USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Newton, Garden City of the Commonwealth > Part 15
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HENRY HERBERT HUNT is a native of Brunswick, Me., where he was born Sept. 10, 1847, his parents being Jeremiah and Salome (Greene) Hunt.
He was educated in the common schools and then learned the trade of a carpenter. He is now one of the largest building con- tractors in the city.
Mr. Hunt has resided in West Newton for many years, and has repeatedly served his ward in the city government, as a mem-
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ber of the common council in 1888, in the board of aldermen in 1893 and 1894, and as a member of the aldermen under the new charter in 1898.
He is a member of the First Baptist Church of West Newton, of the Newton, North Gate and other clubs, and of Dal- housie Lodge, Newton Royal Arch Chap- ter, Gethsemane Commandery, Knights Templar, Lafayette Lodge of Perfection, and all the higher Masonic bodies.
Mr. Hunt has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Emeline A. Frogley, by whom two children were born, Richard H. and Helen M., the latter being the wife of Mr. F. Irving Marshall of Brook- line. His second wife was Miss Czarina J. Leonard, and her children are Henry L. and Marguerite Hunt.
FRED CLIFFORD HINDS, a na- tive of Calais, Me., is a son of Orren Preserved and Matilda Hinds, and a direct descendant of Elder Ebenezer Hinds, who was one of the first Baptist preachers of Boston, Newton and vicinity from 1753 to 1767, and one of the founders of Brown University.
FRED C. HINDS.
WILLIAM CLAFLIN.
He is largely interested in electric rail- ways in this and other states.
He is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, of the Society of Mayflower Descendants and of the New- ton Club.
Mr. Hinds is married and resides on Kirkstall Road, Newtonville, and has a summer residence at Lakeville, Mass.
WILLIAM CLAFLIN, an ex-gov- ernor of the Commonwealth, was born at Milford, Mass., March 6, 1818, his par- ents being Lee Claflin and Sally Adams.
He was educated at Brown University and was engaged for many years in the wholesale boot and shoe business, under the firm name of William Claflin & Co., Boston and St. Louis.
Mr. Claflin was a prominent member of the Republican party and represented it in the Massachusetts legislature for six · years, from 1853 to 1859. He was a mem- ber of the Massachusetts senate in 1860 and 1861, being president of that body during the latter year. In 1866, 1867 and 1868 he was elected lieutenant gov- ernor, and in 1869, 1870 and 1871 served
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as governor. From 1868 to 1872 Mr. Claflin was chairman of the National Re- publican Executive Committee, and was a representative to Congress from 1877 to 1881.
Governor Claflin received the degree of LL. D. from Wesleyan University in 1868 and from Harvard College in 1869.
As governor he signed the charters for Boston University and Wellesley College, and has always been a member of the Board of Trustees of each institution ; president of the Board of Boston Uni- versity, also president of the " Massachu- setts Club," the first Republican club in Massachusetts.
He has resided in Newton since 1855, and his beautiful estate, called "The Old Elms," was for many years the centre of a most genial hospitality.
Governor Claflin has two sons, Arthur B. and Adams D., the president of the Boston Suburban Electric Companies, and one daughter, Mrs. Charles W. Ellis.
J. WILEY EDMANDS was born in Boston, Mass., March 1, 1809, the son of Thomas and Roxa (Sprague) Edmands.
He was educated in the Boston gram- mar and English High schools, receiving the Franklin medal in 1823.
He entered the counting room of A. A. Lawrence & Co. in 1824 and in 1830 be- came a member of the firm, from which he retired in 1843. For several years he was interested in the Maverick Woollen Mills in Dedham, Mass. In 1852 he was elected to Congress and served for one term, de- clining a renomination. In 1855 he was appointed treasurer of the Pacific Mills of Lawrence, a position he held until his death on Jan. 31, 1877.
Without his knowledge or request Mr. Edmands was honored with the enthusi- astic support of influential business men for his appointment to high official posi- tions at Washington, including that of Secretary of the Treasury under Presidents Lincoln and Grant and subsequently for the post of minister to England. He was
J. WILEY EDMANDS.
president of the convention in Boston which first nominated General Grant for President, and he was a presidential elector for Massachusetts in 1868.
Mr. Edmands took up his residence in Newton in 1847 and was one of its fore- most citizens for thirty years. He created the beautiful estate on Centre Street called Woodside, now occupied by his son, Mr. A. Lawrence Edmands. He was identified with the charitable and educational inter- ests of the town, offering freely of his means, wise counsel and valuable time. He was also an enthusiastic supporter of and contributor to the Pomroy Home.
He contributed the sum of $15,000 towards the erection of the present build- ing of the Newton Free Library and served as president of the board of trustees until his death.
At the outbreak of the Civil War Mr. Edmands was one of the leaders in pub- lic sentiment, and often presided at meet- ings held in Newton for enlistment of vol- unteers. He stood behind the selectmen in their generous promises to care for the sick and wounded and to furnish necessi- ties for the families of those who might
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perish. He advanced a large sum of money at a critical moment to meet cer- tain necessary liabilities, and he was also a large contributor to the fund for the Soldiers' Monument.
Mr. Edmands was vice-president of the Provident Institution for Savings, treas- urer of the Boston Eye and Ear Infir- mary, a director of the Ogdensburgh Rail- road, of the old Suffolk Bank, of the Suffolk National Bank, of the Massachu- setts Fire Insurance Company, of the Ark- wright Mutual Insurance Company, and president of the National Association of Wool Manufacturers.
WILLIAM BENTLEY FOWLE, third mayor of Newton, was born at Bos- ton, Mass., July 27, 1826, his parents be- ing William B. and Mary A. (Moulton) Fowle.
He received his education in the schools of Boston and engaged in business as a book dealer. Later railroading engrossed his attention and he was connected with the Boston & Albany and Pennsylvania railroads, in which he amassed a fortune.
From 1860 to 1862 Mr. Fowle was a
WILLIAM B. FOWLE.
EDWARD MCLELLAN.
member of the common council of Boston. In 1862 he recruited a company of in- fantry in the 43rd Regiment, Massachu- setts Volunteer Militia, and as its captain saw service at Beaufort, S. C. In 1865 Mr. Fowle was president of the common council of Boston. He came to Newton after the close of the war and resided in a beautiful estate at Auburndale.
From 1869 to 1871 he was a selectman, and after the incorporation as a city served as an alderman in 1877, and was elected mayor for the years 1878 and 1879.
During the latter part of his life Mr. Fowle was unfortunate in business mat- ters, and re-entered business as a public accountant.
He was a member of Columbia Lodge of Masons, of the Loyal Legion and of Charles Ward Post, G. A. R.
He died at Auburndale Jan. 21, 1902, and is survived by a widow, two daugh- ters and three sons.
EDWARD MCLELLAN is a native of Newton, where he was born Sept. 7, 1847, his parents being Edward and Re- becca S. McLellan.
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RESIDENCE, CHARLES WHITTEMORE, SUMMIT STREET.
He received his education in the public schools of Woburn, Medford and Boston, and entered business in 1864. In 1871, with Mr. Charles and W. A. Alexander, he formed the firm of Alexander Bros. & Co. Mr. C. and W. A. Alexander retir- ing, in 1892 he organized the firm of Mc- Lellan, Starr & Brigham, and afterwards changed the business into a corporation
called the McLellan & Brigham Company, of which he is president, dealing in con- fectioners' and bakers' supplies and fancy groceries.
Mr. Mclellan is interested in the United Fruit Company and has charge of the cocoanut sales department, he for- merly being employed to handle this de- partment for the Boston Fruit Company
RESIDENCE, EDWARD B. BOWEN, SUMNER STREET.
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RESIDENCE, HENRY B. DAY, CHESTNUT STREET.
before it was merged into the United Fruit Company.
Mr. McLellan has always declined to accept public office, but is a member of the First Congregational Church of New- ton Centre, of the Congregational Club of Boston, has served as treasurer of the Cen- tral Church of Chelsea, and is deeply in- terested in church and temperance work.
He is also director in the Puritan Trust Company, a member of the Royal Arca- num, the Boston Chamber of Commerce and the Boston Confectioners' Club.
He married Miss Josephine M. Sands, and they have two sons and one daughter, Grace J., the wife of H. Frederic Lesh.
Mr. and Mrs. McLellan reside on Cen- tre Street, Newton Centre.
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RESIDENCE, FRANCIS E. STANLEY, CENTRE STREET.
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HENRY BAILY.
HENRY BAILY, ex-president of the board of aldermen, was born at Newport, Pa., Jan. 18, 1857, his parents being Joseph and Rebecca ( Watson) Baily.
He was educated at Haverford College, Pennsylvania (A. B.), Harvard University (A. B. and A. M.), and at Boston Uni- versity Law School, being admitted to the Suffolk bar in 1892. During his collegi- ate course Mr. Baily travelled extensively in the United States and Europe. Since 1892 he has been engaged in practice of general law at Boston.
Mr. Baily represented his ward in the common council in 1896, was a member of the board of aldermen in 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900 and 1901, serving as president of the board in 1900 and 1901. He was a most influential member of the board and rendered important services, particu- larly in matters affecting street railways. As a presiding officer Mr. Baily has few equals, combining dignity and ability in the conduct of public business to a marked degree. As an after-dinner speaker Mr. Baily has also achieved a noteworthy repu- tation.
In the fall of 1900 Mr. Baily received
the Citizens' nomination for mayor, but withdrew in the interest of harmony. In 1901 he ran for mayor as an independent candidate in a triangular contest, but was defeated by the Republican nominee.
He is a member of the University and Appalachian clubs of Boston, and of the Newton, Newton Centre Golf, Newton Centre Squash Tennis, and The Villagers of Newton Centre.
Mr. Baily married Miss Frances Emer- son, and resides on Beacon Street, Newton Centre.
HARRY LAIRD AYER was born in Boston, Mass., and is the son of Charles C. and Sarah E. Aver.
He was educated in the public schools, and is engaged in the advertising business, being one of the first persons to recognize the value of advertising in street cars.
Mr. Ayer is one of the best known men in social and athletic circles in the city, and is a member of the Newton, Brae- Burn Golf, Neighborhood, Newton Boat Club, Manchester Yacht Club of Man- chester, Mass., the Exchange Club of Boston, the Essex County Club of Man-
HARRY L. AYER.
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CHARLES W. LEONARD.
chester, Mass., and the Misery Island Club, Beverly, Mass. Mr. Ayer was the leading spirit in the famous tennis tourna- ments held by the Neighborhood Club, and is an active member of that organiza- tion.
He attends the West Newton Unita- rian Church, and resides on Prince Street. Mrs. Ayer was Miss Marie Moore of Brooklyn, N. Y., before her marriage.
CHARLES WEBSTER LEON- ARD was born at Sharon, Mass., Nov. 1, 1844, his parents being Benjamin S. and Esther L. Leonard.
He graduated from the Stoughtonham Institute of Sharon, and in 1866 entered the wholesale dry goods house of Jackson, Mandell & Daniell of Boston. He re- mained with this firm for twenty-three years, having an interest in the business in 1870, and becoming a partner in 1881. In 1889 Mr. Leonard became a partner in the Arnold Print Works, but ill-health com- pelled his retirement. In 1891 he formed a partnership with John S. Holden of Bennington, Vt., under the name of Holden, Leonard & Co., and they now
own and operate the Bennington Woollen Mills and the Oneko Woollen Mills of New Bedford.
Mr. Leonard is a vestryman and warden of Grace Church and is a member of numerous clubs in Boston and Newton.
He married Miss Emma Thatcher Welch, and they have three sons, Edgar W., Robert J. and Charles R. Leonard. The family reside in the Eldredge home- stead on Forest Avenue, West Newton.
HENRY F. ROSS, a prominent builder of Newton, was born at West Boylston, Mass., Aug. 16, 1846, and is the son of William J. and Harriet ( Mer- riam) Ross.
He was educated in the public schools and in branch of the Bryant & Stratton School of Worcester, followed by a private course in engineering. He then entered the employ of the late Oakes Ames, manu- facturer of agricultural implements, until his removal to Newton about 1872. Here he started his present business as a build- ing contractor and has had charge of many important buildings all over the country. Mr. Ross is also a recognized expert in
HENRY F. ROSS.
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FRANK M. COPELAND.
the adjustment of losses by fire and large real estate appraisals.
He is a member of the Masonic body and of the Newton Club, and served his ward in the Common Council in 1885.
Mr. Ross first married Miss Emma L. Flint. His second wife was Miss Cloelia A. Sanford, by whom he had one son, Louis S. Ross. His third wife was Miss Lottie A. Sanford, a sister of his second wife.
Mr. Ross resides on Walnut Street, Newtonville.
FRANK MERTON COPELAND was born at Mansfield, Mass., April 19, 1854, his parents being Almon and Eliza- beth (Allen) Copeland.
He was educated in the public schools of his native town, at a preparatory school in Foxboro, Mass., and at Marietta Col- lege, Marietta, Ohio, graduating from the latter in 1875.
Mr. Copeland taught school for a few years, being principal of the Mansfield High School for five years. He attended the Boston University Law School from 188 1 to 1883, when he was admitted to the
Suffolk bar. He received his degree from Boston University in 1884, and practises his profession at Boston.
Mr. Copeland is secretary of the New England Association of Marietta College Alumni, secretary of St. John's Lodge, the oldest lodge of Masons in the country, and secretary of the Newton Club. In addition Mr. Copeland is a member of St. Andrew's Royal Arch Chapter, Gethsem- ane Commandery, Albemarle Golf Club, American Whist Club and of the Suffolk Bar Association.
He is unmarried and resides at New- tonville.
CHARLES FRANCIS CHENEY was born in Worcester, Mass., June 6, 1853, his parents being Ethan R. and Ade- line (Dudley) Cheney.
His education was received in the pub- lic schools of Boston, and he is now the general manager of the Hallowell Granite Works of that city.
Mr. Cheney has never held public office, but is a member of various Masonic bodies of Newton and Boston and is a well known member of the Newton Club.
CHARLES F. CHENEY.
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CHARLES E. RANLETT.
He married Miss Lizzie Hodson and with their three children, Edith R., Jennie H. and H. Howard Cheney, resides on Walnut Street, Newtonville.
CHARLES EVERETT RAN- LETT, a resident of Auburndale for over thirty years, was born at Montville, Me., Nov. 9, 1816, his parents being John and Cynthia (Everett) Ranlett.
He received his education in the com- mon schools and then went to sea, reach- ing the rank of master mariner, and sail- ing to most of the important ports of Europe and making many voyages around the world.
Captain Ranlett was a selectman of Thomaston, Me., and its representative in the State Legislature for 1862, 1863 ; was a selectman in Newton in 1871, 1872, and the representative in the Legislature from Newton during 1877-79.
He is a member of the Auburndale Congregational Society and of the New England Historical and Geneaological So- ciety of Boston.
Captain Ranlett married first, Eliza- beth Bond Stearns, and second Ann Maria
Jordan, and his children were Elizabeth Frances, Charles Oliver, Susan Alice and Frederick Jordan Ranlett.
The family has resided on Central Street, Auburndale for many years.
FREDERICK JORDAN RAN- LETT was bornin Thomaston, Me., Nov. 17, 1857, and is the son of Capt. Charles E. and Ann M. (Jordan) Ranlett.
The family came to Newton to reside when he was young, and he received his education in its public schools and at Har- vard College (class of 1880) and Harvard Law School. Mr. Ranlett was admitted to the Suffolk bar in 1884 and has since practised his profession in Boston, making a specialty of probate law, wills and the management of estates.
Mr. Ranlett served in the Common Council of Newton in 1888, 1889, and in the General Court as a representative from Newton in 1890, declining a renomination.
Mr. Ranlett attends the Episcopal Church, was an editor of the Harvard Ad- vocate, president of the Signet Society of Harvard, president of the Philosophical Society of Harvard, and is a member of
FREDERICK J. RANLETT.
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the O. K. and Phi Beta Kappa societies and of the Powwow Club of the Harvard Law School.
Mr. Ranlett married Miss Adèle Augus- tine Felix, and they have two children, Louis F. and Frederick J. Ranlett, Jr.
FRED ABIJAH TARBOX, chief of police, was born in Biddeford, Me., May 7, 1861, his parents being Abijah and Sophronia Tarbox.
He was educated in the common schools of his birthplace and then read law for two years with the firm of Hamilton & Haley.
Mr. Tarbox served as constable and city marshal of Biddeford for four years, as state detective for four years, as deputy United States marshal for two years, as chief of police of Fitchburg, Mass., for four years, and has held the position of chief of police of Newton since 1898.
Mr. Tarbox attends the Universalist Church and is a thirty-second degree Mason.
Mr. Tarbox married Miss Alice E. Butler of Newton, and resides on Hill- side Avenue, West Newton.
FRED A. TARBOX.
PERCY M. BLAKE.
PERCY MORTIMER BLAKE was born in Mansfield, Mass., April 2, 1850, being the oldest son of Rev. Mortimer Blake, D. D., and Harriet Louisa (Daniels) Blake.
He received his education in the public schools of Taunton, Mass., and at the age of nineteen chose the profession of civil engineering and entered the engineering office of Cushing & Farnum, Providence, R. I. From 1871 to 1875 he was em- ployed as a civil assistant with Gen. G. K. Warren, U. S. Engineer Corps, on river and harbor improvements, and in 1875 left the government service and began a private practice in sanitary and hydraulic engineering, making water supply and drainage specialties. Mr. Blake has never sought or held public office, except as chief engineer of municipal improve- ments under his charge or as consulting engineer. His practice has been a large and increasing one and he is well known in New England, having designed and con- structed in whole or in part more than twenty waterworks, among them being those of Dedham, Wakefield, Turner's Falls, Andover, Milton, Manchester,
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Newburyport, Middleboro, North Attle- boro and North Easton in Massachusetts, Rockland and Portland in Maine, Dover, N. H., and New Britain, Conn. In re- cent years he has devoted a part of his practice to engineering questions involving legal complications and has been associated with leading counsel in New England in questions of franchise and valuations of water supplies and water powers.
Mr. Blake is a member of the Boston Society of Civil Engineers and of the Newton Club, and a regular attendant at the Central Congregational Church. He resides with his family at 454 Walnut Street, Newtonville, and has his private office and draughting rooms in Claflin Block, 815 Washington Street.
He married in 1873 Miss Phebe Eliza Sheffield of Lyme, Conn., and has four children, Edmund M., Amherst, 1897, L. S. S., H. U., 1899, now associate engi- neer in his father's office ; Lucy 1., who married Andrew A. Highlands, member Suffolk bar, now residing in Brookline; Philip W., with the Power and Speed Con- troller Co., Boston, and Isabel S., New- ton High School, 1906.
CHARLES CHAUNCEY BURR was born in Worcester, Mass., Feb. 9, 1818, his parents being Heman Merrick and Nelly (Tucker) Burr.
On completing his education he came to Boston and entered the dry goods busi- ness, and when twenty-one years of age opened a store for himself on Washington Street.
Some years later in connection with his brother, Isaac T. Burr, the firm of Burr Brothers & Co. was established and lo- cated on Milk Street. In 1858 the firm removed to Franklin Street. On the re- tirement of his brother the firm name was changed to Burr, Taft & Co., and in 1874 Mr. Burr retired from the dry goods busi- ness. In 1848 Mr. Burr settled in Au- burndale, where he resided until his death on Sept. 23, 1900, and became one of the leading citizens of the village.
CHARLES C. BURR.
He represented the ward in the board of aldermen during the years 1879-82, and was a member of the Legislature in 1883 and 1884. He was one of the founders and a lifelong member of the Auburndale Congregational Church, was its treasurer for fifty years, and its senior deacon for many years.
For twenty-five years he was a mem- ber of the Prudential Committee of the American Board of Foreign Missions and was a member of the Auburndale Village Improvement Society and of the trustees of the Newton Hospital, and widely known in the societies con- nected with the Congregational denomi- nation.
FREDERIC ADOLPHUS WETHERBEE was born in Newton July 2, 1853, his parents being Ethan and Sarah M. Wetherbee. He received his education in the Newton schools, and engaged in the insurance business upon leaving the high school. He was in busi- ness from 1876 to 1883 in the firm of Wetherbee & Nutter, insurance agents, was secretary of the Prescott Insurance
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RESIDENCE, WILLIE H. MANSFIELD, LINCOLN STREET.
Company of Boston until 1887, and since 1888 has been the state agent of the Home Insurance Company of New York, the leading fire insurance company of the United States. Mr. Wetherbee has also been actively identified with the New Eng- land Insurance Exchange, serving as chair-
man of its executive committee in 1895 and as its president in 1898.
Mr. Wetherbee has been for nine years a member of the standing committee of the Channing Church, and is a member of Dalhousie Lodge of Masons and of the Hunnewell Club.
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NEWTONVILLE SQUARE, 1902.
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RESIDENCE, DANIEL S. EMERY, WAVERLEY AVENUE.
Mr. Wetherbee married Miss Mary N. Lane, the daughter of the late George Lane of Newton, and they reside on Belle- vue Street, Mt. Ida.
FREDERICK HUNTINGTON PUTNAM was born in Norwood, Mass., Dec. 1, 1857, and is the son of Benjamin W. and Caroline (Symonds) Putnam.
He received his education in the pri- mary, grammar and high schools of Bos- ton, supplemented by a special course at the Massachusetts Institute of Technol- ogy.
For twenty years Mr. Putnam has been engaged in the wool business as a buyer, covering the entire section of the West from Texas to Oregon.
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RESIDENCE, FREDERICK H. PUTNAM, UPLAND ROAD.
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He is a past master of Eliot Lodge of Masons and a member of the First Con- gregational Church, Jamaica Plain, the Jamaica Club, the Eliot Club, and the Beacon Club of Waban.
In 1892 Mr. Putnam married Miss Jenet Hallowell, and they have four chil- dren, Dorothy, Elinor, David and Mar- jorie.
He lives in a beautiful house in Waban.
ROBERT BALL EDES, retired lieutenant colonel, Massachusetts Volun- teer Militia, was born in Charlestown, Mass., Oct. 3, 1856. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers of New Eng- land, two of them, John Alden and Peter Brown, coming from England in the " May- flower." The Edeses and Barkers arrived a few years later and settled in Massa- chusetts. Their descendants were promi- nent in all of the military and civil affairs of the colony and took an active part in the early Indian wars, the American Revo- lution and the War of 1812, and later in the Mexican War and the Rebellion.
Colonel Edes moved with his family to Newton, Mass., in 1866, and has held his residence here almost continuously ever since. He received his first military in- struction at the Bigelow School, Newton, and then at the English High School, Boston. He joined the militia in July, 1871, at the age of fifteen years.
He first joined Company L, Ist Regi- ment, the Claflin Guard of Newton, after- wards Company C, Ist Regiment, and Company C, Ist Battalion, now Company C, 5th Regiment Infantry. He served with his company at the great Boston fire in 1872, and continued in the service until the latter part of 1875, when he went west. There, after some rather thrilling experiences as a ranchman, he entered the service of the United States, serving on the plains for a considerable time, engag- ing in several skirmishes with the Indians who then infested the Black Hills country, being once wounded in the leg by a rifle ball. The trouble with the Indians being
ROBERT B. EDES.
over, he returned to his home in Newton, stopping en route at Philadelphia, Pa., where the labor riots were taking place and volunteering as a recruit in the 2nd Regi- ment, Pennsylvania National Guard. He rejoined his old company, which was soon after transferred to the 5th Regiment. Moving to Waltham he was elected second lieutenant of Company F, in 1883, later first lieutenant, and upon the passage of the bill establishing the office of inspector of rifle practice he was appointed by Col- onel Bancroft to that position on the staff of the 5th Regiment, which he held until August, 1897, when he was appointed As- sistant Inspector General of Rifle Practice on the staff of the 2nd Brigade, holding his commission until placed upon the re- tired list of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia in 1901. In 1902 he was elected commander of the Old Guard of Massa- chusetts, which he was instrumental in reorganizing.
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