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 33
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He was admitted to the Suffolk bar in 1864, and began practice in the office of D. P. Kimball, in Boston, in 1865.
His literary tastes were always upper- most, and he began writing for magazines in 1861. Before the close of 1865 he abandoned the practice of law for that of authorship, and is still engaged in the call-
ing for which he is so well fitted. The trend of his mind is toward history, and he stands to-day a leader in the ranks of historians, as well as a prominent educator in the same line.
Prof. Fiske was university lecturer on philosophy, Harvard, 1869 to '71; instructor in history, Harvard, 1870 ; assistant libra- rian, Harvard, 1872 to '79 ; overseer of Harvard, 1879 to '85, and re-elected in 1885. He is professor of American history, Washington University, having been ap-
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JOHN FISKE.
pointed to that chair in 1885. He is, or has been, a member of the American Acad- emy of Arts and Sciences, American Ori- ental Society, British Folk-lore Society, American Antiquarian Society and the California Historical Society. From 1876 to 'SI he was president of the Boylston Club.
Prof. Fiske was married in Appleton chapel, Cambridge, September 6, 1864, to Abby Morgan Brooks, of Petersham. Of this union are six children : Maud, Harold Brooks, Clarence Stoughton, Ralph Brown- ing, Ethel, and Herbert Huxley Fiske.
As an historian, Prof. Fiske combines accuracy of research with philosophic breadth of view. As associate editor of "Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Bi- ography," he has contributed scores of
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articles on the most prominent men in American history.
His published works are as follows : " Myths and Mythmakers " (1872) ; "Out- lines of Cosmic Philosophy " (two vols., 1874) ; "The Unseen World" ( 1876) ; "Darwinism and Other Essays " (1879) ; "Excursions of an Evolutionist " (1883) ; " The Destiny of Man " (1884) ; " The Idea of God "(1885); "American Political Ideas" (1885) ; "Washington and his Country " (1887) ; " The Critical Period of American History " (1888) ; " The War of Independ- ence " (1889) ; "The Beginnings of New England " (1889).
FISKE, JOSEPH EMERY, son of Emery and Eunice (Morse) Fiske, was born in Needham (now Wellesley), Norfolk county, October 23, 1839.
He attended the common schools of his native town, and afterwards the Lawrence Academy, at Falmouth, fitting for college in the English and classical school at West Newton. He entered Harvard in 1857, and was graduated with the class of 1861.
In 1862 he enlisted in company C, 43d M. V., serving as private and orderly- sergeant ; afterwards promoted to 2d lieu- tenant, Ist lieutenant and captain in 2d Massachusetts heavy artillery, serving on the staff of Major-General F. P. Blair, commanding the 17th army corps. He was a prisoner for ten months at Andersonville and Savannah, Ga., Charleston and Colum- bia, S. C., finally escaping and joining the army of General Sherman.
After his return from the war he studied theology at Andover Theological Semi- nary, from which he was graduated in 1867. In 1868 the death of his father necessitated his assuming the responsibility of the homestead, and he is at present largely engaged in real estate transactions.
June 1, 1869, Mr. Fiske married Ellen M., daughter of Dexter and Mary (Smith) Ware, who died January 17, 1871. On the 5th of June, 1872, Mr. Fiske married Abbie Sawyer, daughter of Rufus and Isabella (Howe) Hastings. His living children are: Ellen Ware and Isabella Howe Fiske, the latter being one of twin sisters.
Mr. Fiske has held a variety of local offices in benevolent, religious and literary organizations. He is a Mason and Odd Fellow, and a member of Charles Ward Post 62, G. A. R., and also of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion. He was one of the selectmen of Needham from 1873 to '77 ; was chief marshal of the town at the centennial celebration
of Concord and Lexington, in 1875, and represented Needham in the lower branch of the Legislature in 1874. In 1876 he was a member of the state Senate, and received the honor of a re-election the following year, serving as chairman of the military committee. He was a member of the Needham school board from 1876 to '81, and has been the chairman of the school committee of Wellesley since its incorporation. He is usually the moder- ator of the Wellesley town meetings, and continues actively identified with all that tends to the welfare and permanent pros- perity of the town.
Mr. Fiske traces a direct lineage to the family of Robert and Sybil (Gold) Fiske, who lived in Framingham, Suffolk county, England. His son, with two nephews, came
JOSEPH E. FISKE.
to Watertown, in 1635. Nathan, one of the nephews, and ancestor of Mr. Fiske, was one of the selectmen of Watertown in 1674 and '75. The direct line of descent is as follows : Nathaniel, 1678 ; Moses, 1713 ; Moses, 1746 ; Moses, 1776 ; Emery, 1803. These ancestors were more or less engaged in public matters, holding town offices, commissions, etc., his father being a member of the Legislature in 1840 and '42, and a member of the Constitutional Con- vention in 1853.
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On his mother's side Mr. Fiske was descended from Samuel Morse, who came from England in 1635, and after a short stay in Watertown, settled in Dedham. He counts among his maternal ancestors, Lieut. John Bacon, who was killed in the battle of Lexington, and whose son, also honored with a commission, served in the revolutionary war.
FITCH, ROBERT GERSHOM, son of Gershom M. and Almeda L. Fitch, was born at Sheffield, Berkshire county, May 19, 1846.
Until twenty years of age he worked on the farm, when he fitted for college at the South Berkshire Institute, New Marlbor- ough, graduating at Williams College in 1870. While at college he was editor of the " Williams Quarterly,' took an honorary oration at commencement, and was elected a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society.
In 1870-'72 he was connected as jour- nalist with the "Springfield Republican," and the latter year he associated himself with the " Boston Post," serving as editor in various departments, up to editor-in- chief. Although his tastes and labors have been mainly in the direction of journalism, yet in May, 1886, he became a member of the board of fire commissioners in the city of Boston, and was soon after chosen chair- man of the board.
Under the administration of Mr. Fitch, the paper with which he was last connected grew in public estimation, and by its posi- tive, independent course made many warm and staunch friends. The present efficient status of the Boston fire department, now, as for many years, justly a matter of pride to the inhabitants of the city of Boston, is due in no small measure to the liberal policy and practical efficiency of the chair- man of the board which controls its man- agement.
Mr. Fitch was married in Detroit, Mich., September 26, 1878, to Emma H., daughter of Burton and Minerva Emmons. She died in 1888, leaving as issue : Helen M. and Emma M. Fitch.
FITZ, EUSTACE CAREY, son of Jeremiah and Hannah (Eaton) Fitz, was born in Haverhill, Essex county, February 5, 1833.
He removed to Boston in 1834, and from thence to Chelsea in 1841, where he was educated in the public schools. Excepting a residence in Cambridge from 1856 to '59, he has continued to reside in Chelsea. He was a member of the common council in 1861, '62, and '63, and president during the last two years. He was mayor of Chelsea
FLAGG.
in 1864, '65 and '66, and trustee of the public library for eighteen years, closing his term of service with a gift to the city of a library building costing upward of twenty-five thousand dollars. He was in the House of Representatives in 1873 and '74 ; in the Senate in 1875 and '76, and in the governor's council in 1881 and '82. He is now chairman of the commissioners of prisons.
He is a member of the firm of Fuller, Dana & Fitz, iron merchants, of Boston ; is a member of the Baptist denomination, and president of the trustees of Newton Theological Institution.
EUSTACE C. FITZ.
On the roth of January, 1856, he was married to Sarah Jane, daughter of Alfred and Margaret C. Blanchard, of Chelsea. Of this union are four children : Frank E., Emma J., Alfred W., and Robert F. Fitz.
FLAGG, SOLOMON, son of Solomon and Esther (Brown) Flagg, was born in Boston, August 24, 1804. He received his early education in the schools of Need- ham, where he has ever since resided, in the portion incorporated in 1881, and known as the town of Wellesley. His first service to the public was in 1825, as teacher in the public schools of Sherborn, Dover, Natick, Needham, and Wellesley,
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during the summer months being engaged in farming.
Mr. Flagg was married in Needham, No- vember 15, 1827, to Eliza, daughter of Ben- jamin and Sarah (Brown) Hall. Mrs. Flagg died April 7, 1875, aged seventy-three years. Of this union were three children: Charles Henry (deceased), George H. P. and Charles G. Flagg.
Mr. Flagg has been honored above most of his fellow-citizens, by being called to occupy every important office in the gift of the town-town clerk thirty-eight years, town treasurer twenty-one years, selectman five years, representative to the General Court two years (1834 and 1861), assessor twenty years, and member of the school board twenty-eight years.
It is largely due to the unostentatious lives of such conscientious, reliable citi- zens that Massachusetts holds her proud pre-eminence in the character and stability of her cherished institutions.
FLETCHER, ASA A., son of Nahor and Chloe Fletcher, was born in Mendon, Worcester county, June 23, 1823. He attended district schools from ten to thir- teen weeks in winter until seventeen years old. This, with six months' high school attendance, closed his school life.
His first connection in business was as traveling salesman in the boot and shoe interest. He traveled in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan, carrying his samples on horseback, as was the custom in those days, depending upon horse-teams to dis- tribute merchandise, and taking in payment the produce of the farm, or the paper money of wild-cat banks, with which the country at that time was flooded. The venture was not a success, owing mainly to the heavy exchange on New York, reach- ing at times twenty per cent.
Returning home, he found employment in a boot manufactory, where he remained seven years, the last few years as fore- man.
Failing health compelled him to change his business. He removed to Uxbridge and engaged in the boarding, hotel, livery stable, and butchering business. After five years of success, he sold out the busi- ness and removed to Franklin; engaged in hotel business five years; sold out again, and spent the three following years in Chicago and Toledo, engaged in the straw business. This, also, was a financial success. Selling out his interest, he returned to Franklin, and again took up hotel business, with which he continued to be successfully identified until 1870, when he engaged in
Dean Academy as steward, where he re- mained twelve years.
He has been selectman, assessor, and overseer of the poor, holding one or more
ASA A, FLETCHER.
of those offices continuously for sixteen years, and is more or less engaged in town business, which, with the cultivation of a small farm, makes up his present vocation. He is director and vice-president of the Franklin Savings Bank, director of the Franklin Water Company, and a member of F. & A. M., and I. O. O. F.
Mr. Fletcher was married in Manches- ter, Conn., in October, 1847, to Harriet E., daughter of William and Ede Durkee. Of this union were two children : Austin B. and a daughter, deceased.
FLETCHER, DANIEL W., son of Rufus R. and Sarah M. (Whitney) Fletcher, was born in Groton (now Ayer), Middlesex county, Feb. 1, 1852.
His early education was limited to dis- trict schools. At the age of thirteen, his father needing the aid of his boy's hands to contribute to the family support, he se- cured work in R. T. Bartlett's clothing store. He attended school the following winter, and the fall and winter of 1866-'67 at Lawrence Academy, Groton, working in the store nights and mornings, and during vacations.
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In the spring of 1867 Mr. Bartlett took him as apprentice to learn the trade of custom-cutting. He learned his trade in the five years following, and took charge of the business, working until September, 1879, making nearly fourteen years in the same employ.
In the summer of 1879 he bought out the stock of a general clothing and fur- nishing goods, boot and shoe store in Ayer, in company with E. D. Stone, under the firm name of Fletcher & Stone, where he still continues the business.
In 1874 Mr. Fletcher was married to Emma A. Phelps of Ayer. They have four children: two sons and two daughters.
In 1881 he was made a director of the Townsend National Bank, receiving de- posits at Ayer. He helped to organize the First National Bank of Ayer, and on No- vember 1, 1883, was chosen vice-president and one of the directors. In 1885 he helped to organize a savings bank in Ayer, called the North Middlesex Savings Bank, and was chosen trustee and auditor.
Some of the public interests of the town are usually in his hands, and he is treas- urer of several private organizations.
FLETCHER, GEORGE ALBERT, son of Timothy and Sarah Preston (Adams) Fletcher, was born in Boston, March 7, 1 842.
His father was a brother of Grace Fletcher, first wife of Daniel Webster, and a descendant of Robert Fletcher, who came to America in 1630. His mother was a descendant of Henry Adams, who came to America the same year. His maternal grandfather was Dr. Samuel Adams, a sur- geon in the revolutionary army, and one of General Washington's staff.
Boston primary schools, Milton grammar schools and Milton Academy, gave him his early educational training. From the lat- ter school he was graduated in 1858, having been fitted for Harvard College. He was graduated from Harvard in the class of 1862.
Mr. Fletcher was married in Pawtucket, R. I., November 19, 1873, to Jennie Fran- ces Clapp, a lineal descendant of Captain Roger Clapp of Boston (1630), and daughter of Dr. Sylvanus and Lucy Mari (Clapp) Clapp. Of this union were five children : Grace Webster, Lucy Mari, Sallie Pres- ton, Samuel Adams and Jennie Clapp Fletcher.
Mr. Fletcher enlisted as private in the 38th regiment, Massachusetts volunteer in- fantry, Angust 22, 1862 ; was promoted to 2d lientenant, 56th regiment, September
FLETCHER.
9, 1863, Ist lieutenant, June, 1864, and captain, May, 1865.
He was a member of the Milton school board 1872, '73, '74 and '75 ; commander of Huntington F. Wolcott Post 102, G. A. R., 1881 to '86; sachem of Uncataquisset Tribe 53, I. O. R. M., 1888 ; treasurer of the N. E. Kennel Club, and of the 56th Massa- chusetts Veteran Association at the present time, and member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. His residence is in Milton, and he is now engaged in the cracker business, a member of the firm of Bent & Co., established 1801.
FLETCHER, JOHN WARE, son of Amos and Sarah (Ware) Fletcher, was born in Norridgewock, Somerset county, Maine, April 11, 1824.
The town school and academy furnished him with his educational training.
His first connection in business was in Norridgewock, Me., 1842, in a country store and drugs. Subsequently in Bangor in dry goods and carpets, 1844, and in Bos- ton, in the grain, hay and flour commis- sion business, 1851 to '61.
JOHN W. FLETCHER.
He is at present treasurer and manager of the Star Manufacturing Company.
Mr. Fletcher was first married in Port- land, Maine, June 3, 1846, to Elizabeth Douglas, daughter of William and Julia
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FLOWER.
(Douglas) Hyde. Of this union were two children: John Amos and Charles Richard- son Fletcher. He was married the second time, in Chelsea, May 25, 1864, to Mary Gould, daughter of John and Phebe Cor- nish (Gould) Brown. Of this union were five children : Marion Ware, Lawrence Brown, Annie Brown, Alice Mary and Albert Tripp Fletcher.
Mr. Fletcher was several years director of the Winnisimmet Benevolent Society, Chelsea ; lieutenant in the state artillery, Maine, seven years ; lieutenant 43d Massa- chusetts regiment, in the war of the rebel- lion, serving in the signal corps ; captain in 36th United States colored troops. Heis a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion and of the Grand Army of the Republic.
He has served as president of the common council, member of the board of aldermen, and mayor of Chelsea 1871-'72 ; represen- tative to the General Court from Chelsea, 1873 and '74, and president of the Chelsea water board three years.
FLOWER, RICHARD CHARLES, son of Alfred and Elizabeth (Orange) Flower, was born in Albion, Edwards county, Ill., December 11, 1849.
Private schools in his native town gave him advantages for his early educational training until he was eleven years of age. He then was sent to Northwestern Univer- sity, Indianapolis, Ind., where he was thoroughly prepared for a university course, and pursuing it, was graduated in the class of 1868.
He studied law and was admitted to practice, but upon the solicitation of family and friends, he relinquished his plans, and entered the ministry. In this field he was blessed with remarkable success, preaching in the West - Illinois, Indiana and Ken- tucky. His last call was to the city of Alliance, Ohio, December, 1875.
About this time Dr: Flower was impressed with the feeling that he was not laboring in the sphere to which nature had ordained him. During his whole life he had felt called to another line of activities. From boyhood having a trend toward the natural sciences, and acquiring by study a love for organic structure - both animal and vege- table- he soon after graduation felt the longing for the professional career he ulti- mately must adopt. He was further inclined toward this by a belief in his own intuitive knowledge in the diagnosis of disease. His strong desire to become a healer of the sick at last directed his action, and he entered the Cincinnati Health College,
having previously gone through a thorough preparation with Andrew Strong, M. D., of Troy, N. Y., who was so long connected with Bellevue Hospital.
His early practice after graduation from the medical college was successful. He
RICHARD C. FLOWER.
built up a phenomenal business in Phila- delphia and New York, but always being anxious to live in Boston, he removed there in 1882, where he continued his regular practice, distinguishing himself by his peculiar manner of diagnosis, and immense volume of business.
In the early part of 1889 Dr. Flower built and opened the now well-known " Hotel Flower," on Columbus Avenue, Boston. This institution combines the features of the home, hotel and hospital, without the disagreeable accompaniments of the latter. Palatial in its construction and appointments, it is fitted with every known style of bath, electro-remedial appli- ances, and convenience for the comfort of the resident, guest or invalid, furnishes first-class hotel accommodations and thoroughly trained medical attendance. This institution, the first of its kind opened in the Commonwealth, is an ornament to the city and a credit to its founder.
Dr. Flower was first married in Jeffer- sonville, Ind., in December, 1871, to Ella,
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daughter of Larkin and Amanda (Spangler) Nicholson. Of this union were two chil- dren : Altus D. and Jewel Flower. His second marriage was in July, 1877, with Mayde M., daughter of C. C. and Hannah (Shourds) Manfull. Of this union is one child : Evangeline Flower.
FLOYD, DAVID 2d, son of Edward and Lucretia (Tewksbury) Floyd, was born in Winthrop, Suffolk county, October 26, 1854.
His early educational training was re- ceived in the public schools and in French's Commercial College. In 1884 he com- pleted the four years' course of study in the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle, and was graduated therefrom.
DAVID FLOYD, 2d.
He began business life by clerking in a general store. In 1882 he was elected one of the assessors of Winthrop, and finding need of a better system of keeping real estate records of this fast-growing town, he established the " Block" system of writing up and keeping the changes of every par- cel of land in the town - Winthrop being the first town in the Commonwealth to adopt such a system.
Since the death of his father in 1879 he has had much to do with the real estate formerly in his charge, and in January, 1889, he with Frank W. Tucker formed a
co-partnership as general agents for the care and sale of real estate, the placing of mortgages, writing fire insurance, etc., under the firm name of Floyd & Tucker, with offices both in Winthrop and Boston.
Mr. Floyd was married, June 9, 1886, to Belle A., daughter of Charles T. and Emily E. (Fernald) Seavey. They have no chil- dren.
Mr. Floyd is a trustee and steward of Win- throp M. E. church ; president of the Law and Order League and the Winthrop Hor- ticultural Society; was clerk of the Boston, Winthrop & Point Shirley R. R. Co., 1879 and '80 ; has been town treasurer since 1883 ; was representative to the General Court, 1887 and '88, serving on committees on mercantile affairs, taxation (chairman), and engrossed bills ; he is a trustee and one of the founders of Winthrop public library, and was for several years chairman of the Republican town committee.
FLYNN, EDWARD JAMES, son of Maurice and Mary (McSweeny) Flynn, was born in Boston, June 16, 1859.
He was graduated from the public schools of Boston, common and high. On leaving the public schools he entered Bos- ton College, and was graduated therefrom in 1881, as valedictorian of his class, re- ceiving the degree of A. B., and afterwards that of A. M. in 1884.
After graduation he began the study of law, and was graduated from the Boston University law school in 1884, with the de- gree of LL. B. He was admitted to the Suffolk bar the same year, and also took a special course of law at the Harvard Uni- versity law school. He began business in 1884, opening a law office in Boston, where he has since remained in practice.
Mr. Flynn is a member of the Boston Catholic Union, Harvard Law School As- sociation, Boston University Association, Boston College Alumni Association, of which he was the first secretary. He was the first president of the Paul Revere Division, Massachusetts United Benevolent Association.
He was elected to the House of Repre- sentatives from the 6th Suffolk district, and served during 1885, '86, and '88 ; elected a member of the governor's coun- cil for 1889, the only Democratic mem- ber ; appointed by the mayor of Boston a director of the East Boston ferries during 1886, '87 and '88. He is a member of the Democratic city committee of Boston.
Mr. Flynn was the youngest man who ever sat as a ferry director, the youngest man who ever sat in the governor's coun-
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cil, and one of the youngest members of the House of Representatives.
He always took an active part in the legislative debates, and served on the
EDWARD J. FLYNN.
committees of probate and insolvency, elec- tion laws, constitutional amendments, and judiciary.
Mr. Flynn is unmarried.
FLYNT, WILLIAM NORCROSS, son of Rufus and Sarah (Norcross) Flynt, was born at Monson, Hampden county, March 14, 1818. His father was one of the most prominent citizens of Monson, and an incorporator of the Monson Academy, where Mr. Flynt obtained his education.
After leaving the academy, he entered upon his business career as a clerk in his father's store, and continued in the same employment for several years after his father's death, under the latter's successors. Before his death his father had worked a granite quarry to a slight extent, and in 1839, the son turned his attention to this industry, further developing it, so that it soon became his principal business, and to it he devoted the best energy of his life, forming the Flynt Granite Company and the Flynt Building & Construction Com- pany, of both of which he is president.
During his life he has held many public offices of responsibility. He is the oldest
FLYNT.
trustee of the Monson Academy now in service, being its treasurer sixteen years. For thirty years he was treasurer of the town, and was the projector and first president of the Monson Bank. He has also been president of the savings bank at Palmer.
In 1848, in the Legislature, he secured a charter for the New London Northern R. R. against strong opposition, and was a member of the House of Representatives again in 1860 and '61. In 1865 and '66 he was in the executive council in the administrations of Governors Andrew and Bullock. In 1888 he was elected alternate delegate to the national Republican con- vention.
June 4, 1846, Mr. Flynt married Joanna, daughter of Col. Isaac King of Palmer. Mrs. Flynt died in 1850, leaving a son, William King Flynt, who was associated with his father in business from 1872 till his decease, February 22, 1886, aged thirty- five. In 1852 Mr. Flynt married Eudo- cia Carter, daughter of Marquis Converse of Brimfield. His children are : Maria Lyon, Rufus, Lyman Coleman, Sarah Con-
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