Men of progress one thousand biographical sketches and portraits of leaders in business and professional life in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Part 136

Author: Herndon, Richard; Bacon, Edwin M. (Edwin Monroe), 1844-1916
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Boston : New England Magazine
Number of Pages: 1036

USA > Massachusetts > Men of progress one thousand biographical sketches and portraits of leaders in business and professional life in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts > Part 136

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LEVI C. WADE.

Massachusetts Legislature, as a representative for Newton, for four successive years (1876-79), the last year occupying the speakership of the House, the youngest man that has ever held that position in the Legislature of this State. Among other positions which he held was that of direc- tor of the General Theological Library. His death occurred at a time when he had large in- terests in hand, and was successfully developing the great railroad property of which he was the official head. Upon this event the directors of the Mexican Central caused to be spread upon the records a series of extended resolutions ex- pressing their " appreciation of his loyalty to this

company, and his worth as a man." These reso- lutions relate that "at the commencement of the building of the Mexican Central Railroad, in 1880, Mr. Wade was its attorney, and in that position displayed remarkable skill and sagacity. In 1884, upon the retirement of Thomas Nickerson from the presidency, Mr. Wade was elected to fill the vacancy. He assumed the position under circum- stances discouraging and disheartening. The railroad was not earning the interest on its first mortgage bonds. The company was heavily in debt, and its credit was gone. Mr. Wade, as its president, threw himself, with all his power and energy, into the reorganization of the securities. Upon this he worked incessantly, and succeeded in reorganizing the whole bonded debt. He built the Guadalajara branch, he finished the Tampico branch, and he completed his plans for the im- provement of Tampico Harbor. .And, still more, he managed, on a most satisfactory basis for this company, a settlement in cash with the govern- ment of Mexico for all the subsidy due from the Mexican government to this corporation, - in amount over $14,000,000,- the last draft having been paid the day before his death. Passing in review his connection with this company, com- mencing with its organization as its attorney, and later as its president, he met every demand. He mastered and was successful in the details of rail- road work, he built branch roads, and he de- veloped and carried to success large schemes of finance. He adapted himself to all these with a quickness and accuracy seldom, if ever, equalled in the history of railroad management. Amid all the large work in which he was engaged, Mr. Wade was simple in his nature, courteous and gentlemanly in his manners, and easily ap- proached by the humblest person. He showed at all times the fullest integrity and honesty of purpose, and was as magnanimous as he was broad in his conduct of affairs. He was a man of large attainments and great general knowledge. His mind worked quickly, and he had wonderful power in grasping new subjects and carrying them to a successful issue. He worked assiduously for the company, but he never failed to recognize the touch of other interests affected by the com- pany. His whole life was based on religious con- viction. He believed, and went forward to carry out his belief. He wanted to do the right, and wrong of every kind shocked and grieved him. His place in this company cannot easily be filled."

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Mr. Wade was married in Bath, Me., November 16, 1869, to Miss Margaret Rogers, daughter of the Hon. William and Lydia ( Elliot) Rogers. They had four children : Arthur C., William R., Levi C., Jr., and Robert N. Wade.

WELLS, BENJAMIN WILLIAMS, of Boston, mer- chant, was born in Boston, October 15, 1861, son of P. Francis and Isabella ( Reed) Wells. He is a descendant of Pierre Wells, an early settler of Truro, Mass., and on the maternal side of Andrew Reed, one of the first settlers of Boothbay, Me.

BENJ. W. WELLS.

His early education was acquired at Chauncy Hall School, and he was fitted for college at Hopkin- son's School. He graduated from Harvard in the class of 1884. He entered business life soon after graduation, and in 1886 became a member of the firm of E. Williams & Co .. one of the oldest in Boston,- established in 1825,- engaged in the South American trade, and ship-owners. Subse- quently he also became interested in the Boston Automatic Fire Alarm Company, and is now treasurer of the corporation. He is actively con- cerned in political matters, being chairman of the Ward Eleven (Boston) Democratic committee, which position he has held for the past five years,

and a member of the Democratic State Committee. He was one of the founders of the Young Men's Democratic Club of Massachusetts, and is now chairman of the executive committee, having pre- viously served for three years as secretary of the club. He is a firm believer in the future of Bos- ton, and is convinced that great good would be accomplished if more business men would give some attention to politics. Mr. Wells is a mem- ber of the Boston Chamber of Commerce and of the Athletic, Puritan, and Exchange clubs. He is unmarried.

WHITTIER, CHARLES, of Boston, manufact- urer, is a native of Maine, born in Vienna, Kenne- bec County, November 26, 1829, son of John Brodhead and Lucy (Graham) Whittier. His father, a farmer, was also a native of Vienna, born in 1800. His first ancestors in America were Thomas and Ruth (Green) Whittier, Thomas coming from England to New England in 1638, at the age of sixteen. From the same stock the poet Whittier descended. His mother was of an old Walpole (Mass.) family. Mr. Whittier was educated in the public schools of Roxbury and Boston, and at seventeen began a regular apprenticeship at the machinist's trade, in works where steam-engines, boilers, and general machin- ery were made, which covered three years. Dur- ing this service he also studied engineering, and for two years attended the drawing-school of the Lowell Institute in Boston. His apprenticeship completed, he continued with the firm with which he had learned his trade, as a journeyman, and the next few years travelled throughout the East- ern and Northern States, erecting steam-engines and machinery. In 1859 he was made superin- tendent of the works, and admitted to partnership in the firm, the firm name then becoming Camp- bell, Whittier, & Co. Fifteen years later the business was incorporated, with Mr. Whittier as president and manager, under the name of the Whittier Machine Company, by which it has since been known. Mr. Whittier was one of the earliest to engage in the development of the passenger and freight elevator, and many of the improve- ments in these machines, whereby their speed, safety, and comfort have been increased, were invented by him. He has received a number of medals from industrial exhibitions: the "first degree of merit, special," silver medal from the International Exhibition at Sydney, Australia,

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MEN OF PROGRESS.

in 1879, for his steam passenger elevator and engine, the first of its kind shown in Australia ; a gold medal from the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association for his steam elevator exhibited at the Fourteenth Exhibition of this or- ganization in I881 ; a gold medal for his new hydro-electric elevator at the Sixteenth Exhibition of the Mechanic Association in ISS7 ; bronze medal for the hydro-electric elevator at the Seven- teenth Exhibition of the same association in 1891 ; gold medal from the Middlesex Mechanics' Exhi- bition at Lowell, in 1867, for the Miller's patent elevator of his make; and a diploma from the

CHARLES WHITTIER.

Augusta (Ga.) Exposition in 1891 for his direct- acting double-screw electric elevator. Mr. Whittier built the first engine that went up the railway on Mt. Washington, White Mountains, N.H. ; and this same engine the year before sawed the lumber that was used for the track-way. The present works of his company, at South Boston, are now equipped with extensive plants for machine-build- ing, especially adapted to the manufacture of steam, hydraulic, and electric elevators. His success in machine-making and in inventions is attributed to his close application, added to enthu- siasm for applied mechanics. Mr. Whittier has been for many years an active member of the

Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association, and a member of the American Society of Me- chanical Engineers. He was also for a long period a member of the executive committee of the Board of Trustees of Tufts College ; a trustee of Dean Academy, Franklin; and a trustee and vice-president of the Eliot Savings Bank, Roxbury District, Boston. He was a member of the State Senate in 1884, serving as chairman of the com- mittee on manufactures and member of the committee on the treasury. In politics he is a Republican, and in religious faith a Universalist. He has been a member of the First Universalist Society of Roxbury for forty years. He married, June 7, 1855, Miss Eliza Isabel Campbell, daughter of Benjamin F. Campbell, of Roxbury.

WINCH, JOHN FRANCIS, of Boston, boot and shoe merchant, was born in Acton, November 27, 1838, third son of John and Mary (Russell) Winch. His early life was spent on his father's farm, and his education was obtained at the dis- trict school. At the age of sixteen he began busi- ness life as a clerk in a country store in Wayland, where he worked from early morning to late at night, acquiring a good training. After a year in this occupation he returned home, and took an- other term at school. Then he went to Concord, and was employed for three years in a dry-goods store in that town. Thence he came to Boston in 1863, and entered the wholesale boot and shoe house of Henry Damon, with whom his brother, Joseph R. Winch, had begun his Boston career. He soon displayed marked aptitude for the busi- ness ; and in 1866, but three years after his first engagement, he was admitted to partnership by Mr. Damon, the firm name becoming Damon & Co. In 1868 the partnership was dissolved; and he joined his brother in the house which the lat- ter founded, the firm name being changed from Hosmer & Winch to Hosmer & Winch Brothers, and later. upon the retirement of Mr. Hosmer, becoming Winch Brothers as it has since re- mained. Of the great business which the firm conducts he has had experience in every depart- ment, which has given him a firm grasp on all details ; and he has devoted especial attention to the management of the financial affairs of the concern. In the musical world Mr. Winch is widely known as a vocalist, a rich baritone, hav- ing taken a part in concerts of high standard in

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MEN OF PROGRESS.

many of the leading cities of the country. He sang in the choir of the Rev. Dr. Edward E. Hale's church in Boston for twenty-three years :

JOHN F. WINCH.

and his services in other church choirs, as well as in concerts, have been in large demand for a long period. He was a charter member of the Apollo Club, Boston, and is still a member of that soci- ety. Mr. Winch was married in Boston, June 7. 1869. to Miss Kate Rametti. They have one daughter : Mabel Winch.

WINCH, JOSEPH RUSSELL, of Boston, boot and shoe merchant, was born in Princeton, April 14. 1825, son of John and Mary ( Russell) Winch. He was the second in a family of three sons and four daughters. His father was a farmer, and his boyhood was spent on a thrifty New England farm. lle received his education in the district school. When he reached the age of twenty-one. he left home and went to Wayland. where he con- tinued some time at farm work, and also served an apprenticeship in the boot and shoe making trade. Possessing natural musical talent, which he had carefully cultivated, he devoted his leisure time during this period and after he had finished his apprenticeship to teaching vocal music, follow-

ing this avocation with success in various towns of Middlesex County. In 1858. when he was thirty- three years of age, he came to Boston, and entered the employ of Henry Damon, a boot and shoe job- ber, with whom he remained four years. Then. in 1862, forming a partnership with George Hosmer. under the firm name of Hosmer & Winch, he started in the business for himself. Through his practical knowledge of boot and shoe making and his energy. the business rapidly developed, and

steady success followed. In 1868 his brother, John F. Winch, who as a partner of Henry Damon had achieved a marked success in the same line of business, was admitted to the partnership, the firm name becoming Hosmer & Winch Brothers. Mr. Hosmer retired in 1875, when the name became Winch Brothers, as at present. Mr. Winch's first store was on Milk Street in the line now covered by the post-office. Thence the firm moved to Federal Street, where it was established when the " great fire of 1872 " swept through the heart of the busi- ness quarter of the city. The store and contents were totally destroyed, incurring a heavy loss, for the greater part of the insurance carried by the

JOSEPH R. WINCH.

house was in Boston companies. most of whom were unable to meet the drafts upon them : but immediately after the fire the old Boston Lancers'

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MEN OF PROGRESS.

Armory on Sudbury Street was rented by the firm, and fitted for its business, which went on as be- fore with but few days' interruption. In 1874 the firm returned to Federal Street, having there two stores, Nos. 130 and 134. The rapid growth of the business necessitated repeated enlargements, -the adjoining store being added in 1878,- until now it occupies the entire six floors and basement of these buildings, giving a total floor space of more than an acre and a quarter. The business at the present time employs ninety-five persons, and is represented by five travelling sales- men ; and the goods of the house - boots, shoes, and rubbers - are sold in all parts of the United States and Canada and in Europe. Mr. Winch continued his interest in music after his removal to Boston. He was a charter member of the Apollo Club, and has always been active in its be- half ; and his voice has been heard most accept- ably in the choirs of various Boston churches. He was married September 13, 1846, to Miss Mary E. Carver, of Wayland. They have one daughter : Mary Ella, who married September 13, 1870, George Fred Winch.

WINSOR, JUSTIN, of Cambridge, librarian of Harvard College and historical writer, was born in Boston, January 2, 1831, son of Nathaniel and Ann T. H. Winsor. He was fitted for college at the Boston Latin School, and entered Harvard in the class of 1853. He next went abroad, and completed his studies in Paris and at Heidelberg. Germany. In 1868 he was appointed superintend- ent of the Boston Public Library, and continued in charge of that institution for nearly ten years, resigning in 1877 to take the position of librarian of the Harvard College Library, in which he has since remained. He has held a leading place among American librarians for many years, and has contributed much to what is called library science, and has delivered addresses on this topic at the dedication of the library buildings of the University of Michigan, the North-western Univer- sity, and elsewhere. He was one of the founders of the American Library Association, and presi- dent of the organization from 1876-86. He has served also as president of the American Histori- cal Association, and as corresponding secretary of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and is at present its vice-president. He has been a prolific writer on historical subjects, particularly in the

department of Americana, and has done much im- portant work as an editor. His list of publica- tions includes : the " History of Duxbury, Mass.," published in 1849 ; an address, "The Mayflower Town," made on the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the same town ; "Bibliography of the Original Quartos and Folios of Shakespeare" (1876) ; " Reader's Handbook of the American Revolution, 1761 to 1783 " (1879); " Was Shakespeare Shapleigh ? A Correspondence in Two Entanglements" (1886), a skit aimed at the Baconian theory. He has published many pamphlets, among which

JUSTIN WINSOR.

may be mentioned : " Governor Bradford's Man- uscript History of Plymouth Plantation," " Ar- nold's Expedition against Quebec. 1775-76," " The Manuscript Sources of American History." " Notes on the Spurious Letters of Montcalm," " The Earliest Printed Books on New England," " The New England Indians, a Bibliographical Survey. 1630-1700," " The Perils of Historical Research," " The Rival Claimants for North America," "The Pageant of Saint Lusson." "The Cartographical History of the North-eastern Boundary Controversy." He was the editor of the " Memorial History of Boston," four vol- umes (1880-82), to which he contributed numer-

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MEN OF PROGRESS.

ous historical notes and other matter ; and of the "Narrative and Critical History of America," in eight volumes (1883-89), in the preparation of which he wrote a large part himself, and had the co-operation of a committee of the Massachusetts Historical Society. He has edited the " Harvard University Bulletin " since 1877, and " Biblio- graphical Contributions," also since 1877, to which publications he has contributed " Shakes- peare's Poems," " Pietas et Gratulatio : Inquiry into the Authorship of Several Pieces," " Halli- welliana," "Bibliography of Ptolemy's Geog- raphy," "The Kohl Collection of Early Maps," and a "Calendar of the Sparks Manuscripts in Harvard College Library." He also edited the "Record of the 250th Anniversary of the Found- ing of Harvard College " (1887), and has deliv- ered three commemorative addresses before Har- vard University, one on the centennial of Wash- ington's inaugural, a second on the Columbian anniversary, and a third in honor of Francis Parkman, at the time of that historian's death. They have all been printed. He has also written a "Life of Christopher Columbus," " From Car- tier to Fontenac," and "The Mississippi Basin." These volumes bring down to the peace of Paris, 1763, a history of North America, with particular reference to the way in which the physiography of the continent has shaped its destiny. The series is to be continued. He received the honorary degree of LL.1). in 1886 from the University of Michigan, and the same degree from Williams College on the occasion of its centennial. Mr. Winsor was married in 1855 to Miss Caroline T. Barker, daughter of Ebenezer and Sally (Fuller) Barker.

WOLF, BERNARD MARK, of Boston, merchant. was born in Boston, February 17, 1862, son of Jacob and Augusta (Prager) Wolf. He is of Ger- man ancestry. He was educated in the Boston public schools, passing through the Rice Training and the English High schools. He left school at the age of seventeen, and engaged with his father in the retail clothing trade. In 1882, when he was but twenty years of age, he was admitted as a partner in one of his father's stores, and as- sumed entire charge of it. In 1884 he withdrew from the firm, and started in business alone, as a manufacturer of clothing. In August. 1886, he re-entered the retail trade, opening his store at No. Go Washington Street, on the corner of Han-

over Street. Three years later he purchased the store on Portland and Hanover Streets, and added that to his growing business. After a while the strain of conducting both establishments became greater than he could bear; and in 1891 he dis- posed of the store on the Hanover and Washington Street corner, and withdrew from active work for a year and a half. Since that time he has given his entire attention to his remaining store, famil- iarly known as the Massachusetts Clothing Com- pany, "My Clothier." Mr. Wolf has served in the lower house of the Legislature one term. 1892. In politics he is a stanch Democrat. He

BERNARD M. WOLF.

is an active member of the Young Men's Demo- cratic Club of Massachusetts, and has served on its executive committee since 1892. He has been president of the Young Men's Hebrew Union, a director of the Young Men's Hebrew Associa- tion, and director of the Moses Montefiore Home and Vid Society. He is a Freemason, member of Zetland Lodge: an Odd Fellow, belonging to the Bunker Hill Lodge and Encampment ; a member of the Bay State Lodge, Free Sons of Israel ; a member of the Elysium Club and of the Megan- tic Fish and Game ('lub. He has been an exten- sive traveller in this country and in Europe. Mr. Wolf is unmarried.

ADDENDA AND ERRATA.

ABBOTT, S. A. B .- pp. 9. 10. In 9th line, p. 10. the date 1876 should be 1867. Mr. Abbott resigned from the Board of Trustees of the Boston Public Library May 1, 1895.

ALGER, A. B .- PP. 13. 14. Died May. 1895.

AMORY, ROBERT .- P. 704. In roth line dele the words " daughter of."

Arwoon, H. H .- pp. 706. 707. In 13th line, p. 707. instead of "the youngest member," etc .. read " one of the youngest members "; in 23d line insert " the late" before " John August."

BABSON. T. M .- pp. 100, 101. Appointed city solicitor of Boston by Mayor Curtis in 1895.

BAILEY. A. J .- pp. 17. 18. Appointed corporation counsel by Mayor Curtis in 1895. BAILEY, D. P .-- pp. 196, 197. Dele 13th-15th lines, " For a year before," etc .. to end of the sentence ; in 18th line, 2d col., p. 197. date should be 1867 instead of 1886: in 26th line, for " has been " read " was"; in 34th line add "and Beauseau Commandery."

BARRETT, W. E .- pp. 19, 20. Elected to Congress for the Seventh Massachusetts District, November. 1894.

BARROWS, R. S .- p. 541. In 11th line " eighty-three " should be " eighty-five."

BLACKMER, JOHN .-- pp. 283-285. Died April, 1895.

BRADY, JAMES, JR .- pp. 371, 372. In 2d and 3d lines. p. 372. dele "and by President Cleveland in 1894"; in 5th line add " association " after " regiment." BURKE, FRANCIS,- p. 850. In the 9th line, 2d col., after " Club " insert " of Brighton." He is also president of the Brighton Social Club.

BURRAGE. ALBERT C .- p. 851. In last line, after " H." insert comma.

CHAGNON. J. B .- pp. 629, 630. In the 17th line read " L'Assomption " for " St. Assomption "; in next line read " Beique " for " Beigue."

C'OPELAND, ALFRED M .- pp. 291, 292. In 17th line. 2d col., p. 291, date 1883 should be 1879.

('ROCKER. GEORGE G .- PP. 31, 32. AAppointed by Governor Greenhalge in July. 1894. chairman of the Boston Transit Commission.

('ROCKER, U. H .- pp. 34. 35. Add to his list of publications, ". The Cause of Hard Times, published in 1895."

CROSSLEY, ARTHUR W. - p. 861. No longer connected with the firm of Wright, Brown, & Crossley. In roth line, 2d col .. in place of " Senator William E. Chandler, of New Hampshire." read " W. E. Chandlee, of Washington."

CUMMINGS, EUSTACE .- P. 739. In 25th line, in place of " December, 1862." read " May. 1864."

DEARBORN, ALVAR B .- pp. 559, 560. In 3d line " Alvira " should be " Elvira." DEVER. JOHN F .- pp. 745-747. Elected clerk of committees. City Council. Jan- uary. 1896.

DYER, BENJAMIN F .- pp. 562, 563. In ist and 2d lines, in place of " insurance agent" read " secretary and general manager of the New England Mutual Accident Association of Boston."

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ADDENDA AND ERRATA.

FAY, J. M .- pp. 298, 299. " Is." instead of " has been," a trustee of the Hampshire Bank.

FITCH, ROBERT G .- pp. 45. 46. Service as chairman of the Board of Fire Com- missioners closed in July, 1895, upon the establishment of a single-headed commission.

FROTHINGHAM, O. B .- pp. 478, 479. Died November 27, 1895.

GARGAN, THOMAS J .- P. 479. Appointed by Governor Greenhalge in July, 1894, a member of the Boston Transit Commission.

GEORGE, ELIJAH. - pp. 50, 51. Dele " Algonquin and Abstract " in list of clubs.

GILMAN, NICHOLAS P .- pp. 51, 52. Retired from the editorship of the Literary World in July, 1895, upon removal to Meadville, Penna., where he is now Hackley professor of Sociology and Ethics in the Theological School there. Married June 20, 1895, to Mary Sherwood Stubbs, of Concord, N.H.

GLASIER, ALFRED A .-- pp. 763, 764. In 14th line, 2d col., p. 764, for " vice-presi- dent " read " president"; in next line for " Maryland Eclectic " read " Edison Electric Illuminating "; add to list of clubs " the Maryland Club of Baltimore." GREENHALGE, FREDERIC T .- PP. 52, 53. Re-elected governor for second term in 1894, and for third term in 1895.

HASTON, ERASMUS .- PP. 391, 392. Died March 13, 1895.

HOGNER, RICH .- PP. 773, 774. In 17th line, p. 774, for " Adolf 11." read . 2d Adolf."

HOLMES, A. R .- pp. 399, 400. Died November 11, 1894.

HOWE, OSCAR F .- pp. 776. 777. In 3d line read " 20 " for " 24."

HOUGHTON, H. O .- pp. 58, 59. Died August 25, 1895.

HUTCHINSON, GEORGE .- pp. 227, 228. In 2d line, ist col., p. 228, date 1891 should be 1881.

KNIGHT, HORATIO G .- PP. 408, 409. Died October 16, 1895.

LARRABEE, JOHN .-- PP. 409, 410. In 12th line, ist col., p. 410, date 1883 should be 1886; also in the 15th line.

LAWRENCE, WILLIAM B .- pp. 410. 411. In 20th line, ist col .. p. 411, captain- general should be generalissimo ; in 21st line "senior " should be " junior " ; in 22d line insert " Boston " before " Lafayette."

LIBBEY, HOSEA W .- pp. 583, 584. Married second, November 1, 1869, Violet G. Bancroft, of Worcester. The daughter, Vinnietta J., is of the second union. LINCOLN, J. B .- pp. 150, 151. Died October, 1895.

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Men of progress one thousand biographical sketches and portraits of leaders in business and professional life in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Part 136

Author: Herndon, Richard; Bacon, Edwin M. (Edwin Monroe), 1844-1916 Publication date: 1896 Publisher: Boston : New England Magazine Number of Pages: 1036

Author: Herndon, Richard; Bacon, Edwin M. (Edwin Monroe), 1844-1916
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Boston : New England Magazine
Number of Pages: 1036