Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III, Part 10

Author: Nelson, John, 1866-1933
Publication date: 1934
Publisher: New York, American historical Society
Number of Pages: 700

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In spite of his extensive and important business connections, which make heavy demands on his time and energy, Mr. Blake has found it possible to in- terest himself actively in many other phases of the community's life. He is a trustee of the Worcester County Institution, the Home for Aged Women and the Hahnemann Hospital. He is also a mem- ber of the United States Naval Institute, the American Legion, and the Military Order of the World War. His clubs include the Worcester Club, the Tatnuck Country Club, the Quinsiga- mond Boat Club, the University Club and the Harvard Club, all of Worcester, as well as the Harvard Clubs of Boston and of New York City. Soon after the United States entered the World War on the side of the Allies, Mr. Blake, in May, 1917, entered the United States Navy as a gunner's mate on the United States ship "Pawnee." Com- missioned an ensign in September, 1917, he was transferred to Washington, District of Columbia, in October, 1917, for duty in the office of the Chief Cable Censor. In January, 1918, he was sent to Pernambuco, Brazil, as cable censor, serving there in that capacity until June, 1918, when he was sent home on account of illness. After treatment at the Brooklyn, New York, Naval Hospital, Mr.

Blake recovered his health and then served in the office of the cable censor at New York City until he was placed on the inactive list in January, 1919. For many years he has been prominently identified with Masonic affairs and he is a popular member of numerous Masonic bodies, including the following: Quinsigamond Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Eureka Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Worcester County Commandery, No. 5, Knights Templar; Hiram Council, Royal and Select Masters; and Aleppo Temple, of Boston, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.

Mr. Blake married, September 27, 1912, Ethel Kinney, of Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Blake, who make their home at No. 12 Military Road, Worcester, are the parents of two sons: I. For- dyce Turner, Jr., born July 17, 1913. 2. Charles K., born January 29, 1922.

IRVING M. STODDARD-One of the many interesting commercial developments of the present century was the "dining car," that nicely built diner on wheels which one is likely to find located at a strategic place inside cities and towns, or along the highways, catering to the people who desire to eat promptly yet well. The oldest company making these cars is that formed by Granville M. Stoddard and Philip H. Duprey in 1906, its original plant being situated at Franklin and Grafton streets, Worcester. Granville M. Stoddard died in 1921 and was succeeded by the son, whose name heads this review.

Irving M. Stoddard, son of Granville M. and Laura J. (Stockman) Stoddard, both natives of Maine, was born December 16, 1872, at Lawrence, Massachusetts. He was educated in the local pub- lic schools and business college, and studied for nearly two years in the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. School days over, he became associated with his father in the manufacture of diners, and has since that time so continued. Upon the demise of his father in 1921, he succeeded to his father's interest in the concern, of which he is the treasurer and general manager. Mr. Stoddard is also a part- ner of Philip H. Duprey in the Duprey Realty Company, insurance and real estate, and is a direc- tor of the Peoples Loan Company, and of the Eastern Point Land Company. The Worcester Lunch Car Company, of which mention has been made, has been located since about 1918 on Quin- sigamond Street, Worcester. It is one of the larg- est, and oldest manufactories of its kind, its prod- ucts being sent to all parts of the United States and Canada.

Mr. Stoddard has, in a quiet way, done a great deal to further the progress and prosperity of Worcester, both as an employer of labor and as a public-minded citizen. He is a popular figure in the Worcester Chamber of Commerce, the Com- monwealth Club, and the United Commercial Trav- elers' Society. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, Quinsigamond Lodge, and is a member of all the bodies of Masonry up to, and including the thirty-second degree, Scottish Rite. His religious faith is that of the Congre- gational Church.

CLARENCE CHAMBERLAIN DODGE- Treasurer and general manager of George F. Blake, Incorporated, Clarence C. Dodge has been a prominent figure in the industrial and business

C.R. Fitzgerald

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fe of Worcester County for many years. He was born at Rutland, Massachusetts, on December 25, 1877, a son of the Rev. George S., born in Waldoboro, Maine, and Laura (Chamberlain) Dodge, born in Hartford, Connecticut. His father, who was a minister of the Congregational Church and very well known throughout this section, died in 1924. He was a graduate of Hartford Theologi- cal Seminary. Laura (Chamberlain) Dodge, his wife, died in 1919.

Clarence C. Dodge was educated in Massachu- setts public schools and at Worcester Academy. He has been connected with George F. Blake, Incorporated, and its predecessors during practi- cally all of his active career, beginning with them when he was only fifteen years old. He was employed at first in minor capacities, but gradually rose within the organization as he demonstrated his qualifications for greater responsibility and eventually became general manager of the com- pany, then known as the George F. Blake, Jr. Company. Since its incorporation in 1929 as George F. Blake, Incorporated, he has been treas- urer and general manager. Other officers are: Fordyce T. Blake, president, and George F. Stobbs, secretary.

The history of this concern dates back to 1884 when George F. Blake formed the partnership of Blake and Boutelle to carry on a business in steel, iron, sheet metal and heavy hardware. In 1886 Mr. Blake bought out the interest of his partner. Headquarters of the company have al- ways been located at Foster and Mechanic streets, Worcester. In 1924 a large warehouse was erected by the company on Summer Street, and in 1928 an addition to the Foster Street plant. In 1930 they added another line to their business, deal- ing in auto tires, oils, batteries and supplies, etc.

Mr. Dodge's services have been an important factor in the success and recent growth of the company and it was under his leadership that the George F. Blake Company made such an excellent record in supplying factories and industries with steel during the World War period. Mr. Dodge is past president of the New England Steel and Heavy Hardware Association of Boston, and the American Steel Warehouse Association of Philadel- phia. Apart from his business connections, he has been identified in many ways with the progress of Worcester County and is a well-known figure in the life of this section. Mr. Dodge is affiliated fra- ternally with Quinsigamond Lodge, Free and Ac- cepted Masons and with the Commandery, Knights Templar, the Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and the Grotto, Mystic Order, Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm. He is a member of the Worcester Club, the Worcester Country Club, the Tatnuck Island Club, the Com- monwealth Club, the Worcester Chamber of Com- merce and several fish and game associations, while in religious faith he is a member of the Congre- gational Church. During the World War he served on a number of boards and committees. Mr. Dodge has been a director of the Eastern Bridge Company for a period of years.

In 1901, Clarence C. Dodge married Alice Hicks Fernald, of Massachusetts, daughter of James W. Fernald and Emma (Hicks) Fernald. They are the parents of one daughter, Ruth, a graduate of Wheaton College and now the wife of C. F. Penney.

JOHN P. FRANKLIN is well known in busi- ness in Worcester where he has for a number of years been the treasurer of the David Gessner Company, manufacturers of textile machinery.

Mr. Franklin was born on April 30, 1897, at Muncie, Indiana, son of L. A. and Lillian (Smith) Franklin, of that place. The father, who was for- merly a carriage manufacturer, is now retired. In the public schools of his native place in Indiana, John P. Franklin, of this review, received his early education, afterward attending Worcester Acad- emy. He later attended Cornell University.

Determining upon a business career, he entered the textile industry giving spcial attention to the needs of the trade in the field of machinery. His first employment was with the Union Special Machinery Company, of Chicago, Illinois, where he acted as production manager. In 1921 he came to Worcester to accept the general managership of the David Gessner Company plant, engaged in manufacture of a similar sort. A short time later he was made treasurer of this organization, the position that he continues to hold at the time of this writing. The company employs about seventy- five hands in the making of the Gessner machines, which are distributed in the textile industry throughout the United States and foreign lands. David Gessner, the president of the company, is a recognized authority on textile machinery; and has written a number of articles on the equipment of textile plants. A biographical record of him to- gether with a history of this business appears else- where in these pages. The company occupies 40,000 square feet of floor space, its expansion having been continuous and sound.

In addition to his position as treasurer of his company, Mr. Franklin is associated with the Wor- cester Chamber of Commerce, in which he is a member of the new industries committee, and the Rotary Club. He is also a member of the Wor- cester Country Club and the Quinsigamond Club. In the World War he served as a member of the 19th Field Artillery and held the rank of sergeant in the American Expeditionary Forces.

John P. Franklin married, in 1929, Louise Sagar, of Duluth, Minnesota, daughter of a prominent family of that city. Two children have been born of this union: I. Richard P. 2. Barbara.

CHARLES REGINALD FITZGERALD- The important office of actuary in the State Mutual Life Assurance Company has been filled by Charles R. Fitzgerald for nearly a quarter of a century. His length of service carries its own testimonial to his ability to discharge the exacting duties of head of this important department in Worcester County's largest corporation. Mr. Fitzgerald's father, William Fitzgerald, was a native of Lon- don, Ontario, Canada, and for thirty years held the post of superintendent of insurance for the Domin- ion of Canada at Ottawa, 1882-1912. He died January 22, 1921, age 77. He married Helen Josephine Ryerson, of the well-known New Jersey family of that name. She died June 28, 1912, age 65.

Charles Reginald Fitzgerald, son of William and Helen Josephine (Ryerson) Fitzgerald, was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, October 15, 1878, and received his education in the public schools of Ottawa and the University of Toronto, where he

WORCESTER COUNTY

graduated in the class of 1900 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts.

His connection with the insurance profession be- gan in Toronto and he has since been identified with this line. In 1905 he came to Worcester and accepted a position as clerk in the actuarial de- partment of the State Mutual Life Assurance Com- pany. He made good from the very beginning and advanced rapidly. Two years after his arrival he was promoted to assistant actuary, in 1907, and in January, 1909, was advanced to actuary as the suc- cessor of E. J. Sartelle. His work has been emi- nently satisfactory to the company and contribu- tory to the great success the company has enjoyed since he has been at the head of his department. He participates in the civic life of the city, having affiliation with the Chamber of Commerce, the Worcester Club, Tatnuck Country Club, and holding membership in the "Blue" Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; and the Royal Arch Masons. He is a Delta Kappa Epsilon man of Toronto Uni- versity. His church fellowship is with All Saints parish (Episcopal). He is the father of a son, Reginald Fitzgerald, born May 27, 1913, and they have their home at 5 Montvale Road, Worcester.

DUNCAN H. DEWAR-After a decade of banking experience in Boston, Massachusetts, Dun- can H. Dewar came to Worcester to become asso- ciated with one of the manufacturing concerns of that city. He is a Bostonian by birth, the son of Daniel and Margaret (Walker) Dewar, born June 10, 1880. His father was a native of Scotland, who as a young man came to this country and was for many years engaged in the building trade ; he died in 1919. His mother was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, and died in 1916.

Duncan H. Dewar attended the public schools, and matriculating at Harvard University, he was graduated with the class of 1905, a Bachelor of Arts. He then became associated with the well- known Boston firm, of Hornblower and Weeks, remaining with them for nearly ten years, until 1915 when he was invited to join forces with the B. S. Roy and Son Corporation of Worcester, of which he became president in 1925, succeeding Herbert K. Sparrell. The company is a very old concern, established in 1868 by B. S. Roy, the inventor. It was the first to manufacture a chain tranverse grinding machine which has come into universal use. The business was started as a part- nership but in 1915 was incorporated. The com- pany manufactures grinding machines and textile machinery; its products are shipped to all parts of the world.

Fraternally, Mr. Dewar is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, and is a member of all the bodies both York and Scottish Rite and in the latter he has attained the thirty-second degree. He is a member of Aleppo Temple, Ancient Ara- bic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Among his clubs are the Harvard Club of Boston, the University Club and the Wachusetts Country Club of Worcester. He is a Universalist in his reli- gious faith.

On June 10, 1918, at Boston, Mr. Dewar mar- ried Serena Sparrell Roy, and they are the par- ents of a son, Duncan H., Jr., born May 8, 1923.

JAMES E. BIGWOOD-Among the men who have contributed to the importance of Wor- cester, Massachusetts, as an industrial center, may be numbered James E. Bigwood, treasurer of the Fleming Manufacturing Company, and assistant treasurer and general manager of the Stafford Steel and Iron Works. He was born in Orange, Massa- chusetts, January 21, 1892, the son of George H, and Annie E. (Gunson) Bigwood. His father was a native of England engaged throughout the most of his life in the steel industry, and who died in 1924. Mrs. Bigwood, although born in Massachusetts, was educated in England.

James E. Bigwood attended the public schools and was graduated from a business college before starting out to make a livelihood. He tried his hand at several occupations before becoming asso- ciated with the Stafford Iron Works, a concern organized in 1915 for the manufacture of iron and steel for use in construction work and to ornament buildings. C. F. Davis was the first president who continued at the head until his death in 1931. At that time H. A. Hall was elected president, and James Bigwood, assistant treasurer and general manager. The business which started on a small scale has made a solid and steady growth, for which much of the credit is given to Mr. Bigwood.

The Fleming Manufacturing Company was formed in 1929 to make precision tools for the automotive industry. C. F. Davis was also the treasurer of this company, and James E. Bigwood succeeded him as treasurer. The products of the company are distributed throughout the United States. Mr. Bigwood devotes so much time and energy to his business affiliations that he enters into public activ- ities but rarely. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of several local clubs. His church is the Baptist, and he is keenly inter- ested in humanitarian and charitable work.

In 1922, James E. Bigwood married Grace E. Streeter, a native of Massachusetts, and they are the parents of a daughter, Janet E., born March 23, 1924.

TREFFLY C. CAPISTROM-An electrical engineer of wide experience and distinguished rec- ord, Treffly C. Capistrom is well known in engi- neering circles of Massachusetts and New England. He is at present superintendent and division man- ager of the New England Power Company at Worcester.

Mr. Capistrom was born on January 4, 1894, at Millbury, Massachusetts, a son of Oliver and Eliz- abeth (Trabault) Capistrom, both now deceased. His father, who was a cabinetmaker by trade, was a native of the Province of Quebec, Canada. He died in 1932 and his wife, who was born at Fisherville, Massachusetts, died in 1914.

Treffly C. Capistrom received his preliminary education in the public schools and subsequently entered Worcester Polytechnic Institute where he remained until 1913. He began his electrical career with the Suburban Electric Company in Uxbridge. Later he went to Pawtucket, Rhode Island, where he was placed in charge of operations of the new plant in that city. Several years later he returned to Worcester where he was engaged in disptach work and subsequently took a position with the

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Grafton County Electric Light and Power Com- Jany at Lebanon, New Hampshire. Here he re- mained until 1928 when he was appointed to his present position as superintendent and division man- ager of the central office of the New England Power Company located at Worcester. Mr. Capis- trom is well qualified by experience and demon- strated ability for the responsible office he now holds. He has a very successful record and is well known in engineering circles throughout New England.

Mr. Capistrom has always given his best atten- tion to his professional work, but has also found time to be active in the general life of Worcester. He is a member of the Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Wachusett Country Club and several other organizations, while fraternally he is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons. In religious faith he is a member of the Episcopalian Church. Mr. Capistrom's success has been won solely through his own efforts. He holds an impor- tant position in Worcester life and enjoys the respect of the entire city.

In 1919, Treffly C. Capistrom married Nellie Seinor. They are the parents of one son, Robert F., born December 6, 1923. The residence of the family is maintained in Milbury, Massachusetts, at No. 19 Prospect Street.

FRANK CHANNING SMITH, JR .- One of the leading attorneys of Worcester, Massachusetts, of which city he has been a resident for three dec- ades, Frank Channing Smith, Jr., is also prom- inently identified with the civic and humanitarian affairs of the community and has contributed valu- ably to its progress and prosperity. He is a popu- lar and highly esteemed figure in the legal frater- nity, being somewhat of a "lawyer's lawyer," one often consulted by his colleagues, and one having an outstanding reputation as a brilliant specialist in corporation law. He is a native of Massachu- setts, born May 22, 1877 a son of Frank C. and Hattie R. (Chase) Smith, the former coming from Blackstone, Massachusetts.

Frank Channing Smith, Jr., after attending the public schools in preparation for college, matricu- lated at Harvard University, from which he was graduated in 1900 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then pursued technical studies leading to the degree of Bachelor of Laws, which he gained in the Harvard College of Law, upon his gradua- tion with the class of 1902. In March of that same year he was admitted to the bar and began the practice of his profession at Worcester, Massachu- setts. Almost immediately he became a member of the law firm of Blackmer, Vaughan and Smith, and was thus associated until 1907, when he be- came a member of Smith & Gaskill, lawyers, en- gaged in general practice. In 1914 the firm was changed to Thayer, Smith and Gaskill. As stated, Frank Channing Smith, Jr., specializes in corpora- tion law, and both in it and his general practice, has achieved a notable career. He is a member of the Worcester County Bar Society, and also of the Massachusetts State and the American Bar associations.

Among other of Mr. Smith's activities are in- cluded : Director of the Mechanics National Bank ; trustee of the Worcester Five Cents Savings Bank; and he is financially interested in several industrial and commercial concerns. He is a trustee of

Smith College; Visitor of Fine Arts Department, Harvard University ; trustee of Worcester Art Mu- seum; president, Worcester Traveler's Aid So- ciety ; chairman of the board, Mt. Wachusett State Reservation; member, National Council Layman's League; member, Worcester Club, Tatnuck Coun- try Club, Harvard Club of Boston, Union Club of Boston, University Club, Worcester Historical So- ciety, Worcester Horticultural Society, Worcester Musem of Natural History, and several other clubs and societies. His religious affiliations are with the Unitarian Church, in which local organization he has served on numerous boards and committees.

In 1904, Frank Channing Smith, Jr., married Amy J. Williams, of Worcester.

ALBERT A. GORDON-A director and the superintendent of the Crompton and Knowles Loom Works, at Worcester, Massachusetts, Albert A. Gordon had been associated with this enterprise and its predecessors during practically all his busi- ness career. He has also been very active in Ma- sonic circles at Worcester.

Albert A. Gordon was born at Worcester on February 16, 1865, a son of Albert A., born in Farmington, Maine, and Ann Eliza (Bridges) Gordon, a native of Worcester, Massachusetts. His father, who was associated with George Crompton before the formation of the Crompton and Knowles Company, died in 1917. His wife survived him six years, passing away in 1923.

Mr. Gordon was educated in the public schools of Worcester and at Worcester Polytechnic Insti- tute, from which he was graduated in 1886 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He became connected with George Crompton, a manufacturer of textile machinery here and continued his asso- ciation after the consoliation which resulted in the formation of the Crompton and Knowles Company. Mr. Gordon rose through various positions to his present office as superintendent, which he has suc- cessfully occupied since January 1, 1912. He at- tained that position through the merit of his serv- ices, not only by his ability in handling the problems of management but also in the large number of im- provements in the machinery which have resulted in valuable letters patents being obtained. In his many years of service with the Crompton and Knowles Company he has won the respect and re- gard of his associates and of all who work under his supervision.

Mr. Gordon is a member of the Blue Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and a member of all higher bodies in this order, both York and Scottish Rite, including the Commandery of the Knights Tem- plar, and the Consistory, thirty-second degree, An- cient Accepted Scottish Rite. He is Past Eminent Commander of his Commandery and is thoroughly in sympathy with Masonic ideals and principles which he has always sought to advance. Mr. Gordon is also a member of the Economic Club, the Worcester Country Club, Sons of American Revolution, the Foreign Policy Association, and the Worcester Chamber of Commerce. In reli- gious faith he is a member of Union Congrega- tional Church at Worcester, serving on the board of trustees for many years and he has filled many church offices in Worcester.

In 1895, Albert A. Gordon married (first) Carrie M. Sweetser, now deceased. He married (second), in 1927, Alice (Varney) Ward. Three children

WORCESTER COUNTY

were born of the first marriage: I. Catherine S., a graduate of Wellesley College. 2. Albert A., 3d, a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Tech- nology. 3. Frances, a graduate of the National Park Seminary in Washington, District of Columbia.

DR. WILLIAM BILLINGS ASPINWALL -President of the State Teachers' College at Wor- cester, Massachusetts, William Billings Aspinwall is an educator of long experience and distinguished record. He has been administrative head of the Worcester institution for twenty years and is a well-known figure in educational circles of New England.

Dr. Aspinwall was born at Loudonville, New York, on November 13, 1874, a son of William F. and Sarah M. (Sterry) Aspinwall. His father was born at Hastings, New York, on December 25, 1843, and for more than half a century was a res- ident of Loudonville in that State. Sarah M. (Sterry) Aspinwall, his wife, was born at Canaan, New York, May 25, 1849, and died in Loudonville, August 30, 1906. The Aspinwall family was estab- lished in America by William Aspinwall, who landed in Massachusetts Bay, according to old rec- ords, on June 17, 1630. In 1645, Peter Aspinwall, from whom Dr. Aspinwall is directly descended, was a resident of what is now Brookline, Massa- chusetts. It was for him that the present Aspin- wall Avenue and Aspinwall Hill at Brookline were named. Dr. Aspinwall is also descended from Francis Lewis, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and Dr. David Budd, who in the Revolution was surgeon on the staff of Colonel Goose Van Schaick, Ist Regiment New York Volunteers, Continental Line.

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Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III, Part 10

Author: Nelson, John, 1866-1933 Publication date: 1934 Publisher: New York, American historical Society Number of Pages: 700

Author: Nelson, John, 1866-1933
Publication date: 1934
Publisher: New York, American historical Society
Number of Pages: 700