Mr. Haskell had the advantages of private and public school education in Newburyport. From school he at once entered his father's furniture establishment as clerk, salesman and book-keeper, and at the age of twenty conducted a branch store in Dover, N.H. Later, he became an assistant in the Newburyport Chair Factory, remaining until 1831, when he came to Boston and began business with Moses Mellen in one of the largest furniture ware-houses then existing. He connected himself later with Joseph J. Russell in the same business.
In 1841 he became associated with Albert H. Brown, a large dealer, and satisfactorily settled a complicated partnership account between Mr. Brown and his former partners, which necessitated his visiting New Orleans and other places where they had opened stores. In 1843 he resumed his former position with Mr. Mellen, remaining until 1850, when he began business for himself at Nos. 8 and 10 Union Street, as manufacturer and dealer in feathers, mattresses, curled horse-hair and bedding supplies. He subsequently removed to Nos. 100 and 102 Hanover Street, where the same business is conducted under the firm name of A. L. Haskell & Son, the latter Mr. William A. Haskell having been admitted to partnership in 1862. This concern was distinguished for its enterprise in furnishing the government, during the civil war with tents (Mr. Haskell's invention), also the navy and hospitals with their bedding, the amount of contracts being very large during the war of rebellion.
He was connected with the Chelsea Savings bank, and one of its vice presidents for several years. After Chelsea became a city, he held various public positions, was a member of the common council in 1858, '59 and '61, and alderman in 1866, '67 and '68 and was elected to the legislature in 1869 and '70. In Boston he was inspector of elections from ward 3 in 1836, '37.
Liberal in his religious sentiment, he became connected with the Unitarian society of Chelsea in 1848, of which he is an active member. He has always manifested a deep interest in the public schools, and is ever found in the front-rank of those reformers who are combating the evil of intemperance.
Notes provided by William Andrew Haskell (1919-2010)
Newsletter of the Haskell Family Society
Vol 6 No 4 December 1997On 26 February 1892 William O. Haskell, 82, died in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Born in Newburyport, he was a member of the Chelsea Board of Selectmen in 1852-3, alderman in 1858-9, 1865, and member of the General Court. He was for several years a manufacturer and dealer in chairs and school furniture on Commercial Street.
Mrs. Sarah S., widow of the late William O. Haskell, died at Canobie Lake, New Hampshire on 5 June 1893.
Harry Hudson Haskell was an actor and singer.
New York Herald
March 15, 1885
Died
HASKELL - At his residence, Saturday, March 14, Harry H. Haskell, of Mason, N. H., of pneumonia, age 33.
A historical discourse delivered at Chelsea, Mass., Sept. 20, 1866 at the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Winnisimmet Congregation
Micajah Haskell was born at Gloucester, Mass., Jan. 16, 1801, professed religion at Bangor, Me., and united with the First Congregational Church there in 1830; removed to this place in 1841; died, full of hope and peace, Oct. 30, 1850.