USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > The story of the Irish in Boston, together with biographical sketches of representative men and noted women > Part 32
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COLLISON, HARVEY N.1
CONLIN, CHRISTOPHER P., marble-tool manufacturer, born in East Boston, Dec. 25, 1849. He received his early education at the public schools, and later learned his trade as a marble-tool manufacturer. He represented Ward 2 in the Legislature of 1883.
CONNELLY, BARTHOLOMEW J., builder, born in Boston, June 16, 1859. He grad- uated from the Brimmer School in 1874, and went to work at the building trade for his father. He served in the Common Council from Ward 19 in 1886-87, serving on the Committees on Common, Inspection of Build- ings, Sewers, Stony Brook, and Public Build- ings. He is at present engaged as a builder, with an office in the Roxbury district.
COSTELLO, MICHAEL W., machinist, engi- neer, and inventor, born in Galway, Ireland, Aug. 3, 1852. He came to this country in 1855, and shortly afterwards located in Bos-
ton, where he attended the public schools. At eleven years of age he went to work in a cordage factory at twenty-five cents a day. He subsequently learned the trade of a ma- chinist. He was connected with the firm of P. H. Costello & Co., furnaces, etc. He is at present interested in patents, which pay him a royalty sufficient to warrant his retirement from active business life. He was a member of the Common Council in 1879-81 and the Legislature of 1883. He was one of a com- mittee of three that organized the first mass meeting held in Faneuil Hall in sympathy with the Irish Land League, and in 1881 he presented a resolution of sympathy for Ireland in the lower branch of the city government.
COSTELLO, PATRICK H., assistant inspector of buildings, born in Ballamackard, County Galway, Ireland, March 4, 1845. He came to this country with his parents in 1848, and settled in Roxbury. He was educated in the public schools, and first began work in Day's Cordage Factory. He afterward served an apprenticeship at the heating and ventilat- ing business, which trade he learned and en- gaged in for several years. He represented Ward 22 in the Common Council of 1885, has been a member of the Democratic Ward and City Committee for five years, is a member of the Montgomery Veteran Asso- ciation, Royal Arcanum, Knights of Honor, and Catholic Order of Foresters. He was appointed inspector of buildings on Jan. I, 1888.
COTTER, JAMES E.1
COURTNEY, WILLIAM F.1
CREED, MICHAEL J.1
CRONIN, CORNELIUS F.1
CROOK, MICHAEL J., cashier, born in Boston, Aug. 28, 1843. He attended the Boylston School of this city, and was a
1 See Lawyers.
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THE IRISH IN BOSTON.
Franklin medal scholar of his class. He has been for several years connected with the Western Union Telegraph Company, and at present occupies the responsible position of cashier. In 1872 and 1876 he was a mem- ber of the Massachusetts Legislature.
CROWLEY, JEREMIAH J., upholsterer, born in Boston, Aug. 31, 1850. He is a graduate of the Boylston School. He represented Ward 3 in the Legislature of 1879-80, serving on the Committees on Liquor Law and Labor; has been an officer of the Mechanics' Ap- prentice Library Association, a member of St. Mary's Y.M.T. Association, vice-president of the National C.T.A. Union, and State Master Workman, Knights of Labor of Massachusetts.
CULLEN, BERNARD, late superintendent of the Home for Destitute Catholic Children, was born in Cloneen, Parish of Kilmaca- traney, in the county of Sligo, Ireland, in 1823. He studied at Thomas Manning's private school, and at the National School in Geevagh. He was the son of James Cullen and Ann, née Conlon. James was the son of Dominick Cullen and Bridget, née Drury. Ann was the daughter of Bernard and Mary Conlon. Bernard Cullen emigrated from Ireland in 1847, and was married to Johanna Aylward on July 10, 1856, by the Rev. Fran- cis Lachat, at St. Mary's Church in Boston, Mass. Four children were born to him, - James Bernard, born Aug. 18, 1857; Mary, born March 13, 1859; Anastasia, born Jan. 13, 1861 ; and Richard James, born March 17, 1863. Bernard Cullen led a mercantile life for many years in Boston, and chiefly engaged in the fire-insurance business, until 1866, when he accepted the position of superintendent of the Home for Destitute Catholic Children, and his labors for that institution extended over a period of twelve years. He represented old Ward 3 in the Common Council in 1862-63, and was a member of the House of Representatives in 1865. He was well known to the citizens of Boston, and his natural solicitude for the relief of the poor, coupled with practical
charity, were among his chief characteristics. He was the first superintendent of old St. Mary's Sunday School, on Endicott street, the Rev. Bernardine Wiget, S.J., rector, and a member of the old Columbian Guards, the Charitable Irish Society, and the Knights of St. Patrick. His work in Boston which was of any consequence to the community consisted of his life-long, untiring, and suc- cessful efforts in relieving distress among the needy poor and unfortunate people of the city. He was a conspicuous figure at the courts, and did much of the voluntary work of probating prisoners, lately done by " Uncle " Cook and Probation Officer Savage. He was a member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul during his life.
CUNNIFF, MICHAEL M., banker and broker, born in the County Roscommon, Ireland, 1850, arrived in Boston during the same year. He studied in the Boston public schools and Bryant & Stratton's Commercial School. He served an apprenticeship under Messrs. Stephen M. Smith & Co., cabinet makers, until he attained his majority. Subsequently he engaged in the liquor business, was suc- cessful, and withdrew from it. In 1875 he commenced to actively participate in local politics. From that time he has been recog- nized as a political leader, particularly shrewd, diplomatic, determined, and un- tiring in his efforts to achieve success for the Democratic party, especially in Boston. He has been a successful man in business matters, controls a large number of shares of the Bay State Gas Company's securities, of which he has been a heavy buyer and seller, and he is a director for the company. Mr. Cunniff is directly interested in, and identified with, many important enterprises in Boston, in which his personal work has produced profitable results. His investments cover the East Boston Land Company, the Charles River Embankment Company, the West End Railway Company, etc. He is one of the organizers of the Boston Gas Syndicate. Politically, his judgment is con- sidered to be extra good by older and more
MICHAEL M. CUNNIFF.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
experienced political leaders, who have made him their counsellor on many occasions. He is a skilful organizer, and commands a large following in the ranks of the Demo- crats. He served on Governor Ames's Council, this being the only time that he ever held a public office. For many years he has held high and honorable positions in the councils of the Democratic party. In 1876 he was elected a member of the Democratic State Central Committee, re- elected every year since, and he has rendered valuable services in perfecting its organization. In the years 1887-88 he was chairman of the executive committee of the State committee, and for a long period a member of the Demo- cratic Ward and City Committee, of which body he was the chairman during two years, as well as chairman of the finance committee. While president of the Ward and City Com- mittee, in the years of 1882-83, he increased the Democratic registration to a figure un- precedented in the history of Boston. At the end of his two years' service he declined the presidency of this committee, though he remained an active member. He was an uncompromising Cleveland man. In 1884, at the Democratic National Conven- tion, he was received into the inner councils of the late Secretary of the Treasury, Daniel Manning, and Secretary of War, William C. Whitney. During the recent National Convention at St. Louis, Mo., Mr. Cunniff actively urged the renomination of Grover Cleveland.
He and his associates, Messrs. W. E. L. and C. O. L. Dilloway, reorganized and changed the location of the Mechanics' National Bank, of which he is a director, from South Boston to its present central posi- tion, on the corner of Washington and Franklin streets. The amount of deposits in the bank at the time when they assumed the management had reached the sum of $350,000. This comparatively small business was increased by Mr. Cunniff and his co- workers to the large sum of deposits amount- ing to $1,000,000. The bank is in a fair way to become one of the leading national bank-
ing institutions of the country. He has made it one of the depositories for the State's moneys.
Mr. Cunniff has favored the Kindergarten system of education ; he is a generous bene- factor of the charities of Boston.
DACY, TIMOTHY J.1
DAVIS, HERBERT C., real estate, born in Boston in 1854. He is a graduate of the Dearborn and the Roxbury High Schools; served in the Common Council of 1876, from which year to 1884 he held the position of general agent of New England for S. Davis & Co., Cincinnati, O. He is a prominent member of the Young Men's Catholic Asso- ciation, also Grand Ruler of Royal Order of Good Fellows, Trimountain Lodge, and dur- ing Ex-Mayor O'Brien's administration was a member of the official staff.
DEE, JOHN H., florist, born at Charles- town, Mass., May 13, 1842, graduated from the Harvard Grammar School 1857, and studied three years at the Charlestown High School. He acquired a practical naval knowledge at the Charlestown Navy Yard, entered the service of the U. S. Navy, in 1863, as engineer on the "Genesee," and afterwards on the " Manhattan," both men- of-war, and he came out of service in 1865. He served on the Democratic Ward and City Committee from 1875 until 1880, and again resumed his membership in 1888. He served in the Common Council of 1877, and the House of Representatives in 1879 and 1880. He is a member of Edw. W. Kinsley Post 113, G.A.R. He is prominently iden- tified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and his worth has been recog- nized practically by that organization, for it has elected him to every available position of honor and trust to which members are eligi- ble. He is a member of the Temple Council of the Royal Arcanum, also the Wapiti Tribe, No. 65, of the Improved Order of Red Men.
1 See lawyers.
352
THE IRISH IN BOSTON.
DENNY, THOMAS J., instructor of Athletics, born in Ireland in 1850; died in Boston, March 30, 1887. He came to this country with his parents when very young, and at- tended the Quincy Grammar School of this city. He afterwards served an apprenticeship at cabinet-making, but early in life began to develop as an athlete. About 1863 he opened a school of instruction in sparring on Boylston street, and did a successful business for a few years, and acquired a local reputation as a professor of the art of self-defence. He represented Ward 12 in the Common Council of 1878, '79, '80,'81, '82, '83, '84, '85, '86. He was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention at Chicago in 1884.
DESMOND, CORNELIUS, painter, born in Boston, May 11, 1838. He was educated in the public schools of this city, and resides at the North End. He represented Ward 6 in the Legislature of 1877, '78, '79, serving as monitor, and also on the Committee on Library.
DESMOND, CORNELIUS F., paymaster, born in Boston, Oct. 31, 1862. He attended the Quincy School, and at thirteen years of age entered the office of the Metropolitan Rail- road as messenger. In 1878 he was pro- moted to the position of assistant paymaster, and later was appointed paymaster of the West End Street Railway. For ten years past he has been a member of the Young Men's Catholic Total Abstinence Society of St. James' Church, and represented Ward 12 in the Common Council of 1887, '88, '89.
DESMOND, JEREMIAH, brass-worker, born in Boston, May, 1853. He was educated in the public schools of Boston, and commenced to learn his trade when eleven years of age as a brass-worker. From 1885 to 1887, inclu- sive, he represented Ward 16 in the Legisla- ture, and served on the Committees on Printing, Manufacturing, and Street Rail- ways.
DEVER, JOHN F., salesman, born in Bos-
ton, May 23, 1853. He attended the May- hew School until he was thirteen years of age. He first became employed as office boy for the Newton Oil Company, and later with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. In 1868 he entered the employ of the New England News Company, where he remained till 1879. He was afterwards connected with the Boston "Courier " for a short period. He represented Ward 20 in the Legislature of 1880-81. In the fall of 1879 he was ap- pointed clerk and assistant registrar of voters, which position he held from October, 1879, to June, 1885. He was employed in the Mayor's office as clerk under the administra- tion of Hon. Hugh O'Brien. In July, 1885, he was appointed superintendent of streets, but was not confirmed by the Board of Aldermen, for political reasons. He is a member of the Montgomery Light Guard Veteran Association. He was one of the secretaries of the Democratic City Central Committee in 1879, '80, 'S1; secretary of the Charitable Irish Society, 1881, '82, '83; he has been identified with Father Roche's Home; is a member of the Clover Club; he has been director and financial secretary of Young Men's Catholic Association of Boston Col- lege for six years; and chairman of the Democratic Committee of Ward 20 for sev- eral years.
DEVLIN, THOMAS H., newspaper and peri- odical dealer, born in Boston, 1848, and graduated from the Brimmer School. He engaged in the periodical business with his father at the news depot of the Boston & Providence Railroad station in Boston, and succeeded to the business in 1866. He served in the Common Council in 1878, '79, '80, '81, '82, and was a member of the Board of Aldermen in 1883. He was for three years on the City Council Committees on Claims, Common and Public Grounds; one year on the Committee on Water; two years a member of the Board of Directors for Public Institutions; and was also on the Joint Special Committee on Commissions in 1881.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
DEVNEY, PATRICK F., public cabs, born in Galway, Ireland, Feb. 1, 1850. He was educated in the public schools of Boston. He is now engaged in this city in the public- cab business. In 1884 he represented Ward 19 in the Massachusetts House of Represent- atives.
DILLON, FRANK H., born in Charlestown, Mass., Sept. 22, 1861. He graduated at the Winthrop School in 1875; worked as painter for F. M. Holmes Furniture Company, and as superintendent for Eagle Metallic Brush Com- pany. Later he established a saloon business. He was trustee of the Young Men's Catholic Lyceum of Charlestown, vice-president Quarterly Club, one of the organizers of the Moulton Associates, a member of Royal Order of Good Fellows; elected to the Com- mon Council of 1887, '88, '89, and served on Committees on Fire Department, City En- gineers, and Fourth of July. In 1881 was sergeant of Company D, Ninth Regiment.
DOHERTY, CORNELIUS F., service clerk, born in Boston, Jan. 15, 1852. He attended the Lyman School and St. Mary's Institute. He went to sea for three years, and upon his return served at the coppersmith trade, working at the business about eight years. In 1887 he engaged in the cigar and tobacco business in East Boston and also at Natick. He represented Ward 2 in the Common - Council of 1879, '80, '81, and during six months of 1883, when he resigned on July I to accept his present position as service clerk in the Water Department of the city of Boston. He is a member of the Royal Order of Good Fellows, Fitton Literary Insti- tute, Young Men's Catholic Lyceum of East Boston, Columbian Rowing Association, and secretary of the Fourth District Congres- sional Club.
DOHERTY, DANIEL, born in Ballyliffin, County Donegal, Ireland, in 1838. He was educated in the Irish national schools of his native place, and came to this country on June 15, 1863. He settled in Boston, and
became employed by the Boston Gas-Light Company, with whom he remained almost twelve years. He engaged in the saloon business in 1874, and in 1876 formed a partnership with his brother, John Doherty, under the present firm name of D. & J. Doherty. He represented Ward 7 in the Common Council of 1876 and the Legisla- ture of 1877-78. He has been a member of the Democratic Ward and City Committee for three years, and is a member of the Irish Charitable Society.
DOHERTY, JAMES D. Elected to the Com- mon Council for the year 1889.
DOHERTY, JAMES J., restaurateur, born in County Donegal, Ireland, Aug. 15, 1848. When five years of age his parents immigrated to this country, and settled in Boston, where he received his education at the public schools. At the age of sixteen he enlisted in an unattached company of volunteer militia on duty in Boston Harbor. In 1877, '78, '79 he was a member of the Common Council, and in the latter year he was one of the Board of Directors of East Boston Ferries. He has been a member of the Democratic Ward and City Committee for several years, and in 1880 represented Ward 2 in the General Court.
DOHERTY, JOHN, born in Ballyliffin, County Donegal, Ireland, about 1846. He was educated in the Irish National schools, and came to this country in 1865. Shortly after his arrival in Boston he was employed in the freight department of the Boston & Maine Railroad, and later went to San Francisco, Cal., for five years. Upon his return to this city he entered the employ of the Boston Gas-Light Company, where he remained about four years. In 1876 he en- gaged in the saloon business with his brother, Daniel Doherty, under the present firm name of D. & J. Doherty. He represented Ward 7 in the Common Council of 1884-85 and in the Legislature of 1887-88. He is a member of the Charitable Irish Society.
354
THE IRISH IN BOSTON.
DOHERTY, JOSEPH, grocer, born in Glack, County Donegal, Ireland, Aug. 14, 1844. He was educated in the schools of Carn- donah, Ireland. He came to this country on April 14, 1863, and settled in Boston, where he has since resided. He was for several years employed by Michael Doherty in the liquor business, and in 1874 engaged in the -grocery and liquor business for himself. In 1876 he represented Ward 7 in the Common Council.
DOHERTY, NEIL, grocer, born in County Donegal, Ireland, March 14, 1837. He re- ceived a common-school education, and has been engaged in the grocery business in East Boston for some years past. He repre- sented Ward 2 in the Common Council of 1872-73, and in 1875-76 was a member of the Legislature.
DOHERTY, NEIL F., elected to the Com- mon Council for the year 1889.
DOHERTY, PHILIP J.1
DOHERTY, THOMAS F., water commissioner, born at the North End, Boston, in 1843. His parents removed to the Fort Hill dis- trict when he was two years of age, and his education was received at the Boylston School. He entered the dry-goods business with Kilby Brothers when twelve years old. He was later engaged for fourteen years in the dry-goods house of Chandler & Co., a part of the time in the capacity of manager of one of the departments. He severed his connection with the latter firm to become a member of the concern of T. F. Doherty & Co., and continued in business until 1885, when he was appointed a member of the Board of Water Commissioners of the city of Boston. He has held many offices of trust, among these the presidency of the following organizations : Democratic Ward and City Committee, East Boston Citizens' Trade Asso- ciation, St. Vincent de Paul's Society of East
Boston; and a directorship in both Father Roche's Working Boys' Home and the Home for Destitute Catholic Children. He has been active in Democratic politics for a number of years past, and is one of the prominent citi- zens of East Boston, where he has resided for many years. He is the colonel of the Montgomery Veteran Association.
DOLAN, CHARLES H., produce dealer, born in Boston, March 23, 1859. He graduated at the Dearborn Grammar School in 1875, and was employed as clerk in a leather store until 1879. He subsequently entered the produce business, where he is now engaged on his own account. He served in the Com- mon Council of 1887, '88, '89 from Ward 20, and was a member of the Committees on East Boston Ferries, Assessors, Centennial Celebration, Appropriations, Claims, and Fourth of July; and has been secretary of Boston Catholic Cemetery Association for eight years past.
DOLAN, MICHAEL J., boat-builder, born in Ireland, May 2, 1850. He was educated in the Boston public schools, and is at present engaged as a boat-builder at East Boston. He represented Ward 2 in the Legislature of 1883-84, serving on the Committee on Har- bor and Public Lands.
DONAHOE, CHARLES W., salesman, born in Boston, July 7, 1856. He was educated in the public schools of this city, and is at pres- ent employed as a salesman. He represented Ward 15 in the Common Council of 1882 and in the Legislature of 1883.
DONOHOE, MICHAEL THOMAS, clerk of the Board of Directors for Public Institutions, born in Lowell, Mass., Nov. 22, 1838. He was the second son of Owen M. Donohoe, a native of the County Cavan, Ireland, who immigrated to this country and settled in Lowell, Mass., in 1831, where he married Mary Cassidy. Young Michael went to the public schools at Lowell, and subsequently Holy Cross College, Worcester. He was
1 See Lawyers.
van
Award
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
engaged in business at Manchester, N.H., when the secession ordinances were passed in the Southern States, and he recruited a company for the Third Regiment.
He went to the war with the Third N.H. Regiment as captain of Company C, and was attached to it at Hilton Head and other points in the Palmetto State, -old South Carolina. While he was connected with the Third, his superiors always found in him a most reliable officer for any emergency. He received from his colonel (Jackson) conspicuous mention for his conduct in the battle of Secessionville, not far from Charleston, in which, out of about six hundred engaged, the Third lost one hundred and four in killed and wounded. Whether it was for days or weeks to be away in command on detached service, or to go forward directing the advance line of skir- mishers, or lead his company in battle charge, Captain Donohoe knew his duty, and per- formed it with tact, skill, and courage. This pointed him out as the most fitting com- mander for the then contemplated Irish- American Regiment of the Granite State.
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The Tenth N.H. Regiment, which was composed chiefly of Irish-Americans, with Colonel Donohoe in command, left camp at Manchester, N.H., on the twenty-second day of September, 1862, and arrived at Wash- ington three days later.
From Sept. 30, 1862, until the Tenth was mustered out at Manchester, June 21, 1865, Colonel Donohoe rendered heroic services to the Union. At the Capture of Fort Harri- son his horse was shot under him when in command of a skirmish line while the Army of the James was again moving forward to the attack, and later the colonel was severely * wounded.
General Donohoe was brevetted brigadier- general, and commanded a brigade of Devens's division, which was the first to enter the city of Richmond on April 3, 1865, and when the term of service expired he re- turned in command of three New Hamp- shire regiments.
The State historian says : "The regiment was largely composed of foreigners, who
leave a record highly creditable for patriot- ism, bravery, and good conduct ; those who survive are entitled to the gratitude of the State and nation; and its dead upon many hard-fought fields, in rebel prisons and hos- pitals, are entitled to an honorable record in the history of the great Rebellion."
General Donohoe married Miss Elizabeth E., second daughter of John and Isabella Mc- Anulty, who were of the earliest Irish people that made Lowell their home. Eight children have blessed this marriage, of whom five are living. For several years General Donohoe had resided in our adjoining city of Somer- ville, but has since made his home in Boston. On his return from the war he received an important appointment under the corpora- tion of the Concord, Boston, & Lowell Rail- road, which he retained until 1879. He then became connected with the Lake Shore Railroad route, taking charge of its passenger department at Boston; and later was the New England passenger agent of the Cleve- land, Columbus, & Indianapolis Railway Company, or " Bee Line."
The general received the nomination for Secretary of State at the Massachusetts Dem- ocratic conventions in 1879 and '80. In the National House of Representatives, five or six years ago, his name was reported for the very honorable position of a member of the Board of Managers of the National Soldiers' Home, but he felt obliged to decline the honor on account of his railroad business.
In 1887 he was appointed to his present position.
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