USA > Massachusetts > Biographical history of Massachussetts; biographies and autobiographies of the leading men in the state, 1911, vol 1 > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18
The earlier instruction given by Professor Bascom at Williams College was successful, but not as successful as that given at the University on subjects more congenial to his taste, those associated with psychology. On these topics he was able to make a deep and permanent impression. In his college course he was proficient in mathematics and physics. Not till senior year did he show that taste for philosophy which has been his predominating intellectual quality. He has been an extended author, chiefly under this philo- sophical impulse. He has published a number of books which have grown, directly or indirectly, out of the instruction given by him: a treatise on Political Economy, on Rhetoric, on Esthetics, on Psy- chology, - later rewritten and published as " Science of Mind " - on Ethics, on Natural Theology. In connection with his later in- struction in Political Science he published "Growth of Nationality in the United States." He has added to these publications a num-
JOHN BASCOM
ber of volumes expressive of his religious thought: " Science, Phi- losophy and Religion "; " The Philosophy of Religion "; " The Words of Christ "; " The New Theology "; " Evolution and Religion "; " the Goodness of God." The first of this series was given as a course of Lowell Lectures; the last, as lectures before the Divinity School at New Haven. The book on English Literature was also delivered as Lowell Lectures.
To these volumes he has added others prompted by his interest in philosophy : " Problems in Philosophy"; "Growth and Grades of Intel- ligence"; "An Historical Interpretation of Philosophy." His interest in sociology has been the outgrowth of the religious and philosophical temper and has given occasion to two volumes: "Sociology and Social Theory." These books have been chiefly published by Putnam's Sons. To these more lengthy works he has added more than one hundred and forty published addresses and articles for quarterlies and reviews. They have all sprung from a constant study of the serious problems of life and reflection on them. His influence on young men could not but be colored by these earnest processes of thought, nor fail with many of them to be of a lasting character.
He added to fifty years of teaching the equivalent of about twelve years of ministerial work. In his earlier instruction at Williams he had charge of a church in the neighboring town of Pownal. The open spaces in these occupations were covered by writing. Not being a man of robust endurance he maintained his health and discharged his duties by promptitude, rigid temperance and much activity in the open air. His relaxations were gardening, tramping, riding - many miles on horseback.
Starting with a severe orthodox faith he occupied his life in reshaping it, not to suit the times, but to meet the growing knowl- edge of the world. Though he encountered the sharp, nipping atmosphere which comes to those who change their religious views more rapidly than their neighbors, he has maintained his connection with the Congregational Church, suffering no open censure.
His chief educational work and personal labor has been in philoso- phy. Starting with intuitionalism, he has been led to interpret, correct and expand it in direct contact with the facts of the world. His chief merit lies in this reconciliation of empiricism with the rational insight of the mind, yielding neither element to the other. While his composition, much of it philosophical, cannot be said to
JOHN BASCOM
be popular, his spoken words have met with much acceptance. His habit of mind has chiefly prepared him for close contact with intelli- gent and earnest students.
He has paid little attention to degrees, or to membership in clubs and societies. The degree of D.D. was given him by the College of Iowa, and the degree of LL.D. by Amherst, Williams and Wisconsin.
He has been able to show that a Puritan can change his opinions without forgetting his Puritanic strain; that a religious man can be constantly busy in shaping his beliefs and lose no particle of faith; that a philosopher may occupy himself with suiting his principles to the growing revelations of human conduct and thereby forfeit no sense of the value and reliability of truth, which lies in this change- able conformity of our conceptions to the world which embraces us.
His first vote was cast in connection with the Free Soil party. He was a zealous supporter of the Republican party and remained in connection with it till it seemed to him to have drifted off into general and personal politics. He then claimed the liberty of a Mugwump, more frequently voting with the Prohibitionists. He has been indifferent to no reform, but has come to understand how slow the pace of the world is and must necessarily be.
He has always been interested in town affairs and was for a con- siderable period on the school committee. During this service the districts were reformed, new school buildings erected and general methods improved. He was active in securing the Greylock Reser- vation, and since its commencement has been chairman of the Greylock Commission. He has also been attentive to village im- provement; helping to organize and maintain the association for that object. While he has not sought official work, he has brought an intelligent, critical temper to social relations, aiding those who conceived of them as a Kingdom of Heaven to be framed into, and built upon, the world. He has striven to correct theory by practice, and to give scope and force to practice by the over-shadowing encouragement and guidance of theory.
His word to young men is: " Attach more importance to the quality of your work than to its reward. Be not unduly distressed by hard work; hard work is, for the most part, the school of manhood. Do not barter intellectual freedom for any form of emolument, intel- lectual freedom means personal power, emolument at the most means a recognition of that power."
James Q Bigelow.
SAMUEL AUGUSTUS BIGELOW
S AMUEL AUGUSTUS BIGELOW has been connected for many years with the hardware industry of America. Many men have been interested in his views and ideas concerning the trade because they have felt that his influence was to eventually benefit them, and they have learned to trust and depend upon his advice. He is a pioneer in the business, and wisely chosen by his colleagues for every position of honor or importance that they have conferred upon him. The golden anniversary of his career in the business world, which occurred on October 12, 1905, was a testimony to the universal esteem in which he is held by his friends all over the country. Over fifty years of uninterrupted experience gives him preeminence as an expert in his line.
He was brought up at Nonantum Vale on the Faneuil estate. Enjoying as he did a life of freedom he naturally sought what was most to his liking. His adventurous spirit soon disclosed to him the resources within his reach. He indulged his redundancy of good health and spirits in out-of-door sports and with the presage of youth investigated the mechanical realm. His experiments with tools delighted and entertained him.
Mr. Bigelow inherits the marked business characteristics of the father whose name he bears. Samuel Bigelow, the father, who was largely interested in real estate, was a very successful man. He was accredited as possessing marked shrewdness and discernment. He was born August 22, 1807, and lived until October 11, 1901. His earliest ancestor, who came to this country and settled at Watertown, Massachusetts, in 1630, was John Bigelow. Mr. Samuel Augustus Bigelow's mother was Anna Jane (Brooks) Bigelow, who was a decendant from Captain Brooks, who came to America and settled in Concord, Massachusetts, about 1630. Mr. Bigelow's an- cestors were represented in many of the Colonial Wars, and con- tinued through each succeeding generation to respond to their country's call. At Lexington and Bunker Hill their names were
SAMUEL AUGUSTUS BIGELOW
recognized as belonging to the heroes who were famous in the his- tory of those times. The records of the State of Massachusetts show these families to have been prominent in law, medicine and as mer- chants.
The date of Mr. Samuel Augustus Bigelow's birth is November 26, 1838. His native city is Charlestown, Massachusetts. His mother, so highly esteemed for her gentleness and sincerity, was always his best authority in distinguishing between right and wrong, and her influence is a lasting legacy which she early bequeathed to him. To her example and advice, he refers in the most glowing terms, and asserts that "they have always been a guiding influence for all that is good." His education was obtained in the public schools of Brighton, which now forms a part of Boston. He finished the high school course, and prepared himself for further advancement in a college course, but his desire to mingle in the business world asserted itself, and he gave up the idea of going to college. In the year 1855 he entered the hardware house of Eaton & Palmer, then located on Congress Street, Boston. He worked in the capacity of errand boy, shipper and general assistant in the office, doing whatever he undertook with accuracy and despatch. His attitude was always one of confidence that he would succeed in whatsoever he attempted. In 1856 this firm consolidated with Lovett & Wellington, forming the house of Eaton, Lovett & Wellington. Mr. Bigelow was the only clerk in the old house that remained with the new. He was radiant with hope, and although he started on only fifty dollars per year, and worked for three years with an increase to one hundred and twenty-five dollars per year, he soon became a prosperous sales- man, and the time sped rapidly until 1864, when the firm of Homer, Bishop & Company was founded in which he became a partner in 1866. He traveled for eight years over the states of Vermont and New Hampshire, making many stanch and reliable friends and establishing a large and profitable business, much of which remains in connection with his present company. It was in the fall of 1872, when the appalling conflagration of Boston destroyed every jobbing hardware house in the city, that the firm of Homer, Bishop & Com- pany, was dissolved, and the new firm of Macomber, Bigelow & Dowse was founded. Through necessity they were forced to occupy cham- bers in Batterymarch Street, as there were no available quarters on the ground floor left after the fire. In 1873 Mr. Bigelow assumed
SAMUEL AUGUSTUS BIGELOW
exclusive control of the buying department, and through his general sagacity and courteous bearing he has greatly enhanced the oppor- tunities of the business, and formed for it a valuable circle of friends who hold him in highest respect. In 1884 John F. Macomber retired on account of illness, and the new firm of Bigelow & Dowse was founded, composed of Samuel A. Bigelow and Charles F. Dowse. In 1894 this firm was incorporated under the laws of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts, as the Bigelow & Dowse Company, which still continues. One night in January, 1903, the business house of the firm, which had prospered so steadily and surely, was destroyed by fire, but Mr. Bigelow and his partner were not long in mastering the situation. In temporary quarters they were soon in a position to fill all their orders which poured in upon them from their old customers as uninterruptedly as though nothing had interfered with their fulfilment. Such was the confidence established with their customers and the manufacturers, that but little depression was caused by the catastrophe, and almost immediately their new store was rebuilt on the old site and filled with a new and complete stock.
A meeting of a few hardware jobbers in 1893 resulted in the New England Iron & Hardware Association of which Mr. Bigelow was elected first president. He established the precedent of holding office only one year, which custom still prevails. He was then chosen to represent the Association in the Boston Associated Board of Trade. In this capacity he served until 1899, when he was again elected to the Boston Associated Board of Trade, completing his term in October, 1903. In 1894 he was the only representative from New England at that first meeting at Cleveland, out of which grew the National Hardware Association. At that meeting he was elected a member of the executive committee, which office he held continuously, with the exception of one year, until the meeting in Atlantic City in November, 1903. There he was elected president. He had expressed a wish that his services be exempt from this re- sponsibility, but the overwhelming earnestness of the members of the association and of his many friends from near and far who were present, prevailed, and he quickly rose to the occasion with his response of generous acquiescence to their wishes, and assumed the duties and honors pressed upon him with a gracefulness and willing- ness that endeared him to the hearts of all assembled. He made
SAMUEL AUGUSTUS BIGELOW
many intimate and lasting friendships as president and member of the executive committee. He was reelected president in 1904. In 1905 he was elected a permanent member of the Advisory Board. Mr. Bigelow has seen many changes and evolutions in the hardware trade, and settled many problems for himself and others that tended to elevate its standard. He states that the hardware man's limited sphere has enlarged until now, "he has more need to use his head than his hands" to make his business successful. Mr. Bigelow belongs to the Republican party, to which he has always remained loyal. He is one of the founders of the Anvil Club, afterwards changed to the Hardware Buyers Association; also master of the lodge of Eleusis; a member of the Eastern Yacht Club; Exchange Club; Athletic Club and others. He married Miss Ella H. Brown, daughter of Harriet B. and Seth E. Brown, on November 7, 1867. Their only child is Samuel Lawrence Bigelow, now a professor of chemistry. Mr. Bigelow states that his motto in life is to "Follow the Golden Rule."
M.C. D. Border
MATHEW C. D. BORDEN
M ATHEW C. D. BORDEN, cotton manufacturer, was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, July 18, 1842. His father, Colonel Richard Borden, was a son of Thomas and Mary (Hathaway) Borden, grandson of Thomas and Lydia (Durfee) Bor- den, who were the founders of the family in Fall River, and a descendant in the seventh generation from Richard Borden, the immi- grant, who was born in Borden, Kent, England, where the family first settled A.D. 1090, and with his brother, John Borden, came to New England in 1635 and settled in Portsmouth Island, Rhode Island Colony, in 1638. His son Mathew was the first white child born in that settlement. Colonel Richard Borden was born in Free- town, now Fall River, April 12, 1795, became the owner of a flourish- ing grist-mill in that town and in company with Bradford Durfee, a ship-builder, engaged in building and equipping sailing vessels. The iron and wood used in constructing the vessels were both worked out in their yards. This enterprise resulted, in 1821, in the formation of the Fall River Iron Works Company. Associated with Richard Borden and Bradford Durfee in the business of manufacturing iron,
building sailing vessels and shipping and trading with Providence and other neighboring ports were Holder Borden, David Anthony, William Valentine, Joseph Butler and Abram and Isaac Wilkinson, of Providence. The original capital stock of $24,000 was depleted soon after the inauguration of the enterprise by the withdrawal of $6,000, invested by the Wilkinsons, and the remaining partners ran on with $18,000 capital. In 1825 the association was incorporated under the laws of Massachusetts with a capital of $200,000, increased in 1845 to $960,000. This increase was taken from the earnings of the business and still left of the earnings not so applied, $500,000. All of this had resulted from the use of the $18,000 originally paid in as capital stock. This result was largely due to the skill and fore- sight of Colonel Richard Borden, the agent and treasurer from the beginning.
MATHEW C. D. BORDEN
The Iron Works Company was thus enabled to become one of the largest stockholders in the Wautuppa Reservoir Company, organized in 1826; in the Troy Cotton and Woolen Manufacturing Company; the Fall River Manufactory; in the Annawan Mill, which it built in 1825; in the American Print Works, leasing to that corporation the build- ings they had erected in 1834; in the Metacomet Mill, built in 1846; in the Fall River Railroad, opened in 1846; in the Bay State Steam- boat Line, established in 1847; in the Fall River Gas Works, built in 1847, besides buildings erected in various parts of the city leased to manufacturers and others.
Colonel Borden inspired the building, in 1827, of the first steam- boat, the Hancock, run between Fall River and Providence, Rhode Island, to which line the King Philip was added in 1832, the Bradford Durfee in 1845 and the Richard Borden in 1874. He also constructed various branch railroads to benefit the trade of Fall River, including the Cape Cod Railroad from Middleborough to Cape Cod, subsequently absorbed by the Old Colony Railroad Company. In 1847, with his brother Jefferson, he organized the Bay State Steamboat Company with a capital of $300,000, built the Bay State and chartered the Massachusetts, building the Empire State in 1848, and the Metropolis in 1854. This was the beginning of the Fall River Line, which was absorbed by the Old Colony Railroad Company through Colonel Borden's suggestion and approval.
In 1834, in cooperation with Jefferson and Holder Borden and the Durfees, he organized the American Print Works Company and the works were enlarged in 1840 and the output doubled. In 1857 the business was incorporated and Colonel Borden was made president of the corporation, the Bay State Print Works being added to the plant in 1858. In December, 1864, the buildings of the print works were destroyed by fire entailing a loss of $2,000,000, but were speedily rebuilt.
In 1874 Colonel Borden died, his death following on the disasters felt by the business of Fall River on account of the panic of 1873. This necessitated the first contribution of new capital to the Borden enterprises, for the profits of the business had furnished the capital used up to that time, including the great fire loss. In 1879 the corporation was obliged to ask favors from creditors, and at the same time Mathew C. D. Borden who had been the New York City
MATHEW C. D. BORDEN
agent came to the front in conjunction with his brother Thomas J. Borden, as responsible for the future guidance of the business of the Print Works. In 1886 Thomas J. disposed of his interest to his brother and Mathew C. D. Borden became the sole owner of the great property. He at once added to the business of printing, that of manufacturing the cloths to be printed, and thus became inde- pendent of the exactions of print-cloth manufacturers. For this purpose he utilized the unused property of the Fall River Iron Works Company, on which the print works stood, and he at the same time secured control of the water privileges which the charter of the Iron Works Company embraced by purchasing a controlling interest in the stock of that company. To meet the future exigencies he also secured control of contiguous land by purchase, thus securing deep water and dock privileges on his own property. In 1889 he built Mill No. 1. In 1892 he built Mill No. 2. Mill No. 3 arose in 1893; No. 4 in 1894. The four mills afforded a floor space of 840,000 square feet; were equipped with 265,000 spindles, 7700 looms and 375 cards turning out 53,000 pieces of cloth per week, spun and woven from 1000 bales of cotton. This plant at present, 1908, includes seven mills with 13,057 looms and 459,000 spindles. From this immense plant he produced calicoes which established the market prices of the world for that class of goods, and he was at once inde- pendent of any combination print-cloth manufacturers could make, as he could sell at a less cost than any other printer in the United States, which came to mean in the world.
The achievements and benefactions of this remarkable man are best described in the work accomplished which testifies to the power that wrought so much and so well.
FRANKLIN CARTER
F RANKLIN CARTER was born in Waterbury, Connecticut. His father, Preserve Woods Carter, was a native of Wolcott, Connecticut; born November 14, 1799, died February 1, 1859. His mother was Ruth Wells Holmes. The grandfathers were Preserve Carter and Israel Holmes. His early ancestors, Hop- kinses and Judds, came from England, the Hopkinses settling in the neighborhood of Boston about the middle of the seventeenth century. The father, Preserve Woods Carter, was a manufacturer, puritanic in his convictions and actions. In early life the subject of this sketch was occupied with the customary work of a New England lad, caring somewhat for the garden and contributing his share to the ongoing of the family life. He owes much, both intel- lectually and spiritually, to the influence of his mother; also to a saintly half sister, Esther S. Humisston, who drew him closely to herself. The character of his youth is expressed in the books which quickened his purposes during his school life, Todd's "Student's Manual," Beecher's "Lectures to Young Men," and Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" and other similar writings.
He fitted for college at Phillips Academy (Andover), spent nearly two years at Yale College, and leaving that institution because of physical weakness was graduated at Williams in 1862. He received the degrees M.A. and Ph.D. from Williams, and the degree of LL.D. in 1904; the degree of A.M. from Jefferson 1864, and Yale 1874; LL.D. Union 1881, Yale 1901, and South Carolina College 1905.
Home influence concurred with personal associations and early companionship to make him a teacher. This employment also promised a successful line of labor. He received the appointment of professor of the Latin Language and Literature at Williams College in 1863 and went immediately to Europe where he spent eighteen months in study. This position he held until 1872. Then he became professor of the German Language in Yale, spent another year in Germany and remained at Yale until 1881. His departure
Franklin Garter
FRANKLIN CARTER
from Yale was greatly regretted and he received numerous letters from the most eminent men connected with that university urging him to continue his work in New Haven. But he regarded it as his duty to accept the presidency of Williams, his alma mater, and held this position for twenty years, until 1901. His resignation of the presidency closed his work as an instructor, with the exception of lectures on Theism delivered for several years at Williams.
His career as president of Williams College was one of distin- guished success, as is evident from the following statement taken from the letter addressed to him by the faculty of the college in June, 1901.
"In comparing the state of the college to-day with that of twenty years ago we find that the invested capital has been nearly quad- rupled, and that half a million of dollars (actually $675,000) in addition has been expended in new buildings and real estate; that the number of students has increased by sixty-three per cent., the number of instructors by over one hundred per cent. In conse- quence of these changes and of the enlargement and enrichment of the courses of study the opportunities for instruction have been greatly improved, while at the same time the standard of scholarship has been gradually raised."
Extracts from the resolutions adopted by the trustees are here added:
" The trustees desire to communicate to President Carter and to place on record the profound and grateful appreciation of the ability, faithfulness, high aims and whole-hearted devotion with which for twenty years in the midst of many difficulties he has spent himself in the review of our beloved alma mater. As a loyal son he has freely given her his best. He has been a skilful and inspiring teacher, and a wise and conscientious leader, seeking always the truest in- terests and zealous for all the noblest traditions and loftiest ideals of the college.
"No hasty experiments have been tried; no obstinate adherence to outgrown methods has been insisted upon, but the college has been at once generously conservative and truthfully progressive. In all this the trustees gratefully recognize the usefulness, scholarly aims and love of good learning with which he has presided over the college.
FRANKLIN CARTER
"Great changes have been wrought in society during the past twenty years, especially in respect to religious beliefs and experi- ences. But though outward manifestations have greatly altered, the conviction abides that under President Carter's administration the college has been steadily loyal to the great essentials of faith and conduct. This is a supreme thing and awakens the gratitude not only of the trustees but of the great body of the alumni."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.