Page:One of a thousand.djvu/278

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264 GREEN. GKEEX. tutions" in school of library economy, recently connected with Columbia College, New York City ; was chosen fellow of the Royal Historical Society of Great Britain, May 8, 1S79 ; member of the American Antiquarian Society, April 28, 1880 ; mem- ber of the council of that society since October 22, 1883 ; member of the Ameri- can Historical Association ; was chosen a trustee of Leicester Academy, October 12, 1882 ; president of the Worcester High School Association, i886-'87 ; vice-presi- dent of the Worcester Art Society ; and trustee of the Worcester County Institu- tion for Savings. Mr. Green has written two books, and made numerous contributions to magazines and the general press, on subjects con- nected with the arrangement of libraries, and several papers containing results of historical investigation. His residence is Worcester. Mr. Green is unmarried. He is too widely known as a librarian and critic to need extended comment. He makes of his work a profession, pecul- iarly so. His aim is to make of a free library a power to educate the com- munity, and to this end all his methods for selection, arrangement and distribu- tion, tend. GREEN, WILLIAM A., the son of Wal- ter and Levina (Colvin) Green, was born at ( 'larendon, Rutland county, Vt., Novem- ber 6, [823. The only educational advantages he re- ceived were those afforded by the common schools of his native place six months of the year up to the age of nineteen, the alternate six months being spent on the farm. He then continued to work on the farm until October, 1842, when he came to Boston and hired himself out to work on 1 he wharves, which occupation he carried on for a number of years. In the meanwhile he had occasionally assisted the members of a fire engine com- pany, the Boston Hand Engine Company, No. 15, better known in those days as the " Boston fifteen," and in May, 1S47, he became .1 regular member of the company, and in October, 1851, he was elected its foreman. In February, 1858, he was elected assistant engineer of the Boston fire depart- ment. Subsequently he was appointed superintendent, and organized the Boston Protei tive Department Company, combin- ing the office of assistant engineer and superintendent, until April, 1S74, when he w.is elei ted chief engineer. He was ap- pointed one of the fire commissioners of the city of Boston in 1884. Mr. Green has possessed rare qualifica- tions for the administration of the respon- sible and important positions he has held. The fire department of the metropolis of the State has long held a national reputa- tion for bravery and efficiency. This has WILLIAM A. GREEN. not happened by 1 nance. It is the result of patient, intelligent and laborious work on the part of those who have had charge of its interests, and whose example at crit- ical and trying times has been an inspira- tion to the faithful members of the force. GREEN, William Barker, son of Fred- erick and Mary (Hathaway) Green, was born May 13, 1S35, in Adams, Berkshire count)'. The district schools of the town were the fountain from which he drew his book- knowledge, but they were district schools of an exceptionally high order, embracing in their curriculum most of the brain lies now taught in high schools. He began his business life as clerk and book-keeper in Pittsfield, at the age of fifteen. Three years later he entered the employ of W. W. Freeman of Adams, and succeeded him in the business in April, 1863. The firm of Green l: Half was formed in 1874, for carrying on the grocery business. This continued three years, Mr. Green conducting at the same time his old