USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Somerville, past and present : an illustrated historical souvenir commemorative of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the establishment of the city government of Somerville, Massachusetts > Part 27
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Somerville had great natural resources that were overlooked. There are yet many lessons that could be drawn from the two-year history of West- wood road. In the fall of 1894, only two years prior to this publication, the old estate belonging to the late Hon. James M. Shute, adjoining the Ben- ton Farm on Spring Hill, was bought by a member of the Benton family. Mr. Bradshaw immediately moved the mansion house to an ample lot at one side, and proceeded at once to build a road from Central street to the Benton Farm, after the latest and most approved method of road-building, with sewer, water and gas all put in before the macadamizing was laid on a substratum of ash and cinder, thoroughly rolled. Last of all the curb- ing and paving of the gutters. There is no other section of road in our city that can compare with it for fine road-bed, and it reflects great credit on our street department as well as on Mr. Bradshaw. After the estate had been plotted out and graded, the series of houses represented in the accompany- ing pages were built ; and from their thoroughness of construction, and from the care displayed in having them of the latest designs, and each entirely different from the others while all were built with the closest regard to their juxtaposition, Mr. Bradshaw has found an immediate sale for them, almost as soon as they were started and months before their completion. In the winter of 1895, one year after the road was built, Mr. Bradshaw did a thing never before tried in Massachusetts, although successfully done in Washing- ton, D. C., and Newport, R. I., the moving of a number of the largest trees on the estate - trees fifty and sixty years of age, large elms and maples, - out to the street line of the lots, some a distance of three hundred feet to their new locations. When one realizes that some of these trees were nearly fifty feet tall and eight or nine feet in circumference, it will be seen what an undertaking it was. But when the present summer came and the new road was beautifully shaded with large shade-trees- a two-year-old road with fifty-year-old trees - then the wisdom and good judgment of Mr. Bradshaw in the development of the property was more than apparent.
In addition to this enterprise Mr. Bradshaw has just begun to lay out the Benton Farm, and make Benton road, which connects with Westwood road, a continued lovely spot for suburban estates.
Residence of CHARLES H. BRADSHAW, Summer Street. Residence of REV. NATHAN K. BISHOP, Westwood Road.
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RESIDENCES ON WESTWOOD ROAD.
RESIDENCES ON WESTWOOD ROAD.
BIOGRAPHIES.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Aldrich, Capt. Harrison, was born in Williamsville, Vt., September 18, 1840, son of Daniel T. and Laura Whipple Aldrich, of old revolutionary stock. His education was obtained in his native town in the district and high schools, and at Powers Institute, Ber- nardston, Mass. When the war broke out he was teaching school in Petersham, Mass. He gave up teaching and enlisted in Co. K, 21st Regt., Mass. Vols., serving as private, ser- geant, lieutenant and captain; participating in the battles of Roanoke Island, Newbern, Camden, Second Bull Run, Chantilly, Antietam and Fredericksburg. Was wounded in the battle of Newbern. The arduous service of the regiment causing its reduction in numbers and its consolidation with the 36th Regiment, Capt. Aldrich resigned his commission, received an honorable discharge and returned to his native town, where he married Helen Louisa Morse, daughter of Benjamin E. and Mary (Howe) Morse. In 1866 he came to Boston and entered the produce business, in which he has been successfully engaged for the past thirty years. He came to Somerville in 1880, and soon after bought land on the undeveloped part of Gilman street, laid out a new street leading from it, which now bears his name, and started develop- ment in that section by building several modern houses, which example was rapidly followed by others until the entire section was built upon. Eight years later he bought land and built a fine residence, 23 Franklin street, where he has since resided.
He served in the Common Council in 1884 and 1885, and on the Board of Aldermen, 1886 and 1887. He was the first captain of the Somerville Light Infantry after its reorgan- ization in 1886. He is a member of Soley Lodge, F. A. A. M .; Somerville Chapter, R. A. M .; Post 139, G. A. R .; Loyal Legion, U. S .; Boston Chamber of Commerce; and Boston Fruit and Produce Exchange.
Andrews, James Mills, son of Thomas and Clara (Mills) Andrews, was born in Free- dom, N. H., May 22, 1837. He was educated in his native town, and in 1857 removed to Charlestown, and in 1885 came to Somerville to reside. In 1862 he was married to Mira A. Wood, daughter of Horace P. and Belinda A. Wood of Freedom, N. II., and they have one son, Horace. Mr. Andrews is engaged with his son, under the firm name of J. M. Andrews and Son, as carpenters and builders, and they have erected some of the most im- portant edifices in this and the adjoining cities. Mr. Andrews is a member of Carroll Lodge, F. A. A. M., of Freedom, N. H., the Royal Arch Chapter and Orient Council of Somerville, the Cœur de Lion Commandery and Scottish Rite Masons, and the Ivanhoe Lodge, Knights of Pythias. In 1895 he served the city as a member of the Common Council from Ward 3, and in 1896 as a member of the Board of Aldermen, being in that year chairman of the committees on printing and the police.
Andrews, John, was born in Southington, Conn., in 1845, the son of William and Theodosia (Evans) Andrews. His education was begun in the public schools of his native town, and completed at the Hudson River Institute at Claverick, N. Y. At the beginning of the war he enlisted as a private in the First Connecticut Cavalry, was promoted twice and served until the close of the war. He then engaged in the building business with his father. While a resident of Killingly, Conn., he served on the School Board of that town. Mr.
484
L. FRANK ARNOLD.
Residence of GEORGE W. BENTLEY, 19 Adams Street.
SOMERVILLE, PAST AND PRESENT. 487
Andrews has for a number of years been engaged in the asbestos business, and is at present connected with the Asbestos Paper Co., Boston. He came to Somerville in 1884, and has served the city one year in the Common Council, and two years, 1893 and 1894, in the Board of Aldermen, being president of the board in 1894. He is a member of the John Abbot Lodge, F. A. A. M., Willard C. Kinsley Post, G. A. R., and the Loyal Legion. Mr. Andrews was married to Miss Mary E. Graham, October 28, 1874. They have four children and reside at 34 Albion street.
Armstrong, William M., was born at Mechanic Falls, Me., August 17, 1850, the son of Francis and Rebecca (Merriam) Armstrong. When four years of age he went to Cape Cod, where he remained until he was sixteen. For a year he was employed by the Baltimore Steamship Company, and then was for a time engaged in ship and fur- niture carving. He subsequently went with his brother Samuel into the cooperage business in Boston, remaining with him fifteen years, until 1886, when his brother died. The firm came to Somerville about fifteen years ago, where it continues, doing a large business at its shops on Somerville avenue. In addition to its works in this city, the firm has a mill at Athol, Mass., and another at Brookline, N. H. Mr. Armstrong was for a number of years president of the Somerville Y. M. C. A., and is a member of John Abhot Lodge, F. A. A. M., Somerville Chapter, Royal Arcanum, and United Workmen. He served the city in the Common Council of 1890. He married Mary A., daughter of Isaiah and Phebe N. (Fish) Ilatch of Sandwich, Mass. They reside on Summer street.
Arnold, L. Frank, was born at Somerville, September 4, 1845, the son of Leonard and Irene G. (Clark) Arnold. His education was obtained in the Somerville schools, and he has always resided in this city. He is interested in street railways and in real estate in Boston, and is well known among business men as one full of industry and enthusiasm in the work in which he is engaged. He is a member of John Abbot Lodge, F. A. A. M., and other Masonic bodies; is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, and is one of the order of the Cincinnati and the only memher in Somerville; in this organization he succeeded his father, Leonard Arnold, who, at the time of his death, was the oldest living member, having belonged to the society fifty-five years. Mr. Arnold married Miss Lilla E. Poole, October 25, 1877. Their residence is at 28 Vinal avenue.
Backus, Edward, was born in Cambridgeport, Mass., August 9, 1848, the son of George B. and Jane G. Backus. He attended school in his native city, and went to Maine in 1869, where he followed various pursuits, remaining four years. In 1874 he engaged with Stearns & George, Boston, electricians, and after five years went to work for the American Bell Telephone Company, with which he remained twelve years, leaving there to go with the Gamewell Fire Alarm Telegraph Company, where he acquired greater knowledge, which served him and the city of Somerville to great advantage when Mr. Backus was appointed superintendent of the city fire alarm telegraph in 1889. He held the position three years, and then went to Cambridge, where he became connected with the Cambridge Fire Alarm system, and this year was called back to Somerville to be superintendent of the lamps of the entire city, having charge of about ninety miles of wire, 470 arc and 360 incandescent lamps, full control of the fire alarm and police signal systems, the city telephones, etc.
Mr. Backus can be called a thorough master of his business, and discharges his duties with efficiency, promptness, courtesy and fidelity. He came to Somerville in 1887, and now resides at 91 Munroe street. He married Mary Ellen Doe of Lexington in 1873, and has two children. Mr. Backus is a member of St. Omer Lodge of Knights of Pythias, of Cam- bridge.
Bailey, Ernest W., was born December 20, 1866, at the old homestead, corner of Highland avenue and Central street, and has continued to live there until the present time. His father, A. H. Bailey, one of the first residents of Somerville, died when his son was
488
SOMERVILLE, PAST AND PRESENT.
about thirteen years of age. Mr. Bailey received his education in the publie schools of this city, graduating from the Forster Grammar School, attending the Iligh School and com- pleting his school days at Tufts College, where he fitted for the profession of a civil engineer. On leaving college he entered one of the oldest and best engineering firms in Boston, where he acquired the practical and business knowledge of the profession he had chosen to follow. Mr. Bailey remained with this firm about two and one-half years, being engaged in all lines of engineering; in August, 1887, he was selected, by the former city engineer, H. L. Eaton, as his first assistant in the City Engineering Department of Somerville, which position he held until the death of Mr. Eaton in November, 1895. Mr. Bailey was then made the acting city engineer for the remainder of that year, and, in January, 1896, was appointed city engineer, being the youngest of the city's officials. During his first year as city engi- neer some of the most important engineering in the city has been carried out, such as the connecting of the entire system of city sewers with the metropolitan or state sewer, and the large storm-water drain and sewer through the Tannery Brook Valley in West Somerville, besides many other local improvements in the engineering line.
Mr. Bailey is a member of the Boston Society of Civil Engineers, the New England Water Works Association, Somerville Central Club, Somerville Young Men's Christian Association, and other social organizations.
Bailey, J. Warren. New Hampshire has furnished many prominent sons now resi- dents of our growing city, and among those highly esteemed is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Bailey was born in Derry, June 3, 1846, the son of Jeremiah and Harriet N. Bailey. His school advantages were favorable to his receiving a fine education, and at the age of nineteen he was appointed to a position in the Rhode Island State Prison, remaining there- in four years, and retiring as deputy warden. He then went to the Massachusetts State Pris- on, where he served in a similar capacity, under Warden Haynes. In 1872 he had tired of the line he had pursued so long, and established himself in business in Bromfield street, Bos- ton, but the store was soon too small for his increasing trade, and nearly thirteen years ago he moved to the spacious store at 108 Tremont street, where he now conduets the finest em- broidery establishment to be found in Boston, as many of our citizens can testify. Mr. Bailey came to Somerville in 1872, was elected to the Common Council eight years after, and re- elected the subsequent year, being chosen president of the body. In 1884 and 1885 he was elected to the House of Representatives, where he served with marked distinction. He has always taken great interest in any matter relating to West Somerville, and his name is identi- fied with all the prominent fraternal and social organizations, besides that of the Day-street Congregational Church. He is now president of the flourishing West Somerville Co-opera- tive Bank; a member of Elm Council, Royal Arcanum; Cameron Lodge, Knights of Honor; and Provident Lodge, A. O. U. W., in all of which he has been the presiding officer.
July 1, 1894, Governor Greenhalge, in looking over the State for a prison commissioner, selected Mr. Bailey as being one who by experience and education would cause him to fill the position with credit, and he was appointed for the terin of five years and immediately confirmed.
Mr. Bailey married for his first wife Miss Emeline R. Clark, daughter of Eben T. and Rebecca (Kimball) Clark, and had one daughter, Edith Newell, now a young lady promi- nent in Somerville's society. His second wife was Miss Jennie N. Loud, daughter of George B. and Susan J. Loud, of Plymouth, Me. Mrs. Bailey has always taken a lively interest in local affairs, especially in church and philanthropic work. They reside at the corner of Or- chard and Dover streets.
Baldwin, Fred C., for the past three years master of the Forster School, is a native of the Granite State, having been born at Nashua in 1859. His early education was obtained in the schools of Manchester, N. H., and he was graduated from Dartmouth College in the
SOMERVILLE, PAST AND PRESENT. 489
class of 1881. Previous to his graduation he taught winter terms at Harwich and South Dennis, Mass., and subsequently was engaged at the latter town until the winter of 1883, when he was called to the mastership of the Franklin-street School of Manchester, N. II. After a service of seven years he was promoted to the mastership of the Ash-street School, the largest school in the city. Here he completed the tenth year of his connection with the schools of Manchester before accepting his present position in Somerville.
Ball, John N., was born at Antrim, N. H., in 1835. When he was three months old his parents removed to Marlow, where he attended the district and high schools, remaining there until he was seventeen years of age. Ife then went to Nashua, where he kept a hotel eight years. Subsequently he removed to Wisconsin where he resided two years, and then went to New Orleans where he remained eight years, from 1863 to 1871, two years of which he was engaged in the United States custom service and four years as deputy collector of revenue. Mr. Ball has been in the pasted-shoe stock business for many years, having a factory at North Somerville. He is a member of the Common Council and of the Knights of Honor, and resides at 690 Broadway.
Barker, Nathaniel C., assistant chief of the Somerville Fire Department, was born at Piermont, N. H., Sept. 28, 1836, and was educated in the public schools of that town. When sixteen years of age he went to Manchester, N. H., and found employment in one of the cotton mills there. He had been a resident of that city but a few months when he was elected a member of the Torrent No. 5 Hand-engine Company, and subsequently elected second assistant foreman, which position he held when that engine made its famnous record of 180 feet perpendicular playing at the Worcester, Mass., firemen's muster, September 5, 1857, which gave it first prize, defeating fifty-three competitors, including the best engines in New England. Captain Barker held the pipe on that historical occasion.
When the war broke out he was one of the first to enlist, and went to the front with the IIth N. H. Volunteers, one of the best regiments that went from that State. He was elected corporal soon after enlistment, and subsequently promoted to sergeant. He was wounded at Cold Harbor, which confined him to the hospital eleven months, and rendered him unfit for further service. He then returned to New Hampshire, and after a long con- tinued sickness was appointed a turnkey at the Hillsboro' County Jail, where he remained eighteen months, resigning to learn the trade of carpenter.
He came to Somerville in 1870, and entered the employ of a prominent builder, and has been engaged in the building business ever since. October 1, 1871, he was enrolled as a member of Hook and Ladder Co. No. I, and was promoted to assistant foremnan in January, 1872, and foreman,"1875, which position he occupied until promoted to his present position in January, 1877. He is a prominent member of the G. A. R. and other organizations.
Barnes, Walter S., son of Clark and Sarah (Corse) Barnes, was born in Enosburg, Vt., November 2, 1838. He was educated in the district schools. He came to Boston in 1855, and was employed in a hat and cap store. In 1861 he became bookkeeper for a paper-box manufacturer, and in 1868 went into the business on his own account. His es- tablishment was burned out in the great fire of 1872, and again in March, 1893, by the Essex-street fire. He moved to Somerville in 1863, and was elected to the Common Council in 1872, 1873 and again in 1876. In 1879 he was a member of the School Board, and from 1883 to 1888 was a member of the Somerville Water Board, and as such did most efficient and valuable service. He was a member of the standing committee of the First Congrega- tional (Unitarian) Church for several years from 1859, and served as treasurer of that society. He is a member of Soley Lodge, F. A. A. M., Paul Revere Lodge, I. O. O. F., and Winter Hill Lodge, K. H. Mr. Barnes married Miss Melissa, daughter of Mosel and Abigail (Goddard) Aldrich of Middlesex, Vt. His business, that of a paper-box manufacturer, is located at 301-3 Congress street.
GEORGE E. BAXTER.
491
SOMERVILLE, PAST AND PRESENT.
Baxter, George E., was born in Pawtucket, R. I., April 19, 1856. His parents re- moved to Boston in 1858, and he received his education in the public schools of that city. Ile went to work in his thirteenth year, and when sixteen years old secured employment with a veneer and lumber concern, and has since been identified with that business. Mr. Baxter was for four years treasurer of the Lumber Dealers' Association of Boston. In 1885 he entered into partnership with Mr. John M. Woods under the firm name of John M. Woods & Co., and remained as a partner in that concern until September 1, 1894, when he withdrew his interest and started in business in his own name in the same line with extensive yards, dry kilns, etc., in East Cambridge, with an office in Boston.
In 1876 Mr. Baxter was married to Miss Charlotte R. Myers of Boston, and a year later came to Somerville to reside. In 1888 he bought the estate No. 75 Boston street, and has since largely improved it. In politics Mr. Baxter has been a Democrat, and has been honored with the nomination to the School Board in 1892, the Legislature in 1893, and in 1894 was nominated for Mayor of the city. Mr. Baxter is a member of Soley Lodge, F. A. A. M., an officer in Somerville Royal Arch Chapter and Orient Council of R. & S. M., and a member of De Molay Commandery. Is past dictator of Warren Lodge, K. of II., and a member of Winter Hill Lodge, U. O. of W.
Baxter, George L., the son of William W. and Ann E. (Weld) Baxter, was born at Quincy, Mass., October 21, 1842, and is descended from Gregory Baxter, who came from England with Winthrop, and married Margaret Paddy, sister of William Paddy of the Plymouth Colony. He obtained his early education in the Quincy schools, entering at eleven years upon a course preparatory to college with special reference to the profession of teaching, was admitted to Harvard College in 1859 and graduated with high honors in 1863. During his college course he had become well acquainted with the management of the public schools and the methods of instruction, and immediately on graduating began his work of teaching. He taught Latin and English in a private French school in Boston till April, 1864, when he was appointed, at the age of twenty-one, principal of the Reading High School. After remaining at Reading nine months, he was chosen principal of the Plymouth High School as successor to A. P. Stone. He taught nearly three years at Plymouth, and in July, 1867, came to Somerville to the position of principal of the High School. He has had thirty-two graduating classes and 1,500 graduates, of whom over 400 have completed a course preparatory to college. In 1872 he married Ida F., daughter of William and Sarah E. L. (Berry) Paul, and has one son, Gregory Paul Baxter, a recent graduate of Harvard.
Besides filling various offices in other societies, he was secretary of John Abbot Lodge and Somerville Chapter of R. A. Masons for nearly twenty years, and he has been associate corporator and trustee of the Somerville Savings Bank since its incorporation.
Bean, James W., was born in Somerville in 1866. He is the son of Police -officer George W. Bean, who has been a resident of Somerville for nearly fifty years. After grad- uating from the Luther V. Bell Grammar School in 1880, and the Somerville High School in 1884, he learned the rudiments of the printer's trade and reporter's art in the office of the "Somerville Journal." In 1886 he became the Somerville and Cambridge correspondent of the " Boston Post," and later had market reporting added to his work. He remained in those capacities for about two years. In 1888 he associated himself with the Boston " Daily Advertiser," where for four years he was assistant commercial editor. While on the " Adver- tiser " he also held the positions of city editor of the Cambridge "Chronicle " for three years and city editor of the Cambridge "Press " for one year. In 1891 he formed a copartnership with Mr. C. Burnside Seagrave, of Cambridge, under the title of the Cambridge Chronicle Company, and purchased the "Chronicle," which has been conducted by the company ever since. The "Chronicle " is a leading weekly newspaper in Middlesex County, that height having been reached under the present management. Besides publishing the paper, the
JAMES W. BEAN.
SOMERVILLE, PAST AND PRESENT. 493
concern does a first-class job printing business. In 1891 and 1892 Mr. Bean served in the Common Council, and is undoubtedly the youngest man ever elected to that body. Mr. Bean is married, has one child, and resides at No. 40 Columbus avenue.
Beekman, Rev. Garret, is a native of New Jersey, in which state he lived until early manhood. His educational advantages up to the age of sixteen were few. At this point he began a systematic course of reading and study, and under the direction of private teachers prepared himself for what soon became his life-work. In 1867 he entered the Theological School of Boston University, from which he graduated in 1870. In April, 1868, he organized what is now known as the Flint-street M. E. Church of Somerville. He was its first pastor, and served it for two years. In April, 1870, he joined the New England Conference on trial, and was admitted to full membership in 1872. His first charge after joining the conference was at Byfield, Mass., which he served for the full term of three years. His sub- sequent appointments were Lawrence, Mass., Lynn, Danvers, Worcester, Southbridge, Ros- lindale, Boston, Chicopee Falls, Westboro, and now West Somerville. During this period he organized the church at Middleton, Mass., and that at West Roxbury. The Parker- street Church of Lawrence, Mass., was built largely through his personal endeavors. On other charges churches have been enlarged and beautified, and oppressive debts paid princi- pally through his instrumentality, and in some of the churches he has served there have been sweeping revivals under his leadership; this is the third year of his pastorate in West Somerville, where he ministers to a strong and growing church.
Belknap, Austin, was born in Westboro, July 18, 1819, the son of John and Ruth (Fay) Belknap, of that town. His education was obtained in the district school of his native town, and at the Worcester Manual Labor High School, from which he was graduated as a civil engineer. After some experience in railroad construction, he came to Boston in 1843, and entered the general produce and commission business, in which he has remained until the present time. Mr. Belknap came to Somerville in 1853. He served the town as selectman in 1869, 1870 and 1871, and the city as member of the School Committee in 1862, 1863 and 1864. He was a trustee of the Public Library in 1873 and 1874, and was mayor in 1876 and 1877. Mr. Belknap is a member of the John Abbot Lodge, F. A. A. M .; Somer- ville Chapter, R. A. M .; and De Molay Commandery, K. T. Mr. Belknap married Miss Jane P., daughter of Holloway and Frances (Read) Brigham, of Westboro.
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