Joseph Whitehead (Massachusetts politician)
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Joseph Whitehead | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives for the 13th Essex District | |
| In office 1878–1878 | |
| Preceded by | Francis E. Batchelder |
| Succeeded by | Dudley Bradstreet |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 20, 1823 |
| Died | November 18, 1912 (aged 89) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Sarah M. Townsend (1849–1867; her death) |
| Occupation | Grocer |
Joseph Whitehead (May 20, 1823 – November 18, 1912) was an English-American grocer and politician who served one term in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
Whitehead was born on May 20, 1823, in Yorkshire.[1] He immigrated to the United States in 1845.[2] He resided in California and Milton, New Hampshire, before moving to Saugus, Massachusetts, in 1847.[2][3] In 1849 he married Sarah M. Townsend, an English-born woman residing in Saugus. They had 5 children, 4 of whom died during infancy. Sarah Whitehead died on February 28, 1867.[3]
Business career
After moving to Saugus, Whitehead worked as a spinner.[4] In 1858 he purchased Saugus' First Parish Church, moved it three rods north from its original location in the Saugus Center rotary, and opened a grocery store.[5] In 1886 he was an incorporator of the Saugus Water Company, which was created to provide the town with water for home use and extinguishing fires.[6] He also owned an automobile garage near the Saugus Center railroad station.[7]