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 47
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yet a lad he came to the United States. In the early fifties, he settled in South Boston, and, beginning in the year 1859 he was engaged in the North River flagging stone business at the corner of Fourth and Foundry Streets and, continuing at this, until the time of his death, which occurred December 21, 1876. He was one of the pioneers in this line of business in the Eastern New England States. His widow, Mar- garet Devine, and six children survived hin: : John A., James V., Dr. William H., Annie G., (Mrs. George F. H. Murray,) Catherine A., (Mrs. John T. Kaler), and Mary C., (deceased.)
JOHN A. DEVINE was born in South Boston. He graduated from the Lincoln School in the class of 1872 and after- ward attended the English High School and also Boston College. He has been engaged in the real estate and insurance busi- ness at 485 East Broadway since 1890. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Work- men and of the South Boston Citizens' Associa- tion. Mr. Devine mar- ried Miss Mary Driscoll, and has three children, Austin F., Hilda M. and Herbert.
WILLIAM DEVINE.
JAMES V. DEVINE, engaged in real estate and insurance business, was born in South Boston, and for many years lived in the district. He graduated from the Lincoln Grammar School in the class of 1874 and then attended the Mass. Institute of Technology, taking the course of practical mechanics. He has since been very well known in real estate and business circles of South Boston and Dorchester, having erected many dwelling houses in both of these districts, and, since 1896, he has been engaged in the real estate business at 927 Dorchester Avenue. Since 1890 Mr. Devine has made his home in Jamaica Plain. Mr. Devine married Miss Charlotte E. Richardson and has four children, Robert, Alfred, Francis and Margaret.
DR. WILLIAM H. DEVINE, was born in South Boston. He was educated in the public grammar, English High and Boston Latin Schools of his native city and was graduated from the Harvard Medical School with the degree of M. D. in 1883. The same year he was ap- pointed house officer at the Carney Hospital. He was visiting physician to the Suffolk County House of Correction from 1886 to 1889. He then became out patient physician to the Carney Hospital, and, in 1896, was appointed visiting physician, which position he still holds.
Dr. Devine received the appointment of assis- tant surgeon of the Ninth Regiment Infantry, M. V. M., July 16, 1883, and was promoted surgeon March 1, 1884. He was appointed and commis- sioned medical director, with the rank of lieuten- ant-colonel, on the staff of the Second Brigade, Sept. 11, 1897. At the outbreak of hostilities with Spain, he gave up this office of brigade surgeon, and ac- cepted the position of second assistant surgeon, with the rank of lieuten- ant, in his old regiment, the Ninth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, and was commissioned May 8, 1898. June 8, 1898, he was promoted to brigade surgeon and on June 23, of that year, he was as- signed to the First Bri- gade, First Division of the Second Army Corps. August 26, 1898, Dr. Devine was made acting chief surgeon of the Second Division of the Second Army Corps. After five months of continual service he was honorably discharged and returned to his home in South Boston in October, 1898. After the war Dr, Devine resumed his office of medical director of the Second Brigade, M. V. M.
Dr. Devine is a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society and other medical societies. He is also a member of Maj. M. J. O'Connor Camp, No. 4, L. S. W. V., Columbus Court, M. C. O. F., and several local organizations. Dr. Devine married Miss Katherine G. Sullivan and has five children, William H., Dorothy, Katherine, Paul and Joseph.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
PATRICK DUNN, dealer in hay, grain and wood and coal, was born in the town of Munstereven, County of Kildare, Ireland. His parents were Patrick Dunn and Maria (Mitchell) Dunn, well known residents of his native place. While at the same time helping his father at his work, young Dunn attended the Blake School in the County of Galway, where he received his early educa- tion. Like unto others of his race he heard stories of great opportunities from across the ocean and he came to America when a young man.
In 1859 he removed to South Boston and has been a resi- dent of this district ever since. Throughout his residence in this district Mr. Dunn has been deeply interested in its affairs and of the city. In his youth he served five years in the Second Artillery of the United States Army and participated in the second Seminole War, serving under General Harnett. Throughout his career in the army he ever distinguished himself, winning much praise from his superior officers, and, when his services were no longer needed by his country, he retired to a business life. He was for many years (from IS78 to 1896) inspector and weigher of hay and straw, and, in the latter year he bought out the hay and grain establishment at the corner of Dorchester and Bolton Streets and has since conducted this business, one of the largest establishments of its kind in South Boston. He is well known to the business men of the district and stands high in the estimation of his fellow citizens.
He married Miss Mary Sullivan, daughter of Laurence Sullivan, an old resident of the district, and has three sons and three daughters, Margaret M., Mary E., Catherine, John H., (well known in military circles, member of the Ninth Regiment and who served in the Spanish War and the Philippine Campaign,) William M. and Patrick. He is a member of the Gate of Heaven Church and is interested in many of its societies. An ardent admirer of South Boston, he is interested in its welfare, and for many years has manifested a deep public spirit. He lives at 874 East Broadway.
CAPT. JOHN HI. DUNN, claim agent for the Boston street commissioners, was born in South Boston August 1. 1869. his parents being Patrick and Mary (Sullivan ) Dunn. He attended the Lincoln Grammar School and Comer's Commercial College. and in 1885 went to work for hi- father at the Boston & Albany hay sheds, assisting him as an inspector and weigher of hay. In 1890. on becoming of age. he became an inspector himself and remained in that position until the outbreak of the Spanish War in 189S. Alway- of a military turn of mind. Capt. Dunn joined Co. I, of the Ninth Regiment, Sept. 21. ISSS. and wa- promoted to the position of second lieutenant May 6. 1891. first lieutenant in 1892 and captain in 1895. At the outbreak of the Spanish War he went to the front in command of Co. I, serving throughout the Santiago cam- paign and until he was taken sick. July 25. 1898. He was then sent to Eggemont Key, Florida. and when his strength had sufficiently returned he was sent home. He was mustered out of the service. Nov. 26. 1898. On the reorganization of the regiment he was elected to his former position as captain of Co. I. July 3. 1899. he was appointed captain in the 28th Infantry. United States Volunteers, and served throughout Wheaton'- expedition in the Southern Luzon. He returned to America April 14. 1900. and was mustered out Mav 1. 1901. He was designated by President Mckinley with a lieutenancy in the regular army and was recommended for brevet-major of volunteers by President Roosevelt in 1902 for distinguished service in the presence of the enemy at Cavite Province. I-land of Luzon.
From Ward 14 he served in the Common Council in 1895, 1806. 1897 and 1898. and has taken a prominent part in the politics of the ward. On his return from the Philippine Islande he renewed his activity in Ward 14 politics and assisted in the Collins campaign in 1901. Ile was appointed claim agent by Mayor Collins in 1902, and ha, an office in the Tremont Building. In 1896 he married Miss Lucy J. Matthews of South Boston and resides on East Broadway.
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502
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
JOHN M. DOYLE, restaurateur and lunch room, was born in Sterling, Mass., Jan. 15, 1875. He is the son of James E. and Anna F. (Gately) Doyle. He was educated in the schools of his native town, going through the prim- ary, grammar and high schools. In : 1895 he came to Boston and startcd in on a small scale in the lunch busi- ness, leasing a lunch cart and locating in Scollay Sq. His motto has ever been to give the best goods at moderate prices and he was success- ful from the start. In 1897 he pur- chased the restaurant at 227 West Broadway, where he is now located, and since then, by con- scientious dealings and strict integrity he has built up the present large business which he directs and controls. Early in 1902 he enlarged his establishment to just twice its former size. Mr. Doyle is a splendid example of South Boston's self-made men. He is a member of Division 58, Ancient Order of Hibernians, and resides at 122 FStreet.
WILLIAM J. DRUMMOND, restaurateur and councilman in 1903, was born in South Boston, Fcb. 9, 1867 of William and Ellen O )'Connor ) Drummond. He attended the Capcn Primary and the Lincoln Grammar Schools, and, at an early age, went to work for the Walworth ManufacturingCo., where he remained ninc years, then on the West End Street Railway Co. and then in the in- surance business. In 1896 he opencd a restaurant at the corner of Emerson Street and East Broadway which,
owing to increased business, was removed to 621 East Broadway. In 1900 he also opened a restaurant at 902 East Second St. which he still continues. Mr. Drummond was elected to the Common Council in the fall of 1902. He is married to Miss Margaret Curry and they have four children, William, Frances, Henry and Margaret and they live at 876 East Broadway. Mr. Drummond is a member of Defender Lodge 280, N. E. O. P. and the Somerset Associates.
OSIAH DUNHAM, deceased, proprietor of I
the first rope walk in South Boston, and a leading man of his time, was born in New Bedford, being descended from the earliest set- tlers of Plymouth. Early in life he came to Boston, served an apprenticeship at rope making and first commenced the manufacture of cordage on his own account in a rope walk in the vicin- ity of the present Boylston Street, Boston. In I So7 he purchased considerable land in the vicin- ity of B Street, South Boston, and built a hand- some residence and rope walk where he continued in the manufacture of cordage until the close of 1853. He was prominent in the agitation for the building of the North Free Bridge, served in the Common Council in 1833 and the three following years was a member of the Board of Aldermen. He erected many large dwellings and stores, many of which are yet standing, and while a member of the Board of Aldermen suc- cessfully urged the grading of many streets in the district. He died April 28, 1857, 82 years of age.
JOSIAH DUNHAM, JR., was born in Boston in 1804, and removed to South Boston with his father, also engaging in business with him. He was in the Common Council in 1837, 1849, 1850 and 1851, and in the Board of Aldermen in 1854 and 1855. The setting apart of Dorchester Heiglits as a park was his project. He died April 17, 1877.
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OHN H. DYER, of the firm of P. Dycr & Son, boot and shoe dealers at 269 West Broadway,
is a life long resident of South Boston. He is a son of Patrick and Mary Dyer, both old and well known res- idents of this dis- trict. After finish- ing his studies, he entered the boot and shoe business with his father at 269 West Broadway the firm name at that time being J. & P. Dyer, and he has been affili- ated with it since that time. The firm established busi - ness at this placc in 1864 and it is the oldest establish- ment of its kind now in South Boston. After being in the em- ploy of the concern from 1885 until 1892 Mr. Dyer became a partner in the firm and the name has since been changed to P. Dyer & Son. Mr. Dver has resided at his present residence, 377 West Fourth Street, for several years. His establishment is one of the largest and best equipped in South Boston and carries an exten- sive stock of footwear which includes all of the many varieties of up-to-date boots and shoes.
503
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
RARNABAS ELDRIDGE. senior member of the firm of Eldridge & Peabody, 114-116 Tremont Street. Boston. is a former resident of South Boston, and is well known here both in social and business circles. Mr. Eldridge is a son of Barnabas and Rebecca Eldridge and was born In South Yarmouth. Mass., in IS47. He spent his early life in his native place, where he was educated in the public schools. Like many other young men, Mr. Eldridge thought that the city offered far better oppor- tunities for advancement in business life, and he accordingly determined to leave home. When 19 years old he came to Boston where he began his business career with the firm of E. D. Everett & Company and later was in the employ of William G. Harris, both well known dry goods concerns at that time.
In IS69 Mr. Eldridge opened an establishment of his own at 42 Hanover Street. where he remained until 1872, when he came to South Boston establishing a dry goods business at 289 West Broadway. He remained at that place for 17 years. Later he moved his place of business to 291 West Broadway, where he had more adequate facilities for conducting his business. which had greatly increased. He continued at 291 West Broadway for eight years, and was one of the most successful business men in South Boston. Mr. Eldridge married Miss Elizabeth E. Harris, a daughter of William G. Harris, for whom he formerly worked. It was the death of Mr. Harris that resulted in Mr. Eldridge giving up his business in South Boston. Mr. Harris at the time of his death. October 29, 1897, was conducting an extensive carpet and furniture business at 114-116 Tremont Street, Boston. Mr. Eldridge and Mr. Peabody purchased this business and the entire stock from the heirs of William G. Harris. the name of the firm being Eldridge & Peabody. fr. Eldridge purchased and resided in the estate 516 East Broadway, but since leaving South o-ton he has resided at the Parker House, Boston. He was formerly a director of the Mattapan eposit and Trust Company. and prominent in South Boston's affairs.
AMES ELLIS, of the James Ellis Company, furniture dealers, corner of West Broadway and B Street, has for many years been closely identified with business affairs of South Boston, and has conducted one of its largest furniture houses. He came here in IS84, when he continued e business formerly managed by A. G. Neary and C. H. Robinson, having as his partner Mr. ewis, the firm being known as Ellis & Lewis. Consoli- iting with C H. Robinson in the city, Mr. Ellis was, for x years, engaged in the in-town house, during which time changed his residence from South Boston. In 1895 Mr. llis assumed charge of the old store on Broadway and is remained in charge ever since, the business having ·cently been incorporated as the James Ellis Company. radually increasing, the business recently has taken tpid strides and is not only confined to South Boston, it the out lying districts, the company making a specialty selling goods on the instalment plan. Mr. Ellis, while isily engaged in other matters, has the business managed " his son, William Ellis, who is thoroughly familiar with l its branches.
Mr. James Ellis is a member of the Ancient and Honorable rtillery Company and was sergeant of that organization in of when that company made its memorable trip to London. e is also a member of the Boston Lodge, 10, of the enevolent and Protective Order of Elks, South Boston itizens' Association, Boston Athletic Association, Catholic nion, the Old Dorchester Club and Mt. Washington Lodge 5. Ancient Order of United Workmen. Although a resident Boston, Mr. Ellis spends much of his time, particularly the summer, the late spring and early fall on his magni- ent farm in Blackstone, Mass.
Mr. William Ellis resides on Belfort Street, in Dorchester. e has assisted in the Broadway store many years during which time he has acquired a thorough nowledge of the business and directs the many representatives of the establishment in out-of- wn places.
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504
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
REDERICK W. FARWELL, manufacturer of kindling wood, of the firm of Farwell Brothers and alderman from the Ninth District, was born in South Boston, November 29, 1854, and i a life-long resident of this district. He received his education in the public schools, finishin at Eaton's Commercial School and then succeeded to his father's business, started in 1836, one c'and the oldest kindling wood establishments in the state and th All oldest in South Boston. The business has always been, a Ma it is now, located on Dorr Street and is now one of th ma largest of its kind in the entire city. Fr.
ma of A Republican in politics Alderman Farwell has alway identified himself with affairs of that party, ever takin part in caucuses and elections, and in 1897 and 1898 h represented Ward 16 in the Common Council, and in 189 and 1900 served in the Massachusetts House of Represen atives. Ile served on the important committee of harbor as and public lands in both years, 1899 and 1900. He has bee secretary of the Ward 16 Ward and City Committee, and, i V the fall of 1901, was elected to the Board of Aldermen d Boston, serving in 1902 with Alderman Miller, both bein from the Ninth District, Wards 16, 20 and 24, and in th ki fall of 1902 he was re-elected for the year 1903, serving wit ce Alderman Stewart.
In the latter year he served on nearly all the importar committees, among them the standing committee on electri wires, lamps, licenses and public improvements, joint stand ing committees on appropriations, finance, health. lamp police, public lands, and the following departments : ar auditing, city clerk, city messenger, elections, engineering institutions, library, ordnances and law, registry, statistic street and water departments, and he was on the joint speci committees on Evacuation Day, Fourth of July, Mayor address, Memorial Day and rules and orders. Ile is a member of the North Dorchester Republica Club, the Old Dorchester Club, the Gentlemen's Driving Club, Massachusetts Lodge, F. and M. He is married and lives at 44 Harvest Street.
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W ILLIAM J. FEELEY, engaged in real estate business, was born in Ireland in 1856 and came to America when quite
young. His parents were James and Mary (Burke) Feeley. He received his early education in the National School in Ireland. He be- came a resident of South Boston in 1876 and has since lived in the district, a warm admirer of the section and a zealous worker in her interests. He married Mary The- resa Regan, daugh- ter of John and Mary Regan of the South End and a graduate of the Franklin School. They reside at Hotel Marie, Thomas Park, of which Mr. Feeley is the owner. Mr. Feeley has the care of a large amount of real estate and has charge of inany investments in the same. He was a prime mover in the im- proving of Covington Street, and the building of granite steps there. He is a member of South Boston Council K. C., of the A. O. U W., South Boston Citizens' Association, and for many years of St. Augustine's Conference.
FRANK R. FITZGERALD, dealer in wa paper and window shades, son of Willia E. and Annie Fitzgerald, was born Gloucester, March 17, 1862. At an early age I became a resident of Boston, and in 1873 removed to South Boston. Ile attended the Brimmer School on Common Street, and in ISS9 entered the employ of the Iloyt Co. on Broad- way and worked as paper hanger until May 1, 1899, when he joined with Charles J. Meissner, a well known painter, in a business which has since bèen conducted very successfully at 666 East Broadway. Mr. Fitzgerald is married, has one daughty Adola, and lives at 870 East 5th Street. In IS he was secretary of the Young Men's Republica Club and of the Ward 14 Republican Committ in 1890, 1897 and IS98. 1Ie received the R publican nomination for the Common Cound in 1895 and the Senatorial nomination in 19 and 1901. lle was president of the South Bost Republican Club in 1900, and is a member the Citizens' Asso., Aid Asso., and others.
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505
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
M ICHAEL E. FITZGERALD. master of the Christopher Gibson School in Dorchester, is well known in South Boston. He was born in Rockland, Mass., Nov. 22, 1863, and is the son of John C. and Mary ( Donavan ) Fitzgerald. He graduated from the Rockland High School and in ISS4 entered the Bridgewater Normal School. He graduated from the latter in 1887. Almost immediately after. he was selected as master of the Main Street Grammar School in Spencer. Mass. He re- mained in charge of that school until 1891. when he went to Framingham. Mass .. to become master of the Lincoln Gram- mar School at that place. and while there studied law in the office of Walter Adams. E.q .. being admitted to the Massa- chusetts Bar in IS97. Later he took charge of the Emily J. Wetherbee Grammar School. Lawrence. Mass., and it was while in charge of that school in 1901, that he was selected as sub-master of the Lawrence School of this district. His work has been of such a high order that when the Shurtleff Vacation School was decided upon in 1902. Mr. Fitzgerald was chosen to organize and conduct it. which he did with such success that the school proved to be the largest of its kind in the country. In the fall of 1902, when educational center- were inaugurated. Mr. Fitzgerald organized and was made master of the Bigelow Educational Center and conducted it during the season of 1902 and 1903 with remarkable success. there being 4361 registered pupils. He is a district deputy in the Knights of Columbus. a member of Cœur de Leon Council of South Framingham, of Division 30. A. O. 11 .. Copley Council R. A .. Middlesex Master- Club. Massachu- sett. Teacher- A>ociation. Middlesex Bar Association. Massachusetts Evening School Club. Boston Sub-Masters' Club. Young Men's Catholic Association of Boston. He married Mi -- Mary E. Brasill of South Weymouth and they have four children. Gerald Cushing, Robert Brassill, Walter Adams and John Cushing. Another son. the eldest. Pierce Edward. died in his third year. Mr. Fitzgerald was elected master of the Christopher Gib-on School in 1903. He ranks among the foremost of Massachusetts educators.
C ORNELIUS P. FLYNN, druggist, Andrew Sq .. was born in Portsmouth, N. H., where he attended the grammar and high school .. He came to Boston in 1872 and was bookkeeper for a manufacturing house. In 1878 he entered the drug business with his brother. W. H. Flynn, then lo- cated under Wash- ington Hall. In 1884 they moved to the present store. Mr. C. P. Flynn. in the meantime, be- coming a registered pharmacist. On the death of his brother. he became owner of the busi- ness. He is presi- dent of the Ma-‹. State Pharmaceutical Associ- ation. president of Apothecaries' Guild and of the So. Boston Druggists' Association, secretary of the New England Retail Druggists' Union, trustee of the Ma -. College of Pharmacy, president of the Lonsdale Improvement Associa- tion, and a member of the executive committee of the Boston Druggists' Association, Ashmont Improvement Association, and United Im- provement Council of Dorchester.
D R. WILLIAM M. FLYNN, dentist, 474A West Broadway, was born in South Bos- ton and attended its public schools. For several years he represented the Redpath Lyceum Bureau, as acting manager of musical and literary celeb- rities. He accom- panied John B. Gough on his last tour of California, and was associated with Mrs. Frank Leslie, Matthew Arnold, Justin McCarthy, M. P .. the Remenyi con- certs, the American tours of Mrs. Scott- Siddons, Sergius Stepniak, leader of the Russian Revo- lutionary party. Withdrawing from a success- ful business career he entered Boston Dental School in 1892, was one of his class presidents and, graduating, began practice in South Boston, where he has acquired an extensive clientele. He is a member of St. Augustine's Lyceum, local representative of Mass. Dental Society, Catholic Alumni Club, So. Boston Citizens' Asso., Irish Charitable Society, Robt. Fulton Council, K. C., vice-president City Point Cath- olic Assn., and South Boston Conclave, I. O. H.
THOMAS W. FLOOD.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
"HOMAS W. FLOOD, contractor, of the Hub Construction Co., prominent in politi- cal affairs of the district and particularly ard 14. was born in Ireland, Nov. 7, 1857, and me to this country when eleven years of age. e received the rudiments of an education in e national schools of his native place. Arriving New York in IS6S. he worked in the Loomis w-mill. Twelve hours a day he labored and ent the evening in studying. In 1Sto he came Boston, making his home in South Boston, ad has been a resident of the peninsula district 'er since. For four years he worked for homas Johnson, grocery and provision dealer, orner of I Street and Broadway, collecting and :livering orders, and, in 1874. when the business hanged hands, he continued in the employ of aniel A. Noonan. During this period, also, e gave of his time to reading and studying and, hen but a youth, long before reaching his majority, he manifested an interest in political fairs.
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