USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > The story of the Irish in Boston, together with biographical sketches of representative men and noted women > Part 36
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tive to the Legislature from Ward 20, Bos- ton. He received the highest number of votes ever accorded any man in his district, and has since been four times reelected, each time being more strongly endorsed than before. Each year showed him to be a strong and well-equipped man for the place. Alone and single-handed he has fought his way up to be one of the acknowledged leaders in the House, and one of its foremost debaters. He has served on some of the most important committees of the House; viz., Roads and Bridges, Finance, Expen- ditures, Education, Liquors, Constitutional Amendments, and the Child Labor Commit- tees. His work here has been characterized by thoroughness, signal ability, and wholly in the public interest. Says the Roxbury "Gazette :" "The two features of his legisla- tive experience which come directly home to the very firesides of the district, to the rich and poor alike, are the passage of the Franklin Park Loan and the Stony Brook bills, which conjointly will put over $3,000,- 000 into the pockets of our laboring men. To him was intrusted the charge of both of these measures in the House of Repre- sentatives. His skilful and successful man- agement of the Stony Brook substitute bill in the House, as well as his eloquent speech upon the passage of the Franklin Park Loan bill, determined in a high degree the success of these two measures, which will eventually prove blessings to the community. His minority report on the private school was the crowning feature of his legislative career. The broad grasp of principle on constitu- tional law, which this report showed, and the high plane on which it placed the whole discussion, soon attracted attention to the man, and gave him a reputation far beyond the State lines of Massachusetts." "The Pilot," commenting on the matter edito- rially, in its issue of June 2, 1888, said : "Now that the battle over the State inspec- tion of private schools has ended in a splen- did victory for the only people whom the measure really assailed, the Catholics, it would be ungrateful not to emphasize the
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credit due to Representative Michael J. Mc- Ettrick. He took up the cause of the pri- vate schools at risk of place and popularity. He saw and exposed the true nature of the proposed enactment. He framed the proper lines of resistance in his minority report. He was the only member who discerned the real intent and purport of the bill, and had the courage of his convictions. All through the legislative hearings he watched over Catholic interests with a vigilance and fidelity beyond praise; and it is not too much to say that to him, more than to any other single influence, is due the completeness of the dis- graceful defeat that has overtaken an unwar- ranted and un-American attempt to invade parental and citizen rights. The triumph is his triumph, and 'The Pilot' tenders him its hearty congratulations."
He is a forceful speaker, his remarks always showing thought and broad under- standing, and he frequently becomes really eloquent. His voice is large and full, well rounded and well controlled, and the ser- vices he has rendered his party as a stump speaker have been acknowledged in many ways.
MCGAHEY, ALEXANDER B., born in Bos- ton, March 30, 1855. He was educated in the public schools of this city. He represented Ward 7 in the Common Council of 1878-79, and he was a member of the Legislature of 1881-82, serving on important committees. He was nominated by the Independent Democrats four years ago; was a candidate for the Senate of 1885 from the Third Suf- folk District. He was declared elected, but his seat was contested on the ground of an irregularity at the polling-places. At the special election which was held in March, 1885, his right to be a member of the Sen- ate was settled in his favor. He was the regular Democratic nominee the following year, and was reelected to the Senate of 1886. During his two terms he served on the Com- mittees on Federal Relations and on Street Railways. He has been a member of the Democratic City Committee for several years.
McGARAGLE, PATRICK F., builder and contractor, born in Boston, Feb. 2, 1845. He received his education in the public schools, and is now engaged in business as a contractor and builder. He was connected with the militia for about seven years, a member of the Common Council of 1878-79, and of the General Court of 1880-83 from Ward 8, serving on the Committee on' Hoosac Tunnel. He was a trustee of the City Hos- pital during 1879, and is an active member of the Montgomery Veteran Associates.
MCGEOUGH, JAMES A.1
McGOWAN, WILLIAM S., chief clerk of the Metropolitan Steamship Company, born at Gardner, Me., December 26, 1826. His father's name was Felix McGowan, a native of Manahamilton, County Leitrim, Ireland. His mother, Judith McGowan, was born at Northport, Me. The family settled in Lowell, Mass., in 1837, where young Mc- Gowan went to school, and graduated from the Lowell High School. He afterwards learned the drug business in Boston, and pursued it until 1842. His public services include his appointment as Clerk of the Water Commissioners, in 1846, when water was introduced into Boston from Lake Cochituate. He remained in this position until the commission surrendered their work to the city of Boston, in 1848. Then his services were engaged in the counting-room of the Boston " Daily Advertiser " as clerk, under Nathan Hale, Nathan Hale, Jr., and Charles Hale, who were then the proprietors and publishers. About 1852 he went into the drug trade on his own account, and con- tinued this business for six years. The gold fever led him to California, where he stayed one year. He returned, engaged in the steamship business, with which he has been connected ever since. He was a Democratic member of the Common Council in 1857, chairman of the Democratic Ward and City Committee in 1858, and the first steam fire- engine ever used in Boston was put in opera-
1 See Lawyers.
Michael Som Other
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
377
tion by the passage of his order while in the Common Council. He was president of the Young Men's Catholic Association in 1854. He has always been prominently identified with the various charitable undertakings in this city.
MCGUNIGLE, JAMES F., born in the County Donegal, Ireland, and is now in his fifty- second year. His father, William, with his wife and son, immigrated to this country in 1837, settling in Boston, Mass. James, at an early age, was placed in attendance at the public schools, continuing thereat until his eighteenth year, when he went to work at the cutler's trade, which he soon abandoned to learn the trade of boot and shoe maker, which he did at East Stoughton, Mass. Here he first met his present wife, to whom he was married in 1855, by whom he had four chil- dren before the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion.
Upon the issue of the call of President Lincoln for seventy-five thousand troops, April 15, 1861, the next day Captain McGuni- gle, having cut the proclamation from a news- paper, copied it upon a roll, went through the shops of the village and secured the signatures of twenty-one Irishmen, or those who were descendants of Irishmen, which was the nu- cleus of Company K of the Irish Ninth Mas- sachusetts Infantry Volunteer Regiment. It was the captain's desire to get a company to- gether which might go to the front at once, to this end giving his time and labor. Besides securing these twenty-one recruits in East Stoughton, others to the number of sixty-three were secured in Stoughton Centre and the adjoining village of North Bridgewater, with which the captain went to Boston. Upon reporting and offering their services they were informed that they could not be then placed with any regiment, but to retain their organi- zation, return to their several towns, elect offi- cers, and stand in readiness to be called upon at an hour's notice This they did, the cap- tain being elected first lieutenant, and he only of the five officers chosen satisfactorily passed and received recommendation for a commis-
sion. His company about two weeks subse- quently was ordered to report to Col. Thomas Cass at Long Island, Boston Harbor, and was designated as Company K of the Irish Ninth, being recruited to one hundred and one men, rank and file, when it went to the front on the 24th of June, 1861, landing at the Navy Yard in Washington a few days later.
The captain's first military experience was with a company in Williamsburg, N.Y., con- nected with the Seventy-second Regiment, N.G., S.N.Y., commanded by Colonel Powers, which he joined in 1855, continuing with the same for about six months, when he returned to Massachusetts, and became a call member of Capt. Z. Bumpa's company of infantry of Braintree, with which he continued until President Lincoln's call, before mentioned. Captain McGunigle received his commission, as such, from Governor Andrew, bearing date the 27th June, 1862 (the battle of Gaines's Mill), in place of Captain Carey, who was killed in this engagement. The cap- tain participated in every battle, skirmish, and engagement of the regiment during its term of service up to the battle of Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864, in which engagement he received a gunshot wound in his left breast, the bullet penetrating a silver watch carried by him, and for the time being entirely pros- trating and rendering him unfit for service thereafter. The captain also received a gun- shot wound through his collar-bone at the battle of Malvern Hill, July 1, 1862, being taken off the field in the same ambulance with Colonel Cass and Major Dutton.
MCKENNA, MAURICE J., grocer and pro- vision dealer, born in County Kerry, Ireland, Dec. 15, 1845. He arrived in Boston in 1857, where he has since resided. He was educated in the national schools of his native place and the public schools of this city. He was first employed for Fleming & Has- kell, bookbinders, where he learned the trade, and later with Roberts Bros. IIe later entered the grocery business, where he has been very successful. He has served in the Democratic Ward and City Committee
.
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and in the Common Council of 1887-88, being a member of many important com- mittees.
MCLAUGHLIN, DANIEL, clerk, born in Ire- land in 1847. He was educated in his native country, and came to America while a young man. In 1882-83 he represented Ward 7 in the Common Council, and was a member of the Legislature of 1885-86, serving on the Committees on County Estimates, Parishes, and Religious Societies.
MCLAUGHLIN, EDWARD A.1
MCLAUGHLIN, JOHN A., undertaker, born in Boston, Feb. 1, 1853. He attended the Eliot and Mayhew Schools, and received a five years' course at Boston College. He is by occupation an undertaker, but has been employed by the city of Boston as an over- seer of the poor for a few years, until he was elected to the Board of Aldermen. He represented Ward 7 in the Common Council of 1881-82, in the General Court of 1883- 84, serving on the Committee on Water Supply. In 1887 he was elected from the Third District to the Board of Aldermen, and was reelected to the Board of 1888-89. He has been a member of the Democratic Ward and City Committee for about nine years, and secretary of that organization three years.
MCLAUGHLIN, PHILIP J., clerk, born in Boston, Feb. 7, 1850. He graduated from the Mayhew School in 1866. After leaving school he entered the employ of the Western Union Telegraph Company, where he is still employed as clerk in the superintendent's office. He served in the Common Council of 1880, '81, '88. He is secretary of the North End Fishing Club, Lakeman Boat Club, and the Atlantic Yacht Club.
MCNAMARA, JEREMIAH J., born at County Cork, Ireland, March 16, 1842. He immi-
grated to Boston, 1852, and attended the grammar schools until he was seventeen years of age. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1861, and joined the naval brigade at Fort Ellsworth, Alexandria, Va. He was there three months, at the end of which time he was drafted into service on the Mississippi flotilla. He was assigned to duty on the gunboat " Essex," Commander Foote, and was at the bombardment of Fort Henry. Thirty- four lives were lost on board the " Essex," which was blown to atoms; Mr. McNamara was thrown into the river by a steam. explo- sion, but was rescued. He fought under Commodore Davis at Fort Donelson, which suffered bombardment, but the enemy was compelled to surrender. He was one of eleven men who volunteered to spike a bat- tery of eleven heavy guns which were placed in the bend of the Mississippi river. They successfully spiked the guns at mid- night. He afterwards received a rating as able seaman. He was in the running of the blockade at Vicksburg, Miss., and there joined Admiral Farragut's fleet. On a forag- ing expedition, under Captain Porter, they met the enemy at Port Hudson; an engage- ment ensued, which resulted favorably to the Union troops. He can claim the honor of having been in the naval engagement at Vicksburg, in 1862, the Red-river expedi- tion, and the Army of the Tennessee under General Hooker. Mr. McNamara stayed at Chattanooga, Tenn., until General Lee sur- rendered, and received an honorable dis- charge from the service. He was a police officer from 1864 to 1871, promoted to ser- geant the latter year; remained on the police force until 1879, when he engaged in the saloon business. He served in the City Council from 1880 to 1884, inclusive, was on many important committees, and is a member of Post 7, John A. Andrew, G.A.R.
MCNAMARA, JOHN, builder, born in County of Cork, Ireland, May 1, 1848. He came to this country May 7, 1867, and located in Boston. He was educated in the National School of his birthplace. He first worked
1 See Lawyers.
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at his trade with John L. Shapleigh, and then with Jonas Fitch, and finally he branched off for himself. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, Knights of Honor, United Order of Friends, South Boston Yacht Club, and Company K, Boston Light Infantry. In 1888 he represented Ward 14 in the Common Council.
McNELLEY, JOHN E., baker, born in Plymouth, Me., Jan. 23, 1854. He received a common-school education, and learned the baker's trade. He became engaged in the business at the West End some years ago with his brother. He represented Ward 8 in the General Court of 1882, and was elected on the Independent Democratic ticket in 1884, to fill a vacancy in the Com- mon Council caused by the resignation of Francis P. Maguire.
MCSORLEY, JOHN, United States weigher, born in County Tyrone, Ireland, Jan. 29, 1836. He was educated in the schools of his native place. He immigrated to this country in 1851, and settled in New York City, where he remained until the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he enlisted in the "Excelsior Brigade," Seventy-first Regiment, and served twenty-five months. In 1866 he was appointed weigher in the Boston Custom House, his present position. He has been a resident of Everett, Mass., for twenty years. He is now serving his second term as commander of G.A.R., Post 156, of that town, and is also a member of Lincoln Council A. L. of H., of which he has been treasurer and commander.
MILLER, JOHN, born in Ireland in 1821. He received his early education in the schools of his native country. He immigrated to this country about 1847, and settled in Boston. He first began business as a grocer, and in 1850 engaged in the wholesale and retail liquor business. By careful business application and integrity he has accumulated a fortune, and ranks among the successful business men and large taxpayers of this
city. He was a member of the Common Council of 1865 and 1866, and of the Legis- lature of 1867 and 1868, representing old Ward 2, now Ward 6. He has been a mem- ber of the Democratic City Committee for a number of years. His present extensive trade is carried on principally throughout the United States and Canada. He received his son, William H., into partnership in the year 1880, and the business was increased by the latter. Their volume of business is said to reach $500,000 annually, including a large domestic cigar trade. Mr. John Miller is practically retired from the business, and it is now managed by his son.
MITCHELL, GEORGE F., elected to serve in the Common Council during the year 1889.
MONAHAN, WILLIAM H., boot and shoe dealer, born in Roxbury in 1857. He learned his trade as an iron-moulder, but. finally abandoned the occupation to engage in the boot and shoe business in Roxbury, his present occupation. He was a member- of the Boston Fire Department for five. years, and represented Ward 19 in the Legis -- lature during 1887.
MOONEY, THOMAS, printer, born in Bos -- ton, November, 1840. He was educated in: the public schools of this city; afterward learned the printer's trade. He represented, Ward 2 in the Common Council in 1874-75,- and in the General Court of 1876-77.
MORRISSEY, DENIS H., chief clerk of the Board of Assessors, City Hall, was born in Boston, July 10, 1851. He was graduated from the Lawrence School, 1864. In that year he was employed by the Adams Express Company, became clerk of the money de- partment, resigned the position in 1871, andl entered the auditor's department, to take charge of the books for the United States and Canada Express Company. Ile left there May, 1872, to act as ward clerk in the Assessors' Department of this city. He was elected chief clerk, Dec. 6, 1873, by a vote
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of the principal assessors, to fill a vacancy made by Frederick W. Smith, who had re- signed. Mr. Morrissey has been mentioned three different times for the position of prin- cipal assessor. He served two years on the late lamented Col. B. F. Finan's staff, Ninth Regiment, as paymaster, and was commis- sioned by the then lieutenant-governor, Thomas Talbot, Aug. 13, 1874. Mr. Mor- rissey resigned and received an honorable discharge Feb. 25, 1876. He served on General Martin's staff, Sept. 17, 1880, at the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of Boston. He was ap- pointed a Justice of the Peace, 1877, and reappointed, 1884. He increased the mem- bership of the Charitable Irish Society from two hundred to five hundred members, and introduced the annual ball, which is a great social event of the year. Mr. Morrissey is a member of many benevolent and social or- ganizations.
MORRISON, PETER, grocer, born in Boston, Aug. 31, 1853. He attended the public schools of this vicinity, and is at present en- gaged in the grocery business. He repre- sented Ward I in the Common Council of 1881, '82, '83, and in the Legislature of 1884.
MULCHINOCK, JOHN D.1
MULHALL, JOHN F. J., elected to serve as member in the Common Council during the year 1889.
MULLANE, JEREMIAH H., born in Boston, Mass., August, 1852. His early studies were made at the Boston public schools, until 1867. In 1872 a copartnership was formed by and between father and son, which existed until 1879; then his father died, leaving his heirs in full possession of the entire estate. Mr. Mullane is a born politician. He was a member of the Common Council from 1877 to 1880. He served in the House of Representatives from the year 1880 to
1883, inclusive. While in the Legislature he was one of the Committee on Finance. This was an honor without precedent, for he was the first Democrat who had ever served on that important committee. He was Commis- sioner on Public Service, 1880 to 1885; elected to the Board of Aldermen; in the latter year he was a Director of Public Institutions, 1885; and on Jan. 10, 1887, elected to fill the unexpired term of Joseph H. O'Neil, who resigned; and on the same day he was elected for three years, from May I, 1887, an execu- tive appointment by Mayor O'Brien. His term of directorship will expire in 1890. He is a member of the Boston Light Dragoons, the Montgomery Veteran Association, and many other organizations.
MULLEN, JAMES F., pork dealer, born in South Boston, July 2, 1863. He graduated from the Bigelow Grammar School in 1878, and then engaged with his father in the gro- cery and provision business, whom he now succeeds. He was a member of the Common Council of 1887-88, serving on the Commit- tees on Lamps and Treasury Department; is also a member of the Democratic City Central Committee and the Fourth District Congressional Association.
MURPHY, FRANCIS J., dry goods, born in Charlestown, Mass., Sept. 22, 1852. He was educated in the public schools of his native city. He has been a prominent Demo- crat of the Bunker Hill district for several years past. He represented Ward 3 in the Common Council of 1881, '82, '83, '84, '85, and in the Legislature of 1886, and in both the municipal and State legislative branch he served on important committees.
MURPHY, JAMES A., contractor, born in Boston in 1857, and was graduated from the Bigelow Grammar School. In 1873 he re- ceived a high-school diploma, and then at- tended a special course of instruction at Comer's Commercial College. Afterwards he became a clerk and salesman in the grocery business of Wadleigh, Spurr, & Co.,
1 See Lawyers.
1
JOHN R. MURPHY.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
in whose employ he continued until 1884, when he resigned to enter business for him- self as a contractor.
Mr. Murphy was a member of the Common Council from Ward 13 during the years 1882, '83, and '84, holding during the latter year positions on the following committees : Claims, Harbor, Public Parks, Joint Rules and Or- ders, Municipal Elections, Council Rules and Orders. Mr. Murphy has also been a member of the Board of Directors for Public Institu- tions. He has always been a vigorous sup- porter of the Democratic side of the Council Chamber. During 1884 Mr. Murphy was one of the leaders of the Democracy in de- bate on the floor of the Council. He has been a member of the Democratic City Com- mittee and of the Executive Committee since 1884. He is familiar with the machinery of Boston's city government, and well acquainted with the ordinances and the rules and law of procedure. At a special election on Feb. 21, 1888, Mr. Murphy was elected an alderman from the Sixth District, to fill the place made vacant by the death of the late Alderman William P. Carroll. Mr. Murphy has done effective work as alderman since then.
As a debater he is forcible and aggressive when needs be, yet passive and keen at every turn. He is a good tactician, possessing many resources and much reserve power.
MURPHY, JOHN R., fire commissioner, was born in Charlestown, Mass., Aug. 25, 1856. He was graduated from the Harvard Grammar School, 1869, and from the Charles- town High School, 1873. He entered the office of Silsbee & Murphy, and engaged with them in the merchandise brokerage business, until 1875, when he became connected with the Boston " Pilot," of which his brother-in- law, Mr. John Boyle O'Reilly, is the editor and publisher. Mr. Murphy accepted the position of business manager of that newspaper, and was associated with Mr: O'Reilly during ten years. The ambition which prompts many men to become masters of their own actions prompted Mr. Murphy to establish a business for himself. Accordingly, he embarked in
newspaper advertising, in which he was suc- cessful. In 1886 he was appointed a fire commissioner by Mayor O'Brien, and he continues to hold that office. Mr. Murphy was a member of the House of Representa- tives during three years, from 1883-85, inclu- sive, a member of the Massachusetts Senate in 1886. He is a Democrat, and his public speaking has won the applause and favor of his party, while those who differ from him politically acknowledge his ability as a leader in politics and a forcible, persuasive speaker on the platform.
MURPHY, PATRICK F., book-keeper, born in Boston, July 25, 1855. He attended the Quincy Grammar and English High Schools, and is at present connected with Murphy & Kennedy, harness dealers. He represented Ward 12 in the General Court of 1878-79.
MURPHY, TIMOTHY A., dealer in paper and twine, born in Boston in 1842. He was educated in the public schools. He is a resident of the Roxbury district, and repre- sented Ward 20 in the Common Council in 1879-80, and was a member of the General Court in 1881.
MURPHY, WILLIAM H., men's furnishing and jewellery, born at Charlestown, Mass., Dec. 18, 1855. He studied at the Boston public schools, and at an early age was en- gaged by the Boston Shirt Company, where he learned his business. He is very popular among the residents of Ward 3, who elected him to the Common Council in 1885, '86, '87, '88. He has been appointed on various im- portant committees.
MURPHY, WILLIAM J., grocer, born in Boston, March 29, 1854. He attended the public schools of this city until 1867, when he left to learn the shoemaker's trade, which he followed till 1881, and was employed in many of the large suburban shoe factories at various times.
In 1882 he engaged in the grocery business at South Boston on his own account, which
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