Lieut. Harriman Promoted to Captain, 1909, Divison 13, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts

In my genealogical search of the Harriman family I came across this article in the Boston Daily Globe archives. The archive is made available, for free, through the Boston Public Library.


Published in the Boston Daily Globe 3 Sep 1909, pg. 16

LIEUT HARRIMAN PROMOTED TO CAPTAIN
Sergt. George H. Guard Becomes Lieutenant and Patrolman John C. Murphy a Sergeant

Police Commissioner O'Meara in a general order last night appointed one captain, one lieutenant and on sergeant of police. The appointments were not unexpected, as they have been anticipated ever since the death of Capt. William J. Lowery of division 12.
The new superior officers are: Lieut Joseph Harriman of division 15, Charlestown, appointed to the rank of captain and assigned to division 13.
Sergt George H. Guard of division 4, Legrange st, appointed to the rank of Lieutenant and assigned to division 15.
Patrolman John C. Murphy of division 16 appointed to the rank of sergeant and assigned to division 4.
In the same order the commissioner transferred Capt George W. Wescott from division 12, City Point, to fill the vacant by the death of Capt Lowery.
All the promotions and the transfer of Capt Wescott take effect tomorrow morning at rollcall.
The promotion of Lieut Harriman is a popular one among the men of the department. He is known as a quiet, retiring officer, fair in his judgement and unflinching in performing his duty. He was made a lieutenant in the general shakeup in March 1908, having been promoted from the rank of sergeant while at division 9.
"Joe" Harriman as he is commonly known, was born in Wiscasset, Me, 48 years ago, March 29, 186 (sic), he was appointed a patrolman and promoted to sergeant Feb 6, 1893. From July 29, 1901 until his appointment to the lieutenancy in March 1908, he was attached to division 9.
Sergt. George H. Guard, who has been appointed lieutenant is a Boston man, having been born in this city July 27, 1863. He enlisted in the regular army and was made a sergeant of calvary July 6, 1888, he was appointed on the force as a reserve officer and sent to division 10, where he was made a regular patrolman Jan 10, 1889.
Later he was made a member of the mounted squad and on May 1, 1898 he was sent to division 16. He was appointed sergeant Oct 25, 1899, and transferred to division 14. Since then he has been attached successively to divisions 16, 12, 9, 11 and 4. In 1904 he was one of the police officers investigated by the commission in the connection with the "Tech riot" of Nov 2, but was exonerated. He is a fine horseman and one the most efficient men on the force.
John C. Murphy, who has been appointed to replace Sergt Guard, was born in Elmira, NY, 33 years ago. He came to Boston in 1895 and was appointed to the force March 7, 1903, being attached to division 12 as a patrolman. Jan 1, 1904 he was transferred to division 16, and May 7, 1907 was made a special officer. In this position he has done good work.

Captain Joseph Harriman was the father of Alfred C. Harriman who married May Wright, daughter of Joseph A Wright and Marie 'Mary' Boudreau, on 11 Aug 1914 in the state of Maine. For more information please search the label Harriman and or Wright.

The Obituary of Alfred Clark Harriman, 1919, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, husband of May Wright

Here is Alfred's obituary, published 25 Jan., 1919 in The Boston Daily Globe, pg. 10. This is the only write up I have found so far. I looked in the NY Times, but there was nothing.

HARRIMAN--In Jamaica Plain, Jan 24, Alfred C. Harriman, in his 32nd year, husband of May E and only son of Capt. and Mrs. Joseph Harriman. Funeral services at his parents residence, 811 Center St., Jamaica Plain, Sunday Jan. 28?, at 2:30 pm.

Alfred C. Harriman married Mary "May" Elizabeth Wright (Joseph, Marie "Mary" Boudreau) on Tuesday 11 Aug 1914 in Wiscasset, Maine. [Source: Maine State Archives]

Just a note; I found a May Harriman, widow, 32 yrs old, in the 1920 Manhattan census on West 135th St.(there was only one May Harriman in all of NY), it documents her as doing clerical work in studio. Living with her as roomers are Russell Mack and his wife.
Our May as born 31 May 1887 in Boston : ) She died, Apr. 1967 in Manhattan, NY, NY. Verified per her SSDI listing. I believe the May in the 1920 census is our May Harriman, nee Wright.

Alfred's WWI Draft Card. It documents him as follows:

Name in full: Alfred Clark Harriman
Age in years: 29
Home address: 620 135th New York, NY
Date of birth: 12 July 1887
Are you (1) a natural born citizen(2) naturalized (3) an alien(4) or have you declared your intention(specify which)? natural born
Where were you born, Rocksbury Mass (Roxsbury)
What is your present trade occupation or office: Musical Arranger
By whom employed; Broadway Music
Where employed: 145 W 45th St
Have you a father, mother, wife, child under 12 solely dependant on you for support (specify which) ? Wife
Married or single (which)? Married
Race (specify which) Caucasian

etc. etc... It goes on to state that he is 6 ft tall, with brown hair, and blue eyes. His signature is on the bottom of page 1 and it is dated 5 Jun., 1917.

Joseph Harriman and Clara E. unknown were Alfred's parents, and both were supposedly born in Maine. Joseph Harriman was a policeman in J.P., hence the usage of the abbrev. Capt. in Alfred's obit. Info on Alfred's parents and birth come from the MA State Archives. [Harriman Alfred Clark Boston 1887 378 237 Birth]

1917 Ziegfeld Follies. That's the Kind of a Baby for Me / Lyrics by Alfred C. Harriman ; Music by J. C. Egan