USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Biographical review, containing life sketches of leading citizens of Essex County, Massachusetts > Part 55
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In politics Mr. Moore is a Republican, and was Surveyor of Highways for several years. He is connected with Newbury Grange, No. 146, Patrons of Husbandry, and has filled all of its important chairs. Since 1858 he has been a member of the First Congregational Church, of which he has served as Clerk and Assessor; and he was the superintendent of the Sunday-school for twenty years.
ORACE E. HARRIMAN,* a shoe manufacturer of South Georgetown, son of William B. and Olive (Nel- son) Harriman, was born in Georgetown in 1852. The paternal great-grandfather, Moses Harriman, born in Bradford, Mass., who was a farmer by occupation, enlisted in the Conti- nental army, was an ensign at the battle of Lexington, and was afterward promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant, and in November, 1775, he was made Lieutenant. His son, Moses, born in Bradford in 1774, was engaged in farming throughout the remainder of his - life, and died at the age of seventy-five.
William B. Harriman, son of the second Moses Harriman, born in Georgetown in 1811,
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died there in 1884. He was engaged in shoe manufacturing. An ardent abolitionist, he took much interest in local politics. He mar- ried Olive, a daughter of Moses Nelson, who, born in Georgetown in 1773, died there in 1863. Her mother, whose maiden name was Phœbe Brittlebank, was Mr. Nelson's second wife, and a daughter of one of the minutemen who responded to the Lexington alarm. Mr. Brittlebank served for nine days on the alarm roll of Captain Eliphalet Spofford's company, in Colonel Samuel Garish's regiment, which marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775, from Rowley to Cambridge. The children of Will- iam and Olive Harriman were: Caroline, Ellen, and Horace E. Caroline, who was edu- cated in the common and high schools and at Topsfield Academy, married in 1862 Charles Tyler, of Georgetown. He enlisted in 1862 in Company K, Fiftieth Massachusetts Vol- unteer Infantry, was a musician in the band, and served under Banks at New Orleans and Baton Rouge. He was discharged in 1863. Ellen, born in 1848, died in infancy. Will- iam B. Harriman's first wife was Abigail March.
Horace E. Harriman was educated in the public schools of Georgetown, graduating from the high school there. Afterward he worked in the shoe business until 1879, when he started in as a manufacturer, with a factory lo- cated at South Georgetown, where he carries on his business at the present time. He pro- duces heavy work, and sells to the retail trade of New England. In politics he is a Republi- can. He was married in 1874 to Mary, a daughter of Israel and Harriet (Fitch) Bal- com, of Salem. They have four children : Alice G., born in 1875, who graduated from the Boston Conservatory of Music, is now a music teacher, and lives at home; Fred H., born in 1878, now with his father in the fac-
tory; Harriet O., born in 1881, now a pupil in the high school; and William A., born in 1893.
A LFRED W. THOMPSON,* a well- known citizen of Newburyport, was born here March 7, 1839. His great-grandfather, a sturdy, vigorous man, was of Scotch descent. His father, Albert Thompson, likewise a native of Newburyport, who was the proprietor of a livery stable on Inn Street for a number of years, died at the age of forty-seven years. Albert was a promi- nent member of the Veteran Artillery Associ- ation, and held different offices in that organ- ization. He married Mary Ann Burrill, who died at the age of fifty years. Of their four children, three are now living.
Alfred W. Thompson, the youngest child and only son of his parents, attended the pub- lic schools of this city. When his school days ended, he learned the trade of silversmith with William P. Jones and A. F. Towle. After the Civil War began, he enlisted in Company B, Thirty-fifth Massachusetts Regi- ment of the Ninth Army Corps, under Gen- eral Burnside, and served until the close of the war. He was in the battles of Sulphur Springs, Fredericksburg, North Anna, Jack- son, Knoxville, and Cold Harbor, being in active service for about three years. Return- ing to his native city after the great struggle had ended, he began to work again at his trade. In 1874 he entered the business he now follows, that of keeper of a restaurant, bar, and pool-room. He has recently made addi- tions to his premises, rendered necessary by his increasing trade.
In politics Mr. Thompson is an Independent. He is a member of the A. W. Bartlett Post, No. 49, G. A. R., and of Newburyport Vet-
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eran Artillery Association. Connected with the latter for thirty years, he has served it as Sergeant for several years, and was formerly its Commander. He is also member of the Veteran Firemen's Association and of St. Mark's Lodge, F. & A. M. On December 13, 1869, he married Louisa M., daughter of Joseph Pickett, of Newburyport.
OSEPH CROSBY RANDLETT,* Al- derman of Lynn and the chairman of the General Republican Committee of the city, was born at Bangor, Me., May 22, 1859. His parents were James C. and Emma S. (Clarke) Randlett, respectively natives of Penobscot County and Bangor. James Rand- lett was for a number of years engaged in the making of boots, shoes, and moccasins, prin- cipally the last. Afterward he was in the grocery business in Bangor. From Bangor he removed to Ashland, Mass. From there he came to Lynn, where he died in April, 1893, at the age of sixty-three years.
Joseph Crosby Randlett received his educa- tion in the public schools of Bangor, finishing at the age of fifteen. He began his working life in the hardware business of W. P. Dickey of Bangor, with whom he remained for two years. Going then to Ashland, he worked in a boot and shoe shop until the fall of 1880. In June, 1881, he entered the passenger ser- vice of the Boston & Albany Railroad, and was subsequently in the employ of that com- pany until February, 1895, being the con- ductor of the New York & Boston Express during the last year. From February until September, 1895, he was in company with his brother in the sale of fruits and periodicals. He then came to Lynn to work for the Thomp- son & Houston Electric Company, now the
General Electric Company, with which he has since remained.
Mr. Randlett is a member of West Lynn Lodge, No. 65, I. O. O. F .; also of North Star Lodge of Masons at Ashland. For the past six years he has been a member of the Republican City Committee, and during the last two years he has been the chairman of the General Committee. For five years he was the president of the West Lynn Republi- can Club. From 1895 to 1897 he held a seat in the Common Council, and at present he is on the Board of Aldermen. He is on the committees on Claims, Water Supply, Street Sprinkling, State Aid, Elections, and Drain- age Assessments and Drainage. Of the last two named he is the chairman.
EORGE W. HEATH,* of Newbury- port, a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Fredericton, N. B., April 12, 1838, son of James and Huldah K. (Cogges- well) Heath. His grandfather Coggeswell belonged to an old family of Frederic- ton. James Heath, who was born in Plais- tow, N. H., worked as a ship-carpenter for twenty-five years. He died at the age of eighty years; and his wife Huldah, outliving him, died at the residence of her son, George William, in the ninety-third year of her age. They had seven children, of whom three are now living.
When the subject of our sketch was four years old, his parents removed to Plaistow, N.H. He began life as a cook, being em- ployed about twelve years in the Hazeltine House, Manchester, now called the Windsor House. In 1861 he enlisted in Company E, Fourth New Hampshire Regiment, and was in the Ninth and Tenth Army Corps. His regi- ment was the first to arrive in the South. His
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first battle was that fought at Ogeechee, and he subsequently participated in eleven differ- ent battles - at James Island, St. Helena, Jacksonville, Fernandina, siege of Fort Sum- ter, Stony River, Opelousas, Break-of-Day, Tally-ho, Gloucester, and Bermuda Hundred. February 22, 1864, he re-enlisted at Beau- fort, S.C., for three years, and was cook for the officers. He was wounded in the battle of Drury's Bluff in May of the same year, and was taken prisoner. He remained in the hospital for three months on account of the wound received through the hips, and was confined to his bed for nine months more. One ball still remains in his hip. For a number of years Mr. Heath was keeper of a boarding-house, averaging about thirty-five boarders. He continued in the business till 1890. He now leads a retired life in New- buryport. He is unmarried. He is a liberal- minded man and a Republican in politics. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church, is a member of Louis Bell Post, No. 3, G. A. R., at Manchester, N.H., and of the U. V. L. of Newburyport.
EORGE W. FROST,* who conducts a flourishing wood and coal business at Pigeon Cove, was born in Rockport, July 21, 1853, son of Andrew and Abbie (Saunders) Frost. The parents were natives of Nova Scotia, and it is said that the Frosts are originally of Irish origin. Andrew Frost, who settled in Rockport and was engaged in fishing here for many years, died in March, 1885.
George W. Frost was educated in the public schools of Rockport. At the age of eighteen he accepted a position as clerk in the general store carried on by the Bay State Granite Company, with which he remained nearly three
years. He was next employed by George H. Shepherd, a meat and provision dealer, with whom he continued for several years. Subse- quently he was a travelling salesman for two different salt-fish concerns of Gloucester. In 1890 he purchased the wood and coal yard es- tablished by the late William Marchant in 1857, and has since carried on a successful business.
Mr. Frost married Cynthia Butler, of Gloucester, and is the father of three chil- dren - Abbie M., W. Marchant, and Annie T.
Politically, Mr. Frost is a Republican, and has served as a Water Commissioner one year. He is connected with Granite Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Rockport; and Ocean View Lodge, No. 84, Knights of Pythias of Pigeon Cove. He contributes liberally toward the support of churches, and is actively interested in all movements for developing the resources of the village and increasing its attractiveness as a summer resort.
RANK EUGENE WELLS,* City Mar- shal of Lynn, was born February 16, 1863, in Benton, N. H., the birthplace of his father, George Wells. His paternal grandfather, Enos Wells, spent the major por- tion of his life in Benton, where he was a farmer and mill-owner, and one of the sub- stantial business men.
George Wells, a farmer by occupation, dur- ing his years of active life was identified with the more prominent interests of his native town, which he continued to make his home, and in which he filled various local offices. He married Caroline B. Morse, who was born in Haverhill, Grafton County, N. H., daughter of Jacob Morse, who moved to that town from Hebron, which is in the same county. He and his two brothers were extensive land-owners
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in Haverhill, and carried on a very large busi- ness in lumber manufacturing and dealing. They were very prominent in public affairs, and all served at different times in the New Hampshire legislature.
Frank E. Wells obtained his elementary education in Haverhill, N.H. After leaving the public schools of that town, at the age of thirteen years, he attended the academy at Newbury, Vt., for two years. Going then to Lancaster, N. H., he served an apprenticeship of three years at the carriage iron worker's trade, at which he subsequently worked in Lancaster, Leominster, Mass., and in Boston. In 1884 he came to Lynn, and for two years was employed as conductor on the Lynn & Boston Railway. In January, 1886, he was appointed an officer on the Lynn police force, and for five years did efficient service as patrolman. In January, 1891, he was ap- pointed City Marshal, his present position, an office which he is filling most satisfactorily, his management eliciting the approbation of those above him in power as well as of those under his control. Since he assumed the charge of this important department of the city, the service has been greatly improved and advanced, it being now placed on a higher scale than ever before. In 1892 the service stripe was inaugurated; and the official staff of the department changed from marshal, dep- uty, and captain, to marshal, two lieutenants, and three sergeants.
Mr. Wells is a member of Mount Carmel Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; of Sutton R. A. Chapter; of Olivet Commandery, K. T .; of Abraham Lincoln Lodge, K. of P .; and of Poquanum Tribe of Red Men. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party. On Au- gust 9, 1887, he married in Haverhill, N. H., Miss Martha P. Southard, who was born and reared in that town. Mr. and Mrs. Wells
have three children ; namely, Mabel H., Earl E., and Hazel F.
BEN KNOWLTON,* who has conducted a successful bakery on King Street, Rockport, for nearly half a century, was born in this town, May 31, 1822, son of Azor and Lois (Hale) Knowlton. In 1640 three Knowlton brothers, accompanied by their parents, sailed from England for America ; and the father was lost overboard on the passage. The brothers with their mother settled in Ips- wich, Mass. One of them afterward moved to Rhode Island, another to Maine, the third remaining in Ipswich. Of the last named the subject of this sketch is a direct descendant. Colonel Thomas Knowlton, a descendant of the Rhode Island settler, served under General Washington, and was killed in the Revolution- ary War. Malachi Knowlton, Eben Knowl- ton's grandfather, was a native of Hamilton, Mass., and served as a soldier in the War of
1812. Azor Knowlton, Eben Knowlton's father, was born and reared upon his father's farm in Hamilton ; and, when a young man, he engaged in fishing at what is now Rockport. He later owned or controlled considerable wharfage in this town, which business he fol- lowed for forty years, or until his death. Lois, his wife, was a native of Rockport.
Eben Knowlton was reared to manhood in Rockport, and made the most of his oppor- tunities for obtaining an education by attend- ing the district schools. In his twentieth year he began an apprenticeship to the baker's trade in Gloucester, and served as apprentice or journeyman about seven or eight years. Returning to Rockport in 1848, he went into business for himself. Beginning on a small scale, he has since conducted a first-class bakery, which for many years has enjoyed a
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GEORGE W. SARGENT, OF LAWRENCE, MASS.
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large patronage and has proved very profitable. He has two teams, and employs usually about four men.
Mr. Knowlton married Elizabeth Matthews, and has five children living, namely : Eben S. Knowlton, Tax Collector of Rockport; Re- becca J., wife of William Colby, of Franklin, Mass. ; Archie, a resident of Hartford, Conn. ; Benjamin H., of this town; and James M. Knowlton, M. D., a physician in Indiana, Pa. Mrs. Knowlton is no longer living.
Aside from his own business affairs Mr. Knowlton considers the welfare and prosperity of the town as paramount to all other interests, and is in favor of any practical schemes for its improvement. He is connected by member- ship with Ashler Lodge, F. & A. M., and attends the Baptist church.
EORGE WOODBURY SARGENT, M.D., for many years a prominent physician of Lawrence, Mass., was born April 9, 1834, in Concord, Vt., a son of Dr. Seneca and Mary (Wilder) Sargent. His paternal ancestors were among the earliest set- tlers of Essex County, and for many genera- tions devoted themselves to clearing the land and cultivating the soil.
Dr. Seneca Sargent was a son of Philip Sargent. He was born in Lunenburg, Vt., where he acquired his early education. He was graduated from Dartmouth College; and, after practising his profession in different towns in Vermont and New Hampshire, he located in Lawrence, Mass., then a new city, coming here in 1846 with his family. He was very skilful in his treatment of diseases, and secured an extensive patronage in this vicinity. During the late Civil War, in 1862, he enlisted as a volunteer surgeon, and served with the Army of the Potomac until
failing health compelled him to retire. He died at his home, 133 Haverhill Street, in 1873, at the age of threescore and ten years. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Wilder, was born in Bethlehem, N.H., in 1808, and died in Lawrence in 1888. They had four children, three sons and one daugh- ter, of whom but two children are living, namely : Charles Frank, of Somerville, Mass .; and John W., of Lawrence.
George Woodbury Sargent, after receiving his diploma from Albany Medical College in 1857, made two voyages to Europe as a ship's surgeon. Returning then to Lawrence, he decided to remain with his father; and both, while the father lived, had their office at 181 Essex Street, where Dr. George B. Sargent, his son, is now located. While yet a young man Dr. George W. Sargent established an excellent reputation for professional ability ; and as the years went on he acquired a large and lucrative practice, notwithstanding the fact that he was handicapped by imperfect health. In December, 1892, weakened by many days of severe labor and exposure, he was attacked by pneumonia, which terminated fatally on January 1, 1893.
The Lawrence Medical Club, of which Dr. Sargent had been one of the original mem- bers, paid sincere tribute to his memory. We quote from a paper read at the meeting in February following his death : -
"Dr. Sargent was for quite a number of years the city physician of Lawrence, and he was no less conscientious in the discharge of his duties to the poor of the city than to those more favored. . .. His experience as physi- cian to the jail was of a similar character, and his fidelity to this trust is evidenced by the fact that his continuous service in this capac- ity extended over thirty years. . .. As a med- ical witness he was distinguished by the dig-
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nity of his bearing when on the stand, by the frankness and unpartisan character of his testi- mony, and by the intelligent and comprehen- sive nature of his opinions.
" As a consultant he was modest, frank, and honorable, and he brought to this duty a mind well stored with the valuable fruits and expedients of experience and study. His opinion was always expressed with candor and delicacy, and with due deference to the inter- ests of his colleagues as well as to those of the patient.
"Dr. Sargent felt a deep interest and took an active part in the evolution of the Law- rence General Hospital from the beginning. He was a life member of the Ladies' Union Charitable Society, and was a member of the board of construction of the hospital build- ing. His services as consultant were in fre- quent demand by the hospital physicians.
"He was a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society and of the American Medical Association, as well as of the Medical Club, to whose meetings he contributed much valu- able information in the topical discussions and in the papers which he read. . . . He usu- ally got hold of and appropriated for use whatever was new in medicine, and both his eyes and his ears were used for this purpose, His therapeusis was intelligent, well defined, and purposeful, his bearing in the sick-room tactful, cheerful, and pleasing, inspiring con- fidence in patients and friends. .. . He had the privilege and good fortune to find in his home those attributes which are so necessary in order to make the hard and exhausting life of a physician a success and a blessing to the world - namely, rest, comfort, and mental and moral support."
Fraternally, he was a Mason and an Odd Fellow, and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, his practice as an assistant sur-
geon during the war of the Rebellion qualify- ing him for membership in the latter organi- zation.
He married in 1863 Mary Bancroft, who was born in West Amesbury, now Merrimac, Mass., and was educated at an academy. Her parents, Samuel and Eunice (Kelley) Ban- croft, were prosperous members of the farming community. They reared eight children. The two now living are: Mary (Mrs. Sar- gent) ; and Leman Eaton Bancroft, a carriage manufacturer, who owns and occupies the old homestead. Mrs. Bancroft died at the age of sixty-seven years in 1864; while her husband, who survived her, attained the age of four- score years, his death occurring in 1874.
Dr. George W. and Mrs. Sargent had three children, as follows: Mary Lena, who died at the age of eight years; George Bancroft; and Irving Wilder. The elder son, George B., studied at Phillips Academy in Andover, and, after his subsequent graduation from Dr. Hale's School in Boston, entered the Harvard Medical School, from which he received his degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1894. The following year he spent abroad, continuing his studies in the hospitals of Vienna, London, Edinburgh, and Berlin. In the latter part of 1895 he returned to Lawrence, and estab- lished himself in the office previously occu- pied by his father and grandfather. He has already built up a good practice, and bids fair to become one of the leading physicians of the city. He is a member of the Massa- chusetts Medical Society, and also a member of the medical staff of the Lawrence General Hospital. In June, 1896, he married Miss Mary Gibbs, daughter of the Rev. William E. and Cornelia (Van Houzen Lester) Gibbs, of Lawrence. They have one child, a little daughter, named Cornelia Bancroft. Irving W. Sargent, the younger son, was graduated =
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from the Andover Phillips Academy in June, 1896. when but sixteen years old, and is now a Junior at Harvard College.
ALEB J. NORWOOD,* of the firm C. Norwood & Son, manufacturers of isinglass at Ipswich, Mass., has been intimately associated with the business interests of the town since reaching man's es- tate. This industry was first started here by Seth Norwood more than half a century ago, but after a few years' trial it was abandoned. In 1857 Caleb Norwood, the father of Caleb J., established the present plant at Norwood's mills, about three miles west of the village of Ipswich, having as a partner his brother-in- law, James Manning, of Rockport. After the retirement of the latter Mr. Norwood admitted his son into partnership, the firm name being changed from Norwood & Manning to C. Nor- wood & Son. The factory of Messrs. Nor- wood, working night and day, employs thirty- five hands, and puts out annually five hundred cases of isinglass of one hundred and twenty- five pounds each. There are but four other factories of the kind in existence. In addi- tion the firm has a saw-mill and grist-mill, which have an extensive business.
Caleb Norwood, born in Rockport, Mass., in 1808, died in Ipswich in 1870. During his earlier years he was master of a coast ves- sel. In 1850 he went to California as agent for Eastern ship-owners. On his return from the Pacific coast he conducted a hotel in Rockport for a time, and then removed to Ipswich. He married Jerusha Butman, of Rockport, who survived him, dying in 1875. They reared two children, namely: Fiducia, a resident of Rockport, who never married; and Caleb J., the subject of this biography.
Born and bred in Rockport, Caleb J. Nor-
wood came from there to Ipswich when eigh- teen years old. He has since been connected with the factory. At first a workman, he be- came familiar with the details of the manu- facturing process. Afterward he became a member of the firm, and since the death of his father has had the entire management of the place. The business has constantly increased in size and value, and now ranks among the leading industries of the town. The water power of the factory has been one of the long- est in use in the State. The first dam on this part of the river was built two hundred years ago for a carding-mill and a grist-mill. Mr. Norwood's first wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Rowe, died in early womanhood, leaving two children. The latter are: Will- iam Jerome, who carries on the grist-mill, is married, and has one son; and Alice D., who recently married Lincoln Ross, of Rockford, Ill. Mr. Norwood subsequently married Miss Martha A., daughter of William A. Dane, of Hamilton. They have two children: Grace Almira, the wife of Harry E. Bailey, of Bos- ton ; and Charles A., a student at the Boston Latin School. Mrs. Bailey, an elocutionist of rare power, while yet a young girl won commendation, not only from the public press, but from such high authorities as Gail Hamil- ton and John Greenleaf Whittier.
Mr. Norwood is well endowed with the suc- cess-compelling qualities of industry and fore- sight. Through his kindly intelligence and sterling integrity, he has won the regard of all in the community. He is a director of the First National Bank of Ipswich. In 1888 he served in the Committee on Public Service in the State House of Representatives, repre- senting the district composed of the towns of Hamilton, Wenham, and Ipswich. He was nominated for the legislature without his knowledge or consent ; and he was elected in
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