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 30
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Cunningham, Thomas, was born in Groton, Mass., January 3, 1815. He came to Boston in 1823, and attended the Fort Hill and Hawkins-street schools until 1828, when his father died, leaving to his care a mother and five sisters. From that time to the present year he was always an active worker in whatever occupation he was engaged.
After working in various lines of business, he began to follow the sea in April, 1832, continuing until February, 1857, when he took up his permanent abode in Somerville. He rose to be captain, and was master of some of the finest ships sailing the ocean.
The last ship in which Captain Cunningham sailed was the "Ocean Express," a clipper ship of 2,000 tons, and one of the finest that ever sailed out of Boston. The ship was built at Medford under his personal supervision, in 1854, and cost $98,000. Her first freight bill was $83,500 for a trip from Chinchilla Island to Liverpool with guano.
Upon quitting the sea he went into business in Boston, and in 1857 built the house he occupied at the time of his death, on Oak street, in this city. He was elected to the Board of Selectmen in 1860, and served during and after the war. He was very active in the work of raising money for war purposes, and did a great deal for the relief of the soldiers. When
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the war broke out he became recruiting officer of the town. He enrolled the town for the draft in 1863, and from 1862 to 1872 he paid out all the State aid, beside the finances of the " soldiers' relief fund." He went to the front three times with soldiers' goods, and visited Washington several times in regard to Somerville's quota.
From 1863 to 1872 he filled the office of town treasurer, and for the succeeding four years he was a member of the Water Board. For thirteen years he was assessor, and for ten years he was overseer of the poor.
He was representative in the General Court in 1876 and 1878 under Speaker and after- ward Governor John D. Long. It was in 1877 that a bill was being considered to aid vete- ran soldiers and their families. Somc member of the House complained that it was opening the way for too liberal expenditure in that direction. Captain Cunningham, fired by patriot- ism, and remembering the days of the rebellion, took the floor, and advocated opening the flood-gates to assist the veteran, the widow and the fatherless, caused by the war. The cap- tain succeeded in carrying his point, and was warmly congratulated by Speaker Long. It was during his second year in the House that he secured the registry of deeds building in East Cambridge.
In 1888 he was appointed inspector of milk, and inspector of vinegar in 1889, holding both positions until March, 1896, when he retired to private life. Until last January he also held for several years the important office of inspector of animals and provisions.
Captain Cunningham was very prominent in Masonic and other fraternal organizations. He was a member of Boston Commandery, Knights Templar, John Abbot Lodge, F. A. A. M., and Somerville Royal Arch Chapter, also of Oasis Lodge of Odd Fellows. He was an honor- ary, and formerly an active, member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston, a member of the National Lancers, and the Somcrville Veteran Firemen's Associa- tion, and an honorary member of the Somerville Light Infantry.
IIis church relations were with the Prospect Hill Congregational Church, where he pro- fessed conversion, and joined the church Easter Sunday, 1890. Till the time of his death he continued an active member of that church. Many other positions of honor and trust were held by the captain. For many years previous to his death he was a director in the Cambridge National Bank. He was also superintendent, treasurer and part owner in the Somerville Union Hall Company, which organization owns the large wooden block in Union square, betwcen Somerville avenue and Washington street.
Captain Cunningham was twice married. His first wife was Maria C. Ingalls of An- dover ; his second wife was Annie I., daughter of Rev. Wilson and Jane A. C. Ingalls, of Kinderhook, N. Y.
In December, 1895, Captain Cunningham received an apoplectic shock, and from that time until his death, which occurred August 10, 1896, he was an invalid. Ilis funeral was most impressive, and the large attendance of prominent citizens showed the high estimation in which he was held.
Curtis, Henry Fuller, M. D., son of Capt. Henry Fuller Curtis and Harriet Elizabeth ( Worth) Curtis, was born at Kennebunk, Me., Aug. 22, 1864. Of pure New England an- cestry, his father, of the fifth generation from the original American ancestor of that name, followed the sea in his early life, and during the War of the Rebellion entered the United States Navy and had command of the despatch boat Gamma until peace was declared. His maternal grandfather, the Rev. Edmund Worth of Kennebunk, Me., who died in his ninety- first year, was a Baptist clergyman, well known in the States of Maine and New Hampshire as being prominent in religious and educational work, and also serving as representative to the General Court of the State of New Hampshire. He continued his public services up to within a few weeks of his death. An address written and delivered by him after passing his ninetieth birthday was published and reprinted, and used in the course of instruction in one of our well- known professional schools, an honor which he did not fail to appreciate.
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Dr. Curtis spent his boyhood in Kennebunk, attending the public schools of that place. In the fall of 1882 he entered the Waterville Classical Institute, now Coburn Classical Insti- tute, of Waterville, Me., and graduated from it in the class of 1883. He then entered Colby University, and was graduated from it in the class of 1887. In the fall of 1887 he entered the Harvard Medical School, and graduated from it in the class of 1891. Dur- ing the year previous to July 1, 1891, he also served as house physician and surgeon at the Carney Hospital, South Boston, Mass. Dr. Curtis settled in East Somerville in August, 1891, where he has since successfully practiced his profession. On July 8, 1891, Dr. Curtis married Jenny Martin Wales of Boston, daughter of the late Martin Wales of Stoughton, Mass., and Olive E. Wales. They have two children : Susan Wales Curtis, born May 15, 1892; and Alice Elizabeth Curtis, born March 12, 1896.
Dr. Curtis is a member of Soley Lodge, F. A. A. M., Excelsior Council, Royal Arcanum, Charlestown Commandery, U. O. G. C., Evening Star Lodge, Knights and Ladies of Honor, Somerville Medical Society, Fellow of the Massachusetts Medical Society, and for two years served on the Board of Censors of the last-named organization. He acts as medical examiner for several life insurance companies and benefit orders. Since the organization of the Somerville Hospital Dr. Curtis has been connected with it as assistant physican and sur- geon. He resides at 145 Perkins street, East Somerville.
Cushman, Charles A., was born in Newburyport, March 5, 1847, the son of Charles W. and Jane ( Hall) Cushman, of that city. His parents moved to Phillips, Me., when he was quite young, and he received his education in the public schools of that place. After leaving school he was employed for a year by the Androscoggin Railroad, now the Maine Central, and in 1870 he came to Somerville. He entered the employ of North, Merriam & Co., afterward C. H. North & Co., and now the North Packing & Provision Co., with whom he still remains. Mr. Cushman has been superintendent of the packing-house for the past eighteen years. He is P. M. of John Abbot Lodge, F. A. A. M., member of Somerville R. A. Chapter, Orient Council, R. and S. M., Cœur de Lion Commandery and Scottish Rite Masonry; is also a P. G. of Oasis Lodge, P. C. P. Somerville Encampment, I. O. O. F., and is a director in the Somerville Savings Bank. Mr. Cushman married, in 1868, Miss Calista M., daughter of Daniel and Affie (Wass) Curtis of Addison, Me. They reside on Prospect Hill avenue.
Cutler, Samuel Newton, son of Samuel and Sarah Jane (Bennett) Cutler, was born in Boston, January 25, 1855. His parents removed to East Somerville early in 1856, and have since resided there. He was graduated from the Prescott School in 1869, from the high school in 1873, and from Harvard College in 1877, receiving the degree of A. B. cum laude. He obtained several prizes during his college course, and was admitted to the famous Phi Beta Kappa Society. After brief experience in teaching and in western life, in 1880, he was employed by Messrs. Hill and Cutler, dealers in cotton and cotton waste, and became a partner of this firm in 1892. November 9, 1882, he married Miss Ella Frances Stearns, daughter of Hiram N. and Charlotte A. Stearns of Somerville. He is a consistent member of the East Somerville Baptist Church, and teacher of a Bible class in the Sunday school.
He has always taken great interest in the cause of education, and is now serving his eleventh consecutive year on the School Board, having been first elected from Ward I in 1885. He is a member of the Vermont Association of Boston, of Excelsior Council, Royal Arcanum, a trustee of Somerville Savings Bank and a member of its auditing committee. He resides at 28 Flint street.
Dana, N. B., was born at Canton, Mass., March 10, 1846, the son of George H. and Sarah A. (Whipp) Dana. He was educated in the public schools of his native town, and after completing his education he entered the post-office at Canton as assistant post- master, which position he held four years. He then, in 1877, entered the service of the Bos-
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ton and Lowell Railroad as freight and passenger train-man, was appointed traveling pas- senger agent and spare conductor in 1879, in 1881 was appointed assistant ticket agent at the Boston passenger station, and in 1884 was appointed ticket agent, which position he held until the completion of the new Union Station, June 1, 1894, when that office was con- solidated with those of the Eastern and Western Divisions. Ile was then appointed city ticket agent, which position he now holds, the office being located at 322 Washington street, Boston. Mr. Dana was married to Miss Phena B. Robinson of Cutler, Me., October 15, 1877 ; they have one son, Ralph B., and reside at 37 Dartmouth street.
Mr. Dana is a member of Blue Hill Lodge, F. A. A. M., of Canton, Mass .; the Somer- ville Royal Arch Chapter, Orient Council of Royal and Select Masters, and a life member of Boston Commandery, K. T., Paul Revere Lodge, I. O. O. F., Winter Hill Encampment, Er- minie Lodge, Daughters of Rebekah, and has recently been appointed to the important posi- tion of Grand Marshal of the Grand Lodge, I. O. O. F.
Davis, Joshua H., was born at Truro, November 4, 1814. He was educated in the schools of his native town and at the Teachers' Seminary, Andover, graduating in 1838. From 1840 to 1854 he was principal of the Truro Academy, resigning on account of failing health, He was afterward secretary of the United States Insurance Company for nine years. In 1854 he took up his residence in Somerville, and was for twenty-five years identified with the educational interests of our city. He was a member of the School Board for three years, and was elected superintendent of schools in 1866, a position which he filled with great ability for twenty-two years. He resigned in 1888, honored and beloved by the entire city. He was a member of the Legislature in 1889 and 1890.
No man has had greater influence in shaping and elevating our public school system, or has rendercd more efficient service in promoting the educational, the moral, and the re- ligious interests of our people. The purity and nobleness of his character as a Christian gentleman endear him to the thousands who have known him in private and in public, and make his life an inspiration and a model.
The Davis School, on Tufts street, was named for him in 1884.
Davis, Levi F. S., was born at Truro, Mass., October 3, 1847, the son of Benjamin and Betsey (Stevens) Davis, of that town. His education was obtained at the Prescott Grammar School and the High School of Somerville. On leaving school he entered upon commercial life, and is still engaged in the business of ship brokerage, chandlery and whole- sale paper stock. Mr. Davis came to Somerville in 1856, and served the city in the Common Council of 1881 and 1882, and the Board of Aldermen of 1883 and 1884, the last year as president of the board, and represented the city in the Legislatures of 1885 and 1886. Mr. Davis is a member of Soley Lodge, F. A. M .; Oasis Lodge, I. O. O. F .; and several frater- nal organizations. Mr. Davis married Miss Mary A., daughter of Captain Edgar and Mary (Stevens) Paine, of Truro. They reside on Pearl street.
Davlin, James F., was born in Lowell, April 25, 1842, the son of Michael F. and Nancy (McCollough ) Davlin. His education was obtained in the Lowell Grammar Schools. At sixteen he learned the plumber's trade in New York. In 1862 he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving in the South Atlantic squadron; was promoted to signal quartermaster, and attached to the staff of Admiral Dahlgren. He settled, after the war, in Cambridge as a master plumber, and there in 1874 and 1876 was a member of the City Council. In 1878 he came to Somerville, where his business has since been sanitary plumbing. Mr. Davlin has represented Ward 2 in the Legislature. He has served a term as commander of Post 139, G. A. R .; as president of St. Joseph Total Abstinence Society; and president of the Master Plumbers' Association of Boston and vicinity, and of the Somerville Celts. He has frequently been a delegate to the national conventions of the Master Plumbers of the United States, and is now chairman of the national legislative committee of Master Plum-
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bers. He is a member of the Kearsarge Naval Veterans; a member of Niagara Tribe, I. O. R. M .; the Royal Order of Good Fellows, Order of United Workmen, Order of Franklin, and the Somerville Catholic Lyceum. Mr. Davlin married, in 1866, Miss Rebecca A. Dow, daughter of William and Rebecca (Edgecomb) Dow, of Lisbon, Me. They reside on Kingman court.
Day, William J., was born in Ipswich, England, January 6, 1859. His mother died when he was nine months old. In 1867 he came with his father, Joshua Day, to America, finding a residence at Johnstown, N. Y. His father and grandfather were both Baptist preachers. Mr. Day was converted at the age of fifteen, and baptized by his father in the North Baptist Church, Newark, N. J. About a year afterward the family removed to the city of Albany, N. Y., the father having accepted a call to become the pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church. After a year of ministry the pastoral relations were severed by the hand of death. Necessity now compelled the son to shift for himself. Employment was found with the East New York Boot and Shoe Co. of that city, with whom Mr. Day remained two years.
It was while in the employ of this company, that Mr. Day received his first impres- sions relative to entering the ministry, and making that his life-work. Private studies were pursued under his pastor, the Rev. John Humpstone. These studies were continued at Col- gate Academy and Madison, now Colgate University, at Hamilton, N. Y. Mr. Day left this institution in 1885, and accepted a call to become the pastor of the Croton Baptist Church, Croton, Delaware Co., N. Y. He was ordained the following year, February 19, 1886. This first pastorate lasted five years. From Croton Mr. Day went to Cobleskill, Schoharie Co., N. Y. After a two years' ministry he was called to become the pastor of the Winter Ilill Baptist Church, entering upon his labors May 1, 1892.
Dennett, Nathaniel, who comes of good old New England stock, was born in Ports- mouth, N. H., where his earlier years were passed and the development of his natural mechanical and engineering tastes began. Removing to Massachusetts, his technical know- ledge very readily secured him suitable employment, and in 1858 he made an engagement with the Union Glass Company, with which corporation he remained about four years. Meanwhile the War of the Rebellion had broken out, and in 1862 he enlisted in the Fifth Massachu- setts Regiment, serving therewith nine months in the Carolinas, much of that time on de- tached service in the line of his special abilities, and he was also on duty, for about three months, at the Watertown arsenal, immediately after his return from the South. He then re-entered the employ of the Union Glass Company, remaining therein until 1872, when he engaged in the plumbing, gas and steam fitting business on his own account.
In 1877 he was chosen superintendent of the Somerville Mystic Water Works, and has been unanimously re-elected to that responsible position every year since, receiving from successive water boards the most unequivocal expressions of satisfaction with the skillful and thorough manner in which his duties have been performed. Under his direction the water system of Somerville has been almost entirely reconstructed, and to his perception, study and ingenuity the city is indebted for numerous innovations and improvements where- by the effectiveness of the service, in all its branches, has been materially increased. The work of introducing the high service was fully intrusted to his supervision, and so thoroughly performed that, for the last six years, the supply of water for protection against fire, street sprinkling, industrial uses and building operations has been ample and unfailing, while that for domestic purposes has met all the demands of a large and steadily increasing population, quite as uninterruptedly.
Mr. Dennett holds an enviable position among hydraulic engineers, and the high estimation in which his opinions on all matters connected with his profession are held is attested by the frequency with which he is called into consultation with his contempor-
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aries in other places. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Knights of Honor, Royal Arcanum, New England Water Works Association, and Willard C. Kinsley Post 139, G. A. R. Ever since the war he has taken an active interest in everything affecting the welfare of the veteran soldiers, among whom he enjoys a reputation as a generous and disinterested fri end which rests on a most substantial foundation.
Dickerman, Frank E., son of Quincy E. and Rebecca M. (Perkins) Dickerman, was born January, 1865, in Charlestown, Mass. He attended school in Somerville and Boston, graduating from the Brimmer School of the latter city, and from the Somerville High School, maintaining a high rank throughout in his school work. In 1886 he was graduated from Harvard College, and from the Harvard Law School in 1889.
lle entered the law office of Hale and Richardson, and on the appointment of Mr. Richardson to the bench he became a partner of Mr. Hale, and the firm name became Ilale and Dickerman, as at present. He has served as president of the Somerville Common Coun- cil, and in January, 1896, was chosen president of the Central Club. He is a member of Soley Lodge, A. F. and A. M., of Somerville R. A. Chapter, and of the University Club of Boston. He resides at 47 Craigie street.
Dickerman, Quincy E., was born in Stoughton. He was educated at the Phillips Academy and the State Normal School at Bridgewater. Mr. Dickerman came to Somerville in 1870. He has served on the School Committee since 1873. He is a member of Soley Lodge, F. A. M .; and Somerville Chapter, R. A. M., of which he is a past H. P .; and Winter Hill Lodge, K. H. Mr. Dickerman has been for many years the highly successful and popular principal of the Brimmer Grammar School, Boston. He resides on Central street.
Dodge, Albert L., the son of Reuben and Betsey (Smith) Dodge, was born at Chelsea, Vt., December 6, 1831. His education was obtained at Royalton, Vt., to which town his father removed in 1832. He came to Boston in 1853, and entered the employ of Tarbell & Dana, wholesale grocers, where he remained eleven years, leaving them to embark in the same business under the firm name of Tate, Stone and Dodge. This firm dissolved in 1868, when he entered the employ of Haskell & Adams, wholesale grocers, as buyer and salesman, which position he still holds. In 1857 he married Sarah A., daughter of Charles D. and Eleanor (Stinson) Austin of Halifax, N. S. They have had five children, three of whom are living. He removed to Somerville in 1863, and in 1872 built his present residence at 38 Vinal avenue. Mr. Dodge has always taken a deep interest in religious work, and has been an official member of the First M. E. Church, of which he is now class leader and treasurer of the board of trustees.
Dodge, Seward, was born at Hamilton, Mass., September 12, 1823. At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to Ezra Batchelder of Beverly, Mass., who was a ship and car- riage smith and general blacksmith. After serving his full time as apprentice, he engaged with John Dodge of South Danvers, with whom he worked eleven months; he then came to Charlestown and entered the employ of Hittinger & Cook, working at horse-shoeing and blacksmithing for nearly two years. On May 13, 1847, he removed to Somerville and con- tinued at his trade of horse-shoeing, wagon building, etc., and he is still engaged at the same calling, his large and prosperous establishment at Union square being familiar to most of our residents. Mr. Dodge has served the city in both branches, having been a member of the Common Council two years, and a member of the Board of Aldermen the same length of time. He is a member of John Abbot Lodge, F. A. A. M .; of New England Lodge No. 4, Odd Fellows and Encampment; of the Royal Arcanum and Knights of Honor. IIe was for a long period an active member of the National Lancers of Boston under Captains Dear- born, Slade and Kenny, and is justly proud of his connection with that famous corps.
Donovan, Michael T., was born at Concord, N. H., November 17, 1857, son of
MICHAEL T. DONOVAN.
CYRUS F. CROSBY.
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Michael and Nancy (Collins) Donovan. He was educated in the public schools of his native city, completing the course in the high school at the age of sixteen years. Imme- diately after leaving school, he entered the office of the "New Hampshire Patriot," one of the oldest newspapers in the country, then owned and edited by the late Colonel E. C. Bailey, who at one time owned the " Boston Herald." He remained at newspaper work until opportunity was given him to enter the railroad field. He came to Boston, eighteen years ago, to enter the service of the Boston & Lowell Railroad, and steadily advanced to the position of Chief Clerk of the General Freight Department. In September, 1887, he was appointed Assistant General Freight Agent of the Concord Railroad at Concord, N. H., which position he held for one year and resigned to accept a responsible position in Boston with the Canadian Pacific Despatch, a fast freight line operated by the Boston & Maine Railroad, and the Canadian Pacific Railway. In February, 1891, he was promoted to the position of Assistant to the General Freight Agent, and August 1, 1892, was appointed General Freight Agent of the Boston & Maine Railroad, which position he now occupies. He resides at West Somerville.
Duddy, Robert, son of William and Catherine (Alger) Duddy, was born at the " North End" in Boston, February 17, 1843. After receiving his education at the Elliot School, he learned the cooper's trade, and subsequently the produce business. He served through- out the Civil War in the Eleventh Massachusetts Battery in the Army of the Potomac, and was in all the engagements of Grant's army in 1864 and 1865. At the close of the war he was engaged in the trucking business in Boston, in which he continued for twenty years. He came to Somerville in 1881, and ten years later established the horse-boarding and sale- stable on Pearl street. He was a member of the Common Council of Somerville in 1886 and 1887, and of the Board of Aldermen of 1888 and 1889, serving as chairman of some of the most important committees under Mayors Burns and Pope.
Mr. Duddy represented the Seventh Middlesex District in the Legislature of 1894, being honored by the " largest vote ever given a Somerville representative." He was on the committee to represent the State at the dedication of the Robert G. Shaw monument, and in 1895 was, with the late Governor F. T. Greenhalge, a delegate at the dedication of the National Cemetery at Chattanooga and Chickamauga. Under Ex-Mayor Wm. L. Hodgkins. he was appointed superintendent of the Health Department, which position he resigned last September to accept the office of deputy sheriff and court officer for Middlesex County. Mr. Duddy married Miss Mary E. Corey, daughter of James and Julia (Long) Corey of Boston, and has a family of three daughters and one son. They reside on Bond street. Mr. Duddy is a member of Temple Lodge, F. A. A. M .; Signet Chapter, R. A. M .; Orient Council, R. & S. M .; Capt .- Gen. of Cœur de Lion Commandery, K. T .; Paul Revere Lodge, I. O. O. F .; Monument Council, R. A. He is an ex-president of the Winter Hill Club, and of the Eleventh Massachusetts Battery Association. At the semi-centennial celebration in this city in 1892 he was appointed colonel of the second division by Gen. Thomas Wentworth.
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