USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III > Part 81
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The Webster factory, at the beginning, was man- aged by J. B. Burnham, formerly of Humphrey and Burnham, but in a few months he was suc- ceeded by Edgar A. Bates, son of the founder. In January, 1906, the firm was incorporated as the
A. J. Bates Company. In addition to his son, Edgar A. Bates, Mr. Bates, the founder, had associated with him in this venture F. I. Sears. Mr. Sears, the president, has witnessed the entire development of the company from its incorporation, and it may be said that its success has been due in large part to his executive ability and broad experience as a shoe manufacturer. His early experience was with the Commonwealth Shoe and Leather Company, and he has always been looked upon as one of the best leather buyers in the industry. Edgar A. Bates, son of the founder, has devoted his main attention to managing the wholesale distributing house of A. J. Bates and Company in New York City, but he has also remained an active director of the Webster Company.
The present vice-president of the Bates Shoe Company, Edgar Asa Craver, is a grandson of the founder. He was born at Binghampton, New York, on February 6, 1894, a son of Charles Craver, who has been engaged in the wholesale seed business in that city for many years, and of Sarah (Bates) Craver, oldest daughter of A. J. Bates. Mr. Craver was graduated from Dart- mouth College in 1916. In 1917, after the entry of the United States into the World War, he enlisted in the Air Service and was stationed at Kelly Field, in Texas, receiving his commission as first lieutenant. Following his discharge from the army, he became associated with the Bates Shoe Company as secretary. In 1929 he was elected vice-president of the company and now serves as vice-president and secretary.
DR. JOHN JOSEPH CURLEY-During the past ten years, Dr. John Joseph Curley has been engaged in the general practice of medicine and surgery at Leominster. Coming to this city after the completion of a very thorough course of train- ing he quickly won a place in the life of the com- munity and has continued his professional activ- ities with conspicuous success.
Dr. Curley was born at Marlboro, Massachu- setts, on July 23, 1899, a son of Michael and Anne T. (Clancy) Curley. His mother was also born in Marlboro and is still living in that city. His father, who died in 1914, was a native of Ireland. He came to the United States in 1880, settling at Marlboro, and for many years was employed in local shoe factories, where he was foreman of the cutting department. Mr. Curley was active in Marlboro life. He was alderman of the city for six years, served as assessor of the city for about ten years, and in 1900 was a candidate for mayor, being defeated in a close race.
Dr. John Joseph Curley received his education in the public schools of his birthplace and follow- ing his graduation from high school entered Tufts College. Subsequently he studied at Tufts Med- ical School, where he took the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1922 upon the completion of the required course. For two years thereafter he was an interne attached to the staff of Worcester City Hospital. Finally, in 1924, he came to Leominster and began the active practice which he has since continued with offices at No. 82 Main Street. With the passing years the demands on his services have steadily increased and his professional standing is of the best. Dr. Curley is a member of the staff of Leominster Hospital. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the Massachusetts
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Medical Society and the Worcester County North Medical Society.
During the period of the World War, Dr. Cur- ley enlisted in the Regular Army and was sta- tioned at Boston until his honorable discharge on December 7, 1918. He is now physician for the Veterans' Bureau at Leominster and is a member of the local post of the American Legion. While he has always given his best attention to his pro- fessional duties, he has been active in other phases of Leominster life, being affiliated with the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, the Catholic Order of Foresters and the Knights of Columbus, fourth degree. In religious faith he is a Catholic.
On April II, 1923, Dr. John Joseph Curley mar- ried Agnes B. King of Worcester, daughter of Thomas K. and Mary (Comerford) King. They are the parents of the following children: I. John Joseph, born January I, 1925. 2. Barbara N., born June 4, 1926. 3. David, born May 14, 1931.
ROBERT L. MOORE-Through his work, connections and influence as a leading executive in the Young Men's Christian Association, Robert L. Moore, general secretary of the Central branch at Worcester, has become a national figure in the movement. Mr. Moore was born in Boston, June 28, 1884, the son of John F. and Ellen (Close) Moore, his parents natives of England, the father connected with the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company until his death in 1926, the mother having died in 1916.
On passing through the public schools, Mr. Moore identified himself with educational and social welfare work, which has been the medium of his almost continuous service. His career began in his native city of Boston, where he was engaged as secretary of the Wells Memorial Institute for a number of years. It was in 1911 that he came to Worcester as educational secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association here, continuing in that capacity until 1915. From Worcester he went to New York City, where he was similarly occupied for one year. Then in 1917 he was made general secretary of the Worcester association. He has advanced far in the associational movement, having membership in the National Council, the State (Massachusetts) Committee, and the General Board, the latter consisting only of thirty-six members.
He is also active in his fraternal and club organ- izations, where his natural qualifications for leader- ship have won recognition. He is affiliated with Athelstan Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Worcester Chamber of Commerce, Economic Club and Rotary Club, all of Worcester. His imme- diate religious activities are expressed through the Baptist Church.
Mr. Moore married, in 1909, Edith Lord, of New Hampshire, and their children are: I. Elea- nor, born April 21, 1911, a student at Boston Uni- versity. 2. Robert L., Jr., born June 17, 1913, a student at Colgate University. Mr. Moore has his official address at the headquarters of the Young Men's Christian Association, and the family home is at No. 766 Main Street, Worcester.
WORCESTER Y. M. C. A .- With the com- ing of the industrial era, and the rapid concentra- tion of people in cities, there arose many problems confronting youth. The activities accompanying
rural life were denied him, and many forms of commercialized entertainment sprang up, and much of this was degrading.
In order to help youth meet the difficulties of city life, a group of young men organized the Young Men's Christian Association. The objec- tive of the organization was to help men and young men develop a balanced life-to grow physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually.
In 1852, when Worcester was a city of but 18,000 population, the citizens decided that there was need for a Young Men's Christian Associa- tion in the city. After careful planning, an organ- ization was effected, and the second Young Men's Christian Association to be formed in the United States was the one located in Worcester. This organization continued for a period, and then re- solved itself into the Young Men's Library Asso- ciation from which eventually sprang our Free Public Library.
In 1864 a determined effort was made to re- establish the Young Men's Christian Association which resulted in success, and from then until now this organization has served the youth of this com- munity in continuous and increasing effectiveness.
The stated purpose of the Young Men's Chris- tian Association is as follows:
The Worcester Young Men's Christian Associa- tion is a fellowship serving people of all creeds and classes. Its purpose is to develop the whole personality through a balanced program providing social, mental, physical, and religious activities.
In particular, it aims to stimulate in men and boys individual self expression and self direction, and to foster under sympathetic and competent leadership such attitudes toward life and such skill in meeting its common experiences and crises as will make for Christian citizenship.
It is consecrated to the supreme purpose of inter- preting the spirit of Christ, not only to its own membership, but to all whom it is able to reach so that they may find a happy adjustment to the various experiences of life, and by contact with their fellowmen advance a Christian society.
In 1869 the Young Men's Christian Association was incorporated. Its first permanent location was in Mechanics Hall. In September of 1864 rooms were engaged and furnished, and a corps of officers elected.
The first president of the association was Fred- erick A. Clapp, who served until June, 1865, a term of one year. From that period until the pres- ent time the association has had twenty-seven presidents serving for various terms. They are as follows: Charles Ballard, June, 1865 to June, 1866; Asa L. Burbank, June, 1866 to June, 1867; Henry M. Wheeler, June, 1867 to June, 1869; Lucius P. Goddard, June, 1869 to June, 1870; Henry H. Merriam, June, 1870 to June, 1871; Charles B. Knight, June, 1871 to June, 1872; George C. Whitney, June, 1872 to June, 1873; Charles D. Tucker, June, 1873 to June, 1874; Edward C. Whitney, June, 1874 to June, 1876; Samuel W. Cooke, June, 1876 to June, 1878; J. Orlando Bemis, June, 1878 to June, 1881; William Wood- ward, June, 1881 to June, 1883; Hon, James Logan, June, 1883 to June, 1884; George C. Whit- ney, June, 1884 to June, 1885; J. Orlando Bemis, June, 1885 to October, 1887; William A. Denholm, October, 1887 to April, 1889; Charles F. Rugg, April, 1889 to October, 1893; Henry D. Barber, October, 1893 to April, 1896; Albert H. Inman, April, 1896 to October, 1897; Alfred S. Roe, October, 1897 to April, 1904; Walter M. Spauld-
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ing, April, 1904 to April, 1907; Frank H. Robson, April, 1907 to April, 1913; Clarence W. Hobbs, April, 1913 to April, 1918; John W. Higgins, April, 1918 to April, 1920; George F. Booth, April, 1920 to April, 1923; Curtis R. Blanchard, April, 1923 to April, 1927. President Warren A. Whitney was elected in April, 1927.
From meager available records, the early activ- ities of the association were confined chiefly to a reading room, social meetings, promotion of Christian fellowship among frequenters of the rooms, and advice and counsel to those in need thereof materially or spiritually.
The rooms in Mechanics Hall were occupied until November, 1869. Then the association moved to a building at Harrington Corner, which were temporary quarters. In December, 1870 a ten- year lease was made of two rooms and an assem- bly hall in the Chapin Building on Pearl Street. These quarters were not wholly attractive for asso- ciation work, so in November, 1877, it was finally decided that a new location had become a necessary step if the work was to continue. In due course, other quarters were secured at No. 411 Main Street.
The association is essentially a laymen's organ- ization, conducted by, for, and with young men. Nevertheless, it was soon found necessary, with the wide and ramified program of the association, to employ secretaries working in partnership with lay- men in carrying on this program.
The first general secretary was M. Benson Van Vranken who served for less than a year, and resigned because of impaired health. He was suc- ceeded by the following general secretaries: Rich- ard H. Shelton, 1881 to 1887; Samuel G. McCon- aughy, 1887 to 1890; Herbert L. Gale. 1890 to 1894; Walter B. Abbott, 1895 to 1898, Halsey Hammond, 1898 to 1901; Charles C. Miles, 1901 to 1904; Fred L. Willis, 1904 to 1917. The present general secretary is Robert L. Moore, who was educational secretary of the local association for five years, and after a year's service in the New York Young Men's Christian Association was elected to the general secretaryship of the Worces- ter Young Men's Christian Association in 1917.
While the work in these Main Street quarters was successful, friends of the association were clamoring for permanent quarters. A building of its own was long contemplated, a sort of dream in the minds of those who longed for it. Years before the enterprise had taken definite shape, the association had been incorporated, and trustees ap- pointed for the holding and care of trust funds.
The act incorporating the association was signed June 4, 1868, by Governor Bullock, one of our life members. Power was given to hold property to the amount of $100,000, the incorporators being Philip L. Moen, Lucius W. Pond, and John Quincy Adams. When the edifice was really decided upon, the Legislature of 1886 increased the prop- erty-holding power to $200,000.
It should ever add to the interest in the Worces- ter association that its building fund started with the bequest of a young man, not yet of age, Albert H. Brooks, who, dying, requested that his savings bank book should be given to the association as a foundation stone for the subsequent structure. Al- bert Hopkins Brooks was an active member of the association. He was a member of the second class in Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and was stricken
with typhoid fever near the end of his junior year. He died at the age of nineteen. When eleven years old, he had begun an account at the Five Cents Saving Bank, and it was this bank book, represent- ing his boyish savings, that, at the request of the boy, his father turned over to the trustees of the association. The amount when thus transferred was $102.24.
In October, 1883, the board appointed a "New Building Committee" consisting of Albert Curtis, Charles H. Morgan, William A. Smith, William A. Denholm, Roger F. Upham, A. L. D. Buxton, J. O. Bemis, George C. Whitney, George F. Hutchings, R. H. Shelton, and Hon. James Logan, who were to "devise means for, and have charge of, the raising of all money for the erection of a building for the use of the association."
A canvass for funds was started, and friends of the association contributed the amount of $100,- 000, the estimated cost of the building. When completed and furnished, it had absorbed more than $150,000.
The corner stone of the Elm and Pearl streets property was laid August 27, 1886, with befitting ceremonies. William A. Denholm was the president of the association at this time. Dwight L. Moody gave the principal address.
In this splendid new structure-one of the finest of its kind in the country at that time-new phases of work for young men were pioneered. In addi- tion to the religious and social work of the asso- ciation, a program of physical education, health and recreation was inaugurated. The excellent gymnasium, well equipped and manned, made the Young Men's Christian Association the leader in this type.
In 1872, the use of the directors' room was granted on Thursday evenings for a "lads' prayer meeting." After the opening of the new building in 1887, a small space was set aside for the use of boys, and they were voted the privileges of the gymnasium three days a week.
In March, 1899, Herbert P. McAllister was assigned the task of assisting in the promotion of Boys' Work, which he did effectively, and the first secretary to bear the title of Boys' Work Secretary was O. E. Bourne who came to the association in May, 1901.
Another pioneer project was the establishment of a dormitory for young men away from home. The Day and Gage buildings were purchased in 1912, and the upper floors of the building were remodeled into a dormitory, accommodating sixty men.
Again the urge for better accommodations was felt, and with the sale of the Elm Street property in 1913 to the Knights of Columbus, plans for a modern building took rapid shape.
The new building committee which eventually completed the Main Street building, appointed by President Clarence W. Hobbs, was as follows: Albert H. Inman, chairman; DeWitt Clinton, John W. Higgins, Clarence W. Hobbs, Paul B. Mor- gan, and Robert L. Moore, general secretary.
Soon after the sale of this building, the Thomas H. Dodge estate at No. 766 Main Street was purchased. This property consisted of 63,014 square feet, which made possible adequate build- ing space and an out-door playground.
In June, 1915, a gymnasium building was erected on Murray Avenue. A campaign for building
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funds was planned and carried out in October, 1916, with a goal of $350,000. The sum of $367,- 187 was secured. In November, 1918, the main building was completed at a cost of $776,408. December 14, 1924 the dedication of the new build- ing was held, with Rev. Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick as the principal speaker.
In this new home of the Young Men's Christian Association, there is provided room for two hun- dred dormitories; a department of education, with some fifteen rooms, furnished with modern school equipment; two gymnasiums; a swimming pool; and, of great importance, a section of the building is provided exclusively for Boys' Work.
With the completion of this structure the Worces- ter association was housed in a building second to none in the United States. Every phase of work was increased. The dormitories were filled to capacity.
The educational work continued to grow, and again the Young Men's Christian Association pio- neered in Worcester a movement to give higher education to those who were working and did not have college training earlier in life. Two schools of college grade were organized, one in law, and one in business. This was in addition to the preparatory school, of day high school grade, and the engineering school.
A program of work for men in industry was developed. An industrial group was organized which met monthly to discuss the problems of industry.
During the Great War, the association served hundreds of men in the dormitory even before the building was completed, and upon the return of the men from service to their home town free mem- berships were given to them, and free courses in education.
With the enlarging of the building over the original plans, and also with the increased price of materials, the new building cost $400,000 more than its first estimate.
In 1923 it was decided to clear the association of this indebtedness. Under the leadership of George F. Booth, president, a preliminary sub- scription was secured to the amount of $223,000. The following year President Curtis R. Blanchard led the association into a city-wide campaign to raise the balance of the amount. The chairman of the Campaign Committee was Harry G. Stoddard, and under his able direction, a total of $428,000 was secured. This cleared the association of all of its indebtedness, and it was a great triumph for the Christian forces of the city.
Another contribution of the Young Men's Chris- tian Association to the city of Worcester was its pioneering of a program of outdoor activities.
In 1888, the Lake Department was started at Lake Quinsigamond. In 1902 a boat house was built on property adjoining a parcel of land belong- ing to Hon. James Logan, a trustee of the Young Men's Christian Association. This land he later deeded to the Young Men's Christian Association. This boat house served as a recreation center for its members during the summer. Men were taught swimming, life saving, canoeing, and boating. It was built by funds raised by members. It has since been disposed of.
In IgII, a camp for boys was established in Washington, New Hampshire. This camp site was given by Mr. and Mrs. Paul B. Morgan, and
consists of one hundred and eighty-nine acres of beautifully wooded hills and a lake frontage of practically one-half of Millen Pond.
From further benefactions by Mr. and Mrs. Morgan, a dining lodge was erected, and later a recreation building, consisting of an assembly room, library, and handicraft rooms. The capacity of camp has grown to ninety-six boys. It is con- sidered by many to be one of the finest pieces of work rendered by the association.
In June, 1927 the property given to the Young Men's Christian Association by Edward L. Davis at Lake Quinsigamond was purchased by Curtis R. Blanchard. The money was invested in a camp site at Camp Manchaug, some fifteen miles from Worcester. This land consisted of thirty-five acres of farm land and pine groves, with a shore front of approximately three-quarters of a mile.
This nearby camp is used for over-night and week-end camping parties by either boys or young men, and is a great addition to the outdoor pro- gram of the association.
Adjacent to the building is a plot of land which has been leveled and prepared for outdoor athletics. When the weather permits, this playground is used continuously by our boys.
In November, 1928 a request was made by the officials of Norton Company in Greendale that we institute a program for boys in that locality. A survey was made of the community, and a sec- retary was assigned to that work.
The following month a program of work was started in the Greendale Branch under the super- vision of a local Committee of Management and Donald M. Smith, executive secretary.
The Greendale Branch has a membership of two hundred members, and much of its activities are for non-members, both boys and girls. In its program is the organization of clubs, leagues, athletic events, and outdoor sports. Much of it is non-equipment work.
The program of the Young Men's Christian Association is far-reaching in its scope of work. It sponsors radio programs on special occasions. During Easter week religious services are given by the churches of the city and their choir; to emphasize the opportunities and privileges of the Young Men's Christian Association broadcasts are permitted.
As another community project, the Young Men's Christian Association for the past three years has carried on a free program with the unemployed. In our schools division, classes have been held in the morning and evening in such subjects as Business English, Blue Print Reading, Arithmetic, Business Correspondence, Elementary Economics, Psychology, and Civics. In the Physical Depart- ment have been classes in calisthenics. Leagues have also been formed in this department, and mass games enjoyed by the participants. Each registrant in this work with the unemployed has been given a free physical examination. All these activities have been furnished the men wholly without charge. Some seven hundred men and young men have taken advantage of this opportunity to learn and play during their leisure time.
At Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Clark Uni- versity, and at Worcester Academy are Student Christian Associations.
The work of the Worcester Young Men's Chris- tian Association may be divided into four sections
Laurence 7. DR. Martin
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-Boys' Division, Men's Division, Schools' Divi- sion and Women's Division. . In these divisions are organized self-directed clubs and groups with definite programs and purposes. In the Physical Department are classes in calisthenics and swim- ming, and the organization of leagues in baseball, basketball, volley ball, hockey, and soccer. Church basketball and bowling leagues are also scheduled.
The Worcester Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation has enlarged its program to include activ- ities for women and girls. This is our Women's Division, which comprises the members of the Woman's Auxiliary, the Mothers' Club, the Y's Menettes, the "Y" Wives, and the girls of the Sunday Fireside Club.
This Women's Division in itself is a new ven- ture. The first chairman of the division is Mrs. Paul H. Wilson.
The total number of different members in the Young Men's Christian Association shows an inter- esting trend. In 1868, there were five hundred and eleven members; in 1933, a total of 5,384 mem- bers. The total attendance at all activities was 299,282.
LAWRENCE F. ST. MARTIN-As presi- dent of the City Truck Company of Worcester, Lawrence F. St. Martin is at the head of one of the largest and most successful enterprises of its kind in the city.
Lawrence F. St. Martin was born in Westboro, March 29, 1894, only child of Felix St. Martin, a native of Canada who spent most of his life in Westboro, where he was engaged in shoemaking, and of Zanaida (Chabot) St. Martin, who was born in Northboro, Massachusetts, both now deceased. He received his education in the public schools of Westboro and then, in 1912, when he was eighteen years old, engaged in the express business, begin- ning with a small truck and one horse. At the end of six months he added another truck to his equip- ment, and as his business enlarged he continued to add other trucks until by 1917 he was operat- ing six. In 1917, a few months after the entrance of the United States into the World War, it became apparent that opportunity for rapid growth of the trucking business had developed almost over- night, owing to the increased demand for rapid movement of freight. The railroads were unable to meet the new conditions and Mr. St. Martin was quick to recognize the fact that the time had come for greatly increasing his facilities for han- dling cargoes of all kinds. In August, 1917, the City Truck Company was organized, with Mr. St. Martin as president and Harold L. Gulick (q. v.) as secretary and treasurer. The new company pur- chased the first five-ton Mack truck sold through the local Mack agency, and, with the trucks already in service, began operating between Worcester and New York and Worcester and Philadelphia, while continuing to provide local transportation in Worcester. In 1918 the Boston, New York and Philadelphia Despatch was formed and began mak- ing regular daily trips to Philadelphia, providing a dependable means of transportation for manufac- turers of Worcester and vicinity, whose shipments went mostly to New York and Philadelphia. The growth of the business was rapid. In 1919 the company's total outfit was ten trucks. The offices of the City Truck Company at No. 26 Washing- ton Square, Worcester, were soon outgrown, and
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