Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III, Part 46

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 46

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olution, and were prominent in the founding of the Nation.

Mr. and Mrs. Mackintire are the parents of one daughter, Persis Louise, who married Homer D. Carr. They have two children: Winthrop Wyatt and Robert Sherwood Carr.

WILLIAM GARDINER LORD-Banker, real estate expert and man of affairs in Athol, William Gardiner Lord has long been a prominent factor in the life and progress of this town. A former legislator, actively identified with financial institutions, and a leader in fraternal and religious organizations, he continues to exert a beneficial influence in various channels.

This family of Lord was founded by an ances- tor who came from England and settled in New England in 1631. One of Mr. Lord's American ancestors was Rev. Joseph Lord, who was sent as a missionary to South Carolina. He was con- nected with the First Church at Dorchester, where he spent many years and left descendants. He married the daughter of Governor Thomas Hink- ley. Their son, Dr. Joseph Lord, born in Charles- town, Massachusetts, graduated at Harvard Col- lege in 1726 and came to Worcester County in 1735. He practiced medicine in Athol until about 1758. He later served as a judge in Vermont and was active in most affairs of the several towns where he resided. He lived in different sections of Massachusetts and Vermont and died Decem- ber 7, 1788, in his eighty-fifth year. His son, Captain Thomas Lord, was born in Athol, January 17, 1736, having been the second white child to be born in this town, where he spent all his life. He was a farmer. In the French and Indian War, he was at Lake George, New York, participating in the battle there in 1758 and in the invasion of Canada in 1758. Tradition has it that he served under General Wolfe. He marched on the Lexington Alarm, which heralded the Revolution, from Au- gust to September of 1776, as a member of Colonel Brewer's Regiment. In 1776 he was made captain of the 13th Company in the 7th Worcester Regi- ment, and as an officer of this rank was present at the capture of Burgoyne. He was a member of three campaigns sent out of Athol. He had a brother, William Lord, and a son, Asa Lord, who served in 1778 and later at different times in the Revolution until December, 1781. Captain Lord married Leonard (?) Smith, a descendant of Lieu- tenant Samuel Smith. He died in 1810. Their son, Gardiner (1) Lord, born in Athol, April 7, 1788, was a farmer. He married Sally Smith, of Truro, Cape Cod. Their son, Gardiner (2) Lord, was born in Athol, February 26, 1824 and died November I, 1899. He learned the trade of manufacturing boots, worked at it for some time, and finally be- came a member of the firm of F. G. C. L. Lord and Company, manufacturers of boots. He was appointed a deputy sheriff and served as such for thirty years. He was a selectman for three terms, and also had served as an assessor and overseer of the poor. He was charged with the settlement of many estates and was often consulted by his neigh- bors on matters requiring his counsel and judg- ment, which were regarded as excellent and sound. He was a Whig and later a Republican in politics. He married Mary Barker, daughter of Nathan and Sally Barker. Their only child was William Gar- diner, of this review.

William Gardiner Lord, son of Gardiner (2) and Mary (Barker) Lord, was born in Athol, Sep- tember 7, 1871, and received his education in the local schools, graduating in 1888. As a youth of sixteen he accepted the responsibilities of his father's affairs, as his parent had virtually lost his eyesight. He not only looked after the details of business private concerns, but also after the official duties of selectman, overseer of the poor and other town matters for which his father had been elected. Thus he gained a wide and fruitful experience in business and public service which developed in him a keen, shrewd business capacity and political acumen and made him a leading citizen of Athol. In his young manhood he was associated with the law office of Sidney P. Smith, and in February, 1897, he became connected with the law office of As- sociate Justice E. V. Wilson. He went abroad in the summer of 1900 and on his return to Athol began seriously to engage in the real estate busi- ness, in which he has since profitably continued, having in the past years had a partner associated with him. His close knowledge of property values and financial affairs has led to his being appointed administrator in the settlement of many estates.

He served as a member and secretary of the Washington Bi-Centenary of the Athol district. For eleven years he was a member of the Repub- lican town committee and in 1917-18 he was a member of the Massachusetts House of Represen- tatives. For more than a quarter of a century he has been the town moderator. He has fre- quently been asked to fill important offices in the gift of the townspeople, but has steadfastly declined to do so. He has, however, continued active in banking circles. In the obtaining of favorable legislation for the Cooperative Central Bank he was one of the principal factors. He is president and chairman of the board of the Athol Coopera- tive Bank, a director of the First National Bank of Athol, and fills the office of president in a num- ber of other organizations. He lends his support and influence in the work of the Athol Young Men's Christian Association and the Salvation Army.

Since he attained his majority, he has been an active Knight of Pythias in this State, having passed through all the chairs of Corinthian Lodge, No. 76, of Athol, and is now Permanent Represen- tative to the Grand Lodge, in which he has been Grand Chancellor. He has also been Supreme Representative to the Supreme Lodge and Dis- trict Deputy Supreme Chancellor. He is affil- iated with Star Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons ; Union Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Athol Com- mandery, No. 37, Knights Templar; Greenfield Lodge of Perfection; Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Boston; Lawrence Chapter of Rose Croix (Ma- sonic) ; and Athol Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. He is a member of the Poquaig Club. Among the interesting contributions to local literature is his "History of the First Baptist Church," of Athol, of which he is a member.

REV. GERALD S. McGOURTY-As pastor of the Church of the Holy Angels, of Upton, the Rev. Gerald S. McGourty is rendering able serv- ice in one of the oldest parishes of the Springfield diocese.

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Holy Angels parish had its earliest beginnings in 1834, nearly a hundred years ago, when Father Fitton, then pastor of Christ Church at Worcester, held services in the three towns of Grafton, Mill- bury, and Upton, as missions. Father Fitton con- tinued his ministry to these three and other small groups of faithful Catholics until 1843, when Father Williamson succeeded him as pastor at Worcester. Father Williamson served these mis- sions until the coming of Father Gibson in 1845. Then, since Upton is half-way between Fisherville and Milford, Father Cuddihy, after becoming pas- tor of Milford, for a time came once a month to Upton and said Mass in the homes of the people. When the congregation became too numerous for any Catholic home, he engaged the town hall. In November, 1869, when Grafton was made a sep- arate parish with Dr. A. M. Baret as its first res- ident pastor, Upton became a mission of that parish. Father Baret purchased the old Unitarian Church in Upton, remodeled it to suit the needs of his Catholic congregation and dedicated it as the Church of the Holy Angels. After the death of Father Baret in 1881, the Rev. James Boyle was made pastor of St. Philip's Church at Grafton, and he not only remodeled St. Philip's Church, but he also repaired the mission church of the Holy Angels at Upton and frescoed its walls. In 1883 the Rev. John Boyle, still pastor at Grafton, began building a church at Fisherville on land donated to the Catholics by the Fisher Manufac- turing Company. The church was dedicated under the patronage of St. James on New Year's Day, in 1884, and in 1887, when Fisherville was set apart as a separate parish, Upton was made a mission of the new parish of St. James. The Rev. Michael J. Carroll was made the first resident pastor of Fisherville. At this time Fisherville parish and mission numbered about eleven hundred Catholics, of whom three hundred and fifteen were in Upton. These three hundred and fifteen, with the excep- tion of two families, were of Irish blood, while in Fisherville there were one hundred and eighty- seven people of Irish lineage and the remainder were French-Canadians or their children. A per- sistent attempt on the part of the French-Cana- dians to secure the appointment of a French pastor was foiled by Father Carroll's tact and firmness. By 1899 the Fisherville congregation was four- fifth French-Canadian, but Father Carroll was yet pastor. He took care of his mission at Upton, putting in stained glass windows, a pipe organ and several pieces of statuary, and greatly strengthened the spiritual life of his Upton people.

Father Carroll was a native of Milford, born in 1851, and educated in the local schools and at Holy Cross College from which he was graduated in 1876. He then entered the Grand Seminary in Montreal, Canada, where he remained until he was ordained in 1879. He then was assigned as assistant to Northampton, Massachusetts, and served for seven years, when he was transferred to Fisherville and took charge of St. James parish and its mission, the Church of the Holy Angels, at Upton. A strong man, of hardy physique and buoyant spirit, a hard worker, a prudent manager of the business affairs of the parish, Father Carroll greatly strengthened both the spiritual and the material resources of his parish and its mission. In 1901 Upton was made a separate parish, and since that time this church known as the Church of the Holy Angels, has been

served by its own priests. The first resident pastor was Father Richard Burke, who remained until August, 1902. He was succeeded by the Rev. James Cruse, who remained until 1909. His suc- cessor was the Rev. George Flynn, now of St. Bernard's Church of Worcester, who remained until 1916. He was succeeded by the Rev. F. A. Lane, who was succeeded in 1927 by the pres- ent pastor, the Rev. Gerald S. McGourty. The Rev. James Cruse, mentioned above, bought the present rectory, which the present pastor has changed in many ways, bringing it up-to-date, put- ting in hardwood floors and having the whole interior changed and improved. Father Flynn decorated the interior of the church, put up a steel ceiling and made many other improvements.

The Rev. Gerald S. McGourty was born in Wor- cester, December 17, 1876, son of Owen Mc- Gourty, who was born in Ireland, but came to this country in 1847, when he was fourteen years old, and settled in Worcester, where he lived to the time of his death, which occurred in 1903 at the age of seventy years. Owen McGourty, who had been living in Worcester for nearly half a century, was highly respected as a man of upright char- acter. He was for many years employed by Wash- burn and Moen. But his health failed and during the later years of his life he was assistant gar- dener on the estate of the late Senator Hoar of Wor- cester. He married Ann Heron, born in Ireland, who died in 1924. Father McGourty attended the public schools of Worcester and then entered Holy Cross College, from which he was graduated in 1899. He then entered the Grand Seminary, at Montreal, Canada, where he completed his theo- logical course and was ordained at the Cathedral in Montreal in 1903. He was then assigned to the Cathedral at Springfield, Massachusetts. Next he went to Millville, Massachusetts; after a short time there he went to Brooklyn, New York, where he served for nine years, and later to Westboro. He was then transferred to the Church of the Holy Rosary at Holyoke, Massachusetts, and later to North Adams, where he remained six years. In July, 1917, he enlisted for service in the World War. He was commissioned chaplain, with the title of lieutenant, and assigned to the 4Ist Divi- sion, but was soon transferred to the Ist Army Headquarters in France, where he served until after the signing of the Armistice. Father Mc- Gourty gave himself whole-heartedly to the ardu- ous duties of his post, and his genuine Christian faith, his innate kindness of heart, his quick sym- pathies, and his courage and cheerfulness enabled him to give most valuable and comforting service to those with whom he came in contact. He was mustered out of service at Camp Lee, in July, 1919. He then was assigned to St. Paul's, Wor- cester, where he served for three years; then to St. Peter's, Great Barrington, Massachusetts, where he served for two years ; then to All Souls Church ; Springfield, Massachusetts, where he remained until coming to his present church. In 1927 he was made pastor of and took charge of the Church of the Holy Angels, at Upton, where he is rendering service of a high order. While here he has had the church redecorated, had the exterior painted, put in new motor for the organ and made many other improvements. The parish has about four hundred souls. Father McGourty has the full con-

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fidence and the hearty cooperation of his people and is highly respected in the community in gen- eral, regardless of religious affiliations.

AUSTIN PHELPS CRISTY-There is no better school in which to learn human nature and how it reacts to conditions than journalism. The graduate from this school is usually one of the most influential and powerful in the community of which he is a member and does great things to advance the interests of the municipality and its people. Austin Phelps Cristy received the Mas- ter's degree in journalism as the owner, publisher and the dominant force in the policy and achieve- ments of the "Worcester Telegram" one of the notable newspapers of New England.

Austin Phelps Cristy was born in Morristown, Vermont, May 8, 1850, son of John Baker and Louisa Lydia (Cook) Cristy. He was educated in the grade schools, Reading High School, Monson (Massachusetts) Academy, from which he was graduated in 1869, and Dartmouth College, from which he received his Bachelor's degree in Arts, with the class of 1873. He read law, which was the custom when law schools were few and not of the best, and was admitted to the Massachusetts bar. For a time he practiced his profession in Springfield, then spent a year in Marblehead, both in Massachusetts, and in 1882 established a law office in Worcester. About this same time he was appointed assistant clerk of the Central District Court. He gave every evidence of becoming a skilled lawyer but was more interested in human- ity and its ideas and activities than in the settle- ment of petty disputes. After two years he re- signed his clerkship and entered the newspaper profession.

In November, 1884, Austin P. Cristy founded the "Sunday Telegram" in Worcester. Within two years he had won a following that led to the estab- lishment of the "Daily Telegram," the first copy appearing on May 19, 1886. Until his retirement, thirty-five years later, he wielded a tremendous influence in civic, political and humanitarian affairs of Worcester and created an increasingly powerful paper whose reputation far exceeded its local fame. The Scotch come to America with a love of free- dom, plenty of ambition, and the will to do, and forge ahead rapidly to places of importance in all walks of life. Mr. Cristy of Scotch ancestry, had inherited the best of their traits. He had an in- domitable spirit, the love of a good and fair fight. There was something of the crusader in his make-up, and a kindly generosity which manifested itself not only in private philanthropies but in journalistic support of all worthy welfare and bet- terment projects. When, in November, 1919, he retired from the active direction of his newspaper enterprise, he had achieved a name that would long be respected, and a newspaper that was unique and outstanding in its day and generation. He was a Republican in his political faith, but the leaders of all parties sought his counsel and aid. Sports had a great appeal, and after his retirement he became keenly interested in thoroughbred horses.

Early in his career, Austin P. Cristy married (first) Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Henry and Mary (Paige) Bassett, of Ware, Massachusetts, who died in 1913. They were the parents of five children: 1. Horace W., educated at Worcester Classical High School and Dartmouth College;

married Cairo C. Ellsworth, daughter of J. Lewis and Emma (Richmond) Ellsworth. 2. Austin Phelps, Jr., who was accidentally drowned at Ches- terfield, New Hampshire, on June 17, 1902, three days previous to graduating from Dartmouth Col- lege. 3. Mary Lavinia, born in July, 1882, married Dr. Rufus Henry Gould. 4. Roger Henry, born in August, 1886, educated in Worcester schools and a military school at Ossining, New York. 5. Edna Virginia, born in August, 1888, a graduate of Ben- nett School, of New York. In 1915 Mr. Cristy married (second) Katherine V. Horan, daughter of John and Mary (Colbert) Horan.

The death of Mr. Cristy occurred on December I, 1926, and his passing was sincerely mourned by the city and the State in which he had played so many and important rôles. Of the many trib- utes paid his career, the one most expressive of the general admiration in which he was held is that which follows from the testimonial of the employees of "The Telegram":

Creator of Worcester's greatest newspaper, "The Worcester Telegram." Upbuilder of the largest in- land manufacturing city of the world. Keeper of its integrity, guardian of its interests, impartial protector of the rights of its citizens. Seeker for truth and its consistent champion.

Thinker, man of genius and grit, of vision and of determination. Winner of hard fought battles in political arenas. Keen judge of men, hater of subterfuge, quick discerner of dishonesty, unpreju- diced weigher of merits.

Outstanding figure in journalism, resourceful, con- structive, untiring, vigilant. Silent, sympathetic, powerful, yet merciful, just, yet lenient. Frankest of enemies, staunchest of friends.

JOSEPH H. HORAN, member of a well- known Worcester family, is one of the younger group of attorneys at the Worcester bar. His parents are Michael J. and Nora T. (Downes) Horan, the former born in County Limerick and the latter in County Clare, Ireland. They came in their youth to the United States and settled in Worcester. The father fought in the Spanish- American War as first sergeant of Company G, 9th Massachusetts Volunteers, and after the close of the war he became an active member of the Society of Spanish War Veterans. Upon his re- turn to civilian life he was employed by the Osgood-Bradley Car Company in Worcester for a number of years, and also by the Worcester Board of Health for some time.

Born in Worcester, December 19, 1904, Joseph Henry Horan received his education in St. John's parochial schools in his native city and is a grad- uate of the grammar and high school courses. He entered Holy Cross College in 1922 and remained until 1925. His legal training was taken at Boston University Law School, where he was graduated Bachelor of Laws in the class of 1928. He was admitted in Worcester County to the Massachusetts bar and began practice in 1930. At first he was associated with Clarence E. Tupper for about one year and later for a similar period was with the claim department of the United States Casualty Company in Boston. Mr. Horan is a member of the Worcester County Bar Association, Division No. 3 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Knights of Columbus, Holy Cross College Alumni Associa- tion, and Boston University Alumni Association. Mr. Horan's law office is at No. 311 Main Street, and his residence in Grout Court, Worcester.

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CHARLES S. McMULLIN-Starting life as a salesman in a dry-goods store, before he came to Worcester, Charles S. McMullin, well known treasurer of the Leicester Savings Bank, was em- ployed as auditor in the Hotel Bancroft here for three years. He obtained his first practical experi- ence with financial matters during a connection with the bond department of the Merchants Na- tional Bank. In 1923 he was elected treasurer of the Leicester Savings Bank, reputed to be one of the strongest institutions of the kind in the county.

The Leicester Savings Bank was founded in April, 1809, by a group of substantial business men of that town. Its presidents have been: Cheney Hatch, 1869-79; Lory S. Watson, 1879-98; Dexter Knight, 1898-1902; Julis O. Murdock, 1902-08; Charles T. Monroe, 1908-12; Alonzo B. Davidson, 1912-30. The treasurers have been: D. E. Mer- riam, 1869-85; George H. Sprague, 1885-90; Park- man T. Denny, 1890-19II; Harold C. Murdock, 19II-23 ; Charles S. McMullin, 1923 to the present time. As of September 30, 1932, the totals of the assets and liabilities balanced at $2,059,778.19. The total of deposits on that date was $1,841,201.48, while the guaranty fund was $93,394. The institu- tion is a mutual savings bank, operated for the benefit of the depositors. There are no stock- holders. Out of the profits a surplus is accumu- lated to protect the depositors against all possible contingencies, the remainder of the profits being distributed to the depositors in the form of dividends.

Born in Watertown, New York, January 29, 1866, Charles S. McMullin is the son of Patrick and Jane (Snow) McMullin, both parents natives of Ellington, Connecticut, the father having died in 1874, after having pursued the business of a meatpacker for many years, and the mother in 1880. His academic education completed in the public schools, the son, Charles S., took a course in a business college and equipped himself for a busi- ness career. As already has been indicated, he was variously employed until he made his connection with the Leicester Savings Bank, where for more than ten years he has occupied the chief financial office, with no thought on the part of the trustees of making a change in the incumbent. During the World War he rendered patriotic service as a member of various government boards and com- mittees and of relief agencies. He has resigned his membership in all clubs to which he had belonged, but retains his membership in the Congregational Church, of Leicester, in which organization he has filled a number of offices.

Mr. McMullin married, in 1898, Flora M. Estes, of Lynn, and their children are: I. Charles E., born July 2, 1901. 2. Walter A., born September 21, 1908. The subject of this review has been identified in various phases with the progress of Leicester and has the respect and confidence of his banking associates and the townspeople generally.

MYRON FREDERICK CONVERSE, pres- ident of the Worcester Five Cents Savings Bank, is a familiar figure in American banking and a man of many activities in civic affairs of Wor- cester. Its citizens, public and private organiza- tions, have honored him upon numerous occasions for his contributions to the progress both of Wor- cester and the State at large.

Mr. Converse was born in Worcester on Novem- ber 27, 1876, a son of Frederick Samuel and Mary Chapin (Bond) Converse. By both branches he was descended from well known families of France and England, transplanted to this country in the early days of the Colonies, where they have taken a leading part in their respective communities.

The present head of the house belongs to the race of office boys who began literally at the bot- tom and now direct large affairs. Mr. Converse went from the Worcester public schools to the Worcester Five Cents Savings Bank, where he began work on May 14, 1894.

In a short while the new boy was advanced to clerk, and in successive years elected to the offices of clerk of the corporation, assistant treasurer, treasurer, trustee and vice-president. Then, on June 28, 1927, the trustees named him president. In this position he has conducted the bank through the period of its greatest growth, coincident with an unequalled economic crisis.

Mr. Converse has served three different State banking organizations as president, in order as follows: 1923-Massachusetts Savings Bank Offi- cers Club; 1925-Massachusetts Bankers Associa- tion ; then as head of the Savings Banks Associa- tion of Massachusetts in 1932-33, Mr. Converse administered, during an unprecedented financial crisis, the operation of a banking group holding more than $2,000,000,000 of deposits, without loss to the 3,000,000 depositors. In his administration the Mutual Savings Central Fund, Inc., was established corresponding to a statewide clearing house for all the mutual savings banks of Massachusetts. It is looked upon as one of the principal contributions to American banking in recent years.

Mr. Converse has extensive interests in other directions, being president of the Worcester Street Railway Company; president of the Worcester Morris Plan Company ; a director and member of the finance committee of the State Mutual Life Assurance Company ; a director and member of the executive committee, Worcester Mutual Fire Insurance Company; and a director of the Me- chanics National Bank, Worcester.

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Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III, Part 46

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