USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Stoneham > History of Stoneham, Massachusetts > Part 22
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The subject of this sketch was married in Campton. N. H., May 17, 1877, by Rev. Quincy Likely to Miss Louise Cochran. of Holderness, N. H., and to them has been born one daughter, Louise Ethel. who is now living.
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Mr. Whittier is an attendant at the Congregational Church, was a member of the fire department for ten years, and belongs to Columbian Lodge, Ever- green Lodge, D. of R., and the Mutual Relief Association, all of the I. O. O. F.
F. L. & W. E. WHITTIER.
F. L. & W. E. Whittier succeeded to the business of their father upon his decease in 1878. Previous to that time from the age at which they were old enough to be of service, they had rendered cheerful assistance to their father in the store, in the newspaper and printing office, and in the post-office dur- ing the period that he occupied the position of Postmaster. An account of the establishment and progress of the business during Mr. Whittier's life, from the time he opened a little news and variety store under the Universa- list Church in 1840, is given on pages 130 and 132. The business at the time of his death was practically of the same nature as at present and located in the same building. It consisted of the store where were sold newspapers, periodicals, stationery, fancy goods and toys, a newspaper route for daily and weekly papers throughout the town, and a job printing and newspaper office, in which the Stoneham Independent was published. With the exception of a few changes in stock in the store the business has been of the same character up to the present, steadily prosperous and increasing under the conduct and management of the brothers Frank and Willie. The most important branch of the business is the Sioneham Independent and printing office which has been enlarged since their father's death by the addition of improved machin- ery, including a new large Campbell cylinder book and newspaper press, a Gordon job press, Otto gas engine for running presses, large paper cutter and other machines and a large quantity of new type, cases, etc., these additions necessitating the extension of their building in the rear. This branch now occupies two large floors. These facilities have caused a steadily progressive business in this department, and the circulation of the Stoneham Independent rivals that of weekly papers in any of the towns of this section. Up to five years ago the brotl:ers had employed an editor to take charge of the news and editorial columns of the paper, but since that time Frank has assumed that duty himself.
The Whittier Brothers established the first Sunday paper route in Woburn and Winchester in 1873, being influenced to do so by Woburn parties who had previously come to Stoneham for their Sunday papers, there being none sold in Woburn. The papers were delivered in the two towns by carriage, and the route was kept up for four years or more.
The Winchester Star was started by the Whittier Brothers in 1881 and was published for eight years from the office of the Stoneham Independent, and was sold out to the present proprietor, T. P. Wilson, in August, 1889, since which time it has been published in Winchester.
WHITTIER'S BUILDING.
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The plant is the property of the Whittier Brothers as is also the building on Central Square in which the business is located, it being known as Whit- tier building.
The Whittier brothers reside with their families on the second floor and an ell of the building ; on the upper floor is the G. A. R. hall, and on the lower floor are three stores, in addition to that of the brothers, occupied by Cap- tain John F. Berry, clothing, etc., T. F. Burtt, jeweller, and Wm. Kelley, tailor. On the second floor, front, is a barber shop. The Whittier brothers have an excellent trade in their store in the sale of newspapers, station- ery and other goods in their line.
CHARLES H. HINKLEY.
Charles Henry Hinkley, proprietor of the Hinkley boarding house, was born in Bradley, Maine, September 19, 1843, and is the son of William and Elmira (Mason) Hinkley.
He attended the con.mon schools of his native town and immediately after leaving school he went to work in a saw mill in Bradley where he was em- ployed for seventeen of eighteen years.
He then removed to Westborough. Mass., where he opened a boarding- house, and has catered to the wants of the inner man from that time to the present.
After remaining in Westborough for eight years he came to Stoneham, October 1, 1883, and opened the boarding-house which he now maintains at the corner of Maple and Warren streets. He keeps an excellent house, is much liked by his patrons and is a popular man in the community.
In the fall of 1890 his house caught fire bu- owing to the good work of the firemen the fire was extinguished with a partial loss which was covered by insurance. To show his appreciation of the efforts of the firemen he soon afterwards invited the whole department to an excellent supper.
Mr. Hinkley was married in Bradley, Me., May 29, 1863, to Miss Louisa L. Spencer, of that town, and two children have been born to them, one of whom is living, viz. : Leah B. , wife of Harry Woodward, of Stoneham.
Mr. Hinkley is an attendant at the Congregational Church. is a member of the Equitable Aid Society, of Unity Lodge, No. 77, I. O. O. F., of Boston, and of Columbian Encampment, I. O. O. F., of Stoneham.
STEPHEN P. FINNEGAN.
Stephen Patrick Finnegan, retail provision and grocery dealer, was born in Stoneham, November 27, 1855, and is the son of Joseph and Anastasia (Mullalley) Finnegan.
He attended the public schools of his native town, being one year in the High School, after which he went to Comer's Commercial College of Boston.
After this he went to work in the shoe manufactory of John Hill & Co.,
THE HINKLEY HOUSE.
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and was employed in that factory and others until he was twenty-seven years of age, when he started in the retail grocery and provision business with his brother, John C., in the store on Pearl Street, vacated by Albert S. Hovey, and previously occupied by J. B. Hovey. The firm was called Finnegan Bros. They continued at that stand until 1886, when they removed to the building which they had erected on Franklin Street, opposite the railway station, the subject of this sketch taking up his residence in the upper por- tion. The brothers dissolved partnership in June, 1888, John C. removing to Woburn and establishing in the bakery business, and Stephen P. continu- ing as a grocer and provision dealer, in which he is still engaged. The busi- ness has steadily increased from the beginning and MI. Finnegan now en- joys a large patronage.
On January 6, 1880, Mr. Finnegan was united in marriage in this town to Miss Julia C. Cogan, daughter of Patrick Cogan, of Stoneham, and they have been blessed with four children, all of whom are living, namely : Joseph Bernard, William John, Alice and Anastasia.
Mr. Finnegan was one of the original members of the Stoneham Light In- fantry, was a Corporal and Sergeant, rising to Second Sergeant, and remained with the company five years.
He was an Assessor for two years, in 1886-7, was Democratic nominee for Representative to the Legislature in 1889, and was one of the committee of the Board of Trade who were instrumental in forwarding the establishment of the new railroad branch to Fells Station.
He is a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church.
W. H. WEED.
William Henry Weed, druggist, of the firm of Wm. H. Weed & Co., was born in Stoneham, April 17, 1861, the day on which Co. L left for the war. He is the son of Samuel S. and Mary (Quimby) Weed.
His early education was received in the public schools of Stoneham, and later he attended the Bryant & Stratton Commercial College, and still later the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, where he took a full course, gradua- ting in 1888.
Previous to going to Bryant & Stratton's College he worked for a time in the drug store of Charles O. Currier and also in the Post Office under Charles E. Horne, P. M. After leaving the Commercial College he was again em- ployed in the Post Office, after which he attended the Mass. College of Pharmacy. He then went into the drug store of T. T. Reed, Eggleston Square, Boston, and from there to the store of C. A. Charles, in Malden. From Malden he came to Stoneham, and was employed in the drug store of John F. Dorr for two or three years, and then with S. W. Townsend as a partner, bought out the drug store of E. G. Goodnow, in Dow's Block, Cen- tral Square, and has continued in business there up to the present time.
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Mr. Weed was united in marriage in Stoneham to Miss Stella S. Bartlett, daughter of Postmaster Bartlett, of this town, June 16, 1888. One daughter has been born to them.
Mr. Weed is a member of the Alumni of the Mass. College of Pharmacy and of Stoneham Council, A. L. of H., of which he is Collector.
HAMILTON HAY.
Hamilton Hay, boot and shoe manufacturer, is a native of Stoneham, where he was born December 6, 1849, and is the son of Cyrus and Abby (Gove) Hay.
He attended the public schools of this town until about fifteen years of age when he went to work in his father's factory to learn the shoe trade and learned it thoroughly, working at it about three years, or until his father bought out a retail shoe store on Hanover Street, Boston, when the son went into the store to work, and remained there until he was twenty-one years of age, or about three years.
When he was twenty-one his father retired from business and the son suc- ceeded to his manufacturing interest, and did business in the northerly part of the town in what is now a dwelling house near Wm. D. Byron & Co.'s factory.
When he started he employed two men and turned out about two cases per week. He remained in that building ten years or more, and when he re- moved to larger quarters in the Franklin Co-operative Shoe Co.'s building, now the Kimball factory, he was manufacturing about seven cases per week and employing seven hands. There he increased to five cases a day and em- ployed about twenty-one hands.
In 1887, the factory he now occupies on Montvale avenue, was remodelled for him by the owner, Thomas Lord, and on July Ist of that year Mr. Hay removed thereto, and has since increased his output to twelve cases per day and gives employment to about fifty hands. Mr. Hay is now the owner of the building. He has never had a partner and has always manufactured the same kind of goods, viz: Children's and misses' grain boots and shoes for the New England trade.
Mr. Hay was married in Stoneham, December 31, 1874, to Miss Emily A. Nickerson, a native of Gloucester, Mass., but a resident of Stoneham at the time. 'They have had three children all of whom are living, namely: Wil- fred Gove, Herman Walter and Emily Grace.
Mr. Hay is an attendant at the Unitarian Church and is a member of Co- lumbian Lodge, I. O. O. F.
His residence is on Central Street, corner of William Street.
HAMILTON HAY'S
HAMILTON HAY'S SHOE FACTORY.
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ALBERT S. HOVEY.
Albert Silas Hovey, retail provision and grocery dealer, was born in Alba- ny, Vt., September 28 1856, his parents being Horace N. and Fanny C. (Kellam) Hovey. His education was obtained in the public schools of Albany and Lowell, Vt., and in Evanston, Ill., where he lived for two years with an uncle, returning to Vermont at the age of seventeen years where he remained a short time, and then came to Stoneham and entered the employ of J. B. Hovey, grocer, Pearl street, a distant relative, as clerk. He remained with Mr. Hovey for six years, having full charge of the business during the last two years of this time on account of ill health of his employer. At the end of that time he purchased Mr. Hovey's business and continued at the same stand for two years, until 1882, when he erected the building on Frank-
A. S. HOVEY'S STORE AND RESIDENCE.
lin Street, opposite the railroad station, residing in the upper portion and occupying the lower floor as a grocery and provision store up to the present time. He has had a prosperous business and has retained the good will and trade of many of his patrons from the beginning of his mercantile career.
July 9, 1879, he was united in marriage in Stoneham to Miss Ella H. Harris, of Charlemont, Mass., and as the fruit of their union they have three children : Arthur Ernest, Maud Ella and Roy Albert.
Mr. Hovey has always been active and prominent in religious matters, is a member of the Baptist Church, having been on the Executive Board of the Church for a number of years, Treasurer of the Sabbath School for over twelve years, Treasurer of the Y. M. C. A. since 1885, and a member of the Board of Trade.
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HARRY E. HERSAM.
Harry Elmer Hersam, manufacturer of cutting dies, was born in Stone- ham, September 28, 1860, and is the son of Isaac F. and Mary O. (Dame) Hersam.
His education comprises what could be obtained in the public schools of Stoneham, he taking the full course in all the grades, and graduating from the High School in 1877.
He then went to work making cutting dies for David Knox and has fol- lowed that business ever since, and always in the same shop. He worked for Mr. Knox for about a year when George A. Osgood bought out the business and Mr. Hersam continued with the latter, when he in turn purchased the business in October, 1888, and has carried it on up to the present time.
He does a good business making dies for shoe, harness and rubber, largely the former, a good portion of his trade being right here in town although he has considerable from Boston and other parts of New England and some from a distance.
Mr. Hersam was united in marriage in Stoneham, April 3, 1882, to Miss Emma Longmore, of Pembroke, Me., and one son, Norman Paul, has been born to them and is now living.
Mr. Hersam is a member of Columbian Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Stoneham, of which he is a Past Grand.
CHARLES B. CARLIN.
Charles B. Carlin, provision dealer, was born in Keene, N. H., May 25, 1841, and is the son of Thomas and Mary (Blessington) Carlin. His father is now living at the age of 78 years, and is the only survivor of a family of thirteen children.
When four years of age the subject of our sketch removed with his parents to Barnard, Vermont. There after he became old enough he worked on the farm in the summer and attended the district school in winter until he arrived at the age of eighteen when he went to work in Dewey's Mills at Quechee, Vermont, where he was employed until the breaking out of the war.
May 8, 1861, he enlisted in Co. F, Third Regiment of Vermont Infantry, which was a part of the First Vermont Brigade. After remaining a while in camp at St. Johnsbury, Vt., they went to Chain Bridge, above Washington, D. C., and from there to Lewinsville, Va., where they wintered. In the spring they advanced on Fairfax and from there went into the Peninsula. Mr. Carlin was all through the Peninsula campaign. At the siege of York- town he was one of 198 men who forded Warwick Creek at Lee's Mills, in front of Yerktown, and of those 198 men 78 were killed or wounded inside of fifteen minutes. He was all through the memorable Seven Days' Fight, at Golden's Farm, Peach Orchard, White Oak Swamp and Malvern Hill, and
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after that went into camp with his regiment at Harrison's Landing. He was in the second battle of Bull Run and was in the Maryland Campaign, at South Mountain and Antietam, and in the latter battle was wounded severely in the left hand, losing the forefinger. He went to the Philadelphia hospital from which he was discharged for a gun-shot wound April 6, 1863.
After his discharge he went to Cavendish, Vermont, where he was employed five years in the woolen mills and three years in a meat and provis- ion store. In 1871 he removed to Danvers, Mass., where he worked at shoemaking for two years, and in 1873 came to Stoneham and purchased a milk route from Jonathan Moulton which he run for twelve years.
In 1875 he formed a co-partnership with J. D. Pierce in the meat and provision business on Central Street and after about a year he bought out the interest of Mr. Pierce and continued the business alone. In April, 1886, he removed to his prevent location in the basement of the Odd Fellows' building the entrance to his store being on Franklin street, just off Central Square.
Mr. Carlin was married in Brattleboro, Vt., to Miss Mary A. Kelley, of Proctorsville, Vt., January 24, 1866, and they have two children, namely : Charles R. and Florence May.
Mr. Carlin is a member of Columbian Lodge and Columbian Encampment, I. O. O. F., J. P. Gould Post 75, G. A. R., and Stoneham Council, A. L. of H.
He resides on Main Street.
GEORGE OTIS BUCKNAM.
George Otis, son of Otis and Susan A. (Jones) Bucknam, was born in Stoneham, January 12, 1854.
He obtained his education in the public schools of Stoneham, and at the age of sixteen found him employed at the Stoneham Amateur newspaper office, where he remained about a year, subsequently working in the shoe factories of the town.
When quite small George's ambition was to draw and paint pictures and letters, evincing at his youthful age much skill and taste. In July, 1872, he went to work for William H. Whitney, carriage, sign and ornamental paint- er, corner Congress and Water Streets, Boston, serving an apprenticeship of four years. This firm was burned out by the great fire, Nov. 9, 1872, but afterward started up again at Battery March Street. In June, 1877, Mr. Bucknam commenced business for himself in a shop corner of Fond and Franklin Streets, building up a flourishing trade which extended to many o the towns and cities of this State. In May, 1884, he removed his business to a new building built by him for that purpose at the east part of the town.
Mr. Bucknam was united in marriage in Stoneham, October 9, 1877, with Miss Nellie E. Blake.
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He is a member of Highland Council, No. 36, O. U. A. M., and True American Council, No. 15, D. of L.
JAMES H. MURPHY.
James H. Murphy, son of Bernard and Mary (McEnaney) Murphy, is a native of Stoneham, and was born Feb. 28, 1860. His education was ob- tained in the public schools of the town, and at an early age he entered the employ of Thomas Lord & Co., where he served an apprenticeship at the leather business, at which trade he worked for some years. In 1886 Mr. Murphy was appointed Local Inspector of the Boston Post Office, which place he resigned three years later to accept a position as a commercial trav- eller in Ohio and Indiana. He has served two terms on the Board of Selectmen, 1886 and 1887, being Clerk of the Board each year, and is the youngest man ever elected a Selectman of Stoneham. During the great labor agitation of 1886 and 1887 he was the recognized representative of the leather workers in Eastern Massachusetts, and was their chosen representa- tive on the Board of Arbitration with Griffin Place of Woburn, representing the manufacturers, and John E. Burke, shoe manufacturer, the neutral mem- ber, which established the price list for the curriers and tanners of New Eng- .1. land, granting them an increase of 33 per cent.
He is an ardent Democrat and takes a great interest in promoting his party's welfare. He is chairman of the Democratic Town Committee, which position he has held for a number of years, and possesses a wide ac- quaintance with prominent members of his party in the State. He is a stu- dent and lover of books, and has a mind well stored with general knowledge. As a public speaker he is eloquent and convincing, particularly when discus- sing matters appertaining to the welfare of his native town. He is a man of strictly temperate habits and was for many years a prominent member of St. Patrick's Total Abstinence Society.
Mr. Murphy was married in Stoneham, May 27, 1888, to Miss M. A. Hig- gins of Stoneham, and one son, William Henry, has been the fruit of the union.
SAMUEL G. CHAUNCEY.
Samuel George Chauncey, furniture dealer, is a native of Newfoundland, having been born in St. John's, October 16, 1836, and is the son of Lionel and Elizabeth (Knight) Chauncey.
He attended the Central Union school, of St. John's, which he left when twelve years of age, and went to Prince Edward Island to live on a farm. Here he remained four years returning to his home in 1852. He then learned
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the trade of carriage making at which occupation he worked in St. John's until 1858. In July of that year he came to Boston and was employed by Sargent & Ham, carriage builders, for some time, after which he went to Exeter, N. H., and worked at the same trade in the factory of Head, Jewell & Co. There he remained four years and during two and a half years of the time he boarded with the mother of Judge Wheelock G. Veazey, and became well acquainted with the present National Commander of the G. A. R.
While there he enlisted three times for the war but was thrown out each time on account of his height not being up to the regulation standard, al- though he drilled for several months in two of the companies.
From Exeter Mr. Chauncey went to Concord, N. H., and worked for L. Downing & Sons until 1864 when he came to Stoneham, where he has since resided.
He bought out the carriage making business of O. A. Edgell, and con- ducted it alone for about a year, Mr. Edgell working for him. A partnership was then formed between the two men, the firm name being Edgell & Chaun- cey. The business was carried on in a building on Block Street, and the partnership was continued about two years when Mr. Chauncey sold out his interest to Mr. Edgell and accepted the position of foreman in charge of the carriage factory of Bradford & Crocker, Brockton, Mass., which position he retained for nearly three years.
For several years after this he bought and sold carriages.
A serious injury received from a strain to his side while lifting a heavy wagon disabled Mr. Chauncey for a number of years during which time he was a great sufferer.
In April, 1883, he bought out the furniture store of Moses Hall, on Main Street, and there he has remained retailing and repairing furniture up to the present time.
Mr. Chauncey was united in marriage April 28, 1866, in Billerica, Mass., to Miss Mary C. Nichols, of Stoneham, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Elias Nason. They have had no children.
Mr. Chauncey has always been an earnest advocate of temperance and ac- tive in that cause. When but sixteen years of age he joined the Cadets of Temperance, a junior section of the Sons of Temperance, of St. John's. He passed through all the officers of the Cadets, and became a member of the senior organization, holding successively all the offices in that body. He was a member of the Star of Hope Division, S. of T., of Stoneham, being honored in turn with all the offices in the Division.
He was a charter member and occupied the highest office twice of Crystal Gem Lodge of Good Templars. When he went to Brockton to work he withdrew from this lodge and became a member of Fraternity Lodge of North Bridgewater, then the largest lodge in the State. He held several
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offices in that Lodge, including that of Worthy Chief. While at North Bridgewater he was chosen by the Grand Lodge of Good Templars of Mass- achusetts as delegate to the International Convention of Good Templars held at Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1871. He was a member of Helping Hand Temple of Honor, of this town, but declined office in that organization.
He is a member of the Congregational Church.
His residence is on the corner of Marble and Lincoln Streets .: )~
CHARLES BUCK.
Charles Buck was born in Stoneham November 26, 1829. His father was Joseph Buck and his mother's maiden name was Sally Tweed.
He received his education in the common schools, graduating from the High School. He worked upon his father's farm and at butchering until twenty years of age, and in 1851 went to work for Allen Rowe & Sons cut- ting shoes and remained with them until 1861 when he was employed by Daniel Hill and D. P. Sevey at the same trade. In 1865 he formed a part- nership with Brown Sweetser in the meat and provision business, which con- tinued until November 1, 1869, in the store in Central Square now occupied by Holden Bros. In 1869 he bought out Mr. Sweetser's interest in the bus- iness and soon after took in Mr. Andrew Latham as a partner. In 1872 Mr. Buck sold out his interest in the Central Square store and engaged in the wholesale hide business at 20 Clinton Street, Boston, where he still continues under the firm name of Charles Buck & Son.
Mr. Buck was married to Cynthia F. Herrick, of South Danvers, January 13, 1858. Three children were born to them : Charles F. Buck, Gilbert E. Buck and Albert F. Buck. Charles F. is now in business with his father on Clinton Street. Gilbert, the second son, died December 2, 1866, and Al- bert F. recently graduated from Amherst College with high honors, and is now teaching in Connecticut. Cynthia F. Buck died January 22, 1878, and Mr. Buck was married again February 20, 1879, to Miss Julia P. Crawford.
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