Dublin Core
Title
Hans P. N. Dahl Watch and Biography
Description
Photos of a watch from the Maynard Jeweler and Optician H. P. N. Dahl.
(Biography adapted from Mr. Dahl's obituary in 1914)
Hans P. N. Dahl was born in Denmark, September 5th, 1859. As a boy he was possessed of more than ordinary ability and aspirations. After working himself through the schools of his native town he took a course in a University in Germany, after which he learned the trade of a watchmaker and jeweler.
Then he took a course in optometry in Germany, and at the age of thirty years came to America and settled in Maynard. With no knowledge of the English language he was unable to find employment along the lines of his chosen profession and went to work in the Assabet mills where he was a faithful worker and where he made persistent efforts to learn the language of his adopted country.
As he became more familiar with English as it is spoken in America, he made acquaintances, and one day a fellow workman told him that he had a clock that he wanted repaired and that he had been unable to find any one who could do it. Mr. Dahl told him that he was a professional in that line. He fixed the clock and did it so well that his fame rapidly spread, and in a short time he opened a little store near the W. A. Haynes grain mill in the Riverside block on Main Street. He soon outgrew those quarters and moved into the Naylor block (where the Lerer store would operate from, roughly 3 Nason Street), and a few years later moved into the store on 77 Main Street, and where he had continued to meet the success which had been his from the start.
He took a course in the Philadelphia Optical college, from which he graduated with a diploma as "Doctor of Refraction." He also took an examination for doctor of Optometry, at the same college, and easily passed with high honors and received a diploma as such. He passed the state board of optometry and was registered according to law.
For the past six years he had been employed by the state to examine the eyes and fit glasses for the inmates of The Massachusetts Reformatory at Concord Junction.
Mr. Dahl was ranked as one of the most successful business men of Maynard.
He died at his home, 30 Concord Street, Wednesday afternoon, April 8th, 1914 at 3.30 o'clock, after an illness of ten days with a complication of diseases, aged 55 years. The funeral was held at the house, this Friday afternoon, Rev. Frederick N. Rutan, pastor of the Congregational Church officiating, and burial was in the family lot in Glenwood cemetery, under the direction of Undertaker O. S. Fowler.
There was a great profusion of beautiful flowers, including many set pieces from relatives and friends of the de-parted, loving mementoes of respect for a life-long friend and honored citizen.
The deceased was a man of good standing in the community, a member of the Congregational church and the Men's Fraternal league.
He was a man of strict integrity in all his dealings with his fellow men, and was highly respected for his good qualities. He was a kind and indulgent husband and father, and made friends wherever he was known.
[On] July 18th, 1891, he was married to Miss Bertha Amundsen, of Concord, who died in April, 1905. There were two sons, Joseph and Andrew, and one daughter, Martha L., all of whom survive their father and are living in Maynard.
(Biography adapted from Mr. Dahl's obituary in 1914)
Hans P. N. Dahl was born in Denmark, September 5th, 1859. As a boy he was possessed of more than ordinary ability and aspirations. After working himself through the schools of his native town he took a course in a University in Germany, after which he learned the trade of a watchmaker and jeweler.
Then he took a course in optometry in Germany, and at the age of thirty years came to America and settled in Maynard. With no knowledge of the English language he was unable to find employment along the lines of his chosen profession and went to work in the Assabet mills where he was a faithful worker and where he made persistent efforts to learn the language of his adopted country.
As he became more familiar with English as it is spoken in America, he made acquaintances, and one day a fellow workman told him that he had a clock that he wanted repaired and that he had been unable to find any one who could do it. Mr. Dahl told him that he was a professional in that line. He fixed the clock and did it so well that his fame rapidly spread, and in a short time he opened a little store near the W. A. Haynes grain mill in the Riverside block on Main Street. He soon outgrew those quarters and moved into the Naylor block (where the Lerer store would operate from, roughly 3 Nason Street), and a few years later moved into the store on 77 Main Street, and where he had continued to meet the success which had been his from the start.
He took a course in the Philadelphia Optical college, from which he graduated with a diploma as "Doctor of Refraction." He also took an examination for doctor of Optometry, at the same college, and easily passed with high honors and received a diploma as such. He passed the state board of optometry and was registered according to law.
For the past six years he had been employed by the state to examine the eyes and fit glasses for the inmates of The Massachusetts Reformatory at Concord Junction.
Mr. Dahl was ranked as one of the most successful business men of Maynard.
He died at his home, 30 Concord Street, Wednesday afternoon, April 8th, 1914 at 3.30 o'clock, after an illness of ten days with a complication of diseases, aged 55 years. The funeral was held at the house, this Friday afternoon, Rev. Frederick N. Rutan, pastor of the Congregational Church officiating, and burial was in the family lot in Glenwood cemetery, under the direction of Undertaker O. S. Fowler.
There was a great profusion of beautiful flowers, including many set pieces from relatives and friends of the de-parted, loving mementoes of respect for a life-long friend and honored citizen.
The deceased was a man of good standing in the community, a member of the Congregational church and the Men's Fraternal league.
He was a man of strict integrity in all his dealings with his fellow men, and was highly respected for his good qualities. He was a kind and indulgent husband and father, and made friends wherever he was known.
[On] July 18th, 1891, he was married to Miss Bertha Amundsen, of Concord, who died in April, 1905. There were two sons, Joseph and Andrew, and one daughter, Martha L., all of whom survive their father and are living in Maynard.
Contributor
Photos of a Dahl watch held by a family member courtesy of Matt S.
Identifier
2025.175
Source
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
Digital Images
Storage
DFO