comptroller of the Southern Pacific Railroad and other consolidated lines, and is a recognized power in railroad circles all over the continent.
Mrs. Fenwick acquired her early education in Louisville, and completed her preparatory studies in Switzerland, where she was sent to attend school during the Civil War, when Kentucky was in an unsettled condition. In 1866 she was offered a position as teacher in one of the public schools of Louisville, and in the autunm she returned home to begin her duties. In 1871, after five years of teaching, she married Henderson Reno, of Louisville, Ky. He died in 1876, and in the fall of the same year she resumed work as teacher in the public schools of Louisville. She continued thus employed for nine years, and in that time she acquired a comprehensive knowledge of the entire system of school work. Appointed principal of one of the grammar schools in January, 1886, she occupied this position till the summer of 1891. She became the wife of Dr. Joseph Benson Fenwick, of Chelsea, Mass., in July immediately after the close of the school term, and has since made that city her home.
She was elected to the School Board of Chelsea in December, 1892, and has been re-elected after each expired term since. Intelligent and practical as an educator, conversant with the best methods of foreign and American pedagogy, her counsel ha.s been of inestimable value to the instructors and the students of the Chelsea schools.
She has served on all the important committees, such as Course of Study, Text- books, Supplies, High School (being chairman of the High School Conunittee for two years).
She has b(»en an active member of the Chelsea Woman's Club since its organization, and is a member of the Chelsea Fortnightly Club. She holds the office of secretary in the Associated Charities of Chelsea, and is a vice-president of the Rufus S. Frost Hospital Aid Association. Mrs. Fenwick is a delightful conversationalist, and her pleasing manners make her a social favorite in the city, which gratefully acknowledges her services.
ELIZABETH EATON BOIT, one of the founders and owners of the Harvard Knitting Mill, Wakefield, was born in Newton, Mass., July 9, 1849. Her parents were James Henry and Amanda Church (Berry) Boit, who were married May 7, 1846, her mother being a daughter of Isaac and Phoebe (Emerson) Berry, of Bridgton, Me. Her paternal grandfather, John Boit, a native of Boston, turned his attention to farming and resided in Groton, Mass. He married Rebecca Wesson, and had a family of eleven children.*- Miss Boit's father was born in Groton, Au- gust 13, 1824. He learned the trade of an engineer, but later engaged in the paper manufacturing business at Newton Lower Falls for many years. For twenty years he served as janitor of the Hamilton School building at the Lower Falls, and he was for a long period sexton of Saint Mary's (Episcopal) Church. He died January 16, 1899. Mr. and Mrs. James Henry Boit celebrated the golden anniversary of their wedding in 1896. They reared six daughters: Julia Amanda, born April 12, 1847, who died March 15, 1861; Elizabeth Eaton, the subject of this sketch; Clara Rebecca, born February 3, 1851; Harriet Maria, born August 11, 1853; Helen Augusta, born November 29, 1859; and Susan Henrietta, born January 31, 1864, who died May 4, 1886. Clara R. married on October 20, 1870, G. W Morse, of Newtonville, Mass.; Harriet M. married March 1, 1881, A. C. Wiswall, of Wellesley, Mass.; and Helen A. married June 26, 1882, Dr. ¥. W. Freeman, of Newton Lower Falls.
Elizabeth Eaton Boit pursued her elementary studies in the Newton public schools; and after her graduation from the grammar school she took a two years' course at Lasell Seminary, Auburndale. When eighteen years old she accepted the position of timekeeper in the sewing, or finishing, department of the Dudley Hosiery Knitting Mill, Newton, of which H. B. Scudder was at that time agent. The able and whole-souled manner in which she performed her duties soon caused her promotion to the post of assistant forewDman, from which she was shortly aft<»rward advanced to the position of forewoman; and in five years' time she was given full charge of the finishing department.
