USA > Massachusetts > One of a thousand, a series of biographical sketches of one thousand representative men resident in the commonwealth of Massachusetts, A.D. 1888-'89; > Part 18
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CLAFLIN.
CHOATE.
CHOATE, CHARLES FRANCIS, son of Dr. George and Margaret (Hodges) Choate, was born in Salem, Essex county, May 16, 1828. He is a lineal descendant of John Choate, the common ancestor of this distinguished family in Massachusetts. John Choate came from the west of Eng- land to the colonies about 1641. The coat-of-arms belonging to the Choate fam- ily indicates its knightly origin.
The early education of Mr. Choate was received in the public schools of Salem, ending in the Salem Latin school, where he prepared for college. He was gradu- ated from Harvard in the class of 1849. . He then became a tutor in mathematics, and while discharging the duties appertain- ing to his position, also attended the law and scientific schools of the university. He was admitted to the Suffolk county bar in September, 1855, and at once opened a law office in Boston. His legal practice was largely devoted to railroad interests, including those of the Old Colony Rail- road Company, Boston & Maine Railroad Company, of which he was counsel.
The - knowledge and experience thus gained in twenty-two years of professional life eminently qualified him for the position he now holds.
Mr. Choate's primary association with the Old Colony Railroad was in the capacity of counselor to the corporation, having been employed as such since 1865. In 1872 he was elected to membership in the board of directors, and in 1877 was chosen president of the company by a unanimous vote. Since that time he has been honored with a consecutive annual re-election.
Since his administration began, the record of the road has been one of contin- uous and remarkable prosperity. Simul- taneously with his election to the presi- dency of the Old Colony Railroad, he was elected to the presidency of the Old Colony Steamboat Company.
Mr. Choate has been a director and vice- president of the New England Trust Com- pany for several years, and is vice-presi- dent of the Massachusetts Hospital Life Insurance Company ; but with these excep- tions he has declined to accept any office in addition to those in which he has won so much distinction, and the duties and responsibilities of which are sufficiently exacting for the abilities of any one admin- istrator.
Mr. Choate was married in Utica, N. Y., November 7, 1855, to Elizabeth W., daugh- ter of Edward and Hannah (Thompson) Carlile. Of this union were five children :
Edward C., Sarah C. (wife of J. Montgom- ery Sears), Margaret M., Helen, and Charles F. Choate, Jr.
CLAFLIN, WILLIAM, son of Lee and Sarah (Adams) Claflin, was born in Mil- ford, Worcester county, March 6, 1818.
He was educated in the public schools, in Milford Academy, where he prepared for college, and in Brown University, from which latter institution he was obliged to retire on account of ill health.
He then worked in his father's manu- factory for three years. For many years he was engaged in the wholesale boot and shoe business in St. Louis, Mo. (having gone there for the recovery of his health), and later on in Boston. He was a mem- ber of the House of Representatives from 1849 to '53, inclusive; member of the state Senate in 1860 and '61, and president of the Senate the latter year ; lieutenant- governor in 1866, '67 and '68, and governor, in 1869 '70 and '71.
In 1864 Mr. Claflin became a member of the national Republican executive com- mittee, and was its chairman from 1868 to '72. He was elected, as a Republican, to Congress from the 8th congressional dis- trict, and served two terms, from October 15, 1877, to March 4, 1881.
In 1868 he received the degree of LL. D. from Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., and in 1869 the same degree from Harvard.
In his commercial career, from a small beginning, Mr. Claflin by his tact and en- terprise built up a large and prosperous business in the West. He returned to Bos- ton with the purpose of establishing him- self in the manufacture of boots and shoes. His venture proved successful, and expan- sions in his business succeeded each other to keep pace with the increasing demands of trade, until he has become one of the proprietors of a number of boot and shoe factories in different parts of Massachu- setts, employing a very large number of workmen. He is senior partner in the house of Claflin, Coburn & Co., Boston.
Mr. Claflin has two sons : Arthur B. and Adams D., and one daughter, Mrs. Emma C. Ellis.
In politics Mr. Claflin has ever been a staunch Republican, and all of his political honors have been given at the hands of that party, although his character and repu- tation have won the confidence and hearty support of many of his political opponents, and frequently carried him into office ahead of his ticket. His religious training and convictions early identified him with the
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CLAPP.
communion of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the Boston Wesleyan Association, president of the trustees of Boston University, and promi- nent in all enterprises which have for an end the upbuilding and broadening the work of the denomination. His wise and conservative judgment is constantly sought by his business associates, and among other offices of honor and trust, he finds time to perform the duties of trustee of several moneyed institutions.
Mr. Claflin resides in Newtonville, dis- pensing a generous hospitality character- istic of a prosperous and intelligent man of affairs.
CLAPP, CHARLES MARTIN, son of Mar- tin Gillett and Mary Ann (Gillett) Clapp, was born in Watertown, Jefferson county, N. Y., July 5, 1834. Mr. Clapp's ancestors came from Devonshire, England, Edward Clapp coming to New England, and land- ing at Dorchester about 1633.
He received his early education in the common schools, finished it and graduated at Monson Academy; soon after, he entered a country store and manufactory at South Deerfield, and went from there with same employers to Boston, and continued with them until they terminated their Boston business.
He engaged in the rubber business in 1858, and has remained in it up to the present time -the firm since 1872 being C. M. Clapp & Co.
The firm of C. M. Clapp & Co. own and operate the large manufacturing establish- ment incorporated as " The Ætna Rubber Mills." Mr. Clapp is president and treas- urer of the company. He is also inter- ested in other rubber companies.
In 1865 Mr. Clapp was appointed United States Government inspector of rubber blankets, etc., in the quartermaster's de- partment, located at Cincinnati, O., and served until contracts for blankets were completed.
Mr. Clapp is director of the Atlas Na- tional Bank, the Boston Lead Manufactur- ing Company, and the E. Howard Watch & Clock Company; trustee of Forest Hills Cemetery, and Home Savings Bank, and treasurer of the Commercial Club, and for the past twenty-one years has been a men- ber of the standing committee of the Church of the Unity.
Mr. Clapp has never seen his way clear to accept political office, and yet by his intelligent grasp of public affairs and inti- mate relations with leading business men, has contributed not a little to the success
CLAPP.
of those movements which reflect the sen- timent of the better class of the com- munity, and which promote the public weal.
CLAPP, EGBERT I., son of Luther and Lucy (Pomeroy) Clapp, was born in East- hampton, Hampshire county, June 15, 1842.
Until twelve years of age he attended the North District school, Easthampton, then, after a lapse of several years, three terms in the English department, Williston Seminary, Easthampton.
His business life began with his position as cashier for the Connecticut River Rail- road, Northampton station, 1866 to '73. From 1873 to '74 he was acting agent at same station. In 1874 he made a change in business, engaging in the fancy goods trade, St. Johnsbury, Vt. He removed to the state of Georgia the next year, and carried on the same line of trade in Charles- ton, S. C., and in Savannah and Atlanta, Ga. In 1877 he came back to Massachu- setts and settled in Northampton, engag- ing in the dry goods trade, which he con- tinued until the spring of 1885.
He is now city clerk of Northampton, having been elected annually to that office, by the people, since the acceptance of a city charter, in 1883.
Mr. Clapp was married in Northampton, April 27, 1869, to Annie L., daughter of William F. and Elizabeth (Clapp) Pratt. Of this union is one child: Bessie Pomeroy Clapp.
Mr. Clapp served during the late civil war in the 31st regiment Massachusetts volunteers, known as the Western Bay State regiment of the New England divi- sion, from 1861 to the close of the war in 1865, one and one-half years as infantry and two and one-half years as cavalry, taking part in all campaigns in the Gulf department, including the Têche, Port Hudson, Red River and siege of Mobile, with the captures of Spanish Fort and Blakely. He was private, corporal, ser- geant, quartermaster-sergeant, and second lieutenant, successively. He was one of the charter members of W. L. Baker Post No. 86, G. A. R., Northampton, and quar- termaster of the Post from its organiza- tion in 1882, to 1885.
CLAPP, GEORGE LYMAN, son of Washington and Mary D. (Robbins) Clapp, was born in Boston, March 30, 1848. Hle is a descendant of Roger Clapp, who came to this country in colo- nial days. Public schools of Boston, Holliston and Northampton, and St. Al-
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CLAPP.
bans, Vt., furnished him with his school education.
At seventeen years of age he began to learn the trade of printer - three years at job printing, then foreman at Holliston, until and after the establishment was re- moved to Framingham, 1871.
In 1873 he was six months in partner- ship with J. C. Clark. In 1874 the J. C. Clark Printing Company was formed. He was president two years. In 1889 the name was changed to Lakeview Printing Company, of which he is manager.
Mr. Clapp was married in Thomaston, Me., August 23, 1874, to Carrie C., daugh- ter of Edward and Almena (Drake) Hills. Of this union are three children : Florence A., Stanley E., and Grace L. Clapp.
Mr. Clapp has been member of the Repub- lican town committee ; is a member of the Congregational church, and has been superintendent of the Sunday-school. He is always especially active in temperance work, and a prominent member of the " Temple of Honor."
His present residence is South Framing- ham.
CLAPP, HENRY AUSTIN, son of John Pierce and Mary Ann (Bragg) Clapp, was born in Dorchester, Norfolk county, July 17, 1841.
He obtained his early educational train- ing in the public schools of Dorchester, in the high school of which town he fitted for college. He entered Harvard College in 1856 and was graduated in 1860.
He taught school a few months after graduation, then studied law at the Har- vard law school, and took the degree of LL. B. He then studied in the Boston office of D. H. Mason, and of Hutchins & Wheeler ; was admitted to the bar in Boston, in 1865 ; in 1875 he was appointed assistant clerk of the supreme judicial court for the county of Suffolk : held this position till January, 1888, when he was appointed clerk of the supreme judicial court for the Commonwealth, which posi- tion he now holds.
Mr. Clapp was married in Oswego, N. Y., June 23, 1869, to Florence, daughter of Edwin W. and Charlotte (Ambler) Clarke. Of this union is one child : Roger Clapp.
Mr. Clapp was a private in company F., 44th regiment Massachusetts volunteer soldiers, who enlisted for nine months, from August. 1862, to June, 1863. He served with his regiment a greater part of the time in eastern North Carolina.
He was for many years dramatic and musical critic for the " Boston Daily Ad-
CLAPP.
vertiser," and is now the dramatic critic for the same paper. He has been a stu- dent of the drama and dramatic literature for many years, and in 1885 began giving public lectures on Shakespeare's plays. These have drawn the attention of many Shakespearean scholars, and have been re- ceived with great favor.
CLAPP, WILLIAM WARLAND, son of William Warland and Hannah Williams (Lane) Clapp, was born in Boston, April II, 1826.
His early education was obtained in Boston, supplemented by two years' school- ing in France. His father was editor of the "Saturday Evening Gazette," pub- lished in Boston, and his first venture in business was as associate editor with him.
In 1847 he became editor and proprie- tor. In 1865 he sold the "Gazette " and became connected with the " Boston Jour- nal," of which he is at present editor-in- chief and general manager.
The proprietor and editor of a leading journal occupies a vantage ground which may make or mar a reputation, build up or tear down a cause worthy of public ap- proval and support. Not only the city of Boston, but the state at large, has reason for congratulation that the "Boston Jour- nal " has for so long a time remained in such safe, sagacious and thoroughly clean hands. It is considered one of the best general newspapers for the family pub- lished in the country. It is the acknowl- edged exponent of the best elements of the Republican party, and its able and conservative editorials have usually an- ticipated the text of the party platform, and outlined its successful policy. While its editor has at times succumbed to the imperative demands of his fellow-citizens, and reluctantly accepted office, yet his disposition and training cause him to shrink from such publicity. What few hours he can spare from the editorial sanctum are spent far more to his tastes among the flowers and in the garden which adorn his summer residence on the famous " Jerusalem Road " at Cohasset. His am- bition is still to maintain for his paper the reputation, so long enjoyed, of being pure in tone, fair in politics, and reliable in its news.
Mr. Clapp was married in Boston, Sep- tember 30, 1850, to Caroline, daughter of George and Mary(Hastings) Dennie. Their children are : Mary, George and Mabel.
Mr. Clapp in 1859 and '60 served as member of the Boston common council ; in 1864 and '65 he was a member of the
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CLARK.
board of aldermen, the latter year being elected as a member of the state Senate. He was appointed aide-de-camp to Gover- nor Banks, and served on the personal staff of Governor Andrew, with title of lieut .- colonel. He has been a director of public institutions, and a trustee of the public library.
He is a member of Revere Lodge, and has been a member of the Boston Encamp- ment. He is a member of the Algonquin, St. Botolph and Boston Art clubs, and of the Boston Athletic Association.
He delivered the triennial address be- fore the Massachusetts Charitable Me- chanic Association in 1859. In early life Mr. Clapp gave attention to the drama, and wrote the record of the Boston stage, and also the article on "The Drama in Boston " in the " Memorial History of Bos- ton " (Osgood & Co.).
He is now, and has been for several years, president of the New England Associated Press.
Mr. Clapp possesses an excellent and most valuable library of general reference books, which, with his intimate knowledge of localities, and his long association with the leading citizens of Boston, render him one well qualified to sit in kindly judg- ment on their affairs, and to intelligently indicate the road to social success and commercial prosperity.
CLARK, AUGUSTUS NINIAN, son of Ninian and Sally (Warner) Clark, was born in Hancock, Hillsborough county, N. H., March 23, 18II.
All his knowledge of the ordinary school curriculum was obtained in the common district school of his native town.
From seventeen years of age until the expiration of his minority, he worked as clerk in the dry goods and apothecary store of William Endicott, Sr., in Beverly, Mass. After his becoming of age, he con- tinued in the same business in Beverly on his own account until 1858, when he be- came interested in the manufacture of machine leather belting, in Boston. This, with other enterprises in which he became engaged in that city, gave him a busy and prosperous life for twenty-five years ; but from all of these lines of business he has now practically retired.
During these years he has retained his home in Beverly, the town of his adoption.
Mr. Clark was married in Beverly, August 23, 1838, to Hitty, daughter of Eben and Lydia (Ray) Smith. Mrs. Clark died in May, 1888. Of four children only one survives : Sarah Warner Clark.
CLARK.
Mr. Clark has always taken an active part in all efforts for the promotion of the industry and prosperity of this beautiful sea-girt town, in which he has resided since leaving his paternal roof in 1828, and he puts himself on record as opposed to any action of the Legislature looking to the division of its territory. He represented the town in the Legislature in 1861, and was presidential elector in 1880, casting his vote for General Garfield.
Mr. Clark was a Whig in the campaign of 1840, early espoused the anti-slavery cause, and has been an active member of the Republican party from its organiza- tion. He is a trustee of Beverly Savings Bank, has been director and treasurer in several corporations - some of them for many years. His church connections are with the Dane Street society, as a member of which he has ever manifested a great interest in its prosperity, both by personal effort and liberal contributions. He acted as its musical director for many years.
CLARK, CHARLES NATHANIEL, was born at Northampton, Hampshire county, on the 4th day of April, 1853. His father,
1
CHARLES N. CLARK.
Charles Clark, and his mother, Mary (Strong) Clark, represented two of those old families whose appearance in this town was contemporaneous with its very settle-
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CLARK.
CLARK.
ment; and the identity of interests so estab- lished have been perpetuated and confirmed by the life of their descendant.
Mr. Clark received his early education in the public schools of Northampton, and was graduated from its high school in 1869. He then entered Amherst College and was graduated in the class of 1873. After graduation, he taught for one year in the Hitchcock free high school of Brimfield. In January, 1875, he began the study of law in the office of Delano & Hammond, at Northampton, and was admitted to prac- tice in the state courts in October, 1877, and in the courts of the United States in January, 1880. Since his admission to the bar, he has pursued his calling at North- ampton. In religious matters, following the family habit and custom, he has always been associated with the Congregationalist society - called the First Parish - and was for several years a member and chairman of its board of assessors.
In politics he is a Republican, and for eight years was chairman of the town and city committee. During the years 1883, '84, '85, he represented the Ist Hampshire district in the House of Representatives, and was a member of the state Senate for the years 1887 and 1888 from the Berk- shire and Hampshire senatorial district. While in the Legislature, he served on numerous committees, including the Hoo- sac Tunnel and Troy & Greenfield rail- road, claims, judiciary, public service, bills in the third reading and mercantile affairs. He is now a member of the Re- publican state central committee. He has served for a number of years on the school committee. He has been prominent among the business men of Northampton, and is now president of the Hampshire Mutual Fire Insurance Company, a director in the Northampton National Bank and the North- ampton Cutlery Company, and treasurer of the Northampton Paper Company. In June, 1888, he was elected treasurer of Smith College, which position he now fills.
CLARK, CHESTER WARD, son of Amasa Ford and Belinda (Ward) Clark, was born in Glover, Orleans county, Vt., August 9, 1851. His education was ob- tained in the public schools and academy of his native town, and at Phillips Academy, Exeter, N. H.
He began the study of law in the office of B. C. Moulton, Boston, 1874, and was admitted to the bar, March 12, 1878. He has since applied himself assiduously to the practice of his profession in Boston,
and has met with a great degree of suc- cess.
His residence is Wilmington. He is always active in the adoption and prosecu-
CHESTER W. CLARK.
tion of plans for public improvements, especially in educational matters. He has served as chairman of the school board, and largely to his efforts are due the im- proved school accommodations in Wil- mington. His religious connections are with the Congregational church, of which he has been clerk for several years.
Mr. Clark is unmarried.
CLARK, DANIEL, son of Hamlin and Cynthia (Heath) Clark, was born in Ty- ringham, Berkshire county, January 1, 1819. In the common schools he laid the foundation of an education which he has since obtained by self culture. In early youth he possessed a fondness for natural history, and began collecting and classify- ing specimens illustrative of the science. Choosing the vocation of a farmer, from his love of rural life and agricultural pur- suits, he became influential in organizing farmers' clubs and introducing specialties that proved beneficial to himself and neighboring agriculturists.
Mr. Clark has had no taste for public office which would call him from the more congenial occupations and delights of
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CLARK.
home life, but has accepted many positions of trust and responsibility which have been offered him by his own townsmen. He was commissioned justice of the peace in 1859 ; he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church ; has been a life-long anti-slavery and temperance man ; was first a Whig, then a Republican, when that party came into existence.
Mr. Clark has from his youth been a noted collector of minerals, historic relics, rare coins and general curiosities. Since retiring from active business he has de- voted most of his time to perfecting his large and comprehensive cabinets. These have attracted the wide-spread attention of scientists and students of geology, mineralogy, archæology and numismatics. His study of the crystalline rocks of west- ern Massachusetts has resulted in the dis- covery, by J. D. Dana, of lower silu- rian fossils from a metamorphic lime-
DANIEL CLARK
stone of the Ticonic rocks of Emmons, which proves the whole Ticonic series to be of lower silurian age.
Mr. Clark has been trustee of Iee Savings Bank, and was interested in the organization of the Berkshire Historical and Scientific Society.
Hle was first married February 3, 1841, to Sophia, daughter of William and Lu-
CLARK.
cinda (Heath) Stedman. Mrs. Clark died November 11, 1872. He was again mar- ried in Springfield, March 18, 1880, to Juliette Smith White, daughter of Matthew and Clarissa (Moore) Smith. He has one son, Hamlin F. Clark, issue of first mar- riage.
CLARK, DAVID HARRIS, son of John B. and Harriet Loney (Cadett) Clark, was born in Dunham, Missisquoi county, P. Q., October 24, 1836, of American pa- rents.
While he was quite young, his parents removed to De Peyster, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., where his father lately died, aged eighty-eight years, having been born in Canaan, N. H., in 1800.
Mr. Clark obtained a common school education in the schools of De Peyster, and Natick, Mass., where he came in 1851, being fifteen years of age. Here he learned the trade of shoemaker.
In 1858 occurred the great strike, in which he took an active part, and when work was resumed he was in Holliston, at work for Mr. John Batcheller, where he remained until 1861, when he enlisted in company B., 16th regiment Massachusetts volunteers, July 2d, of that year. He served through the term of enlistment, was wounded, taken prisoner, paroled, experi- enced all there was of pleasure and pain in a three years' campaign service, and was mustered out with the regiment at Faneuil Hall, Boston, July 27, 1864.
He is now an operator on a Mckay Heeling Machine in the factory of John O. Wilson & Co., Natick, where he has worked for thirteen years.
He was married in Sherborn, Mass .. December 2, 1864, to Susan Augusta Loud, of Orrington, Maine. Their chil- dren are : Annie Louise and Ralph Loud Clark.
Mr. Clark was representative to the General Court in 1888. He was a charter member of Post 6, G. A. R., Holliston, and was its adjutant two terms ; was command- er of Ezra Batcheller Post, North Brook- field ; while in North Brookfield was em- ployed in the factory of E. & A. H. Batch- eller & Co .; is a member of the I. O. O. F., and of the Grand Lodge of Massachu- setts ; has been master workman of local assembly 2,238, also dictator of King Philip Lodge, Knights of Honor.
He is a member of the Congregational church, a worker in every benevolent en- terprise, a strong temperance advocate, a Republican, and a friend and champion of the laboring man.
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CLARK.
CLARK, EMBURY P., son of Chandler and Joanna (Woodward) Clark, was born in Buckland, Franklin county, March 31, 1845. His early education was received in the public schools.
He removed with his parents to Holyoke in 1858, where his father opened a shoe store in which the son assisted as clerk. He has lived in Holyoke ever since, with
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