USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > The story of the Irish in Boston, together with biographical sketches of representative men and noted women > Part 31
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April 29, 1639. JOHN COGAN reelected.
Dec. 16, 1639. JOHN COGAN reelected. WILLIAM HIBBENS elected.
Sept. 28, 1640. COGAN, BELLINGHAM, and HIBBENS chosen, with five others.
March 20, 1642-43. BELLINGHAM and HIBBENS elected.
Sept. 25, 1643. Same two reelected.
May 17, 1644. HIBBENS reelected.
April 10, 1645. Same reelected.
Dec. 26, 1645. Same reelected.
WILLIAM PADDY, 1655 to 1658.
THOMAS HANCOCK, 1740 to 1746; 1748 to 1753.
In 1640, WILLIAM HIBBENS was the Town Treasurer.
ASSESSORS.
THOMAS C. AMORY, 1827.
JAMES RITCHIE, 1870.
JOHN J. MURPHY, 1885.
JOHN M. MAGUIRE, 1885.
JOSEPH O'KANE has been the Clerk of the Common Council since 1885.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
THOMAS C. AMORY was Chief Engineer in 1829.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS.
1883. JAMES J. FLYNN.1
1884. MICHAEL MEEHAN.2
1886. JOHN W. MCDONALD.3
SUPERINTENDENT OF LAMPS.
1883, 1885 to 1888. HUGH J. TOLAND.
The City Architect in 1883 and 1888 was CHARLES J. BATEMAN.
OUR MAYORS.
1878. HENRY L. PIERCE, who is of Irish descent, born in Stoughton, Mass., Aug. 23, 1825.
1885 to 1889. HUGH O'BRIEN, born in Ireland, July 13, 1827.
1888. THOMAS NORTON HART, of Irish descent, born in North Reading in 1829. He came to Boston in 1842.
THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF BOSTON, ORGANIZED IN 1822.
The names of the men of Irish birth and descent who have been members of the Board of Aldermen and members of the Common Council are given below : -
ALDERMEN.
1825. DANIEL CARNEY.
1825. THOMAS WELSH, Jr.
1826. DANIEL CARNEY.
1826. THOMAS WELSH, Jr.
1827. THOMAS WELSH, Jr.
1827. JEREMIAH SMITH BOIES.
1 Died, 1884.
2 From July 21, 1884, to Aug. 3, 1885.
3 From August, 1885, to 1888.
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THE IRISH IN BOSTON.
1859-63, inclusive. THOMAS COFFIN AMORY, Jr. 1870. CHRISTOPHER AUGUSTUS CONNOR.
1872-75, inclusive. JAMES POWER.
1875, '76,'77,'79,'80,'81,'83. HUGH O'BRIEN. 1877. JOHN E. FITZGERALD.
1879-81. JAMES JOSEPH FLYNN,
1882. THOMAS NORTON HART.
1883. THOMAS HENRY DEVLIN.
1883. PAUL HENRY KENDRICKEN.
1883. WILLIAM JOSEPH WELCH.
1884. JAMES H. NUGENT.
1884. JOHN W. MCDONALD.
1885. PATRICK J. DONOVAN.
1885. WILLIAM J. WELCH.
1885. THOMAS N. HART.
1885. JEREMIAH H. MULLANE.
1885. JAMES H. NUGENT.
1886. PATRICK J. DONOVAN.
1886. MICHAEL BARR.
1886. JOHN H. SULLIVAN.
1886. THOMAS N. HART.
1886. WILLIAM P. CARROLL.
1886. PATRICK JAMES MAGUIRE.
1887. PATRICK J. DONOVAN.
1887. JOHN H. SULLIVAN.
1887. JOHN A. MCLAUGHLIN.
1887. WILLIAM P. CARROLL.
1887. PATRICK JAMES MAGUIRE.
1887. JOHN H. LEE.
1888. PHILIP J. DOHERTY.
1888. JOHN A. MCLAUGHLIN.
1888. WILLIAM P. CARROLL, to Jan. 28, 1888.
1888. JOHN C. SHORT.
1888. JAMES A. MURPHY, from Feb. 21, 1888. Spe- cial election.
1889. JOHN C. SHORT.
343
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
1889. JAMES A. MURPHY.
1889. PHILIP J. DOHERTY.
1889. JOHN A. MCLAUGHLIN.
CITY CLERK. 1887-88. JOSEPH H. O'NEIL.
Many efforts were made to obtain sketches of all the past and present members of the public service, but for lack of data and on account of the slowness of many persons to furnish information, some sketches are omitted necessarily. However, a full and com- plete list of the names of the councilmen is given, with the dates of their service where no sketch appears.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
AMORY, THOMAS C., the distinguished lawyer, scholar, and author. He is a grad- uate of Harvard University, of the class of 1830, which numbered Charles Sumner among its members. He has been active in the affairs of the Boston Provident Asso- ciation and of the Episcopal Church, and has also taken much interest in the Massa- chusetts Historical Society, of both of which he is a member. About 1885 or 1886 he pub- lished a pamphlet vindicating his ancestor, Gen. John Sullivan, from the charges of the historian Bancroft. He is the author of a valuable work, " The Transfer of Erin." He has done honor to a name which has long been prominent in the high social, intellectual life of Boston. His valuable services ren- dered to the city of Boston while he was a member of the city government are inesti- mable. In the years of 1836, '37, '38, '39, '40, '41, he was a member of the Common Council. Thomas C. Amory, Jr., was chair- man of the Board of Alderman in 1863, and had served as a member of the Board during the years 1859, '60, '61, '62, and '63.
BAGLEY, FRANK E., clerk, born in Bos- ton, Nov. 10, 1857. Graduated at the Old Winthrop School, of Charlestown, in 1873,
and afterward became clerk in a brush store till 1881. About that time he engaged as laborer for the Philadelphia Steamship Com- pany, and in 1885 was promoted to his present position as receiving-clerk. He is treasurer of the St. Francis de Sales Y.M.T.A. Society, and president of the Druids. He was a member of the Common Council from Ward 3 in 1888-89.
BARR, MICHAEL, truckman, born in Ire- land in 1836. He was educated in the national schools of his native place. At the age of fourteen he became a youthful contractor, and in January, 1855, immigrated to America, landing in New York, but finally settled in Boston, where he has since been located. He has followed the business of truckman for twenty-four years. He was a member of the Common Council in 1876- 83, and represented the Third District in the Aldermanic Chamber during 1886.
BARRY, DAVID F., salesman in the whole- sale paper warehouse of Marshall, Son, & Co., of this city, where he has been employed for the past sixteen years; born in Boston in 1852. He graduated from the Quincy Gram- mar School with the class of 1867. During
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THE IRISH IN BOSTON.
his boyhood he was ambitious to acquire a knowledge of the advanced studies, and de- voted his evenings and spare hours during the day to reading. Mr. Barry met with the favor of the Democratic party in 1879, when he was elected a member of the Common Council, and served in that branch of the city government for nine years. He was president of the Council two years, 1887-88. Mr. Barry's services on committee work have always been of great value to the city, and they covered nearly all of the different and several committees appointed to supervise and execute matters pertaining to the prog- ress and development of Boston.
President Barry was a firm and constant friend of the members of the Grand Army of the Republic; they have attested their belief in his sincerity and his good deeds on their behalf on many occasions. John A. Andrew Post 15 presented an elegant gold watch and chain to him on Jan. 25, 1888, as a practical avowal of regard.
He assisted in entertaining President Cleveland when he visited Boston accom- panied by his wife, and he also was appointed one of a committee to extend courtesies to Queen Kapiolani upon her arrival in this city, in recognition of the favorable and friendly business relations then existing between the merchants of the Sand- wich Islands and those of Boston.
Councilman Barry was reelected to the lower branch of the city government for 1887. He is the son of David Barry (now deceased), who was well known to the Irish people of Boston over forty years ago. The latter carried on the business of a wheelwright and shipwright in East Boston, in 1845, enlisted in the United States volun- teer service and went to the Mexican War. About 1849 he moved to the city proper, and established his business on Cove street, where it flourished for seventeen years. Thence he removed to Castle street with his family, which consisted of two sons and a daughter. The latter died at sixteen years of age. Councilman Barry's father was an active participant in the benevolent and
political duties of the citizens of his day, particularly those which were designed to aid his countrymen. He was one of the com- mittee of one hundred who formed an association for the naturalization of Irishmen in Boston during Know-nothing times, in 1856.
BARRY, EDWARD P.1
BARRY, JAMES J., assistant inspector of buildings, born at London, England, of Irish parents, Aug. 11, 1851. He immigrated to Boston in 1857. He studied at the Boston public schools until 1865. He was appren- ticed to the mason's trade in 1867, which he followed until Oct. 1, 1880, when he was appointed to his present position of inspector. He was first assistant assessor in 1880, and served in the Common Council, representing Ward 22, during the years 1877, '78, '79. He has been actively identified with military affairs, and he is considered an excellent disciplinarian, tactician, and an efficient offi- cer. He is a member of Company C, Ninth Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, and has been captain of that well-known company.
BARRY, PATRICK T., merchant tailor, born in Charlestown, March 17, 1856. He at- tended the Prescott Grammar School until nine years of age, when he became employed in a dry-goods store as cash-boy. He after- wards worked at various occupations until he engaged in the tailoring business in 1885, on his own account. He is now a member of the firm of Barry & Brown, merchant tailors. He represented Ward 3 as a Demo- crat in the Legislature of 1884-85, is presi- dent of St. Mary's Temperance Society, treasurer of St. Francis de Sales Society, and a member of the Royal Arcanum.
BELFORD, CHARLES A., restaurateur, born in Brighton, Mass., Oct. 19, 1830. In 1835 he removed with his parents to Fort Hill square, and in 1838 to Roxbury, where he
1 See Journalists.
345
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
has since resided. He graduated from the Eliot Grammar School in 1848; afterward engaged with his father in the nursery busi- ness. He entered the customs service in 1857, and remained till 1861; was subse- quently conductor on the Metropolitan Rail- road. From 1864 to 1874 he filled the posi- tion of chief engineer of the Roxbury Fire Department, at a salary of $2,100 per year. This office was abolished at the time of the Roxbury annexation. At the reorganization of the department he introduced steam-en- gines instead of the hand-machines.
He is a member of the Charitable Irish Society and Young Men's Catholic Associa- tion.
BENT, JAMES, Democrat, born in County Wexford, Ireland, Nov. 2, 1837. Died Feb- ruary, 1889. In 1846 he came to this coun- try. He received a public-school education; learned the shoe business, but later changed his occupation. In 1869 he was an inspector of voters; in 1871, a member of the Demo- cratic Ward and City Committee; represented Ward 2 in the Common Council of 1874-75, and was one of the organizers of the North End Fishing Club.
BISHOP, ROBERT, cotton-waste manufact- urer, born at County Limerick, Ireland, June, 1838. He came to Boston with -his parents in 1840, and was sent to the Boston public schools when seven years of age. He left school without completing the full gram- mar-school course, and was apprenticed to Messrs. Wright & Hasty, printers, with whom he remained until 1860; he entered Holy Cross College, at Worcester, Mass., under the rectorship of Rev. Fr. Champi, S.J. He studied two years at the college, when sickness compelled him to withdraw. In 1863 he engaged in the cotton-waste busi- ness for himself, with a very small capital (not more than two hundred dollars). By his arduous labor and exceptionally fine management the capital was increased, and the business was developed to its present large proportions. Mr. Bishop's annual volume of
import and export trade amounts to over $750,000. His pay-roll foots up a weekly payment of $1,200. He manufactures rail- road waste and wadding for domestic trade in his large establishments at South Boston, which comprises a main factory building 202 × 45 feet, a store-house, 100 × 60 feet, and a sorting-house, 100 X 80 feet. These buildings are on three streets ; namely, Sixth, Seventh, and Tudor. The assessed value of his real and personal property covers about $300,000. In 1868 and 1870 he was a Democratic member of the Common Council.
BONNER, DENNIS, teamster, born in Done- gal, Ireland, in January, 1821. He was edu- cated in the schools of his native place, and immigrated to this country in 1842, and located in Boston, where he has since re- sided. Since 1845 he has been in business as a teamster. He represented old Ward I (now Ward 2) in the Common Council of 1862, '63, '70, '71, and in the Legislature of 1873-74. He was a member of the Charita- ble Irish Society for about ten years.
BOYLE, JOHN J., salesman, born in Boston, July 4, 1848. He attended the Phillips School, and went to work when twelve years of age. He was first employed at the paint- ing trade. In 1861 he became connected with Cutter, Tower, & Co., stationers, and shortly afterward engaged with A. Storrs in Cornhill, later A. Storrs Bement Company, and has been with them ever since, serving in various capacities, from errand-boy to his present position as head clerk and salesman. He represented Ward 8 in the Common Council of 1881, '82, '83. He was at one time first lieutenant Company A, Ninth Regi- ment; is now captain of Montgomery Vet- eran Association, having been elected three years; and a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, Charitable Irish Society, Royal Order Good Fellows, and Knights of St. Rose.
BRADY, THOMAS M., superintendent of marble work, born in Boston, Nov. 28, 1849.
346
THE IRISH IN BOSTON.
He graduated as a Franklin medal scholar from the Eliot School in 1866, and afterward attended the English High School and the Institute of Technology, where he learned the principles of architecture and drawing. He later served an apprenticeship at the marble business with Arioch Wentworth, and subsequently acted in the capacity of fore- man. About this time he became a resident of Somerville, and served two years in the Common Council of that city. He was for six years president of Division 17, A.O.H., and for several years president of the local branch of the Irish Land League, and treas- urer of the Democratic Ward and City Com- mittee. After marriage he removed to South Boston, and interested himself in the Irish National League. He was elected president of the Municipal Council, I.N.L., of Boston, and was appointed by National President Patrick Egan to the office of State Executive for Massachusetts, upon the retirement of Thomas Flatley, in which capacity he led the Massachusetts delegation to the Chicago Convention of 1886. He gave much time to public speeches in this vicinity in favor of home rule for Ireland. In 1877 he accepted his present position as superintend- ent of the American Marble Company, Marietta, Ga. On Nov. 28, 1887, he was tendered a farewell banquet at the Parker House, at which John Boyle O'Reilly pre- sided, and Hon. P. A. Collins and others in- terested in the Irish cause were present.
BRAWLEY, JOHN P., assistant clerk of committees of the city government, Boston, Mass .; born in Roxbury, Mass., Aug. 29, 1849. He graduated from the Comins Gram- mar School, 1861, and studied for three years after at the English High School. He went into the wholesale millinery business with J. W. Plympton & Co., as clerk, and later acted in the capacity of book-keeper until 1873, when he engaged with his father in the building business. He was a member of the Common Council in 1878-79. He intro- duced an important order to revise and im- prove the financial system of the city in
regard to large loans and the methods of borrowing and accounting for the city's money. He insisted that premiums on loans, as well as the principal, belonged to the city, and should be accounted for and not expended for any purpose without an order from the City Council. The measure met with a strong opposition, but was passed finally. He dis- played good business tact while purchasing- agent for the Improved Sewerage Works during 1879 and 1880.
He was a clerk in the City Registrar's office in 1881. He was appointed to his pres- ent position, October, 1885.
BREEN, DANIEL F., elected to serve in the Common Council for the year 1889.
BRENNAN, DANIEL F., clerk, born in Kan- turk, County Cork, Ireland, Feb. 3, 1844. He received a common-school education. Dur- ing the Civil War he served in the Forty-third Massachusetts Regiment, and afterward in the United States Navy. He represented Ward 13 in the Legislature of 1882. He was one of the first assistant assessors of the city of Boston during 1888.
BURKE, MICHAEL H., inspector in the sewer department, born in Boston, July 15, 1856. He was educated in the public schools of this city. He was a member of the House of Representatives of 1886. He is one of the active young Democrats of the vicinity.
BURKE, WILLIAM J., steam-boiler maker, born in St. John's, N.B., of Irish parentage, November, 1837. He came to this country with his parents when only six months old. He was educated in the public schools of Boston. During the war he was foreman for James A. Maynard & Co., afterwards he worked for the Erie Basin Iron Works of Brooklyn, N.Y., and later he had charge of the boiler depart- ment of the Beach Iron Works. He next went into business under the firm name of McBride & Co., and subsequently under his own name. He was a member of the Common Council of 1876, '77, and '78, from Ward 2; he was connected with the Boston Democratic City
347
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Committee for seven years, beginning in 1876. He was elected to the General Court of 1879, '81, and '82. In the latter year he was ap- pointed by John S. Damrell as inspector of elevators in the department for the survey and inspection of buildings, and was con- firmed by Mayor Green. In 1887 the Board of Directors of East Boston Ferries, appre- ciating his ability, offered him his present position as superintendent of ferries. In February, 1887, he was appointed by Secretary Whitney as civilian expert, to examine candi- dates for the position of master blacksmith, master sail-maker, and foreman galley-maker at the Charlestown Navy Yard. He is a prominent Democrat, and resides in East Boston.
BUTLER, THOMAS C., hotel keeper, born in Bandon, County Cork, Ireland, Jan. 6, 1842. He came to this country with his parents when two years of age, and located in Boston, where he has since resided. He was educated in the public schools of this city, and has been for many years engaged in the hotel business. He took an active interest in aquatic matters early in life, and for several years was a prominent oarsman. In 1868 and 1869 he held the single-scull championship of New Eng- land. He has been instrumental in bringing many oarsmen into prominence, has a very extended knowledge of aquatics, was the first to introduce the " working boat," and is a prominent member of the West End Boat Club. He was the winner of the single- scull race in the Boston City Regatta, July 4, 1871, and with his brother, J. H. Butler, won the double-shell races of 1869-70, and with other partners in the regattas of 1871, '72, '74, '78. He was a member of the Demo- cratic Ward and City Committee for about ten years, represented Ward 8 in the Com- mon Council of 1874 and in the Legislature of 1882-83.
CALNAN, PATRICK J., manufacturer, born in Roxbury, Nov. 25, 1847. He received his education in the public schools. He has
been a non-commissioned officer of the Ninth Regiment, M.V.M., and is at present a shoe- stock manufacturer, residing in Charlestown. In 1887 he represented Ward 5 in the Legis- lature.
CANNON, JOHN J., Democrat, born in Castlebar, County Mayo, Ireland, May 2, 1852. He came to this country when seven years of age, and attended the Mayhew School of this city. He afterwards learned his trade as a shoemaker, and worked at the business for about seven years, two of which were in Baltimore, Md. He represented Ward 8 in the Common Council of 1882. He is one of the prominent Democrats of the West End, and a member of the A.O.H. and A.O. Foresters.
CANNON, PATRICK, clerk, born in Mayo County, Ireland, April 29, 1853. He came to this country in 1857, and located in Boston. He attended St. Mary's Parochial School until fourteen years of age, when he left to serve an apprenticeship at granite cutting. He was employed at his trade about five. years, and then engaged with Austin Cannon .. He was a member of the Common Council. in 1888, and was reëlected to serve during; 1889.
CANNON, PETER, born in Castlebar, County: Mayo, Ireland, June 25, 1825; died 1889. He was educated at the National School, Cloonkeen, County Mayo. He came to Bos- ton, July 20, 1850, and first entered the shoe business on his own account. In 1871 he changed his business, and began the sale of liquors. He served in the Common Council of 1877-78 and in the Legislature of 1880- 81 from the seventh ward.
CARBERRY, WILLIAM H., iron founder, born in Roxbury, Mass., Feb. 22, 1851. He graduated from the Comins School, learned his trade as an iron moulder, serving an ap- prenticeship of nine years with Alonzo Jos- lyn; in 1878 he began business on his own account. He served in the Legislature of
348
THE IRISH IN BOSTON.
1878, '79, '80, from Ward 22, being a member of the Committees on Rules and Orders, Federal Relations, and Street Railways. In 1879 he was president of the Young Men's Catholic Lyceum of Roxbury, and is a mem- ber of the Charitable Irish Society.
CARNEY, MICHAEL, registrar of voters, born in County Donegal, Ireland, in 1829. He was educated in the Bocan National and other schools. He came to Boston in 1849, and became employed in the shipyard of Donald McKay, where he learned the trade of bolting vessels. He later commenced business on his own account, and Mckay, Briggs Bros., and other well-known ship- builders intrusted to Mr. Carney the work of bolting their vessels. In 1859 he engaged in the fire-insurance business. He was an assessor of the city from 1859-79, a member of the Common Council of 1866, '67, '68, and served in the Massachusetts House of Repre- sentatives from 1869-76. He earnestly ad- vocated the enactment of the bill relative to religious liberty in the prisons, which was passed by a vote of 91 to 54. He has been for a number of years on the Board of Regis- trars of Voters.
CARROLL, MICHAEL J., mason and builder, born in New Bedford, Mass., March 16, 1858. He was educated in the old Franklin, Quincy, and Boylston Schools of this city; entered a law office; apprenticed to the trade of mason and builder about fourteen years ago, and has been at the business ever since. He was a member of the Common Council of 1887-88, and reelected for 1889; a charter member of St. Augustine's Lyceum, its president during 1885 and 1886; Chief Ranger of St. James Court 54 of Foresters; accredited delegate to the Bricklayers' International Union and to the Central Labor Union of 1887.
CARROLL, WILLIAM P., born in South Bos- ton, March 13, 1854; died in this city, Janu- ary, 1888. He studied at the public schools, and was withdrawn at nine years of age, when he was sent to work for Mr. William
E. Cash, a crockery dealer on Washington street. He returned to school in 1864, and graduated from the Lawrence Grammar School in 1869. He was an active politician, and did much effective political service for Wards 7 and 13. He represented the Fourth Congressional District at the Na- tional Convention of 1884. He was presi- dent for four years of the Seventh Ward Fishing Club, a strong political organization. He served on the Board of Aldermen in 1886, 1887, and 1888, and died before the expiration of his term of office. He was a forcible speaker and an earnest debater. Mr. Carroll was the oldest of five children. His father enlisted in the old Ninth Massachu- setts Volunteers in 1862, went to the late war, and was honorably discharged as ser- geant of Company I in 1864.
CASEY, FRANK, elected to serve in the Common Council during the year 1889 ..
CAVANAGH, GEORGE H., contractor, born in Boston, June 17, 1839. He attended the Quincy, Hawes, and English High Schools. He served in Company A, First Massachu- setts Regiment, during the Civil War, and is a member of Post 15, G.A.R. In 1866 he succeeded his father in business, and has continued ever since. In 1879 he repre- sented Ward 15 in the Common Council.
COLLINS, JOHN A.1
COLLINS, JOHN J.1
COLLINS, MICHAEL D., sealer of weights and measures, born in Ireland, Sept. 29, 1836. He came to America in 1839, and located in Boston, where he has since resided. He is a graduate of the Old Eliot Grammar School, and Conant's Commercial College of the class of 1850. After leaving school he served a four years' apprenticeship at Ma- goon's Malden Bridge Shipyard, and worked continuously at ship-building until '1860, when he engaged in business for himself.
1 See Lawyers.
349
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
He served in the House of Representatives in 1866-67, and in the Common Council, 1874-75. He occupied a position on the Board of Assessors from 1875 to 1883, in- clusive. He was appointed sealer of weights and measures for the city of Boston by Mayor Palmer in 1875, which position he still retains.
COLLINS, STEPHEN J., United States store keeper, born in Charlestown, Aug. 22, 1862. He was a graduate of the Frothingham School in 1876. He shortly afterward en- tered the office of the Boston " Pilot," where he was for some time employed in various capacities. He subsequently learned the trade of an upholsterer, at which occupation he was engaged until March, 1886, when he accepted a position in the appraisers' de- partment of the Custom House. In June, 1887, he was promoted to the office of store- keeper in the customs service.
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