USA > Massachusetts > The story of western Massachusetts, Volume IV > Part 45
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
occupied a wooden building fifty by twenty-five feet in size. The growth which has accompanied their high-class service and excellent reputation is indicated by the fact that today the corporation occupies a modern specially designed brick building comprising 18,225 feet of floor space, with adjacent parking space of 21,500 feet. Ferrara Spring and Parts Company has fifty-eight employees, including five salesmen and nine clericals in the office. The business territory served by this company comprises Western Massa- chusetts, Eastern Connecticut, New Hampshire and Vermont.
Louis Francis Ferrara is also president of the Fer- rara Realty Company and a member of its board of directors. He is an active member of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce. A Roman Catholic in religion, he attends Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. In politics he is a Democrat. He and his brother Fred A. Ferrara jointly own a cabin cruiser, and their favorite diversion is found in week-end trips on this craft.
On November 6, 1928, Louis Francis Ferrara and Marie J. Piscitelli were joined in marriage. Mrs. Fer- rara is a native of Monson, Massachusetts, and a daughter of Dominick and Catherine (Creanza) Pis- citelli, who were both born in Bari, Italy. Dominick Piscitelli died in California after following his trade of stonecutter for many years. His widow lives in California.
Louis Francis and Marie J. (Piscitelli) Ferrara are the parents of two children: I. Dorothy E., who was born on May 4, 1931. She is now a student at the High School of Commerce. 2. Frank L. born on June 5, 1932, attended Forest Park Grammar School, and now is a pupil at Springfield Trade School. The Louis F. Ferrara residence is at 381 Oakland Street, Springfield.
FRED A. FERRARA-The prosperity of Spring- field has been built largely on small enterprises that either have served some important need or have grown to great proportions as industrial concerns. An excellent exemplar of one of these is the Ferrara Spring and Parts Company, Inc., founded by Frank P. Ferrara, an expert blacksmith who expanded his business to meet the increasingly varied requirements of automobile manufacture. For a number of years this concern has been operated by the sons of the founder, Louis Francis and Fred A. Ferrara.
Fred A. Ferrara was born in Springfield, son of Frank P. and Rosina (Palazzi) Ferrara. Rosina (Pa- lazzi) Ferrara was a native of Italy, daughter of Fred and Mary (Sergio) Palazzi, both natives of Italy, where her mother died. Fred Palazzi who was a stone mason contractor in Italy, came to the United States in his late years and after staying in Springfield for a while, died in New York City. Frank P. Ferrara was born in Italy, on September 16, 1878; he came to Springfield in 1895, and was the founder, in 1912, of the present company. He and particularly his son, Louis Fran- cis Ferrara, are subjects of an accompanying bio- graphical account; a record that relates much of the history of the Ferrara Spring and Parts Company, Inc.
Fred A. Ferrara attended the State Street Grammar School and the Technical High School before he left the latter at the age of sixteen years to become asso- ciated with his father in business. He received no
408
WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
special privileges as a son, taking his place along with other youths learning to be a skilled mechanic. At that time the making of "leaf" springs was then much used in vehicles, and it was with an extensive experience in the manufacture and repair of this type of springs that he became a member of the firm in 1929, with his brother Louis Francis. In 1932 he be- came treasurer of the Ferrara Auto Spring Works, Inc., and in 1940 the name of the firm was changed to the Ferrara Spring and Parts Company, Inc., with offices and large works at 740 Worthington Street, Springfield. This business is rapidly growing and serves the whole of the surrounding area.
One of the reasons for the present status of the corporation, as expressed by a commentator, is: "The happy feeling of co-operation existing between employees of the various departments is due in no small measure to the fact that all employees not only share in the profits of the business but enjoy a com- plete sickness and accident insurance paid for by the firm."
In private activities, Mr. Ferrara is a member of the Dante Club of West Springfield and the Spring- field Yacht Club. His favorite hobbies are fencing and yachting. In religious faith he is a member of St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church.
On May 23, 1932, Fred A. Ferrara married, at 26 Merrick Street, West Springfield, Mary R. Cotti, daughter of Peter and Katherine (Ollari) Cotti, both of whom are now deceased. Prior to his passing, Peter Cotti was a prominent mason contractor in West Springfield. Mr. and Mrs. Ferrara are the par- ents of two daughters: 1. Sylvia Rita, born October 9, 1934, a student at the Junior High School. 2. Carol Ann, born June 4, 1939.
EDWARD F. O'DONNELL-To his vocation as a funeral director, Edward F. O'Donnell of Spring- field, brought extensive business experience and con- tacts with people and affairs. He is a native of this city, born on February 10, 1913, the son of James and Josephine (Carmody) O'Donnell. His father, who died in October, 1922, was for some years connected with the Fisk Rubber Company, of Chicopee Falls.
After completing his early formal education in the parochial schools of Springfield, Mr. O'Donnell was variously employed, his first connection of importance being with the Meekins, Packard and Wheat Company, of Springfield, where he was, in the main, a display man, during the eight years that he continued with the firm. In 1934 he went to Lowell, to be associated with an uncle, who was head of the James F. O'Donnell and Son Funeral Home. Here he served an apprenticeship, followed by entering the New England Institute of Anatomy, Sanitary Science and Embalming, of Boston, from which he was graduated on June 20, 1935. While in Boston and later, he was exceptionally active in Institute organizations, notably the Alumni Associa- tion, wherein he was a member of several committees.
Edward F. O'Donnell established his own mortuary in Springfield in November, 1937, under the name of the Edward F. O'Donnell Funeral Home, situated at 494 Chestnut Street. Always he has been a man of ideas, progressive and enterprising, and has made of his business one complete in equipment and service rendered. The Home has received the highest com-
mendation, not alone from the people of Springfield, but from the State Board of Inspectors, which rates it as one of the finest in the city and State. In personal connections, Mr. O'Donnell is a member of the Spring- field Chamber of Commerce, and of the Tuesday Club. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Massachusetts Catholic Order of Foresters, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is of the Roman Catho- lic faith, and is a communicant of St. Michael's Cathedral.
On June 3, 1944, at Springfield, Edward F. O'Don- nell married Margaret McDonald, daughter of Michael J. and Margaret (Rafferty) McDonald.
GEORGE WILLIAM RITTER-An influential attorney of Holyoke, George William Ritter has made valuable contributions toward the progress and de- velopment of the legal profession of this vicinity.
Mr. Ritter was born April 14, 1881, at Dalton, son of Frank and Wilhelmina (Forbrig) Ritter. The father was born at Mylau, Saxony, Germany, was associated with a textile commission establishment in Saxony, came to the United States, was prominently identified with the textile industry at Monson, and died there in 1897. His wife, Wilhelmina (Forbrig) Ritter, also a native of Saxony, passed away in 1902.
George William Ritter received his early education in the public schools of Monson, and, in 1899, was graduated from Monson Academy. He then entered the University of Maine from which institution he was graduated, in 1902, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws.
Immediately after completing his formal legal edu- cation, Mr. Ritter was admitted to the Massachusetts bar. He then entered into a very successful practice alone at Holyoke, and established a sturdy reputation in the community. Later he became associated with Judge John Hildreth. Mr. Ritter's law practice covers many phases of the legal profession, but he specializes particularly in cases arising under real estate and banking laws. He has gained a thorough knowledge of these phases of the law, and serves as attorney and examiner of titles for the Holyoke Savings Bank, the Holyoke Co-operative Bank, and the Peoples Savings Bank of Holyoke. He also is connected with the Amherst Savings Bank. In addition, he is an in- corporator of the Holyoke Savings Bank, serves as trustee for the Peoples Savings Bank while at the same time acting as a member of its Board of Invest- ment, and is a director of the Holyoke Co-operative Bank.
Aside from his professional duties, Mr. Ritter is active in many phases of community life. He is a mem- ber of the Massachusetts Bar Association, a former member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons affiliated with William Whiting Lodge, and was also formerly connected with Holyoke Lodge No. 902 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In civic affairs he was prominently identified with the Kiwanis Club of Holyoke. In politics he leans toward the Republican ticket but is not a hard and fast party man. In religious preference he is a Congregationalist, and attends the Second Congregational Church of Holyoke. For recreation he enjoys travel and has made extensive trips throughout the United States and in foreign countries. He is also very much inter- ested in gardening, and in this connection performs
Watter Stillew
409
WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
valuable service in the work of the Holyoke Garden Club.
On June 2, 1917, at West Somerville, George Wil- liam Ritter married Mabel C. Evans, daughter of Joseph and Caroline (Henty) Evans. Her father was a widely known agriculturalist of the region near Lexington. Mrs. Ritter was born at Lexington, was graduated from high school there, continued her edu- cation at Burdett's Business College in Boston, and after her graduation from that institution became a secretary, the position she held until her marriage. In community life she served as a charter member of the Women's Club of Holyoke. She is a past presi- dent of the Holyoke Garden Club, having served four years.
WALTER S. AIKEN-A leading paper mill ma- chinery manufacturer of Lee, Walter S. Aiken has made outstanding contributions toward the develop- ment and progress of industry in this city.
Mr. Aiken was born March 31, 1892, at Franklin, New Hampshire, son of Frederick and Dora (Gilman) Aiken. His father was in the machinery manufacturing business before him. Walter Aiken was graduated from the Phillips Exeter Academy, of Exeter, New Hampshire, in the class of 1911. He entered the Mas- sachusetts Institute of Technology, and, in 1916, he received the degree in Mechanical Engineering there.
Three years after finishing his formal training, Mr. Aiken entered the Clark-Aiken Company at Lee. The firm was originally established in 1828 by Edward P. Tanner, of Kinderhook, New York, who had been associated with a firm known as Beach and Royce as a worker in their repair shop situated on the site of the later company. Soon the firm became known as E. P. Tanner and Son. Eventually, after the company had passed through several ownerships, it became known as the Henry C. Clark and Son Machine Com- pany. After the fire of 1919, the enterprise was incor- porated as the Clark-Aiken Company. Mr. Clark retired in 1941, and Mr. Aiken became president of the concern, the position he has held since with dis- tinction. In addition to his other business interests, Mr. Aiken serves as a director of the Lee National Bank. At West Newton, Massachusetts, Walter S. Aiken married Ruth Kellar, daughter of William and Clara (Ray) Kellar.
EDWARD ROCHFORD WYMAN, M.D .- Among the younger physicians in the Berkshire Hills area of Western Massachusetts, Dr. Edward Rochford Wyman of Great Barrington is one of the most highly esteemed and most successful. A son of Fred E. Wyman, who is a papermaker by trade, and his wife Mary A. (Rochford) Wyman, Edward Rochford Wy- man was born at Turners Falls, on December 30, 1909. He attended school in his birthplace, which is in the Western Massachusetts county of Franklin, and graduated from Turners Falls High School in 1928. From high school he went to Massachusetts State College, which is now the University of Massachu- setts, where he received the Bachelor of Science de- gree at graduation with the class of 1934.
Medicine being his early choice of a profession, Edward Rochford Wyman entered the Medical School of Tufts College, and from this institution received
his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1937. His internship was passed at the Newton Hospital in Newton Lower Falls, in the years 1937 and 1938. In August of the latter year he opened his offices at Great Barrington, where he has built up a lucrative practice. Dr. Wy- man is a member of the staff of the Fairview Hos- pital in Great Barrington, and also serves on the courtesy staffs of the Mercy Hospital and of St. Luke's Hospital, both in the city of Pittsfield.
During World War II, Dr. Wyman was a member of the United States Naval Reserve, holding the rank of a lieutenant in the Medical Corps. He saw active service in the Pacific Theater of Operations, partici- pating in the sanguinary and successful offensives at Guam and Okinawa. For service in the Okinawa operation, he received the Bronze Battle Star. His term of naval service lasted from December, 1944, to February, 1946.
Dr. Wyman is a member of the American Medical Association, the Massachusetts Medical Society and the Berkshire Medical Society. He belongs to the Veterans of Foreign Wars at Great Barrington, and to the American Legion. His fraternal affiliation is with the Knights of Columbus, and in religion he is a devout Roman Catholic and a communicant of St. Peter's Church of that denomination in Great Bar- rington. He serves as physician for the Berkshire School for Boys and of the Barrington School for Girls. He holds membership in the Wyantenuck Country Club of Great Barrington, and his favorite recreation is a game of golf.
At Northfield on April 30, 1928, Edward Rochford Wyman was married to Kathleen Margaret O'Connell, a daughter of Maurice H. and Julia O'Connell. Of this union there are four children: I. Nancy Jane, born at Turners Falls on February 2, 1929. 2. Mary Elizabeth, born at Great Barrington on October 14, 1938. 3. Hanna, born at Great Barrington on Decem- ber 5, 1941. 4. Edward Rochford, Jr., born on June 4, 1943.
WALTER BARNES CRUTTENDEN-One of the nation's foremost insurance men, Walter Barnes Cruttenden, of Springfield, is chairman of the board of directors of the Springfield Fire and Marine In- surance Company and its affiliates, the Sentinel Fire Insurance Company, the New England Fire Insurance Company, the Michigan Fire and Marine Insurance Company and the New England Casualty Insurance Company. In addition, he is a director of the Van Norman Company, of Springfield, the Third National Bank of Springfield, the Underwriters Salvage Com- pany, the Springfield Street Railway Company, the General Adjustment Bureau, Inc., the National Board of Fire Underwriters Building Corporation, the Holy- oke Water Power Company, the Springfield Institution for Savings, as well as of various trade and other organizations. Long interested in health and welfare projects, he holds a leading position in that field.
Mr. Cruttenden was born in Madison, Connecticut, on January 27, 1873, the son of Samuel Dudley and Rhoda (Chittenden) Cruttenden. His father, born in Guilford, Connecticut, about 1825, died in 19II. He was first a farmer and later a merchant in Madison. The Cruttenden family dates its origin at Guilford to about 1639. The mother, born in Guilford in 1832, died in 1916.
410
WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
Walter Cruttenden began his education in Madison's elementary schools. In 1890, he was graduated from the Hillhouse High School in New Haven, Connecti- cut. He then began preparing himself for a career at the bar. In 1894 he took the degree of Bachelor of Arts at Yale University. In 1896 the Yale School of Law awarded him the degree of Bachelor of Laws and the following year that of Master of Laws. In 1896 he was admitted to the Connecticut State Bar and engaged in the practice of law until 1900, with headquarters in New Haven.
In 1900 Mr. Cruttenden abandoned the legal pro- fession to enter the insurance world, and has been a leading citizen of that world since May of that year. His first work in the field was as examiner and special agent for the National Fire Insurance Com- pany in Hartford. For several years, until 1906, he was employed by that company in Hartford, after which he was a special agent in the New England territory until 1912.
After twelve years with the National Fire Insur- ance Company, Mr. Cruttenden became a special agent for the Springfield Fire and Marine Insurance Company, the concern with which he has now been nearly a half century. On February 14, 1919, his ability having been recognized, he was called to the firm's head office and made assistant secretary. From then on, his destiny with the Springfield Fire and Marine Insurance Company and its affiliates was assured. In 1924 he was advanced to vice president and in 1926 was elected to the board of directors. On July 22, 1940, following the death of President Buckley, Mr. Cruttenden was elevated to the presi- dency, and in March, 1946, was elected chairman of the boards of the parent company and the affiliates. Mr. Cruttenden became a vice president and director of the Sentinel Fire Insurance Company in 1926, of the New England Fire Insurance Company in 1928, of the Michigan Fire and Marine Insurance Company, Detroit, Michigan, in 1927, and the New England Casualty Insurance Company in 1939. His affiliations with the other concerns, such as the banks, the Van Norman Company, the street railway company, the Holyoke Water Power Company, date from various years. He is a member of the executive committee of the Third National Bank and of the board of investments of the Springfield Institution for Savings.
Mr. Cruttenden's national position is suggested by the fact that he is a member of the executive com- mittee and is chairman of the committee on con- ferences of the National Board of Fire Underwriters; a trustee of the Insurance Executives Association and of the American Foreign Insurance Association, and a Fellow of the Insurance Institute of America. His activities in the health and welfare field have led to his election as a trustee of the Springfield Hospital. He is an incorporator of both that institu- tion and the Wesson Memorial Hospital. He is a Thirty-second degree Mason and a member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, of the Colony Club of Springfield and the Longmeadow Country Club. His religious faith is the Congregational and in politics he is a Republican. His home is in Longmeadow.
At Meriden, Connecticut, on June 15, 1904, Mr. Cruttenden married Marie E. Hinsdale, born in Meri- den, on January 29, 1875. Her parents were James C. and Marie (Tuttle) Hinsdale.
CLINTON KING, a prominent lawyer of Spring- field, has made many significant contributions toward the growth and development of this city.
Mr. King was born September 7, 1884, at Easton, Massachusetts, son of George F. and Jennie B. (Rollins) King. Mr. King is a member of an old New England family. Early members were John Alden and Miles Standish. George King was a Revo- lutionary War hero, and John King was a native of Weymouth. Nathan King, grandfather of Clinton King, was born in Mansfield, and was a farmer by occupation. He married Martha Davis, and their son, George F. King, father of Clinton King, was born at Easton, in May, 1884, and died there in Feb- ruary, 1905; he was an independent voter, and was an adherent of the Congregational Church. He mar- ried Jennie B. Rollins, who was born October II, 1857, at Strafford, Vermont, daughter of Royal H. and Sarah E. (Williams) Rollins. Her father, a general merchant, died in Vermont in 1858. Her mother was a descendant of Richard Williams, a na- tive of Wales, who came to America and settled at Taunton. Sarah E. (Williams) Rollins died in 1923, at Easton.
Clinton King received his education at Easton High School, from which he was graduated in 1902. Upon finishing high school, he entered Massachusetts State College, at Amherst, and in 1907 received the degree of Bachelor of Science from that institution of learn- ing. Three years later he gained the degree of Bache- lor of Laws at the Boston University Law School.
Mr. King was admitted to the bar, and practiced law in Boston until 1913, at which time he came to Springfield. He set up law offices in this city, and throughout the years has practiced alone, specializ- ing in conveyance and banking law. For the past twenty-five years he has acted as counsel for the Ludlow Savings Bank. He is also title examiner for the Massachusetts Land Court.
Mr. King is active in many prominent organizations. He holds memberships in the American Bar Associa- tion, the Massachusetts Bar Association, the Hampden County Bar Association, and the Massachusetts Con- veyances Association. Politically, he is a Republican, and in religious faith is affiliated with the First Con- gregational Church. During vacations, he enjoys traveling.
CHESTER WALKER HAYNES-The organizer and owner of one of the important industrial plants in the Springfield area of Western Massachusetts, Chester Walker Haynes is a native son of that part of the state and of very old Massachusetts lineage. Long before the American Revolution, one Walter Haynes received from the King of England a grant of land running from Sudbury to Lake Quinsigamond. The late Calvin Haynes, who was born in Brimfield, Mas- sachusetts, was a descendant of this Walter Haynes of Colonial times. He was a carriage maker and therefore a man of importance in the days just before the automobile era. Calvin Haynes was married, and both he and his wife died in Springfield. The late James Everett Haynes was their son, born at Milford, Massachusetts in 1863.
James Everett Haynes was a toolmaker who was long employed by the United States Army at the
Magnes
DEEPWOOD HALL-BAY PATH SECRETARIAL SCHOOL, LONGMEADOW, MASSACHUSETTS
Thomas I! Law
W.Mass. IV -- 22
411
WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
famous arsenal at Springfield. He was a Republican in politics and was a prominent member of the North Church Congregational parish in which he was collec- tor and superintendent of the Sunday school. He married Ella Rice, a native of Harpers Ferry, Mary- land, who died in Springfield in 1938 at the age of sixty-eight years. She was a daughter of George and Betsy (Bierley) Rice, both of whom were natives of Harpers Ferry, Maryland, or the town of the same name in Virginia, her father being a skilled cabinet- maker. Mrs. Ella (Rice) Haynes was preceded in death by her husband, who died, also in Springfield, i11 1935.
James Everett and Ella (Rice) Haynes were the parents of Chester Walker Haynes, who was born at Springfield on March 30, 1895. He graduated from Technical High School in Springfield with the class of 1912, and from there went to the Bradford Durfee Textile School at Fall River, Massachusetts, from which he graduated in 1915. His first employment was with the Milton Hersey Company of Montreal, Canada, for whom he was a chemist. After one year with this firm of consulting chemists, he joined the Chemical Warfare Service of the United States, serv- ing throughout World War I. This branch of the government service had its headquarters at Wash- ington, D. C. In 1918 Mr. Haynes received his hon- orable discharge from the Chemical Warfare Service and became associated with the Bay State Thread Works of Springfield as a boss dyer.
In 1922 Mr. Haynes left the employment of the Bay State Thread Works to join the National Aniline Company of New York City as a demonstrator and salesman. After five years with National Aniline, Mr. Haynes was able to achieve the ambition of going into business independently. In 1926 he organized the C. W. Haynes Laboratories, of which he was sole owner. In 1931 this business, already successful, was incorporated as C. W. Haynes Laboratories, Inc., and Mr. Haynes became president.
The C. W. Haynes Laboratories, Inc. engages in the manufacture of industrial finishes including lac- quers, synthetics, varnishes and stains.
With Thomas G. Carr as a partner, Mr. Haynes is one of the owners of the Bay Path Institute located at Longmeadow, near Springfield. He is active in civic and public affairs, and serves as a member of the school board of West Springfield. In politics he is a member of the Republican party. He is a Congregationalist in religion and belongs to the Mittineague church of that denomination. In connection with his business inter- ests he belongs to the National Paint, Varnish and Lacquer Association, to the American Chemical So- ciety and to the New England Production Club. Lo- cally, he is active and influential in the Springfield Chamber of Commerce and in the Springfield Rotary Club. He is well known in Masonic circles, being a Thirty-second degree member of that order, and affiliated also with the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Other memberships include the West Springfield Club and the Longmeadow Country Club. His favorite diversions are fishing, moose hunting and boating. In connection with the latter sport he maintains a boat on Cape Cod.
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.