USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III > Part 101
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Father Lucey's assistant is the Rev. E. W. St. Martin, curate of St. James's Church. From their work the Fisherville community has greatly ben- efited, and so it is that they are well beloved by the people of this parish and the citizens of the whole region.
HAMILTON B. WOOD-Carrying forward the printing and publishing business established by his father half a century ago, Hamilton B. Wood, president and treasurer of the Commonwealth Press, has made one of the most enviable records in the trade in New England. Incidentally he has helped add to the prestige of this his native city as a commercial and cultural center. He is affili- ated with numerous important organizations, among which are the Worcester Musical Association, of which he is president. This latter body is the one that sponsors the annual Worcester Music Festival, internationally known for the excellence of its per- formances and high reputation of its chorus and soloists.
Born in Worcester, May 28, 1889, Hamilton B. Wood is a son of Oliver B. and Jennie C. (Flagg) Wood, the former deceased in 1925, and the latter in 1928. Having received his early education under private tuition, he entered Williams College and graduated Bachelor of Arts in the class of I910. Without delay he began learning the print- ing and publishing business under the oversight of his father, who had organized the Commonwealth Press in 1882. Meanwhile he accepted responsi- bilities as became a young citizen, among them service in the Massachusetts National Guard over a period of years. As he mastered the details of the business, he became more and more a factor in its management and development. Upon the death of his father, he came into complete control of the establishment, and has since been president and treasurer. Besides these offices in the Common- wealth Press, his business connections include the Worcester Lithograph Company, of which he is president; the Worcester County National Bank, of which he is a director; and the Worcester Five Cents Savings Bank, of which he is a trustee. It is in the printing trade that he has, however, prin- cipally made his career, and is to be commended for the large success he has made of his own business.
He is enthusiastic over the affairs of the Worces- ter Musical Association, which has honored him with the presidency, and the considerable part he plays in making the Music Festival an annual suc- cessful event reflects his deep interest in this world- famous organization He gives no attention to practical politics. During the World War period he served on many boards and committees in aid of the government and in organized relief work. He is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, having advanced through the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. Other memberships held by him are in the Worcester Chamber of Commerce, Worcester Agricultural Society, Worcester Art Museum, Worcester County Fish and Game Asso- ciation, Worcester County Mechanics Association, Worcester County Williams College Alumni As- sociation, Advertising Club of Worcester, Players Club of Worcester, Worcester Country Club, the Bohemians, Bancroft Automobile Club, Common- wealth Club, Commercial Travelers Association, Worcester Club, Quinsigamond Boat Club, Tat- nuck Country Club, University Club of Worcester, and the Piedmont Congregational Church.
Hamilton B. Wood married, in 1912, Miss Helen O. Bradley, and they have children: I. Elizabeth, a student at Smith College. 2. Osgood B. 3. Hamilton B., Jr. 4. Norman S. The three last-named children are attending school also. Mr.
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Wood has his place of business at 44 Portland Street, and the family residence is 68 Beechmont Street, Worcester.
WILLIAM H. CUNNINGHAM-For thirty- five years and almost ever since his graduation from college, Mr. Cunningham has been identified with the State Mutual Life Assurance Company. It is rather characteristic of him that practically his entire career has been spent with one and the same company, for amongst his outstanding quali- ties loyalty has always been preeminent. It is equally characteristic of him that he should have been advanced from time to time to positions of ever increasing importance and responsibility, for Mr. Cunningham is a man of exceptional ability, deeply interested in his work and a recognized authority on life insurance.
William H. Cunningham was born at Worcester, March 17, 1873, a son of the late James and Emma R. (Williams) Cunningham. His father, who was for many years identified with the railroad in- dustry, was a native of Needham, Massachusetts, and died in 1913. Mr. Cunningham's mother, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, died in 1897. Having received his early education in the public grammar and high schools of Worcester, Mr. Cunningham then attended the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1896. Very soon after- wards, in 1897, he became associated with the State Mutual Life Assurance Company of Worcester, with which he is still connected. Until 1930 Mr. Cunningham occupied various positions of responsi- bility. Since then he has been statistician of the company, a position of great importance and re- sponsibility, especially in view of the magnitude of the company's business. Mr. Cunningham is widely known in life insurance circles and ranks as one of the most expert life insurance statisticians. He is also secretary of the Worcester Historical Society and vice-president of the Worcester Coun- cil, Boy Scouts of America. At one time he served as chairman of the school board at Auburn, Worcester County, in which town he has long made his home. His clubs include the University Club of Worcester and the Cohasse Country Club, and he is also a member of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce. His religious affiliations are with All Saints Church.
Mr. Cunningham married, in 1902, Blanche Jef- fers, a daughter of John G. Jeffers and Mary E. Darling. The mother, a daughter of Lieutenant- Governor Darling of Rhode Island, was visiting her father when Mrs. Cunningham was born there. Her parents really were residents of Massachu- setts. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham, who make their home at Auburn, Worcester County, are the par- ents of one son, Hilton, who was born May 24, 1909.
ROBERT KENDALL SHAW-For almost three decades Mr. Shaw has been connected with the Free Public Library of his native city, Worces- ter, and during the greater part of this long period he has been its very able librarian. Under his ex- pert direction this library not only has greatly extended its usefulness to and influence in the com- munity, but has become one of the outstanding in-
stitutions of its type in this country. Mr. Shaw is considered one of the leading authorities on library management and in the position held by him for so many years and filled by him with such great distinction he has rendered services of lasting value to the cause of education and to the welfare of the people of Worcester and, indeed, of the en- tire State of Massachusetts.
Robert Kendall Shaw was born at Worcester, July 18, 1871, a son of the late Joseph Alden and Eliza Antoinette (Thompson) Shaw. He received his early education in the public schools and then attended Harvard University, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, in 1894. Later, during 1897- 1899, he studied at the New York State Library School at Albany, New York, from which he re- ceived the degree of B. L. S. in 1901. Immediately after his graduation from Harvard University, Mr. Shaw became a teacher at the Highland Mili- tary Academy at Worcester, in which position he served during 1894-97. From 1898 until 1901 he was on the staff of the New York State Library at Albany, New York, and during 1901-04 on the staff of the Library of Congress. In 1904 he was appointed librarian of the Brockton Public Library at Brockton, Massachusetts, in which position he remained until 1905. In that year he became as- sistant librarian of the Worcester Free Public Library, serving in this position until 1909. At that time he was appointed librarian of the Worces- ter Free Public Library, in which position he is still serving. Mr. Shaw is the author of one book, "Samuel Swett Green," a biography of a famous American librarian, published in 1926. Mr. Shaw is a member of the American Library Association, the Massachusetts Library Club, the Bay Path Library Club, the American Antiquarian Society, and the Worcester Historical Society. He is also a member of Phi Beta Kappa Fraternity, the Worcester Rotary Club, the Worcester Shakes- peare Club, the Worcester Harvard Club, and the Bohemian Club. In politics he is a supporter of the Republican party, while his religious affilia- tions are with the Protestant Episcopal Church.
On September 20, 1902, Mr. Shaw married Bertha Mower Brown, a native of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw make their home at No. 38 Monadnock Road, Worcester, while Mr. Shaw's offices are located at No. 12 Elm Street, Worcester.
DANIEL HENRY RICE-A native of Barre, Massachusetts, Daniel Henry Rice has come to be a well-known and highly esteemed member of the professional coterie of Worcester. He is the assist- ant counsel of the State Mutual Life Assurance Company. Born at Barre, May 25, 1901, he is the son of Daniel H. and Jennie (Adams) Rice, his father being the former deputy sheriff of Worcester County at Barre, and a court officer at the Worces- ter County courthouse.
Daniel Henry Rice, after receiving the prelim- inaries of his education in the local grade and high schools, matriculated at the Law College of Boston University, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He engaged for a time in the practice of law at Athol, but later became associated with the State Mutual Life As- surance Company at Worcester as assistant attor-
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ney, and still later began his service of the cor- poration as assistant counsel, the position he now holds. Mr. Rice is a member of the Delta Theta Phi law fraternity, the University and the Eco- nomic clubs of Worcester. Fraternally he is affili- ated with Athol Lodge, Free and Accepted Ma- sons, and the Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of Worcester. He is also a member of the First Parish of Barre and the Unitarian Church of Worcester.
On October 20, 1928, at Westfield, Mr. Rice married Helen Martha Rice, daughter of Fred- erick Allen and Mae (Kelsey) Rice.
CHARLES WESLEY SEARS-In the lat- ter part of his life, before retiring from active pursuits, Charles W. Sears, late of Worcester, be- came a tree expert and did a large business along the lines of preservation and grafting. He was a member of an old New England family, whose de- scendants have played prominent parts in the his- tory of this section.
Richard Sears, the immigrant ancestor of the Sears family in America, was born in 1590 and died in 1676, second child and eldest son of John and Marie L. (Van Egmond) Sayer (as the name was spelled then). Upon the death of his father he came into his inheritance, joined the last expedi- tion from Leyden, Holland, and set sail for Amer- ica. He landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay Colony, May 8, 1630. He later was one of the earliest settlers of Yarmouth on Cape Cod, where his death occurred. His name is recorded in the books of Plymouth Colony as a taxpayer in 1632. He married, in 1632, Dorothy Thatcher, sister of Anthony Thatcher, of Plymouth. The line of descent is through their son, Paul, and Deborah Willard, his wife; their son, Captain John, and Priscilla Freeman, his wife; their son, Willard, and Larkannah Howes, his wife; their son, Reuben, and Abigail Vincent, his wife; their son, Philan- der, and Bethias Sears, his wife; to Charles Wes- ley, of whom further.
Charles Wesley Sears, son of Philander and Bethias (Sears) Sears, was born in Northville, Massachusetts, September 13, 1835. He received his education in the schools of Worcester and at Worcester Academy, training to fill the position of bookkeeper. He first was employed in Free- land's Clothing Store in Worcester and afterwards engaged in business in Buffalo, New York. On his return to Worcester he became bookkeeper for the Gates Lumber Company in 1867. Subsequently he was identified with the flour and grain business as a member of the firm of Sears and Whittemore. He went to Leavenworth, Kansas, and spent a year there as a representative of Mason and Ham- lin in the sale of organs and music. On his return to Worcester he was associated with a music store in this city for a brief time. As he came down to the latter years of his active life, he studied tree surgery and, becoming proficient in this line, he served numerous clients, preserving and graft- ing trees in a highly expert manner. He retired from all business activity a number of years prior to his passing.
In political alliance he was Republican, but while a staunch member of his party, he could not be persuaded to accept public office. Nor did social life attract him; he preferred the charm of the home circle to all external allurements. He was
a consistent church member, having his fellowship for many years with the old Park Street Methodist Episcopal Church, Worcester, where he was a member of the official board and served as its sec- retary for a considerable time. He later was an active member of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church in Worcester.
Charles Wesley Sears married Sarah Caroline Wood, born March II, 1845, daughter of a well- known violin maker and herself an accomplished musician. Their marriage took place March 13, 1867. Children: I. Edna, born October 31, 1869, died young. 2. Florence Mable, born February 20, 1872, died July 12, 1924. She was a well-known violinist. She married, September 13, 1898, Louis E. Ware, whose death occurred on May 15, 1906.
The death of Charles Wesley Sears, which oc- curred on June 30, 1927, in his ninety-second year, removed one of the exemplary and esteemed citi- zens of Worcester County, whose loss was widely regretted by a large following of friends of the family.
WILLARD E. HEIN-A native of Massa- chusetts, Willard E. Hein, of Worcester, achieved a varied and interesting business career. Its course was by no means smooth, and it was inter- rupted by military service which took, in com- bined features, nearly two years of his life. As a member of the old 2d Regiment of the Massachu- setts National Guard, he served along the Mexican Border; and during the World War with the 104th Infantry of the famous Yankee Division, he was for nineteen months abroad, being gassed at Chateau-Thierry, and wounded at Apremont. He had enlisted early in 1918, and was assigned to the medical department, from which he was honorably discharged the following year.
Mr. Hein was born at Springfield, son of Con- rad and Clarissa R. (White) Hein, both of Con- necticut ancestry. After a public school education he set out to make a livelihood, and one of his first jobs was with the United States Envelope Com- pany, of Springfield, Massachusetts. After work- ing in various positions he was moving along rap- idly in the sales department when the United States became involved in the World War; as has been indicated he resigned his post and enlisted in the national forces. Upon his return to civilian life, he discovered, like many others, that his place with the corporation with which he had been asso- ciated had been filled, and that he was not anxious to continue in the same line of business. After working at various occupations, in 1922, he went with the State Mutual Life Assurance Company of Worcester. At first he was an auditor in the audit department of the company, but later was transferred to the claims department, where he was made chief claim examiner in 1927. In 1932 he became assistant manager of claims and in May, 1933, was promoted to supervisor of claims in which important position he serves at the present writ- ing. His advancement has been rapid with the State Mutual Life, and based entirely upon ability shown under difficult conditions.
Mr. Hein is also a member of the executive com- mittee and vice-president of the Boston Life and Accident Claims Association, a member of the local post of the American Legion, and a member of the Economic Club. For some years he has been an
Charles du. Sears
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adherent of the Christian Science Church. His interest in politics, sports and club and lodge life has been dominated by a devotion to business and to home. As a civic minded citizen he has con- tributed his quota to the projects which have made for the advancement of Worcester and the better- ment of its people.
In 1925 Willard E. Hein married Pauline F. Sorenson, of Massachusetts, and they are the par- ents of two children: I. Robert W., born July 16, 1927. 2. Richard C., born August 29, 1928.
JOHN EDGELL-For the greater part of his business career associated with the State Mutual Life Assurance Company, of Worcester, of which he is the present policy registrar, John Edgell has had the interesting experience of seeing the modern development of that great corporation. He was born November 7, 1875, at Gardner, Massachu- setts, the son of Charles N. and Helen B. (Bryant) Edgell, members of old Gardner families. The senior Mr. Edgell was also in the insurance busi- ness, and at one time a captain of a Gardner local state militia company, became a member of the American forces during the Civil War, and served during a part of that long conflict.
John Edgell, with an education the product of the Gardner public schools and Worcester Acad- emy, went straight from school to work and very shortly became connected with the State Mutual Life Assurance Company, an association which was never broken from 1897 to the present time. He has served in many official capacities, the most recent of which, and the present, is policy registrar, as the directing head of this important department. A capacity for concentrated and continuous hard work coupled with natural abilities have been the secret of his success.
Devotion to business has not left much of time or of desire to give to fraternal orders or club and social organizations. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Blue Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and Odd Fellows. Mr. Edgell is a Unitarian in his re- ligious faith and for a number of years has been a member of that church. As a good citizen, he has given freely of his time and means to civic and humanitarian movements.
In 1900 John Edgell married Georgia L. Lamb, of Westminster, Massachusetts, and they are the parents of two children: I. Harry K., born July 14, 1901. 2. Marian A., born April 24, 1908.
SIMON G. FRIEDMAN-One of Worcester's prominent legal men, Simon G. Friedman has, from the outset of his career in this Massachusetts city, displayed a keen interest in civic affairs and in enterprises tending toward an improvement of con- ditions among his fellowmen. He has won the esteem and respect of all who know him.
Mr. Friedman was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on November 28, 1878, son of Isaac and Janet Friedman, both of whom were born in Rus- sia and came to the United States after their mar- riage. The father came about three years before the mother, who later joined him; and they made their home in Providence. Both parents are now deceased. Simon G. Friedman, of whom this is chiefly a record, early attended the public schools of Worcester, whither his parents came when he was only nine months old. In 1900 he was gradu-
ated from the University Law School, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws, and in the same year was admitted to the bar and began his pro- fessional practice. In his legal work, he has been successful from the outset of his career, and his labors have been outstandingly useful to his fel- low-citizens.
In different legal organizations he has, of course, figured prominently, being a member of the Worcester County Bar Association and the Mas- sachusetts State Bar Association. Through these groups, he keeps in close touch with the newest developments in his profession, at the same time contributing to their members of his rich store of legal experience and knowledge. He is also active in fraternal affairs, being a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, and a leader in its work in the Worcester Community. Into all the organi- zations with which he is connected, Mr. Friedman has regularly put his full measure of energy and enthusiasm, with the result that he is esteemed and respected as are few men, and is in a position to render outstanding service to Worcester and to his State.
Simon G. Friedman married, on September 4, 1915, Sarah Frances Joyce, of Worcester, Mas- sachusetts.
HERBERT J. LUMBRA-For upward of sixteen years, Herbert J. Lumbra has been associ- ated with the State Mutual Life Assurance Com- pany, of Worcester, having made the grade through several positions of increasing importance until he was appointed auditor of agents' accounts, which is the office he has since held. He is also an overseas veteran of the World War. Mr. Lumbra was born in Franklin County, Vermont, June 14, 1893, a son of Ephraim and Alma (Touchette) Lumbra, both parents natives of the Green Mountain State, the former living retired, and the latter deceased, 1926. The son Herbert received an excellent common and high school edu- cation, which he supplemented with a course in a business college. About the first of his business connections was with the Northern Provision Company, of Burlington, Vermont, where from a plain employee he was promoted to manager of the company's branch plant at Rutland, Vermont.
In 1916, he resigned his position in Rutland and came to Worcester, joining the home office staff of the State Mutual Life Assurance Company. He soon demonstrated his worth to his superiors, who saw to it that he was advanced on his merits when- ever an opening occurred. When the time came to appoint a successor of Nelson P. Wood as auditor of agents' accounts, he was installed as the head of that department, and here his services have been eminently satisfactory to the company. His service in the war was rendered as a member of the Amer- ican Expeditionary Forces in France. Warranted a sergeant of infantry, he held this rating at the time of his honorable discharge. He is a member of the American Legion, the Economic Club, and the Roman Catholic Church.
Mr. Lumbra married, in 1915, Corinne G. Nich- ols, and they have their residence at 133 Norton Avenue, Worcester, in which city they have many friends, Mr. Lumbra being also well and favorably known to numerous representatives of the insur- ance profession.
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RAYMOND W. HAYES-The insurance pro- fession has given one of its best known repre- sentatives in Worcester, Raymond W. Hayes, just the opportunity he craved, and as assistant secre- tary of the State Mutual Life Assurance Company, he is helping carry forward the high tradition of this fine old institution. With this company hav- ing been identified all his business life, he has gone along the high way of promotion in good order. Among the so-called younger group of business executives in Worcester he ranks as a leader.
Mr. Hayes was born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, August 26, 1895, a son of Noble O. and Nina (Buffum) Hayes, the former a native of Michigan, and the latter of Massachusetts. His education was received in the public schools, including a high school course, and at a business college. He was in his twentieth year when he accepted a posi- tion in the cashier's department of the State Mu- tual Life Assurance Company, in 1914. So well did he fit in with the work of this department and perform his share in it, that it was an easy matter for the directors to make him the cashier when the necessity arose for filling the office. This high fiscal position he also filled with the ability and integrity for which he had become well known. When, therefore, the board was called upon to promote some member of the staff to assistant secretary of the company, the choice fell logically upon Mr. Hayes, and the office he has since held as a base for further promotion when the occasion shall arise. His colleagues in the insurance pro- fession, in Worcester especially, generously hope that such a situation shall eventuate.
Entering service for the World War, Mr. Hayes was sent to Fort Slocum, New York, where he was on station until honorably discharged, holding the rating of sergeant. He is a member of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce, and his fra- ternal affiliations include the American Legion, having served as finance director in his local post; the "Blue" Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is at the time of writing Worshipful Master; Worcester County Commandery and the Scottish Rite Consistory, in which he has pro- ceeded through the thirty-second degree and into the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the Economic Club, Worcester Tennis Club, Turkey Hill Polo Club and Exchange Club, of Worcester. In that city also he is a member of the Central Church.
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