USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III > Part 47
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Aside from his part in business affairs, Mr. Con- verse is best known and, perhaps, finds his prin- cipal interest in the civic enterprises of Worcester. He is chairman of the Trust Funds of the City of Worcester, a member of the Worcester County Retirement Fund, a director of Worcester Hahne- mann Hospital, a trustee of the Worcester Natural History Society, and for twenty-five years he has been a trustee of the Worcester County Mechanics Association and for some years served as its clerk and treasurer. As a trustee of the Proprietors of the Rural Cemetery in Worcester he has rendered service not alone as a member of its executive committee, but also as chairman of the committee charged with the responsibility of building in 1929 the Ellen Rogers Kennedy Memorial Chapel which is located immediately within the Cemetery Gates. The Worcester County Horticultural Society, for more than twenty years, has engaged the attention of Mr. Converse as a trustee and chairman of the finance committee. Since December 5, 1923, he has served as president of this organization. In 1927 a suitable building with appropriate equip- ment-the handiwork of his thought and attention -was constructed by the society, whose flower
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shows and lectures are among the events of first importance in the community.
His other affiliations include fraternal organiza- tions, as a member of Morning Star Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and of the Worcester Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; a trustee of the Worcester County Commandery, Knights Templar ; and trustee of the Masonic Education and Charity Trust of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Turn- ing to a second fraternal group it is seen that Mr. Converse is included in the membership and is a trustee of Worcester Lodge, No. 56, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a director of the Odd Fellows Charitable Association, of which he formerly was treasurer.
Another of his affiliations is the Worcester Club, of which he is past treasurer. He likewise has filled that post for the Worcester Country Club and is a charter member and past president of the Worcester Rotary Club, a director of the Worces- ter Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Wor- cester Economic Club and of the Tatnuck Country Club. He is a communicant of the Pleasant Street Baptist Church and formerly was treasurer of that body.
On October 15, 1932, Mr. Converse was married to Anna Woodbury Shattuck, daughter of the late Josiah Brittan Shattuck and Mrs. Shattuck. Their marriage brought together two of the oldest of Worcester families, both of them with rich legends formed about Brittan Square, where the Brittan homestead stands. Their home, formerly the estate of Mr. Converse's maternal ancestors, on Lincoln Street nearby, retains the atmosphere of early New England. Mrs. Converse is active in the Junior League and welfare activities of the city.
The Converse family brought to America a heritage of accomplishment. Originally this house sprang from Navarre, then a kingdom, but now a part of France. The family was staunchly Hugue- not and several members figured in events imme- diately concerned with the massacre of St. Barthol- omew on August 24, 1572.
In the midst of this tragical scene a few mem- bers of the Converse family escaped across the Channel, where they established the English branch and continued to live until the settlement of Amer- ica. Then, moved by a spirit of enterprise, Deacon Edward Convers, as the name was spelled, started for the new land. There is evidence that he lived in Wakerly, county of Northampton.
He was one of the Puritans who came to this country in the fleet of Governor Winthrop. Sarah, the wife of Edward Convers, accompanied him with their three children, Josiah, James and Mary. They reached Salem on June 12, 1630, and soon after- ward settled in Charlestown.
There are numerous records of Deacon Convers. In the beginning he adhered to the First Church of Boston, but joined with thirty-three other mem- bers to establish the First Church of Charlestown, which they agreed to do the 2d of November, 1632. The Deacon opened the first ferry from Charles- town to Boston, which he operated until 1640, when the lease was set aside for the support of Harvard College.
The same year it was proposed to found a new town that became Woburn, and Deacon Convers retired as selectman of Charlestown, a post which he had held five years, to join in the plan. At first the community was known as Charlestown Village,
two miles square. Later the area was increased to four miles and embraced the latter day territory of Woburn, Winchester, Wilmington and Burlington. There the Deacon built the first house, prior to January 4, 1641. Another church was founded, under his direction, and Woburn was incorporated in 1642. Next the Deacon proceeded to build a mill and to organize the community. He was one of the first selectmen, elected in 1644, and continued in that capacity until May, 1663; likewise he was a deputy to the General Court. Among other honors he was a tithing man and one of the two deacons originally elected by the Woburn Church.
The Deacon lived until August 10, 1663, and in his will mentioned his sons, Josiah, James and Samuel; Edward, the son of James; his daughter Mary and the children by her first marriage; a "kinsman, Allen Convers"; another "kinsman, John Parker" and his "kinswoman, Sarah Smith."
Nothing is known concerning Allen Convers ex- cept that he lived in Salem where land was granted to him in 1639. Three years later he was in Woburn and died there April 19, 1679. Meanwhile Joseph Convers appeared in Bedford and various other members were active throughout the Colony. The name was prominent in the Revolution and the formation of the new nation. Just when the pres- ent day spelling of Converse was substituted for the old form cannot be positively stated, but the usage brought about this change some time before the nineteenth century.
Brigham Converse who descended through James, son of Deacon Edward Convers, was born in Charlton, Massachusetts, February 25, 1815, and died in Worcester, December 16, 1890. One son, Frederick Samuel Converse, was born in Worces- ter, August 5, 1849, and died May 13, 1901. He married Mary Chapin Bond. Respectively they were the father and mother of Myron F. Converse.
Another old New England family on his paternal side is that of the Putnams, while on the maternal side will be found the Bond and Barber families, which likewise are closely connected with the early history of Worcester, both city and county.
CHARLES WATSON BOWKER, JR .- For a number of years, Charles W. Bowker, Jr., has engaged in the real estate business and as a tax consultant with offices in Worcester. His clientage has shown steady increase in volume and value as knowledge of his expert services has reached greater numbers of people in the city and county.
Mr. Bowker's parents, Charles Watson and Susan (Baker) Bowker, natives of Massachusetts, lived in Royalston, Worcester County, where the father owned and operated a stock farm. He was also a hay and grain merchant in Worcester. He died in 1919.
Charles Watson Bowker, Jr., was born in Royal- ston, September II, 1888, and received his prelimi- nary and preparatory education in the public schools of Worcester. He was graduated from the Clas- sical High School in 1906, and took post-graduate work there one year. As a Bachelor of Arts he was graduated from Dartmouth College in the class of 1911. After graduation he entered the hay and grain business, in which he remained until 1922. There followed two years as a flour mer- chant, and in 1924 he established himself as a real- tor, continuing as such since. He also specializes as a real estate tax consultant.
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He has always taken a keen interest in the affairs of his alma mater and is a member of Dart- mouth Club of Worcester, of which he is a past president, and he is a member of the University Club of Worcester. He is affiliated with Quinsiga- mond Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. He is an enthusiast about horticulture and the growing of flowers.
Mr. Bowker married, September 12, 1914, Doro- thy White, of Yonkers, New York, and they had one child, Charles Watson, 3d, who died May 12, 1923. Mr. and Mrs. Bowker have their residence at No. 22 Melrose Street, and his real estate offices are at No. 340 Main Street, Worcester, in the State Mutual Building.
ANDREW G. STANHOPE-After experi- menting a number of years in different occupa- tions, always with an eye to his goal, Andrew G. Stanhope realized his ambition of becoming an orchardist. Collecting parcels of land in the town of Oxford, he brought together a tract of five hundred acres, which he has developed into the largest fruit orchard in Worcester County and one of the largest in New England. His busi- ness headquarters are in the State Mutual Building, Worcester, where he does a large real estate busi- ness.
Born in Vermont, July 1, 1869, Andrew G. Stan- hope is the son of Samuel S. and Lutheria (Stan- hope) Stanhope, both parents natives of the Green Mountain State and both deceased in 1918. His father was a farmer. Having received his educa- tion in the public schools, Mr. Stanhope came to Worcester in 1887 at the age of eighteen years. His progressiveness and energy were manifested that early in life when he established a milk route. He later engaged in the butter and egg business, eventually also dealing in horses and poultry. Gradually he accumulated clients in a real estate business and he became one of the first tenants in the State Mutual Building, occupying a suite of offices on the fifth floor. He never rested content, however, until he saw the results of his hard work and perseverance crystallized in his Oxford fruit tract. Great credit is due him for arriving at the status of being one of the leading authorities in the country on the subject of fruit-growing. He is also recognized as one of the most impor- tant farmers in Worcester County, and the prod- ucts of his orchard are receiving throughout the United States the recognition their high quality and excellent packing merit. He is a member and past president of the Oxford Agricultural Asso- ciation.
At one time affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, subordinate lodge and the canton, he served the former as Vice-Noble Grand and Noble Grand and thus became a member of the Worcester Past Grands Association. He is also a member and former president of the Harvest Club and a member of the Commonwealth Club and Economic Club.
Mr. Stanhope married, in 1910, Celia N. Kendall, of Boylston, and they maintain a country home on their estate in Oxford.
THOMAS JOSEPH BARRY-Through the medium of his law practice, Thomas J. Barry, of Whitinsville, is making his way to the front rank of the younger group of bar leaders in Worcester
County. Mr. Barry comes of a professional fam- ily. His father, Dr. Emmett W. Barry, was born in Blackstone, Massachusetts, and was graduated from the University of Maryland Medical School. He has been in practice in Whitinsville for thirty- four years, being also the physician of the Whitin Machine Works, having charge of the company's hospital. He is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, Worcester County Medical So- ciety and American Medical Association. His fraternal affiliations include the Knights of Colum- bus, United Workmen of the World, Order of Foresters, and Ancient Order of Hibernians. He married Catherine M. Brady, who was born in Harrisville, Rhode Island.
Thomas Joseph Barry, son of Dr. Emmett W. and Catherine M. (Brady) Barry, was born in Whitinsville, May 7, 1903, and received his pre- liminary education in the local public schools, grad- uating from the Northbridge High School in 1921. He next entered Boston College, where he won his Bachelor of Arts, graduating in the class of 1926. His professional training was received at the Boston University Law School, which made him a Bachelor of Laws at graduation in 1929. He passed his bar examination and was admitted to practice in 1930. Opening his own office in Whitinsville, he has since been building up a gratifyingly large practice. He is a member of the Worcester County Bar Association and the South- ern Worcester County Bar Association. Having served as lecturer in the Knights of Columbus in 1931 to fill a vacancy, he was formally elected to this post in 1932.
Mr. Barry married, October 18, 1930, Mary L. McTiernan, of Milford, Massachusetts. They have three children.
EDWARD H. GAUDETTE-From grocer's clerk, to a clerkship in a railroad office, to a posi- tion in a banking institution, and thence into a merchandising occupation, Edward H. Gaudette made successive steps until he became a represen- tative of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Com- pany of New York in Spencer. He is also in high political favor in his town, holding the office of treasurer of the municipality.
Athanase Gaudette, father of the town treasurer, was born in Canada, of French descent. He came to Spencer and was assistant foreman of the Big- wood woolen mill for a number of years. He is now retired. He married Mary Mayo, born in South Spencer.
Edward H. Gaudette was born in Spencer, March 5, 1899, and received his education in public and parochial schools in this town. His first business position, taken in his youth, was that of clerk in a local grocery. In 1917 he accepted a place as clerk in the freight office of the Boston and Al- bany Railroad Company at Spencer and was there until 1920. In the latter year he accepted a posi- tion as teller in the Spencer National Bank and filled it for six years. In 1927 he entered business on his own account, establishing a store for the selling at retail of women's ready-to-wear garments and was thus engaged until 1930, in which year he disposed of the store. In 1929 he became asso- ciated with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Com- pany of New York and has since given the major part of his time to this line of work in which he has been successful. His election to the office of
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town treasurer was first achieved in March, 1927, and he has been reelected each succeeding year. He is affiliated with L'Union St. Jean Baptiste d'Amerique.
Mr. Gaudette married, September 27, 1926, Eve- lyn A. Duhamel, of Spencer, and their children are : Roland Edward and Richard Leo.
FAYETTE ASERYL AMIDON-In the days when the owning and racing of finely bred horses was one of the important interests of the gentlemen of Worcester, the late Fayette Aseryl Amidon was one of the leaders in this "sport of kings." The fact that he was equally prominent as a business man, as one of the pioneers in the chain-store method of selling, and a man generous and active in the promotion of civic and welfare projects was sometimes overlooked by those of the passing generation. He was born in Belchertown, Massachusetts, July 13, 1862, son of Edmund Perry and Sophia Olive (Shumway) Amidon.
The public schools of Belchertown and the Palmer High School furnished him with an educa- tion, but he was still a youth when he went into the retail butter and egg business in New Haven. Here he remained for two years, before going to Manchester, New Hampshire, to work for a Mr. Pike in the public market. In 1893 Mr. Amidon organized a marketing firm in association with O. Swanson, George H. Pettie, and George T. Malm- stead, which began to operate what soon amounted to a chain of produce and general markets in Providence, Pawtucket and Woonsocket, Rhode Is- land, and Worcester, Massachusetts. This com- bination at one time controlled seven different establishments. From 1895 on Mr. Amidon cen- tered his attention upon the Worcester link of this marketing chain and continued to do so until his retirement from active business in 1927.
A love of the land and of horses was one of the outstanding traits of character of Mr. Amidon. He owned a large farm, "Stonebrook," in Auburn, Massachusetts, where he kept and bred horses, racing and driving stock. The blood of one of his stallions, "Peter the Hermit," runs in the veins of many fast track horses. "Watercress" was an- other blooded animal who, with Adrian Van Houton holding the reins, won many a race. In combination with a small group of men, Mr. Amidon purchased the Oxford Fair Grounds and developed it as a race track to be a member of the Mohawk Circuit, holding race meets in Au- gust. He was president of the Indian Lake Driv- ing Club and a member of the State Circuit, which held its annual race meet on the Greendale track in July. As president of the Speedway club and a member of the race committee of the new Eng- land Fair, he contributed greatly to the success of this annual event. A sport of an earlier day in Worcester and one which he helped to promote, was races on the snow, a most picturesque and popular feature of former winter pleasures. Park Avenue was usually the scene of these runs, and the "snow path" extended from Russell Street to near the present site of the Motor Registry. Mr. Amidon was a pioneer of this sport and greatly in his element when the season came around. He was a popular figure in the Chamber of Com- merce, the City Club, the Agricultural Society and the Country Club, all of Worcester. He was
an active member of the Wesley Methodist Epis- copal Church, serving on its official board and sev- eral important committees.
Fayette Aseryl Amidon died on March 30, 1930, at the age of sixty-eight years. He married Lucy Ellen Higgins, daughter of Charles Higgins, now the only surviving member of the family. To those who knew Mr. Amidon, either socially or in busi- ness, he was an exceptionally loveable man, kind- hearted and companionable. His mind was stored with the events of his varied career, and it was a rare pleasure to listen to his reminiscences. The world was the better and happier for his life and career. Of the many tributes paid his memory, the simplest was the most expressive, consisting of resolutions passed by employees who worshipped him as an employer, friend and man. To quote a paragraph : "Of a quiet and retiring disposition, he enjoyed the esteem of his associates and the confidence of his subordinates. . . . He was the kind of man one turns to when in need of assist- ance, and it can be said that no one worthy of help ever appealed to him in vain."
HARMAR MORSE-Like his father and ancestors, Harmar Morse, of Clinton and Lancas- ter, Worcester County, has combined success in business with a helpful interest in civic enter- prise. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, March I, 1887, a son of George F. and Mary Emma (Harmar) Morse, his father being a native of Clinton, Massachusetts, and his mother being of Philadelphia birth. George F. Morse, after some years' activities as an agriculturist, removed to Lancaster in about 1884 and entered intimately into the life of the town. He was a selectman, a trustee of the Clinton Savings Bank, and contributed importantly to the development of the place. He died on December 10, 1923, Mrs. Morse passing away on September 5, 1929. They were the parents of three children: I. George F. Morse, Jr., of Chicago, Illinois, well known curator of zoological gardens and aquariums and a lec- turer. 2. Josephine, now the wife of George A. True, of St. Simon's Island, Georgia. 3. Harmar Morse, the subject of this review.
Harmar Morse attended the Lancaster public schools and was prepared for college in Phillips- Exeter Academy, graduating with the class of 1906. He then matriculated at Harvard University, from which he received his degree of Bachelor of Arts in I910. College days over, Mr. Morse took up banking as a profession and means of livelihood and has continued more or less along this line since 1910. He is now executive vice-president of the Clinton Trust Company. His headquarters are in Lancaster. He has the well-rounded man's inter- est in his community and in quiet fashion early began to play rôles in its progress. He has been a member of the school committee for two terms. In March, 1932, he was elected to the board of selectmen and was made its chairman a year later. Fraternally Harmar Morse is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, Trinity Lodge of Clin- ton. He attends the Unitarian Church at Lancaster.
On September 2, 1911, Harmar Morse married Ruth Osborne Burton, of Lancaster. Mr. and Mrs. Morse maintain a summer home at Boothbay Harbor, Maine.
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CHARLES BLANCHARD BOYCE was born December 13, 1854, at Fitzwilliam, New Hamp- shire, the second son of William Bowen and Lydia (Blanchard) Boyce.
He was graduated from the University of Michi- gan, Law Department, June 30, 1887, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws, and was admitted to practice in the courts of Michigan in the same year. He came to Gardner in 1888 and was ap- pointed clerk of the First District Court of North- ern Worcester on December 26, 1889, which posi- tion he held until retired by law, December 13, 1924. He was appointed probation officer of the said court on July 1, 1891. He was admitted to practice as an attorney and counsellor at law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1890 and since January I, 1925, has been engaged in the active practice of law with offices in the First National Bank Building in Gardner.
He is a Past Master of Hope Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; a Past Patron of Jes- samine Chapter, No. 75, Order of Eastern Star ; a member of Ivanhoe Commandery, Knights Tem- plar, No. 46; Worcester Lodge of Perfection ; Goddard Council, Princes of Jerusalem; Lawrence Chapter of Rose Croix; and is a thirty-second degree Mason, belonging to the Massachusetts Con- sistory of Scottish Rite Bodies in Boston. He is a member of the Gardner Bar Association, Wor- cester County Bar Association and a director of the Gardner Home for Elderly People.
On his father's side he was descended from Joseph Boyce, born in England about 1609, who came from London November 20, 1635, by boat "Expedition" to Barbados and was living in that part of Salem now Peabody as early as 1639. Joseph Boyce was a tanner by trade and early became associated with the Quakers. On his mother's side he was descended from Simon Stone, who came from England in 1635 and settled in Watertown, Massachusetts.
He married Emma Elizabeth Hadley on June 26, 1907, at Gardner, where they have since resided.
THOMAS E. HOLLAND-The reputation of the city of Worcester as regards its parks and recreational facilities is in a measure due to the activities of Thomas E. Holland, exective officer of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Almost from the time that he completed his schooling, Mr. Holland has devoted his time and attention to social work, the encouragement of sports and the play spirit in the young. His elevation to his present position was but the recognition of his achievements and abilities. He is a native of Chicopee, Massachusetts, born July 4, 1873, a són of Thomas and Ellen (Curran) Holland, both of Massachusetts birth. Like many who have at- tained prominence in urban affairs, Thomas E. Holland was reared on a farm, and laid there the foundations of the physique and spirit which has been of so much advantage in his career.
After graduating from the Springfield, Massa- chusetts, High School, Mr. Holland was an athletic coach in several institutions of learning and ath- letic clubs. He was a fast runner, particularly at the half and mile distances, and had an all 'round ability which made him outstanding. In 1910 when the Worcester playgrounds movement started, he was made the director of the Greenwood grounds.
He proved so successful that in 1912 he was made assistant supervisor of the city playgrounds, and a year later was chosen to serve as supervisor, acting as such until 1917. In 1917 two boards of the municipal government were consolidated to form what is known as the Park and Recreation Commission, and Mr. Holland was appointed the executive officer of the commission, in charge of the parks, playgrounds, forestry, golf and local moth superintendent. Mr. Holland has made a comprehensive study of his work and has intro- duced many improvements in ideas, programs and methods.
Mr. Holland has devoted himself so completely to his work that it has almost excluded other activities. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and was the chairman of its building committee.
On October 15, 1913, Mr. Holland married Ella T. McNulty, of Worcester. Mr. and Mrs. Holland reside at No. 65 Chatham Street, Worcester.
COSIMO J. TOSCANO-One of the younger set of lawyers, Cosimo J. Toscano, of Worcester, is rapidly attaining a high place in the esteem of his professional colleagues and the citizens of Italian origin of the municipality. He is the son of Antonio and Josephine (Martino) Toscano, his father being a native of Italy who came to Amer- ica in his youth and after varied experiences in making a livelihood, settled in Worcester. Here he has risen to prominence in mercantile circles and is considered one of the progressive residents of the community. Mrs. Toscano was living in Westerly, Rhode Island, when she met the man whom she later married.
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