History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts - citizen hylbom blog

524 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
He settled many estates of deceased persons, and
held at different times most of the offices of trust
in the town and parish. He attended public wor-
sliip in Medford, and was a stanch supporter of
civil and religious order. He was deacon of the
Congregational Clmrch in that town from about
the year 1818 until his death, February 15, 1860,
at the age of seventy-nine years.
Among the earliest settlers in the town was
Eobert Bacon, who in the year 1846 settled in
that part of the town afterwards termed Baconville.
The site wiiere he located was possessed of e.xcel-
lent water privileges, which he and his sons im-
proved for many years in carrying on their business.
He also owned a large quantity of meadow-land
adjoining, which afforded quite a revenue. The
talcing of a large portion of this meadow-land as a
part of the water-shed of the Mystic "Water- "Works
destroyed the water privileges which he had so long
enjoyed, and compelled him to use steam-power in
carrying on his business. After several years of success
he gave up the business to his sons, by some
of whom it was continued for many years. The
business is now carried on by a grandson (C. N.
Bacon), near the same locality. Mr. Bacon was
prominently identified with the early history of the
town, and contributed materially to its advancement
and prosperity. He took a deep interest in
town affairs, and was nearly always present at
the town-meetings, encouraging by his presence
and vote whatever was best calculated to promote
tlie prosperity of the town. He was one of the
oldest members of the Universalist denomination,
and took an active interest in it. He died June 4,
1861, at the age of eigiity-three years. His
daughter occupies the old homestead.
John A. Bolles was one of those prominent in
the early history of the town, and took an active
interest in its affairs during the many years (hat lie
was a resident therein. He was a lawyer by pro-
fession, and secretary of the commonwealth under
the administration of Governor Marcus Morton.
During the War of the Rebellion he was upon the
staff of Cieneral John A. Dix, and afterwards he
was appointed naval solicitor, eoMiieetcd with the
Navy Department at Washington, lie luld this
office for several years, and died while lidlding the
same, about two years ago.
Samuel B. WJiite died Noveinljcr 0, 1878, ;it
the ag(! of seventy-five years, lb' was burn in
BnstdM in 1811;',, ,u"id removed (o that part of \V„-
buru nnw Wnuhester in 18;>:5. lie was (lie first
treasurer of the town after its incorporation, and
was the station-agent here for several years. He
also held many other offices of trust, and was highly
esteemed in the community. In early life he was
connected with the militia of Middlesex County,
and at one time commanded the old 4th regiment.
He was also one of the original members of the
once celebrated Woburn Phalanx, and its first cap-
tain.
Among those resident in the town at its incor-
jooration was the Hon. Frederick 0. Prince, the
present mayor of Boston. He purchased, in 1848,
a residence on the borders of Wedge Pond, on the
brow of a commanding oak knoll overlooking this
beautiful sheet of water. He continued a resident
of the town for many years, and took an active
part in its early history. He served for three years
upon the first school board, which gave such excel-
lent shape and direction to the educational interests
of the town. He was also a representative to the
General Court for the years 1851, 1852, and 1863,
and a senator for the year 1854. He removed, sev-
eral years since, to Boston, but still continues to
make this his summer residence.
In alluding to some of the prominent citizens,
mention should be made of one who, although
a private individual, was, in a certain sense, a pub-
lic character for the last thirty years of his life.
Solomon Lawrence Fletcher died February 28,
1880, at the age of seventy-nine years and two
months. At his funeral the following, among
" Mr.
other tributes, were paid to his memory :
Fletcher had two traits of character to which I,
who have known him for nearly fourteen years,
wish to bear testimony. First, he had a love for
music, poetry, flowers, and everything beautiful.
This love entered into his life so deeply that it re-
fined his whole nature. It added to that fine cour-
tesy of his, with which he was ready to meet friend
and stranger, young and old Secondly, he
devoted himself to the happiness of others. How
full of sympathy he was for the sick and sufi'ering
How mucli he planned for the children's enjoyment
! We call a man of wealth a man of mrnii.s,
and it is a good use of words; but this man, with-
out any wealth, found means enough to carry sun-
shine and joy wherever he went. How many in
our community have made more hearts hap])y than
lie ? Let us lay this tribute upon liis bier as we
meet here to-day. With a kind, loving, generous
heart, he lived more for others tjian himself, and
in all our endeavors to make the communily hap-
!