USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Stoneham > History of Stoneham, Massachusetts > Part 25
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In 1889 Mr. Jones purchased land, with buildings thereon, between Frank- lin and Block Streets, removed the buildings and in the fall began preparing the foundation for his present extensive factory. This was finished and oc- cupied in October, 1890.' It is a modern equipped factory, containing new and improved machinery, and is the largest in Stoneham. It is 175 feet long, 50 feet wide, has five finished stories and a cellar, and in its arrange- ment and furnishing comprises all the latest ideas that experience has devised for a shoe factory, and is convenient in all its appointments. Under pres- sure of business it would probably accommodate 500 hands and could turn out Io0 cases per day. At present about 275 hands are employed and the output is fifty cases per day of pebble, oil and glove grain and women's, misses' and children's pegged, standard screw and sewed polka, polish and button boots and shoes for Southern and Western trade. In addition to this factory Mr. Jones furnishes power to the building facing on Central Square which he bought of Mr. Mawhinney in 1889. This he remodeled, finishing the front part of the first and second floors into stores and offices, and letting the balance for manufacturing purposes.
Mr. Jones has been twice married, first in Charlestown, Mass.
1859, to Miss Eunice Maria Frost, of Charlestown, who died about two years later. His second marriage was in Melrose, October 4, 1865, to Miss Caroline L. Sweetser, of Stoneham. By the latter he has had one daughter, Carrie Emerson, who is now living.
Mr. Jones has always given his attention wholly to business, has never mingled in public affairs or held office, and has never joined any of the fra- ternal societies.
He resides in a substantial residence on the corner of Warren and School Streets, which he built in 1878.
DEXTER BUCKNAM.
Dexter Bucknam is a native of Stoneham where he was born January 3, 1817, and is the son of Edward and Sally (Willey) Bucknam. He has always resided in Stoneham and was educated in the common schools of the town. In 1825 and '26 there was no school-house in the district and the school which he attended then was kept in the dwelling house now owned by Jonathan Green, on Green's lane.
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He learned the shoemaker's trade and after leaving school worked at it until he was about twenty years of age when he commenced manufacturing misses' and children's shoes for the retail and jobbing trade which he con- tinued for twenty-five years.
In 1850 he was appointed by the late Judge Charles Devens, who was then U. S. Marshal for Mass., to take the census for the towns of Reading, North Reading, South Reading, now Wakefield, Melrose and Stoneham. For about twenty-five years he acted as a justice for the trial of civil and criminal cases in Stoneham.
DEXTER BUCKNAM.
Mr. Bucknam was married" in Boston in 1844 to Miss Eliza Shay. of Boston.
He has six children, all daughters, living, namely: Eliza A., Maria F., wife of Daniel Gilson, of New Ipswich, N. H., Sarah C., wife of Frederick A. Pierce, of Brighton, Mass., Ella I., wife of W. A. Stone, of Melrose, Mass., Josephine, wife of Wm. E. Worcester, of Allston, Mass., and Georgi- anna, wife of Charles S. LeBaron, of Boston.
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He was one of the incorporators of the Stoneham Five Cents Savings Bank and has been for a number of years one of the trustees.
He enjoys the distinction of having been an Odd Fellow longer than any other man in Stoneham, his membership dating back over forty-nine years. He joined Crystal Fount Lodge, No. 9, of Woburn, May 26, 1842, and went through the chair and became a Past Grand and a member of the Grand Lodge in August, 1843. In that year there were enough joined this lodge from Stoneham to form a lodge in their own town, and they withdrew and organized Columbian Lodge, No. 29, December 14, 1843, Mr. Bucknam being a charter member. He was elected a Past Grand of the lodge, and represented it in the Grand Lodge. In 1845 and 1846 he was District Dep- uty of Crystal Fount, Columbian and Souhegan Lodges. On the reinstitu- tion of Columbian Lodge in 1868 he again became a member, and in the same year joined Bunker Hill Encampment of Charlestown.
A. B. YEATON.
Alphonso Burton Yeaton, son of John W. and Delana E. (Welch) Yeaton, was born in Portland, Maine, September 4, 1849.
He obtained his education in the public schools of Portland, and after going nearly through the High School he went to Portsmouth, N. H., and was an apprentice there for three years in the tin-plate and sheet-iron working trade.
After working for a year at his trade in Boston he went back to Portland and was employed by the Portland Packing Co. for two years and for a year later worked at canning lobsters on the coast of Nova Scotia.
He then returned to Portland and after working two years at his trade he formed a partnership with his father in the wholesale fish business, the firm being J. W. Yeaton & Son.
After doing business about seven years they sold out and the son worked for a year at farming in Eliot, Me., and at his trade in Boston for a year, and in 1879 came to Stoneham.
He went into the employ of F. H. Richardson in the store on Main street and on Mr. Richardson's death about a year later he bought out the business and has continued it at the same stand ever since, conducting a successful business.
Mr. Yeaton was married in Portland, Me., October, 1873, to Miss Mary B. Weston, of that city. They have had one child, Mary F., who is still living.
Mr. Yeaton is a member of the Unitarian Church and of Highland Council, No. 36, O. U. A. M.
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WILLIAM C. NASH.
William Clemson Nash, son of Jesse and Mary (Clemson) Nash, was born in Birmingham, England, September 18, 1851.
When about two and one half years of age his parents came to America and settled at East Woburn, Mass., and during his ninth year they removed to Stoneham, where he has since resided most of the time.
He attended the primary school at Woburn and the higher grades at Stoneham up to the third year in the High School. Following this he
WILLIAM C. NASH.
attended the New Hampton, N. H., Academy for a year and Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College in Boston for about six months, earning his own living and paying his tuition in the two last named institutions by work- ing in the shoe factory of John Hill & Co., during vacation.
After leaving Bryant & Stratton's College he went into the employ of F. S. Hill & Co., as Assistant Superintendent, where he remained five or six years until the firm gave up business.
For four or five years after this he was mechanical expert for the Mckay Sewing Machine Co., on their sewing, heeling, and lasting machines.
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In 1884 he went into the shoe manufacturing business with his brother in the FitzGerald Building, on Hancock Street, the firm being W. C. Nash & Co.
After doing business there for about four years they removed to New York State, where they dissolved partnership in about a year and the subject of this sketch returned to Stoneham in the spring of 1890.
Since his return he has held the position of managing agent of Middlesex Boot & Shoe Company, doing business on Emerson Street.
Mr. Nash was married in Stoneham, November 9, 1872, on the day of the great Boston fire, to Miss Emma J. Wardwell, of Stoneham. Two children, both living, have been the fruit of their union, viz: Ernest Frederick and Alice Augusta.
Mr. Nash is a member of King Cyrus Lodge, F. & A. M. and is an attend- ant at the Unitarian Church.
DR. D. D. PEABODY.
Dr. Daniel Dexter Peabody, dentist, was born in Danvers, Mass., October 17, 1846, and is the son of Daniel and Sarah S. (Clarke) Peabody.
He acquired his education in the district schools of Danvers, Middleton and North Reading, in the Grammar School at Woburn, and the High School at Stoneham, coming to this town in 1862. He worked in the shoe factories here when out of school.
While attending the High School he enlisted in July, 1864, for 100 days in Co. K, Fifth Mass. Vol. Infantry, and served in Maryland and Virginia. On his discharge at the expiration of service he re-enlisted as a private in Co. A, 15th U. S. Infantry, and served in Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi.
After about eight months service he was promoted to hospital steward, U. S. A,, and held that position until discharged at Santa Fe., New Mexico, in April, 1868. In 1867-68 he served under Hancock and Custer in the frontier troubles with the Indians.
On his discharge he returned to Stoneham and began the study of dentis- try with Dr. A. W. Tenney, with whom he remained about two years. While with Dr. Tenney he took a partial course at the Harvard Dental School.
In the summer of 1870 he commenced practise in Francestown, N. H., where he remained about two years, then in Lake Village, N. H., for a year, and then removed to Sherman, N. Y., where he practised seven years.
While in Sherman he was a member of the Eighth District Dental Society, and for four years was a delegate to the New York State Dental Society.
In July, 1880, he returned to Stoneham and went into partnership with Dr. Tenney, with whom he was associated five years, at the end of which time he opened an office on his own account, and has his present office in Dr. Cowdrey's building, Central Square.
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Dr. Peabody was married in Stoughton, Mass., April 25, 1872, to Miss Nellie A. Smiley, of Stoughton, but formerly of Stoneham. They have no children.
Dr. Peabody was raised in Olive Lodge, No. 575, F. & A. M., of Sher- man, N. Y., and was transferred to King Cyrus Lodge, of which he was Chaplain for four years. He was a charter member of Fells Lodge, No. 63, A. O. U. W., and was made its first Past Master Workman, and in six months after was elected Receiver, which position he has continued to hold to the present time. He has also been Deputy of Mishawum Lodge, No. 61, of Woburn, for three years. In 1879 he introduced the Equitable Aid Union into Massachusetts and has been Deputy Supreme President for Massachu- setts ever since. He is a charter member of J. P. Gould Post 75, G. A. R.
He has been amember of the Congregational Church, of Stoneham, since 1868 and was Superintendent of the Sabbath School from 1882 to 1887.
He is also a member of the New England and Massachusetts Dental Societies, the Board of Trade, and of the Stoneham Y. M. C. A., of which he was the first treasurer, and has been a director and Vice President.
He resides on Wright Street.
MICHAEL H. FITZGERALD.
Michael Henry FitzGerald, leather manufacturer, was born in Ireland, April 2, 1844, and is the son of Michael and Margaret (FitzGerald) Fitz- Gerald.
His parents came to America with their family in 1849 and took up their residence in Winchester, Mass., in the schools of which town the subject of this sketch was educated.
After attending two years in the High School he gave up and went to work for Shepard & Perry to learn the business of a tanner and currier. He served an apprenticeship of three years and six months with this firm, the last six months being in the office and salesroom in Boston.
Business and wages being good in currying shops at that time he concluded he could earn more at the table so went back to the shop for two years in Winchester, and afterwards in Woburn, until Shepard & Perry associated with Alex. Moseley and Edward H. Dunn and the large factory at Winchester was built, Mr. Shepard and Mr. Perry planning the building and afterwards doing the currying, although the firm was called Moseley & Dunn.
Mr. FitzGerald went to work for this firm and shaved the first side of leather that was shaved in the new factory. He remained there until 1868, when he went to Sandy Creek, N. Y., with John H. Pierce and they bought the Root & Earl tannery. Then James and Andrew Pierce and Andrew N. Shepard joined with them and the firm was called A. N. Shepard & Co. After Moseley & Dunn dissolved partnership at Winchester Mr. Dunn came into the firm and the name was changed to Shepard, Dunn & Co.
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In 1871 William P. and Samuel Pierce, then doing business in Woburn, sold out to James Skinner & Co. and went to Sandy Creek and bought into the firm of Shepard, Dunn & Co., when Mr. FitzGerald withdrew and re- turned to Winchester.
Soon after he formed a partnership with Franklin W. Perry and Sylvester Cutler under the name of Perry, Cutler & Co. and they did business at Wil- mington. He remained in this firm until the Boston fire in 1872 and the panic in 1873 caused the firm to dissolve, and Mr. FitzGerald came to Stone- ham in 1873 and bought the Captain Hurd factory on Hancock Street,
This he remodeled and continued the manufacture of grain and split leather there until the factory was destroyed by fire in August, 1880. In the same fall he built what he now calls factory No. I of his collection of large facto- ries on the same street and resumed the manufacture of leather.
In 1881 he built factory No. 2 to accommodate F. W. B. Worthen, Vin- ton & Jenkins and L. P. Benton, all shoe manufacturers, and they took leases for five years of different rooms as wanted.
In 1882 he built factory No. 4 for Vinton & Jenkins, they having outgrown their quarters in factory No. 2, and Burley & Usher took Vinton & Jenkins' rooms.
In the meantime he had built factory No. 3 and in 1882 he remodeled this for John Campbell who occupied it for a time and it was then taken by Nash Brothers who remained there until they went to New York State. It is now occupied by C. K. White on the lower floor and by Stackpole & Daniels on the upper floor.
Factory No. 4 is now rented to John M. Noyes on the lower floor, who also occupies the whole of factory No. 5, built in 1890. H. G. Wallace & Son occupy the second floor of factory No. 4, and Green & Jones Brothers occupy the two upper floors and also one room in factory No. I, which Mr. FitzGerald remodeled in 1889.
At that time he gave up the manufacture of leather and in August of that year went to Chicago to represent the firm of E. H. Dewson & Son. He remained there until the January following and then returned and went into the factory of Theodore Boutelle, at Woburn, who finished leather for him. He is now in the factory of F. Chandler Parker, who is finishing for him.
In addition to the tenants named heretofore Mr. FitzGerald has in his large factories on Hancock Street the following : Factory No. I, first floor, S. W. Chamberlin, machinist; part of second floor, Luther Martin, shoe manufac- turer ; upper floor and also fourth floor of factory No. 2, R. E. Kinsley, shoe manufacturer ; factory No. 2, part of basement, Mrs. Sarah A. Marston, manufacturer of sole leather tips; third and fifth floors, J. H. Dempsey ; second floor is still occupied by F. W. B. Worthen ; David Tibbetts, sewing and nailing, and L. C. Shaw, shoe manufacturer, also occupy portions of factory No. 2.
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Mr. FitzGerald was married in Salem, Mass., October 21, 1873, to Miss Christina A. Gannon, of that city, and one daughter, Ida M. G., now living, has been born to them.
Mr. FitzGerald has never joined a fraternal society nor held public office. He is a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church.
WESLEY C. HOLDSWORTH.
Wesley Clarke Holdsworth, son of Thomas and Lucy (Titus ) Holdsworth, was born in Digby, Nova Scotia, December 15, 1841.
He attended the common schools of Digby and afterwards was apprenticed to a carpenter in Hillsburgh to learn the trade which he did. He worked at this trade in Nova Scotia and in and about Boston for sixteen years, when, becoming tired of carpentering he went to Frederickton, New Brunswick, to learn the business of manufacturing confectionery with his brother-in-law.
After acquiring a knowledge of the business he went to Newcastle, N. B., and manufactured on his own account, having stores there and at Chatham.
He remained there three years when, in 1880, he came to Stoneham and opened a confectionery store and manufactory in his present quarters, where he has since remained and done a very successful business. About three years ago he opened a store in Woburn.
Mr. Holdsworth was married in Yarmouth, Me., August 31, 1865, to Miss Harrie P. Humphrey, a native of that town.
He was made a Mason in Northumberland Lodge, F. and A. M., while residing in Newcastle, N. B., and is a member of Stoneham Lodge, K. of H.
THOMAS F. BURTT.
Thomas Ford Burtt, watchmaker and jeweller, was born in Wilmington, Mass., February 8, 1831, and is the son of Thomas and Eunice (Upton) Burtt.
His early schooling was obtained in the district school in his native town and afterwards in the schools of Reading to which town his parents removed.
Upon leaving school, at the age of between fourteen and fifteen years, he went to work for his uncle, the well-known Daniel Pratt, to learn the trade of a clock-maker, and remained with him for six years.
He then went into the dry goods store of Samuel Nichols, his father-in- law, and was employed there until 1855, when he came to Stoneham and was engaged in the watch-making and jewelry business on Main Street for two years, and for two years afterwards was in the same business in Danvers, Mass.
In 1860 he removed to Portsmouth, N. H., where he was in the jewelry business until 1872, having a fine patronage during and after the war.
On giving up at Portsmouth he went into the employ of the American Watch Co., at Waltham, having charge of the general jobbing of watches
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returned for some fault to be put in order. He worked there and in the fin- ishing department for several years, earning large wages, but overwork injured his health and he was obliged to give up and recuperate.
After six months he went to Lynnfield, Mass., where he lived two years and travelled, keeping out of doors for his health. After recovering he came to Stoneham again in September, 1879. and opened a jewelry and watch re- pairing store on Central Street, opposite the Central House, where he re- mained for about six years when he took a lease of a building on the
THOMAS F. BURTT.
corner of Central and Emerson Streets, erected for him by Charles Emerson. On the expiration of his lease he removed to his present store in the Whittier Building, September 10, 1887.
In March, 1890, he sold his business on account of ill health, to his son, Lewis Chester Burtt, who afterwards sold to Joseph Durst. Since that time he has done something at making old-fashioned hall clocks until a short time ago, when he bought out his former business of Mr. Durst and is now back at the old stand.
Mr. Burtt was married in Reading, Mass., May 3, 1852, to Miss Marion A. Nichols, of that town. They have had seven children, five of whom are
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living, viz : Marion Gertrude, widow of Joseph H. Cheever, of Waltham, Walter Everett, Minnie Estelle, wife of Linnæus C. Prescott, of Stoneham, Thomas Fred and Lewis Chester. All of the three sons are familiar with clock and watchmaking, and Mr. Burtt himself stards in the front rank in his trade.
A wonderful piece of mechanism which Mr. Burtt has constructed and which is now in his possession is a large musical clock v hich he has worked on at odd times for more than three years. There is only one other like it in this country. It is ingeniously contrived so that in addition to giving the time the dial also shows the day of the month and the changes of the moon, giving all its phases, and the works are arranged so that at a quarter past the hour a chime of bells is struck, at half past :he hour two chimes are sounded and the incoming hour is stuck on a laige bell, at three quarters past the hour three chimes with a charge are sourced, at cre minute before the hour a tune is played and the hour is then told off on the large bell. The clock contains twelve metal bells and nineteen striking hammers and is valued at $600 to $700. It stands nine feet high.
Mr. Burtt is a member of Piscataqua Lodge, No. 6, I. O. O. F., of Ports- mouth, N. H., is a Past High Priest of Columbian Encampment, I. O. O. F., of Stoneham, a member of Highland Council, No. 36, O. U. A. M., being Senior Councillor on the third degree staff, is a member of Forest Union, No. 686, Equitable Aid Union, and was a charter member of Helping Hand Temple of Honor, No. 21.
He is also a member of the Congregational Church, and while residing in Portsmouth, N. H., he was for three years a member of the Common Coun- cil of that city.
*HAZEN WHITCHER.
Hazen Whitcher, retired hardware dealer, was born in Warren, N. H., May 21, '1817, and is the son of Jacob and Sarah (Richardson) Whitcher.
He attended the common schools of his native town and when a young man removed to Benton, N. H., where he worked at farming and carpentry for a number of years.
In 1846 he came to Stoneham and started for himself as a carpenter and builder and in following years was one of the principal builders and erected many buildings now standing in the town.
About 1848 he added undertaking to his business and hired quarters in the basement of the Universalist Church, located on the site of the present Unitarian Church.
During these early years he was appointed Deputy Sheriff and served four years. He also served on the police force for sixteen years and during more than half this time was Chief. He was for many years the popular janitor of the Town Hall and was sexton of the Universalist Church from its organiza-
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tion until the society sold their edifice in 1869, after which, from 1869 until the spring of 1891, he was sexton of the Unitarian Church.
Previous to 1870 Mr. Whitcher had done some business at making picture frames and repairing but at that time his son-in-law, Col. O. H. Marston, succeeded to that business and in September, 1871, Mr. Whitcher opened a hardware store where T. F. Burtt is now located and Col. Marston removed his business there also. In 1876 Mr. Whitcher removed his stock and trade to the Dow Building where he did quite an extensive business. About five years ago he retired from active business and turned it over to Col. Marston.
HAZEN WHITCHER.
During the late years of his life he has dealt considerably in real estate, owning quite a number of houses and other buildings in Woburn and Stone- ham.
Mr. Whitcher was married in Benton, N. H., , to Miss Sally Tyler, of that place, and three children have been born to them, one of whom, Sarah R., wife of Col. O. H. Marston, is living.
Mr. Whitcher is a Universalist by faith and attended that church as long as the society was in existence since which he has attended the Unitarian Church.
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He is a charter member of Columbian Lodge, I. O C. F., and also a charter member of Crystal Gem Lodge, I. O. G. T.
His residence is on Pomeworth Street.
* Mr. Whitcher died May 14, 1891, while the portion of this work giving sketches of prominent living men was in preparation.
ALBION J. NOWELL.
Albion Jason Nowell, photographer, was born in Bangor, Maine, on the 28th day of May, 1866, and is the son of Granville A. and Susan"Ann (Alley) Nowell.
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ALBION J. NOWELL.
When he was three years of age his father died, and his mother removed with her family to Mount Desert, where she remained for a year or more, and then came to Massachusetts and settled in Lawrence.
At this time the subject of this sketch was between four and five years of age. What general education he acquired in his early days was obtained in the public schools of Lawrence in the various grades up to the High School.
His artistic talent developed itself when he was quite young, and an early desire to cultivate it possessed him, which continually became stronger. His
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school studies were a drudgery to him, and after graduating from the Gram- mar School at the age of between fourteen and fifteen, he determined to learn the profession he has since followed.
He served an apprenticeship of a year and a half with A. B. Hamor, of Lawrence, at that time considered one of the finest artists in his line in that city, and then went to Boston, where he secured a situation with A. N. Hardy, one of the most skilful photographers in that city, whose studio is located at No. 493 Washington street.
There he remained nearly five years, and between two and three years of this time was in charge of the re-touching department of the establishment.
It can thus be readily observed that his professional education has been acquired under superior advantages and competent instructors, and he is admirably fitted for what he has adopted as his life work. Added to this he possesses a natural mechanical ingenuity which he inherits from his father, who was considered very skilful at his trade. This is of inestimable value to him in many departments of the practical work of his profession.
Mr. Nowell gave up his position with A. N. Hardy and came to Stoneham October 1, 1888. Purchasing the business of J. E. Edgecomb, he immedi- ately commenced to carry it on under his own name, and has continued since in the same studio that Mr. Edgecomb had previously occupied.
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