Danvers, Massachusetts : a resume of her past history and progress, together with a condensed summary of her industrial advantages and development : biographies of prominent Danvers men, 1899, Part 16

Author: Moynahan, Frank E., 1865-1917. 4n
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: [Danvers, Mass.] : Published in the interest of the town by the Danvers Mirror
Number of Pages: 224


USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Danvers > Danvers, Massachusetts : a resume of her past history and progress, together with a condensed summary of her industrial advantages and development : biographies of prominent Danvers men, 1899 > Part 16


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DANVERS.


149


Charles H. Preston, Wallace P. Hood, Lester S. Couch, John T. Carroll, Her- bert S. Tapley. All the furniture of reading room, including stationary and revolving bookcases and magazine rack, the furnishings of children's room and 200 books, besides magazines, sets of valuable books to the main library and card catalogue case, are the gift of G. A. Peabody of the trustees, one of the most public spirited men ever living in Danvers, his gift of the expensive and useful electric clock on the Town House also attesting his thoughtfulness and gen- erosity.


Frank M. Spofford.


Frank M. Spofford, proprietor of one


Six clerks and three teams are kept busy, and the reputation of the establishment for reliable, standard goods, and honest, courteous treatment of patrons, is second to that of no other similar concern in town. Mr. Spofford is a member of the Maple street Congregational church, a Republican in politics, a Mason, an Odd Fellow, and a member of numerous other fraternal, insurance and social organiza- tions, in all of which he is deservedly popular. Mr. Spofford is a married man with a wife and two children, a boy and a girl, and a beautiful home on Cherry street.


Public Park.


A spacious, attractive and easily acces-


F.M. SPOTFORD & CO.


MEAT NEPROVISIÓN


KAMPS


F. M. SPOFFORD'S STORE.


of the largest grocery and provision stores in town, was born in Danvers in 'October, 1854. He attended the public schools of the town and after graduating was for four years employed in a Peabody mo- rocco factory. He then entered the em- ploy of William M. Currier, grocer, at the corner of Maple and School streets, with whom he remained for thirteen years. In 1886 he bought out Mr. Currier and has conducted the business ever since. Mr. Spofford is an energetic, up-to-date business man, and is constantly increas- ing his business, and his trade now ex- tends all over Danvers and portions of Beverly, Middleton and even beyond.


sible public park is assured through the efforts of leading citizens and the Im- provement Society, a large tract of land having been secured from the Eben G. Berry estate, and the work of improving having already been begun. The land has a generous water front on Porter's river, and is susceptible to the numerous attractions common to a reservation of its character. It is conveniently located, and will prove one of the additions to the town's many advantages in the near future. The Improvement Society has raised nearly the amount necessary for its purchase by various public entertain- ments.


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DANVERS.


Gen. Israel Putnam Chapter, Daugh- ters of the American Revolution.


During the month of March and the early part of April, 1895, plans were made for the formation of a chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Danvers, Mass., to be known as the Gen. Israel Putnam chapter.


Mrs. Charles H. Masury was appointed Regent of the Chapter by the State Re- gent on April 19, 1895. A meeting of the charter members was held at the home of Mrs. Masury to formally organ- ize the chapter, the charter members be- ing Mrs. Evelyn F. Masury, Miss Harriet S. Tapley, Miss Clara P. Hale, Miss Bes- sie Putnam, Mrs. Elizabeth M. Burns, Mrs. Martha P. Perry, Mrs. Mary B. Put- nam, Miss Anne L. Page, Mrs. Ella J. Porter, Mrs. Isadora E. Kenney, Mrs. El- len M. P. Gould, Mrs. Luella S. Tapley, Miss Caroline B. Faxon, Miss Jessie E. Bly, Miss May L. George, Miss Harriet P. Pope, Mrs. Henrietta J. Damon, Miss Susan W. Eaton, Miss Grace B. Faxon, Mrs. Isabella F. George. The following officers were appointed by the Regent : Vice Regent, Miss Caroline B. Faxon ; Registrar, Miss Harriet P. Pope ; Sec- retary, Miss Susan W. Eaton ; Treasurer, Miss Clara P. Hale; Historian, Miss Harriet S. Tapley ; Chaplain, Mrs. Ellen Putnam Gould.


By-laws in accordance with the Na- tional Constitution were adopted May 23, 1895. The Mayflower was chosen as the emblem of the chapter and Gen. Putnam's motto " He dared lead where any dared to follow " the motto of the chapter.


The most noteworthy meetings of the chapter have been on May 7, 1895, when the chapter united with the D. W. A. in a reception at which the State Regent and chapter regents of the state were present, the chapter taking the guests for a drive about town and calling at historic homes, The Lindens, Oak Knoll and others. On June 17, 1895 at the Page House, the home of Miss Anne L. Page, Mr. Ezra D. Hines gave an account of the Tea Party held on the roof of the his- toric house. On each 4th of July since,


the chapter has held patriotic exercises in the old house, Dr. A. P. Putnam having spoken on each occasion, while others have contributed music, reading and re- freshments. Oct. 19, 1895, the chapter assisted the Sons of the American Revo- lution in their visit to the town. On Dec. 12, 1895, Mrs. Masury tendered her resignation as Chapter Regent, hav- ing been elected State Regent of Mass., and Miss H. S. Tapley was appointed to the office. On Jan. 7, 1896 the first public meeting was held in Essex Hall. Dr. A. P. Putnam delivered an address on Gen. Israel Putnam. On April 20, 1896, Mrs. Ellen M. P. Guild was elected Regent of the Chapter. Mrs. Masury was elected Vice President General of the National Society at the Continental Congress, 1896. At the second annual meeting April 26, 1897, Mrs. Gould re- signed as Regent and Mrs. Masury was elected Regent. On Dec. 17, 1897, a bronze tablet was placed on the house in which Gen. Putnam was born. The tab- let was unveiled by the little girls, Misses Fanny and Alice Putnam. Dr. Putnam offered prayer and Mrs. Masury made brief remarks. In the afternoon in Town Hall there was a large gathering including representatives of local and neighboring patriotic societies, some com- ing from Putnam, Conn. The programme was as follows :- Prayer, Rev. E. C. Ewing ; Address of Welcome, Mrs. C. H. Masury ; Response, Mrs. T. M. Brown, State Regent ; Address, Mrs. Donald McLean, Regent N. Y. City Chapter ; Address, Rev. W. F. Livingston, Augusta, Me., great-great-great-grandson of Gen. Putnam ; Address, Rev. A. P. Putnam, Pres. Danvers Historical Society ; Ad- dress, Hon. R. S. Rantoul of Essex In- stitute, Salem ; Address, Rev. H. C. Adams, pastor First Church; Address, Mr. B. W. Putnam ; Benediction, Rev. W. H. Trickey, Pastor


Universalist Church.


In Feb, 1898, Mr. William Maxwell Reed of Harvard University gave a most interesting address of the Gagenschine at Mrs. C. F. Kenney's.


On April 19, 1899, a most interesting meeting was held in Essex Hall, the nine-


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DANVERS.


teenths of April in U. S. History being spoken of as follows : -The 19th of 1775- 6, Hon. A. P. White. The 19th of 1861-5, A. A. Putnam. The 19th of 1898, Rev. A. P. Putnam, D. D. On this oc- casion the chapter was honored with the presence of Mrs. Tulia Ward Howe, who recited the Bat- tle Hymn of the Re- public and told the circumstances of its writing. Mr. C. F. Kenney and Rev.Ed- son Reifsnider sang the hymn. The social meetings of the chapter have been many and pleasant. Outings have been taken to Concord a n d Lexington, Quincy, Hull, Byfield, Cambridge and Me-


C. N. PERLEY.


thuen. A class in American History has been one of the valuable features of the chapter. A quilt exhibit was held which was one of the most uniq u e and in- tere s t- ing af- fairs ever held in town, there being 2 8 0 differ- en t quilts exhib- ited.


STORE OF C. N. PERLEY.


Holten in the Holten High School assem- bly room. Prizes have been offered for two years to the High School for the best essay on local his- tory. The Charles Warren Society, C. A. R., has been car- ried along by the chapter wi h Mrs. Gilbert Emerson, Miss Jessie Kemp and Miss Fanny George as presidents. The chapter works along the lines laid down in the Consti- tution of the Na- tional Society, and is a part of the great whole, a society that numbers 29,000 women all working for the best interests o f patriotism and good citizenship. The chapter numbers sixty-four members, all the old families in town being rep- resented and its value as an educator, and the elevating character of its work will be more and more app re- cia t e d as time passes on, and the G e n. Israel Pu t- na m chap- ter, D. A. R., contin-


The chapter has in mind in the near ues in the good work it has so auspicious- future the placing of a tablet to Judge ly begun.


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DANVERS.


Charles N. Perley.


Mr. Perley belongs to a good old Dan -. vers family and his forefathers have been for over half a century engaged in the business now so success- fully carried on by him at the old corner grocery. The house w a s established i n 1841 by A. P. and Nathan Perley, the partnership being changed four years later to A. P. Perley and M. J. Currier. The present pro- prietor, Mr. C. N. Perley, succeeded to the business in 1886. Mr. Per- ley was born here Feb. 12, 1851, and after graduat- ing from the Holten H i g h School com- menced his busi- ness career with his father, A. P. Per- ley. He owns the building in which the store is located and also the post- o ffi ce build i n g. Mr. Perley w a s ap- pointed post m a s- ter by President Cleveland in 1886-90, and was re-ap- pointed to the office by President Mc- Kinley in January, 1896. His incum-


bency of the office has resulted in the in- stitution of many beneficial reforms, a very large increase in the amount of busi- ness transacted, and a general systematiz- ation of the entire depart- ment. He has been most persis- tent in his endeav- ors to have a free delivery of mail matter in Dan- vers and has la- bored indefatiga- bly to bring the receipts of the office up to the limits required by the postal author- ities. Mr. Perley served as select- man in 1892. He is a member of Mosaic Lodge, the only order to which he belongs. All matters look - ing to the ad- vancement of the town and the betterment of ex- isting conditions meet with his hearty ap- proval and he is looked upon by all as a thorough - ly public- spirited citizen.


JACOB MARSTON.


RESIDENCE OF JACOB MARSTON.


Jacob Marston.


Mr. Mar- ston is a native o f Par son s-


field, Maine, where he was born in 1847. Early in life he learned the trade of a carpenter and was engaged in that busi-


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DANVERS.


WILLIS E. SMART.


ness in Boston. He then came to Danvers and was employed in


the shoe business until 1874, when he engaged in the Danvers and Boston express business, which is now conducted by Pet- tingell & Barry. In 1888, he established an express route be- tween Danvers, Haverhill, Bev- erly, Peabody, Salem and Lynn, which has increased yearly both in the volume of business trans- acted and general efficiency of its service. Every description of merchandise and small parcels are forwarded daily with the ut- most dispatch and at a uniformly low rate. Mr. Marston utilizes several teams and the services of a number of competent men in his business and personally super- intends all shipments. In 1892-3


he served as selectman and as-


sessor of the town and displayed much ability in the discharge of his duties. Mr. Marston is


prominent in social and fraternal societies, being a member of the Order of Odd Fellows, Red Men, A. O. U. W., Royal Arcanum, and Knights of Pythias. In religion he is a Christian Scientist, being affili- ated with the Mother Church in Boston, and acting as Treasurer of the Christian Science Church, Salem. His belief in the doctrine of the church is abundant and his acceptance of its tenets was the out- come of a marvelous cure performed upon him by members of the faith. Mr. Marston married Miss Martha A. L. Batson, of Danvers, and has two children. Last year he erected a handsome residence at the corner of Park and Alden streets.


W. E. Smart & Co.


This establishment had its incep- tion twenty-one years ago under the style of Smart & McCrillis. At that


ARTHUR C. KELLY.


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DANVERS.


time it was located on the opposite side of the street, but when the present build- ing was erected a number of years ago, the business was removed and has since been con- ducted at 30 Ma- ple street. In 1889, Mr. Smart carried on busi- ness under his own name and so continued until 1898, when Ar- thur C. Kelly was admitted to part- CANPLUS MOCHA JAVA nership under the COFFEE title of W. E. Smart & Co. The premises oc cu- pied are large, at- tractively ap- pointed, and the stock carried is as complete, high class and reliable as long experience and thorough knowl- edge of the business and intimate rela- tions with leading producers can secure. It em- braces every- thing re- quired by the most dis- crimin- ating pa- trons in fine, sta- ple and fancy grocer-


WILLIS E. SMART.


WILLIS E.SM ..


W. E. SMART & CO.'S STORE.


cell nt trade has been developed which ex- tends generally throughout the surround- ing district. Willis E. Smart is a native of Thornton, N. H., where he was born in 1855. Hecame to Danvers in 1872, and worked successively for W. M. Currier and Nye & Beal, gro- cers, acquiring an intimate knowl- edge of the busi- ness in all its branches. Arthur C. Kelly is a Dan- vers man and was born in 1867. He has always been engaged in this business, spending several years with Mead & Webb, Danversport, and N. W. Edson & Co., Lynn. For nine years preceding his admission to partnership he was employed by Mr. Smart. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and both partner s are de- served 1 y popular.


J.Frank Porter & Co.


Mr. J. Frank Porter has the distinc- tion of being a direct descend- ant of


PORTER'S BLOCK.


. ies, teas RANCH and cof- fees, for- eign and domestic table delica- cies and fruits. A very large stock is carried and a specialty is made of butter, tea and Danvers Mocha and Java coffee. An ex-


John Porter, the founder of Porter's Plains, now Danvers. He was born at Danversport in 1847, and graduated from


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DANVERS.


the Holten High School. Three years were then spent in the morocco business in Peabody, after which, in 1865, he came to Danvers, entering the grocery store of A. P. Perley & Co., where he remained ten years. In 1875 he opened a furni- ture store in the Carroll block, but his trade increased so rapidly that he found it necessary to seek more commodious premises. The result was that in 1878 he erected the Porter block, of which he now occupies the entire ground floor and one-third of the second floor, together with a spacious storehouse a n d upholstery de- partment on Cen- tral avenue. The premises through- out are admirably arranged and well appointed, a n d every convenience is possessed for the successful prosecution o f the extensive busi- ness carried on. The stock em- braces everything useful and desira- ble in a home in the way of fine and medium fur- niture, carpets, wall papers, win- dow shades and draperies. The stock is all new and is the product of the largest manu- facturers in the country. Mr. Porter has held several im- portant elective offices. He was a Trus- tee of the Peabody Institute for ten years and served in the Legislature in 1894, being re-elected in 1895. He has been a member of the finance committee of the Danvers Savings bank since 1891, and is at present one of its trustees. He is also one of the Board of Directors of the Danvers Gas Light Co. and acts as collecter for that corporation. Mr. Por- ter is largely interested in real estate and


is a large owner of the Porter and Essex blocks and a number of houses. He has been assiduous in promoting the welfare of the community and has made most strenuous efforts to induce the establish- ment of industries in Danvers.


Recently Arthur W. Beckford, who was in Mr. Porter's employ a number of years, was admitted to partnership, the firm now being J. F. Porter & Co. Mr. Beck- ford is a popular young man, standing high in Masonry and other fraternal and social circles.


JOHN T. CARROLL.


John T. Carroll & Co.


The business carried on by John T. Carroll under the style of John T. Carroll & Gro. was estab- lished in 1879 by Lewis & Carroll, who remained in partnership for ten years, when Mr. Carroll a c- quired the busi- ness and con- ducted it under his own name un- til 1894, when the present style was adopted. M r. Carroll conducts the only news de- pot in town and supplies his pa- trons with all the Boston, local and New York papers, magazines and period- icals, also receiving subscriptions for the leading journals at the publishers' prices, and delivering them at customers' resi- dences. Thirty newsboys are employed on the various routes and the district is well covered by his excellent service. In addition to the news department Mr. Carroll deals extensively in books and stationery, cigars and tobacco, toys, fruits and confectionery, small wares and no- tions. The store is located in the thet


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DANVERS.


and a half story Carroll block, which was bought by Mr. Carroll in 1891. Although not a native of Danvers Mr. Carroll has resided here since his fourteenth year, and his education was received in the public schools of this town. He was born at Stoneham, in 1859, and upon leaving school entered the business which he now conducts. He is a member of Mosaic Lodge, F. and A. M., Holten Royal Arch Chapter, I. O. O. F., and A. O. U. W. Mr. Carroll was also a charter member and one of the organizers of the Danvers Light In- fantry, Co. K, Eighth Mass. Vol-


unteers. He is most popular i n business and so- cial circles a n d enjoys the respect of his fellow citi- zens.


Jesse P. Colby.


Mr. Colby was born on a farm in Bradford, N. H., in 1863 and until after twenty-one years of age fol- lowed the occupa- tion of farming. Coming to Dan- vers in 1885, he was first employed by F. M. Spofford a s bookkeeper. Later he entered the employ o f Messrs. J. V. & J. Hanson, the wholesale grain men of Dan- vers and Salem, as bookkeeper and col- lector, which position he had held for some years when, in 1890, owing to the appointment of C. H. Shepard, at that time owner of the Mirror, as U. S. Con- sul to Gothenburg, Sweden, the opportun- ity presented itself for him to purchase an interest in that paper, and the job print- ing business connected with it in company with the present proprietor, F. E. Moy- nahan. In this connection Mr. Colby


ARCADIAN COU


JAKROLLS EMPUR JM. BARGAINS IN CHRISTMAS GOODS


J. T. CARROLL'S STORE.


looked out for the business end, devoting such other time as he had to general work on the paper. After a year and a half here he was induced to reenter the employ of Messrs. Hanson as bookkeeper and buyer for the firm, giving, also, a portion of his time to the office of the Mirror. In May, 1893, the firm of Moy- nahan & Colby was dissolved, and during the balance of the year Mr. Colby spent the most of the time in the west, contrib- uting from Chicago a series of articles on the World's Fair to the Salem Daily Ga- zette, which were widely quoted. In January, 1894, he for the third time entered the em- ploy of the Messrs. Hanson, remain- ing with them un- til early in 1895, when business changes in that firm again neces- sitated his leaving them.


During all these years his knowl- edge of business methods and par- ticularly of the proper manner in which accounts should be kept had become ex- tensive and valu- able. So that in 1895, after some months spent in special work in the offices of the auditor of the B. & M. R. R., and the treasurer of the B. & L. R. R., he estab- lished himself in the business of public accounting at No. 605 Chamber of Com- merce, Boston, where his business has since grown to large proportions. Among the many important engagements he has filled, in the capacity of an accountant, are those which take him to the paper- mill city of Holyoke several times each year. In 1896 he made a report to the town authorities of Dalton, N. H., where-


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DANVERS.


by the town recovered several thousand dollars from a dishonest official. Quite recently he also made an examination of the financial affairs of the famous Elec- trolytic Marine Salts Company, reporting to the committee representing the stock- holders. He has also at various times been employed by the B. & M. R. R., the Stoneham Gas Co., The International Ice Co., Messrs. J. & W. Jolly of Holyoke, Jos. W. Spaulding, Esq., Judge Jos. F. Wiggin, Hon. J. O. Burdett, Messrs. Doe, Hunnewell & Co., The Castle Square Hotel Co., R. M. Michie & Co., Messrs. M. Judd & Son, J. H. Cres- sey & Co., all of Boston, Hon. John P. Sweeney of Lawrence, C. H. Cox & Co. of Hav- erhill and many others. For many of these firms and corporations he is the regular audi- tor. He has often acted as assignee in failures a n d insolvency cases, and is sole trus- tee for one or two large estates r e- quiring good judgment, busi- ness tact and abil- ity.


Early in the present year Mr. Colby formed a business connec- tion with A. C. R. Smith, of Salem, late treasurer of the Security Safe Deposit and Trust Co. of Lynn, for the purpose of protesting bank paper, each having for several years been a notary public. Al- ready they do all the work of this kind for two of the large Boston banks, this being, in reality, an important branch of the banking business. Their office is at 48 Congress St., where their sign reads : " Accountants and Notaries Public."


Probably in literary or newspaper work


Mr. Colby could have made an equal suc- cess, as he has for many years been an occasional correspondent and contributor to various newspapers and magazines, and wherever his articles have appeared they have commanded attention on account of clearness and terseness of expression.


Mr. Colby is a member of Mosaic Lodge, F. & A. M., and Holten R. A. Chapter of Danvers, and in Boston be- longs to the Huntington Club and the Boston Fusilier Veteran Association. He now lives in Boston.


John F. Kirby.


Mr. Kirby's ex- perience in the boot and shoe business has been extensive and be- ing a practical shoemaker him- self he is familiar with all the de- tails of the busi- ness. He was born in Danvers, March 12, 1865, and received his education at the public schools, upon leaving which he worked for six years in the shoe factories of Danvers and Beverly. Twelve years ago he opened a store at 56 Maple street where he re- mained until 1892, when he removed


JESSE P. COLBY.


to his present address, buying the block in which his store is located 'March 1, 1898. The stock includes in its as- sortment everything desirable in fine and medium grade boots and shoes, rubbers and slippers for ladies, gentlemen, misses and children, and is of a superior quality. Mr. Kirby is active and alert and is able to meet the most exacting demands of his patrons and the public, and quick to take advantage of all the new styles in


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DANVERS.


JOHN F. KIRBY.


footwear on their first appearance in the market. He is a young man of much promise and is popular with a large circle of friends. He belongs to the Catholic Order of Foresters, and the Young Men's Mutual Benev- olent Society.


W. S. Lovejoy.


Walter Scott Lovejoy was born in the old Osborne house, Central street, South Danvers, now Peabody, Aug. 31, 1831. When fourteen years of age he was apprenticed to John Calvin Butler, one of the pio- neer shoe manufacturers of Danvers, but did not complete his term, going to reside at St. Louis, Mo. While there he enlisted in a cavalry troop under Col. John C. Fremont for service in the Mexican war, but be- fore leaving the state was discharged by application of his parents, as he was under age. He made two trips on a Mississippi steamer to New Or-


leans and from there worked his passage to Danvers, where he found employment on the Endicott farm on his arrival. The money he earned was spent in securing an education and he ultimately gradu- ated from Walnut Grove Academy. He afterwards learned the trade of a carpenter and became a con- tractor and builder. During the Civil War Mr. Lovejoy enlisted in Co. F, Second Massachusetts Vol- unteers, but was honorably dis- charged on account of disability, having sustained an attack of ty- phoid pneumonia. In 1874 having bought a residence at Tapleyville he removed there. Three years later he was appointed a special police officer to suppress the liquor traffic, but resigned in 1879. The same year he was appointed a jus- tice of the peace for seven years, and has been regularly re-appointed ever since. He was also appointed


WALTER S. LOVEJOY.


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DANVERS.


a notary public and pension attorney to prosecute claims before the pension bu- reau at Washing- ton. He has been secretary of the Danvers War Record commit- tee ; chaplain of Ward Post 90, G. A. R., and has composed several local poems and contributed to the columns of the DANVERS MIRROR. At one time he was a member of the Prohibition State Committee, but most of his life he has been an ardent Repub- lican.


Edward Carr,


Edward Carr, son of Edward Carr and Eliza- beth (Doran) Carr, wa S born in


the County Meath , I re- l and. F e b. 22, 18- 39. His educa - tion was re- ceiv e d in the nation - al school o f his native country and a t the age of fourteen years he came to the United States with his parents who settled




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