USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III > Part 37
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Mr. Bennett married (first) Georgianna Wig- gins, daughter of Frank P. and Henrietta (Bean) Wiggins, who was born in Freedom, Maine. They were the parents of the following children: 1. Conrad R., born on December 20, 1868, married Katherine Morrow. 2. Edith E., born on Novem- ber 28, 1871, married Robert Whittemore. 3. Flo- rence Newell, who died in infancy. Mr. Bennett married (second), October 21, 1903, Celia E. Doane. They became the parents of two children : I. Ruth Lucille, born on February 2, 1905. 2. John Doane, born on February 18, 1906.
Mr. Bennett died at his Worcester home on Feb- ruary 20, 1920. His death was a source of deep regret to the city which had benefited so largely through his activities, and all who knew him joined to pay high tribute to the enduring value of his character and achievements. As a previous biogra- pher wrote of him:
Action was the keynote of his association with his world of work and progress, from boyhood to the time of his death. He held a firm belief in the value of unremitting toil, and its application to the benefit of every need in life. Himself a successful work- man, he also became an industrial leader of high standing in his State.
ARTHUR H. HALL-President of the Leo- minster Savings Bank for more than thirty-two years past, Arthur H. Hall occupied a position of prominence in the life of this city over a long period. He was born at Nashua, New Hampshire, on December 29, 1857, a son of George and Har- riet C. (Morden) Hall and a member of an old New England family. When he was only six years old, he came to Leominster with his par- ents, who passed the greater part of their lives here.
George Hall was a builder. In 1864 he estab- lished at Leominster the furniture manufacturing firm of Merriam, Hall and Company which is still in existence, operating as a corporation, and of which Arthur H. Hall was president. Apart from his business interests, the father was active in civic affairs and public life. He served as a member of the Leominster water commission over a long period, was a member of the State Legislature for several years and was a leader in many commu- nity enterprises. He was long active in Pilgrim Congregational Church here and was one of the committee which built the Congregational Church of Christ in North Leominster. Mr. Hall was also a trustee of the Leominster Savings Bank and a member of its investment committee. George and Harriet C. (Morden) Hall were the parents of two children : I. Arthur H., of whom further. 2. Annie J.
Arthur H. Hall received his education in local public schools and at Bryant and Stratton's Busi- ness College. Subsequently he became connected with a furniture manufacturing concern of Leo- minster and rose within the organization to posi- tions of responsibility. With the incorporation of the company, he was elected president. Mr. Hall's connection with the Leominster Savings Bank dated back many years. His election to the pres- idency reflected the confidence accorded him by his associates and the progress of the bank under his guidance proved it to have been well founded. Mr. Hall was also a member of the building commit- tee which erected the present bank building. He served on a similar committee for the construction of the Leominster Hospital and by his active par- ticipation in community affairs continued the fine tradition of responsible civic leadership so long connected with the family name at Leominster. Mr. Hall was a member of the water commission for twenty-five years. He was a member of Leo- minster Club and other local organizations.
On October 5, 1881, he married Emma P. Greeley. Mr. Hall passed away July 16, 1933.
WILLIAM H. HOLMES-Associated in an executive capacity with the metal work, plumbing and heating organization of M. D. Holmes and Sons Company, William Henry Holmes, and his three brothers, Fred Everett, Elmer Herbert, and Ernest Russell, are widely known in Worcester and Worcester County. Their friends are many and their achievements are universally recognized. The business which the four brothers now conduct was founded by their father, Martin DeForest Holmes.
Martin DeForest Holmes, founder of the M. D. Holmes and Sons Company, was born in Cam- bridge, Vermont, May 27, 1851, son of Samuel and Lucy (Wallbridge) Holmes. He attended the local schools and was employed on the home farm of his family at Cambridge, but at the age of nineteen years came to Worcester. Here he fol- lowed agricultural pursuits until he entered the employ of the Walker Ice Company, with whom he remained until 1884, when he associated him- self with Braman and Dow, steamfitters and plumb- ers, in order that he might learn the trade. He was then employed for ten years with the O. S. Kendall Company, in the same line of business. On April 1, 1900, he engaged in business for him-
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self, opening a store on Main Street in Worcester and early associating with him his three older sons, William Henry, Fred Everett, and Elmer Herbert. By the end of the first year the business had outgrown its quarters on Main Street and the concern was moved to larger quarters on Salem Square, opposite the Worcester Common. Expert service and a square deal to all patrons brought steady growth, and in 1909 the business was in- corporated as the M. D. Holmes and Sons Com- pany. From that time until his death in 1927, Martin DeForest Holmes devoted his energy to the advancement of the business, into which came, before the time of his death, his four sons, of whom further. Mr. Holmes was an expert in his line, an able business man, a much respected citi- zen, and a valued friend to those who knew him best. He was a member of all bodies of the Free and Accepted Masons, including the Consistory, in which he held the thirty-second degree; of Central Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Worcester; and of Worcester Lodge, Knights of Pythias.
Martin DeForest Holmes married (first), June 21, 1876, Ida Frances Stone, who was born April 9, 1845, daughter of Mrs. Mary (Prouty) Stone, of Spencer, Massachusetts. She died in Worcester, April 7, 1907, and he married (second) at Tacoma, Washington, August 25, 1909, Mrs. Mary (Sim- mons) Sibley, who was born December 31, 1853, daughter of Mitchell F. and Elizabeth (Kindred) Simmons, of Kentucky. To the first marriage seven children were born: I. William Henry, of further mention. 2. Fred Everett, of further men- tion. 3. Elmer Herbert, of further mention. 4. Ernest Russell, of further mention. 5. Bertha Lilla, born March 24, 1877, died June 27, 1877. 6. Ella Gertrude, born January 3, 1882, now de- ceased; married, June 18, 1906, William Henry Brown and they became the parents of two chil- dren : William Henry Brown, born December 7, 1900 and Elwood Francis Brown, born June 7, 1917. 7. Ida Winifred, born October 12, 1889; married, November 14, 1911, John Stanley Rose, now with the Norton Company; they have one child, Robert Rose, born June 20, 1913.
William Henry Holmes, oldest son of Martin DeForest and Ida Frances (Stone) Holmes, was born in Worcester, June 24, 1878, and received his education in the public schools of Worcester. At the time when his father engaged in business for himself, he became associated with him and since that time he has continued in the business, even- tually taking charge of the plumbing department of the M. D. Holmes and Sons Company. He is widely known in the plumbing and heating trades and is highly esteemed as one of Worcester's leading business men. He is a member of the Master Plumbers' Association of Worcester, which he served as president, 1912-13. He is also active in social and fraternal circles, holding membership in all bodies of the Free and Accepted Masons, including the Consistory, in which he holds the thirty-second degree; Central Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Worcester; Knights of Pythias; and the New England Order of Pro- tection.
William Henry Holmes married, October 20, 1902, Emma Franklin Urquhart, born at Glouces- ter, Massachusetts, daughter of Charles E. Urqu- hart, and they became the parents of three children : I. Claudia Urquhart, who died young. 2. Chester
Stanley, born October 17, 1904; married Astrid Svenson, and they have two children : Carolyn and Phyllis Holmes. 3. Mildred Frances, born Janu- ary 23, 1908; married Eric A. Anderson, and they have one child, William Knut Anderson.
Fred Everett Holmes, second son of Martin DeForest and Ida Frances (Stone) Holmes, was born in Worcester, December 1, 1879, and attended the public schools of Worcester, graduating from the English High School. He then matriculated at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, from which he was graduated in 1902 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. After graduation he spent six months in the West and for a year and a half was an engineer with the Plunger Elevator Company of Worcester. He then was admitted to partnership in his father's business and he is now in charge of the engineering and estimating work of the M. D. Holmes and Sons Company. He is a mem- ber of all bodies of the Free and Accepted Masons, in which order he holds the thirty-second degree.
Fred Everett Holmes married, in 1901, Sarah Ann Taylor, daughter of Robert and Jennie (Need- ham) Taylor, of Worcester. They have one son, Raymond Taylor Holmes, born May 23, 1902, who married Gertrude Swanson and has two children: Lois Ann, and Raymond Taylor Holmes, Jr. Ever- ett Holmes, another son of Fred Everett Holmes, died in infancy.
Elmer Herbert Holmes, third son of Martin De- Forest and Ida Frances (Stone) Holmes, was born in Worcester, January 3, 1882, and received his education in the local public schools, including the English High School. He then associated himself with his father in the business of the M. D. Holmes and Sons Company, of which he has been treasurer since 1909. He is a member of all the Masonic bodies, in which order he holds the thirty-second degree, and was a member of the Knights of Pythias.
Elmer Herbert Holmes married, June 5, 1912, Elizabeth May Speirs, daughter of John F. Speirs, of No. 12 Orne Street, Worcester. They have two children : 1. Ralph Herbert, born August 5, 1914. 2. Frank Edward, born August 2, 1917.
Ernest Russell Holmes, fourth son of Martin DeForest and Ida Frances (Stone) Holmes, was born December 5, 1884, and is now engineer of the M. D. Holmes and Sons Company. He re- ceived his education in the public schools of Wor- cester, attending the English High School to the end of his junior year, and then learned photo- graphy. Later he joined his father's business, in which connection he and his brother, Fred Everett Holmes, now have charge of the estimating work. He is a member of all bodies of the Free and Accepted Masons and was a member of Central Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Knights of Pythias.
Ernest Russell Holmes married Bertha D. Black- stone, and they became the parents of six chil- dren: I. Ernest Russell, Jr., born June 9, 1908. 2. Leslie Winfield, born April 2, died April 16, 1910. 3. Dorothy Irene, born April 20, 1911. 4. Shirley, born August 13, 1914. 5. John Martin, born Sep- tember 1, 1917. 6. Robert F.
The Holmes family has, as may be seen from the foregoing record, materially added to the well-being of Worcester and the furtherance of Worcester business interests. The city and county are, indeed, fortunate in having such a family of business men among their residents and citizens.
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CAPTAIN GEORGE WILLIAM JONES --- As manager of the Horace Partridge Company, dealers in sporting goods, Captain George William Jones fills a position of usefulness in his commu- nity, not alone in the business world, but also in the affiliations that his commercial activities make possible. Directly in line with his regular work is his connection, as athletic coach, with Worcester Academy, in his home city of Worcester.
Captain Jones was born on September 16, 1886, in Worcester, Massachusetts, son of William Ed- ward and Mary Gertrude (Harney) Jones and member of an old and (respected family of New England. His father, William Edward Jones, was a native of Portsmouth, New Hampshire; and the mother was born in the city of Worcester. George William Jones, whose name heads this review, received his early education in Worcester Academy, which he is at the time of writing serving as coach and faculty member. From that institution he was graduated in 1906, proceeding thence to Holy Cross College, where he took his degree with the class of III. His first work was in teaching; and, from 1911 to 1914, he continued as a teacher and athletic director at St. John's Preparatory School, in Danvers, Massachusetts. At Worces- ter Polytechnic Institute, he acted as coach of both football and baseball in 1914, going next to Davenport, Iowa, as a teacher of mathematics. There, likewise, he served as athletic director, at St. Ambrose College, until 1917, when the entry of the United States into the World War changed his program for the time.
Enlisting in the Field Artillery of his country's armed forces, he went overseas in September of that year as a private in the ranks; and, rising through the non-commissioned grades, was made a second lieutenant after attending the French Artil- lery School, at Samur, France. Then came the commission of first lieutenant; and, before the end of his European service, in February, 1919, he was commissioned captain. He had command of a battery of field artillery. While the war was still on, he was wounded in an active engagement in the Meuse-Argonne offensive. Afterward he was hon- ored by several decorations, including the Croix de Guerre with Palm, and was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour by the Government of France. The United States Government also awarded him the Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart and Silver Star medals. In April, 1919, he was mustered out of the service.
Immediately returning to the United States, he resumed his work in Worcester. Retaining an interest in military affairs, he was given command of Battery E, Veterans Association of the 102d Field Artillery. He has been consistently active, likewise, in the work of certain military organiza- tions, including the Worcester Post of the Amer- ican Legion, of which he is a past commander, and the Military Order of the World War.
In September, 1919, he went into business with the Horace Partridge Company, of Worcester, sporting goods dealers, of No. 9 Pleasant Street, this city, with whom he has since been continuously associated. He was made the manager of this busi- ness, and before long was given a position on the Worcester Academy faculty. Down to the time of writing he has been, for ten years, the track coach at this academy, as well as assistant foot- ball coach.
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Holding a number of other positions of prom- inence in the city of Worcester, Mr. Jones is a member of the Board of License Commissioners, of which he has been chairman since 1922. He is a member, likewise, of the Worcester Republican Club and the Worcester County Council, as well as of the Wachusett Country Club. In each and every one of his activities, and the organizations through which they are represented, Mr. Jones has proven his distinct abilities as a civic and commu- nity leader ; and his genial and enthusiastic nature has caused him to be appreciatively received by his fellow-citizens.
Captain George William Jones married, in Au- gust, 1921, Jane M. Melican. By this marriage there were born two children: I. George W. 2. Marie Elizabeth.
VINCENT J. WOODCOCK-For practi- cally all of his business career, Vincent J. Wood- cock has been identified with the industry in which he is the executive and financial head of the Economy Electric Company, of Worcester. This concern is rated as one of the leaders in its line in this city and county, and in its develop- ment Mr. Woodcock has had a large part in the fifteen years he has been associated with it.
Mr. Woodcock was born in Providence, Rhode Island, November 4, 1894, a son of Joseph and Helen (Simester) Woodcock, both parents natives of that city, where the father is living retired. After passing through the public schools, the son, Vincent J., completed a course at the Bryant and Stratton Commercial College. His first connection with the electrical business was in the service of the Crooker Company of Providence, and there he learned the business. He came to Worcester in 1918 and in that year became an associate of Peter A. Coghlin, who had established the Economy Elec- tric Company in 1916. Upon the death of Mr. Coghlin, which occurred in 1929, Mr. Woodcock bought the Coghlin estate's interest in the business and became the sole owner. In the reorganization he was made president and treasurer, having since filled these offices. His company has electrically equipped some of the largest buildings and institu- tions in Worcester County and adjoining territory, among the contracts which it has executed being those on the Worcester County Tuberculosis Sani- tarium, Belmont Hospital, Junior High School of Worcester, and others of equally great importance. The company's office and plant are at No. 22 Fos- ter Street, Worcester, where it occupies 10,000 square feet of floor space and has a maximum employed force of forty skilled electrical workers.
Mr. Woodcock has served in the Coast Artillery Corps. He is affiliated with local and national associations connected with the electrical industry, but has neither fraternal nor club memberships, having preferred to give all his time to his home and business affairs.
Mr. Woodcock married, in 1914, Edith M. Cur- tis, a native of Rhode Island. They have their residence in Auburn, Worcester County.
RICHARD F. CAGNEY was born in Wor- cester, July 7, 1894, a son of William J. and Mary (Leahy) Cagney, both parents natives of County Limerick, Ireland, the father dying in 1900 and the mother in 1917. After passing through the public schools, he entered LaSalle Preparatory
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School and then took his professional course at Northeastern College, where he was graduated Bachelor of Laws in the class of 1926. He filled several different positions before he was admitted to the bar in 1926, in which year he opened an office in his own name. He became a member of the Massachusetts State Bar Association and the Worcester County Bar Association. Among his fraternal affiliations are the Knights of Columbus. He is a member of the Church of the Holy Ghost (Roman Catholic), of Greendale.
Mr. Cagney married, in 1919, Josephine C. Clif- ford, a native of this State. They live at No. 9 Cutting Avenue, Worcester.
WALTER DICKEY ALLEN-City solicitor of Worcester and prominent lawyer, Walter Dickey Allen is the grandson of William and Elizabeth (Liddle) Allen, formerly well known in the indus- trial, civic and social circles of the city. William Allen founded the Allen Boiler Works, at one time the largest in its line of business in New England. He was born near Birmingham, Eng- land, August 19, 1825 and came to America in September, 1849. He was descended from a fam- ily of engineers; William Allen's father, grand- father and great-grandfather were engineers in the employ of the famous James Watts Engine Works, Birmingham, England.
The eldest son of William Allen was William Powell Allen, who was born in Worcester, July 21, 1851, and died here January 4, 1906. He mas- tered the trade of boiler making in this country and with the James Watts concern of England and became a partner with his father and his brother, George L. Allen, in the William Allen and Sons Company, which was incorporated as the William Allen and Sons Corporation after the death of George L. Allen. He married (first) Alice Gozzard, and they had one son, William Gozzard Allen; (second), after the death of Alice Gozzard Allen, Cornelia Dickey, of Bennington, New Hampshire, August 22, 1867. She was de- scended from Henry Adams, ancestor of Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams. They had two children: Walter Dickey and Harold Guy.
Walter Dickey Allen was born in Worcester, March 15, 1896, and was educated in the local schools, graduating from South High School in 1914. He matriculated at the Boston University School of Law and was graduated, magna cum laude, in 1917 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. During his school and college days he was active in dramatic and debating societies, and while in high school was a member of the team which kept possession of the "Amherst Cup." Admitted to the bar of Worcester County in 1917, he became associated with the law firm of Norman and Camp- bell, for a time. In May, 1918, the course of his legal career was interrupted, when he entered the United States Army in preparation for services overseas in the World War. He was assigned to the quartermaster's department at Camp Upton and was stationed there and at Camp Joseph John- son, Florida, and Camp Las Casas, Porto Rico, during the period that he was in the service. He held the rank of quartermaster sergeant.
Returning to Worcester after the war Mr. Allen again engaged in practice and in June, 1925, estab- lished the law firm of Allen and Simpson which continues at the present writing. Mr. Allen is a
student by nature, a gifted speaker of good court presence and knows law and legal procedure. He has become a recognized authority on certain phases of the law, and is held in high esteem by his col- leagues. He is a member of the Worcester County and the Massachusetts Bar associations. He has been honored by the citizens of his city by elec- tion to the common council, 1921-22; to the Mas- sachusetts Legislature, 1923-24-25-26, where he did splendid work, among other activities, as a mem- ber of the committee on legal affairs. He was appointed assistant city solicitor of Worcester, serv- ing from 1926 to 1932, and on January 4, 1932, was elected city solicitor by the city council.
Mr. Allen has been to the fore in many of the civic and welfare movements of Worcester and has done his bit to promote the better develop- ment of the municipality, which has been the home of his family for several generations. Fraternally he is affiliated with Athelstan Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Eureka Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Central Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Cherokee Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men; and Stella Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. Among his clubs and other societies are: Canopy Club, of Boston; American Order. Sons of St. George; Worcester Post, No. 5, Amer- ican Legion; and Worcester County Republican Club.
On May 22, 1918, Mr. Allen married Gladys G. Bates, of Worcester, and they are the parents of two children: I. Walter Dickey, Jr., born Decem- ber I, 1924. 2. Robert Bates, born October 8, 1927.
NAPOLEON R. THIBERT-An inventor of note and a manufacturer of national prominence in the oil burner field, Napoleon R. Thibert is now president and treasurer of the Champion Prod- ucts Company of Worcester, which he established for the purpose of manufacturing gravity fuel burners. The products of this company are dis- tributed throughout the United States.
Mr. Thibert was born on May 15, 1865 in the Province of Ontario, Canada, son of Antoine and Belen (Thibeau) Thibert. His father was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, his mother in Essex County, Province of Ontario, Canada, near Detroit, Michigan. The former, an educator and instructor in a number of educational institutions, died in 1900, at the age of sixty-eight. The mother died in 1920.
Napoleon R. Thibert received his education in public schools and under private tutors. He re- ceived a thorough training in mechanical engineer - ing and followed that profession for some years in early life. Subsequently, his artistic talents led him to abandon that field to devote himself to art and photography. For twelve years Mr. Thibert successfully conducted a studio situated in Wor- cester at the corner of Main and Mechanic streets. He did not, however, entirely lose his interest in mechanics and while working as an artist and photographer, his creative ability also found ex- pression in the development of a number of me- chanical devices. Finally he closed his studio to devote all his time to experimental work in me- chanical engineering, for which he was well quali- fied by reason of his early training and experience. The results are seen in more than one hundred patents, taken out by him on articles which he personally developed and many of which are of
Walter D. allen
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great utility in industry. When the subject of fuel burners began to attract increasing attention, Mr. Thibert, in 1929, established the Champion Prod- ucts Company to develop and manufacture gravity fuel burners of his own design. The plant of the company is located on Park Avenue, Worcester, comprising some 44,000 square feet of floor space. At maximum capacity upwards of two hundred persons, including the sales organization, are em- ployed. The products of the company have won a national reputation and find a ready market through- out the country. The main sales offices are located in the Park Square Building, Boston.
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