Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III, Part 5

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 5

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In 1892 Mr. Sibley married Marion Elizabeth Chapin, and they have one son surviving, viz: Elbridge Sibley, Ph. D., professor of Economics in Bowdoin College, with post-graduate degree from Columbia University.

Mr. Sibley's practice has always been largely on the civil, rather than the criminal side of the law. The habit of industry, begun in early life, has been sustained through later years. To this he attributes whatever success he may have acquired in his pro- fession. His greatest satisfaction, however, is in the belief that during all the years he has had the respect and confidence of his associates at the bar, and of the courts in which he has practiced, of his friends, clients, and the public.

HOWARD WYMAN COWEE-The city of Worcester is fortunate in numbering among its citizens men of professional importance and civic leaders, among whom should be mentioned Howard Wyman Cowee, lawyer and business man. He was born November 10, 1884, at West Boylston, Mas- sachusetts, son of Edward A. and Hattie L. (Cut- ler) Cowee. His father was prominent in the grain business and was at one time a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and of the Massachusetts Senate.

Howard Wyman Cowee received his elementary education in the public schools, graduating from Worcester Classical High School in 1903; he matriculated at Dartmouth College, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1908 and entered Harvard Law School to be graduated in 1911, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws.

Upon the death of Mr. Cowee's father in 1912, he assumed the management of the extensive grain business of the family and directed the same with success until 1915, when the family interests were sold and Mr. Cowee was left free to pursue the professional career to which he had given years of careful preparation. He had been admitted to the bar of Massachusetts in 1910, and had begun the practice of law during the following year in the office of Charles M. Thayer. Later he began a general law practice by himself. In 1916 he formed a partnership with Raymond B. Fletcher, which continued until the death of Mr. Fletcher in 1923.

WORCESTER COUNTY

He is now practising law in partnership with Wil- liam L. Macintosh. He is a recognized authority on commercial, corporation and probate law.

Politics have always interested Mr. Cowee; he has been a member of the Worcester Common Council and the Worcester Board of Aldermen. In public affairs he has championed needed re- forms and aided in the better development of the municipality. He is the president of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce, where his legal training and business experience have proven of great value. Mr. Cowee is also a trustee of the Worces- ter State Hospital, and is active in humanitarian and welfare projects. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, Athelstan Lodge, and the Commandery; and also is a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Anchoria Lodge. Among the various clubs and organizations of which Mr. Cowee is a member are numbered the University, Economic, Lions, International and Dartmouth clubs of Worcester; and the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. He is a communicant and a trustee of the Wesley Meth- odist Church of Worcester.

On January 20, 1917, Mr. Cowee married Elsie Kirschner, of Worcester, Massachusetts, daughter of John and Christine Kirschner. Mr. and Mrs. Cowee are the parents of a daughter, Barbara, born September 3, 1918.

ARTHUR C. GLASS-An outstanding figure among the bankers of Worcester, Massachusetts, Arthur C. Glass has risen to prominence in finan- cial circles as an executive at an age when most men are on the bottom rungs of the ladder. He is a native of Oxford, Massachusetts, born November 25, 1895, son of David and Marian (Appleby) Glass, the former of whom was born at St. Johns- bury, Vermont, and the latter at Oxford, Mas- sachusetts.

Educated in the public schools and under private tutors, Arthur C. Glass started on his banking career as a lad of sixteen as an employee of the Mechanics National Bank of Worcester. After nine years of service in connection with this insti- tution, he resigned in 1920 to go with the Worces- ter Bank and Trust Company, and was assigned to the credit department. In 1922 he was made actu- ary of the Worcester Bank and Trust, and on Jan- uary 2, 1926, he was elected vice-president and actuary, the youngest man in Worcester to hold these offices in a banking institution. On August 19, 1930, he was elected vice-president of the Worcester County National Bank.

To group together Mr. Glass' official connec- tions with various financial organizations, the list includes : vice-president and actuary of the Worces- ter Bank and Trust Company, vice-president of the Worcester County National Bank, president of the Association of Retail Credit Men, connected with the Chamber of Commerce, and past president of the Worcester Association of Credit Men. He is also a member of two important committees, re- search and economics, of the Robert Morris Asso- ciates, director of New England Chapter of the Associates, and treasurer of the Memorial Homes for the Blind, Incorporated, of which he is also a director. It should be noted that Mr. Glass wields a trenchant pen upon financial and allied subjects and is a frequent contributor to financial period-

icals and newspapers. Such in brief is the outline of the financial and banking career of a man forty years of age, living in a period when all manner of financial institutions have been under the most un- usual stress and strain in many decades.

During the time when the United States was en- gaged in the World War, Mr. Glass was overseas with the American Expeditionary Forces in the service of his country. At present he is a member and former adjutant of the American Legion Post No. 58, a director of credit bureau of the Worces- ter Chamber of Commerce, and member of the Massachusetts Historical and the Worcester His- torical societies. Fraternally he is allied with the Free and Accepted Masons, being a member of all the bodies of Masonry up to and including the 32d degree, Scottish Rite, holding office of Senior Warden in the Blue Lodge and Master of Cere- mony in Rose Croix. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. His religious faith is that of the Congregational Church.

On January 14, 1928, Arthur C. Glass married Evelyn M. Bancroft, member of a well-known Worcester, Massachusetts, family. Mr. and Mrs. Glass reside at No. 109 Tower Street, Worcester.

ARTHUR W. JOHNSON-Although a recent addition to the business men of Worcester, Massa- chusetts, Arthur W. Johnson has shown himself a really valuable addition and is rapidly becoming a prominent and popular figure in the community life and activities. He is a native of Boston, Massa- chusetts, born January 7, 1893, son of Eugene P. and Grace A. (Barr) Johnson, both natives of Massachusetts. The preliminaries of his education were acquired in the public schools of Boston, and he is a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, class of 1914, holding the degree of Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

Mr. Johnson began his professional career with Bird and Son, of East Walpole, Massachusetts, as a mechanical engineer, but soon became associated with the famous Remington-Rand Corporation, which association was continued until 1930. In that year he accepted a position with the State Mutual Life Assurance Company as purchasing agent, an office created at the time, and in which he has made a splendid record in a period when world- wide business depression has made expansion in any line of commercial activity the exception rather than the rule.

Like many other young men, Mr. Johnson's career was interrupted by service in the United States forces during the World War. When this country became involved in that conflict, he en- listed in the United States Navy, and was engaged chiefly in submarine work. Upon his discharge from the service, in 1919, he held the rank of ensign. Fraternally Mr. Johnson is affiliated with the Blue Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons. He is a member of the Plymouth Congregational Church. Mr. Johnson is gradually entering more and more into the life, affairs and organizations of the community, and bids fair to become an impor- tant and constructive force in the advancement of Worcester and the welfare of its citizens.

In 1920, Arthur W. Johnson married Edna F. Cornev. of Massachusetts, and they are the parents of two children: I. Barbara, born October 25, 1921. 2. Dorothy E., born September 12, 1924.

WORCESTER COUNTY

HON. FRANK L. RILEY-Judge of the Cen- tral District Court of Worcester County, Massa- chusetts, the Hon. Frank L. Riley has been a prominent figure at the Worcester County bar dur- ing the past twenty years. He has served con- tinuously on the bench since 1922 with high credit to himself and to the court over which he presides.

Judge Riley was born at Northampton, Massa- chusetts, on December 10, 1880, a son of James and Nellie T. (Neill) Riley. His father, a paper manufacturer, was born in Connecticut; his mother in Northampton, Massachusetts. Judge Riley was educated in public schools of Massachusetts and New York, and attended high school at Westfield, Massachusetts. In 1898 he was graduated from Maine Wesleyan Seminary, and thereafter entered Boston University Law School in preparation for his legal career. He took the degree of Bachelor of Laws at that institution in 1902, and in the same year was admitted to the Massachusetts bar. Judge Riley began practice in Boston in the office of Frank W. Dana. In 1905, however, he came to Worcester, where he took up independent prac- tice and continued alone until 1908, when he be- came associated with the firm of Parker and Mil- ton. On January I, 1923, he was admitted to full partnership in the firm, the name of which then assumed its present form, Parker, Milton and Riley.

Meanwhile Judge Riley had won a distinguished reputation both in his practice and in his service as assistant city solicitor, an office which he as- sumed in 1918. In 1922 he became special justice of the Central District Court of Worcester, serv- ing by appointment of November, 1922, until No- vember, 1929, when he was appointed justice of the Central District Court to succeed Judge Sam- uel Utley, retired. Judge Riley has fully justified the confidence reposed in him at his original ap- pointment. He has administered the duties of his court with commendable zeal and efficiency, mani- festing wide legal scholarship and discerning judgment.

Judge Riley is a member of the executive com- mittee of the Worcester County Bar Association. He was vice-president of the association in 1928, and its president in 1929. He is also a member of the American Bar Association, the Massachusetts Bar Association, and a member of the character committee of the Massachusetts Bar Examiners of Worcester County. In January, 1934, Judge Riley was elected president of the Association of Jus- tices of the District Courts of Massachusetts. Apart from his legal connections he is a member of the Boston University Alumni Association, the Worcester Economic Club and Athelstan Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. In spite of the pres- sure of his professional duties he has been inter- ested in civic affairs of the city, actively supporting worthy enterprises making for its advance and progress. During the period of the World War, Judge Riley was prominent in war work, serving as a member of the local draft board. His favorite recreation is fishing. He is a member of the Brookfield Fishing Club, and in his leisure hours turns most frequently to this sport for relaxation.

On June 9, 1906, Frank L. Riley married Lulu L. Lewis of Springfield, Massachusetts. They are the parents of three children: I. Helen E., born June 17, 1908. 2. James L., born on April 22,

1910. 3. Lois J., born on January 3, 1916. Mrs. Riley is very active in church work and in other spheres of women's interest at Worcester.

ALBERT T. CARPENTER-Descent from early settlers of Charlton in Worcester County is claimed by Albert T. Carpenter, of the Roxbury Institution for Savings, one of the leaders of the younger group of financiers in this section of the State. The old homestead of the Carpenters in Charlton, still standing in a goodly state of pre- servation, dates back to 1720. Mr. Carpenter's father, Clarence A. Carpenter, was formerly em- ployed as a teamster and is now a resident of Wor- cester, where he carries on his own trucking busi- ness. He married Addie I. Jones, and both are natives of Charlton.

Albert T. Carpenter was born in Charlton City, Worcester County, July 7, 1896, passed through the elementary and grade schools and was graduated at the old English High School in Worcester in 1914. In 1917 he enlisted for the World War and was assigned to the navy as a seaman, being twenty- one years old at the time. He was on duty in several ports and, when mustered out, December 24, 1918, held the rating of carpenter's mate. For fifteen years he was in the employ of the Five Cents Savings Bank of Worcester ; having started as an errand boy, he worked up to chief clerk. In 1920 he entered the Northeastern University School of Business Administration, where he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Commer- cial Science in the class of June, 1924.

On June I, 1929, Mr. Carpenter was installed as treasurer of the Uxbridge Savings Bank; he is also a corporator and a member of the board of trus- tees. In 1933 he became associated with the Rox- bury Institution for Savings as assistant treasurer. In Uxbridge, he served as treasurer of the Cham- ber of Commerce; he affiliates with the Savings Banks Officers Club of Massachusetts; the Ux- bridge Rotary Club, of which he was treasurer; Franklin Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Grafton, of which he is a Past Master ; Grafton Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, of which he is a Past Worthy Master; Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Laymen's League, Whitinsville Gym- nasium Club, and Uxbridge Unitarian Church.

Albert T. Carpenter married, September 2, 1924, Muriel E. Haas, of Worcester, who attained prom- inence in that city as a vocalist of superior ability. She is interested in most branches of the musical arts. Her exceptionally fine soprano voice was cul- tivated through study pursued in New York, Bos- ton and Worcester. She has appeared in recitals and concerts in the latter cities and at many other places in the State. She served as chairman of the women's music committee of the Worcester club in 1928-29 and was a soloist in the Worcester Music Festival of the season of 1929. She is the music director and soloist of the Uxbridge Uni- tarian Church and is a member of a number of clubs. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter have three sons : I. Bruce Albert, born July 28, 1927. 2. Keith Herbert, born April 25, 1929. 3. Grant Tucker, born December 24, 1931.

HON. ARTHUR FISKE BUTTERWORTH -By filling the office of judge of the Western Worcester District Court, Hon. Arthur Fiske But-

Frank hilliery

WORCESTER COUNTY

terworth, of Brookfield, exerts a wide and benefi- cent influence upon legal and civic affairs in his jurisdiction. He is prominent in the municipal government of the town, being in office for many years.

On the paternal side of his family, Judge Butter- worth's grandfather, Stillman Butterworth, was born in Wrentham, Massachusetts, and was the first of the name to locate in Brookfield. He was a leader in local affairs of the town, held differ- ent offices, and served a term in the Massachusetts Legislature. His son, Henry L. Butterworth, father of the judge, was born in Brookfield and during his life was a boot and shoe manufacturer in this town. He was also engaged in the lumber business. A Democrat in politics, he was one of the most active members of the community, in which he had held many town offices. He married Antoinette Fiske, a native of Pepperell, Massachu- setts, daughter of John Dale Fiske, a veteran of the Union Army in the Civil War, a member of the Massachusetts Legislature and engaged in the shoe business.

Hon. Arthur Fiske Butterworth was born in Brookfield, September 20, 1869, son of Henry L. and Antoinette (Fiske) Butterworth, and attended the public schools of his native town. He entered Boston University School of Law and was grad- uated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in the class of 1893. He was admitted to the Massa- chusetts bar at a sitting of court in Boston in February, 1893, and began practice in Springfield, Hampden County. He returned after a short time to Brookfield, which has since been the place of his practice and residence. In 1902, on the estab- lishment of the Western Worcester District Court, he was appointed clerk, filling this office until 1924, in which year he was appointed judge of the same court. For the past six years he has, as a Dis- trict Court judge, presided from time to time at sessions of the Superior Court for the trial of misdemeanors with juries.

He is a Republican in politics and has long served his party faithfully. His services to the town of Brookfield have been many and various. Since 1907 he has held the office of town treasurer, and he was for a quarter-century tax collector. For thirty years he has presided as the moderator of the town meetings. He has been a member of the board of trustees of the Brookfield Public Library for a score of years. He is a trustee of the North Brookfield Savings Bank.

His affiliations are many and important; they in- clude the Worcester County Bar Association ; Hay- den Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Brook- field; Warren Chapter, Royal Arch Masons ; Wor- cester Council, Royal and Select Masters; and Worcester Commandery, Knights Templar. He is a member of the First Parish (Unitarian) Church and for more than thirty years has been chairman of the parish committee.

Judge Arthur Fiske Butterworth married (first), in 1893, Olive Edith Miller, by whom he had two sons : I. Henry L. Butterworth, who is a mechani- cal engineer in Worcester; married Margaret Mooney, and they have one son, Henry L., Jr. 2. Stewart P., died October 13, 1922. Mrs. Butter- worth died April 29, 1917. Judge Butterworth married (second), January 16, 1919, Abbie E. Prouty, of Brookfield.

VIRGIL V. McNITT-Owner and publisher of the Southbridge "News," Virgil V. McNitt is a journalist of long experience and distinguished record. His activities cover a wide field, and in taking over the publication of the Southbridge "News" in 1931, he assured to the people of this city a daily newspaper of the finest type.

Mr. McNitt was born at Lisbon, Michigan, on January 15, 1881, a son of Henry A. and Adeline (Pontzius) McNitt. He was educated in the public schools of Northville, Michigan, and at the University of Michigan, beginning his active career in the newspaper field with the "Evening News" of Conneaut, Ohio. From 1902 to 1906 he served successively as city editor, editor and gen- eral manager of that paper. From 1906 to 1910, he was State editor and city editor of the "Cleveland Press," and in 1910 founded the very successful Central Press Association at Cleveland, of which he continued as president until this company was sold to the King Features Syndicate in 1930. Mean- while he has extended his interests in other direc- tions. In 1920 he organized the McNaught Syn- dicate in New York City, of which he has since been executive head and chief owner. In 1923 he began the publication of "McNaught's Monthly." On July 1, 1931, he purchased the Southbridge "News."

This paper was established by Charles H. Tobey of Boston and was first published on August 23, 1923. It was based on sound journalistic prac- tices and has steadily grown since that time. On January 1, 1926, headquarters of the paper were transferred from the original inadequate site on Hamilton Street to a newly erected building at No. 22 Foster Street. The business was expanded to include job printing, and new and more modern equipment was added. In June, 1929, the plant was purchased by Allyn T. Gilbert, who operated it for a year. He was followed by Robert Slough, who took possession on June I, 1930, and continued as owner until July 1, 1931, when Mr. McNitt ac- quired the property. Mr. McNitt immediately put into effect certain plans for expansion. The Quine- baug Club building on Elm Street was purchased and completely remodelled. More mechanical equipment was installed, including a new linotype machine, an Elrod column rule caster, a Daniels planer and a new press for job printing. Every possible convenience was installed and no effort spared to make the present home of the "News" the model newspaper plant which it has become. In January, 1934, a large edition to the building was completed and a twenty-four page high-speed Goss press with complete stereotyping equipment was added to the plant.

Mr. McNitt is an independent in politics and a Presbyterian in religious faith. He is a member of the Century Club, the Western Universities Club and the Riverdale Tennis Club of New York City; the Cohasse Country Club of Southbridge, the Quaboag Country Club of Monson, Massachu- setts; and the National Press Club of Washing- ton, District of Columbia. During the World War, in 1918, he served as a member of Company A, 9th Coast Artillery Corps, New York National Guard.

On June 12, 1909, at Cleveland, Ohio, Virgil V. McNitt married Marie Bellows, daughter of Benja- min F. and Nellie (Dickey) Bellows. They are

WORCESTER COUNTY

the parents of two children: I. Robert B., born at Cleveland on January 10, 1911. 2. Frank, also born at Cleveland, December 5, 1912.

JUDGE WEBSTER THAYER-That Judge Thayer's elevation to the bench as a Justice of the Superior Court of Massachusetts in 1917 met with general approval was shown in many ways. He became a national figure during his career on the bench. For it was to him that the difficult task was assigned to preside over the now historic Sacco-Vanzetti trial. In most of its aspects of no greater importance than most other cases of this type, it was made a cause célèbre by the friends of the accused. With rare courage and characteristic determination Judge Thayer refused to be swayed from the path of duty as he saw it during the try- ing years intervening between the conviction of Sacco and Vanzetti and their execution. Though there were many who sided against him and many others who stopped short of nothing in the vilifica- tion of him, he eventually had the satisfaction of having the highest court of the State as well as its Governor and a special committee appointed by the Governor uphold him in every respect. He con- tinued to be one of the most highly regarded and respected jurists of Massachusetts and to enjoy the confidence of his fellow-citizens, as he had done throughout his career.

Webster Thayer was born at Blackstone, Worcester County, July 7, 1857, a son of Samuel and Martha A. (Taft) Thayer. His father was a wholesale dealer in meats and provisions in Black- stone until 1874, when he removed to Worcester. He afterwards, in 1885, removed to Auburn, where he died in 1897. The old Thayer farm has been in the possession of the family from the time Men- don was settled about 1662, and is now owned by a descendant of the Thayer family. Samuel Thayer was a well-known and highly respected citizen, serving the town in various offices of trust and at one time representing Blackstone in the General Court. One of his characteristics was a remark- able memory. His wife died in 1898, at the age of sixty-seven years. Judge Thayer had one brother, Andrew Clinton Thayer, who was born in 1855 and died in 1928. He was a farmer in Auburn, Mas- sachusetts.

The first settler of the Thayer family in Men- don, Ferdinando Thayer, was born in Thornbury, England, and baptized there April 18, 1625. He married Huldah Hayward, of Braintree. They came with the first settlers to Mendon and located on the present farm. Several of these original Thayer farms have never passed out of the family. During King Philip's War, the Thayers and all the other settlers left the town, but returned in 1680. Ferdinando Thayer was a son of Thomas Thayer, the pioneer, who came with his brother, Richard Thayer and family, from Thornbury, England, to Braintree before 1639, and they are the progenitors of all the Colonial families of this surname in Massachusetts. Thomas Thayer died June 2, 1665, having married, in England, Mar- gery Wheeler.

In the maternal line Judge Thayer is descended from the pioneer of the Taft family, Robert Taft, who was also the ancestor of President William H. Taft, and of most of the Taft families of the country. Leonard Taft, maternal grandfather of

Judge Thayer, had several sons. One of these, Edward H. Taft, died at the age of ninety-three. Of his other sons, Putnam W. Taft, who died at the age of ninety-four, was a famous school teacher in Mendon and vicinity for some fifty years, while another son, Enos N. Taft, was one of the most famous admiralty lawyers of his time. His offices were in New York City.

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Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III, Part 5

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