USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Metropolitan Boston; a modern history; Volume V > Part 38
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As a citizen; Mr. Kelly is able and progress- ive, and he is a generous supporter of all civic movements for community betterment. He is one of the trustees of the Meeting House Hill Co-operative Bank, and a member of St. Peter's Conference.
Thomas B. Kelly was married, October 22, 1919, to Florence C. Kelly. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly make their home in Dorchester.
DERWARD W. HILL-Eighteen years of faithful and expert work as superintendent of Mount Feake and Grove Hill cemeteries, in Waltham, Massachusetts, have made Derward W. Hill an important factor in the develop- ment of the first-mentioned burying ground and in the careful up-keep of the latter. His interest and skill in landscape gardening has kept the whole acreage in splendid condition.
Peter W. Hill, father of Mr. Hill, was born in Sutton, Massachusetts, and died in New Hampshire at the age of eighty years. He was reared and educated in Sutton, and there for many years was connected with street railway work, serving as foreman for a num-
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ber of years. He was active in the operations of the street railway, as well as in the actual work of construction, having been associated with the company from its inception, and for a period of more than thirty years he con- tinued that connection, remaining until his retirement. His wife, Mary, was of English ancestry and birth and was brought to this country at the age of three years. Here she received her education, married, and became the mother of four children. Her death oc- curred at the age of sixty. The three surviving children (1929) are: Charles W., who for many years followed his trade as a mechanic, but later removed to Franklin, New Hampshire, where he now owns and operates two large farms. 2. Esther J., who married Fred King, of Waltham. 3. Derward W., of this record.
Derward W. Hill was born in Waltham, Mas- sachusetts, July 21, 1872, where he received his education, attending the grade schools and the high school. When school days were over, he became associated with his father in the street railway business and continued in that line for a number of years. Eventually, he made a change and entered the employ of the Waltham Watch Company, with whom he held a responsible position for ten years. Dur- ing this time he found time to give considerable attention to greenhouse and landscape garden- ing work, in which he was interested, and in 1910 he decided to make use of the skill and experience in this line which he had been ac- quiring. He, therefore, made application for his present position, successfully passed the re- quired civil service examination, and was duly appointed superintendent of the municipal cem- eteries of Waltham, Mount Feake, and Grove Hill.
The largest of these is the Mount Feake Cemetery, organized in 1857, which contains fifty-five acres of land, and where some thirty thousand people are buried. In recent years about two hundred and fifty new graves are made here annually, totalling about 3,500 since Mr. Hill took charge in 1910. Mr. Hill makes it a point to be present, if possible, at every interment, and in his dealings with the be-
reaved persons who must necessarily make ar- rangements with him he is most tactful and helpful, always ready to give aid in any possi- ble way. He has built practically all of the roads through the cemetery, an aggregate of several miles, has supervised a vast amount of grading, and has developed and opened for the sale of burial lots many sections of cem- etery. He has also made many sales of lots, thus furthering the available funds for the development of new sections. In the up-keep of the already developed parts, and the pre- paring for use of the other parts, Mr. Hill superintends the work of a force of about twenty men.
In addition to the care of Mount Feake Cemetery, Mr. Hill has charge of Grove Hill Cemetery, organized in 1703, and now (1929) more than two hundred and twenty-five years old. It is a small burying ground containing only about three acres of ground, but in it are buried a number of Revolutionary soldiers and patriots, and prominent men of the period im- mediately preceding and following the Revolu- tion. This cemetery is an object of interest to tourists, and is kept in excellent condition under Mr. Hill's faithful supervision. Mr. Hill is a member of the New England Association of Cemetery Superintendents. Fraternally, he is identified with Parker Lodge, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, of which he is a life-member.
Derward W. Hill was married, in 1894, to Lillian A. Green, who was born in Waltham, Massachusetts, member of an old family which dates back to Revolutionary times. She died in 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Hill became the parents of one son, Leonard F., who married Natalie Derring, and they have one child, Barbara.
GEORGE ELMER GORDON-In the prac- tice of law, by identification with many im- portant civic and fraternal movements and or- ganizations in the Boston area, and through
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active promotion of community advance in the city of Chelsea, where he has his residence, George E. Gordon has come rapidly forward as a member of the bar and a useful citizen. His practice has broadened during the fifteen or more years that he has been an exponent of the legal profession, and he has been ad- mitted to serve his clients' interests in all the principal courts of the State and in the Dis- trict Courts and the Supreme Court of the United States.
Born in Russia, June 17, 1889, George Elmer Gordon is the son of Jacob and Rose (Fein- silver) Gordon, his father a retired wool mer- chant. At the age of eleven years he came with his parents and with them made his home in Chelsea, where he has ever since had his place of residence. His education was received in the Williams Grammar School of Chelsea, the high school of that city, and Boston University Law School. His offices are in the Pemberton Building, Boston. He has made a very fa- vorable impression upon the bench and bar of this jurisdiction, and continues to add desirable clients to his large and important practice. A's a member of the Chelsea and Revere Bar As- sociation he enjoys high standing among his legal brethren.
To the city of Chelsea, Mr. Gordon has rendered a high type of public service, and the citizens have bestowed many deserved hon- ors upon him in recognition of his ability and readiness to participate in their interest. He was elected a member of the Chelsea School Board for the years 1917-18-19, and with the aid of his associates accomplished no little bene- fit for the educational advance in that com- munity. His official connections with many fraternal and civic forward enterprises ramify over a very large field.
Mr. Gordon is president of the Carter Parent- Teacher Association of Chelsea; president of the Associated Young Men's and Young Women's Hebrew associations of New Eng- land; founder and president of Congregation Beth El, (the first modern Jewish congregation
in Chelsea;) president of the Chelsea Young Men's Hebrew Association; vice-president of the New England Zionist Region; vice-president of the New England United Palestine Appeal; chairman of the campaign committee that raised $200,000 for the erection of the Chelsea He- brew School; a member of the Committee for the Tercentenary Celebration of Chelsea and Revere; ex-president of Amos Lodge, No. 27, Independent Order B'nai Brith of Boston; member of the executive council of Jewish Wel- fare Board; member of Executive Committee of Yeshiva College of New York; member of the executive committee of the Hebrew Immi- grant Aid Society; director of the Chelsea Chamber of Commerce; director of The Na- tional City Bank of Chelsea. He is prominent in the Masonic Order, affiliating with Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Boston; a member of the Brotherhood of Temple Israel, the Brotherhood of Temple Mishkan Tefila, and the Brotherhood of Ohabei Shalom Temple, of Boston; and the Cary House Association, of Chelsea. His social organizations are the Theodore Herzl Club, Pine Brook Valley Country Club, the Culture Club and New Century Club.
George Elmer Gordon married, June 18, 1916, Dorothy Wolfson, of Watertown, and they are the parents of two daughters: Ruth Eleanor, born April 3, 1917; Audrey Elaine, born April 28, 1920.
FRED E. LOMBARD-Among the beauti- ful cemeteries of Massachusetts is Woodlawn, in Everett. The main entrance on Elm Street is strikingly beautiful, attracting the attention of tourists who pass that way. Often they pause to ask the name of the park that has so beautiful an approach, and upon being in- vited to drive through the grounds take the
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time to do so; after viewing the artistic land- scape gardening, which makes this burial place a peaceful retreat of such attractiveness, they felt well repaid for the time spent.
Fred E. Lombard, the superintendent, was born on Piedmont Street, Boston, Massachu- setts, July 2, 1863, son of Valentine L. Lombard, a native of Otisfield, Maine, who came to Bos- ton and organized a large trucking business which he operated for many years. This he eventually sold and, because of failing health, went to Florida; upon his return, somewhat later, he settled in Everett, Massachusetts, where he spent the remainder of his life. The son, Fred E. Lombard, received his education in the public schools of Boston, and Somerville, Massachusetts, and in time became a member of the firm, Lombard & Tracy Company; dur- ing this time he was a member of the Master Builders' Association. Later, on account of ill health, he retired from active business, for about seven years, and gave his attention to recupera- tion. On January 1, 1927, he took a position as superintendent of Woodlawn Cemetery, and since that time he has been devoting his energy to the improvement and up-keep of this beauti- ful burying ground.
Woodlawn Cemetery contains about one hun- dred and sixty-five acres, and in addition to the up-keep of this large acreage, Mr. Lom- bard has done a vast amount of work, blasting out a number of great boulders, working with a steam shovel, and doing the necessary clear- ing, leveling, and grading to transform some undeveloped tracts into burial lots. In this way he has added more than five hundred plots to the already large number, and all have been made beautiful and attractive and in har- mony with the rest of the ground. The board of trustees of Woodlawn Cemetery includes in its membership some of the most influential men of Boston and Everett, and such has been the care and the successful planning of the lots that, owing to their size and fine condition, some have been sold for as much as $2,500 each. The highest type of landscape garden- ing and the best skill and talent have been employed both in the arrangement of the ground
and in the construction of its special features. Up to the year 1929, more than 54,367 persons have been buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, and the population of this peaceful city is increased annually by from seven hundred and fifty to eight hundred. No more beautiful resting place could be desired than this, and as the years pass its beauty is not only being maintained in the highest perfection, but is increased by artistic planting, expert planning of new roads and paths, and by the addition of beautiful memorials. For the vast amount of work re- quired to keep these one hundred and sixty- five acres in good condition twenty men are employed the year round; in the summer season the force is increased to sixty-five. In con- nection with the cemetery four large green- houses are maintained and in these, beautiful and appropriate flowers are raised for use in the cemetery. Over all these Mr. Lombard has supervision, and his work is exceedingly well done. He is a member of the New Eng- land Association of Cemetery Superintendents, and is actively interested in the affairs of Ever- ett. He is a member of the board of directors of the Everett National Bank, and is known to be a man of keen insight and sound judg- ment. Fraternally, he is identified with Pales- tine Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Beth- saida Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Beauseant Commandery, No. 41, Knights Templar, of Malden; and the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of Lodge No. 642, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Everett, of which he is a Past Exalted Ruler, and upon the expiration of his term in that office he was presented by the lodge with a beautiful gold watch, chain and charm, inscribed with his initials. Mr. Lombard is well known in Everett and Malden and has a large number of friends in both cities.
Fred E. Lombard married Florence L. Blake, and they became the parents of two children: 1. Willard P., who is an attorney of promi- nence in the city of Boston; married Maud Freeman, whose father is a large real estate owner in Everett, and druggist in Chelsea. 2. Mary Valentine, married Robert McGregory,
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who is engaged in the automobile tire busi- ness, in Boston, and they have three children: Elizabeth, Robert, and Ruth.
MYRON D. FISHER-One of the oldest cemetery superintendents in Massachusetts, in point of length of service in one place, is Myron D. Fisher, superintendent of Walnut Hill Cemetery, in Brookline, Massachusetts. Mr. Fisher has held this position for nearly thirty-six years now (1929), and when one re- calls the distinctive character of Brookline as a residential section one realizes that so long a tenure in this place is ample evidence of worthy service. And Walnut Hill Cemetery is as distinctive as the beautiful town in which it is located, for through the years one aim and purpose has been kept steadily in view in its management and up-keep, namely, the preser- vation of every bit of natural beauty. The management of the cemetery has found in Mr. Fisher an able and sympathetic ally.
Myron D. Fisher was born in Westboro, Massachusetts, a descendant of one of the old- est families in the State, tracing back to Thomas Fisher, who came to Massachusetts in 1636. Mr. Fisher's father was a wheelwright, who also conducted a grist-mill and a saw- mill and was also engaged in farming. He spent his life in Westboro, where he was well known and highly esteemed, and died in 1884. The mother, Josephine Ellen (Richards) Fish- er, was born in England, and became the mother of ten children, of whom four are living: Rev. Herman P .; Mattie L., who has taught school in Westboro for over forty years; G. Milton; and Myron D., of further mention. The mother died in Westboro at the age of seventy-two years.
Myron D. Fisher received his education in the local public schools and then was engaged in various occupations, taking his present posi-
tion as superintendent of Walnut Hill Cem- etery, in 1894. That was thirty-six years ago, and during the more than three decades of his service here he has accomplished a vast amount of work, both personally and in su- pervising the work of others. He has built several miles of beautiful gravel and trap rock road, and many walks, and has also con- structed a substantial wall, nearly a half mile long, extending along one side of the cemetery, parallel with the street, and in all, has accom- plished much in the line of beautifying the cem- etery. It has always been the policy of the board of trustees to preserve all the natural beauties of the place, and Mr. Fisher has held to this policy most completely until it is prob- able that there is no other cemetery in the country which owes so much of its beauty to its natural features. Here are to be seen great rocks, possibly deposited during the glacial period, used as gigantic monuments, with a portion of their sides smoothed and cut with the inscriptions and epitaphs of those who lie beneath. Here, too, are fine old trees grow- ing where they have stood for generations, not planted to meet the plans of cemetery builders, but standing where they grew, the plans of the cemetery landscape gardening, and even of its growth, having been adapted to the position and character of the trees. Hill and vale have been preserved as nature made them throughout the entire cemetery. Shrub- bery has been arranged in relation to the al- ready existing natural features, and even the ornamental trees, celebrated for their beauty of foliage, which have been planted, have been placed with meticulous care as to their har- mony with the first tree inhabitants of the place. In late summer and fall there are parts of the cemetery which present the appearance of a gigantic bouquet, glowing with vivid color, and certainly no burial place in the country has achieved more fully its special aim than has Walnut Hill Cemetery. The giant oaks which for centuries have grown and flourished here give an atmosphere of strength and permanence, which, with the huge old
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rocks, make of this quiet resting place a ref- uge as strong as the everlasting hills. Full accord with the aims of the board of trustees, combined with nearly thirty-six years of con- tinuous service in this one place, have built a large share of Mr. Fisher's life into Walnut Hill Cemetery, and the result is one of which any superintendent may well be proud. Mr. Fisher is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has many friends in this locality. He is a member of the England As- sociation and was president in 1928 and 1929.
Myron D. Fisher was married, in 1895, to Ger- trude Barrows, who was born and educated in Cambridge. They have three children: 1. Har- old M., who is manager and estimator for the Jennison Company of Fitchburg, Massachu- setts, married Ruth Bernard, of Hyde Park, and they have two children: Lois, and Mar- jorie. 2. Herbert B., is a dealer in radiator covers in unique and beautiful designs, having the agency for a Buffalo concern. 3. Herman P., a graduate of Boston University, is in the employ of the Sears, Roebuck Company.
REUBEN GLEASON-In Dorchester, Mas- sachusetts, the name of Gleason has for more than sixty years stood for the highest type of expert embalming and funeral directing service. For a half century Reuben Gleason has been identified with the undertaking busi- ness now located at No. 335 Washington Street. The business is operated under the name of R. and E. F. Gleason, and is not only the oldest concern of its kind in Dor- chester but one of the oldest in Massachusetts.
Serrell Gleason, father of Reuben Gleason, was born in Vermont, where he received his education and later engaged in the tin plate business. Eventually, he came to South Bos- ton, where in association with a brother, he engaged in the manufacture of silver plate and
britannia ware, continuing in this line of busi- ness to the time of his death, which occurred at the age of fifty-one years. He married Mary Ann Howe, born in Dorchester, Mas- sachusetts, and they reared eight children, of whom three are now living (1929) : Mrs. Helen M. Swan, of Dorchester, Massachusetts; Edna L .; Reuben, of further mention. One of the five deceased members of this family was Serrell, founder of the undertaking business, which is now (1929) carried on under the same firm name, R. and E. F. Gleason.
Reuben Gleason, son of Serrell and Mary Ann (Howe) Gleason, was born in Dorches- ter, Massachusetts, August 13, 1846, and re- ceived his education in the public schools of his birthplace. When school days were over he learned the business of manufacturing bri- tannia ware, with his father, but soon the out- break of the Civil War brought swift and drastic changes. Though Mr. Gleason was but a lad of only fifteen years, both he and his brother, E. Frank, enlisted, Reuben in Com- pany I, 42nd Massachusetts Infantry, with which he remained to the close of the war, and E. Frank in Company K, of the 11th Massachusetts Infantry, known as the "old fighting Eleventh." There were one hundred and one men who left Dorchester with the "Eleventh" in June, 1861, but of these only fourteen returned at the close of the war, one of the fourteen being E. Frank Gleason, who had been wounded in battle three times. Af- ter the close of the war, Reuben Gleason engaged in various occupations, but in 1866 he went to Taunton, Massachusetts, where he remained for ten years. In 1876 he re- turned to Dorchester, and entered the employ of his brother, Serrell Gleason, who had es- tablished, in 1862, an undertaking business. His brother, E. Frank Gleason, also became associated with the business and eventually, the founder, Serrell Gleason, was succeeded by his two brothers, Reuben and E. Frank. After the death of E. Frank Gleason, his brother, Reuben, continued the enterprise. He is now in his eighty-fourth year, still active, and the
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directing head of the business which he en- tered fifty years ago. The establishment is located at No. 335 Washington Street, near the corner of Harvard. The firm carries in stock a full line of caskets and all kinds of funeral goods. As the years have passed, the business has kept pace with progress of the times, having the best equipment and every convenience for giving the best possible serv- ice to its patrons. In 1876, when Reuben Glea- son entered the business, there were only four or five undertaking concerns in Dorchester. Today there are thirty or more here, but the Gleason establishment still stands among the leaders in its special field.
Reuben Gleason was one of the organizers of Benjamin Stone, Junior, Post, No. 68, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he has been a member for more than fifty years. He is now (1929) one of the twenty remaining men- bers of the three hundred who joined at the time of organization, his brother, E. Frank, being one of the deceased members. Also, of all who enlisted in the Civil War from Dor- chester and vicinity, he is one of only two men now living, and in commemoration a tab- let has been erected to him in the Second Con- gregational Church of Dorchester, to which he and his family belong. Mr. Gleason has also been a member for more than fifty years of Norfolk Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Reuben Gleason was married, in 1870, to Adelia A. F. Hathaway, who was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and in 1920 they cel- ebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their mar- riage with a golden wedding. Mr. and Mrs. Gleason have four children: 1. George H., who was associated with his father in the undertaking business for many years and who now together with his father, Reuben, Jr., con- ducts the business, owned by the father. He married Sada T. Batchelder, of Brookline, and they have one son, George H., Jr. 2. Reuben, Jr., associated with his brother in the busi- ness; married Lurena L. Fowler, and they have one son, Reuben (3). 3. Bertha F., who
married L. R. Batchelder, who is engaged in the real estate business. 4. Mabel F., married Henry B. Fowler, who is engaged in the life insurance business.
WILLIAM MAURICE SILVERMAN-
The law holds an undeniable attraction for men of talent, and in Boston the legal pro- fession is especially well represented. William Maurice Silverman has practiced the profes- sion here through his career to the present, with continued and augmented success, today being among the city's foremost of counsel. Confreres accord to him the sincerest of re- spect in his position, and of recent years he has come to be known generally about the greater city not alone as lawyer, but as states- man and as a citizen of constructive public spirit whose forces are lent consistently to the ad- vancement of the municipal whole. His rec- ord is of interest.
Mr. Silverman's father, Isadore Silverman, was born in Russia, having come to the United States and settled in Boston as a young man, now being engaged in Boston in the fire in- surance business. Mr. Silverman's mother, Rebecca Ruth (Kudisch) Silverman, also was born in Russia, and is living, in Boston. In the family are three children: 1. William Mau- rice, of whom follows. 2. Charlotte, wife of Benjamin Pritzker. 3. Clarence.
Born in Boston, October 21, 1896, Mr. Sil- verman has resided here nearly continuously. He completed the course at the Parker School, Concord, New Hampshire, in 1910, then, in 1914, was graduated from Holyoke High School, having been accorded advanced honors in each school for scholastic merit. Three years he attended the Harvard College academic divi- sion, from it taking his degree in 1918, with distinction, and in 1920, graduated from Har- vard Law School, being admitted to the bar
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without delay. In 1921 he was admitted to practice in Federal courts, and in 1928 to the Court of Appeals. He has engaged in practice since 1920, the firm style now being known as Hermanson and Silverman, with offices at No. 185 Devonshire Street.
Mr. Silverman has made a hobby of politics. His interest in political matters is of a con- structive character, and, having a large fol- lowing and the best of reputations as a lawyer, in 1926 he was elected to the House of Rep- resentatives, in which he distinguished himself as member of the committee on insurance. Fraternally active, he belongs to the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, Knights of Pythias, B'nai Brith, Independent Order Brith Abraham, Sig- ma Alpha Mu, American Zionists, and Jewish Juniors, of which last-named order he is past president (national). He is a member of the Harvard Club, and professionally is affiliated with the Boston and American Bar associa- tions.
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