USA > Massachusetts > Massachusetts of today; a memorial of the state, historical and biographical, issued for the World's Columbian exposition at Chicago > Part 16
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127
BOSTON.
A MERICAN machinery leads the world. The Amer- ican machinist is consequently the first in his class. A man of the times is Benjamin Franklin Radford. He is a machinist of the best school. When, in 1872, the American Tool and Machine Company found it necessary to remove from Woburn and erect in Hyde Park a new and enlarged foundry department, Mr. Radford had been connected with the corporation for eight years. No better illustration of the value of hav- ing such a man at the helm can be given than the fact that the first year in Hyde Park the company employed but twenty- four men, while to- day it gives employ- ment to about two hundred and seventy- five men at Hyde Park, in addition to one hundred and twenty-five at its Boston shop. The weekly pay-roll, in Hyde Park alone, is about three thousand dollars. Handsome buildings have been erected for the vari- ous departments of the company's works. This business, turn- ing out implements of world-wide fame, has been built up with Mr. Radford in charge of its desti- nies, first, as super- intendent of con- struction, and now as president and general manager. Benjamin Franklin, son of Daniel and Dorcas (Barton) Radford, was born in Portland, Me., Oct. 11, 1827. At the age of twelve he was placed with a farmer in East Limington, Me., to serve until he became of age, but in 1842 he was released from this obligation, and began to learn his trade as a machinist in Manchester, N. H., being then fifteen years old. In 1846 he removed to Gloucester, N. J., and, still in his teens, became a con-
BENJAMIN F. RADFORD.
tractor for the manufacture of cotton machinery, employ- ing from twenty to fifty men. From 1850 to 1857, Mr. Radford was employed in and about Boston, part of the time as superintendent for Howard & Davis, manufac- turers of clocks and sewing machines. In 1858 he entered the firm of George H. Fox & Co., of Kingston Street, Boston. In 1864 this firm transferred its busi- ness to the newly organized American Tool and Machine Company, which corporation Mr. Radford has steadily steered into the wa- ters of prosperity. Mr. Radford is a potent factor in the social, political, and indus- trial interests of Hyde Park. Besides being one of the as- sociate incorporators of the Hyde Park Savings Bank when it was organized in 1871, Mr. Radford was one of its vice- presidents from 1871 to 1874, and again from 1888 to the present time. He also served as trustee and member of the Board of Investment from 1880 to 1887. He was an incorpo- rator of the Hyde Park Water Com- pany, of which he is a director ; was pres- ident of the Waverly Club from its incep- tion to 1890 : is a member of Hyde Park Lodge, F. and A. M., and has been one of the vice- presidents of the Hyde Park Historical Society since its formation. He is a man of robust temperament, strong and sturdy. With a frank and pleasant manner, he is popular among his townsmen and business associates, and his force of character has made him a natural leader. In religion Mr. Radford is a Methodist. In politics he is independent. Mr. Radford is happily married, and his marriage has been blessed with children.
128
MASSACHUSETTS OF TO-DAY.
A LANSON WILDER BEARD, collector of the port of Boston, was born in Ludlow, Vt., on Aug. 20, 1825, being the son of James and Chloe Bartlett (Wilder) Beard. In 1835 Mr. Beard's parents removed to Stock- bridge, and there he was bred as a farmer's son. At home and in the public schools he gained his education, and from the age of seventeen to twenty-one he taught in the public and private schools. In the spring of 1847 he made his first business venture, becoming pro- prietor of the " gen- eral store " at Pitts- field, Vt. In April, 1853, he sold his interest in this and removed to Boston, where he entered the wholesale clothing business in Septem- ber, as a salesman for Whiting, Kehoe & Galloupe. In the spring of 1856 he went into business for himself, as a wholesale clothing dealer, and continued in the trade until 1879. He is still connected with the clothing business, having a store in Lowell. Mr. Beard early took an interest in public affairs, a goodly part of his life has been devoted to public service, and he has been signally honored, politically. While resident in Pittsfield, Vt., he held several local offices from 1847 to 1853, and was postmaster of that place from 1848 to 1854. In 1864 he was made a member of the Republi- can State Central Committee of Massachusetts, and suc- cecded himself in 1865, 1866, 1883 and 1884. In 1875, 1876 and 1885 he was chairman of that committee. In 1870 and 1871 he was a member of the House of Repre- sentatives from Brookline, and from Boston in 1884 and 1885. In 1870 he was chairman of the Committee of
ALANSON WILDER BEARD.
Mercantile Affairs ; in 1871, on prisons ; in 1884, on taxation, and in 1885 on finance. In all these four years he was a member of the last-named committee. In 1871 Mr. Beard started an agitation for the exemp- tion of mortgage notes from taxation, and this he kept up persistently until, in 1881, the law of exemption was passed, and much of the credit for this valuable public measure is due to him. Mr. Beard was a delegate to the National Republican Convention at Chicago in 1868, and again in 1888, being in the latter year a member of the Committee on Reso- lutions, and one of the sub-committee to draft the same. In 1878 he was ap- pointed collector of the port of Boston and served as such four years. In 1885 he was elected treas- urer of the Com- monwealth, and re- elected in 1886 and 1887, when he de- clined a re-nomina- tion. In 1890 he was again made col- lector of the port by President Harrison. In the councils of the Republican party Mr. Beard stands very high, and his integrity is frankly acknowledged by his political opponents. He is a most effective speaker on political subjects, and for many years has taken an active part in every political campaign in Massachusetts, his speeches on the stump and at various gatherings of his party being remarkable for their clearness, vigor, and aggressiveness. He is a thorough Republican of the "old school." Mr. Beard was married in 1848 to Mary Calista, daughter of Harvey and Sophia (Roberts) Morgan. James Wallace (deceased), Amherst Wilder (deceased), and Charles Freeland Beard were the children of this union.
129
BOSTON.
IN N most essential respects the Boston Fournal is an ideal newspaper, combining as it does reliability with enterprise and brilliancy. The influence which it wields to-day in New England is largely due to the ability of its general manager, Stephen O'Meara, who has done much to improve its various departments, introduced new machinery and methods, changed the old-fashioned folio to a modern quarto, greatly enlarged its resources, and materially increased its circulation. Mr. O'Meara was born in Charlotte- town, Prince Edward Island, July 26, 1854, and came to Boston with his parents when he was ten years of age. He was edu- cated at the Harvard Grammar School and at the Charlestown High School, from which he graduated with honors. His regular newspaper career began the day after he left school, for he was at once engaged as Charles- town reporter for the Boston Globe, a few months later becom- ing a member of the reportorial staff. He remained on the Globe until Decem- ber, 1874, when he resigned to accept a position as shorthand reporter on the Bos- ton Fournal. His work as political reporter gained for him a substantial reputation, and in May, 1879, he was promoted to the position of city editor. In 1881, after the death of Managing Editor Stockwell, Mr. O'Meara was advanced to the post of news editor, a position which gave him the immediate direction of all reporters and correspond- ents, and the supervision of the work of all persons engaged in the collection and handling of news for the Fournal. He filled this position for ten years, and on
July 1, 1891, became general manager of the paper, when failing health necessitated the resignation of the late Colonel W. W. Clapp. Mr. O'Meara was for two years president of the Charlestown High School Associa- tion, and in 1885 he was the orator of that organization at its annual reunion. He was the first instructor in phonography in the Boston Evening High School, in which capacity he served with marked success for four years. He has been auditor and is now treasurer and a member of the executive committee of the New England Associated Press. His interest in jour- nalism and his popu- larity among news- paper men are evidenced by the fact that within a few months after the organization of the Boston Press Club he was elected its president, in which position he remained for three years. He is at present secre- tary and treasurer of the Boston Daily Newspaper Associa- tion, which is com- posed of the man- agers of the Boston daily papers. Mr. O'Meara is a trustee of the Massachusetts State Library by ap- pointment of Gov-
STEPHEN O'MEARA.
ernor Brackett. He has been a member of the executive committee of the Republican Club of Massachusetts, and served as member-at-large of the Committee on Resolutions at the Republican State Con- vention of 1891. In 1888, the honorary degree of master of arts was conferred upon him by Dartmouth College. Mr. O'Meara was married, in 1878, to Miss Isabella M. Squire, of Charlestown, where he now resides with his family of three children. His brother is Henry O'Meara, the poet and journalist.
1 30
MASSACHUSETTS OF TO-DAY.
THE city of Boston is recognized distinctly as a musical, as well as an art and educational centre, and it is there that the science of manufacturing musi- cal instruments of the highest standard and most subtile mechanical nicety has reached its greatest development. The man whose skill evolves a perfect musical instru- ment deserves proper recognition from the people of his day and generation. Henry F. Miller was one of the early manufacturers of pianofortes in Boston. He was born in Providence, R. I., Sept. 4, 1825, and was the son of Edward F. and Char- lotte Hitchcock Mil- ler. In his youth he received a superior general education, but it was, without doubt, his especial fondness for music that determined his subsequent career. His first business oc- cupation was that of practical watchmaker in his father's estab- lishment in Provi- dence, where his inventive genius and skill as a fine mech- anician won him much local reputa- tion. He married Frances Virginia, (laughter of Captain George Child, of Providence, R. 1., and had seven chil- dren, five sons and two daughters. In 1863 Mr. Miller established a pianoforte manufactory in Boston, after having had, for many years previously, a large experience with some of the piano makers of that city. From the outset he determined to build in- struments of the highest grade only, whose merits would secure recognition from the musical world. The beau- tiful quality of tone produced in the pianos he manu- factured instantly commanded the admiration and patronage of many prominent musicians, and his busi-
ness had a permanent and steady growth. To-day the reputation of these instruments is identified with con- certs of the highest grade everywhere, being especially conspicuous in the orchestral concerts which are receiv- ing such marked attention in the larger cities of the country. In Boston the warerooms are in the handsome building at No. 156 Tremont Street, and there are branch establishments in Philadelphia and Cincinnati. The manufactory is at Wakefield, Mass., a suburb of Boston, where the plant covers over an acre of ground, and contains every facil- ity for the finest work. The business has steadily pros - pered, and for a long time the house has been recognized as one of the leading establishments in its line of business. Mr. Miller, soon after starting his business, was joined from time to time by his five sons, as they came from school and col- lege ; the younger sons are graduates of the Massachusetts Institute of Technol- ogy, where they com- pleted the full course with credit. The sons have all been thor- oughly trained in the making of piano- fortes, and, together with Mr. Joseph H. Gibson, who was associated with Mr. Miller from the start, have present charge of the business. Mr. Miller died in 1884, when the business was reorganized under the corporate name of the Henry F. Miller & Sons Piano Company, whose officers are as follows : president, Henry F. Miller ; treasurer, James C. Miller ; clerk, William T. Miller ; superintendent, Joseph H. Gibson ; assistant superintendent, Edwin C. Miller; directors, H. F. Miller, J. H. Gibson, W. H. Miller, J. C. Miller.
HENRY F. MILLER.
131
BOSTON.
E UGENE TOMPKINS, manager and sole owner of the Boston Theatre, and manager and half owner of the Academy of Music in New York, comes to his position by right of natural ability and by virtue of inheritance. He was born in Boston, Sept. 28, 1850, and was educated at the Chauncy Hall School. Gradu- ating with high honors, he engaged for a short time in mercantile pursuits, which he soon relinquished to enter upon a managerial career under his father, who had been for many years at the head of the Boston Theatre. In 1877 he made his first important ven- ture. While on a visit to Europe he saw "The Exiles," and secured the American rights to the play from Sar- dou. It was brought out at the Boston Theatre under his direction, was a pro- nounced success, and gave him at once repute as a young man of excellent judgment. In 1878 Mr. Tompkins began his active connection with the Boston Theatre, and from that time his mana- gerial record has been distinguished by somne of the great- est successes that the American stage has known. The noted Boston Theatre productions that have been brought out by him have excelled in brilliancy and effectiveness of stage presentation, and in artistic and financial success, anything of the kind produced else- where during this period. The list includes "The Sou- dan," which had the phenomenal run of one hundred and sixty-nine nights in Boston. The magnificence with which he invested " The Black Crook," in 1892, at the New York Academy of Music, is the talk of the pro-
EUGENE TOMPKINS.
fession. Probably no manager of Mr. Tompkins's years carries at the present time such varied and important interests, and manages them so successfully. His busi- ness methods are direct and straightforward, and he enjoys the confidence of all who come in contact with him. He is of an unassuming disposition, and accom- plishes his purposes in the least aggressive manner, although decided and outspoken. His fealty to the public is recognized by his patrons generally, with the result that the Bos- ton Theatre has en- joyed the counte- nance and support of the best people in the community. This feeling was es- pecially shown when, in May, 1882, he was tendered a testimo- nial, in which the mayor of the city, the governor of the commonwealth, ex- mayors, ex-gover- nors, and the most prominent people in Boston united in cordial commenda- tion of his efforts to serve the public. Mr. Tompkins is an agreeable companion among those who know him well, is a member of leading clubs of Boston and New York, and personally is a man of great popularity. He does not make friends rashly, but his friendship is staunch and true, and his intercourse with business or social acquaint- ances is distinguished by frankness, sincerity and cour- tesy. It is abundant evidence of his rare good qualities of character that those who come in contact with him socially or in business are his most enthusiastic admir- ers. He holds his friends, who are by no means con- fined to the dramatic profession, strongly and closely by the firmest bonds of loyalty.
I32
MASSACHUSETTS OF TO-DAY.
M ORE than half a century of an honorable and properous business career, that is still pursued in the place where it began, -that is the record of Theodore Metcalf. His name is almost synonymous with the pharmaceutical trade of Boston, and he has made it stand for reliability and honesty. Mr. Metcalf was born in Dedham, Mass., Jan. 21, 1812. He comes of old colonial stock, his ancestors having come from England and settled in Dedham in 1634, fourteen years after the land- ing of the Pilgrims. In 1826, at the age of fourteen, Mr. Metcalf went to Hartford, Conn., and served his ap- prenticeship as drug- gist's clerk. He re- mained there ten years, and in 1837 came to Boston, where he started in business for himself at No. 39 Tremont Street. Here he has continued ever since. A branch house was established later, on the Back Bay, at the corner of Boylston and Clar- endon streets. The fiftieth anniversary of Mr. Metcalf's business life in Bos- ton was celebrated March 29, 1887, with a complimen- tary dinner tendered to him at the Revere House by about one hundred of [the leading men of Boston, including members of the Druggists' Associa- tion, his Honor Mayor O'Brien, Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, William Warren, the actor, Dr. Thomas 1. Jenks, and others. There were also present many prominent druggists from New York, Philadelphia, and other cities. The Autocrat helped to make the occa- sion memorable by one of his characteristically witty speeches, giving many reminiscences of the days when
THEODORE METCALF.
he was a medical practitioner, and when Mr. Metcalf filled his prescriptions. Governor Ames and other dis- tinguished officials, who were unable to be present, sent letters of regret, testifying to their appreciation of Mr. Metcalf's sterling character, and his long and honorable career. Mr. Metcalf was one of the organizers of the Druggists' Association, and was its first president. He is still an active member of that body and of most of the other pharmaceutical organizations. His interests have not by any means been wholly confined to his private busi- ness, for he is one of Boston's most public-spirited citi- zens. Mr. Metcalf has been a member of the Board of State Charities of Massa- chusetts, and for nine years was one of the trustees of the Boston City Hos- pital, no emoluments or remuneration ac- companying either position. In the latter capacity his wise counsels were of great value to that institution. Political honors have frequently been offered to Mr. Met- calf, but he has always declined them. With the ex- ception of two years and a half which he spent in Europe for rest and recreation, and a brief period when he was en- gaged in the manufacture of chemicals, Mr. Metcalf has been continuously in business at No. 39 Tremont Street since March, 1837. This is a record which is almost if not quite without a parallel in Boston business life. He was married in 1864 to the daughter of Mr. E. D. Sohier, of Boston. Five children, the youngest of whom is a son, have been added to the family.
I33
BOSTON.
S TATESMAN, lawyer, and publicist, the bare facts of the career of Charles Theodore Russell would require more space for their recital than is here possible. He is the son of the Hon. Charles and Persis Hastings Russell, and was born in Princeton, Mass., Nov. 20, 1815. His father was for many years a leading citizen of that town, and his mother, who was a descendant in a direct line of a younger brother of the Earl of Hunting- ton, was remarkable for her attainments and worth. The family is de- scendedfrom Puritan emigrants who came to Boston about the year 1640. Charles Theodore was pre- pared for college partly at the small academy in Prince- ton, and partly under the instruction of the Rev. Mr. Cowles. At a personal sacri- fice on the part of both parents, he and his brother were enabled to go through Harvard University. He took high rank in his class, and upon graduation delivered the Latin salutatory, and the valedictory oration when he re- ceived his master's degree. After leav- ing college, Mr. Rus- sell read law in the office of Henry H. Fuller. He subse- quently entered the Harvard Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 1839. He practised law with Mr. Fuller as partner for two years, and then opened an office for himself ; and in 1845 he and his brother formed the firm of C. T. & T. H. Russell, which still exists. In addition to the original partners, the firm now includes Mr. Russell's two sons, Charles T., Jr., and William E., and his nephew, Arthur H. Up to 1855, Mr. Russell lived in Boston, and then removed to Cambridge, where he now
CHARLES THEODORE RUSSELL.
resides. He is deeply interested in politics, and in economic and historical matters. He was a member of the House of Representatives from Boston in 1844, 1845, and 1850, of the Senate from Suffolk County in 1851 and 1852, and from the county of Middlesex in 1877 and 1878. He was mayor of Cambridge in 1861 and 1862. He has been a professor in the Law School of Boston University from its foundation. He was for many years a leading member of the Board of Visitors of the Theological Institution at An- dover, as well as its secretary. He is a member of the Amer- ican Board of Foreign Missions ; of the American Oriental Society ; of the Bos- ton Young Men's Christian Associa - tion, of which he was second president ; of the Society for Pro- moting Theological Education among the Indians ; of the American College and Educational So- ciety ; president of the Board of Minis- terial Aid, and has been president of the Congregational Club. Mr. Russell has deliv- ered many orations, including the oration upon the Fourth of July in Boston in 1851, and is an ad- vocate of remarkable attainments. On June 1, 1840, Mr. Russell married Sarah Elizabeth, only daughter of Joseph Ballister, a Boston merchant. Ten children are the result of this marriage, six daughters and four sons. Of the sons,
Charles T., Jr., and William E. are members of the law firm, and William E. Russell, the youngest son, is the present governor of Massachusetts. Mr. Russell pre- sided over the Democratic State Convention in 1892 which nominated his son for governor.
134
MASSACHUSETTS OF TO-DAY.
L EOPOLD MORSE was born in Wachenheim, Rhe- nish Palatinate, Bavaria, in August, 1831. At the age of seventeen he came alone to America in a sailing vessel to join an elder brother who was in business in New Hampshire. Coming to Boston in 1849, he found employment in a store on Milk Street as errand boy, at $2.50 a week. Soon after, he went to work for Henry Herman, a clothing dealer, who encouraged young Leo- pold and his brother to open a clothing store in New Bedford. The Morse brothers returned to Boston after a time, however, and bought out Mr. Herman's business. Prosperity followed, and Mr. Morse sent to Ger- many for his mother, three sisters, and four brothers. After the death of the older brother, the responsibility of sup- porting his mother and sisters and edu- cating his youngest brother fell upon Leopold. Morse - a task that was accom- plished most nobly and well. Mr. Morse successively trans - ferred his business from North to Milk Street, and thence to Dock Square, and finally, purchasing the Brattle Square Church property, he built upon the site the substantial block at the corner of Washington and Brattle streets, where the business is now located. Mr. Morse's political career is without a parallel in New England public affairs. Without having served the usual political apprenticeship in the city government and State Legislature, he was nominated for Congress by the Democrats of the old fourth district in 1872. In that year and in 1874, when he was again the candidate, he was defeated, as the district was overwhelmingly 1
LEOPOLD MORSE
Republican. In 1876, however, he was elected by twelve hundred majority. After a successful term in Congress, during which he attracted attention by his independent course in legislation, he was re-elected by a largely increased majority in 1878. Three more re-elections followed. During the whole of Mr. Morse's congressional career of ten years, he was most useful to his constituents, and was especially the friend of all sorts of people in their dealings with the government. His great influence with cabinet minis- ters and lesser func- tionaries was due to his kindly, frank, and straightforward man- ner, and to the nat- ural desire of State officials to gain the vote and influence of an independent con- gressman for their special measures. He was one of the strongest advocates of a national bank- ruptcy law, and was identified with the cause of civil service reform in Congress. He was also a lead- ing supporter of tariff reform. In 1888 he might have had the Democratic nomina- tion for governor of Massachusetts if he had but said the word. Mr. Morse was twice a delegate to National Demo- cratic conventions. In business he was one of the con- spicuous successes of New England, and his great wealth was generously used. He was prominent in many chari- ties, having founded and endowed the Boston Home for Aged and Infirm Hebrews and Orphanage. Mr. Morse was president of the Suffolk Club, and was at one time president of the Boston Post Publishing Company. He died suddenly in December, 1892, having been taken ill at a business men's banquet.
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