USA > Massachusetts > Memorial encyclopedia of the state of Massachusetts > Part 31
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Mr. Cunniff was also associated with other important business insti- tutions, and was considered one of the foremost capitalists in the organiza- tion of the Boston Gas Syndicate, and in fact was largely interested in the gas business of Boston. He was a director in the Mechanics Bank of Boston, and always in whatever line of work he undertook devoted his time and en- ergy to its improvement and advancement. Early in life Mr. Cunniff took an interest in politics to the extent, indeed, of giving a great deal of his time and attention to local and State public affairs. It was probably in his con- nection with politics that he was best known in the community, as he held a great number of offices during his career, and in each and every capacity gave the highest satisfaction to the entire community. His strong personal- ity and hard earnest work soon made him a leader among his fellow-men, and he rapidly assumed an important place in political affairs, being elected to the councils of the Democratic party, where he first attracted the atten- tion of the older leaders by his shrewd, common sense, his great activity, his readiness of resource, and his superb skill as an organizer. For many years he held high and honorable positions in the councils of the Democracy, and was first elected a member of the Democratic State Central Committee in the year 1876, and rendered such valuable services in perfecting the organization and bringing out the full vote of the party that it showed its appreciation of his fidelity and ability by reëlecting him a member of the committee for sev- eral years following. Then he was made president of the Democratic City Central Committee of Boston for two years, and was also chairman of the executive branch of the Democratic State Committee for two years. In the
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Democratic Ward and City Council, of which he was a member a number of years, no man was more conspicuous for zeal and unselfish devotion to the interests of the Democracy, and as one of his friends once said of him, he was an "out and out" Democrat. He was a member of the State Committee for twelve years, and was the youngest member of the executive council of Governor Ames, during the year 1888, and was renominated, but declined the honor for the following year, 1889. Better luck could not befall a man than to be brought under the influence of such a high-minded man as Mr. Cun- niff ; industrial initiativeness was one of his marked characteristics. Energy, self-confidence and a strict adherence to the moral law were the traits which seemed to lie at the bottom of his character, and shape and guide its whole development. His business success, as must all true success, depended quite as much upon his character as upon the knowledge which was a later acquire- ment. In all that he did for himself, he always kept the interests of those about him ever in sight, and made no step, however conducive to his own ends, if to his candid judgment it appeared as inimical to others. In line with this, it should not be called policy, for it was too spontaneous for that, but in line with this instinct was his behavior in and with his family. He would not allow the extremely exacting demands of his business and political affairs to interfere with what he considered due his wife and children, nor any more did he err on the other side, and allow domestic ties to interfere with the discharge of his obligations to the outside world. Indeed, the only person whose inclinations and comforts he consistently sacrificed to the rest of the world was himself, for he arose early and retired late to fulfill his obligations to others and minister to their desires. The city of Boston has the best reason to regard him as its benefactor.
Mr. Cunniff was very prominent in the social life of both Boston and Brookline, and also in several fraternal circles, being affiliated with'a number of prominent orders, among which should be mentioned the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Montgomery Light Guard Veteran Associa- tion, an honorary member of the Kearsage Veterans, and was chief organ- izer in the Independent Order of Foresters.
On June 30, 1890, Michael Mathew Cunniff was united in marriage with Josephine Mclaughlin, a daughter of the late Francis and Joanna (Kelley) Mclaughlin. Francis Mclaughlin was born in Roscommon, County Clare, Ireland, and came to this country with his parents when he was three years old. When a young man he located in the city of Boston, where he estab- lished himself in the brush manufacturing business. His factory grew into a large concern, and he was considered one of the leading brush manufacturers in the New England States. He was always a kind and indulgent father, whose highest ambition in life was to bequeath to his children a good name, which he considered the most precious of all heritages. He practiced charity without ostentation, serving as trustee of St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum, and was one of the original subscribers to the building of the Catholic Cathe-
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dral. He was also one of the directors of the Union Institution for Savings. Mrs. Francis Mclaughlin's father was Jeremiah Kelley, and her mother was Mary (La Fountaine) Kelley, of distinguished French ancestry. In their early life they lived in Eastport, Maine, and later located in Boston, where for many years Mr. Kelley was office man for Nathan Mathews, one of Bos- ton's old time merchants. Mr. and Mrs. Francis Mclaughlin were the par- ents of five children: Josephine, Francis Joseph, John Dwyer, Mary Eliza- beth, Hubert; all born in Boston. Josephine McLaughlin attended the public schools and completed her education at Elmhurst Sacred Heart Academy and Eaden Hall Academy at Torresdale, Pennsylvania, becoming the wife of Michael Mathew Cunniff.
Mr. and Mrs. Cunniff were the parents of five children: I. Michael Mathew, born in Boston, graduated from Georgetown University with the class of 1912, is a bond broker in Boston. 2. Josephine, born in Brookline, Massachusetts, and graduated from the Convent of the Sacred Heart at Man- hattanville, New York, in 1912. 3. John Francis Regis, born in Brookline, attended Harvard University, is now sergeant in the One Hundred and First Regiment, at present in France. 4. Rose Elizabeth, born in Brookline, and graduated from the Sacred Heart Academy at Halifax, Nova Scotia. 5. Phil- ip Bernard, born in Brookline, Massachusetts, and is attending the high school of Brookline. Mrs. Cunniff lives in the Cunniff homestead at No. 1032 Beacon street, Brookline, Massachusetts. She is past president of the Guild of the Infant Saviour, and a member of the Ladies Catholic Club; is president of League of Catholic Union; also active in many other societies and clubs.
Mr. Cunniff was a staunch Catholic in religion, being very active in the affairs of the parish, which he faithfully attended. He was connected with several beneficial and charitable associations and institutions, giving freely of his time and means to further their worthy objects. He was a prominent member of the Charitable Irish Society of Boston. He was a man of more than ordinary business ability and talent, and was very successful in all of his undertakings. He seemed to know, intuitively, what the best investments were, and what would constitute the most successful line of action, but his skill and the attention which he gave to these matters did not interfere with his other interests, and with a very full recognition of the rights and inter- ests of others. In all his dealings with his fellow-men he ever maintained the highest standard of rectitude and fairness, and he thus established for himself both in Boston and Brookline, or in fact wherever his business took him, a reputation unsurpassed. He possessed the full esteem and confidence of his business associates, and had not a personal enemy in the world. Mr. Cun- niff greatly enjoyed the pleasure derived from his beautiful steam yacht, the "Rose G."
The great variety of activities engaged in by Mr. Cunniff and the re- markable versatility and energy which enabled him to so engage with distinc-
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tion in each has already been remarked, and the personality of such a man is one that will not be quickly forgotten by the great host of those who called him friend. No one who knew him but felt the latent energy of his tempera- ment, no one who associated with him at all constantly but saw it actively manifesting itself in some useful work. It was of the initiative kind, also, not merely content to perform whatever tasks were placed before it, but for- ever proposing and instituting new matters of importance. Yet Mr. Cunniff was not without appreciation of the more quiet pleasures of life and it was to his own home and fireside that he turned for the rest and relaxation that all men require at times. He was devotedly attached to his family and to the simple pleasures associated with home and the intimate intercourse of the household. It might be said of him that he was a man of various sides, none of which showed unworthily in the sight of God and man. He was a man who combined gentleness and firmness, yielding easily where his sense of right and justice was not concerned, but inflexible enough where his con- science had rendered its decision. He was a delightful companion, as he re- membered and recounted with vivid power the many interesting experiences he had passed through during his career. He was also a great reader, and would read into the wee hours of the morning, thus storing away many beau- tiful thoughts. He made an ideal citizen, and one that any community might proudly hold up as a type for its youth to imitate and follow, while his mem- ory will doubtless be long and highly revered.
James Henry Joyce
THE career of James Henry Joyce presents a fine example of honesty, integrity and perseverance, and one who was promi- nently identified with the business affairs of the city of Law- rence, Massachusetts, for the greater part of his life. No man was better known or more universally esteemed by his fellow-men, and his death, which occurred in Boston, April 28, 1900, marked the closing of a career of great usefulness, and meant the distinct loss to the entire community in which he had lived for so many years. Among all the countries whose peoples have come together in this western land and together 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 large 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. Of this race was sprung the late James Henry Joyce, and his family had their origin there, while he exempli- fied in his own person the best virtues and abilities of the race. The same sterling qualities which made Mr. Joyce loved at home, and respected uni- versally in his public and business life, also gathered about him many faith- ful friends, whose fidelity he repaid in kind. He was never weary of work- ing for the benefit of the community, and identified himself with many move- ments undertaken for the general good. He was an unusual combination of the conservative and the progressive, seeking to find the good in both the old and the new. He was a rare and admirable character in every way, and one of those of whom it may be truthfully said that the world is all the better for his having lived there.
The birth of James Henry Joyce occurred in County Galway, Ireland, where he obtained his early education in the local schools. When he had reached his seventeenth year in life, his parents decided to come to this coun- try, and accordingly they embarked for the new country across the ocean. They settled in the Arlington district of Lawrence, Massachusetts, where the son completed his education. His youthful enthusiasm and ambition urged him on to make a name for himself in the business world, and he became employed at various occupations, until he saw a good opportunity for him- self in traveling as a salesman. He became a traveling merchant, and in
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those days that business was a prosperous one, and Mr. Joyce was most suc- cessful. He continued in this line of business for many years, and had retired from all active business affairs a number of years previous to his death. He carried into his retirement all the well wishes of his many friends, while his patrons regretted to hear the news that this sunny and happy gen- tleman was not to visit them in a business way any more. Mr. Joyce was a pioneer resident of the Arlington district of Laurence, Massachusetts, where he had been a resident for many years, settling there when the lo- cality was in its infancy. All the old as well as the young residents of the district knew him well, and none were more esteemed or liked than Mr. Joyce. His old home was located at No. 38 Willow street, where he was the owner of a goodly bit of real estate. He was admired for his integrity as a business man and as a citizen. He always had a pleasant word for his many friends and acquaintances, and had not an enemy in the world.
On January 6, 1856, at Saints Peter and Paul Church, South Boston, Massachusetts, James Henry Joyce was united in marriage with Margaret B. Carroll, who passed away on February 14, 1917. Mr. and Mrs. Joyce were the parents of nine children, six of whom survive them, as follows: I. Thomas F., who is a physician in Lawrence, Massachusetts. 2. Henry James, who is a druggist in Boston, Massachusetts. 3. Mrs. Mary E. Wilson, re- siding in Dorchester, Massachusetts. 4. Mrs. Agnes T Sweeney, of Law- rence, Massachusetts 5. Gertrude M., teacher, serving in the public schools of Lawrence, Massachusetts. 6. Joseph P., who is a druggist in Boston, Massachusetts. Also two grandchildren: Louis M. J. Joyce and Constance M. Joyce, of Lawrence, Massachusetts. Mr. Joyce was a devoted husband and father, and it was the pleasure and happiness of these about him, rather than his own, which he strived and studied to preserve and increase. There was not a relation in life in which he did not play the part most worthily and in which he might not well serve as a model.
He was a self-made man in the fullest sense of that term. Starting as almost a friendless youth in a strange city, he, by dint of his unaided efforts, worked into a position that won an enviable reputation for himself in his adopted community for integrity and capability. His sense of duty was ever the strongest motive of his life, and he was one who kept well abreast of the times in all practical affairs. In his political belief, Mr. Joyce was a Demo- crat, and was greatly interested in all public matters. He would, however, never permit his name to be used in connection with a public office, al- though he would have been a most desirable candidate. He was an honest man, a good citizen, of strong integrity and character. He was the posses- sor of a powerful personality, but none the less attractive, and enjoyed a very great popularity among all his associates in whatever relation they came into contact with him. He was noted as a host, and did a great amount of entertaining at his charming home in Lawrence, Massachusetts.
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The sterling character of Mr. Joyce, his courage under trial, his fidelity to friendship, his never-failing good fellowship, his loyalty to men and causes, and his tenacious adherence to principle and honor, endeared him to a host of good men and true, who learned to know him and to trust him implicitly.
John D. Schroeder
TT is a well known fact that the city of Revere, Massachu- setts, is greatly indebted to business men of foreign birth, who have at various periods of her history settled there, and whose systematic course of industry and business integrity, through a long succession of years, has aided materially to gain for the community wealth and importance. Throughout the length and breadth of our country we find men who have worked their way unaided from the lowest rung of the ladder to positions of eminence and power in the community, and not the fewest of these have been of foreign birth or descent. The United States has no better citizens than those who came to her from the Fatherland. Honest, industrious and full of civil pride, they strengthen the best interests in every community in which they are found. Of those whom the city of Revere, Massachusetts, has had the good fortune to possess, none has presented a more perfect type of the business man and the citizen than did the late John H. Schroeder, who was one of the oldest residents of Revere Beach. All that was useful, pure and good in the community appealed to him, and the community responded by according to him its respectful admiration and sincere affection. He was a type of whom the city is justly proud, a type whose enterprise and integrity have not only developed the trade of the city, but have given it an enviable reputation for fair dealing and honorable methods. The career of Mr. Schroeder was an intensely interesting one, and being a man of wonderful ideals, he survived all the experiences of a life that often makes most men cynics. He was a pattern of charity, generosity and affection to all who were thrown in contact with him. In his social relations, he belonged to that use- ful and helpful type of men whose ambitions and desires are centered and di- rected in those channels through which flow the greatest and most perma- nent benefits to the greatest number. The death of Mr. Schroeder occurred at the farm of his son in the State of New Hampshire, September 15, 1910, and he left an honored name, while the news of his death brought genuine sorrow to the hearts of all who had been so fortunate as to have been num- bered as among his friends, for they were the ones who recognized in him the qualities of a true man.
John H. Schroeder was born in Germany, October 13, 1841, and spent his boyhood in that country, where he also received his education. He was in the German army, and many were the interesting experiences which he re- lated concerning the time spent therein. During the year 1866, Mr. Schro- der came to this country, and first lived in Boston, where he worked for the Forbs Shop for more than twenty-five years. Later he, with his family, re-
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moved to Revere, Massachusetts, where he became interested in the milk business, and in a short time was considered one of the best known dairy- men in that vicinity. He was greatly admired for his honest dealings, and one who believed that integrity and honesty were the essential foundation for all business success.
John H. Schroeder was first united in marriage with Louise -, and to this union five children were born, as follows: 1. William, who was united in marriage with Ardeva Logomasino, and they are the parents of one child, William, Jr. 2. Lewis, who married Sophia Crocker, and to them were born the following children, William and Annie. 3. Edward, who was united in marriage with Lillian Walters. 4. Carl, who married and became the father of one child, Pauline. 5. John, who was unit- ed in marriage with Ella Thompson. John H. Schroeder was united in mar- riage (second) with Elizabeth Schmidt, who was born in Germany, the daugh- ter of Frederick and Catherina (Fink) Schmidt, both of whom died in the old country. Mrs. Schroeder came to the United States during the year 1882, and spent three years in New York City, after which she went to Chelsea, Massa- chusetts, where she became the wife of the subject of this memoir. She was one of six children, namely: 1. George, who died in Germany. 2. Mrs. Schroeder. 3. Catherine, who died in the Fatherland. 4. Frederick, who now lives in Russia. 5. John, who is residing in the State of Ohio. 6. Marie, who became the wife of Henry Heber, of Nashville, Tennessee, where they are now living. Mrs. Schroeder is the owner of three houses at Revere Beach, and since the death of her husband has continued to live at the Beach. Mr. Schroeder was a great believer in giving his children a good education, and he often said that education was one of the essential things which could not be taken away from them. Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder were the parents of two children: Henry F., who was united in marriage with Pearl Burns, and they make their home on a farm; and Alfred, who resides in New Hampshire.
Mr. Schroeder was a substantial business man and a well respected citi- zen. He and his family were members of the East Boston German Lutheran Church, and were faithful attendants of that church. Sufficient has been sub- mitted to prove him entitled to an honorable position among those men who by their industry, enterprise and unswerving devotion to their many duties, forge to the front despite all opposition, and gain notable successes. Hon- esty and uprightness marked his career, and his course through life, and his manly straightforwardness won for him a standing in the business world, and in the regard of his townsmen, that ever was of the highest. Thus a quiet, useful life was passed in honor, only blessings following his intercourse with the community in which he had lived for so many years.
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Hezekiah Armstrong Brayton
A MONG the very oldest of American families is that which bears the name of Brayton, which was established in the Colony of Rhode Island some time before the middle of the seventeenth century, probably in the year 1643. The members of the Bray- ton house have been extremely prominent in connection with the development of Southeastern Massachusetts, particularly with that region centering about the city of Fall River. The great industries which have grown up thereabouts are not a little indebted to the enterprise and intelligence of the early Braytons, various members of which have been numbered among the most prominent mill promoters and bankers.
Brayton Arms-Azure, two chevrons between as many mullets or.
Crest-A mullet or.
Motto-Catus Semper Viret.
(I) Francis Brayton, the founder of the family in America, was born in England, in 1611-12. He came to this country as a young man, and was received as a resident in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, as early as the year 1643. Eight years later, in 1651, he was made a freeman and in 1662-63 was elected a member of the General Court. He served as deputy to the Gen- eral Court in 1669, 1670, 1671, 1679 and 1684. He enlisted in the troop of horse which was maintained for the common defense in 1667, and generally played a prominent part in the life of the community. He was married to Mary -, who died about the year 1692. Francis Brayton died himself in the same year.
(II) Stephen Brayton, second son of Francis and Mary Brayton, was a resident of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, for probably all his life, although the date of his birth is not known, and it is possible that he may have been a native of England. He was a freeman in the year 1678, and a member of the grand jury in 1687. He married, on March 8, 1679, Ann Tallman, a daughter of Peter and Ann Tallman, of Portsmouth, and died in 1692.
(III) Preserved Brayton, eldest son of Stephen and Ann (Tallman) Brayton, was a native of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, where he was born March 8, 1685. He was made a freeman in Portsmouth in 1706, the year in which he attained his majority, and lived there until 1714, when he purchased one hundred and thirty acres of land in the settlement of Swansea, Massa- chusetts, and made that place his home during the remainder of his life. This farm came to be known as the Brayton homestead, and is still called that to- day. It is situated on the west bank of the Taunton river, in what is now
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the town of Somerset, which was set off from Swansea in the year 1790. This was not the whole of Mr. Brayton's holdings, however, and he owned in ad- dition another farm in Swansea, besides property in Freetown, Rehoboth and Smithfield, Rhode Island. He was married, in Portsmouth, to Content Cog- geshall, a daughter of John Coggeshall, and granddaughter of John Cogge- shall, one of the first settlers of Rhode Island, and one of the former citizens of that colony. Preserved Brayton and his wife both died in Swansea, the former on May 22, 1761, and the latter in 1759.
(IV) Israel Brayton, the youngest child of Preserved and Content (Cog- geshall) Brayton, was born in Swansea, Massachusetts, October 13, 1727, and inherited his father's farm in Swansea, known as the Brayton Homestead. Here he spent his entire life, and was a well known figure in the community. He was married, April 19, 1752, to Mary Perry.
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