USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III > Part 72
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Apart from business interests he is a member of the Baptist Church, Sigma Chi Fraternity, Worces- ter Club, Union Club of Boston, Country Club of Brookline, Massachusetts Society of the Sons of
the American Revolution and a thirty-second de- gree Mason. His summer home is in Wianno, Massachusetts.
On November 9, 1898, Channing M. Wells mar- ried Irene Kelley, daughter of Alfred T. and Annie E. Kelley, of St. Louis, Missouri. They are the parents of five children: Channing McGregory Wells, Jr., Alfred Turner Wells, Henry Cady Wells, Mason Bacheller Wells and Elizabeth Wells.
ALBERT BACHELLER WELLS-Banker, manufacturer and man of large affairs, Albert Bacheller Wells has been a distinguished figure in Massachusetts business life for many years. He was born in Southbridge, November 19, 1872, son of George Washington and Mary Eliza (Mc- Gregory) Wells. Following the completion of his early education he entered Rutgers College in 1889 and in the following year transferred to Harvard. In 1891 he began his active career with the Amer- ican Optical Company, rising gradually within the organization to positions of responsibility and trust. Since the death of his father in 1912 he has been treasurer and later chairman of the board of trus- tees of this company, which is one of the leading enterprises of its kind in the world. They are man- ufacturers of spectacle lenses and other similar products. Mr. Wells has taken an active part in the direction of company affairs. He is thoroughly familiar with all details of its business, including the technical aspects, and is himself the inventor of "Cruxite" glass, a product of wide usefulness.
Mr. Wells has many other interests both at Southbridge and elsewhere. He is president of the Southbridge National Bank, an institution of large resources and influence and was for many years a director of the First National Bank of Boston. He is also president of the Southbridge Water Supply Company. In the world of banking and finance he is equally well known and is credited with having contributed largely to the progress of financial methods in this State.
Mr. Wells is also a director of the Southbridge Young Men's Christian Association. He is an enthusiastic and active collector of antiques. His collection at his home in Southbridge is unique in scope, size and variety of rarities. He hopes some day to create a museum to serve as a home for his unusual collection of antiques. He is a Republican in politics and a Baptist in religious faith. Over a long period he has occupied a posi- tion of notable prominence in the life of this city. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and a member of the Union Club of Boston, Country Club of Brookline, Harvard Club of Boston, Massachusetts Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, Society for Preservation of New England Anti- quities and Zeta Psi Fraternity.
In 1931 Mr. Wells began spending his winters in California and shortly afterward built his unusual and attractive winter home at Rancho, Santa Fé.
On April 18, 1900, Albert Bacheller Wells mar- ried Ethel Burnham of Evanston, Illinois. They are the parents of one son, George Burnham Wells.
J. CHENEY WELLS-Member of a distin- guished Massachusetts family, J. Cheney Wells continues in his own career the traditions and many interests with which the name of his family has been so long associated. He was born at South-
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bridge, November II, 1874, a son of George Wash- ington and Mary Eliza (McGregory) Wells. He was educated in the public schools of his birthplace and at Worcester Academy, following which he became associated with the American Optical Com- pany. This was in 1893. Since that year he has continued his connection with the company, of which he is now executive vice-president and a trustee. He is largely responsible for operations.
Mr. Wells is also a director of the Southbridge National Bank, director of the Southbridge Water Supply Company, director of the Webster and Southbridge Gas and Electric Company, president and director of the Russell Harrington Cutlery Company of Southbridge, director of the Old Colony Trust Company of Boston, and a member of the National Industrial Conference Board. Apart from his business interests, he is a member of the First Baptist Society of Southbridge and is a thirty-second degree Mason. Mr. Wells is a mem- ber of the Union Club of Boston, the Country Club of Brookline, the Fishers Island Corporation, and the Massachusetts Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Mr. Wells has a summer home at Fishers Island, New York.
On November 20, 1901, at Boston, J. Cheney Wells married Florence Winifred Morse, born at South Easton, Massachusetts, June 27, 1876. They are the parents of two children: I. John Morse Wells, who married Sylvia Shippen. 2. Gertrude Alice Wells.
WILLIAM WALKER WILSON-President of the Merchants National Bank of Leominster, William Walker Wilson was called to become executive head of this institution in 1931, follow- ing a banking career of wide experience and exten- sive duration. He has met the responsibilities of his office with conspicuous ability and in a rela- tively brief period has taken his place among the business leaders of this section.
The Merchants National Bank of Leominster was first organized on July 5, 19II with a capital of $100,000 and surplus of $25,000. The original officers were Alfred N. Litch, president; Charles H. Howe, vice-president; Ford F. Blaisdell, cashier; and the following directors: Alfred N. Litch, Bernard W. Doyle, William E. Holman, Charles H. Howe, Charles W. Harrison, Charles F. Nixon, William Gavin, Archibold M. Hume and Walter F. Whitney. Mr. Litch continued as president of the institution until his death on June 3, 1929. The bank has always occupied the build- ing in which its original quarters were established, although the steady growth of the institution has made necessary the enlargement of its facilities. Additions have been made to the building, and in 1920 a new vault was installed, together with a directors' room and other improvements. On the death of President Litch, in 1929, he was suc- ceeded by John M. McPhee, who served until he was chosen president of the Safety Fund National Bank of Fitchburg. It was at that time that Mr. Wilson was elected to the presidency of the Mer- chants National Bank of Leominster. Present offi- cers include: William Walker Wilson, president; Bernard W. Doyle, vice-president; Duncan F. Thayer, vice-president; Ralph W. Foster, cashier and trust officer; Frank T. Cook, assistant cashier; Florence J. Webber, assistant cashier. The direc- tors are as follows: William H. Cropper, Bernard
W. Doyle, Charles W. Harrison, Bertram H. Hayes, J. Ward Healey, Paul R. Holman, Win- throp M. Mayo, Raymond L. Middlemas, and Wil- liam Walker Wilson.
Mr. Wilson, as president, has continued the fine traditions so long associated with this institution, establishing policies which insure its solidity and strength. He was born at Boston, October 18, 1891, a son of James W. and Margaret (Fal- coner) Wilson. Both parents were natives of Scot- land and came to the United States in 1884, in which year they settled in Boston. The father operated a large trucking concern in the city of Boston. He died in 1920 and his wife in 1928.
William Walker Wilson received his education in Boston public schools. He attended high school, completed a general banking course at Boston Uni- versity and began his active career in the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston in 1917. He remained there for nine years, winning gradual advance- ment as he demonstrated his capacity for increased responsibilities. In 1926 he was appointed cashier of the First National Bank of Adams, Massa- chusetts, with which he was associated until he was elected president of the Merchants National Bank of Leominster in 1931. Mr. Wilson is a member of the Massachusetts National Bank Asso- ciation and of the American Bankers' Association. He is president and a director of Ye Dorset Inn, at Dorset, Vermont, is a member of the Leo- minster Club and the Monoosock Country Club and is affiliated fraternally with the Free and Accepted Masons and the Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks.
On December 6, 1916, William Walker Wilson married, at Somerville, Massachusetts, Alda L. Morrissey, daughter of David G. and Lucretia Morrissey, the latter of whom died in 1921. Her father is now living at Arlington, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson became the parents of the following children: I. Clifford W., born June 21, 1918, now attending high school. 2. J. Roger, born March 6, 1922. 3. Janet A., born March 9, 1931.
RALPH WHEELER FOSTER-From the time of its organization in 1911, Ralph Wheeler Foster has been associated with the Merchants National Bank of Leominster. He is now cashier and trust officer of the bank.
Mr. Foster was born at Chicopee, September 25, J882, a son of Charles C. and Dora (Wheeler) Foster. both of Leominster and both now deceased. The mother died in November, 1931. The father, who died on September 9, 1918, was a merchant at Leominster for several years. Subsequently he established the Leominster Shirt Company in this city and still later became a manufacturer of combs. In 1875 he and his brother, George W. Foster, built the Foster Block in Leominster. Sev- eral years before his death he retired from active business.
Ralph Wheeler Foster was educated in Leo- minster public schools and after graduation from high school attended Fitchburg Business College. He obtained his first position with the Simonds Saw and Steel Company of Fitchburg, remaining with that company for about two and a half years as bookkeeper. Thereafter, for a year and a half, he was paymaster for Cluett, Peabody and Com- pany, and at the end of that time became con- nected with the City Trust Company of Boston,
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with which he remained until the merger of this institution with the Old Colony Trust Company. Continuing with the combined institutions, he was elected teller of the newly organized Merchants National Bank of Leominster in 1911 and resigned to accept that position. Mr. Foster has since been associated with the Merchants National Bank. He was promoted successively to the position of assist- ant cashier and later cashier and trust officer, dis- charging the duties of these offices with continued success. Mr. Foster is a valued member of the organization and has a thorough knowledge of every detail connected with the bank's operations. He is well known in Leominster life and apart from his business connection is active in the Ma- sonic Order, being a member of Wilder Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and of the Chapter, Royal Arch Masons.
On September 14, 1910, Ralph Wheeler Foster married (first) Adeline S. Brett of Otisfield, Maine, who died on August 9, 1913. They became the parents of one son: I. Morton Brett, born October 2, 1912, educated at Dartmouth College. On July 6, 1925, Mr. Foster married (second) Rena L. Buck, of Harrison, Maine. They have three children: 2. John Arnold, born May 12, 1926. 3. Alice Wheeler, born June 26, 1927. 4. Eleanor Ruth, born July 30, 1929.
WILLARD HEDLUND-A native of Swe- den, with an excellent family background of char- acter and mental equipment, for which the people of that county are so favorably known, Willard Hedlund has become one of the factors in the city government of Worcester, where he is superin- tendent of public buildings. He was born in Hag- fors, Sweden, November 8, 1887, and was five years old when brought by his parents, Sven G. and Maria (Jonson) Hedlund, to America. They set- tled in Worcester in 1893. There are two other sons, Albin, who served as a first lieutenant in the heavy artillery, 76th Division, in the World War overseas, and Mauritz, who served in the World War as a first lieutenant attached to Gen- eral Headquarters in France.
Willard Hedlund was graduated from the Bel- mont Street School, Worcester, and entered the English High School, where he took a college preparatory course and was graduated in 1905. His advanced course was taken at Worcester Poly- technic Institute, from which he received his de- gree of Civil Engineer at graduation in the class of 1910. The following three years he was re- tained on the staff of the institute as an instructor in civil engineering. He resigned to enter the employ of the Edward F. Miner Building Com- pany as assistant construction manager, later being made manager of the company. During his nine- teen years' connection with this concern he aided in the erection of the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation Building, Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church, All Saints Episcopal Church Parish House, the gymnasium of Worcester Academy, and the Masonic Temple, all located in Worcester, and as construction manager carried through many major operations throughout New England, New York and New Jersey, largely buildings at various colleges. He served as associate dean of the Northeastern University Engineering School at the Young Men's Christian Association and for fifteen years was instructor in mathematics at this
institution. It was on January 3, 1933, that he was appointed superintendent of public buildings of the city of Worcester, and many favorable comments were heard concerning the availability of a man of Mr. Hedlund's experience for the office.
He is a member of the Worcester Engineering Society, the Worcester section of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Worcester Society of Civil Engineers, Theta Chi Fraternity of Worces- ter Polytechnic Institute, and the Worcester Eco- nomic Club.
Mr. Hedlund married, June 25, 1912, Hulda A. Anderson, of Worcester, and they have a daugh- ter, Betty Ann, born September 16, 1914. Mr. Hedlund has his office as superintendent in the Worcester City Hall.
PAUL DUDLEY MANNING-A leader in business, social and civic life in East Douglas, Paul Dudley Manning, of this place, holds a posi- tion of outstanding character in his community and in the consideration of his fellow-citizens. Ready to advocate new programs for civic advancement when he considers them worth while, he combines conservatism with sound progressivism, and so holds the respect and admiration of all who have occasion to observe his work.
Mr. Manning, who has for several years been active in the business world and is now engaged in insurance enterprises, was born in Walpole, Massachusetts, on September 14, 1883, son of James and Louisa (Dudley) Manning. His father, born in England, built and ran a hotel in Wal- pole. When he first came to the United States from his native land, he stopped at Douglas, there marrying Louisa Dudley, a native of Massachu- setts. He went to California in 1849 in search of the much-heralded riches in gold, going around Cape Horn and returning overland. It was after his return from the West that he was married. He died in Walpole in 1885 and his wife died in 1912.
Paul Dudley Manning, whose name heads this review, now owns the hotel which his maternal grandfather, Paul Dudley, built and of which he was for many years the proprietor. Mr. Dudley was one of Douglas' pioneers; and the hostelry referred to above was called the Dudley Hotel. The Dudleys were all prominent business men.
In the public schools, Paul Dudley Manning re- ceived his early formal education, also attend- ing Dean Academy, from which he was graduated in 1902. He then became engaged in the coal, wood and lumber business in East Douglas, so continuing until 1917. In that year he took over the general store and post office that he ran for eight years thereafter, until the later months of 1924. He then purchased the John C. Hammond Insurance Agency from Frank H. Bird and has since then remained in the real estate and insurance business.
At the same time, he has effectively served East Douglas in public office, having been elected a selectman in 1927, to serve the unexpired term of William L. Church; and in 1929 and again in 1932 he was reëlected to this post. For nine years he served as overseer of the poor and for one year as road commissioner; for three of these same years, he was active on the school committee, of which he was chairman for one year. Since 1917
Jeou Ce Forz
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he has been a member of the Republican Town Committee.
Also active in the social affairs of East Doug- las, he has participated extensively in fraternal and business organizations and their work. He is affil- iated with the Free and Accepted Masons, in which he is a member of the Mumford River Lodge. In each of his activities he has in one way or another proven himself a useful public servant; and his labors have served to promote the well-being of the East Douglas community.
Mr. Manning married, August 31, 1910, Edna A. Wright, of New Hampshire. By this marriage there has been one child, Paul Dudley Manning, Jr., born April 7, 1916, who is at the time of writing a student at Mitchell School, Billerica, Massachusetts.
LEON AXTELLE STORZ, D. M. D .- In the field of medical dentistry, Dr. Leon Axtelle Storz has become one of the leading figures of Worcester as a practitioner, as an inventor of special devices and materials for the use of his col- leagues everywhere, and by reason of his wartime service and personality. He comes from old Amer- ican families, and the spirit of the pioneer is evi- dent in his career, for he has led where other men have followed. Of pronounced intellectual activ- ities, he has attained to the highest of professional standards and devoted himself to the ideals of practice. The same qualities of character and experience that have brought him success, he gives freely to movements that make for the progress and betterment of his community. Of notable ancestry he has added new lustre to the traditions of his forebears.
Dr. Storz was born at Waterbury, Connecticut, on August 17, 1888, son of A. J. and Lena R. (Lott) Storz. On the maternal side he is a direct descendant of Isaac Allerton, "Mayflower" passen- ger, born in 1583-85, first Lieutenant-Governor of Plymouth Colony, who founded Marblehead, Mas- sachusetts. In 1636 he removed to New Amster- dam, where he was one of the eight men who governed that place with Governor Stuyvesant in 1643. Dr. Storz is related to many of the Colonial families of Massachusetts and New York. His great-grandmother, Mary Elizabeth Lott, was the daughter of John W. and Hannah (Hawkes) Thayer and in the direct line of descent from Fernando and Huldah (Hayward) Thayer. Fer- nando Thayer was one of the founders of Men- don and the son of Thomas and Margery (Wheeler) Thayer, of Braintree. Thomas Thayer was born in Thornbury, England, in 1596 and settled in Braintree, Massachusetts, prior to 1639. Abijah Hawkes, father of Hannah (Hawkes) Thayer, was a "minute man" of the Revolution in the company of Captain Benjamin Houghton of Lancaster and fought in the battle of Lexington.
Leon Axtelle Storz, after attending Driggs School and the Crosby High School, matriculated at the Dental College of Harvard University, from which he was graduated with the class of 19II, holding the degree of Doctor of Medical Dentistry. Upon the technical foundation thus laid, Dr. Storz has builded continually, not only by private research and study, but by means of post-graduate work in various institutions. He began the practice of his profession at Worcester in 1912, but within a few years came the participation of America in the World War and Dr. Storz's prompt offering of
his services to the government. As a member of the United States Army he was assigned to the Dental Corps and served as chief of the dental service at Debarkation Hospital, No. 2, in New York City, and later was transferred to Embarka- tion Hospital, No. 2, New York. He then helped organize and was one of the chiefs of the maxillo- facial service, at General Hospital, No. 2, Fort McHenry, Maryland, and went ahead at rapid pace with his dental inventions, so aiding in the profes- sional work being done in the service. He attained to the rank of major, retaining his commission for several years in the Reserve Corps of the army. Upon his honorable discharge from the army, he received the following letter :
U. S. A. GENERAL HOSPITAL, No. 2, FORT MCHENRY, MARYLAND. October 23, 1919.
MY DEAR CAPTAIN STORZ :
Upon your departure from the Hospital I wish you to know that I have strongly appreciated the splendid service you have given the Government.
There are very few men in the world who could have duplicated the expert services you have ren- dered, and there is no one who could have served so faithfully.
You carry with you the good wishes and sincere regards of everyone. Very truly, HENRY PAGE, Col., M. C., U. S. A., Fort McHenry, Maryland.
At the conclusion of hostilities he returned to Worcester, where he has since conducted a gen- eral practice of medical dentistry.
At all times, Dr. Storz has stood for the finest traditions and standards in his profession, and has been one of its leaders. He has given lectures and conducted courses at different State and National dental society meetings. For five years imme- diately following his graduation, he remained on the staff of instructors at Harvard Dental School. He is the inventor of numerous accepted devices, mainly having to do with inlay work. He devised an inlay casting machine which has been accepted by the United States Bureau of Standards. Also, in collaboration with Willie Ogg, golf professional at the Worcester Country Club, he has perfected a type of golf club which has met with wide approval by professionals and improves greatly the game of the average player.
Dr. Storz is a member of the Worcester Dis- trict Dental Society, the Massachusetts State Den- tal Society, and the American Dental Association. He is also the author of a number of articles and monographs for the journals of these societies. He is a great lover of music, having inherited this from several of his ancestors in the paternal line. In social and civic life, he has been active. Fraternally he affiliates with the Free and Accepted Masons, Quin- sigamond Lodge, and with all Scottish Rite bodies. He is a member of the American Legion; Har- vard Club; American Academy of Dental Science ; Worcester Club; Worcester Country Club; Bo- hemian Club; Rotary Club; Unitarian Laymen's League; Delta Sigma Delta Fraternity; Massa- chusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants, and the National Society of Puritan Descendants. He attends the Unitarian Church, in Worcester. In his political views, Dr. Storz is a staunch Repub- lican. His many affiliations have given him broad associations with business and professional life, and his friends and acquaintances have accorded him constant respect, confidence and admiration.
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LUTHER RUGG, of Sterling, was born Feb- ruary I, 1890, son of L. Warren and Nellie T. (Palmer) Rugg. He is a member of the Unitarian Church, American Legion, Sterling Grange, and Clinton Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He now cultivates a farm which came into the possession of the Osgood family in 1792. Mary S. Osgood, Luther Rugg's grandmother, married Luther Rugg, 3d. Mr. Rugg makes dairy- ing the principal activity of his agriculture. He is a member of the Sterling finance board.
LESLIE J. DAVIS-As building superin- tendent in the employ of Wiley and Foss, well known contracting firm of Fitchburg, Leslie J. Davis had entire charge of the erection of the Worcester County Tuberculosis Hospital and Sani- tarium, located on the edge of Worcester, near West Boylston, which was opened February I, 1933.
Leslie J. Davis was born in Canada, October 4, 1888, and received his early education in the public schools of that country. He left school early and learned the carpenter's trade, but he had no inten- tion of being satisfied with the limited education he had thus far received and later entered the civil engineering department of Cornell University, from which he was graduated with high honors. Equipped, now, with both practical experience and the scientific theories of his chosen line of work, he was prepared to engage in any kind of con- struction work, and immediately after completing his college course he went to New York City, where he entered the employ of Henry R. Kent, a large contractor, with whom he remained for eleven years. During this period he greatly enlarged his practical experience, taking charge of the con- struction of all classes of buildings, from garages to immense structures thirty-eight stories high, requiring the services of large forces of men. Among the many important building enterprises which he supervised was a large paper mill in Fitchburg. While he was engaged in this work, his ability attracted the attention of the well- known firm of Wiley and Foss, of Fitchburg, one of the largest contracting companies in the New England states, and he was induced to associate himself with that concern. Since that time he has been continuously engaged in supervising important construction contracts for that firm.
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