Powerful Landlords
the rogers' property
George M. Rogers:
George M Rogers was first documented to have possession of the parcel 21-39 Salem Street in 1883. In the year 1888, George then owned buildings 17-39. George Rogers was born in 1821 in Massachusetts and owned Furniture Stores.
Francis Rogers:
In 1898, George’s niece’s spouse Francis Rogers, gained possession of the family’s Salem Street property and also gained more, with the Rogers' name now owning buildings 15-39. Francis, who went by Fred, was born in Ireland in 1840 and immigrated to the states in 1870. 8 years later, he married his wife Mary Rogers, who was the daughter of George Rogers' brother Martin. The pair had 3 sons: John, Thomas and Edward; and 2 daughters: Gertrude and Sarah.
Edward Rogers:
In 1938, Francis and Mary's son Edward H. Rogers gained possession of the property and was the last Rogers in possession of that property. Edward was a white male born in 1870 and lived in Cambridge Massachusetts with his mother Mary Rogers and his wife who he married in 1900. Edward was a real estate agent.
Tenements on Salem Street
Most Boston tenements during this time period were two-room apartments both in the front and back of the building. They were equipped with a stove, sink, and laundry tub, but toilets were shared by both apartments.
While the tenements housed many people who contributed to Salem Street's economy, they were not necessarily the safest living spaces. Fires that occurred in Salem Street tenements were not only frequent, but they spread fast. The narrow cobblestone street, especially with vehicles and market stands parked within it, made it very difficult for safety services to cease the fire.
These tenement buildings would have looked like the buildings to the right, which are tenements from further down Salem Street.
The Rogers' Tenements:
Most of the Rogers' tenements were were brick buildings that were packed closely together - they were all 4 stories.
Not much was recorded about the Rogers' tenements except for the published death of Alfero Olivelli on December 5th, 1917. Alfero was a resident who was reported to have, "lived with an aged aunt, Amelia Perzico, in the tenement building at 21 Salem St." It was reported that his brother and brother's wife also lived at that address.
the whittemore property
ABOUT the Whittemore family: Owners Of 43-45 Salem Street
Charlotte F. Whittemore was born in 1822 in Massachusetts. Charlotte was married to William W. Whittemore and lived at 34 Buffum Street with her 3 daughters: Edith, Kate, and Jenny; and her one son: William F. Whittemore. Charlotte worked under the role of “keeping house”, but also had her name listed as the main owner of 43- 45 Salem Street up until 1895. After 1895, the property was handed over to her son William F. Whittemore. William was born in 1851 and married Mary E. Whittemore while owning the property.
WILLIAM F. WHITTEMORE'S SOCIAL INVOLVEMENT:
William & Oberammergau:
On December 6th of 1910, William F. Whittemore attended an Episcopalian Club of Massachusetts Dinner and provided a speech on Oberammergau. Around 150 people attended and live music was played - it was quite the event!
The Congregational Club:
On January 25th of 1887, William F. Whittemore was elected the Secretary of the Congregational Club. William had dedicated significant time and attendance to the club which eventually earned him the chance to accept the role of secretary in front of 300 clergymen at the Horticultural Hall that afternoon.
the niles property
ABOUT L.V. NILES: OWNER OF 13 - 15 SALEM STREET
Louville V. Niles was born in January of 1839 in Maine. He was reported to be a white male who married his wife Sarah L. Niles in 1890 and worked in the real estate business. When living in Boston, the Nileses resided in the 3rd ward at 45 Walnut Street, a property that he owned. Louville and Sarah lived at this address with their 2 daughters, Alice M. Niles and Gertrude F. Niles, their son Harold L. Niles, their cook Maggie Campbell, and two servants, Hannah Buckley and Robert Sabiston.
Various Properties
Up until 1895; L.V. Niles was the owner of 13-15 Salem Street. In the year 1898, according to maps, L.V. 's property ownership switched, as his name was then registered under 11-13 Salem Street. L.V. Niles was a prominent property owner on Salem Street, but that was not the only place that his realty career took him. Louville was also reported to have had 2 South End properties and a Back Bay property. As of October 24th, 1906, he gained possession of 91 Appleton Street in the South End. Not long after, on October 22nd 1908, L.V. Niles became the owner of another South End property, 753 Tremont Street. On February 6th of 1927, L.V. Niles reportedly purchased his largest chunk of land, 49 to 67 Lansdowne Street in Back Bay. This parcel was reported to be 36,606 square feet.
real estate legacy
After Louville V. Niles passed away, his various properties did not disappear, and neither did his reputation in the real estate industry. His son, Harold L. Niles, took the reins and continued his father’s legacy of being a dominant realtor in Boston. He jump-started the firm Niles Inc., which was also the firm he raised his son L.F. Niles, to join. L.F. also went on to own several properties and carry the Niles name on amongst the Greater Boston realty scene.
references
Rogers:
"1850 United States Federal Census" Martin M Rogers, HeritageQuest, https://www.ancestryheritagequest.com/discoveryui-content/view/10625963:8054 .
"1850 United States Federal Census" George M Rogers, HeritageQuest, https://www.ancestryheritagequest.com/discoveryui-content/view/10625961:8054
"1850 United States Federal Census" Edward H Rogers, HeritageQuest, https://www.ancestryheritagequest.com/discoveryui-content/view/26985509:7163?tid=&pid=&queryId=4085375100ff2b744c69ac926c9e6649&_phsrc=NOz145&_phstart=successSource
"1920 United States Federal Census" Margaret Rogers, HeritageQuest, https://www.ancestryheritagequest.com/discoveryui-content/view/44874806:6061
“BOSTON PRIVATE AT AYER KILLED IN FALL.” The Boston Globe, 5 Dec. 1917.
Seasholes, Nancy S. The Atlas of Boston History. University of Chicago Press, 2019.
Whittemore:
“1880 United States Federal Census” Charlotte F. Whittemore, HeritageQuest, https://www.ancestryheritagequest.com/discoveryui-content/view/43867358:6742?tid=&pid=&queryId=79095985c65280bec23297be15e56635&_phsrc=NOz152&_phstart=successSource
“1880 United States Federal Census”, William F. Whittemore, HeritageQuest, https://www.ancestryheritagequest.com/discoveryui-content/view/15145785:6742
“Annual Meeting Held at Horticultural Hall. Elbridge Torrey Elected President and William F. Whittemore Secreatary.” The Boston Globe, 25 Jan. 1887.
“William F. Whittemore Gives a Talk on Obernmmergau.” The Boston Globe, 6 Dec. 1910.
Niles:
"1900 United States Federal Census" Louisville V Niles, HeritageQuest, https://www.ancestryheritagequest.com/discoveryui-content/view/38004287:7602?tid=&pid=&queryId=6ee606ff9cf22999fc987a2e8a33f4d7&_phsrc=NOz151&_phstart=successSource
“Applleton-St Transfer to L. V. Niles.” The Boston Globe, 24 Oct. 1906.
“L. V. Niles Purchaser of 753 Tremont St. .” The Boston Globe, 22 Oct. 1908.
“REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS: Valuable Hanover-St Corner Bought by Saul Weiss.” The Boston Globe, 6 Feb. 1927.
“Three Generations of Realtors.” The Boston Globe, 5 Oct. 1958.
Images:
“Dodd House, 190 Salem Street, North End, Boston, Mass..” Digital Commonwealth, https://www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commonwealth:f7623h127.
“Dodd House, Salem Street.” Digital Commonwealth, https://www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commonwealth:br86b838t.
“Door between Two Horse Walls at Timothy Dodd House, 190 Salem Street, North End, Boston, Mass..” Digital Commonwealth, https://www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commonwealth:8s45qv12j.
“Salem Street?, North End.” Digital Commonwealth, https://www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commonwealth:s46587341.