USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Biographical review, containing life sketches of leading citizens of Essex County, Massachusetts > Part 58
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EREMIAH HEALY,* eoal dealer, a popular citizen of Newburyport, was born here, February 25, 1868. His father, Patrick Healy, eame to this city at the age of four. He was a machinist by trade, and was a resident here until his death by an accident at the early age of thirty-two.
Jeremiah Healy was the second of five ehil- dren, and was educated in the grammar and high schools of his native eity. He left school to enter the employ of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company, starting as office-boy, and being promoted to the posi- tion of book-keeper. Leaving this company after some years, he then learned the printing business with the Economy Printing Com- pany, and was afterward with Henry M. Cross for one year. He was next associated with P. H. Crcasey some seven or eight years, at the end of which time he bought out his
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partner's agency in May, 1895. Mr. Healy, however, ships his coal direct, runs his own barges, and owns sheds on the wharf, handling between four and five thousand tons of coal yearly.
He is a Democrat in politics, and was on the Common Council from Ward Five for four successive years, 1892-96, becoming an Alderman in 1897. He is a member of the M. C. O. Foresters, and Chief Ranger; and of the Fr. Lennon Benevolent Association, of which he was president at one time. He is also a member of the B. P. O. Elks and of the American Yacht Club and the Sherman Club.
ON. JOSIAH CHASE BENNETT, a real estate dealer of Lynn and one of the city's best known men, was born May 6, 1835, in Sandwich, Carroll County, N. H. A son of Simon and Mary Fogg (Cliase) Bennett, both also natives of Sandwich, he is a direct descendant of Samuel Bennett, who came from England to America in 1635 on the ship "James," and afterward located in Lynn. It is to be inferred that Samuel was a man of some prominence, as, under date of 1639, his name appears on the roll of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston. On the mother's side Mr. Bennett is a descendant of Aquila Chase, who came from England and settled in Hamp- ton about the year 1640, and of Thomas Chase, Aquila's son, who served in King Philip's War in 1675.
Mr. Bennett's great-grandfather, Stephen Bennett, Sr., who for seven years was a Drum- major in the Revolutionary War, was frozen to death in Moultonboro, N.H., on Lake Winnipesaukee. Stephen Bennett, Jr., the grandfather, who was born in Moultonboro, after learning the cooper's trade, settled in
the neighboring town of Sandwich, where he spent the rest of his days. Simon Bennett passed his life among the hills of the Granite State, chiefly occupied in farming. For many years he was connected with a company of the New Hampshire State militia as drummer, having been instructed in the use of the drum by his grandfather, the Revolutionary hero.
Like most farmers' sons of his time, Josiah Chase Bennett acquired his education in the public schools, remaining in Sandwich until he was sixteen years of age. Then, in Sep- tember, 1851, he came to Massachusetts, spent some time in Danvers, and finally secured his first regular employment from F. P. Merriam & Co., of Middleton. Later he was employed by Frank Dane & Co., of Dan- vers, with whom he remained four years, and subsequently was engaged in the hatter's busi- ness in Boston on his own account for a few years. Then he was obliged to give up all active occupation for a while, owing to poor health, during which time, however, he busied himself with the art of photography. In 1865 he came to Lynn, and during the next three years he travelled extensively for the Ameri- can Shoe Tip Company, acquiring a practical knowledge of the shoe business. Then he began the manufacture of shoes, following it successfully thereafter for over twenty years. In 1892 he retired from the shoe trade, and embarked in the real estate business, which he is carrying on at the present time, being an extensive dealer in city and suburban property.
Although his private interests absorb a good deal of his time, Mr. Bennett has found sufficient leisure to be a leader in the Repub- lican party. He was the first president of the Lynn Republican Club, and for several years afterward he served as its president or vice- president. He is also an active member of
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three other prominent Republican Clubs -the Massachusetts, the Middlesex, and the Essex. The Oxford Club also numbers him among its members. Outside Lynn he belongs to the Boston Home Market Club, the Boston Mer- chants' Association, and to the Society of Colonial Wars. In 1892 he was a delegate to the Republican national convention. He was the State Senator from Lynn in 1885, repre- senting the First Essex Senatorial District, and was re-elected to the Senate in 1897. Also earnestly interested in religious work, he is a useful member of St. Stephen's Epis- copal Church. He was married at Rochester, N.H., February 5, 1865, to Miss Nancy Louisa Richardson, of that town, a daughter of Captain Ephraim Richardson and Procinda (Thorpe) Richardson.
EORGE SANBORN, of Lawrence, was employed as a carpenter and wood- worker by the Essex Company for fifty-two years. Born November 5, 1823, in Epping, N.H., he was a son of Zebulon and Betsey (Hill) Sanborn, both of whom were na- tives of New Hampshire. The father, son of. Daniel Sanborn, who was a farmer in humble circumstances, was born in Rockingham, N.H., about 1793, and died in Epping at ninety. A most capable farmer, he acquired a fair property, having started on a rented farm. Of his thirteen children, twelve - eight sons and four daughters - reached ma- turity. Three sons and two daughters are now living, namely : Sally, who is the widow of Prescott Chase, is now nearly eighty years old, and resides in Epping; George, the sub- ject of this biography ; Rufus and Charles, resi- dents of Newfield, N.H .; and Abbie, now Mrs. Norris, residing in Haverhill. Daniel, born in 1811, who became a carriage-maker,
was eighty years old when he died. The mother broke her hip, and died from the effects of her injury at seventy-three.
George Sanborn's boyhood was passed on his father's farm in New Hampshire. He re- ceived a good common-school education. At eighteen he began a three years' apprentice- ship at carriage-making with his brother Daniel. On July 18, 1845, after working at his trade for one season in Worcester, he en- tered the employ of the Essex Company, being required to do repairing and all their outside work in wood. For the last forty years of his life he was the superintendent of outside affairs, hiring the men and supervising the work. Though he did not go to the war, he paid the cost of procuring a substitute. One of the incorporators of the Lawrence Lumber Company, he was a stockholder from its for- mation. As the superintendent he had much responsibility, having from sixteen to twenty men in his charge during the winter and as high as one hundred and fifty in the summer. Lately he had the assistance of his son.
In 1848 Mr. Sanborn married Sarah Norton, of Buxton, Me. Twin children were born to them, but they died in infancy. At her death Mrs. Sanborn left no living children. Mr. Sanborn was again married in 1855 to Jane Blair, of Barnet, Vt. A son and daughter have blessed this union - George A. and Genevieve. George A., a carpenter, who has succeeded to his father's position in the cm- ployment of the Essex Company, is married and has one son, Waldo Harvey Sanborn, now eight and a half years old. Genevieve is the wife of William A. McCrillis, of Boston, and has a son aged ten years. A Republican in politics, Mr. Sanborn has served in the city government for four years, two as Councilman and two as Alderman. For about seventeen years he was a member of the fire department,
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GEORGE SANBORN.
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serving in the capacities of foreman and en- gineer. He died on March 8, 1898. The family reside at 77 Bradford Street, in the house which he built at the time of the war.
G ENRY K. PALMER,* the George- town agent of the American Express Company, was born in this town March 3, 1869, son of John M. and Hannah S. (Kimball) Palmer. His grandfather was John Palmer, Jr., who was born in 1780, mar- ried Sarah Merrill, of Georgetown, and died in 1867; and his great-grandfather was John Palmer, Sr., a native of Bradford, Mass.
John M. Palmer, his father, was born in 1823. He learned the carpenter's trade, which was his principal calling through life; and he was a skilful and reliable mechanic as well as a worthy and upright citizen. He resided in Georgetown. His wife, Hannah S. Kimball, was a daughter of Josiah and Hannah (Ross) Kimball. The Kimball family of Ips- wich are descendants from three brothers, who emigrated from England. Mrs. John M. Palmer's maternal grandfather, Thomas Ross, was a member of an Ipswich company that served in the Revolutionary War. Her pater- nal grandfather was Jeremiah Kimball, of Ips- wich.
Henry K. Palmer was educated in the com- mon schools of Georgetown. When his studies were completed, he entered the employ of I. F. Carter, » manufacturing druggist, for whom he worked three years; and during the succeeding four years he was with the Georgetown Boot & Shoe Company. He next engaged in the retail clothing trade; and, after carrying on business for a year, he in 1895 became the agent of the American Express Company in this town.
Politically, Mr. Palmer supports the Repub- lican party ; and he takes an active interest in. local public affairs. He was elected to the Board of Selectmen in 1895, was re-elected the following year, was an Assessor for the same time, and has served in the fire department for the past ten years .. He is a member of Charles C. Dame Lodge, F. & A. M .; of Protection Lodge, No. 147, I. O. O. F. ; and of the Union Social Club of Georgetown.
In 1895 Mr. Palmer was united in marriage with Maud A. Pingree, daughter of Charles H. and Lucy H. Pingree, of Georgetown.
SCAR GOWEN,* a prosperous dairy farmer of West Newbury, is a native of this town, born in 1851 upon the farm that he now owns and occupies. He is a son of Ezekiel and Hannah P. (Colby) Gowen. His grandfather, Ezekiel Gowen, first, was a lifelong resident of Maine.
Ezekiel Gowen, second, father of Oscar, was born in Alfred, Me., in 1806. When a young man, he settled in West Newbury. He was engaged in the fish business, and also fol- lowed agriculture during his active period. He died in 1879. His wife, Hannah, was a daughter of Benjamin Colby, of Newburyport.
Oscar Gowen passed his boyhood and youth upon the farm, and was educated in the dis- trict schools. He followed shoemaking for three years, and for several years thereafter was engaged in driving a fish wagon through Haverhill, Merrimae, Groveland, and South Groveland. After his father's death he suc- ceeded to the possession of the homestead, and has since devoted his time to dairy farming and the breeding of fancy poultry. He served as Road Commissioner five years. In 1885 Mr. Gowen married Ella O. Carr, daughter of Prentiss and Laura Carr, of Danville, Vt.
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He has one daughter, Etta H. G., who is now attending school.
Mr. Gowen is a member of Protection Lodge, No. 147, I. O. O. F., of Georgetown ; Mohawk Tribe, No. 67, Improved Order of Red Men, Haverhill; Groveland Lodge, No. 74, Ancient Order of United Workmen; is Vice-Councillor of Indian Hill Council, No. II, Junior Order of American Mechanics; and member of West Newbury Grange, No. 146, Patrons of Husbandry.
APTAIN AUGUSTUS JOSHUA HOITT,* the well-known pension attorney and real estate dealer of Lynn, and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in East Northwood, N. H., December 18, 1845. His grandfather, Daniel Hoitt, served as a soldier in the War of 1812. He is a son of Joshua and Datha (Pillsbury) Hoitt, both also natives of East Northwood. The father was a carpenter, and followed that trade in East Northwood until enlisting in Company G, Tenth Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers. He was honorably discharged on account of physical disability, the result of a severe wound received at the battle of Fredericks- burg. Returning to his home from the field, he resumed his trade. He is still residing at East Northwood, and is now eighty-five years old.
Augustus Joshua Hoitt was reared and edu- cated in his native town. Having learned the shoemaker's trade, he was employed as a journeyman for two years. On September 26, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Fifth New Hampshire Regiment, under Colonel E. E. Cross, and was mustered in on the 14th of the following October. The Fifth was assigned to General O. O. Howard's Brigade, First Division, Second Army Corps, and took
part in thirty battles, including Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and the siege of Petersburg; and he was present at the sur- render of General Lee at Appomattox Court- house. Mr. Hoitt was wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864. He was pro- moted and appointed Captain of Company I, Fifth New Hampshire Volunteers, on October 28 of the same year, and was mustered out June 28, 1865. After the war he resumed shoemaking, being employed in East North- wood and Haverhill, Mass., for some time; and in 1867 he came to Lynn, where for sev- eral years he acted as foreman in various fac- tories. He was appointed City Marshal under the W. L. Baird administration. In this office he had served for two years, when he re- signed in order to accept the superintendency of J. S. Bartlett & Co.'s factory. This posi- tion he held until President Harrison, in 1889, appointed him l'ostmaster, in which capacity he served with credit for four years and four months. Since retiring from the post-office, he has given his attention to his present busi- ness. In politics he is a Republican, and in 1878 he was a member of the Common Council.
In Bennington, Vt., on March 2, 1869, Cap- tain Hoitt was joined in marriage with Au- gusta L. Howard, of Bennington. They have had two children, both of whom are now de- ceased. Captain Hoitt was formerly Com- mander of Post No. 26, G. A. R., of North Bennington. Since he joined General Lander Post, No. 5, of Lynn, he has served it for three years in the same capacity.
ERBERT CONE BAYRD,* Building Inspector of Lynn, was born in this city, November 3, 1851. He is a son of Edward and Mary (Cone) Bayrd, the
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former of whom was a native of Lynn, and the latter born in Sag Harbor, N. Y. The grand- father was William Bayrd, who in 1812 was appointed the first toll-gate-keeper on the Bos- ton and Salem turnpike. Edward Bayrd was engaged in the milling and grocery business in Lynn for thirty years, and died in 1878.
Herbert Cone Bayrd, having completed his studies in the public schools at the age of six- teen, served an apprenticeship to the mason's and bricklayer's trade. Working as a journey- man for about seventeen years, he has since 1887 conducted a profitable business on his own account as a contractor and builder. He was appointed building inspector on June I, 1897, his qualifications for the position being generally recognized. As a member of the Common Council for the years 1889 and 1890, he served upon the committees on Claims, Almshouse, and Poor. Representative to the legislature in 1893, he was assigned to the Committee on Election Laws, and was clerk of the Committee on Counties.
On July 18, 1877, Mr. Bayrd was joined in marriage with Clara Ada Lowe, of Cherryfield, Me. He has six children; namely, Sarah, Anna, Etta, Thomas, Enoch, and Amy.
Mr. Bayrd is a member of West Lynn Lodge, No. 67, I. O. O. F. ; a charter mem- ber of Fraternity Encampment, No. 5; and charter member of Nanapashemet Tribe, No. 82, Improved Order of Red Men. He belongs to the Sixth Ward Democratic Club.
EORGE IRA TARR,* an esteemed resident of Rockport and a member of the firm George J. Tarr & Co., manufacturers of fish oil at Gloucester, Mass., was born February 2, 1856, in Rockport, son of George J. and Oresa (Sanborn) Tarr. The family, one of the oldest in Rockport, is de-
scended from Richard Tarr, who came from Wales and settled here in 1639. From him the line of descent comes through his son, Ben- jamin ; Benjamin's son, Solomon; Solomon's son, James; and James's son, George J., the father of George Ira. John Tarr, another de- scendant of Richard, saw service as a Revolu- tionary patriot. James Tarr, the grandfather of George Ira, was a soldier in the War of 1812.
George J. Tarr was formerly engaged in the fishing business in Rockport. From here he went to Gloucester, and continued in the same business for nearly half a century, handling, curing, and packing fish for the market in a variety of ways. From a small beginning he built up a large and very successful business. In later years he operated extensively in vessel property. He also dealt in real estate, becom- ing one of the largest real estate holders in Gloucester. In politics he is a Republican ; and he served in the Massachusetts legislature of 1895-96. For a number of years he has been a director of the Gloucester National Bank and of the Gloucester Safe Deposit Com- pany. His wife, whose maiden name was Oresa Sanborn, like himself is a native of Rockport. They are the parents of three sons and three daughters. The sons - Daniel S., George Ira, and Henry A. - have been associ- ated with their father in the fish business from boyhood.
George Ira Tarr grew to manhood here in Rockport, receiving his education in the schools of the town and at Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College in Boston. At the age of seventeen he became a regular employee in his father's business, and subsequently a member of the firm. In its earlier years the business was of a general character; but for a number of years past the firm has given its attention exclusively to the preparation of fish oil for
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the market, becoming probably the largest cx- clusive dealers in fish oil in the country.
Mr. Tarr married Annie Ross, a native of Rockport, Mass., by whom he has become the father of six daughters. In politics he is a Republican, and he takes an active interest in local affairs. He is serving his third term on the Board of Water Commissioners, of which he is the present chairman. The town is in- debted to him as one of the principal pro- moters of its splendid system of water-works. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Daughters of Rebecca.
RANK D. CLARK,* the manager of the Collateral Loan Company of New- buryport, was born in Concord, N. H. Belonging to the sixth generation of the Clarks in this country, his genealogy is traced back to England. Ancestors of his were officers in the War of the Revolution. His grandfather, Daniel Clark, who was born in Stratham, N. H., was prepared for college in the Hamp- ton Academy, subsequently graduating from Dartmouth. Having been admitted to the New Hampshire bar, Daniel opened an office at Manchester, where he continued in active practice for fifty years. In politics he was a Republican. He spent a number of sea- sons in Washington. He was Judge of the United States District Court for many years. Born of the first of his two marriages was one daughter. His second marriage was con- tracted with Mary Salter, of Portsmouth, who bore him two sons. They had one other child, an adopted daughter. Henry S., the younger of the two boys, and the father of Frank D., was born in Manchester. After attending Dartmouth College and completing a law course, he was admitted to the bar, and
began practice with his father. Afterward he retired from the profession. He married Mary Dearborn, of Hampton, N. H., who had four children by him, one girl and three boys.
Having completed the course of the Man- chester schools, Frank D. Clark prepared for college at the Hampton Academy and the Manchester High School. His college career was given up, however; and he came to New- buryport in 1890, taking the position of clerk with the Collateral Loan Company. In one year's time he took control of the entire busi- ness, which he has since successfully managed. Mr. Clark is a musician, playing the clarinet almost exclusively. He is a member of the Adelphi Society of Newburyport, and has played in different military bands. For the past three years he has played in the Haverhill Brass Band. Besides spending considerable time in concert work, he has given lessons on his favorite instrument.
USTAVUS H. TUFTS, of Middle- ton, was born in Malden, Mass., March 31, 1824. A son of Eben and Hannah (Harnden) Tufts, he belongs to an old Malden family founded by three brothers who came to America from England. In Melrose he learned the shoemaker's trade, residing in Malden during his apprenticeship. In 1848 he returned to Middleton, and built a house in the village. Nine years after he bought his present farm, located two miles north of the village. This property was the homestead of Deacon Joseph Peabody, of Lynn, the father of Dean Peabody, Esq., the late clerk of the Essex County Court in Salem. The house upon the estate is, per- haps, the oldest one in town. Since taking up his residence there, Mr. Tufts has devoted
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himself to farming, and lately raises straw- berries for the market.
On June 2, 1846, Mr. Tufts married Miss Emeline Stiles, of Middleton, whose acquaint- ance he made in Malden. She is a daughter of David and Nancy (Farnham) Stiles and a grand-daughter of Ezekiel and Miriam (Rich- ardson) Stiles, of Marblehead. The old Stiles homestead adjoins the northern boundary of the Tufts property, and is the only farm owned by that family since the grandfather first settled in Middleton. Mrs. Tufts has been the mother of twelve children, of whom nine are now living. Two died in infancy, each at the age of two years; the other ten were reared to maturity. Possessed of a healing power, she has never employed a physician for the family's ailments. Both families, the Tufts and the Stiles, have been Spiritualists for forty years. Hiram, the first to adopt this faith, was excommunicated be- cause of his belief. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Tufts were: Landon, who died in in- fancy; Annie W., who became Mrs. E. B. Jarvis, and now resides at Leominster ; Evelyn A., who was the wife of Jacob Kent, had three children, and died at the age of twenty-six; Alice, who died at the age of two years; Myra L., who became Mrs. Daniel Fuller, of Middleton; Ardelia, who became Mrs. James Gallagher, of Middleton; Alice M., who became Mrs. Hiram Towne, of Box- ford; Miriam Richards, who is now Mrs. George E. Danforth, of Milton, N.H .; Wil- bur H. ; Corà (now Mrs. Frank Leech) ; Lewis P .; and Leighton L. The three boys live at home. The Tufts brothers are widely known as musicians of merit, the company consisting of a performer upon the piano, a harmonica player, and a whistler. The girls were also musical, and their home was a famous resort for the young people of the vicinity. Ardelia
had an especially fine voice, and often sang in public on important occasions. The young men of the family are members of the grange, and universally popular. In 1896 Mr. and Mrs. Tufts celebrated their golden wedding, the fourth anniversary of the kind in the fam- ily within thirty-four years. They have seventeen grand-children.
AMES K. PULSIFER,* a prominent business man of Manchester, dealer in wood and coal, is a native of Glouces- ter, Mass., born on July 30, 1854, son of William and Lydia (Elwell) Pulsifer. Both his parents were born in Gloucester. The Pulsifers, who settled in Gloucester some two hundred years ago, have since becn a promi- nent and highly respected family therc. Some of its male representatives served in the Revolutionary War and in the War of 1812.
James K. Pulsifer spent the early ycars of his life in Gloucester, and attended school there until about seventeen years of age. When a youth, he was employed for consider- able time in the fishing industry, for which Gloucester was then, as now, famous. In his eighteenth year he began learning the trade of carpenter and joiner, and, after serving a three years' apprenticeship, followed it as a journeyman for a number of years, occasion- ally working as foreman for different contrac- tors and builders. Coming to Manchester in 1879, he worked at carpentcring here until 1890, when he started in the business in which he is at present engaged. He has been quite successful; and he now runs three de- livery wagons, which are kept busy most of the time.
Mr. Pulsifer married Esther Burnham, of this town, daughter of the late Frederick Burnham. He has two children - Ruth A.
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and Revere B. In politics Mr. Pulsifer is a Republican. He is warmly interested in all the affairs of the town, and takes an active part in town and political meetings.
GA ARVIN STEEL SCOTT, M.D.,* one of the ablest physicians of Law- rence, son of Alexander Scott, was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, November 12, 1860. His mother's people, the Aitkenheads, are an old family of repute, dating back to the time of the Covenanters. The birthplace of Dr. Scott was distant about a mile and a half from that of John Hunter, and three miles from that of David Livingstone, the great African explorer. He is the eleventh of twelve children, of whom eight sons and two daughters reached maturity, and of whose num- ber five came to this country. James, a sculptor, who was the first to leave home, died of consumption in New York City, leaving a wife and family. Archibald, Robert, and Thomas, who are carpenters, reside in Jersey City.
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