Edwin A. Tyrrell, a highly esteemed citizen of Hookset, Merrimack County, prominent in town affairs, has been station agent and Postmaster at Martin Depot since 1887, a continuous service of ten years in the two positions, an honorable record which speaks for itself. He was born May 15, 1851, in Paxton, Mass., a son of Jesse D. Tyrrell. His grandfather, Jesse Tyrrell, was of Massachusetts birth, but removed from that State to Vermont, settling in the town of Waterville, where he carried on general farming until his death, which occurred at a ripe old age.
Jesse D. Tyrrell was born June 2, 1825, in Bakersfield, Vt., and spent a large part of his life in that State. He learned the shoemaker’s trade when young, and followed it in connection with his agricultural labors until the fall of 1863, when he enlisted in the Seventh Vermont Regiment. He died February 6, 1864, soon after being mustered into service in Brattleboro, Vt. He was a hardworking man, industrious and thrifty, as well as a patriotic citizen, and was greatly respected by all with whom he had dealings. His wife, formerly Mary Ann Tyler, survived him but three years, passing to the life eternal January 6, 1867. Both were deeply religious, and were active members of the Methodist church. Of the five children born of their union but two are now living, as follows: Alfred H., born in Princeton, Mass., December 5, 1849, who married Ellen Prouty, of Paxton, Mass., and has two children-Mabel and Ella; and Edwin A., the special subject of this personal sketch.
Edwin A. Tyrrell was but two years of age when his parents removed to Cambridge, Vt., where he first attended school. After completing his education at Troy, Vt., he, by the death of his parents having been left dependent in a large measure on his own resources, went to Manchester, N.H., where he obtained a situation in the Manchester mill. Proving himself able and faithful in every position in which he was placed, he retained his connection with the mill for eighteen years, being second hand in the harness shop when he left. On September 1, 1887, Mr. Tyrrell located in Hookset, having accepted the position of station agent at Martin Depot; and during the same year, under President Cleveland’s administration, he received the appointment of Postmaster. During his residence in Hookset he has been prominently identified with the best interests of the place, and has served in important offices, having been Supervisor in 1890 and 1891, and ever since that time a member of the Board of Selectmen. He is also a member of the Board of Trade of Hookset; and he was appointed Justice of the Peace for this county by Governor Ramsdell in February, 1897. Fraternally, he is an active member of Wildy Lodge, No. 45, I. O. O. F., of Manchester, N.H., in which he served one term as Outside Guardian.
On May 2, 1871, Mr. Tyrrell was united in marriage with Miss Junia A. Ela, of Hookset, who was a woman of fine character, much beloved by all who knew her, and a faithful member of the Methodist church. She died May 16, 1885, leaving three children, the following being their record: Leona O., born February 19, 1875, resides in Hookset, N.H.; Arthur J., who was born September 21, 1876, is connected with the passenger department of the Boston & Maine Railroad, and resides in Concord, N.H.; and Wesley E., August 31, 1879, is a resident of Hookset. On December 24, 1885, Mr. Tyrrell was married to Miss Augusta R. Hatch, a daughter of Deacon Samuel Hatch, of Malden, Mass. She was born in Derry, N.H., December 25, 1852. At one time she was a member of the Second Advent church in Manchester; but she withdrew from that, and at present is not connected with any church. A devoted wife, Mrs. Tyrrell has been a kind and loving mother to the children left to her care, and is loved and respected by them all.