Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III, Part 15

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 15

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After passing through the public schools, Albert Samuel Heywood prepared for college, taking this course at the Worcester Academy. He then entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he graduated Bachelor of Science in the class of 1892. It had been his intention to prac- tice the profession of electrical engineering, and he was making highly commendable progress in the service of the General Electric Company of New York, executing missions in different sec- tions of the United States, when the death of his brother, Frank Everett Heywood, in 1899, caused him to abandon his career in the electrical field and to go to the aid of his father in the conduct of the great Heywood shoe concern. On January I, 1900, he was installed vice-president and treas- urer of the Heywood Boot and Shoe Company. He also assumed the responsibilities of manager of the business. In 1913, upon the death of the founder, Mr. Heywood was advanced to presi- dent; Bertram S. Newell to vice-president and treasurer; assistant treasurer and secretary, Ches- ter D. Heywood, son of the late Frank E. Hey- wood. In normal times the company employs about three hundred and fifty hands, and distrib- utes its products throughout the United States.

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The company occupies a large building of five floors and basement. It carries group insurance for the employees and maintains a hospital service for them. It has the distinction of being one of the oldest members of the shoe industry in the county.

Besides occupying the presidency of the Hey- wood Boot and Shoe Company, Mr. Heywood is a director of the State Mutual Life Assurance Com- pany of Worcester, director of the Worcester County National Bank, director of the Worcester Bank and Trust company, trustee and vice-presi- dent of the Peoples Savings Bank of Worcester, and is identified with other business affairs in this city and county. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Worcester Academy and a mem- ber of Worcester Chamber of Commerce, Worces- ter Historical Society, Engineers Club of New York, Technology Club of New York, Phi Gamma Delta Club of New York, Worcester Country Club, Tatnuck Country Club, Worcester Club, University Club, and Quinsigamond Boat Club. His religious fellowship is with All Saints Epis- copal Church, Worcester.

Albert Samuel Heywood married, September 28, 1899, Laura Chester Foute, born in Adairsville, Georgia, October 30, 1873, died May 10, 1914, daughter of William Edward and Eliza (Houston- Roberts) Foute. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Heywood follow: I. Edward Foute, born July 17, 1900, died May 5, 1917. 2. Harriet Butler, born August 16, 1901, died July 13, 1919. 3. Dorothy Chester, born October 3, 1902. 4. Anne Norton, born October 5, 1907, married Demeter Larisch. 5. Elizabeth Patterson (twin of Anne Norton), born October 5, 1907, died July 21, 1910. Mr. Heywood has his business address at 70 Winter Street, and the family residence is at No. 246 Salisbury Street, Worcester.

NARCISSE J. LaVIGNE-A native son of Worcester, Massachusetts, and for the whole of his long life prominently connected with the busi- ness, political and social life of the city, Narcisse J. La Vigne bore a fine reputation for abilities which led to success in a wide field of activities that contributed to the advance and prosperity of the municipality. He was gifted with the unusual qualities required by his work, being keen of intel- lect, alert to opportunity, loyal to his friends and associates, and honorable in all his dealings. Great- hearted and broadly humanitarian in his outlook upon life, he was ever helpful in welfare and charitable movements. He left a record of civic usefulness, commercial enterprise and unblemished character which will be cherished by the generation which followed him.

Narcisse J. La Vigne was the son of Narcisse J. and Armiline (Delorme) LaVigne, a member of a large family of whom eight brothers and a sister survived his death on August 30, 1930. Edu- cated in the public schools of Worcester, Mr. La Vigne entered the printing business in a most humble position and worked his way to the top. He learned his trade at the Cheney Press, then on Main Street, and before long branched out for himself by purchasing the plant of W. R. Moffat, on Main and Pearl streets, Worcester. In the be- ginning his career was all hard work and the diffi- culty of becoming established and acquiring a clien-

tele. Indefatigable labor, expert salesmanship, con- stant attention to the endless details of his busi- ness, and strict integrity of personal character all contributed to his eventual success and a standing in the community which was of the highest. He introduced the Poster Stamp to Worcester and advertised Worcester as the city of the "Heart of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts." Under his supervision and in his establishment the "Victory Loan" for Worcester and Worcester County was printed. His commercial achievements were not confined to printing alone; Mr. LaVigne was at one time owner of considerable real estate on Portland Street, Worcester, and might have suc- ceeded substantially as a realtor had he so desired. At one time he became interested in a medical prep- aration known as Pepsinic Seltzer; helped to or- ganize the company which made it, and was to the time of his demise a director of the corporation. He was also one of the organizers and, up to his death, vice-president of the Bancroft Trust Com- pany.

Mr. La Vigne entered politics in the fall of 1916, being elected alderman-at-large on the ticket with Mayor Pehr G. Holmes and succeeding Mr. Holmes as alderman-at-large. He served for four years, taking an active part in the affairs of the city and serving on all the important committees including finance. He was also president of the board of aldermen. His political career was marked by courage and independence, and while serving as a public officer his whole thought was the welfare of the citizens of Worcester. Mr. LaVigne worked hard to have the city acquire a part of an estate on Houghton Street for a public playground, but was unable to overcome the opposition. A portion of this land was bought later as the site for the present junior high school. Always interested in the advancement and education of the younger generation, he devoted much time and energy as treasurer of a drive to rebuild and enlarge Assump- tion College. He announced his candidacy for mayor, but later withdrew.

Neither business nor politics ever was able to absorb all of Narcisse J. LaVigne's energies and time. He was one of the charter members in the gatherings of the Rotary Club. Among his fra- ternal affiliations were numbered the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Catholic Order of Foresters, the Knights of Columbus and others. He was a member of the Franco-American Re- publican Club, the Worcester Chamber of Com- merce, the Worcester County Republican Club, and the Wachusett Country Club. He was one of the founders of the Harmony Club and served as its secretary up to the time of his death. He also served as director of the Louis Pasteur Hospital. Always a lover of sports, among which baseball ranked first, he confined his own efforts in later years to golf.

Narcisse J. La Vigne married Georgianna Rob- erts, daughter of Theophile Roberts, and they were the parents of three children who survived his death: I. Robert G., a review of whose life fol- lows this. 2. Thelma, who married William J. Demers. 3. Germaine S.

Mr. La Vigne died on August 30, 1930, his demise marking the passing of a prominent and useful citi- zen, a gentleman of character and high principles, a man whose life was an inspiration and help to others.

WORCESTER COUNTY

ROBERT G. LaVIGNE-One of the younger business men of Worcester, Robert G. LaVigne has come into prominence both as the head of the LaVigne Press, established by his father, and as a civic-minded and active citizen, foremost in any project intended for the betterment of the city.

He is a native of Worcester, born December 18, 1903, the son of Narcisse J. and Georgianna (Roberts) LaVigne, a review of the former's career preceding this article. Robert G. LaVigne was given all the advantages of the public grade and high school. During his high school career his activities were well diversified, being business manager of the high school paper, "The Argus," during the year 1924, at which time he put the school paper on a good financial basis, and also a member of the Greenwood Club, a club composed of school athletes. His athletic activities were confined to baseball and football, and he had the distinction of being captain of the baseball team during 1922-23-24, at which time he was also man- ager of the baseball team. He then matriculated at Colby College, Waterville, Maine, from which he was graduated in the class of 1928 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. While in Colby he played well his rôles in college life and is a member of the scholastic fraternity, Delta Upsilon. He also became manager of the Colby College Glee Club during his junior year and confined much of his time to athletics, playing baseball and football on the 'Varsity teams. Upon graduating Mr. La- Vigne returned to Worcester and became associated with a brokerage firm and secured business finance experience. A short time later he became asso- ciated with his father in conducting the business of the LaVigne Press. He had already gained a great deal of experience in the trade and was fully prepared to take over the management of the Worcester plant upon the death of the senior Mr. LaVigne in 1930. LaVigne Press ranks high among the printing firms of Central Massachusetts for its press work and its publications. "Distinc- tividuality," a word coined by Narcisse J. LaVigne, has long been the slogan of LaVigne Press and is closely associated with the firm name. The dis- tinctly modern ideas of Robert G. LaVigne have contributed very largely to the success of the com- pany. Mr. LaVigne takes a lively interest in mu- nicipal affairs, is a member of the Rotary Club, secretary of the Harmony Club, member of the Franco-American Civic League, Washington Coun- try Club, Worcester Chamber of Commerce and various other societies.

In 1931, Robert G. LaVigne married Mildred Benoit, also of Massachusetts, and they are the parents of a son, Robert N. LaVigne, born Feb- ruary 16, 1932.

FRANK H. SAWYER-To his native city and county of Worcester, Frank H. Sawyer has liberally contributed of his time and talents, par- ticularly in the business sphere, in which he has been associated with a number of large enter- prises. Though his work has been chiefly concen- trated in the management of estates, he has so arranged his activities that they have been valued by his city and its people and institutions.

Mr. Sawyer was born on May II, 1878, in Wor- cester, son of Joshua W. and Mary H. Sawyer, both of this city. His father, who was a carpenter by trade, died in 1887. In the public schools, Mr.

Sawyer received his early education, later attend- ing business college and so equipping himself for a career in the commercial field. His first work was with the Worcester Gas and Light Company, with which he remained for eleven years. Then, in 1907, he entered the real estate business, specializ- ing in the management of estates, in which he con- tinues down to the time of writing. His labors have been confined mainly to larger properties, to the handling of which he has devoted special study and attention.

In civic and social life, he has been a leader. He is a member of the Economic Club, the Worcester Mechanics Association, and the Chamber of Com- merce, through all of which he does everything in his power to advance his city's best interests and promote its well-being and prosperity. He is a member of the Lincoln Square Baptist Church, in which he has served in many different capacities, such as treasurer and member of the board of trus- tees. He has also been clerk of the Baptist So- ciety City Mission and a delegate to different State and national gatherings of his denomination. Each of the organizations with which he is connected has been in one way or another the gainer from his activities, so that his position is one of outstand- ing character in the city, county and State in which he lives.

Mr. Sawyer married, in 1901, Edna M. Davidson, of Pennsylvania. The family residence is situated at No. 20 Westminster Street, Worcester; and Mr. Sawyer has his office at No. 393 Main Street, in the Sawyer Building.

WILLIAM F. COLE-After a distinguished career as an instructor in engineering and technical institutions of the North and the South, William Franklin Cole, while still a young man became associated with the first of several important man- ufacturing concerns and during the last two dec- ades has been a manufacturing executive. For some years he was the general manager of the Baldwin Chain and Manufacturing Company, and since 1931 has been a director and vice-president of the consolidated company, the Baldwin-Duck- worth Chain Corporation. Both the original Bald- win Company and the present corporation were, and still are, the outstanding makers of power transmission chains, the rise of the first named dating back to the eighteen-nineties when the "horseless carriage" was a novel introduction and the chain drive of the bicycle was carried over into the manufacture of the automobile. As the Baldwin chain was the finest of the bicycle chains, so it became the foremost of the motor car chains.

William Franklin Cole was born at Millville, Massachusetts, December 20, 1859, a son of Wil- liam A. and Eliza A. (Hodges) Cole, and a de- scendant in the ninth American generation of one of the oldest New England families. Henry Cole, of Britain, known as the "Hawkfaced" held reign "over that portion of the territory known as Es- sex in the present day, and also Hertfordshire, in the year 238, and added to his dominion, shortly afterward, the principality of North Essex by his marriage to Seradwin, its heiress, a princess of the Eadda, whence in later times came the Pen- dragon Kings of Uther's royal race, among whom was King Arthur of the Round Table." The Coles "owned land in Essex, Wiltshire, Devonshire and Derbyshire under Edward the Confessor." The

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first American progenitor of the name in New England was James Cole, who was resident and freeman in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1633, and is credited with being the first innkeeper in New England. The various descendants of James Cole have been traced and their important places in the annals of America noted, to the father of the man whose name heads this review.

William F. Cole was educated in the schools of Millville, and Blackstone High School, from which he was graduated in 1875. He completed his classi- cal training in the English and Classical School of Providence, Rhode Island, and entered Worcester Polytechnic Institute from which he was graduated in 1883 with the degree of Bachelor of Science, in the department of mechanical engineering. Im- mediately thereafter he was appointed to the faculty of the Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts as an instructor of Mechanical Engineering. In 1885 he became draughtsman at the Washburn shops of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and as such remained with that institu- tion until the end of 1889, resigning to accept the appointment, that of superintendent of shops, at Atlanta, Georgia, offered him by the Georgia School of Technology. In the following year he again returned to Worcester, and took a position as head draughtsman and assistant superintendent at the Washburn shops of the Worcester Poly- technic Institute. This connection he held until the end of 1895, when he became general manager of the Plunger Elevator Company of Worcester. For ten years he had managerial control of that com- pany's plant, and for two years thereafter was identified with the Otis Elevator Company, Boston, Massachusetts. In 1909 he went to Europe for further studies of his profession, and the observa- tion of shop practices abroad. Upon his return in 1910 he became associated with the Baldwin Chain and Manufacturing Company (a brief his- tory of which may be found in this work) as gen- eral manager. Later he was elected vice-president, a position which he retained when the Baldwin and Duckworth interests were consolidated, in 1931, as the Baldwin-Duckworth Chain Corporation. High technical training and extensive experience have combined to make Mr. Cole one of the industrial leaders of Worcester.

Mr. Cole by right of established success has gradually taken a less active rôle in the conduct of the corporation, and has resigned from many of the organizations in which he was a popular figure. He was prominently identified with the Worcester County Mechanics Association, being a member of its board of trustees from 1907 to 1915; and elected vice-president in 1916, and president in 1917. He is a member of the Worcester Horti- cultural Society and the Worcester Historical So- ciety. Among his clubs are the Rotary and Eco- nomic clubs of Worcester, and the Appalachian Mountain Club. He is a lifelong communicant of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Worcester, of which he is a warden and member of the vestry.

Mr. Cole, in 1889, married Wilhelmina Bauer, and they are the parents of a daughter, Pauline E., a graduate of Smith College.

WILLIAM BULKLEY CROMBIE- For twenty years William Bulkley Crombie has been executive head of the Worcester printing establish- ment which bears his name. He is a printer of

wide practical experience, an executive of demon- strated ability and a citizen whose public spirit has won him recognition.

Mr. Crombie was born on April 8, 1871, in Rouseville, Venango County, Pennsylvania. His parents were of Scotch and English stock, which settled in East Hampton, Long Island, in 1650. When William Bulkley Crombie was two years old, they returned to their former home in Cromwell, and when he was twelve, removed to Lincoln, Nebraska. In the schools of that city he completed his aca- demic training and there he served his apprentice- ship in the printing trade. After the period of apprenticeship he was engaged in business for him- self for seven years. At the end of this time he disposed of his interests and returned East, settling at Springfield, Massachusetts. Here he devoted himself to the printing and allied fields, spending considerable time in writing and compiling special work and serving as art critic for printing trade journals.

Mr. Crombie's discriminating taste and creative talent were recognized, when he took first prize in an international type design contest and, later, second prize in a national cover design contest. During this period he was employed as superin- tendent of the printing house of E. L. Hildreth and Company at Brattleboro, Vermont, where he remained for seven years. At the end of this time, in April, 1905, he settled in Worcester, where he has since resided. For four years he was estimator for the Blanchard Press. Subsequently he was elected to membership in the firm and for a num- ber of years was vice-president of this large print- ing establishment. In April, 1913, however, after it was sold to the Commonwealth Press, he organ- ized and incorporated the W. B. Crombie Company, of which he is president and treasurer. With pass- ing years this enterprise has grown substantially. The excellence and integrity of his work were at once recognized and his practical skill was of assistance in all orders given him. Mr. Crombie has retained control of his company and its suc- cess reflects much credit upon him personally. His plant is equipped with modern machinery for all kinds of printing.

Apart from his business connections, Mr. Crom- bie has given his active support not only to all movements for the benefit of the printing indus- try but to civic and community enterprises at Worcester. He is well known throughout this sec- tion and widely respected. Mr. Crombie is a Mason and in religious faith a Congregationalist. His recreation is in literature and scientific research.

On June 8, 1898, William Bulkley Crombie mar- ried Frances Niles, of West Springfield. They are the parents of four children: I. Thelma Elizabeth, now Mrs. Cook. 2. Ramona Isabelle, now Mrs. Thornton. 3. Russel Edwin. 4. William Francis. There is also one granddaughter, Virginia Cook.

JAMES E. WHITTAKER-A broad experi- ence as an insurance representative preceded the entry of James E. Whittaker into the office of manager of the Maryland Casualty Company, with his headquarters in Worcester. He has been re- markably successful and has extended the district of his territory to embrace all Central Massachu- setts. To the insurance profession generally in this State he is well and favorably known.

WORCESTER COUNTY

Born in Worcester, April 4, 1894, Mr. Whittaker is the son of James and Maria (McCartney) Whit- taker ; the former, born in Manchester, England, died in 1927, and the latter is a native of Tipperary, Ireland. James E. Whittaker attended the public schools of Worcester and entered Georgetown Uni- versity, where he was graduated Bachelor of Laws in the class of 1917. He was later admitted to the bar of Massachusetts. During his student years he played semi-professional baseball and later served in a professional club in the same sport. He became well known in collegiate athletic cir- cles and still is extremely fond of outdoor diver- sions.

Not long after the United States joined the Allies in the World War, he enlisted and was assigned to the aviation department of the United States Navy, serving at various stations and ris- ing to chief gunner's mate. He is now a captain in the 18Ist Regiment of Infantry and a member of the Officers' Reserve Corps.

After the war, he became associated with the Aetna Life Insurance Company, of Hartford, Con- necticut, having his territory in Worcester. Ten years later he resigned his position with the Aetna Company and in 1927 entered upon his duties as manager of the Maryland Casualty Company, suc- ceeding Edward Sweet. This office he has since filled to the great advantage of the company and its clients. Previous to 1926 this company had no office in Worcester, its business there being rep- resented by a general agent, who took care of the business from his office in another city. As Mr. Whittaker was successful in promoting the Mary- land Casualty Company's business throughout Wor- cester and Worcester County, his district increased in size to the territory commonly known as Cen- tral Massachusetts. Thus he became one of the important figure in the insurance profession in this section of the State, with particular reference to casualty insurance. He has taken an active interest in fraternal organizations and is a member of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce and the Wachu- sett Country Club.

Mr. Whittaker married, in 1921, Irene M. Denno, a native of Massachusetts, and they have a son, James Whittaker, born April 15, 1922. Their home is at No. 10 Cutting Avenue, and Mr. Whittaker has his insurance office at No. 332 Main Street, Worcester.

GEORGE N. JEPPSON-A native son of Worcester, George N. Jeppson has risen to a high executive position and membership on the board of one of the city's greatest industries. He is vice- president, treasurer and a director of the Norton Company, with which he has been identified for about thirty-five years. Having a very wide ac- quaintance in this country and abroad, he is con- nected with a large number of important organiza- tions and in Worcester alone he is officially and as a director interested in various financial and industrial corporations.

Mr. Jeppson's father, John Jeppson, was one of the founders of the Norton Company, of which he was a director and superintendent at the time of his death. He passed away in 1920, while making a vacation trip to Cuba. He married Thilda A. Ahlstrom. Both were of Swedish ancestry.

Born in Worcester, April 14, 1873, George N. Jeppson passed through the public schools of this city, afterwards studying at the Highland Military

Academy and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He completed his education with an intensive course of training at the Royal School of Mines in Stock- holm, Sweden. It was after he had spent five years in the service of the Norton Company that he went to Sweden to complete his technical career.

Upon his return to Worcester from abroad, in 1898, he resumed his association with the Norton Company, making it his first resolve to acquire an intimate knowledge of all departments of the indus- try. This he did through years of painstaking fidelity and during this period he was appointed assistant superintendent of the Norton Emery Wheel Company, which at the time was the cor- porate name. At the time when the change in name and a reorganization was effected, he was ap- pointed secretary and works manager of the Nor- ton Company. Subsequently he was advanced to vice-president and director, being also retained in the office of secretary, these being the positions he has since filled without interruption.

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Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III, Part 15

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