USA > Massachusetts > Memorial encyclopedia of the state of Massachusetts > Part 23
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Coolidge Sutton Roberts
in Cambridge. Mr. and Mrs. Coolidge Sutton Roberts were the parents of two children, as follows: I. Elita Caswell, who was born in Buenos Aires, Argentine Republic, and received her education at Auburndale, and Dana Hall, with private instruction at Wellesley College and at Miss Hersey's pri- vate school in Boston; she graduated from Radcliff College, with the class of 1902, and became the wife of George Phillip Dike, of Boston, a patent law- yer, and a graduate of Williams College and of Harvard Law School, with a special course at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Mr. and Mrs. Dike reside in Brookline, Massachusetts. 2. Cecile Marguer- ite, born in Buenos Aires, Argentine Republic, and attended school at Au- burndale, and Dana Hall, with private instructions at Wellesley College and at Miss Ingall's private school of Cambridge, Massachusetts; she graduated from Radcliff College, with the class of 1902, and became the wife of Ellery Corey Stowell, of New York City; Mr. Stowell is the Associate Professor of International Law at Columbia University, and he and his wife are the parents of two children, Anne Dudley Stowell and Isabelle Roby Stowell.
Mrs. Roberts attends the Sheppard Memorial Church, and spends the summer months at Seal Harbor, Maine. She resides in the beautiful Roberts estate on Brattle street, Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the same home where her husband dispensed his hospitalities gracefully and cordially to his many friends. It is highly probable that no one man had a larger number of warm personal friends than had Mr. Roberts, and he was one of the most delight- ful of men, kind-hearted and genial, and it is no wonder that he made friends so easily among all classes, and his strong individuality exercised a magnetic charm and influence upon all who were brought into contact with his force- ful personality. His rare mental ability and strong intellectual tastes con- stituted one of the salient features of his character. He was considered most companionable by his intimate friends, and took especial interest and pleas- ure in the various clubs and fraternal organizations of which he was a mem- ber, among which should be mentioned the Colonial Club, the Oakley Club, and the Massachusetts Reform Club. In his religious belief, Mr. Roberts was a member of the Sheppard Memorial Church, to which he was most de- voted.
The home life of Mr. Roberts was a singularly happy one, and it was at his own fireside that he was seen at his best, and seemed never more con- tented than when surrounded by those he loved so well. Mr. Roberts was one of that group of successful business men whose careers have been closely identified with the greatest and most recent period in the development of the country, one of those broad-minded, public-spirited citizens whose efforts seemed to be directed quite as much to the advancement of the community's interests as to their own. He was truly a gentleman in the highest and loft- iest meaning of that term, and his life has shown what honesty and integ- rity combined with brains and earnest and sincere work can accomplish.
Talilliam Benjamin Mason
S OME men are seen at their best as founders or organizers, while the genius of others bends toward invention, or to the up- building and maintenance of enterprises which have been in- augurated by those of more initiative ability. Occasionally, however, we meet one who combines the talents of an or- ganizer and the genius of the inventor with the ability to de- velop, enlarge and sustain. Such a man was William Benja- min Mason, whose death, which occurred at his late home in Dorchester, Massachusetts, February 4, 1911, removed from that locality one of its repre- sentative citizens, a man who, by his upright life, had won the confidence of all with whom he came in contact, whether in business or social life. The name of Mason has been an honored one from the beginning of American history, and has sustained many noble movements, besides rendering valuable service in every capacity of life. The subject of this memoir was no excep- tion to his predecessors or contemporaries in high standards of moral living and business enterprise and probity. He was long known in the New Eng- land States as a capable business man, a good citizen, a faithful husband, and a kind and indulgent father. Mr. Mason was the possessor of the sterling virtues so typical of the best New England character, of sincerity, courage and industry, and these, coupled with his very marked personality, made him a very decided force in the community in which he resided. Indeed, there were but few men of his generation who exercised a better or more whole- some influence in the life of the city of Boston, or whose memory will be longer cherished in the minds of their associates, than that of Mr. Mason, for he gave to the world, through his genius of invention, numerous valve and engine appliances, which have added greatly to the comfort of the public.
William Benjamin Mason was born in Durham, Maine, December 22, 1852, the son of Benjamin and Christiana (Plummer) Mason. His father was a native of Wales, his mother was born in Brunswick, Maine. Mr. Ma- son was the only child, and as his father died when the son was quite young, his educational advantages were hampered. He attended the common schools of his native town of Durham for a short time, and worked on various farms which were owned by his own relations. When fifteen years of age he started to work in the Worombo Woolen Mills, remaining there for a short time. He was not wholly satisfied with that kind of work, and in the hopes of better- ing himself, went to Saccarappa, Maine, where he found a position. He was there two months only, and in a short time removed to Gorham, Maine, where he learned the trade of a machinist. From there Mr. Mason went to Bos- ton, where he became employed in the Hinkley Locomotive Works, and there
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William Benjamin Wason
he worked on stationary and marine engines, and as an engineer on harbor tugs. After a few years, when an expert engineer was in demand at the Boston Navy Yard, Mr. Mason was highly recommended, and he was as- signed to the United States steamer "Omaha," the position being given to him at a salary of fourteen hundred dollars a year. From this can be gleaned the progress that this young man made, in such a few years, for when he left Saccarappa, at the age of nineteen years, he had no prospects whatever, and in less than two years he was receiving the above mentioned salary. Mr. Ma- son traveled the waters for about two years, during which time he visited Selkirk Islands, and between Callao and Panama saw the tablet erected to Robinson Crusoe.
Returning to Boston, Mr. Mason entered the employ of Cressey & Noyes, as an engineer, remaining there for eight years. While there he made his first invention, a governor regulator, later known as the Mason Regulator, now in use all over the world. From that time on Mr. Mason became greatly and intensely interested in inventions, and upon being interviewed once he was asked what was his first invention. He laughingly said that it was a pump, invented when he was just a boy employed by his Uncle Plummer, which saved the work of using the old-fashioned oaken pump. Also when a boy he built a locomotive, displaying at an early age great and remarkable ability along the line of invention. Soon after inventing the Mason Regu- lator, Mr. Mason perfected the Reducing Valve, which is now in usage on three-fourths of the locomotives in the country, a device which permits the heating of cars. In 1883 he formed the company known as the Mason Reg- ulator Company, of which he was the head at the time of his death, and which manufactured his own devices. At Mr. Mason's factory was built the first automobile steam engine, used by the Stanley Motor Carriage Com- pany, and subsequently between five thousand and six thousand automobile engines were turned out. Mr. Mason remained active in the conduct of his business until a few weeks before his death, which occurred in his fifty-ninth year.
Strength, culture and intellect were written upon Mr. Mason's face. He was a man of unyielding determination and immense capacity for study and investigation, facing every duty, however onerous, with cheerfulness and con- fidence in himself. He possessed the genius of invention and labor, indus- try, truthfulness and integrity. The urbanity and courtesy which marked his intercourse with men secured the friendship of a wide circle of eminent per- sons with whom he came into contact. He was of a temperament to prize such associations, and cherished the friendships which he had thus formed to the end of his life. Mr. Mason was a genial man to meet, and a charming conversationalist. He was liberal and progressive on all subjects, and a man of thought and action. In his political opinions he was a Republican, but had no preference for public life. No man was ever more sensible of the duties and responsibilities of citizenship, for in no way or respect were they
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William Benjamin Wason
forgotten or ignored. His life truly affords an example of civic virtue which invites imitation and challenges emulation. A strong will and a loving, gen- tle and unselfish nature, firm convictions, keen intellect and high ideals, marked business ability and a devout Christian faith and practice, were char- acteristics of Mr. Mason, and for these should go forth our sincerest praise to the possessor.
Mr. Mason was a member of the Methodist church, of which he was a trustee. His funeral services were held at the First Dorchester Methodist Church, and were largely attended. He was also a member of the Ameri- can Society of Mechanical Engineers. The character of Mr. Mason always seemed to impress his associates in the various relations of life. His vigor- ous intellect was balanced by a tender heart, and he was never known to ut- ter remarks against others. He was ever loyal to his friends, and tolerant towards those who disagreed with him.
William Benjamin Mason was united in marriage with Flora Brown, a native of Brunswick, Maine, who was a companion of Mr. Mason when they were children. Mrs. Mason is a daughter of Silas F. and Hannah ( York) Brown. Her father was a farmer, and a native of the State of Maine, while her mother was born in New Hampshire. Mr. and Mrs. Brown were the parents of eight children. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Mason was blessed with two children, as follows: I. Eva Maude, who became the wife of Er- nest L. Mayberry, who is engaged in the clerical department of the Paper Man- ufacturing Company, at Brunswick, Maine; they are the parents of three chil- dren, namely: Mason, Lawrence and Muriel. 2. Ida, deceased, was the wife of John A. Doane. Only those who were permitted to see Mr. Mason in his own home, and surrounded by those whom he loved and trusted, can imagine how sweet his disposition was, and how he brought happiness to those around him.
The entire career of Mr. Mason may be characterized by the term faithfulness. He was faithful to life's nearest duties, faithful to the de- mands of his work and home. To that strong and essential honesty, that is the very foundation of business and social life, he added a toleration of others that drew all men towards him as to one they instinctively recog- nized as a faithful friend. Nor did he ever disappoint such as trusted him with their confidence, giving comfort and advice, sympathy or wholesome re- buke as the occasion warranted, and ever with a keen appreciation of the cir- cumstances and a profound and charitable understanding of the motives of the human heart. Such a man was Mr. Mason, and through his inventions alone, not mentioning his strong character and sterling virtues, his name will be fadeless.
Thomas Joseph Mitchell
A MONG all the many countries whose people have come together in this Western land and made up its complex population, none stands higher, either in the generosity with which she has given of her sons to us, or the quality of the element she has thus added to our body politic, than Ireland. Certainly in the number of those that have come here from those green shores, she has shown how warm was the hope with which her oppressed sons and daughters looked towards a new life in a new home, and not less certainly are we grateful for the splendid virtues, the peculiarly Irish qualities of courage and light-hearted enterprise with which the whole great fabric of our citizenship has been colored. There were many of that race conspicuous among the earliest Colonial settlers here, and from that time down to the present a steady tide has set from their oppressed land to this region of comparative freedom and opportunity. From first to last they have brought with them those virtues peculiar to the race, and engrafted upon the Anglo-Saxon stock the more brilliant Celtic qualities of ready wit, imagination and a remarkable blend of the keenest, practical sense. When the great American race is at last accomplished, and rises new and glorious, it will owe many of its best qualities to the Irish blood which flows within its veins.
A splendid example of the best Irish type in this country was the late Thomas Joseph Mitchell, of Roxbury, Massachusetts, who became promi- nently connected with the business interests of that region, a man whose mind was exceptionally able in the first place, and who was also the possessor of an unusual degree of culture to render it effective. The death of Mr. Mit- chell, which occurred in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, May 30, 1915, de- prived the community not only of one of its most successful business men, and a citizen of energy and public spirit, but of one of its best known and most admired members. Mr. Mitchell was another example of the capable and successful Irishman who, coming to this country without friends or influence, rapidly makes his way to a position of leadership in the community which he has chosen for his home, and quickly identifies himself with all that is best in American life and tradition. He was a self-made man in the best sense of that term, successful in the operations which he undertook, although in a most un- assuming way. He was instinctively charitable, but obeyed literally the Bibli- cal precept, not to let his left hand know what his right did, so that his lib- erality was realized by but a few.
Thomas Joseph Mitchell was born in the city of Tuam, County Galway, Ireland, March 12, 1846, the son of Patrick and Mary Mitchell. One of the
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Thomas Joseph Mitchell
most delightful spots in the lovely and romantic land of Ireland is County Galway, where the Mitchell family had its origin, and Thomas Joseph Mit- chell formed one of the great army of emigrants who, coming from Ireland to the United States, has played such an important part in our national life and destiny. He was the oldest of eight children, and received his edu- cation at the Christian Brothers College in his native city of Tuam, Ire- land. After completing his education, which was an excellent one, Mr. Mit- chell spent one year in London, England, then returned to his home, where he remained until he reached his nineteenth birthday. This was long enough for him to appreciate the difficulties in the way of a young man making anything of himself in the Ireland of that day, and accordingly he deter- mined to come to the United States, the haven of so many of his fellow countrymen. After an uneventful trip, Mr. Mitchell settled in Boston, Massachusetts, where he immediately found employment with Elliott An- drews, with whom he remained for seven years, and then secured a position with B. C. Clark. By dint of energy and frugal living, and by practicing strict economy, Mr. Mitchell saved sufficient capital to start a grocery busi- ness with location at No. 160 Cabot street, Roxbury, Massachusetts. He conducted this business successfully for forty-one years, and at the time of his death had accumulated a comfortable competence. In all his dealings with the business world, Mr. Mitchell ever maintained a high standard of rectitude and fairness, and he established for himself in Roxbury and in Boston, where his business took him, a reputation unsurpassed.
Mr. Mitchell was throughout his life extremely public-spirited, and took the keenest interest and a very considerable part in the affairs of both Rox- bury and Boston, but was in no sense an office seeker, entirely surrender- ing any opportunity for political preferment, for which his talents and abil- ities so eminently fitted him. He kept himself well abreast of the times in the study of economic and social questions, in general, and in his political ideas was affiliated with the Democratic party. He was a staunch Catholic in his religious belief, and attended St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church, on Vernon street, Roxbury, Massachusetts, being very active in the affairs of that parish and a member for over forty years. Mr. Mitchell was one of the oldest members of the Irish Catholic Society and of the St. Vincent De Paul Society. He was particularly interested in the House of the Good Shep- herd, St. Mary's Infant Asylum, the Home for Destitute Catholic Children, and Carney Hospital.
Mr. Mitchell had learned the art of Christian stewardship of money, for he knew that "he is not rich who lays up much, but he who lays out much," and he gave with lavish hand to almost every cause that came to his notice. Men usually have their pet objects of benevolence which they single out from a large field of charitable movements, but the strongest appeal was made to Mr. Mit- chell where there was human suffering from sickness or poverty, especially among helpless women and children. It was not his means alone that he so
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Thomas Joseph Mitchell
freely gave, but his time, energy and ability, and no one could better illus- trate the truth that "It is more blessed to give than to receive." He pos- sessed to a rare degree those traits of character which command respect, in- spire confidence and kindle friendship. The world must surely be better for the life of such a man as Mr. Mitchell.
Mr. Mitchell was an enthusiastic member of the United Irish League, and was for many years a strong supporter of John Redmond, the acknowl- edged leader of "Home Rule" for Ireland, in the House of Parliament. Both Mr. Redmond and Joseph Devlin, another noted Irish leader, were personal friends of Mr. Mitchell, and on their visits to this country, previous to the European War, they were entertained at the Mitchell home, where they al- ways found a welcome host and hostess in Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell. Next to his love for his church, his country and his family, came his love for the land of his birth, for Mr. Mitchell was a native of Ireland, and always her lover. In company with his wife, he made several trips to Ireland, in the interest of the United Irish League, whose membership was pledged to giving "Home Rule" to Ireland.
On April 16, 1873, Thomas Joseph Mitchell was united in marriage with Anna C. Corrigan, a daughter of the late John and Bridget Corrigan, both of whom were natives of County Meath, Ireland. Mrs. Mitchell is a distant relative of that much beloved prince of the Catholic church in America, the late Archbishop Corrigan of New York. Mrs. Mitchell has always been deeply interested with her husband in all his charities, and she derives great pleasure from relieving the afflicted and aiding those in distress. Since the death of Mr. Mitchell she has continued to reside in Jamaica Plain, Massa- chusetts.
Mr. Mitchell was of a genial and social nature. He had a large store of incidents and experiences to draw upon, the reminiscences of his early life in Boston. He was a reserved man, but the possessor of a singularly happy dis- position, and had a ready faculty of making friends wherever he went. A gentle and tolerant conservationalist, he was a kind and thoughtful host, and like many of his race was gifted with a keen and ready wit. He was a man of deep religious convictions, and all his life he stood with those who testify their faith in the immortal life and their loving allegiance to Him who is the guide and leader in that other life. He was indeed a kind neighbor, a good citizen, a wise counselor and a faithful friend. To his church he was most loyal, generous and devoted, and it can be truly said of him that the world was made better by his having been given an opportunity to play a part in the great drama here upon earth.
Wlilliam Rewell Learned
T HE memory of the gentleman whose name heads this memorial is cherished by the city of Lynn, Massachusetts, as one of those whom she delights to honor. In private life William Newell Learned was the possessor of a most amiable and gen- erous disposition, which endeared him to a large number of friends. It is men like him, who are intelligent factors in every idea and work, that helps to develop the success of all great cities, and it is to be hoped that there are many more able to follow in his footsteps. Mr. Learned was one of those men whose life records are object lessons to the youth of our land. Always ambitious and eager to im- prove every opportunity, he began at the very bottom of the ladder of suc- cess and slowly but surely worked his way upward and forward. In the contemplation of such a career as that of Mr. Learned, comment seems su- perfluous and praise becomes idle and inadequate. It is seldom that we meet a man of whom it can be truthfully declared that the record of his deeds con- stitutes his eulogy. We all know them when we see them, as they are al- ways easily recognized, and one of the foremost of them was Mr. Learned. Not every man in the business world, who rears to himself the monument of a successful business, leaves his memorial in the popular heart, but this was very true of Mr. Learned, as none who knew him and were familiar with the circumstances of his career could for a moment doubt. Able and energetic as a business man, upright and public spirited as a citizen, possessed of in- tellect and force of character, he might truly be called a man universal, for large as was his mind, his heart was larger, his mental and moral develop- ment being well-rounded and symmetrical. The death of William Newell Learned, which occurred in Lynn, Massachusetts, May 26, 1905, removed from that thriving community and from the neighborhood-in-general one who, during a long and active career of seventy-two years, had always stood for the highest ideals of business integrity and whose activities had contribu- ted in no small degree to the welfare and happiness of his fellowmen.
William Newell Learned was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, August 3, 1833, the son of David and Eliza ( Marsh) Learned, both of whom were highly respected and well known residents of that section of Massachusetts. The surname Learned is an ancient English family surname. In the early records it is spelled Learned, Larned and Larnett, most commonly, and usage still differs in the American families as to the spelling of the name. William Learned, the immigrant ancestor, was of Bermondsey Parish, Surrey, Eng- land, came to Charlestown, Massachusetts, as early as 1630, and was admit- ted to the church there in 1632, and became a freeman in 1634.
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William Mewell Learned
William Newell Learned was named after the Rev. William Newell, D. D., Unitarian minister of old Cambridge, and he received his education in the public schools of his native city of Cambridge. At the age of seventeen years, Mr. Learned, upon the death of his father, was compelled to earn his own livelihood, and accordingly went to Lynn, Massachusetts, where he learned the trade of a shoemaker. He was employed at odd jobs, until in a few years he engaged in the manufacture of heels for shoe manufacturers in Lynn, and continued in this line for several years, enjoying a prosperous busi- ness. For a short time afterward, Mr. Learned was foreman of a depart- ment in the boot and shoe factory of Samuel Bubier at Lynn, and after- ward for a period of twenty years was foreman of the making room in the factory of H. H. Hollis. He was then in a most responsible position in the factory of Bennett & Barnard until the great fire of 1889 in Lynn, and dur- ing the remainder of his life was retired from all active service in business affairs, owing to impaired health. He had acquired some valuable real es- tate, and upon his retirement he devoted his time and attention to these in- vestments. During the summer months Mr. Learned lived in his cottage at Asbury Grove, and the remainder of the time in his home at Lynn.
Mr. Learned took an active interest in all municipal affairs, and had en- joyed a large and wholesome influence in public matters. In his political belief, he was a staunch Republican, and was a member of the Lynn Com- mon Council in 1880 and 1881 and of the Board of Aldermen in the year following. He was a prominent member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Lynn, serving for about forty years on the official board, and was always a willing worker and generous contributor to the church and ben- evolent purposes. He gave most liberally to the building fund of the church on several occasions, and at the time of his death was considered one of the oldest members, having been a communicant for fifty-five years. Mr. Learned was a strict temperance man, firm in his support of prohibition, be- lieving it to be the only cure for the evils of intemperance.
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