He was widely known as one of the most prominent Odd Fellows in the State and long published a magazine devoted to this order. There were indeed few members of the fraternity who were not acquainted with this devoted member and worker. The highest honors of the subordinate and grand orders were conferred upon him. He was Grand Master in 1891–2, and Grand Representative to the Sovereign Grand Lodge in 1892–3. He was also secretary of the Merrimack County Odd Fellows Relief Association. Mr. Bourlet was a member of the New Hampshire Press Association also for many years and a member of the Universalist Church of Concord. In 1871 Mr. Bourlet married Abbie A. Webster, who survives him. One son, John W. Bourlet, Jr., and two grandchildren survive.
In the course of his long and highly respected residence in Concord, Mr. Bourlet was honored by his fellow citizens with various positions of responsibility. In 1887 he was elected a member of the Legislature from the city of Concord and served as chairman of the Committee on Printers’ Accounts and as clerk of the Committee on Labor. He was clerk of the Merrimack County Convention and for two years was auditor of Merrimack County. His exemplary life, his agreeable personality, his extensive knowledge of his calling and widespread acquaintance made Mr. Bourlet one of the representative citizens of his city and state. The expressions of sorrow from a large number of persons in his own city and elsewhere in the state and beyond its borders brought forth by the announcement of his death were tributes of those who have known and appreciated his strong qualities as a citizen and a friend.
Every volume of the Journal of the Society was printed and published under Major Bourlet’s supervision, and most of its pamphlets and other publications passed through his hands.
MAURICE O’MEARA.
Mr. Maurice O’Meara, who died of heart failure Friday, January 14, 1910, in his seventy-sixth year, at his home, No. 83 Eighth Avenue, Brooklyn, was born in New Street, New York City, and early became an expert in the various kinds and grades of paper and paper stock. He built up an immense trade, and in 1890 organized the O’Meara Paper Company of which he became president, with his three sons, Maurice, Jr., William and David, respectively, vice-president, treasurer and secretary. A year ago Mr. O’Meara celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of his business career, and a little later, on March 6, his golden wedding was an event that brought him congratulations from friends far and near. He left three sons and seven daughters. He was an earnest member of the American-Irish Historical Society; vice president of the New York Paper Dealers’ Association; a trustee of the Brooklyn Catholic Orphan Asylum, also a trustee of St. Francis Xavier’s Church, a member of the Montauk Club and many benevolent organizations.
GEORGE J. S. MURPHY.
George J. S. Murphy, secretary to the Elizabeth (N. J.) Board of Fire Commissioners and a valued member of this Society, died suddenly of heart disease September 2, 1909, in his thirty-ninth year, in a New York restaurant, as he was ordering dinner.
Mr. Murphy was a son of the late Walter and Margaret M. Murphy, who were well-known residents of the old Eighth ward, Elizabeth, where he was born, his parents then residing at 726 Eugenia Place. His father was a carpenter and builder and for twenty years or more was an election officer in the Eighth ward.
As a boy, Mr. Murphy attended St. Mary’s parochial school and later on the Morrel street school, from which he was graduated high in his class. He next attended St. Peter’s College, in Jersey City, from which he also was graduated with honors.
Mr. Murphy entered upon his duties as secretary to the Board of Fire Commissioners when it was organized in 1901, and during all the years he served he never missed a single meeting, a record of which he felt justly proud. Mr. Murphy was a young man who believed in method, and the affairs of his office were conducted in a thorough, businesslike manner. He kept a record of everything of importance connected with his office and was able at an instant’s notice to place his hands on whatever record might be desired. He was of a genial, pleasant disposition and as one of the commissioners said: “He was the right man in the right place.” There were few men better known in Elizabeth than was Mr. Murphy.