USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III > Part 56
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196 West Boylston Street, Worcester. From the year of its organization until 1912, it had built throughout New England, New York and New Jersey, a goodly number of the substantial build- ings, as banks, churches, and the New Hampshire State Capitol. Since 1912 there stand to its credit for high-grade construction the Worcester North Savings Institution at Fitchburg, the Cushing Memorial at Newport, Rhode Island; and one of the wings of the American Antiquarian Society's building at Worcester. Since the coming into the company of Mr. Gibson and his assumption of the office of president, it has made a specialty of the very highest type of residences, examples of which are those of the late United States Senator Dwight W. Morrow residence at Engelwood, New Jersey ; of S. F. Laucks at Wrightsville, Pennsylvania; of Z. G. Simmons at Greenwich, Connecticut; of James L. Goodwin at Hartford, Connecticut ; of Vincent Astor at Port Washington, Long Island ; and a number of distinctive cemetery memorials.
Mr. Gibson is president of the Leicester Savings Bank, a trustee of the Leicester Library, and a member of other boards and committees of Leices- ter. He is affiliated with Spencer Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and all of the York Rite bodies. He also belongs to the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and to various clubs in Leicester and Worcester. In the Federated Church he is a member of the prudential committee.
Mr. Gibson married (first), in 1895, Edith Her- rick, of Fairfax, Vermont. She died, and he mar- ried (second) in 1923, Edith Perry, who is a native of Massachusetts. There are two children by the first marriage: I. Lucile, a graduate of Leicester Academy, married L. W. Gifford. 2. Herrick L. Gibson, a graduate of Leicester Academy, now residing at Grand Rapids, Michigan; is married and has a son, John B. Gibson.
J. JOSEPH MacCARTHY-During the past twenty years, J. Joseph MacCarthy has been en- gaged in the practice of law at Worcester. He is thoroughly trained in his profession and his efforts have brought him a position of recognized prom- inence at the local bar and in the city's life.
Mr. MacCarthy was born at North Brookfield, on April 1, 1888, a son of John G. and Anna E. (Doyle) MacCarthy, both natives of Massachusetts and both members of families seated originally in Ireland. The father was engaged in the shoe and leather business for many years. During the World War he served as a government inspector.
J. Joseph MacCarthy was educated in the public schools of his birthplace and in 1906 was grad- uated from North Brookfield High School. In the fall of the same year he entered Yale College, where he took the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1910 on the completion of the required course. In 1913 he took the further degree of Bachelor of Laws at Yale Law School and in the same year was admitted to the bar. For a short time he prac- ticed in New York City. He was associated for two and a half years with the firm of Taft and Stobbs, removing to Southbridge, Massachusetts, at the end of that time as counsel for the American Optical Company. With the entry of the United States into the World War in 1917, Mr. MacCarthy enlisted for service, attending the first officers' training school at Camp Devens. Then he was stationed at Camp Gordon, in Georgia, and sub-
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sequently was transferred to Columbia, Missouri. He was commissioned a first lieutenant, and in January, 1919, received his discharge.
After leaving the army in 1919, Mr. MacCarthy came to Worcester, resuming the active practice of his profession. He quickly won recognition at the local bar and with the passing years has built up a large and important practice to which he now devotes the greater part of his attention. Mr. MacCarthy has found time for many other inter- ests, however, and has been glad to serve in civic life in any capacity for which he considers him- self fitted. He is president of the Southern Wor- cester County Health Association; vice-president of Worcester Council, Boy Scouts of America ; and is vice-president of the Worcester County Bar Association and a member of its executive com- mittee. He is affiliated fraternally with the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks and the For- esters of America, and is a member of the Univer- sity Club, the Economic Club and the Wachusett Country Club, being a member of the board of governors of the latter organization.
On July 27, 1918, J. Joseph MacCarthy married Sylvia A. Howard of North Brookfield. They are the parents of three children : I. Philip J., born September 21, 1919. 2. Alice S., born April 10, 1924. 3. Ann K., born February 3, 1929. The resi- dence of the family is situated at No. 70 Kenwood Avenue, Worcester.
JAMES MacFADYEN-Descendant of a line of builders and contractors, James MacFadyen, of Worcester, president of the Central Building Com- pany of this city, has enlarged the reputation of the family name for mechanical skill and busi- ness integrity. The concern of which he is a mov- ing spirit is one of the most important in the New England area. It was organized in 1903 by E. F. Miner (president), William Shumway and F. B. Durfee. Its first place of business was at No. 58 Front Street, Worcester. From 1903 to 1912 the company built throughout New England a large number of substantial buildings, as banks, churches, the New Hampshire State Capitol, and others. In 1912, on the death of Mr. Miner, the office of president was filled by Bradford A. Gibson (q. v.), and in 1923 Mr. MacFadyen was received as a partner and elected vice-president, becoming president in January, 1933. Within the past few years, the company has made additional large strides in its business, specializing in building residences of the best type. Among these are the residences of the late United States Senator Dwight W. Morrow at Englewood, New Jersey ; S. F. Laucks at Wrightsville, Pennsylvania; Z. G. Simmons at Greenwich, Connecticut ; and many more of similar grade in architecture and work- manship.
The family of MacFadyen is of Scottish origin and for generations it has been, through its repre- sentatives, identified with the building trades. Wil- liam MacFadyen, father of the Worcester builder- executive, followed in the footsteps of his ancestors and engaged in the building and contracting busi- ness for many years. He was a native of Glas- gow, Scotland, and in his early manhood aided in completing portions of Edinburgh Castle. After coming to this country he made his home in Grafton, Massachusetts, where he died in 1889.
His wife, Isabella Scott, was a native of Scot- land; she died in 1913.
James MacFadyen, son of William and Isabella (Scott) MacFadyen, was born in Grafton, Feb- ruary 26, 1886, attended the public schools, high school and Wentworth Institute. Soon after com- pleting his preparatory education he formed an as- sociation with the J. W. Bishop Company, of Worcester, one of the outstanding building opera- tors in this State. With this concern he was con- nected as auditor and superintendent for eighteen years. He resigned these positions in 1923 to join the Central Building Company in the ca- pacity of vice-president, which position he held until 1933, when he was made president. His natural ability and broad experience in the building trades have made him a dominant figure in the affairs of the company, as well as in the operations in the company's field.
Besides his office of president of the Central Build- ing Company, Mr. MacFadyen is vice-president of the Gibson Memorial Works, Inc., Eastern represen- tative of the National Contractors Association, and a past president of the Worcester Building Associa- tion. He is a member of Isaiah Thomas Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Central Lodge, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is a Past Noble Grand of the Grand Lodge of Massa- chusetts, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Fraternal Order of Orientals; Four-Year Club; and several other local clubs. His religious prefer- ence is Protestant Episcopal.
Mr. MacFadyen married, in 1905, Helen M. Foley, a native of this State, and their children are: I. Donald J., born May 25, 1906. 2. Evelyn M., born January 18, 1908. 3. Kenneth W., born March 18, 1914. The family home is at No. 7 Berkshire Street, and Mr. MacFadyen has his office with the Central Building Company, No. 196 West Boylston Street, Worcester.
FRANCIS E. CASSIDY-Various positions of importance in the Federal and State service have been filled by Francis E. Cassidy, well known Webster lawyer. He is actively interested in all public and civic affairs in Webster, being also a leader in his party in local and State politics.
Born in Mapleville, Rhode Island, Mr. Cassidy is a son of William H. and Alice (Lodge) Cassidy. He was graduated from the Webster High School in 1906 and entered the University of Rochester, New York, where he received his degree of Bach- lor of Science at graduation in the class of 1910. His professional training was taken at Harvard Law School, where he was a student in 1911, and at Boston University Law School, where he was graduated Bachelor of Laws in the class of 1913. At college he was made a member of Theta Delta Chi and at the law school a member of Phi Delta Phi.
In 1915, after admission to the bar, he became an associate of the Boston law firm of Hoar and Dewey. He was appointed a deputy collector in the United States Internal Revenue Service in 1917. The following year he was made an agent of the same department and assigned to estate tax work, filling the position until 1922. He spe- cializes in probate and taxation matters and is regarded as an expert on this line. Subsequently he was appointed clerk of the First District Court
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of Southern Worcester County. On the ticket of the Democratic party he was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1922 and served two terms, ending in 1926. He did excellent work on the judiciary committee and the committee on rules. He has since practiced law in his own name, having his office in the Bank Building, Webster. He is a director of the Web- ster Cooperative Bank and the Webster National Bank, and counsel for the Webster Cooperative Bank and the Webster Five Cents Savings Bank. His professional affiliations are with the American Bar Association, Massachusetts Bar Association, Worcester County Bar Association and Webster Bar Association. Included in his fraternal al- ligances are the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Columbus. He is a member of the Webster Reading Room Associa- tion, the Webster Golf Club and the Roman Cath- olic Church. His hobbies are baseball and golf.
Mr. Cassidy married, June 23, 1915, Mae Rigney, of Webster, and their children are: Rita Mary, William H., and Patricia Alice. The Cassidy family home is at No. 44 Elm Street, Webster.
THEODORE TOURIGNY, JR .- Since 1919 Theodore Tourigny, Jr., has been active in the United Comb and Novelty Company at Leominster, an enterprise which he helped to found and to the progress of which he has contributed substantially. He is treasurer of the corporation, being associated with other members of his family in the direction of its affairs.
Mr. Tourigny is a member of a French-Canadian family, which was established in the United States in the latter part of the nineteenth century. Both parents were natives of Canada, as were also the grandparents, Romuald and Philomen Tou- rigny. The grandfather was a stone mason by trade. The father, Theodore Tourigny, Sr., was engaged in different pursuits during the course of his active career, finally joining the United Comb and Novelty Company at Leominster, of which he was president until his recent retirement. Over a period of years he has been active in affairs of this city and is a member here of St. Cecilia's Roman Catholic Church. He and his wife became the parents of the following children: I. Helen, wife of Otis Donat. 2. Ida, wife of Joseph Thibeau- deau. 3. Theodore, Jr., of this record. 4. Eugene L., who married Agnes Martin and has one child, Vivian. 5. William. 6. Pauline, wife of Harry Bottis ; they have one daughter, Doris. 7. Gladys, wife of Joseph Boutin. 8. Edward. 9. Ernest. 10. Evelyn, wife of Oliver Beland. II. Alice.
The United Comb and Novelty Company, Inc., with which this family name has always been con- nected, was established in 1919 by Theodore Tou- rigny, Jr., his brother, Eugene L. Tourigny, and Arthur Tourigny. It was formed for the manu- facture of combs, brushes and novelties. Two years later Arthur Tourigny retired, selling his interest to Theodore Tourigny, Sr. In 1930 the company was incorporated with a capital of $75,000 and at that time the following officers were elected : Theodore Tourigny, Sr., president; Theodore Tou- rigny, Jr., treasurer ; and Eugene L. Tourigny, secretary. They employ some sixty people in the plant and factory, specializing in the manufacture of toilet sets. Their product is in wide demand and is distributed throughout the country, mostly
in chain stores. Through the capable direction of its officials the concern has been notably successful and is today one of the leading manufacturing enterprises of Leominster. Its plant is located in a three-story factory building at No. 161 Sixth Street. Theodore Tourigny, Sr., retired in August, 1932, and the management of the business is now in the hands of his sons, Theodore, Jr., and Eugene L. William, Edward and Ernest, the other broth- ers, are also connected wtih the company, William being superintendent of the factory, Edward the foreman and Ernest head of the shipping division.
Apart from their business connections all the men of the family have been active in civic affairs at Leominster, meeting all the obligations of good citizenship with zeal and fidelity. Theodore Tourigny, Jr., has also been very prominent in Lafayette Lodge of the Order of Foresters and in addition is a member of the Leominster Chamber of Commerce and St. Cecilia's Roman Catholic Church. He married Marie E. Lavoie, and they are the parents of the following children: Loretta, Raymond, Clovis and Irene.
GEORGE THOMAS LITTLE, M. D .- A large medical practice with its exacting demands has not prevented Dr. George T. Little from rendering to his town of Uxbridge a high qual- ity of service in a number of public offices. In addition to holding membership and the chair- manship of the board of selectmen, he is or has been a member of several important municipal com- mittees. Regarded as one of the leaders in his profession in the county, he is also looked upon as a substantial and progressive citizen.
Born in Groton, Massachusetts, November 24, 1877, Dr. George Thomas Little is a son of John and Edna (Woodward) Little, both parents natives of the Bay State, the father a miller. Having passed through the public schools of his home town, he prepared for college at Lawrence Academy in Groton, graduating in 1897. He next entered Har- vard University Medical School, where he re- ceived his degree of Doctor of Medicine at gradua- tion in the class of 1902. He began practice in Uxbridge, where he has long since been a physi- cian of high repute.
For a quarter of a century Dr. Little has been a member of the Uxbridge Board of Health and he has been associate medical examiner for the Seventh Worcester District for fifteen years. Some years ago he was a member of the board of select- men for two terms. In 1930 he again was elected to the board and his fellow-members made him secretary. In the same year he was chosen a mem- ber of the school committee. For ten years he has been a member of the finance board of Ux- bridge and he served as a member of the building committee for the new high school. His profes- sional organizations are the American Medical Association and the Massachusetts Medical Society. He has fraternal affiliation with the Masonic Or- der, inclusive of the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Boston, and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the Bristol (Rhode Island) Yacht Club.
Dr. Little married, November 24, 1906, Edith Bertha Smith, and they have two children: Court- ney W. and Marion.
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FRANK LINCOLN POWERS-Since 1902 Frank Lincoln Powers has been engaged in the coal and coke business at Worcester, continuing the enterprise originally established and conducted by his father for many years. He is now executive head of the Worcester Powers Coke Company and is well known here in business and civic life.
Mr. Powers was born at Millbury, June 12, 1883, a son of Frank E. and Laura Belle (Lin- coln) Powers, both natives of Massachusetts. His father, a coal merchant and dealer in building mate- rials, first entered business in Millbury in 1874 and in Worcester in 1888, continuing until Novem- ber, 1908.
Frank Lincoln Powers was educated in Worces- ter schools and in 1902 was graduated from the old English High School here. Soon afterwards he began his active career, joining his father's business. In 1908 this enterprise was incorporated as the F. E. Powers Company, and at that time Frank Lincoln Powers became its president. Hiram Stevens Powers, a brother, served as treasurer. The original coal business is still carried on under this name. In 1929, however, the F. E. Powers Company organized the Worcester Powers Coke Company solely to handle coke, and on May 2, 1932, Frank Lincoln Powers sold his interest in the F. E. Powers Company, purchasing the Wor- cester Powers Coke Company outright. This con- cern has grown rapidly under Mr. Powers' vigor- ous direction. They have a large coke yard, with a number of trucks, and enjoy an extensive trade throughout this section, handling domestic coke exclusively.
In addition to his position as a leading business man of the city, Mr. Powers has many other local connections and interests. For seven terms he served as selectman for the town of Leicester and he has been prominent in Republican politics for a considerable period. For two terms he was a member of the Republican State Committee. Mr. Powers is also a member of the Worcester Coun- try Club, the Commonwealth Club, the Boston City Club, the Turkey Hill Polo Club, and the Shelter Harbor Country Club. He is affiliated fraternally with the Free and Accepted Masons and is very active in this order, being a member of all higher bodies of both York and Scottish Rites, including Worcester County Commandery, Knights Templar, and the Consistory, thirty-second degree, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. He takes a deep interest in outdoor sports and finds his favorite recreations in golf and horseback riding.
RAYMOND L. MIDDLEMAS-During the greater part of his active career, Raymond L. Middlemas has devoted himself to banking pur- suits, rising through various positions with several institutions to his present office as treasurer of the Leominster Savings Bank of Leominster.
Mr. Middlemas is a native of Worcester County, born at Millbury, in June, 1889, a son of George Edgar and Alice A. (Williams) Middlemas. His father, who died in July, 1927, at the age of seventy-two, was born in Middletown, Nova Scotia, of Scottish ancestry and parentage. He was for years associated with the Hoe Manufacturing Com- pany of New York City, working in the installa- tion department. In this family were two chil- dren : I. George Thomas, of Los Angeles, Califor- nia. 2. Raymond L., of this record.
Raymond L. Middlemas was educated in the pub- lic schools of Brooklyn, New York, and at Post Business College. For a brief period in early life he was employed with a manufacturing concern, but at the age of twenty he entered the Mechanics National Bank of Worcester as a clerk. This was the beginning of his active banking experience. In 1912 he transferred to the Worcester Mechanics Savings Bank, where he remained until 1921. Dur- ing that period he won advancement through the merit of his services and began to win recognition in banking circles of the county. In 1921 he was offered and accepted the position of treasurer of the Leominster Savings Bank, with which he is still connected. This institution was established in 1865 by John H. Lockey, Leonard Burrage and James H. Carter, who were the charter members of the corporation. Mr. Lockey at the time was serving in the State Legislature and was instru- mental in securing passage of the act of incor- poration. Early officers were Dwight B. Look, president; Charles L. Joslin, vice-president ; A. L. Burdett, clerk and treasurer. The following were trustees : C. C. Boyden, Hamilton Mayo, George Woods, F. A. Whitney, George F. Colburn, George Hall, J. G. Tenney, Clisson Kenney and D. C. Nickerson.
This institution is a mutual savings bank, estab- lished primarily "to receive and safely invest the savings of the people, especially of those who work for wages or on salaries." Out of the profits a surplus is accumulated to protect the depositors against all possible contingencies and the remainder of the profits is then distributed to the depositors in the form of dividends or interest. Total re- sources of the bank amount to more than $9,000,000 and deposits are over $8,000,000. Present officers are : Arthur H. Hall, president ; D. Curtis Nicker- son and Murray C. Damon, vice-presidents; Ray- mond L. Middlemas, treasurer; Frank S. Farns- worth, assistant treasurer. The sound policies of the founders have always been continued and under the management of capable officers the Leominster Savings Bank has made steady and substantial progress.
During the twelve years in which he has been connected with the bank, Mr. Middlemas has taken an active part in the direction of its affairs and has contributed fully to its success. In addition to his office as treasurer, he is a trustee of the bank and is a member of its board of investments. He is also a director of the Mutual Cooperative Bank of Leominster, of which he was treasurer for a period of four years. While he has given his best atten- tion to his business interests during his residents here, Mr. Middlemas has been very active in other phases of community life. He has lent his sup- port to all worthy movements in the public inter- est and has played a prominent part in the work of many of its institutions. Mr. Middlemas is treas- urer of Leominster Hospital, treasurer of the Salvation Army of Leominster and treasurer and president of the Community Chest. He has been active in and is president of the Leominster Cham- ber of Commerce, is a member and past president of the Rotary Club and is treasurer of Wachusett Council, Boy Scouts of America. He is a member of the Leominster Club, a member and director of the Monoosack Country Club, and is affiliated fra- ternally with Worcester Grange, Patrons of Hus- bandry, the local Aerie, Fraternal Order of Eagles,
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the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and Wilder Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. In the Masonic Order he is also a member of many higher bodies including the Chapter, Royal Arch Masons ; Jerusalem Commandery, Knights Templar ; and Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. During the period of the World War, Mr. Middlemas loyally supported his country's cause, working in the various drives and movements at home. He has always been ex- tremely fond of clean outdoor sports, making them his hobby. For this reason he has considered it an honor to serve as chairman of the Doyle Field Commission, in which position he has had charge of the planning and completion of the Doyle Ath- letic Field. This splendid gift to the city was made possible through the generosity of the donor, but Mr. Middlemas has been largely instrumental in bringing to realization the ideal athletic field which Mr. Doyle had in mind. Mr. Middlemas is a member of the Congregational Church.
On June 2, 1914, he married Susan Bowater, of Worcester, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Bowater. They became the parents of two chil- dren : Elizabeth and Raymond, Jr. Mrs. Middlemas died May 29, 1933.
HERBERT C. BRIDGES-The group of leaders of financial institutions in Worcester County and eastern Massachusetts includes Herbert C. Bridges, cashier of the Blackstone National Bank of Uxbridge, treasurer of the Uxbridge Coopera- tive Bank, and a trustee of the Uxbridge Savings Bank.
Born in Oakland, Maine, June 27, 1891, Mr. Bridges is the son of Chester and Alice (Horne) Bridges, both parents natives of the Pine Tree State and his father a farmer. Having passed through the grade and grammar schools of his native town, he entered the Oakland High School and was graduated there in the class of 1908. The three following years he spent as an attaché of the treasurer's office in the National Soldiers' Home at Augusta, Maine. His next position was that of a clerk for the Bangor and Aroostook Rail- road Company at Bangor, Maine, which he filled for three years. There followed three years at the Ticonic National Bank in Waterville, Maine. Here was where he obtained his first practical experi- ence of banking affairs. In 1918 he accepted the post of teller of the Blackstone National Bank at Uxbridge and two years later he was promoted to cashier. This office he still holds, together with those of trustee and treasurer of the cooperative and savings banks in the same town.
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