USA > Massachusetts > Memorial encyclopedia of the state of Massachusetts > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46
46
47
Eugene Francis Endicott
versalist General Convention. At the time of his death he was secretary of the Standard Rivet Company, and secretary of the Woodlawn Cemetery Cor- poration.
Upon attaining his majority, Mr. Endicott had at once identified himself with the many interests of his home city, and in 1880 was elected a member of the old City Council from what was at that time the Fourth Ward, serving in that body for five years, and acting as its president for three years. In 1885 he was elected mayor of Chelsea, serving in this high office for two years, and his term of office was marked with an unusual success. That Chelsea citizens honored Mr. Endicott as a man of integrity and ability was shown by his election as chief executive of the city, but this was not the only office that came to him at the hands of his fellow-citizens, for he was a member of the school committee for twenty-four years, being its chairman for sixteen years. For more than twenty years Mr. Endicott was a trustee of the Chelsea Public Library. He served two terms in the Legislature, in 1905 and 1906, where he rendered valuable service. He was indeed a most conspicuous example of the man who wins the confidence and respect of his fellow-men by strictly fol- lowing the rules established by the unwritten laws of honor and integrity.
Mr. Endicott was also a prominent figure in financial circles, having been the vice-president and a member of the board of trustees of the Chelsea Savings Bank. He filled all offices of public trust with honor to himself and honor alike to the city whose interests and welfare were made his own. He stood forth a typical man in the community, and was most conspicuous for his public services. He always used his best judgment and firmly adhered to what he believed was right and best for his native city. During his two years as mayor of Chelsea, Mr. Endicott gave his whole time unstintedly to the duties of his high office. The door to it was always wide open and every one received cordial greetings and courteous attention.
In his religious belief Mr. Endicott was a devout member of the First Universalist Church, and an active worker for its benefit in Chelsea. At the time of his death the high esteem in which he was held by the people, irrespec- tive of party affiliation, was displayed by the numerous tributes and eulogies which appeared and were written to his memory. He was a splendid type of a good citizen and universally loved and respected for his nobility of charac- ter. He had an ideal home in which his presence never failed to radiate hap- piness and contentment. Reaching out beyond this sacred circle, he was con- nected with many organizations that stand for social service and for frater- nalism, among them being the Winnisimmet Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Samaritan Encampment, the Star of Bethlehem Lodge, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, the Royal Arch Chapter, the Shekinah Palestine Commandery, Knights Templar, and was past president of the Old Suffolk Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution.
Mr. Endicott married (first) Georgie Blake, who bore him one child, Annie Blake, who resides at home. Mr. Endicott married (second) July 2,
48
Eugene Francis Endicott
1878, Frances 1. Tingley, who was born in Albany, New York, a daughter of Ottis and Ellen M. ( Nicholds) Tingley. Ottis Tingley was a native of Attle- boro, Massachusetts, and his wife was born in Burlington, Bradford county, l'ennsylvania. Mr. Tingley was a manufacturer of underwear and woolen garments. Mr. and Mrs. Endicott had one child, Winthrop Tingley, married Alice S. Rand, and they have one son, Eugene Francis.
The death of Mr. Endicott brought sorrow to the hearts of all who recog- nized in him the qualities of a true man. He was a friend of the people, irre- spective of condition, and the people were his friends. All felt that death had removed from their midst a man of fine natural endowments, spotless charac- ter, and an influence of inestimable value. The funeral services were held from the First Universalist Church, the Rev. R. Perry Bush, D.D., officiating. Interment took place in the family lot at Woodlawn Cemetery. On the day of Mr. Endicott's funeral flags on all the public buildings were at half mast out of respect for the departed one.
Mr. Endicott was the possessor of strong executive ability marked by a strict adherence to the loftiest principles of integrity. His domestic affec- tions were such that he found his chief recreation and pleasure in the home circle. "True as steel" is a phrase which aptly describes him, for true indeed he was, true to his friends, and true to the best of principles. A true friend, and a wise counsellor, he will be greatly missed in many of the various walks of life. In all the positions, whether official or otherwise, which he was called upon to fill, he brought to bear those peculiar traits of character that made his life a successful one. His administration of the city government was as nearly perfect as it well could be. Such men as'Mr. Endicott are an honor to any community, and the city of Chelsea, unfortunately, has too few men of his stamp and character. Long will memory hold him in fond remembrance by his host of friends, who learned to esteem, to deeply love him, and who felt at the time of his departure from all earthly view, that out of the community had gone forth one who was indeed a leader, a friend and a brother.
Alden Batchelder
Alden Batchelder
A MERICAN trade annals contain records of many men who have been the architects of their own fortunes, but there has been no record more creditable by reason of undaunted energy, well formulated plans, and straightforward dealing than that of the late Alden Batchelder. Not only did he rise above the stand- ard in his line of business, but he also possessed in high de- gree those excellenciesof human nature that make men wor- thy of regard among their fellow-men. Mr. Batchelder's name is found among the men whose lives and personal exertions have done so much toward the material and commercial prosperity of Reading, Massachusetts. Like the ma- jority of men who have risen to commercial prominence during the last half century of our Nation's history, he was emphatically self-made, cutting his way from the most humble walks of mercantile pursuits, inch by inch and step by step, relying upon his own good sense, until he gained the uppermost rung of the commercial ladder. To do this required more than usual prudence, energy and perseverance, to say nothing of natural ability. America owes an imper- ishable debt to such men as Mr. Batchelder, who with well-stored minds of practical knowledge gave large and comprehensive abilities, sterling integrity and wise and sagacious industry, to the development of those manufacturing interests which are the source of her wealth and prosperity. Justice to the men who have spent long lives in her service demands that they be worthily mentioned in history. The death of Mr. Batchelder, which occurred at his late residence in Reading, Massachusetts, August 25, 1912, deprived that com- munity of a man who was just, good and kind. His thoughts were not selfish ones, for he held uppermost in his mind the rights of his fellow-men. Among the many manufacturers who have given to the State of Massachusetts a high position in the industrial world, none have surpassed Alden Batchelder in those qualities of character and mind which are essential to the success of a business man.
The birth of Alden Batchelder occurred September 30, 1836, at the an- cient family home on Franklin street, Reading, Massachusetts. The farm on which he spent his youth was bought by the family in the earliest days of set- tlement of the town, and it is thought that part of it was probably purchased from the Indians. Alden Batchelder was the son of Herrick and Rebecca (Preston) Batchelder, and was a descendant of John Batchelder, who was one of the first settlers of the town of Reading, Massachusetts. The name Her- rick, which was borne by his father, was the family name of his grandmother, through whom he was descended from Henry Herrick, who settled in Salem, Massachusetts, as early as 1629. His mother's mother was a daughter of Ben-
MASS .- 3-4
49
50
alden Batchelder
jamin Upton, Esquire, a man of note in the north precinct, and on his moth- er's side also he traced his descent from Peregrine White, of the Plymouth Col- ony, who was the first male child of European parents born in the New Eng- land States. Mr. Batchelder was also a descendant of Rebecca Nourse, a vic- tim of the Salem witchcraft delusion of two centuries ago. His mother's name was Rebecca, and this name had been borne by her female ancestors for several successive generations, probably in remembrance of their unfortunate predecessor.
Alden Batchelder attended school at the old North School House, which was located on the corner of Forest and Pearl streets. Later, when the dis- trict was divided, he became a pupil at the school at the corner of Main and Franklin streets. The influence of his uncle, the well known educator, "Mas- ter John Batchelder," who dwelt in the same house, caused him to early ac- quire a taste for books and a desire for knowledge. In later years he showed a great interest in the various plans of the young for self-improvement, at one time devoting a room in his factory for the use of those who wished to meet for the purpose of debating. Mr. Batchelder was a very important factor in the Natural History Society of Reading, for the purpose of preserving facts connected with the town. In 1890 he was made a trustee of Laurel Hill Ceme- tery, and his watchful care and taste did much to improve that final resting place.
When about twenty years of age, Mr. Batchelder commenced learning the details of practical manufacturing as an apprentice of the late George O. Bat- chelder, who was a furniture manufacturer, with business location at the cor- ner of Main and Pearl streets. In 1864 Mr. Batchelder started in business for himself, succeeding the late Solon A. Parker, in manufacturing furniture, and continued until the fall of 1876, when the factory was destroyed by fire. He was employing an average of twenty-five workmen, and producing about fifty thousand dollars' worth of finished goods annually. His special line was parlor desks and book-cases. He first catered to the Southern trade, but later found a ready market near his home, and in the west. After the fire of 1876, Mr. Batchelder removed his business to Charlestown, Massachusetts, where he contracted for the labor of a large number of convicts in the State Prison, and greatly enlarged his operations. After the convicts were transferred to the new prison at Concord, Massachusetts, now called the Reformatory Prison, Mr. Batchelder continued in the prison shops, employing outside workmen, until 1884, when the buildings were again used as a penal institution. As the con- tract system of giving employment to convicts had been abandoned, he removed to the large factory on Rutherford avenue, where he continued in business until the time of his retirement in 1896.
Mr. Batchelder was successful, not only in passing safely through all the vicissitudes of the financial world since the closing years of the war, meeting every obligation when due, and obtaining a competence, but in securing the confidence of his fellow citizens to a very marked degree. He was president
51
alden Batchelder
of the First National Bank of Reading, Massachusetts, and held other business positions requiring confidence in his sound judgment and integrity.
Mr. Batchelder never sought political preferment, although he always took an active interest in all public affairs, and was well informed concerning them. He would have made an admirable candidate, had he so wished, but he preferred to devote his time and attention to the business which he had estab- lished, and to his home, which was the seat of his greatest happiness. He lived in Reading, Massachusetts, during his entire lifetime, which covered a period of eighty-two years. After his retirement, Mr. and Mrs. Batchelder traveled through Europe, and also the State of California. Mr. Batchelder was affiliated with the Republican party, and had served on the town finance committee for many years. He was a member of the Congregational church, to which he was a generous contributor.
Alden Batchelder married (first) Louisa Carter, a daughter of Samuel W. Carter, September 17, 1862. One child was born to this union, Walter Al- den, born September 16, 1864, died December 6, 1868. Mrs. Batchelder passed away August 5, 1892. Alden Batchelder married (second) Mrs. Frances A. (Stott) Parker, the ceremony taking place in Lynn, Massachusetts, July 18, 1899. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Batchelder has continued to re- side in Reading, Massachusetts, at No. 225 Main street.
For many years Mr. Batchelder was a well known business man of Read- ing, Massachusetts, the town of his birth, and enjoyed the respect and confi- dence of the business world and the friendship of those whom he met in social manner. He made for himself an enviable reputation as a man of business, reliable under all circumstances, courteous and affable to his patrons, whom he always endeavored to please. He never seemed to weary of working for the benefit of the community, and identified himself with many movements under- taken for the general good. He was an unusual combination of the conserva- tive and progressive, seeking to find the good in both the old and the new. He was a rare and admirable character in every way, and his place in the hearts of his host of friends will never be replaced by another.
Ardenne Parker
I T is a matter by no means easy to express the actual value and significance of a. carcer, or give satisfactory account of the life of a man who has won for himself, through the general worth of his character, a high place in the regard of his fel- low-men, in the short time allotted to him by fate. The im- pression conveyed in the mere statement that such a one achieved a great success in this or that line of endeavor is apt to be wholly inadequate, even if not actually misleading, since the true accomplishment of a man lies in his relations, man to man, with his associ- ates, and in the influence which his character has exerted for good upon theirs, and not in the wealth or station that he may have won or even in the formal honors that the community has conferred upon him. It is the task of the writer of records, therefore, if he would truly express the lives and characters of those he deals with, to penetrate the exterior and to draw up from beneath into the sight of the world those essential facts and qualities lying there, upon which the whole structure of personality and achievement rests. How true this is, is amply illustrated for us in the case of Ardenne Parker, whose name heads this memoir and whose death at his home in Reading, Massachusetts, April 25, 1887, when still in the prime of manhood, deprived the whole community of one who was at all times and in all places the courteous and affable gentleman. Mr. Parker did, it is true, in the short life allotted him by destiny win a quite unusual material success, and had his ambitions urged him, or time allowed a longer course, he would have doubtless won a wide public recognition. As a matter of fact, however, it was not the outcome of these matters that gave him the position of esteem that he occu- pied in the hearts of his associates, but his sterling character for which all men felt an instinctive admiration.
Parker Arms-Azure, two bars gemelles argent between three bucks' heads erased or, all between two flaunches of the last.
Crest-A cubit arm rested vert, cuff argent, holding in the hand the attire of a stag, and a bow and arrow saltirewise, all proper.
The surname Parker is derived from the Latin parcarius, meaning park- keeper, or shepherd. Danes, Saxons and Normans in England all seem to have had the name in use as a surname at an early date. As early as the years 900 and 925 in the reign of Edward the First, a Geoffrey Parker is men- tioned, even before the common use of surnames in England. Thomas Par- ker, the immigrant ancestor, came from England before the year 1640, when he had settled in Lynn, Massachusetts, and he was a taxpayer there as early
52
Ardenne Harker
53
ardenne Parker
as 1645. He became prominent in both town and church affairs. He was a brave and sturdy Indian fighter, rising through the various ranks to captain.
Ardenne Parker was a worthy descendant of this worthy pioneer, and was born in Reading, Massachusetts, during the year 1851. He was the son of Spencer and Jane ( Beard) Parker, both of whom were members of old and well known Reading families, and both of whom died when their son was quite young. Spencer Parker was a son of William Parker, who owned a grocery store in Reading for over sixty years. Ardenne Parker also became a prominent merchant in Reading, Massachusetts, and there is no doubt that his career, successful as it had already been, would have known a still more brilliant future had not death so abruptly cut it short. The old Parker store was located on the Square on Main street in Reading, Massachusetts, for many years. Its owner, Ardenne Parker, who was taken from all earthly en- vironment at the age of thirty-five years, had endeavored during his period of ownership of the store to please his patrons and to be just in all his business dealings. Through industry, economy and integrity in his business meth- ods, Mr. Parker realized a gratifying success.
In social life Mr. Parker was amiable and popular, and it was at his own fireside and within the circle of his own intimate friends that his innate no- bility and refinement were revealed at their best. He was affiliated with the order of Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was a member of the Volunteer Fire Company.
Ardenne Parker was united in marriage with Frances A. Stott, a daugh- ter of Joshua and Adelaine ( Mason) Stott, residents of Andover, Massachu- setts. Mr. and Mrs. Parker became the parents of one child, a daughter, Helen A. Parker, who now resides with her mother, Mrs. Batchelder, in Read- ing, Massachusetts. In 1899 Mrs. Parker became the wife of Alden Batchel- der, who is also deceased, and in whose memory there is a tribute in this vol- ume.
The life of Ardenne Parker is the record of a simple career in which the distinguishing marks were a simple devotion to duty and a broad-minded af- fection for his fellow-men.
Lugh Galbraith Bishop
T HE name of Bishop has long been established in New England, while in Gloucester, Massachusetts, it was one of the best known and respected. Hugh Galbraith Bishop was held high as man and designer, his character was stainless in every rela- tion of life, his motives unquestioned, and all his actions were influenced by kindly consideration for others. He was one of the prominent figures in the life of Gloucester and of Rox- bury, Massachusetts, and his death, which occurred at his residence in Rox- bury, December 26, 1915, at the age of sixty-four years, was felt as a serious loss by a large proportion of the community. All who had come into contact with Mr. Bishop at any time, no matter how casually, carried away with them a feeling of warm affection and admiration for him as one whose nature was of the most generous mold, whose essential honesty and charity made him a figure not soon to be forgotten. Despite the somewhat cynical sentiment that seems to be growing in vogue to-day, with regard to moral and ethical standards in the conduct of business, the fact remains that only such successes as are founded upon the rock of honor and integrity are possessed of stabil- ity, and that those which are not so founded, however vast their temporary inflation, are bound to collapse and to be brought to naught finally. One of the best examples of the power of honesty to support the success that he achieved was Hugh Galbraith Bishop, a retired Gloucester shipbuilder, and designer of the famous sloop, "Great Western," which eighteen years ago made the voyage across the Atlantic manned by but a single sailor and he finger- less. The story of Mr. Bishop's success is a most interesting one, and he gave his great business ability and talents wholly to making shipbuilding his life work. He was greatly beloved, being a man of culture and refinement, and an unfailing friend. Through his geniality and sociability he acquired numerous friends from all walks of life, and his intellectual honesty would not permit him to hesitate in acting upon the conclusions to which his convictions of right and wrong might lead him. Moral courage, in which he never failed, is the true test of manhood and the prerequisite of the highest usefulness in public life, and his name will ever stand as a symbol of strength and capa- bility in the annals of the shipbuilding industry. The record of the life of Mr. Bishop might well be held up as an example to the ambitious, who wish to achieve success in a strictly honest way. Thus did he round out his life and to his splendid record of good citizenship and business success he added that highest praise of a true and worthy manhood. Men like Mr. Bishop have wrought well and have left a valuable heritage to posterity.
The birth of Hugh Galbraith Bishop occurred in New Brunswick, March
54
55
hugh Galbraith Bishop
$
4, 1852, the son of William and Margaret (Galbraith) Bishop. Mr. Bishop had little opportunity to obtain an education when a boy, but notwithstanding this face he was considered an intelligent man, being mostly self-educated, receiving his schooling in the best books and magazines of the day. He learned the trade of a ship carpenter early in life, in which occupation his family had been engaged for many generations, and when still a youth left New Bruns- wick and settled in Gloucester, Massachusetts, where he engaged in the ship- building trade, and worked for a short period in the yard of the late David A. Story, on Pearce street. Later, in company with his brother, John Bishop, and James Murphy, he engaged in vessel building at the yard on Vincent street, many of the crack schooners of the day as well as private yachts hav- ing been constructed at their yard. The mainstay of the business was the de- signing and building of fishing schooners, and many of those which are plying between Boston, Gloucester and the Grand Banks to-day have been construct- ed after Mr. Bishop's own designs. This association of himself, his brother and James Murphy continued for many years, and later Mr. Bishop withdrew from the firm and established a large ship-building plant at the head of the harbor. Yacht building became to Mr. Bishop a specialty, and among the noted yachts which were constructed at his yard was the palatial craft owned by the late ex-Governor Edward H. Rollins, of New Hampshire, and another owned by Charles H. Lauriat, of Boston. The sloop "Great Western" in which Howard Blackburn made his trip across the Atlantic alone in 1883 was also built in Mr. Bishop's shipyard from designs made by Mr. Bishop him- self, and he never for a moment doubted the ability of the little craft to make the trip, despite the elements, and that the lone occupant was fingerless. The "Great Western" was cherished in his memory as his greatest and best work, and the story of the trip's start and successful finish was the one Mr. Bishop liked best to relate. His business literally grew by leaps and bounds, and his business acumen was phenomenal, enabling him to extend his output through- out the New England States. The fame of the Bishop shipyard spread until at the time of Mr. Bishop's retirement from all active business pursuits, some years before his death, the name of Bishop was one of the best known in Gloucester, Massachusetts.
Later Mr. Bishop removed to Dorchester, Massachusetts, where his serv- ices were in great demand, and where he became connected with some of the most prominent shipyards, including Lawley's, at South Boston, and Green's in Chelsea, Massachusetts, and in later years he was engaged in building con- tract work. Mr. Bishop's health would not permit him to devote as much time to his work as he wished, and he maintained a small shipyard at Long Wharf, because he could not be satisfied with not being active, and he often said that "he preferred to wear out rather than to rust out." At the request of the Government of the United States, Mr. Bishop designed and made a min- iature model of a fishing vessel. This small boat, known as the "James A.
56
Dugh Galbraith Bishop
Garfield," has been honored by a place in the famous Smithsonian Institution at Washington, D. C., where it is still on exhibition.
After his retirement from active business affairs, Mr. Bishop made his home in Roxbury, Massachusetts, where his widow now resides at No. 36 Thornton street. Funeral services were held at his late residence there, and interment was in the family lot in Oak Grove Cemetery, Gloucester. Mr. Bish- op was a man of the most correct life, and enjoyed the friendship of a large circle of friends who were attached to him by his many sterling traits of char- acter.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.