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 67
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Mr. Norcross was married, June 6, 1866, in Medford, to Cynthia Josephine, daughter of John T. and Mary (Chadbourne) White. Four children have blessed this union : Charles Merrill, Edith Gertrude, Eleanor Josephine, and Theodore White Norcross.
Mr. Norcross, since his residence in Medford, has been identified with nearly every movement of a public nature looking
to the improvement and welfare of the town. He has often been called upon to serve in a public capacity, having served as selectman, overseer of the poor, sur- veyor of highway, water sinking fund com- missioner and auditor. He was for twelve years in succession a member of the Repub- lican town committee, and so popular a man
J. HENRY NORCROSS.
with his fellow-townsmen, irrespective of their political affiliations, that at the last election, in 1888, when he was chosen to represent the town of Medford in the General Court, he received the entire Dem- ocratic strength, and was honored with a majority larger than that ever given before to any town official. He was appointed to serve on the committee on finance, a position he is easily qualified by his past experience to fill with ability and credit.
He worships with the Mystic Congrega- tional church, but his benefactions are by no means confined to that society. There is scarcely a benevolent, military, religious, or social organization in his town but that often has had occasion to thank him for unostentatious but practical assistance.
He is a trustee of several Masonic bod- ies, having taken full degrees in York and Scottish rites, is a trustee of the Medford Savings Bank, and is vice-president and a trustee of the Medford Co-operative Bank.
443
NORTON.
NORTON, CHARLES ELIOT, son of Andrews and Catherine (Eliot) Norton, was born in Cambridge, Middlesex county, November 16, 1827.
His father was a theologian - born in Hingham, in 1786, died in Newport, R. I., in 1852. He was graduated from Harvard in 1804; was a writer of reputation, and had few, if any, equals in the United States as a biblical critic and scholar.
Mr. Norton was graduated from Harvard in the class of 1846, and began a commer- cial career in an East India house, Boston. Three years later he went to the East Indies as supercargo of a ship in that trade. He traveled extensively in that country, and making a tour of Europe, he returned home in 1851. He again visited Europe in 1885, remaining until 1857, and once more in 1868, remaining until 1873.
In company with Dr. Ezra Abbot, he edited his father's "Translation of the Gospels with Notes" (two volumes), and his "Internal Evidences of the Genuine- ness of the Gospels." The papers of the Loyal Publication Society, issued during the civil war, were edited by him, and from 1864 to '68 he was joint editor with James Russell Lowell of the "North American Review."
Among his own publications are " Con- siderations on some Recent Social Theo- ries," "The New Life of Dante," transla- tion with essays and notes, "Notes of Travel and Study in Italy," "A Review of a Trans- lation into Italian of the 'Commentary ' by Benvenuto da Imola on the ‘Divina Commedia'," "The Soldier of the Good Cause," " William Blake's Illustrations of the Book of Job, with Sketch of the Artist's Life and Works," "List of the Principal Books relating to the Life and Works of Michael Angelo, with Notes," and " Historical Studies of Church Build- ing in the Middle Ages : Venice, Siena, Florence." He edited in 1883 the "Cor- respondence of Carlyle and Emerson," and in subsequent years the "Correspondence of Goethe and Carlyle," and "Carlyle's Reminiscences and Letters."
He was elected to the professorship of history of art in Harvard College in 1875, which chair he still occupies. Mr. Norton has acquired an enviable reputation as a writer, and is an acknowledged authority on matters pertaining to the highest cul- ture.
Professor Norton was married in 1862 to Susan, daughter of Theodore and Sara (Ashburner) Sedgwick. His wife died in 1872. Of this union were six children.
NOURSE.
NOURSE, HENRY STEDMAN, son of Stedman and Patty (Howard) Nourse, was born in Lancaster, Worcester county, April 9, 1831.
He studied in the common schools, in Lancaster Academy, and was for two terms in the Leicester Academy. Then he entered Harvard College and graduated in the class of 1853, receiving the degree of A. M. in 1855.
For a year after graduation he was pro- fessor of ancient languages at Phillips Academy, Exeter, N. H., and for three years thereafter he was principal of the academy at Taunton.
In 1857 he abandoned teaching for the profession of civil engineering, and entered the office of Whitwell & Henck, of Boston, by whom he was engaged upon the Back Bay improvements at their inception. In 1859 he was employed in building the ex- tension of the Delaware Railroad, and after the war in building the Eastern Shore Railroad of Maryland, and the Susque- hanna Bridge.
As resident engineer, in 1866, '67 and '68, he built the Pennsylvania Steel Works, near Harrisburg, Pa., and was superintendent of them until 1874. They were the second steel works to successfully manufacture Besse- mer steel in the United States, and they still rank as among the largest in the country.
On the 12th of September, 1870, at Lan- caster, Mr. Nourse was married to Mary B. (Whitney) Thurston, daughter of John and Mary B. (Holt) Whitney. Their only children died in infancy.
Mr. Nourse is a member of the Ameri- can Antiquarian Society. During the rebellion he served in the 55th Illinois infantry as adjutant. He was wounded at Shiloh, was promoted to captain in 1862, appointed commissary of musters 1864, and was mustered out in 1865, after par- ticipating in many battles. He was rep- resentative from the 5th Worcester district in 1883, and senator in 1885 and '86. He was made trustee of the Worcester Lunatic Hospital in 1888, and has heid many local town offices.
His present residence is in Lancaster, where he spends his time in cultivating a small farm, and in writing. He is the author of "Early Records of Lancaster," " The Story of the 55th Regiment, Illinois Infantry," "A History of Lancaster and Clinton," and " Military Annals of Lan- caster."
Mr. Nourse is a lineal descendant of Rebecca Nourse, who was hung as a witch, at Salem, in 1692.
444
NOYES.
NOYES.
NOYES, CHARLES JOHNSON, the son of Johnson and Sally (Brickett) Noyes, of Canaan, Grafton county, N. H., was born in Haverhill, August 7, 1841. His ances- tors emigrated from England and were included among the first settlers of New England, landing in 1634, near the site of Newburyport, on the spot where the rail- road bridge now crosses the Merrimack.
His early education was received in the public schools of his native town. He was prepared for college in the Haverhill Acad- emy, now known as the Haverhill high school, from which he graduated in 1860 as valedictorian. He was president of the Alumni Association for five years, after which he declined to hold the position longer.
In the fall of 1860 he entered Antioch College at Yellow Springs, Ohio, and re- mained there until the commencement of his junior year, when he removed to Sche- nectady, N. Y., entered Union College in that town, and graduated with the class of 1864. While at Union College he was orator on several important occasions, and during his second year there he commenced his studies of law in the office of Judge Johnson of Schenectady, having made con- siderable progress in legal study at the time of leaving college.
Soon after graduation he entered the law office of John E. Risley, Jr., of Provi- dence, R. I., and was admitted to the bar in 1864. He immediately opened one office in Haverhill and another in Boston. Bnsi- ness in the former place accumulated so rapidly that he was soon obliged to give up the Boston office and confine his atten- tion to the Haverhill practice.
Political aspirations were gratified at the unusually early age of twenty-four, by election to the lower House of the state Legislature in 1865. In the session of 1866 he served as a member of the com- mittee on the judiciary and committee on license law. Declining re-election to the House, he next became a successful candi- date for the Senate from the 3d Essex district. In that body, though the youngest member, he was appointed chairman of the committee on library, member of the joint committee on education and on amend- ment to the constitution. In 1867 he declined renomination to the Senate, in order to devote himself to the assiduous pursuit of his profession.
In 1869 he again opened an office in Bos- ton, carried on his business there and at Haverhill for the space of three years, and then removed to South Boston in 1872,
establishing his legal headquarters in Pem- berton Square.
Mr. Noyes was again elected to the House in 1876 from the 14th Suffolk dis- trict. During the session of 1877 he served as chairman of the committee on mercantile affairs, and also as member of the committee on the Hoosac Tunnel, Troy & Greenfield Railroad. In 1878 he was re-elected to the House, promoted to the chairmanship of the last mentioned com- mittee, and also served on the committee on harbors. In 1879 he was again elected to the House. He was appointed by Speaker Wade to the chairmanship of the committee on constitutional amendment. Returned for the fifth time to the House in
CHARLES J. NOYES.
1880, Mr. Noyes was elected speaker on the fourth ballot, by a vote of one hundred and twenty-five. In this position he gained high repute by the dignity and judgment of his rulings.
In 1881 the electors of the 14th Suffolk district once more returned their old rep- resentative, and he was again elected speaker, and this time unanimously. A seventh election to the Legislature of 1882, followed in due course, and he was once more elected speaker. Mr. Noyes was also elected to the House from this district, in 1887, and again in 1888, and
445
NUTT.
each time elected speaker unanimously. He is one of the most popular platform Orators in the State, and in 1865 delivered the eulogy on Abraham Lincoln at Haver- hill.
He is an active member of the Masonic fraternity ; past master of Adelphi Lodge, and past commander of St. Omer Com- mandery of Knights Templar. He has taken all the Scottish rites up to the thirty- second degree, and is a member of the Lafay- ette Lodge of Perfection, of the Giles F. Yates Council of Princes of Jerusalem, the Mount Olivet Chapter of Rose Croix, and of the Massachusetts Consistory. He is also connected with the order of Odd Fellows, having passed all the chairs of the lodge and encampment ; is past grand and past chief patriarch, and has served one year on the grand board of the grand encampment of Massachusetts Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows.
On the 9th of March, 1864, at Provi- dence, R. I., Mr. Noyes was married to Emily, daughter of Colonel Jacob C. and Fannie C. Wells, of Cincinnati, O., and has three children : Fannie C., Harry R., and Grace L. Noyes.
NUTT, WILLIAM, son of Isaac B. and Sally (Monroe) Nutt, was born in Tops- ham, Orange county, Vermont, August 5, 1836.
He received a common school education in the district schools of his native town, where he worked as a farm laborer 1849, '50 and '51 ; was in a private school and engaged in shoe-making in Natick, Mass., 1852 to '61, except one year spent in the West, 1857.
At the opening of the war, he was cor- poral of militia. He enlisted in May, 1861, company I, 2d regiment, Massachusetts volunteers : was corporal and sergeant ; in 1862, March 5, was appointed 2d lieutenant in 54th regiment ; May, 1863, received a commission as Ist lieutenant in 54th, and afterwards captain in 55th regiment ; Nov- ember, 1864, major ; June, 1865, lieutenant- colonel, and was brevet-colonel at the close of the war.
After the war he studied law in the office of W. N. Mason, and was admitted to the bar in Middlesex county, August, 1868. He has been in continuous practice since, except during a few years in which he served as deputy sheriff.
NUTT.
Mr. Nutt was married in Framingham, April 25, 1863, to Abigail P., daughter of Josiah and Patience (Russell) Puffer. Of this union were nine children, seven of whom are living : William H., Charles, George, Henry, Nellie A., Julia M., and Matilda E. Nutt.
Col. Nutt was representative to the Gen- eral Court 1871 and '72; tax collector 1869, '70 and '71 ; chairman of the board of selectmen 1874, '76 and '81 ; chairman of overseers of the poor 1874 and '76. He has a local reputation as moderator of town meetings, a position he has many times filled. He was agent of the Freedmen's Bureau in Virginia in 1868, and United States commissioner, Virginia, at the same time; was appointed a justice of the peace in Massachusetts 1867, and has ever since held like commissions, and that of notary public since 1874. He was on the school board for a short time 1872-'73. He is a
WILLIAM NUTT.
director in the Natick Five Cents Savings Bank, and has been on the board of invest- ment eighteen years ; was appointed trial justice in 1886 and re-appointed in 1889.
446
OAKMAN.
O'BRIEN.
OAKMAN, RICHARD NICKERSON, son of Joseph L. and Mary (Nickerson) Oak- man, was born in Wendell, Franklin coun- ty, January 20, 1818.
His early education was obtained at the common schools, followed by three years at Franklin Academy, Shelburne Falls. After leaving the academy, he was princi- pal of the Union Academy at Province- town for six years. In 1846 he left the position and devoted his attention to farm- ing for thirty years.
In 1853 Mr. Oakman was representative to the General Court for Montague, and for six years commissioner for Franklin county. For twenty-eight years he has been selectman for Montague, and for many years assessor, overseer of the poor, and member of the school board.
In social, religious, and philanthropic matters he has always taken a prominent position, and held many important trusts-a worthy illustration of what a New England boy can accomplish by patient industry, temperance, and frugality, without inherited means or influential friends to aid him.
Mr. Oakman is now president of the Crocker National Bank, and holds various other offices of trust and responsibility.
In 1841 he married, in Hawley, Julia P., daughter of Ichabod and Paulina (Porter) Hawkes. Of their four children, R. N. Oakman, Jr., Julia Kate, Nellie P., and Frank Hawkes, the two sons are filling important positions - the elder as treas- urer and manager of the John Russell Cutlery Company, the younger with the Lamson & Goodnow Cutlery Company.
OBER, FREDERICK ALBION, son of Andrew K. and Sarah Hadlock Ober, was born in Beverly, Essex county, February 13, 1849.
The public schools gave him his early training until fourteen years of age. He received no other assistance from schools, save that of one year in the agricultural college (1869).
Mr. Ober is a lineal descendant of Rich- ard Ober, who settled in Beverly in the early part of the seventeenth century. He early imbibed a fondness for field sports and natural history, and while yet a boy had collected and preserved samples of nearly all the birds of New England, and had noted their habits. So strong was his passion in this direction, that he aban- doned a lucrative business and went to Florida, where he hunted in 1872. He
was so charmed by this trip that he made another in 1874, determined to explore Lake Okechobee and the Everglades. During his first trip he had been unable to reach this great lake and explore the mys- teries that hung around it. This time he was successful.
In 1876 and 'So he hunted in the West Indies, discovering twenty-two new species of birds, and for the first time explored the Caribbees between St. Thomas and Trin- idad. In 1881 he turned his attention toward Mexico. On his way thither he touched at Cuba, and afterwards visited the ruined cities of Yucatan. Arriving in the city of Mexico, he ferreted out its remains of early civilization, climbed to the summit of Popocatapetl, 17,800 feet, rode a thou- sand miles on horseback through southern Mexico, and then returned to the United States, after seven months' absence. In 1883 and '85 he again visited Mexico, pen- etrating portions of the country hitherto unknown to any save the natives.
The exploration of these fields has con- tinued more than ten years. The thrilling incidents connected therewith have been given to the world in his lectures, also in his published works, the principal ones being "Camps in the Caribbees " (1879), " Young Folks' History of Mexico " (1883), "The Silver City" (1883), "Travels in Mexico " (1885), "Montezuma's Gold Mines " (1886), and " Knock About Club Series " (1888, '89 and '90).
Mr. Ober's travels in South America, and later in Spain and northern Africa, have added fresh matter to his store from which he draws for his publications and pop- ular lectures.
Mr. Ober is unmarried.
O'BRIEN, HUGH, was born in Ireland, July 13, 1827. When five years of age, his parents came to this country, and he received his early education in the public schools of Boston, graduating from the grammar school that stood on the famous old Fort Hill.
He entered the office of the " Boston Courier " as an apprentice to learn the art of printing, when in his twelfth year. From the " Courier " office he went to the book and job office of Tuttle, Dennett & Chisholm, of which he became foreman at the age of fifteen. Several years later he founded the " Shipping and Commercial List," of which he was long the editor and publisher.
447
O NEIL.
ODIORNE.
Mr. O'Brien was elected on the board of aldermen in 1875, '76 and '77, defeated in 1878, again elected in 1879, '80, '81, not a candidate in 1882, elected in 1883, and was made chairman of the board, which posi- tion he held for the four last years. In December, 1884, he was elected mayor of the city, holding that position for four successive years, 1885, '86, '87 and '88.
He has held the office of treasurer and general manager of the Brush Electric Light Company, president of the Union Institution for Savings, treasurer of Frank- lin Typographical Society for fifteen years, a trustee of the St. Vincent Orphan Asylum, and for many years was a standard author- ity on all matters relating to the trade and commerce of the city.
Mr. O'Brien has long been regarded a friend of the laboring interest, securing the passage of an ordinance regulating payment to workingmen by contractors with the city. He urged the abolition of the poll-tax as a pre-requisite for voting, advocated the purchase of large areas for public parks, has been prominently identi- fied with the improved system of sewerage and the enlarging the water supply
Mr. O'Brien was a firm believer in the future growth of the city, and as alderman and mayor, covering a period of eleven years of active service, was a prominent factor in carrying out these and many other reforms that have placed Boston at the head of the municipal governments of the country.
ODIORNE, FREDERIC HUSSEY, son of Thomas and Mary (Hussey) Odiorne, was born in Malden, Middlesex county, May 26, 1830.
He is a descendant from John Odiorne, one of the first settlers of Portsmouth, N. H., from whom the name of Odiorne's Point at New Castle, N. H., was taken. At this point landed the first settlers in New Hampshire.
He received a common school education in his native town.
He began his business life in the count- ing room of Thomas Tremlett, Boston, in 1847, remaining there until 1856.
His first business connection was with his brother in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1856 (Odiorne & Brother), commission business. He remained but one year, then was a partner of the firm of Tremlett Brothers & Co., Boston, for one year, then in the firm of Tremlett & Odiorne till 1860. From 1860 to '72 he was alone in business. From 1872 to the present time, the firm name has been F. H. Odiorne & Co., coal
and commission business. He is the longest in the service of the entire guild of Boston wholesale coal dealers.
Mr. Odiorne was married May 24, 1854, to Adaline, daughter of Jonathan and Susan (Hovey) Robinson. They have no children.
Mr. Odiorne was an alderman-at-large in the city of Malden, 1887, and has been president of the Malden Club since 1886.
Mr. Odiorne is largely interested in the manufacture of gas, and has been for many years president of the gas light com- panies at Gloucester and Plymouth, Exe- ter, N. H., and Rockland, Me.
O'NEIL, JOSEPH HENRY, son of Pat- rick Henry and Mary (Harrington) O'Neil, was born in Fall River, Bristol county, March 23, 1853.
He was educated in the Boston public schools, graduating therefrom in 1866. He then worked at the printing business for a short time, and afterwards learned the car- penter's trade with the firm of Jonas Fitch & Company, who did then a very large business.
In 1870 he assisted in the formation of the St. James Young Men's Catholic Total Abstinence Society of Boston, of which he was president for many years. He also was one of the originators of the Catholic Total Abstinence Union of Massachusetts, and although he was one of its most active workers, refused to accept any office, pre- ferring to labor in the ranks. He still remains a member of the St. James so- ciety.
In 1874, when of age, he was elected a member of the school board from ward 7, Boston, and a member of the Democratic city committee the same year. He has been a member of the committee since, except four years, when he refused to be a candidate.
He was a member of the House of Rep- resentatives from ward 16, Boston, in 1878, '79, '80, '81 and in '82. He refused to be a candidate for 1883, but was again elected in 1883 for '84, and each time by an increased majority. He served on the committee on liquor law in 1878, committee on public buildings in 1879, and the com- mittee on street railways in 1880, '81 and '82-in 1881 on the special committee ap- pointed to revise the public statutes ; and in 1882 was a member of the committee on rules and orders. In 1884 he was a member of the committee on rules and on railroads. He was also made president of the Democratic organization of the House in 1880.
448
ORCUTT.
Mr. O'Neil can justly claim the title of father of the Meigs Elevated Railroad sys- tem, as he favored it from the beginning, and did more than any other man to secure the charter of incorporation, which was finally granted in 1884.
He was for five years a member of the board of directors of public institutions of the city of Boston, and although the young- est member of the board in years, was its president in 1885 and '86.
In 1887 and '88 he was city clerk of the city of Boston, and during a part of 1889, pending the election of his successor. In 1888 he was unanimously nominated by the Democratic convention of the 4th congressional district for the House of Representatives of the United States, and received the largest majority ever cast for a Democratic candidate in the State.
Mr. O'Neil is an ardent and yet a liberal Democrat, is a justly prominent man in his party, and his counsel is sought on account of his sagacity and prudence. As a legis- lator, he has been fearless and independ- ent, following his convictions with little regard to political bias. He is a good de- bater, hard student, and careful observer, and when he addresses a public assembly or a legislative body, it is with a force and earnestness that always command attention. His advice is sought in business matters as well as in political affairs, and he is known by his loyalty to his friends, who are legion, as well as by his devotion to principle.
Mr. O'Neil is now president of the Meigs Elevated Street Railway Company.
He was married in the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston, July 1, 1884, to Mary Anastasia, daughter of John and Maria (Plunkett) Ingoldsby. They have one child : Joseph Henry O'Neil, Jr.
ORCUTT, FRANK E., son of William Henry and Jane (Hobbs) Orcutt, was born in Cambridgeport, Middlesex county, Oc- tober ro, 1842, and there received his early educational training in the public schools. This was supplemented by a business course at Eastman's College, Poughkeep- sie, N. Y.
He was then employed in Boston as a book-binder until June, 1862, when as a mere youth he enlisted in company F, 38th Massachusetts volunteers. He served in Virginia and Maryland until the command was ordered to join the famous Banks ex- pedition to the department of the Gulf. In April, 1863, he was detailed for duty at General Banks's headquarters, serving in the ordnance and engineer departments until the close of the work of the expedi-
ORCUTT.
tion. He had been commissioned as lieu- tenant of engineers, and was then ordered to go farther south on the Texas expedi- tion, doing important duty on the Rio Grande. Subsequently he went into Mex- ico during the unfortunate reign of Maxi- milian. Services closing in Mexico, Cap- tain Orcutt returned to Gulf headquar- ters, where he served until February, 1865, when he was mustered out of the service and returned home.
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