Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III, Part 38

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 38

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Mr. Thibert is one of the best known inventors in Worcester County. He has devoted much of his life to valuable experimental work and is the author of many articles on problems connected with gravity and liquid fuel devices, although he has not confined his work to this type alone. Mr. Thibert was formerly a member of several clubs and fraternal organizations at Worcester, but be- cause of the pressure of his work has resigned his membership in all these bodies. During the + World War he rendered important services to the government, the value of which brought him a government citation. On offering his services to his country, he was sent first to Columbia Univer- sity, where he lectured in the Education Depart- ment, but subsequently went overseas with the American Expeditionary Forces, holding the rank of first lieutenant, United States Army. In France he devoted himself to educational work and in- struction in mechanical engineering. He was also deeply interested in promoting friendship and a better social relationship among the Allied forces. His fluent knowledge of several languages made him particularly useful in this endeavor and his services were of lasting value.

In 1891 Napoleon R. Thibert married M. Louise Ouellet of the Province of Quebec, Canada. They are the parents of the following children: I. Joseph A. N., a graduate of the Baltimore College of Dentistry, then took advanced courses in Harvard University in dental surgery and in dental surgery at Johns Hopkins University, now successfully en- gaged in the practice of his profession. 2. Pauline, now Dr. Pauline Reindeau. She is a graduate of two colleges, having studied for three years at the University of Paris and now with her husband devotes herself to medical work at Norwich State Hospital. 3. Paul D., a prominent lumber dealer and president of the P. D. Thibert Lumber Com- pany, Inc., of Springfield, Massachusetts.

FRANK L. MacNEILL-For forty-six years Frank L. MacNeill has been identified with the envelope business and president of the New Eng- land Envelope Company since 1920. Mr. Mac- Neill is also president and a member of the board of directors of the Standard Paper Company.

Frank L. MacNeill was born in Nova Scotia, August 15, 1870, but came to Worcester as a young man, seventeen years of age. He very early yielded to his love for the sea and to his desire to visit far, strange places, and by the time he was seventeen years old had three times crossed the Atlantic in search of new sights, new experi- ences, and new knowledge, visiting many ports and satisfying his boyish desire to look upon the "rock of Gibraltar." As a young man he entered the employ of the W. H. Hill Envelope Company, of

Worcester, remaining with them for nineteen years. In 1906 C. W. Gray, Mr. MacNeill and others organized a new concern under the name of the New England Envelope Company, with C. W. Gray as president and Mr. MacNeill as superintendent. The enterprise began in a small way, using only part of a floor in the building, which the business still occupies on Eden Street, and employing only five people. There was no improved machinery and not a great deal of working capital, but the two men possessed energy, ability, and ambition, and the business steadily grew. More floor space was needed and three floors were required to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding business, but even that space proved insufficient and, eventually, five floors were occupied. The installation of modern, improved machinery, however, made some of this extensive floor space unnecessary, and at present, 1933, about 25,000 square feet of floor space are in use. At times as many as seventy-five employees are required to handle the greatly increased produc- tion, practically all of which is done by the latest improved machinery. The present volume of pro- duction is more than ten times that of the earlier years and is sent to all parts of the United States and Canada. From the beginning Mr. Gray and Mr. MacNeill saw to it that the name "New Eng- land Envelope Company" was a guarantee for goods of high quality and that prompt and efficient serv- ice could be confidently expected by all patrons. Because of this unvarying, dependable quality of goods and service, together with the business abil- ity of Mr. Gray and Mr. MacNeill and others who gave their time to the development of the business, the New England Envelope Company has devel- oped into one of the largest concerns of its kind in the country. Mr. MacNeill has been identified with the concern for twenty-seven years and a very large part of the company's success is due to his ability and to his unfailing devotion to the advance- ment of its interests. Upon the death of C. W. Gray in 1920, Mr. MacNeill was made president, and that responsible executive position he is still filling. He is well known as an able business man and, in addition to his responsibilities as president of the New England Envelope Company, has for many years been a member of the board of direc- tors of the Standard Paper Company, which for the past twelve years he has served as president. For many years, too, he was a member of the Worcester Board of Trade. Fraternally, Mr. MacNeill is a charter member of Rose of Sharon Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; and a member of Wor- cester Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Worcester Council, Royal and Select Masters; Knights Tem- plar; and of all the Scottish Rite bodies. His religious affiliation and that of his family is with the South Baptist Church, which Mr. MacNeill served as treasurer for ten years.

Frank L. MacNeill married (first) Florence Wright, and they became the parents of two chil- dren: I. Stanley W., who is employed by the Standard Paper Goods Manufacturing Company of Worcester ; married Ida Campbell, and they have one son, Campbell MacNeill. 2. Phyllis M., mar- ried E. E. Eaton, who is engaged in boys' work in the Young Men's Christian Association of Elmira, New York. They have three children: Raymond, Rose and Florence (twins). The mother of these children died in 1922, and Mr. MacNeill married (second), in June, 1923, Florence C. Cook.

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ARTHUR E. FAIRBANKS-In the insur- ance world and in the general civic life of the city of Worcester and his native State of Massa- chusetts, Arthur E. Fairbanks has for a number of years figured as a leader. He is president of the Bailey, Barnes, Burnham Company, insurance dealers, of Worcester.

Mr. Fairbanks was born on May II, 1875, at Westboro, Massachusetts, son of John and Ella M. (Fisher) Fairbanks, both natives of Westboro, this State, where they lived and died. His father, John Fairbanks was engaged in the insurance busi- ness for fifty-two years; for sixteen years he was postmaster of Westboro. He took a deep interest in the Grand Army of the Republic and served as commander of the local post for some years. He was a member of the Massachusetts State Legis- lature for two terms, a member of the Fire De- partment of Westboro, and prominent in the life of that part of the Commonwealth. He died at the advanced age of eighty-seven years in 1930.

Arthur E. Fairbanks received his education in the grade and high schools of Westboro. He then entered the bicycle business in which he remained until 1896, where he turned his attention to the insurance business in Westboro. Here he took an active interest in the schools, serving for five years as a member of the school committee, during which time the Eli Whitney school building was erected.

In 1911 Mr. Fairbanks came to Worcester to make his home. For five years he was associated with the Crowell-McPherson Company in the insur- ance field up to 1916 when he engaged independ- ently in insurance activities. From then until 1924 he operated an extensive business. In November, 1924, he became connected with his present com- pany in which he served as vice-president until 1927, when he was made president. This firm deals in general insurance, representing several of the foremost insurance companies of the country. In 1926 he was made secretary of the Worcester Board of Underwriters; and he also acts as direc- tor of the Worcester Protective Department.

He is a member of the Free and Accepted Ma- sons, of which in 1908, he served as Worshipful Master of Siloam Lodge, of Westboro; and after coming to Worcester, in 1932, served as Master of Rose of Sharon Lodge. In 1910 and 1911, he was District Deputy Grand Master of the Twenty- third Masonic District. He is also affiliated with Houghton Royal Arch Chapter, Marlboro, and Hiram Council, Royal and Select Masters, and Stella Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, of which he was Patron in 1930. He is secretary and treasurer of the Worcester Branch of the Insurance Federation of Massachusetts.

Arthur E. Fairbanks married, in February, 1914, Mabel Loretta Severance, and they are the par- ents of one son, Robert Freeman Fairbanks. The family home is situated at No. 22 Ethan Allen Street, Worcester.

ARTHUR P. HIGGINS-Since 1910 Arthur P. Higgins has been the efficient secretary of the Worcester Pressed Steel Company and since 1922 he has also been general sales manager, in charge of all the agencies of the company, located through- out the country.

Arthur P. Higgins was born in Manchester, New Hampshire, August 5, 1880, son of Merrill Whit- ney Higgins, who made his home in Manchester for

many years and died there at the age of sixty- two years. He received his education in the public schools of Manchester, graduating from the high school there and then taking a post-graduate course in the same school. He was then employed for five years with the Worcester Plunger Elevator Company, of Worcester, then owned by J. W. Higgins, now president of the Worcester Pressed Steel Company. In 1904 he began his long con- nection with the Worcester Pressed Steel Com- pany, beginning at the bottom and gradually work- ing his way up, learning thoroughly each branch of the business. Eventually, he was placed in charge of the purchasing department for a time. Later, he was made superintendent, and then be- came a member of the sales force. Thus he was made thoroughly familiar with the various depart- ments of the business, securing a thorough train- ing and a wide practical experience. In 1910 he was made secretary of the company and that official position he has continued to fill to the present time. In 1922, in addition to his duties as secretary, he was made sales manager, in charge of the agencies of the company located in all the important cities of the West and South, as well as in the East. Not only has Mr. Higgins won the entire con- fidence and esteem of the officials of the company, but his straightforward and upright dealing has caused him to be greatly respected and trusted by his agents throughout the country. When Mr. Higgins became associated with the company it owned only one building. At the present time the Worcester Pressed Steel Company's plant in- cludes ten of the latest and most improved types of buildings. They own about fifty acres of ground and when production reached its peak, were em- ploying as many as eight hundred men, all high grade mechanics and housed in all steel buildings. At present, he is the oldest, in point of time of service, of the officials, with the exception of the president. He is a member of the Free and Ac- cepted Masons, also of the Artisans Club, Rotary Club, Worcester Country Club, and Economic Club. His religious affiliation is with the Congregational Church at Adams Square.

Arthur P. Higgins married, April 16, 1916, Bertha P. Dunton, who was born in Milford, Massachusetts, and died in Worcester, May 5, 1932, deeply mourned not only by her family, but also by a very wide circle of friends, who held her in the highest esteem. Mr. and Mrs. Higgins became the parents of three children : Merle, Mer- rill Whitney and Richard.

PAUL HENKING WILSON-In a number of different types of business and industrial en- deavor, Paul Henking Wilson has taken part, chiefly in the city of Worcester. Here he has lived for many years, being associated with the official organization of the Graton and Knight Company and now serving as its secretary and controller.

Mr. Wilson was born on May 13, 1886, at Yel- low Springs. Ohio, son of George W. and Hen- rietta (Dwinel1) Wilson. His father, born in Con- necticut, died in 1916; he was an accountant. The mother was a Vermont woman and died in 1927. In the public schools of Clinton, Massachusetts, Paul Henking Wilson received his early education. In 1902 he began his business career with the Clinton Wire Cloth Company, subsequently joining forces with the American Steel and Wire Company,

Peter O Shea how,

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at Worcester, where he was associated with the auditing department, so continuing until 1909. Mr. Wilson, in that year, resigned his position to accept a similar one with the Graton and Knight Com- pany, one of Worcester's prominent industrial en- terprises. In his years with this company he has served in various capacities, succeeding Mr. Barth as controller, which position he holds today. The company manufactures leather goods.

He is also treasurer and a director of the Hahne- mann Hospital, at Worcester, and is a leader in many social and civic undertakings. The Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce are both benefiting by his worth while work in their behalf and, through them, for the people of this city and county. Among the reforms that Mr. Wilson has espoused is that of the thirteen-month calendar, of which he is one of the foremost exponents. He has made many addresses in different parts of the United States on this subject, regarding which he has strong convictions. He is a man of scholarly abilities and attainments, a reader of fine books, and a student of men and affairs. During the World War he served his country as a member of different boards and committees. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, in which order he is a member of Quinsigamond Lodge, also of Eureka Chapter, Royal Arch Ma- sons. His church is the Baptist. Into all his manifold activities Mr. Wilson has continuously put his best energies and his finest enthusiasm, with the result that he is esteemed, respected and honored by all who know him. His friends, who are many, are deeply appreciative of his contribu- tion to Worcester County business life and to the well-being of the county's people and their institu- tions.

Paul Henking Wilson married, in 1911, Lillian M. Gould, of Massachusetts, member of an old American family. The children of their marriage have been three in number: 1. Paul H., Jr., born on June 19, 1915. 2. Winthrop B., born July 20, 1919. 3. Randolph G., born November 2, 1927. The Wilson home is situated at No. 36 Coventry Road, Worcester, and Mr. Wilson's business head- quarters are those of the Graton and Knight Com- pany, at No. 356 Franklin Street, this city.

WILLIAM D. LEAHY-A long and com- mendable connection with journalism has been held by William D. Leahy, editor and owner of the "Milford Daily News," an afternoon paper pub- lished in Milford. Well known to the Fourth Estate of this section of Massachusetts, he con- tinues to exert a beneficial influence upon men and affairs in the territory covered by his paper. He is also a leader in Milford civic advance.

Born in Mystic, Connecticut, September 22, 1859, William D. Leahy is a son of James and Sarah (Carey) Leahy, both parents natives of Ireland ; the father, an old-time manufacturer of hand-made nails, died some years ago, and the mother is de- ceased also. Mr. Leahy's education was received in the public schools, and he then learned the printing trade. For some time he was connected with the United States Government Printing Office, where he obtained valued experience. In 1887 he came to the town of Milford, and in September of that year the "Daily News," Milford's first daily newspaper, had its birth under the firm name of Mann and Leahy. Subsequently there was

effected a consolidation of the "Milford Journal," then published by Cook and Sons, and the "News," the expanded paper being titled as the "Milford Daily News," of which Mr. Leahy became the editor and half owner. It is regarded as an up-to- date afternoon paper, which in 1932 had a sworn circulation of 4,600. Mr. Leahy thoroughly enjoys his work in the editorial sanctum and the cor- diality and loyalty of his public to whom his paper is akin to an institution.

In addition to his prominence in the newspaper field of this region, he is an outstanding citizen of Milford in the promotion of a bigger and better town. For several terms he served as president of the Chamber of Commerce. In one of the greatest-some say the greatest-events in Milford history, the Sesqui-Centennial, he was chairman of the general committee and did, perhaps, as much or more than any other man to make the celebration the splendid success which favored the management. He was also president, for five years, of the Mil- ford Chautauqua, another of the town's large suc- cesses from a literary, entertainment and social viewpoint. During the World War he was gov- ernment fuel administrator for Milford and served on various boards and committees. As mementoes of his services at that time he holds a number of certificates of commendation from the Federal Gov- ernment. He is a Past Noble Grand of his sub- ordinate lodge, and a member of the Encampment and the Rebekahs in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; a member and Past Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias; and a member and Past Exalted Ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is affiliated with the City Club of Boston and the Magonistock Country Golf Club.

Mr. Leahy married, in 1886, Abbie A. Desautelle, of Milford.

PETER OWEN SHEA, M. D .- Military activities through the medical service, in which he rose to the rank of major, and holding a municipal office, in which he has become director of public health and hygiene in the city of Worcester, have featured the career of Dr. Peter O. Shea, veteran medical officer of two wars and one of the best known surgeons of Massachusetts.

Dr. Peter Owen Shea was born in Worcester, April 21, 1870, a son of Cornelius and Mary (Burke) Shea; the father, a native of County Cork, Ireland, died in 1898, and the mother, of County Mayo, Ireland, died in 1928. Dr. Shea was educated in the public schools of Worcester, then entered Holy Cross College, completed his academic course there and received his Bachelor of Arts degree, graduating in the class of 1892. He received his Master's degree at his alma mater in 1896. His medical training was obtained at Columbia University, where he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1894. He then took post-graduate work in hospitals of New York City, after which he returned to his native State where he established himself in an office in Chicopee and remained two years. Desiring to perfect himself still further for the practice of his profession, he went to Baltimore, Maryland, and studied as a special student in Johns Hopkins University. From Baltimore he returned to Fram- ingham, Massachusetts, and was in practice there until the outbreak of the Spanish-American War in 1898.

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He enlisted in the 9th Massachusetts Regi- ment and was assigned to duty in Virginia as a member of the Hospital Corps, being commissioned first lieutenant and assistant surgeon. He later went to Cuba as a member of the hospital staff and was on duty until his honorable discharge in 1900. He enlisted in service in the Massachusetts State Guard and was commissioned major in the medical section. He was sent by the United States Government on a mission to Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1917 at the time of the terrific explosion of a munitions ship which destroyed part of the city. He also traveled extensively over Massachusetts during the period of the devastating influenza epidemic as a representative of the State Govern- ment. From this mission he was finally discharged in Springfield, receiving at that time the follow- ing letter of commendation from the Governor of Massachusetts :

THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT. State House, Boston, December 19, 1918. MAJOR PETER OWEN SHEA,

106 MILLBURY STREET, WORCESTER :

DEAR MAJOR SHEA :

On behalf of the Commonwealth of Massachu- setts and personally, I want to thank you most heartily for the very effective work you did at the State Guard Hospital at Springfield in fighting the epidemic of influenza. This service is distinctive and one which reflects great credit upon you. While far removed from the battle line, it had all the elements of courage displayed by our boys there, and Massachusetts can still be proud of its citizenry when responses such as yours have come so cheer- fully and willingly. Massachusetts will not soon forget your devotion, and the knowledge of having completed such notable service should be a constant source of gratification to you.

Yours very truly, (Signed) SAMUEL W. MCCALL.

In 1900 Dr. Shea came to Worcester as a mem- ber of the board of health of this city, his repu- tation as an expert in the public health service having preceded him. On the death of his pre- decessor in the office, he was appointed by the board of health after a competitive civil service examination to the position of director of health and hygiene, in which office he has since remained. He served as a member of the school committee from 1901 to 1907. Appointed a trustee of Grafton State Hospital, he here held office three years and was reelected for a second three-year term, but resigned when he was commissioned a major in the Massachusetts State Guard. He is a member of the Massachusetts Board of Health, Amer- ican Public Health Association, Massachusetts Na- tional Guard Association, Spanish War Veterans Association, National Guard, U. S. A. Association, American Medical Association, Massachusetts Med- ical Society, and Worcester County Medical So- ciety. His fraternal affiliations are with the Knights of Columbus, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Ancient Order of Hibernians, and Knights of Robert Emmett, and he is a member of the Army and Navy Club, Boston. He is a communicant of the Church of the Ascension (Roman Catholic). Dr. Shea's official address is the City Hall, Worcester.

REV. FREDERICK LEWIS WEIS, B. D., S. T. M., Th. D .- A veteran of the World War, in which he rose to the rank of lieutenant, United States Navy, Rev. Frederick L. Weis is now minis-

ter of the First Church of Christ ( Unitarian) at Lancaster. He is a compiler of genealogies of his family and correlated lines and, in the right of ancestry, is a member of important colonial and patriotic societies.

Frederick Lewis Weis was born at Pawtuxet Neck, Cranston, Rhode Island, August 22, 1895. His father was John Peter Carl Weis, son of Charles Frederick Weis (Johann Daniel Adolph, Johannes, Johann Albert, : Hon. Johann Adam, Daniel Weis, "gentleman-at-arms, 1629") and Mary Clap (Richard, Captain Lemuel, Sergeant Eben- ezer, Ebenezer, Nathaniel, Deacon Nicholas Clap who settled at Dorcester, 1633). His mother was Georgina Lewis, daughter of Senator Abiel Smith Lewis (Thomas, Deacon Thomas, Thomas, Cap- tain and Deacon John, Lieutenant and Deacon John, Edmund Lewis who settled at Watertown, 1634) and Harriet Phipps Richardson (George, William, Esq., Captain Benjamin, Benjamin, Ben- jamin, Isaac, Thomas Richardson who settled at Woburn, 1641). His father is the owner of the Narotex Company at Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Dr. Weis entered the United States Naval Acad- emy in 1913 and was graduated there on March 29, 1917. On the following May 23, he was com- missioned an ensign in the United States Navy, and on July I, the same year, was advanced to lieutenant (junior grade). When the United States joined the Allies in the World War, he was as- signed to the superdreadnaught "North Dakota" as assistant engineer officer. He was retired as lieutenant, United States Navy, on February 1, 1918, for physical disability.

Having elected the ministerial profession, he studied at the Meadville Theological School, where he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Divinity in the class of 1922. This institution made him a Master of Sacred Theology in 1928. The same school appointed him Cruft Fellow for the year 1922-23 and sent him to the University of Strasbourg, France, where he completed his studies in the year 1923-24. The University of Strasbourg conferred upon him the degree of Doc- tor of Theology, cum laude, in 1930. He had also taken special work in the University of Chicago Divinity School and at the Harvard Theological School. He was unanimously called to fill the pastorate of the Third Religious Society (Uni- tarian-Congregational) at Dorchester, where he was ordained and installed as minister on November 9, 1924. He resigned from that position to accept the call of the First Church of Christ (Unitarian) in Lancaster, this society having been founded in 1653.

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Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III, Part 38

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