Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III, Part 91

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

USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III > Part 91

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JOHN J. POWER-During his active busi- ness career at Worcester, John J. Power has become an important figure in the life of this city. As president of the Independent Cooperative Bank and of the contracting and building firm, with which the family name has been connected for many years, he is known as one of the city's lead- ing business men. He has been equally active in civic affairs.

Mr. Power was born in Worcester, October 31, 1876, a son of William and Nora (Ahaesey) Power, both of whom were born in Ireland. The father came to America in 1872, settling in Worces- ter. He entered the contracting business here and was numbered among the first contractors of the city, erecting all kinds of buildings and business structures, principally of frame construction. Among examples of his work may be mentioned the First Catholic Church in Holden. He also did a great deal of work for the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Thomas Griffin on Temple Street. William Power was active in the old Builders' Exchange of Worcester until his death.

John J. Power, of this record, received his edu- cation in Worcester public schools and subsequently entered Holy Cross College, where he was a mem- ber of the class of 1898. He left college, how- ever, to enter business at his father's death, assum- ing the responsibilities of directing the enterprise which had been established by the elder man and which has been continuously in operation in this city since 1872. Mr. Power maintained the high standards established by his father and with pass-

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ing years increased the scope of the business. He has built many important buildings both in Worces- ter and elsewhere, including the two Boys' Club buildings at Lincoln Square and Ionic Avenue; Horticultural Hall, the police and court building, several large manufacturing plants at Derby Line, Vermont and Rock Island, Canada, and many others.

Recognizing the place for such an institution in the city's life, Mr. Power became one of the organizers of the Independent Cooperative Bank in 1912 and was elected to the original board of directors. He also served as a member of the security committee and was subsequently vice-pres- ident over a period of years. With the death of Wallace T. Morley, he was elected president of the bank and has since continued as its executive head. Both in the building up of his own business and in the conduct of the bank's affairs he has revealed the qualities of sound judgment and ex- ecutive capacity which have brought him the respect of the business community.

Mr. Power has also given much time to public affairs. He served as city councilman for three terms and for two terms was a member of the board of aldermen from the Fourth Ward. Even when not a holder of any public office, he rendered distinguished service to the city as a member of various civic bodies and committees. Mr. Power was a member of Dr. Homer Gage's Unemploy- ment Commission. He has served on committees to welcome important visitors to the city, was a member of the committee which arranged memorial services for the late Senator Hoar; and has taken an active part in other civic affairs. He was appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to serve on the Massachusetts State Recovery Board, of which body he was elected vice-chairman. His influence has always been a vigorous and whole- some one in Worcester life.

Apart from his other connections, Mr. Power is vice-president of Worcester Chapter, Associated General Contractors of America; a member of the Worcester Country Club, the Washington Club, the Engineers Club of Boston and the Colonial Club of Westerly, Rhode Island. He is a Roman Catholic in religious faith, being president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Paul's Parish.

On October 31, 1905, John J. Power married Anna Mary Kehoe of Worcester, daughter of Michael and Mary (Keough) Kehoe. Her father was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and her mother was a native of Limerick, Ireland. Mrs. Power is a graduate of Milford High School and Worces- ter Normal School. She is a member of the ad- visory board of the Department of Education for the State of Massachusetts by appointment of Governor Ely. Active in social work, she is a member of the Worcester Woman's Club and the Catholic Woman's Club, is treasurer of the Friday Afternoon Club, a member of the Winnepaug Golf Club at Westerly, Rhode Island, and was formerly president of the Guild of St. Agnes in Worcester.

Mr. and Mrs. Power are the parents of three children: 1. John J., Jr., who was graduated from Georgetown University, District of Columbia, in 1933. 2. David, now a member of the sophomore class at Georgetown University. 3. Ann, now a student at Notre Dame Academy, Roxbury, Mas- sachusetts. The residence of the family is situated at No. 15 Ashland Street, Worcester, with a sum- mer home at Watch Hill, Rhode Island.

WILLIAM HENRY CROPPER-For more than a quarter of a century an active figure in Leominster business life, William Henry Cropper came to this city after a varied career with other Massachusetts enterprises. His interests have since centered here and, although he is now retired, he can look back with satisfaction upon a life well spent whose influence has been of constructive value to his community.

Mr. Cropper was born on January 4, 1861, a son of William Shaw and Elizabeth (Percival) Cropper, both of whom were born in England. They came to the United States in the early '50's and settled at Newton, Massachusetts. The father was employed for some years as a dresser in a cot- ton mill at Upper Falls. He died in 1880. Eliz- abeth (Percival) Cropper, his wife, died in 1865.

William Henry Cropper received his education in the public schools and at an early age began the active business of life. He was trained in the col- lege of hard knocks, and obtained his experience in the best of all schools-that of life itself. At eleven he became an office boy in the office of the Assabet Manufacturing Company at Maynard, Massachusetts, and during this period continued to attend school. Mr. Cropper remained with the Assabet Manufacturing Company until the year 1886, at which time he was twenty-five years old. Then he removed to Fitchburg, Massachusetts, as bookkeeper for the I. C. Wright Company, a wholesale and retail hardware enterprise, with which he was connected for some nine years. Finally, in 1895, he came to Leominster, being elected to the office of treasurer of the F. A. Whitney Carriage Company. Mr. Cropper filled this position with efficiency and success for twenty- seven years. His services were of recognized value to his company and his efforts were a decisive fac- tor in its success. In July, 1922, he retired from the company to enjoy the leisure he had well earned.

In addition to his connection with the F. A. Whitney Carriage Company, Mr. Cropper is a trustee of the Leominster Savings Bank. He has always been willing to give his time and effort for the promotion of worthy community enter- prises, and his public spirit is unquestioned. Mr. Cropper has served with commendable fidelity as president of the Leominster Hospital Association. He is affiliated fraternally with the Free and Ac- cepted Masons, and is prominent in that order, holding membership in all higher bodies of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, including the thirty-second degree of the Consistory. In politics he is a Republican and in religious faith a Uni- tarian.

On September 26, 1892, at Fitchburg, Massa- chusetts, William Henry Cropper married Eliza W. Setchell, daughter of William F. and Augusta (Wadleigh) Setchell, both deceased and both de- scended of pioneer New England families. Mr. and Mrs. Cropper continue their residence at Leo- minster.

FRANCIS WHITE FORBES-In the city of Worcester and also in the county, the family of Forbes has figured prominently. Francis White Forbes, native and resident of Westboro, whose name heads this review, has long been active in affairs here, and is esteemed and respected by his contemporaries.

Mon # Proffer

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Mr. Forbes, who is living retired, was born on May 1, 1852, in Westboro, Massachusetts, son of Ephraim Trowbridge and Catharine (White) For- bes. His father was born in Westboro, and his mother in Roxbury, this State. Francis White Forbes is of the seventh generation in direct de- scent from the immigrant ancestor of the Forbes family in America and the settler in Westboro. There have been, down to the present time, nine generations of Forbeses in the New World; and representatives of three generations are now liv- ing, including the grandchildren of the man whose name heads this review. Jonathan Forbes was one of the first thirteen settlers in what is now West- boro. He came from Aberdeen, Scotland, and established the family tradition of farming. There were five generations of Jonathan Forbeses. Then came Ephraim Trowbridge Forbes and William Trowbridge Forbes, the latter of whom was for thirty-six years judge of the Probate Court of Worcester.

Francis White Forbes received his early educa- tion in the public schools and at business college in Worcester, and was for twenty-eight years en- gaged in the dry goods business in Westboro. For nine years he was in the real estate business in Boston. For fifteen years he served as chairman of the Welfare Board of Westboro and has been chairman of the trustees of the Westboro Public Library. He is vice-president of the Westboro Savings Bank, and was for several years a director of the First National Bank of Westboro. For fifty years he has been a deacon in the Westboro Evangelical Church and as the church treasurer rendered him a very useful figure in this branch of life. His long interest in the civic affairs of Westboro and this county and State has marked him as a man among men; and he has derived a great deal of satisfaction from the work that he has done for his community. Mr. Forbes is pres- ident of the Algonquin Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

Francis White Forbes has been twice married. He married (first) Jane Nason, daughter of Cap- tain Noah Nason; and she died, leaving one child, Helen Cady Forbes, who resides at the old home- stead which has been in the possession of the For- bes family for one hundred and fifty years. Mr. Forbes married (second) Fannie E. Hooker, of Chicago, Illinois. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Forbes: I. Henry Hooker, of Worcester, who is living retired. He married Helen Stoiber of Denver, Colorado. They have children: Catharine and Laura Elizabeth. 2. Flo- rence Eliza, who became the wife of Dr. Thomas H. Ayer, of Westboro. 3. Mary Louise, who be- came the wife of Howard S. Foster, a civil engi- neer of Westboro. They have children: Michael, Constance, Ann, Peter and Jane.

Mrs. Forbes has been very active in the affairs of Westboro and of Worcester County, and has been intensely charitable in her attitudes and deeds. She built the Westboro High School, furnishing and equipping it completely and turning it over to the town. She contributed $50,000 to the build- ing of the new town hall, and built the home for the needy known as Kirkside, Incorporated. Mrs. Forbes also built the Forbes Hall of Science of Yankton College, South Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Forbes built and equipped the Community House

and Playground of Westboro. Mrs. Forbes is active in church work, and is the only honorary member of the Woman's Club, of this place.

HAROLD E. KING-The King family and name have been associated with printing of the highest type in New England, for nearly a quar- ter of a century. George W. King, who died in 1929, founded the establishment known as G. W. King and Son, which since 1910 has special- ized in fine grade printing and art work. Harold E. King became associated with his father at the age of eighteen and in recent years has assumed the activities of the firm.

Harold E. King was born at Worcester, Decem- ber 19, 1892, the son of George W. and Agnes (McManus) King, both natives of Massachusetts. He was educated in the public schools and began his business career in his 'teens. During the World War he enlisted in the army service and was stationed for the greater part of the time at Fort Leavenworth, a member of the Signal Corps. He is a member of the General Devens Post, American Legion. Mr. King is a popular figure in the Worcester Chamber of Commerce and the Advertising Club of the city. He is also a mem- ber of several printing, typographical and advertis- ing associations, State and national.

The firm of George W. King and Son holds a somewhat unique place among the printing estab- lishments of the State. There are, of course, many firms doing printing, but few whose quality of workmanship and class of output approaches the art standard. One of the many incidents which indicates the standing of the company among those most familiar with the business, is that of the award to the concern of one of the choicest bits of work done on a press. When the New Eng- land Craftsmen Society desired to have prepared and issued a special work to be presented to War- ren G. Harding, while President of the United States, the George W. King and Son house was selected to do it. This unique volume entitled, "Three Centuries of New England Achievement," was to represent the highest in printing and art and was printed on paper which had been held in the vaults of a leading paper mill for a quar- ter of a century. The book was bound in full Levant ornamented in twenty-two carat gold. The company has issued many of the best pieces of work in advertising ever gotten out in Worcester and has a name which stands for perfection in the art and craft of printing throughout New England.

Harold E. King, in 1924, married Hazel W. Estabrook, a native of Massachusetts, and they are the parents of a son, Robert F., born Septem- ber 12, 1926.

MICHAEL J. O'HARA-For a long term of years Michael J. O'Hara has been one of the active local leaders of the Republican party in Worcester, filling numerous city offices, serving as a member of the Common Council for five years, as alderman for three years, as alderman-at-large for one year and as mayor for eight years. This service to the city commenced in 1915 and extended through 1931.

Michael J. O'Hara was born in Worcester, September 6, 1867, son of Michael and Ellen

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(Mulvaney) O'Hara. He received his education in the public schools of his native city and then, with characteristic energy and determination, en- tered the ice business. Hard work was never an obstacle to Mr. O'Hara, and along with the ice business he also successfully conducted his farm.

Meantime, along with his business activities, Mr. O'Hara had been actively engaged in political affairs. He was always an active Republican and, during the years he served as a member of the city government, there was never a time when Mr. O'Hara was unwilling to fight in a cause which won his approval. When any proposal for munic- ipal betterment had secured his sanction, it also automatically gained a vigorous, fighting leader.

In 1923 he was elected mayor of the city, the term beginning in January, 1924, and in that re- sponsible office he served most energetically and ably. During that time many outstanding improve- ments were carried out. He was thoroughly fami- liar with every department of the municipal gov- ernment, having served a long apprenticeship in both governing bodies and on most important com- mittees, and he knew, with unusual perception, the temperament, the capabilities and the weaknesses of those with whom he was associated. It was no novice in political affairs who placed his hand on the helm of Worcester's "ship of state," when Mr. O'Hara took his place in the mayor's office, and for eight years, he wielded vigorously his well known powers of leadership.

Since then he has been practically retired from business affairs, but he continues to take an active interest in political affairs. There are few mat- ters of municipal public interest concerning which Mr. O'Hara is not consulted by many persons, both of the Republican party and by those of other political affiliations.

He has a farm of about one hundred and fifty acres, which formerly belonged to Daniel B. Wes- son, of the firm of Smith and Wesson, of Spring- field, well known manufacturers of Wesson revol- vers. The house is a model of the highest type of Colonial architecture and most complete in all its appointments. Mr. O'Hara is identified with numerous fraternal and social organizations.

Michael J. O'Hara married, in June, 1899, Lenora King, of Worcester, daughter of Louis D. and Elizabeth (Fitzgerald) King. Mr. and Mrs. O'Hara became the parents of three children: I. Mary, married Francis J. Higgins, who is suc- cessfully engaged in the insurance business. 2. Eleanor, married Joseph McKoan, who is engaged in the oil business; they have two children, Doug- las and Joel. 3. Louise, married Thornton S. Farnsworth, and they have two children: Lenore and Thornton S., Jr.

The O'Hara home is located at No. 553 Sunder- land Road, Worcester, where the family has resided for the past thirty-three years.

CARL G. BATES-The well-known chief fish and game warden, Carl G. Bates, of Worcester, has had a remarkably active and varied career and one of important achievements. He was born at Huntington, Massachusetts, February 20, 1895, the son of Clarence E. and Ida L. (Hancock) Bates. The Bates family is an old one in New England, the earliest of the name arriving in Massachusetts from England about 1630. A love of the land seems to have been characteristic of most of the

generations, and Carl G. Bates is the son of a farmer and was reared upon a farm until he was eighteen. He attended the public schools of his native district and was graduated from the Hunt- ington High School in 1913.

Mr. Bates' first occupation of any importance was school teaching, country schools being the scene of his efforts. Then he removed to West- field, Massachusetts, where he worked for two years in the wholesale produce business. A few months as an employee of the Springfield Street Railway convinced him that this was not the op- portunity he sought. The entry of the United States into the World War changed for a time all plans for a career. Carl G. Bates enlisted in the American Army in 1917, was assigned to the Ist Motor Transport Company, and was transferred to General Headquarters, at Newport News, Vir- ginia, where he was held during the greater part of the conflict. Like many others, skill in the performance of his duties kept him in this coun- try, when he had hoped to be sent overseas. He was discharged in 1919 with the rank of sergeant, first class.

Returning to Westfield after the war, Mr. Bates, for a year and a half, was foreman of the Russ- Jellatine Company. He then went with the H. B. Smith Company, of Westfield, remaining with this firm until 1926. In that year Mr. Bates en- tered the State service as fish and game warden with headquarters at Warren. On June 1, 1930, he was appointed supervisor with headquarters at Worcester. On July 1, 1931, Carl G. Bates was appointed chief warden, a post he now holds. He has his headquarters at Boston and has charge of the law enforcement activities of the Massachusetts division of fish and game. He is a member of the American Legion, of which he is a past com- mander.

On October 30, 1923, Mr. Bates married Mary Scanlon, a native of Munson, Massachusetts, and they are the parents of two sons: Robert and Rich- ard, twins, born October 16, 1924. Mr. and Mrs. Bates reside at Natick.

PROFESSOR JOHN J. SPILLANE-Since 1922 Professor John J. Spillane has been a mem- ber of the faculty of Holy Cross College. Al- though he has held various chairs of instruction, he now devotes his entire attention to his duties as assistant dean of discipline and in point of serv- ice is one of the oldest lay officers of the college. Mr. Spillane knows by name every boy attend- ing Holy Cross and is one of the institution's best loved leaders. He is also well known in political and fraternal circles and during the past fifteen years has been very active in Catholic work, de- livering probably more lectures before Catholic assemblages than any other man in the State. He is an eloquent and convincing orator and is much sought after as an after-dinner speaker.

Mr. Spillane was born in Newport, Rhode Is- land, on December 20, 1899, a son of Michael and Julia (McCarthy) Spillane. His father, now de- ceased, was for forty years a gardener at New- port. John J. Spillane received his preliminary education in the parochial schools of his birth- place, graduating from grammar school in 1914 and from high school in 1918. Subsequently he entered Holy Cross College, where he completed the four year classical course and took the degree

Rev. John T. Bassy

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of Bachelor of Arts. Two years later he also received the degree of Master of Arts. Imme- diately following his graduation, his ability and scholarship won him an appointment to the faculty as an assistant in teaching history of philosophy, in which capacity he served from 1922 to 1924, and for eight years he also taught public speaking. In addition to his duties as an instructor, Mr. Spillane was appointed assistant dean of discipline in 1922 and since 1930 has given his entire time to this office. He has the general responsibility in assisting to keep in touch with each of the twelve hundred boys in the college, advising them when such advice is necessary and maintaining the high standards of conduct which is one of the proudest traditions of the institution. In the ninety- one years of its history Holy Cross has followed unwaveringly the principles of education of the Society of Jesus, into whose charge it has been committed, as outlined in the famous Ratio Stu- diorum, with its emphasis on the training of char- acter and the development of the moral and spir- itual faculties, as well as the mind and body. The method of teaching has always been primarily tutorial, not professional, and the personal contacts between students and faculty have been stressed with a view to furnishing individual guidance, advice and encouragement to the youths of the college. Mr. Spillane has made it his task to maintain such personal relations with the entire body, to know their special aptitudes and capacities and at what point they may need assistance in order to obtain the fullest benefits of the Holy Cross system. When it is considered, that a new class, numbering some four hundred students, is enrolled annually and that he must familiarize himself with the name of each and come to know them as individuals, the magnitude of his duties becomes apparent. His office requires patience, tact, firmness and understanding, and his success in his work reflects the high degree in which he possesses these qualities. As the assistant dean of discipline of the college administration, he has left the impress of his character upon many hundreds of students, and all have felt for him the warmest personal regard.

In addition to his heavy duties at Holy Cross, Mr. Spillane has been very active in various Cath- olic organizations and particularly the Knights of Columbus, in which he has held the most important offices during the past fifteen years and is now one of the State officers of the order in Massachu- setts. Mr. Spillane was elected State Warden in 1932, having previously served as District Deputy. He is also Grand Knight of Worcester Council, No. 2706, Knights of Columbus, which he organized and was largely instrumental in building up from an initial enrollment of seventy-five to its present membership of two hundred and fifty. Apart from these connections, he has been a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Worcester for fifteen years and for the past three years has been a member of Lehy Court of For- esters, in which he is now an officer. Mr. Spillane has been equally active in politics and public life and is an influential figure in State and county councils of the Democratic party. He is a mem- ber of the Jefferson Club at Worcester and dur- ing the elections of 1932 was campaign manager in Worcester for Judge Swift of Millford, the Democratic candidate for Lieutenant-Governor, in

which position his talents as an organizer and ad- ministrator were given full scope. His persuasive eloquence has made him one of his party's most effective speakers, but this gift has also made him widely known in other fields, and he is considered one of the best and most popular speakers in the State. While Catholic organizations have been privileged to draw most generously upon his time and talents, he has delivered lectures all over Mas- sachusetts for many different enterprises and is a member of the Officers Lecture Bureau of the State. Mr. Spillane is a trustee of the World War Veterans at Worcester and has also served as president of the Depositors' Association of a local trust company to protect the interests of depositors when the bank was obliged to close its doors. His interest in the cause of civic progress is well known, and many worthy movements at Worcester have benefited through his active sup- port and sympathy. Mr. Spillane is a member of St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church.

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Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III, Part 91

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