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 29
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Butler, John Haskell, was born in Middletown, Mass., August 31, 1841; he attended school in the public schools of Shirley and Groton, and Lawrence Academy in Groton, Mass., and was graduated from Vale in the class of 1863. He served in the U. S. Navy during the war. Mr. Butler was admitted to the bar in Middlesex County in October, 1868, from which time he was associated with Mr. William S. Stearns under the firm name of Stearns & Butler, in the practice of the law, until January 1, 1892, when Mr. Stearns retired from practice. He has resided in Somerville since 1870, and served twelve years on the Somerville School Board. In the years 1880 and 1881 he was a member of the House of Representatives, and in 1884, 1885 and 1886, a member of the Executive Council for the Third Councillor District. He is warmly interested in charitable and fraternal organizations, and has held positions of honor and responsibility in many of them.
Butters, Charles S., son of Charles and Olive S. (Brown) Butters, was born in Bur- lington, Mass. He attended the district school of his native town, receiving only the limited education offered in those days, until he was twelve years old, when he worked on the farm, attending school the winter term of three months. At the age of nineteen he left home and accepted a position in a provision store on Main street, in Charlestown,
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Mass. Here he remained two years, and then went to East Cambridge, following the same occupation. By thrift and perseverence he soon acquired an interest in the business, staying there about four years; he then sold his interest and bought a provision route in Boston, which he carried on sixteen years. In January, 1883, he opened a provision store in Union square, this city, and in 1887 still further increased his business by opening another at the corner of Elm and Porter streets; both these establishments he is operating at the present time. In 1872 he bought a home in Somerville, where he has since lived.
Mr. Butters is a member of the I. O. O. F., the Knights of Honor, the New England Order of Protection, United Order of Workmen, F. A. A. M., and Knights Templar. llc has served the city as a member of the Council two years, and has been treasurer of the Board of Stewards of the First M. E. Church of Somerville for the past sixteen years. lle married, October 3, 1871, Miss Eunice A. Stahl of Waldoboro, Me. They have had six children, five of whom are hving. His residence is at 19 Church street.
Butters, Rev. George Shaw, was born at Lowell, Mass., where for many years his father was a prominent business man. Mr. Butters prepared for Harvard College at the Lowell High School, and was the valedictorian of his class. He entered Boston University in 1874, and received his A. B. in 1878. After graduation he began to prepare himself to teach Greek, and went to the Andover Theological Seminary to thoroughly fit himself for college work. In the midst of the second year of this preparation the ministry became so attractive, he decided that his work was to be in the ministry. He then went to the Methodist Theolo- gical School in Boston, and completed his course in 1881.
He joined the New England Conference, and had Barre, Mass., for his first pastorate. After three successful years he became a popular preacher at Jamaica Plain. He then went to Newtonville, where he was greatly beloved, and thence to Fitchburg, where he com- pleted the most successful term of his ministry. His fifteen years in the New England Con- ference have been marked by unusual success on all lines of church work. He is a frequent contributor for the press, and in the religious papers of his own and other denominations his name is often seen. As a story-writer he has also won some reputation.
Rev. Mr. Butters is one of the most active Methodist ministers in young people's work, and succeeded Rev. W. I. Haven in the presidency of the New England Epworth League. He is much in demand as a speaker and lecturer for the various gatherings of the Epworth League and Christian Endeavor, and is remarkably well adapted to work of this kind. His congregations are characterized by the large attendance of young men, and very few ministers can surpass him in popularity with this interesting class.
Mr. Butters is thirty-nine years of age, and has a wife and two children. Mrs. Butters is remarkably well fitted for the exacting duties of a pastor's wife, and has been one of the most prominent factors in her husband's success. She was educated in the Boston schools, and is a woman of refinement and marked social gifts.
Byam, William A., son of Ezekiel and Charlotte (Bateman) Byam of Chelmsford, Mass., was born in that town July 20, 1820. He passed his boyhood and early manhood at the homestead, having about three months' schooling, winters, and doing farm work or labor- ing in the factory of the elder Byam (the originator of the match known by that name) during the rest of the year. He located in Charlestown in 1855, and on January 1, 1856, the firm of Rand and Byam, soap manufacturers, was organized, and it continued the business uninterruptedly and successfully from that date to November 1, 1895, when Mr. Rand's interest was purchased by Mr. Byam's two sons; but the style of the firm remains unchanged. In business and social circles Mr. Byam enjoys the implicit confidence of all who know him. Soon after locating in Charlestown he became a member of the Bunker Hill Baptist Church, and in 1871 was elected deacon, serving in that office until he removed to Somerville in 1891. His interest and membership in that body are still continued. March 14, 1841, he
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was married to Mercy M. Parker of Chelmsford, Mass., by whom he had four sons and one daughter. Three of the sons are now living. The present Mrs. Byam was Mrs. Emma C. Pierce of Charlestown, to whom he was united June 6, 1870. After a residence of thirty- three years in Charlestown, Mr. Byam purchased the handsome residence at 1.17 Pearl street, where he now lives.
Carpenter, Allen F., was born in Waterford, Vt., February 28, 1842. He was educated in the common schools of that town and in St. Johnsbury Academy. In 1869 he embarked in the grocery business in this city, and has continued in it very successfully until the present time. He enlisted in Company II, 12th Vermont Volunteers, and was mustered into the service in October, 1862; he served in the Army of the Potomac, and was mustered out in July, 1863. Mr. Carpenter was a member of the Common Council in 1889, and of the Board of Aldermen in 1890 and 1891. Ile was a representative to the General Court in 1893-4. He is a member of Charity Lodge, F. A. A. M .; Cœur de Lion Commandery, K. T .; Oasis Lodge, I. O.O. F .; Willard C. Kinsley Post, G. A. R .; the I. O. R. M., and the Good Fellows. He is also a member of the Boston Chamber of Commerce, is president of the Boston Retail Grocers' Association, treasurer of the New England Grocers' Publishing Co., director of the Somerville National Bank and of the Sprague and Hathaway Co. He is also chairman of the Somerville Board of Health.
Carr, Martin W., was born at Easton, Mass., March 9, 1829, the son of Caleb and Chloe (Parker) Carr, of that place. IIe is a direct descendant of Robert Carr, Governor of Rhode Island in 1692. His education was obtained in the district school and the Adelphian Academy at North Bridgewater. IIe began his business life by learning the manufacture of shovels with the Ames Company at North Easton. Thence he went to Attleboro, where he acquired a thorough knowledge of the art of manufacturing jewelry. In 1856 he went into business for himself at Attleboro. Five years afterward he was offered a foremanship at the U. S. Armory at Springfield, which he accepted, and remained there till 1864, when he came to Boston and re-entered the jewelry business, in which he still continues. Mr. Carr came to Somerville in 1864, and served the city two years as a member of the Council and two years as alderman, the last year of that service being president of the board. He also was a member of the Water Board one year, and has been a member of the School Committee since 1884. He is a member of John Abbot Lodge, F. A. M. ; Somerville Chapter, R. A .; Cœur de Lion Commandery, K. T .; the Central and Mystic Valley Clubs; the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association; and Excelsior Council, Royal Arcanum. Mr. Carr married Miss Emily Brackett, daughter of Joseph G. and Lucy (Butterfield) Brackett, of Quincy. They reside on Craigie street.
Carvill, Alphonso Holland, M. D., son of Sewall and Tamar (Iliggins) Carvill, was born in Lewiston, Me., Feb. 4, 1843. He is of English and Scotch descent; his paternal grand- father served in the Revolutionary War, and his father in the War of 1812. He was reared on a farm, attending school, sometimes private school, in the autumn and spring till eighteen years of age. From 1858 to 1861 he was for several terms at the Maine State Seminary. In 1861 he entered the Edward Little Institute at Auburn, Me., where he was fitted for college. He graduated from Tufts in 1866, taking the degree of A. M. in 1869, in which year he was graduated from the Harvard Medical School. Studied for a time in New York, Philadelphia and Chicago, and began practice, 1869, in Minnesota, removing to Somerville in May, 1873. He was for two years city physician of Somerville, and was one of the leaders in the establish- ment of the hospital, - being a member of the building committee and on the board of trustees from the beginning, as well as member of the medical board and hospital staff. He is a member of the American Institute of Homoeopathy, Mass. Homoeopathic Medical Society, Boston Homoeopathic Medical Society, of Mass. Surgical and Gynæcological Society. He was for twelve years a member of Somerville School Board, and is greatly interested in the
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temperance cause and in educational matters, and does his part in every worthy enterprise. August 18, 1863, he married Miss Minna S. Gray, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Swanson) Gray of Cambridge. Ilis children are Sewall Albert and Lizzie Mand Carvill.
Chamberlin, Mrs. Harriet A., was born in the Pine Tree State in 1837. She has re- sided in Massachusetts nearly forty years and in Somerville since 1862. Her husband, Russell 'T. Chamberlin, enlisted in 1862 from Somerville in Co. B, 5th Regiment, and is a member of Willard C. Kinsley Post, G. A. R. Mrs. Chamberlin has always been active in relig- ious work, and is a member of the Park-avenue M. E. Church. She assisted in organizing the Woman's Auxiliary to the Y. M. C. A., and is one of its leading members. She has been engaged in temperance work in Somerville for thirty-five years, and is a Past Worthy Patriarch of Clarendon Division, Sons of Temperance. She has been a constant worker in the W. C. T. U. since its organization, and was several times elected a delegate to its State Conventions. Mrs. Chamberlin assisted in organizing and was the second president of the Daughters of Maine. She is a member of the Ladies' Aid Association of the Soldiers' Home in Massa- chusetts, and has been interested in the work for ten years. In 1887 she joined Willard C. Kinsley Relief Corps, and was its president in 1891 and 1892. A gain in membership and interest was the result; of her leadership. She has served as a representative in several department conventions, and visited various parts of the State on official work. She has made several trips to the South and West as a delegate from the Department of Massachu- setts to the National Convention of the W. R. C. She is also interested in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which her husband is a member. Her name is on the charter of Ramona Lodge, Daughters of Rebekah, and she was its first (lady) Noble Grand. She is a member of the IIelping Hand Society for the Aid of the Working Girls' Home in Boston. When the Ladies' Aid Association was formed to assist the Somerville Hospital, she became an active member, and was its president two years. She is earnest in all her work, and has a zealous interest in the welfare of others. Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlin have one daughter, who, since her marriage, has resided in Washington, D. C.
Chandler, Leonard B., was born in Princeton, Mass., August 29, 1851 ; he attended the schools of that town until 1870, working on the farm in the meanwhile. At the age of nineteen he located in Charlestown, and soon bought a milk route in Boston, which he still owns. In 1873 he moved to Jaques street in this city, where he continues to reside. Mr. Chandler is a member of Cœur de Lion Commandery, K. T .; Somerville Royal Arch Chapter, R. A. M .; John Abbot Lodge, F. A. A. M .; Highland Chapter of the Eastern Star, Winter Ilill Encampment, Erminie Lodge, Daughters of Rebekah; and is a Past Grand of Paul Revere Lodge, I. O. O. F. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. and the N. E. O. P. Mr. Chandler was two years in the Common Council, two years in the Board of Aldermen, and was elected a member of the General Court in November, 1896.
Chase, Daniel E., senoir partner and founder of the firm of Daniel E. Chase and Company, was born at Warner, N. Il., on the 3Ist of October, 1829, and is one of the well-known family descended from Aquila Chase, a family which has included among its more prominent members such men as Salmon. P. Chase, Chief Justice of the United States, and Senator from and Governor of Ohio, Bishop Chase of New Hampshire, Judge Horace Chase of Merrimack County, and other eminent men who have figured in our national history for several generations. Mr. Chase came to Boston from New Hampshire in 1850, and entered the firm of Ezra Trull and Company in 1857. Shortly after the death of Mr. Trull in 1864 a new firm was formed under the style of Chase and Trull, the senior partner being the late Colonel Ezra J. Trull, who was widely known in military and business circles throughout the State. The firm of Chase and Trull were at one time the largest distillers of New England rum in the world. Mr. Chase was Alderman from Ward 2 in the first City Govern- ment of Somerville, and has served on the School Board. In 1863 he connected himself
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with the Masonic fraternity, and rising quickly to prominence in that organization, before 1873 had been elected to fill the highest offices in lodge, chapter and commandery, and is to-day one of the best informed Masons in Massachusetts. Mr. Chase was the first High Priest of the Somerville Chapter, Royal Arch Masons.
Cheney, Frederick E., son of Edward W. and Lizzie M. (Adams) Cheney, was born in Nashua, N. H., October 1, 1855. He was educated in the schools of Wilton, N. H., graduating from the high school of that town. After leaving school he entered the employ of David Whiting & Sons, remaining about eleven years. He then came to Somerville, and in 1880 established himself in the grocery business at the corner of Marshall and Pearl streets. IIe subsequently moved to his present spacious store in Odd Fellows' Building, where he carries on a large and lucrative business, his establishment being well known as one of the most reliable in the city. Mr. Cheney was married to Miss Fannie B. Clark, February 23, 1885. They have one child and have lost two. He is a member of Paul Revere Lodge, I. O.O. F., of which he is a Past Noble Grand; Unity Council, Royal Arcanum; Soley Lodge. F. A. A. M .; and has for six years been a collector in the Arcanum.
Clark, Elijah C., son of Leonard and Harriet (Clement) Clark, was born at East Corinth, Me., August 23, 1845. Ile was educated in the district schools, at the East Corinth Academy, and at Bryant and Stratton's College. Bangor, Me. He enlisted in the Ist Maine Heavy Artillery in 1863, and served until the close of the war. He was seriously wounded at Petersburg, June 18, 1864, was at the capture of Richmond and Petersburg, and at the surrender of Lee's army, April 9, 1865. He came to Somerville in 1872, and served the city in the Common Council in 1878 and 1879, and in the Board of Aldermen in 1880, 1881 and 1882. He was representative to the Massachusetts Legislature in 1883 and 1884, and has been a trustee of the Public Library since 1889. He is engaged in the wholesale fruit and produce business in Boston, and is a member of the Boston Fruit and Produce Exchange ; of the Soley Lodge, F. A. A. M. ; Somerville R. A. Chapter ; De Molay Com- mandery, K. T .; Excelsior Council, R. A. ; the Central Club, and Taylor Club of Boston, and is president of the Webcowit Club. Mr. Clark married Viola J. Peaslee, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Holland) Peaslee of Newton, N. II. They reside on Rush street.
Clark, Joseph, was born in Windham, N. H., March 1. 1798, the son of James and Mary Clark. He was a veteran of the war of 1812, and was a selectman of Somerville for five years. Mr. Clark married Miss Lucy Locke of Charlestown in 1825, and in 1839 built the house on Washington street where he lived for forty years. He carried on an extensive business as a brick manufacturer. He died March 26, 1879.
Clark, J. Foster, was born at Walpole, N. II., October 28, 1832. In 1840 his parents removed to Alabama, Genesee County, N. Y. He was educated at the Cary Collegiate Institute of Oakfield, N. Y. In 1852 he came to Boston and entered the employ of Jaazaniah Gross, and came to Somerville to reside in 1854. In 1860 he was married to Martha B. Cutter, youngest daughter of Fitch and Lucy Hathorn Cutter, one of the oldest families of Somerville. In 1865 he went to Titusville, Pa., and remained there nine years, engaged in the oil business; he was president of the Titusville Oil Exchange three years. He was made a Master Mason in Revere Lodge, Boston, in 1857, was one of the charter members of Soley Lodge, F. A. A. M., of Somerville, in 1879, and in 1881 was elected Wor- shipful Master; in 1864 he became a member of St. Andrews Royal Arch Chapter of Boston, and in 1881 joined De Molay Commandery of Knights Templar of Boston. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, Home Circle, Boston Chamber of Commerce, the Boston Fruit and Produce Exchange, Hull Yacht Club and Webcowit Club, of which he was the first president. He is engaged in the wholesale flour and produce business at 80 Commercial street, Boston.
Clarridge, George F., was born in Charlestown, Mass., December 4, 1852, and re-
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ceived his edneation in the public schools of that city. In 1868 he entered the employ of Dr. II. 1. Bowker & Co., of Boston, where he remained sixteen years learning the busi- ness of manufacturing chemist. On January 1, 1885, he formed a copartnership with Il. Cleveland Beach of Hebron, Ct., now of Malden, Mass., for the purpose of manufacturing soda-water flavors, fruit juices, etc. They opened a factory at 42 India street, Boston, and three years later occupied the premises 41, 42 and 43 India street. Owing to the rapid growth of the business, they were soon obliged to secure larger quarters, and are now es- tablished in the five-story building, 52 to 58 Eastern avenue. In June, 1893, a corporation was formed under the laws of the commonwealth, and Mr. Clarridge was elected treasurer, which office he now holds. Their business extends throughout the United States and Canada, and into foreign countries.
Mr. Clarridge has had ten years' military experience, joining the Charlestown Cadets, Company A, Fifth Regiment, M. V. M., in 1870, and in 1878 was elected first lieutenant. In 1879 he married a daughter of Andrew Tower of Charlestown, and has since resided in Somerville, where he has been actively identified with the Broadway M. E. Church, is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Y. M. C. A., and for the past two years its president.
Cole, Dr. Anna B. Taylor, was born at Lisbon, N. H. Her parents removed to Whitefield, N. II., when she was three years of age, and she was educated in the public schools of that town and at the Salem Normal School. After having taught school about three years, her attention was called to the great opportunities for doing good which the medical profession affords, and a natural aptitude for the care of the sick led her finally to the study of medicine at the Boston University Medical School, where she graduated in 1884. While a student, in spite of delicate health, she frequently served as night nurse, thereby ac- quiring valuable experience for her future work. Dr. Taylor practiced medicine six years in Charlestown. She moved to Somerville in 1890. In 1894 she was married to Herbert A. Cole of Somerville. She is a member of the Massachusetts State Homoeopathic Medical Society, Boston Medical Society, Hahnemannian Club, Surgical and Gynæcological Club, and of the Heptorean Club of Somerville.
Cox, Edward, was born in Northampton, England, October 12, 1836, the son of James and Sarah (Pearson) Cox. His father was a native of Norwich, England, served in the English army, and fought in the battle of Waterloo. Mr. Cox came to this country when about eighteen years of age, and resided in Quincy; later he engaged in the boot and shoe business in Roxbury. In 1857 he moved to Cambridge, entered the real estate business, and built quite extensively. He came to Somerville in 1870 and operated in the real estate business. He married in Cambridge, in 1862, Miss Emma A. Crafts, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Crafts of Nottingham, England. He resides on Central street.
Crosby, Cyrus F., son of Captain Michael and Margaret T. (Richardson) Crosby, was born in Billerica, Mass., Sept. 2, 1822. He attended the public schools of that town, and was graduated from the Billerica Academy. When very young, being on his way to Boston Mar- ket with his father, he witnessed the burning of the Ursuline Convent. He remembers dis- tinctly seeing the boats running on the Middlesex Canal through his native town on their way to Boston, where they landed their freight on Canal street; also the first train of cars running from Lowell to Boston. He moved to Somerville in 1851. His business was that of milk-contractor, bringing milk in cars from various towns in New Hampshire and Massa- chusetts. He was a charter member, and assisted in laying the corner-stone of the Franklin- street Congregational Church. He was many years chairman of the Parish Committee and superintendent of the Sunday-school. He was a member of the last Board of Selectmen of Somerville, and from 1860 to 1864 was a member of the School Board. He was married in 1843 to Miss Lois E. Lane of Bedford, Mass. Mr. Crosby resides at 96 Glen street.
EDWARD COX.
Residence of EDWARD Cox, 36 Central Street.
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Cummings, David, son of Samuel and Joanna (Andrews) Cummings, was born in Mid- dleton, Mass. His boyhood days were passed in that town and in Wenham, in both which places he attended school and acquired the rudiments of his education. At the age of ten years he took up his residence with his uncle, Mr. Sylvester Cummings in Boxford, and attended school there in winters and worked on the farm in summers, as most country boys did at that time. He remained in Boxford about five years, and then went to Danvers, where he worked at farming in the summers and at shoemaking in the winters. In 1847 Jonas Warren, a merchant of long standing in Danversport, and one well known in Essex County, offered him a position in his store which was accepted ; and he continued in it two years, when, in con- sequence of a severe illness, he was obliged to resign. He subsequently began manufactur- ing shoes in a small way for himself, and has continued in the business in company with his brother and others until the present time, their output having greatly increased and been for many years ranked among the largest and most popular of goods in their line on the market. Mr. Cummings is the head of the firm, and it is due largely to his industry and strict attention to business that the firm occupies its present high position.
Mr. Cummings is president of the Somerville Electric Light Company, a director in the Cotton and Woolen Manufacturers' Mutual Insurance Co., and one of the trustees of Tufts Col- lege and of Dean Academy at Franklin, Mass. He married Olive Caroline Ross, daughter of Deacon James and Lovey (Huntress) Ross of Shapleigh, Me. They reside at 8 Union street.
Cummings, John Addison, was born in Nelson, N. H., January 16, 1838. His early education was obtained in the common schools of his native town and the Scientific and Literary Institute in New London, N. H., where he remained two years, teaching school during the winter. He then began the study of law, and continued it until the war broke out, when he was among the first to enlist. He was commissioned a lieutenant in the 6th New Hampshire Volunteers at the age of twenty-three, and served three years in that regi- ment in the Army of the Potomac and in the West. He was then made major of the Ist New Hampshire Cavalry, and served with Sheridan until the close of the war. After spend- ing two years at the West, he returned to Boston and entered the printing business in 1867. He took up his residence in Somerville, and became the publisher of the Somerville " Jour- nal " in 1871-72. In 1874 he was elected to the Legislature, and served two years. He was a member of the Board of Aldermen in 1877 and 1878. In 1881 he was elected mayor, which office he held for four consecutive years. His record in this capacity reflects great credit upon him. He was faithful, courtcous and painstaking, at the same time fearless and justly conservative in municipal affairs. He died January 6, 1887. The Cummings School was built during his mayoralty, and named for him in 1884.
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