Page:One of a thousand.djvu/462

 44* ORCUTT. ORCUTT. Mr. O'Neil can justly claim the title of father of the Meigs Elevated Railroad sys- tem, as he favored it from the beginning, and did more than any other man to secure the charter of incorporation, which was finally granted in 1884. He was for five years a member of the board of directors of public institutions of the city of Boston, and although the young- est member of the board in years, was its president in 1885 and '86. In 1S87 and '88 he was city clerk of the city of Boston, and during a part of 1889, pending the election of his successor. In 1888 he was unanimously nominated by the Democratic convention of the 4th congressional district for the House of Representatives of the United States, and received the largest majority ever cast for a Democratic candidate in the State. Mr. O'Neil is an ardent and yet a liberal Democrat, is a justly prominent man in his party, and his counsel is sought on account of his sagacity and prudence. As a legis- lator, he has been fearless and independ- ent, following his convictions with little regard to political bias. He is a good de- bater, hard student, and careful observer, and when he addresses a public assembly or a legislative body, it is with a force and earnestness that always command attention. His advice is sought in business matters as well as in political affairs, and he is known by his loyalty to his friends, who are legion, as well as by his devotion to principle. Mr. O'Neil is now president of the Meigs Elevated Street Railway Company. He was married in the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston, July 1, 1884, to Mary Anastasia, daughter of John and Maria (Plunkett) Ingoldsby. They have one child : Joseph Henry O'Neil, Jr. ORCUTT, Frank E., son of William Henry and Jane (Hobbs) Orcutt, was born in Cambridgeport, Middlesex county, Oc- tober 10, 1842, and there received his early educational training in the public schools. This was supplemented by a business course at Eastman's College, Poughkeep- sie, N. Y. He was then employed in Boston as a book-binder until June, 1862, when as a mere youth he enlisted in company F, 38th Massachusetts volunteers. He served in Virginia and Maryland until the command was ordered to join the famous Banks ex- pedition to the department of the Gulf. In April, 1S63, he was detailed for duty at General Banks's headquarters, serving in the ordnance and engineer departments until the close of the work of the expedi- tion. He had been commissioned as lieu- tenant of engineers, and was then ordered to go farther south on the Texas expedi- tion, doing important duty on the Rio Grande. Subsequently he went into Mex- ico during the unfortunate reign of Maxi- milian. Services closing in Mexico, Cap- tain Orcutt returned to Gulf headquar- ters, where he served until February, 1865, when he was mustered out of the service and returned home. FRANK E. ORCUTT. In 1867 he removed to Melrose, where he now resides. He has been justice of the peace and notary public twenty-one years, and town auditor sixteen years. He has been a most active and efficient worker in U. S. Grant Post, No. 4, (1. A. R., Melrose, serving at one time as post adjutant. Mr. Orcutt commenced business for him- self February 1, 1874, with William A. Allen, under the firm name of Allen & Orcutt, custom clothing. This partnership was dissolved in 1S85, he then forming a new one with D. W. Starratt, under the firm name of Starratt & Orcutt, which in turn was dissolved March 1, 1887, to allow Mr. Orcutt to accept the position of finan- cial manager of the Middleton paper mill. Captain Orcutt has an excellent record as a soldier and citizen, and is held in high esteem, especially by the comrades who