USA > Massachusetts > Biographical history of Massachussetts; biographies and autobiographies of the leading men in the state, 1911, vol 1 > Part 7
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In 1864 and again in 1872 he was elected to the Massachusetts Legislature. He had been bred a Republican and remained so nominally, although he never hesitated to bolt a party nomination if the interests of temperance, on which his heart became finally set, made such a course advisable. In the beginning of his legis- lative life he took no special interest in the question of liquor selling. He was appointed, however, a member of the committee on liquor laws and there took a position favoring restrictive measures. As he became interested in the question, his conviction deepened as to the wickedness and folly of the traffic, and he entered into a war upon it, which occupied him for the rest of his life. To this contest he brought all his native energy and versatility, and his accumulated fortune. He soon became distinguished as the most aggressive, independent, practical and tireless temperance reformer in the Commonwealth. It was in his own town that he made his chief success. Quincy was a stronghold of the liquor trade and in the year 1881, with a popula- tion of about eleven thousand, granted forty-two licenses for the sale of intoxicants. Mr. Faxon got himself appointed constable and it was largely through his efforts that the State law was amended the same year so that the question whether "licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town," could be presented squarely to the voters. The result was that in 1882 there were 1057 who voted "No" and 475 who voted "Yes." The no-license era thus begun, was resolutely maintained year after year, largely at the expense and often at the bodily peril of this "millionaire policeman."
HENRY HARDWICK FAXON
He did broader work. He planned political campaigns, he took active part in conventions and caucuses in advocacy of temperance, and by speeches and broadsides and money contributions, kept up unceasing agitation. On more than one occasion, the course of the Republican party was shaped by his moral persistence. At the critical time when Hon. John D. Long was nominated for governor, it was Mr. Faxon who was instrumental in turning the weight of the temperance vote in his favor. At his Boston office he collected an almost inexhaustible store of temperance literature. One of his most valuable publications is a compilation of all the State liquor laws and the Supreme Court decisions thereon.
Personally, Mr. Faxon was a man of many peculiarities, but on the whole they served him well and helped him win many a victory. Frank and fearless of speech, unsparing in his attack on individuals, deaf to the sarcasm and ridicule that assailed him, he was ready to expose himself to physical danger for his cause. Much of his security and success was undoubtedly due to his imperturbable good nature. He enjoyed giving and taking blows. He kept his temper in defeat. He was never malignant, vindictive, or bitter. While many dis- believed in his methods and even in his aims, few could deny that he was a gallant fighter, honest, sincere and fair. His nature was direct, impatient of the insincerities and hypocrisies of many men in public life, and the only way he knew of carrying his point was that of open, specific and often drastic attack. Yet he only said what he believed to be true and was absolutely fearless of consequences, - an example of old-time independence and courage.
With all his plainness of speech, he was of a tender heart and all his efforts were bent toward social betterment. He bore no ill-will and was desirous of the good-will of others. Young people had a large place in his affections and many were the gifts he made them through the Sunday schools of the town. He coveted little self- gratification; his tastes and habits were simple, but his great delight was to make some one happy through his generosity.
Mr. Faxon was a member of the Massachusetts Total Abstinence Society, the New England Free Trade League, the Norfolk Republi- can Club, and was connected with the First (Unitarian) Congrega- tional Society of Quincy. He was a generous helper of his own church and a constant attendant on its services. He took little interest in theological doctrines, but showed quick appreciation
HENRY HARDWICK FAXON
when such subjects were presented as temperance, good citizenship, civic righteousness. He supported all good causes, contributed largely to the work of the other churches, Catholic and Protestant, and to the charities of his town, while the extent of his personal and quiet benefactions will never be known. He laid his own town under permanent obligation, not only for what he accomplished in stamping out the liquor evil, but also in the gift of thirty-three acres of land, including a part of the old homestead on which he was born and bred, for public recreation, to be known as "Faxon Park."
By his public spirit, his unselfishness, his humanity, his tireless efforts to advance all genuine reforms, he made a lasting impression upon his native town and State.
thomas & Gargan
THOMAS JOHN GARGAN
HOMAS JOHN GARGAN, lawyer, city official, state legis- lator, publisher, orator, was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1844. His father, Patrick Gargan (1806-1856), was a son of Patrick and Rose (Garland) Gargan who came from Ireland in 1827 and settled in Boston. Patrick Gargan, Sr., was a patriot and, for participating in the rebellion in Ireland in 1798, had his property confiscated by the British government. Patrick Gargan, the immi- grant, was a mason and builder, a man of rugged honesty, and from his great love of reading was known as "Patrick the reader." Thomas J. Gargan was a pupil in the Phillips Grammar School of Boston until he reached his fourteenth year when his father died and he left school to give his help toward supporting the family. Speaking of these school days Mr. Gargan says, "To my mother I owe every- thing, intellectually, morally, spiritually. After school I studied nights taking up Latin, French, history and philosophy under the direction of a Jesuit priest. I worked for Wilkinson, Stetson & Company, wholesale wool merchants, and for A. & W. Sprague Manu- facturing Company, and the discipline taught me habits of industry. I read Gibbon's ' Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire,' Mayne's ' History of the Middle Ages,' Plutarch's 'Lives,' the works of Edmund Burke, the 'History of England,' Motley's 'Dutch Repub- lic,' Bancroft's ' History of the United States,' Adam Smith's ' Po- litical Economy,' and philosophical works." He took up the study of law while acting as agent for A. & W. Sprague Manufacturing Company, but remained with that corporation until he was twenty- two years old.
He graduated at the Boston University Law School LL.B. 1875, and became an attorney-at-law in Boston. He took up the pro- fession of law from personal preference and the influence of his home. The knowledge gained from private study and his contact with men in active business life largely contributed to his success. He served his native city as overseer of the poor 1875; as chairman of the board
THOMAS JOHN GARGAN
of license commissioners 1877-78; member of the board of police 1880-1881, and as a member of the Boston Transit Commission from 1894; his reappointed term expiring in 1909. He served in the State Legislature as a representative 1868, 1870 and 1876. He served his country in the Civil War as a soldier, with the rank of second lieutenant, enlisting for three months' service in 1861.
He was married September 19, 1867, to Catherine, daughter of Lawrence and Catherine McGrath, and secondly, December 29, 1898, to Helena, daughter of William Nordhoff, a native of Germany. He was elected to membership in the University Club, the Papyrus Club, the American-Irish Historical Society, of which he was presi- dent, the Charitable Irish Society, the Old Colony Club, the Knights of Columbus, the Economic Club, the Democratic Club, the Catholic Summer School, of which he was a trustee, the Catholic Union of Boston, of which he was vice-president, and the New England Catho- lic Historical Society. His biography appears in "Bench and Bar of Massachusetts" "One of a Thousand," "Irish Race in Boston," "Boston of To-day." He is a director of the Columbian National Life Insurance Company and of the United States Trust Company, and president and director of the Pilot Publishing Company. As an orator he became well known and popular. He delivered the Fourth of July oration in Boston in 1885. He also pronounced the eulogy of Governor Gaston in 1894, and of Mayor Collins in 1905. To young men Mr. Gargan gives this message: "Cultivate early in life a high idealism, the practical will arrive in due time, love of good reading, moderate thrift, not love of money for money's sake, indus- try, thoroughness and a belief in something."
Mr. Gargan died in Berlin, Germany, July 31, 1908. The fol- lowing is one of the many tributes to his memory: "He was from the first a diligent and faithful guardian of the business interests committed to his care, but we shall miss still more the personal virtues for which he was so well and widely known in this city of his home. To the community at large he was a courageous and public- spirited citizen and faithful public official, frank in opinion, eloquent in speech, and of large and pervading charity in thought, word and act. Beneath and beyond these more conspicuous qualities were the cheerful and sunny temperament, sparkling wit, and sincere fel- lowship which radiated from him wherever he went."
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WILLIAM GASTON
F EW men have been held in such high regard as William Gaston, and still fewer have enjoyed the confidence of their citizens in so many and varied ways as he. His life was a constant series of successes, and multitudes cherish the memory of his services. He was born in Killingly, Connecticut, October 3, 1820, and died in Boston, January 19, 1894. He descended on his father's side from the French Huguenot, Jean Gaston, and on his mother's from Thomas Arnold, who came from England and settled in New Eng- land in 1636, joining Roger Williams in Rhode Island in 1654.
William Gaston came naturally by his political sagacity and abil- ity to call men to his standard, for both his father and grandfather had been popular leaders and served in the Legislature of Connecti- cut. William Gaston was of a studious habit of mind and stood well in his classes while at Brooklyn and Plainfield (Connecticut) Academies, and when he graduated from Brown University in 1840, his family rejoiced because he carried honors with his diploma of graduation.
Mr. Gaston was admitted to the bar in 1844, and from 1846 to 1865 practised his profession in Roxbury. From 1857 to 1865 he was a member in the firm of Jewell, Gaston & Field in Boston. He became known far and wide for his ability and fidelity. In 1853-54 and 56 he was representative at the General Court, and later a Senator. Dur- ing the years 1861 and 1862 he was mayor of Roxbury, for five years previous serving as city solicitor. In 1871 and 72 he was elected to the position of mayor of the City of Boston, and then, in recognition of his rare abilities as executive and his wise statesmanship, he became the choice of the Democratic party for governor of Massa- chusetts in 1874. He was elected handsomely, although the State was naturally Republican by many thousand. His administration was successful from every point of view, though both branches of the Legislature were in majority against him. Governor Gaston was so much of a man, had such resourcefulness of mind and charac-
WILLIAM GASTON
ter, that friend and foe united in respecting and commending his efforts as governor. Both Harvard and Brown Universities honored themselves by giving Governor Gaston the degree of LL.D.
On May 27, 1852, in the town of Roxbury, Mr. Gaston was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Augusta Beecher, daughter of Laban S. and Frances A. (Lines) Beecher. From this union three children were born, Sarah Howard, Theodore Beecher and William Alexan- der Gaston, who is prominently identified with political and business institutions, an able lawyer and president of the National Shawmut Bank of Boston, the largest financial institution in New England.
Governor Gaston was a fine example of the gentleman, scholar, and man of affairs. He succeeded in many lines of activity and always maintained the confidence of the people. His integrity was as unquestioned as his intellectual ability.
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WILLIAM ALEXANDER GASTON
W ILLIAM ALEXANDER GASTON, lawyer, publicist and president of the National Shawmut Bank of Boston, the largest financial institution in New England, was born in Roxbury, now Boston, Norfolk, now Suffolk County, Massachusetts, May 1, 1859. His father, William Gaston (1820-1894), was a son of Alexander and Kezia (Arnold) Gaston of Killingly, Connecticut, and a descendant from Jean Gaston, born in France about 1590, a French Huguenot, who fled from religious persecution to Scotland; through John Gaston, a grandson of the French emigrant, who was born in Ireland in 1703, and came to America, landing at Marble- head, Massachusetts, and settling in Voluntown, Connecticut, where he died in 1783. His maternal ancestor, Thomas Arnold, came to New England with his brother, William Arnold, about 1636, and in 1654 joined his brother William, who had accompanied Roger Wil- liams to Rhode Island. Alexander Gaston, a merchant in Killingly, Connecticut, and his father, John Gaston, born 1750, were both members of the Connecticut legislature for many years.
The parents of William Gaston, the future governor, removed to Roxbury, Massachusetts in 1839, and the son was graduated at Brown University in the class of 1840. He was a lawyer in Rox- bury, serving as city solicitor for five years and as mayor, 1861- 1862. He removed his law office to Boston, 1865-92; was mayor of Boston, 1871-1872; a Whig representative in the General Court of Massachusetts, 1853-1854, and Whig and Fusionest representative, 1856. He was elected by the Democratic party to the State Senate in 1868 and in 1874 to the governorship. In 1870 he was the de- feated Democratic candidate as representative to the Forty-second Congress. He received the honorary degree of LL.D. from Harvard in 1875 and from Brown University the same year. He died in Boston, January 19, 1894. His wife, Louisa Augusta (Beecher) Gas- ton, daughter of Laban S. and Frances A. (Lines) Beecher, was
WILLIAM ALEXANDER GASTON
the mother of three children, Sarah Howard, William Alexander and Theodore Beecher Gaston.
William Alexander Gaston was a strong child, brought up in the city, and he had the best advantages for acquiring an education in the public schools and Harvard College. His mother was a woman of strong intellectual, moral and spiritual force and imparted both by precept and example these attributes to her son. He graduated at the Roxbury Latin School and then at Harvard College, where he was a member of the class of 1880. Among his one hundred and thirty-five classmates was Theodore Roosevelt. He graduated at the Harvard Law School in 1882, entered his father's law office as a student and on October 1, 1883, was admitted as a partner with his father and Charles L. B. Whitney as Gaston and Whitney. He was married April 9, 1892, to May Davidson, daughter of Hamilton D. and Annie (Louise) Lockwood, of Boston, and of the five children born of the marriage, four were living in 1908. He was the unsuccessful Democratic candidate for governor of Massachusetts in 1902 and 1903; was delegate at large from Massachusetts to the Democratic National Convention of 1904 at St. Louis and was the member from Massa- chusetts in the National Democratic Committee in that canvass. In 1905 he was named by the Democratic caucus of the legislature of Massachusetts for United States Senator and he received the full legislative vote of the party.
His public service as a director of corporations includes: Manu- facturers National Bank; E. Howard Clock Company; Colonial National Bank; Eastern Audit Company; Shawmut National Bank, where he served on the executive committee as he did on the board of the Commonwealth Trust Company; and the American Loan and Trust Company, Fore River Ship Company; Columbian National Life Insurance Company, where he was a member of the finance committee; Boston Elevated Railway Company, serving as chair- man of the board of directors and president of the corporation; National Rockland Bank; Real Estate Exchange, serving as presi- dent of the corporation. He has also been trustee of the Forest Hills Cemetery; Institution for Savings in Roxbury and vicinity; Simmons Building; City Association and Central Building. He is director in several other financial companies, and trustee of a dozen or fifteen private estates. His club affiliations include the Somerset, Algonquin, Curtis, Exchange, Athletic, Tennis, and Racquet clubs of
WILLIAM ALEXANDER GASTON
Boston; the Country Club of Brookline; the Manhattan and Har- vard Clubs of New York City; the Bostonian Society; Massachusetts Horticultural Association; Roxbury Military Association; the Har- vard Law School Association; the Boston Bar Association. He served on the staff of Governor William E. Russell, 1890-93. A promi- nent leader of the Democratic party, when that party was in a hope- less minority in the State; his fidelity and unswerving allegiance endeared him to the party and he was honored by the highest nomi- nation within its gift.
LEWIS NEWTON GILBERT
L EWIS NEWTON GILBERT, one of the foremost among American textile manufacturers, a progressive and public spirited citizen of the old school, was born at Pomfret, Con- necticut, January 25, 1836. He is in the eighth generation in the line of John Gilbert, who came from Devonshire, England, about 1630, was in Dorchester, Massachusetts, in January, 1635, was made freeman of the Plymouth Colony in December, 1638, and was elected deputy from Cohannet (now Taunton) to the first General Court which assembled at Plymouth in June, 1639. Benjamin Gilbert, in the sixth generation, was born August 17, 1767, and died January 8, 1835, his wife having been Betsey Pierce. Joseph Gilbert, their son, who was born May 20, 1800, and died February 13, 1882, was an energetic, industrious and conscientious farmer of excellent habits, and he married Harriet Williams, daughter of Zephaniah and Olive (Howe) Williams. Three children were born to them - two daughters and a son, all of whom are still living.
Lewis Newton Gilbert, the second of these children spent his early years on his father's farm, where his time was largely given to farm work of all kinds, - such as milking, plowing, harrowing, hoeing, and spreading and raking hay, - and in spring and summer his labors began at four o'clock in the morning. He attended the common schools in his native town, Woodstock Academy and an academy in Danielson.
At the age of fifteen he left the farm, and going to Ware, Massa- chusetts, he entered the woolen mill of his uncle, George H. Gilbert. At that time - August, 1851 - the establishment was employing about one hundred hands. He applied himself diligently to his duties, learning the details of manufacture thoroughly, and on reaching his majority, in 1857, he was taken into partnership. The firm then became George H. Gilbert & Company. The business prospered, extended very rapidly during and immediately after the Civil War, additional mills were built at Gilbertville, and in 1867 a
LEWIS NEWTON GILBERT
corporation was formed under the present title of the George H. Gilbert Manufacturing Company. The number of hands employed had reached about six hundred. In 1869 George H. Gilbert died, and Lewis N. Gilbert succeeded him as president of the company, which position he still retains, after having held it nearly forty years.
In 1876 he was made a member of the board of managers for Massachusetts at the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia, and, with well-considered enterprise, he arranged for an important exhibit by the Gilbert Company, extending still more widely the reputation for a high standard that their products had been steadily gaining. The progress has continued. At the mills in Ware and Gilbert ville not less than 1400 hands are now kept at work, and there are 28 sets of woolen machinery, 12 worsted combs and 450 broad looms in constant operation. The manufactures include both men's and women's goods of worsted and woolen. At the present time the capital stock is $1,000,000 and the value of goods manufactured yearly is $2,800,000.
Although the demands upon his energies of this rapidly growing industry have been great, Mr. Gilbert has been able to fill many places of trust and honor. He has been a trustee of the Ware Savings Bank since 1869, and since 1892 has served as its president. He has been a director of the Ware National Bank since 1887. He was chosen a director of the Worcester Mutual Fire Insurance Company in 1884, and in 1901 became its president.
In politics he has taken a prominent part as a Republican. He was early elected a member of the Republican State Committee, and at different times has served three terms of one year each. He was a State Senator from his district in 1877 and in 1878. In these two years he was appointed on important committees, including those on public charitable institutions, prisons and railroads, and was chairman of the committee on manufactures. He was a mem- ber of the Board of Trustees of the State Primary School at Mon- son for five years, and chairman of the board for three years. He has repeatedly declined to be a candidate for any town office, but as moderator at the annual town meetings for twenty-seven consecutive years he has wielded a potent influence, and has presided over many stormy debates with justice and impartiality. Most of the public improvements that are the pride of the town have been brought about by these meetings.
LEWIS NEWTON GILBERT
Through the early influence of his mother, Mr. Gilbert has always taken an active interest in the religious life of his community. He is a regular attendant at the Congregational Church at Gilbertville, which is a beautiful stone memorial building erected by the Gilbert family in 1881. He has been a delegate to four Triennial National Councils of Congregational Churches and to one International Coun- cil. He has been a member of the executive committee of the Massachusetts Home Missionary Society for twelve years, and a vice-president of the Massachusetts Bible Society for twenty-six years. He is a Mason, a member of Eden Lodge.
Mr. Gilbert was married December 21, 1864, to Mary D. Lane, daughter of Otis and Miranda (Hamilton) Lane, and granddaughter of Rev. Otis and Elizabeth (Payne) Lane and of Joshua and Minerva (Reeves) Hamilton. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert, who have no children, occupy a handsome residence on South Street, Ware.
Mr. Gilbert's counsel to young Americans are summed up in his own words. "Be industrious, be persevering, be honest, be faithful, so as to make the person in whose employ you are feel that he cannot afford to lose your service, and you will obtain a good position in life."
EDWIN GINN
E DWIN GINN was born in Orland, Maine, February 14, 1838. His father, James Ginn, farmer and lumberman, was a man of remarkably good judgment. He often acted as arbitrator and referee in cases of dispute and had great influence in the com- munity in which he lived. His ancestors came from England and were among the early settlers of Maryland and Virginia. His mother, Sarah Blood, daughter of Daniel and Esther (Rideout) Blood, was descended from Puritan stock, and through John Putnam, brother of Israel Putnam, claimed descent from John and Priscilla (Gould) Putnam, emigrants from England about 1630-34, settling in Salem.
Edwin, although a rather delicate boy, was bent on obtaining an education. As a child his advantages in this direction were very limited, as his home in the country was far removed from good school privileges. His ambition to obtain an education he inherited largely from his mother, his keen business insight from his father. His early childhood was passed on the farm - where the customary chores were a part of his daily duties - in a logging camp, and on a fishing schooner to the Grand Banks of Newfound- land. In the winter he attended the district school.
At the age of sixteen his father gave him his time and fifty dollars with which to gain an education. He then began to attend the country high school, so-called, but as the teacher could not instruct him in Latin he entered the Seminary at Bucksport, two miles and a half from his home, walking to and from school each day. Later he went to Westbrook Seminary, where he finished his preparation for college. He graduated from Tufts in 1862, and later received the degree A.M. In 1902 his alma mater conferred upon him the degree of Litt.D. He is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa college fraternity, of the Twentieth Century Club, and of the Boston Merchants' Association.
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