USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Biographical review, containing life sketches of leading citizens of Essex County, Massachusetts > Part 16
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Mr. Woodfall was one of the founders of the Granite Savings Bank of Rockport, of which he has been a trustee from the first, and was for many years clerk of the corporation and trustees until he declined further service. He has been a member of the Board of Trus- tees of the Rockport Public Library five years as chairman and treasurer.
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During the legislative sessions of 1894 and 1895 he was a member of the lower house, and established a precedent of giving a Rep- resentative of his district two years' service. In 1896 and 1897 he represented the Third Essex Senatorial District in the State Senate. In 1894, while in the House, he introduced and secured the passage of the bill granting the franchise for the excellent water system that Rockport now enjoys; and at the time the water-works were constructed he served as Water Commissioner. He also served as superintendent of construction during the second year when the pipes were put through the village of Pigeon Cove. One of his first moves in the House of 1895 was the introduc- tion of the following order for the removal of the codfish from the old House "'neath the gilded dome" to the new House in the annex : -
"Ordered that the Sergeant-at-arms be and is hereby directed to cause the immediate re- moval of the ancient 'representation of a cod- fish' from its present position in the chamber recently vacated by the House, and to cause it to be suspended in a suitable place over the speaker's chair in this chamber in order that the House of 1895 may further the intent and purpose of the House of 1784, wherein it voted to 'hang the representation of a codfish in the room where the House sit, as a me- morial of the importance of the codfishery to the welfare of this Commonwealth, as had been usual formerly,' and that a committee of fifteen members accompany the Sergeant-at- arms when said memorial is transferred to this chamber."
In 1896 Mr. Woodfall was chairman of the Committee on Fisheries and Game, also a member of the Labor and Water Committees. In 1897 he was chairman of the Committee on Harbors and Public Lands, also a member
of the Committees on Fisheries and Game and on Water Supply. He was chairman of the subcommittee (of Water and Metropolitan Committees sitting jointly) to draft a water bill for the town of Stoneham, enabling it to leave the Wakefield Company and to becoine a part of the Metropolitan system. In 1897 he secured the passage of the bill making a reservation of Cape Ann for the preservation of small game and birds.
He is a Republican in politics, and has served as chairman of the Republican Town Committee of Rockport for ten years. A public-spirited, progressive citizen, as legislator untiring in his labors to promote the interests of the district, he enjoys to an unusual degree the confidence of his constitu- ents. Fraternally, he is Past Grand in Granite Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Rockport, of which he has been a member for over twenty-six years; and he is also connected by membership with the Daughters of Rebecca. He has been identified with Ashler Lodge, A. F. & A. M., for over a quarter of a century.
Mr. Woodfall was married February 29, 1872, to Miss Lizzie P. Tufts, a native of Rockport and daughter of the late George W. Tufts and Lucretia Eads Rowe Tufts. Mr. and Mrs. Woodfall have one daughter, Mabel L.
ESSE W. £ PEABODY, the present chairman of the Board of Selectmen in the town of Middleton, was born here, February 28, 1831, son of Andrew and Mary (Pettingil) Peabody. His first ancestor in this country was Lieutenant Francis Peabody, whose son, Joseph, settled in Middleton, where the family has since remained. The house erected by Captain Nathaniel Peabody, the grandfather of Jesse W., is still standing, and is now owned by Samuel M. Peabody.
THOMAS AYREY.
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Captain Peabody married Ruth Elliott. Brought up on the farm, Andrew acquired a taste for agriculture. He bought a farm on the south side of the Ipswich River, and on it spent the remainder of his life, dying at the age of sixty-two. His wife, Mary, who came from Salem, had three children - Jesse W., Andrew Wallace, and Eunice G. Eunice G. married Joseph Fletcher, and resides on her father's farm.
Jesse W. Peabody was employed in a shoe factory early in life, and became well ac- quainted with the details of the business. He was afterward connected with the manu- facture of shoes in Middleton and Danvers until the year 1861. Then he erected a com- modious dwelling on Pleasant Street in Mid- dleton, and there resided until 1877. In that year he exchanged his house for a farm lo- cated on South Main Street. Since then lie has successfully devoted himself to farming, using modern methods. He married Sarah M. Peabody, a daughter of Joseph Peabody and a grand-daughter of Captain Nathaniel Peabody. Mr. Peabody is Republican in his political opinions, and has ably filled various offices of trust in the gift of the town. He has been a member of the Board of Selectmen and Assessor for twenty-four years, the chairman of the Board of Selectmen for three years, and Tax Collector for the past fifteen years.
Captain Nathaniel Peabody had ten chil- dren, namely: Joseph, who lived and died in Middleton; Andrew, the father of Jesse W .; Jesse, who lived in Manchester; Ancel, a resident of Andover; Lydia, who married Francis Peabody, of Topsfield; Irene, who married Samuel Symonds, of Peabody; Han- nah, who married James Russell, of Boxford; Eliza, who married Cummings Barr, of Lowell; Mary, who died in childhood; and Clara, who married Mr. Averill, of Lowell.
HOMAS AYREY, who was the overseer of the Pacific Mills in Lawrence for more than forty years, is now living in retirement at his pleasant home, 289 Broad- way. He was born January 21, 1829, in Lan- cashire, England, the birthplace and lifelong residence of his father and grandfather, both of whom were named Oswald Ayrey. Oswald Ayrey, Sr., after his marriage reared six children, three sons and three daughters.
Oswald Ayrey, Jr., learned the trade of blacksmith from his father, and afterward fol- lowed that occupation until his death, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. In 1821 he married Ann Edmonson, who survived him three years. After she had attained the same age, she was laid beside him in the village churchyard. They had thirteen children, of whom eight sons and two daughters reached maturity, married, and reared families of moderate size. Six of the thirteen are still living, namely: Thomas, the subject of this sketch; Margaret, the wife of John Sager, of England; Mary Ann, now Mrs. Brogden; James; William ; and Henry.
When eight years old, Thomas Ayrey left school to enter the print works of his native village. Here he afterward spent six years learning to mix colors, at first receiving a very small annual stipend for his labor. At the age of fourteen he was promoted to another department, and in the following nine years he acquired a practical knowledge of the man - ufacture of cotton goods. In 1854, embark- ing in a sailing-vessel at Liverpool for this country, he reached New York City on Octo- ber 2, after a voyage lasting thirty-two days. He first found employment at a mill in John- son, R.I. The times becoming dull soon after, he worked as a day laborer in Cranston, R.I., and Fall River, Mass., being about six weeks in each place. He subsequently found
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employment in a mill at Lodi, N.J., whencc in 1855 he came to Lawrence. Accepting the position of overscer of the print works in the Pacific Mills, which was then a compara- tivcly small department, Mr. Ayrey held that office for forty-one consecutive years. Under his supervision the work was greatly in- creased and the number of employees in his department was doubled, he having had charge of sixty men when he gave up his position in May, 1896. Reared to habits of industry and thrift, he acquired a good property, and in 1866 built his present substantial residence, which he has since occupied. He is a Repub- lican in politics, and for two years was a member of the Common Council. An active member of the Methodist Episcopal church since 1848, he has served it in every lay office connected with it. He is a well-known Odd Fellow, and has passed all the chairs of the local lodge.
In 1858 Mr. Ayrey married Miss Susan Crandall, of Lawrence, who bore him two children, both of whom died in infancy. She passed away in February, 1862, aged thirty- three years. In May, 1863, he married Miss Augusta L., daughter of Jamcs and Hannah (Stanley) Hornc, of Great Falls, N.H. After a happy wedded life of thirty years she dicd April 23, 1893, leaving one child. The latter, Minnie E., since the death of her mother has been the comfort and joy of her father's life, and has had charge of the house- hold. She was graduated from the Lawrence High School, and is an intelligent, practical young woman, with decided musical tastes and ability.
IDWARD STORY, an enterprising lum- ber manufacturer and grain merchant of Esscx, was born in this town, July 9, 1836, son of Perkins and Lucy (Goodhue)
Story. His grandfather, Jonathan Story, was a lifelong resident of Essex, and followed the trade of a carpenter in connection with farming.
Perkins Story, father of Edward, was in early life a millman. Later he cultivated a farm successfully until his death, which oc- curred in September, 1871. He married for his first wife Rachel Burnham, a native of Essex. Born of the union were five children, namely : Susan, the widow of Edward Choate; Albert, who died in 1895; Lucy A., who married Andrew Story, and died in Minne- sota ; Ira, a ship-carpenter, who first married Sophronia Foster, and whose second wife was named Rachel; and Mary, who is the widow of Samuel Lufkin, and resides in Essex. Perkins Story's second wife, Lucy Goodhue Story, was a daughter of John Goodhue, a cloth manufacturer of this town. She became the mother of five children, namely: Emily, who married Simeon Marshall, and died in 1871; Edward, the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth, who died in infancy; Newton, who died in 1870; and Elizabeth (second), the wife of Nathan Story, a merchant of Essex Falls. Perkins Story's second wife died in 1874.
Edward Story attended the school in his na- tive town, and at an early age began to assist his father in the mill. He eventually suc- cecded to the business, and bought a part of the homestead property. In 1874 he erected his present steam mills, which contain ma- chincry for sawing lumber and grinding grain. He is an extensive manufacturer of planed and matched boards and other building ma- terials, and he deals largely in grain and flour.
On January 28, 1874, Mr. Story was unitcd in marriage with Susan A. Furbush, daughter of Naham and Nancy (Morgan) Furbush,
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of Peabody, Mass. Mrs. Story died in Feb- ruary, 1890, leaving one daughter, Emily, who is now keeping house for her father. In politics Mr. Story is a Republican, but has never been induced to accept public office. He is one of the progressive and successful business men of Essex, and is highly rc- spected as a worthy and useful citizen. In religious belief a Universalist, he is an active member of the church in this town.
AMUEL HYDE BOUTWELL, of Andover, who formerly represented this district in the State legislat- ure, was born here, March 25, 1838, son of George and Fanny (Hyde) Boutwell. The grandfather, Jonathan Boutwell, a prosperous farmer of Wilmington, Mass., who passed his last days in Andover, was the father of seven children, of whom one died young. George Boutwell, father of Samuel H., was engaged in farming in Andover during his active years, and resided here until his death. His wife, Fanny, who was a daughter of Samuel Hyde, of Newton, Mass., became the mother of seven children, namcly: Lucy, now the wife of Artemus Wiswell; George and Edward H. ; Parthenia, the wife of Francis Holt; Samuel H., the subject of this sketch; Louisa, the wife of the Rev. James G. Merrill, of Port- land, Me .; and Mary K. Boutwell.
Samuel Hyde Boutwell was educated in the public schools and at Phillips Academy. He taught school in Andover and Tewksbury for four years during the winter months. Having succeeded to the possession of the homestead after his father's death, he has since been en- gaged in farming. Taking an earnest inter- est in public education, he has served as a member of the School Committee for fifteen years, and he is a trustee of the Punchard
Free School. He was a Selectman for sixteen years in succession. In 1874 hc was elected to represent Andover and North Andover in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and was later nominated for the State Senatc.
On January 12, 1865, Mr. Boutwell married Alice J. Trull, of Tewksbury, daughter of Na- thaniel and Amada Trull. His children are : Frederic S., Arthur T., Chester N., Winthrop S., and Alicc J. Boutwell. The two last named are at home. Chester marricd Miss Abbie Fessenden, of Tewksbury, and resides on the homestead. Frederic is a clerk in the Andover Savings Bank. Arthur T. is the chemist in the flax mills of Smith & Dove at Andover.
HARLES H. BOYNTON, an exten- sive coal and wood merchant of Gloucester, was born in this city, December 1, 1841, son of Charles and Mina (Hodgkins) Boynton. The father, a son of John Boynton, was a native of Gloucester. He learned the carpenter's trade, and was a building contractor until 1860. Then he es- tablished the coal and wood business now car- ried on by his son. He died in 1882, aged sixty-two years. By his wife, Mina, a daugh- tcr of James Hodgkins, of this city, he was the father of six children. Of these, three grew to maturity, namely: Sarah E., who married Edward A. Story, both now deceascd; Charles H., the subject of this sketch; and Caroline F., who married F. W. Bergengren, M.D., of Lynn, Mass. The father attended the Baptist church.
Charles H. Boynton was educated in the public schools of Gloucester. After complet- ing his studies he worked at the carpenter's trade with his father. He was later employed in his father's coal and wood business. Sub-
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sequently succeeding to its ownership, he has since carried it on. He is one of the leading merchants in his line in Gloucester, handling an average of twelve thousand tons of coal and eight hundred cords of wood annu- ally, and maintaining a steady patronage. In politics he is a Republican, and he has served for two years in the Common Council. A Past Master of Tyrian Lodge, F. & A. M., he belongs to William Ferson Chapter of Royal Arch Masons and Bethlchem Commandery of Knights Templar. He is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His wife was formerly Mrs. Hannah J. Robinson Hazel. Both he and Mrs. Boynton are mem- bers of the Christian Scientist church.
OSES H. CLOUGH, a retired building contractor residing in Annisquam, city of Gloucester, was born in Annisquam, October 7, 1817, son of Moses and Rhoda (Jones) Clough. Upon completing his education, which was acquired in the public schools of Gloucester, he became an apprentice to his father, who was a carpen- ter by trade. Before beginning work as a journeyman, he went for three seasons on a schooner engaged in the transport of sand to Boston and other places. At the age of eigh- teen he went to Boston, and secured work in Chelsea. Soon after he returned to Boston, and spent a ycar in the McLean Hospital. Thence he went to Fall River, Mass., and later to Mobile, where he worked for about six months.
After returning to Annisquam from the South, Mr. Clough began business for him- self, first erecting the house which is his pres- ent residence. Upon its completion hc se- cured contracts for other work in this vicinity, and soon had a very prosperous business.
Among the buildings erected by him are seven school-houses for the city of Glouccs- ter, including the Collins School. In 1868 he built the Orthodox church in Lanesville and in 1869 the Gencral B. F. Butler resi- dence in Annisquam. His next large contract was the building at Bay View of the stores, dwelling-houses, sheds, and barns of the Cape Ann Granite Company, of which Colo- nel Jonas French was manager. From there he went to Hampton, Va., and built the Sol- diers' Home for the government, a work re- quiring several years. So highly was Mr. Clough's judgment valued by the government officials with whom he was then brought in contact that he was sent as adviser to the board of management when the Soldiers' Home at Milwaukee was in course of erection. General Butler sent for him to build several houses in Washington. He was next ap- pointed to superintend the excavation of stone at Bay View, to be used for the Boston Post- office and Subtreasury building, the last im- portant work undertaken by him. Intending to reside permanently there, he purchased a place in Newtonville, Mass. ; but, finding his health was not so good as at Annisquam, he finally returned to this place, where he now lives retired.
Mr. Clough takes pride in saying that he has been a strong and radical temperance man all his life. He is held in the highest es- teem by his neighbors and acquaintances, who have found him upright and honest in all his dealings. On January 3, 1841, he was united in marriage with Martha L. Jacobs, daughter of Obed and Lucretia (Littlefield) Jacobs, of Wells, Me. A son and six daughters have blessed the union; namely, Ellen Frances, Ann Eliza, Georgietta, Ada Augusta, Mary Alice, Emma, and George. Ellen, the wife of James E. Jewett, has two children - Anna
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B. and Fred. Emma is the wife of Luke F. Ashley. George, a painter by trade, resides in Annisquam. Ann Eliza, who was the wife of Rhuel Griffin, of Annisquam, died aged thirty-five years; Georgietta died aged six years ; Ada A. died aged eight years; and Mary Alice died at the age of two years and two months.
T RUE PIKE, a well-known farmer and influential resident of Salisbury, was born in this town, September 20, 1845, son of True and Mary (Eaton) Pike. Of Eng- lish origin, the family is one of the oldest not only in America but in England. Its genealogy, traced back to the days of Will- iam the Conqueror, will be found elsewhere in this work. True Pike's grandfather enlisted on the 19th of April, 1775, in the Provincial army, before any company had been raised in Salisbury. He was not only a patriot but a brave man, serving gallantly in the Colonial cause. The father, born in Salisbury, Sep- tember 11, 18II, was on the Prudential Board; and his fellow-townsmen would gladly have had him serve as Selectman, but he declined. He served twice on the jury at the Salem courts. A member of the Salisbury Meth- odist Episcopal Church, he was a consistent Christian. He married for his first wife Mary Eaton, of Salisbury, and for his second wife May A. B. Smith, of Livermore Falls, Me. By the second marriage there were the follow- ing named children: Charles, who married Helen Eaton, of Seabrook, and is living on the old farm; Robert, deceased; George, who married Mary L. D. Pike, of Amesbury, daughter of William H. H. Pike; two chil- dren who died in infancy; Mary A., now widowed and residing with Charles Pike; and True Pike, Jr.
True Pike, the subject of this biography, after leaving school, was engaged in seafaring for the three years between the ages of fifteen and eighteen. In one of his trips, which lasted twenty-two months, he rounded the Horn on the thirteenth day of August, with the thermometer standing at twenty degrees below zero. He went to Callao, the Isle of Wight, Hamburg, Liverpool, Londonderry, and came home by way of Portland, Me. Landing in his native country when the sound of war was heard on every side, his youthful enthusiasm was aroused, and he determined to go into the service. After drilling with a company he enlisted; but he did not go to the front, as his father did not think him old enough. He then went to Lawrence, and worked in the cotton-mills, taking charge of the weaving-room. Later he worked in Sutton and then in Salem, where he had charge of rooms for two years. From there going to Beverly, he had the oversight of the packing and shipping department in the firm of Wallis, Kellem & Bray. This place he was obliged to leave on account of a severe at- tack of rheumatism. Subsequently restored to health, he went to Lynn, and had the man- agement of packing and shipping with the A. F. Smith Company. His old enemy, rheumatism, caused him to leave this employ- ment also and come home. After getting well again he worked successively in Lynn with Charles F. Tebbetts and in Salem with Winslow & Rogers, in both cases superintend- ing the shipping and packing departments. For five years after this, the duration of his lease of the place, he had charge of the Salem Roller Skating Rink. Then he was engaged to take charge of the extensive shipping de- partment in the firm of S. B. Fuller & Sons at Lynn. In 1887, at the urgent request of his sister, he came to Salisbury to make his
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home with her, and engaged in shoemaking and in farming.
Wherever Mr. Pike has been he has made the force of his character and his unquestioned integrity felt for the public good. At Salem he was on the Reception Committee of the Republican party during the campaign for Blaine and Logan. During three years prior to 1895 he was on the School Board of Salis- bury, and in 1896 and 1897 he was a member and the secretary of the Board of Selectmen. He has also been one of the Overseers of the Poor and a member of the Board of Health. Fraternally, he belongs to O. U. A. M., hav- ing affiliation with Niagara Council, No. II, of Salem. He has held all the offices in the council, and is now the State Council Protec- tor for the second time, having been in the position beforc in 1884 ; and he has also been the State Council Doorkeeper. He is like- wise a member of Washington Encampment, P. O. S. of A., No. 3, of Salem; and of the Massachusetts Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, which he has served on various committees, marking graves and ren- dering other services. On April 8, 1868, he married Eliza A. Bartlett, of Newburyport, and has had onc son, Charles, who died in his eighth year in Salem. Mr. Pike has in course of construction a handsome residence on Cushing Avenue, which will be completed about the first of August.
ILLIAM J. JOHNSON, a real es- tate and insurance broker of Man- chester and a former Postmaster of the town, was born here on January 23, 1847. A son of William and Emmclinc (Hill) John- son, he comes of English origin. The father, a native of Concord, N.H., learned the cabi- net-maker's trade in his native town. When
nineteen years of age he came to Manchester, and sccured employment at his trade as a journeyman. He subsequently engaged in business for himself, and the firm of which he was the senior partner was known as that of William Johnson & Son. This firm lasted until William J. Johnson was appointed Post- master. The elder Mr. Johnson shortly after withdrew from active business life, and is now practically retired, being in his eighty-second year. He is one of the highly honored citi- zens of this town. His wife, Emmeline, a native of Manchester, was a daughter of Cap- tain Benjamin Hill, a sea captain, who made long voyages to foreign ports, and was widely known among seafaring men. She died while her son, William J., was an infant.
Having received his education in the public schools, William J. Johnson, when about eighteen years old, began learning the cabi- net-maker's trade with his father, and subse- quently worked for him until he became a member of the firm of William Johnson & Son. He has always been a careful observer of current events, and has kept himself well informed on all topics of general interest. In 1885, under Mr. Cleveland's first administra- tion, after a close contest, he was appointed Postmaster of Manchester. He took charge of the office on October 1, 1885, and continued to hold the position until March 1, 1890. In March, 1890, he was elected Selectman of Manchester, and held that position for one year, serving also as Overseer of the Poor for the same length of time. For a number of years he has been serving as a member of the Board of Registrars of Manchester, and is now the chairman of the board. An aggres- sive Democrat, he was chairman of the town Democratic Committee for some years previ- ous to his appointment as Postmaster and for some time after his retirement therefrom,
ERNEST A. DICK.
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until after Cleveland's second election. He is a member and the secretary of Magnolia Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Manchester. For a number of years he has been the treasurer and collector of the First Congregational Parish of Manchester.
Mr. Johnson was married on January I, 1873, to Ella L. Taylor, of Montpelier, Vt. She has borne him three children - Fred M., Carrie T., and Emma H. Carrie is a music teacher. Emma H. is a stenographer for the Goodyear Shoe Machinery Company at their branch office in Lynn; and Fred M. Johnson is employed in the insurance business of Scull & Field, Boston. After leaving the post- office Mr. Johnson purchased the insurance business of John H. Cheever, and has since given his attention to that, dealing also to some extent in real estate. He now repre- sents ten different standard fire insurance companies, and is well known among insur- ance men. He is one of our Justices of the Peace and a Notary Public, in which capaci- ties he does a large amount of business in deeds, mortgages, etc.
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