USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Metropolitan Boston; a modern history; Volume IV > Part 44
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was born in Rochester, New York, and is now deceased. He received his education in the public schools of St. Louis, Missouri, and of Topeka, Kansas, and after school days were over began his active career as an employee in the shoe finding business in St. Louis, where he remained for five years. He then came to Massachusetts and continued in the same line for five more years, at the end of which time he engaged in the investment banking busi- ness in Boston under his own name. For twenty-eight years he continued in this line, and then, having gained a thorough experience, he organized the Massachusetts Realty Mort- gage Company of Boston, in 1913. He has been president of the concern since its organi- zation and at the present time (1929) is taking care of a steadily increasing volume of busi- ness. The offices are located at No. 101 Tre- mont Street and in addition to the usual realty mortgage business the company also does a general real estate and brokerage business. The Massachusetts Realty Mortgage Company ranks among the foremost of its kind in the city, and the volume of its business is increas- ing each year. As a member of the Massa- chusetts Real Estate Exchange and of the Bos- ton Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Church is well known among the business men of the city. Politically, he gives his support to the Repub- lican party. For a period of five years he served in the Missouri National Guard, ranking as second lieutenant in Company I, St. Louis Cadets, Third Regiment. He is an attendant of the Episcopal church, and his favorite rec- reation is watching baseball games.
Herbert B. Church was married, in 1885, to Helen Blanchard, who was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and they are the parents of three sons: 1. Harold B. 2. A. Elliot, who served in the United States Navy during the World War, and is now (1929) treasurer and general manager of the Massachusetts Realty Mortgage Company. 3. David B., served in the United States Army during the World War, and is now engaged in the real estate business in Brookline.
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JAMES ADAMS COLBY-James Adams Colby, of the Boston bar, has practiced for more than twenty years, and his theories on the educational and moral development of the youthful mind have been successfully carried out in many instances, bringing to him the encomiums of others interested in altruistic oc- cupation, as well as the admiration and respect of his fellow-citizens. His legal abilities are un- questioned, but, although intensely interested in the promotion of all worthy civic enterprises, he possesses a native modesty that has ever held him aloof from entering into a career that might border on political ambition. His satis- faction lies in his profession and in helping chil- dren to help themselves.
James Adams Colby was born in Brunswick, Maine, January 14, 1885, and was brought by his parents to Lynn, Massachusetts, when he was one year old. His father was Valentine Green Colby, and his mother, Lesty Lizette (Marr) Colby. Valentine Green Colby was born in Falmouth, Maine, December 13, 1850, and died while returning to Boston from Texas, August 22, 1901. He was a contractor and builder. His widow was a native of Georgetown, Maine, born October 21, 1850, and died in Lynn, Massachusetts, May 31, 1920. The couple had two children, Edward Kelly, at this writing living in Saugus, Massachusetts, and associated with the General Electric Company at Lynn, and James Adams Colby, of whom further. The fam- ily descends in the American line of Gardner Colby, the benefactor of Colby College, of Waterville, Maine, for whom the institution was named.
James Adams Colby was educated in the public schools of Lynn, from which he was graduated, as well as from Ingalls Grammar school there, and the Lynn High School. He then attended the University of Maine, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Returning to Massachu- setts, he was admitted to the bar of this State in that same year. He set himself up in prac- tice at once, but broke in upon this work to at- tend the Chicago Law School, and then taking a course at the College of Divine Theology
and Philosophy, from which he received the de- gree of Doctor of Psychology. He received a Master of Arts degree from the National University, Atlanta, Georgia, and from the same institution the degree of Doctor of Literature and Doctor of Philosophy, while the same institution honored him with the degree of Doctor of Laws in June, 1929. In January, 1929, he was elected a mem- ber of the Board of Regents of the National University of Georgia, and in June, 1929, was made president of that board. He has written a book on philosophy, entitled "Mirrored World." He is a member of the Blue Hill Lodge, Canton, Massachusetts, Order of Free and Accepted Masons; Mount Zion Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Hyde Park Council, Cyprus Commandery, all of the York Rite, and Boston Lafayette Lodge of Perfection; Giles F. Yates Council, Princes of Jerusalem; Mount Olivet Chapter, Rose Croix, and Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret, thirty-second degree Mass- achusetts Consistory; and also Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order 'Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and of the college fraternity, Gamma Eta Gamma. His religious faith is the Con- gregational.
Mr. Colby married, July 16, 1913, in Lynn, Edna Mae Simpson, of Gloucester, Massachu- setts, a daughter of Albert Simpson, deceased. The couple have five children: Ruth Simpson, born December 10, 1914; Helen Dorcas, born December 26, 1916; Alice Louise, born No- vember 29, 1918; Edna Mae, born September 18, 1920; James Adams, Jr., born November 24, 1922.
CHARLES SIDNEY ENSIGN, Jr .- Prom- inent as attorney and trustee in Boston, Mas- sachusetts, Charles Sidney Ensign, Jr., carries on a general practice of law for a large clientele who have for years relied on his un- derstanding to direct the legal end of their affairs. In the profession of law, Mr. Ensign
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follows the footsteps of his late well-known father, who was a practicing attorney in three States and was prominent as a citizen in each locality where he made his residence. Mr Ensign is the son of Charles Sidney Ensign, who was born at Hartford, Connecticut, on July 26, 1842, and died at Newton, Massa- chusetts, on April 10, 1917.
Charles S. Ensign, Sr., was an attorney of Hartford, Connecticut; New York City; and Boston, Massachusetts, being a member of the bars of the three States, Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts.
While practicing law in New York City, he made his home in Brooklyn, and there be- came interested in public affairs, serving as president of the Citizens' Association, and as vice-president of the Citizens' Democratic As- sociation of Kings County. He was a mem- ber of the Municipal Union Society, organized February 12, 1874, to promote the union of New York City with Brooklyn, a manager of the Advisory Committee of Ward 22, and a member of the Board of Managers of the Brooklyn Association for Improving the Con- dition of the Poor. He was also an original member of the Bar Association of Brooklyn, organized June 17, 1872. On January 24, 1876, he was elected for three years a delegate-at- large from Ward 22, to the Democratic General Committee of Kings County, and during the Tilden campaign he was its corresponding secretary. On February 15, 1877, he was elected a delegate from the Twenty-second Ward Tax-Payers' Association to the Tax- Payers' Central Association of the City of Brooklyn. On March 5, 1877, he was elected its secretary and on March 5, 1878, its presi- dent. It was through this organization that real municipal reform in that city was begun. He was also a member of the influential non- partisan Committee of One Hundred. In the fall of 1879 he removed to Watertown, Mas- sachusetts, where he took active interest in civic affairs, being a member of the school committee and also a trustee of the Water- town Public Library. He represented the towns of Watertown and Belmont in the Mas-
sachusetts Legislature. On removing to New- ton, Massachusetts, in 1897, he continued to take the same active part in public affairs and served as a member of the Board of Alder- men for five years. Wherever his home was, he was interested in the general welfare of his community. He married Angeline Faxon Barker, who was born at Brighton, January 12, 1846, and died at Newton, Massachusetts, December 7, 1919. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Sid- ney Ensign had two children: Angie Gertrude; and Charles Sidney, Jr., of whom further.
Charles Sidney Ensign, Jr., was born in Brooklyn, New York, January 22, 1875. When he was a child of five years, his family moved to Watertown, Massachusetts, where he began his education. He attended the local grammar school from which he was graduated in 1889. He then continued his studies at the Water- town High School and was graduated from there in 1893. Then he took a business course at the Bryant & Stratton Commercial Col- lege in Boston, Massachusetts, and finished there with a diploma for his work, in 1895. He next went to Harvard College from where he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1899. After two years with Ginn and Company, publishers, in order to prepare himself for the practice of law, he entered the Boston University School of Law and completed his course in 1903, immediately afterward being admitted to the bar and be- ginning the practice of his profession which he has continued to follow ever since.
Mr. Ensign, like his father, has always been so sincerely interested in civic affairs that he has given of his time and talents to serving the community. Until recently he has made his residence in Newton, Massachusetts, one of the beautiful home cities near Boston, and for nine years he was a member of the Board of Health. He is a man whose tastes run toward the enjoyment of those things that are conducive to culture and the quiet enjoyment of such joys as can be found in and about one's home. He is especially fond of garden- ing, in fact, this is one of his hobbies. He now is a resident of South Harpswell, Maine,
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where he takes his chief recreation in indulg- ing in his favorite pastime of caring for his garden.
He also has several interesting collections of different articles, the greatest of which, and the one in which he is particularly interested, is his collection of Masonic razors. It is said that this collection of Masonic razors is the largest and most complete in America. In addition to this collection, he has acquired a number of very valuable and especially inter- esting pieces of antique furniture. These treasures not only have historic value, but give much delight to Mr. Ensign and his friends.
Charles Sidney Ensign, Jr., is an enthusiastic member of the Order of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He is a Past Master and honorary member of Fraternity Lodge, of Newtonville; a charter member of Norumbega Lodge, of Newtonville; a member of The Har- vard Lodge of Cambridge; and a Thirty-second degree Mason; he is a Past Exalted Ruler of Newton Lodge, No. 1327, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Past Regent, Mount Ida Council, No. 1247, Royal Arcanum, and Past District Deputy. He is a life-member of the New England Historic-Genealogical Society. In religion, he affiliates with the Congregational church. His first Ensign an- cestor in this country was James Ensign, who settled at Cambridge, Massachusetts, about 1630, and crossed the Massachusetts wilderness with the Thomas Hooker party and finally settled at Hartford on the banks of the Con- necticut River.
At Newton, Massachusetts, on October 11, 1905, Charles Sidney Ensign, Jr., married Florence Shepard Page, who was born at Stanley, New Jersey, the daughter of the late George Shepard Page and Emily Frances (De Bacon) Page. Mr. and Mrs. Ensign have no children.
FRANK BUTLAND DOWST* was born in Salem, Massachusetts, May 19, 1859, the only son of Richard Dowst and Susan Butland.
His mother was born in Holne, Devonshire, England, and on her side Mr. Dowst descended from a sturdy strain of yeoman farmers.
*The surname Dowst has many variants-Dowse, Dows, Dowce, Douse, Doust, Daoust, Douce, etc.,-all apparently derived, through the Norman-French Douce, meaning "sweet", from the Latin "dulcis", of the same meaning. The name, in its present forms, has been English since prior to the sixteenth century; the variant spellings undoubtedly are instances of corrup- tions and alterations worked by ignorant and semi- illiterate parish-clerks while recording births, marriages and deaths-the most common source of name-altera- tion. A number of the variant spellings of Dowst, Dowse and Doust given above are accepted and used by various families of the name now in the United States, but there is no agreement between them as to whether the several groups sprang from a common an- cestor, however remote. Certainly these divergencies in name occurred in England at a comparatively remote period. The county of origin of the name or family in England is not definitely known; probabilities seem to favor Hampshire. In Marylebone Parish Church, London, there lies buried Sir Edmund Dowce, cup- bearer to Anne of Denmark, Queen of James I of England, and to Henrietta Maria, Queen of Charles I. He died in 1644 at the age of sixty-three, and his monument describes him as of Broughton in the county of South, i. e., Southampton, the old designation of a part of Hampshire.
Mr. Dowst's father, Richard, was born at Rockport, Massachusetts, March 12, 1827. The son of a baker, he was apprenticed to the trade of carpenter, which he followed during his active life, except that he joined the gold rush to California in "forty-nine," took ship to Panania, crossed the Isthmus, sailed to San Francisco, and spent some time at the gold-workings, chiefly employed at his trade. He died at Danvers, Massachusetts, May 31, 1912, at an advanced age.
The earliest known American ancestor of Mr. Dowst in the direct male line is William Dowst, his great-great-grandfather, who mar- ried Jane Aborn June 24, 1754. July 6, 1776, he enlisted as a private in Captain Benjamin Ward's company, was stationed at Salem, Mas- sachusetts, and served till August 31, 1776, in the defense of the seacoast .**
** See Essex Antiquarian, Vol. VI, p. 232; Massa· chusetts Soldiers & Sailors of the Revolution, Vol. IV, p. 939.
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Mr. Dowst's father, Richard, through his mother, Hannah Somerby, was a direct de- scendant of Anthony Somerby, born in Little Bytham, Lincolnshire, England, in 1610. He graduated from Cambridge University in 1630, and, on the death of his father in 1639, sailed for New England in the ship "Jonathan." He landed at Boston the same year, and settled in Newbury, where he was the first school- master, and by grant and purchase acquired large land-holdings, part of which remained in the family for seven generations. He filled many important offices, dying July 31, 1686, at the age of seventy-six years.
Through his father's mother, Hannah Somer- by. Mr. Dowst was descended from Hannah Emerson, who married Thomas Dustin. Cap- tured by Indians at Haverhill, Massachuetts, in 1697, who killed her week-old baby on their way into the northern wilderness, she awaited her opportunity and finally killed and scalped ten of them while they slept, escaping unassisted. There are monuments to her in Haverhill and in Contoocook, New Hampshire.
Mr. Dowst was also a descendant, through his paternal grandmother, of Captain Brockle- bank, who was killed with all of his company by Indians during King Philip's War, April 21, 1676, when returning from the relief of a garrison at Marlboro, Massachusetts, then threatened by the savages. A monument at Sudbury commemorates this event.
Another monument, in West Newbury, Mas- sachusetts, bears the names of twelve of Mr. Dowst's ancestors in the Somerby line.
Mr. Dowst's paternal great-great-grandfather, William Dowstt, who served at Salem in the Continental land-forces in 1776, also was a privateersman during the Revolutionary War. He was a man of great stature and greater strength; there are well authenticated family traditions of his physical prowess, as in lifting an ox over a fence, rather than trouble to let down the bars, and in lifting a 2400 pound anchor clear of the deck.
*The immediate descent of Frank Butland Dowst on the paternal side is as follows: William Dowst, born
died- -; married Jane Aborn June 23, 1754; Samuel Dowst, his son, born June 29, 1766, died married Abigail Very; Richard Dowst, his son, born March 10, 1801, at Salem, Massachusetts, died March 13, 1881; married Hannah Somerby, April 12, 1825; Richard Dowst, his son, born March 12, 1827, at Rockport, Massachusetts, died May 31, 1912, at Danvers, Massachusetts; married Susan Butland. This Richard was father to the subject of this sketch, Frank Butland Dowst.
Mr. Dowst's great-grandfather, Samuel Dowst, served in the privateer brig "Rattle- snake," which was captured by the English frigate "Hyperion," June 3, 1814, while attempt- ing to escape from the blockaded French harbor of La Rochelle. Samuel was confined in Dart- moor Prison (originally built and used as a war, not a convict, prison) about eight miles away from the little village of Holne, Devon- shire, from which Mr. Dowst's mother, Susan Butland, later emigrated to America. The "Rattlesnake" was a 16-gun brig, commanded by Captain Maffit, who had surrendered the "Atlas" July 12, 1813, off the Carolina coast. After this: "Captain Maffit, notwithstanding the loss of his ship, soon secured command of the splendid 16-gun brig 'Rattlesnake,' and made one of the most successful ventures of the war; the 'Rattlesnake' alone sending into Norway one million dollars worth of prizes. . . Meantime the 'Rattlesnake' was giving a good account of herself. Between August 10 and August 22, 1813, Captain Maffit took the brigs 'Betsey,' 'Pax,' 'Thetis,' 'Diligent' and 'Friends' Adventure,' besides the sloops 'Perseverance' and 'Fame.' In all, the 'Rattlesnake' took eight- een vessels."ft It cannot be ascertained what rating Samuel Dowst held on the 'Rattlesnake'; he was forty-four years old at the time of this cruise and his capture. It was during his imprisonment at Dartmoor that there occurred what is known as the "Dartmoor Massacre"- the shooting down, by orders of the comman- dant, of helpless Americans in the prison yards, consequent upon discovery of an attempt by a number to escape by tunneling.
tt"A History of American Privateers," by E. S. Maclay, p. 264.
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Although Mr. Dowst's father and grandfather were landsmen, he himself, like his great- great-grandfather and great-grandfather, turned to the sea in early life. After graduation from Salem High School in 1876, he secured, by competitive examination in 1877, an appoint- ment as Cadet Engineer to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. He graduated in 1881, fifth in his class, being given his diploma by President Garfield shortly before the latter's assassination. He was assigned to the U. S. Steam Frigate "Richmond," which he joined at Panama, and was on the Asiatic station in her till 1883, visiting China, Japan, and the chief island groups of the Pacific. Among his shipmates on the "Richmond" was John W. Weeks, then midshipman, of the class of '81, United States Naval Academy, later commander of the Massachusetts Naval Brigade (in which Mr. Dowst was lieutenant and en- gineer from 1898-1901), congressman and sen- ator from Massachusetts, and Secretary of War under Presidents Harding and Coolidge. Mr. Dowst was in the naval service of the United States as Cadet Engineer for ten years, from 1877 to 1887, when he resigned.
After his return to the United States, Mr. Dowst became associated with B. F. Sturtevant, of Boston, Massachusetts (later B. F. Sturte- vant Company of Jamaica Plain and Hyde Park, Massachusetts), manufacturer of blowers and ventilating machinery. His function was that of supervising engineer, and during his engagement in this work his company installed blowers and ventilating equipment of practi- cally all naval vessels of the United States then constructed.
In 1898, on the outbreak of the Spanish- American War, Mr. Dowst joined the Mas- sachusetts Naval Brigade as lieutenant and engineer under Captain John W. Weeks, and rendered inspection service at the several navy yards on the Atlantic seaboard. He resigned in 1901.
After his resignation as Supervising Engineer from the B. F. Sturtevant Company in 1910, Mr. Dowst was asked, by a group of Boston capitalists interested in West Virginia coal
mining properties, first to investigate and an- alyze the operations of, then to take over control and management of the financial affairs of the New River Company, a holding com- pany controlling a number of coal mining operations in the New River and Pocahontas semi-bituminous coal fields of West Virginia. This company, at the time Mr. Dowst as- sumed his duties, first as Controller, later as Secretary and Treasurer, was in precarious operating and financial condition, due to the mismanagement and ill-advised policies of former executives. The ultimate result of Mr. Dowst's management of the financial affairs of the parent and subsidiary companies, in conjunction with sounder operating policies, was to place the several companies on a firm basis, thus protecting the interests of those who had invested in their securities while also ensuring continued operation of ten or twelve large mines giving employment to hundreds of miners besides a large office and field sales force. In addition to serving as Secretary- Treasurer of the New River Company, Mr. Dowst was also Sales Manager of the White Oak Coal Company, which acted as selling agent for the several subsidiary mining com- panies.
In the fall of 1914, after the outbreak of the World War, Mr. Dowst went to Italy on the affairs of the New River Company, chiefly to open a foreign market for its coal. He remained abroad until the late spring of 1915. Toward the end of his trip he spent some time in England, and found opportunity to visit, with relatives resident in London, the county of Devonshire and particularly the little vil- lage of Holne from which his mother had come to America.
Mr. Dowst resigned his office of Secretary- Treasurer of the New River Company in the fall of 1927. His resignation was accepted by the directors of the company, effective Jan- uary 1, 1928, with expressions of regret. There- after he resided at No. 1679 Beacon Street, Brookline, Massachusetts, until his death, Feb- ruary 28, 1929. In addition to his activities men- tioned above, Mr. Dowst enjoyed repute and
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a considerable practice as consulting engineer. He resided, during his association with the B. F. Sturtevant Company, at Jamaica Plain and West Roxbury, Massachusetts; during his association with the New River Company at Mt. Hope, West Virginia, where the head offices of the company were located.
January 18, 1888, Mr. Dowst married Nellie Saunders, daughter of Dr. Robert Jackman Saunders, of Salem, Massachusetts, and Susan Davis, his wife. Three children were born of this marriage, Robert Saunders Dowst, April 20, 1890, now a lawyer of New York City; Helen Saunders Dowst, January 27, 1894, who died in infancy September 21, 1894; and Philip Butland Dowst, June 29, 1896, a lawyer of Boston.
His Naval Academy class, that of 1881, was very close to Mr. Dowst's heart; for a number of years he was its secretary. He made a point to attend its reunions at Washington and Annapolis whenever possible-there to re- new old friendships and to revive old naval rec- ollections. Mr. Dowst was a member of the Wardroom Club (naval) of Boston, Massachu- setts; of the Army and Navy Club, Washing- ton, District of Columbia; of the Highland Club, West Roxbury, Massachusetts; Unitarian Club, Boston, Massachusetts; Unitarian Club, West Roxbury, Massachusetts; Massachusetts Military Historical Society; Boston Ward 23 Republican Committee; Standing Committee of the Unitarian Church of the First Parish of West Roxbury, Massachusetts, (Theodore Parker's church); American Society of Me- chanical Engineers; American Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers; American Society of Naval Engineers; Boston Society of Civil Engineers. He was Master Mason, Eliot Lodge of Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, and a member of Lodge No. 103, of the Free and Accepted Masons of Macdonald, West Virginia.
Although of sturdy build, derived from his seafaring forebears, and but little short of six feet in height, Mr. Dowst did not engage in any athletic sport after his naval academy years. He had two real hobbies-his home and family, and genealogy. He possessed in strong
degree the feeling or sense of family, valued in a sane and sensible way the implications of good heredity and good descent, and for a number of years, as the pressure of business permitted, engaged in research, in person and by correspondence, for the origins and con- nections of his family both in this country and in England. The genealogical data in this sketch were secured by him over a course of years; and his private papers contained many notes of genealogical investigations and mem- oranda of points on which he desired further light.
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