USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Biographical review, containing life sketches of leading citizens of Essex County, Massachusetts > Part 32
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HARLES BOYNTON, formerly a well-known merchant of Newbury, was born in Rowley, Mass., Sep- tember 8, 1813, son of Ebenezer and Jane (Todd) Boynton. His father, Ebenezer Boyn-
ton, who was a farmer and merchant of Row- ley, was born in Gloucester, Sandy Bay (now Rockport), in 1771. His banns of marriage to Jane Todd were published October 19, 1790. She was born in Rowley, July 19, 1773, and was a daughter of Daniel Todd, Jr., and Jane (Pickard) Todd. Ebenezer Boynton, who was familiarly known as Major Eben, died May 15, 1838, aged sixty-eight years. His wife, Jane, survived him nearly fifteen years, dying April 20, 1853, aged seventy-nine years and nine months. Their children were as follows: Jane, born in 1798, married a Mr. Richards, and died June 29, 1876; Ebenezer, born January 26, 1800, died February 28, 1850; Daniel, born May 30, 1805, died April 3, 1891; Henry, born November 17, 1807, died April 6, 1888; William, born February 1, 1810, died January 6, 1897; Charles, born September 8, 1813, died January 22, 1896; Ezekiel, born in July, 1815, died July 17, 1858; John, born May 15, 1818, died January 23, 1888.
After receiving his education in the schools of Rowley, Charles Boynton went when a young man to Boston, where he learned the cabinet-maker's trade, which he followed in that city for some years. Returning subse- quently to Georgetown, he conducted business. for a time as a cabinet-maker in company with his brother William. He then went' into the commission fruit and produce business, buying in large quantities from the farmers throughout the county, and making his shipments to Boston. He also dealt largely in horses, many of which he furnished on contract to the government during the Civil War. In 1870 he removed to Gloucester, where he owned and carried on a large livery and sale stable, and where he also opened a provision market. Seven years later he sold his livery business and returned
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to Newbury, having purchased of E. P. Shaw a beautiful residence in the village, command- ing a fine view of the sea and of the well- known resorts of Salisbury and Plum Island.
Mr. Boynton was twice married: first, in IS36 (banns published July 30), to Sibyl P. Hunt, who was born in ISII at West Charleston, Vt., and who died January 21, 1855. She was a daughter of Moses Hunt, who had four children - Sibyl P., Wealthy, Betsey, and Mahala. Wealthy married a Mr. Carr, and had two children - Adelaide and Eddie. Adelaide became the wife of Hollis Warren, and removed to California, where she now resides. Eddie, who also married, is now deceased. Betsey Hunt married first Ira Warren and for her second husband Edson Lyons. They lived on a farm in West Charleston, Vt. Mahala Hunt became the wife of Chauncey Fuller, and resided at South Barton, Vt. Both she and her husband are now deceased. Mr. Boynton's second wife, to whom he was united in November, 1855, was previously Mrs. Jane Y. Hills Hilliard, widow of Benjamin Hilliard. She was native of Georgetown, a daughter of Charles and Hettie (Chase) Hills, and a grand-daugh- ter of Obadiah Hills, one of the minute-men of '1776. Mr. Boynton's children, four in number, were all by the first wife, namely : Olive Ann, who died in August, 1876, aged thirty-seven years; Charles Albert; Ira War- ren, who died in infancy ; and Arthur Warren, born January 2, 1851. The last named was associated in business with his father for some years, and later went to New York, where he is now successfully engaged as an advertising agent. He married October 31, 1883, Emilie Seifert, of New York. The father, Charles Boynton, died in 1896 at the advanced age of eighty-two years. Until within the last five or six years of his life it was his custom to
visit his headquarters at Bennett & Rand's, Boston, nearly every week; and his familiar figure was also seen daily, early and late, visiting the various sections of the county in which he had dealings with the farmers. His wife, who survives him, resides in Newbury.
Charles A. Boynton was born October 7, 1842. He was reared and educated in George- town, and began at an early age to assist his father, with whom he remained until he was twenty-one years old. He then went to Provi- dence, R. I., where for five years he was in the employ of the Union Railroad Company. Later he was for four years associated with his father in Gloucester. For some years there- after he was engaged in the hotel business. He now resides in Everett, Mass.
ASHINGTON BURNHAM, a re- tired farmer of Essex, was born in this town, January 30, 1819, son of Benjamin and Lucy (Hardy) Burnham. The Burnham family, which has been identified with the town of Essex for seven generations, was founded by Lieutenant Thomas Burnham, who was born in Norwich, Norfolk County, England, in 1623. He came to America in 1635 on board the ship "Angel Gabriel," commanded by his maternal uncle, Captain Andrew, which was wrecked upon the coast of Maine. Thomas Burnham settled in Che- bacco, now Essex, and shortly afterward joined the expedition against the Pequot tribe of Indians. In 1667 he was granted a saw- mill privilege near Essex Falls. He became a large land-owner, and also attained promi- nence in public affairs. He served as a Se- lectman in 1647 and on town committees, in 1664 was appointed Sergeant of the Ipswich Company, in 1665 was made Ensign, and in
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1683 a Lieutenant. He served as a Deputy to the General Court in 1683, 1684, and 1685. Licutenant Thomas Burnham died in Junc, 1694. In 1645 hc wedded Mary Lawrence, who was probably a step-daughter of John Tuttle.
His second child, John Burnham, the next in line, was born in 1648. He married June 6, 1668, Elizabeth Wells, and had a family of nine children, as follows: John, Thomas, Jacob, Joseph, Abigail, Jacob (second), Jon- athan, David, and Mary. David Burnham, son of John, was born in Essex in 1688, and died in 1770. His first wife was Elizabeth Perkins, and his second wife Elizabeth Bart- lett. By his first union there were five children; namely, Elizabeth, David, Sarah, Abigail, and Wesley. The children by his second union were: Isaac, Joseph, and Will- iam. David Burnham, Jr., was born in Essex, June 17, 1714, and died December 27, 1802. He married Elizabeth Marshall, who was born in 1715, and died in 1801. Of this union were born the following named children - Amos, David, a second David, Elizabeth, Moses, Hannah, Enoch, Susannah, Benjamin, a second Moses, and Parker.
Benjamin Burnham, grandfather of the sub- ject of this sketch, was born in 1755. He enrolled himself among the patriots at the out- break of the Revolutionary War, and served until the end of the struggle. He was pres- ent at the battle of Bunker Hill, and for three years acted as an Aide-de-camp to General Washington. He lived to be ninety-two years old, and died in 1847. His wife, Susannah Day, died in 1843. Their children were: Benjamin, Susannah, Abner, Thirza, and Silas.
Benjamin Burnham, Jr., Washington Burn- ham's father, was born in Essex, March 8, 1778. He learned the trade of a ship-carpen-
ter, which he followed in his native town for the greater part of his life. His last days were passed in Amesbury, Mass., where he died September 29, 1838. He was twice mar- ried, and by his union with Polly Knowlton, his first wife, there were six children; namely, Esther, Timothy, Washington, Edwin W., Mary, and Mary D. His second wife, Lucy Hardy, who was a native of Essex, was the mother of five children, as follows: Wash- ington, the subject of this sketch; Cyrus H., born September 15, 1820; Lafayette, who was born August 26, 1824, and died May 14, 1825 ; Lafayette, second, born March 21, 1827, died March 19, 1844; and Benjamin F., born July 29, 1829. Cyrus H. Burnham married Au- gust 20, 1848, Mary J. Morse, now deceased. He died in 1893. Benjamin F. Burnham and his wife, who was an English lady, are both deceased. Their son, James Franklin Burn- ham, resides in Boston. Mrs. Lucy Hardy Burnham died in 1872.
Washington Burnham acquired his educa- tion in the common schools and at the Ames- bury Academy. He began active life as a ship-carpenter, having learned that trade with his father ; and he followed it for about eight years. He then carried on lumbering opera- tions in New Hampshire for a time, and after- ward, going to Virginia, was for four years engaged in cutting ship timber and wood, which he supplied to the New York market. In 1857 he settled upon his present farm in Essex, and followed agricultural pursuits with energy and success until his retirement, which took place some years since.
On December 25, 1841, Mr. Burnham was united in marriage with Mary B. Giddings, who was born in Rockport, Mass., in January, 1817, daughter of Aaron and Mary (Brooks) Giddings. She became the mother of three children, namely: Lamont Giddings, born
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WILLIAM W. COLBY.
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August 5, 1844; Mary Isabelle, born in Amesbury, Mass., October 4, 1848; and Florence May, born April 12, 1851. Mary Isabelle Burnham was married in 1866 to Frank F. Andrews, a prosperous farmer of Essex, and has two children - Lawrence E. and Mary F. Florence May is the wife of Frank Adams, an expressman, of Gloucester, Mass., and has five children. Mrs. Mary B. Giddings Burnham died June 3, 1891.
In politics Mr. Burnham is an earnest sup- porter of the Republican party, but has never aspired to prominence in public affairs. He has, however, rendered valuable aid to the cause of public education in Essex, having been a member of the School Board nine years, and Superintendent of Schools four years. He has attained success both as a business man and a farmer, and the fruits of his indus- try enable him to pass his declining years in rest and recreation.
Lamont Giddings Burnham, the well-known Boston coal merchant, is a veteran of the Civil War. Enlisting in 1862 in Company E, Forty-eighth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers, he served under General Banks at the capture of New Orleans, and was pres- ent at the siege of Port Hudson. Later he joined Company F, Third Massachusetts Regiment, with which he served until the close of his term of enlistment. He served as Provost under General Moore for five years with rank of Captain. He was appointed Captain of Troop D, of Roxbury, but later re- tired from the service. His business career was begun in Boston with Batchelder Brothers; and three years later he entered the coal busi- ness with Charles F. Newell, under the firm name of Newell & Burnham. In 1871 Mr. Newell retired, and from that time until 1898 the business was carried on under the name of L. G. Burnham & Co., this well-known
concern being perhaps the most extensive distributer of coal in New England, and, besides having unexcelled facilities for re- ceiving and handling their cargoes, owning several vessels and barges engaged in trans- porting coal to Boston from the various coal ports. In 1898 the Metropolitan Coal Com- pany was organized, with Mr. L. G. Burnham as president. This comprises five of the most extensive coal firms of Boston and vicinity. Mr. L. G. Burnham was president of the Boston Chamber of Commerce for 1891 and 1892, was in the latter year elected the chief executive of the West India Fibre Company and of the Roxbury Central Wharf Company. He is a director of the Boston Fruit Company and of the Mechanics' National Bank, and was recently appointed a member of the board of trustees of the Boston City Hospital. He is one of the most prominent figures in Boston business circles.
On June 30, 1880, Mr. Lamont G. Burnham was joined in marriage with Mrs. Mary Ame- lia Wood, daughter of Rufus Merrill, of Low- ell, Mass.
ILLIAM WALLACE COLBY, an undertaker and funeral director of Lawrence, and one of those who have carried on this business longest in this city, was born in Eaton, now Madison, N. H., June 24, 1818, son of Ebenezer Colby. The Colby family traces its ancestry back in a di- rect line to the year 1133. It was first repre- sented on American soil by Anthony Colby, who came from old England to New England at a very early date, settling in Amesbury, Essex County. The Colby homestead in Amesbury, that has not been out of the posses- sion of the family since it was acquired by
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Anthony Colby, is now owned and occupied by two maiden sisters.
Coleman Colby, the grandfather of William W., was a New Hampshire farmer. He was first married to Phobe Garland, and subse- quently to a Miss Barrows. He reared nine children; namely, Coleman, Ebenezer, Judith, Timothy, Phoebe, Rachel, Abram, Richard, and Lorenzo. Richard, a lawyer, died com- paratively young. Lorenzo had reached the age of fourscore when he died in Chel- sea, Mass. Ebenezer Colby, born in Eaton, N.H., March 12, 1791, died in the same place in the winter of 1859. An industrious hus- bandman, he toiled early and late on his rocky farm to support his family. He was twice married. His first wife, Dorothy, a daughter of Philip Jackson, of Eaton, N. H., died at the age of forty-two years. Of their six children, a daughter died in infancy. The others were: John, Mary Ann, William Wal- lace, Charlotte, and Stephen. A second mar- riage united Ebenezer with Mary Morrison, of Freedom, N. H., who bore him three children -- Eben, Albion, and Mary. Of his nine chil- dren, two are living - William W. and Eben. Eben is a farmer in Moultonboro, N.H.
After completing his education in the dis- trict schools of Eaton, William W. Colby as- sisted in the care of the home farm until he attained his majority. Then, in June, 1839, he left home with ten dollars in his pockets, five of which was borrowed from a neighbor, and began the struggle of life in earnest. Having taken the stage-coach at three o'clock in the morning, he reached Dover, some seventy miles distant, at ten o'clock that night. Early next day he resumed his jour- ney, reaching Haverhill, Mass., at three o'clock in the afternoon. Here he accepted work on a farm at twelve dollars a month. At the end of nine months he had saved
ninety-six dollars, for which he took his em- ployer's note. During the ensuing winter, in East Haverhill, he worked as an apprentice at the shoemaker's trade for his board. In the following summer he took charge of the farm of a widow in the vicinity. About eight years after his marriage he settled in Law- rence, where he was active in municipal affairs for a time. In 1864 and 1865 he was a member of the Common Council. After this he conducted an express business between Boston and Methuen for a time. During the years 1871 and 1872 he was superintendent of the cemetery. In 1875 he engaged in the undertaking business, which he has since suc- . cessfully carried on. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and he belongs to the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows. The senior Deacon of the Free Baptist church, he has the distinction of being the oldest living member of the society.
Mr. Colby was married November 26, 1840, to Elizabeth A. F. George, a daughter of Moses George, of East Haverhill, Mass. Of their ten children, three have passed away, namely: Eli, who died in infancy; Frederick A., at the age of fifteen years; and Edward L., who contracted consumption while serving in the late Rebellion, and died at Oakland, Cal., in June, 1887, leaving a widow and two children. The seven living are: George M., who is in the undertaking business with his brother; William R., who lives in the West, and has two children; Charles M., who is em- ployed by the Lawrence Board of Health; Arthur E., who is in business with his father, and has a wife and three children; Guy I., who is the manager of the meat market of Swift & Co. at Springfield, Ill., and has a wife and three children; Susan Jane, who is the wife of Captain Frank F. Eastman, of the United States army, stationed at Vancouver,
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Wash., and has six children; and Mary F., who is the wife of John W. Bolton, of Law- rence, and has five children. Mrs. Elizabeth Colby died in July, 1874, aged fifty-three years. On September 2, 1875, Mr. Colby married Lavinia C. Pray, of Lawrence. They have one child, Alice Lavinia, who was grad- uated from the Lawrence High School in 1 897.
EORGE F. BAGLEY, of Amesbury, the president of the Powow River Bank, was born here September 9,
1829. He is a branch descendant of Captain Valentine Bagley, of whose famous well in Amesbury so much has been written. It is related that Captain Valentine, having been cast away, was suffering untold agony from thirst, when he registered a solemn vow that, if he lived to see his native town once more, he would dig a well both wide and deep to commemorate the event of his return. As a result, "Captain Valentine's Well " is one of the many historic spots in Amesbury.
David Bagley, the grandfather of the sub- ject of this sketch, was an extensive ship- builder. He died at the age of thirty-five years, leaving a large family of children. Among the latter was Frederick Bagley, the father of George F., born in 1797, who was for many years interested in the manufacture of silver-plated carriage trimmings, and was subsequently connected with the mills in Amesbury. Owning considerable property, he was influential in the town. He was Tax Collector and Town Treasurer for a time, and a prominent member of the Baptist church, being clerk of the church for many years. He married Betsey Fowler, of Salisbury. His death occurred at the advanced age of seventy- one years.
George F. Bagley was educated in the pub- lic schools. Afterward he spent six years in New York City, where he was employed by a firm dealing largely in ship supplies. Upon returning to Amesbury, he entered the Powow River Bank, with which institution he has been connected for forty-one years. Be- ginning his duties there as book-keeper, he was promoted to the position of cashier, and remained in this capacity for nineteen years. Since 1877 he has been the president of the bank. He is also a trustee of the Provident Institution for Savings, and a director and vice-president of the Merrimac Hat Company. As the co-executor of the will of the poet Whittier, he holds many copyrights of Whit- tier's works.
By his marriage with Sarah J. Brow, of Amesbury, Mr. Bagley has one daughter, Susan E. Bagley, residing at home, whose talent as a musician is well known. Mr. Bag- ley is a member of the Warren Lodge, F. & A. M., and has passed through all the chairs ; and a charter member of the Trinity Chap- ter, R. A. M., of which for many years he was the treasurer.
OHN L. BLAISDELL, of Merrimac, a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Danville, N.H. His grandfather, John Blaisdell, was a Revolutionary pensioner of East Kingston. John Blaisdell, Jr., son of John and father of John L. Blaisdell, was a private soldier stationed at Portsmouth, N. H., during the War of 1812. He had fourteen children, all of whom lived to maturity. One of them, Levi, served under Cushing in the Mexican War, and died at New Orleans at its close. The remaining brothers, five in num- ber, all enlisted for service in the Civil War. The subject of this sketch was appointed re-
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cruiting officer by the Governor, and began the performance of his duty by enlisting him- self, probably the only instance of the kind on record. Two of his brothers also enlisted in the same company, and with twenty-two other volunteers joined the Third New Hampshire Infantry. Mr. Blaisdell was afterward made a non-commissioned offieer. He went to Washington with his company, and was sub- sequently at Hilton Head, S.C., at Morris Island, and, later, successively at Fort Wag- ner, at Fort Secess on the James River, and at Fort Darling. He was wounded at Drury Bluff, having served about four years, by a eannon-ball which grazed him from the right shoulder to the left, knocking him senseless and tearing his clothing from the breast, where the sears are still visible. 'The seri- ous injuries he sustained eaused him soon afterward to be honorably discharged. His brothers Luther and Lorenzo joined the Forty-eighth Massachusetts Regiment, and were out fourteen months. Lorenzo was slightly wounded in the leg by a spent ball. Josiah and Samuel served with their brother John L., and neither of them was wounded during the war. Returning subsequently to civil life, Mr. Blaisdell settled in Merrimae, where he engaged in general teaming, and also followed his trade of stone mason. He served as Surveyor for some years, and in 1896 was appointed Road Superintendent. He is a member of the Grange, and is a well- known, prosperous, and respected eitizen.
ON. J. OTIS WINKLEY, ex-Mayor of Newburyport, was born February 26, 1847, in that part of Newbury now ealled Newburyport, son of Paul T. and Abigail K. (Otis) Winkley. The father, born in Barnstead, N.H., taught school when
a young man. Subsequently, for fifty years, he was a prosperous farmer in Newburyport. His death occurred on April 19, 1890, at the age of eighty. He was a faithful member of the Baptist church, and aided materially in building the Green Street Baptist Church in Newburyport. His wife, Abigail K., was a daughter of the Hon. Job Otis, of Strafford, who owned and carried on a large farm, was prominent in the community, and served in many publie offices. At one time Mr. Otis was strongly urged to run for Governor, but refused. He died at the age of eighty-eight. Mrs. Abigail Winkley died in 1880 at the age of sixty-two, leaving six ehildren. Of these, five are now living, two sons and three daugh- ters.
J. Otis Winkley, the third of his parents' ehildren, was edueated at Newburyport, eom- pleting his studies at the high school. After leaving sehool, he attended to a milk route for a number of years. He has always lived on the old homestead, a farm of some hundred aeres, which he has kept up and improved throughout his life. He is a strong Democrat. Begin- ning in 1874, he was a member of the Common Couneil for three years. In 1877, 1883, and 1884 he was an Alderman. He was Registrar of voters in 1884, 1885, and 1886; and he be- came Mayor of the eity in the year 1887. During his Mayoralty the No. 2 Engine- house was built, and the present almshouse, which has been pronounced the finest building of its kind in the State. In 1892 he was first elected Assessor, in which capacity he served for six years. He has been a member of the Newburyport Veteran Artillery Association ; is one of the original members of the Mayors' Club, to which he still belongs; an Odd Fel- low of Quaseaeanquen Lodge, No. 39, Merri- mac Eneampment, No. 7, and Canton Har- mony, No. 47, Patriarchs Militant. He also
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belongs to the Newburyport Board of Trade and the Dalton Club. Mr. Winkley's record in public life has won for him the high es- teem of his fellow-citizens.
BEN WOODBURY, who was a real estate dealer of Lawrence, and resided at 232 Broadway, corner of Bradford Street, was born July 15, 1824, in Pelham, N.H., son of Ebenezer and Hannah (Young) Woodbury, both of whom were natives of the same town. Ebenezer Woodbury, born in 1798, died at the age of thirty-three, leaving his widow with nine small children. The latter comprised four sons and five daughters, all of whom married; and all had large families, except one, who had but two chil- dren. Of the nine, two daughters are living. A man of considerable mechanical ability, the father was able to turn his hand to a variety of occupations. He worked at carpentry, cab- inet-making, masonry, and painting, accom- plishing a good deal in his short life. His final sickness lasted fifteen months. His mother lived to be ninety-nine years old. Mrs. Hannah Woodbury, who came of a long-lived race, attained the age of ninety- two. Her mother was a centenarian; and her only surviving sister, who was the widow Wilson, of Pelham, was nearly one hundred years old when she died in 1897.
Beginning when but eight years old, Eben Woodbury worked at the shoemaker's bench with his eldest brother, John, until his eigh- teenth year. He was married when not quite twenty, and owned his first home in Andover, Mass., where he built a comfortable six-room cottage at a cost of less than six hundred dol- lars. He settled in Andover in 1846, and there worked at his trade until past thirty-five. Leaving his family in Andover, he came to
Lawrence, and became a salesman in the gro- cery store of Deacon Payson at the corner of Lowell Street and Broadway, receiving seventy-five cents per day. While he was a clerk for Mr. Payson, he helped him establish a meat business and build up a good trade. In the early sixties in company with his son- in-law, Carlton Grimes, he embarked in the grocery business on his own account. In a comparatively short time they had a flourish- ing business in groceries, meats, provisions, and shoes, gave employment to seven inen and four teams, and were making a thousand dol- lars per month. Mr. Woodbury retired from the business about the year 1877. Before then he had built the fine block fronting on Broadway and Bradford Street, eighty-five feet front by one hundred feet deep. At one time he owned three corners here. He purchased the one on which he resided in 1860. In 1882 he pulled down a small ten-room house that stood upon it, and built the handsome three-story house, with French roof, contain- ing thirty-four rooms, making four distinct tenements, and which was his home. The beautiful elm-trees that furnish shade were planted by him.
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