USA > Massachusetts > The story of western Massachusetts, Volume IV > Part 25
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JOSEPH MINOTT TOWNE is a son of the late James W. Towne, who was born in Milford, New Hampshire, on May 29, 1829, and died in East Orange, New Jersey, on July 3, 1917. In his early years James W. Towne was a printer by trade and for a time was a member of the staff of the "Farmer's Cabinet," printed at Amherst, New Hampshire. Far- sighted and enterprising, he heeded the advice, "Go West, young man," and in 1852 settled in California, where for a time he followed his trade before entering the paper business as a member of the firm now known as Blake, Moffit and Towne, which has warehouses throughout the Pacific Coast area. In 1868, however, Mr. Towne returned to the East and settled in East Orange, New Jersey, where until his retirement he served as the eastern representative of the company referred to. In 1887 he purchased an interest in the National Blank Book Company of Holyoke, in which his son, Frank B. Towne, became treasurer and general manager. Later, Edward S. and Joseph M. came into the company with their brother.
James W. Towne married Cynthia Gowing, and to them the son Joseph Minott Towne was born at East Orange, New Jersey on July 7, 1875. He received his preliminary education in the public schools of his birthplace and at Stevens Preparatory School in Ho- boken, New Jersey. Following this he enrolled at Stevens Institute of Technology, and from this famous institution was graduated with the class of 1897, re- ceiving the degree of Mechanical Engineer. Shortly thereafter he became associated with a firm of archi- tects in the city of New York, and until 1900 was occupied as an architectural engineer. In that year he joined the Safety Car Heating and Lighting Company of New York City. Mr. Towne remained with the Safety Car Heating and Lighting Company for twelve
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years, being chiefly engaged during that time in the design of car heating and lighting equipment and in laboratory research. He relinquished his position with this company to go to Holyoke, where he assumed charge of the developnient of the loose-leaf depart- ment of the National Blank Book Company, dividing his time between the factory at Holyoke and the sales office in New York. In 1917 he moved to Holyoke. In 1914 Mr. Towne became vice president of the Na- tional Blank Book Company. In 1940 he became president of the company. Mr. Towne during the years has acquired other business interests, and is a director of the Hadley Falls Trust Company in the city of that namie in Massachusetts, of the Mechanics Savings Bank. and of the National Lock Washer Company of Newark, New Jersey.
As a citizen he has participated in the life of his adopted city. Mention is made of the grant of the William G. Dwight award for 1947 to Mr. Towne. a re- flection. it has been said. of the community's feeling toward the qualities that make the connections Mr. Towne has with Holyoke.
Joseph Minott Towne is credited with fathering the Community Welfare League, which was organized in 1922. For five years he was president of this organiza- tion, and for four years served as general campaign chairman. From 1932 10 1047 he served as president of Holyoke Hospital. He has been a director of the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce. He holds member- ship in the Engineers Club of New York City and in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He belongs to the Mount Tom Golf Club. the Holyoke Rotary Club, was a charter member of the Mount Nonotuck Lodge of that same city, and a member of the Holyoke Canoe Club. He is affiliated with the Hope Lodge of the Ancient Free and Accepted Ma- sons. of East Orange. New Jersey, and with the William Whiting Lodge of the same order. of Holy- oke. He is a member of the Second Congregational Church and politically he is a Republican.
On February 1. 1913. Joseph Minott Towne married Louise Dodd. of East Orange, New Jersey, a daugh- ter of the late David Dodd and his wife. Virginia (Garabrandt) Dodd. Mrs. Towne has been a full and able partner in all public service. There are two sons: I. William Brewster, who was born on August 10. 1014. He is now general manager of the Chicago. Illinois, office of the National Blank Book Company. and resides in Highland Park. Illinois. He married Marian Hastings, and they have two children. namely. Joseph Minott. II. and Marion Hastings. 2. Robert- son Hedges, born January 1. 10' ;. He is now cox- nected with the New York office of the National Blank Book Company, and lives at East Orange. New Jersey.
FREDERICK D. VAN NORMAN-For many years, a prominent citizen of Springfield. Frederick D. Van Norman is now chairman of the board of di- rectors of the Van Norman Company. of Springfield. With this fri he has identified himself throughout his long and fruitful career, having been a co-founder. in 1883. of a firm which began as the Waltham Watch Tool Company. He also retains a number of long- standing organizational connections.
Mr. Van Norman is of Canadian birth, born in Hamilton. Ontario. December 13. 1862. He is a son oi Caleb Hopkins Van Norman, who was a watch-
maker and jeweler. and of Elizabeth (Dewey) Var Norman. Educated in the public schools of Hamilton. and at the Collegiate Institute. Mr. Van Norman there- after trained for his career in engineering at the Mechanics Institute.
At Waltham, Massachusetts, in 1883, Frederick D. Van Norman became co-founder. with his brother. Charles E. Van Norman, of the Waltham Watch Tool Company. Charles E. Van Norman continued with the organization in an official capacity for sixty-three years. until his death in February, 1945. In 1890 the Waltham Watch Tool Company was moved to Spring- field, and in 1912 its name was changed to the Van Norman Machine Tool Company.
In 1943 the company name was again changed. : o become the Van Norman Company, this in conse- quence of the development of a wider range of pro- ductions and activities. Throughout the entire de- velopment from a small business in 1883 to the pres- ent Van Norman Company. Frederick D. Van Nor- man has acted in an official capacity and is now chair- man of the board of directors of the Van Norman Company, whose products have become recognized throughout the civilized world.
Mr. Van Norman is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. the Rotary Club of Springfield. the Colony Club, and the Longmeadow Country Club. He is a Republican in his politics, and a member of the Wesley Methodist Church.
In Springfield, July 12. 1921. Frederick D. Van Norman married Beatrice Ethel Robson of Springfield. Mrs. Van Norman is a daughter of John Hillary and Julia Isabelle (Price) Robson. She and Mr. Van Norman are the parents of a daughter. Barbara Elizabeth, born May 5, 1923. She attended public schools at Springfield. and St. Margaret's School a: Waterbury, completing her education at Wellesley College. She married Gerald Whitman. Jr., and they are the parents of four children: Peter Van Norman. Pamela Leigh, and Robert Taft and Lynn Robson Whitman. the two latter children being twins. Mr Whitman was a naval engineer daring World War II. and then in the architectural engineering feld. He is now with the Morse Twist Drill and Machine Cox- pany of New Bedford, Massachusetts, a subsidiary of the Van Norman Company.
ARNOLD ARONSON-The son of a man who was identified with the commercial life of Springfell for more than half a century. Arnold Aronson chose to make his native city also the scene of his own business career. in which he has been so notably suc- cessful. The late Harry William Aronson, who was born in Europe about the year 18 7. and died in 1943. was a prominent merchant in Springfield for sixty years. He married Esther Jacobs, who was born in New York City, also about 18 7. and who survives him and still resides in Springfeld. To this couple the son with whose career we are here concerned. was born at Springfield on Azgast 8. 1899.
The young Arnold Aronson attended the publis grade schools of his birth place. graduated from Classical High School there, and for a time attended Amherst College at Amherst. As a young man he was attracted to the insurance business. and in 1918 found employment with the Springdell Fire and Marine
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Insurance Company, with which he remained until 1922, during that time becoming an underwriter.
In 1922 Mr. Aronson entered the insurance business in his own right, becoming president of General In- surance Service, Inc. After a successful career in this field for some sixteen years, he sold out his interest in 1938. His attention having been drawn to the great possibilities in the comparatively new field of plastics. Mr. Aronson had determined to enter the manufacturing end of that industry, and accordingly in 1938 he became the incorporator and president of the National Transparent Plastics Company. Asso- ciated with him in this venture is Mr. Russell Chapin. The National Transparent Plastics Company spe- cializes in the fabrication of rigid sheeting into all types of transparent plastic containers, and also fabri- cates vinyl film into a multitude of products and articles of use. Aimed at an almost unlimited mar- ket. and ably managed, the National Transparent Plastics Company is highly successful, and is rated as one of the important growing industries of Western Massachusetts.
Mr. Aronson is an active member of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce. In politics he is a member of the Republican party. His religious affiliation is with the Sinai Temple in Springfield. He is an enthusiastic horseman, and he also counts horticul- ture and music among his hobbies.
At Springfield, on February 22, 1928, Arnold Aron- son was married to Rita Brown, who was born in Boston about the year 1903 and was a daughter of Isaac Brown, a Boston shoe merchant, who died in 1929, and of his wife Rebecca (Klein) Brown, who died about 1937. Mrs. Aronson was brought to Springfield in her childhood days, and attended public grade and high schools in that city. Of this union there are five children: I. Herbert, who was born in 1930 and is now a student at Boston University. 2. Richard, born in 1932. and now attending the River- side Military Academy in Georgia. 3. Elliot, born in 1933, who is at this time a student in the public schools of Springfield. 4. Barbara, born in 1940, and now attending public school in Springfield. 5. Regina, born in 1940, and at this writing also a pupil at public school in Springfield.
WALLACE E. GREENE-The Williamstown Savings Bank of Williamstown was founded by a group of prominent local business men in 1892. It is now one of the outstanding financial institutions of the town and a credit to the foresight of its or- ganizers and the efficiency and acumen of its manag- ing staff. Wallace E. Greene is currently treasurer and a trustee of the bank: the other officers being Brainerd Mears, president. Paul B. Jayne, assistant treasurer. E. H. Botsford, vice president, and Charles F. Notsley, clerk of the corporation. Mr. Greene is prominent in fraternal circles and a devout church worker.
Wallace E. Greene was born December 30, 1902, at North Adams, the son of John and Rhoda (Green) Greene, both natives of England. John Greene, now a retired textile operator, having served an apprentice- ship in his native England, came to North Adams as a youth of eighteen. His wife. Rhoda Green. mi- grated at the age of eight and also settled at North Adams. Wallace E. Greene received his early educa-
tion in local schools and was graduated from the Drury High School in 1920. He was awarded a degree in business administration by Boston Univer- sity in 1925 and immediately entered into association with the Clark Biscuit Company, of North Adams. For fifteen years he served the company, first as a sales- man and later as field manager. He accepted the posts of assistant treasurer and trustee of the Wil- liamstown Savings Bank in 1940. On September 1, 1946, he was elevated to his present office of treasurer. He also became a member of the institution's Board of Investment in January, 1945.
Mr. Greene is a former president of the Williams- town Rotary Club. Master for 1947, of Williams Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, he is also a mem- ber of St. Paul's Commandery, Knights Templar, of North Adams. He has long been affiliated with the Congregational Church and is currently superintendent of the Sunday school at Williamstown. He served as chairman of War Finance Committee of Wil- liamstown; member of the State War Finance Com- mittee: chairman of the Salvage Committee and on the local Rationing Board.
Wallace E. Greene married. August 20, 1927, at Williamstown, Esther Elizabeth Jenks, the daughter of Leland P. and Elizabeth (Rose) Jenks, of Williams- town. Mr. and Mrs. Greene are the parents of three children, all born at Williamstown: I. Jane, born March 6, 1929, a graduate of Williamstown High School and now a student at Pembroke College, Brown University. 2. Rosalee, born August 1, 1930, a freshman at Larson Junior College, in New Haven, Connecticut. 3. Carole Linda, born July 28, 1939.
HENRY HARMON HARTWELL-For more than a decade a prominent resident and business man of Springfield, Henry Harmon Hartwell has earned a steady reputation for his valuable contributions toward the progress and development of this city.
Mr. Hartwell was born May 4, 1896, at Ithaca. Michigan, son of Edward C. and Minnie (Glover) Hartwell. Harmon Hartwell, grandfather of Henry Hartwell, was born near Geneva, New York, was a farmer by occupation, and died at Durand, Michigan. Sherman and Lucy Hartwell, great-grandparents of Henry Hartwell, were both born near Geneva, New York, farmed, and died in New York. Edward C. Hartwell, father of Henry Hartwell, was born Febru- ary 7. 1877, at Durand, is in the trucking business for himself there, is a Republican, and is a member of the Baptist Church.
Henry Harmon Hartwell received his early edu- cation in the public schools and high schools of Durand, and then attended the Ferris Institute at Big Rapids, Michigan.
After having completed his formal education, Mr. Hartwell became associated with the Grand Trunk Railroad in his home town as a member of the freight office staff. In 1917. he interrupted a promising career to enter the United States Army, and served eighteen months in France. In July. 1919, he received his honorable discharge at Camp Custer, Battle Creek, Michigan. After having returned to civilian life, he became a member of the traffic department at the Buick Motor Company plant in Flint, Michigan. After remaining there for two years he joined the Metro- politan Life Insurance Company at Flint and for
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eighteen months acted as an agent. At the end of this period he became assistant manager of the in- surance company. Following his association with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company he went to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he took a training course sponsored by the Holland Furnace Company. For a year after this he worked as a salesman in the Albany, New York, office of the company. From there he went to Rochester, New York as a branch man- ager for the firm. In August, 1933, Mr. Hartwell joined the Kalamazoo Stove and Furnace Company, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, as branch manager and remained there for eighteen months. In 1935 he was promoted to the position of division manager, the duties of which were to organize factory and branch stores throughout the New England states with head- quarters at Springfield, Massachusetts. In October, 1945, he was made regional sales manager, which position he held until May, 1947, when he resigned and formed a corporation in Springfield known as Hartwells, Inc. This corporation handles a complete line of heating equipment and major appliances. He became president of the firm and his son, Darold Hartwell, became treasurer and general manager. In addition to his other business interests, Henry Hart- well is a representative for various manufacturing enterprises throughout the New England States.
Mr. Hartwell is active in his community as a member of the American Legion. In politics he is a Repub- lican, and in religious affiliation a Congregationalist, being a deacon at the Hope Congregational Church. Fond of all outdoor and indoor sports, he especiallly enjoys a good game of golf.
On July 18, 1917, Henry Harmon Hartwell married Gladys Miller, daughter of George and Mary (De- mund) Miller. Her father, a retired merchant, re- sides at Penn Yan, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Hartwell became the parents of the following children: I. Wanda Jane, who was born April 19, 1918, was graduated from the Classical High School at Spring- field, attended the American International College there, and was married to Armon Lemere, of Spring- field, who is now associated with the Gray Supply Company there as a salesman; they became the par- ents of one son, Frederick Henry Lemere. 2. Darold Henry, who was born October 4, 1921, was gradu- ated from the Technical High School and attended the New England Conservatory of Music at Boston, left there to enlist in the United States Army Air Corps Band, was stationed at Westover Field, was transferred to Lubbock, Texas and later to Ardmore, Oklahoma, where he served nearly four years with the rank of corporal, and is now treasurer and general manager of Hartwells, Incorporated. On January 14, 1945, he was united in marriage to Mildred Adair of Ardmore, Oklahoma.
ERNEST J. CRAMER-One of the outstanding general contractors of Pittsfield and Berkshire County, Ernest J. Cramer comes quite naturally by his calling. His father was a contractor and builder, and the son was early associated with him in his work.
The family has a long history in New York State, and much of this history is associated with building activities in the Hudson Valley. Of Holland Dutch ancestry, the Cramers settled along the banks of the Hudson River in the early days, when the Dutch were
the chief settlers in the New York colony. Members of this family were responsible for the building of the Dutch Reformed Church at Rhinebeck, New York. Charles Cramer, father of Ernest J., was a native of Rhinebeck who later settled in Poughkeepsie. He suc- ceeded at his trade early in life, and became a pros- perous contractor. Besides general contracting he specialized in the construction of greenhouses in New York State. He married Myra Millis, and their son, Ernest J., was born at Poughkeepsie September 15, 1898.
He graduated from Poughkeepsie High School and, having been selected upon the basis of exceptional qualifications, attended the United States Naval Acad- emy at Annapolis, Maryland. From his earliest years he had taken a lively interest in his father's business activities, and in preparation for following the family tradition in contracting, served for a short period as a draftsman. Subsequently he became associated with his father, who had established his contracting busi- ness in Poughkeepsie in the early 1890s. The father, as has been indicated, specialized in the construction of greenhouses, and, in 1926, Ernest J. Cramer came to Pittsfield to supervise the erecting of greenhouses for Mrs. Merle Graves. He has remained in Pittsfield ever since. He has continued the greenhouse specialty, but during the past twenty years has devoted most of his work to general contracting. The scope and variety of the projects entrusted to him is indicated by his erection of the power house for the General Electric Company at Pittsfield, a work which required about two years.
Mr. Cramer is an enthusiastic participant in civic and fraternal affairs. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, Poughkeepsie Lodge, No. 266, of the Berkshire Chapter of the Royal Arch Ma- sons, the Berkshire Royal Council and Select Masons, and the Berkshire Commandery of the Knights Tem- plar. He belongs to the Country Club of Pittsfield, the Alford Brook Club, and the Hidden Valley Hunt- ing Club of Austerlitz. Hunting and fishing are his favorite recreations whenever he finds the time to get away from the responsibilities of his work. He serves the city of Pittsfield as a member of the Chamber of Commerce, of which he is a past director. He and his family attend the First Congregational Church of Pittsfield.
At Poughkeepsie, New York, on July 25, 1925, Ernest J. Cramer married Helen Logan, who is a native of Montclair, New Jersey and daughter of Daniel and Mary (Turner) Logan of that city. The Cramers have one son, James Logan, born in 1934 and now attending Lenox School.
DAVID HALE-A native of Ireland, David Hale came to New England from the Old World as a boy, and in an active career exemplified many of the finest traits of his ancestry in the business and community life of his adopted State. At the time of his recent passing he was president of the Springfield Foundry Company.
David Hale was born at Bainbridge, County Down, Ireland, on April 10, 1874, and was educated in the schools of his native country, and was a student at Wilbraham Academy, Wilbraham, Massachusetts. Over a long period of his early life he was an ac- countant and is reputed to have been the first Certi-
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fied Public Accountant in Springfield. For a time he was associated with the cotton industry in this city and ultimately joined the Springfield Foundry Com- pany, of which he eventually was elected president, a post he filled most capably to his death. He had served this concern in various capacities from account- ant, treasurer and head. This corporation, as is well known, specializes in the production of iron castings, and during his connection with it met and survived the changing conditions in American economy. In private lite he was fraternally affiliated with the Ma- sonic Order, being a Thirty-second Degree Mason, and member of Melha Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. His clubs included the Colony of Springfield and he figured prominently in the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, and Rotary Club. For years he was a member of the Faith Con- gregational Church, serving it in numerous official capacities and always was liberal in his support of religious and charitable projects and organizations. Essentially he was a home man, and with good rea- sons was especially proud of his children.
David Hale married Myta M. Sanderson, a native of Chester, Massachusetts, and they became the par- ents of the following children: 1. Marion T., a gradu- ate of Springfield High School and Wellesley College; she married Justice C. Sanburn, of Springfield, who is now deceased, and is the mother of two children: Willis and Eleanor Sanburn. 2. Clarence William Hale, a graduate of Springfield grade and high schools and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He immediately joined his father in the Springfield Foundry Company, working through the various branches of the business to become treasurer, and upon the death of his father succeeded him as president, a post he holds at the present writing. He married Edna B. Fifield, of Springfield, and they are the parents of three sons: i. Clarence William, Jr., who is associated with his father in the Springfield Foundry Company. ii. Richard F., who died while serving his country in World War II, a first lieutenant in the Marine Corps. iii. Gordon, a student in Spring- field High School. 3. James D. Hale, educated in Springfield schools, Wilbraham Academy, and Wes- leyan University, where he graduated with the degree Bachelor of Science, and is now treasurer of the Springfield Foundry Company. He married Katherine A. Cowles, of Springfield, and they have one son: Alan, an undergraduate at Wesleyan University.
The death of David Hale occurred on January 29, 1947; he was well past the age of three-score and ten. He had adjusted himself well to the American way of life, was ever keen in his love of New England and contributed constructively to its progress and pros- perity. Faithful in all the duties of life, both large and small, he gave allegiance to the highest principles of thought and conduct. To him all of the host of friends and associates paid tribute to his personality, character and achievements.
ELMER E. DAWSON, JR .- A prominent business man of Pittsfield, Elmer E. Dawson, Jr., has made extensive contributions toward the progress and de- velopment of this region of the state.
Mr. Dawson was born in 1892 at Great Bend, Kansas, son of Elmer E. and Jessie C. Dawson. His
father was a prominent merchant, a selectman, and representative in the Massachusetts Legislature.
After having completed his formal preliminary edu- cation, Elmer Dawson, Jr., entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and, in 1914, received the degree of Bachelor of Science at that institution of higher learning.
In 1918, Mr. Dawson entered the Army and served overseas with the American Expeditionary Forces for two years in the ordnance department.
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