USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Cambridge > History of Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1630-1913 > Part 35
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Austinile Millington
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BIOGRAPHIES
patriotic spirit was kept alive by membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, his com- radeship dating from 1867 in Post 15. In 1874, he was chosen commander of Post No. 30, which post he helped to organize, and of which he was a charter member. He became com- mander of Post No. 113, in 1887, holding the position at the time of his death. He was a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artil- lery Company, and a trustee of the Soldier's Home at Chelsea. His business association was with the Boston Coal Exchange, of which he was chairman, and the Charles River Towing Company, of which he was president. He was president of the Boston Mercantile Library Association, and a member of the New England Club, Handel and Haydn Society, and Cecilia Society. His service to his state in a civic capacity was as a member of the General Court of Massachusetts, in 1875 and 1876. Colonel Wellington died at his home, 871 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, September 23, 1888. His widow, Mrs. Sarah Cordelia (Fisher) Welling- ton, survived him. She was president of the Ladies' Aid Association, auxiliary to the Soldier's Home at Chelsea; a director of the Cambridge Conservatory of Music, founded by her father, and allied with other philanthropic, religious and musical associations. Her musical talent was an inheritance from both her parents. She early sang in the choir in Cambridge and Boston. Her voice was heard for repeated seasons at Trinity Church, New Old South, Immanuel, and for nine seasons at the Park Street Church. She was a member of the Handel and Haydn Oratorio Society and of the Cecilia Society, and represented both societies at various times as soloist at their concerts in Music Hall, Boston. She was president of the Austin Street Unitarian Alli- ance, the largest in the United States, and of the South Middlesex Alliance, which met in Channing Hall, Boston. She was made a director of the National Alliance board; a member of the council of the Cantabrigia Club; and vice-president; a member of the Woman Suffrage League; of the Cambridge Shakes- peare Club, and of the Browning Society, of Boston. She served as secretary and treasurer of the Roundabout Club; as president of the
Wednesday Club, and as a director and vice- president of the Young Women's Christian Association. She was made a life member of the New England Woman's Club, of the Woman's Educational and Industrial Union, and of the American Unitarian Association; an associ- ate member of the Cambridge Conferences, and vice-president-at-large of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union; for several years president of the Daughters of Massachusetts. Her interest in the Cambridge Conservatory of Music on Lee Street, began in 1873, when with her father she founded the enterprise. She was a member of the faculty of Wellesley College and of the Tourjee Conservatory of Music in Boston. She sang by request in one of the Montreal cathedrals; appeared as accom- panist with Camilla Urso, the celebrated vio- linist, and was always a willing volunteer on occasions for charity, given in opera, concerts, or at society functions. Her home in Cam- bridge became a mecca for musical enthusiasts visiting Boston, who had heard her in public or learned of her work as teacher, through her pupils scattered over the entire United States, who had been fortunate in receiving her in- struction and advice.
WILLIAM WILLIAMSON WELLINGTON
WELLINGTON, WILLIAM WILLIAMSON, was born in West Cambridge, now known as Arling- ton, July 29, 1814. His parents were Timothy and Maria Eunice (Lord) Wellington, and he was educated at home under the personal in- struction of his father; at the academy of John Angiers in Medford, and at Harvard University. He began the practice of medicine in 1838, and had continued it successfully up to the time of his death. Dr. Wellington was a member of sev- eral medical and scientific societies, among them being the Obstetrical Society of Boston and the Medical Improvement Society of Cambridge.
Dr. Wellington had always taken an active interest in educational matters, and was prom- inent in the social circles of his city. He served for forty years on the School Committee. He married, September 30, 1841, Lucy Eliza- beth Carter, of Lancaster, and October 5, 1857, Martha Bond Carter, of Lancaster.
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HENRY JACKSON WELLS
WELLS, HENRY JACKSON, was born in Charles- town, Mass., November 16, 1823, died November 24, 1912, son of Gideon Parker and Susannah (Wellington) Wells, and was educated in the public schools. Previous to the commence- ment of the study of his profession, he engaged
HENRY JACKSON WELLS
in mercantile pursuits in Boston and vicinity, and in 1848 and 1849 he lived in New Orleans. Going to California in 1849, he at once found employment as a clerk in the courts, and when the state government was established, was retained in that position for a number of years, during which time he studied law and was admitted to the bar. He practised his profession until 1863, when he was elected as judge of one of the courts of San Francisco. Previous to this he was a member of the board of education, president of the common council, and police commissioner. Through the trying times of President Lincoln's administration he held the position of chairman of the Republican com- mittee of the city and county of San Francisco. Returning to Massachusetts in 1866, he resided in Arlington, and served as a member of the school committee. He removed to Cambridge, in 1877, and since that time was engaged in the practice of law in Boston. He was a member of the House of Representatives in 1880, 1881, and 1882, and was in the State Senate in 1883 and 1885, establishing a reputation as a legis- lator, and an authority on parliamentary pro- cedure. Mr. Wells had been active in political
life, having been chairman of the Republican City Committee of Cambridge for a number of years, and a member of the state committee for eleven years, and for seven years of that time its treasurer. He was a member of the Massachusetts, Middlesex, and Cambridge Clubs and of the Society of California Pioneers of San Francisco, and president of the Society of California Pioneers of New England. Judge Wells was married, in 1856, to Miss Maria Adelaide Goodnow, of Boston, Mass., daughter of Lyman and Rebecca D. Goodnow. Mrs. Wells died in 1904, but their five children sur- vive: Harrison G. Wells, of Chicago; Mrs. A. W. Cross, who kept house for her father in Cambridge; Mrs. Mary W. Stickney, of Arling- ton; Mrs. Henrietta W. Liverpool, of New York; and Wellington Wells, of Boston. As one of the California Pioneers of 1849, it was his privi- lege to have a part in laying the foundations of the State.
WILLIAM LAMBERT WHITNEY
WHITNEY, WILLIAM LAMBERT, was born in Cambridge, March 11, 1811; died in Cambridge, May, 1900. He was the son of Abel and Susanna
WILLIAM LAMBERT WHITNEY
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BIOGRAPHIES
Whitney, and received his education in the Cambridge schools and at Bradford Academy, Bradford, Mass. Mr. Whitney was for many years active in mercantile pursuits but retired from business in 1850. He always lived in Cambridge, and always took a lively interest in the material and social well-being of the city. He was one of the original members of the first city council of Cambridge. At the semi-centennial celebration of our city in 1896, Mr. Whitney was invited to take part in the celebration as the honored guest of his native city, but was obliged to decline, on account of feeble health and advanced years. He was treasurer of the Cambridge Savings Bank for several years, and director of the American Unitarian Association for about ten years, resigning in 1888.
Mr. Whitney was married, October 18, 1836, to Lucy A. Jones, of the city of Cambridge, and on July 28, 1840, to Rebecca R. Brackett, of Quincy, Mass. He died in Cambridge, May 29, 1900, being survived by Lucy A. Whitney, William L. Whitney, Jr., and Mrs. Julia A. Wright.
WILLIAM HASKELL WOOD
WOOD, WILLIAM HASKELL, for a number of years a leading lumber merchant of Cambridge, was born in Hudson, Mass., January 18, 1847, a son of Alonzo Wood of that town. The family of which he was a representative has been established in Middlesex County more than two hundred years, the records of Concord showing that Jacob Wood, son of Michael, was born there in 1662. Jacob's son Ephraim was the father of Peter Wood, a native of Concord, who settled in Marlboro. Jedediah Wood, son of Peter and Sybil (Howe) Wood, was born in Marlboro, May 16, 1777. His business was cloth-dressing; and he lived for twenty years at "The Mills," where he was one of the earliest settlers. He died in 1867. Jedediah Wood married, in 1801, Miss Betsey Wilkins, and had seven children, one of his sons being Colonel William H. Wood, and another Alonzo, the father of the above-named, who was born in Hudson, Mass. Alonzo Wood devoted his energies to the lumber business. He married, and had three children: Frank J., Eliza Ann and William Haskell.
William Haskell Wood spent his boyhood days in Hudson, attending school and working in his father's lumber mill. When he was about seventeen years of age he went to Boston, with the hope of improving his prospects; but an attack of illness caused him to return to Hudson within a year, and he remained in his native town until he was twenty. He then secured employment in Cambridge with Gale Dudley & Co., and after five years he formed a partner- ship with George W. Gale, a son of his employer,
WILLIAM HASKELL WOOD
and with him succeeded to the business. In 1881 they dissolved partnership, and Mr. Wood bought out Burrage Brothers, whose wharf, at the junction of Broadway, Third and Main Streets, was enlarged under his ownership. It now comprises the Fisk Wharf on Main Street and the Day and Collins Wharf adjoining. Mr. Wood was the senior member of the firm of Wood & Baker, who were owners of large lumber mills in Tennessee and North Carolina.
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In September, 1874, Mr. Wood was united in marriage to Miss Anna M., daughter of Samuel and Lucy Dudley. They had five children, two of whom are now living.
Mr. Wood was well advanced in Masonry, belonging to Mizpah Lodge, F.&A.M .; Cam- bridge Arch Chapter; and Boston Commandery, Knights Templar. He was an attendant at the First Universalist Church.
Mr. Wood died at Florida, March, 1912, being survived by his widow, one son and one daughter.
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JAMES ADAMS WOOLSON
WOOLSON, JAMES ADAMS, a leading citizen of Cambridge, was born in Hopkinton, Middle- sex County, Mass. He was the elder son of James Rix and Eda (Adams) Woolson. He was fitted for college at the Old Gates Academy, in Marlboro, of which the noted O. W. Albee was the preceptor. Mr. Albee afterwards entered public life as a member for several years of the House of Representatives and the Senate. In consequence of circumstances en- tirely beyond his control, young Woolson was obliged to abandon entering Harvard Univer- sity, as was his desire, and as had been the purpose and intention of his parents.
About this time, in 1846, his uncle, Hon. Lee Claflin, and his son, ex-governor William Claflin, gave him a position as boy in their store in Boston. Not many years after this, Lee Claflin retired from active business alto- gether, devoting his time thereafter to the care of his large property, and to charitable, benevolent and philanthropic work. From that time, Mr. Woolson had been associated in business with ex-Governor Claflin as boy, clerk and partner for upwards of fifty years- which length of time is something very remark- able in these days of frequent changes. He was, at the time of his death, a stockholder in the corporation of H. Brigham & Gregory Co. This company succeeded Y. Brigham & Co., and Gregory, Shaw & Co. The latter firm followed William Claflin, Coburn & Co. and William Claflin & Co., who were the direct successors of the original house established by Hon. George Claflin in 1815. Until a few years ago, the firms occupied the store built for them at 136 Summer Street, opposite South Street, Boston, which was the site of Daniel Webster's home. He was also one of the in- corporators of the Suffolk Savings Bank, of Boston.
Mr. Woolson was a member of the firm of Loring, Tolmant Tripp, bankers, Boston, and their predecessors. He contributed generously in many ways in the time of the Civil War, was drafted, but could not pass examination, and sent a substitute in his place, in the meantime caring materially for his family while he was in the field, and afterwards. He was a member of the Eastern Yacht Club, Massachusetts,
Cambridge, Colonial and Union Clubs, and some fifteen or more other organizations, though not really regarding himself as a club man in the ordinary acceptation of that term. He was a director in the North Bank of Redemp- tion, and previously in the Shoe and Leather Bank and the Revere. He was vice-president of the Boston Five Cent Savings Bank, a
JAMES ADAMS WOOLSON
director of the First National Bank of Cam- bridge, and was identified with the Cambridge- port Savings Bank. He had steadily refused to accept offers of political preferment, think- ing he had not the time to attend to public duties properly, and always feeling that there were many others of his fellow-citizens who were much better fitted for such positions than he was; as a matter of duty, however, he served in the city government.
Mr. Woolson, when a clerk, was librarian, director, treasurer, vice-president and presi- dent of the Old Mercantile Library Associa- tion, and gave cheerfully much good, solid hard work to help it obtain the influence and
BIOGRAPHIES
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prosperity which it certainly enjoyed in an eminent degree throughout the city in its day. At the time he was president, 1853 and 1854, the association numbered two thousand five hundred of the merchants' clerks of the city of Boston. This was before the days of the public library, Young Men's Christian Associa- tion and Union, and when the merchants and their clerks lived in town, and not in the suburbs, as now. "The Old M.L.A." was a great power for good in those days, say between the years 1840 and 1860.
In 1859, Mr. Woolson was married to Miss Annie Williston Dickinson, of Boston. Her grandfather, John Williston, was an officer in the custom house under General Benjamin Lincoln, the first collector of the port of Boston, who was appointed by President George Washington. Mr. Williston died young, from the effects of a severe cold caused by exposure at the time of the Embargo. Her father was Daniel Dickinson, of Old Hadley, Mass., who was of the Dickinson family and ancestry of Amherst, Hadley and that vicinity. Her family on both sides took an active part in the Colonial Wars, the War of the Revolu- tion, War of 1812, and in the War of the Rebel- lion; her only brother, Lieutenant Dickinson, gave his life for his country. His name is on the soldiers' monument on Cambridge Common. A number of Mr. Woolson's an- cestors did duty in the Revolutionary War, and several of his relatives on both sides of the house gave their services, and some their lives, in the War of the Rebellion.
Mr. Woolson died at his home in Cambridge, at the age of seventy-four years, January 25, 1904, and is survived by a widow, and also by two daughters, Mrs. James L. Paine and Mrs. Byron S. Hurlburt.
BENJAMIN F. WYETH
WYETH, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, was born in Cambridge, December, 1845; died, August 7, 1909, and had always lived here. His . ancestors settling in Cambridge in 1645. He attended the Cambridge schools, graduating from the old Washington Grammar School. For a number of years Mr. Wyeth was employed in the store of James H. Wyeth. In 1890, his father, Benjamin Francis Wyeth, died. He had
established, in 1850, an undertaking business in Harvard Square, which is believed to be the oldest in the city today. Upon his death, the business was taken up by Mr. Wyeth, in com- pany with his brother, Henry A. Wyeth, as Wyeth Bros. This continued until 1904, when his brother died. Mr. Wyeth then carried on the business alone for about a year, when his son, Benjamin F. Wyeth, Jr., became a member
BENJAMIN F. WYETH
of the firm, and has continued same until the present time. He will hereafter carry on the business, assisted by his brother Henry D. Wyeth, at 33 Brattle Street, where the office has been located since it was moved from Harvard Square. Mr. Wyeth was well known in a two-fold capacity-as a Harvard Square business man and as sexton of the First Church, Congregational. His father was for thirty- nine years the church sexton and upon his death, in 1890, Mr. Wyeth succeeded him in the position, holding it up to the time of his death. He was regarded as a fixture in this old, conservative church, and, when he talked of resigning, the church prevailed upon him to remain, and voted to give him an assistant,
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and in this manner the work had gone on since that time.
Mr. Wyeth married in 1876, Caroline E., daughter of Joseph Bird, of Watertown, who survives him. His sons and daughter are: Marion B., Herbert F., Benjamin F., Jr., and Henry D. His three sisters all live in Cam- bridge: Mrs. L. F. West, Miss Zoa A. Wyeth, and Miss Alice A. Wyeth. His brother, John B. Wyeth, lives in Philadelphia.
Mr. Wyeth was a veteran of the Civil War, having served as a member of the Twelfth Unattached Company, M.V.M., and going into the service in place of his father, who was a member of the organization. This was a Cambridge company, raised by Dr. S. W. Driver and others. Mr. Wyeth was also a member of Harvard Council, Royal Arcanum. In previous years he had been a Mason and an Odd Fellow, but he had not kept up his mem- bership in either order for some time. He was a member of the Massachusetts Undertakers' Association, and of the Massachusetts Social Club of Undertakers.
JAMES HICKS WYETH
WYETH, JAMES HICKS, merchant, was born at Watertown, Mass., on the 24th of July, 1830, being the son of Jonas and Elizabeth N. (Flagg) Wyeth. The family moved to Cambridge, and the boy received his education in the public schools of this city. Immediately after leaving school he went to work.
About 1853 Mr. Wyeth, in partnership with Thomas Hayes, opened a grocery store on Boyls- ton Street, Harvard Square. Afterwards quar- ters directly opposite were occupied. Here for many years the business was carried on by the firm of J. H. Wyeth and Company. The constantly increasing volume of trade led to the organizing of a corporation, the J. H. Wyeth Company. This has enabled Mr. Wyeth to leave the active management to others; but he shows that he still has an interest in the welfare of the concern, for he may be frequently found at his desk there.
While always willing and ready to help in furthering the progress of Cambridge, Mr. Wyeth has been averse to holding office. He
did consent, however, to serve as a member of the city government in 1860. During his term he gave evidence of having a thorough under- standing of public questions.
JAMES HICKS WYETH
By his marriage to Maria C. Warland, he has had three children: James D., who died in May, 1912; Elizabeth F. and Walter F. His home is in Cambridge.
JOHN PALMER WYMAN
WYMAN, JOHN PALMER, lawyer, was born at West Cambridge, now Arlington, Mass., March 7, 1852. He is the son of John P. Wyman, born July 31, 1815, who died July 1, 1891, and Margaret Richardson, born January 26, 1823, who died August 29, 1911. The sub- ject of this sketch was graduated from the Boston Latin School in June, 1870, being a Franklin Medal Scholar; from Harvard College, A.B., in 1874, and Harvard Law School, LL.B., in 1876.
On October 10, 1877, he was married to Emma, daughter of John P. Squire, and went to live at 23 Lafayette Street, Cambridge, which is
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still his home. Four children were born of this marriage: Mary Squire, born August 5, 1881, who is now the wife of Owen Eugene Pomeroy and lives in New York; John Palmer, Jr., born July 15, 1884; Samuel Edwin, 2d, born February 17, 1887, who died March 6, 1890; Margaret Gwendolen, born June 20, 1898. The elder daughter, Mrs. Pomeroy, graduated from the Cambridge Latin School in 1900, and from
JOHN PALMER WYMAN
Radcliffe in 1903, with the degree of A.B., receiving that of A.M. in 1905. His son John attended the Cambridge Latin School, graduated in 1903, matriculated at Harvard, but left in the middle of his freshman year to engage in business.
Mr. Wyman himself on leaving college had not immediately begun the practice of law. Business and travel had occupied him largely up to the fall of 1880. In November of that year he was admitted to the Suffolk Bar. Since then he has been at 30 Court Street, Boston, where he has taken care of the interests of a large number of clients, quietly but efficiently.
Mr. Wyman has been a member of the Old Cambridge Baptist Church since 1878, and has
served on the board of directors since about 1884. He belongs to no clubs, preferring to spend his leisure hours with his family.
Mr. Wyman's first wife died January 2, 1910. Mr. Wyman's second marriage, to Miss Lella C. Wood, took place October 16, 1912.
His twin brother, Samuel Edwin, practised medicine in this city, and resided at the corner of Mount Auburn Street and Putnam Avenue. He married Annie Goodale Gooch. He died May 15, 1896, survived by his wife. He had no children.
LE BARON RUSSELL BRIGGS
BRIGGS, LE BARON RUSSELL, educator, was born at Salem, Mass., December 11, 1855. He graduated from Harvard in 1875, receiving his degree of A.M. in 1882. The honorary degree of LL.D. was given him by that institution in 1900, and by Western Reserve College in 1906. From 1885 to 1890 he was assistant professor, and since 1890 has been professor of English at Harvard. He was dean of the college from 1891 to 1902. He has been dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences since 1902, and Boylston professor of Rhetoric and Oratory since 1904. He was elected president of Radcliffe College in 1903, and still holds that office. He was married to Mary Frances De Quedville, Sep- tember 5. 1883.
JOHN J. CARTY
CARTY, JOHN J., was born in Cambridge, Mass., April 14, 1861. His early education was obtained in the schools of Cambridge. At the time he had about finished his preparatory studies for college he was obliged, on account of a serious trouble with his eye-sight, to abandon his school work indefinitely.
The telephone having just been invented and being one of the first to appreciate its possi- bilities, Mr. Carty entered the service of the Bell Telephone Company, for which concern he has been at work ever since, having to his credit more than thirty-two years of continuous service in its behalf.
His first work was at Boston, and while there he made a number of contributions to the art of telephony which were of unusual value, and have since become a permanent part of the art.
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Under his direction was installed the first mul- tiple switchboard at Boston, which was at that time the largest ever put into use. For the "express" telephone system, peculiar to that city, he designed and installed a switchboard which was the first metallic circuit multiple board to go into service. The fundamental features of this board are at present in all the boards of today.
In 1887 Mr. Carty took charge of the cable department of the Western Electric Company in the East, with headquarters at New York. In this capacity he studied cable manufacture and laying, and introduced a number of im- provements, having charge of all the important cable-laying projects which were carried on for some time in the East. One of his engineering developments resulted in cutting in half the cost of cable manufacture. He then took charge of the switchboard department of the Western Electric Company for the East, and under his direction were installed most of the large switchboards of that period, among which was the original Cortland Street multiple board. During this time he made a number of important improvements in switchboards, which have since become standard practice.
He was the first to practically demonstrate how to operate two or more telephone circuits connected directly with a common battery, and about 1888 installed, for the supply of operators' telephones, common battery systems in a number of central offices. From these early experiments has grown the modern system now generally employed.
Although charged with serious practical en- gineering problems, Mr. Carty has found time to follow to some extent his strong natural inclination for original research. He made an exhaustive investigation into the nature of the disturbances to which telephone lines are sub- jected and gave the first public account of his work in a paper entitled, "A New View of Tele- phone Induction," read before the Electric Club on November 21, 1889. The view put forth in the paper was revolutionary, but, nevertheless, after being checked by numbers of experiments in this country and Europe received universal acceptance, and is the one now adopted in all works dealing with the subject. In this paper he showed the overwhelming preponderance
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