USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 118
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and died. At first a part of his house was used for business purposes where the stock was cut up, but in 1840 the building was erected on the corner of Main and Franklin Streets which, with the additions after- wards made to it, became the extensive factory of John Hill & Co. In 1832 he formed a co-partnership with his brother Luther, and in 1844 they took into the firm Jolin Hill, Jr. Mr. Hill had also quite large in- terests for several ycars in pork-packing at Meredocia, Illinois. Some years prior to his death he retired from active business and passed the remainder of his life in the care of his property and the enjoyment of his family and friends. Although he himself retired from business, the old firm-name survived under the management of his son and brother, and for many years during and subsequent to the war the new fac- tory of John Hill & Co. was the principal establish- ment of the town. While Mr. Hill did not seek or fill public office so often as many others, still he was one of the leading men of his time and perhaps the most prominent leader in the Whig party. Univer- sally loved and respected, he died in 1858 in his sixty- fourth year. Those who remember him recall a dig- nified, courteous, old-school gentleman, just such as leaves on boys an impression of good manners and a kind heart. Of the manufacturers before the war but few survive.
, Perhaps George Cowdrey should be an exception to the rule laid down, that no account shall be given of living men, merely for the purpose of preserving a single fact. Mr. Cowdrey has represented Stoneham in the General Court eight times and was a member of the House of Representatives when Charles Sumner was first elected to the United States Senate. It will be remembered Mr. Sumner was supported by a com- bination of the democrats and free-soilers. Upon Mr. Cowdrey, who was a democrat, fell the task of leading the fusionists, which he did with marked abil- ity and secured the victory, so to him and his town is due the credit of having elected the great champion of human freedom.
The oldest concern now in existence in Stoneham, which for fifty years has been intimately associated with the industries of the town, is the tannery and currying shop of William Tidd & Co. This cstab- lishment, with its well-arranged and extensive plant, employs from 125 to 150 men, and has a capacity of tanning 800 and of currying 4000 sides of leather per week. The manufacturing interests of Stoneham at the present time are chiefly represented by twenty-one concerns engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes, three in the manufacture of shoe stock, two in leather, one in lasts, two in boxes and one in the manufacture of drugs and medicines, and tliese estab- lishments turn out goods to the amount of from $3,000,000 to $5,000,000 per annum, employing from 1200 to 1500 hands, with an invested capital of bc- tween $1,000,000 and $2,000,000.
The Stoneham Five Cent Savings Bank, with a de-
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posit of between $500,000 and $600,000, is the oldest financial institution. It was established iu 1855, with Dr. Wm. H. Heath its first treasurer. Dr. Heath was followed by Ira Gerry, the treasurer from 1862 to 1873. Mr. Gerry was a very able and conser- vative financier, and laid the foundation of a strong institution which has always enjoyed the absolute confidence of the entire community. In 1873 Mr. Gerry was succeeded by Hon. Onslow Gilmore, who from that time has been so completely identified with the bank that one seems almost the complement of the other. The Stoneham Co-Operative Bank, estab- lished in 1887, has also met with very substantial suc- cess. The Stoneham National Bank, with a capital of $50,000, and under the presidency of Charles W. Tidd, was opened in March, 1890, and thus far has met with success. The present population of Stone- ham is a little upwards of 6000.
It is one of the healthiest towns of the State, with a perfect natural drainage and high elevation, is lighted by electricity and gas, supplied with water from Crystal Lake; directly connected with Boston by way of the Stoneham Branch and Boston & Low- ell Railroad, now leased by the Boston & Maine Rail- road, and connects with the last road at Melrose Highlands by means of the East Middlesex Horse Railroad. The natural advantages in building loca- tions is surpassed by no town in the neighborhood and by few in the county. An effort is being made to shorten the distance to Boston by extending the Stoneham Branch to the Fells Station on the Boston & Maine. If the project succeeds, the distance to Boston will be nine miles, and it is believed almost every inducement will exist to attract a large suburb- an population. The finest section of Middlesex Fells, embracing Bear Hill and Spot Pond, is contained within the limits of the town. The picturesque beauties of this sheet of water are not surpassed and hardly equaled by any in Eastern Massachusetts. Those who cherish and love the old town, remember- ing its humble origin amid the rocks and forests of Charlestown End and recalling the little settlement planted far away from the mother town, look forward with confidence to a prosperous future.
SELECTMEN .- 1,26-27, Captain Benjamin Geary, Captain John Vin- ton, Mr. Peter Hay, JIr. Timothy Baldwin, Lieut. Timothy Wright; 1728, John Gonld, Daniel Green, Ensign Daniel Gould, Jonathan Green, Daniel Gould, Jr .; 1529, Dan'I Green, John Gould, Sr .. Lieut, Dan'l Gonld, Ensign Jonathan Green, Dan'l Gould, Jr .; 1730, Daniel Green, John Gould, Sr., Dan'l Gould, Sr., Jonathan Green, Dan'l Gould, Jr .; 1531, Daniel Green, Capt. John Vinton, Lieut. Daniel Gould, Daniel Gonld, Jr., Ensign Jonathan Green ; 1732, Capt. John Vinton, John Gonld, Sr., Deacon Dan'l Gonld, Dan'l Gould, Jr., Peter Hay, Jr .; 1733, Deacon Dan'l Green, Dan'I Gonld, Jr., Ensign Jonathan Green, Peter Hay, Jr., Timothy Baldwin, Jr .; 1734, Capt. John Vinton, Deacon Dan'l Gould, Dan'l Gould, Jr., Deacon Dan'l Green, Peter Hay, Jr .; 1735, John Vinton, Esq., Deacon Dan'I Green, Dan'l Gould, Jr., John Green, Peter llay, Jr .; 1736, Dan'I Gould, Jr., Dan'l Gould, Jonathan Green, Peter Hay, Jr., Samuel Sprague ; 1737-38-39, Deacon Dan'l Gould, En- eign Jonathan Green, Dan'l Gould, Jr., Peter Hay, Jr., Sam'l Sprague ; 1:40. Daniel Gould, Jr., Ensign Jonathan Green, David Gould, Edward Backnam, Thomas Cntler ; 1741, Deacon Dan'l Gonld, Dan'l Gould, Jr., Ensign Jonathan Green, Edward Bucknam, Samuel Sprague; 1742, 32-ji
Dan'l Gould, Jr., Jonathan Green, Dan'l Gould, Sr., Thomas Cutler, Timothy Wright ; 1743, Ensign Jonathan Green, Deacon Dan'I Gould, Dan'l Gould, Jr., Thomas Cutler, Timothy Wright ; 1744, Ensign Jona- than Green, Daniel Gould, Jr., Deacon Daniel Gould, Samuel Sprague, David Gould ; 1745, Dan'l Gonld, Jr., Thomas Cutler, Timothy Wright, John Geary ; 1746, Capt. Peter Hay, Deacon Dan'l Green, Deacon Dan'l Gould, Thomas Cutler, Eusign Timothy Wright ; 1747, Capt. Peter Hay, Ensign Timothy Wright, Lieut. Jos. Green, Sam'l Sprague, Ehenezer Parker ; 1748, Ensigu Timothy Wright, Edward Bucknam, Thomas Cutler, Capt. Peter Hay, Ephraim Brown ; 1749, Capt. Peter Hay, Deacon Dan'l Gould, Elder Dan'l Green, Lieut. Dan'l Gould, Deacon Jos. Green ; 1750, Capt. Peter Hay, Elder Samuel Sprague, Ensign Timothy Wright, David Gould, Josialı Green ; 1751, Capt. Peter Ilay, Ensign Timothy Wright, Josiah Green, James Hay, Ephraim Brown ; 1752, Capt. Peter Hay, Ensign Timothy Wright, Josiah Green, James Hay, Jonathan Green ; 1753, Capt. Peter Hay, Josiah Greeu, Jonathan Green, James Hay, Isaac Green ; 1754-55, Capt. Peter Hay, Deacon Dan'l Gould, Ensign Timothy Wright, Deacon Jos. Green, Jonathan Green ; 1756, Lieut. Dan'l Gould, Jr., Capt. Peter Hay, John Geary, Josiah Green, Peter Hay, Jr .; 1757, Capt. Peter Hay, Jonathan Lawrence, Ensign Timothy Wright, Jonathan Green, Renben Richardson ; 1758, Jouathan Green, Jas. Hay, Deacon Jos. Green, Isaac Green, Capt. Peter Hay ; 1759, Ensign Timothy Wright, Capt. Jonathan Green, Josiah Green, Lieut. Jas. Hay, Abraham Gould ; 1760, Ensigu Timothy Wriglit, Capt. Jonathan Green, Edward Bucknam, Ensign Sam'l Sprague, Lieut. Jos. Bryant ; 1761, Ensign Timothy Wright, Capt. Jonathan Green, Lieut. Jos. Bryant, Edward Buckuam, Jr., Ensign Sam'l Sprague ; 1762, Capt. Peter Hay, Ensign Timothy Wright, Capt. Jonathan Green, Lieut. Jos. Bryant, Jos. Kniglit ; 1763-64, Capt. Peter Hay, Ensign Timothy Wright, Capt. Jonathan Greeu, Lieut. Jas. Ilay, Josiah Green ; 1765-66, Capt. Peter Hay, Ensign Timothy Wright, Capt. Jonathan Green, Lieut. Samnel Sprague, Lieut. Jas. Hay ; 1767, Capt. Peter Hay, Ensign Tinio- thy Wright, Timothy Taylor; 1768, Ensign Timothy Wright, Capt. Jonathan Green, Timothy Taylor, Lient. Sam'l Sprague, Jos. Bryant, Jr .; 1769, Ensign Timothy Wright, Lieut. Sam'l Sprague, Dan'l Gonld, Jr., Dan'l Green, Edward Bucknam, Jr .; 1770, Capt. Peter Hay, Ensign Timothy Wright, Lieut. Jas. Hay, Peter Hay, Jr., Timothy Taylor; 1771, Timothy Taylor, Capt. Sam'I Sprague, Edward Bucknam, Jr., Abraham Gould, Elisha Knight; 1772, Ensign Timothy Wright, Capt. Peter Hay, Josiah Green, Reuhen Richardson, Abraham Gould ; 1773, Timothy Taylor, Ensign Joseph Bryant, Dan'l Gould, Jr., Dan'l Green, John Bucknam ; 1774, Timothy Taylor, Capt. Sam'l Sprague, Lieut. Jas. Hay, Jas. Hill, Lieut. John Geary ; 1775, Lieut. Jos. Bryant, Abraham. Gould, Jr., Jolin Bucknam, Deacon Dan'l Green, Timothy Wright, Jr .; 1776, Sam'l Taylor, Capt. Sam'l Sprague, Timothy Wright, Jr., Daniel Gould, Jr., Peter Hay, Jr .; 1777, Capt. Sam'l Sprague, Deacon Daniel. Green, Lieut. John Bucknam, Timothy Wright, Jr , Caleh Richardson ; 1779, Capt. Samuel Sprague, Deacon Dan'l Green, Lieut. John Geary, Lient. Johan Bucknam, Ebenezer Lawrence ; 1780, Capt. Sam'l Sprague, Timothy Wright, Jr., Oliver Richardson, Peter Hay, Jr., David Hay ; 1781, Capt. Sam'I Sprague, Deacon Edward Bucknam, Deacon Daniel Green, Capt. Josiah Green, Lieut. John Holden ; 1782, Capt. Samuel Sprague, Deacon Dan'l Green, Deacon Edw. Bucknam, Capt. Peter Ilay, Jr., Oliver Richardson ; 1783-84, Elisha Knight, Ephraim Browu, Lieut. Timothy Wright, David Hay, Elijah Richardson ; 1785, Capt. Samuel Sprague, Deacon Edward Bucknam, Capt. Peter Hay, Jr .; 1786, Capt. Samuel Sprague, Deacon Edward Bucknam, Capt. Josiah Green, Lieut. Timothy Wright, Ephraim Brown ; 1787, Lieut. John Bucknam, Epli- raim Brown, Capt. Peter Hay, Jr., Capt. Josiah Green, Capt. Samuel Sprague ; 1788-89, Capt. Jonathan Green, Capt. Abraham Gould, Capt. Sam'l Sprague, Capt. David Hay, Thaddens Richardson ; 1790, Capt. Jonathan Green, Capt. Peter Hay, Jr., Col. Jos. Bryant, Lient. John Bucknam, Capt. David Geary ; 1791, Jos. Bryant, Esq., Capt. Jonathan Green, Capt. Josialı Green, Capt. David Hay, Capt. David Geary ; 1792, Col. Jos. Bryant, Jas. Hill, Capt. Peter, Hay, Ephraim Brown, Caleb Richardson ; 1793, Jos. Bryant, Esq., Capt. Peter llay, Ephraim Brown, Capt. David Hay, Thaddens Richardson ; 1794, Capt. Jonathan Green, Capt. Peter Hay, Capt. David Geary, Lient. John Geary, Jas. Hill, Jr .; 1795, Captain Jonathan Green, Captain Peter Hay, Oliver Richardson, Capt. David Hay, Capt. David Geary ; 1796, Ephraim Brown, Capt. Peter Hay, Jas.Hill, Capt. Dan'I Green, Ephraim Pierce ; 1797, Jas. Hill, Capt. David Geary, Jas. Hill, Jr., Ensign Thomas Green, Dan'l Gould, Jr .; 1798, Jas. Hill, Lieut. Jolin Bucknam, Dan'l Gould, Caleb Richardson, Jr., Timothy Matthews, Jr. ; 1799, Jas. Hill, Ezra Vinton, Timothy Mat- thews, Jr, Caleb Richardson, Jr., Peter Hay (3d); 1800, Jas. Hill, Timothy Matthews, Capt. David Geary, Peter Hay, Jr., Capt. Dan'l Green ; 1801, Jas. Hill, Capt. David Geary, Capt. Dan'l Green, David
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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Geary, Jr., Phineas Wiley ; 1802, Jus. Hill, Deacon Jabez Lynde, Cupt. Dan'l Green, Ezra Vinton, Lient. John Buckmm, Jr. ; 1803, Jas. Hill, Capt. Peter Iny, Ensign Thomas Green, Ezra Vinton, Llent. John Bueknum, Jr. ; 1804, Jus. Hill, Don'1 Gould, Ezra Vinton, Lient. John Buckum, Jr., Peter Iny, Jr. ; 1805, Cupt. Duvid Geary, Danlel Gould, Lieut. John Bucknam, Jr., Cupt. Dun'l Green, Capt. Caleb Richardson, Jr. ; 1806, Cupt. Peter Hay, Dun'l Gould, Ezra Vinton, Jos. Ilill, Jr., Elijah Richardson, Jr. ; 1807, Capt. Peter Hay, Dan'l Gould, Ezrn Vin- ton, Oliver Richardson, Jr., Benjamin Geary ; 1808, Dan'l Gould, Ezra Vinton, Benjamin Geary, Oliver Richardson, Jr., John Hay Wright ; 1809, Daniel Gould, Ezra Vinton, Benjamin Gcary, John HI. Wright, Lient. Eli Starr ; 1810, Ensign Thos. Green, Ensign Peter Ilay, Oliver Richardson, Jr., John Iny Wright, Lieut. Abraham Wart; 1811, Dan'l Gould, Esq., Benjamin Geary, Capt. Dan'l Green, Lieut. Abraham Hart, Ephraim Pierce; 1812-13, Dan'l Gould, Esq., Peter Hay (2d), Captain, Daniel Green, Ephraim Pierce, Peter Grecn ; 1814, Dan'l Gonld, Esq., Captain, Dan'1 Green, Lieutenant, John H. Wright, Cap- tain, Jonathan Hay, Ensign Wm. Richardson, 1815, Captain, Daniel Green, John H. Wright, Lieutenant, William Richardson, Deacon David Geary, Jas. Steele ; 1816, 1817 and 1818, John H. Wright, Dea- con David Geary, Reuben Richardson, John Howard, Jesse Green ; 1819, Capt. Daniel Green, Capt. Nathaniel Cowdrey, Thos. Gould, Jr., Peter Green, Darius Stevens; 1820, Capt. Daniel Green, Capt. John H. Wright, Capt. Rufus Richardson, Darius Stevens, Reuben Geary ; 1821, Capt. John H. Wright, Reuben Richardson, Reuben Geary ; 1822, Reu- hen Richardson, Thos. Gould, Jr., Deacon David Geary ; 1823, Thomas Gould, Jr., Deacon David Geary, John Howard ; 1824, Peter Hay, Esq., John H. Wright, Deacon David Geary ; 1825, John H. Wright, Deacon David Geary, Alpha Richardson; 1826, John H. Wright, Thomas Gould, Jr., Ephraim Pierce ; 1827, Thomas Gould, Jr., Ephraim Pierce, Reuben Richardson ; 1828, John H. Wright, Thos. Gould, Jr., Ephraim Pierce ; 1829, John H. Wright, Ephraim Pierce, Darius Stevens ; 1830, 1831 and 1832, Peter Hay, Esq., Darius Stevens, Capt. John H. Wright ; 1833, Thos. Gould, Jr., Vincent Rowe, Chas. E. Walker; 1834, Darius Stevens, Reuben Richardson, Jr., Ira Gerry ; 1835, Peter Hay, Esq., Jos. Buck, Ira Gerry ; 1836, Ira Gerry, Benj. F. Richardson, John Wheeler ; 1837, Benj. F. Richardson, Levi Smith, Edw. Buck uam ; 1838, John H. Wright, Geo. W. Dike, Edw. Bucknam ; 1839, Ira Gerry, Amasa Farrier, Jas. II. Gould ; 1840, Ira Gerry, Benj. F. Richardson, Lot Sweetser ; 1841, Benj. F. Richardson, Luther Hill, Marcus Woodward ; 1842 and 1843, Ira Gerry, Benj. F. Richardson, Luther Hill ; 1844, Warren Sweetser, Luther Hill, Jos. Buck ; 1845, Ira Gerry, B. F. Richardson, Marcus Woodward ; 1846, Benj. F. Richard- son, Ira Hay, Jas. Pierce ; 1847, Ira Gerry, Jas. Pierce, Geo. Cowdrey ; 1848, Benj. F. Richardson, Warren Sweetser, Francis Hay ; 1849, Darius Stevens, Joseph Buck, Benj. F. Richardson (resigned during the year), Amasa Farrier; 1850, Amasa Farrier, John Hill, Jr., Geo. W. Dike ; 1851, Ira Gerry, Amasa Farrier, Enoch Fuller ; 1852, Alleu Rowe, Jr., Luther Hill, Ira Gerry ; 1853, Ira Gerry, Amasa Farrier, Lyman Dike ; 1854, Luther Hill, Saml. Cloon, Danl. L. Sprague ; 1855, J. C. Slayton, J. W. Noble, Saml. Picrce ; 1856, Amasa Farrier, Jesse Curtis, Jos. B. Kittredge ; 1857, Amasa Farrier, Benj. F. Richardson, Jesse Curtis ; 1858, Ira Gerry, Benj. F. Richardson, Jesse Curtis, Leander F. Lynde, J. W. Trowbridge ; 1859, Thos. J. Melbourne, Benj. F. Richardson, Geo. W. Dike ; 1860, Benj. F. Richardson, Franklin Harriman, Lorenzo D. Hawkins ; 1861, Jesse Curtis, Franklin Harriman, Albert R. Green ; 1862, Benj. F. Richardson, Jesse Curtis, Henry H. Freuch ; 1863, John Hill, L. F. Lyude, Onslow Gilmore ; 1864, John Hill, L. F. Lynde, M. L. Morse, Geo. P. French, E. T. Whittier, Albert R. Green, Reuben Richardson ; 1865, John Hill, L. F. Lynde, Onslow Gilmore ; 1866 and 1867, Onslow Gilmore, David B. Gerry, Benj. F. Richardson, Jr .; 1868, Jesse Curtis, Benj. F. Richardson, Jr., Amnos Hill (2d); 1869, Amasa Farrier, J. B. Weeks, Jos. W. Osgood ; 1870, Amos IIill, J. W. Osgood, Myron J. Ferren ; 1871, Amos Hill, Jos. W. Osgood, Myron J. Ferrin : 1872, 1873 and 1 874, Amos Hill, Myron J. Ferrin, J. B. Sanhorn ; 1875, Amos Hill, Benj. F. Richardson, T. P. Smith : 1876, Jesse Curtis, Jos. W. Osgood, Sumner Richardson (2d); 1877, J. C. Chase, Sumner Richard- son (2d), Geo. A. Cowdrey ; 1878, Jesse Curtis, Amos Hill, Sumner Rich- ardson (2d); 1879, Amos IIill, Wm. F. Cowdrey, Jos. W. Osgood ; 1880, Amos Hill, Wm. F. Cowdrey, Sumner Richardson (2d); 1881 and 1882, Amos Hill, Lyman Dike, Summer Richardson (2d) ; 1883 and 1884, Amos Hill, Sumner Richardson (2d), Lewis Perry ; 1885, Lewis Perry, Sum- ner Richardson (2d), Chas. Buck ; 1886, Lewis Perry, Lyman Dike, Jas. HI. Murphy ; 1887, Wm. II. Sprague, Jas. H. Murphy, Leonard P. Ben- ton ; 1888, Jas. E. Whitcher, Wm. D. Byron, Wm. H. Sprague ; 1889 and 1890, Wm. H. Sprague, Geo. F. Butterfield, Walter S. Keene.
TOWN CLERKS. - From 1726 to 1747, inclusive, Dan') Gould, Jr. ;
from 1748 to 1758, inclusive, Jonathan Green ; 1759, Peter Hay, Jr. ; from 1760 to 1769, inclusive, Capt. Jonathan Green ; from 1770 to 1786, inclusive, Edw. Bucknamn ; 1787 and 1788, Captain Peter Hay, Jr. ; 1789 to 1791, inclusive, Capt. Jonathan Green ; 1792, Col. Jos. Bryant; 1793, Jos. Bryant, Esq. ; 1794 and 1795, Capt. Jonathan Green ; 1797, Peter Ilay (2d) ; 1798 and 1799, Caleb Richardson, Jr. ; 1800, Peter Hay, Jr. ; 1801 and 1802, David Gerry, Jr. ; 1803, Renben Richardson ; 1804, Peter Hay, Jr. ; 1805, Capt. Caleb Richardson, Jr. ; 1806, Elijah Rich- ardson, Jr. ; 1807, Elijah Hosmer; 1808 to 1811, inclusive, Oliver Rich- urdson, Jr. ; 1812 and 1813, Peter Hay (2d); 1814 to 1828, inclusive, Johan 11. Wright ; 1829 to 1833, inclusive, Joseph Buck ; 1834-36, War- ren Sweetser : 1837-39, Amasa Farrier ; 1840 and 1841, Solon Dike ; 1842 and 1843, Alfred J. Rhoades ; 1844, Amassa Farrier ; 1845, Alonzo N. Lynde ; 1846 and 1847, Solon Dike ; 1848, Cyrus Hay ; 1849 to 1852, in- clusive, Silas Dean ; 1853, Johu Hill, Jr. ; 1854, Chas. Brown ; 1855 and 1856, S. N. Richardson ; 1857 to 1890, inclusive, Silas Dean.
REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT .- 1734, Capt. John Vin- ton ; 1775, Lieut. Joseph Bryant ; 1806, Dan'l Gould ; 1809, '10 and '12, Rev. John II. Stevens ; 1811 and 1830, Jabez Lyndc ; 1816-17, '31, John II. Wright : 1823-24, '32-33, Peter Hay ; 1825, Wm. Richardson ; 1828- 29, Darius Stevens ; 1834, Chas. E. Walker; 1836, Ira Gerry ; 1837, Benj. F. Richardson ; 1840, Wm. G. Fuller; 1841, Solon Dike ; 1842, Wm. Bryant ; 1843, Sam'] I. Bryant ; 1844-50, '51, '52, '83, '84, '85, '86, Geo. Cowdrey ; 1846, J. Pierce ; 1854, A. V. Lynde ; 1855-59, J. Parker Gould ; 1856, S. Tidd ; 1857, J Dika ; 1860, Lyman Dike ; 186], W. H. Pierce ; 1862, John II. Dike ; 1863-65, Leander F. Linde ; 1866, John Kingnan ; 1867, John Botume, Jr. ; 1869, Sam'l Cloom ; 1870, Sam') O. Trull ; 1872-73, Amos Hill ; 1875, John Best ; 1876-77, Onslow Gilmore ; 1878, Geo. A. Cowdrey; 1879-80, John F. Berry; 1881, Chas. L. Gill; 1882, John W. Spencer ; 1887-88, Jas. E. Whitcher ; 1889-90, Myron F. Ferrin.
SENATORS .- 1852, Sam'l E. Sewell ; 1865-66, John Hill ; 1883-85, Onslow Gilmore.
SPECIAL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS .- 1838 to 1841, Darius Stevens; 1841 to 1844, Geo. W. Dike ; 1890, ahout twenty years in all, Lyman Dike.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
IRA GERRY.
Ira Gerry, the youngest son of Captain David and Sarah Richardson Gerry, was born in Stone- ham June 29, 1806, and was a descendant in the fifth generation from the original settler, Thomas Gerry. Captain Gerry was a leading man and kept a public-house on the corner of Central and Winter Streets, the old farm comprising a large part of what is now the most thickly-settled section of the town. Losing his father when he was nine months old, he had the good fortune to grow up under the influence of a strong-minded and affectionate mother. His early advantages were limited, and he obtained only the meagre education afforded by the schools of his native town, and yet in after-life he became a man of large information, sound judgment, and pos- sessed a well-trained mind. He had barely reached the age of majority when, in company with his bro- ther Arad. he opened a store and commenced the manufacture of children's shoes, remaining with him, however, only a few years on account of his brother's failing health; after which he continued for some years alone, till 1844, when his own physical weak- ness compelled him to close up his business and en- gage in pursuits which required less confinement and application. About this time " Square " Peter Hay, as he was called, dicd. Mr. Hay for many years had
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Pra Gerry.
William. D. Stevens
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been the principal conveyancer of the town, and after his death Mr. Gerry took his place, and gradu- ally absorbed almost all the business of this charac- ter. The deeds and wills and contracts which he wrote during the remainder of his life would have afforded a lucrative office practice to a well-estab- lished lawyer. In addition to his occupation of con- verancer and a considerable probate business, he engaged in fire insurance, and became a sound and prosperous financier. He was repeatedly called to fill almost all offices within the gift of the town; and at the age of thirty was elected a Representative to the General Court.
When the Stoneham Five Cent Savings Bank was organized he became its first president, and, in 1862, its treasurer, which office he held for about eleven years, and under his able and conservative management the deposits increased from nine thousand to a quarter of a million.
In financial matters and business affairs Mr. Gerry was a man of rare judgment and sound sense. He was a safe counsellor and trusty friend. But few men in any community ever enjoyed a more univer- sal confidence of his townsmen, which prompted them to constantly seek his advice and entrust to him the settlement of their estates. While not inclined to large public benefactions, or to much display, he was a man of scrupulous honesty and a lover of justice. In politics he was a democrat, though a firm believer in equal rights. In the bitter anti-slavery agitation of 1837, notwithstanding his politics, he demanded for all parties the right of free speech. He was a large owner and dealer in real estate, inheriting from his father land which afterwards became some of the most valuable of the town. Like his brother, Col. Elbridge Gerry, he was an ardent sportsman, and from his gun and dog derived through life the greater part of his recreation. Such was Mr. Gerry's public character which he bore to his townsmen. Another and a gentler side was that which characterized the relations to his family. Marrying, at the age of twenty-six, Panlina, the daughter of Robert Gerry, he lived with her forty-four years, and at his death left to her a memory made beautiful by the affection- ate and indulgent devotion of a lifetime.
Thoroughly conscientious, he combined great natu- ral courage with gentleness, and possessed feelings sensitive as those of a woman. He was reared a Con- gregationalist, but in mature life became liberal in his views, tolerant of the opinions of others and prone to examine all sides of a question impartially him- self.
When first engaging in business, like most of their contemporaries, he and his brother kept a stock of liquor among their goods; but becoming convinced of the evils of intemperance, and the dangers attending the sale of intoxicating liquors, they closed them out and determined to have no further connection with such traffic.
Mr. Gerry never had any children, and after a long and distressing illness he died November 23, 1875, in his seventieth year, leaving behind him the reputa- tion of an able, successful and upright man.
DR. WILLIAM F. STEVENS.
Dr. William F. Stevens, the son of Rev. John H. Stevens, was born at the parsonage in Stoneham, Jan- uary 17, 1807. He was the youngest son of twelve children, which consisted of four boys and eight girls. His early days were spent at home, and he obtained the rudiments of an education in the public schools. of his native town. Losing his mother at the age of ten, two years later he was placed by his father in the dry-goods store of a Mr. Fosdick, in Charlestown, where he remained two years. A delicate, sensitive boy, with a constitution apparently fragile, he then began the struggle of life from which there was no cessation till its close. Thrown upon his own re- sources at this tender age, he learned habits of indus- try and close application. Remaining in Charlestown about two years, when he was fifteen he went into the drug-store of Dr. Plympton, at Old Cambridge, a more congenial occupation, continuing there four years, studying the nature of medicine during his leisure time, and preparing himself for entering col- lege. The condition of his health was such that he gave up the idea of a college education at Harvard, and in 1826 entered the Medical School connected with Dartmouth College, spending his time, when not at Hanover, as a student of Dr. Daniel Gould, who then lived in Reading. Obtaining his medical di- ploma, he commenced the practice of medicine in Stoneham, before he had quite reached the age of twenty-one, where he continued to reside, and for over fifty years was the good and beloved physician. Devotedly attached to his profession, it absorbed the restless energy of body and mind for a lifetime. Law is said to be a jealous mistress. This is equally true of medicine, and she rarely bestows great success up- on her disciples unless they serve her with absolute. devotion. A more faithful servant never pursued a calling than Dr. Stevens. Of a reserved and retiring disposition, he filled but few positions of public trust, nor often did he take an active part in public affairs. His profession demanded all his time and attention, He never would consent to have his name used as a candidate for offices of emolument ; and yet he was greatly interested in public improvements, as ap- peared when he became a director of the Stoneham Branch Railroad, and by his influence and exertion contributed so largely to its completion. After his death, a brother physician spoke of him among other things, as follows: "His was one of those rare natures which enjoy work for the very love of it. He did not seem to need a holiday, for every day with him was a holy day consecrated to duty. He was one of the most conscientious men I ever knew ; manifesting no
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