USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Biographical review, containing life sketches of leading citizens of Essex County, Massachusetts > Part 54
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65
OSEPH WHEELER HAMMOND,* the president of the Board of Aldermen of Lynn, and an agent of the New Eng- land Telephone Company, was born August 23, 1858, in Nahant, Mass. His father, the late John Q. Hammond, a native of Strong, Franklin County, Me., married Caroline A. Wiggin, a native of Stratton, N. H. After completing the course of the public schools of Lynn, graduating from the high school in the class of 1877, Joseph Wheeler Hammond was fitted for Dartmouth College, but never matric- ulated there. Before attaining his majority, he started out in the world on his own account, and soon developed the business tact and pro- gressive ideas that have made him successful in his various undertakings. His first salaried employment was that of a book-keeper - a po-
sition which he held with May & Withey for a while, and afterward with P. W. Butler. In 1880 he learned the shoe-cutting trade, which he followed until 1883. Then failing health compelled him to seek other pursuits less con- fining. From that time until 1891 he was connected with several grocery firms, and during the two years immediately following was an employee in the purchasing department of the Boston, Revere Beach & Lynn Railway Company. In 1893 he accepted his present position as right-of-way agent for the New England Telephone Company -- an office for which his good judgment and courtesy have admirably adapted him.
While a resident of Nahant, Mr. Hammond was a member of the School Committee in 1885, 1886, and 1887, the latter year being the chairman of the board. In 1893 and 1894 he represented Ward Four of Lynn in the Common Council, in both terms being one of the committee on Street Lights, Ordinances, Printing, and Accounts. In 1895 and 1896 he was a member of the Board of Aldermen. In the first year he formed one of the commit- tee on License, Printing, Ordinances, and Public Grounds, being the chairman of the latter. In 1896 he was a member of the committee on License, Police, Ordinances, Printing, and Public Grounds, and was also chairman of the joint committee on Parks. During that term he was likewise chairman of the Board of Aldermen. In politics he is a strict adherent of the principles put forth by the Republican party. He is a charter mem- ber of Abraham Lincoln Lodge, No. 127, K. P. ; and of Sagamore Tribe of Red Men, No. 2. Mr. Hammond was married in Lynn, November 18, 1884, to Miss Mary Anna John- son of this city. Six children have blessed the union; namely, Charles P., Joseph B., Frank, Marion, Helen, and Louisa.
518
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
ILLIE E. MERRILL,* a prosper- ous farmer and livery stable-keeper of West Newbury, was born in this town in 1856, son of Elbridge and Abbie W. (White) Merrill. His grandfather, Captain Samuel Merrill, who was a native of West Newbury, settled upon the farm now owned by his grandson, the subject of this sketch; and he lived to the advanced age of ninety-seven years. The father, born in West Newbury, August 17, 1815, was one of the industrious and progressive farmers of his day. Having labored unremittingly for the support and ed- ucation of his family, he died September 20, 1885. He married Abbic W. White, daugh- ter of Samuel White, a ship-master who died at sea.
After leaving school, Willie E. Merrill drove a milk wagon to Newburyport for sev- eral years. He also did considerable team- ing, operated a grist and cider mill, and is still engaged in making cider, of which last season's output was one thousand barrels. In 1885 he engaged in the livery business, keep- ing an average of twenty horses. In the fol- lowing years he bought the express between Newburyport and Haverhill, and carried the mail. Since the death of his father he has carried on the homestead farm, where he raises the usual crops, making a specialty of onions.
Mr. Merrill was joined in marriage with a daughter of Major Samuel Merrill, who was born in Parsonsfield, Me., in 1815, and served as a commissioned officer in the Second Regi- ment of the Maine Volunteer militia. She became the mother of seven children, born as follows: Celia and Delia, twins, on April 11, 1879, who died in infancy; Jessie Maud, March 29, 1880; Mary Abbie, June 1, 1882; Mabel Knapp, June II, 1884, who died Feb- ruary 6, 1886; Nellie Elizabeth, April 9,
1887; and Ida Grace, October 28, 1888. Mrs. Merrill died November 28, 1896. Mr. Merrill served as Road Commissioner for seven consecutive years, was a member of the committee appointed to grade and gravel Pipe Stone Hill Road, and was appointed Town Undertaker by the Selectmen in three succes- sivc years. He is a member of Indian Hill Council, No. 11, Junior Order of United American Mechanics; and of Laurel Grange, No. 161, Patrons of Husbandry.
J AMES HUME, the pioneer carriage manufacturer of Amesbury, .was born in Galashiels, Scotland, April 23, 1835. At the age of eighteen he came to this country. He was first employed as a spinner in the woollen-mills of Amesbury in 1853. After two years spent in this line of work he learned the trade of carriage painting in the shop of J. R. Huntington. In 1856 he re- turned to Scotland, and for some time worked at his trade in Edinburgh. He came back to Amesbury in 1857, and there began building carriages in a small way at the age of twenty- three. Thus early he laid the foundation of the present Hume Carriage Company, which is claimed to be the largest and most widely known carriage manufacturing company in the United States.
Realizing the importance of saving as well as earning money in the early days, Mr. Hume often hauled his carriages to Salem and other places to meet his Boston customers, thus saving no inconsiderable item of freight. Hc worked early and latc, and began and con- tinued his business as the builder of honest and substantial work. Never behind in styles, preferring to lead instead of being led, he was able to secure customers from among the most liberal and enterprising buyers,
JAMES HUME.
521
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
He originated and introduced many popular styles now widely copied. A liberal em- ployer, he was quick to recognize and recom- pense merit. While frugal and saving, he was always ready to aid the poor and to lend a helping hand to struggling manufacturers. He built the first carriage factory on what is now known as Carriage Hill, the principal manufacturing district of the town. In 1884 he retired, and was succeeded by the Hume Carriage Company. Although nominally out of business, he finds abundant occupation in investing and caring for his capital. When in town his hosts of friends find him in his private office at the factory, where they always receive a cordial welcome. He lives quietly and unostentatiously, dividing his time be- tween his town residence and his country house when not travelling or revisiting Scot- land, where he and his family frequently go. A great lover of horses, his favorite recreation all through his long business career was a quick drive on the roads behind one of his many fast thoroughbreds. He is the presi- dent of the Amesbury Electric Light Com- pany and a director of the First National Bank in Merrimac. His life has been charac- terized by adherence to sterling principles, great business tact, and the good deeds prompted by a generous and kindly nature.
Mrs. Hume, by her parents, is a direct de- scendant of Captain John Courier, of Revolu- tionary fame, and of Josiah Bartlett, who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Inde- pendence. On the Bartlett side she traces her genealogy through illustrious generations to William the Conqueror. A lady of rare culture and refinement, she is a leader in the literary and social circles of Amesbury. She is a member of the Daughters of the Revolu- tion, of the Executive Committee of the Elizabeth Whittier Club, of the Village
Improvement Society, and of various other local and benevolent associations. Among her heir- looms are many rare and valuable relics of other days, some of them dating back to Co- lonial times. Mr. and Mrs. Hume have three children. Jean Bartlett Hume, the eldest daughter, a woman of marked literary ability, is the author of many short stories that have been published in the magazines. She is also an accomplished musician, and is the happy possessor of a fine voice. James Hume, Jr., is a student at Phillips Andover Academy. Joseph Bartlett, the youngest child, is attend- ing school in Amesbury.
RLANDO F. HATCH,* of the firm of L. M. Hatch & Sons, contractors and lumber dealers, is a native of Nobleboro, Me., where he was born October 26, 1845. His first ancestor in this country, William Hatch, came from Sandwich, Eng- land, in 1634, on the bark "Hercules." With William came his wife Jane, five chil- dren, and six servants. Having embarked for the Plymouth Colony, they settled in Scitu- ate, Mass. William Hatch is recorded on the custom-house records as a merchant. He was a man of means, and became a useful and in- fluential citizen in his new home. He built a house as early as 1635, and became first Ruling Elder of the second church of Scituate in 1648. After his death on November 6, 1651, his widow on October 8, 1653, married Elder Thomas King, her deceased husband's successor in his church office, and died in November following. The children of Elder Hatch, all born in England, were: Jane, who married John Lovice, of Scituate; Annie, who became the wife of Lieutenant James Torrey, of Scituate, on November 2, 1643; Walter, the next ancestor of Orlando P .; Hannah,
522
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
who married Lieutenant Utley, December 6, 1648; and William, who died in 1656 in Virgina.
Walter Hatch had sharcs in certain iron works and in the fulling and cloth mills, and was a large land-owner in Scituate, Rhodc Island, and elsewhere. In his will, dated 1698, among other bequests, he gave to his sons, John and Israel, the fulling-mill and the grist-mill, and two hundred and sixty acres of land on North River. Afterward he divided three thousand, three hundred, and seventy- five acres of land that he bought of one Thomas Hatch among all his children. Walter Hatch married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Jane Holbrook, of Weymouth, Mass. After her death he married a second time. His children were: Hannah, Samuel, Jane, Antipas, Berthia, John, Israel, and Jo- seph. He died in 1701. Israel, born in Scituate, March 25, 1667, married Eliza, daughter of the first Jeremiah Hatch, of Scitu- ate, on July 27, 1699. In his will, dated 1733, he gave his son Jonathan the part of the farm in Scituate that his father Walter gave him, and part of Green Island cedar swamp in the town of Hanson; also all his horsc-flesh and meat tubs, the chest in which he kept his writings, and a small cupboard marked "W. H." He died in 1740, aged seventy-three years. His children were: Lydia, Israel, Elizabeth, David, and Jon- athan.
Jonathan Hatch, born in Scituate, October 28, 1709, died in 1775. . He successively married Agatha Phillips, of Marshfield, and Rachel Curtis. He was the father of fifteen children; namely, Agatha, Jerusha, Elisha, Thankful, Lydia, Mark, Zaccheus, Philips, James, Lucy, Jonathan, Princc, Frederick, Briggs, and Rachel. Frederick Hatch, born in Scituate in 1759, when grown to manhood
moved to Maine, and settled in West Neck, Nobleboro, where he died February 19, 1854. His children were: Zaccheus, Frederick, David, James, Zylpha, Thankful, Lydia, Nabby, and Polly. Frederick (second), born in 1784 in Nobleton, Me., dicd in 1836. He married Annie Cheney, of Whiteficld, Mc., about the year 1812, and by hcr became the father of seven children - Ephraim, Crowell, Edwin, Lucy, Lot, Sewall, and Amy Ann. Lot Hatch, the father of Orlando Hatch, was born in Jefferson, Me., in 1821. He was a ship joiner by trade. In July, 1871, he came to Newburyport with his two sons, Orlando and Willard, and opened business here as a ship joiner and carpenter, of which he is still the head, though seventy-six years old. His wife, a daughter of Alexander Hall, is seventy-three years old. They recently cele- brated their fiftieth wedding anniversary. Both are members of the Baptist church and regular attendants at the services. Of their four children, Willard A. is the only other survivor.
Orlando Hatch was sent to the common schools of his native town, and later to Lin- coln Academy at Newcastle, Me. In August, 1864, when eighteen years of age, he entered the United States Navy, and was assigned to the United States steamship "Sabine " at Portland. Later he was transferred to the re- ceiving ship "Ohio" at Charlestown Navy Yard, and then went into the service at Florida, where he remained ten months. In June, 1865, he was discharged, and returned home. Afterward he attended school for a term at Lincoln, took a course in Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, and then learned the trade of ship-joincr at East Bos- ton. Later, after working successively at Newburyport and East Boston, he settled here in 1872, and has since been in company with
523
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
his father and brother. Mr. Hatch married Sarah B., daughter of Oliver Carlton, and now has three children. Willard, the eldest, is a book-keeper for his father; and Frank and Laura are still in school. Mr. Hatch is a member of the American Legion of Honor.
D. HODSDON,* a well-known busi- ness man of Gloucester and a member of the Board of Aldermen, was born in Kennebunkport, Me., August 25, 1860, son of Elbridge and Eliza (Leach) Hodsdon. His first American ancestor was George Hodsdon, who settled in Cambridge at an early date in the Colonial period. Mr. Hodsdon's great- grandfather died of apoplexy while serving in the American army during the Revolutionary War. Some of the descendants of George Hodsdon settled in Maine, where the name is sometimes spelled Hodgdon; and Timothy Hodsdon, who was born in Berwick, returned to that State prior to the year 1800, after a sojourn elsewhere. Elbridge Hodsdon, the father above named, was a native of Booth- bay, Me. He moved from Kennebunkport to Gloucester.
F. D. Hodsdon was educated in the public schools of this city. After the completion of his studies he entered the employ of Thomas L. Tarr in the market business, continuing as a clerk until 1881, when he purchased the business, and has since carried it on with suc- cess. His well-known energy and progres- sive tendencies make him especially efficient in the conduct of public affairs. He was a member of the City Council in 1895, was elected to the Board of Aldermen for 1897, and re-elected for 1898. While in the lower branch of the government he was chairman of the Committee on Public Property which gave out the contract for erecting the Hussey
School building, and he was also chairman of the same committee in the Board of Aldermen when it was completed in 1897. He is a member of the Cemetery Commission, and one of the Commissioners of the Huntress and Tufts Funds.
Mr. Hodsdon married Ida Sundebery, daughter of George Sundebery, of Gloucester, and has three children, namely: Albert, born in 1883; George E., born in 1887; and Helen A., born in 1888.
Mr. Hodsdon belongs to Acacia Lodge, F. & A. M .; Constantine Lodge, Knights of Pythias; the Uniformed Rank, and the local tribe, Improved Order of Red Men.
C. MACDONALD,* a prominent merchant tailor of Salem, son of John and Bella (McKinnon) Macdonald, ยท was born in Queen's County, Prince Edward Island, in 1859. He comes of the famous clan Macdonald that traces its descent back to the Macdonald of the Isle of Skye, who was "Lord of the Isles." His paternal grand- father, Angus, in 1842 emigrated from Skye to Prince Edward Island, and was there engaged in farming throughout the rest of his life, tak- ing an active part in public affairs and relig- ious work. Angus was one of three brothers, each of whom lived to be over ninety years of age, one having been over a hundred. Before leaving Skye, he was twice married; and both wives died in Scotland. The first wife was a McPherson. His children were: James, Donald, Malcolm, John, Mary, Sarah, and Christie, of whom six are now living.
John Macdonald, who was born in the Isle of Skye, came with his father to Prince Ed- ward Island at the age of twelve years. He became a ship-builder and farmer, and was known to be faithful to every trust. He did
524
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
considerable contract work on ships; and his employers were sure to find, without excep- tion, every specification of the contract care- fully fulfilled. At his death he was thirty-six years old. His wife Bella, who was a native of Prince Edward's Island, died on May 28, 1879. She was the mother of two children, J. C. Macdonald being the younger.
Having bcen educated in the public schools of his native province, J. C. Macdonald learned the tailor's trade with Angus Mac- Swain, being bound as an apprentice for five years. In 1879 he came to this country, and took a course of instruction at the Glencross Cutting School in New York City. After completing the course, he entered the employ of John Phillips, who later became the head cutter and foreman with A. Shuman & Co., of Boston. After working for Mr. Phillips for four years, Mr. Macdonald was the head cutter with Charles Green & Co., of Boston, for two years, subsequently filled a similar position with the firm of George Cas- tor & Co., of Boston, and in 1885 took charge of the cutting department, becoming also the buyer, of Almy, Bigelow & Washburn's estab- lishment in Salcm. In 1890 he started in business for himself in Salem at 202 1-2 Essex Street. Three years later he removed to the corner of Essex and Washington Streets, where he has since built up a prosper- ous and lucrative business. The quality of his work is unexcelled. The manufacturing department of his business, which is outside the ware-rooms, is one of the best managed in the city.
Mr. Macdonald is one of the Thorndike Associates. Hc is also a member of the Clan Wallace, No. 127, of Salem, of which he was the first Chief ; a member of the Grand Clan of Massachusetts; and an exccutive member of the Royal Clan, which is the highest in the
society. An esteemed Mason, he has mem- bership in Star King Lodge, Washington Royal Arch Chapter, Salem Council, Wins- low Lewis Commandery of Salem, Sutton Lodge of Perfection, and the Mystic Shrine, Aleppo Temple. In 1893 hc was united in marriage with Mrs. Poole, of Peabody, Mass., and now has one daughter.
RIN A. ORDWAY,* a prominent farmer and a native of Newbury, was born June 25, 1840, in Byfield Parish. His grandfather, William Ordway, was drowned when his father, Samuel Ordway, was only two years old. William's brothers were Eliphalet, Enoch, Joseph, Nathaniel, John, Joshua, Thomas, and William. John settled in Hampstead, where he became very successful and very wealthy. His descend- ants were numerous in Haverhill. Joshna was a most successful school-teacher. Samuel, who was a farmer, went across the isthmus to California in 1851. He contracted what was known as "isthmus fever," and lived only about two months after returning home. A man of character and enterprise, he was highly esteemed by his townsmen and by all who knew him. With an instinct for trade he was prosperous in business, was well-to-do. In the capacity of supervisor of schools in Grove- land he was a most efficient officer. He was a member of the Orthodox church in that town.
Orin A. Ordway received his early training in the public schools of Groveland and at the academy in that town. After his school-days had ended, he began shoemaking. For a time he had charge of a finishing-room. Later he bought a large farm in Groveland. Four ycars ago his fine buildings, which had cost over three thousand dollars, consisting of two barns
1 1
525
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
and a house, all new, together with a large amount of fresh English hay that had just been stored, besides farming tools and implements, were destroyed by fire inside of an hour and a half. This was a great loss and it gave a severe shock to Mrs. Ordway's health, which was never very strong. Mr. Ordway is an active man in town affairs. In politics he is a Republican. He has been Road Commis- sioner for four years, and had practical charge of the roads for three years preceding his appointment. He is a member of the United Mechanics and of the Essex Agricultural Asso- ciation.
On November 28, twenty-nine years ago, Mr. Ordway was united in marriage with Augusta, a native of Byfield Parish, and a daughter of Isaiah and Mary Rogers. Mrs. Ordway is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church, and an active worker in all its departments. She is charitable and benevo- lent, and, although not in robust health, is always ready to give time and effort to forward any good cause. She is an active worker in the temperance department and among the young people. Mr. and Mrs. Ordway's son, Sherman A. Ordway, born in Newbury, now a young man of twenty-seven years, was edu- cated in this town, and lives at home with his parents. He is a member of the Junior League, and a zealous supporter of that organ- ization.
EMUEL MEADER BROCK,* of Lynn, the proprietor of Mrs. Dins- more's Cough and Croup Balsam, and an ex-member of the legislature, was born in Strafford, N. H., November 6, 1837, son of Nathaniel and Sarah Worth (Meader) Brock. The father, a prosperous farmer and a lifelong resident of Strafford, represented the town in
the legislature in 1852 and 1853, served it in the capacity of Selectman, and died in 1887. Sarah W. Brock, his wife, a native of Roches- ter, N. H., was a descendant of John Meader, who, born in England in 1630, arrived in Massachusetts in 1650, and in 1653 settled in Dover, N. H.
Lemuel Meader Brock obtained his educa- tion in the public schools of Strafford and at the academies in Wolfboro, N. H., and South Berwick, Me. In 1859, having taught school for three years in New Hampshire, he went to Boston. There he was engaged in the grocery business for three years, in the wholesale but- ter and cheese business for the succeeding seven years, and he was connected with a hotel for two years. Coming. to Lynn in 1870, he was engaged in the hotel business here for seventeen years. In 1877 he pur- chased of Mrs. Dinsmore a half interest in her Cough and Croup Balsam, which was at that time struggling for an existence among the more widely advertised patent medicines; and, after her death in 1879, he became sole pro- prietor of the rights. In 1885 he decided to devote his entire energies to the business. By good management since then he has succeeded in bringing the remedy into public notice throughout the United States and Canada, with the result that large quantities are now disposed of annually.
On February 22, 1859, Mr. Brock married Melissa A. Sanders, of Strafford. He has two daughters, both residing in Lynn : Eva Mabel, the wife of Fred M. Newhall; and Ada A., the wife of Frank E. Davis. Politically, Mr. Brock is a Republican. He was a Representa- tive to the legislature in 1891 and 1892, and served upon the committees on Prisons and Land and Harbor. An esteemed Mason, he is a member of King Solomon Lodge, F. & A. M., of Charlestown. He is also connected
526
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
with West Lynn Lodge, No. 65, I. O. O. F .; West Lynn Encampment, No. 67; of Everett Lodge, No. 20, Knights of Pythias of Lynn, of which he is a charter member; with Mana- pashemet Tribe, No. 82, Improved Order of Red Men; and Lynn Lodge, No. 117, Order of Elks.
LFRED L. MOORE,* a well-known farmer and a prominent resident of West Newbury, was born in 1829, son of Greenleaf and Mary (Poor) Moore. His great-grandfather was Abner Moore. Greenleaf Moore (first), the grandfather, a lifelong resident of Old Newbury, died at the age of sixty-seven years. The father, who was born in Old Newbury in 1796, followed the trade of shoemaker during the active period of his life. He was for many years identified with religious work, and acted as a Deacon of the First Congregational Church. His wife Mary, born in Old Newbury in 1797, was a daughter of Samuel Poor, an ex- tensive farmer of that town in his day.
Alfred L. Moore attended school in his native town. When eighteen years old he began to learn the joiner's trade with Ichabod Titcomb. A year later he gave up the ham- mer and fore-plane to learn the shoemaker's trade with his father, which he afterward fol- lowed until he was thirty-three years old. He was next engaged in driving a milk wagon to Newburyport, and continued that occupa- tion for seven years, without missing a single trip. For over twenty-five years he has culti- vated a farm located upon Middle Road, be- tween Newburyport and Georgetown, making a specialty of potatoes.
In 1860 Mr. Moore was joined in marriage with Hannah Moody Pearson. Born in New- buryport in 1836, she was a daughter of Dea-
con John P. and Hannah (Pillsbury) Pearson. The father was a ship-carpenter, and the mother was a representative of an old and prominent family of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have two children, namely : Hannah M. A., born in 1864; and Alfred L., Jr., born in 1870. Hannah M. A. graduated from the West Newbury High School, and was the valedictorian of her class. In 1890 she mar- ried Herbert D. Field, and now resides in Northfield, Mass. Alfred L., Jr., completed his studies at Professor Carleton's private preparatory school in Bradford, Mass. He learned the shoemaker's trade, and is now employed by Bliss & Dodge in Newburyport.
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.