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 49
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OHN HAGERTY, milk dealer, has the distinction of being one of the first to enter the busine in South Boston and is, at the present time, the oldest in this occupation in this district.
Mr. Hagerty was born in St. John, Newfoundland, 1844, and is a son of David and Abegs (Olden) Hagerty. In his native place he spent his early life and received his early educatio His father, who was an architect and builder, was well known in St. John where he carried on quite an extensive business. In 1853, however, the senior Hagerty concluded to come to the United States, which he did, settling in Boston, and here his son's education was continued until the death of the father, a short time after, which compelled the cessation of his studies.
Shortly after this Mr. Hagerty secured a position with the well known firm of Whittcmore, Rowell, milk contractors and dealers in milk, and who in later years were the origin- ators of what is now the C. Brigham Milk Company. He worked for this concern for several years, and, through his thrift and industry, saved sufficient cash to establish a small business of his own, which he entered upon in 1861, at the age of 17 years, and he soon increased his trade to a remark- able extent.
Three years later he moved to South Boston, first residing at 601 East Seventh Street and, shortly afterward, he moved to his present residence 726 East Eighth Street where he has since resided. From the time he became of age, he has been very much interested in politics and is well known in the Dem- ocratie ranks, being one of its staunch supporters. He has participated in many exciting campaigns, a loyal follower of honest politics, and a true friend of loyal candidates. He served on the Democratic Ward Committee of Ward 14,in 1899.
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Mr. Hagerty, in his long career, has given a start to many young men in the milk business. Hc is a member of Division 74, Ancient Order of Hibernia and the City Point Catholic Association and was formerly a member of the St. Vincent de Pal Conference of the Gate of Heaven Church.
515
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
TIMOTHY HANNON, deceased. contractor, was born in Bantry, on the river Lee, Ire., in IS19. moving to South Boston in I845. after his marriage. Mr. Hannon was prominent in the district. particularly at that period in her history when the formation of South Boston was in progress, and it was largely through his efforts and zealous work that the formation took place. resulting in the present beautiful section. Mr. Hannon's specialty was street work, laving out and grading.
During the busiest period of his life, Mr. Hannon was the leading contractor in this line of work in Boston. His headquarters were on West First near E Street. and extended nearly to F Street. At the corner of E Street was the wheelwright shop. and next to that the black- smith shop. Mr. Hannon built his own teams, made many of his own tools. and directed his en- tire force of men, which, at times. numbered 300. During a season when the rolling mill, which was the source of revenue for many South Boston workmen, closed down. Mr. Hannon
TIMOTHY HANNON.
employed a majority of the men until the mill had reopened. He had more than 200 horses and his entire business represented a most com- plete system in perfect running order.
Way back in the fifties Mr. Hannon helped cut down old Fort Hill, in Boston. Shortly afterward he commenced the work of cutting down the old hills on East Fourth Street in the vicinity of H Street. Also in the fifties he was engaged in the big contract of cutting away the City Lands, and laying out that portion of East First, Second and Third Streets, east of L Street ; he graded and laid out the streets there and helped lay out Independence Square. In the Bay View section his was the contract to cut through East Eighth Street, he graded a large portion of Broadway and later cut through what is now the Broadway Extension. He had all the city contracts and helped fill in the Back Bay. Mr. Hannon erected and lived in a handsome residence at 333 West Second Street which was beautifully laid out with walks and arbors, and surrounded by a magnificent garden. He was
devoted to the interests and up-building of South Boston, philanthropic and generous in the ex- treme, courteous and kind, in fact a splendid specimen of a gentleman, and his death, in 1891, caused much sorrow throughout the district, es- pecially to the older residents who knew him best.
FRANK J. HANNON, son of Timothy Hannon, was born in South Boston, attended the primary and later the Bigelow School. He at- tended Our Lady of the Angels Seminary at Niagara Falls, intending to study for the priest- hood, but his inherent love for active business life led to his giving up his studies in this direction. He first engaged in the dry goods business, and then branched out in the teaming and excavating line. He is now one of the largest contractors in this branch of work in Boston. Early in his business career, he was engaged in excavating for the new building of the Perkins Institution for the Blind, corner of H and East Fourth Streets, and in this work he used the first steam shovel in Boston. Like unto his father's work of a score of years before,
FRANK J. HANNON.
Mr. Hannon removed the remnant of the old Indian hill, corner of I and East Fourth Streets, preparatory to laying the foundation for the new Gate of Heaven Church. Among the public thoroughfares cut through and laid out by Mr. Hannon, may be mentioned Storey Street, run- ning from G to H near East Sixth Street, and much of the material taken was used in filling Marine Park at City Point, and also the Strand- way. Among the larger contracts executed by Mr. Hannon have been the excavating for the Hotel Touraine, Masonic Temple, Colonial Theatre and the large Jordan Building. He has 80 horses and 42 teams, and stables on East First St.
Mr. Hannon married Miss Catherine G. Donnellan, and has six children, Gertrude, Catherine, Mildred, Marian, Frank Jr. and Gerard. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Master Builders Association, South Boston Citizens' Association, and is a director of the Mt. Washington Co-operative Bank. He lives at 570 East Broadway.
516
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
F RANK HALL, dealer in pianos and organs, was born at Port Lorne, Annapolis Coun- ty, N. S., Aug. 22, 1870, of Albert J. and Lydia (Bent) Hall. In 1880 hc came to Boston, attending the Dudley School, Roxbury. After leaving school he began the battle of life at the lowest round of the ladder. - For a year he was engaged in the sel- ling of pianos and organs, and until 1893, when he went into the livery stable business on East 3rd St. In August, 1894, he assumed control of the big establish- ment on Broadway near K St. In the spring of 1903 he sold out the stable and returned to his old business of selling pianos and organs. Mr. Hall married Miss Mellissa G. Charlton, has had five children, of whom there are living Percy A., Warren F., Pryor W. and Frank C., and lives at 681 East Fourth St. He is a member of Hobah Lodge, I. O. O. F., Court Farragut, F. of A., Aid Asso., Citizen's Asso., Hope Commandery, O. G. S., and the Mosquito Flect Yacht Club.
C LARENCE HALLETT, stationer and news- dealer, was born in Yarmouthport, Mass., in 1848, and attended school in his native place, continuing his studies in the Middle- boro Academy. After leaving school he went in- to the piano busi- ness in Boston and, in 1884, established himself in his pres- cnt business at 675 East Broadway,. which he has suc- cessfully managed up to the present time. For twelve years, and up to 1902, he was pro- prietor of a similar establishment a t 365 and 367 West Broadway, but this he relinquished in order to give his entire atten- tion to his business in the East Broadway es- tablishment. Here he keeps a complete line of stationery, fancy goods, books, periodicals and papers. He possesses considerable real estate in the peninsula district, and is an active mem- ber of the South Boston Citizens' Association, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He lives at 568 East Broadway.
TAJARREN F. HALL, engaged in the team-
ing business, was born on Dorchester Street, South Boston, June 22, 1846. His parents were Leonard and Gracc (Forrester) Hall, longtime res- idents of the dis- trict. He attended the old Hawes School until the Lincoln School was established and he graduated from the latter. For a year after leaving school he worked for J. B. Glover, sugar brokers, then for Dexter Bros. and soon joined his father in the team- ing business to which he succeeded in 1875 and has. continued it ever since, his office being now located at 57 South Market Street. Mr. Hall married Miss Henrietta Trafton of South Boston and they live at 758 East Fourth Street. He is a member of St. Paul's Lodge F. & A. M., Unity Lodge of the Ancient Order of United Work- men, the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Co. National Lancers, Mosquito Fleet Yacht Club and is an associate member of Dahlgren Post 2 G. A. R.
TOHN V. HALEY, dealer in coal and wood corner of East Ninth and Dunham Sts., was born in Cambridge, Dec. 27, 1876, of Johr and Mary (Doyle) Haley. He came to South Boston in 1885, at- tendcd the John A. Andrew School and graduated from the Hart School in 1891 and went to the English High School two years. In 1893 he went in- to the coal business with his father and, since the latter's death in 1902, has 'continucd it alone under the name of John Haley & Co. He is single and lives at 218 L St. Mr. Haley is a member of St. James Court, Massachusetts Cath olic Order of Forcsters, of which he has been vice chief ranger, of Elm Hill Council 213 Knights of Columbus, of which he has been financial secretary and deputy grand knight South Boston Speedway Association of which he is treasurer, Division 32, Ancient Order o Hibernians, St. Augustine's Catholic Tota Abstinence Society and the Tammany Asso ciates and other organizations.
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517
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
E. MERTAIN HATCH, real estate, has been actively engaged in that line for over thirty years in South Boston. He was born Dec. 20. 1S46. in the town of Jefferson, Lincoln Co .. Me., his father and mother, Lot M. and Lucy A. (Oliver) Hatch, being natives of Nobleboro. Me., born before Maine became a state. His ancestors were English. the first of the family coming to Scituate, Mass .. in 1634.
Although his father owned a well stocked farm. he also frequently built. under contract. many two and three-masted schooners at Damar- iscotta and other places. within six or eight miles of the farm. The subject of this sketch and his brothers carried on the farm, and in in- clement weather assisted their father in building and ironing their cart- and farm tools in the home blacksmith and carpenter shop -. E. Mertain attended the town schools. winter .. but not liking the all work and no play plan, at the age of 13 he -truck out for him- self. When 16 year- old he went to Lowell. Mass .. and engaged to learn the mach- ini-t trade at what was then called "the big machine shop." where for two years. with his school books near him. he worked at his trade. After that he returned to Maine. fitting for Bowdoin College at Lincoln Acad- emv. teaching school during the winter- of 1867, 1868 and 1869. In 1869 he taught in Southport. Me .. what was then the largest and most difficult school in the county, and successfully finished his term. a re-ult that no teacher had previously accomplished for more than five years.
Owing to the failure in investments which left him in debt, the college course was pre- vented. Declining assistance of the principal of the Academy. who kindly offered financial aid. in pursuing his studies, and refusing to bor- row and thereby increase his indebtedness, he returned to Massachusetts in 1870, and entered the employ of his brothers, II. N. and M. L. Hatch, who carried on the stove and plumbing business in South Boston, taking charge of the „tore. . After six years' struggle the Maine debts
were settled cent for cent, and in 1879 he bought the building where he is yet located, and entered the real estate business.
Politics was always of interest to Mr. Hatch, and. in the early seventies, he became a member and was elected chairman of the Republican Committee of his ward, which position he still holds, having served his party 23 years. He probably did more than any other man to send the Blaine delegates to the Republican National Convention of ISS4, declining the honor of going himself, and had always been a Blaine man, recalling with pleasure how Mr. Blaine, in the campaign of 1868, called and dined at the old farm.
From ISS4 to IS98, he was connected, for most of the time, with the Assessor's Department of the City of Boston, and for three and one half years of that time he was a member of the Board of Principal Assessors. In 1888, he was one of the Republican Presidential Electors, poll- ing 183,887 votes, five less than the highest. He was a member of the Republican State Committee in 1893 and 1894.
E. MERTAIN HATCH.
Socially Mr. Hatch is a Mason, belonging to the Mt. Lebanon Lodge of F. & A. M. of Boston, St. Andrew's Royal Arch Chapter, Boston Commandery of Knights Templars and Boston Con- sistory of S. P. R. S., 32º, being a life member in all Masonic bodies, and is also a member of Aleppo Temple, Mystic Shrine.
Mr. Hatch is the fifth in a family of twelve : Myrick L. Hatch, Concord, Mass., Mrs. Melissa S. (Hatch) Hilton, Jefferson, Me., Willard O. Hatch, California, Horace N. Hatch, South Boston, Mass., Llewellyn N. Hatch, Malden, Mass., Mrs. Jennie L. (Hatch ) Johnson, South Boston, Mass., John M. Hatch, Pawtucket, R. I., Francis K. Hatch, Jefferson, Me., Mrs. Arlettie E. (Hatch) Smith, So. Boston, Ovando Hatch, Jefferson, Me., Mrs. Hattie E. (Hatch) Eng- lish, Hyde Park, Mass. Of these Llewellyn N. Hatch, John M. Hatch, and Ovando Hatch are deceased.
518
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
D R. EDWARD T. HARRINGTON, veter- inary surgeon, was born in Boston, July 2, 1869. From his youth a resident of South Boston, he first attended the Tuckerman Primary School, graduating from the Lincoln Gram- mar School in 1883, the English High School in 1 886, Veterinary Department of Har- vard in 1890, and since then has fol- lowed his pro- fession in South Boston, conducting a large practice. Dr. Harrington is married and lives at 873 East Broadway. He is secretary- Massachusetts Veterinary treasurer of the Association and a member of the Catholic Union. Knights of Columbus, Mosquito Fleet Yacht Club, Boylston School Association, South Boston Citizen's Association, Massachusetts Veterinary Associa- tion and the American Veterinary Medical Association. As a resident of South Boston Dr. Harrington is public spirited, interested in the welfare of the district and one of her most loyal advocates.
J OHN J. HARTNETT, proprietor of Wave Cottage, 835 East 6th St., born in County Limerick, Ire., Nov. 22, 1869, of John L. and Catherine M. Hartnett, was educated in the National School and afterward St. Michael's College, Limerick, taking a two years' course. After leaving col- lege he was en- gaged in the dry goods business in his native city, and, in September, 1887, when he came to South Boston, he went into the liquor business, and later, for many years, he was man- ager for the Wave Cottage, the famous seaside resort at City Point, of which he became proprietor in 1902. Mr. Hartnett, in 1897, mar- ried Miss Alice Graham, who died the year following. He has been prominent in Ward 14 politics, was chosen caucus warden for 1901 and he is a member of the Columbia Yacht Club, Mosquito Fleet Yacht Club, Div. 74, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Tammany Associates and the Mattapannock Club of Ward 14. He lives at 545 East Third Street.
WILLIAM J. HIGGINS, importer and dealer in bottled goods and family groceries, is a native of Pottsville, Penn., where he was born Nov. 24, 1847. He attended the public schools of that place for a few years and at an early age went to work in the coal mines in various places throughout that state, and until he was eighteen years of age. In 1866, having moved to Cambridge, Mass., he entered the employ of John Reardon & Sons. He remained at this work but a short time and then served his time in the American Steam Safe Company, and until 1875. In 1870 he became a resident of South Boston, and, after leaving the employ of the American Steam Safe Company, he went to work for the South Boston Iron Co., remaining there but two years.
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In 1877 he started in the liquor business on West Broadway near D Street. Three years later he removed his business to the corner of I Street and East Broadway, giving up the place on Broadway. Under the firm name of William J. Higgins & Co., he has conducted the business corner of Broadway and I Street for many years.
Ever interested in local affairs, Mr. Higgins has been, for many years, a member of the leading organizations of the district and is now interested, as an active member, in the Mosquito Fleet Yacht Club, Robert Fulton Council of the Knights of Columbus, Division 47, Ancient Order of Hibernians, of the South Boston Yacht Club (since 1884) and of the South Boston Citizen's Association. Mr. Higgins was organizer and president of the City Point Rowing Club and was champion oarsman for many years, and in 1875 and 1876 took first prizes in the Fourth of July races. In 1878 he married Miss Elizabeth O'Brien and has four sons and four daughters, John E., William P., Mary, Francis, Margaret, Alice, Ruth and Thomas. Mrs. Higgins died in 1897. Mr. Higgins and family reside in the handsome mansion, 935 East Broadway, formerly the Benjamin Dean estate. He is a thorough business man, an exemplary citizen and is devoted to the interests and welfare of South Boston.
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519
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
W ILLIAM E. HICKEY, fruit dealer, was born in South Boston, Dec. 29, IS70, of Cornelius and Katherine Hickey. He at- tended the John A. Andrew School until he was about 14 years of age, and for a year afterward worked in the law office of Judge Fallon, now of the South Boston Court. He then worked in the roll- ing mill of the Norway Iron Works, after which he drove hack for two years for John Quinn, and then entered the fruit business for him- self, doing well at this for several vears. Even before attaining his majority he took an interest in politics in Ward 15, and in the fall of 1900 was elected to the Common Council, and a year later was re-elected, secur- ing the nomination second in a field of seven. During his first year he served on the important committees of police, park, claims, Fourth of July, Decoration Day, Memorial Day, Evacua- tion Day, water department, ordinances and law department. He resides at 1I Lark Street.
C APT. HENRY T. HUTCHINGS, deceased, March 1. 1902, one of the most highly es- teemed vachtsmen of the district, one of its pioneer builders of yacht». was born in Portsmouth. N. H., April 5, 1837. While living with an uncle at Kittery. who was a boat builder. he attend- ed school and took to boating. He came to South Boston in 1866. worked eight years for Pierce Bros., then engagedin the business in the firm of Hutchings & Prior, building several of the fast- - est boats along the coast. During the latter years of his life, he was engaged in the letting of boats and yachts at City Point. and frequently distinguished himself by saving lives in Dorchester Bay. Ile married Miss Pamelia Keen of Kittery. Me., by whom there were five children. three of whom are now living, Mrs. Woodman. Lieut. George HI. Hutchings, of the fire department and Mrs. Mills D. Barber. After the death of his first wife he married Miss Myra Lowell of Kittery.
H ERMAN HORMEL, a son of Ernest and Albertina Hormel, was born in South Boston, Oct. 15, 1873. His early educa- tion was obtained in the public schools of this district, he being a graduate of the Lincoln Grammar School in ISS5. He then entered the Boston Latin School, from which he graduated in 1891. and he then entered the Massa- chusetts Institute of Technology. Here he made a special study of chemistry, and graduated in 1895. For several years Mr. Hormel has been very active in the Republican ranks in South Boston, particu- larly in Ward 14. having been a member of the Ward Committee for the past four years, and served as chairman during 1903. He has also represented his district in the Republican State Committee. Mr. Hormel is a member of Adelphi Lodge F. & A. M., St. Matthew's Chapter, St. Omer Commandery, Boston Council, Signa Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, and is sergt .- at-arms of the South Boston Citizens' Association.
D R. JOHN P. JONES, physician, 381A West Broadway, was born in Boston, May, 1874, a son of Timothy and Hanora (Nutley) Joncs and came to South Boston in 1875, graduating from the Lawrence School in 1889. He graduated from the English High School in 1892 and entered the em- plov of the Metro- politan Sewerage Commission as civil engineer. and was employed on surveys for the Elevated Road and city sewers. He entered Boston Uni- versity Medical School. receiving his M. D. degree in 1901. During 1900 and 1901 he was resident physician of the Rox- bury Dispensary. Immediately after receiving his degree, he established himself at 414 Broad- way, and later at his present residence, 381A Broadway. He is a member of Farragut Lodge, A. O. U. W., Ben Hur Circle, C. F., Alpha Sigma Fraternity of B. U., Citizens' Asso., Div. 57, A. O. H., and SS. Peter and Paul's Ct., M. C. O. F., and examining physician for the two latter. In 1901 he married Miss Alice Agnes McLcod.
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520
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
TON. BENJAMIN JAMES, deceased, in his time one of the oldest and most estimable citizens of the district, was born in the town of Scituate, Mass., August 24, 1814. Ilis father was Dr. Elisha James, a practicing physician of that town for more than forty years. Both his parents traced their ancestry back to William White, father of Peregrine White. Benjamin attended school in his native town and in 1830 came to Boston and was apprenticed for four years to the house and ship joiner trade. Always interested in real estate matters he built 123 houses in South Boston, all of which are standing to-day. In 1860 and 1861 he was a member of the lum- ber firm of B. and G. B. James, Pope and Company, with yards, docks and mills on West First Street. In the latter years of his business life he devo- ted his time to the care of his real estate. He was for thirty-two years a trustee of the Hawes fund and for nine years its treasur- er, the duties of this latter position being multitudinous, yet carefully attended to by Mr. James. For more than twenty years he represented South Boston in pub- lic offices in the city and state. He was a member of the Com- mon Council for 1848 and 1849, in the House of Representatives in 1850 and 1851, and the Board of Aldermen in 1852 and 1853 when the Board consisted of but eight members. He was re-elected for 1857 and 1858 and then served in that Board in 1866, 1867, 1868 and 1869. In the latter year he was chairman. With a thorough knowledge of the needs of Boston, and parti- cularly of his own section, during his years of service in the Board of Aldermen, when there were no commissioners, the aldermen doing all the work, Mr. James did excellent service, the benefits of which are enjoyed to this day.
HON. BENJAMIN JAMES.
For several years prior to his death, Mr. Jame enjoyed the distinction of being the oldest living cx-alderman, and one of only four who had served eight years in that Board. He was at alderman during the administrations of Mayo Seaver (1852 and 1853), of Mayor Rice (1857) of Mayor Lincoln ( 1858 and 1866), Mayor Nor cross(1867) and Mayor Shurtleff ( 1868 and 1869.
During his last year as an alderman, when h was chairman, among the great improvement accomplished were the widening of Hanover St from Court to Blackstone, Federal St. fron Summer to First, Devonshire St. from State to Milk, Tremont St from Boylston St. t the railroad bridge and the extension o Broadway to Albany Street.
After his busy public career, he took a trip to California in 1870, with the Board of Trade, and in 1872 visited Europe, accompanied by Ex-Mayor Henry L. Pierce and James M. Bugbee. During the latter years of his life he remained mostly at home on Thomas Park, but even in his old age he made frequent trips to the city, and at- tended meetings of his organizations. He was a director of the South Boston Gas Light Co. for sixteen years, eleven of which he was treasurer. He was a corporate member of the South Boston Savings Bank, a director of the South Boston Street Railroad, life member of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanics Asso. and a trustee of the Franklin Savings Bank. He was also a member of the famous Boston Club.
Mr. James died at his home on Thomas Park, Saturday, April 13, 1901, at the age of 86. He left six sons, all of whom had reached manhood, George B., Elisha, Charles, Edwin, William and Benjamin. He was actively engaged in real estate matters up to the time of his death.
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