Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III, Part 35

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 35

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In politics Mr. Davis is a Republican. He is a member of the Worcester Chamber of Com- merce, the Employers Association and the Worces- ter Mechanics. Association. He also is affiliated with Milford Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons ; Eureka Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Worcester County Commandery, Knights Templar ; Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mys- tic Shrine, the latter of Boston ; and Aletheia Grotto. He is a member of the Kiwanis Club and the Hill- crest Country Club.

Mr. Davis married, in 1905, Edith Walsh, of Taunton, who died in 1931. Mr. Davis' home is at No. 1002 Main Street, and his business address at No. 105 Fremont Street, Worcester.

WILLIAM E. JOHNSON-One of the most highly respected court officers in the Common- wealth of Massachusetts is William E. Johnson, chief court officer of the Superior Court of Wor- cester County.

William E. Johnson was born in North Brook- field, January 5, 1881, son of H. Hurlbut and Mary E. (Kendall) Johnson. His father, who was a farmer during the early years of his active life,

later was employed in the Batcheler factory, a well- known shoe manufactory, who operating a fac- tory in North Brookfield, remained there for more than twenty years. He then returned to the farm and spent most of the remainder of his life there, but died in Worcester in 1904. The mother was born in Hardwick, Massachusetts, and died in 1926, mother of six children, of whom three are still living. They are: I. Christie A., of Leo- minster. 2. Clarence K., of Worcester. 3. Wil- liam E., the subject of this sketch.

William E. Johnson attended the public schools of North Brookfield and after leaving high school prepared for an active business life by taking a course in a business college. He secured a position as bookkeeper in the employ of the American Sheet Wire Company, but later severed that con- nection in order that he might associate himself with the Boston and Worcester Street Railway Company, which connection he maintained for thir- teen years. At the end of that long period of service he was appointed deputy sheriff of Wor- cester County, which office he filled until the death of Sheriff Richardson. In 1931 he was made chief court officer of the Superior Court of Worcester County and that responsible office he is now most ably filling. While serving as deputy sheriff he spent several months at the jail and at the House of Correction, and this experience, with his long term of service as deputy sheriff, some eighteen years, and his service as deputy court officer, almost as long, have well fitted him for the office which he now holds. He is widely known and highly respected for his long and able service in the above mentioned offices. Mr. Johnson is a member of Westboro Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has passed all the chairs and was Master 1916-17; and he is also a member of Houghton Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. He is active in Westboro Grange, and his religious affilia- tion is with the Congregational Church.

William E. Johnson married, November 4, 1903, Nettie A. Holbrook, who was born in Leicester, Massachusetts, member of an old Colonial family there. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have four children: I. Elton H., who is engaged in business as a mer- chant in Northboro, Massachusetts. 2. Ralph H. 3. Irene, who married Everett Wellman, of Mil- ford. 4. Clayton M., who is a student in high school. The family home is in Westboro, but Mr. Johnson has his office in Worcester.

ELLIS A. REEBY, manager of the Green- dale Branch of the Worcester County Institution for Savings, was born at Saundersville, Worcester County, November 9, 1900, the son of James C. and Hulda E. (Cromb) Reeby, the former of whom died January 30, 1931. Ellis A. Reeby began his education in the public schools of Graf- ton. He then entered Worcester Boys' Trade School and learned tool making, after which he followed this and other occupations until September I, 1921, when he accepted a position with the Wor- cester County Institution for Savings. Mr. Reeby, after applying himself to the detail work of the bank, was made manager of the Webster Square branch and remained in that position until 1927, when he was transferred to the main offices of the bank. In 1931 he was transferred to his present position, that of manager of the Greendale branch of the same bank. Throughout his service with

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this bank it has always been his highest ambition to advance the interests of the bank, and this has been rewarded by his promotion to these different positions. Mr. Reeby finds his chief recreation in vocal music. He possesses a fine and well cul- tivated bass voice and has frequently appeared in solo and quartette work in the musical circles of Worcester and vicinity.

In 1924, Ellis A. Reeby married Helen L. Taylor, of Taunton, Massachusetts, and they are the par- ents of one son, Ellis A., Jr., born January 18, 1931.

ROSCOE W. COOK-Following an active business career of many years at Worcester, during which he was associated as an officer with the F. E. Powers Coal and Coke Company, Roscoe W. Cook became connected with the Worcester Bank and Trust Company and the Worcester County National Bank, where he is at present engaged in special statistical work of much importance. He is one of the best known business men of this city.

Mr. Cook was born on October 13, 1882, in Madison County, Indiana, a son of George W. Cook, who died in 1910, and of Luella (Hilman) Cook, who is still living. Both parents were born in Indiana. His father was associated with the old McCormick Company, afterwards the Interna- tional Harvester Company, and for more than thirty years was district manager for that corpora- tion.

Roscoe W. Cook received his education in public schools and for a short time also attended college. He soon began the active business of life, however, and in 1916 joined the F. E. Powers Coal and Coke Company at Worcester. He served as treas- urer of the company until May 8, 1930, taking an active part in the direction of its affairs. In 1930, however, he accepted his present position of great responsibility and trust with the Worcester Bank and Trust Company and the Worcester County National Bank. He is well qualified for the diffi- cult, special work which has been entrusted to him and his services have been of recognized value to these financial institutions.

Apart from his business interests, Mr. Cook has many other connections throughout this sec- tion. He is affiliated fraternally with Morning Star Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and is a member of a number of clubs, including the Wor- cester Country Club, the Worcester Club, the Tat- nuck Club and the Woods Hole Country Club. In religious faith he is a Unitarian. During the period of the World War, Mr. Cook served as a member of the local fuel administration board, contributing his share to the advancement of his country's cause and receiving a certificate in rec- ognition of his services. Mr. Cook has a very wide circle of personal friends and acquaintances throughout the county and enjoys the respect both of his business associates and of the public at large.

In 1912, Roscoe W. Cook married Gladys Powers, who was born in Massachusetts. They are the par- ents of two children: 1. Samuel P., born October 15, 1918. 2. Anna H., born June 21, 1920.

JOHN TUCK is a native of Maine, born at Biddeford, April 22, 1880, a son of John and Ida A. (Merrow) Tuck. His father was prominent in the educational circles of Maine through his pro- fessional connection with its schools. The son

attended the local grade and high schools and studied at Phillips-Andover Academy. Matricu- lating at Dartmouth College, Honover, New Hamp- shire, he was graduated in 1905 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts.

College days over, John Tuck, after a year of travel abroad, returned to this country and became an employee of Lee, Higginson and Company, of Boston, remaining with this noted firm from 1907 to 1912. In the latter year he came to Worcester as the manager of the Worcester office of this same firm, resigning in 1930 to become associated with the firm of Jackson and Curtis as the man- ager of its investment department. Among the numerous other interests of Mr. Tuck it may be noted that he has been a director of the Chamber of Commerce, a trustee of the Worcester County Institution for Savings, and president of the New England Fair Association. Among his clubs are the Tatnuck Country, Quinsigamond Boat and Commonwealth. Fraternally he is affiliated with Quinsigamond Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons ; Joel H. Prouty Lodge, of Auburn, of which he is a Past Master ; Worcester County Commandery, No. 5, Knights Templar, of which he is a Past Commander ; and Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Boston.

Mr. Tuck married (first) Jessie Comrie Mac- Innes, of Worcester, who died in 1929. He mar- ried (second), May 23, 1931, Elizabeth Robert- son, of Worcester. Mr. Tuck has two sons: I. Edward, II, born July 18, 1928. 2. John Jr., born August 15, 1932. Mr. and Mrs. Tuck reside at Auburn, Massachusetts.

LOUIS C. THURSTON-Owner of a well- known Worcester insurance agency, Louis C. Thurston has devoted almost all his active career to insurance work, and is well qualified by experi- ence and record to represent the many large com- panies with which he is associated.

Mr. Thurston was born in Worcester, Massachu- setts, on November 1, 1874, a son of Fred J. and Carrie W. (Macfarland) Thurston. His father, who was also born in Worcester on June 22, 1849, died on March 4, 1924. He was a son of Daniel C. and Lois K. (Taft) Thurston, and in early life was occupied successively as a machinist and hotel operator. In April, 1889, however, he entered the employ of the Farrar and Gates Real Estate and Fire Insurance and was connected with this enter- prise until October, 1910, when, with his son, Louis C. Thurston, he purchased the agency from Charles L. Gates who was then its sole owner. Fred J. Thurston married, on September 12, 1872, Carrie Ward, daughter of Hosea and Sophia (Lackey) Macfarland. They became the parents of the following children: I. Louis C. 2. Robert J. 3. Carrie L. 4. Alice M. 5. Fred C. 6. Charles H.

Louis C. Thurston received his education in Wor- cester schools, and following his graduation from the English High School in 1892 entered the employ of the Whittall Carpet Mills. For four years he worked in the designing room of that company, after which he removed to Hartford, Connecticut, where he became associated with the Hartford Fire Insurance Company as a clerk. Gradually he advanced through various positions in several departments of the company, learning all details of insurance operations. In this way he acquired the broad background of experience and knowledge

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which has proved of such value to him as an insurance underwriter. In October, 1910, Mr. Thurston joined with his father in purchasing the Charles L. Gates Insurance Agency at Worcester and the firm of Thurston and Thurston, insurance underwriters, was established. Since the death of his father in 1924, Mr. Thurston has operated the agency alone. He handles all classes of insurance, representing many of the outstanding Companies of the world, and is a well-known figure in insurance circles of the county. Apart from his business connections, Mr. Thurston is a member of the Commonwealth Club, the Worcester County Me- chanics' Association and was formerly a member of the Kiwanis Club. He is in politics a Republican and in religious faith a communicant of St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal Church.

On October 24, 1899, Louis C. Thurston married Jessie H. Young, who was born in Worcester, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Stewart) Young. They have four children: I. Stuart. 2. Judson. 3. Barbara. 4. Ann.

EDWARD WILLIAM STAVES-In round numbers, Edward W. Staves has been associated with the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company for thirty years, and in this time he has risen from freight office clerk to gen- eral agent at Southbridge. He is also interested in town affairs, is a factor in the local Republican organization, and is serving his third term as a member of the Massachusetts House of Represen- tatives.

Mr. Staves' parents were Edward E. and Matilda (Duchesne) Staves, both parents natives of New York State. Through his mother's side he is of French extraction. His father was engaged in the insurance business and a resident of Southbridge for twenty-five years.

Edward William Staves was born in Malone, New York, May 9, 1887, and received his early education in the public schools of Williamstown, Massachusetts, afterwards taking a course in ac- counting and business practice at the Bliss Busi- ness College in North Adams, Massachusetts. His first connection with the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company was made in 1904, when he was installed as a clerk in the freight office at Southbridge. Meritorious work brought him promotion and he became in time the agent of the company for that town. In 1931 he was still further advanced, this time to general agent, which post he has since filled.

Inclined to practical politics as a means to serv .. ing his town and district, he won election to the Republican town committee of Southbridge and has been its chairman for several years. He is a for- mer member of the town finance board. In Novem- ber, 1928, he was elected from the Fourth Wor- cester District to the Massachusetts House of Rep- resentatives and was reëlected in 1930 and again in 1932. His district is composed of the towns of Southbridge, Sturbridge, Warren, Brookfield, West Brookfield, East Brookfield and Charlton. In the Legislature he is a member and clerk of the com- mittee on highways and motor vehicles, and a mem- ber and chairman of the committee on military affairs. He is a member of the Ancient and Honor- able Artillery Company of Boston, the Southbridge Club, the Cohasset Country Club, and the Ten of Us Club. Mr. Staves has his residence at No. II2 Highland Street, Southbridge.

WILFRID BEAULIEU -- In newspaper pub- lication activities, Wilfrid Beaulieu has performed a work of importance and value to the city of Worcester and the surrounding region of Massa- chusetts. "Le Travailleur," which he issues, is published in French, and it has been experiencing, since its birth in 1931, steady progress and growth in circulation and influence.

Mr. Beaulieu was born on October 16, 1900, at Lowell, Massachusetts, son of Napoleon and Jose- phine (d'Amours) Beaulieu, both natives of the Province of Quebec, Canada, where his father was a merchant. In the parochial schools of the Prov- ince of Quebec, Wilfrid Beaulieu, of this review, received his early education, afterward being grad- uated from the University of Montreal in the class of 1918, taking the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Turning at once to newspaper work, in which he had long been especially interested, he continued in this type of activity, growing from one phase of it into another until he reached his present status as publisher. Throughout his career, he has been connected continuously with newspapers in one way or another, leading consistently and uninterruptedly to his present task as publisher. On June 30, 1931, "L'Opinion Publique," a daily French paper, dis- continued its publication, after thirty-eight years ; and two months later, it was succeeded by "Le Travailleur." The new publication was established largely through the instrumentality of Mr. Beau- lieu himself, who had been long working toward such an end in the course of his association with the former paper. The first issue of the newer paper came out on September 10, 1931, and it ran from about six to ten pages in length, with a seven-column make-up.

From an early circulation figure of about 2,000 to 2,500, "Le Travailleur" grew until it reached 14,000, the recent circulation. Needless to say, these figures point to a tremendous growth, not alone in number of readers, but in influence and power. The paper now goes into all parts of New England, and is recognized to be one of the fore- most of the French-language publications in the United States. In August, 1932, a merger was effected, by which Mr. Beaulieu's paper absorbed "Le Progrès," another French-language paper, of Manchester, New Hampshire. At the beginning of 1933, there was a change in the form of pub- lication, a twelve-page modern tabloid format being adopted.

In addition to his important journalistic work, Mr. Beaulieu has figured prominently in a gen- eral way in French-American life, being affiliated with practically all the French societies. He is likewise connected with a number of French clubs and organizations of a purely social nature. Fra- ternal groups likewise have interested him and drawn him to them with splendid results. His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church. Every organization with which he has been associated has in some very definite way profited from his labors and cooperative efforts, with the result that he is esteemed, respected and admired by a host of friends.

Nor have his journalistic efforts been confined wholly to publishing or even to writing for the papers with which he has been connected. For he has written extensively for magazines and other publications, and has been rewarded by remarkable accomplishments through the power of his pen. Among the French-American public, his writings

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are widely known, as well as in the general Amer- ican press.

Mr. Beaulieu lives at No. 14 Vernon Street, in the city of Worcester.

ANDREW ARVIDSON-Long an outstand- ing business in the city of Worcester, the Com- monwealth Baking Company has grown through the years until it has come to hold a position of leadership in its field. The founder of this enter- prise, Andrew Arvidson, father of the present heads of the business, Gustaf and Carl Arvidson, was a native of Sweden and from small beginnings worked his way upward in the commercial world in the United States. His accomplishments were such as to win for him the widespread esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens. At the same time he was loved as a personality and as a man of decided character, always kindly, generous, sym- pathetic and sincere. His position in Worcester life was a useful one, and his work lives on.

Mr. Arvidson was born on March 15, 1860, in Ostergotland, Sweden. In 1888 he came to the United States to live, first settling in Hibernia, New Jersey. Soon afterward he turned north- ward, however, and was one of the early Swedish settlers of Worcester. In this Bay State city he was employed at the outset by a small bakery on Belmont Street. Subsequently removing to No. 75 Ward Street, he found it necessary, in these quar- ters, to enlarge the physical home of the organiza- tion several times to meet the rapid growth in busi- ness. He and his associates determined to build a suitable edifice and for the purpose acquired land on Quinsigamond Avenue, where the present struc- ture of the Commonwealth Baking Company was erected. Mr. Arvidson, in addition to his bakery experience, had served, in his early years of resi- dence in this country, as an employee of the Amer- ican Steel and Wire Company, and so it was that his business background enabled him to carry the bakery enterprise far along the road to success.

When the Commonwealth Baking Company was definitely organized as such, Andrew Arvidson be- came its president. He continued as executive head of the company until his death, on April 12, 1931. His contribution to its growth and devel- opment was a remarkable one, and it was under his guidance that his two sons grew into the busi- ness. One of the early efforts of the Common- wealth Company to promote its product was the adoption of the name "Mother's Bread." This bread and the company's other products came to be in great demand, so that today a fleet of motorized trucks carries the output of the Arvidson factories to their customers, serving a territory covering an area with a fifty-mile radius and spreading in all directions from Worcester. More than seventy persons find employment in the bakery and its offices, and the company is one of the largest and most successful in Massachusetts. The sons, both of whom are recorded under separate headings in this volume, carry on the wise policies of their father, the founder, and are widely known and esteemed in business circles. Their plant comprises more than 35,000 square feet of floor space. The organization was incorporated as The Common- wealth Baking Company in 1925.

Aside from his labors as a business leader, An- drew Arvidson participated actively in social and civic affairs. His church was the First Swedish

Baptist Church, in which he held many offices including that of chairman of the board of trus- tees and deacons. He was also vice-chairman of the church until about a year before his death. He had broad general community interests and might be truly described as a civic-minded, public- spirited citizen.

The first devotion of Andrew Arvidson went, however, to home and family. He married Sophia Carlson, who, like himself, was born in Sweden. She died in 1902. They had two sons: 1. Carl, of further mention in the following biography. 2. Gustaf, of further mention on the next page. In 1905 Mr. Arvidson was married (second) to Sigrid Petterson, who lives in Worcester, as does one daughter, Hazel E., wife of Harry Franzen.

The death of Andrew Arvidson removed from Worcester one of the city's sound and success- ful business men. He had struggled against great odds to construct an enterprise that survived his years on earth and is today one of his community's leading commercial establishments. He possessed vision to a high degree. His spirit was rich in initiative and courage. His memory lives on, the memory that attaches to a life of achievement and successful performance.

CARL ARVIDSON-For many years asso- ciated with the Commonwealth Bakery Company, of Worcester, Carl Arvidson is now its assistant treasurer and vice-president. He learned the busi- ness under the direction of his father, Andrew Arvidson, who is now deceased, of record in the foregoing biography, and is now operating it in association with his brother, Gustaf Arvidson, president and treasurer, whose biography is also recorded under separate heading.

Carl Arvidson was born on August 2, 1891, at Worcester, son of Andrew and Sophia (Carlson) Arvidson. In the schools of Worcester he received his early education, later completing a course at the Worcester Trade School. He then joined with his father in the conduct of the Arvidson bak- ing business, makers of "Mother's Bread." This company and its products are widely known in the vicinity of Worcester and in a wide territory around this city. The full story of the develop- ment of the enterprise is told in this volume in connection with the life story of Andrew Arvid- son, the father of the present proprietors and the founder of the business. As assistant treasurer and vice-president of the organization, Carl Arvid- son today fulfills an important function and he is highly regarded by his many associates and friends.

Along with his commercial activities have been his civic and social undertakings. A member of the Chamber of Commerce, he is active in the promotion of its plans and projects. His church is the First Swedish Baptist, in which his late father was so prominent; and today Carl Arvidson is vice-chairman of the board of trustees of his parish. A leader in the Free and Accepted Masons, he is affiliated with Athelstan Lodge, and also holds the thirty-second degree in the Ancient Accepted Scot- tish Rite. He is a member of Aleppo Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.

His record also includes valuable World War service. When that international conflict first in- volved the United States Mr. Arvidson determined to serve his country. Enlisting, he was a member of

Andrew Arbidson

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the American Expeditionary Forces, Ordnance De- partment, first in this country and later in France. Engaged in both the Meuse-Argonne and the Ver- dun offensives, he won the rank of corporal. Into all his activities and undertakings, he has consis- tently put his finest energies and fullest enthusiasnı, with the result that he is esteemed, honored and respected in a wide circle of acquaintances.

Carl Arvidson married, in 1926, Alva S. Lind- berg, of Worcester, daughter of the Rev. Alfred E. Lindberg, a Baptist clergyman. To this mar- riage there was born, on July 25, 1932, one child, Carl Alden Arvidson.

GUSTAF ARVIDSON-As president of the Commonwealth Baking Company, Gustaf Arvidson has substantially contributed to the business well- being of the city of Worcester. This bakery has for a quarter of a century been a leading commer- cial enterprise of the city, and today it is one of the largest of its kind in Central or Southern New England. Its present president is a son of the founder of the company, Andrew Arvidson who is now deceased, a record of whose life appears in this work under separate heading, and he is associated in the operation of the bakery with his brother, Carl Arvidson, who is assistant treasurer and vice-president and is recorded in the previous biography.

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Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III, Part 35

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