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 52
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Ever interested in public affairs and taking naturally t the subject of politics, always a sterling Democrat, he launche out into political life, participated in many of the early an famous contests of old Ward 13, and in 1889 was elected t. the House of Representatives, serving in the years 1890 an 1891, being a member of the committee on Harbors and Pub lic Lands. In 1900 he was a candidate for the place on th Governor's Council for the district, comprising the greate part of Boston, was elected and served in the years 1901 1902 and 1903, being re-elected for each of the two latte years by increased majorities. He has been chairman of th ward committee nine years and was a delegate to the Na tional Convention in 1900. He is a member of the Shawmu Boat Club, Twenty-Five Associates, Broadway Social Club Wolfe Tones, Division 7, Ancient Order of Hibernians and Acme Branch, Catholic Knights of America, of the latter of which he has been treasurer.
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In 1903 Mr. McNamara married Miss Margaret Burke of Allston, and they reside at 252 Wes Broadway.
JAMES P. McSHANE, proprietor of the Peninsula Hotel, 855 East 6th St., the largest hotel in the district, was born in the old North End, Boston, March 3, 1862. His parents were Patrick and Bridget ( Moran ) McShane, both of whom are now associated with him in the hotel busi ness. Ile attended the Mayhew and Phillips Schools. After leaving school he learned the mer. chant tailoring business with Rhodes & Ripley, 99 Summer St., remaining from 1878 to 1882. He then went into the business for himself at the corner of Harrison Ave. Exten- sion and Hayward Pl., continuing until ISS9.
In 1890 Mr. McShane removed to South Boston and im- mediately engaged in the restaurant and catering business at the corner of C St. and West Broadway. That was the second restaurant of any pretensions ever conducted in South Boston. His business rapidly increased and he remained at this location until 1895 when he took the entire building 342 and 344 West Broadway, between D and E Streets. It was named then and known thereafter as McShane's Hotel. Finding even this building too small for his extensive busi- ness, in May. 1897, he took possession of what, up to then, was the famous Seaside House at 855 East 6th St. Completely renovating and improving it he opened it as the Peninsula Hotel and has conducted it most successfully ever since. It is the nearest large seaside hotel to the city proper, has a fine cuisine, a specialty being made of fish dinners, and it com- mands a beautiful view of the harbor.
Mr. McShane is a member of South Boston Conclave of the Improved Order of Heptasophs, King Solomon Lodge, of the Knights of Pythias, Boston Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, South Boston Yacht Club, Columbia Yacht Club, the Red Men and the Trimount Athletic Club, of the latter of which he has been president since 1893. He has been ever interested in athletic sports and competed successfully in many contests. Mr. McShane married Miss Julia F. Callanan of Boston, they have four children, Blanche, Frank, Helen and Henry, and they reside at IS Charles Street, city.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
JOHN R. MCHUGH, lawyer, at 475 West Broadway. and 2; School Street, Boston, was born in Pittsburg, Pa., Dec. 17, 1876, and came to South Boston about three years later. He received his early education in the Lawrence Grammar School, from which he graduated in 1891. He then entered the English High school, graduating in 1894. after which he took the ad- vanced course. Concluding this he began the study of law, entering the Boston University Law School, after two years of study in the office of Hon. Henry F. Naphen. lle received his degree in 1$99, and in July of the same year he was admit- ted to the Massachusetts Bar. Mr. McHugh is a member of the Twenty-Five Associates, Wolfe Tone Association of the Clan . na-Gals. Division 57 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, James E. Haves Council of the Knights of Columbus and SS. Peter and Paul's Court of the Massa- chusetts Catholic Order of Fore ters. He re- sides at 123 M1 Street.
D ANIEL V. McISAAC, lawyer. is a son of Alexander and Jane (Rogers) McIsaac. He was born in Pembroke, Me., Nov. 6, 1871, and came to South Boston, November 3, 1884. After finishing his studies in the public schools. he entered the printing trade, finally becoming foreman of one of the largest plants in the city. He en- tered Boston Uni- versity Law School in IS95 and grad- uated with honor in 1898 and passed the bar examina- tion. after which he began the practice of law. his office being at 27 School Street. He repre- sented Ward 1; in the Common Council in 1897 and 1898 and in the Legislature in 1899-1900. He married Miss Mary E. Luchini in 1899 and they have two children. Charles F. and William A. McIsaac. They reside at 381 Dorchester Street. He is a member of the Pere Marquette Council of the Knights of Columbus, Ancient Order of llibernians. Mosquito Fleet Yacht Club. and vice-president of the Democratic City Committee in 1903.
OHN J. MERRIGAN. editor and publisher of the South Boston News, was born in Boston, Nov. 25. 1855. His parents were Peter and Mary Merrigan. and they moved to South Boston in 15:6. and the subject of this sketch has been a resident of the peninsula district ever since. He attended the Mather School. the Lawrence School. and then, while beginning the battle of life, he continued hi- studies at the evening classes of the Boston Latin School. In fact. in his early boyhood. when attending the primary school. he worked as a new-bov. the income from thi- occupation aiding in his support. while he strug- gled for an education. J
Shortly after leaving school Mr. Merrigan worked for a short time at book-binding. intending to learn that trade, but at the end of a year he changed to the position of clerk for Thomas Strahan. proprietor of one of the largest wall paper establishment> in New England. This. however, did not seem to be hi- vocation. and. tiring of it, at the end of a few vear -. he went to work for a large building firm, remain- ing three year -. After quitting this latter occupation he fol- lowed a new line. that of advertising solicitor, and achieved remarkable success at it. During his early career in the ad- verti-ing business. he was political manager for Pre -. Calvin A. Richard, of the Metropolitan Street Railway Co. He took charge of the advertising department of one of the South Boston weeklies. and. in 1885, started the South Boston News and purchased it in 1886, and which he has published very successfully since then. He was manager for llon. M. J. McEttrick'- congressional campaign in 1892 and has been prominently identified with the campaigns of Govs. William A. Gaston, William E. Russell and Benjamin F. Butler, and hi- paper has ever been a factor in local campaigns. In the management of the News Mr. Merrigan has adopted and ever followed strict business principles. It is a truly local paper. ever advocating the interests of the district and general welfare of the people. Mr. Merrigan is a single man and lives in this district.
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538
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
A RTHUR F. MEANS, lawyer, was born on G Street, September 16, 1857 of John Witham and Sophia Rumney (Wells) Means. He attended the Hawes, Lincoln and English High Schools, graduating from the Boston University Law School in 1878, and has practiced very success- fully ever since in Boston, among his important cases being the Amos Stone land suits, Hall- Newton-Benshimol sewer cases, Kingsbury-Boston-Burrill claim suit and others. He has been a member of the City Council, the Legislature, British Charitable, Scot's Charit- able and N. E. Hist'l. Gen. Societies and has written several articles on early Scotch-Irish Immigration to Maine, and the history of early Boston residents. He has been president of the Law School Alumni, the English High School Class of '74, and of improvement associations in Roxbury, Somerville and Duxbury, and was president of the British American Club, which succeeded the Park Club, which did much in bringing about a better feeling between the two nations.
Equity Jurisprudence attracted the attention of Mr. Means after his admission to the Bar, and on the Judiciary Com- mittee of the Legislature he aided in the passage of the law which gave the Superior Court general equity jurisdiction. He studied law in the office of Hon. Charles T. Gallagher, and has been associated with the late William B. Whiting of New York and the late William B. Gale. In an important case, where Mr. Means secured judgment for his client, Judge Holmes said : "Since I have been upon the bench I have never been so much assisted by counsel as I have been in this case." Of the students in his office there have been Asst. Dist. Atty. Sughrue, J. Porter Crosby, Clarence W. Rowley, John Slutsky Slater, and R. B. Hayes.
Mr. Means married Miss Katie Allen Snow, has two chil- dren, Arthur F. Jr. and Robert Snow (the latter named for the late Robert F. Means, ) and he now lives in Somerville and in summer at Duxbury. He is a member of Suffolk Council, R. A., Mt. Pleasant Lodge, I. O. O. F., St. Paul's Masonic Lodge, De Molay Commandery K. T. and Massachusetts Consistory 32.
H ARRY J. MEGHRAN, engaged in the real estate business, auctioneer, justice of the peace, appraiser, fire and life insurance agent and the placing of mortgages, was born in South Boston, September 25, 1872. His parents were Patrick T. and Mary A. (O'Neil) Meghran. His father was a long time resident of South Boston and his mother for many years a resident of old Fort Hill. He attended the primary school of the peninsula district and then the old Bigelow Grammar School, graduating from the latter in 1889. He finished his education in Comer's Commercial College attending the evening classes.
After leaving college Mr. Meghran entered the employ of John A. Devine, in the real estate and insurance business, as confidential clerk and financial agent, remaining with him until 1898. In the latter year Mr. Meghran went into the business for himself at his present location, 494 East Broad- way, and the following year opened an office, also, at 298 Bowdoin Street, Dorchester.
In both offices Mr. Meghran carried on a large and lucrative business. He is the agent for the Mercantile In- surance Co. of Boston, the Palatine Co. of Manchester, Eng., the Hamburg-Bremen Co. of Germany, the North German Co. of Hamburg, Germany, the Agricultural Co. of New York, the Home Insurance Co. of New York, the New York Plate Glass Insurance Co., the American Fire Insurance Co. of St. Louis, Mo., the National Insurance Co. of New York and the London Guarantee Accident Co. He also does an extensive business in the buying and selling of real estate, the care of real estate and the collection of rents.
Mr. Meghran was married. in October, 1900, to Miss Margaret F. Heffren of Dorchester and they have one child, Margaret M. Meghran. Mr. Meghran lives at 509 East Broadway and is a member of the Pere Marquette Council of the Knights of Columbus of which organization he was, until recently, a trustee. A life long resident of South Boston, Mr. Meghran has always taken particular interest in public affairs.
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539
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
JOSHUA MERRILL, oil manufacturer and merchant, may well be called the father of the oil industry of the United States. To no other man is due more credit for the improve- ments in and scientific discoveries of illuminating and lubricating oils, than to Mr. Merrill. Born in Duxbury, Mass., Oct. 6, 1828, of Rev. Abraham Dow and Nancy (Morrison) Merrill, he began his studies in his native town and completed them in Lowell, Mass. At the age of 15 years he came to Boston, entering the employ of his elder brother in the manufacture of paper hang- ings. In 1853 he embarked in the oil business. selling lubricating oils for the United States Chemical Manufacturing Company of Waltham, Mass. About this time, also. he was acting as the introducer and seller of a coup oil manufactured by Luther Atwood of the well known firm of phar- maceutical manufacturing chemists, Philbrook & Atwood, and secured a large trade with the cotton mills and railroads, in- cluding the New York Central R. R., the Boston & Albany R. R .. the Fitchburg R. R. and the Lowell R. R. This com- pany soon secured the confidence of Samuel Downer, a manufacturer of sperm, whale and lard oils, with the result that Mr. Downer purchased stock until he had secured entire control of the com- pany. The entire year of 1856 Mr. Merrill spent in Scotland with Mr. Atwood. The time was employed in building works and introducing the oil to the factories of Yorkshire and Lancashire, but mostly in Glasgow and Manchester. This was for George Miller & Co., who were permitted to introduce the process in that country.
On returning from Europe, toward the latter part of 1856, Mr. Merrill and William Atwood, brother of Luther Atwood, engaged in extracting oil from Trinidad asphaltum, and this oil, with a patented burner of Col. Jones, was widely sold throughout the country, and the New York
JOSHUA MERRILL.
Kerosene Oil Company was soon started. Mr. Abram Gessner, who was at the head of the company, originated the word "kerosene," it being derived from two Greek words "keros" wax, and "sene" light, or wax-light. This com- pany and the Downer company of South Boston for many years had the sole rights to the words "kerosene." Before 1860, the Downer company, largely through the aid of Mr. Merrill, suc- ceeded in distilling Albert coal, mined in New Brunswick, and excellent results were attained and soon there was a tremendous business in this oil.
In subsequent years Mr. Merrill was prom- inent in the discoveries of the benefits and utiliza- tion of petroleum oil, and hundreds of thousands of cases were shipped to all parts of the world. Mr. Merrill was the first man to use sulphuric acid and alkali as a deodorizing or bleaching agent on oils as a final process, making them fit for market. This was as early as 1857. By the merest accident, of a piece of charcoal working into the narrow part of the condenser and clog- ging it up, the discovery of a new oil was made. Mr. Merrill immediately experimented, with the result that in May, 1869, there was patented by him a new apparatus for pro- ducing the oil and also a patent on the oil itself. Patents were also secured in Europe for Merrill's Odorless Lubricating Oil. In 1870 Mr. Merrill, after long and patient experimenting, assisted by his brother, Rufus S. Merrill, perfected an oil for illuminating pur- poses to which he gave the name Mineral Sperm Oil, which has been of incalculable benefit to the people of the United States.
On the death of Mr. Downer, the entire plant in South Boston was purchased from the heirs by Mr. Merrill and his brother. This ownership continued many years. The firm now is Joshua Merrill & Son, 122 West First Street. Mr. Merrill is married and has four children.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
SERGT. JACOB SCHWARTZ
About 46 years in the U. S. army ; veter- an of Mexican War; ordnance sergeant at Fort Winthrop; Died, Sept. 14, 1898.
WILLIAM JONES, U. S. N.
Nearly 50 years in the U. S. navy, many years as boatswain; Popular yachtsman; Died May 5, 1903.
DR. SAMUEL G. HOWE
The first, and for many years after, super- intendent of the Perkins Institution for the Blind. Died in January 1876.
JOHN J. MCCLUSKEY
Well known basso: 26 years bass soloist of the Cathedral; Stanneh friend of Carney Hospital. Died April 8, 1894.
WELL KNOWN RESIDENTS, NOW DECEASED.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
C HARLES J. MEISSNER. painter, was born on High Street. Fort Hill district. March 25. IS66. his parent- being John G. and Mary Meissner. He attended the East Street Primary and a private school, and. after removing to South Boston. studied in the Lin- coln and later in the English High Schools. He served his apprenticeship as a painter with Nat Howard. work- ing in many shops of this city and elsewhere. and started in for him- -elf in the summer of 1594 at 641 East 4th Street. and, Since May 1. 1899. ha- been in partnership with Frank R. Fitz- gerald at 666 East Broadway. Mr. Meisner is married. ha- three children. John, Carl and William. and live- at 313 Emer-on Street. For several vear- he wa- affiliated with the National Master Painters' Association. on the executive board in 1899. and was recording secretary of the local association. lIe is a member of the South Boston Citizen-' A -- ociation and other local organization -.
JOHN E. MEENAN, undertaker, was born in Roxbury, Sept. 18, 1870, of John E. and Mary A. (Kelly) Meenan, attended the Dudley School, and came to South Boston in ISS6. He then en- tered the employ of James F. O'Don- nell, remaining eight years, and then worked for Lewis W. Leary for eight years, thor- oughly learning the business, and in 1902 he started in for himself at his present location, 603 East Broadway, near I Street. He graduated from the Champion School of Embalniing, tak- ing a double course. In 1900, he married Miss Jennette E. McDonald of South Boston. They have two children, Agnes E. and John E., and they live at 607 East Fourth Street. Mr. Meenan is financial secre- tary of Pere Marquette Council, K. of C., and a member of Div. 36, A. O. H. Among the bus- iness men of South Boston Mr. Meenan is held in high esteem and, during his nearly twenty years residence here, he has taken an active in- terest in public affairs.
JOSEPH 11. MILEY. wagon and carriage builder. i. the proprietor of a business that has been con- ducted successfully for nearly fifty years. He was born in South Boston, April 12, IS70, his parents being Thoma- Miley and Bridget (Cassidy ) Miley. He was educated in the Capen Prim- ary School. the Lincoln Grammar School, and attended. for a time, Comer's Commercial College.
Thomas Miley, the father of the subject of this sketch, a respected resident of South Boston for nearly half a century, was engaged in the building of wagons and carriages from 1554. previous to that time working on the old busses. known a. the "hourlies." From a -mall beginning he extended his business until he was one of the leading men in that line in the district. Throughout South Boston Mr. Miley was well and favorably known. an exemplary citizen. prominent and generous in charitable affairs and truly zealous for the public welfare and a staunch admirer of South Boston. He died in December. 1893. and the esteem in which he was held was fully attested by the large gathering of well known South Boston residents and the many business men of the district, who attended the funeral.
Joseph H. Miley. after leaving school, entered the employ of hi- father, and. on the latter's death, succeeded to the bus- ine --. In 1854. and for many years afterward. this establish- ment and one other had all the business in the district. Now there are five such establishments. Mr. Miley's business is located at 517 and 519 East Second Street, and so extensive i, it. that it occupies much of the property north of Third Street. near Dorchester Street.
In 1592 Mr. Miley married Miss Elizabeth F. Mullen, of South Boston and they have six children, Elizabeth. Kath- erine. Frances, Mary. Joseph and Thomas. They live at 22 Morrill Street. Dorchester. Mr. Miley is a member of Win- throp Council, 538. of the Royal Arcanum. the Carriage and Wagon Builders' Association and South Boston Citizens' Association. In all of these organizations Mr. Miley takes an active interest.
542
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON
R OBERT J. MILLER, awning, tent and flag manufacturer. a former resident of South Boston, was born on Fifth Street, Septem- ber 3, 1853 of Robert and Anastasia (Kennedy) Miller. He attend- ed the Mather School, graduating from the Lawrence School in 1869 and from the English High School in 1873. Following the busi- ness of his father he has for many years been engaged in the manufacture of awnings, tents and flags, at 230 State St., Boston. The business was established by the senior Miller
in 1847, and Robert J. took it up in 1875, and, since 1881, when Mr. Miller, Sr., died, has con- tinued it. The business has been made, by Mr. Miller, very extensive, and he has a wide repu- tation for interior and exterior decorating. At the time of the dedication of the Dorchester Heights monument March 17, 1902, Mr. Miller did much of the decorating in South Boston. Mr. Miller married Georgiana Hastings and they live at 28 Edson St., Dorchester.
OHN P. MORGAN, grocer, is a native of South Boston, having been born in this dis- trict, Aug. 14, 1868. His parents were John and Margaret Morgan, well known residents of the peninsula. He attended the prim- ary school and was graduated from the Bigelow Grammar School on West Fourth Street. After leaving school he went to work for Barnabas Eldredge, dry goods dealer at the corner of D Street and West Broadway, where he remained for ten years and then went into the grocery business on his own account in 1893. Mr. Morgan is one of South Boston's self-made men and now enjoys a large and lucrative busi- ness. He is located at the corner of E and West Third Streets. Mr. Morgan is a member of the South Boston Citizens' Association, the Holy Name Club of St. Vincent's Church, and also of the South Boston Council of the Knights of Columbus. In 1900 he married Miss Katherine G. Haynes, also of South Boston, and they live at 120 K Street.
J JOHN E. L. MONAGHAN, one of the prom- inent young men of South Boston, was born
in Oldham, England, Feb. 20, 1877. His parents were Michael J. Monaghan and Julia (Devanney ) Mon- aghan. When but three years of age " young Monaghan, with his parents, crossed the Atlantic and made their home in South Boston. He atten- ded the Cyrus Alger and graduated from the Lawrence School in 1890, and from the English High School in 1893. For a short time he worked at the dry goods busi- ness, then in the post office, and studied law to obtain a general legal knowledge, and now works for a building concern, and is a student of civil engineering at the Institute of Technology, having won a scholarship through proficiency in his studies. He lives at 319 West Fourth St. He married Miss Mary A. Kerns. Mr. Monaghan repres- ented Ward 13 in the Common Council of 1900 and 1901, and is a member of Div. 32, A. O. H. and the Pickwick Club.
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W ILLIAM F. MULCAHY, clothier, was born in Rathcormac, County Cork, Ire., Feb. 2, 1834. He attended school in his native town until 1848, when he came to Boston. In 1860, he went to Marlboro, Mass., where he completed his school life, worked in a shoe factory, and, in 1858, together with his brother, en- gaged in the manu- facture of children's and misses' shoes. In 1860, he removed to Boston, engag- ing in the retail boot and shoe trade on Federal St., contin- uing in that busi- ness until the great fire of 1872, when he was burned out. From that time he has been in the retail clothing business, and is at present engaged in that, with his son, at 30 Broadway. He has lived in South Boston since 1860, excepting four years when he was ir Rochester, N. II. Mr. Mulcahy was married ir South Boston in 1863, to Annie A. Gleeson, and has two daughters and one son. One of his ber
daughters is a teacher in the South Boston Higl School.
543
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
M ATTHEW J. MULLEN. undertaker, was born in South Boston, in old SS. Peter and Paul's parish. of John and Margaret Mullen. who came to South Boston in 1828. He attended the Lawrence School when Masters Hardon and Stearns were in charge and graduated in 1864. While attending the Lawrence School he was, for a time, a pupil of Miss Margaret A. Moody who was held in high esteem by all her pupils and who re- mained a teacher until 1892. After leaving school he worked for William L. Brown. dealer in fancy goods on Washington Street. for three years, and then for the pub- ishing house of Johnson. Frve & Co. on Bromfield Street. for many years. In 1876 he started in as an undertaker at the same place where he is now located. 650 East Broad- way. and during all those years he has buried many of the prominent residents of South Boston.
During his quarter of a century of business in this sec- tion Mr. Mullen has interested himself in many public matter- for the good and welfare of the people of the dis- trict. He was a member of the Board of Overseers of the Poor for three years and until 1900. having been appoin- ted by Mavor Quincy. and he has been administrator of many estates. Mr. Mullen has ever manifested a deep interest in the Carney Hospital and has served on it> committee for many years. For thirty years he has been a member of the choir of the Gate of Heaven Church, and is a member of the Gate of Heaven Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. the Massachusetts Undertakers' Association and a member of the Executive Committee, the Massachusetts Social Club, Garfield Council of the American Legion of Honor, of which he was one of the charter members. Lawrence School Alumni Association. South Boston Building Association. South Boston Citi- zen's Association and St. Augustine's Cemetery Improve- ment A sociation. He enjoys a large and extensive acquaintance throughout Boston and has large real estate interests in South Boston. Mr. Mullen lives at 650 E. Broadway.
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