Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III, Part 102

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

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III > Part 102

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Mr. Hayes married, in 1916, Margaret Davis, born in Massachusetts, the daughter of William and Mary E. (Norcross) Davis. The Hayes fam- ily residence is 47 Brownell Road, Worcester. There are three children: I. Raymond, Jr., who was born May 27, 1918. 2. Donald N., born October 27, 1922. 3. Mary Elizabeth, born June 24, 1924.

BENJAMIN ELKIND-As president of the Metropolitan Cleaning and Dyeing Company, Ben- jamin Elkind is at the head of one of the largest establishments of its kind in the city of Worcester

Benjamin Elkind was born in Russia, July 24. 1894, son of Hyman Elkind, who spent his life in his native land. Hyman Elkind was an energetic man, who, as a mere lad of thirteen years, began a dyeing and cleaning business which he continued to the time of his death at the age of seventy-five years. The son, Benjamin, attended school in his

native land and then learned the cleaning and dye- ing business with his father. In 1912, when he was seventeen years old, he came to this country and located in Boston, where he secured work with a dyeing and cleaning establishment. He was skill- ful at his trade and took care to save as much of his earnings as possible. When he had suffi- cient capital in hand he began to look around for a good opportunity to purchase a business of his own. In 1918 he found the opportunity for which he was looking in the modest business, which Louis Epstein had been carrying on in a small way. He purchased the business and then set about the task of developing the small concern. By strict attention to the details of the business and by turn- ing out only thoroughly satisfactory work, he gradually established a reputation which worked for him and brought him many new patrons. As the business grew, Mr. Elkind enlarged his plant and improved his equipment until now, after more than fifteen years of steady work, the Metropolitan Cleaning and Dyeing Company ranks as one of the largest and best in the city. When Mr. Elkind's company purchased the business, there were four employees and one Ford truck made the deliveries. Now the volume of business is such that seventy- five employees and twelve trucks are needed to take care of the work. The plant, too, has grown cor- respondingly and now includes three entire build- ings. The main office, which is located on the ground floor of a two-story building, seventy-five by thirty feet, is equipped with all the latest ap- proved appliances for conducting a large business and on the upper floor of this building are the general offices and the shipping room. A three- story building, sixty-two by thirty-two, houses the dyeing plant, pressing room and garage, and a third building, sixty-five by twenty, contains the clean- ing rooms. In each of these three buildings the latest machinery has been installed, and every con- venience which can aid in turning out thoroughly satisfactory work has been included. When Mr. Elkind purchased the business, its patronage was drawn from the city of Worcester only, but now the patrons of the Metropolitan Cleaning and Dye- ing Company come not only from Worcester, but from the entire territory included within a radius of twenty miles surrounding the city. Superior work and excellence of service have brought a substantial reward, and the reputation which the Metropolitan Cleaning and Dyeing has won con- tinually brings to it new patrons. Mr. Elkind is a member of the National Dyers and Cleaners Association, in the work of which he takes an active part.

Benjamin Elkind married, in May, 1917, Han- nah Grossman, and they have four children: Ber- nice, Milton, Harriet and Marylin, twins.

ALBERT T. WALL is one of the most inter- esting and outstanding of the younger professional group of Worcester. He is a native of Westeras, Sweden, born September 2, 1881, the son of Nich- olas and Wilhelmina Wall, both of whom died and are buried in Sweden. Albert T. Wall was educated in his native land, and came to the United States in 1902 and located in Worcester. He was just of age, and faced the difficulties of making his way in a land of whose language he knew little, and whose customs he did not understand. He found employment in the machine shops of the city, and

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when he showed his ability as a linguist, was ap- pointed to the police force and served in this department from 1910 to 1917.

Mr. Wall was, and is, a student, and while engaged in necessary work, also prepared himself for a professional career. He took courses in the Huntington Preparatory School, Boston, and entered the Northeastern Law School, to be graduated in 1918 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He was admitted to the bar of Worcester County, that same year, and since that time has practiced law in Worcester. In 1917, Mr. Wall was elected a member of the Massachusetts State Legislature, and served during the sessions of 1918, 1919, 1920 and 1921. He was a member of the Insurance and Legal Affairs committees, and during his third year was chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee; and was chairman of the Committee on Constitutional Law for two years. In 1929 he was appointed special justice of the Central District Court of Worcester.

Mr. Wall is a member of the Worcester County and Massachusetts State Bar associations. Frater- \ nally, he is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, being a member of all the bodies of Ma- sonry up to, and including the thirty-second degree, and is affiliated with Aleppo Temple, Boston, An- cient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His church is the First Lutheran of Worcester.

On January 27, 1906, Mr. Wall married Marie Swenson, a native of Sweden, and they are the par- ents of three daughters : I. Elvira M., born April 17, 1908. 2. Linnea Mabel, born December 20, 1909. 3. Doris Ann, born August 1, 1914.

ALBERT E. MAYKEL-A member of the professional coterie which has helped to make Worcester one of the outstanding cities of New England, Albert E. Maykel, a native son of the city, is one of its younger and successful attorneys. He was born March 30, 1906, the son of Mitchell K. and Josephine (Massabni) Maykel, the former of whom has for two decades been one of the fore- most automobile distributors in Worcester County. Both parents were born in Syria, and came to this country in the last ten years of the last cen- tury. Mrs. Maykel was a graduate of the Amer- ican College at Beirut, Syria, and the grandpar- ents of the subject of this review were Kalel and Annie (Smart) Maykel, the former of whom were engaged in the mercantile business in Worcester.

Albert E. Maykel received his preliminary edu- cation in the Grafton Street School, Worcester, and was graduated from the High School of Com- merce, of this same city in 1925. In September, 1925, he matriculated at Suffolk Law School, Bos- ton, Massachusetts, from which he was graduated four years later with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, in June, 1929. Mr. Maykel passed his bar examinations in December, 1929, and was admitted to the bar of Worcester County, and since that time has been engaged in a general practice of his profession. In June, 1931, he was admitted to practice in the United States District Court. He is a member of the Worcester County Bar Associa- tion.

Interested in politics even before he was of age, to cast his first vote, Mr. Maykel has risen to prominence in the affairs of his people and of the local Republican party. He is vice-president of

the Worcester Republican Council, and active in the city campaigns. He was president of the Syrian-American Association during 1932-33, and is fraternally affiliated with the Knights of St. George. He is now associated with Attorney Albert T. Wall, associate justice of the Central District Court at Worcester.

CARLO P. BENAGLIA, M. D .- His native city, Worcester, has been the scene of Dr. Bena- glia's successful professional activities as a physi- cian for the last decade and ever since the con- clusion of his medical training. From the very beginning of his professional career he has shown unusual ability and as a result he quickly built up a large and important practice. He is also active in hospital work and is a very popular member of several medical, fraternal and social organizations. Through his various activities he has made for himself a position of influence in the community and this influence is the greater for his deep interest in everything which affects the welfare of the city, its people and its institutions.

Carlo P. Benaglia was born in Worcester, July 13, 1896, a son of Carlo and Camella (Carabbio) Benaglia. His father was a native of Italy, his mother of Boston. The former came to the United States in his youth and settled in Worcester, where he started a bakery. He continued to operate this establishment very successfully until his death, which occurred in December, 1895, thus making his son a posthumous child. Dr. Benaglia's mater- nal grandfather, Joseph Carabbio, left his native country, Italy, likewise in his youth, together with his brother, Stephen. Though the two brothers originally intended to emigrate to South America, they changed their plans after leaving Italy and came to the United States, landing at Boston. The two brothers served with the Union Army during the Civil War, Stephen Carabbio being with Gen- eral Sherman's Army. Both served until the close of the war. Dr. Benaglia received his early edu- cation in the public schools of Worcester and then took up the study of medicine at Tufts College, from the medical department of which institution he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1923. Soon afterwards he established himself in the practice of medicine in Worcester, where he has continued to practice with steadily mounting success since then. His offices are lo- cated at No. 80 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester. His practice, which is of a general nature, has reached very large proportions and makes heavy demands on his time and energy, which he always meets with characteristic promptness, efficiency and faith- fulness. In spite of his large private practice he finds it possible to serve very effectively as a physician on the staff of the Memorial Hospital's Dispensary and as physician to the Louis Pasteur Hospital. He is also an active member of the Worcester County District Medical Society. Ever since his college days he has been a member of Alpha Kappa Kappa Fraternity, a medical frater- nity. Other organizations, in which Dr. Benaglia maintains active membership, include the following : Knights of Columbus; Sons of Italy; Ancient Order of United Workmen; Royal Arcanum; and Wachusett Country Club. His favorite form of recreation is golf, in which he finds relaxation from the exacting duties of his profession.

Dr. Benaglia's residence is located at No. 10 Carver Street, Worcester.

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CARL HUNT JOHNSON-During the greater part of his mature career a public official, Carl Hunt Johnson is one of the civic leaders of Worcester and a well-known figure in political and fraternal circles. He is a native of the city, born February 29, 1892, a son of the Rev. Fred D. and Mary A. (Hunt) Johnson, the former of whom is now retired from the ministry and makes his home in New Hampshire.

Carl Hunt Johnson was educated in the grade and high schools of Worcester, and comparatively early in life set out to make his own livelihood. For a time he was connected with the local Young Men's Christian Association ; was in the insurance business for several years, and had experience along a few other lines of occupation. In 1918 he was made the assistant city clerk, a post which he held until January, 1927, when he became clerk of the city council committees and license board, and has remained here since that time. He has the reputation of being a conscientious and effi- cient public official.

Mr. Johnson has the gifts which make for per- sonal popularity and for making and holding the friendship and confidence of people. Fraternally, he is a member of the Montacute Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. He is a Past Grand Master of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 43; Past Chief Patriot, Wachusett Encamp- ment, No. 10; and a member of the Worcester Canton, No. 3; and Naomi Rebekah Lodge, No. 18. During the time when the United States was engaged in the World War, he was at Camp Devens until the Armistice was the occasion for relieving men from the army service. Mr. John- son is a member of the Worcester Post, American Legion; Worcester Grange, No. 22; the Eighth Ward and Second Ward Republican clubs, and of the Worcester County Republican Club.

On September 30, 1920, Mr. Johnson married Ruth Comins Sprague, of Leicester, Massachusetts, and they are the parents of two children : 1. Miriam, born September 7, 1921. 2. Sanford Carlton, born September 29, 1926. Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hunt Johnson reside at No. 17 Arbutus Road, Worcester.

THOMAS F. FOLEY-The enforcement of the law in Worcester is in the able hands of Thomas F. Foley, the popular and efficient Chief of Police. He is a native of Worcester, born December 27, 1879, and during the whole of his career has been identified with the life and affairs of the city. He was educated in its schools, being a graduate of Old English High, 1897. He is the son of John J. and Mary A. (Carroll) Foley, both former natives of Ireland who came to America as small children and settled with their parents in Worcester. His father was for many years an employee of the Worcester Gas Light Company, and died in 1909. His mother is still a resident of Worcester.

Thomas F. Foley, as a lad, went to work for the Steinberg Company, of Worcester, interior decora- tors, and remained thus occupied for nine years. In 1907 he joined the city police force as a patrol- man, and worked his way up through the different departments until June 4, 1928, when he was ap- pointed, in competitive examination, Chief of the Police Department. Chief Foley has made a re- markably successful executive and administrator. At the time of writing he has under him a force of

four hundred and seventeen persons. He has made many advantageous changes in the personnel and methods of police management, has enforced the laws of the city in a manner both just and strong, and has the satisfaction of being honored and esteemed for the conduct of his exacting office. He is a member of the International Chiefs of Police Association, of the New England Chiefs of Police Association, and other similar organizations, and of the Worcester Police Relief Association.

Chief Foley has always taken a deep and in- formed interest in the civic and patriotic movements of the municipality, and had contributed greatly to the advancement of the welfare of the city. He has a notable war record. In 1898, he became a member of the Massachusetts National Guard, and is now a brigadier-general of the Massachusetts Guards Reserve. He enlisted in the United States Army, March 25, 1917, for service in the American forces during the period when this country par- ticipated in the World War. He ranked as cap- tain, commanding Company G, 10Ist Infantry, 26th Division, and went overseas with the American Expeditionary Forces. He was in action upon various battlefronts in France, was twice wounded in the campaign of the Aisne-Marne, July 23, 1918, and the Meuse-Argonne, October 25, 1918. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, and received the Legion of Honor decoration and the Croix de Guerre, France, and the Purple Heart. Mr. Foley was honorably discharged March 28, 1919, holding the rank of major.

Chief Foley is a member of the Legion of Honour, France, and the Legion of Honor, United States of America, Military Order of World War, Army and Navy Club, Yankee Division Club, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled Veterans of the World War. In his fraternal affiliations he is a member of the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Knights of Columbus. His clubs are the Rotary and Lions.

Thomas F. Foley married, December 27, 1910, Mary E. O'Donnell, of Worcester, and they are the parents of six children: I. John J., born Au- gust 18, 1912, a student at Dartmouth College. 2. Thomas F., Jr., born March 7, 1913; student at Dartmouth College. 3. Robert E., born March 7, 1915. 4. Kathleen A., born May 14, 1921. 5. Paul E., born September 20, 1923. 6. Vincent D., born April 7, 1925.

DR. ERWIN C. MILLER-After completing a thorough training, to which he had added three years of hospital experience, Dr. Erwin C. Miller began private practice in Worcester in 1928.

Henry A. Miller, father of Dr. Miller, was a prominent citizen of Malone, New York, where he was engaged in the leather manufacturing busi- ness to the time of his retirement. He was a Civil War veteran, member of the 142d New York Volunteers, with which unit he served for three and a half years, enlisting as a private and by gallantry in action winning promotion to the rank of ser- geant, lieutenant, and finally captain. He took part in many of the most stubbornly fought battles of the war, including Antietam, Gettysburg, Vicks- burg, and Harpers Ferry. He served for some time on General Sherman's staff and at the close of the war was honorably discharged with the rank of captain. His later years were spent in Malone, New York, where he died in 1928, at the

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age of eighty-five years. He married Mary A. Porley, a native of Malone, and they became the parents of two sons: I. Harry A., who was grad- uated from Harvard College and then went to Mexico, where he attended a mining school and has since been engaged in the oil fields in various parts of the country. 2. Erwin C., of further mention.

Dr. Erwin C. Miller was born in Malone, New York, September 6, 1897. He received his early education in the local public schools and then en- tered Dartmouth College, from which he was grad- uated in 1920 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He chose the medical profession as his life work, but while taking his professional training financed his course by three years of teaching, first taking classes in anatomy and histology and later teach- ing embryology and histology. After one year of experience in the hospital at Danvers, Massachu- setts, he was made head house officer at the Mas- sachusetts General Hospital, where he remained for two years. As this is the largest hospital in the State, containing fourteen hundred beds and served by a staff which, including its visiting and consulting members, numbers from one hundred and twenty-five to one hundred and fifty physicians, Dr. Miller, during his two years as head officer, was brought in contact with a wide range of dis- eases and gained most valuable experience, often being called in consultation. In 1927 he came to the Memorial Hospital of Worcester as resident physician, and the following year, 1928, he opened an office for private practice at No. 27 Elm Street, where he is still located. Since that time he has built up a large and important practice and has made for himself a prominent place among his professional associates. In addition to the care of his many patients, Dr. Miller has written on numer- ous medical subjects and has delivered more than fifty lectures. He is also consulting physician and a member of the staff of Memorial Hospital and a member of the staff of Hahnemann, Fairlawn, Worcester State, Grafton State, and Houghton Memorial hospitals. He holds membership in the various professional associations, including Worces- ter District Medical Society, of which he has been secretary for four years, and Massachusetts Med- ical Society. He is also a member of the Amer- ican College of Physicians and Surgeons. He is a past member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and is still a mem- ber of the Medical Society of Boston. He is a member of several college fraternities and he is also a member of Dartmouth Lodge, Free and Ac- cepted Masons; Royal Arch Masons; and Royal and Select Masters. He is a member of the New Hampshire Chapter of the Sons of the Revolu- tion and of the Loyal Legion. Dr. Miller is an able physician who stands high in his profession and he has a host of friends in Worcester, both among his professional associates and among those who know him as family physician, strong friend, and loyal citizen. Dr. Miller is looked upon as one who will go far in his profession, as one whose past achievements are but the beginning of a career of more than ordinary promise.

FRED SANDSTROM-Associated through- out practically the whole of his career with the foundry business, Fred Sandstrom is one of that group of business men who have come from an-

other country to the United States and here have been successful in their enterprises. A native of Sweden, he came to this side of the Atlantic as a young man, and has spent most of his life in New England, where he is widely known for his work in the manufacture of brass, aluminum and copper castings in Worcester.

Mr. Sandstrom was born on October 30, 1882, in Sweden, son of Gustave and Sarah Christina (Sandstrom) Johanneson. His father, a farmer by occupation, lived all his life in Sweden, and died in 1926 at the age of eighty years; and the mother passed away almost thirty years earlier, in 1897. In the schools of his native land, Fred Sandstrom, of this review, received his early edu- cation, afterward coming to the United States to seek his fortunes and settling at Bath, Maine. It was in 1907 that he came to Worcester County to live. He has been continuously engaged in the foundry business, serving in various capacities and learning it in all its details and ramifications ; but it was not until 1920 that, with Mr. Hillsen, he went into a commercial venture of his own. In that year, the two men formed a co-partnership, which lasted until the death of Mr. Hillsen, in 1931. Starting operations in the rear of the yard about Mr. Sandstrom's home, they conducted it at first on a very small scale. But their efforts were rewarded by steady growth, until, in 1923, they were able to remove to their present quarters, at No. 80 Ellsworth Street, where they have since carried on a general foundry business, specializing in brass, aluminum and copper castings.

Since Mr. Hillsen's death, Mr. Sandstrom has become the sole owner of the business of Hillsen and Sandstrom; but he has by no means confined his activities in Worcester to the commercial side of life. Maintaining his interest in his native land, he holds memberships in a number of Swedish organizations and clubs, and is affiliated with the Swedish Church. He is also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and active in its af- fairs. And, indeed, he has contributed richly to every group with which he has had to do, acquit- ting himself well of all civic duties and obligations.

His chief devotion goes, however, to home and family. Fred Sandstrom married, in 1905, Grace M. Harris, a woman of Nova Scotian birth, a direct descendant from Mary, Queen of Scots and the Stuart clan of Scotland. By this marriage, there were children: I. Frederick G., who was graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. 2. George A., a high school graduate. 3. Evelyn C., who was graduated from Amherst College. 4. Edith L. 5. Berenice M. Mr. Sandstrom, always strongly advocating the very broadest possible edu- cational advantages for the youth, has practiced his principles in rearing his own children, each of whom is being given excellent educational op- portunities.

HERMAN SCHERVEE, the founder of the Schervee Studios of Art and Photography, was an artist by instinct. His unique, charming person- ality and genius was shown in all his work. He had a fine understanding of the better things in life and enjoyed and wanted others to appreciate and enjoy all artistic and beautiful creations- whether in art, literature, or music. He had as personal friends many of the great musicians and artists.

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He was born in Tonsberg, Norway, on Septem- ber 15, 1867, and received his early education in his home land. His father, a ship owner and mas- ter, often took his small son on his trips to Russia and Spain and he soon grew to love the sea.

In 1880 he left Norway on a sailing vessel bound for America. After spending some months in New York and Boston, he learned that there was a large colony of Scandinavians in Worcester. This knowl- edge created the desire to be near his own people again and he decided to make this city his home. Soon after his arrival in Worcester he found em- ployment in a photographic studio. The work there was most interesting and his ability soon attracted attention.

In 1892 he opened his own studio and demon- strated the artistic ability which afterwards brought him fame. He was awarded gold medals for the beauty of his portraits at the International Con- vention at Turin in 1896, Hanover in 1897, and Magdeburg in 1898, and later won prizes and medals in our own national conventions and art exhibits. During his lifetime Mr. Schervee photo- graphed many of our most noted Americans.

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Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III, Part 102

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