USA > Massachusetts > Memorial encyclopedia of the state of Massachusetts > Part 22
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Mr. Day was one of the most conspicuous in the general life of Norwood, and took a very keen interest in local affairs. He was a stockholder in the Norwood National Bank, and held an official position in the Norwood Coop- erative Bank. He was a member of the Republican party, and was often urged by his political colleagues to run for office. This, however, with the ex- ception of several terms in the State Legislature, he consistently refused, but in spite of the fact was recognized as an important factor in the political sit- uation of the place. He was a Universalist in religion, and in early life a very active worker in the affairs of the church of that denomination at Norwood. It is interesting to note that his grandfather, Lewis Rhoades, was a charter member of this church, and Mr. Day himself served it for many years in the office of treasurer. He was very prominent in Free Masonry, in which he had
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taken the thirty-second degree, and was one of the oldest members of Orient Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He was also a member of Hebron Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of which he held the office of treasurer for twenty-five years; of Boston Commandery, Knights Templar, and Boston Con- sistory, and of the various Scottish Rites of that city.
On November 24, 1856, Mr. Day was united in marriage with Anna M. Smith, a daughter of Lyman and Melinda (Guild) Smith, old and highly re- spected residents of Norwood, where Mr. Smith was throughout nearly all his long life engaged in the tannery business, his father, John Smith, having founded what is now the firm of Winslow Brothers & Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Day were the parents of one son, Fred Holland Day. Mr. and Mrs. Day founded in the year 1903 a beautiful Memorial Chapel to be used for mortuary purposes, in honor of their respective parents, Joseph and Hannah ( Rhoades) Day and Lyman and Melinda (Guild) Smith. This chapel is described as follows in the "History of Norwood":
One of the most beautiful edifices in Norwood, and indeed in the State of Massa- chusetts, is the "Chapel of St. Gabriel the Archangel" which was erected by Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Day in memory of their parents, and was consecrated with fitting ceremonies on Memorial Day, 1903, and the keys delivered into the keeping of the Board of Selectmen of Norwood.
It is regarded by architects as the highest type of mortuary chapel in the country. The style is that late form of Gothic dating from the fifteenth century, of Weymouth seam faced granite and Indiana limestone. Simplicity was sought for at every point. The pur- pose of the donors was that the chapel should be used for funeral services by all who might desire, without reference to religious profession and without fee, and it has been used for that purpose many times since its consecration. It was dedicated, as was said at its con- secration, "in the name of St. Gabriel the Archangel-the mighty one of God-the angel especially charged in the Scriptures with the ministration of comfort and sympathy to man."
To the fundamental virtues of honesty and simplicity, Mr. Day added the graces of culture and refinement, so that among all his associates, whether in the way of business or the more personal relations of life, he was both loved and admired, and a complete confidence was felt in him that he would fulfil both spirit and letter of whatever he engaged to do. He was possessed of the most charitable nature, and could not look upon need among his fellows with- out an attempt to alleviate its circumstances. Although his support of char- itable movements of a public and semi-public nature was most generous, his private philanthropy was even larger, and he gave away with a prodigal hand a really large proportion of his income. Probably no one, certainly no one outside of his immediate family, knew the extent of these benefactions, for he gave with that Christian humility which is recommended to us, and his one response to those who cautioned him against such liberality was to express regret that he had not more to give. He died a comparatively active man, con- sidering his age, and won a degree of respect and affection from the commu-
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nity-at-large which would gratify any man, and was especially welcome as the reward of real merit. His death was a loss not only to his immediate family and the large circle of devoted friends which his good qualities had won for him, but to his fellow-citizens generally, few of whom had not benefited in some way by his life and example.
Eng.by E. G.Williams & BrokY
The American Historical Socuty
Ses. E. M questen
George Comard McQuesten
I T is certain that when we can say of a man that he has been markedly successful in the affairs of the world to-day, we have paid him the implied compliment of an unusual degree of strength, character and alertness of intelligence. Such was strikingly true in the life story of the late George Edward McQuesten, who was ranked among the best known figures in the business life of Boston. His death, which occurred on November 7, 1916, at the Alston Hospital, in New York, in which city he was visiting on business, was felt as a real and serious loss throughout his home region. Death claimed him in the very prime of his life, his age being forty- eight years, but his career had already reached a point where it could be prophesied that a brilliant future lay in store for him. He was closely iden- tified with many important interests of his adopted community, his end com- ing so suddenly as to leave many severed strands in the business world which it was difficult to unite and build up again. His continued life in business, characterized by a zealous and diligent attention to all affairs entrusted to him, was a practical demonstration of those beautiful words of Scripture, "What- soever thy hands find to do, do it with all thy heart, with all thy mind and with all thy strength." Mr. McQuesten's strength of character, his integrity of purpose, and his goodness of heart caused him to stand for what was best in life, thereby leaving an impression for good in the community where he lived. There is no doubt that the career of Mr. McQuesten, successful as it had al- ready been, would have known a still more brilliant future had not 'death cut it so abruptly short. One of the chief factors in his success was his remarkable power of making friends, and this power, in turn, depended upon some of the most fundamental virtues for its existence. That he should first attract those who came in casual association with him was undoubtedly due to the attractive exterior, the ready wit and candor ; but the transformation of these into faithful friends was made possible only by the profound trust which all men felt in him, and the perfect sincerity of his nature. Mr. McQuesten's popularity was very widespread, and it was only natural that his passing away was felt as a loss in all parts of the State, while the strongest affection was felt for him in his own home district where he gave most generously of his friendship and service.
The birth of George Edward McQuesten occurred in Nashua, New Hampshire, May I, 1868, the son of George and Theoline Tilden (Campbell) McQuesten, both of whom were natives of New Hampshire. The Scotch and Celtic stock of Britain, from which have come many men of prominence, have furnished a large element of eminently patriotic, active and reliable citizens
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to the southern portion of New Hampshire. One of the sturdy families whose ancestor was in the exodus to America nearly two hundred years ago is that of McQuesten. The emigrant ancestor of this family is believed to have come to Litchfield, New Hampshire, as early as 1735. He is mentioned by the early writers as a man of sterling sense and integrity.
At the age of four years, George Edward McQuesten moved with his par- ents to East Boston, Massachusetts, and there his boyhood days were passed. He attended the public schools of Boston for his education, spending two years at Philips Exeter Academy. After graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he entered the wholesale lumber business, which was founded by his father, and of which concern he later became the treasurer. The firm was known as the George McQuesten Company of Boston. The younger Mr. McQuesten gave his immense energy and unusual talents to the advance- ment of the company, and his success in that line of endeavor was due to his honest transactions and square dealings with his patrons. He was the posses- sor of indefatigable industry in pursuing whatever end he set for himself, and his business success depended quite as much upon his character as upon the knowledge which was later acquired. His activities were always along lines resulting in progress and improvement, and his worth in the world has been widely acknowledged by his fellow-men. Mr. McQuesten's great interest in electrical inventions led him to erect a wind-mill upon his father's estate at Marblehead Neck, which was one of the first aerogenerating plants for supply- ing electricity built for private use in this country. Later this plant received the favorable attention of the Government. Mr. McQuesten was one of the pioneers in automobiling in Massachusetts, and was one of the charter mem- bers of the Massachusetts Automobile Club. He was prominent in the Ma- sonic Order, and a member of the Mystic Shrine, and was also a member of the Country Club of Brookline, Massachusetts, the Eastern Yacht clubs of Boston and New York, and of the Boston Athletic Club.
On April 2, 1896, George Edward McQuesten was united in marriage with Emma Maria Sawyer, a daughter of John Snow and Sarah (Pratt) Sawyer. Tradition claims that three brothers emigrated to America from Lincolnshire, England, sailing in a ship commanded by Captain Parker, and that their names were William, Edmund and Thomas Sawyer. They arrived in 1636, at Lancaster, Massachusetts, and the descendants of Thomas Sawyer, the youngest of the three brothers, multiplied by the thousands. He was one of the nine persons who organized the town and gave it the name of Lancas- ter. He was a blacksmith and tiller of the soil, and one of the most conspic- uous of the citizens. He had command of one of the garrisons at the time of King Philip's War, and this same garrison proved a safe defense against the French and Indians.
Mrs. McQuesten's father, John Snow Sawyer, was a lineal descendant of this illustrious and fearless ancestor, being the son of Manasseh and Dolly (Lincoln) Sawyer. He was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, September 6,
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1831, and obtained his education in the public schools, at Stephen Holman's Academy, and at Lawrence Academy, of Groton, Massachusetts. He stood at the head of his class in the Fitchburg High School, and at the age of eight- een years started his business career by working in the scythe factory at West Fitchburg. He embarked in business for himself as a grocer in Syracuse, and in 1859 bought a patent right for roofing. He engaged in the roofing and con- tracting business throughout New England, with his place of business at Cam- bridge, Massachusetts. He also established a fire insurance agency with an office at Cambridge, in which he built up an extensive business, representing the Germania Fire Insurance Company, the National Fire Insurance Company, of Hartford, and the German Alliance and Middlesex Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Concord, Massachusetts, of which he was a director for many years. In 1890 Mr. Sawyer became interested in the manufacture of cement, under the firm name of W. F. Webster Cement Company of Cambridgeport, the product of this concern finding a market in all parts of the country. The United States Government used large quantities of this cement in the construc- tion of fortifications. Mr. Sawyer was a volunteer in the Civil War, having raised his own company, Company F, Sixth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, and was captain of that company, raising this company in Cambridge, leav- ing in September, 1862. In politics he was a Republican, and was a member of the Common Council of Cambridge in 1866 and 1867. For many years he sang in various choirs in Boston, and was the oldest member of the famous Handel and Haydn Society of Boston. His daughter, Mrs. McQuesten, attended school in Cambridge, and graduated from Radcliffe College there. Since the death of her husband she has continued to reside in Brookline, Massachusetts, of which place Mr. McQuesten was a well known resident. Mr. and Mrs. George Edward McQuesten were the parents of two children, as fol- lows: Barbara, born April 7, 1905; George, born December 21, 1906, now de- ceased. Mr. McQuesten was very fond of his home and spent much of his time there in the intimate intercourse of family life, and there are few men more devoted to the happiness of those with whom they dwell than was Mr. McQuesten.
The funeral services of Mr. McQuesten took place at his home in Brook- line, Massachusetts, where for many years his figure, with alert, business-like mien, was a familiar sight. He was always kind and genial to all, a man of rare nobility of character and usefulness of life. He has left his true monu- ment in the hearts of the many who had the privilege of his friendship.
George Wlashington Adams
I N every community there have been found men who were lead- ers in thought and action and who have marked the passing years with large and worthy achievement. They have left a definite impress in public, professional, industrial, commercial, and other lines of endeavor that touch the general welfare. They have wrought well, and have left a valuable heritage to posterity. High up on the honor roll of Boston must always stand the name of George Washington Adams, who for many years was identified with the electrical interests of the city, and who represented the high- est ideals of citizenship. Commercial integrity meant much to him, but intel- lectual enlightenment and civic righteousness meant much more. His influ- ence for good was felt either directly or indirectly by all his fellow-men, and his life has left a lasting impress upon the city. At the foundation of every great city lies the work of the inventor. It is he who, in placing his produc- tions upon the market, attracts commerce to his city, causes factories and business houses to arise, and gives employment to many. Among the men in days gone by whose lives and exertions have done so much toward the ma- terial and commercial prosperity of Boston, it may well be doubted if any de- serve a more honorable mention in the historical and biographical annals of a city than the man whose name heads this memoir. Any calling in life, be it what it may, is ennobled or debased by the men who follow it. It is such men as Mr. Adams who, through fair dealing, have maintained the lofty standard of commercial honor for which the business men of the New England States have ever been distinguished. The death of Mr. Adams, which occurred in Dorchester, Massachusetts, September 14, 1897, at the age of sixty-two years, was a real loss to the community in which he had lived for so many years, His passing away removed from among his fellow-men a strong and winning personality, a delightful companion and a true friend.
George Washington Adams was born in Norwich, Connecticut, May I, 1835, the son of Abraham P. and Lucy Louise (Pendleton) Adams. His father, Abraham P. Adams, was a native of Vermont, and his mother was born in Connecticut. The immigrant ancestor of this family, Robert Adams, was born in England, in 1602. He came first to Ipswich in 1635 with his wife and children. He was a tailor by trade, and resided in Salem, Massa- chusetts, in 1638. He removed to Newbury in 1640, where he acquired a large farm and valuable property.
George Washington Adams, a descendant of this immigrant ancestor, re- ceived his education in the common schools of Norwich, his native place. When just a boy, Mr. Adams left his home to go to New Orleans, Louisiana, where
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he secured employment in an importing house. He remained there in that capacity for some years, and then entered the United States Navy, in which he served for two and one-half years. Mr. Adams was stationed on the ship "San Jacinto" in Admiral Bailey's fleet. This term of service in the United States Navy was of great value to Mr. Adams, and in after life he was often heard to remark that he would not have given up his experience and life in the Navy, for it taught him discipline and many other good points of bene- fit to him in later life. At the expiration of two and one-half years, Mr. Ad- ams removed to Boston, where he became interested in the electrical business. In due time he was enabled to foresee a great future in that line of endeavor and a great opportunity for himself. Accordingly he became a manufacturer of watchman's clocks and of burglar alarms, continuing in that business the re- mainder of his active life. Mr. Adams formed the Boston Electric Protective Association, in which he always took a keen and abiding interest in after years. It was Mr. Adams who installed the first electric wiring in Boston. It ex- tended from a small building on Park square to the Mechanics building on Huntington avenue. He also placed the electric lights on the Boston Com- mon, at the time of the Boston Centennial. He installed the first electric lights at Cottage City, when John D. Long was governor, and also the first electricity in Norwich, Connecticut, his native town. Everything used in the watchman's clocks and burglar alarms which Mr. Adams manufactured were his own inventions and were patented in his name. The genius of Mr. Adams, which leaned toward invention, was most remarkable, and in this line alone he made a name for himself in the great business world. He was not only an inventor of merit, but one who was capable of upbuilding and main- taining the enterprise which he had himself inaugurated. He therefore pos- sessed not only the genius of the inventor, but the ability to develop, enlarge and sustain. The man who achieves success solely by well directed efforts of his own natural abilities and strength of character is a type which from time immemorial has ever appealed with peculiar force to all. Mr. Adams was just such a man, and was generally honored for his sterling worth, high prin- ciples and unswerving integrity.
Although deeply interested in all political affairs of his State and county, Mr. Adams never aspired to political office. He was a Democrat and staunchly upheld the principles advocated by that party. He was an attendant of the Episcopal church, and a liberal contributor to its charities and support. In social and fraternal circles, Mr. Adams was a conspicuous figure. He was fond of social functions such as informal parties and gatherings, and of at- tending the theaters. Everywhere he went he brought with him good cheer and a happy outlook upon life. He was a thirty-second degree Mason. He was most kindly and companionable, made friends easily, and had the rare faculty of keeping those friendships. Mr. Adams was fond of traveling, and with his wife had visited Europe several times. He had a fondness for animals, espe- cially horses and dogs.
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George Washington Adams was united in marriage with Marrietta W. Keith, a native of Roxbury, Massachusetts, a daughter of Horace H. and Car- oline E. (Gay) Keith. Mrs. Adams' mother was a daughter of Captain Tim- othy Gay. Mr. Adams left to his family that choicest of all legacies, an hon- ored name and a reputation for uprightness, integrity, gentleness and courtesy.
Coolidge Sutton Roberts
T HE city of Boston has been the birthplace of many of our noted men, and among the foremost must be mentioned the name of the late Coolidge Sutton Roberts, in whose death on Febru- ary 17, 1904, in Cambridge, Middlesex county, Massachu- setts, the entire community sustained a real personal loss, not only from the fact that the example of a good and useful life is gone forever from daily sight, but also because Mr. Roberts was a public-spirited citizen, whose life had been so honorable in its purposes and far-reaching and beneficial in its effects. The establishment of a commer- cial house in the city of Buenos Aires, South America, which has come to be known and recognized everywhere as among the leading firms of the world, dis tinguished for wealth and enterprise, is an event which deserves to be com- memorated, not only for its important influence on the trade, but for its exten- sive connection with commerce in both North and South America. Such was the work accomplished by Mr. Roberts, the founder of the house of C. S. Roberts & Company, and a representative of a very ancient family.
Thomas Roberts, the immigrant, came to America as early as the year 1633, and settled in Dover, New Hampshire. He was Colonial Governor for a short time. The first meeting house erected in America was built in 1633, on land occupied two hundred years later by Aaron Roberts. The descendants of this branch of the Roberts family are scattered from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and the present generation has a knowledge of comparatively small limit of the great number of those connected to them by the strong ties of blood. The illustrious ancestor of this family was an upright, moral and reli- gious man, industrial and frugal. His descendants have inherited these traits in a great measure as well as his consistent patriotism.
The birth of Coolidge Sutton Roberts occurred in the city of Boston, Jan- uary II, 1849, the son of David Ballard and Agnes (Hughes) Roberts, both natives of Boston. His father, David Ballard Roberts, was engaged in the lumber business with his uncle, Amos B. Roberts, in Bangor, Maine, and was the possessor of much business acumen, as well as being greatly admired and respected by all who knew him. Mr. and Mrs. David Ballard Roberts were the parents of five children, namely: Lucy, who died when a small child; Cool- idge Sutton, the subject of this memoir; Mary; Catherine, who died young; and Agnes. Mrs. Roberts was a devout member of the Church of the Advent, and a kind and indulgent mother, whose refined influences left an indelible im- press upon her children.
Coolidge Sutton Roberts received his education in the public schools of his native city, and after finishing his schooling, he entered into the hide and leath-
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er exporting and importing business. He became a member of the firm of N.W. Rice & Company, of Boston, and later represented this concern in Bue- nos Aires, Argentine Republic, South America. As a business man, Mr. Rob- erts exhibited quick appreciation and a prompt decision, and was noted for his endurance and activity. While in Buenos Aires, he established in that city the firm of C. S. Roberts & Company, which became a well known and suc- ' cessful concern. The enterprises with which Mr. Roberts was connected were of such a character as to add to the general wealth and welfare of the country and nation, and he was one of those substantial business men who first saw possibilities and then realized them. He was one of the pioneers to enter and develop the South American trade with the United States, and was very suc- cessful in his undertaking. He was not easily discouraged, and won success for himself through sheer persistency. Mr. Roberts had made his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, making frequent voyages between Boston and Buenos Aires. He always took a keen and deep interest in the civic af- fairs of Cambridge, but his business activities prevented him from aspiring for any office. In his relations to the public he proved himself a wise ad- viser for good, and in his relations to his employees a just and impartial employer, appreciating and applauding good work, and comprehending from his own experience and practical limitations the difficulties of certain depart- ments of labor.
During the month of June, 1875, Coolidge Sutton Roberts was united in marriage with Annie Lizette Dudley, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, a daughter of Charles Sheperd and Isabelle ( Roby ) Dudley. Her father, Charles Sheperd Dudley, was born in Hudson, Massachusetts, and was a wholesale West Indies dry goods merchant in Boston. He was a man of irreproachable character and the highest integrity, and a direct descendant of Thomas Dudley, the Pilgrim. The first that is known of Thomas Dudley is that he was born about the year 1576 in the vicinity of Northampton, England. His father was Captain Roger Dudley, a military man who flourished during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The agreement to come over to New England was made at Cambridge, Eng- land, in August, 1629, and thus Thomas Dudley came to this country in the good ship "Arabella," arriving at Salem, Massachusetts, June 12, 1630, and was soon after chosen as deputy. Governor M. Winthrop was the governor of the Massachusetts Colony, and Thomas Dudley subsequently succeeded him as governor. Governor Dudley died at Roxbury, Massachusetts, July 31, 1653. Mrs. Charles Sheperd Dudley, the mother of Mrs. Roberts, was the daughter of James and Emma (Pedrick) Roby, of old Marblehead, Massa- chusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Dudley were the parents of four children, namely, Charles Sheperd, Jr., Isabelle Irving, Helen Elizabeth, and Annie Lizette, all of whom were born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Mrs. Roberts attended school in Philadelphia, Ipswich and Cambridge, and after her marriage to Mr. Roberts they lived a few years in Buenos Aires, Argentine Republic, and upon returning to the States, they made their future and permanent home
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