Page:One of a thousand.djvu/616

 602 TINKER. TIRRELL. much probate business — settling estates, etc. ; has always been an active temper- ance man and liberally aided all temper- ance organizations. He is noted for his generosity in the active promotion of all good works, and enjoys the unqualified ORRIN THOMSON. respect and confidence of the entire com- munity. TINKER, FRANCIS, son of John and Philena Tinker, was born in YVorthington, Hampshire county, January 3, 1816. His early education was such as the country schools of the time afforded. When eighteen years of age he was employed as book-keeper in a wholesale and retail grocery store, in Hartford, Conn. During this period he gave all his spare time to study, lie remained there about two years, when failing health com- pelled him to return to Worthington for rest. After a brief time he accepted the invitation of a brother, the Rev. O. Tinker, of Ashby, to attend the academy in that place, where he studied two terms, and one term in a like institution at Worthing- ton, which closed his school life. In 1840 he was again employed in a grocery store at YVestfield, but in the in- tervals of a dull business season he taught school in that place, and also at Worth- ington and Ashby. In 1842 he removed to Ashby, and was employed in various ways : kept a stock of drugs, medicines, fancy- goods, and station- ery in connection with the post-office. Afterward he purchased the drug store in Leominster, where he remained eleven years, when he disposed of his business, and in the autumn of 1S68 removed to South Dedham (now- Norwood), and opened the first apothecary store in that place, his present home. Here he also manufactured "the imperial fly-paper." June 16, 1841, he married Jane Amelia, only daughter of Isaac Patch, of Ashby, who died of consumption, August 22, 1842. May 11, 1848, he married R. Elizabeth, third daughter of Ebenezer Hutchinson, Jr., of Fitchburg. Of the three children born to them, but one remains : Dr. C. F. < ). Tinker, of St. Johnsbury, 't. Mr. Tinker was town clerk of Ashby, and a member of the school board some- six years or move, resigning when he left that place. In i860 he was a representa- tive in the Legislature from the 6th Wor- cester district. He was commissioned a justice of the peace in 1863, by Governor Andrew. On the organization of the town of Norwood, in 1872, he was chosen town clerk, which office he still holds. fie was the clerk of the Second Congrega- tional parish in Ashby, of the Evangelical church in Leominster, and is now clerk and deacon of the First Congregational parish and church in Norwood. He was the first librarian of the public library in Leominster, and a member of its board of trustees. He has also devoted much lime and labor towards establishing a good free public library for the town of Norwood, and has been one of the trustees since its 1 irganization. Mr. Tinker is the author of the - ' History of the Town of Ashby," in the Middlesex collection, published by Fstcs & Lanriat ; also the history of the Second or South Parish in Dedham, now the town of Nor- wood, in the " History of Norfolk county." TIRRELL, Charles QuiNCY, son of Norton Q. and Susan J. Tirrell, was born in Sharon, Norfolk county, December 10, 1844. His early education was received in the common schools of Weymouth, where his parents removed when he was seven years of age — his father's native place, and that of his ancestors for two hundred years. His father was a physician and practiced medicine in Weymouth until his decease. Mr. Tirrell entered Dartmouth College in 1862, and was graduated in the class of