p'«i'., ik4>!i;^ XI Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924022801686 l(nA.^UjlAA /\yigAAk o\ buMAAAxLlXMt)t^QFr Cornell University Library TH 9505.B74O77 Official publication in aid of the Bosto 3 1924 022 801 686 . ©fftcial lP>ublication .. T^ IN AID OF THE. BOSTON VETERAN FIREMEN'S ASSOCIATION WEDNESDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 16, 1904 w^a COMPLIMENTS OF A FRIEND J. H. IGHFFEBTY & 60. Bronze and Brass Founders X Established 1848 434 Hair SDD five. Jostonjass. Tipm Sim CO. 2249 to 2281 Wastiogtoi) street, Roxtiurg REED ^iyi^^ ^ — ^^ ^ C'| i m i i i|i nm . ^ This picture of our first President is copied from a card photograpli, the only one in the possession of his daughters, who reside at the old homestead in Brookline. Capt. Munroe was born in Lexington, Mass., November 29, 1798. He was christened Harrison Gray Otis Munroe, and under that name was married to Sophia Harrington, of Lexington, December 12, 1822. The house in which they were married, a relic of revolutionary days, is still standing, facing Lexington Common, and is occupied by the Town Clerk, Geo. Harrington, a relative of Sophia. In early life he learned the trade of shoemaking, and for a short time filled the position of school-teacher. At the time of his marriage he was engaged in the grain business with his brother Edwin, under the firm name of E. & 0. Munroe, having discarded the '-Harrison Gray" part of his name, and was always known thereafter as simply "Otis." Their store was on Codman's Wharf, on the site now occupied by the rotunda of Quincy Market. After the building of the market the firm moved to Com- mercial Street, where they continued in business until about 1884. His father, Philemon Munroe, was a veteran of the Revolutionary War, and belonged to the Lexington Com- pany. Mr. Munroe's record as a Boston fireman is a most noted one. He was appointed an "Engine Man" Decem- ber 4, 1823, and assigned to Engine No. 7 "Extinguisher," which was located near the site of the Old Court House. It was a crack company, composed of many of Boston's best citizens. A copy of this certificate, one-quarter the size of the original, is presented herewith. It is a "Town" Certificate changed to "City," as Boston was made a City in 1822, and either for the purpose of economy or neglect to have new ones printed, they used what they had on hand. As in all matters that he was interested, he gave his earnest efforts in behalf of the Department, and was recog- nized as authority on all subjects affecting its interest, and it was in a measure owing to his suggestion that the depart- ment was reorganized under Mayor Quincy, in 1825, and two new engines, the "New York" and the "Philadelphia," were introduced. In 1826 Mr. Munroe was asked to form a new company and in twenty-four hours the work was accomplished and Old North No. 1 elected him Captain, a position he held for eleven consecutive years. His certificate as member of No. 1 is dated April lij, 182.5, signed by Josiah Quincy, Mayor, and and S. F. McCleary, City Clerk. In 1839, under Mayor Eliot's administration, the fire department depreciated in service and, being a strictly vol- unteer organization, Captain Munroe suggested making it a paid force, under which it would be possible to enforce dis- cipline, and his idea was adopted ; the old force was dis- charged and a new one organized. This course caused some jealousy and friction between the old and the new men. During this trouble Captain Munroe was an engineer, and devoted his energies to making the company perfect in matters of discipline, and he soon brought order out of chaos. After serving as engineer for three years he re- signed and went back to his first love. Old North No. 1. In the archives of the Boston Veteran Firemen's Asso- ciation is an autograph list of the men living in 1869 who had belonged to "Old North." It is the gift of Mr. Walter H. Dugan of Brookline, grandson of Captain Munroe. Among the names are many of Boston's most noted citizens in the various walks of life. Their average age at that date was 65 years — James H. Bennett, 2d, being the oldest, 78 years, while Captain Munroe came next, aged 71 years. Among the 38 names we notice that of Moses Kimball, clerk, and Alvan Adams, founder of the express business, at one time foreman. When the Boston Veteran Association was reorganized in 1878 it elected for its first president Captain Otis Mun- roe, and for its first vice-president Captain Charles H. Stearns, both of whom were active members of the original Association organized in 1833. During the years 1878, 1879 and 1880 Captain Munroe was re-elected president and Captain Stearns vice-president. When elected he was 80 years of age and continued an active member of the Association until his death, May 10, 1894, Aged 95 years, 5 months and 11 days. In the home at Brookline, carefully preserved by his daughters. Miss Sophia Munroe and Mrs. Rebecca Dugan, is a beautiful silver pitcher, made of new American half dol- lars, contriubted by the members of the Old North Engine Company No. 1. On one side is a fine engraved picture of the engine, and on the reverse the following inscription : Presented to MB. OTIN MUNROE by the MEMBERS OF ENGINE COMPANY No. 1 as a Testimony of Respect for his Valuable Services while their 1st Officer. Boston, March 11, 1830. This token of love is one of the many tributes to the character, the ability, and the genial disposition of "Our First President," and before many years will pass into the possession of his only grandson, Mr. Walter H. Dugan, who, having retired from active business, is following the example of his ancestor and devoting his time to the welfare of others, as a director in the Young Men's Choral Union of Boston. •70 BOSTOX VETERAX FIREMEN'S ASSOCIATION. Contoocook Mills Co. Manufacturers of the Celebrated CONTOOCOOK A Indigo Blue Ribbed Underwear and Hosiery For Men SALESROOMS: 104 CHAUNCY ST. 87 FRANKLIN ST. Boston New York Mills at Hillsboro Bridge, N. H. CURRAN & BURTON New Caglanci Agents lor Pocahontas Bituminous Coal 70 KILBY STREET, Boston, Mass. Compliments of General Fire Extinguisher Company American Loan =AND= Trust Company 53 STATE STREET, BOSTON •?• «^ CAPirau SURPLUS, $1,000,000.00 500,000.00 BOSTON VETEliAN FIREMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 23 C. C. WILSON, Director. 24 B0ST(JX VETERAN FIREMEN'S ASSOCIATION. HENRY M. HAWKINS, Director. BOSTON VETERAN FIREMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 25 26 BOSTOX VETERAN FIREMEN'S ASSOCIATION. JOHN A. PRESTON, Director. BOSTON VETERAN FIREMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 27 J. W. STOWELL, Director. 28 BOSTON VETERAN FIREMEN'S ASSOCIATION. John Bryant's Sons funeral Unbertahers ant» lembalmers 15 AUSTIN STREET, '^''"'"'"''District Chariestown Telephone, 24J-2 Branch : 353 MEDFORD STREET, Somcrville SomervUIe Telephone, J23-2 Best Wishes oT- Niagara Tire Insurance Company Compliments of ... Hartford Tire Insurance Company Compliments of ... Ci1"izons Mutual Insurance Co. A. W. RUSSELL, President Organized 1874 DUNCAN D. RUSSELL, Treasurer Incorporated 1890 James Russell Boiler Works Go. Manufacturers of STEAM BOILERS, TANKS and PLATE IRON WORK. Office and Works: corner C and tst Streets SOUTH BOSTON, MASS. Telephone, 427-2 So. Boston. STONE & FORSYTH PAPER, TWINE, BAGS I BOXES OFFICE AND SALESROOM : warehouse: 268 Devonshire St. 5 and 7 Federal Ct. BOSTON, MASS. Printing and Box Factory: STONEHAM, MASS. Compliments of P. LALLY & SONS C^ ompl iments of ... L & L & Globe Insurance Co. CO-OPERATIVE BANKS The PIONEER The HOMESTEAD The GUARDIAN 3 6 BROMFIELD STREET, .. .. BOSTON, MASS MEETINGS: First Monday, second Wednesday, first Friday. All meetings at 7.30 p. m. Money to loan monthly in each bank. Shares for sale 6 times a year. Office hours 10 to 2 daily. Money usually Sells at 5 Per Cent. D. TCLIDRIDGH;, Skorkxaby GILMOURSCOOLIDGE INSURANCE WATER STREET, BOSTON. MASS. HENRY W. SAVAGE Boston Real Estate Rental of Stores, Offices and Build- ings J' Money advanced to Heirs upon Undivided Real or Personal Estate, Dower or Trusts ^ Resident Agents in Every Suburb TELEPHONES S04S) 2049 \ Haymarket 8050) 7 Pemberton Square Boston OBRIO]M & RUSSELiLi Ifneurance BOSTOl^, MflSS. ■^s^ ■: '•/''' - - i ;.f ■r i-/ -,^*-, -Jf: - <.--l?->1 ■'■- -t'.- ■,:^ \l - : 'i, ..a-',.,/:^ . '•''"- f-. '- • : -.• -'-'" •.-,.■:■ ':.•!}•<• . '■ ( a' ^ \.-^ ^^ - 'f,' frl ...'> . c ,i^' ' ■^'■r" h> — ,'^-\ j\i. 1 ' ). ■ ' .' '■- 1- v-'s ."Si.Sti, c'> ;■ t->,' ■■■ ^'JfT '^^ '5i -;/ ^^