GUILD. GUNN. 269 conservative journals, it being then re- garded as exceedingly undignified to ad- vertise themselves in that manner. On January 1, 1850, the "Commercial Bulletin " made its appearance, with Curtis Guild as editor and sole proprietor. He was already widely and favorably known as a prolific writer. In his travels through the West he had noticed that none but New York papers reached the hotels and offices of the towns and cities there. The idea of a commercial paper to be issued from Boston, representing the manufacturing, commercial and business interests of New England, suggested itself to him. For half a century or more the merchants and business men of the country had looked principally to New York for their supply of purely mercantile news, and not until the judicious enterprise of Mr. Guild in •1859 did this state of things begin to pass away. To compete successfully with his ener- getic contemporaries, he realized that his paper must be ably edited, contain valuable news, and be brought directly to the notice of those he assumed to please. To secure the latter object, he introduced new and entirely original features of journalism into the "Commercial Bulletin." Special de- partments were created, and all its features were distinctive and its style and make-up original. It was a decided success from the start, and the unwearied zeal and com- prehensive genius of Curtis Guild made that success permanent. In 1S67 Mr. Guild spent the summer in Europe, and his volume, " Over the Ocean," published by Lee & Shepard, gave the public the advantage of his travel. Six years later "Abroad Again " was received by the public with equal favor, and in [888 a third volume, entitled " Britons and Mus- covites," was issued. These volumes all have an extensive sale, and are among the most popular books of travel issued. Mr. Guild has never sought nor listened to calls to offices of political preferment. He has simply served his native city twice as member of the common council and once as alderman. He is known as a true "Bostonian," and is proud of the title ; is an enthusiastic admirer of his city, her in- stitutions and peculiar characteristics. As a patriotic antiquarian, he is ever found in opposition to the unnecessary destruction of ancient landmarks. Mr. Guild was married in September, 1N5X, to Sarah C, daughter of I). G. W. and Abby (Crocker) Cobb, grand-daughter of General David Cobb, aide to General Washington through the revolutionary war. His eldest son, Curtis Guild, Jr., was gradu- ated with honor from Harvard in the class of 1861, and was class orator. His second son, Courtenay Guild, graduated at Har- vard with honors in the class of 1886. Mr. Guild has been president of the Commercial Club of Boston, being one of its founders ; president of the Bostonian Society, in which the Boston Antiquarian Club was merged, and president of "The Club of Odd Volumes." He has also been successful as a public speaker, as his oration at the centennial celebration in 1878, at Norwood, the birth- place of his father, his address to Char- lotte Cushman on the occasion of her fare- well to the stage, in Boston, in 1875, and the first address delivered by him to the English High School Association of Bos- ton, in 1882, bear witness. Besides being a practical and successful business man, Mr. Guild's literary tastes have led him to the acquisition of a re- markably choice and unique library, con- taining many of what are known as " extra illustrated " or " extended " works, some of which are very valuable ; also rare and curious portraits, engravings, documents and manuscripts, and a choice collection of autographic memorials of great interest. GUNN, JAMES A., the son of Henry A. and Susan Gunn, was born in Mon- tague, Franklin county, September 3, t8 4 8. He received his early education in the public schools of his native town and at Wesleyan Academy, Wilbraham. Until about nineteen years of age he was engaged in working upon the home farm. In 1873 he commenced business in Turner's Falls, in the grocery and provision trade, under the firm name of Clapp & Co. In 1876 he bought his partner's interest, and carried on the business alone till 1887, when he disposed of it altogether. Mr. Gunn has held the office of select- man, assessor, overseer of the poor, and road commissioner for Turner's Falls. He is a trustee of the Crocker Institution for Savings, and has been a member of its finance committee and investment board for many years. He is also treasurer of the George F. Littlefield Shoe Company at the present time. In 1882 he was elected a member of the Legislature. Mr. Gunn married, in 1875, Ellen C, daughter of Jeremiah and Mary Dugan of Montague, who died in 1886. He has two sons : Wilford J. and James A. Gunn, Jr.
