Municipal history of Essex County in Massachusetts, Volume III, Part 1

Author: Arrington, Benjamin F., 1856- ed
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: New York, Lewis historical publishing company
Number of Pages: 441

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Municipal history of Essex County in Massachusetts, Volume III > Part 1

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University of Virginia Library F:72; E7;A9 V.3 ALD Municipal history of Essex Cou

AX 001 137 539

SITY

VIA

1819

ALDERMAN LIBRARY

--==

albert . Wachleigh

MUNICIPAL HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY IN MASSACHUSETTS

TERCENTENARY EDITION

A classified work, devoted to the County's remarkable growth in all lines of human endeavor; more especially to within a period of fifty years

BENJ. F. ARRINGTON Editor-in-Chief

1922 LEWIS HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY NEW YORK

VOLUME III.

F 72 . ETA 9 % 3

william

- --

ESSEX COUNTY

Rt- Rw. Arturf. Taling

ESSEX COUNTY

RT. REV. ARTHUR JOHN TEELING, D.D., L.P.P., V. F .- For more than half a century the Right Rev. Arthur John Teeling has been minister- ing to the needs of various parochial charges, build- ing his strength and his ability into the organiza- tions which he served, and into the lives of the people to whom he ministered. He is now pastor of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, of Lynn, Mas- sachusetts.

Father Teeling is descended from a family which has always been devoted to the interests of Ireland, and which has at all times contributed to the strength of the various efforts made to free the suffering Motherland from her difficulties and her sufferings. Especially during the struggle for self- government which occurred in 1798, did the family freely sacrifice personal interests in the cause of Irish freedom. Rev. Arthur J. Teeling was born in Dublin, Ireland, December 10, 1844, son of Ben- jamin and Mary Jane (Roberts) Teeling, and came to this country with his parents in 1847. From that time until the beginning of his college course he lived in the immediate vicinity of Boston, attendng the public school, and also, for a short time, the Chapman School at East Boston. When he was twelve years of age he entered the Jesuits' School, which was situated first on Hanover street, Boston, but was afterward located at the corner of Port- land and Traverse streets. For four years he re- mained in this school, displaying an ability which was clearly recognized by the authorities of the school, who encouraged his entrance into the Uni- versity of Lavelle, at Quebec, of which Rev. Tas- chereau (later Cardinal Taschereau) was director. He continued his studies here for a period of three years, winning for himself high rank in scholarship, and at the end of that time, as his friends had ex- pected, decided to enter the priesthood. Accord- ingly, in September, 1864, he entered the Provincial Seminary at Troy, which had just been opened that year, he being one of a group of ten from the Bos- ton diocese. This was the first group to matricu- late in the seminary, and of that group Father Teeling is now (1922) the only surviving member. Here, as at Quebec, and in his earlier school course, his ready sympathy and willingness to serve, won for him the esteem and the affection of his fellow stu- dents, while his ability as a student secured for him the admiration and esteem of both faculty and student body. He was ordained June 6, 1868, by Bishop McFarland, of Hartford, since deceased, and his first mass was celebrated the following Sunday at East Boston, where his parents then resided. He then for a few months served as assistant to Rev. Father Sheridan, then pastor of St. Vincent's Church on Purchase street, Boston, later, toward the end of the year, being sent to assist Rev. John O'Brien,

pastor of St. Patrick's Church, of Lowell. Here he was most active in organizing a temperance so- ciety, which was the means of accomplishing much good. In August, 1871, he became pastor of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, of Newbury- port, a task of no small importance, since the church was practically in its infancy, possessed neither a burying ground for its dead nor a bell to call its people to worship, and was somewhat in debt. Father Teeling took hold of the work with an ear- nestness, ability, and energy which brought large re- sults. One of the first injunctions placed upon him by Bishop (later Archbishop) Williams was "Get a burying place for your dead." Father Teeling se- cured the old training ground of the militia at New- buryport, and in the early summer of 1876 the ceme- tery was consecrated by Archbishop Williams. Of the twenty-three acres contained in the tract a large proportion was, through the energy and fore- sight of Father Teeling, converted into a nursery, for which purpose he imported ten thousand seed- lings of Norway spruce and four hundred Scotch pine. When these were grown, the church and property grounds were decorated with them and the remainder sold for seven hundred dollars, which sum was placed to the credit of the church. A chapel for the use of the Sunday school and the various societies of the church was secured, and the site for a "Female High School," and then, in 1878, Father Teeling took his first well earned vacation, traveling through Europe, Egypt, and the Holy Land. Sailing from New York early in April, 1878, he went directly to Liverpool, thence to Paris and to Venice, thence he sailed to Alexandria in Egypt, arriving there the thirtieth of May. Here he was joined by his friend, Rev. John Swift, of Troy, New York, now deceased, who had traveled by way of California and the Pacific. Together they visited the pyramids of Egypt and the Holy Land. They then visited all the principal cities of Europe, and at Rome had an audience with Pope Leo XIII. They also visited the principal cities of the British Isles, prolonging their stay in Ireland, in which country Father Teeling remained for a period of eight weeks. Upon his return he took up the task of freeing the church from debt, and so heartily did the congregation enter upon the carrying out of his plans that on June 24, 1879, the church was solemnly consecrated (a service which is not permitted while there remains one cent of debt upon Catholic property). Rt. Rev. Archbishop Williams was the celebrant and Rt. Rev. Bishop O'Reilly, of Springfield, delivered the sermon, and they congratulated the church and congregation upon the fact that they were the first in the present archdiocese of Boston so to consecrate a church building. To the work of educating the young,

Desex-2-1.

ESSEX COUNTY

Father Teeling deveted his energy and ability in large measure, withholding no service that might promote that cause and secure for his people the best possible educational advantages. In the Irish question he has taken a deep and abiding interest by speaking, organizing societies, and in many ways forwarding the activities of the various groups both in Newburyport and in other places. He greatly sympathized with and admired Michael Davitt, the "Father of the Land League," and took an active interest in the parliamentary fund collected in 1885. His interest in this project is evidenced by the fol- lowing, printed in the Boston "Pilot," March 20, 1885:

The following letter from Father Teeling, the respected pastor of Newburyport, to Mr. John Boyle O'Reilly, tells its own honorable and hopeful story: Newburyport, Mass., March 15, 1885. My Dear Friend :- By personal solicitation I have collected to the present date $250 for the $5 Parlia- mentary Fund. I have on my list, paid subscrip- tions, fifty of the most prominent Protestant gentle- men of the city of Newburyport, city officials, bank officers, etc. My list thus far is composed of Prot- estant gentlemen only. Next Wednesday night (St. Patrick's) I will put the question of subscription to the Parliamentary Fund to the members of my own congregation, as on that evening we are to have an entertainment in the Hall for the benefit of the schools. When I have completed my work for the $5 Parliamentary Fund, I will send you all the money and the names. I think, from the present outlook, that Newburyport will have the honor of paying for one member in the British House of Commons to advocate Home Rule.

Yours very truly,

ARTHUR J. TEELING.

It is not only to the affairs of Ireland, however, that Father Teeling gives his interest, his time, and his loyal support. He is earnestly devoted to the country of his adoption and is a loyal, public spirit- ed American citizen. In the local affairs of his community he takes an active interest, and is often one of the speakers on public occasions when the city is host or when groups from both Catholic and Protestant congregations are the participants. He was one of the speakers at Newbury's two hundred and fiftieth anniversary, celebrated June 10, 1885. He is a ready and a forceful speaker, and a tren- chant writer. In Newburyport he was a member of the Humane Society, of the Association for the Establishment of the Old Men's Home, of the cor- poration of the Institution for Savings, and of nearly every society organized for the advancement of the best interests of the community. He is also a jus- tice of the peace for commonwealth of Massachu- setts, having been first appointed May 8, 1883, by Governor Benjamin . F. Butler, after having served for several years previous as justice of the peace for Essex county, through appointment of Gover- nor Alexander H. Rice. On the 6th of April, 1893, Father Teeling becaine pastor of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church of Lynn, Massachusetts, and since that time he has been faithfully and efficiently min- istering to the needs of that charge. Always con-

structive, his work is accomplishing large results good in the latter field, and there, as in Newbu port, he is recognized as one of the building for of the community. The following extract from tribute paid to him in the Newburyport "Gerz while written of his work in that place appl equally well to his work in Lynn:

"Apart from the labors of the school, the pull and the altar, Father Teeling has exercised a kind care for all the families and persons in the paris * * * He may well be proud of what he has doi and when invited to other fields replies: "These a my people and from them I cannot be divided.' "

PHILIP EMERSON holds a unique place in th field of education. For twenty-five years principa of Central Junior High School of Lynn, Massachu setts, his specialty has been geography and the methods of teaching it, and he is a much sought lec turer and instructor by colleges and institutes 01 the various aspects of geographical subjects. Fo many years he has been an effective speaker in the Anti-Saloon League, and is widely known as an author, not only on temperance matters, but even more by his printed works of an educational nature.

Silas Gassett and Frutilla (Wakefield) Emerson, parents of Philip Emerson, were both descendants of early Puritans of Massachusetts, except that one of the father's ancestors was Henri Gachet, & French Huguenot, who fled from New Rochelle be- fore 1700. Another ancestor was the first child born in Lynn, a Newhall. Silas G. Emerson was a farm- er, respected and loved by neighbors as one whose life always squared with his Christian profession.

Philip Emerson was born at Reading, Massachu- setts, May 7, 1865. He received his preparatory edu- cation in the district and high schools of his home town, being graduated in 1880. He graduated from the four years' course in the Bridgewater Normal School, Massachusetts, and later pursued courses in. Cornell University, New York, and the graduate school of Harvard University. After a short busi- ness career he became a teacher, and almost im- mediately was given a principalship. For eight years he was in charge of various schools, and was then called to Lynn, Massachusetts, where he has been for twenty-five years at the head of the Abbet Grammar School and its successor, the Central Junior High School. His scholastic attainments have taken him to fields wider than local. Trained under Professor William M. Davis, of Harvard, and Professor R. S. Tarr, of Cornell, his native abilities have been so developed and expanded that their greater outlet has been found as an instructor in geography and methods for its teaching at the sum- mer normal sessions of Cornell University, Amherst Agricultural College, University of Vermont, and at State Institutes of New England.

An author, his published works include "The New England States"; "Geography Through the Stereo- scope"; "The School Garden Book"; and "Prob- lems in New England Geography." He is a con- tributor to educational journals and other publica- tions, mainly on teaching of geography and nature

BIOGRAPHICAL

study and on the management of schools, but also has written brilliantly on a wide range of topics. When the saloon interests attempted and all but succeeded in overthrowing prohibition in Maine, Mr. Emerson was editor writer on the Portland "Ex- press", and by his incisive, clear-headed articles had . much to do with the victory won. He has been a leader in temperance efforts for fifteen years; is now a member of the headquarters committee of the Massachusetts Anti-Saloon League, and was chairman, at one time, of the advisory board of two hundred citizens to the Lynn No-License League. In addition to his specialized endeavors, Mr. Emerson has found time to be a helpful member of the Lynn Chamber of Commerce and its working boards ever since it was organized, and of the executive com- mittee of the Lynn School of Religious Education. A devout communicant of the First Congregational Church, Lynn, he is also one of its deacons.

Mr. Emerson married, January 14, 1891, at Read- ing, Massachusetts, M. Evelyn Dewey, daughter of Edgar Osman and Elizabeth Davis (Kemp) Dewey, her father a son of Francis O. Dewey, first cousin to Admiral Dewey, her mother a daughter of "Father Kemp," who was the originator of the first old folks concert troupe. They are the par- ents of the following children: Dorothy, born July 30, 1893, supervisor of girls' clubs in Sussex county, Delaware; Beatrice, born July 31, 1901, teacher of physical education; Edith Alden, born July 11, 1905.

EUGENE BARTLETT FRASER - In standing among the foremost men of the city of Lynn, and looked upon as a figure of growing significance to the State of Massachusetts, Eugene B. Fraser is broadly active in civic, commercial and financial cir- cles in Essex county. Mr. Fraser is a son of Will- iam A. and Maria A. (Collyer) Fraser, who were among the early residents of Lynn as a municipal- ity. William A. Fraser came to Lynn as a young man and engaged in the bakery business at a time when the baker's wagon, delivering freshly baked goods from door to door, was a common sight in every large community. He responded to Lincoln's call for volunteers, and went to the front from Lynn as a member of Company D, 8th Regiment, Massa- chusetts Volunteer Infantry. Upon his return from the Civil War, William A. Fraser became identified with the shoe industry in Lynn, and was thus en- gaged until his death. He was a native of Boston, but his wife was born in Lynn, and both died in the latter city.

Eugene Bartlett Fraser was born in Lynn, Febru- ary 19, 1869. His formal education was limited to the advantages of the public schools, including the grammar grades. The knowledge gained there, however, is only the least part of the broadly com- prehensive fund of information which an acquisitive mind and retentive memory have placed at Mr. Fra- ser's disposal. He has made every experience a' means of education and has delved deeply into books, as well as keeping in touch with the current progress in science, invention and trade. As a lad

he was ambitious to strike out for himself, and at the age of fourteen years left school and secured a position in a grocery store, where he was active for two years. He then entered the employ of the First National Bank of Lynn, as a messenger, and from the beginning showed marked adaptability in this work. Rising step by step, and constantly giving the closest attention to detail, Mr. Fraser eventually became teller of this institution. During the six- teen years of his connection with the First National Bank, he gained valuable experience and made a wide circle of friends among the business and pro- fessional men of this city and vicinity. In 1901 a vacancy occurred in the executive force of the Lynn Gas and Electric Company through the death of Colonel Charles C. Fry, long treasurer of that con- cern. The position was tendered to Mr. Fraser, and he resigned from the bank to accept it. He has now been treasurer of the Lynn Gas and Electric Company for twenty-one years, and is counted among the broadly significant men of the day in Lynn. He is interested also in a number of enter- prises of various nature, being a director of the Sag- amore Trust Company, the Campbell Electric Com- pany, the Nut House of Massachusetts, Inc., the Lynn Manufacturers' and Merchants' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and of the Morris Plan Com- pany, all of Lynn, and he is also a director of the F. & E. Belt Company, of Marblehead.

A Republican by political affiliation, Mr. Fraser has always been deeply loyal to the principles and policies of the party, and has for many years been a leader in its progress. For twenty years he has served as a member of the Republican City Com- mittee, during sixteen years of that period holding the office of treasurer. One of the best known men in the Republican ranks in Lynn, he is widely known throughout Essex county, and through his work as a member of the Constitutional Convention became a man of note in state affairs. Now, in 1922, Mr. Fraser is considered by his many friends the logical candidate for the Republican nomination for gov- ernor's council from the Fifth Essex District, and has been brought forward in this capacity. Always a man to whom personal ends are of slight impor- tance, Eugene B. Fraser is esteemed as especially fitted for the responsibilities connected with public service of this nature, as his entire career has been such as to give him, in the highest sense, breadth of vision and practical judgment in the handling of large affairs.

In the various civic and popular movements which have from time to time engaged the people of Lynn, Mr. Fraser has always given his cordial support to every worthy cause. During the World War he served on many committees in connection with the different drives, entering into the work with whole- souled enthusiasm. He has long given his assist- ance to various charitable and benevolent enter- prises in Lynn, and takes particular pride in his as- sociation, in the capacity of treasurer, with the Lynn Home for Aged Men, deeming this trust an honor. In the fraternal world Mr. Fraser is also well known,

ESSEX COUNTY

being a member of all the Masonic bodies except the Consistory, and a member of Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Boston, also of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Knights of Pythias, the Loyal Order of Moose, and the Lynn Lodge of Elks, now being treasurer of the Elks' Building Association. He is a member of the Lynn Rotary Club, and has served on its board of directors, and of the Oxford Club, the Park Club, and the East Lynn Social Club. He attends the First Universalist Church of Lynn, and is liberal in the support of its work.

JAMES COTTER, one of the best known real estate and insurance men of Lynn, Massachusetts, has been identified with the insurance business for many years in various capacities, beginning as an agent for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, of Brooklyn, New York, and rising through various promotions to the office of district superintendent. He has now for many years been engaged in the real estate and insurance business for himself, in Lynn, Massachusetts.

Mr. Cotter is of Irish birth, the Cotters being a family of shoemakers in Ireland, where Patrick Cot- ter, father of Mr. Cotter, followed the trade when shoes were made entirely by hand. He came to the United States when his eldest son, William J., was a lad about fourteen years of age, and after remain- ing in this country for about a year, working in a shoe shop, returned to Ireland with, as his friends said, "Yankee ideas," and established a general store, provisions, and a livery business, which was very successful. He is now retired, at the age of eighty-six, and his wife, Johanna (Creedon) Cotter, is still living, sharing with him the fruits of the long years of well-directed labor which secured the marked success of his business venture. William J. Cotter, the son, who came to this country with Patrick Cotter, remained in this country, where he became the superintendent of a large shoe factory. His health failing later, however, he returned to County Cork, where he died. Patrick Cotter mar- ried Johanna Creedon, and they were the parents of thirteen children, nine sons and four daughters. Five of the sons came to this country, but all of the daughters remained in Ireland. Among the sons who settled in the United States was James, the sub- ject of this sketch.

James Cotter was born in County Cork, Ireland, February 23, 1862, and received his education in the National and in the Brothers' schools in Ireland. At the age of sixteen, he left school and until he was eighteen employed himself in doing odd jobs for his father. He then came to the United States, and learned the trade of lasting, this being in the old days of manufacturing shoes by hand, he being em- ployed in the shoe factory of Cotter & Harney, his uncle, John Cotter, being a member of the firm. As machinery was beginning to take the place of hand work at this period, thus rendering idle thou- sands of those who had wrought in the old way, Mr.

Cotter turned his attention to other fields and looked about for a different line of work. In 1885 he went to Brooklyn, New York, and followed his trade in the employ of Maurice Ryan. This connection he maintained for a period of eight years, during which time he was made foreman of the shops. He then found an opportunity to enter a different line of work, and it was at this time that he became agent for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, of Brooklyn, New York. After serving as agent for one year he was promoted to the office of assistant superintendent, and later was transferred to Os- sining. New York, where he took charge of the office. In 1903 he was again promoted, this time being made district superintendent in charge of the Middletown, New York, district, where he remained until 1907, meeting with marked success. During all these years, however, he was hoping for an opening which would permit his return to Lynn, Massachusetts, where his relatives were located. Accordingly, in 1907, he severed his connection with the Metropoli- tan Life Insurance Company, and returning to Lynn, opened an office on his own account and engaged in general insurance and real estate business. This business venture was notably successful, and since that time the concern has been steadily growing and prospering, until Mr. Cotter has come to be one of the best known real estate and insurance men of Lynn. Mr. Cotter, however, has not given the whole of his time and energy to his business. As a pub- lic-spirited citizen, sincerely interested in the wel- fare of the community in which he lives, he has given freely of his ability and his means for the ad- vancement of the public welfare.

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Municipal history of Essex County in Massachusetts, Volume III, Part 1

Author: Arrington, Benjamin F., 1856- ed Publication date: 1922 Publisher: New York, Lewis historical publishing company Number of Pages: 441

Author: Arrington, Benjamin F., 1856- ed
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: New York, Lewis historical publishing company
Number of Pages: 441