Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III, Part 93

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 93

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Gulf under General Banks, participating in most of the important military operations on the lower Mississippi, including the memorable siege and final capture of Port Hudson and the second Red River campaign. The regiment in which he fought is said to have had a greater number of men killed in action than did the famous British Light Brigade at the battle of Balaklava. Dr. Allen himself was slightly wounded. In later life he was active in the Grand Army of the Republic and was prominent in civic and community movements at Barre.

Charles Gilbert Allen, Sr., was the fourth child of George S. and Lucy B. Allen and, like his brother, Dr. John Harding Allen, was a lifelong resident of Barre. In 1870 he established the com- pany which has since been known as the Charles G. Allen Co., manufacturers of metal working, ma- chinery, farming implements and industrial equip- ment of other types. He invented the "Yankee Horse Rake," which for years was widely sold to farmers and which is still manufactured by the company which bears his name. Charles Gilbert Allen, Sr., died in August, 1896. He married Lucy Robinson Bacon, and they became the parents of several children, among whom were Harding Allen and Charles Gilbert Allen, Jr., both of further mention.

Harding Allen was born in Barre, on May 26, 1867. He was educated in local public schools, completed a commercial course at Eastman's Busi- ness College, Poughkeepsie, New York, and sub- sequently entered the business established by his father, succeeding him as its head upon the latter's death. He inherited much of his father's inventive talent and in 1905 invented the Allen Ball Bear- ing Drilling Machine, which is now the principal product of the company. Harding Allen continued the fine family tradition of civic service and was active in the support of local enterprises and insti- tutions. He recognized the obligations of his posi- tion and was proud to contribute to the progress of the community and the welfare of its people. Mr. Allen died on October 11, 1930. He married, on June 6, 1888, Carrie L. Williams, daughter of Elbridge Williams of Barre.

Charles Gilbert Allen, of this record, was born at Barre, Massachusetts, on November 8, 1875. He was educated in local public schools and in busi- ness college. He early became associated with the business established by his father and at the death of his brother, Harding Allen, succeeded him as general manager of the company, continuing in that office. The plant of the Allen company normally employs about one hundred and twenty-five people. From small beginnings it has grown steadily dur- ing the sixty years of its existence until it became the most important industry of the community, and its success reflects great credit upon those who have been responsible for its management.

Mr. Allen is also a director of the Barre Second National Bank. He is a member of the executive board of the Associated Industries of Massachu- setts and apart from his business connections is a director of the Barre Library Association. Mr. Allen is a member of the Tatnuck Country Club of Worcester. He is affiliated fraternally with Mt. Zion Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and his favorite recreation is golf.

Charles Gilbert Allen married Bessie Williams of Worcester County. They are the parents of two

360

WORCESTER COUNTY

children: I. Charles Gilbert, Jr., who also had a son, Charles Gilbert, 4th, the fourth of the fam- ily in direct descent to bear this name at Barre. 2. Barbara W.

HERBERT T. MASON-The Quabaug Rub- ber Company, of North Brookfield, of which con- cern Herbert T. Mason is president, takes its title from the name of a tribe of Indians, now extinct, who were aboriginal settlers of the territory which is the site of the present town. Massasoit, the famous chieftain of the powerful Wampanoag tribe, was sachem of the Quabaugs in his later life.

About 1910, the Beebe and Richards Rubber Company was established in North Brookfield. Under a plan of reorganization that company was absorbed by the Quabaug Rubber Company in 1916. The board of officers consists of Herbert T. Mason, president; C. N. Mason, treasurer ; Frank C. Smith, Jr., clerk. The directors are Frank A. Drury, Frank C. Smith, Jr., Henry S. Grew and Herbert T. Mason. The company employs about three hundred persons in the manufacture of rubber tile flooring, soles, heels, valve packings, rubber tubing, baby carriage tires, doormats, stair- treads and many rubber specialties.

Herbert T. Mason, president of the Quabaug Rubber Company, was born in Taunton, this State, May 17, 1882, a son of James Thompson and Delana (Hewlett) Mason, his father an experi- mental machinist. After receiving his education in the local public schools, the son Herbert T. accepted employment in a shoe factory, and fol- lowed the trade until 1914, when he became a salesman for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Com- pany, covering the territory described as New England. He remained with this concern for five years, and in 1919 came to the Quabaug Rubber Company as treasurer and general manager. Sub- sequently he was advanced to president, and under his executive management, the business has grown to large proportions.

He is deeply interested in the aims and work of the Boy Scouts, and a member of the finance board of the local council, giving much of his time and thought to the welfare of this organiza- tion. He is a member of the investment board of the North Brookfield Savings Bank and affiliated with the Masonic Fraternity.

Mr. Mason married, July 2, 1909, Florence Gas- sett, of Bridgewater, and their children are: I. James N. 2. Betsey T.

FRANK H. WILDER-As an agriculturist and the superintendent of the Leominster State Forest, Frank H. Wilder of Sterling is both well known and highly respected in Worcester County. He comes of families which have played important rôles in the agricultural, professional, civic and governmental affairs of Massachusetts and New England. He grew up on a farm which has been in the possession of the Wilder family since 1787, being born there on April 26, 1903, one of five children, two sons and three daughters of Arthur S. and Ella C. (Abbott) Wilder.

His father was a farmer and lumber dealer, member of the firm of Wilder, Walker and Davis, operators in timber lands and the cutting and mak- ing of lumber. He was a selectman of the town of Sterling for nine years and for an equal length of time was on the town board of assessors and a

member of the school board. Fraternally he was affiliated with Trinity Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and was a popular figure in local politics. His father, Frank L. Wilder, is remembered as a member of the State Legislature and an efficient public servant as the holder of many town offices. Arthur S. Wilder died in October, 1931. Mrs. Ella C. (Abbott) Wilder, who is still living, held leadership in civic affairs. She was a member of the school board of Sterling for nine years, the head of the Ladies' Aid Society of her church on numerous occasions, and for years the treasurer of the Federated Church. She is a sister of Charles G. Abbott, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, District of Columbia.

Mr. and Mrs. Wilder numbered among their children: I. Frank H., of this review. 2. Edwin Arthur, instructor in chemistry, Newburyport High School. 3. Florence Caroline, head of the English department, Winthrop High School. 4. Katharine A., teacher of the piano at Rochester, New York. 5. Anna H., teacher in the schools of Whitinsville.

Frank H. Wilder received the preliminaries of his academic education in the local public schools, and then matriculated at the Massachusetts State Agricultural College, from which he was graduated in 1925. For two years of his career he was a school instructor, but forestry has been his main interest since 1927, during which time he has been employed in various capacities by the State For- estry Board. As stated, he is superintendent of the Leominster State Forest, and is engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. Like the trained men of his vocation, no one product has been singled out as the sole output of his work. He has realized that sending a finished product to market pays better than the sale of the raw materials which go into that product; therefore, dairying is his specialty, although he has the open mind and does not hesitate to change the direction of his activities. Horti- culture is another of his interests and fruit grow- ing is taking a larger place in his work and plans. Mr. Wilder is politically a Republican. Fraternally he is affiliated with Trinity Lodge, Clinton, Free and Accepted Masons. He is a member of the Sterling Grange, and his college Greek Letter fraternity is Phi Sigma Kappa. For some years a communicant of the Congregational Church, he is a member of the executive committee of the First Evangelical Congregational Society.

On April 30, 1932, Frank H. Wilder married Louise Murdock, of Westminster.

AXEL U. STERNLOF-A native of Worces- ter, Mr. Sternlof was born September 12, 1894. son of Axel T. and Hannah (Dahlstrom) Sternlof, both of whom were born in Sweden. He attended the public schools, and entered Massachusetts Agri- cultural College, specializing in chemistry. The entrance of the United States into the World War brought him into the United States service and he was assigned to duty in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where he served throughout the conflict in the chemical industry. His particular work, for much of the time, was the direction of the making of gas masks and the intensive study of the various gasses used at that time. Upon his return to civilian life and to Worcester, Mr. Sternlof became associated with the Arcade Malleable Iron Company as re- search and experimental chemist. In 1929 he

thomas

361

WORCESTER COUNTY

resigned to go with the American Steel Wire Com- pany, as assistant chief chemist.

Mr. Sternlof has a deep interest in the affairs and development of his city. In 1926 he was elected councilman from the Sixth Ward. After serving successfully as councilman for three years he was elected alderman in 1929 and in 1931 was chosen president of the board of aldermen, suc- ceeding George H. Grant. He is a member of the Swedish Club, of Worcester, and a number of other organizations. He is a communicant of the Methodist Church and a member of the official board. Humanitarian and welfare enterprises have always received his encouragement and help.

In 1918 Axel U. Sternlof married Emma C. Werme, and they are the parents of four children: Allyn Q., Shirley E., Ruby E., and Tora M. Sternlof.

CHARLES GRANT BOWKER-One of the younger business men of Worcester, of which he has been a lifelong resident, Mr. Bowker is pres- ident of the Bowker-Hamblin Tire Company of Worcester and vice-president of the Bowker-Ham- blin-Donlon Tire Companies of Fitchburg and Leominster. He was born at Worcester, August 24, 1891, son of Charles Henry and Mary (Grant) Bowker, the former of whom was born in Mas- sachusetts and the latter in Rhode Island. Charles H. Bowker was for many years manager of one of the mills of the American Steel and Wire Cor- poration of Worcester.

Charles Grant Bowker was educated in the grade schools of Worcester and prepared for college at Hotchkiss School. As a young man he accepted a position with the United States Envelope Com- pany of Worcester and remained with this con- cern until the entrance of the United States into the World War. On April 6, 1917, he enlisted in the United States Forces, and was sent on May 7, 1917, to the Plattsburg, New York, Officers' Training Camp, where he remained for three months and was then transferred to Harvard, where for a number of months he was instructed by French officers for duty in France. Instead of going overseas at once, however, he was again transferred, this time to Camp Devens, Massachu- setts, in 1918. Promoted captain of Company D, 302d Infantry, he sailed for service abroad in July, 1918, his contingent landing at Liverpool, England, from where the boat proceeded to Le Havre, on the Continent. His company was attached to and be- came a part of the 76th Division which was designated as the replacement division. He was stationed at the Army School of the Line at Langres, France, for two months, when the Armis- tice was signed and he was transferred to other army service. His duties called him to many parts of France. On May 30, 1919, Captain Bowker returned to Norfolk, Virginia, and later received his honorable discharge at Washington, District of Columbia. At the laying of the corner stone of Memorial Auditorium he made the address in be- half of the veterans of Worcester. He is a mem- ber of General Devens Post, American Legion, and a past commander of the organization; he is also the chairman of the Veterans' Council.

Mr. Bowker soon engaged in the tire business and in August, 1920, organized the Bowker-Ham- blin Tire Company of Worcester. This concern, of which he is president, has had a notably suc-

cessful career. Mr. Bowker is also the vice-pres- ident of the Bowker-Hamblin-Donlon Tire Com- panies of Fitchburg and Leominster, Massachu- setts. Fraternally he is affiliated with Quinsiga- mond Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. He is vice-president of the Worcester Area Council of the Boy Scouts. His church is All Saints Epis- copal, of which he is a vestryman. He is a mem- ber of the Tatnuck Country Club.

Charles Grant Bowker, on October 15, 1921, married Florence Davenport, and they are the parents of two children, Grant Davenport and Elizabeth.

THOMAS F. HARNEY was born in Worces- ter, May 4, 1871. His parents, James and Katherine (Hayes) Harney, were born in Water ford, Ireland, and both died in Worcester in 1916. Mr. Harney passed through the public grammar and high schools and for a short time after leaving school was employed in the Worcester Post Office, when it was situated on Pearl Street. As a youth he signed articles as an apprentice to N. J. Tucker and Son to learn the processes of manufacture of sanitary plumbing and ventilating devices. On completion of his term he was given a position in the estab- lishment, which finally evolved into the Tucker and Rice Company. With this concern he became asso- ciated in increasingly important capacities and in 1925 was elected vice-president. In this office he contributed materially to the company's advance until his resignation over a year ago.

He has accepted civic responsibilities in Worces- ter and has served as a member of the common council from the Fifth Ward, holding this office in 1900-01. He was the organizer of the first unit of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Worcester and was its first American born pres- ident. At one time he was president of four or- ganizations, his terms in this office running con- currently. The bodies over which he presided were the Worcester Central Labor Union, Massachusetts Builders Council, Massachusetts State Plumbing Association, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Worcester. His affiliations include also the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and his religious connection is with the Roman Catholic Church.

Mr. Harney married (first) Mary A. Connor. She died, and he married (second) Pearl L. Per- kins. He is the father of eleven children, and has twenty-four grandchildren. The children are: I. Thomas F., Jr. 2. Frank, served in the World War. 3. William, also served in the World War. 4. Mary, married Michael Torrey. 5. Fred, served with the American Expeditionary Forces in the World War as a member of the 26th Division and was gassed on three occasions. 6. Russell. 7. Theodore. 8. George. 9. John. 10. Elizabeth, mar- ried John Donahue. II. Ellen.

THE BIGELOW FREE PUBLICLIBRARY -More than half a century ago the Bigelow Free Public Library was established at Clinton, to meet the needs of the community and provide the ad- vantages which only an adequate public library can bestow. The donors were the Bigelow family, long prominent here, for whom the library is named. Andrew E. Ford, superintendent of schools at Clin- ton, was one of the prime movers in its establish- ment and early development. Since that time it

362

WORCESTER COUNTY

has expanded steadily with the growth of the com- munity and today includes almost 100,000 volumes. The annual circulation figure is upwards of 50,000.

In 1878 Miss Fannie M. Green became librarian and was subsequently succeeded in that position by Miss Charlotte Green. A number of years later Miss Helen A. Thissell became librarian, en- tering upon the duties which she has since so efficiently discharged. She has, at present, a staff of six assistants and is in direct charge of an institution whose modern facilities and capable or- ganization enable the fullest service to be rendered to the community and its people.

Miss Thissell has secured her library training largely through practical experience. She was born in Clinton and has spent her life here, a daughter of Joshua Thissell, who was an architect and civil engineer. Her father was one of the early settlers of the town and was active in all local affairs, serving for many years on the board of education. Miss Thissell was educated in the public schools and at boarding school. Apart from her long connection with the Bigelow Library she has taken part in many community movements, being particularly active in spheres of women's interest.

ST. JOSEPH'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH of FITCHBURG, Rev. Simon For- estier, M. S., Pastor-St. Joseph's Roman Catho- lic Church (French), at Fitchburg, of which the Rev. Simon Forestier, M. S., is now pastor, is one of the largest parishes in the Springfield Diocese. It was established in June, 1890, as an off-shoot of the Immaculate Conception Church. The Rev. Joseph Forest was appointed the first pastor and said the first mass in the old Universalist Church at the corner of Main and Circle streets in June, 1890. In the fall of that year he began the erec- tion of a church, which was continued by his suc- cessors. Father Forest remained until December, 1890, and was followed by the Rev. C. H. Jean- notte, who served from January 4, 1891, to Octo- ber 14, 1894. He said the first mass in the base- ment of the new church on Easter Sunday, April 17, 1892, but it was not until October, 1896, that the church was finished and the dedication held. In September, 1892, Father L. G. Grenier, now pastor of Notre Dame Church at Worcester, was appointed assistant to Father Jeannotte.

After the departure of Father Jeannotte, the Bishop determined to secure the assistance of a religious order in caring for the French people of this parish and called in the Missionary Fathers of La Salette. Four members of the order came to take charge of the church: Father Vignon, Father Gerard, Father Triquet and Father Roux. Father Vignon was the Superior and, therefore, rector of the parish until May 23, 1895, when he was succeeded by Father Triquet, who had as assistants Father Gerard, Father Roux and Father Blanc.

The buildings of St. Joseph's parish are as fol- lows: The church itself, a large, beautiful brick building, commanding a fine view of part of the city and seating 1,000 people. It has a basement that formerly was used as a church and seats about 900. A Presbytery of twenty-six rooms, erected in 1901, conveniently and substantially built for the comfort of the priests. A convent for the use of the Sisters of the Faithful Companions of Jesus, who teach in the parish schools, with accommoda-

tions for thirty Sisters. Four school buildings, erected at various times between 1901 and 1926, having twenty-nine rooms with the best of accom- modations for 1,500 children. A fine, beautiful club house, two stories high, about 75 by 125 feet, with every convenience for the comfort of the members.

Much of the development of the parish was car- ried on under Father Triquet, who served here for many years. In 1920 he was sent to Holyoke, but subseuently returned again to St. Joseph's Church, Fitchburg, as a curate, and remained in this position until his death. Father Mollard then served eight years until November, 1926, when the present pastor, Father Simon Forestier, M. S., was appointed to take charge of the church. He has four assistants. The parish of St. Joseph now numbers about 6,300 souls, representing 1,300 families. Seven Masses are said each Sunday, including the special mass for children at 8:30 A. M., at which nearly 1,300 are usually present and which every child in the parish attends.

Father Forestier, pastor of St. Joseph's Church, was born in France. He came to the United States at an early age and received his education in parochial schools and at the novitiate and Semi- nary of the Fathers of La Salette. Following his ordination to the priesthood on March 20, 1902, he taught Latin and Greek in the seminary for three years. At the end of this time, he was appointed pastor of a church at Hartford, Connecticut, where he served for ten years, ministering to a parish of about 2,500 souls. He was later appointed superior of the Fathers of La Salette at Hart- ford, and for the next six years was assistant in charge of all the activities of this order. He was then made Provincial of the order, its highest executive position. In 1926 he was appointed pas- tor of St. Joseph's Church of Fitchburg, where he yet remains. Father Forestier's past experi- ence has been of great benefit to him in supervising the work of this large parish and under his guid- ance steady progress has been made. The people of the parish are united in their desire to assist him in every possible way, and his unfailing cour- tesy, charity and great kindness have won him the warm regard of all.

JOHN O. LUSTMAN-Born in Finland, March 25, 1885, John O. Lustman is a son of Karl and Mary Lustman, who remained in their native country, the former having died in 1917; he was a tailor by trade. What little education Mr. Lustman was privileged to obtain was re- ceived in public schools of his home district. In 1906 he arrived in the United States and located at first in Waltham, Massachusetts, where he attached himself to the automobile industry. His trade carried him from one large city to another, where the automobile business was carried on. He learned the various processes thoroughly and in 1922 organized the American Auto Body and Welding Company which started business on Thomas Street, Worcester. The growth of the trade made more commodious quarters imperative, so he purchased the land at No. 400 Grove Street. There is little question that Mr. Lustman's plant consists of one of the best-equipped welding and repair shops in New England. Until recently it has been necessary to operate the plant in day and night shifts to care for the unusually heavy influx

ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH FITCHBURG, MASS.

363

WORCESTER COUNTY

of orders. In normal conditions the company has a force of twenty-six on its payroll. Mr. Lustman is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of several Finnish clubs.

John O. Lustman married, in 1929, Alexandria Santoff, and they have their home at No. 30 Taun- ton Street, Worcester.

ALVA L. ADAMS-Founder of the manufac- turing organization bearing his name, Alva L. Adams, president of the A. L. Adams Paper Com- pany, Inc., has contributed in a large measure to the industrial growth of the county. Born in New Salem, Franklin County, August 19, 1869, Mr. Adams is the son of Andrew B. and Melissa A. (Merriam) Adams, the former a brickmason by trade, who also followed the plasterer's craft. The family is among the oldest of New England fam- ilies and has been for generations represented in the trades, business and professions. Having re- ceived his education in the public schools, he was ten years of age when he began to earn his own livelihood and was put on his own responsibility.

When he reached the age of eighteen years, he obtained employment in a paper mill at Turners Falls, Franklin County, where he learned the pro- cesses of manufacture from the raw material to the finished product. After a few years he left and went into New York State, where he worked in different mills, and finally was made superin- tendent of a mill, owned and operated by the Pettibone-Cataract Paper Company at Niagara Falls. He was thus situated for nine years, and at the end of that time resigned and came to Bald- winsville, Worcester County, and purchased the business which has developed to the size and name as they are now known. Until 1929 he carried forward operations as an individual, and in that year a corporation was formed under its present style, with these officers: Alva L. Adams, pres- ident; C. J. Adams, treasurer; and Frank M. Favor, clerk. The company manufactures most kinds of tissue, as toilet, napkin, towel, etc., and its products are distributed in this country and foreign countries. The force of employees numbers twenty-five.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Worcester county; a narrative history, Volume III, Part 93

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