Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III, Part 36

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 36

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Gustaf Arvidson was born on August 31, 1896, at Worcester, son of Andrew and Sophia (Carl- son) Arvidson, both of whom were born in Sweden. He received his early education in the schools of Worcester, completing the course given at the English High School. By that time his father had built up the great business of the Commonwealth Baking Company, so christened in 1920, and under the father's guidance and direction the son learned all the details of the work. With the passing of the years he assumed ever greater responsibilities in the operation of the company and, at his father's death, on April 12, 1931, was made president of the organization. Since that time he has so served and has faithfully and effectively fulfilled the duties of his office. The company is widely known for the trade name "Mother's Bread," which it adopted some years ago, and for its motorized truck serv- ice, which covers a wide territory centering about Worcester. Under the heading of Andrew Arvidson, more information about the company will be found. Mr. Arvidson serves as its treas- urer, holding this office in addition to the pres- idency.

Active also in other phases of Worcester life, he is a member of Athelstan Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons, and in the Masonic Order he is likewise affiliated with other bodies. In the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, he has attained the thirty-second degree. He is a member of Aleppo Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. During the World War he served his country as a corporal in the United States Army Artillery Corps. As a mem- ber of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce and treasurer of the Lions Club, he figures prominently in civic life and supports the movements espoused by these important community organizations. His church is the First Swedish Baptist, of Worcester, in which his father was for so many years a lead- ing worker.

Gustaf Arvidson married, in 1927, Clara E. Johni- son, of Worcester. They became the parents of one son, Dean B. Arvidson, who was born Novem- ber 30, 1929.

CHARLES L. CUTTING-During the past twenty years Charles L. Cutting has been connected with the Stetson Home at Barre and for eighteen years of this period has served as its superintend- ent. He is thoroughly familiar with the work of institutions of this kind and has made a very suc- cessful record.

Mr. Cutting was born at Enosburg, Vermont, March 21, 1887, a son of Stephen J. and Elizabeth M. (Williams) Cutting, both natives of Vermont. His father, a farmer by occupation, died in 1932, his mother is still living in Vermont.

Charles L. Cutting was educated in the public schools of his birthplace and at Brigham Academy, Bakersfield, Vermont, from which he was grad- uated in 1905. Thereafter he was employed for eighteen months as supervisor of the Vermont State Industrial School, where he had charge of seventy-five or eighty boys and where he entered upon the field of activity which has since continued to engage his attention. After leaving the Ver- mont State Industrial School he came, in 1908, to the Essex County Truant School at Lawrence, Massachusetts, and there served as supervisor for three and a half years. In January, 1912, he was appointed director of farming for the Stateson Home at Barre and in March, 1914, was made superintendent of the home, a position which he has since filled very capably. The institution, of which he has charge, is a home for boys, of which there are now thirty-five, ranging in age from seven to eighteen years. The home has approxi- mately one hundred and fifty-five acres of land, which the boys help to cultivate, and its activities have been very successfully carried on under Mr. Cutting's guidance.

Apart from this connection, he is active in other phases of Barre life. For three years he has served as a member of the Barre School Board. He is also a director of the Barre Library Associa- tion and a member of the Village Improvement Society and is affiliated fraternally with Mount Zion Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and with Athol Chapter, Royal Arch Masons.

On April 1I, 1914, Charles L. Cutting married Ruth Lundgren of Worcester, daughter of Gus- taf and Matilda (Olsen) Lundgren. They are the parents of three children: Doris Katrine, Paul Stetson and Charles Lee, Jr.

JAMES CHARLES McDONALD-A well- known lawyer of Worcester, James Charles Mc- Donald is coming to occupy a prominent place in the legal fraternity there. He is a native of Fall River, this State, born July 17, 1888, a son of James and Susan (Hurley) McDonald, both par- ents coming from Massachusetts families, the father being born at Bristol, and the mother at Dartmouth. His father was a well-known realtor in Fall River, who died in September, 1892; Mrs. McDonald still resides in Fall River.

James C. McDonald received the preliminaries of his education from the public schools, and was graduated from Worcester Academy with the class of 1908. Later he matriculated at Boston Univer-

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sity and was graduated in 1912 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws and was admitted to the bar that same year. He began the practice of his profession with James T. Connolly in Boston, continuing that association from 1912 to 1917. Upon the entrance of the United States into the World War, Mr. McDonald enlisted in the American Army forces as a member of Company C, 302d Infantry, 76th Division, and was commissioned a second lieuten- ant. He was assigned to duty in the War Depart- ment, at Washington, District of Columbia, and remained in that service until January 5, 1919, when he was transferred to Camp Meade, Mary- land, under appointment as judge advocate, and held this rank until he received his honorable dis- charge June 5, 1919.

Upon his return to civilian life and Worcester, he was, for five years, a member of the law firm of McDonald and Proctor. In 1926, Mr. Mc- Donald established himself in practice under his own name, and has since continued. He is a member of the Worcester County Bar Association and the Massachusetts State and American Bar associations. He has developed an extensive prac- tice, and is held in high esteem by colleagues and clientele. He is a member of the Military Order of the World War, the University Club, and the Wachusetts Country Club. His college fraternities are the Sigma Alpha Epsilon and the Phi Delta Phi.

EVERETT CARLETON-For almost eighty years the name of the Carleton family has been associated with one of the principal industries of Rochdale. The mills of E. G. Carlton and Sons manufacture exclusively fine white flannels and are today the only mills in the State so engaged. They are under the management of Everett Carleton, a son of the founder of the company.

Elbridge G. Carlton, his father, came to Roch- dale, then known as Clappville, in 1855. The site of the village was purchased by Eben Dale, who took it over from Reuben S. Denny, and in 1856 Mr. Carlton established the mills which now bear his name. From 1856 to 1890 he operated this plant for the estate of Eben Dale. Then, with his two sons, Dale and Everett, he formed the present company. Elbridge G. Carlton was one of the early fathers of the village of Rochdale. He served as justice of the peace for many years. In sign- ing the many important documents which came before him he always used the spelling Carlton although other members of the family have chosen to spell the name with an "e," Carleton. Elbridge G. Carlton died in 1906, and in the same year his elder son, Dale, sold his interest to Everett Carle- ton. Since that time Mr. Carleton has been sole owner of the mills.

Everett Carleton was born in Rochdale on May 31, 1860. He was educated in local public schools and at Worcester Academy, from which he was graduated in 1877. Afterwards he entered his father's mill, learning all details connected with the operation of the business of which he has been executive head for more than a quarter of a cen- tury. Originally the Carlton plant consisted of only one building. With the growth of the com- pany's business under his management, however, Everett Carleton has successively added four other buildings, making it the largest plant of its kind in the State. These mills produce only fine white

flannels for men's wear and the old-fashioned baby flannels. They are the only Massachusetts mills devoted solely to the manufacture of this product and have built up a national trade. Since 1906 Mr. Carleton has more than doubled the capacity of his plant which, in normal times, employs about one hundred people.

Apart from his business interests, Mr. Carleton has been active in all public affairs and had held a number of township offices. For four years he was selectman and for one year was overseer of the poor. He also served as trustee of the Public Library for several years. Mr. Carleton is now president of the Leicester Tax Association. He is a trustee of the Leicester Savings Bank and a member of its investment board, is a Republican in politics and fraternally is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, being a member in this order of Athelstan Lodge and a member of various higher bodies, including Worcester County Com- mandery, Knights Templar.

Mr. Carleton married, June 2, 1908, Mary W. Wight, of Belfast, Maine.

DEXTER LELAND-For thirty-four years, Dexter Leland has been managing editor and pub- lisher of the "Westborough Chronotype," a weekly newspaper of Westborough. During his long asso- ciation with the paper he has made it one of the finest weeklies of Worcester County, extending its influence over a wide area. Mr. Leland now oc- cupies the offices of treasurer of the corporation and general manager of the paper. His son, Arte- mas A. Leland, is its president.

Born on May 27, 1860, at Sherborn, Massachu- setts, Mr. Leland is a son of Artemas A. and Elisa P. (Snelling) Leland. His father, a farmer, was born in Sherborn and died in 1885. His mother, who died in 1898, was a native of Sharon.

Dexter Leland was educated in the public schools of his birthplace and at Sawin Academy. He entered the newspaper and printing field in early life and in 1898 purchased a half interest in the paper, with which his name has since been so closely connected. The first newspaper to be pub- lished in Westborough, "The Messenger," appeared in 1849 under the guidance of C. C. P. Moody. Its life, however, was short, and it was some time before another was brought out. In 1872 "The Transcript" was founded by C. H. Pierce and H. H. Stevens, and in 1874 R. F. Holton and C. H. Thurston came into the picture. Later Ira M. Beaman bought out Mr. Holton's interest, and it was from him that Mr. Leland, in 1898, purchased a half interest in the paper, which he has since controlled, and Mr. Thurston's interest in 1912. The name, the "Westborough Chronotype," has been applied to the paper for almost seventy years and over a long period has been synonymous with high journalistic standards. Mr. Leland and Mr. Thurston conducted the "Chronotype" from 1898 until 1912, at which time it was incorporated under the name of the "Westborough Chronotype." It has today a circulation of some nine hundred and goes into many homes in the Westborough section. In its management Mr. Leland has demonstrated his sound business judgment and keen newspaper sense. He has spared no effort to make his paper a true medium for the service of the community and his success is reflected in its continued progress.

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In addition he carries on a profitable business in job and book printing.

Apart from his professional connections, Mr. Leland has been very active in fraternal circles. He is affiliated with Siloam Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is a Past Master, and in this order is also a member of Marlborough! Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. He is a Past Worthy Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star, a Past Master of Westborough Grange, a present member of Pomona Grange, and a member of the Past Masters Association of Worcester County (Grange). He is also a member of Hockomock Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Laurel Rebekah Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of several local clubs. He has taken an active part in the work of all these organizations and in the realm of civic affairs has given his support to all worthy movements in the public interest.

In 1883, Mr. Leland married (first) Nellie M. Knowlton, now deceased. He married (second), in 1924, Rose Charlotte Shornstein, of Wilke- Barre, Pennsylvania. The children born of the first marriage are: I. Artemas A., now associated with his father in the publication of the "West- borough Chronotype" and president of the corpora- tion. He married Julia O. Hendy. 2. Ada B., wife of Ralph Wood. They have two children: Win- field and Lorraine. 3. Clarence, a musician, now deceased. He served during the World War with the 63d Infantry Band, United States Army and was a Past County Commander of the American Legion in Worcester County.

ISRAEL S. ZELKIND-Active in the busi- ness life of Worcester, Israel S. Zelkind is head of the Zelkind Waste Company, Inc., of this city.

Mr. Zelkind was born in Minsk, Russia, on December 15, 1896. He attended school in his native city and in 1912 came to America. Making the trip alone and landing in New York City, he went immediately to Jersey City, New Jersey, where he attended the English schools and learned the English language. After spending a few years here, he removed to Waterbury, Connecticut, where he was given employment in a manufacturing plant. In 1915 he went to Worcester, where he became engaged in the wool waste business. In this type of work he has since continued, and has built up one of the most lucrative enterprises of its kind in this part of the State of Massachusetts. He also organized the Lawrence Blanket Mills, at Wilsonville, Connecticut, where nothing but blan- kets are made. This company is a subsidiary of the Zelkind Waste Company.

In the course of his busy career, Mr. Zelkind has accumulated a great deal of property. He is widely known in the business world, and those who have observed his life closely say that he owes his success to hard work and to one funda- mental policy-that of treating his customers fairly and justly and operating his business as a service to others.

He has affiliated himself with some of the lead- ing organizations in Worcester and Worcester County and has done much for the furtherance of worth while undertakings in civic and social life. He is a member of Temple Emanuel and is active in the work of the Jewish Home for the Aged and the Orphans' Home. In his leisure

time, he is fond of outdoor recreations, notably fishing. There is almost no community project in which he is not interested, and, as a result, he is esteemed, respected and trusted by his fellow- citizens.

Israel S. Zelkind married, on February 6, 1926, Anne Kalish, a native of New Castle Terrace, England. By this marriage there have been two children : I. Lawrence, born on February 1, 1927. 2. Doira Evaline, born June 24, 1932. The Zelkind home is situated at No. 9 South Flagg Street, Worcester.

HARRY CLARENCE PARKER-As curator of the Worcester Museum of Natural History, Harry Clarence Parker has rendered important service to the cause of education and to the intel- lectual life of this Massachusetts city and its environs; and he is highly esteemed and respected in this community and wherever he is known.

Mr. Parker was born at Mena, Polk County, Arkansas, on February 18, 1906, son of Clarence Fulton and Jessie Belle (McDougal) Parker. His father was a native of Arkansas, and his mother of Indiana. The grandfather, on the paternal side of the house, was Frank Parker, a druggist, who owned a chain of drug stores in Arkansas. The father, Clarence F. Parker, was engaged most of his life in railway work, having been Master Me- chanic on the Kansas City Southern Railway. He lived chiefly in Pittsburg, Kansas.

And it was in the schools of that place that Harry Clarence Parker, his son, whose name heads this review, received his early formal education, being graduated from high school there in 1923. He then attended the State Teachers' College, at Pittsburg, Kansas, after which he studied at Ken- yon College, in Ohio. Entering the University of Kansas, he was graduated in 1930 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. While at the university, he acted as a staff member at the Natural History Museum there, so receiving a thorough scientific training in college and field work. It was in September, 1930, that he was chosen as curator of the Worcester Museum of Natural History, the position that he has since held and has filled with such eminent satisfaction; and he is doing much to build up the institution and to make it one of the outstanding museums of its kind in this part of the country. He is at the time of writing engaged in organizing an educational program, with story hours for children, museum games, and formal visits for seventh- and eighth-grade pupils in the public schools. For adults, in the winter months, he has arranged a series of free Sunday afternoon lectures.

His work has been greatly appreciated by the people of Worcester, among whom he has filled a definite need. At the same time, he maintains his contacts with those engaged in similar en- deavors in other parts of the country and the world, especially as a member of such groups as the American Society of Mammalogists, the American Ornithologists' Union, and the Amer- ican Association of Museums. He is affiliated, likewise, with several social and fraternal groups. In the Free and Accepted Masons, he is connected with Acacia Lodge, Lawrence, Kansas; and he belongs also to the Bohemians, Incorporated, the Kiwanis Club, and the Dickens Fellowship. An-

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other of his affiliations is with the Young Men's Christian Association.

His family background goes back into early American history for its beginnings on this Con- tinent. For, in addition to the early founding of the Parker line in America, the Stephens line of which his paternal grandmother was a member were descended from Alexander H. Stephens.

PETER STEWART-As general superin- tendent of the South Works and Cable Mills of the American Steel and Wire Company at Wor- cester, Peter Stewart exercises responsible control of the operations of the largest manufacturing plant in this city.

Mr. Stewart was born on September 26, 1875, at Glasgow, Scotland, a son of Robert C. and Mary (Dugan) Stewart. His mother, a native of Scotland, died in Boylston, Massachusetts, in 1907. His father, who was a salesman by occupation, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, and died in 1915 in Boylston.

Peter Stewart received his early education in the public schools of Glasgow and after coming to America in 1887 with his parents, who located in Worcester, he attended Worcester schools. He began his active career in the employ of "The Telegram," a Worcester newspaper, and later he went to sea for some three years, returning to Worcester in 1900. At that time he became con- nected with the American Steel and Wire Com- pany of Worcester, beginning as timekeeper. His ability, however, soon attracted the attention of his superiors, and within a few years he was as- signed to the open hearth mills of the company as assistant superintendent. In 1907 he was made superintendent of these mills. In 1916 he was ap- pointed assistant superintendent of the South Works and Cable Mills of the company at Wor- cester. In the following year, 1917, he was made superintendent of these works, succeeding J. Lester Perry, who was promoted to be superintendent of the North Works. This continued until 1922, when Mr. Stewart was made also superintendent of the South Works, holding this position until 1928. In that year Mr. Stewart was made superintendent of the South Cable and Center Works and later was made general superintendent, succeeding J. Lester Perry. He has since continued to serve as general superintndent of the works. He has more than justified the confidence reposed in him by the company by the able manner in which he has dis- charged all his duties, and in supervising from 2,500 to 3,500 workmen has achieved a highly successful record. He occupies a position of rec- ognized importance in the industrial life of this city.

Mr. Stewart maintains his residence at Boylston and has been very active in the life of this com- munity. He was a member of the school commit- tee of the town of Boylston and of the public safety committee, bringing to these offices the same fine energy and sound judgment which have distin- guished his business career. Fraternally, Mr. Stewart is affiliated with Montague Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, the Royal Arch Chapter and the Council of Royal and Select Masters. He is also a member of the Worcester Economic Club and of the Iron and Steel Institute. In religious faith he is a member and trustee of the Congre- gational Church of Boylston, and he is a generous

contributor to the support of its work and also to other worthy causes.

In 1907, Peter Stewart married Mary K. Clauson of Worcester. They are the parents of the fol- lowing children: 1. John T., a graduate of Went- worth Institute of Boston, where he studied min- ing engineering. 2. Mary K., who recently returned from Paris, after completing her studies in art, which she began in the Massachusetts Art School of Boston. 3. Ruth L., who is studying aviation in California. 4. Grace H., attending Beckers Business College at Worcester. 5. Christian G., a graduate of the Worcester High School. 6. Gene E., attending the Grammar School in Boylston.

JOHN HARRINGTON BENNETT-Mem- ber of an old Massachusetts family and founder of one of the chief industries of Worcester, John Harrington Bennett devoted his life to the pursuits of industry and with rare perseverance and ability achieved his chosen goal. A machinist by trade, he subsequently established the Bay State Stamp- ing Company, a metallurgical concern, which he guided with sure hand along the pathway of suc- cess. His own great mechanical talents were util- ized for the invention of a number of patented products which found a ready market in indus- trial circles of the country.

The Bennett family was established in the Mas- sachusetts Colony by John Bennett, who settled in Charlestown as early as 1659. He was drowned in 1674. According to old records, his sons owned land in the Massachusetts towns of Groton and Lancaster and also lived at least for a number of years in Woburn and Charlestown. Thomas Ben- nett, grandfather of John Harrington Bennett, was a descendant of the original founder. He was a resident of Woburn and served with the patriot forces during the Revolutionary War. He was one of the eight Massachusetts men who made the attempt to return from Newburgh, New York, to Massachusetts through the uncharted paths of the wilderness, and one of the two who succeeded in reaching the goal. Jonathan Smith Bennett, son of Thomas and father of John Harrington Bennett, was born at Groton, and there spent his entire life. He was a carpenter by trade. His wife, Miranda W. (Harrington) Bennett, daughter of Seneca Harrington, was a member of the old Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, family of this name, and was re- lated to the early Harrington families of Wor- cester.

John Harrington Bennett, of whom this is primarily a record, was born in Groton, Decem- ber 9, 1845. He received his educational training in the public schools of his native town and after- wards applied himself to industry, learning the ma- chinist's trade. In 1883, with a capital of only five hundred dollars, but with the large resources of his own character and courage, he started in the metal business in Worcester, in a little shop where he also made his home on Park Avenue. In the trying early years, he was not discouraged; there was a real place for his busi- ness and gradually he built up a prosperous trade. As an outward symbol of growth, his plant was enlarged year after year. Mr. Bennett was the true founder of the stamping industry in Wor- cester, and the Bay State Stamping Company at No. 380 Chandler Street is today a monument to his vision and enterprise. This company employs

John N. Bennett

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about one hundred men and is now being carried on by his widow and son. Mr. Bennett made numerous improvements in manufacturing proces- ses and technique, all of which were reflected in the successful growth of his business. He in- vented a number of valuable devices which he patented and subsequently manufactured on a large scale, including the Bennett handy oil and grease cups, the self-closing oil cups, ferrules and a large variety of articles made of sheet metal.

True to the traditions of his family, Mr. Ben- nett served in his country's cause, enlisting shortly after the outbreak of the Civil War. He became a member of the 6th Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, which troops were the first New England regiment to go to the defense of Washington, and with this regiment he served with honor and distinction. In later years he was al- ways interested in veterans' affairs, being a member of George H. Ward Post, Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Bennett was also affiliated with Iroquois Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men. He was a member of the Worcester Chamber of Com- merce, the Worcester Metal Trades' Association, the Worcester Credit Men's Association and the Associated Industries of Massachusetts. As a journeyman worker, he had been very active in the labor movement, being a member of the Knights of Labor General Assembly, District of Massachu- setts, and of the General Assembly of the United States. He was Master Workman of the local assembly, which was then an extremely powerful organization, initiating as many as three hundred new members on a single night.

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Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III, Part 36

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