USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, 1622-1918, vol 2 > Part 16
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Colonel Edward M. Gilman devoted his youthful days largely
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to the mastery of a public and high school education at Nashua, New Hampshire, being graduated from the high school with the class of 1882. He afterward attended the Bryant & Stratton Business Col- lege and thus further qualified for life's practical and responsible duties. After completing his studies he secured a position in the Citizens Bank of Wichita, Kansas, acting successively as messenger, clerk and bookkeeper. He remained in that institution for seven years and then resigned his position to return to his old home. He has since been identified with the interests of New England, entering its business circles in connection with the Springfield Glazed Paper Company of Springfield, Massachusetts, which business was owned by his father and an uncle. Colonel Gilman served as vice president and general manager and continued in connection with the business for six years. He then came to Boston and on the Ist of January, 1897, established his present business under the name of the Reversible Collar Company, of which he is president, treasurer and general manager. He is conducting an excellent business in this connection and his trade has been steadily growing, the enterprise having be- come one of the profitable concerns of the city.
On the 24th of November, 1885, Colonel Gilman was united in marriage in Nashua, New Hampshire, to Miss Mary Frances Wal- lace, a native of that city, born February 21, 1862, and a daughter of James F. and Julia (Green) Wallace, both of whom have now passed away. Both were born in Nashua and were descendants of old New England families of English descent. To Colonel and Mrs. Gilman has been born a son, Francis Davidson, whose birth occurred in Nashua, New Hampshire, May 17, 1888, and who is now asso- ciated with his father in business as secretary of the company.
Colonel Gilman was at one time a member of the Governor's Foot Guard of New Hampshire and was appointed colonel on the Ist of January, 1889, by Governor David H. Goodell, serving with that rank for two years, being the youngest man to hold the po- sition in the state. He also filled office in connection with the city government of Springfield, being elected to serve for the years 1889 and 1890, but on account of his removal to Boston he resigned the office. In politics he has always been a stanch republican since at- taining his majority and has ever been deeply interested in political questions and problems of the day in all civic matters. In Masonry he has taken the degrees of the lodge, the chapter and of the Scottish Rite up to and including the thirty-second degree in the consistory. He is also a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church and he is well known in club circles,
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holding membership in the Boston City Club, the Unitarian Club and the Boston Yacht Club and also in the Nashua Country Club. His has been an active, useful and well spent life. Starting out in early manhood dependent upon his own resources, the success he has achieved is the direct result of his persistency of purpose and in- defatigable energy. While he has won a substantial measure of prosperity through the conduct of his business affairs, he has never allowed these things to so monopolize his time and attention that he has had no opportunity to cooperate in interests and projects for the public good. On the contrary, he has given of his time, his thoughts, his energy and his means to advance the public welfare and his efforts in this connection have been far-reaching and beneficial.
E. GRANVILLE PRATT.
E. Granville Pratt still remains an active member of the bar of Quincy and of Boston although he has now passed the eighty-fourth milestone on life's journey. Old age need not necessarily suggest idleness nor want of occupation. There is an old age which grows stronger and brighter mentally and morally with the passing years and gives out of its rich stores of wisdom and experience for the ben- efit of others. Such is the record of Mr. Pratt, who in spirit and interests seems yet in his prime. He was born in Weymouth, Mas- sachusetts, July 4, 1833, a son of Ezra and Everline L. (Vining) Pratt, both of whom were natives of Weymouth and representatives of old colonial families, the Pratt family having been there estab- lished in the early part of the seventeenth century. The father was a stone contractor and devoted his life to that business.
The son acquired a public school education in Weymouth, sup- plemented by study in the Worcester Academy, and later he became a student in the Kimball Union Academy at Meriden, New Hamp- shire. A review of the broad field of business with its limitless and varied opportunities led him to the determination that he wished to make the practice of law his life work and he began reading in the office and under the direction of Judge Jesse E. Keith, of Abing- ton Center. He was admitted to the bar in the latter 'sos and loca- ted for practice in his native city, but on the Ist of December, 1862, removed to Quincy, where he has since followed his profession and made his home. He also practiced in Boston in connection with John Quincy Adams for many years and later he established an
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office independently in Boston at No. 28 School street, but contin- ued throughout the period to reside in Quincy. He has been con- nected with much important litigation heard in the courts and he has done important work in maintaining the high legal standards which constitute the foundation of stability and progress in every community. He has always remained in the general practice of law and his clientage has been extensive and of an important character. Mr. Pratt served on the school committee for many years, acting as its chairman for several years, and the cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart champion. His activities have reached out to the general interests of society with a recognition of the duties and obligations as well as the privileges of citizenship, and he has be- come a cooperant factor in many movements which have been di- rectly beneficial to city and state.
On the 18th of Deecmber, 1879, Mr. Pratt was united in mar- riage to Miss Henrietta Bowker Spears, of Quincy, a daughter of Seth and Elizabeth (Bowker) Spears. Mrs. Spears was born in Springfield, Vermont, and is a representative of one of the old colo- nial families. Both Mr. and Mrs. Pratt are members of the Uni- tarian church. Mrs. Pratt is directly descended from the Henry Adams and the John Baxter families and is a valued member of the Daughters of the Revolution, having been historian of the chapter with which she is identified for twenty-one years. She is also very active in the Woman's Club of Quincy and in the First Parish church. Mr. Pratt was grand dictator of the Knights of Honor of Massachu- setts. He still keeps in close touch with many public interests as well as professional activities and through fifty-five years Quincy has numbered him as an honored resident, identified with all those interests which have to do with public progress and the welfare of the community.
WILLIAM J. HARKINS, M. D.
Dr. William J. Harkins, physician and surgeon of Quincy, in which city he was born April 6, 1886, is a son of William and Mary Harkins. The father was a contractor who died in 1910, but the mother is still living. Dr. Harkins after attending the public schools of Quincy, continued his education in the Adams Academy, from which he was graduated with the class of 1905. He later spent one year in the Vermont University and was graduated from the
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Vermont Medical College with the class of 1911. Thus well equipped for the practice of his profession, he turned his attention to a special line and devoted one year to study in the Eye and Ear Infirmary of Boston. He afterward had two years' hospital experience, which was of the greatest benefit, and in 1913 he opened an office in Quincy where he has since specialized in the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He has served on the staff of the Massachusetts General Hospital, also of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital and of the Quincy Hospital. He has manifested notable skill in his chosen field of labor and his efforts have been attended by the most gratifying results when viewed from both a financial and profes- sional standpoint. He has membership in the Massachusetts Medical Association, the American Medical Association and the New Eng- land Otological Association.
On the 14th of May, 1916, Dr. Harkins was united in marriage to Miss Carrie M. Dow, of Lynn, Massachusetts. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Columbus. Politically he maintains an independent course and religiously he is connected with St. John's Catholic church. His interests and attention, however, largely con- centrate upon his professional duties, the responsibilities and obliga- tions of which he fully realizes. He is thoroughly acquainted with the broad scientific principles which underlie his work and continued study and reading keep him in touch with the most advanced inves- tigation and discoveries of the profession. He has developed ability of a high order and he ranks with the eminent specialists in his particular field in New England.
GEORGE FRANK BARRY.
George Frank Barry, superintendent of the Franklin Town Farm, in which connection he is giving general satisfaction, was born in Machias, Maine, on the 11th of February, 1889, a son of Henry and Sarah (Huntley) Barry, who are natives of the Pine Tree state, where the father followed farming for many years. He is now living retired and still makes his home in Maine. During the period of the Civil war he responded to the country's call for troops, going to the front with a Maine regiment.
George Frank Barry spent the period of his boyhood and youth in Machias, Maine, and there attended school. He took up the occu- pation of farming, to which he had been reared, early becoming
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familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. In 1910 he removed to Massachusetts and worked on the town farm for two and a half years. On the expiration of that period he was given the position of superintendent of the Franklin Town Farm and has continued to act in that capacity through the intervening period. The farm comprises one hundred and five acres of land and is in an excellent state of improvement and cultivation. Mr. Barry is very practical and progressive in his methods of con- ducting the place and his labors are bringing excellent results.
On the 23d of April, 1912, Mr. Barry was united in marriage to Miss Florence Summers, a daughter of Albert and Margaret (Stewart) Summers, who were natives of Prince Edward Island and of Nova Scotia respectively. Removing to Massachusetts, the father was employed as a conductor on street cars at Lowell. He is now deceased but the mother is still living.
In his political views Mr. Barry is a republican and he is serving as poundkeeper of the town of Franklin and also as special police in addition to discharging his duties as superintendent of the Frank- lin Town Farm. His religious. faith is that of the Congregational church and his life measures up to high standards of manhood and citizenship, his genuine worth being recognized by all with whom he comes in contact.
MILLARD D. LOWE.
Millard D. Lowe is one of the progressive young business men of Stoughton, now at the head of the Electric Sharpener Company as its manager. He is a native of the city in which he still resides, the day of his birth being June 12, 1888. He is a son of Horace W. and Florence C. (Drake) Lowe, who are mentioned at length on another page of this work. Spending his youthful days in the home of his parents, he had the benefit of instruction in the public schools of Stoughton and was thus well qualified for life's practical and re- sponsible duties. He started upon his business career in connection with his father, who has long been identified with the undertaking business in Stoughton, and eventually he was admitted to a partner- ship in the business, in which he now owns a ninth interest. In 1910 he bought out the factory of the Electric Sharpener Company, adopt- ing the present name at that time. He purchased this business from his uncle, P. M. Worthington, and in 1916 he admitted his brother,
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Arthur W., and John J. Powers to a partnership. The three young men are also associated with the undertaking business of the firm of Lowe & Powers, of which their fathers are the leading members. The Electric Sharpener Company is engaged in the manufacture of convex and electric sharpeners and the value of their output is indi- cated in their rapidly growing trade. They have ever recognized the fact that satisfied customers are their best recommendation and they have put forth every effort to please their patrons. They man- ufacture any size, style or grade of sharpener desired and for many purposes and their output is now being distributed over a wide terri- tory.
On the 12th of June, 1912, Millard D. Lowe was united in marriage to Miss Iva G. Burrell and they reside at No. 49 Grove street, where the factory is also maintained. Mr. Lowe now em- ploys two men and in addition the three proprietors of the business are active in the work carried on. Fraternally Mr. Lowe is con- nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and that he is appreciative of the social amenities of life is indicated in his mem- bership in the Chicatawbut Club. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, and while he is thoroughly informed concern- ing the leading questions and issues of the day and earnestly desires the success of his party, he does not seek nor desire office. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church and finds ex- pression in his life, for he is a young man honorable and upright, whose entire career commands for him the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been associated.
J. HERBERT LIBBY, M. D.
Dr. J. Herbert Libby, a Harvard man who has attained enviable rank as a physician and surgeon of East Weymouth, was born in Denmark, Oxford county, Maine, February 14, 1867, his parents being Isaiah Cole and Hannah F. (Marr) Libby, who were like- wise natives of the Pine Tree state. The father was employed by the Boston Ice Company as foreman for thirty years. About 1872. he removed to the city of Boston, where he continued to make his home until called to his final rest on the 15th of October, 1897, be- ing accidentally killed by one of the men working under him. His widow survives and is now living in Charlestown, Massachusetts.
Dr. Libby was reared and educated in Cambridge, Massachu-
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setts, supplementing his public school course by study in the Cornish Academy at Cornish, Maine, where he continued as a student for two years. He afterward returned to Boston and entered the Bryant & Stratton Commercial College, from which in due course of time he was graduated. He started upon his business career as an em- ploye of the firm of H. A. Hartley & Company on Washington street in Boston and remained for four years with that firm, which was en- gaged in the wholesale and retail carpet trade. He determined, however, to devote his life to professional activity and entered a preparatory school on Boylston street in Boston, after which he be- came a student at Harvard and completed his course in the medical college with the class of 1892. Locating for practice in Boston, he there remained for a year and a half, after which he opened an office in East Weymouth, Norfolk county, where he has remained con- tinuously since August 25, 1895. In the intervening years he has built up a large and lucrative practice and is regarded as one of the most successful and capable physicians of the county. He keeps in touch with the advanced thought of the profession through wide reading and study, is most conscientious in the performance of his professional duties and is interested in everything that tends to bring to man the key to the complex mystery which we call life.
On the 25th of September, 1889, Dr. Libby was united in mar- riage to Miss Annie J. Price, a daughter of Richard E. and Margaret (Moulton) Price, the former a native of London, England, and the latter of Wales. It was about 1867 that Mr. Price came to the new world, settling in Boston, where he worked at the tinsmith's trade for a time. He then began the manufacture of milk pans and milk cans and milk coolers and continued in that business for a number of years. In 1900 he removed to Litchfield, Maine, where he has since made his home, but his wife passed away in August, 1892. Dr. and Mrs. Libby have one child, Channing Price, who was born July 15, 1901, and is attending high school.
Dr. Libby is a school physician of East Weymouth, a position which he has occupied for five years. He belongs to the North Norfolk District Medical Society, which is a branch of the Mas- sachusetts Medical Society, of which he is also a representative. He likewise has membership in the American Medical Association. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Loyal Order of Moose and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In Masonry he has taken high rank and is now a Knight Templar and a member of the Mystic Shrine. Politi- cally he is a stalwart republican and his religious belief is that of the
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Congregational church. His life, actuated by high and honorable principles, has won for him the regard, confidence and goodwill of all who know him and in all things he measures up to the highest standards of manhood and citizenship. He is a self-made man in that his advancement is the direct outcome of well defined plans and purposes and indefatigable energy. Making good use of his time, his talents and his opportunities and actuated by laudable ambi- tion, he has steadily progressed and today occupies an enviable posi- tions as one of the foremost representatives of the medical profession in his section of Norfolk county.
ATWOOD L. BOGGS.
Atwood L. Boggs is closely associated with that development which is fast making Stoughton an important manufacturing cen- ter, with its trade connections reaching out to every section of the country. Mr. Boggs is now the president and treasurer of the Per- fection Cooler Company, with which he has been identified since 1909. He was born in Warren, Maine, in July, 1868, and is a son of Benjamin D. and Estella S. (Young) Boggs, who are also natives of Warren and are representatives of some of the oldest families in the state. Ancestors of A. L. Boggs resided in Maine as early as 1632. Benjamin D. Boggs was a farmer by occupation, following that pursuit during the greater part of his active life, but for a brief period was engaged in the wholesale grocery trade. At the time of the Civil war he put aside all business and personal considerations and responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting for three years with a Massachusetts regiment. He did active duty at the front during that period, participating in a number of hotly con- tested engagements. He now resides in California, where his wife is also living.
Atwood L. Boggs was reared and educated in Warren, Maine, and in early life learned the shoe manufacturing business. After three years devoted to that work he went upon the road as a trav- eling salesman, starting at the age of twenty years. Mr. Boggs won success as a traveling salesman and continued upon the road until 1909, when he purchased the controlling interest in the Perfection Cooler Company, then doing business at Haverhill, Massachusetts. He removed the business, however, to Boston and in 1912 established the plant at Stoughton, where he has since been engaged in the manufac-
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ture of water coolers used in offices and stores. The output of the plant is shipped all over the world. The company has recently pur- chased a large plant at Michigan City, Indiana, more extensive than the Stoughton plant. Their sales have reached an annual figure of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, but in 1918 they expect to do a business of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. They put out twenty-five thousand coolers in 1917 and expect to double this in the present year and hope to make their sales reach one hun- dred thousand in 1920. Their product is of the highest standard of coolers and as it gives uniform satisfaction the business is growing rapidly.
In April, 1906, Mr. Boggs was united in marriage to Miss Alice J. Hall, a daughter of James R. and Elizabeth (Hall) Hall, who are natives of Nova Scotia and are still residing there. Mr. Boggs belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the degrees of lodge, chapter, council, commandery and Mystic Shrine. He is also identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, hav- ing membership in the lodge at Rochester, New York, for twenty years. Politically he is a republican but not an office seeker. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church. He is highly esteemed in Stoughton, where he has developed a business of sub- stantial proportions that has become recognized as one of the im- portant manufacturing interests of the city. His home is at 47 Mason Terrace in Brookline.
RUSSELL GLIDDEN PARTRIDGE.
Russell Glidden Partridge, well known as a corporation lawyer and active member of the bar of Boston, maintaining his residence in Dedham, his native city, was born in 1886, a son of J. Lester and Helen Frances (Clark) Partridge. The father was born in Thomas- ton, Maine, in 1844 and, removing to Dedham in early life, was there married in 1879. His death occurred in February, 1915, and in his passing Dedham mourned the loss of one of its representative men. He had been a traveling salesman for fifty years and was widely and prominently known throughout the state. He possessed a social, genial nature which made for popularity wherever he went and to this he added marked business talent for the line of activity to which he directed his attention.
Russell G. Partridge was a pupil in the public schools of Ded- Vol. II-11
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ham and also attended school at Lakeville, Connecticut. Later he entered Harvard and was graduated with the class of 1908. He thus gained a broad literary foundation upon which to build the su- perstructure of professional knowledge and in 1910 completed a course in the Harvard Law School, thus qualifying for active prac- tice at the bar. Opening an office in Boston, he engaged in general practice and in October, 1915, he became the attorney for the United Fruit Company. He has since been active at the bar of Boston and has won very favorable criticism by reason of the thoroughness and care with which he has prepared his cases, while his retentive mind has often excited the surprise of his professional colleagues.
Mr. Partridge gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is thoroughly informed concerning the vital questions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire office. Fraternally he is a Blue Lodge Mason and his only club associations are with the Dedham Republican Club, of which he served as president for a year and as secretary and treasurer for a year. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church. A lifelong resident of Dedham, he is widely and favorably known by reason of attractive social qual- ities which make for personal popularity as well as by reason of his professional attainments.
FREDERIC COPELAND COBB.
Frederic Copeland Cobb, treasurer of the Dedham Water Com- pany and since 1914 moderator of his native city, was born in 1868, a son of Jonathan and Martha Sigourney (Wales) Cobb. His father was born in the year 1829 and was assistant register of probate and insolvency, succeeding his father, Jonathan Holmes Cobb, in the po- sition of register. He served for about forty-four years, beginning in 1860, in the two offices, filling the position of register for about a quarter of a century. The Cobbs come of English ancestry. The grandfather, Jonathan Holmes Cobb, was born in Sharon, Massachu- setts, and immediately following his graduation from Harvard Col- lege took up his abode in Dedham, where his remaining days were passed, his death there occurring in 1882. Jonathan Cobb also con- tinued a lifelong resident of Dedham, where he passed away April 13, 1913. His wife, a native of Boston, died in the '70S.
Frederic C. Cobb pursued his early education in public and private schools of Dedham, and on attaining his majority turned his
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