John Edgell Tidd was born on September 7, 1839 to Woburn parents Marshall and Sarah Ann. He made Woburn his lifelong residence and served the community well. We pick up his story at the beginning of the Civil War when John enlisted in the Union Army. On June 16, 1861, our history has him as a Private with Company "A" of the 5th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. He saw combat within weeks at the Battle of Bull Run. Four months into service, he was promoted to Sergeant and reassigned to Company "B" of the 32nd Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. By February 6, 1863 he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant and on November 17, 1864 made 1st Lieutenant. On April 1, 1865 Tidd was promoted to Captain and ended his military career on June 29, 1865.
After returning from his military service, John was appointed a member of the State Police. In 1878, he served as Chief of Police in Woburn. At the time of his death in 1906 he was Deputy Sheriff and a Court Officer. His social calendar kept him busy with memberships in the The Grand Army of the Republic, (GAR) Post #161 (see photo on right); the Loyal Legion of Massachusetts; Mt. Horeb Lodge, F.& A.M., a Freemasonry group; the 32nd Massachusetts Regimental Association and various other prominent organizations.
John married Anne Bulfinch in 1864 and remained her faithful husband until she died in 1900. He passed away on December 4, 1906. Having no children he was survived by his second wife Sarah Jackson Clark, his sister Sarah Ann Nichols, many nieces, nephews and friends.
