USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III > Part 75
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Mr. Burdett was also a director of the Whitney- Reed Corporation, manufacturers of chairs, of which his father was so long treasurer. He has been active in other phases of the life of this city, serving during the past twelve years as a member of the school committee. He was first elected to this body in 1920 and has completed four terms of three years each. Mr. Burdett is a member of the American Chemical Society, the Leominster Club, the Leominster Sportsmen's Club, and is affiliated with the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and the Free and Accepted Masons. In the latter order he is a member of Wilder Lodge and of Leominster Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. He has been active in the local Rotary Club, of which he is one of the founders and also a past president.
On September 6, 1913, at Leominster, Harold William Burdett married Rena Harwood Chase, daughter of William H. and Annie (Harwood) Chase, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Burdett have three children: 1. Anne, born May 30, 1914. 2. Harwood Chase, born May 7, 1916. 3. Jonathan Chase, born February 3, 1924.
PYROTEX LEATHER COMPANY-From a small beginning in an old unused building, to a position of leadership in its field, now occupying a large modern plant, the history of the Pyrotex Leather Company, of Leominster, is that of a steadily ascending line of success in the manufac- ture of water-proofed fabrics and artificial leather, due both to the superiority of its products and to the courage, vision, and ability of its founders and present executives.
In the early part of the year 1919, Harold Wil- liam Burdett, Winthrop M. Mayo, Ralph A. Rob- ertson and Thomas J. Fay, met to discuss the organization of the Pyrotex Leather Company. The
organization was completed and on September 20, 1919, the company was incorporated under the laws of Massachusetts for the purpose of manufacturing and selling artificial leather, coated fabrics and papers and similar products. The officers elected were: Winthrop M. Mayo, president; Ralph A. Robertson, secretary; Harold W. Burdett, treas- urer; and Thomas J. Fay, who had had previous experience in this work, superintendent. The indus- try was a new one to Leominster, although closely allied to the celluloid business, in that the base material is pyroxylin and the solvents used are the common solvents of the celluloid and lacquer indus- try. Due to atmospheric conditions particularly favorable for coating, a location in the valley along Whitney Street was selected for the plant, and a building formerly occupied by the Bishop and Hoag Furniture Company many years ago was occupied. Machinery having been installed, the Pyrotex Leather Company began the manufacture of lacquer-coated textiles and paper, and similar products, for furniture, upholstery and decking for automobile tops.
Close chemical control being an essential in this industry, a laboratory was established and research chemists employed to develop new products allied with coated fabrics. During the first few years the greater part of the output of the plant was used to produce automobile decking, but a line of shoe construction fabrics was introduced which proved to be more profitable, and since 1924 the factory has been utilized more in the manufacture of these products.
The steady growth of the business induced the company in 1928 to erect a solvent recovery plant, in which the solvents used in the coating plant are reclaimed and reused. In 1929 a new building was constructed for coating gold, silver and fancy papers, and it is now an active unit of the factory. Other new departments have been added, and the products include coated braids, tapes, cord, fish lines, tracing paper, airplane tapes, and many mate- rials for shoe inner soles, quarter-linings, heel pads, box toes and shoe stiffeners. The greater part of the factory production is absorbed by the shoe industry, which generally acknowledges Pyro- tex products to be the best.
The present officers are the same able men who established this prosperous company: Mr. Mayo, president; Mr. Robertson, vice-president and sales manager; Mr. Burdett, treasurer and technical director; and, the only exception, Gustavus Erd- man, superintendent.
Solidly organized, efficiently managed, its prod- ucts second to none, the Pyrotex Leather Com- pany is rated one of the most prominent industries by the trade it serves and a constructive factor in the commercial and industrial life of Leominster.
ISRAEL J. ZELLEN-Born October, 31, 1895. Israel J. Zellen received his education in the public schools of Worcester. On leaving school he entered the employ of the Warren Leather Goods Company in this city, and was connected with this concern for about six years. Desiring to assist the government after it had become a party-nation in the World War, he enlisted for service in 1917. Assigned to the 12th Division of Infantry, he was stationed at Camp Devens, Ayer, Massachusetts, whence he was transferred to Camp Upton, Long Island, New York. After his honorable discharge,
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he returned to the Warren Leather Goods Com- pany and remained in this association for an addi- tional six months. Specifically he was a fitter and highly valued workman of the "independent" type; that is, he performed contract work; and his income was unusually large.
In 1920, when Mr. Zellen launched out in busi- ness for himself, he was recognized as the young- est leather and findings jobber in New England. Grasping the fact that the business required a change for its improvement, he adopted the plan of interviewing customers direct, giving them the proper service, and thus eliminating their time in seeking merchandise, as was the old method. This plan has worked out to the mutual advantage of Mr. Zellen's house and his clients, and his busi- ness now is the largest in New England. He opened a store under the name of Worcester Leather and Shoe Findings Company, at Nos. 32- 34 Church Street, Worcester, where he carries complete stocks in leather and findings. In Bos- ton, as well as in Worcester and all over New England, he is well known in leather goods circles, especially for his progressiveness in promoting and circulating a demand for new articles.
Mr. Zellen has a good reputation in civic affairs, as in business endeavor. He is known as one of the charitable businessmen of Worcester and gives liberally to many worthy objects. Meeting the responsibilities of a good citizen, he is a member of the Worcester Chamber of Commerce. He is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the B'nai B'rith, the Jewish Home, Temple Emmanuel, Mount Pleasant Country Club, and the Provis Club. He is fond of fishing, golf, avia- tion and travel.
Mr. Zellen married, July 1, 1920, Ethel R. Davidson, of Worcester, and they have one child, Everett B., born May 10, 1921. The family home is at No. 10 Edgewood Street, Worcester.
LOUIS ARMSTRONG WEBSTER-As a graduate of Massachusetts State College, at Am- herst, where he specialized in agriculture, and as a representative in the Massachusetts Legislature, Louis A. Webster has given ample proof of his versatility as a professional farmer and a tried leg- islator. Mr. Webster owns and operates a two hun- dred-acre farm in Blackstone, Worcester County, this being his native town.
Louis Armstrong Webster was born in Black- stone, September 26, 1894, and received his pre- liminary education in the schools of his home town. At the end of his junior year in high school, he determined to enter college, and, without waiting to graduate, took the entrance examination for the Massachusetts Agricultural College, passed handily and entered college when he was only fifteen years old. Only two national fraternities had chapters on the college campus when he matriculated in September, 1910. Having obtained a room in one of the rooming houses in the town, he soon became a leader of the group that lived there. On May 18, 1912, he and six of his friends founded Gamma Chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha, and he was made the first High Alpha.
With the approach of the time of publication of the college year-book, Mr. Webster designed the first Lambda Chi Alpha coat-of-arms, a design that remained official for several years, until it was supplanted by the one now in use. He was
one of the four incorporators when Gamma bought its present home in 1913, and it was largely through his efforts that members were enabled to keep up their payments and leave a comfortable home for their successors. While active in the new chapter and earning a large portion of his college expenses, he distinguished himself to such an extent in scholar- ship that he was elected to Phi Kappa Phi in his senior year. He graduated in the class of June, 1914, receiving his Bachelor of Science degree. For the several years immediately following his grad- uation, he kept in close touch with Gamma Chap- ter and frequently gave it invaluable assistance.
Scientific agriculture has made successful Mr. Webster's operation of his large farm in Black- stone. Of the two hundred-acre tract, he has about forty acres under cultivation. When it is an "apple year" he harvests about 5,000 bushels. In a good year he gathers and markets or stores about 8,000 bushels of vegetables.
Mr. Webster enrolled in the Republican party when he attained his majority. He is a member of the Republican Club of Massachusetts and the Worcester County Republican Club. In 1928 his party in the Seventh Worcester (Representative) District nominated and elected him a member of the House on Beacon Hill. After serving his term of two years, he was reelected in 1930. He has served on the House committees of highways and motor vehicles, agriculture, and civil service. He has been instrumental in having passed a num- ber of bills beneficial to the members of the Fruit Growers' Association. It was he who filed the bill calling for the change in name from Massachusetts Agricultural College to the abbreviated and less cumbersome form of Massachusetts State College, and this has since been enacted into law.
He is affiliated with Blackstone River Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is a Past Master; and with his Grange in the Patrons of Husbandry, of which he is Past Master also. He is a deacon in the church to which he belongs. His clubs are the Nipmuck Rod and Gun Club and the City Club, the latter being of Boston.
Mr. Webster married, September 2, 1925, Georgia Wathen, of Springfield. They have two children: Joyce M. and William A. The family have many friends in Blackstone, where they have their home.
JAMES C. AUSTIN, M. D .- Spencer and the adjoining towns have been singularly fortunate in the type of professional men who have made these their headquarters and homes. In the coterie thus created, James C. Austin, M. D., holds an important place not only as an important phy- sician, but because of his constructive interest in civic affairs and educational and cultural progress.
He is a native of Brattleboro, Vermont, born June 17, 1875, the son of Martin and Elizabeth (Brosnahan) Austin, who were brought by their parents to this country more than a century ago from Ireland. At that long ago period, Irish set- tlers in Vermont were few, but the original James Austin, by his abilities, particularly in agriculture, and fine personal qualities, readily made himself a popular citizen of the community. Martin Austin, his son and the father of Dr. Austin, also cul- tivated the land, as did the maternal grandparents, Cornelius and Catherine (Prendible) Brosnahan. Dr. Austin had several brothers and sisters, Cath- erine, Martin, Jr., John and Mary, all of whom are
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married and gone their separate ways. The doctor received his elementary education in the district school and was graduated from the Brattleboro High School. He then matriculated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, Maryland, from which he was graduated in 1896 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. After serving long interneships in the Maryland Maternity and the Baltimore City hospitals, he went to Spencer, Worcester County, in 1898, where he has since been located.
The record of more than a third of a century spent in one town is no monotonous one. Dr. Austin had to overcome the barriers that stand in the way of every young professional man making his start. How well he succeeded is evidenced by the respect in which he is held, his standing among his colleagues all over the county, and the large clientele which is his. He is a member of the American, Massachusetts State and Worcester County Medical associations, the Brookfield Med- ical Society and the Massachusetts Medico-Legal Society. He has been an associate medical ex- aminer for the district for two decades and has been a member of the Massachusetts Association of Boards of Health for many years. During the World War period he acted as a member of Divi- sion No. II, of the Selective Service Department. For twenty years Dr. Austin has been the chair- man of the Spencer Board of Health and for a similar period has served as the school physician of the town. The scope of his non-professional interests is broad, including the cause of educa- tion, cultural movements, humanitarian projects. and others to a lesser extent. A Democrat of long standing, the doctor uses his influence politi- cally without aspiring to public office. He is chairman of the board of trustees of the Richard Sugden Library and affiliates with the Calvert Club and the Knights of Columbus.
On November 6, 1906, Dr. James C. Austin mar- ried in St. Paul's Catholic Church, Worcester, Agnes G. Duggan, daughter of Timothy and Mary (Hanlon) Duggan. Mrs. Austin's father came from Ireland, while her mother is a native of Lon- don, England; the family have lived in Worcester for many years. Dr. and Mrs. Austin are the parents of three daughters, all of whom are grad- uates of the Spencer grammar and high schools: I. Gertrude E., graduate of Trinity College, Wash- ington, District of Columbia, who is a teacher. 2. Catherine, also a graduate of Trinity College and a bacteriologist. 3. Jane, a student.
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JOSEPH W. LAVIGNE, an industrial execu- tive and native of the city of Worcester, is the son of Narcisse J. and Armiline (Delorme) Lavigne. His father, a native of the Province of Quebec and connected nearly all his life with the shoe industry, died in 1921; Mrs. Lavigne was born at East Douglas, Massachusetts, and died in 1929.
Joseph W. Lavigne, after receiving his educa- tion in the public schools, set out to make a liveli- hood for himself and for a time was connected with a printing plant and also engaged in news- paper work. While thus occupied he conceived the idea of manufacturing and placing upon the market a medicinal product to which the name "Pepsenic Seltzer" was given. Having secured financial backing for his idea, he organized in 1919, the Pepsenic Seltzer Company, of Worcester. A
plant, small in the beginning, was located at No. 418 Main Street, but the rapid expansion of the business soon made this too limited. The business was moved to No. 98 Front Street, but this again proving too small, the business was removed to the Hessler Building at No. 212 Summer Street, which was purchased by the company. The business has grown to such an extent that the whole building is now used by the Pepsenic Seltzer Company for its products, which have been increased to include a number of preparations sold to the drug trade. Arthur Bushnell was the first president, and Joseph W. Lavigne was the only other officer. At the present writing the officials of the company are: Leopold Maynard, president; Joseph W. Lavigne, treasurer and general manager. The company's products are shipped all over the world, and the success of the concern must be largely credited to the abilities, skill, and unflagging efforts of Mr. Lavigne. He has taken his place among the citi- zens of Worcester as one ever ready to promote any enterprise which makes for the prosperity of the city and the welfare of its people. During the World War he was foremost in the various loans and humanitarian organization "drives" which char- acterized those strenuous days. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; his clubs are the Rotary and Wachusett Country clubs, and he is a member of various other societies and organizations.
Mr. Lavigne married (first) Anna McCarthy, now deceased, and they were the parents of three children : Richard J., Frances Elizabeth, and Anna Catherine. He married (second) Helen Murphy. Mr. and Mrs. Lavigne make their home at No. 461 Chandler Street, Worcester.
HERBERT H. DUDLEY-The substantial residents and business men of the community of Whitinsville feel that they are capably represented in Herbert H. Dudley, president of the Whitins- ville Savings Bank and a well-known merchant. He has risen to his present position and standing in the town from a clerkship in his father's store. For nearly four decades he has held the office of town treasurer and has filled other offices in the municipal government.
The family of Dudley has been identified with the business life of Whitinsville for at least two generations. Paul W. Dudley, father of the banker, was engaged in merchandising there until his death, which occurred in 1872.
Herbert H. Dudley, son of Paul W. Dudley, was born in Whitinsville, March 9, 1855, and re- ceived his education in the local public schools and at the Mowry and Goff School in Providence, Rhode Island. As a young man he entered the service of his father as a clerk in the latter's store. On the death of the elder Dudley, the son, Herbert H., became an associate of his cousin, C. V. Dudley, in business and remained with him for about twelve years. In 1894 he opened his own store and has since done business profitably in his own name, having a general mercantile establish- ment.
In 1895 Mr. Dudley was elected town treasurer and has held the office without interruption to the present writing, a period of almost forty years. His financial ability was long ago still further rec- ognized, when he was chosen president of the Whitinsville Savings Bank and a director of the
Jan@ mahonly
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First National Bank. He served on the board of selectmen for a brief period and was a mem- ber of the school committee thirteen years. His interest in the cause of education was helpful in advancing the standing of the local system. He is affiliated with the "Blue" Lodge, Free and Ac- cepted Masons; Royal Arch Masons, Knights Tem- plar, and Whitinsville Golf Club.
MAYOR JOHN C. MAHONEY-The mayor of Worcester, Hon. John C. Mahoney, is one of the citizens of this country who came to America seeking larger opportunity and who, by sheer per- severance, have risen to positions of honor and usefulness.
Mayor John C. Mahoney was born in Boherbue, County Cork, Ireland, March 22, 1879, son of Cornelius and Mary (Foley) Mahoney. He re- ceived his early education in the public schools of his native district, but even as a boy he deter- mined to leave his native land and seek for him- self better things than could be found in the dis- tressed Ireland of that time. He was only seven- teen years of age when he acted upon his resolve. Sailing for America, he landed in Boston, and came at once to Worcester, where there were friends of the family, and, with characteristic directness and decisiveness, he "declared his inten- tion" of becoming a citizen of the United States. He was strong and willing to work at any honest job by which he could earn a living, so he soon found employment, working with a pick and shovel in one of the local cemeteries. For steady labor, ten hours a day, six days a week, he received nine dollars each weekly pay day, but he determined to live on that until he could find something better. He continued work in the cemetery until he secured a job as a coal shoveler in the Boston and Maine Railroad Company's round house, and this he fol- lowed until he entered city employ as a laborer in the Worcester Water Department. He then passed a civil service examination and was appointed clerk in the department, resigning in 1913 from that position on account of his studies in Boston. Dur- ing all this time he was working toward a goal which he had set for himself and laying foundations for his dream castle-the dream which he deter- mined to make come true. His ambition was to become an attorney, and with that end in view he steadily made use not only of all of his spare time, but all the time he could get for study. Soon after coming to this country he enrolled in the eve- ning grammar school near his home on Shrews- bury Street, where he resided with friends. Later he entered the evening high school. Thus it was that when, as a laborer in the employ of the Worcester Water Department, he took the examina- tions for advancement to the position of timekeeper he passed with the highest rating among a large group of candidates. After graduation from the evening high school, having in mind his possible needs as a law student and later as an attorney, he continued in the evening high school for another year, taking a post-graduate course which included Latin, Spanish, and French. Then, desiring to become thoroughly familiar with business funda- mentals, he took a year's evening course in one of the business colleges. Still keeping his position in the water department, he enrolled in the evening classes of the Law School conducted by the Young Men's Christian Association of Boston, now part
of Northeastern College. Each day, when his work in the water department was finished at five o'clock in the afternoon, he left Worcester by train for Boston and here studied hard until he returned at midnight. Sometime between midnight and morning, and on Saturday evenings and Sun- days, he took all the time he could spare for the necessary study and at the end of four years he completed his course and received the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Not yet satisfied with his equipment for his chosen work, he enrolled at the Harvard University Summer School for a ten weeks' course in English, Latin, and public speak- ing, and in the fall of 1912 and the spring of 1913 he pursued a post-graduate law course at Boston University Law School. He was admitted to the bar in 1914. At last he had achieved his goal. He was a duly accredited member of the legal profession.
Meantime, however, he had entered public life and in IgII had been elected, on the Democratic ticket, State Representative for Ward Three, Worcester. In the General Assembly, from 19II to 1914, he had been a member of many important committees and had been especially interested in the workmen's compensation measures. He had also served on the special recess committee which, after a detailed study of municipal finance, framed the Municipal Indebtedness Act. In 1914 Mayor Mah- oney declined renomination as a candidate for the Legislature, but accepted nomination for and was elected a member of the board of aldermen for Ward Three of the city of Worcester. During this time and also during his term as alderman his law practice continued to grow, and for this reason he declined a second term as alderman. Always interested in the advancement of the public welfare, however, he still gave time to various public enter- prises. In 1922 he was elected for a term of six years a director of the Free Public Library of Worcester. He gave splendid service and was elected president of that body in 1927. All proj- ects for the advancement of the interests of Worcester found in him a strong and generous supporter. Elected November 8, 1931, he was sworn in as mayor of the city of Worcester, on January 4, 1932, and that responsible position he has filled with honor to himself and benefit to the municipal- ity. Known for his integrity and for his per- sistence in carrying through well considered proj- ects, he has the hearty support of the people of Worcester, regardless of party affiliations. Mayor Mahoney is a member of numerous fraternal and other organizations and of several country clubs.
Hon. John C. Mahoney married, November 25, 1914, at Worcester, Mary G. O'Connor, daughter of John and Margaret O'Connor, of Worcester.
NAPOLEON AMEDEE RACICOT-Since his admission to the bar of Massachusetts Napoleon A. Racicot has been in practice in Webster and has become well known to his legal brethren and members of the bench in Worcester County. He is prominent politically in his district and in fra- ternal relations.
Mr. Racicot's father, Alexander N. Racicot, was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, and when a young man lived in Central Falls, Rhode Island. His education was completed at St. Césaire Com- mercial College, Quebec, where he was graduated. Since 1895 he has been engaged in the furniture
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business in Webster. In 1912 he served the town as a member of the board of selectmen. He mar- ried Anna Lamothe, who was born in Thompson, Connecticut.
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