USA > Massachusetts > The story of western Massachusetts, Volume IV > Part 28
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
Mr. Rice married Blanche Evangeline Klakring in Springfield on April 18, 1913. She was born in Annapolis, Maryland, on January 8, 1894, the daughter
of Oliver and Louise (James) Klakring. Her father, born in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December, 1849, was a descendant of the founder of the town of Klakring, Denmark. Her mother, born in Annapolis in 1854, was a direct descendant of John James, who was given a grant of 15,000 acres of land by King James. This land is the site of the city of Cape May, New Jersey. Mrs. Rice was educated in the ele- mentary and high schools of Hartford and Spring- field. There are three children: George Douglas, born January 20, 1916; Katherine Louise, born August 23, 1918, and Miriam Marie, born April 28, 1922. George Douglas Rice married Lillian Anna Hagman and is the father of three children, Katherine Ann, George William, III, and Joan Leslie. Katherine Louise Rice is the wife of Gilbert Clayton Garland, and the mother of two children, Nancy Emerson and Gail Katherine. Miriam Marie Rice is now Mrs. James Eric Scott Robbins, the mother of two chil- dren, James Eric Scott, Jr., who died in his first year, and Christopher Scott.
ARTHUR EDWIN CENTER-For nearly three decades in the automobile business, Arthur Edwin Center is now a Ford dealer in Springfield. He has been active in Springfield's communal affairs and is one of the leaders in the National Automobile Dealers Association. He is a veteran of World War I.
Mr. Center was born in Cambridge, on June 25, 1898, the son of John L. and Bessie Edna (Keatley) Center. His father, who was district manager for Swift and Company, died on April 22, 1945; his mother died December 5, 1946.
After completing his education at the University of Massachusetts, Mr. Center entered the United States Army in World War I. At first assigned to a machine gun company in the Infantry, he was later send to an Officers' Training School.
In 1919, following his discharge from the Army, Mr. Center began his career in the automobile world as a salesman for the Huntting Company, with which he remained one year. In 1920, he launched his own dealer agency, as representative in the Springfield area for the Columbia and Templar cars. In No- vember, 1921, he incorporated his present company and became the dealer in the same territory for the Jordan automobile. In October, 1926, Mr. Center added the Pontiac agency to his business and with this continued until 1938. In that year, he became a Ford dealer.
Mr. Center has achieved such leadership in his field that he has served the National Automobile Dealers Association as secretary. In the community, he has been active in numerous public enterprises and is a former president of the Kiwanis Club of Spring- field. He is also a member of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, the Caterpillar Club, the Longmeadow Country Club and the Springfield Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He is a Protestant.
Mr. Center married Florence Martinelli in New York City on November 29, 1930. She is the daughter of Joseph and Claba Martinelli and is a graduate of the High School of Commerce. Mr. and Mrs. Center are the parents of a son, Arthur Edwin, Jr., born De- cember II, 1931, and, in 1947, a student at Wilbraham Academy.
342
WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
DWIGHT GILMORE-A theater manager and real estate expert of Springfield, Dwight Gilmore for many years has demonstrated unusual devotion to duty and excellent business judgment, and has gained a steady reputation among a host of friends and associates.
Mr. Gilmore was born January 16, 1880, at Des Moines, Iowa, son of Charles Nathaniel and Nellie A. (Greene) Gilmore. His father, who was born in October, 1835, was a railroad official by occupation, and died in 1912. His mother was born in 1853 and died in 1933. Dwight Gilmore was educated in the public and high schools of Des Moines.
In 1898, he became associated with the Rock Island Railroad Company, and remained with this organiza- tion fifteen years during which time he was promoted to the position of traveling freight agent. In 1913, he came east and entered the theatrical business, becom- ing business manager of the Court Square Theater. He remained with this theater for twenty years during which time he played host to many celebrities of the legitimate theater, and he gave many famous productions. During this period he also engaged in real estate operations, and after 1933 devoted his full time to the real estate line, having continued solely in this field since then.
Mr. Gilmore is active in his community as a mem- ber of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Colony Club and the Winthrop Club. In political preference he is a Republican, and in religious affilia- tion adheres to the Episcopal faith. For exercise and recreation he enjoys fishing.
On May 8, 1938, in Montana, Dwight Gilmore mar- ried Grace E. Bangs, daughter of John C. and Pauline (Fay) Bangs. Mrs. Gilmore was born May 7, 1884, at Greenfield, Massachusetts, and was gradu- ated from high school at Northampton, Massachu- setts.
ERNEST EVERETT REDFEARN-For a score of years Doctor Ernest Everett Redfearn has been a prominent dental surgeon at Pittsfield. At one time he was also a veterinary surgeon with a distinguished record in the United States Cavalry in World War I. He is known throughout the Masonic fraternity and is active in civic affairs in Berkshire County.
Doctor Redfearn was born in Fall River, on Janu- ary 22, 1898, the son of Ernest and Annie (Holroyd) Redfearn. From 1922 until his death in 1940, Doctor Redfearn's father was manager of the John Hancock Insurance Company branch at Pittsfield. Both par- ents were born in England.
After completing his preparatory education at the B. M. C. Durfee High School in Fall River, Doctor Redfearn attended Michigan State College at East Lansing. World War I interfered with his edu- cation, but he had become sufficiently versed in veterinary science at the college to be attached to the Veterinary Corps and assigned to duty with the United States Cavalry. His rank was first lieu- tenant. At the end of the war he returned to the Michigan institution, which in 1920 awarded him the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. From 1920 to 1924 he practiced as veterinary surgeon at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He had, in the meantime, become interested in dental surgery and on giving up
his veterinary practice entered Marquette University School of Dentistry, Milwaukee, and in 1927 re- ceived his degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery.
Doctor Redfearn then returned to his native Massa- chusetts and, since 1927, has been in practice at Pitts- field, where he is now one of the more prominent members of his profession. Doctor Redfearn is a member of the American Dental Association, the Massachusetts Dental Society, the Rotary Club of Pittsfield, the Hidden Valley Club of Austerlitz, New York; Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Alpha Psi, Michi- gan State College fraternities, and Delta Sigma Delta, Marquette University fraternity. In the Ma- sonic fraternity, he is a member of various bodies, including the East Lansing, Michigan, Lodge No. 480, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite at Springfield, in which he holds the Thirty-second degree, the Trowel Club and Melha Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Springfield. His church is the Congregational.
Doctor Redfearn's chief diversions are hunting and fishing.
Doctor Redfearn married Dorothy Pulsifer of Williamstown, Massachusetts, in May 1929. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. Pulsifer. Doctor and Mrs. Redfearn are the parents of a son, Donald Paul, who was born in Pittsfield in June 1930, and who, in 1948, graduated from the Pittsfield High School. He now attends Michigan State College.
LOVELL HEWITT COOK-Throughout Massa- chusetts, Lovell Hewitt Cook is recognized as an out- standing member of the insurance world. A co-founder and partner of the general agency of Litchard and Cook, with headquarters at 1200 Main Street, Spring- field, Mr. Cook is a former president of various major organizations in the insurance field and is now vice president of the Massachusetts Mutual General Agents Association. With his partner, Corydon Karr Lit- chard, he is general agent of the Massachusetts Mu- tual Life Insurance Company. Outside the insurance world. he is active in civic affairs and club life, both in Springfield and Longmeadow, where he lives.
Lovell Hewitt Cook was born in Mexico, New York, on September 24, 1898, the son of Henry Wells and Emma (Hewitt) Cook. His father, who was a merchant at Mexico, was born in 1854 and died in 1929. The mother, born in 1856, died in 1930. After completing his elementary and high school education in his native community, Mr. Cook studied at Dart- mouth College, where he was a classmate of his present partner. Both were graduated in 1921, with the degrees of Bachelor of Science.
Mr. Cook began his career as an insurance man in 1925, with the Equitable Life Assurance Society of New York. In 1931 he and Mr. Litchard joined to form the firm of Litchard and Cook, which became the general agency for the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. Mr. Litchard had been with this concern since January 1, 1926.
Mr. Cook has achieved such distinction in his field as to have been awarded the degree of Chartered Life Underwriters by the American Society of Chartered Life Underwriters. He is a former president of such
343
WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
other insurance organizations as the Springfield Gen- eral Agents and Managers Association, the Spring- field Life Underwriters Association and the Massa- chusetts State Life Underwriters Association. He has becn vice president of the Massachusetts Mutual Gen- eral Agents Association since 1947. Mr. Cook is also a former president of the University Club of Spring- field and the Dartmouth Alumni Club of Springfield. He is a vice president and director of the Longmeadow Country Club and a member of the Colony Club of Springfield. His church is the Congregational.
Mr. Cook married Margaret Atherton Jacobus at Bethel, Maine, on September 3, 1927. Mrs. Cook, born at Portland, Maine, on May 13, 1905, is the daughter of George and Marion (Chapman) Jacobus. She was graduated from Smith College with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1927. Mr. and Mrs. Cook have two children: Marion Hewitt, born June 13, 1928, who, in 1947, was a student at Wheelock College in Boston, and Lovell Hewitt, Jr., born May 16, 1933, who in the same year was a student at Phillips Exeter Academy.
MAX WOLF SIEGEL-Since the days in 1903 when he came to the United States and entered the woodworking business, Max Wolf Siegel has been identified in one way or another with the furniture industry. One of the organizers of the Hampden Parlor Furniture Company of Springfield, he is that company's former treasurer and present secretary. His leading associates in the concern are Anthony Joseph Medeski, president, and Arthur Joseph Leary, treasurer and sales manager.
Mr. Siegel was born in Russia on January 3, 1883, the son of Samuel and Rachel (Bersky) Siegel, the former a lumber merchant. He was twenty years old when, after completing the equivalent of an American grammar and high school education in Russia, he camc to the United States.
From 1903 to 1910, he was in the woodworking business in Boston, except for a period when he was on a selling tour of the Union of South Africa. In 1910, Mr. Siegel entered the upholstery field at Boston, remaining until 1918. His next connection was with the Union Parlor Furniture Company, in Boston, a firmn with which one of his associates, Mr. Medeski, was identified for many years and whose Springfield plant was eventually to become the Hampden Parlor Furniture Company. In 1929, this latter company was formed, with Mr. Medeski and Mr. Leary, and, in 1930, the partners, joined by others, incorporated their business and bought out the Union Parlor Furni- ture Company's Springfield branch. For building- ownership and acquisition purposes Mr. Siegel and the others formed a separate company, the Shefficld Realty Company. At the time the Hampden Parlor Furniture Company was incorporated, Mr. Siegel was elected treasurer. In 1934, he became secretary.
Mr. Siegel is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fllows, and of the Knights of Pythias. His religious affiliation is with Temple Beth Israel, Spring- field, and he belongs to the Temple's Young Men's Club.
Mr. Siegel married Lena H. Klein in Malden, on January 24, 19II. Born on May 10, 1889, Mrs. Siegel is the daughter of Louis and Mary (Getter) Klein. Mr. and Mrs. Siegel are the parents of two sons,
Leonard Meyer, born April 14, 1914, and Elliott Aaron, born August 12, 1921. Leonard Meyer Siegel, wlio was graduated from the University of Boston with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1937, is a partner in the firm which operates the Ann August chain of dress shops. He married Freda August, and they are the parents of Andrew Joel and Howard Siegel. The younger son, Elliott Aaron, a graduate of the East- man School of Music, Rochester, New York, is a violinist. In 1947, he was a member of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D. C.
WILLIAM DAN MacDONALD, president and treasurer of MacDonald and Johnson, Incorporated, is also president of the Springfield Black and White Taxi Service, Incorporated, and executive vice presi- dent of the Boston and Springfield Despatch Company. He and his wife maintain their winter home in Spring- field and their summer residence on Cadwell Drive, Wilbraham Mountain, Wilbraham.
LEO JOHN GRILLS-Outstanding in the busi- ness life of New England, Leo John Grills, a resident of Longmeadow with offices at Springfield, has done much to further the industrial and merchandising growth and progress of these communities.
Mr. Grills was born August 11, 1906, at Westerly, Rhode Island, son of Joseph S. Grills, who was born in 1865, and served in the Italian Coast Guard as an officer, engaged in the insurance and real cstate busi- ness, and died in 1937.
Leo Grills attended the local public schools, was graduated from the Westerly High School, and con- tinued his education at the Suffield Academy, the Clark School at Hanover, New Hampshire, and Dartmouth College, receiving scholarships in these prominent educational institutions.
After having completed his formal education, Mr. Grills, in 1927, became associated with the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company at Providence, Rhode Is- land, as a salesman, and remaincd there for a year and a half, at the end of which time he transferred his af- filiation to another prominent tire company. He stayed with this firm for a year, and then joined the Philco Radio and Television Corporation as a salesman. He continued here for ten years in the salcs and promotion departments, during which period he demonstrated excellent qualities of leadership and ability. In 1939, he resigned his position with the Philco Company, and became sales manager for the Roskin Distributors, of Hartford, Connecticut. Three years later, in 1942, he organized the Cadet Cream Sales Company and bccamc its owner. Four years later, in 1946, he established the Edlee Distributors, Inc., with Edgar De Meyer as a partner, and Mr. Grills becamc vice president and general manager. A ycar later, on April 28, 1947, he organized the Legrill Corporation, which engages in the sale and distribu- tion of the cool luxury hair dryer. In addition to his other business interests, Mr. Grills is also a vice presi- dent and general manager of the sales department of the Industrial Specialties Company, of Detroit, Michigan.
Mr. Grills is active in the life of his community as a member of the Chamber of Commerce. In politics he is a staunch Republican, and in religious affiliation he is a devout Catholic, attending St. Mary's
344
WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
Roman Catholic Church, in Longmeadow. For exer- cise and recreation he enjoys a good game of golf.
On October 23, 1929, at Springfield, Leo John Grills married Marjorie M. Moriarty, daughter of Thomas and Ellen (O'Connor) Moriarty. Her father was a Westfield manufacturer, who died in 1922. Her mother is living at Springfield. Mrs. Grills was born December 6, 1903, at Westfield, attended the local public schools, and was graduated from the Technical High School and the Springfield Conservatory of Music. Leo John and Marjorie M. (Moriarty) Grills became the parents of the following children: I. Lee Joseph, who was born August 27, 1931, and is a stud- ent at the Cathedral High School. 2. Jean Mary, who was born June 6, 1934, and is attending the Long- meadow Junior High School. 3. Jane Ellen, who was born November 7, 1939, and attends the local public schools of Longmeadow.
LOUIS LEONARD CAMPBELL-One of Northampton's outstanding citizens is Louis Leo- nard Campbell, president of the Northampton Co- operative Bank, who, in 1948, entered his ninetieth year. Mr. Campbell served as postmaster at North- ampton for more than twenty years, and has been president of the Northampton Co-operative Bank for forty-six years. He is very prominent in fraternal circles, in which he has held many offices. He is a deacon emeritus and at present moderator of the First Baptist Church.
Louis Leonard Campbell was born August 30, 1859 in Plainfield, Massachusetts, the son of Levi Nelson and Rachel (Whitmarsh) Campbell. His father was a farmer and sawmill owner and active in the af- fairs of his community. He served as chairman of the selectmen of Plainfield and was also a member of the Plainfield school committee for over twenty years, and in 1840 was captain of a Plainfield Com- pany of Massachusetts State Militia.
Mr. Campbell had little formal education, attend- ing only the ungraded schools of his native Plain- field. As a young man he served for five years as clerk and assistant postmaster in the post office at Northampton, and following that served for about ten years as railway postal clerk on the line between Boston and New York. In October, 1890, he was appointed to the office of postmaster at Northamp- ton and served a little over twenty years. Mr. Camp- bell had been made a director of the Northampton Co-operative Bank in 1892, and in 1902 was made president of this bank, a post he has filled ever since. From 1915 to 1933 he was in business as a hardware merchant. Since 1925 he has served as president and treasurer of the Wright Home for Young Women, an endowed institution for over- worked or convalescent women.
Mr. Campbell has always been a staunch Repub- lican, and served as chairman of the Northampton Republican city committee for four years. He is an active member of the First Baptist Church of North- ampton, in which he is a deacon emeritus, and at the present time is serving as church moderator. He is a member of the Northampton Kiwanis Club. Fraternally Mr. Campbell is affiliated with the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Ma- sonic order, in which he has been very active. He
has been master of Jerusalemn Lodge of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, District Deputy Grand Master of the Massachusetts 14th Masonic District, a member of the Massachusetts Board of Masonic Relief, and is a member of Northampton Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, William Parsons Council of Royal and Select Masters, and Northampton Com- mandery of Knights Templar, of which he is a past commander and still holds office as prelate. He is a life member of Boston Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, treasurer of the Parsons Masonic Charity Fund and holds the Thirty-second degree in the Masonic order.
On October 21, 1889 in Northampton, Louis Leo- nard Campbell was married to Alice Elizabeth Spear, the daughter of George Luther and Emily Ardelia (Carver) Spear. To this union was born one son, Bruce Nelson Campbell, on January 25, 1902.
PAUL WILLIAM OTTO-Since 1944 Paul Wil- liam Otto, prominent engineer, has been a member of the well-known Springfield firm of Associated En- gineers, Inc., with offices at 83 State Street. At first a partner, he later became a corporator and stockholder in this growing business.
Mr. Otto was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 7, 1907, the son of William and Beata (Klaus) Otto. His father born about 1885, is associated with the Cleveland Street Railway Company; the mother was born about the same time as the father.
Paul W. Otto was educated in the elementary schools, the West High School and the Case School of Applied Science, all in Cleveland. Later, he took extension courses in such subjects as sales engineer- ing, public speaking and the fine art of welding. In 1929, he became a student engineer with the General Electric Company at Schenectady, New York. In 1931 the company transferred him to its Lynn plant as assistant illuminating engineer. There he remained for six months.
After two years of service with General Electric, Mr. Otto resigned to accept the post of lighting en- gineer for the United Electric Company, now the Western Massachusetts Electric Company. He was with this company from 1931 to 1943 and in those twelve years advanced ultimately to commercial su- pervisor. Next he was with the American Bosch Cor- poration in Springfield for six months and, subse- quently, for eight months with the C. K. Jones Com- pany, also in Springfield.
In 1944 Mr. Otto accepted a partnership in Asso- ciated Engineers. When the firm was incorporated in the following year, he was one of the corporators and became a stockholder. In the time Mr. Otto has been with Associated Engineers, the concern has grown to such an extent that it now employs 250 persons.
Mr. Otto is a member of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, the Advertising Club of Springfield, the Engineering Society of Western Massachusettts, the Society of Illuminating Engineers, the American Society for Metals and the Army Ordnance Associa- tion.
On February 16, 1935, in New York City, Mr. Otto married Grayce Breglio. Mrs. Otto was born in Springfield on March 25, 1910, the daughter of Pas- quale A. and Filomena Breglio. Her father was born in Italy in 1875 and for many years has been a res-
Louis . Campbell.
1
345
WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
taurant owner in Springfield. The mother was born about 1887. Mrs. Otto was educated in the public schools of Springfield, graduating from the Classical High School. For ten years she was with the West- ern Massachusetts Electric Company as a customer relations executive. Mr. and Mrs. Otto have a son, Paul William, Jr., who was born on September 12, 1941.
ALBERT CARL MEYER-In addition to being a member of the firm of Associated Engineers, Inc., Springfield, Albert Carl Meyer is a corporator and treasurer of the Albany Designing Company and presi- dent and treasurer of the Mortgage Service Company and the A. C. Meyer company, all also in Springfield. Associated Engineers, begun in 1944 with six en- ployees, now has a personnel of two hundred and fifty to three hundred. It is engaged in mechanical en- gineering and designing and building construction for manufacturers throughout the United States. Among the "associates" are Gustave A. Krein, president, and Paul W. Otto.
Mr. Meyer was born in Easthampton, on May 30, I910, the son of George and Mary (Gauger) Meyer, both of whom were born in Germany and now re- side in Easthampton. The elder Mr. Meyer is a weaver.
After completing his early education in the East- hampton public schools, Mr. Meyer went to work. He was then still in his teens and for the next six years obtained a variety of experiences in industry. In 1937, he obtained employment with the General Electric Company. Assigned to experimental tasks, he worked at them by day, while he studied at night in the General Electric School of Engineering. In 1938, Mr. Meyer entered the real estate, insurance and finance field, under the firm name of Mortgage Service Com- pany, of which he became president and treasurer. Concurrently, he operated the A. C. Meyer company, engaged in the same business. In 1942, in addition to these two activities, he became associated with the American Bosch Company as project engineer. The United States having been embroiled in World War II, his work was under government contract at American Bosch.
In 1944 Mr. Meyer resigned from American Bosch to become a corporator of Associated Engineers. He has continued with this firm since then, and has also become associated with the Albany Designing Com- pany. Mr. Meyer is a member of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce and of the Lutheran Church at Easthampton. His hobby is greenhouse floral and fruit culture.
On August 9, 1934, at Springfield, Mr. Meyer mar- ried Eleanor White, of Springfield. She is the daugh- ter of the late Henry and Hannah (Walsh) White and was educated in Springfield's grammar and high schools. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer are the parents of two children: Albert, born in 1943, and Ann, born in 1946.
RAYMOND WASHBURNE-Among the several scholarly spheres of enterprise into which a news- paperman may enter, with a valuable background derived from his employment with the working press, is book selling. His scholarship and his usual knowl- edge of the literary likes and dislikes of the general public, combined with an understanding, in most cases, of the art and science of book manufacture,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.