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THE STATE DETECTIVES.William H. Clemence of Lowell Appointed Chief—Who He I«—Detectives Reappointed.At ft meeting of the Executive Council yesterday afternoon, Governor Rice nominated Major William li. Clemence of Lowell as Chief of the State Detective force. The following detective* were reappointed: Hollis C. Finkbam, James i\ Wade and Joseph N. Knox of Boston, John Crosby, Jr., of Pittsfield, Henry C. Joslyn of Holyoke. Asa 1). Cray of Lowell was newly appointed.BtOfraphlMl Sketch of the New Chief.[ (Special Dee retch to Thu l}lt;*e?nn i*ior#*.iLowchL, Mass., May 31.—William 11. Clemence,Iust appointed Chief of the State Detective Force, ia» Just passed his sixtieth birthday, having been born at southbridge, March 111, 1818. Ho came to Lowell when sixteen years of age, and from that time to 1848 was engaged principally in the dry goods trade. He entered the Police Department •Jan. 1,1849, as patrolman, and two years later accepted the position of Deputy Sheriff under the late Fisher A. Hildreth. At a change of administration in 1863, he was dropped, but received the commission again in 1864 under John S. Keyes. The year following ho was elected Chief of Police. In 18o7 he | became special agent of the Poet Office Department for the New Kngland D vision, in which he remained up to the breaking out of the rebellion, when he entered the service as Cbief of Staff with General Butler, and going out with the Sixth and Fighth ttogimeula. He was at Annapolis and assisted in opening the road to the Kelay House Subsequently he went to Baltimore when the troops took possession; on to For trees Monroe next, and then repaired to Ixniisiana, where he was appointed chief of the Special Police Department under the martial law. He returned to Lowell in 1863; in 1860 was reappointed Deputy Sheriff and held the commission until 1874, when elected Chief of Police, He was re-elected the three following years, retiring in January last. In politics Mr. Clemence was a Democrat to I860, He has been in the Republican ranks since, except in 187'J, when he voted for Horace Greeley. For years he has taken no active part iu politics; indeed, he seems to have shunned them as much as possible. Mr. Clemence has been twice married, but is single at pr*$ent; his friends, however, may have reason to congratulate him ere long. He received his education in the schools of Houthbrtdge and in Lowell, and, although never favored with more than a limited education, he has acquired quite extensive knowledge by his brilliant keenness in searching things. He is a ready speaker, thoroughly conversant with law aud can handle a criminal case with any of the best lawyers. He is particularly noted for executive ability. While Chief of Police here everything went like clock-work. The officers knew their proper places, and never failed to do what was requited of them. Like Butler, he is a fast friend and a bitter enemy. In making choice of Mr. Clemence, the hxecutive has done a wise thing and a good thing for the Commonwealth. The appointment Is certainly an In-! stance in which the position has sought the man, and not the man the position, as the appointment was tendered entirely unexpectedly to Mr. Clem I ence.Mr. Asa I). Clark, who has been appointed on the force to take the place of John Blood, is well known and highly esteemed. He has been a member of the police force, and held position as a State constable. He is a sharp, reliable man, and one who cannot fail to do justice and honor to his new position.
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Boston Daily Globe
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Sat, Jun 01, 1878
Page 1
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Pete M.
USA 15 May 2025
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