Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III, Part 61

Author: Nelson, John, 1866-1933
Publication date: 1934
Publisher: New York, American historical Society
Number of Pages: 700

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In the advancement of the company to its pres- ent status, Mr. Heffernan has taken a leading rôle. Active also in civic and social affairs, he belongs to the Worcester Country Club, Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, the Worcester Economic Club, and the Calvert Associates. Each of these groups gains from his participation in its activ- ities, and he is highly esteemed for the rôle that he plays in Worcester County life. In his leisure time, of which he has little because of the pressure of business duties, he enjoys outdoor life, particu- larly the game of golf.

Ray W. Heffernan married, April 24, 1924, Mar- garet F. Heffern, of Worcester. They have four children: I. Clare, born September 3, 1925. 2. Frances, born December 15, 1926. 3. Raymond, born December 23, 1928. 4. Paul, born July 16, 1931.

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LLOYD EWING BYRD, D. M. D .- In the field of exodontia, in which Dr. Lloyd Ewing Byrd, of Worcester, specializes exclusively in the practice of his profession, he has drawn to his offices a large following, his patients coming from practically all parts of the United States. Dr. Byrd has set up a record for having been the first of his profession to make a success of this class of dental surgery in Worcester. He is affiliated with the leading dental and exodontists' societies of this State, New England and the country at large.

Dr. Byrd was born on his father's farm in Stew- art County, Tennessee, August 30, 1895. His par- ents are John W. and Maggie (Seawright) Byrd, natives of the Volunteer State. At the age of five and one-half years he accompanied his parents on their removal from the hill country farm in Ten- nessee to Murray, Kentucky. Here he attended the public schools, graduating from the high school in 1914. He then entered Georgetown (Kentucky) College, where he studied for one year, and fol- lowed with an additional year at the University of Kentucky. At Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, he took a full three years course in dentistry. In 1921 he won his degree of Doctor of Medical Dentistry at Harvard University.

Dr. Byrd began his professional career with a service of two years in charge of the dental depart- ment of the Worcester State Hospital. He then took a post-graduate course at Columbia Univer- sity, New York City, later taking other post- graduate work for brief periods. His actual prac- tice in his own name began in June, 1923, when he opened an office in the city of Worcester, where he has since operated as an exodontist or specialist in the extraction of teeth. It is to his credit as a practitioner that he was the first successful pio- neer in this specialty in this city. The five rooms constituting his office at No. 332 Main Street are modernly equipped with every known facility or apparatus for the practice of exodontia, in which he is acknowledged to be one of the leaders in this section of the country. Many of his patients come from all parts of Massachusetts, from Maine and New Hampshire and from all quarters of the United States.

He is consulting oral surgeon at the Hahnemann Hospital, Worcester, and at the Harrington Memo- rial Hospital, Southbridge. His professional affilia- tions include the Worcester District Dental So- ciety, Massachusetts State Dental Society, Amer- ican Dental Association, Northeastern Dental So- ciety, New England Dental Society, and American Society of Oral Surgeons and Exodontists. He is a member of General Devens Post, American Legion; and Xi Psi Phi (college) Fraternity.

Dr. Byrd married, April 30, 1921, Josephine Ertel, of Mendota, Illinois. They have a son, Lloyd Ewing, Jr., born September 5, 1925.

FRANK COLLETTE-For many years a leading figure in the life of Spencer, Frank Col- lette is owner of the Model Bakery, home of the widely known "Collette's Golden Krust Bread" and bakers of fine cakes and pastries. Through the successful management of this enterprise and his equally successful participation in other business ventures and in the general life of his native town, Mr. Collette has made important contributions to the community's welfare and prosperity.

Frank Collette was born at Spencer, January I, 1871, a son of Frank and Mary (Cournoyer) Col-

lette. He received his early education in the pub- lic schools of Spencer and then attended Montreal College in Canada, from which he was graduated in 1891. Returning then to Spencer, he engaged in the clothing and men's furnishing business, in which he remained successfully active until 1926, when he sold out this business. In the meantime, in 1898, he had also engaged in the bakery busi- ness. Starting on a small scale, he developed his bakery until it now employs fifteen people, is operated day and night, sells both at retail and at wholesale, and uses three trucks to serve its ever widening circle of customers.

The Model Bakery is located at No. 136 Main Street, Spencer. It is operated according to the highest standards, supplying a baking service which meets every need of the community. The very best materials enter into its high-class products and only the latest and best equipment is employed. All ingredients are tested for purity and under the hands of master bakers, who implicitly follow the proven recipes of the bakery's owner, are combined to form the products which have brought wide popularity to this enterprise. Mr. Collette, still the sole owner, has directed its operation and growth in a very successful way. Through the excellence of his products he has created a wide demand for them and has so equipped his plant that its capacity is ample to care for the wants of this section for some years to come. In parti- cular, his "Golden Krust Bread" is in demand far outside the limits of the community itself and, in recent years, by sound and progressive management he has almost quadrupled his business.

Two other business undertakings also have held Mr. Collette's interest and have been greatly ben- efited by it. Until 1928, when he disposed of it after twenty-six years of successful operation, he conducted a well-known and widely patronized fire insurance agency. In 1926, together with his two brothers, Edmond and Albert Collette, he bought the plant of Favreau and Collette, sole distributors in the United States of Mathieu's Cough Syrup and Mathieu's Headache Powders, two well-known home remedies with a large and firmly established sale. His father originally had been a partner in this firm, which formerly manufactured its prod- ucts in Canada. The three brothers now operate the business along modern lines, having met with much success in their combined efforts. Mr. Col- lette is also a trustee and a member of the invest- ment committee and one of the auditors in the Spencer Savings Bank, and he has been effectively active in many other phases of Spencer life. He has given his support to all worthy enterprises for the good of the town, has held various local offices, and for two terms served in the Massachusetts Legislature, representing his constituency very ably and conscientiously. His public spirit is well recognized by all who know him and the construc- tive influence of his life have been of undoubted benefit to the community. Mr. Collette occupies a beautiful home at Spencer, which has long been known for its unexcelled hospitality to his many friends. He is very fond of traveling and has done a great deal of it.

Mr. Collette married, in 1895, Amanda Dufault, who died in March, 1929. He is the father of one son, Dr. A. H. Collette, a well-known and suc- cessful dentist of New Bedford, Massachusetts who married, in 1924, Loretta Laplante.

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PEHR GUSTAV HOLMES-In many branches of civic life, Pehr, Gustav Holmes, of Worcester, has figured prominently in affairs in the United States. As Congressman, he has served faithfully and well his adopted country and par- ticularly the people of his constituency. He has likewise participated in business activities and for his many and diversified contributions is esteemed and respected.

Mr. Holmes was born April 9, 1881, in Werm- land, Sweden, son of John J. and Caroline (John- son) Holmes. In 1886 he was brought to the United States by his family, who settled in Worces- ter. Here John Jacob Holmes, the father, was for many years employed in a manufacturing estab- lishment that is now a part of the American Steel and Wire Company.

Pehr Gustav Holmes attended school at Worces- ter, where the Millbury Street public school fur- nished him his early training. At the age of fourteen years he was forced by circumstances to engage in some gainful occupation and accordingly became associated with the Reed and Prince Screw Factory. In a short time he joined forces with a store, serving as errand boy and junior clerk. Afterward he was apprenticed to the electrotyping, engraving and electroplating trade, continuing as a journeyman until 1909, when he engaged in busi- ness for himself, with a shop at No. 19 Church Street. The working force at the beginning con- sisted of himself and two assistants; but energy and application to duty, combined with sound busi- ness methods, gave rise to a business which soon required additional aid. From the outset the enter- prise prospered, until it came to employ twenty- four men and to serve customers throughout New England. It was established without borrowed capital, a fact of which Mr. Holmes has always been justly proud.

Early in his career Mr. Holmes became inter- ested in civic and political affairs. Aligning him- self with the Republican party he shortly thereafter became active in politics. For six years he was a member of the Republican city committee of Worcester and for four years a member of the common council of the city, in which, from 1909 to 1912 inclusive, he represented Ward Six. In 1913 and 1914 he represented that ward on the board of aldermen, and in 1915 and 1916 was alderman- at-large, serving also as president of the board and chairman of its two principal committees, those on finance and streets. In the eight years, in which he was connected with municipal legislative bodies, he served on all their principal committees, being among others, in 1913 and 1914, chairman of the water committee. It was in that period that there came about the great development of the Worces- ter Water Works and the construction of the Pine Hill Dam. These projects doubled the city's water supply. Later, during and after the World War, he was active in an extensive building pro- gram including schools, hospitals and water works. At the age of thirty-five, he had served longer in the Worcester city government than any other per- son in the city.

From 1917 to 1919 he served as mayor of Worces- ter, again inaugurating extensive reforms. From 1925 to 1928 he was a member of the Governor's Council of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and in 1931 he was elected a member of the Seventy-second Congress from the Fourth Mas-

sachusetts District, to serve an unexpired term until 1933 in which year he was reëlected to serve until 1936.

Among his other affiliations, Mr. Holmes is an ex-president of the Massachusetts Highway Asso- ciation and a trustee of the Fairlawn Hospital of Worcester. He is a member of the Worcester Publicity Association, the Worcester Rotary Club, the Worcester Continentals, and several fraternal groups, including Athelstan Lodge, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, the Benevolent and Protective Or- der of Elks, Massasoit Tribe of the Improved Order of Red Men, and the John Erickson Lodge. He also belongs to the Worcester County Repub- lican Club, the Worcester Country Club, and the Commonwealth Club. His church is the First Swedish Congregational, of Worcester. Mr. Holmes is fond of outdoor life, having devoted consider- able attention, when he had the opportunity, to the development of his fine apple orchard, embrac- ing four acres of ground. His Worcester resi- dence is situated at No. 27 Holden Street, and his offices are at No. 167 Commercial Street, Worcester.

Pehr G. Holmes married, on May 26, 1903, Frida Charlotte Johnson. Their children were: Wilfred Kenneth and George Everett.

In addition to his other affiliations, Mr. Holmes is a director of the Skandia Bank and Trust Com- pany and a trustee of the Worcester Mechanics Savings Bank. He is still the owner of and operates the Holmes Electrotype Foundry, which he organized in 1909.

JEREMIAH J. HIGGINS-To the modern development of Worcester as a residential and industrial center, Jeremiah J. Higgins has largely contributed as a financier, builder and realtor. He is a native of Worcester, born March 21, 1857, a son of Patrick and Mary A. (O'Keefe) Higgins, both of whom came from Ireland when young and settled in Worcester. Patrick Higgins was con- nected with the Boston and Albany Railroad for many years and until the time of his death. Two of his sons, Morris and John, served in the Union Army during the Civil War, the former with the 3d Rhode Island Cavalry, the latter with a Massa- chusetts regiment. Morris was killed in action.

Jeremiah J. Higgins, after attending the public schools, entered the employ of the Boston and Albany Railroad and served in various capacities for a number of years. He is credited with hav- ing been the first man in Worcester to have oper- ated a signal tower. A man of vision and fore- sight, with faith in the future of the municipality in which he lived, Mr. Higgins gradually became interested in the purchase and improvement of real estate. As this phase of his interest assumed greater importance, he resigned his position with the railroad to become a builder and real estate owner and operator. Here again he was a pio- neer and introduced the "kitchenette" apartment in Worcester. He constructed apartment houses of this type in several sections of the city : The "Ox- ford Gate," corner of Oxford and Chatham streets ; apartments at No. 15 Irving Street; at No. 40 William Street; at Nos 93-95 and 375 Pleasant Street; on West Elm Street; and in several other sections of the city. One of his other financial interests was the Park Avenue Automobile Road near Elm Park. Though Mr. Higgins has never

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altogether given up the real estate business, he has been the indirect means of benefiting Worcester in many other ways as well. He is president of the Home Cooperative Bank; chairman of the security committee of the Worcester Home and Equity Banks; president and treasurer of the E. F. Hunt Company, builders' finish; president of the Higgins and Fitzgerald Company, architects and builders, engaged also in the general real estate and appraising business; and treasurer of the A. F. Booth Company, builders and real estate. He was also one of the incorporators of the Colonial Real Estate Company, of which he was president and treasurer for some years. Until recently, when he resigned, he served very ably as a member of the survey and appeal board of Worcester.

In 1886, Mr. Higgins married Mary A. Donohue, of Worcester, and they are the parents of nine children : 1. Marion, a graduate of Wellesley Col- lege. 2. Joseph T., a graduate of Holy Cross Col- lege, where he was a well-known athlete; by profession a lawyer, he was appointed sheriff of New York County by Governor, now President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, in 1932, to fill an unexpired term and then was elected to this office in Novem- ber, 1932; he possesses considerable poetical talent and for one of his poems he was awarded a prize; a veteran of the World War, he served as a first lieutenant with the Aviation Corps in France. 3. Harry P., a graduate of Dartmouth College, now engaged in the real estate business in New York City ; he, too, is a veteran of the World War, dur- ing which he served as a captain, in charge of supplies and property at Boston, Massachusetts. 4. Grace, a graduate of Columbia University, now a dietitian in New York City; during the World War she served as a nurse in a Naval Hospital in this country. 5. Francis, a graduate of Worcester Academy, where, as well as at Worcester High School, he made a record as an athlete; he served as a sergeant in the Aviation Corps during the World War; he is now engaged in the real estate business in Worcester. 6. Edward T., a graduate of Georgetown University, now engaged in the practice of law in New York City in association with his older brother, Sheriff Joseph T. Higgins ; during his student days at Worcester High School he held several athletic records. 7. James, a grad- uate of Worcester Academy, where he made a fine record as a runner and won a prize in quarter-mile contests; he served as a sergeant in the World War and now is engaged in business in associa- tion with his brother, Francis. 8. Margaret, who was educated at Wellesley College, where she fitted herself for a career as a teacher, later spending considerable time in both Spain and France and thus becoming proficient in the languages of these two countries. 9. Thomas, a graduate of George- town University and now at the School of Business Administration at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia; he was very active in baseball, both at Worcester Academy and at Georgetown University, especially as a pitcher.

WALTER E. BIGELOW-Though Walter E. Bigelow, a native son of the city of Worcester, is now living retired from his active endeavors, he is highly esteemed, respected and trusted by his fellow-citizens, and still takes a lively interest in civic affairs.

Mr. Bigelow was born on May 4, 1860, in Wor- cester, son of John W. and Margaret (Lindley) Bigelow, both natives of Worcester County. His father was an employee of the National Manufac- turing Company. On the paternal side of the house, his grandfather, Jabez Bigelow, established in 1834 the first factory in Worcester for the manufacture of wire goods, an industry for which the city has since become famous.

Walter E. Bigelow, of this review, received his formal education in the public schools of Worces- ter and, when he was nineteen years of age, went to work with David Cummings and Company, boot and shoe manufacturers, remaining for twelve years with this company. Serving in charge of the office and shipping departments, he finally left the Cum- mings organization to join forces with H. E. Smith and Company, boot and shoe jobbers, and remained with them continuously from 1891 to 1903. In August, 1903, he joined with Walter C. Porter in purchasing the last manufacturing business of the S. Porter Company from Samuel Porter, the father of Walter C. Porter, then the sole owner. This business was established in 1866 under the firm name of Colby and Porter. The new owners continued the business under the name of S. Porter Company, which had a high reputation for many years among shoe manufacturers in the United States and made a specialty of lasts for women's shoes. Under the new ownership which always aimed to keep the same high standing, the busi- ness grew and extended to many foreign countries. Walter C. Porter was lost in the sinking of the "Titanic" in April, 1912, and Mr. Bigelow at that time purchased the Porter interest from the heirs of his estate. In January, 1913, he incorporated the business under the name of S. Porter Company, Inc., becoming himself the president, treasurer and general manager of the new company. He held these offices thereafter until his retirement in July, 1930, at which time a new corporation was formed under the name of the Porter Last Company, of which O. Stanley Porter, only son of Walter C. Porter, is the president and treasurer. The old corporation was liquidated, but the business still carries on and is at present the only last making establishment in Worcester.

Quite aside from his work with that organiza- tion, Mr. Bigelow was active in the affairs of sev- eral associates and business groups. He is still vice-president and a member of the board of invest- ment and board of trustees of the Worcester Me- chanics Savings Bank. He is a member of both the Commonwealth Club and the Tatnuck Country Club, and through his connections with these social groups figures prominently in social and civic life. His labors have been such as to bring benefits to many individuals and organizations; for he has done much to aid in the advancement of the people and institutions of Worcester and Worcester County.

Mr. Bigelow married (first), in 1895, Emily N. Cobb, who died in March, 1899, leaving one daugh- ter, Margaret Bigelow, who became the wife of John R. McLean of Danbury, Connecticut. Mr. Bigelow's second wife, whom he married in Novem- ber, 1906, was Amy Murray. They have one daughter, Jean Bigelow, who is a graduate of Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York. The Bigelow home in Worcester is situated at No. 17 Westland Street.

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GEORGE L. C. BIANCHI-As the presi- dent of the company organized by his father, George L. C. Bianchi has been identified with the building industry in New England since early man- hood. There are many fine structures to his credit in Worcester and Massachusetts, proofs of his abilities as an executive. The firm of Bianchi Brothers, of which he is head, has enjoyed a splendid reputation for the more than a third of a century it has been in existence, although it was not until 1928 that it was incorporated under the title, Bianchi Brothers, Inc., Marble, Slate and Tile Work.

George L. C. Bianchi is the son of Constantino and Adelaide (Bianchi) Bianchi, both natives of Italy. His parents came to America in 1885, where the father, a trained and experienced stone carver, was employed in Chicago, Illinois; Milwaukee, Wisconsin ; Connecticut ; and Worcester. With his brother, Constantino Bianchi formed a partnership, and his workmanship is upon many noteworthy buildings, such as the Worcester State Hospital, the State Mutual Life Building and the Worces- ter City Hall. Perhaps the finest piece of his craftsmanship extant is that of the Branford, Connecticut, Public Library, which occupied him for two years.

While his parents were residents of Branford, George L. C. Bianchi was born on March 15, 1895. After attending the grade schools and being grad- uated from high school, he became associated with Bianchi Brothers and has followed this line of business since. In 1928 the company was incor- porated with himself as its president and treasurer and Albert Bianchi as vice-president. Among the best known of the works of this company are the Webster Town Hall and Municipal Building, Webster, Massachusetts; Junior High School and State Mutual Life Insurance Building, Worcester ; the Art Museum, United States Veterans Hospi- tal, at Togus, Maine; the Post Office at Orono, Maine; the New Morris Plan Bank, Bay State Savings Bank, and Mechanics Savings Bank, at Stafford Springs, Connecticut; and several other savings banks and many public school buildings. Fraternally Mr. Bianchi is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he is a member of the Wachusett and Italian Country clubs.

On June 2, 1921, George L. C. Bianchi married Mary A. Kirby, of Worcester, and they are the parents of two children : George and Constance.

RAYMOND H. FAVREAU - During his career at the bar of Worcester County, Raymond H. Favreau has served the municipality of South- bridge in the capacities of town clerk and town council. He has built up a large practice in this his native town.

Born in Southbridge, January 15, 1902, Mr. Favreau is the son of François X. and Elizabeth (Brooks) Favreau, both parents natives of Can- ada. They came to Southbridge in 1889, and here the father, who was a mechanic, died. The son, Raymond, received his early training in public and parochial schools in Southbridge, graduating from high school there in 1919. He took his course of law at Boston University, where he graduated Bachelor of Laws in the class of 1924. The same year he was admitted to the bar in Worcester County and has practiced from his office in South-

bridge continuously since. His public service in- cludes four terms, 1927-28-29-30, as town clerk and six years, 1926-31, as town counsel. Politically, he is aligned with the Democratic party. Among taxpayers associations that he has organized is the Southbridge Taxpayers Association, of which he is secretary. He is a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association and the Worcester County Bar Association. His fraternal affiliations are Union St. Jean Baptiste, the Order of Foresters and the Southbridge Club. He is deeply interested in music, being both a natural and a trained musi- cian, and for sixteen years has been the organist of the Church of Notre Dame (French Roman Catholic) at Southbridge.

G. HENRY WILSON-Agriculture remains still the basic industry of America, and the men who cultivate the soil are its most important citi- zens. G. Henry Wilson, retired, of Spencer, was for many years a farmer by vocation. He is a member of a pioneer family of Spencer, many of whom were lovers of the land for generations and owners of some of the largest farms in this part of the State. They were also public-spirited men and women, leaders in politics and public affairs, prominent in church work and humanitarian movements.

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Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III, Part 61

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