USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > South Boston > History of South Boston (its past and present) and prospects for the future, with sketches of prominent men > Part 46
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Throughout his entire residence in South Boston he has won for himself a high place among the business men of the city. A warm admirer of South Boston he has ever been interested in the district and is an active member of the South Boston Yacht Club, the Mosquito Fleet Yacht Club, Robert Fulton Council of the Knights of Columbus. South Boston Conclave of the Improved Order of Heptasophs and was an original member of the South Boston Historical Society. In all of these organizations he is deeply interested, and he took active part in the doings of the Historical Society, when it was flourishing and did so much for South Boston's good.
Mr. Corliss has always taken a very active part in all athletic sports and events in the district. As a business man of South Boston for nearly a quarter of a century Mr. Corliss stands among the foremost for reputable and conscientious dealings. As a resident of the district nearly all his life he knows full well its needs and advantages. He lives at 358 West Broadway.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON
R OBERT COX, one of the health commis- sioners of Boston, and manufacturer of horse food, came from Ireland to the United States in 1860, at the age of fourteen. Ilis father was a well-to-do farmer and promi- nent trader the larger part of which consisted in the shipping of horses, cattle and butter to England. Being the eldest son, Robert Cox received a good practical education, attending school from the age of seven up to the time he left Ireland. Ile secured a good business training by accompanying his father to fairs and market. He was ever of a robust, healthy nature and today has wonderful vitality. Shortly after arriving in this country he enlisted in Com- pany G of the 32nd Mass. Regt. from South Boston, being but sixteen years of age.
On account of his youthful appearance he was twice rejected but he was finally accepted on giving his age as twenty-one. Like all of Massachusetts' loyal patriots he upheld the Northern cause, and also joined the army for the purpose of learning the science of war, hoping, if he returned to Ireland and opportunity pre- sented itself, to lead his countrymen against the landlords of Ireland, such as had robbed him of his lands. Robert Cox has a splendid war record. Ilis regiment joined McClellan on the Penin- sula and was at the surrender of Lee at the Appomatox Courthouse. He was wounded in the battles of Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Courthouse, and in front of Petersburg. At Spott- sylvania Courthouse he received a severe wound in the right chest and right arm which limb he came near losing. After this battle, while wounded, he was taken prisoner with 1400 of his corps, and, after nine days, was recaptured. He was in the hospital when Confederate General Early made a raid on Washington and, although his wounds were not healed and his arm in a sling, he volun- teered to go to the defence of Washington. Ile went, but was obliged to return to the hospital, and again, before he recovered, he asked to be sent to his regiment, and he rendered good ser- vice at the Battle of Weldon Railroad. He was ever ready to volunteer for any extra hazardous duty in picketing and skirmishing, and in these he achieved honors for bravery. He was twice recommended for promotion for bravery on the battlefield, before he was eighteen, but his
youth alone prevented the attainment of such deserved honors. In 1889 he was presented with a beautiful memorial of his brilliant army record signed by ten field and company officers of his regiment.
Mr. Cox has been particularly active in politics since 1870, and served several years in the Democratic Ward and City Committee and was a member of the Common Council in 1876 and 1877. In the year 1879 he received the nomination for senator in South Boston. winning the three wards against his opponent. After receiving the nomination, however, his name was omitted from the ballot at midnight before election day and his friends hustled to get out ballots bearing his name. By many excellent authorities of that time he is said to have been elected, but was counted out, an easy thing to do in those days. He has been a leader among the Democrats of the city and identified with many im- portant campaigns. He ath has sacrificed much in behalf of his friends in politics, spending large amounts of money. lise
As an organizer and political manager, South Boston has never had his superior, and but few, if any equals. From the very beginning of a political contest or cam- paign and until its close he was ever alert and planning for the interest of his side. He conducted P. A. Collins' campaign when he was chosen president of the Demo- cratic City Committee and engineered the Collins' senatorial cam- paigns three years, in- cluding the memorable contest against Supt. Johnson of the South Boston Railroad. Mr. Cox also conducted the Collin's congressional campaigns, and in the famous contest against Hon. Joseph H. O'Neil, Mr. Cox was chief marshal of an immense parade.
During his service as health commissioner he has been a strong advocate of many sanitary improvements in South Boston and has ably served with Dr. Durgin and Mr. A. E. Pillsbury on that very responsible board which guards the health of the people of Boston.
Mr. Cox married Miss Josephine F. Williams of Roxbury, well known for her remarkable beauty and loveliness of character. As a result of the happy union there were nine children, four of whom survive. Mrs. Cox is now deceased. Mr. Cox resides at 775 East Broadway.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
^HARLES COX, superintendent of the L Street bath, was born in the County Fer- managh. Ireland, June 9, 1854, of Robert .nd Margaret Cox. Coming to this country at an early age, he at- tended school in Bridgewater, Mass., and graduated from the grammar school of that place. He removed to South Boston in IS64 and has been a resident of this dis- trict ever since. After leaving school he worked at upholstering and later went into the liquor business for himself. He has always been in- terested and identi- ied with South Boston affairs. A thorough athlete and expert swimmer, he was appointed superintendent of the L Street bath in 1897, suc- seeding Daniel Regan, who, for a score of years had occupied the position and who died in that Fear. Mr. Cox has been very efficient in this position and has ever been zealous in his atten- ions to the patrons, among whom are num- pered leading men of this city and Harvard College. He lives at 775 East Broadway.
D AVID W. CREED. real estate and insurance broker. is a son of Michael and Ellen C. Creed and was born in South Boston Nov. 1. IS67. He received his education in the public schools. the An- drew Grammar and the Evening High School, and first entered business a> a commercial trav- eller. His office is in Bethesda Hall Building, 409 West Broadway.
He was elected to the Massachusetts Legislature in 1901 by the Democrats of Ward 15, but the following year was defeated in the caucus. He then became the Citi- zen's candidate and was elected at the polls, leading the ticket. Mr. Creed is a member of many organizations including Mt. Washington Lodge. A. O. C. W .. South Boston Citizens' Association. St. Augustine's Court, M. C. O. F., Knights of St. Rose. Knights of Columbus, Mosquito Fleet Yacht Club, St. Augustine's C. T. A. Society. St. Augustine's Conference, Catholic Union, A. O. 11. and other organiza- tion -. He i, single and resides at 26 Gates St.
JAMES A. COOK, dealer in hardware and wall papers, born corner of 5th and F Sts., is the son of John F. and Mary Cole (Perkins ) Cook. Educated in the Mather and Lawrence Schools, in 1867 he became a clerk in the hard- ware store of Wil- liam G. Bird, and in IS6S entered the employ of John Q. Bird on Broadway. In January, IS7S, he started in business for himself, and a year later his part- ner, C. Gardner Copeland. having retired, he formed partnership with Rufus K. Wood. In July. ISSO. the firm of Cook & Wood removed to 287 Broadway. In April, ISS7, the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Cook continuing the business to the present time. In 1900 he removed to 385 Broadway where he is at present. He married Miss Ella M. Disney and has one son, George L. Cook, an architect. Mr. Cook is past master of Gate of the Temple Lodge and a member of St. Matthew's Royal Arch Chapter and past commander of St. Omer Commandery, K. T.
TAMESF. CREED. lawyer. 409 West Broadway was born in South Boston. December 4, 1869, and is a son of Michael and Ellen (Carey) Creed. He graduated from the Andrew Grammar School in 1883. and then attended the Boston Latin School, after which he entered Boston University Law School, graduating from the latter in June, 1895, being chosen as class orator at the com- mencement exer- cises. In 1894 and 1895 he was elected by the Democrats to the House of Rep- presentatives from Ward 15. He mar- ried Miss Agnes G. Sherry on June 23rd, 1897, and they have three children, Eleanor Carey, Marjorie and William Carey Creed. Lawyer Creed is a member of West End Council, K. of C., St. Augustine's Court, M. C. O. F., St. Augustine's C. T. A. Society, Winthrop Council, R. A., Mt. Wash- ington Lodge, A. O. U. W., and the Knights of St. Rose. He resides at 26 Gates Street, and has his business offices in the Bethesda Hall Building, corner of F. St. and Broadway.
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HISTORY OF SOUTHI BOSTON.
D R. WILLIAM P. CROSS, physician, 491 East Broadway, is a son of the late James J. and Mary A. ( Bligh) Cross. He was born in South Boston and has always resided here. He re- ceived his edu- cation in the public schools of this district, graduating from the Andrew School in 18SS. He entered Har-
vard Medical School later and after a thorough course received his degree of M. D. in 1896. Shortly after, he entered the Car- ney Hospital as house physician, and served as superintendent of the Floating Hospital during the season of 1897. He also performed services in the out-patient depart- ments of the various hospitals of Boston.
Dr. Cross is a member of Harvard Medical Society. Harvard Medical Alumni, Pere Mar- quette Council Knights of Columbus, and Trimount Conclave I. O. H. He is medical ex- aminer for Trimount Conclave and for the Pru- dential Life Insurance Company.
C APT. JAMES A. CULLY, born in New Haven, Conn., Oct. 25, 1872, of Matthew and Katherine Cully, came to So. Boston in 1873, attended the Hawes, Bigelow and English High Schools, and in 1890 entered the employ of the Walworth Manu- facturing Co., at 132 Federal St. He has risen to be manager of the foreign orders and pipe cutting depart- inent. His business associates present- ed him a sword on his departure for the Spanish War. July 1, 1890, he en- listed in Co. 1, 9th Regt., advancing rapidly. He was in service at Santiago, returning in command of his company. December, 1899, he was chosen captain. He is a member of Maj. M. J. O'Connor Camp L. S. W. V., Old Guard of Mass., Mass. Comd., Naval and Military Order of the Spanish American War, So. Boston Council K. C., and the Boston Branch, Soc. of the Army of Santiago. Capt. Cully married Katherine L. Quigley, has one child, George Quigley Cully and resides at 115 G' St.
D ENNIS M. CRONIN, dealer in old metals junk, etc., was born in Cork, Ireland, Sept 8, 1850. When a year and a half old Mr Cronin came to Boston with his parents, and at tended the Dwight School from which he graduated in 1864. Shortly after this, in August 1864, he removed to South Boston and has been a resident of this district ever since. For many years he worked with his father in the metal business, and later started in for himself. being now located at 140 Dover Street where he has a large estab- lishment. Particu- larly in political circles is Mr. Cronin wel known, having been chairman of the Ward I. Democratic Committee eight years and hetha: been prominently identified with the leading campaigns of the city and state. Mr. Cronit married Miss Mary Kelly, daughter of Hugl Kelly, and has six children living, Euphemia John, Walter, Margaret, Neil and Agnes. lives at 56 P Street. Mr. Cronin is a member of Div. 13, A. O. H.
M ICHAEL F. CURRAN, law student, wa born in South Boston Nov. 30, 1875. Hi. parents were Patrick A. and Bridge (Walsh ) Curran, esteemed residents of the peninsula district. Michael graduated from the Lincoln Grammar School in 1890, attended the English High School in 1890 and 1891, Boston Latin School in 1891- 1892, graduated from St. Joseph's College, Kirkwood, Mo., in 1897 and from the Boston University Law Schoolin 1902. Mr. Curran is now located with Porter and Sigliano, Pem- berton Square. Deeply interested in Democratic politics, Mr Curran was president of the Democratic Clul of the Boston University Law School and was elected to the Legislature for 1903. He has served as secretary of the City Point Catholic Asso. and is a member of Div. 66, A. O. H., and the Somerset Associates. In 1902 he married Miss Margaret C.Canning and they have one daughter Marguerite Curran. He lives at 728 E. Third St
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ICHAEL J. COLLINS. born in Fermoy, County Cork. Ire .. July S. IS51. of James and Ellen Collins, was educated in the "others" School there. and came to South Boston in 1865. He served his time as a brick- laver and then. three years, was foreman for a large contractor.superin- tending. among other work .. the Dorchester Bav Tunnel. Started contracting in IS75 and is now of the firm of Collins & Ham, 119 Boston St. Among his large contracts was the Chestnut Hill pumping station. several sections of le improved sewerage. and large part of Blue ill Ave. Boulevard. He has been chairman the Ward 16 Democratic Committee six ear, and elected to the Legislature for 1903. e is a member of A. O. U. W .. the American rder of Fraternal Helpers. N. I. A. A .. id the A. O. H. for thirty years. He married Liss Hannah Flanagan. ha- seven children. imes P .. Mary F .. John J .. Edward A .. William. nna and Katherine. and live- at 121 Boston St.
HAARLES A. CURTIS. druggist. 373 West Broadway. wa- born in Danvers. Mass .. in 1569 and is a son of Thomas and Bridget urti -. Ile received his early education in the public schools of his native place. graduating from the Tapley Grammar School in 1882.after which he attended the Danvers High School. He then entered the employ of hi- brother, George S. Curtis of Peabody. who con- duct> a drug store at that place, and began the study of pharmacy. Later he attended the Massachusetts Col- lege of Pharmacy. e was registered in February. 1892. and in 994 came to South Boston and established a 1-ines- at 226 West Broadway. Shortly after : opened another store at his present stand id for a time conducted both, but he disposed the former in 1899. He is a member of outh Boston Council. Knights of Columbus, osquito Fleet Yacht Club, Massachusetts harmaceutical Association and the South Bos- on Druggists' Association.
LEMENT H. COLMAN, lawyer, was born C in Boston, Nov. 23, 1871, of Henry J. and Hannah J. Colman. When five years of age he removed to South Boston, graduated from the Lawrence School in 1885, and the English High School in ISSS. For three years he worked in a law- ver's office, after which he was in the insurance business for himself. He was clerk for the Democratic State Conimittee and then, having a fond- ness for law, he studied a year in the office of William H. Baker, and, in 1902, with no other opportunity to study and without at- tending law school, he took the bar examination and was admitted. His office is at 494 East Broad- way. Mr. Colman, in 1892, married Miss Sarah A. Terry of Roxbury, who died in IS99. He has one child, Henry F., and lives at 221 Gold St. Mr. Colman has long been identified with Demo- cratic politics and in the fall of 1902 was elected to the Common Council for 1903. He is archon of Trimount Conclave, I. O. H.
OSEPHI DAVIS, fruit merchant and grocer, was born in Fayal, one of the Azores, July 24, 1854, worked on his father's farm until he was 12, when he came to America, and became a citizen at 21. He first settled in Little Compton, R. I., remaining there 16 years, working on a farm, and in 1 882 came to Boston. He bought a store on Wash- ington St., opposite the Cathedral, launching into the fruit business, continuing ever since. He came to South Boston in 1886 and opened a store at 802 East 5th St. By close attention to business his trade increased so that soon he opened another at 751 Broadway and for 12 years has also dealt in fine groceries in both stores. He was the first fruit dealer in South Boston to ripen bananas and other fruits by artificial means, in his own place. He has large real estate interests and pays large taxes. In 1884 he married Mary G. Higgins and has four children, Frances M., Arthur J., Emma J. and Ruth L. and lives at 802 East Fifth St.
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W ILLIAM STOUGHTON DILLAWAY was born on Purchase St., Fort Hill, Boston, May 27, 1817, of Thomas and Mary (Vaux) Dillaway. His father was, for his whole lifetime, engaged in the extensive business of fitting out ships, in the days when foreign ship- ping in Boston was among the most extensive business interests of the country, and was located on Dillaway's Wharf, foot of Purchase St., occupied in olden times, by Samuel Dillaway, an old time Boston merchant, and father of Charles Knapp Dillaway, at one time master of the Boston Latin School and for whom the Dillaway School in Roxbury was named.
The family progenitor was William Dillaway, who distinguished himself as a trooper in King Philip's War, and who is believed to have emi- grated from Minchinhampton, England.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools of Boston, under Master Fox, and was for many years engaged in making piano- fortes with the old-time firm of Timothy Gilbert
WILLIAM S. DILLAWAY.
& Co. Mr. Dillaway was deeply interested in the anti-slavery movement with Mr. Gilbert, and rendered many and valuable services in assisting escaped slaves. He moved to South Boston in the carly forties, and was always highly respected for his honesty and integrity of character. He was a soldier in the War of the Rebellion, and enlisted at the outset in the Second. Rhode Island Regt., under Col. William Sprague, afterward governor of that state. He died in Boston Sept. 14, 1901, at the age of eighty-four years. Mr. Dillaway was married to Ann Maria Brown of Portsmouth, N. 11., and the children were Maria E. A. Dillaway, wife of Ilenry D). Simpson, Charles O. L. Dillaway, president of the Mechanics' National Bank, and William E. L. Dillaway, counsellor at law.
WILLIAM EDWARD L. DILLAWAY, lawyer and president of the American Pneumatic Service Co., is one of the best known of South Boston's former residents. He was born in the district, Feb. 17, 1852, educated in the grammar school and the English High School and finished under private tutors and graduated from the Dane Law School, Harvard University, in 1871, with the degree of LL. B. In the office of A. A. Ranney and Nathan Morse, he pursued his studies, diligently and faithfully, until, on Feb. 17, 1873, his 21st birthday, he was admitted to CO the bar. Even before this he had argued cases before the full bench of the Supreme Court. bx Mr. Dillaway quickly forged ahead, te L ot soon taking rank with the leading attorneys of the city, until, about 1885, he was engaged as counsel for the Bay State Gas Co., and this tr occupied the greater part of his time. With his remarkable ability and wide experience, he gave excellent service in this very important position and was sole counsel in the matter of combina-
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tion of the gas companies of Boston. Through his influence and ability these large interests were placed on a sound financial basis, and for eight years he was the managing director and counsel of the combination.
Ultimately, however, Mr. Dillaway withdrew from active participation in the affairs of the gas companies, though still retaining a large financial interest. Ile had been counsel for Henry M. Whitney and was one of the prime movers and counsel in bringing about the consolidation of the street railways of Boston. He also purchased the control of the Mechanics' National Bank, placing his brother. Charles O. L. Dillaway at the head, as president. and the present large offices, at the corner of Washington and Franklin Sts., were occupied
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for the rapidly increasing business. Interested in the new idea of extending the use of pneu- matic tubes for the transmission of mail and parcels underground. Mr. Dillaway became pres- ident of the American Pneumatic Service Co., and under his direction was built the system that carries the mail from the General Post Office to the North Union and to the South I'nion Stations. and also connects the Essex St .. Back Bay. South End. Roxbury and Dorchester sub postal stations. making the largest and most complete pneumatic tube postal system in the world. By this system all letters are transmitted between stations in about one minute's time. Mr. Dillaway is also at the head of similar sys- tem- now under construction in Chicago and St. Louis. Among the other important interests of Mr. Dillaway are his management. as a trustee. of the Robert B. Brigham estate and the control of this estate of over $5.000.000 left by Mr. Brigham for the establishment of an hospital for incurables in Boston.
Mr. Dillaway was the Fourth of July orator in ISSS and is a pleasing and forceful speaker. Although now removed from South Boston he «till retains his love and admiration for the old peninsula district. He is a student and lover of art. and has a large and magnificent col- lection of oil paintings and etching- by the great masters. and has a beautiful home at So Commonwealth Avenue. Mr. Dillaway has participated in nearly all of South Boston's Evacuation Day celebration».
D R. PATRICK H. DEVINE. dentist. 938 Dorchester Avenue. Dorchester, was born in South Boston in 1573. He is a son of Patrick and Ellen (Shevlin) Devine. Dr. Devine wa- educated in the public schools of this district. gradu- ating from the Bigelow Grammar School in 1890. He then attended the English High School for one year and left there to enter Comer-'Com- mercial College. Finishing his studies there in 1892 he entered the city survevor's department where he remained for two years. In 1896 he entered Poston Dental College, and. after taking the full cour-e. graduated with his degree in iby. He immediately began practice and ha- been very successful. Dr. Devine is a mem- ber of Savin Hill Council. Knights of Columbus, Bay State Conclave. Improved Order of Hepta-oph - and the Catholic Alumni Sodality. He re-ided at 383 West Fourth Street until 1897 when he moved to his present residence 53 Roseclair Street, Dorchester.
DR. JOSEPH FRANCIS DELAHANTY,
dentist. 279 Dorchester Street, is a son of Patrick and Monica Delahanty and was born in Kilkenny, Ire., May 24, 1876. He at- tended St. John's School there. and, coming to South Boston in ISS7, entered the English High School. Fin- ishing his studies he entered the em- ploy of Shepard & Norwell as cashier. Later he took a course in civil en- gineering the Massachusetts In- stitute of Technol- ogy and for three vears was engaged in that business. lle took up the study of dentistry at Tuft's College, finishing the course in 1901 with the degree of D. M. D. He then began practice at his present location. From 1892 to 1895 he served in Major Follett's Light Battery and from 1896 to 1897 was a mem- ber of the Second Brigade Signal Corps. He is a member of South Boston Conclave, I.O.II., Massachusetts Dental Society, Boston Catholic Alumni Sodality and Battery A Veteran Ass'n. He married Miss Anna C. Flynn, June 26, 1901.
JOHN J. DORGAN, grocer and provision dealer, born in County Kerry, Ire., Feb. I, 1852, of John and Julia Dorgan, came to this country in 1857, attended school in New- market, N. H., Lawrence and Lowell, Mass. He worked in the Paci- fic Mills, Lawrence, came to So. Boston in 1868, learned wood carving with Christopher Blake. remaining nine years, attended a drawing and de- signing school and the South Boston School of Art. In 1877 he started in the grocery busi- ness, moving to his present location, 531 Third St., in 1884, building up a large busi- ness. Mr. Dorgan is married, has four children, Mary A., Edmond. Julia and John, and lives at 632 E. Third St. He is treasurer of Winthrop Council, R. A., member of So. Boston Council, K. C., A. O.U.W., Heptasophs, Charitable Irish Society, N. E. O. P .. American Fraternal Helpers, New England Grocers' Asso. and So. Boston Citizens' Asso., and was secretary of St. Vin- cent Conference of the Gate of Ileaven Church.
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WILLIAM DEVINE was born in the County of Tyrone, Ireland, in March, 1827. When
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