USA > Massachusetts > Massachusetts of today; a memorial of the state, historical and biographical, issued for the World's Columbian exposition at Chicago > Part 55
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THOMAS C. PAGE.
opportunity to start a repair shop. He commenced business with one engine lathe and with just room enough to set the lathe and a vise and bench. From this modest beginning what is now one of the largest machine works in New England has grown, although Mr. Page has long since severed his connection with the concern. In 1865 he became interested in the knitting machine invented by I. W. Lamb, and recognizing its merit, purchased an interest in the patents. He then be- gan the manufacture of these machines at Rochester, N. Y. In 1867 he purchased the real estate and machinery of the Massachusetts Arms Company at Chico- pee, organized the Lamb Knitting Ma- chine Manufacturing Company, and be- gan the manufac- ture of the machines on a large scale. Since that time Mr. Page has been man- aging agent of the company and for the most of the time treasurer. He has been a life-long Re- publican in politics. but has always re- fused to accept any political office. In private life Mr. Page has been a model and public-spirited citi- zen. He is a prom- inent Mason, having taken all the degrees up to and including the thirty- second. Since the organization of the Chicopee Falls Savings Bank he has been a vice-president of that insti- tution. Mr. Page's success in life has not been due to any fortunate external circumstances of birth and train- ing, but to his own inherent ability and energy. His career is one of many in the industrial world of New England, showing what splendid opportunities she offers to brains.
436
MASSACHUSETTS OF TO-DAY.
E 'DWARD BELLAMY is one of the few men in the country who awoke one morning to find himself famous. Mr. Bellamy was a journalist, and had written several very noteworthy magazine articles, and two or three novels, before he produced "Looking Backward," but until this book appeared, in January, 1888, very few people had more than a vague recollection of the name when they saw his signature to a magazine article or his name on the cover of a novel. With the last-named work Mr. Bellamy sprang into promi- nence, and his work to-day is evidence that this prominence will not diminish. The sales of " Look- ing Backward" reached four hun- dred thousand in America, almost a s many in Great Bri- tain and probably quite as many in Germany. Transla- tions soon appeared in Danish, Swedish, German, Dutch, French, Italian, Rus- sian, Polish, Hunga- rian and other languages. Mr. Bellamy has lived at Chicopee Falls al- most continuously since his birth, in 1850. He is a de- scendant of Rev. Dr. Joseph Bellamy, a famous theologian of the time of the American Revolution. On the other side of the house his grandfather was the Rev. Benjamin Putnam, a promi- nent man in the Baptist denomination. His father, the late Rev. R. K. Bellamy, was pastor for thirty-five years of the Baptist church at Chicopee Falls. Edward Bel- lamy's early education was obtained at home, followed by a partial course at Union College, a year of European travel, and a course of law. He was admitted to the bar of Hampden County, of which he is still a member,
though he has never practised. The appetite for literary work spoiled a good lawyer in Mr. Bellamy, and he abandoned the profession for which he had fitted him- self, in favor of journalism. In 1871 he joined the staff of the New York Evening Post, then under Charl- ton Lewis. In 1872 he left the Post to accept a desk on the Springfield Union as literary editor and editorial writer. Mr. Bellamy remained with the Union four years, when he made an extented trip to the Sandwich Islands, for the pur- pose of recuperating his somewhat im- paired health. Mr. Bellamy's first work of fiction was "A Nantucket Id yl," and it brought the author into more prominence than has any of his subsequent works, excepting "Looking Back- ward." His second effort was "Dr. Heidenhoff's Pro- cess," which ap- peared as a serial in the Springfield Union. This was followed by " Miss Ludington's Sister." Mr. Bellamy has also written much other matter, continuing his series of short stories in the maga- zines. Since the publication of " Looking Back- ward " he has wholly devoted his time to speaking and writing in advocacy of the plan of social organization set forth in that book, and known as Nationalism. In 1891 he founded a weekly newspaper in Boston, called the The New Na- tion, for the more effective promulgation of these ideas. Mr. Bellamy was concerned in the organization of the People's party in Massachusetts. In the national cam- paign of 1892 Mr. Bellamy was a presidential elector-at- large on the People's party ticket of Massachusetts.
EDWARD BELLAMY.
437
CHICOPEE.
W ILLIAM M. E. MELLEN, M. D., the leading physician of Chicopee, and one of the dele- gates to the Tenth International Medical Congress at Berlin, Germany, is one of the eminent men of Massa- chusetts whose success in life is due almost entirely to their own energy and ability. He was born in Worces- ter, Mass., April 6, 1848, the son of James and Margaret T. Mellen. His father died before the subject. of this sketch was able to take care of himself, and his mother, a most refined wo- man, was left with three children and in rather poor cir- cumstances. Dr. Mellen, in his boy- hood, attended the public schools of Worcester, and being desirous of obtaining a more substantial and practical educa- tion, worked for some time as an iron moulder in the foun- dries of his native town. In this man- ner he obtained funds to enable him to begin the study of medicine at the Uni- versity of Michigan. While at the univer- sity he showed marked ability as a student, accomplish- ing with ease and speed what required hours of hard work for his classmates. He obtained some assistance in his work by studying with Dr. Riley, of Adams, and completed his medical course in 1876, at which time he was graduated from the university. After his graduation he first practised medicine in North- ampton, Mass., and after remaining there one year, moved to Chicopee, where he has since practised his profession. In the medical profession he stands high, as is seen in his success in dealing with critical cases. He has performed a number of difficult surgical opera-
WILLIAM M. E. MELLEN.
tions, and is often summoned as consulting physician. It was in 1890 that Dr. Mellen was chosen a delegate to the Tenth International Medical Congress in Berlin. In company with Dr. Fox, an eminent physician, he visited the leading hospitals of London and studied some of their methods of operating. He also visited hospitals in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bavaria, Vienna, and in cities in France. As a citizen of Chicopee he has been called to some of its highest offices. He was a member of the School Board for three years, was for one year chairman of the Board of Health, and has been city physician. His work in each of these positions only served to prove his capability to fill more important positions, and in 1891 he was elected to the Board of Aldermen, and in 1892 became chair- man of the board. As a municipal offi- cer he has acted as chairman of nearly all the important committees, among them the committees on Highways and Bridges, Fire Depart- ment, Police, Ordi- nance, Street Light- ing, and Sewers. His executive ability and his knowledge of municipal affairs are acknowledged by all. In politics Dr. Mellen is a Demo- crat. He was sent as delegate to the National Demo- cratic Convention held in Chicago in 1892, and has also been delegate at large to nearly all of the State conven- tions of his party since he entered public life, and has taken a prominent part in them. In 1883 Dr. Mellen married Kate M. Burke, the only daughter of Patrick Burke, a prominent citizen of Chicopee. They have one daughter.
438
MASSACHUSETTS OF TO-DAY.
E UGENE J. O'NEIL is one of the most popular young men in Chicopee, being the only man whom the city has ever honored by sending him as rep- resentative to the Massachusetts General Court for three consecutive terms. Mr. O'Neil was born at Chicopee Falls, Feb. 29, 1856, and has been signally honored for a young man who is not yet in his prime. He was educated in the public schools at Chicopee Falls. He entered the employ of the Chicopee Manufacturing Company at an age when most boys are still at school. He began as bobbin boy, and gradually worked up from the lowest position in the mill to second hand in the weaving depart- ment. In 1883 Mr. O'Neil was made a flattering offer by the Canada Cotton Man- ufacturing Company of Cornwall, Ontario, to go there as over- overseer. Mr. (' Neil was only twenty-six years of age at this time, and he accepted the offer. He remained in Canada only about a year, however. At the expiration of that time he decided that the prospects in the United States were much better than in Canada, so he re- turned to Chicopee Falls, and began looking about for an opportunity to go into business for himself. It was not long before he hit upon the idea of beginning the manufacture of tape and narrow fabric, and he immediately proceeded to carry out the project. He secured a small factory at South Hadley and began operations. The venture was a suc- cess from the very start. It was not long before he required more room, and then he removed his business to Chicopee Falls, where he has since conducted it.
EUGENE J. O'NEIL.
Mr. O'Neil is an ideal type of man for a candidate. He has an uncommonly shrewd political judgment, is en- dowed with no little ability, and has mastered the secret of the art of being popular with the people of all parties. He was elected representative upon nomination of the Democrats in 1890, and he made an excellent record in the Legislature. He was renominated in 1891 and re- elected. An attempt was made to defeat him for a third term, in accordance with the usual custom, and it re- sulted in one of the most interesting cau- cuses ever held in Chicopee, Mr. O'Neil receiving an overwhelming major- ity. Mr. O'Neil's political popularity was gained by his fa- mous fight for the Willimansett Bridge, and his success was considered a great victory for the peo- ple. He has always paid personal atten- tion to the interests of the people whom he represented in the Legislature. Mr. ('Neil is the son of William and Joanna (Curran) O'Neil. On Dec. 27, 1881, he married Mary A. Hederman, daughter of Edmond and Jo- anna ( Lynch) He- (lerman. Mr. O'Neil is prominent in church and social circles. For ten years he has been organist of St. Pat- rick's Church, of which he is also a member. He is also a teacher of music. He has been connected with the Father Mathew Temperance Society for twenty two years, and was its president for many years. Not many young men in the State have been such useful citizens and rendered such valuable services to the com- munity. Mr. O'Neil's success in business affairs has been founded on his own talents and industry.
439
CHICOPEE.
D ANIEL DUNN is one of the most prominent and respected citizens of Chicopee Falls, -a man who has often been called upon to serve the public, and who has always generously responded to the call. He is a type of that class of public-spirited citizens who believe that the welfare of their country should take the precedence over personal and business affairs. Mr. Dunn has been eminently successful, both in his private and his public life. He was born, June 3, 1835, in the parish of Aughavoe, Queen's County, Ire- land, the son of Dan- iel and Margaret (Bergan) Dunn. He came to this country with his parents in 185 1, his school-days having been confined to the earlier years in his native coun- try. The family went to Paterson, N. J., on their arrival in this country. There, with his father and brothers, he began work in Morrow's woollen mill. In 1859 Mr. Dunn ac- cepted a position at Malden, Mass., as overseer in the fin- ishing department of Cochran & McAllis- ter's print work. He went to Chicopee Falls in 1862, where, for twenty-eight years he was overseer of the Chicopee Manu- facturing Company's finishing department. For a num- ber of years he conducted a hardware and grocery business in Chicopee Falls. He is now retired from active business. Mr. Dunn has always been a shrewd business man. He has, at various times, been interested in a large number of enterprises, and is closely identified with the material growth of the city. Since his retire- ment from business he has remained a stockholder in the Chicopee Manufacturing Company and in other
DANIEL DUNN.
concerns. He is a large real estate owner in Chicopee and in Springfield, his combined property being valued at about $100,000. Mr. Dunn has lived in Chicopee Falls for thirty years. In politics he has always been a Democrat. Before the city was incorporated he served the town as selectman, and has been a trustee of the Chicopee Falls Savings Bank since its organization. He has also been a member of the Father Mathew Temperance Society for the past twenty-four years, and has been president of St. Patrick's con- ference of the St. Vincent de Paul So- ciety since its organ- ization, fifteen years ago. Mr. Dunn is also treasurer of Par- ticular Council of St. Vincent de Paul So- ciety of Springfield, and for twenty years has taken an active interest in the Sun- day-school of St. Patrick's Church at Chicopee Falls. Mr. Dunn married Miss Catherine E. Ma- honey, of Boston, Feb. 12, 1868. They have had five chil- dren, the two oldest of whom - Daniel and Mary - are dead. Of the living, Margaret, aged twenty one, a gradu- ate of Notre Dame College of Roxbury, Mass., is at home ; William, aged twenty, educated at Holy Cross College, Worcester, Mass., is in company with W. F. O'Neill in the clothing business, and Callistus, aged sixteen, is still attending school. Mr. Dunn, while not neglecting his duties to his adopted country, has always taken a lively interest in the welfare of his native country, and has been one of the active supporters of the Irish National cause. In church work at Chicopee Falls Mr. Dunn has been very prominent.
ORTHAMPTON
N
JORTHAMPTON, or as it is familiarly known throughout the Connecticut valley, the "Meadow City," was founded in 1653, when settlers at Springfield, Hartford and Windsor petitioned the General Court for permission to plant a settlement at Nonotuck, the Indian name by which the site of the present city was then known. John Pynchon, the son of the founder of Springfield and Roxbury, and his son-in-law, Elizur Holyoke, with Samuel Chapin, fostered the scheme ; the petition was granted, and they were appointed commissioners to lay out the new settlement. The land was purchased, but only eight of the twenty-four petitioners settled there. The Indian grantors remained friendly until King Philip's War, when they joined the hostile savages, but the town suffered only one attack. The savages, however, kept the settlers uneasy almost until the breaking out of the Revolutionary War, in which the town sustained its part, as it did in the later struggles of the country.
Excepting these events, the experience of the town, during the latter part of the eighteenth century and beginning of the present one, was much the same as other New England settlements, the town continuing to grow until, in 1824, it was the largest in the State. Now it is a city of about fifteen thousand population, and is accorded the twenty-fifth place among the cities of the "Bay State," but still ranks with the leaders in the beauty of its surroundings and intellectuality of its atmosphere.
The city is beautifully situated on the Connecticut, seventeen miles above Springfield, under the very brows of Mount Tom and Mount Holyoke. Edward Everett once described the view from the city as finer than that on the Rhine or from the summit of Mount Blanc. But more to Northampton's glory is the fame of her institu- tions and her sons. Foremost among the former is Smith College, for girls, which was founded under the provi- sions of the will of Miss Sophia Smith, of Hadley, who left $400,000 for the purpose, in 1870. The first building was completed in 1874, and since then many fine structures have been erected, until now the college campus is dotted with handsome buildings, and six hundred girls are educated there. Along the same line is the Mary A. Burnham Classical School for girls, the Round Hill School for girls, over which Bancroft, the historian, presided for years, and a model high school. Another important educational institution is the Clarke Institute for Deaf Mutes, endowed by John Clarke in 1867, and to which he gave $275,000.
The State is also vitally interested in the city, for the State Lunatic Hospital, a magnificent building situated in an iron-fenced park of four hundred acres, is located there. The Dickinson Hospital is a monument to the memory of Caleb Cooley Dickinson. Another institution is the Shady Lawn Sanitarium, which is designed for wealthy invalids. A memorial hall and public library are also features of the city. A fitting conclusion to this list is a mention of the Smith charities, which have proved a godsend to many people. The charities were founded by Oliver Smith who, in 1845, bequeathed to the care of eight trustees the sum of $200,000, which was to be left until it had doubled. Of this amount $30,000 was set aside until 1905, when it is to found the Smith Agricultural College ; $360,000 was reserved, the income from which is to be paid to apprentices, young women and indigent widows, while the remainder forms a contingent account to defray expenses. The will went into effect in 1848, and since then more than $1,200,000 has been paid ont as provided.
Northampton is the birthplace of many men prominent in the affairs of the State and nation. Among the former were Caleb Strong, an early governor of the State ; Isaac Bates, congressman ; Elijah H. Mills, congressman and senator ; Rev. Dr. Timothy Dwight ; Benjamin Tappan, jurist ; Phineas Allen, editor ; George H. Clark, poet ; Henry Lyman, author ; Josiah Dwight Whitney, geologist ; William Dwight Whitney, philologist ; Austin Flint, anthor and physician ; while William Cullen Bryant, Historian George Bancroft and Jenny Lind were prominent figures on her streets in the early part of the century, and William Lloyd Garrison often expounded his abolition theories to the citizens of the place. George W. Cable now lives there. The chief historical events of the century were the Mill River flood in 1874, when one hundred and thirty-six lives were lost, and the great Northampton National Bank robbery in 1876.
441
NORTHAMPTON.
JOHN B. O'DONNELL, mayor of Northampton, was born in the county of Kerry, Ireland, Sept. 8, IS46, and is the son of the late James and Bridget (Herlihy) O'Donnell. Mayor O'Donnell was married to Bridget T. Coughlin in 1869, but his wife died in 1887, leaving him with five children, all boys, who are now living. Two of them, James C. and George P. O'Don- nell, graduated from Holy Cross College in the class of 1892, and are now (1892) taking a course of medicine in the College of Phy- sicians and Surgeons in New York City. Mayor O'Donnell emigrated to this country with his par- ents in 1851 and set- tled in Northampton, where he has resided ever since. It was in this city that young O'Donnell attended school for the first time, but early had to give up to go to work in the mills. At the age of twelve he worked in a cot- ton mill, putting in more than thirteen hours every day for the very small sum of twenty-five cents. He was steadily ad- vanced in position and wages until, in 1863, he left the mill to work at gun mak- ing. In 1864 he en- tered the employ of the Florence Sewing Machine Company, where he remained until 1872, when he opened a store in Florence. This line of work was followed until 1874 when, to realize his ambition, he began the study of law with his brother, Ex-City Soli- citor T. B. O'Donnell, of Holyoke. In anticipation of this course, Mayor O'Donnell had been preparing him- self by attendance at the evening schools from the time he entered the cotton factory, and later by private les- sons. He graduated from the Boston University Law
JOHN B. O'DONNELL.
School in 1877, and then took a postgraduate course, being admitted to the Hampshire County bar the follow- ing year. He immediately opened an office in North- ampton, and has been in constant practice in that city. Mayor O'Donnell has taken a deep interest in all public and political affairs, and has been prominent in both fields. He was a member of the committee appointed to build town sewers and of the City Charter Committee. In 1884 he was a member of the first Common Council of the city of North- ampton, but declined re-election. He was elected an assessor for three years in 1887, but resigned to take a European trip in 1889. He was the Democratic nominee for mayor in 1890, but was de- feated by a small ma- jority. The follow- ing year he was again nominated and was elected. His admin- istration of munici- pal affairs was a most able one. He is rather independent in politics, although for a long time sec- retary and treasurer of the Democratic City Committee, but he bolted the nomi- nation of Grover Cleveland in 1884. He did not take much interest in politics after that until 1890, after the passage of the Mckinley Bill. He was nominated as Democratic presidential elector in 1892. Mayor O'Donnell is a strict and aggressive temperance man, and was instrumental in organizing the Father Mathew Society of Northampton, which is a valuable organization in that city. Mayor O'Donnell has accomplished much in various ways for the welfare of Northampton, and is known throughout the State as one of her most useful citizens.
442
MASSACHUSETTS OF TO-DAY.
C HARLES NATHANIEL CLARK, than whom Northampton has no citizen with a brighter past or more promising future, was born in that city, April 4, 1853, and has since resided there. He is literally a child of Northampton, for his parents, Charles and Mary (Strong) Clark, were both descendants of the earliest settlers of that city. The public schools of his native town provided the intellectual food for the boyhood period of Mr. Clark's life, and the high school, from which he graduated in 1869, furnished the finishing touches of his local scholastic career. Upon grad- uating from the high school he entered Amherst College and graduated with the class of 1873. Mr. Clark had already decided upon a legal career, but after grad- uating took up teach- ing for a year, which time he spent in the Hitchcock free high school in Brimfield. In 1875 he began to read law in the office of Delano & Ham- mond in Northamp- ton, one of the largest law firms in the West- ern part of the State. He was admitted to the bar in 1877, and at once began the practice of his pro- fession in his native city, being admitted to practice in the United States courts three years later. Mr. Clark has had considerable political experience at the hands of the Republican party, of which he is, and always has been, a stanch supporter. He has also been a worker, and has done much for the success of that party. Not a little of this was accomplished during his eight years' membership of the Town and City Com- mittee, and his two years on the State Central Commit- tee. He represented the First Hampshire District in
the Massachusetts House of Representatives during the years 1883, 1884 and 1885, and was elected to a seat in the upper branch of the Legislature in 1887 and 1888 from the Berkshire-Hampshire senatorial district. While a member of the General Court he was honored by appoint- ments on various committees, among which were the Judiciary, the Hoosac Tunnel and Troy and Greenfield Railroad, Claims, Mercantile Affairs, Public Service and Bills in the Third Reading. He has also been honored at home, and has served as a member of the School Com- mittee for a number of years. In every public capacity Mr. Clark has shown the qualities of a valuable legislator. Mr. Clark has also been prominent in the mercantile and in- dustrial life of the city, and has a good standing in both fields. He is presi- dent of the Hamp- shire Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and is likewise treasurer of the Northampton Paper Company, and a director of the Northampton Cut- lery Company. Be- sides these positions, he holds a director- ship in the North- ampton National Bank, and has been treasurer of Smith College, since June, 1888, and is a trustee of the Northampton Institution for Savings. He is also interested in the First Congregational Church, following the faith of his ancestors, and was for several years chairman of the Board of Assessors of that parish. 'This, briefly, is the life history of one who seems assured of a broader recognition at the hands of his fellow- citizens in the future and who has already acquitted himself most creditably.
.
CHARLES N. CLARK.
443
NORTHAMPTON.
G ENERAL JOHN LORD OTIS, one of the promi- nent citizens of Hampshire County and of the State, is a Connecticut boy by birth, and spent the earlier years of his life in that State. He was born in Lyme, New London County, July 15, 1827, his parents being Hayden E. and Mary (Lord) Otis. The earlier years of his life were spent in a cotton factory, which he entered before he was eight years old, working nearly fourteen hours per day. His education, including his knowledge of me - chanical engineering, for whichhe had great aptitude, was largely acquired by study out of employ- ment hours. In 1851 ยท he became superin- tendent of the Pa- cific Manufacturing Company at Man- chester, Conn., re- maining with that corporation for five years. He left to establish the Otis Manufacturing Com- pany at South Man- chester. While in charge of this con- cern General Otis put in operation for Che- ney Brothers, of that place, the first ma- chinery for the manu- facture of silk and wool knit goods ever operated in this coun- try. The breaking out of the war drew General Otis away from his chosen business for a time, for after the first battle of Bull Run he enlisted as a private soldier in the Tenth Regiment of the Connecticut Volunteer In- fantry, and started for the front. By heroic service he won many promotions, passing through the different grades, until in February, 1863, he was advanced to a colonelcy. When he was mustered out of the army, after three years and four months of service, he carried home the title of brevet brigadier-general. General
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