1924, and was married to George J. Tillman, of Springfield, who practices law in the city; they be- came the parents of one child, Sheryl Beth Tillman.
PHILIP ARTHUR DAMON-Prominent in the banking world in Western Massachusetts, Philip Arthur Damon, treasurer of the Pittsfield Co-operative Bank, has been identified with financial affairs, in private business or in public office, for some twenty- seven years. A native of Massachusetts, he was born at Reading, not far from Boston, on December 21, 1897, and is a son of Arthur A. Damon, a manufac- turer, and his wife Cornelia B. Damon.
Beginning his education in the public schools of
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his birthplace, the young Philip Arthur Damon subse- quently attended in succession Boston University and the College of Business Administration, from the latter of which institutions he graduated with the class of 1922. Already in the previous year, 1921, he had en- tered the world of business as statistician and credit manager for three companies, the Reed-Prentice Com- pany, the Whitcomb Blaisdell Machine Tool Company, and the Becker Milling Machine Company, all of which were manufacturers of machine tools.
Mr. Damon's association with these concerns con- tinued until some time in 1923, when he entered public service as a bank examiner for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a position he filled until September 15, 1930, with his office in the city of Boston. He accepted the post of treasurer of one of the leading financial institutions of Western Massachusetts, the Pittsfield Co-operative Bank, taking office in September, 1930. This office Mr. Damon has filled from that time to the present writing. His business interests extend to the field of insurance, and he sits as a member of the board of directors of the Berkshire Mutual Fire In- surance Company.
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