No. 4911 Charles Henry Greenwood, 1832-1913
From American Series of Popular Biographies. Massachusetts Edition. This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Boston: Graves & Steinbarger, 1891.
CHARLES HENRY GREENWOOD, a resident of Dorchester, who is still engaged in agricultural pursuits, was born on what was formerly known as the Wells farm, April 9, 1832, son of Artemas and Sarah (Dudley) Greenwood. His father was born in Needham, Mass., in 1796. Coming to Dorchester when a young man, Artemas Greenwood entered the employ of the Hon. John Wells as foreman of his farm on Washington Street. After continuing in that capacity for twenty years, he moved to a farm on Harvard Street which he had previously purchased, and resided there for the rest of his life. He married in 1825 Sarah Dudley, a native of Wayland, Mass., daughter of Daniel and Lucy (Vose) Dudley and a descendant in the sixth generation of Francis Dudley, who “settled at Concord, Mass., perhaps about 1663.” Of this union were born three children — Lucy Ann Vose, Mary Jane, and Charles H. On January 1, 1852, Lucy Ann Vose Greenwood was married to George Elbridge Nightingale. She died December 19, 1891. He died July 11, 1897. Mary Jane married H. Foster Thayer , of Dorchester. The personal history of Charles H. is given below. Artemas Greenwood died in June, 1863; and his wife who lived to be ninety-three years old, died in 1886. They were members of the Methodist church, which Mrs. Greenwood joined when she was fourteen years old, remaining in active membership for nearly eighty years.
Charles H. Greenwood pursued the elementary branches of study in the Dorchester schools, and completed his education at the Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. Being an only son, it necessarily devolved upon him to assist in carrying on the home farm, and to care for his parents in their declining years, a duty which he faithfully performed. When the advantages of Dorchester as a suburban district began to be manifest, the Greenwood property was subdivided into building lots, which found ready purchasers, and it furnished the ground for seventy-five handsome residences. After the disposal of this portion of property Mr. Greenwood purchased a farm in Norwood, Mass., which he is now managing, chiefly for the purpose of occupying his time with some invigorating employment. He still lives at the Dorchester homestead, being one of the best known residents of the Harvard Street section, and earnestly interested in the upbuilding. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Greenwood is unmarried. He is an active and valued member of the Harvard Congregational Society.