Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III, Part 55

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 55

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His hobby in his later years was sun dials. He constructed several of wonderful designs, one of which he presented to the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where it is now in front of Boynton Hall.

In October, 1896, at Skowhegan, Maine, Victor Everett Edwards married Janet R. Gage, daughter of Hiram C. and Eva (Varney) Gage. They be- came the parents of two children: Kenneth Gage and Ruth.

Major Edwards died at his home in West Boy !- ston on May 16, 1931, following a long illness. His death, at the age of sixty-eight, brought to its close a notable career, whose constructive in- fluences are of lasting value to American industry.

SAMUEL R. SCOTT-Descended from a family of pioneers of Uxbridge, which have con- tributed to the progress and prosperity of the com- munity, Samuel R. Scott is treasurer of Scott and Sons, Inc. This is a woolen manufacturing con- cern which, through its predecessors, had its origin in 1810, and is said to be the owner of the first mill of its kind to be built and operated in Ux- bridge, and the second in the United States.

The original mill was erected by Daniel Day, ten years after the opening of the nineteenth cen- tury. At the time it was considered a bold ven- ture in the field of woolen manufacture. The waterpower used was that of S. F. Scott and Sons in Elmdale, and the machinery consisted of a card- ing machine and a picker for the purpose of card- ing rolls for home manufacture, the machinery having been built by Artemus Dryden, of Holden. Weaving was done in that time, not in the mill, but on hand looms set up in homes or in shops built for this purpose.

The Scott family of today inherits its industrial energy and application from Samuel W. Scott, who was the first of the name in Uxbridge to operate a woolen mill. He carried on the busi- ness for some years, and then it and the prop- crty passed into the hands of Samuel F. Scott. He married Sarah A. Austrorup, and the elder Scott later formed the firm of S. F. Scott and Sons. Under this style the business was carried forward for some years, until finally circumstances seemed to make it wise to incorporate, and the title of Scott and Sons, Inc., was adopted. The officers of the corporation are : President, Sarah A. Scott; treas- urer, Samuel R. Scott ; and clerk Gordon A. Scott.

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Samuel R. Scott, son of Samuel F. and Sarah A. (Austrorup) Scott, was born in Uxbridge, November 15, 1894, and was educated in the public schools and at the Bryant and Stratton Business College. After the United States entered the World War, he enlisted and was assigned by the Navy Department to work in the machine shops of the government at Newport, Rhode Island, his par- ticular task being the making of repairs on patrol boats and other vessels of war. He was honorably mustered out in 1919.

He then entered the Scott mill in the humble rôle of an employee in order to acquaint himself with the processes of woolen manufacture. After a time he was made clerk and later was advanced to treasurer of the corporation. He is a director of the Uxbridge Cooperative Bank and a trustee of the Uxbridge Savings Bank. In town affairs he is active and gives generously of his time and counsel. He is a member of the board of water commis- sioners and a member and treasurer of the Ux- bridge Republican Town Committee. Among his fraternal affiliations are Solomon's Temple Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Mr. Scott married, December 9, 1922, Carletta Vose, of Cumberland Hill, Rhode Island, and they have a son, Samuel R. Scott, Jr., born March 30, 1929.

FRANCIS NEWTON BOUTWELL- Founder of the Leominster "Enterprise" and for many years the owner of a printing establishment in this city, Francis N. Boutwell devoted his entire active life to a field of endeavor which he entered in his earliest years. He was a very skillful printer, highly competent in every phase of his work, and through diligent application built up a substantial trade. Both the Leominster "Enter- prise" and the printing business which he founded are still continued, the latter under the firm name of Boutwell, Owens and Company, Inc.

Mr. Boutwell was born at Craftsbury, Orleans County, Vermont, on July 30, 1835, a son of New- ton Boutwell and a descendant of Scottish and French Huguenot stock. His mother was a member of the Merrill family. His parents were farming people and were pioneers in Vermont, where the father cleared and improved the land, on which he built his home.

Francis N. Boutwell received his education in Vermont district schools and at the age of sixteen became an apprentice to the printing trade at Amherst, New Hampshire. He served under his preceptor for three years and at the end of that time became a journeyman, working in Mont- pelier, Vermont, Boston and Fitchburg, Massachu- setts. He was also employed as a journeyman printer in Nashua and Milford, New Hampshire. In the year 1854, however, Mr. Boutwell purchased the Milford "Republican" and continued as editor and publisher of that paper until 1862. It was suspended finally because of the war and at that time Mr. Boutwell again became a journeyman, working until 1867, when he established a job printing shop at Milford. In May, 1869, he re- moved to Leominster, where his activities were to center thereafter until his death. Here he opened offices for printing work in a building which stood on a site now occupied by the Leominster Hotel. In 1871 he moved this office to the Woods Block

and in June, 1872, began publication of the Leo- minster "Enterprise," which he conducted until 1885. At the end of that time he disposed of his interests and reëstablished his job printing busi- ness, to which he devoted himself until his death on February 18, 1905, in his seventieth year.

Fraternally, Mr. Boutwell was affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, in the last of which he was particularly prominent. A devout Christian, who always strove to live his religion in his daily life, he worshipped in the Methodist faith and for thirty-five years was sec- retary of the Leominster Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Boutwell was also an active prohibi- tionist and ardently supported the Prohibition cause. He gave his allegiance to high principles of thought and conduct, commanding the respect of all who knew him. His useful life was of value to the communities in which he lived and his name is remembered with affectionate regard.

Mr. Boutwell married (first), in 1857, at Am- herst, New Hampshire, Abbie Louise Melendy, who died in 1865. They were the parents of one daughter, Abbie Louise. In 1869, Mr. Boutwell married (second) Susan Elizabeth Willard of Ash- burnham, who died on January 30, 1905.

Abbie Louise Boutwell, mentioned above, be- came associated in business with her father and after his death continued the business until 1920. At that time the firm of Boutwell and Owens, Inc., was formed, with Mr. Harvey M. Owens becoming a member of the firm. Its officers are: Miss Boutwell, president; H. M. Owens, treasurer; and Mrs. F. W. Owens, secretary. This company is engaged in all kinds job printing, embossing and steel die cutting, and in catalogue and book work. It has made a specialty of printing on celluloid. The plant of the company is situated at No. 16 Mount Pleasant Avenue, Leominster. It is modern in all respects and equipped with all necessary machinery. The company is engaged mostly in local work and its services are much in demand.

J. FRANCIS COVE-In entering upon the practice of law, J. Francis Cove brought to his chosen profession a thorough technical training and a degree of enterprise and native ability which insured an entirely successful career. He is a native of Uxbridge, and with the exception of sev- eral years has been a life-long resident of this city.

Mr. Cove was born on August 31, 1904, a son of James Frank and Bridget M. (Houlihan) Cove, both of whom were born in Ireland and came to America in their youth. The father settled in Hopkinton and the mother in Millville, Massachu- setts. After their marriage they made their resi- dence in Elmdale, where the father was employed for several years in the F. R. Scott and Sons Woolen Mill, after which he became connected with W. A. L. Bazeley of Uxbridge. He has been connected with the above for about thirty years.

J. Francis Cove received his preliminary educa- tion in the public schools of Uxbridge, being grad- uated from the high school in 1924. During the following year he attended the School of Commer- cial Science, completing the course in 1925. While he was attending high school, Mr. Cove worked on a farm during his vacations and as a student in the School of Commercial Science he obtained a regular place on the George S. Taft farm here,

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rising at four every morning to milk a herd of ten cows and returning in the evening to perform the same duties. In spite of the long hours he was obliged to work, Mr. Cove has always considered this period the happiest and best of his entire boyhood.

Meanwhile Mr. Cove had decided upon a legal career. As heretofore he decided to earn his own way and accordingly obtained a position with Stone and Webster, Boston brokers, in their Woonsocket, Rhode Island, branch, where he worked as an accountant for six years while studying law at night. In 1927 he entered Northeastern Law School and in 1931 was graduated from that institution with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. On April 27, 1932, he was admitted to the Massachusetts bar, and immediately afterwards opened an office in Uxbridge. He is building up a very satisfac- tory practice and enjoys the full confidence of all those who have occasion to seek his professional services.

Mr. Cove is a member of the Worcester County Bar Association and, apart from his legal con- nections, is a member of the Knights of Columbus. In religious faith he is a Catholic and in politics an independent voter. Mr. Cove resides with his parents on Ironstone Street, Uxbridge.

JOHN FRANCIS HARRIGAN-The Har- rigan Press of Worcester is one of the most favorably known of the printing and publishing companies of New England. This firm has been in business for more than four decades; Mr. Har- rigan established it in 1894 and is the present chairman of the board of directors and its direct- ing head. The corporation is a monument to his own achievements, although he gives much of the credit to the men who have been associated with him. He is a native of Ireland, born in County Louth, February 4, 1870, a son of Edward and Rose (Byrne) Harrigan. His father died in 1876 and is buried in Ireland; his mother died in Wor- cester in 1912.

John F. Harrigan, as a lad of fourteen, was brought to this country by his mother in 1883, one of a family of six children. For two years they remained in New York, but in 1885 they removed to Worcester, which has been his home since that time. John Francis Harrigan attended the Ravensdale national schools of Ireland and the night schools of New York City. While in New York he served a two years' apprenticeship on the "New York Home Journal." In Worcester, upon his arrival there, he secured employment as a compositor on the "New England Home Journal." After a year of this Mr. Harrigan worked as a journeyman printer in various book and job print- ing offices. This phase of his life extended from July 4, 1885, to the summer of 1890. In the lat- ter year he returned to Ireland for a four months' visit. Upon returning to New York City once more, Mr. Harrigan worked on the same paper in the city with which he had begun his American career, and later was, for a year, with the J. J. Little Company, publishers.

Worcester has the custom of holding on to those who once live within its borders, and John Francis Harrigan also returned to the city, was associated with the founding of the "Evening Post" of Worcester, and helped to get out its first issue. On February 4, 1894, he went into business for him-

self under the firm name of Harrigan and King. Four years later he purchased the interest of his partner and took in with him his brother, Benjamin E. Harrigan, the concern becoming known as Har- rigan Brothers. In 1914 the company was incor- porated as the Harrigan Press. The corporation now has one of the most modern and extensive printing plants in Worcester, occupying more than 7,000 square feet of floor space, and is fully cquipped to do all kinds of printing, magazine and book work, and does a great deal of work on college and academy publications. In 1932 the officers of the Harrigan Press were: John F. Har- rigan, chairman of the board of directors; Benja- min E. Harrigan, president; William J. Gurley, treasurer ; and Annie J. Harrigan, clerk.

In addition to his connection with the Harrigan Press, Mr. Harrigan has interested himself in various other enterprises. He is a member of the American Irish Historical Society; the Alhambra Council, Knights of Columbus; Worcester Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Ancient Order of Hibernians; Fraternal Order of Eagles; the Washington Club; the Irish Charitable Society of Boston; a trustee of St. Vincent Hospital; and a communicant of St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church. He is a charter member of McCafferty Court, No. 100, Catholic Order of Foresters, or- ganized in 1894. In 1897 he was elected chief ranger and in 1906 to the high standing commit- tee, being promoted from year to year until he became high chief ranger of the State. Mr. Har- rigan, although a thorough-going American, has never forgotten the land of his birth, nor failed to take a constructive interest in its future. Under the first Republic of Ireland he promoted Irish State bonds to the total of $1,350,000 in the State of Massachusetts. This money was used for the cstablishment and maintenance of the then Irish Republic. The present Free State Government took over the Irish Republic Government and has paid back said bonds to the citizens of the United States.

On October 12, 1894, John Francis Harrigan married Mary A. C. Roberts, daughter of John and Johanna (O'Connor) Roberts, of Worcester.

EDWIN M. ALDRICH-For forty years Edwin M. Aldrich has been associated with Taft Brothers, owners of well known mercantile enter- prises in the Uxbridge and Whitinsville section of Massachusetts. During this time he has taken an increasingly active part in the management of the firm and as co-owner in the last twelve years has been in charge of the store at Whitinsville. Mr. Aldrich is an able business man and has won the respect of the people among whom he has lived for so long a period.

Born at Mendon, Massachusetts, on October 13, 1875, Mr. Aldrich is a son of Moses and Anna L. (Coe) Aldrich, the former a native of Massa- chusetts and the latter of Rhode Island. The father was a farmer by occupation and came of an old New England family. Indeed the first piece of property purchased in Northbridge was bought by a direct ancestor of this branch of the family. Moses Aldrich died in Mendon in 1885.

Edwin M. Aldrich, the son, received his educa- tion in the public schools of Mendon. His earlier life was passed on a farm, but as he reached his later 'teens, he decided to seek a field of greater

Thos a S tielley

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opportunity and in the year 1892 became a clerk in Taft Brothers store in Uxbridge. At that date they already had a second store in Whitinsville in addition to a large grain store in Uxbridge. They were dealers in groceries, meat and provisions, and Mr. Aldrich was provided with ample opportunity to learn all details of the business. He welcomed the chance, and his industry and enterprise won him the favor of his employees. For many years he was one of the most valued members of the organization, and at length, in 1919, purchased an interest in the business, which he now owns with Silas Taft as co-partner. Mr. Aldrich has taken personal and complete charge of the Whitinsville store, which has continued to prosper under his able guidance. It is today the largest grocery and meat market in this section of the county. In addition to this connection, he is a trustee of the Whitinsville Savings Bank and is properly ac- counted one of the leading business men of the community.

Mr. Aldrich has always given his best attention to business, but he has also found time for other activities and is prominent in the Masonic Order locally, being a member of the Blue Lodge; St. Elmo Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, at Whitins- ville ; and other bodies. While neither seeking nor desiring public office, he has taken a consistent interest in civic affairs and given his support to all worthy community enterprises.

On June II, 1897, Edwin M. Aldrich married Cora A. Spaulding of Uxbridge. They are the parents of two children: I. Chester W., born June 7, 1899, a graduate of Worcester Institute of Tech- nology. 2. Clarence E., born February 14, 1904. Both are married.

GEORGE A. GABRIEL-In various spheres of activity, George A. Gabriel well known in Wor- cester for a decade because of his official connec- tion with the Equitable Life Assurance Society, has played outstanding rôles, but to him only the last or the latest rôle is of any importance, an attitude toward life characteristic of successful men. He is a native of Worcester, born March 30, 1876, son of George W. and Frances A. (Con- ville) Gabriel. The senior Mr. Gabriel, who was born at Charlestown, Massachusetts, and died in 1916, was associated for many years with George F. Blake and Sons of Worcester. Mrs. Gabriel, who came originally from Boston, died in the same year as her husband.

George A. Gabriel received his preliminary schooling in the local public institutions and was graduated from the Worcester Polytechnic Insti- tute in the class of 1899 with the degree of Bach- elor of Science. This was in preparation for a career as a chemical engineer, a profession he fol- lowed for a number of years. He took post-grad- uate studies in various colleges and for a time was engaged in teaching his profession. He rose to serve as professor of chemical engineering of a Middle-West college, but eventually resigned and returned to the city of his birth to accept a posi- tion as resident manager of the Equitable Life As- surance Society of Worcester. From 1922 to 1931 he was thus engaged and achieved an enviable reputation both as an executive and citizen. In 1931 he resigned his position as resident manager, but remained with the company as their special agent.

During the period, when the United States was engaged in the World War, Mr. Gabriel was active as a consulting chemist. Two of his college fra- ternities are Phi Gamma Delta and Phi Lambda Upsilon. He is a member of the Economic Club of Worcester and of several other local organiza- tions and also a director in a number of large corporations.

In 1906 Mr. Gabriel married Glena M. Swan, a native of Maine, and they are the parents of three children : I. Frances A., graduate of Howard Sem- inary and the wife of R. F. Davison; they have one child, Glen-An. 2. George W., graduate of Worcester High School and Northeastern Univer- sity. 3. Grace E., graduate of the Bradford School for Girls.

T. FRANK HICKEY, of Shrewsbury, pres- ident and treasurer of the Hickey Leather Com- pany, formerly chairman of the board of select- men and in 1933 chairman of the finance commit- tee of the municipality, is one of the well-known men of Shrewsbury.

He was born in Shrewsbury, September 23, 1878, son of Thomas A. and Annie B. ((Whippie) Hickey. His father, a native of Ireland, came early in his youth to America and located in Shrewsbury in 1865. He married Annie B. Whip- pie. She was a native of Nova Scotia. Thomas A. Hickey, for a time, was employed by Nelson and Rice, tanners and manufacturers of leather, with whom he remained until the death of Mr. Nelson. The company then underwent a reorgan- ization, the firm name was changed to Thomas Rice and Company, and of this concern Thomas A. Hickey became a member. C. O. Green also became a partner and the firm then was known as the C. O. Green Company. This continued until the death of Thomas Rice, when the title was again changed and it became the Green and Hickey Leather Company. Of this organization, T. Frank Hickey, of this review, became an active partner. Thomas Hickey died in 1911, at sixty-six years of age.

T. Frank Hickey received his early education in the local schools of Shrewsbury and was grad- uated from high school. During vacation months he was employed in his father's factory, where he obtained a thorough knowledge of the processes of leather manufacture. His compensation during this period of apprenticeship was five dollars a week. He continued in the business as the years went on, acquiring a complete knowledge of the different departments and branches and winning various promotions. This continued until his father's death. The style of the company was then changed, the name becoming the Hickey Leather Company and T. Frank Hickey being made president and treas- urer of the organization, which offices he still holds. His association with the leather industry has covered the entire period of his active career, and the company is one of the oldest and best known in the United States. Among the Hickey products are straps, cases, and bag leather, as well as a number of specialties. Among its many cus- tomers may be mentioned the Hickok Manufac- turing Company, of Rochester, New York, which it supplies with practically all of the leather that company uses.

Mr. Hickey takes an active part in the general civic and social life of Shrewsbury. Among the

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public offices that he has held has been that of chairman of the board of selectmen. While in that position, he administered the affairs of the board so successfully and with such unselfish atten- tion to the public welfare that he was favorably regarded by the whole community. He held that office several years. Then, when the town finance committee was organized, he became chairman of the group, and this office he yet holds (1933). In this position he has contributed liberally of his time and knowledge of business to the advantage of his community. Socially he is affiliated with all branches of the Free and Accepted Masons; Quinsigamond Blue Lodge, of Worcester; the Royal Arch Chapter ; Worcester County Command- ery, Knights Templar; Goddard Council, Royal and Select Masters; and the Ancient 'Accepted Scottish Rite including the Consistory, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree; also Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Boston. He has always taken an active part in Masonic affairs as well as in the different clubs and other groups with which he is affiliated.

T. Frank Hickey married, on September 8, 1915, at Shrewsbury, Mildred W. Ward, of this place. They became the parents of one daughter, Nancy Elizabeth Hickey, born in Shrewsbury, April 23, 1917, now attending high school, class of 1934.

BRADFORD A. GIBSON - Formerly as president and more recently as treasurer of the Central Building Corporation of Worcester, Brad- ford A. Gibson has played an important part in exerting an influence for improved architectural and construction features throughout New England and elsewhere that the company executes commis- sions for its clients.

Born in Worcester, September 8, 1870, Mr. Gib- son is the son of George S. and Mary (Comey) Gibson. His father, born in Hopkinton, Massachu- setts, fought for three years in the Civil War, with the Massachusetts heavy artillery. He was wounded at the battle of Petersburg. After his return to civilian life he was in the building business and later he engaged in the monument business until his death, which occurred in 1926. He was inter- ested in politics and held various town offices in Clinton, Massachusetts. He was also very prom- inent in the Grand Army of the Republic. His wife, a native of Holliston, Massachusetts, died in 1930.

After preliminary training in the public schools, Bradford A. Gibson entered the Worcester Poly- technic Institute and was graduated in the class of 1891 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He began his career in the practice of civil engineer- ing, which he pursued until he became associated with the Norcross Brothers Company, one of the leading construction concerns of New England. He severed that connection in 1912, having been elected president of the Central Building Corpora- tion, with which he has since been associated as its chief executive officer until January, 1933, and since then as its treasurer.

The Central Building Corporation, one of the older and best known building concerns in Massa- chusetts, was organized in 1903 by E. F. Miner, president ; William Shumway, and F. B. Durfee. Its first location was No. 58 Front Street, Wor- cester, and later it moved to its present site, No.

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Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III, Part 55

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