USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Stoneham > History of Stoneham, Massachusetts > Part 19
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Col. Marston was a member of the Stoneham School Committee for three years, and Chief-of-Police for two years. He is a member of the Congrega- tional Church of which he has been an assessor for ten or more years.
He is also a member of King Cyrus Lodge, F. and A. M., of which he was one of the charter members and the first Worshipful Master, is a mem- ber and a Past Dictator of Stoneham Lodge, K. of H., a member and a Past Commander of Stoneham Council, A. L. of H., and a member of J. P. Gould Post 75, G. A. R.
He resides on Pomeworth Street.
JOSEPH THEOBALD.
Joseph Theobald, retail dealer in stoves, kitchen furnishing goods, etc., was born in Bury St. Edmunds, the county seat of Suffolk County, England,
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June 24, 1842. He is the son of George and Martha (Webb) Theobald.
His early education was obtained in the public schools of his native town. He came to the United States with his parents when fifteen years of age, settling in Framingham, Mass., and attended Bills' and Comer's Commercial Colleges in Boston.
He afterwards served a full apprenticeship at the trade of painting and decorating and worked at this trade in and about Boston for about twelve years.
In April, 1869, he came to Stoneham and with his brother started in the business in which he is now engaged, that of retailing stoves and furnaces and kitchen furnishing goods and doing plumbing. The business has always been carried on under the name of J. Theobald, although his brother was associated with him for ten years, when they separated, and since then Mr. Theobald has been the sole proprietor and has done a steadily successful business and is the longest established in his line and next to the longest established trader in Stoneham.
Mr. Theobald was married in Fitchburg, August 14, 1866, to Miss Emma Hawes, of Fitchburg. They have three children living, Alfred Neal, Joseph Augustus and Emma Adelia, and have buried one son, who died in infancy.
Mr. Theobald is a member of Columbian Lodge and Columbian Encamp- ment, I. O. O. F., of King Cyrus Lodge, F. & A. M., being a charter member, and is a Past Dictator of Stoneham Lodge, Knights of Honor. He has passed through the chair of Columbian Encampment, I. O. O. F., and is a member of the Grand Encampment. He is an attendant at the Congrega- tional Church.
HERBERT P. HOWE.
Herbert Peter Howe, Baker, was born in Benton, N. H., March 27, 1859, and is the son of Moses W. and Laura C. (White) Howe.
He was educated in the public schools of Georgetown and Stoneham, this State, coming to Stoneham with his parents when he was seven years of age.
At the age of eighteen he was employed in the pastry department of the Sinclair House, Bethlehem, N. H., the next to the largest summer hotel in that White Mountain resort. In 1882 he entered the employ of Andrew Brown, Domestic Baker, Stoneham, and in 1887 he bought the business from Mr. Brown and has conducted it to the present time, doing a success- ful business. His store and bakery are located on Central Street.
Mr. Howe is unmarried, is an attendant at the Methodist Episcopal Church, is a member of King Cyrus Lodge, F. & A. M., and of the Stoneham Ath- letic Club.
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H. P. HOWE'S DOMESTIC BAKERY.
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T. E. ROLFE.
Timothy Emery Rolfe, proprietor of "The Gilt Edge House," was born in Fisherville, now Penacook, N. H., July 17, 1845, on the banks of the Merrimac river, within a few rods of the spot where Hannah Dustin slew the Indians. He is the son of Timothy C. and Eliza Ann (Emery) Rolfe.
He obtained a good education in the schools of Fisherville, the Elmwood Literary Institute at Boscawen, N. H., and the Kimball Union Academy, at Meriden, N. H., finishing in 1865.
T. E. ROLFE.
After leaving the Academy he worked on his father's farm for a while and in a cabinet factory for two years. He then went to California where he remained five years, working at carpentry and on a ranch. He then returned to|Penacook and worked in the granite quarries at West Concord.
He was married at Plymouth, N. H., to Miss Jennie Woodard, of Mason- ville, P.[Q., on October 3, 1876, and one daughter, Lottie A., has been born to them, and is now living.
Mr. Rolfe came to Stoneham in 1878 and opened the large private board- ing housefon Main street, which bears the significant title "The Gilt Edge
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House." This building he since purchased. His treatment of his patrons has won for his house an excellent reputation, and he has done a good busi- ness ever since he opened it. As a man and citizen he is much respected in the community.
He is a member of Stoneham Council, American Legion of Honor, and of Contoocook Lodge, 1. O. O. F., of Penacook, N. H. A view of the "Gilt Edge" may be found on page 71.
AMOS HILL.
Amos Hill is a descendant of one of the oldest families of Stoneham and was born in this town October 26, 1830, and is the son of Levi and Sarah (Howard) Hill, both natives of Stoneham.
He learned the trade of a shoemaker before he was twenty-one years of age and after reaching his majority he was for a few years engaged in the manufacture of shoes and later in the manufacture of razor straps.
About the year 1855, he was engaged as one of the civil engineers on the Concorc and Claremont Railroad, in N. H., then only finished as far as Bradford. From that time he followed the profession of a civil engineer until about 1876, when ill health compelled him to give up the business.
Mr. Hill served as Representative for the 23d Middlesex District in the Massachusetts Legislature in 1872 and '73 and during his term he secured the passage of the Act incorporating the Quannapowitt Water Company now called the Wakefield Water Company, giving equal rights to the towns of Wakefield and Stoneham to take water from Crystal Lake and Quannapowitt Lake for domestic and fire purposes. The town at this time not foreseeing the necessity of taking advantage of its rights under the charter suffered them to lapse and the rights were then fully vested in the incorporators named in the Act of incorporation.
The company was dormant until 1882 when it awoke from its slumbers, being stimulated by the action of Mr. Hill and fourteen others who met at the house of the former and pledged a sum of money sufficient to guarantee the success of another system of water works.
The Quannapowitt Company went to work and December 1, 1883, their works were completed and the water let on in Stoneham under a contract with the town for a supply of water for ten years, and Mr. Hill was in charge of the Stoneham Division and has remained in charge to the present time.
It was during the session of 1872 that Mr. Hill secured the passage of the act incorporating the Stoneham Odd Fellows' Hall Association, of this town, of which he is President.
He has always taken great interest in the prosperity of his native town and has been for many years honored with various public offices. He has served the town fourteen years as Selectman, twelve years of which he was chair- man. He has been an Assessor and a member of the School Committee for
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the past four years, being at present a member of both boards. He was for several years a trustee of the Lindenwood Cemetery, was for thirteen years a trustee of the Public Library and for more than fifteen years an active and prominent member of the Stoneham Fire Department, being foreman for three years, beginning with 1858, of the Hook and Ladder Company, and was an engineer of the department for three years. While foreman of the Hook and Ladder Company he had one of the finest companies ever connected with the de artment. Honored and respected by his townsmenthe is placed on all impo: tant committeees where the interests of the town are involved.
AMOS HILL.
He is a member of Columbian Lodge, Columbian Encampment and Can- ton Fells, P. M., I. O. O. F., and has passed through the chairs of [both Lodge and Encampment. He has been honored by the Odd Fellows with
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the election to the highest office that can be given a brother in the State and also with an election to serve as Grand Representative for two years to the Sovereign Grand Lodge. He is also a member of King Cyrus Lodge, F. and A. M., and of Waverly Royal Arch Chapter, being one of the charter members of the Lodge.
Mr. Hill also takes a lively interest in the Stoneham Co-operative Bank, of which he is one of the Directors and also their attorney. He is also one of the Trustees of the Stoneham Five Cents Savings Bank.
Mr. Hill was married in Stoneham, June 26, 1851, to Miss Mary S. Gould, of this town, a sister to Col. J. P. Gould, and four children have blessed their union, all of whom are living, viz: Levi, Mary Evelyn, wife of James A. Jones, of Stoneham, Willie Parker and Walter Amos. Mr. Hill's . home is at the junction of Pleasant and Summer streets.
WILLIAM KELLY.
William Kelly, merchant tailor, son of Henry and Catherine (Claque) Kelly, was born in Castletown, Isle of Man, June 17, 1850.
He attended school in Castletown and in Charlestown, Mass.
His trade of tailoring he learned in Castletown, serving a five years appren- ticesl ip. He came to Charlestown in 1867 and went into the employ, of
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Merrill & Gale, tailors, and worked for them about five years, and for Wm. B. Long a little over a year. In March, 1875, he came to Stoneham, where he was employed at his trade for five years by Oscar Hutchinson. He started in business for himself in his present quarters in 1880 and has continued there ever since ; enjoying a good business from the beginning and having many customers at a distance as well as in Stoneham. He is the longest established tailor in the town.
He was married in Charlestown November 30, 1871, to Miss Ida F. Slack, of Charlestown, and four children, all of whom are living, have been born to them, viz: Eveline Francelia, Florence Abbie, Carrie May and Charles Henry William.
He purchased and lived for some time in the old Congregational parsonage on Central street. This house is 147 years old. It has been much improved and is still owned by Mr. Kelly, but has been moved back a little to make room for his new residence, which was built in 1889.
Mr. Kelly is a member of the Methodist Church, being a class-leader, and is also a member of Stoneham Lodge, Knights of Honor, and of Stoneham Council, American Legion of Honor, and Stoneham Board of Trade.
GEORGE F. BUTTERFIELD.
Mr. Butterfield was born near Harvard College, Cambridge, on January 28, 1845. His father, John B. Butterfield, was a native of New Hampshire. Born on one of the Uncanoonuc Mountains in Goffstown, April 10, 1805, he hunted in the primeval forests and fished in the mountain brooks, and in his youth learned to honor the stars and stripes, his father being Major of one of the N. H. regiments. He is a descendant from the original family of seven brothers who settled in New England and New York about the year 1645, and on his mother's side from the Hancocks and Beechams of Revo- lutionary fame. His mother was born in the old mansion house across Mystic River from Bunker's Hill, her grandfather, John Beecham, then owned from Chelsea Creek to Malden Square. During the Revolution the American troops occupied the buildings and grounds, while his Charlestown estates were destroyed by the British. He was a pure blooded Englishman of high social standing and influence, but was cut off from his estate in England because of his aid and support to the cause of the revolution in America ; while Hancock gave the orders to ring the bells at Lexington and Concord the alarm that assembled the first troops who actively opposed King George.
While a child Mr. Butterfield's parents again returned to New Hampshire, to the mountain home of his father, where he lived until fifteen years of age, when the family again moved to Massachusetts. He received a common school education such as was common in those days, viz .: going to school winters and working summers. He graduated from Comer's Commercial
GEORGE F. BUTTERFIELD.
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College in 1860, and started to learn the wholesale dry goods business just before the breaking out of the Rebellion. When the first call came for troops, Mr. Butterfield, then a boy, enlisted, but was rejected on account of his youth. He afterwards made successive attempts, and on the fourth enlistment early in 1862 getting mustered in by calling himself older than he was. He was a good shot, and wanted to try his skill in the interest of Uncle Sam.
He served in the 7th and 22d Army Corps, and took part in the battles of Zuni, Va., Joiner's Ford, Franklin, Carsville. Deserted House, Siege of Suf- folk, and numerous skirmishes on the Weldon R. R. and elsewhere. At the battle of Carsville he was slightly wounded twice. Near an entrenched out- post on the Weldon R. R. a rebel sharpshooter had taken up a position, and one beautiful Sunday in April, 1863, killed and wounded fourteen of his comrades ; Butterfield had been in line of battle for three days and nights, expecting an attack at any moment from Longstreet, who was in front. He heard of the sharpshooter's work, and left the line, working his way down the railroad under a heavy fire until he got into a position to shoot, which he did ; and after exchanging several shots got his man.
After serving two enlistments he joined Col. J. P. Gould's Veteran Regi- ment, 59th Mass. Vols., and was going out as First Lieutenant, but being an impatient young man he had a slight falling out with the Colonel and re- signed. He afterwards passed a military examination at Washington before Gen. Casey and was entered as Captain of Infantry in the regular army, and was under orders from the Secretary of War when Lee surrendered. He thought the army in time of peace would be too dull a life, so he sought a position in the business world, being connected with one concern for twenty years.
He moved to Stoneham January 30, 1878, and occupied one of the Stone mansion houses on the shore of Spot Pond. He belongs to no orders or societies other than the Grand Army of the Republic. He has been married twice, having two daughters, Grace I., 18 years, and Mildred F., 4 1-2 years.
He was elected one of the Board of Selectmen in 1888, and is now serving the third term.
He has for several years given his attention to building up the business of the Langwood Hotel at Spot Pond, and has expended there nearly $200,000 in new buildings and improvements which are a great attraction and benefit to this town. He proposes to continue the effort, bringing something out of our waste territory, and is doing much to make Stoneham one of the most attractive places of residence to be found. He has associated with him Mr. Jonathan Munyan, of Worcester, a wealthy gentleman of unblemished repu- tation and high social standing, also Mr. Simon Snow, a retired gentleman of honor, and they are making the New Langwood Hotel a model institution second to none in America.
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MYRON J. FERREN.
Myron Josiah Ferren, Representative to the Legislature, is one of the most popular and genial citizens of Stoneham, having been prominent in town af- fairs, politics and in many fraternal organizations.
He was born in Corinth, Vermont, August 16, 1836, and is the son of Eben and Mary (Chapmin) Ferren.
He received his education in the common schools of Haverhill, N. H., Manchester, N. H., and Chester, N. H., but being one of eight children, and his father dying when he was but ten years of age, he was obliged to do what he could for his own support, and therefore worked in a cotton mill at Manchester during his spare time out of school.
After leaving school he worked at farming in Deering, Auburn and Goffs- town, N. H., for about two years after which he learned shoemaking in Amoskeag, N. H.
He came to Stoneham in the spring of 1852 and remained here during the summer working at shoemaking, and in the fall went to Lawrence and for five years was employed in the Pacific Mills and at making shoes.
In October, 1857, he returned to Stoneham, and has since that time re- sided here. He worked at shoemaking in its various branches in the shops of the town until 1851, when the New Era pegging machine was introduced into Stoneham, and he learned to run the first one brought here. This was in the shop of Sloan & Norton, and he worked on this machine for them for about a year when they sold out their business to Sweetser, Battles & Co., and Mr. Ferren went to work on the same machine for the latter firm. It was run by hand power for about a year, when the firm put in as an experi- ment a Roper Caloric Engine, the first one ever run, and on this Mr. Ferren made improvements so that it became a successful running engine. Mr. Ferren in addition to running the engine and pegging machine had charge of the stitching room. He was with this firm, except for a time in 1864 when he was in the service of the U. S., until 1870, the firm keeping his position open for him while he was in the army, and employing him again on his return. In addition to the aforementioned duties he was also a general fore- man of the machinery department.
In 1870 he went into the employ of R. W. Emerson & Co as machinist, and was with them until they dissolved in 1882 when he accompanied Mr. Emerson to Melrose and worked for him for a year. He then returned to Stoneham and entered the employ of Vinton & Jenkins for whom he worked a year.
In 1884 he opened a shoe finding store on Main Street and remained in that business until January, 1890, when he sold it out to Walter Paige, Since that time he has given his attention to his duties in the Legislature and is at present.forwarding the interests of an electric elevated railway which he has himself invented and patented.
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MYRON J. FERREN.
RESIDENCE OF REPRESENTATIVE FERREN.
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Mr. Ferren was first elected to represent his town in the Legislature in 1888, and served in the lower branch in 1889, being on the committees on federal relations and drainage ; was re-elected for 1890 and served on the committee on street railways ; was re-elected for 1891 and served on the committees on federal relations and street railways and was first monitor in the fourth division. He is the only Representative ever elected from this town for three consecutive terms. Mr. Ferren has always been a Republican in politics, voting the ticket of that party almost since its organization, his first vote being cast in 1857.
From 1870 to 1875 Mr. Ferren served on the Stoneham Board of Select- men, of which he was clerk for three years, and disbursed state aid for two- years.
From 1875 to 1885 he was a member and clerk of the Board of Engineers of the Fire Department. Mr. Ferren had previously been a fireman at Law- rence, where he had served on the brakes and as leading hoseman of the old Rough and Ready hand tub.
From 1873 to the present time he has, with two exceptions, been Modera- tor of all town meetings. For fourteen years he was Chairman of the Re- publican Town Committee, and during that time entertained many public speakers at his cottage.
Filled with patriotic ardor and enthusiasm he enlisted in Captain J. P. Gould's company in 1861, but when he presented himself to Dr. Wm. H. Heath for examination the doctor would not accept him on account of a trouble with his eyes. Pleading to be allowed to pass examination did not prevail with the physician and Mr. Ferren turned sor- rowfully away. He found an opportunity later however to enter the service, for in July, 1864, he enlisted for one hundred days in Captain F. M. Sweet- ser's company, passed the physician on account of not being subjected to a rigid examination, and was mustered in and served his full time, being sta- tioned in and around Baltimore, and returned in the fall.
Mr. Ferren was married April 12, 1864, in Stoneham, to Miss Wilhelmina D. Brown, of this town, but a native of Wolfboro, N. H. She died without issue in March, 1886.
Mr. Ferren is one of the most prominent members of the G. A. R. in Stoneham. He was one of the earliest mustered isto J. P. Gould Post 75 and was for four years its Commander, during which time the Post flourished and was never in better condition in its history. He has served as aide-de- camp on the staffs of Department Commanders Patch, Creasy and Innis of the Department of Mass., attended the National Convention of the G. A. R. at Harrisburg, Penn., in 1874 as a delegate from his department, also at Chicago in 1875, and is at present aide-de-camp on the staff of Commander- in-Chief Veazey, of the National Department, with the rank of Colonel.
Mr. Ferren enjoys the distinction of being a member of more fraternal
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organizations than any other man in Stoneham. First, he joined Columbian Lodge, I. O. O. F. in 1871, and is a charter member of Columbian Encamp- ment, of which he was Chief Patriarch for three terms, and has also passed through the chair of the lodge. He is also a charter member of Canton Fells, P. M., and immediately upon its institution was appointed aide-de- camp, with rank of Major, on the staff of General Palmer.
He is a charter member of Stoneham Lodge, No. 371, K. of H., was its first Dictator and served two terms, is a charter member of Stoneham Coun- cil, No. 804, A. L. of H., of which he is a Past Commander, also a charter member of Bear Hill Assembly. Royal Society of Good Fellows, of which he was Ruler for two terms, also a charter member of Wamscott Tribe, Imp. O. R. M., was its first Past Sachem, and elected its first Prophet and served three terms, and is a member of Iyanough Council, Daughters of Pocahon- tas, and of the Mutual Relief Associations of the two last named orders, of the Odd Fellows' Relief and Benefit Associations, King Cyrus Lodge, F. & A, M., Garnet Lodge, Order of the Solid Rock, and of the Stoneham Odd Fellows Hall Association, of which he was one of the incorporators. He also belongs to the Stoneham Board of Trade, the Central Club and the Stoneham Sportsmen's Club.
Mr. Ferren is possessed of considerable mechanical ingenuity and has in- vented and taken out letters patent on shoe machines and attachments, in- cluding a feather edging machine, welt knife, attachment for fancy stitching on sewing machine, patent improved breasting machine and others, and a polka button boot. His latest invention, the Electric Railway, promises to become one of much importance.
Mr. Ferren is an attendant at the Unitarian Church. in which he has always held a pew. He resides in a cottage of his own on Gerry street.
For twelve to fifteen years Mr. Ferien kept organized an amateur dramatic association and gave many entertainments in Stontham, contributing much in this way towards charitable objects. He usually assumed low comedy parts in which he was very successful.
He has always been active in Fourth of July, Odd Fellows and other soci- ety celebrations, is always loyal to his town and ever ready to speak a good word in praise of it, is a man of eminent social qualities, good hearted, charitable and generous and stands at the head in popularity among the citi- zens and his fellows.
WALTER S. KEENE.
Walter Scott Keene, Selectman, is a native of Palmyra, Maine, where he was born November 9, 1858, and is the son of Norris and Sarah A. (Nye) Kee'ne.
He attended the district schools of Palmyra and adjoining towns and the Academy at Pittsfield, Maine.
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After leaving the Academy he removed with his parents to Auburn, Me., where he worked in the shoe shops for two years, when he again removed with his parents to South Paris, Me., where he was also employed in the shoe shops until he left home and came to Boston in July, 1878. He immediately went to work for the firm of F. Shaw & Brothers, one of the largest firms of leather dealers in Boston or in the country, located at 268, 270 and 272 Purchase street. It was his intention to learn the business thoroughly so he began at the bottom of the ladder and worked his way up, remaining there to the present day. This firm failed in 1883 and the busi- ness has since been in the hands of a trustee with whom Mr. Keene has continued. In 1886 he commenced selling and has been a salesman since that time and since 1888 h's had an interest in the business and is head salesman.
WALTER S. KEENE.
Mr. Kecn: was united in marriage in Boston to Miss Kate M. Thomas, of that city, January 6, 1881, and a son and daughter have been the fruit of their union, both of whom are living. Their names are Walter Scott, Jr., and Nellie Iva.
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Mr. Keene came to Stoneham with his family October 1, 1882, and although he has resided in the town less than nine years he has obtained the confidence of the citizens and has become a prominent and leading citizen of the town.
He is a member of the Board of Selectmen, having been elected first in 1889 and re-elected twice since, and is now disburser of State aid for the board. He was one of the incorporators and is a director of the Stoneham National Bank, was one of the incorporators and is a Director of the Stone- ham Co-operative Bank, is a member of the Stoneham Board of Trade and for a number of years one of the Republican Town Committee.
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