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 40
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GREEN, SAMUEL SWETT, son of James and Elizabeth (Swett) Green, was born in Worcester, February 20, 1837.
He was first made acquainted with books in private schools; afterwards attended the public common schools, and prepared himself for college work in the Worcester high school. He entered Harvard College, and was graduated in the class of 1858. He then entered the divinity school of Harvard University (1861), and was gradu- ated therefrom in 1864. He then became book-keeper in the Mechanics' National Bank, Worcester, and a few months later became teller in the Worcester National Bank.
January 15, 1871, he became librarian of the frec public library, Worcester, a po- sition he still holds. He received the degree of A. M. from Harvard University, 1870 ; was chosen an honorary member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society by the chapter of the same university, June 28, 1877 ; was director of the free public library, Worcester, 1867 to '71 ; was chosen first vice-president of the American Library Association, in September, 1887 ; was dele- gate of the same association to the Inter- national Congress of Librarians, held in London, October, 1877, and member of the council of that body; was chosen honorary member of the Library Asso- ciation of the United Kingdom in July, 1878; for many years has been mem- ber of a committee to examine the library of Harvard University ; lecturer on " Pub- lic Libraries as Popular Educational Insti-
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GREEN.
tutions" in school of library economy, recently connected with Columbia College, New York City ; was chosen fellow of the Royal Historical Society of Great Britain, May 8, 1879 ; member of the American Antiquarian Society, April 28, 1880 ; mem- ber of the council of that society since October 22, 1883 ; member of the Ameri- can Historical Association ; was chosen a trustee of Leicester Academy, October 12, 1882 ; president of the Worcester High School Association, 1886-'87 ; vice-presi- dent of the Worcester Art Society ; and trustee of the Worcester County Institu- tion for Savings.
Mr. Green has written two books, and made numerous contributions to magazines and the general press, on subjects con- nected with the arrangement of libraries, and several papers containing results of historical investigation. His residence is Worcester. Mr. Green is unmarried.
He is too widely known as a librarian and critic to need extended comment. He makes of his work a profession, pecul- iarly so. His aim is to make of a free library a power to educate the com- munity, and to this end all his methods for selection, arrangement and distribu- tion, tend.
GREEN, WILLIAM A., the son of Wal- ter and Levina (Colvin) Green, was born at Clarendon, Rutland county, Vt., Novem- ber 6, 1823.
The only educational advantages he re- ceived were those afforded by the common schools of his native place six months of the year up to the age of nineteen, the alternate six months being spent on the farm. He then continued to work on the farm until October, 1842, when he came to Boston and hired himself out to work on the wharves, which occupation he carried on for a number of years.
In the meanwhile he had occasionally assisted the members of a fire engine com- pany, the Boston Hand Engine Company, No. 15, better known in those days as the "Boston fifteen," and in May, 1847, he became a regular member of the company, and in October, 1851, he was elected its foreman. In February, 1858, he was elected assistant engineer of the Boston fire depart- ment. Subsequently he was appointed superintendent, and organized the Boston Protective Department Company, combin- ing the office of assistant engineer and superintendent, until April, 1874, when he was elected chief engineer. He was ap- pointed one of the fire commissioners of the city of Boston in 1884.
GREEN.
Mr. Green has possessed rare qualifica- tions for the administration of the respon- sible and important positions he has held. The fire department of the metropolis of the State has long held a national reputa- tion for bravery and efficiency. This has
WILLIAM A. GREEN.
not happened by chance. It is the result of patient, intelligent and laborious work on the part of those who have had charge of its interests, and whose example at crit- ical and trying times has been an inspira- tion to the faithful members of the force.
GREEN, WILLIAM BARKER, son of Fred- erick and Mary (Hathaway) Green, was born May 13, 1835, in Adams, Berkshire county.
The district schools of the town were the fountain from which he drew his book- knowledge, but they were district schools of an exceptionally high order, embracing in their curriculum most of the branches now taught in high schools.
He began his business life as clerk and book-keeper in Pittsfield, at the age of fifteen. Three years later he entered the employ of W. W. Freeman of Adams, and succeeded him in the business in April, 1863. 'The firm of Green & Haff was formed in 1874, for carrying on the grocery business. This continued three years, Mr. Green conducting at the same time his old
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GREENE.
business of dry-goods, carpets and paper- hangings. In the spring of 1888, W. W. Warren of New Haven, Vt., came in as a partner, and the business was increased by the addition of an upholstery depart- ment.
Mr. Green was married in Adams, May 1, 1860, to Martha, daughter of Chester and Anna (Keyes) Crossett. Of this union were two children : William C. (who died when eleven months old), and Anna Keyes Green.
Mr. Green is senior deacon of the Con- gregational church, superintendent of the Sabbath-school and treasurer of the church; member of the board of investment and one of the vice-presidents of the South Adams Savings Bank, and one of the trustees of the Adams Library Association. He has been a member of the school board, and for nine years one of the fire district com- missioners. He was a stockholder and a director in the Adams Paper Company.
Mr. Green was in Leavenworth, Kansas, during the latter part of the struggle be- tween the Free State party and the Pro- Slavery party, where he was associated in business with J. M. Dickson, one of the leading Free State men of the territory. Ill health obliged him, in the autumn of 1858, to return East to his native town, where he now resides.
GREENE, WILLIAM STEDMAN, son of Chester W. and Abby S. (Stedman) Greene, was born in Tremont, Tazewell county, III., April 28, 1841.
He obtained his school training in the public schools of Fall River, to which place his parents came in 1844.
He entered business life in 1856 as clerk in the millinery and fancy-goods business. Here he remained two years, then was employed as insurance clerk from March, 1858, to May, 1865. He then engaged in real estate and insurance business on his own account, and, since 1866, as a member of the firm of Greene & Son. He is also general superintendent of prisons for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Mr. Greene was married in Fall River, March 8, 1865, to Mary E., daughter of Pardon A. and Elizabeth W. (Spink) White. Of this union are three children : Mabel Lawton, Chester White, and Foster Regnier Greene.
Mr. Greene has been trustee of St. Paul's M. E. church, and superintendent of the Sabbath-school; trustee of Fall River Hos- pital ; director of Odd Fellows' Building Corporation; member of the board of asso- ciated charities ; vice-president of Bristol
GREENE.
County Agricultural Society, and director in Massachusetts Real Estate Company.
He was a member of the Fall River common council in 1876, '77, '78 and '79, and president of that body the last three years. He was mayor of Fall River in 1880 and '81; was elected an alternate delegate from the Ist congres- sional district to the national Republican convention at Chicago in 1880, and attended the convention.
He resigned the office of mayor in March, 1881, and was appointed post- master by President Garfield, serving until 1885. In December, 1885, he was
WILLIAM S. GREENE.
again elected mayor for the year ending December 31, 1886. He was appointed general superintendent of prisons of Massachusetts by Governor Ames, in July, 1888.
Mr. Greene has never failed to avail himself of the privileges of a good citizen. He has always been an ardent Republican in politics, and an active worker in munici- pal, state and national campaigns. He has been connected with the Masonic order since 1864; is a member of Mt. Hope Lodge, Fall River R. A. Chapter, Fall River Coun- cil and Godfrey De Bouillon Commandery, K. T. He is also a member of the Mount Hope Lodge of I. O. O. F.
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GREENHALGE.
GREENOUGH.
GREENHALGE, FREDERIC THOMAS, son of William and Jane (Slater) Green- halge, was born in Clitheroe, England, July 19, 1842.
He was brought to this country by his father in early childhood. His early edu- cational training was received at home and in the public schools of Lowell. He was graduated from the Lowell high school in 1859, receiving the first Carney medal ever given. Having fitted for college, he en- tered Harvard, and was graduated in the class of 1863.
He chose the profession of law, and having pursued his legal studies with that aim, was admitted to the Middle- sex bar in June, 1865. He first associated himself in practice with Charles F. Howe. In 1870 this partnership was dissolved, and he has since continued in practice alone.
Mr. Greenhalge has been in active legal practice since 1865, and is widely known as an able counselor and a suc- cessful advocate. In business circles he is known as a man of strict integrity, shrewd foresight, and possessed of a judgment broad, conservative, and safe to follow. Socially, his popularity is not questioned, neither is it confined to class, nor limited by local circles. He has been called by the people to many positions of honor and trust, and never having been found wanting in humbler offices, he was called to accept con- gressional honors in 1888, and was elected to the national House of Repre- sentatives from the 8th congressional district.
Among the more important offices Mr. Greenhalge has held are: president of the Lowell Humane Society ; president of the History Club ; president of the People's Club ; special justice of police court, Lowell ; member of common council, 1868 and '69 ; member of school board, Lowell, 1871 to '73 ; mayor of Lowell, 1880 and '81 ; delegate to national Republican convention, 1884; city solicitor of Lowell, 1888 ; representative to the Legislature, 1885, and trustee of City Institution for Savings, of Lowell, from 1876 to present time.
Mr. Greenhalge was married in Lowell, October 1, 1872, to Isabel, daughter of John Nesmith (lieutenant-governor with Governor Andrew) and Harriet ( Mansur) Nesmith. Of this union were four chil- dren : Nesmith (deceased), Frederic Brandlesome, Harriet Nesmith and Rich- ard Spalding Greenhalge.
GREENOUGH, WILLIAM WHITEWELL, son of William and Sarah (Gardner) Green- ough, was born in Boston, June 25, 1818.
He was fitted for college at the Boston Latin school and by private instruction.
After graduating at Harvard College in 1837, he became a member of the firm of William Greenough & Co., remaining with that firm for twelve years, when he became agent and treasurer of the Boston Gas- Light Company, holding that office until that company's plant and business were purchased by the Bay State Gas Company, in 1889.
Mr. Greenough was married in Boston, June 15, 1841, to Catherine Scollay, daugh- ter of Charles P. and Anna (Wroe) Curtis. Their children are : William, Charles Pel- ham, Malcolm Scollay and Edith, now Mrs. Barrett Wendell.
WILLIAM W. GREENOUGH.
Mr. Greenough was for three years a member of the city council of Boston, 1847-'49 inclusive ; for many years a trus- tee of the public library, and president of the board from 1866 to '88 ; a trustee of the Museum of Fine Arts ; first president of the New England Association of Gas Engineers; a member of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and of the New Eng- land Historic Genealogical Society, and other organizations.
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GRIFFIS.
GREENWOOD.
Mr. Greenough has been an intelligent writer, his addresses and reports being mostly in the line inspired by his duties as trustee of the public library. He deliv- ered the Fourth of July oration before the city authorities of Boston, 1849. His con- tributions to various reviews and period- icals evince a mind gifted with original thought, and a style evidently polished by culture.
GREENWOOD, MORRILL A., son of Lyman and Augusta Greenwood, was born in Hubbardston, Worcester county, Decem- ber 22, 1839. He received his early edu- cation in the common schools.
In 1862, '63 and '64 he worked in a flour and grain store, and at the grocery busi- ness.
In July, 1864, he enlisted in company G, 42d regiment, Massachusetts volunteers, and was discharged in November of the same year. He was clerk in a store in Hubbardston from December, 1864, to February 1, 1871, when he went to Leo- minster, and opened a retail boot and shoe store, where he has remained to date.
Mr. Greenwood was married in Hub- bardston, April 12, 1865, to Mary E., daugh- ter of Samuel G. and Augusta Nichols. Of this union are two children : Lizzie M. and Helen W. Greenwood.
He has served on the Republican town committee four years, represented the 14th Worcester district in the House of Repre- sentatives, 1887 and '88, serving on com- mittees on claims and towns.
Mr. Greenwood is a member of Leomin- ster Lodge 86, I. O. O. F .; Post 53, G. A. R .; Lodge 23, A. O. U. W., of which he is past master workman.
GREGG, DAVID, son of David and Mary M. Gregg, was born in Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, Pa., March 25, 1846.
He received his early educational train- ing at the public schools of Pittsburgh, and at the age of thirteen years attended Allegheny City College ; at fifteen years he entered the freshman class of the Washington and Jefferson College, where he graduated in 1865. He also grad- uated from the Iron City Commercial Col- lege in Pittsburgh in 1866. He received the degree of D. D. from the New York University in 1888.
He was educated as a Scotch Covenan- ter, and at the age of twenty-three began preaching in the Scotch church on West Twenty-third Street, New York. He later accepted a call from the Park Street church in Boston, where he began on the first of
February, 1887, the pastorate which he holds at the present time.
Dr. Gregg was married in New York, on the 2d of March, 1871, to Kate, daughter of Robert and Catherine Etheridge. They have two sons, Robert E. and David, and two daughters, Mary M. and Katharine W. Gregg.
Dr. Gregg's family trace their ancestry directly back to the Scotch Covenanters of 1638. His first public address was delivered in defense of Abraham Lincoln's emanci- pation proclamation. He claims to have been " a born Abolitionist." When Gen- eral Lee invaded Pennsylvania, he en- listed as an emergency man, and his com- pany took the place, in Camp Howe, of the men who marched to Gettysburg and who were the first to fall in the Union army.
GRIFFIS, WILLIAM ELLIOT, son of John Limeburner and Anna Maria (Hess) Griffis, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Sep- tember 17, 1843.
He was educated at the common and high schools of Philadelphia, and was graduated from Rutgers College, New Brunswick, N. J., in 1869. For a year thereafter, he studied at the theological seminary at New Brunswick, N. J.
In 1861 he entered the jewelry manu- factory of Carrow, Thibault & Co., Phila- delphia, where he learned the jewelry trade and worked as a journeyman while preparing for college.
He traveled in Europe after leaving col- lege, and, having been appointed by the government of Japan to organize schools there on the American principle, he arrived at Yokohama in 1870, and spent a year in Fukui and three years in the capital, Tokio, in the Imperial University; then, declining further offices from the Japanese government, he returned to the United States and completed his theological course at the Union Theological Seminary, in New York City, where he was graduated in 1877.
For nine years he was pastor of the First Reformed church at Schenectady, N. Y., and from 1886 to the present time has been pastor of the Shawmut Congrega- tional church, Boston.
He was married in Schenectady, N. Y., June 17, 1879, to Katharine Lyra, daugh- ter of the late Benjamin Stanton of Union College, and Catherine P. (Coffin) Stanton. Their children are : Lillian Eyre and Stanton Griffis.
During General Lee's invasion of Penn- sylvania, Mr. Griffis served in the 44th
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GRUVER.
GUILD.
regiment of Pennsylvania militia as color corporal, and was honorably discharged.
During 1883 he was acting professor of mental science at Union College, Sche- nectady, at which time the college con- ferred upon him the degree of doctor of divinity.
Among the literary productions of Dr. Griffis may be mentioned the following : " The Mikado's Empire," "Corea, the Hermit Nation," " Mathew Calbraith Per- ry, a Typical American Officer," "Japan- ese Fairy World," "The Tokio Guide," " Arendt Van Curler," and many contribu- tions to magazines and the daily press, some of which have been translated into Japanese.
GRUVER, SAMUEL J., son of John and Sarah (Correll) Gruver, was born in Lower Mt. Bethel, Northampton county, Pa., August 27, 1846.
He passed through the district schools of his native town, and attended Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., after which he en-
SAMUEL J. GRUVER.
tered the medical department of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia, and was graduated in the class of 1869.
He commenced the practice of medicine and surgery in Portland, Pa., immediately after graduating, and soon developed a large and lucrative business. In 1881 he
removed to Brockton, Mass., where he has met the same success.
Dr. Gruver was married in Portland, Pa., November 28, 1872, to Elizabeth S., daugh- ter of Franklin and Martha K. (Thomp- son) Ames. Of this union were three chil- dren, but none are living.
Dr. Gruver was member of the board of aldermen for the city of Brockton, 1887 and '88.
GUILD, CURTIS, son of Curtis and Charlotte Louisa (Hodges) Guild, was born in Boston, January 13, 1827. His father was a graduate of Harvard College, class of 1822, and subsequently became a well- known merchant of Boston. His mother was the daughter of Ezra Hodges, of Maine, a soldier of revolutionary fame.
Mr. Guild was disappointed in his ex- pectation of a matriculation at Harvard, on account of his father's business reverses, and received his early education in the grammar and English high schools; but he was by nature a student, and by indus- try and perseverance he still studied as opportunity offered, until he became a scholar of culture and varied information. His training for his life work he received in the trying school of mercantile life.
He started as clerk in the Boston mer- cantile house of Barnard, Adams & Co., on Commercial Wharf. Here he had ex- cellent practical instructions in the princi- ples, laws and details of commercial trans- actions in a large mercantile business. Having become fitted for a more profitable employment, he, in 1847, became assistant book-keeper in the office of the " Boston Journal," and remained in this capacity nearly two years. The publishers of that paper soon discovered that he was a man of literary taste, an original, ready writer and especially adapted to the work of graphic reporting. His talents were there- fore utilized in that direction, and being successful in his new line, he also performed work on the regular staff of the " Journal."
Mr. Guild, soon after, also became a frequent contributor to the "Knicker- bocker Magazine," then under the man- agement of Louis Gaylord Clarke, and other leading periodicals. He next ac- cepted a position as chief clerk in the office of the " Evening Traveller," and in 1856 was admitted to partnership in the firm. Here his energies and inventive genius found scope in ways and means employed to impart more push to the motor power controlling metropolitan journalism. He introduced the display bulletin board, which at that time gave a shock to some
.
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GUNN.
GUILD.
conservative journals, it being then re- garded as exceedingly undignified to ad- vertise themselves in that manner.
On January 1, 1859, the "Commercial Bulletin " made its appearance, with Curtis Guild as editor and sole proprietor. He was already widely and favorably known as a prolific writer. In his travels through the West he had noticed that none but New York papers reached the hotels and offices of the towns and cities there. The idea of a commercial paper to be issued from Boston, representing the manufacturing, commercial and business interests of New England, suggested itself to him. For half a century or more the merchants and business men of the country had looked principally to New York for their supply of purely mercantile news, and not until the judicious enterprise of Mr. Guild in 1859 did this state of things begin to pass away.
To compete successfully with his ener- getic contemporaries, he realized that his paper must be ably edited, contain valuable news, and be brought directly to the notice of those he assumed to please. To secure the latter object, he introduced new and entirely original features of journalism into the "Commercial Bulletin." Special de- partments were created, and all its features were distinctive and its style and make-up original. It was a decided success from the start, and the unwearied zeal and com- prehensive genius of Curtis Guild made that success permanent.
In 1867 Mr. Guild spent the summer in Europe, and his volume, "Over the Ocean," published by Lee & Shepard, gave the public the advantage of his travel. Six years later " Abroad Again " was received by the public with equal favor, and in 1888 a third volume, entitled " Britons and Mus- covites," was issued. These volumes all have an extensive sale, and are among the most popular books of travel issued.
Mr. Guild has never sought nor listened to calls to offices of political preferment. He has simply served his native city twice as member of the common council and once as alderman. He is known as a true " Bostonian," and is proud of the title ; is an enthusiastic admirer of his city, her in- stitutions and peculiar characteristics. As a patriotic antiquarian, he is ever found in opposition to the unnecessary destruction of ancient landmarks.
Mr. Guild was married in September, 1858, to Sarah C., daughter of D. G. W. and Abby (Crocker) Cobb, grand-daughter of General David Cobb, aide to General
Washington through the revolutionary war. His eldest son, Curtis Guild, Jr., was gradu- ated with honor from Harvard in the class of 1861, and was class orator. His second son, Courtenay Guild, graduated at Har- vard with honors in the class of 1886.
Mr. Guild has been president of the Commercial Club of Boston, being one of its founders ; president of the Bostonian Society, in which the Boston Antiquarian Club was merged, and president of "The Club of Odd Volumes."
He has also been successful as a public speaker, as his oration at the centennial celebration in 1878, at Norwood, the birth- place of his father, his address to Char- lotte Cushman on the occasion of her fare- well to the stage, in Boston, in 1875, and the first address delivered by him to the English High School Association of Bos- ton, in 1882, bear witness.
Besides being a practical and successful business man, Mr. Guild's literary tastes have led him to the acquisition of a re- markably choice and unique library, con- taining many of what are known as "extra illustrated " or " extended " works, some of which are very valuable ; also rare and curious portraits, engravings, documents and manuscripts, and a choice collection of autographic memorials of great interest.
GUNN, JAMES A., the son of Henry A. and Susan Gunn, was born in Mon- tague, Franklin county, September 3, 1848.
He received his early education in the public schools of his native town and at Wesleyan Academy, Wilbraham. Until about nineteen years of age he was engaged in working upon the home farm. I11 1873 he commenced business in Turner's Falls, in the grocery and provision trade, under the firm name of Clapp & Co. In 1876 he bought his partner's interest, and carried on the business alone till 1887, when he disposed of it altogether.
Mr. Gunn has held the office of select- man, assessor, overseer of the poor, and road commissioner for Turner's Falls. He is a trustee of the Crocker Institution for Savings, and has been a member of its finance committee and investment board for many years. He is also treasurer of the George F. Littlefield Shoe Company at the present time. In 1882 he was elected a member of the Legislature.
Mr. Gunn married, in 1875, Ellen C., daughter of Jeremiah and Mary Dugan of Montague, who died in 1886. He has two sons : Wilford J. and James A. Gunn, Jr.
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GUNN.
HADLOCK.
GUNN, LEVI J., son of Levi and Delia Dickinson Gunn, was born in Conway, Franklin county, June 2, 1830. He ob- tained his education in the public schools.
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