USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Municipal history of Essex County in Massachusetts, Volume III > Part 16
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The family came to Livermore, Maine, at an early date, and the first cabinet maker of that vicinity was Samuel Boothby, undoubtedly a des- cendant of the immigrant. An Ichabod Boothby drove the stage between Portland and Boston for many years.
The father of Mr. Boothby, Charles H. Boothby, was born in Livermore, and was a manufacturer of shovel handles and scythe snathes. In his later years he retired to his farm and followed agricul- tural pursuits. He was born February 5, 1821, and died January 26, 1889. He married Betsey Wheeler Hescock, born February 10, 1833, died August 3, 1894.
Ora Wendell Boothby, son of Charles H. and Betsey W. (Hescock) Boothby, was born in Liver- more, June 13, 1876. He attended the public schools, the Hebron Academy, and the Greenwood Com- mercial College of Boston. Following his formal education Mr. Boothby took a course in mechanical engineering from private tutors. In October, 1898. he came to Lawrence, Massachusetts, and became identified with the International Textbook Company as division superintendent. He made his head- quarters at Lawrence, and had branch offices at Lowell, Haverhill and Newburyport, Massachusetts; and Manchester, Exeter and Nashua, New Hamp- shire. In March, 1909, Mr. Boothby resigned his position with this company and engaged in his pres- ent business under the firm name of the Boothby Press. The office and shop are located at No. 307 Essex street, and a general business in engraving, printing and manufacture of stationery is carried on.
Mr. Boothby is a member of the Rotary Club, the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, and is a thirty-second degree Mason. He is a member of Phoenician Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is past master; member of Mt. Sinai Chap- ter, Royal Arch Masons; Lawrence Council, Royal and Select Masters; of which he is past thrice illustrious master; Bethany Commandery, of which he is past commander; the Massachusetts Consis- tory, and Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
On June 12, 1901, Mr. Boothby married, at Law- rence, Ella May Sugatt, and they are the parents
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of a son, Everett Wendell Boothby, of Los Angeles, California, born September 20, 1902. The family attend and aid in the support of the Trinity Con- gregational Church of Lawrence.
CHARLES PRESCOTT-The office of post- master of Beverly, Massachusetts, is ably filled by a man of unusual breadth of experience and ex- ecutive ability-Charles Prescott, whose individual activities have taken him to many parts of the world.
Mr. Prescott was born in Bay Verte, New Bruns- wick, Canada, on February 16, 1846, and is a son of Charles and Matilda (Madden) Prescott, of that place, both of whom are long since deceased.
Receiving his education in the common schools o! that day, the boy left school at the age of four- teen years, and took up a sea-faring life. Fond of adventure, and absolutely fearless, he won his way through all the hardships to become, eventually, master of a ship. This life carried him practically all over the world, the only exception, as it chanced, being the East Indies. He finally gave up the sea as a calling, but still traveled much in the course of his work, for twelve years being in the employ of the Anglo-American Cable and Telegraph Company. In this connection he was stationed at different times at many different points, including Sydney, Nova Scotia, Heart Content, Newfoundland, and many interesting points. Thereafter, Mr. Prescott became associated with railroad interests, and came to Beverly, Massachusetts, in the year 1886, to fill the position of station agent. He continued thus until six years ago, when he was appointed post- master of Beverly, which position he still fills most acceptably to the general public.
In various activities in Beverly Mr. Prescott is a familiar figure. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of St. Peter's Epis- copal Church, and active in the work of the Men's Club of the church.
It is perhaps as commodore of the Jubilee Yacht Club that Mr. Prescott is best known, and will long- est be remembered. He is an honored and popular member of this organization, and his reminiscences of sea life often form an interesting feature of an evening at the club house.
Mr. Prescott married, in 1870, Lucy A. Clough, daughter of Thomas Clough, of Prince Edward Is- land. Their three children are as follows: Annie Maud; Charles, deceased; and Myrtle J., the wife of L. R. Jenkins, now a resident of Pachuca, in the State of Hidalgo, Mexico.
MICHAEL S. O'BRIEN, an attorney, with offices in the Bay State building, occupies a prominent place in the professional and business circles of Lawrence, Massachusetts, his native city. His iden- tification with the life of this community is com. plete through associations in many and diverse fields, commercial, fraternal and social, and as alderman he has rendered public service of merit and value.
Michael S. O'Brien was born in Lawrence, Feb- ruary 17, 1888, the son of Timothy and Mary (Kel-
leher) O'Brien, both deceased. He attended the public schools of his native city, and after finishing the prescribed course at the local high school, ma- triculated at Dartmouth College, from which in. stitution he was graduated in 1906, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then entered the law school of Harvard University and three years later won from there the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Returning immediately to his native city, he estab- lished himself in legal practice and since has en- joyed a large and lucrative practice.
Mr. O'Brien has always taken a keen and active interest in public affairs and no man has more at heart the welfare and true progress of his home city. He was elected alderman of Lawrence in 1912, and also was director of public property and public works at that time.
Mr. O'Brien has always been ardently devoted to outdoor sports, and it is interesting to note here that while attending Dartmouth College he was captain of the baseball team, playing left field. He is a member of the Merrimac Valley Country Club, and here he spends much of his spare time in his favorite recreation, golf. He is a member of the Lawrence City Bar Association, and the Theta Delta Chi fraternity, and the Casque and Gauntlet, senior society, of Dartmouth College. He is also a member of the Harvard Club and Dart- mouth Club. In politics he is a Republican.
On July 26, 1911, Michael S. O'Brien was united in marriage with Helen M. Sawyer, a native of Law- rence, and to them have been born three children: William Smith, Frederick Sawyer, and Helen Marie. The family attend St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, and reside at No. 200 Bailey street, Law- rence.
JOHN A. PEABODY-In the construction world of Lawrence, Massachusetts, one of the most im- portant firms is that of E. A. Peabody & Son, the oldest business organization in this line of en- deavor. This firm has kept step with the times through the passing of the years and has always held a position a little in the lead of the van. John A. Peabody, the present head of the firm, stands high in many interests which have to do with the progress of the city.
Ephraim A. Peabody, Mr. Peabody's father, found- ed this business about 1860, and was a prominent figure in construction circles during that long period of rapid growth in all manufacturing. centers throughout New England, which followed the re- adjustment of industrial conditions after the Civil War. He was a pioneer contractor in this district, and a man of great force of character. He was born in Dracut, Massachusetts, about 1830, and die in Lawrence, on March 7, 1916.
John A. Peabody was born in Salem, New Hampshire, in 1868, and received his education there in the public schools. In 1896 he went to the nearby city of Lawrence, just over the Massachu- setts line, and became associated with his father in the contracting business, which was becoming a very large interest. Together, father and son de-
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veloped the business to a still more important and extensive interest, and since the death of his father, John A. Peabody has carried on the business alone. without, however, changing the firm name-E. A. Peabody & Son.
This concern, whose office is now in the Bay State building, in Lawrence, has to its credit a very large number of the finer buildings in Lawrence, in- cluding industrial plants, and commerical and resi- dential structures. Their business is by no means confmed to Lawrence, but reaches into New Hamp- shire, Vermont, and to distant parts of Massachu- setts. Many of the most noteworthy structures in this section are their work. They designed and built the Lawrence Savings Bank; they built the Bay State Bank building, the St. Lawrence Church, the Young Men's Christian Association building, the Home Club building, the Gleason building, and the Lawrence Savings Bank. They built the Bright- wood Mills, complete, and many of the most beauti- ful residences of this city and its environs are the work of this concern. At this time (1921) the firm is constructing a new Masonic Temple in Law- rence, which will cost $225,000.
John A. Peabody, as head of this far-reaching business, is one of the leading men of this city to- day. He is interested in two of the leading finan- cial institutions of Lawrence, being a director of the Bay State National Bank, and a trustee of the Essex Savings Bank. He is a director in the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Civics Committee of that body.
During the World War, 1917-18, Mr. Peabody was district chairman of the Emergency Help and Equipment Board, for Essex county. His duties included the organizing of all builders and construc- tion firms, and appointing assistant chairmen to cover this work in the following territory: Law- rence, Lowell, Haverhill, Georgetown, Reading, and all points north of Salem, Massachusetts, in Essex county. These firms held themselves prepared to repair without delay, and give first aid to bridges, buildings, and all structural work damaged or destroyed through acts of war fanatics.
Personally, Mr. Peabody is prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of Greacian Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Lawrence Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Lawrence Council, Royal and Select Masters; Bethany Commandery, Knights Templar; and also of Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He holds the thirty- second degree in this order.
Mr. Peabody married, in Salem, New Hampshire, in 1896, Cora W. Wood, and they have one daugh- ter, Gladys E. The delightful family residence is at No. 32 Dartmouth street, Lawrence, and the family attend the Church of Christ, Scientist.
BENJAMIN F. SYLVESTER-For three gener- ations identified with the industrial world of Essex county, the name of Sylvester holds special sig- nificance in Danvers. Benjamin F. Sylvester, a man of broad public spirit, was long prominent here as
the owner of the rolling mill, and with his death the town lost a useful, valued citizen.
Benjamin F. Sylvester was born in Hanover, Massachusetts, in 1833, and was educated in the schools of that town. In his young manhood he removed with the family to Danvers, the father, John Sylvester, purchasing the rolling mill at Dan- vers, about 1858. This property consisted of s foundry on the farther side of the dam, and a roll- ing mill on the nearer side, also the water front and tide privileges. John Sylvester was an expert anchor maker, and had spent his lifetime as an iron and steel worker. He forged the first cranks for locomotives in this country. Compared with the great mills of the present day this was a small plant, five tons capacity, but for the time it was a large and important mill and a large business was done. Here the young man became associated with his father, eventually assuming the ownership. Prior to John Sylvester's coming, nails had been manufac- tured here, also anchors, and it was through his occupation as an anchor maker that John Sylvester came to locate in Danvers. The iron rolled then was imported from Norway and Sweden. After a few years he sold this property, and going to Somer- ville, Massachusetts, operated the spike works there, residing in Waverly, where he died.
The independent business career of Benjamin F. Sylvester began in 1880, when he returned to Dan- vers. Entering into a partnership with a Mr. Sias, they purchased the rolling mill, and conducted it for several years. Thereafter A. G. Tompkins bought the property, retaining Mr. Sylvester as superintendent, the arrangement continuing until Mr. Tompkins' death. At that time Benjamin Syl- vester and his brother, John, purchased the mill. These changes, in the course of the years, went hand in hand with development and growth, the mill becoming a very important interest. In 1905 occurred the death of John Sylvester, the brother, and the business was incorporated, becoming the Sylvester Company. A further change was made at this time, the capacity being increased to forty tons per day. Tide water docks having been a part of the plant for many years, the company also did a considerable coal business, unloading on their own docks. During the World War the mill handled contract work for the United States Government. and in 1920 the plant was sold to the Massachusetts Iron and Steel Company. This is today the only rolling mill in the State.
During all his residence here in Danvers, Ben- jamin F. Sylvester took a deep interest in the progress and well-being of the community, although in political matters he took no leading part. He attended the Baptist church, and was active in the work of the church society. His death, in January, 1914, brought home to the people of Danvers the significance of a worthy life as a factor in public advancement, and not only the business associates who had known him so well and the friends to whom his mature counsel was a valued assistance, but also the general public, mourned his passing.
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In 1865, Mr. Sylvester married Mary A. Upton, and they were the parents of two sons: George, a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Tech- nology, now a mining engineer in Tennessee, who married Bessie Stanley, of Danvers; and Herbert W., who was educated in the public and high schools of Danvers, and at the age of twenty years became associated with his father at the mill. Herbert W. Sylvester, was for fifteen years, superintendent of the mill, after which it was taken over by its present owners.
RALPH E. STONE, M. D .- Broadly active in the medical professon, Dr. Ralph E. Stone, of Beverly, Massachusetts, is contributing materially to the health and well being of the people.
Dr. Stone was born in Shirley, Massachusetts, on July 29, 1877, and is a son of Stephen Henry and Elizabeth S. (Stoddard) Stone. Stephen H. Stone was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and was a bro- ker by occupation. Mrs. Stone was born in Bal- timore, Maryland.
As a boy the doctor began his education in the public schools of Shirley, later attended Phillips An- dover Academy. His choice of a profession made, he entered Harvard University Medical School, from which he was graduated in the class of 1903, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He has since practiced medicine in Beverly, achieving a marked degree of success. In connection with his private practice, Dr. Stone handles much institu- tional work. He was director of the Beverly Board of Health Dispensary for four years, and is now consultant of the dispensary, and chairman of the Medical Advisory Board, Division No. 26. He is president of the Beverly Public Health Associa- tion; is a member of the staff of the Beverly Hos- pital; is on the staff of the Cable Memorial Hos- pital, of Ipswich, Massachusetts, and of the North Shore Baby Hospital; and is consulting physician of the New England Industrial School for the Deaf. He is a member of the Chamber of Com- merce of Beverly; of the American Medical Asso- ciation; the Massachusetts Medical Society; the National Tuberculosis Association; and Harvard Club of the North Shore.
Dr. Stone married, in 1903, Lucy Wheatley, of Baltimore, Maryland, daughter of William and Kate Wheatley, of that city, Mrs. Stone's father being a prominent insurance dealer there. Dr. and Mrs. Stone are the parents of four children: Katherine E., fourteen years of age (1922); Ralph E., Jr., thirteen; Constance S., eight; and Bar- bara, who died June 27, 1911.
SIMEON E. J. LeGENDRE-Returning to his native city of Lawrence, Massachusetts, immedi- ately after graduating in 1911, Mr. LeGendre es- tablished himself in the practice of his chosen profession at No. 316 Essex street. The years have brought him professional success, and he is well known throughout the community and is held in the highest esteem by his brethren of the pro- fession who accord him full recognition.
Simeon E. J. LeGendre was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, February 18, 1886, the son of Azarie and Virginia (Couillard) LeGendre. Azarie LeGendre came to Lawrence in 1868 from Lot- biniére, Province of Quebec, and for many years was employed by the Boston & Maine railroad. The boy, Simeon E. J., attended the schools of his native city and after graduating from the local high school, having in the meantime determined to adopt the law as a profession, he accordingly ma- triculated at Boston University Law School and won from that institution the degree of Bachelor of Laws in the class of 1911. Subsequently return- ing to Lawrence, he established himself in the practice of his profession at his present location. He is a member of the Essex County Bar Associa- tion and the Lawrence City Bar Association.
Mr. LeGendre has always been exceedingly ac- tive in the affairs of the community, and has held several important offices. He is trustee of the sinking fund of the city of Lawrence, president of the La Caisse Populaire de Lawrence Credit Union, and president of the Social Naturalization Club, Inc. He affiliates with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lawrence Lodge, No. 65. He is a Roman Catholic in his religious belief, and attends the Sacred Heart Church of this denomination.
On February 14, 1912, Simeon E. J. LeGendre was united in marriage with Georgiana Pellerin, a native of Lawrence, and daughter of Ludger Pellerin, and to them have been born three chil- dren: Rita, Simeon E. J., Jr., and Alain A. J. The family home is at No 349 South Broadway, Lawrence, Massachusetts.
RICHARD A. HALE-Of the engineering prob- lems which affect the public prosperity in New England communities, there are few of greater weight than the matter of hydraulics. In Law- rence, Richard A. Hale is an authority on this sub- ject, having won his way to his present position through long experience with, and the successful handling of the development of hydraulic power.
Mr. Hale was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, December 3, 1852, the son of Bernice S. and Sophia (Kidder) Hale. He received his early edu- cation in the public and high schools of that city, having been graduated from the latter in 1869. Entering the engineering field in a subordinate capacity in the office of Hiram F. Mills, then a prominent hydraulic engineer of Boston, he was there for only a short time when Mr. Mills was appointed chief engineer of the Essex Company and he made Mr. Hale his assistant engineer at Lawrence. This company controls the water power of the Merrimac river at Lawrence. Until 1873 Mr. Hale was engaged in general hydraulic work, and in that year, as a preparation for larger responsibilities, he entered the Massachusetts Insti- tute of Technology, taking a four years' course, and working with his company during the sum- mer vacations. He was graduated in 1877, with the degree of Bachelor of Science, and thereafter
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returned to the offices of the Essex Company, con- tinuing in the capacity of assistant engineer until 1886, when he became principal assistant engi- neer. In this office he succeeded J. R. Freeman, a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Tech- nology, class of 1876, who at that time became consulting engineer with the Boston Manufac- turers' Insurance Company.
In the course of his duties Mr. Hale had the oversight and maintenance of dams, canals, locks, etc., governing the distribution of water among the mills along the river, a vital matter to the industries depending upon water power to any considerable degree, each plant presenting its own problem to the man at the head. In connection with this hydraulic work the company has always handled much business in the sale of mill and residence sites, involving street construction and all the attendant problems.
Mr. Hale's work has not by any means been confined to Lawrence. He has investigated and advised upon water powers throughout New Eng- land, New York and Delaware, has solved par- ticularly important problems for the Bellows Falls Company, and the Turners Falls Company on the Connecticut river, and has appeared before the legislatures of New York, New Hampshire, Ver- mont, Massachusetts and Connecticut on affairs relative to the development of water powers and other hydraulic matters. He has also served as chairman of commissions, by court appointment, in cases of disputed water rights, and has served as expert in the awarding of damages, many of these cases involving State rights. Of recent years Mr. Hale's work has been largely in a con- sulting capacity, and for years he was resident engineer of the Essex Company, in practical charge of the work until October, 1921, when upon the death of H. F. Mills, Mr. Hale became chief engineer of the company.
In connection with his other responsibilities, Mr. Hale served for twelve years on the Lawrence Park Commission, during the latter half of that period being chairman of the commission: He re- signed in 1906, on account of the pressure of other matters. He has written extensively for engineer- ing journals on topics relating to hydraulic power.
By way of relaxation from the exacting duties of his profession, Mr. Hale some years ago turned to golf. He also takes great interest in photo- graphy, and is well posted on various outdoor sports. He is a member of the Appalachian Moun- tain Club, and has served in the capacity of coun- cillor of topography. He is a member of the American Forestry Association, and has served on the executive committee of the Massachusetts For- estry Association. He is a member of the Ameri- can Society of Civil Engineers; of the Boston Society of Civil Engineers, which he has served as director and president; and of the New Eng- land Water Works Association; the National Geographic Society; the American Civic League; the Massachusetts Civic League; the Merrimac Valley Technology Club, of which he is ex-presi-
dent; the Engineers' Club; the Merrimac Valley Country Club; the Lawrence Canoe Club; which he has served as director; the Lawrence Boys' Club, of which he is secretary; and the Monday Night Club. His church affiliation is as a member of Grace Episcopal Church.
On October 28, 1880, Mr. Hale married Arabella Johnson Plummer, of Lawrence, daughter of Frank Plummer, and granddaughter of Rev. Henry Plum- mer, of Haverhill; and their six children are as follows: Helen Plummer, born August 7, 1881; Frank Bernice, born July 4, 1883; Marguerite Eliz- abeth, born February 23, 1885, died March 23, 1903; Elliott Kidder, born September 9, 1887, mar- ried Geraldine Rideout, of Beverly, and has one son, Richard Augustus (3) ; Eleanor Johnson, born October 14, 1894; and Richard Augustus, Jr., born July 21, 1898.
JAMES EDWARD BYRNE-For more than a decade Mr. Byrne has been a factor in the pro- gress of the city of Lynn, Massachusetts, in the field of real estate and insurance, but for many years previously he was identified with the indus- trial world of Essex county.
Mr. Byrne was born in Middlebury, Vermont, October 31, 1868, and is a son of Jeremiah and Mary J. Byrne. The subsequent removals of the family to Tilton, Franklin Falls, and Manchester, New Hampshire, brought about his school attend- ance in these three places, and in the changes he learned a certain adaptability which has been of .great value to him in his subsequent career. Leav- ing school at the age of fourteen years, Mr. Byrne entered the employ of the Manchester Print Works, one of the most celebrated manufacturers of cot- ton printed fabrics in New England, where he remained for about two years. He then came to Massachusetts, and locating in Saugus, this county, was employed for about one year in the card room of a woolen mill. Then he became a resi- dent of Lynn, where he has since remained. Here he was first employed, in the capacity of clerk, in the Folsom crockery store, then later was in Allen & Boyden's box shop for about one year. Following that, Mr. Byrne learned the barber's trade, which he followed for a period of twenty- four years. Then seeing larger opportunities and broader interest in his present field, he entered the real estate and insurance business about 1910, and is still actively engaged along this line, hav- ing handled many important deals in connection with the development of the city.
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