USA > Massachusetts > The story of western Massachusetts, Volume IV > Part 29
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will find ready application and frequent use. Ray- mond Washburne, proprietor of the College Book Store at Williamstown, has brought to his endeavor some fifteen years of experience as a newspaperman at North Adams. In addition to this, his principal interest, he is active in Williamstown civic affairs and financial circles.
Raymond Washburne was born December 8, 1904, at Old Chatham, New York, the son of the late Rever- end Robert W. and Anna J. (Bentley) Washburne. The Rev. Mr. Washburne was a native of Hoosick Falls, New York, and an ordained minister, pastor of the Williamstown Methodist Church prior to his death February 24, 1924. Anna J. (Bentley) Wash- burne, a native of Tolland, now resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Raymond Washburne came to Wil- liamstown with his parents in 1920, and was graduated from the local high school. He then pursued advanced studies at Williams College and Alfred University. In 1927, he joined the North Adams "Transcript," as a reporter and remained with that paper, occupying a variety of positions in the news room, until 1942.
In the year last mentioned, Mr. Washburne pur- chased the College Book Store at Williamstown, his present and primary concern. He is also a trustee of the Williamstown Savings Bank and a director of the Williamstown National Bank.
Formerly a member of the Board of Selectmen of the town of Williamstown, he is currently secretary of the Board of Trade and a member of the Taconic Club.
Raymond Washburne married, October 17, 1931, at Williamstown, Eleanor E. Smith, daughter of Carle- ton G. and Margaret (Cole) Smith, of Williamstown. Mr. and Mrs. Washburne are the parents of three children, all born at Williamstown: I. Bentley, born March 8, 1934, now attending Williamstown High School. 2. Carla, born April 15, 1937. 3. Margaret, born July 29, 1938.
HERBERT PRESTLEY BLAKE has lived in Springfield thirty years and has taken an active part in civic and church affairs while rising in business.
Mr. Blake was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, September 16, 1886, the son of George H. and Flor- ence (Maclaughlin) Blake. His father was born in Springfield May 12, 1858, and now lives in Jersey City in retirement. George H. Blake, who was as- sociated with the United States Leather Company of New York City, is an outstanding authority on American paper money. For twenty-five years he has been treasurer of the American Numismatic Associa- tion. He is a Republican and a member of the Dutch Reformed Church of Jersey City, known as the old Bergen Church. Founded in 1660, it is the oldest in New Jersey. He has held a number of offices in the church. His wife, born in New York City, October 16, 1859, died in Jersey City on July 7, 1940.
George H. Blake is the son of John W. and Lucy Chapin (Hitchcock) Blake. John W. Blake was born in New England and died in Jersey City. He was a mechanical engineer. He served in the navy in the Civil War. His wife, born in Springfield, died in this city at the age of ninety-one. The Blakes stem- med from England. On the paternal side the Blakes are descended from Deacon Samuel Chapin, one of the founders of Springfield. There is a monument to him on the grounds of the Springfield Public Library.
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Florence (Maclaughlin) Blake was the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Duke) Maclaughlin. Thomas Maclaughlin was born in Ireland and died in Jersey City. He at one time was a haberdasher in New York City. His wife was born in New York City and died in Jersey City.
Herbert P. Blake attended Hasbrouck Institute in Jersey City and Mount Hermon School, Mount Her- mon, and was graduated in civil engineering from New York University in 1910. He was for ten years in the construction business, being associated with John Lowry, Inc., and with Hoggson Brothers, both of New York City. He became purchasing agent for the Fred T. Ley Company in Springfield in 1917, remaining with that firm, now known as Ley Con- struction Company, until 1921, when he joined the Standard Electric Time Company as salesman. He has been vice president of the company since 1944.
Mr. Blake is a Republican and worships at the First Church of Christ, Scientist. He is a member of the Exchange Club, Advertising Club of Spring- field, and of the Delta Phi fraternity.
On September 16, 1913, he married Ethel Stewart, who was born in Silver Creek, New York, the daugh- ter of Theodore and Antoinette (Moore) Stewart. Theodore Stewart died in 1943 at the age of ninety- nine at Silver Creek, New York, where he had been president of the First National Bank of Silver Creek. He was a native of Franklin, Pennsylvania. His wife was born in Brooklyn and now lives with her daugh- ter in Springfield. Mrs. Blake was educated in the public schools of Silver Creek and at Elmira College, New York. She is a member of the Western Massa- chusetts Woman's Club. Mr. and Mrs. Blake are the parents of three children: I. Stewart Prestley, born November 25, 1914, in Jersey City, attended Technical High School in Springfield, Mount Hermon School and Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut, and is co-owner with his brother, Curtis Livingston, of the Friendly Ice Cream Corporation and also of Blake Brothers Corporation, in West Springfield. He married Della Deming of Springfield. They are the parents of a daughter, Nancy, born May 17, 1943, and a son, Benson Prestley, born January 9, 1948. 2. Curtis Livingston, born April 15, 1917, in Springfield. Attended Technical High School and Duke Univer- sity, Durham, North Carolina. He married Aileen MacFarland, of Syracuse, New York. They have a son, Curtis Channing, born November 13, 1946. 3. Channing, who died at the age of two in 1922. 4. Betsy, born June 18, 1922, attended Classical High School in Springfield, Vermont Junior College, Mont- pelier, Vermont, and was graduated from Principia College, Elsah, Illinois, with a Bachelor of Arts de- gree, in 1944. She is associated with the American Airlines, Inc., at Hartford.
JOHN OSBORNE WOODSOME-As president and director of the Lamson and Goodnow Manu- facturing Company, John Osborne Woodsome, of Shelburne Falls, has become a leader in the cutlery industry. His contributions have been significant and he has done much to further the development of commerce in Franklin County.
Mr. Woodsome was born May 21, 1906, at New- ton, son of John O. and Mary Elizabeth (Thomas) Woodsome. His father, a native of Boston, was a
consulting engineer and specialized in paper dry- ing. He passed away in 1931.
John Osborne Woodsome received his early training in various elementary schools in the East. After having attended high school in the States of Massachusetts and New York he graduated from Oak Park High School at Oak Park, Illinois in 1924. He then entered the University of Wisconsin, and after completing the required course of study, was graduated in 1928, with the Degree of Bachelor of Science.
After completing his formal education, Mr. Wood- some remained in the Middle Western part of the country for a number of years. He became asso- ciated with the Michigan Bell Telephone Company and remained with this firm more than a year. In 1929, he joined his father in Detroit as a member of the elder Mr. Woodsome's firm, John O. Wood- some and Company. He continued on with this en- terprise until after his father's death, and, in 1932, he came east to accept a position with the Hershey Chocolate Corporation, in the sales division branch at Cambridge. He remained with the Hershey Com- pany for nine years, and, then, in August, 1941, joined the Lamson and Goodnow Manfacturing Company as sales manager in Shelburne Falls. This concern, which had been established in 1837, and incorporated in 1851, manufactures a general line of cutlery, and operates a large plant consisting of fac- tory buildings and administrative offices. In June, 1946, Mr. Woodsome was elected president of this organization and became a member of the board of directors. He has since remained in these capacities.
In connection with his business, Mr. Woodsome was also president of the Household Table and Kit- chen Cutlery Manufacturing Association, a national organization, for the year 1947-1948.
Mr. Woodsome plays an important role in other phases of community life. During World War II he served on the Cutlery Advisory Committee of the War Production Board and filled several posi- tions in Civilian Defense. Since 1944 he has served as a member of the Hampshire-Franklin Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Fraternally he is a mem- ber of the Free and Accepted Masons at Shelburne Falls, Theta Delta Chi, and two honorary fraternities, Phi Lambda Upsilon and Phi Kappa Phi. In reli- gious affiliation he is a Congregationalist, and at- tends the Congregational Church at Shelburne Falls. For recreation and exercise he enjoys golf and swim- ming.
On October 23, 1929, at Oak Park, Illinois, John Osborne Woodsome married Josephine Barker, daughter of O. B. and Mabel L. Barker. Mrs. Wood- some attended Oak Park High School, and, in 1928, was graduated from the University of Wisconsin with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, being secre- tary of her class. Mr. and Mrs. Woodsome became the parents of the following children: I. John Os- borne, III, who was born March 19, 1932, at Detroit, Michigan, and is now attending Arms Academy at Shelburne Falls. 2. Marian Louise, who was born June 25, 1936, at Melrose.
FOREST M. CLEMENT-One of the leaders in the automotive paint industry of Springfield, Forest
John O. Woodsome
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M. Clement has demonstrated unusual ability and business acumen. He has a widespread reputation for fair dealing and progressive methods.
Mr. Clement was born November 21, 1902, at May- ville, Michigan, son of Arthur and Harriet (Mc- Cartney) Clement. His father died in 1937, after having spent his early life engaged in the carriage and automobile painting business and later the real estate business. His mother resides in Michigan.
Mr. Clement received his education in the local public and high schools of his home town. In 1920 he entered the automotive paint business, and for the following four or five years he worked for several firms, including the Packard Motor Car Company and Fisher Body. At the end of this period he moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he continued in the auto- mobile painting business until 1931. In that year he became a salesman for the Acme White Lead and Color Works Company, and later sold for the Martin Senior Company and the Rinshed-Mason Company, of which he was sales manager for New England. In January, 1946, he opened his own establishment, which is a warehouse distributor for paint, automo- bile lacquer and enamels. Under his direction Clement Automotive Paint & Supplies, Inc., has shown a steady growth and has been very successful.
Mr. Clement is active in his community as a mem- ber of the Chamber of Commerce, the Free and Ac- cepted Masons, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In political preference he is a Repub- lican, and in religious affiliation he adheres to the Baptist faith. An energetic sportsman, he is fond of all forms of athletic endeavor, and hunting and fishing.
On November 5, 1922, at Pontiac, Michigan, Forest M. Clement married Marie Beach, daughter of George and Mary (Bessinger) Beach. Her father died in 1939, and her mother is living at Pontiac. Mrs. Clement received her education in the elementary and high schools of Pontiac. Forest M. and Marie (Beach) Clement became the parents of the following child- ren: I. Mary Lou, who was born May 17, 1926, at- tended the elementary schools of Springfield, was graduated from the Technical High School, attended the Bay Path Institute, and married April 26, 1947, Richard Hutchinson of Springfield, who is associated with his father-in-law in the business. 2. Gloria Marie, who was born April 15, 1930, at Detroit, and attends the Technical High School.
NORMAN ROHDE VESTER finds time in an active business life in Springfield to take part in religious and political affairs with that lively interest characteristic of men devoted to human betterment.
Mr. Vester was born in Springfield, March 18, 1909, the son of George Frederick and Fredrika (Naumann) Vester. His father, also a Springfield native, was born April 13, 1871, and died December 18, 1920. George F. Vester was a merchant tailor, a Republican and a member of Christ Church Cathe- dral, Episcopal. His father, George F. Vester, Sr., was born in Germany, and died in Springfield. Fredri- ka Naumann was born in Germany October 12, 1879, and has lived in Springfield since infancy. She is the daughter of August A. and Catherine (Rohde) Naumann; both were natives of Germany and died in Springfield. Her father was a tailor.
Norman R. Vester was graduated from the Spring- W.Mass. IV-14
field High School of Commerce in 1926, and from the evening school of the American Institute of Banking in 1940. He went to work, in 1926, as messenger for the Third National Bank and Trust Company of Springfield, and now is that firm's paying and receiving teller. He also is treasurer of the Bay State Fire Brick Company and the Ballard Company, Inc., and is clerk and a director of Roper & Broderick, Inc., of Spring- field. He was nominated for common council in 1946 and in spite of a Democratic landslide, he lost by only forty-six votes. He represents Ward Eight on the Re- publican City Committee and is a member of All Saints Episcopal Church, being vestryman in 1944- 45-46. He has been superintendent of the church school since 1939. During World War II Mr. Vester was employed nine months in the Springfield Armory. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, a Shriner, a past master of Samuel Osgood Lodge, a past master of the Springfield Chapter of the Order of DeMolay, is a member of the DeMolay Legion of Honor, and is on the DeMolay Advisory Council. He is a member of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce. His fa- vorite diversion is fishing.
Mr. Vester married June 30. 1934, Doris Chandler Phelps, who was born in Southwick. the daughter of Warren J. and Minnie (Chandler) Phelps of Suffield, Connecticut. He is a farm manager. She is a gradu- ate of Agawam High School and attended Westfield Normal College. Mr. and Mrs. Vester are the parents of one son, Norman Rohde, Jr., born August 20, 1936.
MAURICE HENRY WESTERMAN-Recognized as a leading figure in the business world of Spring- field, Maurice Henry Westerman has gained a credit- able reputation for his excellent contributions to the industrial growth and development of this city.
Mr. Westerman was born February 26, 1911, at Providence, Rhode Island. son of Samuel and Alice (Goldberg) Westerman. His father was born in 1890, engaged in mercantile operations, and died in 1927. His mother was born in 1801.
Mr. Westerman received his early education in the Portland, Oregon, public and high schools, and at- tended the University of Oregon.
In 1029 he became associated with the Fox West Coast Theaters, and remained with this firm for two years. In 1931, he came East to Springfield, and joined the Schift Company, of Boston, which was engaged in business as shoe concessionaires. During the next five vears he served as manager of various concessions in Western Massachusetts. Entering the automotive industry in 1936, he opened a small service station at Columbia Avenue and Vernon Street, in Springfield. Under his management the business grew and pros- pered. However, in 1945, he sold the enterprise and organized the firm known as Tire Service, Incorpor-" ated, of which he is president. This firm is located on Main Street, is a Goodyear distributor for Western Massachusetts, and the company is becoming widely known for its quality merchandise and quick and efficient service.
Mr. Westerman is active in the life of his com- munity as a member of the Chamber of Commerce. He holds membership in the Free and Accepted Ma- sons. and is affiliated with the Esoteric Lodge, the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, the Ancient Arabic
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Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and belongs to the Independent Order of B'nai B'rith. He also is a member of the Zionist movement and the Kodimoh Men's Club. In politics he is a Republican, and in religious faith he adhers to the Hebrew belief, at- tending the Kodimoh Synagog. For exercise and recreation he enjoys golf and fishing.
On August 25, 1932, at Springfield, Massachusetts, Maurice Henry Westerman married Mildred Hody, daughter of Max and Frances Hody. Her father was born in 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Westerman became the parents of the following children: I. Barbara Elaine, who was born March 21, 1936, and is entering junior high school. 2. Nancy Lynn, who was born May II, 1941, and attends public school. 3. Sandra Lee, who was born July 25, 1943.
LEWIS B. BREED has been identified with the business life of Springfield since 1920, and for the past eleven years he has been an official in an outstanding organization that he helped organize after many years of training in this field.
Mr. Breed was born in Lynn, August 25, 1875, the son of Stephen F. and Margaret (Boyd) Breed. His father was born in Lynn, December 9, 1842, and died in that city. He was a retail lumberman, a Republican and a member of the Unitarian Church. Margaret Boyd Breed was born in Newburg, New York, and died in Malden. Stephen F. Breed was the son of Stephen N. and Mrs. Breed, Massachusetts natives, who died in Lynn after Stephen N. Breed established the lumber business that his son took over. The family line began in the United States with Alan Breed and two brothers, who settled at Saugus, in 1629.
Lewis B. Breed attended grammar school in Lynn and a preparatory school in Boston, and was graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engi- neering in 1896 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After an apprenticeship of four years with the Westinghouse Electric Manufacturing Com- pany, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he remained there until 1920, when he was stationed at Springfield for the Westinghouse organization. In 1936 he and a group of fellow employees organized the present com- pany, WSPR, Inc., and Mr. Breed was named treas- urer of the firm. Mr. Breed is a Republican and a member of the Unitarian Church. His favorite diver- sion is gardening and flower growing.
Mr. Breed was married October 8, 1902, to I. Alma Young, daughter of Elbridge S. and Anna (Souther) Young, of Lynn. Both of her parents are deceased. Her father was a retail grocer. Mrs. Breed was edu- cated in the public schools of Lynn, is past president of the Hamilton Club of Springfield, is a member of the Springfield Women's Club and of other women's organizations. She is a member of the Unitarian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Breed are the parents of a daughter. Helen Young, born September 6, 1912, attended Springfield High School, a junior college, La Salle College and the Bouve-Boston School of Physical Education in Boston. She married Kristian Solberg of Horton, Norway, who was educated in Nor- way and is assistant treasurer of WSPR, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Solberg are the parents of a son, Kristian B., born July 4, 1932.
HENRY ALONZO FIELD-For many years a prominent insurance executive and business leader of Springfield, Henry Alonzo Field has made many significant contributions toward the growth and de- velopment of this city.
Mr. Field was born August 8, 18 0, at Milford, Massachusetts, son of John A. and Mary A. (Phil- lips) Field. He attended the local schools, and was graduated from the Deerfield Academy in Massa- chusetts in the year 1887. Several years after hav- ing finished his formal education, Mr. Field became associated with the Phillips Manufacturing Company, of Springfield. He remained with the firm for a num- ber of years. In 1898, Mr. Field joined the Vacuum Oil Company, where he demonstrated unusual ability and devotion to duty over the period of the next ten years. At the end of this time, he went into the insurance business as a member of the firm of Oppen- heimer and Field. During the next seventeen years, the enterprise grew and prospered, due in no small measure to the efforts of Mr. Field. In 1925, and for the following ten years, he became affiliated with two of his business associates in the firm of Field, Eddy and Mulheron, which has been known since 1934 as Field, Eddy and Bulkley. Over the years Mr. Field has gained an enviable reputation for his foresight and firm business judgment, steadily increasing his clientele until his insurance enterprises became widely known throughout the region for reliability and fair treatment of his customers. Today, Mr. Field is one of the most highly respected citizens of his com- munity.
Mr. Field is a leader in the business and pro- fessional life of Springfield. He has been chairman of the board of directors of the Springfield National Bank since 1928. He holds directorships in Spring- field Merchants, Incorporated, the N. E. Fire In- surance Company, the N. E. Casualty Insurance Company, the Michigan Fire and Marine Insurance Company, the Springfield Fire and Marine Insurance Company, the Sentinel Fire Insurance Company, the Springfield Street Railway, the Peerless Handcuff Company, and the Van Norman Company. He acts as a trustee and vice president of the Springfield Institution for Savings. From 1921 until 1925, he was a member of the City Planning Board, and from the latter year until 1930 he served on the Police Commission. He has been president of the Spring- field Hospital since 1922, and is a trustee of the City Library Association, Springfield College, and Deer- field Academy. In 1921, he acted as president of the Insurance Federation of Massachusetts, and the Union Relief Association. Mr. Field takes an active interest in many other community organizations, both civic and social. He is a member of the Ameri- can Red Cross, and during the years 1918 and 1919 he was chairman of its Hampden Chapter. He is a former president of the George Washington Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. He holds mem- bership in the Free and Accepted Masons and is affiliated with the Knights Templar, the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and holds the thirty-second degree of Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. He belongs to many clubs, including the Detroit Club, the Colony Club, the Longmeadow Country Club, the Metropolitan Club in New York,
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and is a former president of the Nayasset Club. In politics, Mr. Field is a Republican. In religious be- lief, he is an Episcopaliarı.
On October 23, 1901, Henry Alonzo Field married Margaret Owen.
JOHN NOBLE MAGOVERN-A highly respect- ed business man of Springfield, John Noble Magovern is gaining a wide reputation in his field for his splend- id work in community affairs at Agawam where he resides.
Mr. Magovern was born December 27, 1910 at Cushindall, Ireland the son of John and Isabel (Noble) Magovern. His father who was born February 28, 1887 is engaged in the florist business at Agawam. His mother, who was a school teacher in Ireland died in 1919.
John Noble Magovern received his early education in his native Ireland. Coming to this country as a youth he completed his education in the local schools of Agawam. After leaving school, Mr. Magovern held various positions and in 1932 became associated with the Carlisle Hardware Company remaining with this firm for seven years. In 1939 he purchased a half- interest in the Weidenmiller Grinding Company which was established in 1896, and is well-known throughout Western Massachusetts for its precision grinding. In 1940 he purchased the business outright, becoming its president and treasurer. At this time the name was changed to Weidenmiller-Magovern Company and is now located in its new and modern building at 404 Main Street, and is enjoying the repu- tation of being the largest lawn mower sales and ser- vice center of New England.
Mr. Magovern is active in his community as a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Agawam Lions Club. In politics he is a Republican and in religious belief he is a Baptist, attending the Agawam Baptist Church.
On April 22, 1934 at Agawam, John Noble Ma- govern married Dorothy Bodurtha daughter of John and Mary (Eastman) Bodurtha, both of whom are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Magovern became the parents of the following children: I. Marjorie, born in 1936 and now attending the Agawam schools. 2. Mary, who was born in 1939 and also attends school in Agawam. 3. John B., born in 1942. 4. Robert, who was born in May, 1943.
J. ELLIOTT DeFALCO-With the used car business, that in recent years has grown to large proportions, J. Elliott DeFalco is a prominent figure in Springfield and Western Massachusetts. His con- nection with the sale and distribution of motor vehi- cles began as a youth and has been continued through- out his business life.
Mr. DeFalco was born at Worcester, on October 23, 1914, son of Joseph C. and Ann (Cupolo) DeFalco, and grandson of Vincent J. and Phyllis DeFalco, both dying in Worcester. He was a dealer in scrap metal in the city whose first establishment was on the site of the present Western Massachusetts Electric Com- pany. His son, Joseph C. DeFalco, born at Utica, New York, July 4, 1879, died in Springfield, on Sep- tember 17, 1939. He was over a long period a con- tractor who constructed many State highways and roads. Active in public affairs he was an influential
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