Enlisting in the 23d regiment of Massachusetts volunteers, he served three years with this regiment, until 1864, as second lieutenant, lieutenant and captain. In 1864 he recruited the 25th unattached company, United States infantry, to which he was assigned, with the rank of captain, and with which he served until the close of the war. He was commander of Colonel Allen Post, G. A. R., 1868 and 1869, the first two years after it was instituted.
In 1858 and 1860 he represented his district in the lower branch of the Legislature. He was inspector of customs and boarding-officer for the district of Glouces-
Fitz J. Babson.
ter from 1865 to 1869, and collector of customs for the same district from May, 1869, to November, 1885, holding commissions from Presidents Grant, Hayes, and Arthur.
He is an active member of the order of F. & A. M., having served as master for eight years. He has been identified with all progressive movements in his native city and district, and is always alert in guarding the American fishing interests. He was made president of the National Fishery Association in 1886, and still holds the position. He prepared and presented most of the documentary and oral testimony for the United States before the Halifax Commission, also the report to the state department of his voyage on the "Kearsarge," inspecting the Dominion shore fisheries, and assisted in the compilation and presentation of the report on the Fortune Bay outrage on American fishermen.
His continued defense of the marine interests of New England from foreign aggression and adverse legislation has given him a national reputation, and to his published articles on matters connected with the Atlantic fisheries, the weight of authority. He has always been an intense Republican and protectionist, and insists upon "America for the Americans."
Mr. Babson was first married, August 19, 1850, in Gloucester, to Sarah E., daughter of Joseph and Sarah Procter. His second marriage was in Middlefield, July 14, 1885, to Mary Jane, daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Sophia) McElwain. His children by first marriage are: Mary, Anna Procter, and Fitz James Babson, Jr.
Bacon, Edwin Munroe, son of Henry and Eliza Ann (Munroe) Bacon, was born in Providence, R. I., October 20, 1844. His father was an eminent universalist clergyman, who died in Philadelphia when he was a lad of twelve years.
His early education was mainly received in private schools in Providence, Philadelphia, and Boston. He finished his studies in an academy at Foxborough, a private and boarding school which flourished for many years under James L. Stone as principal, and which fitted many boys for college.
At the age of nineteen he became connected with the "Boston Daily Advertiser" as a reporter, Charles Hale at that time being chief editor of the paper. He remained with the "Advertiser" for several years, and then left its employ to take the editorship of the "Illustrated Chicago News," in Chicago, Ill., an enterprise which enjoyed a very brief but honorable career.
From Chicago he returned East, and in the spring of 1868 became connected with the "New York Times," first as assistant night editor, subsequently becoming night editor, and later, managing editor. He was fortunate in securing employment on the "Times" staff during the life of Henry J. Raymond, its founder. Under him and the late S. S. Conant—general news editor during Mr. Raymond's later years—he learned the journalist's trade thoroughly. He was made managing editor by John Bigelow, who became editor of the "Times" soon after the death of Mr. Raymond.
