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 39
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When the military branch of Odd Fellowship was organized, he entered heartily into its plans; in 1886 was elected commandant of Canton Washington, serving three years; while holding this office he organized a drill corps; in 1888 they entered the international competitive drill, which took place in Cincinnati, O., this corps winning three prizes; for several years the corps was well known throughout the State for its efficiency in display drill, giving many exhibitions. On retiring from the office of commandant, he was elected colonel of the Second Regiment, Patriarchs Militant, holding the commission two years. In the semi-centennial procession in 1892 Mr. Ralph commanded the fourth division, which comprised the Masonic and Odd Fellow organizations of this city. He is also past grand of Ivaloo Lodge No. 7, D. of R .; past regent, Excelsior Council No. 3, Royal Arcanum; and a member of John Abbot Lodge, A. F. and A. M., and of Winter Hill Lodge No. 18, A. O. U. W.
Raymond, Francis H., was born in Charlestown, February 19, 1836, the son of Francis L. and Abigail (Fosdick ) Raymond. He attended the public schools of the town, and after leaving the high school entered the employ of J. B. Hanson, in the wholesale grocery business in Boston. He was afterwards with Robinson & Holbrook, and in 1865 the firm of Robinson, Nourse & Raymond was formed. F. II. Raymond & Co. were its successors. In 1876 Mr. Raymond left the grocery business and became treasurer of the American Arms Company, in which he was interested. Two years later he was chosen treasurer of the Cam- bridge Electric Light Company, which position he now holds. He has been a director of the Market National Bank for the past twenty-two years. Mr. Raymond was a trustee of the Public Library in 1876, 1877 and 1878. In 1887 he was elected to represent Ward 2 in the
Residence of LYMAN B. RICH, 381 Medford Street.
WILFRED B. RICH.
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House of Representatives, where he served three years, 1888, 1889 and 1890. He was Senator in 1891 and 1892, and a member of the Governor's Council in 1895 and 1896. Mr. Raymond married Martha L., daughter of Samuel T. and Sarah (Hobbs) Frost, of Somer- ville. They reside on Laurel street.
Raymond, Marcus M., was born in Boxboro, Mass., February 1, 1841, son of Nathan and Hannah (Ilapgood) Raymond. He received his education in the schools of Boxboro, Princeton and Lowell, and after leaving school worked five years on the farm; he then learned the machinist's trade at Lowell, and worked at it six years. He subsequently came to Boston, and embarked in the milk business, in which he was engaged about thirty years. After a residence of six years in Charlestown he came to Somerville in 1873, and located on Jaques street, in the house which he now occupies. Mr. Raymond is a member of Winter Hill Lodge, Knights of Honor, and represents Ward 3 in the City Council.
Reed, Nathan H., son of Nathan O. and Nancy (Bacon) Reed, was born in Bedford, Mass., May 25, 1848. He finished his education at Lawrence Academy, Groton, and came to Somerville twenty-seven years ago. Ile has served the city as Councilman, Alderman, Overseer of the Poor, and is now one of the principal assessors. Mr. Reed has been for seven years chairman of the standing committee of the First Unitarian Church, and has been treasurer of the Associated Charities of Somerville since its organization. He was en- gaged in the provision business for many years, - later in real estate, and at the present time at the foundry on Washington street, and has now many interests in real estate in Somerville and elsewhere. Mr. Reed is a member of Soley Lodge, A. F. and A. M., Oasis Lodge, I. O. O. F., and Washington Council, Home Circle. He married Clara B. Parker of Billerica, and they have two children, Nathan Parker and Mary Baldwin. IIe resides in a handsome residence, erected by him during the past year at 35 Pearl street.
Rich, Lyman B., was born at Truro, Mass., in 1834, the son of Zephaniah and Betsey (Bangs) Rich. He was educated in the public schools and in the academy, of which Joshua Il. Davis, former superintendent of Somerville schools, was principal. He married Mary Ellen Mayo, daughter of Captain Nehemiah and Eunice B. (Stone) Mayo, and has one child. He, like many others of the sons of Cape Cod, began to "follow the sea " when quite young, and at the early age of eighteen he became a captain. His voyages, which have been many and to various ports, terminated with a trip to the Mediterranean and to South America, on which voyage he was accompanied by his family. Since retiring from life on the ocean, in 1878, he has been engaged in the ship brokerage business and steamboat agency, and is a member of the firm of Atwood & Rich, 83 Commercial Wharf, Boston. Captain Rich re- moved from Provincetown to Somerville in 1878. He is a member of King Hiram Lodge, F. A. A. M., and Joseph Warren Chapter of Provincetown; is also a member of the Boston Marine Society. He resides at 381 Medford street.
Rich, Wilfred Babson, the son of Ransom and P. Laurette (Chase) Rich, was born in Jackson, Me., April 21, 1855. His ancestors were, on both sides, among the earliest pioneers of the State. In his infancy his parents moved to Bangor, Me., and in his seven- teenth year to Brooks, in the same State. At this time he had completed the studies then taught in the public schools, but was not satisfied with this, and during the next five years, depending almost wholly on his own efforts, by teaching school during the winter months, he obtained a liberal education, attending the state college at Orono and the Maine Central Institute at Pittsfield, Me. In 1877 he entered the law office of Hon. A. W. Paine at Bangor, where he chiefly acquired his legal education, and was admitted to the Penobscot bar in 1880. He at once entered into the active practice of his profession, and the same year conducted the defense in the well-known Meservey-Dunton trial, receiving especial notice from the press. While a student he had taken much interest in politics, making several campaign speeches. He became chairman of the Republican town committee, and in 1882, with Mr. Simonton,
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obtained control of the "Camden Herald," of which he was assistant editor for three years. The same year he was appointed Postmaster by President Arthur, which office he held until near the expiration of his term of four years, when he resigned, after the inauguration of President Cleveland. The same year, 1885, he moved to Boston, since which time he has been engaged in the practice of law, in which lie has been very successful. He has had the settlement of several large estates. He came to Somerville in 1886, but took no part in politics for several years, when he became a member of the ward and city committee, and was elected a member of the Common Council from Ward i for the years 1893 and 1894, and was a member of the Board of Aldermen the following year. He has been treasurer of the Webcowit Club, a member and ex-president of the Owl Club, and past leader of Ilarvard Council No. 51, Home Circle. His residence is at 13 Franklin street.
Robinson, Enoch, was born in Boston in 1801. At seven years of age he was at work with his father, and his early habits of industry, thus acquired, never deserted him. When he was a young man he engaged in business with his brothers in Boston, in the manufacture of ship trimmings and the ship-steering apparatus used fifty years ago. He subsequently went into the hardware business, making door-knobs and locks, and was located on Brattle street for many years. In 1847 he moved from Boston to Somerville, locating on Spring Hill, which was then nothing but a pasture, and in 1856 he erected the celebrated "round house," which is illustrated in this volume. The house is perfectly circular in form, and is probably the only building of its kind used as a residence in this portion of the country. It is three stories high, the upper story being smaller in diameter than the two below it, leaving a balcony above the second story. The interior arrangements of the house are in keeping with its novel form. On one side of the front hall is the library, a circular room with one window. In its center is a small circular table, and in the walls are alcoves for books. On the other side of the hall is the parlor, oval in shape, lighted by two windows, and having an oval table in the center. The front hall leads to a circular entry-way in the center of the house, from which opens the dining-room and the kitchen. From the central entry-way of the first story a stairway leads to a similar entry in the second story, the stairs following the circular walls of the house. From the upper entry open five chambers, with radiating parti- tion walls. On the third floor is a circular balcony, which commands a view of the entries below, while above is a glass dome, which lights them all. Mr. Robinson was a charter member of the East Cambridge Lodge of Odd Fellows, and John Abbot Lodge of Masons, of this city. He died in February, IS88.
Rowell, Cromwell Gibbs, son of Aaron and Ruth (Brown) Rowell, was born at Cor- inth, Vt., August 29, 1827. His education was obtained at the district school and at the academy at Framingham, Mass., to which town his parents had removed in his childhood. His first employment on leaving home was obtained on the sea, and he followed the calling nearly seven years; he then united with his father in the stove business at Framingham. In 1854 he entered the police force of the city of Boston, and remained a member thereof until the opening of the Civil War. He was instrumental in raising the Ninth Regiment, Massa- chusetts Volunteers, in which he was captain of Company D, and afterwards appointed lieutenant-colonel. Subsequently he raised a company which was attached to the Thirtieth Regiment. At the close of the war he re-embarked in the stove business, in which he has remained, and he now occupies a position with the Smith & Anthony Stove Company. In 1867 Col. Rowell was a member of the Legislature from Boston. He came to Somerville in 1869, was a member of the Common Council in 1873, of the Board of Aldermen in 1874 and 1875, of the Water Board, of which he was president, in 1877 and 1888, and has been presi- dent of the Board of Registrars of Voters since 1886. He is a member of John Abbot Lodge, F. A. A. M., Somerville Chapter, R. A. M., Orient Council, R. and S. M., Cœur de Lion Commandery, K. T., Excelsior Council, Royal Arcanum, and Mount Benedict Lodge, K. H.
SOMERVILLE, PAST AND PRESENT. 619
Col. Rowell has been twice married : his first wife was Miss Harriet Maynard, daughter of Lawson and Nancy (Angell) Maynard of Framingham; and his second wife was Miss Lottie A. Larkin, daughter of Henry and Annie Larkin, of Concord, N. H. They reside on Pearl street.
Russell, Irving L., was born in Somerville, on the estate on which he now resides, May 24, 1852, son of Levi and Martha (Smith) Russell. He was educated in the public schools of this city, and in the Warren Academy of Woburn, and Eaton's Commercial Col- lege of Boston. IIe is a market gardener by occupation, cultivating about forty acres, his farm being the largest plant of the kind in Somerville. Mr. Russell served two years, in 1882 and 1883, in the Common Council; three years, 1884, 1885 and 1886, in the Board of Aldermen, being president of that body in the last year of his service; was chairman of the committees on highways, and fuel and street lights. He was a member of the House of Representatives in 1888 and 1889, and was on the committees on labor, woman suffrage and water supply. Mr. Russell married Miss Addie Johns, daughter of Cyrus and Margaret (Kelton) Johns of New York City. They reside at 1323 Broadway.
Russ, George Herman, was born in Belfast, Me., March 17, 1863, the son of Captain James A. and Laura A. (Weymouth) Russ, and a direct descendant in the tenth generation of Henry Russ, who came from Hingham, England, and settled at Ilingham, Mass., about 1633. He attended the public schools at Belfast, and came to Boston in 1878. He attended the Grammar and Latin Schools of Boston, and then went into the law office of Edwin C. Gilman. About a year afterward he began the law course at Boston University, and was ad- mitted to the Suffolk bar in June, 1886. Shortly afterward he accepted a position as assist- ant attorney for the Lamson Store Service Co., which he retained for nearly three years. He then opened an office at 113 Devonshire street, Boston, and devoted himself to general prac- tice, and with gratifying results. Mr. Russ came to Somerville in 1888. He married, in December, 1882, Miss Lilla E. Houghton of Boston; they have three sons, and reside at 28 Montrose street. Mr. Russ served the city as a member of the Common Council in 1892 and 1893. He is a member of the Central Club, Sons of Maine, Paul Revere Lodge, I. O. O. F., and other social organizations, and has been chief patriarch of Winter IIill Encamp- ment, and is a past master workman of Winter Hill Lodge, A. O. U. W.
Rymes, Christopher E., was born in Portsmouth, N. H., September 23, 1827. Ile came to Boston in March, 1844, to learn the machinist's trade, entering the employ of Tuttle & Dow. In 1850 he was employed as foreman in the machine shops of Hittenger, Cook & Co., and was admitted to the firm in 1855. In 1866 the firm name was changed to Cook, Rymes & Co. This partnership continued until April, 1887, when it was dissolved, and all the partners retired from the business. In October, 1864, Mr. Rymes bought the estate on Summer street, Spring Hill, where he has since lived. He was a member of the original committee authorized by the town to contract with the city of Charlestown for the supply of water. He was a member of the first Water Board, and for several years its president. In 1889 he superintended the introduction of the high-water service in Somerville. He served in the first Common Council, and the following year in the Board of Aldermen. He has been a member of the board of trustees of the Public Library for years, and was also one of the trustees of the sinking fund. In 1875 he was elected to the Massachusetts Senate. Mr. Rymes is a life member of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association, a member of John Abbot Lodge, Somerville Chapter, and Boston Commandery of Knights Templar. He was the first president of the Central Club, serving for five years. Mr. Rymes married Almira L., daughter of the late Dr. Joseph Cheever.
Sanborn, Alexander A., was born in Tuftonborough, N. H., February 13, 1833. He was educated in the schools of that town. Coming to Boston in 1849, he entered the ser- vice of the New England Steam and Gas Pipe Company, 61 Charlestown street. About
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1876 he established business for himself in Sudbury street, and in 1881 located at 16 and 18 Post-Office square, where he is still engaged in the heating and ventilating business. On Oc- tober 10, 1856, he was married to Miss Abby 11. Becdy of Phillips, Me. They have one son, Charles HI. Sanborn, who is associated with his father in business. Mr. Sanborn is a mem- ber of Somerville Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, Orient Council, Somerville, and Cocur de Lion Commandery of Charlestown.
Sanborn, Caleb Leavitt, son of Jefferson and Martha A. Sanborn, was born in Tuf- tonborough, N. II., January 12, 1843. Ile received his education in the schools of his native town, and in Meredith, N. II. At the age of eighteen he came to Boston and learned the steam-fitter's trade, and subsequently was with Fuller and Ford in Chicago as foreman two years. After returning to Boston, he accepted a position with Braman, Dow & Co., 3 and 4 Haymarket square, which he still holds. Ile married Elizabeth A. Favor of Manchester, N. H., November 21, 1874; they moved to Somerville, February 21, 1875, and at present reside at 21 Willow avenue. They have one child, a daughter, and lost an infant son. Mr. San- born is a member of National Lodge, F. A. A. M., of Chicago, Ill., the Howard Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Charlestown, Mass., Brookline Lodge, K. of II., and several benefit organiza- tions. He comes of good old Puritan stock, being a direct descendant of John Sanborn, who was born in the hamlet of Sanborn, Warwickshire, Eng., and who was among the earlier colonists who landed in this country about 1620, and settled in Hampton, N. H.
Sanborn, Charles B., was born in New Hampshire, where his youth was passed and education obtained. He came to Boston in 1866, and engaged in the produce business, in which he still continues, having been located at 29 North Market street for nearly twenty years; he carries on a general commission business, making a specialty of the poultry trade. He was a member of the City Council in 1888 and 1889, and served on the Board of Alder- men in 1890, 1891 and 1893. Mr. Sanborn came to Somerville early in the seventies, and lived in Ward I over twenty years, moving to his residence at 26 Adams street about two years ago. He is a member of the Fruit and Produce Exchange, and the Chamber of Com- merce, both of Boston, and a member of Soley Lodge, F. A. A. M., Somerville Chapter, R. A. M., and De Molay Commandery, K. T.
Sanborn, Daniel W., General Superintendent of the Boston & Maine Railroad System, is a native of Wakefield, Carroll County, N. H. He was educated in the public schools of his native town, and at Wakefield Academy. Upon leaving school he served an apprentice- ship at ship-building, and worked at the trade for several years. In May, 1859, he entered the service of the Portland, Saco & Portsmouth Railroad Company, at Portsmouth, N. H., where he remained until August, 1863. He was next employed as a brakeman on a passen- ger train, and, in 1864, was promoted to the position of conductor, in which capacity he acted until 1879. In the latter year he was appointed Master of Transportation of the Eastern Railroad, with headquarters in Boston, which position he filled until the Eastern was leased to the Boston & Maine, when he was made Superintendent of the Eastern Division (the old Eastern Railroad), holding this office until July, 1890. Having acquitted himself with great credit in this position, he was, in 1890, appointed Superintendent of the Southern Division (the old Boston & Lowell), which had been leased by the Boston & Maine. Soon after the death of James T. Furber, General Manager, the position of general superintendent of the system was created, and Mr. Sanborn, in February, 1892, was invited by the directors to accept it. Mr. Sanborn is a member of New Hampshire Lodge, I. O. O. F., and of Straw- berry Bank Encampment of Portsmouth, N. II., Soley Lodge, F. A. A. M., Somerville Royal Arch Chapter, and Orient Council of Somerville; also is a member of De Molay Commandery of Knights Templar, Boston. In 1856 he was married to Miss Lucy Maria Lydston, of Eliot, Me., who, with a son, Fred E., and daughter, Mrs. J. M. French, constitute his family. Mr. Sanborn enjoys a wide acquaintance among railroad and business men throughout New England.
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Sanborn, David A., was born in Sandwich, N. H., February 14, 1795, the son of Robert and Mary Glines Sanborn. He came to Roxbury when eighteen years of age, walk- ing the entire distance from Sandwich. He worked at farming a few years, then came to Somerville and carried on the milk business, and later was engaged in the manufacture of bricks on Prospect street, near the railroad bridge. He married Hannah Adams Stone, the daughter of John and Mary (Tufts) Stone, September 30, 1821, by whom he had five children. He built a house on Washington street, near Union square, about seventy years ago, where he lived and died. He held several town offices, and was in the War of 1812. He died February 19, 1875.
Sanborn, David A., was born April 21, 1828, the son of David A. and Hannah Adams (Stone) Sanborn, at the family residence on Washington street, Somerville (then Charles- town). His father came from Sandwich, N. H., at an early age, and, establishing himself in Somerville, was associated with the early growth of the town. David A., Jr., was educated in the public schools of Somerville, and has always lived very ncar the spot where he was born. At the age of sixteen he was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade, which voca- tion he followed for many years, assisting in the building of many of the residences and public buildings of the city. In early life he was connected with the old volunteer fire department, in the times of hand engines, and, later, was on the Board of Engineers, from 1865 to 1872 being chief engineer. Mr. Sanborn is now president of the Veteran Fire- men's Association, and treasurer of the Firemen's Relief Fund. He served two years each in charge of the sewer department, as overseer of the poor, and as assessor. He was also elected to the Common Council in 1876. Mr. Sanborn is a charter member of Oasis Lodge I. O. O. F., and Somerville Encampment, and has for many years been on the board of trustees of both organizations. He is also a member of Soley Lodge, F. A. A. M. His business now is in real estate, and in the care of property.
Sanborn, Dr. Edwin A., the son of Aaron and Amanda M. (Currier) Sanborn, and grandson of Abraham Sanborn, was born August 28, 1849, at Grafton, N. II. His father died at the early age of twenty-six years, leaving him, then about two years of age, and his widowed mother, with rather limited resources. He was therefore early in life obliged to learn the lesson of self reliance. In accordance with his strong inclinations, he, when about fourteen years of age, determined to become a physician and surgeon, and spared no efforts to accomplish that result, and in this he succeeded by his own efforts without any financial assistance or favors from any one. After passing through the common schools, he attended a private school for several terms, after which he continued his studies under tutors, latterly with the special object of preparing himself thoroughly for the study of medi- cine. In 1872 he began the study of medicine at the McLean Asylum in Somerville, under the direction of Dr. F. A. Stillings. He subsequently pursued his studies at the Medical Department of Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Me., and also at the Dartmouth Medi- cal College, Hanover, N. H., and was graduated from Dartmouth, November 3, 1875, being awarded the first prize of twenty-five dollars for passing the best examination of the graduat- ing class in every department of study. In 1876 he offered a like prize to be awarded to the student who should pass a similar examination at that institution. Dr. Sanborn practiced medicine during the winter of 1875-1876 with his uncle Dr. D. M. Currier of Newport, N. H., and located in Somerville in the spring of 1876, where he has remained in the successful practice of his profession ever since. He is a member of the Middlesex South District Medical Society, the Massachusetts Medical Society, the American Medical Association, and the Alumni Association of Dartmouth Medical College. He is a medical examiner for the Berkshire Life Insurance Company and various other insurance organizations. He was married, June 1, 1876, to Miss Harriet L. Hosmer of Somerville, but a native of Weld, Me. He is not a club man, but is devoted to his profession and his home, delighting to spend his
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spare time or evenings in reading, or in social intercourse with his friends. His residence is at 24 Franklin street.
Sanborn, Frank S., was born at Bristol, N. H., August 28, 1853, son of Sherburn S. and Nancy (Fellows) Sanborn. He was educated in the public schools of Bristol, and on leaving school he found employment in the Bristol Hosiery Mill, where he remained a short time and then entered the service of the Northern Railroad Company. In 1875 he came to Boston, where he was employed five years by Joseph Goodnow, a lumber dealer, and in 1880 he returned to the railroad service, working for the New York & New England Railroad Company at Norwich, Conn. In 1881 he found a position in the car department of the Fitchburg Railroad Company, was appointed foreman of freight work in 1882, and foreman of freight and passenger work in 1883. In 1891 he was promoted to the position of gen- eral foreman and master wrecker of the Fitchburg Division of the road, which position he still holds. He married Miss Ella J. Swallow of Peterboro, N. H., in 1876, and their resi- dence is at 22 Bonner avenue. Mr. Sanborn is a member of Bunker Hill Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Charlestown, took Masonic degrees in Henry Price Lodge, Charlestown, was made a Red Man in Hiawatha Tribe, Medford, and is a member of De Soto Lodge, K. of P., Boston, the Railroad Relief Society and the New England Railroad Club.
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