George Stuart Bourne, 1853-1908

George Stuart Bourne, 1853-1908

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).

GEORGE STUART BOURNE, painter and paper-hanger of Dorchester Lower Mills, was born in Falmouth, Mass., February 17, 1853, son of Captain William and Elizabeth (Stuart) Bourne.  His paternal grandfather was Captain Silas J. Bourne, a well-known ship-master of his day, who visited most of the important seaports of the world, but who was engaged principally in the Liverpool trade.  Captain Bourne died in 1873, age eighty years.  He was an active member of the Methodist church.  He and his wife, Elizabeth Cragswell, had four children — William, Eliza, Silas, and Franklin none of whom are now living.

Captain William Bourne was born in Falmouth, and at an early age began to follow the sea with his father, from whom he obtained a good knowledge of navigation; and when twenty-two years old he took command of a ship at Greenpoint, L.I.  He was employed chiefly in the West India trade, and in 1857, while in Havana, Cuba, he was stricken with yellow fever, which proved fatal.  He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.  His wife, Elizabeth, was a daughter of James Stuart.  Her mother, who was a Freeman, was a representative of an old Sandwich (Mass.) family.  Captain and Mrs. William Bourne were the parents of four children: James H., a resident of Dorchester; William who is now deceased; Ellen, wife of Edward Smith, of Boston; and George S., the subject of this sketch.  Mrs. Bourne died in 1892.

George Stuart Bourne was educated at the Falmouth Academy.  Shipping on board a whaling vessel at the age of fourteen, he followed the sea in that industry for four and one-half years, at the expiration of which time he entered upon an apprenticeship at the painter’s trade in Dorchester with his brother James H. Bourne.

After learning his trade he was associated in business with his brother for five years, or until 1884, when he withdrew from the firm in order to engage in business alone at the Lower Mills.  In connection with his painting and paper-hanging business, he deals quite extensively in paints, oils, varnishes, wall-papers, painters’ and paper-hangers’ supplies, etc.

Mr. Bourne is a member of Macedonia Lodge, F.& A.M.,* and Dorchester Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; of Dorchester Lodge, I.O.O.F.,** and Ellison Encampment, in which latter he has occupied all of the important chairs; and also belongs to the Order of Good Fellows.  In 1874 he joined the Boston Fire Department, and for thirteen years was captain of Hook and Ladder Company No. 6.  In politics he acts independently.

Mr. Bourne was married in 1877 to Miss Lizzie H. Cragsland, a native of Medway, Mass., and a daughter of John Cragsland.  They have had three children, none of whom are now living, one having died in infancy.  The others, Jennie and Lizzie, died in childhood.

*F. & A.M.  Free and Accepted Masons.

**I.O.O.F.  Independent Order of the Odd Fellows.

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Posted on

September 24, 2022

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