USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > South Boston > Illustrated history of South Boston > Part 24
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Newbury. The inactivity of life at his uncle's home so wore upon young Bartlett that, after two months, he returned to Boston and worked upon the coaches another year.
Ilis citizenship in South Boston dates from 1852, when he learned the machinist's trade at the Mattapan works ; afterwards working as a journeyman in the Wil-
WILLIAM E. BARTLETT.
marth locomotive works,' [John Souther locomotive works, R. Hoe & Co. works, and other equally well known firms, until 1868. At this time Mir. Bartlett entered the steam heating and gas-fitting busi- ness on his own account, and has taken his place among the solid business men of the district. To review his business life is unnecessary, for who is not famil- iar with Bartlett's establishment at 389 Broadway. His progressiveness is evi- denced by the modern appearance of his
store and office fittings and his method of conducting business. In 1857 Mr. Bartlett was married to Miss Clara Isabel Dunn, of this district, and here they have made their home. Three children were born to them, two of whom died in infancy, the other Frank N. Bartlett, lived to early manhood and died in his twentieth year on January 19, 1881. Mr. Bartlett has been prominent in fraternal orders being a charter mem- ber in many lodges and one one of the founders of sev- eral of the most successful orders. He is a member of Rabboni Lodge F. and A. M .; and a life member of the Massachusetts Chari- table Mechanics Associa- tion. Mr. Bartlett has always been an ardent Re- publican, taking an active interest in the city's welfare, and represented his district in the common council in 1881.
EDWARD A. TRACY, M.D.
Since early childhood Dr. Edward A. Tracy has re- sided in South Boston. He graduated at the Lawrence grammar school at the head of his class; and in 1891 was graduated from Har- vard medical school, after having won a Baningar scholarship. At the time of his graduation, he held the position of house-surgeon at the Carney Hospital, and he soon after engaged in practice in this district. Early in his practice he saw the ineffi- ciency of plaster-of-paris casts used in sur- gical cases and invented his wood fibre splints to take their place. In this and his X-ray investigations, his discoveries have been of value to the medical and surgical profession. By the use of his wood-plas- tic splint, now in general use in surgery, ordinary practitioners can successfuly splint an injured limb. At the first Pan-
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
243
American Medical Congress held at Washington in 1893, Dr. Tracy presented a paper entitled " A Brief Splint-Tech- nology for Surgeons." In this and later papers, received by the medical profession most appreciatively, he demon- strated a system of surgical splinting, now coming into universal use through- out the United States and Canada. At the World's Fair at Chicago, Dr. Tracy exhibited a large number of his surgical splints , and was awarded a medal and diploma at the hands of the late eminent surgeon, Ernest Hart, and his exhibit being the only one from this district, brought distinction to South Boston. In 1895, he pre- sented to the profession " A New Method for the Control of the Spine." He has also invented a spinal jacket, de- scribed in the " Boston Medi- cal and Surgical Journal " of Nov. 20, 1900; destined to take the place of. leather and plaster-of-Paris jackets now in use because of its light- ness, cleanliness and supe- rior efficiency. In 1897, Dr. Tracy contributed to the "Journal of the American Medical Association" an original article entitled "The Fallacies of X-ray Pictures" and the stand he then took is now supported and adopted by the leading sur- geons of America. By the re- quest of its members, he read before the New York County Medical Soci- ety, in 1898, a paper entitled " A safe and Rapid Method of Joint and Bone Fixation" and exhibited his methods and apparatus for the treatment of the various bones and joints of the body. Dr. Tracy has also contributed to the medical press : " The Passing of Plaster," "Orthopadies and the General Practitioner," " The Treat- ment of Colles' fracture," " Wrist Joint Injuries," " A New Apparatus for the Treatment of Dislocated Collar-bone,"
"Modern Treatment of Fractures," " Scientific Surgical Splinting," "Pott's Disease of the Spine, Treatment by a New Brace," " The Treatment of Tuber- cular Hip and Knee Joint Diseases," Hle is an active member of the American Medical Association, having attended and contributed original papers at its an- nual meetings in Milwaukee, Baltimore,
Photo. Cassile. EDWARD A. TRACY, M.D.
Philadelphia, and Atlantic City. He is also a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society; Harvard Alumni As- sociation : Lawrence School, and South Boston Citizens' AAssociations.
DANIEL L. PRENDERGAST.
One of South Boston's solid men of . brains, noted for marked executive abili- ty, is Mr. Daniel Leroy Prendergast. His interest in our district has been evinced
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
many times. He was born in 1857, near the foot of Summer street, and when a child his parents moved to Washington Village. He attended the old Andrew school, then the Bigelow school, from which he was graduated in 1871, and later the English high school, from which he was graduated in 1874 under Charles M. Cumston, one of the greatest masters
DANIEL L. PRENDERGAST.
the city has ever had. Mr. Prendergast began his business career in the Boston office of the treasurer of the Hamilton and Appleton companies of Lowell, and his integrity and pronounced ability were responsible for his rise to the trusted position of transfer and corporation clerk of the Appleton Company, which place was originally held by John A. Lowell, the founder of the Lowell Institute. In 1898 Mr. Prendergast became asso- ciated with the Boston Elevated Railway
Company as real estate agent, and to-day he looks after million of dollars' worth of property, and conducts the affairs of the office he holds with a marked skill and fidelity that commands the unstinted praise of the highest officials of the cor- poration which employs him. Mr. Pren- dergast has for years been one of the most fervent friends that the Carney Hospital of this district has ever had, and for the past fifteen years has been chair- man of the committee in charge of the annual con- certs of that institution. He originated the bill which re- sulted in a state appropria- tion of ten thousand dollars, for a new out-patient de- partment of the hospital. Mr. Prendergast has been D. D. S. K. of the Knights of Columbus; was for two years grand knight of Beacon and James E. Hayes Council, Knights of Colum- bus ; was two years presi- dent of his class association ; has for ten years been a member of the executive committee of the Young Men's Democratic Club; has been a member of the Clover Club since its organ- ization; is vice-president of the Bigelow School Alumni Association; and is a mem- ber of the Charitable Irish Society ; the New England Street Railway Club and the Beacon Association, a build- ing and improvement so- ciety. In 1880 Mr. Prendergast was married to Miss Susan M. Maley, a daughter of one of the most highly re- spected old citizens of this district, and two children, a beautiful daughter of seventeen, and a son of six, have blessed the union.
W. S. MILLIGAN.
One of the most progressive business men in Boston, is Mr. William S. Milli- gan, who carries on a large hardware
245
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
store in Dewey square. He was born in this city December 28, 1858, on Oliver street, and attended the primary school in High street place. His parents removed to South Boston when he was eight years of age. He attended the Lawrence school until 1870, and then went into the business of his father, who had already started in the hardware
Photo, Purdy.
W. S. MILLIGAN.
trade. Mr. Milligan upon the death of his father assumed control of the inter- ests of the firm, and together with his brother's help, built up an enterprising business. Three years ago, his brother died, and since then he has conducted the prosperous store with increasing success. He is a sharp, shrewd, indus- trious and popular business man, and his relations to the trade are extensively known and valued. Along the Cape towns and in New Hampshire and Ver-
mont, as well as in Maine, his straight- forward and honorable business career has extended and gained him a wide reputation. Mr. Milligan is a member of Bethesda Lodge, 30, I. O. O. F .; St Paul's Lodge, F. and A. M ; St. Matthews Chapter, R. A. M .; St. Omer Comman- dery, Knights Templar; Boston Council, R. A. S. M., National Lancers : Associate member of Dahlgren Post 2, G. A. R .; South Boston Citizens' Association, and one of the vestrymen in St. Matthew's Episcopal church. In 1886, he mar- ried Helena A. Neale, and three children of this marriage are now living : James, Helen F., and Wil- liam S. Milligan. In his so- cial relations, Mr. Milligan has proved himself an ever- kind and generous person, and he has hosts of friends. His residence, one of the most charmingly situated in Boston, is at 56 Thomas park, and his place of busi- ness is at 669-671 Atlantic avenue.
WILLIAM P. HICKEY.
A young man long identi- fied with the welfare of this district and political inter- ests of Ward 14, is William P. Hickey. He is the son of Thomas and Catherine Hickey, life-long residents, and was born November 17, 1871. He attended the Lincoln grammar school but before com- pleting the full course, he became em- ployed with A. M. Stetson & Co., where he worked in the lumber department as an apprentice surveyor. After remain- ing about four years he went to the Suf- folk Manufacturing Company, one of the largest suspender concerns in the country, then located at the corner of L and First streets, where he performed the duties of shipper for two years. At twenty, he secured a position with the Everett Piano
£
£
246
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Company, where he remained until 1898. Mr. Hickey was once deeply interested in military affairs and was a member of Company A, First Regiment, M. V. M. In 1897 he was elected in Ward 14 to the common council, where he remained three years. While in the council, his ability was recognized and he was placed on several important committees, includ-
WILLIAM P. HICKEY.
ing park, treasury, collecting, markets and election departments. He also served on the Farragut and Labor Day committees. Through his efforts an order was passed, appropriating $15,000 for a gymnasium and bath at the foot of L, street. He was an advocate of the playground in Ward 14 : also introduced many other measures greatly benefiting the district. He has been a tireless worker for Democracy, and in the coun- cil was one of the youngest members.
Living as he does in the Gate of Heaven church parish, he has associated himself with many church movements. He is identified with Division 13, A. O. H., a past president of the Somerset Asso- ciates, and a member of the South Boston Citizens' Association. Mr. Hickey is at present a collector in the Boston Bath Department, a position he has filled the past two years with efficiency. He was elected several times a delegate to city and state conventions. He has won many staunch friends by his integrity of purpose. He has always stood firm for that which is honorable and just. He is un- married, and resides with his parents at 485 First street.
EDWARD L. LOGAN.
One of South Boston's bright young men is Edward Lawrence Logan, son of Col. L. J. Logan. He is a native of this district and was born January 20, 1875, graduating from the Lin- coln grammar school in 1889 and the Boston Latin school, with distinction, in 1894. During his Latin school course in military drill he won a gold medal, first prize, for individual excel- lence and was major of the school battalion. He fur- ther pursued his studies at Harvard College graduat- ing in 1898, and is now at- tending his last year at Harvard law school. For two years he was president of the Cath- olic Club at Harvard, and is now presi- dent of the Harvard Democratic Club and is an honorary member of the " In- stitute of 1770." He is also connected with the following societies, City Point Catho- lic Association ; Mosquito Fleet Yacht Club ; Somerset, Association ; Maj. M. J. ()'Connor Camp, Legion of Spanish War Veterans ; and Division 13, 1. O. H. At the outbreak of the Spanish war he
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
247
EDWARD L. LOGAN.
gave up his studies at the law school and went to the front with the Ninth Massa- chusetts Infantry, U. S. V., as sergeant- major. He has served Ward 14 in the common council and secured the new and costly bath house now being con- structed at foot of K street. He is now serving his first term in the legislature.
CAPT
CAPTAIN HARRY DAWSON. POLICE STATION 12.
W. J. FITZGERALD.
Now a well-established young business man is W. J. Fitzgerald, the real estate and insurance agent, who has success- fully conducted business at his office in the South Boston Business Exchange on Broadway, for the past year. He was born in this district and is a son of Red- mond J. Fitzgerald, now a resident of Dorchester, who has for many years been prominent in business and public affairs, and who has lived most of his life in South Boston. W. J. Fitzgerald obtained his education in the primary and Lawrence schools, and afterwards
Photo, Purdy. W. J. FITZGERALD.
took a course at the Bryant & Stratton business college. Previous to engaging in his present business, he held the posi- tion of superintendent of the Boston Shoe Tool Company, where he was em- ployed for four years. With a wide acquaintance with property owners and determination to succeed, he established himself in business with the result above stated. He has the care of much prop- erty in this district, Dorchester and elsewhere, and although one of the young- est in his line of business, he is by no means the least successful. He is a member of the Mosquito Fleet Yacht Club and Dorchester Gentlemen's Driv- ing Club.
248
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
A. F. WALTZINGER.
Nine years in business in South Boston have made A. F. Waltzinger favorably. known in this district. He is engaged in the manufacture of confectionery and ice cream, and his highly attractive store is located at 387 Broadway, but until re- cently he was in the Bethesda Block, 409 Broadway. His establishment is one of the most attractive in Boston. He not only manufactures a large portion of the confectionery and all the ices and sherbets sold at his store, furnished often- times in large quantities for social gather- ings, but all of his goods, which comprise toothsome delicacies. Mr. Waltzinger is a native of the Quaker City, and hav- ing learned the trade of a confectioner soon after leaving school, has been en- gaged in this line during his whole busi- ness life. Coming to Boston in his early manhood, he entered the employ of Chace & Co., a concern for many years famous for the manufacture of lozenges, and while at this factory, made the first hard stick candy, which has since become so saleable in New England. Since en- tering business in South Boston, Mr. Waltzinger has won a high reputation for making pure and palatable goods,- a name he has justly earned. He is a
J. H. CORNEY.
resident of Dorchester, and is a Knight Templar Mason, possessing a wide ac- quaintance in business and social circles.
SOUTH BOSTON POST OFFICE.
The earliest record of mail being han- dled in South Boston dates back to 1841. Mr. Thomas Spinney, a printer, doing business in Boston and living on C street, near Gold, brought letters from Boston to South Boston, which were de- livered to him by the postmaster of Bos- ton, upon presentation of written order of addressee, and he delivered them on payment of two cents each letter. Later, and previous to 1849, the postmaster of Boston gave permission to Mr. Hunting to take from the office letters for delivery in South Boston.
In 1849 arrangements were entered into between Mr. Patterson and the post- master to take charge of the " Penny Post" delivery of mail in Boston, South Boston and East Boston. Mr. Patterson arranged with Mr. Caleb Gill to act as sub-postmaster for this district. His store at that time was at the corner of Broad- way and B street. During the year 1849 it was removed to the brick block corner of C street and Broadway. The mail was brought there and dispatched twice each week day, the South Boston Omni- bus Company doing the transporting. Some letters were delivered to stores and residences by clerks in the employ of Mr. Gill. This continued until 1855, at which time a Mr. Jordan was appointed. He was in the dry goods business at the corner of B street and Broadway. He held the office but one year, and in 1856 Mr. E. B. Spinney was appointed, and moved the office to the brick store, now 218 Broadway. Mr. Spinney continued in office until March 7, 1863, upon which date Mr. George W. Bail was appointed, who removed the office to E. H. Gill's store, 245 Broadway. June, 1864, the office was again removed, this time to 163 Broadway, and from there to Lyceum Hall, corner of E street and Broadway .- Mr. Bail was in office until 1867. when the office was changed from a sub-post- master to clerk in charge, and he re-
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
249
signed. Mr. Thomas Burns, a clerk in the office, was put in charge, being appointed as superintendent, January 1,
On November 15, 1876, Mr. William F. Clerk was appointed as superintendent. and, during his term, the business out-
1900
R.J
J.H.
3
W.A. Turner
D.J. Driscoll
1
W.E. Wellingshan
. J.D. Bowden
- Henry S. Treadwalls
misee
W.J. Keefe
E. P.M. Grozy.
. A.M. Smith
Welch
POST OFFICE.
JEOLLA
>FHWillSON ARTIST
SO. BOSTON
SOUTH BOSTON POST OFFICE EMPLOYEES.
1869, and serving until the time of his death, November, 1876. While Mr. Burns was in charge, the office was moved to 417 Broadway, near F street.
grew the office space, and it was located at 474 Broadway. Mr. Clerk remained in charge of the office until March 20, 1888. At the time of Mr. Clerk's ap-
250
HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
pointment there were twelve street letter boxes, and the office employed four clerks and eight letter carriers.
Mr. John H. Giblin succeeded Mr. Clerk and served until Sept. 1, 1891, at which time Mr. H. S. Treadwell, the present superintendent, was appointed by Postmaster Thomas N. Hart. Up to the above date all mail was dispatched and received through the Boston post office. During the year 1891 such changes were made as enabled the dis- patch and reception of mail to and from the different railway postoffices, thereby saving many hours in delivery to ad- dressee. There are nineteen mails re- ceived, and nineteen dispatched each week day.
At the present time there are forty-six street letter boxes, and five street pack- age boxes in the district. The growth of business obliged the removal from 274 Broadway, and January 1, 1899, the office was established at 399 and 401 Broadway.
The office force consists at this time of a superintendent, an assistant superin- tendent, eight clerks and twenty-seven regular and two substitute carriers.
THE ROSTER OF EMPLOYEES :
H. S. Treadwell, superintendent ; W. A. Turner, assistant superintendent.
Clerks: John J. Loring, Daniel J. Driscoll, William E. Wellings, Joseph D. Bowden, William J. Keefe, Asa N. Smith, John J. Lavery, Edward P. McGrory.
Carriers: S. II. Appleton, S. W. Bab- cock, M. J. Brennan, Edward Brown, T. J. Curtis, T. F. Dillon, J. P. Duffy, F. X. Hennesey, J. J. Howard, William Hunt, C. J. Kelley, J. A. Kelley, T. J. Lane, C. W. Mehegan, P. J. Murray. R. J. Neale, II. E. Norris, J. J. Norton, J. E. ()'Leary, M. J. Peters, T. W. Ramsey, C. J. Rhoades, A. A. Robinson, D. J. Rull, J. J. Smith, E. Whittemore, T. F. Welch.
Substitute carriers : J. J. Hogan, W. E. Hurley.
Henry S. Treadwell, superintendent of the South Boston postoffice, was born in Ipswich, Mass., September 7, 1843 and is a descendent of one of the oldest fami- lies of that town. Notable among its
members are Professors Daniel and Jabes Treadwell of Harvard College. He was educated in the grammar and high schools, after which he served an appren- ticeship for two years with Mr. Jesse Fewkes of Newton Corner, Mass. At this time (1862), the country being at war, Mr. Treadwell enlisted in Boston, serving in Color Company C, Fifty-third Massachusetts Infantry, under Col. John W. Kimball. He was in active ser- vice on the Mississippi river and took part in all the actions of the Port Hudson
SUPERINTENDENT HENRY S. TREADWELL.
campaign. He was discharged Decem- ber 2, 1863, on account of expiration of term of service. After the war he re- turned to his trade, and after finishing his apprenticeship he established himself in business at the corner of Hudson and Kneeland streets afterwards associating himself with Daniel Shales & Co., now Shales & May. July 3, 1881, he entered the railway mail service, doing service on the railway postoffice between Boston and Albany, N. Y., until March 1, 1888, at which time he resigned to take charge of the estate of Otis D. Dana, the affairs of which he conducted to the satisfaction of the owner. September 1, 1891 he was - appointed superintendent of the local postoffice, by the then postmaster Thomas N. Hart, now mayor of Boston. Mr.
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
Treadwell is an active member of Phillips Congregational church, and of several secret and fraternal societies. He en- joys the distinction and honor of being at the present time supreme governor of the United Order of the Pilgrim Fathers of the New England States, being a mem- ber of Mount Washington Colony. He is also a member and past-commander of Dahlgren Post 2, G. A. R. ; Improved Order Heptasophs; Ancient Order United Workmen ; St. Paul's Lodge, F. & A. M., and the South Boston Citi- z ens' Association, being one of the orig- inal members of the latter named association, and chairman of the committee empow- ered to issue a his- tory of South Bos- ton. He settled in South Boston April 1, 1868, and has since taken an ac- tive part in all pub- lic matters of inter- est to this district. Hle was married October 17, 1871, to Miss Lydia B. Lord, of Ipswich, Mass. Five children being born to them ; Helen Lord, Mabel Jewett, Abbie Brown (deceased), Arthur Ed- ward and Ida Louise.
THE CARNEY HOSPITAL.
The Carney Hospital has won an honorable reputation, and is always open for the reception and treatment of patients regardless of race, color or re- ligion. Some of the most noted city physicians are connected with this charitable institution, which by being accessible in cases of emergency, has prevented much misery and saved many human lives. The hospital is the third
largest in Boston. It is under the charge of the Roman Catholic Sisters of Charity, St. Vincent de Paul and is situated near the top of the hill in Dorchester Heights, in the center of South Boston. In 1863, Andrew Carney of Boston, purchased the land where the hospital now stands, and gave it to the Sisters of Charity. The gift was made to Sister Ann Alexis, su-
THE CARNEY HOSPITAL.
perior of the orphan asylum on Camden street, Boston. The first patient received was on June 9, 1863. The hospital was first supported entirely by the contribu- tions of benevolent persons, but now receives appropriations from the state. It soon outgrew its building, known as the Howe mansion, and in 1865 plans were made for a brick building. The property was then placed in the hands of the Carney Hospital corporation. One wing of the hospital and part of the pres- ent chapel building were begun in 1865, and finished in 1868, at a cost of about one hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Carney contributed much of this money,
£
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HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON.
who with his family have given about seventy-five thousand dollars in all. Sister Gonzaga was appointed Sister Superior November 6, 1889. A training school for nurses was established in 1892. Application for admission to the hospital may be made at any time, but preferably at 9 A. M. or 3 P. M. Acute cases and accidents are received at all times.
PERKINS INSTITUTION.
The Perkins Institution for the Blind, that was located on Mount Washington in the year 1838, still continues its bene- ficent work under the direction of Prof. Michael Anagos, who succeeded the founder of the institution, Dr. Samuel G. Howe, and who has proved himself equal to the emergencies that he has con- fronted. The success of Dr. Howe in educating Laura Bridgman was wonder- ful, but his accomplished son-in-law has achieved the marvelous. Without any detraction of Dr. Howe, it may be said that Professor Anagnos has taught to Helen Keller and Edith Thomas all that Dr. Howe taught Laura Bridgman, and in addition has given them the power of speech. Professor Anagnos has estab- lished a kindergarten for the blind, which serves as a preparatory school for the parent institution, where the common school and higher branches of education are taught. Vocal and instrumental music offer special advantages for blind students, and an excellent brass brand is a feature of the school. A printing office is operated in connection with the school, and books in raised letters are printed for the blind, who read them by the sense of touch. The manufacture of mat- tresses and cane-seated chairs, and the upholstery of furniture are other indus- trial features.
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