Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III, Part 18

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 18

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Captain Earle assumed the presidency of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute on June 12, 1925, relieving Dr. Ira N. Holis. In 1931 he was again made a rear-admiral by Congress. By the sum- mer of 1933, he had made extensive improvements, such as the erection of a dormitory, of a swimming pool, of a field house, of an athletic field storage and garage building; the campus was beautified ; the faculty strengthened ; the courses modified and new ones of aeronautical engineering, elements of business for the engineer and architectural engi- neering had been added; student athletics had been placed on a sound financial basis, and participa- tion therein of all increased.

CHARLES L. ALLEN-As an industrial executive of many years' standing and the present chairman of the board of the Norton Company, Charles L. Allen is among his leading business men of Worcester and a citizen who has contributed valuably to the progress and welfare of the city which has been his lifelong home and the stage upon which his career has been played. He was born at Worcester, March 6, 1858, the son of George Lucius and Eliza Jane (Black) Allen.

Mr. Allen was educated in the public schools of his birthplace and was graduated from the high

school with the class of 1876. Later in that year he began to earn his own livelihood and in 1877 became a clerk in a retail shoe store in the city. From 1879 to 1880 he was a clerk in the Boston and Maine Railroad office. In 1881 he became asso- ciated with the F. B. Norton Company, as book- keeper. Four years later he was made the gen- eral manager of the Norton Emery Wheel Com- pany. In 1912 Mr. Allen was elected treasurer of the company, and he was the president from 1919 to 1933, when he was elected chairman of the board. He has enjoyed the distinction of being the general manager of the Norton Company from its incorporation in 1885 until 1933. With a service extending over half a century, there are probably few, if any, in the employ of the corporation who antedate him, and certainly there are none who have worked in more varied capacities or are as familiar with every detail of the operations of this industrial concern. Among other business and finan- cial connections of Mr. Allen may be included : Director of the Worcester County National Bank, Worcester Bank and Trust Company, Norton Com- pany, Riley Stoker Corporation, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, United Bancroft Hotel Com- pany, Worcester Manufacturers Mutual Insurance Company, and Junior Achievement, Inc., of Spring- field; and he is a trustee of the Worcester Five Cents Savings Bank.

Mr. Allen has identified himself closely with the life and affairs of his community. Among his varied associations are: Trustee of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute; member of the Business Historical Society of Boston, National Economic League, American Museum of Natural History, Foreign Policy Association, New England Council, Worcester Natural History Society, Worcester Commercial Travelers and Worcester Association for Mutual Aid in Detecting Thieves. Fraternally, he is affiliated with Athelstan Lodge, Worcester Lodge of Perfection, Goddard Council, Princes of Jerusalem, Lawrence Chapter of Rose Croix, a member of all the bodies of Masonry up to, and including the thirty-second degree, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. Mr. Allen is a member of the Worcester Club, Petersham Country Club, Wor- cester Country Club, Tatnuck Country Club, Ap- palachian Mountain Club, Atlantic Tuna Club, and the Worcester County Fish and Game Association. He is also a member of the National Geographic Society and the American Red Cross. Among the political and civil posts held by Mr. Allen may be enumerated: Member of the parks and recreation board of the city of Worcester, chairman of the Worcester Auditorium Commission, and New Eng- land representative on the St. Lawrence Waterway Commission. At one time he was a member of the Massachusetts National Guard and served four years in Company C, 2d Worcester Light Infantry Regiment. During the period, when the United States was involved in the World War, Mr. Allen was prominent in the various drives and activities which characterized those strenuous days. He was chairman of the committee which put over the Fourth Liberty Loan and was a leader in the hu- manitarian and welfare movements of that day.

Charles L. Allen married Helen Louise Norton and they are the parents of a daughter, Mary Norton Allen, a graduate of Wykeham Rise Pre- paratory School and Bryn Mawr College.

WORCESTER COUNTY

GEORGE HERBERT BOYDEN-For more than a quarter of a century Mr. Boyden has been engaged in educational work, in which he started to become active immediately following his own graduation from college. His entire professional career so far has been spent in New England, of which he himself, as well as his ancestors on both his parents' sides, have been natives. For the last twenty years he has been identified with the public school system of Worcester, where he has held various administrative positions of ever increasing importance and responsibility. Mr. Boyden is re- garded as one of the most able educational ad- ministrators in the city of Worcester and has made important contributions to the development of the public schools in this city. He has a keen under- standing of and sympathy for the problems of young people, with whom he is very popular. His interest in their welfare finds expression not only through his professional work in the public schools, but also through very effective activities in behalf of several organizations devoted to furthering the best interests of young people.

George Herbert Boyden was born at Cambridge, Massachusetts, June 21, 1882, a son of Benjamin F. and Alma (Grow) Boyden. His father was a native of Massachusetts, his mother of Vermont. The former began his career in a country store at Framingham Center, Massachusetts, where he spent four years and then entered business in Cambridge. This was about the time the Civil War closed, and Mr. Boyden remained actively in business in Cambridge until 1890. In that year he removed to Worcester, where he owned a small farm, on which he made his home until his death in 1908. George Herbert Boyden received his earliest education in the primary schools of Cam- bridge. He came to Worcester with his parents at the age of eight years and continued his edu- cation in the public schools of this city until 1900 when he was graduated from the Classical High School. He then entered Harvard College, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bach- elor of Arts in 1905. Later he pursued post- graduate work at Harvard University and Clark University. Following his graduation from Har- vard, in 1905, Mr. Boyden engaged in educational work, in which he has since continued with marked success. He first spent one year teaching school at Bucksport, Maine, and then a similar period at the Powder Point School at Duxbury, Massachu- setts. Then he was appointed principal of the high school at Rutland, Massachusetts and served in that capacity from September, 1907, until Jan- uary, 1908. Next he went to Westport, Connect- icut, as principal of the Staples High School. He remained in that position from 1908 until 1912, since which year he has been identified with the public school system of Worcester. During the first ten years which he spent in this city, from 1912 until 1922, Mr. Boyden was assistant prin- cipal of the North High School. After that he spent nine years, from 1922 until 1931, at the Wor- cester High School of Commerce as assistant prin- cipal. In the fall of 1931 he was appointed to his present position, that of principal of the Providence Street Junior High School, one of the largest and most modern schools of Worcester. The attend- ance at this school averages about 1,000 pupils, and under Mr. Boyden's very capable management this school has steadily extended its usefulness to,

and influence in, the community. It ranks today as one of the best schools of its type in the State of Massachusetts and, indeed, compares most favor- ably with any junior high school anywhere. Mr. Boyden is a member of the National Education Association, the Massachusetts Junior High School Principals Association, the Worcester Teachers Association, and the Worcester Principals Club. He is also very active in the work of the local groups of the Boy Scouts of America and of the various young people's organizations of his church. During the World War he served very effectively as chairman of the United War Work Committee at. Boylston, Massachusetts, where he has long made his home. He also served during the famous Boston police strike as a corporal in Company H, 20th Regiment, Massachusetts National Guard. He is a member of the Worcester Harvard Club and of Boylston Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. His religious affiliations are with the Congrega- tional Church and more particularly with the First Congregational Church of Boylston, Massachusetts, of which he is a deacon.

Mr. Boyden married, July 1, 1909, Laura Louise Dodge, of Rutland, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Boyden are the parents of five children : 1. David, born December 10, 1910, who was graduated from Harvard College with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1932. 2. Grace, born May 4, 1912, who was graduated from the Worcester State Teachers Col- lege with the degree B. S. E. 3. Alma, born May 17, 1915. 4. Esther, born January 9, 1920. 5. Lucy, born August 31, 1925.

ELMER EARLE LEGGE-Since 1920 Elmer Earle Legge has been associated with the Ameri- can Steel and Wire Company at Worcester. He is an experienced metallurgical engineer and is now head of the physical laboratories of his company.

Mr. Legge was born at Brockton, Massachusetts, on June 26, 1895, a son of Alfred George and Rena Atherton (Gilson) Legge. His father is an inventor and a director of the C. S. Peirce Com- pany.

Elmer Earle Legge received his preliminary edu- cation in public schools. He early decided upon an engineering career and carried on work both at Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Tech- nology, taking the degree of Bachelor of Science at these institutions in 1918. Until December, 1918, he was employed as cannon inspector at the Water- vliet Arsenal. He then returned to Massachusetts Institute of Technology for special study in metal- lurgy under Dr. Fay, after which he went to Mc- Cook Field as non-ferrous metallurgist for the government. Thereafter he served as steel spe- cialist for the Winchester Repeating Arms Com- pany and in 1920 became associated with the Amer- ican Steel and Wire Company at Worcester as an efficiency expert in their plant. Shortly afterwards he was appointed spring engineer and still later became a member of the manager's staff. In May, 1928, he became head of the company's physical laboratories and has since filled successfully this position of responsibility.

Mr. Legge maintains his residence in Leicester. He is a Republican in politics, is a director of the Taxpayers Association at Leicester and attends the Congregational Church. He is affiliated with the Chi Phi Fraternity and is an active member in the following professional societies: American So-

WORCESTER COUNTY

ciety for Steel Treating, American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers, American So- ciety of Testing Materials and the British Iron and Steel Institute. His hobbies are radio engi- neering and the study of piano acoustics.

On September 3, 1919, Elmer Earle Legge mar- ried Helen Louise Sheary of Troy, New York. They are the parents of three children: Louise Irene and Gertrude Atherton, both attending public schools, and Alfred George.

CLARENCE F. ROBBINS-Well known for his connection with the theatrical and cinema affairs of Worcester, of which city he has been a resident at intervals nearly all his life, Clarence E. Robbins, manager of the Plymouth Theatre, has had a colorful career which has taken him to many other places than his native community. But, he has always returned, and for many years has played a prominent rôle in amusement circles. He was born at Worcester, April II, 1880, the son of George L. and Ida F. (Roper) Robbins, the for- mer of whom was a native of Upton, Massachu- setts, the mother being born in Groveland of that same State. George L. Robbins is well remem- bered as a captain in the Worcester Fire Depart- ment for more than a third of a century. He was, in fact, a connecting link between the past and the present, for he was a call fireman as a boy, and in the early days worked for the National Manufac- turing Company, while he held a job with the Fire Department, a thing which was permitted at that time.

Clarence E. Robbins was educated in the Wor- cester graded and high schools, and attended Child's Business College to acquire some business train- ing. School days over, he went in the office of George F. Blake, makers of heavy hardware, where he remained for about a year. He then found some- thing which suited his tastes and natural qualifica- tions better, a position in the theatrical business in the old Lothrops Opera House, which was on the site of the present Olympic Theatre. He started as assistant treasurer and was soon made treasurer of the house. When "Alf" T. Wilton started a road show, nothing must do but that Mr. Robbins must go with it as treasurer and busi- ness manager. He was with this company for about two and a half years, and returned to open up the Franklin Square Theatre which was located where the Palace Theatre now stands. The road called him once more, after a short while, but he was soon ready to settle down, this time as the man- ager of the Malden Auditorium. Here he remained for seven years, resigning in 1918, to come again to Worcester to build the Mark Strand Theatre, now the Warner Theatre. He managed the affairs of this theatre for thirteen years, or until it was sold to the Warner Brothers Corporation. There were still several Mark Strand theatres in the State, still unabsorbed by any company, and Mr. Rob- bins went to one of these in Taunton, Massachu- setts, and took charge of its affairs. A year later he was with the Plymouth Theatre of Worcester, beginning November 13, 1930, and has since been the efficient manager of this successful place of amusement.

Mr. Robbins has had little opportunity, or occa- sion to put his roots deep in many of the things which engage the attention of the average man. He is interested in civic progress and the better-

ment of the conditions under which the people of Worcester live, and has done a great deal for the welfare of the community. Fraternally, he is affil- iated with the Free and Accepted Masons, being a member of all the Masonic bodies up to, and including the thirty-second degree ; being a member of Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Rotary Club.

On March 5, 1919, Mr. Robbins married Flo- rence Mabel Nickerson, of Malden, Massachusetts.

JAMES J. REIDY-Those familiar with the growth and advance of modern Worcester know well the name of Reidy as associated with the building industry. James J. Reidy has for many years been a contractor and builder, who has spe- cialized upon the construction of residences. All over the city are evidences of his work along this line, and some sections have a large proportion of "Reidy" homes. He has always been an advocate of a betterment, or beautification, movement in the municipality, to the end that it may become, even more than it is, a place of fine homes, interesting attractive yards, and parks and highways of charm and utility.

James J. Reidy was born in Worcester, Octo- ber 21, 1879, the son of John J. and Mary (O'Brien) Reidy, both natives of Ireland. He was educated in the public and parochial schools, and while still in his 'teens set out to earn a livelihood. He en- gaged in various occupations before settling down to carpentry, which he learned in all its branches. He also began in a small way to contract for some of the work which went into the construction of buildings, and eventually became a contractor and builder. As has already been mentioned, some of the finest residences and homes in Worcester are evidences of his handicraft and construction.

Mr. Reidy has enjoyed life as he went along. Devoted to his business, nevertheless he is a lover of sports, interested in civic and philanthropic affairs, and gives a certain share of his time and energies to them. As a youth he was a very fine baseball player, and in connection with semi-pro- fessional teams has traveled all over New Eng- land. A member of the Wachusett Country Club, he is on the board of directors, and popular among its members. He is also a member of the Wash- ington Club, and of several other organizations.

On June 19, 1907, James J. Reidy married Kath- erine M. Kelly, of Worcester, and they are the parents of eight children : Mary D., John K., Wil- liam F., Frank J., Leo, Kathaleen, Paul and Noreen.

HUBBARD MOORE LOUDON-To be at- tached officially to the New England Power Com- pany is considered a significant connection, one worth seeking and holding, since this is one of the really large corporations of the State. For the past fifteen years Hubbard Moore Loudon has been an increasingly important factor in the organization, holding at present the office of assistant superin- tendent, with headquarters in the Worcester divi- sion of the association.

Born at Washington Court House, Ohio, October 26, 1897, Hubbard Moore Loudon is a son of James E. and Lola M. (Albee) Loudon; the former, a native of Ohio, was engaged in the wholesale pro-

WORCESTER COUNTY

vision business and died in 1916, and the mother, born in Vermont, survived her husband at his death. The son, Hubbard Moore, passed through the public schools and entered Dartmouth College, from where he transferred to the engineering course at the University of Cincinnati. His busi- ness career started in Boston, where he was asso- ciated with his father in the latter's wholesale pro- vision establishment. In 1919 he entered the em- ploy of the New England Power Company at Wor- cester. He served in various positions of advanc- ing grade and grew in favor with his associates and superior officers. After being transferred from the Providence division to the Worcester division, he was made the subject of further promotion, until he was appointed assistant superintendent. This is a highly responsible position, whose administration he discharges in a manner that is gratifying to the corporation's general management.

To the civic requirements of a resident of Wor- cester Mr. Loudon gives due heed, and he is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, with whose purposes and activities he is in harmony. He is affiliated with St. John's Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, the West- boro Country Club, and the Methodist Episcopal Church. Among his enthusiasms are the subject of history, of which he is especially fond, and the outdoor sports of a major character, in some of which he participates with zest.

Mr. Loudon married, in 1925, Eunice M. Fregeau, a native of this State. They make their residence in this city.

RALPH E. DUFFY-As treasurer and gen- eral manager of the George E. Duffy Manufac- turing Company, Ralph E. Duffy has figured prom- inently in the business life of the city of Worcester. The Duffy company is engaged in the manufac- ture of woolen cloth, and its products have a nationwide distribution.

Mr. Duffy was born on September 7, 1900, at Franklin, Massachusetts, son of George E. and Grace M. (Whipple) Duffy, both of whom died in 1927. The father was for many years a manu- facturer of woolens in Worcester, where he and several other individuals organized, in 1910, the George E. Duffy Manufacturing Company, referred to above. The organizers of this enterprise, in addition to the elder Mr. Duffy, were Walter F. Duffy and Hermann P. Riccius ; and the plant was established at No. 1511 Main Street, Worcester.

The son, Ralph E. Duffy, of whom this is prima- rily a record, received his early education in the public schools, later becoming a student at Dart- mouth College, from which he was graduated in 1923 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Upon completing his formal studies, he immediately en- tered upon a business career, joining his father in the making of woolens. The years of association that he has had with this enterprise have thor- oughly familiarized him with all its departments and work; and he has done much to carry for- ward the work that he has been given. He has held different positions with the organization, and at the time of writing is both treasurer and gen- eral manager. The company occupies 150,000 square feet of floor area, and employs about two hundred persons. Their products are distributed throughout the United States. Several new ideas have been made effective, especially in personnel

and labor matters; and the equipment designed for the comfort of workers is in every way modernized. A plan of group insurance is in operation, and has been found most valuable; and another feature initiated to improve working conditions is the fully equipped hospital room that the company boasts.

Along with his work with the George E. Duffy enterprise, Ralph E. Duffy acts in an official ca- pacity with other corporate organizations, being president of the Belmont Hosiery Company and a director of the Acme Knitting and Machine Com- pany. He also has extensive civic and social con- tacts, doing much through such bodies as the Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club to promote the best interests of his city and its people, and being affiliated with the Worcester Club, the Quinsigamond Boat Club, the Worcester Country Club, and the Dartmouth Club of Worcester. Of the last-named of these bodies, he is at the time of writing the president. Widely known in Worcester and recognized here for his fine public spirit and ability for leadership, he stands out prominently among the younger business men of this region of Massachusetts.

His chief devotion has gone, however, to home and family. Ralph E. Duffy married, in 1927, Emily L. Walker, of Andover, Massachusetts. By this marriage, the children have been: I. George E., II, who was born on July 25, 1928. 2. David W., born January 6, 1931.

ALBERT J. HOYT-An engineer of thor- ough training and wide experience, Albert J. Hoyt is now general superintendent of the North Works of the American Steel and Wire Company at Wor- cester. His entire active career has been spent with this corporation, and he has risen to his present position by gradual promotion through the merit of his services.

Mr. Hoyt was born on March 9, 1891, at South Norwalk, Connecticut, a son of Albert J. and Annie S. (Remington) Hoyt. His father, who was en- gaged in the oyster business, was part owner of the firm of W. H. Hoyt and Sons. He died in 1905. Annie S. (Remington) Hoyt died in 1898.

Albert J. Hoyt, of this record, received his pre- liminary education in public schools and subse- quently entered Massachusetts Institute of Tech- nology, from which he was graduated in 1914 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. Soon after- wards he formed the connection with the American Steel and Wire Company which he has since con- tinued, obtaining employment first in the testing department of their Trenton, New Jersey, plant. After several years he was appointed foreman in that mill and on January 20, 1927, came to Wor- cester, as assistant to the superintendent of the South Works of the American Steel and Wire Company here. In September of the following year he was appointed general superintendent of the North Works of the same company in this city, serving in that position since. Mr. Hoyt has supervision over about 1,800 men. Although rela- tively young to assume the responsibilities he has been called upon to meet, he has many years of specialized experience with the company and is thoroughly familiar with all details of its opera- tions. He has made a very successful record and is highly regarded throughout the organization.

Fraternally, Mr. Hoyt is affiliated with Matine- cock Lodge, No. 860, Free and Accepted Masons.

TPalph &. Dufry

WORCESTER COUNTY

He is also a member in this order of all the higher bodies of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, in- cluding the thirty-second degree of the Consistory, and a member of Crescent Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. In addition, Mr. Hoyt is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and of the Worcester Engi- neering Society. In religious faith he is a Con- gregationalist.

In 1915, Albert J. Hoyt married Laureita Down- ing of New York. They are the parents of two children : I. E. Donald, born October 6, 1921. 2. Earl D., born September 2, 1924.

FRANK H. WILLARD-For half a century Frank H. Willard has been associated with the Graton and Knight Company of Worcester, rising to the presidency of this important corporation. He is a leading figure in Worcester business life and in manufacturing circles of New England and the Nation at large.

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Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III, Part 18

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