USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Biographical review, containing life sketches of leading citizens of Essex County, Massachusetts > Part 34
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to reside. Being afflicted with the gout in the last years of his life, he was unable to carry out many of his plans for improvement on the farm ; but his interest in all matters pertaining to agriculture flagged not until the end. That he was a valued member of the Massachusetts Agricultural Society, many letters and docu- ments from its officials attest ; while numerous and valuable prizes awarded for fine speci- mens of live-stock and various agricultural products affirm the success of his efforts in that direction.
Neither father nor son aspired to the holding of State or town office, though a document exists bearing the seal of the Commonwealth and signed by His Excellency, John Brooks, under date of February 23, 1818, appointing Ebenezer Parsons to be a Justice of the Peace in the county of Essex.
Gorham Parsons died in the Byfield home in the month of September, 1844, at the age of seventy-six years. As the union of himself and wife was not blessed with living offspring, Fatherland Farm was given by will of the owner, in 1842, to a grand-nephew of his wife, who was also his own namesake, Gorham Par- sons Sargent, then a minor, and the son of the Hon. Winthrop Sargent, of Philadelphia, Pa., who had a few years previously removed his family from that city to the farm in order to care for Mr. Parsons in his declining days.
The place was appreciatively occupied by the Sargents until the spring of 1862, when it passed into the hands of Benjamin F. Brown, of Waltham, who in July following sold it by public auction to his nephew, Benja- min B. Poole, of Newbury, under whose fif- teen years of occupancy the premises suffered deterioration to a lamentable degree.
From this condition of things the next owner, Jacob B. Stevens, of Peabody, who came into possession of the place by purchase
in the autumn of 1877, sought earnestly to re- trieve the old estate; but, his ability not being equal to the desire in this direction, he de- cided to part with the property, and thus, in October of 1881, Fatherland Farm came into the possession of one of the same blood, if not of the same name as its original founder - one to whom the old place is doubly dear for the association of visits made to it in earlier years, when, to her childish fancy, it seemed a very paradise on earth, and from the fact that in later years it was a love-gift to her from the one nearest and dearest to her in life.
OHN B. PENNIMAN, a retired pork merchant, living at 488 Broadway, Lawrence, is a native of Warwick, Franklin County, Mass. He was born De- cember 21, 1827, son of Dean and Hannah (Hastings) Penniman. Bunyan Penniman, the father of Dean, is thought to have been born in Mendon, Mass. He was one of the early settlers of the town of Warwick, where he carried on farming. His marriage with a Miss Dean was blessed by the birth of eight children, two sons and six daughters, that attained maturity. The sons were Dean and Jesse. Jesse went West in 1839, first settling in Lasalle County, Illinois. . Six years later he went to St. Paul, Minn., where he ran a hotel on the Bluff. The early years of his life were spent as a farmer. He died about 1885, leaving three sons and a daughter. Bunyan Penniman died at the age of about eighty-three years. His widow lived to be eighty.
Dean Penniman, born in Mendon, Mass., October 24, 1800, died in Lowell, May II, 1864. He moved to Lowell in 1842, where he engaged in the wood business. He also kept teams and did teaming. In 1821 or 1822 he married Hannah Hastings, who, born on
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November 22, 1804, died in 1893, in her eighty-ninth year. Their children were : Isaac H., Clarissa P., John B., George Fay - ette, Franklin H., Hannah A., Sarah, and Mary Abbie. Isaac H. Penniman, born June 2, 1823, served in the Civil War, and died in 1894 at the Soldiers' Home in Chelsea, Mass. IIe had a wife, but no children. Clarissa P. died in 1829, when about four years old. George Fayette, born September 29, 1830, is a retired builder, living in Lowell. Franklin H., born December 11, 1833, died in 1893. Hannah A., born November 15, 1836, who is unmarried, resides in Athol. Sarah, also unmarried, resides in Lowell; and Mary Abbie Penniman resides in Athol. The last three were formerly school-teachers.
When John B. Penniman was fourteen years old, his parents removed from their farm to the city of Lowell. He received but a limited schooling. At the age of twenty-six he came to Lawrence, and became a clerk in the gro- cery store of J. Shattuck, Jr. He afterward worked for the firm of Shattuck Brothers about five years. In 1858 he embarked in the meat business. Two years later he opened a market on Lawrence Street, between Essex and Com- mon Streets, where he had carried on business for about thirteen years, when he sold out in 1873. In the spring of 1877 he started in the jobbing and wholesale pork business. This he conducted at 56 Amesbury Street up to Janu- ary 1, 1894, when he sold out.
On December 13, 1865, Mr. Penniman was united in marriage with Sarah C. Sawyer, of this city, who was born in Bradford, N. H. Left an orphan at an early age, she was cared for by her aunt. Her younger and only sister, who was adopted by M. W. Baxter, and went with him to Pike County, Illinois, is now the wife of W. II. Connor, and has one daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Penniman have three daughters
- Sarah Ella, Etta F., and Annie Blanche. Sarah Ella, a graduate of Wellesley, classes of 1893 and 1895, and honored with the degree of Master of Arts, made a special study of organ and harmony. She is now a teacher of history in the Lawrence High School. Etta F., also a graduate of Wellesley, class of 1893, is a violinist in the Fadette Orchestra, Washing- ton, and was formerly a successful teacher in Lawrence and vicinity. Annie Blanche is a member of the class of 1898, Wellesley Col- lege. All possess rare qualities of mind and character, and are modest and retiring. Mr. Penniman is a member of the Masonic frater- nity, and of Bethany Encampment, I. O. O. F., since 1865. In politics he is a Republican voter. He has lived in his present home since June 17, 1870.
DWIN P. STANLEY, the popular Treasurer and Collector of Manchester, was born here May 26, 1844, son of Paul Stanley, a native of this county, and Stattira (Pert) Stanley, a native of Manches-
ter. Paul Stanley was a brother of Jeffrey T. Stanley, who is at present a Selectman of Manchester, and whose biography, containing further mention of the Stanley family, will be found on another page. Paul was by trade a cabinet-maker, and was engaged for a number of years in the manufacture and sale of furni- ture in Manchester. In politics he was a Republican. He died a few years ago. Mrs. Stattira Stanley died in the eighties. Besides Edwin P., the surviving children are: Otis M., who resides in East Bridgewater, Mass. ; Andrew, a resident of Beverly; and Charles L., a resident of Lynn.
Edwin P. Stanley grew to manhood in his native place, receiving his education in the graded schools and high school of the town,
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which he left at the age of fourteen. On De- cember 10, 1861, he enlisted in Company H of the Nineteenth Massachusetts Volunteer In- fantry, which shortly after joined the army of the Potomac under General McClellan. He took part in the siege of Yorktown, and was in active service all through the Peninsula campaign. At Glendale, Va., he received four bullet wounds, was made a prisoner and taken to Richmond, and was confined for thirty days in Libby Prison, being exchanged at the end of that time. On April 17, 1863, he was honorably discharged, after which he returned to Manchester.
In 1871 Mr. Stanley engaged in painting, taking contracts for work and employing a force of men. Having carried on this busi- ness for about twelve years, he disposed of it, as his health had become poor. In 1888 he was elected Collector of Manchester, and he has now entered on his tenth year in that office. He has also served for several years as Town Treasurer. At one time he was the Sealer of Weights and Measures. As might be expected, Mr. Stanley is an active man in the local grand army organization, Allen Post, No. 67. For three years he was Post Com- mander, and he is now the Senior Vice Com- mander. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Beverly, Mass., and of Amity Royal Arch Chapter of Beverly; also of Magnolia Lodge, No. 149, Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Manchester.
Mr. Stanley married Rachel J., daughter of Abner Hobbs, of West Gloucester, Mass. ; and one daughter, Mamie A., has blessed the union. In politics he is a Republican. He has been a member of the Republican Town Committee, of the Essex County Republican Committee, and of the Congressional Com- mittee for this district. He was largely in- strumental in securing the first nomination of
the Hon. William Coggswell for Representa- tive to Congress, and naturally takes consider- able pride in his candidate.
ILTON ELLSWORTH, a well- known heel manufacturer of Row- ley, was born in Ipswich, Mass., July 7, 1843, son of Simeon Ellsworth and his wife, Hannah (Jewett) Ellsworth. He is a descendant of Jeremiah and Mary Ellsworth, the latter of whom was buried May 24, 1688. The succeeding generations were represented by Jeremiah,2 who died May 6, 1704; Will- iam, 3 who died February 21, 1812; William, 4 who died May 22, 1856; and Simeon, 5 who was born in 1801. Simeon's wife Hannah belonged to one of the wealthiest families in the town, and was a descendant of Jeremiah Jewett. He was boarding on Bradford Street when he died in 1897, at the advanced age of ninety-two. His brother Benjamin has been the beach lighthouse-keeper at Ipswich since Lincoln's time. Another brother, John, now ninety years old, a well-preserved man, to whom sickness is unknown, makes a conspicu- ous figure on the street. He is popular with all classes, especially with the young, and has been a stanch Republican since the organiza- tion of that party.
A limited education was obtained by Mil- ton Ellsworth in the common schools. After passing the age of twelve years, he pegged shoes for his father out of school hours. At sixteen he began learning to make shoes. He enlisted in Company C of the Nineteenth Massachusetts Regiment for service in the Civil War. His war record, given by George B. Blodgett in his History of Rowley, is as follows :----
"Promoted to rank of Corporal, and for bravery at Gettysburg made First Sergeant ;
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re-enlisted December 22, 1863; discharged June 28, 1865, by order of War Department --- the service of this man deserves special men- tion." Although he was constantly on duty with his regiment, he was never wounded, and never in hospital. He was Corporal of the color-guard on that terrible day at Fredericks- burg, and the only one who came out unhurt. Besides taking part in frequent reconnoissances and skirmishes so costly in human life, he was in the battles of Ball's Bluff, Yorktown, West Point, Fair Oaks, Peach Orchard, Sav- age Station, Glendale, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Bristol Station, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spott- sylvania, Potopotomy, Cold Harbor, and Pe- tersburg. At Petersburg, the hour being 3 P. M. of June 22, 1864, he was captured with his whole regiment by the enemy. From this time on he experienced the horrors of Ander- sonville and Libby Prisons, until with about four thousand other prisoners he reached the Union lines at Jacksonville, Fla., on the even- ing of April 28, 1865. Broken in health he was ordered home to await his discharge. He was enrolled with Company C as Orderly Ser- geant. In an interesting scrap-book he has preserved sundry relics of his war experiences. He was active in more than thirty battles, and passed two months and six days in prison. After receiving his discharge, he resided for a time in Haverhill, where he worked in a heel manufactory. Afterward he went into business for himself in Rowley, starting with a little shop. In time he was able to build a house and factory in Rowley, and is now ac- counted one of the most prosperous men in the town.
In 1882 Mr. Ellsworth was elected to the State legislature, where he served on Printing and Military Committees. In 1891 he was
chosen Selectman, which office he still holds. He was Commander of the G. A. R., General James Appleton Post, No. 128, Ipswich; be- longs to the ex-Prisoners' War Association ; and is president of the Nineteenth Massachu- setts Regiment Association. Two years ago he built his present home, one of the prettiest in the village. Here he resides with his wife and daughter. He makes no literary preten- sions ; but at camp-fires and conventions he is always called upon for a speech, and he has written several war lectures of thrilling inter- est.
August 25, 1866, Mr. Ellsworth married Abbie Frances, who was born June 16, 1847, daughter of Ezekiel and Caroline (Blacking- ton) Bailey. He has one child, Winnifred C., born September 25, 1867, who married Justin Fletcher, of Georgetown, Mass., November 17, 1896, and resides in Georgetown.
AJOR EDWARD F. BARTLETT, a well-known citizen and military man of Newburyport, Clerk of the Police Court for the district of Newbury- port from 1870 to the present time, was born here May 30, 1835. A son of Joseph and Joanna Bartlett, he is a descendant of the Bartlett family that landed at Parker River and settled Bartlett Springs. The father ran the first packet from Newburyport to Boston, and was the owner and builder of various sail- ing craft. He, in conjunction with Wood & Sons, built the "Decatur " and the side-wheel steamer "Ohio," with a capacity of three or four hundred tons. The packet referred to was started by him in 1825, and was afterward continued for thirty-five years. Greatly inter- ested in all military training, he was a mem- ber of the old Newburyport Artillery Associa- tion, the only organization, besides the An-
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cients and Honorables, that is allowed to parade under arms. He was also a member of the St. Mark's Lodge, A. F. & A. M. Of his fourteen children, four are now living.
When twelve years old, Edward F. Bartlett, the fifth child of his parents, entered the Put- nam Free School, being then the youngest and smallest of the forty pupils comprising the first elass formed in that institution. Upon leav- ing school, he became a druggist's elerk. Later on, together with his brother, A. W. Bartlett, he worked in a dry-goods store. In 1862 he enlisted in the Eighth Regiment, Company A. For a time, too, he was in the Sixtieth Regiment, Company H. Finally, he was transferred baek to the Eighth, in which he served altogether for twenty years, two years of which were in the service of the United States in the War of the Rebellion. Starting as Sergeant, he was mustered out as Major. Major Bartlett's life in the service was marked by many interesting events, and he has good reason to wear proudly the title he won by gallant conduct. After the war he took up the study of law with H. G. Johnson. In December, 1870, he was elected Clerk of the Court of Newburyport, which position he has filled up to the present time with signal ability and to the entire satisfaction of the public.
Major Bartlett has been a member of St. Mark's Lodge, A. F. & A. M., since 1862. Since 1870 he has been Justiee of the Peace, and Bail Commissioner since 1873. He is a charter member, and was the first chaplain of the Grand Army post named in honor of his brother, Albert W. Bartlett, who was Captain of Company B, Thirty-fifth Massachusetts Regiment, and was killed at Antietam. The Major is the present Adjutant of the Newbury- port Veteran Artillery Association. He be- came Commander when there were only one
hundred and forty men; and, despite the faet that every year the mustering-out eall for many veterans is heard, he succeeded during the two years of his management, by his personal enthusiasm and energy, in bringing up the number to two hundred and seventy members.
Major Bartlett was married in 1856 to Miss Angeline C. Burns, who is still living. They have two sons and one daughter. The eldest son, Edward H. Bartlett, is the manufacturer of a patent heel for ladies' boots, carrying on business at Newburyport.
RANCIS D. HENDERSON, a retired manufacturer and one of the influential men of Rowley, is a native of Hamil- ton, Mass. Born in 1847, he is a son of Daniel S. Henderson and his wife, Jerusha (Dane) Henderson. The father was twice married. His first wife, Jerusha, a member of the widely known Dane family, bore him two sons - Franeis D. and F. W. Henderson. By the second marriage there were also two children, namely: George, now residing in New Hampshire; and Lillian, who married F. E. Richardson, of Rowley.
Francis D. Henderson was educated in the common schools of Hamilton and at Dummer Academy. After leaving the last-named in- stitution, he went to Boston and entered the employ of his uncle, Franeis Dane, as elerk in the wholesale boot and shoe business on Milk Street. Having spent five years in that oceupation, he eame in 1867 to Rowley, where his father had been engaged in the inanufaet- ure of shoes for a number of years. After applying himself for a year to learn the busi- ness, he was received into partnership by his father, forming the firm of D. S. Henderson & Co. At this time the business was carried on in the old tan-house, now used as the skat-
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ing-rink. In 1868 a large, new factory was built, and therc the business was successively carried on for twenty-five years. At the end of the first five years Daniel S. Henderson re- tired from active participation on account of failing health, and purchased a farm a short distance from the village, where he lived dur- ing the remainder of his life. After the rc- tirement of his father, Francis D. Henderson continucd the business in company with his brother. Their product was chiefly hcavy goods for use in mines and camps, and their sales were made principally to jobbers in the South and West. Always acting on the safe and conservative rule not to undertake more work than they could personally supervise, Henderson Brothers were very successful. While employing a foreman in each depart- ment, Francis D. Henderson attended to the duties of general superintendent, such as hir- ing workmen and buying stock, while his brother looked after sales and collections. The result was that both brothers were able to retire from the business with comfortable fortunes in 1894, when the factory was closed, and the buildings were rented for other pur- poses. Francis D. Henderson is a director of the First National Bank of Ipswich. In 1893 he built his handsome residence on Central Street, which is admirably situated on high ground.
In politics Mr. Henderson has always becn a loyal Republican. While taking an active interest in town affairs and attending many State conventions in recent years, he has de- clined nomination for office. He is a member of the Republican Club of Boston and of the Essex County Club. Fraternally, hc belongs to John T. Hurd Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Ips- wich, Amity Chapter of Beverly, and Wins- low Lewis Council of Salcm. In 1870 he married Miss L. Annic Porter, of Salem, and
now has one daughter, Miss Doricc, aged cight years. Since his retirement from busi- ness he has spent much time in travelling. In the winter of 1895-96 he went with his family on a trip to California, passing through Old Mexico, the Yosemite Valley, and other places of interest, spending considerable time in Pasadena, covering entirely a journey of nine thousand miles.
DMUND S. COLBY, who conducts a real estate and insurance agency in North Andover, was born in Water- ford, Me., February 20, 1854, son of the Rev. E. K. and Georgiana J. (Saunders) Colby. The Colby family, which is of English origin, descends from Anthony Colby, who was born in Amesbury, Mass., about the year 1690. Edmund S. Colby's grandfather, Thomas Colby, resided in Epping, N.H.
E. K. Colby, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Epping, N.H., in 1812. After completing his education, he en- tercd the ministry, and was located in Water- ford, Me., until 1856, when he was trans- ferred to Cape Cod. Some years later he re- moved to Auburn, Me., and thence to Gorham, Me., where he still resides, being now eighty- five years old. He married Georgiana J. Saunders, of Woodfords, Mc., daughter of Joshua Saunders. Her grandfather kept the old Saunders Tavern, a celebrated hostelry of Woodfords (now Deering), in the latter part of the cighteenth century. Mrs. E. K. Colby became the mother of two children, namely : Edmund S., the subject of this sketch; and Jennic M., who taught in the Gorham Normal School for ten years.
Edmund S. Colby went with his parents to reside on Cape Cod when he was two years old. Having acquired his early education in
CHARLES D. BROWN.
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the public schools, he took a two years' course at the Maine Wesleyan Seminary, Kent's Hill. Then, desirous of learning the ma- chinist's trade, he came to North Andover, Mass. Entering the machine shops of Davis & Furber, he served an apprenticeship, and learned his trade, which he afterward followed as a journeyman for twenty years. In 1893 he abandoned that occupation to enter the real estate and insurance business, which he has since followed.
Mr. Colby is chief engineer of the North Andover Fire Department, and was Tax Col- lector for six years. In politics he is a Re- publican. He is a member of Cochichawick Lodge, F. & A. M. By his marriage with Annie, daughter of Ivory Littlefield of Ken- nebunk, Me., he became the father of three children, none of whom are living.
HARLES DONNELL BROWN, Post- master of Gloucester and a former Representative to the legislature, was born in the neighboring city of Newbury- port, June 5, 1862, his parents being George D. and Elizabeth (Goodwin) Brown. His great-grandfather and grandfather were both named Daniel. The former married Elizabeth Stickney a daughter of Stephen Stickney, who in 1777 enlisted in a Massachusetts regiment of the Continental army for three years. He fought for independence under General Stark, and was at the surrender of Burgoyne. After his period of enlistment had ended, he served on board the privateer "Disdain " from July, 1781, to the close of the war. The grand- father, born in 1804, was a cooper by trade, and had a shop in Newburyport. George D. Brown, the father, was engaged in the manu- facture of pumps and blocks for ships at New- buryport.
Charles D. Brown received his education in the public schools of his native town, graduat- ing at the high school. For three years after leaving school he worked as clerk in the book store of Charles H. Johnson. At the end of that time he went to Boston and entered the employ of Knight, Adams & Co., wholesale stationers in that city. There he remained for eight years, becoming thoroughly conver- sant with all departments of the stationer's business. He then determined to engage in business for himself. Forthwith, forming a partnership with a Mr. Douglass, he opened a book store in Gloucester. Mr. Douglass re- tired after a short time, since which Mr. Brown has carried on the business alone with entire success.
During the past few years Mr. Brown has become a leading factor in Gloucester politics, and his friends are already predicting for him even larger public and civic honors than those he has yet attained. In 1893 and 1894 he was in the Common Council, being the president of that body in the latter year. In 1894 he was chosen Overseer of the Poor. In 1895, 1896, and 1897 he occupied a seat in the lower branch of the Massachusetts legislature, where he rendered valuable service to his con- stituents. For the first two years he repre- sented the whole of Gloucester, except Ward Two, together with the towns of Essex and Manchester. After the redistricting, which took effect before he entered upon his third term, he represented Wards One, Three, Four, Five, and Six of the city. In the first year Mr. Brown was a member of the Committee on Printing, in his second year he was clerk of the Mercantile Committee, and in his third year he was chairman of the Committee on Taxation and a member of the Water Supply Committee. He was instrumental in securing the passage of the bill which compelled the
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private owners of the water supply to sell their privilege to the city. In 1897 and 1898 he was chairman of the Republican City Com- mittee of Gloucester, and in 1897 he was a member of the Republican State Committee. At the present time he is a member of the Republican Club of Massachusetts. In 1896 he was a delegate to the convention that nominated President Mckinley.
Mr. Brown is likewise keenly alive to all the social events of the city, and is an active member of various social and fraternal or- ganizations. Of the former class, he may be mentioned as belonging to the Essex and Commonwealth Clubs and to the East Gloucester Yacht Club. As to fraternal or- ganizations, he is a member of the following : Ocean Lodge, I. O. O. F., of which he is a past Noble Grand; Cape Ann Encampment, Daughters of Rebecca; Acacia Lodge of Masons, of which he was secretary in 1894; William Ferson Chapter, Bethlehem Com- mandery, of K. T .; and Fernwood Lodge of the A. O. U. W. At the present time he is a trustee of the Odd Fellows Building and the secretary of the board. In 1895 he deliv- ered the historical address on the golden jubi- lee of Ocean Lodge of Odd Fellows. He was appointed Postmaster of Gloucester by President Mckinley August 8, 1898. By his marriage with Helen M. Dennis, a daughter of George and Lois (Griffin) Dennis, he has become the father of two children : Emma W., who was born April 1, 1889, and is now a student in the Gloucester schools; and Rodney Donnell, who was born on August 6, 1896.
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