USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Boston of to-day; a glance at its history and characteristics: with biographical sketches and portraits of many of its professional and business men, 1892 > Part 34
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GEORGE M. FISKE.
late years entered upon by Mr. Fiske and his as- sociates, is the production of faience for interior and exterior decoration. Notable work successfully executed is seen in the corridors of the Charles- gate apartment-house, on Beacon street, and those of the Adams House extension, the arches of the Stony Brook bridge, Boston park department, and in the house of M. J. Jessop in Lenox. Mr. Fiske is the inventor of the Boston brick ashlar, a new and unique form of building material, upon which he has secured several patents. Mr. Fiske resides in Newton, where he has served in the city government and in other capacities.
FISKE, JOHN MINOT, deputy collector of the port of Boston, son of John Minot and Eliza Maria (Winn) Fiske, of Salem, was born in Boston Aug. 17, 1834. He fitted for college at Phillips (Andover) Academy, graduating therefrom in the class of 1852. Then he entered Yale, from which he graduated in 1856. He studied law at the Harvard Law School, and was also a student in the office of Col. Seth J. Thomas. He was admitted to the Suffolk bar in the year 1859, and practised his profession for some years, having an office at No. 46 Court street. He was a member of the Boston common coun- cil from old Ward 4 (now Ward 10) for the years 1862 and 1863. In May, 1863, he was appointed deputy naval officer of the port- of Boston under Hon. Amos Tuck, then naval officer ; and in November of the same year, deputy col- lector of the port under Hon. J. Z. Goodrich, collector. At one time he was special deputy collector and auditor of the port. Thus it will be observed he has been in continuous service in the customs at the port of Boston since May, 1863 ; at present (1892) as special deputy collector under Hon. A. W. Beard, collector. Mr. Fiske was chair- man of the civil-service board of examiners in the customs service at this port when it was first organ- ized in 1883, and held that position until the year 1886, when he resigned it. On June 1, 1864, Mr. Fiske was married at Stockbridge to Isabella Landon, daughter of the Hon. John Z. Goodrich; their children are Sallie Goodrich and John Landon Fiske.
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Potter Building, Park Row, and the Catholic Club, 59th street, New York City ; the " Brooklyn Eagle " building, Brooklyn, N.Y. ; the Young Men's Library, Buffalo, N.Y. ; the Park Theatre, Philadelphia ; and the new Pension Building, Washington. Another important branch of the clay-working industry in Quarterly," received an honorary oration at Com-
FITCH, ROBERT GERSHOM, was born in Sheffield, Mass., May 19, 1846. Until he was twenty years of age he worked on a farm, and then studying at the South Berkshire Institute, New Marlborough, he entered Williams College, and graduated in 1870. While at college he was the editor of the " Williams
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mencement, and was chosen a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. Mr. Fitch's tastes were in the line of journalism, and from 1870 to 1872 he was asso- ciated with the "Springfield Republican." In the latter year he joined the staff of the "Boston Post," rising through the different editorial depart-
ROBERT G. FITCH.
ments until he became editor-in-chief. He is a brilliant, able journalist, thorough in details and judicious yet fearless in his opinions. In May, 1886, he was appointed fire commissioner, by Mayor O'Brien, and reappointed in 1889 by Mayor Hart. He is now chairman of the board, and his administration has been characterized by efficiency and fidelity to his duties. Mr. Fitch is a member of the Boston Press Club and of the Papyrus Club.
Firz, FRANK E., oldest son of Eustace and Sarah J. ( Blanchard ) Fitz, was born in Cambridge, Mass., Nov. 14, 1857. He was educated in the public schools of Chelsea and in Brown University, from which he graduated in 1880. He studied law at the Harvard Law School two years, and then at the Boston University Law School, taking the degree of I.I .. B. in 1883. The same year, in July, he was admitted to the Suffolk bar. He formed a co- partnership with J. Converse Gray in January, 1884, which continued until 1890. Then it was dissolved, and Mr. Fitz continued alone at No. 23 Court street, practising as general corporation counsel.
In February, 1889, he was elected city solicitor of Chelsea, which office .he now holds. In politics he is a Republican: He is a director of the Boston & Lockport Block Company and of several other manu- facturing companies, and is a trustee of the County Savings Bank of Chelsea. He is a member of the Review Club of Chelsea, and of D.K.E. Fraternity. On Nov. 20, 1884, he was married to Miss Ade- line F. Slade, of Chelsea; they have two sons : Eustace C. and David S. Fitz. In religion he is a Baptist.
FITZGERALD, DESMOND, civil engineer, was born in Nassau, N.P., May 20, 1846. He was brought to Providence, R.I., when three years old. He at- tended the Providence High School, and then Phillips (Exeter) Academy ; and studied a year in Paris. He held the position of deputy secre- tary of State of Rhode Island for a year, and also acted as private secretary to General Burn- side. He subsequently adopted the profession of a civil engineer, and has been engaged on important public works since 1867. In 1871 he removed to Boston. He was appointed superintendent of the Western Division Boston Water Works in 1873, and in addition to this position, which he now holds, he has since been appointed resident engineer for the additional supply of water for Boston. During his experience he has been engaged for four years in building railroads in the West, and for two years was engineer of the Boston & Albany Railroad. He is past president of the Boston Society of Civil Engineers, a director of the American Society of Civil Engineers, treasurer of the Council of the New England Meteorological Society, fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society of England, and a member of the corporation of the Institute of Technology, besides holding other positions of public trust.
FLOOD, THOMAS W., is a native of Ireland, and was born Nov. 7, 1857. He came to the United States in 1869, and becoming a resident of Boston a year later, was here employed by Thomas John- son and D. A. Noonan, the former's successor, in the grocery and provision business. Here he remained until 1884, when he was appointed clerk in the street department of the city of Boston. In De- cember, 1889, he was elected to the board of aldermen, as a Democrat from the Seventh Alder- manic District, and reelected in 1890 and 1891. In March, 1890, he engaged in the real-estate and insurance business, at No. 4744 West Broad- way, South Boston. He is a member of the
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Knights of Honor, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Royal Arcanum, the South Boston Citizens' Association, the Washington Village Im- provement Association, the Irish Charitable Society, and many other organizations.
FLOWER, BENJAMIN O., was born in Albion, Ill., Oct. 19, 1858. His education began under private
BENJAMIN O. FLOWER.
tutors at his home. His family removing to Evans- ville, Ind., he there entered the public schools, which he attended for three years, going from the Evans- ville High School to the Kentucky University, Lex- ington, Ky., where he finished his education. It was his intention to enter the ministry, but owing to a change of religious views, he resolved to adopt journalism as a profession ; and with this idea in view he became the editor and publisher of "The American Sentinel," a weekly social and literary paper published at his home, Albion, Ill. In 1881 he moved to Philadelphia, Pa., and became asso- ciated with his brother, Dr. Richard C. Flower, taking charge of his correspondence. A few years later he came to Boston, and began the publication here of "The American Spectator," which was sub- sequently merged into "The Arena." His idea in founding this magazine was not pecuniary gain, but to afford a field of combat where the intellectual giants could defend those principles which ap- peared to them to be founded on truth, justice; and
wisdom, and to give a fair hearing to radical and progressive thinkers who so largely mould the thought of the world, but who in their day are often denied a hearing in the great arena of thought. The success of this publication has more than ful- filled his fondest anticipations ; its articles have commanded attention and been widely quoted. Mr. Flower is a thoughtful man, a fluent conversa- tionalist, with a mind stored with information. On the great social, political, and ethical questions of the day he entertains most decided opinions, and fearlessly advocates them. He has been a frequent contributor to leading newspapers and magazines, and is the author of " Lessons learned from Other Lives," a book which has been widely read. He is a prolific writer, and clearness of diction, com- bined with eloquence and elegance, characterize his literary efforts. His religious views are pro- nounced, but liberal. He has a pew in the Rev. M. J. Savage's church, and is an earnest supporter of the views held by the so-called evolutionary school of Unitarians. He was married Sept. 10, 1886, to Miss Hattie Cloud, of Evansville, Ind.
FLOWER, RICHARD CHARLES, son of Alfred and Elizabeth (Orange) Flower, was born in Albion, Ill., Dec. 11, 1849. His early education was ac- quired in private schools in his native town. At eleven years of age he was sent to the Northwestern University, Indianapolis, Ind., and there pursuing a thorough course, was graduated in the class of 1868. He then studied law and was admitted to practice, but upon the solicitation of family and friends he relinquished it and entered the ministry. In this field he met with remarkable success, preaching in various places in Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. His last call was to the city of Alliance, O., in De- cember, 1875, About this time he resolved to enter the field towards which his thoughts had been for many years turned. From boyhood he had been interested in the natural sciences, and acquiring by study a love for organic structure, he had a desire, soon after his graduation from college, for the pro- fessional career of a physician. Accordingly he entered the Cincinnati Health College, having pre- viously gone through a thorough preparation with Andrew Strong, M.D., of Troy, N.Y., who was so long connected with Bellevue Hospital. After grad- nation from the medical college he immediately began practice. He built up a phenomenal busi- ness in Philadelphia and New York, and in 1882 coming to Boston, continued his regular practice here, distinguishing himself by his peculiar manner of diagnosis and large volume of business. In the
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early part of 1889 Dr. Flower opened the " Hotel Flower " on Columbus avenue, palatial in construc- tion and appointments. Here were combined the features of the home, hotel, and hospital without the
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RICHARD C. FLOWER.
disagreeable accompaniments of the latter. Subse- quently he leased the property and it became the Grand Hotel. Dr. Flower was first married in December, 1871, in Jeffersonville, Ind., to Miss Ella Nicholson; of this union there were two children, Altus D. and Jewell Flower. His second marriage was in July, 1877, to Miss Maude M. Manfull ; they have one child, Evangeline Flower.
FLOYD, DAVID, Second, son of Edward and Lucretia (Tewksbury) Floyd, was born in Winthrop, Mass., Oct. 26, 1854. He was educated in the public schools of his native town, and at French's Com- mercial College. He began his business career as a clerk in a general store in Winthrop, where he re- mained for several years. Then he gave his atten- tion to the real-estate interests of the locality. At the age of twenty-eight he was elected one of the assessors of Winthrop, and realizing the importance of a more comprehensive system of keeping real- estate records than was then in use, he established the so-called block system, of writing up and record- ing the changes of every parcel of land in the town. Winthrop was the first town in this Commonwealth city committee ; of the Harvard Law School and the to adopt this system. Having been concerned in . Boston University Associations ; the Boston College
real estate formerly in charge of his father, whose death occurred in 1879, Mr. Floyd resolved to adopt real estate as a permanent business, and 1889 he formed a partnership with Frank W. Tucker, under the firm name of Floyd & Tucker, establishing offices in Winthrop and Boston. Under careful and enterprising management, the business has grown to large proportions. Mr. Floyd has held many offices of trust and responsibility. He has been town treasurer since 1883, chairman of the Republi- can town committee, is trustee and was one of the founders of the Winthrop Public Library, is president of the Law and Order League and of the Winthrop Horticultural Society, was clerk of the Boston & Win- throp and Point Shirley Railroads, and is trustee and steward of the Winthrop Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a member of the lower house of the Legisla- ture in 1888-1889, and served on the committees on mercantile affairs, engrossed bills, and taxation (chair- man). In 1880 he began a four years' course of study in the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Cir- cle, graduating therefrom in 1884. On June 9, 1886, Mr. Floyd was married to Miss Belle A., daughter of Charles T. Seavey.
FLYNN, EDWARD J., son of Maurice and Mary (McSweeny) Flynn, was born in Boston June 16, 1859. He acquired his education in the Boston public schools and in Boston College, from which he graduated in 1881 valedictorian of his class, with the customary degree, receiving in 1884 that of A.M. He studied law in the Boston University Law School, graduating in 1884, and the same year took a special course in the Harvard Law School. Also admitted to the Suffolk bar that year, he at once began practice, opening an office in this city. Elected to the lower house of the Legislature from the Sixth Suffolk District and twice reelected, he served during 1885, 1886, and 1888, taking an active part in the debates and as a member of the important committees on probate and insolvency, election laws, the judiciary, and constitutional amendments. He was identified with several important measures, among them the credibility of witnesses, and the biennial elections bills, and the resolve to abolish the poll-tax as a prerequisite for voting. In 1886, 1887, and 1888 he was also a director of the East Boston ferries. In 1889 he was first elected to the governor's council, upon which he served, the only Democratic member, in 1890, 1891, and 1892. He was the youngest man who ever sat in the execu- tive council. He is a member of the Democratic
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Alumni Association, of which he was the first secre- mouth and graduating in the class of 1857. Among his tary ; and of the Boston Catholic Union. He was classmates were ex-Gov. Edward F. Noyes, of Ohio, the first president of the Paul Revere Division Mas- Rev. William Burnett Wright, James B. Richardson sachusetts United Benevolent Association. Mr. (formerly corporation counsel of the city of Boston, Flynn is unmarried.
FOGG, JOHN SAMUEL HILL, M.D., was born in Eliot, Me.,' May 21, 1826. He was educated in the schools of Eliot and at Bowdoin College, where he graduated A.B. in 1846 and A.M. in 1849. Then he studied in the Harvard Medical School, gradu- ating M.D. in 1850. He established himself in South Boston, where he has since remained in pri- vate practice, occupying a foremost position among the physicians of that section of the city. He has given much attention also to local matters. He was a valued member of the school board in 1854, and again from 1868 to 1874 ; and as a member of the lower house of the Legislature in 1854 and 1855, ably represented his constituents. He is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society and of various other medical organizations, and has contributed for seventeen years to the Gynæcological Society. He has long been a close student of American history, and is a corresponding member of the Maine His- torical Society. Dr. Fogg.was married first to Miss Sarah Frances Gordon of South Berwick, Me., July II, 1850, and second to Miss Sarah Griselda Clinch, April 2, 1872.
FOGG, WILLIAM JOHN GORDON, M.D., son of Dr. John S. H. Fogg, was born in South Boston Aug. 7, 1851. He was educated in grammar schools there ; the Boston Latin School, graduat-, ing in 1869; and at Harvard, graduating A.M. in 1873 and M.D. in 1876. He was then connected with the Boston City Dispensary for three years, at the same time conducting a private practice in South Boston. He has been examining physician for the Travellers Insurance Company, Hartford, for ten years ; was for three years examining physician for the South Boston Horse Railroad Company ; and since the consolidation of the street railways has been one of the examining physicians for the West End Street Railroad Company. He is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society and of other pro- fessional organizations. On Nov. 4, 1880, Dr. Fogg was married to Miss Ella F., daughter of Henry E. Bradlee, of Sharon, Mass.
FOLLETT, JOHN ATWOOD, M.D., was born in Centre Harbor, N.H., Feb. 17, 1834. Receiving his early education in the public schools of Kings- ton, N.H., he prepared for college, entering Dart-
JOHN A. FOLLETT.
and now a rapid-transit commissioner), and the late Gen. Henry Fuller. He was for a time en- gaged in teaching in schools in Kingston, and then, choosing the medical profession for his lifework, he entered the Albany Medical College, from which he graduated in 1858. In 1862 he joined the Union army, remaining until the close of the war. He was at first surgeon of the Thirty-ninth Ohio Infantry, and afterwards medical inspector of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Army Corps. Dr. Follett is dean of the Boston Dental College, - the only case on record where a physician has acted as dean for a dental college. He was the first dean of this college, and has served in this capacity for eighteen years, the last twelve successive. He is a member of the New England Mutual Accident Association, and its medical director. He is a director in the Kiesel Fire Brick Company. Dr. Follett has been in active and suc- cessful practice here in Boston since 1866.
FOLSOM, WILLIAM A., son of James A. and Eliza- beth A. (Waterhouse) Folsom, was born in Rox- bury Oct. 14, 1858. He was educated in public and private schools. He began business with the late William G. Thacher as clerk, and is now a
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trustee and manager of various important estates. He was married Oct. 14, 1885, to Miss Mary E.
WILLIAM A. FOLSOM.
Dimmock ; they have two children : William Thacher and Marguerite E. Folsom.
FORSAITH, WILLIAM J., son of Josiah Forsaith, a graduate of Dartmouth College and a practitioner of law both in New Hampshire and in this State, was born in Newport, N.H., April 19, 1836. He was educated in his native town, and prepared for college at the Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, N.H., after which he spent two years in Amherst College, and then entering Dartmouth, graduated in 1857. He read law with Messrs. Burke & Wait, of Newport, N.H., and later with B. F. Hallett and Messrs. Ranney & Morse in this city, a term in the Harvard Law School completing his legal studies. He was admitted to the Suffolk bar in 1860, and practised until 1872, when he was appointed special justice of the municipal court. In March, 1882, he received his present appointment of associate justice of the municipal court.
Barrington, N.H., at the early age of fifteen, and at that time, impressed with a belief that it was his mis- sion, preached from the Baptist pulpits of the sur- rounding towns. After graduation he continued teaching, successfully following the profession for a number of years. He taught in the high school, Bristol, Conn., in the House of Refuge, Randall's Island, N.Y., Williams Academy, Stockbridge, and in schools in Beverly, Winchester, and Newton. He was also for some time superintendent of schools in Rowley. Leaving his profession on account of ill health, he was appointed by the late Hon. George B. Loring, when United States commissioner of agricul- ture, deputy commissioner. Upon his retirement from this position he became interested in Florida lands ; and he has since founded and built the flour- ishing towns of Altamont, Orange county, and Belle- view, Marion county. In the former he built the famous Altamont hotel. Mr. Foss is an ardent Re- publican, and is at present president of the Needham Republican Club. He has been twice married. His first wife was Mary H. Burnham, of Gloucester ; she left three children, Mary P., Ada, and Ida Foss. His second marriage was on June 20, 1878, in Allston, to Lilian A. Washburn; they have one child, Elizabeth Foss.
Fox, JOHN A., architect, was born in Newbury- port Dec. 23, 1835. He was educated in the Boston schools. After a course of study of civil engineering in the office of Messrs. Whitwell & Henck, and a few years' practice in field and office work, he entered the office of B. F. Dwight, archi- tect, where he remained, except during the years of the Civil War, until he entered on independent practice. He began the practice of his profession in Boston in 1870. He is the architect of the re- modelled interior of the Master Builders' Associa- tion Building and Exchange, No. 164 Devonshire street ; of the Keeler Building, Washington street, the Homans Building, Harrison avenue, the Thomas Building, corner of Winter and Tremont streets, the City Block, City Theatre, and Field Building in Brockton, and other fine business-houses and dwell- ings in Boston and vicinity. Among his most notable theatre-designs are the Providence Opera House, the Lewiston Music Hall, and the Chelsea Academy of Music. He is not a specialist, but he has engaged in every branch of design and con- struction, and he has never been associated with any other architect.
Foss, JAMES H., son of Joshua and Eliza ( Foss) Foss, was born in Charleston, Me., July 25, 1842. He was educated in the public schools of Rowley, Mass., at Dummer Academy, Byfield, and at Brown University, from which he graduated in the class of FRENCH; J. WARREN, was born in Phillips, Me., 1863. While fitting for college he taught school in in 1849. He attended the public schools of his 1
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native town until he reached eighteen, when he was apprenticed to the plumbing trade. After he had learned his trade, he engaged in business for him- self. In 1879 he formed a partnership with Na- thaniel Bosworth, under the firm name of Bosworth & French, and an extensive plumbing, steam and gas fitting business was established at No. 7 Apple- ton street, Boston. The business has steadily in- creased, and the firm now employ about fifty hands. Their work appears in a large number of the best residences in Boston and the suburbs.
FRINK, ALDEN, railroad architect, was born in Woodstock, Vt., April 18, 1833. He has earned his own living since he was nine years old. Work- ing on a farm until the age of fifteen, he then learned the carpenter's trade. This occupation he followed for six years in Windsor, Vt., and Worcester, Mass., during which time he learned the draughting of plans, and when twenty-one years of age he began the study of architecture in the office of Elbridge Boyden, in Worcester. After remain- ing there three years, in the spring of 1857 he came to Boston, and was employed by the United States government as a draughtsman in the new Minot's Ledge Lighthouse. In 1859 he visited Europe, travelling through England, Ireland, and Scotland, as well as on the Continent. In 1860 he returned to this country and opened an architect's office in Boston, at No. 28 State street, where he has been located ever since. Mr. Frink has built over fifty stores and over one hundred dwellings, ranging in cost from $5,000 to $150,000, and a number of school-houses, engine-houses, and police stations for the city of Boston. He also built the New England Manufacturers' and Mechanics' Insti- tute Building in this city, which was destroyed by fire in 1886. For the past six or seven years he has built quite a number of railroad stations for the Boston & Maine Railroad Company, at Woburn, Somerville Highlands, Winter Hill, Prospect Hill, Wakefield, Marblehead, Lynn Common, and other places, and is at present (1892) engaged on the new station at Lowell. He has also made extensive additions to the Lowell station in Boston. Mr. Frink was married in Boston Feb. 28, 1859, to Miss Roxana Folsom, daughter of Benjamin Folsom, of Vienna, Me., and resides in the Roxbury district.
FROST, GEORGE EDMUND, son of George Henry and Susan M. (Pond) Frost, was born in Franklin, Mass., March, 1850. He received a common- school education. At the age of fourteen he left school and went to Jacksonville, Fla., as clerk in
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