Biographical Sketches

Charles Breck was born 11 January 1798 in Medfield, Mass., the son of Edward and Sarah (Vose) Breck. Educated in the public schools, Breck worked as a farmer, wool puller, and tanner before taking up a career as surveyor, insurance agent, and town official in Milton, Mass. In 1827, he married Mary A. Blanchard, with whom he had two children, Mary E. and Charles. In 1837, he was first elected to the Milton Board of Selectmen, beginning a 51-year stretch in various town offices, including serving as the town's treasurer for 34 years. He was also active as an officer of the First Congregational Church of Milton and as director and agent for the Quincy Mutual Fire Insurance Co. From January 1849 until December 1888, he kept a daily record of temperatures outside his home at sunrise and 1 p.m. These observations were published in Annals of the Astronomical Observatory of Harvard College, vol. 43 (1901). Breck died in Milton on 18 July 1893.

Charles Edward Cushing Breck was born in Milton, Mass., on 8 May 1834, the son of Charles Breck and his wife Mary. Educated in the Milton public schools, at the age of 21, he took up land surveying with his father. He married Mary S. Stone of Belmont, Mass. in 1857, with whom he had three daughters. In 1862, he enlisted in Company B of the 45th Massachusetts Regiment and served until the end of the war. After his return, he farmed for a few years and, in 1870, formed a partnership with Herbert T. Whitman as civil engineers and surveyors. The firm did a large amount of work on steam railroad engineering. After the dissolution of the firm in 1885, Breck continued as a surveyor and civil engineer. He also served on the school committee in Milton. Breck died on 29 January 1899.