USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Metropolitan Boston; a modern history; Volume V > Part 19
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
The Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was built in 1906 and dedicated in 1907 by Arch- bishop Williams. The land upon which the church is located, together with the lower church, cost $20,000 and the upper church was erected at a cost of $75,000, making a total cost of $95,000. The church was dedicated No- vember 28, 1920, at which time there was still a mortgage of $7,000 remaining upon the build- ing. This was later paid off, additional land was purchased, and at the present time (1929) the church property is valued at about $200,- 000. The mortgage was finally wiped out by Rev. Father Parenti, who remained in charge until November, 1923, when he was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. Father Matteucci, who has been very active during the five years of his pastorate here, has remodeled the rec- tory and enlarged it, and has completely re- decorated the church. The parish numbers fif- teen thousand souls, and the pastor is kept busy attending to the material equipment and min- istering to the spiritual needs of so large a body of people. He is very anxious to build a parochial school and is working hard toward that end. In an appeal issued to his parish-
112
METROPOLITAN BOSTON
ioners he pointed out the fact that the re-deco- ration of the church and similar material im- provements are of minor importance compared with the great work of providing scientific and religious education for the young, and em- phasized the fact that the school would assist very materially to make the children good Catholics and good citizens. "The parochial school," said Father Matteucci, "will be a glory for you, and when built will shine like a star near the Church of God." With patience and skill he is pressing forward toward the fulfill- ment of that aim, and there is every prospect that in the near future his highest aspirations in this direction will be realized.
Father Matteucci is well prepared for his work and is naturally gifted. He has won the very highest esteem of the many members of his parish, and the people of the community who are not of his faith respect his ability and his Christian character.
DANIEL J. HARKINS, curator of the zoo- logical garden at Franklin Park, Boston, Massa- · chusetts, which position he has held since De- cember 1, 1922, is probably one of the best- known men in his profession in the United States.
Daniel J. Harkins was born in Boston, Mas- sachusetts, and after attending the local schools, finished his educational training in St. Mary's School. He then secured a position as assis- tant to J. S. Warmbath, taxidermist, in Boston, Massachusetts. Mr. Warmbath had the posi- tion of naturalist and taxidermist on one of the Peary Polar expeditions, and was afterwards one of the curators at the Smithsonian Insti- tution, in Washington, District of Columbia.
Mr. Harkins remained in this position for a year. In April, 1902, Mr. Harkins accepted a position at that famous summer park on the Charles River, Norumbega Park, in charge of
the animals, and remained at this post for two years. By this time Mr. Harkins was thorough- ly interested in wild animals, and in order that he might be more successful he sought the man who could teach him perhaps more than any other man in the world concerning their habits and needs. He entered the employ of the famous animal trainer, Frank C. Bostock, and traveled with him in all parts of the United States and Canada, for three years, as keeper of animals. Returning to New York he took a position at Luna Park, Coney Island, which was under the management of Thompson & Dundy, who later built the Hippodrome, of New York City, exhibiting animals in the Park in the summer and in the Hippodrome in the winter. At this time Luna Park was the largest amusement park, and the New York Hippodrome the larg- est show house in the world, and the care of the performing and other animals represented not only an enormous amount of work, but also great knowledge and skill, both of which had been acquired by Mr. Harkins in his previous positions. Mr. Harkins remained in the position for five years and then returned to Boston. In 1914, "The Boston Post" had advocated the purchase of some elephants by public subscrip- tion from the children of the city. The response to this suggestion was quick and generous, but before the elephants could be accepted by the city it was necessary to employ someone who had a special knowledge of such animals. Mr. Harkins was offered the position of keeper of the animals about to be purchased, and in 1914 Mr. Harkins began his duties as keeper of the elephants at the Franklin Park Zoo. In 1918, he was given further responsibility as head keep- er of all the animals, and so well did he attend to his work that when George F. Morse re- signed as curator, December 1, 1922, Mr. Har- kins was the natural candidate for the position. He took the civil service examinations, in com- petition with twelve others, and on April 15, 1924, was made curator of the Zoological Gar- dens of Franklin Park. This position not only carries with it the entire charge of all the ani- mals, birds, and reptiles of the Zoo but also in- volves the directing of all purchases of food and
1
113
METROPOLITAN BOSTON
equipment, breeding, the acclimation and care in sickness as well as the direction of the feed- ing, also the responsibility of making sugges- tions as to desirable purchases which might be made by the board of Park Commissioners for the improvement of the Zoological Gardens. When Mr. Harkins came here, in 1914, there were but a small number of animals and birds. By 1918, when he was made head keeper, the number had grown to four hundred and thir- teen birds and one hundred animals. In Novem- ber, 1927, there were nine hundred and ninety- six birds and one hundred and ninety-seven animals, and during the following year thirty more animals were purchased. The greatest part of the total increase in the Zoo population has come in the last five years, 1924-1929. In the case of the birds there has been a gradual filling up. of the cages in and about the bird houses and the great out-door flying cage. The bird popula- tion has more than doubled in the last decade, and because of the increasing interest in orni- thology, the birds are among the most popular of the exhibits at the Zoo, thousands of children being brought to see them each year by teach- ers and parents. Among both birds and animals increase has been both of birth and by purchase, and among the animals the greatest increase has been at the range, where many are native-born Bostonians. In 1918 there were twenty-one ex- hibits there, elk, llamas, zebu, buffalo, camel, and deer. Now (1929) there are ninety-four ex- hibits on the range, comprising seventeen dif- ferent species of animals, and of these fifty in- dividuals are good Bostonians, born at the Zoo.
During the past ten years the most impor- tant new building erected has been the lion house. The entire Zoo plant is far from com- pletion according to the plans which provide for much future growth. Those plans were drawn in 1910, and the most urgently needed buildings now (1929) are an antelope house and a monkey house.
The Zoo is one of which all Bostonians may well be proud. Equipped with his long exper- ience and his unusually thorough knowledge of many species of animals, Mr. Harkins has spent much time and thought in making his
selections, with the result that this Zoo is said to contain more rare and interesting spec- imens than any other of its size in the country. There are three main buildings and a number of small ones for the housing of the animals, birds, and reptiles, and the Zoo has more than tripled its population since its opening. Its popularity with the people is well attested to by the fact that on a pleasant Sunday in the summer a crowd of 50,000 people, by police estimate, visit it, and automobiles from every State in New England are noted. Boston is fortunate in securing one of the most skilled and best-equipped men in the country for this important and highly specialized work, and it is certain that through his knowledge and skill many heavy losses among animals have been prevented. Perhaps no one in this country knows more thoroughly than Mr. Harkins the habits, dispositions, and needs of all the differ- ent kinds of animals. Thirty-eight men are kept constantly employed under his direction, and each year brings permanent improvements in the housing, in the organization of the help, and in the number of specimens included in the Zoo. Mr. Harkins is a member of the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums, the American Society of Mammalogists, and of the American Institute of Park Executives. Fraternally, he is iden- tified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Boston; and the Knights of Co- lumbus.
JOHN SEARS McCORMACK, M. D .- One of the well-known and successful physicians of the Jamaica Plain section of the city of Boston is Dr. John Sears McCormack, who is a grad- uate of the medical department of Union Uni- versity, at Schenectady, New York, and has been engaged in practice in this city since 1908. Dr. McCormack is a veteran of the World War. He has his offices at No. 405 South Huntington Avenue, Jamaica Plain.
James H. McCormack, father of Dr. John S.
Bos.ii-8
114
METROPOLITAN BOSTON
McCormack, was born in Albany, New York, received his education in the schools of that city, and then engaged in the livery business there. He developed a large business requiring as many as fifty horses and was interested in fine- ly bred horses, owning some which were well known as racing horses in earlier years. He spent his life in the city of his birth, his death occurring there at the age of forty-six years. James McCormack married Margaret Augusta Sears, a native of Albany, who survives him (1929), and they became the parents of one son, Dr. John Sears McCormack, of further mention.
Dr. John Sears McCormack was born in Albany, New York, June 18, 1883, and was reared in the city of his birth, attending the local public schools and graduating from the high schools there. He early chose the medi- cal profession as his field of achievement and when his high school course was completed en- tered the medical department of Union Univer- sity, at Schenectady, New York, from which he was graduated in 1907. After graduation he served for some months in a hospital in Albany and then entered a hospital in Schenectady as an interne. When his interneship was com- pleted and he had passed the State examin- ations he located in Mineola, Long Island, for a time, but later went to Poughkeepsie, New York, and entered the State Hospital, where he remained for seven months as a night externe. He then came to Boston and registered to take the State examination to practice medicine and surgery in Massachusetts, engaging in general practice, making a spe- cialty of surgery. This he continued until after the World War when he took an examination in electric therapeutics, receiving his license to practice in Massachusetts, May 14, 1908. He also received his New York State license Feb- ruary 7th of the same year, but he has re- mained in Boston, where he has been success- fully engaged in practice for the past twenty-one years. He is one of the well-known physicians of this city, and has built up a very large clien- tele. His skill and his faithfulness have won for him many friends and admirers among his patients and his professional colleagues, and
each year is bringing to him increasing suc- cess. He is a member of the South Norfolk Medical Association, the Massachusetts Medi- cal Society, and the American Medical Associa- tion, and interested in the affairs of all these bodies.
In 1918 Dr. McCormack enlisted in the 12th Ammunition Train and served until discharged in 1919. During this time he was nominally in charge of six hundred men, who were much attached to him, not only because of his medical knowledge and skill but because of his genial manner, his unfailing cheerfulness, and his im- partial cordiality and courtesy to officers and men alike. He is a member of the Loyal Le- gion, also of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and takes an active interest in the affairs of both organizations. Fraternally, he is identified with the Knights of Columbus and with the Independent Order of Foresters, also the Mas- sachusetts Catholic Order of Foresters.
Dr. John Sears McCormack was married, in 1910, to Loretto O'Connell, who was born in East Boston, daughter of Michael O'Connell, who was for many years associated with the Massachusetts Brewing Company. Dr. and Mrs. McCormack made their home in Jamaica Plain.
JOSEPH FRANCIS O'CONNELL-A
practicing attorney of Boston for many years, Joseph Francis O'Connell has risen to a posi- tion of prominence among the members of his profession, enjoying an extensive practice and an enviable reputation throughout the State. In civic and municipal affairs, Mr. O'Connell also takes an important part, serv- ing on many advisory and executive boards for the promotion of efficiency in government and the general welfare of the State.
Mr. O'Connell was born on December 7, 1872, in Boston, a son of James O'Connell, who was born in Ballyhassig, County Cork, Ireland, and died in Boston in August, 1924,
-
115
METROPOLITAN BOSTON
at the age of seventy-six, and of _ Elizabeth (O'Connell) O'Connell, born in Mallow, County Cork, Ireland, and died in Boston at the age of seventy-four, in August, 1922. James O'Con- nell came to New York City as a boy and after service in the Union navy during the Civil War, removed to Boston where he made his home thereafter until the time of his death, becoming prominent as a contractor. Of his marriage with Elizabeth O'Connell seven chil- dren were born; 1. Joseph Francis, of whom further. 2. Mary C., now Mrs. James B. Kelley of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3. Dr. John A. 4. James E. (q. v.). 5. Daniel T. (q. v.). 6. Elizabeth M. 7. Patrick Frederick, who died at the age of twenty-six, being then one of the editors of the "Boston Post."
Joseph Francis O'Connell attended St. Mary's School in Boston, from which he was graduated in 1887 and was also graduated from Boston College Preparatory School in 1889, and from Boston College in 1893 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then en- tered Harvard Law School, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1896. He was admitted to the Massachusetts State bar, March 19, 1897.
Mr. O'Connell began the practice of his pro- fession in Boston, in which he has continued very successfully since that time. He was ad- mitted to the Federal bar on October 15, 1899, and March 1, 1911, was admitted to the bar of the United States Supreme Court. Mr. O'Connell is now associated with his brothers as a member of the firm of J. F., J. E. and D. T. O'Connell, with offices at No. 11 Bea- con Street, Boston.
The junior member of the firm, Daniel T. O'Connell, was appointed justice of the Su- perior Court of Massachusetts and withdrew from the firm December 19, 1928. The firm at that time was the only one of its kind in Massachusetts, comprising three brothers. Mr. Joseph Francis O'Connell during his practice of law has tried many important cases in the Federal and State courts and is well known as a successful trial lawyer.
From 1907 to 1911 Mr. O'Connell served as
a member of the 60th and 61st Congresses of the United States.
Vitally interested in the progress and growth of Massachusetts he has devoted much of his time and attention to civic affairs, considering service in the public interest no less worthy of his best efforts than his own enterprises. From 1917 to 1920 he was a member of the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention and he has acted since 1914 as a member of the Commission on the Uniformity of State Laws appointed originally thereto by Governor David I. Walsh and reappointed by Governor Calvin Coolidge from 1919 to 1924, and by Governor Channing Cox in 1924. Mr. O'Con- nell was also a member of the Special State Commission for the Revision of the Charter of the City of Boston in 1922, representing the city of Boston by appointment from May- or James M. Curly. He served under Presi- dent Coolidge as a member of the Board of Arbitration representing the United Housing Corporation with General George W. Goeth- als and General Samuel D. Ansell for settle- ment of the dispute concerning the ferries property at Portsmouth and Norfolk, Virginia, taken over by the Government during the World War.
Mr. O'Connell was also a member of the National Safety Conference in 1926-27-28, pre- sided over by President Hoover, who, at that time, was Secretary of Commerce.
Mr. O'Connell is a member of the American Bar Association, of which he was a member of the General Council 1928-29. He is vice- president and trustee of the Suffolk Law School, where he also lectures in Admiralty and Probate Law. He is a life-member of the American Law Institute and has served as Special Adviser on the re-statement of crim- inal law and Code of Criminal Procedure. He is also a member of the International Law Association.
Mr. O'Connell is first vice-president of the American-Irish Historical Society, and a mem- ber of several clubs, including the Harvard Club of Boston and of New York City, the University Club of Boston of which he is a
116
METROPOLITAN BOSTON
life-member. He was elected a delegate to the National Democratic Convention, 1912, at Baltimore and 1916 in San Francisco.
Mr. O'Connell is affiliated, fraternally, with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Loyal Order of Moose and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
Mr. O'Connell and his family worship in the faith of the Roman Catholic church and are members of the St. Ignatius Church of Boston.
On November 23, 1910, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Joseph Francis O'Connell mar- ried Marisita Lenahan, daughter of the Hon. John T. and Mary (Donovan) Lenahan. Mr. Lenahan was a member of Congress from Pennsylvania and one of the leading members of the Pennsylvania bar. Mr. and Mrs. O'Con- nell are the parents of eleven children: 1. Jo- seph Francis, Jr. 2. J. T. Lenahan. 3. Freder- ick P. 4. Finbar D. 5. Marisita A. 6. Brendan. 7. Kevin. 8. Meta. 9. Conleth. 10. Laelia. 11. Diarmuid. The family home is at No. 332 Chestnut Hill Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts.
JAMES EUGENE O'CONNELL-Long a principal in a unique trumvirate of professional brethren and brothers of one blood, James Eugene O'Connell is known throughout Mas- sachusetts, and elsewhere that his enviable reputation has preceded him, as one of the most eminent trial lawyers of the Common- wealth. In Boston, especially, where his pro- fessional activities center, does he stand forth as one of the most thoroughly equipped and forceful members of the bar. He is well con- nected socially and popular in fraternal soci- eties, being also one of the helpful and pro- gressive citizens of the town of Milton, where he has his residence.
James Eugene O'Connell was born in Bos- ton, January 24, 1877, a son of James O'Con- nell, who was born in Ballyhassig, County Cork, Ireland, and died in Boston in August, 1924, at the age of seventy-six, and of Eliza- beth (O'Connell) O'Connell, who was born in
Mallow, County Cork, Ireland, and died in Boston in August, 1922, at the age of seventy- four. James O'Connell was a boy when he landed in New York City, fresh from his na- tive island, and after service in the Union navy in the Civil War, removed to Boston, where he made his home until his death, hav- ing become a contractor of prominence. To James and Elizabeth (O'Connell) O'Connell were born seven children: 1. Joseph Francis (q. v.). 2. Mary C., married James B. Kelley, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3. Dr. John A. 4. James Eugene, of whom further. 5. Daniel Theodore, Esq., J. S. P. (q. v.). 6. Elizabeth M. 7. Patrick Frederick, who died at the age of twenty-six, being then one of the editors of the "Boston Post."
Mr. O'Connell has received a liberal and legal education in a number of the most highly approved institutions of the country. From the Dorchester High School he passed to Bos- ton College, where he further perfected him- self in academic courses, thence entering Har- vard University, from which he was graduated Bachelor of Arts in the class of 1902. The family strain of the law so much in evidence in this line of O'Connells told out in his own case when he finished his legal training at Harvard University Law School. To the 'knowledge of the law, he has supplemented an excellent training and a rich experience as a newspaperman, having done reportorial and editorial work on the "Boston Post" and the "Boston Globe," from 1893 to January 1, 1909.
Mr. O'Connell was admitted to the Massa- chusetts bar in Suffolk County in 1908, and became a member of the law firm of J. F., J. E. and D. T. O'Connell, a legal combination unique at that time in Massachusetts, the firm comprising as it did three brothers, of ex- cellent training in the law and high standing in the profession. The numbers in this firm have since been diminished by the elevation of the junior member, Hon. Daniel Theodore O'Con- nell to be a justice of the Superior Court of Massachusetts. A review of Judge O'Connell will be found elsewhere in this work.
The professional record of James Eugene
117
METROPOLITAN BOSTON
O'Connell has been attended with a fine suc- cess that is still cumulative and in keeping with the high regard in which the O'Connell brothers' law firm is held by their very large and desirable body of clients, by their con- temporaries at the bar and by the judiciary. When it is stated, as it often has been in professional and lay circles time without num- ber, and in no less a deserving manner, that the Boston end of the Massachusetts bar is one in which there lies the keenest rivalry for reputation and desirable practice, the con- clusion may be easily reached that Mr. O'Con- nell has made the rise to the peak of his pro- fession through natural ability and application of his education in an energetic and fruitful manner. He belongs to the associated bodies of legal practitioners of recognized standing in the city, State and Nation.
Mr. O'Connell is director and attorney of the Milton Cooperative Bank. During the World War period he rendered patriotic service to his Government as a member of the Legal Advisory Board, Division 18, Boston. He is a popular member of the University Club, of Boston, the Harvard Club, of Boston, the Harvard Club, of New York, and the Wollas- ton Golf Club. His fraternal affiliations in- clude the Knights of Columbus and the An- cient Order of Hibernians. He and his fam- ily have their religious fellowship with the Roman Catholic church.
James Eugene O'Connell married (first), November 21, 1916, Edna J. Ryan, daughter of Edward and Sara Ryan. Some time fol- lowing her death, Mr. O'Connell married (sec- ond), February 1, 1928, Mary J. Murphy (née McNeil), daughter of Michael and Annie Mc- Neil. By the first marriage Mr. O'Connell has a daughter, Sara Elizabeth, born November 19, 1917. He has his professional address at No. 11 Beacon Street, Boston, and his residence at No. 231 Edgehill Road, Milton.
HON. DANIEL THEODORE O'CON- NELL-Among the best known of the ex-
ponents of the law in the Old Bay State who has been elevated to the bench in recognition of his abilities and contributions to the legal profession is Hon. Daniel Theodore O'Con- nell, justice of the Superior Court of Massa- chusetts. Long a lawyer of successful and wide reputation in the city of Boston and elsewhere, he was always in the ascendant in the confidence of his clients, the bench and the bar. Since donning the judicial ermine he has dignified the court in keeping with its highest traditions and integrity. Judge O'Connell is affiliated with the leading associational inter- ests of his profession in the Nation, State and city.
Born in Boston, July 6, 1878, Hon. Daniel Theodore O'Connell is a son of James O'Con- nell, who was born in Ballyhassig, County Cork, Ireland, and died in Boston in August, 1924, at the age of seventy-six, and of Eliza- beth (O'Connell) O'Connell, who was born in Mallow, County Cork, Ireland, and died in Boston in August, 1922, at the age of seventy- four. James 'Connell was a boy when he arrived in New York City from his native island, and after service in the Union navy in the Civil War, removed to Boston, where he made his home until his death, having become prominent as a contractor. To James and Elizabeth (O'Connell) O'Connell were born seven children: 1. Joseph Francis (q. v.). 2. Mary C., married James B. Kelley, of Pitts- burgh, Pennsylvania. 3. Dr. John A. 4. James Eugene (q. v.). 5. Daniel Theodore, of whom further. 6. Elizabeth M. 7. Patrick Frederick, who died at the age of twenty-six, being then one of the editors of the "Boston Post."
After graduation from St. Joseph's parochial school, Boston, the then future Superior Court Justice spent two years at Dorchester High School, and three years at the Boston Eve- ning High School, also two years in study at Harvard College, class of 1905. Having been wooed and won by the law as his life's pro- fession, he entered Boston University Law School, from which he received his degree of Bachelor of Laws at graduation in 1908. The following year he was awarded his Master of
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.